Author:
Thank you for the introduction, everyone. Now, first question is for Kirihito. Why do you love dragon fruit?
[The room quiets. Everyone turns to Kirihito. He seems nervous, fingers twitching. Then he lifts his gaze, voice quiet but steady.]
Kirihito:
Someone's safe hands used to feed me this. It has a scent... sweet. Its color—velvet red, like blood. Even though it's rough on the outside, like a dragon's back... it's soft inside. Familiar. But... I don't know what it reminds me of. My head hurts when I try to remember.
[He runs his fingers through his long black hair, shaking his head softly.]
Suji:
That… sounded poetic.
Kansai: Yeah, right.
Yurei:
I think… it was really meaningful. And bittersweet.
Kuradome:
[whispers] Deep.
Sozai:
That cute snake brother of mine speaks so cute ~
Kirihito:
I'm cute?!
Sozai:
Without any doubt, baby snake ~
Lànhuā:
He really does speak cute.
Xio:
Sis, you never told me you liked snakes too! [whispers teasingly]
Lànhuā: Xio, not again!
[whispers, lightly hits his elbow]
Língxi:
[softly] Children...
Xio & Lànhuā:
We apologize... [compose themselves quickly]
Author:
[gently] You don't remember, Kirihito?
[She already knew why he couldn't.]
Kirihito:
[pouting] No... my head hurts...
Kyoren:
Too sensitive...
Kirihito: Shut up, middle-aged fluffball. You don't know anything about me. All you've got are fluffy tails and ears.
Kyoren:
You black sna—!
Kuradome:
Kyoren. Did you forget what I said?
Kyoren:
F-Fine... fine...
Author:
[smiles] Now, another question for Kirihito. Why do you hate insects? And why do you call humans by that name?
Kirihito:
Because... they're disgusting. Their tiny feet... the way they move makes my throat feel bitter. Lustful. Cruel. Insects run when we chase them, but always come back—to feed on flesh. They'll do anything for hunger. Just like humans. For bodies. For food... they only care about themselves... and won't hesitate to remove others from their paths. So they're not just insects. They're lustful insects.
[The air goes heavy. The others look away.]
Author:
[nods, light smile] Thank you, Kirihito. Now... Kuradome.
Kuradome:
Go on.
Author:
You're a pretty old yokai—a beauty with a brain. You've got a whole library in your head. Can you explain the yokai system for our readers? Just the basics.
Kuradome:
Certainly. Yokai are divided into two main types. In simple terms: Normal and Special Grade.
Normal yokai split into two classes—Ordinary and Royal. Special Grades have two rare forms: Cursed and Colony types. Both have three internal classes—First, Second, and Third.
These rare yokai are genderless, born with male forms but capable of both male and female roles. They behave more like animals than ordinary yokai. Almost all can give birth, like mammals or birds, except for the full males. Their food chains mirror actual animals. They usually hate women due to biological instincts...and lastly , they are born as great dancers and singers..even step ahead in beauty too..
Those are... the basics.
Kirihito: [smirking] Ooh~ sounds like you've been studying me.
Kuradome: [clears throat] I... read a lot of books.
Kyoren: That's "basic"?! [eyes widen, already tired from hearing that much]
Kuradome: [sharply turns to him] Stupid boy. Didn't I give you five books on the basics? How did you become a teacher without knowing any of it?
Kyoren: Aah—sorry, sorry! Don't scold me in front of everyone!... but which kind of basics come in five books?! That's huge, Dad!
Kuradome:
[deep breath] Shut up... that means you didn't even look at your table! Just wait till we go home. I'll teach you what "basic" means.
Kyoren:
N-No Dad! I just forgot it... I've read those a bit! [panicking now, turns quickly to his father]
Kuradome:
No excuse. And that "bit" won't work on me.
[Everyone chuckles softly at the exchange, the tension slowly melting into familiar warmth.]
Author:
[with a soft smile] And that brings the first part of our interview to a close. These little moments are fragments of a bigger world. But soon... something deeper will knock on your door. Stay ready.