Shuuichi eventually accompanied Kiyoni back to her home after spending the better part of the morning laying things out on the emotional table. As they entered the apartment, a common feeling of uncertainty overcame them. What happens now? Where to go from here?

"Suu'chi?"

"Yes?"

"Why do I feel so...overwhelmed?"

"The feeling's mutual. I think it's because of everything that's happened and happening between and around us."

"I didn't expect any of this to happen. Well, other than the two of us getting together."

"Besides that, neither did I."

Kiyoni stood directly in front of Shuuichi after she hung up his coat, "What do we do now?"

Shuuichi removed his shoes and stood in front of Kiyoni, "I'm not sure."

"Do you…do you think…something will come between us?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know. Maybe…maybe we'll reach a breaking point…before this shit ends. Do you think that'll happen?"

Shuuichi blinked a couple of times upon listening to that question. The concerned way she looked after just making her statement back in Shibuya surprised him. She sounded so confident in her words. Now she's just as frightened as Shuuichi. Could this be another wall of hers coming down? Is she truly afraid of going about things alone?

For now, all Shuuichi could do was provide some words of encouragement since he was so good at it from Kiyoni's perspective, "Kiyoni, I'm not sure what's going to happen. I'm not a psychic. However, what I do know is that…no matter what happens…we'll have quite the story to tell whether we go our separate ways or not. We'll just…have to hang on and see things through to the end. Whatever that end is."

The words worked. Kiyoni shifted her way into Shuuichi's arms once again, whispering his nickname. He felt so good once he squeezed her tightly. It reminded her of their first movie night together. This time, he was warmer and more welcoming. If she could use her magic hands on him, she would.

Leading Shuuichi inside, Kiyoni joined him on her couch. Shuuichi pulled her in under his arm and Kiyoni curled up against his body. For moments the two sat there, staring off into space, thinking about how they got to where they are. It all started with a random meeting in the Shibuya district on a Halloween night. She was a succubus looking for her next fix. He was a young deacon working to spread God's word to the masses. Whether it was divine intervention or a play on fate's cruel game, neither Shuuichi nor Kiyoni understood why or how they got together. Nearly three months later, neither didn't want to grow apart.

"I wish we could...just take a break from all of this," Kiyoni stated.

"I gave you the opportunity to do so but I understand. I feel the same way. Unfortunately, there are too many loose ends to tie. We can't walk away so easily."

Kiyoni was given a kiss on the forehead as Shuuichi grazed her shoulder. Kiyoni laid a hand on Shuuichi's thigh and rubbed a thumb within the inner area.

"You know what I miss," Shuuichi hinted.

"What's that?"

"This. Being this close to you. Just the two of us in total silence."

That gave Kiyoni an idea, "You know what I miss?"

"No. What?"

Kiyoni adjusted her position and Shuuichi's head, "This." A passionate kiss came his way.

Feeling the vibe, Shuuichi turned his body to face Kiyoni, "Yes. I forgot about that."

Without thinking, Shuuichi wrapped his arms around Kiyoni's waist as she cupped Shuuichi's face with one hand and reached for his inner thigh with the other, leaning back on the couch. The arm that rested on Shuuichi's leg joined its partner around his neck which gave Shuuichi leverage to bring Kiyoni to his lap. Kiyoni happily accepted.

As the two lip locked once again, Kiyoni's newly-manicured nails found their way in and through Shuuichi's hair, settling themselves around the nape and crown of the head. It felt fairly full yet soft with a couple of damp areas from a recent shower. Shuuichi got a feel of Kiyoni's back and midsection, tightly embracing her as the moment intensified. He wasn't going to admit it but the contrast of Kiyoni's waist to her hips was quite impressive.

A soft growl developed within Shuuichi's throat whenever Kiyoni got near his ears. Kiyoni had to break away to talk about it, "Was that you?"

"Hm?"

"That...sound. I think it came from you."

"What sound?"

"I don't know. I think it sounded like a hum or growl or something."

"You're probably hearing things," Shuuichi assured with a sweet meeting of the noses followed by a soft kiss, "Now, where were we?"

"...Nevermind."

For a little while longer, Kiyoni and Shuuichi rode the train of intimacy with no real destination. With lips intertwined and hands all over each other, it was as if this very moment was what they were looking for. With everything that was going on around them, a moment of peace, romance, and companionship was the solution. At least, temporarily.

