Chapter 227

"Unfortunately, since I was kicked out so quickly last time, I didn't even get a chance to get to know you. Let's try those introductions again. I am what you'd call the 'Final Boss.' The one the Fuso

¹ people know as Kubou

². I'm the leader of the so-called Youkai Salvation Corps

³ that moved in the shadows during the Great Rebellion and continues to do so today. ...Though I've ended up with such a cute appearance, haven't I?"

It was a self-introduction delivered with total composure, despite the staggering claims. There was no malice or hostility in the crystalline eyes turned toward me; only interest and admiration resided there. This being-whose appearance was the spitting image of the girl named Hotoya Tamaki-finished the skewer of dango

⁴ in her hand, crossed her legs, and rested her cheek on her palm, peering at me once more.

The pseudonym was "Kubou." The true final boss of 'Firefly of the Dark World.' The name came from the one who repelled every last youkai on the final page of the Hyakki Yagyou Emaki

⁵ scroll. The Sacrificial Pillar of the day who fell by a covenant. A Sealed God bound by the shackles of a Miko

⁶. Attempting to understand humans, attempting to save everything, pitying those like Hotoya Tamaki who were toyed with by fate, and then...

"Come now, don't just stand there. Take a seat. Surely your legs are tired? That's how this Dream World

⁷ is programmed, after all," the girl said.

"What-!?" I gasped.

In this Dream World where cherry blossoms danced in a vivid flurry, I was snapped back to reality by that person-or rather, that thing-speaking so nonchalantly. I was speechless, the words dying in my throat. I hadn't even imagined I'd fall into a situation like this.

'No. Was I that careless...!?'

I'd been a fool. We had made contact once, even if only for a split second. They had reached out and extracted my memories. Wasn't a second visit entirely within the realm of possibility? If anything, I could only call my own foresight pathetic. I'd asked Aoi and the others to review the estate's Barrier Curses and everything else, but was it not enough?

No, that's not it. This is her power.

"Hmm. Yumee, sorry, but could you provide a garden bench? It seems he isn't quite ready to open up to me. Apparently, sitting right next to me isn't to his liking," the girl said, with an air of regret.

"Well, that's only natural, I suppose. Humans are creatures that live by doubting the credit and trust of others," a withered voice replied.

I looked down and caught my breath. It was there as naturally as if it had existed from the very beginning. It was round and small. Its snout twitched as if it were about to sneeze. It was a darling, darling little black pig with plump, firm, soft-looking flesh. A mini-pig. A micro-pig. A Berkshire. Its round eyes were adorable. It was a deceptive mimicry. I knew its true identity.

"Pray, do not be so guarded. You know well enough that I cannot physically lay a finger on you, do you not? I am, in the end, but a pitiful, pitiful existence that can do naught but toy with this fleeting world," Yumee grunted.

Before I knew it, a garden bench was placed there. Atop it sat the monster-in-pig's-clothing. It tapped its snout with a front hoof and flashed a charming smile. The ruler of this dream world looked at me from the same eye level, its lips curling.

"What do you mean, 'pitiful existence'?" I asked.

I snatched up the little pig and hurled it away. It wasn't an act of violence, nor was it animal abuse; it was merely a small, desperate resistance from the weak. The little pig soared through the sky... until suddenly, it was resting in the arms of the girl who looked like Tamaki-san. She held it, stroking it like a body pillow. The pig narrowed its eyes in bliss.

"Mmm. The texture is quite something. It's squishy and bouncy. As always, it's so soothing," the girl said.

"To be favored with such praise from my Lord is a singular honor," Yumee replied.

It was a conversation between a pig and a monster in Miko robes. A dry laugh leaked out of me. It was a sneer of total resignation. Yumee was a top executive of the Youkai Salvation Corps-the boss's right hand. A Baku that eats dreams. A Chimi-Moryo

⁸ who has worked in the shadows for five hundred years. And this place was the result of that dream-youkai's power.

Because the "Last Boss" had fallen, she could dream. Even if she was Sealed, she could dream. And inside a dream, this right-hand man was the absolute master.

"I wish you'd stop. Being built up so much makes me feel all itchy. You were doing something similar yourself not long ago, weren't you?" the pig asked.

"Don't put me in the same category as you. Mine was a mix of ritual and faith," I barked back.

Suddenly, the Youbo

⁹ appeared behind them, transformed into her monstrous form. She lunged, her massive jaws unhinging. In the next instant, she was disqualified-plunging into a crack that opened in the earth.

"Nooo! Remember this! A mother is stro-!"

"Then, it is farewell," the girl said quietly.

Snap. The crack sealed shut. The Youbo factor was forcibly ejected.

"I should expect as much. You haven't been able to completely eliminate it, have you?" the girl asked.

"To my shame. Forcing her to step out for a moment is the limit," Yumee replied.

