Serafall planted a quick kiss on Nate's cheek before twirling toward the teleportation circle. "Anyway, I'll keep trying until December, Nate-kun~! Just wait, you'll be at Kuoh before you know it!"
Nate chuckled, shaking his head. "Sure, Sera. We'll see." He returned a light kiss on her cheek—more to placate her than anything—before she vanished in a sparkle of demonic magic.
Nobody in the room looked surprised. Not Kunou, who calmly returned to her DS game. Not Hailey, who grabbed a cookie from the snack tray. Not even Kuroka, who lazily stretched on the couch with a smug grin.
It was just another Saturday.
Then Whisper floated into the living room with his ever-present tablet, a worried but determined expression on his ghostly face.
"Master Nate! It is time—time for the quarterly visitation of the Classic Yo-kai! A duty no Seer should ever neglect!"
Nate groaned, stretching his arms above his head. "Right, right. Saturday's the day. Did Jibanyan already put in the sweet order?"
Whisper tapped furiously on his tablet, then nodded. "Confirmed. Three boxes of fish-shaped taiyaki, two dozen cream puffs, and one strawberry shortcake… half already devoured by Jibanyan while en route."
Nate pinched the bridge of his nose. "…Of course he did."
Hailey smirked, nudging Kunou. "Guess that means Nate's treating us to extra desserts later."
Kunou giggled. "That's fine. We'll just make Jibanyan carry all the boxes next time."
Nate pushed himself up from the couch, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, everyone gear up"
Nate, Whisper, Hailey, Usapyon, Kunou, Kuroka, Frostina, and Jibanyan—arms straining under the weight of a half-devoured box of sweets—walked deeper into the Yo-kai Forest. The trail was quiet, only the sound of cicadas echoing under the canopy.
At the edge of the grove, an old, run-down house stood waiting. The roof sagged under years of rain and moss, yet it radiated an unmistakable aura. Nate stepped forward, tapping his watch and bringing his hands together in prayer.
The wind stirred, carrying with it the faint scent of incense. The warped wooden door creaked open.
Three figures stepped into view.
The first was a woman whose very presence commanded the space. Her neck stretched impossibly long, winding around Nate like a curious serpent. Her black hair, pinned in a traditional shimada with a golden comb, gleamed in the half-light. Dressed in aquamarine kimono and crimson obi, Lady Longneck bowed gracefully, her voice lilting.
"Nate-kun~… you came to visit."
[Insert image of Lady Longneck]
Nate chuckled, unfazed. "Hey, I never miss a day."
The second figure hopped lightly onto the porch: a blue-skinned childlike Yo-kai with one wide grey eye, pink cheek marks, and the robes of a tiny monk. His kasa hat tilted as he grinned toothily—Boyclops.
"Oho! Nate's here again! Does that mean you brought sweets?"
[Insert image of Boyclops]
Before Nate could answer, the third figure sprang forward with a playful bounce—Pallysol, a red paper umbrella with a narrow white face, one bright green eye, and a long purple tongue dangling cheerfully. Balancing on his single geta sandal, he wagged his tongue.
"Better have! Last time Jibanyan ate half before we even shared!"
"HEY!" Jibanyan protested, clutching the box tighter. "I didn't eat half—just… a big bite! Nyanyanyanya!"
Everyone laughed, the tension lifting as the Classics welcomed them in.
These three were known as the Classic Yo-kai. In the ancient days, they were the first to begin the tradition of Yo-kai meddling in human lives—spirits of warning, terror, and mystery. Long before the playful shapes Yo-kai took now, their original forms were deadly, feared as omens and curses.
Lady Tamamo—known also as Lady Amaterasu—had been forced to rein them in, teaching them restraint. Centuries of changing human belief had weakened them further. Fear and reverence had once made them Ultimate Class, power vast enough to rival gods. But as humans stopped fearing shadows, their strength dwindled.
Now, at best, they were B-Rank, Middle Class. Not predators, but caretakers. Sweet, mischievous, and gentle.
If not for that change, Nate knew, they wouldn't be standing in this old house sharing snacks. They'd be locked in a deadly fight.
Lady Longneck's neck coiled warmly around him like an affectionate aunt. "You've grown taller again, Nate-kun. Handsomer too."
Hailey smirked. "Great, even Yo-kai moms are into you now."
Kuroka purred teasingly. "Nya~ careful, Hailey, or Nate might get another harem branch."
"NYA?!" Jibanyan choked on a taiyaki.
