Mushi Uta:Volume 1st Episode 01

Episode 01. The Silver Spear of Dream’s Continuation

Even now, I still remember very clearly.

What happened one year ago.

A memory from when my close friend, Hanashiro Mari, was alive.

“......Yeah, I know.”

Standing in front of the hospital room, Arisu heard that voice. Mari was speaking with somebody.

However, Arisu couldn’t hear the other person, only Mari talking by herself.

“Because Arisu is kind, for my request, she will……”

Arisu opened the door to the hospital room.

Blinded by the bright rays of sunlight, Arisu covered her eyes with her arms reflexively.

“Arisu.”

Looking at the scene, Arisu thought that she would remember it her whole life.

Silver wings seemed to grow from the back of girl lying on the bed. The small wings belonged to an out of season Morpho butterfly.

In the room, there was not a soul to be seen other than Mari. This surprised Arisu, but her astonishment did not last long as more importantly, she wanted to bring a smile to the girl’s face. Even for just one more second, for just an instant, she did not want to waste any time with Mari.

“Listen to me, Arisu. I……”

As Mari narrowed her eyes, the silver Morpho butterfly flew away.

Part 1

Walking down the road under the relentless morning ray, Ichinokuro Arisu let out a big yawn.

In front of a big puddle, Arisu came to a halt. Looking in the mirror-like puddle, she saw her figure in the reflection.

Black pupils in half-open eyes filled with sleepiness stared back. Her hair which reached halfway down her shoulder, was cut beautifully by a barber employed by the Ichinokuro family once every three days. Even amongst her peers, she was considered to have a petite body figure.

Arisu took a big stride, jumping over the puddle which other people would have avoided.

In the direction Arisu is heading to, there are a lot of boys and girls wearing the same uniform.

However, apart from her, there were no other students with a sleepy look on their face. Everybody had their back straightened and were chatting with each other with a bright smile on their face.

The place Arisu is heading to was Horusu Seijou Academy Middle School. The school’s academic standard was average, but the tuition fee was outrageously expensive. In other words, it was a prestigious school for the upper-class. Arisu was fourteen years old, currently enrolled as a second-year student.

Seeing two familiar figures ahead, Arisu rushed towards them.

“Sup, Ena, Takako!”

Arisu leapt in between the two girls walking side-by-side. Putting her arms around their shoulders, the girls stumbled.

“Good morning. Rather, aren’t you too energetic this morning.”

“G-good morning, Arisu-san.”

One of the girl grimaced, while the other had a troubled smile.

Saionji Ena and Kujou Takako, both of them were Arisu’s classmate. Similarly from an influential family, Takako was raised with care and love since young. On the other hand, despite being the third daughter, Ena had an even more uncouth personality than Arisu.

Arisu let go of their arms, letting out a groan, “Uu…”

“My energy is at just the right level, after all, I had just been beaten up by the demonic hag since early this morning.”

“Ah, you are referring to your self-defence lessons. It can’t be helped, since you the precious only daughter of the Ichinokuro family, much bigger and richer than my family. They’re worried that you might get kidnapped.”

“If that’s the case, why don’t they just send me to school every day. Instead of being oddly strict on discipline this way, geez.”

“Maybe hiring a bodyguard would be a good idea.”

At Takako’s words, Arisu revealed an interested expression.

“A bodyguard eh…... That would be fine too.”

“Huh? Seriously?”

“Since money is all my family has, they could at least do this much. This way, I wouldn’t have to undergo all these strict training.”

“Eeh, but you’ll be with stuck with a disgusting old man all the time!”

“That’s not right! Obviously, I’ll only choose a handsome guy as my bodyguard! Even in school, he will be by my side always, obeying my every command. ‘Ah, my throat is feeling a bit dry.’ ‘Please drink this, my lady.’ ‘Fufu, good boy.’ Ah, why didn’t I think of this idea earlier!”

“Just who do you think you are…… But, I think there is some merit in that idea.”

“Well, that’s……”

Seeing Takako’s blushing face, Arisu grinned. Looking at the scene, Ena smiled as well.

“You hear that? Arisu-san.”

“Eeh, but Ena-san, it seems like the stimulation is too much for our lady Takako.”

“That’s not it. It’s just Takako-san will treat the other party well. No matter what you say, see, my cute childhood friend from the Arts club……”

“S-stop, stop teasing me……”

Takako scolded the two arguing back and forth, causing them to reveal a smile.

But suddenly, Ena’s laughter stopped.

“What’s wrong, Ena?”

“Aah, sorry. While teasing her, I remembered something unpleasant.”

“Something…… unpleasant?”

Under Arisu and Takako’s questioning look, Ena looked down.

“Last night, my friend told me over the phone…… Yesterday after school, it appeared in our school.”

“It appeared? What is it?”

“Mushi.”

thump thump—

Arisu’s heart beat faster.

—Hey, listen to me, Arisu. I’m…

Arisu’s feelings stormed in her heart, the view from the past flashing through her memories. Even now, that memory is blurry. But, the scene of her close friend’s smile swam through her mind.

“Sha had also heard it from her other friend, so I also don’t know if it is true or not.”

Ena continued.

“Somewhere in the school, a bunch of boys was ganging up on someone. Then, suddenly, the Mushi appeared…… As a result, a few people were severely injured…… The witnesses were so scared that they did not tell anyone what they saw, only her friend to her what she saw.”

“Mushi”—.

Something only mentioned in passing rumours, first seen about ten years ago.

Fantastical organism with appearance of insect, the Mushi infests humans and feed on their dream to grow. Despite multiple eyewitness reports from various sources, the government officially deny the existence of it. Although the eyewitness reports were retracted later, the people afflicted by the Mushi, known as Mushitsuki, strike fear in the hearts of the populace. Rumours say that the Mushi will continue to consume the dreams of their host till the day they die.