They chatted like it was nothing. I realized my life was in their hands. Dreams are infinite. They could make me feel infinite pain.

"Oh, don't misunderstand. We have no intention of harming you. I had Yumee prepare this place purely so that I could come to an understanding with you," the girl said.

It was a friendly, supportive attitude to the very core. But I know better. A god is just a god. Something is fatally broken in them. This proposal of "salvation" was just the systematic domestication of humanity.

"I'm reflecting on that part. I've tried my best to relearn human values. Perhaps that was a bit too radical. I truly did something terrible," she said.

"As I thought, you don't have a human heart," I sneered.

I finally sat on the bench. I couldn't escape this dream anyway.

"Hehe. Thank you. It helps that you're being rational," she said.

"What do you want? That Youbo mother will be back. We don't have time for small talk," I pressed.

She sipped from a teacup that appeared in her hand. The rich aroma of green tea wafted toward me.

The girl nodded, savoring the flavor. Then, crossing her legs and arms, she spoke.

'Your existence is truly fascinating. You recognize the fate of this world-the countless branching paths toward ruin, don't you? And you observe them from the outside. Furthermore... you already know my ultimate objective, don't you?'

"To save the divinities and the youkai

¹⁰... though I doubt you'll let me off with that 'official' answer," I said.

I gave the party line, but quickly stopped playing dumb, knowing it was useless. I acknowledged the truth without stating it clearly.

'Heh. I thought so. After all, what you know comes from a 'God's-eye view'-observation in the literal sense. Besides, if I am the villain of this particular play, it would be quite a letdown if my final goal wasn't revealed, wouldn't it? A secret is only exciting when it's exposed in the final act.'

The girl chuckled, looking every bit the elegant shrine maiden. There was no trace of malevolent energy. Yet, for such a being to confess and affirm this was a betrayal. A betrayal of the moryo

¹¹-the monsters-that followed her... No, that wasn't quite right either.

'In my defense, I don't despise those who follow me. I don't intend to use them, and I certainly haven't deceived them. I love them all. I cherish them. I pity them. I desire a future for all of them. But I am not limited to humanity. I am not bound by such small things. I want to save every spark of life in all of creation. That is all.'

'O, our Lord...'

The fallen god spoke with utter sincerity, eyes fixed on the void as if longing for a far-off horizon or a distant past-all while absentmindedly squishing the miniature pig in her arms.

"..."

I knew what that meant. In the face of that ultimate goal, the desires of her henchmen and the proposal she made to me were nothing more than stepping stones. It was also the reason she showed such intense interest in the "power" Hotoya Tamaki held in the original story. Whatever the essence of the hero's power was, its effect aligned perfectly with her goal.

And the reason she's telling me this now... I see. So that's it.

'That look in your eyes... the penny has dropped, hasn't it? Then let me ask you: as far as you have observed, if my goal were to be achieved, did any 'unforeseen consequences' occur?'

"Yeah. You'd regret it. Deeply. Give it up and go back to sulking in the basement like you've been doing," I replied.

'Hmm. So, in the timelines you've been able to observe, there were no such depictions of failure. ...Thank you. That puts me at ease.'

"Tch!"

Did she read my mind? Was it just psychological profiling? Or some incomprehensible power? Whatever it was, The girl seemed to have cleared her last doubt. It appeared that Kubou feared her own goal might lead to an unintended end. Through me, the monster had gained total confidence in her path. I'd just played right into her hands. Dammit.

"...The high-ranking gods exist as a 'plane' across the world, right? You supposedly perceive the past, present, future, and even the branching timelines all at once. If that's the case, why the hell do you need to ask me anything?"

'...As you know, most of my power is currently bound by these shackles. Furthermore, just because one exists as a plane doesn't mean one is all-knowing. If that were possible, no god would ever be hunted down or sealed.'

According to her, the physical entity standing in this world was nothing more than a terminal.

'Exactly. To put it in terms you'd understand... it's like watching a thousand televisions all at once. Every moment, every past, every future, and the infinite branching fates-they all flow in simultaneously. The sheer volume of information is staggering. It's a struggle just to grasp a single thread. Even if you dodge the ruin right in front of you, another catastrophe might be waiting just a few steps ahead.'

"So you see everything, but the data never resolves?"

'Yes, that's a very good way to put it. It's also why low-level gods act like mere animals. They are swept away by the torrent of information; their very egos are washed out. Even if they see the world as a 'plane,' they cannot comprehend it. They simply react to the moment, unable to see beyond the immediate future. Ironically, falling completely and becoming closer to a youkai can actually clear the mind, as it severs the connection to the world and lets the ego settle.'

The fallen god continued to lecture me on the nature of divinity. She seemed to enjoy the conversation, acting like an older sister from the neighborhood teaching a toddler the ways of the world.

