Tasogare-iro no Uta Tsukai:Volume3 Introductory Play 2nd Act

Introductory Play - Act 2: Tune of the A-Minor

Part 1

Towering before one's eyes, a dark grey fence surrounded a gigantic sturcture. Decades had passed since its construction, here and there the surface had crumbled. Dark green moss had grown up in the shadowy sections. This was the place of the world's foremost cardinal recitations research -- Kelberk Research Facility. The research headquarters rising up was the heart of the great research organization that possessed branches across the continent.

...No matter how I try, I just can't like this strict place.

Gazing at the of the Institute's headquarters at the heart of the organization, Xins hung his head in his heart.

"Good grief, my senpai gave me a troublesome matter."

Glancing at his arm fixed in a cast, he sighed.

The person who loses the board game has to go. It was a mistake to make that bet in the first place.

Really that senpai, I think its unfair to get stronger as soon as the betting is done..

"...Now then, I wonder what I should do with the heretical researcher."

Carrying a briefcase with a special lock in his right hand, Xins turned his feet towards the inside of the research institute grounds.

Crossing the door guarding the front, he advanced to the reception desk.

"Ah, umm"

Before he could state his business, a business smile rose to the surface of the reception lady.

"You are Xins-sama, right? I heard from Klaus that you would be visiting today."

"Oh is that so?"

As expected of senpai. You made arrangements to this degree for me, didn't you?

"Yes, 『A man with bandages wrapped around his left hand, an incompetent impression, delicate appearance, and spouting complaints should be coming around today』or so Klaus-sama said last night when he contacted me"

...Incompetent.

I take back my previous remarks. That person is ill-natured.

"Ah, but I realized it was you by your dry grass colored coat!."

In a panic the woman continued. He was lost as to what would be a good response. In the end Xins shrugged his shoulders.

"By the way about your business today, is it fine to say that you are here to meet the vice-chief?"

ーーI haven't told you. No, did I even say I was here for business?

Geez, It's just like senpai to give malicious consideration. Imagining the face of the great leader of the Exorcists, Xins sighed unnoticably.

"ーーNo. This time I'm not visiting to see her as the vice-chief. I have business with her as an <A Minor>.

Xins accounced a rarely used 『Title』to the reception lady.

"Please report that <A Minor>'s 11th member is here to meet her."

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Kelberk Research Institute Headquarters, Top Floor

The room at the furthest end, It was peculiarly differrent from the other office rooms and laboratories.

At best it was a small room 3 meters wide in all directions. The window for illumination was blocked by a curtain. There was only one furnishing placed in the gloomy room, a giant desk that spanned the room.

There wasn't a vase, carpet or even a bookshelf.

This is ーーー The continent famous Kelberk Research Institute Headquarter's Vice-Chief's room.

"...Geez, why do I have to do this boring work?"

Stacked on the desk in heaps were hundreds of documents.

Those documents were set about by a single young woman. Gathered at the right side of the desk were the approved documents. The signed ones were added to the pile on the right.

Worthless, truly worthless. This is why I didn't want to take the position of Vice-Chief and the like.

While resting from racing her pen about, she spat out complaints. Though it was hard to tell since she was sitting in the chair, the woman was quite tall. At the very least as tall as the average male. Her researcher's white robe was practically a man's robe.

Her eyes were long and sharp.　Dark green hair was cut evenly just before her shoulders. Generally the woman gave the impression of a sharp blade.

That is Kelberk Research Institute's Vice ChiefーーーSarinarva・Endocoat .

"...Might as well burn all these documents. It's also a way to make the one responsible, the vice-chief, retire.

She nodded 'uh-huh' with a suspicious appearance. Or not, contrary to expectations she had a serious face.

"If I remember correctly there are matches inside the desk. All right, strike while the iron is hotーーー"

"That's no good Vice-Chief! That's entirely no good."

The door had opened without warning on the woman fishing around the inside of the desk.

It was a short woman wearing a white researcher's robe.

"Grr... Secretary huh?"

"Secretary is it? Though my job title is the head research manager."

With a smile she corrected her boss's language. Pointing out with those words, the short woman explicity stated her rank and position.

