Deep into the night, while everyone was asleep, Kiyoni camped out on the couch, leaving Shuuichi to sleep under the kotatsu. The house and surrounding neighborhood was eerily quiet except for maybe a bark or two. Perfect for any sleeper who preferred that kind of environment. Unfortunately, Kiyoni couldn't sleep as she woke up with chest pains, familiar chest pains. If she was working at Aphrodisia tonight, getting rid of those pains would be easy. However, Kiyoni was not at Aphrodisia, not around her regular clients, and not in Tokyo. She only had one person to turn to and he said that he would provide anything she needed. Time to make good on that word.

Slipping under the blanket of the kotatsu, Kiyoni watched Shuuichi sleep like a mother who had just put her baby to bed. He looked so peaceful and worry-free. She would play with his ears but Shuuichi may make a noise and wake someone up. So that idea was out. Onto plan B.

"Suu'chi," she whispered, "Mm, Suu'chi?"

Kiyoni inched closer to Shuuichi, lightly kissing his lips, "Wake up, Suu'chi. Please?"

A couple more kisses caused Shuuichi to stir, "Mm. Mm, wh-? Mm...hey, you."

"Hi."

"Figured you'd want this spot. Want to switch places?"

"No."

"Are you sure? I think your father or grandmother may disagree, come tomorrow morning, if you're found sleeping here with me."

"I don't care. I'm not thinking about them right now."

"Oh? What's on your mind?"

"You."

"Me? You're getting really good at flattery. What about me?"

"Suu'chi, my chest hurts."

"Oh, no. Is it a heart attack? Should we call for help?"

"No."

"Then what is it? I'll go get your dad."

Kiyoni pulled Shuuichi down, "It's not...it's not that."

"Then what is it?"

Kiyoni hadn't felt this awkward asking for what she wanted since the first week she worked at Aphrodisia. Not only that but Shuuichi was so innocent and pure, Kiyoni felt dirty about what she wanted to do with him. However, things could get worse.

"Suu'chi, I…" she said in a childlike tone, "I need...I need you. I'm not feeling too well and I...need you."

"Alright. I'm here. What do you need?"

Without speaking and nibbling on her bottom lip, Kiyoni reached for Shuuichi's groin area, "Remember what I said about lustful energy?"

"Here," Shuuichi questioned, "Now?"

My goodness, she's a bold one, Kurama thought, And those eyes… If only I could regain control…

"Shuuichi, I told you. If I'm inconsistent in obtaining sexual or physical energy, I grow weak. These chest pains are just the start. I was reborn from lust. I need lust to live."

Shuuichi blew out a large amount of air as he considered what very little options he had. Some type of physical affection is necessary to maintain a relationship whether sexual or otherwise.

"Suu'chi, you said-"

"I know. I just didn't think it would happen so soon. I mean, I doubt either of us brought any...protection."

"We don't need any."

"We don't? Wait, succubi can't get pregnant?"

Minamino, you idiot, Kurama complained.

Kiyoni chuckled until her chest started hurting again, "Oh, ow. Suu'chi, I'm not talking about that. There are other ways. I can do oral."

"Oh," Shuuichi awkwardly laughed, "Oh, that. Oh...okay. I...you had me worried for a moment."

"I swear, Shuuichi. You're so virginal, it's annoyingly adorable."

Emphasis on annoyingly, Kurama opined.

Shuuichi laid back down, head on his interlaced hands, "So...how do we...how do you suppose we do this?"

Kiyoni slipped out of the blanket and back onto the couch, "Come here."

Shuuichi joined her, adjusting his pajamas along the way. He sat on the couch with his arms spread along the back cushions and with his right ankle over his left knee. Kiyoni nibbled on her bottom lip again, watching his every move. Even in the dead of night, Shuuichi looked delicious. She leaned in, walked a couple of fingers up and down Shuuichi's torso, and planted an initiating kiss on his lips.

"This is a nice start," Shuuichi commented, wrapping an arm around Kiyoni.

