After lunch at the restaurant, the three men returned to the office. The usual banter filled the air, but Ryoichiro was distracted, his thoughts entangled with what had just transpired. When he finally got a moment alone with Risa, he leaned in closer to her, his voice low and serious.

“As much as you might want to talk to Yuko, please don't. Her intentions aren’t clear,” Ryoichiro said, his eyes reflecting the unease he felt.

Risa nodded, her expression softening. “I promise. I’ll stay away from her.”

With that settled, she mentioned she’d be spending some time in the library just a block away from his workplace. “Maybe I can learn something new while I’m there,” she added with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Ryoichiro smiled back, grateful for her understanding but still feeling a weight on his chest. He watched her walk away, then turned back to his work, trying to focus.

Hours later, as the day was winding down, Ryoichiro exited the office, ready to head home. To his surprise, he spotted Risa standing near the entrance, a book in hand and a gentle smile on her face.

“Risa-chan?” he said, a mix of surprise and amusement in his voice.

“Hey, Ryo-chan,” she replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I thought I’d wait for you. Maybe we could grab coffee?”

Before Ryoichiro could respond, Kirishima and Saejima stepped out behind him. “Well, well, well,” Kirishima teased, nudging Saejima with his elbow. “Looks like someone’s got a little rendezvous planned.”

“Ryoichiro-san, I think you’re worse than Kirishima-san after all,” Saejima added.

Kirishima's eyes sparkled with excitement as he leaned in closer. “Hey, what if I call up Yuko and we set up a double date? How does that sound?”

Ryoichiro's face flushed slightly, but he managed to laugh it off. "It’s just coffee, really," he said, though the look on his face gave away how much he appreciated Risa’s company.

“Sure, sure,” Kirishima said with a wink. “You two have fun. But you’ll definitely take a rain check on that double date, right?”

Ryoichiro and Risa waved them off, watching as the two men walked away, still chuckling to themselves.

Once they were out of sight, Ryoichiro turned to Risa. “Shall we?”

They walked together to a nearby coffee shop, a place Ryoichiro had stumbled upon a few months ago. It wasn’t a chain or anything too fancy, but that’s what he liked about it. The moment they stepped inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the faint aroma of baked goods welcomed them.

The camera shifts to the interior of the shop. It’s warm and inviting, with wooden floors that creak slightly underfoot, and walls lined with shelves filled with books, plants, and various knick-knacks. A few paintings hang on the walls, depicting serene landscapes that added to the calming atmosphere. The furniture is mismatched in a charming way — plush armchairs, vintage couches, and wooden tables scattered throughout the room, creating cozy nooks for people to relax in. The lighting is soft, with warm tones that made the place feel like a home away from home.

They chose a spot near a window, where they could watch the world go by as they talked. The barista, a friendly woman with a bright smile, took their orders and brought over two steaming mugs of coffee, along with a small plate of cookies.

“This place is nice,” Risa said, taking in the surroundings. “It feels... comforting.”

Ryoichiro nodded, his hands wrapped around his mug. “Yeah, I come here when I need to think or just get away from everything for a bit.”

They sipped their coffee in comfortable silence for a moment, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Ryoichiro finally broke the silence, his voice thoughtful.

“I know I’m asking a lot, Risa-chan. Staying away from Yuko, keeping all this to yourself. I’m not saying you can’t handle yourself. It’s just... I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Risa reached across the table, her hand gently touching his. “I understand, Ryo-chan. I’ll be careful. And besides,” she added with a teasing smile, “you’re stuck with me now. I’m your girlfriend, remember?”

His cheeks flushed, a warmth spreading through him that had nothing to do with the coffee. “About earlier... I'm really sorry if I put you in a spot where you felt like you had to lie. That wasn't what I meant to do.”

“It’s fine,” Risa replied, her smile softening as she lifted her coffee to her lips. “It might actually make it easier to explain why we’re always together, whispering secrets all the time, don’t you think?” She took a sip, her eyes sparkling with a hint of playfulness.

Ryoichiro gazed at her, a deep admiration shining in his eyes as he felt his feelings for her intensify.

They continued talking, their conversation flowing naturally, each word drawing them closer together. The coffee shop around them seemed to fade into the background, leaving just the two of them, caught in a moment that felt both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time.

Ryoichiro offered to walk Risa home, eager to return the favor for her support earlier. The evening air was cool, and the walk to her apartment was filled with light conversation, a welcome distraction from the strange events of the day.

As they reached the hallway leading to her apartment, they were suddenly met by a figure standing in the dim light. Both Ryoichiro and Risa froze, fear gripping them as their minds immediately jumped to Ayane or Yuko. But as the figure stepped into the light, they recognized Ed.