"...I get it. If you're playing ten games at the same time, you don't really get emotionally attached to the plot of any single one, do you?"

'Oh? Well, I'm glad you understand the hardships of being a god.'

The deity responded to my metaphor with a blank blink and a smile. Every subtle shift in her expression looked exactly like the hero. At the same time, a hypothesis began to form in my mind.

"...This 'cautious' approach of yours. Are you actually walking a tightrope here?"

This was a theory discussed back in my previous life. Given the nature of gods, this being's obsession with preparation and planning seemed almost cowardly. It was as if she were terrified of something.

'...You're right. Since we're aiming for mutual understanding, it would be insincere to hide it.'

Kubou hesitated for a fraction of a second before continuing.

'For instance, if the Great Rebellion

¹² five hundred years ago hadn't happened, a human with such monstrous abilities would have been born that they would have killed me so thoroughly I couldn't even reincarnate.'

"Well... that's a damn shame."

'Hardly. That 'gifted' individual would have been consumed by their own power and slaughtered ninety percent of the population.'

"..."

The bombshell was dropped so casually I was left speechless. But I quickly realize there was no proof.

"...Talk is cheap. You can claim whatever you want," I muttered.

'True. Then shall I tell you about the other possibilities? What if the Western Empire hadn't collapsed? In four hundred years, that Federation would have dropped a Marrow-Depletion Bomb

¹³ on Fuso, leaving the land so barren not even a weed could grow. Or perhaps a century ago, if the Fuso merchants in the South had brought the Kappa back to the mainland, triggering an unprecedented plague? Or... what if the Miko, starved for love, committed the ultimate sin and sacrificed the entire nation?'

Kubou placed a hand over her heart, speaking with an airy, mocking tone. It could all be a lie. Pure fabrication. But then...

"And your proposal for my 'autonomy'... that's part of this too?"

'I only want everyone to be happy. Think of it as atonement for my own desires-I want the greatest happiness for the greatest number within the limits of what is possible. Of course, manifesting on this plane carries its own limitations, as do these shackles. My observation has its bounds. It's like a... 'search engine'? Even then, you can't look up a word if you don't know it exists. Your presence has widened the scope of the timelines I can perceive. I saw the necessity of guiding you.'

Munch. As if by magic, a skewer of dango appeared in Kubou's hand. She scarf down the first one, topped with sweet soy glaze, and offered the second to the pig. The miniature pig narrowed its eyes in delight. While it eats, both the pig and its master continued to observe me.

"You think I'm going to screw everything up?"

'Within you lies the Factor of the Great Mother

¹⁴. That thing is truly nightmare-inducing. It forcibly evolves the host, dragging them into a higher dimension. You should know its danger better than anyone.'

"I do. But still... you're suggesting I'm the one who's going to cause a disaster like the ones you mentioned? You've gotta be kidding me," I said.

Even if I lost control and went berserk, this is Kayo's estate near the capital. I'd just be surrounded by top-tier exorcists and put down before anything happened, right?

'I don't think the 'form' you took when you shared your flesh and blood with those girls was a joke. Can you really deny that?'

Kubou brought up our first encounter-specifically, the horrific state I was in when I "rebirthed" the girls who were meant to be sacrifices. She was pointing directly at my most monstrous moment.

"...That's in the past. I couldn't become that again even if I wanted to."

'Don't you think I let it be the past? That it only ended safely because I intervened?'

"...You think I'll have another chance to turn into that thing?"

'Or perhaps, your actions will ripple out and lead someone else to the worst possible choice... Who knows?'

"If you can see it, then just tell me exactly what's going to happen," I demanded.

'If I give you too many spoilers, I lose all my leverage in this negotiation.'

It was a veiled threat. She was telling me, without saying it, that my choices would lead to misery and mass sacrifice. I couldn't tell how much of it was true. It could be a total bluff. Out of infinite timelines, how many actually ended that way? Regardless, she had me rattled.

"You can't see every future, right? How convenient that you only see the ones that serve your argument."

'Perhaps. Maybe only the ones I saw were tragedies. Or maybe your choices are so consistently bad that I hit a 'bad end' every time I look.'

"...What matters is the choice. Making the right one."

'And I wonder... is that answer the 'right' one?'

Suddenly, the beautiful world of drifting cherry blossoms vanished. I looked around. I was in a pure white void, surrounded 360 degrees by screens.

Old-fashioned, bulky cathode-ray tube TVs-relics from my past life that shouldn't exist here-were piled high in every direction, boxing me in with the two deities.

*"What is this?" "A cheap trick!" "Trying to rattle me?" "Old TVs..." "Stop the rip-offs!" "This isn't a joke!" "Stop screwing around!" "Good grief, anything goes..." "Change the channel!" "I'd prefer a flat screen!" "This parody is getting dangerous!" "Wake me up from this dream already!"

