And here's the second chapter!
Don't get used to a frequent publishing rhythm though, it's just that I'm a few chapters ahead of schedule, so to speak! But I don't intend to post them all at once xD I'd like to correct them first, and improve them as best I can. I admit I'm not very happy with that chapter wording, but we try ahaha
Enjoy~
[Arc 1: Curses]
Chapter 2
Family Outing
THE NEXT DAY, MARIYA EMERGED FROM HER BED an hour before her grandparents. They were early birds, especially her grandfather, who enjoyed meditating in the morning. The teenage girl made sure to get up before them to take care of the house and set the table for breakfast.
"Good morning, grandpa!" she exclaimed as she saw him enter the kitchen. Mariya went over to him and hugged him gently. He softly patted her shoulders, as usual. Then, she pulled away from him and smiled.
"Did you sleep well?" she asked in a low, soft tone, knowing her grandmother was still sleeping upstairs but would soon awaken. Her grandfather hummed softly in agreement.
"You prepared breakfast?" he inquired next, as he did almost every morning. And just like every other morning, a subtle gleam of appreciation sparkled in his eyes. Mariya responded with a big smile and a nod, followed by a gentle adjustment of her ponytail.
"Can I meditate with you?" she asked softly. Even though his expression revealed nothing, Mariya knew she had caught him off guard. She had never asked him this before, and for good reason; she had been far more preoccupied with trying to untangle the mess she found herself in than to take an interest in it.
Still, meditation should have been her instinctive response. In her defense, she had no inkling of what she was experiencing, or whether what she witnessed was genuine.
But perhaps meditating could clear her mind. After all, she was accustomed to it. She used to meditate before exams to relax. She had completely set it aside because she had kind of panicked.
They settled in the backyard of the house. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her grandfather close his eyes and remain still. He seemed to be enjoying the morning breeze as much as she was. The sun had not yet risen, and a particular tranquility prevailed.
Here, she saw no hollows.
Mariya gently closed her eyes and placed her hands on her knees.
She took a deep breath and exhaled, several times in a row.
Serenity enveloped her, like a soft silk shawl around her shoulders and her mind emptied almost instantly.
Here, she thought of nothing .
Mariya felt her body relax. A knot loosened in her stomach, in her throat.
The girl could feel the gentle caress of the wind against her skin. She could hear the silence, a loud silence. A profound yet tranquil presence. It spoke volumes, soothing and reassuring.. Something seemed to spread through her veins, and at first, she mistook it for the blood circulating within her veins, even though she found it peculiar.
The more she focused on it, the more intense the sensation became. Suddenly, warmth washed over her, her breath quickening imperceptibly, and tiny shivers danced across her skin. Mariya's eyes flew open, her brow furrowed in surprise. Raising her arm, she observed a delicate network of goosebumps tracing her skin. She felt feverish from within, a slight tremor coursing through her. Was that... a faint violet glow she saw?
Her mouth parted in a silent gasp, but with another blink, it vanished into the ether. Bringing her arm closer, she gazed intently, almost as if seeking answers within her own flesh.
Yet, there was nothing.
Her fingertips delicately traced her skin in search of... something.
But there was nothing.
What was happening to her? The sensation vanished as swiftly as it had emerged, leaving her in a state of bewilderment.
Had she been dreaming? All signs seemed to point in that direction. Unlike the persistent sightings of Hollows, there was nothing unusual here. Her mind was likely playing tricks on her, and she had reacted more strongly than usual, considering what she now saw everywhere in the streets.
"Mariya?"
Her grandfather's voice broke through her thoughts, and she realized she had almost leaped up, even bolted.
A blush spread across her face, crimson patches appearing on her neck and cheeks. She pinched the bridge of her nose, annoyed by her own reactions. Now she was giving her grandfather even more reason to think she was unwell! And to top it off, she had interrupted his meditation. Ughhhh.
"I thought I saw a spider," Mariya said, fabricating the story with practiced ease.
He watched her without flinching, his ebony gaze as steady as the sturdiest of mountains.
"On your arm?" His voice remained calm, but she sensed the skepticism behind it.
"On my arm," Mariya repeated. "I found a centipede in my room last time! I'm not done being traumatized, you know." That much was true. She had nearly had a heart attack. Her grandfather had to remove it for her as she was on the verge of fainting. She and insects did not get along.
He raised an eyebrow. "I remember it well."
Fortunately, he didn't seem to press further, and Mariya sank down beside him with a small sigh.
"Look," her grandfather whispered softly, and she lifted her eyes.
Her breath caught in her chest.
Rising its ethereal face above the sleeping horizon, the sun emerged slowly from its nocturnal slumber, awakening the world with its first rays. The sky adorned itself with gentle reflections of gold and pink, dissolving the last shadows of the night in a dazzling ballet of light.
The spectacle amazed Mariya, her heart constricting in her chest at such majesty, at such beauty.
The Land of the Rising Sun . Indeed, it was.
Mariya had often witnessed the sunrise.
