"We don't welcome monsters!" The words pierced like a thorn, stabbing deep into the hearts of me and the yokai in the inn.
That day, under gloomy skies, a group of uniformed men stormed through the doors of the 'Yokai Inn.' Their eyes were cold, their expressions hostile—clearly someone had reported our unusual presence. In their hands was an "illegal proof of yokai existence," stamped with a bright red seal, seemingly intent on eradicating us completely.
"What are you doing?" I froze, suddenly realizing I stood on the frontlines of this large-scale conflict.
The lead officer gave me a cold glance, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You yokai, hiding in the city, exploiting human kindness and ignorance, manipulating minds and leading people astray. Such behavior cannot be tolerated."
The phone sprite hid behind me, nervously using its tiny phone as a "disguise," hoping to go unnoticed. But I knew—for them, this was no longer a problem that could be solved by hiding.
A tiger yokai emerged from one of the rooms, its golden fur shimmering. Despite its massive frame, its eyes were filled with resigned sorrow.
"Humans don't understand—we have our own way of living," the tiger yokai murmured softly before bowing its head in a deep "tiger's salute" to the intruding officers.
But the officers showed no mercy. Their lips curled slightly, their voices growing harsher. "Monsters are monsters. How can you claim to be harmless? This city operates by human rules. Yokai must stay away, or there will be consequences."
Just then, Miss Lin stepped forward. Her expression was calm, but a faint sorrow lingered beneath. "Human fear stems from ignorance. You march in here under the banner of justice, but the truth is..." She paused for a few seconds, her voice gentle yet firm. "The truth is, yokai are also forced to live this way. They have no choice."
The officer remained unmoved, scoffing instead. "What kind of excuse is that? You yokai survive on fear and superstition. How dare you claim to be victims?"
"You're mistaken," I interjected, blocking their line of sight. "These yokai aren't dangerous. On the contrary, they were once our friends, our protectors. They were simply lost in this world, misunderstood by us." My patience worn thin, I met the officer's gaze squarely. "If you truly care about humans, you should dispel these prejudices and give the yokai a chance to adapt again."
But before the words had fully left my mouth, one of the officers had already pulled out a small vial from his belt—a potent suppressant meant for yokai. The pungent scent of the liquid filled the air instantly.
I knew then that human fear and rejection of yokai had reached its limit. This wasn't just a confrontation—it was a battle of misunderstanding, pain, and acceptance.
As tensions reached a breaking point, I abruptly shielded the phone sprite with my body, swearing in my heart that this world should never force us into corners simply because we were different.
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