The moment I tried to speak, my own voice thundered from every direction. It was a mechanical, muffled version of my own tone. I forgot what I was going to say. Or rather, the words were taken right out of my mouth before I could form them. She had completely forestalled me.

'This is a metaphor for how the world looks to me. Eventually, you will see it this way too. Or rather, if you stay on this path, you'll be forced to. And then you will despair-realizing you've seen the future only after you've passed the point of no return. You'll realize you were already checkmated.'

"Is this a threat?" "What're you trying to say?" "Don't be ridiculous!"

"You're chirping from every damn direction-shut up!" "Gross."

"You're the one who's wrong here, aren't you?"

"Then I'll just have to fight back."

"I have nothing left to say to you."

"Using a glitch like 'SF-slipping'

¹⁵ is a forbidden move-ssu, isn't it?"

"Like you can even see everything anyway."

"At least let me speak for myself!"

It was a threat that felt more like a warning from a Final Boss. The retorts came unbidden, preemptive strikes echoing from all sides of the room.

...I wonder, which of those responses was I actually trying to say?

"You must realize it by now. You've been walking a tightrope this whole time, never knowing when you might lose your footing. Your presence here is nothing more than a statistical fluke. Countless other versions of 'you' must have perished halfway. Isn't it time you took the path of least resistance? Or rather, should I say you'd prefer a sure thing over a one-shot gamble? Well? What do you think?"

"I'm not falling for it." "There's always a catch." "You've got zero proof." "And yet, I'm still here." "Talk is cheap when it comes to 'possibilities'." "You sound like a two-bit con artist." "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." "Hypocrite."

"Dear me... as stubborn as ever. Though I suppose that tenacity is exactly why you've made it this far."

From the wall of CRT televisions, a chorus of mockery and denial played out. The girl shrugged her shoulders. Every one of those biting words was a reflection of the venom I held in my own heart. Because of that, a sense of nihilism began to seep through the storm of abuse. Was my entire life just dancing in the palm of her hand? As if reading my mind, one screen showed a version of me standing in total silence. He wore the exact same bitter expression I did.

'…'

"…"

It felt as if my gaze locked with my own reflection behind the glass. Enveloped by the voices of a thousand "me's" shouting and screaming, the noise gradually began to feel like hollow bravado.

My future. The choice I had to make...

"My Lord. It is time."

"Hm. Already? ...Ah. I see. So that's how it is."

"Wait...!!?"

The silence between the two Divine Pillars

¹⁶ had been a psychological trap, a move to force me into self-interrogation. It was broken by the Black Pig's sudden announcement. The girl nodded in realization. Suddenly, the world began to heave with a subterranean roar. An earthquake. The stacked rows of CRT screens flickered, bleeding static and spitting sparks as they collapsed. I stood frozen. There was no reason to move. It was all a dream-nothing but a mirage.

"My apologies. When divinities overlap, the future becomes a blur. We see each other's foresight, causing interference and chaos. That is why it has come to this."

"In other words, there's still a chance, right?" "You just gave yourself away." "Do I not count as one of those 'divinities'?" "Serves you right."

"Heh... true. You are indeed one of the factors."

The few remaining TVs spoke before I could find my voice. The Final Boss gave a thin smile of affirmation.

"Let me be clear: I am not lying. I have seen countless world-lines where your stubborn resistance leads to a horrific future. A future where no one finds happiness. My proposal for autonomy through Nue was an act of mercy to avoid such a tragedy... a kindness to minimize the suffering, so you wouldn't have to live in a hell of regret. Or perhaps... you could call it my atonement to she."

"...Atonement?"

I finally forced the word out. The Boss responded with a dark, knowing smirk. I realized too late that he had intentionally allowed that single murmur to escape my lips. Around us, the TVs were dead, showing nothing but a blizzard of static.

"I did a terrible thing to she. I abandoned my nature as a divinity and triggered the Great Rebellion specifically to keep her from failing. I cut away the future she so desperately desired."

"What... what are you talking about?"

Wait. What was this monster whispering? What kind of past was she spinning? Who was "she"? Could it be...!?

"PAAAAAA-PAAAAAA! YOUR CUTE LITTLE BIG-SIS-LOVING SPIDER-GIRL IS HERE TO SAVE THE DAAAAAAY!!!!"

My train of thought was derailed by a little girl's voice that shook the very foundations of the world. A scream that rattled the heavens. She arrived as a colossal shadow, crashing through the mountain of TVs.

"Well now, the new head of the Tsuchigumo

¹⁷ clan. Is this our first time meeting, I wonder?"

"My, my. What a spirited and magnificent little Spider Pillar we have here."

A giant spider's face filled my vision-a close-up so intense a spider-hater would have fainted on the spot. Even towered over by that thing, the entity wearing the Miko's skin spoke as if greeting an old friend. The pig, too, acted like a doting grandfather.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS!?!?"

