"What do you think I should buy with my money?"
Kurumu walked between Rubi and Yukari as they neared the cemetery flanking the trail to the chapel. The older witch wore a black lace jacket which came down to her calves in several different segments. A black tube top held her bosom while slender black slacks defined the curves of her hips. Glossy black platform boots with silver buckles almost came up to her knees. A black leather weave purse with a silver zipper hung from her shoulder.
"I don't care what you do as long as it is not around me."
Kurumu smiled at Yukari's gruff response. The younger witch had on that periwinkle tee which was covered with glitter and stars. A knee length pair of denim shorts did nothing to betray her femininity. Black sneakers with white laces graced her feet.
"It's not like our trip will be private. At least Suzume will be with us."
"That doesn't mean I want Rubi or Moka with us."
"I suppose I can go shopping with Ms. Akashiya."
This was the first time Kurumu had worn this silky, teal halter top which bared her midriff. The swaths of fabric coming down from her neck crossed and held her breasts firmly in place like a sports bra. She had to suck in this morning to button up this denim skirt which hugged her hips. Her phone barely fit in the back pocket. The pleated section of this skirt ended a whole finger length shy of her knees.
"Maybe you could take Mizore with you. I doubt she's doing anything special right now."
"But I don't think Ms. Shirayuki gets along with Ms. Akashiya."
"It will be fine if Tora is with you. You both need to enhance your wardrobes."
"But I don't need more panties and pajamas."
Kurumu had to laugh as she noticed the red brick tower of the chapel in the distance. It stood at least three stories and housed a bell beneath a sharply peaked roof topped with black tiles.
"There's more to a wardrobe than panties and pajamas. You should at least buy yourself some bras."
Rubi cupped her tits and jiggled them.
"Bras are to support sagging breasts. Mine are perky."
"I'm not saying every outfit requires a bra, but you should wear one beneath blouses."
"She should buy more school acceptable outfits. I don't know why the Headmaster allowed her to wear school attire. It's misleading to our peers."
"But we know why. Rubi has indecent shoulders, too sensual to be left bare. Boys simply could not study with such a distracting display of sexuality."
Rubi pouted, absently touching her shoulder.
"I can't help that I was born this way."
"Rubi… that was a joke. But Yukari is right. You could buy more outfits."
"That seems like a terrible waste."
"Well what do you want to buy?"
"How much does a sewing machine cost?"
"Sewing machine? I have no idea. Why would you want one of those?"
"I've been thinking about getting one ever since Ms. Hitori showed me how to use one."
"I haven't seen you in home economics in weeks."
"It was that day you missed school. After your big charm."
The four tengu girls waited on the stone steps preceding the double doors which served as the chapel's main entrance. The red brick chapel stretched off to the north, taking the form of a cross with two side chambers further away from this trail.
"I thought you were paid after that."
"Ms. Nekonome had no idea how much they cost or where I could buy one."
"You probably could ask Ms. Hitori."
"I have and she told me where I could buy one. After wearing that costume she made for me on Sports Day, I've really wanted to be able to make my own outfits."
Kurumu smirked, doubting she wanted to know what sort of outfits Rubi would make for herself.
"Well I need to get some sewing stuff myself. Where are you going to pick up your sewing machine?"
"If I have the money, I'll buy it from Spindles. It's a store near the recycling center."
"I have no idea where that is."
"Neither do I but I'm sure a local will help me find it. Oh and Ms. Hitori told me to go to Ueda's Fabrics for fabric and thread. She said the stuff at Spindles is more expensive."
Kurumu nodded, familiar with that shop. It was next to Illumination which was the corner store not far from Bows and Strings.
"Kurumu!"
Suzume was waving excitedly from her perch on top of the low wall flanking the steps. A black, metal handrail was anchored into this wall which Michiko and Hatoko leaned upon. Kiki stood off to the side with her hands folded at her navel. Unlike the other three, Kiki was wearing a plum blouse not suited for flying. Her ruffled black skirt was about as long as Kurumu's. Her russet tresses were pulled up in their usual five tails. Kurumu also had her hair back in her updo, tied with her purple lace ribbon.
Suzume hopped off the wall to meet them halfway. She was wearing that black tank top with the back torn out. The golden ring at the end of her thick, braided tresses bounced on her perky bottom. Her crimson spandex shorts looked painted on, betraying the lines of her bikini panties beneath. Suzume held her arms out wide with a blue sequined clutch in her left hand. Kurumu gave the girl a hug.
"Hugging again?"
Suzume giggled, promptly withdrawing to arms' length. She pouted at Yukari.
"I bet you hug Kurumu all the time."
Yukari huffed with a blush, walking by to join the others on the stone steps.
"She hugs me. Not the other way around."
Taking Suzume by the hand, Kurumu wandered back to the others. Michiko nodded at her. The tall brunette was wearing a white tank top with electric blue spandex shorts. She was also wearing bikini panties beneath the tight fabric.
"So when did you get this outfit?"
"Mr. Yamadachi from class seven. Or rather his mother. She was friends with my mother and bought me the outfit that weekend before Sports Day."
Suzume giggled, shaking her head.
"I wish I had random strangers buying me pretty clothes."
"Kagami's mother also bought me a bright pink sundress."
Hatoko snorted, crossing her arms below her bosom contained in her cream colored halter top. A tight fitting pair of denim shorts hugged her thighs. Her chestnut hair flowed freely down her back.
"Figures. Whores flock together."
Kurumu smiled softly, deciding not to mention the reason why these ladies bought her clothes. She squeezed Suzume's hand, gesturing at Hatoko.
"I didn't know you owned a pair of denim shorts."
"So? Kid wearing a pair."
Kurumu took in a deep breath, supposing small talk was lost on the belligerent bird.
"Tora mentioned that Kagami lives on the same floor as you guys. Is everything okay?"
Kiki looked away as Michiko regarded Hatoko.
"Hatoko beat the feathers off her yesterday morn."
"Is she still going to Mononoke with Nomura and Kazehana?"
"Naw. Got invited to some party with the other harpies from class five. In Mononoke so we nots coming with you after flying."
"Her fault for being a whore."
"Shut up, you dumb bitch. You better hope that Ms. Kagami doesn't tire of your attitude."
"Ya shut up, fucking peacock."
"She's right, Hatoko. We might be faster than harpies, but they're stronger. She hits you in the face and you're done."
"I show ya who done."
"Stop it."
Hatoko scowled at Michiko.
"Yer pa is worthless like all men. Not say no to free pussy."
"I live because of pa. No right to judge."
The bell sounded out the end of the service, breaking the tension. Squeezing Suzume's hand, Kurumu turned a slight smile upon Kiki.
"What about you? Are you going to that kimono activity Ishiko told us about?"
"I am. And I don't want to get all sweaty so I won't be flying today."
"Yea, I was thinking I wouldn't bother flying either. What exactly are you girls doing for the fashion club at today's activity? I thought only the older girls are wearing dresses."
"They want us present for opinions when the girls try on the dresses Mr. Hatsutori has completed."
"Moka!"
The last time Moka had worn that scarlet corset dress had been at Kahlua's wedding. The strapless dress was hemmed with black lace and billowed out after her hips to fall shy of the knees in the front while being longer in the back. Crimson hose stretched from her thighs to disappear into black leather boots which were laced all the way up to her calves.
As Yukari latched onto Moka's side, Tora exited the chapel. The sphinx had left her raven tresses out of their braids and was sporting a black halter top with black cotton shorts.
Kurumu flinched when the succubus from last night stepped out of the church with her brother on her heels. They were dressed in the same attire as last night. While other parishioners emerged and took off down the trail towards the nearest parking lot, the siblings followed Moka to their group.
"What is Ms. Suukei doing here?"
"Paying my respects to the Lord."
Moka managed a smile as she gestured to the pair.
"This is Suukei Miryou, a Fairy Tale officer working for my father. And this is her brother, Ensou."
The siblings bowed in response, prompting Kiki and Suzume to do the same. Hatoko huffed, pushing away from the wall.
"They coming with us?"
"I'm sure they have more important matters to tend to."
"I don't, Ms. Akashiya. And I am here on your father's behalf. I don't work for him."
Moka smiled thinly. She gestured at the other girls.
"These are my friends that live on the second floor of the dorm with Ms. Nazohashi. Two are in my homeroom while the other two are in homeroom with Ms. Nazohashi."
