Beyond, With a Yokai

Chapter 9: Little Time Left

Tears clung to her eyes, blurring the world into a murky haze. Esenya's weakened legs trembled beneath her, but she still pushed herself forward. No matter how terrifying Tomoya looked in that moment, something else mattered more.

The bakeneko.

The cat lay motionless on the cold ground. His fluffy fur, usually sleek and shiny, was now ruffled and dusty.

Falling to her knees beside the still body, Esenya clenched her fists, but it did nothing to stop the flood of tears bursting forth. Each drop burned her cheeks, leaving behind hot trails.

"I'm sorry..." Her voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.

With shaking hands, she carefully lifted the cat and laid him in her lap. His body felt far too light, as if life was slowly slipping away.

But suddenly, in the silence, a weak, cracked voice spoke:

"I mean, it's nice lying in your lap and all... but it's not exactly the best position to heal myself."

Esenya flinched and looked up sharply.

"You're alive!" Her breath caught, her heart clenched—and then burst with overwhelming relief. "I'm so glad!"

She hugged the bakeneko tightly, burying her face in his soft fur.

"Ah—hey, ow..."

She instantly pulled back.

"Sorry!"

"No, no, go ahead and keep crying on me. I kinda like it."

A faint smile touched her lips, but the joy didn't last. Suddenly, a rough hand clamped around her forearm and yanked her to her feet.

"We have to go," the fox's voice was hard. His lips were still stained with the dark blood of the myōbu, and there was a frightening emptiness in the depths of his eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

"As if I asked."

Before she could react, the nogitsune dragged her away from the bakeneko.

"Are you insane?!" she cried, struggling against his grip, but his hold was too strong. Her heart pounded like a cornered animal. "I'm not leaving without him!"

The fox suddenly turned her toward him and gripped her shoulders tightly. His gaze pierced into her, latching onto every emotion flooding her eyes.

"It's not safe here," he growled, his voice low and rough. "Spirits will be drawn to this place soon. Many of them are far more dangerous than that young myōbu. Trust me—the last thing you should be worried about right now is that damn cat."

"He's right, Esenya..." the bakeneko's voice was faint as he barely lifted his head. "Go... I'll find you."

She turned sharply, her gaze frozen in pain.

"Promise me you'll survive!"

The bakeneko gave a tired smile, though his eyes remained serious.

"I promise."

The world spun before she could catch her breath. The last thing she saw was a fleeting glimpse of her friend's silhouette in the dark. The next second, the space around her shifted—and the fox pulled her into the unknown.

***

She collapsed onto the hard grass, her body trembling with a faint shiver. The cold, pale-gray vegetation felt almost lifeless, as if faded against the backdrop of a grim, endless horizon.