"Knowing you, I bet that might actually work," I smirked, glancing back at Mom.
It's kind of funny. It's almost like there's a rule somewhere: if you pick the "cynical" trait at character creation, you automatically get the "overly curious" flaw. Maybe it's a side effect of not caring much for societal norms, where digging up everyone's secrets just feels perfectly normal. But here's the thing: Mom just can't stand it when someone's hiding something from her. I've tested this out — on Akeno, my obsession with books, and, well, now this.
That's why I'm always super careful with my words whenever my strange abilities come up. The last thing I need is for Mom to start getting suspicious.
Senko gave a cheerful, satisfied hum in response to my comment.
"The last time someone talked to you like that, you nearly broke their wrist," she said, shooting a wry glance at Mom before turning to me and ruffling my hair playfully. "Not that I'd expect anything less from your son."
"That idiot was a drunken creep who couldn't tell men from women," Mom replied without missing a beat, narrowing her eyes. "Houtarou here just speaks his mind. That's different."
Alright, first of all, Mom, do you even understand the concept of personal boundaries? You were just blurting out the conductor's eyeglass prescription in front of him for no reason. Second, I don't always tell you everything that's on my mind…
"Boundaries, huh?" Senko rolled her eyes like she'd just heard the most ironic thing ever.
"I might not give a damn about people's feelings," Mom sniffed, as if she was declaring some kind of personal motto, "but at least I don't go around touching everyone. Even I know that's not okay."
And so, bit by bit, we made our way through Kyoto. Our next stop was the narrow streets of Gion, where the ancient wooden houses and teahouses seemed to hold stories from the days of the samurai. But what caught my attention the most wasn't the history — it was something a lot stranger. Almost everyone here was a Youkai!
Sure, the tourists were out in full force, like they always are in one of Kyoto's most popular spots. But the ones living in the houses or working in the shops? Definitely not human. Youkai of all sorts: some had horns, others had necks that stretched or ears as big as their heads, and a few even had heads like crows.
"This was supposed to be a surprise," Tomoe muttered, looking a bit sheepish. "Guess I didn't really factor in that you'd be able to see through illusions."
"A surprise?" I shot a questioning look at her.
"For your birthday," Mom cut in with a soft smile. "We figured it was time to introduce you to one of the two factions witches… let's just say, keep in good with."
"Witches don't have friends," Senko huffed, giving Mom a sidelong glance. "But since your mom's my bestie, she's got some ties with the western Youkai faction."
"So, basically, we're here on a VIP pass," I concluded.
"If we're being straightforward, then yes," Mom replied, not missing a beat.
"Well, I am part of the kitsune clan, which holds a pretty high position here in Kyoto," Senko added with a faint smile, as if trying to downplay it.
"Don't be modest," Mom cut her off. "Your clan has led this faction for generations. Just say it."
"Well then, happy birthday," Tomoe chimed in with a genuine smile.
"Thank you," I replied, smiling back at her.
For some reason, seeing Tomoe's sincere smile gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling, like an older brother getting a handmade card from his little sister. I mean, let's be real here… introducing me to a whole faction of supernatural beings? Now that's an awesome birthday gift. I'd say it ranks just above a gaming console. But only by one level.
"Let me guess, this was your idea," I said, turning to Tomoe. "And, you know, I really like it."
"Of course it was!" Tomoe beamed, like she'd been waiting for that praise all day.
"And thanks, Mom. Glad you decided to make the trip to Kyoto after all," I added, looking at her with a grin.
"You're welcome, Houtarou," she said, giving my hair that affectionate ruffle she always does.
Why always my hair? Is it secretly made of honey or something?
"So, what's the plan?" I asked, squinting with anticipation.
"Our plan is actually coming to us," Mom replied with a smirk, nodding toward a Youkai with a crow's head making his way over to us.
The Youkai moved with surprising grace for his bulky frame, his steps nearly silent. The long, black feathers on his head swayed with each movement, and his dark eyes — empty but all-seeing — studied each of us carefully. He approached with a dignified air, like something out of a feudal-era painting.
"Greetings, Lady Senko," the Youkai bowed deeply to her, his voice deep and steady. Then, he turned toward us and bowed again, this time just a bit lower. "Welcome to Lady Senko's guests in Kyoto."
"I'd almost forgotten you're a lady," Mom quipped, casting an amused glance at Senko.
"Oh, hush," Senko hissed through her teeth, but there was a smile on her face as she looked at the Youkai. "Hello, Sorai. No need for the formalities. We go way back, and my friends aren't big on ceremony."
"As you wish," Sorai nodded, though his calm, respectful demeanor never wavered.
"Still the same as ever," Senko shook her head, looking amused. Then, she turned to us. "Sorai here is a representative of his clan. It's quite the honor that he's personally welcoming us."
"Karasu Tengu," I blurted out, not even thinking. Even with 'Mind Division,' sometimes stuff just slips out.
To my surprise, the Youkai didn't seem offended. If anything, he looked a bit startled, maybe even impressed.
"Young one, you have a sharp eye," he replied, inclining his head slightly.
I was caught off guard by the unexpected compliment but quickly pulled myself together.
"Houtarou," I introduced myself with a brief nod. "And, yeah, apologies in advance — I have a habit of speaking before thinking."
