Chapter Text
*The screen was black for several minutes, without any hint of turning on.*
Nishimura: *tilting his head back* When is it going to start already?
["Where is she? Where did she go?" the screen continued to be black]
Nishimura: *flinched*
Kitamoto: It's started. *smirks*
Sasada: *whispers* Be quiet, let's watch!
["Where is that girl now?"]
*Everyone present was in confusion.*
Taki: *quietly* A girl?
Nishimura: Hey, aren't we supposed to be watching Natsume?
Youkai: Calm down, you'll find out everything soon.
[The screen suddenly lit up with a white light. Branches with leaves began to flicker along its edges. Someone's heavy breathing could be heard. Someone unknown was running very fast through the forest. "Where is she? Where did she run off to?". The unknown figure turned halfway, glancing at the pursuer. A shock of light-colored hair appeared in the frame.]
Touko: Takashi-kun! *smiling slightly and squeezing Shigeru's hands tightly*
[An unknown creature with one white eye and light-colored hair filled the entire frame. "Where did that girl disappear to?"]
Natori: *resting his head on his palm and thinking tiredly* What have you gotten yourself into this time, Natsume...
[The screen lit up with a white light.]
Nishimura: Damn, what the heck was that?!
Youkai: A youkai.
Kitamoto: But they don't exist! *half-rose from his seat*.
Youkai: *sighed heavily and pressed pause* Geez, don't make me explain it again... *Claps his hands and jumps up from his spot* Alright! Since we still have people who don't believe, let's go over it again!
*The Youkai steps forward and stands in front of the screen so everyone present can see him.*
*Sasada throws a sharp glance at Kitamoto and pulls him by his shirt to make him sit back down.*
Youkai: Spirits, ghosts, undead, zombies, possessed. Call them what you want, and they exist. I'm sure each of you has encountered them.
*The room fell into silence. The Fujiwaras glanced at each other anxiously. Natori looked tense. Sasada fidgeted with her fingers nervously. Tanuma averted his gaze to the side. Taki looked a little bored. Matoba smiled faintly, watching the youkai with mild interest. Nishimura and Kitamoto were distressed by the fact that they understood nothing of what was happening.*
Youkai: You got here through the power of an ayakashi as well, what more proof do you need? *boredly, rolling his eyes* Natsume can see them, you cannot.
*Casting a glance at the guests, the youkai smirked.*
Youkai: Well, not all of you. In any case, you already know all this. Any more questions?
*The Youkai put his hands on his hips, furrowing his brows.*
Sasada: *shaking her head* No, no questions. Can we continue?
*The Youkai just sighed heavily and sat back down silently, resuming the playback*.
[The screen showed a dirt road, surrounded on both sides by densely planted trees. The chirping of cicadas could be heard. Two teenagers in shirts and black pants were walking down the road. "It's better to get a part-time job by the sea, at a beach house," said one of them.]
Nishimura: Oh, that's us! *smiling and tugging Kitamoto's sleeve, pointing at the screen.*
Kitamoto: Yeah... This... 'youkai' wasn't just watching Natsume, but us too?
["The sea is great! Maybe we'll meet some girls there!" says the other. "Definitely, how could we not!"]
Natori: Why do we even need to watch all this?
Matoba: *whispers* Interesting, what does the youkai want from all this.
*Natori shifts his gaze to Matoba, frowning*
Matoba: And what kind of power does it possess to be able to bring all of us here? *a wide smirk appears on his face.*
*Natori, pursing his lips, shifts his gaze back to the screen.*
[Natsume suddenly jumps out of the bushes, falling to his knees in front of his two classmates. He is breathing heavily. His clothes are dirty, and twigs and leaves are stuck in his hair. "Whoa, Natsume? Where are you rushing off to?" says Kitamoto.]
Kitamoto: Huh...?
Nishimura: Back then?
Sasada: What do you mean?
