Chapter 526 – Bringing the Tatari-gami Home
"This is…?"
When everyone saw what Kaiser pulled from his shoulder bag, they all froze. Yoshino Tomotake, especially, gasped in surprise.
"A shimenawa?"
Indeed, what Kaiser held was a length of straw rope adorned with zigzag-shaped white paper streamers—an unmistakable shimenawa.
Yoshino recognized it instantly. These sacred ropes were usually hung at shrine entrances as symbols of divine protection and purification. Mitake Shrine had plenty of them—especially in the inner sanctum where Yoshino performed her sacred dances each day. Even the massive boulder from which Kaiser had drawn Murasame-maru was surrounded by them.
In Shinto, the shimenawa marks the boundary of the sacred. It's used for purification rituals, symbolizing the division between the realm of the gods and the mortal world. They could often be seen draped across torii gates or wrapped around sacred trees and stones.
No one had expected Kaiser to bring one of those up the mountain.
Yoshino wasn't the only one surprised—Mako Hitachi also looked confused.
Only Murasame seemed to sense something unusual. Her startled voice echoed in Kaiser's mind.
"There's Divine Power in that shimenawa!"
That was correct.
The rope in Kaiser's hand was pulsing faintly with Divine Power—his Divine Power.
"It took me quite a while to figure this out," Kaiser said, tossing his bag aside and gripping the rope. "But it's finally going to come in handy."
Ever since deciding to capture a Tatari-gami alive, Kaiser had been thinking hard about how to actually pull it off.
Tatari-gami were manifestations of Filth—without true physical form. He had no idea why they appeared as vague, beast-like shapes, but their bodies were unstable, able to grow tendrils, melt like sludge, or even turn to mist.
To make things worse, nothing except Murasame-maru or other sacred shrine relics could harm them. You couldn't knock one out or restrain it; you could only exorcise it.
A creature that couldn't be tied down, caged, or subdued… capturing it alive sounded completely impossible.
Kaiser hadn't found any perfect solution, but one idea had stuck with him: Divine Power.
Since Divine Power could activate Murasame-maru's strength, affect Tatari-gami, and purify Filth, it should, theoretically, be capable of restraining one as well.
But slashing with Murasame-maru would only destroy the target outright. Charging in bare-handed while channeling Divine Power wasn't an option either—he'd purify it before he could capture it.
So he thought of something else: infusing Divine Power into a rope or similar object, imitating the nature of a sacred tool like the Hoko-suzu.
Unfortunately, Murasame had told him before that ordinary materials couldn't hold Divine Power. Even a Divine Blade like Murasame-maru couldn't store it for long. When Divine Power entered a human body, it caused severe strain, shaking even the soul itself. Only beings like Murasame—who had become a spiritual sacrifice bound to a sacred sword—could contain it safely.
Kaiser, of course, was a miraculous exception. Thanks to his unique affinity and Murasame's guidance, he had somehow achieved the impossible: Divine Power residing within a living human.
Under those conditions, creating an imitation sacred tool strong enough to restrain a Tatari-gami was absurdly difficult.
But after countless experiments, Kaiser discovered that objects frequently used in Shinto rituals—those that had accumulated a trace of sanctity over time—could, for a short while, hold Divine Power.
Take Yoshino's Hoko-suzu, for example. Passed down through generations of mikos in Hoori, it had gradually absorbed spiritual energy, granting it the ability to purify Filth and exorcise Tatari-gami.
The shimenawa ropes that decorated the shrine might not be special tools like the Hoko-suzu, but they were still imbued with sacred essence. That made them suitable for temporarily storing Divine Power.
So Kaiser had taken one from Mitake Shrine and infused it himself, turning it into a makeshift sacred binding.
"With this, we should be able to restrain that disgusting thing."
Kaiser sheathed Murasame-maru at his back, uncoiled the rope, and tossed one end to Mako.
"Mako, with me."
"Yes!"
She caught it instantly, moving to the opposite side. Together, they stretched the shimenawa taut, preparing to encircle the Tatari-gami.
"W-What about me?" Yoshino asked quickly.
"You stand by and cover us," Kaiser said without looking back. "If it tries to run, use your Hoko-suzu to drive it back into our net."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the Tatari-gami, which had been eyeing them menacingly, lunged forward again.
"Mako!"
"Got it!"
Kaiser shot forward, and Mako moved in perfect sync. As expected of a seasoned kunoichi—she matched his pace and timing effortlessly.
They charged straight toward the oncoming Tatari-gami, only to be met by a whip-like tendril lashing through the air.
"Crack!"
The strike shattered bark and splinters off a nearby tree, scattering debris everywhere.
Kaiser and Mako sidestepped at the last instant, splitting left and right with the taut rope stretched between them.
The Tatari-gami, still diving forward, crashed headlong into the glowing rope. Its momentum stopped dead.
"—!"
It immediately began to melt, trying to slip through the rope in liquid form.
"Not happening!"
Kaiser and Mako, anticipating that move, darted in opposite directions. The rope tightened around the creature, wrapping it in loop after glowing loop.
The shimenawa bound the amorphous body tightly, preventing it from dissolving completely. The sacred energy on the rope clashed violently with the Filth clinging to its body, sizzling like water on hot oil.
Seeing it couldn't break free, the Tatari-gami thrashed violently.
"So strong…!" Mako gritted her teeth as the creature's struggling nearly dragged her off her feet, gouging marks into the ground beneath her boots.
"Hold it!" Kaiser shouted, gripping his end tightly as the two wrestled against the beast's immense strength.
"Watch out!"
Murasame had reappeared in midair, hovering tensely above them. Her voice rose sharply.
The Tatari-gami suddenly leapt upward, dragging Kaiser and Mako with it as it tried to fling itself into the trees.
"Haah!"
Yoshino rushed in, crying out as she swung her Hoko-suzu down with all her might.
"Thud!"
The sacred weapon struck the Tatari-gami squarely, knocking it to the ground. Its body flickered and distorted, the edges of its form dissolving even further as its struggle weakened.
"Now, Mako!" Kaiser's eyes lit up.
He quickly looped the shimenawa around the creature's forelimbs. Mako moved just as fast, binding its hind legs.
The Tatari-gami writhed, extending multiple tendrils that lashed out wildly, forcing them both back.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
The black tentacles whipped through the dark forest, tearing up the ground and trees, scattering dirt and splinters everywhere.
"Stay—still!"
Kaiser retreated a step, then charged straight through the flying debris.
With a sharp metallic clang, he finally drew his blade.
Divine Power flooded through him into Murasame-maru. The sword trembled eagerly in his hand, the blade gleaming with cool, radiant light.
"Settle down already!"
Kaiser swung.
"Slash!"
A crescent of silver light cut through the air—severing the flailing tendrils in an instant. They evaporated into nothing.
Kaiser held Murasame-maru in one hand, grabbed his bag with the other, and strode right up to the bound creature. Then, without hesitation, he yanked the bag open and slammed it down over the Tatari-gami's head.
In one swift motion, he shoved the squirming creature inside.
The glowing shimenawa still wrapped around it pulsed faintly as Kaiser zipped the bag shut.
And just like that—silence.
The forest went utterly still. The tension hung in the air, heavy and unreal.
"D-Did we… do it?" Mako asked hesitantly, clutching her Kunai.
Kaiser stood still for a moment, hand on the bag. Then he nodded.
"I think that counts as a success."
The bag was still trembling faintly, bound tightly in glowing rope. The Divine Power within it was suppressing the creature completely.
Everyone stared—then turned to each other, faces pale with disbelief.
