An Onmyoji, but in a Band

[Set in the Natsume world: bands, yokai, and a lighthearted slice of life. Please add it to your favorites; it means a lot to me. Thank you!] On the surface, Akima Shigure is the lead singer of the legendary band Tenkyu. In reality, he is a rare onmyoji in the modern world. His dual identity keeps him busy both onstage and moving between the worlds of humans and yokai. In short: he can’t be in two places at once. Backstage, Shigure is still looking over sheet music. “Yokai? Deal with it yourselves. I’m going onstage!” In the mountains, Shigure pins an evil spirit underfoot. “An autograph signing? No time. I’m heading out for inspiration.” “A new song?” Shigure, who has spent the past month researching spatial formations: “No new song. Just one life to live.” Akima Shigure, the lead singer of Tenkyu, is famously hard to find. With his striking silver hair and vivid green eyes, he stands out in any crowd. Yet whenever he leaves the stage, he seems to vanish into thin air. The reporters who can never track him down have spitefully nicknamed him “Cinderella.” He doesn’t care. Instead, he curls his lips, revealing a little canine tooth, and smiles so adorably and infuriatingly that no one can even stay mad. “I’ll be waiting for you to find my glass slipper, gentlemen.” At last, one lucky fellow ran into Akima Shigure in the restroom. Forgetting all about his urgent business, the rookie reporter grabbed his phone and hurried over with a question. “What would you say is the secret to your success?” Shigure: ? “Luck.” The lead singer casually patted the reporter on the shoulder. “I’m incredibly lucky. I hope you have good luck too.” The reporter stared blankly at his retreating back. Only then did he realize he’d been holding his breath. His heart was pounding. “I’m already lucky enough...” He suddenly understood how Shigure had won such a passionate fanbase. Shigure genuinely believed he was lucky. First of all, he was born into the Akima family, blessed by the moon from birth. Then he met his manager, Mr. Sanjo, who believed with absolute conviction that Shigure would become an international superstar, even more firmly than Shigure himself did. His bandmates were also incredibly reliable. They’d bickered and argued for years, yet they were still moving forward together as a band. Shigure blew on his hand, and the miasma he’d picked up from the reporter drifted away like smoke. “I’m truly sorry, Lord Shigure. I never expected someone like that to break in,” said the crow perched by the window. “Would you like me to go give him a warning?” “No need.” Shigure stroked the crow’s head. The crow closed its eyes and nestled into his palm. “You’ve already done a great job.” A shadow flashed by. It was a black cat darting out of Shigure’s shadow and knocking the crow flying. The crow squawked furiously, and if you listened closely, it was cursing out the cat. The cat ignored it and sat neatly on the windowsill, its green eyes fixed on Shigure. “All right, all right.” Shigure picked up the cat and ruffled its fur the wrong way until it looked like a hedgehog, then smoothed it back down. “Come on, rehearsal’s about to start. I’m counting on you to cover for me again today.” The black cat narrowed its eyes and flicked its tail, then finally began to purr contentedly. + 1. The author’s cat wrote this, so please don’t scold the kitty. 2. Yokai world, set in the Natsume world, with bands, yokai, and a lighthearted slice of life. 4. Stay or go as you please. No need to say goodbye; perhaps we’ll meet again someday. 5. The male lead shines on his own, with no romantic pairing. Message: Strive for your ideals and the things you love.