Chapter Five: Separation of Main Island and Divine Land (4)
“What the heck? That's real annoyin'... Was Ryuuzen always such a tool?”
Hearing Yanagawa talking to herself, Echika nodded with a laugh.
“I guess that's just the kind of man he is.”
The two of them were sitting in front of a magenta tent.
Before them was an LED lantern, though with the world outside shrouded in darkness, it wasn't enough to illuminate the entire multipurpose area.
Yanagawa's tone turned mischievous as she poured hot coffee into paper cups.
“Did you and Ryuuzen know each other before this, Mikumo? Y'all seem to get along like a cow an' her cud.”
Echika frowned. She was surprised someone could make such a misinterpretation.
“No, this is our first meeting... and I don't think we're compatible at all.”
Before them were two empty paper plates and a large pot.
When they returned to the former community center, they found the contents of the Dutch oven had spoiled, so Shigaraki had made chicken rice with generous portions of root vegetables in the pot. It was apparently a simple recipe made using canned yakitori.
Yanagawa had eaten several portions, but Echika just had no appetite.
“Jus' coffee's pretty boring, ain't it?”
Saying that, Yanagawa pulled out a pocket-sized bottle of whiskey and poured it into the paper cup.
“Want some, Ms. Mikumo? It's Scotch...”
“I don't like alcohol.”
Taking a sip of her spiked coffee, Yanagawa suddenly let out a deep sigh.
“...I take pride in bein' a real jack-of-all-trades as a camerawoman, so I've been to plenty of crime scenes and accident scenes, both here in Japan and overseas.”
The day before her arrival in Kagoshima, Yanagawa had accompanied a young reporter to an interview and some photography at a homeless community.
“Seven homeless people've been assaulted in the past six months. Plenty of people didn't wanna talk to us, but I can tell: folks're scared.”
She added more whiskey to her drink as she continued.
“But goin' to the scene to shoot some footage and actually bein' involved ain't the same thing. I'm a powerless outsider, so all I can do is pray that the storm passes me by.”
At that moment, a silhouette appeared in the frosted glass of the door to the hallway. It was Shigaraki.
At the same time, they heard Tara moving in his carrier in the corner of the multipurpose area. However, he seemed to quickly realize that it wasn't his owner and went quiet after a single whine.
“Thank ya fer this... Must've taken ya a while.”
As Yanagawa poured coffee, she gestured to ask if he wanted some whiskey.
“Give me some. Well, I was able to treat his injuries and told him about the Visitor, but the president just started whining that he didn't want to be alone and wouldn't let me go.”
In the end, Shigaraki had to wait until Koga drank too much white wine and passed out drunk before he could sneak out of the small room.
Yanagawa spoke hesitantly.
“Speakin' of... You grabbed the first aid kit on the way over. Are the president's injuries that bad?”
“Well, he sprained his right hand and left ankle. It doesn't look like he hurt his bones, though, so he was just making a big fuss over nothing.”
Shigaraki looked exhausted, but he began to prepare the remaining rice for himself. Spending so much time with Koga had clearly drained his spirit.
Yanagawa's expression was also clouded. She was probably worried that Koga would sue her for assault once they escaped the island.
Echika thought the president seemed like the type to bribe a doctor to fabricate a medical report so he could claim more damages. However... under the circumstances, there was no way he would sue.
She placed a hand on her neck, and she could still vividly feel herself being strangled. If Yanagawa had acted a second later, her trachea could have been crushed.
Eventually, Shigaraki's eyes fell on the fabric carrier in the corner of the multipurpose area.
“If he was so afraid of being alone, he should have taken Tara with him.”
“Well, she is madder'n a wet hen...”
It wasn't hard to understand Yanagawa's view. The dog still hadn't shown the slightest sign of affection towards Echika or Yanagawa, barking and biting whenever they tried to feed him. He'd make a better guard dog than a companion.
Yanagawa then drained her paper cup in one gulp and stood up.
“Ahh, I feel 'bout ready to hit the hay. I'm gonna head out 'n get some fresh air 'n stretches in.”
Shigaraki, who had been in the process of unwrapping a disposable spoon, froze with eyes widened.
“What? You can't go outside! Just do it here in the multipurpose area, I don't mind.”
“Ya sure? I'm into exercises that are popular overseas, where ya do lots of funky poses, so it's kinda embarrassin'... It'll be fine! The Visitor shouldn't be anywhere on this here island anywho. An' I don't plan on goin' far from the door.”
“Look, just... be careful. Please.”
“Don't worry, I know a few things about handlin' myself.”
Yanagawa stepped outside, swinging a plastic umbrella at her side. It looked like she was planning to use it as a weapon in case of emergency. By the time she returned, Shigaraki had finished his meal and was drinking spiked coffee.
Echika stood up as though trading shifts with Yanagawa.
“Where is the restroom?”
“Back left of the hallway. There are two portable toilets set up for now. We also have wet wipes and toilet paper.”
According to Shigaraki, the village office was very strict about preserving the island's natural environment, so they decided to bring along their own portable toilets just in case. Echika was grateful she wouldn't have to relieve herself outside.
She stepped out into the hall and slowly made her way by the light of a flashlight. Suddenly, what sounded like a wild animal roared, and Echika screamed.
Hearing her, Yanagawa and Shigaraki came running.
“What's wrong?”
“...I'm sorry. It was just President Koga snoring.”
Even now, loud snores were coming from the room at the front right of the hall. Shigaraki couldn't take it any longer and broke into loud laughter. Echika and Yanagawa also broke and joined in. Even the snoring seemed to get progressively louder.
“It's a portable toilet... Can't we move it to the waiting room? It seems unnecessarily scary to go all the way down that dark hall in the middle of the night.”
And so, the three of them moved the yet unused portable toilet to the waiting room. This room had a door directly connecting to the multipurpose area, so they no longer had to go down the hall just to use the toilet.
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