#Benzai is a good Benzai and tries to help Akiyama out

[ridiasfangirlings]

Munakata watched a youtube video where youtubers played hide-and-seek and thought it'd be a good bonding experience for s4 since the people in the video seem to have had a lot of fun. He's the seeker and everybody else hides: where do you think everyone would hide and who would win?

Munakata definitely wins and terrifies everyone else with his ability to find them, like imagine Doumyouji’s like somehow hiding in the giant chandelier and yet still Munakata locates him with terrifying precision. I can see him getting really excited too, like Munakata watches a video of an office playing hide and seek and he thinks ah this is like a fun school game, wouldn’t it be nice if S4 also played nostalgic school games. The squad are briefly excited when Munakata tells them they’re all going to get the afternoon off, they are less excited when they learn it’s because Munakata wishes to play hide and seek, they all have an hour to go hide (“…Isn’t it supposed to be thirty seconds?”) and then Munakata will seek them. 

Everyone hurries off to hide, probably scrambling to think up something clever enough that Munakata won’t find them. Imagine they can use the whole grounds of S4 too, so like Hidaka runs out to the garden and grabs a bunch of branches and tries to pretend he’s a decorative tree, Munakata finds him rather quickly because holding all those branches gets tiring and Hidaka’s arms were shaking. Fuse decides to be clever and hide under Munakata’s desk, thinking Munakata won’t go back into his own office, but Munakata is a very deliberate hunter and finds him. Gotou just settles himself among his collection of statues in his own room and takes a nap, Munakata does diligently find him though. At some point everyone feels like this became less a fun game and more a life or death style hunt, like Akiyama hid in the kitchen and as Munakata approaches it’s sorta like the velociraptor scene in Jurassic Park. Benzai tries hiding in the records room and has his cover blown when he can’t help but come out and pet a passing Kuro. Enomoto and Kamo both try hiding behind some of the ostentatious decorations in various conference rooms but they’re still found with precision accuracy.

And then there’s Fushimi, who didn’t want to do this in the first place and is participating only under duress. He takes the longest to find but Munakata does eventually prevail, imagine Fushimi isn’t even really ‘hiding,’ he’s just sitting in a chair in Munakata’s room playing on his PDA with the door partially closed enough to hide him. He figures Munakata wouldn’t even bother to look into his own room since most of the squad don’t even know where it is and it just looks like a boring unassuming room, he left the door exactly how it was when Munakata left and didn’t touch anything that was visible so Munakata would walk right past. Munakata is very impressed, he wouldn’t have even realized if he hadn’t sensed an irritated presence so close by. Fushimi clicks his tongue and wonders if that means they can go back to work now, Munakata smiles widely as he says he thought perhaps he would hide next and they can seek him. Elsewhere, Awashima is not  participating in this because someone has to actually do the work around here.

[itsuki-minamy]

“SIX IDOLS”

CHAPTER 3: “START LINE!” (Complete)

* K - Six Idols (List of Chapters) * Projects & Chapters

Translation: Naru-kun Raws: Ridia

"Are you sane?"

That was Saruhiko Fushimi's first sentence in response to the offer.

"Fushimi! How do you say that to the president!"

Seri Awashima's scolding flew quickly. Her expression, with her shapely eyebrows and a depressing look, is beautiful and terrifying. Most of the idols would be shaking and flat-headed.

However, Fushimi was no ordinary idol. He gave Awashima a terrible moment and then said...

"Deputy Director. You thought the same thing, right? You can't do that, but if you do, the reputation of this office will collapse."

"Hmmm…!"

Awashima's eyebrows turned more upside down, but she refused to say anything else. From what he could see, Awashima probably has the same opinion as Fushimi.

He took a quick look at "Idol King", Reisi Munakata from "Promotion Scepter 4".

"I don't think it's sensible to be on a talk show."

So…

That was the offer Munakata made to Fushimi.

Darkening his stagnant eyes, Fushimi said that directly to the president.

"You think I have something to talk about in such a ridiculous place? It's horrible to think about having to put up with shitty small talk. I don't want to breathe the same air. Please decline."

Awashima put her thin finger to her forehead and sighed deeply.

"You're..."

Rather than scold, Fushimi distorts only the edge of his mouth and laughs at Awashima's surrender tone.

"That's why it's not suitable. I can't entertain the viewer with a story, even if it's a request from the 'Idol King'."

Fushimi looked at Munakata.

As usual, a soft smile floats on Munakata's face.

"If it's just singing and dancing, that's fine. I reject anything else."

"I see."

Munakata took charge of one and suddenly turned his gaze to the side. Fushimi had to control himself when he was caught and was about to move his face away from him. Even if he took his eyes off, he shouldn't. Right after that, he felt like he was going to lose something.

After a few seconds of silence that seemed to crush him, Munakata fluttered.

"Awashima-kun. Do you think so too?"

Awashima unconsciously stretched her back after being shaken by the question.

"No, in my opinion, the president's decisions should not be questioned."

"I'm not telling you to endorse my suggestions. I am listening to your suggestions."

Awashima bit her lip. Fushimi looks at her in a funny way.

Seri Awashima is an idol who belongs to "Promotion Scepter 4". She is extremely popular as an actress and she is also the deputy director of this office. There are many entertainment magazines that write three-page articles on Awashima, who supports Munakata both in public and in private, but if you look at Fushimi, it is a comedy.

Munakata and Awashima are master-servants who are completely walled in and there is no male and female emotion there.

After caring for Awashima for a long time, he was sure that she would support Munakata.

"I have the same opinion as Fushimi. Fushimi definitely lacks the ability to be considered essential for talk shows, the ability to react according to the atmosphere of the place."

On the contrary, it was comforting to say it so clearly. Fushimi shakes his shoulders slightly and laughs.

Awashima continues.

"It is clearer than looking at the fire what will happen if it appears in such a show. It will respond to the words of the moderator with thorns, it will freeze the air in the place, and if there is a great man in the place, the feelings of that person also will be bad. If such a program were to air, it could cause a drop in the image of "Promotion Scepter 4", not to mention the popularity of Fushimi."

"I see."

Munakata smiled, muttering again.

"In other words, it means, 'I can't do it because I can't do it.'

"……"

"I couldn't do it until now, so I'm sure I can't do it. That's why I won't. You can't do it because I won't. I see, it certainly makes sense. I'm sure you can't even stand on two legs in such a place."

Fushimi's face was blurred.

"Who said I can't?"

At Fushimi's statement, Awashima was quick to reply.

"Hmm, Fushimi? Calm down!"

"I just don't want to do that, so I won't."

"Well that's even more surprising. 'You can do it, but you don't want to.' It's usually an excuse like an elementary school student, right?"

"What?"

"President! Please stop!"

Awashima's restraint was empty and echoed in the president's office. Looks like she could see it. What kind of route did she expect in the future and how will she get involved.

The same was seen in Fushimi.

That's why he showed a vain smile as a resistance as strong as possible.

"Do you have the soul to provoke me and let me do it? It's useless. I know what you have in your hands."

"If you know, you're fast, because you know I'm not such a childish copycat."

Fushimi stood out after the last stand was crushed.

Munakata turned his face slightly. The angle of reflection of the light changed and his glasses glowed brightly.

"Fushimi Saruhiko. This is the president's order. Appear on a talk show. If you can, do it. If you can't, do it."

Facing Fushimi, who distorted his face in anger, and Awashima, who had a pale face, Reisi Munakata showed a dignified smile suitable for the "Blue Idol King".

"If you can't pull this, off quit "Promotion Scepter 4"."

++++++++++

Saruhiko Fushimi is a flower-shaped idol in "Promotion Scepter 4", both in name and in reality.

His popularity is just a word. The number of viewers is less than that of Reisi Munakata, who is an "Idol King", but unlike him, who also serves as the office representative, his exposure as an idol is extremely high. With an overwhelming performance in both singing and dancing, he is the center of the special unit "Shoumutai".

On the other hand, his humanity is not very well received. He is not profitable or domineering, but he is hostile. It is extremely rare to see him smile even in front of fans, and some image that captures that rare smile is taken at a very high price in online auctions etc.

Quiet, unfriendly and lonely idol.

That would be Fushimi's public assessment.

Fushimi thought the evaluation wasn't bad. That was the case, and if it were known, it would not be associated with silly stories. Originally, Fushimi was a person who hated to socialize, and even hearing uninteresting jokes and useless stories, it made him sick.

It was an impossible request for him to appear on a talk show, smile and wave kindly.

"Fu, fu, fu…"

He followed the prescribed steps as he breathed heavily. He stretched out his arms, ducked, turned sharply, and jumped high. From the headphones plugged into his ears, his routine flowed incessantly, forcing him to dance incessantly.

"Promotion Scepter 4". About 8 hours after returning to the "Aoun Bedroom" where the idols from the president's office belong...

He was engrossed in those lessons all the time, except for a short break.

Of course, it was not a necessary practice. If it's his song, Fushimi can dance with his eyes closed and his ears covered. Dance was a physical movement for Fushimi, just as he didn't have to think about it to walk.

So why does he keep practicing mindlessly?

If he sweats and moves his body, he doesn't have to think about anything else.

(Tsk… Damn… Shit!)

Still, Munakata's line emerged between the songs and each rhythm of the dance, and Fushimi had to distort his face each time.

(You can't do it because you can't.)

(I can do it, but I don't want to do it, so I won't.)

(Excuse like an elementary school student.)

"Shit!"

The moment he exhaled irritation in an angry voice, his concentration altered.

Sweat dripped onto the wooden floor, down the back of the worn dance shoes. Fushimi collapsed forward unable to assume a passive role.

"Tsk..."

He bit his back teeth.

When he raised his face, he saw himself lying in a mirror that filled the entire wall.

Sticky anger spread across his chest.

"No, hey...!"

Squeezing a piercing voice from deep in his throat, Fushimi tried to get up again.

At that moment, he opened the door to the lesson room.

"Fushimi-san. Please take a break soon."

Looking back, Akiyama Himori stood there.

It wasn't just Akiyama. Benzai and Kamo were also behind. Among the units to which Fushimi belongs, the so-called "adults".

With that alone, he was able to read most of the circumstances.

Fushimi got up and walked over to the plastic bottle placed near the wall.

"No matter how much I train, you don't care."

When he lifted the plastic bottle, he was light enough to shake. He seems like he had consumed it all before he knew it.

Benzai shook his shoulders and laughed.

"It doesn't matter. Fushimi-san, you are the center."

"Tsk."

Fushimi crouched on the spot with an irony.

"It's a light meal."

Kamo, holding a basket woven from wisteria, opened it in front of Fushimi. Bacon sandwich and mineral water. Facing them, Fushimi finally remembered that he hadn't eaten anything since he returned.

He took it in silence and brought it to his mouth. Fushimi, who chews on the scented golden buns, raises his eyebrows, pours it with water, and then swallows it.

"…Good."

"I'm used to it."

Kamo smiled and said that he was a cook before becoming an idol. When "Shoumutai" meets at midnight, they often gather in Kamo's room in anticipation of his meals.

After eating completely, Fushimi turned his stagnant eyes towards Akiyama and his friends.

"So what are you doing?"

"I am here by order of the president. You are still an irrational person."

"What are you talking about?"

"Both."

Akiyama sat there with his knees aligned. He has a unique history of being a former soldier, and the appearance of he sitting down from him is quite striking.

"Please let us help you, Fushimi-san. You are the center of the 'Dream Corps'. If you continue as you are now, you will greatly disappoint the expectations of the fans."

"……"

"You know that, Fushimi-san. This time, it won't be business as usual. It's a talk. The other part is absolutely necessary."

Fushimi fell silent at Akiyama's theory.

Fushimi Saruhiko is the center of "Shoumutai". However, contrary to his standing position, he rarely appears throughout practice. He believes that there is no point in hanging out with others and slowing down his performance. Fushimi fascinates with the best songs and dances. It was Fushimi's general acknowledgment, no, the body of hesitation that the other members just had to follow him.

So far, that was fine. They were able to offer customers satisfactory performance.

However, Akiyama said that he is different now.

Fushimi tried to swallow what he told him.

"So, are you trying to turn those hiding behind the door into my fellow practitioners?"

From outside the room, a sign of discomfort was felt.

The other members of "Shoumutai" look at their faces. Apparently everyone was waiting outside because they were worried about Fushimi. With Domyoji on top, Fuse, Enomoto, Goto, and Hidaka enter the room.

Akiyama looks at them and looks back at Fushimi.

"They are very experienced in conversations and they know how to behave on stage. They are great practice partners. Besides, they all want to help you, Fushimi-san."

Akiyama was looking seriously at Fushimi's face. The other members also had a serious expression to support the words. They certainly wanted to help Fushimi.

However, Fushimi didn't have the spirituality to be impressed to find out.

He didn't think that was all, but it is true that he felt it was extra care. That person's temperament for warmth and compassion may be weak by nature.

And all the members of "Shoumutai" including Akiyama knew it.

"I am well aware that it is an extra step, and then Fushimi-san, please. Practice it on yourself. That is…"

Akiyama advances on his knees,

"It's work. Work is perfect. That's the motto of 'Shoumutai'."

Fushimi frowned and, after a brief moment, replied.

"...That's it. Damn it."

++++++++++

"Good evening everyone! It's 'Let's Talk' time again this week! The moderator is me and Andy Domyoji!"

"It is a great honor to be here. Thank you."

Fushimi was trying to calm his mind by thinking of a suicide method while he was facing light talk from Domyoji and Akiyama.

Of course, it is not production. Fushimi decided to participate in the fictional talk show "Let's Talk" as a guest because he thought it would be better to get closer to the real situation if he was practicing anyway.

The MC is Domyoji, the assistant is Akiyama, and the other members are regulars, behind Fushimi. MC Domyoji was the one who entered the room, as he only appeared on variety shows with a pin.

"Alright, let's call our special guest! Akiyama-san, I never thought this person would come."

"Yes. It's Saruhiko Fushimi from the center of "Shoumutai". Please applaud him."

Probably because they are from the "Dream Corps", but Fushimi walks up to the two of them, keeping the dip in the back of his throat. The applause from the other members is cold.

Fushimi stepped forward in front of Domyoji and Akiyama, hands in pockets and back huddled.

That was all, but for some reason there was silence.

"……?"

Domyoji's face was still drawn, although he didn't look at it. Akiyama looked at Fushimi with a serious face as usual. What? When he thought about it, Domyoji whispered...

"Fushimi-san, introduce yourself! Come on, introduce yourself!"

"Oh. Fushimi Saruhiko."

"What are you saying! Tell the camera!"

He turns his face to the one pointing there. When he turned his upper body to that side and murmured his name in the same way, Domyoji held his head.

"It's not like that, Fushimi-san, haven't you seen a talk show?!"

"No."

When he replied softly, Domyoji's face turned blue in a funny way. As he exposed his mouth to him, he looked towards Akiyama as if he was seeking salvation. Akiyama didn't panic at all and turned his attention to whoever was behind Fushimi.

"You. Let’s go."

"Yes, yes."

