Arknights story · Ato
AT-1 The Yakuza Way
Detective Koretou of the Mitsukue police targets Hoshiguma as his prime suspect in a twenty-year-old murder case, but the statute of limitations has already expired. Hoshiguma's return to Mitsukue has nothing to do with the case, it's because of a letter from Tessai, the head of the Kinsekikai yakuza clan, a man like a second father to her. The police are left scratching their heads, while Kouhei Mifune, another Kinsekikai yakuza, shows up at the police station and pulls Hoshiguma out.
2 scenes, 413 lines
1. Before Operation
157 linesHere's your fried meatchop and rice, detective.
Good job. Go get some rest.
Thank you!
......
It's past midnight already. You've been hiding from us ever since you got to Mitsukue this afternoon. You must be hungry, you haven't eaten at all.
(Nods)
Alright then. Here, a fried meatchop with rice, Higashinese specialty.
The detective puts extra emphasis on the word Higashinese and pushes the tray toward Hoshiguma.
With nary a word, Hoshiguma picks up the bowl and chopsticks and begins shoveling rice down her gullet.
Well? How is it? Do they have food like this in Lungmen?
(Continues shoveling rice)
Would you look at that. Tell me, just how long has it been since you've enjoyed a proper Higashinese meal?
(Shoves chop into mouth)
Whatever... eat up.
(Noisily chews and crunches cabbage)
(Gulps water)
(Tilts head back and dumps remaining contents of bowl into mouth)
(Puts down empty bowl)
Phew.
Tastes like home, doesn't it?
It's not a home or nostalgia thing, Detective-san. I'm just hungry.
Why you——
Actually, I had a fried meatchop with rice right before I left Lungmen. Next time, could you get me something else? Like some oden from the place you dragged me out of? It smelled amazing—I didn't even get a sip of the broth.
And for the record, when I was footing the bill to feed suspects back in Lungmen, I always ordered cheongfun.
I suggest you start taking this a bit more seriously, Hoshiguma. You're the suspect this time.
Me? I haven't even been in Mitsukue for twenty-four hours. What could you possibly suspect me of?
A suspect in a case from twenty years ago isn't a suspect?
Detective-san...
Detective Koretou.
Detective Koretou.
Yes?
After twenty years, we're well past the statute of limitations.
Besides, you should be about done authenticating my Lungmen inspector's badge, no?
We haven't gotten the results back yet.
Let's assume you're telling me the truth. What would motivate a Lungmen cop like you to come all the way back here?
Did you lose your job? You have some enemies you need to deal with?
Did someone in Lungmen send you here?
Or are you perhaps connected to those rumors about the spy of the Northern Court?
Stop, stop, stop. If you keep throwing out guesses like that, this whole conversation is gonna spiral...
Take a look at this letter, Detective.
We just searched you—where the hell were you hiding that?
It takes a detective to outsmart a detective.
......
Phew.
Let's run another lap. How about it, partner? Think you can keep up with me?
Looks like you're good. Let's go.
(Is that the lady's car?)
The single-horned oni lays across the vehicle, sizes up the end of the straightaway, then charges dead ahead.
The howling winds make it hard for her to tell just how far her pursuers are.
What brings you here, ma'am?
I'm just stopping by. I don't plan on staying long.
Yenwu told me that before Swire set out for New Siesta, she tidied up all internal affairs, to lighten the load for those of you left behind.
Yeah. If Missy hadn't wrapped things up before leaving, how could I have found the time to come here?
That's true. Then what is it that's troubling you, Inspector Hoshiguma?
You can see it in my face, huh?
I wouldn't say so.
However, if repeatedly pushing the pedal to the metal still leaves you wrestling with anxiety, you shouldn't bottle all that emotion up on your own.
You and I are both Higashinese. When Little Ch'en and Swire aren't here, I have to act in their stead.
We are... aren't we?
Indeed we are. Higashinese.
