The Ozeki Family

Huh?

“What do you mean by ‘killed’?” However, Takeda didn’t answer my question immediately this time.

“Hinako and Rentarou. Those siblings were the children of the Ozeki family, the original Onmyoji family that protected Nagano City long before I was born. The Ozeki family wasn’t known for killing or researching yokai; they specialized in sealing them. They were also one of the families I was contracted with when I first started my work as an Onmyoji.”

“But how did they die?”

“To a yokai, a kitsune, to be precise.”

I’d heard about those before from my grandma. They’re fox spirits known for their tails and magic. They’re also guardians said to be connected to Inari, the god of rice.

“But I thought they were supposed to protect people. Why would they kill a whole family of Onmyoji?”

“That’s because this one was wild. So wild that the Ozeki family couldn’t seal it alone. They needed the help of other Onmyoji to do it.” Takeda’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as he spoke.

“However, I was finishing up another job in Toyama City, and by the time I arrived, the struggle was already over. All that was left were three people: Hinako, Rentarou, and the Onmyoji who sealed the kitsune. Despite the massacre, the kitsune didn’t go down without a fight.”

“What do you mean? What happened?” I felt an ache in my chest as Takeda sighed.

“Didn’t you notice it?”

“Notice what?”

“Rentarou’s ability. It’s unlike the magic Hinako, my daughter, and I use. That’s because they’re fundamentally different. We could choose to learn it; however, Rentarou had no choice; he was cursed. It was originally meant for Hinako, but Rentarou took it upon himself to bear the weight of it. Now, he’s turned that hindrance into a power of his own. Something that you now need to do, Shin.”

I was about to say something, but before I could, I noticed how silent it was when Takeda finished speaking. There wasn’t any snoring anymore, only a slight mumble.

“How much longer?”

“One more hour, Rentarou.”

Rentarou didn’t respond after that; he only went back to sleep. The only difference was that he was now holding Hinako closer than before, letting her rest on his chest.