Road to Kyoto

It was dark, and I could feel my face pressing against a cold surface. Slowly, I could feel my eyes opening. When my vision began to clear, I saw streaks of light passing by at blinding speeds. I tried to jump up, but my body wouldn’t move; all I managed was sitting up a little straighter. Is that a seatbelt?

“Oh, Suki, you’re awake. Good, I was getting worried I’d have to drive you to a hospital in Kyoto.” I didn’t need to look up to know who was talking; it was Takeda. His naturally gruff voice felt grounding after talking with the Yuki-onna. But…

“Why in Kyoto? Aren’t there hospitals around the hotel, too?” Takeda chuckled. What? Did I say something wrong?

“We’re on the way to Kyoto, that’s why.” Huh? “After killing the Yuki-onna, I thought you guys deserved a bit of a break…” But we didn’t kill her. “So I decided to book a good hotel around there for the night. Then, in the evening, we could head back home.”

I need to tell him that we didn’t—but I couldn’t bring myself to. I couldn’t even muster up my voice to ask why we were on the way to Kyoto in the first place. I only sat in silence as we got off the highway. However, that silence didn’t last for long.

I heard a bellowing roar erupt from my right. At first, my eyes widened, expecting to see a beast resting next to me, and I wasn’t far off. It was Rentarou sleeping on the opposite side of the car, and Hinako was sleeping on his shoulder. Annoying. But if I’m back here with them, that must mean… Shin is…

I looked to the passenger seat, and he was in my place. His short, wavy hair blended into the black seat he sat in. I could see the horn on his head, which looked only bigger than a goat’s horn. However, I couldn’t see his light brown eyes; his eyes were closed. Is he sleeping? Then I shouldn’t bother him… W-Why am I looking at him in the first place?

I was going to gaze outside the window again, but before I could fully turn, I saw it. A scarlet hue captured my attention. I tried to lean forward to see what it was, and it was his arm. Why is it glowing? Is it bleeding? “Takeda, Shin’s arm, it’s—”

“I know, Yukimura. I’m not sure why, but it has been like that ever since you guys killed the Yuki-onna. Did anything weird happen in that cave, Suki? And I’m not referring to the information Shin and Hinako told me. Did anything else happen?”

I lowered my gaze, unable to look at Takeda as I said, “No. Nothing happened.” If I told him about the Yuki-onna, then he’d know she isn’t dead. I don’t know how he would react if I told him. Would he be surprised? Would he be disappointed? Would he be angry?

“Okay. That’s good.” After Takeda spoke, I could feel the car stop. “And Suki, you should pick your head up, we’re here.” In Kyoto? I looked out the window, and I saw a hotel grander than the one in Shiga Kogen.

“That’s the hotel?”

“Yup. You can get your suitcase out of the trunk. Hinako and I packed it for you while you were asleep.”

“Thank you.” With those words, I left the car and walked toward the rear of the car. The trunk immediately opened, and I grabbed my light blue suitcase. I rolled it to the front of the car before I entered the hotel.

When I did, Takeda said, “Yukimura, we all have separate rooms. So, here, use my phone to show them the reservation.” I grabbed his phone as he said, but as I was about to leave, I heard an annoyingly familiar voice.

“Hey, Yuki, Taku, short time no see.” I turned around and saw Satori standing behind me. Their usual smile was accompanied by their overly friendly voice. “You guys are in Kyoto too?”

“What are you doing here, Satori?” Takeda asked that question in a monotone voice. I knew he didn’t like them, but I’ve never seen him glare at someone as he did at Satori. “Why are you in Kyoto?”

“To ensure you fulfill the other condition, Taku. Didn’t I tell you that back on the mountain?” Other condition?

“Other condition? What are they talking about, Takeda?”

“Nothing you need to worry about, Suki. And I don’t need you to watch me completing it. I know you won’t be accompanying me when I do.”

“Who knows, I might. After all, Hyon told me to make sure you don’t do anything stupid…” Satori’s eyes shifted to me, revealing the colorful spirals in their iris. “Like sparing a yokai or making a deal with them.”

Do they know what we did? Does Satori know that I talked with the Yuki-onna? My heart began to thump more and more, racing like the thoughts in my head. No, that’s impossible. They could’ve watched the cave, but they couldn’t have known that I talked to the Yuki-onna. Is it just a coincidence, and I’m overthinking things? Or does Satori know something?

“You know I wouldn’t do that, Satori. And I know you don’t need to watch me either. You’ll know next time I see you whether I did or didn’t complete that assignment.”

Satori laughed at Takeda’s words. “Yeah, you’re right. Well, I’ll be around, good night, you two.” They waved their hands before walking back the way they came. And when they were out of earshot, Takeda turned to me.

“Don’t mind what Satori said, just get some rest, Suki. I’ll wake the others up while you settle in.”

“Thank you, I will, Takeda.”

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I might have said I would, but no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t fall asleep. I just can’t shake off that encounter like it was nothing. The Yuki-onna might mess up my mana if I don’t make this pact. But if I do make it, can I even be an Onmyoji? It’s in our nature to kill yokai, but if I can’t, what does that make me?

I sat up in the hotel’s bed as I continued to think. If I can’t use my mana anymore, I need to tell someone. I can’t tell Takeda because then he’ll know we didn’t kill the Yuki-onna. Rentarou is a definite no, but his sister might be good to talk to.