"What are you thinking about?"
A soft voice whispered in his ear, warm breath tickling his skin.
Luo Shu stared at the unfamiliar ceiling before explaining:
"Planning today's schedule."
"Hmm?" Mira Tsubakihara, who was using his arm as a pillow, made a questioning sound.
At this, Luo Shu began murmuring to himself:
"First, I need to retrieve that crow evidence from the Astronomy Club. Then there's the meeting with Meer. If I'm lucky, I might meet with the head of the Nura Clan at noon or evening."
"The Nura Clan?" Mira leaned closer curiously. "Is that a yakuza group?"
"No, not yakuza. A yokai organisation."
Luo Shu began explaining: "Among ancient yokai, when Great Yokai formed Hyakki Yagyō, they were called 'clans' - said to be one of the prototypes for modern yakuza groups."
"The Nura Clan is such an organisation, established by the Great Yokai Nura Clan through sworn pacts. They're essentially Tokyo's local power."
Mira propped her cheek on her hand, sounding slightly pouty: "My family never told me about these things..."
'The Nura Clan might not be human yakuza, but they're still yokai. What family would tell their daughter about such things when there'd be no interaction?' Luo Shu thought wryly before sitting up:
"I've got things to do today. If possible, I should be back for dinner."
Then he suddenly remembered something and turned to Mira:
"Do you know Kamijo Hospital in Akihabara?"
"I do. Why?"
"That's one of the SDS Research Department's bases. Their director's stationed there recently. Your Alchemy..."
Luo Shu hesitated, thinking of Verde's mad scientist personality:
"Though the fields might differ, he could probably guide you... maybe?"
By the end, even Luo Shu sounded uncertain.
Would that research maniac Verde dissect a budding Alchemist like Mira upon meeting her?
Unlikely, but Luo Shu worried more about Verde corrupting Mira's thinking.
What was this - mutual apprehension?
Meanwhile, Mira sounded intrigued:
"The Research Director? Is he an outstanding scientist?"
"Yes, truly outstanding."
'Space cities, Skill Demon Gods, Box Weapons... virtual reality... The Nobel committee would probably invite him for tea after developing all that.'
While thinking this, Luo Shu said:
"If interested, visit the Operations Department base in West Kanda. Ask Chisato to take you to Research."
"Got it." Mira stretched with a yawn before flopping back down. "I'll sleep a bit more."
Seeing this, Luo Shu smiled without saying anything and left the room on his own. He walked through the living room to the entryway, then pushed open the door.
As the door swung open and Luo Shu took just one step into the hallway outside, the flash of pink hair caught in his peripheral vision made his raised left leg freeze mid-air.
"No way?" Luo Shu's lips twitched violently.
Early morning.
6:30 AM.
In front of Room 302, Sakura Apartments.
Luo Shu stood rigid, his face tense as he stared at Kisara, who leaned against the wall to his right, his entire expression looking as if he'd seen a ghost.
At that moment, the pink-haired demon slowly lifted her hollow red eyes. Within their depths, the reflection of his stiff face was clearly visible.
With goosebumps rising all over his body, Luo Shu greeted her in an unnatural tone:
"Oh, it's Kisara... good morning..."
"Good morning, Shu~kun~" Kisara responded affectionately, though her gaze remained vacant and unfocused. "Did you sleep well last night?"
Hearing this loaded question, Luo Shu swallowed hard before answering:
"Pretty well, I suppose."
"I didn't disturb you, did I?" Kisara asked hoarsely.
"Not at all..." Luo Shu replied before hesitantly adding, "If I may ask... when did you get here?"
Kisara tilted her head slightly, smiling at Luo Shu:
"Last night. Right when you walked to Mira's room, I followed you."
"Demons can conceal their emotions, you know. By hiding emotions, we can mask our presence. If done thoroughly enough, even Shu-kun wouldn't notice. I only learned this yesterday~~"
Listening to her voice, hoarse as if from crying, Luo Shu's face twitched before he sighed:
"So you had all night to stop me. Why didn't you come in?"
After a brief silence, Kisara answered:
"If I went in... wouldn't Shu-kun hate me?"
"For being an uninvited, self-important woman."
These words felt like a punch to Luo Shu's conscience.
He glanced at Kisara with an awkward expression before saying:
"Hate you? No, not at all."
Noticing Kisara's face brighten slightly before quickly schooling her expression again, Luo Shu realised things might not be as bad as they seemed:
"Kisara, you know how it is. There are times every month when a man just... needs to comfort himself."
"So Shu-kun was in that phase last night?" Kisara's lips smiled, but her eyes remained hollow as she asked in that same raspy, low voice: "Then why couldn't you come to me?"
At this, Luo Shu dropped the bomb:
"Because I want both."
Kisara froze.
Before she could react, Luo Shu continued his confession: "First get Mira involved, then play between you two until neither can leave me, then have you both together. Yeah, that's exactly what I'm thinking."
After saying this, he studied Kisara's expression. Seeing she still hadn't processed it, he added:
"Pretty terrible, right? What kind of man does that?"
Kisara remained silent for a moment before murmuring:
"Just one... isn't enough?"
Luo Shu couldn't help but smile self-deprecatingly at this moment: "Men always want the next one after getting one."
'The difference lies in whether someone acts on it or not. And unfortunately, I'm the type who easily acts...' Luo Shu mentally explained to himself.
Hearing this, Kisara seemed hesitant to speak: "So... Shu-kun isn't abandoning me?"
"How could I ever abandon you?" Luo Shu forced a smile as he pulled Kisara into his embrace, vigorously nuzzling against her smooth pink hair: "I'd sooner abandon myself than give up on you."
At these words, Kisara's face flushed red, her body seeming to go limp as the murderous aura from before completely vanished in that instant.
Then Luo Shu added, "Forgive me, Kisara. I've just committed the mistake all men make."
Upon hearing this, Luo Shu clearly felt Kisara tremble slightly in his arms.
Finally, after a long pause, Kisara murmured:
"If it's a mistake everyone makes... then it's understandable that Shu-kun made it too."
'Kisara, you truly are my angel...'
Luo Shu, who had been fearing retaliation, finally relaxed. Yet even as relief washed over him, he felt himself plunging deeper into the abyss of scumbaggery.
But upon closer consideration, wasn't the Familia system of the Divine Pantheon fundamentally a product of this very abyss?
Familia who eternally accompany the gods - wasn't that essentially the same as a harem?
Before Luo Shu could continue this train of thought, Kisara whispered again: "If Shu-kun really feels one person isn't enough... then I can endure it."
Luo Shu abruptly looked up at these words, taking in Kisara's flushed cheeks and evasive gaze, and drew a sharp breath:
'Endure what? Not enough with one person? Miss Kisara, are you trying to make me repeat my mistake?'
In the end, after another long pause, Luo Shu chose not to pursue the topic, instead changing the subject:
"I have several meetings today. Why don't you accompany me, Kisara? Let's spend the whole day out."
Hearing this, Kisara looked up with a delighted smile, even standing on tiptoes to kiss Luo Shu:
"Okay, Shu-kun~"
"Love you~"