Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 4 Chapter 1 (section)

==1.03 The Others==

In Nishito Imperial Hotel, a luxury hotel near the station of Nishito City, there was a suite on the topmost floor.

Consisting of two bedrooms and a living room, the area was quite spacious. Each room was equipped with high-quality furniture that were made overseas; the sofas were so soft that one would pretty much sink into the cushions when sat on.

Munakata Kaiji was an owner of multiple hotels in the cities and resort areas. He owned 80% of the shares of this Imperial Hotel too, the hotel being just before acquisition so to speak. At the sudden appearance of this major shareholder without even an appointment, the hotel staff frantically rushed to prepare this suite for him.

“…”

In the living room closest to the entrance, a few people were seated in silence.

Munakata Kaiji was seated in a one-seater chair. He was a middle-aged man with white strands mingled in his swept back hair. Never having hired any secretary or driver before, he was truly one-man proprietor who had accumulated a large amount of wealth. He was dressed in a high-quality suit and was holding a glass filled with liquid in one hand.

Across the table where Munakata was at, Anmoto Shiika was sitting by herself on a three-seater sofa. She was the one classified as a Rank 1 Secret Class Mushitsuki by the SEPB, as well as the only one who had recovered from the Fallen status. She was wearing a blue one-piece dress that was prepared by the hotel according to Munakata instructions. She was hanging her head downcasted with a nervous expression, seemingly being unable to raise her face.

Two other people sat around the table.

The boy in his mid-teens seated on a double-sofa was Kandori Youichi. He was dressed in a shirt and jeans giving off a rough look, grinning in the direction of Shiika.

Leaning against the fireplace with her arms folded was Sugitsu Matsuri, whose lanky body was donned in a school uniform. Unlike Youichi, who was hailed from afar yesterday, she was a local highschool girl. Although she had the characteristics of a typical Japanese with long, straight hair and thin-slit eye, her lips which formed a straight line revealed a stormy aura.

On the other side—seated in the sofa furthest from the rest and staring out of the window was Shirotani Reiji. He was stifling a yawn with his arms crossed behind his headband. To the sixteen years-old him, he had no interest at all in the presently awkward atmosphere of silence.

“…Where is she? Wasn’t she the one who wanted to meet Fuyuhotaru the most?”

Munakata broke the silence with a single discreet sentence, his gaze not leaving his glass.

“‘I do not have the face to meet Fuyuhotaru’—was what she said.”

Youichi answered. He shrugged his shoulders, looking at Shiika who was tilted her head in puzzlement.

“Even if that was the case, it would’ve been impossible to gather all the executives of Mushibane so abruptly. Isn’t the place where we were meant to gather further to the west? Why did you stop in this city in the middle of nowhere?”

“Well, sorry for being in the middle of nowhere.”

Matsuri scowled her face. She was born and raised in this city and was displeased to hear that.

“Sorry about that. Oh yeah, what happened to you sister?”

“I couldn’t get across to her. After all, it’s so sudden.”

“I will explain why we gathered here later. Firstly, let’s begin with our introductions.”

Munakata directed his hand directly to the front of Shiika.

“This is Anmoto Shiika. The new leader of Mushibane, Snowfly.”

The ones who widened their eyes were not only Youichi and Matsuri. Shiika herself seemed the most surprised and looked at Munakata wordlessly.

“Wha-! Huh? Wait a minute!”

“W-what do you mean, Munakata-san! New leader?”

“E-erm… I am…?”

“Shiika-kun. They are two of the currently remaining executives of Mushibane. Besides them, there are several others who are in charge of our many members. Apart from Mushitsuki, we also have ordinary people amongst our ranks.”

Ignoring the three who were in confusion, Munakata continued.

“I am one of their, Mushibane’s, collaborators. I will mainly be supporting them by providing funds and facilities as such, a patron of sort—”

“Munakata-san!”

The one who raised his voice was Youichi. The smile was gone from his face, replaced by that of anger. He had roughly grabbed Munakata’s collars.

“I’m going to feel troubled if you keep continuing on your own. You may have provided quite a bit of help to us, but that does not give you the rights to do whatever you want with us. When and who decided that a kid like her is going to replace Lady as our leader?”

“She’s not a kid, Sinica. Her age is the same as yours and Lady’s, as is Aijisupa. Though Halen is one year older than all of you.”

“The problem is not her age. Why don’t you tell us the reason first why should she be our leader.”

Matsuri cut in. Although her tone was polite, her voice was pointedly cold.

In this perilous atmosphere, the person in question, Shiika, was dumbfounded and could not move her body at all. Then, as if she just came into her senses, she looked flusteredly back and forth between Munakata and the other two.