"We… actually caught a Tatari-gami?" Yoshino's voice was trembling.
"We really caught one alive…" Murasame murmured, eyes wide.
Since she'd become Murasame-maru's guardian spirit, she had witnessed countless battles between the Tomotake Family and the Tatari-gami—but never anything like this.
For generations, the Tatari-gami had always been something to be purified, destroyed—never captured. Fear and hatred had defined their relationship.
But Kaiser had done it.
He had broken the cycle.
Even Yoshino and Mako were too stunned to process it.
Yet the evidence sat right before them—sealed in a bag in Kaiser's hand.
"Let's take it back."
Kaiser hoisted the strap casually over his shoulder, as if carrying some sort of prize.
"I can already feel the Divine Power in the rope reacting with the Filth inside. Either the rope's energy runs out, or the Tatari-gami gets purified. One of the two will happen eventually."
That wouldn't do.
He'd worked too hard to capture it alive. He needed time to study it.
"Sorry, Yoshino-san," Kaiser said, glancing at Yoshino's beast-like ears. "You'll have to bear with the Curse a little longer."
As long as the Tatari-gami remained unpurified, the Filth would persist—and so would Yoshino's Dog Spirit Possession.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Mako asked worriedly.
If the Curse intensified over time, Yoshino's beast ears could eventually become visible to everyone. That had happened to every miko of the Tomotake Family throughout history.
At first, the Curse was manageable. But once it grew stronger, the beast traits became visible to ordinary people, and the corruption became irreversible.
That would be a disaster.
"I'll be fine," Yoshino said firmly, though a hint of unease flickered in her eyes. "If we've finally managed to capture one alive, we can't waste this chance."
Maybe—just maybe—they could learn something from it. Maybe they could finally break the Curse for good.
The thought alone filled her with hope.
Murasame felt the same—nervous yet excited. Her gaze softened as she looked at Kaiser, admiration shining through.
Her master truly was incredible. He had shattered centuries of stalemate in one night.
If this really led to freeing the Tomotake Family from the Curse, then her long years of guarding them would finally have meaning.
"This chance won't come again," Murasame said solemnly. "But just to be safe, Yoshino, don't stay too close to Master—and Mako, you should keep your distance too."
After all, the Tatari-gami was still a mass of Filth. Prolonged exposure was dangerous—especially for Yoshino, whose cursed blood made her even more vulnerable.
Only Kaiser, protected by Divine Power, could handle it without harm.
"Let's go," Kaiser said with a calm smile.
"Time to head down the mountain."
Chapter 527 – The Next Step
At the Tomotake residence, in the living room—
Yasuharu Tomotake hadn't gone to bed yet. He sat on the sofa, eyes fixed on the front door, waiting anxiously.
Normally, at this hour, he'd already be asleep. As the Head Priest, he had to wake up early to begin his duties, so he rarely stayed up late.
But tonight was an exception. Then again, any night when Yoshino went into the mountains to exorcise a Tatari-gami was an exception.
His daughter was up there risking her life fighting a monster—how could any father sleep soundly knowing that?
Every time a Tatari-gami appeared, he would wait just like this, praying to see his daughter return safely.
What he feared most was seeing her come home covered in wounds, exhausted and battered.
Like the last time, when Kaiser and Yoshino had fallen off the cliff together—just seeing the state they came back in nearly gave him a heart attack.
Of course, even that wasn't as terrifying as the thought of her never coming home.
If that ever happened, Yasuharu knew he would break.
Fortunately, his daughter wasn't alone anymore. With someone as strong as Kaiser by her side, he could breathe a little easier.
"With Kaiser-kun around… it should be fine, right?" he murmured to himself for the umpteenth time.
He had never seen Kaiser fight personally, but that didn't mean he was unaware of the young man's abilities.
Mako Hitachi had praised him multiple times—calling his swordsmanship extraordinary, his strength overwhelming. That alone gave Yasuharu some reassurance.
And of course, as a father, he'd made sure to learn more about his daughter's fiancé.
He knew that Kaiser had once won the national kendo championship and had even been called The Strongest High School Student in history.
He also knew Kaiser was the grandson of Genjuro Kurama from the Kurama Family—a lineage famous for its mastery of swordsmanship. Kaiser had trained under Genjuro since childhood, and even that strict, uncompromising man had nothing but praise for his grandson's talent.
Yasuharu was familiar with the Kurama Family's history—they were a prestigious sword school, and Genjuro himself was known for being mercilessly demanding.
For such a man to acknowledge Kaiser's power spoke volumes.
Having someone like that by his daughter's side, and one who could wield the Divine Blade Murasame-maru to Exorcise Tatari-gami and Purify Filth, gave Yasuharu genuine comfort.
He repeated that to himself like a prayer, trying to ease his own nerves—until he heard the sound of the door sliding open.
"They're back?"
Yasuharu immediately stood up, relief lighting his face.
A familiar voice called from the entryway.
"We're back, Yasuharu-san."
It was Mako's voice.
She entered the room, still in her ninja gear, expression unusually grim.
"Mako-kun? What's wrong? Where are Kaiser-kun and Yoshino?"
Seeing her come in alone sent a spike of dread through him.
Thankfully, Mako didn't let that dread linger for long.
"Kaiser-sama and Yoshino-sama are at the shrine," she said seriously. "Please come with me—we have something you need to see."
–––
Mitake Shrine, Inner Hall
In the great hall where the sacred boulder rested, one section had been cordoned off with a glowing barrier of shimenawa rope.
"Thud!"
Inside the glowing ropes, a writhing mass of dark sludge slammed against the barrier, only to be flung back violently, unable to escape.
The creature's shape constantly shifted—sometimes beast-like, sometimes amorphous. It rammed into the barrier again and again, tendrils whipping wildly, but every strike was repelled by the sacred rope.
Outside the glowing boundary stood Kaiser, Yoshino, Mako, Murasame, and now Yasuharu Tomotake, each watching with a mix of awe and disbelief.
"You actually caught a Tatari-gami… incredible," Yasuharu said, astonished.
He'd seen one before—many years ago.
Back then, when he was still young and hot-blooded, he'd secretly gone into the mountains himself. He couldn't stand watching his wife and daughter risk their lives while he stayed behind doing nothing.
He'd thought maybe, just maybe, he could Exorcise the Tatari-gami himself and spare them the danger.
But reality had been harsh.
Unlike Mako, he had no combat training. Unlike Yoshino, he couldn't wield sacred tools. And compared to Kaiser… well, there was no comparison at all.
He'd been completely overwhelmed and nearly died.
If not for the fact that Tatari-gami mainly targeted members of the Tomotake Family or those who had drawn Murasame-maru, he probably wouldn't have made it back alive.
Since that day, he'd never set foot on the mountain again—but he'd never forgotten the face of the monster that had almost killed him.
And now, that same kind of monster was right here—sealed inside his family's shrine.
Caught alive by his daughter and her fiancé.
It was enough to leave him utterly speechless.
When Kaiser explained that he'd captured it to study the creature in hopes of finding a permanent solution to the Tomotake Family's Curse, the shock on Yasuharu's face turned to quiet gratitude.
"You've gone through so much trouble for our sake, Kaiser-kun," he said sincerely.
He didn't need to imagine how dangerous that capture must have been. Yet Kaiser had risked it all for their family. That alone filled him with both respect and emotion.
"It's nothing," Kaiser replied casually, shaking his head. "Lifting the Tomotake Family's Curse is also Murasame and Murasame-maru's wish. Since they've accepted me as their master, I can't let them down."
