Now that Christmas was over, it was time for the biggest party of the year, New Year's. While most would rather host a house party, stay home and watch TV until they pass out, or even become a part of the crowd in the downtown areas of the world's major cities, Aiko got something better. Something she hoped her position (or many, thereof) would earn her. She couldn't wait to brag about it so she asked Juri and Kiyoni to meet her at a local coffee shop for brunch.

"Eeeeeeeee," she squealed with an envelope in hand, "I got it, I got it, I gooooot iiiiiiiit!"

"Got what," Juri asked before taking a sip of her white chocolate matcha latte.

Aiko presented, "This! An invitation to one of the hottest, most lit, most ex-cluuuu-sive nightclubs on the other side of the veil. Club Morningstar. They're having a three-night, New Year's party and only the elitist of the elites get invited."

"If only the elitest of the elites get in, how did you get an invitation?"

Aiko flipped her hair over her shoulders just full of pride, "I have my ways, Juri. Maybe you should focus more on getting on your knees than serving martinis."

"Hey! I'm doing just fine!"

"Sure, you are. Tell her, Kiyoni. Oh, wait. How has that been going for you?"

Kiyoni had spaced out once again. This latest vision centered around a holiday-themed date down an illuminated park walkway holding hands and laughing with Shuuichi, no doubt inspired by the holiday show from earlier. It was utterly romantic as Shuuichi engaged Kiyoni in an impromptu dance brought on by a couple of body spins. Kiyoni loved it all, giggling like a princess dancing with her red-headed prince to the tunes of the most love-filled holiday music as snowflakes fall on and around them like a snowglobe. In the middle of the dance, Shuuichi grabbed both of Kiyoni's hands and lowered himself to one knee. Tears welled in Kiyoni's eyes, knowing what's about to come.

However, the sweet moment came to an end when Kiyoni heard the voices of her companions speak her name through Shuuichi's lips, "KIYONI!"

"What," Kiyoni screamed, startling those nearby.

"For the love of all things sexual," Aiko frustratingly wished, "please...please get some help for all that daydreaming. There's gotta be a name for that."

"My bad," Kiyoni mumbled before taking a sip of her turtle-flavored hot chocolate.

"Are you okay," Juri checked.

"I'm fine," Kiyoni answered, "What were we talking about?"

"This," Aiko presented the invitation again, "Club Morningstar? Three-night party for the new year?"

"Oh, yeah. I've heard of that. That place is hard to get into. How'd you do it?"

Aiko sighed, "Ugh. If you nosy bitches must know. One of my sugar daddies is a member of the Black Black Club. He, specifically, chose me to accompany him to the event. He even gave me his credit card to go shopping with."

"Ooh, which one," Juri cooed.

"Duh. The only one that matters," Aiko pulled out her wallet, "This one."

"The black one?!"

"Can't be a member of the Black Black Club if you don't have one of these. Oh, Aoyama. Harajuku. I may have to use this to get some stuff imported."

"Lucky."

"Don't I know it? So, now that you know of my plans for the new year, what are you two, boring fucks gonna do?"

"Oh, I'm thinking I'll just stay in for the night. A friend of mine is coming in from the other side so we might go out. Kiyoni, what about you?"

"Yeah," Aiko sipped her drink, a matcha chai latte, "Oh, wait. Maybe you'll finally pop the preacher boy's cherry. Have him start off the new year as...preacher man. Hehehehehe."

"Very funny," Kiyoni scoffed, "As far as plans go...I got...something in mind."

"He said you can choose, right," Juri affirmed, "That's...a lot of things."

"I know. I just have to narrow it down to something we can be comfortable with. When we had movie night, that worked because I like to stay in and watch movies. That was cool but what can I do that's cool with me...and cool with him?"

"Simple," Aiko answered, "Get on your knees."

"Huh?"

"Get on your knees and pray...to his cock. It's a win-win for the both of you."

Kiyoni sighed, "Aiko...if only you knew…"

"Knew? Knew what? We all know the man is a virgin. Kiyoni, what the hell is taking you so long to fuck this man?"

"Time! It's all about timing...Aiko. Not only that but every time I'm with him, I'm analyzing him. Unlike you, who uses her pussy every five seconds to benefit yourself, I like to use mine to benefit both parties. If I'm going to bed a virgin, I would want said virgin to have sex so mind-blowing, that I am forever the standard no matter who they choose to sleep with next. In order for me to accomplish that goal, I have to get to know my charges and right now, Minamino is that charge. As virginal as he is, it's going to take some time for him to open up to me. I am not going to rush this. If I do so, I would be no better than any of those fucktards that give sex a bad name when out on the street. So if my time comes and it happens to be after the new year, so be it. I am going to deflower Minamino Shuuichi and I will do so when we are both ready."

