“So? Are you going to let us in or what?”

  The moment I laid eyes on him, I immediately knew that I wouldn't get along with him.

  This old, Liliput–looking yokai sure had one nasty mouth… if possible I want to slam the door right there and then.

  But since they came all this way, slamming the door would probably be rude.

  I sighed and let them in.

  And immediately regretted it.

  They stood frozen at the entryway step, too small to climb over it.

  After an awkward pause, I gave in and carried them to the living room, setting them down on the table.

  “Right, so… Nice to meet you, I'm Ryohei. What's the purpose of your visit?” I went straight to the point. Since I was nervous about those two. My Mother and Ruri could be back home any minute now—I can't have them seeing two fairy tale—like creatures sitting on top of the living room table. So I have to finish this quickly.

  “Hey… that’s it? No tea? No snacks for your guests?”

  My eyes twitched. I exhaled sharply through my nose before heading to the kitchen to brew some tea.

  As soon as I left, I heard them whispering behind my back.

  “....Are you sure he was the one that saved you, little one?”

  The smaller Koropokkuru nodded with a smile, but the elder didn’t seem convinced.

  “No, that can’t be possible…”

  “#%^#?” The young one tilted her head in confusion.

  “What do you mean he’s a ‘yokai’? Wherever you look at it, he’s human!”

  “What? Got something against humans?” I called out as I walked back in, placing their tea on the table.

  The old man snorted. “Of course I do!”

  I arched an eyebrow. “And why’s that?”

  He snickered, “Hah! You humans were the one to break the cooperation deal between us!”

  I scoffed. “What deal? Never heard of any Human–Koropokkuru agreement.”

  “Gh—! It’s Korpokkur! You’re using an outdated term! And just because many have forgotten doesn’t mean I have! I remember it like it was yesterday!” He pointed a stubby finger at me, as if he’d just checkmated me.

  I didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, I set down their tea—not roughly, but not exactly gently either. Still, their tiny bodies shook from the impact.

  “Well, first off, I’d like to apologize for not being able to magically control every human in existence. I’m not their leader, nor their puppet master. Unlike you, we humans have a limited lifespan. The ones who broke your so–called deal? Pretty sure they’ve been dead for centuries.”

  “Hah! Excuses! Just like back then. And what is this tiny cup?” He wrinkled his nose at the sake cup I used as his tea cup. It was the only thing remotely close to their size, but he still looked offended.

  More words, more irritation. My patience thinned by the second.

  “Oh, you want a regular teacup? Sure, wait a second.”

  I strode back to the kitchen and poured another cup, this time using a standard teacup. Then I placed it in front of him.

  The cup was nearly as big as he was. He had to stand on his toes to drink from it.

  Hah. What an inconvenience.

  I smirked as I watched him struggle, but the old man shot me a glare. “Don’t mind if I do!”

  He climbed onto the cup and took a sip. Then immediately spat it out.

  “Bah! What is this?! This tea quality is terrible!”

  My vein bulges, but I still let out a slow, scornful laugh. “You wouldn’t know good tea if it danced on your tongue. If you think this is ‘low quality,’ then it’s your taste buds that are low quality.”

  “What did you say?!”

  “This is Gyokuro. Or as people call it, Jade Dew—the most expensive tea in Japan. And you’re calling it low quality?” I shook my head, sighing mockingly.

  Ever since Nurarihyon visited uninvited, I have been stocking this kind of thing. Who knows? I might be able to get on his good side and earn some favor from him.

  “Then it must be your poor brewing skills!” he shot back.

  “The only problem here is your poor taste buds!” I snapped.

  “You—”

  “%#$&!!!”

  The young Korpokkur let out an ear–piercing squeal, making him flinch.

  “Hmph! If I weren’t in the presence of the young, I’d argue with you all day,” he grumbled.

  I turned my attention to the smaller one. Who was she? She seemed to hold more authority than the old geezer.

  “Alright, let’s get this over with! I want to get back as soon as possible.”

