One-Eyed Contract

“You were quite slow to notice, foolish brat. How does it feel to know the truth?”

Maybe that bastard had used its powers, but it seemed like it knew I was coming back; it stood there as if it’d been waiting. I was seething with rage. I couldn’t forgive it for using Toi’s face to laugh. I didn't get what a parasite that lived by sucking Toi's body dry had to be so arrogant about.

“You fucker, get the hell outta Toi’s body, now…!”

“HAHAHAHA… And what does an egocentric brat who’s done nothing but run away from the things he hates have to say now of all times? Aren’t you the one who’s been turning a blind eye to me, your family, and Toi?”

Yes. It was all true. I’m the worst. It might already be too late to do anything, but that’s exactly why I didn’t want to waste time with idle talk—every second counted. I was pressed. Even now, Toi’s life was…

“Shut up! I don’t care, just get the fuck outta him! I’m not the one in the wrong! Besides, I was the one who was supposed to—”

“Don’t touch me, you’re filthy.”

“Agh!”

Sparks flew outta my jacket pocket the moment I grabbed its arm. In a flash, I was blown away, my back hitting the wall on impact. It hurt like hell. A burnt smell started to fill the air around me. I coughed while looking around for the source and saw—the charm Toi had made had been reduced to half-burnt shreds.

“Oho. It looks like he’s been pouring in his power correctly, just as I instructed him…”

That bastard laughed. It looked satisfied with how its arms had turned red where I’d grabbed it. It seemed to have gotten light burns from the contact just now—as soon as I saw it, my head exploded with anger.

“It’s all your fault that Toi’s arms are…! I’mma fucking kill you!”

“Can you now? You? A human?”

Maybe it found my attitude unpleasant, but the air about it changed.

“Ugh…!”

Even I, who had no spiritual powers, could feel the pressure and killing intent that filled the room. I was powerless against that overwhelming presence. I was so paralyzed with fear that I couldn’t move a single step.

My life flashed before my eyes. Images of how I would be turned to shreds like my charm filled my head. If this continued, I’d be killed… I couldn’t let that happen.

I had to hurry up and give Toi the freedom he deserved…!

—

“‘That case, y’should form a contract.”

I remembered the conversation I had one day with Morozumi-san while he was working.

“Ta stahp ‘em from comin’ after yer life, y’gotta give ‘em a dwellin’ where they can’ harm nobody. …Like those thingamabobbers livin’ under my office.”

To bind a spirit to a contract.

“Speakin’ of dwellin’s, there’s a rich guy who owns a good apartment in Tokyo, though he’s dead. Hahaha.”

—

“Urgh, sign a contract with me!” I yelled, imitating Morozumi-san, “I’ll give you my soul! So stop feeding on Toi’s!”

It was a spur of the moment decision, but I had no regrets. I was serious about it. That’s right. I was the one that was supposed to host it. It was originally supposed to feed on my soul, so this was the right choice. It didn’t matter what happened to me, as long as it was for Toi. As long as he’s safe, as long as I could protect my kind little brother, nothing else mattered.

“A human has the audacity to request a contract from me?”

The corners of its mouth lifted as if fascinated by my proposal. Maybe it didn’t hear that word often, but its mood cleared up.

“Very well. I shall grant you and your miserable life some mercy,” it said with a rather sinister evil laugh, “...However, as you know, it would be hard to perform right away.”

That’s right, the ritual itself takes a rather long time, and since Oshisha-sama’s domain concerned the entire Shiramitsu household, there would’ve been nuisances popping out one after the other.

I nodded.

“I’ll be taking your eye as collateral. It would be rather inconvenient of you to break it off or run away before the contract was fulfilled.”

“Don’t take me for a coward. As if I’d run…!”

“And do you trust that I would do the same?”

No. …So it was mutual.

“I shall be imprinting my mark onto your left eye. I’ll be watching your every move from now on.”

“...”

I see. So what? This is what I asked for. I had no reason nor intention of refusing. I’m just doing what should’ve been done all this time, for the past ten years.

“Whatever, just hurry up and take it. …You better hold up your end of the deal.”

With an eerie smile, it extended its hand and reached for my eye. That day—I gave up one of my eyes to the shitty devil.