AT-3 Notice: Nighttime Runaway

Kami?

Yeah. I think all the funny stuff going on around Mitsukue has been tricks played by these kami-sama. And I'm looking for one of the many out there.

......

You don't believe me?

Oni are more familiar into monastery-type stuff.

Besides, I'm finding it hard to guess what sort of kami-sama would be so bored as to hop on a unicycle and curse my house.

Haha, sounds like most other Oni I know.

Why are you looking for this 'kami-sama'? Do you think one of them's cursed you?

The opposite, actually. Did me a solid once.

But one day, It just vanished.

Could it be the Wanyuudou?

Maybe? Can't say for sure. After all, I can't tell what the unicycling kami-sama looks like.

So, mind doing me a favor?

If you see the Wanyuudou, or are even... lucky enough to see Its actual form, help me check if It looks like this.

A maneki-neko? Isn't that a mascot Higashinese Felines created based on Feline Beast Stewards?

The kami-sama I met practically looks the same, apart from the size difference.

Hoshiguma-san, since you're no ghost, then I wager you're after this Wanyuudou to figure out what's up with your house, yeah?

......

Taishou, I never introduced myself to you.

Are you one of the Kinsekikai?

(Shakes head) Naw. Why would anyone from the Kinsekikai set up a yatai here?

An informant for the cops, then?

(Shakes head) Rather throw my life away.

An information broker.

(Does not nod or shake head)

Ha, I mean, what kind of intel guy would admit he's in the business?

But if you're in the business, then I don't think it's fair for you to ask me for help without offering anything in return.

Hah. What sort of reward would you like, Hoshiguma-san? If it's information, I can tell you all I know.

Don't worry about it. We can come back to that once I figure out what kind of information I'm after.

Anything that would cost you your life if you talked about it? Best to let me know beforehand. Last minute confessions won't get you any help from me.

......

No, if you really manage to find me a useful clue or two, nothing's off the table.

Deal?

Deal.

Alright. So, where should I go looking for that Wanyuudou? A shrine?

Don't forget, the city under us isn't called 'Nan'in Anzai Mitsukueooyashiro' for nothing. This is the Southern Court's De-Facto Capital Mitsukue Grand Shrine. You can't possibly want me to go on a whole pilgrimage route?

Of course not. Do you know where's the place locals call Kizuna Jinja, the shrine of bonds?

Heard a bit about that one.

Though, if you know exactly which one to go to, why haven't you gone yourself?

Kamigami are fickle beings. They'll willingly appear before some, but won't grace others, no matter what.

And you're part of that 'other' group?

Seems so, ever since that kami left me.

Taishou! My scooter's all busted! Help me fix it before the guys chasing me catch up!

EEK! WHY ARE YOU HERE?!

Still think I'm a ghost, huh?

Wait, so, you're not?

*Sigh*

Momoka? What's with the panic?

I'm being chased! I rode my scooter here and shook them off, but it broke down. Could you get it running again?

Who's after you?

It's... It's Mio-san...

Mio? Then you best be good and follow her home. Overstep your calorie count again?

No, she wants to... get rid of me!

My TV suddenly freaked out and started broadcasting scary stuff!

She was talking to Mifune-san! They said—Death or Oripathy! Tasukete!

Death? Oripathy? Momoka-san, did you offend them somehow?

All I did was to post one message, I wasn't planning anything or scheming with Tessai, nuh-uh!

Scheming with Tessai?

......

Let's see if this ride's fixable.

Why don't you go after the Wanyuudou first?

Playing dumb, information broker-san?

This is my second time scaring Momoka-san here. She's in a pinch now, so I should do what I can to even the score.

Momoka-san, I promise you as long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you.

Sankyuu...

—Someone's coming from Nita Street! Are they after me?

Kinsekikai outfits... seems to be the case.

Taishou! Ghost-san! Save me!

Ghost-san? Me?

Sorry, I still don't know your name...

That aside, your ride's back in action.

Hop on, and leave the rest to me.

Ghost-san!

Oh, so here you are, Momo-cchi.

Be a good girl and come on home with us, yeah? Play nice and we won't hurt you.

Wh-Where's Mio-san? I want to talk to her!

What'cha trying to do, huh? Negotiate with us?

For real, just be good and come on back with us. Then we'll forget everything that happened today. Keep running, and I can't say for sure that your pretty face won't have some new scars by the time we're done playing hide-and-seek.

