Mushi Uta:Volume 2nd Episode 08

Episode 08. The Demon Who Burns Dreams

“Do you have anything to raise in defence, Kakkou?”

—There was an existence known as Mushi.

Ten years had passed since rumours of their existence has been whispered around in Japan.

“…”

They infest humans, feeding on the hopes and dreams of their host in order to grow; it is questionable as to whether they can even be considered as living creatures. With dubious origins and unknown behaviours, the Mushi were named as such due to their external appearance resembling that of insects.

With no lack of witness testimonies of Mushi and related incidents, the society has come to fear the Mushi and those afflicted by them, known as Mushitsuki.

However, the stance of the government had always remained the same.

That is—‘there is no such things’.

But in reality, there exist a clandestine governmental body that specialises in the capturing and concealment of all things related to the Mushi and Mushitsuki.

The Special Environmental Preservation Bureau.

An organisation which manages and trains detained Mushitsuki, as well as the capturing of unregistered Mushitsuki.

Commonly abbreviated as the SEPB, their activities however, never appear on the surface.

“Then, as responsibility for allowing Rina’s escape, as well as for the injuring of Kororo…”

The SEPB classifies Mushitsuki based on their characteristics and level of risk.

Those excelling in combat are placed under Blaze Class. Those with special abilities that fall outside of combat are Irregular Class. In addition, Mushitsuki which hold special reasons for which their existence is to be concealed holds Secret Class. Furthermore, powerful Mushitsuki are also given a rank from Rank 10 to Rank 1 based on the effectiveness of their abilities, while the rest are unranked.

Most of the registered Mushitsuki are unranked, while Rank 1 Mushitsuki are rare.

Of the current Mushitsuki known to the SEPB, there were only two Rank 1.

Corrections. The girl previously classified as Irregular Class Rank 1 already had her Mushi killed, and has turned into a Fallen—a Mushitsuki who lost their Mushi; a living corpse without thoughts or emotions. The girl, known as Fuyuhotaru, merely a primary schooler at that time, was a Mushitsuki with such tremendous destructive capability that she single-handedly brought the SEPB to the brink of annihilation.

Thereupon, the number of Rank 1 counts at one presently. He was none other than the one who turned Fuyuhotaru into a Fallen and then captured her—.

“Blaze Class Rank 1 member of the East Central Branch, Kakkou. You are thereby demoted.”

Kakkou—Kusuriya Daisuke, dressed from top to toe in a black suit, gnashed his molars. He clenched his fist tightly at the irritation that bubbled up from his chest.

He was currently in the Central Headquarters of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau.

More specifically, he was located in a bright white meeting room on the sixth floor of the vast underground facility hidden under Akamaki City.

The was a round table and chairs in the wide room, but that was all. The upper portion of the wall was made up of a different-coloured material. Those were probably magic mirrors with multiple bureau members on the opposite side looking down on him.

“As Blaze Class Rank 2, you shall continue with your mission of the monitoring of Ichinokuro Arisu.”

There were only two people in the room.

Facing directly opposite Daisuke with the round table between them as a woman with a tall stature.

She was a beauty dressed in a suit, with a bewitching beauty spot below her thin eyes. This person who serves as the commissioner for the Central Headquarters that he was meeting for the first time was apparently called Miguruma Yaeko.

“…Spit out the information.”

Daisuke spoke for the first time since entering the room.

He did not care at all about their positions. She would probably lodge a complaint with his actual superior, the Branch Director of the East Central Branch later, but he was much more infuriated at something else that he did not care.

“Information, you say?”

“The information regarding Hanashiro Mari. That ladybird girl… when Rina saw Arisu’s morpho butterfly, she called her as Hunter. I also know from Kororo’s ability that Hanashiro Mari was known as Hunter while she was alive, and had fought the Central Headquarters before.”

Facing Daisuke who spoke with a barely suppressed tone, Miguruma Yaeko only looked back at him calmly.

“Just who the hell is Hanashiro Mari! When did this case even started? Why is this mission given to me who isn’t even from the Central Headquarters!”

Daisuke’s patience had reached its limits and he hollered.

However, Yaeko’s calm countenance did not crumble. She answered in a reproving tone unperturbedly.

“Regardless of the reason or situation, the failure of your mission is unacceptable. That is what it means to be Rank 1. You have betrayed our expectations.”

Daisuke’s face distorted more and more.

“From today onwards, all reports regarding Hanashiro Mari shall be submitted to me. I may have left the Central Headquarters for an official dispatch for a year, but I have completely grasped the current situation.”

“Don’t mess with me…! Even if you tell me to continue with this mission, without knowing anything—”

“That is all regarding the reappointment of Blaze Class Rank 2 member, Kakkou. I pray for the success of your mission, Kakkou.”

Daisuke reflexively raised his fist. However, Yaeko only raised her chin with a smile as if looking down on him. She had a gentle look on her face, but the penetrating look in her thin eyes immobilised Daisuke.

“Damn it!”

After she left, Daisuke’s groan echoed in the bright white room.

Part 1

When he opened his eyes, Daisuke was standing alone in a cheap apartment.

“…?”

He could not remember why he was here. With his head tilted in wonder, he approached the window to look outside.

Somewhere faraway, he could see two familiar backs facing his way.

It was his mother and elder sister.

His sister turned around, meeting the eyes of Daisuke in the apartment. —However, she averted her eyes expressionlessly. It was as if she did not recognise Daisuke.

A sharp pain stabbed through his heart.

He recalled.

This was the scene of himself when his mother and sister had left him.

I want a place to belong. —Having just found such a dream, it was the scene of Kusuriya Daisuke as a child.

“…!”

A sense of dizziness that resembled free-falling assaulted him.

His view was completely dyed in white.

The luminance that appeared as a flash gathered into particles, changing into pure white snow that fell from the skies.

“My dream is to find a place that would allow me to stay…”

In the snowing scene, a petite girl looked up at Daisuke. A white cloud would form whenever she breathed out and her face was flushed. In her hands held a white glistening mass—it was a firefly.

“Your dream is very similar to mine.”

The words leaked from Daisuke’s mouth unconsciously. He raised his handgun, directing the barrel straight at the girl. His face till his body was all covered up by a pair of black goggles and a black long coat.

“Then, I will give my dream to you!”

The girl held out the white firefly in her hands towards Daisuke.

“So, please don’t ever give up on your dream!”

He recalled.

The girl was called Fuyuhotaru.

A Mushitsuki girl who held the same dream as Daisuke.

“I understand. I promise you, I will never give up. So one day, you must recall your dream as well.”

He shot the Mushi of the girl who nodded with a smile. The gunshot scattered the snow dancing down the skies.

Any Mushitsuki that was turned into a Fallen will never regain their former thoughts and emotions again. That was the reality that had persisted till now.

Another sharp pain stabbed his heart.

Fuyuhotaru.

Daisuke made a promise with her, who held the same dream, to never give up.

His battle all began from that one promise.

However, no matter how long he fought, the battle between fellow Mushitsuki never came to an end.

—A gunshot rang out again.

“Please, just stop!”

A girl in restraints shouted. Behind her, the faces of the Mushitsuki were painted in fear.

“We’re going to continue, until the very last person. —Or, until you pledge to cooperate with the SEPB, Rina.”

Daisuke tormented the Mushitsuki young man with a smile.

—When was it that he started thinking so.

Even if Fuyuhotaru was to come back, the only thing that would happen would be a repeat of the past. The two of them would only end up in combat.

That’s why, he would end the fight between Mushitsuki.

He would become stronger than anyone else, causing all Mushitsuki to fear him such that no fighting would occur.

Until the day comes when Fuyuhotaru can return without fighting. When no one has to be hurt.

However—.

An acute pain ran through his heart.

He was exhausted.

He was sick of pain. Be it his own or others.

His vision turning dark, Daisuke slowly sank into the darkness.

His body felt as heavy as lead.

Like falling into the bottom of the deep ocean, Daisuke descended gradually without resisting.

The plunging sensation felt very relaxing.

The sweet enticement of forgetting everything softly embraced him.

In contrast to the pleasant allurement, the pain in his chest amplified.

No, rather than pain, this felt like—.

More than his chest, even his neck and his back—.

“…Guaah! Guuaaaah!”

Daisuke was awakened by the sound of his own screams.

“How many times do you need me to call you before waking up, stupid Daisuke!”

He heard Arisu’s voice from below.

Unable to comprehend the situation, he desperately turned his neck to find Arisu dressed in a hakama. Her arms held onto his neck and legs, raising his body up in the air.

“Wai-… Arisu…!”

“Here you go. A pleasant awakening for the sleepyhead! Accept this love bestowed upon you by your master, hohohoho!”

With a rumbustious laughter, Arisu spun Daisuke round and round. Intense pain shot through his neck and spine.

“Oooaaaah!”

“This is your punishment for sleeping so peacefully with a look of happiness while your master was sweating it out since early morning! Is this painful? Does it hurt? Where’s the ‘I’m sorry’? …Oops, looks like he stopped moving.”

“…”

From since he entered the SEPB, Daisuke had successfully completed a range of missions.

There were also many which have brought him near the brink of death.

He had completely no idea what kind of occurrence the mission this time round would bring him to. He had no idea, but… only this, he was sure.

Someday, he would settle his score with this girl, Ichinokuro Arisu without fail—.

“For some reason, Daisuke-san’s mood seems to be very poor somehow.”

—They had arrived at school and Daisuke immediately went to his seat and propped his head on the table.

The voice came from diagonally in front of him. He turned over there with a glimpse. It was his classmate who was relatively tall amongst the girls, Kujou Takako. She was the prime example of a sheltered proper lady, one truly befitting the Horusu Seijou Academy where more than half the students were scions of prestigious families.

“It probably goes without saying that Arisu did something to Kusuriya-kun again.”

The girl with thin eyes like cats was Saionji Ena. Her short haircut perfectly fitted her lively and active personality. She had a sense of refinement completely opposite to that which Takako held.

“If you’re speaking about him, then he hasn’t met my face at all since breakfast. I merely subjected him to The Arisu Backbreaking Special~ for a bit this morning, that’s all.”

Between Takako and Ena, the seated Arisu only turned around with a bored look. She looked as if all the faults in the world belonged to Daisuke.

“Are you sure what you are learning is martial arts and not pro-wrestling…?”

“Totally…”

Daisuke murmured so softly as to not be heard by anyone.

In the first place, Daisuke’s area of jurisdiction was not here in Akamaki City, but in Ouka City where he works under the East Central Branch of the SEPB there. However, under orders from the Central Headquarters, he was attached to Horusu Seijou Academy as an exceptional case in order to take care of a Mushitsuki incident here. From then, he progressively began to get involved in a case regarding a certain girl.

“If I was serious, that would’ve been followed by a headlock, and then I’ll finish off the combo with an Argentine Backbreaker. But then, he was knocked out in no time. Those with no grit truly have no grit.”

Just spare me already—.

Averting his face, Daisuke heaved a sigh internally. He was deeply thankful to have lost consciousness at an early stage.

Ichinokuro Arisu.

Despite being more petite than either Takako or Ena, her attitude and presence were larger than life. She had long hair that was tied behind her head. A strong will and vibrant emotions dwelled in her large black eyes. She was also the precious daughter of the Ichinokuro house, a renowned family around the area with a long history and extensive connections. From the investigations that Daisuke had requested, it seemed that he ought to be more wary of the Ichinokuro house rather than Arisu who had yet to begin the upbringing for taking over as the next head.

Arisu was not a Mushitsuki. However, the silver morpho butterfly frequented around her, and she could also make use of its powers thus being an exceptional case. It was Daisuke’s mission to monitor over Arisu as well as the morpho butterfly.

In the time he spent monitoring Arisu, the existence of another girl also came into play.

It was Arisu’s close friend in the past, Hanashiro Mari.

Mari had passed on from this world one year ago. However, she was in fact a Mushitsuki, and was the original owner of the morpho butterfly. The case being where the Mushi remains even after the loss of their owner was the first to be heard of in all of SEPB’s record.

It would not be strange at all for the strongest Mushitsuki at this point, Kakkou, to take charge of such a case with so many precedents.

But, what made Kakkou—Daisuke so sceptical was the fact that the matter for which he was called to Akamaki City was completely unrelated to Ichinokuro Arisu. The incident caused by the Mushitsuki called Harimoto Jun started here in Horusu Seijou Academy, where ‘it so happened’ that the morpho butterfly which bound Ichinokuro Arisu and Hanashiro Mari was also at.

