You adjusted your vermillion hakama as you made your way up the winding mountain path. The shrine was usually quiet except on New Year's when townspeople and tourists crowded the place. Today was just another tranquil morning.

You'd been working part-time at the shrine for three years now. It was small, so you didn't have many duties beyond cleaning, assisting the priest, and placing offerings - which was precisely what you were doing today. You loved these walks; the serene atmosphere provided a much-needed break from your chaotic college life.

As you neared the spot, you began the customary ritual, bowing and whispering a prayer. But as you were about to place the offerings, a powerful gust of wind blew, causing you to momentarily lose balance.

Startled, you turned around, your eyes widening as they landed upon a figure standing at the foot of the stairs. You blinked in surprise when you locked eyes with a man with fox ears and a fluffy tail. His face was undeniably handsome, but his intense, serious gaze held an inexplicable threat.

You took a step back, alarm bells ringing in your head.

"You... You can see me." The fox-eared man's stern demeanor shattered as his eyes widened in astonishment.

Without waiting for a response, he ran up the stairs. You barely had a second to react before he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into a tight embrace. Despite his initially serious and ominous aura, his expression lit up. He buried his face into the crook of your neck, breathing in deeply as if trying to take in your very essence.

"I can finally touch you." He murmured, his voice muffled against your skin.