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

===Part 3===

“—More, more, Kakkun… ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Lick<nowiki>*</nowiki>—''”

With her fingertips on the door, Arisu hesitated over whether to open the door or not. She had a feeling that if she were to open it now, she would witness something that she mustn't.

Ena and Takako had already abandoned her with pale faces.

“W-what should I do… That was Daisuke, right? Eh? What? Are they in that kind of relationship? Showing me that kind of thing, what am I supposed to do? Should I report it to the police—”

While she muttered to herself in a frenzy, the door opened all of a sudden.

A grimacing Daisuke stood in front of her. The other girl was clinging onto his neck with a beaming smile.

“…If you’re going to enter, do it quickly.”

“…Yes.”

Arisu answered meekly with a nod.

—The Arts room devoid of tables and chairs was quite spacious.

However, as the windows were completely covered by blackout curtains, one could not see well in the room. The only illumination in the room came from the lamp hanging on the wall. On top of the table in the middle of the room, there was what appears to a basin of water.

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Hustle<nowiki>*</nowiki> <nowiki>*</nowiki>Hustle<nowiki>*</nowiki> <nowiki>*</nowiki>Hustle<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

Leaving behind the silent Daisuke and Arisu, the girl headed to a door deeper in the room.

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Creak<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

She opened the door and retrieved two more chairs.

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Hustle<nowiki>*</nowiki> <nowiki>*</nowiki>Hustle<nowiki>*</nowiki> <nowiki>*</nowiki>Hustle<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

She placed the chairs in front of Arisu and Daisuke.

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Thunk<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' …Please have a seat. ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Turn<nowiki>*</nowiki> <nowiki>*</nowiki>Hustle<nowiki>*</nowiki> <nowiki>*</nowiki>Hustle<nowiki>*</nowiki> <nowiki>*</nowiki>Hustle<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

Flapping her mantle, the girl returned to the black table and sat on her own chair.

Arisu stared at Daisuke with imploring eyes.

“…Daisuke-…”

“…Don’t say a word. That's just the kind of person…”

The girl just stared at Arisu without appearing to do anything.

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

The ends of her lips went up. She just continued to stare at Arisu while occasionally mumbling, ‘''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki> <nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki>''’.

She had a very distinct hairstyle, with straight bangs in addition to hairstyle of different lengths on the left and right sides. Her hair above her right ears was cut shortly and tied, while her hair on the left side stretched till her waist. The star-shaped stickers pasted below her left eye glittered from the light from the lamp.

Arisu thought that the girl would look quite cute if she did not speak.

However, all that was ruined by the black mantle she wore, the collar-like choker on her neck, and most of all—the artificial smile that could not be described in any other way apart from a grin. All of it was worsened by the murky gloom in her eyes that almost seemed to lick Arisu caught in her gaze.

Feeling a chill, Arisu shivered. It was not just her appearance. She could feel a queerness not found in normal people coming from the girl.

“Kurisaka Ayuyu. A member of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau Central Headquarters, Secret Class Rank 4 of the Experimental team, Kororo. …Even if I mentioned that, it’s not like you would know that anyway.”

“You may call ''Ayuyu~'' as ''Ayuyu~''. ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bobs head<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

Ayuyu took a bow towards Arisu. However, she immediately shook her head.

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Shake<nowiki>*</nowiki> <nowiki>*</nowiki>Shake<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' You can’t after all. The only one who can call ''Ayuyu~ Ayuyu~'' is Kakkun. Please call me Ayuyu.”

With another, ‘''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki>''’, the ends of her lips rose again.

“…N-nice to meet you.”

Arisu did not know how to reply her and just returned a stiff smile.

“—I’ll leave the rest to you, Kororo.”

“Don’t be so cold, Kakkun. Just call me ''Ayuyu~''.”

“Wait a minute!”

Arisu clung on desperately to Daisuke who got up to leave. Glimpsing at Ayuyu to the side, she whispered to Daisuke softly.

“W-where are you going, Daisuke…! Are you going to leave me alone with that girl? What do you want me to do? What are you aiming for? I’ll apologize for stealing your side dish this morning…! Getting back at me like this is too much!”

“Calm down. And don't cry. …Didn’t you say that you want to meet with a Mushitsuki with the ability to find out about Hanashiro Mari.”

“I-it’s this girl…? Really?”

“Yea. I don't really know what would actually happen either, but…”

His expression turned sharp. Catching a glance at Ayuyu, he spoke in a low voice.