*The Youkai irritably presses pause.*
Nishimura: That, well... That incident, we barely even knew Natsume then.
Kitamoto: I think it was about a year ago? *lifts his gaze to the ceiling*. He had just transferred then.
Nishimura: *offended* And I thought they'd show us the future!
Youkai: *mutters* In your dreams.
*Taki and Tanuma exchanged anxious glances. Noticing this, Natori straightened up and folded his arms across his chest.*
Tanuma: So... You're going to show everything that happened?
Youkai: *nods and grins widely* Correct. From Natsume's point of view. You wanted to see, didn't you?
*Tanuma flinches and averts his gaze. The Fujiwaras exchange glances. Matoba lets out a quiet, amused "Oh?".*
Nishimura: What? What do you mean? *he leans forward a little, peering into Tanuma's face.*
*Taki anxiously shifts her gaze between Tanuma and the youkai.*
Youkai: Alright, quiet down, let's continue.
[Natsume, having caught his breath, turns to his classmates. "What do you mean?" with slight offense. He anxiously looks around, as if someone is chasing him. Kitamoto and Nishimura look at each other with clear questions on their faces. "Never mind," Natsume continues. "What do you mean 'never mind'? You're all dirty. Is everything okay?" Nishimura replies. Natsume stands up and dusts himself off. "Yes. Guys, is there a shrine nearby?"]
Sasada: *surprised* Huh? A shrine?
Nishimura: *shrugs* We don't know ourselves why he suddenly needed a shrine.
Kitamoto: He never did say.
[Nishimura is very surprised by the question. "If you go through that grove, it's right behind it," Kitamoto explains, pointing in the direction behind Natsume's back. Natsume thanks them and, waving goodbye, immediately runs off. "Hey, Natsume! What are you so scared of?" Kitamoto calls out. "Where's he rushing off to?" asks Nishimura. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind sweeps through. Both boys squint, Nishimura covers his face with his hand. A few moments later, when the sudden wind dies down, Kitamoto and Nishimura look ahead in surprise. "What was that? A creepy wind!". The scene changes, Natsume is running somewhere again. "He's a weird guy. Ever since he transferred here, he hasn't really talked to anyone properly." says Kitamoto]
Touko: *purses her lips.*
Shigeru: *gently squeezes Touko's hand and, leaning towards her, whispers* In any case, he has wonderful friends now. *He shifts his gaze to the children sitting in front and smiles softly.*
Touko: *smiles back, nods, and visibly relaxes, turning her gaze back to the screen.* Yes, you're right, Shigeru-san.
[Natsume stumbles but continues running. "Well, it's hard to talk to him," the dialogue continues in the background.]
Kitamoto: *mutters, frowning* Did he need that shrine so badly? He should take better care of himself... Running like that.
["You're asking where I'm rushing off to?" Natsume's voice is heard, as he continues to run somewhere.]
Nishimura: W-what?
Tanuma: We... We can hear his thoughts? *looks at the screen with wide-open eyes.*
Youkai: *giggles and presses pause* That's right!
*Those present looked at the creature, waiting for an explanation.*
Youkai: Just as I can hear your thoughts.
Tanuma: *jumped up suddenly* That's...!
Youkai: But not all of them. *twirls the remote in his hands and glances at Tanuma* It's okay. His private life has already been violated enough. And I have no interest in yours.
Matoba: So, Natsume is the only one you're interested in? *smiles, narrowing his uncovered eye.*
Youkai: Well, certainly not you, Matoba-san *tilts his head back and smiles in return.*
Natori: What do you want from all this?
Youkai: *calmly* Because Natsume is very lonely and I feel sorry for him.
