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Opposite him, the blue flames of rage burn brightly around Hoshiguma.

No longer does it burn for Kinbee, but bright it burns, almost burning through the brightly suffocating night of Mitsukue—

And then, in the blink of an eye, it is over.

The two stand with their backs towards each other, having swapped places in the exchange.

Hoshiguma returns her sword to its sheath.

Kinbee's figure drops lower and lower, until he falls to the ground, no longer able to stand.

You... you're not injured at all?

I have a slight cut on my face.

What about me?

I can feel myself bleeding, Hoshiguma, but I don't want to look.

Tell me. How much time do I have left?

I don't know.

I think there'll be someone here soon, after I leave. I think you'll live a pretty long time.

Why didn't you kill me?

You and I, we have nothing to do with each other anymore.

There will be other people to judge you for Uncle Tessai and Momoka.

Ha, haha...

After all these years, at the end of it all... you won.

No, I lost.

Completely.

You hate the way of this city so very much?

I just don't recognize it anymore.

It's no longer my home, that's all.

Sayounara. We won't meet again.

Hoshiguma turns and walks towards the ruins of Kajimachi.

Lying on the ground, Kinbee casts his eyes towards the other side of the river, as he feels the cold of his own blood leaving his body.

The noise and commotion look down coldly on the empty shores on this side, which will soon become much shinier and brighter.

The one-horned Oni walks past the ruins of old buildings, past the indifferent bustle of the entertainment district, past the foe who had crossed swords with her a moment ago, and into the glaring dark night.

A cool breeze blows from behind, bringing fresh liberation, and sounds that do not belong to the present.

Going to the summer fair with her father, and the unscrupulous yatai owner giving her a net made of the flimsiest paper for scooping fins.

That summer night after her father's passing, she licked the apple candy Tessai gave her that did not seem right for her age.

The throwing rings that seemed too juvenile for her, but which could never seem to hit their mark, as though they were imbued with some sort of Arts.

Going to the shooting stall with a 'Holy City of Laterano' sign that only had cheap stuff, after getting drunk with her Kinsekikai brothers...

She takes one step after another towards these scenes of Higashinese summer nights.

But they are ghosts of the past, brushing by her, fading into the distance like the one she has defeated...

And the fireworks.

Yes, the fireworks of Higashi's summer nights, which she may never have a chance to see again.

So, you didn't see any of the fireworks at all?

Basically.

What? You missed the entire fireworks show?

Yeah.

That's such a shame... well...

At least you'll see this.

I couldn't find any fireworks that nice. All I found on Nita Street was small stuff like this...

Don't be sad, okay?

Why would I be sad?

I'm so relieved to hear that.

A surprise encounter with someone wearing a surprising smile on her face, and carrying a surprising gift.

Hoshiguma feels tears coming to her eyes.

The tiny fireworks in front of her seem brighter than the rest of the city combined.

It's beautiful.

Fleeting... but beautiful.

Where are the others? Kichisei, Sarasa, Moriuchi... and Tetsuya?

Kichisei and Moriuchi-san are being questioned by that tired-looking cop. They should be coming out soon.

Sarasa suddenly fell asleep one block before we ran into the cops. She told us to just leave her there. By the time I talked to the cops and went back for her, she was nowhere to be seen.

As for Tetsuya... I have no idea.

Oh, we should also let the police know that Kinbee is still lying on the river bank, and someone should go and get him—

They're already headed over.

There you are! What are you doing? Hosting your own fireworks show?

Looks like it.

We have someone here who missed the entire thing, after all. Gotta make it up somehow, right?

(This is...)

(...Kami-sama?)

What's the matter, Hoshiguma? Did something happen?

No, nothing... just imagining things.

It seems that the kami smiled at her—or perhaps, it has always been smiling.

The figure begins to fade, and the firework that Momoka is holding is close to going out.

The last sparks fade into the darkness.

No, Madame Oni! I can't let you go any further!

I have to kill that man.

The oyabun told me himself, I can't let you get any closer!

There's no time... Out of the way, Jirou. Last warning.

Madame Oni!!!

Even you're getting in my way now, Jirou?

I know I can't. I just want one last drink with you, okay?

I'm not trying to buy time, just... just one drink. When we're done, we can get back to killing each other.

The yakuza pulls out a bottle of sake and pours two cups, while the woman known as 'Madame Oni' silently watches on.

Drink already.

Madame Oni lifts her head, the sake falling straight into her belly, but rather than a gentle warmth, a raging fire burns in her like a twisted knife.

Jirou! You—!

I've got to protect him.

He might be your enemy, but he's always been good to me.

If he dies here, he's only going to be my benefactor. If he lives, he'll become the benefactor for all of Mitsukue. Sorry, Madame Oni.

GRAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

The pain in her belly becomes a raging inferno that churns together with the fury in her mind, bursting its way out of her chest.

Unlike the chivalrous yakuza who walked against the flow, who knew right from wrong and believed in the justice she had always upheld, now, she has devolved into a vicious Oni, one who knows nothing but slaughter.

The Hannya in her hands can no longer be controlled by the great wisdom in scripture it is named for. All that is left is a frenzied fury that burns hotter than the face of Hannya, uncaring of former friendships.

Hyaaah!

Madame Oni?!

Gugh!

Stop her—

Whoa!

S-She's gone mad—

All who get in my way... must die.

Time, transformation, the general welfare...

These words must ring hollow to you. Belaboring the subject would not bring you redemption...

Vicious Oni.

Shut up...

SHUT UPPPPPPP!!!

<b>Like A Yakuza: Birth of the Vicious Oni</b>