"Master…" Murasame's voice trembled with emotion.
Kaiser smiled faintly and patted her head before turning to Yasuharu.
"Yasuharu-san, where do you think we should start?"
Yasuharu grew thoughtful.
He was completely serious about this.
In the past, when it came to the Tatari-gami and the Curse, he'd always been helpless—forced to watch from the sidelines. But now, he finally had a chance to contribute.
He might not have the Tomotake bloodline, but as the Head Priest, his knowledge of Shinto rites and history was second to none—even Yoshino's couldn't compare.
Still, when it came to the Tatari-gami, his experience was limited.
So, he decided to call for help.
"I'll contact Mitsuha-san. She should take a look at this."
With that, he left immediately.
"Mitsuha Komagawa… isn't she a doctor?" Kaiser asked, raising an eyebrow. "Does she also study this kind of thing?"
Murasame, who had been happily basking in his headpats until now, coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem… the Komakawa Family weren't always doctors," she explained. "They used to be a clan of onmyoji—spiritual practitioners who performed exorcisms and divinations. But after the rise of the samurai class, when spiritual arts fell out of favor, they shifted into medicine."
"That's right," Mako added. "When the Tomotake Family began taking over shrine duties, the Komakawa Family gave a lot of advice. And ever since Filth and Curses began appearing, they've served as the Tomotake Family's official physicians—handling both medical treatment and research on spiritual corruption."
Yoshino nodded. "Even now, the Komakawa Family has a huge collection of Shinto texts—maybe even more than we do. They've also compiled countless reports on Filth and Curses over the generations."
In other words, when it came to understanding Curses, no one in Hoori knew more than the Komakawa Family.
"No wonder," Kaiser said with realization.
He remembered when Mitsuha had treated him before. She had immediately noticed not just his physical injuries, but also the Filth clinging to him—and even prescribed a solution on the spot.
That level of insight didn't come from medical knowledge alone.
The Tomotake Family had fought against Curses for generations, and it had always been the Komakawa Family who supported them from behind the scenes. Their understanding of the phenomenon ran deeper than anyone else's.
So, they waited at the shrine for Mitsuha Komagawa to arrive—watching the captured Tatari-gami closely.
None of them dared to relax.
The shimenawa's restraint wasn't permanent. It wasn't a true sacred tool like Murasame-maru, nor had it been ritually consecrated for centuries. Every clash with the Tatari-gami drained the Divine Power inside it. Once that power ran out, the rope would lose its binding effect completely.
That was why Kaiser had to stay nearby, constantly re-infusing the rope with Divine Power to maintain its strength.
Of course, his Divine Power was still weak and limited. He couldn't sustain it forever.
"Let's just do our best," he muttered under his breath.
Half an hour later, Yasuharu returned—with Mitsuha Komagawa in tow.
"So this is…"
Her eyes widened behind her glasses as she took in the writhing black shape bound by glowing ropes.
"Mitsuha-san," Yoshino and Mako greeted, moving to meet her.
"Yoshino-sama," Mitsuha replied respectfully with a polite bow.
"Long time no see, Komagawa-sensei," Kaiser said.
"It has been a while, Kaiser-sama," she answered, inclining her head slightly. "I heard you were the one who captured this Tatari-gami alive. That's… truly remarkable."
"It wasn't just me," Kaiser said with a small smile. "Yoshino and Mako helped a lot."
Both girls immediately waved their hands in protest.
"We just helped a little! You did all the real work, Kaiser-san."
"That's right," Mako added. "Even without us, you could have done it alone."
Their admiration for Kaiser's strength was written all over their faces.
Yasuharu chuckled softly.
"You all did wonderfully. Thanks to you, we've broken away from the old cycle and found a new path forward. That's a huge step."
He turned to Mitsuha. "The rest is up to you, Mitsuha-san."
"Yes, Head Priest," she replied seriously, nodding. "I'll do everything I can."
Carrying her medical case, Mitsuha approached the restrained Tatari-gami, eyes sharp with focus.
"This will take some time," Yasuharu said, glancing back at Kaiser, Yoshino, and Mako. "You three should get some rest. Go wash up and sleep—we'll handle things here."
"I agree," Murasame chimed in softly, invisible to Yasuharu but hovering close by. "Master, Yoshino, Mako—you've all worked hard tonight. You're covered in Filth, especially Yoshino. Your ears still haven't faded."
"Take a bath. Soak in the hot spring, cleanse yourselves, then get a good night's sleep."
Clearly, she planned to stay and keep watch herself. After all, only she and Kaiser could replenish the rope's Divine Power.
Still, Yoshino and Mako looked uneasy.
"But…"
"Go," Kaiser said gently. "There's nothing more we can do here. Rest up first—then we'll see what else needs to be done."
At that, Yoshino and Mako hesitated, then nodded and left together.
Kaiser, however, didn't follow them.
Instead, his eyes flickered as he stepped quietly back toward the shimenawa.
"Master?" Murasame tilted her head, puzzled.
Kaiser looked at her, expression suddenly serious.
Chapter 528 – The Truth Behind the Curse
At this moment, Yasuharu Tomotake and Mitsuha Komagawa were both focused on studying the Tatari-gami that kept ramming against the barrier rope. Neither of them noticed what was happening on this side.
Because of that, Kaiser and Murasame were practically alone. As long as they didn't make too much noise, it was unlikely that Yasuharu or Mitsuha would pay them any attention.
That was also why no one noticed the air between Kaiser and Murasame had grown heavy.
Only Murasame seemed to realize something, her expression shifting slightly.
"...Is there something you wish to say to me?" she asked after a moment's hesitation.
Anyone could tell from the mood alone that whatever Kaiser wanted to bring up wasn't going to be a small matter.
And indeed, it wasn't.
"Rather than saying there's something I want to tell you," Kaiser said, looking at her steadily, "it's more like there's something I need to ask."
"I was planning to ask Yasuharu-san or Dr. Komakawa, but they'd probably be too mindful of Yoshino-san's feelings. Hitachi would be the same."
"So, you're the only one I can ask, Murasame."
From the way he said it, Murasame already had a good idea of what was coming.
"It's about the truth of the Curse, isn't it?" she asked softly.
It was obvious from his words. Whatever he wanted to know involved Yoshino Tomotake—something everyone else hesitated to speak about out of concern for her.
And there was only one topic that fit that description: the Curse.
"Although you all already gave me some explanations before," Kaiser said calmly, "it's clear from Yoshino-san's attitude that what I know so far is only part of the truth."
"There's still much you've hidden about the Filth and the Curse, isn't there?"
He had realized this long ago. That was why he'd been trying to uncover the secrets of Hoori, to seek out the real truth.
"I used to think I could take my time, piece it together slowly," he continued. "But now that we've captured a Tatari-gami alive and started studying it, staying half-informed about the Filth and the Curse will only hold us back."
Kaiser's gaze was firm.
"So I want to hear the parts I still don't know—from you."
"Please tell me, Murasame."
"I'm the wielder of Murasame-maru—your master. That means I'm not an outsider, right?"
In other words, if they kept hiding things from him now, it would be going too far.
"This…" Murasame looked conflicted, then sighed softly. "It's not that I don't want to tell you. In fact, I've wanted to tell you for a while now, Master."
"But as long as Yoshino keeps that stance, I can't just say it on my own."
"It's not that I wanted to keep it from you, it's just…"
Her tone was hesitant, even a bit guilty—but that didn't change Kaiser's resolve.