Kiyoni guided Shuuichi towards the back of the couch again to give her better leverage for her hands to comb through Shuuichi's hair. Meanwhile, Shuuichi decided to go bold and inch his fingers underneath Kiyoni's shirt, gracing her skin with his thumbs while keeping the majority of his hands on the top hem or waistline on Kiyoni's jeans. Kiyoni felt goosebumps develop from Shuuichi's touch and even though he was tickling her, Kiyoni was turned on. So much so that she inched her fingers up towards Shuuichi's ears again. He growled a second time and pulled Kiyoni in like a wolf claiming what's his.

"Whoa there," Kiyoni giggled, "I thought you were a fox."

"I am. I'm just…enjoying what's mine."

First, it was Kurama who claimed Kiyoni. Now, it's Shuuichi. They really are merging.

Kiyoni looked up and noticed how her hands had grasped Shuuichi's ears. She rubbed them as if Shuuichi was a pet dog or cat and he growled for a third time while pulling her in for a second. After her first private dance, the neck massage Kiyoni gave Shuuichi made him melt and she didn't use her special touch then. For a second time, Kiyoni used her hands again to an arousing response from her guest.

"Holy shit," she realized, "Suu'chi...I think we may have found a sweet spot for you."

"Sweet spot? My ears?"

"Yeah! Wow, this is new, even for me. Then again...I never dealt with a yokai fox before."

"We all have our firsts."

"We do," Kiyoni rubbed Shuuichi's ears again, this time more sweetly, testing out her theory.

She was right. Shuuichi's ears were a turn-on spot and he enjoyed the way she was going about it. Eventually, Shuuichi laid Kiyoni down on her couch and pressed his body and lips against hers. Kiyoni's hands have yet to leave Shuuichi's hair and ears and it was intentional. If that turned him on, Kiyoni kept going.

"I want you, Kiyoni," Shuuichi whispered, "I want you...now."

"Are you sure you're ready for me," Kiyoni whispered back, "This is...really serious. A really serious…question."

Shuuichi paused for a moment, looking into Kiyoni's eyes. She was ready, she was in heat, she wanted Shuuichi. However, there was a look of caution in those eyes. A look that warned Shuuichi to think carefully before reaching that level. He sat up and deliberated with himself over Kiyoni's question.

"Suu'chi?"

"Yes. Yes, I'm...here. I'm here."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to interrupt things."

Shuuichi ran his hands over his face and sighed, "Don't be. You had every right to ask that. You know, I grew up with the belief that intercourse outside of marriage was one of the dirtiest sins anyone can commit. Believed that marriage was the ultimate goal to happiness and freedom as an adult. Then...I met you. I met you and I've gotten to know you and...things are just...all over the place. Then I heard what you said to Kurama...about soul ties and why you've chosen to refrain from intercourse. And you're right, Christianity does have those same ideas just defined differently. The entire thing just makes me reconsider what I could be walking into. That's not a shot against you, though. Sex is a beautiful thing, a natural thing and should be given its sacred status. However, to engage in it without a sound mind and body, it's nothing."

"So…" Kiyoni sat up as well, "what does that say about your body and mind?"

"Please don't take this the wrong way but...my body...it's ready. It's ready for you. However...I don't think I'm of sound mind to be the partner I should be and the partner...you deserve. I think we both know why. I'm sorry if that disappoints you."

Kiyoni embraced one of Shuuichi's arms and squeezed it like a teddy bear she once owned, "I can respect that. Really, I can. That's why I've...given up on that bet. It wasn't worth it to neither me nor you."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Don't you...don't you need...that kind of energy...from me?"

"Suu'chi, I'll be fine. I'm respecting your wishes. I may be a succubus but I'm not starving," Kiyoni rested her head on Shuuichi's shoulder, "Now that you know how I feed, believe me. I'll be fine."

Shuuichi rested his head on Kiyoni's, exhaling with great relief, feeling sufficient to receive her respect and admiration. He wasn't lying when he said he wasn't mentally ready. His beef with Shinobu and the arguments between himself and Kurama are much bigger priorities than jump starting his sex life. Shuuichi just secretly hopes that Kiyoni will be there for him when all is said and done. She's looking like a great candidate to share his body with.

"One more thing," he hinted.

"What's that?"

"Let's talk about your…combat skills."

"Combat–? Ohhhh. You saw that, didn't you," Kiyoni referred to the time she proved to Kurama that she wasn't no bitch to take advantage of.

"Saw it? Kiyoni, I was impressed by it. Where did you learn to fight like that? Could the same be said for all succubi?"

"Succubi and incubi have special abilities and powers, yes, but, it's not all the same. As far as my…combat skills are concerned…well, I was raised by a military mom. She taught me everything I know."

