"He said it's his divine power," Yoimiya explained. "It can heal any injury or illness as long as the person isn't already dead."
"I thought about your hearing problem, Dad, so I used one for you."
"You silly girl!" Naganohara Ryuunosuke sighed.
"That thing could have saved your life someday! And you just used it on me? What a waste!"
"What do you mean waste?!" Yoimiya protested immediately.
"Dad, if it can restore your hearing, then it's absolutely worth it."
"Nothing is more important than you."
Ryuunosuke looked at his daughter with warmth in his eyes.
His girl truly was the most thoughtful child.
Then his expression became serious.
"Yoimiya, you must hide the remaining two crystals carefully."
"They're basically two extra lives."
"And you must never use them on anyone else. Don't even reveal the slightest hint that you have them."
"I know you're kindhearted," Ryuunosuke said firmly, "but these things absolutely cannot be used on outsiders."
"If the existence of these crystals becomes known, it will bring you disaster."
He understood his daughter too well.
Yoimiya was compassionate and easily empathized with others. If she used these crystals to help strangers and their power became known…
The consequences would be unimaginable.
"I understand," Yoimiya nodded.
She was kind, but not foolish.
Something with such miraculous effects would tempt anyone. If outsiders discovered it, greedy people might devour her without leaving even bones behind.
"But Yoimiya," Ryuunosuke said after a moment, "tell me more about this Akira Shindo."
"I'll cook first and tell you later," Yoimiya replied.
"I've only known him for half a day anyway."
"Ah Chen, you're back!"
The moment Akira Shindo stepped into the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko and Kitsune Saiguu came to greet him.
"Yep. I brought you two something good to eat."
Akira Shindo raised a hand and a food box appeared.
Fried tofu was a must, along with various fried skewers and a bottle of sake.
None of the three were ordinary people, so concerns like gaining weight didn't matter.
"Wait a second!"
Yae Miko suddenly sniffed the air and began sniffing around Akira Shindo like a curious fox.
"Well well!" she said, placing her hands on her hips.
"Which little girl did you flirt with today?"
"That smell… it's the girl from the Naganohara family!"
Akira Shindo was stunned.
She could identify someone just by scent?
Miko, are you a dog?
…Oh right. Foxes belong to the canine family.
Never mind then.
"It was her," Akira Shindo admitted.
"Yoimiya helped me out earlier today."
He placed the dishes on the table.
"Oh my, 'Yoimiya,' huh? You're already calling her by name so affectionately?" Miko hummed, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm.
Kitsune Saiguu watched the scene with amusement.
"Nothing happened between us," Akira Shindo said with a self-deprecating smile.
"That girl is very kind. I didn't have money when buying food, and she helped me out. That's how we met."
"She's still young and innocent. She probably wouldn't think about those kinds of things."
"To her, I'm just a normal friend."
He shrugged.
"Huh? Really?" Miko blinked, dropping the teasing tone.
She didn't actually care about such things—she had just wanted to tease Akira Shindo a little.
As a great yokai, she didn't share human possessiveness.
She didn't care how many women Akira Shindo might have around him.
As long as he stayed by her side when she needed him, that was enough.
"How could it not be true?" Akira Shindo shook his head.
"Yoimiya's kindness is given to everyone. I'm not special."
Hearing the subtle emotion in his voice, Miko covered her mouth and laughed softly.
Akira Shindo clearly had no idea how charming he actually was.
Even she found herself drawn to his aura.
Earlier that day she had asked Kitsune Saiguu what she thought of Akira Shindo.
Despite only meeting him recently, Saiguu already had a very favorable impression.
If even she felt that way, how could an ordinary human girl resist his charm?
"You're laughing in such a mischievous way," Akira Shindo said helplessly.
"Alright, you two. Stop laughing and come eat."
"Coming, coming."
Miko and Saiguu sat down.
Even if she didn't care about other women around him, Miko had no intention of helping Akira Shindo chase girls right now.
She and Akira Shindo were still enjoying their time together.
Aside from Kitsune Saiguu, she wasn't interested in letting other women take away the time that belonged to her.
After dinner, Kitsune Saiguu returned to her room to rest.
Having only recently been revived, she was still somewhat weak and needed sleep.
Meanwhile, Akira Shindo carried Yae Miko to a large rock on the mountainside.
Below them stretched the Chinju Forest, and the night scenery was beautiful.
"Ah Chen," Miko said softly, reaching up to stroke his cheek.
"This afternoon, I asked Saiguu what she thought of you."
"Do you know what she said?"
"What did she say?" Akira Shindo asked curiously.
"She said she likes you very much," Miko giggled.
"You've only known each other for a day, yet she already looked like she could devote herself to you."
"Aren't we the same?" Akira Shindo asked, holding her soft waist.
"I used the promise of resurrection to be with you. In a way, that's almost coercion."
"Are you unhappy about it?"
He looked at her seriously.
He wanted to know her true feelings.
"Of course not," Miko said, equally serious.
"I've never thought of it that way."
"In fact… I may have wanted a partner for a long time."
"And you appeared at the perfect moment."
"You're handsome, a god, and your personality is wonderful."
"Why would I be unhappy?"
Her voice softened.
"Since that war…"
"When Makoto died… when Kitsune Saiguu, Mikoshi Chiyo, and Sasayuri all left one after another… and Ei shut herself inside the Plane of Euthymia…"
"I've been alone for five hundred years."
"Many nights, when everything was quiet, I wondered whether I should find a partner."
"But no one ever moved my heart."
"And humans live such short lives—barely a hundred years."
"How could they stay by my side?"
"I didn't want to stand before a grave after a century and mourn alone."
Akira Shindo listened quietly, holding her tighter.
He could feel how much loneliness hid behind Yae Miko's playful, mischievous mask.
"But you're different," she continued.
"I thought carefully about your proposal."
"You're someone who could accompany me for a lifetime."
"And you can even bring Saiguu and the others back."
"Why would I refuse?"
She leaned closer, standing on her toes and gently kissing the corner of his lips.
"So I've never been dissatisfied with this 'deal.'"
"In fact, I'm grateful."
"Grateful that you like me."
"Grateful that I met the right person."
"I'll stay with you forever," Akira Shindo said softly.
"Until the seas run dry and the mountains crumble."
He lowered his head and kissed her red lips.
"For the rest of our lives… please take care of me."
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