Brad, having grown closer to Emily, asked her to meet him after school at the foot of the mountain, suggesting they visit a temple there to wish for good luck on their upcoming exams.
Emily agreed, and they met as planned. As they walked up the mountain path, Brad subtly took Emily's hand, explaining that the terrain was rough and slippery, and he worried she might trip.
Emily blushed at his sudden forwardness but accepted his reasoning, holding his hand as they continued toward the temple.
With no memory of Adam, Emily felt a resurgence of adolescent emotions, enjoying the sensation of being liked by someone.
It was an awkward yet joyful feeling that Brad was making excuses to hold her hand, and she accepted it, blushing as they walked slowly, taking in their surroundings. Away from the bustling concrete jungle, Emily felt a sense of ease and familiarity in the serene beauty of the forest. It felt as though she belonged there.
The Temple and the Kitsune
Adam, who was watching from afar through Brad's eyes, then brought Emily to a long-abandoned temple, rumored to be haunted by paranormal activity. Brad began to tell her a story about the temple, explaining that it was once a place where humans worshipped deities.
A fox, it was said, appeared there, bringing fortune to the people who brought offerings to it. Over time, humans moved on, leaving the temple abandoned, but the fox remained for thousands of years. This fox, known in legends as a Nine-Tailed Fox, or sometimes a yokai or spirit, was relegated to mythology in human books.
Brad turned to Emily, asking if she believed in such fairytales. Emily, for some reason, felt a strong intuition that it might be real.
Brad smiled, and then, before her astonished eyes, he transformed into a magnificent beast: a Nine-Tailed Fox, half-human with nine majestic tails fanning out behind him. Emily was awestruck by the sight.
Brad revealed to Emily that she wasn't from this world and showed her true appearance. He explained they were in a mana-rich location connected to other such places by portals. He brought her there to reveal her true self and lure out an entity that was lurking nearby.
He called her a "wish maker" and "the favored one," telling her everything would be revealed soon and that she needed to be prepared for an attack.
Brad then produced two swords, which he said belonged to her. When she held them, she felt a strange familiarity and sensed their mana matching hers. As arrows flew toward them, Emily, with newfound reflexes, easily deflected them. Brad cast a barrier, but the attackers retreated, believing Emily had regained her memories and fearing her power.
Brad told Emily she could store the katanas within her, and they disappeared into a portal within her body. Still confused about her identity and this hidden world, Emily wondered who she was and what it meant to be the "wish maker" and "the favored one."
Brad assured her there would be no more attacks, as the entities now feared her. He then offered to carry her home, and they quickly traversed the rooftops to her house.
As she entered, her image reverted to her old self. Her parents greeted her, and after dinner, Emily retreated to her room, gazing at the moon and pondering her identity.