Along with the less than baseless rumours of the Mushi, there are hearsay of a government agency known as the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau. Officially, the bureau is said to handle any issues or complains about the city environment but……

“Please keep this off the record, okay?…… Leaving aside Takako, don’t look at me with that face, Arisu.”

“Eeh.”

Arisu took a deep breath and calmed down. Staring into Takako’s eyes, it seems like they misunderstood that she was scared.

“There, there, sorry for scaring you. So even Arisu-chan have a girlish side, eh…… O-ouch.”

“Ohohoho, that’s right. Somewhere inside, I’m just a frail little girl.”

Drumming on Ena’s forehead with both of her fists, Arisu noticed that Takako had a weird look.

“Erm, that is, I……”

“Takako?”

“I saw a suspicious character…… That is, inside the school compound……”

““Really?!””

Arisu and Ena both exclaimed. Takako nodded docilely.

“Suspicious you say, in what way?”

“Erm, that is…… it was a scary-looking giant, also he seems middle-aged……”

“Hey, isn’t this bad? What if that person was…… a Mushitsuki?”

Seeing Takako with a aghast look, Ena made a serious face.

Mushitsuki—.

Arisu quietly clenched her fist.

“A suspicious character…… Mushitsuki……”

During the short homeroom later that morning, Arisu heard directly from the form teacher that a few boys from the same grade were sent to the hospital due to serious injuries.

Part 2

In the quiet school building, the sound of the chime reverberated.

The time was just past three in the afternoon. Afternoon classes has just started and will end at six pm.

With a ‘clang’, the door to the girl’s toilet along a commonly used corridor opened.

“......”

Sticking her head just beyond the door, Arisu spied the surroundings.

No one knew how old the buildings of Horusu Seijou Academy Middle School were. With a classic western-style exterior, there was a clocktower in the central block and special classrooms in the east block. And then, there’s the staff room and gymnasium connected together in the west block which has a modern design. Additionally, there is also a dojo, a pool and many other facilities, all in working order.

Arisu is currently in the east block. She has confirmed that, by five pm, the classrooms in the second and third floors were already not in use. She had skipped class by feigning illness, and was now sneaking around the toilet.

After making sure there was no one, she exited the corridor.

Letting out a ‘fuu’, Arisu let out a deep breath. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a butterfly appeared around her.

Letting out a brilliant silver lustre from its wings, it was the Morpho butterfly. —If you look carefully, you will realise that this was not a normal butterfly. A butterfly with four antennas, one could not possibly find such a species in nature.

The Morpho butterfly flew up the stairway.

“I know, Mari. I will definitely find a Mushitsuki……”

Muttering to herself, Arisu filled her heart with fighting spirit.

As Arisu walked up the stairway, she found that the passage was obstructed by a rope. A sign with the words, “No Trespassing”, hung across the rope, along with the insignia of the Akamaki City Police Department. In addition, the sign had the name of the chairman of the academy.

“Yotto~”

Ignoring the sign, Arisu vaulted over the rope. The Morpho butterfly had already disappeared somewhere in the third floor.

Since the morning, several police patrol cars could be seen outside the main gate. However, by lunch break, not a single patrol car remained. Even earlier, on-site investigations had already been completed last night.

In the third floor was wrapped in silence, Arisu took a peek around.

“......!”

Seeing that scene, Arisu took in a deep breath.

There were signs of complete and reckless destruction all along the corridor. In addition to glass fragments scattered all over the floor, the floor, ceiling, and the door to the Arts room were all wrecked. Even an explosion would not do so much damage. What seems like gigantic claw marks were gouged into the concrete.

Arisu gulped. Even though she did not know what happened here, Ena’s words about the Mushi floated came into mind.

“I doubt this the work of the Film Studies Club…… They wouldn’t be able to fit all their equipment in this small area……”

The sign of the Arts Club was left in miserable shape. The brilliant orange rays of the sunset lit the gigantic claw marks on the floor. A picture frame donated from a sister school was destroyed, the sign bearing the name “Tachibana R.” being all that remained.

Avoiding the debris, Arisu approached the Arts room.

“...... A-ah, to think I will find you so soon. I already know that you’re one of the member of the Arts club.”

A voice could be heard coming out the ruined Arts room. Arisu stopped her feet and held her breath.

“You can’t escape. I will definitely find you—”

The voice sounded young, most likely belonging to a teenage boy. As if he was speaking to somebody, but there was no reply from the other party.

Arisu recalled the description of the suspicious character described by Takako. Killing the sound of her footsteps, Arisu turned to the locker with the cleaning supplies and opened it.

What Arisu retrieved was a mop with a long handle. Holding the stem, she began twisting the pole, silently dismantling the mop.

During class time, just who……?

Even though Arisu was nervous, she returned to the Arts room with the pole in hand.

The owner of the voice was still talking to somebody, when all of a sudden, his voice stopped.

“—Who is it?”

I got you—the moment Arisu thought so, she moved. Kicking the door open, she entered the Arts room with a shout.

To her surprise, there was only a teenage boy in the room. He was wearing the Horusu Seijou Academy uniform and held a mobile phone in his hand.

“Seyaa~!”

Facing a horizontal strike from the pole, the boy narrowly dodged under the strike with a surprised look.

However, seeing the boy flusteredly jumping backwards to avoid the strike, Arisu dexterously manipulated the pole to sweep under the boy’s feet.

“Uwaa~!”

The front end of the pole hit the boy’s knee from the back, causing him to tumble backwards.

