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Cold Moonlight
- Momoka
The TV station's in total chaos...
- Kichisei
Wow...
- Kichisei
Grandma told me stories about Northern Court special forces infiltrating Mitsukue in her youth.
- Kichisei
I didn't think much of it at the time. Thinking about it now, though, what we're seeing is just a fraction of what could really happen...
- Sarasa
What do you think about my surprise for Kinbee?
- Kichisei
I think it might be a little too big...
- Sarasa
Well, we should focus on our own tasks. Moriuchi-san has already infiltrated the TV station. We need to head to the accession ceremony.
- Sarasa
There shouldn't be many people there at this time, but you'll need to help out if there's any resistance.
- Kichisei
Gotcha.
- Sarasa
All that's left to do is act! I'll lead the way. Climb up this vent!
- Sarasa
Follow me!
- Momoka
I-I'm coming!
- Momoka
It... it's so high...
- Sarasa
Don't worry, I've got a light. Hold my hand, and I'll lead you on.
Momoka tries not to look down, but she cannot keep herself from shaking.
They are moving through massive formations of steel rebar. The darkness of night hangs above, while it is bright as day underneath their feet.
TV station staff, yakuza, and ninja form a picture of chaos beneath them.
- Sarasa
How are you doing, Kichisei?
- Kichisei
A-Alright.
- Sarasa
Good.
- Sarasa
You don't come up to this kind of place often?
- Kichisei
Who does? Are you a deserting ninja or something?
- Sarasa
No, I got used to this kind of place while hiding from ninjas.
- Momoka
Hiding?
- Sarasa
That's not important—we're here!
- Sarasa
Hmph, we've got people down below...
- Sarasa
Momoka, jump over this gap and follow those pipes down to the stage. You should be able to stay out of their view.
- Momoka
That far?!
- Momoka
I, I'll try...
Momoka clenches her fists, her eyes fixed forward, and kicks the ground hard—
The steel structure suddenly starts moving, and the platform beneath Momoka's feet begins to vibrate irregularly.
- Sarasa
Why did it start moving all of a sudden?!
- Momoka
I, I think I'm falling!
- Kichisei
Watch your head!
- Kichisei
She fell?!
- Kichisei
We're going down too! Sarasa!
- Kichisei
Ya—hoo!
- Sarasa
Are you alright, Momoka?
- Momoka
I'm alright! Hanging in there.
- Sarasa
Get on the stage! I'll get the console! Start once the lights come on!
- Kichisei
I can't wait for Momoka's show—
- Mio
I'm afraid I can't let you do that.
- Momoka
Mio-san...?
- Mio
...Momoka.
- Momoka
You've come to stop me, haven't you?
- Mio
Yes.
- Momoka
Why?
- Mio
For the Kinsekikai.
- Mio
I know what you're going to say. That will ruin the Kinsekikai.
- Surveilling Ninja
Mio-san, Hoshiguma has shown up at the door of the TV station. You should go now, according to Mifune-san's instructions—
- Mio
Hoshiguma showed up for her.
- Surveilling Ninja
But Mifune-san—
- Mio
The other one watching me, I know you're there. Go and tell Mifune-san that Hoshiguma will definitely come, and I'll be waiting for her here.
- Mio
Now, Momoka, Kichisei-san, and that girl hiding behind the console, whose name I do not know.
- Mio
I suggest you stay put until Hoshiguma shows up.
- Mio
Your grievances against Mifune-san and Kinsekikai are certainly legitimate. But this place is also home to me, and to many others.
- Mio
I can't let you destroy it.
- Kichisei
She's bluffing! Momoka—
The black ethereal hand suddenly appears in front of Kichisei's neck. She instinctively takes a step back and pulls the trigger.
The ethereal hand shreds the bead-shaped grenade.
The lights go out, and the stage darkens, illuminated only by a faint light in the direction of the console.
Mio walks towards the light, sword in one hand, tantou in the other.
- Sarasa
That's right, I'm here... come on now...
- Mio
...!
One of the spotlights suddenly turns on, shining straight into Mio's eyes. Then another, and another, and another—
Then they all turn off at the same time.
Mio's hesitation lasts only an instant. She takes a moment to collect herself, then charges at the console—
Bang!
