The atmosphere is horrible today… Shiori looked around at the gathering of the young men and women of the shrines warily. Whereas yesterday it had been boisterous aed, rumours flying around about the glorious future of those who kept true faith, the events ht had certainly put paid to that. Now most people were simply going through the motions, athering into small groups, talking in hushed whispers or exging loaded gnces.

  Yesterday everyone wao talk to me as well. After all, I’m a granddaughter of the Tsukuyomi head, after all, even if to me grandfather Yasuhide isn’t anything special, just a bit of an annoying, overly doting grandparent, too ed up in this stupid faal stuff. Then… well, grandfather basically quit, and threw his weight behind Oshiro-san… Even so, it’s more…

  “There’s no point w.” One of her panions said, frowning. She was the middle daughter of the Takakura branch family, Mizuki-san, and as she tugged at her tight hakama, the bold girl frowned. “Idiots will be idiots after all.” She said loudly, drawing a few annoyed looks from those around them.

  “You ’t say that, sister.” The you girl apanyihe small, boyish Kiaria-, whined. “What will you do if they get upset?” I see she is still as shy as ever. Well, she’s young, one of the you at the whole cve. Of course, Shiori was hardly particurly brave herself, when grandfather had told her that she o attend the famous Hanafubuki Private Academy firls, the most prestigious school in Japan, and not just as a student, but giving csses to the rid powerful daughters of nobility on matters ion, she had been overwhelmed by equal parts happiness and stomach-ing dread. It’s every ordinary girls’ dream to attend Hanafubuki, wear the beautiful uniform, hang out with the prestigious heirs to longstanding families and the biggest panies in Japan. Though it’d never normally e true, they don’t accept ordinary students…

  “Why should I care?” Mizuki-san groused, shrugging, drawing the eyes of all the boys and many of the girls in the room. “I mean, it was me who was nearly killed, right? I was asked by that guy if I wao e along as representative of Takakura house. He nearly fttered me into it too. It’s lucky I asked you first, big sis.” She addressed the third and final girl with me, the st of the Takakura sisters, and the oldest, Katsuki-san. With her long, straight bck hair ale demeanour, she’s very calming. It was thanks to the Takakura trio, who were also sent to Hanafubuki, that I didn’t crader the pressure. If I only had noble girls to talk to, I’d stantly feel unwell…

  “Well, we may be from a separated branch family, but we’ve been called back by grandfather into the fold. So we always have to a a manner befitting the akakura house. It simply wouldn’t be fitting for us to apany Yamato-sama, especially when grandfather has other ideas. Besides…” she sighed. “it felt… dangerous… somehow.”

  “No kidding, big sis.” Mizuki-san agreed. “When I think about it now…” She looked pale. “… did you see the bodies as they carried them out? I didn’t, but rumours are going around. That could have been me…”

  The you, Kiaria-, clutched at the hem of her clothing, knuckles white. “If it’s going to be dangerous, we never should have accepted this power. I don’t want to be a noble daughter. I just want to go back to Inuyama…”

  “You ’t say that. I for ohink we deserve to be rid pampered, respected.” Mizuki-san disagreed. “Why should we be punished for what father and mother did? The store might have been an important site for our family, but why should we be forced to run it, grubbing out a living while grandfather Takakura has no heirs to i the family wealth?”

  “Now, don’t talk like that, Mizuki.” Katsuki-san chided her gently. “We have nht to pin about how the nobility, grandfather included, acts. Haven’t you learnt from Hanafubuki what a different world they inhabit? What is good for them differs from what we expect as normal. Grandfather has many burdens.” After warning her younger sister, she turned her attention to the you. “Now, Kia…” she used a niame. “Don’t wrandfather is aware of the pns Oshiro-san put forwards for training. sidering that nobility from Tsumura house and Fukumoto house, which has retly joihe ranks of true nobility, are involved, there’s no way that they would be exposed to danger. No. it seems that it was a tragic case of overreag by someone inexperienced. Wouldn’t you say so, Shiori-san?”

  Surprised to be addressed, she nodded. I got lost in my own thoughts as the girls talked then. “That’s what my grandfather said. Yamato-sama was just showing off, and it led tedy. It would have been much worse if Oshiro-san hadn’t led a rescue attempt, it seems. Even so… a lot of people died. Hehe atmosphere.” She gestured subtly to the sombre crowd.

  “Yes. I remember the first time I met Oshiro-san, when he was with Shaeu-san. I thought her a very pretty f the time, having no idea she iritual being like from our old family tales.” Katsuki-san mused. “He bought a very extravagant doll. I never k was a Zashiki-Warashi. It was one surprise after another whe him again, right Shiori-san?”