"Suu'chi, I'm sorry. If you're not ready for this–"

"Kiyoni, don't. Given our situation, we don't really have too many options. Sure, I'm…a little uncomfortable given the timing, but I'll come around if it'll help you feel better."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'll be fine."

Kiyoni felt a little uncomfortable herself. Embarrassed really. However, it would be kind of silly to go out this late at night looking for a meal even though that's what a succubus would do.

This should be interesting, Kurama observed like the pervert he always was.

Kiyoni kept it going with the kissing, eventually sliding her hand down Shuuichi's shirt and into his pants. Because he was wearing boxer briefs, Kiyoni used the fabric to tease his member with her nails. The sensation gave Shuuichi goosebumps.

"How's that," she questioned.

"So far, so good. Please continue."

Level three leaves Kiyoni to tease the tip with her longest fingernail, the middle finger, in a circular motion as best she could. At the same time, Shuuichi received some nibbles on his neck.

Shuuichi winced, huffed, and squeezed Kiyoni tight, "Oh, god…!"

Kiyoni giggled, "You really are sensitive. I like it."

"That...tickled but…in a good way."

"Then…" Kiyoni abandoned the briefs and went for the real thing.

Shuuichi was as hard and thick as a homegrown bonsai tree with veins that gave a groove that Kiyoni was legitimately curious about.

"That again? Honestly...I've been curious about that since...Morningstar."

"I remember that. It's good that you liked it because...I want more," Kiyoni slid to her knees, widening Shuuichi's legs and pulling out his wood.

"Kiyoni…"

"Shhh. Just relax...and let me feed."

Kiyoni kicked things off by giving Shuuichi a seductive tongue bath from the bottom of the shaft to the tip, paying extra attention to that very area. It had a salty taste that Kiyoni didn't mind.

Shuuichi's body twitched upon the sensation. This was all new to him but enjoyable. So far, Kiyoni didn't do anything he didn't like since this was his first fellatio. Moving on, Kiyoni gave an oral greeting to the top of the shaft, sucking on it as if she was consuming ice cream on a cone from the top on down. Speaking of, Shuuichi melted at that point, dropping both his head and jaw as Kiyoni went to work.

Jesus…Christ…

Reading her subject, Kiyoni decided not to overwhelm the man and stuck to what she was doing. While her mouth worked the top, her hands handled the shaft with traces of her saliva lubricating the latter. Kiyoni developed a popular rhythm with her technique, a slow and steady pace followed by quick and aggressive and back again. Slow and steady provided better satisfaction for it gave Kiyoni the opportunity to emphasize her suction power. Quick and aggressive allowed her hands to move in a corkscrew motion to arouse Shuuichi even more. Cries of "ooh's" and "ahh's" escaped Shuuichi's mouth like the air he breathed. If Kiyoni was attempting to suck the soul out of this virgin, she's doing a damn good job. For the moment, Shuuichi didn't think about Shinobu. He didn't think about the trouble he was in. He didn't even think about where he was. All he thought about was how amazing Kiyoni's oral game was and how much he wanted to "feed" her.

Shuuichi clenched his toes on the blanket of the kotatsu and his fingers on the back cushions of the couch as he could feel his climax approaching. Sweat started to form around his forehead and chest. The sounds Kiyoni made while slurping, swallowing, and humming on Shuuichi's dong was practically musical. All of it was a step up from the hand job at Club Morningstar. At least the setting was more private and quiet.

From Kiyoni's end, Shuuichi didn't taste that bad. Thank goodness for showers. Not to mention, the way he was reacting to her work was encouraging. Fellatio wasn't something Kiyoni was too confident about but since she already gave Shuuichi a hand job, her mouth was just the next step. If anything, Kiyoni appreciated Shuuichi's willingness to try something new and it made her feel good to do it with him. It excited her in more ways than one but she'll keep that to herself.

