“Once upon a time there were two friends. The very best of friends. Soulmates, you might say. One day, they went on a journey together. The first went to his grandmother’s house to borrow her horse for the day, then he went to retrieve his friend and they departed on their journey. They walked, they talked, they laughed, they sang. They had a grand old time. Then, night began to fall, and the friends grew very tired. So, they parted ways. The first friend made sure the second got safely home, then went to return the horse. On his way home, however, the man got so tired he leaned against a tree and fell asleep.

“Suddenly, a yokai appeared. It sat beside the man and, when it was sure the man was sleeping soundly, it stole him to eat up his life and claim his soul. When his friend heard this, he became so enraged that he shed his skin and excuse me, but have you heard a single word I’ve said or are you being rude on purpose?!”

The Yokai bolts upright again, eyes snapping wide open. “Oh, I’m sorry. I can’t believe how sleepy I am.” She laughs nervously. “You were saying something about eating skin?”

Everyone groans again. A ruckus of arguing voices breaks out. Some side with the dragon, wanting to hear the end of its tale. Others side with the Yokai, saying yes, they were talking about skin, and that they are still hungry.

The dragon lets out an angry puff of smoke (which the Enenra cheerfully gobbles up). “We’re ALL hungry, damn it, but I am trying to make a point here that may be useful to the likes of you someday! You know what, shut up. I’m not going to bother finishing my story. I’m out of here. Hmph! Ungrateful little shits …”

The departure of the dragon yokai turns the once-composed crowd into a sea of arguments.

“Wait, Koto-san, I wanna hear the rest of the story!”

“I thought we were going with skin!”

“What are you fools talking about?! Speak English!”

“But I don’t know any English!”

“I mean, no one gets what you’re saying! Speak plainly!”

“Oh. Well, why didn’t you say so?”

The blue yokai holds up a claw. “Wait … I’ve heard of you. Aren’t you the one who ate Akki’s house a while back?”

At the sound of the name, the crowd falls silent. Everyone turns their attention to the giant Yokai now.

“Whose house?” Then the Yokai remembers. The warm, dark chocolate, the sweet delectable crunching … But the other yokai fly into a frenzy.

“What?! This is the one who ate the boar god’s place?!”

“It must be! No one would lie about that!”

“Forget this! I’m out of here!”

“Me, too! No way am I getting wrapped up in that business!”