Namako took another nap after her synthesized ichor treatment. Aunt Yurika and Uncle Tenkei went back to work, while Hisoka and I looked after her.
Sheesh! You gotta do multiplication in under five minutes?
Yeah! I’m not good at math, so I gotta learn to be better at it!
You sure your mom isn't working you too hard? We should find some time to hang out and unwind. Doesn’t your mom have a chess set we can play with?
I didn’t think you were into chess.
I’ve been trying to get better myself… The rules are so complicated, though.
We heard footsteps at the door. We stopped talking.
Suddenly, someone came in! It was a kitsune holding what looked like a knife. He didn’t look very happy.
Tsk. So this is what’s become of
Project Shiko, eh?
Aah!
Who are you?!
Aunt Yurika and Uncle Tenkei walked to the man at the door, and they looked just as surprised as we were.
…A member of the Komi Clan?
Mitsugawa Yurika. You’re gonna pay for your sins sooner or later.
Your…sins? Mom, what is he talking about?
Oh, I get it. You’re still up in arms about our medical research, huh?
Damn right I am! You’re upsetting the natural order by making medicine accessible to the public.
What? Isn’t medicine…a good thing?
The man looked at me with furrowed brows and a grimace. Despite his shades, I could tell he was angry.
So you’re Tali Mtowa’s girl, huh? I knew a mere homunculus wouldn’t understand. They’ve been brainwashing you.
It didn’t look like he was going to put his knife down any time soon.
For all the power we spirits possess, we’ve got one weakness: our delicate bodies. And it should stay that way! What you’re doing is giving spirits even more power than they already have! Haven’t you heard of just how many eldritch came to be because of research like yours?!
You’re insane. A spirit should have a right to a long, fulfilling life.
The man looked around for a second.
Keh. It’s no use arguing with someone who’s too far gone. Guess I’ll just get rid of this entire operation by force!
And then, he walked toward Aunt Yurika, still pointing his blade at her. It looked like he was going to cut her down!
In that instant, I don’t know what came over me, but I ran to the scene and put myself between him and Aunt Yurika.
Aurita! What are you doing?!
I-I don’t know! I just…
It seems that Tali taught her not to fear death…
I didn't know what Uncle Tenkei meant, but I kept shielding Aunt Yurika. I tried to look as fierce as possible, but it was difficult to against someone twice as tall as I was.
You’re the insane ones. So willing to throw your lives away for an insane cause… I give up.
He hid his blade somewhere within his seven tails.
Enjoy your eldritch-ridden world while it lasts!
He laughed as he left. But it was like he was laughing at some sick joke… I had to take note of him, just in case he showed up again.
Oh my goodness… Thank you so much, Aurita. That was a close call.
…Who was that guy, Aunt Yurika?
He looked like he was affiliated with the Komi Clan. I’ve never seen him before, though. I don’t know if he’s even an official member, or if he’s just posing.
The Komi Clan?
They're a prestigious clan of kitsune. I remember they had some traditionalist beliefs… But they were never this hostile.
Aunt Yurika looked at all three of us with a stern look on her face. She leaned over, as if she was going to whisper.
Whatever you do, don't mention what just happened to anyone. This is between the four of us, okay?
How come, Mom?
Because… Things could get ugly if The Mongoose Revolution were involved. It could spark a
war.
A
war?
Heaven knows who that man is. He probably has friends and comrades willing to die for their cause. We can't provoke them, or else it'd spell disaster.
Understood, Mitsugawa-san. We'll keep this hush-hush.
Got it, Mom!
Alright, Aunt Yurika. We won't tell anyone about this.
Somehow, Namako slept through all of that. Thank goodness.