Lady Longneck wrapped her neck a little tighter around Nate, her lips brushing his cheek with an affectionate kiss. The others didn't even blink—by now, this was as expected as Jibanyan finishing a plate of choco-bars. She was part of Nate's harem, after all. The only difference was that she didn't join the cuddle pile at night—not out of coldness, but simply because Nate's bed wasn't built to handle someone with a neck like hers.
But that didn't matter. What did matter was why Nate came here, every Saturday without fail.
It wasn't just routine. It was a vow.
Because someone had to still believe in them. If no one did, they would weaken… and then fade away.
That was the tragedy of the Yo-kai most humans didn't realize. Myths, stories, legends, religions—these weren't born from arrogance. They were survival. They were anchors, stabilizers for beings who existed only so long as people remembered and feared or revered them. That's why you still hear people speaking of Greek gods or Norse gods, why their names appear in books, movies, and even pop culture. Those gods themselves made sure to keep their stories alive, weaving them into human memory.
And it's why the Bible still thrives—because belief sustains, and sustenance empowers.
Whisper, who had been silently watching Nate pat Lady Longneck's cheek with a smile, adjusted his tablet and finally spoke. His voice was softer than usual, almost solemn.
"Master Nate, what you do here… most would call it sentimental. But in truth, it's closer to priestly work. If no one comes to them, they fade. And if they fade, the chain of memory that holds this world together weakens. Myths are the pillars of reality, after all."
Nate chuckled faintly, brushing off the heavy praise, though he understood every word.
"Someone's gotta do it, Whisper. And if it means sitting around, sharing sweets, and listening to stories… then yeah. I'll keep doing it. As long as they're here."
Lady Longneck's smile softened, her long neck gently pulling Nate into a brief, almost motherly embrace. Boyclops clapped happily in agreement, and Pallysol twirled once, his eye gleaming in the dim light.
It wasn't much. A run-down house, a box of sweets, a few laughs.
But to them, it was everything.
Hailey tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"So, um… what happens if people completely forget about them? The Yo-kai… or even the gods?"
The question silenced the room for a moment. Even Lady Longneck paused, her long neck coiling loosely around Nate instead of squeezing him with affection. Boyclops looked down at his little hands, and Pallysol's tongue stopped wagging in the air.
Whisper cleared his throat, his voice unusually solemn.
"Then… they return to the Primordial Sea."
Hailey blinked. "The… Primordial Sea?"
Whisper nodded gravely, holding his tablet as though it were a holy text.
"Yes. The Sea of Nothingness. The womb and the grave of all spiritual existence. When forgotten completely, their name, their form, their essence is unmade. They dissolve back into the Sea, where countless nameless myths already sleep. Gods, spirits, Yo-kai… it matters not how mighty they once were. If no one remembers them… they cease."
A hush fell over the group. Even Kunou, usually cheeky and bright, lowered her fox ears as she muttered, "That's… scary."
Lady Longneck's voice was soft but carried centuries of weight.
"We were once feared—monsters that made villagers tremble. Now we are remembered with laughter… little tales for children. It is weaker, yes, but it is still something. And as long as even one heart recalls us, we endure. That is why your visits matter, Nate-kun."
Nate sighed, scratching the back of his head.
"Guess that means I'll just have to keep showing up, huh? Someone's gotta make sure you don't end up swimming in that Sea."
Lady Longneck's neck stretched down, resting her forehead against his with a tender smile.
"And that, Nate-kun, is why you are precious to us."
Jibanyan popped open the sweet box, and soon everyone was munching happily, their earlier heavy talk softened by sugar and laughter. Once their bellies were satisfied, the group began strolling toward the lakeside, the air carrying the faint shimmer of water and the smell of moss.
Hailey, still nibbling on a rice candy, tilted her head.
"I'm surprised these kinds of lakes still hold any legends."
Nate, hands behind his head as he walked, smirked.
"You can thank Kappa Mikey and Summer Days with Coo for that. If people didn't keep retelling or remaking these stories, most of these guys would've already vanished."
The group reached the water's edge, sunlight dancing across the rippling surface. Nate crouched down, tapping the lake with a casual grin.
"Hey, it's me, Na—"
Before he could finish, a pale, slender arm shot out of the water, coiling around his neck and yanking him under with startling force. The group didn't even flinch.
Kunou pinched the bridge of her nose, her tails flicking in irritation.
"Why is she always like this?"
Kuroka let out a lazy laugh, waving her hand dismissively.
