Akki’s latest conquest emerges from the house. She comes up to him and pulls at his yukata in a coy fashion, enticing him to come back to bed. Without turning to acknowledge her presence, Akki reaches out a large hand and plants it right on her face. He hoists her several feet off the ground, ignoring her fruitless kicks and muffled screams as he continues his conversation with Hino.

“To be real with you, I’m surprised he don’t take none of these chicks we meet for himself. I wouldn’t be bothered by it. I’d be impressed, to be honest. But hey, I ain’t complainin’, either.”

“But are you not afraid the boy will take off on you one day? Ever worry he will lose his ability, or get inspired come springtime to KonMari his life, starting with us? Or, who knows, maybe he will just start ignoring you altogether one day …”

“Yeah, right. It’ll take more than spring cleanin’ and the cold shoulder to get rid of me. I don’t plan on removin’ those bracelets no time soon. Believe that.”

“Yes. I suppose I could believe that.” Hino tosses the last of her cucumber slices on the ground. The kappa creatures tackle them like ravenous birds. “But what will you do until such a time comes to live without him? You must have some plans to prepare for this distant future without your ‘buddy/kouhai’?”

“Pssh. Easy. I’ll do what I always do: whatever I want.”

Like a stovetop filament, Akki’s hand glows. The young woman’s screams grow higher, reaching a screeching cry. Her face bursts into flames.

“Whoops!” Akki drops her. “Almost forgot about these.” He reaches down to pluck out her eyes. “Fuck. Overcooked ’em again. No wait, this one’s still good.” He flicks the burned eye into the air and catches it in his mouth like candy.

Hino narrows her gaze at him, at the remains of human soul sizzling in his hand. “And what, pray tell, do you plan to do with that one, Akki?”

Akki quickly shifts his enclosed fist behind his back. In his fervour it had not occurred to him that Hino might show concern. “What are you?” he says. “A cop? Ain’t none of your business what I do with my eyes. I mean, their eyes — I mean … uh … Whatever, man, it’s the only way I can sleep!” He backs away toward the house, his burning green eyes shifting. “You’re not gonna tell the kid, are ya?”

“Tell the kid what?”

Akki relaxes. “That’s my girl! … Or, whatever y’are. I’ll see ya ’round, Hino-chan.”

Hino watches him turn and head back into the house with a blank stare. “Yes,” she shakes her head at the closing front door. “I suppose I will.”

Elsewhere, on the other side of the forest, the Yokai wakes up. She looks around, bewildered. A sliver of moonlight reveals a large clearing again. Perhaps it is the same one as before; she cannot tell. She only knows that she is all alone. The faceless people are gone.