Page 29 of The Oni's Heart

I knew this was wrong. I knew it could destroy everything I had worked for. Yet, my feet moved before my mind could catchup, the distance between us closing with every step, even as a part of me screamed to stay away.

But it was too late. She had already lured me out, and I was helpless to resist.

The further we walked, the heavier the weight of my decision pressed against me. Every step was walking toward my own damnation. I could practically hear the monks’ voices in my head, condemning me, judging me for stepping outside of the path I had sworn to follow. I wasn’t just leaving the temple; I was leaving everything behind, a vow I could never take back.

What would I say to them if I was caught? How would I explain this to the others?I was just helping a woman fix something,I imagined myself saying, but it would be a lie. I wasn’t helping. I wasfollowing.My mind raced with the questions I’d be asked, the way they’d look at me with disgust. I wasn’t just betraying my vows; I was betraying everything I’d been trained to stand for.

Momoi, blissfully unaware—or maybe uncaring—of my inner turmoil, walked ahead with that same casual arrogance, her figure swaying as she led me through the streets. It was as if she knew exactly what she was doing to me, toying with me, pulling me deeper into whatever game she had in mind.

We reached an apartment, a nondescript building nestled between others in a quiet part of the city. She glanced back at me, her smirk twisting the pit of my stomach. I hated that smirk. It was a silent acknowledgment of my weakness.You’re here because you want to be,her expression seemed to say. And maybe, just maybe, that was true.

I shouldn’t be here.

This is a trap.

Why was she doing this to me?

I stepped inside reluctantly, the familiar scent of incense and old wood greeting me. But there was nothing comforting aboutit. The moment I crossed the threshold, I knew I had crossed into forbidden territory, a place where I no longer had control. I could already feel the pull of temptation thickening in the air around us, and I couldn’t tell if I was already lost or if I was still fighting.

As I stood there, my hand hovering at my side, trying to find some semblance of composure, Momoi turned toward me with that grin still on her lips.

“I need you to help me with something,” she said, her voice deceptively sweet. “Something broke inside. You’re the only person I know who might be able to fix it. Well, you’re the only person I know.”

I blinked, not understanding at first.

“Fix… what?” My voice came out sharper than I meant, a mix of confusion and frustration.

She didn’t answer right away, instead, she let the silence stretch between us, her eyes watching me carefully.She knewhow this would affect me. Knew I’d hesitate. Knew the struggle I was waging in my own mind. She enjoyed it. And that made me furious with myself for letting her have this power over me.

“The lock on my door,” she said casually, as though it was a simple, mundane request. "It broke this morning, and I’ve tried everything. You’re the only person I can trust to actually fix it, and I really don’t want to call someone else. Monks are sworn to do good, aren’t they?"

I could hear it—the manipulation. It was in her words, in the way she made the task sound so trivial, as if it was a necessity,as ifIwas the only person capable of doing it. She knew damn well what it would cost me to refuse.

And yet, as much as I wanted to lash out, to call out her lies, I found myself nodding, my mouth working before my brain could catch up.

“Fine,” I muttered through clenched teeth, my voice laced with bitterness. “I’ll help you.”

I took a deep breath, reminding myself of the Buddha’s words:“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”It was a warning, one I ignored as I stepped deeper into the chaos she had invited.

I hated her for pushing me this far, for making me question my vows, my sense of duty. I hated that I was willing to help, that I waslettingher drag me deeper into this mess, despite every ounce of my being screaming for me to walk away.

But I couldn’t. Because if I refused her now, I’d be admitting that I was weak. I’d be giving up the last bit of control I had. And, despite the anger that raged inside me, I couldn’t allow that.

It would be wrong to leave her hanging,I told myself. But I knew it wasn’t about right or wrong anymore. It was about something darker—something I couldn’t fully grasp.

Momoi raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. She probably did.

"You’re a good man, Tatsuya," she said softly, the words carrying more weight than I could ever admit to her. “But that doesn’t mean you won’t do what you really want to do.”

I didn’t answer her. Instead, I moved to the door, already regretting this decision, already loathing myself for stepping into her game. But I was in it now. And there was no turning back.

17

A Broken Mirror

MOMOI

I’d been watching him for a while now.

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