Underworld

Silent and eerie, the landscape of central Takachiho welcomed them to the Underworld.

"We've arrived," Inari said solemnly. "This is the Takachiho that Izanami presented to you and Nao."

There were no birds, insects, or people; their only company under the sunset was Inari and the mysterious world.

"For Nao?" he asked with a sigh.

"It's an imaginary world that represents her worst fears, to keep them trapped."

"Do you mean...?"

Before him stood a small soccer field in the park, just meters away from the main stadium's stands. The northern goal was nearby, and on the other side stood the southern goal. Where ‘the boy,’ resembling Takashi, had spoken with ‘the girl.’ He refrained from asking for more details, captivated by the sight.

"Everything you see from now on is not real,” Inari continued. “In this world, your friends and family don't exist; it's just Nao, you, me, and Izanami."

Takashi turned around to take in the landscape. There was not a soul in sight, as if they were in an abandoned town from years ago. "Do you know where we need to go?"

"Of course, Takashi," Inari began walking, and he followed.

"How?"

"Enma Dai-O informed me when I accepted the contract. I told you, deities have mysterious ways."

"Don't tell me about mysterious things," he thought, trying to use humor to dispel his fear. "A fox appears at night, and days later, I end up in the Underworld."

"Are you scared?" Inari noticed his tense posture, which is probably why she leaped onto his left shoulder.

"Hey, you're light," Takashi was surprised by her weight; she felt more like a feather pillow than an animal body. A pillow that felt comforting as his hand stroked her forehead, relieving some of the stress. "Should I be?"

"No, but it would be natural."

"Then I guess... Ah!"

Takashi jumped back, Inari balancing on him, as a spectral mist materialized before them, revealing a figure. Behind a dark robe that absorbed light, hair and eyes of the same color peeked out, contrasting with skin as white as snow.

"Welcome to my Underworld, wandering souls." Deep whispers invaded their ears. "I hope you get comfortable."

Both stopped retreating and held their ground, Takashi as determined as the situation allowed. He didn't need Inari to say anything to know who it was, but she spoke anyway.

"Izanami," she said, her coal-black eyes challenging the figure with even darker eyes.

"Inari," her mocking tone turned more sinister. "And Takashi Ueda."

"Ah!" His right foot moved involuntarily backward, but he didn't do it again as the figure leaned forward, scrutinizing him from several meters of height.

"Hmm. You look all messy and dirty, young soul." Takashi didn't have time to respond before Inari beat him to it.

"Not as dirty as you, Izanami."

Takashi experienced a shiver as Izanami started to laugh in whispered, twisted, and malicious tones.

"Wow, a little fox is quite angry today. Don't hold a grudge; I'm just doing my job."

"Your job is to guard souls in the Underworld," Inari confronted her, "not take them away."

"And yours is to protect lives, not put them at risk."

Takashi felt another chill at Inari's silence, while Izanami's maniacal laughter continued.

"Do you dare to lose them at my hand? Because you know that without them and your Takashi, you'll stay here forever."

Facing an Izanami leaning forward in a maniacal pose, Takashi saw a reaction in Inari for the first time. Her body shook from head to tail as if she had a chill, her eyes still fixed on the specter.

"Yes. Because I brought someone who I know will defeat you."

"That's cute," Izanami said, clasping her abysmal hands, mocking them. "Then you could use that power to protect the person you brought here, right?"

Takachiho fell silent again, only a soft wind howling in his ears, increasing his intrigue about those words.

"What? Don't tell me you didn't inform him he could save his own life right now."

"Huh?"

"Takashi, don't..."

"Quiet!" Her whispers turned into spectral screams to stop any attempt by Inari to clear his mind. "You know that as a member of the contract, he has the right to know that he can live again right this instant."

Inari remained silent, piercing her with a stare at that declaration. It seemed true regardless, as she merely looked back at her protege.

"She's right," Inari said simply.

"So, Takashi Ueda, what will you do?"

“Wow.” Takashi was surprised, not so much by the revelation itself but by his own reaction to the situation. “Why would I accept that?” He sighed, recalling everything he had experienced in the past few days. “You certainly did it, Inari.”

"I'm sorry," he replied, looking directly at the specter without hesitation, Izanami's chilling presence and sweet scent being no match for his courage. "But I made two promises these past few days, both very important."

Takashi looked to his left, meeting Inari's eyes.

"There's something I didn't tell you, Takashi," Inari had said, back in her sanctuary.

“And why should I care? I told you I trust you.”

"The first was to become devoted to Inari, the deity who gave me the greatest gift of all. Thanks to her, I feel better about myself every day."

The fox locked eyes with him, possibly as a show of appreciation for his words.

"And the second," Takashi continued, shifting his almond-colored gaze to the underworld deity, "was that I would care for Nao with all my heart. Because I..."

Takashi paused, but he was already convinced. He was about to risk his life, and it seemed like a small price to pay not to lose sight of her.

"I love Nao," he finally said.

After a few seconds of silence, Takashi’s heart pounding like a thousand drums, Izanami burst into uncontrollable laughter again.

"Someone got attached to the maiden, it seems. Very well, then. Prepare to stay here together for eternity!"

The dark mist became even denser, completely concealing Izanami until she disappeared entirely from the scene. Once again, they were alone. Takashi's heart gradually returned to calm.

"Nice speech," Inari said. "I knew I made the right choice with you. And it seems like you finally realized how you feel."

Takashi would have loved to take credit, but he couldn't when more chilling whispers interrupted them.

"Ah!"

Several figures materialized on the soccer field. Pale and ghostly beings floating with disheveled hair, dressed in traditional clothes, were surrounded by an aura as melancholic as it was terrifying. Inari recognized them.

"Yūrei..."

"Yūrei?!"

And just like that, Takashi's heart suddenly began racing again.