Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

For Momo, it was amusingly endearing how the simplest things would fluster Okarun so much. Like hand holding. A thing all couples did. A thing she wanted to do, and she knows he wants to as well, with his shy attempts to reach for her hands. 

And when they do, it’s nice. 

His touch is gentle and timid, a sharp contrast to Momo’s confident and affectionate grasp. And sometimes, his grip would tighten, as if there was a desperation to hold her, to keep her hand in his. 

And while Momo would notice that clear want, he was always the first to let go, often quickly, as if the flusteredness of such a simple touch was too much. 

On some level, Momo was impatient. 

Of all the things they’ve gone through, holding each other, Okarun often ending up on top of her (even nude once!), and just how much physical contact they have; holding hands was apparently too much? 

Momo thinks it should be the easiest thing. 

But she also considers that this is a first for Okarun. 

His first friend. 

His first crush and love. 

And now his first girlfriend. 

There’s a lot he’s easing himself into learning and adjusting. 

And she’ll take their baby steps as wins. She likes it when he gathers the courage to hold her hand, likes it when he matches her in grip and want, as if he was touch starved and her hand alone gave him all he wanted. And she genuinely liked holding his hand. She could feel the strength he developed in his hand, but he always held her so gently, as if afraid to break it. 

In comparison to her first boyfriend, that stupid tuna, this was so much nicer. Momo recalls she got jerked and dragged along instead of simply just enjoying the touch and moment together. 

But she does with Okarun, at least when he’s able to hold her hand. 

And one day soon, she knows it’ll be natural. That Okarun will be comfortable and confident enough to do so, she just has to be patient. 

God knows he has endless patience for her and her antics. 

It seems though, that this night, with the moon full and bright, her wants were answered, though not entirely how she wanted them to be. 

Stepping out of the maid cafe, she wasn’t surprised to find Okarun waiting for her. She was surprised to see him in his yokai form, white hair blowing in some unnatural wind, staring out into the world vacant like there was nothing he truly saw before him. 

“Okarun?” she prompted, drawing near.

Lazy red eyes slid her way before he turned to face her. “Done?” he asked in his deep drawl. 

“Yeah, but why are you transformed?” 

He heaved out the loudest sigh. “It’s my moon time…” 

“Oh, right,” Momo said, glancing up at the full moon. Grandma confirmed that yokai strength did echo the lunar phases, growing stronger during full moons, and for Okarun and Aira, it meant their yokai power would manifest and transform them out of their control. 

As the full moon often came out during the night, there haven’t been that many issues with this. At least, not on Momo’s end. She can’t speak for their own home life. 

Momo had a start as Okarun reached out, his hand coming to touch her lightly, impatient to hold her hand but waiting for that permission. With a beam, Momo laced their fingers, and Okarun quickly engulfed her hand with his larger hand and held with gentle tightness, like she was some treasure that could be stolen from him. 

It dawned on Momo that this was the first time she held his hand in his yokai form. His hand was bigger, easily dwarfing hers, and his fingers were longer as were his nails. Momo didn’t feel uneasy with his hold like this, he was just as gentle as any other time. 

In spite of initiating the touch, Okarun stood still, seemingly content to just stand around and hold her hand. 

“Shall we?” Momo asked. 

Okarun just hummed, staring at her.

Used to him staring at her openly in this form, Momo led the way, starting to fill the air with chatter. 

“I think the plan tonight was crab, but knowing Grandma and Turbo Granny, they probably ate it all.” Momo made a face at the likely true fact. But that was how it was in the Ayase home. At meal time, it was a first come, first serve. 

“Bummer,” Okarun replied. 

“Are you hungry?” Momo asked. 

“I could eat…” 

Momo bounced about giddily, Okarun’s arm jerking and moving about with her as he refused to let go. “Then let’s go eat our own crab!” 

“Sounds good, yo.” 

Okarunw as nearly toppled over in Momo’s rush for food, having just the place in mind. They got themselves a booth, placed their order, and Momo started to go off for the events of her work day, still holding hands with Okarun much to her glee. 

Despite dating for a near month, Okarun was not able to hold her hand for long, so this was rather nice. 

Until the food came. 

“Mmmm, that smells so good,” Momo declared in delight, drooling at the steaming red crab legs before her. “Thank you very much!”  she declared and was ready to start pick up a leg—  

— only to find one of her hands isn’t free. 

It was still, quite firmly, in Okarun’s grasp. 

“Okarun, I need my hand,” Momo stated, giving him a dangerous look while she tried to tug her hand free. 

“But I missed you, Momo-chan,” he replied, ignoring her glare and refusing to let go. 

“You can hold my hand after dinner,” Momo said, now trying to grapple his hand off of hers. 

No one will come between an Ayase and their food… 

Okarun groaned. “That sounds like a long time to wait, yo.” 

“Dinner won’t take that long!” Momo snapped, baring her teeth at him.

Okarun was unphased. He replied, “It will be for me…” 

“Okarun! I don’t need this right now!” 

She was just starting to consider biting his hand outright when Okarun shifted, sliding around their curved booth to sit next to her, his free hand coming to her crab legs. Momo was about to go feral at the thought that Okarun was going to steal her food when his long nail slid over the shell, cutting the leg open and revealing the steaming meat within. 

Momo drooled. 

Oh, it looked so good… 

“Does that help?” he asked.

Momo licked her lips, but turned to him to stress, “I still need two hands to eat.” 

“What if I fed you, yo?” 

Momo went stiff, her cheeks starting to blush. She turned away, suddenly feeling a little shy. “Um, I guess we could try?” she shyly agreed. 

With his free hand, he used a fork to pluck some meat free and offered it to her. Momo took, humming in delight as the flavor danced on her tongue. And by the small, happy sound from the small little gesture, a switch seemed to go off in Okarun’s head. He suddenly perked attention, watching intently as she ate.

Not that Momo noticed, too happy having some crab. 

When she opened her eyes, he had another piece ready for her. 

No way Momo was going to refuse. 

But, after a few bites of bliss, she came to realize Okarun wasn’t eating at all, he was just focusing on feeding her. 

Not taking the offered food, she asked, “Aren’t you going to eat?” 

“After you,” he replied, still waiting for her to accept the next bite. In truth, even if there was a twinge of hunger, he was ready to bring his plate over and keep feeding her. Instinctively, it just felt right. 

Momo narrowed her eyes at him. “But you were hungry, weren’t you, Okarun?” 

“Yes,” he confirmed, waving the fork about, trying to tempt her to keep eating. 

“Then eat your crab.” 

“But you had a full day of work.” 

Momo plucked the fork from his fingers, turning it to him, pressing the meat to his lips. “How about I take a turn feeding you?” 

Okarun went stiff. 

Oh my, Momo thought, that is the most torn expression she’s ever seen on yokai Okarun’s face. 

And torn he was. 

The thought of Momo feeding him shot delight and warmth through him, but there was a need to offer her food, to feed and provide for her. An instinct to insist that this was what he must do, even as hunger poked at the back of his mind, the want to feed and provide for her was stronger. To prove to his heart’s desire that he could provide. That he was reliable. As much as he loved her offering him food in return, offering her own promise to care for him, he really wanted to be the one to stress this message. 

As Okarun tried to work through his inner turmoil, Momo had only so much patience for his struggle before she turned the fork around and ate the crab herself. 

That seemed to jolt Okarun out of his dissonance, gawking slightly at her choice before slouching over in defeat. “What a bummer…” he bemoaned. 

He missed his chance to feed and provide for her. 

He missed his chance to be fed by her. 

How terrible. 

He wanted to go home…

“Don’t be so dramatic,” Momo scolded lightly, rolling her eyes at him. At least her hand was free, and she took the chance to handle her own crab legs how she wanted. Plucking the meat out, she offered it to him again, watching his red eye flicker to attention. “Are you going to eat it this time?” 

He eyed the offered crab for a few seconds, torn again between wants and instinct, before deciding that wants mattered more. 

And this was what she wanted. 

Who was he to refuse her? 

He sat up and grasped her hand again, accepting the crab, his lips tickling her fingers. It sent a slight pleasant tingle up Momo’s arm.  

Momo beamed, satisfied that she got him to eat and for the slight kiss on her fingertips. 

Only for that satisfaction to falter when she realized she couldn’t move her hand. Okarun had it once again, and refused to let go. 

“Okarun!” she half whined, half scolded. 

“I want more food, Momo-chan,” Okarun lightly demanded, opening his mouth expectantly. 

“I need both my hands!” she snapped. 

“But I want to hold your hand, Momo-chan.” 

“Okaruuuun!”

Chapter Text

Okarun was drowning. 

Rather happily, he should say. 

He was laid out on her soft bed, her on top of him, her weight comfortable and familiar, devouring him like she had been starved and he was a long awaited meal. Her lips were a constant on his, pressing, licking, nipping. Her hot breath washed over him. Her hands would grip and tug at his hair. 

It was overwhelming. 

Dizzying. 

And Okarun could only grip at her, clinging tightly as he rode out the rush of her affection and desire. 

Even if he was getting lightheaded and drunk on the affection, it was bliss. 

He gasped for a breath as she withdrew, a break in the waves, but one that didn’t last long as she brought another down on him. This time, a kiss at his ear, and in his drunkful bliss, he breathed out her name. He didn’t know how he referred to her, but she rewarded him for whatever he uttered. Her teeth brushed against his ear in a light nip. 

A jolt went through him, and between it and his dizziness and being lightheaded, he shifted and shuddered, finding a ground to settle on in this ocean of euphoria. 

Momo went still at his shift, moving to sit up but he clung tight to her, refusing to let her move away. She peered down at the now white haired boy, watching him breath heavily, feeling his iron grip on her hips. 

“Okarun?” she asked. “You ok?”

He was panting a little, his foggy mind grasping at some clarity. “Yeah, I am, just needed a minute, yo.” He was an awkward fellow, after all,  there’s only so much of her he could take. 

“We can take a break,” Momo offered, hands resting on his chest. 

She squeaked when he suddenly sat up, her now fully in his lap, his nose pressed against hers while his red eyes bore down into her wide ones. It was probably the most intense look she’s ever gotten from Okarun in this form. In a deep voice full of want he uttered, “Absolutely not.” 

Momo gulped a little, feeling a flicker of warmth under his gaze and voice. Her hand went up, running along his jaw to weave through his hair. His gaze softened and he leaned into her touch, sighing out a heated breath. 

“How about you set the pace?” Momo proposed. 

Okarun claimed the offered lead, capturing her lips with his own hunger, pouring back all she brought down on him. 

But unlike her, he was slower, more languid. Momo did try to speed it up, unconsciously trying to reclaim control, but Okarun wouldn’t relinquish it. She had laid it out for grabs and he wasn’t going to let it go so easily, not right now. He held that control as tight as he held her, keeping the pace where he wanted, losing himself in the taste and softness of her, the sounds she made, the movement of her body, and how her hands would pull at his hair. 

He was getting drunk again, but not as lost as before. 

He drew away, moving to latch onto her own ear, going teeth first. He clutched her tightly as she pressed into him, gasping. 

He licked it soothingly, moving to go down her neck, worshipping her as she tilted her head back, letting him have as much as he wanted. 

And moving to the crook of her neck, he couldn't entirely say what possessed him to do so. He wasn’t sure if this was a yokai instinct or even his own, but he bit down, hard. 

“Ow!” 

By her singular yelp, he was back to his senses, the ocean of bliss gone and all he could taste was the bit of blood in his mouth. 

One that horrified him. 

He scrambled away, getting to see the teeth marks he left before Momo reached up to cover it, wincing. 

“Geez, Okarun, did you have to bite that hard?” she grumbled.

“I, I, I’m so sorry, Miss Ayase!” he cried out, falling down from her bed in his scattered attempt to get away, horrified in what he did. “I don’t know what came over me! I, I shouldn’t have done that—”

He was about ready to run away and keep himself from her when she grabbed him by the back of the shirt with her power. 

 “Okarun!” she snapped, making him stiff and at attention. “It’s ok—”

“No it isn’t!” he pushed back, whipping around to face her, and gosh, he could see a bit of blood smeared on her neck. “I, I hurt you…”

He was never supposed to hurt her. 

Especially not as a yokai. 

And he never thought he would. 

There was a flicker of an instinct in him that offered a reason, a mark to show his “claim”, his “ownership”. 

He felt gross in acting it out. 

As much as he would want to cling, Miss Ayase was not someone for him to “own”. 

What was wrong with him?

Momo didn’t share his upset, much to his frustration. She got out of bed and came to stand next to him, frowning as she looked upon him. He wouldn’t dare face her. 

“Okarun,” she started off, watching him stiffen. “I am ok. It was a hard love bite, but that’s nothing to what I’ve seen your mouth do. You’ve cleaned off an alien’s fingers like it was nothing! That was gentle from you in that form.” 

Not so gentle to not draw blood, he thought sullenly. 

“There’s nothing gentle or gentlemanly about that,” Okarun protested, his hand coming up to block his face, too ashamed to face her. 

“It’s fine—”

“It’s not fine! You’re bleeding!” he rounded on her, taking her hand away to look at the bite, and winced. 

There was enough blood covering it that he couldn’t even see how deep or bad it was. And he was baffled that Momo just didn’t share his concern over this. It was no mere little “love bite”. That was a bonafide chomp he did to her shoulder! 

“Okarun,” Momo tried to protest. 

“It looks so bad,” he insisted, “we, we should get it cleaned. Maybe get you to a hospital?”

“”Okarun.” 

“I’ll carry you there, I promise I won’t do anything else to hurt you—”

Momo was fed up. “Ok, you know what!” Momo snapped, “How about some payback!” 

“Huh?” was all he was able to utter before Momo pulled his shirt down to reveal the crook of his shoulder and she bite him back .

“Miss Aya— AH, Momo!” he yelped, hit by pain and some odd inkling of pleasure? Some sort of fire running through his veins he has no way to explain. 

And then she started to lick and kiss at the wound and his knees almost gave out underneath him. 

She drew away, licking her lips, turning her rosy brown eyes his way. Okarun’s body moved on its own, pulling her close and delivering a heated kiss. When he broke away, his nose brushing against hers, she mumbled against his lips, “I’m not hurt, nor am I upset with you. It’s ok.” 

He nodded, a little eased, though his gaze lingered on the mark he left. Taking a page from her, he dipped down to kiss and lick the wound, hearing her suck in a breath, gripping him tightly. It was a quiet apology for him to offer, since she would fight a verbal one. He wasn’t entirely put at ease, but he could at least do this. 

He will though later confess his transgressions to Ayase-san, and accept whatever punishment she deals out. 

Chapter Text

At times, Okarun has felt that his life has just gone bizarre.

Well, it truly has. 

Getting cursed by a yokai.

Getting confirmation about aliens. 

Discovering a super powerful girl who loves him just as much as he adores her?

It's wild.

But despite it all, one thing that has remained to be strange to him was Miss Ayase swooning every time she heard his name. And it was swooning not for him, but another man. An actor she adores, and Okarun doesn't quite know how to deal with it. 

There’s some odd glee to the effect his name can have on her, and then there’s the jealousy that it’s not him. 

A part of him wonders if she would one day swoon for him— 

His thoughts were lost as her fingers weaved through his hair, pulling at the strands and tickling his scalp. 

Okarun relaxed back, leaning into her touch and settling himself on her, her stomach acting as his pillow. Normally he'd be too flustered and self conscious to do so, but how can he help himself when her touch feels so good , and she smells delightful , and is so warm …

Miss Ayase shifted and shuffled, uttering nonsense with her mouth full of food, throwing a fist with her free hand about as she got into the movie. There was some sort of action sequence happening, but Okarun couldn’t bring himself to watch, just caught up in being surrounded by her and how comfy he was. 

And when her nails lightly scratched at his scalp, a hum rumbled out of him. Gosh, he was about ready to just fall asleep.

Until there was a prickle on his skin, unpleasant enough to jar him out of his comfort. His eyes snapped open, blazing red and alert. His nose twitched like he could smell the disturbance past Momo, which he couldn’t, being so close, everything about her was too strong. 

But he could feel it . 

And there was a rumble of ire for the audacity of its appearance. 

Quiet and fluidly, he withdrew from Momo, startling her. 

“Huh, what’s up, Okarun?” Momo asked, reaching for him as if she wanted to pull him back. 

As tempted as he was, and as much as he wanted to sink back down into her, the prickle on his skin was stronger, and the agitation running through his veins felt like a fire that called to go. Not turning to her to show off his eyes, he said as evenly as he could, “I just need to use the bathroom real quick, Momo-chan.” 

Caught up in these sensations, it didn’t click for Okarun that he wasn’t transformed yet, and had used her name as he was. 

He missed Momo’s gawk after him. 

No, he was more caught up in what was outside, lingering around the torii gate. He fully shifted then, his anger manifesting at the arrogant sight. He leapt forth, landing on top of the torii gate, startling the yokai below by the intense bloodlust coming from above. 

A six tailed fox looked up at him with sharp yellow eyes. 

“The hells are you?” the kitsune questioned, backing away slightly, not liking the haunting shine of the big round glasses locked on him, a head a big mass of flaming shadows. 

“The hells you doing here?” Okarun echoed back, his maw opening up with an angry hiss. 

The wary kitsune took a step back, a little unnerved. “There’s a delightful smell of peach around here, I wanted it.” Just the thought had the kitsune lick his lips. “Is that your peach? Think you can share? I’ll just take a little bite…” 

Okarun’s answer was to dive down, biting into one of the long, streaming tails. The kitsune shrieked in pain and an alarm, racing away, now five tails. The lost tail wiggled and squirmed in Okarun’s maw before it went limp. Spitting it out, Okarun raced after the fox, the hunt was on. 

Caught up in said hunt, he didn’t realize Momo had followed him outside, seeing him chase after a kitsune. 

“Okarun!” she cried out, but her call fell on deaf ears. She was about to go race after them when Turbo Granny grumbled behind her. 

“If he’s going to have some silly territory dispute, he can have the decency to kill that kitsune quietly !” 

Momo turned, seeing her grandmother come join her outside, Turbo Granny on her shoulder. 

“Territory dispute?” Momo asked. 

“Yokai like to claim territory,” Seiko revealed, “often it’s a place where what's important to them resides.” Seiko grimaced. “I wondered if he was going to try and make this his turf.” 

“Egotistical of him,” Turbo Granny spat, “clearly this is my turf as I’m the bigshot around here, and I actually live here!” 

“Okarun literally has all of your power right now,” Momo pointed out. 

“Shut up!” 

