level_act44side_08_beg

Yes, it's me! I just came back from our Diet friend's place!

Where is Hoshiguma?

The venue?!

What about Mio? Has she dealt with them?

No?! She left?

That traitor!

What about the network? Did you record what's going on inside? What about Hoshiguma?

Dammit! Get the editors on it NOW and make the footage of her fight with Mio look like she's completely lost control—

What do you mean there's no time?! Hacking? Hijacked network?! Can't deal with it?

What good are you?! Cut the signal if you can't deal with it! The power supply too! The only thing left to air tonight is the apology! Who cares if the signal goes out?

We can't have someone babbling on MY channel—

Hello? Hello?!

<i>Chikusho!</i> Lost the signal?

You idiot! You demand I come and give a personal explanation, that just gives my enemies a chance to strike!

Everything's gone to hell while I was humoring that bastard... even Hannya is gone...

(Takes a deep breath)

Calm down.

Clean up the mess and start over. It'll be alright. It's not the first time.

First, go to the venue and stop those insects. The diet has given the nod on Hoshiguma. All that's left is to clean up public opinion...

Came to cause trouble with your dear Hoshiguma<i>-aneki,</i> have you?

Hoshiguma?

Oh my goodness. Should I compliment you for your bravery, or your adorable stupidity?

Look at how beat-up you are. Seems like my men were still playing with you, not knowing that you no longer had any use.

Who did you grab this real sword from? Tell me, and I'll return it to him before he gets angry.

Kinbee... you...

Me?

I don't have time to play with you, Tetsuya.

Your father may have taught you the basics of swordsmanship when you were little, but you have a long, long way to go before you're ready to use it in a real fight.

A father and son who got turned against each other by a mask. How much do you think you actually understood about the swordplay that he taught you?

Turned against?!

Yes... turned against each other...

I've said all I needed to say. Now get lost before I change my mind and reunite you with Tessai.

You're the one who should be reunited with my father!

Deep breath.

I know. Countless people are watching me. I must tell them the truth.

But... does it mean anything?

They love Momoka Hanyuu. They love to watch her panic at all the kaidan that seem to orbit around her.

They love to watch me get scared, not speak the truth, and certainly not the real me...

Yes, I'm afraid of even that.

I'm a coward.

Being afraid is the biggest common denominator between Haruka Shino and Momoka Hanyuu.

Hello everyone, good... good evening.

I... I'm Momoka Hanyuu... the girl who's so afraid of kaidan, but who just couldn't seem to get away from them.

I'm sorry for disturbing you all, after that big accident that just occurred on air...

Momo-cchi?!

Didn't she go missing? How did she suddenly pop up like that?

Was that emergency broadcast really a kaidan?

Is she caught in the middle of a kaidan... and looking for help from us?!

As you can see, I'm standing here before you.

Strange things seem to happen to me all the time. That's how kaidan are: they appear without warning, and disappear the same way.

But what if I told you that all the kaidan were fake, from the very beginning?

Momoka? Kinseki Channel's really throwing money into her, pulling that disappearing act. What's the kaidan this time?

She said they're fake.

What? Is she out of her mind? Does she think we're all stupid? Aren't kaidan all around us all the time?

That's what she said. Don't ask me, watch her yourself.

What if I told you that, with the exception of a handful of kaidan associated with the kami, all the shows that I've been on, all the kaidan that I experienced... all of them were fabricated?

I'm not talking about hypotheticals. I'm talking about true lies.

Kinseki Station and the Kinseki Talent Agency deceived you, and I unknowingly became their accomplice.

I'm sorry.

I won't make any excuses for deceiving you. I'll accept any criticism.

I told you, no TV tonight!

My classmate told me they're airing something really amazing! Look! The kaidan lady spills the beans on fake kaidan!

I've been a part... of countless lies.

For example, the original kaidan, the family home of the Ao-Oni of the Kinsekikai in Kajimachi that killed its residents.

It was no paranormal activity, just actual murder.

I now accuse Kouhei Mifune, president of Kinseki Channel and the Kinseki Talent Agency, and the de facto leader of the Kinsekikai yakuza syndicate, of being the mastermind behind all this.

