Chapter 491 – The Two in Peril Not long ago—
On a narrow mountain path far removed from people, Yoshino Tomotake ran at a steady pace. She wore her shrine maiden robes with a chihaya draped over them, the Hoko-suzu clutched tightly in her hand.
"Haa… haa…"
Her breath was ragged from running too hard, but her feet never faltered. She wasn't exactly sprinting, but she pressed on without hesitation. From the way she moved, it was clear Yoshino was no stranger to this lonely mountain trail. She must've walked it many times to know it so well—otherwise, in this near pitch-black wilderness, even the most agile person wouldn't dare move so fast.
"Haa… haa… haa…"
Her stamina was running out. Her steps slowed, her breathing grew heavier, and her body started to give out.
"Kaiser-san… just how far did you go?"
She still hadn't caught up to him, and her anxiety was boiling over.
"No… I have to find him fast. I need to bring him down the mountain."
Clinging to her stubborn will, Yoshino sucked in a deep breath and forced herself to keep going.
Rustle… rustle…
Suddenly, the brush nearby stirred unnaturally.
"…!"
Her face tightened, bitterness flashing in her eyes. She knew exactly what that sound meant—something was coming. Something she least wanted to encounter right now.
Rustle… rustle…
The shrubs shook as a beastly lump of writhing black mud oozed into view, its entire body reeking of filth and corruption.
A Tatari-gami. What else could it be?
"Why now, of all times…!?"
Yoshino froze, taking an instinctive step back. But her retreat seemed to provoke the thing—it lunged at her in a blur.
"Kyaa!"
As if expecting this, Yoshino thrust the Hoko-suzu forward like a dagger.
The ritual bell—formally called a hoko-saki suzu—was one of the sacred implements used in the Kagura Dance. Its dagger-like tip symbolized the Kusanagi Sword, its middle section of bells represented the Yata Mirror, and the handle evoked the Yasakani Magatama. In other words, it embodied the Three Sacred Treasures in one.
Though weaker than Murasame-maru, the Hoko-suzu was still a sacred tool carried by Yoshino in both ritual dances and purification rites. Over the years, it had absorbed a faint divine power of its own, enough to fend off Tatari-gami.
"Shhk!"
The dagger-like tip pierced the mud-beast's body, and half of it dissolved like smoke.
"Damn it!"
Instead of relief, Yoshino's face went pale. She had aimed for its head—but struck its torso instead.
She'd missed.
"Boom!"
Even with half its body blown apart, the Tatari-gami barreled into her, slamming her side.
Her body flew before she could even cry out, tumbling into the brush beside the path—and then down.
Her mind jolted in horror. The slope wasn't ground—it was a cliff.
She was falling.
"…!"
Clawing through the pain, Yoshino snatched at a tree trunk and managed to catch herself, dangling over the abyss.
"Shhhk!"
But the monster wasn't done. Even half-ruined, its long, whip-like tentacles lashed out at her, cutting the air with a sharp hiss.
Her mind went blank. Time seemed to slow—
"Thud!"
A gust of wind cut through the dark. A figure exploded out of nowhere, driving a kick straight into the Tatari-gami and sending the mud-beast crashing away.
"Yoshino!"
The urgent voice snapped her out of her daze.
"M-Murasame-sama?" she blurted instinctively—yet the figure wasn't Murasame.
He turned toward her, divine blade gleaming cold in his hand, his silhouette in the night like a war god descended from the heavens.
"Kaiser-san…?"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Master! Save Yoshino!" Murasame's voice rang frantically from within Murasame-maru.
There was no time for questions. Kaiser dropped to the edge of the brush, reaching toward her.
"Take my hand!"
"…!"
Biting her lip, Yoshino forced one trembling hand free and stretched toward him. Their fingers locked tightly together.
"Master!" Murasame's voice spiked with alarm.
"Wham!"
A black tentacle cleaved through the night, slamming into Kaiser's back with a dull, sickening crack.
"Guh—!"
It felt like molten fire seared across his spine. Pain ripped through him, forcing a groan from his throat.
"Kaiser-san!" Yoshino screamed.
"Climb! Hurry!" Kaiser gritted his teeth, straining to pull her up despite the agony.
But the shattered Tatari-gami dragged itself closer, tentacles lashing like whips. Another slammed across Kaiser's back.
"Wham!"
The impact rattled his whole body. His grip nearly slipped.
"No! Let me go!" Yoshino cried, tears spilling down her pale face. "Kaiser-san, please, let me go!"
He ignored her. His grip only tightened around Murasame-maru.
The Tatari-gami reared, tentacle raised like a butcher's blade ready to strike down.
"Master!" Murasame's scream tore through his mind.
"Kaiser-san!" Yoshino's desperate cry echoed through the mountains.
At the instant the strike fell—Kaiser moved.
"Shhk!"
The sound of wind tearing wasn't from the Tatari-gami's tentacle, but from Kaiser's hand releasing the blade.
Murasame-maru shot through the night like a streak of cold light, an arrow of divine steel.
"Splrrch!"
