Chapter 4 | Icarus with Wax Wings

Morning— Nadeshiko gazed out the window.

From this building, located at the edge of the Chūshi ward, she could clearly see the narrow gap between two districts.

That space had become a sea of ruins. It seemed it had not benefited from the monster that served as the foundation for the housing complex. Crumbling buildings lay in heaps—it looked like a graveyard.

Pale morning mist drifted across the gray wasteland, soaking everything in a ghostly hue.

“…Looks like a graveyard.”

“Oh my? That’s quite a gloomy face for such a fresh morning~”

The carefree voice came from behind her. Nadeshiko turned a damp stare toward it. Sitting on the sofa, Shikimidō Hisui tilted a tumbler sleepily.

“Not feeling well? Want something to lift your spirits? I’ve got just the thing.”

“You seem… completely at home.”

“Thanks to you. I haven’t had a proper rest in ages.”

Hisui downed her tumbler in one go.

She shook the now-empty container and looked longingly toward the kitchen.

“Heyyy, got any more cocoa? Uh… what was her name again… Ōkami?”

“Makami… So close.”

At the kitchen table, Yukiji was quietly eating breakfast—coffee with lots of milk and sugar, and toast. Yet her mouth remained hidden.

“No more cocoa… Give it up…”

“What?! A tragedy! But I’m a chocolate addict…”

“Not my problem… You were the one who downed all three bottles last night…”

Apparently, these two already knew each other. Nadeshiko had heard last night that when Yukiji and Shiraha first came to the Kamusari Complex, Hisui had provided them information—just like she had with Nadeshiko and her group.

Because of that, Yukiji begrudgingly accepted Hisui’s presence.

“Gokumon. You too—ah, wait.”

Yukiji suddenly covered her mouth in realization. Nadeshiko tilted her head, puzzled.

“What’s wrong, Yukiji-san?”

“I remember now… You don’t like being called by your surname, do you…”

“Well, that’s true… but if it’s easier for you, I don’t really mind.”

“No… That’s not right.”

Yukiji shook her head firmly and rubbed her hidden mouth with one hand.

“We should avoid calling people by names they don’t want to be called… Na-de… shi… Mu…”

Watching Yukiji struggle to say her name, Nadeshiko scratched her own neck in thought. She remembered how Yukiji called Shiraha simply “Shiro.”

“‘Nade’ is fine. How about that?”

“Nade… Nade, right. Yes… That works.”

Nodding in satisfaction, Yukiji gestured to the table full of groceries.

“Now then—Nade, why don’t you eat something too?”

“You should eat more than I do. Don’t worry about me.”

“If you’re concerned about our food supplies, don’t be. Even if your stomach’s empty, as long as your spirit is strong, there’s no need to hold back…”

“…Then I’ll take you up on that. I do enjoy eating—”

“—Then I won’t hold back either~”

With her usual easygoing tone, the toaster chimed.

Hisui had somehow made her way to the kitchen. Yukiji sighed deeply.

“Must be nice to be so carefree… I’ve got mountains of questions for you.”

“Didn’t I answer everything you asked~? All about how I was alone in the dark complex, worn out and ready to give up—when a goddess of salvation appeared before me~”

Speaking theatrically, Hisui winked at Nadeshiko.

“Calling me a goddess is a bit much…”

“Oh merciful goddess, please accept this humble offering…”

“C-come on, stop that…”

The “offering” was a thick slice of toast, perfectly browned.

No matter the topic of conversation, the smell of freshly baked bread always softened her expression. While trying to keep her serious face, Nadeshiko reached for the butter.

“Anyway, why are you hiding from Makurabe-san?”

“Stro-chan’s kinda having a mental rough patch right now.”

Shrugging, Hisui spread salsa on her toast using a knife that looked like an obsidian ritual blade.

—And then Nadeshiko remembered.

Back when they met on the ninth floor, Hisui had her right hand wrapped in bandages.

“I snuck out while I had the chance. I don’t want to get hurt anymore, y’know?”

She shook her head sadly. Now, there was no bandage on her right hand. The wound had been so severe it wrapped her entire arm, but had it healed in just one day, perhaps thanks to one of Taimatsumaru’s effects?

“It happens sometimes. Stro’s almost like a normal person, and the environment’s made her unstable. The neighborhood council’s scattered, and who even knows how many of us are left…”

“…That’s kind of irresponsible, isn’t it?”

Nadeshiko gave her a damp stare again, this time from Hisui’s hand to her face.

“Aren’t you the neighborhood leader? Shouldn’t you care more about the others—?”

“Ahhh… I’m not exactly the leader.”

With a chime, more toast popped from the toaster.

Hisui handed one to Nadeshiko and began coating the other with more salsa.

“If you had to name a leader… hmm… what was their name again… Oh! That old woman with the eyepatch who gave you grief. Remember her?”

“…Yes.”

“────Gokumon is unacceptable.”

Remembering the voice of the old woman with the eyepatch, Nadeshiko furrowed her brows slightly.

“That person is also quite troublesome.”

With a sigh, a bottle of salsa sauce was thrust out before her. Nadeshiko’s eyes widened at the jewel-like bottle, and she looked at Hisui.

While roughly wiping her obsidian knife, Hisui nodded cheerfully.

“But that person was the strongest, so she kind of became like a boss figure. Her intentions were the neighborhood association’s intentions. I was just… what would you call it, a resident who was unusually enthusiastic about neighborhood association activities?”

“I see… troublesome, but if she weren’t there, that would be problematic in its own way…”

“Ehhh… that’s such a harsh way to put it.”

At Yukiji’s subtle expression as she touched her cheek, Hisui puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.

Meanwhile, Nadeshiko was savoring Hisui’s homemade salsa sauce.

Bright red tomatoes mixed with roughly chopped vegetables, creating a delightful crunchy texture with each bite. Nadeshiko savored the now colorful toast with delight.

“With the eyepatch lady missing and the neighborhood association effectively destroyed—that’s where you all come in.”

Hisui shook her head while casually spinning her knife around.

“For me, it’s like a godsend, like Huitzilopochtli to Coatlicue.”

“That’s an incomprehensible analogy—hey, wait a minute…”

“So please, let me join your group too.”

To Nadeshiko’s dubious expression, tearful Hisui scooted closer.

“Being all alone in this housing complex… I’ll surely die soon. Please help me~”

“Aren’t you… a Muyashi?”

“I’m not a Muyashi at all.”

To Yukiji’s exasperated voice, Hisui shook her head vigorously. Even while doing so, she continued knee-walking closer to Nadeshiko, who was trying to maintain distance.

“Don’t cling to me…!”

“I’m just a Tatari consultant. I only mediate jobs for Muyashi… Hey, don’t you think this Hisui-san is pitiful? Please help me, Nadeshiko-chan~”

“I understand, so—!”

Nadeshiko quickly slipped past Hisui and hid behind Yukiji’s back. From behind her dubious expression, she directed a withering gaze at Hisui.

“…I don’t particularly mind.”

“Wow! As expected of Nadeshiko-chan! Your kindness is like Tlaloc’s rain on a drought!”

To Hisui’s cheers, Nadeshiko let out a deep sigh. Meanwhile, Yukiji crossed her arms with a sour expression.

“…Are we taking this one to our base…”

“But we can’t just leave her alone, can we?”

“Well, that’s true… If someone asks for help, we must respond… That’s the pride of a ritual official… It can’t be helped…”

With a reluctant attitude, Yukiji uncrossed her arms and took out a notebook from her pocket.

“Our base is Kawasemi Games… Though there’s some fluctuation, it exists in the ring finger district. Using the route I took… about forty minutes or so.”

“We need to be wary of Gessui Treatment Center and Nakitsubo House, so it might take a bit longer…”

“—Then how about going through the arcade street?”

Nadeshiko and Yukiji, who had been staring at the map, looked up at the carefree voice.

Hisui spread her hands, glittering with numerous rings, and indicated the gap between her middle and ring fingers.

“The ring finger district and the middle finger district—there’s an arcade street connecting these two. If you use this route, you’ll reach Kawasemi Games right away. You won’t need forty minutes.”

“Hmm… isn’t that route somewhat cramped…?”

