Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 2nd Episode 08 (section)

===Part 2===

''—There’s something that I’m going to investigate by myself, so you just stay at home and behave yourself.''

When Daisuke said that to Arisu after school ended, she only ignored him with a look of displease. It was rare to see her behave this way seeing as how she always spoke whatever was on her mind. Even Ena and Takako were perplexed.

Considering how Arisu was fundamentally simple-minded, her mood should improve by tomorrow. Even if it did not, for them whose relationship were that of the one monitoring and the one being monitored, there was not much of a hassle. As he could not allow his target to move alone, Daisuke had already arranged for a substitute.

“Geez… What an unnecessarily troublesome mission.”

Daisuke’s destination was a private room in the general hospital.

He had been here multiple times, but there was totally no change to the room as expected.

The stale air was a testament to the lack of people who visited in a long time. The large bed was left as it was, not a single crease on the blanket. In addition to that, there was also a television, an internal line and a bookshelf filled with books. If not for the nurse call line or water pitcher, the room would have given one the impression of a hotel room.

“Just let me finish up with these matters quickly, Hanashiro Mari.”

This was the room which Hanashiro Mari was admitted in.

Probably for the sake of ventilation, the windows were opened which caused the curtains to flutter. The orange sun rays casted long shadows in the room.

He had already arranged with the hospital side. There should not be anybody entering the room for an hour.

Daisuke, still in his uniform, chucked his coat at the coat hanger. He sat down on the chair next to the bed and sighed.

“…”

He had thought that if it was Arisu who had visited this room while Mari was still alive, she would be able to recall something which could act as a clue. However, she was only caught up in sentimentality, and did not notice anything at all.

Thus, thinking of doing a reinvestigation with an objective viewpoint, Daisuke came here once more alone, but—he instantly felt like giving up. To someone who doesn't know a thing about Hanashiro Mari like himself, the place only appeared to him as an empty room.

“Just who were you?”

Narrowing his eyes, he gazed at the empty bed.

Hanashiro Mari—.

The lone daughter of the Hanashiro house, the head family of practitioners of the Hanashiro-style flower arrangement which had many followers. Having a weak constitution since birth, it was the outbreak of a severe case of childhood illness when she was about to enter Horusu Seijou Academy Middle School that caused her to reach terminal condition. In the end, she had passed away without even attending middle school for a single day. Her cause of death was complications due to heart failure. Without anybody watching over her, her breathed her last right in this room. Her only close friend was Ichinokuro Arisu.

That was the profile of the illness-ridden middle schooler, Hanashiro Mari, on the surface.

That was all.

For Mari whose entire life could be summed up just like that, what did she felt like passing her days?

“…''Kuku''.”

As he thought about that, laughter welled up in Daisuke.

The person known as Kusuriya Daisuke had not lived such a proper life that he is able to empathise with others. The moment he entered the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau, he had already given up on leading an ordinary life.

He had been abandoned by his parent, picked up by a person called Haji Keijo and lived up till now. There was nobody he could call a close friend.

If one spoke of him as a Mushitsuki, there’d probably be more to add on about. The Blaze Class Rank 1 Mushitsuki, Kakkou. Also known as the ruthless reaper without blood nor tears, abhorred even by fellow bureau members.

“…”

Realising that he was getting emotional, he lightly shook his head. If that happened, he would be no different from Arisu.

Indeed, looking from the perspective of being a Mushitsuki, many more facets of Hanashiro Mari’s life would be revealed.

Hanashiro Mari too was a Mushitsuki. Furthermore, she was a rare Fusion Type Mushitsuki, which only had a few documented cases. Fusion Type Mushitsuki originates from Sanbikime, one of the Original Three, the existences which births Mushitsuki.

Unlike the other two, Oogui and Shinpu, which at least have their appearance and slight characteristics established, Sanbikime could only be described as an enigma. Nothing was known about it, nothing about its appearance, behaviour, nor how does it birth Mushitsuki. Including Daisuke, other Fusion Type Mushitsuki also knew next to nothing about who or what turned them into Mushitsuki.

But, was that the case for Hanashiro Mari?