The Divine Blade punched clean through the Tatari-gami's body, freezing it in place. Its raised tentacle stiffened midair, unable to strike.
Moments later, the monster crumbled to ash, scattering into nothing. The sword fell, point-down, into the soil.
But Kaiser, having thrown it with all his strength, lost his balance. Still clutching Yoshino's hand, he was dragged with her over the edge.
"Master! Yoshino!" Murasame's terrified voice echoed from above—but they were already gone.
The two of them plummeted, crashing through trees and branches, before slamming into a river below.
"Splash!"
Water surged high, then stilled. No trace of them remained on the surface.
Deep in the mountains, a hidden corner untouched by people. Trees and brush grew wild, the river here slowed to a gentle trickle, and only the sound of flowing water broke the silence of night.
"Splash!"
Two figures burst from the water, gasping. Kaiser held Yoshino tightly as he dragged her toward shore.
Soon, he hauled her onto the bank, collapsing with her into the overgrown grass.
"Cough, cough…!" He hacked and gasped, utterly drained. Even he hadn't escaped the ordeal unscathed.
He sprawled onto the muddy ground, chest heaving.
"…We're alive." He wiped water from his face, though his body still felt weak. Relief flickered—then froze.
Yoshino lay motionless beside him. No sound, no breath. Pale as death.
"Hey! Hey, stay with me!" Kaiser slapped her damp cheeks, then checked her nose for air.
His expression twisted. Nothing.
"…Tch!"
Snapping his tongue in frustration, he tilted her chin up, pinched her nose shut, and pressed his lips to hers, forcing air into her lungs. Her lips were soft, chilled by the river's water, but he had no room in his mind for that. He alternated breaths with chest compressions, his movements steady and practiced.
Back in school, during military training, he'd been drilled on more than just marksmanship—first aid and CPR too. Unlike most, he hadn't forgotten.
And this time, it paid off.
"Cough! Cough—cough!"
Yoshino convulsed, hacking up water. Her body shuddered with painful gasps.
"Yoshino! Come on, wake up!" Kaiser held her face, calling urgently.
After a long, tense moment, she blinked weakly, her wet lashes parting to see him.
"…Kaiser-san…?"
Her voice was fragile, hoarse. Her delicate face was drained of color, drenched and pitiable.
"Yeah. It's me." Kaiser nodded quickly. "Are you alright?"
She shook her head faintly, trying to rise, but her body refused to move.
"W-where are we…? And the Tatari-gami…?"
At that, Kaiser let out a helpless laugh.
"Seriously? You're still worrying about that thing? If another one shows up now, we're screwed."
And it wasn't a joke. Without Murasame-maru in his hand, he had no way to fight. Yoshino's Hoko-suzu was gone, and she herself was barely conscious.
One more monster, and they were dead.
"…I-I'm sorry…" Yoshino whispered, even her voice fading, her face growing whiter.
"Don't talk. Save your strength." Kaiser cut her off firmly. "First we need to find a place to rest. We'll figure out the rest later."
She nodded faintly, struggling to move again—only to fail.
"Here. Lean on me."
He took her hand and pulled her up.
"N-no, I—"
"Now's not the time for pride. If you don't want to drag me down, then shut up and let me help."
At his blunt words, Yoshino fell silent.
"Good. Let's go."
He wrapped one arm around her shoulders, supporting her weight, and together they staggered into the night.
The darkness stretched on.
Chapter 492 – The Origin of the Tatari-gami
The mountains near Hoori weren't truly uninhabited wilderness. Even so, it wasn't easy for Kaiser and Yoshino Tomotake to find a cave to rest in, let alone some forester's hut.
So Kaiser settled for the simplest option—he picked a spot that blocked the wind and had Yoshino sit down, her strength nearly spent.
"How're you feeling? Still bad?"
He frowned at her pale face as he asked.
"…No, I'm better now. Thank you."
She said that, but her arms hugged her body tight, trembling from the cold.
It wasn't winter, but the mountain air at night cut deep. For someone drenched from head to toe, the chill was no less brutal than being caught in a downpour in the middle of winter. Even Kaiser felt the cold creeping in—so for a delicate girl like Yoshino, it was unbearable.
"I could light a fire, but this is the mountains. One mistake and we'd set the whole place ablaze. If you want to warm up, the best thing is to take off your wet clothes."
He spoke calmly, like it was just a matter-of-fact suggestion. But it still made Yoshino stiffen with alarm.
"No—that's fine." She shook her head quickly. "I'll manage like this."
Strip in front of a boy she'd only met yesterday? Impossible.
"Suit yourself," Kaiser said casually. "It's your call."
Then, without hesitation, he started stripping his own clothes.
"Wh-what?!" Yoshino jumped, face flushing. "Why are you taking your clothes off?!"
Kaiser only shot her a look, utterly unfazed.
"I just told you why." He peeled off his shirt and wrung it out, speaking evenly. "Besides, I don't plan on waking up sick tomorrow, and I'm not fighting while dragging around soaked gear. At the very least, I'm getting rid of the extra weight."
