Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 5 Chapter 2 (section)

==2.00 Chiharu Part 4==

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Gently swaying…

Lightly floating…

Even if Chiharu didn't do anything.

Even if she had to do something.

She thought these peaceful days would always continue.

Forever.

Even after she became an adult—

"Come on, Chiharu. Let's eat your brother's dream today. I'm hungry."

The instant the short homeroom class was over, the voice of Aria Varei rose inside Chiharu's head.

The teacher on the podium was giving messages to the class.

Chiharu was completely absentminded and inattentive.

"Your appetite is at its limits already."

Aria complained.

"Also, Chiharu, ever since you've met Elvioréne all you've been doing is thinking… I can understand why even you would be afraid of that, but talk to me more…"

While Chiharu gazed outside the window, Aria Varei spoke to her from inside.

''That person is… also like Aria—''

Although she couldn't see her, she could feel it on her skin.

The woman wearing a crimson long coat and sunglasses, Elvioréne. She also existed nearby right now.

"Not quite like me. We're both beings that are drawn by delicious dreams. We both eat humans' dreams and give birth to Mushitsuki. But what's different is the category of the Mushitsuki we produce."

''The Original Three—''

"Ooh, you've done well to remember that name even though I only talked about it briefly. Impressive! We're lured by first-rate dreams, so we end up bumping into each other from time to time. Just like this time. Still, it doesn't mean we're enemies because of that; we have our own rule. First come, first served."

''First come, first served—''

"You know, despite her always eating a lot, El is actually strangely fussy over taste. She waits for the dream's flavor to become of the highest grade before eating it. She's also called Oogui, meaning gluttonous. I'm personally picky as I value quality over quantity or flavor. So I pick dreams fitting my taste. On the other hand, Diorestoi has a strange taste and likes delicacies, so he purposely distorts dreams before eating them."

''You all create Mushitsuki—''

"Yeah. Actually that's our only common feature. I already have no personality, Dio has a half-baked personality remaining, and El's already formed her own. Our personalities are different but our nature is the same. Just like moths drawn to a flame. Such is our habit. We appear when lured by dream. Oh, but our abilities are also completely different."

''Abilities—''

"Yeah yeah, because I'm a pacifist. I barely have any abilities to fight. Because of that it's ironic that Fusion-Type Mushitsuki end up super strong. I wonder if that's because that, as long as there's not some great irregular, I fall asleep again after eating someone's dream."

''So I don't have any ability to fight—''

"Leaving me aside, Dio is moderately strong. But that woman, El, is absurdly strong. Not only is she strong but there's a reason she can't be destroyed. I can affirm it, no one who can destroy El currently exists in the world. —And now you'll finally want to hear about all the juicy details! Also, going with the flow, why don't you also try asking me about the reason for our birth?"

"No, I don't want to ask about that."

Chiharu let out a voice and cleanly refused.

Thanks to it coincidentally overlapping with the bells indicating the end of the school day, no one heard her voice.  

"Mushi, Mushitsuki… the Original Three and all that have nothing to do with us."

She muttered in a small voice, held her backpack and left the class. Her friends tried calling to her, but since she hurried Chiharu ignored them.

"Nothing to do with us… That's a problematic statement! What about me inside of you? How horrible, that's violation of my human rights! I'll sue you!"

Turning a deaf ear to Aria's protests, Chiharu rushed down the stairs.

She waited in front of the lower grade classroom for her brother to come out. 

Daisuke immediately appeared.

"…Geh."

Seeing Chiharu's face, her brother frowned. She became shocked.

"What's that reaction! Your sister is shocked!"

"S-shut up! Don't come in front of my classroom and be so loud! Isn't it embarrassing!"

"It's not embarrassing! It's normal!"

"Don't come with me, stupid Chiharu!"

As Daisuke walked down the corridor with a fast pace, Chiharu followed him from behind.

She knew he was being bullied by his classmates. And since Daisuke was kind he wouldn't strike back. 

