“I cheated?” said Jiro. “How did I cheat?”

Yuto lifted his chin defiantly. “Aya made you the winner because she’s your friend. You cheated.”

“You brat. You lost fair and square and now you call me a cheater …”

Yuto made a dash away from the rest area. Jiro caught him in a bear hug and then held him up by the collar of his robes.

“Let me go!”

“Tell us what you promised first!”

“No!”

“Jiro … that’s too much.” Aya retrieved Yuto from Jiro’s grasp. Then she squatted down in front of him and held his shoulders gently. “Yuto. Jiro and I are friends. But so are we.”

Yuto looked away.

“You said we could become friends if we played together.” Aya sat down on the tile floor of the mall and crossed her legs. Other shoppers directed weird looks as they walked past. “Listen Yuto. Maybe you don’t believe we are friends. But I believe we are. And I want to come here to play with you again.”

He perked up. “Really?”

“I promise. But we need that information. That boat means a lot to me. Many lives are on the line.”

Yuto pulled on his hair. He tapped his foot on the floor. Finally, he sighed. “Okay, fine. But a promise is a promise, ok?”

Aya nodded. “I always keep my promises.”

Yuto shuffled his feet. “Here’s what I heard from Kazu. He’s one of the boys who come to play sometimes. He and some other boys from his elementary school went to play hide and seek in the mountains. Somewhere near the waterfall, he said. He was looking for a place to hide when he found the perfect spot. A big white boat. Turned upside down.”

“Aya, that doesn’t make much sense,” said Jiro. “Your boat sunk in the bay. Why would it be up in the mountains? Maybe Kazu just made that up. Kids fantasize all the time.”

“Yuto …” said Aya. “Did Kazu tell you anything else? Any details about the boat? Its name?”

“He did say one thing. He said he couldn’t read the name of the boat.”

“That’s weird,” said Jiro. “The kanji characters for Hinomaru are fairly simple. Even a kid should be able to read them.”

“That’s the thing, Mister Pervert. Kazu said the name wasn’t written in kanji. He said it was written in English!”

Aya let out a little squeal of delight and wrapped Yuto in a big hug, burying Yuto’s face her cleavage. When she finally released him, Yuto had a blissful look on his face.

“So soft …”

“Jiro, that’s it! Only someone who has seen the Hinomaru could know that!” Aya grabbed Yuto’s cheek and planted five kisses on each side. “Ten kisses! For being such a good help.”

The yokai blushed. Hey, thought Jiro. Maybe he’s not a bad kid after all.

“Yuto …” said Jiro. “If you would like. Please come to my bathhouse near Koko Town anytime you want. There will be plenty of skirts to flip. And I’m sure the clients won’t mind.”

The boy stuck his tongue out at Jiro. “Maybe I’ll visit if I feel like it.”

Aya laughed. “Be nice to each other boys.” Then with one more big hug to Yuto, they said goodbye. At the entrance of the mall, they passed by the policeman. Aya blew a kiss at him. He cleared his throat and turned away.

“The policeman said that he sees Yuto here often,” said Jiro. “And that he always wears the same clothes.”

Aya ran her fingers through her blonde highlights, a thoughtful expression on her face. “You know … My father once told me that zashiki warashi were the spirits of children who were killed by their own parents. They act playful and cheerful and can even bring good fortune to others. But inside, they carry great emotional wounds.”

“I see …” Jiro was silent for a time as they walked. Then he stopped and turned to look back at the giant mall. Somewhere inside, Yuto was waiting. Small and alone and in search of a playmate. “Are you really going to come back and visit him sometime?”

Aya nodded. “Of course. It’s a family rule. I keep my promises.”

“Maybe …” He hesitated. “Maybe when you come here to play with Yuto. I’ll come too.”

“I’d like that,” said Aya. “Now come on. We finally have a clue for the Hinomaru, but first I’ve got to use the toilet.”

“There’s a women’s restroom right there.” He pointed to an outdoor toilet set up near the bay.

Aya shook her head. “I need a private restroom.”

Jiro looked around. “I don’t know if we can find one … Is it something urgent?”

Aya gave him a look. She rubbed her legs together. “Jiro, what you made me do in front of that policeman. That was so hot. I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“I-I’m sorry … I don’t know what came over me …”

Aya giggled. “Don’t apologize! It was the greatest thing ever. We’re going to have to do that again sometime.”

Jiro reddened and looked away.

“Hey Jiro.”

“Yea?”

“I know you need time to get over your girlfriend. But if you ever need someone, I’m available. Okay?”

Jiro looked away and mumbled something incoherent.

“I might be some time in the bathroom,” said Aya. “Listen carefully.”

“Listen to what?” Jiro wanted to say, but Aya had already disappeared into the bathroom. It was not long before the answer came. Somewhere deep within the women’s bathroom, Aya began to moan.