The drenched fabric was heavy against his skin. Not unbearable, but why waste strength carrying waterlogged clothes?
In seconds, he was bare-chested, twisting his shirt until water gushed out in streams. He left his pants on for her sake, but still wrung out as much as he could.
Yoshino looked away awkwardly, not sure where to put her eyes—but she couldn't help admiring his calm.
"…Don't you feel afraid at all?" she murmured. "After seeing that kind of monster?"
Kaiser glanced at her.
"Not really," he said plainly. "Looks scary enough, sure. But besides those annoying tentacles, it's not any worse than a wild boar."
That was his honest judgment of the Tatari-gami. Its terrifying appearance aside, its overall toughness, ferocity, and attack power weren't far off from a boar gone berserk.
When he was a kid, he'd used one of Genjuro Kurama's real blades to hunt boar. Back then, it had taken all his strength just to sink the edge through that thick hide. Compared to that, cutting down the Tatari-gami was easy—one clean strike.
Of course, that didn't account for its tentacles or regenerative body. With those factors, the creature was far trickier than any boar. Without Murasame-maru's Divine Power, he couldn't have finished it at all.
So, while its raw strength wasn't overwhelming, defeating it was no simple task. With Murasame-maru in his hand, though? Hardly worth worrying about.
"Besides," Kaiser added, "I knew going into the mountains I'd see some weird shit. So I was surprised, but not scared. If not for that accident, I would've made it down without trouble."
At that, Yoshino dropped her gaze, shame tugging at her expression.
"…I'm sorry. I dragged you into this."
She had come to save him, but instead she'd ended up putting him in danger. How could she not feel guilty?
She'd meant to scold him for charging up the mountain alone, but after what happened, she didn't have the face to say it.
Kaiser, though, wasn't blaming her in the slightest.
"I'm the one who made you come after me like that. So it's on me too." He caught her downcast look and added, "What's done is done. No point assigning blame now. Let's focus on what's next."
And really, their situation wasn't so dire.
"You know this area, right? Any idea how to get down?" he asked.
"This should be near the river," Yoshino said softly, pulling herself together. "We must've been swept downstream. It's a bit remote, but closer to the foot of the mountain than before. It shouldn't be hard to find a way down."
Her brow furrowed. "The only problem is whether more Tatari-gami appear nearby."
"If anything's a real threat here, it's those things," Kaiser agreed. "There might be wolves or something around too, but even without Murasame-maru, I can handle that much."
With nothing more than a branch in hand, he could easily drive off a wolf.
"And we don't have to move right away. Murasame should be able to find me soon." Kaiser's tone carried quiet certainty. "When she does, Murasame-maru will come back. Then even if another Tatari-gami shows up, we'll be fine."
He'd made up his mind. "For now, we rest. Once Murasame gets here, we head down."
"…Alright."
Yoshino didn't argue, but her voice was growing faint. Her teeth chattered audibly.
"You need to wring out your clothes too." Kaiser's frown deepened as he watched her shiver. "Otherwise, you'll collapse before Murasame even gets here. Or would you rather fight a Tatari-gami half-frozen?" He gave her a dry look. "Don't make me save you twice."
With that, he turned his back to her, showing only his broad shoulders.
She hesitated, wanting to refuse again—but the cold biting into her body, and the thought of dragging him down once more, made her falter.
"…Y-you can't look," she mumbled at last.
Kaiser snorted. "I'm your fiancé. Even if only in name. I already gave you mouth-to-mouth. What's left to be shy about?"
Her eyes widened in shock. "Y-you did what?!"
Clearly, she had no memory of it.
I didn't just breathe for you—I gave you chest compressions too… Kaiser thought. But knowing she'd probably flip, he held his tongue.
"Don't sweat the details," he said instead.
That only made her flush harder. "How can you say that?! That was… my first kiss…!"
Her pale cheeks turned scarlet.
"It doesn't count. It was just first aid," Kaiser replied flatly. "Besides, you were cold as a corpse at the time. Kissing you felt the same as pressing my lips to frozen pork. So stop making a fuss."
It was the truth—so he didn't feel embarrassed in the least.
"Frozen… pork…" Yoshino muttered faintly, looking like she'd just been struck down.
"Well? Are you doing it or not?" Kaiser said bluntly. "If not, I'll turn around."
"…I-I'll do it."
She was fuming inside, but the chill gnawed at her to the bone. She couldn't stand it any longer.
With a glance at Kaiser's turned back, her face burning, she peeled off her chihaya and shrine maiden robes.
"Faster," Kaiser urged. "Mosquitoes are bad enough. Might be snakes around too. Don't stay bare longer than you have to."
"I-I know!" she muttered, her hands moving quicker.
Silence fell, awkward and heavy.
As Yoshino quietly wrung out her clothing, Kaiser suddenly spoke.
"That's what you've been hiding, isn't it? The cursed truth behind Hoori's rumors?"
Her hands stilled. Her face shifted, conflicted.
"Even now, you won't tell me?" Kaiser continued calmly. "Doesn't matter. I've already figured most of it out."
Her fingers clenched tighter around the wet fabric.