—The Ichinokuro family had long been distinguished for their valour during the Edo period. Using the skills honed since ancient times for repelling multiple enemies, Arisu displayed the techniques she trained in each morning. The techniques of using a naginata and Aikido had been drilled into her by her instructor so deeply that she attacked reflexively.

“Don’t move!”

Releasing these barbed words, she thrusted the pole at the boy who have fallen on his rear end.

Dumbfounded, the boy stared up at Arisu.

The boy looked around the same age as Arisu. Stature-wise, he looked the same as the other male students of his age. His appearance also did not look very suspicious. However, there was Takako’s testimonial. As the situation is, she cannot overlook any stranger. An uncommon ringtone came from the mobile phone in his hand.

“You, what’s your name?”

“What……”

As if not understanding the situation, the boy stood up in a daze.

“I said, don’t move!”

“Ouch!”

Arisu poked his head with the pole.

“You understand now? You can only answer my questions. Any movement and you will get it from me.”

Arisu declared her intentions resolutely. Facing her one-sided demand, the boy lapsed into silence unhappily.

“Name?”

Arisu resumed her interrogation. The boy looked away in disgruntlement, looking like a child in his rebellious age.

“Before asking for other’s name, shouldn’t you give yours first…...Ouch!”

“I don’t treat suspicious personnel the same as people. Now, talk!”

“I don’t want to~”

“......”

“Ouch, ouch. Hey, stop that!”

“...... Well, fine. It’s not like I have an interest in your name anyway.”

Striking the boy’s face repeatedly, Arisu changed her question.

“Next question. Who are you? What are you doing at this place when you are supposed to be in class and for what reason?”

“......Nothing in particular. I was just playing truant, idling around. That’s when you—”

“Are you a student of this school?”

“That’s right. See, I have the student’s handbook.”

The boy took out a student’s handbook from his pocket, opening it for Arisu to see. There was a red access card in the notebook. Due to the strict security of the school, the access cards are stringently regulated. Entry to any premise of the school requires scanning your access card. This applies to both students and teaching staffs, with any movement recorded by the school.

After examining the handbook, Arisu glared at the boy.

“This is fake!”

“What? That’s not possible!”

“The colour of an authentic card is yellow, while yours is red.”

“Huh?”

Looking at his reaction, Arisu was confident that he wasn’t a student here. The card was indeed supposed to be red.

“...... I knew it, you’re not a student from this school.”

Realising it was a trick question, the boy rubbed his head.

To be fooled by such a childish trick, the boy was dismayed.

“Just what are you doing here? Answer me honestly!”

“That has nothing to do with you.”

It seems that he would resist Arisu till the end. ‘Perhaps I should just beat him unconscious’, thought Arisu, but she controlled herself and took a deep breath.

“Fine then, one last question for you.”

After taking a short breath, she asked:

“Are you a Mushitsuki?”

“......!”

Clearly, the boy’s complexion changed.

Seeing his overreaction, Arisu’s heartbeat hastened.

“R-really……? You really are a Mushitsuki?”

In an instant, the boy moved.

The boy swatted the pole out of the way as Arisu was momentarily stunned. In the moment she muttered “Ah!”, the boy used the momentum of a back roll to jump on his feet.

The boy stood face to face with Arisu. Hiding her rapidly throbbing heartbeat, she raised the pole. “Yesterday’s incident, were you responsible for that too?”

Arisu was sure now, seeing how the boy reacted. It is obvious that the boy was hiding something.

“......”

The boy’s expression changed subtly. His expression was unlike that of a child in his rebellious age as it was earlier. He observed Arisu with cold eyes.

“During yesterday’s incident, someone who witnessed it told said that they saw the Mushi.”

Not getting caught up in his mood, Arisu shouted out loud.

“Also, my friend said she saw someone suspicious in school. A scary-looking male giant…...middle-aged…...huh?”

“Hmm~”

The boy seemed to sneer at Arisu.

“If I was a Mushitsuki, that means that the one who gravely injured all those was me, you know?”

“......!”

“—If I said that, what would you do?”

Arisu gulped.

“I will strike down the evil-doer with one strike, I guess?”

Under the chilly gaze of the boy, Arisu bit her lips.

“J-just kidding.”

“Then, what are you going to do?”

“There’s something…… I must know at all cost.”

Closing her eyes slightly, Arisu explained.

“There is something I must confirm, by meeting with a Mushitsuki. That’s why, I have been searching for a Mushitsuki, ever since one year ago……”

The boy stood in silence. After a while, he replied her coldly.

“Do you really believe in the talks of things like Mushitsuki?”

“Definitely!”

“If there really were Mushitsuki, then there would also be those who died when their Mushi ate too much of their dreams. Even if they had survived, they would be taken away by some scary people.”

“Scary people?”

“The Special Environmental Preservation Bureau……”

The boy mutter in a barely audible voice. Arisu tilted her head in confusion.

The Special Environmental Preservation Bureau. Apart from handling reports of Mushi and Mushitsuki, there are no information about what else did the bureau do. However, the rumour-loving Ena once heard something about it.

The Special Environmental Preservation Bureau…… the SEPB in short. In actual fact, they conceal the existence of the Mushitsuki from the public, additionally, the ones they employ to hunt Mushitsuki are none other Mushitsuki.

“Either way.”

At the boy’s words, Arisu was lifted from her thoughts.

“If you are planning to get involved with such half-hearted feelings, you better stop now.”

“What half-hearted feelings! Even if I have to risk my life, I will definitely meet a Mushitsuki!”

“An upper-class lady like you, what do you even know?”

The boy sneered mockingly at her.”

“In this shitty dog-eat-dog world, there are people who would sacrifice anyone if meant their survival. Those who do not want to sacrifice anything, they just run and run away, barely scraping along their lives. Then, there are plenty of people who will do anything to live, no matter how much they are hated, how much they have to dirty their hands. Those who are fine with dying, have no value even in death.”

