Editing Tasogare-iro no Uta Tsukai:Volume1 4th Play (section)

===Part 1===

“Just now, that was……?”

An abnormality in the campus. The first to discover it had been a female teacher patrolling around the fourth-year school building. 

The shrill noise sounded like both a weeping voice and a wail. Right now, except for the few people including her who were on patrol, the students and teachers should have already proceeded to the multipurpose hall. 

Was that someone’s voice just now?

The location of the voice wasn’t very far or very close, but sounded unusually indistinct. When she turned her head to look at the fourth-year school building behind her, she immediately felt a slight shake through her high-heeled shoes. What could it be? Although it felt like an earthquake, the vibrations weren’t regular. The center of the shaking wasn’t very far. For no particular reason, she thought of giants from fairytales, who walked around with heavy footsteps.

At first glance, the fourth-year building didn’t seem abnormal. The moment when the female teacher turned to walk in the direction of the path, it happened. Her body felt as heavy as lead. There usually shouldn’t be any people in the resources building, which was close beside the fourth-year building. But right now, that whole building was swaying.

“Wha…… What’s going on?

In that instant, a deafening explosion noise made her crouch down reflexively. That was a burst of noise more fierce than thunder, as if its sole purpose was to disintegrate her eardrums. 

After cautiously opening her eyes— she began to doubt what she was seeing. The roof of the resources building had already vanished without a trace. Instead, something as large as a chimney rose up from inside the building. Moreover, there were five.

What……is this……

The darkness of the night became hazy. 

As if jeering at the situation, seven-colored lights illuminated Tremia Academy. Under the shine of those lights, the figure fleeing out of the resources building finally came into complete view.

“—Ah!”

She let out a sharp, blood-curling scream. Her diaphragm was completely contracted, and the hairs all over her body stood on end. This was despite the fact that she had the position of a Recitation instructor. Recited creatures such as {{Furigana|Small red spirits|Salamandes}} or unicorns, she had seen many times before. In other words, even if she faced that kind of opponent, she should be confident in herself and remain unmoved. 

But even so.

……It’s impossible. This isn’t something I can deal with alone. 

Without the slightest hesitation, she turned and escaped from “that”.


The glass cup on the table hit the floor, and shattered after emitting a crisp sound. The chandelier on the ceiling shook violently. The window frame vibrated fiercely, and cracks like spider webs appeared on the glass window. 

“W-What? An earthquake?”

Ada, who was leaning against the wall, shouted loudly.

“B-But…… Isn’t it somehow strange?”

Rather than a reply, Mio’s voice tone sounded more like a screeching soliloquy.

While holding onto the unbalanced Mio’s shoulder, Kluele sneaked a glance at a corner of the great hall. Luckily, there weren’t many people rushing towards the emergency exit.

“Mio, let’s take the chance and escape!”

Kluele whispered covertly into Mio’s ear. 

“Eh? But…… Nobody has started to evacuate yet!”

“That’s why we have to take advantage of the confusion and get out right away!”

This earthquake seemed a little suspicious. Although it was currently still shaking, it had been stopping and starting. Shaking for a while, then becoming calm, then beginning to shake again. 

“Hey, Kululu…… What is that……”

Mio suddenly asked, pointing outside the window. The school lights illuminated the world enshrouded in darkness. There should be multi-colored lights, but instead, the scene outside the window was dyed blood-red— A fire?

Without waiting for Mio’s consent, Kluele grabbed her hand and rushed towards the emergency exit. Like bubbles, her small misgivings gradually grew. But the one thing she didn’t doubt was that something bad had happened in the school.

“Headmaster!”

A female teacher opened the main door of the multipurpose hall, and loudly called for the school’s leader. Perhaps it was because she had wildly rushed here, that her clothes were a mess and her breathing was rushed. 

“What is it? What happened?”

“All teachers and students, please quickly escape from here!”

It was a sentence that made everyone absolutely horrified. Forcing the voice from her throat, her expression was twisted in fear. 

Under normal circumstances, the customary words should be “Please seek refuge.” But instead, she had said “Please escape from here.” That kind of tone made it seem like something was about to attack.

“A monster is headed this way!”

“Monster?”

“It appears to be a Recited creature, but…… it isn’t something we are able to deal with. Call the neighboring regions to provide assistance immediat—”

At that moment, the glass of the lights on the ceiling shattered, and something burst into the hall. 