"…Have you really?" she whispered.
"Pretty much." Kaiser's expression didn't waver. "Murasame-maru is the real Divine Blade, so its legends must be true. That means the old tales about Hoori probably are too."
He ticked them off evenly. "The gods bestowed Murasame-maru here. With it, Hoori drove back invaders seduced by yokai, and slew the deceiving beast itself. If that's true, then the Tatari-gami aren't hard to explain."
"They're either the curse that yokai left before dying—or the vengeful spirits they left behind. One or the other."
Yoshino said nothing.
"Since Hoori is called a cursed land, I'd bet on the first." Kaiser's tone was steady, matter-of-fact. "The yokai was slain, but it left a curse on this place, taking revenge on its people. That's the story, isn't it?"
"But here's what I don't get. If those things are real, why's Hoori been peaceful all this time? Does the curse only manifest in the mountains? And only at night?"
For a while, Yoshino didn't respond. Kaiser thought she'd ignore him like before—refusing to let him in.
Then, her voice came, low and heavy.
"In the past… the Tatari-gami did leave the mountains. They ravaged Hoori, bringing disaster." Her words weighed with sorrow. "But that only happens once the filth has built up to a certain level."
"At first, they're weak. Just as you said. Only appearing in the mountains, and only at night."
"But if no one purifies them, their numbers grow. They absorb more of the filth festering in Hoori's land, growing stronger and stronger."
"And then… they descend. They flood into the town. That catastrophe really happened, once, in Hoori's history."
Kaiser's eyes narrowed. He understood.
"So Hoori's been safe all this time because you and your family exorcise them before it comes to that," he said quietly.
"The Tomotake Family has been guarding this land for generations… haven't you?"
Chapter 493 – "Curse"
As mentioned before, the Tomotake Family held a very special place in Hoori.
There were two main reasons.
First, the Tomotake Family had once been the land's administrators, a noble house of prestige. Even in modern times, they remained the most influential family in Hoori. Their inherited authority and centuries of status made them almost like feudal lords in the eyes of the townsfolk.
Second, Hoori's ancient legends were still remembered. The elders knew the truth about Murasame and the Divine Blade, Murasame-maru. They knew the stories weren't just myths. Out of reverence for the gods enshrined at Mitake Shrine—and the sacred blade housed there—the townsfolk treated the Tomotake Family as living representatives of the divine.
Even now, the Tomotake Family was deeply connected to many households in Hoori. Families like the Hitachi Family, who for generations had produced guards for the Lady Miko, or the Kurama Family of Genjuro Kurama, all remained tied to them.
That was why the Tomotake Family was so unique. Yoshino Tomotake, as the family's sole direct heir, was treated like Hoori's princess—respected, cherished, and protected.
Some elders still swore allegiance to the Tomotake line, fretting constantly over its continuation. For Yoshino, this meant being forced into countless arranged meetings since childhood. They feared the family bloodline might one day die out, which they saw as nothing short of a disaster for Hoori itself.
But the reason for all this respect wasn't just their inherited prestige.
It was because people knew the Tomotake Family had always guarded Hoori.
"To keep the filth from building up… to prevent the curse from breaking out and the Tatari-gami from descending into town… your family has been fighting them for centuries."
"Every time the filth reaches a certain point, someone from your family goes up the mountain to exorcise the Tatari-gami and purify the land."
"That's right, isn't it?"
Kaiser hadn't seen Yoshino fight, but her attitude toward the Tatari-gami said enough—she was no stranger to them. As the miko, she must've had her own means of confronting them, even without a Divine Blade like Murasame-maru. Otherwise, why would Hoori depend on her family's protection at all?
And the Hitachi Family, who for generations had served as the Miko's protectors… surely their training wasn't just for household chores. Why else would Mako Hitachi hone her skills to such a level? Clearly, aiding in battles against the Tatari-gami was part of their duty.
His reasoning left Yoshino biting her lip.
"…Yes. The Tomotake Family has always fought the Tatari-gami. Even our ritual Kagura Dance exists to purify the land, handed down for that very purpose."
Her voice carried a bitterness few outsiders could fathom.
"But we… we're not as noble as you think."
"We fight not only for Hoori, but for ourselves."
"If we don't… then we…"
Her words trailed off. But Kaiser remembered something—what he had seen during the Kagura Dance at the Spring Festival.
For just an instant, beastlike ears had appeared on her head.
That was the curse long spoken of in Hoori.
If that name wasn't arbitrary, then… what did it mean?
Was the yokai that cursed Hoori some kind of dog spirit? Yoshino's fleeting beast ears—were they canine?
And why would she, the Tomotake Family's direct heir, manifest them?
The answer wasn't hard to guess.
"…The one who wielded Murasame-maru to slay that yokai long ago—was it someone from your family?" Kaiser asked.
"…Yes."
After a long silence, Yoshino finally nodded.
Then it was clear.
"The curse didn't just fall on Hoori—it struck your family too." Kaiser's tone deepened. "You can see Murasame because your family once wielded the blade to slay that yokai. You're bound to it."
