"Just fifteen Mora, and you're chasing me down like this? How pathetic," Tamura Kaito said disdainfully. The little boy sat there looking utterly punchable.
I smiled sweetly. "Even if it's just fifteen Mora, it's still mine. You stole something and think there's no price to pay? If you don't return it, I'll chop off your fingers—"
"Y-You're not afraid of going to jail?!"
"You weren't afraid to steal, so why should I be afraid?"
"You—you witch!"
"Oh? What does this little brat want from his dear auntie?"
The System notified me that Arataki Itto's favorability fluctuated with every word I said.
［So childish］
Anger surged in me. I let out a cold laugh. "You little brat, even if I gutted you right here, it'd be deserved. An eye for an eye."
Tamura Kaito's face turned pale with fear, and he stumbled backward.
"Ahem! Don't ignore me!"
The flamboyant oni coughed exaggeratedly. When he saw that neither of us was paying him any attention, he tried to reach out and pat our shoulders, but we dodged him instantly.
"I told you, I have nothing to do with this Arataki Gang thug! Why do you always follow me and cause trouble?!"
Tamura Kaito spoke with venom in his eyes, showing no gratitude for the help. Arataki Itto's large hand paused mid-air before stubbornly grabbing the boy's shoulder. "I said I'd look after you."
The brat struggled fiercely but couldn't break free.
I stood nearby, holding Kettle and watching the spectacle. Eventually, the oni's gaze shifted to me, lingering on my shoulders before meeting my eyes. Arataki Itto opened his mouth.
He glared, his voice rough and loud, reminiscent of someone about to swear and charge into a corporate tower to take down a cybernetic enforcer.
He said, "—I told him to steal the money."
Tamura Kaito let out an incredulous sound, though it came out more like a shout: "Are you an idiot?!"
I remained expressionless, stroking Kettle.
"You think I believe that?"
"Ahem, you should believe it."
"Really? I don't."
"If I say you should believe it, then believe it! Are you looking down on the Arataki Gang?!" Arataki Itto slammed his hand down—even without a table, hitting the ground was impressive—and leaned forward, using his height to intimidate me.
He was getting a bit too close.
I stared into those red eyes.
I quickly lifted Kettle and shoved her toward Arataki Itto's approaching face. Kettle played her part perfectly, baring her teeth and snapping at the air menacingly. The tall oni yelped in surprise, stumbling backward and landing on his rear.
"Don't get so close to a girl without permission. You might lose your nose."
Even if this guy could crush me with one hand, so what? I watched him get up from the ground.
Arataki Itto really was a big dummy.
I took a few steps toward him, still holding Kettle as she snarled and snapped at the air. It must have been quite intimidating. "No matter what you say, he's the one who took the money, so he's the one who should return it. You're such a pushover—"
I paused, about to say more.
"Wait! I'll return the Mora to you!"
The boy's voice cut in.
Tamura Kaito suddenly scrambled to his feet, staring at me intently. He even spread his arms as if shielding Arataki Itto behind him. "I promise—this week, no, three days! I'll definitely return the money to you! I'll never steal from you again! I swear!"
I clamped my hand over Kettle's growling mouth.
［Quite surprising］ the System remarked.
I looked at them: Arataki Itto staring at Tamura Kaito, and Tamura Kaito staring back at me like a protective mother hen.
It made me look like the villain.
——
Somewhere, a static crackle echoed—a sound only the System could hear—［#$%&! Favorability: -1］
——
I chuckled softly.
My laughter seemed to unsettle the boy.
"Thought you were beyond saving, Tamura brat," I said with a smile, giving Kettle a hug before setting her down. "Three days, then. It's settled. I'll be waiting at the small house on the northern beach of Inazuma City. I'm the only one living there."
The boy nodded firmly.
I felt Arataki Itto's gaze shift from the back of Tamura Kaito's head to my face.
"Oh, and Arataki Itto," I said, avoiding his eyes. "You saved my life on the beach that time. I'm grateful."
I reached into my inventory and pulled out the large Onikabuto I'd stored earlier. The gentle insect rested on my palm, even larger than my hand. I stroked its carapace before offering it to the oni.
［Arataki Itto Favorability increased to 20］
Just giving him a bug made him this happy?
"This probably isn't enough as thanks. I'll treat you to a meal sometime."
I took a few steps back.
"Let's go, Kettle."
I fled like my life depended on it.
