story_kazema_2_1

We're holding a feast to celebrate the end of the war! Everyone in the city is invited!

The war's finally over! We lived through it!

Hahahaha, now we get to eat every day! Bread, steak, and clean new clothes on the daily!

Whoa there, keep waving your arms like that and my stew's going to the floor—

Careful! Let me help you.

Oh dear, girlie. Where did you come from? Didn't see you in here till now.

Though, you did save my stew. Thank you.

Maybe because I was behind you the whole time? But take your time, okay? I'll help you serve it.

Alright. Thank you, dearie.

My pleasure. I know you've been buying medicine for the Infected and have even come to help cook today, so this is the least I could do.

The old woman smiles, and reaches out to tuck stray strands of hair back under her headband.

Ooh, that hairband of yours is so pretty.

Really? I'm glad you think so—I made it myself.

(Phew, did I subconsciously go all stealth-mode earlier? Good thing I didn't give her a fright.)

(Now I should hurry and distribute the stew.)

Oho! Look! Another dish for our table!

Come on now, lass, you've worked enough. Sit down and eat with us!

Hear, hear! We even have red wine!

Sure thing.

Brother, I'd like to make a toast to you! Gotta thank you for helping me decorate the shop a few days back. Would've taken days more doing it alone.

Hah! That was nothing. Didn't your family share all those fruits with mine back then? They filled my belly with hope for a better future. Just think of it as returning the favor.

And you, I have to thank you too, for helping us rent a car! Couldn't have even gotten our hands on those fruits and veg without that!

No, no, I hardly did a thing.

Haha, after going through those nightmarish days together, we'll be buddies forever! C'mon, everyone! Cheers!

(...My hard work wasn't in vain. That's great.)

Cheers—!

Huh? What's with the long face, gramps? Food not to your taste?

...No, the food is wonderful.

Maybe I'm just a little tired... haha.

No worries. Come on, let's have a drink together! A pint of our newest brew!

Best beer of my life!

My, my, boys! I know this is a celebration, but keep it down and try not to bother the neighbors, will you?

We should be more elegant, more 'Victorian' in our revelry! Here, a toast, with a precious vintage from my collection. Hahaha, it was worth it hiding it in the cellar!

Sounds great!

Let's have a toast then. I've never tried wine before!

The old man remains silent for a long time.

Before the smiles on their faces can be replaced with doubt, the old man finally clinks his glass against the rest. He drinks the wine in one gulp, then immediately stands up.

Alright, I'm going.

But the joyful party-goers are reluctant to let him leave just like that.

Come on, we've still got more food on the way, and you're leaving already?

Just stay a while longer, old chap. Who else will enjoy this fine vintage after you're gone?

...I'm good.

Hey, just a little longer won't hurt, right?

Yeah, look...

Hey now, what if he's busy or something? No need to hold him up.

...Thanks.

Oh right, gramps. Where's that darling daughter of yours? Didn't bring her today?

Glass shatters as if a bomb was dropped, halting multiple conversations.

The boisterous banquet falls into a dead silence, and several people stare with shock at the broken shards on the floor.

My daughter is dead!

My little girl, who I looked after ever since she was born. Always a healthy one, and I never let her suffer even during the war. But, but...

But she died of acute Oripathy!

She had a wonderful life ahead of her! But now she's gone, while the Infected are allowed to sit here and eat with us?! Hah! Do you even care if you spread it to someone else?!

You, all of you, the Infected and those who allow them to live alongside you. I hate you all.

You'll all meet a wretched end, sooner or later.

...And that concludes my report on the party last night, Captain.

These past few days, we've been resettling the Infected, helping to rebuild damaged buildings, transporting supplies, and re-opening factories and shops.

Many Infected have volunteered and contributed to our efforts. Last night was a long-awaited party to celebrate the recent work done in Caladon.

...I just didn't expect <i>that</i>. Now I'm worried that anti-Infected sentiment will return unless we do something.