"I am Honda Kiki, one of the girls in Ms. Akashiya's homeroom. The girl with Ms. Kurono is Tobuyoku Suzume, a childhood friend of mine."
"Can we fly if they tag along?"
"And this is Hanetsume Hatoko. The last girl is Dangai Michiko whom is from my homeroom."
"Such a wealth of friends. I can see why you're reluctant to leave."
Hatoko huffed, crossing her arms.
"Asked if we can still fly."
"Fly? Have you had enough of Ms. Kurono's blood to develop wings?"
"No! I mean… can we discuss true forms?"
"I'm sure she knows your true form, Moka."
"But it is a valid question. I have not divulged my true form to Ms. Suukei."
"I am aware that you are a sphinx, Ms. Nazohashi, and that your mother is a judge in Osaka."
Tora paused thoughtfully.
"Since I lived with humans and only attended human schools, I didn't know how to fly. These girls have helped me learn a few tricks to do so."
"If we not flying, going home. No point hanging out."
Kurumu squeezed Suzume's hand.
"I think it's up to Tora. I don't plan to fly and neither does Kiki."
"If Kurumu isn't flying, than I'm staying with my Moka."
As Rubi murmured her indifference, Tora absently fussed with the hem of her halter top.
"It's not like Ms. Hanetsume requires my permission to fly."
Moka let out a sigh, rubbing Yukari's shoulder.
"I think we should cancel for the day. I'll see you in class tomorrow."
"Waste of time."
Hatoko huffed, stalking off towards the start of a narrow trail which cut through the forest and would eventually end up at the dining hall. Michiko pushed off the wall and started to follow.
"Are you coming, Suzume?"
"I'm staying with Kurumu."
Nodding, Kiki hurried off to catch up with Michiko. The two slipped into the woods after Hatoko.
"I do apologize. It was not my intent to ruin your plans for the day."
Moka smiled softly.
"It was not like I could fly with them."
"If we aren't flying, than what do we plan to do?"
Kurumu shrugged, glancing back down the trail towards the cemetery.
"Maybe hang out in Moka's suite?"
"Can't we go to Mononoke?"
"It's too early for that, Rubi. And you were supposed to take Mizore with you."
"I guess I could go look for her."
"Good. When you find her, we'll be waiting in Moka's suite."
"Will that be okay?"
"Why not? Kokoa already took off with her friends so it will just be us."
Moka grimaced, glancing at Ms. Suukei.
"I suppose we can entertain guests."
"I am in your care, Ms. Akashiya. After you."
Still holding Suzume's hand, Kurumu turned and started down the trail at a slow pace. She glanced over her shoulder, confirming that Moka was following. Yukari was clinging to Moka's side while Tora walked between the vampire and the siblings. Rubi remained behind with eyes closed and lips moving silently, casting the spell to track Mizore's locket.
"So do you regularly go to church?"
"As a child, I was raised in the Christian faith."
There was not enough room on the trail for the whole group to walk side by side. Kurumu's leisurely pace only caused everyone else to walk slower.
"Does your brother talk?"
Ms. Suukei laughed pleasantly, glancing at the imposing young man keeping to her shadow.
"My brother is shy around strangers."
"Does he work with you?"
"He is always at my side."
"I didn't know succubi could have brothers."
Ms. Suukei laughed in a relaxing manner.
"Of course we can, Ms. Kurono. My brother is human."
"Strange. Your brother masks his presence surprisingly well for a human."
The succubus smiled at Yukari.
"No. I mask his presence. And he also has a little magical trinket that helps. Show them, Brother."
The man nodded, reaching up to unbutton his collar as they started passing the cemetery. With three buttons down his black shirt, he pulled a silver cross out which hung from a silver chain about his neck. The figure of a scantily clad man was pinned to the cross.
"What is that?"
"A symbol of our faith, Ms. Kurono. That the Lord sent down his son to die for all sins."
"It's a crucifix, Kurumu."
"Oh. Some Christian thing. So is your brother older or younger?"
"My brother is four years older than me. His parents split up during the pregnancy with me. His father was convinced that my mother had committed adultery and could not forgive her."
"Fathers can be surprisingly unforgiving. Even as ministers of the faith."
The tone in Tora's voice tugged at Kurumu's heart.
"Did your mother remarry?"
"She did not. As my mother had not been having sexual relations with her husband at the time of my conception, she was convinced that I was a gift from God and devoted her whole life to the church."
"What about your succubus mother?"
Ms. Suukei smiled softly at Kurumu.
"I have no idea whom that was."
"I don't get it. Why would your succubus mother abandon you?"
"It's impossible to know why, Ms. Nazohashi. I have been given possible explanations from my superior, Ms. Miburui, whom knows more about our race than most."
"But it only makes sense that a mother would stick around to make sure that her babies survive."
"Not every girl develops a full understanding of what she is."
"It's hard not to notice something is up when you suddenly sprout a tail and wings."
"Quite true, Ms. Kurono. A frightful experience for the unprepared. Many take to the streets and end up living a life not much better than a stray animal. Most likely my succubus mother was a homeless girl about your age whom by a stroke of luck, found a compatible partner. She then kept mating with him and impregnating nearby women with little to no understanding of what she was doing. When her mate died, she died with him."
Kurumu stopped in her tracks, forcing the rest of the group to come to a halt. They were close to the start of a narrow trail which cut through the woods to the back side of the boys' dorm.
"I was the world to my mother."
"As was I, Ms. Kurono. My human mother adored me. It pains my heart to know it was my sin that took her from this world."
"What happened to your mother?"
"Perhaps I should show you."
Mr. Suukei tugged at the white ties of her white collar piece. With the laces undone, she unfastened the two buttons at her throat before tugging the white fabric off. She handed it off to her brother, whom took it with a nod. The succubus proceeded to undo the buttons down her black top. Once she was down to the ones straining under her bosom's girth, she abandoned the task to loosen up her cuffs.
"I hope none of you are offended by my appearance."
The woman resumed undoing the buttons at her bosom. Her bare breasts spilled out, filling the air with a sensual aura. Kurumu had to resist the urge to touch those milky globes of flesh, squeezing Suzume's hand for support. Tora succumbed to the unspoken invitation, timidly touching the woman's breast.
"I apologize for the temptation. I rarely undress before others without the intent of intercourse. Bear with me for a few more moments."
The woman tugged on her sleeves to free her arms. Allowing the garment to hang off her hips, the succubus let out a sigh and relaxed her shoulders. A single chiropteran wing eased out from her back on her right side. Her brother stepped out of the way so that she could flex the black, leathery appendage. Tora gasped, backing away.
"How is that possible?"
"A birth defect?"
"No, little one. The results of a poor mother trying to understand the situation."
"She broke it off?"
Ms. Suukei smiled with a distant look in her eyes.
"She was crying. Said it was a mistake. That God had given me the wrong wings. She needed to get rid of these so I could have the right ones."
"I wasn't there."
His voice was soft and soothing. His sister turned loving eyes upon him.
"It was not your fault."
"I couldn't do anything."
Ms. Suukei reached over to touch his sleeve.
"Brother was busy with cram school when it happened. Studying to get into a good high school. The neighbors heard my screams and broke up the bloody process. I was taken to a hospital while our mother was put in prison."
"And that's when Fairy Tale found you."
Ms. Suukei shivered, pulling away from her brother. She eased her wing back in.
"No. Fairy Tale found my mother. The devil came for me."
"The devil?"
Ms. Suukei pulled up her garment, slipping her arms back into the sleeves.
"The Lord works in mysterious ways. Sometimes he will even send the devil to your rescue."
"Whom is this devil?"
The succubus paused before starting to button up.
"Lord Fujisaki. He happened to be in the vicinity when the event happened. He plucked me from the humans before Ms. Miburui could."
Yukari eyed the woman suspiciously as Ms. Suukei buttoned up her blouse. With each button fastened, the sexual aura about them diminished.
"How do we know that you're not working for him now?"
"I have not had contact with Lord Fujisaki ever since he finished using me in every sense of the word. When he let me go almost two years after the incident, I searched for my brother. The poor thing. He attended my funeral."
"But wings normally come out before puberty. Like ten or twelve."
Ms. Suukei paused to adjust her breasts inside the blouse.
