Occultic;Nine > 08.HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN

Yuta:
Oh, I should have known. A place this easy to find on-line isn't could be open to people who aren't authorized. Guess, this is about as close as I can get...

Radio:
[???] leaving?

Yuta:
I don't--It's seems like, er...

Radio:
And now, come on, take a look at all the people out here! You made a this frighten you?

Yuta:
Yeah, unlike able to shot, but, why should I waste time sticking around if I'm only gonna get thrown out?

Radio:
They won't mind. Just suck air but yet moving.

Yuta:
You gotta be kidding me!

Radio:
Listen. You wanna find out if you died or not, right?

Yuta:
Give me a break. I'm alive.

Radio:
Hurry up! And, article about what it's like in there will bring tons of site views! In next things, you will be loaded!

Yuta:
Fine. What could go wrong? ...Er, excuse me, coming through. I'm heading in, so, agh...They must be distracted...He he...

---

Yuta:
Who is...that?

Kisaki:
!!

Yuta:
Is it me?

Kisaki:
But, you're...! Ugh!

Shinoyama:
Kisaki! Are you alright? Come on! Talk to me! Kisaki! Kisaki!!

---<OP>---

Sarai:
Eh? Wait!

Reporter A:
What was it like, you sir?!

Reporter B:
Who was the victim you came to see?

Reporter C:
Any words for the one who did this?

---

Sarai:
...Gamon.

Touko:
What is it?

Yuta:
...

Sarai, Touko:
Ah!

Sarai:
...!

Touko:
...No way.

Sarai:
Assess the situation. How do you know you're dead...? You're still standing, still rational, but...I can see that casket and my own body inside...So what am I...? A container for the soul as father said...?

Touko:
It looks like Professor Hashigami's theory may have been right. No matter how impossible it'll be to prove...

Yuta:
We all did it now...? And that's it...?

---

Kisaki:
...

Shinoyama:
Kisaki, you feeling better?

Kisaki:
Yeah, sorry. I'm okay.

Shinoyama:
So, does this happen whenever--

Kisaki:
No. Little tired. That's all.

Shinoyama:
Wait! where are you going?

Kisaki:
Something doesn't feel right.

Shinoyama:
Hold on a minute!

Kisaki:
...Shinoyama, did you open up those caskets?

Shinoyama:
Uh-uh, it wasn't me. I haven't touched any of them.

Kisaki:
That boy...No. Don't jump to conclusions...

Shinoyama:
What is it?

Kisaki:
Before I collapsed earlier, did you see anybody else in this room?

Shinoyama:
No. The only ones in here were you and me.

---

Yuta:
It's not true. It's not true. It's not true! This can't be happening! It's gotta be--

Pedestrian:
Ah! ...Huh?

Yuta:
...Hey, come on. I'm right here! Look. Why wouldn't anybody notice me?! Hey! Please...Can anyone see me?

---

Touko:
...Hey, er, It's Touko here. I hope you're alright. Sorry that I couldn't have been more help to you. We haven't talk to in a while and I'm starting to get worried. Today, I...I found out something pretty serious and dropped by your house. Please give me a call, okay? It's important.

Miyu:
...

---

Sarai:
...

---

Sagami:
Even as a ghost, you do the same stuff, don't ya?

Ririka:
I don't wanna do anything else.

Sagami:
Uh-huh...Well, you're boring.

Ririka:
Oh? And you always have fun, right?

Sagami:
Could because I'm a kid. Though, I'm more different than all the others.

Ririka:
Of course, you are.

Sagami:
No, seriously! It's because I'm a chosen one.

Ririka:
A what?

Sagami:
I've had mates since I was born. My parents are loaded. I mean, filthy rich. So they gave me something special!

Ririka:
What do you mean?

Sagami:
I can't die!

Ririka:
I see. And how do you manage that?

Sagami:
Do you know about scandium? If you inject that stuff, you can basically live forever. Even if you lose your physical body. In other words, you become a ghost after you die, but you can exist in this world, too...Or, something like that.

Ririka:
So, now you can never die?

Sagami:
Yup. And I heard the Eight God of Fortune Society sells it. They only do business with people like my folks, cause it's so expensive. I'm pretty lucky, huh?