The one who stood up suddenly was Goto Ren, the weirdo from "Shoumutai". He didn't have a private relationship (or rather, Fushimi has almost no private relationships), but he knows that he has many hobbies that he doesn't understand. This is because of Goto's strange hobbies that are always rolling in "Shoumutai's" dressing room.

Akiyama was in a serious tone with Goto, who came forward with a noble look.

"Present yourself."

"Yes."

Goto turned towards the expected direction of the camera without any hesitation. He swings one arm wide as if to point into the distance

"Hello everyone, this is Goto Ren from the "Dream Corps". The instrument I recently started playing is the sanshin. Nice to meet you~"

Then Goto returned to the place that was supposed to be the audience and sat down.

After Akiyama finished the demonstration, he turned his confident gaze towards Fushimi.

"This is how you do it."

"What?"

Akiyama continues his words, ignoring Fushimi's fall.

"It's not just the name you need to introduce yourself on the talk show. There you have to show what kind of person your "character" Saruhiko Fushimi is. If you look at the current self-introduction, you will see everyone who does not know Goto say "Oh this guy is kind of weird"."

"Well, it's terrible."

As expected, Goto looks hurt too, but Akiyama still doesn't care.

"Based on that, Fushimi-san, please try again."

"Tsk."

He doesn't help even if he clicks his tongue. Fushimi looks at the supposed camera. He glances at an empty space with a wet look, muttering...

"I am Saruhiko Fushimi from "Shoumutai". Nice to meet you."

"Hm..."

Domyoji crossed his arms and frowned.

"I wonder... I feel like the air will freeze if we put him on the show as is..."

"If that happens, it's a shame for the 'Dream Corps'. We have to avoid it."

"I wonder if you understand!"

Anger at seeing him invaded the two MCs. People in the audience also start talking secretly and it feels like a show. If this is a dance lesson, focus.

He left him alone and went out, but the fact that it was a conversation practice barely stopped Fushimi.

This is because Fushimi is undoubtedly the one with the least ability to speak. Losing yourself is the same as incompetence wrapping around his tail and running away.

He doesn't like to run away. Now that he has decided to do it, he has to go through it.

At that moment, one of the audience members raised his hand. Domyoji quickly noticed and pointed at him.

"Yes, Enomoto!"

"Ah, yes, thank you. I am Tatsuya Enomoto."

Tatsuya Enomoto, a weak-looking young man with glasses, stood up from the audience. As he glances at Fushimi, he voices his opinion.

"Huh... How about you say your hobbies or special abilities like Goto did before?"

"Oh! Yes! Fushimi-san, do you have any hobbies or special abilities?"

Fushimi thought for a bit and then responded by muttering.

"My hobby is cracking."

"Dazzling project! Never say it at the table!"

"Special ability is singing and dancing."

"Well, it's a 'Dream Corps', right? No, okay?"

"Oh, I see."

Akiyama and Domyoji understand each other. Fushimi asked without understanding the meaning.

"What do you mean?"

"So is."

"Let's call today's special guest. This is Saruhiko Fushimi!"

In response to Domyoji's call, Fushimi stands up and walks in front of the camera. Changes that have been made many times. But he no longer thinks it's stupid. This is the "practice". The practice is meaningful over and over again, repeating the same thing tirelessly.

Fushimi stood in front of the camera. he exhales small and strong. Right before the live starts, like when you go up on the dark stage and wait for the spotlight to come on.

And Fushimi kicked the ground.

He made two tight turns on the spot. He took steps and moved his hands to cut, deciding a vivid pose. It is a movement infiltrated by genes that has been repeated hundreds and thousands of times.

It's only about three seconds in time, but he certainly speaks eloquently. What kind of person is Saruhiko Fushimi?

Fushimi says, looking at the camera with a gentle gaze.

"I am Saruhiko Fushimi from the 'Dream Corps'. My special ability is to be here now. Nice to meet you."

The exclamation of "Oh…" came from the other members of the audience.

Although the number of people was small, there was also a huge applause at the same time. Fushimi looks at them without emotion. He just did what he could, but apparently they were satisfied with his eyes used to speaking.

"That's it, Fushimi-san! Let's go with this!"

Domyoji enthusiastically holds his fist. Fushimi looks at Domyoji suspiciously.

"You only danced for a moment. Do you always do it live like this?"

"It's okay with that. There are a lot of people who haven't seen Fushimi-san's live show. For those people, that momentary dance is just amazing."

When he heard Akiyama's calm analysis, he wondered if this was the case.

"But it can be a little friendlier. Can you make it a little friendlier?"

"No, this is fine for Domyoji and Fushimi. Since they are originally known to be hostile, it can be said that the characters are more consistent. After that, you just have to say something that stops the flow of the story."

"Sure! Then Fushimi-san, let's practice speaking in that direction!"

They don't know what the address is, but they seemed to be motivated by it. Fushimi was clicking his tongue, looking into their eyes.

++++++++++

And that day has arrived.

Just two weeks after Munakata called him into the president's office and forced him to host a talk show.

Fushimi spent a restless time in THK's (NHK) dressing room.

THK is a broadcasting station operated by a government approved production "Tokijikuin Agency". Despite the operation of the idol entertainment agency, the programs that are broadcast are all solid, such as news and documentaries. This is probably due to the nature of Japan's strongest "Idol King", Kokujoji Daikaku, who is the representative of "Tokijikuin Agency".

That doesn't mean there are no variety shows.

The show "Idol NEO", which Fushimi is about to appear on, is a show with a cutting-edge concept for THK, in which famous and unknown idols were invited to talks and variety shows.

There are many idols who like the attitude of chasing variety shows with the seriousness of THK, and Isana Yashiro, one of the "idol kings," is said to appear as a regular fixture.

While acting, Fushimi saw the past "Idol NEO" several times.

The program itself is a concept that combines conversation, planning and control. Fushimi is called in the chat part and seems to be in a position to insert comments looking at the project and the contest.

Overall, it is a smooth, peaceful, THK-like program.

Therefore, Fushimi was heavy and inevitable.

Even though he has been doing special talk training with the "Shoumutai" for two weeks, he was not sure he could do the same performance in production, rather, he did not want to do it. Just imagining himself chatting with a creepy smile in a calm and peaceful environment made him want to die.

(Alright! Fushimi-san can stay hostile! That's the character.)

Domyoji and others emphasized that, but Fushimi didn't like the concept of "character" in the first place. Other than that, he is smart and unfriendly. He doesn't like to talk to people in vain, he just doesn't want them to delve into themselves.

For Fushimi, appearing on a talk show amounts to torture.

(But it's work.)

Those two words barely contain Fushimi here.

Glanced up. The mirror stand in the dressing room reflects the earthy color of him. Fushimi stood up with a distorted face and a sneer that never reached anyone.

He hit the ground with his feet and then made a sharp turn. He walked moving his limbs and decided a pose. It was a momentary dance that he had decided to do when he introduced himself.

His appearance in the mirror was hilarious.

He kicked the chair in front of him for no reason.

The chair rolled on the floor with a loud noise. By that time, Fushimi had already opened the dressing room door and stepped out.

He walked down the hall quickly. All the staff and talents that came across gave in as soon as they saw Fushimi's appearance.

Fushimi, who was walking through the dark clouds, finally came out.

It appears to be a resting place just outside the studio. Two vending machines and a bank. Fortunately, there was no one. Fushimi stopped by a vending machine and bought unsweetened canned coffee.

"Tsk."

He opened the can and put it in his mouth, cursing, but there was no one to notice.

At that moment, he heard a voice behind the vending machine.

"Saruhiko?"

He was about to drop the canned coffee.

From the other side of the vending machine, a familiar girl was staring at his face.

A beautiful girl like a western doll with closed eyes and pure white hair. Although she was not even a high school student, she was not good for Fushimi because she had a distinctive atmosphere.

Her name is Anna Kushina.

A proud top idol of "Homura Entertainment Office" and former colleague of Fushimi.

However, Fushimi and Anna were silent human beings, and since they were separated for years, there was almost no contact. To Fushimi, Anna is only recognized as a girl who wandered alongside "Red Idol King" Mikoto Suoh.

However, Anna got up from the bench and looked at Fushimi.

He wasn't good at that look. He felt that she could see through his heart.

"What happens?"

When he asked her bluntly, Anna blinked and pointed to the vending machine.

"That."

Looking at the dot, there was a bright red canned juice on the vending machine display. It had the image of a large strawberry.

"It's red and it's really delicious."

After thinking about it for a moment and saying "Ah…", he notices it.

Anna's height doesn't even reach the juice button.

"Do you want me to buy it for you?"

Anna looked at Fushimi with a serious look. After blinking twice, she lowered her forehead.

"……"

Fushimi took a deep breath, stopped and, instead of answering "I don't like it, it's stupid.", he exhaled deeply.

He wasn't sure why he decided to do it. However, when he found out, Fushimi had already taken the coins out of his wallet and put them in the vending machine.

Anna hurriedly pulled out the wallet she had in her pocket.

"This…"

"I don't want it. It's just change."

Fushimi tells Anna to put it away and gives her the canned juice that came out. Anna was fuzzily clutching her wallet for a moment, but she finally opened her mouth and received the juice.

"Thanks, Saruhiko."

Fushimi did not reply. Instead, he squeezed the coffee in her hand and tried to walk back to the dressing room.

Anna called to his back.

"Thanks for today."

Fushimi stopped, looked back and asked.

"What do you mean?"

Anna tilted her neck as she brought the juice to her lips.

"Because we will be together on 'Idol NEO'."

Fushimi opened his mouth. He had no choice but to do so.

Seeing his reaction, Anna asked...

"Didn't you see the script?"

"No I didn't look at it..."

Fushimi remembered his eyes and limbs and held his head.

(Is the director sane? More than that, Anna and I are guest co-stars? If there's Anna who barely talks to me and who has never appeared on a talk show, there's no question there could be an accident during the broadcast.)

But if he's okay, he will, even if it means "job failure."

"It's fine."

Anna suddenly said that when she thought he was spinning around.

Fushimi looked at Anna as if he was surprised.

Anna calmly looked at Fushimi and said...

"We just have to support each other and it will work."

The tone showed an eerie amount of confidence.

Fushimi yelled, wandered around for a while and then asked with uncomfortable feelings.

"Are you used to talk shows?"

"Yes. Sometimes they have called me."

Anna took it easy and surprised Fushimi.

"No... but if you don't talk much..."

"Even if you can't talk much, everyone will tell you it's good."

Fushimi closed his eyes. This is because he remembered what Domyoji and the others said.

"It's playing a kind of 'character'."

The definition of the others. If he doesn’t follow that definition, he won't be accepted. He was there because the president put him in that situation.

Anna, however, shook her head slowly.

"I think it's a little different from that."

"What?"

"I always behave like I'm in the office. It's fine like this, Izumo told me."

Izumo is an idol who can give advice to the members of "Homura", probably Kusanagi Izumo, is the real leader of "Homura Entertainment Office".

Perhaps she remembered that time, a slight smile appeared on Anna's mouth.

"Even if you try to get out of the box, it's a lie. The fans want to see me as I am, that's what Izumo said. So I'm not that nervous."

So Anna said...

"Don't be nervous, Saruhiko. I'm sure everyone wants to see Saruhiko as he is."

Fushimi looked away from Anna. He muttered in an apologetic tone...

"Nonsense, I didn't say I was nervous..."

"Kushina-san!"

The door leading to the station opened and staff appeared from there. Fushimi and his eyes meet and grimace, but he soon notices Anna and breathes in relief.

"I'm glad you were here. I have a meeting for the song, can you go to the studio?"

"Yes."

Anna took control, finished drinking all the juice and looked at Fushimi.

"Saruhiko. See you later."

Anna then returned to the station with the staff.

Fushimi, who was left alone, leaned back against the vending machine and looked up at the sky.

"Just be myself?"

Not what they tell him to do, but what he usually does.

Fushimi doesn't know what he is like. He can't do it because he doesn't have an objective view of himself. Fushimi, who sees idols as pure work, couldn't imagine who would be happy to show his true face.

But at least there was no "lie" there.

Anna's words will echo in Fushimi's head forever.

++++++++++

"Promotion Scepter 4", Office of the President.

Fushimi, who entered the room without knocking, found Munakata relaxing behind the office desk and Awashima, who was restless.

Munakata smiled at Fushimi, and Awashima looked at Fushimi and strengthened her face.

"You are on time. Please sit there."

"Yes."

Fushimi sat on the guest couch with his hands in his pockets. Awashima opened her mouth with a rough face as she crossed her legs, but Munakata got to his feet before that.

"Thank you for your hard work on 'Idol NEO'. I just received a copy of the show, so let's watch it together."

"Hmm.", Snorting, Fushimi said wryly.

"Is that why you decided for me to go in there?"

Munakata did not answer the question. Or maybe she didn't need to answer. He picked up the DVD from the office desk and gave it to Awashima.

"Awashima-kun, here."

Awashima turns around for a moment and then opens her mouth as if she dares to question.

"President, it seems awkward to offer it, but Fushimi is a person. In the future, please don't make an early decision."

Munakata smiled deeply. He said that, hiding his mouth from her with a DVD case.

"I will decide when to make a decision."

"Yes."

Receiving the DVD this time, Awashima walked over to the TV stand. On the way, Fushimi and Awashima looked at each other. Fushimi shrugged slightly, and she responded to him gaze as if she was worried about something.

When the DVD player swallowed the disc, the video started streaming after a while.

A boy is reflected in the background of a simple but elegant outfit. A gentle, promising boy with silver-white hair, however, he has the personality of a grown prince that doesn't look his age.

He presents himself with a smile to the camera. "Hello everyone, good evening. I am the moderator of "Idol NEO" Isana Yashiro."

Munakata sat next to Fushimi and laughed.

"Although he's a decent 'Idol King', he acts as a show host for another entertainment agency. This person really has no restraint."

"Because it's a poor office, it can't be helped."

Fushimi responds to the launch. There are many mysteries about Isana Yashiro, the "Silver Idol King". Despite his position as a representative of a government-approved office, he appears on all shows with the comfort of a lost idol. However, that can be said not only of him but of all the idols belonging to "Shirogane Record".

Awashima, who regained her usual calm, muttered in a calm voice.

"Still, the ability is safe."

As she says, Isana Yashiro performs the show in a familiar tone. He talks well to regular performers, he completes the story when he sees the moment, suddenly throws a story at the audience and makes them laugh.

He should have seen it with his own eyes, but he decided to show the edited video again when it was finished. Isana Yashiro's best ability is striking.

And he has reached that moment.

The moment the conversation was interrupted, Isana Yashiro showed a smile in one direction while pointing one arm at the camera.

"Now, let's call today's special guest."

"Finally."

Munakata, he muttered happily. Fushimi exhaled a bit as he watched Awashima, who was standing, clenched her hands tightly at the edge of his field of vision.

Fushimi doesn't know how his actions are perceived.

What can become.

"Today's guests are Saruhiko Fushimi from idol unit "Shoumutai" and Anna Kushina from "Homura Entertainment Office"."

