A Prelude Before main chapter 65
✧ "Before main story chapter 65 begins, let's take a breath with the candle eyes ♡..not only because we have to but because next things are a little heavier..even I've struggled a bit while writing..felt lost and burned out..
However , This is not a chapter of action — but of whispers. These are voices left behind, words unsaid, and silent soft truths. Even if no one asked… I know the questions might still exist."
— Yàn Yè Xīn, author of Eyes & Soul
□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□
[Void Scene Begins]
Blackness. Cold. Silence.
Their bare feet touched chilled tiles. There was no grass. No sky. No wind.
Only darkness.
Only questions.
Kirihito:
"Where… am I? This doesn't look like any part of Fukaki..."
Kyoren:
"What is this place? And why is that snake here too? I was in my palace—"
Kirihito:
"Mind your business, two-tailed fool."
Kyoren:
"You—!"
Kuradome:
"Kyoren. A future Crown Ribbon shouldn't sound so desperate."
Kyoren (startled):
"D… Dad? You're here too?"
Kuradome:
"Any problem ?"
Kyoren :
"N..no no..why ?"
Yurei:
"It's so dark here… I can't even see my own body..."
Sozai (teasing):
"Careful, baby fox~ Who knows if you'll get bitten again~"
Yurei:
"Sozai!—"
Kuradome:
"Silence, you two."
Sozai & Yurei:
"S-Sorry, Your Highness…"
Kansai: —
Xio:
"Sis? Are you here too? Are you alright?"
Lànhuā:
"I'm fine, Xio... Don't worry."
Xio:
"Thank goodness… But is Uncle here too?"
Lingxi:
"Here. Children… stay close."
Xio & Lànhuā:
"Alright…"
Kansai:
"Where did you—"
Suji (coldly):
"Shut up. I'm here."
They all walked through the void, voices low, bodies tense.
Suddenly—
A red thread shimmered into view. One from each of their hearts.
Kirihito:
"A red thread...? From my heart...? Where does it go?"
All:
"Even mine..."
They touched the thread, glowing and alive, stretching from their chests toward the darkness ahead.
All:
"Who's there?!"
Two soft spotlights flicked on, illuminating the emptiness.
There—
She stood.
A woman. Calm, unreadable. Glasses resting gently on her face.
She held a dragon fruit in one hand. And the red threads—they were tied to her heart as well.
Author:
"Want to eat dragon fruit and play a little game called 'Interview Interview,' my Kirihito? I'm inviting everyone~"
Kirihito blinked—and his expression shifted. For a moment, the coldness inside him melted. Something about her felt... safe. Warm. Familiar. Like the echo of a mother he never had.
Kirihito:
"Yes! Yes! I'll eat and play 'Interview Interview!'"
He rushed forward, plopped onto the floor, and took an eager bite of the fruit.
The others hesitated—but strangely, none of them felt danger. One by one, they stepped into the circle of light.
Author:
"I am your creator. Or, if you prefer… you may call me Mother. Today, you are here to speak—about yourselves. For those who are watching. For those who are listening. You're not just characters. You are souls. And they want to know you."
All:
"Our creator…? Mother?"
Kirihito grinned, like a child finding a family he thought he'd never have.
Kirihito:
"I have a mother?! Really?! Then I don't hate you anymore—for being human or a woman! I won't call you insect or cutthroat!"
She chuckled softly, and ruffled his hair.
Author:
"You silly one. I know it must be strange that a woman like me gave you such… twisted complexity. But that's what makes you you. My Kirihito."
Kirihito:
"Let's play! I can't wait!"
Kyoren (grumbling):
"Alright, let's see how this little game turns out…"
Kuradome:
"One wrong move, Kyoren."
Kyoren (jumped off ):
"D-Dad! You scared me!"
Author:
"Alright, my big babies… Everyone's here. Silently watching, invisibly close. Before we begin our little interview, would you each like to introduce yourselves?"
Kirihito:
"Me first! Me first!"
Author:
"Alright. After you~"
❖ Character Introductions
Kirihito🖤
"My name is Kirihito Orohana! I'm a Special Grade, First-Class Curse-type Black Python Yokai! And yeah—I'm the main lead~ The center I always dreamed of being!"
Kuradome💛
"Kazomaki Kuradome. Three-tailed Royal Fox Yokai. Call me whichever way you want—it won't change who I am."
Kyoren💛
"Kyoren Kazomaki… Two-tailed Royal Fox Yokai. Ribbon Prince of Kazomaki Kingdom."
Yurei🌥
"Yurei. Ordinary fox yokai and right-hand to the prince."
Sozai☀️
"Kurozoki Sozai~ That's me! Black cat yokai, talented sunshine royal guard of the Kazomaki Kingdom~"
Yurei (rolling eyes): "What?"
Sozai (grinning): "You'll know soon, baby fox~"
Yurei: "Tch. Shut up."
Lingxi 💙
"Jiǎng Língxi. Grandmaster of the Miè Rán Sect."
Lànhuā💙
"Qi Lànhuā. Second Grandmaster of Miè Rán."
Xio🖤
"Lan Xio Zhan. Second Grandmaster of Lanxie Clan."
Suji🤍
"Lan Suji. Second Grandmaster of Yinlan Clan."
Kansai🤍
"Lan Kansai. A member of Yinlan Clan."
All Together:
"And we are the souls of—"
CANDLE-EYED LONG NIGHT.