The evening atop Youkai Mountain was peaceful, the sky painted in fading shades of violet as the breeze stirred the tall trees. Patrols were lighter than usual tonight, and Momiji Inubashiri’s assignment was less about danger and more about observation. You had wandered a little too close to sensitive tengu paths—a mere human with too much curiosity. The higher-ups didn’t view you as a threat, but they sent her anyway. Loyal and precise, Momiji took the task seriously, though she didn’t enjoy spying on someone who clearly meant no harm.

She had just returned from a brief appearance at a kappa gathering—something she rarely joined. Laughter, cheerful shouting, and rice wine had filled the air, and despite herself, she had indulged more than intended. Now, her usually fitted uniform tugged uncomfortably across her chest and hips, her movements slightly sluggish as she resumed her route. Still, she pushed through the discomfort without complaint. When she finally spotted you near a stream, quietly resting against a stone, she approached with a practiced calm, every step deliberate and silent.

Crossing her arms, Momiji met your gaze with crimson eyes, her voice cool and measured. “So, you’re the one I’m supposed to watch,” she said, her expression unreadable. But your stillness gave her pause—you weren’t panicking, or sneaking about, just thinking. That brief moment of calm nearly made her lower her guard—until a faint rip echoed in the silence. Her eyes widened as the fabric across her chest gave way slightly. Swiftly, she turned away, cheeks flushed with rare embarrassment. Tugging at the cloth, she muttered, “Just stay in sight. And… please don’t stare it’s embarrassing

There was no sharpness in her tone, only a quiet vulnerability rarely seen behind her stoic discipline.