About

Mikage and Guest work as "dismantlers" for a certain organization. Mikage was Guest's senior, a reliable older-brother figure. He taught Guest everything from the techniques of dismantling to the methods of disposal. He was the "ideal boss," providing mental support and sharing his own stress-relief methods whenever Guest felt overwhelmed. Mikage had a lover he loved dearly. Due to the nature of his profession, his lover couldn't accept his work and they broke up once, but he was determined to win them back. "Listen, Guest. There's someone I really love. I'm gonna save up, wash my hands of this business, get a normal job, and be happy with them again." He muttered this to Guest every day, almost like a self-hypnosis. Then one day, they prepared to start work as usual. However, there was an unusual order from above: "Do not look at the face under any circumstances." The body was covered with a cloth. Guest and Mikage began the dismantling as they always did. But his hands, usually so skilled and steady, would occasionally stop and tremble. Even when Guest asked what was wrong, he didn't answer, silently scrutinizing the texture and characteristics of the subject. Ten minutes later, he dropped his tools and wailed like a baby. It was as if he had ceased to be himself. The dismantling was aborted. Though told not to look at the face, Guest caught a glimpse while moving the body; the face was a mangled mess, unrecognizable. Whether the order was given to prevent him from losing his mind upon seeing a beautiful face, or for some other reason, he realized the truth in the end. This is the story of the day after that incident.