"What kind of club is this? Lord Nanashi's personal harem?"
Abe no Seimei blinked wide, curious eyes.
In her era, polygamy wasn't uncommon.
She didn't expect that, after so long, the idea still existed.
"Uh… Sorry, I'm not," Miko raised her hand weakly.
Marin grinned teasingly. "Heh, with how shy Miko is, she'll get swept off her feet sooner or later."
"Hmm!"
Hearing that, Miko buried her face in the table, blushing furiously.
Nanashi shot Marin a look. "Quit talking nonsense. Nothing's going on between us, is there?"
Yukino, looking troubled, pressed her palm against her forehead. "I don't care about Yui's feelings… but don't let her down."
From Yui's words, it was clear to Yukino just how deeply she felt. Yui had even declared, in front of Yukino, that she intended to take her place. That kind of determination spoke volumes.
Yukino herself had come in later.
How could she deny someone else the chance to join?
"I don't mind either," added Megumi calmly.
Nanashi nodded. "Of course. I already gave my word."
"Mm."
Yukino trusted Nanashi's promise completely, and then passed along the information she'd gathered about the Onmyoji.
It matched what Nanashi already knew—perhaps less so in detail. He, after all, knew more about things like the Twelve Heavenly Generals and the Twin Stars.
Still, he wasn't so socially inept that he'd downplay her efforts.
Instead, he showed his appreciation with a deep, passionate kiss.
Even in front of Marin and the others, Yukino blushed.
After the initial embarrassment, she slowly started to enjoy the moment.
"Chinu, what do you think love and kissing feel like?"
Abe no Seimei stared blankly at the kissing pair, caught in a daze.
"How would I know?" Chinu replied irritably. "If you're that curious, try it yourself."
Then she added with a smirk, "Oh wait, I forgot—you don't have much time left. Try again in your next life."
"!!!"
Abe no Seimei pouted, thoroughly annoyed at Chinu for bringing up such a sensitive topic.
Yumiko was officially accepted into the Paranormal Research Club.
This left Shizuka seriously questioning reality.
The Paranormal Research Club—a club whose very name was borderline ridiculous—had somehow recruited seven members?!
Even more outrageous: every single one of them was a beautiful girl!
Logically, shouldn't boys be more interested in the supernatural?
Now, the gender balance in the club was completely skewed.
One boy. Seven girls.
Ridiculous.
"Could it be… they were all drawn in by Nanashi's looks?"
Even she had to admit—Nanashi was a good-looking guy with a likable personality.
He had excellent grades, did well in sports, had a great figure, and was the student council president. A true school heartthrob.
Of course he had a crowd of devoted fangirls.
There were even Nanashi fan clubs within the school.
She'd received a flood of requests from girls wanting to join his club.
Thankfully, he had a firm rule:
If a recommendation didn't come directly from him, it would be denied.
That was reassuring. At least he hadn't lost his head from all the attention.
Sure, the club had a lot of girls, but Shizuka didn't believe Yukino was the type to be taken in by appearances alone.
Riiing—
Just as she was mulling over the club situation, her phone rang.
"Hello? Haruno? What's up?"
"Shizuka, don't worry about Yukino."
"Huh?"
That didn't sound like something a doting older sister like Haruno would say. Shizuka raised an eyebrow.
"I'm aware of everything going on with her."
"…If you say so, I guess I'll stop asking."
If Haruno was confident, then she could take a break from worrying too.
Besides, always poking into students' lives like some undercover agent was a bit much, even for a teacher.
"Shizuka, are you free this weekend?"
At that, Shizuka let out a long sigh and ruffled her hair.
"Tch. Nope."
"Oh, another blind date? Shizu-chan, you're almost thirty, and you've never even held a guy's hand properly, right?"
Shizuka's face flushed as she gripped the phone.
"T-That's not true! I was once carried like a princess by a handsome guy!"
"Pfft—hahaha! You serious?"
"Why would I lie?!"
Of course, what she said was true.
Nanashi had carried her down the stairs today.
Nanashi was a handsome guy.
And that was a princess carry.
So everything she said was completely true!
Sure, maybe fantasizing about your own student was a little embarrassing…
But a woman's pride is on the line!
"Okay, okay. I hope your blind date goes well—but at this rate, you might have to attend my wedding first."
Shizuka blinked in surprise. "Huh? You're getting married? An arranged one?"
"It's not arranged. It's with someone I genuinely love."
But the Yukinoshita family situation wasn't exactly simple.
"What about Yukino...?"
"Don't worry. Yukino will be with the one she loves. I just need to make a few arrangements."
"Oh... okay then."
After hanging up the call, Shizuka still found herself frowning.
The Yukinoshita sisters don't need arranged marriages?
And more importantly... just who does Haruno like?
She'd never heard her mention anyone before.
…
As for Chinu, Nanashi had temporarily arranged for her to stay in the spare room attached to his own.
Though she was technically a spirit, unlike Kanae, she couldn't exist in a non-physical form and required a tangible body.
But what exactly was her role supposed to be?
A subordinate?
A pet?
He hadn't quite decided yet.
Regardless, Nanashi couldn't deny he felt something for the dark-skinned beauty.
But he wasn't some villain who forced others into submission.
Everything would unfold naturally.
If something developed—great.
If not, she could simply remain as one of his subordinates.
Eriri and the others were already used to new additions to their group, and they quickly accepted Chinu and Abe no Seimei without much resistance.
What piqued their curiosity more was the pair's origins.
An Onmyoji and a Basara—natural enemies.
Both were beings tied to supernatural forces, yet they were standing under the same roof.