"Don't be so modest," Mom interjected with a sly grin. "It happens more often than you'd like to admit."
Senko chuckled quietly, covering her mouth with her hand, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Houtarou, is it?" Sorai repeated, almost like he was savoring the name. "That name hasn't circulated through our circles yet, but I suspect it soon will."
"Confident, aren't you?" Senko raised an eyebrow, though her tone held a hint of approval. "He is my honorary nephew, after all."
Sorai paused, seemingly searching for the right words.
"Anything connected to you and your companions, my lady, always draws attention. I remember Mikoto Oreki and young Tomoe well," he cast a sharp look my way. "And this boy... there's more to him than meets the eye."
"He's just fate's favorite," Mom waved a hand, a smirk on her lips. "It took some time to get used to his talents, but after a while…" she grinned, "you start to enjoy it."
"Glad to know you think so highly of me," I shot back with a touch of sarcasm. "But seriously, what's next? Are we in for some kind of test or is this just a tour?"
Sorai tilted his head thoughtfully, considering my question.
"It's more than just a tour," he replied slowly. "But it's not quite a test either. I'm here to show you… another side of Kyoto. One that most people will never see."
"Don't get too dramatic, Sorai," Senko cut in, her tone gentle. "Houtarou's just starting to get acquainted with the world of Youkai. There's no hidden agenda."
"Who's to say the Youkai world doesn't have its mysteries?" Sorai squinted, and for a moment, his voice turned cold. "Besides, certain… individuals have taken an interest in the boy."
"What's so special about me that would attract Youkai? Especially these 'certain individuals'?" I met his gaze, doing my best to look calm, though a flicker of unease sparked in my chest.
Sorai held my gaze, mulling over his response, then answered with a chilling calmness:
"It's rare for witches to have sons. Rarer still for those sons to inherit magical abilities. And even rarer for their mothers to be friends with a representative of the ruling Youkai clan."
I looked at Mom and Senko, a flood of questions surging in my mind.
"Is that true?" I asked, fixing them with a steady gaze.
Mom reacted almost instantly, maybe a bit too quickly.
"Don't take it too seriously," she replied evenly, but there was something in her tone that set me on edge. It was as if her words were hiding something deeper, something she wasn't quite ready to reveal.
She was definitely hiding something. But pressing for answers would only end up hurting me in the long run. So, I shrugged it off, making a mental note to dig into it later.
Sorai, watching our silent exchange, smirked slightly, as if he could see the unspoken game between us.
"Please, follow me," he said, his voice back to that cool, emotionless tone, like the last conversation had never even happened. He turned and led us onward through the shaded streets of Gion, lined with ancient wooden houses.
I followed along, catching a glimpse of Mom and Senko exchanging another one of those wordless messages — definitely something I wasn't meant to understand just yet.
"Don't worry about what Sorai said," Senko spoke up, nudging my shoulder to get my attention. Her tone was warm, though it had that fierce, protective edge she always wore like a badge. "Your mom and I won't let anything happen to you. Besides, there's not a single Youkai in Kyoto who'd be stupid enough to mess with one of my guests."
I glanced at her. There was this unshakable confidence in her eyes, almost daring anyone to think otherwise. The way she said it made me feel oddly reassured — no drama, just facts. Youkai threats? Barely worth the mention.
"Thanks," I replied simply.
With them by my side, there wasn't any need to overthink things. Might as well enjoy the moment and the gift Tomoe had given me. After all, how often do you get the chance to explore the Youkai world with protection like Mom and Senko? One was a Youkai who'd been around for centuries, packing wisdom and power in equal measure. The other — a top-tier witch, probably one of the most dangerous people I know.
As we walked, I started mentally mapping Kyoto — not exactly like a Google map, but I had the main roads and landmarks down. It's one of the perks of my memory training. Soon, I planned on leveling it up; I'd recently remembered a technique I read about in my past life, the method of loci, or the mind palace. But that was a project for future me. Right now…
After about twenty minutes, my guess about our destination was confirmed.
The Ginkaku-ji Temple. The Silver Pavilion.
I paused for a moment, just taking in the sight of this ancient building. Its lines were simple, but that was its strength — like time itself had come to a standstill here. The wooden walls, topped with a slightly tarnished silver roof, caught the soft daylight, giving the temple an almost ethereal quality, as if it were quietly floating. But what caught my eye most was the strange, dome-like barrier surrounding the entire temple. Its surface shimmered with a peculiar energy, something that reminded me of prana…
I got lost in the sight until I felt Tomoe give me a little nudge.
"Hey, don't stare like that. You're not a tourist," she smirked.
"Easy for you to say," I shrugged. Besides, it's not like you noticed what I was actually looking at.
Senko, standing nearby, gave a nod. Her voice was soft, almost contemplative:
"I imagine this place looks pretty unique through your eyes."
"Since Sorai brought us here… Mr. Sorai," I added with a smirk, "it's got to be more than just your average temple."
"Just Sorai is fine," the Karasu Tengu replied evenly. "You went to Fushimi Inari Shrine earlier today, but that shrine was built to honor the goddess Inari and isn't under Youkai faction control. This temple, however, is different. It's one of the entrances to Urakyoto — the realm where the Youkai reside."