A falling spotlight narrowly misses Mio's head. By the time she turns her gaze back to the control console, there is no longer anyone there.
While Mio is occupied with the console, Kichisei, Momoka and Sarasa begin running towards the side stage exit.
- Sarasa
She locked the door! Let's try another—
Click, click, click.
They hear the sounds of locks being engaged...
The lights above their head turn back on.
Mio slowly walks towards the gathered trio.
- Mio
The lights are no longer under your control. Resistance is futile.
- Sarasa
You think so?
Sarasa closes her eyes and raises her lamp-shaped staff.
Mio's pace quickens.
Suddenly, the tip of the staff emits a blinding light, and the spotlights above the stage turn off again.
Not just the spotlights. All the light that remains on the stage is trapped in the liquid bouncing at the tip of the staff—
- Sarasa
Lights out, ice queen!
—and even the last glimmer of light is utterly consumed.
- Momoka
Sarasa?!
- Sarasa
Let... me sleep... I'm... so tired...
- Momoka
(Whisper) Wh-What do we do? I can hear Mio-san's footsteps! She's coming!
- Momoka
(Whisper) Let's try the other side of the stage. Maybe the door there's still unlocked...
- Kichisei
(Whisper) No, it's too far. She'll find us!
- Kichisei
(Whisper) This is where we fell, isn't it? Can we go back the way we came?
- Momoka
(Whisper) The vents—
Kichisei puts Sarasa on her back and was about to move, when they hear Mio's voice coming from center stage.
- Mio
Don't bother. I can hear you.
- Momoka
What do we do?!
- Kichisei
It's all or nothing. I'll deal with her—
Suddenly, she hears the sound of knocking behind her.
- ???
Is it locked? I guess we'll have to do this the hard way.
- ???
Get out of the way!
A massive crash, and the locked door swings open, bringing in light from beyond.
The next instant, as though answering the call of the light coming in from the door, bright orbs of light float up from Sarasa's staff and go back to where they came from—
- Hoshiguma
...Sarasa?
- Sarasa
I thought I would get to sleep for a little longer...
- Sarasa
There'll be no light here as long as I'm still asleep...
Sarasa yawns, and the spotlights above flicker.
Mio does not move from her position, so Sarasa begins walking towards the console.
Momoka follows hesitantly, but Mio remains in place.
- Hoshiguma
Aren't you going to stop them?
- Mio
No. Your blade is drawn.
- Mio
My duty is not to deal with them.
- Hoshiguma
I doubt your minions have what it takes to beat Kichisei and Sarasa.
- Mio
In that case, there's nothing I can do.
- Hoshiguma
......
- Hoshiguma
What about Mifune?
- Mio
I don't care.
- Hoshiguma
You...
- Mio
Our battle has nothing to do with him.
- Police Operator
The last TV station's back online, Detective Koretou!
- Detective Koretou
I hear you.
- Police Operator
The guys assigned to the fireworks show want to know what to do. The citizens are still uneasy after that scare.
- Detective Koretou
Any risk of a stampede or other serious accident?
- Police Operator
Minimal. The situation's very much within expected parameters.
- Detective Koretou
Then the show will go on. Mifune likes excitement. We'll give him excitement.
- Police Operator
We're getting calls from citizens asking what happened. What do you think...?
- Detective Koretou
What do you think I think? Tell them we're investigating.
- Detective Koretou
Kinseki Station is, of course, responsible for the erroneous announcement of a Northern Court invasion, and we're taking this very seriously—
- Officer on Patrol
Detective Koretou, you have a visitor!
- Detective Koretou
Who? Kouhei Mifune?
- Mysterious Visitor
Detective Koretou.
- Detective Koretou
If it wasn't Mifune, I thought it would have been his Diet friend paying a personal visit.
- Mysterious Visitor
Making insinuations will do no favors for your career. Besides, you overestimate your own importance.
- Detective Koretou
Should I take that as an admission?
- Mysterious Visitor
......
- Mysterious Visitor
I've come to warn you.
- Mysterious Visitor
The police must bear responsibility for the chaos that occurred on Nita Street tonight. We do not wish to see the chaos spread any further.
- Detective Koretou
Bear responsibility, eh? Oh dear, I think I just peed my pants.
- Mysterious Visitor
Watch your attitude. You still have a chance to settle this matter peacefully.