When she went to her mother's homeland, she would wake up early, at the same time as her Uncle, for the first prayer of the day, just before sunrise. She was eight years old at the time, still making frequent trips back and forth to North Africa. Her uncle enjoyed praying outdoors, as the first light of dawn painted the sky.
Mariya would quietly slip away between her sleeping cousins to join her uncle, sitting beside him, waiting for him to finish and watching the rising sun. Sometimes, she would playfully climb onto his back. Yet, he was never perturbed by her antics, remaining steadfast in his prayer until the end.
Afterwards, they would sit together, savoring the freshness of morning, indulging in cups of fresh milk. Mariya liked to sprinkle hers with cocoa powder, and would have milk and chocolate all around her mouth. As they shared dates, plucked and pitted by her uncle, a comfortable silence enveloped them. Mariya's little fingers would often become sticky from the sweet fruit, prompting her to playfully stick them onto her uncle's forearm, much to his amusement.
Mariya pondered how she could have buried this memory so deeply within herself. Memory often operated in mysterious ways.
"I had forgotten how truly spectacular the sunrise was," she murmured softly.
"It will never cease to impress you," he replied. His implication was clear: It still impresses me just as much . A smile graced Mariya's lips.
She was happy to share this moment with her grandfather. She'd only met him through a screen, but seeing him in person was something else entirely.
She realized that she had forgotten to enjoy the good moments in life. That had been her goal in coming to Japan to meet her grandparents and start a new life. To enjoy every moment of her fresh start, to discover a country whose culture she intimately knew.
Yet, life often threw curveballs. Despite meticulous preparations, surprises arose in the most unexpected ways.
Mariya would never have expected to encounter monsters whose origin she couldn't fathom when she first came to Japan. She had thought she would enjoy her summer vacation with her grandparents before starting at her new Japanese high school.
The girl was convinced that the hardest thing for her would be to get used to the absence of her parents for a few months before they joined her.
However, reality proved different.
Nothing was set in stone; nothing was assured. It was a lesson she believed she had grasped long ago, when her maternal uncle passed away. Confronted with death for the first time, she felt her heart brutally wrenched from her chest. It was an excruciating pain, realizing that life was not everlasting, and that her parents, too, would one day depart.
That she, too, would confront mortality.
As some departed from this world, others entered it anew, ensuring the perpetual cycle of life.
Mariya believed that this realization had equipped her to face whatever life threw at her, for death didn't truly frighten her. She felt prepared to tackle life's challenges, buoyed by her understanding of the cycle of life and death. And so it was, until she unexpectedly began to see creatures straight out of hell. That, indeed, was a surprise.
That shook her to her core.
"Grandpa, do you still find yourself surprised by life's events?" Mariya inquired, her gaze fixed upon the vast sky, a sight so expansive it evoked a profound sense of humility.
His voice resonated with an Olympian calm as he responded, "The day I cease to be surprised will be the day I am no longer alive."
"Isn't that a bit extreme?"
"No. Life isn't linear; otherwise, we'd all be bored."
Mariya leaned back a little further, her hands resting against the porch railing.
I don't think he's been as surprised as I have lately.
"What's the last thing that surprised you?" she asked.
"Your arrival. That was a pleasant surprise."
"Pfft! You're a smooth talker,"she teased him gently.
"I give it all every day," he replied dryly.
A smile deepened the dimples in Mariya's cheeks. She giggled softly and gently rested her head against her grandfather's shoulder. He smelled of fresh laundry and cleanliness, a scent she had grown accustomed to, permeating every corner of the house.
She loved making laundry detergent with her father. In her childhood, she had suffered from terrible allergies. Thankfully and over time, they had subsided. Since then, they had made it a habit to craft their own detergent.
The scent was always very subtle, with a hint of lavender. Her grandmother's laundry detergent had a slightly stronger fragrance, but it didn't tickle Mariya's nose at all. It wasn't overpowering.
"It was a pleasant surprise to finally meet you too," she murmured softly as she watched the clouds, like masterpieces stretching lazily under the touch of the first rays of sunlight, offering a constantly evolving spectacle.
Her grandfather said nothing, but she felt that he was just as relaxed as she was.
"Do you know about Amaterasu?*" he asked.
"Yes, she's the sun goddess, right?" She smiled.
"That's correct. Do you know her legend?"
"Mmm." Mariya furrowed her brows thoughtfully. "I believe she hid in a cave?"
"Retreated," he corrected her. "Amaterasu, the radiant sun goddess, retreated into a cave, troubled by her brother Susanoo's misdeeds. Her absence plunged the world into darkness and chaos."
"The other gods danced to lure her out, right?"
"Yes. They placed a mirror outside the cave's entrance and began to celebrate and make merry. Amaterasu was drawn out of the cave and shone once again on the earth and sky, spreading her much-needed light."
"It's the legend that gives legitimacy to Japan's emperors, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"It reminds me of Clovis' baptism in Reims*," she murmured thoughtfully.
"Clovis?"
