5-2 The Instigators up North

1: Worry

Mihono: This thing that's happening to me... Akira-san said they knew the reason why it's going rampant...
Mihono: ...
Mihono: What should I... do now? She said, "before it's too late," but...
Mihono: ...
Mihono: ......
Mihono: .........
Mihono: I can't tell anything thinking here like this~! I'll just have to ask them directly!!
Mirja: Absolutely not.
Mihono: Ehh~!!
Chie: Mmm, I think... I'm against it too.
Chie: I'm worried, after you lost control again. And, this... Inago-san? We can't even be sure if she's telling the truth...
Mihono: But, Kaoru-san said that Akira-san was from Mokusa too!
Chie:　Even if she is... What we call Mokusa has lots of smaller factions to it...
Mihono: It does?
Chie: ...Yes. I don't know them all very well myself, but, aside from the main faction which aims to enshrine and suppress aradama, there are meant to be people with lots of different ideologies.
Mirja: With all our research into Kashuu Kiyomitsu, we've found nothing but dead ends. They may say they know, but frankly I find that dubious at best.
Mirja: Inago Akira... was it?
Mihono: Ah, Akira-san was the one who said they knew, but she said the one who really knows is her childhood friend. I think her name was... Hitakami Makoto-san?
Chie: Hitakami... Makoto?
Mirja: Do you know her?
Chie: Y-Yes. She's a toji from Osafune.
Chie: Hitakami Makoto is a third year in Osafune Girls' Academy's high school division. It was only for a little while, but... we were in the same unit once too.
Mihono: Come to think of it, I never really heard much about what you were doing back then. Did you get along with her?
Chie: Well, I don't think we got along too badly. I was curious how she was doing... She's working hard it seems.
Mihono: You seem kind of happy about it?
Chie: Fufu, that's true.
Chie: I wasn't expecting her name to come up here, so you caught me by surprise.
Chie: If it's Makoto, I think it might be alright, but...
Mirja: ...
Mihono: What's Hitakami-san like, Chii-nee?
Chie: A yamato nadeshiko. If I wanted to describe Makoto, there's no phrase that fits her better. [Just look up yamato nadeshiko to see a list of adjectives, but it's essentially the epitome of traits that make up an ideal Japanese woman.]
Chie: She's gentle, and ladylike, and intelligent... Though, she could be stubborn too.
Chie: On top of that, she had real skill as a toji.
Mirja: This toji, Hitakami Makoto, she didn't participate in the tournament, did she?
Chie: Osafune has Kaoru-san and Ellen-san there. It would be a little difficult fighting those two to be selected for the tournament.
Mirja: I see...
Mirja: (However, Inago Akira and Hitakami Makoto... For them to be so powerful, their names are relatively unknown...)
Mirja: (...No, I must be reading too deeply into it.)
Chie: Was there something that caught your attention?
Mirja: ...There wasn't.
Mirja: We should go speak with them in the near future. However, please wait just a little longer first.
Mihono: A little longer?
Mirja: Yes. In that time, I would like to find more on Inago Akira, Hitakami Makoto, and, the other one...
Mihono: Yuuki. Toribane Yuuki.
Mirja: Toribane Yuuki, was it. I'm going to gather information on these three.
Mihono: Information...? I don't think you have to go that far, do you...
Mirja: You need to understand the gravity of the situation.
Mirja: For Kashuu Kiyomitsu... For an okatana's power to go rampant is nothing to take lightly.
Mirja: Things are the way they are because the investigation team is working directly under the Origami Family... But we have no way of knowing when that may change.
Mirja: We need to act with caution right now.
Mihono: ...Is the situation really that bad?
Mirja: Without a doubt. You should assume that your situation is more unstable than you realize.
Mihono: ...Alright.
Mirja: In addition, no matter what comes up, please refrain from using Kashuu Kiyomitsu's power. Do you understand?
Mihono: ......I understand.
Mirja: (If I force the issue this much, she should avoid going rampant again for the time being.)
Mirja: (If Asakura Mihono were to repeatedly lose control, her position will certainly worsen.)
Mirja: (Though... There is now even more work to be done. I'll need to immediately find information on Hitakami Makoto, Inago Akira, and Toribane Yuuki...)
Mihono: Aradama!?
Chie: ...It's fine for you to wait on standby today, Mihono-chan.
Mihono: No, I can fight even without using that power, and I'll feel better getting some exercise than sitting around worrying!
Mirja: Very well then.
Mirja: ...The investigation team will sortie as soon as we've assembled!