As if filled with anger at the whole world, the boy spoke with hatred in his voice. Overpowered by his speech, Arisu was dumbstruck. As if laughing at his own powerlessness, the boy proceeded to leave the venue.

“......You, you know something, don’t you?”

Arisu questioned.

“Wanting to live but cannot be allowed to live. Having no choice but to entrust her dream in the hands of others…… there are people who live like this too.”

“......”

“The people who are entrusted with their dreams have a responsibility to carry it to the bitter end.”

“...... I don’t need you to tell me these words—”

Unable to tell what he was thinking, the boy had a fierce look on his face.

Immediately afterwards, a scream was heard from somewhere.

Part 3

Following the scream, there was the sound of glass breaking.

“......!”

Arisu reflexively dashed across the corridor. In a moment, an announcement echoed through the school building. Looking towards the central block, she could see the scene of the windows on the second floor shattering.

Looking back, her eyes met the boy’s.

“......”

In contrast to Arisu’s solemn expression, the boy was as calm as a cucumber.

Arisu was the one to look away first. Turning her back to the boy, she ran down the corridor.

The disturbance came from the second floor of the central block, the same floor as Arisu’s classroom. Rushing down the passage, she saw the students and teachers forming a crowd ahead.

Pushing her way through the crowd, what she saw made her speechless.

There were multiple students collapsed on the floor. The walls of the classroom were riddled with holes, as if something has taken several bites out of it. Shattered glass littered the floor.

A male student was bleeding profusely from his shoulder. While it did not seemed life-threatening, a teacher was tending to his wound while he looked on blankly.

“...... Mushi……”

One of the student standing around in a daze muttered. Hearing that, Arisu’s expression became tense.

“Uwaa……! That hurts……!”

“It was a big monster! It must be a Mushi!”

The boy who was injured shouted in pain. Supporting the student, the teacher tried to calm him down, and at the same time, the other students. The panicky students clung onto the teacher.

Mushi…… just what are they—.

All of a sudden, Arisu was assaulted by a fit of coldness.

“......!”

She felt a pair of eyes looking at her with animosity from her back.

Behind her stood the mysterious boy she had met at the Arts room earlier. Under his unpleasant cold gaze, Arisu moved her frozen legs and walked towards him.

As I thought, this person knows something—.

Clenching her fists, she felt strength welling up in her.

“As expected, about Mushitsuki, you—”

“There are two people from this class who are in the Arts club. One is the boy collapse over there and the other is……”

Ignoring her words, the boy was muttering something under his breath. His line of gaze was beyond Arisu, at the crime scene.

Arisu pursued his line of sight.

“..... Eh……”

Unintentionally, a sound leaked from Arisu’s mouth.

There was another male student standing in front of the ruined classroom. Like Arisu just now, he was rooted to the spot by the boy’s cold glare.

“You’re pushing your luck, Harimoto Jun.”

Catching the muttering of the boy, the male student showed a visible reaction. Visibly flustered, he tried to run down the corridor.

The boy immediately started running to chase down Harimoto Jun.

“Hey…… wait for me……”

Snapping out of her daze, Arisu quickly followed the two of them.

“Arisu!”

For some reason, students from other classes were running down the corridor as well. Ena was calling out to Arisu. However, Takako’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

Ignoring Ena who was calling her, Arisu followed down the corridor where the two were headed.

“W-wait up! Harimoto-kun too……!”

She shouted at the two whose figures can’t be seen already. But, in no time, Arisu needed to catch her breath.

The wall right beyond the bottom of the staircase has already been reduced to rubble. Beyond the hole in the concrete, the battered fence could be seen as well.

Does this mean…… Harimoto-kun is a Mushitsuki as well……?”

Thoughts of whether the mysterious boy was a Mushitsuki swirled in Arisu’s mind. That’s not all. Arisu already had suspicions of Harimoto Jun being a Mushitsuki. The reason being—.

“......!”

Jumping over the hole into the backyard, Arisu could hear the sound of cloth fluttering.

Looking ahead, she saw a shadowy figure leaving the premises.

A figure in a jet black long coat was running with muffled footsteps. Before covering his face with an oversized goggle, the figure looked in Arisu’s direction.

It was the boy whom Arisu suspects to be a Mushitsuki. He glanced in her direction with a look different from the one he had in the Arts room, before hiding his face behind the goggles.

Much to Arisu’s surprise, the boy jumped over the fence with unimaginable power. His long coat fluttering behind, he quickly disappeared beyond the fence.

“Wha……”

Out of nowhere, a butterfly landed on Arisu’s shoulder. It was the silver Morpho butterfly.

Biting her lips, Arisu broke into a run. However, a voice called out to her.

“Arisu-san……”

When Arisu turned around, she was faced with a girl who looked like she was deep in thought.

Part 4

“Over there was…… a woman. No, I can’t even tell whether it was human or not.”

In a taxi going down the street, Kujou Takako was looking down and saying.

The scene as was witnessed by Takako was as follows.

—Hey, won’t you please tell me your dream?

The voice seemed to belong to a woman.

The location was Harimoto Jun’s home. Takako had entered the huge premise through an equally imposing door.

His house grew herbs and poplars, as a result, there was always a pleasant fragrance inside. However, at this moment, the usual fragrance was nowhere to be found. Furthermore, the house was deathly quiet.

Jun was sitting completely still in the centre of the courtyard.

As if hiding his figure, a woman with a tall stature was whispering into his ears. The woman wore a pure red coat and a perfectly round sunglasses.

—You don’t have to suppress your desires anymore. Now, tell me. What do you want to do right now?

Her whisperings could be heard.