The other day, they succeeded in catching a glimpse of Hanashiro Mari while she was alive using the ability of Kurisaka Ayuyu, a member belonging to the Central Headquarters.

Arisu’s memories became a mess in the middle of the process, but they managed to get Ayuyu’s account. From her words, she has confirmed the possibility that Hanashiro Mari was in contact with Sanbikime itself. Additionally, she was known as the Hunter, exterminating random Mushitsuki on the streets, in the end coming to clash with the Central Headquarters. They also learnt of the existence of the Undying Mushitsuki which she was chasing after—.

Why was Mari searching for the Undying Mushitsuki as the Hunter?

What is the Undying Mushitsuki?

Did Mari come into contact with Sanbikime? If so, then what information did she got from it?

Why did Mari’s Mushi—the silver morpho butterfly remain even after its host’s death? Furthermore, why does it follow Ichinokuro Arisu?

What is the objective of Mari, and by extension, the morpho butterfly?

What was Mari’s connection to the Central Headquarters?

Was it really a coincidence that Daisuke got involved with the investigation of Mari and Arisu?

“…Damn it.”

Daisuke murmured in frustration.

“It’s as if getting me to come here so far was part of Hanashiro Mari and the Central Headquarters’ scheme.”

He raised his head and shook off those ridiculous delusions.

During the incident the other day. Seeing the vestiges of Mari which hijacked Arisu’s consciousness due to the side effects of Ayuyu’s ability, he thought.

''—It was as if I came face-to-face with myself.''

The cold glare in her eyes that spoke of her will to accomplish her goals at any costs. The cynical smile on her face that doesn’t trust anybody but herself.

He always thought that he had been self-conscious of that fact all along, but seeing the same expression directly definitely made an impact on him.

''—Perhaps Hanashiro Mari and I really resemble each other.''

Leading a lonesome life.

Being Fusion Type Mushitsuki.

He may have felt especially irritated due to their similarities.

“Isn't she your one and only friend…? In that case, don't get her involved in your whims, Hanashiro Mari.”

Right when Daisuke spitted out those words with his face twisting.

“Ah, so this must be Hanashiro Mari’s room.”

A voice could be heard from his back.

Still seated on the chair, Daisuke’s eyes widened. He was so shocked that goosebumps rised all over his body and his breath stopped.

The voice literally came from right behind him. Daisuke was seated near the centre of the room, some distance from the entrance when he heard the voice.

“…”

Daisuke slowly turned his neck, aware that it was already too late for him to be on guard.

There he stood, brazenly.

The way he just stood there could only be described as grandly. He looked straight ahead, unheeding of Daisuke whose head was around his waist-level, with an arrogant smile—as if facing downwards was an impossible act of his life.

He was so preposterously eye-catching that Daisuke doubted his own consciousness for not having noticed his presence.

His dishevelled hair was so disorderly that it resembled a raging flame, and a tattoo of fire ran from his right cheek till the nape of his neck.

[[File:Mushi Uta Bug 2nd p191.jpg|thumb]]

''What the hell is this guy—.''

The pressure released by the youth was so strong that Daisuke could only look upwards without moving his body. His otherworldly presence, one that seems completely unsuited to such an ordinary hospital, was so overwhelming that Daisuke’s thought processes halted.

The tattooed youth looked one round around the room, not taking Daisuke into his views—.

“…''Haah''.”

And sighed so deeply that one could feel the exhaustion coming from the bottom of his heart. At that, the pressure emanating from his body dispersed in an instant.

“Ah-ah, I give up, woman. I can’t believe it. How far are you going to make me chase you from Aoharima Island. Just spare me already, you’re going to make me cry at this rate. Or rather, stubborn women like yourself are just going to end up badly. My condolences if you end up staying alone your entire life. But, personally, I feel that that isn’t so bad, and I wouldn’t abandon you either. Won’t you come and bully me again.”

He loitered around the room, speaking out loud to nobody as he pleases.