Better worry about yourselves first.

And just who d'you think you are?

Go, Momoka. I'll handle them.

I can't leave you here all by yourself!

Then keep the back seat empty for me.

*Indecipherable tongue-click* I don't care who you are, or the bluff you're trying to pull, usero!

Start the engine!

Omae! Don't think you're getting away!

Chikushou! Fire! FIRE! Fill that pesky Oni and her ride with holes!

What do we do?!

Just keep riding as fast as you can. Leave everything else to me.

I'm gonna turn!

Don't worry about me. You'd ridden this fast before?

OnlywhenfilminganditwasfakeIDON'THAVEACHOICEANYWAYS!

What did they teach you when you were filming?

C-Countersteer, then lean in...

Yeah, just do that.

AhhhhHHHHWHATEVER!!!

Where are you going? I'll make sure you get there safe and sound, before I head over to the shrine to help the Taishou out.

Did Moriuchi-san... ask you to do something?

To chase a kaidan I saw with my own eyes. A unicycle ridden by an invisible being. Told me to look for it at the shrine.

It appeared next to me in the middle of the night, and I chased it all the way to his yatai, before you came to us.

In the middle of the night... a k-kaidan...?

Scared? Then let's split up.

No, I'll go with you. I can't go home anymore, much less the agency...

There's... nowhere else for me to go.

......

I can't go with you?

You can. But keep your voice down, or you'll draw in those guys again. Done with all your screaming now? Does your throat hurt?

Not at all! I've had vocal training, you know! Even when I'm not on stage, I do as I'm taught to prevent damage to my vocal chords!

That so?

You're... back?

Just doing a bit of work... brought something back here.

Did Kinbee ask you to send me something again? I won't be able to use it, so go back and leave me to my work.

Hoshiguma's shield. 'Hannya', right?

You met her?

Even if I didn't, I've heard enough of her from you over the past few years.

Take that strange mask off your face.

Why do you care what I wear?

Didn't Kinbee tell you to put that on when you went over to his place?

I said you were too honest with your emotions, and lack the composure of a leader. All you did was throwing tantrums at home and scratching the shoji screen doors with your worthless bokutou.

He tells you to hide your emotions, and you put this on like a good boy? Do you even know what could be hiding inside that mask?

I don't care if it's rigged with bombs and blows up my face one day, it's none of your business.

Omae!

Leave. I want you and your lousy mask out of my sight.

Leave? Me? What about my mother?

What about her?

Today is the day she died, Chairman Tessai!

Today?!

You forgot everything. All you think about is your reopened forge.

That's no excuse for you to hang around with that viper Kinbee.

Viper? And how did Kaa-san die again? What did he do when she died? What did you do? If he's a viper, what does that make you?

Shut up—

What are Kaa-san and I to your Kinsekikai?!

......

......

Forget it, there's nothing for us to discuss.

I'm going in to pay my respects to her. Don't get in my way.

What—

What is it?

Mifune-san... showing up on TV after all these years?

That was a fun pachinko sesh! Tomorrow, I gotta run over to the shrine, so today... up the stairs to my room, and it's time to catch some Zs!

I lost seven thousand five hundred mon today. That means, for the rest of the month I still have...

Huh. Barely enough to get by.

Alright. Well, I should've asked Old Man Tessai for my pay for looking after the parlor.

As long as I don't think about how much I've lost, pachinko's always a fun time.

Face wash done, TV's on, terminal charging...

Huh?

News jacking? What's going on?

Wait, why's he—

Kinbee?!

Logs, cache, hardware traces...

All traces clean.

From terminal placements to signal hijacking and the aftermath... the whole process took about... two hours?

Everything that had to be verified's done. The broadcast, linking to live monitors, and live subtitles. All okay.

There were minor glitches from signal fluctuations, but they weren't anything unmanageable. A little workaround here and there and it should be all good to go next time. Kanpeki!

......

I'm so tired. I wanna sleep.

Locking in for two hours straight is my limit. I'm so sleepy.

No, I can't sleep here. Even a Kinseki Channel employee taking a nap in here would be pretty suspicious.

I have to go back to that cramped and lousy office—

Huh? An interim broadcast?

Uh oh! I gotta hide!

Yes, I'm here. Let me test the machine...