Seiko sighed. “I’ll put some wards up to discourage yokai visits. Last thing I want is to tempt Okarun to haunt our home trying to scare off yokai.”

“...He wouldn’t do that, would he?” Momo asked. 

“Of course he would!” Turbo Granny proclaimed. “He’s not a human right now, he’s a yokai. He’s been spilling his own ki around here, yucking it up, making him sensitive to what comes and goes!” 

Seiko confirmed, “If enough yokai come by, then yes, he will want to stay here all the time.” 

Well, that didn’t sound that bad to Momo. Technically Okarun would be one of their better housemates. And she wouldn’t mind spending more time with him… 

Seiko saw that thought process start to roll. 

“Absolutely not,” Seiko shot down. “That’s going to feed into the yokai nature, make him less human, and make it harder to turn him back. We need to put a stop to this now.”

Momo winced. Yeah, that wouldn’t be good. 

Sharply, Seiko yelled, “Four Eyes! You better not be dragging some dead kitsune’s tails into my home!” 

Momo looked, seeing Okarun pause near the torii gate, indeed having a few tails in his maw. He quickly dropped them at Seiko’s shout. 

Momo squinted at Okarun, confused on why he was bringing bits of yokai back. 

Turbo Granny scoffed. “He wanted to present his prize to you.” 

…Yeah, Momo didn’t need that. 

Okarun lumbered in, his red eyes gliding over all of them before settling on Momo. 

Only for Seiko’s sharp clearing of the throat to draw his gaze to her. “I’m going to start putting in a curfew for you, Four Eyes.” 

“What?!” Momo cried out in protest. 

“Bummer,” Okarun drawled, slouching in defeat. 

“I don’t need two teenagers spending most of the night together!” Seiko declared. 

“We’re just watching a movie together, you hag!” Momo snapped. 

“I saw you cuddling!” 

“We’re dating!” 

“Exactly my point! It can escalate!” 

“And this isn’t your territory to defend!” Turbo Granny shouted, not caring for the squabble between grandmother and granddaughter. 

“It kinda is my turf though, yo,” Okarun insisted, a dangerous edge in his voice as he settled a glare on Turbo Granny. 

“You don’t even live here, you brat!” 

“Well I was here before you,” Okarun replied. “I have a better claim here than you do.” 

Turbo Granny launched at Okarun, ready to claw at his face. As an agitated yokai, Okarun for once was ready to literally bite back. Seeing that he was about to bite Turbo Granny and uncertain if she’d be able to take it, Momo quickly grabbed them both and separated them. 

Okarun immediately went limp as Momo held him by the back of his shirt. 

Turbo Granny thrashed and spat in Momo’s hold. 

“Curfew starts tonight!” Seiko declared with firm authority. 

“But our movie!” Momo protested. 

“You can finish it without him! And you! You get yourself home, Four Eyes.” 

“Man,” Okarun sighed. 

“Hahaha!” Turbo Granny cackled, “Getting kicked out of your own territory, Brat? Told ya it was mine!” 

Okarun growled back at her, much to her smug glee. 

“Turbo Granny! This isn’t your turf either,” Seiko snapped, making a point to bring her bat down on the front porch, drawing both yokai eyes to her. “This is mine.” 

Neither yokai could deny that. Both, rather nervously, agreed to Seiko’s official claim. 

Chapter Text

As Momo got ready for the day, she absently had noted that the full moon was still out in the bright blue sky, lingering despite the passing dawn. For the early morning, she hadn’t thought much about it. Sometimes the moon lingered in the day. That’s just what the moon does. 

She was, rather literally, hit with Turbo Granny being more riled up than she usually was. She leapt at the passing Momo from a bookcase, yowling that Momo’s breakfast was going to be her’s! The ignited squabble was only broken up by Vamola rushing over and getting a hold of the antsy cat, chiding the grouchy Turbo Granny for starting a fight.

And for once, Turbo Granny was thrashing in Vamola’s grasp, far more restless than she normally was. Normally she was complacent in Vamola’s grasp, so it was… odd to see.

And despite seeing the full moon in the blue sky and Turbo Granny being extra rowdy, it didn’t cross Momo’s mind what this could all mean. 

She was far more crossed and focused on the sudden rough housing and messing up her attire. Her clothes all rumbled. Her hair was askew. She looked terrible. 

Momo inhaled breakfast as quickly as she could, ignoring Grandma’s frustration at her not taking time to enjoy it, and hurriedly tried to fix the mess Turbo Granny caused. She couldn’t do much for her hair, having so little time, and accepted that she’d have to attend school with a bad bedhead. 

Only to pause at the entryway of her home, seeing a familiar white haired yokai boyfriend awaiting her by the torii gate. 

“Okarun?” she proclaimed surprise. 

“Momo-chan, I missed you,” he greeted easily, hand coming up to adjust his glasses. “Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?” 

Momo gasped in full offense, rushing up to start pounding him with her fist. “How dare you! That is so rude! I didn’t need to hear that this morning!” 

“But I like it,” Okarun protested, leaning back and taking the half-hearted blows to the chest, honestly, barely feeling them. He did coo aloud, “It’s cute.” 

“But not at school,” Momo bemoaned, slouching against him. 

“Bummer,” Okarun agreed, his hand coming up and reaching for her.  

Momo shot up, bouncing away from Okarun and pacing about in her upset, dodging the reaching hand that wanted to comfort and hold her. “It’s Turbo Granny’s fault! She just attacked me this morning, wanting to fight me for breakfast!” Before Okarun could reply, Momo continued, “Which is so weird. She’s just been so antsy this morning, and you’re here and transformed!” 

“I missed you,” he repeated. 

“Yeah, I know. But why are you transformed—”

Momo then saw the bit of white in the sky, turning to focus on the distant, full moon. 

“Oh,” she uttered, feeling dumb. That’s right, the moon empowers yokai, meaning Okarun was transformed for today… Momo turned to him warily. “Are you going to school today?” 

“Yes. I ran over to see if you wanted a lift to school.” 

“I’ll take it,” Momo said, “but maybe you should skip.” 

“But I want to spend the day with you, Momo-chan,” he replied, leaning forward to nuzzle her with his big black mouth. 

Momo pushed it back, she refused to be swayed by nuzzles. “You can’t go to school like this!” 

“Then we could skip today, yo,” Okarun suggested, making it clear he was set to spend time with her today. 

Momo hummed at that. That was kinda tempting… 

“No skipping school!” Grandma shouted at the door, glaring at them. “If you do, I'm holding your Ken Takakura dvds hostage!” 

“Hag!” Momo snarled. 

“Bummer,” Okarun mumbled. 

“Uh, let’s just get to school,” Momo grouched, climbing onto Okarun’s back. “Vamola!” she shouted. “Let’s go!” 

“Takakura!” Vamola cried in greeting, running up to join them. She beamed as she was greeted with a gruff, “Yo,” and hopped on behind Momo, wrapping her arms around Momo’s waist, at the ready. 

Okarun took off, racing all the way towards Kami High. As they neared it, Momo cried out, “Stop!” 

He did as bid, skidding to a stop, nearly sending them past the road straight to school. 

Momo hopped off, helping Vamola down. “We’ll walk from here,” she declared. “I don’t want anyone seeing you give us a piggyback ride.” 

“That wouldn’t be the worst thing anyone’s seen from us, yo,” Okarun replied. 

“Uuuuh, don’t remind me of that!” Momo snapped, giving that big black maw a shove. 

“My bad,” Okarun offered. Then tensed. 

Momo and Vamola both squeaked as Okarun grabbed them and leapt away, narrowly dodging the fist that was aiming at them. Looking over, Momo proclaimed, “Evil Eye!” 

“Hi, Jiji!” Vamola greeted with an excited wave. 

The Evil Eye stood, peering at them with a mad smile. “We’re going to play, Okarun?” 

“Yo, it’s Monday,” Okarun said. 

“But I’m out.” 

“But it’s Monday.” 

“But we’re both here.” 

“It’s a school day, yo.”

“Tuesday is also a school day you know,” Momo pointed out. 

“Momo-chan you’re bumming me out.” 

“I’m just pointing out that you picked a school day for your fights.” 

“It was just the first day that came to my mind,” Okarun reasoned, pleading slightly for Momo to let it go. 

Pink hair rushed forward, wrapping around Evil Eye’s wrist, catching his attention. They all looked over to see Aira glaring at them, drawing near to join them. “Evil Eye, you’re not picking a fight with Takakura-kun, are you?!”

“We both out,” Evil Eye stated, like it was obvious. 

“As the leader I forbid it!” 

Evil Eye narrowed his eyes. “You’re not the boss of me.” 

“If you come at me, we’re going to skip the fight this week,” Okarun stated, his maw clacking teeth to stress the point. 

“What?!” Evil Eye cried out in outrage. 

“Ok, while you two sort this out, Vamola and I are going to head to school,” Momo said, taking Vamola’s hand. “Morning, Aira!” 

“Nice bedhead, Momo,” Aira teased, her maw mashing teeth in amusement. 

“Shut it!”

“Messy,” Vamola agreed, poking at a loose strand. 

“Momo-chan, I want to go to school holding your hand,” Okarun pleaded, reaching for her. 

Momo quickly dodged him, snapping, “No way! You’re not going to let go!” 

“WHAAAT!”

Momo had a start as the air whipped around her, Aira suddenly in her face, clashing her teeth. “You and Takakura-kun held hands?!” 

“Aira, we’re dating!” Momo stressed, waving her hands about. 

“And I refused it!” 

“You literally have no say in this!” 

“If I start a fight with you, you have to fight me anyway!” Evil Eye snapped, rushing at Okarun. 

“No way, yo,” Okarun drawled, leaping away.

“Hey, I said no fighting!” Aira snapped, turning to the two. 

“Come on, Vamola! If we hurry we can escape!” Momo exclaimed, taking Vamola's hand and running away. Vamola just smiled, enjoying the chaos of this morning. Made it a very festive Monday.

It was only ten minutes into the first period and Momo was already exhausted. 

And it was the two yokai youths near her.

Okarun managed to bring Evil Eye to her class, and then tried to stay, wanting to go so far to sit on the ground and try to rest his head on her lap. Flustered, Momo “grabbed” Okarun and booted him out, face red at the few students that got to see him.

But Okarun didn't leave.

He stood outside the classroom window, staring at her and occasionally glaring at the Evil Eye for the audacity to be in Momo’s class. 

She glanced at the other yokai youth, finding he was sticking his tongue, drawing odd doodles on his notes. She mentally noted she'll have to share her notes with Jiji later, if she can focus in class.

Cause it was hard when your boyfriend was being so openly desperate. 

And the whole class could see it. 

To quote her boyfriend, she wanted to go home. 

“Is he really going to skip class waiting for you?” Miko wondered, sparing Okarun a glance. 

“He should be taking notes for us to copy,” Muko grumbled half heartedly. She then teased, “But I guess it's worth it seeing how much he looooves you.” 

“Shut up,” Momo grumbled, glancing over, seeing Okarun now slouching against the glass, staring at her. 

She could hear the girls in class whispering and gushing while the guys snickered. This did not help. What was Okarun even doing? He should be going to his own class!

Finally, the teacher spotted her boyfriend leaning against the class window. After a moment of gawking, she went out, snapping, “Mister Takakura!” 

Momo couldn’t stop the elated jolt she felt at the surname. 

Okarun slowly turned to her, giving the teacher a lazy eyeball. 

“Head to your own class this instant!” 

“But Momo-chan—” Okarun started to protest. 

“Is in class as you should be!”

Momo reached out, her “hand” going out and pushing Okarun to his class. 

“OK, OK, I'll go,” Okarun grumbled. 

But he went slowly .

Momo wasn't sure if it was out of reluctance or spite. Not in the mood for either, she pushed him along to hurry him up, ignoring his grumbles as he was ushered along. 

In Okarun's class, he ignored the chastising teacher to go and immediately slump at his desk, feeling so tired now that Momo was out of sight. He didn’t want to be here, he would rather go home. Or just be with Momo. It was agonizing knowing she was just down the hall from him. If he really wanted to, he could throw his weight around, he could be in there or carry Momo out. They could skip school and spend the whole day together, lounging, eating, kissing… 

“Ew, you’re drooling.” 

Was he? 

Okarun sat up, finding he was salivating a little from his black maw. A big tongue slid out to flick over his maw. 

“Disgusting,” Mai declared, turning to a blushing Rin. “You find this attractive?” 

“Vampire,” Rin mumbled, moving to bite at her pencil, still not quite able to deal with Okarun’s cursed form. 

Mai sneered, turning to him in a jealous fit. “You’re gloomier than usual today. Couldn't leave it at home, could you?” 

“Mai,” Rin hissed, “leave him alone.” Glancing at the teacher, Rin whispered, “I’m sorry, Takakura-san, I don’t know why, but she’s been a little… mean-spirited today.” 

“It’s good, yo,” Okarun eased, slouching back on his desk, sighing out clouds of smoke. “The full moon’s out today, that means all yokai get a boost of power.” 

“Power!” Vamola parroting. 

“Is that why you’re transformed?” 

“Yeah.” 

“A-are you going to be ok?” 

“Maybe,” he drawled.

Rin sent a frantic look over at the teacher before she leaned over, asking, “What’s wrong.” 

“I miss Momo-chan,” Okarun bemoaned. 

Mai rolled her eyes. 

Rin reached over, awkwardly giving him a few pats. “It’ll be break time before you know it?” 

“That’s going to take forever…” 

“There, there,” Vamola said, mimicking Rin's patting.

Momo had barely stepped out of class when a big, black maw pressed against her in a needy nuzzle. 

“Okarun!” Momo protested, pushing back on him. 

“But I missed you, Momo-chan.” 

“Aaaw,” Miko and Muko cooed. 

“Shush!” Momo hissed. 

“Okarun! Can we play now?” Evil Eye asked, coming to loom behind the two girls. 

“No, I want to spend lunch with Momo-chan,” Okarun stated, near growling in his impatient irritation.

“Okarun?” Momo asked, surprised by the tone. She’s never heard him to agitated in this form. 

Okarun's reply was picking the startled Momo up and dashing away, leaving her friends and Evil Eye in his wake.

“Wha! Okarun!” Momo protested, “Who's going to watch Evil Eye?!”

“Aira,” Okarun answered immediately.

Well, she was most likely going to. She wasn't going to tolerate him being unsupervised. And that's what Okarun was counting on. 

Okarun didn't stop until they were in a secluded section of the school garden. A place he found he could work out in privacy. And now he can settle here with Momo in privacy. He perched himself on a log, settled Momo in his lap and sighed. Now this was what he wanted for today.

“You do realize neither of us have food, right?” Momo voiced immediately, not settling down to cuddle like he wanted.

Okarun hummed at that, feeling a twinge of hunger, but not enough to want to move. His maw deteriorated, letting him deliver an affectionate kiss on her cheek. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Yes.” She got up, offering her hand. “How about we get something from the cafeteria to split?”

Okarun immediately latched onto her hand, and Momo noted to try and find something that wouldn't require two hands. She's accepted the reality that she’d get her hand back when Okarun was ready to give it back. 

This was just her life now. 

Her hands were not her own anymore. 

They barely reached the cafeteria when Okarun suddenly pulled Momo back towards him, narrowly avoiding the pink hair that lashed at the air where Momo was. 

“Aira!” Momo exclaimed. 

“This!” Aira pointed at them, “Needs to stop!” 

Okarun huffed in rare annoyance. “Aira, this needs to stop. I’m in love with Momo-chan, not you.” 

Momo gawked flustered, giving him a slight whack. “Don’t say that so casually! I wasn’t ready for it!” 

“Sorry, Babe,” he mumbled.

Aira in turn screeched her own. “Noooo! It’ cannot be so! I refuse!” 

“Haaaaaah,” Okarun sighed, spewing black smoke. “Too noisy,” he grumbled. It wasn’t worth it coming here. 

In the distance, they heard Evil Eye, “THAT’S MY BALL!” 

Aira looked over to the chaos, Okarun took the chance to dart away, Momo still in his arms. Aira turned at the movement, seeing Okarun taking the chance to flee. “Hey!” Aira snapped, “No fair leaving me to watch Evil Eye!” 

Torn between pursuing them or going after Evil Eye, with an exasperated growl, she went after Evil Eye. “That is not your ball! Leave it! No! Drop it!” 

Meanwhile, Okarun wasn’t having an easier time as Momo was having a fit in his arms, tugging at his hair and pushing at his maw. “Okarun! I’m hungry! Food is the other way!” 

With the patience of a saint, the yokai boyfriend took it like a champ, commenting evenly, “I didn’t want our time together interrupted, yo.” He hopped up, perching on top of a chain link fence, turning to Momo with big sad red eyes. “You’re going back to class soon and I’m going to miss you.” 

While Momo would typically coo and swoon at the sweet words of affection, a hangry Momo knew no such adoration.

“Hah?! I gotta starve then?! No way!” She pushed at his maw once more, wiggling to get out of his grasp. 

“Momo-chan,” Okarun weakly protested, quickly dropping down from the fence. He did set her down, watching glumly as she immediately started to walk away. 

“I’m going to go eat! And you’re not going to stop me!” 

“I want to go home,” Okarun drawled, sagging sadly. Still, he followed Momo, unable to just let her go on her own. 

A compromise was made once Momo had food and was content, happily munching on her sandwich. Okarun in turn had his head set in her lap, happy to just be cuddling up. When it was all eaten, Momo slouched back with a satisfied sigh. “That was just what I needed,” she declared. She looked down at the yokai using her lap as a pillow, his eyes closed as he relaxed. She poked his forehead, asking, “You sure you don’t want to eat?” 

“I’m not hungry.” 

“I bet you’re going to get hungry later.” 

One red eye opened, full of playful mirth that was rare to see in this form. “I bet if I’m not, we get to spend an hour cuddling in your bed.” 

Momo raised a brow. “You really want to make a bet about this?” 

That red eye narrowed. “I’m very serious about this.” 

“Ok, ok,” Momo relented, humming to herself as she thought about what to do for her own reward when she won. “I bet if you are, we go to a cafe, my pick.”

“ That’s your prize?” he raised a brow at her, scoffing affectionately. “You just want to feed me.” 

“Well, you’re always feeding me,” she replied, running a hand through his white hair, watching him close his eyes. “Besides, you always squirm when I do and it’s cute.” 

The bell sounded off and Okarun sighed sadly, pressing against Momo, not wanting to leave just yet. He did comment, “Alright, get out your fluffiest blanket when we get home.”

“You better bring your appetite!” Momo shot back.

