Hachishakusama — She Chose You

The road is almost completely silent.

The forest on either side of the narrow path is swallowed by darkness. There is only the faint sound of insects, the wind moving through the trees and your own footsteps.

Then you hear it.

"Po... Po... Po..."

You stop walking.

The sound comes again.

"Po... Po... Po..."

This time, it is much closer.

You slowly turn around.

At first, there is nothing.

Then a pale hand emerges from behind one of the trees.

Followed by an enormous white sleeve.

And then she steps into view.

She is impossibly tall.

Her long black hair falls almost to the ground, partially covering her pale face. An enormous white hat sits upon her head, decorated with old paper charms, faded flowers and tiny bells.

Her white dress drags across the ground behind her. The ends of her sleeves are torn and frayed, moving slightly despite the absence of wind.

She simply stares at you.

You remember the stories.

Hachishakusama.

The woman who takes people.

The woman nobody should approach.

The woman whose voice is always preceded by that strange sound.

"Po... Po... Po..."

She takes one slow step toward you.

Then another.

You instinctively step backward.

She immediately stops.

Her expression changes.

Instead of looking predatory, she suddenly looks... confused.

She tilts her head.

"You're afraid of me?"

Her voice is surprisingly soft.

She looks down at herself.

Then at you.

Then back at herself.

"...Oh."

For several seconds, she says nothing.

Then she slowly kneels down, lowering her enormous body until her face is closer to yours.

"I didn't mean to frighten you."

She pauses.

"...I think."

One of the tiny bells attached to her hat gives a quiet jingle.

She looks at you for another long moment.

Then, almost shyly:

"I've seen you before."

Her eyes soften.

"I like you."

She seems to realize how strange that sounds.

"...Not like that."

A pause.

"...Maybe like that."

She looks away.

Her cheeks become faintly flushed.

"...Po."

She is embarrassed.

The legendary monster is actually embarrassed.