That's why Chiharu had to protect him as his sister—

"I think you're a bit overprotective though."

"I'm not overprotective. It's normal—"

She looked at Daisuke going down the stairs.

A sweet fragrance drifted from her brother walking in front of her.

It wasn't that she was hungry or that her throat was dry. But the rich smell rising from him lured her as if it contained essential nutrition for her.

Daisuke was going down the stairs.

Chiharu was assaulted by an urge to leap down, slip through the passersby with Aria Varei's ability and swoop down from behind.

"…Dai…suke—"

Chiharu's hair rippled.

Just by imagining herself stuffing her cheeks with his incredibly delicious dream, a smile rose to her mouth—

"S-sorry!"

Someone bumped into her shoulders from behind and she came to her senses.

"Ah! What a waste! Why did you ruin everything when she only needed a little push!"

The one who bumped into Chiharu was a meek-seeming boy. He apologized to her and then started running again.

Calming down, Chiharu covered her pale face with both hands. She breathed heavily.

It was a close call. 

Just a bit more and Chiharu would've lose to her urges as Aria Varei.

"I have to pull myself together… I'm Daisuke's sister after all…"

As Chiharu mumbled to herself, the boy from just now called toward Daisuke.

"Daisuke-kun! Why did you leave before me? Let's go home together!"

"Ah, oh, right. Sorry, Mitsuki."

"Please tell me how to become stronger today! I saw it on TV the other day! They said that to become strong you need a righteous heart and compassion!"

"Ahaha, was that Carnivorous Squadron? Are you watching that?"

Chiharu widened her eyes.

Without thinking she stood in place.

Daisuke let out a voice – of laughter.

When was the last time she had seen her brother smile enjoyably?

"You don't have to hold back so much, right?"

Aria's voice was gentle. Although a self-proclaimed wicked being, Aria spoke in a tone as if unwilling to see Chiharu suffer.

"Even if you weren't there your brother will be fine."

He was fine even without Chiharu.

Meaning, he would be fine even if she forgot about him.

But, Chiharu was—

"…Ehehe."

Laughing, she followed after Daisuke. Switching her shoes, she walked slightly behind Daisuke and Mitsuki.

"Today's a day to remember. Daisuke's made a friend."

Daisuke's profile as he talked with his friend seemed happy.

Although Chiharu was once again assaulted by her 'appetite', she suppressed it with utmost effort.

She stepped back as to not disturb the good mood of her brother and his friend.

Aria spoke in a shaky voice to her.

"What’s up with you—"

It was a low voice that she had never heard before. It was as if Aria couldn't bear it anymore and so shouted.

"What's up with you! Why don't you hate me? I'm the one who selfishly entered you! Why don't you hate your brother? I only planted myself inside you because you're close to him! And yet you're the only one holding yourself back! You've lost your friends for your brother's sake and he's the only one to make friends and laugh! How can you care about us! You should make everything our fault and give up!"

Aria's jeers could be heard only by Chiharu. Except for that voice the road back home was quiet.

"I won't let you turn Daisuke into a Mushitsuki. I'll never let you do such a thing."

Chiharu smiled.

"I love him. I love him so much that he hates it. —I'm his sister after all." 

"…!"

Aria was apparently unable to speak due to excessive anger. Chiharu understood that anguish.

Entering the residential area downhill from the school, there were increasingly less and less people around.

Elementary school ended early. Even at the best of times there was a declining population, so now the only ones to pass walking through the main street were Daisuke, his friend and Chiharu.

"Also, I… don't want to forget Daisuke."

Chiharu said in a mutter.

"The time you've spent with me will become nothing more than an illusion to you. You were simply involved in my long-lasting sleep. When I eat his dream and nourish myself I'll return being a cocoon…"

"I'll forget even about turning Daisuke into a Mushitsuki, right? I hate just that."

She would rob her brother of his peaceful daily life and end up forgetting all about it.

She didn't want to imagine that future.