- Detective Koretou
Do I? Pray enlighten me.
- Mysterious Visitor
Cancel all events scheduled for tonight. Focus your forces on restoring order at Kinseki Station, and begin a search for those responsible.
- Detective Koretou
Such as? The number one suspect is, I'm sure, Kouhei Mifune, considering that it was his station that broadcast that—
- Mysterious Visitor
Your men are not allowed to touch him—
- Detective Koretou
Have a nice day.
- Mysterious Visitor
If you refuse to obey orders, you may go once you have signed this resignation.
- Mysterious Visitor
Feel free to discuss any concerns with your supervisor.
- Detective Koretou
Wow, I still have a chance to turn back?
- Mysterious Visitor
It's too late for that.
- Detective Koretou
Like you said, it's too late for that—
The detective reaches out with his foot...
- Mysterious Visitor
You—
...He trips the visitor, takes the piece of paper with the name of the detective's supervisor on it, and tears it to pieces.
- Detective Koretou
Oh my, I didn't expect you to fall like that. I thought our diet friend would have a tougher secretary.
- Mysterious Visitor
How... how dare you?!
- Detective Koretou
Go tell your boss that the police are here to protect his bloody life, not his bloody money.
- Detective Koretou
If he really thinks someone's after his life, he can come personally to the station and file a report, and we'll take it into consideration.
- Detective Koretou
Now, get lost.
White sword, black gloves, white hand, black sword, white tantou, black ethereal hand—
It is a dizzying exchange of black and white. Contrary to the impression she gives, the Liberi's swordplay is overwhelmingly aggressive, with only attacks, feints and more attacks, with not the slightest attention paid to defense.
The moves of the one-horned Oni, on the other hand, are almost staggeringly basic. Dodge, parry, backstep, sidestep.
- Mio
Twelve.
- Mio
You just blocked twelve attacks in quick succession.
- Mio
Why don't you fight back? Are you still afraid of your sword?
- Hoshiguma
If I was, it wouldn't have left its sheath to begin with.
- Hoshiguma
You, on the other hand, look all polite and cultured, but your moves are pure aggression and ferocity. That's not Kinbee's style.
- Mio
My sword has nothing to do with him.
- Hoshiguma
Then why do you give your life for him?
- Mio
Since when have I given my life for him?
- Hoshiguma
Stop fooling yourself.
- Mio
......
Hoshiguma takes a deliberate look around.
Kichisei is sending explosions everywhere with her grenades, while the stage equipment has turned into a giant monster under Sarasa's control.
With Momoka doing an impressive job of not getting caught, the trio is more than holding their own.
There is only one last thing to do in their battle plan...
- Mio
The only thing I'm trying to protect is the Kinsekikai.
- Hoshiguma
And Kinbee has to lead it?
- Mio
The Kinsekikai needs to be a place where the dregs of society can survive, those who have nowhere else to go.
- Hoshiguma
And Tessai couldn't give you that?
- Mio
No.
- Mio
You can keep parrying—
- Mio
But you'll eventually show an opening.
- Mio
Finally, you're attacking.
- Hoshiguma
All I got was the edge of your clothes.
- Mio
There is blue fire burning around you. Is that your Arts?
- Hoshiguma
Blue fire?
- Hoshiguma
You're right. I didn't notice.
- Hoshiguma
Back to the question. What is it that Tessai couldn't give you, but Kinbee can?
- Mio
Tessai could not even protect himself—
Hoshiguma thrusts. The attack is simple, but the flames upon the sword force Mio to leap backwards.
- Hoshiguma
That's not what I wanted to hear.
- Mio
Your flames are burning even fiercer.
- Hoshiguma
Tell me. Why couldn't Tessai give you what you wanted?
- Mio
Because Tessai couldn't protect himself. Mitsukue didn't need him, nor did it need a Mio working under Tessai.
- Hoshiguma
You?
- Mio
A silent, ragged orphan who only fights tooth and nail when someone steps on her is a subject of scorn.
- Mio
An equally silent, well-dressed assistant who only draws her sword when the company's interests are compromised is the subject of admiration.
- Hoshiguma
I thought you came from some noble martial family fallen on hard times.
- Mio
Hah.
