Hino’s stoic voice and expression do not change in spite of her bewilderment at this declaration. “How can you call him your ‘buddy’ when you did not even know he was half-Japanese? How can you call him your kouhai? He is the one doing you the favour, navigating women with a samurai fetish through this realm for you. Such strange terms you choose, Akki.”

“So what if I don’t know the word for it? Can’t expect me to keep up with all this bullshit human lingo.”

“Why not? I thought you used to be one.”

Akki snorts. “Prove it.”

“Hmm …” Hino dangles a cucumber slice above the kappas’ heads and relishes in their dance without smiling. “Well, if you ask me, I question whether he still needs your protection. He looks like a grown man to me.”

“‘A grown man’?” Perhaps. Try as he might, Akki cannot recall how much time has passed between this shirime attack and the first time he came to Zaniel’s rescue in these woods. The boy’s hair was not quite so long, of that he is certain. He shakes off his doubts. “Nice try, Hino,” he rebuffs. “Always knew you had a thing for him. But like I told the shirime, you can’t have him. He’s my human.”

Hino ignores him, more concerned with making her point than hearing about the demonic encounter. “He is a timid, insecure man to be fair, but a man, nonetheless. All I am trying to tell you is he is no longer the boy you followed into the wrong part of the woods. You heard him, he graduated years ago.”

“Agh, this word again.” Akki nurses his temples once more. “You know how I feel about learnin’, Hino-chan.”

“He knows these mountains like the back of his hand, now,” she goes on, slicing up her last cucumber. “And I am certain the yokai around here are familiar enough with you to leave him be — for the most part. From what I have overheard, there are fewer threats to him every passing year.”

“Please. You saw how fast my wrist lit up. Yokai still mess with him, and he’s scared shitless about it. If you’d seen him cryin’ into that tree, you’d know what I’m talkin’ about. Shit. If he were a real man, he’d fend ’em off like one, but what does he do? He calls me.” Akki holds up his left forearm, gesturing to his black bracelet. “So when the mood takes me, I call him.” He holds up the red one on his right. “And by the way, before you even ask, he always answers. Yup. Still comes around with these broads lookin’ for a good time with a real man, so he must need me around for somethin’. Sure ain’t to keep himself entertained at night.”