I can't hide anything from you, ma'am. I recently received a letter...
'Dear Madam,
Summer's end is nigh, yet the stubborn heat still lingers—please mind your good health. Twenty years have passed with nary a word between us. Much has transpired—things best left unwritten. Yet I feel compelled to write to you, though I regret any trouble this may cause.
This letter is written for no other reason than the decade or so that we spent together in our hometown of Kajimachi, which is soon to vanish from the map.
Though the land is unaware, its people still have feelings; therefore, I have humbly taken it upon myself to organize the funeral rites for Kajimachi, which will be held soon.
In my waning years, to see old friends once more would be a grand blessing.
Sincerely,
Tessai'
What a solemn, I mean, traditional letter.
This is the man who arranged for your refuge in Lungmen—the so-called 'father' of Hannya?
That's right. I called him Uncle Tessai. It's been so many years, he must be in his seventies or eighties by now.
I lived in Kajimachi before I left Mitsukue.
And so, is it not only proper to return to Kajimachi one last time, before it is no more?
To be honest, when I first came to Lungmen, I considered settling here for good. I thought about moving elsewhere if things didn't work out, even leaving Yan altogether, the same way I left Higashi—but the one thing I never considered was going back home.
It's been twenty years. I don't even know what Mitsukue is like these days. Instead of going back home, I might as well come here for a ride and to grab a plate of street food—stir-fried noodles—to put my mind at ease.
Don't you have a good reason to go home? The funeral, no?
......
You've volunteered to serve as a mighty guardian of Lungmen, throwing yourself into the fight without hesitation. Yenwu, myself, Lin, and all your friends—we've seen it with our own eyes.
But you shouldn't limit yourself. You're more than that.
Little Ch'en is gone, and Yühsia has more or less taken over for her father. One L.G.D. Commissioner alone won't keep this operation afloat.
I have neglected my responsibilities.
Nonsense.
Before Little Ch'en left Lungmen, you had words with her. They eventually reached my ears as well, whether I wanted to hear them or not.
Even if the problems you've bottled up inside can never be resolved, simply going back to have a chat with him while he still walks among the living is worth your while, yes?
You're right.
By the way, don't forget to bring back a few packs of proper Higashinese senbei for me?
Senbei?
A 'jianbing' shop opened up near the L.G.D. I thought it was Higashinese senbei, with the name translated, so I went and placed an order.
It wasn't until the piping-hot pancake came out—stuffed with fowlbeast egg, crispy meat, and scallions—that I realized it wasn't a senbei at all, but a Jiangqi jianbing. These are completely different dishes.
I think we've resolved any and all misunderstandings between us, right Detective Koretou?
The oyabun of the Kinsekikai yakuza clan sent you a letter, inviting you to the funeral in Kajimachi, his turf. And after some persuading from a particular individual of similar origin, you've decided to go back there—am I right?
That's right.
This particular individual...
Her identity is not important.
Is it not? If it was not for her, would you dare walk the streets of Mitsukue?
Of course I would!
......
Alright. If it really isn't important, then you can stay here a good twenty-four hours.
The station's quiet these days anyway. Hardly any of the calls we get are real emergencies.
Then what are they about?
They're reporting signs of a kaidan they want me to investigate.
A kaidan...? Like an urban legend? Ghost story?
Ha. You really haven't been back to Mitsukue for a while, huh?
This place doesn't even feel like a real police station any more—the townies have been treating us like cops from the Spiritual Affairs Station for a while now...
Who is it?
There's someone outside for you... it's... Mifune-san.
The weary-looking detective glances at Hoshiguma, then out the door; hatred is seared across his face.
If you're in the middle of something here, do you want me to stall him for a bit?
You? Stall him? You won't even get three words in before he calls someone else—and then that call will be routed straight to us.
......
Send him in——
Before the detective can finish speaking, a tall Phidia strides into the room. Ignoring the officers around him, he makes a beeline for Hoshiguma.
