An Unusual Visit

Takumi enters Sakura’s home with his eyes wide open, seeing the immense size of it. All of the decor and the rooms are stylized after traditional Japanese temples and full of countless rooms. Sliding doors can be seen everywhere and a staircase for the upper floors.

“Your house is just beautiful Sakura; it looks way bigger on the inside.”

“Thank you, Takumi, make yourself at home.” She says as she goes to her kitchen.

Looking around, Takumi sees priceless decorative pieces around the home. All from certain periods of Japan, particularly the Medieval and Edo periods. One art in particular caught his eye, it was an oni being bound by rope from numerous samurais in a valley. The terrifying yokai’s height eclipses all the men that surround it. All samurai hold it in a circle of flames while a lone samurai cuts off its horn.

Staring upon the art, its highly detailed look makes it a masterpiece. Staring at the oni’s face it’s one of anger and determination. Looking at its eyes, Takumi leaps back when he sees the pupils dilate.

“What?!”

The oni’s eyes turn to look towards him, staring down Takumi with an angry demeanor. Rubbing his own eyes, he sees the oni’s features have returned to their original position.

“I must have imagined it.” He tells himself.

Sakura comes back with some bottles of sodas.

“Are you okay Takumi? I heard you shout.”

Takumi recaptures his breathing.

“Oh, yeah. I was looking at this ukiyo-e and thought something moved.”

Sakura sees the art containing the oni and feels uncomfortable.

“Yeah, my dad got that some time ago. It gives me the creeps too.”

Glancing away from Oni art, he gets his soda and sits at a nearby couch with Sakura.

“I need to know, how come your family became rich to afford all of this?” Takumi exclaims.

“My dad got some business deals with some art collectors. I was really surprised when my dad told me and my mom about his massive bonus.”

“Did this house come with it?”

Both of them laugh at Takumi’s joke.

“Haha, eh no. My dad used all the money he made to create this house from scratch.”

Takumi sits there, just in utter disbelief from Sakura’s comment.

“This entire home was custom made?”

Sakura nods.

“Your family must have gotten good connections. The more I look at all of the columns and walls, the more I realize they’re all traditionally hand made.”

Creak

A noise gets their attention from around a corner. A foot enters is seen around the corner as Takumi and Sakura sees it’s her well suited father entering.

“Oh, hey dad.”

Sakura’s father enters with a stern look. Especially towards Takumi.

“Hello Mr. Hoshino.”

Takumi gets up for a friendly handshake. Mr. Hoshino keeps his demeanor the same as he shakes Takumi’s hand.

“Sakura, you didn’t tell me you were going to have someone over?” Mr Hoshino angrily expresses.

“I was going to surprise you. Besides, you know I haven’t seen Takumi in years.” She says while hugging him.

Mr. Hoshino closes his eyes in disappointment.

“Sakura, you have chosen a horrible time to bring someone over.”

The two lovers are confused by the comment.

“What do you mean? Besides, he doesn’t touch any of the art you have.”

“Good.”

Takumi clears his throat.

“Mr. Hoshino, I promise I won’t be a problem. Besides, I’m interested in seeing your amazing house.”

“I don’t care what you do in my house, but don’t touch any of the art while you’re here. I have to see the guards about something.”

As Sakura’s dad finishes talking, the room goes dark for a second and bright again. Takumi and the others look to the ceiling to see the lights flickering and buzzing.

Steps can be heard as a middle-aged woman wearing household attire enters. Takumi sees it’s Sakura’s mother.

“Honey, something is going on with the lights.”

“I’ll get someone on it.”

Mrs. Hoshino looks at her daughter and is surprised to see Takumi.

“Takumi, when did you arrive?”

“About five minutes ago.” Takumi smiles awkwardly.

The mood is taken aback as the lights turn off for a few seconds. Everyone looks around until the lights lighten up, but brighter than ever. Everyone in the room squints their eyes to adjust to the lighting.

“Dad, please fix the lights.” Sakura pleads.

“Sakura, take your boyfriend around the house, I need to see what’s going on.”

Sakura grabs Takumi’s arm and guides him out of the living room. Entering a hallway corridor, their eyes readjust as they step away from the blinding light. Takumi sees what looks like an endless hall of numerous sliding doors all apart from each other by a massive amount of feet.

“Okay, I don’t know how your home looks so much bigger than the outside.” Takumi says in awe towards Sakura.

“Haha, that was my reaction too when we moved in.”

Takumi shifts his eyes on the countless ukiyo-e all hanging besides the doors. All featuring a type of yokai from countless urban legends. One featuring an Akaname licking some garbage on the street is beside him, and a Rokurokubi entangling a young man with its absurdly long neck can be seen up ahead.

“Your dad certainly loves Japanese folk creatures.” He says while gazing at the weirdly organized art.

“You know what’s weird Takumi? My dad wasn’t interested in these until after he made us wealthy.”

“What were the deals for? Art restoration, gallery exhibit?”

Sakura ponders about the question.

“Hmm, I really don’t know. My mom and I were just at home doing our work and dinner, then my dad rushed in saying he made us all wealthy.”

“That’s weird.” Takumi scratches his own head.

“Yeah. But let’s not waste on that, let me show you the second floor.”

Sakura pulls Takumi forward as they rush through various other yokai inspired art. Unbeknownst to them; the figures begin to move and shift. As they go upstairs, the figures fade away from the woodblock prints, leaving nothing but empty space from where they stood.