—There’s no way this is a coincidence.

Daisuke glared severely at Arisu who was talking to Ena and Takako.

“You see. Kusuriya-kun is glaring at you. He’s angry after all.”

Both Daisuke and Hanashiro Mari’s Mushi belonged to the Fusion Type, an extremely rare occurrence.

In addition, the power of the morpho butterfly was fairly formidable. It could not fuse with Arisu’s body as she was not a Mushitsuki, but the spear from which it was formed with had considerable firepower. He could not begin to imagine how powerful it would have been when it was fused with its original owner, Hanashiro Mari. That was to say nothing of the fact that Hanashiro Mari had clashed with the Central Headquarters once in the past.

“Shouldn’t you apologize? I seldom see Daisuke-san get so angry…”

No matter how he thought about it, his current mission regarding Hanashiro Mari and Ichinokuro Arisu felt awry.

He had undertaken numerous difficult missions.

However, this was the first time he had such a challenging mission.

He wanted to be done with this mission quickly and return to his former area of jurisdiction in Ouka City. These streets felt too constrained to him, and he hated to be in the Central Headquarters’ territory. Above all else, he could not even visit the girl whom he cared like a sister while he is tied down over here—.

“Hmm, I guess so. Indeed, we can’t be said to be having a working relationship staying like that.”

Arisu nodded unpretentiously and stood up from her seat. She approached Daisuke and sat down on the empty seat in front of him exaggeratedly.

Facing each other directly, Daisuke could see his own figure reflected in Arisu’s eyes. —For Daisuke who was feared as the reaper in the SEPB, how long has it been since somebody looked him straight in the eyes like that. Unknowingly, he looked straight back at the girl.

“Jeez, what I should I even do with you. Since it can’t be helped, I’ll let you apologize. Come now, apologize all you want, from the bottom of your heart.”

“Fine fine, I’m really sorry. It was my bad… not, why do I have to do this! It should be the reverse, the reverse! You should apologize to me!”

Unthinkingly getting up from his seat and shouting, the class’ attention was focused onto Daisuke.

“Kh…”

Realising his position, he moaned. For his cover as a student during this monitoring mission, he portrayed himself as a friendly and easy-to-approach person.

“Having learnt yet another retort, you sure have progressed, Daisuke…”

Being surrounded by somewhat pitying looks, Daisuke promptly took a seat. With a stiff smile still on his face, he grabbed Arisu’s head with his right hand.

“Ahaha, Ichinokuro-san sure is an interesting personage. I wonder just what is in this head of yours?”

“Fufufu, please don’t mess around too much. It feels like my head is going to burst.”

“Burst for all I care, the sooner the better.”

Ena and Takako rushed over to where the two were engaged in a glaring contest.

“Ku-su-ri-ya-kun!”

“Uwaah!”

Being hugged from behind by Ena, Daisuke became flustered. Not minding the gaze of their classmates, her face approached his cheek.

“S-Saionji-san…!”

“Now now, don’t make such a sullen look, okay? Looking on our behalves.”

“That’s right, Daisuke-san. I prefer Daisuke-san when he doesn’t look angry.”

Takako too took his hand into hers.

“Uu…”

With that, he could only keep quiet with his cheeks flushed. The face of Arisu grinning with a look of victory annoyed him to no end.

With an incomprehensible sense of defeat and self-derision, the chime signalling the start of short homeroom resounded in his ears.

Still smiling, Ena and Takako returned to their seats.

—Really, this is truly troublesome.

He already knew the reason for that.

Saionji Ena and Kujou Takako.

Putting aside Ena, Takako already knew of Daisuke’s true identity.

For this mission, Daisuke got along with the people from his grade, but always kept a set distance between them.

However, these girls nonchalantly skipped over that distance and tried to befriend him. To Daisuke, that was terribly—troublesome.

Daisuke would probably betray them in a heartbeat if it was for the sake of the mission. Unknown to that fact… they tried to get close to him without even considering that. More than anything else, this would enfeeble his fighting spirit and vigilance, his resolution to fight.

There’s also the girl which was the cause of his most recent nuisance.

“…What is it. Faster get back to your seat, idiot Arisu.”

He spoke in a voice inaudible to the surroundings.

Ichinokuro Arisu.

The petite girl stared at Daisuke’s face intently.

“Hey, Daisuke. …Are you alright?”

“About what?”

“Lately, you’ve been getting up later and later. Your complexion also looks bad, and you don't eat much too… You won’t grow taller like that, you know.”

She asked with a serious expression.

Daisuke felt his irritation rising.

The number one factor that Daisuke could not stomach for the mission this time round.

That was how the target for monitoring, Ichinokuro Arisu, was the type of person he hated the most.

She was the type of person with no hesitation and does things as if they were natural. Even if that was directed towards the one in charge of monitoring them.

The kind of person who would extend a helping hand without second thoughts.

“It’s fine like this. If I get taller, that’d just make me more conspicuous. Being in the surveillance team, it is the bare minimum to remain ‘normal’.”

He averted his eyes and spoke dryly. —It was definitely not because he can’t meet her eyes. That was what he told himself.

“D-do you have to go so far…?”

“In any case, that’s none of your business. Well, even so—”

He raised a self-deprecating smile.

“Don’t worry. Even if I die, I wouldn’t leave behind my Mushi for anyone else. I wouldn’t want to cause trouble for anyone else.”

That was his true feelings.

There was no continuation to Daisuke’s dream.

Unlike Hanashiro Mari, there was no one who would mourn his death. He also did not want anyone to. Only the face of one person, the sister of the Branch Director of the East Central Branch which he belonged to came up.

With a Pak, the dull sound of a slap resounded in the classroom.

“…”

It was just as the form teacher entered the classroom.

The atmosphere in the classroom froze over.

Still in the position where she slapped Daisuke’s cheeks, large beads of tears formed in Arisu’s eyes. Ena stared with her eyes widened and Takako covered her mouth with her hands. Their classmates gaped in mute bewilderment.

All of that was reflected in Daisuke’s view which was slightly angled to the side.

The one who broke the stillness was Arisu herself.

She turned around and sat down violently at her own seat with a furious look. The teacher looked like he wanted to say something, but both Arisu and Daisuke were unspeaking.

The teacher silenced the stir and began the short homeroom in an awkward atmosphere.

Daisuke cradled his cheeks with his hands and let the informative matters that the teacher spoke flow past his ears.

“Where’s the ‘Arisu Smack~!’ or whatever…”

He muttered in a soft voice nobody could hear.

His cheek only felt slightly numb and did not hurt. It felt slightly warm, but the swelling was gone after a few minutes. There was not a single difference before he was slapped and after.

But, his view of Hanashiro Mari has changed in the slightest.

It seems that there is actually someone who would get angry if someone made fun of her—.

If miraculously, there was even a vestige of laughable emotion or sentimentality remaining in someone like Daisuke.

Perhaps, that might be jealousy.

Part 2

—There’s something that I’m going to investigate by myself, so you just stay at home and behave yourself.

When Daisuke said that to Arisu after school ended, she only ignored him with a look of displease. It was rare to see her behave this way seeing as how she always spoke whatever was on her mind. Even Ena and Takako were perplexed.

Considering how Arisu was fundamentally simple-minded, her mood should improve by tomorrow. Even if it did not, for them whose relationship were that of the one monitoring and the one being monitored, there was not much of a hassle. As he could not allow his target to move alone, Daisuke had already arranged for a substitute.

“Geez… What an unnecessarily troublesome mission.”

Daisuke’s destination was a private room in the general hospital.

He had been here multiple times, but there was totally no change to the room as expected.

The stale air was a testament to the lack of people who visited in a long time. The large bed was left as it was, not a single crease on the blanket. In addition to that, there was also a television, an internal line and a bookshelf filled with books. If not for the nurse call line or water pitcher, the room would have given one the impression of a hotel room.

“Just let me finish up with these matters quickly, Hanashiro Mari.”

This was the room which Hanashiro Mari was admitted in.

Probably for the sake of ventilation, the windows were opened which caused the curtains to flutter. The orange sun rays casted long shadows in the room.

He had already arranged with the hospital side. There should not be anybody entering the room for an hour.

Daisuke, still in his uniform, chucked his coat at the coat hanger. He sat down on the chair next to the bed and sighed.

“…”

He had thought that if it was Arisu who had visited this room while Mari was still alive, she would be able to recall something which could act as a clue. However, she was only caught up in sentimentality, and did not notice anything at all.

Thus, thinking of doing a reinvestigation with an objective viewpoint, Daisuke came here once more alone, but—he instantly felt like giving up. To someone who doesn't know a thing about Hanashiro Mari like himself, the place only appeared to him as an empty room.

“Just who were you?”

Narrowing his eyes, he gazed at the empty bed.

Hanashiro Mari—.

The lone daughter of the Hanashiro house, the head family of practitioners of the Hanashiro-style flower arrangement which had many followers. Having a weak constitution since birth, it was the outbreak of a severe case of childhood illness when she was about to enter Horusu Seijou Academy Middle School that caused her to reach terminal condition. In the end, she had passed away without even attending middle school for a single day. Her cause of death was complications due to heart failure. Without anybody watching over her, her breathed her last right in this room. Her only close friend was Ichinokuro Arisu.

That was the profile of the illness-ridden middle schooler, Hanashiro Mari, on the surface.

That was all.

For Mari whose entire life could be summed up just like that, what did she felt like passing her days?

“…Kuku.”

As he thought about that, laughter welled up in Daisuke.

The person known as Kusuriya Daisuke had not lived such a proper life that he is able to empathise with others. The moment he entered the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau, he had already given up on leading an ordinary life.

He had been abandoned by his parent, picked up by a person called Haji Keijo and lived up till now. There was nobody he could call a close friend.

If one spoke of him as a Mushitsuki, there’d probably be more to add on about. The Blaze Class Rank 1 Mushitsuki, Kakkou. Also known as the ruthless reaper without blood nor tears, abhorred even by fellow bureau members.

“…”

Realising that he was getting emotional, he lightly shook his head. If that happened, he would be no different from Arisu.

Indeed, looking from the perspective of being a Mushitsuki, many more facets of Hanashiro Mari’s life would be revealed.

Hanashiro Mari too was a Mushitsuki. Furthermore, she was a rare Fusion Type Mushitsuki, which only had a few documented cases. Fusion Type Mushitsuki originates from Sanbikime, one of the Original Three, the existences which births Mushitsuki.

Unlike the other two, Oogui and Shinpu, which at least have their appearance and slight characteristics established, Sanbikime could only be described as an enigma. Nothing was known about it, nothing about its appearance, behaviour, nor how does it birth Mushitsuki. Including Daisuke, other Fusion Type Mushitsuki also knew next to nothing about who or what turned them into Mushitsuki.

But, was that the case for Hanashiro Mari?

The other day, they succeeded in catching a glimpse of Hanashiro Mari while she was alive using the ability of Kurisaka Ayuyu, a member belonging to the Central Headquarters.

Arisu’s memories became a mess in the middle of the process, but they managed to get Ayuyu’s account. From her words, she has confirmed the possibility that Hanashiro Mari was in contact with Sanbikime itself. Additionally, she was known as the Hunter, exterminating random Mushitsuki on the streets, in the end coming to clash with the Central Headquarters. They also learnt of the existence of the Undying Mushitsuki which she was chasing after—.

Why was Mari searching for the Undying Mushitsuki as the Hunter?

What is the Undying Mushitsuki?

Did Mari come into contact with Sanbikime? If so, then what information did she got from it?

Why did Mari’s Mushi—the silver morpho butterfly remain even after its host’s death? Furthermore, why does it follow Ichinokuro Arisu?

What is the objective of Mari, and by extension, the morpho butterfly?

What was Mari’s connection to the Central Headquarters?

Was it really a coincidence that Daisuke got involved with the investigation of Mari and Arisu?

“…Damn it.”

Daisuke murmured in frustration.

“It’s as if getting me to come here so far was part of Hanashiro Mari and the Central Headquarters’ scheme.”

He raised his head and shook off those ridiculous delusions.

During the incident the other day. Seeing the vestiges of Mari which hijacked Arisu’s consciousness due to the side effects of Ayuyu’s ability, he thought.

—It was as if I came face-to-face with myself.

The cold glare in her eyes that spoke of her will to accomplish her goals at any costs. The cynical smile on her face that doesn’t trust anybody but herself.

He always thought that he had been self-conscious of that fact all along, but seeing the same expression directly definitely made an impact on him.