A crackling voice echoed beyond the chamber. With that in the background, Fushimi with a grumpy face and expressionless Anna appeared on the scene.

Fushimi walked to the center of the set with his back hunched over, his hands in his pockets. Anna followed him. Awashima whispered, "Attitude, attitude!" But even now, she couldn't communicate with Fushimi on television.

The camera projected Fushimi upward. Fushimi looked at him with stagnant eyes. He still had his hand in his pocket.

Awashima muttered as if she was even more impatient.

"What's the turn...?"

Fushimi looked at Awashima. He believed that she was still connected. "Promotion Scepter 4" is a vertical company. He does not believe that Akiyama's actions were directed by Awashima, but he could have predicted that the report was being made.

"Shoumutai, Saruhiko Fushimi. Nice to meet you."

Fushimi said that on camera bluntly. Awashima's expression paled. This is because he was doing what they were told him should never do while practicing speaking in "Shoumutai".

When…

Anna, who came from behind, slapped Fushimi's thighs.

"Tsk."

"Saruhiko. Hostile."

At the moment, the audience seats were boiling.

Awashima opened her eyes. Munakata watches him with a calm expression.

The camera panned and projected the same regular entertainers laughing. Isana Yashiro laughs and rushes in when the laughter has died down.

"Anna-chan, you haven't introduced yourself yet."

"Ok. I'm Anna Kushina. Thank you."

She smiled at the camera and curtsied and for some reason there was applause. Anna looked back at Fushimi, who was silent with a sour expression.

"If you want to try, do it."

"I'm Saruhiko Fushimi from "Dream Corps". Thank you."

When he leaned in the same way, laughter echoed again, mixed with applause. One of the comedians said, "What are you guys, a combination!" And the laughter came even more.

In a reasonable place, Isana Yashiro opened his mouth.

"Yes, thank you both for coming. You two originally knew each other, right?"

He took a little glance until Fushimi realized that he had been asked.

"A colleague from the previous office."

"Saruhiko, he's like this from the front. He's always been like this in the office and in the locker room."

As soon as Anna says that, she giggles a little again. Isana Yashiro laughs too.

"I see. Fushimi-kun, is this your first experience on a talk show?"

"Yes, that's how it is."

"In that case, I think there are many things that you are not used to."

"Okay. If Saruhiko acts weird, I'll hit him."

The laughter is repeated. Fushimi, was silent in front of the camera, but deep down in laughter, he seems shy. It was actually just a bittersweet sensation, but in this world, what you see on camera is the truth.

Awashima, who had been watching the video while she was holding her breath until then, sighed in relief.

"The place has heated up."

"Yes. If this happens, whatever you do will be accepted favorably."

And the show continued exactly as it was.

Most of "Idol NE0" was a talk from Isana Yashiro and regulars. There were many conversations with guests Fushimi and Anna, but each time, Fushimi responded in an unfriendly way. Fushimi's response, which could have made the usual atmosphere worse, with the skillful moderator Isana Yashiro and Anna's rescue, all turned into laughter.

Finally, when the video ended, Munakata smiled and spoke to Fushimi.

"It's wonderful. It's a passing score for the first talk show."

Fushimi clicked his tongue.

Munakata narrowed his eyes at the reaction.

"Oh, you are not happy with this result, right?"

Fushimi looks back at Munakata, saying that he knows. However, only a few in the entertainment world can beat his smile. Finally, Fushimi was in a dissatisfied tone.

"Other than that, I have no complaints. I think I made a loan."

"What do you mean by loan?"

"I just did it as usual. The team members told me to do it as a kind of 'character', but I don't have to bother doing it. Just like me. I'll do it how I know how to do it, that's the right thing to do."

Fushimi clicked his tongue again in frustration.

"It worked, not because it was good, but because Isana Yashiro and Anna changed it."

Awashima looks up and asks.

"It's a loan?"

Before Fushimi, Awashima raised her hand to her forehead with a frightened expression.

"That would be common on talk shows."

"It's exactly like Awashima says. You don't have enough research and experience. I was wondering if you've already woven that much."

Fushimi looked really unpleasant at Munakata's words, including laughter. He then he got up from the couch, looked at Munakata and said...

"Anyway, I've kept my promise. It's fine. Don't accept this offer again."

A word from Munakata stopped Fushimi's legs as he tried to walk.

"I cannot do this."

Munakata stood up with a smile on his face. As he watched, Awashima began to move quickly.

"This is a pass. But, Fushimi-kun, do you think I got an offer like that just to harass you?"

"Yes."

"This is also a disappointment. I don't do that irrational imitation. I got this job because I thought it would be a good experience for you."

There is no such difficult problem in this world as seeing through Reisi Munakata's ideas. Awashima handed a pile of materials to Fushimi, who was standing with a rough face.

Fushimi asked.

"What is this?"

"This is a new program that we have decided to launch with "Promotion Scepter 4". We must do our best to bring this project to success."

"Are you going to this?"

"Yes. I will make you act regularly. The moderator is me; I will make you act as an assistant."

Fushimi opened his eyes.

"Ah."

"I'll do it. That's why I experimented with this 'Idol NEO'."

Fushimi looked at Awashima. Awashima shakes her head with an expression of giving up.

Meanwhile, Munakata smashed Fushimi's escape route one by one.

"The skill of" Idol King "Isana Yashiro is excellent. But do you have a grudge against him throwing you? So, get revenge here. On this show, me, the moderator, and the usual "Shoumutai" of course, but the assistant it is an important factor. "

"……"

The material in question was distorted with a loud noise. Fushimi was about to crush him.

Munakata keeps talking without worrying about such a reaction.

"The broadcast is the show's next reorganization period. For now, study all about being an assistant next week."

As he stared at the material like a needle, a smile still appeared on Fushimi's mouth.

"Is it a life plan?"

Munakata shakes his head gently.

"It is not an order. It is a 'job'."

"Hmm.", Fushimi snorted and hit the material.

"Okay. If it's work, I'll do my best."

"That's good."

"But I'll do it the way I am. It's the same as when I was on that show. This time there will be neither Anna nor Isana Yashiro. I probably won't like it, but if it's okay, I will."

Munakata responded to Fushimi's intrepid words with an even more intrepid smile.

"I'm an 'Idol King'. It's not as easy as shooting with you alone."

"Fu."

"Fufufufu."

Two idols laughed.

Anger and revulsion, self-confidence and ambitious laughter echo in "Promotion Scepter 4". Only one of them, Seri Awashima, closed her eyes and stood still as if she had a headache.

Later, it was the beginning of a variety show called "National Popular Show", Countdown Dissolution, "Shoumutai".

[chilly-territory]

K Case Files of Blue 2, chapter 4 (part 1 out of 2)

Continuing with this, and the end is in sight! (one more part + epilogue is all that’s left)

Case Files of Blue 2 by Miyazawa Tatsuki

Chapter 4 (part 1/2) (volume 2, pages 197- 224) The Blues Rally

Dark clouds hang in the sky. The wind whistled. The door rattled noisily.

It was early morning, and Kamo Ryuuhou stood in the entryway to "Chuubairo". To make up at least a little for his stay, he decided to do a thorough cleanup of the kitchen. He'd finished sharpening knives and polished pots, then buying more of the condiments that were about to run out, doing grocery shopping and cleaning everything from drainage to ventilation fans - it was no exaggeration to say that the kitchen was licked squeaky clean.

His handpicked successor was scheduled to start tomorrow. It was a lady chef who Kamo had complete trust in to take good care of this eatery's future. She had studied under Kamo's father, which made her Kamo's fellow disciple. Having a frank and spirited personality, she was very kind and also a skilled chef at the same time. Kamo had specifically pulled 2 all-nighters to write down the recipes for her. If she had those, she could get to work without any delay tomorrow.

Kamo still stood in the doorway when a voice came.

"You're leaving?"

He turned to the source of the voice. In the darkness of the corridor there stood the young proprietress of this eatery. She wore a thin sleepwear that left her neck and both arms exposed, and their whiteness was starkly visible even without turning the lights on, as if the darkness was erased in those spots. Moist eyes and disheveled hair were strangely captivating. Kamo averted his eyes as if assaulted by the feelings of guilt.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" Having gotten no reply from Kamo, the proprietress repeated her inquiry.

But she had already understood. Kamo's white apron, his trademark as a chef, was gone, replaced by the blue uniform of the protector of order. Which could only mean that he'd been already done steeling his resolve.

Kamo's expression warped, as if in pain.

"To be honest, a part of me wished I could stay. But there are people out there who need me." "But so do I!" the woman suddenly cried out forcefully. Tears in her eyes, she implored, "I, too, need you!" She ran towards him with small steps and clang to his back. Pressing her cheek to his shoulder, she squeezed out in a whisper, "Can't it be me?"

Kamo shut his eyes, overcome with sadness.

"Sorry, but the cause..." He squeezed his fists tight. "I have a greater cause that I must protect."

He then bodily pulled away from the woman.

"A big storm is coming, so make sure to lock up the door. So long." He smiled. "Take care."

The woman broke down crying. Kamo purposefully pretended not to notice the hand she was reaching out towards him.

He opened the door, stepped over the threshold and closed the door behind him, letting that banging sound sever all the lingering attachments for him. The last sight his eyes caught was that of the woman crumbled down on the floor, weeping.

Kamo started running through the incessant rain.

†

As he changed trains, heading towards the Scepter 4 HQ, all kinds of musings ran through Kamo's head - thoughts on what happiness was, and what it was that he must do.

But it was undeniable that the sense of duty made his hear tremble with exaltation. He'd heard that several members of the special ops squad were put out of commission, including Awashima. Scepter 4 would be hard pressed to function without him, no doubt.

Getting off at the nearest station and not bothering about opening an umbrella, Kamo broke into a run. It would be faster this way. And he wanted to be back at Scepter 4 as fast as possible and to do everything in his power.

According to Hidaka, even the electrical system of the HQ had started acting up.

Resolved to see the building sinking in the dark, Kamo couldn't help doubting his eyes when he finally arrived to stand in front of the entrance gates.

Every window was lit up with light. What's more, lively talk filled the front yard. Three special ops vehicles were parked there with engines running.

"Hurry up with the trucks' check! Once the Captain gives the order, all the vehicles will be deployed!"

The one to motivate the mechanics with those words in a taunt tone was none other than Awashima Seri wearing a blue raincoat.

'Eh, huh?' Kamo then thought. 'Wasn't she supposed to be MIA?'

As he stood there dumbstruck, the person in question noticed him and called out to him with a smile.

"Oh, Kamo. You're back."

Although she wore no makeup and was getting beaten by the rain, it took nothing away from her beautiful looks. If anything, she looked even more elegant, standing there coldly amidst the raging bad weather.

"Hurry up and go check in with the Captain. He's inside." "Ah, yeah," Kamo managed listlessly as he passed through the entrance after being prompted. Once he did, he ran into Gotou on the other side.

"Oh, Kamo-san. Welcome back~" Gotou passed him with those carefree words and an accompanying smile.

Without registering it, Kamo followed him with his eyes.

"Oh, Kamo-san. Welcome back. Sorry, but please make way for the dolly!" Hidaka was pushing a dolly with a floodlight mounted on it. The way he said those words couldn't be anymore routine.

Kamo proceeded forward giddily.

On the way, he passed Doumyouji who energetically raced somewhere - Kamo wasn't sure where.

"Oh, good to have ya back! And see ya later!"

As Doumyouji raised a hand in greeting, Kamo found himself doing the same. Although the return gesture on his part lacked energy.

Walking along the hallway, Kamo found the door to the data processing room opened, and through it the form of Enomoto animatedly working his computer could be glimpsed. Kamo wanted to call out to him, but then thought better of it. Somehow, he got a feeling that it wasn't the right time to bother the bespectacled man.

There was also Fuse who was talking to someone through the transmitter.

When Kamo had finally reached the Captain's office, he encountered the duo of Akiyama and Benzai there.

"Oh." "Glad to have you back with us."

Akiyama was the same as always, while Benzai gave him a slight bow and a smile. But that was all there was to it. The two then walked away at a quick pace as they were exchanging opinions on some subject or other on the way. By no means was this reunion especially moving or emotional.

For a while, Kamo just stared at their retreating backs.

Indistinct feelings started bothering him. Somehow... he couldn't accept what was happening.

And then, at last, Kamo managed to define them with a description which sounded suspiciously like 'What the heck, everyone's going around their business like usual!'

No, it didn't mean it was a bad thing per se, but...

Knocking on the door to the Captain's office that was left open, he entered.

"Ohh, welcome back, Kamo-kun." Munakata raised his face from the tablet he was reading reports on and smiled at the new arrival. "How was your time off?"

Kamo clamped down on the words welling up inside him, then straightened his back properly and saluted to his superior.

"Kamo Ryuuhou, returning to the assigned unit!"

His expression was a bit like laughter through tears.

Munakata smiled gently and nodded.

†

About the time Kamo was knocking on the door of the Captain's office, Fushimi had finally made a short while in his busy work schedule to take a break. Although it was called a break, it didn't really amount to much more than sipping canned coffee in the shadow of a pillar in a corridor that didn't see much traffic and fiddling with his PDA.

As he was doing precisely that, a new message dropped to his work address' inbox.

With a sigh, Fushimi opened it. And then...

"Huh?"

Without his intention, his expression turned grim.

It was from someone Fushimi had least expected to be getting mail from.

'Hello, Fushimi. How are you? It's Totsuka.'

Totsuka Tatara, one of the leaders of the Red clan Homura. That was who the message was from.

Fushimi clicked his tongue and muttered in a tone that was in equal parts fed up and impressed, "...How the hell does that guy know my work address?"

It went without saying that Fushimi would sooner die than tell it to anyone from the place he was affiliated with in the past. But he had to admit it was just like Totsuka having a grasp on things like this despite being an absent-minded oddball about everything else.

When Fushimi looked through the message, he found it was a letter of thanks for letting Totsuka peruse Scepter 4's documents the other day.

'Please give my thanks to Munakata Reishi-san and Zenjou-san who treated me extremely kindly.'

"I respectfully refuse. I'm not your messenger boy," Fushimi muttered his thoughts aloud.

Clicking his tongue once again, he was about to delete the message altogether when he found a postscript at the end of it.

'By the way, I have a message from Yata.'

Since that was what it said, he looked through the rest of it just in case.

'"The guy we met was the bad sort. He tried to kill Mikoto-san, and it turned into a full scale battle. So a warning for you. A huge storm is coming to Japan. Be careful," is what he says.'

"A huge storm is coming, eh?" Fushimi raised his head and snorted. "Well, duh, I can see that, moron."

The windowpanes rattled, shaken by the heavy rain and gales outside. The sky peeking through looked completely covered with leaden clouds.

Still, along with Yata's words, it was Totsuka's last remark that got Fushimi bothered. It read as follows: 'That storm Yata mentioned might be related to your case.'

For a while, Fushimi was deep in thought.

Seriously, what the hell had happened in Las Vegas?

