Welcome to Arc Four: The Conclusion. Peep the "cute, sassy" cameo in this chapter.
What a surprise! With everything going on, it was understandable for emotions to be on high. What Shuuichi didn't expect was for Kiyoni to come out the way she did at the moment. The timing was way too off.
"Kiyoni...did I just…? Did you-?"
"Yes," Kiyoni answered face-to-face, "I admitted it. I'm in love with you, Shuuichi. I love you. Dammit, yes, it's true. Like…I can't help or deny it anymore. When I say your name, I…my heart jumps. When I see you, I'm internally fawning over you like an obsessive fangirl. When you touch me, kiss me…I melt. And then…your eyes. Shuuichi, no piece of jewelry, no star in the sky unless they belonged to Nwt herself could ever compare to…your eyes. I could stare at them for hours. That stint in the hospital…Ra, Hathor, please…I wanted to drop everything just to make sure you were okay. When Shinobu…"
Shuuichi stood by and gave Kiyoni his undivided attention as Kiyoni broke down emotionally. By her scent and her tears alone, he knew that Kiyoni had been holding it in longer than she should've. Under better circumstances, Shuuichi would've taken Kiyoni back to his garden and allowed Kiyoni to finish. However, there was one little needle ready and waiting to pop that growing balloon of love.
"Kiyoni…I…wait, what about-?"
"I don't care. So what if I fall down dead right now-"
"How on earth can you say that?! I care! Have you forgotten that?! I care! Kiyoni, I understand your words and feelings but where does that leave me? Think about it. You were…absolutely instrumental in my victory over Shinobu. Do you realize the timing of all this? Because of that, I can't lose you. Not now. Not when I need you."
"I don't want to lose you either but...if you're going away...I wanted you to know how I felt about you."
Shuuichi couldn't believe it. He understood but couldn't believe it.
"Kiyoni…" he sighed, facepalming himself, "you're essentially comparing prison time to a personal death sentence. Dammit, I–!"
"What about you? How do you-?"
"I love you too. Yes, I'm in love with you. I wanted to tell you...after all was said and done but… God...this puts a damper on things, you know? I mean, you're putting your life on the line just because-"
"And you haven't? On multiple occasions, mind you? My confession isn't my way of getting back at you, it's my way of...letting you know where I stand. I mean…if you did go away and I confessed then…"
Both sides had a point according to each other. Timing sucked either way. Even if Shuuichi went to prison and Kiyoni confessed then, he would lose her and his freedom and Kiyoni would lose her life and Shuuichi. It was a lose/lose situation no matter what. Yeah, things sucked.
Shuuichi mumbled, "I should've known…"
"What? Should've known what?"
"Back in Nagoya, during the showdown with Shinobu… I should've known then. Matter of fact, I figured things out then, how you felt about me. I just...waited for an opportune time to confirm my assumptions."
"What are you talking about?"
"All of the times I've seen you cry including right now. I've seen you shed tears like anyone else for anything else but when it comes to me, they're black. And then, there's the biggest giveaway, beef stroganoff."
Another point for Shuuichi. The tears were one thing but Kiyoni did help herself to some beef while dining at home. Then again, the chest pains that followed dinner that night did plant some suspicions on Kiyoni's end. Suspicions that went away once she got her fix.
"Did you think I wouldn't notice," Shuuichi challenged, "Did you think I had forgotten about your...beliefs? That long, huh?"
Kiyoni looked all around her just to hold back more tears, finally looking up at the nightly sky goddess, Nwt, "Yes. That long."
At that moment, Kiyoni inhaled while her nose was in the air and started choking.
"Whoa, Kiyoni," Shuuichi offered the assist, "Easy there. Breathe."
Simple choking turned into violent coughing, coughing that produced a dark substance from Kiyoni's mouth. She took any chance she could to breathe before coughing again.
"Kiyoni," Shuuichi guided her away from the station, "Kiyoni, are you alright? What-?"
"Suu'chi…" Kiyoni responded, "call for...call for help. Now!"
"Kiyoni, what's wrong? Let me help you."
More dark fluid flowed out of Kiyoni's mouth, "It's...it's the essence...the entity."
