act44side

Hyaaah!

...Impressive power.

Why don't you draw your blade?

None of your business.

You're afraid.

Afraid? Me?

You're afraid that drawing your blade will cause something that you don't want to happen.

Qui'lon's death... I see.

What?

But what you fear will happen, whether you draw your blade or not, it will be your inevitable end. Assuming Mifune-san's predictions are accurate.

I don't really get it.

Despicable.

Me?

No, not you.

Me.

Run. Flee.

Moriuchi does not know how long he has been running. He can feel his own innards shaking and trembling.

Huff... huff... huff...

*cough* *cough*

D-Did I shake them?

You got out on your own?

Who's there?!

Forgot me so soon?

K-Kami-sama?

Don't look at me like that. I'm not here to help you. I don't like the answer about the kaidan that I got at your yatai.

I kind of hate it.

I... I get that.

I had planned on cutting ties with you and the kaidan entirely, perhaps even leave Mitsukue and take a trip to the north.

But someone asked me to do something.

The kannushi? He asked you to find me?

Not him.

Who else could it be, then?

You don't mean—

It asked me to bring you a single message.

'Meet me on your usual rooftop.'

C-Could it be...?

I've delivered the message. It's time to go.

The kami turns around on its unicycle. No sooner has it got on than it sees Moriuchi is already a long way off.

...Is this how you repay him, when he's searched for you for so many years?

You know what, it's none of my business.

Moriuchi runs up the steps.

He is running as hard as he can.

A breeze blows in Moriuchi's face as he opens the door.

Many a sunset has he watched lying on this rooftop, watching the sky turn from red to black, until the stars appear, before their light is overcome by the neon city.

The hour is early, and the sky should not look like dusk, but he pays little heed. Perhaps he considers it a sign of the coming of a kami.

He could not describe his own emotions as he gazes at the sky.

Excitement? Anxiety? Fulfillment? Emptiness? Sadness?

But he lies there, waiting for a guest who may never come...

Until the warm breeze sends him into slumber.

Father... I think there's something behind the Kamidana.

Behave yourself, Tooru! This is a sacred shrine!

But it's really there...

Come, Tooru, it's our turn to pray.

Please, Kami-sama, keep our family safe, and may we repay our debts soon...

There... the debt should be settled, with some money left over even...

We're out of the woods!

Wh-What are you doing here? Are you bored of the shrine?

Kami-sama, arigatou!

Father's mood has gotten a lot better, and mother has had time to take me out.

Can I come and see you again?

—No, I'll definitely come and see you again!

Our shop just opened! It's really pretty. Do you want to come and see it?

I'm sorry, Kami-sama, I've been busy helping out at home and haven't had time to come see you... please, don't be angry and let me see you?

K-Kami-sama? Are you still there? Did you leave? Or... do you not want to see me anymore?

I-I'll treat it like you don't want to see me, but you're still listening to me, okay?

Some things have happened at home. Father may have to go back to manual labor.

Mother's been sewing clothes for other people. Her eyesight's declining.

But I'm sure none of that has anything to do with you. You gave so many blessings to our family. Surely you wouldn't take it all back...

Surely...

Kami-sama, Father...

Father is dead. Overdrinking. The blow was too great for him.

...Where are you?

Please, Kami-sama... where are you?

This haunted house...

It's empty... something's not right!

It's connected to the nomadic city's superstructure?

H-How am I suppose to search this place? This is far more than just one house or Kajimachi. The whole plate might be connected...

No, don't get discouraged. As long as I find that bastard—

Wh-What's this?!

Tetsuya stands dumbfounded, staring at dozens of crates that someone has stacked up here.

He blinks a few times and opens one of them.

It's... weapons?!

Katana, crossbows... grenade launchers...

Is that... the Hoashi emblem? That major Northern Court clan? Is this where they hid their weapons?

He takes down a weapon-filled crate and opens the one underneath it, finding Northern Court standard-issue provisions and medical supplies inside.

He furiously takes the crates down one by one, opening all of them.

All contain military supplies manufactured by the Northern Court, every single one.

Th-The Northern Court weapons that Papa says aren't here? But they are—

You've gone too far, boy.

Who are you?

Oyabun wanted you to look for traces of Northern Court spies. It's enough that you found them. You've made a lot of work opening these up, one-by-one.

...Did you just take my picture?

This is big, after all. Best keep some evidence, to prevent disputes.

Let's go.

Where to?

To see Mifune-san.

W-Wait, you were stalking me?

That's not important. What's important is that you're working for Mifune-san, and so am I.

And take that mask off.

Huh?