It had been some time since the holidays and it seemed like things had calmed down both within the city and between Shuuichi and Kiyoni. The two have spent more time together including movie nights, window shopping trips, more train hopping, and platonic lunch and dinner dates. Vibes were more on the friendly side but there would be flirty moments on occasion.

On one particular day, Shuuichi was trimming a marijuana branch to make some hemp out of it. Another one of his many attempted projects with the plant. As he diligently worked, he couldn't help but notice Kiyoni calmly vibing in her own world. He had given her a sizable bud of one of his hybrid strains to smoke with and Kiyoni has been on cruise control ever since.

If anyone didn't know any better, one would think Kiyoni had taken a trip back in time to the days of Woodstock the way she was going. Rocking a pair of bell-bottoms, a halter crop top, and her hair in a semi-tamed afro due to the greenhouse's humidity, Kiyoni swayed to and fro to the tunes of music from Kendrick Lamar's Black Panther album with her mental state as high as the kites that used to fly at the historical music festival.

"I take it this song is of some significance to you," Shuuichi hinted.

"Poverty! Jealousy! …Negativity…" Kiyoni sang along before inhaling another dose of the green, "Go away…far away. I'll never forget the hype surrounding the movie."

"Movie?"

"Black Panther. Ah, the memories."

"Care to share?"

"Okay, so…it was my final year of high school when the movie was released. Since I was a part of my school's black student union, it was imperative that we go see it…and we did. Made it a big deal too. So we watched some videos on YouTube from others from around the world concerning the movie and got the idea to follow along. We all went home and grabbed any and everything even remotely African. If others like us cosplayed at the movies, so did we. I had my hair like it is now, wore…an Ankara dress I bought at a music festival with a pair of jeans because it was cold that night. My mom and brother came with us too. Oh, we were so lit.

"To my surprise, there was already a sizable amount of people in costume at the theater. I'm sure it was bigger in Tokyo but whatever. So we got to the movie theater and two of us came up with the idea to make a video of us dancing. I'm telling you, Suu'chi, when we wanted to make a statement, we made a statement. If anyone didn't think that black people lived in Japan, better yet, were going to see Black Panther, a movie made for black people by black people…in Japan, we had to prove them wrong."

"So what did you do?"

"What do you think," Kiyoni pulled out her phone and showed the video of her dancing with her classmates and family in the very movie theater where the infamous film played. There, they danced directly in front of the movie display in as much African garb they could bring and wear.

Moves such as the shaku shaku from Nigeria, the gwara gwara from South Africa, kwangwaru from Tanzania, and dances from the African diaspora were all the themes of the night. The Ikeda siblings showed out when doing the gwara gwara. It was a fun night.

Shuuichi noticed Kiyoni's mannerisms as she told her story and watched the video. He could tell she missed her happier days and the times when she felt complete with her family by the way she smiled and by how teary-eyed she was. It again begged the question as to how and why Kiyoni became a succubus. It also made Shuuichi wonder why no one else was able to talk about Kiyoni's brother while she could understandably talk about him for hours.

"It looks like you had a lot of fun," he stated.

"More fun than I knew now," Kiyoni realized as she wiped away a couple of tears, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get like that. It's not fair for me to bring up my family when…"

"It's alright. Really. I appreciate it. I understand how sensitive of a topic it is."

"It doesn't bother you at all?"

"Not at all. I'm just glad that you trust me enough to be open about it."

"Thank you," Kiyoni embraced Shuuichi with a warm hug.

Shuuichi picked up hints of Kiyoni's attraction and admiration and welcomed it. He sees her as an onion and with the more layers removed, the stronger and more genuine her affection grows. Speaking of affection, Kiyoni used the moment to make another move, slowly and gently kissing Shuuichi's neck.

"Kiyoni…"

"What? We're alone."

"Yes, but-"

"But nothing. What's wrong? Afraid to kiss me? This is your space, isn't it?"

"Well, I…never said I was afraid," following Kiyoni's lead, Shuuichi decided to take a break from his work for some lip and tongue action with her. A make out session in a greenhouse did sound fun.

"Hey! I just remembered."

"What's that?"

