"Dreams can be truer than life and sweeter than sugar."
Have I ever mentioned how much I hate Raku Ichijou's alarm clock?
It's four fifty-nine. The sun is barely up. The moon is still hanging around, like an overeager guy who can't take a hint… The night chill is still in the air. The grass is damp with morning dew, and the light of day hasn't even peeked over the hills yet. Your room is dark. Quiet. You're lying there, finally enjoying the chance to rest: an old friend turned stranger. You got to bed around two, so you're pretty wiped. But it's alright. School doesn't start unti—
…
There it is. There's that sound. A sound that cuts through dreams, and ends all nightmares. Although, waking up this early is its own special hell…
It's annoying. Raku has this flip-phone from the friggin' stone age, and for all its tact and grace, I can't imagine it being any younger than twenty years old. I guess whoever programmed this thing didn't have a damn heart, because their idea of an alarm is this loud… I wouldn't even call it an alarm. It's just noise. Like some jackasses hung a microphone like a pinata and took turns bashing it with pots and pans.
To top it off, the thing vibrates like an earthquake and doesn't stop until you open it. And that's if you can open it. It's shakin' so damn hard, you're lucky your hand doesn't fall right off.
I just wrapped the pillow over my ears and hugged my bundled blanket tighter. Maybe if I just ignore it…
…
Pfft. I wish.
Honestly… if it wasn't a phone, you bet I'd have thrown the damn thing across the room. Or out the window. Yeah, the window seems like a good idea…
"...Bweh. Wha…? ...Mm…"
I felt the vaguest notion of something shift around me, before the alarm… vanished. The stupid vibrating too. Huh. Nice.
Well, I'm not gonna' question life's little blessings. I'll just take my ticket to Sleepytime Junction and be on my way...
...I'll be honest, I didn't plan on missing school.
It was Ryuu's turn on breakfast duty… and I was usually awake at the hour, so he figured I'd left for school early or something. Either way, he didn't wake me up… It wasn't until I came storming into the main hall around noon that he realized.
I ran to my room to get ready for school, but I couldn't find my phone… I turned the whole house upside-down for a good half-hour before I decided to just leave without it. By the time I made it to school though, class was over, and it was time for club activities. Kyouko-sensei took me aside and chewed me out hard… I'm lucky no one was really around to hear it. Regardless, it was my first absence, and she knew I was a hard worker. Kyouko said that so long as I did the makeup work, and made sure it wouldn't happen again, she'd let me off.
Of course, I took the deal, but I still had to help clean the pool as punishment. The outdoor pool, not the indoor one. Right now, the swim team was using that one for practice…
The swim team. That brought my thoughts to Ruri… and then to everyone else. Crap… did I really have to miss the day after a fun weekend? Those are the best.
I leaned against the handle of the pool brush, and glanced up at the sky. Hmm… I wonder what time it is. I'd check, but I don't have my darn phone…
And of course, Raku doesn't wear a watch. I guess nobody really does anymore. We depend on our phones so much… Ugh, this is the worst. I wish I'd have just found it. Even if I had to come to school later, it'd be better than…
…
…
…
Wait...
Patting my pocket at the sudden weight, I reached in and pulled out… my phone. That's weird. I guess it was in my jacket all along? I thought I checked there… No, I know I checked there. What's going…
...Oh.
"Took ya' long enough!" a familiar giggle. "How're you liking your new Patron Deity? Ufufu~"
'Ota—… Megumi.' I grumbled, 'I can't believe I forgot… Last night completely slipped my mind.'
"Sure, sure…" she drawled, "...you only met a spirit and got the power to warp reality. Just another Sunday."
'Sorry…' I sighed, 'It was pretty hectic at the end, it was a long walk back, and…'
I blinked.
'Wait a sec…' I gulped. 'I got the power to what?'
"Well, it's not your power. It's still hers," she explained in that tone of hers. "But now, whatever wishes you have will be granted! Isn't that great?"
