6-2 Live Fire

1: A Self-Centered Request

Mirja: Please excuse us.
Akane: Come in.
Mihono: Huh!?
Hirona: ......Ah, it's been a whilee.
Chie: So that's how it was. You're part of the Hitakami faction too, Hirona-chan...
Hirona: I am.
Mirja: ...I understand now.
Mirja: At that time, you came to the investigation team for Asakura Mihono, didn't you?
Hirona: That's why.
Kiyoka: When you told us where Kohime-chan was, but you also called Kofuki-san there... I thought that was weird.
Hirona: Yes, I went ahead and made use of Kohime-chan.
Kofuki: So what, you had us all running around just how you wanted? Feels messed up.
Hirona: ...It's not exactly like that though. The only reason Kohime-chan is having fun in Okinawa now is because of Asakura-san and Shichinosato-san's hard work.
Kofuki: ...Yeah, you've still got some screws loose.
Mihono: Hirona, how do you know about how she's in Okinawa?
Hirona: I actually had a mission to fly to Okinawa and monitor Kohime-chann.
Hirona: ...She seems to be having a good time there, in Okinawa.
Mihono: Really...? Thanks for letting us know, Hirona!
Chie: Akane-sama. About Makoto... Hitakami Makoto, where is she?
Yuuki/Akira: ...
Akane: That's part of what I need to speak with you about. Kagutsuchi has transferred inside of Hitakami Makoto-san.
Investigation Team: !?
Mihono: Did that really happen, Akira-san...?
Akira: ...Yeah, it's real alright.
Akira: I got no idea what Kagutsuchi did to survive. But... I know that for sure. Kagutsuchi's taken over Makocchan.
Mihono: Kagutsuchi took over Hitakami-san...
Akira: I know I don't have the right to be saying this. You don't got any reason to hear me out.
Akira: Just... Please.
Akira: Help us with her... I want to save Makocchan...
Mihono: You don't have to bow, Akira-san! Of course we'll help!!
Akira: Mihono...
Mihono: Right, guys!
Yui: So long as Mihono-chan won't say anything, it's okay with me! It's my policy to never turn down a good looking girl!
Kiyoka: ...I'm sorry, Hono-chan. I just can't forgive them that easily.
Kiyoka: Because, if things had gone wrong, you might not have even been here.
Mihono: Thanks, Kiyoka. But, see, I do want to save Hitakami-san.
Kiyoka: I'll help stop Kagutsuchi. Just, anything more than that...
Mirja: ...
Mirja: Whatever the case, we can't leave Kagutsuchi out there. The investigation team will do everything in its power to suppress Kagutsuchi.
Kofuki: Don't tell me that means we're stuck taking care of you again.
Hirona: I'll be in your caree.
Akira: ...



2: Dissatisfaction

Akira: ...
Yomi: Akira.
Akira: ...Yomi? What's up?
Yomi: ...
Akira: Yomi?
Yomi: Is something wrong?
Akira: ...Huh? What do you mean? You're the one who came to me.
Yomi: Right, I came to see you.
Akira: That's all? Well, you saw me.
Yomi: ...
Yomi: What are you mad about?
Akira: Huh? What part of me looks mad to you? Go on; tell me.
Yomi: I didn't expect you to be so angry.
Yomi: With what happened to Hitakami-san, I didn't think you would be calm, but why are you acting like this?
Akira: ...Since when did you care so much about other people?
Yomi: Should I not care about you?
Akira: ...Nah, sorry. Look, you're right. This is on me. I'm the one not making sense.
Yomi: You don't need to apologize to me for that.
Akira: I don't mean to you.
Akira: ...To Mihono.
Yomi: ...So you're angry at yourself.
Akira: Yeah, you got it. I'm just pissed at myself here!
Akira: I mean, why shouldn't I be!? All I keep doing is shit I can't stand!!
Yomi: ...
Akira: It's not like I regret what we did! I'm not gonna let anybody say we were wrong to do it!
Akira: But... All the stuff we did, I don't think we did it right either.
Yomi: Yes, I understand.
Akira: Like you'd get it... or, maybe you would.
Akira: If you really think about it, what we've been through isn't all that different. The both of us.
Yomi: I know.
Akira: I thought I was gonna take responsibility for all this someday.
Akira: For everybody who had to test tamayori, and for Mihono.
Akira: I thought, whatever I did, I'd have to make things right for what happened to them...
Akira: But hey, all the responsibility for all that shit, the adults went and took it off our hands. We don't get to take the blame for anything.
Yomi: You too...
Akira: That's what gets me more than anything; I can't help it. It's like they're saying, everything we've been doing, we were just dumbass kids messing around!
Yomi: You need to focus on the things you can still do.
Akira: Huh?
Yomi: Even if they take your punishment from you, if there's someone who still needs you, it's all you can do to be there for them.
Akira: ...
Yomi: That's how I've been living, Akira.
Akira: ...You sure changed. Used to be a crybaby who'd freak out over namahage...
Akira: You got pretty cool.
Yomi: ...I still haven't forgiven you for that one time.
Akira: How many times do I gotta say sorry?
Akira: ...Yomi.
Yomi: What is it?
Akira: You made some good friends.
Yomi: ...I did.