“…''Tch''.”

Reiji clicked his tongue softly.

He couldn’t care less about who was the leader. The discussion had quickly turned into a disagreement just as he had expected. But, Shiika’s attitude as if she was just an ordinary girl pissed him off.

In his heart, he asked his deceased friend.

Is this person really the Fuyuhotaru that you were talking about, Rina?

“Before I explain, I need to reconfirm the state of Mushibane right now. This explanation is for you too, Snow. Please listen closely to it and commit it to your head.”

“…Y-yes!”

“Currently, Mushibane is composed of lesser than 300 Mushitsuki, as well as around 100 ordinary people who are collaborating. After the decisive battle against the SEPB’s East Central Branch at Hashiba City last Christmas, followed by the defection of Bee Hawk-moth and their ensuing fight at Housawa Town, we’ve lost many members, and we currently number far lower than that at our prime. However, that is certainly not the main problem.”

Munakata started retelling while still looking at the glass in his hand detachedly. Shiika did as she was told and concentrated on listening while Youichi and Matsuri kept their mouth closed with displeased expressions.

“Tachibana Rina—”

Munakata muttered, his eyebrow ever creasing slightly. Youichi and Matsuri’s countenance too visibly hardened. Shiika too, knowingly bit her lips. Only one person, Reiji, looked on impassively.

“The root of the problem lies in the loss of Ladybird. At the time that she, who was founder and the source of our hopes, was lost, the reason for the existence of Mushibane may have already been lost. In fact, the moment I heard she died, I thought all was lost. We… have lost.”

“…”

A heavy silence blanketed the living room. Youichi lowered his head and tears started to form in Matsuri’s eye.

“To be honest, what happened after that does not matter at all. Mushibane, which had been apportioned into four districts of East, West, North and South, were each led by leaders appointed by Lady till then. Once Lady was gone, they all started to undergo independent movements, falling into a state of separation in no time. I did not have any intentions of stopping it at that time, and probably neither did the other members apart than me.”

The lack of any dissenting voice affirmed his words.

“Shirakashi Ubuki—even when that SEPB member in collusion with us proposed a transaction, I did not have any interest at all. But, amongst us, there was only one lone person who moved to action. That was him, Aijisupa.”

The gaze of four people gathered onto Reiji. He did not take them into regard, coolly accepting their gaze.

“I had always wanted to ask about that guy. Just who is he? This is the first time I saw him.”

“I wanted to ask as well.”

Hearing their words, Shiika looked at Reiji in surprise. She had thought that Reiji was also one of Mushibane’s executives.

“He is not from Mushibane. No, I should say that he was not from Mushibane. According to his words, he was Rina’s childhood friend. He is also a Mushitsuki. Seeing that he was looking for the whereabouts of Lady, I contacted him first. It was just as I was thinking of whether to ignore Shirakashi Ubuki’s proposal or not.”

Breathing out with a ''huu'', Munakata placed the glass on the table.

“—He’s strong. From what I can see, I think he should be around Rank 3 or higher by SEPB’s standards.”

“!”

Youichi and Matsuri’s expression changed. But, what appeared on their face was anger.

“Rina’s childhood friend you say…? Not to mention, he is strong? You want us to believe these questionable words? In the first place, if it was as you said, then why did he only join Mushibane now!”

At Youichi’s words, Reiji thought.

—I’m gonna head to Ouka City.

Rina, whose figure he had not seen in over a year, returned to Akamaki City all of a sudden one day. The girl, who was surrounded by young boys and girls which he did not knew, had said that to him with a smile.

—Are you okay?

When Reiji asked that, Rina only flashed a lonely smile.

“…Well. I wonder why.”

Having their doubts answered in this manner, the two people were enraged.

“Even if you were not part of Mushibane, if you were truly strong then shouldn’t you have helped her anyway! Aren’t you her childhood friend!”

Matsuri questioned him in a fierce tone.

—You know. I might die tomorrow.

When Rina enrolled in a high school at Ouka City, there were much less opportunities for them to meet. However, they would still converse on the phone occasionally.

It was the day before Christmas Eve, Rina had suddenly said that over the phone. Although she would always make jokes in front of him, he could tell from her weak voice that she was serious. He thought that she was probably speaking the truth.

—That’s why, I have a request for you.

—Fine. I’ll listen to anything.

Hearing Rina’s composed voice, Reiji answered immediately. Rina was not surprised.

That was because Rina and Reiji had exchanged a certain ‘agreement’ before. Whenever Rina would request Reiji for help, he would accept it without any hesitation. Rina knew of that as well.

“If she had called me for help that time, I would probably have come to help.”