She violently coughed some more until she couldn't breathe, feeling the same pain develop in her heart that came at her the day she officially became a succubus. She was having a heart attack for a better comparison.
"Help," Shuuichi bellowed, "Help! Someone help, please?!"
Two officers who were about to report for duty stepped forward. One assessed Kiyoni's condition while the other called for an ambulance.
Given the late night hours, most hospitals within the city were closed except for emergencies. What was going on now was an emergency. It's funny how, not too long ago, it was Kiyoni who watched as EMTs tended to Shuuichi after being found blackout drunk and under the influence of a roofie. This time it was much worse as now it was Shuuichi who was in the audience watching Kiyoni receive emergency medical care for her heart attack.
"Heart rate is increasing," an EMT pointed out, "Could be showing signs of tachycardia."
Meanwhile, another is making a report to the nearest emergency room, "Subject: Female, early-to-mid-twenties, roughly 170 cm and between fifty to sixty kilograms. Current heart rate, 105."
Shuuichi watched it all as EMTs worked on stabilizing Kiyoni, silently praying as they went on about their job, Hang on, Kiyoni. Please, hang on.
The ambulance pulled up to the emergency ward of Tokyo Teishin Hospital where doctors stand in wait for Kiyoni's arrival. One of them interrogated Shuuichi for information.
"Ikeda Kiyoni, age 22. Not sure of her blood type but she is a resident of Tokyo," he said.
"What happened," questioned the doctor.
"It's...unusual to say, to explain."
"Please try. The more information we have, the more we can figure out the proper procedure."
"She's...she's a succubus. That's a start. Anyway, long story, short. She was having trouble breathing outside. She started choking and spewing some black...liquid of some sort. I thought it was blood but it was darker, thicker, and more abundant than for someone who was choking. That's all I know."
"And then she just collapsed?"
"Basically, yes. It may sound strange, doctor, but I hear this is pretty common with her kind."
"Common? I would assume so. We hear about cases about those with darker skin and their correlation to heart attacks quite often. The number one killer for people like her."
Shuuichi looked at the man as if he wanted to knock out every single, perfect tooth the doctor had in his mouth, "Excuse me? I don't believe we're talking about the same woman here. The woman I'm referring to just so happens to be my girlfriend, sir. Not only that but the last time I checked, heart attacks are not as discriminatory as the statement you just made. So what if she has darker skin than us? She is suffering and as someone who has sworn to uphold the proper medical and medicinal standards needed to combat the condition Kiyoni is currently in, it is your duty to follow through on those procedures no matter who or what the patient is. Now I suggest that you march your way over to that ward and do whatever the hell is necessary to make sure Kiyoni is suitably treated or so help me, God, I will make sure that you will never work in the medical field ever again. Are we clear?"
Shuuichi meant every word he said. The angered, threatening gleam in his eyes and furious wagging of his tail gave it all away.
Intimidated, the doctor cleared his throat and apologized, "Forgive me. I meant nothing wrong. I'll...I'll go see what I can do."
"You do that. Thank you," Shuuichi watched as the doctor stumbled his way to the ER and a couple more doctors were summoned via the loudspeaker.
Before reaching the lobby, Shuuichi noticed a woman standing just outside of a hospital room. She looked to be on the spirited side with her ponytail-styled hair as blue as the afternoon sky and her kimono as pink as a cherry blossom. In one hand was a clipboard and in the other was a strange looking oar. Funny for an oar to be in a hospital. What made Kurama shutter was a middle-aged man stepping out from the room. The woman checked her list and confirmed her appointment. She delivered some words of comfort as the man panned his head down in sadness and regret before following the woman. The word death was among those words. Boarding her oar like a witch to a broom, the woman led the man away while doctors rushed to his room following the sounds of a flatline.
No. Oh, God no…
Kurama silently prayed to whatever gods that would listen that a visitor like that woman would not stop by to see Kiyoni on this night.
The lobby was eerily empty and quiet by the time Shuuichi arrived. He took solace in the shrubbery that sat behind him as part of a square-shaped seating arrangement that sat directly in the middle of the area. The spread contained poinsettias, spider plants, succulents, and all surrounded a small water fountain that streamed over rounded and flat-shaped stones and served as an irrigation system for the plants like a waterfall and river to an open valley.
