Awakening and anomaly

Hello everyone!!

"..."

Since that incident in the supernatural backroom, another quiet day had passed, and my daily routine had returned to normal... Or at least that's what I naively thought.

"What the hell is this...?"

This morning, upon opening my eyes and sitting up in bed, I found several little straw dolls with distinctly feminine shapes walking and running around freely all over my room.

"Hey, Echidna... what is going on here?!"

Some even wore tiny bows made of red yarn and clumsily tripped over one another, immediately getting back up to dust themselves off with their minuscule straw hands while looking at me with pure childlike curiosity.

<"Oh, congratulations, it seems your curse has matured.">

Seriously, what the hell!

"What are you talking about?!"

In the face of such a ridiculous and nonsensical situation, one must demand clear answers!

<"In simple terms, it appears that the resentment you were accumulating has taken physical form.">

While I listened to Echidna's words with a deep expression of disbelief on my face, one of the little dolls walked with clumsy tiny steps to the edge of my bed, stretching out her tiny woven arms for me to pick her up.

"But I don't remember insulting or cursing anyone!"

As I gently lifted her, she began doing little hops of joy on the palm of my hand with a sweetness that was completely incongruous for something supposedly born out of grudge.

<"Truck.">

...

"Aahh..."

Yeah... That explained absolutely everything.

"I guess that makes sense..."

You see, maybe I never mentioned it, but at the back of the house I had set up a room specifically made to release all my pent-up resentment toward every single truck in existence in this world.

Why on earth would I do something like that?

... I think the real question in this case is: why on earth wouldn't I?!

Anyway, moving on with the story. Inside, I had tried all sorts of methods to vent my hatred and keep myself from losing my mind.

"Well, that explains the existence of the straw dolls..."

Among all those venting experiments, I crafted several straw dolls.

"But why are they alive and acting like little girls?"

Right after saying that, another one of the little dolls climbed up my arm and onto my shoulder, nuzzling affectionately against my neck while making soft straw rustles that sounded almost like a shy purr.

<"Do you know how curses work?">

Evidently, my response to Echidna's unexpected question reflected the absolute truth of my ignorance.

"Umm... no?"

I don't know if it's just me... But... In response to my answer... Echidna's expression didn't seem a little satisfied...?

<"I figured as much... A curse is an imprecation directed against someone or something, expressing resentment and absolute aversion, particularly seeking for some harm to befall them.">

Okay, I think I see where all of this is going...

<"In short, the massive amount of spiritual energy you constantly release uncontrollably mixed with those negative emotions, creating cursed energy, and without realizing it, you gave life to these creatures.">

...Spiritual energy... Cursed energy...?

"Hold on a second! What do you mean by spiritual energy?!"

Is this literally the first time in my life I'm hearing those terms?!

<"Oh, didn't I mention it before?">

You daughter of a...

"No desserts for a week."

In that exact instant, despite her being a snake, I could see in real time how Echidna's expression shifted from amused mockery to absolute despair.

<"Wait! I'll explain everything to you right now, so cancel that punishment!">

But my decision was already made.

"Well... Setting that aside..."

And while Echidna began protesting dramatically in the background, the little doll on my hand shyly offered me a tiny straw flower crafted by her own little hands.

"... They are adorable."

That was how a new day began.