The Unknown Curse

Yo, dear readers.

Author here.

First off, huge thanks for all the love and support you've shown this book. I was hoping we could hit 200 powerstones, but you guys went above and beyond. We smashed past 300! Honestly, I thought even 200 was a long shot, so this means a lot.

Seriously, thank you. You're amazing.

That's all for now. Enjoy the chapter!

Peace.

---

There has always been a question that humanity has never been able to answer.

Does God exist?

Countless people have attempted to prove a point—some twisting the truth, others fabricating grand tales passed down through generations. Yet, not a single soul has seen God with their own eyes.

Even I, someone who has died and been reincarnated into this strange world, have no answer. Not once did I meet a divine being, not even in the moment of my death.

So, can faith in something unseen truly exist?

Does God exist?

And more importantly—can the power of belief alone defy my understanding of logic?

Back in my old world, I didn't believe it. Not out of arrogance or defiance, but simply because I couldn't bring myself to trust in something that had no proof of existing.

But now?

Now that I have been thrown into this world, forced to navigate an existence that should have ended, my mind is drowning in questions.

Why me?

Why was I given this second chance?

Is this the afterlife?

And if it is—who or what sent me here?

Because honestly? The uncertainty is beginning to take its toll on me.

---

"Thank you so much for accompanying me today, both of you. I appreciate it."

Nishina gave Hori and me a polite nod. Hori just shrugged, used to walk her home every day. In reality, her words were meant for me—there was no way in hell I'd willingly accompany anyone home otherwise.

We stood in front of her house, right by Ber Ber Nishina, the familiar salon where I'd gotten my haircut.

I wonder if her mother is home. If I see her, I should at least greet her.

"You don't have to mention it," I sighed, Hori nodding beside me.

"By the way, about the club," I continued. "Am I supposed to be in the clubroom every day after class?"

"Ah, yes. But you only need to complete three activities for the week. It's mostly just a formality," Nishina replied.

"Activities?" I raised a brow. "What kind?"

"Oh, nothing serious. Just a few drawings. No need for them to be perfect, either," Hori added with a casual smile. "That's how Takayuki and I have survived in the art club till now."

"That's no way to go about it, Keisuke-kun," Nishina pouted, making Hori flinch as she shot him a disapproving look.

I sighed. So I'd have to draw again, huh? What a hassle. I never enjoyed my drawing lessons. Maybe because my father used to personally tutor me for them.

Just thinking about it annoyed me.

"Oh, you're back, Chitose."

That familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned toward the speaker, immediately recognizing the owner of Ber Ber Nishina—Chitose's mother.

The same motherly warmth radiated from her as before, and once again, I had to admit.

Those tits are amazin–

"Wait, is that you, Kido-kun?!" Her eyes widened as she spotted me, completely ignoring Hori's greeting. Oh no, that got him depressed.

"What a surprise! You guys got acquainted already!"

"Nice to see you in good health, Nishina-san."

The woman stepped out of her shop, her face lighting up with a familiar warmth.

"It's so good to see you all getting along so well. It reminds me of my school days."

Nishina Jr. smiled at her mother, while Hori tried greeting her again. This time, she actually noticed, giving him a kind smile. His face brightened immediately.

They were well acquainted, weren't they?

"So, what's this about? You guys seem quite close now," she mused, her gaze shifting toward me. Then, with a teasing glint in her eyes, she winked.

"I didn't quite take you for a social butterfly."

Nice guess. What gave it away?

"We're acquainted. Hori-kun is in the same class as me," I replied.

"Yeah, I am," Hori agreed, grinning. "Though, Kanzaki-kun was actually the one who introduced us all."

"That sounds like Kanzaki-kun," Nishina-san chuckled, a hand resting near her mouth. "He's such a good kid."

No, that's a lie. He's just a guy with abandonment issues who keeps dragging me into shitty situations.

The conversation continued, with Nishina-san asking Hori about his upcoming trip and Chitose warning him to be careful. I could tell Hori was touched by her concern.

