Sighing, Kyo, who was sitting on the edge of his bed, put his smartphone on the bedside table. The hand of a woman lay on his shoulder. "It's okay, Kyo-kun," Ayumi whispered.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't have to. That's your job."
He reached for her hand and squeezed it briefly. "You are really fantastic."
The redhead chuckled softly. Slightly clothed, she got up on her knees, slipped to him from behind and wrapped her arms around his neck, placing her chin on his shoulder. "I choose you, Kyo. With all the consequences." She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Go now. Your city needs you."
The police chief turned his head to her, then they kissed briefly. "I'll return as fast as I can."
Ayumi tugged lightly on her lower lip with her teeth. "Do your job thoroughly. I have waited so long, a few hours more will not hurt."
"I'm such a lucky guy," he confessed.
"Both of us, Kyo."
For a few seconds, he sank in her green eyes, then she broke away from him and lay down again on the mattress. She smiled smugly at him and gave him a seductive look as he slipped into his uniform.
For a moment, he wondered if he should tell her about the phone call, since Yuna Masuda was her friend and roommate, but then he decided against it. He didn't know exactly what had happened, and he didn't want to upset his... girlfriend.
Since Narusegawa-sama had called, it was certainly an oni issue and there was the rule that as few as possible are to be involved. Within his team, he had only two employees who knew what was really going on in this city.
He first had to get an idea of the situation on the spot, and then decide how to cover it up. For that, he was here. Therefore, Narusegawa-san had occupied this post with his person. That's why she had left him alive, back then.
***
A painful scream echoed through the air. A young police officer knelt on the ground and pressed his back against a container. He gasped for breath and narrowed his eyes as the sweat of fear slid from his forehead. His trembling hands squeezed the grip of his service pistol tightly. He was trained in handling it, like all the riot police officers he was part of, but he has never had to pull it. It just didn't happen in his country. You could talk about everything and find a consensus.
But tonight, they were not dealing with humans but with beasts. It all started when a policeman from the next Kōban reported that he had heard strange noises and wanted to check on them. He didn't call back, whereupon one of his colleagues requested the riot police to provide support.
They had left the base under applause. They had in mind that they had to find a colleague who probably had an accident and maybe had lost his consciousness. Their squad of a dozen men had equipped themselves and then walked chatting into their van before they left for the scene.
There have always been rumors about strange occurrences in the city. About people who disappeared, and admittedly, statistically, it was four percent more than the national average, but no one had seriously cared.
So they split up to find the missing policeman when three of their own people soon disappeared. They gathered and formed into a group of four and one of five, so that no one else would be lost. He was in the squad of four. They searched the area, but then they were suddenly attacked by fearsome creatures. It all turned into a huge mess and before he knew it, he fled into this alley and hid behind the container. Kyo Watanabe was no coward, but he was able to assess when he was no match for the situation.
For such a situation, they were neither equipped nor trained. He had to get to their emergency vehicle, so he could request further reinforcement with suitable equipment. Whatever happened here, it exceeded the power of the riot police.
The images of his fallen comrades crawled into his mind, but he shook it off resolutely. He could later mourn for them. First he had to get out of here and fulfill his task.
He heard the snuffling of a beast. Grumbling, the creature stomped down the alley - straight to his position. He released his pistol safety and got ready for the firing as the creature let out a shrill scream. There was another roar, then it rumbled in the alley. Startled, the policeman jumped and opened his eyes. What happened?
A tearing sound came to his ear, which was accompanied by a gurgle.
He overcame his fear and peered cautiously around the edge of the container. He spotted the beast lying on the ground with its tongue outstretched, unable to move while a dark pool formed beneath its head. Next to it stood a wolf-like creature, which had a bloodied snout. The creature on the ground began to dissolve slowly.
"You can come out, Mr. Policeman. You're no longer in danger," the wolf said in a female voice, looking him straight in the eye.
In terror, the gun slipped from his hands and clattered on the asphalt. Immediately he reached for it and aimed the barrel at the animal. "What the hell?!"
The creature had a fair fur, which he noticed only when the blood spots on the snout disappeared. The creature sat down and looked at him. "You have nothing to fear from me. I eliminated all the beasts. Unfortunately, I regret to inform you that any help is too late for your comrades."
"What are you?" he asked in a tight voice.
"That doesn't matter." Thoughtfully, the she-wolf cocked her head. "If I think about it, I just recognize a favorable opportunity for both of us."
"Are you a Yōkai?"
"You believe in mythical creatures? Interesting." The creature shot up and melted into a swirling mass that formed into a woman. She had long, black hair and dark brown eyes that looked at him with interest. "My name is Sachiko Kuro," the naked woman introduced herself.
