The Demon in Broad Daylight

Morning sunlight spilled through the paper sliding doors, and Ayaka groaned as she buried her head under the futon.

“Up. Now.”

The spirit’s voice echoed in her head—dry, sharp, like a whip.

“Nooo…” Ayaka mumbled, dragging the covers tighter around herself. “I was training yesterday. I deserve a vacation day.”

“You tripped on your own sleeves and scared away an old woman who just wanted her fortune told.” The spirit’s tone carried zero sympathy. “The town now thinks the shrine maiden-in-training summons earthquakes when she sneezes.”

Ayaka peeked out from the covers with a pout. “It was allergy season!”

The spirit sighed. “Allergy season does not cause you to faceplant into sacred offerings.”

Before Ayaka could argue, her sister slid open the door, perfectly dressed in her ceremonial robes, sunlight practically blessing her flawless presence. “Ayaka, you’ll be late to morning rites again.”

“I’m up, I’m up!” Ayaka scrambled, tripping over her futon as if to prove the point wrong.

Later, during town duties, Ayaka was sent to sweep the shrine steps. Naturally, sweeping turned into a one-woman disaster show—she whacked a merchant with the broom, lost balance halfway down the steps, and had to be caught by two laughing kids.

“Shrine Maiden Acrobatics!” they cheered.

Ayaka forced a smile. “Don’t tell anyone, okay? It’s a secret technique.”

The spirit muttered, “If incompetence were a martial art, you’d be a grandmaster.”

That was when he appeared.

A tall figure leaned against the torii gate, dressed far too extravagantly for a wandering traveler. His black and crimson coat shimmered like embers, his hair was a little too perfectly windswept, and his eyes carried the mischievous gleam of someone who knew way more than they let on.

“Well, well,” he drawled, clapping slowly. “I thought this shrine was guarded by the best maiden bloodline in the region… and instead, I find this.” He gestured at Ayaka, who was still tangled in her broom.

Ayaka froze. “…Are you lost?”

He smirked. “Oh no. I came here for you.”

The spirit tensed immediately, a flicker of seriousness piercing through its usual sarcasm. “Ayaka. Be careful.”

The stranger crouched down so their eyes were level. His grin widened.

“You’re a joke, aren’t you? A shrine maiden who can’t even stand properly.”

Ayaka’s face burned red. “I’m not a joke! I’m… just in development! Like… like a late-blooming sakura tree!”

The man chuckled low, his tone shifting ever so slightly darker. “Then bloom fast. Because I’ll be back soon to see what you’ve really got.”

And with that, he turned and walked away—vanishing into the midday crowd like smoke.

Ayaka blinked, stunned. “…Was that guy flirting with me or threatening me?”

The spirit’s voice was grave. “Both. And he’s not human.”

Ayaka’s broom slipped from her hand, clattering against the shrine steps.

“…Eh?”