Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 10 Chapter 3 (section)

== 3.04 Kanon Part 6 ==

The two childhood friends reunited on the day of the full moon.

Thinking back, that was when Kanon’s lie started taking a life of its own.

On the second full moon, their comrades became friends.

Thinking back, that was also because they all believed Kanon’s lies.

And now—

The third full moon came.

“Kanon-sama!”

“Kanon-sama!”

On top of the ruins of the old desecrated building there was a ritual altar. Kanon, who climbed there with awkward movements, was cheered loudly by the many believers.

The darkness of night enveloped the Abandoned Land and a round moon was floating in the sky.

The Mushitsuki who was to receive salvation this night was already on top of the altar. Clad in ceremonial robes, Ichi already had his Mushi out. He held out a hand and helped Kanon climb to the altar.

As the two faced each other, the believers’ cheers reached their peak.

Kanon waved toward them in response.

“Whenever you’re ready.”

Ichi smiled. Kanon nodded.

All the cheers immediately stopped. Instead, gazes full of zeal stabbed into Kanon.

The moon was floating in the sky.

Just like before, Tamaki couldn’t be seen anywhere.

“…”

Kanon reached out to Ichi.

Ichi wore a calm smile as he stood there. He probably had no doubts whatsoever.

The believers surrounding the altar were the same. All of them had faith, were invited there by the lie, and worked together to protect Kanon.

And so—Kanon, too, wanted to believe that lie.

And in Tamaki as well.

She would definitely come to the rescue again. Without a doubt, she would work to make Kanon’s lie a reality.

This place, once called the Abandoned Land, transformed into paradise.

Everyone believed in Kanon and were thus able to live for the future.

And—

Tonight too, lie would become truth.

“—”

A soundless cheer rose around the altar.

Ichi’s Mushi was vanishing as if melting into thin air. The Mushi’s body floated in air, overlapping with the shining moon, and was gone.

“Ooh…! Oooh…!”

As the Mushi fully vanished, Ichi’s face was filled with happiness. He tried straining himself and making movements as if to summon his Mushi—

“Whooooah! There’s no Mushi! Kanon-sama erased my Mushi!”

He yelled toward the believers gathered down the altar with a jubilant expression.

There was a large cheer.

They were all so happy they couldn’t stand still. Ichi ran down the building’s debris, nearly stumbling and falling, and dove into the crowd. The believers who caught him and Ichi who was being mobbed by them all looked happy.

Someone also climbed the altar and approached Kanon.

It was Nii.

As usual, he wasn’t wearing any robe, but his expression looked softer than before.

“It’s your turn next, Onii-chan.”

“Yeah. So, until then… can I leave this to you?”

Saying this, Nii put something on Kanon’s head.

“Just in case something happens to me. It doesn’t affect anyone who’s not a Mushitsuki, so it’s fine for you to wear it.”

The laurel wreath.

It looked like leaves tied together, but it was much warmer than expected. A sweet scent and a faint heartbeat could be felt from it.

“Looks good on you.”

Pointing at Kanon with both hands, Nii smiled. Perhaps he originally used to have this bright personality.

Kanon shook a head toward the sounds of cheering that seemed like they’d never stop.

No one in this crowd was suffering. There were no lonely people, and no one shaking in fear.

During the last full moon, Kanon felt guilty for tricking them.

But it was different now.

They were saved by the lie.

The people who believed and protected Kanon were saved.

“I’ll be counting on you next.”

“…Yes!”

Kanon nodded at Nii energetically.



The day after the full moon.

With sleepy eyes, Kanon exited the bedroom at the Castle’s top floor. Fighting with the robe’s buttons while going down the stairs, Kanon climbed on top of the large hall’s throne.

“Good morning, Kanon-sama.”

“Kanon-sama, here’s breakfast.”

The robed believers held a hot cake on a platter. All of the followers greeting Kanon looked happy.

Despite it not being their turn, everyone was happy at Ichi’s salvation.

That fact made Kanon unbearably happy. Living at the same place, eating the same things, they shared all emotions.

Wasn’t that exactly the “family” Kanon admired?

Gaining comrades, becoming friends, and finally gaining a family—

“Morning, Kanon.”

While Kanon nibbled on the cake, Tamaki appeared. That older childhood friend was looking especially pretty as of late. If there was anything to complain about, she would probably look better with short hair, but upon being told that she’d obstinately shake her head, so there was nothing to be done about it.

“Good morning, Tama-chan.”

“Have you slept well?”

“Yes. How about you?”

“I’m exhausted. I’m glad you had it easy.”

Exchanging morning greetings, they smiled at each other.

“By the way, umm… what exactly have you done last night?”

“Hehe, it’s a secret.”

Bringing their faces closer together and whispering secretively, was like usual. Perhaps to the believers around it would look like they kissed.

Even if they did, it was fine.