As for Mako Hitachi, her family's bloodline had always guarded the Tomotake line. It wasn't hard to imagine they, too, had ties to that battle—or even shared a trace of blood. That could explain why she, like Yoshino, could see Murasame.
But Yasuharu Tomotake, Yoshino's father, was an adopted son. He carried no Tomotake blood. That was why he couldn't see Murasame—and why Yoshino, so young, was forced to shoulder the fight against the Tatari-gami.
"And this curse… what effect does it have on your family?" Kaiser pressed.
But Yoshino avoided the question.
"Now you understand why I didn't want you involved, don't you?" she said, forcing her tone calm. "This isn't something you can meddle in out of curiosity. It could cost you your life."
"But I'm already involved, aren't I?" Kaiser countered, his voice even colder. "If I'm not wrong, in the eyes of the Tatari-gami, I'm just as much a target as your family. Maybe even more."
He remembered clearly. The first Tatari-gami hadn't attacked at random—it had come straight for him.
At first, he'd thought they simply lashed out indiscriminately. But if they were curses given form, they couldn't be without intent. The Tomotake bloodline was the root of the curse. Naturally, the Tatari-gami would attack them on sight.
But now Kaiser was the wielder of Murasame-maru—the blade that had slain their progenitor. That made him an enemy too.
If he wandered around on his own, it would only invite danger.
That was why Yasuharu and Yoshino wanted to keep him at Mitake Shrine. Because Murasame-maru was bound to Hoori, the Tomotake Family, and the shrine itself—it couldn't leave.
Even Yoshino hadn't opposed the idea. Which meant Kaiser could no longer stand apart.
The engagement, though—that was Yasuharu's decision alone. A selfish arrangement. Yoshino had never agreed.
"As long as you don't go up the mountain, the filth won't build enough for the Tatari-gami to descend," she insisted. "If you just stay at the shrine, you'll be safe. I'll handle the rest."
Her voice hardened, conviction flickering through it.
But—
"If I hadn't saved you tonight, you'd already be dead." Kaiser's words cut like a blade.
The unspoken meaning: if you can't even protect yourself, how will you protect me?
"T-that was just an accident!" Yoshino shot back, flustered. "I've dealt with them plenty of times before. I can handle it!"
"Then so can I," Kaiser retorted. "Like I said, they're nothing I can't face. I don't need protecting."
"But this isn't your fight!"
"And it's not yours alone either."
"Don't you get it? The Tatari-gami are dangerous!"
"Maybe. But I don't see any reason to let you fight while I stand aside."
"We're the ones who dragged you into this! That makes it our duty to protect you!"
"I drew Murasame-maru myself. You didn't drag me anywhere."
"Y-you…!"
Frustration boiled over. Yoshino surged to her feet, marched to him, and grabbed his arm.
"Why won't you just listen?!"
Kaiser started to snap back—but the words caught in his throat.
His eyes flicked down, and he froze.
Yoshino's face was flushed, her chest heaving with anger. But more than that—her shrine robes and chihaya lay discarded. She wore only a thin peach-colored set of undergarments, skin bared to the night air.
Slender legs, the curve of her waist and hips, even the faint shadow of cleavage beneath the thin cloth—every line of her body burned in his vision.
It was far too close. Far too much.
The sight was every bit as intoxicating as when Mako Hitachi had stood naked before him. No—worse. Because Yoshino's natural purity and sacred air made the image almost sinful, stirring his blood in a way that felt dangerous.
"Ahhh—!"
Her eyes followed his gaze. Realization hit.
A scream tore from her throat, echoing through the mountain woods, shrill and unending.
Chapter 494 – Left in the Dark
A few minutes later, a voice called out from above.
"Master! Yoshino!"
It was Murasame, rushing toward them.
"Are you two alright? Are you hurt?!"
She swooped down in a panic, Murasame-maru floating by her side as they descended together, landing in front of Kaiser and Yoshino.
But when she arrived, neither Kaiser nor Yoshino spoke. Both had their backs turned, an awkward silence hanging in the air. Their clothes were back on, but they still wouldn't face each other—Kaiser scratched at his cheek uncomfortably, while Yoshino buried her burning face against her knees.
"You're finally here, Murasame." Kaiser let out a breath of relief as he looked at her and the returning Divine Blade.
"Murasame-sama…" Yoshino raised her head, though her cheeks were still red.
"Forgive me. I'm late." Murasame didn't notice the strange tension between them. She sounded guilty. "Because you were both so close to the Tatari-gami, the filth clinging to you weakened my sense of your presence. Otherwise, I would've flown straight to the river the moment you fell."
"It's not your fault. Don't apologize." Kaiser reached out, taking Murasame-maru into his hand. The sword thrummed with joy at his touch, and he smiled faintly as he comforted her. "You got here before another Tatari-gami found us. That's luck enough."
Without the Divine Blade, he'd have stood no chance. If another Tatari-gami had shown up, all he could've done was run. Now that the sword was back in his grip, he felt whole again.
"See anything on your way here?" he asked.
