Later at night, I decide to tell both my parents about my previous life.

I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves. I can do this, I tell myself, trying to suppress the anxiety rising within me. They deserve to know the truth.

"There's something I need to share with you both," I begin, my gaze fixed on my hands, fidgeting slightly.

"What is it, Kyouko? You know you can tell us anything." Kitsuna's voice is warm and understanding, inviting me to open up.

"Well... I..." I hesitate, glancing at my father.

He knows about my past life, but I'm uncertain how much he's shared with Kitsuna.

"...I'm from another world..."

"...? Another world?" My mother exclaims, confusion apparent in her voice.

I nod slowly, meeting her gaze.

"You don't have to explain further if you're not ready, Kyouko," Senji interjects, his voice softening with concern.

"It's a bit... overwhelming... but... I want to tell you everything." I reply, determined to open up to them.

I take a deep breath, summoning my courage.

"I was reincarnated!" I say, my voice filled with conviction.

"I remember... Everything." I continue.

"Everything?" Kitsuna asks.

Kitsuna and Senji exchange a glance, digesting my revelation. I take a deep breath, preparing to explain further.

"In my past life, I was Sakurakouji Tachibana,"

"I came from a wealthy family. My mother was a former geisha, and my grandfather taught me Kenjutsu. But my life was... suffocating. My mother controlled everything, and I never had the chance to make my own choices."

I pause, collecting my thoughts.

"One day, I couldn't take it anymore," I continue, my voice trembling slightly.

"I stood up to her, refused to live by her rules. She kicked me out, and I ran away. That's when... that's when I made a decision I can't take back."

I look down, my hands tighten into fists.

"I stepped in front of a car. I remember the impact, the pain, and then... nothing."

Senji's expression darkens, his eyes fixed on me.

"And then what happened?"

"And then, I found myself in a place of pure light," I say, my voice filled with awe.

"I couldn't see anything, but I could sense a presence. A voice spoke to me, introducing itself as Hermes, the Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom. She told me I was in the realm of the in-between, neither here nor there."

"...Hermes?" Kitsuna repeats, her voice carrying a subtle note of recognition.

Her eyes widen slightly, and for a moment, she seems lost in thought, as if the name has triggered a memory.

"Hermes saw potential in me and offered me a choice—a chance to be reincarnated into another world," I explain.

"In exchange, I would become a vessel of her curiosity, exploring the mysteries of the world and sharing my findings with her."

Kitsuna and Senji exchange a glance again, and I can almost feel the tension in the air.

"Safe to assume, you accepted her offer?" Senji asks.

I nod.

"She granted me a new life, a new body, a new world. And she gave me her blessing—the Blessing of Insight. It allows me to comprehend the world around me with greater clarity, to see through deception, uncover hidden truths, and unravel mysteries." I explain.

Kitsuna nods, her expression thoughtful.

"What did you mean by you can't take back your decision?" Kitsuna asks, her voice gentle but concerned.

"...I committed suicide," I reply quietly, shame filling my voice.

Kitsuna gasps, her eyes widening with shock.

"You...?"

I nod, my eyes filling with tears.

"I didn't want to die, but I just... couldn't handle the pressure anymore."

"How would I survive by myself? I'm only nineteen. I have no job, no friends, no one to turn to. I had nowhere to go, nothing to do. No one to talk to. Alone. Lost. In a world I didn't belong in."

"I just... I just couldn't handle it anymore. I was tired of everything."

I can sense their worry and concern for me.

"And... that's when you met Hermes, right?"

"...Yes."

Kitsuna walks towards me, her arms open wide.

"Come here, Kyouko." Kitsuna's voice is soft and soothing.

"...Mother?"

Kitsuna nods, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding.

"I'm here for you, Kyouko," Kitsuna says, her arms outstretched.

"You don't have to be alone anymore."

I... feel... so... scared.

But... I'm also... happy.

So many emotions are overwhelming me all at once.

Before I know it, I'm sobbing into her arms.

"M-Mother... *sob*... Thank you..."

Kitsuna holds me tight, her love wrapping around me, making my wounded soul feel at peace.

"It's okay, my little one. I'm here for you." Kitsuna whispers.

"You're not alone anymore."

As Kitsuna holds me tight, I notice something strange happening with her tail. It starts to change, splitting and multiplying right before my eyes.