'It… really isn't…' I groaned, getting back to work, 'This is the part I was trying to avoid… Now I gotta' watch what I say and stuff.'
I ran the brush through a particularly dense glob of gunk. Gross.
"Oh, please! People would do anything for this kinda' power!" she chirped, "You should feel grateful! Honored, even!"
'Trust me, I'm flattered…' I shook the brush, letting the little clumps dislodge from the bristles. '...But this is gonna' be trouble. Just wait, I'll probably say something dumb and wipe out half the planet.'
"Come on, it was just the one time!" I feel like that's a losing argument. "What's so bad about it? Raku and that girl ended up together! Who cares if the world had to disappear? They come back in the end anyway!"
'That's not the point…'
We've bickered over Yomeiri so many times… It never stops. On the one hand, all those wishes were incredibly extreme and over the top, with consequences that would last at least a century or so. On the other… well, the wishes were technically granted. I guess.
I sprayed the gunk with the hose, washing it into the drain. Out of sight, out of mind… Ugh, I wish.
...
Wait, what was I thinking about again?
"...On second thought, maybe you should talk to… Otama."
'You're right, I should…'
…
…
I stopped cleaning again.
'Are you okay with that name, by the way? Megumi?'
Silence.
"...Well, it's better than nothing…" she pouted, "So… I guess I don't dislike it…"
'...Let's keep it for now.' I offered. 'It'd be confusing for all of us, if I called both of you 'Otama'... Besides, she still likes the name, but I know you don't.'
And somehow, I feel you like 'Megumi' more than you let on…
"I-It's like you said! It's confusing!" she said with conviction. "I'll use that name for your sake! Ufu… I'm such a generous goddess."
Hey, I'm giving you an out here. Don't push it.
...
'You two are really different though…' I resumed cleaning, hosing off the rest of the pool. 'You might look the same, but I feel like I'd be able to tell you both apart, just by personality.'
"Huh? Oh…" What? "Well, actually…"
"The 'Otama' you saw when you died? That wasn't me." she explained, "At least, that's not what I look like. I just changed my form to what I knew you knew. You played Yomeiri, so…"
"I didn't wanna' scare you, with something so unfamiliar." she sighed, "You were already freaking out and all."
...That was true. I had just died.
'If that's the case…' I gazed upon my work. Sparkling clean. 'What do you really look like?'
A small pause.
"Ohh~? Interested, are ya'?" she teased, "I could show you… if you want?"
I breathed a small laugh. 'Sure. Why not?'
Small puddles had formed as I'd worked, catching the sunlight above and spreading it all around. The water glimmered… and glimmered, until it was shining bright. Slowly, a shape appeared above the surface. The light flickered as it began to take form.
It was… Megumi. Long, violet hair drifted down to her back, the fox ears atop her head less pronounced. Nine flowing tails billowed out from beneath her kimono— an altered form of what she'd worn many years ago. It was now a stark white, with orange trim. She was much older now… she looked around eighteen. There was a mature beauty about her… and a playful glimmer in her eyes. Elegant. So full of life, and happiness. Just… beautiful.
"Aw, you're makin' me blush~!"
Oh. She can still hear my thoughts.
Perfect.
"Ehehe~!" the girl laughed, striking a pose. "Didn't expect this, didja'?"
"I never saw it coming…" I admitted, "I hope this is your last surprise. No more powers or gods or 'radiance' I have to worry about?"
"Nope! This should be it…" she put her hands on her hips, "Oh, wait! Check this out!"
White.
Pure white. Wings of pure light flew open, bathing the world in its glow. Warmth washed over me, and spread deep into my core. I felt… safe. Like all my troubles just melted away. Like I was... at peace.
Wow… an angel's wings…
"...Now you're just showing off…" I sighed, trying to hide my amazement. "Angel wings on top of the Kitsune stuff? Pick a motif and stick with it."