Reiji muttered absentmindedly.

Rina’s request.

If she had requested for his cooperation, he would have just complied. However, Rina did not depend on him even at the very end.

“But, her last request was nothing like that.”

In the suite wrapped in silence, Reiji’s soliloquy mutterings resounded greatly.

“She just wanted me to stay by Anmoto Shiika’s side from now on, but did not request for me to help her either. What would she do after inheriting Rina’s will—that’s all I’m interested in.”

“…! I can’t accept that all! In addition to just watching as Rina die, you don’t even intend to help Fuyuhotaru? You want us to welcome a guy like him as our ally, Munakata-san!”

“Aijisupa… you lent me your strength to get back Snow. Do you not have any intentions of becoming this girl’s strength from now onwards?”

“I only did that because it was hindering me from meeting with her. Now, having been able to meet up with the person herself like this, I won’t do anything other than watch her actions. Whether she lives or dies, I’ll just watch till the conclusion.”

“…You shitty bastard.”

Matsuri spat out in aversion. She then unfolded her arms and turned to face Munakata.

“That’s out of the question, Munakata-san. I had heard about Fuyuhotaru being one of Lady’s friend, I have no objections about taking her into our protection. But, it’s impossible for me to accept her as our leader, and to treat that shitty bastard as our comrade.”

“I concur with her. Surely, the other members will feel the same as us.”

Munakata looked at Youichi and Matsuri’s faces, and then glimpsed at Reiji. His glance was machine-like, impossible to fathom. —In the few days he moved together with him, Reiji noticed that he never once looked at Shiika with that gaze.

“Give me some time. Three days is enough.”

Munakata’s tone of voice was simply flat, without any undulations.

“Until then, let us let Snow make a decision. I’ve only just realised that now, but the number one question was whether the girl herself has the will to do so.”

“Huh? What are you saying, Munakata-san. When did anyone agree to that? The one to make a decision is us, Mushibane!”

“Halen, pass us the aforementioned documents.”

Munakata looked at Matsuri, causing her to look somewhat hesitant. But, Munakata only returned with a ‘I’m counting on you’, and she reluctantly held one hand up.

A small round insect climbed up her thin, white finger. The insect spread its wings and flew, landing in the space near the entrance.

“…!”

The insect made a ''bikibiki'' sound as it expanded on the spot, transforming into a huge monster that filled up the space of the passageway. It’s scraggy metallic carapace resembled stone or maybe metal, reflecting light giving it a rainbow-coloured shimmer. It had unsuitably short legs for movement, and a mouthpiece that stretched like gum which wriggled in a creepy manner. The large monster toppled the decorative plants and umbrella stand, as well as causing the dresser caught between the wall and it to crack.

“She is Halensis. Her Mushi is capable to changing its body composition into that of any solid objects it has consumed. If needed, it can assume the molecular structure of what it had ingested before previously.”

Before Munakata even finished his explanation, the Mushi which resembled a ground beetle spat out an object from its mouthpiece. Matsuri tore off the fibrous thread wrapped around the object and retrieved a silver attaché case.

Matsuri placed the case roughly on the table and opened it. She then retrieved a stack of papers tens of centimetres thick from within.

“These are the information about the Mushitsuki and collaborators of Mushibane. In addition to that, although there isn’t much, there’s also the data on the members of the SEPB we’ve identified. Snow, Aijisupa, I want you to drill this into your head, in three days.”

“Eh…”

Shiika looked down on the thick documents with a dazed look.

“Well, this is also something like a ceremony. Although this hardly allows us to evaluate your abilities to much extent, in addition, I do not think our allies would not be convinced with just this. But, wouldn’t it be boring for you to just laze around like this anyway?”

“Erm… err…”

“In this three days, I will do all I can to try to persuade our allies. That’s why, Snow, I want you to think deeply about it, about whether you have the resolution to be the leader of Mushibane. Back in Ouka City, I had not clearly verified your will.”

With that, Munakata stood up. The huge ground beetle returned to its original small size, and Youichi and Matsuri left the living room.

“Aijisupa, I still have some words with you. Can you come with me outside?”

“…”

Reiji breathed out a sigh and stood up wordlessly.

Youichi and Matsuri left the suite, followed by Munakata with Reiji in tow.

“Erm, Munakata-san.”

Shiika called him to a stop.

“—Is there something you do not understand?”

Munakata halted, but he did not turn around to look at Shiika.

Shiika questioned him resolutely while still seated on the sofa, her hands clenched together on her knees and lightly biting her lips.

“What does Munakata-san think about me?”

“…I detest you.”

After a short silence, he replied in a low voice. A single strand of white hair drooped over his forehead.

