Chapter Five: A Child Named Akari Mitsukuri
A peddler called out to Akari as she exited Marunochui Station on her way to work that day.
“Young miss worker! You look like you could use an anti-yokai talisman! It works well against the recent Raiju threat!”
“No thank you.”
Akari declined in clipped tones, hurrying past.
The book-burning protestors were out in full force, making a racket again. Akari was so sick of them. But the swelling of their ranks was in proportion to the increasing incidences of yokai trouble. The book collections of the rich elite all seemed to be susceptible to negative energy manifestations, just like the ones Akari had come up against during her side-hustle mission, so the Narrators were busy. They still hadn’t caught that Raiju either, and it kept popping up and causing random pockets of devastation in the city. In fact, public opinion of the Narrators’ Association had been growing more and more negative as of late.
Consequently, commuting to work had become an exhausting affair. Just give up and go home already, why don’t you? thought Akari as she took a narrow subpath through Hiyabi Park.
It was a fairly big detour, but the quietness of this part of the park gave her a few moments of peace on her way to work, and that was well worth it. As Akari walked along the quiet path, she still felt as tired as she had when she first woke up. But then she heard a strange noise coming from a nearby bush.
Curious, she moved closer and peeked in, immediately spotting a big clump of gray fur.
“…A dog?”
The animal was crouched down, so it was hard to tell, but it was small enough that Akari could have scooped it up in her arms if she’d wanted, and its fluffy tail was slim and elegant.
Trembling all over, the creature lifted its face to look at Akari. She realized she’d been mistaken. Its face was sharper than she’d thought, and on closer inspection, it had six legs. Its sleek body was somewhat beautiful, but it was no ordinary beast, that was for sure. And yet, its kind was not so rare in this country. Akari was pretty sure she knew what it was.
After all, this park was full of noticeboards warning people to “Beware of Animal Spirits.” These spirits posed no real threat to humans, but they often leaped out at people and frightened them. Sometimes they even drained a person’s vitality.
The beast was wary of her and looked quite dirty and disheveled, but it seemed to wish her no harm.
She’d left the house a little early today, so she had a few minutes to spare. Akari squatted beside it, examining the creature more closely.
“Believe me, I know it’s tough surviving in the big city. But if you stay here, the Narrators will find you and shut you up in a Kotogatari book, you know?”
The Narrators also performed exorcisms on ghosts and random yokai. The noticeboards in the park had the Narrators’ Association contact details on them. But Akari had no intention of reporting this. Animal spirits were a natural phenomenon. In Akari’s mind, humans had no right to deprive them of their rightful existence.
She was standing so close to the beast, and yet it hadn’t tried to flee from her. Perhaps it didn’t have the strength. It looked so skinny, as if it wasn’t getting enough to eat.
Akari recalled how horrified she’d been when she’d seen the food prices in the city, back when she first moved there. Thoughtfully, she pulled her bento lunch box out of her work bag.
“I think you’re probably new to the city, but I’ve been around and I can help you out. Let’s see… Oh, Mayoi, you’ve outdone yourself again.”
Akari yelped with delight as she lifted the lid off the box with a pop.
The box was crammed with ham-and-cheese sandwiches. Fresh green leaves gave the sandwiches some extra nutrition. There was also a juicy-looking loquat fruit as a side dish.
Akari had asked for something quick and simple for lunch. She’d been expecting rice balls, but she’d clearly underestimated Mayoi. Ah, what a treat.
Akari picked up a sandwich, tore it in half, and placed it on top of her lunch cloth on the ground.
The gray furry beast perked up its nose with interest. It rose off its haunches and leaned forward. Even yokai appreciated a good sandwich, it seemed. Akari was glad she had something tasty to offer it.
“You see? There’s plenty of good food to be had in the city if you’re willing to work for it. Oh, but don’t go eating any humans, okay? They’ll exorcise you for sure if you do that.” Speaking softly, she reached out to stroke the creature’s head.
She thought she felt a slight humming sensation in her fingertips as they grew close, but the fur was soft to the touch.
“You just keep on living the best way you know how.”
The beast stiffened under her touch but made no attempt to escape. Giving it a final stroke, Akari straightened up. It was time for her to be getting to the office.
She stepped out of the bushes and back onto the path, already excitedly anticipating polishing off those sandwiches for lunch.
“Miss Akari?”
Akari practically leaped out of her skin.
She could hear her heart hammering in her ears.
Turning slowly, she saw Mitsuko Maruyama standing there wearing a sweet-pea-patterned kimono.
Mitsuko probably hadn’t been expecting to run into her here. Her expression was stiff with surprise. Well, Akari’s was much the same. But she was also painfully aware of the closeness of the beast, which was still cowering in the bushes she’d just emerged from. Mitsuko would probably shriek with terror if she saw a real-life yokai, even a meek little one like that. She’d probably want to contact the Association immediately. Akari couldn’t let that happen.
Pasting on a nonchalant expression, Akari tried to distract Mitsuko.
“Fancy running into you here, Mitsuko! I really like that kimono you’ve got on today. What are those flowers? Sweet peas? Say, are you trying to avoid those protestors too?”
“Er… Miss Akari, what are you—”
Ignoring the other woman’s bewilderment, Akari grabbed Mitsuko’s hand and started to lead her away from the bushes.
“Let’s walk to the office together! It’s almost time for work, after all!”
No one can press you for explanations if you’re talking a mile a minute.
That was a little life trick Akari had learned at the girls’ school, when it seemed as if she was always being bombarded with questions about herself. Young Akari would grab the hand of her nosy classmate and begin running, distracting them with games.
Mitsuko came with her willingly, cheeks stained red with embarrassment. Good. This should give the little beast time to finish its sandwich.
“Miss Akari!”
Mitsuko finally seemed to have gathered the courage to dig in her heels just as they reached the park’s exit.
Akari turned an innocent, questioning gaze on Mitsuko, who smiled stiffly at her.
“I’m sorry, but…today I’m being sent to work elsewhere…”
“What, by Sumimata? Oh, is it that project you’ve been working on?”
Mitsuko nodded, looking awkward. Akari nodded too, figuring out what Mitsuko meant to say.
Sumimata Corporation had its head office, where Akari worked, but it also had several branch offices scattered throughout Marunochui. Akari had been dispatched to them all on various occasions to assist with certain tasks.
“So you were headed to another office this morning?”
Mitsuko nodded again, softly tugging her hand free. She grimaced apologetically at Akari, who merely shrugged and gave her a cheery wave.
Of all the girls who’d joined the company at the same time as her, Mitsuko was the most nondescript of the bunch. The other girls were clearly jealous that Mitsuko of all people had been chosen for an important project. Personally, Akari didn’t have a drop of company loyalty, but she could see how it would feel good to contribute to successful sales.
“That’s all right! I’m sorry I dragged you along with me like that. Well, good luck today!”
Mitsuko blinked several times before giving herself a little shake and clutching her shoulder bag tight.
“Thank you.”
Mitsuko didn’t really look happy, though, and that gave Akari pause.
She hurried to the office nonetheless.