For a full five seconds, Mina couldn't breathe.
The silver-haired woman stood still in the golden morning light, the robe slipping slightly off one shoulder, her back elegant and bare. But all Mina could see was that long, white tail, swaying like a drifting cloud behind her. The fur was impossibly soft-looking, pristine, with a silvery sheen that shimmered when it caught the light.
A tail.
A literal tail.
Mina's hands gripped the doorframe.
The woman turned slowly, almost lazily, as if aware of the eyes on her and entirely unbothered. Her silver hair cascaded over her shoulder. Her golden eyes met Mina's with a gleam of amusement that sent a cold prickling down Mina's spine.
And then—
The ears.
Two soft white fox ears twitched from her head, flicking once in response to the movement. They were the same snowy white as her tail, tipped faintly with silver. Definitely not human.
"…Good morning," the woman said, her voice a husky purr. "Did you sleep well?"
Mina opened her mouth. No sound came out.
The fox-woman raised a delicate eyebrow. "You're staring."
"I—! You—!" Mina finally managed to choke out. "You have ears! And a tail! That's not— That's not normal! You—!"
The woman tilted her head, ears flicking again with what could only be described as smug delight.
"Oh? And here I thought they were quite fetching."
Mina backed up a step and pointed. "You—what are you? Some kind of forest demon?!"
The woman gave a soft chuckle. It was warm, low, like honey stirred into tea. "If I were a demon, don't you think I would've eaten you already?"
"That's not funny!" Mina clutched her chest. "Gods above—this is—this is not how I expected my morning to go—!"
She turned on her heel and marched into the front room, heart racing, brain short-circuiting. She took a deep breath, then another, then tried to remember any old folk charms against fox spirits. Salt? Rope? Pine branches?
Footsteps followed her—light, unhurried.
"I'm not here to hurt you," the woman said behind her, still calm. "If I were, you'd have woken up with fewer fingers."
Mina spun, eyes wide. "Stop saying terrifying things so casually!"
The woman only smiled. Her canines were just a little too sharp.
She padded barefoot into the room, tail curling idly behind her like it had a mind of its own. Mina tried not to look at it, but it was… mesmerizing. The fur looked so soft. Unfairly so.
"I assume you want an explanation," the woman said, folding her arms.
"Oh, no, I love surprises," Mina deadpanned. "Especially the kind that involve magical animals borrowing my futon."
The woman let out a pleased hum. "You're quick-witted. I like that."
Mina squinted at her. "Start talking."
"Very well," she said, and then gave the tiniest bow, as if performing on a stage. "My name is Senka. I am a kitsune—a fox spirit. Or a yako, as some in your village might call us."
"That's not possible," Mina whispered, more to herself than to Senka. "Spirits may be true, But…Fox spirits are just stories… tales for scaring kids and explaining why someone's chickens go missing."
Senka's ears twitched, offended. "Do I look like a chicken thief?"
Mina gave her a look. "You're not helping your case."
Senka stepped closer, her golden eyes softening slightly. "You're not afraid. Not truly."
"I am absolutely afraid."
"You're not running."
Mina's mouth opened. Closed. "Because I'm not stupid enough to leave a fox spirit alone in my shop."
Senka smiled again, sharper this time. "Clever girl."
Mina blinked.
Senka's smile softened. "…I'm teasing. Mostly."
There was a long silence between them. The rain had stopped. Outside the shop window, mist clung to the earth like breath on glass. The petals in their baskets glistened in the sunlight.
Mina ran a hand through her hair. "Fine. Kitsune. Right. That explains the tail. Kind of."
"I was injured," Senka said, brushing invisible lint off her robe. "Some hunters didn't take kindly to my presence near the southern woods. I thought I was going to pass out under the roots of an old cedar, but then… someone found me."
"You were freezing," Mina muttered. "If I hadn't come by—"
"You did." Senka's voice was suddenly quieter. "And I am grateful."
Mina hesitated. Her heartbeat had started to slow again. The initial panic had given way to something else—curiosity. Fascination, even. Senka was definitely… a lot. But she didn't feel dangerous. Not really.
Mostly smug. A little too pretty. Like a cat who knew you didn't want her on the counter and sat there anyway.
Mina exhaled slowly. "So what now?"
Senka blinked. "You're not kicking me out?"
"I haven't decided yet."
Senka looked genuinely surprised for the first time that morning. "Most humans would've chased me off by now. Or tried to sell my tail for a gold coin."
"I'm not 'most humans.' And I don't sell body parts. Only flowers."
A thoughtful silence stretched between them.
Then Senka smiled again, this time without sharpness.
"I think I'll stay."
"You can't just decide that on your own!"
"But you haven't kicked me out," Senka said with a glint in her eyes. "And I heal faster around kind people. So if I'm here a day or two… you're helping."
Mina sighed, rubbing her temples. "Gods save me."
"Too late," Senka said cheerfully. "You've already invited a fox spirit into your home."
"I did not invite you."
"You tucked me into bed and cleaned me. That counts."
Mina groaned. "Fine. One day. You stay quiet, no wandering, no scaring the neighbors, no—"
"Too late for quiet," Senka whispered, suddenly inches from her, golden eyes gleaming. "You've already seen my tail."
Mina flinched and shoved her away. "Get away from me, you smug magical weirdo!"
Senka laughed—warm, delighted, head thrown back like moonlight in motion. Her ears twitched as she grinned.
"Ah," she said. "I think I'll enjoy this stay."
---
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