“Well, that can’t be helped. It’s dark and narrow… but this is quite a hidden gem.”

“What do you mean by hidden gem—”

“Itsumade?”

Someone interrupted Nadeshiko’s words—from outside the window.

It was a voice that made her spine crawl strangely. It had an unpleasant feeling similar to nails scratching on a blackboard.

At the same time, a sharp sound echoed from the entrance. The bell used to set up the barrier was ringing by itself.

Nadeshiko took the chain of the Human Realm in hand and quickly opened the curtains.

“What is this—!”

A lovely baby’s face was pressed against the window, licking the glass with its tongue.

From the neck down, it resembled tattered strips and was strangely elongated. The legs extending from it had a texture like bones or withered wood, transforming partway into thorns shaped like fish ribs.

“Itsumade? Itsumade? Itsumade?”

“Itsumade…! Impossible, why is such a thing here!”

“Ah… they’re circling around the housing complex.”

The Itsumade turned its neck and slammed its head hard against the window glass.

Blue light flashed, repelling the monster from the window. However, countless shadows danced beyond the window, continuing to make unpleasant cries—”Itsumade?” “Itsumade mo…”

“How many are there!”

“The barrier won’t hold for long…! We need to get out of here right now…!”

“We have to break through them. How depressing…”

Yukiji’s footsteps were rough as she headed out of the kitchen, Hisui pressing down her ten-gallon hat. Just as they were about to follow, the sound of breaking glass echoed behind Nadeshiko.

“Itsumade… mo…!”

Writhing its body like a snake, the Itsumade slithered into the room.

The baby’s face bared its sharp fangs and attacked Nadeshiko. She reflexively deflected the leg spikes aimed at her eyeballs with her Guardian Sword and took a deep breath.

Hellfire—with its head burned, the Itsumade let out a shrill scream and fled to the ceiling.

At the fragrant smell of meat, Nadeshiko’s throat rumbled. It looked edible if only the head were removed.

However—Nadeshiko held back and rushed out of the room.

“Not now…!”

In the common corridor too, countless Itsumade were making eerie cries. The moment Nadeshiko and the others appeared, they rushed forward with harsh shrieks and wing beats.

“Itsumade?” “Itsumade mo” “Itsumade, de?” “Itsumade mo…”

“Distant howl, great mouth, come here…!”

Yukiji rubbed her fang prayer beads. Instantly, several wolf spirits appeared in the blink of an eye. They bit into the wings of the rushing monsters and mercilessly clawed at the baby faces with sharp talons.

Nadeshiko also vigorously swung out a chain from her right sleeve.

“Way of Asura—Iron Fire!”

Flames ignited on the crimson chain. When she swung the burning chain around, the Itsumade scattered all at once.

Through the gaps between black wings, the three jumped down from the third floor to the ground.

In an instant, the Itsumade attacked.

One of the wolf spirits vanished under the spiritual energy emitted with ear-piercing screams.

Not only their voices, but the black wings they beat down were also threatening. The wind stirred up by the mass of tough muscles was also charged with spiritual energy, wearing down the power of the wolf spirits.

“Anyway, run, run…!”

Yukiji wielded her fang prayer beads like a whip, knocking away the Itsumade.

“Ah, how utterly depressing…!”

Hisui also brandished her obsidian knife, slicing through the Itsumade heads.

Nadeshiko swayed the chain of the Beast Realm in her left hand.

“Kasha, come!”

A ring of fire appeared in the void, and the figure of a bipedal white cat leaped out. The cat with a fierce face wielded a nine-pronged whip, scattering sparks as it ran over the Itsumade with its wheels.

Making unpleasant cries, the Itsumade scattered.

“Nyaaaah!” With a victory cry, the fire cart leaped and then faded away.

“Well done…!”

With a cry of joy, Yukiji roughly patted Nadeshiko’s head.

“Na—” “—Ah.”

Nadeshiko looked up at Yukiji with an expression like a house cat catching sight of the vast Milky Way for the first time.

Yukiji quickly withdrew his hand and gave a small, awkward cough.

“…Sorry. You and Shiro are about the same height, so…”

“It’s… fine, really… But we still can’t let our guard down.”

Though her cheeks softened slightly, Nadeshiko continued glaring up at the blue sky.

The flock of Itsumade—ominous bird-like creatures—circled above like migratory birds. Though they were currently keeping some distance, it was obvious they would swoop down again the moment any weakness was shown.

“Grr… I’d like to use my usual route, but… there are far too many Itsumade that way…”

“Then how about the arcade district?”

Hisui swiftly flicked the blood off her obsidian knife and pointed ahead.

Beyond her, buildings stacked like a tower of toy blocks loomed over what appeared to be the entrance to a shopping street, its arch half-buried between the layers.

“We should be able to avoid the Itsumade in there. And besides, it’s close.”

“…We’ve got no choice then. Let’s move!”

As they leapt into the arcade district, the surroundings darkened abruptly.

The stacked buildings blocked out the morning sunlight, casting everything in a dusky glow as if it were twilight. Though the arcade had a glass ceiling, the years of dust and grime had stolen its transparency long ago.

“…Do you think we’ll be able to get through without any trouble?”

“It’ll be fine. This area’s kind of deserted—no people or monsters, really. So we should be able to get to Kingfisher Games without a hitch.”

“…Let’s hope so.”

Yukiji sighed and pointed toward a nearby secondhand bookstore. It seemed they intended to take a short rest.

While the three spectral wolves remained on alert, the group lowered themselves into the narrow aisles between ancient books.

“…Still, those Itsumade, huh…”

Yukiji gazed warily up at the ceiling of the arcade.

“They’re supposed to be monsters that dwell where corpses are abandoned in large numbers… Sure, there’s fighting in this housing complex, but even so, the size of that flock is abnormal…”

“I’ve heard of them too. They used to appear on old battlefields and places where the dead were left out for the wind to claim…”

She recalled the stories her uncle had told her.

Their eerie cry, it was said, meant: “How long are you going to leave the corpses there?”

“…That number isn’t normal. With all the lingering thoughts burned into this place, something must have happened here a long time ago. Shikimidou, do you know anything?”

“…Not really. I’ve been around a long time, but even I don’t know.”

Hisui shrugged with a vague smile, flipping open a nearby book.

“But probably… something happened when they were building Taiyoumaru, don’t you think?”

“…So that thing really does kill people?”

“Well, of course~. They’re creating a sun with human hands, after all.”

Hisui let out a disturbingly cheerful laugh as she idly flipped through the yellowed pages.

“Every powerful spell requires a price. And this one’s a supreme healing technique, right? It wouldn’t be surprising if the process killed off the population of a small city or two.”

The ominous words silenced both Nadeshiko and Yukiji.

If one listened closely, the sounds of the housing complex could be heard blending with the fading cries of the Itsumade. Customers chatting with shopkeepers, the flute of a tofu vendor, the off-key recorder of a child…

—And then, a siren wailed.

“…It’s rising again.”

Hisui looked up toward the ceiling, her expression dazed by the glow.

A rumble shook the complex. A high-pitched screech, like a bird of prey, tore through the sky. Beyond the grimy glass roof, a red flash blazed skyward.

Then it settled into the sky like an arrogant sun.

Taiyoumaru—a mythical star said to heal all injuries and curses—rose high as Nadeshiko stared up at it through the glass ceiling.

“…What a hateful star.”

“Agreed… Can’t stand the thing…”

Yukiji growled, then stood and approached a nearby wall.

The wall of the old bookstore was covered in countless flyers and scribbles. Most were faded advertisements from long ago, but some looked more like the cryptic messages of wandering monks.

“…Still, every Muyashi who’s come here has wanted that sun.”

Nadeshiko turned her gaze back to Hisui. At some point, Hisui had been staring directly at her.

“—How about you, Nadeshiko-chan?”

The eyes peeking out from beneath her hat were like the color of a deep forest.

“If that star could grant your wish—wouldn’t you want it?”

In an instant, countless images flashed through Nadeshiko’s mind.

The illusion of a happy family life shown by the Sakabaku—the woman who burned alongside her—playing the koto in a dim tatami room. Nadeshiko still hadn’t even apologized to her.

But…

Nadeshiko let out a quiet snort and looked away.