†

In the Captain's office that Kamo had already left, Munakata was reading through a multitude of reports at an astounding pace. He would read anything written at a speed unthinkable for ordinary human on a regular basis, but today he increased that already amazing reading speed even more. It took him literally only a second to look through a report, memorize it, parse it, make a connection with other reports and reach a conclusion.

In other words...

'Looks like everything is going just the way I predicted, eh?'

Even to Munakata it was amusing, and his lips curved up a little in a tiny smile.

The reports covered quite a few areas. There was a message from Scepter 4 operatives about the seizure of a vehicle that Kounomura Zen'ichi had allegedly used, Japan Coast Guard's data on comings and goings to and from the harbor, information on the production of a certain construction that Munakata had ordered, and also news from Japanese Meteorological Agency.

Among them, there was a message from the young and capable attorney that had assisted Scepter 4 in the matters of Akiyama's defense, lawsuits against them and the mass media countermeasures.

The gist of his message was basically this: 'The moment Akiyama-san was found not guilty was when the tides had completely changed.'

It looked like by leaving that matter entirely to him and his trusted team of lawyers everything would be settled with no further trouble.

The message also contained the following bit: 'A few words about Doumyouji-san that you had put in charge of these matters. At first I wasn't sure it was a good choice, but surprisingly, it appears he really is equipped with the aptitude required to handle these kinds of matters. His grasp on what is vital is excellent. Truth be told, there is no pressing need for us specialists to keep an eye on the practical side of things when we handle the details of the judicial process. So in these types of cases, it is necessary for the client to understand what is important and what is not. And that is where Doumyouji-san left nothing to be desired. I daresay that is not something many youths can do. Moreover, his ever sincere attitude of an innocent child when dealing with the media apparently made a very favorable impression on them and won him a lot of sympathy.'

In a sense, it was high praise.

Munakata let out a tiny sigh. Actually, among all the personnel assignments this time, this was the one appointment he felt a little insecure about.

"Oh well, looking at the results, everything ended well, I suppose. If possible, I'd like for Doumyouji-kun to broaden his knowledge in this field from now on." But then Munakata reconsidered. "Although he's sure to go off the rails before he can apply it." He snickered.

In that sense, Doumyouji, perhaps, wasn't so well-suited to that kind of job. In Scepter 4, there were people with all kinds of personalities and all kinds of abilities. And bringing them together and giving them a direction to move in was Munakata's job.

It was at that time that his PDA emitted a beep to signal the arrival of a message. Munakata had already guessed what it was. A glance at the display confirmed his guess.

'Analysis complete. The location of Kounomura Zen'ichi identified with 92.978% probability,' the message from Tokijikuin read.

Although he half-forced them into allowing him to use their super computer, they didn't let it impact their job, doing it perfectly.

Munakata smiled.

"It's time at last, Kounomura-san." It was a truly refined smile without a speck of fighting mood. "I'm looking forward to seeing your face."

And so, he started towards the door out of his office to give the entire Scepter 4 move-out orders.

†

About the time Munakata received the message from Tokijikuin, Kounomura was on the top floor of a high class hotel that was still under construction.

He had a wearable PDA on him in the shape of a visor, reading thoroughly every piece of intelligence that was being sent him.

His reading speed was every bit as astounding as Munakata Reishi's. Piece after piece, he memorized and analyzed all the information the volume of which would be way too much for a regular person to process, which allowed him to grasp the situation accurately. That had become something of a daily routine to him since he'd initiated the confrontation with Scepter 4.

Reports from the observers dedicatedly watching Scepter 4's HQ, transmissions from the local police radio he'd wiretapped, communication records of the port facilities, the trains service information - all that and more formed innumerable informational fragments of the bigger picture. When he pieced all of them together in his head, Kounomura felt a sense of unity with the world.

Once Munakata got hold of required information, from there on out his thinking processes would unfold in a comparatively logical fashion, but in Kounomura's case, his perception was more ambiguous and more intuitive. As such, he let himself steep in the informational flood absentmindedly until the complete picture showed through it.

And then he burst into laughter. "Munakata-kun really is something. I should've known." His voice was slightly higher pitched than usual.

"Did you figure something out, Zen'ichi?"

Nakamura Gouki and Marumoto Keiji who had joined them at some point watched Kounomura seated in an armchair. Gouki looked composed, as usual, but Marumoto was somewhat nervous.

"Yeah. They've laid almost my every trick bare. I assume all the members of the special ops squad are back by now, too. Oh, and Kamo-kun seems to have returned as well. That's impressive, really, because in his case, pure coincidence was responsible for the turn of events so convenient to us, so all I did was simply watch it unfold without doing much, and yet he's still back at the most crucial time for them, just like that. Ah, and Munakata-kun sure acts quickly, so very quickly. He's making his moves one after another as we speak!"

Kounomura positively looked to be overjoyed. It was hard to believe that this was the same man who only recently represented gloom and doom.

Gouki smiled lopsidedly. "Zen'ichi, taking delight in your opponents' powerups is a bad habit, you know."

Meanwhile, Marumoto's expression turned openly anxious. "So what does that mean for us?"

It was Gouki who answered his question in place of Kounomura who was being wrapped tighter and tighter in the net of information galore.

"Well, I guess it's just a matter of time now before this hideout is found out." "Eh?" "Don't worry. You know how fast Zen'ichi is when he runs away, and you think he didn't take any measures? He's got dozens of countermoves at the tips of his fingers at any time." "Ah, I see. Great, then."

Marumoto Keiji had barely had any time to feel relieved when Kounomura spoke up in a stiff voice. "No."

Kounomura was shaken - a state that even his long time friend Gouki had seen only rarely, while Marumoto saw it for the first time.

"Huh? Eh? Wait a second." Kounomura rose, reading through the information changing on his wearable PDA with an incredible speed. "That's weird, what the hell?" "What's wrong, Kounomura-san?"

Marumoto tried to press for an answer, but Gouki's hand stopped him, demanding he let Kounomura concentrate.

When Kounomura spoke up, his lips were pressed together tight. "It can't be. Ah, I see. That's how it is. I can't believe it." He gave a laugh. "Out of 12 shelters here in Japan, 11 have already been cordoned off by the police and Scepter 4." "Eh?" "What?"

Marumoto and Gouki were reasonably shocked.

"Ah, and they've found my remaining shelter just now. Also, out of 24 routes out of the country that I had prepared, 22 are no longer usable. Oh, I get it." A shiver ran through his body. "Munakata-kun went and used the Coin Toss theory on me. Plans I'm likely to devise, actions I'm likely to take - he's analyzed it all and is now shutting them out one by one."

Gouki was speechless, Marumoto was dumbfounded.

Kounomura was getting covered with cold sweat as he went on, "What a pickle. There's still a move left up my sleeve that hasn't been predicted yet and another one that's probably impossible to even predict, but this bad weather renders them both effectively unusable."

"How is it possible?" After a long sigh, Gouki rolled his shoulders and giggled. "Oh well. Zen'ichi. I can't believe there was someone else who could use moves even craftier than you." "You said it. Ah," Kounomura opened his mouth. "This is not good. I'd say everything points to them having already figured out our location by now. They're massing the troops in front of their HQ. The dispatch orders are about to be given." "Eh? Eh?" Marumoto flapped about in confusion unable to keep up with the sudden turn of events. "What will become of us?"

Gouki gave him a wry smile. "We'll be arrested, I guess. After all, they mean business." "Ehhh?" "It's a given," Gouki added maliciously, "after how we've messed with them. Better prepare yourself while you can. If you're lucky, they'll only sock you a couple of times."

Hearing that, Marumoto's face fell, on the verge of weeping.

Just then...

"Agh!" Kounomura suddenly tore off his wearable PDA. He stood there in dazed amazement - something that even Gouki saw for the first time.

Looking at Gouki and Marumoto with an expression that was hard to describe but that could, perhaps, be that of rapture or of shivers-inducing fear, he muttered just one word, "Unbelievable."

"What happened, Zen'ichi?" That was enough to make even the ever composed Gouki worry.

"Munakata-kun has completely ignored us in favor of deploying the troops he'd gathered for arresting us to assist in relief and rescue instead." "Eh?" voiced Gouki. "Huh?" uttered Marumoto.

Both of them had their eyes opened wide in disbelief.

Kounomura shook his head with nakedly heartfelt delight, "What a man! What a man with a cause Munakata Reishi is!"

And then he burst into a loud laughter seemingly coming from the very bottom of his heart.

Gouki and Marumoto could only watch him, speechless.

†

Munakata, wearing a cobalt blue raincoat under the incessant rain, stood on the roof of a truck with a voice amplifier in hand.

Before him, there lined up in neat rows the members of the special operations squad in the raincoats of the same color worn over the head.

Akiyama Himori, Benzai Yuujirou, Kamo Ryuuhou, Doumyouji Andy, Enomoto Tatsuya, Fuse Daiki, Gotou Ren, Hidaka Akira - with the exception of Fushimi who was on a separate mission they all had assembled there, none of them missing anymore.

Awashima Seri also stood there, by Munakata's side, facing them.

Even beaten by large droplets of the rain and harassed by the blasts of the ceaseless wind, they all were showing elation on their faces. Fighting spirit and determination burned in their eyes. They finally knew the whereabout of Kounomura Zen'ichi - the man who dared make sport of them. Once they had the orders from their superior, they were willing and ready to hunt him down like hounds and aprehend him. Doumyouji and Fuse were especially eager, for all intents and purposes looking like they'd take off running any moment now.

"Ehem. Gentlemen," Munakata began speaking so calmly that his manner might be more fittingly described as carefree. Waiting when the static noise died out, he continued, "We have finally pinned down the location of Kounomura-shi. As such, I intended to go catch him, but..." His tone was completely devoid of any urgency. "Let's put that on hold for now."

That declaration threw several members of the special ops squad quite literally off balance. They all were single-mindedly prepared to hunt, and being denied it robbed them of their bearings or left them struck dumb.

Munakata went on indifferently. "I saw the Meteorological Agency's data, you see. A big tempest that might even be called unprecedented is on the way to this city. A rainstorm with wind speeds of 40 meters is expected to rampage throughout the area, with thunderbolts and heavy rain paralyzing most urban functions. Needless to say," suddenly he looked very serious, "that will put quite a few people in danger."

The faces of the special ops squad members tightened in response.

Munakata continued in an intense tone. "I dispatched Fushimi-kun earlier, and he's already finished making necessary arrangements. So gentlemen, during the time this storm rages, I want each and every of you to cooperate with the Fire Defense and Police Agencies and local autonomous units and do what you must do as members of Scepter 4!" His features then softened. "That said, this sort of matter is outside of our area of expertise. That's why we must always keep in mind to be humble when requesting to let us help and to respect and listen to the opinion of the professionals in those areas. If we do that," he asserted in no uncertain terms, "our super power will become the shield that defends the innocent citizens, no doubt." With that, he smiled. "Compared to this duty, the matter of Kounomura-shi is but trifle. We can easily postpone it and work something out later, at any time."

Those words were bound to send a shiver running down the spines of those listening. Their king had just called the possessor of talents that could only be described as abnormal who gunned for his throne nothing more than 'trifle'. Each of the Scepter 4 troops felt a surge of strong emotion, moving their hearts and making them straighten up with pride.

What was the greater cause?

To this king, it wasn't simply a figure of speech, he held to it steadfastly as one would to a belief or conviction.

Nevertheless, Akiyama still found it necessary to ask something.

"It is a reasonable to fear that Kounomura would flee his hideout in the meantime. Is it okay with you, sir?"

He just wanted to confirm it for himself.

"Let me think. If some of us find themselves free after fulfilling their duty by assisting the government agencies in relief and rescue, let's arrest him while we're at it."

The instructions Munakata had issued concerning that matter were quite vague. But the special ops squad members answered him with a 'Yes, sir!' regardless.

Munakata smiled.

"Well then, gentlemen, let us move out. Only, this time there is no need for us to draw our swords." Raising his voice, he declared, "For our cause is pure!"

His catchword was suddenly answered by Akiyama. "Akiyama, dispatching!" Making motions as if he was drawing his sword, he took his leave.

Benzai followed suit with a chuckle. "Benzai, dispatching!"

Kamo smiled. "Kamo, dispatching!"

"Doumyouji, dispatching! Here I go!" Doumyouji shouted gleefully as he raced off.

Enomoto and Fuse exchanged a glance. "Enomoto, dispatching!" "Fuse, dispatching!"

With that, Enomoto headed towards the command vehicle to devote himself to performing the operator job, while Fuse, as a field agent, sped off in the opposite direction to be on the scene of the disaster.

Gotou and Hidaka repeated the same stately motion of drawing their sword in turn. "Gotou, dispatching!" "Hidaka, dispatching!" They, too, then went off.

Awashima was the last one to fluidly unsheathe her invisible sword. "Awashima, dispatching... Captain," she smiled charmingly, "off I go then, sir."

Munakata's lips curved up in an answering smile as he watched her go.

"Our cause may be pure, but the same could not be said about the sky," he pointed out. Luckily there was no one around anymore to hear him make that silly remark.

†

Majority of the general public closed their doors tightly, took cover under their futons and then dozed off while listening to the updates on weather and disaster reports on the TV news or the internet. With modern disaster prevention technology, impossible a few dozens years back, one's safety was more or less guaranteed unless one decided to venture outside. However, the residents of old wooden houses and those who had to go outside due to the nature of their work still had a very good reason to worry.

Also, in some areas power cables got severed, which caused blackouts, and even fires resulting from ensuing short-circuiting. So the fire and police stations were pressed to operate at full capacity even at times such as this. And in the thick of it, a group in blue uniforms could be found cooperating with the public agencies.

They helped local crews repair embankments in places where they were likely to burst, freed ambulances with emergency patients from mud traps and did everything they could to protect the city against the disaster, like silent shadows. The police, the fire deparment and other pertinent agencies were greatly helped by those wielders of supernatural powers beyond common sense.

As were ordinary people living in the city such as the lady owner of a small eatery who had a little son.

In all honesty, she didn't think any harm would come to them because of this storm. But misfortune had paid them a sudden visit. An election advertisement board got launched by a blast of the gale, smashing the windows of the second floor and letting in heavy rain and wind. The child had started to cry, and the woman, holding him in her arms, found herself at a loss. She couldn't think of anything one woman entirely on her own could do.

As she was puzzling, a dashing young man she knew very well clad in a blue uniform appeared. He and a few of his colleagues rushed to the house and quickly completed stop-gap repairs. It appeared the gales so mighty they could send even an adult flying if one was not careful and the torrential downpour that beat down anything in its path with violence had no effect on them.

"Are you okay?" The man she once idolized as 'onii-chan' worried about her. He wore a dignified face resolute in a way different from when he stood in the kitchen. "Thank you," she said. "I'm okay now." "I'm sorry," said the man apologetically. "But there are still other places I have to go to." "Then, go," she replied in a flash.

She hugged the baby closer to her chest. Protecting this child was her job, while this man had a different job he needed to do, she realized.

After a while of silence, the man said, "Thank you. See you again sometime." "Yeah. Take care," she replied with a smile.

And so, he threw himself into the raging storm once again in order to help more people.