Although a sister needed to protect her brother, she would push him down to hell and only she would return to her peaceful life.

For Chiharu that was much scarier than death.

"That's too horrible. Not something a sister would do…"

"He'll turn into a Mushitsuki either way. —If you don't eat his dream… El will. First, until now I never failed in eating a dream that lured me. You won't be able to withstand your appetite forever."

"Daisuke will turn into a Mushitsuki either way?"

"Right. If you don't eat his dream El will. That's why I'm inside you, and El was also lured to him."

"…No."

Chiharu smiled.

She stopped her legs in a corner of the residential area.

A bit farther than Daisuke and his friend.

And—

From her back—

"Daisuke-chan's dream sure is getting steadily more delicious…"

A purple scale fell on the ground.

"Will you still not eat it, Aria? You seem to be having quite a lot of trouble this time."

Chiharu could realize even without turning around. Even without any reply, she knew who was behind her.

"I will never hate you, Aria."

Smiling, she turned to her back.

Standing there was a woman with rainbow-colored eyes and a crimson long coat.

One of the Original Three, Elvioréne.

"N-no way… You're kidding, right Chiharu…?"

Aria's voice shook.

Chiharu's hair was instantly dyed blue.

Transforming into one of the Original Three, Aria Varei, Chiharu grinned.

"Aria's inside me so I can protect Daisuke."

"What does this mean, Aria?"

"No, umm, wait a minute! This is a misunderstanding! C-Chiharu! Chiharu-san! Did you listen to me before? Me and El are of a completely different level—"

Ignoring Aria's panic, Chiharu glared at Elvioréne.

Gently swaying…

Lightly floating…

Chiharu and Daisuke's peaceful days – would definitely never change.

"I will beat this person and won't eat Daisuke's dream. If I do so… Daisuke won't turn into a Mushitsuki and I won't forget about him!"

"Kyaaa!"

While hearing Aria's shout, Chiharu leap at Elvioréne.

The sunglasses woman narrowed her rainbow-colored eyes.

"''Fufu''—"

Purple-colored scales burst.

The scales assembled and created the legs and a horn of a large insect. The horn stabbed into the road, lifting up concrete.

The mass of concrete, weighing who knows how many tons, bent over Chiharu.

Chiharu's blue hair shone. Starting from her head, she plunged her body into the concrete. 

Piercing through with her fusion abilities, she swung her right arm toward Elvioréne.

"Wait a minute—"

The space Chiharu passed through warped. The blue glow made the ground explode and gouged a part of the nearby telegraph pole, assaulting Elvioréne.

"How can you use that power! I didn't teach you about it!"

Elvioréne moved to the side to evade.

"…!"

Changing her target, Chiharu also tried swinging her left arm.

"Stop that! That power… If you make even a single mistake you'll blow up your body!"

"—I'm not afraid of that at all."

Purple scales surrounded the smiling Elvioréne. She disappeared as if the air swallowed her. 

Chiharu hurriedly looked around her—

"Really, Aria?"

She heard a woman's voice from behind.

As Chiharu tried turning around she was hit by an impact on the nape of her neck.

Her consciousness was rapidly dimming. 

"Disciplining this child is your job. We're not as close as me always forgiving you, right?"

"I-I know that, El…"

"''Fufu''. I also found the perfect aperitif. If you don't do it quickly, I might win this time, you know?"

"An aperitif…?"

While hearing the other two talking—

Chiharu lost her consciousness.

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It was the next day after the infiltration to Mushibane's assembly.

Intermittent vibrations shook Chiharu's seat.

There were few passengers of the rapid-transit train during daytime in the middle of the week. Especially on the car and the very end where Chiharu and the rest sat in. There were only several other passengers on the same car. 

Buildings in construction stuck out from the townscape flowing outside the window.

Chiharu wasn't well-informed in the geography outside Nishito City, but according to Chami the area was apparently designated as a special ward for the development plan of the country.

