Five Turning Points and Setting Out on the Journey

Since the transaction had gone smoothly and the white Mokona was now in Kurama’s possession, it was his turn to pay the price.

Kurama tensed, sitting upright on his knees, his back ramrod straight. At that moment, Yuuko extended a slender, pale hand and gently pressed it to his chest. “Relax. Don’t be nervous, and don’t try to resist. Close your eyes—this won’t cause you any pain...”

The witch’s voice was melodious and magnetic, infused with an ineffable allure and enchantment. Even Kurama, whose will was steadfast, found his mind briefly clouded as her voice softened.

Everything changed in that fleeting moment of his distraction. By the time he regained his senses, Yuuko’s hand had left his chest. In her palm, which had been empty before, now hovered a red orb, about the size of a fist.

“This is your yokai core—the condensed essence of the power that belongs to your demon fox side. Isn’t it beautiful?” Yuuko cradled the orb, her admiration genuine.

Indeed, it was so. The vivid red sphere spun elegantly above her snow-white palm, its strange texture shifting between mist and light, while gold and green energy flickered within—strikingly beautiful, mysterious, and almost mesmerizing enough to draw one’s soul in with a single glance.

Yet Kurama had no leisure to appreciate this beauty born from himself. As a vast amount of his yokai power was drawn out, a wave of emptiness and weakness swept through him with alarming speed.

If not for the small remainder of demonic energy unique to his human form, Shuichi Minamino, Kurama suspected he might have simply collapsed from exhaustion.

To lose over eighty percent of his strength was no trivial matter—especially for one so accustomed to the boundless, surging power that had always filled his being.

The sensation was anything but pleasant. In fact, it was downright miserable.

Closing his eyes, Kurama steadied his breathing, attempting to alleviate the severe discomfort brought on by the abrupt depletion of his power reserves.

Yuuko sat quietly nearby, waiting for him to recover.

His yokai core had already been taken away by the two Mokonas, sealed in a specially crafted box, and stored in the shop’s vault. For now, he had little reason to worry it would be traded away.

Still... nothing in this world was absolute.

Letting out a long breath, Kurama slowly opened his eyes.

“How are you feeling?”

Yuuko, now sipping sake with the slightly bewildered Watanuki by her side, leaned in close the moment Kurama’s eyes opened—the distance between them shrinking to a breath.

Kurama blinked calmly. “I’ve had similar experiences before, so it’s not too difficult to adjust,” he said, his tone even.

“Oh? That’s good. Before your journey begins, would you like a cup of sake? This is top-shelf stuff.”

“Is that so... Then, if you don’t mind, Miss Yuuko.”

“Of course not. Good sake is best enjoyed in company! Watanuki, pour for Kurama—and bring some snacks as well.”

Turning her head, Yuuko gave these instructions as if it were the most natural thing in the world to the bespectacled youth, who stood there looking lost.

Watanuki stared blankly, not responding.

Yuuko raised an eyebrow and, as she so often did, hooked a finger under his chin. “Watanuki?”

That snapped him back. His puzzled gaze flickered between Kurama and Yuuko, and then, as if startled, he jumped up and fled.

Yuuko watched him go, lifting a hand to her chin and flashing a classic witch’s smile. “Pfft—did you see that, Kurama? His reaction was priceless!”

The red-haired demon fox simply smiled in silence at the table.

Doumeki, who had silently played the role of background in the corner of the tatami room, took in the scene and let out a deep sigh.

“Miss Yuuko, please try not to tease him too much,” he said helplessly, rising to follow the direction Watanuki had run.

Thus, only Kurama and Yuuko remained in the room, along with the two Mokonas—one black, one white—huddled together, whispering their final farewells.

“Well, since you’ve sent those two away, Miss Yuuko, is there something you wish to discuss with me?” Kurama, now somewhat recovered from his sudden weakness, still looked pale, but his eyes shone bright once more.

Yuuko met his gaze for several seconds, then unexpectedly reached out to pat his head. “You’re actually... quite upset, aren’t you?”

Kurama stiffened.

He lowered his eyes, saying nothing, but Yuuko’s gaze softened even further.

“You really do remind me of someone I once knew. You appear gentle, easygoing, the sort of good-natured soul who could soothe even the most irritable spirit. But in truth...”

“Inside, you’re more stubborn and cunning than anyone,” Kurama finished with a wry smile. “That doesn’t sound much like a compliment, Miss Yuuko.”

The witch shrugged. “It wasn’t meant to be. It’s just...”