—I…… I want……

By the side of the boy, a black distortion appeared. The boy looked to be suffering, but then, soon he appeared to be trembling in delight. A portion of the distortion seemed to solidify into the leg of a Mushi.

Then, the line of sight of the sunglasses wearing woman moved. She looked at Takako with a mysterious glint in her eyes.

Horrified by that scene, Takako ran from the place—.

“That was the day before yesterday……”

Said Takako as she trembled in fear.

“Do you think that woman turned Harimoto-kun into a Mushitsuki?”

Sitting next to Takako, Arisu enquired. Considering the possibility, Takako shuddered. It was the obvious reaction to hearing something related to Mushitsuki.

Harimoto Jun was a brotherly figure to Takako, they were childhood friends. As they belonged to families which had old ties, they naturally had plenty of chance to interact. Both Arisu and Ena knew of this as well.

“At that time, I did not know whether what I saw was real or not…… No, that wasn’t it, I wanted to believe that it wasn’t real.”

“......”

“Listening to what Ena-san said this morning, I was shocked. Although Jun-san did not display his feelings in front of me, I heard rumours that he was severely bullied during his extracurricular activities. I thought that perhaps—perhaps I should have reached out to him……”

“A suspicious male giant, so that was actually a lie, right…...? I should have known from the start. After all, Takako is so bad at lying.”

“I think, Jun-san was suffering…… but, he wasn’t able to ask for help. And this led to…… of all things, him seeking salvation from something unknown……”

Arisu clenched her fists in anger.

The reason for the existence of Mushitsuki.

“Because of this stupid reason, he decided to become a Mushitsuki……”

For Arisu, the reason behind looking for a Mushitsuki……

Just what are Mushitsuki—?

Arisu grinded her teeth, instead of answering her questions, all she had now were more question. Even if Takako was speaking the truth, then, who was that boy in the black coat? At least, it is sure that he was no ordinary pedestrian.

The Special Environmental Preservation Bureau.

The words of the boy swirled in her mind. What connection could he have with the Bureau?

In the midst of her thought, the taxi stopped.

After paying the taxi fare, the girls alighted.

“Is Harimoto-kun really here?”

“Since the construction started, the two of us sometimes sneaked out here to play. Until the building is completed, there would definitely be no one that would think to look for us here……”

Looking upwards, the evening sun’s rays lighted up the high-rise building. It was a building shaped in a コ built in the development area close to the coastline. The management of the building belonged to Takako’s father’s company, who had hoped that the building will be the starting point for the city’s new development.

The building, which will be opening in a few months, has installations everywhere that will create a brilliant light show. The in middle of the コ, there would be a floating sphere that acts as an observatory.

The fence made of barbed wires had a portion of it ripped apart, and there were footsteps left in the brand-new asphalt road.

“Bingo. Let’s go.”

All of a sudden, Takako grasped Arisu’s hand and stopped.

“Erm…… why is Arisu-san doing this? Shouldn’t we…… hand this over to the…… police……”

“Do you want the police to be involved?”

Takako thought about it, then immediately shook her head. Arisu gave her a smile.

“That’s why, leave this to me. I also have a reason to meet him, to confirm something.”

“To confirm…… something?”

“Mushitsuki, just what in the world are they?”

Saying so, Arisu grinned at Takako, causing her to stare in puzzlement.

“The two of you are in my way. Get out of here.”

The voice was right next to them. Surprised, the two of them turned to face the voice.

“You……!”

The boy wearing the black coat was standing right next to them.

“Meddle in this unnecessarily, and you won’t get off with just a small injury.”

Saying coldly, the boy with his face hidden by the goggles walked past them.

However, his arm was gripped by Arisu, stopping him.

“You followed us, didn’t you?”

“......”

“What are you going to do to Harimoto-kun? Don’t tell me, you are going to kill him—”

At Arisu’s words, Takako visibly paled.

“I won’t kill him. After killing his Mushi, he will just turn into a Fallen.”

“...... Fallen?”

“It refers to those who are turned into empty shell devoid of dreams and emotion…… a much better outcome than dying after having their dream completely eaten by their Mushi. After turning into a Fallen, they are brought to an isolation facility.”

“You…… just who are you really?”

Arisu asked but was greeted by silence in return. Forcefully shaking Arisu’s arm off, the boy climbed over the fence.

However, a figure threw itself at the boy from behind. It was Takako. Clinging desperately to the boy, she shouted.

“A-Arisu-san……!”

“Nice one, Takako!”

Taking advantage of the opening, Arisu leapt over the broken fence. Ignoring the boy clicking his tongue in annoyance, she sped towards the building.

Heading in the direction of the lights, Arisu saw that the front entrance of the building was open. She dashed inside without hesitation.

The inside of the building was dark and gloomy. The only light came from the setting sun through the windows, lighting up a section of the floor.

In order to speak to Jun, Arisu must reach him before the boy does. She surveyed the surroundings, looking for the figure of Jun.

However, she could not feel the presence of anybody nearby.

She grew impatient seeing the size of the building. If she searched without a plan, the chances of finding him before the boy was low.

In her sight, a silver Morpho butterfly appeared.

“Mari……”

Circling her head, the Morpho butterfly seemed to be signalling Arisu to follow it.

“......”

Arisu took a deep breath. After calming down, Arisu picked up a pipe lying around the entrance.

Chasing after the Morpho butterfly, Arisu arrived at the tenth floor.

Catching her breath at the mouth of the staircase, Arisu heard a sound from inside the building. “Who is it……?”

Hearing the voice, Arisu tensed her body.

Walking discreetly along the aisle, what Arisu saw beyond the corner caused her to widen her eyes. The room belonged to what was supposed to be an office for a company. Deep in the disordered room littered with collapsed furniture, a boy stood alone. It was Harimoto Jun.