"Like I said before—back then, I let it slide. But now we've captured a Tatari-gami alive. Keeping secrets from me isn't being considerate toward Yoshino-san anymore—it's being disrespectful and irresponsible toward the Tomotake Family and everyone in Hoori who's suffered under this Curse for generations."
He didn't mince words.
"If we really want to find a way to break the Curse, how can we do that without knowing the whole truth?"
"I've already taken a huge step forward. We have a living Tatari-gami now. Even Yasuharu-san said he was glad to see progress after all this time. So if you all keep standing still instead of moving forward with me—"
"—you'll only be holding me back."
His blunt tone made Murasame let out a wry smile.
"You really know how to talk, Master," she said, shaking her head slightly. "But you're right. If our stubbornness ends up slowing your research on the Curse, that'd be shameful of us."
She glanced forward. "Right, Yoshino? Mako? You two agree, don't you?"
At those words, Kaiser turned toward where the two girls had left earlier—only to see Yoshino Tomotake and Mako Hitachi standing there once again, watching him with complicated expressions.
Especially Yoshino—her face was filled with such complex emotions that anyone could see it.
"...You came back?" Kaiser said quietly.
"I'm sorry," Mako spoke first. "I noticed you hadn't followed us, so I..."
Yoshino might have ignored it, but a kunoichi like Mako would never miss something like that. Thinking something was wrong, the two had turned back—only to overhear everything Kaiser just said.
"In a way, it's good you came," Murasame said lightly. "You heard him, right? What will you do?"
Mako immediately turned to Yoshino—this was her decision to make.
Yoshino lowered her gaze, her expression still conflicted, but this time she didn't show the same rejection she used to whenever the topic came up.
"Kaiser-san is right," she finally said after a long silence.
"At this point, keeping it hidden isn't just holding everyone back—it's disrespectful and irresponsible to the Tomotake Family and all the people of Hoori who've suffered because of this Curse."
Her voice grew firmer as she raised her eyes to meet his.
"Kaiser-san," Yoshino said. "After you've had your bath tonight—before you go to sleep—could you come to my room for a bit?"
It was clear she had made up her mind to tell him the truth herself.
"Alright," Kaiser nodded. "I'll come."
———
As the only man in the group—and the least fatigued—Kaiser naturally didn't compete with the girls for the bath. After returning to the Tomotake residence, he let Yoshino and Mako go first before soaking in the bath himself.
Ever since gaining Divine Power, Kaiser could purify Filth on his own, so bathing was no longer about cleansing impurities—it was simply for relaxation and washing away fatigue.
By the time he came out, Mako had already left to return to the Hitachi Family, and Murasame was still with Yasuharu and Mitsuha at the shrine.
In other words, only Kaiser and Yoshino remained in the Tomotake residence.
Kaiser didn't feel nervous. He walked calmly down the corridor until he reached Yoshino's room.
"Yoshino-san," he called softly, knocking on the door.
"Yes, I'm here," came her immediate reply. "Please, come in."
Kaiser slid open the door and stepped inside.
It was his first time entering her room.
What greeted him was a traditional Japanese-style chamber, much like his own. Unlike other girls' rooms, it wasn't filled with a feminine touch. If anything, it felt a bit too plain—just like its owner.
The girl known throughout Hoori as their Miko, revered almost like a princess, had a heart much like this room: devoid of ordinary warmth, untouched by the casual charm of girlhood.
She had been destined for such a life since birth.
"Sorry for disturbing you so late," Yoshino said gently, motioning for him to sit.
She had already changed out of her chihaya and miko robes into a soft yukata-like nightgown. Her hair was still damp, her skin dewy and radiant, and the faint scent of soap lingered in the air.
"This was my choice, so there's no need to apologize," Kaiser said, unsure if Yoshino realized how distracting her appearance was to a boy his age. He took the cup of tea she poured for him, hiding his unease behind a polite sip.
"Even so, I have to apologize," Yoshino said quietly but firmly. "I'm truly sorry for keeping something so important from you all this time."
"I've told you before—whether to tell me or not was your right," Kaiser replied, setting down his cup. "Besides, you're telling me now. It's not too late."
Then his expression grew serious once more.
"So, can you tell me—the truth about the Curse?"
Yoshino exhaled softly. "No… I should be the one asking you—to listen."
She ran her thumb along the rim of her teacup, staring into the surface.
"You already know the legend of Hoori, right?"
"The one where a youkai bewitched the neighboring lord, leading him to attack Hoori, only for the people—blessed by the gods and wielding Murasame-maru—to drive him back?" Kaiser nodded. "Is there something wrong with that story?"
"More or less," Yoshino said. "It's a version made for the public. Even if it's based on truth, it's been… heavily edited."
"The parts that couldn't be told were stripped away long ago. Only a handful of people know the real story."
That made sense. Myths meant for public ears could never tell everything. The truth was always messier—and crueler.
As Kaiser listened intently, Yoshino began to speak, her voice calm yet distant.
———
In the beginning, it was merely a story about two brothers.
They were opposites in every way.
The elder brother was selfish and short-sighted, ruled by his desires. Whenever things didn't go his way, he lashed out, venting his rage on everyone around him.
The younger brother, in contrast, was noble and kind, skilled in martial arts, and respectful to all—even those beneath him. The people adored him.
Both were heirs of the Tomotake Family, rulers of Hoori. When they came of age, the question naturally arose: who would inherit the family and the land?
The answer was obvious. Compared to the reckless elder, the younger brother was far more respected.
And so, he was chosen to become the next lord of Hoori.
The elder brother, consumed by pride and greed, refused to accept that.
Thus began the conflict over succession—a struggle that soon grew into chaos.
To seize power, the elder brother resorted to the unthinkable: he invited the neighboring country's army into Hoori.
The truth was, the neighbor hadn't been bewitched by any monster. It was the elder brother who had been deceived—no, tempted—by them into betraying his family and his homeland.
Not only did he open the gates to foreign soldiers, but out of hatred for his father, his brother, and the Tomotake bloodline itself, he sought out a hidden Dog God in the mountains—and through a forbidden ritual that defied heaven and enraged both gods and men, he sacrificed it.
The Dog God's wrath, fused with his curse, brought disaster upon the land.
Hoori fell into ruin.
Famine, plague, floods—one calamity after another ravaged the region.
The Filth piled higher and higher, poisoning the land, while the Curse settled upon the Tomotake Family itself.
And then, when Hoori was already on its knees, the invading army struck again.
The younger brother fought desperately to protect his people, training harder than ever, leading every battle himself in a hopeless struggle to save what remained.
Until one night, he had a dream.
In that dream, a divine voice told him of a sword.
A Divine Blade, granted by the gods of Hoori—capable of purifying Filth, exorcising calamities, and driving out enemies.
To awaken it, he needed to offer a human pillar—a living sacrifice.
"A human pillar…" Kaiser murmured under his breath.
"Yes," Yoshino replied, her voice tinged with sorrow. "A frail girl, born sickly, whose life was already fading."
There was no need to ask who it was. They both knew.
It could only be Murasame.
She became the sacrifice—the human pillar—and vanished from the world. In doing so, she became the guardian of the Divine Blade, the vessel of its Divine Power.
With that power, the younger brother purified the Filth, quelled the disasters, repelled the invaders, and finally struck down his own brother, ending the tragedy he had started.
But...
"The Curse on the Tomotake Family still remains, doesn't it?" Kaiser said quietly.
"...Yes." Yoshino's eyes dimmed.
And the room fell silent.