Both Aiko and Juri sat in silence with the latter sipping her latte. Vindicated, Kiyoni took a sip of her drink as well.

"Well," Aiko concluded, "let's hope it's not too long of a wait. Either way, I'm going to have some fun for the new year while you two spend it bored."

"I got an idea," Juri suggested, "Since you have that card, why don't the three of us go shopping? I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, right?"

Aiko cocked an eyebrow, "Hmm. I guess it wouldn't. There's no spending limit on this thing. Kiyoni, you in?"

Gears turned in Kiyoni's head but she was still in reality, "Yeah. Count me in."

Back at the Lighthouse compound, physical training was underway in the gymnasium. Weight lifting, gymnastics, basic combat training, martial arts, and boxing were all the main focus of the building. Can't be fit for the God's army if the body is out of shape. Quotes from 1 Corinthians 6:19 - 20, Philippians 4:13, and 1 Timothy 4:8 all hung on banners from the ceiling as blessed signs of endearment and encouragement. Touya locked horns with Shuuichi in hand-to-hand combat with the latter taking the upper hand. Touya came in with a roundhouse kick to which Shuuichi ducked from using the opportunity to bring in a sweeping kick. Touya avoided the contact with an aerial somersault and a mid-rise kick towards Shuuichi's head while he was still down. Shuuichi narrowly avoided that move with a Capoeira swing into a back handspring and a roundhouse kick to Touya just as Touya was approaching him.

Shinobu blew the whistle on the match, "That's it."

Shuuichi offered a hand, "Good match. You almost had me there."

"Yeah, I thought so too," Touya accepted, "Your kicks are getting faster. Have you been doing some running?"

"Really? I thought I was...doing fine."

"He's right," Shinobu chimed in, "The speed of your movements have increased slightly."

"I never really...took the time to notice."

"Well, it doesn't matter. The both of you did great. Why don't you two hit the weights?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Touya stated, "Shuuichi?"

"After you," Shuuichi followed.

On the free weights, both men go for upper body strength. Touya began with the biceps using sets of seven to nine kilogram weights. Shuuichi did the same but started with the nine and added a set of eleven kilogram weights.

"Geez, Shuuichi," Touya noticed, "What have you been doing?"

"You said my movements...were faster, right?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, I can definitely say...my strength has improved lately."

"Really?"

"Indeed… Remember when we... received a new set of...hymnals for the sanctuary?"

"Yeah…"

"Let's just say that...I was able to carry...an entire box inside."

"What?! Those things weigh a ton!"

"About as much as these, actually," Shuuichi grabbed hold of the heavier weights, "Yeah... definitely...the same." Given the challenge, he did isolated bicep curls.

"Wow," Touya stated in shock, "First, the thing with plants and now this. Are you sure you're not turning into one of us?"

Shuuichi dropped the weights, "Is it possible?"

"I think so. You've been around us for so long, I wouldn't be surprised if you picked up on some of our energy. I've heard it happening to others like you."

Thinking about the situation made Shuuichi take a seat on the bench. Grabbing a lighter weight, he worked on his triceps with some overhead extensions, "It does...sound possible. Would you think of me any different...if I was a yokai?"

"Not really," Touya adjusted his bench for some chest work, "So long as we're still fighting...for the same side."

From a distance, Shinobu watched as the two men conversed. Touya had already proved himself to join Shinobu's crusade but if he can get Shuuichi, his first student, to fight the good fight, the army will be stronger than ever. Only time will tell when Shuuichi is fully ready.

Morning turned to afternoon. Afternoon turned to evening. As the sun descended from the land of the rising sun, Kiyoni had returned home for a quick nap before reporting for work. Hands full of shopping bags, her youthful giggle echoed throughout her apartment as she ran through her bounty like a child excited for Christmas. New shoes, clothing, accessories, jewelry, and fragrances from brands like Gucci, Armani, YSL, Burch, Valentino, Tom Ford, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, and Prada made Kiyoni appreciate Aiko for taking her out for a second Christmas. Aiko may be a toxic bitch at times but she has her redeemable moments. What made Kiyoni extra giddy was the outfit combination she picked out for the new year's party. As she stood in front of her mirror with her chosen dress, there was no doubt Kiyoni knew what the second date would be. Unfortunately, the only way to go on that date would require the use of a golden ticket. Better yet...a black ticket.

At Aphrodisia, Kiyoni finished her last stage performance of the night. Well, according to her, it was. She had dressed as the avenger, Black Widow, and danced to the tune of Britney Spears's Toxic. She felt giddy about her night ahead upon descending from the stage.