"While he did teach my body the pleasures of sex, it was not the reason he needed me, Ms. Kurono."
"What did he need you for?"
"He wanted to become immune to the charm of succubi. Mrs. Shuzen has quite a few of us at her disposal and that posed a problem for him."
"I am here because my mother wants me here."
Ms. Suukei smiled, turning to her brother. The man returned her collar piece.
"You are here because your mother sabotaged your father's efforts to take care of you."
"My father has aligned himself with Lord Fujisaki whom wants to revive Alucard, the monster which killed my birth mother."
With the collar buttons done, Ms. Suukei started tying up the laces.
"Your father did what he had to do in order to be reunited with his family. Even if it means dancing to the devil's tune for now."
"I want to believe you. But he doesn't even feel like Father anymore."
Ms. Suukei finished up her task and smoothed out her garment.
"Give it time, Ms. Akashiya. Come with me and you can be a family again."
"I can't."
"You have your answer. Now leave us alone."
Ms. Suukei chuckled at Yukari's defiant remark.
"Nonsense. I must enjoy Ms. Akashiya's hospitality."
"I have no idea what is going on, but that was very sexy."
Kurumu laughed, squeezing Suzume's hand. Tugging on the girl, they resumed their walk.
"It's end of the world nonsense. Lord Fujisaki is a bad man that apparently rapes little girls."
"That is in the past, Ms. Kurono. Sins can be forgiven if the sinner wants them to be."
"Did you forgive him?"
"Forgiveness is for yourself, Ms. Nazohashi. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those whom trespass against us. God will do his part. We must ensure that we do ours."
They walked a short way in silence.
"I find your faith admirable, Ms. Suukei."
"It is my rock. My shield. My heart would have broken long ago if I had given up on God's love."
"You do have your brother."
"I do have that. He was so surprised to see me again. After the arrest and funeral, he dropped out of junior high. He was working at a convenience store when I found him. We lived together for over a year before I caught the attention of Ms. Yashin."
"What did you do?"
"I tried to charm a school official into letting my brother register for the national college exam. It was a dumb idea that I thought was good at the time."
"Did he get to go to college?"
"No. But I got to go to high school in Jitama Academy. They gave me a residence in Kunitama if I agreed to join Fairy Tale and become their agent for Kanagawa prefecture."
Kurumu nodded, seeing the end of the trail up ahead.
"What happened to your mother?"
"She was hanged for murder."
"Oh. I'm sorry. Did you ever get to see her again?"
"I didn't. I asked Ms. Yashin to find her for me before my first year of high school. That first summer she had me visit my mother's grave. It was… frustrating. My falsely reported death caused my mother to die. It was very difficult for me to forgive Ms. Miburui for letting that happen."
They walked in silence to the end of the trail. Veering to the right, they took the path towards the school.
"But don't you work for Ms. Miburui?"
"I mostly work with Ms. Yashin and Lord Sagami, the prefectural officer of Kanagawa. I probably would have never joined Fairy Tale if it had involved working with Ms. Miburui regularly."
"How long have you worked for Fairy Tale?"
"Ever since I graduated five years ago."
"Have you worked frequently with my father?"
"Your father didn't become the region commander until this July. I only knew Lord Zensa by reputation prior to his promotion."
"If you don't know him that well, how can you be so sure that he's not working with Lord Fujisaki?"
"I'm a succubus capable of seeing the truth in the hearts of men. I learned the entire situation while he was indulging in my company. He certainly knows how to satisfy a woman."
Tora huffed, shaking her head.
"For a follower of the faith, you seem to indulge in adultery."
"It is my weakness. I enjoy passionate sex. And Tenfuku is only two hours away from Kunitama. If my brother didn't get so lonely, I would spend more nights in Lord Zensa's bed."
"This is the weirdest way of trying to get a girl to go back to her father. I doubt I'd want to go home to my dad banging a new chick."
Kurumu had to laugh at Suzume's remark.
"Do we have to go there first?"
Yukari huffed as they turned down the street between identical, single story brick buildings. The beige store on their right was Got Ya Covered while Buckle Up was the brown store on their left.
"I see no reason to wait."
Kurumu pouted, glancing at Suzume. The girl merely smiled and shrugged, holding her sequined clutch against her hip.
"Can't we look in Sports Station first? I need to find out if they have sports bra that will work for me."
"I still can't believe that woman this morning wasn't wearing a bra."
Kurumu sighed as they walked by the stores crowded close together which lined this street. The first one on their left with the black and red paneling was Matsuri, which carried a bunch of festival goods. The same sized store next to it with the white paneling had a sign for Toji Services. The long building on their right lacked any signs to indicate what it was for or if it was occupied.
"When you're that big, finding a bra in your size is a chore."
"I don't trust her. She said she had all day to nag us but suddenly had plans after lunch."
The next concrete building on their right had been covered in a thick layer of paint, even including the windows. Yellow lettering was painted across the glass, identifying it as Kamigami no Mitsu. It felt like it was in the wrong place of town for a store selling honey.
"Just be happy that she left Moka alone."
"For now. She's probably talking with this spy in the festival committee she warned us about."
"Now that doesn't make any sense."
The large metal structure on the left which stretched all the way to the street corner was slightly set back from the street. The double door in the center of this side of the building had a black metal sign carved into the letters for Tourou & Tourou arranged in a wide arch over the entrance. Above the arch in huge Romanized letters also carved out of black metal was TNT.
"Her job is information, Kurumu. She told us nothing valuable. I find her claims of ignorance unlikely."
"But it might be true. Lord Fujisaki has no reason to share the details of his plan with Moka's father if he suspects potential betrayal."
"Bringing Ms. Ishigami here was only a ruse so she could mess with the Headmaster's head and make him expel my Moka. Even if she has good intentions, she can't pretend that my Moka would be safer with her father than here."
Kurumu had no argument as they rounded the corner. The flat, single story building on their right with the boxy overhang was Yowsan. The windows and glass doors were tinted to obscure what was inside.
"I still think we should go somewhere else first. I don't want to carry around anything we might buy from here all day long."
"But you don't have any money."
Slowing her step, Kurumu pouted at Suzume.
"I'm not completely broke."
"Says the girl that insisted we eat lunch in the suite."
"We couldn't leave Moka alone with Ms. Suukei anyways."
"She was with Tora."
"What if Yukari decides to blow her Sports Day money on a sex toy?"
"I can carry my own bags if it embarrasses you too much."
"That's not the point!"
The glass doors parted upon sensing their presence. Following Yukari in, Kurumu immediately stopped upon noticing a familiar pair of girls standing at the counter.
Mizore's sapphire eyes met Kurumu's as she absently handed money over to the stocky clerk behind the counter. The snow girl was sporting a black tank top with the pair of red shorts Tsukune's mother had let her keep. She smirked with a white stick nestled in the corner of her mouth.
Sporting a thick pair of glasses upon his broad nose, the dark haired clerk punched the cash register keys with his chubby fingers to spring the cash drawer out. He expertly counted up the change and handed it over to Mizore. With a slight bow, he surrendered a black plastic bag.
"Thank you for your patronage."
Kurumu followed Yukari over to the pair. Rubi stood nearby with her hands full. A good sized cardboard box had the black lettering identifying the contents as the Brother XL2600. A hanger was hooked on her elbow with the contents hidden in a white plastic bag hanging against her hip. A second white bag hung from her other elbow while her black leather purse remained hanging from her shoulder.
"You were supposed to come back for Moka."
Rubi smiled apologetically, bowing her head.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Kurono. But Ms. Shirayuki was uncomfortable with the idea."
Mizore dropped her change into the black bag while holding a white plastic bag in her right hand.
"So what did you get?"
"Ms. Shirayuki bought herself a magic wand."
"They sell props here?"
Mizore smirked at Yukari, shifting the bag and reaching inside. She pulled out a white box and handed it over to Yukari.
"As Akashiya said, it costs four thousand yen."
Yukari nodded, peering over the box.
"I thought it would be more lewd."
Yukari handed the box over to Kurumu. Made by Hitachi, the magic wand was a handheld personal massager. It had a visual representation of the device on the box. It looked like a white karaoke microphone. It had a base with a blue switch to turn it on. There was a gap between the base and the rounded tip which looked like a fat marshmallow. Shrugging, she gave it to Suzume.