First, he walked past Daisuke and pulled over the blanket (in addition, he also sniffed it like a dog). Following that, he dumped the blanket on the bed and approached the painting on the wall and adjusted it. He then evaluated the painting, all the while talking to himself, ‘Hmm hmm, this must be fake. Nothing remarkable at all. Hm? Expert appraisal? So, it was real after all. That’s impressive!’, appearing truly amazed. He then opened the fridge and took out a bottle of mineral water without permission, gulping it down in one breath (and then throwing the empty bottle out of the window with all his strength).

“…”

''Is he just a pervert…?''

Ignorant to the fact that Daisuke’s appraisal of him fell drastically from being an unknown character to a pervert, the tattooed youth finally approached the bookshelf.

“''Heh'', there’s Dostoevsky, Taki, Dante, Doyle and even Descartes. What’s with this, there’s no uniformity to these books at all. Could this Hanashiro Mari have multiple personalities? Anyway, she’s definitely ill somewhere. Ah, is that why she’s in a hospital? Oops, that might be the case after all. At least there’s still some hope for her, I guess.”

When he picked up a thin picture book, his expression changed abruptly. The title of the book was, ‘Potion of Magic’.

He flipped through the book roughly before putting it back right after, appearing to have lost interest. Although it was just a normal act of returning a book to the shelf, from his previous actions, Daisuke thought that it must have been quite a miracle.

“Ah, but I’ve finally reached here after so long. After all these days and months, I must’ve travelled like over 10,000 km to search for my beloved. Aah, I’m bushed. I hereby announce with all my remaining energy: I shall catch a short rest since I’m tired.”

Rotating his shoulders with the sound of his bone creaking, the youth jumped onto the bed. Without even removing his shoe, he landed on the bed cross-legged, and placed a cigarette to his mouth which he took out from nowhere.

The consequence of which led him to come face to face with Daisuke sitting on the visitor’s chair.

“…”

The youth froze. Seeing Daisuke straight before him, he tilted his head looking genuinely surprised.

“Who the hell are you?”

''…This bastard.''

Daisuke’s anger skipped through all levels and shot through the roof.

So, it wasn’t because he heard Daisuke’s soliloquy that he knew this room belonged to Hanashiro Mari. Being as Daisuke did not know what this youth’s true identity was, he decided to stop acting out his ‘harmless and friendly neighbourhood Kusuriya Daisuke’ persona. He wasn’t such an idiot that needs to be mindful about a mere pervert.

“Ah!”

The youth hit his palm with his other hand as if he thought of something. Then, he pointed at Daisuke with a look of satisfaction.

“Hanashiro Mari!”

“…Nice to meet you, I am Hanashiro Mari.”

“Oi, that’s incredible… You look like a guy.”

“That’s because I am one.”

“Seriously? ''Grr'', so that scumbag lied to me. And he even said it was a girl.”

''‘That scumbag’…?''

Daisuke stared at the youth watchfully.

This pervert in front of him apparently knows about Hanashiro Mari beforehand. As far as Daisuke knew, there was no information about any relations between Hanashiro Mari and a tattooed youth.

Without him noticing, Daisuke tensed his body.

''I won’t let you escape—.''

As long as there might be some kind of clue, there was no way Daisuke would allow it to escape, be it a pervert or whatever. The moment he displays any suspicious behaviour, or attempts to leave the room, Daisuke would forcefully detain him.

“Hanashiro Mari is a girl.”

“Huh? So you’re saying… the one who lied is you? I see, that explains everything. Hey, you bastard, don't tell lies! Who the hell are you.”

“Before that, smoking is prohibited. No smoking on hospital premises.”

“''Ugh'', is that so. That’s just too bad then.”

With a grimace, he crushed the cigarette in his hand. Despite being an underaged smoker, he seemed to still follow the local rules.

“What about you, who are you.”

“Me? I’m Sehateno Harukiyo.”

Grinning, the youth gave his name with zero hesitation. His smile was a provocating one, one that revealed his canines. A strange noise rang out with a ''Juu''. By some sleight of hand, the cigarette in his hands disappeared. Following that, a burnt smell irritated Daisuke’s nose.

