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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>

Starring

'Oni'—Momoka Hanyuu

Excuse me.

No pushing! Are you trying to flatten everyone or something?

That giant uchiwa you've got, lift it up high!

Uchiwa?

Y'know, a fan you wave to show how big a fan you are. Isn't that board you got there a real big one? Making it a triangle's pretty creative. How long has Momo-cchi been your oshi?

<i>Momo-cchi?</i>

...Sorry, just trying to get through. I'm in a hurry.

Momoka! Momoka! Momoka!

Thank you everyone! Thank you so much!

I am so honored that my first role on the big screen got to be the leading lady in <i>Birth of the Vicious Oni</i>—the Nameless Oni!

I've always been fascinated by the Nameless Oni, as she's the subject of a kaidan tale that's been going around Mitsukue for ages.

An Oni with a single horn who rebels in the name of vengeance, wiping out an entire yakuza family in a berserk rage, before finally killing the candidate for the Diet she swore a blood feud against.

(Blood feud?)

But after realizing just how bloodstained her hands had become, she couldn't bear the guilt, ultimately committing suicide.

(Suicide?)

Her endless resentment meant she couldn't be reborn, so she became a specter roaming the streets. Vowing to bury the truth in the dark, she suffers no witness to live...

(Has the story really grown that much...?)

It's a terrifying and tragic story, but it's also a touching one. And now, it's finally out on the silver screen for all to see!

This movie means a lot to me. The people of Kajimachi were so kind to me when we were filming there, so I'd like to thank them while I have the chance.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to talk about <i>Shin Onibugyou</i>, coming out this winter!

I'll be playing the lead Onihappou-no-Take, giving everyone a whole new take on the Onibugyou story.

It'll have a few <i>Birth of the Vicious Oni</i>-related easter eggs and references too. I really can't tell you <i>too</i> much right now... but I hope you all go and watch it too!

Next, we have our very last song for this show, the ED for <i>Birth of the Vicious Oni</i>...

<i>Kishoumon Nocturne</i>, hope you all like it!

It is a slow song. The moment the music starts, the crowd quiets down.

The singer has already belted out an entire concert's worth of songs, the beads of sweat running down her neck just barely perceptible, but she strives to keep her breathing steady, singing to the gentle violin.

...Plot of the film aside, the song's pretty good. This 'Momo-cchi' has a great singing voice too.

Shame I don't have time for a break right now.

Hoshiguma turns her head towards the perimeter of the crowd.

Peering over the heads of hundreds, no, thousands of fans, she is looking to spy a target before the target spies her—

Unfortunately, at that very moment, they lock eyes.

There she is!

Gah!

'Scuse me, I need to switch places.

Eh? Wha—?

If you're not going to move, I'll push my way through.

I don't understand—

Sorry, pal.

The Oni woman lifts her 'uchiwa' up high. It is only at this point that the young fan notices the cold glint of steel shining off it.

Before he even has time to react, he is pushed aside by some monstrous force. The tall Oni has barged past him, and now she is only a few steps away from the stage.

Alone in this land, we all float on by♪

Our fleeting tender moments, cause such deep sighs♪

Let me forever gaze into your eyes♪

Looking at life's dawn and dusk, so filled with dreams♪

Thank you, everyone! Thank you all for listening!

That was the last song I have for you today—

Encore! Encore! Encore!

Momoka! Momoka! Here! Over here!

Amidst the surging crowd of fans, one is particularly excited. She lifts something up high, having done all she can to squeeze through the crowd to reach the stage.

Momoka! I-I live in Kajimachi, I was even an extra in <i>Birth of the Vicious Oni</i>.

This is a picture you took with us extras when we were wrapping up filming. I always wanted to give it to you, but never had the chance... Please, take it!

Kajimachi? You're...

Even Kajimachi has star-chasers like her these days? I thought only old geezers lived there—

As she muses, Hoshiguma inadvertently spots out the corner of her eye several men, very much not dressed like fans, heading towards the Kajimachi girl.

They don't look like plainclothes security either. She might even say they look more like... yakuza?

Just as they are about to grab hold of her, Momoka suddenly pulls her up onto the stage.

WHOOOOOOOO! MOMOKA!

The fans, lost to hype, rush the stage, making the already-cramped venue even more impenetrable.

Up on stage, the sparkling idol cups her hands around her fan's.

I-I-I... Y-Y-You...

Could you tell me your name?

R-Right! Kichisei! I'm Kichisei!

I'm sure I've seen you before...

You remember me? Tha—, well, wh-what did I even do that was so memorable, Momoka-san?

Hmm... This might be embarrassing, but you're the first person I've met who actually likes film set bentos...

That's because the rice is so good—Wait, wait... You saw that? No, nonono...

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!

I'm actually really scared of kaidan, ghost-san! I didn't mean to offend you!

Who's shouting? Is something going on over there?

You really led us on a wild fowlbeast chase, Hoshiguma-san. Still going to resist arrest?

Hardly. I wasn't planning on resisting in the first place.

Hands where I can see them.

Huh?

What just happened?

What do you mean, 'what just happened'?

I must be dreaming...

Why did the police just... arrest the ghost?