  “Barely understand what you’re even here for,” I muttered, sitting across from him with my face resting on my hand.. “Why don’t you start by introducing yourself?”

  He sighed, “Haaah, what a troublesom—”

  “@#%@!!” the young one screamed again.

  Her voice was surprisingly cute, but I still can’t understand what she said. Still… it’s an improvement though, back then she couldn’t even talk.

  “Alright alright! Jeez, you young fellas have no respect for your elders. Do you?” He huffed, then took another sip of tea—but this time he directly controlled the liquid as it levitated into his mouth.

  “Greetings human, I am the elder of Korpokkur Village in Hokkaido. I have a name that is too complicated in human language, so you may address me as Elder Korpokkur.”

  I blinked. “Wait… Hokkaido? Seriously?”

  That was far. Like, ridiculously far from Nagano.

  “So, you came all the way from Hokkaido?”

  He nodded.

  “Then how did she get dragged into Kyoto’s Hyakki Yagyo? Shouldn’t she have been in one up north?”

  I remembered what Shun had told me—there were multiple Hyakki Yagyos across Japan. Kyoto’s was the worst, with the five strongest yokai clans ruling it.

  “At the time, she was visiting Sado Island in Niigata when the Hyakki Yagyo started,” the old man explained. “And since the one that was listed as participants are usually battle-oriented yokai, we never expected her to get caught in it. We aren’t much of fighters, but more of farmers.

  “Oh, I get it now.” I crossed my arms. “Since Niigata’s still part of the Chubu region, she must’ve gotten warped to Kyoto by accident.”

  "Exactly. The reason I came today is to thank you for protecting one of our own—and to repay you."

  He pats the small Korpokkur beside him as he continues. “She is a special born among our races. She possesses an unimaginable pool of spiritual energy as well as the ability to freely control it.”

  “Not only that, but I’ve been told she can overlay another’s domain. In other words, she’s a Domain Killer... Even with just these achievements, it was already decided that—she will become the future heir of our Korpokkur clan."

  ‘I see, no wonder he watched his tone around her despite being the elder one.’

  “And I also heard that you defeated her yet spared her life. For that reason, …I offer my deepest gratitude. Thank you for saving her.”

  He bows deeply. Despite his aloof and rough demeanor, he understands the weight of gratitude. The young Korpokkur follows, bowing alongside him.

  I feel a strange mix of emotions—guilt, discomfort. The truth is, I didn’t save her out of nobility. It was just… pity.

  "It’s fine. I just did what I thought was right." I wave my hand dismissively, urging them to stand back up.

  "And now that we've expressed our thanks, we wish to repay you, little one... Your bag."

  The young Korpokkur steps forward and places a small, delicate bag made of woven leaves on the table. From inside, she pulls out a tiny, glittering Azure Marble.

  It’s mesmerizing. So clean, so brilliantly clear that I can’t take my eyes off it.

  “This is the treasure we wish to offer—”

  “What?” My voice rises in disbelief, “No, no no. You don’t have to—”

  "Please," he insists. "We were planning to offer this treasure from the start, in exchange for her life. We even rushed to Kyoto… but alas, if there's one thing Korpokkur are terrible at besides fighting, it’s traveling. Our small bodies make even a mile–long journey take ages."

  He sighs. "Even renting a spiritual carriage would’ve taken half a day just to reach Kyoto… I was afraid we’d be too late. So truly, I appreciate what you did. I would be grateful if you accepted this."

  I exhale slowly. This is… troublesome. Leaving him hanging like this doesn’t sit right with me. In the end, I have no choice but to accept.

  "Alright, fine. I’ll take it."

  The marble looks like the glass ones I used to play with as a kid. But this one has a cold, refreshing touch and gives off an unbelievably fragrant scent. Just one deep breath, and the air around me feels cleaner, lighter.

  "This is the Divine Azure Pearl," the elder explains. "It was formed from centuries of concentrated pure spiritual energy from Lake Shikotsu—the clearest lake in Japan. It has accumulated power for over a hundred years."

