[video]

[stillsmiling]

 [The boy on screen appears to be writing in a journal: He is holding a pencil and occasionally moves it as if to write something. That “something” being a list of life goals. It’s also quite short, which is why Shi looks so troubled.]

I’ve been in Genessia for a long time now. I have a job and I make pretty good money, and I have a place to live and food to eat...

Is that it? Is that all people do with their lives? I mean... All I wanted before was to not be cold or hungry anymore, and I have those things now... I don’t know where to go from here. A good Kami is supposed to get their own shrine and have followers and stuff, but I’m an evil and terrible Kami...

What kinds of things do humans do with their lives? Are there normal human hobbies? How do you get best friends? Can Kami have hobbies and best friends, or would that be bad of me? Do humans really only live to pay rent and eat food? I’m grateful for those things,  but for some reason... I’m not happy. Maybe I’m just ungrateful and bad.

Comments

[watcheddog]

No. Those are just required for living.

So you're a curse... kami. Right. So people believe in curses for you to exist? I don't think that's always bad. Do you put curses on people? There's probably good reasons or ways to do that, right?

[stillsmiling]

Mm, something like that... If people believe I’m a Curse, I can stay alive. And be a curse... I don’t have much control over it. If I don’t use my power on my own, it just leaks out anyway...

[It’s a lot that he didn’t want to share, but Shi doesn’t like to lie either.]

I don’t know if it’s fair for me to be so happy if I’m like that.

[watcheddog]

How do you know you're a curse?

[stillsmiling]

[He’s quiet for a moment. He doesn’t want to admit it, but once again... lying is so naughty.]

I... I got some people killed. And washed a whole village away. And burned down a city... And I know it’s my fault, cuz I’m alive. I was killed before.

[watcheddog]

That sounds like you are cursed. By other people's superstitions. Not cursing them.

[stillsmiling]

Even if that's how it started, the fact is that I curse people now. It's what I am. Pretending it's not true will make my spirit pass on again.

[watcheddog]

I'm confused now. Do you want to pass on or have people believe in you so you continue to exist?