Ririka:
So, in other words, you're kinda like a ghost, then?

Sagami:
No! Would you even listen to me? I'm alive! You're the one who's a ghost here.

Ririka:
If that's the case, how can you see me right now?

Sagami:
What do you mean?

Ririka:
Well, I downed to dead in that lake. We've already established that I'm definitely a ghost. If you can see me, could that make you one, too?

Sagami:
Huh? ...Hmm.

Ririka:
Witness in other spirits is an amazing ability. But, isn't it a lot of trouble?

Sagami:
What do you mean by that?

Ririka:
If you spend all your time surrounded by everyone who's crossed over, it must be a rather overwhelming.

Sagami:
Um--

Ririka:
As you speak, you must be seeing so many of them. The ghosts of ancient samurais, even those from centuries before. That girl you put into the kotoribako has to be standing right besides you with vengeance in their eyes...

Sagami:
I-I've never seen anything of that!

Ririka:
Really? Sounds boring to me. Pity.

Sagami:
So, there are some I can see and some that I cant...?

Ririka:
How to say? Maybe they just haven't become spirits yet.

---

Yuta(Young):
Ah...!

Koresuke:
Now, it's time for my show, Musashino Wonderland! Coming to you from FM-KCZ and beautiful Kichijoji. As always, I'm here to read the letters from all you listeners out there. Thanks for writing in! Hope I can answer your questions and help out where I can.

---

Kisaki:
Yuta Gamon.

Yuta:
Eh...?!

Kisaki:
Think I could speak with you?

Yuta:
You can...see me?

Kisaki:
Yes. Though, to be honest, I still don't have any idea why.

Radio:
Bzaap...

Yuta:
Eh, that's the Sky Sensor!

Kisaki:
Hm?

Yuta:
It's exactly like mine! Same Zonko, same bag.

Kisaki:
Oh, its the one you left behind...

Yuta:
Well it doesn't matter anyway. I am already dead.

Kisaki:
Which is...what I'm here to talk to you about. I'm running an investigation regarding that rake.

Yuta:
Really? Who are you again?

Kisaki:
Asuna Kisaki, FBI. I've been assigned the Inokashira park case in Kichijoji.

Yuta:
Er, huh?! Now, why would somebody from the FBI come all the way out here?! I mean, this kinda stuff usually gets handled by the local police, doesn't it?

Kisaki:
Another agent was on it, but...something changed, I took over. That's all.

Yuta:
Um, but you look my age. How do you do it? Could you intern or something?

Kisaki:
I'm still a student in high school. A third year at Seimei.

Yuta:
Wow! Seriously?! That's my school, too!

Kisaki:
So, will you talk to me now?

Yuta:
Eh, yeah, sure. No problem. Most people can't here me anyway.

---

Yuta:
Ha, okay. Now, what were the questions you came all the way out here to ask me?

Kisaki:
Well--

Yuta:
Wait! I've got it! You wanna be the next Basara girl!

Kisaki:
The next what?

Yuta:
Agh, nothing...

Kisaki:
I've done some research on this place. And this was your father's radio station, right?

Yuta:
Uh-huh. And now know it's not much to look at, but it's used to be pretty popular. There were letters coming in all the time. Everybody in Kichijoji listen...

Kisaki:
Koresuke Gamon.

Yuta:
Yup! That's my dad! I guess he had a listener in the FBI, too! Be honest!

Kisaki:
Well, I only found out about him till my investigation.

Yuta:
I see...Dad got sick and died seven years ago. What does he have to do with what happened in the Inokashira park?

Kisaki:
It's tied to his association with a certain syndicate.

Yuta:
Huh?

Kisaki:
Eight Gods of Fortune.

Yuta:
What's that?

Kisaki:
It was a group to help so called Spiritual Seminars. And your father was their instructor.

Yuta:
Wait, that doesn't make sense.

Kisaki:
On this show, he'd listen to people's problems, right? Like the ones in these letters?

Yuta:
Yeah...?

Kisaki:
As his follower in grew, he'd meet with people in groups to speak with them in person. Overtime, it became a kind of religion.

