>>5780596>>5780603>>5780676You are in disbelief, "You're kidding, right?" Aika gestures towards her feline features. "See for yourself if you're skeptical." Now parked outside Aika's apartment, curiosity takes over, and you cautiously reach out to touch her ears. The feeling beneath your fingertips is undeniably real. Drawing back, you exclaim in surprise, "So, that child in the picture was... you?" A hint of vulnerability creeps into her eyes, "Don't you trust me, Hideo?" Taking a deep breath, you admit, "It's not a matter of trust. It's just... Yokai? It's a stretch from the reality I'm used to." She fires back with a familiar quote, "Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth. Yokai might sound far-fetched, but here we are." While you wrestle internally, trying to reconcile this new piece of information, Aika adds a lighter note, "The Cat Yokai blessed me with these ears, a feminine body... though I wish it had been a bit more generous about my cup size." She laughs, then turns somber, "My father couldn't see past the heir he thought he had, leading to my banishment from the clan." Feeling a rush of empathy, you ask, "What can I do for you, Aika?" She looks straight into your eyes, "There's a ritual to exorcise malevolent Yokai. I've been considering giving it a shot tonight. Would you stand by me?" "I'll stand by you every step of the way," you declare, steeling your resolve to aid Aika in solving the murder mystery. Following her lead, you step into her apartment. Contrary to what you'd anticipated, something eerie or uninviting, her home feels surprisingly cozy and feminine. Aika powers up her laptop, diving straight into her findings. "All these victims were active on racist image boards, meeting their end precisely around midnight, each with their laptops aglow. My strategy? I'll delve into 4chan at the witching hour, navigate to its darkest, most hateful corners, and lure the Kunekune here, right to this very apartment, and exorcise it." You nod, acknowledging the risks involved but trusting her judgement. Suddenly, a hint of concern clouds Aika's eyes. "Hideo, there's something vital you need to be aware of. This Yokai doesn't just randomly attack; it feeds on the very shadows of our souls. Our innermost grudges, our concealed bitterness... Do you harbor any dark memories or regrets?" You..
>.. lie, "I can't think of anything offhand.">.. tell the truth, "The death of my parents. I've felt anger towards them for abandoning me.">.. confess, "I've always envied those surrounded by friends." 