In a moment, there are nine tails swaying behind her, each one moving with its own gentle rhythm. It's like they have a life of their own, creating a soothing motion that wraps around me. I can't help but think how sensual and alluring they are, moving in such a mesmerizing way.

As I watch in awe, Kitsuna whispers in my ear.

"You're safe with me, Kyouko. Nothing can harm you while we're together."

Her voice is filled with tenderness, but there's also a hint of something more—a sense of power and strength.

It's like she's both a mother and a protector, all in one.

I feel...so...warm...and...safe...in her arms.

It feels... so... wonderful... I never want this moment to end.

...It feels... Like I'm in...

...

Senji speaks,

"This blessing must be the reason why you started talking so clearly," Senji says.

He's standing next to us, his arms crossed over his chest, looking at me.

I nod slowly, wiping away my tears.

"It's strange. I can speak almost perfectly now, but I couldn't before. Hermes told me this blessing would affect me."

"And... This blessing, it's a little dangerous," I add, hesitation in my voice.

"Dangerous?" Senji repeats, his voice neutral.

"Mm. There are risks. Overuse can lead to brain damage. My brain might struggle to handle the influx of knowledge. And in extreme cases..." I pause, swallowing hard.

"Excessive use can result in death from brain damage."

"That's... a lot to process," Kitsuna says, her voice soft with concern.

Senji raises an eyebrow.

"Well, at least our daughter is never boring," Senji remarks dryly, trying to lighten the mood.

Senji pauses for a moment, before looking towards Kitsuna.

"Kitsuna, would you be willing to look at something for me? Specifically, the mana within Kyouko?" Senji asks, his eyes fixed on me.

Kitsuna nods in agreement.

"You're right. We should know what's going on inside her body."

"I'll try to examine her mana."

Kitsuna places her hand on my chest.

"Relax, Kyouko. This may feel a little strange."

"...Okay..." I reply, unsure of what to expect.

I feel a warm, gentle sensation spreading through me. It's like a soft light is being cast inside my body, illuminating every corner. I close my eyes, trying to focus on the feeling.

After a moment, Kitsuna's eyes widen, and she inhales sharply.

"This is... unexpected," Kitsuna says, her voice filled with surprise.

"What is it, Kitsuna?" Senji asks, his voice steady but concerned.

Kitsuna hesitates, her gaze flickering as she tries to make sense of what she's seeing.

"It's a void, but not an empty one. There's something within it, shifting and changing. It's like... like watching shadows dance."

Senji's expression darkens, his gaze hardening.

"A shifting void? That can't be normal mana."

I open my eyes, feeling a surge of anxiety.

"Is that... bad?" I ask, my voice shaky.

Kitsuna shakes her head slowly, her face softening as she looks at me.

"I've never seen anything like it. Your mana is powerful, Kyouko, but it's also chaotic. It's like a wild beast, untamed and unpredictable." Kitsuna explains.

"But I don't see any damage. It's... beautiful, in a way. The shifting patterns are mesmerizing, almost hypnotic."

I release a breath, trying to calm myself.

"Beautiful? Chaotic?"

"Chaotic, Kyouko. That's what I'm worried about...." Senji interjects.

"If she isn't careful, this mana could get out of control, causing all sorts of problems."

"That's not all... Her mana is increasing. It hasn't reached its full potential yet, but it's steadily growing. Something is happening within her, and I'm not entirely sure what it is. I've never encountered anything like this before." Kitsuna explains.

"Wait... I'm not sure I understand. My mana is supposed to be dangerous?" I ask, feeling a mix of confusion and anxiety.

"That's right. It's something we should monitor closely." Senji says.

I nod slowly, taking in the information. My mana is dangerous? What does that even mean? I glance at Senji, seeking reassurance.

"But what does that mean for me?" I ask, turning to Kitsuna.

"For starters, I'll teach you how to suppress your mana when it's not needed. It won't be easy, but you'll learn how to do it," Kitsuna explains.

"This doesn't mean stopping its growth entirely, but rather controlling and managing it safely. You'll learn to rein it in when it's not needed, use it efficiently when it is, and ensure it doesn't escalate to harmful levels." Kitsuna says.

I nod slowly, trying to wrap my head around what's being said.

I'm not sure if I can do all of that, but I'm determined to try.

Senji speaks,

"I'm not that good at magic, so I won't be much help in teaching you. However, I know how to train your body and sharpen your senses. That's my way of honing your skills."