Just like it was mocking the female teacher’s mention of asking for assistance.


“E-Earthquake?”

The sudden shaking caused Neight’s legs to become unstable. Before he had time to regain his balance, he fell to the ground.

“No, don’t you think it’s strange?”

The Rainbow Color Reciter had fallen down to one knee due to the vibrations. Looking around, his gaze fell in the direction of the fourth-year school building. 

At that instant, the night’s darkness which had surrounded that building dispersed. The sky overhead became even more blazing red than sunset. After that, countless objects on the ground flew towards the blaze. From far away, they looked like bats.

[……This guy is……]

Arma, who stood on Neight’s shoulder, shuddered uncontrollably. This Recited creature who possessed night vision seemed to be able to see “that” above them.

[Neight, tell  everyone inside the multipurpose hall to seek refuge immediately! If they are all gathered in one place, it will attract their attention!]

“Eh? What do you mean—”

Before the creature could answer, Neight personally saw the frightening entity. 

As another vibration shook the ground, “that” stepped on the trees in the direction of the fourth-year building, and approached closer. The faint outlines of several whip-like heads could be seen moving amidst the buildings.

“Is that…… Hydra<ref> Hydra – A mythical nine-headed serpent. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lernaean_Hydra link]</ref>……?”

The Reciter beside him raised his gaze and muttered. His words were mingled with doubt and bewilderment. 

To the Reciter, when speaking of a snake with several heads, the first thing he thought of was a hydra. It should originally be a {{Furigana|First Scale Recitation|High Noble Aria}} of Blue Recitations.

A so-called “Water Snake” should be dark blue.

But “that” which was approaching from several hundred meters away, appeared to have deep crimson scales. Moreover, what should have been nine heads had now become only five, less than the normal number. But from what had entered his field of view, the central head was red. The other four were blue, green, yellow, and white. In other words, it had heads of five colors. In addition, what caused people to become even more speechless was its immense body. If it stretched out its neck, it could exceed twenty meters. Although a hydra was originally considered a large creature, its body length should only be around ten meters. But compared to this one, even dragons would seem like infants.

[Five colors…… Were all of the Recitations conducted simultaneously?]

Through his shoulder, Neight could sense Arma’s shuddering.

“—That sort of thing…… Is it even possible?”

Even worldwide, Reciters who were able to conduct multiple colors of Recitations at once could be counted on his fingers, and the most would be two colors at once. On this world, the only one Reciter could possibly Recite all five colors at once, and that was the one with the title of Rainbow Color Reciter, Xins. 

“Could it be…… With the <Egg>, someone……”

“<Egg>?”

“It’s a fiendish catalyst. All five have all been locked inside the resources building.”

The hydra’s green head rose up like a sickle. Facing upwards, it opened its mouth and maintained that position without moving. Although they didn’t know what it wanted to do, they should take the opportunity when it stopped moving and warn everyone inside the hall to take refuge. But just when Neight decided to take action, the Reciter beside him grabbed his arm.

“Wait a moment. You will be discovered if you move wildly!”

The green head spat out something at the sky. Four or five of the things in the sky spread their wings and flew in Neight’s direction. They looked like small birds, but weren’t. As they approached, their figure became more and more clear. They had three heads……

Chimera!<ref> Chimera – A creature in Greek mythology with the head and body of a lioness, a goat’s head growing out of its back, and a tail that ended in a snake’s head. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_(mythology) link]</ref>

Just when he shouted, he was pushed down by the Rainbow Reciter. The beast’s claws swiped past the spot he had been standing a second ago. Having suddenly missed its target, the chimera’s claws sank deeply into the ground. 

A beast with the three heads of a lion, goat, and dragon.

The beast changed targets from the distant Neight to the Reciter wearing a coat.

“Xins-san!”

Had he already predicted it? Xins had moved a long time ago. The chimera pounced on empty space when it landed, and the Reciter took out a yellow object from inside his coat. The chimera kicked the ground, but he didn’t run away. The gold coin between his fingers emitted a dazzling golden-yellow light. 

——[{{Furigana|Surisuz|Yellow Song}}]——

On the diagonal between him and the chimera, flowing at a fast speed from the yellow light, rose a sphere giving off a blue-white flash. Floating in the empty space, with a circumference like it could be encircled by both arms, the sphere began to emit beams of light at the chimera. The light beams were extremely thin, like string that could be snapped at a touch. 