Having watched him go, she shed a single tear and decided to get stronger.

Her face was that of a mother who had overcome a difficulty.

†

In the dead of night, in the lobby of a certain hotel still under construction, there stood Fushimi Saruhiko. The result of the analysis stated that this was where Kounomura Zen'ichi and several of his followers hid themselves. Fushimi had completed his duty for the time being and, thus, was free to go after Kounomura's group faster than anyone else in Scepter 4. To be precise, he had provided necessary relief and rescue assistance in the area he had been assigned to and urgently contacted the relevant authorities, and somehow or other he'd been done with that in about 30 minutes. He had a plan worked out.

'I alone will be more than enough.'

Now that Munakata Reishi had seen through his opponent's every possible trick and stratagem, the Kounomura Zen'ichi faction had become nothing more than a paper tiger. There were presumably three of them hiding in here: Kounomura Zen'ichi himself, Nakamura Gouki and Marumoto Keiji. Among them, only Nakamura Gouki, a strain with a power that gave him herculean strength, could be considered formidable, but by Fushimi's estimations, even he couldn't be much more than Fushimi's own abilities allowed him to handle.

Fushimi was advancing further into the lobby of the first floor.

The opening ceremony for this hotel had been pushed back a month, but the interior of the building was pretty much already complete. The lights on the ceiling were on, and movables like sofas and tables had already been brought in.

Sweeping his wet bangs that clung to his forehead back, Fushimi muttered, "I see, it makes sense."

This hotel was perfectly ready for living even at this stage. Despite the fact, its name had yet to be added to digital maps. Kounomura had probably been moving from one such place to another all this time. It was also safe to assume that he was involved with the construction company or the hotel's management in some way.

Just as Fushimi thought that...

"Oh, Fushimi-kun, that was quite fast," his superior appeared from a shadow of the hallway and addressed him.

Fushimi very nearly clicked his tongue at him but managed to suppress the urge just barely.

"You're here, too, Captain," he muttered vacantly.

It was probably just Munakata being Munakata. Having finished everything that his duty demanded him to do with that ever nonchalant air, he'd arrived here even faster than Fushimi himself. Those ridiculously high capabilities were what made him Fushimi's boss alright, but sometimes it was just so very annoying.

"Fushimi-kun," Munakata inquired, "how much time do you think you can spare for this?" "From half an hour to an hour, I estimate. Then I'll go back to my assigned area." "I see. It's about the same for me, too. The storm has yet to show any signs of passing, after all." Munakata then smiled. "Well then, let's go, shall we?" "..." Fushimi only nodded wordlessly.

"Captain! Please wait!"

It was then that the automatic doors to the lobby opened, letting in a sprinting Awashima. She was soaked to the bone and dripping water, and she also was breathing hard, but still she lifted her head almost immediately.

"I'm going, too. Please let me accompany you!"

She, too, made some time for this somehow or other.

For a while, Munakata gazed at her gently before finally saying, "Alright. Since there is not much time to spare, let's split the workload. Each of us will take care of one of the opponents. Is that alright with you?" "Yes, sir!" Awashima's reply was loud and clear. "...Roger." Fushimi quietly nodded his agreement as well.

And then, the trio split up, each heading to the elevator, the staircase or the emergency stairs respectively.

[shuuv]

Chapter 3: The Revolutionary King (?) Part 1/3

Hidaka Akira laid on the bed, covered in a blanket but yet he still broke in a cold sweat.

“Not again.”

He was one of the only few on the frontlines that could fight for his king. There was a shortage of manpower in Scepter 4 as such, everyday, he works nearly 24/7 before returning to the pitch dark dorm with no viable source of electricity.

“Hehehehehehe.”

The candle flickered in the darkness. It wasn’t the sound of a mouse or a cockroach. It was a shadow in the shape of a young girl. Retreating like a tortoise into its shell, he hid in his blanket. The cry of a girl could be heard yet again. Covering his ears with his hands, he felt someone touched his back. “Hey, do you hear me? Why don’t you care now that I’m back? Come’on, play with me!” In a last ditch attempt to get rid of the “ghost”, Hidaka chanted and recited phrases from the bible.

“It’s not real!” He told himself.

Every night, he constantly heard eerie and busy footsteps. A pungent smell filled the area and it was as though he was a protagonist in a horror flick. His room seemed to be a hotspot for paranormal activity. No matter what talisman, burning of incense or chanting he did, the “ghosts” didn’t disappear. With the “paranormal activity” going on around him and the disappearance of the other squad members, his stress piled up.

It was a sensitive topic in a sense and no one would believe him even if he talked about it. Just like a kid telling his parents about monsters in his closet or under his bed. He tried sleeping with other members in their rooms but the “paranormal activity” wouldn’t stop. As such he came to a conclusion.

He was being haunted.

The bed rocked at night and moaning of girls, boys, men and women of all ages could be heard.

“I’ve hAD ENOUGH IF THIS! SOMEONE SAVE ME!!”

At this moment, a knocking could be heard. As the door creaked open, a figure emerged.

“Scuse me?”

Turned out, it was his superior and the Captain of Scepter4, Munakata Reisi. He was donned in casual clothes with a helmet-light on his head and a backpack. Hidaka felt as though he had met an idol for the first time. Or as if an angel had appeared.

“Is this the correct lightbulb?”* “Ahhh... yea i think it is.”

With that, Captain Munakata was about to leave the room.

“Captain! Where are you going?!” “To fix all the problems. Just listen to the next set of instructions.”

As he left, Hidaka felt as though the burden had been lifted and the “paranormal activity” had disappeared. Seems like Captain Munakata’s presence was stronger than any “ghost” in the world. He could finally get a good night’s rest.

Daiki Fuse stood on a cliff, skipping rocks into the ocean. He shouted and screamed, feeling lost in the great ocean before him His phone was unusable and no matter how much he shouted, no one could hear him. He was stranded on an island. He knew that it was impossible to swim back to shore, even though they had went through relentless beach training by Lieutenant Awashima. With the distance and his stamina, he would never make it. Even with a life jacket or a bouy. His experience in fishing taught him that the ocean is dangerous and swimming in its tough currents could easily sweep him away. After what had seemed like a shipwreck, Fuse had found a chest. With it, every amenity that could keep him alive. Ranging from tents and sleeping bags to beer, wine and underwear.

Here’s the first few pages :,,) Ive had this book for about 2/3 years now and yes my lazy ass didn’t bother translating till now :,D its written in traditional chinese and i suck at basic chinese already but my aunt majored in chinese history or smth so ill probs be uploading snippets day by day then compiling everything eventually. pray for daily updates orz :,D

Page 114 - 125

At the side of no man’s island, there where temporary toilets and many sources of entertainment, such as movies and PS4s. There was also a box filled with PSPs and Gameboys and other handheld consoles. It seems that someone had known he was going to be there and had prepared the island just for him.

Fuse thought to himself, “Looks like I’m in a trap... Well if I have too, I’ll drink muddy water and eat raw fish just to get out of here!”

There was a sign in the corner that said

‘The best camp spot is right here.’ The sign said.

Fuse thought of this whole trap as insulting however, he wanted a real challenge, not a paradise.

As such, he made a tank and formed it into a round ball with a cooler compartment for food.* He looked into the horizon and examined the sea. Well prepared, he jumped into the ocean and swam. However, after what seemed like hours of strenuous swimming, there was no sign of shore.

Frustated, he shouted “GODAMNIT!!!”

He splashed the surface of the water around him. All of a sudden, a motor could be heard. Fuse cried for help. He thought that it was a fishing boat at first, however, as the boat got closer, a bespectacled man with a miner’s hat leaned over the boat.

It was Captain Munakata.

“I’ve come to get you.”

Fuse chuckled to himself,

“Don’t cha think you’re too late?”

Fuse got onto the boat and dried himself off with a towel. It was in fact, a squid fishing boat. It wasn’t a big fishing boat and in the captain’s cabin, the Captain Munakata was chewing gum.**

“Fuse, its not like you to have jumped into the ocean. Were you that desperate?”

“I wanted to lure who the guy spying on me was.”

“That’s not wrong.”

With this compliment from the captain, Fuse felt a sense of security. Fuse had the right instinct, and that made him feel comforted.

“That island had everything for me. I can’t believe it.” Fuse felt super offended. *

“They tried keeping you on that island, Daiki-kun. By monitoring you on that island with CCTV cameras and with actual people watching you, they kept an eye on you. That’s what you think right? That you wanted to lure them out yes?”

Fuse nodded.

“Both you and I have the same thinking... if there was someone actually watching you, you came up with the best plan and found a way out.”

Fuse felt embarrassed yet proud.

“I’m more than happy that you personally came to fetch me, Captain Munakata.”

“While you may feel very fatigued, I urgently require your help. We meed everyone in the Special Forces to restore order and name to Scepter 4. Would you assist me?”

Fuse didn’t reply. However, he stood in attention and saluted to Captain Munakata.

“Captain! You don’t need to ask for my help. I will gratefully follow you without hesitation!”

Yuujiro Benzai was in a quaint town by the seaside. 11pm at night, he sat at the police station drinking instant coffee. He had been in this town as he was chasing a thief-strain. This “thief-strain” was Takeshi Tamada, aged 26. He was not employed. Benzai was sure that Tamada was hiding nearby. Benzai had a car ready to catch him.

The town was rather sub-urban, it wasn’t modernized and was rather rural, filled with grass and small wooden buildings. It was possible that Tamada was hiding in an abandoned building or in a vehicle. The whole area Benzai had to cover was as big as Tōkyo, as such, he was exhausted. This town actually had a very low crime rate. Policemen at the station empathized Benzai.

“Cases like this take time, let us help you.”

Benzai actually worried alot. Firstly, Scepter 4 was in disarray. Secondly, Lieutenant Awashima had disappeared. Thirdly, his partner Akiyama was still under suspicion of molestation. Although there was no point worrying. He knew that Akiyama was innocent.  Akiyama already had the best lawyer to represent him, but Benzai still wanted to help.

Tamada was like a wild animal roaming about Hōkkaido. Tamada’s case file stated that he had already stolen tens of thousands of dollars. If Tamada had just turned himseld in, his punishment wouldn’t have been so bad, however, Tamada kept running away. As though he’d committed a grave crime.

Benzai thought for a moment. He was a high ranking officer in Scepter 4, why was he responsible of catching a theif. As he decided to leave the town, he stepped out of the police station and was greeted woth a flurry of lights. Strong winds blew at him. A helicopter that had belonged to Scepter 4 was above his head. He blinked for awhile, before making sure that the helicopter did belong to Scepter 4.

As the helicopter landed, wind gushed to Benzai’s face and used his hand to try and block it. As the helicopter door opened, Benzai generally felt surprised.

“Benzai-san! I got em! C’mon pack your stuff let’s go!”

This voice belonged to his squadmate, Fuse Daiki. Next to him stood Takeshi Tamada, in handcuffs and behind them stood Captain Munakata. Still in a state of surprise, Benzai hurriedly packed his luggage and left with the trio in the helicopter.

Arriving in a helicopter felt very... odd though.** Benzai was burning with questions.

“How did you manage to catch him?”

“I know what you’re feeling now, Benzai-san.”

“Benzai-kun, what do you think about this?”

Benzai was pnce again, in a state of bewilderment.

“Benzai-kun, you ran all over Japan just to catch Takeshi-kun. What do you think you’ve been doing all this while?” ^^^^^

Benzai had alot he wanted to ask Captain Munakata. But he began to recall what he’d been doing. Benzai wasn’t a genius, nor did he have an extraordinary IQ but he meticulously thought of every detail, even the small ones. When he was in the military, he accumulated a bunch of experience as a investigator.

“This whole situation is a mess, I don’t even have to point it out, do I?” The captain said.

“A strain activity hotspot has been happening is within a 100-kilometer radius.” Benzai reported.

Fuse nodded in agreement.

Munakata Reisi was a King, selected by the Slate. And Konomura Zenichi was after his role, and the role of Scepter 4.

“There are strains in this world, and they go against our “order”(1). That is why Scepter 4 exists. For our clan to work, a King must have clansmen. And we have to maintain order in out society. But everything with Konomura, is a special case.” In a sarcastic manner, Captain Munakata said

“All these strains committing crimes... they all have a variety of motives to escape. Though all of then are everywhere, not all of them are bad. Some strains have the sudden urge to steal or commit petty theft but its not always against the law. Some of them want to escape just because they want to pray to their dead relatives or hang out with their classmates.”

“Isn’t it strange for these to happen amongst strains? Didn’t they all commit crimes? Because of that Benzai-san has to travel all across Japan. Not everything that the strains say are true though.” Fuse interrupted.

“Some of these claims have a certain degree of truth. However, there are some strains starting rumors amongst others. Claiming that Scepter 4 is currently immobilized.” Munakata said.

Captain Munakata did not go into great detail about the mastermind, but both Fuse and Benzai knew who their captain was talking about. Konomura Zenichi.

“If it was not Konomura Zenichi, there would be no one else to attack Scepter 4 like that.”

“Firstly, how did Konomura Zenichi force minor strains like Takeshi Tamada to commit all these crimes and follow him? Tamada. Why did you decide to leave capital and run here? Who asked you to do it? Were you blackmailed?”

Tamada looked up at Benzai.

“Hmph!”

Tamada turned around. That was when Tamada has realised that Benzai had an anti-social aura around him.

“I just don’t want to be with the rebellious dogs!” Tamada pouted.

Even if its Konomura, it was unlikely that Tamada would listen to him. Would it be possible that Konomura had actually bribed Tamada?

Munakata closed his eyes, thought for a moment, and then smiled.

Fuse smiled as well. He didn’t know how much of help he could be to the Captain. Benzai was very anxious to know what method Munakata Reisi had used to catch Tamada.

“I figured out the problem. As such, Daiki-Kun and I came up with a plan.”

A jolt went down Tamada’s body(2). Captain Munakata made this statement very calmly, but yet it felt as though there was a very deep meaning behind. As he began to explain the situation, Benzai, Fuse and Tamada listented intensively.

As Munakata was in the midst of explaining Konomura’s strategy, another clansmen seemed to be very unhappy.

This unhappy clansmen was Dōmyoji Andy. As of now, there were 2 departments. The PR department and the Legal department. They were currently using the Legal department to talk about Akiyama’s case, where he had allegedly molested a high schooler. But the one in charge of the legal department was Andy. Everyday after talking with several lawyers and diplomats about Akiyama’s case, he had to collect data and information before compling a report to be handed in. However, he had absolutely despised having to write reports or doing paperwork. Because of his inital mistake, he felt that he was being punished by Captain Munakata.

Domyoji felt as though that paperwork was the most boring job ever. So he had a brilliant idea. He would take a break. As he was just going to leave, his Supervisor walked in. This supervisor was none other than Fushimi Saruhiko. Carrying a paper lantern with the Scepter 4 symbol, a slouched back and glasses, he looked like a ghost.

“Who? What? Where?” (English) Domyouji’s mind blanked out and flung his arms and he started doing weird body movements, just like performing a ritual.

“Speak Japanese, idiot. And stop dancing.”