A ridiculous name. That was probably a fake name. However, the fact that he could enter the room without Daisuke feeling his presence meant that he was no ordinary pedestrian. Daisuke kept up his guard.

“So? What about you?”

“Whatever my name is don’t matter.”

“Oh, that’s what you’re going to do after hearing other people’s name. What an outrageous fellow.”

“What are you to Hanashiro Mari? What do you know regarding her?”

Daisuke questioned in a prickly tone.

The youth called Harukiyo smiled again with a grin. After a pause, he spoke again in more ambiguity.

“I know of an out-of-this-world secret. Want me to tell you?”

“…”

Approaching the side of the silent Daisuke, he placed his arm around his shoulder in an overly familiar manner.

“You know, about Hanashiro Mari. I heard she’s quite the beauty.”

“…I already knew that.”

Daisuke furrowed his eyebrows. From the figure of Hanashiro Mari he saw the other day due to Ayuyu’s ability, he could see that she did indeed have beautiful facial features.

The laughter of the snorting Harukiyo seemed to be without a care in the world. It was the first time Daisuke met someone whose laughter changed in quality so rapidly. The way his smile changed from that of a wild beast to that of a friendly senior so suddenly really irritated Daisuke.

“Ah, this is so exciting. I can’t wait for her to be back. Is she having an examination now? Hey you, are you her boyfriend or something?”

Harukiyo once again sat down cross-legged on the bed, swaying back and forth in excitement as if he was a child awaiting his Christmas present.

“…”

Daisuke raised his eyebrows. Harukiyo’s current behaviour did not seem like an act to him.

“Do you not know? Speaking of which, you look like you didn’t know much about Hanashiro Mari from the start… In fact, it sounded like you came here after someone told you about her.”

“Hmm?”

“Hanashiro Mari is dead.”

Sehateno Harukiyo gaped his eyes wide open. The youth, who wandered around the room restlessly nonstop ever since he entered the room, froze for the first time shaken. However, that immediately changed into an intimidating smile as he glared at Daisuke.

“…What the hell is with you. Crack another absurd joke like that and I’ll kill you.”

Daisuke continued coolly.

“It happened around one year ago. Her cause of death was complications due to heart failure.”

“…”

“Hanashiro Mari no longer exists in this world.”

It was as if Daisuke pronounced his death sentence, as Harukiyo’s shoulders trembled in bottomless despair.

“…-n’t fuck with me…”

He got up from the bed with his back straightened and both of his fists clenched. His beast-like bloodshot eyes no longer reflected the figure of Daisuke.

“Don’t fuck with me!”

It was such a thunderous shout that it did not seemed as if it was a volume which humans could achieve.

“That swindling scumbag! You didn’t mention that she was dead! Not to mention more than one year ago? …Isn’t that much earlier than when I met you, asshole! I was deceived? This very meee! You dare trick meee!”

The shout permeated every single part of Daisuke’s body and even caused the whole room to vibrate. —No, it may be that even the whole hospital shook. That was how deafening the howl was.

Harukiyo’s sudden outrage caused Daisuke to be stunned.

''What the hell is with this guy…!''

In the remnants of the tempest-like shout of anger, Harukiyo glared out of the window with rough breathing. It was as though his mortal enemy was right out there.

Daisuke slowly stood up.

“Just who the hell are you? From where and whom did you hear about Hanashiro Mari.”

“…”

Harukiyo, who was standing on top of the bed, took a glancing look at Daisuke below him. The gaze in his eyes was unnatural—it was that of a demon which has thrown away the mask of a human.

“I won’t accept this…”

Muttering to himself, Harukiyo moved.

“This can’t be, that shitty bastard… How am I going get even…”

Cursing in soft mumbles, he descended from the bed. Ignoring Daisuke, he headed to exit the room.

But, Daisuke moved swiftly and overtook him, obstructing the entrance.

“Get out of the way. I’ll kill you.”

The blazing glare of the demon pierced through Daisuke. There was no longer the fearless grin nor carnivorous smile on his face. Plain killing intent shot through Daisuke.

“Answer my question.”

Daisuke glared back at him straight on.