"I can hear your thoughts~" she chided musically, "If you think I'm so amazing, just say so!"
...
"...Yeah, fine, you're friggin' breathtaking." I looked away, blush burning my cheeks, "Can we move on?"
"Was that so hard? Ufu~"
The wings faded, assuming a much smaller, but still noticeable pair on her back. I guess they could change shape. Convenient.
"This is the mark of a Goddess." she gestured to the smaller wings, "Made of pure Radiance. These wings prove my efforts, as a spirit who has attained godhood."
"That's… wow…" I had no words. "I just… uh…"
"Oookay…" she grinned, "Think that's enough fun for me today. It's nice to see you speechless for a change... Oh. Someone's coming."
I blanched, hearing nearby footsteps. "Crap… you need to hide!"
"What? I…" she tilted her head, before she waved me off. "Ah. Other people can't see me, so don't worry about it. You have my Radiance, so we're on the same wavelength and stuff."
"...That so?"
Idly, I tried to form wings on my back… No luck. Damn. That'd be the coolest thing ever.
"If you really wanna' fly, just wish for it!" Megumi laughed, "I'm sure Otama will… Oh, she's here."
I turned my head to see…
"Hey, Miyamoto." I waved, "What's up?"
"Ichijou…" Ruri frowned. "I thought you didn't come to school today."
The girl wore that unimpressed expression like the avatar of disinterest. She stared down at me from her place above the pool, a 'goddess' in her own right.
"Oh, I uh…" I looked away, "I slept through my alarm and got here late. Kyoko-sensei made me clean the pool to make up for it."
Ruri nodded. "Looks alright…" she glanced over at the pool brush and hose I'd just put away.
"By the way…" she started, "Was someone helping you? I thought I heard your voice."
…
I was talking out loud that whole time, wasn't I?
"Uh-huh."
Ignoring the voice behind me, I scratched the back of my head. "Nah, I did it all myself. I was just... on the phone with a friend."
She quirked an eyebrow. "A friend… You're not hiding another childhood playmate, are you?"
"Something like that…"
As we talked, Megumi started to wander around. As a projection, she couldn't interact with the physical world… Didn't stop her from trying. She was grabbing at some pool noodles for whatever reason.
"Well, Kosaki missed you today," she pushed up her glasses, "Try to be on top of things from now on."
"I-I'll do my best…" I shrank under her gaze… "Did I miss anything important?"
"Nothing much." she shook her head, with that monotone of hers. "We talked about the movie over lunch. Oh, and we have home economics tomorrow. We'll be baking cakes."
...That's right. I vaguely remember that from the manga. Don't think that chapter made it into the anime.
"Sounds good…" I stretched out, popping my back… Ah, that felt nice. "You just getting off swim practice?"
"My hair is wet and I'm still in my swimsuit…" she said flatly. "I was on my way to the showers actually."
My head drooped. "It was just a question…" I looked up and my gaze flattened. "...Uh…"
She looked at me funny. "What? Is something wrong?"
You could say that. Megumi had taken the break in conversation to strike ridiculous poses behind Ruri… Seriously? How old are you again?
"I-It's nothin'..." I brushed it off. "I'll let you get washed up."
"Thank you." she nodded, "Oh, there's one more thing. We're short on swimmers for this year's first meet, so I might ask Kosaki and Chitoge-chan to fill in. Would you two mind teaching her?"
As she spoke, Megumi stuck an arm through Ruri's back and watched in fascination as it came out the other side. In and out… and in and out... The swimmer continued talking, unphased.
"Sure… I'd be glad to help…" I forced an awkward smile, "But wouldn't you be better off teaching her yourself?"
"I would, but I'm be too busy practicing." she drawled, "I'll leave Kosaki to you… why are you staring at me like that?"
Otama had moved her entire face through Ruri's head, and mouthed along to her words with a silly face. Goddess, huh?
"...It's nothing. Nothing at all."
I turned away, letting out a humored breath. Ahh… never change, Megumi.