While they traded pleasantries, the world was being torn to shreds. Debris from the televisions scattered into the void, dissolving into mist. It was all just a dream's hallucination.

"Looks like our time is up. Truly a pity. ...As a parting gift, let me give you a piece of advice that might actually help."

"A gift...?"

"Yes. A little story to take home. That princess of the Oni house who's so in love with you. You'd better look at her closely and save her. ...She's carrying a nasty curse, you know?"

"What?"

Before I could demand an explanation, the world fell away. I plummeted into the darkness.

"SKYDIVIIIIIIING-!"

In the collapsing world, the idiotic scream of that idiot spider echoed through the void.

* * *

"...Are you awake? Thank goodness. You were connected to something foul. It was an emergency, so forgive me for taking that thing out of its cage."

"Nn...? A-Aoi? Ow..."

I looked up at the grim face of Princess Aoi, the pain in my arm finally registering. Following my gaze, I saw the giant, stupid spider still clamped onto my arm, snoring away. Chomp... smack... zzz... I realized I was currently using Aoi's lap as a pillow.

"Do you remember the dream? Someone was using it to plant a mental curse. You probably know this, but that spider's blood-sucking has a purifying effect. That's why I had it bite you. I assume it's out cold because it drank its fill."

"I see... Got it. Is there a way to stop them?"

I listened to Aoi's report, processing it before asking the vital question. I couldn't handle those freaks crashing my dreams every night.

"Now that I know they're using your dreams, I can just set up a specialized barrier. Leave it to me. I'll have it ready by the end of the day. You're safe inside the estate."

"I can't eat another bite, Papa... zzz..."

Aoi summoned a paper shikigami to carefully retrieve the sleeping spider. She pulled the fangs out-sending a dull throb through my arm-locked the creature in its cage, and left the room. It was only then that I realized we were in the training dojo. Why was I sleeping here? My memory was a total blur. The room smelled faintly fishy... but that could wait.

"Right. ...But what about when I'm outside?"

"Actually, I have the perfect thing. Though, more accurately, I should say I'm 'returning' it to you."

"Something of mine?"

"Honestly, I never wanted to give such an obscene thing back to you... Cough. We'll talk about that later. More importantly... what happened? Who was in your dream? What kind of arrogant brat would dare?"

Aoi pushed the side-topic away, her expression darkening. I could feel her quiet, simmering rage. She looked ready to hunt down the culprit and slaughter them right now.

"Who it was..."

I couldn't answer immediately. The second you wake up, dreams evaporate like ice under the summer sun. I tried to grab the scraps of my memory. I thought, and then-Wait. That's it!

"Aoi!!"

"Eh? Kyah!?"

The final image of the dream flashed through my mind. I grabbed the shoulders of the girl in front of me-Princess Aoi. In my haste, I practically tackled her to the floor. I didn't care. I stared into her wide, startled eyes.

"Is there anything wrong with your body!? Do you feel sick!? Is there any weird sensation at all!?"

"Eh? Wh-what!?"

"Level with me! Don't act tough and don't you dare lie! How do you feel!? Is there something... anything weird happening!?"

I was shouting, frantic. My eyes were bloodshot as I braced for any sign of a lie. I was... terrified.

A heavy silence filled the room. Aoi stared up at me, dazed, before finally averting her eyes and fidgeting.

"Um... I'm so sorry. There aren't any signs yet. No morning sickness... and, well, my 'monthly visitor' still hasn't missed a day, you know?"

"......Pardon?"

She hid her blushing face behind her sleeve, giving me an answer so far out of left field that my brain stalled.

...Right. Okay. So that's how she's taking this? Unlike a guy who can just walk away, it's a much bigger deal for the woman afterward, isn't it?

"A-ah! But don't worry!! I'm not a 'defective product' or anything!! I can definitely function as a mother!! I'm just not in top form yet, so please don't be disappointed in me!"

"No, no, no! Wait! Calm down! I'm not blaming you for that! I'm not lodging a complaint! Relax, I mean it, trust me!"

She had taken my stunned silence in the worst possible way. Her face did a total 180, and she started pleading with a look of pure desperation. She looked like a child terrified of being abandoned, her lips trembling as she started to cry. I immediately pulled her close, stroking her hair and rubbing her back. It was a reflex-a move born from seeing exactly how fragile her heart had become."

I was already past the point of playing nice with her; I understood Onitsuki Aoi's

¹⁸ current values all too well. That was the reality. The woman standing before me was exactly who I thought she was. A genius. Haughty and arrogant, acting the part of the cold-blooded adult, yet she was still just a cowardly, brave little crybaby. She was a convenient, foolish princess. A woman far better than I deserved.

Rather, I was the one who-despite knowing all this-had lost my cool and started acting out of pure selfishness. It was a lapse in judgment. She had only been doing what was necessary to bring me back to my senses.

