Only after exiting Kiyomizu Temple and reaching the alleyways did Kisara finally turn back to look at the temple:
"So that was Hagoromo Gitsune?"
"It was."
Luo Shu nodded before explaining:
"The current Hagoromo Gitsune is in her juvenile stage, having only recently possessed Yamabuki Otome's body. Her control over it is remarkably weak, likely due to poor compatibility."
"Although she qualifies as Hero Rank, in terms of abilities, she's particularly vulnerable right now."
Hearing Luo Shu offer such a detailed explanation to her simple question, Kisara hesitated before muttering:
"Does Shu-kun actually like that seductive fox spirit type?"
At this, Luo Shu's smile froze momentarily before he nodded frankly:
"I did have a thing for women like Hagoromo Gitsune."
Kisara's expression immediately turned woeful.
But then Luo Shu added: "Though in practical terms, someone like you suits me better, Kisara."
"Really?!" Kisara's eyes brightened like sunshine breaking through clouds.
"Of course."
Luo Shu's smile was utterly sincere.
Easy to fool, utterly devoted to her boyfriend, tolerant of his... extracurricular interests, domestically capable, even willing to look after his younger girlfriend...
Luo Shu sometimes wondered what incredible luck from a past life had allowed him to be reborn into this world and meet such an adorable creature.
So in all honesty, Luo Shu genuinely liked Kisara - though he knew it wasn't love. He liked her face, her body, her personality.
However, when it came to love, it was hard for Luo Shu to say.
'Would I ever feel this kind of luxury towards another person in my lifetime?'
This was the doubt that had always lingered in his mind.
At that moment, hearing Luo Shu say she suited him, Kisara seemed to have tasted honey as she skipped over, lifted his right arm, nestled into the crook of his elbow and draped his hand over her shoulder.
"If I get a little closer like this, that's okay, right?"
Hearing Kisara's tentative words, Luo Shu couldn't help but laugh:
"Of course, Kisara. You can get as close as you want."
After saying this, Luo Shu paused before adding, "Even negative distance contact is acceptable."
Hearing this, Kisara's face flushed red as she glanced shyly at Luo Shu and whispered:
"If Shu-kun wants to now... I-I wouldn't say no either."
Luo Shu burst out laughing at this:
"You might be willing, but I'm not. Doing that kind of thing in public where others could see you? I'd be at a massive disadvantage."
"Oh..." Kisara immediately realised her blunder and lowered her head, murmuring: "You're right, that sort of thing should really be done at home..."
'Wait, doesn't that make it sound like I'm saying I really want it?'
Realising this, Kisara shook her head vigorously, her cheeks turning even redder.
She quickly changed the subject:
"If Hagoromo Gitsune is so weak now, why doesn't Shu-kun just capture her?"
"Because it's meaningless." Luo Shu knew Kisara was forcing a topic change, but played along: "Hagoromo Gitsune is a reincarnation-type yokai - she seems to be a special Class with the ability to reincarnate by possessing others."
"Without developing countermeasures, even if I captured her, she could abandon her current body and immediately reincarnate."
"In this situation, whether we control Hagoromo Gitsune or not isn't the key issue."
"The real crux remains what I said before - controlling the possibility of Nue's resurrection."
Here, Luo Shu paused before continuing: "From what I understand, Nue's resurrection requires a specific ritual in Kyoto. One of the ritual's conditions is Hagoromo Gitsune consuming enough fresh livers at a designated location to gestate Nue's body, then allowing Nue to reincarnate from hell once the gestation is complete."
"In this scenario, we simply need to tightly control the reincarnation site in Kyoto while having the Nura Clan continuously prevent Hagoromo Gitsune from obtaining fresh livers."
"Then all variables will remain in our hands."
"After that, once Hagoromo Gitsune investigates the SDS and realises we possess the capability to destroy her plans, she'll have no choice but to reappear before me to negotiate."
"This is a stratagem, isn't it?"
Kisara looked at Luo Shu in astonishment, never imagining he'd already arranged everything.
"A stratagem that forces Hagoromo Gitsune to cooperate with us."
"Exactly." Luo Shu's lips curled into an amused smile: "Now we just wait to see how long it takes Hagoromo Gitsune to realise this."
"What if she realises but still refuses to cooperate?" Kisara recalled Hagoromo Gitsune's earlier demeanour, sensing she wasn't someone who would yield easily.
Hearing this, Luo Shu smiled and said:
"She'll cooperate."
To help Kisara understand, Luo Shu then offered an analogy: "Nue's importance to Hagoromo Gitsune is equivalent to mine towards you, Kisara. Do you think, in such circumstances, you would yield?"
Hearing this analogy, Kisara seriously considered what she would do if faced with such a situation.
Instantly, her expression soured as she slumped her head and said:
"If it were for Shu-kun, I would yield."
Then, with a thud.
Luo Shu knocked Kisara lightly on the head.
"Ouch!" Kisara clutched her head in pain.
Luo Shu shook his hand and said:
"Don't get too immersed in the scenario."
"No matter what, I wouldn't let you face such a choice."
"But what if it really happened?" Kisara couldn't resist pushing back slightly, but shrank her neck when Luo Shu's gaze swept over her.
Seeing this, Luo Shu sighed in exasperation, glared at the demon, and said:
"Then I'd rather be a doomed lover than wear a cuckold's hat."
Kisara was stunned:
"How did we suddenly jump to cuckoldry? That wasn't mentioned earlier!"
Luo Shu's face darkened:
"Because that kind of choice is typical in NTR scenarios!"
Kisara grew even more puzzled:
"But earlier, Shu-kun, you were talking about Hagoromo Gitsune..."
Mid-sentence, she suddenly realised something and gasped:
"Wait, does Shu-kun want to cuckold that Nue?"
"So Shu-kun really plans to add Hagoromo Gitsune to your harem, right?"
"You talk too much, Kisara-san."
Luo Shu's cheek twitched as his thoughts were exposed. He pinched Kisara's cheek and said:
"Your punishment is to go home and cook red bean soup."
Kisara tilted her head in confusion: "...That doesn't seem like much of a punishment?"
Luo Shu glanced at her and said flatly:
"It's for Mira. She needs to replenish her blood, doesn't she?"
Kisara's face instantly froze.
'Cook nourishing food for that thieving cat?!'
The girl's shriek pierced the heavens:
"How could you—!!"
"I refuse to accept this!!"