Although Riddle grew up in a predominantly British household, his mother was half-Japanese and would sometimes tell him stories that she was told when she was a child. One of the only stories that stuck with him was about kitsunes.

Riddle's mother told him many stories about kitsunes; some of the tricks they'd play on humans, some of their shapeshifting capabilities. But his favorite was about how powerful their magic could be.

He never was one to believe in the paranormal or spirits and deities, but for some reason, kitsunes were... different. After moving into his dorm at Night Raven College. He was always a serious student, stemming from his mother's strict lectures and scoldings about his homework and grades. His homework is always turned in on time, if not early.

Sometimes he'll work ahead in his assignments just so he can have a bit more free time to explore the campus. He'd decided to take a walk along a different route than the one he usually takes, going through the college's botanical garden, gazing at the colorful flowers and seasonal plants. In the middle of this garden, he spots a strange looking arched shrine. As Riddle gets closer, he realizes what the shrine is for. Kitsunes.

The memories of his mother's stories of the spirits flood back and he searches his pockets for something to offer. He grumbles under his breath after finding nothing, and, after a slight moment of hesitation, he turns around and heads back into the college dorms.

He soon finds himself back at the shrine three days later, holding a block of tuna between his hands. He lowers himself onto the cold concrete at his feet, and mutters a few words of admiration for kitsunes before he placed the tofu on the floor in front of the shrine.

He stood up, satisfied with the offering. As soon as he turned his back, he felt shivers down his spine and instinctively turned his head to glance over his shoulder. He saw a nine-tailed figure chewing on the tofu he'd offered. His mouth suddenly goes dry and he freezes in place.