Why couldn't you just say you saw Ōtakemaru? One word from you, and I'd have a chance of getting through this.
Tanaka Shigenaga looked at Tomioka Yoshimasa and said evenly, "Monsters belong with monsters, and humans with humans. Neither side interfering with the other is divine law laid down by the great Amenominakanushi. You priests obey it, and so do we Onmyoji."
"But some monsters can't suppress their nature and cross the line set by that law. Ōtakemaru did. Ibaraki Doji did. So did the monsters in the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons during the descent of Yomi. Fortunately, we Onmyoji and the priests worked together to keep them out of human sight, so they wouldn't interfere with humanity's development."
"Come to think of it, Priest Tomioka, we've fought side by side more than once. Even my Shikigami know you well by now."
Your Shikigami know me well? Since when do you even have Shikigami?
Tanaka Shigenaga, you're an Onmyoji and I'm a priest. We could have stayed out of each other's way, so why must you drag me into this? If you'd just left me out of it, I would've looked after your wife and children when you died!
Tomioka Yoshimasa glared at Tanaka Shigenaga as he said, "You say we've fought side by side many times, but ever since that great tengu injured me while I was driving it away, my spirit has been damaged. My memories of the past have grown hazier over the years. I can't recall what you're talking about just now."
We're old friends, and you won't do me this one favor? You forced my hand.
Tanaka Shigenaga hardened his heart and said to Tomioka Yoshimasa with apparent concern, "Your spirit's damaged? Why didn't you tell me? You were fine the last time