Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 1st Episode 02 (section)

===Part 5===

—The ground was overlaid with a starry sky.

Countless shiny grains lay scattered across a vast black sheet. What differed from the actual starry skies was that each grain wriggled around like water droplets on a screen. The movements of the multicoloured grains served to show that they were alive.

She had just seen the same sight a few moments ago. But somehow, she felt detached from the beautiful night scene.

Perhaps the reason why it looked so beautiful then was because she was with Neiko just now. It was because of how much she loved the cityscape that Arisu and the rest also saw the cityscape through her eyes.

Arisu and Daisuke were currently in an ascending gondola.

“What’s going to happen to Neiko-san and the rest from now on?”

“Nene.”

“…?”

“She have already received a codename. A Mushitsuki belonging to the Special type, especially one with a restoration ability such as hers is extremely valuable. The higher-ups are probably satisfied with her. The other four… normally, with that level of strength, would have been turned into Fallen. But, they were probably inducted as a means to tie down Nene to the SEPB. At best, they would serve as foot soldiers.”

To become members of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau—that was the choice that Neiko had chosen.

Surprisingly, Daisuke accepted her request readily. His reason being as he just explained. It seems that Neiko’s ability was desirable to the SEPB. Although her offensive ability was non-existent, she was able to swiftly restore injuries. That’s why the SEPB lured Neiko’s friends to the Ferris wheel, and switched their plan to a battle of attrition. They had given the order to Daisuke who just happened to be in the vicinity. On the other hand, Neiko’s friends had realised that they could not escape, thus choosing to set up a surprise attack—.

Right now, they are able to ride the Ferris wheel due to Neiko restoring it to its original condition. After that, Neiko wanted to continue singing. Daisuke tried to stop her, saying, ‘Don’t use your power any more than necessarily’, but.

—I want more people to see how beautiful these streets are…

Neiko said so with a smile while looking at Arisu.

—Thank you…

She did not know what was the “thank you” for, but in any case, it seems that Neiko was determined to continue living.

After a while, seeing that everything had returned to normal, the customers that had evacuated returned to the plaza. With only Arisu and Daisuke was left at the scene, the boy silently joined the queue for the Ferris wheel. Wondering what was he doing, Arisu joined the queue by his side.

Ena and Takako should have reached their homes by now. In the aftermath of the incident, Arisu had contacted the servant of Takako’s house, who took the unconscious Takako and Ena back home.

A silver light danced about the night view which Arisu was looking at. It was the morpho butterfly. In the distance, she could see the lights from the hospital which Mari was in.

“I see… I wonder if this was for the best?”

Just as Arisu was speaking.

Like a drop falling into a puddle, reflected in Arisu’s eye looking at the hospital’s light, a ripple expanded.

<br>

—Isn’t it beautiful, that Ferris wheel—

<br>

“…Arisu?”

Seeing Arisu behave strangely, Daisuke called out to her.

But, his voice did not reach her. A piece of memory flashed through her mind like lightning.

<br>

—Then, let’s go together when you are discharged!

<br>

The morpho butterfly. And also, the Ferris wheel.

That day, the one who had said that with her back facing the window was her.

No, that’s wrong.

The one who had said that was the girl called Ichinokuro Arisu.

<br>

—Yea, it’s a promise—.

<br>

The one nodding was herself, Hanashiro Mari.

Mari had been looking forward to that promise very much.

When she had mentioned the promise to Sensei, he had also smiled happily—.

“Sensei…?”

Mari muttered.

“Arisu?”

“…!”

At Daisuke’s voice, Arisu came to.

What was that…? Just now—.

That scene flashing past Arisu’s mind made her feel out of place.

A memory of the past? No, that’s not it… I saw myself there—.

“N-nothing, nevermind.”

“…There’s no point worrying about them anymore. They have decided upon it themselves. But…”

To him, Arisu appeared to be worrying about the well-being of Neiko and her friends. Looking at the night view expressionlessly till now, Daisuke glared at Arisu.

“This is not some child’s play. If I’m teamed up with some half-hearted folks, they would only be dead weight to us… Good grief, why did some busybody idiot just have to stick her nose in…”

At Daisuke’s words, Arisu woke up from her daydream, groaning with a ''muu''.

“Then, what do you expect me to do?”

“Didn’t I tell you before to just not do anything.”

“Didn’t I also say that I don’t like not doing anything.”

“You’re just being wilful. ''Haah…'' That’s why I hate spoiled young ladies ignorant of worldly matters like you…”

“What’s with that, acting all so high and mighty. Blushing like a tomato just by being hugged by Ena and Takako, you’re just a pervy brat.”

“T-that’s completely unrelated! In the first place, if it wasn’t Saionji-san but someone flat like a washboard like you, I wouldn’t—”

“''Arisu punch~!''”

“Did you thought I was just going to let you punch me!”

Repelling her punches with his hands, he unintentionally hit her face. Holding her nose, Arisu flared her eyebrows.

“You… you dare hit me! And on my face too…!”

“W-what, you’re always hitting me too…!”

The scuffle between the two continued throughout the ride till they reached the ground with the attendant stopping them.

The vestiges of a bell chime could be heard echoing across the moonlit night sky.

<noinclude>
===Notes===
<references/>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Mushi Uta:Volume 1st Episode 01|Episode 01]]
| Return to [[Mushi Uta|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Mushi Uta:Volume 1st Episode 03|Episode 03]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>