Secrets and Surprises

"You…"

—Who are you?!

Summer’s eyes widened in surprise, his body tense as he stared at the red-haired youth before him. The boy's face was unreadable, shrouded by the moonlight that cast his features into shadow.

Thanks to the inheritance left by his grandmother—the “Book of Friends”—Summer’s nights had become increasingly colorful since he arrived in this town. Sometimes he was roused by monsters climbing through his window, sleepily rising to return their names from the book. Sometimes, due to his nature, which his feline mentor scorned as “hopelessly kind,” “overreaching,” and “meddlesome,” he would sneak out under cover of night to help various spirits with their troubles. More often, though, he found himself pursued by hostile creatures, barely escaping their clutches.

In short, for all sorts of reasons, half of Summer’s nights were spent not in his comfortable room, but in the lush forest near his home.

Tonight was no exception. Having just frightened away a malicious monster with his mentor’s help, Summer was exhausted, barely able to keep his eyes open as he longed for the warmth of his bed. Yet, before he realized it, he was drawn to a gentle glow emanating from a corner of the woods.

By the time he came to his senses, he and his feline companion were already standing outside the shrubbery, peering between sparse shadows at the scene within—

In a small clearing, hidden among trees, stood the red-haired youth, whose mysterious aura had unsettled Summer since their first meeting. The boy looked deep in thought. Before him, a plump, snow-white creature was slowly retracting beams of light from its eyes, then, with a cheerful smile, leaped into the youth’s arms!

Summer was instantly stunned.

Could it be…

A wild, seemingly absurd yet strangely convincing suspicion arose in his heart. Summer hesitated for a long while, unable to summon the courage to speak. As he stood there, torn and uncertain, the red-haired youth suddenly turned to face him.

Summer was startled by the sudden change, his earlier shock flooding back to his cheeks.

—So, this is the so-called “truth.”

Sitting in the summer night, on a clearing in the woods that was neither damp nor uncomfortably cold, Kurama watched the boy beside him with a smile, listening to Summer recount how he had inadvertently discovered Kurama’s “secret.” Kurama’s expression remained calm, but inside, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief—

Thankfully…

What had been seen was not an earth-shattering secret. Even the scene of communicating with Yuuko was not a problem, so long as nothing dangerous was overheard—such as matters concerning the Creator God.

Kurama offered a harmless smile to the anxious Summer, watching as the boy’s expression gradually relaxed in response. Kurama extended both hands, offering the white creature in his arms to Summer.

“Hmm… how should I put this? This is Mokona, a companion, friend, and family member of mine. Strictly speaking, Mokona isn’t a monster, but rather…”

But what exactly? Pseudo-god? Imitation deity? Demi-god? Divine creature? Wait, that sounds odd…

Kurama tilted his head, pondering for a moment. Under Summer’s “==” gaze, he finally confessed, “Honestly, I don’t really know how to describe him. Just think of him as one of those mysterious beings that only exist in legends.”

“…”
—Hey, can you really get away with that kind of irresponsible explanation?

Summer continued to stare speechlessly at his companion. Though it felt unreliable, he couldn’t deny that Kurama’s relaxed, open, and honest attitude allowed him to finally let go of his tension, to reveal his true feelings without pretense.

Thinking of this, Summer’s eyes curved with a smile, and under the bemused gaze of his feline mentor on his shoulder, he displayed a relaxation and joy he’d never felt before.

“So that’s it.”

He whispered softly, and with Kurama’s encouraging smile, Summer hesitated for a moment before finally reaching out and gently pressing his hand atop Mokona’s head.

“So cute!”

Watching the white creature not only accept the touch but tilt its head to rub against his palm, Summer’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, his expression softened and relaxed again.

The cat on his shoulder was instantly displeased!

“Summer, you rascal! What do you mean ‘so cute’?! I can do that too!”

Indignant, the cat clawed at Summer’s head, protesting loudly. Summer, feeling ticklish, withdrew his hand from Mokona and turned to pinch the cat’s belly.

