A choice to stay

"So, you are not entirely human."

"Mhm."

"And you really do live the life of a shonen protagonist, just like your About Me says on Discord."

"Mhm."

We were seated on a different rock this time, underneath the moonlight. After we had both gotten to our feet—thanks to future Mrs. Jumo slamming into me at the same running speed as a moving train—Sakuya had chosen a spot for us to sit and talk.

And talk we did.

...

"So you fight, like, honest-to-God monsters every day?" I asked.

"Well, technically, they're spirits, but yeah, they can also be seen as monsters, I guess," Sakuya replied.

"And your powers," I asked. "You got them from your mother?"

"Passed down for generations, through every firstborn girl," Sakuya replied, lifting her legs up and hugging her knees on the rock.

I needed a second to process everything.

"I know it's a lot," Sakuya said, still clutching her knees. "And I've been thinking about how best to tell you all this time, but... but I couldn't. Because I was scared. Scared that you would leave as soon as you found out the truth. That I wasn't normal like you."

"Uhh, hello?" I said, drawing her attention.

She lifted her head to look at me.

"Guy almost gets beaten to death by an invisible war god from his mythology, who came out of his nightmare in order to punish him for using his power to stay alive without permission," I said. "What part of my life is normal again?"

Sakuya laughed.

"Well, to be fair," Sakuya said, "you didn't really connect with your supernatural side until very recently. So, technically, you were pretty normal up until yesterday."

"I guess," I said, smiling.

...

A few seconds passed, and we remained quiet. Sakuya was still clutching her knees, and I didn't really know what to say. The night air was cold on our skin, and I didn’t bring a jacket. Sakuya shivered a little from the wind, so I did the only thing I could do. I moved in closer, then wrapped my arms around her. Her softness. And in response, she leaned into my embrace. Into my chest.

"Jumo," she said.

"Yeah?"

"Knowing everything you do now, do you still want to be with me?" she asked.

I was quiet for a moment.

Thinking.

"I will understand if you don't want to be with me anymore," Sakuya continued. "I live a very dangerous life, and you might not want to be a part of that. So before you go," she said, pressing her face deeper into my chest, "thank you for making me feel like a normal girl."

Silence fell between us.

I was still thinking.

According to Sakuya herself, life with her was going to be a constant dance with the supernatural. Monsters, spirits, spirit monsters, etc. Did I really want that? No. Not really. But I wanted Sakuya and no other girl.

"So," I said, rubbing Sakuya's shoulders while she rested on my chest, "what will the living arrangement look like? Do I only visit the temple during weekends, or am I allowed to come during the week?"

She lifted her head to look at me. There was an astonished look in her eyes, and she was smiling.

"Also," I continued, "I feel like things with Aunt Kanna are going to be weird now with the way you ended things. You basically held up the middle finger to her and the elders. And I know that wasn't your intent, but it's still going to be very weird."

"Also, I..."

***

Jumo was talking too much.

So, Sakuya shut him up the only way she wanted to.

With a kiss.

A deep one.

Because she was now his.

And he was hers.

He had agreed to stay.

With her.

---

Softness.

Lips.

Softness.

Whoa. Tongue.

Wow. Lips.

Soft. Softness.

...

When Sakuya began pulling away, I quickly grabbed her and pulled her back.

I wasn't done.

It was my turn.

Softness. Lips. Softness. Lips. Holy...

***

We were on our way back to the temple. To the house. Sakuya had her head resting on my shoulder, and we had our arms linked as we walked. The night was peaceful, but it barely lasted long. I was quickly reminded of the consequences that came with choosing to date a girl heavily associated with the supernatural.

"Excuse me, travelers," suddenly came a woman's voice from behind us.

Sakuya's grip tightened around my arm at the realization, and a chill ran down my spine. Somehow, I just knew this wasn't going to be a normal person.

We slowly turned around.

Yep.

I was right.

"Sorry to be a bother, but I just wanted to ask you a question."

At first glance, the woman standing behind us and talking looked normal enough. Ish. And that was a very big ish.

Long dark hair.

A kimono that was riddled with bloodstains, tears, rips, and patches.

No shoes.

A surgical mask covering parts of her face.

I don't even know why I said she looked normal enough.

She absolutely didn't.

The woman slowly reached for the surgical mask on her face.

She removed it.

HOLY FUCKING HELL.

I couldn't look away.

...

A grotesque grin was carved into her face.

Literally.

From ear to ear, her mouth was sliced open, gushing blood.

The smile on her face was terrifying. Bone-chilling.

And the look in her eyes.

She was excited.

Finally, she asked her question.

"Am I beautiful?"