"Kiyoni," Shuuichi huffed, "Kiyoni, I'm...ah...I can't...oh, I can't…"

That's it, Suu'chi. Let it go. Please feed me. You were so delicious last time.

"Ah-ugh," Shuuichi exploded inside Kiyoni's open mouth like a spray bottle set on jet mode.

The first two ejaculations were strong. The last one Kiyoni took the time to clean up with her tongue, making sure she fed off every drop Shuuichi was willing to give.

By the time Shuuichi regained some semblance of normalcy, he got a good look at Kiyoni's glowing eyes as she looked up at him like a satisfied puppy.

"Wow," he mumbled.

"Thank you. I feel better now."

"You're...you're welcome."

"How do you feel?"

"Actually...I feel great. I feel a bit…lighter somehow."

"Good. I'm glad you like it."

For a moment, the two stared at each other, seemingly frozen in time. It was at that point where Kurama stepped in.

"I'd go for it if I were you, Shuuichi. You remember Club Morningstar."

Shuuichi raised an eyebrow, "Right."

"Say something," Kiyoni asked.

"Come here."

Kiyoni regained her position on the couch, "What?"

Shuuichi pulled Kiyoni over again, "I said…come…here."

Defenseless, Kiyoni found herself on Shuuichi's lap again, "Oh…okay."

The two engage in another make out session, Shuuichi laying Kiyoni down on the couch. Kiyoni took great pride in Shuuichi's confidence and relaxed into it over time. Not only that but she had remembered hearing the idea of men not wanting to kiss a woman after fellatio. Shuuichi definitely proved that to be a myth. Perhaps this was another one of those animalistic traits that yokai like Shuuichi were testing out. As he pressed himself against Kiyoni, Shuuichi could feel her body temperature increase especially in between her legs. That area could warm up a pair of icy cold hands on any winter day. On the other hand, Kiyoni wished there wasn't any fabric between the pair. Shuuichi's tantalizing flesh made her want to corrupt this virgin on sight.

"My turn," he claimed.

"Your turn? What are you gonna do?"

"Again, I remember Club Morningstar."

With his lips as a distraction, Shuuichi took inspiration from Kiyoni and slid a hand down her torso and into her fuzzy, pink, Hello Kitty pants. She wasn't wearing any underwear. Easy access.

Kiyoni gasped, "Oh, wait. Wait...do you…?"

"I. Remember."

Finding Kiyoni's pleasure button, Shuuichi used his own middle finger and played with it like the joystick of his game controller.

Kiyoni gasped again, "Ahh!"

She quickly covered her mouth so as to not awaken anyone.

"Shhh," Shuuichi warned, "Good girl."

Yes, Kurama agreed, A good girl, indeed. Remember what you've learned, Shuuichi. Don't ruin this.

Shuuichi did everything correctly as if he was back in school and Kiyoni was a test he had to pass. Her entire body jolted with carnal intensity and her legs clenched around Shuuichi's waist. For a quick second, Kiyoni hated being where she was. If the pair were inside Kiyoni's apartment, she'll scream and moan all she liked. The silence test was real. She tried reaching for his hand again but was rejected because Shuuichi wanted total control. By the time Shuuichi treated Kiyoni's love bean like a gentle pet, Kiyoni absolutely lost it, moaning within the crook of her arm. The short strokes accompanied by the right amount of pressure made Kiyoni want to scream in ecstasy. Meanwhile, Shuuichi looked on in admiration at Kiyoni's facial expressions even as he chased as she shifted upwards to get away. The cup of her center ran over and Shuuichi used it to his advantage, inserting the tip of his middle finger in Kiyoni's inner temple while using the base knuckle to keep the hooded lady in check.

"Looks like I'm not the only one in the sensitivity department," Shuuichi jestered, "Right, Kiyoni?"

Kiyoni shook her head, "Mm-mm, Mm-mm!"

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit, Shuuichi! You fucking monster! You're going to get me in so much fucking trouble! Oh….fuck! You're amazing! Fuck, I didn't know I…needed this.