"You owe me a rematch."

"A rematch for what?"

"For beating me in laser tag. You owe me a rematch."

"I don't think so. You were defeated and quite fairly I may add."

"And in the interest of fairness, I am to be granted a rematch."

Shuuichi cocked an eyebrow, "I'll pass. Wouldn't want to embarrass you again."

"Ah! Embarrass me?! Come here, you–" Kiyoni pulled Shuuichi off his work stool for another round of lip locking.

Going further, Shuuichi propped Kiyoni on the table he was working on and held her tighter. Her skin felt amazing, her scent was just as appealing, and her lips were kissably perfect. Whether it was because she was a succubus or not, Kiyoni was quite charming.

Kiyoni never loosened her grip on Shuuichi's shirt, symbolizing her intention to keep him where he stood. Shuuichi was an incredible kisser especially for someone who was new to the dating game. However, the moment came to an unfortunate end when Shuuichi saw flashbacks of the sadistic Kurama as if the latter wanted to take control. Just about any intimate moment the deacon had with Kiyoni became a trigger for the dark side.

Scared, Shuuichi quickly broke away, "Ah!"

Kiyoni sat there surprised at what just happened, "Wha–? What was that?"

Frantically stepping away and with his face buried in his hands, all Shuuichi could say was, "Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it. Please, in the name of God, stop it, stop it, stop it."

"Suu'chi? Shuuichi," seeing as how Kiyoni never experienced a moment like this before, she made an attempt to remedy the situation, "…Shuuichi–?"

"Ah! What?! Wha–? Oh, Kiyoni…ugh…"

"Are you okay? You're pale as fuck. Did I…did I do something wrong–?""

"No, no. It's not you. It's…" Shuuichi inhaled and exhaled to calm down.

"Eh, do you…do you need, would you like…?"

"Yes. I think that'll help."

"Sure," Kiyoni relit her joint and shared it with Shuuichi. Within ten minutes, his mental troubles subsided.

Shuuichi even managed to get comfortable going to Aphrodisia more often under special treatment from Kiyoni. Whenever he showed up, Kiyoni was to be his hostess and his hostess only. She even made it known with a couple of performances both privately and on the main stage.

One night, seeing a serious-looking man in a business suit and a bob haircut walking around the establishment, Shuuichi questioned, "Who's he?"

Kiyoni rolled her eyes, "Ugh. That's my boss, Risho."

"That's the man who hit you?"

"Yes. Just leave him alone, Shuuichi. We all know he ain't shit."

"He should be in police custody for striking you. No man should ever place their hands on a woman without reason."

"That's nice but just drop it, okay? Here, it's your turn," Kiyoni handed over her joint.

"Fine," Shuuichi toked for the second time tonight as a dancer took the stage.

"No way in Hell should that shit stain walk," thoughts from Kurama.

"Agreed."

"Hm? Say something," Kiyoni inquired.

"I have to go to the bathroom."

"Ewww. That was random."

Shuuichi departed with a kiss and a smile, "Be right back."

Once out of Kiyoni's peripheral vision, Shuuichi followed Risho to the back of the club where Risho's office is.

"Excuse me," he knocked.

"Hm? Who the hell are you," Risho noticed.

Shuuichi closed the door behind him, "Minamino Shuuichi. I'm a friend of Miss Ikeda."

"Okay. So? Fantastic. She's one of the worst succubi I have, prissy and as picky as she is. I hope she's doing her job. Oh, and I don't give out refunds for shitty service. Even if it is from someone like her."

"Personally, I disagree. She's just fine and has been a fine hostess. It's you I'm concerned about."

"Me? What for? I don't even know you."

"Yes but I know of you and from what I do know…" Shuuichi leaned in close, "let's just say I'm not here for an autograph."

"Sir, if you don't get out of my face and the fuck out of my office, I will have no problem in getting your ass booted out by my new security," at this point, Risho had a finger on the call button underneath his desk.

Shuuichi's sense of smell picked up hints of annoyance and anger building within Risho. He jokingly laughed while scratching the back of his head, "You know what? You're right. I absolutely had no business being here speaking with you. You have an employee, who is as talented as she is attractive, required to entertain me for the evening. I better not waste time."

