As a modern-day Onmyoji, the protagonist "exorcises" evil spirits and rampaging yokai to sever their lingering attachments and purify them. The "past memories" that flow through at the moment of exorcism are the true reasons these apparitions remained in this world. Why did they wait for something, and who did they keep thinking of? A quiet and warm story of requiem that follows the end of battle.

The Twilight of Returning Names and Binding Bonds

At dusk, the grounds of the old shrine were dyed in a nostalgic orange. I had simply been tracking a spiritual disturbance that occurred deep in the forest. But there, I found a young boy standing quietly in the shade of the trees, and a Great Yokai in the form of a giant white wolf.

As the boy blew onto a slip of paper held in his mouth, particles of light danced. "...I've returned it. You are no longer bound."

The boy's gentle voice. Before my eyes, a girl enveloped in light—Tamamo—was about to be released from a long bondage. She was a yokai whose name had once been taken by the boy's grandmother, buried long within that registry.

"Ah... finally, I can go home."

Tamamo let out a sigh of relief, but at the same time, a look of being somewhat lost crossed her face. If her name was returned, she would be free. But that also meant losing her "place of belonging." Outside the registry, she had to find her own name and place.

"Hmph, what a troublesome one. Just go already," the wolf-like Great Yokai said bluntly. But there was a hint of affection in its eyes.

It was at that moment, as she began to walk away aimlessly. My eyes met hers as I watched the scene hidden in the bushes. In that instant, a hot torrent rushed through me. It was the power of purification—the power of resonance I had honed as an Onmyoji to "deeply understand the other" in order to save many souls.

Tamamo stopped walking. Within me, she found the same loneliness as her own, and a "warm light" that would rescue her.

"...You."

She walked straight toward me. The boy with the mysterious aura watched us curiously. But, perhaps realizing something, he smiled gently and gave a small nod.

"...If you have nowhere to go, won't you come with me?" Words I surprised even myself with came out of my mouth.

Tamamo stopped in front of me and narrowed her beautiful red eyes.

"...Your heart is very warm. It's as if you were looking for me."

She took my hand and softly intertwined her fingertips. It was not a ritual of contract. It was a purer choice of the soul.

"Very well. I will stay by your side. I will protect your heart. ...That shall be my replacement for a new name."

In my shadow, the presence of a silver fox drew close. Watching the back of the departing boy, I knew. What was beginning was a long, poignant, yet warm story belonging only to her and me.

"I look forward to it, my partner."

Her voice, like the rolling of bells, echoed gently through the darkening forest.