Chapter 6: Best Friend?

When Misaki and Yuka arrived at the Tengu village, a familiar female tengu—Aiha—had come to greet them.
She had beautiful feathers the color of a raven’s wet plumage, a well-trained body, and an expression full of confidence and composure.
At a glance, she looked different from the red face and high nose described in legends.

“Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Aiha greeted them like that, then continued speaking without waiting for either of them to return the greeting.

“By the way, Misaki—would you like to give it a try? Oni slaying.”

“Pass. I came here to enjoy my sake slowly.”
She waved her hand lightly as she declined. Then she added—
“Besides, there’s no way a human could go around slaying oni, right? Go ask someone else.”

“Ehh—come on, let’s do it! Oni slaying! It’d be the greatest feat since Momotarō, right?”
Yuka grabbed Misaki’s arm and tugged at it, trying to persuade her.

“What exactly do you think I can do?”
Misaki shrugged her shoulders, looking exasperated.

Watching the scene with a smile, Aiha began to explain.
“It’s one of the festival events. A drinking match between representatives of the oni and the tengu.
And—since it also serves as the opening of the new sake, the representatives get to drink as much as they like first… well, if you’re going to refuse, it can’t be helped.”

“Oh, honestly—Aiha, you really are something.”
Misaki lightly patted Aiha on the shoulder.“
There’s no way I’d turn down a request from my best friend.”
There was a loosened smile on Misaki’s face.

“Best friend? That’s the first I’m hearing of it! This is totally because of the sake, isn’t it?!”

Aiha burst into hearty laughter and went on.
“From ancient times to the present, oni have always been weak to alcohol. Just relax and drink.”