Chiyoko: The 1 000 Generations Child

Chapter 13: Promotion

Reverend Sei lay on the floor in the house across the street of the Fuyu residence.

She watched the house closely through binoculars. Food leftovers, paper filled with inked notes and a photograph lay scattered around her.

When she spotted Chiyoko walking up and down the patch of green near the Fuyu residence, a smile crossed her lips.

She glanced at the photograph depicting her, another woman and a small child with long ebony hair clad in a too big white and purple cassock and surplice.

The child was walking towards the camera with her arms wide open.

The woman clad in a simple white dress kneeled smilingly to the back right of the child, having held her in her arms moments before.

Clad in black, Reverend Sei stood on the back left of the child. Panic was written on her face realizing what the child was up to.

It's been so long, little Chi, but it truly is you.

Your mommy will be so happy when I can finally bring you home.

She clenched her fist.

I should have never left you alone that day.

🔹꒰ঌ😈໒꒱🔹

A 5 year old Chiyoko ran around the house. She was clad in a too big purple and white cassock and surplice.

She opened the door to her mom's study and sneaked inside.

She climbed on the chair and looked at all the drawings and notes about yokai spread on the oak desk.

A soft chiming caught her attention. Something purple glistened in her mother's bag.

She stood on her toes as she reached for the little flask with glistening purple liquid. It was just out of reach so she leaned farther and farther.

The chair slipped from under her tiny feet and she took the bag with her in her fall.

TUD.

She fell on her side and the bag fell on the ground. The flask with purple liquid shattered near her heart.

A purple smoke surrounded Chiyoko. Her cassock and surplice turned into a kimono with similar colour scheme.

As Reverend Sei and her wife rushed into the room, the smoke kidnapped a scared little Chiyoko to the Yokai Community.

She was now one of them.

🔹꒰ঌ😈໒꒱🔹

Yusei hit Chiyoko with a letter. "What about leaving him alone for a few moments don't you understand?!

I was in the middle of wishing Ruri-chan night night when the messenger popped up and it took me an hour of negotiating before she finally went to sleep."

Chiyoko rubbed her head. "How could I know he'd use me to scare off a mugger?! I'm not friggin' Nostradame!"

Yusei looked annoyed at Chiyoko. "Let me predict your future. If you do one more act of kindness for him, you'll officially become his guardian angel.

His guardian angel! How does that sound to you? Being stuck protecting him, doing nothing but acts of kindness for eternity?

Back off now you still have a chance."

Guardian angel? Does that mean I'll get promoted?

Chiyoko stared in the distance as she recalled what Kenji said on the bridge.

"Thank you, guardian angel, thank you... I won't let you down."

Tears had fallen on the ground, both his and hers.

It had been a while since someone had thanked her from the bottom of their heart. Chiyoko had forgotten what sincerity felt like.

Maybe working for him wouldn't be so bad after all? Bigger pay and whatever I do it will always turn out in his favour. No chance of failure.

It will be as easy as stealing a lollipop from a baby.

Yusei noticed the look on Chiyoko's face. "You're seriously not considering to be his guardian angel, right?

You just met the guy! You know nothing about him.

For all we know he could be some pervert. Or worse for you: a boring goody two shoes! So do yourself a favour and back off."

"Why do you so desperately want me to back off, anyway? You don't even like me."

"I indeed don't like you, but I do like Ruri-chan. And I noticed that if you're happy, she's happy."

Yusei's face turned stone cold. "So don't you dare become miserable."

Chiyoko smirked. "Have you already told Ru-chan?"

A poof of pink smoke appeared. "Told me what, Chiyoko-chan?"

Yusei turned white.

Chiyoko's smirk widened. "Told y-"

Yusei held his hand over Chiyoko's mouth and nervously laughed.

"Why aren't you in bed, Ruri-chan? You were exhausted..."

"I couldn't sleep, Yusei-kun. I was too excited to know more about how Chiyoko-chan has helped him."

Ruri looked at Yusei and Chiyoko. They stood awfully close together. Too close to her liking.

"What aren't you telling me, Yusei-kun? What were you doing?"

Yusei smiled sheepishly. Sweat trickled his forehead. "I just told Kizuna Chiyoko she's only one act of kindness away to become his guardian angel."

"You're up for promotion, Chiyoko-chan? That's wonderful news!" Ruri's space buns bounced in the air as she cheered. "I knew you had it in you. I knew you could be kind.

What act of kindness have you planned to seal the deal?"

Yusei glared at Chiyoko and mumbled Not a word.

Dare me, Chiyoko glared back.

Yusei let go off her face and smiled at Ruri.

Chiyoko massaged her face and straightened her kimono, evil lurking in her eyes as she glanced at Yusei.

She walked to Ruri and guided her away by the arm while Yusei watched her like a hawk.

"That's where I'll need your help, Ru-chan..."