When we finally stopped in front of the place that would be our home for the next eleven days, it took me a moment to process it. Before me stood a wooden house, designed in a traditional Japanese style. Simple, modest, yet in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape, it felt like part of something more profound. In fact, the whole neighborhood was built this way, as if the entire area had been frozen in time, back when samurai still walked these streets, and every building and cobblestone bore the mark of centuries past. It was as if history itself had preserved their forms, guarding them from the relentless passage of time.

And yet, despite the charm of the place, I couldn't shake a subtle sense of disappointment. Don't get me wrong — I liked it. The house was peaceful, tranquil, and every detail seemed thoughtfully crafted, as if someone had poured their soul into creating it. The owner had clearly put in a lot of effort to maintain that atmosphere. But deep down, I had been expecting something... more extraordinary, something more supernatural.

This internal conflict had begun on the train when my "inner child" went wild with anticipation after Tomoe's promise of a surprise, filling my mind with images of magical places. When I saw the yokai strolling casually through the streets of Kyoto, my imagination had fully taken over. I envisioned something like a hotel for spirits and ghosts, like in that cute anime I'd watched in my previous life. Or, if I let my imagination run even wilder, something akin to "The Continental" from John Wick — a hotel where only the chosen few, in this case, those connected to the supernatural world, could stay.

But reality turned out to be much more mundane. Our temporary lodging was simply a cozy house, enveloped in the quiet and peace of elegant traditional Japanese architecture.

"You look disappointed," Tomoe smirked at me, pulling a suitcase out of the trunk. The suitcase was nearly as big as she was, covering more than half of her body.

"You and that suitcase… honestly, it's quite a sight. Ever thought about becoming a magician? You know, with disappearing tricks and all?" I shot back with a grin, watching her effortlessly manage the oversized luggage.

"Don't pretend you're not bothered," she snickered, placing the suitcase down beside her with surprising ease. "But be careful making comments like that about the house when you meet the owner."

"I actually like the house. It's cozy and cute... Wait, owner?" I froze, staring at her in surprise.

Tomoe just smirked, but before she could answer, Mom jumped in.

"That's right. While we're in Kyoto, we'll be staying with an old friend of mine."

"Hold on… you have friends?" The words slipped out before I could even think, sounding so unexpected even to myself that I couldn't hold back.

Mom gave me a look so sharp I almost regretted my words, but only almost. Immediately after that, her gaze softened. She turned gracefully, flipping her hair over her shoulder with a fluid motion, and said, "I hope you won't embarrass me in front of her." Then, she glanced at Tomoe and added, "Unlike your sister, who's already managed to do just that."

My brain kicked into high gear, and in less than a second, everything clicked into place. Tomoe had been so cryptic about our accommodations, always saying things like, "We're staying at an amazing place" or "I can't wait to go back there." Then there was our conversation on the train and her current smug expression...

"This was your surprise?" I asked, narrowing my eyes as the pieces of the puzzle started falling into place.

"Just the first part of it," Tomoe giggled, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

I sighed heavily, mentally bracing myself for whatever came next. Tomoe loved her little surprise games, and honestly, I wasn't eager to find out what the second part of her "show" would be. Meanwhile, Mom had already made her way toward the house's gate, leaving me and Tomoe standing on the street, lost in our thoughts.

I watched as she approached the dark wooden gate, adorned with intricate traditional carvings. The gate didn't look imposing, but it fit perfectly with the atmosphere of the neighborhood. Mom raised her hand and knocked gently on the smooth surface, the dull, muted sound echoing in the quiet. A few moments later, the doors began to slowly open.

A figure appeared in the doorway, and for a moment, I froze, unable to believe my eyes. Standing before us wasn't just anyone — it was…

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A fox girl! A kitsune! And an absolutely adorable one at that!

The young woman before us had long, glowing orange hair that shimmered in the moonlight, with strands of gold and copper. The tips of her pointed fox ears were dusted with brown fur, and from behind her, a fluffy tail peeked out, ending in snow-white fur. She was dressed in a red and white kimono with a beige apron neatly tied with a bright red ribbon, giving her the elegant, almost traditional look of a housekeeper. On her feet were wooden geta sandals, which clacked against the stone courtyard with each step.

At first glance, she looked incredibly young. Too young, in fact, to be someone Mom could consider a friend. She appeared to be around fourteen at most. But there was something about her eyes, something in her posture that hinted at an ancient presence, far older than her appearance suggested.

