I woke up early the next day, something I hadn't done in a long time. I threw on a thin jacket and bomber pants and stepped outside.

Today the air had become warmer after two chilly days. The sun sparkled through the row of trees across from my house.

"Maybe I need a hat."

My eyes, too used to darkness, squinted as I walked under the sun, my head slightly pounding. But I couldn't deny that the scent of grass and cherry blossoms outside made me feel more comfortable. Nature always has its way of soothing my bad mood.

Since my phone number has been blocked, it would take some time to register a new one. That was the case where I had enough money to pay monthly. So to meet Yang, my only option was to go to the location he wrote on the paper.

"Sensoji Temple on Sunday... He's always there on Sundays? That's really strange."

I looked at my phone screen. Today is Saturday. There is still a day left if I want to back out.

What are you thinking, Takehito? You won't accomplish anything if you keep being a coward like this. I chuckled bitterly at my own thought.

"Mr. Kurogane! Good morning!" a familiar warm voice rang out behind me.

When I turned around, standing in front of me was a girl with shiny long black hair and a sweet lavender scent, smiling brightly.

"Bella! Hello."

Bella was wearing a carrot-colored dress with puffed shoulders and white flower trim. Her large eyes sparkled even more with her long lashes meticulously coated with mascara. Her face seemed more radiant. She looked so different in her uniform compared to the last time we met. Only the scent remained the same.

"How have you been these past few days? Oh, I'm sorry for asking this even though I'm no longer your nurse," Bella pouted.

I laughed, trying to suppress my chaos to keep the conversation as natural as possible.

"I'm fine, thank you. Ray passed on your regards to me."

"Well, that's great! I'm glad you're recovering."

I wiped my sweaty palms on my jacket, sweat dripping from both hands.

"And how about you? Aren't you working at the hospital today?"

"Today isn't my shift at the hospital, so I'm taking the opportunity to go out and pick a beautiful bouquet for my room. Seize the chance to gaze at the clear blue sky also. You know, my job is quite busy, and I rarely get a full day off like this. How about you? Are you buying something?"

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"Oh, no... I just planned to go outside and breathe some fresh air. Bella, those items... They look heavy. Let me help you carry them," I pointed to the bulky bags hanging from Bella's wrists.

Bella beamed, "Really? I can manage on my own... Just kidding, they're too heavy!"

As she said that, she dropped the four big bags onto the sidewalk, panting. It seemed like she had been holding onto them while talking to me.

I picked them up, slightly trembling at their weight. How could she carry these for so long? She must be so strong.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Kurogane! I'm sorry for making you carry this heavy load... You know what, should I carry half of them?"

Despite struggling with the load, I shook my head vigorously. My long hair fell from my head, poking into my eyes.

"Your hair... I have something for you."

With that, Bella pulled out a silver cherry blossom hair clip from her small purse.

"May I?" she said before placing the clip into my hair.

"So cute!" Bella giggled playfully.

I stood frozen in place. My heart pounded in my chest as if it wanted to burst out. What was happening? I felt my face burning hot, trying to regain my composure while hoping she wouldn't notice my tomato-red face.

"My house is in that direction, at the end of the street. I'll give you a peach pie I just baked at home, as a thank you. Please accept it, okay?"

"A peach pie?... Ray really loves that."

Bella placed her hands on her cheeks, her voice got quieter.

"Actually, I was planning to make this pie and bring it to his office... But I'm not sure if they're perfect. Please don't tell him!"

I hesitated a bit, but then offered, "I'll let you know my thoughts."

"Thank you so much! You're truly a kind person."

Bella's house was behind a large but deserted park. The park was shaded by trees, shielding us from the sunlight overhead.

We were chatting happily while walking through the park towards her house. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept through us, picking up dry leaves from the ground and swirling dust into the air. The sky darkened abruptly.

"What's happening...? Is it about to rain?"

Bella looked around anxiously. The wind howled in gusts as if a great storm was about to descend upon our heads. A sense of foreboding rose within me.

From behind the large tree trunks, faint white shadows began to appear, more and more. They looked human-like, except they were hovering in the air.

And where a face should have been, there were no facial features.

Bella was frozen in terror. She dropped herself to the ground, staring in horror at the strange entities in front of us as they proceeded to hover quickly toward us. She gasped for breath, then as if unable to contain herself any longer, she screamed.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

I stood between her and the eerie, distorted figures, hoping to help her calm down a bit. But I was also terrified to the core. Those things looked like yokai. Those from the Hyakkiyakou.

Suddenly, Yang's words rang in my mind, "He may aim his claws at you, for you are his bane."

It is already too late. I thought bitterly. Perhaps he had already begun to go after me.

And everything I have ever known will be embroiled in this mess.