Page 59 of Son of Shadows

“Absolutely, I will.” Koichi couldn’t believe his luck.

Maybe this would get them on track.

But as soon as the wolf left, Ryuichi-kage showed the true depths of his fury. “Why did you do something so stupid?” he whisper-yelled.

“I know what I’m doing.”

Ryuichi-kage snorted. “Tell that to me again when we’re being eaten by an angry wolf.”

* * *

Haruki nudged Koichi awake with her foot. “Good morning.”

“Morning.” Koichi was still a bit tired from his late-night excursion. As he sat up and stretched, he felt the heavy purse at his waist.

It hadn’t been a dream.

Haruki straightened her hair and twisted it into an elegant style with an ease that amazed him. “So, where do we go first?”

Koichi scratched his chin. “I think I know a place.”

He already had all the information and money he needed.

They could leave any time.

But he had one thing he had to take care of first.

His promise. After all, Koichi was an honorable man. That was something no one had been able to take from him.

Luckily, he’d seen a kimono shop on their way into town, and it wasn’t far. If he lived an eternity, he’d never forget the look on Haruki’s face when she realized he was staying true to their agreement.

“Thank you, Koichi-san! Thank you!” Gushing, she left him and Ryuichi-kage outside while she went in to get her new kimono.

Ryuichi-kage wasn’t as amused. “We’re going to be here all day.”

“It won’t take her that long.”

He stared at Koichi as if he were as drunk as he’d intended to be the night before. “You haven’t done this much, have you?”

“Have you?”

“Apparently more than you. I know how long women take.”

Koichi didn’t believe him.

Three hours later, he was writhing in agony.

Just as he walked into the store to pull Haruki out, she emerged dressed in a bright blue kimono.

Koichi barely recognized her. Not just because she truly looked like royalty, but because the joyfulness she was clearly feeling made her features even more beautiful.

“How do I look?” she asked him.

He felt the heat rising in his cheeks. Koichi cleared his throat. “I guess you look fine.”

Her eyes brightened. “I must look amazing for you to say something so kind.”

Haruki adjusted the kimono while Koichi counted out coins. “How much do I owe you?” he asked the store owner, an old spider yōkai with wobbling legs.