After all, Kanon probably trusted Tamaki the most of everyone, and liked her very much.

And Tamaki probably reciprocated those feelings as well.

That was also their secret.

Just one among many.

“What about Ichi-san?”

“Oh, about that…”

Tamaki’s expression clouded over.

“Ichi left this morning.”

“Eh?”

“Actually, I made yesterday happen with Ichi’s cooperation, so we thought that if he stayed here some holes in the story might come out… he also said that no one would find it strange if he was gone, since he’s not a Mushitsuki anymore.”

“N-no way…”

Although it was Tamaki saying this, Kanon couldn’t readily believe it. Since Ichi said he’d stay at Kanon’s side even if he wasn’t a Mushitsuki, him leaving without even announcing anything—

Tamaki looked pained as well. She gently petted Kanon’s head.

“He probably thought it’d be too painful to say goodbye if he saw you, Kanon.”

“B-but…”

“He was thinking of you. As his friend, you ought to be happy for him… right?”

A friend.

Right, the first person who called himself Kanon’s friend was Ichi.

Just like Tamaki said, he vanished exactly because he was a friend.

“Right…”

Kanon nodded.

“Umm, Kanon forgot the wreath back in the room, so Kanon’s going back.”

Wearing up a forced smile, Kanon rose from the throne.

“Cheer up, Kanon.”

Tamaki tried a vain consolation.

With the door closed behind, Kanon bit back the sadness.

“…You told me you’d stay with me.”

Mumbling, this voice leaked unconsciously. Kanon had to reject those words.

Ichi’s action was made out of friendship.

And—it wasn’t a betrayal.

Ichi didn’t want Kanon to get depressed, and didn’t want his actions to be for naught.

“Ichi-san’s gone away for Kanon’s sake. So Kanon also has to…”

“—If you really think so, you really live quite the sweet life.”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind.

Twitching and looking back, Kanon saw two girls standing in front of the open window.

One had bangs hiding her eyes and wore a white coat. And the other was a petite girl with glasses. Neither one was familiar.

“W-who are you…?”

“Nice to meet you, Kanon-sama.”

Speaking with a tone dripping with cynicism, the bespectacled girl threw something at Kanon.

“Here is a token of our newfound friendship. If you put it on your head, you’ll be able to see a video.”

Kanon received large goggles. Other than the lenses there were many mechanical parts on it and it was quite heavy.

“You’ll find out where the guy you call Ichi has gone to.”

“Eh?”

Kanon looked from the faces of the sudden intruders to the goggles and back.

She apparently didn’t intend to speak any longer. She raised her chin as if to tell Kanon to wear it already, not revealing who she was.

“…”

Not having any choice, Kanon awkwardly put on the goggles. Obviously, finding out where Ichi went was immensely interesting.

After putting it on, a video began to play on the lenses’ surface.

The place was apparently the Abandoned Land at night. The buildings around were familiar.

Two people faced each other, discussing something. Who were they? Just as Kanon thought this, the video zoomed in and revealed the answer.

They were Tamaki and Ichi.

“My pawn filmed this last night. Before your salvation nonsense began.”

There was no audio. However, Kanon could see Ichi bringing out his Mushi angrily.

“—Eh.”

This voice leaked out unconsciously.

Tamaki became a different person.

And—

“—”

A sharp pain ran through Kanon’s heart.

In the footage, Tamaki transformed into an unknown Mushitsuki, and used their ability—

To kill Ichi’s Mushi.

And then, looking happily at Ichi’s collapsed form as she turned around…

“Ah, ah—”

She became Ichi.

Leaving the Fallen Ichi behind, Ichi who wasn’t Ichi walked outside the footage as if nothing happened—

“Aaaaah—”

Knees shaking and powerless, Kanon fell backwards.

The Ichi that Kanon faced on the altar last night—

Wasn’t Ichi at all.

It was Kanon’s childhood friend pretending to be Ichi—

“T-this is definitely a lie—”

“Not a lie at all.”

The video ended. The lenses became transparent again, reflecting the form of the bespectacled girl standing at the window.

“Unlike the things you’ve been doing.”

Kanon’s head shook.

No.

This lie was meant to save people.

Tamaki was trustworthy; she was the kind childhood friend who always saved Kanon.

Therefore, it couldn’t be the truth.

It had to be a lie.

That lie—was the kind of lie that should never be told.

“If this is just a game for you, you should stop it here. If this becomes any bigger, when the SEPB finds you, they’ll arrest the lot of you at once. …Such boring lies only serve to create further victims.”

Asserting this calmly, the bespectacled girl took back the goggles from Kanon. Along with the girl who was seemingly her comrade, she threw her body out of the window.

Even forgetting to see them off—

“AAAaaaAAAaahh…”

Along with a groan, Kanon’s forehead bumped against the floor.


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