Morning broke. Tenra cracked a yawn and blinked awake.
Asia and Ravel were already up—Asia kneeling beside the bed, hands folded in gentle prayer, while Ravel was, well… down below, giving her master a rather enthusiastic "good morning."
One side: pure-hearted saint. The other: wicked little devil. The contrast was bizarre, but Tenra had long since gotten used to waking up this way.
Honestly? He wouldn't trade it.
After taking his sweet time, Tenra finally emerged from his room with Asia and Ravel in tow, finding Aika and the rest of the kendo club girls waiting outside, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
The club didn't have to join the other classes' activities, so Tenra took his time. Breakfast was a lively affair, and only then did they set out for the day.
According to the schedule, today's stops were Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji, and Kinkaku-ji—Kyoto's most famous temples. Tenra led his girls from shrine to shrine, snapping photos, poking fun, and generally causing a scene. Unlike other students, the kendo girls didn't need to stop and rest every five minutes. By late morning, they'd already crossed everything off the list.
"Captain! There's more yokai!" One of the girls rushed up, breathless.
All around, ordinary tourists toppled into sleep, slumping to the pavement. Tenra sensed the supernatural presence immediately, but when he saw Rossweisse approaching with a fox-eared woman at her side, he knew this wasn't trouble.
He waved off the girls' nerves and greeted Rossweisse.
"Rossweisse, is everything sorted?"
She nodded. "Lady Serafall negotiated with the yokai. The misunderstanding's been cleared up. The fox princess who attacked you yesterday wants to apologize."
"Lady Serafall and Azazel are waiting. I'm here to escort you."
Rossweisse nodded, and the fox-eared beauty beside her stepped forward, bowing politely.
"I serve the Nine-Tails Lord. I deeply apologize for yesterday's incident. Our princess wishes to offer her personal apology. Please come with us."
"To your headquarters?" Tenra asked.
"Yes. To Ura-Kyoto, the hidden city where Kyoto's yokai reside. Both the Satan and the Governor-General of the Fallen Angels are waiting."
The fox woman knew exactly who Tenra was now, and treated him with the utmost respect.
Tenra hesitated for a moment. Should he bring his club girls to a city full of monsters? Might spook them. But when he glanced back, all he saw were faces lit with excitement and curiosity. He smiled—he'd underestimated them.
"Alright. Lead the way."
"Please, follow me."
Following the fox woman, Tenra and the girls passed through a shimmering barrier and stepped into Ura-Kyoto.
Dim skies, ancient wooden buildings, tangled streets—it felt like they'd wandered straight into the Edo period. One-eyed giants lumbered past, kappa with water-filled dishes balanced on their heads, tanuki strolled upright. Every corner teemed with strange creatures, and the girls gawked and squealed in delight.
"Ah!" Aika yelped, having stepped on what she thought was a rock—until it jumped up and shrieked.
"Rock monster!" Aika stared at the stone, which now sported eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Murayama, Katase, and the rest crowded around.
"Human! You stepped on me and hurt me!" the rock monster barked, glaring.
"You're a yokai. How does one step hurt you?" Aika shot back.
"I say I'm hurt, so I'm hurt! You owe me compensation!"
Aika burst out laughing. "Alright, what do you want?"
"Your panties! Give me your panties!" the rock monster demanded.
"My—my panties? What do you want those for?" Aika clutched her skirt, eyes wide. The other girls looked equally scandalized. Even yokai are perverts now?
"I want to eat them!" the rock monster declared. "And you're all her accomplices! Everyone, give me your panties or I won't forgive you!"
He bounced around, shouting, full of himself.
Okay, not just a pervert—a total deviant.
"Scram, you perverted rock!" Aika's face darkened, and she punted the monster down the street.
Try to take advantage of me? Not in this lifetime!
The fox woman looked mortified. "Lord Red Dragon Emperor, please forgive our yokai. They love pulling pranks."
Tenra just grinned. "No worries. They're entertaining, if nothing else."
