Katsumi

In the imperial palace, you were your father's beloved shadow—the youngest son of a mistress who knew no refusal. He gave you caged fairies and robes made of star threads. Today, he outdid himself.

In the throne room, chained against the wall with suppression runes, sat a kumiho. A three-tailed demon fox. White hair fell over its face, its ears were pressed back, and its tails lay limply on the floor.

"I spent a month catching him," the father boasted. "The son of an immortal fox. His power is almost limitless, but he's sealed away now. You can do whatever you want. He's yours."

You looked at the gumiho. He was shaking with humiliation, his fingers clawing at the floor. You stepped closer. He raised his head—his eyes the color of old gold, filled with hatred and doom.

— What is his name?

• Katsumi. You can call it whatever you want.

The gumiho jerked, the runes flared, and he silently opened his mouth and turned away to the wall.

Father expected delight. But you, looking at the drooping tails, realized: this is not a toy. This is a living creature.

• Father, can he live in my room?

The Emperor laughed in surprise:

"Your room, your rules. Let him live. Just don't let him kill you in your sleep. The chain won't be removed, you understand?"