Shuuichi stood up, removing his hoodie, "Care to show me?"

"Alright," Kiyoni prepped herself, "I hoped you stretched. I have stories…and moves."

Meanwhile, in an upscale, Aoyama condo of one of her sugar daddies, Aiko emerged from the bedroom having satisfied both his needs and hers. She wrapped herself in a sheer, floor-length, feather-lined, red robe and got comfortable on the pure white sectional couch in the living room with a lit cigarette in one hand and a freshly-poured glass of white wine in the other. In this condo, Aiko felt like a Hollywood starlet of the 1950s. She had a fancy house overlooking the Aoyama area, money, a wealthy man to take care of her, fine clothing, and all she had to do was open her legs. In other words, Aiko truly lived by the "Closed legs don't get fed" mantra.

Speaking of legs, Aiko thought about the ongoing bet. If she could find a way to sabotage Kiyoni's chances, that payout is as good as Aiko's. She just needs some assistance.

"Talk to me," Shishi answered via Bluetooth.

"Shishi," Aiko sweetly greeted, "Busy?"

"I...kinda am." Shishi is currently blowing his sugar mama's back out in the master bedroom of his condo. She's returned to Japan on business and has "missed" him greatly.

"Oh, please. You're not busy."

"Yes, I am. Can you not hear this woman?" Shishi is doing his job and is doing it well. His sugar mama is on her way to orgasm #2.

"Anyway, I need a favor from you."

"If you need that favor sometime today, you can forget it. I'm booked all day."

"But I haven't told you what the favor is yet."

"And I already told you I'm busy all day. What the hell do you need?"

"Remember when you were talking about some guy who uses magic makeup to do some weird shit?"

"Yeah but have you seen what man-made makeup can do to people now? That guy is pointless."

"I'm already gorgeous beyond belief so I'm not talking about some rinky-dink makeup. I mean magic makeup. Serious magic makeup."

"Okay. What do you need it for?"

"I'm not telling you! Look, since you claim to be busy today, can you tell me how I can find him? His name at least?"

"Yeah, yeah. Turn over," Shishi told his sugar mama, "Okay, Aiko. His name is Gama. He's a part of a Shinobi/ninja gang or whatever. In terms of finding him, you're on your own."

"That's all I need to know. Thank you, Shishi."

"Yeah, yeah. Later, bitch."

Aiko placed her phone down and smiled evilly. If she can find this Gama person, her plan just may be set in motion. Since her mega-wealthy client has connections to the black market, Aiko didn't have to travel far. Unlocking her client's phone, Aiko came across a number to the head honcho of the Black Black Club.

"Hello, Sakyo? Aiko. Yes, that's me. Listen, I have a favor to ask of you. …Payment? We can talk about that later. I'm looking for someone. Know anyone that goes by the name of…Gama?"

A few nights later, Aphrodisia is having another usual night. Kiyoni didn't have any hosting duties so her night was full of dominatrix appointments. She was setting up a classroom-type scenario complete with a teacher's desk, two student desks, a whiteboard with the word "detention" on it, two apples, and a wooden paddle when Shuuichi gave her a call.

"Hey, fox boy," she said in a flirtatious manner.

"Haha. You're not going to let that go, are you?"

"Nooooope. I like it."

"Two nicknames? We're going to have to talk about that."

"We do enough talking as is. What's up?"

"Plans for tonight."

"Ooh, sorry. I'm kinda booked. In fact, I'm expecting a couple in about a half hour. They want to role play a school fantasy."

"A school fantasy?"

"Yeah. They play the bad students and I'm their school principal out to punish them," Kiyoni took a seat on the teacher's desk wearing a light gray, short-skirted business suit with black, sheer stockings, stiletto, red-bottomed heels, square-rimmed glasses, and her straightened hair in a messy bun.

"That's... I don't know what to say to that."

"I can give you a preview," Kiyoni teased.

"A preview?"

Kiyoni quickly posed and took a picture of herself in her outfit and sent it to Shuuichi, making sure to show off her cleavage, "There."

"Ohhhhhh," Shuuichi discovered, "That's... well…"

"Yes…?"

"Let's just say none of my former instructors looked like that when I was in school."

Kiyoni giggled, "I can send you more if you like."

"You are such a tease."

"You're already teasing me by calling me."

"Is that right?"

"Definitely. Your voice is such a turn on. Especially when it's...so deep and commanding…"

Shuuichi blushed while tending to Kiyoni's pomegranate arils, "Well, you...kinda know why."

"I'm not thinking about that, Shuuichi. Just you."