Natori: Sorry for him? *frowns, leaning closer to the creature*
Nishimura: Is Natsume lonely? We're all his friends, aren't we? *Jumps up from his seat, approaching the creature.*
Youkai: *presses his hands to his heart, speaking very dramatically* Poor little boy, understood by no one and accepted nowhere! Neither in the world of humans, nor in the world of spirits, nor among his own kind, there's no place for him! *stands up and, patting Nishimura on the shoulder, walks past him towards the screen, continuing calmly, his back to the room* He has a very eventful life, most of which he won't tell any of you about. I just wanted you to get to know him better. *The Youkai turns around with a wide smile on his face.* Because all of you are truly people close to him.
*With wide strides, he walks back to Nishimura, takes him by the forearm, and pulls him firmly towards his previous seat.*
Youkai: Be that as it may, it doesn't stop him from being lonely. *Sits Nishimura down in his chair, and walks to his own seat.* Never mind, let's continue.
*The Youkai flops down into his seat, points the remote at the huge screen, and presses the button. Kitamoto, sitting next to the youkai, nervously shifted his gaze from the creature to his friends.*
["It must be nice for those who can't see them," Natsume thinks.]
*Tanuma sighs heavily. Natori smirks and glances at Matoba. The latter seems indifferent.*
[A huge creature with purple skin, one round eye, a wide smile, and long white hair peers out from behind the trees, following Natsume. "Stop!" it shouts.]
Nishimura: *jumps up* W-what?!
Kitamoto: *presses himself into the chair* What on earth is that?
*Taki looks at the creature with wide-open eyes, covering her mouth with her hand. Pure fear is reflected on her face. She immediately squeezes her eyes shut and lowers her head.*
Taki: Just don't look, just don't look. *she clenches her fists tightly.*
*Tanuma anxiously shifts his gaze from the screen to Taki, slightly hugging his friend and patting her back.*
*Touko presses her hands to her face, unable to look away from the creature on the screen.*
*Shigeru grips Touko's hand tightly and, hugging her, covers her eyes.*
*Sasada freezes in place, wanting to say something but remaining silent, pressing her hands to her chest.*
Natori: *looks around at everyone present and runs a hand over his face* Natsume was right, it was better for them when they couldn't see.
*Matoba, maintaining his previous smile, looks relaxed, continuing to watch with interest.*
Youkai: If you're curious, it only gets worse from here. *smirks and whispers under his breath* Watching this at night was a huge mistake on my part...
*No one seems to pay attention to the youkai's words anymore.*
[Natsume stares at the youkai with wide-open eyes, continuing to run. A stone staircase leading to old wooden gates is visible among the forest bushes and branches. Natsume keeps running and running. "There's no peace with them anywhere, but since moving here, a couple have been following me relentlessly. Luckily, I can take shelter from them in a shrine," he thinks.]
Nishimura: *very quietly* So that's why... *he sits back down, continuing to watch the screen with wide-open eyes.*
[A huge purple clawed hand pins Natsume against a tree, causing him to cry out.]
*Natori jumps up, clenching his fists tightly.*
*Matoba hums, tilting his head slightly to the side.*
Nishimura and Kitamoto: Natsume! *lurch forward.*
*Sasada covers her eyes and ears. Taki doesn't even lift her gaze.*
Tanuma: *very quietly* Natsume...
Touko: *hearing Natsume's cry, raised her eyes to the screen* Takashi-kun? *she took a deep breath* Kami-sama...
*Shigeru just continued to gently stroke Touko's shoulder, pressing his lips together.*
["Gotcha! I've finally caught you, Reiko!" says the youkai, squeezing Natsume and looking at him with its huge eye. "Reiko?" Natsume thinks, grimacing in pain. "Now give it back! Now!" The creature's huge red mouth moves, and its head with the round eye comes closer and closer to Natsume's face. The youkai squeezes his body even tighter. "Now!" the youkai repeats. "Wait," says a new voice.]
*Some in the room relax, silently continuing to observe what's happening. Others, like Natori, Shigeru, and Taki, remain just as tense.*
[A creature with white skin, long black hair and ears, wearing a light purple yukata, stands next to the huge youkai. It leans its hand against the larger youkai's body and says, "Don't rush. It would be bad if she spoke your name."]