—Perhaps Hanashiro Mari and I really resemble each other.

Leading a lonesome life.

Being Fusion Type Mushitsuki.

He may have felt especially irritated due to their similarities.

“Isn't she your one and only friend…? In that case, don't get her involved in your whims, Hanashiro Mari.”

Right when Daisuke spitted out those words with his face twisting.

“Ah, so this must be Hanashiro Mari’s room.”

A voice could be heard from his back.

Still seated on the chair, Daisuke’s eyes widened. He was so shocked that goosebumps rised all over his body and his breath stopped.

The voice literally came from right behind him. Daisuke was seated near the centre of the room, some distance from the entrance when he heard the voice.

“…”

Daisuke slowly turned his neck, aware that it was already too late for him to be on guard.

There he stood, brazenly.

The way he just stood there could only be described as grandly. He looked straight ahead, unheeding of Daisuke whose head was around his waist-level, with an arrogant smile—as if facing downwards was an impossible act of his life.

He was so preposterously eye-catching that Daisuke doubted his own consciousness for not having noticed his presence.

His dishevelled hair was so disorderly that it resembled a raging flame, and a tattoo of fire ran from his right cheek till the nape of his neck.

What the hell is this guy—.

The pressure released by the youth was so strong that Daisuke could only look upwards without moving his body. His otherworldly presence, one that seems completely unsuited to such an ordinary hospital, was so overwhelming that Daisuke’s thought processes halted.

The tattooed youth looked one round around the room, not taking Daisuke into his views—.

“…Haah.”

And sighed so deeply that one could feel the exhaustion coming from the bottom of his heart. At that, the pressure emanating from his body dispersed in an instant.

“Ah-ah, I give up, woman. I can’t believe it. How far are you going to make me chase you from Aoharima Island. Just spare me already, you’re going to make me cry at this rate. Or rather, stubborn women like yourself are just going to end up badly. My condolences if you end up staying alone your entire life. But, personally, I feel that that isn’t so bad, and I wouldn’t abandon you either. Won’t you come and bully me again.”

He loitered around the room, speaking out loud to nobody as he pleases.

First, he walked past Daisuke and pulled over the blanket (in addition, he also sniffed it like a dog). Following that, he dumped the blanket on the bed and approached the painting on the wall and adjusted it. He then evaluated the painting, all the while talking to himself, ‘Hmm hmm, this must be fake. Nothing remarkable at all. Hm? Expert appraisal? So, it was real after all. That’s impressive!’, appearing truly amazed. He then opened the fridge and took out a bottle of mineral water without permission, gulping it down in one breath (and then throwing the empty bottle out of the window with all his strength).

“…”

Is he just a pervert…?

Ignorant to the fact that Daisuke’s appraisal of him fell drastically from being an unknown character to a pervert, the tattooed youth finally approached the bookshelf.

“Heh, there’s Dostoevsky, Taki, Dante, Doyle and even Descartes. What’s with this, there’s no uniformity to these books at all. Could this Hanashiro Mari have multiple personalities? Anyway, she’s definitely ill somewhere. Ah, is that why she’s in a hospital? Oops, that might be the case after all. At least there’s still some hope for her, I guess.”

When he picked up a thin picture book, his expression changed abruptly. The title of the book was, ‘Potion of Magic’.

He flipped through the book roughly before putting it back right after, appearing to have lost interest. Although it was just a normal act of returning a book to the shelf, from his previous actions, Daisuke thought that it must have been quite a miracle.

“Ah, but I’ve finally reached here after so long. After all these days and months, I must’ve travelled like over 10,000 km to search for my beloved. Aah, I’m bushed. I hereby announce with all my remaining energy: I shall catch a short rest since I’m tired.”

Rotating his shoulders with the sound of his bone creaking, the youth jumped onto the bed. Without even removing his shoe, he landed on the bed cross-legged, and placed a cigarette to his mouth which he took out from nowhere.

The consequence of which led him to come face to face with Daisuke sitting on the visitor’s chair.

“…”

The youth froze. Seeing Daisuke straight before him, he tilted his head looking genuinely surprised.

“Who the hell are you?”

…This bastard.

Daisuke’s anger skipped through all levels and shot through the roof.

So, it wasn’t because he heard Daisuke’s soliloquy that he knew this room belonged to Hanashiro Mari. Being as Daisuke did not know what this youth’s true identity was, he decided to stop acting out his ‘harmless and friendly neighbourhood Kusuriya Daisuke’ persona. He wasn’t such an idiot that needs to be mindful about a mere pervert.

“Ah!”

The youth hit his palm with his other hand as if he thought of something. Then, he pointed at Daisuke with a look of satisfaction.

“Hanashiro Mari!”

“…Nice to meet you, I am Hanashiro Mari.”

“Oi, that’s incredible… You look like a guy.”

“That’s because I am one.”

“Seriously? Grr, so that scumbag lied to me. And he even said it was a girl.”

‘That scumbag’…?

Daisuke stared at the youth watchfully.

This pervert in front of him apparently knows about Hanashiro Mari beforehand. As far as Daisuke knew, there was no information about any relations between Hanashiro Mari and a tattooed youth.

Without him noticing, Daisuke tensed his body.

I won’t let you escape—.

As long as there might be some kind of clue, there was no way Daisuke would allow it to escape, be it a pervert or whatever. The moment he displays any suspicious behaviour, or attempts to leave the room, Daisuke would forcefully detain him.

“Hanashiro Mari is a girl.”

“Huh? So you’re saying… the one who lied is you? I see, that explains everything. Hey, you bastard, don't tell lies! Who the hell are you.”

“Before that, smoking is prohibited. No smoking on hospital premises.”

“Ugh, is that so. That’s just too bad then.”

With a grimace, he crushed the cigarette in his hand. Despite being an underaged smoker, he seemed to still follow the local rules.

“What about you, who are you.”

“Me? I’m Sehateno Harukiyo.”

Grinning, the youth gave his name with zero hesitation. His smile was a provocating one, one that revealed his canines. A strange noise rang out with a Juu. By some sleight of hand, the cigarette in his hands disappeared. Following that, a burnt smell irritated Daisuke’s nose.

A ridiculous name. That was probably a fake name. However, the fact that he could enter the room without Daisuke feeling his presence meant that he was no ordinary pedestrian. Daisuke kept up his guard.

“So? What about you?”

“Whatever my name is don’t matter.”

“Oh, that’s what you’re going to do after hearing other people’s name. What an outrageous fellow.”

“What are you to Hanashiro Mari? What do you know regarding her?”

Daisuke questioned in a prickly tone.

The youth called Harukiyo smiled again with a grin. After a pause, he spoke again in more ambiguity.

“I know of an out-of-this-world secret. Want me to tell you?”

“…”

Approaching the side of the silent Daisuke, he placed his arm around his shoulder in an overly familiar manner.

“You know, about Hanashiro Mari. I heard she’s quite the beauty.”

“…I already knew that.”

Daisuke furrowed his eyebrows. From the figure of Hanashiro Mari he saw the other day due to Ayuyu’s ability, he could see that she did indeed have beautiful facial features.

The laughter of the snorting Harukiyo seemed to be without a care in the world. It was the first time Daisuke met someone whose laughter changed in quality so rapidly. The way his smile changed from that of a wild beast to that of a friendly senior so suddenly really irritated Daisuke.

“Ah, this is so exciting. I can’t wait for her to be back. Is she having an examination now? Hey you, are you her boyfriend or something?”

Harukiyo once again sat down cross-legged on the bed, swaying back and forth in excitement as if he was a child awaiting his Christmas present.

“…”

Daisuke raised his eyebrows. Harukiyo’s current behaviour did not seem like an act to him.

“Do you not know? Speaking of which, you look like you didn’t know much about Hanashiro Mari from the start… In fact, it sounded like you came here after someone told you about her.”

“Hmm?”

“Hanashiro Mari is dead.”

Sehateno Harukiyo gaped his eyes wide open. The youth, who wandered around the room restlessly nonstop ever since he entered the room, froze for the first time shaken. However, that immediately changed into an intimidating smile as he glared at Daisuke.

“…What the hell is with you. Crack another absurd joke like that and I’ll kill you.”

Daisuke continued coolly.

“It happened around one year ago. Her cause of death was complications due to heart failure.”

“…”

“Hanashiro Mari no longer exists in this world.”

It was as if Daisuke pronounced his death sentence, as Harukiyo’s shoulders trembled in bottomless despair.

“…-n’t fuck with me…”

He got up from the bed with his back straightened and both of his fists clenched. His beast-like bloodshot eyes no longer reflected the figure of Daisuke.

“Don’t fuck with me!”

It was such a thunderous shout that it did not seemed as if it was a volume which humans could achieve.

“That swindling scumbag! You didn’t mention that she was dead! Not to mention more than one year ago? …Isn’t that much earlier than when I met you, asshole! I was deceived? This very meee! You dare trick meee!”

The shout permeated every single part of Daisuke’s body and even caused the whole room to vibrate. —No, it may be that even the whole hospital shook. That was how deafening the howl was.

Harukiyo’s sudden outrage caused Daisuke to be stunned.

What the hell is with this guy…!

In the remnants of the tempest-like shout of anger, Harukiyo glared out of the window with rough breathing. It was as though his mortal enemy was right out there.

Daisuke slowly stood up.

“Just who the hell are you? From where and whom did you hear about Hanashiro Mari.”

“…”

Harukiyo, who was standing on top of the bed, took a glancing look at Daisuke below him. The gaze in his eyes was unnatural—it was that of a demon which has thrown away the mask of a human.

“I won’t accept this…”

Muttering to himself, Harukiyo moved.

“This can’t be, that shitty bastard… How am I going get even…”

Cursing in soft mumbles, he descended from the bed. Ignoring Daisuke, he headed to exit the room.

But, Daisuke moved swiftly and overtook him, obstructing the entrance.

“Get out of the way. I’ll kill you.”

The blazing glare of the demon pierced through Daisuke. There was no longer the fearless grin nor carnivorous smile on his face. Plain killing intent shot through Daisuke.

“Answer my question.”

Daisuke glared back at him straight on.

He did not know anything about this youth, however, most likely—from the instincts honed due to all the near-death experiences he had, he sensed that this guy was strong. What’s more, it was at an unmatched level. If he wanted to even just stop the youth in his footsteps, it would probably require him to exert his all.

A green checkered beetle flew down to Daisuke.

“…Haah. The SEPB, eh.”

Looking at the checkered beetle on his shoulder, Harukiyo snorted boredly.

“I see, the SEPB. It was the SEPB after all. Always the SEPB. …That’s right, I can get even at that place.”

“…”

Daisuke adopted a forward-leaning position, so as to be able to spring off any moment. Just the fact that he knew about the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau was enough reason to apprehend him.

However, Harukiyo grinned.

“But, my bad. —I don’t care at all, about someone like you.”

“Wha-…”

“Downwards-facing people like you don’t enter my view at all. Those of you who go through life half-heartedly.”

Daisuke was gobsmacked. An unexplainable anger rose up in him.

“What did you say…!”

Just when he was about to raise his hand towards Harukiyo, he heard a scream coming down the corridor behind him.

Daisuke’s outstretched arm stopped abruptly. He could hear voices of, ‘There’s a fire!’, and, ‘The joint ward is…!’ Even from where he stood in front of the door, he could see white smoke coming from down the corridor.

“Aren’t you going to help? Aren’t you guys from the SEPB the government’s mutt.”

“…There’s no particularly need for me to go. There should at least be fire extinguishers.”

Facing Harukiyo who was smiling with his hands in his pocket, Daisuke replied coolly.

“Oh yeah, fire extinguishers. Those sure are convenient. I’m sure they'll be able extinguish the fire using those. —If that was just an ordinary fire, that is.”

Flustered voices of, ‘I-it can’t be extinguished…?’, and, ‘There’s still people inside—’ reached Daisuke who creased his eyebrows. It was followed by shouts of what was most likely the names of the patients in order to confirm their safety.

Don’t tell me… did this guy do something?

Daisuke glared at Harukiyo. There were no signs of the tattooed youth making any movement. However, he had been making several incomprehensible actions calmly since just now. Those might have been him laying down preparations for an escape route beforehand.

However, Daisuke did not move from the spot and only glared back at him with a cold gaze. He excluded the screams of despair coming behind him from his mind.

“That doesn't matter to me. Saving lives is not my duty.”

“Kuku.”

Harukiyo laughed amusedly. —Among the ways he laughed so far, this one irritated Daisuke the most.