"Yeah yeah, well don't say such stuffy things. Either way there isn't much difference. ...And, what are you here for? I'm quite busy from here on, I have to quickly take decisive action to burn these documents."

"It's a guest."

"...Ah, it's probably a boring researcher from somewhere. Tell them I'm busy."

But, the manager shook her head without changing her expression .

"It's <A Minor> "

With a snap, Sarinarva's facial expression changed. From her out of focus expression up until now, it became cold and sweet ーーー like a sweet poison, a dangerous look.

"To think that someone would specifically come to this wretched place. Which person from <A Minor>? Klaus The Leader ? Or is it NessirisThe Grand Singularity ? Or ChanteThe Song Empress princess ?

""Tell her the 11th came" was what he said"

One moment she had a flabbergasted expression ーー but the next moment a look of delight floated across her eyes.

"No way, {The Rainbow Color | Xins}!"

"You sure seem happy"

"Yes. Amongst THAT <A Minor> the only one I have any respect for is him"

Hopping out of her chair, with one hand in her pocket the vice-chief walked out

"What about these documents? There's over half of them still left"

"Same as usual. You are suitable so I'll give it to you as my amanuensis"

"Other than approving the budget, I'll reject all others. Is that ok?"

"I don't care. That much collatoral damage is within expectation"

"Ok"

"Good answer. Now then do as you like"

With a board grin that raised the corners of her mouth, Sarinarva・Endocoat turned her feet towards the first floor's guest room. The hard, dry sound of high heels echoed through the hallway.

...Even so, it's XinsThe Rainbow .

According to the rumors he broke his left hand while kicking a puppy. I wonder if that is really true?

Part 2

Please wait a minute. I'll immediately go call herーー

The short woman said those words, how much more would they make him wait.

"It's that person after all, I wonder if she is in the middle of an experiment."

The teacup was already cold. Without using his hands, Xins sank into the sofa.

• click*ーーSuddenly, footseps resounded from the hallway past the door.

"...So the rumors were true huh?"

It was her preference. Unusual for a researcher, she prefered the hard to walk in high heels. Apparently the person in question found the footsteps in the hallways to play pleasant sounds.

• click*...*click*, The uniform rhythmic footsteps stopped right in front of the doorway.

"All riiiiight, you came at a particularly good point Xins!"

Suddenly, the extravegant door was kicked open.

"Right now I'm in need of an experiment subject for a new medicine. You're freeーー"

"No way."

Xins quickly asserted before letting the other person finish.

"I'll splurge on your wages though?"

"No Thanks"

"...What, I'll add 3 meals a day and nursing to it"

"On the subject of adding nursing, as I thought I refuse. My life is more important"

What, that's boring.

While grumbling, the woman sat down on the opposite sofa.

"It's been a while. You look healthy."

"Yea, It's because I don't have to move for 16 hours. The later 30 hours are easy."

If you ask whether she was serious or joking, of course without a doubt she was serious.

Sarinarva・EndocoatーーIn regards to Kelberk Research Institute Headquarters's vice-chief, she was the young scientist on Kelberk Research Facility's board of directors.

Prideful of her research cravings that could be called madness, her fellow researchers stuck her with the label of eccentric.

Devoting herself to research and forgetting to drink water to the point of dehydration was an everyday occurance.

You could also say she was a troublesome person who if she thought up a new experiment in the dead of night though it was 3 or 4 am she would wake up all her assistants.

A moody person who no one understand's her true feelings and who isn't familiar with the group's research. But the woman who was the research institute's vice-chief had indcredibly excellent backing.

"Research is fine and all but, please take care of your body too"

"No need to worry. I make sure to take in one meal a day"

As she said that she took out a nutrient bar out of her breast pocket. Most likely it was her "daily meal".

"In any case, I never thought you would have come here. You with the <A Minor> assembly's worst attendence rate."

Sarinarva told him with a wide grin and a teasing look in her eyes.

"Once in a while I work, and senpai shouted at me"

With a bitter smile on his face, Xins rose up from the back of the sofa.

<A Minor>, in any case <A Minor's 11th Melody>.

It was an assembly with barely 11 members. In order for the assembly's existence to rarely come to the surface, the number of people who knew about it was few. However every one of those 11 people were rare specialists in a specific realm. Each one's statements possessed clout exceeding the giant factions.

In contrast with their very weak degree of fame, without exception reciters and scholars on the same path were fearful of the trancendental meeting of those called the supreme (elite? at the pinnacle?).

At first everyone thought that the formation of such a group was impossible. Because though there were many who could be on that list, who among the exceedingly superior would allow themselves to be tied to an organization?

That one who realized that impossibility was the Exorcist's leader Klaus Yung Gillshuvesher.

Originally the assembly had no name. But from those who knew about it, the heretical leader altered it to be called one of the music scales <A Minor>. In order for it not to become a very well known name, they called it by an informal name.

"...I also was really reluctant to but, there are two reasons I did"

"Oh?"

"I'll say the reason on paper. If I with the assembly's worst attendance record came, you with the second worst attendance record would probably not get your lazy butt in gear."

<A Minor> 7th ーー Sarinarva・Endocoat.

She published thesis papers one after another for new thoeries on recitation catalysts. Every single one of them is an original theory.

Highly valued by Klaus for her ability, she was made a member of <A Minor> one and a half years ago.

"Yeah, no mistake. That's a very Klaus way of thinking."

A laughing voice rose for some time, the woman smiled for only a moment.

"But well, that doesn't really matter. Hurry up and let me hear the main point."

"It's this."

Xins placed his briefcase on the table between them. It was a sturdy container made of black leather. A metal lock was installed over it's opening.

"Tha's pretty strict security. What are the contents?"

"What if I said it's an artificial catalyst that the Kelberk branch made in the strictest secrecy?"

With an inhale the look in the woman's eyes increased in sharpness.

"ーーI'll listen to your story. <EggIncubation Jewel>, without argument it's a defective product"

"Yes. But somehow it doesn't seem to be that that simple of a story either."

Revealing with his gaze, he opened the briefcase.

Red・Blue・Yellow・Green・White. 5 of them in all, resembling sparkling jewels, eliptical shaped catalysts.

"Is it okay to touch them?"

"Yes, they have already been used once"

Carelessly the woman grabbed the white <EggIncubation Jewel>

• Rattle* a dry sound echoed in the parlor.

"...Moreover it seems that something is contained inside."

"That's right. Somehow or other it seems that side is the real calatalyst doesn't it. I think the shell's purpose after all is to accelerate the catalyst's reaction. I'll get right to the point, I want a detailed analysis of this thing.

"I have an interest in this as well. I understand, as far as this is concerned leave it to me. As soon as the results are done I'll report it to every organization"

While staring at the <EggIncubation Jewel> the woman nodded.

"Please do. However there is one more problem."

Rather, this matter is the main one.

"The mysterious reciter who petrified people, right?"

"You knew about it?"

Unintentionally, Xins raised an eyebrow. It was only just a few days before that he had received the terrifying report from certain sources.

"Because our branch was completely attacked it's as you'd expect. It appears that Tremia Academy's teachers and moreover several students succeeding in subjugating it. Good grief, this also is a continuation of the problems that have been occuring."

"And the story is that mysterious reciter also made the grey <EggIncubation Jewel>"

"Yeah. In addition to that it seems that Tremia Academy is also managing that right now."

"ーーLet's get to the real issue at hand"

Xins lowered his voice.

Looking from the catalysts on the table to the woman.

"Amongst the ones who settled this affair at the branch was senpai's only daughter."

"Yeah, I'm acquainted with her. The daughter resembles her father with her strong competetive spirit."

Ada Yung Gillshuvesher.

The facts that the Exorcist's Chief Klaus told the Rainbow Color Reciter Xins about that girl's accomplishments were astonishing.

The unusual recited creatures were said to petrify people in an instant. The weird <OratorioSong of Praise> that called them out. And the seed that was recently reported to be in a different family altogether, the True Spirit wielding the silver swords.

"The fiendish recitation that completely fell one laboratory. The agressive recited creatures and True Spirit. The culprit hasn't been caught, and his purpose is a mystory. Anyhow there are many mysteries with this incident. The investigation committee that was formed is blocked from anything good. Therefore there is a request from one of those committee members for

The whereabouts of the manufacturer of the <EggIncubation Jewel>, the identity of the mysterious recitation and its singer, these are the targets of the investigation along with capturing him.

And to accept Klaus's request.

"...Normally I'd disregard such a thing, but this time only I really can't, huh?"

"The meeting is in 10 days. The meeting place is at senpai's estate."

"Understood. In the meantime I need to perform my duties"

Leisurely the woman rose from her seat.

"Which means?"

"I'm headed to Tremia・Academy. The ones who witnessed the grey <EggIncubation Jewel> are under their control aren't they? Without first seeing the goods there would be no conversation. Moreover there are 5 colors of <EggIncubation Jewel> as well, it's about time Tremia's side creates a post facto report. I also want to look through the place.

"That's unusually cooperative of you."

"This is a case that interestes me as a researcher. Are you also coming with me?"

"...Yes let's see"

Tremia Academy. As for himself it's a place with more than a few connections. That day, that time, he fulfilled a precious promise within himself. However, it wasn't entirely concluded. He wanted to have another conversation with that night color boy.

ButーーHis inner thoughts were conflicted and held him back. Xins shook his head sideways.

"Certainly. Or so I'd like to say but, I also have a place to investigate beforehand."

It wasn't yet time to meet with that boy.

Sooner or later a time where they naturally meet by chance will come.

"That and it would be a little hard for me to go far with these wounds."

He raised his arm wrapped in bandages for show.

"Yeah, what was it again, I heard that you broke a bone while kicking a puppy though"

Puppy....

"To what level are you lowering me to."

"Huh? I heard it from ChanteThe Song Empress Princess though?"

<A Minor>, 6th member [Opera SeriaSong Empress Princess] ーー Chante A Soma.

The reciter possessing the highest class 『voice』.

"...Good grief, the songstress loves exagerations doesn't she."

"Well, I also agree that she loves exaggerated rumors."

A quiet laughing voice leaked out of Sarinarva.

"But rejoice Xins, I have good news. Just a few days ago I finally succeeded in refining a medicine that can heal a bone fracture in one day!"

Her cloths flew with a thud as the oddball declared this loudly.

"...What's with that blatantly shady secret medicine"

"Haahaaha. Moreover its not an ointment but a oral medicine"

How exactly is it going to heal a bone fracture as an oral medicine .

"Since you've said that much, I no longer have any intent to find out just how dangerous it is."

"...Is that so? Well in that case I can't be unreasonable"

Without an indication of feeling bad, the woman quickly pulled herself back. What's this? She's unusually meek. To think something like that with this researcher companion must never be done.

"By the way Xins, would you like to drink some tea? I especially prepared the lemon tea that you are fond of."

The woman guestured towards the cups left on the table with her eyes.

Xins politely refused.

"No. Because previously a certain someone's handmade cookies had a 『Surpass Klaus in a day muscle augmenting drug』 mixed in."

"Oh, you have a good memory don't you?"

"It's because after that I spent 3 days sick in bed with my entire body shivering from chills. This time also I thought 'maybe that 『heal bone fractures in a single day medicine』was mixed in?'"

"Magnificent... Magnificent Xins. how wonderfully you've seen through it."

Why was this mad scientist folding her arms and nodding contendedly.

...See, as expected.

"Is fine for me to leave already? I'm sensing danger to my body after all"

Half in schock she rose from her seat. But, it was as if to stop him.

"danger to your body, huh?"

Suddenly the hardness returned to the woman's voice.

"Say Xins. The current investigation exists but"

Slowly, accompanied by small sounds of footsteps, the woman faced the room's window. He turned his back towards her as she stared at the spacious sky outside the room.

Just like that, several moments of silence passed.

With his back facing herーー

"The unconfirmed Grey Color Recitation, I received a report that it was the WhiteArzus reverse song that was effective."

Rapidly talking, she told him that.

"I know your strength but... You can't even be a little careless you know."

While his back was turned her hand waved. Facing her, Xins gave a small bow.

"I am thankful for your concern. Well then, It's 10 days from now"

"Yeah. You as well, take care of yourself"

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