*Matoba blinks several times, trying to figure out if he misheard. His expression becomes thoughtful.*
*Natori swallowed the saliva that rose in his throat, shifting his gaze from Matoba to the screen.*
Natori: This is bad, really bad...
Natori: Hey, youkai!
*The Youkai sighs heavily and dramatically, presses pause, and then tilts his head back, looking at the exorcist.*
Youkai: Yes, Natori-san~ *he says in a sing-song voice, smiling widely.*
*For a few moments, Natori is silent, formulating his thought.*
Natori: You... Are you sure we all really need to see this? This is Natsume's private life after all, and...
*Everyone present looked at him with some astonishment.*
Youkai: And that didn't bother any of you a few minutes ago, Natori-san! *the youkai continued playfully* Has something changed?
Natori: *grips the back of the youkai's seat and hisses with clear irritation* Don't act like you don't know.
Youkai: It's fine, to-tal-ly fine. *the youkai says, closing his eyes and forcefully removing Natori's hand from the chair* Don't ruin the seat.
Natori: *clenching his teeth* You...
Youkai: Don't worry so much! If anyone should be worried here, it's me. *his voice was bored.* And I'm not worried, so there's no reason for you to be.
*Natori still looked wary, but at least no longer angry.*
Matoba: *calmly, with a light smile* Please sit down, Natori-san.
*Natori turned sharply towards him, tense as a drawn string.*
Matoba: And behave more calmly. Is there something wrong with what we're watching? *he placed his hands on his knees, looking Natori straight in the eye.* Or is it that you simply have something to hide?
*The room fell into a heavy silence. Natori and Matoba glared at each other for several seconds, while the other spectators glanced warily between them and their neighbors, trying to understand if they should intervene.*
Shigeru: Natori-san... *he had already half-risen from his seat.*
Natori: *raised a hand, palm facing towards Shigeru* No. It's nothing.
Natori: If everything is truly under control... *he cast one last glance at the youkai, then collapsed back into his seat, folding his arms. Still clearly tense, but no longer aggressive.*
Youkai: Great, let's continue. *He said lazily, unpausing the screen.*
["Let's tear out her tongue, to eliminate the threat."]
*Everyone present noticeably tensed up, and only the youkai sitting in the room smirked. However, the viewers remembered in time that everything shown was already the distant past.*
["Tongue?" The large youkai, who had been looking at his companion until now, turned his huge head back towards Natsume. It squeezed him in its hand even harder, bringing him closer to its eye. Natsume began screaming in pain again and trying to break free.]
*Touko crossed her fingers, bringing them to her face in silent prayer. Shigeru no longer tried to calm her, leaning forward and watching the screen with intense focus. Matoba was starting to look bored. Taki awkwardly lifted her gaze, her hands trembled, and her eyelashes fluttered faintly. Sasada bit her lip and, sighing heavily, lowered her hands as well, uncovering her ears and eyes. Kitamoto and Nishimura grabbed each other's shirts and stared at the screen without looking away, just like Tanuma. Natori, on the other hand, seemed completely unconcerned about this situation.*
[Suddenly, Natsume's foot flew straight into the large youkai's eye. "You'll crush me!" he cried out. The youkai grabbed its eye, releasing Natsume, and he, without wasting a second, dashed away. "It hurts! It hurts!" the youkai cried. "You fool! She got away!" the second one immediately said.]
*The Youkai pressed pause, giggling almost inaudibly.*
*Natori sighed heavily, adjusting his glasses.*
Touko: Ah, so Takashi-kun can stand up for himself... *she said quietly, with clear relief.*
Shigeru: Yes... *a soft smile appeared on his face.*
*Matoba relaxed, leaning back a little more into his chair. And only now could one tell that he had been tense at all.*
*Nishimura and Kitamoto burst out laughing in surprise. Their laughter was joined by Sasada.*
Tanuma: He's always like that... *he said quietly and with relief.*
Taki: Mm-hmm *she nodded, wiping away tears that had already appeared.*
*Seeing that there would apparently be no discussion, the youkai immediately resumed playback.*
[Natsume ran towards the gates, looking back. The large youkai remained sitting in place, crying and repeating "It hurts," clutching its eye, while the second one, clenching its fists, stood nearby and lamented "That wretched girl..."]