"Nyahah, it's just her way of saying hello. Honestly, Nate should be used to it by now."
Meanwhile, beneath the water, Nate was locked in a passionate kiss. Air bubbled up around them as he found himself staring into the sapphire eyes of Mermaidyn, her beauty both ethereal and suffocating. Her black hair floated in the water like dark silk, her shimmering red tail swaying hypnotically. The pale cloth and seashells covering her form seemed more ceremonial than modest, marking her as one of the classic Yo-kai.
[Insert image of Mermaidyn]
She pulled back only slightly, her lips still brushing his as she whispered through the water, her voice carrying like a song.
"Nate-kun… you always taste of land and sky. I crave it."
Don't let her fool you. This was no western "mermaid" who combed her hair and sang sailors into crashing on rocks.
This was a Ningyo — the fish-like Yo-kai of Japanese legend. Her beauty might mirror the myths of the West, but her roots ran deeper, darker. Once, she had been a being of Ultimate Class, feared and revered. A single strand of her flesh was said to grant immortality, but at the cost of terrible calamity.
But like the others, centuries of waning belief had weakened her. Now, she was barely B-Rank, clinging to relevance not through fear but through Nate's stubborn loyalty in keeping these "Classics" alive. Western mermaid legends did nothing for her. They were too different. Too foreign.
Nate blinked against the water, bubbles slipping from his mouth as he stared into her sapphire eyes. Calm, unfazed, he spoke evenly even with her lips still hovering over his:
"Nice to meet you, Mermaidyn."
Her fins fluttered at the sound of her name, eyes widening for just a second before softening into a smile. She pressed her forehead against his.
"You still call me that… not a monster, not a relic. Mermaidyn."
Up above, Whisper floated nervously over the lake's surface, tablet shaking in his hands.
"Master Nate! P-please don't forget, Ningyo once brought entire villages to ruin just by being caught! One wrong word and—"
"Relax," Kuroka purred lazily from the shore, tail swishing. "Our little Master's got her wrapped tighter than a fish roll. Besides, if she wanted to curse him, she wouldn't be kissing him. She'd be eating him."
Kunou crossed her arms, pouting as her tails flicked irritably.
"And yet… she always gets to kiss him first whenever we come here."
Lady Longneck chuckled knowingly. "That's Mermaidyn for you. Old habits die hard."
Mermaidyn rose gracefully with Nate still in her arms, the lake water glistening off her scales like scattered rubies. She set him gently onto the bank, her tail swishing lazily as she hovered just above the waterline.
Nate, already dripping wet but looking entirely unbothered, reached into Jibanyan's sweet box. Pulling out a neatly wrapped treat, he offered it forward with a knowing smile.
"Here. Brought your favorite, just like always."
Her sapphire eyes lit up, the cold sharpness of old Ningyo legends replaced with childlike joy. She carefully plucked the sweet from his hand, cradling it with both palms as though it were treasure.
"You remembered," she whispered, voice soft as rippling water. "Even after all these weeks… you still remember."
Jibanyan snorted, his whiskers twitching. "He always remembers. Nate never misses snack duty, even if it means dragging half the society with him."
Whisper adjusted his tablet, clearing his throat. "Well, technically it's a sacred duty, Jibanyan. Keeping the Classic Yo-kai fed and cherished maintains their bond to this world! Why, if Master Nate were to ever forget—"
"Shhh," Nate cut him off, ruffling Mermaidyn's damp hair. "She doesn't need the lecture, Whisper. She just needs to know I'll be here."
Mermaidyn closed her eyes and leaned into his hand, her long tail curling around itself in the water. For just a moment, the air grew still — as if the lake itself was sighing in relief.
Hailey tilted her head curiously. "I still don't get it though. Out of all the sweets in the world, why does that one mean so much to her?"
Kunou answered matter-of-factly, folding her arms. "Because once upon a time, people offered her food to keep her calm — so she wouldn't curse their village. Sweets are her 'peace offering.' Only difference is…" She looked at Nate, smirking. "…he does it out of love, not fear."
Lady Longneck chuckled with her long throat coiling playfully. "And that's why she never lets him leave without a kiss."
At that, Mermaidyn giggled softly, opening her eyes and looking right at Nate — and the tips of her ears flushed pink.
Mermaidyn's laughter faded, her smile dipping into something softer, sadder. She clutched the sweet Nate had given her close to her chest before her voice broke the silence.
"Nate… did you find it?"
