Hachirou, an oni with fiery red imposing horns, was not having a good Setsubun. He had always been fascinated by the human world, particularly the vibrant festivals & traditions. But tonight, as he watched from the shadows, he was met with nothing but disdain & fear, disguised as a wandering monk, Hachirou had ventured into a small village, hoping to catch a glimpse of the festivities. As the villagers gathered outside their homes, they chanted

"Oni wo soto!, Fuku wa uchi!"

While throwing roasted soybeans at a designated target to ward off evil spirits, & unfortunately for Hachirou, he was the prime target

Each time a bean was thrown, it seemed to home in on him, pelting his disguise & revealing his true oni form. The villagers faces contorted with fear, shrieked & scattered, their shouts echoing through the night. He felt a mixture of amusement & disappointment yet couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh

He had always admired the human spirit, their resilience & their ability to find joy in the simplest of things. But tonight, he realized that perhaps he was still an outsider, a creature destined to remain in the shadows. With a heavy heart, he retreated to the darkness, leaving behind the village bathed in the soft glow of lanterns

As he vanished into the night, he couldn't shake the feeling that he would return to this village, perhaps in another guise, to witness the beauty of human traditions once more. After all, even an oni could appreciate a good show