“Sorry for the dramatic entrance,” Ed said, holding up his hands as if to calm them. “I’ve been messaging you, Risa-san, but you didn’t respond. I got worried.”

Risa quickly pulled out her phone, only to find the screen blank. “Oh, I didn’t realize it. It’s drained,” she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. She was about to scold Ed for scaring them, but he cut her off.

“Let’s take this conversation inside, shall we?” Ed suggested, glancing around the hallway as if expecting someone — or something — to be watching.

Inside Risa’s apartment, the tension from earlier slowly dissipated as she moved to prepare some drinks. “Anything for you, Ed?” she asked, trying to regain a sense of normalcy.

Ed shook his head. “No, I’m good.”

They settled into the living room, the cozy space doing little to ease the unease that still lingered between them. Ryoichiro, unable to hold back any longer, leaned forward in his seat. “Where the hell have you been, Ed-san?”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Ed leaned back, a slight smirk on his face. “I told you I was on a quest, remember? I had to make peace with my familiar.”

“And did you?” Ryoichiro echoed, confusion laced with frustration.

“Yeah,” Ed said, his tone more serious now. “It wasn’t easy. I had to perform a series of grueling tasks to get back in its good graces. Not exactly fun, but necessary.”

As Ed spoke, Ryoichiro felt a chill creep up his spine as a shadow loomed over him. The presence was palpable, oppressive. He bolted upright, heart racing, while Risa's breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide with disbelief.

With a somber gaze, Ed gestured to the towering figure beside him. “This is my familiar, a Nurarihyon,” he murmured, the name rolling off his tongue like an ancient invocation. “It is... amiable for now, but do not mistake its silence for consent.”

The figure stepped forward, coming into the light. It was a Nurarihyon, a creature from Japanese folklore, known for its strange and unsettling presence. The Nurarihyon appeared as an elderly man with a large, gourd-shaped head and an air of authority. His robes were ornate, reminiscent of the attire worn by nobles in ancient Japan, and he carried himself with an almost regal poise.

In folklore, a Nurarihyon is known as the leader of all yōkai, often depicted as a mysterious and elusive figure who sneaks into human homes, acting as though he is the master of the house. Despite his unsettling appearance, he is not inherently malicious, but his presence alone can be enough to unsettle even the bravest of souls.

“Th-this is your familiar?” Ryoichiro asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he took in the sight before him.

Ed nodded. “Yup. A Nurarihyon. A being that’s supposed to know everything. That’s how I found you guys, you know.”

Ryoichiro and Risa exchanged a glance, both trying to process the surreal turn of events. Ed’s life was full of mysteries, and it seemed they had only just scratched the surface.

They sat in silence, the tension thick in the air. The Nurarihyon stood in the corner of the room, unmoving, but its gaze was fixed on them, its large, gourd-shaped head giving it an otherworldly presence that made it impossible to ignore. Ryoichiro couldn’t shake the feeling that the creature was studying them, assessing something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Ed, seemingly unfazed by the looming figure, leaned forward and began to explain. “So, about where I’ve been... I was in a remote location, way off the grid. Didn’t realize how impossible it would be to contact anyone, even though I gave you my number, Risa-san. Sorry about that.”

Risa, still shaken but trying to maintain composure, frowned. “You didn’t think to tell me that before you left? I’ve been worried sick, Ed-san. And with everything that’s been going on, it’s not like I could just assume you were safe.”

Ed sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know, I know. That’s on me. I didn’t think it through. The place I went to… it’s not exactly on any map. It’s a hidden spot, kind of like a sanctum where yōkai and other supernatural beings gather. I had to go there to make amends with him.” He jerked his thumb toward the Nurarihyon, who remained silent, its gaze unyielding.

Ryoichiro, still on edge, asked, “What kind of place is this? And why was it so important to make amends with… him? Aren’t familiars supposed to be like a slave or something?”

Ed looked thoughtful for a moment before replying, “It’s a place where the boundaries between our world and the world of yōkai are thin. Time moves differently there, and communication is… tricky. I didn’t realize that until I was already deep into it. And as for the Nurarihyon… let’s just say he’s not the kind of familiar you want to have a grudge against you. He’s the leader of all yōkai, after all. Some familiars might be treated like slaves, as you mentioned, but others are actually far more powerful than the humans who are supposed to control them.”

Ryoichiro swallowed hard, the weight of Ed’s words sinking in. “Leader of all yōkai… That’s no small thing. How’d you pull that off in the first place?”

