Kiyoni made a beeline for Aphrodisia without thinking about anything else. She didn't even care if anyone noticed the smell of the "trees'' seeping out of her bag whenever she boarded a train. Well, she did mind that, peeking into her bag just to see if the smell was properly controlled. Shuuichi had wrapped Kiyoni's take inside multiple layers of cling wrap and sealed them inside one, small, glass jar. Other than that, the other thing that plagued her mind was the smoke session she just had with Shuuichi. He seemed very cool as they shared the joint she made. Hell, he was just as cool beforehand; non-judgemental, open-minded, curious, and willing to share bits of his life.

I'll have to check out this Romeo and Juliet thing he talked about. Been a while since I've seen a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio in it.

Upon entering the club, Kiyoni found a few of the employees chewing the fat at the bar. The club was closed during the morning and afternoon hours for any deliveries to be made. "Well, look who the cat dragged in," announced an incubus enjoying a cosmopolitan.

"Well, well, well," Kiyoni clapped back, "If it isn't Shishiwakamaru. Where has your bougie ass been? Last I heard, you were living it up in Italy with a sugar mama."

"I was," Shishi replied, "but Japan is home so she bought me a condo here. It also serves as my own personal...house of worship if you know what I mean."

"Shishi, Shishi, Shishi. Still the panty dropper."

"When you have charming good looks like I do, is underwear really necessary?"

Shishi was a looker. Sleek, dark hair with a purple shine that fell just beneath his shoulders, plump lips that were soft as a feather, androgynous, violet eyes framing a perfectly-shaped nose, all in a dress suit fresh from a runway that came with a beaded necklace that fell directly in front of his breast bone.

"Missed you, Shishi."

"Yeah, yeah. Missed you, too, crazy whore."

"You look happy today," Aiko noticed, "Did something happen?"

Kiyoni stepped to the back of the bar to fix herself a drink. A combination of blackberry vodka and grape soda over ice, blackberries, and a lemon wedge became her drink of choice, a sparkling black beauty.

"You can say that," she confirmed.

Now, Shishi was invested. It's been a while since he's been away and could use a serving of some home-grown Japanese tea, "Do tell."

Juri spoiled the fun before Kiyoni could get a chance to, "Kiyoni met a priest and he is sooooo cute."

"Huh. A priest...better looking than me? Surely, you jest."

"He actually could compete against you in the looks department," Kiyoni countered, "And to clarify, he's a priest in training. Matter of fact, he just showed and gave me a piece of his ministry."

Aiko gasped, "You already fucked him?! So soon?! That has to be a new record even for you!"

Juri added, "Was he a virgin? Tell me he was a virgin. I knew he was a virgin."

Side eyes from Kiyoni came their way before she could enjoy her drink, "For your information, do not come for my game like that. Two, no, I did not fuck him...yet. Three, what I meant by ministry is this." Kiyoni pulled out and presented her bounty, "Turns out our little preacher boy is not only a man of the cloth but is also a man of...the green. He hooked me up with some of his goodies. One is Banana Kush and the other is Space Queen."

Aiko, Juri, and Shishi inspected the buds.

"Hm, impressive," Shishi commented, "Never known a man of God to...do such a thing."

"You're telling me," Juri followed.

"I was blown away, myself," Kiyoni indicated, "but when I saw his greenhouse...yo… I think he cares more about that than the church itself. He called his garden his sanctuary."

"Sounds like you were impressed," Aiko concluded.

"Uh, yeah! I got a new plug now. Do you see this shit?"

"So, when are you going to fuck him," Shishi questioned, "If you are going to fuck him."

Kiyoni sighed, "Again, do not rush my game. I'm taking my time with this one. However, I do know that he's interested in me. We're going on a date this Wednesday."

Shishi, Juri, and Aiko all repeat, "Wednesday?!"

Shishi added, "Who the hell goes on a date on a Wednesday? Does he not know how dates work?"

"Trust me, boo, I think Wednesday is a bunch of bull," Kiyoni relented, "Despite that, it's all a part of the game. Just gotta let things ride for a bit."

"That's the spirit," Juri cheered, "So what's the date? Dinner and a movie?"

"Netflix and chill, likely," Aiko gestured.

"Actually," Kiyoni clarified, "We're...going train hopping."

Shishi, Juri, and Aiko are taken aback, "Whoooooooa! Train hopping?!"

"He's into trains," Shishi blurted, "He's a wild one! ALL ABOARD THE FORNICATION TRAIN TO HELL! Choo choo!"

"I thought today was Sunday," Kiyoni threateningly alleged, "Not fuck-around-and-find-out Friday."

"You said it. We didn't."

"No, that's not what I meant. What I mean is that we're going to take a bunch of trains around town. The city, the suburbs, the district. Hell, maybe the entire prefecture."

"So, you're just gonna ride a bunch of trains all night," Aiko inquired, "Sounds boring as fuck to me."

"...Possibly. It's definitely random...and innovative? I mean, public transit...as a dating idea? Maybe?"

"So, you're going," Juri queried.