"Upon ascending to power, Clovis – who is the king of the Franks, by the way – converted to Christianity and..." Mariya paused, searching for the right word. "He underwent a..." Another pause. Anointment . She wasn't sure how to express that in Japanese.
"Um, how to explain this…"
Gosh, this was so embarrassing!
"It's when they apply oil to bless you," she attempted to explain gently, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. There. Her explanation was probably overly simplistic, but she hoped she had conveyed her idea accurately. "He gets oil applied to him to be blessed. It's sacred oil." The holy ampoule. "It's a flask containing an ointment or a balm, but I suggest you look it up in the library or ask a priest, because my knowledge on this subject is limited." And apparently my Japanese too! "I just had a really good History teacher."
She sensed a smile in his voice. "You already know more than I do. I've got the gist of it. It's also a divine right monarchy, then."
Mariya immediately grasped the term. That's how it was called. Thank you, Grandpa, for sparing me!
"That's right." Mariya curled her toes gently, listening to the birds, now awake, singing a morning symphony with their melodious chirping rising in the fresh morning air. She closed her eyes gently to savor it. "Sooo , what I understand from this is that your legitimacy as the supreme ruler comes from your affiliation with God or a deity."
Her grandfather hummed. "I suppose it's a necessity for ruling."
"Maybe."
"The human being in itself has no power. Their power must come from a force that surpasses all human understanding. Otherwise, what would be the difference between me and the Emperor?"
"That's a good point. We're all equal anyway, since we all die." Another thing she had learned with her uncle's death. Then Mariya thought of something and lifted her head to her grandfather. "What if a human being appeared with some kind of—" she hesitated. "—power?"
Mariya wouldn't lie by saying she hadn't thought about her own case. Did she have powers? Was she now different from others?
That didn't mean she was superior to anyone , she suddenly thought fiercely, rejecting the idea with all her being.
No.
In no way. What can she really do? See creatures from the depths of hell? Great power. She could have done without it, actually.
Her grandfather paused and glanced at her. "Define power."
"Kind of like...San Goku?"
"Hm."
"You were imagining something less supernatural?"
"Yes, I would have envisioned a power more intellectual or with a subtler allure, like charisma," he remarked.
Mariya straightened, absorbing his words. "Oh." Indeed, it made sense. "That's the kind of power we often encounter. In a team, the charismatic figure tends to lead."
"Exactly. The one possessing a leader's spirit."
Mariya nodded, silently contemplating. It rang true. Such power undeniably existed.
"So, it's conviction that leads us to follow such individuals," she reflected. "Just as in voting."
"Indeed."
"And what if someone were to emerge with supernatural abilities?"
"In a community like ours, such a person, depending on their supernatural prowess, could wield considerable influence."
The mention of Light Yagami and his Death Note came to mind, a chilling reminder of how power could reveal one's darkest desires. Power can corrupt, yet at the same time it can shed light on a person's true colors.
"Powers placed in the wrong hands..." she trailed off. And okay, it was cliché, and she had heard that expression thousands of times, but it was still true. Power placed in the wrong hands was destructive.
"If that individual possesses a moral, they may use their abilities for good," her grandfather affirmed. Mariya nodded in agreement.
"And if they lack one…"
"They'll need to find their moral compass, I suppose."
The concept of a moral compass struck her deeply. She had never considered it before, but now it resonated within her.
But if she thought about it….
"We each have a moral compass. Whether it comes from religion, education, or even from someone in particular."
Mariya tilted her chin towards the sky, pensive.
"These charismatic leaders have proven themselves, though," Mariya blurted out — the thought coming to her mind. "They've shown that the people who support them are right to follow them."
"I suppose that's true."
The conversation lapsed into a natural silence. Mariya had more to say, but for now, she welcomed the opportunity to ponder further.
She realized it was the first time she had discussed such matters with her grandfather.
"Grandpa?"
"Yes?"
"I enjoy talking with you."
She felt a gentle hand press her shoulder as she rested her head against his shoulder.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its gentle light over the world, it began to unveil the hidden treasures of the earth, presenting a spectacle as magnificent as life itself.
Yes, here, she can temporarily set aside her fears.
'I will protect grandma .'
Looking back, Mariya realized that it was much harder to put into practice than she had initially thought.
But once she confirmed she wasn't losing her mind, a small weight seemed to lift off her shoulders. Just a bit.
Then, her birthday blindsided her. With all her concerns (like, seeing monsters), she had completely forgotten about it. No wonder her parents had been dropping hints about gifts over the phone lately!
However, her grandparents surprised her that morning with news of a family outing they had planned. Mariya felt a rush of joy at the thought of spending time with her grandparents. An outing with them? Absolutely, yes .
But there was still that hollow, resting on her grandmother's head. Glancing at it from the corner of her eye, Mariya noticed it had -
It had gotten a bit bigger?
Again? She had already noticed its growth some time ago.
(If the situation didn't freak her out so much, she would have burst out laughing. The sight of her grandma with that thing on her head like a hat was ridiculously amusing. Like, what in the Harry Potter?)
