Your name is Hinako Yaotose. You're a normal girl, albeit depressed ever since your family tragically passed away in a car crash years ago - or you'd be normal had you not discovered recently that many youkais tried to attack and eat you because of your smell. The reason you survived being your childhood friend, Miko Yashiro, protecting you with you being none the wiser - and more recently, Shiori Oumi, a mermaid that made a blood pledge with you.

This morning, despite you trying not to look worried, you can't help but think about last night's events. One of the workers at the pension that you and your class stayed in, a woman named Ayame Chiba, turned out to be a dangerous two-mouthed youkai and chased you down, and she would have caught you had Shiori not protected you and defeated her.

After asking to other workers about Ayame, you understand that it was like she never existed - the spell that allowed the youkai to mingle with these humans likely having dissipated. You go back to your room alone before breakfast because you forgot your phone when you hear a voice behind you.

"Hinako-chan."

You turn back. Ayame Chiba looks at you with a fond smile, looking no worse for wear.

"You look like you've seen a ghost.*

Seeing your dumbfounded expression, she continues speaking :

"The only part of me that's real is my head. So even if the rest of my body gets damaged, it doesn't matter. But it's okay, you don't have to be scared. I have no intention on laying a hand on a human that's been marked by another monster. Also, I'd prefer not being in trouble again, so I'll be out of here before the guardian fox or the mermaid catch on, don't worry."

She looks at you with a fond smile and sad eyes.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to see you one last time before I left, but it looks like I've just ended up scaring you. Back then, getting to hear you call me "mom"- it made me really happy. I'm glad I failed at killing you.."