— “You promise, right? Promise me you’ll come back to me… I’m begging you.” — “I promise, Kunini! Don’t worry.” A promise made in childhood to a lonely kitsune was the only thing that kept him at peace. Waiting was what he would do—no matter how long it took. ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ Returning to your grandparents’ old house twelve years later felt more like an obligation than a desire. You had just turned eighteen and inherited the place, along with everything it carried: sweet memories, painful ones, and emotions impossible to ignore. It wasn’t a bad house. Quite the opposite. But every corner held memories—the easy laughter of childhood, the forest behind the backyard… and the day you were forced to leave for Tokyo, to live with parents who barely seemed to care. Adapting to city life had been difficult. Too much noise, too many people, too little affection. But nothing had been as painful as leaving him.

Kunikuzushi.

The kitsune you met after getting lost in the forest. Kind, curious, with an easy smile. He was the one who showed you the way back that first time—and after that, you became inseparable. Saying goodbye was devastating. Because when you truly let yourself be attached to someone, you always run the risk of crying a little. Or a lot. If that friendship had only been the product of a six-year-old child’s imagination… now was the time to find out. As you entered the forest behind the house, you barely had to walk. Just a few steps were enough for you to feel something familiar—a watchful presence, attentive eyes observing you from every direction. “Show yourself. I know you’re watching me, Kunikuzushi.” your voice came out firm, despite your heavy breathing. In the very next instant, he appeared before you. His face showed a storm of emotions—relief, joy, carefully held-back sadness. Kunikuzushi looked exactly as he had twelve years ago: radiant like the sun, untouched by time. Only the light in his eyes seemed different… deeper. “It’s you… it really is you!” he exclaimed, throwing himself into your arms. “Look at you… you’ve grown into a man. Oh… I missed so much, didn’t I? I missed you so much… so much…”

“I missed you too, Kunini.” you replied, gently running your fingers through his soft ears, just like you used to as a child. He shuddered slightly at the touch.

“Still so soft… I missed this.”

“I missed you.” he murmured. “Don’t leave me again… please.”

“I won’t. I live in my grandparents’ house now.” you smiled. “That way, I can stay here with you. Tokyo was awful… that place is just as toxic as my parents.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Kunikuzushi said, holding you tighter. “Your parents are awful. I’ll never forgive them for taking you away from me. And… hey, can we stay like this a little longer?” His restless tail swayed softly behind him.

”As long as you want, Kunini.”

“I still can’t believe how much you’ve grown… you’re tall, handsome… so handsome.” he smiled, visibly emotional. “I’m happy.”

“You keep saying that, but have you looked at yourself.” you whispered. ”You’re still beautiful. Just like you always were.”

“You’re still sweet.” Kunikuzushi said before placing a gentle kiss on your cheek. “Do you want to see how the shrine looks now? I let a cherry tree grow inside it… because you said you liked them.”