by Dave Ferraro
Yumiko scrambled away from her and tore out through the castle gates, only pausing once as the drawbridge lifted behind her, chains pulling it upward steadily until it finally snapped closed like a dragon’s mouth. It was an eerie sight, as it made no sound as it closed. She felt like she were underwater or had earplugs in her ears. But she’d heard the voices clearly enough.
Slipping and sliding, she made her way down the mountain path, until she was sure she’d arrived at where she’d entered this strange world. But no mirror waited for her. She stopped and stared, wondering if perhaps she’d gotten turned around, but there was only one path.
“See what sort of a life you can make for yourself out there,” a man’s voice said from behind her, and she turned to see Kagami standing there, arms crossed. “I think that by the time you come of age, you will come with me willingly. You will beg to be mine.”
He waved his hand and a mirror appeared beside him.
Yumiko swallowed hard, and approached him slowly, hesitantly.
When she was nearly beside him, he leaned forward and stared into her face intently, shadows making his face dark and sinister. “Go on, then! Get out, you ungrateful creature. But remember, I will come for you, and you will be mine.”
Yumiko leapt through the mirror, and tumbled out of a mirror in a shrine. The same one she’d entered with Ame-Onna earlier. She breathed hard as she stood up, and looked behind her, half-expecting Kagami to give chase. But no one was there. She swallowed hard and stared into the mirror, but only saw herself reflected back at her.
“Every time you look into a mirror, or walk past one, even when you don’t notice one is there, he sees you.”
With a shudder, she turned and ran home as fast as her legs could carry her.
And seventeen-year-old Yumiko opened her eyes, allowing the dream to fade away. But the images of the kappa, disgusting creatures she’d dealt with several times since, filled her head. She sat up and looked around the room, realizing that she’d fallen asleep in Madame Mori’s library. She had a kink in her neck and stretched it carefully as she stood.
“Yumiko?”
Yumiko glanced over at Tanuki, who padded over to her slowly. “What is it?”
“Someone’s coming.”
Yumiko looked up and heard the sound of the beads from the curtain being pushed aside. Shoving a strand of hair out of her face, she walked toward the doorway just as a young Japanese man appeared.
He was handsome, and blinked in at her with wide eyes. “Madame Mori?”
“She is out.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “Who are you?”
“Her apprentice, Yumiko Sato. Can I help you?”
He looked her up and down, uncertainty crossing his features, and perhaps disappointment. “You’ll have to do, I suppose,” he said, stepping forward boldly.
And then Yumiko noted a green thread that stretched out from behind him, disappearing into the wall. She gave the man a second appraising look as she realized that he’d been marked by a yokai.
The man bowed. “I need your help.”
Chapter Four
Yumiko had just poured tea for herself and her guest when Madame Mori returned. She entered the antechamber with a bow and allowed Yumiko to wait on her, as she appraised her client.
“I am Madame Mori,” Mori announced as soon as Yumiko took a seat across from the young man. “What can I do for you?”
The man seemed to be appraising Madame Mori with as much scrutiny as she did him, but then he bowed his head respectfully. “I’ve come seeking help. Protection.”
“Protection?”
“He is marked by a yokai,” Yumiko told her.
The man looked up at her sharply, and nodded confirmation.
“What is your name, young man?” Mori asked.
“Forgive me,” he bowed his head again. “I am Shou Fujiwara.”
“Well, Mr. Fujiwara, why don’t you start from the beginning.”
Shou nodded. “It happened just an hour ago. I was getting off of work, and walking along the streets toward my house, as usual, when I noticed a woman nearby.”
“An hour ago?” Yumiko interrupted, looking at the clock. It was presently two in the morning.
He scowled. “I work at a host club.”
Yumiko nodded politely as it clicked for her. It had only occurred an hour ago, which meant that he worked in the red light district somewhere. Being a handsome guy, probably eighteen or nineteen, it made sense that he would be a host, and working this late.