Nishimura: And we... were so worried about him... *he said between fits of laughter, clutching his stomach, but already gradually calming down.*
Kitamoto: You said it. Is it really that easy to beat youkai?
Youkai: *boredly presses pause again* Nah, not at all. It's just that Natsume is very strong. *He said this with immense pride, closing his eyes and lifting his head.*
Nishimura: *snorted with laughter again* Natsume? Strong?
Tanuma: *quietly* Said that with such pride, like he was talking about himself.
Kitamoto: Right, right, he's as thin as a reed!
Matoba: *leaning forward slightly* The youkai is right. It's about Natsume's spiritual power, not his physical strength.
Natori: *exhaled* And spiritually, Natsume is monstrously strong.
*Kitamoto and Nishimura exchanged surprised glances, then looked back at Matoba and Natori, who were sitting behind them.*
Youkai: See?! I told you! When have I ever lied to you?! *waves his fist in front of Kitamoto's face.*
*Kitamoto puts his hands up in front of him, defensively.*
Youkai: *calming down, sinks back into his chair.* Whatever, forget it, let's keep watching.
[Natsume continues to run, breathing heavily. "What do you always want from me? I don't look at you on purpose!" he thinks.]
*Taki took a deep breath and pursed her lips, but said nothing. Tanuma glanced at her with concern.*
[The screen went completely black. "What's wrong, Takashi-kun?" an unknown female voice was heard. Little Natsume sits at a table, holding four pairs of chopsticks. "Three portions should be enough for us," the same female voice continues. "What? What about the guest sitting in the corner?" asks little Natsume. There is clearly a fourth figure sitting at the table - a girl in a white yukata with long hair and a creepy smile, waving cheerfully at Natsume.]
Nishimura: So he always sees things like that? *Shudders* How creepy...
*Tanuma awkwardly lowered his gaze. Natori and Matoba's expressions didn't change at all, but the atmosphere around them definitely grew colder.*
Sasada: Are all youkai so... creepy?
*Sasada leaned back, glancing at the youkai sitting a few seats away from her.*
Sasada: But he looks completely human... Maybe Kitamoto is right, and this is all some weird prank?
*Sasada noticed the youkai sigh heavily and roll his eyes, but he said nothing.*
*Touko couldn't take her eyes off little Natsume.*
Touko: Takashi-kun has hardly changed... He was so adorable as a child. *a warm smile appeared on her face, which faded almost immediately.* But none of us can see the same things you do.
*Touko pursed her lips.*
[The screen went black again. The female voice was heard once more, "The boy is making up nonsense again."]
*Natori smirked.*
Natori: Making things up, huh? My father told me the same thing, even though he knew about youkai. *he placed his elbow on the armrest and rested his cheek on his hand.* How unfair it all is, isn't it, Natsume?
*Kitamoto and Nishimura exchanged pitying glances.*
Tanuma: How unfair... He wasn't even making it up.
[A man and a woman are sitting together indoors at a table. The man is smoking, answering the woman, "He's seeking attention. He's lonely." "Are you sure? He scares me," the woman asks. Little Natsume watches them from a crack in the door. After the woman's words, he looks dejected.]
*Touko closed her eyes, breathing deeply. She took Shigeru's hand and turned to him.*
Touko: *whispers* I'm so sorry we couldn't take him in sooner.
*Shigeru looked at Touko with complete seriousness. Turning his head back to the screen, he just nodded silently, squeezing his wife's hand in his own.*
Nishimura: *whimpers* Oh no, Natsume, don't be sad!