"...Believe me, Kiyoni. I think about you…just as much."

Unfortunately, for Kiyoni, her flirtatious conversation will have to be put on hold when Aiko comes a'knocking.

"Hey, Kiyoni," she summoned.

"Hold on, Suu'chi," Kiyoni mutes the call, "Yeah, what's popping?"

"I know you got an appointment but I need to talk to you for a quick second."

"About…?"

"I, eh...wanted to apologize...for my behavior lately. Do you mind?"

This bitch… "One moment," Kiyoni returned to her phone call, "Suu'chi, let me call you back when I'm done."

"Alright," Shuuichi relented, "Have fun."

"Alright," Kiyoni announced, "You have my attention."

"Mind if we go to your room," Aiko suggested.

"Eh...yeah. I got some time to smoke a bit."

The two women reconvene inside Kiyoni's dressing room where Kiyoni lit the first of her three marijuana cigarettes using the flame of a lit altar candle.

"Geez," Aiko noticed, "That stressed, huh?"

"It's only the first one. Besides, knowing who I'm getting it from makes it sweeter. So, you wanted to apologize?"

"Eh, yeah," Aiko closed the door, "I was being a major bitch to you and I'm sorry. I guess you can say that...I lacked confidence in you."

"Not like I needed your confidence but okay. What about the bet?"

"Oh, it's still going. What's a little competition between friends?"

More like frenemies with an emphasis on enemies but okay. "Friendly competition. That's a nice way of putting it," Kiyoni would end the bet right then and there but the chance to rub her relationship with Shuuichi in Akio's face was much more intriguing. That and Aiko is just a bitch that needed to be put in her place.

"So, how are things between you and-?"

"Shuuichi. His name is Shuuichi. Not 'choir boy', not 'preacher boy' even though he's training to be one, not 'cock sucker for Jesus', or whatever other stupid, church-related name you wanna give him. Okay? It's Shuuichi. Mm. I can't help but wonder why the more I say his name the sexier it sounds. Shuuichi. Minamino Shuuichi. Damn, I need to stop."

"Ooookay, but you gotta admit, a few of those are pretty funny."

"Are you here to make amends or to piss me off? Because you're doing a good job with the latter."

"Kiyoni," Juri called through the door, "Your next appointment is here."

"Shit, they're early! Aiko, I gotta go."

"Oh, sure," Aiko offered by opening the door, "Go right ahead. Go make that money."

"Close my door, please."

"You got it," Aiko smirked.

It was her turn to do some snooping. In order for Aiko's plan to work, she needed something personal of Kiyoni's. DNA personal. She could use the filter pipe of Kiyoni's cigarette since it contained traces of saliva but Aiko knew that Kiyoni would come back to that. Hair found in Kiyoni's trash bin will do.

Another part of Aiko's plan included getting Shuuichi involved. To do so, Aiko would need a way to contact him. How unfortunate for Kiyoni to have an iPhone with the face ID feature. Aiko could just use a photo of Kiyoni and boom. Instant access. After taking down Shuuichi's number on her own phone, Aiko used Kiyoni's phone to text him. "I still think 'Suu'chi' is a ridiculous name," she commented as she texted.

"Hey, Suu'chi ❤️"

"Hey. I thought you were busy."

"I have a little bit of time."

"Client running late."

"Oh okay. Fine by me 😉. I have a question...more like a request."

"Go on"

"Since you showed me your...principal costume. Do you think you can…"

"No nevermind"

"No no ask me"

"Can I, what?"

"Are you sure you won't 😂?"

"I won't"

"Tell me"

"Do you think you can...wear that nun costume again?"

"For me? 😬"

Aiko wanted to laugh out loud but did so quietly. Wow, preacher boy's got some balls after all.

"My nun costume?"

"Yes. I know it's bold of me but it's...becoming a turn on. Sorry 😬"

"I'll tell you what"

"Come to Aphrodisia tomorrow night."

"I'll do another dance for you…"

"Wearing that costume"

"How's that?"

"Really?"

"Yes. It'll be me and you tomorrow."

"Think you can do that?"

"What time? Tomorrow night is bible study night."

"Come afterwards."

"I'll have everything ready for you by then."

"Come straight to the back."

"Sure. I can do that."

"I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Sure thing Suu'chi 😉"

"Haha," Aiko boasted, "That cherry is as good as mine. Tough shit, Ikeda."

Now that everything is in place, Aiko stands firm with her plans and neither Kiyoni nor Shuuichi are the wiser. Wednesday night is going to be quite eventful with Aiko as the ringleader of this circus fiasco.