Under the fox woman's lead, the group soon arrived at a sprawling, ancient estate.
"Yo, you made it!" Azazel called from inside.
"Yaho, everyone!" Serafall chimed in, waving energetically from her seat.
Tsubasa, Meguri, Reya, and Momo were also present, seated nearby.
At the far end of the grand hall sat the fox princess—the very same girl who'd ordered yesterday's attack. Today, she'd traded her shrine maiden robes for a regal kimono straight out of the Warring States era. The effect was stunning: noble, elegant, and striking.
"Princess, I've brought Lord Red Dragon Emperor and his companions," the fox woman announced, bowing.
"Thank you. You may withdraw," the princess replied.
With a burst of foxfire, the attendant vanished.
All eyes turned as the princess descended from her seat and approached Tenra.
"Greetings, Lord Red Dragon Emperor. I am Kunou, daughter of Yasaka, administrator of Kyoto's yokai—both in the surface world and Ura-Kyoto."
Her voice was soft, but her bow was deep and sincere. "I apologize for yesterday. I attacked without understanding the situation. Please forgive me."
Tenra didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned to his girls.
"The princess has apologized. What do you say?"
"Of course we forgive her! She's super cute!"
"Yeah, a real princess—first time I've ever met one!"
The girls' eyes sparkled. Clearly, they were just as shallow as Tenra when it came to appearances.
Tenra smiled at Kunou. "You heard them. We forgive you. No need to worry about yesterday."
Kunou looked relieved, nearly overwhelmed. "Thank you… thank you all…"
Then, suddenly bashful, she blushed. "Um, Lord Red Dragon Emperor, you can just call me Kunou. No need for 'Princess.'"
"Then Kunou it is. And you can call me Tenra—no need for titles."
"Ah… yes, Lord Tenra!" Kunou stammered.
After the introductions, Kunou invited everyone to sit. Fox maiden attendants served up a feast, and Tenra sampled a few dishes.
"Kunou, what's really going on here? Was your mother kidnapped?"
Kunou's smile faded. "Here's what happened…"
She explained: Her mother, Yasaka—leader of Kyoto's yokai and the current Nine-Tailed Fox—had left a few days ago to meet with an envoy from the Himalayas. She never returned. The karasu-tengu who'd accompanied her was found barely alive; only then did they realize Yasaka had been kidnapped.
"Yasaka's the Nine-Tailed Fox, right? Not many could pull off a kidnapping like that," Tenra said, frowning at Azazel.
Azazel sipped his wine. "Heh. You've figured it out. Khaos Brigade, obviously."
"Those bastards!" Serafall fumed, pounding a tiny fist. "Always causing trouble! If I catch them, I'll show them the wrath of Magical Girl Levi-tan!"
Khaos Brigade had been stirring up chaos worldwide lately, and Serafall's workload had tripled. She was not amused.
Kunou stepped forward, tears streaming down her face. "Lord Tenra, please… lend me your strength. Help me save my mother. I've heard of your deeds—if the Red Dragon Emperor and White Dragon Emperor join forces, you can defeat those villains. Whatever price you ask, I'll pay. Please, help me!"
She knelt in front of Tenra, her pride forgotten.
Everyone watched. Tenra shrugged, then gently helped Kunou to her feet.
"If it's your request, Kunou, then I accept."
Kunou's eyes went wide. "R-really?"
Tenra grinned. "Of course. A Red Dragon Emperor never breaks his word."
Azazel couldn't resist. "Hey, kid, you agreed pretty quick. Got something in mind?"
Tenra winked. "Cuteness is justice. How could I refuse a princess?"
"Besides, even if I said no, you'd act anyway. We don't know why Khaos Brigade took Yasaka, but it can't be good. Letting them run wild helps no one."
Azazel chuckled, shaking his head. He's always got a smooth excuse. But the way he does it, you can't even get mad—these innocent girls never stand a chance.
Sure enough, Kunou's face burned red, but her gratitude was plain.
"Thank you, Lord Tenra. Thank you…"
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