“…Don’t be stupid. I’m not the kind of girl to wish upon a star.”

“Even though it might come true?”

“There’s no wish I’d sacrifice someone else for… I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.”

“Heh~. You’re surprisingly cool-headed.”

Nodding with her usual carefree smile, Hisui closed the book in her lap.

On its worn cover, written in an archaic font, were the words “Gods of Greece.”

She gently stroked the color-faded surface and lowered her gaze.

“…Well, that’s probably for the best.”

“Hisui…?”

“Muyashi tend to… become arrogant, you know.”

As always, Hisui wore a relaxed smile. Her whispering voice and the hand stroking the book were gentle. However, her drooping eyes seemed somewhat troubled.

“They can see and hear more than ordinary people. So they reach beyond the human realm, extend their hands into forbidden territories, and thus fall… just like Icarus.”

“…Then is the Robai clan also falling?”

The boy who gained wax wings flew freely through the sky, eventually approaching too close to the sun—.

The cover of the book Hisui held depicted a boy with mechanical wings. Gazing at it, Nadeshiko looked up again at the red glowing glass ceiling.

“To me, that looks like something from a realm humans shouldn’t reach into.”

“Who knows… Well, fish belong in water, birds in the sky. Everything has its proper place. There are things to be gained by transcending that, but there are also prices to pay—”

“…That’s enough talk. We’re leaving this place immediately.”

Yukiji’s suppressed voice interrupted their conversation.

Yukiji urged them to leave the used bookstore. The wolf spirits were also growling with wrinkled snouts.

“…What happened, Yukiji-san?”

“I’ve understood part of the reason why this arcade street is so unpopular…”

Seeing what Yukiji pointed to, Nadeshiko involuntarily groaned.

“N-no way…”

Part of a flyer had been peeled away, revealing a sticker buried underneath.

On a jet-black background, a crimson crescent moon emblem resembling a grotesquely torn mouth—.

In this housing complex, there was only one faction bearing the character for ‘moon.’

“————We cannot be cured.”

The three bolted from the bookstore like escaping rabbits.

The smell of disinfectant stung their noses. At the same time, they also sensed the smell of rust, making Nadeshiko furrow her brows.

Every light turned on as if pursuing the three, suddenly brightening the arcade street. Portable red rotating lights, ‘Surgery in Progress’ indicator lights, shadowless surgical lamps—.

From the narrow alleys came rough voices along with the sound of IV drip casters being dragged closer.

“It was Gessui Treatment Center’s stronghold! No wonder it’s unpopular…!”

“I-I didn’t know~! Please forgive me~!”

“Stop sniveling and run…!”

From narrow alleys—or from dark storefronts.

The Muyashi of Gessui Treatment Center appeared silently. All were uniformly dressed in jet-black nursing uniforms, with bandages inscribed with bizarre ritual texts wrapped around their faces.

Despite gripping weapons resembling medical instruments, each Muyashi wore mourning bands.

“Chase the moon children and sun children” “Leave only the demon children behind”

The sound of cutting wind—Nadeshiko immediately wielded the chain of the Human Realm.

The flying syringe was shattered in mid-air. Clicking her tongue at the sound of scattered liquid hissing as it burned the stone pavement, Nadeshiko peered around to survey the area.

Right, left, front, back—in the light of the red rotating lamps, the three were completely surrounded.

“Yukiji-san, the technique you used yesterday—?”

“Surrounded like this, it’s difficult… In any case, we have no choice but to break through…!”

“No way! Let’s surrender for now, please…!”

“————Oh my, oh my, oh my”

With a hoarse voice, the sound of casters echoed all around. The Muyashi were sliding a stretcher entangled with numerous talismans, four of them working together.

“Who do I see but the young lady from the other day. Welcome to our garden of rest.”

“Kōgetsu-in Janome…”

Nadeshiko glared at the woman sitting on the stretcher like a throne.

Gripping the IV spear prepared by someone nearby, Janome stood up. Just that action made all the surrounding Muyashi straighten their posture and lower their eyes.

“The fox person isn’t with you. It seems you’re now with the wolf person…”

From under her hat, Janome smiled and bowed respectfully to Yukiji.

“I’m sorry for startling you, fellow practitioner. As you know, moon children like us are delicate… I’d like to apologize for the discourtesy.”

“I have no words to exchange with heretics… but let me ask one thing.”

While checking the condition of her gauntlets, Yukiji glared at Janome with piercing eyes.

“—Do you know Mashin Yukiji?”

Instantly, Nadeshiko felt a stir run through the crowd.

Like a pebble thrown into water, Yukiji’s name sent ripples of agitation through the thin darkness. However, it was immediately calmed by Janome’s cough.

“The ‘Slit-Mouth of Jingu’… I never imagined you were in Kyoto. Meeting you here must be some kind of fate. How about it, would you like to—”

“…Nonsense is unnecessary.”

Yukiji spat out the words and wielded her fang prayer beads like a whip. Pale blue smoke wavered in the thin darkness, and three new wolf spirits appeared with distant howls.

“Though born like wild dogs… I haven’t fallen as far as you lot…”

“Don’t say such cold things… I think you and I could get along well.”

Ignoring Janome’s sweet whispers, Nadeshiko glanced up at Yukiji’s face.

Janome’s word ‘fellow practitioner.’ And considering Yukiji’s words and actions—.

“…Yukiji-san is right.”

Without touching on that matter, Nadeshiko transformed the chain of the Human Realm into a Guardian Sword.

She felt the Muyashi’s bloodlust intensify at the glinting of the blade under the red light. However, without being intimidated, Nadeshiko pointed the blade tip at Janome.

“We have absolutely no intention of wasting time talking with you… You’re going to let us through here.”

“Ufufu… such a lovely young lady. Beautiful, spirited, and adorable…”

Janome laughed and gracefully raised her IV spear. The sharp point aimed straight at Nadeshiko’s throat.

“—I want that radiance even more now.”

“Hey, hey… this is no joke.”

Between the glaring factions, Hisui shook her head vigorously.

“We just want to pass through here. We won’t hurt anyone… so please, let us go.”

“…Oh my, you. I’m sure I killed you yesterday, but it seems you were lucky. It’s all right, this time I’ll properly dissect you.”

“C-communication isn’t working… I’m in trouble…”

Hisui grimaced while drawing her obsidian knife.

Holding their breath. Sharpening their senses. Sweat beaded on the hands gripping weapons.

The wind blew—premonition moved their bodies.

“Ugyaah—!”

Before she knew it, Nadeshiko had thrown Hisui into a nearby shop. Following the stupid scream, she dove into the building and forcibly made her lie flat on the ground.

The tension broke. The Muyashi of Gessui Treatment Center, weapons in hand, were about to attack the three.

————A black shadow crossed the ceiling.

The glass ceiling shattered under the force of a sudden, violent wind.

With it came a rain of transparent shards, cascading down upon the arcade below, slicing into those unfortunate enough to be caught beneath.

Screams were drowned by the roar of the storm. Blood and glass glittered red in the dim light.

“What the—?! What is this?!”

From a shop across the way, Yukiji stared up at the ceiling in stunned disbelief. A massive rhino spirit stood beside her, its thick hide shielding her from the deadly downpour.

Then, the wind stopped. A blood-soaked silence settled over the street.

Most of the healers from the Gessui Clinic lay fallen. Their blood soaked the cobblestones, while groans and muffled sobs echoed faintly in the aftermath.

“All personnel—retreat. We’re pulling out now,”

Janome stood tall, her voice cold as steel, eyes fixed on the broken ceiling above.

“Something that should never have happened… has begun.”

【Clatter…clatter…clatter…】
Beyond the shattered ceiling, two red masks swayed. Then another pair. Then two more.

Then two more. And more still.

“The Waxwing Tengu mimics…!”
“But why?! The sun is still in the sky!”

“Be silent,” Janome commanded. “Those who can move—do so swiftly. Those who cannot—grant them mercy.”

The chaos instantly quieted.

The healers who had survived the storm moved without hesitation. Some disappeared into the shadows. Others calmly delivered killing blows to their dying comrades.

“Why…?”

Nadeshiko froze at the sight of new blood splashing the ground.