Near the dressing area, Kiyoni hid behind a corner in view of Aiko's room. Within minutes, Aiko stepped out smoking a cigarette and wearing a black bra and panty set with a mesh black robe. Her door was closed but unlocked due to a time crunch. Time to make a move. Kiyoni eased her way inside in full bandit mode and ready to strike.

Ew. How can someone so bougie have a room this messy and stinky? Make that make sense, Aiko.

Kiyoni searched all over the purple-walled room for the necessary items without disturbing anything. She hits paydirt when Aiko's purse is found underneath a stack of brand name boxes.

"There you are," Kiyoni whispered, pulling out both the party invitation and the black credit card, "Looks like you're mine now...for tonight anyway."

Young and neither dumb nor full of cum (yet), Kiyoni trekked out of there like a bat out of hell. Step one: find and collect the "golden" black ticket to the party. Check.

Step two: secure the ride. After changing and gathering her things, Kiyoni headed to the main office to speak to the owner, "Shishi? What the hell are you doing here?"

"Making sure you whores stay in line," he responded while looking through financial records, "Geez, how does anyone keep track of anything? What do you want?"

"Taking the Lambo out tonight. Mind handing me the keys?"

Shishi opened a nearby drawer where the keys lay in wait. He sheepishly grinned when he tossed them away, "Going out?"

"Yep. I feel like being extra bad tonight."

"Don't get caught."

"Never that."

If Kiyoni's horns could grow any longer or larger, they would upon observing the lone car sitting in the underground garage of the building. How fitting for Rihanna's S&M to play above ground. Kiyoni was good at being bad.

"Hello, beautiful," Kiyoni greeted as she slid a finger against the hood of the car, "Remember me?"

It may have been cold outside, but the inside of the car was hot by the time its driver activated the engine and turned on the heat.

"Ready to shut shit down, gorgeous," Kiyoni revved up the engine, "Thought so. First, we have to make a few stops."

The garage door opened and Kiyoni cruised onto the street mindful of any incoming traffic, pedestrian or automotive.

A drift vehicle pulled up next to her at a stop light with two men inside. The passenger side window slid down for the men to check out the ride and Kiyoni met them. The driver of the draft vehicle challenged Kiyoni to a street race while the passenger flicked his tongue between two fingers. Didn't phase Kiyoni for a second. When the light turned green, both cars took off towards the next light. Just when the drifter thought he was gonna win, Kiyoni shifted into the turning lane and whipped it like a wild woman destroying any opportunity for the men to spend any time with her. There was only one man Kiyoni cared about anyway.

Cruising through the streets of Tokyo in the lambo, Kiyoni took any opportunity to show any and everyone her shiny ride. It may be the "company car" but Kiyoni was a pro at driving it. Due to the paint, the Lambo could come off as Batman black but could easily pass for Joker purple within a certain angle or amount of light. Either way, it was sick and fitting for the night. One major stop on the road towards unbridled fun included Yomiuri Land where Kiyoni took some time to admire the ice statue made in her likeness. Her heart swelled upon the sight and the thoughts behind it. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, and cash gifts were one thing. An ice statue? One made in her image? For all of Tokyo to see? That's a whole new present in its entirety.

At the Lighthouse compound, Shuuichi was assisting everyone with some new year preparations by the time his phone rang.

"Moshi Moshi?"

"Hey, Suu'chi," Kiyoni beamed using the car phone.

"Kiyoni. This is a surprise. Haven't heard from you in a few days."

"Yeah, I know. I...needed some time for myself."

"Same. How's everything?"

"Everything's fine. Matter of fact, things just got better. Got any plans tonight?"

"Well, I'm helping out with the church clean up. Preparations for the new year service and whatnot. Why, what's up?"

Kiyoni lit a marijuana cigarette and was cool and collected when she asked, "Ready for that second date?"

"Now?! Tonight? But...but we didn't plan ahead."

"Neither did this good fortune that fell on my lap but here we are. Come out with me, Suu'chi."

"And where, pray tell, are we going? Matter of fact, why do you sound distant and where are you?"

Kiyoni ignored the third degree questions in favor of her invitation, "How much longer will you be? I'm at Yomiuri Land."

Shuuichi sighed, "I'll be ready by the time you get here."

"On my way," with one final look at the statue, Kiyoni drove off.

Shuuichi walked out from his sanctuary with some green in hand in case Kiyoni asked him for it. Just as he was about to look out for her, he was stopped by Father Shinobu.

"Deacon," he beckoned.

Shuuichi quickly tucked his stash in his back pocket, "Father Shinobu. What's up?"

The two men stood near the campus playground covered in the only light of the area.

"Going out tonight," Shinobu asked.

"Apparently so. Kiyoni kinda...invited me at the last minute."

"Her again? How nice."

"Yeah," Shuuichi awkwardly breathed.

Shinobu carefully chose his words so as to not upset the fellow Deacon without giving anything away, "Any word on your... powers?"