He did not know anything about this youth, however, most likely—from the instincts honed due to all the near-death experiences he had, he sensed that this guy was strong. What’s more, it was at an unmatched level. If he wanted to even just stop the youth in his footsteps, it would probably require him to exert his all.

A green checkered beetle flew down to Daisuke.

“…''Haah''. The SEPB, eh.”

Looking at the checkered beetle on his shoulder, Harukiyo snorted boredly.

“I see, the SEPB. It was the SEPB after all. Always the SEPB. …That’s right, I can get even at that place.”

“…”

Daisuke adopted a forward-leaning position, so as to be able to spring off any moment. Just the fact that he knew about the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau was enough reason to apprehend him.

However, Harukiyo grinned.

“But, my bad. —I don’t care at all, about someone like you.”

“Wha-…”

“Downwards-facing people like you don’t enter my view at all. Those of you who go through life half-heartedly.”

Daisuke was gobsmacked. An unexplainable anger rose up in him.

“What did you say…!”

Just when he was about to raise his hand towards Harukiyo, he heard a scream coming down the corridor behind him.

Daisuke’s outstretched arm stopped abruptly. He could hear voices of, ‘There’s a fire!’, and, ‘The joint ward is…!’ Even from where he stood in front of the door, he could see white smoke coming from down the corridor.

“Aren’t you going to help? Aren’t you guys from the SEPB the government’s mutt.”

“…There’s no particularly need for me to go. There should at least be fire extinguishers.”

Facing Harukiyo who was smiling with his hands in his pocket, Daisuke replied coolly.

“Oh yeah, fire extinguishers. Those sure are convenient. I’m sure they'll be able extinguish the fire using those. —If that was just an ordinary fire, that is.”

Flustered voices of, ‘I-it can’t be extinguished…?’, and, ‘There’s still people inside—’ reached Daisuke who creased his eyebrows. It was followed by shouts of what was most likely the names of the patients in order to confirm their safety.

''Don’t tell me… did this guy do something?''

Daisuke glared at Harukiyo. There were no signs of the tattooed youth making any movement. However, he had been making several incomprehensible actions calmly since just now. Those might have been him laying down preparations for an escape route beforehand.

However, Daisuke did not move from the spot and only glared back at him with a cold gaze. He excluded the screams of despair coming behind him from his mind.

“That doesn't matter to me. Saving lives is not my duty.”

“''Kuku''.”

Harukiyo laughed amusedly. —Among the ways he laughed so far, this one irritated Daisuke the most.

“''Heh heh'', nice gaze. That’s the look of someone willing to throw human lives away.”

“…”

“Fine then, let’s get along together as fellow inhuman scums. I’ll answer your questions. What was it, whom did I heard about Hanashiro Mari from? To answer that, I’ll have to begin from that delightful yet despondent man. That guy is the type of person I hate the most in the world. He’s the kind of person that is let alone half-hearted, he gives up from the get go making him filled with laments, having led a life that is beyond idiotic and can only be described as laughable.”

Harukiyo began to narrate in an exaggerated manner, looking to be enjoying himself greatly. Daisuke had no idea what made him so cheery. —For some reason, the fire seemed to still be blazing. The shrieks of the staffs were endless.

“Even till the end, he was still the same. Isn’t that just hilarious? I wonder what kind of life had he led that made him so negative? Personally, I just don't get it—”

“…Enough with the nonsense. Who are you talking about.”

“Hmm? What’s up, you getting anxious? If you’re worried about the time, there’s plenty to spare, at least for me. Aah, fine, fine. I know that you have your own position to consider about too.”

Harukiyo snickered.

Shrill cries for help resounded nonstop in the background.

Daisuke remain rooted to his spot. With a focused and collected gaze, he looked straight at the youth in front of him. There was no way he was going to let the only clue he found at long last escape before him. No matter what.

“He is none other than the one who turned Hanashiro Mari into a Mushitsuki—that woman from SEPB called him Sanbikime.”

“…!”

Sanbikime. That was one of the Original Three that gave rise Fusion Type Mushitsuki.