This time, Okarun did let Momo attend class with no issue, and he himself joined the others. 

Hours went by, and the moon finally faded out, hiding away from the day. By the time school was over, Momo watched in amusement as Okarun approached her, clutching his stomach. 

“Miss Ayase,” he mumbled, “I’m so hungry…” 

“Thought so,” she teased, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, not minding him leaning into her. “Head on home, Vamola! I’ll see you later.” 

“Bye! Bye!” Vamola waved. 

“Come on, Okaruuuun,” she called teasingly, her grin growing as his cheeks flushed. “I have just the place in mind. And you have to accept every bite.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” he murmured, blushing as she led the way. 

Chapter Text

Ever since their little late night dinner date, there’s been a slight shift in how Okarun treats Miss Ayase. It was nothing too drastic a change, if anything, it was just a minor shift in their normal dynamic stemming entirely from him. An extra habit he’s now developing. 

He’s been offering her food.

Very often. 

Typically, he shares his own meal with her. Even when she has her own, he makes the offer. She initially always refuses and it saddens him until she relents and has at least a bite of his food. 

It does make him happy, but he finds he always wants to give more. Give her all of it. 

When he has the money to spare, he’ll buy her favorite candies and food. 

When they have a big meal at the Ayase residence, he’ll grab some extra of what’s her favorite to share with her. 

He really would give her all of it if he could, but she’s adamant in making sure he eats too. 

And the sweet insistence just adds fuel to this fire. 

And Okarun just doesn’t entirely get it. 

But he also does on some instinctive level? 

He really doesn’t know how to even explain it. 

At least, until Turbo Granny grumbled at him in annoyance. “Can you save your fumbling courtship when you’re by yourselves?” 

Okarun nearly dropped his plate. “C-courtship?!” Okarun stiffly turned to her, gawking. “I, I'm not courtin—  well, we, we are dating so—” 

“Don't lump our superior culture with your mundane rubble!” Turbo Granny snapped. “You're pursuing her as a yokai and it's embarrassing watching your blunders!” 

Okarun blushed. “I, I didn't even realize…”

“Of course you didn't,” Turbo Granny sneered. “But now you know.”

“...Could you tell me about yokai courtship?” Okarun requested. 

Turbo Granny gave him a big side eye. “Why should I?”

“Because I'm fumbling around,” Okarun answered, a little more confident now, though his cheeks were still rather pink. “And how am I to know if I'm courting in front of you? This is all new to me.”

Humming aloud, Turbo Granny agreed, “Listen well then, Four Eyes. Yokai courtship is perilous. It comes about only to those who are ready to give it their all, or to perish in their failure. And I do mean perished in the murdered sense.” 

“I'm going to die if I fail?!” Okarun proclaimed. 

Well, he could believe it. If Miss Ayase said she never wanted anything to do with him, he would be devastated. The mere thought alone almost had him transform. 

Turbo Granny rolled her eyes. “Yes, a few weaklings will die of heartbreak, but most are murdered for wasting time!” 

“Oh,” he uttered. Well, he doesn't have to worry about that at least. 

“Yokai courtship is also incredibly trying, a true test of resilience, want, and one's ego.”

“Really?” Gosh, that sounds intimidating. What was Okarun in for?

“Yes, for courtship is the hardest thing for yokai to do.”

Okarun gulped as Turbo Granny paused for dramatic effect.

“Yokai courtship comes down to devotion.”

Okarun stared. Then blinked as Turbo Granny's words clicked in his mind. 

“Eh?” he uttered, “That's it?”

Turbo Granny smacked his thigh, snapping, “Don't say ‘that's it’ like it's nothing! Where's your pride as a yokai?!”

“Sorry! Sorry!” he soothed. 

“The vessel of my power,” Turbo Granny grumbled. 

“What do you mean devotion?” Okarun asked. He blushed red. “D-do you mean, like, kis-kissing—”

“It's a broad definition,” Turbo Granny said. “At the core, it comes down to you being devoted to another. Sometimes it comes down to physical and sexual pleasure.”

Okarun's blush went redder.

“Sometimes it comes down to service, provision, protection; it's putting another over yourself. Giving away something that should be yours, be it food, energy, time; anything.”

“Oh.” 

Turbo Granny gave him a side eye. “We yokai are proud entities. It takes a lot for us to swallow our pride and lower ourselves to another.”

“So, when I’m giving Miss Ayase food…”

“It's one of your courting methods, yes. You’re also quick to protect and obey her orders. Carrying her around like some horse. You act like she's your entire world.” Turbo Granny rolled her eyes and scoffed.

Well, he supposed she wasn't wrong. Miss Ayase was his world, she was very precious to him, and much of what she wanted he would give and more. The thought had him smile, it just felt right. 

And, he knew he was important to her too. That he was treasured and valued. Such attention and affection was so rare in his life, he couldn't help but cling to her, have all she wanted to give, and return it a hundred fold. 

“You should take a page from me,” Turbo Granny voiced, “be courted instead. She likes you enough that she'd do it, I bet.” 

Okarun had a start. He exclaimed in surprise, “ You're being courted?!”

Turbo Granny gave his leg a smack for his insolence. “Of course I am! Do you realize how much of a catch I am?!”

“Yes, you are,” Okarun appeased, “um, who's courting you then?”

Was some strange yokai visiting the Ayase residence? He didn't like that thought…

“Who do you think?” Turbo Granny scoffed, then pointed at Ayase-san. 

“Ayase-san?!” he gasped in surprise. “She's courting you?!”

“She cooks and feeds me,” Turbo Granny revealed. “Pretty unprompted, but sometimes I bring her food.”

“...But, Turbo Granny, I think she's just feeding you.”

“Hah! One does not simply feed a yokai! It's her means of worshipping me. That she desires me! And as a show of pleasing me, I join her on her outings. And sometimes I'll supervise you brats because she likes you.” 

“That's nice of you,” he offered. “Um, what about when you get your power back?”

“Clearly, this will be my new territory. Usually the one who does the devotion lives in that yokai's territory, if their devotion is accepted, but I'll make an exception for Seiko given her power and situation.” Turbo Granny gave Okarun a sneer. “You better offer me a lot of respect boy, for what will be hers will be mine, and this territory belongs to Seiko instead of Momo. Even if you move in, this won't be your turf.”

That sparked off something competitive in Okarun, something heated. This was where Momo lived. And instinctively, he felt a sense of protectiveness, a sense to claim this place as his, just as much as it was hers. And as these feelings ran so strongly, Okarun couldn't stop the words that were uttered aloud. 

“But Miss Ayase has already accepted my affections, so I have more claim to this territory now. You aren't official with Ayase-san yet.”

Turbo Granny's eyes went huge. “Hah?!” she spat, hissing a little. 

Okarun turned to her, eyes gleaming red. “This is my territory, not yours.” 

Turbo Granny was on her feet, her own teeth bared. “You wanna go at it, Four Eyes? I'll murder you—”

Turbo Granny toppled over a speeding mochi that was thrown her way. 

And a second smacked the shifting Okarun, knocking him over as well. 

The two speed yokai laid on the ground, stunned in surprise. They heard Ayase-san call out sternly, “I'll have no territorial disputes over dinner!”

“Yes, ma'am,” they both uttered. 

They sat up, eating the mochi and settling to glaring at each other quietly. This was not over.

Chapter Text

The secondary bell sounded off, and Seiko froze at its chime, looking up to meet Turbo Granny’s gaze from their game. Seiko slowly turned, to stare at the door, seeing a dark shape on the other side. She took a drag of her cigarette, anticipating trouble. 

She had wards placed all around her home to discourage the visit of all yokai, mainly to settle down Okarun and discourage any territory guarding. 

For one to come despite the wards, that meant it was powerful, or it was welcomed. 

Of those that were welcomed, to set off that chime, concerned her more than the possibility of a powerful yokai treading into her home. 

Seiko arose, grasping Nessie and headed for the door. Bracing for trouble, she flung it open, ready for an attack. 

The attack didn’t come, but it didn’t stop Seiko from being startled. 

Four Eyes stood before her, but it wasn’t quite him anymore. 

This… this was the most monstrous she’s ever seen him. 

There was no trace of humanity to be seen in his features. The black maw molded over his face entirely, cracked open, showing a second set of teeth in his mouth, constantly spewing black smoke. His glasses seemed to become his eyes, big and glowing, merged into the mask. The white hair had become a flaming mane, with red wisps flickering over the locks. He stood on four long, gangly limbs, his back covered by the smoke he breathed out, and Seiko noted his hands had been morphed into misshapen paws, though still retaining a semblance of human hands. Though barely. 

There was a hissing rumble from Four Eyes, his voice deep and changed, sounding very much like demonic rasp, his teeth clacking together as the inner maw moved. It almost sounded difficult to speak. 

“Momo. She got hurt. Help. Her.” 

It was then that Seiko noticed one of his hands was cupped beneath him. Pressed to his chest protectively was her granddaughter, unconscious, with a bloody face. 

Seiko swore, instinctively moving to reach for her only to freeze when Four Eyes hissed dangerously, taking a step back, bringing Momo even closer to him. 

“Four Eyes,” Seiko warned. 

“She can’t help her if you hold her, Idiot,” Turbo Granny grouched behind Seiko. 

Turbo Granny got an angry hiss for that, but it seems the logic reasoned out for the yokai. Reluctantly, he held out Momo, as gently as he could. 

Seiko didn’t take Momo from him yet, still wary to set Four Eyes, but she did take the chance to look over Momo. Thankfully, from what Seiko can assess, there was nothing too drastic. A bad scrape on her forehead, but it seems she just got knocked out. 

Seiko drew away, pointing to the door. “Bring her inside,” she instructed. 

With a deep rumble, Four Eyes did so, heavily lumbering in, smoke trailing behind him. Going to the den, he laid Momo out on the mat on the floor and laid down beside her, the empty glowing gaze seemingly locked on her. 

Tentatively moving around Four Eyes, Seiko got to work, wiping and cleaning the wound before she bandaged it up. Then making a quick prayer, Seiko used her divine power to check over Momo and heal anything else. 

Seiko drew away, declaring, “She’s all set.” 

She quickly leaned when that big black maw came towards her. 

“Not awake.” 

“She’ll wake up when she wakes up, Brat,” Turbo Granny grouched. 

With an agitated growl, Four Eyes slammed his paw-hand on Turbo Granny, pinning the angry cat down. 

“Get off me!” Turbo Granny snarled. 

“She’s right, Four Eyes,” Seiko said. “She just needs rest. And you need to calm down.” 

Those literal glassy eyes turned towards her. 

“You’re practically a full blown yokai right now. You’re too volatile and that makes you dangerous.” 

Four Eyes snarled, clacking his maw dangerously, “I won’t hurt her.” 

“I don’t trust your word,” Seiko stated flatly. “Not when I see how easily Turbo Granny is able to get under your skin.”

Four Eyes turned to eye the snarling cat, then released her. Instead of running away, Turbo Granny went to leap at his face and try to claw at him. Only to not even deliver a scratch at the hardened flesh that covered his face. Eventually, Turbo Granny dropped down, exhausted from trying to make a dent in that hardened face. 

Seiko continued, “If you're not able to calm down, I will make wards to keep you out.”

Four Eyes was quiet for a moment, and in a pleading rasp, he promised, “Calm down. I calm down. No send away.”

He turned his glassy gaze to Momo, repeating desperately, “No send away.” 

Seiko took in the pleading request, watching the yokai settle himself down, reaching for in a shy touch. He seemed to forget about them as he lay there, awaiting for Momo to awaken. Breathing out her own smoke, Seiko repeated, “You get one chance, Four Eyes. Do anything I don’t like and you’re out.” 

He didn’t respond, just locked on Momo. 

Seiko got up, grumbling about getting dinner started, making sure to stay vigilant in case Four Eyes did anything. 

It was nearly an hour when Momo awoke, roused by the smell of dinner. She groaned, feeling achy, groggy, and hungry. Not ready to open her eyes, she mumbled out, “Whaz’s dinner te’night?” 

She was about to sit up when she felt a familiar hard maw immediately pressed against her, blowing hot breath in her face. 

“Okaruuun,” she whined, “give me a minute.” 

Though try as she might, she couldn’t get that maw to move away. Momo decided then to use him as a means to help sit up, wincing at the dizziness she felt. Okarun thankfully stayed still, letting her lounge on his face until she collected herself. 

“Dinner's going to be dumplings,” Gran answered from the kitchen.

Momo hummed at that, finally opening her achy eyes. 

And saw two big, glassy, glowing eyes peering back at her intently, framed by bright red lines. 

Momo fought the instinctive response to jerk back, immediately recognizing Okarun’s aura in front of her. She did sit back, taking in his monstrous appearance, how he loomed over her and seemed to take over the den with his size and presence.

“Okarun?” Momo asked, struggling with this new form.

“Momo,” he growled, and she could almost hear the hint of affection and relief. He drew near to gently nuzzle her, his long gangly arms coming to wrap around her— 

A dumpling hit the big glassy eye, making the yokai pause. 

“She literally just woke up, Four Eyes, give her some breathing room.” 

Okarun didn't move right away to obey, if anything, his arms twitched as if he was going to fully pull Momo into his hold. Momo lightly pushed against his maw and Okarun eased away, a big long tongue coming out to lick up the dumpling on his face.  

“What happened to him?” Momo asked as Seiko brought the food in, setting it on the table. 

“Was hoping you'd know.”

Okarun’s long nail slid the platter of dumplings to Momo. 

“Eat.”

Seiko slammed her chopsticks onto the platter, scooting it back to the center. “This is a family meal.” 

Okarun hissed at Seiko. “Momo hurt.”

“I'm not eating all of that, Okarun,” Momo stated. Though she did grab a couple for herself, just in time for Turbo Granny to run in to join them, starting to fight Seiko for the other dumplings. 

Momo tried offering a dumpling to Okarun but his maw stayed shut. He just kept staring down at her expectantly. 

“So what were you facing?” Seiko asked.

“Some damn bounty hunter alien the Serpo hired,” Momo grouched. “Caught us by surprise.” 

“Luckily it was nothing serious, at worst a knockout.” 

Okarun made a sort of hissing noise, Momo suspected it to be a sigh.

“Four Eyes here I expect got scared and mad,” Seiko gave him an eyeball, “until he calms down, he won't be back to normal.” 

Momo shot him a concerned look. “Like, I'm ok. I'm awake and fine. Are you still scared, Okarun?” 

“Yes.” 

“And mad?” 

“Yes.” 

“Well, damn, sorry for getting caught off guard.” 

Okarun immediately nuzzled Momo, rumbling out, “I'm sorry. You hurt.” He clacked his maw, growling deeply, “Never again.” 

 Momo recalled the day of her abduction, of Okarun coming to her aid through Turbo Granny's rampage. She remembered his passionate promise to become a monster for her safety. She wondered now if that promise always stuck with him, and that affected his cursed form. 

Momo finished her meal, bid her thanks, and announced she was heading to her room. 

“Keep your door open,” Seiko said.

“I will,” Momo eased with a grumble, going up the stairs. 

Okarun arose to follow unprompted, his steps heavy behind her, making the stairs groan in protest under his weight. Momo tried to ignore how his breath was always at the back of her neck with how close he followed her. 

She got some relief when she reached her room, Okarun lingering by the door despite Momo leaving it open for him. She turned to him, stating, “I’m going to clean up and change clothes. Turn away.” 

Okarun didn’t move right away, then he shuffled in place, turned away from her and laid down in front of her room. Momo frowned. He was so big that his form blocked off most of the door. Freshening up and changing, Momo plopped herself down on bed with a sigh, feeling the mattress bounce her. Glancing at the yokai still laid out on the floor, she called, “You can come join me now.” 

Okarun shifted to life, his body groaning as he moved, shuffling to face her with bright, glowing eyes. He hesitated for a moment before he took a step into her room, maneuvering a little as he was almost too big for her door. He came to loom over her, casting a dark shadow over her. One paw-hand came up, to test the mattress, and it dipped so low and groaned so loud, Okarun drew away as Momo started to roll towards him. 

Adjusting herself to sit up, Okarun settled just his head on the bed, sighing out dramatically. 

Ignoring the gloomy aura he was giving off, Momo shuffled closer to his head. With a gentle touch, she started to probe and explore this new head. It felt like his whole face was covered in a hardened mask, with nothing of his human features to be seen. She lightly tapped the glasses, finding they really were molded into this new head. She wondered if they were made to be more durable in this form. Lastly she reached for his hair, feeling the soft, ethereal locks curl around her hand as they weaved and swayed.

The whole time, Okarun stayed still as Momo explored him, enjoying her touch and attention. 

“Dang, Okarun,” Momo voiced, “you really took this to the extreme.” 

“I will go farther,” Okarun promised, but it didn’t bring her the assurance he was aiming for, but a frown.

“What if you go so far, you don't come back?” Momo protested. “Can you transform back? Why haven't you?”

“Still scared. You scared me.” 

“I'm probably going to scare you a lot,” Momo admitted. Okarun leaned forward, nuzzling her. She hugged his head back, continuing, “And you're probably going to scare me too.” 

“I don’t want to.”

“And I don’t either.” She rested her head on top of his own, feeling his hair curl and shift under her cheek. One finger came up, tracing along the red lines, feeling the rough, ridged mask under her fingertip. She declared, “I miss your squishy face.” 

“...I miss laying in bed.” He leaned heavily on the mattress, making it groan. “Makes me wilt…” 

“Then you gotta figure out how to change back,” Momo said unhelpfully. 

“Momo…” he groaned, almost sounding pitiful. 

In a small bit of mercy, Momo offered, “Maybe you just need to ride it out.” Staring back into his glassy eyes, she rambled, “Sometimes you just can’t lid what you feel, sometimes it explodes out and takes over and, you just need to ride that wave and let it pass. It’s going to be rough, but,” she shrugged with uncertainty, “sometimes it just can’t be helped.”

Gran sometimes grumbled that Momo got too emotional. 

And Momo herself can acknowledge that sometimes she responded too extremely. Her own emotions got the better of her and cut through any of her clever logic. That she’s caused him problems because of it. 

She’s made the effort to get better, and had some reassurance from Grandma that the emotions themselves aren’t bad, they were there for her and reflected who she was, it’s all about the outlet. 

Gazing at Okarun, his emotions really did bring out a big outlet. “So, maybe just let it be, those emotions should fade after a while.” It was calm here, he should relax here, right? 

Okarun sighed out some smoke. “What a bummer.” 

“Yeah, I’d love to cuddle with my boyfriend right now.” 