Kitamoto: That's the past, dummy.
The Youkai presses pause, casting a sidelong glance at the boys sitting next to him.
Sasada: You can't shout out to him anyway. *adjusts her glasses with a straight face*
Nishimura: But I feel so sorry for him! He really sees them, right? But no one believes him! It's so unfair!
Matoba: *with a smirk* That's the fate of all those capable of seeing ayakashi who aren't from exorcist clans.
*Everyone present, except the youkai, turns to look at him.*
Matoba: Nothing can be done about it. *shrugs*
Nishimura: Huh... Exorcist clans really still exist? *blinks several times*
Youkai: To my great regret. *mutters* Alright, enough chattering, sit down and watch.
[The screen goes black again. A child's voice is heard, "See, he's right there." Natsume is standing, pointing a finger forward. Behind him stand the figures of a man and a woman. "Where exactly?" the man asks. A white youkai wearing a mask, whom Natsume was pointing at, is adjusting a composition in an ikebana arrangement. "There's no one there, Takashi-kun," the woman says.]
*Everyone present continues to shift uncomfortably in the silence from this scene. The youkai looks genuinely offended.*
["There is! Look closely! See, right there!" Natsume insists with hurt in his voice, continuing to point at the youkai. "See! You're not looking in the right place."]
Taki: *sadly* How long it must have taken him to realize that others simply can't see them...
Taki: Grandfather wanted so badly to see youkai, but Natsume... Looks so sad because others can't see them.
Youkai: *muttered lazily* A very long time, probably.
[The man and woman sigh heavily, exchanging glances. "He really is there!" The background becomes completely black, and Natsume is left alone. "He's sitting there..." he continues to insist. Realizing it's useless to argue, he collapses to his knees in exhaustion, hanging his head. "Sorry, we can't see him," the woman says.]
*Taki feels her eyes begin to sting. Tanuma hangs his head, his bangs falling over his face. Nishimura sniffles. Kitamoto sits quietly, frowning. Natori and Matoba show no emotion.*
Touko: *in a whisper, completely upset* Oh, Takashi-kun.
Sasada: So that's why he never told me he could see them? He was afraid I wouldn't believe him? *a lump formed in her throat* But I would have believed you, Natsume! I would have!
*She sinks into her chair, wrapping her arms around herself.*
Youkai: *mutters under his breath* Neither among humans, nor among youkai, nor among his own kind.
[We see the grown-up Natsume again. He continues walking up the stairs to the shrine but trips over some rope and falls, crying out.]
*Touko looks slightly worried about this, but the others seem to have stopped paying attention to such things. Taki rubs her eyes. The youkai produces a handkerchief from nowhere and blindly hands it to Nishimura. The others are still quietly focused on the viewing.*
[He gets up, holding his head, and looks around. He notices the torn rope. "Just... what I needed...". Heavy breathing is heard from the shrine behind him.]
Natori: *mutters* Oh no, what now?
Matoba: *relaxed* He has a genuine talent for attracting the attention of youkai.
Touko: *surprised* Huh? You think it's a youkai, um... Matoba-san?
*The Youkai automatically presses pause, sighing heavily.*
Matoba: *turns to Touko* Something is obviously sealed in that shrine. *shrugs with a light smile and turns back to the screen* He hasn't even gotten rid of those two, and he's already stumbled upon another one.
Natori: *displeased* Simply abnormal bad luck.
Nishimura: That shrine looks kind of creepy...
Kitamoto: Yeah, and the rope looks pretty flimsy. It probably would have snapped sooner or later even without Natsume.
Youkai: *irritated* Haven't you chattered enough? Let's watch.
*Everyone sighed heavily, turning their attention back to the screen.*
[Hearing it, Natsume flinches. "It's broken! The barrier that held me is gone!" the unknown presence rejoices.]
