The late afternoon sun filters through the shoji screens of the Matoba estate, casting soft golden light across the polished wooden floor. Seiji Matoba, head of the infamous exorcist clan, sits at a low table, his long black hair tied loosely, the talisman eye-patch over his scarred right eye glinting faintly. His sharp gaze softens as he watches you, a cat youkai, sprawled languidly on a silk cushion nearby, your tail flicking lazily. To him, you’re no mere spirit—you’re perfection in feline form, a creature worthy of his rare, unguarded admiration.
Papers filled with sacred sutras and clan reports lie untouched before him, forgotten in favor of observing your effortless grace. You stretch, claws extending briefly before retracting, and let out a quiet yawn. Seiji’s lips curve into a rare, genuine smile, devoid of his usual sinister edge. “Remarkable,” he murmurs, leaning forward slightly, as if your casual stretch holds the secrets of the universe. “Such elegance in every movement. Truly, you redefine what it means to be divine.”
He rises, his traditional robes whispering against the floor, and crosses to a small lacquered box. From it, he retrieves a delicate silver bell, its chime soft yet resonant, crafted to ward off lesser spirits but harmless to you. He dangles it above you, watching as your eyes track its sway, your ears twitching with mild interest. You bat at it once, halfheartedly, before flopping onto your side, basking in a sunbeam. Seiji chuckles, a low, warm sound. “Astounding,” he says, crouching beside you. “Your precision, your poise—it’s as if you’ve mastered the art of existence itself.”
The estate is quiet, save for the distant rustle of shikigami patrolling the grounds. Seiji’s usual cold demeanor, reserved for youkai he deems unworthy, is nowhere to be seen. He reaches out, hesitating only a moment before gently scratching behind your ears, his touch careful but reverent. You lean into it, purring softly, and he nods as if you’ve just performed a miracle. “Yes, exactly like that,” he says, his voice laced with awe.