"Don't know about you, but I wouldn't shove that inside me."
Suzume chuckled softly, examining the product.
"I don't even put my fingers inside. But I could see how this works if it massages the right spot."
Suzume returned the box to Mizore. The snow girl took it back, dropping it into the black bag.
"Why did you bother buying that? We already linked our phones to your CD player."
"Curiosity."
"Where is Ms. Akashiya?"
"She's with Tora. Kokoa's friends left their CDs in the suite so they are sampling music."
"Is that a sewing machine?"
Mizore smirked as Rubi nodded at Suzume with a wide grin.
"Dumb girl had us stop there first. She's been lugging that thing around for over an hour."
"I was only going to check the price but I couldn't leave without it."
"How much did it cost?"
"Only twenty two thousand yen."
"Only! Rubi. That's a lot."
"Holy heaven. I thought getting ten thousand for Sports Day was overkill."
"My parents left me with the same, Ms. Tobuyoku."
"My mother was only going to give me five but I told her about wanting to get this."
"You told your mother that you wanted to buy a sex toy?"
"Personal massager."
Kurumu chuckled at Suzume's disbelief. She gestured at Rubi.
"I didn't ask but how much was that paycheck the Headmaster had to remind you of this morning?"
"Forty thousand."
"You get forty thousand a paycheck?"
"I suppose that isn't that much."
"Yukari. It's forty thousand."
"Which would be all gone if she had to pay things like room and board."
"But she's had two paychecks. I doubt you owed more than four thousand for those panties and shirts Ms. Nekonome bought for you. What are you doing with all that money?"
Rubi fidgeted as best she could with her hands full.
"Well… that Chinese dress was twelve thousand. And this purse was six thousand five hundred."
"You spent six thousand on a purse?!"
"It's a nice purse."
"I'm frightened to ask how much you spent on your other acquisitions."
"I still have almost eighteen thousand left."
Kurumu sighed, shaking her head.
"What all did you get?"
Rubi glanced at the bags hanging from her elbows.
"Um… I bought a nice blazer and matching slacks. A long sleeved blouse and a sleeveless one."
"What have we told you about showing off those sexy shoulders?"
Rubi pouted at Kurumu's playful admonishment.
"I could wear the blazer over it."
"We both bought sundresses. She also got a pair of jeans."
"You bought a sundress?"
"I'm much better at regulating my temperature now. I also got a tank top, a tiered skirt which was on clearance and a pair of shorts with pockets. I'm officially broke."
Despite saying more words, Mizore maintained a flat monotone devoid of emotion.
"We just saw him give you change."
"I have less than four hundred yen on me."
"I guess that means no new additions to your lingerie."
"Nope. I'm done and ready to head home."
"But we haven't gone to Ueda's Fabrics yet."
Kurumu smirked at Rubi's protest.
"Don't you mean you still need to buy bras?"
Rubi sulked, hugging her sewing machine box.
"I suppose we can go home."
"See you tonight."
Kurumu nodded, stepping aside to allow the two girls by. She sucked in a deep breath, watching the pair exit the building. Shaking her head, she finally took note of her surroundings.
Racks were pushed up against the counter, lined with various brands, types and sizes of condoms. She smirked at the Okamoto Mega Big Boy boxes with the elephant, recalling Moka's story of being pelted with condom boxes before Kamitsuku had realized Tsukune was not alone for their birthday prank.
"There are way too many kinds of condoms."
Suzume giggled as Kurumu grabbed a box from the Okamoto section that had brown and white bears eating honey. She frowned, turning it over.
"Is this supposed to be edible?"
"I highly doubt that Kurumu."
The clerk cleared his throat, pushing his glasses back on his nose closer to his ochre eyes. The stocky guy was at least the same height as Kamitsuku and was wearing a black polo tucked into a pair of khakis with a woven leather belt. The name tag pinned to his right breast identified him as Mr. Ichikawa.
"Some brands have flavored lubricants to make fellatio more enjoyable."
Kurumu snickered, putting the box back on the rack.
"Why would anyone give fellatio to a guy wearing a condom?"
"What's fellatio?"
Kurumu regarded Suzume whom seemed genuinely confused.
"It's putting a guy's dick in your mouth."
"There's a word for that?"
"These look cute."
Yukari presented them with a pink box with a black butterfly on it. The Glamourous Butterfly brand was made by Jex. There was also a black box with a pink butterfly for the hot type.
"The few women that do buy our products seem to prefer those."
Kurumu smirked at the clerk whom was licking her up with dirty thoughts.
"She's eleven."
The man hastily glanced aside.
"I don't question the maturity of my clientele."
Suzume absently took the box and examined it.
"Do any of these reduce women sensitivity?"
"Uh… why would you want that?"
Suzume shrugged at the man's nervous question, handing the box back to Yukari.
"Because it's too much for me."
"I, uh… don't have much feedback from the women that shop here."
Yukari huffed, putting the box back on the rack. Next to this butterfly brand in the Jex section was the Usu Usu brand which had three different two colored boxes. They all shared a brown side but the other was cream, red or black based on the number.
"And you work here?"
"I'm deeply sorry. I can only comment on what I've observed."
Kurumu chuckled over the thought of a grown man apologizing to a little girl over his lack of knowledge about the preferences of women when it came to condoms. Between the Okamoto and Jex sections was a larger selection of condoms made by Sagami which ranged from the simple boxes for original 01 and 02 to the colorful boxes of Hot Kiss.
"I doubt any of us will be buying condoms today. Lack of boyfriends."
The clerk chuckled nervously, fidgeting with his hands.
"Well, uh… it can't hurt to be prepared."
"We'll just be having a look around."
The store seemed smaller on the inside. There were only three aisles which stretched down the length of the windows. The wraparound counter the clerk stood behind had a door which opened into an adjacent space. The wall this door was on was lined with racks and shelving on this side of the counter.
Walking down this aisle farthest from the entrance, Kurumu noted a wide variety of oils, lotions and lubricants. Some products boldly claimed their prowess in enhancing pleasure while others bragged about their cleanliness and scents.
As they moved through the next section with rows of different scented candles and incense, Kurumu noted an opening in the wall on their left which was obscured with a black curtain. Letting go of Suzume, she moved the curtain aside to poke her head through the opening.
There was another sales room with carousels of provocative clothing. Shelves of products were scattered about this room and the walls were lined with racks of more goods. Another counter was in the far corner of the store and was manned by a tall, gangly man with thin lips and shoulder length inky black tresses. He was dressed in the same attire as the other clerk.
"Hey, Kurumu. Look at this!"
Kurumu retreated back into the aisle. Yukari was holding a package encased in hard plastic which held a butterfly shaped device that looked like it was made of purple jelly filled with glitter.
"It works remotely."
Kurumu frowned, taking the package from the grinning witch. The device was called a butterfly and it had little loops at the tip of each wing. A black elastic band was coiled up in a section of the packaging along with a black rectangle with switches and dials.
"What does it do?"
"It vibrates. You wear it."
Kurumu coughed up a laugh, shaking her head as she handed it over to a blushing Suzume. The girl held it in both hands with her clutch beneath the packaging.
"Can this fit anyone?"
"Those straps are adjustable and the wings are flexible."
Still blushing, Suzume handed the package back to Yukari.
"That doesn't seem practical to use on yourself."
Yukari nodded thoughtfully, returning the butterfly to the rack she had acquired it from. There were other sex toys stacked about in this section near the end of this aisle.
"Maybe it would be fun to do to someone else?"
"I could never get Kiki to wear that, let alone anyone else."
"What was back there?"
"More adult stuff. I saw some costumes not much better than the teddie you bought for me."
"So your tits would be hanging out?"
Kurumu smirked, nodding at Suzume whom had seen her wearing the teddie Yukari had bought for her. She had yet to wear it and doubted Suzume, Moka or Yukari had worn theirs either.
"Should we check it out?"
"We can finish looking at the stuff out here first."
Yukari promptly returned to her perusal of the sex toys. There were at least a dozen more magic wands and several vibrating eggs similar to the one Rubi owned. Yukari picked up a fat, phallic shaped vibrator which had bulges resembling veins. The device was purple and had a switch at the bottom of the base.
"You don't need that, Yukari."
"I should be fine. It's not as big as Tsukune."
"Why does she know that?!"
