April 10th 2022, 7:10 AM

Weekend time yay! Yesterday I hung out with Minato and Hotene at his house after I went to my tutor. I haven’t seen Minato’s parents in a while. Guess they’re still busy. I also have some amazing news, I introduced my friends to Hotene, and we made another group chat so now my friends from America and my friends and Japan can be friends together!

Today I wanted to finally investigate Kuchisake-Onna. Yes, I know Minato didn’t want to do it with me, but who says I can’t do it on my own? I can protect myself since I know all about her know! (At least, I’m pretty sure I do now.) I wonder if Hotene could join me though, she seems immune since she’s Ainu. Okay that sounds more stupid when I write it down. Anyway, I still need to pick my places to check out. I haven’t even had breakfast yet, I’ll write in here again in a little bit!

April 10th, 2022, 8:52 PM

After breakfast I ended up researching Kuchisake-Onna in the area a bit to see if I could find out more. I found out that there’s been been many Kuchisake-onna sightings and deaths related to her lately. People have been staying away from the area where I live and the area where Hotene’s dad works the most. Investigators aren’t sure why though. Wonder if there were just a lot of women that didn’t die peacefully around here? That would make this town feel not so safe, hah. There’s also a forest with abandoned buildings that people are so deathly afraid of they wouldn’t dare go near it, and there’s a local belief that this building in the forest houses Kuchisake-onna among other yokai. That’s speculation I’ve read though, nobody has dared to find out whether that’s a legitimate thing, except for me! At least, I’m pretty sure.

After breakfast, I was going to set out and explore but then I realized she literally doesn’t come out until it’s darker, and it doesn’t get dark until it’s six. So now my plans were totally ruined! I still wanted to head to where Hotene’s dad works though, that’s kind of a walk though so I decided I’d go at five thirty, so it’ll be six when I get there and hopefully the perfect conditions for Kuchisake-Onna.

Finally, after dinner, I set out at about five-thirty. I put on a more casual gothic lolita outfit, which was a very simple black and red sailor-style outfit, with long sleeves, a skirt going down to my knees and black leggings underneath. I tied my hair in a side ponytail and wore sneakers, of course, if anything happens I want to be able to run. I know, probably weird for me to get dressed up a touch while trying to investigate the Kuchisake-Onnas but it’s been a while since I got dressed up but it also works… sorta. Sue me!

The path to Anchikar-san’s building wasn’t anything crazy, just stick on the road and keep going straight until you get to the blue-window building to the left. And the views weren’t anything special, just one house, another house, house but kinda fancy… Yeah the details are kinda of a blur, but that’s not really important.

Fifteen minutes in, the houses abruptly stopped. I made it to another shopping district, apparently. There were two in town, the one from the first day I got here was the first. This made me question why they’d put office buildings in a shopping district but to each their own, I guess.

It was six when I arrived by the office building. The air had become super foggy. Perfect, now there had to be a Kuchisake-Onna here!

I get closer to the office building and forced my way into the fog. I made my way in front of the door without even realizing because of the fog. Then boom, there she was, a Kuchisake-Onna.

But it was clearly a different one this time, this Kuchisake-Onna was dressed very modern, in a pencil skirt and a blouse. Her hair was in a bun that was loose, like her hair would fall out at any sudden movement. Maybe she worked here before she died?

Now maybe your thinking, maybe she just changed clothes? But her face was completely different as well! This Kuchisake-Onna had completely blacked eyes dripping black tears, a wider nose, and pronounced cheekbones. The one Minato and I encountered had a much rounder face.

“Watashi, kirei?” She began. Instead of answering, I took the hard candies I had stored in my backpack and threw them over her shoulder so they’d end up behind her. The candies ended up opposite to the office building, in front of some other shop.

I glanced around. I wanted to duck into some building, though seeing much of anything might be difficult, the only one nearby was the office Mr. Anchikar worked at, so I definitely couldn’t go in there. I know she was definitely down the left street, so I could only slowly go down the right, but I felt a hand touch my shoulder, and I screamed.

