Revulsion

That went better than expected. It'd be remiss of me to say I'm out of the woods just yet, though. This 'disguise' isn't exactly foolproof, here. But, for now, I'm being escorted to my room-- stairway by stairway.

As we make the trek up to the third floor, I notice something curious. The various halls we pass through are notably livelier than the ground level-- more tidy, too. It's obviously still an abandoned building, but there's been far more effort to clean things up here than you'd think. On top of that... there's yokai congregating. Chatting, walking past us-- the works. Many of them are leaving their rooms as if... waking up? Huh.

"Many of the residents here have adopted a nocturnal sleeping schedule." The tengu speaks up, noticing my curiosity. "It helps to ease their mind."

"Ease their mind?"

Their voice lowers to a whisper. "Harder to be seen by humans when it's darker."

Ah. I see. Let's leave it at that, then. I'd rather not keep the conversation on such a touchy subject any longer. So, I nod in acknowledgement.

"How many yokai live here, exactly?"

"I wouldn't be able to tell you the exact number-- but somewhere in the hundreds, I would have to say. Many others live in the surrounding buildings as well, operating essential businesses or otherwise just taking residence-- so, needless to say you're in good company, Tasogare-san."

God, if I could only believe that. I hate how nervous I'm feeling right now. I'll admit it-- I feel like a wolf wandering into a massive den of sheep.

Or... I guess, a sheep with a wolf's reputation. I don't know, the metaphor's falling apart and I'm tired as shit. I just know that I feel uncomfortable being around so many of them-- both because I've seen yokai as inherently evil my entire life, and because there's a part of me that just feels like I'm some sort of imitator. Not actually a yokai, and all that. Still not used to the idea that I've been a yokai this entire time, without realizing it.

That, and I worry one's going to recognize me and I'm going to get sent to the stake for all I've done.

But, whatever. I'll focus on that another time. We're on the third floor now, about to head to my room. I'll... just give myself some time to rest, I think. Some peace and quiet after all that's gone on sounds exactly what I need right about-

?

I feel a strange sensation beside my leg. Almost as if a small object... or person, bumped into me.

"A-ah.... s-sorry miss..." The little one meekly chirps out.

It's-- or rather, they're, a small, two-legged umbrella. Perhaps a child.

"No, it's fine." I give a slight smile. "Don't worry about it." Kids-- always so bursting with more energy than they know what to do with.

A taller umbrella comes into view. Their parent, perhaps? They look embarrassed at the little one, so they have to be related somehow.

"Sorry about that-- she's still getting used to having two legs."

"Ah, it's no problem." I nod. "She's cute."

The mother laughs a bit. "I agree. She's such a handful, though- H-hey, Potsuko!! Don't go too far...!!" She whimpers out as the kid stumbles away, wandering the hallway. "Her dad's always off trying to scare humans, so I'm always needing to do double duty. But uh, be seeing you..."

"Tasogare."

She nods. "Nice to meet you, Tasogare-san." She rushes off to keep up with her kid. How quaint.

Wait... her dad...... scares humans? Didn't I... No. Didn't I?

No, that's.... That's not...

...

......

My mind races, realization hitting me like a blow to the stomach. And... when someone hits you in the stomach...

"T-Tasogare-san!! A-are you okay...??"

I... just fucking puked... all over myself and all over the floor. Several of the yokai look at me. Stare at me. Perceive me. Pierce into my fucking soul. I'm... I-I-I'm... getting so many eyes on me right now. Uneven unsteady uncertain eyes so many eyes so many eyes so many of them. The... the room's spinning, isn't it? It's fucking spinning, isn't it? Isn't it? That's like something a yokai can do, right? Right?! Make the room spin and spin and spin and stare and spin and stare and stare and stare and-

Staring... at the ceiling. The... ceiling? That's... not right. I was in the hallway, right? What?

I sit up, trying to make sense of the situation. It seems like... some sort of makeshift infirmary. I'm... on a hospital bed, at least. The atmosphere is surprisingly cozy, if immensely bland. It's as well-kept as the resort itself.

...My clothes are different too. Generic, pale hospital gown. Fair enough, given... well, I'd thrown up all over myself. Does that mean I'd-

"Passed out? Yeah, you uh. You passed out hard. Threw up all over yourself and had a really bad panic attack, from what I'd heard."

A voice from the other room interrupts my... thoughts. A satori...?

"Yeah. I'll uh... I'll be out of your hair soon, though. Just trying to get my medicine."

Medicine? For what, exactly?

"It helps me stop unintentionally reading people's thoughts. Like uh... like what's happening right now. It gets overstimulating."

H-heheh. Right. Well. Good luck with that, I guess. Thanks for catching me up on what I missed, I guess.

"No problem."

I take this moment to clear my mind, resting. Don't want to give them any information that I don't want them to know, and also... well. It's been a long fucking day. I need this.

After some time passes, the person I assume to be the satori gives a wave as they walk past. Then... after a bit more time... another figure walks into the room.

...It's that tsuchinoko from before-- Rin.

Great.