Natori: *hides his face in his hands* Fantastic, Natsume!
*Matoba leans forward slightly. Taki and Tanuma exchange worried glances. The Fujiwaras, Nishimura, Kitamoto, and Sasada clearly tense up.*
[Natsume turns towards the source of the voice. "Barrier?" he asks quietly, then looks at the torn rope in astonishment. "Oh crap!" Natsume bends down to tie the rope again, while scary sounds come from the shrine. It begins to shake, and Natsume can't manage to retie the rope. "It's no use! What should I do?" he comments, glancing back at the shrine in fear.]
Sasada: Oh no, Natsume... *she clasps her hands together in front of her face, and almost stops breathing.*
Nishimura: Th-this is the past, everything turned out okay, right? *he says, sounding completely uncertain.*
Kitamoto: Y-yeah, Natsume is strong... *his voice rose a few octaves.*
Youkai: *yawns* Idiocy.
[The shrine starts shaking considerably, and the breathing of the beast sealed inside grows louder and louder. Black smoke begins to envelop the shrine, and Natsume just watches in fear. The doors of the shrine burst open, and something leaps out from inside.]
Matoba: He's clearly released something powerful. *a grin spreads across his face.*
*Nishimura, Kitamoto, and Sasada squeal in surprise. The youkai covers his ears and hisses at the children displeasedly.*
[Natsume looks stunned. Inside the shrine stands a clay figurine of a Maneki-neko.]
Taki: Maneki...?
Tanuma: A Maneki-neko?
*Those present freeze for a moment, and then Tanuma, Nishimura, and Kitamoto simultaneously burst out laughing, covering their mouths with their hands. Touko and Shigeru couldn't hold back their giggles either, nor could Sasada and Taki. Only Natori and Matoba start looking much more tired than they did before. The youkai turns to the two exorcists and looks at them with a mocking smirk, giggling quietly.*
[The figurine meows softly, catching Natsume off guard. He stares at the figurine in silence for a few seconds, then bursts out laughing.]
*The tension that had built up finally dissipates completely, as if by magic. Everyone laughs quietly, trying to calm down, but at the same time begins to look relaxed.*
[The shrine unexpectedly explodes into splinters, enveloping the entire area in a cloud of smoke. Natsume, shielding his face with his hand, looks even more shocked than before.]
The laughter abruptly dies down. Matoba's eyebrows twitch almost imperceptibly, Natori tenses. Everyone watches the screen intently. The youkai hums, smiling.
[Through the smoke screen, the living Maneki-neko leaps out, speaking in an old man's voice, "What impudence! A mere human, yet you didn't fear me!"]
*The Youkai immediately presses pause before any discussion can begin. He looks at the shocked faces of the viewers with a wide smile.*
*Natori, blinking stupidly for a few moments, drops his face into his hands again. A very quiet, muffled cry is heard.*
*Matoba sighs heavily, leaning back against his seat and tilting his head back.*
Touko: *with great surprise, raising a hand to her mouth* Nyankichi?
Shigeru: *mumbles under his breath* So Nyangoro really does talk? I wasn't imagining it...
Tanuma: *exclaiming in surprise* P-Ponta?!
Nishimura: *surprised* Hey, hey, that's Natsume's cat! He, he talks?!
Taki: Th-the kitty... *swallows and purses her lips* A cutie...
Tanuma: *tiredly* Natsume never told us how they met...
Sasada: Th-that fat cat is a youkai too?! *adjusts her glasses. Her hair is very disheveled*
Youkai: Fat, weak, and useless drunkard, right, right. *nods, grinning widely.* That's correct!
Sasada: *quietly objects* That's not what I said. *adjusts her glasses again*
*Without waiting for the room to fully settle down, the youkai resumes playback*.
[The Maneki-neko lands awkwardly on the ground. Natsume stares at it, mesmerized, unable to look away. Several planks from the broken shrine land on the Maneki-neko's back.]