"R-really?" Aoi asked. "Please, don't push yourself, okay? If there's anything you don't like, I'll fix it right away. If you're unhappy, I'll change... just, please don't grow to hate me."

"How could I ever hate a girl this perfect?" I replied. "You know that, don't you?"

"I know. I do... but sometimes, I just get so anxious. You're not angry, are you? You can hit me if you want. You can even punch me, okay?"

"I'm not doing that unless we're just playing around," I said quietly.

Her body, which had been trembling as if in a seizure, gradually grew still. Her voice began to follow suit. She was returning to her usual self, even slipping back into a teasing tone. I knew half of what she said was real. I was down for some "soft play" if she asked, but actual domestic violence was a hard no. Though, if the Factor

¹⁹ ever fully activated, even that line might get blurry.

"Really? Truly?" she asked. "I'm sorry. That was a disgraceful display."

"Don't worry about it," I said. "I'm the one who made you feel insecure."

"It's fine. I was being naive. I'm just glad that the 'you' inside is still you."

"..."

I understood what she was getting at. My grip on her shoulders tightened-a petty outlet for an uncontrollable surge of passion. Aoi looked up at me. She was reading my every subtlety, conveying her intent through her gaze alone. She was telling me: If you're frustrated, hit me. Use me to vent. We understood each other so deeply that a look was enough.

"Like I said, I'm not doing it," I muttered.

"Ah..."

I pulled away from her. I ignored her lingering look of regret. Resigning herself, she straightened her disheveled clothes and checked my condition.

"You..."

"Do you ever realize that you might be, well, cursed?" I asked.

"Cursed?" Aoi replied. "You aren't looking for a joke like 'cursed by you,' are you?"

"No. I mean in the literal sense."

"If that's what you mean, then yes. It's just the way things are. By so many people, so many times."

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense," I said.

It registered instantly. There were probably countless people who would want to put a curse on Onitsuki Aoi.

The Onitsuki family is an ancient, prestigious lineage. Just by being part of the main branch, she's cursed by the nameless masses on the outside. She's cursed by her own clan due to internal power struggles. People get jealous of her beauty, get twisted, and curse her out of spite-men and women alike. Everything from petty pranks to genuine assassination attempts. It was the same in the original world. Because she was Onitsuki Aoi, she could brush it all off. But the malice was always there. She spoke of these burdens with total nonchalance.

"It's really nothing special," Aoi said. "No matter how many gnats try to sting me, it's a trivial matter. If they're too persistent, I just curse them back and let them learn their lesson."

"You're surprisingly thick-skinned."

"Oh? But in front of you, I'm just a delicate maiden."

She slid closer, slipping into my personal space. She buried her face in my chest, rubbing her cheek against me like a spoiled child. She looked up, using her beauty like a weapon.

"I'm happy you worried about me," she whispered. "Did that person who trampled through your dream use me to threaten you?"

"I wonder..."

That conversation in the dream. That contact. I was still struggling to gauge the warning. I was at a loss as to how much I should tell her. Was it... a bluff?

"You don't have to explain everything," Aoi said. "Just ask me what's necessary. If it becomes a pain, you can just stop. I won't push you. If you want, I'll even let you erase my memory."

She offered an endlessly convenient solution. To her, the only things that mattered were my convenience and her usefulness to me. She prioritized me above all else. Onitsuki Aoi could be as harsh as rubbing salt in a wound, yet she was cloyingly sweet. She had her own way of deciding when to be strict and when to spoil me.

"Yeah. Let me think about it for a bit," I said.

I leaned into her. I pulled her close, letting my weight rest on her. Was I low on blood? I felt incredibly languid. I sank into her.

"Mmm... fufu. You're such a handful," she giggled.

The woman who had been acting spoiled immediately pivoted to accepting my dependence.

"Sorry. I'm feeling lightheaded," I muttered.

"That's because I made you let me drink," Aoi said. "So, it's my responsibility. Lean on me as much as you want. Don't worry. I'm not the type to drain someone dry without considering them. Your will always comes first, okay?"

"I see."

Aoi gave a triumphant smile. I felt a slight disconnect in her phrasing, but in my dizzy state, I didn't care. The tasks ahead, the dream-none of it mattered as much as how I felt right now. I just wanted to be released from this miserable state.

"Oh? In that case... how about we do this?" Aoi suggested.

The girl began to dishevel her clothes again. She bared a shoulder, exposed the deep valley of her cleavage, and teased me until the very last second.

"..."

"Fufu."

Naturally, my gaze was drawn in. I felt a thirst that was entirely separate from carnal lust. The Pink Princess sneered, looking at me like I was a troublesome but adorable little boy.

"We need to get some nourishment into you," she whispered. "By the way, do you remember that nonsense you spouted once? That blood and 'nectar'

²⁰ are essentially the same thing."

