Kei: That’s true. I did consider that possibility, but…
If you go by common sense, it’s impossible for a fox to shape-shift, but…
Isolated in the depths of this forest…
While not quite having the obvious agedness of a thatched-roof hut, a magnificent mansion of a bygone era…
Without a single grace of modern invention, electrical appliances, etc…
……When you line up the events with a location like this, even if you know it can’t happen…
Youko: Frankly speaking, Hato-chan, don’t you think you’ve been bewitched?
Kei: Ahaha…… hah……
…somehow you can’t really help but feel that way.
Kei: You know Obana-chan, he’s not just a fox, but a Byakko……
Youko: By “Byakko,” you mean, a white fox?
Kei: Yep. From the top of his head to the tip of his tail, he was pure white!
Youko: Uwa— now that really puts it in the strike zone. In stories like that, in manga and movies, isn’t a white fox mask a standard item?
Speaking of fox masks, in recent years I hear about some kind of Japanese Halloween-like event where people hold a parade every day, wearing them, Prince Inari being their mascot.
Come to think of it, it’s the mother fox that bewitches people and the young fox who receives the same in reverse (“Humans are scary.”) in stories like Prince Fox, isn’t it? (TN: There is a full explanation of this story earlier in day one.)
Kei: ……Wah, it really is in the strike zone.
Right in the bull’s eye.
Could it be, after they’d lived peacefully in isolation, that I wrecked it all by coming here?
Youko: Yuuuck, Hato-chan, Engacho! (TN: Basically a Japanese version of the “cootie shot” game, for whenever someone touches/steps in something gross. You remember Spirited Away where Chihiro steps on the black slug? Yep. That’s the one. Probably an indispensable tool for bullies.)
Kei: ……What?
Youko: Come on, you know, the standard fare of foxy stuff. Like a bath of fertilizer, or eating a manjuu made of horse poop, that sort of thing.
Kei: Sorry to disappoint you, but I haven’t received any such service.
Youko: My my, you’ve really had a bare overnight, then.
Kei: I haven’t even had breakfast…
Ahh, and after all the trouble I went through to forget…
Kei: Uuu! I’m so hungry……
Youko: If it’s enough to inspire such a pitiful sound, you should just go ahead and eat something.
Kei: Uuu… I’m waiting for those two to come back though, pretty much.
Youko: Hmph! If you’ve really been bewitched, Hato-chan, you’re gonna starve yourself to death, you know.
Kei: I think I’ll at least manage to eat something before then, but…… anyway, I’ll manage at least two meals.
Youko: In that case, as I promised yesterday, I’ll treat you to a meal, so go ahead and come back home.
Kei: Eh?
Youko: You know, that stuff you had to do there’s all done, right?
Kei: I guess……
Youko: Papa and Mama are both on vacation, and Orin‘s run off to another country. Now even you’re off to your parents’ place, and I’m lonely house-sitting here all by myself, nya~ (TN: Orin – another of Kei’s classmates. If you bought the Akai Ito superlite edition, you can see her on the back of the case if you reverse the cover.)
Kei: …………
| 帰ろうかな | せっかくだからもう少し |
| Maybe I should go back. | After coming this far, I’ll stay a little longer. |