  I twitch. "A hundred years?! That’s way too valuable! I can’t possibly take this!"

  "Beat it, human. Just take it already—"

  The moment he drops his humble act, the young Korpokkur shoots him a glare. He clears his throat awkwardly and returns to his polite demeanor.

  "Ahem… As I was saying, yes, it is precious. But it's not like we can’t harvest more. We just have to wait another few hundred years. No big deal for us Yokai. So, please accept it."

  "I… see. So, what does it do exactly?"

  "You consume it. Pour spiritual energy into it, and the pearl will liquefy, granting you years’ worth of spiritual power."

  Spiritual energy… But I…

  I place the jewel in my palm and try infusing it with my energy. Nothing happens. As expected.

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  “Thanks, I’ll do it later.” I said, pocketing the jewel.

  "Now, for the second reason I came here." The elder leans back. "This little one asked me to treat you. She said you were on the brink of death… but you seem fine to me. Well, maybe not entirely fine. Seeing as you have a broken arm… and your sealed spiritual energy… but everything aside from that looks good.."

  My head snaps up

  "Wait… What did you just say? Sealed?"

  He frowns. "What? You didn’t notice? Your spiritual energy has been sealed. Have you met an Onmyouji lately?"

  "Uh… yeah, but she never—" My words trail off as the realization crashes into me.

  The museum. Was it then? No… This strange sensation started way before that.

  Was it… when I visited her house?

  I sigh, rubbing my temple. "Can you undo the seal?".

  "Undo it? Sure, it’s easy. Just hit it with a large lump of spiritual energy, and you’re good to go. Honestly, sealing only works on weak yokai. I’m surprised you got sealed in the first place.”

  "Uh, that’s because I didn’t even know it happened," I admit. "I’m new to all this. And only recently learned about Onmyouji's existence… So, how do I break the seal?"

  “Simple, just eat that jewel.” He gestures toward my pocket while munching on a cookie—one nearly as big as himself.

  I glanced at the jewel, as doubt began creeping in.

  “Wait… what happens to me if the seal is released?”

  “What kind of dumb question is that? Obviously—”

  “&#%”

  When he slowly tired of his modest act and returned on being aloof and rude, he got another glare from the Young Korpokkur. He quickly coughed.

  "Ahem. I mean, once your seal is removed, you’ll return to your original self. You’re a halfling, right? So you’ll regain access to your spiritual energy."

  My eyes widened as my breath hitched.

  I could… go back?

  Back to being a Half–Yokai again?

  But…

  My expression darkens as I cover my eyes with my hands, sinking deep into thought.

  Despite having sincerely given up on that power, the path to go back and reclaim that power has presented itself before me.

  But choosing it would mean giving up my human life for good.

  Was that power really worth it? Couldn’t I live without it?

  I don’t know.

  I should be able to.

  But I’m scared.

  "So?" the elder asks, breaking the silence. "Are we doing this or not?"

  The young Korpokkur steps forward, gazing at me with concern.

  "Please… let me think about it first."

  The two of them exchange glances before the elder shrugs. "Fine by me. I’ve given my thanks and offered to treat you. Since you refuse, I’ll be on my way—"

  He finishes his tea, dusts off his hands, and turns to leave. But just as he steps forward, he pauses.

  “On second thought, human—I mean, Ryohei, can you take us back to Hokkaido? The journey from here is a bit long, and besides, you’d get to visit our village. What do you say?”

  I eyed him suspiciously. “So what you’re really saying is that you’re too tired to travel back on your own and want me to take you there, right?”

  “#^%@?!”

  “Oh, come on, little one! Humans have technology that lets us travel quickly! What’s the point of not using it?”

  “@=%&.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know what I said. But ‘staying away from humans’ doesn’t apply here. We’re just going home! Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

  The young Korpokkur rolled her eyes, clearly tired of her elder wussy behaviour.

  “I can take you, but not today or tomorrow. I have school. If you’re willing to wait, I can do it on Sunday.. Which will be a few days from now.”

  “Sure! In the meantime, we’ll stay in your pond, okay?”