  “Yes. I ’t argue with that.” She smiled a little, remembering. “I pihat I wasn’t Chosen, and so we ended up having Chirurgery. It hurt a lot. You cried, right Kiaria-?” I remember it. Even so, I was faster, stronger, smarter afterwards. I see why Yamato-sama was ied in the results and those who took part. Even so, to have it end like this…

  “I don’t remember that.” Kiaria- said defiantly, and her middle sister mocked her gently, teasing her. It was then someone I reised ehe room, drawing all eyes to her, whispers increasing in iy.

  “Hey, isn’t that the sister. Aiko, I think it was?” Mizuki-san observed.

  Yes, I think it is. I haven’t had much to do with her, though grandfather has mentioned her and the irl, Mori-san. Though I hear she was nearly killed, suffering grave injuries. Just thinking about it, I feel sick. Ever sihe Chirurgery, as it was called, her abilities with wind and fme had noticeably improved, though they were still nothing pared to what Mori-san could do. I saw the hole in the floor of the main hall she supposedly caused as they were fixing it before cve this m. Even with abilities like that, she was nearly killed. The other traihey must have had no ce.

  Taking a closer look, Shiori noticed that Oshiro Aiko-san seemed surprisingly cheerful, sidering, though she had dark rings around her eyes and her skin ale, as if she hadn’t slept. She was talking cheerfully to a group of young shrine maidens, but they quickly disengaged, giving her short shrift.

  “Wow, annoying.” She decred, crossing her arms in irritation. “Hey, you over there…” she raced over to anroup, but they again seemed wary of her.

  “Well, someone ’t read the room.” Mizuki-san said sourly. “Nobody is going to want to talk to her. Even though her brother is gathering everyone under his baoo many rumours are going around about the deaths.”

  “But that was Yamato-sama, right?” Kiaria- muttered.

  “People don’t think logically. All they know is, most of the people who got hurt or died were trainees under Oshiro-san.” Katsuki-san expined.

  “Well, that’s dumb. People shouldn’t decide without finding out the truth.” Mizuki-san decred. “I mean, we only know what we were told or the rumoing around, but do you think she’d be running around here if they were true? I’m going to call her over!” With that she waved and called out, attrag Oshiro-san’s attention.

  Wait, really? Well, I ’t deny I’m curious.

  “Hey, you mean me? Want to talk? That’s great.” Oshiro-san said as she came over. For a moment, she paused, grinning. “Wow, uh… you’re very… stacked?” she said to Mizuki-san. “I mean, I’m not so small myself, but wow, you’re just … never mind, it doesn’t matter. Just… stay away from my bro, okay? I don’t want him falling uhe sway of your assets! He’s got enough woman troubles!”

  “Is that any way to talk to someone you just met?” Mizuki-san grumbled, while her sisters smiled, and Shiori hid her matg grin behind one hand. She’s definitely his sister. Simirly g in tact. Her smile faded. Though sidering the rumours, how she be so carefree?

  “Besides, I have met your brother. And yes, he did look, the jerk.” She tinued. “Speaking of… uh, should you be here? Your best friend, I heard she was crippled, right?”

  “Wow, no delicacy at all. It’s lucky you’re cute!” Oshiro-san smiled. “Look, I do what I have to, all right? Most of the girls are in no fit state to work today. It’s just me, Kana- and Maiko-, the others are too shellshocked. ’t say I bme them…” she looked around. Nobody wao talk to her, but everyone was listening, aired blue eyes narrowed in irritation. “You know what, this is a good time. Listen up, everyone!” she raised her voice. “There’s a lot of shitty misinformation going around. I know you’ve heard about the deaths. I’m not going to lie… a lot of people died. But if anyohinks my bro is at fault, well, I don’t mind taking it outside, where we’ll have a talk about it.” She cracked her knuckles, and Shiori found herself admiring her familial loyalty.

  “Yeah, most of them were my bro’s trainees from the training school everyone has been talking about. Even so, that doesn’t mean my bro is to bme. It’s like martial arts, right? Well, I only do kyudo, which isn’t really an example, but… it’s like he taught them karate or something, for self-defence. Is it the fault of the teacher then, when some idiot talks them into doing something suicidal, thinking they are all Masatoshi Nakayama or Bruce Lee?”

  “Who are they?” Kiaria- asked, and Oshiro-san giggled.

