Chapter 4: Blame the Sakura

The next afternoon.
Sayuri sat on the veranda of the shrine, gazing up at the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

The shrine grounds were silent, as if holding their breath.
Though bathed in sunlight, a faint chill seemed to seep deep into her skin.

The blossoms were as beautiful as ever, their petals spilling from the branches and drifting softly on the wind.
Yet there was a trace of shadow upon Sayuri’s face.

“You’re still here, huh.”

A low, exasperated voice came from behind her.
When she turned, the nekomata—its two tails swaying—was walking toward her.

“Ah—kitty!”

Sayuri’s face lit up, and she leaned forward, reaching out her hand.
But that hand was sharply smacked down with a quick cat-punch.

“Don’t call me kitty. And don’t touch me.”

“Muu… come on, just a little bit.”

Sayuri rubbed her fingertips and pouted, while the nekomata flicked its tails and gave her a sharp look.

“…You… seem kinda… faint lately, don’t you?”

“Eh?”

“…No way… could it be… because of the night blossoms…?”

Under that pressing gaze, Sayuri gave an awkward smile.

“Ahaha… maybe I messed up?”

“‘Messed up?’ That’s all you’ve got to say!? Were you even listening? I told you, didn’t I—‘A cherry tree in full bloom at night drains both life and soul!’”

“But I was fine until evening. The blossoms were just so beautiful… and before I knew it, night had fallen. It’s not my fault—blame the blossoms.”

“This is no time for jokes!”

Even as he shouted, the nekomata kept a steady eye on Sayuri.
Behind her fluffy, carefree words, he had already sensed that something in her was truly changing.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“There is! Let me pet your fluff!”

“…Hah?”

Saying that, the nekomata sat down on Sayuri’s lap.

“Last night, I met a girl under the cherry tree. She asked me to find her body.”

“How are you planning to find it?”

“I kinda know where it is… but I’m not sure what to do about it.”

As she said that, Sayuri looked up at the sky.
The daytime blossoms didn’t shine as brightly as they had yesterday.
Even so, she still couldn’t help but think they were beautiful.

“Do you even understand the situation you’re in?”

At the nekomata’s question, Sayuri fell silent for a beat, then smiled as she always did.

“Yeah, I do. But… if there’s someone in trouble, I have to help them.”

Her smile was soft and airy, yet somehow unwavering.
Behind the light tone of her words, there was a steady, genuine resolve.

The nekomata started to say something, but its tails froze mid-motion.
Then it shrugged its shoulders and let out a sigh.

“…Have you been bewitched?”

Sayuri let out a soft laugh and turned her gaze toward the cherry blossoms.“
Who knows. But… I made a promise.”

“…Good grief.”
The nekomata sighed, half in exasperation.

A breeze stirred, and the cherry petals fluttered faintly through the air.
Sayuri’s eyes never left the blossoms.
And the nekomata had already begun to sense—however faintly—that what was reflected in those eyes was not beauty alone.