The Resolution

“But then… Who killed our parents?” Kazuya glared at Ginrei. Tears came to his eyes, but he tried to suppress them. The pain from the realisation that his anger was directed at the wrong creature choked him.

Kasane looked at Kazuya with sympathy. Inuko noticed his tears, too, and yelped, lowering her white ears and tail. She wanted to touch Kazuya’s shoulder, but reconsidered. He might not appreciate her seeing his weakness.

“I don’t know who did it,” Ginrei replied calmly, “but whichever yōkai it was, she was powerful enough to disguise her magic as foxfire.” He folded his arms thoughtfully and hid his hands in his long black sleeves. “Also, she likely aimed at your mother, not your father.”

“What?!” Kazuya and Kasane exclaimed in unison, their eyes wide.

“What do you mean?” Kasane grabbed Ginrei’s arm, knitting her brows. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?!”

“I was almost sure of it, but I had little evidence, so I didn’t want to worry you.” Ginrei drooped his ears, sorry to disappoint her. He looked at Kazuya again. “I discovered that a similar tragedy occurred in your neighbourhood recently, and the police assume that the culprit is the same yōkai. After looking into that case, I realised that I was right in my assumptions.”

“You mean the Takahata case?” Kazuya’s frown deepened. “How the hell do you know about that?”

“I have my ways.” Ginrei’s lips formed a smug smile, similar to Yukihiro’s. It sent goosebumps down Kazuya’s spine and made Inuko growl defensively. “I heard that, in the Takahata case, the female victims had their hearts cut out, while the males were left untouched, albeit mutilated,” Ginrei went on, regaining his seriousness. “I concluded that the perpetrator is female, because she only eats women, and aims to prolong her vitality by consuming their hearts. So, her target must’ve been your mother, Ameko Hattori, née Hanabira.”

“Your mother was of the Hanabira Clan?” Inuko gaped at Kazuya, wagging her tail in wonder.

“Y-Yes.” Kazuya shrugged, confused by her sudden excitement amidst the tension. “Why?”

“Their women were the strongest yōkai hunters in the past,” Inuko said, a canine grunt mixed in her voice. “They wielded different types of plant magic. Their numbers declined after the malevolent yōkai hunted them down, because consuming plant mages can heal the injured.”

“Indeed.” Ginrei nodded. “The Hanabira Clan’s descendants are targeted to this day. Lady Mineko also belonged to their clan, and her Herbal Magic was the strongest. It increased the power of my purple foxfire a hundredfold.”

“Wait…” Kazuya shuddered, a dreadful thought crossing his mind. He looked at Ginrei. “You said before that many yōkai might hunt Kasane due to her Herbal Magic. Could that mean… this female yōkai you speak of could also be targeting her?”

“You mean, back when she attacked our parents, she could’ve been looking for… me?” Kasane went pale.

“Highly likely.” Ginrei sighed, casting his eyes down. He didn’t want to share this hideous idea with them, but now that they had reached this conclusion themselves, he had to. “I’ve been thinking that ever since you told me about your parents.” He patted Kasane’s cheek, noticing the tears in her eyes. “But… I couldn’t bring myself to tell you. I didn’t want to see you like that.” He rubbed her eyes with his thumbs, wiping away her tears. “I’m sorry, Kasane.”

Kasane didn’t reply, but glowered at him, upset that he hadn’t shared so many things with her despite their long years of relationship. Tears flowed from her eyes. She batted his chest, but he stood still, accepting her tender fists.

“You, men, are all the same!” Kasane shouted. “Did you think you’d ‘protect’ me with all those lies and secrets?! Isn’t it worse that I’m hearing it now, all at once? One would think a creature older than 1000 should’ve known better!”

Ginrei was silent, with his ears and nine tails lowered. He watched Kasane with dilated pupils, his heart aching for her misery. He had sworn to destroy anyone who dared make her cry, and now he was the reason for her tears.

Inari Ōkami was right to abandon me – I’m a wretch! He knitted his brows, angry with himself.

But Kasane soon stopped hitting him. Instead, she sniffled and placed her forehead on his chest, soaking his black kimono with her tears. Ginrei could tell from the smell of her hot blood that she was still angry. But she also seemed to be seeking comfort in his fluff, as she often did in Yukihiro’s. Ginrei sighed in relief – contrary to his worst fears, Kasane might still come to forgive him… eventually. For now, he should oblige her demands. He pressed her to his chest and wrapped her in his nine fluffy foxtails. He gently rubbed her head to comfort her.

I don’t deserve her. He thought sorrowfully.

Kazuya snarled, staring at his pistol. The new revelations had hurt him just like they had Kasane. He had failed not only to save his parents and many other people but to notice that, all this time, his sister needed his protection the most!

Why am I so pathetic?! He clutched his pistol so hard that his knuckles turned white. I have the Absolute Sight Magic, but I fail to see the most important things!

He sensed the touch of warm fur on his body. Inuko had hugged him, wrapping her fluffy white tail around him. Kazuya sighed, put his pistol back into his pocket, and embraced her. His heartbeat relaxed. Inuko’s hug felt like a therapy dog cuddling its patient. Kazuya wiped away the few tears with his wrists, embarrassed to be vulnerable around his girlfriend. It made him look like a sissy, or so he believed. But Inuko didn’t admonish him or show any disdain. She kept cuddling him in silence.

I was right. Kazuya eyed Inuko’s lovely white ears and chestnut bob. Dog yōkai make the best girlfriends. They won’t judge you for your weaknesses but will always stand by your side.

The Hattori siblings were hugging their friends when a slash and a clang reached their ears. They started and looked at the broken counter. Kenzō had just turned it to dust with his Water Magic, revealing a hidden door on the floor.

“Hmph, what do you know? That slut didn’t lie,” he muttered, glancing at the dead Kinnoko’s dissipating body. He kicked the door open with a bang. Dirty wooden stairs led down into a dark corridor with damp stone walls. Kenzō turned to his friends, who still eyed him in confusion. “I'll go look for Yumi.” He smiled mockingly and waved his hand, signalling them to continue. “You guys carry on with your snuggling!”

Not awaiting their response, he dashed straight down the stairs, vanishing in the dark. Kasane couldn’t help smiling with flushed cheeks at Kenzō’s jab, despite her tears. Showing her vulnerability publicly didn’t suit her any more than it did Kazuya. But the latter took it more lightly, no matter how surprising it was. He only sighed with exasperation at Kenzō’s antics and rolled his eyes. Inuko chuckled at his lovely gestures, wagging her tail.

“S-Should we go assist Mr Kagurayama?” she asked.

“No, let him handle the rest.” Kazuya shrugged and pulled her closer, making her blush. “We killed all demons here. He should be fine… And then, Yumi was always partial to him.” He smiled.

“Ohh!” Inuko’s ears stood erect. She understood the implication. “We shouldn’t spoil their time, then!” She chuckled, almost like a puppy up to some mischief. “Miss Shinemori will be the happiest if Mr Kagurayama rescues her.”

“Exactly!” Kazuya’s smile deepened.

Meanwhile, Kenzō ran deeper and deeper down. The air grew damper and more suffocating as he advanced. The heavy stench of rotting blood reached his nostrils. He grimaced with disgust, for even a predatory dragon like him couldn’t handle spoiled meat.

Let’s hope Yumi’s alright… He thought. The stairs led to the underground prison, so the chances of the girl staying unharmed were slim. But Kenzō hurried on, clutching the hilt of his sword. I’ll find her, whatever it takes!