"More like money if you ask me."

"Sorry to bother you, sir. Enjoy the rest of your evening," Shuuichi departed.

"Jerk," while Risho worked on the books, strange, creaking sounds developed out of his sight.

What the hell was that? He went back to work thinking nothing of it.

Shuuichi returned to his hostess full of pride, "Hey, beautiful."

Kiyoni discovered, "Hey, you. Took you long enough."

"Sorry," Shuuichi kissed Kiyoni's cheek again.

"Well, you're just in time. Juri is about to perform."

"Really? Has she performed before?"

"She doesn't dance as often as, say, Aiko or I. We have danced before, though."

"Oh. Well, if she's danced with you, then I'm sure her performance will be just as good."

"Aw, that's so sweet of you." Kiyoni curled underneath one of Shuuichi's arms as they watched Juri put on a performance.

Juri's dance was aquatic based, moving and flowing like a tantalizing mermaid showing off her incredible upper body strength as her body waved up and down the pole. Tricks such as the armpit hold, the assisted pencil spin into the carousel and chair spin, a backbend that gave way to the meridian and pike hip hold were all difficult to execute given that Juri had to keep her legs together and rely on the strength of her arms and shoulders to play the part of a water nymph. After her transformation, Juri's legs went free, displaying moves such as the ballerina spin, the closed rainbow, and the no-hand cupid hold using the strength of one leg to hold the pole with the foot of the other as a base. Not even Princess Ariel of The Little Mermaid would dare to move the way Juri was. Even the shades of blue, green, purple, and pink stage lights and accompanying bubbles added to the underwater effect.

"Go, Juri," Kiyoni cheered.

"That definitely does not look easy."

"Yeah. You wouldn't catch me doing that. I like using my entire body."

Shortly after Juri's show, a faint scream echoed near the stage.

"Did you hear something," Kiyoni wondered.

"You mean other than the music? No."

"Hey. Why don't we go somewhere more private?"

"Or just leave altogether?"

"Suu'chi…" Kiyoni whined.

"Kiyoni…" Shuuichi responded in the same tone with a little kiss on the nose.

"I'm serious."

"As am I. What did you have in mind?"

"Well…" Kiyoni walked a couple of fingers up Shuuichi's leg and around the zipper of his pants.

"Kiyoni…"

"What?"

"I'd prefer that we leave for that."

"Why not here? We have my dressing room."

"True but I just have a feeling we shouldn't be here...for that. That's all."

Kiyoni had to consider her options. Stay at the club and eventually give up on taking advantage of Shuuichi's piece or leave the club, when she doesn't want to leave, and eventually take advantage of Shuuichi's piece.

"Where would you want to go?"

"I don't know. Your place?"

Kiyoni sucked on her teeth in a huff.

"What," Shuuichi queried, "Was it something I said?"

"I thought you'd be a little adventurous."

"I am! I'm here, am I?"

"Yeah, but…"

"But what?"

"Damn. I wanted to suck your dick while I'm on the clock. Or we can go at it right here, out in the open. That doesn't sound exciting to you?"

"Kiyoni...I'm just…"

Kiyoni had gotten frustratingly annoyed, "Just what?"

"I just have a bad vibe, that's all. It's nothing against you," Shuuichi sat closer to Kiyoni, "Don't you trust me?"

Kiyoni grew suspicious, "Bad vibe, huh?"

"Yes. A seriously bad vibe and I don't want you to get caught up in it."

Kiyoni sighed, "Okay. I'll go get my coat."

"No, no. Don't. Allow me. Give me your key."

Kiyoni grabbed Shuuichi's hand and had him find the key inside her cleavage, "Don't stay away too long."

"I won't," Shuuichi returned to the back to grab Kiyoni's things. Along the way, he peeked inside Risho's office to admire his work.

"Well done", Kurama commented.

"He deserved it," Shuuichi determined.

"On top of that, I meant earlier."

"Earlier?"

"Copping a feel of her breasts? I'm sure she would've let you do more."

"Must you always be like that?"

"Whenever we're here, yes. Must you be a prude?"

"It's called respect. You should try it."

