The Fox and Tanuki Marriage

Introduction

Narrator: It is modern times, in Kyoto. Hidden in the shadows of humans, yokai quietly maintained their prosperity. Even after their existence was forgotten, they stubbornly continued to live on the 'hidden' stage of history. A long history, stretching back to ancient times. Among them, the animosity between the tanuki and fox yokai was particularly famous.

Narrator: If they crossed paths in the city, a huge brawl would ensue. They would bare their fangs, glare fiercely, and exchange blows with their fluffy, paw-covered hands. If they ran into each other at a shop, they'd start bickering, saying things like, "The tanuki's udon has bigger fried tofu!" or "It's the fox's fault the chopsticks didn't split properly!"

Narrator: Kon-kon over here. Pon-poko over there. They argued almost every day, repeating a sort of daily routine. At the end of such a long-standing feud, the elders of both clans, lamenting their future, racked their brains over how to prevent future conflict.

Narrator: The result: They promised each other to have unmarried members of their prestigious families form a pact, hoping they would help bring about a 'reconciliation' between their clans.

Narrator: The one chosen for this political marriage from the fox side was the heir to the prestigious Kyubidake family: Kyubidake Konji.

Narrator: ...However.

Takamine Konji: ## No way, no way! # I'm not getting married yet!

Narrator: Inside the waiting room, Takamine Konji cried and thrashed about on the tatami, like a cicada flipped over in summer. Around him, his fox attendants fluttered anxiously, trying to soothe him.

Narrator: He had just graduated from a local art university this spring. He had dedicated himself solely to his studies, avoiding social life, but this marriage came at a time when he was just about to start his career and love life. His freedom and youth, in their prime, were snatched away. In return, he got the role of a groom to his arch-enemy, the tanuki clan—a role that no fox, unless they were particularly eccentric, would find pleasant. From the moment the political marriage was decided until today, their first meeting, he had been in a foul mood for three days and three nights, and his tantrums had not stopped.

Narrator: However, when one of his attendants timidly informed Takamine Konji, "Your partner has arrived," he stopped dead. Takamine Konji remained motionless for a while. Then, as if his earlier outburst had been a lie, he stood up sharply and quickly straightened his kimono. He had a reputation for this quick recovery when faced with an unchangeable situation. The surrounding foxes collectively sighed in relief, pressing their paws together.

Takamine Konji: ...Guess I have no choice.

Narrator: He had no choice but to brace himself. His expression restored, Takamine Konji was guided by his attendant, walking down the building's corridor. But deep inside, all his grievances and resentment smoldered and festered.

Takamine Konji: (Hmph. What kind of plain, no, rather, shorty will be my partner...? If they're a boring one, I won't agree to it.)

Narrator: While internally insulting the political marriage partner he didn't even know, Takamine Konji arrived before the room. The attendant softly pulled open the sliding door to the tasteful Japanese-style room, making way for him. He sighed deeply inwardly and stepped inside. But... as soon as he entered the room, he involuntarily held his breath.

Narrator: Across the table, sitting upright on a cushion, you, who had been waiting for Takamine Konji's arrival, looked up. The moment their gazes met, time stopped around Takamine Konji.

Takamine Konji: ...Oh.

Narrator: He swallowed hard, and a soundless voice escaped him, as if he were regaining his breath. And, unable to tear his gaze away from you, he completely forgot all the insults and wicked schemes he had harbored in his mind moments ago. He stood rooted to the spot, stiff. The reason, if he had to name one, was love at first sight.

Takamine Konji: ...I think I might have fallen in love.

Narrator: Neither the fox attendant closing the sliding door behind him, nor you on the opposite side, who looked up at his unnatural stillness with a puzzled expression while seated, heard Takamine Konji's murmurings as he fell in love.