The patches of town she could see through the triangular glasses seemed to be brimming with liveliness, different from Nishito City that was on the countryside. Even the rapid-transit train Chiharu boarded on would probably have more passengers once they reach the town center. 

"Don't look so comfortable and hum like that. And don't raise your face too much."

Chami, sitting next to Chiharu while crossing her arms, said in a resigned tone. As she wore Chiharu's cap low on her head she should look like a boy when seen from afar.

"Eh? Was I humming?"

Chiharu asked back, causing Chami to slightly shake her head as if saying she had enough.

"Never mind a small fry member like me, you're now a number one wanted criminal. I found out through Konoha that even Central Headquarters discovered your identity. …Really, I thought it would take them longer to find out you're Daisuke's older sister, but thanks to that we had to hasten our movements."

"Do they really think I'm that dangerous?"

Chami replied to Chiharu's innocent question by wrinkling her brows.

"You probably don't know this, but there was a precedent for someone close to a Fusion Type Mushitsuki gaining incredible strength. Even leaving that aside, they probably think you're the one who'd offed Kanata from the Central Headquarters' Annihilators."

"Eh? That's the first time I heard that! Why would they think that?"

"Kanata was a powerful Mushitsuki. Something around Blaze Class Rank 3. I obviously wouldn't be able to do it but even Mushibane doesn't have any Mushitsuki strong enough to take care of him. —Aijisupa joined Mushibane only recently so the SEPB wouldn't have any data on him. On the other hand there were also no traces of Fuyuhotaru having fought there…  And even I who served to monitor someone related to a Rank 1 member was defeated. Not to mention you disappearing so suspiciously." 

"I'm not a Mushitsuki!"

"It's worse than that. It's because you were once an Original Three. —Anyhow, Central Headquarters can't stay calm. Since they regard a powerful Fusion Type Mushitsuki as great danger they'll try to kill them without any regard to their appearance."

Even this late, Chiharu shuddered at the situation she was thrust into. Even though her classmates always told her she had no sense of danger it was obvious.

Chiharu and Chami exchanged their personal items which were the glasses and the cap and wore them. Since only Chiharu's hair was long she braided it, attempting a makeover. 

She felt the disguise wasn't reliable, but according to Chami "you're good at everything you do. You look like a different person" apparently.

"So we're here because we have to get you protection as soon as possible. Don't make me explain it again and again. —Aya, stay vigilant for now."

"The number of telegraph poles from Nishito City along the railway is 13,583."

Aya who sat near the window mumbled this while keeping gazing intently at the outside scenery. Only she was in her school uniform like always. "These guys… they don't listen to me at all…" Chami cursed.

"Yes, there's no doubt that the fact of you – Kakkou's older sister Kusuriya Chiharu going missing was revealed to Mushibane."

Chami raised her cap with her index finger, looking at the outside scenery. Perhaps she was affected by Aya's zealous gaze.

"Is that so?"

"Having Mushibane find out about Kakkou's disappearance so easily is the proof above all. Mushibane split into a Fuyuhotaru faction and extremist faction so we can't tell where they'd gotten the information from. Didn't your sister say so, Aya?"

"Now it's 13,652."

"Wow, you have an amazing dynamic vision, Aya."

"…There's a spy in Mushibane. Their goal is Mushibane's self-destruction, taking out a dangerous person such as Kakkou along with them if possible."

Chami asserted casually. Chiharu tilted her head.

"Spy?"

"Yeah. Most likely – the SEPB'S Central Headquarters sent some person quite close to the core. That spy also caused Mushibane's remnants to fight against Kakkou during Haji Senri's escort mission in Housawa Town. And they're trying to do the same thing again." 

"I don't really get it but… if you can understand so much you sure are smart, Chami-chan."

The one to respond to Chiharu's honest impressions was Aya. She moved her gaze from the window to her.

"It's natural. There's no one who could beat Chami in evil schemes."

"…I don't think that's really a compliment, Aya-chan."