Kurumu laughed, snatching the package from Yukari and hanging it back on the silver rod.
"Next aisle, Yukari."
"That is cheaper than the magic wand."
"We're looking around, Yukari. If you absolutely want it, we'll come back to get it before we leave."
Yukari sighed dramatically, stalking off and slipping around the end of the aisle. Shaking her head, Kurumu followed after the witch.
"So… is Mr. Aono that big?"
Kurumu draped an arm over Suzume's shoulder as Yukari started perusing the items in the next aisle. They were in a section devoted to adult films.
"He is. And thanks to an awkward moment over the summer, we all saw Tsukune exposed."
"Are all boys that big?"
"I don't think so."
"If something that big was pushed into me… I'd black out."
"He has a future in the porn industry if he drops out of school."
Kurumu smirked at Yukari, detaching from Suzume to look over the DVDs by the witch. It seemed the films were being arranged by actresses. This Yumika Hayashi had about ten different DVDs of her own with this Ms. Peach DVD having a sticker declaring that it was a new release. Lunch Box had stickers claiming it had won awards and Sunday's Dream was tagged as a fan favorite.
"They have film awards for porn?"
Yukari glanced up at her.
"Are you asking me with some expectation of an informed answer?"
"Are all these movies porn?"
Kurumu smirked at Suzume whom was holding a DVD called Whore Angels which featured Shouko Kudo.
"I doubt this store is carrying family friendly titles."
The girl shook her head in disbelief as she put the DVD back.
"How can there be so much?"
Yukari picked up a DVD called the Orgasm Counselor with Mayuko Sasaki.
"The same could be said about normal movies. I'm sure that there are countless films about love and coming of age. It's all about how good the story is."
"How do we know which movies are good?"
"We're not buying porn."
Suzume giggled, returning another title to the shelves.
"I wasn't planning to waste two thousand on a movie. But I was curious how a guy would know what he should buy from here."
"I doubt guys are picky. For two thousand, they get to see a pussy get smashed."
"Is that even fun watching another guy have sex with a girl?"
"I believe there's a whole genre about guys hiring other guys to bang their wives."
"That's just weird."
The DVD section transitioned into VHS which stretched almost all the way to the front counter. Beyond this was two racks of perishables on their right which included something that had Kurumu smirk.
"They have edible panties next to pocky."
"Who would spend a thousand yen on edible panties?"
The clerk chuckled nervously.
"It's a popular item that sells well."
"Do girls buy this?"
"Uh… no."
Kurumu glanced over the other perishables, noting that the candies and snacks were about the same price as the commissary and school store. Knowing she could get these goods with her lunch card from the commissary, she turned her attention to the two racks on her left.
"You keep your dirty magazines in the front?"
The clerk laughed again as Kurumu stepped over to pick up the latest issue of Urecco.
"If I leave them in the back, some gentlemen might make a mess."
Kurumu smirked as she flipped through the pages. The models were undeniably pretty with pictures that ranged from the ladies being fully clothed to provocative nude poses which were tastefully censored in the sensitive areas. She could see how Tsukune's junior high friends had argued this magazine was a work of art.
"Do you mind if we look at them?"
The clerk chuckled with lecherous thoughts as Yukari picked up an issue of Video Boys.
"Not at all."
As Kurumu picked up an issue of Bejean, Suzume wandered over to Yukari's other side to grab a different magazine from this roundabout shelf which ended this aisle. She flipped open the Hustler magazine and her golden eyes went wide. Burning red, the girl instantly shut the magazine.
"Whoa! I did not think I'd see a dick. I thought this magazine would only have naked girls."
"Let me see that."
Yukari put back her magazine to snatch up the Hustler from Suzume. She flipped through the pages, her eyes widening.
"This is amazing. This must be foreign. Japan censorship laws prevents this stuff from being so clear."
"There are laws against this?"
Yukari nodded, putting the magazine back on the rack.
"Genitalia is always pixelated or blurred. Even in the magazine I just looked at."
"The store owner has connections with some guy in the Philippines."
"This has to be illegal."
The clerk chuckled, rubbing the back of his dark haired head.
"Our existence isn't legal, young miss. Those foreign magazines sell twice as much as our domestic ones."
Kurumu picked up an issue of Asian Fever. Flipping through it, she immediately saw the difference and could understand why men would prefer this. It was not like a guy was buying this to read the articles.
"Oh. Fellatio."
Kurumu smirked at Suzume whom was blushing deeply at the pages of another issue of Hustler.
"Is there any stuff for girls?"
The clerk squirmed indecisively.
"I, uh… well… There is some stuff in that shelf closest to the door."
Returning the magazine to the shelf, Yukari walked across the aisle. As Kurumu put away her Asian Fever, Yukari picked up an issue of Samson. The witch cackled in glee as she turned the pages.
"I found Shuichi."
Kurumu swatted the brat in the back of the head.
"You're not buying gay porn."
"Why do guys find pictures of naked girls attractive?"
Kurumu shrugged as Suzume flipped through the pages of another magazine.
"Probably because it makes them think of sex."
"I wasn't turned on by seeing a dick."
Yukari huffed, still holding her issue of Samson.
"But you were flush. Your body reacted to the sight of sex."
"That isn't the same thing."
"Actually it is. What do you think of this?"
Yukari presented them an illustration in the magazine. The drawing depicted a chubby man wearing a business suit pressed up against a slender, younger man. The younger man was bent over with lines to indicate he was panting and flush. His trousers were pulled down to his ankles, revealing his smooth, slender legs. His stiff manhood was blurred for the pretense of decency.
Suzume backed off with a rosy glow to her cheeks.
"That's disturbing."
"That's your inexperience. Your body recognizes this as an act of sex. You might even be getting wet at the thought of this happening to you."
"I'm not."
Yukari closed the magazine and returned it to the rack.
"It would be natural if you did, Ms. Tobuyoku. I'm not saying that you want that to happen. But your body will prepare for sex if it thinks it can happen."
Kurumu grimaced, knowing Yukari was correct about this. Shaking her head, she walked down this aisle which flanked the tinted windows.
"Let's walk this last aisle before heading to the back."
The shelving on the right only came up to the bottom of the windows. Small books were stuffed into the rows and were arranged alphabetically. It looked like this stretched almost all the way to the end of the aisle. The full height racking and shelving on their left had a bunch of odd things from drinking glasses to fuzzy handcuffs. Was that a whip?
"Put that down, Kurumu. We already proved you don't have it in you."
Kurumu blushed, returning the coiled whip to the rack.
"Are these books?"
Yukari nodded as Suzume pulled out one of the small books from the shelf.
"Romance novels. Dime store smut."
"Cool. I've heard about this stuff from Kiki. She owns a few steamy titles."
"Did you read any?"
"No. She always wanted me to, saying it might improve my relationship with Shuiro."
Electing not to pursue a discussion about the childhood friend whom had broken up with Suzume over the summer, Kurumu perused the other items on the shelves. They had blindfolds, ball gags, butt plugs and something called a cock ring. She had no idea why a guy would want to put that on. Who decided to put this kinky stuff across the aisle from sleazy romance novels?
"They have Twister."
"They do?"
The last shelves of this aisle had a collection of board and card games. The box Yukari pointed at looked like twister but the dial shown on the box had options like mouth, cock and pussy. Kurumu was mildly curious how that game was played.
Kurumu flinched when Suzume placed a hand on her shoulder. The girl grinned, glancing over the erotic game collection. Yukari was reading the back of a dice game.
"What's this stuff?"
"Games that encourage orgies."
Yukari put the box back on the shelf.
"I think we should check out the back section."
"Are we going to get matching sex toys?"
"Stay outside if you can't shut up."
Familiar voices drew Kurumu's attention. Dressed in a crimson blouse with black cargo shorts, Kokoa drifted over to the wraparound shelf with the dirty magazines. Her reddish locks were pulled up in twin tails with her familiar serving as one of the ties.
Hotaru pouted, holding a bag with the blue, CD shaped Spinning Discs logo upon it against her ample bosom. The sylph had on a powder blue tee and denim shorts.
Hikari squeaked in alarm, dropping the magazine she had looked into. The salamander had on this white shirt with a black tree shedding cherry blossoms which Kurumu had never seen her wear before. Her tiny butt was well defined in those tight, black jeans hugging her hips, thighs and calves.
