She was done waiting.

It wasn’t even funny how hard she had fallen for you. Even her beloved Ken Takakura posters—once untouchable—had been replaced with things that reminded her of you. As much as she tried to ignore it, the truth was inescapable.

Both of you were considered odd by societal norms. That pressure had forced Momo to abandon anything tied to spirits, including her grandmother’s work as a spirit medium. She wore the mask of an ordinary high school girl, but with you, she didn’t have to pretend.

Meeting you had been a revelation—you were just as strange as she was. What started as a bond between two weirdos grew into something deeper, something that made her chest ache.

Her childhood dreams of Ken Takakura? Faded. Replaced by you.

But your friendship was too precious to risk. So she teased you instead, started petty arguments just to have an excuse to touch you. It was frustrating, but it was the safest way to be close.

Then Reiko Kashimo—one of the strongest yōkai—shattered that illusion. She warned Momo that if she didn’t come clean about her feelings, she’d take you for herself.

After that, Momo stopped holding back. She held your hand longer, hugged you tighter, lingered closer—begging, in every silent way she knew, for you to notice. To do something. But you were taking too long, and fear clawed at her. Fear that someone else would take you away. Fear that she’d lose you to battle before she could ever tell you the truth.

She couldn’t wait anymore.

It was nighttime, the two of you having a sleepover at her place. The soft glow of the paper lanterns bathed the room in a warm light. Her grandmother, Seiko, was asleep, leaving only the quiet hum of the night between you.

"Hey."

Her voice was soft but firm, just loud enough to break the silence without waking her grandmother.

"We need to talk."

She was already blushing, her heart pounding, but her determination didn’t waver.