But, when she looked carefully, it was not just Harimoto in the room. Next to him, a weird looking monster was lying down amongst the desks. In addition to the antenna coming out of its head, the monster also had eight squirming legs. At one glance of the shell shining with a black lustre, one could tell that it was a Japanese rhinoceros beetle. The only irregularity was the size of it, as the beetle towered over three times the height of Jun.

That is a Mushi—?

Cold sweat formed on Arisu’s forehead.

“Hello, Harimoto-kun. I am Ichinokuro Arisu. I’m a friend of Takako, have you heard of me?”

“Takako’s friend……?”

Jun said in a low voice. The setting sun rays illuminated the boy’s cold glare, causing Arisu to feel chilly.

“So you’re her friend. Then, what’s your reason for coming here……?”

“Obviously, that’s to stop you. I don’t know if you have taken revenge on those bullying you, but that should have been enough to dispel your anger, no? Also, Takako is worried about you.”

“...... Fuu.”

The boy broke out into a slight smile, the Mushi next to him also rised slowly.

“I don’t want to. I still have three targets.”

“How silly.”

“...... What did you say?”

“If you wanted revenge, you should have done by your own hands. Using that sort of thing to injure the other party, are you satisfied now? This way, aren’t you just accept the fact that you’re weak.” Arisu declared flatly.

“You decided to become a Mushitsuki because of such a silly reason as revenge? Being a Mushitsuki, that means you must have had dreams too, right?”

“Don’t tell me that you think everybody’s dreams are pure.”

Jun laughed out loud.

Arisu’s breathing stopped. The boy’s laughter oozed with malice.

What he is saying, is wrong—.

Arisu thought so unconsciously.

The Mushitsuki I know, was completely different—.

Just once in the past, Arisu met a Mushitsuki. That person was the exact opposite of this boy, she always had a gentle smile.

“Kill her.”

Obeying the boy’s command, the Mushi rushed towards Arisu.

Snapping out of her daze, Arisu readied the pipe.

Her palms started to sweat. She did not think the pipe would do much damage to the gigantic Mushi. She had to get past the Mushi somehow and knock Jun unconscious if she is to have any chance of surviving. —Although she has no idea what will happen to the Mushi whose host fainted, she could not think of any other idea.

“Kuu!”

Facing the sweeping leg of the Mushi, Arisu retaliated with the pipe. However, against the monstrous strength of the gigantic insect, Arisu’s petite body was blown away.

Arisu managed to somehow land in a defensive position, but, the Mushi was right in front of her eyes.

“Seyaa!”

Rolling to the side to avoid the fangs, Arisu swung down the pipe at the Mushi’s head. The feeling of striking a hard object transmitted to Arisu’s arms, causing them to turn numb.

The huge eyes of the Mushi glared angrily at Arisu, striking out at Arisu with its front leg again. Arisu reflexively jumped forward, rolling under the Mushi to avoid the blow.

Making use of the momentum of the forward roll, Arisu jumped up and dashed towards Jun.

“Uu……!”

The boy flinched. But, at this moment, the floor was dominated by the Mushi’s ear-splitting howl. Blown by a raging wind, sound of the furnishings in the surroundings were thrown towards Arisu.

“Kyaa—”

Besides shattering all the glass in the surrounding, a broken desk sent flying struck Arisu. Arisu rolled on the floor before slamming into a stop by the wall.

“...... Uu......”

It was a miracle that Arisu was still holding on to the pipe. Her whole body screaming in pain, she still tried to stand up but fell back to her knees.

The Mushi continued to attack Arisu who was supporting herself with the pipe.

As if moving in slow-motion, the looming fangs of the Mushi was seared into her eyes.

—Mari—.

What came into Arisu’s mind as she resigned herself to death was the smile of her late friend.

That girl always spoke of her dream joyfully. Sadly, she never had the time to fulfil her dream before she passed away.

Right before she passed away, Mari requested something of Arisu.

—Hey, listen to me, Arisu. Actually, I……

In the face of her friend, Arisu did not see any signs of dread or grief at dying.

—My dream, can I entrust it to you?

The silver Morpho butterfly that was always with Mari.

She was also—a Mushitsuki.

“......!”

Between the Mushi and Arisu, a silver light descended.

With a brilliant glint on its wings, it was the Morpho butterfly. Jun’s Mushi came to a halt, as if scared of the Morpho butterfly.

The Morpho butterfly circled around Arisu, before landing on top of the pipe in her hand.

“!”

The Morpho butterfly distorted, turning into tentacles that wrapped itself around the pipe. Its wings also embed itself into the pipe, becoming one with the pipe.

In the hands of the dazed Arisu, a silver spear was formed. The antenna of the Morpho butterfly entwined with the body of the pipe, forming a pattern exuding magnificence. The four wings expanded greatly, with one of it transforming into a sparkling blade.

“Wha……”

Facing the speechless Arisu, the Mushi swung down its hardened leg.

“You this......!”

Arisu swung up the spear instinctively.

In the next moment, the silver spear sliced through the Mushi’s leg easily.

Furthermore, the spear created a shockwave, leaving a huge crack on the ground. The shockwave blew some of the furniture and glass pieces out of the windows.

“Kuu……!”

Jun’s face distorted and he ran further into the building. His Mushi followed along, hobbling along with its remaining seven legs.

“W-wait, don’t run!”

Amazed at the strength of the spear, Arisu chased after the boy.

Jun seemed to have climbed up the stairs from the staircase further inside the building. The sound of footsteps and the sound of the Mushi’s groans could be heard from above. Arisu held the spear in one hand and pursued them up the stairs.

“......”

Running up the stairs, Arisu examined the spear in her hands.