Without any evidence, he suspected me of being in league with his political opponent, Tessai, and plotted to infect me with Oripathy, when I knew nothing of any of it.

The 'Ao-Oni of Kinsekikai' was exiled from Mitsukue after taking the fall for his crimes, many years ago. She was framed for my kidnapping, when in fact, she had saved my life.

When I accidentally stumbled upon the truth behind the kaidan, he wanted to silence me, spreading rumors that I was retiring...

Detective Koretou! Upstairs is absolutely fuming!

This is the eighth time they're ordering us to cut the signal...

What did we do with the last seven orders?

...Nothing.

You've got it.

I know you've been unhappy about me saying that things will get better. I stopped believing it myself at some point.

Whatever happens tonight is on me. Let there be one night when the police don't have to grovel to anyone. It's my parting gift to you.

...This is what I needed to tell you tonight.

Next, there's something else I want to tell you... about myself.

I know a lot of people think I'm overacting in the shows... you think I'm being dramatic on purpose.

What I want to tell you is that fear has been a constant in Momoka Hanyuu's entire life.

Partly, it's because I was told too many horror stories when I was little, but...

The more important reason is that I grew up in Gokawa, the city infamous for its polluted water.

There, fear is not about serial killers roaming the streets at night, unicycles that bring misfortune, or elevators to hell...

It is about watching your loved ones becoming bedridden all of a sudden, falling while walking on flat ground, and losing the feeling in their hands.

It all happens so naturally, so gradually... and it's too late by the time you realize it.

I was one of the lucky ones. I came to Mitsukue, to be bathed in people's attention, be it adoring, judging, or scornful.

My fear was no longer about pain, illness and death; it was about viewer ratings, losing fans, pressure from the agency, and fabricated kaidan.

It seems such a luxury to fear those things, now that my life is once again under threat.

Isn't it a sort of happiness, to be afraid of kaidan?

We don't need to face true danger. We lie in our beds, screaming at stories we don't know if they're true, and satisfy ourselves with the sensation of our nerves tightening and relaxing again.

But... I'm afraid I can never enjoy it the same way again.

This luxury was lost to me forever when I learned that the kaidan that used to scare me were lies, manifestations of greed, murders, and cover-ups.

From this day forth, kaidan shall no longer be part of Momoka Hanyuu's life.

I hereby announce that I am leaving the Kinseki Talent Agency, and disassociating myself from all Kinsekikai affiliates!

Tetsuya is lying on the ground next to Mifune, wounded but alive.

It is not that the Phidia intended to spare him.

Indeed, Mifune wanted to put an end to this quickly many times, only to be forced back by the suicidal attacks of the young Oni, who seemed to be intentionally aiming himself at the tip of Mifune's sword, just to find a chance to take Mifune down with him.

Momoka's speech coming through the screen beside him only served as a further distraction, and his trembling hands repeatedly missed their mark.

Even as Mifune changed his goal from killing to incapacitation, and then to simply shaking off this maniac in order to deal with the fallout, Tetsuya kept getting up from the ground, in spite of all his injuries.

Meanwhile, Momoka's speech is drawing to a close.

I will continue to walk the performer's path, as long as I live.

I want to bring hope to others, and tell those plagued by fear that there is someone who was once just like you, someone who knows how you feel.

She will sing your story, act your story. She will do all that she can, so that your voices will not fade into darkness.

Momoka wipes away a drop of sweat from her brow.

Wow, I really said a lot, didn't I?

You know, I'm starting to get cold feet now, after having said all that. I'm really timid, after all.

Maybe the kaidan aren't the only lies in our lives. Maybe there are countless more lies like theirs, and the prosperity that we enjoy...

...is built upon these lies.

What is that bitch babbling about?!

She doesn't know that everything is built upon faith. She doesn't know that if panic spreads—

But... this is our life. And it will continue, until the end arrives... if it arrives.

Even if it is built upon lies... upon bubbles that might shatter tomorrow, it's still our life...

A life that I have to learn to love.

Besides, even if a life like this is destined to disappear someday... it's beautiful, isn't it?

An instant of beauty will be the warmth that stays with us through the cold night, even after everything else falls apart... as long as we keep it in our hearts.

That's all I want to say.

This has been Momoka Hanyuu, and I apologize for taking up your valuable time.