She fell back on the bed, pouting at the ceiling, inwardly cursing the Serpo, and herself for getting Okarun into this position. Only to squeal when Okarun nudged her side, hitting that right spot that made her ticklish. 

“Don’t do that!” she cried out, rolling away from him, glaring over her shoulder to see him clacking his teeth. If she didn’t know better, he was snickering at her. 

Then Okarun stood up, his hunched form easily coming to tower over her, straining against her ceiling. 

“Okarun?” Momo asked, peering up at the looming yokai. His whole frame was shadowed now, with only his big glowing glasses to shine down at her. She knew he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her, but she can’t deny that this was intimidating. 

Tentatively, Okarun set his hands on either side of her bed, and started to ease him on the bed carefully, spreading his weight as much as possible for the groaning frame. Gradually, he laid himself on the bed, though his legs stuck out on it, Momo partially nestled underneath him. With a bit of squirming, Momo got herself comfortable, hugging his arm as she settled. Reaching out with her “hand”, she pulled back the latest book she’s been reading, offering to read it aloud. 

Okarun gave no answer, but didn’t move, happy to hold and cuddle with her. 

With a shrug, she started to read her book aloud, until her voice got laced with grogginess, and her eyes started to get heavy. It didn’t take much longer for her to fall  to the temptation of sleep, safe in the yokai’s arms. Only to be jarred awake when Okarun started to twitch. 

He himself had gone lax for a while, and not long after she had settled, only now his body started to spasm. Momo laid still, watching as he shrunk down until he was back to himself, his hair dark, no traces of grey skin or red lines on him. Though his clothes were ruined from the elongated transformation. Returned to normal as he was, he still partially laid on top of her, holding her tight with one arm. 

Reaching out, she took off his glasses and set them out on the nightstand, then she brought out some of her baggier clothes for him with her telekinesis, so they’ll be available when he wakes. She yawned and wiggled in his hold. She gave one last poke to his now squishy face, grinning as he made a face, before she relaxed in his grasp. 

If Okarun shifted like that again, she hoped cuddles were enough to help soothe the beast, at least until he was able to figure it out himself. 

Chapter Text

“Are you really going to be ok?” Okarun asked, fiddling with his glasses, then reaching up to fiddle with his hair. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t keep his hands still. He didn’t know what to do with them. 

Miss Ayase was leaving. 

For a week! 

A whole week. She was leaving… 

“Are you going to be ok,” Turbo Granny parroted with a sneer, one laced with aggravation, “you think we can’t protect Momo?”

“N-no!” he quickly eased. “I, I’m just… worried… I can’t help it!” 

His hand was now going all over his head, messing with his hair, rubbing his neck, or adjusting his glasses. It only went still when Momo grasped it, giving it a squeeze.

With a smile, she reassured, “It’s going to be fine, Gran and I did these training camps all the time. It's been long overdue since it's been so chaotic.” 

Okarun just nodded stiffly. 

“Why are you all here?” Seiko grumbled aloud, making an unhappy tch as she closed the door behind Vamola, locking it. 

“We had to see your glorious self off, Auntie!” Jiji declared, jamming finger guns forth.

“Jiji you're a genius,” Seiko praised immediately. 

“We're also here to let you know that we will keep things safe in your absence,” Aira declared, setting a hand on her chest.

“We're only going to be gone for a week,” Momo said, rolling her eyes. 

“A lot can happen in a week!” Aira exclaimed, “And as the leader, I thought I'd let you know.” 

“A lot can happen in a week,” Okarun mumbled fretfully.

“Nothing is going to happen,” Momo eased. “Really. You guys will see us in a few days.”

“Don't show up!” Seiko snapped, “I don't want to feed you lot. I’m not made of money.”

“Aw, I'll miss out on your amazing cooking, Auntie?” 

“Jiji is the exception. Now come on! Our lift's here, and we're losing daylight!” 

Momo gave Okarun a quick peck before running to the car, escaping Okarun’s reaching hand after her. She promised aloud, “I'll text you tonight! See you guys!”

“See you…” Okarun mumbled, watching as the whole Ayase family piled in, barely hearing Jiji and Aira call out their goodbyes and well wishes. 

And only for a week, he told himself. 

Miss Ayase will be back in a few days. Time would surely fly. 

She was going to be fine.

He was going to be fine.

It was just a week without her.

A week without her smile.

Her voice.

Her warmth…

The car purred to life, and for Okarun, the world felt like it was on a stand still. The only thing in motion was that car. A car that was taking Miss Ayase away.

For a week, he reminded himself. 

Just a week. 

It was going to be fine.

Just… fine…

The car went further and further away down the road. Miss Ayase was going farther and farther from him. 

Miss… Momo was almost out of sight.

…

He wasn't strong enough.

“Momo!” he howled, tearing after the car, shifting into his yokai form. 

“We got a runner!” Jiji cried out, booking it after him.

“Takakura!” Aira shouted after him, transforming herself, speeding after Jiji. Her hair reached forth, grabbing Okarun’s back leg, dragging him to a stand still. 

Long nails dug into the dirt, Okarun turned his bright red eyes to Aira. “Let go!” he growled, black maw opening up and hissing. He kicked his back leg to try and free it.

“You need to let her go!” Aira insisted, straining to hold him. Damn, he has some strong legs…

Seeing Jiji was nearly upon him, Okarun started to try and crawl away, sinking his nails into the dirt, straining to follow Momo. 

Matching him in determination, Aira held firm, gritting her own maw to try and hold him in place, growling herself. 

Jiji booked it past her, scooping up Okarun with ease. While Okarun was roughly Jiji's own height in this form, as Jiji tilted his friend higher, Okarun lost contact with the ground. He could only flail helplessly in Jiji's grasp before going limp in accepted defeat. 

Jiji and Aira both sighed in relief. 

In the car ahead of them, Seiko watched the whole thing from the side mirror, breathing out a quiet sigh of relief when they successfully caught Okarun. Thankfully, Momo was oblivious to the speed demon nearly catching up to them, more interested in reading up on their upcoming campsite. And Vamola was having fun pressing on Turbo Granny's paws, seeing claws slide out and back. Seiko was certain if Momo or Vamola knew that Okarun tried to catch up, he would’ve been joining them on this trip, but this was a training routine Seiko wanted for Momo only. 

A distraction was the last thing she wanted to tag along. 

And for Momo, Okarun was a huge distraction. She now wonders if she should’ve set some barrier down to prevent Okarun from following them, in case he escaped Aira and Jiji. 

Seiko blew out a slight scoff.

What was with her granddaughter and the guys she dated so far?

They were either assholes or way too clingy. 

It was annoying. 

Awkwardly, Jiji carried Okarun back to the Ayase residence, Aira hanging close just in case he tried to race after the Ayases again. 

Thankfully, Okarun seems to have accepted that Momo was just going to be gone for the week.

Jiji slowly let him go, him and Aira at the ready.

Okarun stood for a moment, then just straight up collapsed.

“Okarun!” 

“Takakura-kun!” 

They both kneeled down next to him.

“Are you ok?!”

“What's wrong?!”

“I miss Momo,” Okarun bemoaned. 

Aira rolled her eyes while Jiji rubbed the back of his neck. 

“She'll be back later, dude,” Jiji eased. 

“That's going to take forever,” Okarun declared, rolling away from Jiji. 

“Now, now, Takakura-kun, this can be our chance to spend some quality time together!” Aira cooed. “We haven’t done that in a while!” 

“Don't wanna,” Okarun sighed, rolling away from her. "The idea makes me wilt..."

Aira gaped in offense.

“Oooooh! Full wipe out!” Jiji cried out, jabbing towards Aira teasingly. 

“Shut it!” Aira snarled, face going red. 

“Momo one! Aira zeroooo!” Jiji continued, darting away as Aira tried to hit him. She pursued the tall boy, shouting that he needed to shut up. 

As the two squabbled and ran about, neither noticed Okarun slowly crawling away, right towards the Ayase homestead. Sitting up at the door, he used his long nail to unlocked the front door. Slipping inside, he startled the two friends to attention as the door closed behind him. 

Aira and Jiji exchanged a glance. 

“Do you think Auntie would mind if any of us were in her house while she's gone?” Jiji asked.

“I would!” Aira exclaimed, hurrying after Okarun, Jiji on her tail. “Takakura-kun! Let's not break into people's homes! We can go to a park!” 

“Yesh! We can play some soccer! Wouldn't that be fun?” Jiji added.

“No it wouldn’t!” Aira grouched.

Jiji made his Muppet face at her. “Mamp! Mamp!” 

“Ugh,” she uttered in disgust. “You're so immature.” She glared around the home, trying to spot Takakura. It was kinda unnerving to be here with no Momo or Seiko, the usually cozy home seemed to press upon them, watching them as if Seiko herself knew they were there uninvited, wasn't happy about it, and was glaring at them. 

Not quite knowing all that the medium could do, Aira wouldn’t be surprised if that was something Seiko could do. 

They had to get out quickly. 

Not able to stop the nervous gulp, she hurried in to try and find Takakura. While she explored the first floor, Jiji went upstairs. He started at Momo’s room andas he opened the door, he was immediately met with an intense pressure in the air that had him instinctively freeze up. A low, warning growl rumbled out, and within the dark room, Jiji could see the shine of Okarun's big glasses staring at him.

Jiji closed the door and the ominous atmosphere dispersed. Within, Okarun was now quiet too. 

“I found him!” Jiji called.

Aira came booking it upstairs, scoffing to see Jiji by Momo’s room. She exclaimed, “He seriously went in there?!”

“He does miss her,” Jiji reasoned. "That's the closest to Momo he's going to get."

“It hasn't even been five minutes!” Aira snapped, opening the door. She too was met with a warning growl and an intense pressure, but unlike Jiji, she ignored it, flicking on the lights. 

There was Okarun, laying on Momo’s bed, glaring at them for having the audacity to show their faces here.

Not the least bit intimidated, Aira stomped right up to Momo's bed, pointing her finger at the ground. She stated sternly, “Takakura-kun! That is not your bed!” 

Okarun hissed at her, red eyes blazing.

Aira gaped at him, then narrowed her eyes. Waggling her finger at him, she warned, “You did not just do that.”

Okarun narrowed his eyes, as if debating if he should be nervous or not. He decided then that Aira didn't warrant any unease and stood up, coming to loom over Aira.

"Aira," Jiji warned, "maybe you should come out." Jiji reasoned, if need be, they could just leave Okarun here. He would think Auntie and Momo would understand, given he's very volatile and upset right now.

Aira didn't share his unease, glaring up at him confidently, feeling she knows Takakura better than anyone. "He's not going to hurt me," she declared. "He's going to listen, cause I'm his friend and his leader."

In her overconfidence, she was caught off guard as Okarun grabbed her, and in seconds, she was at Momo's door, shoved into Jiji and the towering cursed yokai shut the door on them. With a click, it was locked.

The two friends had a second to stare at the door.

And then the anger ignited in Aira.

"Takakura!" she yelled, stepping away from Jiji and starting to hit the door. "You open this door right now, Mister!"

"Go away," Okarun growled from the wooden frame.

"This is not your room! Or your home! We're leaving now!"

"No. I'm staying until Momo-chan is back."

"Maybe we just need to let him," Jiji tentatively voiced, "he's going to be hard to move- -" Jiji immediately held up his hands in surrender when Aira turned her glare to him.

Shifting into her own yokai form, Aira used her hair to pick the lock and opened, just in time to see Okarun rolling himself up in Momo's blanket, becoming a blanket burrito, with only his black maw sticking out past the bright pink sheets. It was a clashing sight.

It was Okarun's own undoing though as Aira took the chance to pick up the burrito with her hair, carrying the hissing Okarun out of the house. He thrashed and squirmed in the sheets, but Aira held firm, her hair not giving him a chance to move much. Jiji closed Momo's door behind them, and hoped they'll be able to get Momo’s covers back to her bed before she came back home. Though he had a feeling Okarun wasn’t going to let the covers go that easily. 

As Jiji relocked the front door, Aira proceeded to chuck Okarun into the shrine. 

Okarun’s angry growls was suddenly silenced as soon as he was within the shrine, leaving the bundle of pink covers to drop to the ground. For a moment, the lump within them laid still, not moving. Her agitation soothed by the quiet, reasoning he was now back to his senses, Aira called out, “Takakura-kun? You ok?” 

The lump shifted, and Okarun sat up, though still covered by the blanket. “Yes, I, I am. I’m sorry Miss Shiratori, Jiji, I didn’t mean to cause you trouble.” 

“It’s no big!” Jiji eased as he came to join them. “We know you just get moody in that form, it’s ok.”  

Okarun just sagged a little. 

Aira’s heart went out to him. That was Takakura-kun for you, always so sweet, so considerate, so— 

Okarun uttered aloud, “I just really miss her…” he flopped over to the floor, looking like a depressed bundle. 

Obsessed. 

“Uuuugh, Takakura-kun, seriously, she’ll be back in a week,” Aira grouched. “And I’m here, I can hang out with you!” This was her chance to prove to him that she was better than Momo. That they’d be happier together. 

But that’s impossible if he can’t get over her absence for a mere week .

“Thank you, Miss Shiratori,” Okarun said, “but I don’t really feel like hanging out right now. I’ll just… head home.” The word came out so awkwardly, as Okarun glanced over at the locked Ayase residence. He gathered up Momo’s covers, wrapping them around him as much as possible, trying to keep the blanket from touching the ground. As soon as he stepped out of the shrine, he shifted back into a yokai, slouching low. 

Okarun turned to eye the Ayase homestead, and for a moment, they thought he was going to head in to stay there, only for Okarun to adjust Momo’s blanket and start to lumber his way to the road. 

“I can walk you home, Takakura-kun!” Aira offered, immediately shadowing him. 

“Nah, you’re making me wilt,” Okarun stated flatly. 

“Ooooh,” Jiji uttered, lips pursed into an ‘o’. 

Aira’s jaw went slack once more. Face going red, she murmured, “You did not just say that.”  

“Really, your pushiness is wearing me out,” Okarun admitted, sagging before. “I just want to go home… I want Momo.” 

“Shut up about Momo!” Aira screeched, grabbing him and shaking the speed demon about. 

Okarun just took it, barely noticing the jostling. 

“Aira, chill out!” Jiji cried, trying to separate the two, only for it to get worse as she transformed with her heightened emotions, her hair starting to entangle everyone in her outrage and whipping about in her upset. 

“Bummer,” Okarun declared as he was hung upside down, while Jiji tried to sort through the mass of hair as Aira had her fit. 

After a long week of training, Momo was tired. 

But not so tired enough to not be antsy to get home. 

The girl impatiently tapped her foot on the car floor, glaring at the rice pools around them, as if their mere existence was slowing them down. 

She was ready to be back in her own bed. The comfort of a mattress instead of the hard dirt Gran had them sleep on. Ready to eat actual food and not have to catch fish out of the creek. Ready to be able to use her phone again instead of the endless nature, pretty at first but got old fast. 

And she was ready to see Okarun again. 

She hadn’t realized how tied to the hip they were, she thought a week would’ve been fine but it was unbearable. 

She’s ready to let him hold her hand for as long as he wants. 

She’s ready to cuddle up and hug the living daylights out of him. 

Hear about the latest news in aliens that he’s found. 

She missed him so much. 

Vamola gasped aloud, pointing to the window. “Our friends!” she exclaimed. 

Momo looked, seeing Aira, Jiji, and Okarun were waiting for them in front of their torii gate. Jiji was waving wildly and hopping around. Okarun was beaming and for some reason wrapped up in her blanket? And, was Aira crying? 

“The hell?” Momo uttered. 

“Tch. I said only Jiji could come,” Seiko muttered. 

As soon as the car came to a stop and Momo started to come out, Okarun ran towards her, crying out, “Momo!” 

“Okarun!” she returned happily, opening her arms to accept his hug. 

Only to not get it as Aira slammed into Okarun, sending him flying into a nearby rice pool and then proceeded to tackle Momo, nearly sending her back into the car. 

“Momo!” Aira cried out, clutching the winded Momo tightly. 

“Aira?” she managed out.  

Aira drew away, pleading, “Never ever leave again! Don’t leave me alone with him! He was unbearable!” 

Momo blinked at the bawling Aira in confusion and surprise. “You mean Okarun was?” 

Jiji came to join them, revealing, “Let’s just say it’s been a long week of mood swings.” 

“Miss Shiratori!” Okarun sputtered, popping out of the pool, crawling onto the land. “Why would you do that?” he questioned, adjusting his glasses, his eyes starting to seep red. 

This time, it was Aira who shifted into a yokai, giving him an angry hiss. 

Okarun flinched a little, his eyes returning to brown, mumbling, “M-my apologies…” 

“Okarun!” Momo called out, still in Aira's hold, “Why do you have my blanket?” 

Okarun had a start, then looked down at the very, very soggy and dirty pink blanket he had swiped from Momo’s room. “Aaaah!” he screamed, leaping to his feet. “I’m sorry, Miss Ayase! I’ll make sure to get it cleaned and dried right away!” 

He raced towards the Ayase homestead, Seiko barely dodging the flustered boy as he slammed into the front door in his frantic rush, falling backwards. 

Seiko snapped, “Let me unlock the damn door first, Four Eyes!”

“Seriously, why does he have it? What happened while we were gone?” Momo asked, as a current of apologies bubbled out of Okarun, filling the air with frantic babble while Seiko snapped at him to calm down.

Chapter Text

Approaching the torii gate, the idea of there being any sort of trouble was far from Okarun’s mind. Today was supposed to primarily be a study date between him and Miss Ayase, knocking out a paper that Miss Ayase was struggling to see to the finish. From his understanding, she had much of it done, but was struggling on the end. Aside from her grumbles and pouts, it was supposed to be peaceful.

But seeing some tall, rough looking guy walking through the torii gate was not on Okarun’s list of expectations for today. 

Okarun tilted his head curiously and warily.

Pushing back the instinctive worst assumption, he wondered if this guy a friend of the Ayase’s?

Was he here to see Ayase-san on business? He was about to call out and let him know the elder Ayase was currently away for a tv showing when the guy startled him into silent outrage.

All cautiously neutral curiosity vanished when the guy gave the torii gate a dirty look and then kicked at it. 

“Hey!” Okarun snarled out, dropping his bike and rushing over to the taller boy, glaring up at him as dark eyes turned towards Okarun. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Who are you, pipsqueak?” the guy sneered, wrinkling his nose at Okarun like he was a foul smelling rat. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” Okarun repeated, not shying away as the boy came to loom over him. “It’s rude to kick at the Ayase property.” 