Ruri walked away confused, muttering about weirdos and their weird blond friends.
"Otama-chan! Are you around?"
I opened the door to my room cautiously, peeking in and whispering the words. Empty chair, empty desk, empty bed. There was no sign of her. Where could she…?
"Welcome home, Raku-san!"
"AGH!"
The little fox spirit appeared in a shimmer, right before my eyes. In my surprise, I fell backward into the hallway.
Oh… that's right. Otama could turn invisible and stuff. She must've been hiding all day. I wonder where she was though? I hadn't run into her the whole time I was searching for my phone… Otherwise, I would've remembered the night before.
"A-Are you alright, Raku-san?" the girl stood over me with a worried expression, "I'm sorry for startling you…"
"No, no…" I waved her off, sitting up, "That was my fault."
'Raku-san', huh? Well, it's better than 'Mister'. Or worse, 'Master'. I already have Marika to deal with...
I stood, motioning for her to follow me into my room. I closed the door behind us, so the gang couldn't hear us talk.
"Sorry to make you wait," I sat in my desk chair with a sigh. "I had school and all, so…"
"It's okay!" she chirped, "I had lots of fun granting your wishes today! So um… be sure to make more tomorrow! I-I mean, if you want…"
I leaned over and pat her head a bit.
"Of course. If it makes you happy…" I trailed off. "...Say, last night's a little hazy for me. Mind filling me on the details?"
The spirit tilted her head in confusion. "Fill… you in? What does that mean?"
"Oh! Uh…" I guess three-hundred years away from civilization can do that to you. "It means to… inform. It's a colloquialism."
Her head tilted further, "Kolo...kweealizm?"
...Remind me to get her a dictionary or something. She had some catching up to do.
"Let's see…" Otama seemed to forget her own question, "Last night, we talked as we walked down the mountain. You told me that your name was Raku Ichijou and that you were the son to a yakuza group and that your dad told you about the shrine and that you—"
"Sorry to interrupt…" I cut in, "But did we establish a contract yet?"
"Ah! That's right!" she remembered, "I told you that we had to do a ritual for it, but you fell asleep before we could start!"
...Sounds like I was pretty wiped.
"You were asleep before your head hit the pillow."
"I had to use a bit of magic as a substitute…" Otama cut her future self off, "I wanted to make it so when 'Megumi'-sama talked to you in your dream, I could hear her… but it didn't work. So, I set it to let me know when you thought of a wish instead!"
'...She hasn't heard our mental conversations, right?'
"She shouldn't be able to without performing the ritual." Megumi explained, "So you're fine, for now."
...For now?
"Well, anyway…" I sat on the floor, next to her, "Why don't we do that ritual? I feel really bad for making you wait…"
"It's okay!" she assured, "We can get started… Oh! Let me just undo that spell…"
She made a slow sweeping motion with her arm. A feeling of warmth washed over me, and it was gone.
"Okay! Before we start, let me… 'fill you in'," she sat too, "One of my powers as a Kitsune is Communication! With Communication, I can listen to the hearts of others, and hear their true thoughts! Sometimes even things they don't know about themselves! It's a very useful power for a wish-granting deity like me."
"Sounds like it…"
That was really cool, actually. Straight from the game, huh?
"Once our contract is formed, you'll be able to use Communication too!" she elaborated happily, "It won't be as strong as mine, but you'll be able to tell when someone is… when someone isn't following their heart. It's hard to explain…"
I tapped my chin in thought. "So like, if someone is doing something they don't really want to?"
"Yeah! That!" she smiled, "It won't work every time, only when their heart and their body are in really different places…"
"Extreme cases where their desires and actions are contradictory…?"
"Yes! Exactly!"
Is Kitsune language just, entirely metaphorical?
"...You'd be surprised."
"But most importantly…" Otama continued, "It will let us communicate with just our heads! We don't have to speak to talk to each other, we can just think it! Like tele… telepa… uh…"
"Telepathy?"
