If You Want to Learn, I'll Teach You

That sorrowful reply made Arata look up from the ancient book in his hands and turn toward the newcomer.

There she stood.

Princess Yao had changed beyond recognition since they had first met.

It was not just that darkness like a starry night seemed to envelop her. Her soft purple hair had turned snow-white, completing a transformation that made for a striking sight.

The crescent mark on her forehead had vanished.

But the mark that once represented Moon's Profound Meaning seemed to have taken another form. A vivid silver moon now shone upon her chest, as though the power had gathered there.

The scattered points of light around it looked like stars guarding the moon.

Feeling the young onmyoji's searching gaze, Princess Yao looked away, suddenly at a loss. She almost seemed ashamed.

She had willingly become a yokai to avenge Sun Wheel City.

She could even remain calm before her queen.

Yet facing this onmyoji, she found her resolve wavering.

Was it the guilt she had carried and the promise she had left unanswered?

Or was she ashamed that, when all of this could have been avoided, she had become a hideous yokai? It was hard to tell.

"You sacrificed your divine power and willingly fell to become a yokai."

"No wonder your aura feels different. You've grown stronger, too. It's almost as if you're someone else."

Arata closed the ancient book and rose. After brushing nonexistent dust from his clothes, he walked toward her.

Neither her identity as a yokai

nor her sudden strength

gave him any particular reason for fear or concern.

But hearing him so casually name what she had become only deepened Princess Yao's shame. She even felt an instinctive urge to flee.

After all, she had wondered during those few short moments:

*If I'd