——
——
Wait, no—I should've said we were even after giving him the bug. What was I thinking, offering to treat him to a meal?
I woke up in the morning, opened the door, and saw… well, not exactly a classic scene of injustice, but something equally startling.
Arataki Itto was petting Kettle so vigorously he was practically rubbing her bald. In the hands of this oni—who clearly ate something special to grow so robust—Kettle, usually not small, looked like a pitiful Chihuahua. She saw me and let out a pleading whimper.
"Arataki Itto!" I roared.
"Put down my dog!!!"
——
"What are you even doing here?"
I slammed a cup of tea onto the table in front of the oni. I'd even invited him inside, let him sit down, and made tea for him—while the victimized Kettle stayed glued to my side, too scared to leave.
The instigator himself sat on the chair, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
"—So, uh, Miya, right?" he said. Usually, when someone called me Miya for the first time, it felt unreal, as if they weren't really addressing me. Arataki Itto cleared his throat. "Granny told me to ask… how are your injuries?"
"They're healed," I said, refilling the teapot.
"I'll visit her myself later. Thank her for me, please."
The oni remained tense, sitting there deep in thought, like the neighborhood kid who'd lost a fight and was sulking at the table. Probably lost a beetle battle on the streets.
"Did the bug I gave you lose?"
"Hah! No way—I haven't used it yet." He straightened up, ready to argue. Even sitting, he was taller than me. His large hands gestured wildly. "That's the strongest contender I've ever seen! Of course I need to prepare properly!"
"Where did you even find it?"
Hearing his question reminded me that I'd always been interested in insects and arthropods. Before crossing over, I'd kept adorable jumping spiders. Maybe I could raise some as pets here.
"Went up the mountain specifically to catch it for you," I said. (Actually, I'd just grabbed it while eating Violetgrass.)
［Arataki Itto Favorability: 25］
Watching the oni delicately pinch the teacup with two fingers, I still felt like he could swat me dead with one hand.
Kettle was very well-behaved and never bit anyone without my command.
Tch. I glared disapprovingly at her messy fur.
How dare he mess up Kettle's smooth fur like that? I should've told her to bark away anyone who came near.
I had a strong need for control over my home and belongings. As my friend once said, I had intense territorial instincts. If not for the rules of society, she had no doubt I'd live like a reclusive old hermit deep in the mountains, armed with a rifle or shotgun to chase off intruders, raising dogs or cawing crows, living self-sufficiently.
［In that case, you'd just become the weird dog lady］
"The eccentric, solitary Miss Miya Ryuguu with her fierce hound and spirit follower—has a nice ring to it."
"Who are you talking to?" Arataki Itto asked, puzzled.
"A vengeful spirit."
I didn't even turn around, just tossed out the lie.
He fell off his chair with a thud, then tried to play it cool as he shakily pulled himself back up, his eyes darting around the room. Seeing him like this, a mischievous idea sparked in my mind.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Hey! Stop looking around!"
I suddenly snapped, spinning around to lean toward him, my upper body almost climbing onto the table. I lowered my voice. "Itto, let me tell you a secret—"
Arataki Itto's red eyes widened in alarm as he recoiled. I quickly grabbed the metal ring around his neck that held his Vision, yanking him back. With my other hand hidden behind me, I released a mist-like Cryo energy to chill the air. "Listen, Itto… this house… someone hanged themselves here long ago. Their soul never moved on. It's become a vengeful spirit…"
［If you wanted to grab his collar, you could've just said so］
The more I spoke, the more I stared directly into his eyes.
The more I spoke, the more expressionless I became.
By the end, my nose was almost touching his.
Watching the tall oni break out in a cold sweat, trembling, I let out a cold laugh and continued whispering—
"You have to be careful sitting here… otherwise, the dried-up, hanging feet of the dead will appear behind you where you can't see them. You'll feel so cold… and then a red rope will slowly, slowly lower onto your neck…"
"…If you look up, you'll see its pale, blood-streaked face, empty eye sockets bleeding, with a long tongue hanging out… and then you'll be—"
I released my death grip on his collar and shouted—
"—STRANGLED!!!"
Arataki Itto let out a scream even louder than mine. He swayed, the chair legs groaning in protest, and he grabbed the table, nearly flipping it—and me—over. "AAAAH! I-I-I'm not afraid of ghosts!"
I steadied the shaking table he'd jostled, straightened up, and put some distance between us, crossing my arms.