Mariya was clueless about how to handle the situation. Her anxiety still held her back from venturing out alone to seek guidance from a priest, imam, or monk. She struggled to broach the topic of purifying their house with her grandparents.
Ultimately, she had to assist her grandmother on her own.
She felt as if she were traversing a dark alley, devoid of any guiding light, grappling with the burden of facing the situation entirely on her own.
She was already tired.
As her thoughts wandered in dark places, she suddenly recalled the weary salaryman, his tired features, his sickly complexion. Haunted by the burden of a hidden torment that manifested itself as a monster on his shoulder. The very thought sent shivers down her spine, and made her fear that she might suffer the same fate.
A quick glance in the mirror brought a sigh of relief. No monsters. However, dark circles marred her eyes, despite her skincare routine. They were less noticeable, but still there. A subtle reminder of restless nights and unspoken worries.
The entire ordeal bore heavily on her mind, whether she acknowledged it or not. Yet, it wouldn't break her spirit. That much was non-negotiable.
Her gaze sharpened, and she took a deep breath, straightening her shoulders to stand a little taller; a necessary mental boost. An anchor. That felt better.
Moving forward and taking action were the most important things now.
She debated for a moment about the possibility of just talking to her grandparents about it.
Noooope.
She was just risking a remake of what had happened the first time she had seen the hollows.
Talking to her parents?
Mariya brushed off the idea faster than a hairball on a hardwood floor with a frustrated sigh.
Definitely not!
She didn't even know if they would believe her! She'd have both her grandparents and parents on her case, causing an uproar throughout the entire family structure.
Anyway, it was time to take action.
Mariya first attempted to put salt at the entrance and in the corners of the house, and even tried to discreetly throw salt on her grandmother's head.
(Yes, she was desperate. Yes, it was honestly dumb.)
Yet, besides getting scolded by her (and then being forced to clean up and endure her grandfather's silent glares that made her want to spill her darkest secrets, like posing as a model in front of the mirror and flirting with a boy she would never see again), it literally had no effect on that thing.
In fact, Mariya could almost swear she saw it smirk, but she wasn't sure.
Salt doesn't work on this thing . What about holy water?
And that's what she had tried next.
She had fetched water and scoured the desktop computer for religious chants, hoping the water might somehow absorb their protective essence, or something. In her mother's culture, that's how they did it.
They called it ruqya*.
(Mariya had fervently ignored the glares her grandfather shot her way.)
She then made her grandmother (and her grandfather as a precaution) drink it.
The girl watched with almost anxious anticipation from the corner of her eye, half expecting it to vanish in a puff of smoke, let out a piercing scream, or simply disappear altogether.
Nothing.
So, she moved on to her next strategy, which involved playing the clumsy shojo heroine and accidentally spilling water on her grandmother's head while apologizing in a thousand different ways.
(Yes, it was embarrassing.)
Still there was no effect.
It was deemed an accident by her grandparents... or at least she hoped so, judging by their glances.
But amidst all this... she had made several observations.
To start, those she had already addressed in her journal:
Firstly: the creatures often seemed harmless when lurking in dark corners, and they appeared skittish.
Secondly: they crawled on people, or in dark corners, and sometimes they talk, muttering nonsense. When they were on people, they manifested/were the cause of their physical pain.
Furthermore, Mariya had also come to another conclusion when the thing on her grandmother's head grew slightly larger each time she glanced at her... ahem, antics .
(Surprisingly, it was her grandfather who convinced her grandmother that she was just playing with them because she was a "teenager". Mariya swallowed her pride and simply forced a strained smile, her face flushed with embarrassment. What a reputation she was building with her grandparents, darn it...)
So, thirdly... they seemed to be drawn to people's misfortunes, one way or another.
Mariya wasn't entirely certain if "misfortune" encapsulated the situation accurately, though it undeniably felt that way. She hypothesized that the creature had picked up on her grandmother's concern for her (during her brief existential panic, thinking she was going crazy) and during one of their outings, it jumped on her grandmother and never left. And since then, it fed on that worry, growing or shrinking even when her grandmother wasn't too worried anymore.
But no matter how much it shrank in size, the undeniable truth remained: it wouldn't vanish.
When she first saw the booger pile at the café, they were in the midst of a crowd of people. No one noticed anything. And even though she loved Sailor Moon, Naruto, and Dragon Ball, she was only moderately convinced of the supernatural power revelation, and the prospect of being the only one who could save humanity sent shivers of absolute horror down her spine.
Clearly, the prospect of being the only one who could see these things didn't exactly fill her with joy.
Maybe she would need a zanpakutō after all.
Still, Mariya couldn't shake her discomfort with the idea of allowing that hollow to remain on her grandmother's head.
But how could she possibly help? She had exhausted every avenue, or at least everything within her personal capacity. Perhaps pretending to visit various religious temples could offer a solution...? Unless she had misjudged the situation, a likelihood that, let's be serious for a moment, seemed all too probable.
But luck was on her side, because...
