I should've known it was a bad idea when Hiyori asked me to take Mikaboshi on a "harmless midnight stroll." Nothing good ever comes from those. Not in a shrine with spooky shadows that seem to move on their own, and definitely not when the moon is hiding behind a cloud like it wants nothing to do with us. But hey, I was the God of Reality—what did I have to fear?
Turns out, a lot.
We were about halfway down the moonlit path when Mikaboshi stopped dead in her tracks, tilting her head in that way she always did when she was up to no good.
"Y/N," she whispered, eyes wide with feigned innocence, "I think something's… watching us."
"Oh, great," I muttered, glancing around with a smirk that I tried to make look brave. "Is this gonna be one of those horror-movie setups where I'm supposed to pretend I didn't hear that?"
As if on cue, a low growl echoed through the darkness, deep and gurgling, like something large and very hungry. I spun around, laughing nervously, only to see a pair of eyes glinting in the bushes.
"Well," I chuckled, "it's been nice knowing you, kiddo. We've had some great times together, but I think I left my bravery back at the shrine."
"Y/N!" Mikaboshi squealed, grabbing my sleeve. "It's coming this way!"
Out of the bushes crept something that looked like it had crawled out of a nightmare—a hulking beast with fur matted in sticky black sludge, yellowed teeth gleaming under the moonlight, and one too many eyes squirming on its face. It smelled like it had gone swimming in a sewer and hadn't bothered to dry off.
But the real horror? It was drooling all over the place, puddles of slimy goop pooling at its feet.
"Oh, come on," I muttered. "Didn't your mom teach you any table manners?"
The beast let out a strangled snarl, lunging toward us with a speed that belied its massive bulk. Mikaboshi shrieked, grabbing onto my arm like her life depended on it. Which, at the moment, it kind of did.
"Alright, alright," I muttered, rolling up my sleeves. "Time for Uncle Y/N to teach this thing a lesson in personal space."
I conjured up a flickering blade of energy, pointing it at the beast with a smirk. "Alright, buddy, let's make this quick—I've got chores in the morning."
But before I could move, the beast opened its mouth and unleashed a torrent of… something. It looked like rotten custard and smelled worse, splattering all over my face and clothes.
"Oh, ew!" I groaned, trying not to gag. "This is not how I wanted to spend my Saturday night!"
Mikaboshi was laughing beside me, clutching her sides as I wiped the goo from my face. "You look like you lost a food fight!"
"Yeah? Well, wait till you see what happens next." I raised my blade, lunging forward with a dramatic flourish, hoping to slice the beast in two.
But instead, my blade just… bounced off. Like I'd hit a rubber wall.
The beast blinked at me, unimpressed, before lunging again, mouth wide open to swallow me whole. I stumbled back, trying to think of something witty to say, but all that came out was a strangled, "Nope! Not happening!"
As the beast came closer, I felt Mikaboshi tug on my sleeve. "Uh, Y/N? Are we… losing?"
I gave her a weak grin. "Define 'losing.'"
The beast lunged again, its teeth snapping inches from my face. I yelped, ducking just in time, only to trip and land in a puddle of… something. Something red and squishy. I looked down, realizing with a shiver that it was a pile of bones, picked clean and arranged in a neat little circle. A child's bone necklace, maybe?
"Oh, lovely," I muttered. "Really adds to the ambiance."
The beast circled us, growling low in its throat, its eyes gleaming with malice. And that's when I realized something: this thing wasn't just trying to scare us. It was hungry.
"Mikaboshi," I said, keeping my voice low, "get ready to run. On three."
She nodded, her face pale but determined. I started counting, my heart racing, adrenaline coursing through my veins.
"One… two…"
But before I could say "three," the beast pounced, teeth bared, and I did the only thing I could think of: I threw myself over Mikaboshi, shielding her as best I could. The beast's jaws closed around my arm, tearing into flesh with a sickening crunch.