As the light wrapped around the chimera’s claws, several other chimera with a body weight heavier than Neight let out a shrill scream. Their whole body shuddered, trembled, and finally stopped moving. 

It was a Yellow Recitation’s {{Furigana|Second Scale Recitation|Noble Aria}}, {{Furigana|Small yellow spirit|Will-o'-wisp}}?

“I’ve never heard of a hydra calling out chimeras…… That hydra probably swallowed the <Egg> after it was born.”

The Rainbow Reciter’s expression had already lost its former composure.

“……Go!”

“Eh?”

After realizing that Neight didn’t understand his intentions, he quickly explained.

“The task of guiding the other students is up to you. The headmaster has probably already realized, but it’s better to be safe.”

“W-What about Xins-san?”

Gazing above the head of the silent Reciter, Neight understood his reasons. Numerous bat-like creatures flew in the sky, and were instinctively circling above their heads. Above them, they couldn’t all be……

“At most, I can act as bait.”

At first, his tone of voice sounded like he was joking. But right now, there were still many of the creatures left.


“Everyone, don’t panic! Starting with the students closest to the emergency exit, head for shelter in the first-year building!”

The sounds of students screaming and fallen glass being stepped on echoed throughout the great hall. 

“Homeroom teachers of first-year students, make sure the way forward is clear. Second-year and third-year homeroom teachers, take care of anything that has entered the school building. Anyone else, take care of the creatures outside! But pursuing them is forbidden!”

Had the headmaster’s orders really been heard by all of the teachers? The hall filled with screams caused new fear, and the fear stirred up even more chaos. 

“—Mio, are you okay?”

A sharp pain caused her mind to turn blank, and Kluele couldn’t help but wince.

“I’m……fine. Kululu…… Sorry…… I’m sorry…… I……”

Mio usually looked up to Kluele, but now the situation was completely reversed. With her hands on the floor to support herself, Kluele raised her head and looked around. Beside her, Mio was sobbing.

“Kluele, are you okay?”

Grabbing Kluele’s hand, Serges came closer. Kluele used the arm she was able to move and pushed her away.

“……I’m fine. You go first, I’ll be right there.”

After that, she turned her gaze back to the figure of her crying friend.

“Mio, you should also go first.”

“No! No matter what you say, I will definitely go together with Kululu!”

Really, how stubborn! Although she wanted to say it out loud and tease her, with all the strength gone from her body, it was impossible. Pressing down on her left shoulder, Kluele leaned against the wall and slowly stood up from her sitting position on the floor. Although it was a simple action, it caused her breathing to become faster.

“Don’t move! If you move, the blood won’t stop!”

“……If I keep sitting here, I won’t be able to escape if the beast comes.”

The left shoulder part of her dress had been dyed a deep red. Turning her head away, she once again pressed her right hand tightly to her left shoulder. The way of stopping bleeding that she had learned in first aid class, she hadn’t expected to put it to use one day. 

Glancing at the blood sticking to the palm of her right hand, Kluele curved the corner of her mouth.


“Leave this to me. Go!”

The Rainbow Color Reciter moved the will-o’-wisp behind his back while pointing at the hall. 

“B-But—”

It was absurd. There was no way that one person alone could deal with so many opponents. 

[Neight, let’s go.]

Neight’s words were interrupted.

“……Arma?”

The creature standing on his shoulder acted normal…… No, he spoke in a tone of voice slightly colder than usual.

[First, we have to ensure the safety of the people inside the hall. There are already many chimeras who have headed off in that direction. In the worst case, there are already people who have been injured.]

Arma never rushed. He was able to correctly analyze a situation better than anyone else, and was able to evaluate the priority of which action to take. Neight had already felt like this one or two times before.

……This Night creature is really cool-headed, or at least calmer than I am.

“Xins-san.”

Neight didn’t regard him as a Rainbow Reciter, but instead as the person who made the promise with Mother. Neight directly faced the person who had kept his side of the promise.

“I will work hard to study Night Color Recitations. Therefore— Someday, you have to see it!”

Without even waiting for a reply, Neight dashed away without looking back.

Very well, I promise. Because that is the agreement between her and myself.

He watched the back of the still-learning Reciter, who rushed towards the hall. 

On the face of the Rainbow Reciter was an ordinary, calm expression. 

“Alright. For the sake of this, I have to survive. I’m counting on you to work hard!”

The lightning spirit didn’t make a noise, but emitted a stronger light in reply.