Kinbee?!
Never fear, Hoshiguma. As long as I'm here, the police can't touch you.
(Laughs dryly) Ha, ha. Kouhei Mifune-san—been a while since someone called you by your old name, from before you made it big, huh?
Well, why don't you try it then?
......
Good. Knowing when to yield is a virtue.
Mifune——
Hoshiguma, you will always address me as Kinbee.
Come. Let's go home.
Detective Koretou still hasn't——
Still hasn't what? Hasn't explained the basis for this arbitrary detention? Don't tell me this is about that case from twenty years ago?
What a pity—the statute of limitations already expired, many years ago actually. The Northern Court may have revised its penal code, but that doesn't give you southerners the right to bend the law.
Spare me the mudslinging. Even if the statute of limitations is up——
Yes, the statute of limitations is up, so on what grounds are the police still detaining people? I want a justification—one that can withstand a Diet inquiry, a televised hearing, and the court of public opinion.
This is intimidation!
This is me exercising my rights under the law!
Detective Koretou!
...Let them go.
Kinbee, Uncle Tessai sent you to get me?
The entire Kinsekikai is awaiting your return. Let's go. Stop arguing with the cops.
They exit the police station, turn right, and cross the street.
Nita Street unfolds before Hoshiguma, in broad daylight.
The harsh white sun shines down on the street, draining the buildings of their neon shimmer and baring the raw concrete beneath.
The morning commute is in full swing. Expressionless office workers hurry past shops that are either still closed or trying half-heartedly to drum up business—none of them look nearly as glamorous as they did under the moonlight.
Who was it that threw up on the street last night? Which man was persuaded to empty his wallet at the club? Under the light of day, they all look the same.
How many years has it been?! How're things in Lungmen? Still good? We hadn't heard a peep from you all this time. I was afraid something had happened to you. I was worried sick!
I figured, after all this time, nobody thought of me as one of the Kinsekikai anymore.
How? No matter how fate plays its tricks or how long you've been incommunicado—as long as you come back, then you're still family.
Over the past two decades, has the Kinsekikai ever issued you an 'expulsion' or 'no-contact' notice? Never.
Say what you will, but even now, at every official meeting, the seat to the Old Man's left is still left empty. You've always been the Kinsekikai's wakagashira—the heir apparent.
And you...?
Why, I'm just the wakagashira-hosa, the wakagashira's second.
Don't for a minute think the Old Man's gone senile. Everyone agrees with his decision.
If you hadn't offed that Diet candidate twenty years ago, before I could get to him too, the Kinsekikai would've been driven out of Kajimachi—crushed under the weight of his public pressure campaign.
Then, you made sure the rest of us were in the clear, taking all the heat for the killing. You fled to Lungmen alone, which allowed the Kinsekikai to survive.
You've sacrificed so much for us. If we just turned our backs on you, what kind of family would that make us?
Don't say such things.
It's all facts, clear as day, so why can't I state the facts?
Kinbee, we can talk ancient history later.
Uncle Tessai mentioned in his letter that he was holding a funeral for Kajimachi. Do you know about this?
A what?!
A funeral...? No... What are we talking about with a funeral?
Madame Oni, we really don't have time to wander the streets right now. We need to get back to Kajimachi and find him as quick as we can to straighten all this out.
The tall Phidia hastens his steps and hurries off towards Kajimachi.
He walks so fast, and with such long strides, that Hoshiguma has to break into a jog just to keep up.
2. After Operation
256 lines(Yawns)
Ooo! New senbei flavors! 'Premium muskmelon with Siracusan red sauce' and 'condensed cystymilk with honjouzou soy sauce'...
They look delicious.
No. I'm counting my calories! I have to watch what I eat!
Huh? Mio-san?
I'll be at the agency in just a few minutes. Did you need something?
What?
Almost there. I'm running over now!
