Nujah stood up from the table and gave a slight nod.
"Thank you for the meal… but I have something important I need to take care of."
Sayu's eyes widened a little.
"You're not staying the night? Resting first might be wiser."
Her mother stepped in gently.
"It would honor us greatly if you stayed. Please, consider it."
Nujah glanced at the child nearby. "And does the little lady want me to stay too?"
Sayu immediately leaned down, whispering in the girl's ear.
The child shyly nodded and closed her eyes.
Right then, Nujah's form shimmered slightly—his outfit changed entirely, and his posture softened.
"So?" he asked with a small grin. "How's my outfit?"
The girl's eyes sparkled as she looked at him, clearly enchanted.
Sayu blinked, a bit stunned. "For a moment there… you looked like the sweetest boy I've ever seen."
She smirked, regaining her composure.
"So… what other tricks do you have?"
Nujah shrugged lightly.
"Unfortunately, nothing else for now. Certain reasons prevent me from doing more tonight."
He touched his temple. A faint ache was growing behind his eyes.
"I'll stay in the sitting room if that's alright," he said, more calmly now.
> "Please don't sleep in the sitting room. If my mom finds out, I'll never hear the end of it. Just stay in our room instead, okay?"
"No I need to leave early. Please… don't try to convince me otherwise."
The mother's smile faded just slightly, her expression turning quiet and withdrawn.
Nujah saw it and quickly stepped forward.
"Wait. I'm sorry if I sounded harsh. I didn't mean any offense."
Then, a little awkwardly, he asked:
"This might sound strange, but… what's your name?"
The woman turned back, her smile returning.
"I accept your apology. I may have overreacted too."
Then she gestured to herself. "I'm Tayu. And that's Hayu, my husband."
Nujah chuckled softly.
"Pleasure to meet you. Goodnight to all of you."
Sayu and her family walked away, shy like children after a warm farewell.
---
Nujah stretched out on the couch, eyes half-closed, trying to relax.
Suddenly—
"Boo."
A voice whispered in his right ear.
Nujah had already sensed it but chose to play along.
He jumped, tumbling off the couch onto the floor.
Sayu laughed.
"What are you doing here?"
"I got bored."
"In the middle of the night?"
"You were asleep. I woke up."
"Are you here to kill me?"
"Still deciding."
"You're weirdly serious and goofy at the same time."
"Should I take that as a compliment?"
"Nope. I'm still adjusting."
"You'll get used to it."
Sayu grew quiet, then asked more seriously:
"Who are you looking for out there?"
Nujah leaned back slightly.
"There's a creature I need to hunt. Probably the same one you've heard about."
Sayu frowned.
"You're lying."
Nujah blinked, curious.
"How'd you figure that out?"
Sayu smirked.
"You just said so."
Nujah exhaled through his nose.
"Fine. I'm looking for my… stepdaughter."
Sayu smiled gently.
"You don't need to be afraid. If she's your child, she'll survive anything."
Nujah nearly replied with the truth—
that she wasn't really his daughter in blood or bond.
But he stopped himself.
He hadn't lied about her being fragile.
"…Anyway," he muttered. "Sorry for bothering you. I shouldn't have distracted you this late."
Sayu gave a warm smile.
"It's okay. You actually made me feel better."
She turned away slowly.
"Goodnight," she whispered.
"Goodnight," Nujah replied. Then added softly,
"And tell your sister—
whatever's out there, monsters or human—
I'll take care of it myself.
She doesn't need to be afraid."
Sayu lingered for a moment, smiling quietly…
and then left the room.
Nujah closed his eyes—
and finally, let himself rest.
---