Witness (
Summary[]
Hinao's initial meeting with Chihiro.
To an unseen newcomer to Tokyo, Hinao explains Japan's primary system of protection revolved around katana, though the leaders of yakuza gangs and corporations often sought better self-defense options; sorcerers. There were over 1,000 sorcerers operating within Tokyo, and Hinao's establishment, Cafe Haru Haru, served to link sorcerers with those desiring to hire their services. Hinao has a poster inquiring about information on the Hishaku, a request from one of her regular customers.
Three years ago, said regular customer Shiba visited Cafe Haru Haru. Hinao initially introduced several job prospects but Shiba rejected them, having come for a different reason. He brought up the incident of Kunishige Rokuhira's murder, and Hinao verified a group known as the Hishaku had claimed were responsible for Kunishige's death and the theft of his enchanted blades. Chihiro then walked in, face scarred and expression cold. After hearing about Chihiro and Shiba's history with Kunishige, Hinao agreed to help, but no significant information surfaced. On one day however, a disheveled child named Char entered the cafe.
Char arrives at Cafe Haru Haru.
In the present, Shiba and Chihiro visit Cafe Haru Haru, Shiba loudly greeting Hinao and Hinao responding for him to be quiet, while more positively greeting Chihiro. Chihiro confirms that Hinao had located someone who witnessed an Enchanted Blade and Hinao states she is asleep in the back room.
The three move there and see Char sleeping, Hinao noting she had fallen asleep right away. Hinao explains that previously, Char had asked to hire a sorcerer for protection as someone was pursuing her. Hinao asked if Char had money and Char replied she didn't, and Hinao then asked who was chasing her. Char mentioned that the person chasing her possesses 'the most strongest sword', Hinao considering she may be referring to an Enchanted Blade. A listening Shiba and Chihiro however both react with skepticism, the former thinking Char might be making things up. Abruptly, Char began muttering the words "hippos" and "cell division" in her sleep before suddenly awakening, Shiba thinking she may have suffered from a nightmare.
Chihiro and Shiba talk with Char.
Seeing Shiba and Chihiro, Char asks if the two were sorcerers who would protect her. Shiba first decides to set out some basic information, asking Char why she was being chased, though Char refuses to respond. Believing Char was lying, Shiba urges Char to go home, but Char shakes her head and tells him she doesn't have one. Shiba's expression grows somber as he asks about Char's parents, to which Char shakes her head again, appearing distraught. Shiba voices that they should take Char to an orphanage, though Chihiro notes Char's rough-looking state and asks if she has eaten recently. Her stomach rumbles, leading Chihiro to ask if Char wanted anything to eat. Char excitedly responds that she wanted tempura soba, and soon after Shiba drives Chihiro and Char to a soba shop.
Shiba stands outside and smokes, reminiscing about how Chihiro is good at taking care of people, thanks to his experience with his father. Meanwhile, Chihiro and Char sit in the restaurant, where a waiter serves tempura soba to Char and cold soba to Chihiro. Before they eat, Char introduces her name to Chihiro, who responds in kind. Char then begins eating, smiling at the taste of the food.
Chihiro and Char eat and talk.
Chihiro mentions that after they eat, he plans to take Char to an orphanage. Char is surprised, having interpreted their going out to eat soba as confirming the deal for him to protect her. Chihiro repeats what Shiba told Char earlier, emphasizing that the cafe is not a place for her to play around, though Char insists she is serious. Chihiro asks about the individuals pursuing her and when Char hesitates to respond Chihiro once again presumes Char has nothing to say at all, though Char replies she doesn't want to tell him. As they continue eating, Norisaku Madoka enters the restaurant and takes a seat at a table near Chihiro.
Chihiro realises Char has indeed seen an Enchanted Blade.
Changing tactics, Chihiro asks about the supposedly strong sword Char had mentioned. In between mouthfuls of soba, Char states clouds come from the sword, a detail specific enough to instantly pique Chihiro's attention. After asking if Char was joking, which she says she wasn't, Chihiro questions if her pursuer had a flame symbol on the back of one of his hands, and Char replies she did not see one.
During the conversation, the nearby waiter yells in frustration at Norisaku not wanting to order. Norisaku coldly tells the owner to leave him alone, but only prompts the waiter's further anger. Chihiro asks if only the sword's bearer was pursuing her, to which Char responds he has a number of henchmen. Behind Chihiro, Norisaku snaps open a pair of chopsticks and slams them into the waiter's neck, before remarking he had finally found Char; though seeing her with a bodyguard was an inconvenient surprise. Chihiro stands just as with a call of Invincible, Norisaku summons a daruma doll in front of Chihiro to his left, promptly detonating it and sending Chihiro flying out the restaurant wall onto the street.
Norisaku holds Char hostage.
Nearby civilians run as Chihiro picks himself back up, internally realising Char had been telling the truth about someone pursuing her and having seen an Enchanted Blade; in addition, Chihiro knwos Norisaku must be in league with the blade's bearer. Chihiro initially wonders why the bearer is pursuing Char but sets the thought aside. He calls out to Char and apologises for doubting her. Norisaku emerges from the destroyed wall, a rope-belt attached to his right wrist holding Char captive as more daruma dolls begin to bubble out of Norisaku's hand. While Norisaku comments Chihiro's continued survival is problematic, Char replies she forgives Chihiro before begging him to save her, to which he agrees, readying Enten.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Hinao, proprietor of Cafe Haru Haru, is introduced. It is revealed that while typical individuals relied on katana for self-defence, yakuza gang leaders and corporation executives often sought stronger methods of protection; sorcerers.
- Cafe Haru Haru is an establishment that connects sorcerers and those seeking to hire them.
- Three years ago, Shiba had been on good terms with Hinao, and she offered to help him and Chihiro look for information on the Hishaku; though she did not find anything for three years.
- Prior to Chihiro and Shiba's arrival, a young girl Char had entered to hire a sorcerer, but did not have money and was reluctant to talk about her situation, Hinao letting her sleep in the back room.
- Chihiro and Shiba arrive and Hinao recounts Char had mentioned seeing 'the most strongest sword'. Shiba is doubtful, especially after Char wakes up and refuses to give details, but Chihiro instead offers to treat her to a meal of soba.
- Shiba drives Chihiro and Char to a soba shop, musing that Chihiro was experienced with looking after people given his life with his father.
- Char is hesitant to speak about her circumstances but reveals information on the sword, stating a cloud comes out of it, an attribute Chihiro recognises. Chihiro asks if the owner has a flame mark on his hand and Char states he does not.
- Norisaku Madoka enters the restaurant, spots Char, blasts Chihiro outside using an explosion and kidnaps Char. Chihiro apologises for doubting Char and promises to save her.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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