2: Results of Investigating the Hitakami Faction

At that time--

Yukari: How is the investigation into Mokusa's extremist factions going?
Maki: We've finished compiling data on all the related individuals. Yomi.
Yomi: Yes, here it is.
Yume: Hmm... Oh, huh?
Suzuka: What is it?
Yume: I feel like, there's someone in here I've seen before.
Suzuka: Well now. For you to remember someone, even slightly, they must be somewhat capable.
Suzuka: Yume, that's a toji that you once cut down.
Yume: Ah... They're in here too, huh.
Yukari: That was all under Tagitsuhime's influence. Does it still bother you?
Yume: ...It's the truth though, that I'm the one who attacked Mokusa.
Yukari: Then, you'll need to prove it with your actions going forward. How the new Tsubakuro has changed from the old one.
Yume: The old me, and the new me... I got it, Yukari-sama!
Yukari: Good.
Yukari: Satsuki, which of these faction requires our attention?
Yomi: There are several, but... The most important one is the Hitakami faction.
Yukari: The faction headed by the Hitakami Family, the distinguished toji family from Tohoku...
Yomi: Yes. Their position is to reduce harm suffered by toji while suppressing aradama. They have stated they are willing to find positive applications for aradama to make that happen.
Suzuka: Positive applications for aradama... Do you know what exactly they mean?
Yomi: I wasn't able to find that much. However, they appear to be carrying out some experiments utilizing aradama.
Yomi: It seems they've acquired materials on the Myouga toji project as well, so we can assume they are making real advances.
Maki: Myouga toji...
Maki: Did they not join in back then because they determined Tagitsuhime wouldn't reduce toji casualties?
Yukari: They may espouse radical ideals, but they shouldn't have shown any serious movements before now.
Yomi: Recently, the previous head of the family passed away. Her daughter has now inherited her position.
Yomi: The current head of the Hitakami family is... Hitakami Makoto. And, the toji closest to Hitakami Makoto would be...
Yomi: Both Inago Akira and Toribane Yuuki.
Maki: Inago Akira...?
Maki: Yomi. Hasn't this toji come to see you before?
Yomi: ...She has.
Yomi: Hitakami Makoto, Inago Akira, Toribane Yuuki... I come from the same town as the three of them.
Suzuka: Which means... They're from Akita?
Yomi: Yes. I went to the same elementary school as the three of them... And, in particular, Inago Akira's home was in my neighborhood.
Kaoru: Special Raid Unit, Mashiko Kaoru, coming in-.
Sayaka: Itomi Sayaka, entering.
Kaoru: Is Origami Yukari here? I brought the report from our last mission.
Yukari: Did something happen?
Kaoru: Asakura Mihono got overwhelmed by the power of Kashuu Kiyomitsu and went on a rampage. What's the deal with that okatana?
Maki: Mashiko Kaoru, watch your tone when talking to Yukari-sama...
Yukari: It's fine, Shidou.
Maki: ...Yes ma'am.
Yukari: What happened with Asakura Mihono?
Kaoru: Me and Sayaka managed to stop her. But, it was pretty close.
Yume: Even with you and Sayaka-chan, she came pretty close to beating you!?
Sayaka: Mm. Mihono was strong.
Yume: She went on a rampage, hm... Yukari-sama! I want to try fighting that onee-san when she's rampaging!
Yukari: You can't.
Yukari: ...You two did well. Was there anything else that happened?
Kaoru: A toji who was there said something that got my attention. That, she knew what was happening to Mihono.
Suzuka: That is a rather concerning statement. ...What was this toji's name? We'll make preparations to summon her here straight away.
Kaoru: Inago Akira.
Suzuka: ...! The toji from the Hitakami faction...
Maki: There's a bad pattern forming here...
Yukari: ...Thank you for your efforts.
Kaoru: Then, I made my report and all. We're leaving, Sayaka.
Sayaka: Okay.
Suzuka: Yukari-sama, should we question her?
Yukari: ...Let her go for now.
Suzuka: Understood.
Yukari: All of you, please continue the investigation.
Maki: Yes ma'am!
Yomi: ............
Yomi: ...Akira.