Chapter 529 – I Still Want to See You Dance
According to Yoshino Tomotake, although most of Hoori's Curse had already been lifted and major disasters no longer occurred, Filth still accumulated on this land. When it reached a certain threshold, it would once again manifest as a Tatari-gami.
When that happened, the daughters of the Tomotake Family would trigger the Curse within their blood—beast-like ears would appear on their heads. Even if they repeatedly exorcised the Tatari-gami and purified the Filth, there would come a day when they could no longer suppress the Curse's eruption.
At that time, the beast ears—normally visible only to certain people—would become visible to everyone. That was how the legend of the "Dog Spirit Possession" had spread through the land.
Of course, the Curse didn't just make people grow animal ears.
Even without Yoshino's explanation, Kaiser had already noticed the deeper scars it left behind.
After all, he'd been living in the Tomotake household for some time. From what he'd learned, the Tomotake bloodline had been single-descendant for generations, and for a very long time, no male heir had ever been born.
Yoshino's mother had been the only daughter of her generation, just as her grandmother before her had been, and so on up the line. Every generation produced a single heir—and always a daughter. The Tomotake Family had survived for centuries by bringing in husbands to marry into the family.
Yasuharu Tomotake himself had married into the Tomotake Family, as had Yoshino's maternal grandfather, and those before them. Yoshino, too, was the sole heir of her generation. That was why Kaiser had once brought up the topic of marrying into the family during his conversation with his mother.
This pattern had persisted for hundreds of years—ever since the Curse first appeared.
And that wasn't all. The Curse also shortened the lives of each generation's heirs. Almost none had lived past fifty.
Yoshino's mother had died young—barely forty.
That was why the elders of Hoori were so anxious about Yoshino's engagement, and why she herself had been forced into constant arranged meetings despite her young age. If anything happened to her, the Tomotake bloodline would end completely.
Kaiser had already suspected as much, even before Yoshino confirmed it.
Now that she had spoken it aloud, her expression dimmed even further.
The uncertainty of her future, the grief over her mother's early death, and the sorrow she felt for generations of her family weighed heavily on her heart. For her to sit there quietly, face pale but composed, was proof of remarkable strength.
"I think I understand now," Kaiser said softly, sighing. "The reason you didn't want to tell me before—it's because all of this started with your family, isn't it?"
Everything traced back to the Tomotake heirs centuries ago, when the brothers had turned on each other over the family inheritance.
Because of the elder brother's selfishness and greed, the younger brother's descendants—and even the people of Hoori—had borne the Curse. The entire land became the collateral damage of one man's hatred.
The neighboring country might have played its part, but the one who invited them in, the one who unleashed the calamity upon Hoori, was of Tomotake blood.
In other words, it was a family shame—a dark history that could never be spoken to outsiders.
Yoshino had kept it secret partly because of that, but also because she knew full well that the source of all suffering lay within her own bloodline.
She hadn't wanted to use a lofty excuse like "for the sake of the people" to justify asking Kaiser to risk himself for her family's sake.
More than anything, she didn't want an innocent outsider to get dragged into danger because of her.
And if she revealed everything, her own condition would be exposed as well.
After all, how could she possibly tell a man she'd only recently met that if the Curse wasn't broken, her family would never bear sons, and she herself was doomed to die young?
Wouldn't that sound like emotional manipulation—or a plea for pity?
Yoshino didn't want anyone to know the corner she was backed into.
She'd always believed this was her burden to bear—something she had to resolve herself, without troubling anyone else.
But now, she could no longer keep it hidden. Kaiser had learned the truth of the Tomotake Family's plight.
"Murasame-sama, Mako, even my father… ever since you arrived, Kaiser-san, they've all been so happy," Yoshino said, her fingers twisting together tightly. "Because they believe your appearance might change everything."
"In the past, our ancestor—the younger brother who once wielded Murasame-maru—used the Divine Blade to repel the enemy army, purify the Filth, and save Hoori. Now that someone can use the blade again, they can't help but hope."
It wasn't just them. Deep down, Yoshino herself had felt that same flicker of hope.
After centuries of suffering, perhaps this man—like their ancestor—was the destined one who could break the Curse.
But after wrestling with her thoughts, she had forced that idea down and distanced herself from him.
He was an outsider. Why should he risk his life for her family's sins?
The Tomotake Family had fought the Curse for generations, and every one of them—including Yoshino's mother—had failed. All had suffered, all had fallen, broken and exhausted, until their lives were cut short.
No one understood that pain more deeply than Yoshino herself.
Some people, after walking through the rain, want to hold an umbrella for others. Others, soaked and bitter, want everyone else to feel that same cold.
Yoshino was the former.
She had wanted to keep Kaiser far away from it all—to protect him from the same suffering.
But—
"In the end, I was the one who was powerless," Yoshino murmured. "If you hadn't been strong enough… if you hadn't been who you are, my decisions might've doomed you instead."
She remembered the night he went up the mountain to seek the truth—the night he might have died because of her silence.
All her attempts to protect him had only dragged him deeper into danger.
"I'm sorry," she said, bowing her head deeply. "I've caused you so much trouble… kept things from you… made you suffer because of me."
Her head dipped lower and lower until it almost touched the tatami. Her posture resembled a full dogeza, her voice trembling with guilt. Even her beast ears drooped weakly, as if mirroring her shame.
"Don't be like that," Kaiser said with a wry smile, stepping forward to gently lift her by the shoulders.
"I've said this before—it's your choice to speak or not. You had every right to keep it to yourself," he told her softly. "And besides, it's not too late to talk about it now."
"Knowing the Curse's true origin will only help with our research. At least now I won't be fumbling in the dark."
Until now, he hadn't even known where to begin. But with the truth finally in hand, he could start piecing everything together.
"...Are you sure it's alright to trouble you with this?" Yoshino asked quietly, looking up at him from such a close distance, her eyes full of uncertainty.
She still didn't want to involve anyone else—to endanger anyone else.
"I told you, this isn't just your problem anymore. It's mine too," Kaiser said, meeting her gaze directly. "I might be an outsider, and I don't think pulling out Murasame-maru makes me some kind of chosen savior. But I'm also not the kind of guy who'd take all the benefits and walk away."
Murasame-maru had granted him Divine Power, opened the door to a hidden world most people never even knew existed. That alone was something he couldn't ignore.
He hadn't been dragged into this unwillingly—he'd chosen to step into it.
"Besides," Kaiser added with a small smile, "even if it's only on paper, I'm still your fiancé, right? That means I'm not a total outsider."
"Or are you the kind of person whose pride won't let her accept help from her own fiancé?"
"N-no, that's not it at all," Yoshino stammered, her cheeks flushing as she looked up at him. "It's just… someone as troublesome as me doesn't deserve someone like you, Kaiser-san."
Kaiser couldn't help but chuckle.
She was the Miko of Hoori, beautiful to the point of unreality, and yet she still spoke of herself like that.
He'd long since realized Yoshino wasn't cold-hearted at all. She was simply cautious, easily unsettled, wary of things she didn't fully understand.
Looking at her now—so nervous and uncertain—it was hard to believe this was the same girl who had once been so distant and untouchable.
Actually, no—when they first met, she hadn't looked cold at all.
She'd been serious—focused—dancing in front of the shrine.
He could still remember that sight vividly.
Yoshino's Kagura Dance had been breathtaking. Anyone who saw it would be entranced.
These days, he often trained with her in the mornings. In the afternoons, she practiced her dance alone, and he'd occasionally watch from the side. Every single time, he found himself captivated.
It was the one thing that always made his heart stir, no matter how hard he tried to stay calm.