Based on our recent findings, many feel their quality of life hasn't increased since the war, but that the risk of contracting Oripathy has increased due to the growing number of the Infected.

Others have lost their family or friends to Oripathy, so the situation is... as expected, really.

I think we need to assign people to deal with this, Captain, or it might spiral out of control.

But we're already short on hands. Resettling injured Infected, post-war reconstruction work... There's still a lot to handle on our end too.

The best we can manage is to keep an ear to the ground. If you notice any conflict, contact the police right away, and give them your cooperation.

...Understood, Captain.

My next missions are... to visit privately opened classrooms, resettle the Infected, and organize files in Parliament...

I'll do my best.

(Schools have yet to reopen, and these ad-hoc classes have been going unreported to the government. But since they're run by actual school teachers, I guess it's fine.)

(Phew. The lesson's finally over. I'll head back and mark the mission as complete.)

...Hey, did you see it? The boy in front looks like an Infected.

Huh?

(I should follow them and see what's going on.)

Whoa, he sure does! Don't sit on any chairs he's been on, or you might catch it.

Man, the war's over, but with so many more Infected around all of a sudden, who's to say we won't catch it ourselves one day? Why don't the teachers separate us into different classes?

Your recovery's going well and your condition's stable. Look, we even found a place for you to reopen your business. You can start from selling some daily necessities here.

It's a good spot with plenty of foot traffic, so you won't go home empty handed. But remember to save your earnings. Don't worry about the medical bills, you can pay them when you've got extra money.

Alright. Thank you, really, I mean it!

Don't mention it.

This a shop? Can I get two bottles of water?

Coming right up, sir! Here you go!

—Wait! Y-Y-Your hands! Crystals?!

I...

S-S-Stay the bloody hell away from me! I don't want these! And keep the cash! I didn't survive that entire war just to catch your sickness! ...What rotten luck.

Calm down, sir. Haven't you seen the government announcements? Oripathy doesn't spread through ordinary physical contact.

Hmph. Who cares what they say? I don't believe a word of it. Are they gonna help me if I get Infected later? Now go! Get far, far away from me!

One more, just one more...

And, and also...

(Is that the old lady from the other day?)

What are you doing tearing down this wall by yourself, ma'am?

Ma'am?

Haven't seen you around before, but this uniform... Are you from the government?

Yes, I work at the town archives. Here's my work pass.

Let me see... Looks like it's no lie! You people have been doing good work lately, so I'll talk.

The old woman stands up and points to a house surrounded by the wall.

Old Hamm's in there. A good man, and neighbor of mine for decades. We've always gotten along.

Don't know where those hooligans heard rumors about him being Infected, but they kept going on and on about how he'd infect us or whatnot, and that we should wall him in.

He didn't want to be a bother, though, so he just agreed. But I don't. He's been sick for so long, you know, and we used to have our meals together, and I haven't caught Oripathy from him, no.

Alright, that's enough from me. When my son gets back he'll probably try and stop me, saying we'll be shunned by our neighbors if I keep this up... My goodness...

I'll help you out.

Oh girlie... thank you so much. My eyes aren't so good anymore, but what's your name? I'll thank you at your workplace someday.

It's fine, you don't have to know who I am. I'm just someone who wants to help.

...That'll do. Alright, let's hurry and get this over with so Old Hamm can get some sunlight again!

Mum!

Gah, speak of the Feline...

Didn't we talk about this, Mum? Stop knocking at that wall already! Old Hamm's not even bothered by it, so why are you?

What if they come after our family instead? You're too old to be causing a ruckus like this. Come on, let's go home!

*sigh*...

And you. Why were you helping this stubborn old woman instead of stopping her?

Just go already!

Kazemaru sighs and puts down the brick in her hand as she watches the man escort his mother home.

The wall still stands, as if no matter how hard she or the old woman tried, it would remain standing for all time.

She suddenly feels her shoulders ache.

She has not felt this in ages; not even the brutal physical training from her days as a ninja left her this exhausted.