Host clubs were where women went to literally buy attention from attractive men. A man of their choosing would shower them with attention in the club, flirting with them, filling their drinks, that sort of thing. The same sort of thing existed for men, seeking the attention of women – hostess clubs. Of course, an attractive man like Shou would be in his element at a host club, where he was paid to have fun and flirt. Sex with clients was strictly forbidden in the club, but Yumiko was sure that many hosts and hostesses brought clients to the love hotel after hours. It was just one little push from what they were doing at the clubs, although it was considered rude for a client to ask a host or hostess to see them outside of club hours.
“So, you left the club as usual?” Mori prodded.
Shou recollected himself and nodded. “Yes. Like I said, I was walking along, minding my own business, when I noticed a woman up ahead, in a white kimono. She had a fan held up to her face. It’s been pretty hot, so I didn’t think much of it.”
Yumiko nodded, already knowing where this was going.
“So,” Shou continued, licking his lips, “She stepped into my path and looked up through her eyelashes at me, almost shyly, and asked ‘Do you find me beautiful?’ To be polite, I answered ‘yes, of course,’ and went to step around her, but she stepped into my path again. I was ready to tell her off, that I’d had a long day and just wanted to get to bed, but then she…she lowered her fan.” He swallowed hard. “Her face was still bleeding from the cut. It ran from one ear to the other. At first I thought it was makeup, that it couldn’t be real, but…it was.” He looked away.
“You weren’t a believer,” Mori commented.
“No, I…I wasn’t. Not until this happened. I’ve always been interested in yokai, but as myths and legends, not as….reality. I just never considered that they were actually out there.”
“Most are non-believers until they experience it for themselves,” Mori nodded. She waved to Shou. “What happened next?”
“Well, I’ve heard of the Slit-Mouthed Woman before,” he told her. “As a kid, I was pretty obsessed with yokai actually, and I always thought that she was one of the creepiest.”
Madame Mori raised an eyebrow and he looked away before continuing. “Anyway, she asked me ‘Do you still find me beautiful?’ I knew from what I’d read that there was no right answer. If I’d said no from the beginning, she would have slit my mouth to match hers. If I said no or tried to run after being asked the second time, she would do the same.”
“So you bought yourself some time,” Yumiko said, finishing for him. “You said yes again, knowing full well that she would let you walk away, but would come for you when you fell asleep tonight, and would cut you in two.”
Shou nodded. “I’d heard of Madame Mori, and as soon as I left the yokai behind, I came here for help. You’re my only way out of this.”
Madame Mori considered him for a moment as she sipped her tea. “Very well.” She glanced at Yumiko. “He is definitely marked?”
Yumiko glanced at the green thread that seemed to stick out from the center of his back, and followed it up to the wall beside the sliding door, where it disappeared. “Yes.”
Mori tapped her cup with her pinkie, as if thinking.
Yumiko took a moment to examine Shou, who seemed calmer than someone who was marked for death should be. He almost seemed…excited. Most people who came to Madame Mori were pale, sweat breaking out over their forehead, or at the very least
, their hands trembled when they accepted their teacup. Shou was the picture of calm, awaiting Mori’s reply to his entreaty patiently, confidently. He knew that she wouldn’t turn him away, and he was looking forward to seeing how it played out.
“You are very clever, Mr. Fujiwara,” Yumiko complimented him carefully. “Most people wouldn’t have kept a cool head when confronted with such a grisly yokai, even if they knew how to respond.”
“I was just so…shocked to see that she was real,” Shou said, his eyes lighting up. “She was…amazing.”
“Be careful, Mr. Fujiwara,” Mori spoke up. “You’re stupid if you’re not afraid for your life right now.”
Shou ducked his head into a bow. “My apologies, Madame Mori. I meant no disrespect.”
Mori’s eyes snapped to Yumiko’s. “I think my apprentice can handle this.”
Shou stiffened and sat up straight. “Your apprentice?” He glanced at Yumiko briefly. “You don’t think you should-“
“This is a cut-and-dry case,” Mori interrupted him. “You will stay in a room together in the hotel and when you fall asleep, Miss Sato will take care of the yokai before any harm comes to you.”