For a moment he stared at her with dilated eyes, but then he looked sideways to one side. "Excuse me!" he pressed out.
Sachiko chuckled. "You are really a flagship cop. So polite. Could we please talk briefly?"
"I-I don't know." He looked at her feet. "What do you want to talk about?"
She brushed her hair behind her ears. "Do you feel uncomfortable about me not wearing clothes?"
He nodded once. "Somehow," he muttered meekly.
"Would you rather have me change shape again?"
"No. It's all right. Don't worry about it." The surreal situation upset him, but Kyo didn't feel threatened anymore, so he secured and holstered his service pistol. He rose from the ground and left his cover. His gaze went up over the woman's body to her eyes, which looked at him gently. "What do you want to talk about, Kuro-san?"
She giggled. "Who am I talking to, please?"
He blushed instantly. Quickly, he bowed. "Please forgive me. My name is Kyo Watanabe. Riot police."
"Very pleased, Watanabe-san. Well... I would like to make you an offer that you can hardly turn down."
"What could you offer me?" he wondered.
"Your life, Watanabe-san."
Although her voice sounded trustworthy and friendly, he still recognized the threat. His hand moved to his holster. "I beg your pardon?"
Sachiko chuckled again. "Now, now. If I really wanted to kill you, I would have done that long ago. I want to give you a chance, Watanabe-san."
"A chance for what?"
"For a better life. A big salary. No living in the barracks anymore. Respect and power," she listed.
"Are you aware that this sounds exactly like one of these Yōkai stories?"
"Absolutely. Because it is actually one of them." The woman folded her hands in front of her lap. "I'll need powerful allies soon and am currently building a network. I want to integrate you into this network."
Mistrustfully, Kyo studied his interlocutor. She looked completely innocent and trustworthy, but this was said about most of the Yōkai. No surprise did they always manage to deceive poor people and plunge them into misery. "And what should I do then?"
"I am the leader of a group of beings trying to live together peacefully with humans. You probably don't know about it, but until a few years ago, there were hunters in this city who were chasing us and wanted to destroy us. We were able to win the battle with many losses and drive out the hunters, but now I have to fortify our position here. I have to stop them from coming back. In a peaceful and political way." He blinked at her without understanding. "You are certainly aware of the upcoming mayoral elections, aren't you?"
"Um... yes. Haruka Narusegawa and Hitoshi Kitao compete against each other for election."
"Exactly." Sachiko smiled contentedly. "I'm very pleased that the Japanese police is so focused on education."
"Thank you. But what exactly is this about? What do you want from me?"
"You noticed my gift, right?"
His mouth twisted into a wry grin. "Your transformation skills?"
"Exactly. I intend to take on the identity of the new mayor and to incorporate the interests of my people in the future."
"That's a scam," he mumbled. "What does all this have to do with me? I don't get it. Why are you telling me all of this?"
"After my takeover, I will have to re-appoint a few posts. With people whom I can trust. With people who will help me realize my vision. I would like to offer you the post of Chief of Police for this city. Surely, you are studying, Watanabe-san?"
"To be honest, no. I'm pretty lazy."
"Then you should start with that. Of course you have to be qualified for the position so I can use you."
He raised his hands defensively. "Wait... the police force isn't subject to the mayor's office but to the National Police Department. You can't just promise someone a post."
Sachiko's teeth flashed and she laughed in amusement. "Let that be my concern, Watanabe-san. I have a lot of tricks in store, I can assure you."
He looked at the woman incredulously. If someone had made him such an offer under normal circumstances, he would probably have laughed at him. Or thought he was crazy and dismissed it as a prank.
But he had seen what she was capable of and her words sounded sincere and full of confidence. She was determined to execute this plan.
"What happens if I refuse?" he asked carefully.
"I would very much regret that, Watanabe-san. Then I really would have to kill you."
The police officer smirked. "That's what I thought."
"Listen. I know that's unexpected..."
"Unexpected is understated," he interjected.
"Well. We have the chance to create something wonderful. Together. My people live in secret, but maybe one day that will change. Maybe someday people will be able to accept us, and then my vision will be the turning point." Banned, he looked Sachiko in the eyes. "I offer you the chance to make history, Watanabe-san. And as a small bonus, you can become a respected and esteemed man. What do you say?"
"I hardly have a choice."
The black-haired woman blinked at him, hurt. "I would like to be sure that you won't tell anyone if you don't want to help me. But you must be aware that I can't tolerate such a risk. I apologize for having you to face with a choice that is unfair, but unfortunately that's how it is."
"You don't have to apologize, Kuro-san." He smiled. "I want to help you. If you are really as powerful as you claim, then I can only win by your side."
Thankfully, the woman tilted her head. "Thank you for being so circumspect, Watanabe-san. Together we will make this world a better place for everyone."