Rejection

"Hell no."

"Wh-"

"Why did you think this would even work?" I scoff, amused. "I'm not joining your side just because you treated me to clothes and a show." I hold the mask in my hand, admittedly impressed at the craft, given the spontaneous nature of its design. "Tell you what. I'll keep the fact you're all holed up in the Kikyugawa Onsen a secret. As thanks for the sandals." I get out of my seat, stretching.

"Hmmph! Where in the hell do you think you're going?" Rin puffs her chest out, indignant.

"I'll figure it out. Just need to bide my time and..." Right. They didn't actually turn me into a yokai, I've always been one. At least, if they're telling the truth. "...and figure out how to shapeshift and construct a new identity for myself. I'll start over as a rookie officer again."

"We'd be able to help you learn." Bunko interjects, with a surprising degree of seriousness about her.

"You'd help me learn, knowing full well I'd use it to kill more of you?" I stop myself just short of saying 'Are you stupid?'

"It'd take long enough that you'd have to visit the village anyway." A smile returns to her face. "We'd have time to make our case then."

......

"I'll wing it." I start heading out. "Thanks anyway." I stop at the doorway, not bothering to turn back. "My keys, wallet, and phone, please?"

No response. Figures.

...I think I see the apartments from here-- I'll manage. Just gotta sneak my way over there, then I can form a game plan with my sister. That, or she can at least help me lay low until I can disguise myself.

Ah, this mask isn't gonna help me with that at all. Why would I want to disguise myself as something I already am? But, it's cute, so I'll keep it with me-- little souvenir for my troubles.

Hmm. I guess it's a good thing I didn't take my keys back-- there's several officers standing over my car, examining nearby buildings. I'll have to be quick. Crouching down to make myself small, I slink into the nearest alleyway, beelining from alley to alley once more as I make my way to the apartment complex. Funny that my goal hasn't changed from before, even if the reasoning for it has. I'm sure nee-chan can help me out, she's surprisingly smart when she's not being a slacker.

These streets are surprisingly quiet, even for a nowhere prefecture like Mizuwari, as nee-chan would always call it. I guess it's still early on in the morning. That, or the foxhunt placed on me- um, manhunt, has become public knowledge and people are trying to stay safe. As if I'd attack the people I'd sworn to protect. How ironic that I've now become a pariah to the people I've made an enemy of the yokai for. Whatever, whatever.

"What a disappointment, eh?"

Shit. This alley's got two cops on the opposite end.

"Yea. To think DUSK-sama was a vixen this whole time. Had me fooled, that's for certain." He chuckles, taking out a cigarette to smoke. Looks like these assholes aren't going to be moving any time soon. I'll have to find another way.

Looking behind me, I see some more cops. This is bad... I can't tell for certain if they're going to approach, given it looks like they're also making idle chatter, but this is really bad.

I slink further into the alleyway, making a retreat into the junction midway through... only to realize it's a dead end. Shitshitshit.

Wait, I think I have an idea. I take my hand, pointing it back to the main alleyway, before firing a shot at one of the third floor windows.

"S-shit, she's trying to get onto the roof!"

"After her!"

The cops immediately notice the glass shattering, getting into full alert mode. I hide behind a trash can, anticipating them to make the same mistake I did and try to go down this hall first.

"Dead end! Dead end!"

"Let's enter the building, then!!"

Phew. They actually think I'm trying to hop from roof to roof, like some sort of parkour enthusiast. That's good. Just a few more alleys to go and I'm home safe.

As I get closer, the frequency of cops gets higher and higher. Did they anticipate me trying to head home? I'm surprised any of them even know where I live. Regardless, I'm almost there...!

"Y-you there! S-s-s-stop...!!!"

Shit! One of them saw me. Reflexively, my hand shoots into position, firing a shot directly at their radio. That way, they can't call in for backup so easily. I'm not interested in killing any of them, if I can help it.

The officer trembles, falling onto her butt as she struggles to maintain an intimidating stance with her finger guns. Ah, it's Asano-san. Poor thing; she's actually a rookie, unlike Bunko. I'd taken a liking to her, not in any romantic way, nor even in the interest of making friends. I'd just pitied her given how new and nervous she was. I guess in a way, I saw myself in her. She stammers, trying so desperately to get me to submit.

"Sorry, Asano-san." I dryly chuckle. "Wish I could've shown you the ropes more-- but I guess that opportunity's passed."

"H-how... how could you...?"

"?"

"How could you trick me like this...?! I looked up to you!!" She's choking back tears now.

I huff, not wanting to be rude but not wanting to be holed up here where more cops can show at any time. "...I didn't even know I was a yokai. I'm... just as surprised as you are."

She remains silent.

"I'm not gonna kill you. Just let me pass and we can pretend this never happened."

She wipes tears from her eyes, only for them to be replaced with yet more tears. "J-just go... go!!" She points to the apartments. I nod and take my leave.

Finally, I've made it to where I live. ...Obviously I'm not just going to barge into the front door. I'll just use the fire escape-- nee-chan always has a bad habit of leaving the windows open, so I'm banking on that.

...

......

Yep.

As to be expected.

I slip in, relieved that I've successfully broken into my own home--

"..."

--when the clearing of a throat catches me off-guard, nearly causing me to fall over.