What? No, I'm the only one in here.

Right, yes.

All's set in place. The broadcast can start at any time.

Mio-san? What a rare sight.

I recommend the chikuwa, but the burdenbeast tendons and fowlbeast eggs are must-tries too. If you fancy something lighter, may I suggest our daikon or konbu knots—

Don't play dumb, Moriuchi. Where's Momoka and the Ao-Oni?

How would I know?

Just give me a number. The Kinsekikai can afford it.

I only sell oden here. How could I possibly know where my customers go after filling their bellies?

An appropriate pushback is understandable, but an excessive defiance means refusal to cooperate.

No, no, I would never.

I don't get it, s'all. She's just a showgirl at your mercy, without any kin in the city. Where could she possibly run off to? What harm could she do to your Kinsekikai?

Are you trying to pull information out of me?

I wouldn't dare.

Mio-san, I'm sure you've known her for a long time, even longer than I've known her.

She got to know me because my oden's yummy, and I know all about the kaidan in the city. I only offered a few comforting words and to be honest, we're not that close at all.

But I can tell she's just a lost little lass being pushed around with no bad intentions. I'm sure you've spent way more time with her, so what say you?

I see you're insisting on your silence.

C'mon, let's not put it that way.

How about, helping me leave a good review for this spot? Something about this place being a rare gem, and a great bang for your buck.

Why not have some oden to appease your hunger and mood?

Chikuwa, tendon, egg, daikon, and konbu knot. One of each.

Mio-san, you...?

So you had no intention of giving me a free meal? I see how it is. Fine for Momoka, but not for me.

What? No! I just thought you'd never allow me the honor of serving you my humble cooking.

Here you go.

Itadakimasu.

It's hot—

Good evening, citizens of Mitsukue.

I'm terribly sorry for taking up your time. I, Kouhei Mifune, have news to break to you all.

When's the last time your boss showed his face on a program?

More than a decade ago.

...The singer and actress Momoka Hanyuu, is currently missing.

I repeat, the whereabouts of popular singer and actress Momoka Hanyuu, who has a long-term contract with our company, are currently unknown.

According to reliable sources, Momoka-san's disappearance is closely linked to the kaidan tales circulating in the city.

We are still verifying how they are related to the situation, but we are certain of one thing, at the core of this strange incident is...

The 'Ao-Oni of Kinsekikai', the 'Single-horned Oni', among many more nicknames.

A female Oni with one horn, long green hair, of tall and sturdy build. Said to carry a large triangular shield.

She vanished two decades ago, spawning the myth that she was haunting the city as a vengeful spirit late at night, killing anyone who'd been connected with her.

Many attendees report seeing this individual at Momoka-san's concert.

As for whether she is truly a living being, a pretender, or a genuine ghost—we are as yet uncertain.

As the man responsible for the company Momoka-san is contracted to, I make a sincere appeal for the general public to contact us with any clues. You will be rewarded handsomely.

I'm sure Momoka-san also harbors hope that you will help her out of her plight...

......

Just... for that? To find Momoka and the Ao-Oni?

What did they even do to provoke Mifune?

None of your business.

I don't get it, Mio-san. Is this lass really worth your boss getting so worked up?

They've got Mifune casting such a wide net over the city, woven of every pair of eyes glued to the TV—

If you choose to be silent, then it's best you stay silent. Not even a word. Remember this well.

It would be very sad to see your oden disappear from this city.

What was that broadcast about?

I-I don't know!

Did Kinbee use to be a TV host or something?

Kinbee?

Mifune.

When I was little? I think I remember something like that.

I heard Mifune used to helm every program on the Kinseki Channel in its early days. News, variety shows, and sometimes he'd make a guest appearance on the weather channel too.

Come to think of it, I even helped them do a few of those long weather forecasts.

Later on when Kinseki Channel expanded, he only did breaking news, and as time went on, eventually disappeared off camera.

So, what he wants now is—

Yo, that bike over there!

The Ao-Oni?!

She's really with Momoka!

So, should we stop them?

You got a death wish?! Call the news!

Just look her sobbing, I bet the Ao-Oni kidnapped her... maybe she's doing some mind control stuff too!

You call the news station, I'll get the cops.

Didn't the cops issue a bunch of notices saying we shouldn't treat them like the Spiritual Affairs people and not to bother them for kaidan stuff?