If that was true, it would be a huge step towards the elucidation of the mysterious Sanbikime. Also, it should have some knowledge about Hanashiro Mari as well.

“After he left Akamaki City, he went to someplace called Aoharima Island—well, just a random small island to hide himself. It was there where I met him. That was also when I heard about the girl known as Hanashiro Mari from him. I was so happy to hear it from him, you know? About the fact that currently… she was probably the strongest Mushitsuki.”

“Where is he right now—”

Daisuke reflexively grabbed the youths collar. However, his words were drowned out by the sound of screams.

His body froze, as if he was bound by chains.

“Ah? What was that? I can’t hear you.”

“Where is that guy… right now…”

—Arisu’s tear-streaked face from this morning floated into his mind.

Daisuke’s face twisted.

''Why is she appearing in my mind at a time like this…? My duty is to investigate Hanashiro Mari. Whatever happens to other people is none of my concern.''

He could not let the only clue he got after so long slip away from right under his nose. At least, his past self would have executed the mission flawlessly without hesitation. The him from before getting involved with the girl known as Ichinokuro Arisu.

“He was known as Sensei at the island.”

Harukiyo continued in a barefaced tone.

“You ask where is that bastard at right now? Aah, please wait a moment. Let me recall that for you right away.”

The screams of despair reaching his ears hit their peak.

''—Stupid Daisuke.''

The face of Arisu as she smiled with a sigh came up in his mind.

His arm that was grabbing onto Harukiyo trembled.

''This then is my duty—those unrelated to the mission—if it was Arisu—there’s no other chance to get information about Sanbikime—.''

“—Help!”

A shriek interrupted Daisuke’s thoughts.

What appeared in his mind next was Hanashiro Mari’s cruel smile.

“…Kakkou!”

Daisuke shouted.

The checkered beetle on his shoulder transformed rapidly. It turned into green feelers that slipped between his clothing and fused with his flesh. A green pattern ran across his cheeks.

''Hanashiro Mari…! You and I may be similar in some ways. But—.''

He released his arm from Harukiyo and turned to his back. With all his strength, he sprinted down the corridor towards the source of the smoke.

“''Hah hah!''”

Behind him, he could hear the tremendously delightful laughter of the tattooed youth.

''I will not drag those who are uninvolved into the battle of Mushitsuki…!''

“Out of the way!”

Smoke spewed out from the joint ward at the end of the corridor. The door was enveloped in bright red flames. At the feet of the staffs and patients who were looking from a distance were burnt markings and empty fire extinguishers. Daisuke pushed his way through them and stood in front of the blaze.

Hot air immediately seethed over his whole body.

Screams and shrieks could be heard from beyond the door.

“Get away from there…!”

With a shout of warning towards the people behind the door, Daisuke raised his right fist wrapped in a green pattern.

The sound of the blazing door being smashed rang down the corridor.

Daisuke grasped the flaming door with his hand tightly.

“''Guh…!''”

The sensation of skin and flesh being burnt shot up his arm, bringing intense pain. Even with his face distorting in pain, Daisuke used his superhuman strength to rip the door right from its hinge.

Wood splinters accompanied by kindles scattered around the feet of the surrounding people.

Biting back the pain coming from his arms, Daisuke stepped into the room immediately—.

“…!”

Including Daisuke, all the people on the scene took a gulp.

The flame had not spread a single inch in the joint ward. The patients in the ward were all gathered around the window away from the door. He did not see anyone who was hurt amongst them, only looks of relief and doubts on their faces.

Daisuke turned around.

The only thing that was burnt was the scattered pieces of the door. There was not a single trace of burnt marking on the walls or the ceiling, much less the flowers placed by the side.

With a start, he looked at his right hand.

He definitely felt pain coming from there just now, but there was not a single burn.

''—If that was just an ordinary fire, that is.''

He recalled the words uttered by Harukiyo.

Daisuke turned back and returned to Hanashiro Mari’s room in a dash.

But—.

The room with curtains fluttering was a scene of peace. It was as if nobody had been to the room in the very first place.

The sound of Daisuke punching the wall reverberated throughout the entire third storey.