“Sinica and Halen said that they detest Aijisupa. But, you are the one I detest the most. Despite having as much power as Rina—no, your power is even greater than hers, yet you did not do anything. The one who watched as Rina died was none other than you.”

Shiika tightened the grip on her hands. Her eyes revealing a look of being shaken, but she immediately raised her head with a frail smile.

“I see, that was what I had thought. Thank you very much for telling that to me honestly…”

“But, when I saw you in Ouka City, I understood. About what went through Rina’s mind and why she said you were her friend… and also, why you are the only one who could save us.”

“…Eh?”

“However, it’s not so easy to cut off our feelings. I seek your understanding for that.”

Leaving those words, Munakata walked towards the entrance with a fast pace.

“…”

Leaving the surprised Shiika behind, Reiji followed Munakata.

Passing through the door, he found the previous two who left waiting in the corridor. But, Reiji grasped Munakata’s shoulder in front of the door.

“What is it?”

“You just said you knew, didn’t you.”

He unconsciously strengthened his grip on the suit.

“Rina said that that girl possessed something that neither Rina nor I have. Do you know just what that is?”

“Of course, I have not lived all these years longer than you guys for nothing. —Halen, Sinica, come here and listen to what I have to say as well.”

This guy…

Reiji’s face twisted. Judging by Munakata’s attitude, it was clear that he did not intend to tell him anything more than what was necessary. —Because, that was the most effective method of making Reiji stay here.

Indeed, Reiji could not leave Shiika’s side just yet. That is until he fully understands the meaning behind Rina’s final request.

“Aijisupa. You said that there were some people tailing us ever since Ouka City. I want you to tell us what are those people. You can at least listen to a request like this, right?”

Youichi and Matsuri stood nearby, while Munakata looked at Reiji.

“…It’s a woman.”

Reiji said frankly. Even though he disliked his attitude, he had no reasons to oppose him. Since he was requested without being forced, it was meaningless to reject him.

“To be more accurate, it was something with the figure of a woman. When it realised that I had detected it, its figure would vanish immediately. I only caught the figure of a slim body and long hair in the instance I saw it. It was already following us all the time from when we were moving around our hiding spots in Ouka City.”

“Did you notice anything else?”

“I can’t guarantee that it was human.”

“…What was that?”

“Do you know of anyone who can chase after a moving car with their body alone? At least, I don’t.”

The colour of their faces except for Reiji changed.

“I see. Since you have no interest in Mushitsuki, you may not have known. But, that feat may be possible for a Mushitsuki of the Fusion type… In any case, it seems like there is a need to hold an emergency meeting of the executives.”

“There’s also the possibility of this guy lying to us.”

“There’s no chance of that. He is only staying around by ''Snow’s'' side. He has no need nor reason to lie to us.”

Making that declaration, Munakata turned around to face Reiji.

“Thank you for sharing this with us. —By the way, Aijisupa. I have prepared a suite for you separate from Snow but…”

“No need for that.”

“I know that this might not seem to be a problem to you, but.”

Having been told that, Reiji realised a little late what Munakata was trying to get at.

“You are worried that I would do something to that kid…?”

“I have already mentioned earlier that her age is the same as yours, even if it does not look that way… Well, just be careful not to ruin her mood. If you do not want to die, that is.”

For the first time, Munakata was grinning, causing Reiji to scowl at him.

“You dirty old man.”

“You are saying that? —Let’s go, Sinica, Halen.”

Seemingly not understanding that it was a joke, Youichi and Matsuri seemed to be shocked at Munakata’s smiling face. Pulling along the two were stunned, Munakata headed for the elevator at the end of the corridor.

“…''Tch''.”

What a shrewd person, Reiji thought, clicking his tongue before returning into the suite.

Shiika was looking into the air absentmindedly, seemingly thinking of something. However, she regained her senses right away and gazed at the attaché case filled with bundles of papers.

“…”

The figure of her being intimidated by the thickness of the stack of papers made her look like a child about to confront his disliked green peppers. Looking at her, Reiji sighed lethargically.

…Is she really the one you were talking about, that Anmoto Shiika?

Inquiring his deceased friend, Reiji returned to the sofa by the window side. With nothing to do in particular, he stretched out his legs and closed his eyes.

“E-erm… Aijisupa-san.”

Shiika called out timidly.

“It seems like we need to memorise this in three days…”

“For something like that, one hour is enough.”

Silence descended in the room. The stunned look of the girl clearly floated into his mind even when he closed his eyes.

“O-one hour…?”

As Reiji gradually fell into slumber, the voice of Shiika muttering, ‘One hour… One hour…’, repeated over and over in his ears.