*rabble* *rabble* *rabble*...

"Hey! Are you worn out already?

Tomorrow's the real thing!

We're gonna be partying until morning, until the very end of it all, got it!?"

"Got it!

I'll give it everything I've got!"

"Wa-ha-ha!

All right, then! Youth is the greatest!"

"Good work, everyone!

Tomorrow is Watanagashi at last.

Let's get some shut-eye in and save our energy for tomorrow night!"

Tomorrow was finally Watanagashi.

Festivals are split into two groups: those who enjoy them, and those who support them.

The former only need prepare their minds, but the latter needs not only that, but also painstakingly crafted plans and preliminary arrangements.

While the general majority attending goes about enjoying the festival without a care in the world, we'll be strained the whole way through.

...Why?

"You sure as hell know why!

Because the beer after everything's over is the best damn beer you'll ever have."

"Wa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!"

At times like these, it's best to have energetic, physically fit people!

It wouldn't be worth it if you didn't do your best until the end, enjoying it the whole way!

"Oh, he's here...!"

Ooishi-san came in.

Everyone hurried to stand up.

"Hello, everyone. Excellent work out there.

Ah, you can be at ease."

"""Thank you, sir!!"""

Not even my seniors, who usually talk big about themselves, can hold a candle to Ooishi-san.

We all bow as if we were one of those cheering squads of old.

Kuraudo Ooishi.

A detective just waiting to retire—one who doesn't pay much mind to rules and regulations, and doesn't do too much in the way of real work.

He looks like a rotten old man with a penchant for dirty jokes.

My seniors, though, tell me he was a real fighter in his younger days, and that he may or may not have quite a heroic legend trailing behind him...

...Anyway.

He surely had much more dignity and presence in the room than the section chief who came in with him.

"Everyone, I really, really thank you for your hard work on the preparations for the festival tomorrow."

Everyone present stands upright and lends their ear to the chief's directions.

"We're on heavy alert for any thrill-seeking criminals expecting another incident like last year.

I need all of you to focus your energy as much as possible in your mission to prevent any crimes from happening."

"""Yes, sir!"""

"Of course, it would be best if nothing happened.

...However, everyone.

Please assume that an incident will, in fact, occur.

Prevention is number one, but it probably won't be enough.

This year, too, someone will die, and someone will disappear.

There's really no doubt about it.

...Nfu-fu-fu-fu-fu-fu!"

Everyone, apart from the section chief, smiled painfully.

"Ooishi-san... that won't do!

We need to be more serious about this..."

"The important part isn't to get past the night of the festival.

...It's to be able to quickly, swiftly, and aggressively pursue whatever does happen tomorrow night.

I won't tolerate anything less than your best!!

Clench those cheeks!!

We're gonna rip all the skin off the ghost of Oyashiro-sama's curse!!!"

"""Yeaaaaahhh!!!"""