  Pond? Did he mean the fish and lotus pond outside?

  “Uh... are you sure about that?”

  “Of course! We Korpokkur love places that are lush with plants and water. Nature is our habitat. It’s getting late. Can you show us there?”

  “Uuh, alright... I guess?”

  After cleaning up their cups and snacks, I led them outside. They jumped out of my hand and plopped straight into the pond.

  “Okay then... good night both of you.” The old Korpokkur didn’t even bother replying, but the young one surfaced and muttered something. I assumed she was saying good night, too. She was polite... unlike her elder.

  As I turned back toward the house, a sudden chill ran through my body. I instinctively glanced around, searching for the source of my unease.

  As I headed back into the house. A slight cold chill passed through my body, as if I’m being watched by someone.

  I turned around immediately. Glancing at the source of my uneasiness.

  But there was nothing—just a gentle breeze and the quiet murmur of the river.

  Was it just my imagination? I sighed and went inside.

  Morning arrived as I stretched my body and tidied my bed. Raisen and Hikage were still curled up in deep sleep. I smiled and gave their bellies a gentle rub—they jolted awake at the touch.

  “Oops, did I wake you? Sorry… You can go back to sleep.”

  Instead, they chased after me, climbing into my trouser pockets and dozing off again. Ever since I got attacked, they’d become much clingier. Not that I minded.

  In the living room, I found my mother, barely awake and fumbling for a glass of water.

  “Morning, Mom. You and Ruri got home pretty late yesterday. Where did you go?”

  “Ah... morning, Ryohei.” She rubbed her eyes. “We went to the hospital yesterday, and—”

  I rushed over and grabbed her shoulder. “The hospital? Are you okay?! What happened? Where does it hurt?”

  She pushed my forehead back, “Calm down! It’s not me who’s sick!”

  Relief flooded me. “Ah, is that so? Then... were you visiting someone?”

  “No, it was Ruri. She’s the one who—”

  “Ruri?! What happened?!”

  She sighed. “Like I said, calm down. I was on my way to the hospital and—” Then she glanced at my arm and froze. “Ryohei! What happened to your arm?!”*Sighed… “Like I said, calm down… I’m on my way to the hospital and—-” She glanced over my arm and her eyes widened.

  “Did you hurt yourself Ryohei? What was that arm?!”

  Crap. I’d completely forgotten about it.

  “Uh... it’s nothing, really. More importantly, tell me about Ruri!”

  Mom exhaled in frustration. “Go take a bath and get dressed first. Then we’ll go visit her.”

  “She was hospitalized?! But uh… What about my school?”

  “Look at your arm! You think you can go to school like that? You need to go to the hospital too!”

  At her sharp tone, I flinched and immediately complied. After a refreshing bath and fully dressed, I found her waiting in the living room with a set of clothes for Ruri. She had already called my school, excusing me for the day.

  My mother had already ordered a taxi that had been waiting in front of our house. As I went out, I glanced at the pond in my family yard and saw small ripples in the water that showed a small hand waving in my direction.

  “Big brother!”

  Ruri’s voice rang out the moment she saw me. With teary eyes, she reached toward me from her hospital bed, her bandaged leg resting atop the sheets.

  I stroked her head gently. “What happened?”

  “I was playing in the river the other day, and suddenly a fish attacked me and bit my leg!”

  “Uh... What?”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle when I first heard the news. A fish bite? That didn’t sound serious at all. Ruri had always been playful—probably just got too close to some sharp-toothed river fish.

  Then the doctor entered the room. “Good morning, Miss Ruri. Time for your check-up. May I ask for the family to step out of the room.

  As the doctor prepared, I stood up. “Alright then, I’ll step out so you can rest.”

  But Ruri grabbed my arm. “Nooo, big brother, stay!”

  Uh this is troubling…

  I looked at the doctor. “Is it alright if I stay? She’s a little scared.”

  The doctor nodded. “It’s fine, as long as there’s only one companion.”