Shou pressed his lips together, and seemed to be debating some retort, but instead, he wisely bowed his head. “Thank you.”
Madame Mori nodded, then turned to Yumiko with a discreet wink. “Please see to his safety, Miss Sato. And collect payment when the job is done.”
“Yes, sensei,” Yumiko agreed, bowing as Mori stood.
Without another word, Madame Mori left them, and Shou sat up straight, watching the door for a moment before turning his head to regard Yumiko.
“I hope you’re good at what you do,” he told her. “I’m rather fond of my face.”
“I’m sure that you are,” Yumiko replied boldly, then stood. “And I’m the best there is at what I do, Mr. Fujiwara. You have nothing to worry about.”
He didn’t look very convinced, but nodded and stood as well. “Okay. Show me the way.”
Yumiko led him out of Mori’s library and through the sake bar, entering the love hotel for the second time that evening. She had nearly protested when Madame Mori had mentioned the love hotel, but there were few options. She certainly wasn’t about to suggest that she go to Shou’s house. That seemed a worse option than the love hotel. And she wasn’t about to allow him into her own room either.
Yumiko stopped before the reception desk, hesitating before tapping the bell. She glanced up at the rooms, the available ones were illuminated, while those currently in use were darkened. “Do you have a preference?”
Shou grinned, flashing perfect, white teeth her way. “I always did fancy nurses.”
The door beside the counter opened with a creak and Reina poked her head out, grinning. “I thought I heard your voice. Twice in one night, huh?”
Yumiko scowled. “Just get me the key to the nurse’s office.”
Reina looked Shou up and down with interest. “Who’s your friend?”
Shou smiled brilliantly at her. “Shou Fujiwara. And you would be?”
“Reina Arai.”
“She’s single,” Yumiko helped, wincing at the glare Reina sent her way.
“Recently single,” Reina amended. “You caught me at a good time.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Arai,” Shou said politely. “You’ve probably handed me dozens of keys here in the past, and I’ve never had the chance to behold your beauty.” He bowed, and Yumiko was impressed with the smooth way he turned Reina down, making it appear to be Reina’s decision by suggesting that he was a player.
Reina nodded slowly. “Let me guess – host?”
“Guilty.”
Reina sighed, then retrieved the key for them, handing it to Yumiko. “Have fun, you two.” She narrowed her eyes at Shou. “And Mr. Fujiwara, if you lay a finger on her, you have me to deal with.”
Shou looked amused by the comment, but bowed before turning to follow Yumiko up the hall.
As they waited for the elevator, Shou looked back at the lobby. “Interesting setup you have here,” he commented.
“It works,” Yumiko mumbled. She tilted her head, noting that Tanuki was trotting up the hall after them. She raised an eyebrow at him.
“Something about this guy rubs me the wrong way,” Tanuki explained, entering the elevator behind them. “He’s a slick one.”
Yumiko agreed that he was clever, but she wasn’t sure that he had ill intentions. He just seemed to know what he wanted. And he did not want Yumiko involved in this. He’d wanted Mori. Why was that?
She decided on the direct approach. “Why did you want Madame Mori to rid this yokai for you?”
Shou shrugged. “It doesn’t matter to me who does it.”
“He’s lying,” Tanuki said, frowning.
“You’re lying,” Yumiko agreed. She crossed her arms as she took him in. “You wanted to impress her.”
He glared at her. “So what if I did?”
Yumiko blinked. “But, why?”
He snorted. “Are you kidding me? I just found out that yokai exist. I’ve studied them my whole life, and when I come to see the expert after this experience I have, I come to find that she has an apprentice.” The elevator stopped on the third floor and he quickly exited. “What makes you so special?”
Yumiko was a little baffled as she followed him into the hallway. “You’re jealous of me?”
Shou stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her. “My father trained me with a sword. I’m good. When he died, I lost everything. The only reason I’m at that stupid host club is because it’s easy money. What I really want to do…” He shook his head. “Yes, I want what you have. I want to be an honorable man, not this...” He struggled to find a word, but threw his arms up in the end. “Just…forget it. You wouldn’t understand.”