3: Contact

Yukari: ...Is there still no sign of Kagutsuchi?
Akane: Nothing.
Akane: More than likely, I believe Hitakami Genzan is guiding Kagutsuchi for now...
Akane: I'm sorry, Nee-sama. The meeting with the government is about to begin.
Yukari: I understand.

Yukari: Kagutsuchi and Hitakami Genzan... Where could they have gone to...
Yukari: What's going on?
Bureau Personnel: We've detected a strong aradama signal at Mt. Choukai in the Tohoku region. The temperature of the surrounding area is rising abnormally, centered around around the summit... and there's signs of a possible eruption!
Yukari: Prepare units straight away...
Bureau Personnel: Th-there's a call! A call came in from Hitakami Genzan!
Yukari: ...So they're the ones approaching us.

Suzuka: Yukari-sama! We've been waiting for you.
Yukari: Put me through to him.
Suzuka: Yes ma'am!
Yukari: This is Origami Yukari.
Genzan: I thought I said I wanted to speak with the current director of the Sword Administration Bureau, Origami Akane?
Yukari: Origami Akane is currently at a government conference.
Genzan: Hmph. Well, no matter. Origami Yukari will do.
Genzan: You're aware of what's happening at Mt. Choukai?
Yukari: ...We are.
Genzan: This is the work of our god, Kagutsuchi-sama.
Yukari: ...
Genzan: Beginning here, with Mt. Choukai, one by one... we will show you she is capable of erupting all the active volcanoes across Japan.
Yukari: State what you're after.
Genzan: A discussion, Origami Yukari. We have no intention of fighting the Sword Administration Bureau.
Genzan: However, with the way things are, we cannot speak as equals. You still do not recognize the power of Kagutsuchi-sama, after all.
Yukari: ...
Genzan: First, you must know.
Yukari: He hung up. What do you think, Konohana?
Suzuka: ...What he's calling a discussion is simply a threat.
Suzuka: They'll give enough time for people across Japan to understand what they're capable of, win over supporters, and make it easier for their demands to be met.
Suzuka: A heavy-handed approach.
Yukari: ...I came to the same conclusion.
Yukari: Their next call, Hitakami Genzan will likely demand Kanayamahime.
Yukari: But... is that really all they're after?



4: Why

Genzan: The plan is coming along well, Kagutsuchi-sama.
Kagutsuchi: ...Ahh.
Genzan: Once the whole of Japan recognizes your power, and the people have rallied behind us, the Sword Administration Bureau will have no other option but to accept our demands.
Genzan: They are not fools. They must have assumed Kanayamahime is what you desire.
Genzan: Neither are they foolish enough to fail to imagine what consequences that would have.
Genzan: Yet, even knowing that, we will give them no choice but to offer Kanayamahime to you!
Genzan: And all of this is only possible due to the might of Kagutsuchi-sama!
Kagutsuchi: ...
Genzan: There is a chance the Sword Administration Bureau would demand I be given over in exchange for Kanayamahime. But if that were to pass, I would gladly offer myself for your sake.
Kagutsuchi: ...!
Genzan: GUAAAAAAGHH!? K-Kagutsuchi-sama!? What are you...
Kagutsuchi: ...Burn.
Genzan: P-Please, wait! Why do this!?
Kagutsuchi: ...Silence.
Genzan: Please, give me an answer, Kagutsuchi-sama!!
Genzan: Why--



5: I Can't Do Anything

Genzan: Why would you want me dead!? Please tell me, Kagutsuchi-sama!!
Kagutsuchi: ...?
Genzan: Kagutsuchi-sama?
Makoto: Please, run...
Genzan: Is that... Makoto!?
Makoto: That's right... So, while I hold back Kagutsuchi, please...
Makoto: Kagutsuchi doesn't think the same as you...
Makoto: Kagutsuchi is afraid of toji...
Makoto: That's why, because you want to negotiate with them... she wants to kill you... Run now, while you can...
Genzan: ...I was wrong then...
Makoto: What do you mean...
Makoto: Eh?
Kagutsuchi: ...
Makoto: Gh... I'm losing my strength...
Genzan: Ohh, that form...
Makoto: No... Run...
Makoto: (What did I--!?  I can't move my body...!!)
Makoto: (Kagutsuchi must have taken my body back... That's right, he was...)
Makoto: (He's gone... And, this smell... It couldn't be...)
Makoto: (Urgh...)
Makoto: (I can't stay conscious... Kagutsuchi's control is too much...)
Makoto: (Kagutsuchi... What do you plan to do from here...?)



