Please to Kitsune-sama!

Chapter 125 : Kitsune-sama Wakes Up

Morning.

Eri woke from a dream in which a giant starfish clung to her face, only to find Atsuage sprawled across her own in a 大 shape. She peeled it off and set it down on the bed.

“So Atsuage actually sleeps, huh…”

Monsters were living beings too, so of course they must sleep. Still, the sight of Atsuage—who looked so much like inanimate blocks—dozing and groggy was strange. For so long, monsters had only been regarded as “enemies.” It was only by having one around like a pet that truths like this could be noticed at all.

As she watched, Atsuage stood and began patting Inari’s cheeks.

“Ah, wait, Atsuage. It’s still early morning, you don’t have to wake her up.”

“Muu—…”

But Atsuage ignored Eri’s words and kept patting. As a result, Inari stirred and sat up. Incidentally, she had no bedhead—her hair was flawless, silky perfection. Eri, on the other hand, ran a hand through her messy hair and muttered, “So unfair…”

“Oh, Eri. Good morning. You’re up early.”

“Good morning. Atsuage woke me, but it’s only 5 a.m.…”

Normally, that would have been a tolerable hour, but on a day off? Hardly the time one would want to wake up. Still… since they were awake, nothing to be done. Atsuage was already doing morning stretches—thoroughly and precisely, clearly having memorized the motions.

“…Where does Atsuage even learn things like that?”

“It watcheth more television than I do… I know not.”

Atsuage enjoyed tokusatsu and anime, but it also watched plenty of news and variety shows. Learning exercise routines from them wouldn’t be strange. Whether exercise did its blocky golem body any good was unclear, but as the saying went, nothing in life was wasted. Perhaps it would serve some purpose someday.

“Well then! Since we are awake, shall we prepare breakfast?”

“I’ll help. I remember seeing miso in the fridge.”

“Mm. Miso soup, then?”

“Yes. I also saw dried wakame, so that can be the ingredient.”

Together, Inari and Eri moved to the kitchen and quickly put a meal together. Rice, wakame miso soup, tamagoyaki, and a few pickles. The tamagoyaki had ended up being the main dish, but overall it was a fine and balanced breakfast.

“In truth, Eri, thy cooking is most excellent.”

“Ahaha… today was simple. If we do this again, I’ll put more effort in.”

“Oh? I would welcome that. Next time, I shall cover the cost of ingredients.”

“Eh? I’ll hold you to that, you know. I’ll take another day off for it.”

“Fufufu, I do not speak empty pleasantries.”

Inari had no reason to hesitate in inviting people to her home. Granted, the number of people she would invite was limited, but having Eri or Hikaru stay for a few days was welcome.

After finishing breakfast and enjoying tea, it was time for Eri to head home.

“You could stay one more night, you know.”

“I can’t, unfortunately… But let’s do another pajama party sometime.”

“Mm. I too enjoyed myself.”

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

Once Eri had left, the noisy house grew quiet… or at least, it would have, if not for Atsuage, who was watching the morning news. Today’s report was about a merman that had come ashore on a beach, only to be defeated by an awakener.

—We’re here at the Itou beach where the incident occurred. This morning, patrol guards discovered a merman attempting to land and engaged it in combat, driving it away. Fortunately, it appeared to be acting alone, so the situation did not escalate. As of now, there is no sign of reinforcements, and the area is considered secure.—

—Thank you, Takanashi, reporting from the scene. Similar incidents seem to be increasing lately. Mr. Midou, your thoughts?—

—Yes. Incidents of aquatic monsters coming ashore alone or in small numbers have happened since long ago. However, the fact that such events are occurring on the Pacific coast at short intervals suggests some underlying cause.—

—Could this develop into another Monster Disaster?—

—That is difficult to say. The Pacific dungeons have already been in a state of ongoing monster disaster for some time. That said, considering what happened at Tokyo Bay…—

Monster Disaster. That phrase made every citizen of this country—no, the entire world—tense.

Monsters overflowing from dungeons, threatening to overrun humanity. It had nearly destroyed Japan. Only the awakeners held them back now. But it could happen again at any time. Everyone feared it—that monsters might trample them once more, that their way of life might be taken from them.

That was why television reports of “a monster appeared” caused such dread, Inari thought.

—And now, after the break, today’s horoscope!—

—Which star sign will rank number one today? We’ll find out soon!—

“…Hmm. Let us hope this be no omen.”

Perhaps it was something only the gods would know. But unless a god were all-knowing, even they would not see it.

And Inari certainly had no way of knowing what lay ahead in this matter.