As the thought crossed her mind, aloud she said, instead, “Is the change going to be temporary?” she asked.

“My mistress didn’t say how long she wanted it to last.”

“Hikari, what do you think?”

“Tell your mistress to see me tomorrow night so that she will know of my decision.”

“Thank you, Hikari-sama. I will be sure to let Amabie-sama know.”

Bowing to them, the fish yokai turned and left the same way he came in.

Making sure that there was no one else but him in the room, she asked, “How was the yokai able to enter. I thought the barrier would keep everyone away? You didn’t tell me that you had the power to alter appearances?”

“Yokai, like the one you just saw, are harmless. That is why they can pass through the barrier; my aura will protect you at all times. Remember when we went out the other day to see those places together? Didn’t you notice that I appeared as close to a human as possible-”

She interrupted by saying, “Yes, that is true. I remember, but you also sported some ears and claws; along with a tail, the first time we met in person.”