Just a Stroll

LANTERN REFLECTIONS LINGERED ON THE WATER’S SURFACE, as Ryuuji walked by the riverside path in Meguro. Clad in his rental yukata over a set of regular clothes, he strolled past a handful of couples enjoying Tanabata’s afterglow.

Eventually he arrived at a desolate area of the river, yet untouched by the stretch of night life. There, he lit a cigarette and waited. It didn’t take long for a menacing aura to approach him, and by reflex, Ryuuji erected a magic barrier behind him.

With a clang and a brief flash of light, a throwing knife bounced off its surface.

“So you aren’t all talk after all,” came a familiar voice from the shadows.

“It’s good to see you too, Ren,” Ryuuji replied.

“Hah. I can’t say the feeling is mutual,” Ren glared at him. “You know, Ryuuji, I thought you and I were friends. Not the closest ones, perhaps, but we do have our shared history.”

“That hasn’t changed. That’s why I called you earlier.”

“Right. And I suppose I shouldn’t question why the caller ID was spoofed, right at the time when some mighty rumors about you are spreading.”

“That would be helpful, yes.”

Ren shook his head, keeping his eyes fixed on Ryuuji.

“There was a hunt for the Wandering Songstress last night. I know you took part in it; that’s why you sent me to babysit Akari for you. I didn’t mind that, but then the Songstress wiped out an entire mercenary squad… and I have it on good authority that your mana signature was found in two of the bodies.”

So the cat was out of the bag. By that point, Ryuuji was wanted.

“Then earlier today, your tracking chip went offline at the same time as Akari’s. You don’t need me to spell it out, do you?”

“She’s safe,” Ryuuji replied, showing Ren a picture in his phone. Akari was smiling cheerfully, singing with Hotaru and Ryuuji inside a karaoke booth. She was wearing a set of clothes Ren hadn’t seen before.

“Man, how heartwarming. I was pulling my hair out, running everywhere to find her, and you were enjoying yourselves on a date.”

Hotaru had masked their phones’ signal for safety and she was near impervious to scrying spells, so Ren had no way to find them. The man had gone on a wild goose chase for the better part of the day.

“We weren’t at liberty to contact you.”

“Really? It doesn’t show.”

“This woman is the Wandering Songstress.”

Ryuuji casually dropped the bomb, and the air between them turned frigid.

“Her name is Kisaragi Hotaru. You’ve heard of her before under a different title: the Voice of Ruin. She and the Songstress are one and the same.”

“You’re fucking with me. You have to be fucking with me.”

“I’m not. You were in Tokyo that day. You heard her voice and you saw the dragon; Akari told me about it. So given that you have seen the guy, I want you to take a look at me; a close and good one. Do you notice anything?”

Much like Akari, Ren was a talented spiritual medium. It didn’t take long for him to see the blessing Ryuuji had been given, and who it was that bestowed it.

“By the Gods…”

“I had a little chat with the dragon earlier and we came to an understanding. As for Akari, she’s hanging out in Hotaru’s apartment. They made fast friends, but well… we’re neck-deep in shit.”

“Tell me everything, Ryuuji. Every detail.”

And so Ryuuji did, sharing with Ren the full story about him and Hotaru, as well as the current circumstances she was dealing with. Chief among them was the coming incident she expected for the Obon Festival next week.

“So all the cursed energy we gathered for them…”

“It’s not being purified. Some is weaponized, some is stocked, and they’re actively looking to harvest more. Even if they have to generate it.”

If what Ryuuji said was true, then the Red Thread was a traitorous organization looking to seize power through nefarious means. Considering their status as one of the largest conglomerates in Japan, things could hardly be any worse.

According to Hotaru, most of the nation’s power brokers were compromised. They did have bastions of loyalists, but the enemy moles held the element of surprise.

In a moment of crisis, the Red Thread would seize the initiative and have an ample window to execute their plans. By the time the loyalists had the chance to react, it could already be too late.

“We must gather our allies,” said Ren, reaching the same conclusion as Ryuuji.

“That’s why I called you. I need your help to poach the Amaterasu Unit away from the Red Thread.”

When it came to mercenary teams from the ATC, they were second to none. They had an impeccable combat record, pulling off high-stakes operations that few others could even dream of. They’d make for incredible allies, or at the very least, Ryuuji would love to keep them away from the enemy’s roster.

“If only it were that easy,” Ren lamented. “The guys aren’t saints who fight out of the goodness of their hearts, Ryuuji. We’re hired guns, and the Red Thread has one hell of a deep wallet. I may be part of the team, but I can’t sway them just like that.”

“I know. That’s why you’ll be working for the Divine Veil instead.”

“How? Am I supposed to knock on their door and ask for employment?”

“Yup. If you present them with this, they’ll take you right in.”

Ren was incredulous as Ryuuji procured a summoning charm from his yukata. However, as he activated its spell and transported its cargo, Ren’s jaw fell wide open.

Held with utmost care between Ryuuji’s arms was a magnificent mirror, silver and lustrous like the moon itself. Its surface brimmed with divine energy, leaving no question about its heavenly origins.

“How in the world…?”

“Reigetsu-sama gave it to me; that’s how much he values Hotaru. With this, you’ll be able to negotiate with the Divine Veil. They’ll provide you with the means to recruit the Amaterasu Unit and put your services to good use.”

“Bloody hell, hide that thing! Anyone can see it from a mile away!”

In full agreement, Ryuuji removed his yukata and wrapped it around the relic. He anticipated the exchange, so he wore a set of regular clothes underneath.

“Here. I entrust this treasure to you.”

Ren’s hands were shaking as he received the item. He’d held his fair share of relics before, but none of them held a candle to this artifact. Just wondering about its magical properties made his head spin.

“Oof. Okay. Okay, don’t drop this.”

The man was nervous.

It was strangely refreshing for Ryuuji, who’d never seen him like this.

“So, think you can pull off now?”

“Yeah. This will do it.”

“There’s a shrine operated by the Divine Veil over there. Hotaru has a contact somewhere, so ask around. Just be careful not to blow our cover.”

“I’m not an idiot.”

“Good. Let’s keep it that way.”

“You’re such an asshole, you know that? I don’t know what Akari sees in you.”

“Neither do I, my friend.”

Ren sighed in resignation.

“Let’s get out of here. I wasn’t followed, but it won’t be long before I’m missed.”

“Likewise. Stay safe out there, Ren. We’ll keep in touch.”

“Right. See ya.”

He waved Ryuuji away, clutching the relic with his other arm.

With that, the first round of recruitment was done, and Ryuuji returned to Hotaru’s apartment under the cover of night.