"Mariya-chan, I'm going to help you put on your kimono," her grandmother exclaimed, pulling her into her room.
...Her grandparents had decided that their family outing would consist of visiting the famous temples of Kyoto and other religious spots.
"We noticed you have quite an interest in the subject," her grandmother had added as her grandfather nodded solemnly in agreement.
...she was pleased with the conclusion they had drawn, at least. And it wasn't like it was untrue either. She had always been interested in such topics, and visiting the temples of Kyoto was a delightful birthday activity for her.
"—You've prepared a kimono for me?" Mariya asked as she entered the room with her. Her grandmother smiled, the thing on her head still as inert as ever.
"Why did I take your measurements last time?" she gently teased, and Mariya simply burst into laughter, nodding. True, true! That makes sense! Before realizing it must be part of her birthday's present.
"You're going to help me put it on?"
"Of course."
As her grandmother helped her put on the kimono, Mariya marveled at its beauty. The soft shade of pink, adorned with delicate floral motifs and complemented by a very light green obi, left her speechless. Gently widening her eyes in amazement, she smiled happily. She'd never worn a kimono before and had always dreamed of having the opportunity to do so.
Now that she had experienced its transformative effect, she couldn't help falling in love with it.
"Grandma, you did a great job!" she exclaimed with evident joy, turning gently to admire herself in the mirror. Seizing the moment, she stole a glance at the hollow through the reflection. Yup, still there. Motionless.
Their eyes suddenly met. Mariya tensed slightly, quickly looking away to her grandmother.
"Oh my, you look so beautiful!" her grandmother exclaimed, gently cupping her face in her hands. "What a lovely grandchild I have. I bet you'll have a boyfriend soon. Maybe that handsome boy from the other day?"
Ooookay, that was going too far! she panicked, feeling the urge to dive into the nearest and deepest hole.
"Grandma, I literally just bumped into him. He doesn't even know my name, and I know nothing about him either!" protested Mariya, blushing from head to toe. Seriously. Judging by his attitude, he seemed aware of his charm. He might be a playboy. She didn't know, and she preferred not to think about it for now.
Because, how to put it? She was kind of experiencing a bit of an existential crisis?
"Who knows? He might be your first love," her grandmother said, clasping her hands elegantly. "You know, it was like that with your grandfather. He used to ride his bike past my house often, and -"
Mariya looked at her with wide eyes. Her grandparents' story! Now that was something she wanted to hear! And it would distract her from— from Satoru.
"—At what age did you two meet?" asked Mariya, taking her grandmother's hands in hers, smiling brightly.
"I was barely fifteen, he was seventeen. He was always very serious, you know. Always arriving right on time for his appointments. He hasn't changed a bit."
She giggled, nodding, intertwining her hands with her grandmother's. Her grandmother had small, delicate hands, and Mariya fondly realized they mirrored her own. "Oh, I can imagine!"
She couldn't imagine Hojo Jin any other way.
Her grandmother's smile widened, her dark eyes softly shining, and she suddenly seemed much younger than her age, as if the memories physically transported her back to a time when she too was a young girl with a tender heart. Her grandmother wasn't old, though, she was only fifty-five.
"Fifteen, that's exactly my age," Mariya remarked.
"Yes, indeed. I was so young, and so was he. He always had his shinai with him. He was a kendoka, you know? Very skilled." Her grandmother insisted, a little gleam in her eyes. "He competed in kendo tournaments all over the neighborhood, and he was truly impressive on the mat. But not just that. He made it to the national level. We used to run a dojo, did you know that, Mariya?"
Mariya widened her eyes. No, she didn't know. She didn't know any of this. "A dojo? You used to run one? You don't anymore?"
"No, it passed on to one of your grandfather's disciples," her grandmother said softly, her eyes shimmering like a puddle reflecting sunlight, and Mariya noticed a faint sheen of tears in her eyes.
Mariya instinctively understood that her grandmother was thinking about her father, with whom there had been a major disagreement. It was so intense that he had left the country.
At that very moment, the hollow seemed to suddenly get...bigger.
Mariya couldn't conceal the shock on her face. It took on an additional size, and she physically saw her grandmother... deteriorate.
Her complexion subtly paled, her shoulders slumped a little further, her lips tightened.
Realization hit her like a freight train.
God... it was exacerbating her emotional state. These things were also responsible for depressive states.
Mariya's jaw clenched, and her nails dug into her skin. She felt a deep anger rising within her, starting from her belly and quickly ascending to her head. Her cheeks flushed, and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep herself from lashing out at the thing.
Something surged through her veins, fast and hot.
Mariya had never dared to touch them, out of fear. But at this moment? She physically wanted to dislodge that thing from her grandmother's head.
It was settled.
If she didn't find a solution today, she was prepared to resort to drastic measures, even if it meant confronting that hollow head-on.
She had the undeniable evidence that it was harming her grandmother!
As if sensing her thoughts, the thing opened its eyes, and its gaze met hers. This time, Mariya didn't look away. She kept her gaze locked on its black pupils, filled with vice and malice, for a few seconds.