“Ah, weren’t you in America?”

“I’ve returned.”

The impression Fushimi gave off was as though he had come back just because Domyouji could not be trusted. He looked at Domyouji and then turned to the table with documents.

“Hehe.”Domyouji shrugged and gave an awkward smile.

“Why am I unsurprised?” Fushimi approached the table. “I’ll help you.”

“What can we do? There’s so many things that have to be done. Work quicker.”

“I’m sorry Fushimi-san!” He clapped his arms and bent 90degrees. “I can’t take this anymore!” Afterwards, he made haste and ran as fast as he could. Fushimi would have never imagined that Domyoji had acutally ran away from his responsibilities. He was lost for words.

“That asshole...!”

Angrily, Fushimi hunted him down and chased him. It was simple. Domyouji could run but he couldn’t hide from Fushimi.

“If you analyze the situation, the situation is actually very simple.” Munakata said.

As Fushimi and Domyoji played cat and mouse, Munakata was still explaining the idea to Benzai, Fuse and Tamada.

“The first step. Find out the truth. You have to find where the strains are and how they live on a daily basis. Benzai, please recall. How did Konomura find out what we do daily?”

Munakata took great humor in the photos that Konomura took of them(3).He shot us from fair and used underhanded methods to access CCTV footage. As such, Munakata took the information and data from electronic devices too.

“What program did he use to access this information? It was probably stolen from other sources. The whole city could have been affected.” Munakata said.

“In other words, not just Scepter 4 but every other civilian was under surveillance. Maybe I have said it before, but when Konomura sent the message to us, he could have access to the Yushiki system as well, and all the private data of each human is now accessible and defying the rights of the public. This is our weak point.”

Benzai was actually surprised. Fuse’s mouth gaped open too. Tamada examined Captain Munakata, questioning who he really was.

“I have no rights to reveal this information to you. But human rights must be protected. The only issue now is that we keep losing out to Konomura and he’s able to reach and stop them before Scepter4 can. We need to step back and reorganize ourselves and the system.”

Benzai and Fuse didn’t know how to reply. Only Tamada understood what the Captain had meant.

“Moreover, whatever method Konomura used could have been easily been applied all across Japan.”

Tamada slyly smirked at them. Konomura had carefully studied the behaviors and characters of the strain, in order to lure them to where he wanted them to be, just like moving pieces on a chess board.

T/Ns *it was unclear of what Munakata had gone to hidaka for. Something about asking for the correct hardware along those lines. also in the previous chapter he had a vintage lamp? Seems like he has a miners hat now LOL

^^at least i think he’s chewing gum, maybe a translation error.

^^^Fuse wanted a real challenge and because he was placed on an island with basic necessities he thought he was looked down upon, unlike his colleagues that was working day and night to fight Zenichi he was made to relax, or smth like that

^^^^the direct translation would be extravagant but Benzai felt more confused or compelled as to why Munakata and Fuse arrived in a helicopter

^^^^^The last statement was to prompt Benzai to think about what he was actually doing to try to catch Tamada, like what Munakata had asked Fuse earlier.

Also they kind of repeated an earlier part where Fuse and Munakata were talking about whatever was happening on that squid boat thing

(1)”Order” probs refers to their ways or laws. (2)A chill went down his spine (3)back in chapter 1/2 where eno was looking at porn or something

[ridiasfangirlings]

What would the character's do if they won some money from a raffle? What do you think they'd use it on?

I feel like S4 would be more boring about this since they probably all have a pretty good amount of money anyway, with the government salary and living in a dorm where they don’t even have to pay rent. Fushimi also presumably has access to Niki’s money though I doubt he touches that, even if he got some extra prize money separate from that I imagine he wouldn’t do much more than maybe buy himself some upgraded electronics. Munakata also seems to be pretty well off (I believe Gora mentioned he paid Fushimi’s ransom to Douhan himself, so…where did you get all that cash Captain) but I think he would be generous if he won some unexpected money. Depending on the amount I could see him just buying himself some new puzzles and then possibly gifting some to his parents and investing the rest, money likely isn’t something he’s terribly worried about. Awashima I imagine buying herself all the expensive high end anko treats of her dreams, like she can finally afford that rare chocolate-covered anko truffle with gold dust. 

The alphabet squad would likely have more fun with it, Enomoto definitely buys himself some new games and maybe a few expensive waifu figures that he’s always wanted. Gotou buys a rather large cursed fertility statue that fits very neatly in the corner of his dorm room, right where the eyes can stare at Hidaka all night long. Hidaka I imagine being the one to like throw a party, like drinks are on me tonight and he just has a great time. Doumyouji has to be talked out of buying himself something super cool like a motorcycle or a giraffe. Kamo definitely just quietly sends all his winnings to his kid, maybe keeping some back to take them to an amusement park or something the next time he’s able to see them. Benzai takes a tour of all the cat cafes in the area and pays extra for private time petting the cats. Akiyama buys himself some new pointy boots and handcuffs and doesn’t tell anyone. 

Homra meanwhile would be more excited about finally not being poor (or maybe not, they got that big pile of reward money for Totsuka’s killer from somewhere, are they secretly rich too). Kusanagi probably just puts the money back to work for the bar, paying off debts and maybe refurbishing some things and buying new furniture and some fancy wine, stuff like that and Totsuka complains that Kusanagi should let himself have more fun. Totsuka totally squanders all his winnings with really wild hobbies, like he’s always wanted to ride an elephant do you think this is enough for that. Mikoto I feel like wouldn’t even care, like on the bright side he can pay for his own cigarettes now but there’s nothing he really wants to do with the money. At most I imagine he’d use it to take Anna places and maybe slip some to Kusanagi as payment for all the times Kusanagi’s probably ended up supporting him.

Yata I imagine being the one who spends all the money really quickly on like a new skateboard and video games and treating his friends to stuff and then a week later is scrambling to pay his rent. Kamamoto probably uses the money on other people, like he goes out for drinks with everyone or buys Ayumi a gift, I could also see him giving some of the money to his parents to help with the shop. Fujishima gifts a lot of his money to the local animal shelter and uses the rest to buy pet supplies for any rescues he ends up with in his own apartment (Eric says he’s going to use the money on fun things but then buys pet supplies for Fujishima instead). Chitose goes to a bar and buys drinks for every cute girl he sees and then is bummed when he has no money left to take any of the girls he gave his number to on dates. Bandou probably tries the same thing except all the ladies at the bar thank him for the drinks and then ask him if he can help set them up with Akagi. Anna would I think immediately offer the money to Kusanagi, who ruffles her hair and tells her to keep it. Anna then ends up spending it to buy everyone gifts instead, imagine her insisting she needs to go out on a shopping trip on her own and the Homra guys shadowing her as she tries to get something special for everyone.

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A health check up, the S4 squad is lined up in their underwear but the outer ends, Akiyama and Hidaka, have suspiciously matching bite and scratch marks all over their body. How will the rest of the clan react to this? And possibly the one doing the check ups?

I assume Fushimigets to skip this check up since he doesn’t have any underwear tostand around in. When Akiyama takes off his shirt and everyone seesthe bite marks he gets a little red and mumbles something about beingscratched by a cat Benzai brought in, Benzai raises an eyebrow butdoesn’t argue. Doumyouji’s like that must have been a really viciouscat Akiyama-san you’re really covered in marks and Akiyama’s allembarrassed and can’t look at anyone. The others start taking offtheir clothes and the finally they get to Hidaka at the end of theline and he just gives Akiyama this quick nervous glance beforepulling his shirt off, Fuse raises an eyebrow like oh so Hidaka gotattacked by the cat too. Hidaka would probably be more sheepish aboutit than anything, like the only thing keeping him from saying outloud who gave him all those scratches is the fact that poor Akiyamais mortified on the opposite end. Benzai continues to be a goodwingman and assures everyone that it was definitely the cat, pattingAkiyama’s shoulder soothingly. Then Hidaka’s like oh yeah that catwas rough with me and Akiyama just glares at him.

For extra fun sayMunakata’s the one doing the check ups and he does them one byone, calling the boys inside in alphabetical order and Akiyama iseven more embarrassed to be sitting there in front of the Captainhaving all his bruises and marks examined. Munakata just smilescalmly the whole time, not even phased or embarrassed even thoughAkiyama’s sitting there wanting to sink into the floor. Munakatadoesn’t say anything to him then, just keeps on going down the lineuntil he gets to Hidaka who also has some conspicuous rope burnsaround his wrists. Munakata asks Hidaka about the marks and Hidakamakes up some excuse, smiling brightly as he tells Munakata that it’snothing. All is well until Munakata goes to send the squad back towork, giving everyone a clean bill of health before adding ‘AndAkiyama-kun, please do not tie Hidaka-kun’s wrists so tightly lest hepermanently lose circulation and have difficulty handling his sword’and Akiyama just goes totally pale. Hidaka grins a little because heprobably likes that everyone knows who’s been marking him, he’s lesshappy when Munakata adds that he wants to see them both in his officeso he can properly give them the birds and the bees talk (Fushimioverhears this and probably smirks because if he had to sufferthrough the Talk everyone has to suffer through the Talk).

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Strain makes Fushimi want to be cuddled/sit on peoples lap 24/7, s4 boys are more than willing to help. They each take turns making sure Fushimi-san gets the best cuddles he deserves. Reactions? How would each member cuddle him?

How do they manage to get him away from Munakata, Munakata would want Fushimi in his lap at all times and would have to be told that no Captain that isn't professional :P Maybe it's one of those Strains where like if he's not in someone's lap and being cuddled he ends up in terrible pain and can barely breathe, so the squad have no choice but to cuddle Fushimi for his own safety (it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it). When Fushimi first gets hit by the Strain he's all crouched on the ground shaking and the squad are really concerned, Benzai gets to him first and puts a hand on his back, trying to see if he's injured. Fushimi responds to that and suddenly like pulls himself into Benzai's lap, pressing close to him. Benzai just like automatically starts scratching Fushimi behind the ears and soothing him the way he would a particularly prickly cat and everyone's kinda staring, Akiyama is torn between being impressed by Benzai's abilities and being a little bit jealous (only he gets headpats from Benzai). As Fushimi calms down he suddenly realizes what he's doing and tries to stumble out of Benzai's lap, as soon as he's away though he's in pain and having trouble breathing again.

They eventually realize that the only way Fushimi can be comfortable is if he's on someone's lap, that dulls the pain a little and if he's cuddled that brings him back to normal completely. Fushimi's pretty mortified by this (as he sits in the lap of an equally mortified Fuse, sitting with arms crossed wondering how he drew the short straw and has to let Fushimi ride in his lap the whole way back to headquarters and trying very hard to resist this sudden urge to pull Fushimi close all protectively just to show him who's boss and all that). There's not much choice though, it's too painful for him when he's not being cuddled and besides the Strain power makes his body react strongly to being cuddled in general so that it's actually really soothing and comfortable the more cuddling he gets. Maybe Munakata and Awashima happen to be out of the office on a business trip, the squad figure they can handle this in the meantime and decide to just take turns with the Fushimi cuddling until the power wears off.

Hidaka probably gives the best cuddles, being all big and enthusiastic, I can totally see him just wrapping his arms around Fushimi and setting his chin on Fushimi's head and holding him close all casually while Fushimi tries to resist the urge to cuddle back because he needs to get work done. He admits that it's easier to breathe in Hidaka's arms but also it gets a little stuffy and hot, he's way too eager about this whole thing. Kamo gives very soothing cuddles, imagine he cuddles Fushimi in the exact way he would cuddle his child to calm her down as a baby and while Fushimi is vaguely aware of this he's too comfortable to be annoyed by it. Akiyama also gives calming cuddles, like Benzai he's good at dealing with angry cats and he's like a little apologetic about everything but determined to do his best and Fushimi has to admit that Akiyama feels all soft and fluffy. Doumyouji's cuddles are way too much, like Hidaka's but rougher and Fushimi keeps complaining that Doumyouji's going to accidentally break one of his ribs or something. Enomoto's are pretty hesitant, Fushimi feels like he's being cuddled by someone who expects to be scolded at any moment and it makes him cranky. Gotou's hugs are just very chill, Fushimi probably falls asleep while Gotou's hugging him and the rest of the squad are jealous that Gotou gets the best close up of Fushimi's sleeping face.

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Fushimi having a panic attack and then alphabet S4 boys helping him (it could be either a member or all of them like as a group or only an individual... Ohhh and captan I would like for him to appear too) it's just I nerd to relate to something and I LOVE your writting

Yes for the squad being supporting and loving towards Fushimi, very good. I imagine Fushimi would be so annoyed that everyone saw him having a panic attack and would try to downplay it afterward but it doesn’t deter anyone and they’re all just like keeping an eye on him to be sure he’s really okay. Maybe something happens that reminds him of Niki, like they’re dealing with a Strain whose powers they don’t know, who can show you images of your past. Fushimi gets hit but doesn’t realize it and eventually he starts slowly seeing Niki hallucinations, like he goes back to the office to work and hears this faint ‘gya ha ha’ laughter that makes him jump. Fushimi tells himself that he’s just tired and goes back to his room, where for a moment it looks like the room is on fire. He jumps back but then when he looks again everything is back to normal.

He goes into the office early the next day and is trying to do paperwork when he hears laughter again, Fushimi grits his teeth and tries to ignore it but it keeps going on and on. Suddenly someone is leaning over him whispering “my little monkey” and Fushimi falls off his chair, lying on the ground trying to breathe as he starts having this full blown panic attack. He keeps telling himself that this isn’t real but his body isn’t listening, just reflexively terrified and remembering all the terrible things Fushimi tries not to think about normally. 

This is when the squad walks in and they’re shocked to see Fushimi lying there by his desk shaking and clutching at his chest, clearly having problems. At first everyone wonders if he’s been injured, crowding around him. Fushimi tries to tell them to go away but his voice won’t work and he’s feeling suddenly closed in on. Akiyama I think would be the one to take charge in this situation, telling everyone to step back and sending Kamo to get Fushimi some water. Akiyama says it looks like Fushimi’s having a panic attack and Hidaka asks what can they do to help, full of nervous energy because he wants to do something to make this better and he has no idea what. Akiyama starts rubbing Fushimi’s back and Benzai tries to get him to focus on his breathing. Hidaka says there’s nothing to worry about and that they’re here for him, trying to sound reassuring. Kamo returns with the water and the squad tries to get him to take a drink, everyone trying to both give him space while also making sure he knows they’re there and he’s not alone.

Eventually Fushimi’s breathing starts to even out, he weakly tries to push Akiyama away but Akiyama’s still carefully rubbing his back. Hidaka wonders what they should do now, does Fushimi need to go to the infirmary and maybe that’s when Munakata appears, leaning in and telling Akiyama that he can assist from here. Akiyama’s like ‘Captain…’ and Munakata praises all of them for helping to calm Fushimi down so skillfully. Fushimi mumbles that he doesn’t need to go to the infirmary and Munakata gently says that Fushimi needs to take things easy for the moment, helping him up. Afterward when Fushimi finally returns to the office he can’t look at anyone, feeling like he must have looked so weak and useless in front of them all. Hidaka just walks right over and asks if he’s feeling better, so sincerely concerned, and Fushimi finds himself giving this small nod and a quiet “….thanks.”