3: No Matter How Many Times I Repeat It

Yomi: Shidou-san, do you have a moment?
Maki: What do you need, Yomi?
Yomi: During our lunch break, I'm going to step out for a while. I should be back in an hour.
Maki: It's up to you how you spend your breaks... But, you don't often ask things like that.
Yomi: Now is a good time for me to visit.
Maki: Do you mind if I ask where you're going?
Yomi: ...The hospital.
Yomi: Excuse me.
Yukina: ...Come in.
Yomi: ...How is your health?
Yukina: Fine.
Yomi: I brought flowers and fruits.
Yukina: Oh.
Yomi: ......
Yomi: I'll replace the water for the flowers.　
Yukina: ...
Yomi: ...
Yukina: ...
Yomi: ...I need to leave soon.
Yukina: Right.
Yomi: ......
Yomi: I'm not sure if you're aware, but I was assigned to the Special Defense Team.
Yomi: I plan to make use of this power there.
Yukina: ...Don't you regret it?
Yomi: I don't.
Yomi: If the same thing were to happen... I would join you again.
Yukina: ...Oh.
Yomi: I'm sorry to have bothered you.
Yukina: ...
Yomi: I'll come again.
Yukina: ...
Yukina: ...Okay.
Yomi: I've returned.
Maki: How's she doing?
Yomi: Her body is recovering properly. But... she seems depressed.
Maki: I see.
Yomi: I'm returning to my assignment.
Maki: ...
Maki: Do you really not want to remove your aradama?
Yomi: I don't.
Yomi: This is the power that she gave to me. With this power... I'll perform my duties.

4: Training! (1)

Mihono: Hello-!
Tsugumi: Oh?
Kofuki: Yo, Mihocchi. What brings you here today?
Mihono: I came to do a little training!
Kofuki/Tsugumi: Training?
Mihono: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Mihono: Give me the next one, please!
Tsugumi: Understood. Releasing the next aradama.
Aradama: GUOOOOOOOOOOO!
Mihono: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Mihono: Next!
Kofuki: Hey hey, she's pretty fired up. I wasn't sure if she was serious when shesaid you wanted to train, but she's really going at it.
Tsugumi: Are you not going to join her, Shichinosato-san?
Kofuki: She said she wants to train, so if I went in there, I'd get in her way.
Tsugumi: Huh.
Kofuki: ...What.
Kofuki: Mihocchi's going through a lot right now. So I'm letting her have her way a little. You got a problem with that?
Tsugumi: There's no problem at all.
Kofuki: Course not.
Mihono: Next one, please!
Tsugumi: The next one... Ah.
Kofuki: What's up?
Tsugumi: This is the final set.
Kofuki: Say that sooner! We're swapping out, Mihocchi!
Tsugumi: Were you not going to let Asakura-san have her way?
Kofuki: I didn't say I was letting her have everything! I wanna have fun with some aradama-chan too!
Kofuki: So anyway, swap out with me already, Mihocchi!
Mihono: Ehh-! Just let me go a little longer, Fukki!
Kofuki: Hell no! You're gonna get rid of my share!
Tsugumi: There are a lot in the final set for one person to handle alone. Why don't the two of you do it together?
Mihono: Hear that! Let's split it, Fukki!
Kofuki: If we have to... But, you get exactly half, alright!
Mihono: Sure!