In the emergency ward, doctors worked tirelessly to revive Kiyoni. Five minutes into her stint, her heart rate flatlined due to exhaustion only to jump back after the use of a defibrillator. It flatlined a second time only for it to be revived again. Then came the blood. The hole left behind by servants of the entity burst open and Kiyoni's heart bled out by the second, so not only did the medical team have to work hard to keep Kiyoni alive but to make sure her heart stays intact. Emergency surgery was inevitable and mandatory.
The sun was peeking over the horizon by the time a facility employee entered the lobby to find Shuuichi sleeping on the set of empty seats. She approached the fox as quietly as the mouse she resembled out of fear of retaliation. It's obvious she has never come across someone like Kurama before.
"Eh, sir…? Sir…" she tapped his shoulder.
Shuuichi jolted, "Hm?! Hm? Oh...good morning. Is...is she okay?"
"Good morning. It took a great deal of work but-"
"But?! Miss, please tell me. Please tell me she's okay!"
"She's fine, sir. She pulled through. Like I said, it took a lot of work but she's stable, alive. She's just in a coma right now."
Shuuichi collapsed to his knees, "Praise... praise God. Thank you, Jesus. Oh, thank you, Jesus."
"You're welcome to see her...whenever you're ready."
Shuuichi took a moment to get himself together emotionally, "Yes. Yes, please? Please, take me to her."
After her surgery, Kiyoni became the second occupant of a double occupancy room where an elderly man was already sleeping. Next to Kiyoni's bed was a cabinet for any overnight items that may be needed if she were to stay along with a 20" flat screen tv for entertainment. She was still unconscious and had all the medical necessities (a breathing mask, IV bag, heart rate monitor, and tubing in her chest to drain excess fluids) with her by the time Shuuichi showed up.
"Please keep the volume low," said the nurse, "There's another patient on the other side."
"Thank you so much," Shuuichi bowed.
One look at Kiyoni and Shuuichi fell apart once again. He rubbed his fingers through his hair and ears, breathed heavily, punched the open air a few times, then called it in when he slammed himself against the wall opposite of Kiyoni's bed, sliding to and settling on the floor. He wished he didn't have to go through this. Ever since Kiyoni informed him of a sex demon's greatest weakness, Shuuichi honestly wished he didn't have to go through with this even though the chance was there. Just as he felt free to try his hand at love, fate had a wild card left to play.
Why, Kiyoni? Why did you have to confess your feelings now?
His self-loathing was interrupted when he heard Kiyoni's phone vibrating in her coat pocket. A text notification from Shishi was the culprit. Using Kiyoni's fingerprint, the phone was unlocked and Shuuichi stepped out into the hallway to give Shishi a call.
"She's what," he shouted.
"In the hospital," Shuuichi informed, "Heart attack."
"Shit. A heart attack? How the hell did that–?"
"She admitted her love for me. That's how."
From his penthouse, Shishi watched the news reports concerning what took place at Lighthouse rocking a designer robe and a freshly poured cup of coffee in his hand. The reports initially said that the damage was the result of yokai activity which prompted Shishi to reach out to Kiyoni.
"Fuck," he expressed, "So Aiko was right all along. Damn. Not even her own brother went that far."
"Shishi, tell me. Is there anything I can do? Is Kiyoni...going to die?"
"Honestly...I don't know. For as long as I've been an incubus, I've never seen anyone go through this. Our greatest weakness is our greatest fear, essentially. That's why you don't hear about any of us marrying outside of our...kind. If we do get married, it's never out of love. If Kiyoni's able to breathe at this point, it's most likely up to her to come out of this on her own. She's literally and silently fighting for her life right now. I'm sorry, Shuuichi. There's nothing you can do at this point. Well, pray? I guess?"
Shuuichi nodded, "I understand. Thank you. I'll keep you posted."
Rejoining Kiyoni, Shuuichi grabbed her free hand and held onto it with all the hope he could muster. He held the hand to his lips as he silently prayed:
Dear Jesus and the Kemetic gods of health and healing, I present myself to you with the sincerest heart and mind in favor of this young woman, in favor of Kiyoni. Lord Jesus, I know she isn't one of your many followers but I ask for you to work with the ones she does follow in healing all of the wounds she is suffering and has suffered from. Heal her emotional wounds, her mental wounds, and, of course, her physical wounds. Restore her back to the spritely, sassy, big dreamer of a woman I've come to know...and fallen for. Assure her that things will be okay and that she has a bright future ahead of her...with me in it if she'll let me, if she'll have me, and is in your will.