Just that his resemblance to that person stirred an unexpected tenderness in her heart.

“There’s no need to be so disheartened,” she went on, unable to wait any longer to share the words she’d intended to save for his departure. “It’s true your power was traded to me as payment, but... I never said it couldn’t be exchanged for something else in return, did I?”

She hadn’t finished speaking before the demon fox opposite her looked up, eyes alight.

“Do you mean it, Miss Yuuko?”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Why would I lie to you?”

The look on his face, as if she’d just saved his entire life!

“Thank you, Miss Yuuko, truly!” he said, gratitude sincere.

But Yuuko did not accept his thanks so readily this time. “Don’t be too quick to thank me,” she said, waving a hand. “All I said is that your power could be exchanged back—but I never said it would be easy.”

“I understand.” Kurama had calmed down, though joy still flickered in his eyes. “Miss Yuuko, what must I do to retrieve my power? Please, guide me.”

His desire to reclaim his power was more than mere possessiveness—it concerned his survival and safety on the long journey ahead. Only with sufficient strength could he travel freely between worlds without fear of sudden, mortal danger.

Yuuko, seeing his eagerness, answered directly, “It may not be so difficult. What I require is that, in your upcoming journeys, you bring me something from each world that you think I might find interesting, such as...”

“Sake?” Kurama interjected, almost reflexively.

Yuuko shot him a look. “That’s Mokona’s responsibility,” she replied. “As for you... to reclaim such rare and potent power, surely you wouldn’t expect to pay with something as easy to obtain as sake?”

Kurama rubbed his nose with a wry smile.

“Very well. I’ll carefully consider what to offer in exchange. When I find something suitable, I’ll consult you in advance—after all, the two Mokonas can communicate across time and space, can’t they?”

Yuuko nodded. “That’s right.”

After a brief pause, she glanced toward the door—Watanuki and Doumeki still hadn’t returned—and spoke again. “There’s one more thing...”

***

The drinking party stretched on, lively, until sunset. Kurama, though appearing delicate and reserved, surprised even Yuuko with his capacity; together, they polished off several large bottles of sake, only stopping when Watanuki began to look slightly green.

With the end of the party came the inevitable farewell.

Yuuko donned an even more elaborate outfit than before, standing at the center of the courtyard, her gaze solemn as she faced Kurama, whose smile remained gentle.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Then... it’s time to depart.”

Lifting the white Mokona in her hands, Yuuko let it soar swiftly into the air. As it did, a pair of immense white wings unfurled from its back, and a complex magic circle began to rotate rapidly on the ground below.

White Mokona cast a lingering glance at Yuuko and the black Mokona, then suddenly opened its mouth wide and, with a miraculous gulp, swallowed Kurama whole before leaping into the magic circle. And then...

Peace returned to the courtyard.

“Miss Yuuko...” Watanuki stared at the witch, now standing alone, and for a moment felt as though her silhouette was steeped in loneliness.

“Watanuki.” Yuuko turned, her expression calm as she looked at the boy who watched her with a worry even he did not fully understand—impulsive and irritable, perhaps, but at heart, gentle. “This time...”

May fate change.

“Kurama...”

Will you be the one to bring about a turning point?

Yuuko turned her gaze to the sky, where a new moon was rising. And, far beyond her sight, at a place beyond the boundaries of this world, with a soft “pop,” two streaks of light—one red, one white—plummeted from the sky...

Author’s Note: Tail flick~ See, I told you Silver Kurama would never simply disappear! As someone utterly obsessed with beautiful faces (why am I saying this so proudly?!), I would never let our stunning demon fox lord be unable to transform, right? [Clutching my face, rolling on the floor→]

Next up is Kurama and White Mokona’s journey through time and space! Where will their first destination be? All will be revealed in the next chapter xdd

Below is an illustration to soothe your hearts: Kurama in his demon fox form. I think this is from the manga version? The overall tones are a bit blue, but Kurama should be silver-haired and dressed in white... Still, his demon form is breathtaking! I want to marry him!!! [Stop it already!]

Ahem, so... as usual, a preview for the next chapter: The grand debut of the “God of Awkwardness.” Kurama and Mokona are about to arrive in the first world of their journey! Where will it be, and what remarkable things will our demon fox achieve? Stay tuned for the next chapter, “Demon Fox Kurama: The God of Awkwardness Appears!”

P.S. HP is stuck again, I really tried to write, but managed only 500 words in three days qaq Someone save me, I’m in tears...