"No. Before I found you and Yoshino, I didn't encounter any Tatari-gami." Murasame shook her head. "It feels like the filth has thinned out. They must've already been purified."
According to Yoshino, the Tatari-gami didn't exist constantly. They only manifested in the mountains at night, when enough filth had built up. That was why the Tomotake Family had to climb the mountain regularly—exorcising them before things spiraled out of control.
Two appearing in a single night was rare. Usually Yoshino would only find one. That meant their numbers were limited, at least for now. And since both had been destroyed tonight, it would be some time before new ones appeared.
"Good thing they're gone," Murasame said with a sigh of relief. "Otherwise, you and Yoshino could've run into another one here."
"Fair enough." Kaiser nodded, loosening his grip on the sword. A little disappointed he wouldn't get another fight, but relieved nonetheless.
"Yoshino?" Murasame finally noticed her odd behavior and tilted her head. "What's wrong? Are you hurt? Did the river make you sick? Your face is so red!"
At that, the awkward tension between Kaiser and Yoshino flared right back up.
"I-I'm fine, Murasame-sama." Yoshino quickly sucked in a deep breath, trying to cool herself down. But instead of calming, she only remembered something even more embarrassing.
(Kaiser-san really did say he gave me mouth-to-mouth…)
The thought made her cheeks burn hotter.
"Ahh! You're turning redder!" Murasame panicked. "You must have a fever! Master, carry her down the mountain! I'll tell Yasuharu and Mako to bring a doctor right away!"
Before either of them could stop her, Murasame flitted off into the night.
"Wait—Murasame-sama?!" Yoshino reached out, but it was too late. She was gone, leaving only silence behind.
Kaiser and Yoshino were alone again. Both of them shifted uncomfortably.
"Ahem…" Kaiser coughed into his hand. "Want me to carry you?"
"N-no need!" Yoshino shook her head frantically. "I'm not sick or hurt. I can walk!"
"Alright then." He shrugged. "I don't know these paths anyway. Better if you lead."
He stepped aside, gesturing for her to go first. But Yoshino hesitated, fidgeting where she stood.
"About what just happened…" Her voice was small, embarrassed. "Please don't tell anyone. And the mouth-to-mouth—forget it ever happened."
Clearly, she couldn't bear for anyone to know she'd not only been kissed by Kaiser, but nearly seen by him as well.
"Relax. I'm not the gossiping type." Kaiser nodded easily. "Whether it's Murasame, Yasuharu-san, Mako, or even my grandfather—I won't say a word."
"…Good." Yoshino pressed her lips together, trying to will away her embarrassment. Then she forced her tone steady. "As for the Tatari-gami and the curse… I'll find a time to explain things properly."
So she still hadn't given up on keeping him out of this.
"Suit yourself." Kaiser wasn't convinced she could change his mind, but he wasn't against hearing her out either.
Because he knew—something was still being hidden.
She hadn't said a word about the beast ears he'd glimpsed on her, or what the curse truly did to her family. She hadn't explained the real reason behind their engagement, or what Yasuharu Tomotake was thinking when he arranged it.
And the Tatari-gami themselves… something about them didn't add up.
Whenever Kaiser cut them down with Murasame-maru, he'd felt it—the blade held no hatred for those creatures. Instead, there was something like sorrow, quiet and heavy.
His gaze dropped to the sword in his hand.
(Why were you so desperate for me to draw you? )
(Is there something you want me to do? Something tied to the Tatari-gami?)
(Was your goal to break the curse on Hoori Town and the Tomotake Family?)
(No… it feels like it's more than that.)
He pressed a hand to his chest. His heartbeat, in perfect sync with the sword, whispered that his instincts were right.
Maybe Murasame-maru was trying to tell him something. Maybe there was more to all this than anyone had admitted.
Yoshino still wasn't telling the full truth. The secrets ran deeper than she let on.
And Kaiser had no intention of staying in the dark.
By dawn, Kaiser and Yoshino finally returned to Mitake Shrine, home of the Tomotake Family.
"Thank goodness… you're both safe."
Yasuharu Tomotake had been waiting at the entrance. Relief washed over his face the moment he saw them.
"Lady Yoshino! Kaiser-sama! Are you unharmed?"
Mako Hitachi hurried to meet them as well. Though she didn't live at the shrine, she must've rushed over after hearing the news.
Inside the house, Kaiser noticed another figure he hadn't seen before.
"Please, this way."
It was a woman in a white coat and glasses, calm and composed.
"My name is Mizuha Komakawa . I'm a doctor, and I run a clinic in Hoori Town. Yasuharu-san asked me to come and check on you both."
Seeing Kaiser's puzzled expression, she added a brief explanation.
"My family has served the Tomotake Family for generations, just as the Hitachi Family has. We're a lineage of physicians, and one of the few in town entrusted with your secrets."
Mako nodded, clarifying for Kaiser.
"Exactly. With the Tomotake Family fighting the Tatari-gami and the curse for so long, of course they'd need support. The Komakawa Family has always been that support."
Kaiser's eyes lit with understanding. Of course. If the Tomotake Family was always fighting, someone had to treat their wounds.