Perhaps... no, we WILL meet again.

There is no longer any possibility of turning the tables.

The Phidia stares blankly at the figure on the screen.

Oh, you got up again.

Shall we continue?

The bitch is done babbling. You can try to take revenge for your pop now, again.

The young Oni sets his unsteady feet. The Phidia has collected himself, and identifies an opening that will let him put his sword right through the ribs of the Oni when he makes his move.

But the Oni does not move.

Are you scared?

No.

But even a fool like me can tell that you're finished.

Tetsuya turns around. Mifune's face is ghastly pale, but he does not make a move.

I'm showing my back to you. Aren't you going to kill me?

Not in the mood. There are plenty of other people I want to kill first.

I'll come find you when they're all dead.

Oh, and one more thing...

Mifune stares at Tetsuya's back. Suddenly, he blurts out a sentence that even he himself is unsure why he says it.

The words that I said to your father... They were actually for you.

Tetsuya cannot tell if these words are meant to provoke, or to accomplish something else. He turns and casts one glare at Mifune with bloodshot eyes, before leaving with unsteady steps.

Phew...

Everything feels so surreal, like a dream.

After finishing her speech, she fainted onstage out of excitement.

Everything that happened next was like a blur... in any case, Hoshiguma went upstairs, while Moriuchi, Kichisei, and Sarasa took her downstairs.

She seems to remember fighting and explosions, but it all felt so far away—

Where are we? Kichisei? Moriuchi-san? Sarasa?

Why is Sarasa on the ground... she's asleep?!

She fell asleep in the TV station too... does she get tired easy?

No time for this—it's my turn to carry her now!

Where are you, Momoka? Where's Sarasa?

Did you get lost in the alleys?

I'm—

Mmph!

Gotcha!

I... I got her! On my own! I-I might get promoted for this...

Good thing I had duct tape on me. She's a singer, who knows how loud she can get when she hollers?

I dreamed about 'ninjutsu items' before I became a ninja, but it's only the veterans who get to use the good stuff, while all I have is trash...

Gotta report this upstairs—

Gah, I forgot I discharged my terminal so I could enjoy an afternoon of peace and quiet in one of the coffee shops in the alleys.

Then this girl just falls into my hands like that! It's definitely my lucky day.

Where's my Originium Circuit Hyourougan?

The ninja takes out the Originium Circuit Hyourougan, a spherical Originium appliance with a long wire attached to it, which he connects to the depleted terminal.

It's charging so slowly.

Hey, how about I pull that tape off your mouth, and you sing a song or two for me?

Mmph, mm, mmmh!

Well, it's not like I would do it, even if you nodded.

Did you know? We were looking for you everywhere after you ran away on that motorbike that night. I was the one who searched your house.

Mmh!

Boy, was that a crappy place. Big idol like you, I thought you'd be living in a mansion or something, but you didn't have anything worth shit.

What's with the collection of garbage by your window, anyway? Some kind of weird obsession?

Mmph—argh! *cough* *cough*!

Say that again?!

The tape came loose? I thought I put it on right.

Hmph, who cares, just a frail little idol.

I tell you, not only did I have to check all that weird garbage you had by the window one by one, I also trimmed that dying plant for you.

You cut Hasuke?!

'Hasuke'? Oh, that tree sprout was barely even a weed.

Yeah, I did it. What about it? How did you even take care of it? I have no idea, 'cause its leaves were all yellow and brittle. No way it was gonna live, so I put it out of its misery. It was a kindness.

I've grown flowers before, and it takes patience, and endless love and care, you understand? Someone like you—

Hey, hey, hey, how did you get up? What kind of crappy duct tape was that?

I see, you must know some sort of Arts... you're Ægir, so I guess it's about water? That's it, of course, no wonder the tape came loose.

But didn't the vets say that only the Infected could use Arts without a unit? That's weird. You couldn't have broken the tape with brute force, could you?

Nah, of course not. I doubt you've ever lifted anything heavier than an apple! Must be Arts, definitely.

So what? What are you gonna do, spray water in my face?

The novice ninja taunts Momoka, but he keeps his gaze fixed on her eyes.