'Treating fans like fools, nose in the air'...
'I'm no fan of hers anymore, that's for sure. She ruined the concert!'...
'Trying so hard to go viral, pretending to be scared—aren't you embarrassed?'...
What... what is all this?
A media smear campaign. It started early yesterday morning—most likely the work of a rival.
Producer.
Producer! I didn't know you were coming!
What's the situation?
It all happened so suddenly. PR is still investigating.
This isn't just PR.
What do you mean?
That 'one-horned Oni' wasn't our doing, right?
Mio, you are responsible for Momoka's safety. Please get to the bottom of all this.
Of course.
Momoka, your gaffe on stage yesterday was one thing, but upstairs is more upset about something else.
What's that...?
You've been acting less and less like a pop idol lately. Then this happens, and you vanish without a trace?
The fans didn't seem to react too negatively. I even gave them an encore. They were into it.
I was tired and hungry when I hopped offstage, not to mention scared. I just went to my favorite oden yatai, is all.
Well, how do you explain your inappropriate monologue up there?
'Inappropriate monologue'?! What, what did I say wrong?
Your remarks on Kajimachi.
Kajimachi? Oh. You mean the fan that——
The Kinseki Group is the sole backer of our entire operation. They have a very tense relationship with Kajimachi right now—speaking out recklessly will only make things harder for all of us.
I don't understand what the big deal is. I was just thinking about how I shot my first movie there.
I still remember when I got started. You told me Chairman Tessai valued my skills...
The past is the past. I'm talking about the present. Things are different now.
Besides, we've always told you to stay in your lane and stick to the script when you're onstage. The people come to see Momoka, not you, with your big mouth.
I... I get it.
......
As long as you get it.
Producer, when are we going to the recording studio? My schedule is packed today. We have to get a move on.
Meh. Actually, why don't you take a few days off.
HUH? What?!
P-Producer! I don't need any rest! I'm used to the grind by now! We're in peak season. I know that. If I take a break now, that put us several days behind!
Maybe if you hadn't been so busy during the day yesterday, you would have been calmer last night.
I'm sorry, but——
If you really want to make up for your mistakes, Momoka, I have an urgent assignment for you.
Anything!
The television station wants to book you on a show. Take a look.
The Haunted House of Kajimachi?! Another one of these shows? Why?!
And why now, of all times, would they produce a program that makes Kajimachi look bad?
Then you'd rather take a break?
No! I just...
Momoka, you know that when you don't do what we say... it reflects... poorly on you.
But...
Momoka!
Producer, I don't want to die!
I've known that place was haunted for forever! A bunch of people died in that house!
They say it's... it's somehow connected to the 'Nameless Oni'. It was her there on the stage last night...
......
......
Momoka, I will take measures to ensure your safety.
(Quietly) Mio, back me up here.
Momoka, do not worry. I'll go with you.
Mio-san... is going too?
Yes.
Are you strong enough to take down that vicious Oni?
Mio tilts her head and thinks hard for a few seconds.
Maybe not.
......
I'm doomed. I'm done for!
'If we keep walking down Nita Street, we'll soon arrive at Kajimachi. From now on, that will be our place, our city.'
'Our city? But, Papa, we've been walking down the street, and I don't see anything all that different. What do you think, Uncle Tessai?'
'It will become different. It will change.'
A wind carrying a scent—woody, or perhaps musty—blows against her face, and somehow, Hoshiguma is compelled to take a deep breath.
Yeah. The big house at the end there.
Kinbee, what's the deal with the funeral? Kajimachi looks like it's doing fine?
It's a long story.
......
What's wrong?
Hoshiguma quickly realizes why Kinbee has fallen silent—and why the expression on his face now carries a touch more respect.
Not too far away, there's an old man standing in the road, facing them.
The old man's back is slightly hunched. Yet somehow, as the wind lifts his wide sleeves, he seems to stand a little taller.