Without realizing it, he spoke.
"I still want to see you dance again," Kaiser said, his voice low but firm. "So until I've had my fill—don't you dare die on me."
Yoshino's eyes widened slightly, her entire body freezing in place.
No one had ever spoken to her like that before—with such blunt confidence, almost like an order.
And yet, instead of anger, she felt her heartbeat quicken.
Especially with Kaiser standing so close, his hands still resting on her shoulders, their faces only inches apart—her pulse raced even faster.
She didn't understand why, but she suddenly recalled one of the shoujo manga Mako had once shown her—
When the boy and girl looked into each other's eyes like this... what happened next?
Mako's teasing voice echoed in her head.
"Don't tell me you two have already kissed behind our backs?"
Kiss...
Kiss?!
Yoshino's face turned crimson in an instant.
She had no idea that her expression only made her look even more irresistible.
Kaiser hadn't planned anything, but seeing her flushed cheeks and panicked eyes, even he couldn't help where his thoughts wandered.
And with no one else home—the entire Tomotake residence silent around them...
Only the two of them remained.
A thought flickered through Kaiser's mind.
This is practically an invitation.
He wasn't some naive teenage boy anymore. So he lowered his head.
The first brush of his lips against hers was gentle, almost questioning. Yoshino froze, her eyes flying wide, a soft sound of surprise catching in her throat. But Kaiser didn't pull away, and after a heartbeat of stunned stillness, neither did she.
Her lips were soft and warm, trembling slightly beneath his. Kaiser deepened the kiss, tilting his head to fit their mouths together more fully. Yoshino made another small noise, but this time it wasn't surprise. Her hands, which had been hovering uncertainly at her sides, finally moved to clutch the front of his shirt.
When he coaxed her lips apart and swept his tongue into her mouth, she gasped. The taste of her, the feel of her melting against him, was intoxicating. Kaiser pulled her closer, one hand sliding into her hair while the other settled at the small of her back.
By the time he finally pulled away, they were both breathless. Yoshino's lips were flushed and slightly parted, her eyes hazy and unfocused. A deep blush had spread across her cheeks and down her neck, staining her pale skin pink.
"Kaiser-san..." His name came out as barely a whisper, trembling on her lips.
He looked at her, really looked at her. The Miko of Hoori, always so composed and untouchable, was falling apart in his arms. Her long dark hair had come partially loose, strands escaping to frame her flushed face. Even her beast ears, usually held so properly alert, were folded back in a mixture of uncertainty and something that looked like want.
"We should stop." The words came out rougher than he intended. His hands, still resting on her waist, made no move to let go. "If we keep going..."
"I know." Yoshino's fingers tightened on his shirt. She wouldn't meet his eyes. "I know what happens next."
The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken possibilities.
"Do you want me to leave?" Kaiser asked quietly.
Her grip on his shirt turned almost painful. When she spoke, her voice was so soft he almost missed it.
"...Stay."
His heart stuttered in his chest. "Yoshino..."
"I said stay." She finally looked up at him, and the emotion in her eyes took his breath away. Fear, yes, but also determination, and beneath it all, genuine want. "I... I want this. With you."
"Are you sure?" He cupped her face gently, searching her expression for any hint of doubt. "We don't have to rush. There's no pressure."
"I'm sure." She covered his hand with her own, pressing it against her cheek. Her voice grew firmer. "I've never been more sure of anything."
The sincerity in her words broke something loose in his chest. Kaiser kissed her again, but this time it was different. Slower, deeper, savoring rather than questioning. Yoshino responded in kind, her lips parting for him without hesitation, a soft sound escaping as his tongue swept against hers.
When they finally broke apart, her eyes were dark with desire.
"Come here," Kaiser murmured, gently guiding her backward. The backs of her knees hit the edge of her futon and she sat down heavily, looking up at him with wide eyes.
He knelt in front of her, his hands moving to the elaborate ties of her miko outfit. "May I?"
Yoshino nodded, her breathing already unsteady.
Kaiser worked the knots slowly, carefully, giving her every opportunity to change her mind. But she didn't. The white haori slipped off her shoulders, pooling around her waist. Underneath she wore a simple white nagajuban, the thin fabric doing little to conceal the shape of her body beneath.
"You're beautiful," Kaiser breathed, his hands tracing up her sides.
"I'm not..." Yoshino moved instinctively to cover herself, but he caught her wrists.
"Don't hide from me." His voice was gentle but firm.
Her beast ears flattened in embarrassment, but she lowered her hands.
Kaiser leaned in, pressing kisses along the curve of her jaw, down the column of her throat. Yoshino's breath hitched, her head tilting back to give him access. When his lips found the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, she let out a soft, breathy sound that shot straight through him.
"Kaiser-san..." she breathed, the honorific trembling on her lips as his teeth grazed her pulse point.
His hands slipped beneath the nagajuban, finding smooth, warm skin. Yoshino jerked at the contact but didn't pull away. He took his time, mapping the curve of her waist, the dip of her spine, learning what made her shiver and what made her lean into his touch.
When his palms cupped her breasts through the thin binding cloth, she whimpered.
"Sensitive here?" He brushed his thumbs over her nipples, feeling them harden through the fabric.
"I don't know." Yoshino's voice was shaking. "I've never... no one's ever..."
"Good." The possessive edge to his own voice surprised him. "Then I'll be the first to find out."
He unwrapped the binding carefully, revealing her breasts. They were modest, perfectly proportioned to her slender frame, with pale pink nipples already peaked. Kaiser lowered his head and took one into his mouth.
Yoshino's back arched, her hands flying to his hair. A broken sound escaped her throat as his tongue swirled around the sensitive peak. He lavished attention on both breasts, sucking and licking until she was squirming beneath him, unconsciously pressing her thighs together.
"Kaiser-san, please... I feel..."
"Tell me," he prompted, looking up at her.
"Hot. Everywhere." Her face burned. "And... down there it feels... empty."
Hearing the usually composed Miko struggle to describe her own arousal nearly undid him. Kaiser's voice came out rough when he spoke.
"Lie back. Let me take care of you."
Yoshino obeyed, settling onto the futon. Her hair spread out around her like a dark halo, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Kaiser made quick work of removing the rest of her clothing, revealing her body inch by inch.
She was stunning. Slender but soft in all the right places, skin flawless and pale. When she tried to close her legs, embarrassed by his gaze, he caught her knees.
"Don't." His hands stroked up and down her legs soothingly. "You're gorgeous. Don't hide from me."
"I trust you," Yoshino whispered, and something in Kaiser's chest tightened at those words.
He settled between her thighs, taking his time. When he finally touched her, just a light brush of fingers, she gasped sharply. She was already wet, her body responding to him in ways she clearly didn't fully understand yet.
"All this from kissing?" Kaiser traced her folds gently, learning what made her gasp and twitch.
"Yes..." Yoshino's hips lifted involuntarily, seeking more. "Please..."
He slid one finger inside her carefully, watching her face. She was incredibly tight, her walls clenching around the intrusion.
"Oh..." Her eyes flew wide, mouth falling open. "That's..."
"Does it hurt?"
"No. It feels... full. Strange. But good?"
He worked that single finger slowly, letting her adjust to the sensation. When she started rocking her hips, matching his rhythm, he added a second. She gasped, her hands fisting in the futon, but she didn't ask him to stop.
Kaiser pumped his fingers steadily, his thumb finding her clit and rubbing gentle circles. The combination made her cry out, back arching.
"Something's happening," Yoshino sounded almost panicked. "I feel like I can't..."