“Rude?” the guy scoffed, “Rude is a haughty bitch who thinks she can beat me up and get away with it.” 

Rage started to seep into Okarun’s mind. It didn’t matter who this guy was referring to, neither Ayase women deserved that. 

The guy continued, “It seems like she’s not here, so her torii gate gets it instead. ‘Sides, I’m here to see Momo anyway.” 

Okarun went still. “Miss Ayase?” 

“Yeah, so beat it!” As the guy turned to walk through the torii gate, he had a start seeing Okarun standing before him, blocking his way. “Wha…?” He looked back to where Okarun was, then to where he was now. “How’d you get there so quickly?” 

“ You need to leave,” Okarun stated, the shine in his glasses hiding his eyes. “I won’t let you see Miss Ayase.” 

“Haaah?! Outta my way, Four Eyes!”

“I’ll relay your business to Miss Ayase, but you need to leave.” 

“This is between me and Momo, move .”

“No,” Okarun stressed, flames starting to flicker on his shoulder. “I will not let you see her—”

Okarun caught the fist that came flying at him, barely feeling the clash of skin. The guy had a start, then snarled at him. 

“You here for Momo too then? Jokes on you, you desperate little snit! I’m here to take her back!” 

Okarun’s grip on his hand tightened slightly. “Take her back?”

“I’m going to have her grovel,” the guy sneered, “she no doubt had realized what she’s been missing. And this time , she’ll do all that I ask. Else she can taste dirt again—”

He was cut off when he found himself weightless, the wind taken from his sails. Faintly, he could see a monster before him, big glowing eyes, flaming hair of white, red, and black, and a big maw of teeth, and a long body with gangly limbs. But then he’d see a nerd, looking at him angrily. His mind couldn’t process what he was seeing or how he was in the air with the short nerd.  

He did hear the growl that sounded out, sounding so much deeper and more sinister than the nerd’s earlier voice. 

“You made Momo-chan eat dirt?”

A fear got a hold of him, feeling claws starting to sink into his wrist. 

“Sh-she tried to kick me in the face!” he cried out in his defense. The pressure got more intense, and with it, the nerd faded away, leaving him to see the monster.

That maw drew near, looking ready to bite him. “And why did she kick you in the face?”

“I, I wanted her to put out! Give me money, cover a love hotel—”

He was slammed to the ground, gasping at the weight pressed upon him. The monstrous maw was spewing black smoke, the big glasses now glowing red in the monster’s rage.  “You think you can stroll back here, yo? That you can come get your way? Push her around .” The monster growled. “I’m going to murder you.”

“I’m sorry!” the guy wailed. “I, I’ll leave her alone! I’ll never see her again!” 

But the demon wasn’t interested in letting him go. The black maw opened, the usually flat teeth now pointed and sharp. 

He screamed as the mouth started to come down towards him.

Snap!

That maw closed near the guy’s head. Trembling, he looked up to see the demon being lifted up, watching as it snarled and thrashed, reaching long nails towards him, ready to rip him apart. He didn’t have a moment of relief when a sudden force threw him away from the torii gate. He looked up to see an angry Momo glaring at him, her teeth bared as she snarled, “Get out of here, Asshole!” 

Behind her now on the ground, the demon loomed, releasing a roar. 

He fled, screaming as he ran for his life. 

Behind him, Momo turned, both both of her “hands” on Okarun, keeping the yokai from pursuing her ex. 

Her boyfriend strained against her hold, dragging his long nails through the dirt, trying to escape her grasp. 

“Okarun, calm down!” Momo stressed. 

The yokai simply snarled. 

Gritting her teeth, she plucked up the yokai into the air, startling him for a second. She took it to chuck him into the shrine Gran kept him in before, hoping it would be enough to turn him back. 

After the racket of his landing, it was quiet and Okarun was still. The monstrous transformation was gone, leaving the boy to lay on the shrine floor, breathing hard. 

Momo slowly drew near, “hands” at the ready. Tentatively, she prompted, “Okarun?”

He didn't move for a minute and Momo grew concerned.

“Okarun?” she prompted again, stepping inside. 

He sat up, reaching up to adjust his glasses. Not turning to face her, he said, “I’m sorry if I scared you, Miss Ayase.” 

“I’m ok,” she eased, drawing closer. She reached for him. “Are you ok?” 

He drew away before she could touch him. 

“Okarun?” she prompted. 

“Did he… did he really treat you so badly?” Okarun asked, still not facing her. 

“He did,” she confirmed, but offered, “but we didn’t date long.” She huffed to herself, declaring, “He was one of the dumbest choices I’ve ever made.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Okarun asked. 

Momo was quiet for a moment, grimacing to herself. With a sigh, she went around, making Okarun tense as she sat down in front of him. “Because he was a thing of the past. I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.” She took his hand, holding it tightly when he tried to pull it away. “He also wasn’t really something I wanted you to know about. He really was one of the dumbest choices I’ve made. I didn’t want you to see my stupid pick.” 

That fisted hand slowly opened, adjusting to hold her hand back. “I am sorry you had to deal with that.” 

“It was my own doing,” she eased. 

“I’m sorry you had to see me like that,” Okarun continued. With a gulp, he admitted, sounding unnerved but furious, “I, I really wanted to kill him.” 

Never before had he really wanted to kill someone. 

There were instances that came close to it. 

The Evil Eye. 

Zuma. 

But that… the sheer fury, protectiveness, and possessiveness he felt. That was scary. And so vindicating. Even now, a part of him wondered if he would transform when he stepped out of the shrine, if he would go after that guy. 

He may not want Momo to stop him. 

“Gran almost did,” Momo reminded, the memory bringing back some amused sort of catharsis. She should've joined in, in hindsight. But that didn’t seem to perk Okarun up, he stared pensively at the floor, looking uncertain of himself. She shuffled closer, moving her arm to wrap him up in a hug, holding him close. She didn’t quite know what to say on how to make this better, to reassure him that he didn’t scare her, at least, not in the way he was thinking of. She had been scared that he lost himself to the yokai curse, that Okarun… that Ken had been lost to her. 

She was mad at that stupid tuna for bringing it out. 

She was mad that she stupidly dated that tuna and brought Ken such pain that he transformed like that. 

At least he leaned back against her, gripping her hand tightly. 

She looked at their hands, his human one holding her own. 

He was still here, she told herself. 

Ken was still here. 

“He's out of my life, and he's never coming back.” She withdrew, putting a hand on his jaw, lifting his face up so their eyes met. Staring at him intently, she stated, “You're my life and love, Ken, not him.”

His eyes widened, jaw going slack as his face went red. “M-Miss Ayase!” he cried out.

“Haaah,” she grouched, letting her hand drop. “You still won't use my name? I used yours!” 

“I, I'm not there yet!” he shyly protested. 

She scoffed, then snickered, breaking into a laugh. 

“M-Miss Ayase?” he asked, confused. 

“You should've seen the look on his face!” Momo chortle. “He was so scared, I think he peed himself!” Momo sagged against, snickering. “Oh, I wish I caught that on camera! Grandma would've loved it.” 

Dark thoughts probed Okarun’s mind that he should've done more, they were cut off as Momo gave him a chaste kiss on the lips, evaporating any thoughts he had. 

Bringing him back into hug, she affectionately nuzzled him. “Thanks for giving me that catharsis. And for coming to my defense. I don't think I'll ever see him again.”

“Always,” he promised, returning her embrace, pulling her into his lap. If that guy ever came back… the thought didn’t finish, Okarun relaxing as he felt her play with his hair, moving the curly, wild locks between her fingers. It was almost as if she always knew when something ominous toed the edge of his mind.

They sat like that for a little bit in the shrine, enjoying the quiet and each other. Momo though was the first to lean back, asking, “Ready to knock out that paper?” 

“Are you?” he fired back.

“Noooo,” she admitted immediately. 

That earned him a chuckle. “We'll knock it out quick,” he promised, standing up, offering her his hand. Momo took it, and held it, not letting go as they left the shrine and went to her house.

There, the new threat of the essay laid out awaiting them. And with it, thoughts of the stupid tuna were forgotten. 

Chapter Text

“BEACH!” Momo cheered immediately, practically leaping out of the train, deaf to Okarun’s startled “Miss Ayase!” behind her. All she could focus on and see were the bright blue waves ahead. 

“BEACH!” Jiji echoed her, leaping out as well and starting to book it to the ocean, only to get tripped as Aira’s hair grabbed his leg, sending him down into the soft sand. 

“No!” Aira snapped, coming up behind him, her mask’s teeth clacking angrily. “I am here to enjoy the beach, not babysit Evil Eye ! No water for you!” 

“Maaaaaaw,” Jiji groaned into the sand. 

Okarun shuffled after them, a little off balanced between carrying some of their luggage and Turbo Granny on his head, pulling at his hair as she tried to direct him to the water, scolding him for taking too long. Next to him, Vamola hummed happily, carrying the other half of the luggage. 

She did stop in awe. “Ooooooooh,” she uttered, looking at the vast waters of earth. 

“It’s pretty, isn’t it?” Okarun managed to ask her, wincing as Turbo Granny bopped his face. 

“Keep going! That skank is beating me to the water!” 

“It’d be quicker if you went yourself!” Okarun grouched out. In a rare rush of rebellion, he shook off Turbo Granny, sending the doll to the ground, sighing in relief while she yowled and grouched in her mistreatment. Okarun though never heard her words, looking up just in time to see Momo tugging her shift over head, showing off the teal and pink swimsuit underneath. Something of a strangled squeal bubbled out of him and he turned away as she stripped. His eyes quickly locked onto various guys that were turning to eye her. 

A deep, rumbling growl festered out of Okarun as he glared at them, his yokai presence spreading out, pressing down on those who arrogantly thought they could ogle at her. 

All the guys stiffened at the tense feeling they felt, and with no clear answer for the sense of danger they were picking up, they quickly dispersed, a little unnerved. 

Okarun relaxed at their departure, the brown in his eyes returning. He continued forth, finding Vamola had chosen a spot for their things and set them down beside her. He looked up as Momo charged into the sea, the waves rushing forward to meet her. 

“COOOOLD!” she squealed and laughed, then just dropped into the depths. 

Okarun had a few seconds of tension before Momo popped up, chortling in glee as she splashed around for the sheer joy of it. 

“Momo, stop teasing meeee,” Jiji bemoaned from the beach. 

Aira eased herself into the water with as much grace as she could muster as the cold waves wrapped around her. “Heee, haa,” she breathed out, willing her body to not surge and jerk in response to the cold water. 

“You just gotta dive in,” Momo told her. 

“And look like a hooligan?! No thanks.” 

Aira though didn’t have much choice when one strong wave knocked her down. 

“Haaah!” Momo laughed as Aira popped up with a gasp. 

“Skank!” Aira snapped, splashing at Momo. 

Momo just snickered, then saw the buoy a good distance away. Feeling a playful, competitive spark, Momo challenged, “Race you to the buoy?” 

Aira narrowed her eyes. “You’re on.” 

The two tore off through the water, driven by the need to win and beat the other. In their wake was Okarun and Jiji watching them go, while Vamola and Turbo Granny had more fun in the shallows, Vamola especially taking her time to enjoy the water. 

“Wanna play volleyball?” JIji offered. 

“I haven’t played before,” Okarun warned sheepishly. 

“I’ll teach you!” JIji eased, waving his fists around excitedly. “It’s going to be so fuuuuuun!” 

Grabbing Okarun’s arm, Jiji hauled him to a wide volleyball net, taking up the other half that wasn’t in use. Jiji turned to Okarun, eyes alight with glee. “You are going to be amazing at this game! It comes down to speed and reactivity!” 

Okarun perked. He exclaimed excitedly, waving his fists about slightly, “I'm good at those!” 

“Yeah you are!” Jiji hyped, finger gunning the sky. 

Explaining the rules, Jiji hopped over the net and took his place on the other side, scoping up a free ball. “Yo, yo! You ready, Okaruuuun?!” Jiji called. 

“I’m ready!” Okarun called out dramatically, sharing Jiji’s pumped energy.

Jiji hopped high, and hit the ball hard, sending it flying across the net. 

Okarun tracked it effortlessly, darting forth and intercepting it. With ease, he knocked it back, watching Jiji race up to barely get it in time. With a big wide grin from Jiji, the game was afoot. 

Minutes dragged on during their play, with only a handful of points coming to exist between the two athletic boys, both getting caught up in the fun and competition. Eventually, as the game went on, attention was drawn their way, some in awe by the skill and dexterity of the two boys and their near even match.

Many girls had their eyes set upon JIji, the tall youth easily drawing in the gaze of others, how his body would flex and the strength behind his blows. 

A few had their own admiring eyes upon Okarun, his slimmer frame did little to deter the muscles he developed, and it worked nicely off his dexterity. 

A little over an hour later, the game was done in a draw, both Okarun and Jiji wore out from the endless back and forth. 

Jiji though didn’t have much chance to have a break as he got swarmed by various girls, offering eager compliments and playful flirtations. Ever the social butterfly, Jiji entertained them eagerly, finding enough energy to work off the eager crowd of admirers. 

Okarun for his part was ready to lay back on a beach towel and relax. Looking over, he could see that Momo and Aira had returned from their race and were back on the beach. While Aira was relaxing back on a lounge chair and tanning, Momo was plopped on the sand, teaching Vamola how to build a sandcastle. Turbo Granny was seated on top of Vamola, and faintly, Okarun could hear her demanding they make it big enough for her to get into. 

Okarun smiled fondly, about to go join them, when a flirtatious voice cut him off. 

“Here you got, Hotshot.” 

A little surprised, Okarun turned to see an offered water bottle, and looked past it to a girl batting her eyelashes at him. 

“Oh, thank you,” Okarun said, accepting the water bottle. 

A little random, but he’ll take it. It’s a nice gesture. 

“That was a very impressive game,” the girl said, her hand coming to rest on his bicep. 

Okarun drew away, giving the girl a wary squint. “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” he offered neutrally, turning away to join the others, only to go rigid when the girl wrapped her arms around his. 

“Why don’t you join me for a walk down the beach? Let the breeze cool you off?” the girl persisted. 

“I’m here with company already,” Okarun pushed back, torn between being polite and snapping. He could feel his nature twisting in displeasure at her approach, receiving such affection from a random girl. This was not the attention or affection he wanted. When the girl tightened her grip on his arm, he did pry her off of him, adding sternly, “And I have a girlfriend already.” 

And you aren't her , he added silently. 

The girl squinted at Okarun like he said Nessie was just a regular dinosaur. 

Then she narrowed her eyes. “Who’s your girlfriend?” she demanded, “Cause I don’t see her around.” 

“Over there building a sand castle,” he pointed out.

The girl eyed Momo and Vamola, the former falling back with a huge laugh as Turbo Granny fell off Vamola and landed onto the shobby looking mass they were making. Vamola’s wince didn’t last too long and soon she was smiling and laughing with Momo. 

While Okarun smiled with full adoration, the girl was not impressed. 

With a scoff, the girl declared, “You could do better.” 

Okarun went still at the claim, his glasses taking on a bright sheen, hiding his eyes. 

“I don’t know which it is, but they both look childish,” the girl declared, flipping her black hair, “and one even looks like a skank. Now, I have a lot more to offer. I actually have a house here on the beach that we can go and enjoy—”

Okarun interrupted, “You should run home to it then.” 

 The girl turned to Okarun in surprise, gaping at him. “What?” she asked dangerously. 

Only for her fire to dim down at the intense pressure around the guy, turning his gleaming glasses towards her. While she couldn’t see his eyes, she could feel his glare. He continued, his voice in a deep growl, “You’re really starting to piss me off, yo.” 

The girl took an instinctive step back, put off by the intense anger the guy was putting off, unaware that he shot up in height, of the wispy white mane he now sported, and of the big black maw that was dangerously gritting its teeth, ready to snap at her. 

“Y-you know, you wear glasses anyway,” the girl put out, backing away still. “You’re not worth my time.” 

Okarun didn’t bother replying, continuing to glare at the girl until she fully walked away. 

“Okarun?” 

He turned, his red eyes settling on Momo as she came to join him. He noted absently that she was covered in sand, and smelled like seawater. 

“You ok?” Momo asked. 

His maw dispersed as he sighed, letting the irritation go. “Yeah, yeah, I, I’m ok.” Still, he did immediately go to her side, putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close, giving a slight nuzzle to her forehead. “I’m better.” 

Momo blushed at the sudden affection, peeking up at Okarun in surprise and slight concern. Tempted to ask, she opted to let it go. Instead, she wrapped her arm around him and led him over to their spot, voicing, “Come on, you can help us make a sand castle up to Turbo Granny’s standard.” 

“I’ve never tried before,” Okarun warned. 

“Neither has Vamola, and that’s not stopping her!” 

He chuckled, feeling much better now. “True. I’ll give it my all!” 

Momo smiled back. “That’s all we can ask.” 

As Okarun joined them, his bad encounter was forgotten as he joined Vamola in trying to figure out how to get a wall of sand to stand, listening to Momo’s tips and guidance. 

“I’m coming in!” Jiji called, rushing over to join them, sliding to their spot, barely avoiding the second lumpy try at a castle, sparking off cheers and grumbles as JIji joined in, offering his own crazy tips on how to mold the castle. 

Chapter Text

Momo was starting to get a bit irritated. 

Her clothes were starting to disappear on her. Mindful, Momo was the sort to share. She shared her clothes plenty of times with her friends, mainly Vamola and Aira when they needed something to wear. If something was gone, it was usually with them. But the odd thing was the lack of baggy clothes.

While Vamola had no gripe about what she wore, Aira did. 

Momo’s baggy attire was not an option, so they were not with her. 

And Vamola lived with them. Vamola was not a clothes thief and always brought the borrowed clothes back. And Momo had gone out of her way to check Vamola’s room, her baggy clothes weren’t there. 

So where the hell were they? 

Faintly, she heard Okarun call out as he arrived, ready to help her with her homework. Huffing to herself, Momo acknowledged that she just had to save this mystery for another day. Hopefully, they’ll turn up, or maybe she’ll discover she’s being haunted by some mischievous yokai that’s stealing her clothes for fun. 

Coming out of her room, her gaze turned to Okarun just as he looked up towards her, his lips turning up into a fond, adoring smile. 

One Momo didn’t return, an inner fire of outrage flaring to life at what she saw. 

Okarun was wearing her lost shirt.

"Momo?" he asked in concern.

“OKARUUUUN!” she screeched out immediately, starting to race down the stairs towards him.

“Momo?!” he cried out in alarm, instinctively turning and running away, igniting the chase. 

