While still half-asleep, I felt something soft wrapped around the left side of my body.
When I groggily turned my head and opened my eyes, I found Kuroka fast asleep, clinging to my left arm and intertwining her legs with mine.
And on top of that, there was a silky, fluffy sensation different from her legs, no doubt her tail. Soft and smooth… it actually felt kind of nice.
Is this really okay? Just yesterday she said we'd wait until graduation, but can my sanity really survive this?
Also… what now? A glance at the clock by my pillow told me it was almost time for morning training.
But with her wrapped around me like this, I couldn't get up even if I wanted to. And more than anything… I didn't want to get up! What kind of double-layered emotional and physical trap is this?!
Well, morning practice is routine, after all. Reluctantly, I decided to wake her up and get ready. I gently shook her shoulder.
"Hey, Kuroka. It's morning."
After a moment, her eyes slowly fluttered open.
"Mmm… good morning, Ikki."
She sat up and stretched with a big "guuuh," offering a sleepy greeting. But all she wore was a light, white kimono for sleeping. If you've ever worn a yukata to bed, you know, it doesn't stay closed.
Where? Oh, just from her chest to her stomach. Right down the middle.
Seeing her like that inevitably brought back all the… sensory memories I'd picked up during yesterday's Ittou Shura technique. Scent, warmth, touch…
"Y-Yeah. Good morning, Kuroka."
I sat up too, deliberately looking past her shoulder so I could pretend I wasn't phased.
"Unyaa~"
She giggled and, bam, latched onto me again. And there went my composure. I could feel my face heating up.
"K-Kuroka? You're in a weirdly good mood today."
With a slight tremble in my voice, I asked her.
"Of course I am, nya~" she replied cheerfully.
"I don't have to be so on guard anymore, Shirone's with us, and I finally got to sleep in the same bed with Ikki. Everything's improved since yesterday! So obviously, I'm in a great mood, nya~"
Now that she mentioned it… for someone who clearly values freedom, having to hide all the time must've been really stressful. No wonder she felt liberated now. That said… "same bed"? Kuroka, you do know you have your own room, right? And technically, this is my bed...
She leaned back just a bit, locking her eyes on mine.
Unlike earlier, I met her gaze.
This atmosphere… yeah, it's one of those moments.
I slowly leaned in, closing the gap between us, and just as our lips were about to meet,
Click!
"Kuroka-neesama, Ikki-senpai… are you still asleep? You said you'd help with morning training starting today, but it's already time…"
Koneko walked in, of course she did! The Gremory group is heading to the Underworld today, so this might be their only chance to train with both me and Kuroka. Naturally, she'd come check if we didn't show up.
"Oh? Good morning, Miss Toujou. In gym clothes? That must mean it's time for your morning workout. That's Ikki's room, right? Did you come to invite him to train?"
While the three of us froze in silence, Mom arrived on the scene. Looks like she'd woken up early and was exploring the new house.
She casually peeked into my room and said,
"…Kuroka, Ikki. Can I choose the name of my grandchild?"
"Huh… well, I guess if it's just suggesting names, that's fine?"
"Lovely. I'll look forward to it. But remember, keep things modest while you're still students, okay~"
And just like that, she walked off to continue her house tour.
Silence again.
"…Ikki, is that a normal mom reaction?" Kuroka asked, baffled.
"…Yeah, I don't think so."
Even if she couldn't see the cat ears and tail from a distance…
"She handled that remarkably smoothly…" Koneko muttered.
"…Let's just go do morning practice," I said.
There was no point in thinking about it too hard… probably.
=====================
After our group training session was over, we took turns showering and eating breakfast before heading out.
I was the only one heading to Kyoto, but I told my parents I was going on a training retreat with the Occult Research Club.
"All right, is everyone here? Let's move out."
Most of the Occult Club was gathered outside mine and Issei's house, Azazel-sensei, Yuuto, and even Gasper. Yuuto had escorted Gasper out of the house like a proper gentleman.
We began walking toward the nearest station together.
"By the way, Prez… we're going to the Underworld by train? I thought it'd be a magic circle or something."
"Normally, yes. But new devils have to go through official channels and register at least once. In emergencies or with special invitations, we can use magic circles, but they require paperwork every time."
That's… surprisingly bureaucratic.
"I see… Ikki, are you taking the train to Kyoto too?"
"Nah, I'll be teleporting. We'll part ways on the way."
This isn't really a vacation, I'll take the quick route.
"Teleportation? So senjutsu can do that too, huh?"
"Remember during the last summit? That guy, Bikou, used a technique to sink into the ground, he was riding the leyline flow to teleport. Like one of those moving walkways at the airport."
"Ohhh, I get it now," Issei nodded.
It was easier to explain with a concrete example.
Actually, I had somewhere I wanted to stop by before Kyoto. So I said goodbye to everyone and walked toward my old neighborhood.
After a short walk, I reached my destination and rang the doorbell.
Ding-dong!
"Yesss~? Who is it, nyo~?"
The voice that replied belonged to none other than Mil-tan. Yeah, this was Mil-tan's apartment.
"Oh, it's I-tan! Good morning, nyo~!"
The aura radiating off Mil-tan was intense. I could no longer sense the limits of his power. Even though I'd grown stronger, he'd probably grown faster, how far was he planning to go?
"Good morning. I actually moved yesterday, still within Kuoh Town, but I wanted to stop by and say hello."
