act44side

I put my own on the table next to you, so I got to watch you happily eat your sixth box.

(Deep bow) I'm so sorry—!

No, please, there's no need, I just meant—

As the girl leans forward, she loses her balance, stumbling into Momoka's embrace. Seeing her give one of her fans a big hug, the crowd goes wild.

Hey now, watch your step.

So, how is Kajimachi right now? Is everyone doing okay?

Kajimachi... Right now, it... It...

What?

The pachinko parlor's not seeing as much business as it used to. Most people who want to stay out of trouble have moved away, and they're shooting <i>Shin Onibugyou</i> in a big fancy sound stage studio...

No, wait, what I'm trying to say is that I'm here on Kajimachi's behalf to invite you back! Everyone would love to see you again!

Eh? Really? I'll gladly go, and I'll gladly see what I can do! I'll do anything I can for Kajimachi's sake!

(Whisper) Kichisei-san, security's almost here. You can leave from the side.

(Whisper) Th-Thank you, Momoka-san!

THANKS FOR THE PHOTO!

Momoka turns to look at her backup band. The lead keyboardist gives her a nod.

Then... Thank you everyone for your passion and energy! It really means a lot to me!

So I'd like to ask everyone to wait a little bit longer, and let the band have a moment to catch their breath.

I'll be back on stage in two minutes to give you all the perfect curtain call!

The venue lights slowly fade out.

But the darkness does not stop the crowd's fervent chatter. Hoshiguma takes the opportunity to haul herself up on stage, trying to leave the venue as fast as possible.

Who just stepped on me?!

Ugh.

Who're you?

(Isn't this one of the guys chasing Kichisei? Guess they really were plainclothes security.)

Just looking to head out, nothing else. It's too crowded down there.

Don't you fans pay a lot of money to be in a crowd like that?

Wait, I bet you're the type of messed-up fan who goes onstage to bother the talent!

I really am just trying to head out—

You really didn't check who's in charge of Momoka-san's agency?! Stay right there!

Hey, what the—?! The hell is this thing... A metal shield?!

Report, we've got trouble! There's someone on the stage—

Going to have to ask you to shut it.

I need to get out of here quick. If I end up chased by both security and the police—

I'm coming back on stage now, thank you everyone for waiting—

The lights turn on.

The two people up on stage look at each other with surprise, an unconscious man slumped on the floor between them.

An Oni with... a single horn?!

From the legend? The 'Nameless Oni' kaidan legend?!

Eek! G-Get back! Don't haunt me!

Stay away from meeeeeee!!!

As the crowd looks on, the one-horned Oni turns towards backstage, while Momoka huddles against the floor, shielding her head with her hands.

The lighting director cuts the lights, but it's no use. It only takes five seconds of silence before the venue devolves into complete bedlam.

*phew*... Finally got out of there.

Even if you account for the chaos, the encore should be over by now. The police will be on my trail soon enough.

Should I go meet them?

No, I should at least head back to Kajimachi first to see the old man. Who knows how much the place has changed in twenty years.

Ding, dong, ding, Lingones Department Store♪

Everything you want, you'll find it here, Lingones Department Store♪

(...Lingones Department Store? Wasn't it called Yamazakiya?)

(Did they extend the store so much it blocked the road?)

(Looks like I need to go inside to pass through.)

Why don't you come in for a drink? You look like you can handle your liquor, and we just got some high-quality whiskey—

Or if you would prefer a more old-school choice, we also have a fine collection of imo shochu...

No thank you.

(Behind the store, there should be—)

(Blocked up too?)

Take this, ojou-san.

No need.

No, you definitely need it. You need to be guided to the most precious thing on Terra, the stepping stone to 'happiness'.

A flier for a host club? I <i>definitely</i> don't need this.

Ah, whatever, it just seemed like you were looking for something. Anything I can help with?

What did you happen to lose here in this bustling street of entertainment?

The way home.

I never expected valiant ladies like you to have days when they were lost. But no matter—

Were all the alleys from Nita Street to Kajimachi blocked off? Can you only go using the main road now?

No need to be so hasty in going back—

Looks like there wasn't any point in asking.

They're still scanning the crowd... They haven't seen me yet.

Hoshiguma finds a perfectly unremarkable wall to sit down against. True enough, two police officers keep their eyes on the crowd, walking right past her without a second glance.

Most of the credit goes to the people she is sharing the wall with, a majority of them drunken office workers. Some of them lean against the wall to vomit, while others simply hunch over to puke onto the street.

As for those who want to entertain themselves in the entertainment district through means outside of alcohol, they appear as if on an infinite conveyor belt, a near-infinite supply of them on an endless loop.

She is pretty sure she saw this group of people walk past her not five minutes ago.

Just about time to go.

Taishou, that one-horned Oni... Are you <i>sure</i> she isn't the kaidan from the legend here to haunt me?

The kaidan from the tales aren't like the ghosts you're thinking of, relax.

B-But what else could that have been? A ghost is the only explanation...

If she was a ghost, why'd she run off without you doing anything?

Hmm...

If she didn't follow you, then the only explanation is pure coincidence. She's got nothing to do with you.

You're better off worrying about other things. From what you said, Mio-san would have to take responsibility for the big ruckus today.

Mio-san? No, her job is to keep me safe, and I'm fine, at least.

Anyway, just in case the ghost <i>is</i> real... It's not like anyone upstairs can blame her for failing to stop a ghost, right?

*sigh*

Here. Your chikuwa, daikon, and burdenbeast tendon.

The radiant Momoka on stage is now just a young woman venting her frustrations, sniffling back tears before using one hand to lift her mask...

And her other to bring a bamboo skewer to her mouth, biting off a chunk of chikuwa to chew on.

Phew.

I'm still scared, Taishou—

(I'll wait here at this yatai for a bit.)

(...Smells good.)

Taishou, I'll have a boiled fowlbeast egg, a piece of atsu-age, and a kombu knot.

Coming right up.

I just need to head that way to get to Kajimachi, right?

That's right. Got work there, okyaku-sama?

Just dropping by for a visit—

YOU! YOU'RE THAT—

Taishou! Look! Sh-She really did follow me!

Well—

I'm begging you, please don't haunt me, ghost-san! When I was playing you, I really <i>really</i> REALLY did my best! If you're not happy with my performance, I can ask for a reshoot—

Wait, no! The film's already out, it's too late for that!