"Please take care of them, Doctor Komakawa." Yasuharu bowed deeply.
"This is my duty. Please, raise your head." Mizuha Komakawa spoke briskly, already beginning her examination.
She started with Yoshino.
"No serious injuries. A few scrapes, but nothing major. Her temperature's low, though—she might have caught a chill. I'll prescribe medicine. Make sure she takes it."
Her quick diagnosis let everyone breathe easier.
But when it was Kaiser's turn to be examined, the expressions in the room began to shift.
Chapter 495 – He Just Wanted Her to Be Happy
"I'll pass."
At first, Kaiser tried to brush it off with those words, clearly not planning to let Mizuha Komakawa examine him.
But maybe his resistance was a little too obvious. Not only did Yasuharu Tomotake and Mako Hitachi immediately object, even Yoshino Tomotake and Murasame began to sense something was wrong.
"Master, you don't mean…" Murasame's expression shifted as if she had just recalled something crucial.
"Mako! Help me!" Yoshino's voice suddenly turned forceful as she gave an order.
"Yes, Yoshino-sama!"
Without hesitation, Mako moved in with her, each grabbing one of Kaiser's arms to hold him in place.
"Wait—" Kaiser started to protest, but before he could finish, Murasame darted behind him and yanked off his shirt in one swift motion.
That was when the atmosphere in the room froze.
Everyone's expressions hardened as their eyes fell on Kaiser's back.
"Kaiser-kun, you…" Yasuharu's voice grew unbearably heavy.
"This wound…" Mizuha Komakawa 's face turned deadly serious as she immediately flipped open her medical kit, pulling out a flurry of medicines and tools.
Because on Kaiser's back were two deep, vicious wounds.
They weren't minor injuries at all—the flesh was torn open as though seared by a red-hot iron rod. No blood flowed, but the skin was blistered and close to festering.
No one could keep their composure after seeing that. Yoshino and Murasame in particular knew exactly where those marks had come from.
Without a doubt, they were left by the tentacle lashes of that collapsing half-bodied Tatari-gami.
"How… how did I not realize until now?!" Yoshino's face, which had only just regained some color, went pale again. Guilt and self-blame flooded her eyes.
After all, Kaiser had taken those blows to protect her, unable to free his hands in time. Yet she had somehow completely forgotten about it. Worse—when they returned home earlier, she still hadn't noticed his wounds.
Back when they'd stripped off their wet clothes to wring them out, Kaiser had been bare-chested with his back to her. Maybe it was the poor lighting… or maybe she had been too embarrassed to look directly at his exposed body. Either way, she'd failed to notice the wounds at all, forgetting that he had been struck while saving her.
That realization crushed her.
"You—you didn't even feel pain, Kaiser-sama?!" Even Mako was shocked.
How could he still act so calm with such injuries?
"It's not that bad," Kaiser admitted at last, seeing there was no way to keep hiding it. "It hurt like hell at first, but maybe because I was soaking in water for so long… after a while, I stopped feeling it."
"That's because your nerves are partly numb," Mitsuha said grimly as she cleaned and treated the wounds. "There's infection from the water, and worse—the filth from the Tatari-gami has seeped into your body. That's why your sense of pain has dulled."
"Fortunately, the bleeding stopped. If you'd kept losing blood without realizing it, this could have been life-threatening."
Her voice sharpened. "You're not taking your injuries seriously enough. I need to conduct a more thorough examination."
Without waiting for his consent, she continued her inspection.
Thankfully, apart from those two savage lash marks, his body bore no other serious wounds. Still, traces of filth clung to him from his two close encounters with the Tatari-gami. If left unchecked, they could harm both his health and his mind.
"What should we do then, Doctor Komakawa?!" Yoshino's voice cracked with panic.
"First, we treat the wounds. After that, we'll need to purify the filth on his body," Mitsuha explained calmly.
"The most effective and convenient method would be bathing in a hot spring," Murasame added. "But with Master's wounds, can he even touch water?"
At that, Kaiser raised a brow. "Hot springs can purify filth?"
That was unexpected.
"Only the ones here in Hoori," Mako clarified. "This land doesn't just produce filth. It also births gods and divine blades. The land itself carries divine power. That's why the hot springs here can cleanse impurity."
That was also why rumors about Hoori's miraculous hot springs had spread. Curing all illnesses might be tourist exaggeration, but like the local myths, there was truth mixed in.
"Hoori's hot springs also accelerate healing," Mitsuha added. "As long as I treat the wounds properly, he should still be able to soak. And even if he couldn't, there are other ways to purify filth—like Yoshino-sama's offering dance."
The shrine maiden's dance of Mitake Shrine also had purifying power. But it wasn't meant for individuals—it was a rite to cleanse the land itself of accumulated filth.
That was why every daughter of the Tomotake Family was required to master the dance. Only then could they suppress the buildup of filth in Hoori and limit the rise of Tatari-gami and the curse.
But of course, even the dance couldn't completely prevent impurity from spreading. That was why periodic exorcisms were still necessary.