Yuta:
Now, hang on a minute!

Kisaki:
Then, the Eight Gods of Fortune started providing their support. And that's where they became a cult.

Yuta:
Are you saying that my dad was a teacher for a bunch of crazy people?! You are lying!

Kisaki:
That was the only information I had. The Eight Gods of Fortune Society and this station never added up to me. But I'm beginning to think the link here could be you.

Yuta:
Now, come on! That sounds completely ridiculous!

Kisaki:
Oh, does it? It's a clue, and there are lives on the line! ...I-I'm sorry.

Yuta:
I don't understand this. I agreed to help and answer your questions, but you say things without thinking...You shouldn't speak ill for dead.

Kisaki:
Didn't mean to--

Yuta:
You believe this all revolves around me? Yeah, right. I'm a side mission in this quest. I'm not even alive for a member...

Kisaki:
There might not be a connection to you at all. But, what happened at that lake was something--

Yuta:
You mean, "Death Lake?"

Kisaki:
Huh?

Yuta:
It's the title of my new article. Just sounds better.

Kisaki:
Listen, I've got more questions than answers. I have to gather as much information as I can, and I believe you're vital to this case.

Yuta:
If do, huh? That's some kind of hunch?

Kisaki:
I have never really relied on hunches.

Yuta:
...

Kisaki:
Now, it's time for my show, Musashino Wonderland! Coming to you from FM-KCZ and beautiful Kichijoji...

Yuta:
...!

Kisaki:
...The letter holders on the shelf. Before each broadcast, he look outside, and check on you. You'd give him thumbs up, and he'd smile. I sense he was kind.

Yuta:
H-how do you know all these things?

Kisaki:
My methods aren't what you'd call ordinary. And I assume, that's the reason I was chosen to investigate this particular case. Now, if I here more about your dad, I'll fill you in. But, only if you help me.

Yuta:
Was that psychometry?

Kisaki:
Impressive.

Yuta:
Oh, well, they used all the time in manga.

Kisaki:
I don't think I've heard that one before...

Yuta:
So, if I help, is it cool if I'd write an article on you?

Kisaki:
Excuse me?

Yuta:
I have a blog called Kiri Kiri Basara! If you let me run, "High School Girl in the FBI, Brains, Beauty and a Badge!" I'll do whatever I can!

Kisaki:
For you blog...? Fine. As long as you keep it to anonymous.

Yuta:
Ha ha! You got it!

Kisaki:
Alright, then. First off, are there other people who are like you that they're walking around with memories of being alive?

Yuta:
Oh, yeah. Lots of them.

Kisaki:
Who are they?

Yuta:
There's a reporter, a psychic or black magic user, and author, and Professor Hashigami's son.

Kisaki:
Is there a detective, too?!

Yuta:
Well, er...yeah. Think I so, that guy with a trench coat and fedora in the morgue.

Kisaki:
Where is he?

Yuta:
I haven't seen him since I ended up like this. But his corpse was with ours, he must be one of the two-hundred and fifty-six. And if that's the case, I'll bet he's like the rest of us...What's wrong?

Kisaki:
It's nothing...(Ring)...I better take this. Hello?

Shinoyama:
Kisaki, come back to the station. We gotta problem.

---

Kisaki:
Understood...I have to get going now. But I'll have more questions to ask you later, okay?

Yuta:
Anytime.

Kisaki:
Thank you. And if it's possible, I'd like to talk to your friends, too.

Yuta:
Then just come by Bloomoon.

Kisaki:
Where's that?

Yuta:
It's near the train station. Shouldn't be too hard for you to find.

Kisaki:
Okay. Bye.

Yuta:
...

Moritsuka:
...

---

Touko:
The books that I borrowed from the professor. Sorry, I should have returned it to you...

Takafuji:
Ha-ha...Uh-huh. Well, thanks to the Eight Gods of Fortune, and the funding's going great. Yeah. Right. The paper from Hashigami is gonna...huh? Of course. Give him my regards.

Touko:
...Ah? "A World That Turns into the Spirit Realm," Isayuki Hashigami?

