Rikiga peered into the bundle in Inukashi's arms, and exhaled a breath that reeked of alcohol.
"Mama," he echoed.
"What? You miss your Mama, old man?"
"My mother went six feet under a long time ago. She crawled into that grave when I was ten, and hasn't tried to crawl back out since."
If one's human soul should completely disappear, one would probably be more likely to find happiness. But even so, the human inside oneself feels horror towards it like nothing else. O how so completely terrifying, grievous, and painful he thinks it! For one to lose his memories as a human.
-Nakajima Atsushi, Sangetsuki [1]
She had awakened.
Safu had awakened, and understood everything.
She knew now what had happened to her.
There was a cotton handkerchief in Shion's coat pocket. He used it to cover his nose and mouth. It wasn't to shield against the smell; it was to hide his face. This way, the risk of being spotted would lessen. Nezumi also pressed a white handkerchief to his mouth.
They climbed the stairs. The odour gradually grew stronger. Still, the security alarms didn't go off.
A chime sounded, and his feet froze on the spot. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
"Commencing odour removal. Commencing air filtering. Operational level 8.5. The air quality of the building will return to normal in approximately two minutes, sixteen seconds."
O here
Will I set up my everlasting rest
And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last.
Arms, take your last embrace!
-Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act V Scene III [1]
A white light stabbed at his eyes.
It was blinding.
The light was overpowering.
The place overflowed with light, and glittered.
It was unmistakable―it was the world of No. 6.