  “Oh, that’s not important, just famous martial artists. My point is… my bro, if you want to bme him, well, then we don’t need you. Those that have funing brains and don’t listen to shitty rumours, well, now more than ever, you should see the importance of getting in good with us. After all, my bro saved the twins, Keomi- and that irl. One day you might be in danger, and I hope you still have time to sling mud and question who’s at fault then. But if you’re our friends, well, you might just find my bro riding his white horse to save you ime. Well, thanks for listening! I’m going to talk to those girls who actually seem to want to talk fairly.”

  With that she turned back to them. “Thanks for waiting. I hate this. Bro is feeling bad enough about everything, without all these idiots believing the rumours. I wish I could do more, but… well, all I do is squash idiots talking shit, and make people realise it’d be worse without him. So, what did you want to talk to me about, little miss stacked?”

  “I have a name.” Mizuki-san insisted, irritated, introdug herself and her sisters.

  “And I’m Kudou Shiori. We’ve been in your brother’s care. We aren’t part of the training school, but we’ve had the Chirurgery.”

  “Oh, Takakura-san’s granddaughters, and Kudou-san’s too, huh? Yeah, I’ve met yrandfathers a few times.” Oshiro-san said. “So, since you’ve had Chirurgery, you must know that my bro has no wish to put anyone in danger. In fact, he only gives it out to make people safer. Though there are exceptions. Anyway, shall we talk over there?” she poio a sheltered er.

  Fine. I am pretty curious. She seems too upbeat, despite everything…

  On the er, Oshiro-san tinued. “So, I guess you know about st night, right? It was really bad, I’m not going to lie.” She sighed. “sidering how much fun everyone was having at the cert… well, anyway, if you’ve already had Chirurgery, and sidering whose grandkids you are, I probably don’t o sweat it too hard. Still, it’d help me out if you could spread the word. I hate this.” She let out a bitter groan. “My bro’s an idiot. Don’t get me wrong, I love my bro, but when it es to bad things happening, he tends to bme himself, especially when young girls are involved. I just want him to cheer up.”

  “Cheer up?” Mizuki-san asked the question I wao. “I hear Mori-san was crippled. I’d imagihat would be a good reason to be distressed. In fact, you seem too… calm, Oshiro-san?”

  “Call me Aiko. Well, no kidding. Last night I was totally out of it, distraught and a blubbering mess. When your best friend ends up getting dismembered and torn apart in front of your eyes, I’d like to see aay calm.”

  “Dismembered?” Kiaria- chirruped, frightened.

  “Yeah, like totally lost her legs and an arm.” Her smile was inappropriate. “Mom and auntie Hana were both hysterical and had to be sedated. Auntie is still in the hospital, at least mom has perked up a bit. Uh… don’t look at me like that. Do you think I’m heartless?” she shook her head. “Here’s the thing. Bro and Shaeu are pretty damn good healers. So her arms and legs are ba, and she even move them a bit. The scarring’s still awful, but apparently that’s easy to fix, it isn’t like the scars the Shiro girl I’ve not met has.” She muttered. “Well, of course every time bro looks at her, he feels guilty. But we pushed him into taking her, and Eri khe risks. That’s the thing. Those that genuinely want to fight , the exception I mentioned earlier. ime…” she ched her fist. “ime I’ll be there. I won’t let my bro carry everything.”

  Legs and arms cut off? That sounds even worse than the rumours! But he fix that? That’s… incredible. Even so, after that, to say she wants to fight? “Even though Mori-san is going to survive and recover, that doesn’t ge what she went through. It could have ended in her death right? People did die. And you still want to fight? You aren’t even one of the Chosen, are you?” Shiori asked.

  Aiko-san paused for a moment, before shaking her head. “Well, Eri was strohan me, sure. Though nowhere near as strong as my bro, Shaeu or Hyath. I still put in the work though, and I finally got some det csses.”

  Csses? Shiori wasn’t the only oo notice that term.

  “So, when you say csses, do you mean like in games?” Katsuki-san asked. “I am not a gamer myself, and it isn’t something discussed at Hanafubuki, the daughters of nobility don’t do suon pursuits, but at school in Inuyama, I heard some of the other boys and girls mentioning them.”

  “You could see it that way. My bro has a way of seeing some strahings. But anyway, if I put in the work, I stand beside him. Ever si night, I know it’s what I o do. I have to. I ’t let him stay burdened by unfair guilt! Okay, answer me this, girls? Should my bro really be bmed for taking Eri? All he was trying to do was save the traihat idiot Yamato took into danger. None of it is my bro’s fault! I hate that he feels so upset and down about it! Don’t get me wrong, of course I’m sorry that people died, and I feel bad for the families, but… my bro did his best! Shouldn’t we celebrate those he did save?”

