act44side

...Sarasa?

I thought I would get to sleep for a little longer...

There'll be no light here as long as I'm still asleep...

Sarasa yawns, and the spotlights above flicker.

Mio does not move from her position, so Sarasa begins walking towards the console.

Momoka follows hesitantly, but Mio remains in place.

Aren't you going to stop them?

No. Your blade is drawn.

My duty is not to deal with them.

I doubt your minions have what it takes to beat Kichisei and Sarasa.

In that case, there's nothing I can do.

What about Mifune?

I don't care.

You...

Our battle has nothing to do with him.

The last TV station's back online, Detective Koretou!

I hear you.

The guys assigned to the fireworks show want to know what to do. The citizens are still uneasy after that scare.

Any risk of a stampede or other serious accident?

Minimal. The situation's very much within expected parameters.

Then the show will go on. Mifune likes excitement. We'll give him excitement.

We're getting calls from citizens asking what happened. What do you think...?

What do you think I think? Tell them we're investigating.

Kinseki Station is, of course, responsible for the erroneous announcement of a Northern Court invasion, and we're taking this very seriously—

Detective Koretou, you have a visitor!

Who? Kouhei Mifune?

Detective Koretou.

If it wasn't Mifune, I thought it would have been his Diet friend paying a personal visit.

Making insinuations will do no favors for your career. Besides, you overestimate your own importance.

Should I take that as an admission?

I've come to warn you.

The police must bear responsibility for the chaos that occurred on Nita Street tonight. We do not wish to see the chaos spread any further.

Bear responsibility, eh? Oh dear, I think I just peed my pants.

Watch your attitude. You still have a chance to settle this matter peacefully.

Do I? Pray enlighten me.

Cancel all events scheduled for tonight. Focus your forces on restoring order at Kinseki Station, and begin a search for those responsible.

Such as? The number one suspect is, I'm sure, Kouhei Mifune, considering that it was his station that broadcast that—

Your men are not allowed to touch him—

Have a nice day.

If you refuse to obey orders, you may go once you have signed this resignation.

Feel free to discuss any concerns with your supervisor.

Wow, I still have a chance to turn back?

It's too late for that.

Like you said, it's too late for that—

The detective reaches out with his foot...

You—

...He trips the visitor, takes the piece of paper with the name of the detective's supervisor on it, and tears it to pieces.

Oh my, I didn't expect you to fall like that. I thought our diet friend would have a tougher secretary.

How... how dare you?!

Go tell your boss that the police are here to protect his bloody life, not his bloody money.

If he really thinks someone's after his life, he can come personally to the station and file a report, and we'll take it into consideration.

Now, get lost.

White sword, black gloves, white hand, black sword, white tantou, black ethereal hand—

It is a dizzying exchange of black and white. Contrary to the impression she gives, the Liberi's swordplay is overwhelmingly aggressive, with only attacks, feints and more attacks, with not the slightest attention paid to defense.

The moves of the one-horned Oni, on the other hand, are almost staggeringly basic. Dodge, parry, backstep, sidestep.

Twelve.

You just blocked twelve attacks in quick succession.

Why don't you fight back? Are you still afraid of your sword?

If I was, it wouldn't have left its sheath to begin with.

You, on the other hand, look all polite and cultured, but your moves are pure aggression and ferocity. That's not Kinbee's style.

My sword has nothing to do with him.

Then why do you give your life for him?

Since when have I given my life for him?

Stop fooling yourself.

Hoshiguma takes a deliberate look around.

Kichisei is sending explosions everywhere with her grenades, while the stage equipment has turned into a giant monster under Sarasa's control.

With Momoka doing an impressive job of not getting caught, the trio is more than holding their own.

There is only one last thing to do in their battle plan...

The only thing I'm trying to protect is the Kinsekikai.

And Kinbee has to lead it?

The Kinsekikai needs to be a place where the dregs of society can survive, those who have nowhere else to go.

And Tessai couldn't give you that?

No.

You can keep parrying—

But you'll eventually show an opening.

Finally, you're attacking.

All I got was the edge of your clothes.

There is blue fire burning around you. Is that your Arts?

Blue fire?

You're right. I didn't notice.

Back to the question. What is it that Tessai couldn't give you, but Kinbee can?

Tessai could not even protect himself—

Hoshiguma thrusts. The attack is simple, but the flames upon the sword force Mio to leap backwards.

That's not what I wanted to hear.

Your flames are burning even fiercer.

Tell me. Why couldn't Tessai give you what you wanted?

Because Tessai couldn't protect himself. Mitsukue didn't need him, nor did it need a Mio working under Tessai.

You?

A silent, ragged orphan who only fights tooth and nail when someone steps on her is a subject of scorn.

An equally silent, well-dressed assistant who only draws her sword when the company's interests are compromised is the subject of admiration.

I thought you came from some noble martial family fallen on hard times.

Hah.

Tessai wanted to give dregs of society like us a home, and so he's dead.

Mifune knows we don't deserve a home, and so he lives on.

Is that how Mitsukue judges the Kinsekikai?

Always has.

Hoshiguma is almost completely engulfed in the azure flame.

The Liberi wonders if the flame will consume the Oni before it consumes her.

You are angry.

Were you angry like this too, twenty years ago?