"And Kiyoni is a sexual deviant. Perhaps you should try her."

Since the new year began, Shuuichi and Kurama have played a game of mental tug-o-war with each other, fighting over control of the body they shared. At times, their arguments garnered unwarranted attention from church members and residents. At times, their arguments were brutal. Petty other times. If anyone were to describe their verbal altercations, they would make comparisons to rivals, frenemies, and...toxic lovers who have made it well past the honeymoon stage.

They would talk about the way Shuuichi grooms himself, those around the church who Kurama finds attractive. They would talk about Shuuichi's social media pages and how boring they were, according to Kurama. Kurama would constantly complain to Shuuichi about the latter's way of bible study and his cordial interaction with his brothers and sisters in Christ. Shuuichi lamented about Kurama's wild way of thinking and about the way he wants to live his life. Free sex, thievery, and violence were all things Kurama was down for while abstinence until marriage, humility, and peaceful ways towards conflict resolution were the things Shuuichi stood by. They couldn't be any more opposite.

By the time Shuuichi came back, Kiyoni was talking to Juri.

"I'm so glad I got through with that," she said.

"Juri, you absolutely killed it," Kiyoni smiled, "The part when you were swimming on the pole...SENT me!"

"Thank you. You would not believe how much I had to do for that. Fortunately, my new charge is a personal trainer."

"Whaaaaat? You never said anything about that. Now that you mention it…your arms are looking a bit shapely. I need to catch up."

"Duh, Kiyoni. I have to get my kicks in too somehow."

"Hey, Kiyoni," Shuuichi stepped in, handing over both the key and coat, "Ready?"

"Sure," Kiyoni replied, "Thanks."

"Oh, great performance, Juri. Those pole tricks were quite impressive."

"Thanks," Juri blushed, "Hey, Minamino?"

"Yes?"

"Do you…? Do you think…?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think you can get that other guy to come here? The one with the blue hair?"

"Oh. That's Touya. How do you know him?"

"Kiyoni showed me a picture the night you guys met."

"Oh, well...if I know Touya, I don't think he would approve of all of this. He kinda scoffed at the idea of me being with Kiyoni. Still does so now. I'll tell you what. I'll see what I can do with him. Will that work?"

Juri smiled brightly, "Really?! Yeah! Thank you!"

"You're welcome. Have a good night."

"You, too. Goodnight, Kiyoni!"

Kiyoni waved, "That was nice of you."

Shuuichi shrugged it off, "Well, after coming here so many times, I'm realizing that not everything is so binary. Situations happen."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning I'm learning how not to be too judgemental based on religious faith. I have you to thank for that."

"That's what I like to hear. Now, let's go."

Upon walking through the crowds of the Kabukicho district, Kiyoni developed an idea, "Hey. Why don't we check into a hotel for the night?"

"I'm for that", Kurama agreed.

"No," Shuuichi answered in an aggravated tone.

Kiyoni complained, "Why not? Suu'chi, do we really have to go all the way to my place? Ooh! Let's go to yours."

"I'm for that idea as well...for round two."

"Will you be quiet," Shuuichi demanded.

"Be quiet," Kiyoni repeated, "The hell is wrong with you? I'm simply stating my feelings."

"It's nothing against you, I swear," Shuuichi assured, "It's just that I would feel...more comfortable in a private setting."

"But, Suu'chi…" Kiyoni whined again, "I'm hungry and itching for something exciting."

"See? We can feed her and take care of our needs at the same time. Mm, I wonder if she's familiar with the sixty-nine position. We could let her be on top. With the lights on this time."

"Will you shut up?!"

Kiyoni grew upset, "Okay. What the hell is wrong with you? You kinda haven't been the same since Gandara."

"What are you talking about?"

"You! This! This...split personality or something. I may be a Gemini but you're the one who's acting two-faced. It's like I'm walking with Jekyll and Hyde."

Kurama approved, "She's a smart one."

Shuuichi stated, "Kiyoni, I'm...I'm fine. You're right. Things haven't been the same since Gandara and I'm learning how to be okay with that. It's just that…these new developments are kinda taking a toll on me."

