Chapter 07

They then arrived after a few minutes of walking. The wooden shack that looks new is actually already more than hundreds of years old. However, it still looks new. And, that's where Grandpa Sai lives.

That old man then opened the door of the house. Inside, there are only a few pieces of furniture. Also a roasted wild boar. Apparently, the old man just roasted it. Seen from the embers that were still burning under the roast pork.

"Sit down, hehehe. What do you want to drink?"

While sitting, Yamato watched the whole house.

"What did you see? There is nothing interesting here."

Grandpa Sai realized that Yamato was observing the whole house. Then, he brought hot tea for Taka and the others.

"Hoho! Look! Green tea five hundred years old!"

Ayakashi's tongue immediately protruded around the teapot. Then, his hand immediately poured tea and then he drank it.

"Huah .. !! Hahahahaha! Really refreshing!"

"Hey, shut up. You want me to hit you?"

Yamato then turned with a look of annoyance at Ayakashi. However, Raku immediately threw it with pieces of gravel.

"You guys want to fight? Do it outside."

Ayakashi and Yamato soon realized what Raku was saying. Then, they immediately grinned as they turned their head towards Taka.

"Sorry hehehe! Too excited."

Ayakashi immediately poured more tea into his cup, and drank it slowly.

"So what's up with you?"

Grandpa Sai asked while reopening the comic he was reading.

"Aah, I just want to know. Don't you feel it too?"

Taka then glared at Grandpa Sai. The old man then turned around while raising his left eyebrow.

"What do you mean? I have nothing to do with your love drama."

"Tch, so you don't feel it? Or, you lied to me?"

"Heesh, I don't want to interfere with your love drama. Yes, I do feel it. But, it disappeared two years ago."

"So, that's right. Then, there is a chance she died?"

"It's possible. But you can be sure first."

Then, Grandpa Sai went back to reading the comic he was holding.

"If the girl dies, you have to wait longer. Maybe, more than a thousand years. That is a long time."

Taka paused while clenching his fingers. Yes, if Hana's reincarnation died, he would have to wait even longer.

"Never mind, calm yourself down. You can swim in the lake. It's been a long time, right? In the past, you used to swim in that lake."

Hearing Grandpa Sai's words, Taka immediately stood up. Then, he took off his shirt and disappeared.

Immediately, Raku took Taka's shirt and followed him. Only Yamato, Ayakashi and Akuma remained.

When Raku arrived at Lake Sai, Taka was already in the water. Stay still. He then walked up to the water as high as his mouth and stopped there.

He then looked back. Staring at Raku who was bowing to him. The man then continued swimming. Dive into the water.

When he returned, Raku was chatting with someone. That's Hana Chibi, a long-necked yokai or, commonly called Rukurokubi.

* Lake Saiko / Lake Sai (西湖) is a lake located at the foot of Mount Fuji, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. One of the five lakes called the Fuji Five lakes, this lake is located in the city of Fujikawaguchiko.

On the south side there is a mysterious forest area of ​​Aokigahara. On the west bank of the lake there are cheap lodging houses (minshuku) and places for camping. Lodging houses and campsites are used for summer camps and youth groups. Among the five lakes of Mount Fuji, this lake is the loneliest lake of tourists.

* Rokurokubi (轆轤 首) is yōkai in Japanese folklore. During the day they look like human beings, but at night they gain strength to extend their necks. They are also able to change their face to resemble oni to make it more scary.

According to folklore, at first the rokurokubi were ordinary people who then bore the results of karma for violating various Buddhist teachings. Usually, the nature of the rokurokubi is creepy, eating humans or drinking blood rather than just scaring them. Rokurokubi like that usually have a favorite food, for example adult human men or people who violate the teachings of Buddhism.

Seeing Taka, the yokai woman immediately stood up. Her face was smiling, while her head was sticking out towards Taka.

"What are you doing, human?"

"Swimming, how about you?"

"Huh? You're not afraid?"

"Hahahahaha, what for?"

Hearing Taka's words, the yokai immediately took a step back, and returned her head.

"He is my master, Taka. He hasn't been here for a long time."

Raku's explanation made the yokai look even more scared. The look on her panic face was clearly visible.

"Come on, let's go back. It feels so refreshing in here."

Raku then gives Taka's clothes that she is holding. And followed the to Grandpa Sai house with Hana Chibi.

When they arrived, Ayakashi, Yamato, Akuma and Grandpa Sai were busy roasting wild boar. They look happy while drinking wine.

"Are you hunting again?"

Yamato then turned to the origin of the voice that asked. He then smiled and looked happy.

"Yes, hehehehe, this is a happy place!"

However, not for Hana Chibi. She was surprised to see them. Especially seeing a demon like Yamato, Ayakashi, and Akuma. She then turned to Raku.

"They are my friends."