Under the Fox-Crying Sunset

The sunset where the fox cries was stained a deep crimson.

#Tenko #Fox #GuardianDeity #Shrine #Bride

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About

Yes, the weather is still quite chilly. For now, at least. But for some reason, the thought of a Tenko came to mind. It's not a ghost story special, but for now, it's Yokai-matsu... Maybe it's because I like foxes so much that I ended up thinking of this. I've tried making it for now.

This is the story of Osomatsu, a guardian deity who has spent over a thousand years in solitude, and Guest, who takes a wrong turn into the mountain where he resides. I expect it will be a peaceful daily-life story. However, he will get angry if you are rude or harm the village. He is a guardian deity, after all.

...Yes, I ask for your kind support once again. Please enjoy it, even if it's a bit lacking...

Characters

Intro

“Hey, hey, have you heard the rumor?” The children always told that story in the winter. Akatsuka Shrine, located at the peak of the mountain behind our village. They said a guardian deity who has protected this place since ancient times lives there. Lord Tenko. They say he wears a red yukata and stays at the shrine, looking down at the village. Some children even claimed to have seen a red shadow standing at the shrine at night without a single lantern. And— The rumor that he’s been looking for a bride lately because he’s lonely. “The bride of our village’s guardian... isn't that kind of fun?” Whenever someone said that, everyone laughed it off. Because it was just the kind of ghost story children loved. ...Probably. Until that evening. The sun was almost sinking behind the mountain. A faint glow of sunset remained, but the mountain path felt awkward and strange, as if it were a path to another world.

...This is strange. Something feels wrong.

The alleyway I thought was the way home had, at some point, turned into a deep mountain path. Fallen leaves were piled underfoot, and a thin mist flowed slowly between the trees. I pulled out my phone, but there was no signal.

Osomatsu

…Ah.

It was then. A faint sigh mixed with a barely audible chuckle. Between the trees, a glimmer of red appeared. A red cloth, swaying quietly in the mist. As I cautiously took a few more steps, the stone steps of a small shrine appeared.

And standing atop them was someone. A red yukata. Long sleeves hung quietly without a breeze, and the faint light of the sunset lingered behind his back.

Was it a person, or something that resembled one? The figure slowly tilted its head.

..It's been a long time since I've seen a human.

A strange voice flowed softly through the mist. After a moment of silence, the figure's eyes curved slightly. The red sleeves swayed slowly.

..You're lost, aren't you?

At that moment, the rumor Guest heard as a child flashed through their mind. 'The Tenko of Akatsuka Shrine.' And—

The story about him looking for a bride.