Chapter 181-4

Chapter 181-4

[Part 4/4]

"Shiro, na...?"

In the crumbling world, Inari murmured. Still in a slumped position on the snow, she looked at the scene before her with a confused and shocked expression, gazing at the figures she recognized as children. The girl who had changed completely...

"Ah. You were part of the cast too, huh?"

"Eh? Shiro, wha... ah!?"

As the female fox waved her hand with a cold gaze, the girl who had been given the role of Inari pressed her head down and hung her head low. She writhed in agony, suffering from a headache. It was the dizziness caused by forcibly awakening memories, or perhaps the overlap of her original memories. Memory dizziness, personality dizziness...

"I... I am...?"

The girl, the young lady, collapsed and hung her head, gasping as she murmured, but the white fox no longer cared. She simply wore a cruel smile that was hard to believe from the cuteness of her childhood.

There stood the truly enchanting female fox. She smirked as if mocking the monster before her.

"If I had been lost in the dreams, I could have enjoyed happy days, right? But it can't be helped. Then from here on, I will break that heart with all my strength. In this dream of fantasy... 'How long will you keep acting?'... Ah?"

As if to echo the white fox's declaration, the monster asked. Frowning, the fox showed a puzzled expression.

"...What are you babbling about? Have you been infected in the brain by that earth mother monster? If it were acting, I would have stopped by now, okay?"

"No, that's not it. ...I will ask you again. How long will you keep pretending?"

"This is nonsense. You must be out of your mind..."

"I'm sane. Me, and you too. How long will that stinky act go on?"

"..."

The monster keeps asking questions. He examines carefully and looks closely. He understands the true nature of the being in front of him. Slowly, he moves closer and starts to speak little by little.

"The revival of Korishiraki. I was definitely surprised. With that appearance and those actions. I was truly shocked. It's like looking in a mirror. What about the outside?"

"...Is this some kind of trick? Even if you're cornered, it's pointless, you know?"

The monster asks a question. The fox makes fun of it, but the monster doesn't respond and continues walking forward. He begin to share his thoughts.

"But isn't it strange? That sly fox didn't keep any part of herself (soul) when she cut away her past. Why would she keep her current self in the past that she hates?"

"...Didn't I tell you not to come closer?"

Ignoring the warning, he takes a step forward and weave their questions.

"Is this world trying to bring me down? If so, you're not doing your homework well enough, right? You must know what happens if I lose my sanity. That's not very clever for a sly fox."

"So shut up!!"

"You're not serious. If you really wanted to brainwash me, you could have done it more cunningly."

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!"

"I...!!"

Then the young man takes 2 steps forward and grabs the trembling child's hand.

"Trust me. Do you think I wouldn't believe in you just because your appearance changed? ...If you thought that, it honestly hurts me."

"...!!"

The young man was sure, seeing the face twisted in fear. He knew from their long relationship that this was definitely not Korishiraki's face. It wasn't the fake tears of a youkai fox. If it was an act... it was just too poorly done.

"Th-that's not it... I am... I... haah...!!"

Still unable to make a decision, the white fox was confused, hesitant, and scared. Her mouth moved as if trying to say something, but the words scattered away. Her wandering gaze finally turned to the young man, as if drawn to him, like a silent child waiting for something.

"Ah, I see. Are you confused? That makes sense... Yeah. Then I promise you this."

The young man quickly understood her intentions from their years of friendship. He smiled, ready to give that final push to his important friend. To give her courage.

"Whether you're Shiro, Shiraki, or Shirona, no matter who you are right now, I will help you. I'll defend you against anyone. Of course... because we're family, right?"

"...!!"

The white fox's eyes widened in surprise at the words she had longed for, even more than she expected. Slowly, but surely, her delicate arm reached out, seeking the young man's strong hand. Like a shy maiden, she hesitated, almost pulling back, but then she reached out again...

"What a romantic and lovely line, huh? It makes me swoon! ...You should stop trying to charm my cute friend, you little monkey?"

"...!!?"

Suddenly, a sweet insult whispered in his ear. The young man's world flipped upside down. He fell to the ground. He lifted his head. And then he looked up at the unexpected intruder.

"Ah, you...!?"

"Looks like something really interesting is happening, huh? Nice to meet you, and maybe it's been a while? Shall we chat a bit? White Fox-san? ...What is this performance about?"

In front of the young man, a Black Fox with a cruel smile was capturing the White Fox from behind.

Fanart:

Here's the lying-down Hina Princess. She looks pure and like a classic maiden, it's wonderful (staring off into the distance): here