They booked it through the house, Momo snarling his name while Okarun cried out in fear and protest. They earned an angry yowl from Turbo Granny as they barely dodged her in their frantic rush. They startled Vamola as she was heading out of her room, who stared after them in confusion before grinning and started to run after them. 

“Momo! Takakura! Fight! Fight! Fight!” Vamola cheered. 

“I’m going to get you!” Momo snarled. 

“What did I even do?!” Okarun demanded frantically. 

“No running in my house!” Seiko snapped aloud as they rushed past the kitchen, flinging some water their way. 

Okarun barely dodged it and hurried outside, Momo hot on his tail. 

Vamola though slowed down and pointed to the water, offering, “I help clean!” 

“Vamola, you’re a gift,” Seiko declared, nodding sagely as the alien girl did as she bid. 

Outside, Okarun ignited in speed, no more cramped spaces to limit him, easily getting ahead of Momo who was just coming down the porch steps. 

“Don’t even think of cheating!” she snapped, using her telekinesis to reach for him. 

“You’re using your power!” he snapped back, dodging one of her “hands”. He tried to reach for the cursed power, and was startled to feel resistance. It was as if it didn’t want to manifest against Momo. 

If he could, he would shake it, insisting that Momo wasn’t given them much of a choice! 

In his distraction, Momo grabbed him, and without his power to push against her grasp, reeled him back, right towards her.

She had a second to realize the consequences of her actions before Okarun slammed into her, sending them both to the ground, and earning a grunt from Momo. 

“Miss Ayase!” Okarun cried out frantically, scrambling to get up, to get his weight off of her, to see if she was ok. 

Only to get grabbed by her and brought back down. 

Okarun went still, his face going red as their noses squished together, her hands on his shoulders, and her pink-brown eyes glaring into his own. He couldn’t help but gulp at the intensity of the closeness, his heart hammering from adrenaline and their position. 

So close, that if he just moved a little— 

“I got you, you damn thief,” she murmured in a growl, snapping him out of his daze. 

He blinked. “Eh?” 

“Don’t you ‘eh’ me!” she snapped, suddenly sitting up, earning a squeal as he was now in her lap . Momo didn’t notice, too caught up in her upset. “You’ve been stealing from me?!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Okarun pleaded, raising his hands up in surrender. 

She grabbed his shirt and shook it. “This! This is my shirt! Why do you have it?!”

Oh. 

Okarun blushed, turning away sheepish. He reached up to adjust his glasses, mumbling, “I, I’m sorry, I’ll return it immediately—”

 “Answer the question!” Momo demanded, shaking him a little. 

“I, I took it to help.” 

Momo paused at that, turning to him in confusion. “Hah? What do you mean to help?” 

Okarun’s face went redder. Momo narrowed her eyes at him but waited as Okarun collected his flustered courage. “At night, um, I’ve discovered that I’ve been sleep shifting. And I’ll wake up to find myself trying to leave, and I, I think I’m trying to come here. To you.”

Momo blinked at him in surprise. “Really?” 

Okarun covered his face as he continued, “A-and when you went on your trip, I discovered having your blanket helped me from trying to follow after you, it kept me home because it… because it…” Gosh, this was so embarrassing. He didn’t know if he could finish. But as Momo continued to stare at him, Okarun very quietly admitted, “Because it smelled like you.”

Surprised, Momo couldn’t stop the snort that bubbled up. “That’s it?”

“Miss Ayase, please!”

“Wha, no don’t turn away, that’s actually really cute,” Momo said, leaning over, trying to meet his eyes. “Seriously, though, why didn’t you just ask?” 

Face red, Okarun admitted, “Because it’s embarrassing.” And to himself, he added that she did have a tendency to be forgetful, and she had so many clothes. He didn't think she'd notice. But of course she would notice if he came wearing one of clothes. He just hadn't even thought about it. Wearing something of hers, her scent lingering on the shirt, it just brought him comfort, helped him feel close to her even when they were apart.

Gosh, he was such a sap. It was so embarrassing.

 Momo just giggled, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pulling him close into a hug, her smile growing as his heated face pressed against hers, though Okarun returned her hug. Quietly, he murmured, “I’m sorry for stealing your clothes. I, I should’ve asked. I can return them if you need them.”

“You’re good keeping them,” Momo eased. “Just let me know next time. That way I won’t chase you down next time.” 

…Okarun didn’t have the will or courage to admit he kinda liked being chased by her… 

Chapter Text

Momo was glad that moon days were a rare occurrence. Between three friends all tied to being yokai and having the lingering full moon draw them out during the day, it made school much more exhausting. Momo was starting to feel ready for a break. 

Just one afternoon. 

To go yokai free. 

And bless her friends, Miko and Muko seemed to pick up on it, asking if she wanted to join them for a shopping trip. Momo latched on with an immediate yes. 

To go shopping and walk around the mall for fun, just to goof around and check out sights, it sounded so nice . Just what she needed. 

And usually, the moon was gone by the time school was out. 

She should be good. 

She should be fine. 

No need to stress about her friends when school wrapped up. 

Only there was some slight concern to see that Jiji was still Evil Eye, who was still doodling in the notebook and ripping pages up. Momo squinted at him, like Evil Eye would turn and tell her what was up. 

He didn’t. Too invested in his linework. 

Momo reasoned that Evil Eye just wasn’t giving control back to Jiji. There was no reason to think the moon was still hanging around, right? It was gone by now, right? It had to be… 

The bell sounded out and with some cautious trepidation, Momo headed out. As soon as she stepped into the hall, she was immediately pulled into a hug and given an affectionate muzzle. 

“Momo-chan, I missed you,” Okarun declared easily. 

“Ooooooh,” Miko and Muko cooed, making Momo blush and fluster, pushing back against Okarun’s nuzzle. 

Okarun though didn’t budge, too happy to have her in her arms. 

“Why are you still transformed?” Momo questioned quietly, giving up trying to get free. 

“Cause the moon’s still out,” Aira snarked, coming up to join them. From the open sections of her mask, Momo can see that Aira was scowling. 

“It is!” Miko exclaimed, “Isn’t that romantic?”

“Perfect for some selfies,” Muko agreed. “You two should get a selfie in front of the moon.” 

Okarun peered at Momo’s friends from over her head, intrigued. “I would like that, yo.” 

Her friends grinned at them. “We’re willing to wait if you guys want to get a selfie real quick.” 

Aira scoffed in displeasure, grumbling, “I’m heading home.” 

Okarun leaned back to eye Momo, brow raised. “Are you heading off somewhere, Momo-chan?” 

“We’re going to go shopping!” Miko answered. 

“Wanna join, Okarun?” Muko asked.

As Okarun opened his mouth to reply, there was a loud, excited shout behind them. “TAKAKURA!” 

Miko and Muko darted away from the door just in time as Evil Eye popped up, wild eyes set upon the wary speed demon that turned Momo away from Evil Eye. “Play soccer with me! I learned about it from Jiji! We play now!” 

“No way, yo,” Okarun grumbled, “I wanna go with Momo-chan.”

“All you want to do is be with Momo!” Evil Eye whined, stomping out his tantrum in the doorway. 

Miko and Muko exchanged a look. “You ok, Jiji?” Miko asked. 

Evil Eye turned to scowl at the girls, making them tense slightly. “I’m not—”

Momo immediately slapped a hand over his mouth, getting free of Okarun’s hold. “Feeling well!” Momo provided. Frantically looking towards Okarun for help, she saw Vamola coming out of class, smiling and nodding while Kinta rambled about something. Momo called out loudly, “Vamola!” 

With a twitch of an antenna, Vamola looked over, oblivious to Kinta’s flinch at her attention turning away from him. 

Momo requested, “Would you get some pampy with Jiji?”  

Evil Eye pulled her hand off him, shouting, “I LOVE PAMPY!”

“Pampy!” Vamola echoed. “Let’s go, Jiji!” 

Okarun grabbed Momo just in time as Evil Eye booked it towards Vamola, grabbing her wrist and dragging her along. Vamola giddily kicked up her feet, laughing as she was carried easily through the air. 

In their wake, Kinta gaped after them. 

Evil Eye crisis averted, Okarun said aloud, “I would absolutely like to join you guys, yo.”

“Let’s goooo!” Miko cheered. 

“We’ll get you two some matching outfits!” Muko added. 

Momo released a breath as her best friends talked excitedly, accepting that she wasn’t getting that break yet. 

Sensitive to her, he rested his jaw on her shoulder while her friends rambled off all they could do for this outing. He asked softly, “Are you ok with me joining, Momo-chan?” 

“Yeah, it’s fine,” she eased, though she did give him a pointed look. “Though I hope you’re ready for the afternoon you’re joining.” 

He raised a brow. She made it sound like he was about to go into battle. 

It was only when Momo smirked, looking over him, that Okarun felt a little weary. “And I can make use of this.” She nodded. “Yeah, this has been on my list for a long time.” 

“Uh, what has?”

Momo shifted into his grip, giving him an affectionate kiss on the cheek. “Spoiling you,” she answered. 

“You do that every day, yo,” Okarun declared.

She gave him one more affectionate nuzzle before turning to Miko and Muko, asking, “Where to start, girls?” 

Okarun found himself wary of their big smiles.

Shopping for Okarun went by in a blur. He could compare it to riding on the train. It was bustling, bumpy, and noisy; but also easy going enough that he could zone out and enjoy the scenery and company. 

He was deaf to most of the conversations the girls were having, perking up when Momo would laugh or exclaim something loudly, then relax back to watch the world go by. 

Momo would hold his hand to guide him along, and he was always more focused on their joint touch. Momo mentioned to him that he was cold when he transformed, like the chill of a river in autumn. While it made her shiver, she always assured him it was a refreshing touch, bringing her some clarity whenever her thoughts got too jumbled. 

Okarun in turn would say Momo was warm. To touch her was like touching a flame. Not a fire, burning and hot and blazing, she was more like a candle in his grasp. She was warm, soothing, and bringing him light in such a dour, gloomy world. She would fill his air with her scent, smelling of peaches and rain and earth. Sometimes there was a hint of smoke from Seiko, but it never seemed to linger long on Momo. 

His fingers gave her hand an affectionate squeeze. 

As much as he liked Muko and Miko, part of him wished they had headed to her home instead. That they were on her bed and he could cuddle up with her, busy his nose in her hair, and lounge the rest of the day away. 

His wishful thinking got interrupted when Momo pulled him into a clothing store, chasing after Miko and Muko. 

Dragging him to one spot, Momo ordered, “Stay!” 

“Ok,” he agreed, watching her zip away excitedly. 

Having faith that Momo will be back, he waited as instructed to, zoning out and ignoring all the customers that passed, giving him odd looks. 

Muko returned first. “Hold this,” she bid, handing him some clothes. 

Okarun complied. 

Abandoned by Muko (but not too upset by it), Okarun waited, now holding clothes as he resumed zoned out. When Momo returned, Okarun perked to attention. “Milko and I found these!” Momo revealed excitedly, holding up various shirts, hoodies, and pants for him to see. 

“Cool,” Okarun offered, feeling slightly bad he couldn’t match her enthusiasm in this form. He often wondered if his energy ever brought her down since he couldn't match it in this form. 

Momo never seemed too bothered by his monotone (aside from the first transformation). Radiating enthusiasm, she shoved the clothes into his arms, adding to the pile in his arms, and then shoved him to the nearby dressing rooms. 

“Try them on!” Momo demanded. “And then show me!”

“Ok,” Okarun said, doing as Momo bid. 

When he came out, he found Miko and Muko had joined her, all three waiting in anticipation to see him. There was a chorus of “ooooh!” from all of them, and if Okarun could in this form, he might’ve blushed at their attention and excitement over him wearing clothes. 

Momo was quick  to instruct him to try on more, popping in to show him what clothes she wanted to see matched with before she popped back out for him to change. 

Ever willing to humor her on anything, he did as she desired. 

He tried everything they brought him, and humored them when they wanted to see certain clothes mixed up and matched. 

On a whim, he truly took in what they brought him, looking at himself in the mirror. The clothes they brought him was more along their style in fashion, and not something he himself wore. As an awkward fellow, he’d aim for more simple attire. But between Momo’s excited friends and Momo’s own anticipating gaze wanting to see him dress, well, how can he say no? Especially with how she lit up whenever he stepped out. 

An hour seemed to go by as he tried on various jackets, shirts, caps (there was even one with cat ears that sent Momo into a giggling fit), and pants. For his yokai form, they all fit perfectly, even if the styles were a little bolder than Okarun would personally pick. Miko and Muko would comment that they hung off Okarun, but Momo insisted they were perfect. 

It warmed him that Momo wanted to get him clothes that would fit his yokai form. 

The only time Okarun didn’t humor Momo was when she tried to buy him the clothes. One arm wrapped around her middle, Okarun lifted her up and away from the cashier, keeping her trapped while he bought the clothes for himself, ignoring her struggles and snaps at him. 

Behind them, Miko and Muko watched in awe with how Okarun easily held Momo while he paid, ignoring her struggles and the cashier’s gawk. 

“He is surprisingly strong,” Miko said. 

“And Momo does seem to really like him, she never wants to buy this much for someone else.” 

With a shared glance, they nodded in agreement. 

This was a definite keeper. 

A big improvement over the last guy. 

It was a happy revelation for them when they left, but not so for Okarun. Momo was a little mad at him, not wanting to look at him as she pouted and sulked. It made him wilt. 

Momo didn’t have long to sulk at Okarun, when Miko and Muko grabbed them and rushed them off the first restaurant they saw. Okarun and Momo wound up in the same booth while Miko and Muko sat across from them. When food was ordered and they were all settled, Momo resumed her pouting, still not over the rare bout or rebellion from Okarun in this form. 

Which, for Okarun, there was only so much he could take. 

Okarun fell forward, slouching on the table, peering up at Momo with big, sad red eyes. “I’m sorry, Momo-chan. You’ve given me so much, I didn’t want you to cover everything.” 

He was a man, after all. 

He should be able to cover his own clothes. 

And truly, there’s so much she’s given him already. Her attention and love. A home. Food. opening up his world to having friends and a sense of family. 

Her buying him clothes was just too much on top of everything. That he can do. 

And luckily for him, Miko and Muko had his back on this. 

“Aaaaaw,” Miko and Muko cooed, making Momo blush and huff. She couldn’t stay mad when he pouted like that, nor when her friends were there as well. 

“Fine,” she relented, tugging at his shoulder, urging, “sit up.”

Okarun did so, leaning on her happily. 

Momo grumbled with no real heat, “Sometimes you’re too much.” 

“Some would argue that you’re too much,” Miko shot back, sticking her tongue out playfully. 

Momo scoffed at the tease. “I’ll have you know that I am the perfect amount of much, thank you very much.” She turned to her boyfriend, asking, “Right, Okarun?” 

“Mostly.” 

Momo gasped dramatically at him. “Traitor!” 

There was a twitch of Okarun’s lips, the biggest show of his amusement. Momo pursed her lips at him and his betrayal. 

Miko snickered. 

Momo flicked a little of her water at her and Okarun in revenge. While Miko leaned away with a protesting laugh, Okarun took it easily, smirking at her. 

Momo shook her head at them fondly, then went still as a thought popped up in her head. “Oh shoot! Hang on, I forgot to add something to my order, I’ll be right back!” Momo arose and hurried away to find their waiter. 

Okarun stared after her while Miko and Muko turned their gazes onto him. 

“You know, Okarun,” Miko voiced aloud, “we’re pretty happy with you.” 

Okarun turned to them, head tilting slightly. 

“You’re actually a really cool guy,” Muko agreed. 

“And we don’t have to worry about Momo with you,” Miko said. 

“I would never hurt her,” Okarun confirmed, glancing after her. “She’s my world, yo.” 

Miko rolled her eyes fondly while Muko cooed. 

“That's what I mean. After that jerk,” Okarun twitched at the reminder of him , “I wondered about her tastes in guys. If she was someone we should worry about.” 

“Then she chose you,” Muko voiced. “Someone that stood up for her for rumors. Was always there for her. Who adores her, flaws and all.” 

“We appreciate it,” Miko said, “she's our best friend, and for all the teasing we do, we want her happy.” 

“You really make her happy, Okarun.” 

He looked between the two, red eyes shining. He bowed his head, his maw appearing out of habit to hide his smile, murmuring, “Thanks, yo, it really makes me happy to hear that.” 

Miko and Muko adjusted themselves as Momo returned, sliding into her seat. “Got it!” she chirped.

“Momo-chan, I love you,” Okarun stated bluntly, startling Momo while her friends grinned.

“Wha--gah?! Don't just spring that on me!” Momo exclaimed, pushing at Okarun’s maw, red faced. 

“Whaaat, you're not going to return it?” Miko teased.

“Shut it!” 

“Oh! Poor, Okarun!” 

As Momo snapped at her snickering best friends, Okarun sat with his hidden smile, feeling happy.

Chapter Text

There were times that Momo has gotten the occasional comment and grumble that Okarun was like her guard dog: overly devoted, overly viscous when she’s in danger, and just downright intimidating for her; there’s even times of him dropping to all fours to bow down in front of her protectively. 

Normally, Okarun as a “guard dog” didn’t really always cross her mind. It's just what Okarun does. It’s what he always does. By himself unprompted. To be her “guard dog”, she expected to have full command over him, and while she did direct him at times (maybe it was more than she realized?), Okarun largely did his own thing. 

But there are also times she can see the “dog” impression that Okarun inspires. 

Especially right now. 

The full moon was drawing near and her yokai friends could feel it. 

Aira was mostly herself, a little blunt and short tempered, but that was it. Barely a difference.  

Jiji was taking care to be more careful around cool liquids, and she saw him wince occasionally in class, making her suspect he was speaking with the Evil Eye and that the literal inner child was getting antsy. 

And her Okarun was restless. 

Rin mentioned to Momo that he was struggling to sit still and focus in class, looking ready to just book it out in a moment’s notice. 

And once school ended, Okarun immediately went to the open track field and just started to run .

Momo thinks he was on his eighth lap when she sat herself down on the bleachers to watch and wait for him. He didn’t even notice her arrival, too caught up in getting his zoomies out. 

And it was here that Momo saw the “dog” in Okarun. 

But she didn’t see some big, fearsome bully breed that most seemed to think of. 

Here she saw some doe eyed greyhound; or maybe a borzoi to play off his curly hair; getting pent up energy out and just having the time of his life. And chances were good that, immediately after, he was going to want nothing more than to lounge and cuddle up with her. And by the rate he was going, Momo had a feeling he was going to crash hard. 