“Heh heh, nice gaze. That’s the look of someone willing to throw human lives away.”

“…”

“Fine then, let’s get along together as fellow inhuman scums. I’ll answer your questions. What was it, whom did I heard about Hanashiro Mari from? To answer that, I’ll have to begin from that delightful yet despondent man. That guy is the type of person I hate the most in the world. He’s the kind of person that is let alone half-hearted, he gives up from the get go making him filled with laments, having led a life that is beyond idiotic and can only be described as laughable.”

Harukiyo began to narrate in an exaggerated manner, looking to be enjoying himself greatly. Daisuke had no idea what made him so cheery. —For some reason, the fire seemed to still be blazing. The shrieks of the staffs were endless.

“Even till the end, he was still the same. Isn’t that just hilarious? I wonder what kind of life had he led that made him so negative? Personally, I just don't get it—”

“…Enough with the nonsense. Who are you talking about.”

“Hmm? What’s up, you getting anxious? If you’re worried about the time, there’s plenty to spare, at least for me. Aah, fine, fine. I know that you have your own position to consider about too.”

Harukiyo snickered.

Shrill cries for help resounded nonstop in the background.

Daisuke remain rooted to his spot. With a focused and collected gaze, he looked straight at the youth in front of him. There was no way he was going to let the only clue he found at long last escape before him. No matter what.

“He is none other than the one who turned Hanashiro Mari into a Mushitsuki—that woman from SEPB called him Sanbikime.”

“…!”

Sanbikime. That was one of the Original Three that gave rise Fusion Type Mushitsuki.

If that was true, it would be a huge step towards the elucidation of the mysterious Sanbikime. Also, it should have some knowledge about Hanashiro Mari as well.

“After he left Akamaki City, he went to someplace called Aoharima Island—well, just a random small island to hide himself. It was there where I met him. That was also when I heard about the girl known as Hanashiro Mari from him. I was so happy to hear it from him, you know? About the fact that currently… she was probably the strongest Mushitsuki.”

“Where is he right now—”

Daisuke reflexively grabbed the youths collar. However, his words were drowned out by the sound of screams.

His body froze, as if he was bound by chains.

“Ah? What was that? I can’t hear you.”

“Where is that guy… right now…”

—Arisu’s tear-streaked face from this morning floated into his mind.

Daisuke’s face twisted.

Why is she appearing in my mind at a time like this…? My duty is to investigate Hanashiro Mari. Whatever happens to other people is none of my concern.

He could not let the only clue he got after so long slip away from right under his nose. At least, his past self would have executed the mission flawlessly without hesitation. The him from before getting involved with the girl known as Ichinokuro Arisu.

“He was known as Sensei at the island.”

Harukiyo continued in a barefaced tone.

“You ask where is that bastard at right now? Aah, please wait a moment. Let me recall that for you right away.”

The screams of despair reaching his ears hit their peak.

—Stupid Daisuke.

The face of Arisu as she smiled with a sigh came up in his mind.

His arm that was grabbing onto Harukiyo trembled.

This then is my duty—those unrelated to the mission—if it was Arisu—there’s no other chance to get information about Sanbikime—.

“—Help!”

A shriek interrupted Daisuke’s thoughts.

What appeared in his mind next was Hanashiro Mari’s cruel smile.

“…Kakkou!”

Daisuke shouted.

The checkered beetle on his shoulder transformed rapidly. It turned into green feelers that slipped between his clothing and fused with his flesh. A green pattern ran across his cheeks.

Hanashiro Mari…! You and I may be similar in some ways. But—.

He released his arm from Harukiyo and turned to his back. With all his strength, he sprinted down the corridor towards the source of the smoke.

“Hah hah!”

Behind him, he could hear the tremendously delightful laughter of the tattooed youth.

I will not drag those who are uninvolved into the battle of Mushitsuki…!

“Out of the way!”

Smoke spewed out from the joint ward at the end of the corridor. The door was enveloped in bright red flames. At the feet of the staffs and patients who were looking from a distance were burnt markings and empty fire extinguishers. Daisuke pushed his way through them and stood in front of the blaze.

Hot air immediately seethed over his whole body.

Screams and shrieks could be heard from beyond the door.

“Get away from there…!”

With a shout of warning towards the people behind the door, Daisuke raised his right fist wrapped in a green pattern.

The sound of the blazing door being smashed rang down the corridor.

Daisuke grasped the flaming door with his hand tightly.

“Guh…!”

The sensation of skin and flesh being burnt shot up his arm, bringing intense pain. Even with his face distorting in pain, Daisuke used his superhuman strength to rip the door right from its hinge.

Wood splinters accompanied by kindles scattered around the feet of the surrounding people.

Biting back the pain coming from his arms, Daisuke stepped into the room immediately—.

“…!”

Including Daisuke, all the people on the scene took a gulp.

The flame had not spread a single inch in the joint ward. The patients in the ward were all gathered around the window away from the door. He did not see anyone who was hurt amongst them, only looks of relief and doubts on their faces.

Daisuke turned around.

The only thing that was burnt was the scattered pieces of the door. There was not a single trace of burnt marking on the walls or the ceiling, much less the flowers placed by the side.

With a start, he looked at his right hand.

He definitely felt pain coming from there just now, but there was not a single burn.

—If that was just an ordinary fire, that is.

He recalled the words uttered by Harukiyo.

Daisuke turned back and returned to Hanashiro Mari’s room in a dash.

But—.

The room with curtains fluttering was a scene of peace. It was as if nobody had been to the room in the very first place.

The sound of Daisuke punching the wall reverberated throughout the entire third storey.

Part 3

The Ichinokuro residence was located in the centre of Akamaki City, at the high-end residential area.

Many of the students from Horusu Seijou Academy lived near the new residential area on the hill near the station. However, being a distinguished family with long-standing history, the Ichinokuro house resided in the centre of the city with large premises.

In the darkened streets of the residential area, Daisuke walked along the long fence of the Ichinokuro residence. Thereupon, a voice came at him from above.

“Yo, Kakkou. How’re you feeling?”

A shadow jumped down from the fence light-footedly without making a sound.

A head of brilliant blond hair appeared from the darkness of the night illuminated by the street lamps. It was a girl about the same age as Daisuke with upwards slanting eyes like that of a cat. She was wearing the same Horusu Seijou Academy uniform as Arisu. Her identity was that of Kasuou, a member of the Central Headquarters sent to relieve Daisuke from the monitoring of Arisu.

“The worst.”

“Hm? Did something happen? You sure look under the weather.”

She walked up next to Daisuke who continued without turning to face her. Despite her elegant features, her manner of speaking was very coarse. —It seems that he had an affinity with people who spoke crudely today.

That Harukiyo fellow… I should probably keep quiet about him to Arisu. I have a feeling that he’s dangerous—.

With such thoughts in mind, he glimpsed to the side towards the girl.

“Nevermind, that was nothing. More importantly, Kasuou. How was Arisu? I sure hope nothing strange happened.”

“She’d be well-behaved. —Or so I wanted to say. I went close to her out of a wee bit of curiosity and found her muttering all to herself the whole time. It was something along the lines of, ‘Daisuke that idiot… he doesn’t even know how I feel. Really, just what is he thinking’. Gahaha. It was just as you said, she sure was furious.”

“…I did made fun of her close friend, of course she’d be angry.”

It seemed like Arisu still held a grudge. This further fanned the flames of irritation from having let that youth called Harukiyo escape earlier.

“Huh? Isn’t that kind of wrong? I’ve only observed her for one day, but I’ve already grasped hold of her personality. Looks like the great me is pretty suited to be part of the surveillance team.”

“Stop daydreaming. …But, what do you mean. Is there some other reason?”

“Nope, not telling. After all, it seems far more interesting to leave it be.”

Kasuou spouted incomprehensibly, causing Daisuke to feel a headache building up.

“Just spare me the trouble already… I’m so done with this mission that I wanna escape elsewhere already.”

“Oi oi, isn't it for this mission that they moved the Blaze Class Rank 1 you to the surveillance team? Not to mention, the one acting as your substitute is me. That means that rather than secrecy, fighting strength is more important for this mission. Isn’t that interesting. If you’d like, how about passing the mission onto me. I’ve just finished a long-term mission too as well.”

“If it was left up to a battle maniac like you, you’d probably get into a fight with Arisu within a day and end up destroying everything in the surroundings. You had better act like we don't know each other even if we meet in school. Another thing, I’m no longer Rank 1 anymore, I was just demoted yesterday.”

“Huh? You kidding me? So I guess the next Rank 1 is gonna be me.”

“You keep thinking that. What can someone unranked like you who only have the ability to destroy things do. In short, someone like you is only useful if it’s for a day… Rather, what kind of shoddy mission is it that even requires your help?”

“Do you actually dislike me that much…? That was completely uncalled for. However, I can’t tell you about my mission as that is confidential.”

“Well, not like I’m going to force it out of you. —It’s fine up to here for today. Thanks for the help. I think my head is going to explode if I continue to hear someone talking like that any further.”

“Aah? Then, would this be better? …Ah, ah, I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow then, Kusuriya-kun.”

Kasuou changed her tone out of a sudden. She came to a stop and smiled with a grin.

“It sure is pretty hard for us both to feign friendliness outside of the mission, isn’t it?”

“…You’re probably overdoing it on that part.”

Seeing Daisuke heave a sigh, Kasuou spitted out with an endearing smile on her face, ‘Shut it, I know what I’m doing’.

Right before he was about to enter the gate, Daisuke thought of something and came to a stop.

“Kasuou.”

“Yes?”

About to return, Kasuou turned back.

“Can you take over the monitoring for tomorrow as well. The whole day, starting from morning.”

“Well, it’s not like I mind, but… does Kusuriya-kun have something on?”

“There’s something I want to check. And also—”

Kasuou looked back in wonder at Daisuke who was hesitating for words.

“What… reason are you fighting for?”

“Huh?”

Seeing the girl widen her eyes, Daisuke was at a loss for words.

Hanashiro Mari, a Mushitsuki that resembled him, was dead.

It was as if it foretold the future of Daisuke himself. No matter what he did, or how strong the feelings he held, in the end—.

“What if for example, there’s an enemy right in front of your eyes, but also civilians asking for help next to you as well. What would you…”

Not knowing what he was speaking about anymore, his mouth came to a shut.

Nevermind, that was nothing—just when he was about to say that, he took a gulp.

Kasuou was glaring daggers at him. Her blue iris pierced right through him as if they were knives.

“Obviously I’d slaughter the enemy.”

“…Yea, I guess you’re right.”

“Don’t you dare lose your balls, Kakkou. Surely you didn't forget how you became Blaze Class Rank 1, huh? Rather than help one or two person, you’ve turned several ten, hundred times the number into Fallen. And that is not going to change now, or ever.”

Clicking her tongue, Kasuou stared straight at Daisuke.

“You said that you were demoted from Blaze Class Rank 1, right. Do you still not get what that means?”

“…”

“If you ever hesitate, or come to a stop… If you run away, that is when I will come to butcher you myself personally.”

Watching the blond figure disappear into the darkness leaving those words, Daisuke heaved a long sigh.

It’s just as Kasuou said. What is wrong with me… this whole time, ever since morning—.

Was it because of the dream about the past.

Or was it because of the slap by Arisu.

Be it letting the clue found after long last slip away, or even showing weakness… what a display of pathetic blunders.

Pulling open the antique wooden gate, he entered the premises.

Walking along the stone paving, he approached the main building.

“…”

There, he encountered Arisu.

She must have been waiting for him to return. Dressed in her pyjamas, Arisu stared down at Daisuke with her arms crossed imposingly.

She did not open her mouth and a heavy silence descended between the two.

Shouldn't you be the one apologizing. Damn it, that’s the problem with brats…

Grouching on the inside, he said with a sigh.

“Fine fine, that was my bad. For insulting Hanashiro Mari.”

“…”

“Shouldn’t this be enough to appease your anger? This should be fine, right. Oh, and I am taking a break from school tomorrow—”

He closed his mouth halfway.

Arisu had sucked in a deep breath. Then, she bellowed at Daisuke fiercely with all her anger.

“Stupid Daisuke!”

Daisuke was stupefied. Arisu then walked down the corridor with an extremely peeved look.

The headache that he felt from just now throbbed more and more heavily.

What a terrible day.

Nothing I did went the way I wanted it to.

There’s so many things that I don’t even know.

“I don’t even get what's going on anymore…”

For now, I’ll just go to sleep and forget about everything.

Part 4

He had entered the organisation known as the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau.