"Even if you're not me you can understand it by thinking a little. Mushibane are nothing but a gathering of idiots. Without any advisor – someone with brains, they'd left command, fighting and everything else to Lady Bird. Those idiots at Mushibane didn't even realize she wasn't the kind of person able to calmly think up battle plans. But Lady's done a good job creating such a large organization all by herself without any councilors."

Perhaps growing angrier while speaking, Chami's tone gradually became louder.

"If I had to say, the one who's killed Lady was none other than Mushibane itself. If they had any brains, they wouldn't have gotten caught in Haji Keigo's schemes. Since everyone was so captivated by Lady battling in the center of the stage they didn't try going on the stage themselves. Lady kept fighting alone without any actors in supporting roles – and fell. And before I could drag her down myself."

Just like Aya said, apparently Chami didn't like it when the 'story' progressed in places she didn't know about.

Konomura Chami was also a Mushitsuki. 

This girl kept pursuing her dream – her unfulfilled aspiration.

"So is Shiika-chan the leader now instead of that Lady?"

Chiharu inquired Chami.

"Shiika-chan… won't become like Lady, right?"

"Since Fuyuhotaru has powerful assistants, Aijisupa and Namie, it probably won't go that easily. But as expected they only have fighting power. In the end the SEPB has Miguruma Yaeko and Haji Keigo – he's still unconscious, but anyway it's obvious they're gonna lead them by the nose. Aijisupa seems to have a fast mind, but he's probably not the type to carefully refine battle strategies."

Chami sneered.

"Let me declare. It appears like Fuyuhotaru is trying to borrow the powers of Mushibane's small fries, but as long as she couldn't use them well they will definitely hold her back. Just like it was with Lady. Does Fuyuhotaru even have the talent to make use of pawns, I wonder?"

"…So what if it was you, Chami-chan?"

"What?"

"I find what Shiika's trying to do very praiseworthy. If you'd assist her… wouldn't it be of great help?"

Chami seemed unexpectedly shaken at Chiharu's words. She glared back at her in wonder. 

At some point even Aya looked at Chami. Both their gazes focused on her.

"D-don't be stupid. Why do I have to help Mushibane anyway? I'll never follow anyone's orders."

"It's not following orders, you're joining forces. Even now you're trying to have the East Central Branch protect me because you're very smart but lack power, right?"

Chami bit her lips in regret.

Chiharu's group was heading to Ouka City—

The city where the East Central Branch was located.

In this situation where they only had Aya as a fighter they wouldn't be able to protect Chiharu if anything happened.

That's when Chami schemed her next plan.

During the same time Chiharu got 'safeguarded' by the East Central Branch she would hear stories related to him from his Branch, allowing her to work towards fully recovering her memories. 

Chami would go off separately and join up with Konoha to search for Daisuke.

Chiharu would be allowed to reunite with Daisuke after they find him on the condition she would definitely return to Chami's side— 

That was what the two people exchanged as a deal – no, as a promise. 

"So if you and Shiika-chan combine you'll be invincible! The strongest combo!"

Chami averted her gaze as Chiharu got excited. She laughed from her nose.

"Ha, so stupid. It's not like I want to get friendly with Fuyuhotaru. We were enemies at 'URBAN'… and obviously a Secret Class 1 Rank like her wouldn't even notice small fries like me."

"Don't be so humble! You're someone who can do anything you set your mind on! Or… do you possibly have no confidence?"

"Hah? Watch your words. We're speaking about something beyond stupid people."

"I'm not stupid, I'm normal! You're too stubborn over trivial things, Chami-chan! That's why you'll be plain no matter how much time passes!"

"Plain—why you… I'll kill you!"

Chiharu and Chami grabbed each other's clothes, yet Aya didn't try to stop them. She once again looked outside the window and started counting the telegraph poles.

"Say, Chami."

—When Aya muttered this Chiharu and Chami sat down and averted their gazes from each other. Both had their hair ruffled and wore a sullen expression. Since even the glasses were broken the disguise was a failure.