The Morpho butterfly that was always around Arisu had been her late friend’s Mushi. When the feeble girl finally collapsed, the Morpho butterfly started to appear around her side.

“Mari……”

Arisu called out to the spear. However, there was no response from the silver spear. Till now, no matter how many times Arisu called out to the silver Morpho butterfly, there had been no response.

—My dream, can I entrust it to you?

Mari’s last wish. Those words, just what did they mean? Why did the Morpho butterfly appear around Arisu? Just what are Mushitsuki?— To answer her question, Arisu went around searching for other Mushitsuki.

But, after searching so long and finally finding a Mushitsuki, Harimoto Jun was completely different from Mari. Arisu was angry at the existence known as Mushi that turned him into this manner.

Suddenly, she felt wind blowing through her hair.

The stairs came to an end, the door leading to the roof lying in pieces in front of her. They were currently at the rooftop, Jun and his Mushi had arrived here earlier.

The outside was covered in the darkness of the night.

The wind strongly blew on the empty rooftop, lighted only by the laser-like illumination from below. Jun was standing on the highest point of the rooftop. Arisu walked to a few metres of him.

“Harimoto-kun……”

Even though he was driven into a corner, Jun still looked calm. He glared at Arisu with cold eyes burning with malice.

“What is your real wish? Surely, that Mushi was not born just from your wish for revenge, right?”

“You speak as if you know of other Mushitsuki. And it seems that the one you knew was a good person.”

Arisu did not reply to Jun’s query.

“I did not think of anything other than revenge……”

Jun’s facial expression softened. A gentle smile seemed to form on his face.

“Let’s start. I am going to destroy everything around me……!”

Arisu was shocked. Seeing her look, Jun let out a weird laugh.

“I can’t believe that you think that there are people with well wishes—that’s the face. But I have fought with other Mushitsuki who are the same as me right here. So I know that everyone is filled with malevolence.”

Looking at the boy, Arisu felt suffocated. Anger and sadness jumbled within Arisu, causing her feelings to be confused. However—.

“You’re an idiot…..!”

Arisu murmured as she glared at Jun.

“I have some questions for you. The woman that turned you into a Mushitsuki…… What was it?”

Jun raised his face in surprise. After thinking for a while, he answered in a low voice.

“... She called herself Oogui.”

Oogui.

Arisu burned the name into her memory.

“So it's her fault that Mushitsuki are born…… people like Mari……”

Arisu reconfirmed her target.

“One more thing.”

Arisu pointed the tip of the spear at Jun.

“Swear that you will never do this kind of thing again!”

Jun’s face fell.

“There is still have someone waiting for you…… What you’ve done is enough, please stop for the sake of that person.”

Hearing her words, Jun hung his head down. But, when he raised his head, there was a warped smile on his face.

“I won’t let anyone stop me!”

Jun’s Mushi stabbed its sharp feet into the building. Clinging onto his Mushi, they escaped down the side of the building.

“Why you……!”

Arisu screamed at the top of her lungs at the escaping Jun.

Strong winds buffeted the building. Looking over the edge of the rooftop, Arisu could see Jun holding onto his Mushi as it climbed down the building.

Arisu had already promised Takako that she would save Jun, how could she possibly let him escape now? “I won’t let you…… Isn’t that right, Mari?”

Arisu pledged to her late friend. She had already determined what she needed to do.

“This way, I might really die……”

Arisu tightened her grip around the silver spear.

“I going now, Mari.”

Arisu leapt down the side of the building.

—In the next moment, Arisu was assaulted from all sides by violent gales of wind.

Against the pressure of the wind, she could hardly open her eyes.

Jun looked in disbelief at the sight of Arisu freefalling headlong towards him.

“Seyaaaa~!”

The moment Arisu passed Jun, she swung the spear in a flash.

The windows along the building all shattered as if struck by an explosion.

The wing which has turned into a blade bisected Jun’s Mushi. The overwhelming force of the slash left a gaping crevice in the side of the building.

The instant the Mushi was cut into half, all expressions left Jun’s face. Right in front of Arisu, he turned into an expressionless puppet.

Ta-ka-ko—.

The words seemed to form from his mouth. With that, his body seemed to freeze, ceasing any movement.

“Sei~!”

Turning the spear to its shaft, Arisu whacked Jun’s motionless body. His body flew towards the building, breaking through the glass before rolling to a stop.

But, this was not the end. Arisu turned the spear around, stabbing it into the side of the building.

—My dream, can I entrust it to you?

The face of her friend, who wanted to live but could not, emerged in her mind.

For the sake of her friend who had entrusted her dream to her, Arisu could not fall to her death just like this.

“I won’t…… die just like this!”

The spear gouged through the building, slowing down her descent. She put all her strength into her both hands grasping the spear, screaming at it to stop.

However, a shadow washed over Arisu.

It was the bisected body of the Mushi.

“...... Ah……”

The falling body of the Mushi crashed into Arisu, pushing her and the spear away from the building.

Losing the force decelerating her, gravity began pulling Arisu to the ground again.

I’m sorry, Mari—.

Arisu apologised in her heart.

I’m couldn’t fulfil our promise—.

Right at the moment when she was about to lose her consciousness, the building’s wall exploded.

However, this time the impact came from within the building.

A black figure burst out from within the explosion. Holding an automatic handgun in one hand, the figure wearing a black coat and oversized goggles seemed familiar.

“You stupid girl……!”

Grabbing onto Arisu, the figure pointed the handgun downwards and fired.

An unimaginably loud rumble resembling a cannon discharged from the handgun.

The observatory shaped in a sphere exploded into pieces faster than one could scream.

The deafening noise assaulted Arisu’s eardrums, causing them to turn numb.