"Gah! That's my favorite arm, you oversized mutt!" I screamed, trying to shake it off.
The pain was blinding, but I forced myself to focus. With a burst of energy, I twisted reality just enough to make my arm slip free, leaving behind a bloody mess that would probably make any mortal faint. The beast snarled, still clutching the now-empty sleeve, as I staggered back, pulling Mikaboshi with me.
"Now!" I shouted, and we bolted, the beast's snarls echoing behind us as we tore through the trees.
Branches whipped against my face, the ground slick with mud and who-knows-what else. Every step sent a jolt of pain through my wounded arm, but I pushed on, glancing back to see the beast lumbering after us, its eyes gleaming with fury.
"You know," I panted, "I thought tonight would be boring. Guess I was wrong."
Mikaboshi gave a shaky laugh, her hand gripping mine like a lifeline. "Are we gonna make it?"
"Of course we are!" I grinned, ignoring the fact that my vision was starting to blur. "It'll take more than an overgrown dog to take down the God of Reality."
But even as I said it, I wasn't sure. My energy was waning, my vision fading, and the beast was gaining on us. If I didn't think of something fast, we'd be nothing more than a couple of midnight snacks.
Then, out of the darkness, I heard a familiar voice: "Oi, Y/N! You having a little trouble there?"
I squinted, barely able to make out Hiyori standing at the edge of the clearing, her hands on her hips and a smirk on her face. She looked completely unbothered, like she hadn't just stumbled upon a gore-soaked nightmare.
"Hiyori!" I gasped. "You… you're a sight for sore eyes."
She rolled her eyes, striding forward and giving the beast a look that could've frozen lava. "You're picking on my idiot friend? I don't think so."
With a casual flick of her wrist, she summoned a burst of foxfire that lit up the night, illuminating the beast in a ghostly blue light. It growled, hesitating as if it sensed it was outmatched.
"Go on, scram!" Hiyori snapped, and the beast let out a whimper, backing away before slinking off into the shadows.
I slumped against a tree, clutching my injured arm and grinning up at her. "Saved by my favorite fox. Guess I owe you one."
She snorted, helping me to my feet. "You're a mess, Y/N. What were you thinking, taking Mikaboshi out here?"
I shrugged, wincing as pain shot through my arm. "It was supposed to be a harmless walk. How was I supposed to know a nightmare was lurking in the bushes?"
Hiyori sighed, exasperated but amused. "Only you, Y/N. Only you would turn a midnight stroll into a horror show."
Mikaboshi, still clinging to my good arm, looked up at me with wide eyes. "Y/N… that was… awesome!"
I laughed, ruffling her hair with my uninjured hand. "Glad someone enjoyed it. Now let's get back to the shrine before Hiyori changes her mind and lets that thing come back."
As we limped our way back, I couldn't help but chuckle, despite the pain, despite the chaos. There was something oddly comforting about moments like this—moments where I was reminded just how fragile I was, even with all my power. Because maybe that's what kept me grounded, what kept me coming back to this strange little family. The knowledge that, no matter how much I could change the world, I still needed them as much as they needed me.
And as we stumbled into the warmth of the shrine, exhausted but alive, I realized that maybe the horror, the fear, and the pain were worth it. Because in this unpredictable world, in this life of chaos and danger… I'd found people who'd come running when I needed them.
Hiyori shot me a grin as she closed the shrine doors behind us, and I chuckled, winking at Mikaboshi. "Hey, kiddo… remember, even in the darkest night, we've got each other's backs. That's what family's for."
As the shrine doors closed, I collapsed onto the nearest tatami mat, letting out a groan. My arm was still throbbing, the gashes along it deep and oozing blood in a way that was becoming more annoying by the second. I stared at the wounds with a mixture of frustration and resignation. Healing would be easy enough, but the process was always slow—and painful. Even gods weren't immune to the sting of flesh knitting itself back together.
