Interlude: The Danger Below

WHILE RYUUJI AND THE GIRLS FROLICKED IN THE BATH, a secret meeting was taking place elsewhere. It was deep underground, beneath the research facilities of Axiom Dynamics, a subsidiary of the Red Thread.

“Your men failed us, Hakurō,” said the deep voice of an old man. “They were given every tool necessary to capture the Songstress, only to be killed by her in turn. Were it not for our quick response unit, the ACU would’ve gained samples of our tech.”

“We don’t need to explain how close to disaster we were,” said another. “Had they caught a glimpse of our coming operation, our plans would’ve crumbled to dust.”

“I apologize for this disgrace,” replied Hakurō, clad in dark tactical armor as he humbly knelt before them. “An unexpected vector entered the operation in the form of Hasegawa Ryuuji. I’ve dispatched teams to track him and find any leverage we can use.”

“Hasegawa Ryuuji… Considering his connection to the Songstress, it was only a matter of time before he got involved. Why didn’t you poach him on time, Mito?” asked one of the men.

“Are the years getting to you, Saitō? How could I? He was Katsuro’s disciple; he’d never help us.”

The men speaking were Director Mito Hajime, from the Institute of Divine Phenomena, and General Saitō Ren. The latter had become head of security for the Red Thread, following his retirement from the military.

“You could’ve used him as bait,” said the General. “He and the Songstress were close. She would’ve answered.”

“Yes, and she would’ve fallen to corruption before her due time. It was only this year that we concluded preparations, and she didn’t make contact with him until now. She had no intention to, either, based on our intelligence.”

“Nevertheless, it was an oversight.”

“Perhaps so. But Hasegawa isn’t the only tool at our disposal.”

“Right. What’s the status of your assistant? Does she suspect us?”

“Oh, sweet Akiko. Of course she does. She planted some moles in the civilian production lines, but one of them flipped. I’m confident she’s sharing intel with the Songstress, but nothing crucial.”

“She’s also a Kotodama user. It’s dangerous to leave her be at this stage.”

“Indeed she is, General. It’s a shame to expend her like this, but she’ll make for an excellent lure for the Songstress. And if that fails, well… she can also be a catalyst.”

“So be it. Hakurō, we will extend to you a chance to redeem yourself.”

“Sir!” he called out, full of devotion as he knelt in wait.

“You are to seek Senior Research Coordinator Yura Akiko, and take her into custody. It must be a covert operation with no witnesses, and no pleas for help. It is imperative that she doesn’t contact the Songstress.”

“I’ll provide you with all the intel you need, and the General will facilitate the tools,” Director Mito added. “You can expect a full report on her by tomorrow. As for the operation date… it would be the 13th at the latest.”

“Any questions?” asked the General.

“None, sir.”

“You are dismissed.”

Hakurō nodded quietly and vanished from sight.

In turn, Mito and the General walked over to the glass window next to them, and they peered to the containment unit full of yōkai in the level below.

“Well then, my dear Akiko…” the Director murmured with a thin smile on his lips. “It seems the time has come to settle our argument. When the music of disaster is played once more, I wonder what will be louder… the symphony of corruption, or the lullaby of your hope?”