Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 5th Episode 19 (section)

=== Part 1 ===
Kuuga's main job was delivering the special items used by SEPB members.

He'd heard that he was the only member who specialized in deliveries. Most of the time when they needed to transport objects, they would prepare a specially-made vehicle, and it was normal to have a few combatants accompany it.

It was stranger for there to be members whose specialty was something as easy as delivering objects. Because all other missions, whatever they were, always had the members put their lives on the line.

Even so having a special profession such as his was probably because he was part of the West Central Branch that specialized in technological development. There were times when one needed emergency goods and temporary provisions.

Simply delivering luggage was an easy mission.

Even this time the mission was simply delivering a package to a girl in Akamaki City.

Using his powers as a Mushitsuki, Kuuga would fly to his destination in no time—

"I'm so done with Chika-chan. Why is she so violent? They say the West Central Branch is full of weirdoes because all of them are like that."

—Well, not really.

"It's unexpected that someone with a common sense like me is also part of it."

The new railroad line going directly through Akamaki City and into the western part of the capital, Akamaki Express. Abbreviated AX, it was headed to Akamaki City smoothly.

Kuuga's body was spread over the door of the interior of AX. His cheeks rubbed against the glass window.

"Haa… whatever, as long as I get to ride my beloved AX it's fine. Normally for my missions I can only ride normal trains because of being frugal. But now I get to ride this train which is fast and safe, noiseless, can go through curves and take sharp turns… also, it looks really cute. Ehe, ehehehehe."

His own figure reflected on the glass window.

Although he wore short pants and a short-sleeved shirt and looked like he was cold, he didn't feel like it was too early to wear that. A digital watch and an analog watch were each attached by a pin to two ties with mismatching colors. The woolen hat and crossbody bag were his trademarks.

The wooden board he carried on his back crossed with the bag was perhaps also characteristic of him. In one arm he held the folded electrical kick scooter used exclusively by the West Central Branch.

The other passengers regarded Kuuga, who was rubbing his face on the door with a bewitched expression, with suspicious eyes.

"AX is so wonderful. Both form and function are just the best, and it's so pretty, ehehe."

Outside the window there was an insect flying alongside the train.

About as large as a thumb, this insect frantically flapped its transparent, thin wings. With its head comparatively larger than its body, it resembled the species called giant resin bees that specialized in carrying pollen.

If it was a mere bee, it wouldn't have been able to catch up with the train. It also wouldn't have a glowing abdomen that left afterimages of light as it zigzagged in air.

It was Kuuga's Mushi.

"We're finally together, AX."

He was a delivery expert, but that only counted to situations when he used his ability.

But it wasn't inconvenient.

Modern society was a treasure trove of vehicles.

Train, bus, taxi… there were plenty of options to choose from. Everyone used the safe and efficient convenient tools of civilization called vehicles. 

But since Munechika paid out of her own pocket, he could use AX this time. Since "reducing costs" was the slogan of the West Central Branch, he barely had the chance to come in contact with cutting-edge vehicles.

He just skipped school, rode on his beloved AX, and was going to deliver a package to Akamaki City.

Was it fine to have such an easy mission?

Was it fine for him to be so happy?

“I… umm… fell in love with in first sight.”

Still spread on the door, Kuuga blushed.

Vehicles were humanity's greatest invention.

Fast, safe, and yet beautiful.

Air, land and sea vehicles all had different shapes, but each had their own charm, making Kuuga shower them with love.

Among these the AX was fast and safe, could turn and was soundless, not to mention its streamlined shape; it truly was the best of—

"Sooo gross!"

After ascending to dreamland, Kuuga was brought back to reality by a voice from behind.

Turning around, he saw a girl about his age looking at him. Perhaps hating being tanned by the sun, she wore a wide-brimmed hat and a black long skirt. Her first impression was like a rich lady on a summer retreat.

"What… me?"

When Kuuga pointed at himself, the girl nodded many times. She had a black teardrop-shaped sticker under one eye.

"I just can't believe this guy. You're unbelievably gross."

"Me? Gross?"

[[File:Mushi_Uta_Bug_5th_p145.jpg|thumb]]

West Central Branch was headed by a misanthropic tool maker, a perverted brother and sister duo resource handlers, a sharp-tongued integrated circuit craftsman, a metal engraver with guilt complex, a shut-in programmer, a miser that destroys everything they touch and so on; a den of weirdoes.

