act44side

Hoshiguma, have you finished your chat with the priest?

We're almost finished. Where is Kichisei?

She left already. She had to go back and mind the store.

Is this girl coming with us?

Yes, Momoka is coming too. She knows all the kaidan stories. That should be enough to convince you to tag along, yeah?

I already told you I was going. I didn't need more convincing, so why does it matter that she's coming with?

Despite its words, the kami still pedals its unicycle over to Momoka, sniffing to the left and peeking over to the right, looking thoroughly intrigued.

Little girl, I've seen so many of your TV shows. Have you been afflicted with some kind of curse?

H-How should I know?!

I'm actually afraid of kaidan. I just want a quiet life, without all the weird stuff.

You're not the least bit curious about them?

I just want to advance my entertainment career.

The kaidan stuff helped me broaden my audience, but I don't really feel... that's the best way to do it.

Entertainers should rely on their own talent to bring people joy. That's how it should be done.

There aren't too many people who still think like you do. Interesting.

By the way, I wanted to ask you something! Last night, some really scary stuff happened in my house!

Out of nowhere, my TV started controlling itself; it showed clips of me singing, cut together with those blaring emergency alerts.

Then at the end, I have no idea why, but it played a really... scary video.

Tsk tsk tsk! What was the video about? Some cryptid? A bloody murder scene?

None of those things. It was... a video of Mio-san. And soon after the video ended, she actually did show up at my place...

Wasn't that just your TV on the fritz? That's not the kind of kaidan I'm looking for.

It's not?

You've been studying these kaidan. Don't you think they're actually just humans messing around?

You really don't get it, do you? If the ghost stories were all just human mischief, would I even be investigating them in the first place?

Each of these kaidan defy any conceivable explanation.

When people can't figure out the cause of something, guys like Moriuchi just go and pin the blame on us kami.

And if even a kami can't figure out what's going on, well, that just means there's someone or something stronger, more mysterious, and way more thrilling than me pulling the strings behind the scenes.

But you're the one riding the unicycle.

Ahem... That doesn't matter. Don't try to change the subject!

So you mean you're also chasing kami? You're chasing the 'kami above the kami'?

Exactly!

Kichisei?

You swapped terminal numbers with Kichisei?

Yes. The agency doesn't usually let me interact with my fans. And she's such a big one.

Hello? Kichisei?

What?

What?!

That's not true! I didn't mean it—that's not what I meant!

Right! I never once said I was running!

Yes. Uhuh.

You can't talk now...? You think you're being followed?!

Okay. Well then I'll...

Oh? The shrine too?

Right. I'll tell everyone right away. Be careful!

Someone spread word that you're running away?

Kichisei said it was spreading all over the forums. It didn't seem like some random rumor, more like something Kinseki Channel deliberately leaked…

What's up with Kichisei then?

A Kinsekikai guy was tailing her. She also said the area around the shrine might not be safe, she saw people sneaking around when she stepped out through the shrine gate.

The next time you see Kichisei, please thank her for me.

You really don't need to be too worried. Whether or not the yakuza are running around Mitsukue, even if they dare invade the shrine, they're just causing themselves trouble.

If you need to take shelter within the shrine grounds, you can head inside. I'll handle everything else. If you'd rather leave, I'll show you the way out. Take the side path.

I think we'd better leave. The longer we stay here, the more men they can deploy around here to get us.

Momoka, you're gonna have to ride the scooter.

Okay! I've been riding all night. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it!

Then we'll be going, Kannushi-sama.

If I go with you, are those yakuza going to chase me too?

We'll try our hardest not to attract any attention—

Then I'll be the one providing cover?

By 'cover,' you mean—

You're going to help us draw away the yakuza, right?

That's pretty much the idea. Playing those slow-witted yakuza fools every now and then, well, it's not as thrilling as chasing kaidan, but it does pass the time.

I'll make a break through the front gate first to distract the dumb yakuza goons. You all slip out the back and we'll rendezvous at that moron's yatai.

Before anyone even has the chance to respond, the unicycle shoots through the shrine gate like lightning, its pedals spinning so fast they're just a blur.

It seems like that kami really cares about you.

Haha...

But now's not the time for sentimentality. You two come over here. I'll show you the way.

This path is pretty well-hidden...

Yes, but that's not to say that no one will find it. Get out of here as quickly as you can.

Thank you for your help and generosity.

Don't mention it—

There's something moving over this way! Come on! Bring your camera over here! I think there's someone here!

This area is still part of the shrine grounds. Are you sure it's okay for us to barge in here?

What matters more: Mifune-san's orders, or some dumb shrine rules? Get over here!

You don't need to start throwing hands like a street thug! You just need a mic and a camera, and you're set. Can you think of an easier gig?! Get over here!

Kannushi-sama, wh—what do we do now?!

The kannushi says nothing. The easygoing look he's worn—with an occasional hint of self-satisfaction—is nowhere to be found.

You two, please wait here for a moment.

You're going to go fight them?

Just the usual routine, clearing away a bit of lingering evil

The priest gives the gohei a casual flick. The wind chimes fall silent as the leaves quiver. The air suddenly turns thin and clear.

Gleaming fire gushes from the wide sleeves of his robe, like streams of spring water—neither surging nor even trembling—only drifting quietly through the air, until a gust of wind sweeps through from the shrine gate.

It is a cruel wind, sharp as a knife, the kind no kami would raise in idle sport with humankind.

Seeing the faint foxfire flare up in the rear courtyard, the kami at the shrine gate lets go of the handlebars and rises to its feet. With a trace of pride, it lifts a forepaw and sweeps it through the air—

The crystalline flames burst like exorcising thunder, and the shimenawa hung around the shrine instantly ignite with foxfire, severing the mortal world from the divine realm.

The fierce wind erupts along the edge of the divine realm, tearing away every camera, drone, and listening device, along with their camouflage, and hurling them into the air.

Woah! That's some wind! Why is all the equipment flying all over the place?!

The gohei slices into the wind and shears apart the surging foxfire. The wind strips the casings off the surveillance equipment, while the flames shoot through each newly exposed core with perfect precision.

The surveillance equipment ignites with brilliant, silent white flames; a moment later, bursts apart and falls to the ground as bits of scorched charcoal.

Kannushi-sama...? Are you actually an Arts master?

Just a few little tricks, is all. Nothing spectacular.

Now's your chance. Get going!