Hiyori knelt beside me, her eyes flashing with both irritation and something softer, something like… concern? She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath as she began bandaging my arm with a surprising amount of care.
"You really are hopeless, you know that?" she said, tightening the bandage just enough to make me wince.
"Yeah, yeah," I replied, flashing her a grin that probably looked more strained than I'd intended. "But you love me for it, right?"
She gave me a look that could've melted iron. "Let's not get carried away."
Mikaboshi was still hovering nearby, her eyes wide with a mix of admiration and lingering fear. "Y/N… that was really brave."
"Brave? Ha! More like stupid," Hiyori said, but I noticed a small, reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "What were you even thinking, taking her out in the middle of the night like that?"
I shrugged, giving Mikaboshi a playful wink. "I thought a little adventure wouldn't hurt. And besides, it's not every day you get to play 'dodge the monster' with your favorite little goddess."
Mikaboshi giggled, her laughter brightening the room despite the lingering tension. But as I sat there, feeling the weight of the night settle over me, I found myself drifting back into that strange headspace, that feeling that had been gnawing at me since our encounter with that beast.
I was a god, sure—a god with the power to twist reality, to bend it to my will. And yet, there in the darkness, with that creature's teeth snapping inches from my face, I'd felt… small. Vulnerable. It was a reminder I didn't get often, and a reminder I didn't exactly enjoy. But at the same time, there was something comforting in it. Something that made me feel… alive.
Hiyori must have noticed the shift in my expression, because she paused, watching me with a rare softness. "Y/N… are you okay?"
The question caught me off guard. I laughed, a little too loudly. "Me? I'm fine! Just a scratch, no big deal."
She raised an eyebrow, not buying it for a second. "Really? Because you look like you've just had a near-death experience."
"Well," I said, scratching the back of my head, "maybe it was a little closer than I'd like to admit. But hey, what's the point of life without a little danger?"
Hiyori's expression softened further, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something in her eyes—something that looked like genuine worry. "Y/N… you don't always have to be the brave one, you know."
Her words hung in the air, heavy and uncomfortable, like a truth I'd been avoiding. I opened my mouth to make some kind of joke, to deflect like I always did, but the words died on my lips. Because deep down, I knew she was right.
"I guess… maybe I just don't know how to be anything else," I said, my voice barely more than a whisper.
For a long moment, we sat in silence, the weight of the night pressing down on us. Mikaboshi sat beside me, her small hand slipping into mine, her warmth grounding me in a way I hadn't expected. Hiyori, still kneeling beside me, gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"We're here for you, you know," she said softly. "You don't have to carry everything on your own."
It was a simple statement, one that should've been obvious. And yet, hearing it out loud, hearing it from her, was like a jolt to my system. I'd spent so long hiding behind jokes and bravado, pretending that nothing bothered me, that I didn't need anyone. But maybe… maybe I did.
The thought was both terrifying and comforting.
"Thanks, Hiyori," I murmured, giving her a small, genuine smile. "I… I guess I forget that sometimes."
She nodded, a rare, understanding look in her eyes. And for a moment, it felt like we were more than just roommates, more than just two people who happened to be stuck in each other's lives. We were friends, family—even if neither of us would ever admit it out loud.
Eventually, Hiyori stood, brushing herself off and giving me one last exasperated look. "Well, if you're done having your existential crisis, there are still chores to be done tomorrow."
I groaned, leaning back with a dramatic sigh. "Can't I just have one day off?"
"Nope," she said, smirking as she headed toward the door. "Consider it your punishment for nearly getting yourself killed."
Mikaboshi giggled beside me, and I couldn't help but laugh along. Despite everything, despite the terror of the night, there was something comforting in this simple routine, this life we'd built together.
And as I sat there, surrounded by the warmth of the shrine and the quiet companionship of my friends, I realized that maybe, just maybe, this was enough.
