☆mamoon☆

CHAPTER 9

The next day, on my way home from school, my feet were once again leading me toward Koga's house.

(Koga told me I didn't have to come every day, but I'm just so worried...)

(Besides, I want to be of help to him in any way I can.)

(...I wonder if there's anything I can do?)

Lost in thought as I walked, I eventually came to a stop in front of a certain shop.

(Oh, that's right. I bought the satchet I gave to Koga from this shop.)

It was a shop that primarily dealt in fragrant wood, and also sold miscellaneous goods made from it.

(...I wonder how Koga's condition is doing?)

(I haven't heard any talk of the carnage form happening since then, and he always seems well, but still...)

Suddenly, someone calls out to her.

??? (Kagari): "Buying a gift for the ‘gentleman’?"

Futaba: "—Eh?"

Turning toward the familiar voice, I saw an unexpected person standing there.

Kagari: "Ah... like, 'Remember me by this scent'? How sweet."

Futaba: "—!"

(He's one of Kiryu’s men... his name was "Kagari," right?)

Futaba: "Wh-what are you doing here?"

Kagari: "Oh? Am I really that scary?"

As I reflexively backed away while asking, Kagari raised both hands with a smile.

Kagari: "You don't need to worry so much. I'm not going to use my powers in a public place like this."

Futaba: "...If it were Koga, it would be different."

Kagari: "I know. Actually, I have business with you today. Could you give me a bit of your time?"

(Even if you ask for my time...)

I instinctively looked around the area.

Kagari: "It's okay. I'm not here on Kiryu's orders today. In fact, I'd rather not be found by Kiryu, to be honest."

(Doesn't want to be found... really?)

Futaba: "...What is this 'business'?"

As I asked while remaining on guard, Kagari broke into a broad grin.

Kagari: "It's about your precious ‘gentleman’.”

>>>>

Kagari: "Now, now, come on, have a seat. Oh, excuse me, miss! One zenzai, please. Without the bean paste."

Proprietress: "Huh?"

The proprietress, coming to take the order, does a double-take at Kagari.

(If he asks for no bean paste... isn't it just going to be plain mochi?)

(Why did we even come to a sweets shop?)

We had arrived at a traditional sweets shop in Asakusa.

Proprietress: "Um, and for you?"

Futaba: "Then, I’ll have a zenzai too… A normal one."

Proprietress: "Understood."

After a short while, the bean-less and normal zenzai are brought to the table.

Kagari: "I see. Here, if you say 'zenzai,' it comes without the soup?"

(...Does he mean it’s different in Kobe?)

(Wait, that doesn't matter right now.)

Futaba: "Um, what was it you wanted to talk about, Kagari?"

Kagari: "Ah, that's right."

Behind his glasses, Kagari's eyes flashed.

Kagari: "Want to make a deal with me?"

(...A "deal"?)

Kagari: "To be blunt, the only one who's actually interested in your 'gentleman' is Kiryu. I couldn't care less about him. It’s no fun chasing some guy's tail all day. We have 'things we need to do.' Normally, we wouldn't even have time to mess around with that guy."

Futaba: "Things you need to do...?"

Kagari: "Didn't Kiryu tell you? About the 'vendetta'. Though 'vendetta' isn't exactly the right way to put it. It’s not like he’s our sworn enemy. Well, what we’re doing is basically the same thing, though."

(The "vendetta" Kiryu mentioned…)

Kiryu: "You've known for a long time, haven't you? Exactly 'what' it was that killed your parents."

(At the very least, Kiryu believes it was the government that killed Koga’s parents.)

(...Which means Kiryu Trading wants to overthrow the government, doesn't it?)

Aki-kun, who caused the 'Red Eyes' incident, also hated the military and the government—in the end, he even released wraiths upon the Headquarters.

(It’s different from the 'revenge' Kiryu talks about, but I wonder if Kiryu has a grudge against the government too.)

Futaba: "Is it really alright for you to be telling me all this?"

Kagari: "Even if you know, it’s not like you have the power to do anything about it, right? Or are you going to go report this to your 'friends' in the military?"

Futaba: "......!"

(He’s even investigated my connection to the military...)

Kagari: "Reporting us won't lead to anything since you don't have a shred of evidence… So, I actually have a favor to ask of you. I want you to tell the ‘gentleman' to team up with us. If you do that, I'll make sure things don't go badly for him."