She whispered into my ear while cradling my head. She took my hand, inviting me in. Her eyes were filled with enraptured expectation. I knew Aoi Onitsuki loved being desired this way. It had become a habit for her to stroke my hair and hold me like a mother.

"As usual... you have terrible taste," I said.

"You have a lot of work to get through, don't you? You don't have time to be picky about how you get your energy back."

Aoi shot a sidelong glance toward the door. With my inhuman senses, I could smell the ripeness of several people out there. They were trying to hide, but they were totally exposed. A milky fluid was already seeping through the crack under the door. They were waiting, desperate to be called inside.

"There are plenty of refills waiting," Aoi teased. "And besides... you were the one who said you liked them back then."

"I said I liked the big ones."

"Fufufu. Yes, it's a plump harvest season. Go on, eat. Dig in boldly, won't you?"

"You want me to bite you?"

"I'm looking forward to it. I'll show off the marks in the bathhouse later."

"Give me a break," I sighed.

One barb for another. I had no choice but to give in. In a war of words, I was never going to win against her.

"Aoi."

"Yes?"

"When the time comes, I'll protect you."

"I know," she whispered. "Mmm."

Recalling the words from the dream, I told a shallow lie. I deceived the foolish woman and devoured her like a beast. It was just as she said. I had no choice but to exploit these women as my sustenance.

"Mmm... I love you. I love you. Every... single... part of you..."

The woman being devoured accepted me with all her heart. As she let me sink into her softness, she made sure the others waiting outside the door could hear everything.

It was frustrating how her panting voice felt so damn good to the one doing the devouring....

* * *

"He's awake. That's a shame," a voice said. "I wonder when we'll be able to meet again? Security is going to be tight now."

"Is this wise, my lord?" another asked. "Giving aid to the enemy

²¹ like that?"

In a dark Dream World where only a single veranda remained floating, a Pillar sat, cradling a pig.

"I don't have a single enemy. And neither does he," the Pillar replied. "I only wish for him to make a better choice, so that more people can find happiness. Does that dissatisfy you?"

"If it is our master's choice, then it is fate. We have no power to resist. If we are to fall, we shall simply accompany you. Leave the trivialities to me."

"My apologies. But... I'll make sure you aren't treated poorly."

The Pillar stroked the head of his right-hand man. He felt bad for dragging him into his many selfish whims. Especially since the King of this Dream World only seeks one thing: an eternal dream.

"It's a rare reunion for you, too," the Pillar said. "Why not talk to her? Why not join forces with me again-"

"MYYYY BOOOOYYYY!" "BIIIIG BROOOOOTHEEEERRRR!"

"Yeah, I guess that's a no."

A mass of flesh expanded, threatening to fill the darkness. Countless fangs, arms, and eyeballs lunged toward the fool who dared to lay a hand on their "boy."

Light pierced the darkness, burning the flesh away. But the Great Mother factor pushed back, growing into an even larger Eldest Brother. A back-and-forth battle within the Dream World. If a mere human consciousness had been caught in the crossfire, their spirit would have vanished. Their physical body would have been left as a hollow shell.

"My lord," the right-hand man said.

"That's just a fragment of the factor parasitizing his spirit," the Pillar replied. "It won't be hard to win. Good grief, if the avatar is like this, the main body isn't going to be any more reasonable."

The figure dressed as a shrine maiden

²² shone even brighter. Scorching heat licked the ground. Fundamentally, the compatibility was in their favor.

"Well then. For now, I'll just have to hope he makes a wise choice," the Pillar whispered. "It's the story you started, after all... right? Just kidding."

The sun whispered as it burned away the symbols of the earth, dreaming of the past, the present, and the future within the world of dreams.

---

Summary:

Drawn into a surreal Dream World, the protagonist faces Kubou, the so‑called Last Boss of the game world, who reveals her identity and her micro‑pig companion Yumee. Despite an attempted defense from the protagonist's internal "Mother," Kubou and Yumee dominate the dream, insisting on a deceptively friendly dialogue.

Within this shifting realm, the protagonist confronts Kubou's claim of saving all life even as he admits to witnessing endless timelines of ruin, ending their exchange by trapping him in a hall of mirrored selves that whisper his inevitable defeat.

Elsewhere, The girl awakens from a haunting dream of the same entity foretelling disaster and mentioning a mysterious debt owed to "her," only to find himself back in the dojo—where Princess Aoi rescues him from a mental curse via her giant spider, leading to an awkward yet heartfelt misunderstanding about pregnancy.

Later, their bond deepens into a strange, life-restoring union born of Aoi's unwavering devotion, while far above, cosmic beings vie for the protagonist's fate as a radiant sun-like entity silently watches the story's endless cycle unfold.

