The person who stood before them now was a slender man in a dark business suit, his posture straight and dignified, with rectangular glasses perched atop a refined nose. Despite the seriousness of his appearance, there was an undeniable familiarity in his expression.
Yotsuya Miko gasped, her voice cracking with disbelief.
"O... Otō-san? Is that really you?"
She rubbed her eyes vigorously, as if hoping to wipe away a cruel illusion. Her voice trembled with emotion.
A year ago, her father—and her younger brother, Yotsuya Kyousuke—had died in a tragic car accident. The memory still haunted her like a lingering curse. The grief from that event had shattered their small family… and it was shortly afterward that Miko awakened her reikan—the cursed ability to see spirits and youkai.
The man smiled gently, a melancholic warmth in his eyes. He turned to glance at the sleeping woman in the bed—his wife, whose complexion had improved slightly—and spoke with a soft voice that seemed to echo through time.
"It's me, Miko. Let's not wake your kaa-san. Let's talk outside."
...
In the quiet of the living room, the atmosphere changed.
The man who had just now seemed gentle and calm suddenly dropped to his knees in an exaggerated bow—his forehead slamming against the tatami floor in a perfect dogeza.
"Gomen nasai! I've caused you so much trouble!"
Hozuki Nozomi blinked in surprise.
"Eh...? So dramatic. Is this really Miko-chan's dad...? He's kind of… hilarious."
Yotsuya Miko crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently. Despite her emotional turmoil, her tone was sharp.
"Start talking. Why the hell was your ghost inside that monster?! And why did mom fall sick because of it?!"
Still kneeling, Mr. Yotsuya bowed even lower—his head practically embedded into the floorboards.
"I... I'm so sorry. This is all my fault..."
He finally lifted his head slightly, shame etched deep into his features.
"My company was rushing me to deliver some urgent data that day. I picked up Kyousuke from school and tried to speed things up... but I wasn't paying attention to the road. I made a wrong turn... and we were hit. Kyousuke... didn't make it."
Yotsuya Miko clenched her fists. Nozomi placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"After that... I woke up in a place filled with darkness. I couldn't go anywhere. But I was worried sick about you and your mother. So I started looking for a way—any way—to return. That's when that youkai appeared."
Nozomi narrowed his eyes.
"You made a contract with it?"
Mr. Yotsuya nodded slowly.
"Yes. In exchange for taking me back to see my family, I gave him my soul. I thought... I thought I could just look at you both one last time. But after devouring me, that creature wanted more. It started feeding on your mother's life force through the bond we shared."
Now it all made sense.
Unable to return on his own, Mr. Yotsuya had sacrificed himself to a powerful youkai, hoping to catch one last glimpse of his family. But the youkai, greedy and insatiable, exploited their contract to extend its stay in the mortal realm—feeding off Mrs. Yotsuya, and eventually setting its eyes on Miko.
"So once mom's energy runs dry, I'm next..." Miko muttered bitterly.
"I'm sorry, Miko. I never wanted this."
She didn't respond. The silence was heavier than any curse.
After a moment, she asked:
"So... what now? What are you planning to do?"
Her father sat up properly and gave a tired but peaceful smile.
"I just want to see your mother one more time… and then I'll pass on. Now that you have someone like Nozomi-kun by your side, I can rest easy."
He looked over at Hozuki Nozomi with amused eyes, glinting with fatherly teasing.
"You, young man, what's your name?"
"Hozuki Nozomi. Just a regular high schooler... more or less."
"A fine name. Miko, your mom, and now you… I'll leave them in your care."
He performed one last, heartfelt dogeza, before turning his gaze back toward the bedroom. His spirit glowed faintly with golden light.
"Miko… even in the afterlife, I'll be watching over you and your kaa-san."
"Otō-san...!"
When Mr. Yotsuya vanished into the warm glow of golden light, the room fell into a heavy silence. And then—plop. The first tear rolled down Yotsuya Miko's cheek.
