Chapter 44: Chapter 44: A Gentle Night
"But scenes like this don't happen every day. Who knows how many times I'll get to witness something like this in my life? I might not get another chance. Come on, let your little fox watch this once! And honestly, seeing your own sister messing around with another guy must feel terrible, right? Let me bear that pain for you."
"It's precisely because it's my sister that I have to watch. This is way more entertaining than any festival! As the Raiden Shogun, I command you to move aside!"
At that moment, a small pink furball popped out.
"Lady Kitsune Saiguu, someone's here to see you."
"You heard them—hurry up and leave."
Saiguu shot a fierce glare that made the little deity shudder. However, in her anger, she failed to notice the red-eyed, white-haired figure appearing behind her.
"Well, well, it sure is lively here."
Yu had been lying comfortably when he suddenly heard the voice of a little green spirit whisper, I feel awful… Curious, he opened his eyes and saw the gathering crowd.
Saiguu immediately sensed that something was wrong and quickly put on a smile. "Lord Yu, fancy meeting you here. What a coincidence." She instinctively began stepping backward.
"Yes, quite the coincidence indeed." The others hurriedly echoed, also inching away.
"You all carry on—I'll be on my way." Seeing the shift in atmosphere, Makoto turned into a bolt of lightning and fled in an instant.
The other yokai followed suit, trying to slip away unnoticed.
"Don't even think about running!"
The vines extending from Yu spread wildly, resembling the tentacles of some indescribable being, ensnaring the fleeing bystanders one by one until they were all bundled into a large green ball. The only lucky one who managed to escape was Ei's older sister, spared only because Yu decided to let her go out of respect.
"And you lot? How long have you been watching?" At that moment, Ei emerged from the shadows.
"Just got here, I swear! We've been really worried since you've been gone for so long." Saiguu smiled nervously, cold sweat dripping down her back. She could feel something inside the vines tugging at her tail.
From within the ball came a series of complaints.
"Kitsune Saiguu! Is that your foot? Why aren't you wearing socks, and why is it in my mouth?!"
"Who's pulling my tail?"
"My horns! Stop squeezing, they're going to break!"
"Enough!" Yu fashioned a chain for the massive ball of yokai, spun it like a hammer throw, and launched it far away.
The little pink furball, crouching nearby, didn't dare make a sound. Yu had mistaken her for an ordinary fox—granted, pink foxes were rare, but it was pure luck that neither he nor Ei noticed her.
Yu and Ei leaned back against a large tree, enjoying their moment of peace together.
Meanwhile, the pink furball lay motionless in the grass, trying to avoid attention. When Yu's gaze swept in her direction, she quickly curled up, pretending to be asleep.
Yu withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the woman beside him. He had something in mind… Seeing that Ei didn't object, he grew bolder.
The pink furball slowly uncurled herself, peeking through the grass to see what they were doing. But what she saw next completely baffled her.
"What are they doing? Why are they putting their mouths together? And why are they taking off their clothes at the same time?"
"They seem to be… enjoying themselves."
Their lips parted slowly, and they gazed at each other for a long moment.
Brows shyly furrowed, crimson lips warmed by passion…
---
Watatsumi Island
"Applause, please."
A thunderous applause ensued.
At the moment, resistance on Watatsumi Island had diminished somewhat, but this was only temporary. After all, hatred lingers and can be passed down through generations.
Yu returned to check on his students and was greeted by their popularity. Deep in thought, he wondered, Do I have some sort of talent-attracting aura? People from all walks of life seem to gather around me.
---
Tenshukaku
Recalling the events of the previous day, Ei felt her face flush with embarrassment. She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts from her mind.
Just then, a small pink furball waddled in on its short legs.
"Lady Ei, I have a question."
Seeing the approaching Yae Miko, Ei was puzzled. "What is it?" She picked up the little fox, using her as a warm hand muff.
"Why do people put their mouths together, and then take off their clothes?"
Ei's face turned red in an instant. "Why are you asking about that?"
"I'm just curious."
"I… I need to go practice my swordsmanship!" Ei blurted out before quickly fleeing the scene.