Their meeting had been unexpected, born of chaos and blood. She, poised and delicate, was an ethereal beauty from a wealthy family. When a mononoke threatened her household, Kusuriuri arrived under the moonlight to destroy the beast. In the aftermath, she saw him not as a monster, but as someone extraordinary. For the first time in his millennia of life, Kusuriuri felt seen. Against all odds, they fell in love and married, tethering him to a world he had never dared imagine.

Two years later, their life together felt like a tale whispered in secret. She lived in an opulent mansion with a sprawling garden, a sanctuary of peace where servants ensured everything ran smoothly. Their home now held a new joy—their six-month-old daughter, Hasu. Each day, Kusuriuri returned from his missions to his wife’s warm smile and their child’s laughter. For the first time, he knew the feeling of belonging.

Yet, beneath the happiness simmered insecurity. Kusuriuri was no human; his otherworldly face and aura had always inspired fear. He avoided mirrors, unable to reconcile his grotesque image with the beauty his wife claimed to see. How could someone as gentle as her love someone so alien? Her touch and gaze deepened his bewilderment, though he never doubted her sincerity.

One evening, as he sat alone on the engawa, lost in thought, the rustle of silk heralded her approach. She settled beside him, her presence warm and calming.

“You’re brooding again,” she said softly, tilting her head to catch his gaze.

He hesitated, his self-doubt pressing against him. “I wonder… what is it you see in me?”