---

Trivia:

- Kubou is currently in a body identical to Hotoya Tamaki.

- Yumee is actually a legendary Baku youkai capable of manipulating dreams.

- The protagonist's internal 'Youbo' protector was easily ejected from the dream world.

- The 'Last Boss' claims to be reflecting on her previous 'Human Domestication' plan.

- Kubou is technically under a 'Sealing Curse' but can still act through dreams.

- Kubou is currently in a weakened state, bound by shackles.

- Gods in this world perceive reality as a 'plane' of information, which can drive lower deities insane.

- The 'Factor of the Great Mother' inside Hotoya is a catalyst for high-dimensional evolution.

- Kubou claims she intervened in the past to prevent Hotoya's total transformation into a monster.

- The 'SF-slipping' term suggests a meta-narrative or gaming logic within the dream world.

- The 'Final Boss' claims to have triggered the 'Great Rebellion' specifically to prevent 'she' from failing.

- The spider's blood-sucking has a specific 'mental immune' or purifying effect.

- Aoi mentions 'returning' an 'obscene thing' to The girl, which he has forgotten.

- Aoi mentions she will curse people back if they bother her too much.

- The protagonist has a 'Factor' that makes his behavior suspicious/animalistic.

- There are other girls waiting outside the door ('the herd') who are seeping fluid.

- The entities in the dream world are fighting over a 'fragment' of a factor.

- The Miko (shrine maiden) entity has an elemental advantage (heat/light) over the fleshly darkness

---

Character Insight:

Kubou demonstrates a 'gentlemanly' but fundamentally alien morality, viewing the domestication of humanity as a form of salvation. The protagonist shifts from panic to a dry, resigned rationalism, recognizing he is at the mercy of a god-like entity.

Kubou reveals a 'Majority's Greatest Happiness' philosophy, acting more like a cold search engine or administrator than a traditional villain. Hotoya struggles with his lack of agency, realizing that even his 'outside' knowledge might be part of the god's calculations.

Aoi's character shows deep vulnerability; her worth is tied to her utility to the protagonist, leading her to fear being 'defective'. The girl's frantic reaction shows his trauma-driven fear of losing those close to him, overriding his usual calm.

Aoi shows her 'convenient' nature by offering to erase her own memories for the protagonist's comfort, highlighting her self-sacrificial obsession. The protagonist realizes he is effectively 'devouring' her to survive.

---

Behind the Scenes:

The term 'Kubou' refers to the void or the end of the youkai scrolls, symbolizing an ultimate end-point.

The use of CRT televisions in a fantasy world is a meta-fictional device highlighting Hotoya's origin and the god's ability to pull imagery from his subconscious.

The use of CRT TVs and 'Final Boss' tropes are stylistic choices common in modern Seinen works to represent psychological fragmentation.

The 'Hanaい' pun in the raw text likely refers to the character's name or a stylistic verbal tic that emphasizes a void or 'nothingness' through a flower motif.

---

TL Notes:

1↵ Fuso: A poetic name for Japan.

2↵ Kubou: Derived from the end of the Hyakki Yagyou scrolls.

3↵ Youkai Salvation Corps: The antagonist organization in the story.

4↵ Dango: Japanese sweet dumplings made from rice flour.

5↵ Hyakki Yagyou Emaki: An illustrated scroll depicting the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.

6↵ Miko: A shrine maiden or supplementary priestess.

7↵ Dream World: A metaphysical space governed by the Baku youkai.

8↵ Chimi-Moryo: A collective term for monsters of the mountains and forests.

9↵ Youbo: Literally 'Monster Mother,' referring to the internal protective spirit.

10↵ Youkai: Japanese supernatural entities or spirits.

11↵ Moryo: A general term for monsters of the mountains and rivers, often associated with ghosts.

12↵ Great Rebellion: A major historical conflict in the series lore that reshaped the world 500 years prior.

13↵ Marrow-Depletion Bomb: A weapon of mass destruction mentioned as a possibility in alternate timelines.

14↵ Factor of the Great Mother: A specific biological/spiritual catalyst within the protagonist that triggers evolution.

15↵ SF-slipping: Likely a gaming term or meta-glitch reference.

16↵ Divine Pillars (Hashira): A high-ranking spiritual or godly status.

17↵ Tsuchigumo: A legendary spider-like yōkai clan.

18↵Onitsuki: Literally 'Demon-possessed'. A prestigious family lineage in this setting.

19↵Factor (Inshi): A biological or supernatural element within the protagonist's blood or spirit that influences his physical state.

20↵Nectar/Mercy Juice: Refers to Jijiru (慈汁), a specialized term for bodily fluids used as nourishment in this context.

21↵Giving aid to the enemy: Localization of Shio wo okuru (sending salt), helping a foe in their time of need.

22↵Shrine Maiden: Refers to the Miko entity acting as an avatar in the Dream World.