"…What?"

"For you Chiharu is a valuable source of information. You need the memories related to the Original Three to find out what Mushi are."

Chiharu and Chami turned a puzzled face to Aya who started abruptly talking.

"But it's different with me. When I die, if you'll able to control Fuyuhotaru just like what Chiharu said before you'll gain enough fighting strength."

"Just when I wondered what you're going to say… I have no intention of cooperating with Fuyuhotaru and even you alone are working enough for me. Don't prattle on about dying without my permission."

"I was just thinking. Don't mind it."

Saying this with a machine-like tone, Aya again gazed outside the window.

Chami frowned, but she didn't press her any further.

"Well then, it's about time I move to another car."

Rising from her seat, Chami looked down at Chiharu and Aya.

"Chiharu will be 'protected' at the East Central Branch and wait for contact from me. While you're sheltered I'll join up with Konoha and go look for Kakkou."

Chiharu nodded at her words.

"Aya, you stay with Chiharu no matter what happens. Don't say anything. Don't do anything. But if you conclude the East Central Branch can’t protect her then you do it and bring her to me." 

Aya slightly nodded.

"The next time we'll meet – will be after I find Kakkou."

"Yes!"

"Yeah."

After the three looked at each other Chami moved forward and left the car.

Chiharu, left with Aya on the last car, stared at the scenery flowing outside the window absentmindedly.

From the slightly opened window she could smell Ouka City's wind.

It had the smell of a metropolitan city different from Nishito City. 

"Daisuke lives here."

A smile naturally rose to her lips. Possibly realizing she was talking to herself, Aya stayed silent.

''To Whom It May Concern, how are you doing—''

By seeing the scenery flowing by, her "narrating" habit came out unconsciously. 

''I came to where you live at. It's quite the big city. …You might not be here right now, but I wonder if you living here means you're stylish?''

The sea perhaps being close, the smell of seawater carried by the wind faintly tickled her nostrils.

"I wonder if you've been meeting many people here. Just like I did in Nishito City."

Unable to suppress her exaltation, she ended up speaking out of her mouth. 

"Did you make friends? Or a girlfriend… if you do have one, you have to properly introduce her to your sister."

While smiling somewhat mischievously, the announcement informing them of arrival at Ouka Station echoed inside the car.

The rapid-transit train decelerated and stopped. 

Suddenly the car became dark.

The front car arriving at Ouka Station was surrounded by a strange group.

They were people equipped with machine-like goggles covering their whole faces and wearing pitch-black long coats. On the entrance to the train station it was obvious, but footsteps also echoed outside the window and on top of the roof. They entered the car as if slipping through, restrained the other passengers and pressed them against the walls.

Even Chiharu and Aya were surrounded by black coats while sitting. They didn't even have the time to stand up.

Yet Chiharu wasn't agitated. Aya was also calm.

It was just like Chami told them. Since they used public transit, they were instantly caught by the information network of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau. Chiharu rode on the train to Ouka City to purposely let herself by 'safeguarded' by them.

Right now Chami should be making her escape through a different car. She managed to escape through the window just before the train completely stopped.

"Kusuriya Chiharu-san, right?"

Appearing from between the black coats was a suit-wearing woman. The young woman, having bed hair and holding some documents, spoke in a nervous tone.

"Let me see, you will explain the small details of the situation later, but right now you are in an extremely dangerous position… We will have you come with us, the representatives of a government body. We will also hear about your reasons to come to Ouka City later."

She heard about the special features of the East Central Branch's Acting Branch Director from Chami. So she was probably Goroumaru Touko.

"Kusuriya Chiharu-san. We will take you into custody under the control of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau."

Surveying the people surrounding her, Chiharu grinned.

She rose and bowed at the woman who was her brother's boss.

"Nice to meet you. Thank you for taking care of my cute brother."

Raising her face, Chiharu first inquired the most important thing of all.

"—By the way, Daisuke's a good kid who's kinder than anyone, right?"