Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 3rd Episode 11 (section)

===Part 2===

The Gosen City night had the smell of dew.

Because there were many ponds here and there inside the premises, the humidity covered the trees around in night dew. The garden path was shining ominously with water vapors as the lamps illuminated it.

Arisu returned to the park she had visited that afternoon. She was running toward the location illuminated by paper lanterns she could see ahead of the gloomy garden path.

"If you don't run faster I'll leave you behind, Daisuke."

While running she turned to look around. The sullen Daisuke was pursuing her. He carried a large sports bag on his back.

"…I only said it was strange you were quiet. I didn't say you can cause trouble. Running away from the hotel on the very first day of the school trip…"

"It's fine. If we combine meal time and after-meal time there's about an hour of free time. Are you scared being scolded by the teachers, Daisuke?"

"The problem here is your common sense. I don't care if it's Noh or whatever, it's not that important for you to sneak out to see it. Hah…"

"It has to be tonight!"

While Arisu smiled, Daisuke sighed along with, "You sure are energetic after spending this afternoon all quiet."

Since the first day of the trip also included the travel from Akamaki City, it ended with the sightseeing in the park. Their lodging was a high-class hotel near the park, so it was easy slipping out and going this far.

"If you keep complaining… then go back and lock yourself up with Ena in a room."

"Ugh…"

As Arisu said this, Daisuke's face flushed and he sank to silence. He apparently hadn't realized yet that his being weak against women in weird places was connected to the sexual harassment he was receiving from Ena.

Passing through the garden path, the pair finally arrived in front of their destination. Because of the paper lanterns hanging from ropes on the large structure illuminated in the center—the five-storied pagoda, the surroundings were bright.

Since the illuminated five-storied pagoda was built modeled after a certain shrine in the garden which was a national treasure, its spacious insides were something like a history museum or a kagura<ref>A Shinto ritualistic dance, one of the primary influences on the Noh theater.</ref> hall. 

The plaza was bustling with many people who entered the pagoda. The programme of the event that would soon happen inside the tower was attached to its entrance. From the hotel Arisu had confirmed there were going to be Noh and kyougen<ref>A kind of comedic skit performed as an intermission during Noh plays.</ref> plays here tonight. 

Arisu bought two spectator tickets and entered the five-storied pagoda while pulling Daisuke's arm. They were headed for the kagura hall on the highest floor.

"It's here."

Following the clerk's guidance and opening the door ahead, the surrounding atmosphere completely changed.

The smells of burning oil and incense stimulated their noses. Even without these, an air of tension drifted in the air.

The seats were already close to being completely full. Aside from the illumination there were also a few lit bonfires near the open windows. On the stage in the back of the room, people in costumes were readying flutes, small hand drums and large drums in preparation for the act.

"That boy from noon is called Fuyuki Minato."

Next to the stage was a placard with the programme and names of actors written on it. The main role of the Noh play "Mitsuhara", Muneyoshi, had a paper affixed on top of the name to indicate it was Fuyuki Minato instead.

Arisu sat in the last row. Daisuke also sat next to her, lowering his bag.

"What, Daisuke, you brought your equipment even here?"

"It's my job after all."

Daisuke asserted bluntly, folding his hands. He seemed to acknowledge that his mission was monitoring Arisu, but he didn't like it at all and pouted.

Flying inside from the open window, the silver morpho butterfly landed on Arisu's shoulder.

Then a flute's high-pitched sound flew through the kagura stage.

A representative of the ''Housei'' school appeared, and after greeting the audience, carried out the lighting of the bonfires. The representative bowed, and just as he left the kagura stage the illumination all turned off at once.

With the stage being illuminated only by the bonfires near the windows and on the stage, the Noh play began. Masked actors appeared on the stage along with a musical performance.

"Don't sleep, watch it properly, Daisuke."

Daisuke, who was about to close his eyes, clicked his tongue and glared at the stage.

The beginning was the scene of Akisame Sadanobu's death. The actors danced with the orchestra behind them.

Sadanobu fell on the battlefield due to the betrayal of his vassal.

The orchestra's tone fell, and a lone man leapt onto the now quiet stage.

He was a masked man who held up Sadanobu.

