Tanuki youkai are naturally fond of pranks, and in the Shogun's eyes, this time Ioroi had gone too far by stealing from the imperial garden, warranting punishment.
The Shogun intended to discipline Ioroi, but Kitsune Saiguu pleaded on his behalf, and the Shogun, unable to resist, let the audacious youkai king off.
She even appointed Ioroi a position, tasking him with guarding the Chinju Forest. Making the mischievous tanuki protect the forest was, in a way, a form of punishment.
Ioroi didn't refuse, for he wasn't the type of youkai to deny a loss.
Readers let out relieved smiles, realizing that tricking Ioroi in hide-and-seek had a precedent.
But as they smiled, tears followed. Back then, Kitsune Saiguu was already using this method to "protect" others.
Inazuma's ruler is the Shogun, and the tanuki youkai clan, not pledging allegiance to her and fond of causing trouble, even if minor, was displeasing to many.
Through Kitsune Saiguu's clever maneuvering, the tanuki clan submitted to the Shogun and even gained a position, ensuring their minor pranks wouldn't lead to their eradication.
Whether it was Lucian's mischievous taste or not, the next illustration depicted Kamuna Harunosuke sealing Ioroi.
He was about to head to Liyue to study Adeptal arts, and before his departure, Kitsune Saiguu saw him off, gifting him her pipe.
'"In the morning, a beauty boasts of worldly paths; by dusk, she becomes bones decaying in the fields."'
===✧✦✧===
On the next page, it was a Hyakki Yako, a night parade of a hundred demons, with youkai gathered together, laughing joyfully. A fox youkai named Urakusai was telling a story.
On Kitsune Saiguu's shoulder perched a pink fox, likely the same one nestled in the Shogun's arms at the earlier banquet.
At this moment, the pink fox was arguing with Urakusai, seemingly pointing out flaws in his story.
Urakusai stroked his beard, his eyes darting as he quickly spun an excuse to brush it off.
The pink fox was relentless, but Urakusai handled it with finesse. Kitsune Saiguu, exhaling a wisp of smoke, listened to their banter, complaining that her new pipe felt unfamiliar.
The youkai listened gleefully, clapping and cheering.
Just then, a human burst in, wielding a great sword, declaring intent to slay ghosts and demons.
Mikoshi Chiyo found it amusing, suddenly stripping off her top to reveal her bandaged chest, stepping forward to wrestle the intruder.
Was wrestling truly a proud tradition of the red oni?
Compared to Urakusai's stories, the youkai preferred this "muscle show," and the scene instantly grew lively.
Mikoshi Chiyo looked petite and delicate, but her strength was undeniably formidable.
After several bouts, the human was defeated and retreated in shame.
The youkai roared with laughter. The contest with the human was over, and now it was time for a competition among youkai!
How do youkai compete? By seeing who can shroud the sky and moon first!
===✧✦✧===
In the next scene, the youkai unleashed their powers, soaring into the air as the sky gradually darkened. Kitsune Saiguu stood within the Grand Narukami Shrine, looking up at the pitch-black sky, her face blooming with a radiant smile.
The moon was not yet covered, its light falling on Kitsune Saiguu's face, her beauty at this moment immortalized in the book, an eternal scene.
In the eyes of the pink fox on her shoulder, there was nothing but admiration. She, too, longed to join everyone in shrouding the sky and moon, participating in the Hyakki Yako!
But her powers were still insufficient, unable to achieve it yet. Someday, surely, she would.
===✧✦✧===
However, in the next illustration, the scene seemed to shift subtly.
The sky remained pitch-black, but it appeared to be daytime. Kitsune Saiguu, sitting at the Grand Narukami Shrine, gazed at the sky, teasing the pink fox on her shoulder.
The smile on her face was gone, and Kitsune Saiguu's mood seemed heavy; a calamity was coming.
Asase Hibiki's lover had made a bet with her: if he returned alive from fighting the Abyss, they would marry.
Takamine the Mistsplitter left and never returned, with no word of his fate. Now, Kitsune Saiguu was about to face the calamity as well.
'Kitsune Saiguu leaned close to Asase Hibiki, who stared blankly into the distance: "By the way, tell me about that fool Konbumaru…"'
Asase Hibiki didn't respond to Kitsune Saiguu's words. At that moment, she seemed lost, staring at something, holding a longbow in her hands.
'"What… are you afraid this old woman will steal him away?"'
If… if he had taken this bow when he left, would he have come back?
Ah… the smell of sake on Lady Saiguu is so strong, it's disrupting my thoughts… Is it scarlet cherry sake?
'Kitsune Saiguu continued talking to herself: "Don't look so glum, Kyou. How about Lady Saiguu reads your fortune?"'
Kitsune Saiguu theatrically shook a divination tube, and a bamboo slip fell out, inscribed with "Great Fortune."
'Kitsune Saiguu laughed: "Haha, it's Great Fortune! Look, Great Fortune! Do you know what this means?"'
Asase Hibiki finally turned to look at Kitsune Saiguu, her nose tingling. Lady Saiguu, you're still making such excessive jokes as always…
How could the current situation be called Great Fortune?
'Asase Hibiki sighed: "It means you removed all the bad omens… Please stop teasing me, Lady Saiguu…"'
Kitsune Saiguu wagged her finger, indicating that wasn't the case, and continued:
'"No… it means the one you long for will have the honor of becoming your eternal memory."'
'Kitsune Saiguu smiled, gently patting Asase Hibiki's hair: "So, you must live strongly, live long in this world."'
'"Even if those you cherish pass away, as long as you're alive, the time spent with them will never fade…"'
So, my cherished ones, please live strongly, live long in this world.
===✧✦✧===
Kitsune Saiguu sought out Ioroi again, repeating the same words as before.
'Kitsune Saiguu: "How about a little contest?"'
'Ioroi: "Stinky fox, this time I absolutely won't lose to you!"'
'Kitsune Saiguu: "Oh, is that so? Then go hide and see."'
'"Listen well, you must hide properly, absolutely… no matter what happens, it's my spell luring you out, so don't be fooled, don't show yourself."'
'Ioroi: "Of course, stinky fox! This time, I'll make you lose fair and square!"'
Thus began a contest that, even a hundred years later, had no victor.
Readers felt their hearts break, reluctant to continue reading. Lucian, how could you include such "lingering pain"?
Though they didn't want to cry, they couldn't help but turn the page.
===✧✦✧===
On the next page, Kitsune Saiguu knelt at the Grand Narukami Shrine, with the pink fox lying on her lap. She stroked the fox's fur.
'Kitsune Saiguu, in a gentle tone: "Miko, when I'm gone, the Grand Narukami Shrine is in your hands."'
Yae Miko realized something, saying nothing, only nestling in Kitsune Saiguu's arms, burying her head deeply, secretly soaking Kitsune Saiguu's clothes with tears.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Yae Miko: About Crying
"What? Little one, what are you talking about? Miss Fox doesn't cry, you know. Come on, say it with me: 'Miss Fox doesn't cry,' quick!"