"What is that brat doing here?"
"Probably the same thing as us."
Kurumu grinned, walking down the aisle as Kokoa picked up the magazine while Hikari profusely apologized to the chuckling clerk.
"Afternoon, Hotaru."
Hotaru grinned wide, backhanding Kokoa's shoulder as the vampire returned the magazine to the rack. Kokoa frowned at Kurumu.
"What are you doing here?"
"Browsing the shelves with Yukari and Suzume."
"See. I told you it's no big deal."
Kokoa threw Hotaru a quieting glance. The vampire peered around Kurumu at the two whom were still standing at the other end of the aisle.
"Is she buying something?"
"She might. Want to join us?"
Hikari nodded vehemently.
"I'll feel better in a bigger group."
Chuckling, Kurumu led the trio over to Yukari whom looked annoyed.
"Why did you bring them over here?"
"I'm here to shop. If you don't like it, get out of my way."
Yukari huffed, crossing her arms.
"I thought you were going to spend your day reading Hellsing."
"I read one volume before lunch. Then Hotaru reminded me about this place during lunch so we came straight here. I'm curious what these sex toys look like"
"I'm surprised you didn't drag Nagisa along."
"She has other friends, Kurumu. I don't need her with me all of the time."
Suzume giggled, backing away.
"Well the sex toys are over here. Follow me."
The group followed Suzume over to the aisle farthest from the entrance. The shelving on the wall at the end of these aisles had an assortment of things ranging from body pillows to blow up dolls. The shelf at the end of the last aisle was stacked with fleshlights, onaholes and pocket pussies.
"I see you stopped at Spinning Discs."
"Hikari wanted to go there first."
"I'll be in the back."
Kurumu nodded as Yukari ducked through the opening. Suzume gestured at the rack of sex toys.
"These are the toys. We bumped into Ms. Shirayuki earlier and she had bought a magic wand."
"Is everyone coming here today?"
"It seems that way. What CDs did you guys pick up?"
"Our Lady bought six CDs today. Two for me, two for Hikari, one for Nagisa and one for herself."
"Nothing for Ishiko?"
"She doesn't have a CD player so I don't know what to get her. So this is that magic wand."
Suzume nodded as Kokoa picked up the box.
"Mhm. We don't think it's supposed to go inside."
"Obviously. Personal massager. Do you think Ishiko would like this?"
"She might. She's the curious sort."
"What albums did you guys buy?"
Hotaru grinned, fishing a CD out of the bag.
"I got so lucky. They actually had Hitomi's Thermo Plastic album. Our local store never carried it."
Hotaru presented Kurumu a CD with an auburn haired woman wearing a red collar about her neck and a white, strapless top. Kurumu turned the CD over, looking down the album tracks.
"I've never heard of her."
"You are so deprived. Do I have pretty eyes now?"
Kurumu frowned at Hotaru. The sylph grinned, touching her temple.
"Do I have pretty eyes now? Do I have pretty eyes now? Umarekawattemo. Kitto kono mama de. Irareru you ni to. Motto ai seru you ni to."
"Stop that, Hotaru."
Hotaru pouted, holding her hand out. She continued humming the song as Kurumu gave the CD back.
"Nagisa squealed when I played it last night, saying she had wanted this single but could never find it."
"Is that song on that album?"
"No. It's on her Déjà vu album. When I heard Hitomi for the first time, it was music from her Love Life album. I picked that up and her Huma Rhythym album that had just come out. I liked them so much that I got her By Myself and Déjà vu albums but could never find this one."
"So… what's on this album?"
"Don't know. But I'll find out."
"That thing is huge."
With wide eyes, Hikari regarded the purple phallic toy Kokoa held.
"This one is supposed to go inside."
"No way could I do that. One finger is pushing my limit."
"This is an interesting development. Hikari puts her finger in."
Kurumu smirked at Hotaru.
"You don't?"
"I didn't say that. How many fingers does our Lady use?"
"I haven't tried."
Suzume giggled, gesturing at the package still being scrutinized by Kokoa.
"I hear it's the size of Mr. Aono."
"I was thinking that."
"Do I want to know why you were thinking that?"
Kokoa shrugged, putting the device back down.
"Hard not to notice, Ms. um… who were you again?"
"Tobuyoku Suzume. From class three."
"You're one of those girls flying with Ms. Nazohashi."
"Yea. That's me."
Kokoa picked up the butterfly device, examining it intently.
"Aono is big. No idea if that's good or not. Is someone supposed to wear this?"
As Suzume giggled nervously with a nod, Kurumu grinned at Hotaru.
"So what was the other album she bought you?"
"I decided to pick up that Second to None album by Chemistry after listening to Nagisa's CD. Chemistry has a third album out but Kokoa wouldn't buy it for me."
"Two CDs is enough for you today."
"What albums did Hikari get?"
"Oh, um… the two compilations by Hamasaki Ayumi. A Best and A Ballads."
"I've listened to those. Okimune has those albums."
"Yuko said I should start with her."
"Nagisa and I both have her Duty and I Am albums. I also have her Loveppears and Rainbow albums."
"It sounds like you buy a lot of CDs from the same artist."
Hotaru nodded, slinging the bag behind her shoulder.
"That's mostly true. I have three albums each from BoA, Utada Hikaru and Amuro Namie. I only have Insomnia from Onitsuka Chihiro and don't know if I want either of her other albums."
"I thought you listed her as one of your favorite artists."
"She has some nice songs but you have to be in the right mood for it. I also have two albums from Ringo Sheena and Otsuka Ai."
"Otsuka Ai?"
"You would love her. Another song that got Nagisa whining about not having was Sakuranbo. But Ringo should be someone Ms. Shirayuki would like. I heard from Nagisa that she has a louder taste in music."
Kurumu nodded, mildly curious what this Ringo Sheena was like.
"What album did she buy for Nagisa?"
"She bought that Everlasting album for Every Little Thing."
"Should I get the magic wand?"
"I think that's better than any of these things you insert."
Kokoa nodded, handing a magic wand box to Hikari whom was already holding a butterfly package.
"So what album did Milady buy for herself?"
"I picked up the Utada Hikaru singles album."
Kurumu paused with a frown.
"But I have that album."
"Yea. And now I have it too. Nagisa said that she would have bought it instead of getting all three albums if she had known a compilation was coming out."
"Look what I found!"
Yukari bounded through the opening, holding something peculiar. It was a mess of black straps which had silver buckles to adjust. One of these thick straps had a curved, black protrusion jutting out. On the other side of this strap was a similar phallic shaped device.
"What the hell is that?"
"You wear it."
Kurumu's eyes widened, immediately understanding what this was for.
"Put that back!"
Yukari clutched it to her chest.
"With this, I could consummate my love with my Moka."
"You're not shoving that in my sister!"
Yukari smirked at Kokoa.
"Maybe she'll be the one doing the shoving."
Kokoa blushed deeply, wagging a finger and muttering unintelligibly. Kurumu smirked, shaking her head.
"Yukari. There's no way we could walk around town with something like that."
"The shopkeeper can put it in a bag. Nobody will know."
"I would know."
"Yea. I don't know how I could go anywhere else when we have something like that on us."
"You two are so immature."
Hotaru snickered as Kokoa still struggled with her Japanese.
"How much does one of those cost? Our Lady might want one to try that out with Hikari."
"I cannot allow this!"
Kurumu flinched at the sudden appearance of Miyamoto. The ashen haired boy towered over them with intimidating authority, wearing his dingy white karate gi.
"When did you get here?!"
"That is irrelevant. I cannot allow my dear little sister to tread down this path."
His presence shocked sense back into Kokoa. The vampire scowled at him.
"I'm not your little sister."
"Maybe not. But I cannot watch you do this."
"Then I suggest you stop following me. Come on, Hikari. We have enough toys."
Hotaru chuckled, following after the pair.
"So I'm guessing we're not getting the dick saddle."
"Thank you for the meal."
Kurumu stretched her arms overhead while seated in the booth of the cozy Rice & Spice diner. The bright red cushions of the establishment were comfortable and the dim lighting of the seating area created a relaxing atmosphere. She honestly had no idea how long they had been in here but she had no desire to fish her phone out of her back pocket to find out.
"At least their curry was worth the wait."
Hotaru snorted, poking Kokoa in the side. The sylph sat across from Kurumu with the aisle on her left.
