Chapter 7: The Wound That Will Never Heal

Maria trembled in Yukagori's embrace. Her sobs were soft but piercing to the heart. Yukagori was kneeling in front of her, one hand holding the handle of the umbrella so tightly that her joints were white. Her cold yellow eyes were like ice, staring at the shadow where Domakawari had disappeared.

"You idiot... How did he get here?" Yukagori said in a trembling voice. Even though she was scared to death, she tried to comfort her mistress so that she wouldn't be even more scared.

Yukagori didn't answer. He stared at the shadow with his eyes completely still before tightening his grip on the handle of the umbrella.

"... What did he leave behind?"

Yukagori's eyes widened before he quickly looked down at his surroundings.

On the old wooden floor where Domakawari had been standing earlier—

There was a small crochet doll.

It was a crochet doll that had been meticulously knitted, but its eyes had been gouged out like the black cat from earlier. The stitches were torn and its insides were exposed...

Yukagori trembled so hard she almost screamed but held it in just in time. Maria slowly looked up at the doll before her face turned pale and bloodless.

"That's... my stepmother's doll..."

Her voice trembled.

"Your stepmother?" Yukagori asked softly.

"...she knitted it for me when I was little before... before she passed away."

Yukamari averted her gaze to the wool doll in her hand as if it was dirty before swinging her umbrella and hitting it immediately.

Bang!!

The wool doll was nailed to the wooden floor until it was torn. Black blood slowly seeped out from the stitches.

Yes...

Real blood.

Maria's body trembled even more. Her round eyes widened in fear.

"...it really killed my stepmother, didn't it?"

Yukamari paused for a moment before answering calmly.

"Yes."

"...will it kill me next?"

Yukamari turned back to look at Maria. Her pale yellow eyes were as cold as ice. But there was a subtle gentleness hidden within.

"As long as I'm here... no one can touch you."

"... Yukamari..."

While the three were immersed in silence, the footsteps of Katsumaki and Hiyoshima came from the front of the house.

"Maria-chan~ We're back! I brought you some snacks!"

Hiyoshima opened the door with a bright smile, but that smile slowly disappeared when she saw Maria shivering in Yukagori's arms.

"... Maria?"

Katsumaki paused as well, before quickly putting down the bag of snacks in her hand and walking over.

"What happened?"

Yukagori looked up, her big round eyes welling up with tears, before she said in a trembling voice.

"... Domakawari-san is here."

The room became so quiet that everyone could almost hear their breathing.

Hiyoshima widened his eyes before raising his hand to cover his mouth.

"No..."

Katsumaki clenched her jaw, her red eyes gleaming with anger.

"That guy dared to come here?"

Yukamari nodded slightly before hitting the wool doll on the floor with her umbrella again.

"He intended for Maria to see... He just wanted to have fun."

"You pervert..." Katsumaki gritted her teeth.

Hiyoshima couldn't stop shaking before screaming so loud that her shrill voice echoed outside.

"Does he think Maria-chan is a toy or something!?"

Toy...

Maria trembled as soon as she heard those words.

It was like what Domakawari had whispered in her ear in her dream...

"You're just my toy... No matter how many lifetimes, how many realms, how many times..."

"...I'll make you die in my hands every time."

Maria sobbed uncontrollably. Yukagori hugged her tightly and rubbed her back gently.

"Mistress... It's okay, it's okay..."

But how could it be okay...?

Domakawari didn't just want Maria's life...

It was chasing her memories bit by bit, piece by piece.

Yukamari looked at Maria with an indifferent gaze.

"Are you starting to remember?"

Maria slowly looked up at Yukamari, her eyes welling with tears.

"...I've really died before, haven't I?"

Yukamari paused for a moment, before answering softly.

"Yes... You've died many times."

"...And I've seen you die every time."

Clang...

The sound of Yukamari's umbrella falling to the ground slowly.

The first teardrop of Tsukumogami...

Falling down on the pitch-brown umbrella.

"I won't let you... die in front of me again."

(End of Chapter 7)