5: Training! (2)

Kofuki: We had fun, aradama-chan! Mihocchi! The last one's going your way!
Mihono: Okay!
Aradama: AAAAAAAA!
Mihono: This is the last one... Urghh.
Kofuki: Mihocchi?
Mihono: U-Urgh...
Aradama: GYAAAAAAAAAA!
Kofuki: You got a stomachache!?
Kofuki: Alright, then just sit tight!!
Mihono: Fukki, don't move!!
Kofuki: !?
Mihono: ...You can't, come over here...! AAAAAAGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!
Aradama: -!!
Kofuki: Wha!? Mihocchi just swung her okatana, and...!
Tsugumi: That was quite the empowered strike... It looked to be a high level of hachimanriki.
Kofuki: Who gives a shit about levels and whatever right now!? Oi, Mihocchi! What do you want me to do!?
Mihono: It's okay... It's okay... Letting some power out, I think it's calming down...
Mihono: [pant, pant...]
Kofuki: ...Did she get it under control?
Tsugumi: ...It looks like she did.
Kofuki: Mihocchi, can I come over to you now?
Mihono: ...Yeah, it's fine. I'm sorry, for making you worry.
Tsugumi: Have some milk.
Mihono: Thanks a lot. [gulp gulp...] Phew.
Tsugumi: Did it calm you down? It's from Shichinosato-san's special stock, so I can vouch for the taste.
Kofuki: Who said you could go take from that! ...Well, it's fine this time, I guess.
Mihono: Ahaha. This is pretty tasty.
Kofuki: Right? It's been my new favorite.
Kofuki: ...So, that's that rampage thing, huh? You scared me, when that came out of nowhere.
Mihono: That was one step away from it... I think? Last time I lost consciousness, but I managed to stay awake through it this time...
Tsugumi: I did collect data during it, just in case, but... There was too little data to make anything out...
Tsugumi: The situation was more tense than I expected. Is there any way you could safely reproduce that?
Mihono: I don't... think I could. I don't want it to go rampant that many times anyway...
Mihono: I don't know anything about why it's going rampant... or how I can get Kashuu Kiyomitsu under control in the first place.
Kofuki: ...Can you actually even control that? It... looked pretty bad to me.
Mihono: To be honest... I'm not really sure.
Tsugumi: I'm not sure how possible this is, but... One option is to try exchanging for a different okatana.
Mihono: But... I don't want to do that.
Mihono: Kashuu Kiyomitsu is the okatana I inherited from my mother. I don't want to be scared of it.
Kofuki: Well... I'm not sure I can do much, but, if there's anything I can do to help, tell me, alright?
Mihono: Thanks, Fukki. But, you don't have to worry about me that much.
Mihono: (...I wasn't even trying to use Kiyomitsu's power there. Does that mean I'm running out of time?)
Mihono: (Hitakami Makoto-san... Maybe I will go talk to her.)
Kofuki: Your phone's ringing, Mihocchi.
Mihono: Uhh... Oh, my next assignment came in. I have to suppress aradama that appeared in the Tohoku region.
Mihono: Joining in are... Akira-san, and Yuuki.
Tsugumi: Is something wrong?
Mihono: Ah, no, I'm just going with people I know.

6: To Tohoku (1)