From the moment he turned the Mushitsuki called Fuyuhotaru into a Fallen, Kusuriya Daisuke began his life of being Kakkou.

Two years had passed since then.

Living without wavering, time passed by quickly.

All the while fighting, hurting others, and barely surviving, he found that he had been branded as the reaper when he looked back.

However, he met the girl called Ichinokuro Arisu.

That time began to slow down—that was no doubt due to Arisu, who dragged him along with her flow. From morning when he opens his eyes till night when he goes to sleep, she would get him wrapped up in all sorts of trouble and give rise to his headache.

Perhaps it was due to his tension loosening, that it became hard for him to get up in the morning recently.

Just speaking of yesterday, if not for Arisu forcefully waking him from his slumber, who knew if he would have woken up—.

Supposing.

If the girl who entrusted her dream with him all those years ago, Fuyuhotaru, saw the current him, what would she think? If it was her who used to have the same dream as him, would her time still continue to flow the same?

[Please proceed forwards for sterilisation.]

Daisuke advanced into the steam-filled world.

Say, Fuyuhotaru. Do you still remember that promise…?

As he proceeded, the steam dissipated. Before him stood a sturdy-looking door, and a box on the wall contained a set of black suits. It was made of a thin fabric that hugged the body and a zipper ran from the waist till the neck. On the surface of both arms and legs were plastic zippers. Those were probably meant to fit snuggly with the body, allowing anything hidden to be seen easily. It was the same bodysuit as the one Arisu wore the other time she came here.

They promised each other to never forget their dreams.

As Daisuke passed his arm through the sleeve, he murmured in his heart.

Could it be that… we made a promise that could not be fulfilled?

He came before the door.

[East Central Branch member, Kakkou, confirmed. Please enter.]

The sensor above his head glowed red, and the door slid open from both sides.

Following that, another door further in, followed by yet another door, for a total of four doors, opened sequentially.

He was in the underground facility in Akamaki City, the base of operations of the Central Headquarters of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau. This was the location where civilian members held meetings for the search and experimentation of Mushitsuki, while Mushitsuki members are accommodated and undergo training.

As a result of the inmate uprising the other day, the regulation of security within the facility has been intensified. Most likely out of fear of the Mushitsuki, personal belongings were completely prohibited, and all members are subjected to strict body checks. All Mushitsuki apart from those belonging to the Central Headquarters are required to wear their own suits in the facility.

However, the use of safety chokers had been scrapped after the case with Rina’s Mushi going berserk. Whether or not there would be another system to replace that remains to be seen.

A light commotion was raised when Daisuke walked down the walkway. He was used to such response, but something felt off from the usual.

“…?”

What dwelled in the eyes of those who passed by him in the past was fear towards Kakkou. However, their gazes were different today. They could be said to be indifferent gazes, and there were even some that appears to be sneering.

Knitting his eyebrows, the whispers of the other Mushitsuki members came into his ears. Smiles of scorn appeared on their faces along with, ‘It’s Kakkou’, ‘Yea, it turns out that even the reaper was only human in the end’.

Realising what the situation was, Daisuke was flabbergasted.

—You said that you were demoted from Blaze Class Rank 1, right. Do you still not get what that means?

He recalled the words Kasuou said.

Feeling unbelieving, he walked down the corridor.

Not a single person averted from his path. They were all whispering in voices that mocked and cursed him.

I can’t believe this—.

From the day he turned Fuyuhotaru into a Fallen.

He had been fighting all these times. He had despatched off all enemies that appeared in his sights without mercy and turned fellow Mushitsuki into Fallen without getting close to any single person. Despite being branded as the reaper and rebuked as a traitor, even so he continued to only face forward and get stronger than anyone else.

Just from losing the title of Blaze Class Rank 1, everything I’ve done so far… all of it amounts to nothing…?

His nails dug into his flesh in his clenched fist.

Blaze Class Rank 1.

That was undoubtedly the proof of being the strongest Mushitsuki. The title of the one who stands above all other Mushitsuki as the symbol of fear.

—He would end the fight between Mushitsuki. Until the day comes when Fuyuhotaru can return without fighting.

All the things he had built up from bearing the immense pain and solitude, so much so that he had to gnash his teeth.

They all came crashing down with a roar.

“Damn it…!”

He groaned unconsciously. Fury and regret caused his shoulders to tremble.

Bearing the gaze of disdain on him wherever he went, he reached the room of his objective.

That room was the Navigator Room. It was the room where information for the members engaged in missions were disseminated, and where they received orders from their goggles in real-time.

He placed his palm on the automatic sensor by the wall.

[Fingerprint acknowledged. Please input your verification number.]

Following the voice acknowledgement, Daisuke punched in the number pad next to the sensor.

[Error.]

Words of entry being denied appeared on the display. When he repeated the procedure again, he got the same result. In order to go proceed even further in, he would require the authorisation of those inside, but he couldn’t even make it till that point.

“Damn this—”

Right when he raised his fist in vexation.

“…Kakkou-kun…?”

A familiar voice reached his ears. When he turned around, he found a tall girl standing over there.

It was Yomori Neiko. She was a Mushitsuki that was captured under his hands with Arisu around. With an absentminded look on her face as always, she approached wobblily.

“Nene, huh. Just the right time, lend me your hand for a bit.”

“What…? Overtime practise just ended… I want to return to my room… and sleep…”

“Stop fussing, just come here already. Hey, don't you run away.”

“…Aah…”

“What’s your verification number? And don't tell anyone that I’m the one that entered. Just pretend that you’re the one who entered.”

“But, that’s… a violation of rule…”

“What are you doing, Kakkou?”

A detached voice called out to him from behind.

A group of people in suits stood at the head of the corridor. The one standing at the front was the person who handed down his demotion to him, Miguruma Yaeko.

“K-Kakkou…? That child is…?”

One of the middle-aged man’s expression changed. On the other hand, Yaeko looked towards Daisuke coolly and turned back to the man.

“I shall leave the inspection of the Navigator Room for another occasion, Vice-director. Someone else shall guide you to the Operations Room. I will take my leave here.”

Saying so without faltering, Yaeko turned away from the group and approached Daisuke without waiting for a reply.

Daisuke released Neiko’s arm with a, ‘It’s fine now’. Neiko appeared baffled, but she just left with unsteady footsteps.

“I see you have not replied me. Did you not hear my question perhaps?”

Similar to the other day, she came to within close proximity of him with a gentle smile on her face.

“Can’t you tell with your eyes. Since I couldn’t get into contact with the intelligence team through call due to the invalidation of my verification number, I just came here directly.”

“In light of the re-evaluation due to your demotion, it may take some time for the issuance of a new verification number. I believe this had been explained to you, Kakkou. Aren’t you being too hasty?”

“…”

“I shall pass you my direct contact number. Please direct all reports regarding Hanashiro Mari and Ichinokuro Arisu through here. I shall emphasise once again, do refrain from any overly rash actions. Your current behaviour is grounds for punishment, but I shall turn a blind eye to it this time.”

Narrowing her already thin-slit eyes, Yaeko held out a piece of paper that appeared to be a business card. Daisuke roughly snatched it from her.

“That’s right—this is just the perfect chance. Truthfully speaking, I wanted to consider it for some more time, but seeing as you are already here, let’s get it over with first. Follow me.”

Without waiting for Daisuke’s acknowledgement, Yaeko started walking with a smile plastered on her face.

Daisuke remained motionless while glaring at Yaeko.

“What is the matter? This is an order, you know.”

Now that Daisuke thought about it, it all started since he came to Akamaki City.

How everything he that did failed to turn out well.

Whether be it about Hanashiro Mari, or Ichinokuro Arisu.

Ever since he got caught up in the strange connection between the two girls, he started making all sorts of mistakes. In a situation where he was supposed to prioritise his mission, the mere thought of a girl that slapped him caused him to let escape his only clue right before his very eyes.

In addition—he lost the absolute, intangible authority known as Blaze Class Rank 1.

In order to retrieve everything, to return all to their original position, he had to complete this mission regarding those girls even one second faster.

“A guy known as Sensei was in contact with Hanashiro Mari. —He might be Sanbikime.”

Daisuke spoke in a low voice.

Yaeko’s countenance remained unchanged. Much less move, a slick smile formed on her face as if naturally.

“From whom did you hear that from? I believe that we have decided that the truth is not to be established from Kororo’s ability.”

Daisuke’s face twisted.

“I knew it… You’ve already known about it! Why did you conceal this, answer me!”

Yaeko brought her face close to Daisuke who pressed her for an answer. Her mouth was so close to his ear that he could almost hear her breathing.

“Calm down, Kakkou. Let us speak while walking.”

The coldness of the hand that was placed around his cheek sent shivers down his back. From the close proximity, he seemed to feel a shadow in the depths of her pupil that paralysed his body. It felt as if he was being restrained by invisible chains.

“There is no way that I would hide anything from you. After all, I deeply love each and every one of you, especially you who is excellent. So, please do not hide anything from me as well. Show your love for me too, Kakkou.”

“…”

“Who did you hear that from?”

At a distance where the tip of their nose was about to touch, Yaeko’s gaze queried him.

What the hell is she—.

Daisuke scarcely managed to close his mouth that was about to open involuntarily. He struggled to retain his self-control desperately which was being eroded by the abnormal atmosphere projected by Yaeko.

It would be best for him to keep quiet about the youth who named himself as Sehateno Harukiyo. That was what he felt instinctively. Contrary to Yaeko’s words, there were no doubts that Central Headquarters was hiding something important. In order to draw that out, there was a need for Daisuke to hold some cards of his own.

But, at the same time, he felt like clicking his tongue.

It’s almost as if I don’t even know what I’m fighting against…!

Seeing Daisuke keep his mouth clamped tight, Yaeko remained all smiles.

“I see, that is fine by me too. Withholding of secrets is a violation of order, but I understand that we have just gotten to know each other. Forming a trusting relationship is of utmost importance. For us to love each other, trusting one another is paramount.”

Her smile unfading, Yaeko walked down the passageway. Daisuke hesitated, but decided to follow behind her a few steps back. Freed from the formless chains, his heart was still beating wildly.

“It is just as you said. We have confirmed that Hanashiro Mari was in contact with an existence that appears to be Sanbikime.”

The clacking of her footsteps echoed in the corridor.

Daisuke frowned. However, before he could open his mouth, Yaeko continued.

“It appears that you have misunderstood something.”

“…Misunderstood?”

“It is not that we have concealed this matter. —Indeed, the fact that we exercised extreme caution in not allowing this piece of information to spread is due to its secrecy. However, if deemed necessary, this information would have been provided to you as well.”

As he walked down the path, Daisuke furrowed his brows.

The bureau members walking down from the opposite direction all made way to them with fearful expressions.

It had already become a common sight to him, but the reason for their fear should have been lost already. Looking more carefully, he found that their gazes of trepidation were directed towards Miguruma Yaeko instead of him.

“One year ago, Hanashiro Mari died from her illness. At that time, it became clear that something thought to be Sanbikime was nearby, and a mission to capture it was executed. The one who was in charge of that mission was me. It was a mission that proceeded in absolute secrecy around one year ago. Around that period, the matters regarding Ichinokuro Arisu occurred. —In other words, these two missions were completely unrelated to each other.”

Daisuke furrowed his eyebrows.

If what Miguruma said was the truth—.

“You said you were chasing Sanbikime? Then, the fact that you are here now means—”

“The mission was completed.”

Yaeko turned around to face Daisuke who followed diagonally behind her.

“We succeeded in cornering it to a place called Aoharima Island, and as result of the judgement that capture was difficult, we exterminated it.”

Daisuke widened his eyes.

One of the Original Three was exterminated. This means that there would no longer be any new Fusion Type Mushitsuki birthed.

Yaeko faced the front and started walking again.

“Unfortunately, due to some disturbances, the confirmation for this matter encountered some difficulties, but… with the fact that there has been no new discovery of Fusion Type Mushitsuki up till this day, we may conclude that the existence known as Sanbikime is gone from this world. It is not my intention to withhold information with regards to that, but we can't afford to make the mistake of giving it time and allowing it to escape.”

“…”

“That concludes my explanation. To add on, the nature of the connection between Hanashiro Mari and Ichinokuro Arisu remains a sceptical one to us. A Mushi which remains after the death of its host… not to mention, is capable to possessing another person appears to be far too irregular to our eyes. We also cannot exclude the possibility of it being a wholly different entity, one that merely has the same appearance and ability. Rather, that should be the obvious conclusion, should it not?”