Before her eyes, the healers in black moved mechanically, their blades precise, their expressions blank as they ended their allies’ lives.

“They’re still alive… so why… why do that?”

“Don’t think—just move!”

Yukiji’s voice burst out in a barely restrained shout. Something pushed against Nadeshiko’s back—a glowing wolf spirit nudging her forward.

Hesitantly, she turned to see Hisui also being pushed along, stumbling before breaking into a run.

“Uwah—hey! Go easy, will you?!”

“The mimic Tengu are after Gessui Clinic! This is our only chance—run for the safe house!”

Yukiji’s voice wavered like never before.

She didn’t even glance at the blood pooling beneath her feet, or the shining blades of Gessui’s so-called mercy. Her blue eyes remained locked forward, unwavering.

“Run, Nade—run! It’s all we can do now… all we have left…!”

Biting her lip hard, Nadeshiko didn’t look back.

“Director… thank you…”
“…Gratitude…”

She tore herself away from the dying voices, running faster.

Just as Yukiji said, the mimic Tengu had set their sights on Gessui Clinic.

A stray syringe embedded itself in a nearby pillar. Behind them, shrieks and frenzied howls rang out—scalpels, saws, IV spears, and a whole armory of tools clashed in a chorus of horror.

“…That’s strange,”

Hisui lifted the brim of her hat and peered up at the broken ceiling.

“The rule was that the Waxwing Tengu don’t move while the Taiyōmaru is in the sky…”

“…There are no rules in this complex anymore.”

Yukiji’s voice was low and heavy.

“Nothing’s strange now. Not here.”

The Gessui Clinic, who cut down their comrades without hesitation.
The Nakitsubo family, who assaulted the Neighborhood Council with reckless violence.
The Council, now consumed by fear and hatred.
And the mimic Tengu, with whom no words could be exchanged.

“Survival means anything goes,”
—a woman’s fevered voice whispered in her memory.

Massacres had become ordinary. Order was gone. Morality long since discarded.

Nothing was punished. Nothing was questioned.

People clashed and killed, day after day, for the sake of their secret arts.

──That was this place. This cursed Kamisari Complex.

“…I hate it.”

The Taiyōmaru’s light poured through the broken ceiling above, red as the blood spilled on the streets.

Even being touched by it disgusted her. Nadeshiko shook her head violently, as if to fling it off.

“A place like this… it should just disappear already.”

“…Yeah, I suppose so.”

The surroundings were growing brighter. The end of the arcade street was right in front of them now.

As they passed through the oddly-shaped arch, Hisui let out a sigh.

“Really, this housing complex is just so utterly—gah, cough…”

Hisui made a choking sound. When Nadeshiko turned around, what she saw was Hisui with her neck being strangled by a thorny snare.

The bramble-like thing had easily pierced through her white skin.

“Hisui!” Nadeshiko’s hand reached out with a scream.

Before her fingertips could touch her, Hisui’s body was pulled upward. Blood gushed from her torn neck, dripping with wet sounds onto the stone pavement.

“Wait! Give Hisui back!”

“Hey, Nade—!”

Shaking off Yukiji’s restraint, Nadeshiko extended her Human Path chains to the building wall. Leaping across multiple balconies and kicking off wall protrusions, she ran up to the rooftop.

“Where did she disappear to…!”

Hisui should have been pulled up to this building. Indeed, a large amount of bloodstains remained on the concrete ground. They extended even to the tower’s walls, leaving an ominous striped pattern.

However, Hisui herself was nowhere to be seen.

The wind howled emptily. Overhead, the Taimatsu-maru spread its ominous halo of light.

“What’s going on… Where on earth did she go—”

Koan—Along with the sound of wooden clogs, she felt an strange gust of wind.

Her body moved faster than her thoughts. Nadeshiko turned around while simultaneously unleashing her Guardian Sword.

With a metallic sound, the black hand that had been aiming for the back of her head was deflected.

“…This is the second time we’ve met.”

“Sa… Sa… Saga, ga…”

A hoarse voice echoed from where she glared.

The Black Tengu—the pseudo-tengu she had first encountered in the Kamizari housing complex—stood there.

On the back of its tattered black robes, something that looked unmistakably like human palms was swaying. It seemed to have crawled up the wall with those fingertips to appear on this rooftop.

“Where did you take Hisui…!”

Facing Nadeshiko who pointed her Guardian Sword at it, the Black Tengu shook its body as if coughing.

“…I searched for you… Gokumon…”

“…Huh?”

“I ran around everywhere looking…”

While Nadeshiko’s red eyes widened, the Black Tengu let out a strange wheezing laugh.

“Hidden forms can be quite cleverly imitated… However, my eyes cannot be deceived… Are you so afraid of me… You seem ashamed of the enormity of my great work…”

The intonation was strange, with an extremely awkward tone. What spilled from its mouth was as rough as wind blowing through withered fields—it was more accurate to call it sound rather than voice.

However, this pseudo-tengu was speaking human language. Moreover, it had mentioned the name ‘Gokumon.’

“What are you… Why do you know about the Gokumon family?”

“Now, there are no more obstacles… I have been released…”

There was no answer to her question. The Black Tengu whispered while placing its unusually long arms on the ground.

The two palms growing from its back writhed like a giant spider.

“This time I shall surely visit my great Garan… I shall look up at my great sun…”

The Black Tengu let out a rough laugh. In that instant, pitch-black liquid burst forth as if breaking through its back. The mud-like substance instantly took the form of elongated hands and rushed toward Nadeshiko.

“What the hell—!”

Far above, the false sun was being hidden by blue shadows.

◇　◆　◇

── Kawasemi Games’ Break Area.

Amana sat silently, glaring at her university notebook. The pages were covered in bizarre geometric patterns and strange characters that resembled kanji.

“Amana-saaan, let’s hang out alreadyyy~”

Sprawled on a nearby bench reading manga, Shiraha let out a drowsy voice.

“Shiraha-chan, you look so bored… Oh, I know! How about a little fortune-telling to lift your spirits? Introducing: Shiraha’s Prophetic Surprise, aka ‘Shiranai’! Top-tier entertainment guaranteed!”

“…Does it even work?”

“Accuracy aside, Yuki-senpai laughed her butt off.”

“Mm… sounds like pure lunacy. I’ll pass.”

“Ehhh, ignoring cute little me? What could you possibly be so absorbed in over there?”

“Mmm… trying to devise a method to infiltrate the housing complex.”

As she spoke, Amana added another character with her brush.

Blue ink, laced with golden particles, danced across the white page. This was a medium Amana had developed herself—refined from spiritual essence using her Kangatari powers to make it easier to handle.

When drawing talismans or ritual circles, this ink drastically amplified the effects.

“…Judging by the remaining spiritual residue, the base ritual likely comes from the mainland. Considering the Rōbaiba clan’s obsession with entering the spirit realm, my guess is that it draws from some solar ascension myth… something like Hakujitsu Shōten.”

“What’s that? Some kinda dying-and-going-to-heaven thing?”

“It’s a tale of someone ascending to the heavens in broad daylight and becoming a sage. I first thought the Rōbaiba clan was trying to use this legend magically to cross into the Otherworld. But…”

Fidgeting with her bangs, Amana stared at the ceiling.

This game center had awful lighting.

The small, narrow windows barely let in any sky. But judging from that earlier rumble, that strange giant star must still be glowing up above.

“…This kind of ritual, I’ve never seen it before.”

Fox spirits like Amana were well-versed in all manner of mystical arts. Whether it was the sorcery of monsters or the curses of exorcists—they knew it all.

Among them, Haku, Amana’s past self, had once mastered every known form of fox magic.

“Neither the structure nor theory makes sense… Hard to believe, but even I’m clueless.”

She let out a deep sigh, twirling her brush in one hand. In an instant, it transformed into a folding fan. She opened it and stared hard at her notes.

“…If that thing is being treated as a sun, then there might be a way to counter it…”

“C’mon, let’s take a break! An escapade with Shiraha-chan—”

“Say, Shiraha. How good are you with a bow?”

“Whoa there…”

The manga slid off Shiraha’s face. She blinked, sat up, and glanced at the bow propped against the table with sleepy eyes.

