Check-in

The walk to the hot springs was far less stressful, at least. Most of the cops turned their attention to the apartment and surrounding buildings after what I can only assume to be DAWN running out to find someone else to report me to. It was stressful, don't get me wrong, especially with me choking back tears for the first half-hour, but still.

It's nearly nighttime now, with how I've had to make it from my apartment to the outskirts of town on foot, while having to duck down and avoid the occasional patrolling cop. I'm exhausted, sore, hungry, thirsty, et cetera et cetera. But, I'm nearly here. I can tell with the roads steadily falling into greater and greater disrepair as I approach the village.

...

.......Village...

If I'm going to a village of yokai, I need to make sure they don't immediately recognize me. I'd prefer to blend in and not immediately get assaulted by the one group of people who might be willing to take me in.

Ahh, but how do I do that...? There isn't any clothing stores nearby-- not really much of anything, now that I realize it. It almost feels like I'm approaching the border into another world, entirely, with how there's very little scenery other than grass and trees. Hmm...

Well, first things first, I'm throwing off this goddamn vest. It's already tight enough without my newfound tits pressing up against them.

Ahhhhhh..... I let out a deep breath in relief as I throw the vest behind some tree-- just in case any cop for whatever reason tries to drive past here. I fully realize I'm throwing away valuable protection-- but I'm sure my body will thank me later. I also unbutton the top few buttons of my shirt, for good measure. Hmm.... What else....

Oh right, the mask. I might as well slip that on, too. These things go a good mile for hiding identities, I've learned. Shame I still can't shapeshift, though-- that'd make everything so much easier.

...?

...Am I being watched? I swear... I saw some eyes in the corner of my view.

I-I'll just have to move quickly. I pick up my pace, having regained a bit of energy during the costume change.

Eventually, I arrive at the onsen. It's a massive, massive resort, overlooking a river-- the titular Kikyu river, I believe. Shocking to believe such a huge building has been abandoned-- as have the various other locations nearby. But, that's the effects of a recession, I suppose. Trees and other flora seem to be taking over, as though the earth itself is trying to reclaim its land bit by bit. It's almost beautiful, in an unsettling way.

Well, regardless, with little idea of where I'm supposed to go, I enter the resort as though I were a guest checking in for a convention.

The lobby is in less disrepair than you'd expect. Almost as though people are trying to live here, yet want it to seem abandoned so any unwanted guests don't realize it. Though, I guess that's exactly what's going on, isn't it? I'm still surprised at how empty it is. You'd think it'd be bustling, or at least have someone here. But it's more like a ghost town, if anything.

Approaching the counter, I ring the bell and wait. And wait.... and wait.

...

......

........God.

I feel like an absolute dumbass. It's just hit me what I'm doing. I'm trying to check in to an abandoned resort, expecting to be greeted by other yokai. This must've been another prank played on me by Bunko and Rin. Maybe a third yokai, like a kamaitachi or something was going to show up and slice off my hair, or something. What the hell has my life become-

"Miss?"

I jolt, not realizing that someone was at the counter, waiting for me.

"You rang the bell?" Their voice is soft-spoken and ambiguously gendered.

I turn to face them. Dark feathered bird person wearing a striking dark blue kimono. Some sort of tengu... perhaps? Likely a river tengu, given where we're at. They're looking at me expectantly. At least they don't seem to recognize me, but...

"Ah... sorry. I was..." I trail off. What the hell do I even say here? ...Let's uh, be partly honest, I guess. "I was recommended to come here by Bunko?"

"Bunko?" They react with confusion.

"Bunko Ayayo, I think her name was. Tanuki lady? Friends with a tsuchinoko named Rin?"

The tengu's face lights up at the mention of Rin, realization seeming to click. "Ah... is that what she calls herself when messing with humans these days?" They coo, laughing with amusement. "Well, if you were recommended by Bukubukucha-chan herself, then you're all good."

They place a ledger with an attached pen in front of me, before moving to the wall of keys. "Just sign your name there, if you please. Aliases are fine-- even encouraged --just so long as we know what to call you."

"Right, thank you very much."

What the hell do I put for my name...? Obviously I can't put in 'DUSK.' But... is anyone going to recognize me if I go with Yuki? Hmmm....

Fuck it, let's just make something up.

...

.......

What the hell do I go with?

I'm not good at making up names.

I was never really considered the creative one of the two of us, being honest. DAWN was the one who came up with our code names after all. Uh... I guess I'll just do something simple, even if a bit heavy-handed. I just need something to put down-- I'm sure I can change it later.

Taking the pen, I sigh, cringing at what I'm about to write.

Taso...gare....

Kitsu... ko.

There. Good enough, I guess.

I slide it back in the direction of the tengu, who looks it over, examining the kanji and nodding.

"Thank you, Tasogare-san. Your room is on the third floor, number 307." They smile at me, holding a keyring in one hand and gesturing to a stairway with the other.

"Allow me to escort you to your room."