"Yes. I gotta keep him interested if I'm gonna fuck him."

"I came back to Japan expecting low-level bullshit and I got this," Shishi grinned, "Ikeda Kiyoni, attempting to bed a soon-to-be priest. One who partakes in marijuana and goes...train hopping. If this isn't taking the cake, I don't know what is."

Aiko developed an idea, "Hm…"

Juri looked, "Uh oh. I don't like it when you look like that, Aiko. What are you thinking about?"

Aiko admitted, "I'm thinking about...placing a wager."

"Ooh," Shishi cooed, "Do tell."

"Kiyoni, don't cut my head off but…"

Kiyoni interrupted, "Before you even finish...no. Hell no. Like just...don't even think about it. Like, get it out of your head right now."

Juri was confused, "What? What are you thinking about?"

And so was Shishi, "Yeah, what she said."

Aiko came out with it, "Let's place a bet on whether or not Kiyoni will sleep with the preacher boy!"

"Oh...HELL NO," Kiyoni exclaimed, "Never have any of you bitches ever doubted my game. Why start now and then have the nerve to put money on it?"

"Kiyoni…" Juri proclaimed, "You said it yourself, Shuuichi is new for you. Don't you have...some doubts?

"If I ever doubted myself, I would've died a long time ago a shriveled up prune without ever having the experience of pussy or dick. Don't play with me."

"Yes but this is holy dick," Aiko hinted, "Blessed-by-the-sky-daddy dick. Who knows? He may be the chosen one to bless you with his…anointing oil…" Juri and Shishi laugh along with Aiko.

"Laugh it up all you like," Kiyoni taunted, "I'm not doing it so you might as well forget it."

Frustrated, Kiyoni grabbed her things and headed back to her dressing room. No way in hell was she going to let her newest conquest be treated like a joke.

"Ooh, triggered," Shishi teased.

"Forget her," Aiko dismissed, "We don't need her like that anyway."

"You still want to place that bet?"

"Hell yeah. You in?"

"Without question. Juri?"

Juri was unsure, "I don't know, you guys. The guy is cute and all but...Kiyoni does have a point."

"And when was the last time Kiyoni got any," Aiko hinted, "I'm surprised she isn't a shriveled up prune."

"There's other ways of harvesting sexual energy, Aiko."

"Yes, but we all know what the best way is."

"Oh, you are such an addict," Shishi prodded.

"And that's why I get paid the big bucks," Aiko smirked, "Okay, so here's the deal. We'll all pool some money together. If Kiyoni bangs the priest, she gets the pot. If she doesn't, we get the pot."

Shishi thought, "But how will we know if she does or not if she's not participating?"

"You let me figure that out."

Juri added, "What about the timing?"

"Huh?"

"It sounds like Kiyoni is gonna take her time with this one. How long will you give her?"

"Let's see...it's November, now. How about...three months?"

Juri and Shishi exclaimed, "Three months?!"

"Sure. I believe that's a long enough courtship before sex comes into play. We'll give her three months. That's until February. Oh! Valentine's Day! It's perfect! If Kiyoni doesn't fuck choir boy by Valentine's Day, we win the prize. If she gets some dick, even if it's on the exact holiday, she wins. Deal?"

Shishi pulls out his wallet, "Count me in. Juri?"

Juri considered the stakes, "Sure but I'm betting on Kiyoni to win."

"Ugh, whatever," Aiko pulls out her wallet as well from her chest, "Choir boy is gonna be a virgin until the day he meets his maker."

The bets are made. Kiyoni has until Valentine's Day to sleep with Shuuichi or else she's out of a big payout...and she was none the wiser.

Later that night, Aphrodisia opened up to it's usual late Sunday fare which meant business was on the slow side since the weekend was coming to an end. Kiyoni donned one of her dominatrix outfits for one of her approaching regulars, a salary man looking to get his rocks off. She was picking out which strap-on dildo to wear when Juri stopped by with some news.

"Hey, Kiyoni."

"Juri. Hey, love. Quick, which one should I wear tonight? This ribbed, purple one or the silky smooth, red one?"

"Uh, the red. No, the purple. Go for the purple," it was evident Juri wasn't her perky self. Her mannerisms screamed guilty.

"Yo. What's going on? Are you okay?"

Juri sighed, "I'm sorry, Kiyoni, for what I'm about to say."

"Well, make it quick. My next appointment is coming in about twenty minutes."

Juri blurted everything out as if she rehearsed this moment, "Okay. Aiko, Shishi, and I placed a bet on you on whether or not you would sleep with Minamino by Valentine's Day."

"You did...what?"

"My bet was for you! Shishi and Aiko thought… They say otherwise."

"I thought I made it crystal clear that my game is not a joke. Now, there's a bet on my head, my own...pussy?!"

"I'm sorry, Kiyoni."

"And what, pray tell, convinced you to vote for me, much less, to even participate in the bet?"

"Well, I did it because the guy likes you. I saw what he did during your dance. He asked me for your number during the show actually. He said he was interested in what you were about and stuff despite being what he is."