“Be careful. Apart from her ability… watch out for her as well.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“I’ll be nearby this room. If anything happens, just shout for me immediately. I’ve also brought my equipment just in case. I’ll rush over straight away.”

“Equipment? Why would you need that thing?”

Without answering Arisu, Daisuke turned towards Ayuyu with a strict countenance.

“Don’t do anything unnecessary, Kororo. If you engage in some meaningless ‘play’, I will…”

“No need for worries. I will keep to our promise. ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

However, the nodding Ayuyu was still staring intently at Arisu. Feeling manacled by the stare, Arisu felt a chill run down her back.

Daisuke glared at Ayuyu for a while before leaving the room without saying anything.

Right after he closed the door behind him, silence descend in the room.

Arisu and Ayuyu stared at each other in silence. When Arisu gulped, Ayuyu just continued staring at her with an eerie smile.

“Erm…”

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' Now then, shall we begin. This isn’t an order from the Central Headquarters, but if I don’t do this properly, then it wouldn’t feel right to have ''Kakkun’s'' body in exchange—''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Cough<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' I was just kidding. Please pretend you never heard that.”

“…That makes me very curious about what did Daisuke underwent…”

“I’ve had Kakkun go far away. If there are Mushi of the same type around, their wavelengths would overlap.”

“Wavelength…?”

Arisu knotted her eyebrows. With a faint smile on her lips, Ayuyu held her hands over the basin. Her appearance with her face barely lit by the candle flame truly looked like that of a fortune-teller.

“What is going to happen now? Daisuke didn’t tell me anything.”

“You are being possessed by the Mushi of your deceased friend, right. You want to know why did she leave you the Mushi. …Is that correct? ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Glimpse<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

Ayuyu glimpsed at the morpho butterfly fluttering above them. In response, Arisu meekly nodded.

“Yes, indeed.”

“I shall tell you then. About what your friend—what was Hanashiro Mari thinking… ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Smirk<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

Her dark pupils shifted from the morpho butterfly to Arisu, causing her to take a gulp. A sadistic smile appeared on her face as she questioned out of nowhere.

“But, before that… Let me ask you, how much do you know about Kakkun?”

Arisu vacillated, her eyebrows knotting.

“About Daisuke?”

“Special Environmental Preservation Bureau East Central Branch member, Blaze Class Rank 1, Kakkou—Kakkun is the strongest Mushitsuki. Do you know why is he that strong?”

“Why, you ask…”

“That is because Kakkun knows of ''pain''. I know that from what I have ‘seen’. Beginning with Fuyuhotaru, he has defeated a large number of Mushitsuki, far more than anyone else. He himself also had plenty of brushes with death and lived to tell the tale. …The reason Kakkun fights on for so long is because of his promise with Fuyuhotaru. And also…”

Ayuyu’s expression softened for a second. Unlike the gloomy smile she had till now, a lovely smile flashed across her face.

But the next moment, the unnerving smile returned to her face.

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' I know the pain that Kakkun felt. I also know of the pain of other Mushitsuki. Kakkun and I have shared our pains, that’s why we are so lovey-dovey.”

“Looking from Daisuke’s angle, it sure doesn’t look very lovey-dovey though…”

“In addition to that, we share a common point. —''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' I hold the foulest ability in the whole of the SEPB. I have grasped the weakness of countless Mushitsuki and made them cooperate with the SEPB. Kakkun and I are the undoubtably the most despised in the SEPB. ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Smirk<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

“…!”

The water in the basin started to stir right before Arisu’s eyes. Following that, the water began to morph under Ayuyu’s hands.

Splashing around the basin, some water floated into the air and distorted, forming into a single droplet.

Soon, a creature made of water formed in Ayuyu’s hands. There were eight thin legs on a flat disk-like body, with a frontal portion that was likely its head having three compound eyes and wriggling feelers. Its distorting shape trapped the light from the candle, appearing as though it would fall apart any time.

“Having a Mushi despite not being a Mushitsuki, a Mushitsuki that could be considered an anomaly… In fact, you are quite famous amongst the higher-ups of the Central Headquarters. Even a high-ranking member like myself is already aware of your existence. Despite that, do you know why there hasn’t been any orders from above for me?”

“Eh…?”

Arisu, whose attention was caught by the unknown creature, lifted her face.

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' One of the reason is because it is dangerous. Other Mushi absolutely hates my ability. That’s why, whenever I try to interfere, the Mushi resists… What would happen if I cannot suppress it—the answer is obvious. The Mushi will rampage.”

“…!”