“Well… I’m pretty good, y’know? Used to be a regular at archery tournaments. Even won the nationals once. Everyone in my family was so proud of me back then…”

She closed her eyes, smiling dreamily—then suddenly burst out laughing.

“Too bad they’re all dead now! Ahaha!”

“…You don’t feel sadness?”

“I outsource messy emotions to senpai.”

Still grinning, Shiraha shrugged. Her green eyes sparkled like glass marbles.

“Mm… Must be nice. I’m jealous.”

Amana gave a vague smile and looked away. She tore a page from her notebook and quickly folded it into a complex shape. Then, she held the finished charm out to Shiraha.

“Oh? What’s this…? Wait, is this—a love letter?”

“It’s a special charm. When the time comes, Yukiji will give you instructions. When she does, hold this in your mouth… and fire an arrow at whatever she points to.”

“Oho, I see! I’m a skill on Yuki-senpai’s hotbar!”

“Glad you understand. But remember—one important rule.”

Amana raised a finger as Shiraha curiously turned the charm over and over.

“When you use it, you must truly believe you’re the world’s greatest archer—deep down.”

“Ehh, deep down, huh…”

Tilting her head, Shiraha pouted like a child.

“…Well, I am the best, so?”

“Good. That’s the spirit. Your bow is the strongest there is.”

“Exactly! ‘Shiraha Watatsuki of April First’ is just another way to say ‘Nasu no Yoichi’, you know—wait, Amana-san? Where are you going?”

Still beaming, Shiraha looked puzzled as Amana rose to her feet.

“I said I’d work with you all, but I’ve no intention of waiting for Yukiji forever. Honestly, just thinking about her getting close makes my skin crawl.”

“What! But you said we’d stay behind together!”

“I don’t even know if Nadeshiko’s safe. I can’t sit still any longer.”

The image of Nadeshiko—lost amidst the chaos—flashed through her mind.

The Hakutaku weren’t known for harming people. But non-humans didn’t follow human logic.

Was Nadeshiko safe? Was she… even still alive?

Her black sandalwood fan groaned in her grip.

“────You really can’t sit still, huh?”

A lazy voice drifted in. Amana’s gaze shifted toward a nearby pinball machine.

Dark orange hair, sea-green scarf, black ten-gallon hat—flashy as ever.

“I hope Nadeshiko-chan’s okay.”

Shikidō Hisui was casually playing pinball, still wearing that carefree smile.

Amana furrowed her brow slightly.

“…You sure know how to relax.”

“Feels like we’re all on a school trip or something. It’s kinda fun, don’t you think? Hard to believe we were just in a death match back at the housing complex… right, Kome-san?”

“Shut up! I’m in the zone right now—! And it’s Ume, I told you!”

Ume, tangled in white hair, was frantically mashing buttons in a rhythm game.

“Curses! There’s trickery in this claw arm—!”

Nearby, Tsuji Giri-Jii raged at a crane game, while further away, a worn-out shrine maiden puffed on cheap cigarettes while playing a fighting game.

Amana covered her mouth with her fan and glanced at Shiraha, who was still fiddling with the charm.

“…Why are all these people here?”

“Hey, it’s not like I wanted this, either! I didn’t sign up to babysit this disaster zone! But as a Ritual Officer, I can’t ignore a request for help.”

“Ugh… such a pain.”

“Don’t say things like that! I don’t want to get involved either!”

“Well, well, I’m grateful to you both.”

Hisui, who had stepped away from the pinball machine, smiled at Amana and Shiraha who were whispering conspiratorially.

“After all, you saved me. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Of course! It’s our duty! Please be super grateful!”

Shiraha puffed out her chest proudly. Amana vaguely thought that if Yukiji heard this, she’d probably punch her.

Hisui chuckled softly and lightly lifted the brim of her hat.

“Thank you, both of you. For now, shall we deepen our friendship with Twister?”

“That sounds good. Most interesting. Everyone, feel free to twist, turn, and rotate your bodies as you play—well then, I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Oh no, you can’t get away that easily! You can’t think you can shake off this Shiraha-chan!”

“…I told you, I want to go look for Nadeshiko.”

Amana narrowed her eyes over her fan at Shiraha who was blocking her way.

“…Well. Amana-san, you seemed to be at an impasse.”

Shiraha took out her bow and scribbled something on a memo placed on the table. From what could be glimpsed, it appeared to be some kind of cipher used by the Shicho.

Then, taking her bow, Shiraha cheerfully pointed toward the entrance.

“Well then, let’s combine this with searching for Nadeshiko-chan—I, the humble Shiraha Watanuki, shall guide Amana-san to a little mystery spot.”

“…A mystery spot?”

“Yes… a mystical domain that troubles me and Yuki-senpai.”

Shiraha winked. Then she whispered in a voice only Amana could hear.

“—It might be the key.”

Amana stared intently at those deep green eyes.

Then, over her spread fan, she glanced toward the neighborhood association. The Tsujigiri old man smashing crane games with his demon sword, the shrine maiden silently opening a one-cup sake, the old woman chewing on a straw doll—

“…Maybe I’ll play one more game.”

And the woman in the ten-gallon hat leisurely browsing the pinball machines.

Narrowing her eyes in a smile, Hisui casually waved at the two of them.

“Oh, are you leaving already? Take care~”

“Hmm… don’t do anything unnecessary.”

Casually driving the point home, Amana left the store with Shiraha.

The light of the Taimatsu-maru streamed in thinly. The moment she looked up at it, Shiraha let out an absurd voice.

“Uwawa… what is that…!”

In the sky, which had been dyed a faint crimson, blue translucent mirages were swaying. They surrounded the giant Taimatsu-maru, flickering irregularly.

“…It seems the boundary between the present world and the ‘in-between’ is wavering. Not a very good omen.”

“Ugh… I wish something more pleasant would happen…”

Shaking her head, Shiraha inserted the key into the scooter parked beside the entrance. The scooter, stolen from someone in the Nakitsubo family, echoed with its usual energetic exhaust sound.

“…What do you think of the neighborhood association group?”

“If possible, I’d like to tie them all up in straw mats. …Especially regarding Shikimido Hisui, I couldn’t trust her from the beginning.”

“I agree…”

While straddling the scooter after Shiraha, Amana looked into the store. Through the cracked glass door, she could see the neighborhood association people making a commotion.

“…I’ve set up a simple surveillance technique. If she makes even the slightest suspicious move, we should know immediately.”

“Oh, that’s reassuring then.”

Perhaps noticing their gaze, Hisui turned around. Whether she knew their intentions or not, she cheerfully lifted her hat with a pleasant expression.

Amana smiled gracefully and waved her fan casually in response.

“…Well then. Let’s have you show us this ‘key’ of yours.”

The scooter driven by Shiraha entered the Koyubi district.

It was a desolate district. The buildings were decaying, and the streets were being eroded by moss and vegetation.

At the end of what was buried in green, there was a thickly overgrown grove of miscellaneous trees. And as if bearing the blue-black darkness on its back, a stone torii gate stood lonesome and solitary.

“…A shrine. How meaningful.”

“Right? Shrines and temples are obviously suspicious spots, aren’t they? We thought so too, and tried to investigate on our first day here, but…”

Getting off the scooter at a suitable spot, Amana directed her amber eyes around the area.

Around the stone torii and sacred fence, an enormous number of stickers were pasted. All of them were the same as those occasionally seen—pictures of a strange mascot with three eyes.

“These are creepy stickers, aren’t they…”

While Shiraha shivered theatrically, Amana gazed intently at the stone torii.

Tilting her head, she slid her fan into the darkness as if tracing something invisible.

“…Hmm, hmm. I see.”

Amana nodded several times. Then she boldly stepped toward the stone torii.

The cracked approach was dark, with shadows of decayed stone lanterns standing quietly. The trees, having forgotten their role as guardians over the long years, had spread their branches completely as they pleased.

There, things glowing white in places.

The three-eyed pattern. Painted carelessly in pure white paint on tree trunks and stone lanterns.

While glancing at such strange scenery, Amana proceeded straight ahead.

Eventually she passed through the grove and went through the stone torii.

“—Welcome baaaaack!”

Shiraha greeted her with a grin. Amana, not particularly surprised, looked up at the stone torii.

