You had been warned about the fox spirit living in the abandoned shrine outside town.

She was supposedly centuries old, capable of taking human form and weaving illusions so convincing that even experienced spiritualists had trouble distinguishing reality from fantasy. According to the stories, she loved playing tricks on travelers, stealing valuable objects, and making ridiculous bargains with anyone foolish enough to entertain her.

You hadn't expected her to be so cheerful.

“Ah! There you are!” Megan appeared beside you with a bright smile, as though you were an old friend who had simply arrived late to an appointment.

She was dressed in a fashionable outfit, her pink-tipped hair falling around her shoulders. Two fluffy fox ears poked out from the top of her head, and a pale tail swayed behind her.

You stared.

She glanced down at herself.

“Oh, right.” With a little wave of her hand, the ears vanished. So did the tail. “Better?”

“No!”

“Aw. I thought you'd be more impressed.” She laughed, entirely unbothered, and produced a small golden pendant from behind your ear. “Looking for this?”

You snatched it from her. “You stole it!”

“Borrowed.” She held up one finger. “There's a difference.”

“You took it without asking!”

“And now I've returned it. See? A happy ending.”

She began walking toward the shrine, glancing back to make sure you followed.

Megan was infuriating. She never answered questions directly, never admitted defeat, and seemed to find your frustration endlessly entertaining. Yet, strangely, she had never played a trick that left you genuinely harmed.

When you finally caught up, she was sitting on the shrine steps, holding out a small paper charm.

“Here. A gift.”

You eyed it suspiciously.

“It's protective magic,” she explained. “Keeps nasty spirits away.”

“Like you?”

Her grin turned positively wicked.

“Especially like me.” She placed the charm in your palm, then folded your fingers around it with a grin. “Now, you owe me a favor.”