The thing straightened up, as if provoked, its eyes widening unnaturally, and something in Mariya ordered her to immediately back off.
IMMEDIATELY.
She suddenly grabbed her grandmother's shoulders, her eyes flicking to her hair as she tried to divert her attention, cold sweat trickling down her back. "Grandma, I was just thinking, where do you go to get your hair done? Your cut always looks so neat. And your hair shines, you wouldn't think the dye damaged it," she blurted out randomly, trying to calm her pounding heart.
Her grandmother's face lit up gently, as if the sun had come to dispel the cloud that darkened her features.
"I'll take you to the salon next time if you want. But..."
She gently slipped a hand into Mariya's ebony hair. "It would be a shame if you dyed your hair, Mariya-chan, I love your hair as it is."
Mariya smiled and touched one of her locks, doing her best to push the panic into the background. The hollow seemed to have calmed down, but its fur was still ruffled, and it stared at her with fly-like eyes, large and black, not blinking once—and Mariya had a fleeting thought.
Did it even need to blink? It didn't even seem to have eyelids...
She decided it wasn't really important.
"Don't worry, grandma, I have no intention of dyeing my hair."
She shot her a teasing look. "Not even white?"
Mariya buried her face in her hands. "I'm going to hear about Satoru for a while, huh?"
"So his name is Satoru? What an interesting name."
Mariya realized the blunder she had made.
"I just heard it randomly!" she tried to justify herself. At least her grandmother didn't seem sad anymore, and the thing had decreased slightly in size. "And no, I certainly don't plan on dyeing my hair white. I like my hair color. Besides, I have no desire to see my hair fall out because of such an aggressive dye!"
Additionally, Satoru's hair certainly wasn't dyed. She had noticed his white lashes, his eyebrows of the same color. It was his natural color. In contrast, with her ebony hair, she appeared much more conventional. However, she didn't mind; she adored her hair texture and color. She felt just as beautiful, and she knew how to groom herself when she wanted to.
But still, so much beauty in one boy... it was a feast for the eyes. She had wanted to style his hair and make him try on a bunch of clothes. Her fingers curled gently in on themselves. If he were her boyfriend, that's what she would do. They would do skincare together while watching anime, and she would cut his hair. After all, hairstylists could sometimes cause damage, and there was no way she would let them near him and his precious locks!
Aaand she was off into silly daydreams. She felt like slapping herself. Honestly? She had only seen that guy once. Fine. He was handsome. So? That wasn't a good enough quality for her to consider dating him.
She couldn't emotionally commit to someone for such a superficial reason. It was her heart they were talking about, it was something precious!
And besides, good-looking guys were everywhere. Satoru's friend was very handsome too.
She would never see him again. He probably thought she was a baby! And if that were the case, then he wouldn't be worth it, as he would judge her based on a mere smudge of chocolate on her face.
Yup. She's trying to find comfort where she could.
Nevertheless, it was still true when she thought about it.
Anyway, she didn't know him well enough to pass any judgment, and she didn't want to be hypocritical by behaving in a way she criticized in others.
After a few more teasings, her grandmother went to get ready, and Mariya offered her help, but she refused, kindly sending her away before leaving the room.
Her grandmother didn't like it when she helped. And Mariya hadn't been raised not to help her family, or anyone else in fact. The girl sometimes felt extremely embarrassed when she refused to let her do the dishes, even though it was her grandmother who had cooked! Furthermore, in the mornings when she tidied up, her grandmother would wear a slightly pinched expression but remained overall silent.
But Mariya knew.
Maybe she just needed some more time to loosen up with me?
Nonetheless, Mariya still helped around the house (she would be too ashamed otherwise, and she couldn't imagine lazing around without doing anything, without helping with household chores at least. Her mother would kill her. Her father too. And her aunts as well. It would amount to deliberate filicide.) Sometimes she would massage her grandfather's or grandmother's back, too.
She shook her head and sighed softly, thinking back to the hollow.
She placed a hand against her chest.
Her heart was beating fast.
Fear of not finding a solution? The excitement of finally finding one?
She had to be careful. What had happened earlier had to remain an exceptional incident. She couldn't afford to let that thing hurt her, or worse, hurt her grandmother or grandfather. The hollow had been ready to pounce on her to give her a beatdown. And honestly, she wouldn't have been able to defend herself properly. The situation could have turned into an absolute catastrophe.
Never again, Mariya, she scolded herself. This is the last time. Use your brain, don't be stupid. You're not a shonen hero!
Mariya sighed softly, pressing her hand gently against her heart again.
Maybe she could talk directly to a monk or something? Perhaps she could confide in them about seeing strange things?
Mariya nibbled her lower lip. Hmmm. She didn't know if it was really a good idea.
The girl sighed again and shook her head.
Everything in its own time. You got this. She reminded herself. Handle each situation calmly.
She took out her small makeup kit. Making herself pretty had always given her the strength to face a new day or a stressful situation. This time wouldn't be any different.