Ed nodded. “Exactly. He’s powerful, and he doesn’t take kindly to being disrespected. Our falling out wasn’t pretty, so I had to mend things. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been safe — for me or anyone around me. About how I got him, well, it’s a long story. Or maybe a short one, after all. He’s more like a clan familiar, really. My great-great — well, a bunch of ‘greats’ — grandfather was the one who made the pact with him. Since then, he’s been passed down like a family heirloom. There’s this orb we have to swallow that keeps him in check. When my father handed it to me, I was shocked — it was the size of a melon! Nearly choked trying to get it down.”

Ryoichiro shifted in his seat, curiosity in his eyes. “So if that orb is supposed to keep him in line, how did he end up disobeying you?”

Ed looked down, a hint of shame creeping into his expression. “It’s because I broke the rules. I’m not supposed to use my gift for personal gain. But… I did. At one point, I even started conning people with it.” He paused, shaking his head. “Yeah, I know — power corrupts and all that. But if I’m being honest, I only found out about all this a week before my father passed. We were dirt poor, and after growing up with nothing, I just wanted to finally have something, anything, that I didn’t have before. One thing led to another, and, well… that’s the short version of how I ended up here.”

Risa glanced at the Nurarihyon, then back at Ed. “So, you’re on good terms now, right?”

“For the most part, yeah, you could say that,” Ed said, though there was a hint of unease in his voice. “He’s here, isn’t he? That’s a good sign. But like I said, it’s not something I take lightly. We have an understanding, but I need to keep up my end of the deal. This creature is not merely a companion of mine, but a force of the unknown, a being that traverses the veil between our world and the next. Respect towards it is required, for it is older than the stones beneath our feet and far less forgiving.”

Ryoichiro asked, “So you’re able to do that right, Ed-san?”

Ed met his gaze, and after a moment’s pause, gave a slow, deliberate nod of approval.

Ryoichiro couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread creeping in. The idea of making a deal with such a powerful being was unsettling, to say the least. And the fact that the Nurarihyon was just standing there, observing them in silence, only added to the eerie atmosphere.

“So what now?” Ryoichiro asked, trying to push past the discomfort. “Is there something else we need to do?”

Ed shook his head. “For now, just be aware. Things are shifting, and it’s hard to say what’s coming next. But having the Nurarihyon on our side is a good thing, even if he’s… intimidating.”

Before the conversation could shift to what their plans are, Risa cleared her throat, her expression growing serious. “Ed, there’s something really important we need to discuss. It’s about Yuko… or rather, Ayane.”

Ed’s eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the gravity in Risa’s tone. “Ayane?” he repeated, his voice laced with concern.

Risa took a deep breath and began recounting the recent events. “It turns out Yuko isn’t who she appears to be. We discovered that she’s actually a shadowy entity named Ayane. She’s been manipulating things and causing a lot of confusion. Ryoichiro and I have had some unsettling encounters with her, and it’s become clear that she’s not here by accident.”

As Risa spoke, Ryoichiro chimed in, adding context and filling in the gaps. “Ayane — or Yuko— seems to have some hidden agenda. We’re not entirely sure what her endgame is, but her presence has thrown everything into chaos. We need to understand her intentions and figure out how to handle the situation.”

Ed’s face went pale, his eyes widening in horror as the pieces fell into place. He sat back, his mind racing. “She’s a shadow that can take the form of a human? Nothing I’ve seen before. And to confirm what she is, Nurarihyon will have to see for himself. This is… catastrophic,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Ayane is not just any yōkai or spirit. If she’s involved, it means there’s a much larger threat at play.”

Risa and Ryoichiro exchanged worried glances. “What do you mean, Ed-san?” Risa asked, her voice tinged with urgency.

Ed rubbed his temples, struggling to collect his thoughts. “It’s not just Ayane herself that’s concerning me — it’s the organization she’s tied to. I’ve heard of these underground societies linked to the supernatural, but I’ve never encountered one of their agents personally. Until the Nurarihyon has a chance to observe her, we won’t truly understand the extent of her connection or their intentions.”

Ryoichiro leaned in, his eyes filled with concern. “So what do we do now?”

Ed took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. “First, we need to understand her true objectives. We have to gather as much information as we can and try to anticipate her moves. If she’s planning something major, we need to be prepared to counter it. But more than that, we need to be cautious and not let our guard down.”

The weight of Ed’s words settled heavily in the room. The sense of impending danger was palpable, and everyone knew that the stakes had just been raised. The unsettling revelation about Ayane was no longer just a personal concern — it was a threat that could impact them all in ways they had yet to fully comprehend.

“There’s no need for that,” Ayane’s voice echoed from the shadows, her presence emerging with an unsettling calm. “I’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

The three of them froze, their faces reflecting shock and disbelief as they realized they had been watched all along. Ryoichiro was now more acutely aware that this was only the beginning of something much bigger — and much more perilous — than any of them could have anticipated.