Ichiro realised his foolishness when his hand plunged through the case just as it did with everything else. The shame of his mistake made him grow tense, and he sought to rectify the situation by pulling his hand back out. However, his knuckles brushed against something solid in the process, which prompted him to freeze.

Wait, I can touch the sword after all?

A jolt of relief passed through his body, but it gave way to sorrow when Hideo pulled the case out of his reach.

"What did I tell you? You shouldn't try something so foolish."

"But-"

"No buts," Hideo scolded in a harsh tone that made Ichiro feel like a child again. "You're just like my daughter. Always acting before you think."

Ichiro became indignant. Although Hideo was old enough to be his father as well, the shinigami had no right to speak to him in such a manner. His open hands curled into fists, and he voiced his discontent.

"How can I exercise restraint? I want only what is rightfully mine, yet you won't even grant me that!"

Hideo dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "You don't understand, do you? Neither you nor Tsutomu are entitled to stay in this mortal realm. I have already evaded my responsibilities by bending to your wishes."

"Responsibilities? What?"

"You are both deceased in the eyes of the Underworld. I would be required to take the two of you there in normal circumstances."

This was news to Ichiro. He turned around, hoping to receive Kumiko's comfort and protection, but she appeared even more shocked than he was.

"No," she whispered with a shake of her head. "I can't let that happen..."

Her reaction did not go unnoticed by Hideo. The shinigami's frown gave way to a smirk. Ichiro felt his anger bubble up once more.

"Then I'll let you choose. It should be easy, shouldn't it?"

Kumiko glanced at Tsutomu, who stared back at her with barely concealed fear. Then, Ichiro felt her gaze upon him and fought the urge to influence her decision. A few tense moments later, she looked away from him and his impostor before addressing Hideo sternly.

"I've made up my mind."

"Oh, really?" Hideo leant forward with interest. "Tell me who you've picked."

"Neither of them. I'd like to make a bargain," Kumiko firmly replied, much to Ichiro's sudden confusion. Did she intend to keep them both around for her leisure?

"Is that so? Tell me the conditions, and I'll decide if it's worth accepting."

Kumiko sighed, and Ichiro noticed for the first time that there was an inkling of guilt in her eyes. He remembered the bandaged woman from earlier, then realised what his wife likely had in mind.

"I have a rare creature in captivity. A jorōgumo, if you will."

"Is that so?" Hideo asked as his excitement became more apparent. "I've read and heard a lot about them, but I have never seen one in person."

"Well, I am telling the truth. I can even show you to her."

The shinigami rose to his feet while still holding on to his case. "That sounds good to me. Lead the way."

Kumiko gestured towards the door before allowing Hideo to follow her into the hall. A tense silence followed as Futoshi gaped at Ichiro, then at his impostor.

"I don't know what just happened," the old man eventually admitted. "Could you two enlighten me, please?"

******

It was well and truly daylight when Kumiko made her way back into the guest room with Hideo in tow. Her countenance was difficult to read, but a subtle smile on the shinigami's face seemed like good news, so Ichiro stood up from the couch in anticipation.

"Please tell me what's happened. Will I get my body back?"

Kumiko came to a stop in the middle of the room, causing Hideo's step to falter. Ichiro could barely contain his uneasiness as she began to impart the outcome of her negotiation.

"It went well. Akane has taken a liking to him, as she does with any man who is slightly good-looking."

Ichiro deduced that she was referring to the mysterious jorōgumo. He glanced at Hideo, who reached up to stroke his chin. "Yes, I suppose that is true. But I can assure you that my interest in her is purely scientific."

"That's good to know," Kumiko replied while darting her eyes towards the impostor beside Futoshi on the couch. "Now, about you and Tsutomu. Hideo says a jorōgumo is worth more than the two of you and might make for an adequate replacement in Izanami's eyes."

Ichiro felt his shoulders relax. "That is fortunate, but I need my-"

"We were about to get to that," Hideo informed. "I neglected to tell you earlier that I cannot stab anyone without their consent, so I will have to gain that from Tsutomu first."

"Oh," Ichiro muttered, finding the idea strange indeed. "How will you do that?"

"By asking, of course."

At that, Hideo turned and approached Tsutomu before getting down on one knee. He unlatched his case and produced his sheathed sword, prompting Futoshi to scuttle away while Tsutomu stared up at him with wide eyes.

"Please don't do this. I still have a lot to live for..."

"Like what? Could you elaborate?"

"I... I have yet to see my son Tetsuya graduate and grow up," Tsutomu explained as his chest heaved. "And on top of that, I haven't done enough over the last twenty years..."

"That is hardly an excuse," Hideo said in response. "We all have regrets, and you are no exception."

"What do you mean?"

"I wasn't there for my daughter when she needed me the most, and not a day goes by that I wonder why I couldn't save my wife and son as well..."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Tsutomu replied after a moment of silence. "But aren't you here for another chance? The same could be said for me."

Hideo sighed and lowered his right arm. "That isn't quite true. I'm here to gather intelligence first and make amends with my daughter second, though you raise a good argument."

Tsutomu looked hopeful. "So, you agree?"

"To an extent. I may plan on ejecting your soul, but you'll still have some time to complete your unfinished business. How does that sound?"

Tsutomu cast his focus towards the sword and kept his gaze steady for a few moments before raising his head again. "Quite frightening, to be honest. But I suppose you're right. I shouldn't hold on to this body when the real owner is right there..."

Ichiro swallowed upon hearing those words. "Wait, do you really mean that?"

Tsutomu didn't respond. He laid his eyes on Kumiko instead. "You've been a good friend these past few days. Will you help me one last time?"

"Of course," Kumiko reassured him with a nod. "I'll find a way to get in touch with your family."

"Then, I'm ready," Tsutomu declared before addressing Hideo. "Do what you need to do."

"With pleasure." Hideo unsheathed his sword, and Ichiro raced to come to terms with what was happening. The chance had finally arrived for him to re-enter his body, and he could not afford to make a single mistake or stumble.

He slid one foot in front of the other to ready himself for the fateful moment, knowing that he would have to leap if need be. In the meantime, Hideo pressed the tip of his sword against Tsutomu's chest.

"One," the shinigami began to count while glancing at Ichiro. "Two..." He focused again on Tsutomu, who had closed his eyes in resignation. "Three!"

Hideo thrust his blade right through, soliciting a frightened gasp from Kumiko as Ichiro spurred himself forward.