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April Fools ask! In April Mop, Sakura and Liars story was happened, and it's awesome. So what if they made it as annual tradition? Everyone on Scepter4 are allowed to lie freely on April Mop except regarding job. As expected, Akiyama, Awashima, and Camo are hesitant to do it. Benzai unleashes his inner sadism. Domyouji doesn't do anything different than usual except adding "in a bad way" instead of "in a good way". Fuse uses that opportunity to "roast" Fushimi, with the said recipient doesn't care at all. Hidaka and Eno are a bit shy to lie, but Gotou is a goddamn scary liars. Like, even though he lies, but everyone kinda can't help but believe him.

Also, all Scepter 4 member gets announcement that 30 minutes before midnight and the start of 2nd April, all clocks in Scepter 4 will be broken or late for "mysterious reason". Hidaka makes it his life mission to find Fushimi on that time, hoping to hear another confession

So if Fuse is roasting Fushimi because he's allowed to lie all day though does that mean he actually likes Fushimi :3c (Fuse's secret crush strikes again!) The clan would probably enjoy having a day to just play around and have fun, like everyone enjoys being able to make up fun lies for the day. Akiyama is concerned about the idea because Lying Is Wrong but Benzai enjoys it perhaps a bit too much and he manages to convince Akiyama eventually to try a bit. This turns out to be bad idea because Akiyama decides that he'll just have to be impolite for one day and he ends up absolutely tearing apart a few people without actually meaning to. Doumyouji thinks adding 'in a bad way' to everything he says is pretty clever of him, though imagine he also uses this as a way to like subtly insult people too because he'll add 'in a good way' here and there and it sounds like he's being nice but really he just told someone off. Hidaka tries to lie but his problem is probably that he's just way too earnest, like he'll start out lying but then he gets too into what he's saying and begins to mix some truth in and then he has to apologize because he was accidentally rude and then he's like wait no the apology was truth and okay can we start over. Gotou is a terrifying liar because he's so believable, like no one's sure if Gotou's playing along with the spirit of April Fool's or if he's just saying something he always wanted to say.

If everyone knew the clocks were broken though would Hidaka be able to hear another confession? After all if Fushimi knows it's broken too he's not going to say anything that would incriminate him (...incriminate him for being honest about his feelings, horrors). Maybe the alphabet boys all decide to work together to mess with the clocks without telling anyone as like a super prank and Hidaka thinks maybe he can catch Fushimi in accidental honesty again. Unfortunately for him Fushimi's learned his lesson from last time and has decided no talking whatsoever in the last two hours of the day, he wouldn't want anyone to think he likes them all or anything.

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Everybody Lives Au: Alright, so like a Brooklyn 99 type of thing where the whole clan participates in a heist all day and it started off pretty casual but now it’s literally so intense and everyone spends years planning up for these heists. The boss trio dominates obviously but that doesn’t make it boring because the others all put up a hell of a fight. At some point all the clans have to hideout in the Gold’s territory because of a threat to them and it’s during heist time and everyone gets to see them all lose their minds and drop their entire professional demeanor. Also I like the idea of Tatara watching all this take place and sort of being happy because he knows that the blues is where Saru belonged all along. After all, who else but a Blue could get that into something so stupid.

Giant clan bonding activity, Munakata would love it :D Maybe this actually started as some small thing between the alphabet squad, like they made a challenge of 'who can steal a report from Fushimi-san's desk.' Hidaka is caught in the act and ends up spilling the beans to Fushimi about the whole thing, as he's doing so Munakata happens to walk in and overhears the whole thing. He immediately smiles and decides that this does indeed sound like a splendid idea, gathering up the entire force for a game of 'try to steal a puzzle piece from Munakata's office.' Most of the squad is defeated but Fushimi, Awashima, Akiyama and Benzai as a team take the win, with Fushimi thinking up a strategy, Awashima taking point, and Akiyama and Benzai being unexpectedly sneaky together so that even Munakata temporarily overlooks them (assuming Fushimi-kun to be his biggest threat of course, and maybe he lowered his guard a little to make this more fun).

Everyone has so much fun that they decide to make this a yearly thing, like it's the one bonding activity that even Fushimi doesn't complain about too much. Every year the heist gets wilder too, like just imagine Munakata's plans especially becoming more and more complicated as he tries to like steal a plushie from Awashima's room (the boss trio are no longer allowed on a team together because it's an unfair advantage) by having a tall tree planted just beneath on the exact heist day and then climbing it while Enomoto distracts Awashima in front of Munakata's office with a rubber spider. Munakata wins more often than not even with handicaps but everyone has so much fun that they don't really mind, like it's never a steamroller situation and everyone puts up a good fight.

Eventually heist day falls on the same day as like some big storm or something, the power in the city is out and people are being moved to shelters and all that and the clans are all summoned to Mihashira to help keep an eye on the Slate during the turmoil. Of course the clans can do that in shifts so that means there's plenty of time for Scepter 4 to plan a heist and even more fun, what better to steal than a certain giant magic rock. They don't bother to tell the other clans about this and so instead everyone gets to watch as the Blues apparently begin plotting various complicated ways of stealing the Dresden Slate, everyone has to super improvise since they're not at headquarters but the squad is surprisingly creative. Totsuka notices that even Fushimi is into it and thinks that's nice, that Saru-kun found a place where he can be stupid together with everyone (and then he begins plotting Homra's first heist day because that sounds like a fun new hobby :D).

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Do you know the part from Star Wars 6 where Jabba keeps Leia on a leash? A scene where Saru goes on an undercover mission being the one on a leash and the rest of the clan and Homes being on the side trying to rescue Yata who wakes up to see Saru in a sexy outfit 😎👌 but angry seeing bruises on his neck.

Fushimi in a sexy bikini on a leash, you're speaking my language anon *^* Maybe Fushimi needs to go undercover at like a strip club that's being used as a cover for some illegal Strain activities. Like imagine there's this dangerous Strain that Scepter 4 has been trying to capture, the guy has like this whole illegal gang thing going on involving drug running and even some yakuza ties. The Strain is a rich businessman and it's difficult for even the Rabbits to do anything about him due to his general power and influence, they need to find a way to actually catch him at doing something illegal and then Scepter 4 will be able to use their authority to make an arrest. The Strain has fairly benign powers that can still cause chaos, like say he can make a perfect copy of something after seeing it and has been using that to put into circulation counterfeit currency. He's also been using the power to sell drugs that were copied from the original supply in order to make the operation self-sustaining, however the copied drugs are actually stronger and more lethal than the normal ones.

Scepter 4 has been gathering intel on this guy for a while, even working in tandem with Homra since the Strain's lately been encroaching on their territory. They manage to discover that the guy runs like this exotic dance club and that he has a preference for gorgeous male dancers. Naturally the easiest way to infiltrate would be for someone to apply to work at the club but it's a dangerous job because being caught could mean death. The Strain is also known for even drugging his dancers and not letting them leave the club so this needs to be done by someone who can handle themselves without backup. The club itself has extremely high level security, and naturally there's only one member of the Blues who can both handle himself and be trusted to take down even the most complicated computerized security system. Fushimi is very not pleased about having to go undercover as an exotic dancer but he's the best person for the job, he clicks his tongue and mutters that he expects a raise for this.

Meanwhile Homra's planning their own infiltration, say a few of the Homra guys have managed to get exclusive invites to the club and the plan is to pretend to be customers and stake the place out, then plan their next move from there. Yata is part of the team sent in, Kusanagi's concerned about Yata's ability to handle an undercover mission but he needs someone strong there in case things go south and both Kusanagi himself and Kamamoto, the next most obvious choice, are too noticeable to blend in easily. Yata takes off his beanie and dresses up a bit and he's a lot harder to notice, he just has to rein in his temper and try not freak out being surrounded by sexy dancers – so of course when the Homra guys get to the club Yata is immediately freaked out by the sexy dancers and almost blows the whole thing, Chitose and Dewa are with him and tell him to chill. Yata does his best but maybe he's accidentally caught by one of the gang members, like say while they're trying to be all nonchalant in the club Yata thinks he sees someone who looks kinda familiar going into the back room. Yata excuses himself to go look but when he sneaks through the door he doesn't see anyone, suddenly he's hit in the back of the head by something heavy and goes down immediately.

When Yata wakes up he's tied up and the Strain gang leader is waiting for him, as it turns out they originally thought he was just trespassing but then when they went to move Yata's unconscious body someone noticed his Homra tattoo. The Strain wonders how many other Homra members are in his club tonight, indicating that he's going to find them and have them captured as well. Yata would be angry about this but he's barely even been paying attention to this whole evil villain speech because sitting there on a plush pillow right next to the Strain is Fushimi, wearing nothing but a metal bikini and with a collar and chain around his neck. Yata can feel the color rising in his face and he starts to say Fushimi's name when Fushimi shoots him this poisonous glare, Yata sputters and the Strain glances over at Fushimi. He tugs Fushimi a bit closer by the neck and asks if Yata's attracted to his newest favorite, calling Fushimi 'Subaru' and saying that his new pet is indeed a lovely specimen. The Strain pulls Fushimi into a kiss and Yata's basically ready to knock the guy's head off except he's still tied up and Fushimi is glaring at him over the Strain's head.

There's a knock on the door and the Strain says that must be his men with Yata's companions, the door opens and a few guys walk in dragging Chitose and Dewa. The Strain grins and starts gloating, saying that he's even defeated Homra now and talking about how successful his drug ring is and how much money he's made. He considers using some of his drugs on the Homra guys, pulling out a suitcase and showing all the illegal drugs stowed inside. That's when all of a sudden the guys who dragged Chitose and Dewa in throw off their disguises and it's Akiyama and Benzai, Chitose and Dewa suddenly get up too showing that they aren't actually tied up at all. As it turns out when Yata spotted Fushimi he had just turned off the security system and now that the Strain has admitted to his illegal deeds it's time to take him down. The Strain calls for his guards and a whole big fight scene ensues, a bunch of the 'customers' turn out to be Scepter 4 members and they start fighting the Strain's men.

The Strain tries to get up and make a run for it, dragging Fushimi by the neck and Yata's desperately trying to get free to help him. Yata manages to wriggle into the Strain's way, knocking him down momentarily and the Strain curses, pulling out a gun and aiming it at Yata. Suddenly Fushimi's there, holding the chain between his own hands and he wraps it around the Strain's neck, saying he's been wanting to do this for days as he starts to choke the Strain with his own chain. The Strain struggles and eventually sags, unconscious, and Fushimi makes sure to give the body a good kick as he lets the guy fall to the ground. Yata's immediately there asking if Fushimi's okay and Fushimi snorts as he says it takes more than scum like this to do anything to him, digging through the Strain's pockets for the keys to his collar. He gets the collar off and then moves to untie Yata, which is when they both suddenly realize once again that Fushimi is mostly naked. Yata starts stuttering and looking away again all 't-that outfit is--' and Fushimi clicks his tongue and is like stop being a virgin, Yata's all what the hell I was trying to say that you look good in it and now suddenly Fushimi's face is red too (while the two of them are busy being disaster gays Akiyama slyly picks up the collar and leash for...evidence reasons, yeah and anyway no sense in letting a perfectly good leash go to waste).

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Fem!Fushimi and Fem!Munakata shop for wedding dresses like in Say Yes to the Dress. The squad comes along because it's turned into a bonding activity. Thanks!

They would have so much fun together (okay Munakata would, Fushimi is being dragged along against her will). I imagine at least at first this involves very little of Munakata shopping for her own dress and a lot of Munakata trying to make Fushimi try on dresses because she just wants to see Fushimi-kun in beautiful dresses. Fushimi is not a fan of dresses and especially not long fancy ones and she's not at all enjoying being Captain's personal dress up doll, but then at the same time Munakata's enjoying it so much and she's so obviously pleased that Fushimi can't bring herself to say no. The shop staff are a little concerned because weren't both of these brides supposed to be looking for dresses, Fushimi finally has to bring it up too that they can't spend the entire time on Fushimi's dress alone. Munakata supposes that she has a point but at the same time she hasn't considered much about her own dress. One of the shop workers innocently suggests they reach out to family or friends for extra help, not noticing the way Fushimi's frantically making 'shut up' gestures, and Munakata's glasses shine as she says that is an excellent idea.

An hour or so later the entire alphabet squad plus Awashima are there in the shop with Munakata and Fushimi, dutifully watching as they try on dresses. Though maybe this backfires a little on Munakata because at some point one of the alphabet boys is like 'wait, aren't you not supposed to see the bride in her dress before the wedding?' and now they have to try on in separate rooms and Munakata isn't allowed to ogle Fushimi anymore. Awashima splits the squad neatly in two with half assisting Fushimi and half assisting Munakata while she is the go between and final approval for each. Munakata keeps trying to hint that she would like to see Fushimi in her wedding dress and Awashima gives a very firm no, this is for the good of your future happiness Captain. Meanwhile in Fushimi's fitting room Akiyama, Benzai and Hidaka are all fussing over Fushimi while Fuse sits awkwardly nearby and tries to think of something supportive to say, even if that thing is to remark how many knives Fushimi could fit in such a huge dress. Fushimi is immediately more receptive to this dress. (And then when they finally leave Munakata is still a little down that she didn't see Fushimi's final dress, until Fushimi coughs all awkwardly and blushes slightly as she mumbles that this will make a better surprise on their wedding day though, right).

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Suddenly the idea of Hidaka, Akiyama and Yata together at S4 headquarters holding a tied to a chair Fushimi and shoving a broccoli into his mouth came to my head

I feel like this would somehow be Yata and Hidaka's very bad idea and Akiyama walks in on them and isn't sure if he should scold them or help them. Like Yata's been trying to get Fushimi to eat more vegetables ever since they made up but he's getting frustrated because it feels like Fushimi's become even more stubborn than he was when they were in middle school. So far no amount of threatening, begging, bargaining and bribing will get him to even eat so much as a single piece of broccoli. One day Yata stops by Scepter 4 around lunch time, he's been making Fushimi healthy lunches for work lately and Fushimi's been leaving them behind and eating CalorieMate so Yata's taken to just going to Scepter 4 and handing them to Fushimi. When he gets there he notices there's a bit of a fuss going on and he wonders if he walked into some kind of incident. He's thinking of maybe leaving and coming back later and that's when he spots Hidaka.

Yata and Hidaka have kinda bonded in their desire to see Fushimi happy and healthy so they've struck of something of a friendship and Yata feels comfortable enough to ask him what's going on. Hidaka says it's not a super big problem but there was a Strain issue and Fushimi-san is kinda tied to a chair right now and we can't untie him. Yata's like wait Saruhiko's what now and Hidaka says again it's a Strain thing, so now half the force is trying to hunt down the Strain and the rest are trying to do the work that Fushimi normally does but can't because he's tied to a chair. Yata asks if Fushimi's okay and Hidaka says he doesn't seem hurt or anything, though Hidaka was thinking of going to get him something to eat because he must be getting hungry. Yata says he actually brought lunch for Fushimi, he put some vegetables in it too because that guy never eats them and Yata thought maybe for once he could make Fushimi eat something healthy...he trails off and he and Hidaka exchange a look, like they are suddenly on the exact same wavelength.

