>>5774310>>5774422In your haste to clarify, you blurt out, "She's just a colleague, Grandma!" The twinkle in your grandmother's eyes tells you she's getting a kick out of your embarrassment, but to your relief, she lets it slide. What surprises you next is the instant bond Aika and your grandmother seem to share. Their laughter, the shared anecdotes—despite their age difference, they click seamlessly. As dish after dish of your grandmother's familiar homecooked traditional Japanese meals graces the table, your heart swells with memories of simpler times, back when the laughter of your parents filled these very rooms. The room is filled with a heartwarming aroma, comfort, and a surprising sense of warmth. As you all savor the flavors, you tactfully broach the topic that brought you here. "Grandma, do you remember any legends where a creature mutilates people from the inside?" You attempt to sound casual, framing it as a mere intellectual curiosity, instead of being related to a string of gritty murders. Your grandmother gazes at the two of you, eyes sharp and perceptive, and recounts tales from the depths of her memory. "One such legend speaks of the Kunekune, or 'Wriggling Body'," she begins, the weight of ancient wisdom evident in her voice. "It's said to appear in rice fields during sweltering summer days. A form resembling white paper or fabric, yet undeniably humanoid. Farmers would often be found dead, their exteriors untouched, but internally... completely ravaged." The air grows heavy with the dark narrative. Aika, pencil in hand, jots down every word, her cat ears subtly twitching in concentration. "Were there any patterns to its victims?" she inquires, eyes wide with curiosity. Your grandmother leans in, a mysterious aura surrounding her. "The Kunekune has a taste for darkness. It seeks those who harbor intense hate and prejudice. It feeds on this inner malevolence, leaving behind a gruesome aftermath. But there's no need to fear, Aika-chan," she adds with a reassuring tone. "With modernization, the Yokai have vanished, as Japan's mysterious corners faded." Yet Aika, her gaze intense and contemplative, poses an uncomfortable question: "But what if instead of vanishing, these entities simply migrated? Found refuge in places still teeming with hate and bigotry?" The implication is heavy in the air. The internet. A realm where hatred can fester unchecked. A cold shiver races through you, as the sinister dots begin connecting in your mind. You..
>.. remain convinced that there's a more logical explanation for the murders.>.. ask Aika to step back from the investigation, citing the escalating risks.>.. promise Aika your unwavering support in solving the mysterious deaths. 