Chapter Six: Miniature Fujiang

What is it like to keep a Tomie fragment in your school desk?

It doesn't feel great; the fragment is incredibly clingy.

The bad news: ever since class began, Udo Kaya's left hand has been kept inside the desk drawer so she could hold onto it.

The good news: the fragment knows not to make any noise that might cause trouble, so she just keeps rubbing against Udo Kaya's fingers while holding them.

At the same time, Udo Kaya discovered something: it turns out a Tomie fragment can maintain a miniature size, small and petite, much like a Thumbelina.

As soon as school ended, Udo Kaya declined the invitation from Tomokazu Azuma to walk home together. He carefully and quickly tucked the miniature Tomie into his pocket and dashed out of the classroom like a gust of wind.

"Tsk... love makes one blind~"

Watching Udo Kaya leave in such a hurry, Tomokazu Azuma assumed he was rushing out to apologize to Tomie.

On the bus, Udo Kaya’s left hand, tucked inside his pocket, created a noticeable bulge. He was terrified that in the crowded bus, someone might carelessly crush the miniature Tomie.

Rushing home in a panic, Udo Kaya hurriedly locked his bedroom door and took the miniature Tomie out of his pocket.

"Kaya~ hold me~"

Her voice was as sweet as Tomie’s, though slightly more high-pitched. The naked miniature Tomie sat on the desk, spreading her arms toward Udo Kaya, asking to be held.

Udo Kaya looked at the miniature Tomie, who was identical to the real one, with a complicated expression.

"Kaya~ Kaya~ hold me~"

Facing the unusually clingy miniature Tomie on the desk, Udo Kaya fell into a dilemma. He was not a born killer, and the psychological pressure required to dispose of a twisted lump of flesh was worlds apart from disposing of a living, sentient being.

The miniature Tomie sensed Udo Kaya’s hesitation. A flash of sadness crossed her face as she slowly lowered her arms, her tiny body curling up in distress.

Udo Kaya sighed. Just then, a heavy rain began to fall outside. The wild wind blew through the window onto the miniature Tomie, making her naked body shiver.

Seeing this, Udo Kaya quickly found a clean, soft towel and carefully wrapped her in it. A look of comfort appeared on the miniature Tomie’s face.

Udo Kaya sat in his chair, watching the miniature Tomie on the desk, who was rubbing her cheek against the soft towel with a look of pure enjoyment.

The little thing’s expressions were undoubtedly much richer than those of Tomie herself.

After getting used to the feel of the towel, the miniature Tomie looked at Udo Kaya with pleading eyes once more.

They stared at each other in silence, listening to the rain outside.

I'll wait until the rain stops, he thought. Once it stops, I’ll do it. For now... let’s just call this hospice care.

After convincing himself, Udo Kaya placed his finger gently in front of the miniature Tomie.

Looking at the finger, which was almost as wide as her own body, the miniature Tomie giggled happily like a child.

She poked half her body out of the towel. The cold wind made her shiver, but she still reached out her tiny hand, pressing it against Udo Kaya’s finger to guide it into the towel with her.

After adjusting his finger’s position and sealing the gap in the towel to ensure no wind could get in, the miniature Tomie leaned against him with a look of pure satisfaction, as if she were holding the most precious treasure in the world.

"Kaya~ Kaya..."

Tomie was indeed a collection of beauty and temptation. Watching the miniature Tomie’s intimate attachment, Udo Kaya couldn't help but feel his heart soften.

He raised his right hand and gently rubbed her hair, drawing a satisfied giggle from the little thing.

"Hehe..."

The texture of her hair was just as fine as Tomie’s. As his finger accidentally brushed her shoulder, a sensation as warm and smooth as porcelain traveled from his fingertips.

In the silent tranquility, the miniature Tomie drifted into a deep sleep.

Watching the little creature curled up in the towel, nestled against his hand, occasionally letting out a soft snore, a smile appeared on Udo Kaya’s face without him even realizing it.

The heavy rain continued to fall. Udo Kaya slowly withdrew his finger and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner for himself.

Just as he was about to finish cooking, his peripheral vision caught sight of some oatmeal in the corner.

After a moment’s thought, Udo Kaya found a saucer, soaked the oatmeal, crushed it with a spoon, and brought it to the dining area.

The miniature Tomie was clutching the edges of the towel with both hands like a blanket, poking her head out to watch Udo Kaya return with the meal.