Oh yeah.

Gah, we should speed up.

Hoshiguma-san, the place is right up ahead.

Alright—wait, you should slow down—we're gonna hit the gate at this rate!

Huh?!

Oh no, what if they think we're being rude...?

Kannushi-sama! A woman's fighting her way in again! She's on a bike this time!

Again?!

I don't know why, but no one's stopping her—them, I mean, and they're right in center courtyard!

'Them'?

Check and see if it's a Vulpo, won't you?

Er...

A Vulpo? No, it's an Ægir and an Oni.

They brought back terrible memories of last time, and I didn't look at them clearly in my panic, sorry...

It's not your fault that concern wrecked your nerves.

Whoever our guests may be, I'll simply entertain them. The rest of you, calm down and focus on your own work.

I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do this! I was just so nervous I forgot to use the brake—

I was wondering who it was. Are you not Momoka-san?

K-Kannushi-sama...

Uh, you know each other?

Momoka-san used to be a regular visitor here. She last came five years ago, and I thought perhaps her wishes came true and that she was now living a happy life.

No, not really... I just got so busy that I no longer had the time to visit.

No need to be sad. This is the Kizuna Jinja after all. You found success in your career, so I'm sure you formed lots of ties and connections with others.

*Cries*...

May I know how to call Momoka's friend here?

I'm Hoshiguma. Looking for someone.

Whom, may I ask? The shrine is quite bereft of clergy.

No, I'm not looking for a priest. I came here to find a 'kami-sama' for somebody.

Specifically, I'm looking for a unicycle with an invisible rider. I guess people in Mitsukue call it 'Wanyuudou'. Is it really a kami?

If they were looking to establish some sort of connection or looking for a blessing, I'm afraid they should come here themselves. Prayers made on someone else's behalf will not work.

He just wants to meet the kami. Didn't seem to care much about the forming ties or getting blessed type of thing.

......

Moriuchi-kun is truly a stubborn one... No, I should praise him for his tenacity.

You know him?

He's the one who insisted on meeting a specific kami with no want of blessing. We've become quite well-acquainted over the years.

So this means you can help him find the kami, right?

Nah, Moriuchi asking us to do it for him means the priest failed.

It is as you say. We priests cannot do anything if the kami themselves are unwilling to appear.

Well, the two of you haven't technically disrespected the shrine, other than driving your scooter onto our grounds.

Wh-What should we do? Do I have to apologize to the kami-sama? How do I do that?

Let me think... To appease the kami's anger, please go over to the omamori stall there and buy a full set.

What?

Then go to the hundred-mon omikuji and draw fortunes until you get one each of 'sue-kichi', 'chu-kichi', 'dai-kichi'. It's alright if you draw any of the others—unless you get 'dai-kyou'—then you'll have to start over.

Eh?!

—Finally...

I'm just joking. The kami would never punish someone over a scooter.

Wha—?!

I pray the two of you will obtain what you truly desire here. Now, plenty of divine work awaits me, so I shall take my leave.

Phew! I was worried I wouldn't have enough mon for all that!

Seems like the kannushi isn't going to get in our way, so things are going pretty well for us.

Let's take it easy. Why not go over to the omikuji section for a break, while I look around the place?

Um... that works.

Hoshiguma-san, Hoshiguma-san!

What's up?

It's bad!

You got a 'dai-kyou'?

No, a 'sue-kichi'—no, I didn't mean that! I mean, I heard something!

The Wanyuudou?

I don't know! Maybe, but what if... it's a ghost...?

A ghost showing up this early in the morning might be some sort of super scary evil spirits, like onryo!

We should trust the kannushi a little. You think he'd let evil spirits in here?

True, but—

There's that sound again!

Calm down.

Ugh, it's not like I could do that on command, even if I wanted to...

I didn't expect It'd actually show up here. There's tracks on the ground...

Wh-What do we do?

Isn't this better for us? Now It's locked onto the stone pavement.

But... how is a kami unable to hide Its own tire tracks...?

What... do you mean... unable!

I-It spoke?!

Behind the Beast Steward statue! Momoka, you're closer to It, over there!

I don't see It? Where did It go?

No, It circled around to your back—

My... back?

Eek! A g-g-g-ghost's after me?!

Misfortune befalls anyone who sees the Wanyuudou, but It's actually chasing me—is my life over?!