  My mother said that she will step out of the room as she got a call from my father. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided not to come. As he was Busy with his work, and kept neglecting his family.

  “Big brother, I’m scared. My leg hurts…”

  I leaned close, whispering in her ear. “Attention, Private! This is a critical mission! Your task is to stay still and be brave while the doctor checks your wound. Are you a brave soldier?”

  She sniffled, then nodded firmly. “Yes! I’m brave!”

  “Good. I’ll be watching from the sidelines. Stay strong, Private.”

  With that, she brightened up, ready to face the check-up.

  But the moment I saw the doctor peeling back the bandages, I froze and my smile vanished.

  My breath hitched as my stomach twisted. I covered my mouth with my hands, and my face was pale.

  Beneath the gauze, her leg was mangled. Deep, jagged puncture wounds tore through her skin. The surrounding flesh had turned a sickly purple, blackened veins stretching outward like cracks in glass. Thick, yellow pus oozed from the wounds, filling the air with a foul stench.

  After the doctor checked it, he began cleaning and redressing the injury. Focused on cleaning her wound, treating the infection, and flushing the wound with sterile saline, before fully bandaging it up again.

  As I stepped outside of the room, I overheard the doctor speaking with my mother.

  “How is her condition doctor?” Ask my mother worried.

  "To be honest… I’m not sure what caused this…"

  My ears rang, barely processing the doctor’s hushed words

  “For now, I will keep Miss Ruri under observation to prevent sepsis or worsening poisoning effects. Maybe even transfer her to a specialist hospital if things look bad.

  I clench my hand in frustration. Once the doctor left, I headed to her.

  “Mom, I have urgent matters to do, may I return home first?”

  “Wait! But your arm…”

  “Don’t worry, I just sprained my arm during my visit to the Ninja Museum, and that’s why it got bandaged. Nothing serious.”

  After getting permission from my mother, I left the hospital alone. And I spotted my father running towards me. His face was unreadable, but I didn’t care.

  I walked straight to him, my voice steady even as my hands trembled at my sides.

  He was spent, as he caught his breath. “Ryohei… how was Ruri?”

  "She just got examined by the doctor and is still recovering.”

  I walked past him, then stopped for a moment.

  “Father… Thanks for coming. And please stay with her for the time being.” I said. "I have something urgent to take care of."

  He didn’t question me. Maybe he saw something in my face—something that told him not to ask, so he just nodded and ran inside.

  I called a taxi, and the ride home was silent except for the hum of the engine. I clenched my hands together, pressing them against my forehead, but I couldn’t stop them from shaking.

  Amid all that stress—a flash of memory re–surfaced.

  The old herbalist by the river. The man who once saved my life. His voice, raw and filled with grief, as he told me about the day he lost his grandchild.

  "The only thing I found… was her slipper covered in blood."

  I sucked in a breath, tightening my fists until my nails dug into my palms.

  That wound on Ruri’s leg wasn’t a fish bite. No river fish could puncture that deep, no wound should fester that quickly. And the shape—it wasn’t a bite at all.

  It appears as if two clawed hands are sinking into Ruri’s leg.

  I exhaled slowly, forcing my body to stop trembling. My fingers curled, but not from fear.

  That damn turtle almost took my sister.

  I won’t let it happen again.

  By the time I reached home, I immediately headed towards the Pond where the Korpokkur reside.

  “Elder Korpokkur!” As I shouted hard, he resurfaced almost immediately.

  But he looked very displeased. “Hey, what’s the big idea screaming this early—-”

  I bow down in front of him, “I have decided to lift my curse. And yesterday, you said that you came here to treat my wound right? I am currently fine, but can I ask you to use that favor for my little sister?!”

  The elder let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples in frustration. But then, he met my eyes.

  Something in my gaze must have struck him, because his expression softened.

  “...Alright,” he muttered. “Get the Divine pearl ready. I will assist you to remove that seal.”

  I returned to my room and took the pearl in my room, headed back.

  This time, my resolve had hardened.

  No matter what…

  I will hunt down that Kappa.