To keep Kiyoni aroused, Shuuichi nibbled on her nipples, which have been at the peak of erection ever since Shuuichi pulled her close to him. Her matching shirt was thick enough for Shuuichi to work with. Those nipples were very enticing to play with as they reminded the deacon of the unopened dandelion buds that would come out during the spring and summer months in terms of thickness and shape. The heat that came from his mouth felt so good to Kiyoni and it kept her center flowing and her body shivering. With one free hand, Kiyoni reached for one of Shuuichi's ears and it turned him on. Nibbles turned into light gnawing and biting which benefited Kiyoni even more. If she could call out Shuuichi's name, she would in a heartbeat and she so wanted to.

Kiyoni managed to gain just enough control to release the hold she had over her mouth to say, "Suu'chi... Suu'chi, I'm gonna...oh...Shhhhh….!

"Come on," Shuuichi encouraged, "You can do it."

He flicked Kiyoni's clit again, driving her insane.

"Oh...you…"

Kiyoni's lips met Shuuichi as she screamed in orgasmic bliss. Shuuichi removed his desire-soaked hand from Kiyoni's pants, copped a quick feel of one of her breasts, and held her in both his arms.

Not bad, Kurama approved, Not bad at all.

Feeling the effects of their sexual explosion, the couple spent the better part of the moment in each other's warm embrace with their lips intertwined in a passionate dance. Another occasion filled with romance, companionship, and intimacy after a date with disaster and reconciliation, in the books.

"Suu'chi?"

"Yes?"

"Is it me or whenever we get into trouble, we…?"

"It would seem that way."

"You don't find that weird?"

"Right now…I would rather not. For now, I…just want to let things come what they may. It's less stressful that way. Especially since we're here."

Kiyoni contemplated, "Yeah. I can do that."

The following morning, Risho called for another meeting just before the weekly cleanup. He observed the collection of sexual deviants and pointed out some outliers.

"Aiko. What the fuck happened to you? You look like you just came back from the prelims of the dark tournament."

Aiko sat in a booth wearing an all black turtleneck, jeans, and ankle boots combo with designer sunglasses to hide her black eye. She didn't have enough makeup to cover up everything.

As she inhaled her dose of nicotine, she said, "Piss off, Risho. I'm already having a bad enough day. Hell, it's too early in the day."

Risho guffawed, "No, seriously. I mean, what the hell happened? Don't tell me one of your sugar daddies got too right with ya."

Aiko answered, "No, Risho. It wasn't that."

"Anyway, moving on," Risho scanned the room again, "Hey, has anybody seen Kiyoni? I got a bone to pick with her."

"Don't we all," Aiko mumbled.

Juri replied, "I texted her this morning. She hasn't responded back."

"What the hell is wrong with her," Risho exclaimed, "Just what the fuck does she think this is? A free-for-all?! That's it! If her ass isn't here in ten minutes, her ass is grass!"

"And deal with Kurama in the process," Aiko hinted, "Ha. Good luck with that."

Aiko gained everyone's attention at that point. Just what does Kurama have to do with Kiyoni?

"Aiko, what are you doing," Juri questioned.

"Just putting it out there."

Risho queried, "Kurama? What about him?"

"Oh, yeah. Kurama stopped by looking for her one night. Even went as far as to stalk her ass, scaring her to death. Not afraid to hurt other yokai but if you threaten Kiyoni, that's your ass."

Risho thought about it for a moment and it all made sense. The day he struck Kiyoni must've pissed Kurama off somehow. As a result, Risho was sent to the hospital with facial injuries.

"But how," he recollected, "How did he manage to get inside? How did he get here without being seen? All I can remember is seeing that red-headed jerk with the…!"

"What? What's the matter?"

Juri followed, "Something wrong, sir?"

"Fools," Risho shouted, "You're all a bunch of… It all makes sense now!"

Aiko suggested, "Okay. Mind sharing with the rest of the class?"