"I'll do it now, then—" Yoshino stepped forward, ready to drag Kaiser to the shrine for a ritual.
"Wait, Yoshino-sama." Mitsuha quickly stopped her, shaking her head. "I know you mean well, but don't forget—you're cursed too. If you expose yourself to the filth clinging to Kaiser, your curse could flare up."
Yoshino froze, stricken.
Kaiser, meanwhile, stole a glance at her head.
On the way back, he'd already noticed faint glimpses of canine ears sprouting above her whenever she got close to him. No doubt his filth-tainted body was agitating the curse inside her.
And when he'd given her mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions earlier, that contact had been far more direct. It was no wonder her curse had stirred, her beastly ears flickering into sight.
"Hot springs it is, then," Yasuharu finally said, brows furrowed. "We have a bath at home that draws from the spring. Kaiser-kun can use that."
"I'll finish treating the wounds first," Mitsuha said firmly. "He shouldn't expose them to water, but given the circumstances, this is the best option. At least I can minimize the risks."
"I'll prepare the bath," Mako said, already rising. "And I'll fetch him fresh clothes—just tell me where they're kept."
"Come with me, Mako," Murasame said at once. "I'll show you."
"I'll take Murasame-maru for now," Yasuharu told Kaiser, carefully receiving the blade from him. "Focus on healing, Kaiser-kun. Everything else can wait."
Soon, everyone had something to do—except Yoshino, who stood awkwardly frozen, guilt and unease written all over her face.
"Father, I…" She tried to step forward, wanting to take over the work of tending Kaiser's wounds herself. She couldn't just stand by—especially since she felt responsible for his injuries.
"Yoshino, go change your clothes first," Yasuharu said gently, treating her as much a victim as Kaiser. "If you stay in wet clothes, you'll catch a cold."
"But—"
"If you fall sick too," Yasuharu cut her off quietly, "not only will there be one less person to care for Kaiser-kun, the rest of us will have to divide our attention to care for you as well. Do you really want that?"
Yoshino's protest died on her lips.
After a long moment, she relented, shuffling reluctantly toward her room, looking back again and again, her face etched with worry and guilt.
Kaiser only sat in silence, watching everything unfold—their frantic concern, Yoshino's conflicted expression, their careful treatment of his wounds. He said nothing, just observed.
When Mitsuha finally finished dressing his injuries and stepped back with her medical kit, Yasuharu turned to him with a heavy sigh.
"You were far too reckless this time, Kaiser-kun," he said sternly. "If anything had happened to you… I don't know how I could have faced Genjurou-san."
"Sorry for worrying you," Kaiser replied, meeting his eyes before asking, "Does Grandfather know about the Tatari-gami?"
"He knows a little," Yasuharu admitted with a bitter smile. "Genjurou-san is one of the most influential elders in Hoori. I'm technically his junior, even distantly related. Families like his—tied deeply to Hoori's history—know something of its secrets, even if not the full details."
"I see…" Kaiser murmured, almost to himself. "So the reason he supported me staying here… was to have me use Murasame-maru to exorcise the Tatari-gami? Maybe even break the curse binding Hoori and the Tomotake Family?"
"No." Yasuharu immediately shook his head, his tone firm. "Neither Genjurou-san nor I ever intended to force such a burden on you. Please believe me, Kaiser-kun—we never meant to dump on a boy your age what no one in Hoori has been able to resolve for generations."
"Yes, when you drew Murasame-maru, we couldn't help but feel some hope. But even so, like Genjurou-san, what I truly want is simple: for you to live safely in this town."
"That's our only wish."
His eyes lowered, almost closing. His voice was quiet, heavy. "If I could, I'd want the same for Yoshino. I just want her to grow up safe and happy—not to see her weighed down by such a cruel destiny."
As head priest of Mitake Shrine, Yasuharu probably knew more of Hoori's secrets than anyone. But that only made him feel more powerless.
Every day, he lived with the fear of his daughter being forced into battle with Tatari-gami, the curse gnawing at her future. And tonight, if not for Kaiser's intervention, she might already be gone.
That was the kind of dread Yasuharu carried daily, hiding it behind half-closed eyes, burying his pain and helplessness.
"So why did you force an engagement between me and Yoshino?" Kaiser finally asked.
"I…" Yasuharu exhaled softly, then confessed his true feelings. "I only wanted my daughter to have someone by her side who could understand her. Someone to ease the loneliness she's lived with."
"Because of the curse, Yoshino's always kept her distance from others. She's afraid of dragging innocent people down with her. Maybe she's even a little self-conscious—thinking she's cursed, unworthy of getting close to anyone. The result is the same. That child has always been alone."
"Mako has always stayed by her, yes, but only as her guard. That can't change the way she feels inside."
"So I acted forcefully. I bound her to you through this engagement—hoping to change her relationships, to break her solitude."
In other words, Yasuharu had long since run out of gentler solutions. The only choice left was this drastic one.
And to him, Kaiser's arrival was that drastic medicine—the one thing strong enough to change Yoshino's fate.
(End of Chapter)