We've done so much...

So why does it feel like we haven't done a thing?

Kazemaru, stop whatever you're doing and return to the office, pronto.

A large crowd of worked up people are outside our doors demanding we hand over our Infected patients!

One particularly angry one keeps saying his daughter died from acute Oripathy!

Get all those Infected out here!

Don't be rash now. I doubt anyone here was responsible for your daughter's death. They're just ordinary patients we've verified the identities of...

Aren't those 'ordinary patients' Infected? Won't they pass it on to others?

How many people have they spread their illness to and killed? Why do they get to live in peace, without taking any responsibility?

We're a pharmaceutical company, sir. I'm in charge here, and I can assure you none of their conditions are contagious—

No! You're not pulling the wool over my eyes! Can you take responsibility for my daughter's death?!

Can you?! Huh?!

Exactly!

The war's over, and everyone's suffering. No one gives a crap about us common folk, yet there's a entire company giving special treatment to the Infected?!

Free treatment, free jobs! But what about the rest of us? Are you saying it's fine if we get Infected too?!

Every Infected ought to leave Caladon!

The rowdy residents shout and yell, but no one makes a move, merely egging each other on.

(Whispering) Kazemaru, keep your face down, and do your best to... try and disperse the crowd.

...Understood.

Hey! Who's he talking to?

What're you trying to pull, huh? Calling the reporters? The coppers?

We just want these sick people to leave and prevent any more of us from getting Infected. What's wrong with that?

Everyone, please calm down. Like the government has been announcing, most Infected are unable to casually spread their Oripathy to others...

We don't have to go back to how it was a few years ago...

(Loudly) Yeah, no one cares about us normal folks anyways! Just yesterday I was next to an Infected, and I said 'If you're sick, then you shouldn't be mingling in public!'

(Loudly) Why is that so hard to understand?! Who knows if he could infect me, right? And then you know what? He launched a fireball at me before I could get another word in!

The Infected may occasionally lose control of their Originium Arts, but they don't do it on purpose...

I...

(Loudly) He missed, but it freaked me out! What's worse, none of those sickos even bothered to see if I was hurt! Instead they went and asked if that Infected was alright!

(Loudly) I just wanted him to stay away from me, and he tried to attack me?! Did I deserve that, huh?!

Ugh...

...I...

Kazemaru tries to come up with the words, but fails, not knowing how to even react.

It seems this group will refuse to hear her out no matter what she tries.

Infiltration, tracking, and baiting enemies come as naturally to her as breathing, but now she merely stands rooted to the spot, frozen amongst the crowd—

While the crowd still watches and waits, biding their next chance to tear into her, to vent their suppressed emotions.

*thump*! *thump*! *thump* *thump* *thump* *thump* ...!

A sound suddenly emerges from the crowd.

An ignorant child, blissfully unaware of what the adults were doing, was merely playing with a ball when it slipped out of his hand and rolled onto the path.

Ah, my ball!

'Scuse me, 'scuse me! My ball rolled over there!

The child yells as he dives into the crowd.

The noisy crowd falls silent for a moment.

Kazemaru suddenly grows nervous.

...Hey, did you see under his sleeves? Aren't those black bits Originium crystals?

Looks like it. I've seen that kid before. His mum brought him along for a medicine run, which they got in a black bag. That's how Infected medicine usually gets packed.

'Scuse me, 'scuse me! I saw my ball roll over here!

...Where's his parents? Why aren't they here for him?

Hmph, who knows? Maybe they're Infected too, and are too afraid to come!

Gah, where's my ball?

I lost it? But how?

Ah, he's rolling up his sleeves!

Look! He's an Infected!

Grab him!

Get out of Caladon, Infected!

(Go, my paper dolls!)

Wha?!

Where'd you come from? Are you blind?!

He clearly remembers reaching out to grab the Infected child. But now, he suddenly bumps into a stranger, and accidentally tears something off their arm.

He looks up to see the strange arm missing a chunk, but looks back down to see it in his grasp—

Paper?