Futaba: "'Don't go badly'...?"

Kagari: "It means I'll put in a good word with Kiryu so he doesn't lay an unnecessary hand on your man."

(......Which means if things stay as they are, he intends to do something to Koga.)

Futaba: "...why is Kiryu so obsessed with Koga? He mentioned being betrayed by Koga's father... is that the reason?"

Kagari: "Seems that way. I don't really care about some old guys' stories from the past, though."

(...This person really has no interest in Koga at all.)

Kagari: "I just want Kiryu to stop being so obsessed with that guy. Because of that, he keeps saddling me with all this extra work. You want to protect your man. How about it? I think our interests are aligned."

Futaba: "......"

Kagari: "Even he wouldn't be able to refuse a request from the woman he loves. I think this is the way for everything to be settled most peacefully, don't you?"

Futaba: "...Koga refused you clearly back then."

I looked Kagari straight in the eye and spoke firmly.

Futaba: "Koga would never lend his hand to something like that."

Kagari: "......"

The smile vanished from Kagari's face, and he reached for his teacup.

Kagari: "I know.”

Kagari’s fingertips spin his teacup round and round, as if toying with it.

Kagari: "I’ve done quite a bit of digging into your ‘gentleman'. I hear he's incredibly well-loved by the people of the Capital."

Futaba: "...What is it you're trying to say?"

Kagari: "For a businessman, reputation is everything, right? Especially for a man like him, who basically sells himself on his character. But reputation is surprisingly fragile. It takes forever to build up, but it's so easy to just... smash to pieces."

Futaba: "Wh—"

Kagari: "...Well, in his case, he might end up losing something even bigger than his reputation, though."

(...!)

Kagari: "The gentleman’s future is decided by your answer."

Futaba: "...How could you..."

Even though his tone is light, his expression is deadly serious.

(...So the street killings incident really was their doing too?)

(I don't know what they're planning... but there's no doubt it's something bad for Koga.)

Kagari: "I’m not a patient man. Decide right here, right now, what you're going to do."

A chill runs down my spine as I look into his emotionless eyes.

(Even if you tell me to decide...)

It’s as if time has stopped; I can’t speak, I can’t move—I can’t even look away.

Futaba: "..."

Kagari: "..."

For a while, I just keep staring at Kagari as if I've lost my mind—

Futaba: "...I... can't do it."

Before I knew it, the words had left my lips.

(Koga wouldn't want revenge.)

(And I don't want to see him do something like that, either.)

Kagari: "...Oh, really? I thought you, of all people, would understand."

Kagari let out a sigh of disappointment and stood up.

Kagari: "Well, it's the answer you chose for yourself. That's fine, isn't it? But in exchange— You’d better keep your eyes peeled for what’s about to happen."

With those final words, Kagari walked out of the shop.

(What should I do...?)

The moment I was left alone, my hands began to tremble uncontrollably.

(...Because of the way I just answered him, Koga might end up paying the price.)

(No—it’s worse than that. Koga himself could be in real danger.)

There was no longer any doubt: Kiryu and his group are about to make their move.

(...Calm down.)

(First, I have to tell Koga about this...)

I clenched my fists tight, trying to force the shaking to stop. Just then—

???: "Wait, really...!?”

???: "Which way did they run?"

Outside the shop, things suddenly became noisy.

Proprietress: "What's all this? A fight?"

Perhaps noticing it too, the proprietress opened the door halfway and called out to someone passing by.

Proprietress: "Did something happen?"

Man: "They say someone was pushed off the Asakusa Twelve-Stories tower."

Proprietress: "Oh, how awful… Who on earth would do such a thing...?"

Man: "Well, it seems there was someone who witnessed the scene..."

Man: "Apparently, they said he looked a lot like Mr. Kitamikado."

Proprietress: "Mr. Kitamikado?! That can't be right."

(—!)

I could clearly feel the blood draining from my head.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

CHAPTER 10

Around the time Futaba was reuniting with Kagari in the Capital, at the Shrine of hidden god—

Yura: “Sorry to keep you waiting, Koga.”

Emerging from the shrine, Yura handed Koga a medicine that had just been prepared.

Koga: “Thanks.”