As Hiyori disappeared down the hall, I leaned back against the tatami mat, a quiet sense of relief washing over me. The night had been brutal and strange, yet here I was—alive, bruised, and… happy? It was odd. Here I was, god of everything, with countless worlds and possibilities at my fingertips, and all I wanted right now was to rest here, in this small shrine with people who made me feel like I wasn't floating aimlessly in the cosmos.
Mikaboshi tugged at my sleeve, her eyes wide and a little too innocent. "Y/N, do you ever get scared?"
I looked down at her, considering the question. For someone like me—someone who'd seen endless horrors and knew every corner of existence—fear wasn't usually an issue. I knew how things would end before they even started. And yet, tonight had been different. Tonight had felt… raw.
"Yeah," I admitted quietly, surprising even myself. "Sometimes I do get scared. Not of monsters or creatures, but… I get scared of losing the things I care about. The things that make all of this worth it."
Mikaboshi nodded slowly, her gaze serious as she processed my words. She'd known me for eons, but I doubted she'd ever heard me talk like this. I gave her a gentle smile, one that was as much for me as it was for her.
"It's funny, though," I continued, my voice soft. "Even when I'm scared, I can't help but keep going. Because no matter what happens, I know that I'm… I'm part of something bigger here. With you, with Hiyori, even with everyone else who drives me nuts."
She laughed, her small hand still clutching mine. "It's like you're our glue," she said, grinning. "You keep us all together, even when we're falling apart."
"Glue, huh?" I chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Well, that's one way to put it."
We sat in silence for a while, the weight of the night slowly lifting as the room filled with a gentle calm. Mikaboshi eventually leaned her head on my shoulder, her breathing steady and soft, as if my presence alone was enough to keep her safe. And for once, I let myself believe it. I let myself feel that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't alone in this after all.
The moonlight seeped through the paper walls, casting a soft glow over the room, and I found myself lost in thought once again. Memories drifted through my mind, images of places and people I'd left behind, things I'd seen and done that no one would ever know about. There was a strange comfort in it—a reminder that even in this small, simple life, I carried a world within me.
And that world… that world needed balance.
I'd spent so long trying to shoulder everything alone, pretending that I didn't need anyone, that I could face anything with a grin and a joke. But maybe, just maybe, it was time to let that go. To let the people around me see the real me, the side that wasn't always in control, that didn't have all the answers. The side that just wanted to belong.
Mikaboshi shifted beside me, her eyes half-closed as she murmured, "Y/N… promise you won't leave us. No matter what."
Her words hit me harder than I'd expected, piercing through the walls I'd built around myself. I squeezed her hand, my voice soft but steady. "I promise, kiddo. I'm not going anywhere."
She nodded, drifting off to sleep with a small smile on her face, her trust in me absolute. And in that moment, I knew that no matter what happened—no matter how many monsters we faced or how many times life knocked me down—I'd be here. For her, for Hiyori, for all of them.
As the night wore on and the shrine settled into silence, I let my mind wander, pondering the nature of fear and courage, of love and loyalty. I realized that in all my centuries of existence, I'd never felt this kind of connection before. It was a strange feeling, one that I couldn't quite put into words. But it was real. It was something worth fighting for.
Eventually, I lay back on the tatami, watching the shadows dance across the ceiling. My arm was still sore, the wounds from the night's ordeal aching with a dull, persistent pain. But somehow, it didn't bother me. The pain was a reminder, a testament to the strange, messy, wonderful life I'd found here.
With one last glance at Mikaboshi, who was now sound asleep beside me, I closed my eyes, letting the peace of the moment wash over me. And as I drifted off, a single thought echoed through my mind, a promise I made not only to her, but to myself:
No matter how dark things got, no matter how many monsters we faced or fears we uncovered, I'd be here. Because in this small, imperfect world, I'd found a purpose that no amount of power could replace.
And for the first time in a long, long time… that was enough.