Daisuke understood what Yaeko was getting at.

“But, the memories of the morpho butterfly as shown by Kororo’s ability was that of Hanashiro Mari’s.”

Yaeko made a glimpse at Daisuke. Her lips raised into a smile of satisfaction.

“Excellent, Kakkou. —It is just as you said. The memories of the Mushi does not lie. We cannot deny that the morpho butterfly possessing Ichinokuro Arisu used to belong to Hanashiro Mari. In the aftermath of dealing with the search for Sanbikime—I have returned to the Central Headquarters to hunt down the person who obstructed us then.”

Yaeko suddenly retrieved her mobile phone from her pocket. It seems like she was getting into contact with somebody. He heard her saying, ‘I would like to know the situation of our target, thus, I will be heading over now’.

Without any changes to her pacing, Yaeko ended the call.

Turning around at the corridor, they came before an elevator.

The door to the elevator opened, and Yaeko followed by Daisuke entered. The door then shut, and the elevator began to descend.

Silence fell between the two.

—What she said was sound.

Looking at the time frame involved, Yaeko’s explanation made sense. It should have been impossible for the Mushi of a certain Mushitsuki to randomly possess another individual.

However—.

“In that case, why was the incident that occurred at Horusu Seijou Academy assigned to me who belonged to the East Central Branch?”

Looking forwards straight at the door, Yaeko smiled.

“I know that it is not uncommon for other branches to request for reinforcements due to a lack of personnel. However, the mission that was explained to me was far too simple. Haji—that is, my Branch director, often said, ‘You, who is Blaze Class Rank 1, is special’. It would be strange for the mission assigned for me to not be a ‘relatively challenging’ one.”

“Did you not think of this? That that was merely the oversight of Branch Director Haji.”

Yaeko spoke lightly.

“That you are not the caliber of Blaze Class Rank 1. —In actual fact, ever since coming over to Central Headquarters, you have failed numerous times and had been demoted.”

“…!”

“Please don't make such a scary expression. I was just joking.”

Yaeko only gave an amused smile at Daisuke clenching his fist.

“You are overthinking this, Kakkou. It was only a coincidence that when you came to Central Headquarters, you were assigned to the monitoring of Ichinokuro Arisu. That is all. All that is required of you is to put your all into fulfilling the mission.”

Yaeko’s thin-slit eyes looked down at Daisuke. Her constraining smile coiled around Daisuke’s body like a snake.

“You just need to ensure a satisfactory result, one that is worthy of my love in you.”

Daisuke glared at Yaeko grimly.

There were probably some truths in what the person in front of him had said. However, there were also untruths in the crux of the matter. That was what he felt keenly. What a master manipulator she was.

“I see you are finally satisfied. In that case, let me inform you of your mission for today. I have mentioned this earlier, but there was someone trying to hinder us during the search for Sanbikime. We have been chasing him down until recently, but the situation reversed just as we were coming to a close. Perhaps he could be said to be withdrawing when we push, and push while we withdraw. It was just yesterday when he appeared right before us and we apprehended him.”

The elevator display changed above Daisuke who creased his eyebrows. The facility they were in comprised of many different strata. Each stratum was separate from another through considerable distance, and the only thing connecting them was the elevator, the ventilation duct, and the transmission wirings.

“Why was he impeding our way and why did he choose to appear before us at this time—we are beginning our interrogation of him right now. At first, I was thinking of weakening him by leaving him be for a few days, but… since you are here, we should be able to avert most of the risk. In addition, I request that you keep silent about his matters such that this does not spread out.”

“…?”

Daisuke raised his head all of a sudden.

He had felt a slight tremor. It seems that Yaeko had not felt it.

What is this tremor…? Also, this smell… something is—.

An electronic beep rang out.

They had reached their floor.

By that time, the rumbling was getting stronger in intensity. It was as if it had been storing up energy. And now, it seemed ready to burst—.

“Do you understand? I have high expectations of you.”

The sound of air rushing by came from the door.

Something dangerous… is coming!

By the time a green checkered beetle appeared on Daisuke’s shoulder, the elevator door was already half-opened.

What he saw was the flames of an explosion heading their way.

Part 5

“Ugh—”

The crimson hell fire that propagated throughout his vision.

And the opening door.

Before Daisuke’s mind even comprehended what was happening, his body moved on its own.

The body of the checkered beetle morphed into a mass of feelers which fused with his body as if imprinting onto him. He grasped the elevator doors with his hands which were covered in a green pattern, digging deeply into the door made of a metal alloy.

“…Ooooh!”

The shrill noise of metal creaking echoed inside the elevator. With his superhuman strength, Daisuke forcefully pulled close the opening doors. He then immediately turned around from the door left with his handprint and pushed Miguruma Yaeko against the back wall.

“…!”

An overwhelming shockwave hit the back of Daisuke who covered Yaeko with his body. If he wasn’t supporting his body against the wall, he would not have been able to remain standing. The doors of the elevator deformed, but it wasn’t enough to withstand the shockwave and he was hit by an impact.

The blast travelled through the outside of the elevator and reverberated down the elevator shaft. The devastating volume paralysed his eardrums, causing him temporary deafness.

“Gu… uu…!”

An alarm sounded in the remnants of the explosion. The synthesised voice making the announcement was probably calling for an alert, but Daisuke could only barely make it out with his numbed eardrums. However, even that soon trailed off into noise.

“…I see. So that is what happened.”

When his eyes met with that of the woman in his arms, a chill ran down his back.

There was a smile of enjoyment on the face of Miguruma Yaeko.

Her narrow eyes looked straight ahead, seeing past Daisuke into the interior of the unobservable passageway. With fluid movements like that of a puppet, she retrieved her mobile phone from the pocket of her suit and placed it to her ear.

“I cannot seem to get through. Either the relay is destroyed, or perhaps the communication system is charred. There is a need for us to go check it. We need to confirm the extent of damage as well.”

“…”

“What is the matter? I am saying that we need to move from here.”

Yaeko coolheadedly passed down an order to the dumbfounded Daisuke.

“Guh…!”

Bearing the intense pain shooting from his back, Daisuke distanced himself from his superior. The lights had cracked, scattering glass fragments all over the floor. With a lurch, he fell onto the glass-littered ground, cutting his forehead sending blood flowing.

“What the hell… just happened?”

The elevator doors were bent towards the insides as if it was hit by a wrecking ball. That plainly showed just how powerful the explosion was.

“There is a need for us to determine that is exactly what I have said. I hope that you have not lost your rationality over a trifle matter like that, Kakkou.”

Yaeko placed her hand over the misshapen door and said in a tone like that of a mother admonishing her child.

“To think that you used to be Blaze Class Rank 1, I see that you still a child after all… Fret not. I shall issue the commands, you need only to follow them.”

“…!”

Daisuke unconsciously clenched his fists, but his bit down his teeth to suppress his anger. Yaeko’s calmness was abnormal, but they were currently not in a situation for an argument.

He placed his ear to the door, listening for the state of affairs on the opposite side.

There was still the sound of explosions, but they seem to be getting further. He also did not feel the severe heat anymore. He placed his hands on the now crushed together doors.

“Stand down.”

When he exerted some strength, one side of the door easily fell inwards. The shaft seemed to have been weakened from the explosion and broke under his strength.

“Wha-—”

Looking at the scene ahead, he instinctively took a gulp.

The flames that he saw right before he shut the doors must have been scattered by the shockwave. The vestiges of destruction spoke of the power of the explosion. The walls appeared to be relatively undamaged owing to their strengthened construction for bearing the pressure of being underground, but all the doors along the passageway were reduced to rubble beyond recognition. The lightings installed into the ceiling were turned into molten glass and coating by the blaze which rained down. Nothing could be heard apart from the warning alarm and the sound of explosions in the distance.

Right beside them was someone in a white coat and goggles collapsed. He was probably here to escort Yaeko. He managed to escape losing his life thanks to the heat-resistant coat and had just lost consciousness.

“!”

Another explosion occurred.

A ball of flame shot out from a room which had lost its door and disappeared beyond the crossway. That was not all. Just then, fireballs which seemed to have a live of their own flew past all around their view.

“…! Oi, wait!”

Daisuke grasped the arm of Yaeko who walked ahead unperturbed.

“What is it? If we do not act post-haste, the damage will only worsen further, Kakkou. Also, I do not have any hopes of that incompetent Vice-director being able to issue the appropriate commands.”

“What are you, an idiot! No matter how you look at it, it’s far too dangerous! Do not move from here!”

“Indeed, this is an emergency. As such, I shall overlook your affront towards a superior for this time only. Do take note to mind your words in the future.”

Even after witnessing such a hellish carnage, she still spoke in a mild tone. Her chain-like smile wrapped itself around Daisuke.

“Come now, let us move. I have an idea of what is cause behind this. In addition, there is a need for us to hurry. We absolutely cannot leave this to that inept oaf.”

Leaving behind the frozen Daisuke, Yaeko stepped into the passageway. Bathed in the rain of fire, a portion of her suit was scorched. Even so, her smile never crumbled.

“Let’s look for a functioning electronic device. After that, we will head to a certain location.”

“…Damn it!”

Clicking his tongue, Daisuke got into motion. He removed the coat from the collapsed bureau member and placed him in the relatively safer interior of the elevator.

He then chased after Yaeko who had proceed without him and roughly put the white coat over her.

“I guess it is dangerous no matter where you go… Where’s the first place we’re going.”

“To the Monitor Room about two hundred metres away. If we manage to secure a means of communicating with the upper levels, I can get to the Navigator Room to pass down orders.”

Yaeko, with the white coat draped around her shoulders, only ever looked to the front. —In the end, she did not even bat an eyelid at the member that was collapsed on the ground. Daisuke couldn’t even begin to imagine what was she looking at.

“…!”

An explosion blasted out from the front. The potent shockwave sent the remains of a door flying towards them.

He instantly shoved Yaeko into a room on the side and jumped in himself.

“Guah!”

Failing to dodge it completely, a sharp metal fragment sliced his shoulder.

“Looks like I was right to order most of the personnel to evacuate from this level.”

Ignoring Daisuke who fell to the ground on his knees, Yaeko returned to the passageway.

“Evacuate, you say…? Just what is on this floor?”

She remained silent to Daisuke’s query as he picked himself off the floor holding his shoulder. Daisuke clicked his tongue.

“…You damned woman…!”

“I did mention that I would overlook your affront only once. Consider if your addressee is not me.”

The two advanced down the passageway peppered by spitting flames. Daisuke acted as a substitute for the debris raining from the ceiling and as a shield for the proximate explosions for Yaeko.

“The Monitor Room is beyond this wall. We should see the entrance before long.”

Yaeko pushed on a breakneck speed, while Daisuke chased from behind with heavy breathing.

“Oi…”

“What is it?”

“What kind of fellow… is Sanbikime?”

Her expression did not even change at the abrupt question.

—Daisuke did not know anything about the entity that turned him into a Mushitsuki. Just who was it that caused him to live the life of a Mushitsuki; he wanted to know what was it that made him such that he could only lead a life of fighting. But, what he wanted to know above all else was—.

Just what feelings did it had when it conversed with Hanashiro Mari.

What did it speak about to the girl which it had cursed to an unfortunate fate. And also, why did Hanashiro Mari not resent that which had turned her into a Mushitsuki.

Daisuke wanted to know that.

“That is unknown.”

Yaeko replied in an unchanging tone.

“We did not manage to get in direct contact with the target. —Because we laid waste to the entire island where it concealed itself.”

—Screech.

The sound of something creaking came from above their head.

Daisuke stopped in his tracks.

“What… did you say?”

“Apart from the few survivors, there were no other living residents confirmed. In other words, they were exterminated along with Sanbikime.”

—Creak.

The ceiling distorted right before their eyes.

“Looks like the heat has weakened the structural integrity. Let us hurry, I can see the entrance.”

A crimson conflagration filled the vision of Daisuke as he stood rooted to the ground.

The entrance to the Monitor Room was swallowed by explosive fumes which spurted out from the room opposite. The inferno spewed out with great ferocity that showed no signs of stopping.

“…It will be more roundabout, but let us make a detour.”

Yaeko turned around from where Daisuke is. The ground quaked, and a large fire appeared before her eyes.

—An explosion blasted from behind them, filling the passage with flames.

As a result, the two of them were trapped in the straight pathway from both sides.

“You… killed them? Those unrelated people… who have nothing to do with us Mushitsuki—”

—Squeak.