Yura: “You’ve been looking quite well lately. Is it that ‘power of love’ I’ve heard about?”

Koga: “Yeah, something like that.”

Koga let out a light chuckle as he took the medicine from the teasing Yura.

Koga: “Well, I’ve finally got a reason not to die so easily. I can’t afford to let something like this hold me back anymore.”

Yura: “......I see.”

A sudden gust of wind blew, and Yura looked up at the sky where the darkness of night was beginning to close in.

Yura: “I hate to dampen the mood at a time like this, but...... you should be a little more careful.”

Koga: “Hm?”

Yura: “Lately, the mountains have been restless. It seems the Ayakashi who usually stay far from human settlements are growing agitated. I cannot help but feel it is a premonition of something terrible to come.”

Koga: “...”

Yura: “I hope it is merely my imagination, but......”

Koga: “No, your gut is right.”

Yura: “What?”

Koga: “It’s already started. And it's going to be a real pain in the ass to deal with.”

Yura looked at Koga with a startled face, then his expression softened slightly.

Yura: “If anything happens, you can tell me anytime. I… and the others will also lend you a hand.”

Koga: “...Yeah. I'll be counting on you then.”

Koga gave a faint smile as he replied to Yura, then raised a hand and began walking away.

—Then, on the path home.

Koga: (—Well, that didn't take long.)

Koga noticed the presence of someone following him and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Koga: (...The vibe is different from when that "Kagari" guy was tailing me. This is pure bloodlust...... and it's not just one person.)

He walk along, pretending not to notice, while focusing all his senses on what is behind him.

Koga: (There are quite a few of them. Are these guys also Kiryu's lackeys?)

Just as that thought crosses my mind and I take another step...

Koga: (—!)

Koga instantly leaps backward as several Kunai thud into the ground where he just stood.

Koga: (...So, they’ve come.)

The shadows of about ten Ayakashi appear.

Koga: "Hey, hey. That's a pretty rough way to say hello. What do you want, exactly?"

Ayakashi 1: "Don't play dumb!"

Blue flames surround Koga, blocking his escape route.

Koga: (Foxfire... no, is it Onibi?)

Ayakashi 1: "Even though you're an Ayakashi, you're out here fawning over humans...!"

Ayakashi 2: "It is common knowledge by now that you are involved in that plan."

Koga: "Plan...?"

Ayakashi 3: "It's no use playing innocent. We know you've been selling out Ayakashi to the government."

Ayakashi 2: "How many of us have been sacrificed for the 'Yuujin'...?!"

Koga: "'Yuujin'... what the hell is that?"

Ayakashi 1: "Curse you, acting so nonchalant!"

Ayakashi 2: "We will never forgive you...!"

The Ayakashi pounce toward Koga all at once—

Koga: "Hey, just listen to—Tsk, doesn't look like you're in the mood to listen!"

Ayakashi 1: "Guh...!"

Koga also transforms and fights back against the Ayakashi with his sword.

Ayakashi 3: "D-Damn it...!"

In the blink of an eye, the Ayakashi are overpowered by Koga, falling to the ground one after another.

Koga: "...Damn it. I ended up knocking them all out."

After defeating the last one, Koga looked around and grumbled.

Koga: "I should’ve left at least one of them standing. Now I can’t get any info out of them."

Koga scratched his head. In the next moment—

???: "—Tsk, what a pathetic sight."

Koga: "…!"

Looking back toward the voice, there stood Kagemaru, puffing on a pipe.

Koga: "You are..."

Kagemaru: "I was looking forward to seeing you go berserk again... but I guess these guys weren't enough to make that happen. Dumbasses, letting themselves get danced around by rumors like that."

Kagemaru looked down at the Ayakashi rolling on the ground with exasperation, then shifted his gaze to Koga.

Kagemaru: "Sorry my people caused you so much trouble."

Koga: "… What do you mean by 'your people'? Weren't you the Ayakashi contracted to Akiyasu?"

Kagemaru: "Ah... come to think of it, I never did properly introduce myself, did I? Name's Kagemaru, Jorōgumo spider woman. Leader of the Senkitai."

Koga: "The Senkitai... if I recall, they're..."

Kagemaru: "I'm sure even you've heard the name before. An Ayakashi organization plotting to overthrow the state, an anti-government force... Well, people say all sorts of things about us. None of those labels are exactly wrong, though. Most of my guys are just a bunch of folks who harbor a grudge against the government and the military. These guys are the same. That’s why they fell for the rumors and attacked you."