  I don’t know. The families of the dead aren’t going to be thinking about the rights and wrongs, only their own pain…

  “Of course, I’m sure that those who were saved matter.” Katsuki-san said soothingly. “And no, I don’t believe that Oshiro-san is at fault for the as of those who went with Yamato-sama. As for Mori-san… well, a leader o make decisions based on y, not feelings. If he genuinely believed Mori-san would be a help, and that the dao her was justified, then he didn’t make a mistake. If he just gave io not wanting to deny her or you, then, as a leader, that isn’t praiseworthy, I’m afraid.”

  “Wow, harsh. Though… well, I guess he did know it was dangerous. Ren-san said so… yeah, I guess we all o learn our lessons., even so…” she spped her cheeks, psyg herself up. “I think my bro did the best he could. He’s still learning, you know? And could anyone else get those girls out safely, against the Night Parade? I don’t think so. Well… anyway, Shaeu and Eri are pnning to cheer him up. They have a pn. My bro is a sucker for cute girls… I guess that was half the problem.”

  “Well, grandfather says that the role of a leader is to make the unpopur choices, and gather the disapproval of those below, while still guiding them to the best oute.” Shiori quoted her grandfather. “Well, he’s decided that Oshiro-san is the person to support. I’m not going to question that.”

  “Takakura house has a long history of rality aion. Unless one fa takes and, I expect that won’t ge. But even we know grandfather favours Oshiro-san. I doubt these events will ge that.” Katsuki-san agreed. “I thank you for your version of events. Too many unclear rumours aren’t good.” She looked at those around the room, who were pretending to be engrossed in other matters, but were paying close attention.

  “Hmph.” Aiko-san grumbled. “That’s what I was trying to do, get the truth out there. I don’t get why people won’t talk to me and Kana-, and then listen in like a bunch of cowards.”

  “Well, isn’t that most people? Irrational and annoying.” Mizuki-san said venomously. “But there was something else I was curious about. At school, I hear that your brother is eo Tsumura-sama, Fukumoto-san and Hori-san. That ’t be right, it? Bigamy is illegal…”

  “’s right.” Aiko-san sighed. “My bro went from the sort of guy who was the definition of herbivore, which used to ano no end, to a veritable ova. It might be illegal now, but it won’t be soon. At least Hinata-, Natsumi-san and Motoko-san are good girls. I’d hate it if some strange girls got pushed on him. I always have to reel Shaeu ihat. Let me tell you about it…”

  Really? Shouldn’t she be w and trying to dispel the myths about what happened ht, reassuring everyone? Oh well, this is more iing anyway. I admit, I was curious too when I heard. Tsumura-sama is one of the most important girls at Hanafubuki, and a lot of her juniors idolise her, since she stood up for her own is, despite noble s, without losing her grad css…

  For a while, Shiori and the others chatted, and gradually some of the other shrine maidens and trainee priests joined in. It was then that Shiori’s ph. Taking it out, she checked the name of the caller.

  It’s Abe-? That’s surprising… Shiori had first met her at the party hosted by Fujiwara-sama, along with the Takakura sisters, when she was introduced as a student and teacher at Hanafubuki to various prestigious hey had hit it off, Abe- being surprisingly friendly and pushy, not taking no for an answer. She also has the foulest mouth I’ve ever heard on a girl…

  “Hello Abe-. It’s unusual for you to call during the day.” Shiori answered, the others looking on curiously.

  “Abe-?” Aiko-san asked.

  “She’s something special all right.” Mizuki-san snorted. “I met her at a fshy hotel party. opped making crude remarks about my chest. A bit like someone else I’ve just met.” She said ftly.

  “Sorry, sorry. But you’re stacked, I don’t think anyone help it!” she apologised.

  “Well shit girl, ’t I call you when I want? And I’m damn sure I told you to call me Hotaru. My shitty dad’s Abe, not me!”

  “You shouldn’t badmouth your father, he’s doing his best…” Shiori said, overwhelmed by her friend.

  “Yeah, yeah. Shit, if he was any good, he’d get me into Hanafubuki like you, Shiori-. Well, they don’t accept any girls from politi or eainer families. So I’m shit out of luck. A damn shame. If I was a Hanafubuki graduate, I could bag a rich husband easy. I don’t want to follow dad’s career path, too much like hard work…”

  “So, uh, did you need something, Hotaru-?” Shiori asked when she could get a word in edgeways.

  “As I said, ’t a girl call up one of her besties when she pissing well wants?” her voice was barbed yet friendly. Besties? I admit Hotaru- is really fun, totally uher girls I know, way more worldly, despite her age, and she doesn’t seem as catty as irls with her level of good looks. Even so, to say we are best friends, she sure is bold…

  “But no, shit girl, you’re in Kyht? What the fuck is going on down there? My dad all night, shitting himself about some i or other. Totally ruined my beauty sleep, get me? How am I going to bag a rich hottie that way?”