The metal making up the ceiling deformed. A tremor like an earthquake caused them to lose their balance.

“That is unkind of you, Kakkou. It is not as if I have killed human beings.”

Facing each other, the darkness at the back of Yaeko’s eyes seemed to sneer.

“As long as one of the Original Three is around, there is no knowing if one has been turned into a Mushitsuki or not. For all we know, all of the island’s populace could have been Mushitsuki.”

Yaeko spoke in a kind tone that seemed to embrace the immobilised Daisuke.

“If they were Mushitsuki, then they would not be human, is that not so?”

—Before he even realized, he was grasping the smiling Yaeko’s neck with his hand.

He did not know since when he even closed the distance between them, or why didn’t he just snap her neck there and then.

“Could it be that, Kakkou. You still think of yourself as a human?”

Looking down at Daisuke who was filled with killing intent, Yaeko still had a smile on her face.

“Do you still remember Fuyuhotaru? Holding supernatural power, she was a monster that drove the past SEPB to near annihilation. The ones who controls Mushi, something that should not exist in this world, are the Mushitsuki. Yet, Fuyuhotaru crushed all of them like they were insects. —What about you, who is even capable of suppressing such a monster? Who was the one who went on to turn even more Mushitsuki into Fallen one after another? Do you still yearn to be labelled as a human after accomplishing all that?”

If it was about himself, he had already given up. He was also used to being called a monster.

However, if this woman in front of him dares to.

The girl who entrusted her dream to Daisuke two years ago—.

And Hanashiro Mari who had a close friend who would get mad just from having her being slightly made fun of—.

And also, all the other Mushitsuki… who live desperately for the sake of themselves and their dreams—.

If she dares to say that they not human.

Most likely, he would.

“But, do not worry.”

Yaeko smiled compassionately like that of a saint.

“I would still love all of you even though you are monsters.”

Without hesitation.

Daisuke slowly exerted strength into the hand grasping her neck—.

—Stop it!

When he heard a voice.

“…!”

Just like the time when he was about to turn the Mushitsuki called Yomori Neiko into a Fallen.

Like that time when he was tormenting a Mushitsuki young man before the eyes of Rina.

As if she was trying to stop Daisuke from crossing the line into becoming a true monster.

—Daisuke!

It felt as though he could see the figure of the petite girl standing before him in obstruction.

“Uu… uuu…!”

He released his trembling arm from Yaeko. Having lost the target of his rage, he could do nothing but raise a groan.

In the case, what should I do then…? What is the right thing I should do?

“Are you suffering, Kakkou? I shall save you then.”

Yaeko cupped Daisuke’s cheeks with her hands.

“You do not have to think about anything. You do not have to do anything, just accept my love for you.”

And whispered sweetly.

Just that felt terribly soothing to him.

—Creak.

A shrill noise came from the ceiling again. The grating sound got louder, and the ceiling gradually buckled down.

“Let us escape from here. I am certain that you are able to do this, Kakkou.”

“…”

Daisuke swatted away her hands and dragged his battered body up.

“Kakkou?”

They were assaulted by tremors without end and surrounded back and front by fire spouts. To make matters worse, the ceiling was ready to collapse on them anytime.

Daisuke raised his arm up—and smashed it into the sidewall.

Yaeko’s feet left the ground for a moment. Such unimaginable impact shook the entire floor they were in. The single blow without holding back at all left a bloody imprint of his fist in the wall.

He then continued with his left fist. Once again, his skin tore and scattered blood all over.

Without pausing, he brought down his right fist onto the wall.

Right, followed by left, followed by right and repeat. The sound of fists punching the wall reverberated noisily in the enclosed passageway.

The patterns covering his cheeks and fists released a green glow.

Daisuke felt something important within himself being eroded steadily.

What Mushitsuki utilised was the power of the Mushi. And what the Mushi feed on, is the dream of its host—.

“It seems that you have reached the last of your strength. Even if it is you, Kakkou, you are far too feeble.”

He could hear Yaeko heave a sigh. However, he ignored it and continued to punch the wall.

The ceiling sank further.

—Perhaps, it may be fine to just die at a place like this.

That too, felt like an exceedingly attractive temptation.

However, he did not stop his fists.

Rather than his bloodied fists, he felt his cheek hurting.

It was the pain from being hit by somebody.

The pain disallowed him to come to a standstill, to sink into nothingness.

The imaginary pain moved Daisuke to action.

There was probably an explosion somewhere else. Along with a vertical shake, the ceiling at the front of the passageway collapsed.

“It appears that time is up.”

Gazing at the nearby destruction, Yaeko muttered as if it was someone else’s problem.

“—Aaaaah!”

With all his might, Daisuke drove his fist into the wall.

“Oooh!”

He gripped the wall with his blood-stained hands and pulled with his full strength.

The wall of the passageway—several tens of metres long, with thickness broader than his body, was teared off.

“…”

The smile disappeared from Yaeko’s face for the first time. Her narrows eyes were slightly widened.

Just as she mentioned, it was a wide room with monitors lining the walls. Daisuke roughly grabbed her wrist and entered the room.

At the same time as when they entered, the passageway behind them collapsed.

Why did I—.

He felt his mind to be in a daze and could not think of anything despite the feeling that he was here for some reason.

The green pattern on his skin became astir.

Why am I here—.

“Well done, Kakkou. There is still one job left for you to do.”

With a smile of satisfaction, Yaeko put on the headphone placed atop one of the panels. After pressing a few more buttons, several monitors came to life.

“Can you hear me, Navigator Room. —Yes, please transmit the extent of damages to me. And also, please activate the bulwarks on the deepest floor to the highest level. That is of utmost importance.”

She relayed order down one after another into the microphone.

“Kakkou. Please leave from that exit and head to the Interrogation Room at the end of the passage. Your equipment has already been prepared for you. The cause of our current crisis is located right there.”

At the back of the room, opposite the door locked down by fire was another exit.

“I have judged that it is unnecessary to interrogate him. —Exterminate him.”

Daisuke obeyed the command and ran towards the exit.

“Depending on the result, you may be re-acknowledged to be Blaze Class Rank 1.”

Blaze Class Rank 1—.

What meaning did that title hold.

And what did it bring himself.

Something disappeared from inside himself such that he could not even remember what it was.

However, just this he knew.

That no matter what he must do—he had to reclaim it at all costs.

“…”

He opened the door and dashed down the corridor.

There too, was invaded by flames.

Daisuke ran across amidst the rain of fire.

Eventually, he stood before a door.

There was a slot at the side of the wall. Inside was a jet-black coat and goggles, along with his familiar handgun.

He reached out for them mechanistically.

He put on the black long coat adorned with belts over his suit. He then retrieved a pair of thick gloves from the pocket of the coat and put them over his lacerated hands.

He placed the large goggles that covered over half of his face over his head and extended his hand towards the large automatic handgun.

Green feelers stretched out from his arm and coiled around the handgun. In the barrel of the gun morphed into the shape of the checkered beetle’s jaws, a bullet spun at high revolution.

Finally, he slowly opened the door.

What welcomed the fully-equipped Daisuke was a hell filled with inferno.

Heat air swept past him down the corridor, scorching the surface of the heat-resistant coat.

What was reflected in his eyes was a pure-white space.

And also, the large number of people in white coats lying on the ground.

At the centre of it all was—.

“Every single one of you tom, dick and harry are nothing but half-hearted.”

The crimson blaze which spread throughout the room.

They all originated from the person which was wrapped in a heat haze that resembled a Great Yama tiger beetle with fangs of unequal lengths.

“I’ll have to pay you back dearly for this debt. Don't you agree, SEPB!”

The youth with a tattoo on his cheek—Sehateno Harukiyo smiled like a demon.

Part 6

“Oh?”

Daisuke’s left fist arrowed in onto Harukiyo’s surprised face.

He broke through the wall of fire, instantly closing the distance between them.

With his coat flapping behind him, Daisuke’s arm swung past. The wind pressure produced dispersed the heat haze surrounding the tattooed youth into all directions.

“…Guh!”

However, the one who raised a groan was Daisuke.

Harukiyo moved even swifter than Daisuke who was fused with his Mushi. He avoided the punch by a paper-thin breadth and drove his own fist gushing with flames into Daisuke’s abdomen. An impact like an explosion blasted him away.

Sent flying, Daisuke automatically assumed a falling position and stood up immediately.

When he raised his head, he found himself facing the Great Yama tiger beetle made of fire with its jaws wide open. His goggles was lit a scarlet red.

Why am I fighting…?

Making to a rapid turn, the friction between the floor and Daisuke’s boots caused sparks to scatter, leaving a semicircle trail on the ground.

“—Ooh?”

Making an instantaneous turn circumventing the Great Yama tiger beetle, Daisuke used his arm to lock Harukiyo’s neck from behind. He then spun the tattooed youth around and slammed the back of his head into the wall.

The metal alloy wall, centred around where Harukiyo’s head was smashed into, broke down.

This guy is also a Mushitsuki… Why is it that Mushitsuki can only fight amongst themselves…?

Daisuke’s arm grabbing onto Harukiyo’s neck folded with the sound of creaking.

It was not that the wall had broken down.

The wall had been melted red-hot from heat emanating from the tattooed youth. He had grabbed onto Daisuke’s arm with his own and freed his neck with a strength unimaginable coming from a flesh and blood body.

—Rather than help one or two person, you’ve turned several ten, hundred times the number into Fallen.

Who was it who said that to him.

“This is my second time asking, isn’t it.”

The blazing eyes of the demon stared at Daisuke.

“Don’t tell me you thought that something like that goggles is enough to hide the auras of lowlifes like us? This is what you call a touching reunion. —No playing dumb this time, okay.”

His fist drove into Daisuke’s abdomen again, shooting him into the air.

Daisuke’s view was dyed crimson.

“Who are you?”

Daisuke was caught in the maws of the Great Yama tiger beetle. It bit into Daisuke who covered his face with his arms and smashed him through numerous walls of the facility helplessly.

Even as his consciousness felt like it was being held on by a thread from being crashed through walls after wall, he propped up his handgun.

A cannon-like blast which did not sound like it came from a gunshot roared.

The Great Yama tiger beetle dissipated into nothing.

Daisuke run back through the path in which he was blasted away.

That’s right… I should have a reason to fight for…

Harukiyo was converging the flames with a dauntless smile, once again forming it into the shape of the Great Yama tiger beetle. Countless fireballs materialised around him and shot for Daisuke in its aim.

Daisuke met the fireballs with bullets of his own.

“Hah Hah!”

Harukiyo’s dramatically swung fist homed in on Daisuke as he closed the distance. The explosion of the impact rained down embers wildly, leaving a red-hot crater on the ground.

However, Daisuke had jumped in a split second. —His knee crashed into the side of the tattooed youth’s face.

Airborne, Harukiyo hurtled into the wall. A ripple of red vaporised the wall in a flash.

“Kakkou.”

Pointing his handgun ahead, Daisuke named himself.

Starting from the Interrogation Room Harukiyo was in, the whole floor has been turned into ruins. With the walls separating the passageways from the rooms demolished, the entire level was just a wasteland of fire and rubble.

But, that doesn’t matter anymore—.

Who cares about anything and whatever.

However much he thought about it, he still couldn’t do a single thing properly. Everything turns out the way contrary to what he wanted.

—You do not have to think about anything.

Someone whispers at him.

It was indeed just so.

So long as he stops thinking… if he just focuses on defeating the enemy before him, wouldn’t that be sufficient? He even felt that that should be his purpose.

If what he recalls causes him pain.

Then, he might as well forget all about the girl which he turned into a Fallen—.

A streak of red light flashed out.

“Oi, look now.”

A chill ran down his back.

It was as if he was like that from the very start, like it was most natural thing in the world. When Daisuke turned around, he met the burning gaze of the demon. Even as a trail of blood trickled from the corner of his lips, he still had a pompous and majestic smile on his face.

“The party’s just started getting exciting, so don’t you go putting on that gloomy face.”

His palm wreathed in flames grasped Daisuke’s face. Daisuke’s chin was lifted up strengthlessly as he stared at the floor with his thoughts at a halt.

“Like this, you won’t even enter my sights. —Didn’t I say that before?”

Harukiyo’s fist dug into his torso. The blow was so strong that it made him felt dizzy.

“…!”

Daisuke tried to return a blow by pointing his handgun towards him, but he easily dodged it by turning his head to the side. Harukiyo then followed up with a kick to his face.

“What’s with you? Are you done with already? It does feel like you’re weaker than that time we met at Hanashiro Mari’s room.”