I turned around, but it was Minato.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I could ask you the same. Get in here, it’s too dangerous to be near Kuchisake-Onna.” Minato motioned for me to come inside. I followed him in and saw a huge first floor with brown tiled floors and dark blue walls. To the left, there was a little cafe, with a few sets of chairs and tables. Right in front of me was the front desk, an unnecessarily huge and fancy front desk that wrapped around the receptionist. You know, one of those with the really bulky sides and decorative wood carvings etched into the front and sides. To the right were a few elevators and a door to the one and only staircase. I was surprised at how huge it was and yet there was only the three of us.

“So why are you here?” I asked again while standing in front of the door.

“My parents work here. I uh…” Minato trailed off, never really answering my question. Oh well, I guess him simply being at his parents’ office is a reason enough.

“Doesn’t Mr. Anchikar work here too?”

“Oh yeah, he does. What are you doing here though?” Minato asked me.

“I’m trying to investigate Kuchisake-Onna, I want to see if there’s a possibility to properly get them to rest. Oh, do you know about any deaths that occurred around here?”

“No, if there was it’d be on the news. I really don’t think purposely interacting with any Kuchisake-Onna is such a good idea though, even if you bring hard candy it can still end in disaster.”

“Aw, do you care about me?”

“Wh- no…” Minato mumbled something else, whatever it was I couldn’t decipher, while he blushed. He does care!

Our conversation was interrupted by an elevator ding and the sound of shoes on the floor. I jumped at the sudden noise as it was practically silent before. From the elevator, the area came… Minato’s parents?

“Minato, you brought your friend here?” Mrs. Sato asked us in Japanese.

“Hi Mrs. Sato. I came here myself, I was investigating Kuchisake-Onna.”

“You shouldn’t be out there by yourself. Why don’t you stay here until the fog clears up.” Mr. Sato handed us some money, continuing in Japanese, “If you get hungry, you can buy something from the vending machine.”

“Alright, sure. Thanks.” I said. Minato and I took a seat at one of the cafe tables while Mr. and Mrs. Sato went back upstairs, probably to call my parents or something.

“Dang, I haven’t seen your parents since I first moved here. Still nice as ever.” I said, mostly to myself. I glanced over to Minato and saw him look annoyed. Shoot, what did I say, I thought.

“Anyway, why don’t we decide on what to get from the vending machine?” I said. Minato got up and we walked over to the vending machine together. There was a vending machine purely for pocky, one for drinks which included ramune, coffee, some tea making vending machine, one with American snacks and a even a ramen vending machine. I would love a taste of home but I only have so much money so I can’t just buy everything…

Minato immediately went to use some of the money on green tea. Yeah that makes sense for him. I don’t get the appeal of green tea, tastes like grass. Papa loves it though. Maybe this is just my American taste buds talking…

My eyes were fixated on the pocky machine. But which flavor? Hm…

“Everyone and their moms loves pocky, but have you ever had konpeito?” Minato suggested, point at a package of colorful star shaped candies.

I happened to look right next to the konpeito and saw mochi.

“Okay, idea, konpeito, pocky, mochi, and a ramune.”

“Do you need all of that though?” Minato said as he got himself some konpeito

“Why not? I already had dinner, this is just my desert!” I said as I got all the snacks and carried them over.

“You look ridiculous.” Minato sighed.

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

“Your just jealous I’m the snack queen.”

“I don’t need to be the snack king, I’m the king of tea. Every tea you can think of, I have it… at home.”

“Whatever, I don’t even like tea.” I said, starting with the mochi.

“What?” Minato said in shock.

“Yeah, I said it. It’s flavored water leaves basically.”

“Coffee’s basically flavored water beans.”

“What’s soda then?”

“Kola nut water?”

“Amazing.” Minato commented.

