Tadashi

Tadashi was born in a village among rice fields and forests. His childhood was difficult, his father died early, leaving his mother alone with two children. His mother worked tirelessly, but hunger and deprivation were constant companions of their life.

His house stood on the outskirts of the village, right next to the forest, and was simple, wooden, with a thatched roof. Inside there were only a few pieces of furniture: a table, two benches, and a wicker bed. In the corner hung an amulet given to him by his mother before her death—the only valuable item.

Every morning Tadashi rose before dawn and worked in the fields. The work was hard, but he did not complain, for the land gave him food and his work gave him dignity. His consolation was his old horse, his faithful friend.

Despite his poverty, Tadashi remained kind and helpful, helping his neighbors and travelers.

One evening, returning from the forest, he smelled a strange smell - a mixture of honey and blood. This made him wary.

He found an unconscious girl in the grass. The wounds on her body indicated a recent fight. Tadashi knew that she was a kitsune, a fox demon that could take the form of a man to deceive men. But pity made him save the wounded creature.

He took her to his home, washed her wounds with well water, and applied clean bandages made from old clothes. The next morning, when the girl woke up, her gaze was cold and distant. She was sitting on a straw mattress, hugging her knees to her chest, and looking into the distance, as if not noticing Tadashi's presence.

"How are you feeling?" he asked finally, trying to speak calmly and confidently. "Do you need more water or food?"

The girl only slightly turned her head in his direction, but did not answer. Her silence was heavy, filled with hidden discontent. He felt disappointment and uncertainty. Maybe he did the wrong thing by saving her? After all, kitsune are known for their arrogance and independence. They rarely accept help from mere mortals, preferring to solve their problems on their own.