"My powers," Shuuichi did the same with his words, "I... can't say for sure at the moment. Touya thinks it may have something to do with my constant exposure to all the yokai here."

"That is possible. If there are any developments, you will let me know, yes?"

The sound of a Lamborghini pulling up broke the tension between the two men. Kiyoni revealed herself to be the driver upon rolling the window down.

"Well, she has a penchant for flashy things," Shinobu assumed.

Stunned, Shuuichi responded, "That she does. I guess that's my exit cue."

"I guess it would be. Have a good night, deacon."

"Thank you. Same to you," Shuuichi approached his date secretly grateful to see her and to be away from Shinobu.

Kiyoni stepped out of the vehicle to show off her outfit. A dark purple, form-fitting, cocktail dress that emphasized her figure, black, Louboutin shoes, and a chunky, turquoise necklace with her hair in a wash-n-go style. The only thing that kept her warm was a fur-lined, crop jacket.

"Hey, you," she said sweetly.

"What in the world did this come from and-oh, my god, you look amazing."

Kiyoni gave her date a 360-degree of her look, "You like?"

"Yes. You look very nice and your...legs…"

"Ooh, aren't you sweet?"

"Where did this come from?"

"This? This is the company car."

"That is the company car?"

"Yep. A part of everyone's paycheck goes towards its upkeep and parking spot. Allowing employees to drive it is a fair form of payback."

"Agreed. So...where exactly are we going in that?"

"Number one, to get you a makeover."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. This...tucked in shirt, mom jeans combo is not hitting."

"I happen to like this look. I mean the jacket-"

"Bro, I've seen pictures of my dad rocking that shit back in the nineties. That was roughly thirty years ago. You need a new look, bro, and judging by where we're going, you need one now."

"Where are we going?"

"First things first. Get in."

"Can you tell me where we're going first? I don't like how this is panning out."

"Aht aht," Kiyoni pointed a finger, "Faith the size of a mustard seed, remember? You gotta trust me on this one."

Both driver and her reluctant passenger hop inside the car and it's off to the date. First stop, a hair salon where Shuuichi gets his hair colored, trimmed, and smoothed over. Kiyoni was familiar with this salon because this was where her brother would get his hair done and was also one of the first salons in Japan to afro-texturize Asian hair using a curling sponge.

"Ooh," Kiyoni admired with the camera phone in hand, "Ruby red. I like it."

Shuuichi checked himself in the mirror and approved his new hair color, "Not bad. Not bad at all. I can get used to this. So, is that all?"

"Nope. We still need a new outfit for you. Something fashionable yet mobile."

"Fashionable yet mobile? What did you have in mind?"

"To Harajuku!"

In one of the country's most popular shopping hubs, Kiyoni dragged Shuuichi to a high-end, urban/hip hop clothing store for a new set of threads. This one had a mix of both Japanese and western-style pieces of clothing, brands domestic and international. Kiyoni liked it best because its twin store for women was right across the street.

"Kiyoni, honestly, what's wrong with what I have on?"

"Suu'chi, look at me and look at you. Total mismatch."

"Well, maybe if you would inform me as to our whereabouts for tonight, I would be a bit more open to your suggestions."

"Don't get smart with me," Kiyoni relented, "Alright. I got an invitation to attend a three-night, New Year's party at one of the biggest nightclubs around."

"A three-night party at a nightclub? Seems... unusual to me."

"You'd be surprised. Anyway, the party is exclusively for the elites so dress is crucial. Which is why we're here. Now what's your size?"

Shuuichi shuffled through a couple of racks where sweaters and sweatshirts were the norm, "If you're treating me to some new clothes, the least you can do is give me the freedom of choice."

Kiyoni surrendered, "Fair. Go right ahead."

Shuuichi settled for a black and white-striped t-shirt underneath a black kimono-like jacket with roses on the bottom hem, a pair of black jeans, a brand new pair of black and white Adidas, and a wooden cross around his neck.

"How's this?"

"It...actually works. I like it."

"You think it's fitting for the party?"

"Yeah! Definitely. Shall we go?"

"After you."

Back at Aphrodisia, Aiko finished her shift as well, "Time to par-tay."

Finding her purse, Aiko screamed loud and angrily enough to where employees and clients could hear.

"What the hell," Shishi wondered, "What was that all about?"

Anger quickly turned to laughter from Aiko, "That little bitch…"

"Huh?"

"Kiyoni. That little bitch."

"She left about an hour ago. What about her?"

"That little bitch took my invitation," Akio searched through her wallet, "and the black card."

"Aiko, what the hell are you talking about?"

Aiko lit a cigarette while looking at the mirror, "You better make it worth it, Ikeda. You better make it worth it."