If only he'd stop drooling when she hugged him farewell, it would make him look less pathetic in my eyes.

"It's nice to see you've adjusted well, Kido-kun."

As Hori and Nishina chatted, her mother stepped closer to me, speaking in a gentle tone.

"I'm glad."

I tilted my head slightly. Even now, I couldn't understand why she seemed so concerned about me.

I hadn't done anything to warrant this kindness.

It felt… strange.

"... Why do you say that? Did I seem troubled the first day we met?"

Nishina-san chuckled, her smile soft.

"Not troubled. More like… lost. Like a child separated from his parents, unsure where to go next."

Her words made my eyes widen. She smirked at my reaction.

"Don't look at me like that," she laughed. "I'm a mother. I understand teenagers better than you think."

She let out a sigh, turning her gaze toward Hori and Chitose. Her expression softened, something almost vulnerable flashing in her eyes.

"Kido-kun, would you mind looking after them for me?"

I raised a brow.

"Why? They both seem fine to me."

"I know it looks that way," she admitted. "But I worry. Chitose is a smart girl, but she falls easily to peer pressure. And Hori-kun… he's too in love with my daughter to correct her if she ever makes a mistake."

That, I could agree with.

I hadn't known them for long, but it was easy to picture Nishina messing up and Hori standing by, too afraid to call her out in fear of ruining their relationship.

Seriously. Just confess already. This one-sided crush had dragged on for far too long.

With a sigh, I glanced back at Nishina-san.

"And what makes you think I could do that? I've got my own problems to deal with."

"I know." She smiled—that damn smile that made my chest tighten.

It reminded me of someone.

A face I was beginning to forget…

"I just hope you'll be there to guide them if they ever end up in trouble."

That's a mother for you.

Persistent.

---

By the time I reached my apartment complex, the sky had turned dark.

Is this going to continue all week? I couldn't seem to catch a break in this damn world.

The building where I lived was surprisingly large — far more impressive than you'd expect. It was no mansion, certainly nothing compared to my old man's place, but it was still leagues above the cramped apartment I had back in my previous life.

Yuuto's parents must be rich to afford this for their useless son. It was honestly surprising.

"They even have a lift," I muttered under my breath as I approached the elevator.

My apartment was on the third floor — not exactly far enough to warrant taking the lift, but honestly? Doing any more cardio might as well erase my existence. I wasn't exactly the picture of health, and burning any more calories felt like tempting fate.

As I reached for the button, my fingers brushed against someone else's.

My body went rigid, a sharp chill crawling down my spine — cold enough to feel like ice was seeping into my bones.

"Ah..."

I turned my head, and there she was — my neighbor.

The most beautiful woman I'd seen in this world. Her striking blue eyes widened as she recognized me, her face instantly turning red.

Ugh... This is going to be awkward.

"...Hi?"

"...Hello."

Her voice was soft and awkward, her gaze flickering away as if avoiding eye contact would somehow erase this whole encounter. I didn't blame her. Standing next to a guy who might seem like her stalker? Yeah... uncomfortable.

I had seen her in a vulnerable state, after all — singing alone in her apartment. If someone caught me singing like that, I'd probably fake my own death and disappear.

"Third floor, right?"

"Ah, yes."

We both stepped into the lift, and I pressed the button. The doors slid shut, and the air seemed to grow heavier — or maybe that was just me.

The temperature inside the elevator felt... off. It wasn't just chilly — it was unnatural.

Yeah... she's definitely not normal.

I wasn't entirely sure what she was, but the cold confirmed my suspicions. This woman was a yokai.

"I..."

Her voice pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced at her. She was looking at me now — hesitant, unsure.

"About last night," she began carefully. "Did you... hear me?"

I paused.

"...I did."

There was no point lying — we both knew I had. My answer made her wince slightly, her gaze dropping to the floor. The air grew colder still, the chill nipping at my fingers.