"Telepathy!" she clapped her hands together, "Of course, I won't be able to hear your every thought. Privacy, and all." Well, that was nice of her. "All you have to do is clap twice. That opens the path. Then, when you're done, just bow! It's like a shrine prayer!"
So clapping twice lets us talk, and bowing ends it. Got it.
"That's amazing…" I murmured, genuinely in awe. "So how do we do this?"
"First, repeat after me!" she began, "I, Raku Ichijou, hereby accept Otama of the Inari Shrine as his Patron Deity."
"I, Raku Ichijou…" I spoke slowly, making sure to get the phrasing right. "...hereby accept the Otama of Inari Shrine as his Patron Deity."
"Perfect!" she stepped closer to me, "Now…"
Embarrassed, I rubbed the area between my neck and shoulder, "Now what?"
"Well," she smiled again, "Once you move your hand, we can get started!"
"Huh?" I blinked, letting my hand fall. "What do you—"
!
I felt a slight pinch, as Otama sunk her teeth into my skin. I almost fell over in surprise. It wasn't a sharp pain, and it didn't hurt too bad… I guess a blood bond is needed for demon contracts, huh?
Satisfied, the girl pulled away.
"It's done." she grinned, "I, Otama of the Inari Shrine, hereby swear loyalty to Raku Ichijou."
There was a flash of orange light, a wave of energy, and a flood of warmth through my body. It faded as quickly as it had come.
"Wow…" I breathed, "A little warning would've been nice."
"Sorry, Raku-san…" she wiped her mouth with her wrist, "I thought asking for your blood might scare you, so I…"
I waved it off, "It's fine, it's fine…"
Glancing down, I saw the two puncture marks her teeth had made. They'd already healed neatly, a bit of blood left from where the wound had been. I wiped it off, on my sleeve.
"Alright…" I fixed my shirt, "Now let's see…"
I clapped twice.
'Testing, testing.' I thought, 'Is this thing on?'
She grinned.
'It's working!' she said without moving her lips, 'Can you hear me too?'
'Loud and clear.' I grinned right back, 'Looks like we did it.'
I bowed, cutting the connection. This was so cool.
"Alright!" she put her hands on her hips, all proud, "Now, is there anything I can do? Any wish I can grant for you?"
Hm… nothing immediately comes to mind. Like I said before, I never intended to have a wish granted by Otama, I just wanted to be her friend. She uses wishes to gain Radiance, holy power, so I should think of some, but… I don't really have anything that I want at the moment…
I adjusted the pendant around my neck. The locket was tangled in its own chain. Huh. It must've gotten in the way when she formed the contra—
Wait… that could work.
"Actually, Otama-chan…" I withdrew the necklace from my shirt, "There's a problem with this locket. A long time ago, a friend of mi—… my sister… accidentally broke a key in it. The piece is still inside. If you could fix it, that'd be great."
"Fix it? Okay!" she nodded happily, "Here goes!"
!
There was that energy again, and that warm, fuzzy feeling.
"Your wish has been granted!"
I looked down at the pendant. It didn't seem any different, but if she said it had changed, I guess it must've. She could definitely bend reality; she had with my phone just this morning. I tucked it away, back into my shirt.
"Wow…" I smiled, "Thank you so much. You have no idea how helpful that was."
"Thank you, Raku-san!" she smiled back, "Here you go!"
She extended her hand, to show—
…
…
Oh.
A small heart at the top, a rose motif in the middle, and a completed star at its end.
It was Yui's key. Unbroken.
"...O-Otama…" I stammered, "You... made this, right? You created a new one?"
"What? Of course not!" she started, "I took the two pieces and put them together again! The other part was really far away, so I just brought it here!"
Oh boy.
"So? How'dja like your first wish?" she smiled, blissfully unaware, "I'm looking forward many more together!"
"Y-Yeah, me too."
I wonder how much it cost me to call someone in China.
