Beyond, With a Yokai

Chapter 11: Fragile Trust

Tomoya burst out laughing, wiping a mock tear from his eye.

"And where'd you learn all that?"

"What, you're denying you feel something for her?"
I met his eyes, my voice calm but firm.
I knew the truth. And so did he.

He fell quiet. There was no point pretending.

"Make the first move," I told him. "Swallow your pride. She's been through hell—mockery, humiliation. Admitting your feelings is the least you can do."

I turned to leave. I'd said what needed to be said. He needed time alone to think.

"Why are you helping me?"
His voice stopped me mid-step.
"This isn't in your interest."

I didn't look back.

"I'm not doing it for me."

With that, I left the kitsune standing in silence.

I wandered the field—his illusion—trying to clear my head.
But frustration still clung to me, and I realized too late that I'd crossed the edge of the barrier.
The illusion dissolved behind me, and the true world came back into view.

"There you are!"
The familiar voice hit me like a jolt.

Materializing in front of me as if from thin air stood Margaret—one of the cats from my clan.
Her golden eyes were sharp with concern, and for a second, I was completely thrown.

"Margaret? What are you doing here?"

"We've all been looking for you. You vanished without a word."

"How did you even find me?"

"We tried reaching you through energy channels, but you were either out of range or ignoring us. I figured you must've crossed someone... and were now in hiding."

She took a step forward, her stare suddenly heavy.

"Then I sensed a surge of power and followed it. I hoped to find a clue—and I did."
Bitterness crept into her voice.
"Near a corpse—or what was left of it—I sensed blood. Your blood."

She paused, clearly weighing whether to continue.

"I'll admit, I was scared it was you... but then I realized—there was no head. And the Ripper always leaves the head."

"And so I'm here," she finished, her eyes filled with unwavering resolve.
"Whatever's going on, you're not alone. The clan will back you—even if this involves the Ripper."

I sighed softly.

"The Ripper isn't really a threat to me... I mean, it is, but not in the way you think."

"Then what is this mess you're in, Aki?"

I looked away.

"Margaret... it's better if you leave. I'll find you later and explain everything."

"No." Her voice was firm now.
"I'm not leaving without you."

"You'll have to," came a voice behind me.

The fox.

His voice sent a jolt through me—my heart skipped several beats.
I didn't know how he'd react, and for the first time, I was truly afraid...
Not for myself. For her.

Margaret froze. Her eyes widened with primal fear. She understood immediately what kind of being now stood behind her.

"W-What are you doing with the Ripper?" she stammered, taking a few slow steps back.