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Smirk<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' In the past, under the orders of the Central Headquarters, I attempted to interfere with the wavelength of ''Kakkun’s'' Mushi. The end result—including me, around ten people of the guards almost died. Since then, I have been forbidden from using my ability on strong Mushitsuki. In actuality, today’s job is a secret from the Central Headquarters, and Kakkun also told me to stop immediately the moment I detect any risk.”

Arisu was flabbergasted.

“Even so, why do you think I still accepted this request…”

“I-isn’t it because it was Daisuke who requested for it?”

“Of course, that was part of the reason. ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Smirk<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' …But, the true reason is that I wanted to take up this mission. When I heard about the Mushitsuki that wasn’t a Mushitsuki, I had always wanted to meet with you.”

“…?”

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki> <nowiki>*</nowiki>Smirk<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' …Does a Mushitsuki really believe that they can befriend a normal person?”

Arisu widened her eyes, while Ayuyu laughed extremely peculiarly.

“Being feared by the masses, and living in fear of having their dreams completely consumed by their Mushi… there’s no way that a Mushitsuki would believe in a normal person who had never experienced all that. Only a Mushitsuki can understand the feelings of another Mushitsuki… Yet, you claim that Hanashiro Mari was really your friend? You thought that you guys were friends? ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Snicker<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

“Wha-…! Mari IS my friend! That goes without saying—”

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Smirk<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' That’s why, I wanted to ‘play around’ with you… The moment when you realized that your expectations were betrayed, just what kind of face would you make… Just imagining that makes my heart pound nonstop.”

A look of ecstasy crossed Ayuyu’s face and her body was trembling just as she mentioned.

“It would be good for you to experience some ''pain'' as well.”

''This girl…!''

Arisu’s face twisted.

There’s a large number of weirdos amongst the Special Type Mushitsuki—the words that Daisuke said must have applied to people like the girl in front of her. Ayuyu appeared to truly want to watch Arisu get hurt from the bottom of her heart.

“I hate you. Despite not being a Mushitsuki, you pretend to be one… gaining just the power without going through any suffering. That’s why, I will definitely not stop halfway no matter what. Whatever’s gonna happen is not going to be my concern, okay? ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Smirk<nowiki>*</nowiki>'' However, if you prostrate yourself and lick my feet, then I might consider letting you off. ''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Heart Pounding<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

“…”

“Come on, if you don’t, then I’m going to start soon. Say it, say, ‘I am sorry for pretending to be a Mushitsuki’.”

“…Who do you think you’re babbling on about to?”

Arisu slowly got up from her chair. Anger bubbled up from her heart.

''—See you tomorrow.''

Mari had said that with a smile. Arisu could affirm that that smile was genuine.

The one who doesn't know anything is Ayuyu.

Despite the short time, Arisu had passed her time together with Mari. The girl in front of her was the one who did not know what did Arisu and Mari felt yet declared that Arisu had been betrayed.

Arisu believed in Mari.

''—Mari is definitely not a cruel Mushitsuki who revels in hurting other people.''

“Get on with it quickly. I will not allow you to stop halfway.”

Arisu stated flatly.

The smile disappeared from Ayuyu’s face.

“…Someone like you can just break.”

The water in the shape of a diving beetle in her hands deformed. The candle flame in the wall-mounted lamp fluttered.

The Mushi made of liquid gradually transformed. At the same time, the movements of the morpho butterfly become erratic.

“Kakkun is surely the same as Hanashiro Mari.”

Ayuyu said.

“I don't know what you think about him, but… Kakkun does not think of you as a friend. The only reason that he stays by your side is because of his mission.”

Arisu bit her lips.

She already knew that. However, having that stated so flat out still made her chest hurt for some reason.

The body of the diving beetle split into two, revealing two pairs of wings.

“…!”

Seeing its newly transformed shape, Arisu was speechless.

It was the morpho butterfly.

Completely similar in shape to the morpho butterfly dancing near the ceiling, another morpho butterfly was born.

“''<nowiki>*</nowiki>Grin<nowiki>*</nowiki>''”

Ayuyu looked down with a distorted smile at the morpho butterfly glistening with silver radiance in her hands.

“My ability allows me to view the memories of the past seen by other Mushi…”

Suddenly, the shape of the butterfly made of water collapsed.

The mass of water fell into the basin with a splash. When it became still, the surface of the water reflected the light from the lamp.

—No, it was not due to the reflection of the light from the lamp. What was reflected on the surface was something completely different.

“I wonder what kind of appearance did the Mushi saw of its host…”

Arisu’s face stiffened.

What was displayed on the water surface was the figure of a girl with her mouth hidden behind a muffler—it was Hanashiro Mari.