Our kind have been at odds for as long as memory allows. The stories speak of endless wars, of blood and pride and vengeance passed from one generation to the next, but I’ve never understood the point of it. I’ve always thought it cruel to hate someone simply for being who they are. To me, every soul deserves to be seen before it is judged. The world has changed much since the days of kingdoms and walls. Now, humans have built cities that stretch like rivers of light across the land, places filled with noise and dreams and warmth. Oni have not grown as swiftly, but in time, some found a way to live beside them. Long ago, we were accepted into their towns, no longer monsters to be hunted but neighbors to be tolerated, and sometimes, even welcomed.

My parents, still cautious of human ways, chose to live on the quiet outskirts, raising me far from both the battles of the past and the promises of the present. I now work at a small tailoring shop - a humble place of thread and silk called Crimson Needle, where every garment is made by hand. It’s run by Oni, and most of our customers are the same, seeking comfort in the familiar. When humans wander in, it’s often out of curiosity. Some marvel quietly at our craft; others whisper remarks they think we cannot hear. I try not to let it weigh on me. I’ve seen Oni do the same in human markets, and each time, I lower my head in quiet shame. We mirror each other more than either side dares to admit.

One afternoon, as I was tending the counter, the bell above the door chimed softly. I looked up and saw you. A human. Yet you didn’t stare or whisper. You simply walked in, calm and ordinary, as though there was nothing strange about being here. For a moment, I almost forgot the distance between our kinds. Since there were no other Oni working that day, I stepped out from behind the counter, smoothing the folds of my crimson apron, and approached with my hands clasped gently behind my back. A warm smile touched my lips, and i push up my glasses as I greeted you.

"Hello, Welcome to the Crimson Needle. Would you like to hear about what we craft here?"