Self Validation (4)

An hour's drive from Tokyo was close to over as my black Toyota RAV4 enter off-roader mode onto the dark gravel path. Among the trees, there was a faint light between them, betraying the isolated house midway on the mountain. 

Not that the night mattered to my eyesight. I glanced at the scrawl on the paper, written by one of my human clients. 

It matched the location where the scenery to the images sent over by my serpent spirit, which had followed Saki. Love spells on yōkai had to be recharged by the onmyoji, especially when it is on a strong yōkai, like Kanamura.

In front of me was a large refurbished traditional one storey Japanese home with a small manicured Zen garden. Judging by its luxurious exterior, this particular onmyoji is wealthy. A glowing magical shield surrounding the house and its entryway. 

Not that it mattered to me, since I kept my human form and used a mortal car to enter. Whoever was in the house was well aware of my RAV4's presence as the gravel cracked under its wheels. 

A young man in a black suit was sitting on the porch as though waiting when my RAV4 entered. He is in his early 20s. His dull, dark brownish eyes looked straight at me. Like those of a dead fish. 

His presence felt vacuous, which was unusual for a human who was usually filled with emotion. He exuded an ambivalence, unlike most who will experience some fear.

I stuffed my Glock into my belt holster as insurance against anything that can go wrong. Magic can only work so far in the mortal realm. If he had hidden more shields around his home, they will be ineffective against physical bullets. 

Opening the car door, I hopped out right in front of him. 

"A Daiyōkai in human form," He said, ignoring the tedious etiquette of introducing himself and greeting someone. "To what do I owe the honor of this visit. My name is Takeshi and you must be Kuro."

With a smirk, I said, "Since you are aware, let's cut to the chase - your client, Matsushita Saki and that love spell."

"That love spell can be undone. Just kill her," Takeshi replied. "And given that you are in the assassin business - it should be easy for you to resolve," he grinned in mischief as he pulled out a folded Shinde Inc.'s pamphlet on the Black Magic Way. 

At such a tender age, he is a very strong onmyoji, which impressed me, except he was cocky with his hints and a tad callous. Yet, I did not recall if he was one of our clients. Yet he projected the mental status of a rather old weary elderly man.

Like a rare sort of human whom I have seen centuries ago. 

"Interesting," I muttered. 

"That we are both business minded? At least, I am surprised that it isn't Saki's boyfriend who wants her dead." he shrugged his shoulders and yawned in boredom. "I would have murdered her a long time ago but there are a lot of stupid males out there even in the yōkai world."

"For a young onmyoji, haven't your teacher taught you that you don't fool around with the Tengu?" I asked.

He threw his head back and started chuckling without fear or dread of me. Either he is mad or his arrogance is so strong that he doesn't give a shit.

Takeshi then raised his eyebrow and said, "Tengu or not, Death will seek me whether I like it."

"Aren't you afraid that I might have ulterior motives?" I coughed politely. 

He looked at me straight in the eye. "If you wanted to kill me, we won't be here talking. I would already be dead by now."

"I could because you already discovered our world," I smirked. 

A smile broke over his face, and the ensuing silence made me uncomfortable. What was he thinking? Seldom humans could make me so uneasy about their existence.

Talking to him reminded me of Kuroha's child centuries ago. The powerful half yōkai onmyoji of the Heian period who wiped out quite a large percentage of my staff. Yet Takeshi did not radiate that same aura which resonated as half yōkai.

"Yōkai need believers in them. To kill any of us who believe in your world is to shred your existence." Takeshi was now being a smart ass with his comment.

"I have seen so many of your kind since I was a child. Some humans think I am a curse of some sort. It doesn't matter if you want to kill me. I just thought that it would be fun to meet a Daiyōkai who drives…," he paused and looked at my black vehicle then said, "a car and interacts with my world."

"Fun can get you killed," I replied.

"I know. But what do they say in English? YOLO - you only live once," he shrugged again, still relaxed sitting on the porch. "Forgive me for the rudeness, but do you want to come in and have some tea or sake?"

"Not staying for long even, but as for Saki…"

"I don't give two craps about some whiny young woman who thinks she is the gods' gift to all. I only care if she can afford to pay," Takeshi said.

"Any way to undo the love spell?"

"Yes. If the yōkai has enough mental strength to break through resistance. He has to realise it himself. That Tengu has been breaking it by instinct at a fast pace. So Saki has to pay up to keep him under control. Otherwise, you can kill her."

"Isn't she your golden goose for now? Laying those golden eggs?"

"True," he said. "But I can't stand her. Besides, she already paid in 35 million yen. Probably given by the Tengu, who is unaware of what she is doing. However, I think her finances are drying up because she is asking for a discount." 

I coughed at that sum. That's perhaps how Sasori or Sojobo found out. While 35 million Japanese yen was spare change to them but it is still a sizeable sum which cannot escape their notice. Throw in a love spell on a Tengu, that's a slap on the Tengu's faces.

"Saki, how much do you know about her?" I asked.

"Well, just some stuck up kid from a well to do middle class family. A university grad who twirled her hair to get a pass in university. Likes to complain about how people pick on her without realising it's her personality. Keeps thinking that she is the hottest chick alive. Would believe everything I say." Takeshi shuddered. "I wouldn't call her dumb since she can reel a Tengu in. But not that clever to play his networks which have sent you in - that's my assumption."

"Smart." I folded my arms. "But you are a kid yourself. Not over 30, I suppose."

"By human or yōkai standards, I am young. Just tired of this life. Spirited away, as you may call it."

"You talk like you are in your 80s," I said. My instincts told me he was hinting at something 

"Well, since you are a Daiyōkai, let me be frank. Heard of isekai?"

"Isekai?" I muttered. "That's like reincarnation, but in another world. Never met one like this but heard of stories. To us, an Isekai-ed human is like a yōkai to the vast majority of humans."

"Great, I am the leprechaun for the yōkai now," he chuckled. 

"Which God would bring you in from your world to Earth then?"

"So you believe that I isekai-ed ," he said, "I am more than willing to pay for information since I think you may have a connection to find out from the gods something I want," Takeshi said. 

"Why not just drop by a shrine? Pick a god and talk?" I asked.

"Well, because I tried and none responded."