“…The space has been tampered with.”

“Right? Here, no matter how you proceed, it’s set up so you absolutely return to the entrance. Mysterious, isn’t it? Maybe there’s some treasure of the Roubaiha clan or something?”

“No, it doesn’t seem like the Roubaiha clan tampered with the space.”

“Oh ho? Why do you think that, nya?”

“The basis is these stickers… correctly speaking, this three-eyed pattern.”

Amana closed her fan and pointed to the stickers pasted on the stone torii and sacred fence.

“The picture was too distinctive for me to understand at first glance, but now I understand. This is what’s called a Hakutaku diagram. And a powerful one drawn by Hakutaku itself.”

“Hakutakuzu?”

“It refers to paintings depicting the spirit beast called Hakutaku. It’s a kind of charm against evil.”

Amana recalled the bitter scene from the other day. The ox-headed girl who had kidnapped Nadeshiko—though she couldn’t confirm the three eyes on her face, she instinctively understood that was a young beast of Hakutaku.

“Charm against evil… but the disappearance incidents started happening at the same time these stickers appeared.”

“…The order is reversed.”

To Shiraha, who looked completely confused, Amana shook her head.

“It would be more natural to think these were originally pasted to prevent spiriting away. Probably, they were going around pasting them to repair boundaries that had come undone.”

“Hmm hmm. The fact that there are heaps of them here means this place is somewhat dangerous?”

“Well… at least, I didn’t sense any particularly dangerous presence from the other side.”

“Eh! Somehow, doesn’t it feel like the mystery has deepened?”

While Shiraha complained with grumbles, she kicked a pebble at her feet.

Meanwhile, Amana was already drawn to something else. The sacred fence lined around the stone torii. What separated the outside world from the shrine had been worn down by years of wind and rain.

Even so, the names of donors carved in stone could be clearly read—’Roubaiha.’

“Kujaku, Hakuga, Raichou… the donors are all from the Roubaiha clan.”

While tracing the names on the sacred fence, Amana proceeded.

And then, she found it. Right near the torii—as if buried in withered grass and fallen trees, a small flat stone monument lay fallen. The monument was broken, and the inscription had been almost completely worn away by age.

Amana knelt beside the monument and traced the carved characters with her fingertips.

“…Sakaki Norihara Shrine Chronicle”

—In the eighth year of Tenmei, during the great fire —The village headman’s Roubaiha clan, who were out in the city, were caught in the fire. —To save his sister who suffered severe burns, the brother ran to Kawasemi Pass in one night. —Standing by the spring’s edge, the brother tearfully appealed to the Great Tengu of Kawasemi Pass. —Moved by this, the Great Tengu lent the brother his power. —Through this, the Roubaiha clan achieved revival. —To console the Great Tengu, they built a shrine and garan in the verdant depths of Kawasemi Pass. —We of the Roubaiha clan shall spread reverent fear of the Great Tengu widely to the world until the end of our lineage. —Offer one. Give one.

“…Wow, this is mysterious again.”

Shiraha, who had walked over, made a difficult face in front of the monument.

“Um… this beginning part is exactly about the great fire of the eighth year of Tenmei, right? That terrible fire that even burned the Imperial Palace… so where is this Kawasemi Pass?”

Amana couldn’t even speak, tracing the inscription with her fingertips over and over. Finally, she managed to squeeze out just one word.

“…This is the vital point.”

“Oh? What’s wrong, Amana-san?”

Shiraha, with her arms crossed behind her head, glanced over.

With her amber eyes wide open, Amana slowly shook her head.

“This is something tremendous… Why is such a thing left abandoned? Or… could it be that the Roubaiha clan has forgotten?”

“What what? That’s an intriguing reaction.”

Amana was silent for a while. Eventually she fluttered her fan and stood up.

“…I don’t know the current purpose of the Roubaiha clan. The magical principles that constitute this housing complex, even the techniques, are unclear. However, if this inscription is correct…”

In the amber eyes gazing at the inscription, there was somehow a pitying color.

“—The Roubaiha clan are not even muyashi.”

“Eh…?”

Even Shiraha was visibly stunned, staring at the shattered stone monument and Amana.

“If what these fragments imply is true… then the Robaiha clan did not awaken their spiritual powers by their own means. They’ve only been wielding powers lent to them by someone else.”

She tapped her closed fan against the phrase ‘granted power’, her lips twitching in frustration.

“It doesn’t say ‘bestowed’ or ‘gifted’. It says ‘lent’. They’re not descended from the tengu—they’re mere mortals who’ve been seduced by one.”

“Ah—so that’s why they can’t fly!”

As Shiraha exclaimed in confusion, Amana flipped open her notebook.

Inside, she had jotted down notes from Shiraha’s earlier accounts of the pseudo-tengu. The dual-masked red tengu, the blue one immune to non-spiritual attacks, the whip-wielding yellow one, the enigmatic black tengu…

—Not one of them had decent wings.

“But didn’t you say the Robaiha clan is obsessed with the skies of the spirit world? That they built this forsaken housing block as a ‘borderland’ to return to the skies of their ancestors?”

Shiraha threw up her arms in exaggerated confusion.

“If they’re not tengu descendants, then why go to all this trouble building a place like this?”

“Like you said—they’re obsessed with the sky.”

“So then, the Robaiha…”

“From what I’ve seen, there are traces of clumsy sorcery scattered around here—all of them sky-related. No doubt the Robaiha long for the sky… it’s not a complicated motive.”

Overhead, the sky twisted with bizarre hues of magenta and cyan. At its zenith sat Taimaimaru, surrounded by trembling mirages of blue.

Amana raised her fan to point straight at that surreal sky.

“To fly freely… you’ve wanted that too, haven’t you?”

“Well… yeah, I guess I have.”

“That longing for the sky—everyone feels it at some point. Even after countless lives have fallen from the heavens, humans still yearn for the sky. Because they see in it… a color from beyond.”

She shaded her eyes from the red light with her fan and glared at Taimaimaru.

“Most likely, that so-called Great Tengu showed the Robaiha progenitor… the azure of the farthest sky.”

“…The spirit world’s sky. Is it really that dangerous?”

“To living beings of the real world, it’s like a poison. Your soul can get dragged across.”

“Ughh.” Shiraha shuddered dramatically—but her eyes had a sharp glint.

“Still… something doesn’t add up…”

Amana narrowed her brows, gazing again at the forgotten stone monument.

“From the traces left behind, the Robaiha clearly knew of more efficient methods of flight. So why… the sun?”

Her gaze froze—then she whirled around as if struck.

It was Haku Takuzawa.
The girl with a bull’s head stared silently at Amana from beyond the stone torii.
Amana furrowed her willowlike brows and stomped forward.

“You… Where is Nadeshiko—!”

—A chill ran down her spine.

Amana instinctively dove into the nearby shadows. A gunshot echoed a beat later, splintering the stone fence nearby.

Shiraha, crouched low with a tense expression, swiftly nocked an arrow to her bow.

“Whoa—this is bad, we’ve been spotted…”

“You bastaaaaards—!”

With a feral roar, a shadow lunged from the dim light beyond the torii.

Beneath a ragged hood, messy black hair fluttered in the wind.
The man was burly, dressed in torn black sweats, a plain dagger at his waist.

In one hand, a pistol. In the other—a massive, brutal machete.

Without hesitation, Shiraha loosed her arrow. The man dodged by leaping sideways, evading the shot aimed at his feet.

“Holy crap, what kind of reflexes are those…?!”

“You’ve got some nerve showing up again—!”

Another gunshot rang out—but Shiraha had read his aim and twisted her body just in time. Simultaneously, she whipped out a dart from her pouch and hurled it.

The rune-inscribed dart was shot down before it could activate.

“Crap—!”

In Shiraha’s widened green eyes, the machete-wielding man loomed large.

“────【StrikeMove】!”

A shockwave slammed into the man’s flank, blasting him away with a howl of pain.

His massive body skidded and bounced across the cracked asphalt, striking the ground again and again.

“Shiraha! Get on!”

Amana shouted as she fired up her scooter’s engine.

Shiraha sprinted toward her, just as the man began to recover. Kneeling on the pavement, his enraged eyes and gun barrel both locked onto the fleeing scooter.

