Precarious situation

Yuriko and Amano watched as Takumi’s body was wrapped by the tendrils of light emanating from the magic circle they drew on the floor. Threads of light pierced Takumi, Yuriko, and Amano’s plushie body by the chest, then the lights faded, the ritual was done

Amano: aah this is amazing, i can already feel stronger, i knew his energy smelled delicious, but now that i can taste it, its better than i thought

Yuriko: I also feel better, though I'm still hungry. Let's see if this new servant knows how to make cake. Rise, servant

Takumi remained unresponsive on the floor

Amano: strange, im sure i just hit him hard enough to knock him out, not kill him, and the fact that im getting his energy means he’s still alive

Amano approached Takumi and slapped him to wake up, it worked, his eyes opened quickly and he jolted off the floor

Yuriko: took you long enough, now make me a cake.

Takumi: How long was i out?

Yuriko: huh?

Amano: hmm?, the ritual should have hollowed him out, perhaps the quality of the materials for the ritual do affect the outcome

Takumi: a talking doll?, so that's how you got me. look, i need to go back to work, you can keep my money, just give me everything else… huh?, you didn’t take anything? oh! I'm late to work!, gotta go!

Yuriko: where do you think you’re going?, you are our servant now, do as you are told, now sit

Takumi brushed the dirt off his clothes and ran away. He hastily entered the convenience store staff room, glad that he was only 7 minutes late and no customers were waiting while the store was unattended. He was taking his clothes off to change to his uniform when he noticed the new tattoo he had on his chest, a circle similar to the one on the floor where he woke up

Takumi: muggers that forcibly tattoo people on the street? I've never heard of such a thing, what is this?

Amano: that is a mark of linking and servitude, with it, you become our servant and provide your energy to me

the talking plushie startled him, then Yuriko walked in eating an ice cream bar she grabbed from the store

Takumi: What do you guys want?, you already put your weird tattoo on me, if snacks is what you want, wait until im done with my shift

Amano: hmmm, the mark of linking is in place, but the mark of servitude is in shambles, which means it did appear but shattered, the ritual failed in hollowing you out but it succeeded in linking us

Takumi: “servitude”?, I don't know what you did but I'm not anyone’s servant. Where did you get this thing?, i didn't know they sold dolls this lifelike

Yuriko: do not speak to me so casually, servant

Amano: Looks like you don't understand the situation yet, behold!

the doll dropped to the floor and from it, a ghostly human figure appeared, it was of a young woman with horns and symmetrical marks on her skin

Amano: im not a mere toy doll, my name is Amano, spirit of fighting, raging storms, and devouring, i am what you humans know as a deity, you’d be wise to be respectful from now on, to me and to Yuriko, my sacred priestess

Takumi: You don't need to make stuff up, I already told you I'm gonna give you food. I may be from the countryside, but even I know people can do anything with the power of kiseki code, I won't be tricked so easily, not even with this indecent exhibitionist hologram

Amano: Exhibitionist?! Oh!... hmm, it seems I still lack the energy to manifest my clothes, no matter. It seems you resist the truth, perhaps I could give you a demonstration of my might, to tame such a rebellious servant

Before she could do anything, somebody knocked on the door and walked in, calling for Takumi. Amano quickly jumped into Yuriko, possessing her and changing the color of one of her eyes to a feral glowing green

Store manager: oh Takumi, you’re here, hurry up, your turn has already start— who is that? a homeless person? Should I call the police?

Yuriko stared at the manager, ready to silence him, Takumi noticed their killer intent

Takumi: nono, she’s just my friend, she just looks like a homeless person because she’s a… umm, a minimalist, and very shy, i’ll walk her outside

Store manager: ooh i see, dont worry, she can stay here until you finish your shift, it's cold outside. Good grief, children these days get into the weirdest trends. I'll go pick up the soda boxes, I'll be back later.

as the manager walked out, the atmosphere loosened up, and Amano returned to her plushie body

Amano: that was a close one, we really don't want the police knowing where we are

Yuriko: peasants are unbelievable, did he just call me a child?, i'm an adult

Takumi: you guys better behave while im working, just stay here, i’ll bring you some snacks, don't let anyone see you or they’ll really call the police and this time im not helping

Takumi went to work while the girls just waited in the staff room for hours, anxious, wondering who would walk through the door, eating whatever snack he brought them, worried he could tell on them and thinking of escape plans.

the long wait was finally over, Takumi walked in

Takumi: alright, my shift is over, wait for me outside, i’ll be there after changing

Yuriko: for a servant to order me around, such gall

Amano: hurry up and change, we’re not getting out without you

Takumi: but im changing my clothes, i need my privacy

Amano: Just change, who would be impressed by a servant?

Takumi: huh? Well, I did see the naked hologram and that wasn’t particularly impressive either. and i already told you, im nobody’s serva—

Amano: huh?!, im one of the most attractive spirits out there, how dare you? I truly need to put you in your place!

Amano manifested herself again and when she punched Takumi, her force was weak enough to barely produce more than a slap, but that was enough to shock him. He whipped out his phone and searched “can holograms touch you?”

Amano: tch, it seems i haven’t properly recovered, why are you looking at me like that?, dont tell me that actually hurt you

Takumi: …you weren’t lying, you actually are a spirit!, holograms can't touch things!

Amano: hmph, took you long enough. now pay your respects

Takumi: dont get ahead of yourself, i still dont appreciate you guys attacking me, tattooing me without my consent and constantly calling me “servant”

Yuriko: Did you not pay attention?, that's not a tattoo, that's a mark of linking carved with energy. arrogant servants are useless, i should get rid of you

Amano: wait Yuriko, him being alive takes a huge weight off us, and he prevented that man from calling the police

Yuriko: and he fed us many snacks…

Takumi: I don't know what you guys are up to, but you should return home soon, it's getting late. If the police doesn't get you, other people might, muggers that will actually take your belongings

Yuriko: your house is our house now

Takumi: huh? no, just go to your shrine, you’re a priestess aren’t you?

Yuriko: its… complicated

Amano: we’ve been hiding for at least a week now, with no food or resources, there is no home to return to, that's why we’re going with you

Takumi: Don't rope me into your crime streak of tattooing people, i just offered to give you some food

Yuriko: We're not criminals!, they want to end us…

Takumi: “they?”

Amano: we’re being hunted down… by the Tendou conglomerate, that's why not even the police must know our whereabouts

Takumi: “that” Tendou conglomerate?, the guys who basically own a whole block of the financial district?, now i really feel like i shouldn’t get involved

Amano, still on her spirit form, knelt down before him

Amano: I beg of you, please help us!, this is all my fault!, im the reason why they’re hunting us, Yuriko is innocent, all I ask of you is for a roof under her head, I can hide outside. I understand this is too much to ask and we have already taken much from you, but—

Yuriko: Amano! What are you saying? I told you I would protect you, don't humiliate yourself like this!

Takumi, stand up and raise your head. Long ago my master helped me when I lost my way. To repay my debt, I will help those in need. It feels wrong for a deity to kneel like this, please return to the plushie, you’re still naked…

Yuriko: take us to your house, and we’ll explain our situation. and stop looking at her like that, you lecherous servant!