He placed the saucer with the oatmeal porridge on the desk. Just as he was wondering what to use as a utensil for her, the miniature Tomie crawled out of the towel on her own, wiggling her bottom as she climbed onto the saucer. Seeing this, Udo Kaya quickly stood up to close the window.

The little thing took a sip of the milk-oatmeal, letting out a sigh of satisfaction.

However, her posture was not exactly elegant, which made Udo Kaya afraid to look too closely; after all, miniature or not, the little Tomie lacked nothing that she ought to have.

As he enjoyed his dinner in silence, watching the miniature Tomie covered in milk stains, a thought crossed Udo Kaya’s mind.

A white tiger is still a cat.

Once she was full, Udo Kaya brought warm water, grabbed some tissues, and lifted the miniature Tomie to wash her in a bowl.

After she was clean, Udo Kaya carefully wiped the water droplets off her body with a tissue. During the accidental contacts, the little thing would always let out a burst of innocent, playful laughter.

However, the rain curtain would eventually vanish.

As the last raindrops fell, the time reached nine in the evening.

On the desk, the miniature Tomie, having fashioned a simple little white dress out of a tissue, was happily dancing ballet.

"Kaya, do I look pretty?"

Udo Kaya looked down at the little creature on the table and offered a forced smile.

"Pretty..."

The miniature Tomie seemed not to notice Udo Kaya’s mood. Until she finished her final move, she bowed gracefully to the audience.

"Kaya, take me outside to see your garden."

"...Tomorrow. I'll take you tomorrow."

The miniature Tomie pursed her lips and smiled, tilting her head to look up at him.

"Let’s go today, Kaya~"

In the silent exchange of gazes, Udo Kaya smiled with a complex expression and nodded.

He carried the miniature Tomie out into the garden. The damp grass smelled of earth. The miniature Tomie leaned her back against Udo Kaya’s chest.

"Kaya..."

"Hmm?"

"It’s getting late. After you put me in, go back and get some rest."

"..."

Udo Kaya fell silent.

"Hurry up. It’s just dealing with an accident. If you miss me, just call out, and I’ll be right next door~"

Udo Kaya glanced at the Tomie household next door. After a long while, he stood up and carried her to the furnace.

Clang.

The sound of the furnace being opened reached his ears. The miniature Tomie slowly stepped down from Udo Kaya’s palm.

"Give me the lighter."

Udo Kaya’s heart trembled at the request, but he suppressed his emotions, took out the lighter, and handed it over, looking at the miniature Tomie who was barely larger than the lighter itself.

"Hurry and close it and go back~"

Udo Kaya watched as she turned her back on him, tore off her little white dress, and used both hands and feet to move the charcoal next to herself, staining her fair skin with soot.

Looking at her tiny back, Udo Kaya felt a sharp pang in his chest.

Gritting his teeth, Udo Kaya closed his eyes and slowly shut the furnace, then walked back into the house without looking back.

Yet, sitting on the sofa, Udo Kaya’s mind kept conjuring the image of the miniature Tomie’s weak, powerless, yet determined back as she hauled the charcoal.

Just then, a flash of fire suddenly flickered through the gaps of the furnace.

In the dark garden, it was blindingly bright.

Crash!

Udo Kaya could no longer bear the torment in his heart. He threw open the door and rushed into the garden.

Clang!

He yanked the furnace open. He saw the miniature Tomie lying quietly in the center, surrounded by roaring flames. She had her eyes closed, her brows tightly knitted in pain, yet she didn't make a sound.

Tongues of flame licked at her hair, making a sizzling sound.

The scorching temperature forced her to clench her teeth in an involuntary grimace. The sudden, deafening noise above her was like a thunderclap, startling her awake. She looked up at Udo Kaya, whose face occupied her entire field of vision.

"Kaya..."

In a panic, Udo Kaya swatted away the burning charcoal and grabbed the miniature Tomie into his hands.

Seeing her body, now scorched pitch-black in patches by the flames, Udo Kaya felt a sharp pain in his heart. Ignoring the burns on his own hands, he rushed with her into the bathroom.

Next door, the Tomie lying in bed slowly opened her eyes.

The scene filled with hellish flames, the stinging pain on her skin, and Udo Kaya’s bloodshot, teary eyes.

"Baka..."