Fox Sister

Under the dim sky, we halted our steps towards the Heavenly Nine Assemblies and entered a tavern in a nearby village.

The straw-woven roof bore traces of long years past,

and the mud walls showed cracks here and there, but it was enough to shelter us from the cold night wind.

“Landlady, two bowls of soup please.”

Sitting across from my younger sister, I waited for the warm soup while naturally surveying the inn’s interior.

The shabby room buzzed with lively chatter, creating a strangely warm atmosphere.

Whether travelers or villagers, they were all engrossed in their own stories, sipping their drinks.

My sister gazed silently at the dark sky outside the window.

Soon, the awaited soup arrived in a pot.

As she cradled the steaming bowl with both hands, color quickly returned to her face.

Her large eyes sparkled as she blew on the hot soup like a child.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Be careful not to burn yourself.”

When my sister opened her mouth, sharp fangs briefly appeared.

A sight that would make others scream “monster”, but to me, it just looked cute like baby teeth.

But remembering how she used to sneak animal livers after evening meals back home made me feel uneasy.

I cautiously asked my sister:

“Are you… hungry now?”

She tilted her head in confusion,

then understanding my meaning, smiled softly and replied:

“I’m fine, Elder Sister… for now.”

“For now” lingered in my mind, but I decided to let it pass.

Even if something happens, there’s always a way.

After finishing dinner, we rented a room at the inn and settled down.

As I wiped the broth off her cheek with my thumb, she snuggled closer.

It felt good having no one to judge this precious sibling bond.

“Big Sister, it’s warm…”

Whispering softly, she burrowed deeper into my embrace.

Her quiet breathing tickled my neck, making my heart race slightly.

Probably just the warmth of the blanket affecting me…

Gently stroking her soft orange hair, my troubled thoughts about the Heavenly Assembly faded away.

Listening to her steady breaths, I drifted off to sleep.

Morning sunlight filtered through the paper windows, enveloping the room in warmth.

Birdsong woke me gently.

As I tried to sit up, I realized something warm and heavy was wrapped around my waist.

“Mm… Big Sister…”

Hearing her mumble, I looked down to see my sister sleeping soundly in my arms.

Her fox tail peeked out from under the blanket, fluffing cutely as she moved.

Two fox ears poked through her tousled hair – her true nature revealed unconsciously in sleep.

I chuckled softly, running my fingers lightly over her tail.

Its softness was delightful.

“Mm… Tickle…”

Waking up slowly, her half-open blue eyes gazed hazily at me.

“Good morning, Big Sister.”

Bathed in sunlight, her luminous eyes looked even more beautiful, making me smile warmly.

“Yes, good morning, little sister.”

Stretching, she got up, her tail swaying playfully with each movement.

Unable to resist, I grabbed the tip of her tail.

“Ahh! That tickles, Big Sister!”

Laughing, she cuddled closer, her tail wrapping protectively around my waist.

After a peaceful breakfast, we set out again along the forest path bathed in soft sunlight.

Walking for half a day, we came upon an old man sitting by the village entrance.

Dressed in tattered clothes, he clutched a few copper coins in trembling hands, sobbing pitifully.

Approaching cautiously, his mournful cries grew clearer.

“Excuse me, sir, what’s wrong?”

At my inquiry, he wiped his tears with shaking hands and looked up at us.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

He explained how his daughter became a sacrifice to the mountain spirit.

Though he wanted to save her, his illness prevented earning medicine money.

Following the village’s ancient custom, she volunteered as a sacrifice to cure his sickness.

The word “sacrifice” brought back painful memories.

I glanced at my sister beside me.

She remained expressionless, quietly watching the old man with calm eyes.

Turning back to the old man, I began to speak,

but my voice trembled and trailed off.

The old man continued through choked tears.

The village had a tradition of offering maidens as sacrifices to appease the mountain spirit.

His daughter chose this path willingly to heal him.

Master’s teachings came to mind:

Evil spirits that harm people remain evil, regardless of divine status.

No being that hurts humans can ever be truly benevolent.

“Sir…”

Resolutely, I asked:

“Where is this mountain spirit located?

I’d like to investigate.”

Startled, the old man grabbed my hand.

“It’s dangerous! That place belongs to the divine…”

Calmly opening my Spirit Eye, the old man seemed to understand something and fell silent.

“Having studied magical arts,

I possess the ability to repel harmful spirits.”

The old man’s eyes widened in shock.

“You’re a Taoist priest… But challenging the divine…”

Hesitating, he eventually pointed toward the mountain in a small voice.

“Thank you… Priest… Please save my daughter.”

Turning to leave, I heard my sister’s lazy voice behind me.

“Tsk, humans are so foolish.

Worshipping some mountain spirit and offering sacrifices… Don’t you agree, Big Sister?”

Her characteristic nasal tone carried a mocking undertone toward humans.

“…Perhaps.”

Smiling wryly, I looked at my sister.

“But I feel pity for them and want to help.”

My sister shrugged indifferently then approached.

“If Big Sister insists on going, I’ll come along too.

Can’t have anything happening to my precious elder sister.”

Taking my hand, her soft warmth reassured me.

“Thank you, my dear sister.”

Venturing deeper into the mountain trail,

the air quality noticeably changed.

Even the wind rustling through leaves felt sticky and oppressive.

The chirping birds vanished,

and the stream’s flow sounded muted, as if holding its breath.

“The ‘mountain spirit’ is just a monster, isn’t it?”

My sister’s casual remark broke the silence.

Her sharp blue eyes scanned our surroundings.

Indeed, malevolent rather than benevolent energy dominated the area.

“So it seems…”

I had suspected as much.

That the object of village reverence was likely just a powerful yokai.

But something else concerned me more.

“Are you alright with this?”

I asked carefully.

Even though she might have harmed many people and eaten them before,

it was unclear how she felt about harming fellow spirits.

Understanding my worry, she suddenly leaned on me.

Resting her cheek on my shoulder, she looked up with her usual cheerful expression.

“What does it matter? Besides you and me, everyone else can go to hell.”

Though said teasingly, genuine affection rang through her words.

Only I mattered to her; the rest of the world held no significance.

Sighing inwardly,

I thought:

‘This is my sister’s way of showing familial love, perhaps?’

While grateful for her devotion,

a faint melancholy still lingered in my heart.

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