She swept her hair up into a sleek, understated bun, adorning her ears with elegant earrings resembling small, delicate flower buds. She lightly tapped her cheeks with a blush to add a touch of color, applied concealer, and smoothed on a light-red moisturizing lip balm before stepping out of her room.
"We can go!" she called out to her grandparents with a big smile.
Her grandmother gasped. "Oh my! My grandchild is so pretty!"
Her grandmother wore a white kimono, with pink flowers, and her grandfather wore a Yukata.
Mariya chuckled. "A copy never replaces the original!" she said with a wink, pulling out the worst cheesy pick-up line ever.
To the temples, they will go!
"We're heading to Minami-ku district," her grandmother gestured as they made their way to public transportation. They boarded the JR Tokaido/Sanyo line and disembarked at Kyoto Station. Japanese public transportation was a breath of fresh air for Mariya. It was far cleaner than what she was used to back home—no urine, no rats. None of that. She was confident she could even sit on the floor and eat without any issues (though she wouldn't actually do that, of course, let's not get carried away).
In the subway, those creatures were, of course, present. In fact, they seemed even more prevalent in certain corners. Luckily, Mariya had become adept at ignoring them. She was determined to cultivate that skill, you could count on her!
Next, they boarded the Karasuma subway line to To-ji Station. Finally, they arrived at Minami-ku district.
The narrow streets of Minami-ku district were bustling.
"On the 21st of December, we can still come here," her grandmother said softly, as Mariya looked around, mesmerized.
"For the Kobo-ichi?" Mariya inquired, glancing at her grandmother. Kobo-ichi was a flea market held every 21st of the month. Mariya was eager to go, but she had come to Japan in July and had missed the one held on June 21st.
But since she could return on December 21st...
Regardless, even though it wasn't December 21st or June, the area surrounding the temple was alive with outdoor stalls, creating a festive and colorful atmosphere.
Mariya marveled at the stalls filled with local crafts, traditional souvenirs, and culinary delights. She observed with fascination as artisans crafted kokeshi dolls and potters brought beautiful ceramics to life.
"Look! These fans are beautiful," Mariya exclaimed, pointing to a stand displaying finely decorated Japanese fans.
"Yes, they are exquisite. Perhaps we can select one as a memento of our visit," her grandmother replied with a smile, her grandfather silently nodding.
They strolled through the bustling alleyways, pausing occasionally to admire the displays or to sample local delicacies. The teenage girl was captivated by the variety of offerings and the warmth of the vendors.
Mariya was so engrossed in the nearby shops that she was temporarily separated from her grandparents. She only realized it a few seconds later.
But it was too late, she couldn't see them.
The girl didn't worry too much, even though the sight of the creatures in the dark corners didn't exactly thrill her. She managed to maintain some distance and observe them from afar, her mind swirling with a thousand questions, tinged with a morbid curiosity.
What's the point of having so many eyes? And not even noticing that I can see them? It seems rather pointless to me...if I pop one, what happens?
Is there even a scientific explanation for these monsters?
Mariya was so absorbed in her thoughts (and admittedly, also in glaring at the hollow),that she failed to watch where she was going. The crowd was quite dense, and she had to weave her way through, trying not to touch anyone—
"Ouch!" she exclaimed as she bumped into a wall. Great, now she was running into walls. Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she rubbed her nose, leaning on it to keep her balance. Well, this wall was really solid, she instinctively touched it —-
Mariya froze. The wall...
Stiffening, Mariya looked up. And well, for a wall, he was quite well-dressed, and warm too.
Green eyes, like lasers, pierced her.
He was an imposing man, his tall frame and broad shoulders filling the space around him. His yukata seemed almost too small to wrap around his massive body. Smooth black hair framed his face, cascading slightly over his broad shoulders.
Something about his presence caught the girl's attention, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Maybe because I ran into him?
The corners of his eyes were slightly stretched, giving him a predatory look, resembling a black panther about to pounce.
Mariya was frozen in a stillness she couldn't immediately shake. His eyebrow slowly raised, and he spoke.
"That's a bit fast, sweetheart."
It was a deep, drawling voice, like a baritone.
Sweetheart? Mariya thought she had misunderstood at first—no, no, he definitely called her sweetheart! She didn't know where to look, her mind shattered. It was taking in a bit too much information.
Then, in a matter of seconds, she understood what he meant, when her eyes landed on her hand pressed against his chest.
Her eyes widened nearly to the point of popping out of their sockets, and she let out a gasp of absolute horror, her face transforming into a volcano on the brink of eruption in just a few seconds. Moments later, she was almost hyperventilating, her hand instinctively gripping the man's yukata in a panic.
"S—-s-so-sorry," she squeaked, stumbling over her words, before remembering she was in Japan. She tried to bow, but her hand was still clinging to his yukata. It only pulled it down, as she bowed at the same time.
Her forehead collided with his chest, hard as stone. Her hand remained stuck in its movement. The man did not move an inch.