"I'll say. You ordered seconds."
Yukari sighed heavily from her spot next to the window. Despite the antics of this afternoon, the black bag in her lap did not contain anything from Yowsan. The fancy bag with the golden lettering was from Kogyo Diana, the formal shoe store across the street from the Clique. The white leather, platform boots Yukari had bought had cost almost six thousand yen.
"I have no complaints. It was surprisingly good for how inexpensive it was."
The witch had stuffed her other purchases from Keep it Casual into the shoe bag. This included a peach sundress, a ruffled yellow skirt and a white tee with a yellow circle marked up with white lines. It was a sunburst pattern. Yukari had blown every yen given to her for Sports Day as well as some she had left over from last month's allowance.
"Thank you very much for treating us."
Suzume clutched a pair of bags which held a fancy halter dress from the Clique and a pair of glossy black wedges from Kogyo Diana. It was a gorgeous dress similar to the one Kokoa had bought for Kurumu. The satin top was a deep midnight blue while the skirt was ruffled black lace. As it required less adjustments for Suzume's slender frame, they had waited for the seamstress to fix the dress on the spot.
"And thank you for helping me pay for the shoes."
"I bought something there too. It's not like I can't get more money from Mother."
Hikari smiled, leaning her head against Kokoa's shoulder.
"Kokoa is too generous. She's spent so much money on us."
After today's shopping, Kokoa had less money in her bank account than Rubi.
"While I didn't get anything today, Kokoa spent like half of her money on me before summer break."
"More like a third. I should have my sister reimburse me."
All of Kokoa's purchases were inside the six bags placed in the aisle next to Hotaru. At their first stop, Kokoa had bought two lacy bra and panty sets in the same carnation pink and baby blue that her sister owned. She had also picked up a cherry red pair of boyshorts with white hearts to go with her crimson bra. Kurumu simply had to tease the vampire over wanting to match with them.
Then they had went to the Clique where Suzume had succumbed to the appeal of owning a halter dress since Kokoa was ordering one. While they waited on Suzume's stock dress to be adjusted, Kokoa had put in an order for two cheongsams for Hikari and Hotaru. Hikari would get a crimson dress with a lush green flame pattern while Hotaru's dress was a rich, mustard yellow with a scarlet cloud and wind pattern.
Declaring a need for a fancy shoe to go with her new dress had prompted the trip to Kogyo Diana. The only thing Kokoa had bought was a pair of glossy black high heel boots which zipped up from heel to calf. They had been more expensive than the shoes Suzume and Yukari had picked up.
Keep it Casual had been their last stop before coming here. After Kokoa had purchased three outfits for herself, one of which could be used for pajamas, they had headed here. It had been about five thirty and the diner had been busy.
"I suppose we need to get heading back."
Kurumu sighed at Hotaru's remark. She had no desire to train tonight.
"Are you ever going to cut down a tree with your wind?"
"She did blow one over."
"Which was hard as fuck. I should get credit for that."
"It's nice that Ms. Hitori is helping you two become stronger. They don't do much with us girls after we learn how to fly."
Kurumu smiled softly at Suzume's deflated tone.
"Nagisa said the same thing about undines."
"Why is making babies the only thing we're valued for?"
Hotaru snickered, shaking her head as she slipped out of the booth.
"I wouldn't say that. Making babies is just what happens when guys have too much sex with us."
"That makes it sound worse."
Hotaru shrugged as she started picking up the bags.
"It's not like there is a whole lot expected from guys. If girls are simplified to only making babies, then I could say that guys are just there to make money. Nothing glamorous about that."
"I thought that was you."
Kurumu shivered at the familiar voice. Slipping out of the booth to get on her feet, Kurumu watched as Ms. Suukei walked briskly across the warm dining area to their location.
"You're that strange lady from last night."
Hotaru held all six bags of things in her arms as Kokoa got up to join her.
"I see your brother isn't with you."
Ms. Suukei smiled, stopping shy of the two girls.
"He is getting the car ready. I am about to leave."
"Well, so are we."
Kurumu nodded as Suzume scooted over to the end of the booth.
"You can tell Lord Zensa that his daughters are safe here."
"I'd rather at least one of them came with me. Would you please accompany me, Ms. Shuzen?"
"I have no intentions of becoming my sister's handmaiden."
"Did you not warn her of the dangers of staying here?"
Yukari snorted, placing her bag up on the black table.
"She already knows the gist of some terrible person coming to abduct her sister soon. Your little addition about a spy being on the festival committee is neither helpful nor would it deter a noble vampire."
"That's right. I'm not scared of anything."
Kurumu smirked, aware that Yukari's sarcasm was completely lost on Kokoa.
"I'm sorry, little one, but I simply can't let you take that risk."
Kurumu staggered as a strong suggestion flooded her senses. She had to rally her thoughts to beat down the logic of Kokoa being safer with her powerful father. The man had effortlessly beheaded one of his brethren on the day of Kahlua's wedding. Surely he could protect Kokoa from Lord Fujisaki.
But it meant nothing if Lord Zensa was a fake like Mrs. Shuzen suspected. Kurumu locked eyes with the other succubus. The woman sighed, tilting her head slightly.
"You doubt him so much."
The other girls were all fixed in place, barely moving. Only the subtle rise of their chests betrayed their breathing. It was like time had stopped. Even the other patrons in the establishment had ceased their conversations. All were looking towards them with rapt attention.
"I… it's not what Kokoa wants."
"Don't you wish to be with your mother again?"
Kurumu staggered again as doubts plagued her truths. Every child wanted to be with their parents. That was inarguable. But she clung fast to one notion.
"Their father is dead, Ms. Suukei. You're being fooled by a fake."
"Stand aside, Ms. Kurono. I have to keep this girl safe. Come with me, Ms. Shuzen."
Kokoa wordlessly moved to Ms. Suukei's side. The woman smiled apologetically, turning her back to Kurumu. She started off with Kokoa matching her stride.
"We have to stop her."
"But Kokoa will be safer with her father."
Hotaru nodded dumbly at Hikari's sweet response.
"Yea. Family is important."
Suzume stared at the departing succubus.
"That nice woman wouldn't lie to us."
"Yukari!"
"Why would I want to help that brat? She's lucky her father wants anything to do with her."
Shivering at the terror of her friends being controlled so easily, Kurumu realized this was up to her. She pushed Hotaru aside and chased after the pair whom were exiting through the double doors. She caught the door before it closed, following the pair into the street.
"Kokoa! Wait!"
The woman clung tightly to Kokoa as they marched down the street towards Pizza Express. This road would continue all the way to the banquet hall and hotel before finally leaving the town. There was no doubt in Kurumu's mind that Ms. Suukei's brother was at the end of this road with a car prepared.
"Please stop!"
"This must be done, Ms. Kurono. It's the only way."
"But it's not what Kokoa wants!"
The woman stopped shy of the intersection between the Sumeragi Bar and Meetings. She turned about slowly with her arm still draped across Kokoa's shoulders. Kurumu caught up to them, panting more out of fear than exertion.
"Tell Ms. Kurono what your heart desires, Ms. Shuzen."
Kokoa stared emptily at Kurumu.
"I want to show Father how strong I've become."
"Yes. And you can't do that here."
Feeling she was being toyed with, Kurumu smacked Kokoa across the face with all her strength.
"That was not-"
Kokoa shoved Ms. Suukei aside and grabbed Kurumu by the wraps of her blouse.
"What did you do that for?!"
"Saving your ass!"
Kurumu swept out her wings as she grabbed up Kokoa in a tight embrace. With a strong pump of her wings, Kurumu shot into the starry sky. She pounded her wings twice more to gain elevation. The full moon shone brightly this cloudless night.
"Put me down!"
Clinging to the squirming vampire, Kurumu batted her wings to speed off towards the suites. She had to get to Moka. Maybe have Tora throw up a barrier, though that might not work. She had gotten around Tora's barrier without even fully understanding what she was doing. A more experienced succubus might not have any troubles at all.
"But what about my friends? Hikari. Hotaru."
"I doubt that woman has any use for them. She only wanted you."
Kurumu suddenly felt a sharp change in wind atmosphere. She was losing altitude fast. She tried to bat her wings to pull up but the air was not agreeable to it. It was like the wind was pushing her down.