- Mio
Tessai wanted to give dregs of society like us a home, and so he's dead.
- Mio
Mifune knows we don't deserve a home, and so he lives on.
- Hoshiguma
Is that how Mitsukue judges the Kinsekikai?
- Mio
Always has.
Hoshiguma is almost completely engulfed in the azure flame.
The Liberi wonders if the flame will consume the Oni before it consumes her.
- Mio
You are angry.
- Mio
Were you angry like this too, twenty years ago?
- Hoshiguma
Does that matter?
- Mio
Mifune-san wants you to lose your reason, as you did twenty years ago. He believes it will turn you into a crazed beast, one that everyone will be eager to put down.
- Mio
You know this is what he wants, and so you suppress yourself, which is why you didn't draw your sword the last time.
- Hoshiguma
...Hmph.
- Hoshiguma
Are you inviting me to give in to anger? Complete the mission your master assigned?
- Mio
It's not what I want, but I would have no issue with it. It would be a shame, that's all.
- Hoshiguma
Why?
- Mio
A perfect opponent, who could never stand before me in perfect condition, forced to either suppress herself, or lose control entirely.
- Mio
But that's all.
- Mio
Take this.
Mio once again prepares to attack.
Three hands, three swords, a posture seemingly without form or order, but ready to pounce on any weakness—
- ???
Catch!
- Mio
Who's there?!
- Moriuchi
This is crazy heavy!
- Moriuchi
You know how hard it was to get it out of Kinbee's room, even with all that chaos at the TV station?
- Moriuchi
...Catch!
Moriuchi swings his entire body to throw Hannya in the direction of the standoff.
Mio's ethereal hand is the first to catch Hannya's handle, but Hoshiguma leaps and spins one hundred and eighty degrees like she is dancing, forcing the ethereal hand to loosen its grip, allowing her to take Hannya's handle.
- Hoshiguma
Suppress, or lose control?
- Hoshiguma
It won't happen. With or without Hannya.
Hoshiguma tightens her grip around the ribbon on her sword.
- Hoshiguma
Hannya's an old friend, after all. Maybe you had a chance just now... but not any longer.
Rage.
The rage that seemed compressed around Hoshiguma now spreads outwards, burning on her arms, her shield, and her sword.
Hoshiguma takes a step forward, and the flames of rage almost catch the hem of Mio's clothing.
- Mio
Good.
- Mio
It's good enough for me to know that you won't lose control.
Hoshiguma faces off against black and white, hands human and not, swords long and short.
The Liberi shows no fear. The edges of her mouth angle ever so slightly upwards.
- Hoshiguma
Any last words?
- Mio
Be kind to the Kinsekikai.
- Mio
Be kind to Momoka.
- Mio
My conscience is clear on all other matters... except her.
- Hoshiguma
I'll remember.
- Hoshiguma
What about Kinbee? Any last words about him you want to say?
- Mio
Him? Is there any need to talk about him, here and now?
- Hoshiguma
Hah. Good point.
Hoshiguma shifts her posture to one that makes it easy to unleash her power. The blue flames continue to burn intermittently around her.
The face of Hannya glares with wide-open eyes on the face of the shield. The edge of the sword seems ready to seep blue blood—
- Hoshiguma
Hah!
- Mio
Is this... Hannya?
- Hoshiguma
Yes, this is Hannya.
- Hoshiguma
Your swords are worthy of you. They took the full brunt of Hannya and survived.
- Hoshiguma
You can pick them up, then we'll continue.
- Mio
There's no need.
- Mio
You've made your strength clear. There's no point in trying to fight you anymore.
- Mio
I must prepare.
- Hoshiguma
For what?
- Mio
For the aftermath.
- Mio
For a Kinsekikai without Mifune-san.
- Hoshiguma
......
- Hoshiguma
How's things on Momoka's side, Moriuchi? Are they ready?
- Moriuchi
Just waiting for you to finish fighting. Sarasa?
- Sarasa
Aye aye, sir! Momoka?
Momoka stands in the middle of the stage with the spotlight on her.
Kichisei has done her best to clear a space, though there are still a few yakuza lying on the ground near her.
- Momoka
I... I'm ready to begin!
- Sarasa
Alright then...
- Sarasa
Kinseki Station's biggest program of the night begins now!
