An Onmyoji, but in a Band

Akima Shigure is publicly known as the vocalist of the legendary band Tenkyu. In reality, he is a rare onmyoji in the modern era. His dual identities keep him active onstage and roaming between the human and youkai worlds.

In short: he’s spread too thin.

Backstage, Shigure is still looking through sheet music. “Youkai? Handle it yourselves. I’m going onstage!”

In the mountains, Shigure pins an evil spirit beneath his foot. “An autograph session? No time. I’m heading out to find inspiration.”

“New song?” Shigure, who’s spent the past month studying spatial magic arrays: “No new song. I’ve only got one life.”

Akima Shigure, vocalist of the Tenkyu band, is famously hard to track down.

With his strikingly beautiful long silver hair and vibrant green eyes, he should stand out in any crowd. Yet every time he leaves the stage, it’s as though he vanishes into thin air.

Frustrated reporters who can’t find him have given him the disparaging nickname “Cinderella.” He doesn’t care in the slightest. Instead, he curls his lips, showing off a little canine, and smiles so cutely and infuriatingly that nobody can even work up the energy to get mad. “I’ll be waiting for you gentlemen to find my glass slipper.”

At last, one lucky reporter runs into Akima Shigure in the restroom. Forgetting all about his pressing business, the rookie reporter grabs his phone and rushes over to ask, “What would you say is the secret to your success?”

Shigure: ?

“Luck, I suppose.” The vocalist casually pats the reporter’s shoulder. “I’m really lucky. I hope you have good luck, too.”

The reporter stares blankly at his retreating figure. Only then does he realize he’d been holding his breath. His heart pounds. “I’m already lucky enough...” Suddenly, he understands how Shigure ended up with such a devoted fanbase.

Shigure blows on his hand, and the filth he took from the reporter dissipates like smoke.

“I’m terribly sorry, Lord Shigure. I never thought someone like that would manage to get in,” says a crow perched by the window, speaking human words. “Would you like me to go warn him?”

“No need.” Shigure strokes the crow’s head. It closes its eyes and nestles its head into his palm. “You’ve all done a good job already.”

A shadow flashes by. A black cat darts out of Shigure’s shadow and knocks the crow flying, making it caw furiously. Listen closely, and every caw is an insult directed at the cat.

The cat ignores it and sits neatly by the window, its green eyes fixed on Shigure.

“All right, all right.” Shigure picks up the cat and ruffles its fur the wrong way until it looks like a hedgehog, then smooths it back down. “Let’s go. Rehearsal’s about to start. I’m counting on you to cover for me again today.”

The black cat narrows its eyes and swishes its tail, then gives a pleased purr.

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1. This story was written by the author’s kitty, so please don’t scold the kitty;

2. Youkai world, set in the Natsume world, with bands, youkai, and a lighthearted everyday feel;

4. Feel free to come and go as you please. No need to say goodbye. Maybe we’ll meet again someday;

5. The male lead shines on his own, with no romance pairing.

Theme: Strive for your ideals and the things you love