  “Uh, aren’t you a bit young for marriage yet?” Shiori asked, waving the Takakura sisters and Aiko-san into silence.

  “Yeah, course I am. I want to look around, find the one. Or maybe py the field. But you have to y the groundwork damn early, or else all the good ones are going to get taken by irls. You want to get your head in the game too, Shiori-. You’re reasonably cute, though not as good as me, so… fuck, I’m way off-topic. So I had a look online, and what do you think I found? Go on, three guesses. If you don’t get it, I’ll take a nude selfie in exge as punishment.”

  Ign snorted ughter from Aiko-san, Shiori had a bad feeling. “Well… it’s about Kyht?” her voice sank to a whisper.

  “Bingo, Shiori-. It sure is. Take a fug look at this. I’m gd you answered, I was bloody worried, you know? There aren’t many girls I like to talk too, you know. By the way, big jugs is there in Kyoto too, and her sisters, right? They okay?”

  “Don’t call me big jugs!” Mizuki-san howled down the phone.

  “Why not? For ye, you’re world champion. You’ll have no trouble bagging a hot, rich guy, that’s for sure.” Hotaru- giggled, but it sounded more like a dirty old man than a girl her age. “Well, gd you’re okay. The way my dad was carrying on, sounded like the Kyoto was a fug bloodbath or something. So, I took a look, did a few searches, and … here, it’s easier if I show you.”

  Moments ter, Shiori’s phone beeped, having received a message. Looking at it, the title was kyotocertchaos.avi. I don’t like this. I’m getting a very bad feeling…

  With a shaking hand, the Takakura sisters, Aiko-san and around twenty or thirty others looking on, she tapped the link, and after a few moments a video loaded. It was taken on a bit of a shaky camera, looking at the stage where Red and White were perf.

  “Wow, this is not good.” Aiko-san said, frowning. “Not good at all. My bro is having a hard enough time as it is…”

  “… not sure what’s going on here. The music has stopped.” Someone was saying, probably the person taking the video.

  “Sorry, there seems to be some sort of otion. Is someone hurt or fainted? It does happen sometimes, so please make room ahem out of the crush. Medical professionals know what to… uh…” the video captured Tamami-san, the idol, before shifting focus to the crowd, where a familiar figure was visible, distressed and bloody.

  “Isn’t that Hikawa Ren?” Shiori said, eyes still glued to the video.

  “It’s… my sisters. That dumb girl. The others. We… it’s bad, awful! We ’t get away, we’re trapped! I only got out by feigning I…was dead.” Hikawa-san in the video looked awful, coughing blood. It was too real.

  “Calm down, take a breath. What’s happened?” Oshiro-san could be heard saying.

  “Is this some stunt, or what? No, I don’t think so.” The streamer was saying, as he approached. “I’m not an expert, but my folks are farmers. The smell of blood’s all too real, and that’s not special effects work…”

  “They’re trapped. It was a miracle I got out. Even so… it’s too te. So many are dead already, and it took me… too long… to get here. Please, do something! Save them! My sisters, the others… do something!” Hikawa-san was g now, and unless he was an actor on par with Hollywood greats, it was obvious his suffering was genuine.

  “Trapped, dying? Maybe it’s a prank, but…” the video then cut off, and Hotaru- spoke.

  “That’s real, right? No fake shit? I have several more videos. One is a le shot of what looks like bodies being taken out of the Imperial Pce, and another is footage of the military and police all around the Pad a Hospital. They are blowing up. There’s thousands of views already, and people are tweeting it. My dad is going fug spare. There are others too. You should hear him ranting about getting the videos taken down, but I doubt he do shit. The sites are iional, you get me?”

  Shiori looked at Aiko-san, who was grindieeth. “Shit, I o tell this to my bro. Shiori-, here, my number.” She bluetoothed it to Shiori. “I got to ruhanks foulmouthed dy.” She shouted down the phone, before running off, her speed abnormal.

  “So, who the fuck was that?” Hotaru- asked. “Friend of yours?”

  “ly.” Shiori sighed. “But she’s someone important, that’s for sure. Is there anything else?”

  “Of course there is. Never rains, but it pours, you pissing well know it!” Hotaru- swore. “I’ll send them your way…”

  As the phone beeped again, it felt hot in Shiori’s hands, the weight of what she was about to see weighing on her. Grandfather, Takakura-sama, I hope you hahis. I think… your pns might o ge…

  ShipTeaser