Cue the two of them in a room with tied up Fushimi and Yata's holding out a broccoli to him like come on Saruhiko you have to eat something. Fushimi claims he's not hungry and Hidaka tries to cajole him into eating it, all doesn't it smell good and Fushimi's like shouldn't you be doing work right now. Yata's all okay but I don't work here so I'm not leaving until you eat this fucking piece of broccoli. Fushimi's got his mouth closed tight and Yata's like trying to just jam the broccoli in there, Hidaka's hovering around not sure who to support because he wants Fushimi to eat healthy but he also doesn't want to get stabbed later. Suddenly the door opens and there's Akiyama all 'Hidaka, there you are, what's...' and then just trailing off. He and Benzai were on a mission together and he doesn't know about the Strain issue so all he sees is Hidaka and Homra's Yata Misaki standing in a room with a tied up Fushimi trying to force a broccoli in his mouth. Fushimi sighs like finally someone sensible, Akiyama come here while Hidaka's all it's not what it looks like. Akiyama sighs and says he understands, walking over to Fushimi like no guys this is how you tie a good knot, he'll get out of the ropes in no time the way you've done it, now someone grab a broccoli and I'll hold his mouth open.

[ridiasfangirlings]

A strain concerned about Fushimi's anxiety. As a result, They use their power to modify every door in HQ to only open after someone compliment Fushimi. If the door closed, the members should compliment Fushimi again. Fuse thinks it's a nightmare and always asks Enomoto to open the damn door. Hidaka flattered because he knows many nice sides of Fushimi. Meanwhile Munakata still compliments Fushimi eventhough the door is already open. Fushimi's anxiety eased at the end of the day.

It is now Munakata's time to shine, he needs no excuses to compliment Fushimi-kun XD Imagine this at first is like super annoying to everyone but they get used to it way too fast, like eventually everyone's just tossing off sincere compliments and opening doors. Say Fushimi's having a bad day when they bring the Strain in, he was actually sent to capture a different Strain and nearly failed the mission and he's having self loathing feelings as always. The compliment Strain got caught in the crossfire of the actually dangerous Strain and what caused Fushimi to almost let the other Strain escape was that he had to push compliment Strain out of the way in order to save their life. The compliment Strain is thus super thankful and wants to do something to help him out in return, they can see Fushimi seems anxious and so decide maybe a day full of compliments will make him feel better.

Fushimi returns to Scepter 4, wholly unaware of what the Strain has just unleashed, and he heads into the office to start his report. It's early and the alphabet boys are filing in, they greet him and Fushimi clicks his tongue in reply. Fuse mutters under his breath like can't that guy even be pleasant for a minute, Hidaka says that Fushimi's probably just tired. Hidaka suddenly realizes that he forgot his PDA back in his room so he gets up to go retrieve it, except he can't open the office door. The other alphabet boys are like stop joking around and Hidaka's like no seriously it won't open. Everyone tries the door but it's just stuck and they don't know what to do. Fushimi, still at his desk, sighs and says they should check to see if the bolt lock is on. Hidaka laughs sheepishly and says Fushimi always has a good plan when there's a problem. At just that moment the door opens, probably sending a couple alphabet boys who were still trying to pull on it sprawling to the floor. Everyone's like huh that's weird but they ignore it and Hidaka goes and gets his PDA without incident.

Everyone's back to work and now Doumyouji needs to go to the bathroom and oops, door won't open again. Doumyouji's like come on I really gotta go and Akiyama wonders if something strange is going on here. He tries one of the other office doors and it won't open either, it's like they're suddenly locked inside. Benzai wonders why the door opened earlier then and they're all throwing around theories when Doumyouji's like 'well it opened when Hidaka said something nice to Fushimi-san didn't it? Fushimi-san's got a really weird way of showing appreciation, but in a good way!' Hidaka's like is that even a compliment but just then the door opens and Doumyouji gets to make a beeline for the bathroom.

So now that the trick has been figured out it's suddenly much less urgent, like sure it's weird that they need to compliment Fushimi before opening doors but it isn't really that much of an inconvenience. Fuse's not very happy about it (and he finds out very quickly that compliments must be sincere to count) while Akiyama and Hidaka have the easiest time and don't even have to think about things before they open the door. Munakata finds out about this at some point and probably starts going in and out of the office just for the chance to compliment Fushimi some more. For his part Fushimi's probably a little mortified at first but especially once they discover the sincerity thing even he can't entirely pretend like he doesn't care, hearing everyone talk about how amazing he is and somehow he does find himself relaxing more and more as the day goes on.

[itsuki-minamy]

“REISI CASTLE”

Translation: Naru-kun Raws: Ridia

There was a heavy silence on the location bus.

Inside the bus are the popular units of "Promotion, Scepter 4", the members of "Hayayumetai". Their expressions light up brightly during the live performances, but they darkened evenly. Some close their eyes, some look at the ceiling, others look at their feet. As a troop transport just before battle.

Suddenly, one of the "Hayayumetai", Tatsuya Enomoto, looked up as if he couldn't bear it.

He mumbles in a small voice.

"This is a "countdown".”

"......"

There was no response to that comment. They did not ignore it; they did not want to face reality.

"Countdown Dissolution, (Hayayumetai)", "Promotion Scepter 4" is now the most popular variety show nationwide.

Hayayumetai's "Blue Idol King", Reisi Munakata, responds to difficulties and despite his struggle, has gained great popularity regardless of gender or generation.

However, if he tries to do it, it does not accumulate.

Fortunately, it is popular, but depending on the project, he can send them to South America, the Arctic, or skydiving from 2,000 meters above the sky. They felt this crisis in their lives once or twice, making Hayayumetai's members more afraid of the countdown.

Unfortunately, the countdowns are not announced in advance. One day, they are suddenly called, put on a location bus and transported to the recording location, as they are now.

Kamo says, wrinkling his brows.

"This time, at least we should do it in Japan."

"Kamo, did you go to the Amazon river before? How to make sashimi with a giant bagre.”

“I explored abandoned mines. The toxic gas was building up here and there, and I was almost inhaling it.”

"I came back alive and well..."

"I wish it was survival on an uninhabited island. Well, in the second half my life was quite stable.”

"I do not know. They may tell you to survive in the desert.”

Everyone anticipates the next project, but everyone understood that the conversation was meaningless. Simply speaking, to allay anxiety, the brute force of the "Blue Idol King" always exceeds his expectations.

Finally, the location bus stopped.

At the same time, the "Hayayumetai" conversation stops. Akiyama got up first, followed by Benzai. His appearance as they got off the bus was more like a group of prisoners on death row than an idol unit.

They got out of the bus and looked around. Someone said to himself.

"Is it a tunnel?"

Dim passages extend before and after the location bus, and lighting is installed at equal intervals above the head. The fact that no other car is found is because it can be a tunnel that is generally not used for construction or evacuation.

What should I do here When such questions and anxiety came to their minds, a familiar sound came from the speakers on the wall.

"You were right to come, welcome everyone!"

The expression of all the members of the "Hayayumetai" was drawn at once.

Reisi Munakata. He is the president of "Promotion Scepter 4" and a unique person in the world. He is a perfect idol, but he has a bad habit of forcing them to be as perfect as he is.

"By the way, as you may have guessed, this time we are planning the 'Countdown Dissolution, (Hayayumetai)." This is the challenge for you this time.”

At the same time as the words, a heavy sound was heard. The wall just below the speakers opens slowly left and right. What lies ahead is...

"A castle...?"

Beyond the tunnel wall. In an artificial space the size of a baseball stadium, there was a small Japanese castle with a magnificent tower. Surrounded by earthworks and stone walls, moats and turrets, the flags raised here and there bear the "Promotion Scepter 4" emblem.

"Ah, President. This is…?"

Munakata calmly responds to Akiyama.

"This is the castle of" Promotion Scepter 4 ", which I made from design to construction supervision, that is, "The fortress castle of Reisi".”

"Fortress…?"

"Reisi Castle?"

"I ask you to capture this castle now. If you can break through each layer of the castle consisting of multiple assassin tigers, difficult obstacles, and defeat me, if you can defeat me as a castle master, you will complete the capture.”

"Didn't I tell you it was a Countdown Dissolution?!"

"Discarding the game immediately after the capture failed was the usual countdown theory, but this time it was a bit difficult, and we also want to get more work, so we will establish a 10-week challenge period. Everyone, challenge yourself.”

"Oh, I see…"

The members of the "Hayayumetai" looked at each other confused.

Until now, there have been many challenges, such as traveling abroad or surviving, dealing with nature and different cultures. However, this project seems to have a different color. It is not easy to challenge the "Blue Idol King", Reisi Munakata himself.

"That's it, I understand. Can we start the challenge now?”

Daiki Fuse, one of the "Swift Dream Team", raised his voice. Munakata responds.

"Of course. The "Castle Fortress of Reisi" always accepts the challenge of anyone at any time. I await your arrival at the castle tower. Munakata, over.”

The sound is heard and the speaker is interrupted. Fuse's expression directed at other members was brilliant.

"Agree. The good is in a hurry, let's capture it!”

"We will shine as soon as that happens..."

Although Domyoji looks stunned, Fuse stretches his chest,

“Well, if it's a game of physical strength, it's my turn. By the way, this is easier than crossing Eurasia!”

"Sure. It feels easy compared to the previous challenges.”

"I'll help you when it's time, so let's keep trying!"

With that said, Fuse bared his teeth and giggled.

"Waaaaaaaaah! Help meeeeeeeeeeeee!”

"Fuse?! Grab him, he's going to fall!”

It happened while challenging the first barrier of Reisi Fortress Castle, the drawbridge.

Originally it was a drawbridge full of obstacles, but when they reached the middle it broke from the middle and started to climb. The viscous oil overflows from the center of the bridge, as if mocking the impatient "Hayayumetai", and the personnel who emerged from the tower threw a huge ball.

Akiyama and Benzai, who had reached the top of the drawbridge earlier, were trying to pull on the remaining comrades. At the tip of the arrow, the thrown ball directly hit Fuse's face, keeping his conscience away for a moment.

Nothing catches Fuse's body that has started to slide.

 "Helpppppppp...!"

His figure was sucked into the bottom of a dark moat.

"Fu-, Fuseee!"

Hey! Don't be afraid, more attacks are coming!”

"Let's go!"

The remaining members of the "Hayayumetai" lower their bodies and begin to descend on the drawbridge, crawling.

They were about to cross when the door at the end of the bridge slowly opened.

Beyond that, when the tank appeared with a caterpillar sound, the members of the "Hayayumetai" were equally prepared to die.

++++++++++

"Hayayumetai reaches the second barrier. A trap."

"Activate all D1 to D4. Keep the stream flowing through the Tarai. If it stops moving for a moment, the tank will be clear.”

"Okay. Activate D1 to D4.”

"Hayayumetai. They resist firing with the D3 trap as a shield.”

"Yes, I think it's about time. Activate the E3 trap on the wall. Aim at Akiyama, he won't be able to take control if you crush him.”

"Okay. I will focus on Akiyama-san.”

In the "Castle Fortress of Reisi", in the castle tower...

It was not Reisi Munakata, the guardian of the castle, who used the operator as a limb of his body and constantly attacked the "Hayayumetai".

It is Fushimi Saruhiko, who belongs to "Hayayumetai".

He is a popular "Scepter 4" idol, Fushimi Saruhiko, who should have been a member of "Hayayumetai" himself, has no hesitation in attacking his friends. Rather, about half of the traps installed on each barrier were designed by him. To make sure his program works, one after another, he uses them against the "Hayayumetai".

"Akiyama and Benzai have retired. There are three remaining.”

"This is the end. Release trap E2. They should get away from there, if they don't want to be stabbed.”

"Okay."

Suddenly, a laugh came from inside the castle tower. Fushimi looks at him with a disturbing eye.

"What's happen?"

"Nothing. However, I thought it was a lot of fun.”

Munakata smiles as he sits in the castle chair propping his elbows. On the contrary, the expression of the vice-commander of the castle, Awashima Seri, is strong in contrast.

"Enemies must fight, there is no need to give the enemy a way to escape."

"Huh, I don't know, but you'll be in trouble if they die. It is more efficient to break his hope into pieces.”

"Fufu. It looks so much fun. After all this is better for you.”

Fushimi confronts the smiling Munakata with a click of his tongue.

The glasses reflected light on the screen and hid his expression.

"It's work. There is no fun in this. And…"

"And…?"

“Anyway, if it's the same, better do what needs to be done. It is not like this?"

At those words, the castle's owner, Munakata, laughs softly.

++++++++++

It was only after the tenth week of the end of the challenge period that the "Fortress Castle of Reisi" fell.

A direct battle with Munakata himself was what awaited the remaining "Hayayumetai", who had overcome all difficulties, and presented themselves as a great difficulty.

"Munakata, battou!"

With those words, the hopes of the three remaining members of the "Hayayumetai" were buried in an instant, and they were crushed by great despair. "Countdown Dissolution, (Hayayumetai)" achieved the highest rating of 57%.

[ridiasfangirlings]

Not an AU, but I can't stop imagining Scepter 4 using 3D manuever gear from AOT. They would look so cool ;)

They would *^* Someone must have shown Munakata Attack on Titan and he got ideas, this is like that time he watched Naruto and they all had to wear headbands for three weeks. Maybe there's like a Strain who has Spiderman-like powers and can swing from rooftops, they're extremely hard to catch because Scepter 4 simply can't keep up by foot. Even the helicopters don't help much, there's no time to land and parachuting out is still too slow. Everyone's completely stumped as to how they're going to manage to catch this Strain, unless they can figure out how to fly or something there's no way they're going to be able to keep up with the Strain once it's moving between buildings. Munakata is considering various options, trying to work up a strategy for what to do, when he happens to walk by as Enomoto is watching a popular new anime. Munakata leans over and sees as the characters move through trees and buildings with their awesome 3D maneuver gear and Munakata's glasses shine as he gets a wonderful awful idea.

So Munakata has Enomoto give him copies of every episode of the anime and every volume of the manga, which he speed reads in order to figure out how exactly the gear works and within days he has several working prototypes. The next order of business is to have the force practice with it, Munakata sets up a whole secret training course in the city and picks out a few members to be the first to try this out. I'm thinking he definitely picks Fushimi, who is good with harnesses and besides would just look really cool in 3D maneuver gear, and then probably Akiyama and Benzai since they're the most disciplined of the force. Once the three of them get the hang of things the rest of the special squad is brought in to learn and soon they're ready to use their new gear in combat. They wait for the Strain to commit some crime and then when the Strain tries to escape they're immediately pursued by Fushimi leading the alphabet squad all in 3D maneuver gear, jumping off walls and spiraling through the air and just looking super cool, even the Strain is impressed.