The group froze for a moment, their earlier playfulness vanishing like mist. Hailey's shoulders slumped. Kunou let out a quiet sigh. Even Jibanyan's tail stopped flicking. They'd all heard this question before.
Nate met Mermaidyn's gaze, his expression gentler now. "Yasaka's people are still searching for your pearls. We'll get them back… I promise."
Her sapphire eyes dimmed, rippling with old sorrow. She lowered her head, her tail stirring faint ripples across the lake.
"I see… Then I am still no closer to becoming the Marmother I once was."
The title carried a weight — not just a name, but a mantle, a reminder of her past as a guardian of seas and storms. Without her pearls, she was only a shadow of that power, living off fading memories and small offerings.
Nate's jaw tightened. Inwardly, he cursed the absurdity of this world.
In the Yo-kai Watch games, it was just an upgrade item — one little trinket to evolve her into Mermadonna. Here, though? Pearls lost to history, scattered across the supernatural world. And with my luck… hopefully no devil has them stashed away in their collection without anyone knowing.
Far away, in Kuoh Academy, a certain red-haired devil heiress sneezed, nearly dropping her teacup.
"…Strange. Why do I feel like someone just talked about me?"
Back at the lake, Nate reached out, brushing his thumb against Mermaidyn's cheek. "Doesn't matter how long it takes. We'll find them. You're not forgotten, Mermaidyn. Not while I'm still here."
Her lips trembled, and she smiled through glassy eyes. For her, that promise was worth more than any pearl.
Hailey tilted her head, frowning. "I still don't get it. Why would you remove them from your body in the first place? Wouldn't that be, like… dangerous?"
Mermaidyn's tail stilled against the water, her eyes distant as if staring back through centuries. A sigh escaped her lips.
"It was a foolish mistake. I wanted to see… what it would be like to live a normal life. Back then, I was still Z Rank — what your factions call High Ultimate Class. I thought my pearls only chained me to duty, to power I could never step away from. So, I removed them… sealed them in a jar."
Her hands pressed against her chest, trembling faintly. "I was in love then. I thought I could finally just be someone's woman, not their goddess or their terror."
Hailey's expression softened, but her voice remained careful. "…And then your lover betrayed you?"
Mermaidyn's head snapped up, eyes flashing with wounded pride. She shook her head firmly, water droplets spraying from her hair.
"No. He would never do that. We built a home together. He cherished me for what I was, pearls or no pearls."
Her voice cracked, just slightly, as she continued.
"But when we returned one day… our home was ransacked. Everything stolen. My pearls among them."
The group fell quiet. Even Whisper didn't make a sound, his tablet dimming as if in mourning. Kunou bit her lip, ears drooping slightly.
Nate closed his fist. He could almost feel the weight of those missing pearls in his own palm — and the anger bubbling at the thought of someone stealing something so vital.
"Then whoever has them… they're still out there. And if they're using them…" He didn't finish the thought, but the edge in his tone made the others shift uncomfortably.
Mermaidyn's gaze softened when she looked back at him. "I have searched for so long, Nate. Every lead fades. Every promise breaks. But still…" She placed a hand on his cheek. "…you come here, week after week, to remind me I am not forgotten. That alone gives me the strength to keep waiting."
Nate held her hand firmly, his voice carrying both resolve and warmth.
"I promise you, Mermaidyn… I'll find whoever took your pearls. And when I do, I'll return them to you—no matter what it takes."
Hearing that, her sapphire eyes shimmered, and a small, wistful smile tugged at her lips. She leaned forward and kissed him softly.
"You remind me of my past love… even he once spoke those same words."
The group collectively shifted, some blushing, others pretending not to stare. Finally, Kunou broke the silence with the most logical question:
"So… the one who stole your pearls—was it a Devil, or a Fallen Angel, or something else?"
Mermaidyn's expression shifted, oddly suspicious, before she chuckled under her breath.
"Well… you see… I did ask the nearby Yo-kai and water spirits at the time. And they told me…" She hesitated, then sighed. "…that they saw a human running with the stolen goods."
The entire group blinked in unison.
Hailey tilted her head, utterly deadpan. "So basically… bad timing. Some random guy just looted your house while you were out. And he probably sold the pearls without even knowing what they were."
Nate pinched the bridge of his nose. "Great. So the all-important relics that could restore you might be sitting in some pawn shop between an old vase and a box of expired Pokémon cards."
Even Mermaidyn couldn't help but laugh softly at that, though her eyes still carried that deep sadness underneath.
To be continued
Hope people like this ch and give me power stones and enjoy and also last Ch for this week