Uncle Tessai!
Chairman Tessai.
......
Kinbee, I told you that you are not permitted to set foot in Kajimachi ever again.
The Phidia appears startled. The reverence on his face quickly turns to fear.
I was preoccupied with a certain 'happy event' that happened today. I lost track of my surroundings and accidentally walked into Kajimachi. Damn!
She's in cahoots with you. That's what you're happy about?
Chairman, I just got her out of the police station, is all. The cops started chasing her as soon as she arrived in Mitsukue. She only just slipped out.
She's come back here out of genuine concern for her home. If you're unhappy about something, please, take it up with me. Do not blame her!
As for my trespassing into Kajimachi—shall I'll perform a dogeza, offer a formal apology on another date, or cut off a finger—
Ha! You'd do any of those things if I asked?
The decision is yours—
*huff huff* Oyabun! I ran around to everyone asking where you were, until I found out you'd come here to Kajimachi!
Why did you make the trip out here? That old bastard doesn't have many days left—why bother coming to this forsaken place?
......
O-Oyabun?
You know I'm your oyabun?
Then do you know who gave this 'oyabun' the lofty position that he holds today?
I—
Ah, right, this isn't your first offense.
Some time ago, Chairman Tessai forbade me and my men from ever entering Kajimachi again. This is not the first time you've disobeyed that order. Am I right?
Well, I wasn't—
You were the one who drove those three families out of Kajimachi—plus the two shops that had to shut down, and that was all after Chairman Tessai ordered us to stay out of Kajimachi. Isn't that right?
You knowingly went against his orders. How should we punish you?
Beads of sweat form on the flustered gangster's forehead.
The oyabun isn't usually like this—he toasts me when I do well and offers gentle encouragement when I fall short.
Before he can even finish his thought, he hears a sound.
*swish*
Wait!
Kinbee, what are you doing?!
Before he can even finish his thought, it's cut short—the gangster's headless body collapses to the ground with a thud.
Neither Tessai's iron fan nor Hoshiguma's Hannya can match the quick draw of the Phidia's long sword.
That was your Kinsekikai brother!
Murdering a member of the family right in front of me. Is this your way of raising a hand against me?
But Chairman, you've already given me managerial control of the clan.
He ignored warnings, defied the chairman, and refused to change—he should've died long ago. The fact that he lived this long is a failure of my leadership.
Well, I brought her here; my work is done. It's time I answered for disobeying Chairman Tessai's orders.
He aims his bloodstained long sword—still unsheathed—at his finger.
Before the old man can even speak, the Phidia swings his blade, and his left pinkie falls to the floor.
There. That should atone for my sins, yeah?
No one says anything.
The Phidia slides the blade back into its sheath, bows deeply to Tessai, and gives a small nod to Hoshiguma.
Chairman Tessai, I will now take my leave, so as not to bother you further.
Welcome home, Hoshiguma.
I'm going to call the police—
Hoshiguma's voice trails off, as she becomes lost in thought, remembering how Kinbee swaggered around the police station.
The old man squints his eyes slightly, as he glances at Hoshiguma.
It seems you've been getting on well in Lungmen. You've forsaken the life of crime, eh?
If you still walked the path, you would remember this—no matter how a man dies, someone always comes to clean up.
And as long as the cleanup happens, the police won't bother themselves with our 'messes'.
......
You've had a long trip. Let's talk inside.
Though she has been away for twenty years, Hoshiguma still pushes open the gate with practiced ease.
Just like in Kajimachi, time has not left much of a mark on this place. Hoshiguma immediately spots the little path she used to take—the quickest way across the courtyard.
She can't tell whether the koi in the pond have lived all these years, or if the owner has been quietly replacing them with identical ones.
I'm back.
Sit.
Uncle Tessai, did you write me that letter because Kinbee—
I never wrote you a letter.
It wasn't you?
When you left Mitsukue twenty years ago, I told you we would never again make contact. I intended to honor that promise.