“Get back here, you bastard exorcists! You’re not getting awayyyy!”

“Of course we’re getting away! You’re insane!”

Shiraha yelled back, stabbing a dart into the seat.

“Raido!”
A transparent ripple surrounded them both.

Sparks scattered at the edge of their vision. Amana ducked instinctively.

Looks like Shiraha’s amateur runes were working—barely deflecting the barrage of bullets.

“Who the hell is that guy?!”

“Some terrifying machete freak. We ran into him on the first day. He attacks anything he sees.”

“Yōi…! What a cursed time to be born…!”

Amana’s elegant face twisted in an unfamiliar expression of bitter frustration.

“That place… it has to be the key…”

In the scooter’s mirror, Sakaki Norihara Shrine shrank into a tiny speck.
Amana glared at it as it rapidly receded into the distance, biting her lip.

—A deafening boom.

Amana slammed the brakes. Shiraha shrieked, clinging to her waist for dear life.

“Wh-what now, what now, what now?!”

“How should I know?! This place is a madhouse—anything could happen—!”

Riiing…
A faint sound reached Amana’s ears.

It was the clear chime of a bell—cool and otherworldly, as if echoing from the heavens.
There was no mistaking it.

“Nadeshiko’s… Karyōbinga…!”

“It came from over there! —Whoaaa!”

Shiraha pointed, and Amana floored the accelerator in that direction.

That chime couldn’t have come from far. As they weaved through narrow alleys, Amana caught sight of movement on a rooftop.

“Is that you, Nadeshiko…!”

A black shadow fluttered in the wind.
A silver flash gleamed sharply.

Rokudō Iron Chain—Setsuna.
In that instant, Amana forgot every last trace of fear or hesitation.

“We’re going—!”

Before Shiraha could even reply, Amana rocketed ahead at full throttle.

◇　　◆　　◇

The man stood still, glaring for a while in the direction where the scooter had vanished.

Click, clack—small hoofbeats echoed through the stillness. When he turned around, the young Hakuzawa Rara had stepped out beyond the shrine’s boundaries.

Her face was that of a human. Yet her eyes—those pale, twin pupils—were utterly devoid of expression as they fixed themselves on him.

“…They didn’t do anything to you, did they, Rara?”

“Nothing happened,” Rara replied, her voice mechanical, awkward in its fleshly resonance.

“Were they from the Roubaiha clan?”

“No. Those people… came from outside. Just like Ryuuji.”

“…I see.”

Ryuuji let out a heavy sigh, tugging off his hood.

He was a middle-aged man. Messy black hair draped over a haggard, sunken face. Heavy bags sat beneath eyes that still gleamed like sharpened blades.

“Mind if I rest a bit longer? Lost my nest in the blast—haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since.”

“…It’s okay. Rest as long as you like.”

“Huh…? What’s with you, Rara?”

Scratching the back of his neck, Ryuuji looked at her with something resembling concern.

“You’re quieter than usual. Something happen?”

“…Trying to figure it out,” she murmured.

“Figure out what?”

“People… What makes them good, what makes them bad… I’m trying to understand… but it’s hard… I don’t know…”

Her gold-tipped horns twitched restlessly. Even with her face unreadable, the confusion in her air was evident.

“…But… I think Ryuuji is a good person.”

Ryuuji didn’t say a word.

Yet Rara, as if satisfied with her answer, turned on her heel.

Her pale figure disappeared into the thickets, hooves tapping softly as she vanished into the underbrush. Ryuuji watched her go, his gaze shadowed with something unreadable. Slowly, his lips curled into a crooked grin.

“…You’ve got no eye for people, Rara. I’m just trash, through and through…”

A dry chuckle shook his shoulders. As he laughed, his hand wandered to his neck.

In the light of Taimeimaru, the mystical sun above, a faint red chain-like mark was visible around his thick throat.

Tracing the pattern with his coarse fingers, Ryuuji looked up at the twisted sky, his gaze hollow.

“Nothing ever works out… Not a single damn thing. When the hell is this all gonna end?”

“…Hey, Kirihito…”

◇　　◆　　◇

Nadeshiko cut away the mud hands.

The severed hands danced through the air with splashes. However, new hands immediately attacked.

Hands, hands, hands—the black fingertips grazed her hair, and Nadeshiko furrowed her brows tightly.

“Annoying…!”

While cursing, Nadeshiko leaped sideways.

Immediately after, the Black Tengu’s long arms struck down where she had been standing. While spinning and turning her body, Nadeshiko breathed hellfire at the Black Tengu.

The jet-black aberration was engulfed in flames. Nadeshiko gripped her Guardian Sword and closed the distance in one go.

However, the burning Black Tengu didn’t move and struck the ground with both hands.

“On… Aro… Suma… Ten… Sowaka…”

With its whisper, black mud spouted from the ground like a geyser.

The mud instantly took the form of countless chickens, thrusting sharp beaks at Nadeshiko. Nadeshiko clicked her tongue and extended her Asura Path chains, swinging the flame-lit chains with all her might.

With popping sounds, the mud chickens scattered.

She wanted to at least regain her stance. The Black Tengu’s attacks had a wider range than expected, and this concrete rooftop had far too little cover.

However, to retreat—[Roseroseroserose…]

“Grr…! What the hell are these things…!”

The angry voice came from Yukiji, who had somehow caught up to Nadeshiko.

Yukiji slammed the head of a Blue Tengu she had grabbed into the ground with all her might. Along with blackened blood splashing up, the wing that looked like boiled chicken meat melted from the edges with a drip.

[…Shiteshiteshiteshite]

However, without a moment’s hesitation, a new Pseudo-Tengu attacked Yukiji from behind.

While deflecting the Yellow Tengu’s thorn snares with her gauntlets, Yukiji glared around with ice-shard-like eyes.

“Why don’t they all attack at once—!”

Around the rooftop where Nadeshiko and Yukiji were, there was a circle of Pseudo-Tengu.

Red, yellow, blue—the three-colored masks crowded beyond the fall-prevention fence.

If they relied on numbers, the Pseudo-Tengu could immediately subdue Nadeshiko and the others. But for some reason, they always appeared on the rooftop one at a time.

“They intend to torture us to death…”

Nadeshiko glared at the Black Tengu before her.

It writhed the palms growing from its back while extending its enormous arms toward Nadeshiko.

“Come, Gokumon, come…”

“…Even a parrot could speak more properly than that.”

Glaring at the Black Tengu that repeated whispers like a broken toy, Nadeshiko explored her Six Paths Iron Chains.

—There was one hypothesis in her heart.

The Pseudo-Tengu of the Kamizari housing complex appeared again no matter how many times they were defeated.

The true face of the Blue Tengu that the Heaven Path chains worked on was completely rotten.

And—Nadeshiko felt no appetite for the Pseudo-Tengu.

“…It’s worth trying.”

“Come, come, come…!”

The giant fingers struck the ground. The charging Black Tengu’s appearance recalled a giant spider crawling.

Facing the aberration approaching with countless mud hands, Nadeshiko chose the chain she was most uncomfortable with.

“—Karyobinga.”

Ring… The golden hand bell that appeared echoed its clear tone in the sky where blue mirages swayed.

Immediately after, terrible screams echoed all around.

“No, that’s, wrong, ahhh—!”

The mud hands scattered with splashes. Letting out a scream, the Black Tengu reeled back.

At the same time, even the surrounding Pseudo-Tengu melted away like dripping wax. Facing the Yellow Tengu melting like a scorched candle, Yukiji looked at Nadeshiko with an expression of shock.

“Wh-what…? Nade, what on earth did you—?”

“The Heaven Path chain—Karyobinga. This can sublimate wandering spirits by showing them illusions of death. In other words, the Pseudo-Tengu here are—”

While whispering to the confused Yukiji, Nadeshiko rang the golden hand bell further.

“—dead long ago.”

“Wrong! Wrong! Wrong wrong wrong wrong…!”

With screams, the Black Tengu collapsed to the ground. Repeating delirious words like curses, it clawed at its entire body.

The Pseudo-Tengu that had barely maintained their forms also fell one after another.

“Let’s retreat while we can! It’ll be terrible if reinforcements come!”