Koga: "…What was that talk earlier about a 'plan' and ‘Yuujin’?"

Kagemaru: "It's a secret military project to strengthen the army. It's been in the works for years."

Koga: "Strengthening the army……?"

Kagemaru: "You were cozying up to the military, yet you didn't even know about this? ‘Yuujin' are semi-immortal soldiers created by embedding Ayakashi cells into humans. By incorporating those cells, they’ve made it possible for humans to have physical abilities beyond normal limits and incredible healing powers. 'No personality, no emotions, and eternally loyal to the commander's orders'—apparently, that's what the creators are most proud of."

Kagemaru let out a low chuckle as smoke drifted from his pipe.

Kagemaru: "While you guys were playing nice with Akiyasu, the military folk were busy treating Ayakashi like nothing more than food.”

Koga: (Incredible healing powers... Loyal to orders?)

Kyonosuke: "—Kill them."

Soldiers: "......"

Koga: "Those guys, huh..."

Kagemaru: "Looks like you have at least some idea who they are, don't you?"

Koga: "...Yeah, I guess. But I don't recall ever being told I was involved in something like that."

Kagemaru: "I figured as much. The one who spread the rumors is that bastard."

Koga raises an eyebrow as if he realized it immediately this time.

Koga: "You mean Kiryu? You know him too?"

Kagemaru: "...Yeah. He’s a former member of the Senkitai."

Koga: "......!"

Kagemaru: "Mind you, he left the Senkitai before I was even born."

Having said that, Kagemaru slowly approached Koga.

Kagemaru: "His recent movements have been bothering me. So, I took the liberty of looking into things, including stuff about you. Want me to tell you why that bastard is pulling this kind of stunt on you?"

Kagemaru exhales smoke with a smirk.

Kagemaru: "It's because your father was the first leader of the Senkitai."

Koga: "...!"

Kagemaru: "The Senkitai has a bit of history itself, you see. It all started back in the Bakumatsu (the final years of the Edo period). At first, it seems they got along quite well with humans. After all, they were a volunteer army of patriots fighting on the side of what is now the government."

Kagemaru curls the corner of his mouth in a teasing way.

Kagemaru: "Have you heard the story about how the Senkitai contributed to the Meiji Restoration long ago?"

Koga: "...I know at least that they were on the side of the New Government when they were first formed."

Kagemaru: "That's exactly right. The Restoration wasn't accomplished by the Satsuma and Choshu clans alone. A volunteer army where Ayakashi gathered across tribal lines under the ambition of creating a new world—that was the Senkitai. They fought with the strength of 'a thousand Ayakashi,' achieving great military feats and contributing to the Restoration. And the one leading that Senkitai was your father."

Koga: "..."

Kagemaru: "But after the Restoration, the government turned its back on them. They decided that in a new era, the existence of Ayakashi was just a nuisance. The Senkitai were branded as 'enemies of the state.' Every last one of them was captured and thrown into prison. Far from being rewarded for their service, their very existence was about to be erased."

Koga: "…"

Without a single tremor, Koga listens to Kagemaru’s words.

Kagemaru: "However, the government offered the Senkitai just one condition. They said—'If you abandon your identity as an Ayakashi, followed us, and become soldiers, we will spare your lives.'"

Koga: "…"

Kagemaru: "Your old man accepted those terms. To stay alive, he threw away his pride as an Ayakashi and abandoned his comrades. The rest of those who were left behind eventually managed to break out of prison and rebuilt the Senkitai. The second-generation leader was my father, who brought them together... but it seems things didn't go as smoothly as they did with the first leader. A few people who were disillusioned by the first leader's actions left the Senkitai back then. Kiryu was one of those who defected."

Koga: "…"

Kagemaru: "Your father was apparently a man of great popularity and charisma. It’s an unacceptable story, isn't it? The leader they all looked up to was the first one to turn tail and run like a coward."

Exhaling a long breath of smoke, Kagemaru looks at Koga, who stands there in a daze.

Kagemaru: "I bet that bastard still hasn't forgiven your father for what he did."

Koga: "…"

Without showing any outward emotion, Koga clenched his fist so hard it shook.