A comfortable silence washed over us.

“So, about the Kuchisake-Onna investigation-” I said suddenly.

“Don’t even think about it.”

“I think I’ve learned all there is to know about her in the books, I know the ways to stop her from getting murdered.”

“But what if something happened like on Monday?”

“Just run home, lock the doors. It worked out then, it could work again.”

“But your not always near home. I have an idea, I don’t think investigating Kuchisake-Onna is safe at all, especially over here. Have you heard about the woods by our side of town that supposedly have buildings housing other yokai?” Minato said.

“Yeah, why?

“Maybe it’ll be a little safer over there, are you doing anything after school tomorrow?”

“Nope, I’m free.”

“Alright then, after homework that’s what we’re doing Monday. And if we don’t finish homework by then, I guess we can come back to finish homework.”

Afterward, we kinda chilled until the fog cleared up and the Satos very graciously drove me home. Minato was suspiciously quiet. Okay, Minato is a very quiet person in general but he’s never completely silent around me at least. I finally saw Mr. and Mrs. Sato after a while, and they were very nice!

I think I’m gonna stop writing here for tonight, Clay wants to play Call of Duty with me, I’ve never played before so I’m a little nervous…

April 11th, 2022, 7:59 PM

Alright finally able to write about today! I couldn’t care less about school today it was just simply a day of school. After school though, Minato and I literally ran home and rushed through our homework together, also not too exciting so no point in me writing about that.

Minato came to my house as usual. Not that I’m complaining, that’s perfectly fine. Anyway, we had like one hour between finishing our homework and dinnertime so we quickly set out. I changed out of my blazer and button-up shirt and threw on one of my shirts from hot topic. I didn't even bother to change out of my school skirt. I also quickly braided my hair, but because I was rushing it was frumpy and didn't look too good. Whatever, we were there just for yokai today, I didn’t feel like getting dressed up again.

With my bag, I went outside to meet Minato. He was wearing his hair in a high ponytail, and he had on sweatpants and a hoodie. It was simple, but he still looked very pretty. He should put his hair up more honestly. I even said so to Minato!

Anyway, into the woods! (Please don't sue me Stephen Sondheim :()

Though the woods nearby us are close, it’ś still like a five-minute walk, we just have to go to the end of our part of town, on the eastern part of our street. It's actually on the same path I took to go to where I found Kuchisake-Onna, believe it or not. The path near the street wasn't as woodsy as I thought it would be, honestly. There were very few trees or flowers, but the deeper we went into the woods, the more nature we saw. I wish the woods weren’t so green. There was also the smell of grass. And too many bugs!

Anyway, Finally, we ended up in a part of the woods that wasn’t just nature that prevented us from steering off the path. Trees were more sporadically placed and you could actually see the grass. There was a small bridge across a pond, and there were four tiny houses. They honestly reminded me of shrines. Before I had no fear, but when we got into the woods? My bones were starting to shake. Minato pulled out a dagger.

“You brought a kunai?” I wondered.

“You didn’t?” Minato retorted. I should’ve though, argh!

Cautiously, we approached the closest house, which was just to the left of the bridge. As soon as we made it over the bridge and onto the grass, something showed itself.

A fox with nine tails stood in front of us, seemingly out of nowhere. The fox had orange fur with black feet and their tails had a black tip fading to white then orange. The fox’s eyes seemed to almost glow yellow. If it weren’t for the glowing eyes, the extra tails, and the fact we were in the yokai woods I’d think this fox was normal, but the fox was anything but that.

“Is that a kitsune? Should I run?” I whispered in Minato’s ear.

“Maybe not? They don’t have glowy eyes, usually. Can’t tell the difference when they’re in the fox form…” Minato mumbled back

“Ugh, I knew this was a terrible form to take…” The fox groaned. Minato and I jumped at hearing the fox’s voice. We definitely thought at that point it was a yokai, but we didn’t expect them to talk. I instinctively grabbed Minato, but I let ago when I realized I was holding onto him.

