A Man and his Fox-Girl

Able to walk again thanks to the healing, Braith led a weak-legged Yumie into a hospital staff room.

Inside, four people were already lounging. Eevi and Kertu perked up instantly when they entered - Kertu raising a knowing eyebrow that Braith pretended not to notice. Tamiya leaned back against the counter, looking relaxed to the point of smug. And standing near the table-

“Nagata!”

Nagata straightened, a wide grin splitting his face as he extended a hand.

“Good to see you again, kid.”

They shook. Braith then guided Yumie to a chair - but unsurprisingly, she ignored it and instead climbed straight onto his lap. She was short enough that he could still see over her head as long as she leaned against his chest, which she immediately did. Exhaustion took her the moment she settled, her breathing slowing as he wrapped his arms around her.

Nagata raised an eyebrow.

“What happened to her?”

Braith shrugged.

“Tired, I think.”

He shot a glare at Kertu, who flushed and looked away. Nagata chuckled and let it go as Tamiya leaned forward, clasping his hands.

“Well. Since you haven’t heard any of this yet, Braith, we’ll start from the top.”

His tone shifted - professional, but not cold.

“Sunata was killed during the shooting. Natsuki survived, but with major injuries. With both of them out of action, this mess landed on my desk.”

He smiled faintly.

“Fortunately, there wasn’t much mess left to clean.”

Braith blinked.

“…Pardon?”

Tamiya’s grin widened.

“Oh, and before you say it, yes, I’m still annoyed you shot me. But given recent events, I’m willing to pretend that never happened.”

Braith winced.

“Thanks…”

Tamiya waved it off.

“To put it simply? The plan worked.”

Braith stared at him.

“Worked? We got massacred.”

Tamiya nodded.

“And that’s exactly why it worked.”

He tapped the table.

“I’ve never seen public opinion flip that fast. Ever.”

He lifted a hand.

“I’ll keep it brief. Of the four factions, only the collectors remain largely unaffected, and even they’ve gone quiet since the hotel incident. With Yumie, Kertu, and Kinai now legally recognized as citizens, they’re untouchable.”

Braith frowned.

“Kinai?”

Tamiya nodded, speaking like a storyteller.

“Seven days after the fourth humanoid Mahotona appeared, the fifth was born when tens of thousands of native Japanese unlocked their magic after the broadcast.”

He smiled, genuine pride in his voice.

“For the first time, Japan has its own native humanoid Mahotona. That matters more than you might think.”

Braith struggled to keep up.

“Ah… you’re welcome?”

Tamiya laughed and continued.

“The runners now have an official route out of Japan through the overseas Mahotona program. No attacks since the announcement. The anti-purists dissolved the moment magic dissemination was confirmed. And the true purists?”

His expression hardened briefly.

“Broken. Not gone, but scattered.”

He glanced at Yumie, curled protectively against Braith.

“The four who attacked the broadcast wanted one thing. To provoke her into firing. To prove she was lying.”

He shook his head.

“You two cuddling on live television while being shot dismantled their ideology in real time.”

Braith swallowed.

“…I thought the border reopening wasn’t supposed to be public yet.”

Tamiya nodded, then frowned.

“That’s correct. And please don’t say things like that out loud.”

He glanced at Nagata.

“Fortunately, he already knows.”

Braith winced again.

“Sorry.”

Tamiya’s grin returned effortlessly.

“The borders are still closed, officially. But the overseas program alone proved that Mahotonas aren’t a disease. You’ll always have extremists, but murders of Mahoros have plummeted, and public trust is rising.”

He chuckled.

“To think a man and his fox-girl stopped what could’ve become a national collapse…”

Braith nodded slowly.

“That’s… good. Really good.”

“Oh, don’t think that’s all,” Tamiya said brightly. “You’ve been granted full Japanese citizenship. Effective immediately.”

Braith’s eyes widened.

“You’ll need to sign a form later, but that’s a formality.”

Then Tamiya raised a finger.

“And because that wasn’t considered sufficient-”

Braith tensed.

“-you’re being awarded the Order of the Paulownia Flowers.”

Braith’s breath caught.

“That’s… the second-highest Order.”

Tamiya nodded, utterly delighted.

“And you’ll receive one point five billion yen. Plus full government funding for your wedding.”

Silence.

Braith stared.

“This feels… excessive.”

Tamiya nodded sympathetically.

“Oh, it absolutely is. But take it. You’re internationally famous now. You’re not getting peace back, so at least be comfortable.”

Braith groaned softly.

So much for a quiet life.

Yumie tilted her head up toward his voice.

“You’re not happy?”

He smiled and patted her head.

“I am. I just wanted a quiet life with you.”

She snuggled deeper into his chest.

“We still can,” she said softly. “A small house on the outskirts. No close neighbors. Our kids can take the train to school. We can host family gatherings…”

He patted her head again, keenly aware of the room watching them.

“You’re right.”

Tamiya laughed.

“I hope that kind of love finds me someday.”

He clapped his hands.

“Right. Has Yumie told you what happened after you blacked out?”

Braith shook his head.

What followed was everything - fusion, recovery, refusal to let go, her training. Yumie squirmed in embarrassment as Tamiya spoke, but Braith only found himself holding her tighter.

She really was intense.

And he loved her for it.

When the story finished, Braith leaned back with a long breath.

“This is… a lot to process.”

Tamiya smiled.

“Take your time. Japan’s your country now.”

Braith nodded.

“Thank you.”

Yumie purred as he scratched the base of her ears.

For once, he was looking forward to the future.

And he knew she was too.