Harukiyo chained into a punch at Daisuke’s temple as he was sent flying. The Great Yama tiger beetle rammed through Daisuke, sinking his body into a wall that had remained standing.

“Or could it be that you’ve used up all your strength just to come here.”

Daisuke immediately got up to counterattack. However, he hit nothing and received a kick in his chest in return.

“—Hah. How lame. Don’t you dare lose to the Mushi over something trivial like that.”

Fissures ran through the wall and it crumbled noisily.

He’s strong—.

Daisuke stood up robotically and pointed his handgun. He continuously pulled the trigger, but all the shots were swallowed up by the Great Yama tiger beetle without exception.

His vision wavered.

Harukiyo’s kick had sent him flying again.

I’m going to lose—.

Daisuke’s mindless counterattacks were evaded entirely. The tattooed youth did not even need to use his hands anymore. Even the grin was gone from his face. With his hands in his pocket, he used Daisuke as his kicking board.

Is this going to bring about the end…?

Unable to even feel pain anymore, Daisuke thought in a daze.

That’s fine by me, it’s not like there’s anybody who’d wish for me to live anyway…

He lowered his arms that was blocking the kicks.

“Are you the same as Hanashiro Mari?”

Harukiyo did not stop kicking.

Hanashiro Mari—.

Daisuke perked up at hearing that name.

“Do you think everything is hopeless? That you’ve already done all you could? That’s why you have no regrets left? You don’t want to think anymore?”

The youth wrapped in flames bellowed at Daisuke in rage, as though it was Daisuke’s fault that he was winning.

“To not have to think about anything, of course that’s easy! Once you give up, everything’s over and done with! But, you know, that’s just being half-baked! If you’re gonna give up, then don’t even bother in the first place! Don’t abandon everything just because you’ve experienced a wee bit of pain! Stop living your life rejecting others! Is that all you’re made off? Are you even living to your fullest? Aah? Don’t you live half-heartedly for even a single second, for a single fibre of your being!”

As Daisuke yielded himself to the flurry of attacks, he pondered.

Hanashiro Mari—.

Who did that name belonged to?

“Don’t you dare become a Mushitsuki with that half-baked dream of yours if you’re gonna give up on it midway.”

Think.

Mushitsuki.

That’s right, Hanashiro Mari was a Mushitsuki.

She was already departed from this world. A girl who was a Fusion Type Mushitsuki and lived in solitude, similar to Daisuke.

At the same time as he recalled that, he felt his cheek hurt

There were countless parts of his body which were supposed to be hurting a lot more, but there was the only part which burned up and felt unbearably painful. The pain was so much so that—his tightly shut eyes were forcefully opened, unminding of his own will.

“…”

He blocked the foot that approached his face. Harukiyo’s movement came to a sudden stop.

—Just what in the world are Mushitsuki?

The girl hitting Daisuke with teary eyes, Ichinokuro Arisu, said so. Earnestly, from the bottom of her heart.

—I want to know what Mari truly thought. And also, just what are the Mushitsuki.

Borrowing the words of the youth in front of him, she was thinking about things to her “fullest”.

Daisuke swung his arm around.

As expected, his attack was avoided and the counter from Harukiyo dislodged his goggles.

“…Don’t get in my way!”

Holding his ground, Daisuke glared at Harukiyo.

He remembered his own thoughts—and what was it he was fighting for.

Ichinokuro Arisu.

If he was together with her, would also come to know?

If he walked alongside her who was trying to find out what are the Mushitsuki—find out what did Hanashiro Mari thought, would he then understand?

About what are the Mushitsuki.

And why is it that they could only fight between one another.

If he is able to unravel this mystery, would he be able to achieve his objective for fighting all the time up till now?

“This is not the place for me to come to a standstill.”

He swung his left arm for a punch.

But, that was ducked.

“You’ve finally looked up.”

The demon-like smile returned to Harukiyo’s face.

“No can do, I’m gonna stand in your way with all I’ve got.”

The reason for which he has fought so far.

—So one day, you must recall your dream as well.

For the sake of the girl with the same dream as him who he exchanged a promise with. A Mushitsuki girl who cried for all the people that she hurt.

Daisuke chose to fight.

And in these days of fighting, he dreamed of the day to come when he can converse with Fuyuhotaru.

The two who passed by each other that day.

The tiny dream exchanged between the two.

For a future where the two who shared the same dream can chat with laughter, without conflict nor anything to do with Mushitsuki—.

Until the time comes when the promise between Daisuke and the girl is fulfilled.

When she recalls the same dream as Daisuke of finding a place to belong.

He will make it come true.

None other than Daisuke himself will create such a world to welcome the girl back.

To end the fight between Mushitsuki and create a world where people do not need to hurt others—that is Daisuke’s purpose. That is the one thing he can do for the girl who had entrusted her dream to him with a smile.

“The one who was supposed to make my dream come true, Hanashiro Mari… You shall take responsibility for the disappearance of the one who was supposedly stronger than me.”

“Like hell I care. If you’re going to get in my way, then I shall crush you.”

The gazes of the two Mushitsuki clashed in close proximity.

Harukiyo’s fist struck Daisuke.

However, Daisuke’s fist also aimed true at him this time. Scattering embers all around, both of them bent backwards. But, they instantly got face-to-face again and started brawling.

Whenever the Great Yama tiger beetle raised a roar, a gunshot would ring out to dissipate the flames. When one’s face was hit, a blow to the stomach would be returned.

“Hah hah!”

Knocked back by each other’s blows, a distance was placed between the two. Harukiyo had a demon-like smile, while Daisuke glared at him reticently.

Right at that time.

“Kakkun!”

“…Kakkou-kun…”

Several presence appeared around them and Daisuke could hear some familiar voices.

The figure of Neiko and Kurisaka Ayuyu in white coats and goggles appeared. They must have been reinforcement sent from the other floors. A total of ten people in white turned up consecutively.

“Tch, so the small fries are here. What a downer.”

Harukiyo’s smile faded.

“Oi, Kakkou.”

The youth with the aura of a frenzied berserker rapidly settled down. He queried in an easygoing tone as if chatting with an old friend.

“What is the thing that you said that you must do no matter what just now?”

Daisuke did not let his guard down. He felt no obligations to answer him honestly, but an image arose in his mind.

It was the teary-eyed Arisu.

When asked what was the thing that he must do no matter what, the first thing that popped up in his mind was a headache-inducing problem.

“First, I’ll have to apologize to her, I guess… Don't make me remember something so unpleasant.”

Having heard the mutterings that leaked out from his mouth unconsciously, Harukiyo laughed amusedly.

“apologize? Oh? You, are going to apologize? You, who trust nobody apart from yourself such that you think you are the strongest, not mention being totally headstrong and obstinate, that you are going to?”

Daisuke thought of retorting at him to mind his own business, but did not as he was mostly spot on.

“I see. That certainly—sounds interesting. More so than settling things here right now.”

Following that, the grinning youth was swallowed up by an irregularly-shaped flame which grew fangs.

The Great Yama tiger beetle made of fire gaped its mouthpiece and let out a deafening roar.

The wild blaze then blew past Daisuke and rocketed through the facility.

“…!”

After the heat wave have passed, the tattooed youth was gone without a trace.

Daisuke clicked his tongue.

There was not even any vestige of his presence left. With his ability to show up and disappear like a phantom like back at Hanashiro Mari’s hospital room, and his overwhelming strength, it was highly probable that he could escape from here. —To speak nothing of the fact that he purposely let himself be captured, and probably memorised the escape route.

“Yet another troublesome fellow has showed up again…”

All the strength drained from the knees of the sighing Daisuke.

“Kakkun!”

Having long went past the limits of his body, Daisuke collapsed onto the ground without registering Ayuyu’s voice.

Part 7

A full moon hung in the night sky.

Bathed under the moonlight, a green checkered beetle descended from the sky.

It landed on the shoulder of a youth.

Kusuriya Daisuke was walking along the long fence of the Ichinokuro residence. Thereupon, a voice came at him from above.

“Yo, Kakkou. How’re you feeling?”

With the same voice as yesterday in the same tone.

It was Kasuou dressed in her uniform. She landed next to Daisuke.

“The best.”

His voice was heavier than during yesterday.

Also in his uniform, there was however a plaster on his cheek. The majority of his injuries were healed by Neiko’s ability, but due to the nature of only healing the areas reachable by her song, the parts completely burnt away or vaporised were unrestored. Even with the protection of his coat, his body was strewn with burns.

—You shall be re-acknowledged as Blaze Class Rank 1.

Despite his failure to suppress him, they must have recognised his contributions towards the repelling of Sehateno Harukiyo. Miguruma Yaeko had announced that while looking down on the injured Daisuke. Being in a weakened state due to his injury and fatigue, Daisuke did not manage to take in the meaning of that sentence for a moment—.

“Seems like both your body and spirit are in tatters. Want me to comfort you? I’ll be gentle.”

“I reject with all my heart and soul.”

“…I’m sure of it now. As expected, you definitely hate me, right.”

Ignoring the light banter from Kasuou, Daisuke approached the gate. He heard a voice mixed with laughter from behind saying, ‘Do your best to get that kid to nurse you and perk up’.

He felt heavy-hearted.

Approaching the gate, Daisuke heave a sigh, a habit he has adopted since coming to Akamaki City.

If he needed nursing, then Kujou Takako would have been more suitable for the job.

And if he wanted to perk up, that should be left to Saionji Ena.

However, as for the girl who lived in this mansion…

No, rather…

He did not know what expression should he face Arisu with.

Of course, he knew that needed to apologize.

However, Daisuke had given up on the matter regarding Hanashiro Mari, even if it was momentarily.

At the same time, that of his dream as well.

I—.

When he opened the gate, he found the girl standing there dauntingly.

With the exact same appearance, same look of anger on her face, she looked down at him.

“Stupid Daisuke.”

This girl—.

A smile formed on his face unconsciously.

Arisu truly is—.

For now, Daisuke just spoke what was on his mind.

He felt as if his shoulders were lightened a little, if only just slightly.

“Yea, you’re right, I’m an idiot.”

Looking at the mumbling Daisuke, Arisu knotted her eyebrows. She seemed baffled to see him being honest for once.

“It’s my bad. I wholly apologize for speaking bad about Hanashiro Mari. So, won’t you repair your mood already.”

Unlike yesterday, he intended to ask for forgiveness candidly.

However, the expression of anger on her face all the more deepened.

“…? W-what is it, is there still something else?”

“Will you not know unless I spell it out for you? That is why you are such an idiot.”

Arisu sighed with a look of exasperation.

She thoughtlessly hit Daisuke’s chest with her small fist huffily.

“Of course there’s that matter about Mari also, but… if you ever say something like that again, I’ll seriously get angry.”

“Aren’t you angry enough as it is already. Just what are you referring to?”

“Don’t say things like you will die so easily.”

Arisu glared straight ahead at Daisuke solemnly.

Daisuke widened his eyes.

—Hanashiro Mari had a close friend who would seriously get angry on her behalf.

He felt like he become one step closer to being like her.

“…What the heck, so it was just something like that.”

Muttering softly, Daisuke brushed off her hand.

Arisu raised her eyebrows.

“Something like that, you say?”

“It’s merely something like that. …I don’t have the least bit of intention of dying. Even if I was to leap into flames right now, I still wouldn’t die.”

From the bottom of his heart, he said earnestly.

Looking down at Daisuke who spoke levelly as he took off his shoes, Arisu raised a groan.

“You really just can’t be honest with yourself… If you’re going to live your life so fast-paced, you can just go be an old man.”

“If I were to be an old man, then the same-age you are bound to be an old woman.”

“A young beauty like myself would never age. —Hm? Are you injured? What happened?”

Circling before Daisuke who walked down the corridor, Arisu stared into his face.

At the question, he recollected the happenings over these past few days.

He was slapped by Arisu.

A witch with a chain-like smile appeared before him.

He learned about the existence of Sanbikime and its subsequent demise.

He fought against a demon which manipulates flames.

He gave up on his dream—and recalled it again.

All of which were related to the matter about Hanashiro Mari. All trifle matters which Ichinokuro Arisu did not need to know about.

A falling silver light appeared in the edge of his vision.

It was the silver morpho butterfly.

The continuation of Hanashiro Mari’s dream.

“Nevermind. It was nothing much.”

Daisuke said as he smiled gently.

—See you tomorrow!

Looking back at him oddly, Arisu thought that his smile overlapped with that of Mari.

To be continued

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