As she predicted, he was nearlying his eleventh lap when he finally started to slow down, and then just collapsed on the track, turning just in time to drop onto his back, protecting his glasses from the ground. She gave him some time to just lay there, panting away from his one man race, before she came to join him. 

Her shadow fell over him and Okarun opened up his eyes, seeing Momo loom over him. Something of a silly smile spread over his lips, a little high from the rush of running. 

“Momo,” he greeted, a tad breathless, but the affection in his voice was clear. 

“Hey, Okarun,” she returned, smiling at the rare sound of her name. “Did you have a good run?” 

“Haaah,” he breathed out, relaxing on the ground, closing his eyes. “I feel better.” 

She crouched down to sit with him, offering him a drink. “Rin mentioned you were twitchy today.” 

Okarun didn’t accept the drink right away, though by how he glanced at it, she could see he wanted it. He confirmed, “Yeah, it was hard being in school today.” 

“You could’ve left early,” she rolled out. 

Okarun made a face, making it clear that he wasn’t able to do so. Which, how could he? He felt obligated to be there as it was expected. And he didn’t want to just up and leave her either. He did finally shuffle up, accepting the offered drink, sighing in relief as the cool liquid swept down his throat. 

“Better?” Momo asked. 

Okarun nodded, shuffling closer to lean on her. Momo leaned back, not minding the dirt of the track, the soil felt familiar, reminding her of the dirt road to home. With a knowing glance, she saw Okarun had his eyes closed, taking a moment to rest and relax. 

With a small smile, she asked, “So, think you’re up to go again? Maybe see how quickly you can get me to work?” 

His eyes snapped open, showing a crimson hue as he glanced her way. 

“I’ll time ya,” Momo offered. 

In a rare, playful edge, Okarun said, “We could make a bet of it.” 

That competitive spark flared to life. “Oooh, someone’s feeling confident. Alright, Okarun, what do you want to bet?” 

“If I can get you to work in three minutes or less…” Okarun trailed off, trying to think of what he would want that Momo wouldn’t. Within reason, of course. And then the idea clicked into place, and a rare, wicked smile full of mischief slid over his lips. “You dress up in that classic green alien costume.” 

Momo gasped in terror. “Nooooo! I would look terrible in that!” 

Okarun meanwhile just envisioned how cute she would look. 

“Ok, ok,” Momo voiced, giving him a serious look. “If you’re longer than three minutes, you dress up as Ken Takakura.” 

“...Technically, I already do.” 

“Shush!” She gave his cheek a hard poke. “I get to pick the outfit!” 

“Alright, alright,” he eased which a chuckle. 

“Aaaand!” she added with a flourish, “No all out!”

“I wasn’t going to use it,” Okarun insisted. 

Momo said, “I just want it to be made an official rule.”

Okarun lightly rolled his eyes. “Yes, Ma’am.” He settled back on Momo, sighing contently as his head rested in the crook of her shoulder. 

When it was time for Momo to head to work and Okarun was recharged and restless, Momo settled onto his back, had his shoes and socks in hand, and noted the time before announcing Okarun to start. 

She barely got the word out when Okarun took off, Momo only staying on out of habit of holding him tightly. She crouched low, feeling the air whip around her as Okarun pushed himself to run as fast as he could. His black maw gritting its teeth in the effort, Okarun started to growl as he pushed his limit. He barely noticed Momo gripping him harder as he went, her squeals of delight muffled by the gale.

Seeing it in sight, Okarun skidded to a stop, sliding all the way to a stop right beside it, stumbling a little when they finally came to a stop. Momo quickly hopped off, bringing out her phone as Okarun glanced her way. 

She gasped, jumping up and down. “Two minutes!” 

“Nice,” he said, and then collapsed. 

“Okarun?!” Momo cried out in alarm. 

“Momo-chan, carry me inside. I went too far.” 

“Ok,” she complied, using her power to make it look like she was giving him a piggyback ride inside. 

Grinning under his maw, Okarun stated, “And after you’re off, let’s go find your alien costume.” 

Momo groaned. “Let’s keep it private at least, ok?”

He beamed at the thought of having cute, alien Momo all to himself. “Works for me.” 

Chapter Text

One of the merits of Momo being a hard worker and well liked at the maid cafe is that Okarun sort of has his own designated spot. A spot he’s welcomed to sit and hang out for as long as Momo’s shift goes on (so long as they weren't busy).

He does think part of it is that the staff have come to like both of them. 

And he only occasionally claims the spot. It’s not always he’s able to spend his time at the cafe while Momo works. 

Either way, he feels welcomed. And he appreciates the allowance. 

Gives him time to work on homework (Momo is jealous of this).

He gets to see more of Momo dressed as a maid (she's so cute he's going to die).

And he's there when she gets off, securing he gets to see her home safe, and usually gets an invite to sleepover, which always makes him warm and happy. 

And today is just supposed to be one of those easy evenings at the cafe. It was decently busy, but not enough that Okarun had to opt his spot away. The manager gave him the ok to stay even when he was bidding Momo goodbye. 

And with him getting much of his energy out, he was ready for a relatively relaxing shift. 

Until Momo’s curt growling words reached his ears, the fury barely stifled by struggling self-restraint. 

“Sir. That is unacceptable behavior.” 

Okarun turned towards her, seeing her face red and eyes blazing angrily down at the table behind her, one hand clutching at her skirt. Near her were some college boys, grinning up at her, snickering at some joke. 

A joke Momo did not find funny. 

“Come on, doll,” one guy voiced, reaching for her waist, another stood up to block her from escaping. “You’re a maid meant to serve us, you could serve us a little better. Like joining us.”

Momo gritted her teeth, hand twitching to punch the guy’s teeth in. 

Cafe policy though was to not get hostile with customers. 

But customers weren’t to overstep their boundaries either. 

And as that hand drew near, Momo was about ready to chuck all work courtesy out the window and give them a what for, when a grey skinned hand with long fingers grabbed the guy’s wrist. 

They all had a second to register the touch before the guy was hauled out of his seat, facing the ominous shine of glasses peering up at him. 

“You need to leave,” the boy said, his grip hard. 

The college student though just sneered at the short nerd. “Stay out of it, geek,” the guy spat, “this is between us and the doll.” He gave the kid a shove, only to have a start when the boy didn’t move an inch. Also his wrist was kinda starting to hurt…? “We’re just messing around,” the guy said, trying to pry Okarun’s grip off of him. Ok, this was now starting to hurt. “Kid, let go. Seriously, you need to let go—oooow!!” 

Okarun jerked his arm up and the guy collapsed to his knees, at his mercy and overwhelmed by the pain of his grip. There was some intense pressure in the air and for a split second, he could swear he was seeing a figure double this kid in height, with wispy white hair and glaring red eyes. 

One of his friends shoved the startled maid aside, moving to punch the kid in the face, only his fist was caught immediately, and he was also caught in Okarun’s grasp, twisting the guy’s arm to hold him still. 

Momo had a few seconds to gape at Okarun’s intervention, when she noticed that the other buddies were making a break for it. Reaching out with her “hands”, she grabbed their ankles, tripping them. 

Just in time for the manager to rush over, asking, “What in the world is going on here?! Mister Okarun! Release them immediately!” 

He didn’t move to do so right away, glaring at them from under his glasses, before he relented and let go. Gripping their hand and wrist, they scrambled back, closer to their friends. 

Momo quickly revealed, stepping back closer to Okarun, “They lifted my skirt!”

The normally sweet manager seemed to shift in place, her expression going dark and fearsome, turning her blazing dark eyes upon all four college students. It almost seemed like a demon manifested in her place. “We have a strict policy here, one we expect guests to respect.” With a sweet smile that bore a wickedness behind it, she stated, “You are officially banned.” 

“Wha— you can’t do this!” 

“We were just kidding around!” 

“Your kidding around upset my employee and made her uncomfortable, and upset one of my customers. Now, I’m going to need to see your IDs before you leave.” 

One of them glared at her. “You can’t get the police involved over this.” 

“Oh, no, I’m going to share your names and faces with other maid cafes and have you blacklisted.” 

Behind the upset boys, Momo quietly snickered, enjoying the swift karma. Only to pause when she saw that Okarun wasn’t enjoying the joy of karma, instead glaring away at the boys, still shifting into his yokai form, the black flames lashing about in agitation. 

Tentatively, Momo reached for Okarun’s hand, giving him a slight start at the gentle touch. Turning to her, Momo immediately soothed, “It’s ok. I’m ok.” 

He narrowed his eyes at her, the closest thing to glaring at her that she’s ever gotten in his yokai form. Though it did little to intimidate Momo, knowing he never would back any real heat at her in this form. She did add, “They’re never coming back here again.  We won’t ever see them again.” 

Okarun released a breath, shifting back to himself, using his free hand to adjust his glasses. “That’s good,” he replied quietly. 

They both turned to see her manager approach, immediately asking Momo, “Are you ok, Ayase-san?” 

“Yes! I’m ok.”

“Good, we don’t tolerate that behavior, and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to catch it sooner. I am glad that you were able to step up and help her, Takakura-kun.” 

“I’m glad I was able to be here for it.” 

The manager smiled. “You’re welcome to have whatever you like, on the house.” 

“Um, could I have some hanami dango?” Okarun requested, “But, uh, a little later, to go, please.” 

“Of course!” 

Momo eyed Okarun with slight intrigue, but went back to work at the manager’s bid while Okarun returned to his seat. When she free from her shift, she wasn’t too surprised to see Okarun offering a stick of dango to her, but it didn’t diminish her delight. 

Momo immediately opened her mouth and Okarun didn’t hesitate to feed her, smiling contently as she hummed happily at the treat. 

He did have a start when she quickly stole one of the sticks from the box, offering it back to him in return. 

“This is for you!” he protested, not leaning away in rejection, though he was resisting taking that first bite. 

“And I want to feed you too!” Momo insisted, pushing it closer to his lips. “Come on, Okarun! We’re not doing this again! I will not eat another bite unless you do!” 

Okarun relented, since she set her foot down. Grasping her hand gently, he plucked a dango off, enjoying the sweet treat before offering her another bite. 

With the biggest smile of the day, Momo looped her arm with his, leaning against him as they walked, enjoying the treat together. 

It was rather nice after such a shift. 

Until Okarun voiced, “Shall we go shopping for an alien costume tomorrow?” 

“Uuuuuh,” Momo groaned in protest. 

It fell on deaf ears as Okarun gushed, “You’re going to look so cute.” 

“No one else better find out about it!” Momo demanded. 

“Of course, of course,” Okarun agreed. This cuteness he wanted to enjoy all to himself. 

Chapter Text

It all started with a text from Okarun, one Momo glanced at, the little chirp of her phone drawing her attention away from her homework. Homework she was determined to see done so she’d have the weekend free. Though the goal was paused by the alert, and with a check, she did see it was from her boyfriend. 

Within it was a simple, small request. 

Can I come over?

In the back of her mind, that almost sounded like her grandma’s voice, forewarned that Okarun can be a distraction. Homework would get put off or forgotten. 

But a more positive and Okarun loving Momo pushed back that Okarun was better at this stuff than her, and he could help her knock it out quicker. 

Before the back of her mind could reason with her, Momo was already typing her quick and confirming reply. With Okarun on the way, Momo turned back to her homework, not anticipating the storm she invited over. 

Though how could she? 

Such an innocent little request, from such a sweet and devoted boy, how could Momo even consider the trouble that was coming her way?

She was nearly done with her work when the bell sounded off. Only, it wasn’t the regular bell. 

Momo looked up with a wary frown, staring out of her room in confusion. 

Did… did the second bell go off? 

What sort of yokai had the audacity to come here?

Marking her spot in her homework, Momo quietly crept to the side door, slipping out, ready to take the invader by surprise. Just as she was creeping to the corner, she jumped to find Okarun awaiting her at the corner, sniffling loudly, his face covered by a mask. 

“Okarun?!” she uttered in surprise. 

“Why didn’t you let me in, Momo?” he wondered, sniffing. 

“Why did you set off the second bell?” she fired back, then squinted at him. “Are you sick?” 

“I got a cold,” he admitted, bowing his head in shame. “Normally, I would care for myself, but—”

Just as Momo was about to protest Okarun needing to care for himself when he has her and friends to help, Okarun let out a sneeze. 

A sneeze so mighty, it made his whole body jerk and twitch and next thing Momo knows, she’s looking up to see his cursed form looming over, looking even more miserable than ever. 

 “I really wanted to come here, yo,” he admitted, sagging so low his wrists were on the ground. “I’m dying. Wanted to see you before I went.”

Momo gave him a baffled eyeball. Skeptically, she asked, “Are you really dying or are you just being dramatic?” 

He fully collapsed on the ground, some odd heap of gangly limbs and stretched out body. “When you find your next love, remember me fondly at least.”

Giving him one last squint, she picked him up with her spectral hands, carrying him inside, though his limbs dragged along the ground. Okarun it seemed rather just go fully limp. Momo debated taking him up to her room but thought of the bathroom being much closer in the den. If he needed it, she’d rather he’d have the closer access. 

For now, leaving him on the ground, she was off to set up a futon, get some tea going, and then zipped up to her room to grab a spare pillow and her pink blanket. 

Okarun laid quietly on the ground, his red eyes lazily following her until she disappeared upstairs. Out of sight, he started to groan in discomfort, rolling to the side to hack, black smoke puffing past the straining mask still on his face. He perked slightly as Momo returned, dropping a pillow on the futon and gestured to it. 

“Can you move? Or do I have to move you?” Momo asked. 

Rolling onto his stomach, Okarun wobbly arose, crawling over to the futon and collapsed right on the pillow. 

Despite his stuffy nose, he could faintly pick up Momo’s scent and feel the traces of her warmth on the pillow, making him sigh. It was like a cool breeze in a desert, a small mercy. It grew as Momo jerked her blanket over him, using her power to stretch it out even over him, making Okarun feel like he was wrapped up in Momo. 

“I got some water going for you, what tea would you want? Ginger? Chamomile? Peppermint? Green? Lemon? Yuzu? We also got some honey I can put with it—”

Okarun sneezed again, his body spasming out to normalcy, though he looked miserable still. Mostly. He seemed happily settled under her blanket and with her pillow. 

“Just water is fine,” he managed out, taking his glasses off and putting them to the side, and Momo could hear the weariness in his voice. “Just need to flush it out and sleep it off.” 

“No, you're going to have some tea,” Momo ordered. “And soup, though I'll have to see what we have.” 

He just slouched on the futon, having no energy to protest against her. He couldn’t deny it was nice having her ready to care for him. 

He did have a slight start as Momo dropped down near him, giving him a close inspection. Her cool hand went to his forehead, then to the back of his neck, trying to get a sense of his temperature. Okarun leaned into her touch, huffing as she moved her cool hand about. “Seriously though, what’s up? Sore throat? Nauseous?” 

“I-I’m just tired,” he admitted shakily, facing going redder under her touch. 

“Hm, chamomile it is,” momo decided, drawing away. Okarun’s hand twitched to grab the leaving touch, but he resisted. “I’ll also go check and see what we have in the way of cold medicine… if we even have anything as it’s been years .”

“What, neither of you get sick?” he asked lightly, half coughing, half chuckling. Part of him wouldn’t be surprised. The Ayase family just seemed so… out of this world. They felt like they were on a whole other level and there were times he felt honored that he was so readily accepted into their world. 

“In recent years? No,” Momo confirmed, “I’ve actually never known Gran to ever get sick. I used to get sick as a kid, though. I think the worst was when I was a baby… I don’t know the details, Gran never got into them, but not long after I was born, I was really sick. I think something was wrong with my chi or spirit or something.” Momo squinted at her hand, as if she could manifest the nonexistent memory. “I think it played into kids just being more spiritually connected, maybe my power manifested early and I just couldn’t handle it? I don’t know. I just know that Gran gathered a few other mediums and they all went to the hospital to do something while the doctors tried to break my fever.” 

Momo had a start as Okarun took her hand, gripping it tightly. “I’m glad you got through it.” 

“Same!” she said lightly, giving his hand a squeeze. “From what I know and remember, that was the worst of it. I got a sick a few times, but never anything too bad.” Momo then winced. “Honestly, I’m just going off what I remember Gran would do, anything else… I don't quite know what you’ll need.” 

Hard to know in a household that hardly gets sick. 

“It’s just a col—” Okarun was interrupted by a sneezing hack and he twitched back to his cursed form, his jolting body extending out enough that his head dropped on Momo’s lap. He blink blearily a few times before relaxing. “Oh, this is nice…” 

“Don’t get too comfy, your tea will be ready soon.” 

“Too late, yo.”

Momo gave a fond roll of her eyes and humored him while she waited for the water to be ready. Okarun was as comfy as possible, until he sneezed, jolting back to his human form, and his head dropping to the floor, earning a grunt. “I hate this,” he grumbled. 

“It does seem annoying,” Momo offered, running her fingers through his hair. She withdrew when she heard the pot whistle. As she prepared the tea, Okarun reluctantly sat him, wincing at the ache and fog in his mind. Momo returned with the tea, offering the cup to him. “This’ll help you sleep at least. While you drink, I’ll go see what we have in the way of medicine.” 

Okarun accepted the cup, relishing the warmth that bloomed across his hands. He took a breath, letting the steam fill his system before he took that drink. He could taste honey that was added to the chamomile, and enjoyed the soothing heat that poured down his throat. Perhaps Momo had the right idea for this. 

Often, living alone and having no other to care for him, when he got sick, Okarun downed water and cold medicine and slept it off. When there was a break that allowed him to function, he would take the chance to return to school, doing what he could to keep the sickness from spreading, and endured the rest until it was gone (which sometimes it took a while, but there were only so many days he could miss with no present parent to back him being sick). 

When he woke up sick, he was ready to do the same. 

Only to get thrown off as every sneeze shifted him, and with it, a strong sense of dread and a strong want to go see Momo. Eventually, the yokai needs won out and Okarun reached out to see if he could see her. He was unsurprised at the welcome, barely remembering to grab a mask, before he was zipping out, eager to see her. 

Absently, he wondered if it was some odd instinct. 

He doesn’t think yokai got sick. But he knew they did get weak. 

Based on Turbo Granny, they moved to hide. 

But maybe for a courting yokai like himself, they sought the safety of their partner? Now that he was here, in his cursed form, he felt safe. Comforted. An instinctive knowledge that he would be protected and cared for while he was weak with his cold. 

Only thing left, according to that instinct, was to cuddle up with Momo. In this foggy state of mind, Okarun found himself agreeing. 

