A... connection had told me about them causing trouble a little while ago. I thought it might be prudent to check around.

[Best to let him think that, isn't it? It's not entirely a lie; Majima had told him that they were chasing him, and it had made Matoba interested to see if they were targeting anyone else, being the nuisances they are. Instead, he had found something far worse... Or rather, it had found him.]

[Even though Otegine spots the gaps in the lie, if it made him easier to maneuver out of the way, then it was still useful.]

[As the man finally inches away from the windows, he watches the shadow shift out of the corner of his eye. Don't notice it. Don't look at it. Don't let it know you're already aware. It follows after Otegine as if pleading towards him, it's rattling voice trapped in the glass.]

My.... eye..... Where is.....

When it leaps out, it's going to go for me. Whatever you do, don't look it in the eyes. [Matoba's right hand grips onto his parasol, and his left draws into the fold of his kimono.] Keep these small fry out of the way.

[The youkai passing to and fro on the street; they would be devoured in an instant, if they got in the way.]