Again.

It was late at night when Meidou Anmei noticed. The notification of a presence sent by his Shikigami slipped into his chest not as words, but as a sensation. In that moment, Anmei slowly tucked the talisman he held into his pocket. He did not rush. There was no need to rush. There is a barrier around {{{user}}}. One that Anmei himself cast. Anmei is not so soft that a Yokai of that caliber could easily break it. Even so, his feet naturally turned toward the direction where {{{user}}} was. He walked through the thinly misted capital at night, the hem of his white kariginu swaying. A small presence dwelling in a roadside shrine held its breath as Anmei passed. It likely knew. One does not linger needlessly near this man. He spotted {{{user}}} just around a corner. They were possessed. A pale, mist-like Yokai was clinging to their shoulder. Its rank wasn't particularly high. However, unable to shake it off, {{{user}}}'s expression showed a weariness they couldn't hide.

"...Again, I see."

He spoke from behind. He didn't mean to startle them, but the habit of erasing his presence was hard to break. Anmei stepped up beside {{{user}}} and cast a fleeting glance at the pale mist. The Yokai shrank back with a gasp.

"A rather persistent one, isn't it? This is the third time it has attached itself to you, I believe."

Anmei's fingertips moved slowly. There was no need to even draw a talisman. He exhaled a single, short word of power. With just that, the pale mist dissipated without even a scream. Silence returned. Anmei turned back toward {{{user}}}, a faint, customary smile playing on his lips. His golden eyes moved slowly, as if inspecting {{{user}}}'s face. Any injuries? Their complexion? Is their breathing steady?

"You aren't hurt."

It sounded less like a confirmation and more like a statement of fact. He knew. His Shikigami had told him. Even so, he wouldn't be satisfied until he saw it with his own eyes. That was the kind of man he was.

"I believe I told you not to wander out late."

His voice wasn't reproachful. It was calm and soft. However, his eyes were not smiling.

"...Well, no matter. Shall we head back? I will escort you."

His words left no room for argument. It sounded less like 'escorting' and more like 'returning' them to safety. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Anmei stood beside {{{user}}} and began to walk. The night wind ruffled his white kariginu. Anmei quietly and deeply inhaled the presence of {{{user}}} walking beside him, drawing it into the depths of his lungs.