"He said it's his divine power—it can heal any injury or illness, as long as it's not instant death," Yoimiya explained. "I thought about your hearing, Dad, so I used one for you."
"You foolish girl!" Naganohara Ryuunosuke sighed. "That was something that could save your life, and you just used it on me? What a waste!"
"What do you mean waste?!" Yoimiya protested, clearly unhappy. "If it can restore your hearing, then it's meaningful! Nothing is more important than you."
Ryuunosuke looked at her with deep satisfaction. His daughter truly was the most kind-hearted.
Then his expression turned serious. "Yoimiya, you must hide the remaining two crystals well. That's equivalent to two extra lives! And never use them on others. Don't reveal even a hint about them."
"I know you're kind, but this absolutely cannot be used on outsiders."
"If this gets exposed, it will bring you catastrophic disaster," he warned gravely.
He knew his daughter's nature. She was compassionate and easily empathized with others. But if she gave these away and their power became known… the consequences would be unimaginable.
"I understand." Yoimiya nodded. She was kind, but not foolish. Something like this would attract endless greed. If others found out, she'd be devoured without a trace.
"Still, Yoimiya, tell me more about Kagami Ren," Ryuunosuke said.
"I'll cook first, then I'll tell you," she replied. "We only met today, after all."
…
"Ah Ren, you're back!" As soon as Kagami Ren stepped into the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko and Saiguu rushed over.
"Mm, I brought you some food." Kagami Ren raised his hand, and a food box appeared. Fried tofu, of course, along with various skewers and sake.
None of them were ordinary beings, so concerns like weight gain didn't matter.
"Wait!" Miko abruptly leaned in, sniffing around Kagami Ren like a curious fox.
"Gotcha! Ah Ren, which little girl were you flirting with today?" she said, hands on her hips. "This scent… it's that girl from the Naganohara family!"
Kagami Ren was stunned. She could identify someone just by scent? Then again… foxes were part of the canine family. Fair enough.
"It was her. She helped me out today," Kagami Ren admitted, placing the food on the table.
"Oh? Calling her 'Yoimiya' so affectionately already?" Miko teased, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm.
Saiguu watched from the side with amusement.
"Nothing happened," Kagami Ren said with a self-deprecating smile. "She's just kind. I didn't have money when I bought food, and she helped me out. That's how we met."
"She's still young and simple. She wouldn't think about anything beyond friendship."
"Really?" Miko blinked, dropping her teasing tone. She hadn't actually cared—she just wanted to tease him.
As a great yokai, she wasn't bound by human norms. She didn't mind how many women Kagami Ren had around him, as long as he stayed by her side when she needed him.
"Of course," Kagami Ren shrugged. "Her kindness is for everyone, not just me."
Miko caught the subtle change in his tone and covered her mouth with a soft laugh. He still hadn't realized just how attractive he was.
Even she had been drawn to him, and when she asked Saiguu earlier, Saiguu—who had just met him—already held a high opinion of him. How could an ordinary human girl resist his charm?
"Why are you smiling like that?" Kagami Ren asked helplessly. "Enough laughing. Come eat."
"Coming, coming." Miko and Saiguu sat down.
Even though she didn't care, Miko wasn't about to help Kagami Ren chase other girls just yet. She was still enjoying her time with him and didn't want anyone else—except Saiguu—to take that away.
After dinner, Saiguu returned to her room to rest. Having just been revived, she was still weak.
Kagami Ren, meanwhile, carried Miko to a rock by the mountainside. Below them lay Chinju Forest, and the night view was quietly beautiful.
"Ah Ren," Miko gently touched his face. "This afternoon, I asked Saiguu what she thought of you. Do you know what she said?"
"What did she say?" Kagami Ren asked.
"She said she likes you very much," Miko replied with a playful smile. "You've only known each other for a day, and she already looks like she could devote herself to you."
"Aren't we the same?" Kagami Ren asked, holding her soft waist. "I used revival as leverage to be with you. Doesn't that feel… coercive? Are you unhappy about it?"
He looked at her seriously. He wanted to know how she truly felt.
"Of course not." Miko's expression turned equally sincere. "I've never thought that way. To be honest… I may have wanted a companion for a long time. And you just happened to meet all my expectations."
"You're handsome, a god, and your personality is good. Why would I be unhappy?"
"Ever since that war—Makoto's death, Saiguu, Chiyo, Sasayuri all gone… and Ei locking herself away in the Plane of Euthymia—I've been alone for five hundred years," Miko said softly.
"There were many nights when I wondered… if I should find someone to be with."
"But no one ever moved me. And mortals live such short lives—barely a hundred years. How could they stay by my side?"
"I didn't want to stand before a grave a century later, grieving."
Kagami Ren listened quietly, holding her tightly. Beneath her playful and cunning exterior lay a deep loneliness.
"But you're different," Miko continued. "I thought carefully about your proposal. You're someone who can stay with me for a lifetime… and you can bring back those I've lost. Why wouldn't I accept?"
She leaned closer, standing on her toes and placing a gentle kiss at the corner of his lips.
"So I've never been dissatisfied with this 'deal.' Instead… I feel lucky. Lucky that you like me. Lucky that I met someone like you."
"I'll stay with you forever," Kagami Ren whispered, lowering his head to capture her lips. "Until the seas dry and the earth fades. For the rest of my life… please take care of me."