"You don't get it?! The night I went to the hospital, Kiyoni's little friend stopped by my office. He had ears. A different color but they were the same ears Kurama has."

Everyone who has seen Shuuichi with Kiyoni wondered as well.

Juri prodded, "Are you saying that Kurama and Shuuichi are the same?"

"You mean you couldn't see it before?! I know they say masturbation causes blindness but I never thought any of you would actually succumb to it."

"We all know you're full of shit, Risho…" Aiko claimed, pulling out her phone to text Shishi, "but you're so full of it, you need both your colon and brain medically cleansed."

"Oh, how sweet this is," Risho grinned with glee, "Kiyoni, mingling with the likes of one of the most feared yokai in the world. It's perfect! You know, I may not fire her after all. Maybe I'll promote her."

"Bullshit! Kiyoni is the worst succubus we have and you know it. You were just going to fire her five minutes ago! You can't promote her!"

"Oh, indeed I can and I will. If I want to keep this business afloat, I will. Kiyoni's association with the fox will put Aphrodisia at the top of the list. Business will come from all over just to even get a glimpse of him! So long as Kiyoni keeps him tamed, we'll be raking in the money. Ooh, a live Dom and sub show with those two. It's a dream come true…! Juri! Don't just stand there! Get that bitch, Kiyoni, on the phone! I want her here now!"

"On it," Juri got on the phone.

"Oh, yeah," Risho finished, "As for the rest of you, get this shit stain of a place cleaned up."

The Kabukicho district is roughly quiet in the morning with closed restaurants, people leaving the nearby hotels, and nightclubs doing their own maintenance and cleaning. Juri walked out of Aphrodisia with Aiko still trying to get a hold of Kiyoni.

"Dammit! Why won't she answer?"

"Ugh. Still," Aiko wondered, "What the hell could she be doing at this time of day? She answers you."

"Speaking of, mind giving me some answers of your own?"

"About what?"

"The black eye, the cut on your lip, the attitude? What's all that about?"

"Forget it."

"Kiyoni got to you, didn't she?"

"I said forget it."

"OMG, she did! She did get to you and rightfully so I might add."

"Rightfully so? Not my fault I was doing her work for her."

"Still Aiko. Drugging Shuuichi? That does make you look bad. You don't do that to any of your clients, do you?"

"If they're not paying me enough or wasting my time, I do. How else did you think I was able to score with men like Butajiri? That man has so much dope in him, he can shit out a snowman. Kinda looks like one too. Ever heard of Cardi B? She did the same thing and look where it got her. She went from dancing for money to money dancing for her. I'm attempting to get on that same level just without the rugrats."

Juri gasped, "Aiko! Are you serious?!"

"Duh. I'm trying to live the high life, Juri. And so far, it's working out for me quite well. That's why I get the dough. That's why I get money makers for clients. Shishi has a sugar mama for crying out loud and I have a couple of sugar daddies. Hell, Tai was rubbing dicks and clits with those tied to the imperial family. Honestly, what's the best you have going for you? Hm? A personal trainer? Wow. And Kiyoni? A preacher? Spare me the insanity. The both of you are pathetic. I mean, the 'yoni' part of Kiyoni's name means 'pussy', right? And that's how she chooses to use it? By not using it? Please."

"New subject then. What if Risho was right?"

"Right about what?"

"Shuuichi and Kurama. Being the same guy?"

Aiko pulled out another cigarette and stepped over to a smoking area near the district, "I think he's full of shit. But Shishi may know. You talked to him, didn't you?"

"Yeah. He said he had Kiyoni and Kurama over at his place. Never really told me why, though."

Aiko exhaled a large puff of smoke, "Looks like we're going to find out today."

Aiko and Juri headed straight for Shishi's condo after leaving Kabukicho. He welcomed them into the living room area where Juri enjoyed some tea, Shishi had some coffee, and Aiko had another cigarette.

"I'm telling you two," Shishi stated, "All I know is that they were here and that they left the next morning. End. Of. Story."

