Chapter 5

## Chapter Chronology

**“A Good Meal”** (ごちそう, *Gochisō*) is the fifth chapter of the *Kagurabachi* manga series, written and illustrated by Takeru Hokazono.

## Short Summary

Shiba takes over interrogating Norisaku Madoka, while Chihiro escorts Char back to Cafe Haru Haru. Chihiro later drives Shiba's car out to get Char some food, and Char sneaks on board. After they do so, Shiba contacts them and states Norisaku, while stating the power they were facing was beyond anything they could fathom, eventually revealed he was working under the orders of Genichi Sojo, a major figure in the underworld and the wielder of the enchanted blade 'Cloud Gouger'. Due to this and potential links to the Hishaku, Shiba and Chihiro decide he will be their next target.

As Chihiro ended the call, he and Char notice the cars around them were driven by individuals who all looked identical. Abruptly, they melted out of their cars and congregated into a swirling vortex on the street, declaring they had spotted Char.

## Long Summary

Hinao temporarily lent Char her spare jacket to ensure Char had suitable clothing. During this time, Hinao double-checked the accuracy of the information she had shared about Char. Chihiro expressed his gratitude for her help and also would want to about the reasons why sorcerers were pursuing Char, a response he provided when Hinao asked. As Char was growing tired from playing the oversized jacket belonging to Hinao and is feeling hungry, Chihiro offered to buy food for Char and left her in Hinao's care.

While on the road, Chihiro's thoughts turned to Shiba's concern regarding his injured hand resulting from his recent encounter with Norisaku Madoka. Shiba had taken charge of interrogating the captured sorcerer, leaving Chihiro to rest with Char for the moment.

His contemplation was interrupted when Char, sitting in the backseat, sneezed. Chihiro called Hinao to inquire why Char was in the car with him. Hinao explained that when Chihiro had briefly left a coffee shop and Char had stepped outside, indicated that she needed some fresh air. Hinao justified Char's presence by asserting that it was safer for her to be with Chihiro. Char noticed Chihiro's somber expression and inquired about it. Chihiro indicated that it was because of Char and expressed concern about her going outside without reason. Char responded how she's always cooped up, resulting her to always be indoors. She also believed that having Chihiro with her would be sufficient protection against any sorcerers. As Chihiro continued to listen, he asked for the reason why sorcerers were pursuing Char and their intentions once they caught her, something that Char still doesn't want to answer. While discussing this, he recalled the Daruma sorcerer's mention of Char's mother protecting her.

Shiba was revealed to have been in an abandoned area with Norisaku securely tied up. A talisman appeared to be restraining Norisaku, preventing him from using sorcery and rendering him incapacitated. As Shiba prepared to interrogate Norisaku, he sat down and began by asking about the whereabouts of the enchanted blades.

Norisaku's response was evasive, prompting Shiba to employ a quick and forceful technique that placed him directly in front of Norisaku. In a swift motion, Shiba forcefully stepped on Norisaku's left foot. Despite the pain, Norisaku remained reluctant to provide a clear answer, but eventually conveyed a warning. Norisaku implied that revealing the information would result in dire consequences for both of them, and he urged Shiba to hand over Char and get themselves removed from the case as soon as possible. He hinted about a power behind the current circumstances, suggesting that the situation was more complex and dangerous than they could fathom.

Chihiro and Char made their first stop at a shop named Babylonia to purchase some sandwich for Char, who expressed her delight at how tasty it was. Chihiro suggested they should head back, but they found themselves stopping at another shop named Tanda shortly after to buy ice cream for Char. Char playfully mentioned that every meal should have dessert, and Chihiro once again mentioned that they should return. However, they made one more stop at yet another shop named Bloom, this time getting a coke float for Char. Char commented on how she planned to finish everything with this one, and Chihiro pointed out that she had already said had her finale, making Char playfully indicate that in order to help food to reach its final destination, they need to be wash down.

In what appeared to be a comfortable rest house with large glass windows offering a scenic view of the city, a man sat at ease in a large bath tub. He received information indicating that Norisaku,who he referred to as a Daruma-wielding moron, had failed in their attempt to capture Char. In this eerie setting, there were lifeless bodies, and one person was hanged. Nearby, several women dressed in geisha outfits sat in a traditional seiza position. The man expressed his interest in knowing about the enchanted blade with the goldfish, which is currently under the procession of Chihiro. He suspected there might be another such blade in addition to the six crafted by Kunishige. Additionally, the man inquired about why Chihiro has it and so asked about his whereabouts, which appeared challenging to ascertain for his men. As a result, he suggested a change in course, proposing a bolder approach to catch Char this time.

Char had eaten her fill, and during this time, she shared with Chihiro an insight told by her mother for a million times about living life to the fullest. She mentioned that her life had often been in dark places, marked by less-than-ideal food. Despite the hardships, she expressed her enjoyment of the bond she shared with Chihiro that day. However, her attempt to continue the conversation was interrupted when Shiba called Chihiro, leading them to halt at a red traffic signal. Shiba inquired about Chihiro's location, and Chihiro explained that he had borrowed Shiba's car while asking if Shiba had any updates.

Shiba disclosed that their next target is Genichi Sojo, a prominent weapons dealer with a significant influence in Japan's criminal underworld. Sojo serves as both the leader of the unidentified sorcerer group and Norisaku's boss. Additionally, he possesses one of the enchanted blades, specifically the Cloud Gouger. Shiba surmised that there might be a connection between Sojo and the Hishaku, based on the way the sorcerer had provided information and Sojo's ownership of one of the enchanted blades. He also added that he would instruct Hinao to gather information on Genichi Sojo after they had all convened and he had completed his interrogation.

Meanwhile, Char, who was attentively observing from the back seat, found the individuals surrounding their car suspicious and alerted Chihiro that the traffic signal had turned green. As Chihiro stepped on the gas pedal, the car unexpectedly failed to move, and what followed was an extraordinary transformation of the surrounding vehicles. They seemed to morph into a swirling vortex, resembling interwoven tree branches. To make matters more intense, one of these individuals declared that they had located Char. Chihiro promptly concluded the call with Shiba and focused his attention on the unfolding scene.

## Quick References

### Chapter Notes

* Shiba interrogates Norisaku and presses for information on the enchanted blades' location.
* A man receives information in an eerie setting, discussing the enchanted blade with a goldfish design and proposes a bolder plan to capture Char.
	+ That man is revealed to be Genichi Sojo, who is a prominent weapons dealer and a potential link to the Hishaku, and who Shiba informs Chihiro is their next target.
* Char notices suspicious individuals surrounding their car and alerts Chihiro.
	+ Vehicles surrounding them morph into a unique and strange formation, and one of the individuals declares they have found Char.

### Characters in Order of Appearance

**Char**
**Hinao**
**Chihiro Rokuhira**
**Shiba**
**Norisaku Madoka**
**Genichi Sojo**Debut
**Puppet Sorcerer**Debut