---

Takasu:
Synchronization with the living world has stabilized to around ninety-seven percent. Harmonics and various other conditions' fair normal. I'm proud to report that the results are far beyond what we expected. Additionally, the logic analyzer hasn't noted a single bug. Because Nokola Tesla's System is an 8-bit one, it's ultimately a matter of how much modern technology, the machine we will accept. But there's a reason for our unparalleled success. And that would be the recently acquired paper of Hashigami's. By analyzing it, we saw the issue on synchronization, with absolute time. One might say that he completed the New World System, and it's truly a shame that we've lost such a talented man.

Hatoyama:
It wasn't an occultic incident, right?

Takasu:
I suppose there are things even we should question.

Man A:
What about the bugs report during the phase one stage?

Takasu:
That shouldn't present a problem either. We are continuing our tracking after the phase two transition. Although there's a wide range of scandium inventory values, we are always modifying the tracking precision for the Orphan Receptors. Even if their responses are slightly higher, it's simply proof of increased synchronization.

Man B:
Phase two was also a success?

Takasu:
That's certainly my assessment.

Man C:
Then, even as we speak, two-hundred and fifty-six astrobodies are currently occupying the same time that we do?

Takasu:
Precisely. With human interaction being the only variable. Through the integration of the spirit and human realm, our New World System has finally moved into the practical phase.

Man A:
In any case, we'll need to consolidate our success reports. This may seem less convincing in our cooperate setting.

Hatoyama:
I agree. The New World System needs to be attractive to investors.

Takasu:
Allow me to illustrate the business plan, if I may. Those seeking methods of sustaining eternal life almost often wealthy private citizens and high ranking officials. Once these individuals buy in, we will administer scandium, then irradiate with specific electromagnetic waves, continuing to exist with their memories and personalities intact. It is something they all desire more than anything. And, there's we promise to fulfill each person's greatest wish. We can ascend to a next subjective. The microchip project. Rockefeller himself was aware of the plan to embed mankind with chips, and control entire societies, however, on top of the high cost, and even higher risk, the endeavor prove prohibitively unrealistic....that until we researched scandium. This element used in items from fuel cells to ballistic missiles is incredible. With the proper information embedded, it shows little effect on the human body, and depending on the case, can even be administer to a newborn child. If it's inserted into the blood stream, and reaches the brain using any method other than oral ingestion, it's completely impossible to remove. Simply put, the initial cost may be high, but creating human guinea pigs yields little risk whatsoever. Also, scandium is very responsive to electric resistance and magnetism, so it reacts with great sensitivity to our New World System's electromagnetic field. In other words, our orders can be sent directly into the brain through electrical circuit waves.

Hatoyama:
We pushed for the terrestrial digital broadcasting and open the analog electromagnetic bandwidth for that!

Takasu:
Ultimately, I suppose we have the government to thank. Soon, we'll have the wealthiest citizens and heads of industry buying into the New World System. For these chosen ones, the eternal life will be the ultimate bate. By using scandium, and precise level of the irradiation, their minds will be under our complete and utter control. With access to such influential people, we can expand our enterprise with absolutely no risk, and do so forever...

Hatoyama:
Splendid! It's a truly fantastic project!

Man A:
So, how's our progress?

Takasu:
As of this moment, we've already acquired roughly one one-hundred and fifty reservations. Which only proves how exciting the prospect of eternal life can be.

Man B:
One shot of scandium costs a hundred million, a twenty million a year on maintenance. Not bad when multiplied by one-hundred and fifty.

Man C:
Seems those with money unafraid to spend it, "chosen ones" indeed.

Takasu:
Particularly, with the Eight Gods of Fortune for thug, after all, nobody would criticize someone truly seeking salvation. It's their belief...

Man D:
So, religion a cover, strange to think a man of medicine commit this plan...

Takasu:
The terminus of a physician's work is surpassing physical death. So I was simply pursuing the ultimate medical practice.

Emperor:
..."Medical practice"?

Takasu:
Sir!

Emperor:
Takasu. What is the medical practice you are referring to?

Takasu:
I-I was simply suggesting that if death and illness are the constant hurdles of my profession. Perhaps, ascending mortality itself represents the greatest salvation.