That guy earlier... was made of paper?!

Paper?

What's going on?! Let me see!

Hey! Where did you come from? And what's that on you?

Say something!

(Oh no. There are too many people, I don't have time—)

What's going on? Does no one watch where they're going these days?

...That was weird.

(Who is that? They're too far to make out...)

(They're so fast I lost them...)

(I should let the Captain know.)

No, gah, no, ma'am, let me go! I'm in the middle of something!

...Huh?

Gosh, you kids are hopeless. It's already past bedtime for us old folks, and you're still making so much noise on the street? No, this is not how you treat the seniors...

I was hoping to get a good night's rest before making lunch for the kids tomorrow, but you rascals woke me up. And kept going on and on, till I had to come out here myself...

No, we're doing this so you can live in peace!

What—? My ears aren't so good anymore, you know. Talk slower, and walk slower too... You don't want me to fall, do you...?

And 'live in peace', you said? How can I live in peace with all your bickering?

Ah, hey! Don't whack me with your cane! Y-You...

And you! I know who you are. I saw your old man looking for you earlier. You might be in for a beating if you stay out any longer!

What?

Ugh, I...

(Huh? What's going on?)

Captain? I was right about to contact you!

Some of the loudmouths suddenly went real quiet, and some even went home.

Seems like some people are interfering, but they don't look like officers. More like the local residents...?

...It's a bit strange, but I hope the crowd scatters. Let's keep watch for a while. Stay in touch if anything else happens.

Roger.

(Weird...)

Careful, ma'am. Anything I can help you with?

The elderly woman does not answer, only nodding just slightly to Kazemaru as she goes, walking into the halfway melting crowd.

Kazemaru turns around to see the old woman lean the crutch she was using on a street corner. On closer inspection, she realizes it is just a mop handle.

The woman's figure disappears into the crowd.

Kazemaru did not get to see her face clearly, but just barely notices a beautiful headband resting among the old lady's white hair.

That was...

Maybe because I was behind you the whole time? But take your time, okay? I'll help you serve it.

Alright. Thank you, dearie.

My pleasure. I know you've been buying medicine for the Infected and have even come to help cook today, so this is the least I could do.

The old woman smiles, and reaches out to tuck stray strands of hair back under her headband.

Ooh, that hairband of yours is so pretty.

Really? I'm glad you think so—I made it myself.

(That hairband...)

(Was that the old woman I helped out before?)

Kazemaru pats her outfit. In the past few days, she has been constantly swapping from one role to another—sometimes she's a naive student, sometimes a government worker, and sometimes just a local.

Perhaps that is the reason she went unrecognized. Perhaps the old woman merely wanted to express her gratitude to a stranger.

Kazemaru notices some new, unfamiliar faces in the crowd, and has no clue who they are.

But even so, she recognizes the kindness and effort from these strangers too, and feels a little invigorated.

Time to head back to the office to sort some files and make a report.

A few days later

'This report summarizes the recent situation in Caladon. We witnessed a relatively threatening anti-Infected rally.'

'But with help from the police and several anonymous residents, the unrest was quickly quelled.'

'The city council has also received the new Infected bill and is redesigning the city quarters to ensure the Infected and non-Infected will be able to live in peace together.'

Her report complete, Kazemaru pauses for a thought.

'Though we have encountered many difficulties, there are many more besides us who are also doing their best to prevent the situation from worsening.'

'Some frustration is inevitable, but as long as we persevere, the situation will definitely improve.'

Kazemaru puts down her pen, folds the report, and slots it into an envelope. She then quickly changes into her recorder outfit and walks out the door.

She feels as if she is experiencing the long-lost feeling of being a ninja.

In fact, she is no longer operating solo. Around her are many other 'ninjas', with hidden names and identities, who have been working in silence to turn things for the better.

She looks toward the government building not too far away. Caladon's city council is about to hold a special meeting soon.

'However, we will need a little more time to handle this.'