Ah, crap... At this rate, I'm going to freeze to death.

"I-it wasn't... I apologize for—"

"It was a beautiful song, actually."

I cut her off before she could finish. The last thing I wanted was for her to think I'd been spying on her like some creep. The previous Yuuto might've been like that, but I wasn't about to carry on that legacy.

Besides... I'd learned my lesson about older women.

My boss from my past life had taught me one thing — older women are scary.

At my words, her eyes widened slightly. She stared at me, her expression unreadable.

I sighed, looking straight ahead.

"It was filled with longing," I said quietly. "For a moment... I felt like I could understand it."

I paused, trying to pin down the meaning of that song. Huh... maybe I've got a future as a music critic too.

"I don't know what was going through your head when you were singing... but whatever it is you're longing for — I hope you find it someday."

The lift dinged as we reached our floor. Without another word, I nodded politely and stepped out, grateful for the escape.

That was more than enough socializing for one day — hell, for one week. My bed was calling me, and as a senior executive of laziness, I had no intention of postponing this critical appointment any longer.

I was going to sleep now.

For good this time.

---

Mifuyu Yukine was worried.

The world she lived in was cruel to the likes of her. Humans and Youkai coexisted, but harmony was a fragile illusion. Fear still lingered in their eyes, and for creatures like her, fear often turned to hate. Monster, they called her. A being of misfortune.

Even her husband — the man she had given her heart to — had turned away from her in the end.

"I'm home."

She whispered into the empty air.

As expected, no voice answered back. No familiar footsteps greeted her, no warm smile waited at the door. Yukine sighed, setting her bag down and quietly making her way to the bathroom.

It had taken her three months to find this place. A modest apartment complex that accepted her kind. The landlord was a kind man, albeit a little eccentric, but kind nonetheless. She knew he held certain feelings for her. After all, Yukine knew she was beautiful. But she knew better than to let him get too close.

She was still waiting for her husband's return, after all.

Stripping off her clothes, she stepped into the shower. Cold water cascaded over her pale, porcelain skin. It seeped into her bones, yet the chill brought no discomfort.

"It's cold..." she murmured, her voice barely above a breath.

Her gaze dropped to her hands, fingers trembling slightly. How long had it been since she'd last prepared a warm bath for him? Since she'd waited at the door, hoping he'd return home on time, smiling, tired, but happy? Since she had sung for him–those gentle ballads that once made his eyes soften?

What went wrong?

"What am I even doing anymore?"

The words escaped her like a sigh — empty, defeated.

People had told her to move on, to forget the man who had walked away. But how could they understand? How could they possibly know why she couldn't let go?

Because no matter who she loved... it would always end this way.

Calamity followed her kind. No amount of love or effort could change that. She was a Yukionna—a snow woman, a harbinger of sorrow, a being fated to bring misfortune to anyone foolish enough to love her.

Yukine clenched her fists, her fingers digging into her palms. Her breath trembled as memories stirred.

"It was a beautiful song, actually."

That voice — warm yet uncertain—echoed in her mind. Her chest tightened.

How long had it been since someone spoke to her like that? Since someone looked at her without disgust?

"I don't know what was going through your head when you were singing... but whatever it is you're longing for — I hope you find it someday."

He was just a young man, barely reaching her height, yet his words had lingered. Despite her powers cooling the air around her, despite knowing what she was... he hadn't turned away. He'd been a little awkward, a little nervous, but not hateful.

Not like the others.

Her breath hitched. Her hand drifted down, fingers tracing her inner thigh before she froze.

"Mmngh..."

Yukine bit her lip, her face burning. What the hell was she doing? Shame gripped her chest like a vice. She sank down in the shower, curling her knees to her chest as the cold water poured over her.

"...What was that?" she muttered bitterly. "Seriously... I hate this wretched body of mine."

Her voice cracked. She pressed her forehead to her knees, trembling.

Being a Yukionna... really was a curse.

And no matter how badly she wished otherwise... no warmth could ever change that.