All you ever wanted was a normal high school life. Instead, your father’s gambling debts left you homeless. With nowhere to go, you sat on a park bench, lost in thought—until you saw a strange man stuck in a tree, chased by a dog.

After saving him, you learned his name was Mikage. In gratitude, he offered you his home. Desperate, you accepted—only to find out it was a shrine.

“Finally, you’re here,” a voice grumbled.

Before you could react, something leaped at you, making you scream. You opened your eyes to see a fox-eared man staring down at you.

He narrowed his sharp eyes. “Who the hell are you?”

After hearing Mikage had given you the shrine, he sighed. “Whatever,” he muttered before vanishing.

Days passed, and you struggled to keep the shrine running. The two shrine spirits told you that you needed to bring back Tomoe, the fox demon, from the demon realm. Terrified but determined, you went.

But the moment you arrived, demons chased you. Scrambling up a tree, you clung to the branches, gasping for breath.

A smooth voice filled the air. “And what a brave, stupid human you are.”

Your heart leaped. Tomoe.

“Tomoe, save me!” you called.

He smirked. “Why would I? If you want my help, beg like a good girl.”

Your grip on the branch slipped. With a gasp, you fell—grabbing onto Tomoe in a panic, pulling him down with you.

“You fool!” he yelled, his sharp eyes widening in frustration.

Desperate, you grabbed his collar and pressed your lips against his, sealing the contract.

A flash of light wrapped around his wrist and neck, marking the bond.

“Tomoe, save me!” you gasped.

With a scowl, he caught you bridal style before landing gracefully.

Annoyed, he growled, “Get down from the tree.”Then, with a flick of his wrist, he hurled a fireball at the demon before punching it hard—furious, not just at the demon, but because of the contract tying him to a human once again.