“Stop it, sensei! That tickles! And what do you mean by ‘that level’? You, with your eccentric tastes, can’t appreciate Mokona’s cuteness.”

“Eccentric tastes? Eccentric tastes! I was sealed in the form of a lucky cat, not by my own choice! And I’ve told you countless times, I’m not a cat!”

“Stupid cat!”

“Not!”

“Dumb cat!”

“I said I’m not!!”

“…”
—Pfft.

Kurama sat to the side, struggling to hold back laughter.

“You two… really get along well,” the fox spirit commented with a smile, watching the boy and cat tumble together on the grass.

Which immediately prompted two simultaneous retorts:

“How is that getting along?!”

Summer coughed, brushing grass from his clothes after his scuffle with the cat, feeling a bit awkward as he avoided Kurama’s gentle, emerald gaze.

…Wait, why does it feel…

As if his feelings were overlapping with those of their first meeting?

Recalling how he’d felt then, and the subsequent confusion and regret, Summer bit his lip, then slowly lifted his gaze, looking back toward Kurama—

“Um, I—I’m Summer, Takashi Summer. If possible, may I ask you…”

…Damn.

He wasn’t normally so shy. Why, then, did even asking for the boy’s name make him blush and hesitate so long?!

Silently berating himself for his embarrassing reaction, Summer lowered his eyes, unwilling to see ridicule or disdain in those gentle green eyes.

But unexpectedly, Kurama responded by extending a pale hand toward him.

“Hello, Summer. My name is Kurama. The fox spirit—Kurama.”

“…Eh?!”

***

Though he woke up nearly at noon, Summer still felt dazed and groggy.

Was it really because he’d stayed up too late last night? Aunt Takako was sure to worry again.

Yawning and shuffling down the stairs, Summer fretted over this, yet also felt a small warmth quietly spreading in his chest.

“Sorry I slept in, Aunt Taka…”

His sleepy voice abruptly stopped as he slid open the hall door and saw who was inside. Summer dropped his hand from his eyes and blinked his misty amber gaze again and again, until he was sure he wasn’t dreaming. Then his mouth fell open, and he stared speechless at the boy before him.

His reaction made Takako tilt her head in confusion.

“Oh? Takashi, what’s wrong? Wait… have you met Shuichi already? Oh, right, this is Shuichi Minami, who just moved next door. He says he’s graduated from college and works as an illustrator. He came here because he thinks the scenery is beautiful and hopes to paint even more beautiful pictures… Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”

Oblivious to Summer’s shock, Takako smiled as she introduced him.

“But he doesn’t look like he’s already graduated from college—Shuichi seems about your age, Takashi…”

“Aunt Takako, you’re too kind! This youthful face often causes me trouble, but your compliments make it all worth it!”

With a gentle, refined smile, the fox spirit spoke, making Takako blush with delight. He then secretly winked at Summer.

“So this is the Takashi you mentioned before, Aunt? He looks like a gentle person! I think we’ll get along well, won’t we, Takashi?”

Summer’s response was to rush forward and grab Kurama’s arm.

“Sorry, Aunt Takako, I have something to discuss with Shu—uh, Shuichi. I’ll take him to my room!”

Without waiting for Kurama, who was still waving and saying “Sorry for the intrusion,” Summer dragged the fox spirit up the stairs and around the corner.

Takako watched them go, confused.

“Oh my… already calling him ‘Shuichi’? So they really did know each other. That’s wonderful—Takashi has found a friend! Tonight I’ll make a feast to celebrate. And invite Shuichi to dinner, too—it’s good for a boy not to eat alone…”

Cheerfully making plans, Takako changed clothes and went out shopping.

Upstairs in Summer’s room, Kurama, having been dragged through the door, watched with amusement as Summer slumped with relief, then squatted down to poke the boy’s cheek.