Mariya wanted to die. Her forehead hurt, but paradoxically, it helped her gather her thoughts and she finally, finally released him.
She stepped back several paces, hands up in the air as if she were guilty of something, and repeated once again, "I'm sorry!" Her throat felt parched as she experienced a mystical sensation, observing the scene as if from beyond her own body.
She could feel the stares around her, but a glance at the man, and people hurriedly looked away.
That's when Mariya noticed how impressive he was.
She stilled.
What suddenly terrified her was the strength emanating from his features. An aura of determination carved into each of his expressions. A palpable inner strength that seemed ready to face any challenge. But for what reason? She could only speculate.
His features were chiseled, as if hewn from stone, with lips drawn into an inscrutable expression. Was it an air of indifference, aggression, or something else altogether?
He watched her with the nonchalance of a carnivore.
An eternal air of amusement seemed to be etched on his face. He looked both amused by everything and equally bored, as if the world around him was stupid and he alone had the answer.
Especially at that moment when he stared at her without blinking.
Blood suddenly pounding in her temples, Mariya commanded her body .down. The effort it took her cost her so much that she almost gritted her teeth in frustration.
Mariya sent him the most plastic smile of her life, alarm bells ringing with a deafening noise inside her. She felt almost dizzy, stupefied. Her flight and fight instinct kicked in. Which one should she choose?
She knew instinctively.
That this man was dangerous. In one way or another, he was dangerous. Even facing the monsters, she had never felt this. This titanic pressure, this urge to shrink into herself. To surrender. To submit.
Even facing Satoru who, she vaguely realized, exuded power . She wanted to run away, to hide. And maybe she would have listened to that cowardly part of her if she had been confronted with a hollow.
But facing him? Facing this man who looked at her as if she were just an amusing insect? She knew she couldn't do it.
She couldn't afford to display any more weakness than she already had. Nor could she show hostility. First, because she didn't have an ounce of aggressiveness in her, right now. Then because she risked getting flattened. Overpowered.
Eaten.
That man respected strength. Yakuza. That was all she could think about.
Mariya straightened her shoulders gently, and placed her hands softly against her stomach, looking him in the eyes, schooling her features back to normal. Trying to.
"I'm sorry," she repeated in the calmest voice she could muster. A calm that was entirely feigned, as her heart felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.
The corner of his lip rose again in a small smirk. One thing was also certain: he was handsome. In a mature style, he seemed to be in his thirties at slight scar on his upper lip added a raw charm to his demeanor, and did not detract from his beauty.
Get out of here now, Mariya.
"Goodbye, have a nice day," she managed to articulate. Turning her back on him was a real ordeal that she endured without flinching, even though she only wanted one thing: to not take her eyes off him. To walk backwards until he disappeared from her sight.
She heard a sort of laughter, maybe a snort. She didn't know how to interpret it, but she couldn't help but glance over her shoulder. His cold gaze chilled her soul. Mariya also noticed, with sudden acuity, that the people around them were avoiding them.
Probably because of him.
He hadn't bothered to readjust his yukata properly. There was nothing scandalous to be seen, but Mariya still felt a flush of embarrassment at nearly disrobing him in the middle of the street.
I shouldn't have turned around.
"I guess there are some funny monkeys out there," he said, and she didn't know how to interpret his tone of voice. It seemed like he was talking to himself more than anything.
She froze. The girl thought her ears were playing tricks on her.
He just...
Did he just call her a monkey ?
A sudden calm enveloped Mariya, clearing her mind. Everything around her vanished, except for the man in the yukata. Something surged within her...
"Say that again?" she articulated, turning fully towards him.
...a dam breaking.
Notes:
Ruqya* : islamic exorcism practice involving the recitation of the muslim's holy book, the Quran. If I've made a mistake somewhere, please let me know! :) I will correct it
The baptism of Clovis*: I've been researching the baptism of Clovis on the internet, and I looked at several sites on the subject. If I've made a mistake somewhere, please let me know. :) I will correct it
Amaterasu legend* : I've read the legend of amaterasu on several sites too. If the story is not the right one, or if I've made a mistake, don't hesitate to let me know as well :) I will correct it
I also researched which subway stations to take to get to the temples. And about the Kobo-ich flea market too.
I've never been to Japan, so this is really just information I found by poking around. I apologize for any errors ! :)
And here's the second chapter. I admit I had a bit of trouble writing it, especially as the action doesn't get going straight away.
I start by setting the scene. I like to explore the dynamics of the different characters and give them depth, and I love doing that with Mariya!
I like to explore the environment she's in first and get you familiar with her and her personality. I find it gives her more impact too, and honestly I can't do it any other way either, it makes me itch otherwise xD I know that's what I like to read too. So, of course, I write what I like to read! :P
What about you, what do you like/prefer? When you read fanfiction, do you prefer to read directly about the canon characters and their interaction with the OC, or do you like to explore the OC in greater depth first? :D Tell me everythiiiing.
Also, Toji ehehe!
What do you think is going to happen ? :eyes: