act44side

Kami?

Yeah. I think all the funny stuff going on around Mitsukue has been tricks played by these kami-sama. And I'm looking for one of the many out there.

You don't believe me?

Oni are more familiar into monastery-type stuff.

Besides, I'm finding it hard to guess what sort of kami-sama would be so bored as to hop on a unicycle and curse my house.

Haha, sounds like most other Oni I know.

Why are you looking for this 'kami-sama'? Do you think one of them's cursed you?

The opposite, actually. Did me a solid once.

But one day, It just vanished.

Could it be the Wanyuudou?

Maybe? Can't say for sure. After all, I can't tell what the unicycling kami-sama looks like.

So, mind doing me a favor?

If you see the Wanyuudou, or are even... lucky enough to see Its actual form, help me check if It looks like this.

Moriuchi pulls out a ring of keys from his pocket, with a tiny keychain attached.

A maneki-neko? Isn't that a mascot Higashinese Felines created based on Feline Beast Stewards?

The kami-sama I met practically looks the same, apart from the size difference.

Hoshiguma-san, since you're no ghost, then I wager you're after this Wanyuudou to figure out what's up with your house, yeah?

Taishou, I never introduced myself to you.

Are you one of the Kinsekikai?

(Shakes head) Naw. Why would anyone from the Kinsekikai set up a yatai here?

An informant for the cops, then?

(Shakes head) Rather throw my life away.

An information broker.

(Does not nod or shake head)

Ha, I mean, what kind of intel guy would admit he's in the business?

But if you're in the business, then I don't think it's fair for you to ask me for help without offering anything in return.

Hah. What sort of reward would you like, Hoshiguma-san? If it's information, I can tell you all I know.

Don't worry about it. We can come back to that once I figure out what kind of information I'm after.

Anything that would cost you your life if you talked about it? Best to let me know beforehand. Last minute confessions won't get you any help from me.

No, if you really manage to find me a useful clue or two, nothing's off the table.

Deal?

Deal.

Alright. So, where should I go looking for that Wanyuudou? A shrine?

Don't forget, the city under us isn't called 'Nan'in Anzai Mitsukueooyashiro' for nothing. This is the Southern Court's De-Facto Capital Mitsukue Grand Shrine. You can't possibly want me to go on a whole pilgrimage route?

Of course not. Do you know where's the place locals call Kizuna Jinja, the shrine of bonds?

Heard a bit about that one.

Though, if you know exactly which one to go to, why haven't you gone yourself?

Kamigami are fickle beings. They'll willingly appear before some, but won't grace others, no matter what.

And you're part of that 'other' group?

Seems so, ever since that kami left me.

Taishou! My scooter's all busted! Help me fix it before the guys chasing me catch up!

EEK! WHY ARE YOU HERE?!

Still think I'm a ghost, huh?

Wait, so, you're not?

*Sigh*

Momoka? What's with the panic?

I'm being chased! I rode my scooter here and shook them off, but it broke down. Could you get it running again?

Who's after you?

It's... It's Mio-san...

Mio? Then you best be good and follow her home. Overstep your calorie count again?

No, she wants to... get rid of me!

My TV suddenly freaked out and started broadcasting scary stuff!

She was talking to Mifune-san! They said—Death or Oripathy! <i>Tasukete!</i>

Momoka starts to babble incoherently.

Moriuchi has no time to react before Hoshiguma walks over to the scooter.

Death? Oripathy? Momoka-san, did you offend them somehow?

All I did was to post one message, I wasn't planning anything or scheming with Tessai, nuh-uh!

Scheming with Tessai?

Let's see if this ride's fixable.

Why don't you go after the Wanyuudou first?

Playing dumb, information broker-san?

This is my second time scaring Momoka-san here. She's in a pinch now, so I should do what I can to even the score.

Momoka-san, I promise you as long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you.

<i>Sankyuu</i>...

—Someone's coming from Nita Street! Are they after me?

Kinsekikai outfits... seems to be the case.

Taishou! Ghost-san! Save me!

Ghost-san? Me?

Sorry, I still don't know your name...

That aside, your ride's back in action.

Hop on, and leave the rest to me.

Ghost-san!

Oh, so here you are, <i>Momo-cchi.</i>

Be a good girl and come on home with us, yeah? Play nice and we won't hurt you.

Wh-Where's Mio-san? I want to talk to her!

What'cha trying to do, huh? Negotiate with us?

For real, just be good and come on back with us. Then we'll forget everything that happened today. Keep running, and I can't say for sure that your pretty face won't have some new scars by the time we're done playing hide-and-seek.

Better worry about yourselves first.

And just who d'you think you are?

Go, Momoka. I'll handle them.

I can't leave you here all by yourself!

Then keep the back seat empty for me.

*Indecipherable tongue-click* I don't care who you are, or the bluff you're trying to pull, <i>usero!</i>

Start the engine!

<i>Omae!</i> Don't think you're getting away!

Momoka revs the engine, and the one-horned Oni jumps onto the scooter's back seat as the yakuza's weapon swings through the air.

<i>Chikushou!</i> Fire! FIRE! Fill that pesky Oni and her ride with holes!

What do we do?!

Just keep riding as fast as you can. Leave everything else to me.

Momoka is unable to take in her words. She was already hyperventilating before, and her fear turns her into a sobbing mess.

But through her tears, she realizes the lack of crossbow bolts flying past her. She hears only the sound of metal crashing into metal behind her, and the dull thump of bodies hitting something.

She does not know what's going on behind, and can't let go of her worries, so she can only cry as she turns her head around—

Bolts, daggers, and desperate punks, all slamming into Ghost-san's shield.

The shield stands only half a person's height, but in the single-horned Oni's hands it is practically a wall behind her scooter.

I'm gonna turn!

Don't worry about me. You'd ridden this fast before?

OnlywhenfilminganditwasfakeIDON'THAVEACHOICEANYWAYS!

What did they teach you when you were filming?

C-Countersteer, then lean in...

Yeah, just do that.