Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 2nd Episode 07 (section)

===Part 2===

In the main building of the Ichinokuro house, one of the many spare rooms belonged to Kusuriya Daisuke.

“There’s something we need to speak about, Daisuke. I’m coming in.”

Without even waiting for an answer, Arisu, dressed in pajamas, opened the paper sliding door.

Daisuke was in the middle of a call. Everything about him, from his hairstyle to his facial features, screamed average. He took a glimpse towards her and sighed.

[Other than Nene-san, there’s also many others whom he intends to bring into our branch. Would you like to speak with Branch Director Haji himself? I’ll connect you right away. While waiting, how about some calming music? ''La~lala~la~'']

An excessively boisterous voice came from his mobile phone such that it even reached Arisu.

“Rather than those people, tell him that we need to change the reception of the intelligence team, Maimai. …I’ll contact you again later, cutting now.”

[''Lala~la~''. Ah, yessir, I’ll pass that on. …Hmm? Wouldn’t I lose my position if they are new members entering the intelligence team. But, ''don’t mind'', Maimai-chan. If you continue working hard, surely a bright future awaits—]

Daisuke ended the call, cutting off the annoying voice abruptly.

“Somehow, I feel like I just heard the most individualistic person of all times. Is that your friend?”

“Please don’t joke about that. That was just a colleague. How do I put this… It’s not like I’m referring to all of them, but there’s a large number of weirdos amongst the Special Type Mushitsuki, there’s also some crazy ones too…”

“That’s quite a stereotype. Aren’t you just discriminating them?”

“—Rather than that, what do you want to speak about. And also, learn how to knock at least.”

With a serious expression, Arisu sat in front of Daisuke who had a look of exasperation.

“I want to borrow your assistance. —Ah, saying it like that makes it sounds like I’m the one with a lower standing. Let me rephrase that, you shall assist me. You shall put in all your efforts for my sake.”

“…Well, it’s not like I expected your attitude to change after all these times anyway. So, what’s with this all of a sudden.”

“After what happened at the pool, I came to thought. There really are many different kinds of power that Mushitsuki have.”

''Mushi''—.

Referring to monsters which remains to be whispered as rumours amongst the people despite the official denial of their existence by the government.

The Mushi feeds on the dreams of people in order to grow. The people possessed by them are referred to as ''Mushitsuki'', gaining the use of various different kinds of power in exchange for their dreams.

The young Mushitsuki girl that Arisu met at the indoor pool facility the other day had the ability to instill fear in people.

Kusuriya Daisuke too was a Mushitsuki. Apart from him, Arisu had also met many other Mushitsuki, each with a different ability.

“And so, I thought. You have been in the organisation… the SEPB, which has a lot of Mushitsuki, for a long time, isn’t it? In that case, wouldn’t you possibly know of a Mushitsuki with the ability to find out about Mari?”

The Special Environmental Preservation Bureau.

That was the organisation that Daisuke belonged to, a governmental agency that was established to capture Mushitsuki. Hanashiro Mari—the original owner of the morpho butterfly that was now entrusted to Arisu, is the reason for which Daisuke is monitoring Arisu.

“…There’s no way anyone with such a convenient ability exists. From the very start—”

Replying to Arisu who was pressing him for an answer, Daisuke paused. He seemed to have recalled something, but continued with a puckering expression.

“—there’s no such person.”

“…Just now, you were lying very blatantly, Daisuke.”

“…”

He averted his face without speaking.

Arisu stood up wordlessly and grabbed the still seated Daisuke’s arm. Pulling the right arm of Daisuke who had a look of question, she flipped him over in one fluid motion.

“And there. ''Arisu Upper Cross Armlock~!''”

“''…Guaah!''”

“How dare you feign ignorance to your master’s queries, inexcusable! If you don’t spit out what you know in three seconds, prepare to hold your chopsticks with your left hand from tomorrow onwards! ''One, two…''”