He was the actor of Arihara Muneyoshi, Fuyuki Minato. Since he wore the exact same clothes he did that afternoon, Arisu knew it immediately.

"He's here…! Look, it's him!"

Arisu got excited, shaking Daisuke's shoulders. He looked annoyed yet did nothing to stop her.

The Noh play upon the stage illuminated by the bonfires was magnificent enough to be called sublime. At some point Arisu had her eyes glued to the story's unique rhythm with the players alternating again and again.

"What, so you can do it if you try…"

She muttered unconsciously.

Although his movements at first seemed stiff, Muneyoshi played by Minato soon took the audience captive. Leading his comrades, he was acting the fierce yet sorrowful tale.

He had said that his dream was to make "Mitsuhara" known throughout the country.

The "Mitsuhara" reflected in Arisu's eyes seemed incredible enough to ascertain his dream would come true one day.

"So how is it? There was value in coming here to see it, right?"

As she turned her face to the side, she saw that Daisuke reclined his head and fell asleep. Filled with killing intent she tried performing her secret technique of Arisu Corkscrew, but as she heard the sound of violent drumming she stopped her fist.

The people wearing black clothes on the stage surrounded Muneyoshi. He moved around with all his might, but as they surrounded him he couldn't escape.

The ones surrounding Muneyoshi were vengeful spirits.

The Noh play approached the climax. 

The ghosts that died in battle were trying to curse to death Muneyoshi who was filled with doubts about his revenge. Yet Muneyoshi danced among them splendidly and furiously. The spirits had the tables turned on them and collapsed.

It was a difficult act. In order not to bump against the actors of the spirits, Minato danced on the stage as if gliding around, finally defeating the last spirit.

A cheer rose from the audience. The applause grew louder as Minato struck a daunting pose.

"He did it…!"

It happened just as Arisu also clapped her hands.

The morpho butterfly alighting on her shoulders emitted a silver glow. Spreading its wings and taking flight, it started flying above her head as if in warning.

Noticing the silver light illuminating the seats, the spectators started clamoring.

"…? What happened?"

The wind fanned the flustered Arisu's hair. Open air blew from outside the windows, and the bonfires were knocked off one after another. Oil spilled on the wooden floor, setting it ablaze. The actors froze in place and the audience was confused.

Arisu suddenly felt a chill. She felt as if the temperature had suddenly taken a sharp dive.

A small whirlwind appeared on the stage.

Although Minato was supposed to have defeated all the spirits, a blurry, shining figure appeared in front of him.

"—Get back."

When had he woken up? Daisuke touched Arisu's shoulders and glared at the stage with sharp eyes. He was no longer the gentle honors student he usually was nor the dishonest person he was when dealing with Arisu; he was the strongest Mushitsuki member of the SEPB when he drew his automatic pistol.

"Arisu… you said you've asked that boy on the stage about his dream."

A violet glow passed over the flood of people rushing to the exit due to the fire. Riding the wind blowing in from the windows, purple-colored grains converged on the stage.

They were phosphorescent scales. Different from those of the silver morpho butterfly, these scales that were beautiful yet sinister—

"It seems like his dream invited the worst person to come here."

Beads of sweat appeared on Daisuke's forehead as he held the gun. This was Arisu's first time seeing him so tense.

Among the escaping spectators and actors, only one stayed frozen in place, Minato.

The purple scales were gathering to the figure floating in front of him. As the scales converged that silhouette became clearer—eventually creating the form of a tall woman.

She was a beautiful, tall woman with round sunglasses. She wore a crimson long coat and had narrow rainbow-colored pupils. Her body was enveloped in a pale glow.

[[File:Mushi_Uta_Bug_3rd_p107.jpg|thumb]]

"…!"

Arisu felt an instinctive fear and froze.

The woman's red lips moved sleekly.

"—Seems like you have a delicious dream?"

And while Daisuke glared at her, readying his gun...

The thing that took a woman's form with purple glowing scales smiled.

"Will you tell me what you dream is?"

White fingers crawled on Minato's chin. The name of the being that licked its lips was—

"One of the Original Three, Oogui…!"

Daisuke's stifled voice echoed on the kagura stage with the storm of flames and scales.