The fox shifted into a more humanoid look, their orange fur becoming olive skin and her fox snout retracting inwards to form a human mouth and nose. A loose kimono wrapped around their body as they turned human. The fur around the top of their head turned to hair and almost wrapped itself to make a bun, but the fox forcefully tore out the hair band. Like the fox’s… well, fox form, they had orange hair with some white and black highlights. They had fox ears on the top of their head and spilling out from their kimono was their tails.

Minato and I panicked even more at the sight, we thought they were a nogitsune or yako. You know, those kitsune you hear about that are malicious. Well, Minato knew the names, I just knew Kitsunes are bad news.

“Why are you scared? Oh, wait, you think I’m a yako still? Ugh, first mission and I’m already failing…” The fox growled at themself. Don’t ask me what they meant by a mission, zero ideas by the way.

“Can you prove that you’re not a yako?” Minato asked as we stepped back a few paces just in case something bad happened.

“I can, here, seal of Inari.” The fox woman handed us a paper, and I could actually read the kanji this time! Not all of it, but enough to know what it said, which was basically that the fox woman had achieved her thousandth year of life and received her ninth tail in the presence of Inari. The document looked very old. If I had to assign an age to the document it’d probably be like two thousand something years old.

“I thought you became white when you got your ninth tail though.” Minato pointed out.

“Happened to some of my family members, doesn’t happen to every kitsune though. It’d be nice if they changed their databases to be less confusing.” The fox woman growled.

“What kind of a fox are you, then?” I asked.

“A tenko, a kinko type tenko specifically.”

“Why are you a random small town though?” Minato asked.

“I have a classified mission that involves your town, that’s all I can say.”

“I thought heavenly foxes were messengers of Inari? Does your mission not involve some kind of message?”

“I don’t work for Inari anymore. Not because of anything bad, just needed something different. Anyway, I digress, this isn’t a safe part of town, you really shouldn’t be here.”

“Is there other yokai in this forest?” I asked excitedly, peering my head around trying to catch some glance of another yokai in the houses. But nope, nothing. Sad.

“Yes, until I can accomplish my mission I need to keep them in here. Have any escaped from here?”

“There have been Kuchisake-Onna sightings a lot lately, and a few people have died,” Minato said.

“Shi- Shoot, ugh, thank you for letting me know. I have to call Kagami… Anyway, you should leave now in case something else escapes from here.” The fox’s head fell into their head. I wonder who Kagami is… Another fox like the tenko?

“Wait, can we at least know your name? And pronouns?” I asked.

“Naoko, she/her.” She told us.

Satisfied with her answer we said our goodbyes and we started leaving on the same path we entered.

“Does it count if another yokai tells us there’s yokai in the yokai forest or should we come back another day and see them for ourselves?” I asked.

“Let’s not do that, please. I hope your curiosity has been quelled.”

“Not really, I still have many questions I have yet to answer.”

“Maybe one day we can ask Naoko more herself if we catch her outside of the forest… For now, let’s just go home.”

“Yeah, I’m starving! You coming with?”

“If it’s alright with you.”

“Yeah, our home is always open to you!”

“Alright then.” Minato slightly smiled, what is this the second time he’s smiled like ever?

Okay, a few things I’ve learned thus far before I close up for tonight.

* There is no singular Kuchisake-Onna, there are multiple

* Kitsune upon reaching their thousandth year of life and their ninth tail get a seal of Inari, something not mentioned in any yokai collection

* Nogitsune and Yako are the bad kitsunes, while Tenko are the good ones

* Naoko is the fox we met today

* Naoko is like a guardian of the forest?

* Naoko is doing some kind of classified mission that involves the town (Likely has to do with the Kuchisake-Onnas everywhere…)

* Shes working with someone named Kagami, potential other tenko?

Is that it? Did I get everything? I think so. Alright, time to do something else, later diary!