"Nope," Aiko determined, "You're not giving us the full play-by-play. Why were they here, Shishi?"

"Mind telling me why you're here with a black eye and a busted lip? What the hell happened to you? Offer your services to those competing in this year's dark tournament?"

"Kiyoni whooped her ass for slipping Shuuichi a Mickey," Juri answered.

"What," Shishi exclaimed, "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. That's what you needed that makeup for? To do that?! And you're still walking?! Kiyoni must've felt some sort of pity for you."

"Evidently, you had some pity in your heart as well if you allowed Kurama to be here," Aiko shouted.

"It was more like pissing-my-pants fear…" Shishi admitted, "but I digress. Besides, have you seen the guy? He's ripped!"

"Shishi, talk to us," Juri urged.

"What is this all about? What's with the third degree?"

"Risho called for another meeting this morning," Aiko explained, "I mentioned something about Kurama showing up and Risho took a wide left turn. In short, he thinks Kurama and preacher boy are one in the same since they're both involved with Kiyoni somehow."

Shishi immediately became nervous. He knew that toothpick-of-a-boss, Risho, was right. He took a sip of his morning coffee to calm him down.

Juri noticed, "You know something, don't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Juri," Shishi claimed, "I really don't."

"Talk, Shishi," Aiko demanded, "What do you know that we don't?"

"Yeah," Juri added, "You found out something, did you?"

Both women gave intense looks at Shishi. If women were going to look at him, he'd much rather prefer they look at him with admiration and desire.

So he gave in, "Ugh. Okay. Kiyoni asked me to not say anything about this but here's what happened. She called and asked me to come over here because she was in trouble. On the phone, she said that she had Shuuichi with her. Whatever. I said yes.

"So about a half hour later or so, she called me again to tell me she was outside. Mind you, this was like late at night or whatever. Anyway, I go out there and ask her about Shuuichi. She told me he was with her but when he came out of the shadows, it was Kurama instead. I swear I was about to shit my designer pants that night."

"Pause," Aiko affirmed, "So Kiyoni does know Kurama?"

"I'm getting to that. So we go back inside and Kurama is in the spare room while I'm talking to Kiyoni in the guest bedroom. She said that not only is Shuuichi, Kurama, but that they're all in some trouble with the people behind those yokai attacks around the city and that they needed a place to hide for the night. I watched the news the next morning and Kurama was there with me. He confirmed what was said on the news. He also knew about the bet too."

"So…" Juri assumed, "the break-in at Kiyoni's apartment and stuff…"

"Was probably done by those people she was running away from."

"This. Is. Ridiculous," Aiko voiced, "But it all makes sense. The night Kurama showed up at the club, claiming to know where Kiyoni lives, the shit that happened to Risho because of what he did to Kiyoni, the roses and note Kurama left behind for Kiyoni in her room...the fucking fact that the both of them have the same, damn ears?! It all makes sense! Kurama is preacher boy! But how…? Kurama is so…aggressive and the redhead is…regressive."

"Kiyoni never told me and I never asked. It was a long night anyway."

"A-and then there was the raid in the district…"

"Kurama did that, yeah."

"It all makes fucking sense," Aiko slammed her hands on the table, "THAT FUCKING BITCH!"

Juri warned, "Whoa, whoa! Easy, Aiko."

"Easy? We're all sitting here scared shitless of a fucking fox while Kiyoni is out there, somewhere, fucking the fox! On top of that, technically, now our asses are on the line because of their ties to the people responsible for those murders? Tai, why? Why in the hell did you bring your pathetic, little sister into Aphrodisia?"

"I wouldn't say she's pathetic if she can handle Kurama…and you apparently," Shishi with the defense, "The last time I saw him, he had two cuts on his face that were done by Kiyoni. She told me."

"And what about the rest of us, huh?"

Juri's phone received a message from her social media account, "Hey, it's Kiyoni!"

"About time!"

Shishi provoked, "What does it say?"

Juri read, "It says, 'Hey, Juri. I'm okay. I'm with Shuuichi. We're fine'."

