— — — — — —
Saeko Busujima stayed quiet.
She couldn't really follow the conversation.
But one thing stuck with her—A few decades, even a couple centuries?
So this was what life was like in a world of monsters.
Then suddenly, her body tensed. Her blue eyes widened slightly.
A thought hit her like lightning: 'I'm just a human. Am I suitable to live in this world of Yokai and spirits?'
"Father," Kaguya said suddenly.
"Hm?" Kira turned to her, curious.
Kaguya gave him a meaningful look.
He followed her gaze to Saeko and immediately understood. A faint, knowing smile tugged at his lips.
He spoke deliberately. "Kaguya, what do you think of Saeko's talent and potential?"
"Exceptional," Kaguya replied smoothly, nodding with admiration. "Among humans, if Lady Saeko finds the right path, her ceiling could rival that of a great onmyoji. And if she were born a yokai, she might even reach the level of an Oni King."
In this chaotic world, power rankings were more tradition than precision.
For humans, onmyoji were divided into four tiers: lower, intermediate, advanced, and Legendary.
For yokai, the hierarchy went from Low, Mid, High, Great Yokai… and finally, Oni Kings.
But really, it wasn't that clear-cut—just a rough measure of spirit and Yokai power.
An Oni King was essentially a great yokai taken to the extreme.
Every Oni King was a great yokai, but not every great yokai could become a king.
Only those with overwhelming strength and universal recognition earned that title.
Like the legendary three great yokai:
The Great Tengu. Golden Nine-Tailed Fox. And Shuten-Douji.
Those were the apex of all monsters—the true Three Oni Kings.
...
Kira smiled faintly. "So what you're saying is, Saeko's talent really is extraordinary."
"Without a doubt," Kaguya replied, her voice like silk. "Among humans, she'd be considered elite."
She was pleased—very pleased, in fact.
This woman not only adored her father to an embarrassing degree but also had real potential.
A powerful ally for the future. Someone who might even stand beside her in the Moon War to come.
"Princess," Saeko began carefully.
Kaguya smiled softly. "Please, call me Kaguya-hime. Uh no, just Kaguya."
"Kaguya-hime?"
Saeko's pupils shrank. That name… she knew it well.
But after a brief moment of surprise, she nodded. "Then please, call me Saeko."
And just like that, the two women—who looked years apart in age but shared an oddly similar aura—fell into easy conversation.
"Saeko," Kira said at last, rising from his seat. "You should rest for today. We'll discuss the rest tomorrow. I've had dinner prepared for you."
"Kira-kun…"
Her cheeks flushed pink, her eyes gleaming. Her voice trembled with both shyness and intent.
"This is my first time in another world. Kira-kun… could you stay with me tonight?"
So direct.
Kaguya blinked in disbelief. 'Is she serious? No hesitation at all?'
Kira, of course, understood perfectly well what she meant. After a short pause, he smiled. "Alright. I'll come by later."
"Okay~"
Saeko's voice drew out in a soft, melodic tone, her lips curling into a smile she couldn't hide.
As Kira and Kaguya stepped out, moonlight spilled across the corridor.
Father and daughter walked together in silence for a while.
"Father," Kaguya said at last, hesitant. "Are you sure that woman isn't dangerous?"
Saeko had moved fast—too fast. That wasn't a confession; that was an ambush.
To Kaguya, it almost felt like Saeko had walked into their lives with a knife in hand and a plan in mind.
But Kira only laughed, shaking his head. "Kaguya, I know her type. That's just who she is."
"I see," Kaguya said softly, dropping the subject.
"Then, Father… what will you do with her?" she asked after a moment.
Kira thought for a moment. "We'll see. Eirin's coming down tomorrow night. I'll have her make some adjustments. When it comes to matters like this, no one surpasses Eirin."
Mentor, scholar, genius—Eirin Yagokoro was the definition of exceptional.
Medicine was just her hobby. It didn't even scratch the surface of what she could do.
After chatting a little longer, Kaguya returned to her quarters under the escort of Moon Rabbits.
"..."
Kira lingered outside for a moment.
Books could wait.
When a beautiful woman invited you to her bed, and you hesitated, that was when you truly lost your way.
"Guess I'm not a saint after all," he muttered with a wry smile. "But at least I'm not gay."
He turned and walked back to Saeko's quarters.
"Saeko, did you eat?"
"I did, Kira-kun. Give me a moment to get ready."
"Alright."
He waited outside for a bit until her voice called from within.
"I'm ready."
He pushed the door open—and froze.
Saeko knelt on the bed, bound hand and foot with ribbons tied into a neat bow. She wore nothing but a sheer, black lace nightgown that left very little to the imagination.
Her blue eyes glimmered as she smiled softly.
"Kira-kun," she said, voice sweet and trembling, "you saved my life. This is my gift to you. Do you like it?"
.
.
.