After over a decade of being neighbors and sparring together, it felt right to say goodbye properly.
"Really, nyo? Thanks for the thoughtful visit~ But since you're still nearby, I won't be lonely~ Oh, wait here for a sec, nyo☆"
He darted back inside.
…What now? I only came to say hi.
I heard rummaging, and then,
"Found it, nyo!"
He returned and held out a small bottle of red liquid.
"A housewarming gift, nyo☆"
What is this…?
Apparently my confusion showed, so Mil-tan explained:
"It's the blood of the snapping turtle who healed you back when you got injured fighting those guys! You remember, right?"
Oh! That Phoenix Tears-type item! Wait… you still had some?!
Well, it makes sense, if you don't get hurt, you don't use it. And I can't even imagine Mil-tan getting injured in the first place.
"Are you sure it's okay to give me something so… rare?"
"No problem, nyo! Mil-tan has the 'Milky Milky Healing Hug of Love and Compassion™' now! Whenever someone gets hurt, I hug them with all my heart, nyo☆"
Oh god… he turned it into a technique…
How many people have fallen victim to it since…? As the first test subject, this hits too close to home.
"I… I see. Well then, thank you very much. I'll gratefully accept. I'll be going now."
"Come visit anytime, nyo~☆"
Too scared to ask more, I hurried away.
From there, I headed into a nearby forest, confirmed no one was around, and teleported to my destination: Reverse Kyoto.
=====================
I arrived in a plaza that functioned like a teleportation hub, not directly at Yasaka-san or Kunou's mansion. From there, I made my way on foot.
Reverse Kyoto, where the youkai live, operates on a night-like cycle. Makes sense, like devils, they're mostly active at night.
Though the effects are weaker than real night, just being in darkness is enough for most youkai to function at full strength.
I'd gotten used to the Edo-period aesthetics and the bizarre forms of the youkai wandering around. Long necks, flying heads, headless ones, or just a head, it's a diverse lineup. I'd long stopped questioning things like: "Where does the sake go when skeletons drink?"
Maybe I'll buy some catnip rice crackers or candy as souvenirs from the shop called "Nekomata-tei" on the way back.
Eventually, I passed through a massive torii gate and reached the mansion lit with blue lanterns. A fox youkai at the gate escorted me inside.
After waiting in the guest room, I was told Yasaka-sama was ready. I followed the guide deeper into the mansion and entered the usual room, Yasaka-san, Kunou, and their tengu attendant were already there. It's almost always these three.
"Long time no see, Yasaka-san, Kunou."
I greeted them as I sat down, and they returned the gesture.
"Indeed! It's always good to see you in person, Ikki!"
"It's been a while, Ikki-sama. The last time was during the cherry blossom viewing, wasn't it?"
That's right. Actually, I'd visited a few times before moving up a grade. Since I'd meet Kunou now and then, Kyoto trips weren't that rare.
"The peace treaty among the Three Factions has become big news here as well. Also, while not publicly announced, I hear the charges against Kuroka have been dropped… Could that perhaps be thanks to your efforts?"
"Yes. Fighting Kokabiel, Cerberus, and finally the White Dragon Emperor during the summit gave us enough leverage."
"That's wonderful! Now Kuroka is free, and Koneko can openly be with her as well, yes?"
Kunou happily wagged her ears and tail like it was her own achievement.
"Exactly. And Kunou, since you and Koneko have only ever spoken through holographic calls, why not come visit my house sometime?"
She lit up immediately.
"Really?! What do you think, Mother?"
Yasaka-san gave a wry smile at her excited daughter before answering.
"Let's see… the major factions are reaching out for peace. Since there's little opposition in the Kansai region, we expect a formal treaty around Obon. After that, there should be no issue."
Kunou, having received practical permission, was now beaming with joy.
Maybe it's simple, but seeing her happy made me smile too.
"Oh, and Ikki, one thing I'd like to confirm…"
"Yes? What is it?"
"How far have you gone with Kuroka?"
HUH?! Yasaka-san, why are you jumping straight into that?!
"You worked so hard for her sake. If I were in her position, I'd have already pushed you down and, "
Wait, wait, wait! Why is this woman so open about this stuff?! And right in front of her daughter, no less!
"What?! Ikki and Kuroka have gone that far?! Did you kiss?! Or, or did you go all the way and, you know, make a sacred vow?!"
"STOP!! Even if you put it that way, Kunou, you're way too young to be saying stuff like that!!"
"No need to be shy. Back in the day, 11–13-year-olds often married. For example, biologically, "
"Please stop, Yasaka-san! Next topic! Let's move on!!"
Please, no more sexy parent-daughter tag-team dialogue!
"Hmph. I haven't heard your answer yet, but fine. I'll just assume you two shared a night of passion and, "
"Kiss! We only kissed! We're still students, so we agreed to wait until after high school to have kids!!"
Before I knew it, I was screaming my lungs out, because if I didn't set this boundary now, I'd regret it for life. I'm already being dragged around enough as it is.
"Well, if that's been firmly decided, then no problem. Now then, as much as I'd like to continue this lighthearted talk, let's discuss why I summoned you to Kyoto."
The air shifted sharply, and I straightened up.
"To put it simply, "
Yasaka narrowed her eyes.
"It's about the rampaging Kunou Fan Club!!"
…Huh?
Just when did this turn into a comedy again?
=============
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