Mihono: They're supposed to be here... Oh, there they are! Heyyy! Akira-san! Yuuki!
Akita: Oh, you made it, Mihono.
Yuuki: It's been a while, Mihono-san. Has it gone rampant since then...?
Mihono: Thanks for worrying about me, Yuuki. Yeah, it did a little...
Yuuki: Is that so...
Akira: ...We're all here, so why don't we get going.
Yuuki: It's been such a long time since I rode on a train together with Akira-nee-sama. Ever since you got your license, you've always been on your bike.
Akira: Nn? Ahh, now that you mention it, you're right.
Akira: Well, nothing wrong with taking the train from time to time. Yuuki, Mihono, you want an orange?
Yuuki: I'll have one.
Mihono: Ah, okay... It's cold!?
Yuuki: They're refridgerated oranges. ...Mm, it's cold and sweet.
Mihono: Haha, that's for sure.
Mihono: ...Can I ask you something, Akira-san?
Akira: Hmm-? What's up?
Mihono: What you said to me, before... What is it that's happening to me?
Akira: Ahh, it's about that. ...Want another orange?
Yuuki: Ah, I'll take it. Thank you very much, Nee-sama.
Mihono: Akira-san!
Akira: O-Oi, don't go shouting. The passengers're all looking.
Mihono: You weren't lying to me, were you?
Yuuki: Nee-sama doesn't tell lies, Mihono-san.
Mihono: That's what I believe too, but still!
Akira: You're panicking, aren't you.
Mihono: I let out a crazy strong hachimanriki... I managed to stop it before I did more than that, but...
Akira: Next time, you might not be so lucky, right.
Mihono: ...Right.
Akira: Sorry bout this. I wanna talk about it, but it's just something someone told me too, and it's a real long story at that.
Akira: But, we should be able to explain the stuff you wanna know, so don't panic over it. We're getting things ready for you.
Mihono: Getting things ready?
Akira: Yeah. So, for now, just kick back and have some cooled oranges.
Aradama: GURURU...
Yuuki: The readings on the spectrum finder have vanished. That aradama looks to be the last of them.
Akira: That's our job done. ...Mihono.
Mihono: ...Y-Yes?
Akira: You know we're with Mokusa, don't you?
Mihono: Yes, I know.
Akira: Our faction's base is right around here. We can have a nice long chat there.
Mihono: It's right around here...?
Yuuki: It's Makoto-onee-sama's family home! It's so large it might surprise you.
Mihono: Huh-!
Mihono: -! Akira-san, Yuuki! There's something there...
???: GRRRRRR...! [All other aradama use katakana for growls. This one alternates between katakana and hiragana.]
Mihono: What is that...? An animal... Or, an aradama...?
Akira: ...!
Akira: Yuuki. Take Mihono and go on ahead.
Yuuki: Right. Let's go, Mihono-san.
Mihono: Wait! If that's an aradama, I'll fight it with you!
Akira: That's not it. This's just one of our screwups. You've gotta clean up your own mistakes.
Yuuki: Mihono-san, we're going!!
Mihono: H-Hey, Yuuki! Don't pull me!
Akira: Sigh...
???: GURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Akira: They totally fucked this up. Somebody's going off on their own again not listening to Makocchan.
Akira: You've had your share of misfortune too... I'm gonna have you quiet down for now.

7: To Tohoku (2)

???: ...[whimper]...
Akira: ...Sorry.
Akira: Just gonna tie you to this tree while I can... Alright. I'll have somebody come pick you up.
Akira: Damnit, if only Hirona was around. There's hardly anybody we can count on here...
Mihono: Hey, Yuuki! What was that, back there?
Yuuki: ...
Mihono: Was it an aradama? But, it seemed sort of different...
Mihono: Hey, Yuuki!
Yuuki: ......
Akira: Oh. I finally caught up to you.
Mihono: Akira-san! Are you okay?
Akira: Sure, it wasn't a big deal.
Mihono: What was that thing back there?
Akira: You don't have to worry about that now. Either way, I'm sure you'll learn about it soon enough.
Mihono: What do you mean...?
Akira: We should be talking about that "power" of yours first, right? Let's get you to see Makocchan already.
Mihono: ...Yeah.
Akira: This way. Stick with me.

8: Hitakami Makoto (1)

