Yamiyo no Hotaru

Volume 7 Epilogue

　In the outskirts of Fusō-kuni, the country's largest metropolitan area commonly referred to as the "Capital" due to its location directly above the great spiritual vein, the facility was being built.

　"Hmm... The growth this year is quite remarkable. The fertile soil certainly makes a difference."

　Observing the vegetables grown in the snow-covered field, the woman murmured to herself. Daikon radishes, Napa cabbage, Nozawana, and Shungikus... The so-called winter vegetables, known for their resilience to the cold, were thriving even in the harsh winter winds.

　"With this, we should be able to get through the winter just fine. The problem lies in the harvesting... Well, I can't concentrate like this."

　"Kyaa!"

　"Waah!"

　In the midst of December, in the heart of winter, the woman who served as the director of the orphanage was about to begin the final harvest in the vegetable field adjacent to the facility. She kept an eye on the older children who had voluntarily come to help but were playing around instead.

　"Hey, you kids! Don't run around so much. You might slip and get hurt."

　Lightly scolding the children running through the thinly snow-covered vegetable field, the woman's words fell on deaf ears. Despite their playful nature, they refused to listen to her. Even though they had offered to help, they ran around the field, laughing and playing tag. It seemed like they were in the middle of a chase. Desperately running around, the children.

　"Ah...!?"

　...And as expected, one of the girls who were playing tag tripped and tumbled headfirst into the ground.

　"Huh? Ugh... Uwaaaaaa!?"

　For a moment, she was dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what had just happened, and then she burst into loud tears. The children who had gathered around, worried and anxious, had no idea what to do next.

　"Goodness, you little brats. Didn't I tell you not to run?"

　Feeling exasperated by their behavior, the woman reluctantly approached the crying girl, unable to leave her alone.

　"Come on, stand up. Hey, stop wagging your tail!"

　As the woman tried to help the girl stand up, she was hit by the girl's flailing "tail" with a sound. Annoyed and disheartened, the woman retreated.

　Yes, if someone looked closely, they would have noticed that the other children around also had something inhuman about them. Everyone, without exception, had organs that clearly did not belong to humans. Not to mention the tails, some had various ears on their heads, wings on their backs, or even fur, feathers, and scales. Their claws and teeth were unusually sharp as well.

　They were undoubtedly beings who carried the blood of both humans and youkai... Half-youkai children. And the woman who diligently cared for them was no different.

　If someone skilled in illusion magic were present, they would have witnessed the fox-like tails and ears growing from the woman's body. A half-youkai tanuki... That was the woman's true form.

　"Come on, stand up. Don't worry, the injury isn't too deep. It's just a little scrape."

　"Uuu..."

　Comforting the sobbing child who was wiping her tears, the tanuki woman cleaned the wound.

　"Let's go back to the orphanage for now. We'll wash the wound with clean water there. It needs to be disinfected too."