"Mikoto!" The fox girl's expression lit up, and she practically launched herself into Mom's arms, hugging her tightly. It was honestly a funny sight, since she was so short that her face ended up buried in Mom's chest. "I've missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, Senko," Mom smiled warmly, returning the hug with equal affection.

"When I heard you were coming to Kyoto, I could hardly contain myself," Senko said, still clinging to Mom like a lost puppy. "I've been getting everything ready for you and the kids!"

"I'm sure it's all perfect," Mom chuckled softly, her voice light. "Just like always."

"You're still teasing me?" Senko pouted, her fox ears twitching in mild frustration. "We promised to see each other more often, and now it's been over a year!"

"I've been busy," Mom replied, shooting a quick glance in Tomoe's and my direction.

Busy? Yeah, right… For the past year, she'd mostly been lounging around at home, binge-watching TV shows and occasionally teaching Tomoe. I wasn't about to say that out loud, of course, but the thought echoed loudly in my head.

At that moment, Senko finally noticed us and pulled away from Mom, smoothing out her kimono with a graceful motion before stepping toward us with confidence.

"You've grown so much, Tomoe. In a few more years, you'll be as stunning as your mother," Senko said softly, her eyes scanning my sister with a gentle smile.

"I'm happy to see you too, Auntie Senko," Tomoe replied, giving a small respectful bow.

"And this must be our Hotaro," Senko's gaze shifted to me, her nose twitching slightly as if she were picking up a scent. "Just as remarkable as I expected. But then again, what else would you expect from the son of Mikoto Oreki?"

"Uh… nice to meet you?" I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck, not quite sure how to respond.

"Don't be so stiff," she giggled, her tail swishing playfully. "You can call me Auntie Senko, just like Tomoe. I'm a close friend of your mother's, and those are rare, so think of me as your real aunt."

"I'll try... Auntie Senko," I smiled back, still trying to wrap my head around how this upbeat, cheerful woman, who seemed almost too happy, could be friends with my mom. On the surface, she seemed totally normal, which, in this world, was pretty rare. Well, aside from the fluffy tail and fox ears.

"Don't be fooled," Mom chimed in with a sly grin. "Senko may look like a cute little munchkin, but she's way older than me and has seen more than you could imagine."

"Mikoto!" Senko spun around, hissing in annoyance. "It's rude to spill someone's past like that!"

"Whatever," Mom sighed, rolling her eyes, clearly not interested in arguing.

I watched their interaction with mild surprise. For Senko, this reunion clearly meant a lot, and even my mother, who usually maintained a carefree and slightly cynical attitude, seemed much warmer and more friendly here. Comparing her behavior toward the sweet fox lady with how she acted on the train — dismissing the conductor with a touch of arrogance — was impossible. She clearly respected this girl, and that piqued my curiosity.

"Alright, enough standing out here in the cold. Let's get you inside," Senko said with a warm smile, motioning toward the house as she welcomed us in.

We passed through the wooden gates and entered a courtyard that felt like a scene plucked straight out of an old Japanese film. Everything was in perfect balance; the blend of nature and architecture was so seamless that it seemed as if both had been crafted in one continuous flow. The courtyard exuded tranquility. In its center was a small pond, the water so clear you could easily see the graceful movements of the golden fish swimming below the surface. Nearby, a shishi-odoshi — a bamboo water fountain — gently tipped under the weight of water, striking a stone with a soft, rhythmic sound. That steady beat echoed through the space, creating a hypnotic, calming melody.

Beside the pond, a small bamboo grove stood tall, its delicate green leaves casting playful shadows on the ground. Beneath the shade, vibrant flowers bloomed — an unusual sight for late December, but here, time seemed to follow its own rules.

We stepped onto the wooden veranda, which wrapped around three sides of the house — at least, that's all I could see from where I stood. The wooden floor creaked slightly under our weight, adding a sense of warmth and coziness to the already serene atmosphere. Senko moved ahead of us with confident grace, sliding open a shoji — a traditional Japanese door made of translucent paper stretched over a wooden frame. The moment we crossed the threshold, a welcoming warmth washed over me. The cold air that had clung to my lungs outside disappeared in an instant, replaced by the soothing heat inside.

Even though I had pushed my physical form to the peak of human potential, the chill outside still managed to remind me of my own humanness — a small but humbling detail.

"Alright, let me show you to your rooms," Senko said with a light clap of her hands, her fluffy tail swaying behind her. "Once you've settled in, we'll sit down and catch up properly."

Her voice, warm and soft, held an underlying authority — a quiet yet undeniable control. She was a hostess who knew every inch of this space, and there was no question that everything here moved according to her will.