Akira: It's here.
Mihono: ...Yuuki told me about it, but it sure is a huge mansion. It's like the Origami house...
Akira: The Hitakamis are an old family, just like the Origamis. They've gotta have a bigass house to match their image.
Akira: Alright, let's go on in. Makocchan's gonna get sick of waiting.
Hitakami Makoto: Thank you for your time, Asakura Mihono-san. I am the head of the Hitakami family, Hitakami Makoto.
Mihono: (So this is Hitakami Makoto-san...)
Makoto: Inago, Toribane. Please leave me alone with Asakura-san.
Akira: Sure.
Yuuki: Very well then.
Makoto: Asakura-san?
Mihono: Y-Yes!
Makoto: There's no need for you to be so nervous.
Makoto: How informed are you about us... About Mokusa's Hitakami faction?
Mihono: ...I pretty much don't know anything. Is it... bad that I don't know anything...?
Makoto: No, that won't be a problem at all. I'll begin my explanation from there.
Makoto: As the name suggests, the Hitakami faction is led by the Hitakami family-- A faction based here, in the Tohoku region, out of our old home.
Makoto: And our ideology is to make effective use of aradama, for the benefit of toji and society.
Mihono: To use aradama... Do you mean like Myouga toji...?
Makoto: The case involving Myouga toji and Tagitsuhime was an unfortunate incident that brought about many victims...
Makoto: Nevertheless, humans are ever-evolving creatures. Spurred on by that incident, we have been able to make progress.
Mihono: Progress...?
Makoto: Now then, this introduction has gone on rather long, hasn't it.
Makoto: There is something I am able to tell you, in regards to your power.
Makoto: Firstly, let us speak of your family line... Let's speak of the Asakura family.
Makoto: There is a deep connection between the Hitakami and the Asakura. The full nature of which has been passed down through this family.
Makoto: Yet... Before I may explain it to you, there is something I must inquire.
Mihono: What's that?
Makoto: Your resolve.
Makoto: After our conversation has finished, you will know the truth of Kashuu Kiyomitsu.
Makoto: However... Once you know that, you will be unable to return to your former life.
Mihono: -!?
Makoto: To have the truth made clear... Do you have the resolve to step over to our side?
Mihono: ......
Mihono: You say resolve, but, I'm not sure. All I know is... I don't want to be afraid of Kiyomitsu.
Mihono: This okatana... It's something I got from my mother; something important to remember her by.
Makoto: You do have a good look in your eyes. Very well.
Makoto: Then, there is one last thing I will check for myself. Whether you truly have the disposition for it. Whether... you are a descendant of Atago.
Mihono: Atago...?
Makoto: Please come with me.
Makoto: This place should do well.
Makoto: I am now going to wield my okatana with the intent of killing you. Please fight back earnestly.
Mihono: Eh? Killing me... What...!?
Mihono: ...!?
Makoto: If you do not fight, you will die.

9: Hitakami Makoto (2)

Makoto: HAA-!!
Mihono: Gh!!
Mihono: (She's strong! There's a toji this strong here!?)
Mihono: If you're this strong, why weren't you in the tournament? You, and Akira-san too... You would have definitely placed high!
Makoto: Our power isn't for fighting in tournaments. It's for protecting the people. Is that not the truth, Asakura Mihono-san?
Mihono: (I just thought it was natural to join in the tournament and win there...)
Mihono: (But, Hitakami-san is... Ughh!?)
Mihono: ...! Kashuu Kiyomitsu's......! Get away from me...!
Akira: Makocchan! Did Mihono lose control!?
Yuuki: Were you unhurt, Makoto-nee-sama!
Makoto: I'm entirely fine. I must have made you worry, Akira-chan, Yuuki-chan.
Makoto: Though, it was worth taking the risk.
Mihono: AGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
Makoto: I've confirmed that power for myself. She's just the collaborator we need.
Other: Investigation Without Progress
Mirja: Musumi Kiyoka, were there any accounts of Kashuu Kiyomitsu or the Asakura family, in the records you have?
Kiyoka: There's nothing in here. What about in yours, Mirja-san?
Mirja: It's the same. There's no results.
Kiyoka: Really...
Kiyoka: I want to hurry and find some information that will give Hono-chan peace of mind...
Mirja: ...Yes. Though, I can't understand it.
Kiyoka: Eh?
Mirja: There isn't a single account of any okatana, not just Kashuu Kiyomitsu, running rampant.
Kiyoka: There isn't, is there...
Kiyoka: But, it seems like, if someone lost control of an okatana's power, there would definitely be records of it...
Mirja: Did someone conceal them, or, was this the first case of an okatana's power going rampant...
Mirja: (But, if that were the case, it contradicts Inago Akira... Her statement that Hitakami Makoto knows the phenomenon happening to Asakura Mihono.)
Mirja: (Hitakami Makoto... The Hitakami faction...)
Mirja: Time is precious. Let's push on, Musumi Kiyoka.
Kiyoka: Right!