Those like Eriri, who had awakened supernatural abilities, were used to encountering spirits or demons. But the idea of others existing out there still caught them off guard.
Eriri also pouted at Nanashi and Yukino, feeling a little left out.
She hadn't been invited to participate in the club's first commission.
Still, considering how urgent Yui's situation had been—and how Eriri wasn't yet an official member—she couldn't really blame them.
After settling Chinu in, Nanashi turned his thoughts toward Abe no Seimei.
Should he have a talk with her?
He sat on the sofa, stroking Haru's soft fur as the cat purred in satisfaction.
With Yukino being the ultimate cat mom, the house was never short of top-tier cat food, dried fish, and other feline luxuries.
Nanashi had even created a few toys with his abilities, saving them a trip to the store.
Haru's life couldn't be more comfortable.
Nezuko, Chito, and Yuuri also took turns playing with her each day.
But back to the topic at hand—
"What do you think about your current situation?"
It was a straightforward question.
"I… don't really have any thoughts," Abe no Seimei sighed. "I've already been dead for a long time. What's there to think about?"
What she did regret, though, was not being able to explore this new era more.
A time without Kegare... It would've been unimaginable in the past.
Nanashi still held some lingering curiosity about her.
In Twin Star Exorcists, wasn't the male protagonist—the one associated with the Sun—supposed to be her child?
He had to ask.
"You've lived so long… didn't you leave behind any descendants?"
"Descendants?" Abe no Seimei tilted her head. "I've never had a husband. So how would I have children?"
"…Fair point."
Whether the Flame Demon Hall's pulley system even existed was unclear, and even if it did, its origins remained a mystery.
Nanashi nodded thoughtfully. "Good. No lingering attachments to this world. You can pass on in peace."
"You sure know how to phrase things," Abe no Seimei pouted, puffing out her cheeks.
"But," Nanashi continued, "if you want to stay in this world, there might be a way."
Her expression lit up instantly. "Oh? What kind of way?"
"I may have a method to stabilize your soul in this realm."
Abe no Seimei stared at him for a moment, then gave a pointed smirk. "You just want to use me as a test subject, don't you?"
Nanashi was caught off guard by how quickly she figured it out.
This kid with the petite frame and youthful face was sharper than he gave her credit for.
Still, he didn't deny it. "You could say that."
"You were going to send me off anyway, so why not give it a shot, huh?"
Her tone was sarcastic, but she had no real objections.
With a sigh, she flopped dramatically onto the plush sofa, arms spread.
"Alright, alright. Let's give modern life a try."
Nanashi nodded but added a gentle warning. "My powers involve some personal secrets. I'm sure you understand."
Abe no Seimei gave him a knowing look. "Yeah, yeah. Just like Chinu—ending up with another master."
"It doesn't matter. The Kegare King and the Kegare are gone, and with them, my mission as an Onmyoji. I'm just a remnant soul now, so whatever happens... it doesn't matter anymore."
She had accepted her fate.
Seeing that, Nanashi didn't waste any words. He summoned his Primordial Energy and poured it into her soul.
Abe no Seimei, lying on the sofa, suddenly flinched. A rush of warmth surged through her being.
She was a spirit—how could she feel heat?
Then it hit her.
"Ah! It's too much!"
She screamed as the energy flooded her essence, strengthening her weakened soul. The once-fragile remnant grew denser, more complete. Yet, the sensation of overflowing didn't fade.
Haru stirred at her cry.
Haru blinked sleepily at Abe no Seimei, thrashing on the sofa.
"Meow?" (Is she too full?)
Nanashi patted the kitten's head with a chuckle. "Pretty much."
"Meow." (Don't overeat.)
Abe no Seimei hadn't meant to.
Nanashi had simply poured too much energy into her, curious about her limits.
Minutes passed before her cries died down.
Limp and exhausted, Abe no Seimei sprawled across the sofa, limbs splayed. Her clothes were disheveled, revealing far too much, but she didn't care.
Nanashi touched her—feet, legs, waist, arms, face. Her form felt solid—like flesh.
"Do you feel like you're in a physical body now, or still spiritual?"
Regaining composure, she slowly sat up and straightened her clothes.
"Still spiritual… but it feels strange. My body feels exactly like flesh and blood."
"I see."
The experiment was a success.
The Primordial Energy couldn't fully transform a soul into a physical body, but it could restore and solidify it to the point of physical tangibility. That insight alone was valuable.
Nanashi smiled. Satisfied.
"You go sleep with Chinu."
Abe no Seimei, humbled, quietly nodded and left.
...
In another room:
"Leone, transform already. You're not strong enough in base form."
"Tch. Beat me like this first."
"You said it. I'm going all in."
"This place is spotless. Did you clean it just to—?"
"I didn't! Hey, are we really doing this?"
"Scared?"
"Who's scared?! Bring it!"
"Hey, Chelsea—don't transform into Mine, that's cheating."
"Oh? You don't like it, Nanashi?"
"I love it!"
...
In the room next door:
Two identical girls stared at each other.
"Is that how humans show affection?" Chinu tilted her head.
Abe no Seimei—ancient, wise, and yet emotionally naive—blushed deep red.
"I-I don't know..."
Chinu's curiosity was obvious.
Panicking, Seimei blurted, "Don't even think about it! Master Nanashi would never be interested in someone like you!"
But that wasn't the reason.
The truth was, Chinu looked exactly like her.
The thought of Chinu, with her face, her body, lying with Nanashi… it made Abe no Seimei feel discomfort.
Like a thorn in her heart.
Chinu only smiled when she heard it, looking at her panicked appearance.
…