But he alone was different.

His comrades were definitely gross, but he was just a normal boy.

"Ahaha, what do you mean by that? Is it some kinda popular joke?"

Seeing Kuuga laugh innocently, for some reason the girl wore a sorrowful face.

"So you have no self-awareness, huh…"

It happened as Kuuga tilted his head in front of the mumbling girl.

AX suddenly decelerated and an announcement played through the car. "Due to unforeseen issues with the control cables near Akamaki City, we cannot proceed. We deeply apologize, but we have to make a stop at the next station until the repairs are made." Following this they also announced that it was unknown how long these repairs would take.

"Nooo!"

Kuuga shouted without thinking.

"I've only been on it for five minutes!"

His desperate appeal in vain, the AX stopped in the station.

The inter-car announcement played again and the doors opened. The passengers stirred.

After a few dozen minutes passed without any new notification, most of the passengers had left. They probably switched to the temporary bus services provided.

However, Kuuga stubbornly refused to move from his seat. He ignored the announcement recommending him to move to a bus.

"I will definitely ride AX. I've waited so long for this, so I can't bear this."

He groaned, puffing his cheeks.

"So you're not only gross but immature as well."

He heard a girl's voice from the long seat opposite of him.

It was the rich lady with a black teardrop under her eye. Just like the few remaining passengers, she sat down inside the car.

The disgruntled Kuuga averted his eyes.

"Ah, now you're sulking."

"…"

"It's no use no matter how long you wait. Aren't you going to move soon?"

"Huh?"

''—How do you know it's no use?''

Just as Kuuga was about to ask this, he heard a small "ah!"

The mom and child who were the last passengers except for him and the girl were just about to give up and get off the train. The baseball cap worn by the boy was blown away by a gale.

The baseball cap had fallen to the platform, but was then lifted by the wind toward the surface.

Since the platform had a flood-control channel nearby, it was flowing with drainage in the depth of several meters. 

Kuuga took swift action.

Opening his folded kick scooter, he turned the throttle the moment he rode it.

Leaving scorch marks on the train car's floor, Kuuga's scooter flew onto the platform. Dodging the surprised passengers, he accelerated straight ahead.

"…!"

Wind blew again from behind him.

The baseball cap flew even higher.

Kuuga leapt on the fences along with the kick scooter and then jumped off.

"Got it!"

His extended hand grabbed the baseball cap.

"—Uh."

But there was no ground beneath his feet.

At this trajectory, he would fly over the platform and fall headlong into the deep flood-control channel.

"Fngh!"

Holding the hat in his mouth, he grabbed the electric light pole installed on the edge of the platform. He used centrifugal force to rotate once and wedged the wheels on the pole.

There was a screech as the wheels started shaving the metallic surface of the pole. He used the pole he was grabbing with one hand to kill his momentum.

Doing this, he finally managed to land on the station platform. The skin on his hand peeled off because of the friction with the pole, but the baseball cap was safe.

Before he would be found by the staff, he hurriedly returned to the mother and child. Seeing him kick up the scooter and fold it in no time, they were both stunned.

"Here you go. It might have some teeth marks, though."

As Kuuga squatted down and handed him the baseball cap, the boy's face sparkled. "Awesome!" he went excited with a look of admiration.

The mother wore a troubled smile.

"T-thank you very much."

"Are you getting off of AX?"

"Huh? Oh, we wanted to reach Akamaki City as soon as possible, but now that it's gotten like this we have to get to our destination."

''I see'', replied Kuuga.

"Because people are waiting for us."

The woman saying this sounded somewhat happy. There was probably someone important waiting for them.

Leaving a slight bow, the mother and child went to the ticket gates. The boy also bowed with a mumbled "thanks!"

Carrying the kick scooter, Kuuga saw them off. When they were no longer visible, he looked at the great AX standing near him.

"Nngh…"

Closing his eyes, he let a low groan. His desire to ride his beloved AX tortured him.

The boy's smile from just now was reborn in his mind.

''—Thanks!''

The desire smoldering inside Kuuga was washed away.

"Refuelling over!"

Opening both eyes, he poked the train with a finger.

"Sorry, AX! There's something I have to do! Until the next time we meet, farewell!"

Asserting this, he ran toward the ticket gates.

"…Gross."

As he resolved not to look back, he felt like he could hear a girl's cold voice.