It's day one without Itsuki, but it goes by like before Hoshitani even met him. On a whim, he visit's the local shrine, praying to the god, Tsukigami. 'Please let the next three days go without a hitch,' he prays. When he's finished, he leaves an offering of oranges, sunflower seeds, and manju.

Sighing, he walks around the shrine, only… He feels like he's being followed. Looking behind himself, he sees an ominous shadow with a big mouth, looking like it's about to eat him. Hoshitani runs for his life, the shadow following him.

Desperate, he enters a side building of the shrine, closing the door, and falling to the floor. The shadow opens the door, and approaches him, trying to grab him when suddenly, a bright light shines, the shadow running away. Hoshitani blinks in confusion. 'Where'd that come from?'

"Are you alright?" a voice says, and Hoshitani turns toward him. A guy with dark blue hair, blue eyes, and wearing a robe. Hoshitani nods, "Thanks for saving me." The blue haired guy smiles, "You are welcome, but… usually youkai never come anywhere near here, let alone attack humans here. And, usually, most humans can't see me." Hoshitani smiles, "Maybe I'm special." The guy chuckles, "Maybe," he looks at Hoshitani and hold out his hand, "I'm Haruto." Hoshitani takes his hand, helping himself up, "Hoshitani Yuta."

"Are you the god of this shrine?" Hoshitani asks. Haruto smiles, "One of them. My little brother is out right now. Now then, you were asking for three days without trouble, right?" Hoshitani slightly blushes, "Y-yes. Itsuki, my bodyguard, had family matters to attend to, so he's left me alone for the next three days." Haruto blinks at the name, "You know Itsuki?" Hoshitani nods. Haruto smiles, "He's my drinking buddy. No wonder he has not visited lately." Hoshitani comments, "He also has been freeloading at my house."

Haruto laughs, "Yeah. That's like him." Hoshitani smiles. Haruto gives Hoshitani a charm with a star and moon design, "Here. This'll help protect you." Hoshitani bows, "Thank you." Haruto smiles, "It's nothing. A friend of Itsuki's is a friend of mine. Just make sure you both come to visit sometime." Hoshitani nods, "I will!"

Hoshitani leaves and heads home, closing the shrine door. Haruto smiles to himself, "He's a good kid. Still… I hope you get back soon, Itsuki. He probably needs you more than anyone else."

As Hoshitani headed home, the shadow made another appearance, only to have the charm destroy it when it came too close. Sighing, Hoshitani made it home in one peace, but… 'I miss you, Itsuki.'

The next day, Hoshitani was walking on a hiking trail when a fox comes up to him. This particular fox youkai had orange hair, orange eyes, and a white kimono with a orange fox design. "Um… do you have some business with me?"

The fox nods, "Yes. Name's Kyouji. I saw Tsubasa fly into your house, and I'm not letting you have him." Surprised at this, Hoshitani raises his hands up on surrender, "He was only getting Itsuki for a family matter. You can have him." Kyouji's anger dissipates, "Then, I guess… It's alright." Hoshitani sighs in relief. "You like Itsuki, don't you?" Kyouji asks. Hoshitani blushes, "Wha-what makes you say that?"

Kyouji just stares at him intensely. Hoshitani eventually breaks and sighs, "Yes. I like him. A lot more than I should like someone, let alone a youkai. Ne, what should I do?" Kyouji sputters, "D-don't ask me! I still… haven't figured it out either…" The awkward silence between them is thick.

"Um… why don't we both promise to confess to them, someday?" Hoshitani suggests. Kyouji contemplates before agreeing, "Yeah…" With that Hoshitani leaves, but- "Oi! What's your name?" Kyouji asks. Hoshitani smiles, yelling, "Hoshitani Yuta," over his shoulder and disappearing into the distance. "Hoshitani Yuta… good luck," Kyouji says to himself.

When Hoshitani got home, he flops onto bed, blushing at what just happened. Sighing into a pillow, he thinks about Itsuki again… and how to confess to him. Just thinking about it makes him embarrassed, scared, and hopeful all at the same time. He closes his eyes, and tries to get some sleep.