"I get that but I feel like you're taking your frustrations out on me for those developments. Not in a good way either."

"There's only one way to solve that…"

Shuuichi annoyingly sighed in his throat, "I'm sorry. That's not how I wanted to do things."

"Then what do you want to do?"

"The answer is definitely obvious. If I could, I would kill you if you spend another night with a case of blue balls, Shuuichi."

Shuuichi screamed, "Ahhhhhhh! For the love of God, shut up!"

Kiyoni stood there stunned, not knowing what to say, "You are really creeping me out. And you just proved my point."

"Kiyoni, I-"

"Save it. I'm going back to the club. I know I can eat there."

"Kiyoni, wait."

"No. I don't know what you have going inside that head of yours but it's scaring the hell out of me. So I'm walking away before things get worse."

"Kiyoni!"

"Drop me a line when you get it together."

Now when it came to the subject of Kiyoni, both Shuuichi and Kurama agreed to disagree...sort of. Kurama was thirsty for Kiyoni's wild side. He even made it known through Shuuichi's dreams whenever the latter slept at night, torturing the poor deacon on the specific things the fox wanted to do to and with the succubus.

Shuuichi, on the other hand, had growing feelings for Kiyoni and wanted nothing but the best for her. He appreciated her open-mindedness and friendly attitude whenever she wasn't flirty. Despite that, he did enjoy the dreams Kurama built even though it left him with a few embarrassingly wet ones. If there was one thing they could agree on, it was that Kiyoni had a profound impact on their lives.

In the middle of the Kabukicho crowd, Shuuichi facepalmed himself, frustrated over what just happened, "If you had…only kept your mouth shut…"

"And if you would've followed Kiyoni's lead and not hold back, we would've been relaxing in her promised land by now."

"That...was disgusting."

"So says the virgin. Shuuichi, what the hell is holding you back? I've said it before. You want her, she needs you. What's the wall you can't seem to break through?"

Needing a moment to release some tension, Shuuichi managed to find an open area away from prying eyes and ears, using his phone as a prop, "You! You're the wall! How would you feel if you found out there's a spirit opposite of you living in your own body?"

"In case you didn't know, I have witnessed that and it's not as fun as you think. We have switched bodies, remember?"

"And, as gratitude, you decided to take advantage of someone I care about? You're a sick individual, you know that? Just how on God's green earth did I end up with you?"

"You're not ready for that conversation."

"What?"

"You're not ready for that conversation. You're too volatile."

"And I'm speaking with the reason why."

"Listen. I'm not going to say much but it has a lot to do with Shinobu. As a matter of fact, on a broader scale, we're all unfortunate puppets in his sick show. You and I just so happen to be his main attraction."

"Shinobu, a puppeteer? No way. He's one of the most honest men I know. He took me in, raised me. There's no way."

"Even the most pure can have hidden shadows. That's how light and dark works. Think about it. You're a man of faith as well and yet you have me. Kiyoni is a succubus and yet you want to see the good in her. Shinobu has asked you and others to go out into the world to invite more yokai to come to church while others have been found dead all over the streets of Tokyo. Remember Natsume? Have you ever wondered why the congregation has seen an increase in attendance lately?"

"Are you saying I should take a closer look at Shinobu?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying. He's taught you how not to be a zealot and yet he's the biggest one of all."

"I refuse to believe that. I know Shinobu. That man is pure of heart."

"You know one side. I know the other. I wouldn't be surprised if he asked us to go for Kiyoni next."

"You leave her out of this. She has nothing to do with it."

"Too late. She's already involved. Being a succubus, I'm sure somewhere in Shinobu's sick and twisted mind that he plans on making her a whore for God's army. Why do you think he's pushing you to get closer to her?"

"Enough! I will not hear any more of your lies!"

"Fine. I'll keep my mouth shut. However, the moment shit hits the fan, I will say, 'I told you so'."

Shuuichi adjusted his coat and kept it moving with thoughts of his conversation with his inner self playing on his mental record. Could his inner demon be telling the truth? Could Shinobu be a devil in disguise with Shuuichi acting as a pawn in his scheme? He'll have to return to the church for answers. Answers that not even God could provide.