Her composure broke.
Before she could crumble entirely, Hozuki Nozomi stepped forward, gently wrapping an arm around her slender shoulders. His other hand softly stroked her hair, like calming a startled kitten.
"Daijoubu da... it's over now," he said gently, voice low and reassuring.
Under his warmth, the bottled-up pain, fear, and guilt she'd been holding onto all burst forth like a dam breaking. Miko buried her face into his chest and cried without holding back. Her small fists clutched at the fabric of his shirt, shaking slightly as she released her grief.
It took several long minutes before the tears finally slowed. Sniffling, her face now damp and flushed, she realized where she was—still nestled against his chest.
"Ah—!" Miko jolted upright like she'd touched something hot. Her face turned akachan-red. She hurriedly backed away, eyes wide and flustered, peeking at him through her bangs.
Nozomi couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"You're looking better now."
"U-un... arigatou…" she murmured shyly, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.
"No need to thank me." Nozomi leaned back against the couch. "That thing's been dealt with. Your mom should be able to rest peacefully now, at least for a while."
Miko gave a small nod.
"You sensed it in time. If you hadn't called me..."
Nozomi stood up and stretched his arms. "Well, with everything wrapped up, I should probably get going."
"Eh—! Matte!" Miko stepped forward instinctively, her voice trembling.
She lowered her gaze, fingers clenching nervously. "Can you… not leave yet?"
Nozomi paused.
"I-I'm still scared… and… ano… can I become your deshi? You know, like an apprentice!"
She looked up at him with hopeful eyes. "I can see spirits... maybe I have talent? I want to help people too, like you did tonight."
Nozomi scratched his head awkwardly. "Uhh… the thing is, I'm not really an ofuda-shi or exorcist or anything. My powers are kind of... innate. I haven't figured out how to teach anyone."
(The role of an ofuda-shi may involve not only the creation of these talismans but also the rituals and practices associated with them.)
Her shoulders slumped.
"But," he added, stepping forward and ruffling her hair again, "I did make a promise to your oyaji. Said I'd protect you and your mom. If I mess that up, he might really come back and haunt me."
Miko blinked, touched by the sincerity in his voice.
Nozomi smirked, pulling something from his bag.
"Here. A parting gift from your shishou, I guess."
He held out a delicate, white-and-gold laced bra.
"E-eeeeeh?!"
Miko's face turned crimson, smoke practically billowing out her ears.
"Wh-Why do you have a girl's bra on you?! What kind of henji—"
"It's a sacred item," Nozomi interrupted with a straight face. "Angel's Blessing. It repels evil spirits. Like a divine armor... but for your chest."
"Y-yamete yo! There's no way something like this—wait… Angel's Blessing?"
He pulled out a few more slips from his pouch. "Also, have these talismans. Infused with my draconic reiryoku. If the bra isn't enough, just toss one of these bad boys."
She carefully took the items, still flustered. "So, I'm really your... apprentice?"
"Yep. You can call me Nozomi-sensei," he grinned, walking toward the door. "Just remember to properly honor your master, got it?"
As he left with a casual wave, Miko called out behind him, voice full of emotion.
"Arigatou, Shishou...!"
Once the door closed, she looked at the bra in her hands again.
"H-honor the master…?"
Her imagination ran wild.
What if... he gave this to her after already calculating her, ahem, assets?
That pervy grin of his… could he have custom-picked it?
Miko's cheeks burned hotter. Yet, she still obeyed—sneaking into her room, locking the door, and slipping the holy bra on.
Surprisingly, it fit perfectly.
"…He didn't measure me in my sleep, right?" she mumbled, burying her face in a pillow.
Even as she curled up on the futon, embarrassed thoughts swirling in her head, a faint warmth clung to her chest.
Maybe... just maybe, she felt a little safer now.
Even if her shishou was a little sketchy.