Part 5

“...... Uuu……”

The sound of someone groaning in pain could be heard.

Before Arisu realised, the impact of the shockwave could no longer be felt. She had lost her consciousness for a moment.

Arisu timidly opened her eyes.

This place was the observatory—she determined.

The observatory was missing its roof, with shattered glass fragments littering the floor and the telescope used to view the sky lying in pieces.

Then, Arisu realised that she was being embraced. Looking up, she saw his face.

Arisu was lying under a boy who had a look of displeasure on his face.

It seems that he had been injured covering for Arisu. His coat lay in tatters and the lens of his goggles had cracked.

“Why did I end up like this…… damn it……”

On the boy’s face, a tentacle-like tendril retreated. Similarly, across his body, the tendrils converged, forming a green Mushi.

As I thought, this guy is a Mushitsuki—.

With this thought, Arisu tried to call out to question him. However, she realised what position they were in.

“How long are you going to embrace me, get away from me right now!”

The boy opened his eyes slightly. Exhaustedly, he rolled away from Arisu, forming a figure resembling 大.

“...... Thank you, and, are you alright? You don’t seem alright…… More like, you need help urgently, seriously!”

At that, the boy stopped moving. As expected, his wounds were quite deep, such that he could no longer move.

On the other hand, Arisu could not move as well. Although she had no external injuries due to the boy covering her, her waist was trapped under the boy’s body. Of course, the boy could not move either.

Lying in this position where the boy was on top of her, Arisu let out a big sigh.

“The same type of Mushi as mine…… but yours does not combined with your body, why is that?”

“That’s because it’s not my Mushi.”

“To take control of another person’s Mushi, how is that possible?”

“Because…… the original owner of the Mushi is no longer around.”

“...... Was it related to Mushitsuki?”

“That’s what I want to know.”

“Know what?”

Biting her lips, Arisu continued.

“I want to know, what exactly are the Mushitsuki…… How they come about and finally…… why do they end up in the manner as Jun did……”

“......”

In the meanwhile, both of them remained in silence. As Arisu’s face was next to the boy’s chest, the strong heartbeat of the boy was transmitted to her. She wondered if her own heartbeat could be felt by the boy.

“Aa-ah……”

The boy groaned in exhaustion.

“If only some childish person didn’t interfere, I wouldn’t have ended up in such a pathetic situation—”

“Arisu punch~”

“......!”

Being hit in his wounds, the boy squirmed without noise.

Part 6

A few days later, it was announced that Harimoto Jun had “transfer school”, bringing the case to an end. The school operated as per normal, currently in the process of cleaning up the incident.

However, Ichinokuro Arisu was in an unusually good mood this morning.

“Hey, Arisu.”

It was currently the morning short homeroom. Saionji Ena elbowed Arisu who sat next to her.

“Is it that guy?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Taking a good look at that person, he seems like a good guy.”

Sitting diagonally behind her, Kujou Takako mentioned to Arisu who was nodding vigorously. —Although she looked gloomy the past few days, Takako started to smile like before again more recently.

Arisu returned the smile to Takako, who was informed of what happened to Harimoto Jun afterwards.

—Thank you very much! Arisu-san managed to stop him right.

In addition, she added.

—When he comes back, I will tell him “welcome back” warmly.

Takako waited patiently for the day of Jun’s return. Arisu knew that beneath the usually meek and gentle face of Takako, there lies an unimaginable strength of will.

In the end, Jun had called out the name of Takako. This showed that Takako also occupied an important position in his heart.

“You cannot judge him based on his appearance, Takako. Despite how he looks, he’s quite ferocious underneath. Ufufu, I wonder how should I discipline him from now on.”

“Discipline eh, you’re……”

Arisu and gang chattered, pretending as if the boy standing on the podium in front could not hear them. “I am Kusuriya Daisuke. I hope to get along with everybody from now on.”

Introducing himself as a transfer student, he lowered his head in a bow.

—It seems like the organisation that Daisuke belonged to had deemed Arisu as a target for observation. Ordinarily, someone like Arisu would immediately be sent to a facility somewhere. However, they were unable to act as she was the only daughter of the Ichinokuro family, who commanded huge influence as one of the leaders of the financial world. After various discussion and under-the-table dealings, it was decided that they would send someone to stay by her side to monitor her.

The chime signalling the end of short homeroom rang.

Before Kusuriya Daisuke even found his desk, Arisu stood on her chair and yelled in a loud voice.

“Attention, everyone. I would like to introduce Kusuriya Daisuke-kun again. He is the new servant hired by the Ichinokuro family due to various circumstances. Everybody, feel free to order him around as a servant!”

The attention of the whole class was focused on Arisu and Daisuke.

With a look of anguish, Daisuke walked briskly to Arisu’s side and whispered.

“Didn’t I say before that the observer and the target must appear unrelated?”

“Ah, my throat is feeling a bit dry.”

In contrast to Daisuke’s whisper, Arisu purposely spoke loudly.

“You little……”

“I said, my throat is feeling a bit dry.”

Facing Arisu who was ignoring every single word he says, Daisuke gave up. Sighing in resignation, he left the classroom.

After a while, Daisuke returned to Arisu’s desk, holding a pack of juice in hand.

“Here, my lady.”

“Yea, good work—”

Arisu’s hand only grasped thin air.

The cold juice pack was instead pressed against Arisu’s cheeks.

“Kyaah…… What do you think you’re doing?”

“Here, drink it.”

“...... No, stop it…...”

Seeing the testy atmosphere between the two, Ena grinned to herself as she looked on. On the other hand, Takako was flustered and tried to stop the two of them frantically.

Outside the classroom window wrapped in eerie silence, a silver Morpho butterfly flapped its wings.

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