Emperor:
You think mankind's deliveranceism act of goodness?

Takasu:
Yes, sir.

Emperor:
Not so.

Takasu:
...

Emperor:
Going against nature itself by preserving a soul destined for extinction. Dishonest of the very source of life created by the Tree Sephirot, and cannot be forgiven. However, this obstinate, wickedness has developed society allowing our world to further progress. Now, we face the ultimate medical practice, fueled by evil...

---

Sarai:
You mean...Mu-mu's editor in chief may actually be involved in the murder of my father?

Touko:
Yeah. Apparently, he'd be keeping this hidden.

Sarai:
"A World That Turns into the..." father wrote this?!

Touko:
Takafuji's gonna over to pick up this manuscript is more than one occasion.

Sarai:
So, he ransacked the study...

Touko:
An, to me, the one who was on the phone warrant to make certain whatever is on that paper stayed hidden from the world. But it was too hard for me to read, so I--Hm?

Sarai:
Touko, could you give that to me? I want to read it.

---

Ryoka:
Poyaya? Why do you look so exhausted?

Yuta:
Haa...A lot's happened, Ryo-tas. I'm finished. Collection. I'm already dead.

Ryoka:
Poya?! What do you talking about?!

Yuta:
It's nothing. I'm just not alive anymore...Wait, how can you even see me right now?

Ryoka:
Hey, Ryo-tas is Gamo-tan's minion! Of course I can! Twinkle!

Yuta:
You're right, what was I thinking...

Ryoka:
Wanna pukey cocktail? Maybe I can make you one of those good luck drinks!

Yuta:
Ha...That's actually kind a considerate, ha ha...

Ryoka:
All drinks are on the house! Ha ha ha!

Yuta:
Mmf...Hmm...

Sarai:
...

Yuta:
Agh.

---

Sarai:
A high-school-girl-working-for-the-FBI...? Improbable. Another one of your delusions, Gamon.

Yuta:
Yeah, well, that's pretty funny come out from a guy who hasn't done anything.

Sarai:
What's that?!

Touko:
Come on. Calm down, you guys. Now, what called my attention was when the FBI agent told Gamon about the Eight Gods of Fortune. 'Cause Takafuji mentioned it, too.

Yuta:
He did?

Touko:
Yeah. Sounded like he was thanking them for the funding, or something like that.

Yuta:
Who knows, maybe they really are some kind of a religious cult...

Touko:
Either way, it definitely exists.

Yuta:
...

Moritsuka:
It wasn't all your dad's fault necessarily.

Yuta:
Hey! You're the cosplayer cop!

Moritsuka:
Domo! I'm Zenigata! ...heh heh, just kidding. Though, that's not a costume.

Yuta:
You're a ghost, too?! I know it! That FBI agent was really worried about you!

Moritsuka:
I see. Well, I just hope she doesn't go overboard.

Yuta:
So, you two know each other?

Moritsuka:
Oh, yeah. Anyway, I can't believe you guys already found out about the Eight Gods of Fortune. Nice job.

Sarai:
Think it's time you told everything you know.

Moritsuka:
Tsk tsk tsk. Now you give me too much credit here. I've just got the basic facts. Acting like you know something to irritate a person in question is a classic interrogation technique. Because when people get angry, they start saying things they normally wouldn't.

Yuta:
Oh, boy...

---

Kiryu:
...

---

Miyu:
Hmm...

Chizu:
What's it say?

Miyu:
But, one thing's for sure. Motoyoshi is totally in love with you, Chi.

Chizu:
Impossible. So much for your fortune telling.

Miyu:
Those are different. This is a prediction. Might come true, might not.

---

Chizu:
Ah! Hey, look! It came true! You gotta do this to other people, Myu, seriously!

Miyu:
No...That's okay.

Chizu:
That's such a waste! You should use your gift and share with the whole world!

Miyu:
Yeah, but...

Chizu:
Please. You have the power to make so many people feel really happy. Use it.

Miyu:
...Thank you, Chi.

---

Miyu:
Ahh! Ah...aah...! Oh, Chi...! ...Huh? ...It's you...

---<ED>---