“Well done…!”

As Nadeshiko ran toward the stairs with Yukiji, she suddenly heard a hoarse voice.

“…February… eleventh…”

That was two days ago—a lost day for Nadeshiko.

Nadeshiko involuntarily turned around. The Black Tengu lying face down was looking at her.

Blue eyes peered from the melting jet-black mask.

“You met… didn’t you… Gokumon’s… daughter…”

In an instant, the rooftop scenery rapidly receded.

The afterimage of memories remaining in a corner of her skull covered Nadeshiko’s vision.

—A gorgeous spiral staircase—a large incense burner with swaying smoke—Hungry Ghost Path chains pointing upward—an endlessly blue sky—the loud sound of wings—white shining eyes—an extending hand—.

“Nade…!”

Yukiji’s shout pulled Nadeshiko back from reminiscence to reality.

In her vision, there was a black hand. The mud hand extended by the Black Tengu was reaching toward Nadeshiko’s eyes.

“—Fox fire!”

The shadow hand was enveloped in golden flames.

The heatless flames swallowed the Black Tengu in one go, bringing rapid changes to its body.

With the beautifully dancing flames reflected in her eyes, Nadeshiko stepped backward. A supple hand immediately supported her swaying body. She smelled a mystical fragrance.

“—Pull yourself together, young lady.”

“You’re noisy, miss…”

The crystalline voice laughed very contentedly in the back of her throat.

At that moment, Nadeshiko almost burst into tears—even though they had only been apart for one day.

“…I’m glad you’re safe, Amana.”

“Don’t steal my line… Nadeshiko.”

Ichijiku Amana was beside her. She looked somewhat worn out, but there was no shadow on her nation-toppling beauty. Her coral-colored lips were also grinning very healthily.

The moment she saw those sparkling amber eyes, Nadeshiko felt emotions overflow in her chest like a torrent.

—And she also felt a faint shadow-like guilt creeping in.

“…Nadeshiko?”

“I… am…”

Amana raised a brow, and Nadeshiko’s crimson eyes blinked in surprise.

But before either could speak, a cracked, rasping scream shook the air.

“Gokumon…! Gokumon, GOKUMON—! Sanre, sanreee!”

“You’ve got to be kidding me… That thing can still move?!”

With a snap, Amana opened her black sandalwood fan and glared at the Kurotengu.

The Karyōbinga’s song should have shaken its soul. The golden yōka flame should’ve twisted its body into ruin.
And yet—the Kurotengu rose to its feet.

From its staggering back, black blossoms burst open—
—no, hands. Muddy hands surged toward them.

“You just don’t know when to quit…!”

Cursing under her breath, Nadeshiko began summoning the chains of Shuradō.

A flash.
A single arrow split the air—
—and struck the Kurotengu dead between the eyes.

The mud-born arms exploded into fragments. Within the flames, the Kurotengu jerked backward violently.

“Wh…at… the…”

Spinning around, they saw Shiraha standing at the stairwell entrance, panting, bow in hand.
Apparently, she had sprinted all the way here—her pale cheeks flushed bright red.

“This complex… doesn’t have elevators?!”

Gasping, she loosed two more arrows in rapid succession.

Throat.
Solar plexus.
Each shot struck true, piercing vital points. The Kurotengu swayed.

But it still didn’t fall.

No—within the flames, it drew strength into its limbs and stepped forward.

“…Look… Gaze upon me… I… have fulfilled it…”

Kaaan—
The sound of wooden geta echoed across the rooftop sky.

Through the fire, twin azure eyes glimmered. They saw only one thing—
Nadeshiko.

The Kurotengu—its body burning, its form half-collapsing—took another step, staggering toward her.

“Bear witness… I am… I… Gokumon…”

It never made a second step.

The golden flames vanished with a soft whoosh, and with a wet squelch, the Kurotengu collapsed.

Long white hair whipped in the wind.
Its tattered black robes fluttered like a discarded flag.
Blackened, trembling fingers reached toward Nadeshiko.

“…See me… Gokumon Kazusa…”

The man’s lifeless eyes never looked away from Nadeshiko, even in death.

Then—
—he crumbled. His body disintegrated, melting into black sludge.

“…What did you do…”

The man who just perished had clearly said it—“Gokumon Kazusa.”
The name of her great-grandmother.
A name that had once shaken both humans and non-humans as the ogress of the Showa era.

As the wind howled across the rooftop, Nadeshiko gripped her milk-tea colored hair.

“What the hell is going on…? What did my great-grandmother do?!”

“Calm yourself, Nadeshiko.”

Amana placed a gentle hand on her shoulder as she clutched her head.

“Let’s go to the local officials’ outpost. You should be able to rest there.”

“…Agreed. As much as it irritates me to say so…”

Yukiji furrowed her brow, idly tracing her cheek-fang with a claw.

“There’s much we need to share. Information that must be cross-referenced.”

“Oooh, did you all find something big too? Because we just took down Gessui and stormed the Nakitsubo base—me and Amana-san, tag-teaming it!”

“Is that so… and here I thought I left you to stand guard.”

“………………Ah.”

Yukiji’s fist groaned as it clenched. Shiraha dodged before it swung.

Quick on her feet, she dashed across the rooftop as Yukiji stormed after her, each stomp shaking the floor like thunder.

“You reckless fool! I told you—how many times did I tell you—no unauthorized actions!”

“But it all worked out in the end, right?!”

As the ritual officers bickered, Nadeshiko looked down at the remains of the Kurotengu.

There was nothing left of a man.
Only shattered clothing, clumps of earth, and pools of filthy water.
Three arrows were still buried in the mess, silent markers of what had transpired.

“…Is this, too… the Gokumon family’s fault?”

“Don’t jump to conclusions. We still know too little.”

Amana gently guided her toward the stairs, a soft smile on her lips.
But her amber eyes never left the filth below.

“There’s no crime to your name, is there?”

──Is there really not…?

Nadeshiko traced the scar on her neck, her eyes searching Amana’s expression.

That thing—the Kurotengu—spoke as if it had met her on February 11th.
But that entire day…
It was still missing from her memory.

What did I do two days ago…?

“Hey, Amana. Did I… do something to you—”

BANG!

A door slammed open, cutting off her hesitant words.

“Wh-what the hell’s goin’ on here?!”
“Just what are y’all doin’ on this roof?!”

““Ugh, Nakitsubo!””

Two gas-masked figures appeared, their shouts blaring.
Amana and Shiraha stiffened with surprise.

Each of the Muyashi, now armed, stepped forward.
Yukiji raised a clenched fist. Nadeshiko moved in front of Amana, shielding her.

“Gessui? Rōbai? I don’t care who you are—kill ‘em all and we’re good—GYAAGH!”

“──Move. You’re noisy.”

With a loud thud, the two Nakitsubo enforcers collapsed forward.

Someone had kicked them in the back of the knees—hard.

Everyone froze, caught completely off guard.

And then they saw the new arrival.

A gas mask. A white apron. A black maid dress.

Golden hair tied neatly beneath a fluttering white brim.

It was… a maid.
A gas-masked maid had stepped onto the rooftop.

“So much for elegance. All this posturing is just embarrassing.”

A low voice filtered through the mask—young, probably a boy.

Ignoring the writhing Nakitsubo thugs, the gas-masked maid approached.
He glanced at Nadeshiko’s group, then at the remains of the black tengu.

“Well, well… What the hell is this mess? This wasn’t in the report.”

“…Who are you?”

Nadeshiko called out to the strange boy as he scratched his golden hair beneath the mask.

His face was hidden completely—more unreadable than even Yukiji’s or her uncle’s.
But unlike the others from Nakitsubo, he didn’t seem hostile.

“I’m the acting head of the Nakitsubo family—and maid of Maid Café Armageddon, Kokotsubo Noroshi.”

“…Gokumon Nadeshiko.”

Stumbling over the bizarre introduction and elegant curtsy, Nadeshiko gave a light bow back.

But her confusion quickly turned to shock at Noroshi’s next words.

“Gokumon—you’re the ones who killed that Rōbai commander, right?”

The red lantern lights showed no shadow.

Yet… the mirage in the blue sky began to tremble even more violently.