act44side

A media smear campaign. It started early yesterday morning—most likely the work of a rival.

Producer.

Producer! I didn't know you were coming!

What's the situation?

It all happened so suddenly. PR is still investigating.

This isn't just PR.

What do you mean?

That 'one-horned Oni' wasn't our doing, right?

Mio, you are responsible for Momoka's safety. Please get to the bottom of all this.

Of course.

Momoka, your gaffe on stage yesterday was one thing, but <i>upstairs</i> is more upset about something else.

What's that...?

You've been acting less and less like a pop idol lately. Then this happens, and you vanish without a trace?

The fans didn't seem to react too negatively. I even gave them an encore. They were into it.

I was tired and hungry when I hopped offstage, not to mention scared. I just went to my favorite oden yatai, is all.

Well, how do you explain your inappropriate monologue up there?

'Inappropriate monologue'?! What, what did I say wrong?

Your remarks on Kajimachi.

Kajimachi? Oh. You mean the fan that——

The Kinseki Group is the sole backer of our entire operation. They have a very tense relationship with Kajimachi right now—speaking out recklessly will only make things harder for all of us.

I don't understand what the big deal is. I was just thinking about how I shot my first movie there.

I still remember when I got started. You told me Chairman Tessai valued my skills...

The past is the past. I'm talking about the present. Things are different now.

Besides, we've always told you to stay in your lane and stick to the script when you're onstage. The people come to see Momoka, not you, with your big mouth.

I... I get it.

As long as you get it.

Producer, when are we going to the recording studio? My schedule is packed today. We have to get a move on.

Meh. Actually, why don't you take a few days off.

HUH? What?!

P-Producer! I don't need any rest! I'm used to the grind by now! We're in peak season. I know that. If I take a break now, that put us several days behind!

Maybe if you hadn't been so busy during the day yesterday, you would have been calmer last night.

I'm sorry, but——

If you really want to make up for your mistakes, Momoka, I have an urgent assignment for you.

Anything!

The television station wants to book you on a show. Take a look.

The Haunted House of Kajimachi?! Another one of these shows? Why?!

And why now, of all times, would they produce a program that makes Kajimachi look bad?

Then you'd rather take a break?

No! I just...

Momoka, you know that when you don't do what we say... it reflects... poorly on you.

But...

Momoka!

Producer, I don't want to die!

I've known that place was haunted for forever! A bunch of people died in that house!

They say it's... it's somehow connected to the 'Nameless Oni'. It was her there on the stage last night...

Momoka, I will take measures to ensure your safety.

(Quietly) Mio, back me up here.

Momoka, do not worry. I'll go with you.

Mio-san... is going too?

Yes.

Are you strong enough to take down that vicious Oni?

Mio tilts her head and thinks hard for a few seconds.

Maybe not.

I'm doomed. I'm done for!

'If we keep walking down Nita Street, we'll soon arrive at Kajimachi. From now on, that will be our place, our city.'

'Our city? But, Papa, we've been walking down the street, and I don't see anything all that different. What do you think, Uncle Tessai?'

'It will become different. It will change.'

A wind carrying a scent—woody, or perhaps musty—blows against her face, and somehow, Hoshiguma is compelled to take a deep breath.

The houses are all so old.

Does Uncle Tessai still live in the same place?

Yeah. The big house at the end there.

Kinbee, what's the deal with the funeral? Kajimachi looks like it's doing fine?

It's a long story.

What's wrong?

Hoshiguma quickly realizes why Kinbee has fallen silent—and why the expression on his face now carries a touch more respect.

Not too far away, there's an old man standing in the road, facing them.

The old man's back is slightly hunched. Yet somehow, as the wind lifts his wide sleeves, he seems to stand a little taller.

Uncle Tessai!

Chairman Tessai.

Kinbee, I told you that you are not permitted to set foot in Kajimachi ever again.

The Phidia appears startled. The reverence on his face quickly turns to fear.

I was preoccupied with a certain 'happy event' that happened today. I lost track of my surroundings and accidentally walked into Kajimachi. Damn!

She's in cahoots with you. That's what you're happy about?

Chairman, I just got her out of the police station, is all. The cops started chasing her as soon as she arrived in Mitsukue. She only just slipped out.

She's come back here out of genuine concern for her home. If you're unhappy about something, please, take it up with me. Do not blame her!

As for my trespassing into Kajimachi—shall I'll perform a <i>dogeza</i>, offer a formal apology on another date, or cut off a finger—

Ha! You'd do any of those things if I asked?

The decision is yours—

*huff huff* Oyabun! I ran around to everyone asking where you were, until I found out you'd come here to Kajimachi!

Why did you make the trip out here? That old bastard doesn't have many days left—why bother coming to this forsaken place?

O-Oyabun?

You know I'm your oyabun?

Then do you know who gave this 'oyabun' the lofty position that he holds today?

I—

Ah, right, this isn't your first offense.

Some time ago, Chairman Tessai forbade me and my men from ever entering Kajimachi again. This is not the first time you've disobeyed that order. Am I right?

Well, I wasn't—

You were the one who drove those three families out of Kajimachi—plus the two shops that had to shut down, and that was all after Chairman Tessai ordered us to stay out of Kajimachi. Isn't that right?

You knowingly went against his orders. How should we punish you?

Beads of sweat form on the flustered gangster's forehead.

The oyabun isn't usually like this—he toasts me when I do well and offers gentle encouragement when I fall short.

Before he can even finish his thought, he hears a sound.

*swish*

Wait!

Kinbee, what are you doing?!

Before he can even finish his thought, it's cut short—the gangster's headless body collapses to the ground with a thud.

Neither Tessai's iron fan nor Hoshiguma's Hannya can match the quick draw of the Phidia's long sword.

That was your Kinsekikai brother!

Murdering a member of the family right in front of me. Is this your way of raising a hand against me?

But Chairman, you've already given me managerial control of the clan.