A cornered beast will fight back, and the same is true for the girl in front of him. What kind of Arts will she use? Mist? A high-pressure jet? Acid spray, even?

He must not let his guard down just because he is facing an idol with no combat experience.

It is unlikely that her Arts would be particularly powerful, and there would be little movement from her microphone-shaped Arts unit when she casts. Better to stay focused on her eyes.

Her eyes will betray all that she is thinking.

For example... murderous intent.

Foolish girl, not knowing her place.

But that is all. Observe her eyes, and analyze her intent, be it the timing of casting, direction, or...

Why is there no intent other than murder?

Before he can react, the ninja feels a dull 'thud' on his head.

Wha-you hit me on the head with your mic? What kind of Arts is...?

MURDERER!

BEAST!

HEARTLESS DEVIL!

THIS IS FOR HASUKE!

W-Wait, calm down—

NO I WILL NOT!

IT WASN'T DEAD YET! HOW COULD YOU—

HOW COULD YOU CUT MY HASUKE?!

Momoka babbles her incoherent vengeful fury, a far cry from the image that she presented on stage just moments ago.

Her microphone finds the ninja, again and again, striking with a fury that even hell does not know...

Stop, stop, no—

I WILL KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD! I WILL BEAT THIS HEARTLESS MONSTER TO DEATH!!!

Momoka?! What are you doing?

I'M KILLING THE BASTARD WHO KILLED MY HASUKE! I WILL RIP HIM FROM LIMB TO LIMB!!!

So, you're, er... you're fine?

I'M FINE! I'M VERY FINE! I'M GONNA BEAT THIS ASSHOLE INTO A PULP!!!

M-Momoka, calm down, he's not worth it, we gotta get out of here...

The rain of blows finally comes to an end, as footsteps fade into the distance.

That other voice must have belonged to Kichisei, the one who was with Momoka. Yes, it was Kichisei who took Momoka away, it must be her...

Thank you, Kichisei... you're my lucky star—

The novice ninja gives Kichisei his most sincere gratitude before passing out. Not that he is in any condition to verbalize it.

I've been waiting for you. No one can stop you, even after all these years.

Quit posturing. Your men have already scattered. I strolled right on in here.

What business does the 'Ao-Oni of Kinsekikai' have with a man who's already finished?

If you came to take revenge for yourself and Tessai, all you need to do is draw your sword.

Hoshiguma shakes her head.

Your crimes have been exposed on your own TV station. Your Diet member <i>upstairs</i> won't help you now, no matter how much bribe money he got from you.

How he may try to cover up his ill-gotten gains is none of my business.

It's enough for me that justice will be served for the people you actually killed.

You almost sound like a cop.

Yeah, I've been working for the Lungmen police force.

...Are you serious?

Yes, I am.

I want to laugh, but I'm not quite in the mood tonight. And I thought the L.G.D. was just a gimmick.

I only came to do what I should have done when I took that step twenty years ago. I came to cut my last ties to Higashi.

And how do you intend to do that? You can't cut yourself off from your past. Karma and fate will always follow you.

You could put them in chains, lock them in boxes, but they will escape when you're least prepared, and tear everything into pieces.

The only thing you can cut is my throat, and it would be nothing more than a formality if you did so. Nothing more than venting your anger.

Yeah, a formality.

There's nothing I want from you or Mitsukue. All I want is a formality.

A letter of excommunication. Tell all of Mitsukue that Hoshiguma no longer has anything to do with Mitsukue, the Kinsekikai, or the Ao-Oni kaidan.

The tall Phidia blinks, then begins laughing wryly.

I see Lungmen has indeed turned you into a cop, through and through.

But I refuse. We have a better way of disassociating someone.

Cross swords with me. Rebel against the oyabun of the Kinsekikai, and there will be no room left for the Kinsekikai to treat you as one of us, no matter which one of us falls.

Do we really have to do this?

This is the true meaning of finishing unfinished business from twenty years ago.

It's just...

Mifune casts a glance around his office.

I rather liked this place, and it would be a shame if a mess was made of it. Let's go somewhere else.

Where?

Kajimachi.

You've razed it to the ground.

Our memories remain, don't they?

You're one twisted bastard.

Let's go. Maybe we'll even catch the end of the fireworks show.