Momoka, hold still!

S-STILL?!

Now keep holding position, Momoka! I'll catch It. Don't, and I mean it, don't panic if It runs toward you!

O-O-Okay!

Momoka, grab It!

......

Kannushi-sama, someone's disgraced the shrine by... jumping... into the pond...

Momoka? Hoshiguma too?

I don't know what's going on, but Ill help you two out! Forgive me, Kannushi-sama!

Hoshiguma? Kichisei?

And...

So, in the end... It was a ghost after all?

Have you ever seen a ghost that could be struck by water, girl?

Besides, it was just a round of hide-and-seek. Why were you going at it so seriously?

S-Seriously?

You looked like your life was on the line when you went into the pond with me.

Same goes for Moriuchi too. A kami I may be, but what makes him so sure a random god he finds on the streets is bound to be his maneki-neko?

Momoka, do you want me to lure the priest away? Or—

No, it's alright. The person we're looking for—no, the 'kami' we're looking for is right here.

Relax, I'm already right before your eyes. No more running for me.

I'll watch over you, and no one on the shrine grounds will cause you any trouble. Soak in the pond for as long as you like.

Empty handed, are you?

You couldn't even catch a girl scared out of her wits at the mere mention of a kaidan?

......

Silent, are you? We're all family here, we can laugh all this off, yes?

That's not it, Oyabun!

She was with that Ao-Oni, and we weren't strong enough...

Weren't strong enough?

Colluding with Tessai to obstruct Kajimachi's development, disobeying my orders, and fleeing without permission. Even, getting mixed up with that individual...

Do you think you could get off just saying you weren't strong enough?

Oyabun, I... I...

Do you know what happened to Takehiko?

Y-Yes. You were forced to kill him with your own hands, and afterwards organized a grand funeral for him, even weeping as you held a memorial at his grave...

And who truly killed him? Was it me?

Of course it was that old bastard Tessai, he—

It was you! All of you! One by one, you proved your incompetence, allowing Tessai to get off scot-free, and that's how Takehiko died!

Are those k-koban coins?

I found these in a drawer. Pick them up. They're yours now.

Arigatou, Oyabun! But what for...?

The next time you would tell me you're not strong enough, just cut off your own arm and use these to buy you a state-of-the-art prosthetic. Am I clear?

Oyabun.

Speak.

Our people went northward from Nita Street and located Momoka and Hoshiguma... inside the shrine.

Do you hear that? The ninja I personally cultivated are more capable than you lot. Learn from them, all of you.

......

The shrine, eh?

Yes.

A shrine. Sacred ground, unsullied land. No one will be happy if trouble occurs there.

You mean...?

Take this useless bunch and surround the place. But be discreet—just make sure there is no way out.

If they intend to hole up in there, send a few men in to force them outside. Don't let anyone they've had contact with off either. If you can't make a move near the shrine, do it elsewhere.

Then the clergy inside...

The clergy? We can't touch them yet.

Understood.

Go. I have guests to see.

Mifune-san...

The guys who just left...

Same slackers as always. You're the hardest worker I've got.

Enough about them. How was your visit home?

The Old Man... is the same as he ever was.

Don't feel bad.

I remember where you were only this tall, standing in-between your parents as they linked hands with you...

*Sighs* Who would have ever thought that your father would have no choice but to let go of that which was dearest to him, all for the Kinsekikai's sake...

Mifune-san, there's no need to compliment my father. Being chairman for too long has robbed him of all human emotion.

That can't be. The bond between parent and child is stronger than any other tie.

I used to treat your father as my own, in my younger days. Unfortunately the Old Man scorned me, and that's how our hostilities began.

But this Northern Court spy incident may prove to be an opportunity.

You mean...?

Your mother was wrongly accused because of her ambiguous relationship with an individual in the Northern Court. If you catch the spy, your father's attitude will surely improve.

And it just so happens I have the latest intelligence in my hands.

Tell me, please! No matter where the spy is, I'll root him out!

This spy... is in Kajimachi, and is highly likely to be related to the so-called Haunted House.

No way... Hoshiguma-san?

She—no, she has nothing to do with this, only returned here by chance.

But I can't get in there, if she stops me...

Simply go in when she's away. Kajimachi is a big town after all, and finding any additional clues will be good. Go!

A-At once!