So, that letter...?
Kinbee forged it. What else could it be?
Why would he do that? You're the chairman of the Kinsekikai. How could you permit such a transgression?
Chairman? If that viper didn't keep calling me that, I'd have forgotten I was chairman of anything.
Look, I'm an old man with no real power. Even my last parcel of turf, Kajimachi, is about to be taken from me.
And Kinbee... heh, he's taken over the Originium crystal business that I built from the ground up. He's taken control of all our operations.
He's started new ventures like a TV network and even a talent agency, and made them hugely successful.
So he's usurped all Kinsekikai businesses and is now planning to take over Kajimachi?
'A radical rebirth and redevelopment plan' — that was how he put it, just a month ago.
Who's rebirthing what? How are they redeveloping it? Who keeps the proceeds? Ha. These are not questions I can ask, of course.
That's why you forbade him and his men from entering Kajimachi.
And today we get this grand performance, where he uses his minion's life as a stage prop… no, not a performance, it was a show of force.
He didn't use to be like this.
He was a better actor back then. He tricked me, and he tricked you. That's the only possible explanation, no?
You didn't realize that finger-chopping bit was all a ploy?
A... a ploy?
A fake finger? Surgical reattachment? A prosthesis? He's got no shortage of tricks.
He wasn't 'atoning for his sins'. He was spitting in my face! He was making a mockery of the Kinsekikai, of everything we stand for.
I don't know what scheme Kinbee had in bringing you back, but there's only one thing you should do now: return to Lungmen, and don't ever come back again. He's a rabid tuskbeast now.
But what will happen to you?
Me? As long as the Kinsekikai still exist, I'm still their chairman by title. Kinbee wouldn't dare raise a hand against me, at least not out in the open. And that's enough.
I can't just leave.
Then what do you intend to do? Wait until Kinbee has pushed me to the brink and then end my suffering?
I just don't want any more regrets this time.
So you regret going to Lungmen?
No. Everything I regret... is from my time in Mitsukue.
Watching Kinbee cut that man's head off like it was nothing... it sent all kinds of regret bubbling up from my stomach.
Kinbee's men see Kajimachi as nothing more than a pimple on Mitsukue's hide. You can't change their minds about that.
I'm going to do whatever I can.
By the way, amidst our grim conversation I almost forgot to ask... what happened with Hannya? When Kinbee was here, I took a glance at it. Looks different than it did the day I gave it to you, no?
Well, to be honest, a corner got sliced off.
How?
With a sword.
The old man's world-weary gaze suddenly flares with intensity.
Whose sword? What was it made of? How was their sword technique? Did they use any Arts?
A good friend of mine back in Lungmen, a colleague—
Explaining it all with words is going to take too long. Give Hannya to me. Let me see it.
Huh—tsk tsk...
A cut like this doesn't come from advanced reinforced steel or simple Arts alone. Sure, there's always someone stronger out there—but let's not forget, Hannya's no ordinary shield.
......
...Chi Xiao.
Uncle Tessai, you can tell just by looking at the cut?!
Don't forget, I've been around. Back when I was knocking back drinks with the Yanese trade envoys, the name 'Chi Xiao' came up more than once.
For Hannya, being bested by Chi Xiao is no shame at all.
At the end of the day, it wasn't sharpness or toughness that turned Chi Xiao and Hannya into legendary weapons.
Your mind was weaker than Chi Xiao's wielder. Not by much, but enough to turn the tide of battle.
In that case, I guess Kinbee's letter wasn't totally useless. At least it gave Hannya a chance.
Do you want to reforge it?
Of course. Do you expect me to let you run around Lungmen with this broken shield?
Still... I need to think for a bit about how I'll reforge this shield, to give you a sliver of a chance to best Chi Xiao. Let me think it over...
The old man, who once stared down disaster unblinking, now burns with the impatience of youth. He's learned that there's someone stronger out there, and he yearns to test his mettle.
