Closing his eyes, Yorukaze Ryuichi let go of all the negativity that had hindered him since the moment he’d drawn breath. And by some miracle, he actually felt lighter. Freer.

“Ryuichi?”

He opened his eyes at Takara’s voice.

His heart pounded as he realized he was suspended over their heads. A peculiar yellow glow encircled his body. Everyone stared at him.

And still he hovered.

As Koichi had predicted, the yōkai had ceased fighting them. They beckoned Ryuichi and whispered in his ears promises only he could hear.

Let me take you to your father.

I will protect you.

Come to me, Kage-taro.

He knew better than to trust any of them. They didn’t know him. They were after prizes for themselves. He could feel it.

Meanwhile, the Kai-dan and Black Tortoises were gawking at him as if he were an oni.

Maybe he was.

I am my own demon.

But then, wasn’t everyone? In the end, everyone created their own nightmares. Manifested their worst fears.

Who we trust, and who we push away . . . Those seemingly inconsequential decisions were what led to major catastrophes. His own mother’s downfall had been loving his father.

A tiny, natural thing that had cost his mother her life and ruined his.

Now . . .

He could save his classmates, Koichi, and Takara . . . or follow the yōkai to his father.

For the first time in his life, he had a decision that he recognized as being truly major and uniquely his own.

Both options terrified him. He knew nothing of his father or what would be waiting for him there. All you’ve ever wanted was family.

To know about his parents.

But family wasn’t just those who shared blood with him. They were the ones willing to bleed to protect him.

Love wasn’t selfish. It didn’t revel in evil or keep a record of wrongs that were done. Love didn’t dishonor others. Rather, it gave freely for preservation and protection.

Most of all, love was hope eternal. And it asked nothing in return.

The yōkai were self-serving.

The Black Tortoise and Kai-dan had rallied to protect him. For no other reason than it was the right thing to do. They didn’t even request his loyalty.

Even Toshi was there.

That was family. Those who risked all, even when they didn’t like you or were mad at you. The ones who came without delay, and who didn’t make excuses. That was honor.

A samurai protected his family.

And now that he had a family, he wanted to protect them. Ryuichi glared at the yōkai and let the electricity he felt flow freely through him. “Return to my father. I don’t belong to him or to you. I am my own person. Leave this place and leave me.”

Leave my family.

The yōkai laughed at him.

That made his confidence slip.