Chapter 2: Oshira-sama
“Oshira-sama?”
“Yes.”
In Houzuki’s home at night, a meeting was taking place between the homeowner, Houzuki, and her lodger, Yuiru.
Of course, the topic of discussion was about the next meal.
Not a normal meal, however, as Yuiru’s main diet consisted of ghosts, evil spirits, and other supernatural entities. It seemed they were in search of the next ghost story.
That’s when the topic of Oshira-sama came up.
“This is a story from when I was still active.”
“What do you mean ‘active’?”
“Um, my apologies. Let me rephrase that.”
Chastised by Houzuki’s glare, even Yuiru felt compelled to correct his choice of words.
“It’s a story I heard back when I was still alive. Are you familiar with a place called Tsukinashi Forest?”
“You mean the forest on the outskirts of that town? It’s famous for being a place where no one goes.”
Houzuki also remembered the place known as Tsukinashi Forest.
Indeed, it was said to be a deep forest on the edge of town. No one ever entered it; it was just a creepy place with a gloomy atmosphere.
No one was explicitly told not to enter, but it had become common sense not to disturb Tsukinashi Forest under an unspoken agreement. If you don’t interfere, you won’t see anything.
Houzuki never visited that place herself since her home was far away, but she had heard stories about it multiple times. Stories like children who carelessly ventured into the forest and went missing, or white figures wandering through the woods, were just typical rumors.
“From the stories I heard, there’s apparently a swamp there.”
“A swamp?”
“It’s an old swamp. It’s a deep green swamp, and it looks like it’s a dirty swamp with algae floating on the water surface.”
Yuiru was having so much fun that he keeps on smiling as he said,
“That swamp is said to be the dwelling place of an evil god called Oshira-sama.”
“That isn’t even a monster anymore.”
“It’s an evil god. Well, it’s nothing but rumors, though.”
Yuiru, who stubbornly emphasizes that he is an evil god,
“I investigated that swamp many times in the past, but I have never actually seen Oshira-sama. However, now that I have gained the same position as a ghost or evil spirit, I may now be able to see it.
Yuiru’s red eyes sparkled with anticipation as he leaned forward from the low table toward Houzuki.
“That being said, Houzuki, how about we make Oshira-sama our next meal?”
“How about it, you ask… Well, I suppose that’s fine. Just go ahead and eat as you like.”
“What are you saying, Houzuki!”
Yuiru stood up as if sprung from his seat.
“You must be there for it to even be possible!”
“Why is that necessary?”
“Why? Haven’t you forgotten about your own condition?”
Yuiru silently narrowed his red eyes, fixing his gaze on Houzuki.
Houzuki has a unique condition that attracts ghosts. In the past, she drew numerous spirits to her, but now, she hardly attracts any at all.
The reason is simple. The culprit is Yuiru Enen, the silver-haired, red-eyed male student, who eats these ghosts and evil spirits wholesale. Because he devours the spirits and demons that are drawn to her like snacks, Houzuki has been spared from ghostly disturbances.
The plan was to use her unique trait to attract a malevolent deity known as Oshira-sama. It’s astonishing that such an idea even came to mind.
“Well, if that will keep you quiet, then fine.”
“Fuahaha, how noble of you, Houzuki! But am I really that bothersome?”
“You are.”
“Muu.” (TN: pout)
Ignoring Yuiru’s disgruntled pout, Houzuki opened the closet door.
“Towako, we’re going to Tsukinashi Forest.”
“I’m going!”
Aoyagi Towako, a young girl who uses the closet as her base—her best friend and also the second lodger—rolled out.
Towako Aoyagi, a young girl who uses the closet as her base—a best friend and also a second lodger—rolled out.
“I’ve heard of Oshira-sama! I’ve always wanted to see it for myself!”
“Lately, you’ve been quite lively, Towako.”
“Well, it’s because that gray-hair over there is going to eat it anyway!”
“Hey, who’s gray-haired? Hey you, look at me, you brat.”
Yuiru glared sharply at Towako, who hid behind Houzuki’s shadow and stuck her tongue out, clearly mocking him. It was obvious she was making fun of him.
Caught in a childish quarrel with Towako, Yuiru chased around his mischievous friend, while Houzuki silently watched, letting out a hidden sigh.
“Well, at least it’s lively, and since they’re just ghosts, they probably won’t be noticed anyway.”
Nevertheless.
“Oshira-sama, huh?”
Houzuki muttered.
The malevolent deity of Tsukinashi Forest, a creature dwelling in the deep green swamp.
Houzuki had heard the name several times before but had never sought to verify it. Tsukinashi Forest was distant, and the unspoken rule of Tsukinashi Town was that one should not enter.
She remembered hearing the name during her school days, though whether it was in elementary or middle school, she couldn’t recall. Nor could she remember who told her—likely, she had just overheard her classmates talking.
They described a being entirely draped in white, with arms like dead branches, beckoning as if to say “come here.” Encountering it meant being dragged into the swamp.
As a child, she never confirmed these tales, but now an opportunity to uncover the truth had unexpectedly arisen.
“Yuiru, I wonder if he’ll be okay. Hope he doesn’t upset his stomach.”
The next thing Yuiru was to eat was something called an evil god, and it might indeed be a real one. Although it’s an evil god, one would hope not to upset the stomach by consuming such a being directly.
While watching Yuiru wrestle with Towako, seemingly detached from the situation, Houzuki found herself worrying unnecessarily.
