Chapter 174: Menma's Wish
Kouya took a quiet breath and began explaining Menma's story—how she had appeared to him like a flicker of light between the worlds of the living and the dead, and how a small, enchanted cookie had unknowingly become the bridge that connected their fates. His tone was calm, almost detached, but there was a trace of something softer beneath the surface.
"So that's how it is," the shrine maiden murmured, her brows rising slightly. "A single piece of spirit food bringing two souls together… What a strange but beautiful coincidence." She smiled faintly, though there was wonder in her eyes. The half-cookie she had accidentally dropped had become the cause of something miraculous.
When they entered the shrine residence, two little rabbit girls—Ai and Natsu—bounded forward, each carrying a small tray of steaming tea.
"Master, master, please have some tea, meow~!" they chimed together.
Even though they were rabbits, their ears twitching adorably, they had somehow picked up the catgirl's speech habit.
Kouya sighed. 'You two have been hanging around Rina too much.'
Menma peeked curiously from behind him, her eyes widening. "Waaah, they're so cute! And they look exactly the same—I can't even tell who's who!" Her voice was filled with pure joy.
The twin rabbit maids looked almost identical—both wearing frilly mini maid uniforms, their soft tails twitching in rhythm. Only a blue and a red hairpin distinguished them.
Kouya raised a brow. "Why the maid outfits?"
Ai raised her little hand energetically. "Because Ruri-onee-chan gives us delicious apples every day! We wanna help out too, master!"
Natsu nodded in perfect synchronization. "That's right, desu!"
Kouya could only sigh and shake his head. "Fine, as long as you're happy."
It was still early, not even ten in the morning. Sunlight poured gently through the shoji doors, painting the tatami mats gold. The soft hum of cicadas echoed outside as the summer breeze carried the faint scent of pine.
The shrine maiden stood by the open sliding door, the wind catching her long black hair. "Kou-kun," she said softly, her lips curving faintly. "Shall we?"
Kouya met her gaze with his usual calm. "Let's."
"Last time, I didn't get to enjoy myself fully."
"Neither did I."
"Then… please, do your best."
"No holding back."
Their eyes met for a heartbeat—and then the room erupted into motion. Energy crackled. Wooden swords clashed. The sound echoed off the walls like thunder.
Menma gasped as bursts of wind swept through the room. "Waaah! Amazing! It's like watching a real anime battle!"
"Go, onee-chan, nya~!" came Rina's cheerful voice. The catgirl had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, cheering while munching on the taiyaki Kouya had bought earlier.
Moments later, Hinata came running back from training, sweat still glistening on her forehead. "What?! You're playing without me?! That's so unfair! I wanna join too!"
She ran straight to Kouya, puffing her cheeks. "Sis, you're totally running out of energy! Let me replace you!"
"Alright," said the shrine maiden with a mysterious smile. "Show me what you've got."
And then—
"Nooo! Kou-nii, not that move! That's dirty!"
"Kou-nii hit a girl there! So shameless! So cruel!"
"I—I'm gonna diiieee!"
Kouya's eyebrow twitched. "Enough! This is a game, not a stage play!"
He refused to hold back. Games were wars to be won.
Between the sisters, the shrine maiden managed to put up a fight, winning several rounds with skill and patience. Hinata, on the other hand, was completely demolished. After several crushing defeats, she sulked off to a corner, clutching a manga and muttering revenge plans under her breath.
"That's enough for today," the shrine maiden said at last, exhaling as she set the controller down. A faint smile played on her lips as she declared victory. "I'll go prepare lunch."
The twin maids immediately jumped to their feet, scampering after her to help. Rina, meanwhile, was already napping on the porch bench, half a taiyaki still dangling from her lips. Her little tail flicked occasionally as she snored softly.
Kouya walked over, crouched, and tried to take the taiyaki away—but it wouldn't move.
The catgirl stirred, blinking sleepily. "Nyaa…?" she mumbled.
