What Kind of Feelings Were Those?
Fujimaru Ritsuka ultimately ate some Chestnut Kinton, though not much.
Having just vomited a large mouthful of murky black water had left him feeling unwell—and deeply confused.
Hadn't he simply passed out on the mountain path and then been carried back by Miss Nobunaga? Why did he feel as though he had nearly drowned, and why had he vomited such a huge mouthful of black, muddy water?
In any case, after eating some Chestnut Kinton, Fujimaru Ritsuka felt a little better.
"Where did Miss Souji go?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka lay on the tatami with a look of utter despair as he asked Kanna, who sat beside him.
Kanna was not wearing her shrine maiden outfit today, but an ordinary kimono in somewhat bright colors.
"Miss Souji is a member of the Mibu Police Station. She has to patrol the village now and keep it safe."
"As for Mr. Sakumura, he should be at the village chief's house right now. He brought Lord Nobu there too. They're probably discussing how to protect the village during the storm."
"...Did something happen last night?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka struggled into a sitting position, still feeling somewhat weak.
"...Yes."
After two seconds of silence, Kanna nodded.
"Pitch-black shadows appeared in the village. They looked as though they had been woven from balls of black thread."
"These monsters attack villagers who are alone. They don't kill anyone, but... should I call it a prank, or simply cruel amusement?"
"But while those monsters are harmless by nature, their appearance has been accompanied by..."
Kanna did not continue. Instead, she silently looked in the direction of Black River Mountain.
A trace of unease flashed through Fujimaru Ritsuka's eyes. He pushed the blanket aside, stood up, and braced himself against the doorframe as he looked