“I’m here too,” a familiar voice said as a sleek, black tail coiled around my arm. Startled, I twisted toward the backseat to find Yoru. At some point, he’d relocated and transformed into an adult man. He looked like an upstanding individual in his brand-new, black suit.
“Yoru was worried about you too,” Shinozaki said. “If anything happened to you, he’d lose his master and become a stray again.”
The nekomata nodded. His complexion, ears, and hair all had a healthy sheen. Composed and quiet, he seemed like an entirely different person.
Apparently, there were different types of ayakashi. Some needed a master while others merely stabilized their spiritual energy better with one, and some drew power from the land itself. Other varieties existed as well. In a sense, ayakashi were similar to humans: each of us lived in our own unique manner. Yoru, of course, was the sort of ayakashi that preferred a human master.
“You’re working for Shinozaki now?” I asked. “I thought you’d keep fortune telling.”
“Honestly,” the cat replied, “I don’t know much about fortune telling.”
“You don’t?!”
“I only did it to steal spiritual energy. I’m making up for that now. Speaking of which…” He paused, wrapping one of his tails around my arm once more. Despite his necktie, a low purr rumbled deep within his throat. “Would you mind petting me? Your touch feels incredible, Lady Kaede.” He presented me with his head…his fully human, incredibly handsome head.
“Um, seriously?”
“And let me lick you a bit while I’m at it.”
I choked. “Wha—?!”
He batted his eyelashes at me, his pupils sparkling with a bewitching light. “Just a little bit. You’re so tasty, after all.”
I shuddered. I was starting to understand Shinozaki’s claim that interaction with Yoru would be dangerous in the absence of a contract. At least, I think I do.
“See?” Shinozaki said. “You can’t expect reason from a cat.”
“Ahaha…” I managed dryly.
Yoru transformed into a cat and hopped back into my lap. Well, no harm petting him while he’s an animal, I figured, stroking his fur while he purred in content.
Observing Shinozaki’s and Yoru’s friendly dynamic, I found myself thinking, Wouldn’t it be wonderful to create a world where all ayakashi can live this openly and honestly?
The railroad crossing gate we’d stopped at finally lifted. As the line of cars began to move again, the glare of the setting sun speared through gaps between buildings, forcing me to squint.
“I’m looking forward to working with you, Shinozaki,” I said.
“Likewise, Kikui.”
🍁🍁🍁
✦ ✦ ✦
AFTER the events of those few days, I was bedridden with exhaustion for the first time since becoming a working adult. My parents had worried intensely about me over the past two years, and honestly, I didn’t know how I would have survived if I hadn’t lived at home. In any case, I stayed in bed for the whole week without the slightest guilt. After all, I’d accumulated quite a few paid vacation days.
At some point, Mom entered my room while I drifted in and out of sleep. “Are you feeling any better, Kaede?”
I sat up and accepted the tray of lunch she’d brought me. “Of course,” I answered, my heart swelling with gratitude. “Thanks for the meal.”
As I blew on another spoonful of hot rice porridge, she abruptly said, “I’m glad you quit that job. It made me so uneasy to hear about your boss dragging you around the city.”
“You felt the same way?”
“Of course. But as your mother, I didn’t want to interfere too hastily. Your father and I agreed that we’d help if and only if you ever asked for our support.”
Warmth spread through my chest, and not just due to the steam rising from the porridge.
“Thank you,” I said. “I couldn’t have asked for better parents.”
She ruffled my hair as though I were a small child again. “Listen to you getting all sentimental. I’m so proud to be your mother.”
I needed to recover quickly for my parents’ sake. Likewise, I needed to show them how much butt I could kick at my new job.
Mom began to pepper me with rapid-fire questions, her expression brimming with curiosity. She must have been relieved to finally voice her concerns. “So, what kind of place is this new company?” she asked. “You won’t have another weird boss, right?”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry. My new boss, Shinozaki, is an incredible person.”
She seemed to want to ask more questions, and I brushed her off with a laugh. I couldn’t lie to save my life. If she prodded too much, I’d probably end up spilling how abnormal my new position was.
“Thanks for the porridge,” I said. “I’m going to sleep a little more now.”
“Of course. Get all the rest you need and don’t worry your pretty little head.”
As soon as she left the room, I peeked underneath my blanket. “You can come out now, Yoru.”
The nekomata had curled up under the covers like a steamed dumpling and was seemingly fast asleep, since he didn’t stir.
Over the past week, he entered my room through the window from time to time. He sat on my lap or slept beside me to recharge his spiritual energy before leaving again. At first, I hesitated to allow a cat that could transform into a handsome man into my bedroom. Ultimately, however, I conceded. My fever and foggy fatigue had likely contributed to that decision.
He must be worried about me being stuck in bed like this. Smiling to myself, I stroked the rounded nekomata’s fur.
🍁🍁🍁