Tsugumomo (つぐもも)

Kept wound and folded, the obi was like a cocoon,

but when it unfurled,

from that vision of white, a girl emerged.

A fairy? A youkai? A ghost?

I couldn't have known, and yet...

Her scent was comforting. Familiar.

Tsukumogami: When after many years an object

gains a soul and, eventually, the power to transform.

"The Scent of Cherry Blossoms."

Uh...

Where am I?

Ah... Hey. Don't go. Wait.

Don't leave me...

Don't leave me!

Hm?

Aah...!

Just what kind of dirty pervert are you? This is how

you thank me for trying to wake you up from a nightmare?

Man, that hurt. What'd I do to deserve that?

I could ask you the same thing!

So white...

Ugh! You'd think you'd've gotten your fill

from groping a classmate's chest!

But apparently, no, you just had to go for the upskirt peek too!

She'll probably be shouting at the poor guy for the next hour.

He's getting a passionate lecture

from our class representative.

Some of us would pay for that experience.

Every moment in school is an opportunity,

and you are wasting this one!

And I'm out.

Chisato's lectures feel like they last forever.

That was strange.

It's showing up in my dreams now.

This kimono sash, or obi-- it used to belong to my mother.

I don't remember her all that well,

but I've kept it with me ever since she passed.

It smells familiar. Like cherry blossoms.

Better go before Chisato finds me.

A wig? I wonder who left it there.

What the--? Aah!

Where did Kazuya run off to?

I was hoping to walk him home.

Somebody, help!

Lemme go!

What the heck is that thing?

An amasogi. You should be wary.

Wha...? Am I... falling?

Aw. Guess I'm dead.

Thou art a fool.

It's been a long time, Kazuya.

Who're you?

Why, you... ingrate!

Aha. Look who's arrived.

Listen, there's something really dangerous

around here. You need to run for it, okay?

Kazuya. That person is hosting it.

Do not covet the possessions of others.

This young man belongs to me. So back off.

Why do I belong to you?

I have saved your life not once, but twice.

Do not complain.

So one youkai wants to kill me,

and the other wants me for a slave. Great.

How dare you call me a youkai?

I am a Tsukomogami!

Yeah, well, I don't see the difference!

Oh, really?

--Kazuya. --No!

This is your hour of reckoning.

Agree to serve me, and I'll save your wretched life.

Okay, fine, whatever you want!

I'll be your servant, just don't let this thing kill me!

I accept your offer.

Give him back.

Not so fast, you strumpet. Obi strike!

And to follow up... Obi slam!

Ah! That's amazing.

But wait, if you keep that up, you could kill her!

Heh. This one shan't perish quite so easily. See?

Take this!

Once more!

I'm impressed by the strength of your desire.

But this amasogi...

Giving in to its power shall not grant your wish.

Return to your senses, while my patience endures.

Should you rebuke the amasogi with your own will,

then the price of your atonement will be light.

If I can't have him for myself... I'll destroy him!

Shield Weave!

Kazuya!

No. Don't worry, I'm fine. It barely grazed me!

You've exhausted my mercy!

I shall skewer both you and your amasogi.

Take this. Spiral weave!

No, don't!

Heh. You owe your life to Kazuya here.

All this trouble from a wig she was wearing.

So, uh, do you know why she attacked me?

The wig became possessed by your classmate's

feelings for you. Creating an amasogi.

Amasogi?

They're conceived from strong but primitive desires.

Think of them as instant Tsukumogamis.

This one was born from a desire to possess you.

You're quite lucky I was around. Had you been captured,

no orifice on your body would have been spared from its lust.

Didn't need to know that.

Still, I dunno...

It's kinda cool to think that a girl liked me that much.

Small correction. This one is male.

Uh-- Huh?

Wow. You don't say...

Could you tell me anything else about what just ha... Uh?

Hey, kid!

It's way after hours! Why are you still hanging around here?

Sorry, sir! But this girl fainted, see, so I had to--

Eh? What'd you do to her?

Nothing, sir! I found her like this.

And put her on your lap?

Hm.

I'm home.

Welcome back, Kazuya.

I've drawn a bath. Ya wanna share it?

No thanks. I'm not a kid anymore.

Crazy. That girl saved my life.

I think I'd remember if I'd seen her before,

but she certainly knew me.

Why'd she take off so fast? And what was with those powers?

What'd she call herself? A tsukumogami?

"Not a youkai," my foot.

After I fell off the roof, I couldn't find

my mom's obi no matter where I looked. So, that must mean...

Hey. Don't go. Don't leave me!

That dream again.

Tsugumomo !

This is Tsugumomo !

Kazuya!

Are you okay?

Hm?

Yup. Everything's fine here.

Uh... But you just let out a terrible scream...

Oh, well, that's just cause, uh,

I slipped and fell a little bit.

Oh. Is that all?

Yup! Sure is. You can go now.

So, uh...

Imbecile! You have some nerve,

tossing your savior behind your bed like dirty laundry!

I'm sorry, but I had to hide you from my sister!

Offensive though it obviously is that you have

no recollection of me, I shall graciously explain everything.

First off, I am--

A tsukumogami born from my kimono?

How'd you know? Has it all come back to you?

No, just an educated guess.

I mean, a bunch of cloth sprang out of my backpack

right before you showed up.

And then there's that smell. Cherry blossoms.

Mm?