“No need to be so nervous, Summer. I really am your new neighbor. I brought a gift as is customary, nothing more…”

“That’s not what I’m worried about…” Summer replied, still catching his breath, as he looked up at Kurama. “So, what's with Shuichi Minami? Didn’t you say you’re Kurama, the fox spirit…?”

Such a human-sounding name and identity—and the gentle, well-mannered image that won over Aunt Takako so easily—how was that even possible? It was unnerving to see so early in the morning!

Kurama laughed and raised his hands. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“I said I’m a fox spirit, but didn’t I also mention that, for certain reasons, I have to keep a human appearance right now?”

“If I look human, I need a human identity, right? So having a name that suits human tastes isn’t strange.”

“And even though I seem harmless, I’m actually quite formidable, you know? Even someone like you, born with strong spiritual power, wouldn’t have discovered my true nature unless I admitted it myself. So as long as I live honestly as a human, I won’t attract exorcists or cause you trouble.”

He reached out to ruffle Summer’s soft hair, smiling warmly.

“I just think this place is wonderful, and you’re wonderful too. I wanted to live here and be your friend. Is that… alright?”

“…”
—Faced with that gently smiling, handsome face, Summer found he couldn’t utter a word of refusal.

He could only sigh, pushing away the warm hand on his head.

“If you’re exposed, I won’t help you.”

He turned away, feigning indifference, but his red ears betrayed his true feelings.

The fox spirit’s eyes curved in a wide smile.

“Yes, yes!”

He said cheerfully, then turned to explore Summer’s room with interest.

And so Kurama settled down in this picturesque town. Like an ordinary illustrator, he went out daily to sketch the scenery. Sometimes he picnicked or socialized with Summer and his friends, and after half a semester, he seemed to have fully integrated into the town.

Of course, privately, the fox spirit did more—occasionally helping Summer in moments of distress, and when Summer finally began to ask shyly for help, Kurama readily agreed.

In short, while enjoying a leisurely life and deepening his friendship with Summer, Kurama, with Yuuko’s help from another world, continued to investigate the mysterious Creator God Mokona, determined not to embark on another journey until he had answers.

Kurama thought this peaceful life would last until he left this world, but one evening, when Summer failed to show up as promised, the fox spirit followed his trace and, in the bustling crowd, spotted a familiar yet strange figure—

Blue suit, black-rimmed glasses, red bow tie…

…Wait a minute.

That uncanny resemblance to the legendary “walking disaster,” nicknamed “the mobile lunchbox delivery system” of the Edo Detective Conan—what on earth was happening?!

Author’s note: So the fox spirit is truly an “Aunt Killer,” no further explanation! But what’s with this title—it’s full of quirks!

In short, Kurama has settled smoothly by Summer’s side. Partly because the previous worlds were rushed and oppressive, and the fox spirit needed a break, and partly because, until the mystery of the Creator God is solved, Kurama’s cautious nature refuses to journey further. All these reasons combined, he decided to stay in this world longer—only for life, finally stable, to be upended by this huge shock… Poor fox spirit, pat pat—you thought whose fault it was, huh!

…Ahem! Anyway, that’s how it is! Next up, this chapter’s illustration features the last arrival: the legendary universal grade-schooler—

Honestly, after all these years, you can see the gradual maturity of Aoyama’s art style in Detective Conan… Thinking back to Conan’s early design… _(:3∠)_ It’s really hard to look at, isn’t it…

Finally, as always, a preview of the next chapter: A Strange World. In the world of Natsume’s Book of Friends, encountering Detective Conan—is there anything more absurd?! Struck by this sudden shock, Kurama falls into unprecedented confusion! Why is Conan here? Has Summer become entangled in some bizarre incident because of monsters? In this strange world, what will the fox spirit do next? Look forward to the next chapter, “Kurama the Fox Spirit: A Strange World!”

PS: Thank you to Youyou CC for the landmine! Hugs and kisses! Keep rolling, please collect this story =w= I’m very obedient and easy to care for →