"It sounds like...you want us to hook up...for more than the usual reasons."

"Well, yeah. I'm a sucker for the 'opposites attract' idea and the two of you couldn't be more opposite."

Kiyoni facepalmed herself, "I cannot believe you all did that. What were the stakes?"

"If you can get him to sleep with you by Valentine's Day, you win the pot. If you don't, the rest of us win."

"Us?"

"Shishi and Aiko have spread the word. Just about everyone knows and is in but you."

"Greaaaaat. No pressure at all."

"I'm sorry, Kiyoni. I really am."

"Save it. I don't care now. It's obvious none of you have faith in me."

"What are you going to do?"

Kiyoni started touching up her makeup beginning with some mascara, "What do you think?! I'm going to do what I planned on doing starting with that date. Like I give a damn about some bet. The jokes will be on all of you when I end up happy and the rest of you end up miserable. For now, just leave me alone."

Reluctantly, Juri backed off, "Okay. Okay. Try not to think about the bet. I really do want you to succeed...and be happy, Kiyoni."

"Tuh!"

Left alone, Kiyoni contemplated her plan of action. She wasn't too surprised about the bet. It has been a while since she actually laid down with someone. Would it be with Shuuichi?

Back at the church compound, Shuuichi cleaned up whatever needed to be cleaned up before heading out. That left the sanctuary floor and confessional booths. He, too, was excited about his upcoming date. However, since it was a train riding marathon, he had to figure out just how to go about it.

Should I map out a trip or...maybe...wing it? Where would we go? What could we do?

Thoughts were placed on pause when Shuuichi ran into, "Touya! Oh, sorry. Didn't see you there."

"I don't see how you couldn't. Not unless you were spacing out. You were spacing out, weren't you?"

Shuuichi smiled awkwardly, "You caught me with my hands red."

"Something the matter?"

"Touya, you and I are pretty close, right?"

"I would assume so. We did grow up together here."

"Right, so, am I assured that what I'm about to say next won't freak you out?"

"Depends on what it is."

"Come with me." The two men convene inside Shuuichi's dorm apartment.

"Must be serious if you're acting like this," Touya presumed after removing his shoes.

Barefooted, Shuuichi paced within the open, carpeted space. So much for that high he had, "Touya, I'm...I'm going on a date this week."

"A date? That's awesome! With who? Sister Yukina? Sister Natsume? Wait. She's older."

"Neither. It's with none of the women here."

"Then who? ...Wait... it's not…"

Shuuichi smirked in excitement, "Yes. Her."

Touya immediately disagreed, "No. No. Just no. No way."

"What?"

"Shuuichi, she's… I don't think that's a good fit for you. One, she's of a different faith than you…"

"Different and yet, may have some of the same principles we do."

"Two, she's a yokai."

"Moot point considering you're a yokai and our friendship. To be specific, she's a succubus."

"A succubus?! She's a succubus?! You're going on a date with a succubus?! That's even worse for you! Do you not remember the story about Samson and Gomorrah? The story of the jezebel? A succubus is right up there. Do you know what a succubus does?"

"I have some ideas."

"And you're not afraid?"

"...No. If it makes you feel any better, Father Shinobu gave me this mission...sort of."

"Come again?"

"I'm in training to become a priest. Father Shinobu says I'm capable of leading the masses including the people we influenced in Shibuya. Ikeda was among those people. Bottom line is Father is looking for new members and I'm starting with her. Hence our date."

"Have you gone mad? Has Father gone mad? Does Father know what she is? For all we know, she could drain you dry the second you're alone with her. Not only is your purity at stake but so is your life. Shuuichi, please reconsider."

Shuuichi knew and could see how much Touya was concerned about the situation but, "I will not and no, Father doesn't know about her."

"What?!"

"Father doesn't know Ikeda is a succubus and I intend to keep it that way. I trust you will do the same. Besides, I managed to peel a layer of hers earlier today. The more layers removed, the more open she'll be. The more open she is, the more she'll stick around."

"And you...trust that theory? Who's to say she doesn't have her own ulterior motives?"

"She probably does-"

"Of course, she does! Their purpose is to drain victims of their life force and move on to the next. As your friend, I'd rather see you go later in life than sooner."

Shuuichi stood there with the elbow of his right arm inside his left hand, his right thumb rubbing against the forefinger just underneath his chin. He still had a smirk on his face thinking that Touya was overreacting to the news.

"You're completely against this?"

Touya noticed Shuuichi's mannerisms as he spoke. There was no convincing the priest-in-training.

"Look. I'm seeing that I can't talk you out of it so I'll say this. Please, in Jesus's holy name, be careful. Succubi live and feed off of sexual energy from what I've heard and are likely to kill you. Chances are she will use every trick she has just to get you into bed with her and that bed might as well be your grave. Just...be vigilant."

"I'll take it under advisement, Touya, and I will pray about it. Pray for me?"

"Of course. I always do."

The stage was set. Shuuichi and Kiyoni prepared for a date and a bet was made on Kiyoni's sex life much to her chagrin. Wednesday night will be more pivotal than one would expect.