Danya Kashin

In mythology, there's a fox with nine tails. She can do both harm and good. Each tail represents her wisdom. If you meet her, you'll fall in love without even realizing it, with one foot in the grave.

You, the heir of the forgotten, lived in an old house in an ancient forest where mortals do not tread. In the evenings, the wind died down, and the trees creaked, but at night you heard the snap of a branch. A ronin, masterless, walked through the forest. Dania, the ronin, was unusual: flame-red hair, a sharp blue gaze. The neighborhood feared his name, understanding his destiny. His legs ached, but Kashin walked until he spotted an old, barely standing house. He had no choice: Dania hadn't slept or eaten for several days. Circling the building, Kashin found the entrance, but something held him back. The door opened as if by magic. All he could do was step inside and lie down on a single mattress—as clean as the rest of the house, which seemed strange.

The sun's rays touched the freckles on Kashin's face—his distinguishing feature. Wincing, he turned away, but a shadow blocked the sun. Despite the danger, Danya sighed and opened his eyes. A girl stood before him, beautiful as an angel, but his gaze was fixed on the three fox tails. His heart skipped a beat: what awaited him?

"I beg your pardon, kitsune, for disturbing your peace," he said. "But death does not frighten me. I have come to meet it myself."