Kurumu tried to slow down but could not. She cried out as she rammed into the first tree top. Reeling in pain, she did her best to navigate the forest but smashed through another dozen or so obstacles before she finally hit the dirt.
"Where did you learn how to fly?"
Kurumu groaned, weakly flexing her wings. Both were broken. There was no way she could pull them in with them like this. She lifted up, allowing Kokoa to crawl out from beneath her. She gasped in pain as she gathered her knees beneath her.
"Where are we?"
Kokoa grunted, slowly picking herself up from the ground. She dusted the dirt and grass off her crimson blouse and cargo shorts.
"Sorry! I didn't know how else to stop you."
"What were you thinking?!"
Kurumu glanced over her shoulder. Hotaru was descending from the sky in that eerie way she always did.
"The nice lady said I had to come get you."
"I'm not going with her."
"She's been charmed, Kokoa. Ms. Suukei believes that you have to go with her to be safe. She made Hotaru come after us."
Hotaru shook her head as she hovered in the sky.
"You don't understand, Kurumu. Kokoa needs to be with her family."
"I'm staying here."
"But that doesn't make any sense."
"What have you done?!"
Suzume came down from the sky, batting her wings to slow her descent.
"The best I could. I'm still learning."
"You could have killed Kurumu."
"I wasn't trying to."
Suzume relaxed her wings to fall down the last half meter. Tucking her obsidian wings to her side, she hurried over to Kurumu.
"There were safer ways, Ms. Antai. You fly much faster than us. You could have grabbed her."
Hotaru laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Sorry. I didn't think of that."
Suzume sighed, helping Kurumu get to her feet.
"Silly sylph. You're not hurt too bad, right?"
Kurumu swallowed as the tengu girl fussed over her.
"Suzume. Are you with us?"
"Of course I am. Can you still fly? I can carry you back if you can't."
A charm was never a complete change of character. It was a subtle shift in perspective to make someone agreeable to the will of the succubus.
"Suzume. I'm sorry."
Kurumu grabbed the girl by the face and pulled her in close to press her lips against Suzume's. The girl whimpered in surprise as Kurumu pushed her tongue into Suzume's mouth. The girl mewled softly as their tongues intertwined. Hands timidly touched Kurumu's sides as the girl relaxed with the kiss.
"Wait. You're kissing her?"
"Could we kiss too?"
"Don't push it, Hotaru."
"Well… we should be going back. That lady has to leave soon."
"I'm not going!"
Suzume's knees buckled, prompting Kurumu to break the kiss. Gasping, she eased the dazed girl onto the ground. Suzume's eyes wandered as she folded her hands on her bosom.
"Don't be stubborn."
"Come down here and I'll show you stubborn."
"I could grab you and fly you off right now."
"Then try it."
"Just stop it!"
Kurumu flinched at Hikari shrill cry. The salamander was drifting over the trees much like Hotaru did, only her passage caused the leaves to blacken into ash.
"We have to take her by force, Hikari."
"You will do no such thing!"
"But we have to take her back to her father."
"I'm not going. You have been charmed."
"We're not fighting her. We just need to talk sense into her."
"When has that ever worked?"
"Kokoa will listen to me."
Kurumu sucked in a breath as Hikari slowly descended towards them. She could already feel the heat buffering Hikari's descent.
"She's been charmed too, Kokoa."
"Well what do you want me to do about it?"
"I might be able to break Ms. Suukei's hold on them."
"You're not kissing my Hikari."
"I just need to touch them. Subdue them somehow."
Kokoa nodded thoughtfully as Hikari neared. The temperature elevated considerably, causing Kurumu to sweat as the salamander came within a meter of the ground.
"I want to take your blood right now, Hikari."
"Really?! Now?! Here?!"
"Yes. Get down."
The salamander cut off her engines, landing on her feet. Kokoa wrapped the girl up in an embrace before Hikari could recover. The girl mewled as Kokoa's fangs found her throat. In seconds the girl was gasping in the throes of ecstasy.
"Good. She would only get in the way."
Kokoa lifted her head back with a gasp. Hikari clung to Kokoa's shirt for support. Taking in a deep breath, Kokoa pressed a palm to Hikari's head and pushed. The salamander lost her grip and fell back in the dirk, whimpering as she squirmed.
"Agreed, Hotaru. Time for me to come get you."
Kokoa launched in a spiral of flames that caught the hovering sylph by surprise. Before Kurumu could register what had happened, the vampire was back on the ground standing over a prone Hotaru.
"Sheesh, Kokoa. She's your friend."
Kokoa huffed as she planted a foot on the sylph's back.
"I had to. Do you realize how hard it is to swat this girl out of the sky?"
Kurumu shook her head, staggering over to where Hikari lay quivering. Kurumu knelt down in the dirt, grabbing the girl by the hand. Taking in a deep breath, she pushed soothing thoughts into Hikari. She reminded Hikari that if Kokoa left, they would not be with her. The girl whimpered at the thought.
"You're fixing them, right?"
"Yea. I'm letting her know that the nice lady can be wrong."
"You mean the creepy lady."
"She had you for a short while too."
Kokoa grimaced as Kurumu squeezed Hikari's hand.
"Yea. I guess so. I do want to show my father how strong I am. But I don't want to be Kahlua's servant."
"Then how did she convince you to go?"
Kokoa sighed, withdrawing her foot to lean up against a nearby tree. She eyed Hotaru cautiously.
"Just wasn't putting the two things together. This thought that if I proved I was strong that the other thing couldn't happen. But I'm not stronger than Kahlua. That's what would be tested."
"Kokoa. Kiss me."
Kurumu chuckled, letting go of Hikari's hand. She groaned as she picked herself back up.
"Your Hikari needs you."
"No. I'm not kissing her if she still wants me to leave."
"I don't. Kiss me."
Kurumu stepped over the salamander, making her way to Hotaru.
"Go tend to her."
Kokoa kicked off from the tree trunk as Kurumu knelt down and rolled the sylph over. The girl groaned, weakly lifting a hand to her temple. Kurumu snatched the hand up and squeezed.
"Hikari. Where's my stuff?"
"Stuff?"
"My stuff. Is it back at the restaurant?"
"Mmm… yeah."
"Why'd you guys leave it there?"
"Kokoa. They thought they were bringing us back to the nice lady. It would have made no sense for them to bring your stuff here."
"Well can you go back for it?"
"I can't fly. And I have no idea how to get home, let alone back to the restaurant."
"We can't just leave our stuff there."
Kurumu sighed, letting go of Hotaru's hand. She reached into her back pocket, wiggling her phone out of its tight spot. Bringing it over to her face, she could see in the fading light that the time displayed in the small rectangle was twenty two minutes after seven.
"Call Yukari."
She had to wait a few seconds before the sound of a diner flared up.
"Kurumu. Where are you?"
"No clue. Hotaru knocked me out of the sky."
"That dummy was supposed to bring you back."
"Is Ms. Suukei with you?"
"Yea. She's here. Trying to make me go after you but I'm not leaving my things here unattended."
"Mr. Miyamoto can watch the bags for you, Ms. Sendou."
"Not a chance."
"Miyamoto is with you?"
"Yea. He just happened to be in the area."
Kurumu smirked, shaking her head.
"Tell Ms. Suukei that Kokoa respectfully declines her invitation. Even if we wanted to go with her, we're not going anywhere soon. Hotaru broke my wings, Kokoa knocked Hotaru out, Suzume is drunk from my kiss and Kokoa drank Hikari's blood."
Kurumu heard an exaggerated sigh.
"It seems you have outdone me. Please take good care of his daughters, Ms. Kurono."
"Yea. It was… different… meeting you. I hope you're right about their father."
"Good night, Ms. Kurono. This is such a cute phone."
"Thanks. So I guess the brat won't be leaving after all."
"She can hear you, Yukari."
"And I care why?"
Kurumu smiled, glancing over at Kokoa. The vampire was not paying any attention to her, busy planting kisses on a mewling salamander. Kurumu took in a deep breath.
"Yukari. Get that dummy Miyamoto to bring Kokoa's and Suzume's bags to us. I'm wearing my ribbon so you can find me with your tracking spell."
"Are you really that lost?"
Kurumu glanced around her surroundings, seeing nothing but trees in every direction.
"Yukari. I have no idea where we are."