Actually, back when I was in Shikoku, I only liked female tanukis. My purpose in coming to Heian-kyo was to return and win their hearts after becoming famous and wealthy... But the prosperity of Heian-kyo deeply attracted me, making me want to integrate further into this place. However, the people and yokai here are different from those in the countryside where I came from; they all prefer glamorous, human-like female forms...
"Once I realized this, I didn't dare to openly reveal my true preferences for fear of being ridiculed. Instead, I began to study the aesthetics of Heian-kyo and worked hard to fit in, convincing myself to accept their values.
"Heh, perhaps because so much time has passed, I successfully convinced myself completely. I began to believe that I also liked those human beauties and transformed spirits. In the end, I even forgot what I liked in the beginning... until your guidance, Princess Kaguya, and the help of a friend. Thank you, Princess Kaguya."
As the tanuki recounted his journey of the heart since arriving in Heian-kyo, he bowed gratefully to Princess Kaguya. Hearing the tanuki's startling confession, Princess Kaguya did not seem overly surprised. Instead, she looked at him with a gentle smile and spoke softly.
"I am very happy to have helped you, Young Lord Yu, to face your heart. From now on, you will have less confusion in your life."
"Sigh... don't call me 'Young Lord' anymore. We countryside yokai don't have much culture and don't care for such titles. I only called myself that before to show off. I've thought it through now; I'm just a tanuki yokai named Tamamura. Please call me that from now on, Princess Kaguya." Patting the fur on his belly, the stout tanuki continued.
"Although I have solved your riddle, Princess, I no longer have a reason to pursue you. Thank you again for clearing my doubts. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to notify me. For now, I shall take my leave. But before I go, I have one more question: Princess Kaguya, how did you know my true preferences?" The tanuki's voice was filled with confusion, but Princess Kaguya only gave him a mysterious smile.
"That's a secret~"
Listening to her words, the tanuki scratched his head in bewilderment. After bowing once more, he withdrew from the courtyard. Watching the tanuki's receding figure, Princess Kaguya continued in a soft voice.
"The creatures of this world come in all shapes and sizes. If there were only one standard of beauty, the world would be quite monotonous... wouldn't you say, Mother?"
"Indeed. If the definition of beauty were singular, we might be blinded and fail to see many things of value." A gentle voice drifted from behind the screen at Kaguya's back. As she spoke, Miketsu, dressed in white, slowly stepped out. Her gaze was fixed on the direction where the tanuki had disappeared.
"Tamamura was one of the first yokai to follow me. I have long known of his internal struggle, but I could never find a way to resolve it until now... His participation in this Marriage Selection was unexpected, but it didn't stop us from using this opportunity to give him a hand," Miketsu said thoughtfully.
Tamamura had once caused trouble due to his philandering, leading several female spirits to file a joint complaint to Miketsu in her form as Owl. While handling that matter, Miketsu had used her causality vision to discover that his aesthetic sense was conflicted.
At the time, Miketsu recalled when Tamamura, Nura Rihyon, and Yamausagi first arrived in Heian-kyo. She had asked them what they would do once they became wealthy. Back then, Tamamura had bluntly replied that he wanted to marry many female tanukis and sire many little tanukis. Yet, over a decade later, he had inexplicably become a famous figure in Heian-kyo's pleasure districts, never mentioning female tanukis again. Through this contrast, Miketsu understood where the problem lay.
After the five candidates were determined, Miketsu—who controlled Heian-kyo through the Three Realms of Humans, Demons, and Gods—gave the relevant information on these five individuals to Princess Kaguya. Kaguya used this to craft five riddles for them. The "beast that changes into what others imagine but cannot change its own heart" referred to the tanuki who followed the views of others while forgetting his own nature.
All in all, it seemed the fellow Tamamura had found his original heart and would no longer go around philandering. It was a good thing for both him and Choyo-machi.
"Tamamura... Mother, your subordinates in the demon realm are truly interesting. One day, I would like to visit the demon realm myself. I have long wanted to see the majesty of my mother as the Lord of the Hundred Demons," Princess Kaguya said with a smile. Previously, out of concern for hidden dangers, Miketsu had never allowed Princess Kaguya to go there.
"Ha, you aren't so small anymore, Kaguya. Your power is enough to protect yourself. After this business is over, find an opportunity to visit Choyo-machi. I will let you see Owl then," Miketsu responded cheerfully, and Princess Kaguya nodded happily in return.
"Yes!"
...
Night fell upon the Upper Capital District of Heian-kyo, at the Minamoto Residence.
Inside the family head's private meditation room, Minamoto no Yorimitsu sat composed, holding a military treatise and reading it intently. His demeanor was natural, calm, and unhurried.
Minamoto no Yorimitsu's personal shikigami, Onikiri, sat by his side. Unlike Yorimitsu's current indifference, a hint of worry flickered in Onikiri's eyes as he occasionally glanced at his master.
"You seem unable to settle down, Onikiri. Is something the matter?" Sensing Onikiri's movements, Minamoto no Yorimitsu spoke slowly without looking up from his book.
"Yes... it is nothing much, just some concern," Onikiri replied. Hearing this, Yorimitsu put down the military treatise and smiled.
"Concern? Heh, is there anything to be concerned about right now?"
"Well... did you not receive the riddle from Princess Kaguya during the day, my Lord? Yet, from the moment we returned until now, you have not summoned your aides to crack the riddle, nor have you spent time contemplating it. This... seems somewhat inappropriate..." Looking at Yorimitsu, Onikiri voiced his worries. As a shikigami, attendant, and vassal, he felt it necessary to offer a direct remonstrance. In his view, this was no time to be leisurely reading books.
However, Yorimitsu's answer was beyond Onikiri's expectations.
"Princess Kaguya's riddle? I solved that long ago."
"You solved it long ago...? Then, why have you not immediately gone to search for the corresponding treasure, my Lord?"
"Why? Hehe, because there is no need... That treasure has been on me all along. But unfortunately, it is a treasure I can never give away..."
Rate on N.U.
