Kusamakura was convinced when he saw that figure. He was much closer to this “human” than the creatures around him.
—Aah, I knew it.
That’s why they keep their distance, Kusamakura nodded, finally understanding.
This was why everyone would run away when they saw him.
Since he’s a human who doesn’t look all that different from me, perhaps if I lied about my background, maybe I could make a friend— Kusamakura thought as he took a step. He gulped, and with a feigned calm, came forward to call out to the man.
“h.e.l.lo—“
The man stopped in his tracks at Kusamakura’s voice. He looked around restlessly as if he were looking for the voice that called out to him.
“h.e.l.lo.”
His heart was racing in his chest. Kusamakura popped his head out from the thicket and faced the man. The lantern’s light illuminated a young man. Thin, slit-like eyes rested underneath his distinct eyebrows. His eyes that looked like they would close at any moment suddenly opened wide.
“Hee&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;gyaaaaaah!”
The man threw his lantern aside and ran as fast as he could. With no time to run after him, Kusamakura, who had suddenly been screamed at, stood completely still.