The old acquaintance's long sword has just shattered any sort of 'parting sorrow', yet nostalgia stirs in Hoshiguma all the same.
Heh. Forget it. This isn't something you and I can figure out by just sitting here and thinking about it. Give me some time.
You've spent all night in an interrogation room. You must be tired. Go to the guest room and get some sleep.
No.
What?
I want to pay my respects to my father first.
......
I'm sorry.
He's your biological father. What are you apologizing to me for?
Is that clinic, my old home, still there?
It's there, but no one has lived in it for about a decade. I'd bet it doesn't much resemble its former self.
The abandoned house in the alley at the end of Kajimachi's North Street... everyone calls it the 'Haunted House'.
After the vicious Oni disappeared, Shimasu, who was the shateigashira, moved into the house with his family, but within three months, he fell ill and passed away.
Six months later, Sanoguchi, who was then serving as wakagashira-hosa, bought the house. After hiring an onmyoji to perform rites for seven days and nights, he moved in with his new bride.
On the seventh night, a patrolman heard wretched wails coming from the 'Haunted House'. In a fit of madness, Sanoguchi took up his family's heirloom blade, killed his wife, and then took his own life.
In the years that followed, every soul who deigned to live in the Haunted House met a terrible end. Eventually, no one dared go near it again.
Legend has it that the vicious Oni never really disappeared. From time to time, her tortured visage will pop up in the Haunted House.
And so, today...
It's too dark in here. I can't see anything...
(Lights lantern) M-Mio-san, are you there?
Whoa!
It's a pull-top!
Momoka, calm down. The camera on your head is shaking all over the place.
Where did Mio-san go? She said she'd be here with me.
She's feeling under the weather. She called in sick today.
I've known Mio-san for years, and I've never seen her get sick. Last winter, I watched her eat twenty ice creams with my own eyes, and she was completely fine. You're telling me she caught a cold? I don't believe it.
Momoka, we're just trying to add some color here for TV. Work with us, okay?
But I just saw that Oni at the stage, and now I'm going to visit her haunted house...
Ugh. Relax. You're going to be fine.
Alright... I'll do my best.
Ugh, why are there so many pull-tops here?
I don't like this... Wait! What's that sound behind me?
Who's there?
The vicious Oni? A ghost?!
It's you? What are you doing in my house?
Momoka grabs something shaped like a stick from the ground and points it at the shadowy figure.
But she quickly realizes that whatever she has picked up will be ineffective against ghosts or a fierce, vicious Oni. In a hurry, she shoves the stick-thing into her coat and pulls out a box...
...of roasted soybeans.
Vicious Oni! I-I've got roasted soybeans! If you dare come closer, I'll waste you!
Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! Oni wa soto, fuku... fuku... err... uh...
The beans aren't working. But I have some salt here too! Check it out! Salt!
The thing... you... fear... most...
......?
Well, I guess I'll be going. Sorry for intruding. Sorry for bothering you. Byebye. Sayounara!
Hey! Wait a second!
No, I don't think I will!
My head!
Are you alright?
Momoka, who has just struck her head on something, starts to fall to the ground. However, 'the ghost's' voice jolts her back on her feet.
I'm fine. I'm fine. Sorry for bothering you.
I've got uh, kids, and my parents, they're so old... to take care of back home!
No! Hasuke is at home, waiting for me to water him! Let me go! I have to go take care of him!
In her panic, Momoka lets out a high note she's never even hit in the recording studio.
Later that day, as the production team looks at the footage, they are unsure which one of the two, Momoka or Hoshiguma, most resembles a wailing wraith.
What... what is that thing at my feet?!
You're asking me?
No! I didn't ask you! Let me go!
The terrified girl suddenly disappears, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
Perplexed, Hoshiguma leans in for a closer look, and finally sees what happened.
She smashed right through the floorboards.