Vol 3 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Mission 3, Part 2

“Simply turning away is a thing anyone can do. Don’t you agree? If the world bores you, why not construct it yourself? Reconstruct the order, principle, and framework of the world with your own hands.”

Munakata reached out and drew to him the parts Fus.h.i.+mi done, which were two rather long borders. He placed the two borders above and below the area he was working on. At the very moment, the Barcelona street scenery flowing over the tatami was neatly settled in the frame, reminding Fus.h.i.+mi that it was no more than a photo.

“That’s why I can’t bring myself to like the nature of Red Clan. All they do is destroying, and never considering how to rebuild. Such an ignorant bunch.”

Although Fus.h.i.+mi’s heart was beating violently at the world Munakata created, these words subsided his excitement.

“… You’re saying this in front of a Red Clansman.”

“Indeed. I forgot.” Munakata chuckled and feigned innocence.

Fus.h.i.+mi was surprised that in his heart he still has a sense of belonging there. How silly, he told himself. Yet he felt relieved at the same time.

“I’m leaving.”

Hands on the tatami, Fus.h.i.+mi got up. Munakata only watched.

“Hidden-weapon-user-kun.”

“My name is Fus.h.i.+mi. If I tell those of my clan what you said, they’ll go berserk. So words in this van will go no further… Eh?”

Fus.h.i.+mi lost balance and fell face down on the pile of puzzle pieces. His legs went numb from sitting in seiza.

“Oh my. Did your legs fall asleep? That’s why I said you may sit at ease.”

“… They are not asleep.”

“If you say so. But it seems to me that you can’t get on your feet.”

d.a.m.n… Fus.h.i.+mi hated that amused gaze of Munakata looking from above. He held his breath and waited for the numbness to go away. How careless to be paralyzed for such a silly reason. Not to mention it’s when he’s alone inside the base of another clan nowhere near being friendly. He gritted his teeth out of regret and also due to the tingling in his legs.

“Oh well. Take it easy until the numbness goes away. While we’re at it, I’ll make you a cup of tea. Do you like sweets?”

While Fus.h.i.+mi was lying on the tatami cold sweating, a higas.h.i.+ displayed on fine j.a.panese paper was placed in front of his eyes. What makes you think this is the time and place for tea? Fus.h.i.+mi commented inwardly.

With his elegant bearing, Munakata stood up without a problem, and sat back down in front of the teakettle.

Fus.h.i.+mi, in anguish, stared sharply at Munakata’s back. With a faint clink he sprang a throwing knife in hand.

Munakata… definitely noticed. Yet he still stretched his back defenseless. The fact that he noticed yet not doing anything about it was all the more irritating.

“… I could really use a hidden weapon user…” His mumbling was so soft that it’s almost absorbed by the tatami.

”… If… Granted that I want to change clan, is that possible?“

Now Fus.h.i.+mi wondered if he was seeing things. Because being always unshaken until now, Munakata’s back moved for the first time.

Clothes rustling, Munakata turned to face him.

”Frankly speaking, it never occurred to me that I’d hear this from you. Did something happen?”

“… Something, I guess…” He bit his lip and rubbed his forehead on the tatami.

The noise of rushed footsteps drew near. Fus.h.i.+mi tried to get up. But the tingling ran through his spine and he fell again.

“Captain!” The door slid open with a man in blue outside. Suddenly…

“Gyahahahahahaha!” He burst out laughing.

Surprised, Fus.h.i.+mi turned to look. The man in blue was that guy, pointing at Fus.h.i.+mi and laughing so hard that it almost send him rolling on the floor.

“Haha! Monkey’s legs fell asleep! Tacky! Can you get more uncool than that?! Lemme give you a nudge! Gyahahahahahaha!”

Driven by hatred and rage blazing in his chest, a throwing knife gleamed in Fus.h.i.+mi’s hand.

“You don’t know when to stop, do you?”

“Fus.h.i.+mi-kun!”