"Really?"
"Hah! I'm the one and only Arataki Itto! Mere ghosts and spirits—" He paused, glancing around. "…Miya, is it just me, or is it getting cold in here?"
I was dying trying not to laugh.
Seeing Itto as jumpy as a startled bird, I decided to quietly withdraw the elemental energy. The icy Vision in my hand spun once before I tucked it back into my clothes. Unlike others who wore their Visions on their belts or in visible places, I kept mine close, even wrapping it in soft cloth and hiding it under my layers.
I hated being understood.
Especially my true capabilities.
As the cold faded, I gestured for him to try the tea. A wicked idea popped into my head. "This is tea made from roasted barley. It wards off evil. I noticed a dark aura around you the moment you walked in. That's probably why you felt cold. This tea might help."
Arataki Itto's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Really."
I nodded, spinning the tale with utmost seriousness. "If you don't cleanse yourself, the ghost will follow you everywhere—like grabbing you from the toilet hole, making you stub your toe on rocks while barefoot, getting oil stains on new clothes, breaking your comb teeth, or even getting hit by beans on the street."
Arataki Itto… Arataki Itto turned pale.
Seizing the moment, I withdrew all the Cryo energy just as he downed the tea in one gulp.
"Wow, it really works!" the big dummy exclaimed, looking at me in amazement.
［Arataki Itto Favorability: 30］
［What a fool］
What a fool.
It was just Chinese-style barley tea anyway. Probably no one in Inazuma could tell the difference, especially an oni like Arataki Itto, who likely didn't drink tea often.
［You should become a scammer. You'd make a fortune］
"Hmph." I snorted, reaching down to pat Kettle's head.
I think I found the same thrill Kamisato Ayato got from teasing Arataki Itto. Watching this seemingly fierce oni get flustered by a few words was incredibly satisfying. As I refilled his tea, I mused to myself.
——
Miya Ryuguu's house had a strange atmosphere.
Arataki Itto felt it the moment he stepped inside. He was straightforward and lively, but he had a sharp intuition for important things—
Miya Ryuguu hated uninvited strangers.
That was his first instinct upon arriving.
But Arataki Itto didn't consider himself a stranger. He'd boldly found the seaside cottage Miya mentioned and saw the fierce Kettle napping by the door, her coat glossy and looking incredibly pet-able.
Hah!
There was no way Arataki Itto wouldn't pet her.
He had a mysterious confidence that Kettle wouldn't hurt him, so he went ahead and gave the previously vicious dog a thorough rub. "Hahaha! No matter how fierce you act, you still let me pet you! Good dog!"
Miya Ryuguu hated people touching her things without permission.
That was his second instinct.
So when she caught him in the act and those green eyes met his, Arataki Itto felt inexplicably guilty. He instinctively let go of the dog and followed her inside when she invited him—
"Squeezed in" was more accurate, since the doorframe bumped against his horns with a loud thud.
The door was a bit short.
As Arataki Itto often said, anyone shorter than him was a child.
Especially someone as petite as Miya Ryuguu, who seemed tiny compared to others. She reminded him of the small tanuki girl Sayu he'd met once—so small he could probably lift her with one hand. He was certain she didn't dislike him, or oni in general, or even that brat Tamura Kaito.
But when he'd seen her corner Tamura Kaito and threaten the child, Arataki Itto felt a pang of fear at her words.
It seemed like Miya Ryuguu would actually do it.
That was his third instinct, but he quickly dismissed it.
When she turned to look at him, it felt like she was telling him she wouldn't do it—she wouldn't hurt the child.
He'd kept the giant Onikabuto she gave him as thanks. Back at Granny Oni's place, the kids clamored with envy. How had Miya Ryuguu found such a magnificent specimen?
He'd raise it carefully before letting it enter the battlefield.
She said she'd visit Granny later. Maybe he could teach her how to battle beetles. With a genius teacher like him, she'd surely become unbeatable.
Arataki Itto nodded to himself, very pleased.
The tea in his hand seemed to dispel the lingering chill.
The girl across from him tilted her head with a faint smile, her hands tucked into her sleeves. Her intense green eyes made him uneasy—they scrutinized him openly, leaving him unsettled.
So Arataki Itto's fourth instinct was that Miya Ryuguu's house really was haunted, and Miya Ryuguu was really strong.
—And the ghost was a hanged one.