"With Shuuichi, where?"

Juri texted, "She said, 'Just know that we're fine'."

"Bullshit," Aiko commanded, "Ask her where the fuck is she. Risho wants to fire her ass."

Juri texted again, "She said, 'So? Fuck Risho.' Oh. She also said that she can't tell me where she is. Sorry, won't."

Shishi chuckled, "I'm with her on that. The 'fuck Risho' thing."

Aiko suggested, "Try saying that she has people looking for her and that we're worried. That ought to do it."

Juri gave Aiko the side eye. Of course, Juri and maybe Shishi are worried but Aiko? Yeah, right.

"She said that she knows and that's why she won't say where she is," Juri read.

"Dammit! Well what can she say?"

Juri texted, "She said, 'Just know that Shuuichi and I are okay, fuck Risho, and tell Aiko she's still a bitch because' she knows that you're 'around asking all these questions with' your 'nosy ass'."

"Ugh," Aiko mumbled with her eyes rolled.

"She's also asking how's your face. 'Still red, white, black, and blue?' Then there's an American and Japanese flag next to it."

Shishi laughed, "Red, white, black, and blue! Oh, say can you...see?"

Juri joined in on the laughter at Aiko's expense.

In Nagoya, Kiyoni relaxed on the family couch watching TV with her grandmother while Shuuichi read his bible. Kaito and Akio had already left for work for the day. Kiyoni got comfortable lying on Chiyoko's lap like she did during her childhood while Chiyoko petted her head like a pet kitten.

"Grandma…" Kiyoni inquired, "how's your back?"

"Ooh," Chiyoko cooed, "Not like it used to be, sweetheart. I feel much better sitting than I do standing or walking. I still try to move around so I don't get stiff."

"Mind if I take a look at it?"

"How?"

"Please?"

"Oh...oh, alright."

Both women rise to their feet with spritely Kiyoni assisting her grandmother. She guided Chiyoko towards the back of the couch so that she could have something to rest on.

Kiyoni rolled up the sleeves of her red hoodie and suggested, "Okay, grandma. Just tell me where it hurts."

"Okay. Be careful, please?"

Kiyoni used the knuckles of her forefingers to analyze the situation. Come to find out, the pain does lie within the lower back area. Even by energetic standards there was nothing going on in that spot. Most of Chiyoko's energy was stored in her upper body just to keep her upright.

"It's...really tight around here, grandma," Kiyoni concluded, "When was the last time you took some time to stretch? Didn't you practice yoga at one point?"

"Ooh, not so many questions," Chiyoko chided, "I did yoga at one point, yes. Ooh, it really hurts back there."

"Looks like you'll have to use your magic hands," Shuuichi teased.

"Nah," Kiyoni assumed, "She's gonna need more than just these hands. A heating treatment, some stretching and mobility exercises, then a massage to get the kinks out. Grandma, when was the last time you visited a chiropractor?"

"Oh, about…five years ago," Chiyoko answered.

"Grandma, that is way too long of a wait. Here, let me see what I can do."

"Oh, you don't have to, Kiyoni. I can handle myself."

"Oh, no you cannot. Stand still for me," Kiyoni goes for the shiatsu massage using her elbows.

Chiyoko hesitated but went along with it once Kiyoni reached the most painful areas, "Oh! Ohhhh! Oh, that's nice."

"Exactly what I said," Shuuichi stated while reaching behind his neck, "Your granddaughter has a real talent."

"I can...see-feel that. Oof. You should make this a profession, Kiyoni."

"Working on it, grandma," Kiyoni confirmed, "Something like this is actually what I want to do. I just have to get the right training and credentials."

"Oh, please do. You have a...real knack for it."

That's all the confirmation Kiyoni needed. That's two people advocating her hidden talent with one more wanting to fully support it. With her time at Aphrodisia looking shorter and shorter, Kiyoni looked forward to accomplishing her dreams. She just needed a solid plan.