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That's okay, I'd rather stay here in my own home.

Fair enough. I'll go and get you some clean sheets.

<i>Otsukare,</i> Uncle Tessai.

As Tessai slowly walks away, Hoshiguma turns her gaze to the empty backyard.

When her father died, Mitsukue still hadn't completely recovered from the chaos of the Bloodpeak Campaign.

In accordance with the old customs, she had her father cremated. She buried his ashes in the backyard. Also, she erected a marker, made of the finest wood, and implored Tessai to carve the inscription.

When she came to clean out the backyard, all these years later, she found the wooden marker was still standing firm, even amidst all the garbage. She's been so busy cleaning up that she hasn't had time to tend to the grave yet.

Ao-Oni-san? You're Ao-Oni-san, aren't you?!

Hey, everybody! Come over here! We have to get footage of this! It's a huge discovery! The Ao-Oni from the kaidan is here in Kajimachi!

We come to you this evening from Kajimachi, Mitsukue with an amazing discovery——the Ao-Oni!

After twenty years, the legendary Ao-Oni of Kinsekikai, has returned! We caught a glimpse of her yesterday at the concert on Nita Street, and now she stands here before us!

Is she a master mimic? A ghost wandering this mortal coil? A cold-blooded killer who's been silently stalking Mitsukue for twenty years, leaving a trail of bodies in her wake?

She doesn't look like a ghost... Ghosts don't usually have physical bodies... or cast shadows! Look. The Ao-Oni standing before us is casting a shadow! Hello! I'm Komatsu, from Kinseki Channel.

Hmph.

Where's your unicycle?

My what?

Many people think the Ao-Oni is somehow related to the Wanyuudou! A bunch of the Oni's victims met... considerable misfortune right after spotting that fiery wheel—I think...

Before the reporter finishes speaking, Hoshiguma turns around and begins walking toward the house, only to bump into another hurried reporter.

More and more reporters gather round, like Originium slugs that have smelled leftover food in the sewer.

She's here! Finally! It's the Ao-Oni! It's really her!

Ao-Oni-san! My name is Urakami! May I ask why you've chosen to reveal yourself again after twenty years? Is it because all your grudges have finally been settled?

Did you have anything to do with Momoka's show going viral?

Get out of my way!

Ao-Oni-san! I just want to ask you a few questions—

Gugh—

You're actually striking people?

Kajimachi is still my private domain. You have trespassed. Have you thought about how you might make amends to the Kinsekikai?

Tessai?!

This old man is stubborn and mean—and he'll really throw hands… Let's get out of here! No need to go head-to-head with him!

What was a gaggle of reporters quickly scatters.

These vultures catch a whiff of 'news' and they come swarming in the blink of an eye. Kaidan? What kaidan?

The people living in this house had a run of bad luck, and somehow that got tied to you—and then that evolved into a kaidan… ridiculous.

I've got your sheets here, and your drink.

Drink?

It's so late that even the street peddlers have left for the night. You're going to pay your respects to your father... how can you do that without any sake for him?

Arigato. Will you come with me, Uncle Tessai?

No. You go by yourself. You're his only daughter. I haven't taken good enough care of you. I can't show my face to him.

If I can reforge Hannya, that will be how I make it up to him.

Hmm...

Who's there?!

Is that a car horn?

(Rubs eyes) Am I dreaming? Still asleep?

Under the bright moonlight, there's a unicycle. With all of the garbage cleared away, it stands there in clear view.

It's leaning to one side, not propped up against anything, yet it doesn't fall over.

Did I have too much to drink? How can that be? I only had half a bottle of sake.

Stranger still, she sees a tiny helmet suspended in the air above the unicycle. If an invisible person were riding that unicycle, the helmet looks like it would be the perfect size for them.

But since Hoshiguma sees no invisible rider, to her eyes, the little helmet is simply… floating in midair.

Is it a bug planted by the police, or one of Kinbee's tricks? Is it Uncle Tessai's doing? Was it created with some Arts?

Many people think the Ao-Oni is somehow related to the Wanyuudou! A bunch of the Oni's victims met... considerable misfortune right after spotting that fiery wheel—I think...

The Wanyuudou? The kaidan is real?

Well, in any case, I'd better go take a look——

As Hoshiguma bends down to examine it, the unicycle's pedals start spinning, and the unicycle, with its helmet, shoots off.

Wait... stop right there!

The unicycle speeds ahead, with Hoshiguma chasing it.

Hoshiguma can clearly see that the spinning pedals are propelling the unicycle forward and the tiny helmet is moving up and down in rhythm...

Why does it seem like an invisible person is riding the unicycle? When the vehicle turns, its pedals scrape the ground, causing a few sparks.

Momoka's body goes limp as she falls onto her tatami mat.

I can't sleep a wink.

Maybe I should go to the agency tomorrow morning...

First, I need to apologize properly, and really mean it… If that's not enough, I can take on some extra work. Then Mio-san will forgive me—

Aahh!

Is that... a clock?

I think I'll sleep with the lights, and TV, on.

Momoka kneels down in front of the TV and turns it on.

An advertisement, loud, exaggerated, and contrived, yet as reassuring as Mitsukue itself, begins to sound.

I guess I'll go to sleep then.

...peace of mind and financial security, Mitsukue Life Insurance Company.

(Music)

<i>Konbanwa.</i> This is the Kinseki Channel Nightly News. The time is now 1:30 AM.

It's almost the witching hour... when the ghosts are most active... ugh...

...the plan formed with the Northern Court was thwarted...

...Heavy rain beats down on Isazaki; damage to the agricultural plate remains under control...

...now let's turn to the Mitsukue entertainment industry, which is turning some heads...

(Shrill alarm)

What? What happened? An earthquake? A Catastrophe?

(Sound of signal interference)

—Emergency. Emergency. This is not a drill. This is not a drill.

We are under attack by the Northern Court. Repeat, we are under attack by the Northern Court.

For your own safety, please follow these instructions:

(Unknown, ear-piercing sound)

The Northern Court? How can that be?! What's really going on here?

(Sound of signal interference)

Momoka! Momoka! Momoka!

What's going on? That's... a recording of my concert?

Alone in this land, we all float on by♪

Our fleeting tender moments, cause such deep sighs♪

Let me forever gaze into your...♪

(Audio glitches)

...gaze into your—gaze into your—gaze into your—gaze into your—gaze into your—gaze into your—

—If you are inside, close all doors and windows—

Gaze into your——

Gaze into your——

AHHH! AHHHHHHHHH!!!

Momoka jumps up from the tatami with a start. The thing that has just appeared on the screen is simply too bizarre. She flings whatever is in her hands at the TV in a panic.

She hasn't touched the remote at all, but the TV starts to flick through the channels by itself.

...and now, finally, we welcome you all to the 'Midnight Heartbeat Cloudbeast Bar' on Nita Street —

Mifune~ ♪ Credit Bank~ ♪

Mi...Mif...Credit...

Chairman... give her another chance.

That voice...?