6: Votive Lantern

Suzuka: Yukari-sama, there's a call from Hitakami Genzan.
Yukari: Hardly any time has passed since the last one... What is he after?
Suzuka: At the very least, I thought they would go silent for a day...
Yukari: True. The situation may have changed on their end.
Yukari: Put me through.
Suzuka: Yes ma'am.
Kagutsuchi: ...I demand...
Yukari: Hitakami Makoto... Then, this is Kagutsuchi.
Yukari: ...? I don't see Hitakami Genzan.
Suzuka: Maybe she wanted to tell us something in private, away from Hitakami Genzan?
Yukari: Where is Genzan?
Kagutsuchi: ...Dead.
Yukari: ...
Kagutsuchi: ...Kill Asakura Mihono... Give Kanayamahime to me......
Yukari: We refuse.
Suzuka: The call was cut off... Though, from the state of things... and, if Genzan is truly dead...
Yukari: ...
Bureau Personnel: Yukari-sama! There's reports the temperature around Mt. Choukai is rising even further!
Suzuka: She's threatening us.
Suzuka: If we won't accept her demands, the casualties will get even worse...
Yukari: Right...
Yukari: Konohana, call together the Special Defense Team.
Suzuka: Yes ma'am!
Yukari: Have the presidents of the Five Traditions proceed with making selections for a Kagutsuchi suppression task force! Contact Bureau Director Origami and have her return immediately!
Bureau Personnel: Yes ma'am!!



7: Kagutsuchi Suppression Task Force

Akane: I just made it back! How is the formation of the suppression task force going?
Bureau Personnel: President Maniwa is managing the selections. The details are on this tablet.
Akane: Let me see.
Bureau Personnel: Yes ma'am!
Akane: ...It's a full blown war effort.
Akane: The top picks from across the Five Traditions, centered around Etou-san and Juujou-san, then the Special Defense Team...
Akane: Followed by... The Akabane Swords Investigation Team, Inago-san's group...
Akane: ......
Akane: Please send the Special Defense Team on ahead. Give them the details en route.
Bureau Personnel: Understood.
Bureau Personnel: Should we summon all the listed toji?
Akane: ......
Akane: Could you hold off for a moment? For now, please call Origami Yukari here.

Yukari: I'm coming in.
Akane: I'm sorry for calling you, Nee-sama.
Yukari: What is it?
Akane: ...It's about Asakura-san.
Akane: And, whether she should be included in the suppression task force... Could I ask for your opinion, Nee-sama?
Yukari: First, let me hear what you're thinking, Akane.
Akane: Alright.
Akane: ...Asakura-san is Kagutsuchi's objective. It would likely be best to move her to a safe location.
Yukari: If Kagutsuchi were to get ahold of Asakura... of Kanayamahime, then we do have no way of knowing how much damage would be done.
Akane: That's exactly it.
Akane: And yet... At the same time, when considering how to suppress Kagutsuchi, Asakura-san, with Kanayamahime's power, is our secret weapon.
Akane: Still, that has one problem. Currently, Asakura-san is incapable of using Kanayamahime's power at will.
Yukari: Too much for one, too little for the other.
Akane: What would you do, Nee-sama?
Yukari: ...If it were my choice, I would have Asakura participate in the suppression effort. I have two reasons.
Yukari: You said that Asakura could not use Kanayamahime's power at will? But, even ignoring that, Asakura has shown remarkable growth.
Yukari: The Akabane Swords Investigation Team, with Asakura at their center; I don't consider them any less important than the Special Defense Team.
Akane: ...And your other reason?
Yukari: Right now, there would be nowhere safe to bring her in Japan.
Akane: That's...
Yukari: As time passes, the damage caused by Kagutsuchi will grow. No one can say for certain... whether this can be contained to just Mt. Choukai.
Akane: ...That's true.
Yukari: In which case, Asakura's strength shouldn't be sent far from the threat, but straight to the frontline.
Akane: You make a good point.
Akane: ...Thank you for giving me your valuable insight, Nee-sama.
Yukari: Have you made up your mind?
Akane: ...I have.