"Let go. I've got you."
His fingers curved inside her, finding that spot, and combined with the steady pressure on her clit it was too much. Yoshino came with a choked cry, her whole body shaking as pleasure crashed through her.
Kaiser watched, transfixed, as she fell apart. When the last tremor faded, she lay boneless on the futon, chest heaving.
"That was..." She couldn't finish.
"Your first?" he asked gently, withdrawing his fingers.
She nodded weakly. "Is it... always like that?"
"It gets better." Her eyes widened in disbelief, and he couldn't help but smile.
He removed his own clothing, acutely aware of her gaze tracking his movements. When he was finally naked, her eyes fixed on his erection.
"That's going to..." She swallowed hard. "Inside me?"
"Yes." He positioned himself between her legs again. "Are you still sure?"
Yoshino reached up, cupping his face with both hands. Her beast ears, which had been folded back nervously, perked up with determination.
"I want you. All of you."
Kaiser kissed her deeply before positioning himself at her entrance. "This might hurt at first. Tell me if you need me to stop."
"I will."
He pushed forward slowly. Yoshino gasped, her hands flying to his shoulders, nails digging into his skin. He was stretching her, and even with preparation it was a lot.
"Breathe," Kaiser reminded her, holding perfectly still. "Just breathe."
Yoshino took a shaky breath, then another. Gradually the burning stretch began to ease into something else, a fullness that felt right somehow.
"Okay," she whispered. "You can move."
Kaiser pulled back slightly and thrust forward again, going deeper. Yoshino whimpered, but her legs wrapped around his waist, urging him on. He worked himself inside inch by inch, jaw clenched with the effort of going slow. When he was finally fully seated, they both groaned.
"You feel amazing," Kaiser gritted out.
Yoshino couldn't respond, too overwhelmed by the sensation of being completely filled, joined with him in the most intimate way possible. When she experimentally rolled her hips, they both gasped.
"Do that again," Kaiser breathed.
She did, and they found a rhythm together. Slow at first, then gradually building. The pleasure between them grew, sweet and warm and overwhelming.
"Kaiser-san..." Yoshino's voice was breathy, desperate. "More..."
He increased his pace, thrusting harder, deeper. The quiet room filled with the sound of their movement, their harsh breathing, soft gasps and moans neither of them could contain.
Yoshino was making the most incredible sounds, breathy and desperate, her hands roaming his back and shoulders like she couldn't decide where to touch him. Her beast ears were fully perked forward now, quivering with each thrust.
"Touch yourself," Kaiser said roughly. "Show me."
Her eyes widened in shock, but when he guided her hand between their bodies, pressing her fingers against her clit, she obeyed. The added stimulation made her cry out, walls clenching around him.
Something wild and desperate was building inside her, coiling tighter and tighter.
"Kaiser-san, I'm going to..."
"Let go. I want to feel it."
His next thrust hit something devastating inside her and Yoshino shattered. She came hard, barely managing to muffle her cry against his shoulder, her whole body convulsing. The rhythmic clenching of her walls pulled Kaiser over the edge. He thrust into her hard and fast, chasing his own release until pleasure whited out his vision.
They collapsed together, both panting and trembling. Kaiser shifted his weight so he wasn't crushing her but stayed buried inside, not ready to break the connection.
"Are you okay?" he asked when he could form words again.
"More than okay," Yoshino murmured, her arms wrapped around him.
They lay like that, catching their breath, basking in the afterglow. Eventually Kaiser started to pull out, but Yoshino's legs tightened around him.
"Not yet. I like... being connected like this."
He was already beginning to harden again at her words. Yoshino's eyes widened as she felt him growing inside her.
"Again?"
Kaiser grinned. "You said you wanted to stay connected."
"I did, but..." Her protest died as he rolled his hips, sending sparks through her oversensitive body.
"I want you again," he murmured against her throat. "Is that alright?"
Instead of answering, Yoshino pulled him into a kiss, deep and hungry, nothing like the shy girl from earlier. When they broke apart, her eyes were dark with renewed desire.
"Yes. Again."
This time was different. With the initial nervousness gone, Yoshino was bolder, meeting his thrusts eagerly, her hips rolling to take him deeper. Her hands explored his body without hesitation now.
Kaiser flipped them so she was on top. Yoshino gasped at the new angle.
"You control it," he told her, hands steadying her hips. "Take what you need."
It took her a moment, but then she started moving. Tentative at first, then with growing confidence. The sight of her above him, hair wild, face flushed with pleasure, was almost enough to undo him right there.
Yoshino found a rhythm that worked for her, grinding down in a way that stimulated her clit with each movement. The pleasure was building faster this time, more intense.
"I can't... it's too much..." she gasped, but she didn't stop.
Kaiser sat up, changing the angle, and Yoshino cried out. He wrapped one arm around her waist while his other hand tangled in her hair, pulling her into a messy kiss. They moved together frantically, chasing another peak.
When Yoshino came this time, she sobbed his name, her whole body seizing. Kaiser followed moments later, groaning into her shoulder.
They stayed locked together for long minutes, both trembling and gasping for air.
"I never knew it could feel like this," Yoshino whispered against his neck.
"Neither did I," Kaiser admitted truthfully.
They came together twice more before exhaustion finally claimed them. Once with Kaiser behind her, Yoshino biting the futon to muffle her cries. And once more in the early morning hours, slow and tender, face to face, eyes locked as they moved together.
By the time sleep took them, they were tangled together, Yoshino curled against Kaiser's chest with his arms wrapped securely around her. The last thing Kaiser registered was the soft tickle of her beast ears against his chin, and her quiet, contented breathing.
The night passed in tender intimacy, marked by whispered names and gentle touches, two people who had finally stopped holding back.
Chapter 530 – Were You Hiding It on Purpose?
The quiet night passed in silence, marked by some people working diligently on research while others made emotional breakthroughs that changed everything.
Inside the Tomotake residence—still and undisturbed—the air of tenderness lingered in the Japanese-style bedroom, warm and unbroken until dawn.
When the first light of morning had yet to touch the horizon, Kaiser's eyes opened slowly.
The first thing he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling.
This isn't my room.
He woke up instantly.
A soft, warm breath brushed against his neck, making it tickle. A faint fragrance—clean and sweet—hung in the air. Something soft and yielding pressed against his chest.
He lowered his gaze instinctively, and the sight of a beautiful girl with beast-like ears sleeping soundly in his arms brought back everything that had happened.
Ah.
This is Yoshino's room.
Last night, he hadn't returned to his own room. He had fallen asleep right here—holding the Miko-sama who had, unfortunately for her, fallen into the wolf's den.
As he recalled the night's events, a grin crept up on his lips, the expression one of quiet satisfaction.
"Didn't expect happiness to sneak up on me like this…"
Compared to all the accidental moments of "good fortune" he'd had before, this one felt infinitely better.
"Mm… Kaiser…"
A sleepy murmur stirred against him. Yoshino Tomotake, apparently used to waking up at this hour, propped herself up groggily, rubbing her eyes.
"Morning," Kaiser said with an easy smile, taking in the sight before him.
"Morning…" came her soft, drawn-out reply.
But when her gaze fell upon the man lying beneath her—and the all-too-familiar furnishings of her own bedroom—she froze.
Memories of last night surged through her like a crashing wave. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth.
"I—I… last night…?!"
Her stunned voice made Kaiser's smile widen with amusement.
"You were pretty bold," he said with an exaggerated thumbs-up. "Honestly, you even surprised me. Who would've thought the pure, composed Miko could turn out to be so… passionate once her switch was flipped?"
