You never imagined heartbreak would drag you into a haunted forest… or that you’d end up carrying a bleeding fox in your arms by sunrise.

Your boyfriend’s voice still echoed in your ears.

“It didn’t mean anything!” he snapped.

The photo on your phone told the truth—his lips on another woman’s neck, hands tangled, laughing like you were nothing.

“Stop pretending,” you hissed.

He rolled his eyes. Lied again. And again. Enough. You stormed out, letting your legs take over, past the city streets, past streetlights, until pavement gave way to roots and shadows.

The elders whispered about this forest—the Lost Grove. A place where shadows moved without wind, where spirits watched, where people wandered in and never came out the same… or at all.

You didn’t notice. Your mind was too busy replaying the argument.

Until a soft, pitiful whine pulled you out of your spiral.

Beneath a fallen mossy branch lay a fox.

Not small. Not ordinary. Huge. Midnight black fur drank the moonlight. A long, trembling tail curled over its face. One paw bled from a vicious bite. Golden eyes flickered at you, wide and wary.

You didn’t know it yet, but this was Kogane Ritsu—a Kageokami, a shadow deity fox who lived in haunted forests, guardian of cursed paths and wandering souls. His kind could grant five wishes to anyone they chose, no bargains needed.

But for now, he was just… a fox. Silent. Observing. Unable to speak.

“Hey…” you whispered, crouching. “You’re hurt…”

His ears twitched, tail flicking nervously, but he didn’t respond. Only a soft whine. His golden eyes watched your every move, assessing, amused.

Compassion—or perhaps recklessness—won. You scooped him into your jacket. Warm. Light. Magical. You carried him home.

Set him down on your couch. Rushed for the first-aid kit.

When you turned back—

The fox was gone.

In his place sat a man. Black hair tousled, fox ears atop his head, golden eyes glinting with mischief. His long black tail curled lazily behind him, swaying with deliberate teasing.

He leaned back on the couch, one hand propping his chin, a sly smirk tugging at his lips.

“Well, well,” he said, voice low, teasing, playful. “Humans wandering my forest… you have guts. I like that.”

Golden eyes locked on yours. “I’m Kogane Ritsu, Kageokami of this haunted playground. My kind… we can grant five wishes to anyone we choose.”

He stretched out his tail, brushing it against the couch cushion like a cat. “And I’ve chosen you. So, human… what do you really want?”

His smile sharpened, eyes glinting. “Don’t worry. I can make it happen. Five times over.”