But the thing was, she sort of did. And she kind of admired the passion that he’d just demonstrated. However, he’d only discovered that yokai were real less than two hours ago. It was a fresh discovery, exciting and enticing. Once the novelty wore off, he would probably gladly go back to his host club, and make plenty of money doing it. It probably wouldn’t be much of a stretch for him to attract a cougar, and marry into a rich lifestyle.
“Here we are,” Yumiko said, gesturing toward a white door with a red plus symbol painted on it.
Shou took a deep breath and looked at the door, then turned to Yumiko with a grin. “Are you ready for this, little yokai hunter?”
“Always,” Yumiko told him, tossing him the key.
He unlocked the door and stepped inside, Yumiko at his heels.
Tanuki whistled as he scampered in between her legs, making for an open closet with nurse uniforms hanging from a dowel. “Yumiko, you’ve got to put this on. You would look simply ravishing in it.”
“I’m not wearing that.”
Tanuki pouted. “No fun.”
“I didn’t ask you to,” Shou said, frowning at her, unable to hear Tanuki.
Yumiko looked at Shou, slightly embarrassed. “I know. I’m just…stating facts.”
Shou seemed to be biting back a laugh, but he turned his back on her to look at the hospital bed. It was clean and white, with fake IVs and heart monitors alongside it to give off an air of authenticity. Cold steel cabinets lined the walls, with plenty of instruments to play doctor with.
Shou sat down at the edge of the bed and grinned at her. “I’m ready for my checkup.”
“He’s stealing my lines,” Tanuki grumbled. “Just ignore him, Yumiko.”
Yumiko glared at Tanuki, to let him know that he was stating the obvious. Then she turned to glare at Shou as well, who smiled back at her innocently.
When Shou noted her serious expression, he sighed and lay back on the bed. “Well, this is going to be fun,” he murmured.
“You’re telling me,” Yumiko agreed. She pointed toward a restroom with a clear view of the bed. “I’ll wait in there, with the door open a crack. Just relax
and try to sleep.”
“Try to sleep, knowing full well that there’s a psychotic spirit who’s on her way to slit me up the middle with a pair of bloody scissors. Okay, no problem.” Shou fell back onto the bed with a grunt. “Just…be vigilant.”
“I always am.”
Chapter Five
“He’s not sleeping,” Tanuki observed as Shou turned over on the bed again, and punched his pillow, as if it were the real threat.
Yumiko continued to peer through the crack in the door. She could tell that Shou was angry at himself for not being able to sleep on command, but she could hardly blame him, given the situation. Who would be able to sleep soundly, knowing what was coming for him?
“At this point, even that yokai is probably annoyed,” Tanuki muttered.
It gave Yumiko a chance to observe Shou, so she didn’t mind the hour wait. He really was a good-looking guy. He had thick, healthy hair, shaped with care to give it volume, although it was starting to get a little messy as he tossed and turned. His body was wiry and strong, toned beneath his dress shirt, which he’d unbuttoned at the top, allowing a glimpse of smooth skin.
Suddenly Brian’s face appeared before Yumiko’s eyes, and she imagined that it was him lying on the bed, his strong jaw tense with worry, covered in enticing stubble. Swallowing hard, she looked away from Shou, shaking the image free. Brian was a nice guy. Handsome and pleasant. He seemed caring and thoughtful. But she couldn’t get swept away with a guy. She had far greater concerns. Concerns of the life-and-death variety. Any high school crush she felt toward a handsome American had to be set aside.
“Do you want me to hold a pillow over his face until he passes out?” Tanuki offered.
Yumiko sighed and sent him an amused look. “Would you do that for me?”
“Anything for you, my delicate rose petal.”
Yumiko rolled her eyes. “He will fall asleep on his own, sooner or later.”
“Well, let’s just hope it’s not much later then.”
Yumiko perked up as Shou stopped moving. She cocked her head and strained to listen across the room. When Shou’s even breathing came to her ear, she nodded to herself and unsheathed her sword. Tanuki noted her movements and snuck in front of her to peer into the room as well.