The moment her mouth opened, Kouya pulled the taiyaki free.
"Nyoooo! That's mine!" Rina puffed up her cheeks, her fur bristling.
Kouya raised the pastry out of her reach. She tried to jump, missing each time. "You're bullying me, meow!"
He rolled his eyes. "You're not even human."
But when her golden eyes filled with tears, he sighed, giving it back and gently patting her head. Instantly, she began to purr, rubbing her head against his palm in forgiveness.
"I wanna pet her too!" Menma said brightly, her eyes glowing with excitement.
The catgirl froze, her ears twitching in alarm. She shook her head quickly. "No, meow!"
Kouya understood. The aura of death surrounding spirits often repelled living creatures—it was instinctive, a primal fear.
Menma's smile faded. She looked down at her hands, voice trembling. "I guess… I still scare them."
Kouya's hand reached out and rested gently atop her head. "You don't scare me."
She blinked up, startled, feeling warmth spread through her ghostly form. His touch radiated with a soft golden glow that made her feel almost alive again.
"Want some taiyaki?" he asked casually.
"Eh?" Menma's mouth opened slightly. "But… I can't eat…"
Kouya said nothing. He simply handed her one.
Hesitantly, she reached out—and gasped. Her fingers didn't phase through it. She could feel it. The scent of sweet red bean filled her senses.
Slowly, she bit into it. The soft texture, the warmth, the taste—it all felt real. So real that her eyes instantly flooded with tears.
"I can eat… I can really eat…" Her voice trembled. The emotion in it was raw and bright.
Kouya arched an eyebrow. "Why cry over that?"
"Because I'm happy!" she said between tears, laughing softly. "It's that kind of happy that makes you cry without knowing why."
By noon, the aroma of home-cooked food drifted through the house. The table filled quickly with dishes—miso soup, grilled fish, tamagoyaki, and pickled vegetables. Ai and Natsu carried everything with care, their small hands trembling with effort.
The shrine maiden walked in, apron tied around her waist, holding a bowl of rice. "Lunch is ready. Wash your hands and take your seats."
"Food time, nya!" Rina sang out.
"Onee-chan's cooking is the best!" Hinata chimed, already seated.
Everyone gathered. Menma sat beside Kouya, her eyes bright with anticipation, her hands clasped politely. She looked so eager that even the shrine maiden paused, realizing that Kouya must have helped her regain this ability.
The maiden watched her for a moment, then smiled faintly. 'So this is how a wish begins.'
Lunch passed peacefully, laughter echoing softly. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the trees, painting shifting patterns on the floor. Wind chimes sang gently as time seemed to slow.
When the sky began to turn orange, Kouya and Menma took their leave. They walked side by side down the quiet path, the sound of cicadas fading behind them.
They reached a wide lake. The water shimmered under the golden sunset, reflecting the burning sky like a mirror of fire.
Menma climbed up onto the railing, balancing carefully, her long silver hair swaying. "Kouya-sama, today was wonderful. I wish… I could stay like this forever." Her smile was soft and a little sad.
"Want a cookie?" Kouya asked suddenly.
She blinked. "A cookie?"
He held it out to her—a small, round cookie glowing faintly with spiritual energy. "It's for you."
She caught it, staring down at it with trembling fingers. "But… I haven't done anything to deserve this. You've already done so much for me."
Kouya shook his head. "You've done enough. That smile when I leave, and when I come home—that's already a gift."
Her lips quivered, her eyes filling with tears. She bowed deeply. "Thank you… Kouya-sama."
She lifted the cookie to her lips and took a bite.
The world around her shimmered. Fragments of her lost memories poured back—laughter, friends, a small house by a river, and a promise whispered beneath a summer sky.
"That night…" she murmured, her voice barely audible. "When I found half of this cookie, I remembered. There was something… someone I promised to meet again." Her tears fell freely, sparkling in the fading light.
Her voice grew softer, almost like a prayer carried by the wind. "I remember now… Menma's wish…"