Momo returned, looking unsurprised and apologetic. “Yeah, we got nothing for cold medicine. But we got some umeboshi, and I can go out and get you something real quick.” 

He stiffened. “No,” he protested. 

Mom raised a brow. “No? But it’ll help you recover from your cold quicker.”

“...I could go with you.” 

Momo narrowed her eyes at him. “Absolutely not.” Pointing a finger at him, she said sternly, “You’re going to rest, Mister.” 

But her leaving would defeat the purpose of coming here! He came to be with her! 

Momo though had no such care on his wants, she prompted him to finish up his tea, drink it all, and then pushed him down to the futon, pulling her blanket up to cover him. After a moment of thought, she hurried off, and came back with another, piling it on top of him. He groaned. This one didn’t smell as nice. 

“Momo, please,” he pleaded. He knew he was being pathetic, but he couldn’t help it. 

Momo gave him a raised brow, then weighed her options. “You’re just going to follow me if I head out, won’t you.” 

Okarun quickly looked away, but that was enough for Momo. 

Huffing, she relented. “Ok. I’ll stay, but you drink and eat what I say, and you rest!” 

“Yes, ma— achoo!” He overshot the pillow, groaning in annoyance now that his cheek was pressed to the floor. “Makes me wilt…” 

“I’ll get you a fresh mask, and wipe.”

Okarun just let loose a weird sounding hum that Momo wasn’t sure was a groan or something more appreciative. After he got him what he needed, she zipped up to her room to get her homework and returned to settle near him. Okarun rolled to face her while Momo resumed her homework, his lips twitching under the mask as she pursed her lips at the sheets of paper, a pencil balanced behind her ear. One strand fell forward, hanging out of place. 

His hand twitched, watching to reach for her hair, to put it back behind her ear. But his body felt heavy, a grogginess starting to cling to him. In his growing drowsiness, all he could do is grasp her shirt and hold it.

Momo did glance over when she felt a slight touch, seeing Okarun holding the hem of her shirt, his eyes fallen closed. With a fond smile, she reached out, running a hand through his ethereal locks, her smile growing at the happy sound that hummed out. 

Gosh, sometimes he was so cute she thought she was going to die. 

It was probably a bad idea to do homework right next to him, but she reasoned he was going to crawl his way upstairs to join her. Momo turned away from her sleeping boyfriend, willing her resolve to harden. 

She just had one problem left. 

It will be done. 

Okarun will not be a distraction! 

She was stronger than temptation! 

If Okarun could get homework done around her without getting distracted then she could as well! 

Motivated by a competitive spark, and the reality that she was one problem away from completion, Momo set to work solving the last problem. Through her drive, the problem was solved within a few minutes. 

And that was it. 

It was done. 

Momo made a big grand gesture like she was celebrating someone getting a safe in baseball. 

She did it! 

Momo glanced over at Okarun, seeing him completely out to the world, his brow relaxed, wispy hair flowing in some unnatural breeze. 

She narrowed her eyes contemplatively. 

Okarun was asleep. 

If she was to go out and get cold medicine, this would be the time. She could probably get back before he wakes. 

Okarun, though it seems sensed her thought process. Just as Momo was about to slip away, his long, gangly limbs wrapped around her, and with a squeak, she was pulled towards him, falling back on the ground as he rolled over, hugging her to his chest like she was some plush to cuddle with. 

Momo blinked once. 

Twice. 

Then made a face. 

How the hell did he know?

Momo gave a tentative try to see if she could get free, only Okarun’s grip was ironclad. There was no way she was going to easily wiggle her way out of his grasp. 

To herself, she quietly mumbled, “I guess this is my life now.” At least she got her homework done before Okarun snatched her up. Momo adjusted as best she could in his grasp and relaxed. Well, she didn’t really have any other plans today. And Momo was never one to say no to an easy day of lounging, especially when there’s no Gran to grouch at her for lazing around. 

And it was hard to say no to Okarun when he wanted to cuddle. 

And hey, this way, she could keep a literal close eye on him. 

With another wiggle, Momo was able to get her arm free of Okarun’s grasp, and reached up to lightly touch his brow. She squinted at him. It felt like… he was cool to the touch. She huffed. His yokai form, it was hard to get a read on his temperature. But, he didn’t look worse, and was resting. 

She’ll take it. 

Adjusting in his grasp, she cuddled up, tucking herself under his chin, her free arm wrapping around him. There was something of a content hum from him and Momo settled for a nap. 

As the hour went by, between the rest and cuddling up to a spiritually powerful being, Okarun shifted back to normalcy, his cold fading away, just as yokai instincts knew it would. 

Chapter Text

As much as the full moon empowered yokai and manifested those powers, Okarun had been quick to learn the new moon did the opposite. Yokai powers diminished in the moon’s absence, and in these rare occasions, Okarun felt… normal. He felt as he did before his encounter with Turbo Granny, feeling… human. 

A part of him knew he should be happy about it, a return to normalcy, a break from the curse and the quirks of being some odd pseudo yokai. 

But in truth, he felt… off his axis. 

It was almost losing something a part of him, something just… gone. 

And in its absence, the normalcy just hit him hard. 

He lacked a sense he came to value. He could lightly refer to it as a “sense of smell”, but it wasn’t entirely that. Nor was it entirely seeing auras like Miss Ayase could. He just… got a sense of what was around him, a sense of who was around him, an instinct that directed him to danger, and told him where his important people were. 

It was especially sensitive to Miss Ayase. 

Part of him wondered if it came from him and his affection, or if it came from her influence over the curse and how she literally molded it for their utilization; but even if his eyes were off of her, he always knew she was close and had an idea of where she was. 

But during new moons, that sense was lost. 

He didn’t know where she was, and even when she was before him and he could see her, there was some odd instinct that stressed about not fully registering her as there despite what all his natural senses told him. 

It was just… an unnerving disconnect. 

And then there was a loss of prowess. In comparison before his curse, he is still far stronger than he was before, faster and more physically fit; but it wasn’t the endless ease he had with his curse. He couldn’t run as long as he wanted. He couldn’t hold Miss Ayase for as long as he wanted. 

And with a hard hitting truth that he couldn’t join fights as he wanted. 

For all he has gained, it was still not enough to face up against the supernatural. Not in the way to carry Miss Ayase or take out threats, nor in durability and taking blows. 

He was a liability. 

And the very first time he experienced that reality, it was a truth he couldn’t handle. 

School had ended and they were all heading to the Ayase residence for dinner, when a loud boom caught their attention, one Miss Ayase and Jiji confirmed was tied to spiritual energy. 

“Someone dares cause trouble near me?!” Miss Shiratori immediately snapped, “They’re asking for the Number One Hero to kick their—”

“Woah there, Fearless Leader,” Miss Ayase interjected, “aren’t you kinda powerless, right now?” 

Miss Shiratori stood stiffly at the reminder, and slouched with a huff. 

Absently, Okarun wondered what Miss Shiratori felt she lacked. Did she have her own sense too? Did Miss Ayase’s power leave some sort of influence on her as she did for his own curse? 

“Ooooh!” Jiji jumped up. “A Momo-Jiji team uuuuup!” 

Okarun flinched at the phrasing. 

Even though they were dating and Jiji seems to have moved on, Okaruns still couldn’t resist the instinctive unease. 

“Yeah! Let’s go kick ass, Jiji!” Miss Ayase pumped, sharing in the hype. Turning to them, she said, “You two go ahead home, we’ll catch up after we sort this out.” 

“But,” Okarun protested. 

“With luck we’ll be there in a few,” Miss Ayase called, booking after Jiji. “But don’t wait up!” 

And so Aira and Okarun were left alone, watching the two friends go without them, unable to help. 

It left Okarun feeling sick, with worry and frustration. And despite his current state, he could feel that itch to join, to race after them. 

He knew they would be fine. 

Miss Ayase and Jiji were powerful and capable. 

But he wouldn’t know for sure, not if he wasn’t there. Would she really be ok? Could she really evade what comes her way? What if she got reckless? What if Jiji didn’t watch her back? She didn’t always pay attention to her surroundings, what if she got— 

“Let us go, Takakura-san.” 

Okarun had a start at Miss Shiratori’s voice, turning to her in surprise. He had forgotten that she was there. And as her words registered in his mind, he uttered a helpless, “Eh?” 

Miss Shiratori gave him an annoyed look. He was getting a lot of that after Miss Ayase’s trip. He should probably be more apologetic for the trouble he caused her… 

“There’s nothing we can do,” Miss Shiratori said, “and if we hang here, we risk getting in the way. So, let’s go!” 

“Ye-yeah,” he mumbled, but his feet stayed rooted to the spot, staring after where Miss Ayase and Jiji went, feeling nervous and twitchy. 

“I don’t like it either,” Miss Shiratori admitted aloud. Setting a hand on her chest, she declared, “As the chosen one and leader, I would’ve expected to always be there for every fight! But, unfortunately, you and I are limited by the moon…” Miss Shiratori glanced his way, insisting, “but, hey, Momo as a demon lord will be fine. She does know what she’s doing.”

His protests were on the tips of his tongue, his insistence to fear for her right in his grasp. But he knew it’d be a waste of words. Both of them were going to worry and dislike being out of a fight. And he knew she was right, chances were even good that they’d put them more at risk if they intervened or lingered. 

There was just nothing either can do about it right now, not until the new moon passes. 

But still his feet stayed rooted, that instinct to follow and be there gripping at him tightly. 

Another boom sounded off and off sheer instinct, Okarun ran forth. 

“Takakura!” he faintly heard Miss Shiratori cried out in alarm, pursuing him. The explosions grew louder as they drew near, and Okarun stumbled at the sheer force of them. 

Turning the corner, he saw what was causing all the ruckus. 

It was a decent sized creature, looking like a mix of a lizard and a ray, having a reptilian head and body, but the arms were long, flipper-like wings, and it was biting at telephone wires and seemingly absorbing electricity. 

“A wyvern,” Okarun breathed. 

It jerked and rattled the pole hard enough that it broke under the beast’s force, starting to fall towards Okarun. Squeaking in alarm, he rushed forward to avoid, stumbling as it fell heavily behind him. 

He heard Miss Shiratori squeal in alarm.

In a second of panic, he looked back and sighed in relief to see she was ok, far from the fall pole and wires. 

“Takakura!” she cried out, sounding angry and scared. 

It was then that Okarun realized what he had done. 

He hadn’t been able to resist, he had ran right here into danger, as himself, utterly powerless. 

And now there was no way to back out. At least, not this way. 

“Head to the Ayase home, Miss Shiratori!” Okarun called, trying to sound confident, “I’ll be fine!” 

By the look she gave him, Miss Shiratori did not believe him. 

Unfortunately for Okarun, Miss Shiratori wasn’t the only one who heard him. 

With a loud screech, the wyvern dove down upon him. Screaming, Okarun fled, not hearing Miss Shiratori shouting after him. For as fast as Okarun has become, it was nothing in comparison to a gliding lizard. He looked back just in time to see it nearly upon him, jaws open wide. 

Absently, he noted it had shark teeth.

Before it could reach him, a truck slammed into the beast, and Okarun jerked as he felt himself grabbed and pulled swiftly to the source, coming to a stop right in front of Miss Ayase, who grabbed him by the front of the shirt and snarled, “Okarun, what the hell?!” 

“M-Miss Ayase,” he greeted sheepishly, unable to hold back a gulp. 

“What are you doing here?!” 

There was another screech as a wyvern was heading for them, and Miss Ayase looked away enough to slam another car upon it, silencing it and leaving it to lay still on the ground. 

“I’m sorry,” he managed out, “I, I just reacted…” He looked away, admitting, “We, we always fought together...”

“Yeah, when you have power!” Miss Ayase snapped, reaching out and grabbing a flying wyvern, slamming it to the ground. 

He sagged apologetically. “I’m sorry…”

Momo softened to a wince. “Okarun,” she started off, only to be caught off by another screech. Seeing three wyverns diving at them, Momo’s brow twitched. “We’re having a conversation here!” she snapped, slapping all three into a wall and slamming them into it. “These things are SO RUDE!”

Okarun took in how Miss Ayase easily took down the creatures, and something clicked for him how unneeded he was. 

She was fine.

Even without him, she was doing fine. 

He really was just making it harder for her… 

“I’ll try to get out of here,” he said quickly, “I’m sorry for getting in the way.”

Before he could try to rush off, to deal with the turmoil of reality and wants, Miss Ayase grabbed him by the back of his shirt and gave his cheek a hard poke. 

“Dude, get out of your head! This is not the time or place!” she ordered. 

To back it, there was a boom and some wyverns went flying away in fear. Seconds after them, they heard Jiji jeering, “Come at me geckoes! I shocked myself as a kid! I’m immune!”

Momo reached out, grabbing a worn bat and offered it to him. “If you’re here, you’re going to help. You’ve seen Gran’s swings. Let’s see how you do.” 

He tentatively took the bat, put off by the rough texture in his hand, feeling the weight of it, and recalling how Miss Ayase’s grandmother swung her bats around. She delivered blows with precision and power, he recalled.

He just has to echo that, as himself, practically human.

Oblivious to his stressing, Miss Ayase ordered, “Watch my back, I'll try to cover as much as I can—” she cut herself off, instinctively grabbing one wyvern by the tail and slamming it into another.

“I got you covered!” he promised, looking around for any danger that would aim for her blind spot. 

Despite his promise, Miss Ayase seemed extra attentive to how she normally was, paying more attention to her surroundings, catching threats before they could get close to them. Okarun wondered if his situation prompted her to be more aware, mindful of him.

It was a thought that frustrated him but also made him happy. 

Gradually, between her quick grabs and Jiji’s spiritual push, the wyverns were depleting. Many that were beaten down arose and fled, diving into the distant river to swim away. 

When it seemed like the last of them was gone, Miss Ayase dropped to the ground with a sigh. “Man, that was a lot.” 

Guard down, she didn't notice one downed wyvern that lingered. With an angry hiss, it lunged at her. Hearing it's movement, she turned just in time to see a big mouth full of teeth heading for her face.

Bonk!

The wyvern dropped from the blow of the bat, the now cracked bat, which Okarun gazed at in surprise. 

“Oh! Good hit, Okarun!” Miss Ayase praised.

“Okarun?!” They turned to see Jiji jogging up to join them. “What are you doing here?” 

“O-oh, I, uh…” he dropped the bat, rubbing his neck sheepishly. 

Thankfully, Jiji didn’t press, offering a grin instead. “Well, thanks for the help, but maybe leave it to us next time, kay?” 

“Especially during new moons!” Miss Ayase added sternly, giving him a scolding glare. 

“Yes, Miss Ayase.” Well, he'll try. 

He doesn't know if he'll ever really be able to not intervene though. 

“Need to be carried home, Momo?” Jiji asked playfully.

Okarun shot Jiji a half hearted scowl.

“Nope,” Miss Ayase answered with a loud pop. “But I am ready for dinner.” Rising up, she reached for Okarun, taking his hand. In a slight rare moment, he took it, and held it back just as firmly. It felt like he didn’t want to let go, which made her happy. And also made her feel slightly bad for what she’s about to do. 

Pulling him closer, she pulled him down into a headlock, earning a loud, “Ack!” from Ookarun. 

She growled in warning, “Seriously, if I find you purposefully joining fights during new moons I’m going to slug ya!” 

“Understood!” he cried out. 

Relatively appeased, Momo released him snd headed home. Okarun followed, still holding her hand, though he was rubbing his neck, wincing. 

They found Aira waiting for them at the edge, blocked by a fallen telephone pole (that Momo quickly moved aside) looking fretful, relieved to see them, and then her expression shifted into pure rage. 

Okarun had only a second to squeak in alarm before Aira was upon him, screeching in outrage, fisting coming down upon the boy for his recklessness. 

Momo stood off to the side, watching the show. 

Jiji stood beside her, looking between the two warily. He asked Momo, “Are you going to help him?” 

Momo gave him a light glare. She grouched, “If I’m going to be given a hard time for my own stupidity, then he needs to as well!” Besides, Aira wasn’t beating him that hard. 

Jiji held up hands to ease the glare off of him, mumbling, “Fair.” 

Eventually, Aira eased off, satisfied with getting her upset out, and primly ordered they all return for dinner because she was hungry. 

As everyone followed, Okarun drew near Momo, and shyly brushed her hand. The light touch led to her taking it, and Okarun leaned close, mumbling, “I’m sorry.”

“Haaa,” Momo sighed, admitting, “honestly, I’d probably do the same if I was in your shoes.”

“And I’d probably be just as upset,” he acknowledged. And scared, he added to himself.

With a huff, she leaned into him. She offered, “We could ask Gran to teach ya.”

Okarun turned to her, uttering, “Huh?”

“She knows martial arts,” Momo revealed, “and she’s really good. Like, take on a whole army good. I’m not bringing this up to encourage this, but, we should be thinking of solutions, right? Like, you could get sucked into Empty Space still.”

“You, you think she would teach me?” 

Momo made a face. “Honestly, she’s probably going to regard you as a better student compared to me.” 

Okarun can believe it. Still, he offered, “I’m sure you’re good, Miss Ayase.”

Momo thought back to her ex kicking her to the dirt. “Nah, I need to work on it too.” Gran just wants to make everything spiritual when Momo just wants to learn the moves. She’s already anticipating how much of a pain it’s going to be. “New moons won’t last forever, but they will keep coming. So, this could help at least.” 

At least that’s what Momo’s learned when she did something stupid but would still do, just find that reasonable solution that makes it less stupid. If even a little. It’s better than being fully stupid again. 

“If she’ll have me, I’m willing to learn,” Okarun promised. 

When they arrived, Seiko grouched at them for being late and letting food get cold. With a cold meal full of grumbles, Momo retired early, they day finally catching up with her. While her and Jiji did good, that stretched her powers a little thin. 

And as the light traces of dawn tickled the sky, Momo snapped awake, like a tree sensing the warm grace of light. With a loud hum and stretch, she got up, rubbing her face to help wake up. She had just closed the door with an audible click when there was a rush of air and familiar energy zipping up to her side. 

She looked up, having just enough chance to see Okarun shifted in his cursed form, energized and awake with the power’s return. And evidently playful when the black muzzle nuzzled her, and opened for a big, black tongue to lick her. 

“Ack! Don’t lick me with your creepy yokai tongue!” she snapped, pushing the laughing Okarun away. 

The maw clacked in amusement, but Okarun greeted, “Good morning, Momo-chan. Did you want to join me for a run?” 

Seems the power returned with restlessness too. 

“Absolutely,” Momo said.