Demise Game

37.common heroes

To be setting up the Kokkuri-san board with your mom and Enoru of all people was both jarring and incurred a sense of deja vu.  Last time you did this, your group was doomed.  Now, you were going into this with the knowledge that all of you could die, but with no other choice, you all march forward.

        Shiki had stayed nearby, but due to him also being a demon, he couldn't play the game.  This left only three players: you, your mom, and Enoru.

        Talk about a weird trio, but it would work.

        "Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, please come out.  If you're here, move this coin."

        Like before, nothing happened at first.  Ideally, the coin should have moved, but when it didn't, you all repeated the phrase in tandem.

        "I heard you all the first time.  My, come to rethink my offer?"

        Your mom looked like she had a lot of things she wanted to say to Shuuen, but she held her tongue, instead glowering at him.  He was unperturbed.

        You wet your lips.  "Yeah," you agreed.  Your agreement seemed to startle him, a shocked look on his face for a moment before it schooled into his usual cocky look.

        "Oh?"

        "I want to play one more game.  If we all win our games, then you have to put everything back the way it was before.  Everything."

        Shuuen's smile dropped slightly, but he was quick to mask it as if it never happened.  It was too late — you knew what you saw.  "Are you sure you want to risk that?  You could easily die, and then everything will have been for naught."

        "I'm confident I can handle myself just fine."  Boldly, you met his gaze, and you ignored the hushed whisper of your name that came from your mom.  A warning.  "Why are you hesitating?  I thought you'd jump onto this deal."

        Goading a demon into this wasn't a good idea by any means, but you couldn't have him not take this deal, because what would you do then?  No, you needed to bait Shuuen into this.

        Shuuen's smile stayed the same, but it didn't reach his eyes.  He regarded you sharply, his eyes narrowing slightly before his grin widened like the cat that ate the canary.

        "Alright...  But in this case, I believe a sliiiiiight change is in order.  You guys understand, right?"

        "Change?"

        "Hm, let's see...  I'll give you all 24 hours to do your games.  You all will play them at the same time, so there'll be no helping each other.  And of course, no telling outsiders, and no help from Shiki."

        That...  Was not ideal.  A part of you wanted to protest, but you held your tongue, exchanging looks with Enoru and your mom.  Was it really a good idea to do it with this rule change?  Your chances were better together than alone — but you weren't really being given a choice here.

        Shuuen could clearly tell he once more had the upper hand, his smile more smug as he awaited your guys' answer.  "Well...?  Do we have—"

        "—Deal," Enoru spoke up on your behalf, meeting Shuuen's gaze stonily.  "We'll do it."

        You and your mom's heads turned to face toward Enoru, but it was already set in motion.  Without delay, Shuuen was bidding you all farewell, with the promise that, come morning, you all would know your urban legends.  For better or worse, he didn't stick around to harass you.  You liked to believe it was because he remembered your mom punching him, but in reality, you think he was just being 'gracious' enough to leave you alone before believing he was dooming you to an eternity with him.