That much had genuinely caught him off guard.
At first, he'd only acted on impulse, stealing a kiss without thinking. He thought that alone was pushing things fast for the stage their relationship was at.
But before he knew it, Yoshino had completely lost herself in the moment.
And what could he do then? Refuse a gift straight from heaven? Of course not.
"I—I…" Yoshino's face flushed scarlet. She looked ready to die of embarrassment.
"No, that's not— it's not like that!" she stammered, hiding her face, her ears and even her neck burning red.
She probably couldn't even believe it herself—that she'd acted that way.
"T-that wasn't me! It couldn't have been me! I'd never—!"
Her voice trembled, half hysterical.
"Alright, alright. Relax," Kaiser said quickly, catching her hand before she buried her face again. He smiled reassuringly. "Honestly, it's fine. Sure, it was unexpected, but come on—we're engaged. We already agreed to give this relationship a chance. I'd say things are progressing quite nicely, wouldn't you?"
"If Yasuharu-san found out, he'd probably be thrilled."
"So yeah. No need to overthink it."
At least, that was how he felt.
Thinking back on how much he'd agonized over the engagement before, Kaiser couldn't help but laugh. Who would've imagined things would develop this fast?
They'd agreed to "try it out"—and that "trial" had gone straight to the final stage.
A twist of fate indeed.
Fortunately for him, he'd come out on top. Last night had been… more than rewarding, and Yoshino had been far from the reserved, distant priestess she used to be.
Now that things had reached this point, Kaiser saw no reason to fight it.
After all, he hadn't exactly resisted temptation either. And if that was a mistake, well—what man wouldn't make it?
Yoshino, however, was far from calm.
"You must think I'm such an easy woman," she said miserably, tears brimming in her eyes. "I resisted the engagement for so long, and then last night I was just… like that…"
Her voice broke in shame and frustration.
"How could I?"
"Hey, hey. Don't cry," Kaiser said quickly, alarmed. "Look, the past is the past. Back then, neither of us was really thinking about being together, right? Things are different now."
"We've been through danger together. We've fought side by side, fallen off cliffs, trained together—and now even the engagement doesn't feel so forced anymore, right?"
"So why keep clinging to what used to be?"
He wasn't sure if it was reassurance or sweet talk, but he said it with a rare gentleness.
"...Really?" Yoshino looked at him through wet lashes. "You really don't think I'm... cheap?"
"Of course not." Kaiser chuckled. "If anything, I think last night you were incredibly—mmmph!"
Before he could finish, her hand clamped over his mouth.
"That wasn't me!" she hissed, face glowing red. "And you're not allowed to bring it up ever again!"
"Alright, alright," Kaiser said after prying her hand away, smiling helplessly. "But seriously, you don't need to look like I bullied you. Anyone who walked in right now would think I forced you or something."
"Well, you did," Yoshino muttered, sulky. "You just suddenly kissed me out of nowhere. It was way too much."
"The mood got to me," Kaiser admitted, scratching his cheek. "Besides, you didn't exactly resist, did you? I'd even say you enjoyed it."
She blushed furiously, stammering, "I… I didn't expect it to feel so good, that's all…"
That line almost made him lose control all over again.
Who would've thought the princess of Hoori would say something so disarmingly honest?
All Kaiser could do was sigh. "You really live up to your title, Miko-sama."
That contrast—so pure, yet so dangerously honest—was lethal.
"Don't call me that," Yoshino protested softly. "And don't call me Yoshino-san either."
After everything that had happened, hearing him use such formal titles just felt… wrong.
"Then…" Kaiser smiled faintly. "How about Yoshino?"
"Mm." She nodded shyly. "My father, Mako, and Murasame-sama all call me that."
"So I'd like you to as well."
"Then shouldn't you call me something else, too?" Kaiser teased. "'Kaiser-san' sounds pretty stiff, you know."
"Why the honorific?" he said with a grin. "Just call me Kaiser. Everyone close to me does."
"Ah… A-Kaiser?" Yoshino repeated, her face flushing again. "That feels weird. Maybe… Kaiser-kun?"
"You'll get used to it," he said firmly. "I might live in Hoori now, but where I'm from, we don't use honorifics like you do here. Even when Yasuharu-san calls me 'Kaiser-kun,' it feels weird to me. So if you do the same, it'll really throw me off."
He was far more comfortable being called by name, plain and simple.
The whole Japanese habit of adding honorifics to everything wasn't really his thing.
"Unless," Kaiser added slyly, "you'd prefer something even more affectionate? Some couples start calling each other baby, sweetheart—or even 'husband'—after this point."
"No way!" Yoshino squeaked, face burning. "That's impossible!"
"Then how about 'dear'? People here say that too."
"W-we're not married yet!"
"So? My mom used to call my dad that way before they got married."
"What?!"
Yoshino looked completely scandalized.
Kaiser's mother was a Kurama Family heiress, wasn't she?
Wait, the Kurama heiress was that bold?!
"I can't," she said at last, shaking her head so fast her hair whipped around. After a long moment of internal struggle, she whispered, "I'll just… call you Kaiser."
Kaiser smiled. "You said it—no take-backs, and no honorifics from now on."
He looked far too pleased with himself, which only made her pout harder, feeling like she'd been tricked.
But that pout soon softened.
"Yoshino?"
"Mm… Kaiser."
"Yoshino."
"Kaiser."
"Yoshino."
"Kaiser."
"Yoshino!"
"Kaiser!"
Before long, the two of them were just calling each other's names back and forth, louder and louder, laughing all the while.
For Kaiser, it was amusing. But for Yoshino, it felt different.
Every time she said his name, warmth spread through her chest—a tangible sense that their relationship had truly changed.
For the first time, she felt that the man before her wasn't just part of her duty. He was someone she wanted by her side.
Smiling softly, Yoshino leaned into Kaiser's arms.
Poor Kaiser didn't stand a chance.
When he rolled over, making her gasp softly, a panicked voice suddenly rang out from the hallway.
"Yoshino!"
It was Murasame.
"Yoshino! Have you seen the Master? He's—"
The sword spirit froze mid-sentence as her gaze landed on the two tangled figures in the futon.
"...Murasame-sama?!" Yoshino's face turned bright red.
"…" Kaiser went stiff as a board.
The three of them stared at each other in horrified silence.
"…My apologies," Murasame said at last—and vanished.
"Aaaahhhh!"
Yoshino's scream shook the entire house.
———
A long while later, peace returned to the Tomotake residence.
Kaiser and Yoshino, both fully dressed, sat side by side on the tatami. He wore a forced calm; she was red to the tips of her ears.
Murasame reappeared, smirking mischievously.
"So," she drawled, "care to explain?"
Kaiser gave her a deadpan look. "Explain what?"
"Should I thank you for not coming back last night?" he added dryly.
"If the Master wishes to thank me, I wouldn't refuse," Murasame said with a teasing grin. "After all, I did not interrupt you two."
"How considerate," Kaiser replied flatly. "Do I owe you a gift for that?"
"No need," she said sweetly, eyes glinting. "I just didn't expect you and Yoshino to… progress so suddenly. There were no signs of this at all!"
She gasped theatrically. "Wait—don't tell me you were hiding it on purpose? That's so unfair!"
Kaiser resisted the urge to groan.
He wanted to tell her that even he hadn't seen it coming.
But since things were what they were, he just sighed and said, "You were pretty panicked earlier. Don't tell me it was just because I went missing?"
At that, Murasame's teasing expression vanished. Her face turned serious.