Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 7 Prologue (section)

==0.00 The Others==
The 4K LCD screen showed the image of an embankment during sunset.

While in filming mode, the screen displayed the remaining memory on the device and the current time. The current pixel count was low due to it prioritizing the video length.

A light blinked to inform of the low remaining memory.

The power was turned off instantly.

The memory card nimbly replaced.

The camera was turned on and restarted.

The time needed to replace the memory card was about 30 seconds. A new personal record.

"Clear water in a beautiful river. Mighty cherry trees that symbolize the breath of spring—"

The video was being narrated.

The image switched from the river flowing by to the blooming cherry trees along the bank.

 "And an orange veil dyeing the skies."

The image turned to the sky. The brightness was automatically adjusted, allowing filming the sun setting over the distant mountains.

"The wind is serene, as if to symbolize that this country is dozens of years removed from war and famish…"

The narrating voice was that of a somewhat young-sounding girl.

"Peace. This word is so casually used by people. However, does it really exist in our country?!"

The girl's tone of narration grew stronger still.

"The answer is no. I shall emphasize this as a mere journalist—hello there. What a cute doggy."

A woman walking near the river appeared on film. The camera zoomed into the face of the Yorkshire terrier at the bashful woman's feet.

The unauthorized filming seemed to have upset the dog. It started barking, exposing its canines toward the camera. The image shook as if being intimidated.

"E-even such a small, lovely pet can feel the danger looming in the country. Why don't we lend our ears to their loyalty?"

Seeing the woman leave the place with a bitter smile, the image returned to background of the bank.

"…It's not like I hate peace."

The girl's voice softened. Her emotive voice mixed with the orange sunset and flowed over the river.

"I we pretend not to notice, we can keeping living with this transient peace."

The image suddenly rotated around. It started filming the rural town with its small shopping district in front of the station in the center, with residential districts and single-track railways.

In the suburbs further distanced from the town was a tower piercing the darkening sky.

A radio tower.

It was a simple building surrounded by four support poles in the shape of a quadrangular pyramid, with three scaffolds on the summit. All sorts of antennas, both small and large, enclosed them.

It was the symbol of the rural town fearing being left behind with the times.

This structure was built in order to receive satellite transmissions, with cooperation of the local broadcasting station and the neighborhood council. This out-of-place high-spec radio tower was always closed because the profits couldn't keep up with the costs of maintenance. Now there were cables from the neighboring town, sending everything through wire.

"There exists a certain secret organization in this country. It conceals the cracks in the fabricated peace and continues to hide the truth that could shake the entire world. —And what is the truth they are hiding?"

The wind blew.

Further beyond the radio tower, around the area of a large natural park, a sandstorm swirled.

"Mushi—"

The sandstorm gradually grew in scale.

The blowing wind was also growing in intensity.

"As well as those possessed by them, the people called Mushitsuki."

Mushi.

A supernatural existence that possessed adolescent boys and girls, preying on their hosts' dreams and hopes and thereby growing—

The rumors about Mushi among the populace started about a decade ago. Since their appearance resembled insects they were called Mushi, and there were many eyewitnesses.

Yet at present, the government persisted in their stance that "there are no such things as Mushi".

However, the rumors about Mushi and the Mushitsuki who were their hosts persisted.

Since they were possessed by the incomprehensible Mushi and able to control supernatural abilities, people at present looked at the existence of Mushitsuki with eyes full of fear and discrimination.

"The secret organization concealing the existence of Mushi is powerful. Even a master journalist such as me had almost yielded the false peace. If I'd turned a blind eye to the Mushi they were hiding, I would've been able to live quietly in this town…"

The narration continued with a detached tone.

"—However, I have noticed a being far more terrible than that secret organization. Perhaps owing to my mission as a True Journalist, I can feel that I am the only one who is able to stand up to them. I shall have to rise up again and put an end to this conspiracy."

Inside the image, the sandstorm rising from the park was blown away.

Bending trees and splashing the pond water around, a storm pierced the heavens.

"This existence arriving in our town is none other than—"

With sprays of water and dust reflecting the setting sun, the storm swinging toward the sky resembled a gigantic sword. An orange beam of light was shot off, causing a powerful gale to blow over the town.

"The Demon Lord."

The wind stopped blowing within a few seconds.

The town returned being as tranquil as it was before.

"As Chronicler, I swear I shall record the fight against the Demon Lord, as well as the real truth."

As if nothing happened, the image focused on the bank again.

The momentum of this movement caused a bag to temporarily obstruct the view. The emblem attached to the bag had the name of the town's lone private high-school as well as the owner's full name on it.

"True Journalist – Haemori Ako"—

Chronicler's name, along with the unnecessary title, will not remain in many people's memories, past or future.

She had no way of knowing the future, obviously, but she felt so.

Even if she was hated by everyone—

Even if she was thought of as nothing but a fool—

Ako felt that was fine.

"Now for some ramen."

The film captured by the mumbling girl now showed the peaceful scenery one could find anywhere.