Lord Jesus, I ask that you work with Kiyoni's goddess of love, Hathor, in embracing the love she has within herself and within those who love her. Keep her heart and mind open to the many possibilities she has before her. However, in order for these requests to be executed, I ask that it all starts with...opening her eyes. Her beautiful, curious, heartwarming eyes.
I ask of these in your name and the names of the gods Kiyoni serves. Amen and Amun.
Evidently, it was extremely considerate of Shuuichi to pray for Kiyoni as she did for him the last time he was in a hospital. It makes them even in that regard. However, as Shishi said, it was ultimately up to Kiyoni to pull through which is what she was doing behind those closed eyes.
When those eyes opened, Kiyoni found herself in a sudden sandstorm, naked, and wondering where she was. The only thing that may have given her location away was the starry night sky above her.
It was absolutely beautiful. More stars than Kiyoni could ever count stood above her. Countless galaxies were abundant around her. Go even further and Kiyoni would've met eyes with the sky goddess, Nwt. Her galatial eyes are shown in shades of deep purple to pink to turquoise blue.
"Holy shit…! Where am I? Oi! Anyone...anyone there? Hello?"
When the storm subsided, Kiyoni stood in the middle of a courtyard, a grand, Egyptian courtyard complete with lit torches, walls full of hieroglyphs and Egyptian images, and walkways made of sand-dusted obsidian, pure gold, lapis lazuli blue, and garnet red. Also before her stood four, gigantic, obsidian thrones decorated in gold with animal-shaped sculptures before them.
"Wait. Is that…? Is that a jackal and...a cow? That looks like a lioness and that's...a bull? Wait, is this…?"
The ground rumbled as four, outworldly figures, heads assembled in the shape of the aforementioned animals, took their place in their respective seats which made Kiyoni stumble a bit. Her jaw dropped by the time she realized who they were.
"Ohhhhhh, shit. I'm really here. I'm…I'm really here…!"
Anubis, the jackal-headed protector and guide of the dead. The one responsible for escorting departed souls to Ma'at for judgment. Next, Hathor or Heb-het, the bovine-headed goddess of love and femininity. Beside her was Sekhmet, the lioness-headed goddess of health, healing, and blood. Rounding out the quartet was the head honcho of them all, next to Amun-Ra. Ausar or Osiris, the double-crowned king of the gods and god of life and death.
Screw meeting any celebrities! Meeting a god, better yet, four of them, takes the entire cake, frosting, decorations, candles, ingredients, recipe, baker, and bakery. Without hesitation, Kiyoni knelt before the four deities with both knees touching the ground and arms crossed over her chest.
"Gods of my heart and life…" Kiyoni bowed, "I am humbled to be in your presence."
Of course, she wondered why she was kneeling before the gods in the first place.
"Spawn of Ra and man…" Anubis greeted, "consider this moment your judgment."
Adrenaline rushed through Kiyoni's body again. Did she hear what she thought she heard?
"My...my judgment? H-h-has my time...f-f-finally come?"
"It's why we are here, young one," Hathor answered.
"As a dedicated follower of ours…" Sekhmet added, "you have become a special case."
"We have placed you on trial for your life," Ausar declared.
Despite the warmth that surrounded the space, Kiyoni shivered as if she was left behind in the arctic. Could it be? Could it be her time to join her brother...and cross over?
"Permission to speak freely," she offered.
"Denied at the moment," Anubis replied, ready to move on and add Kiyoni to that ever-dreaded line of departed souls.
"Now, now," Hathor insisted, "This is the very reason she is here. Young one, we have seen the things you've done, both good and bad."
"We have witnessed the amount of times you have honored the laws set forth by Ma'at," Sekhmet said.
"And the ones you have broken," Ausar finished.
"Now, you may speak," Anubis proclaimed, "State those laws and your reason as to why we should revive you."
And so, Kiyoni did. All forty-two of them. It took her a while, of course, but she did. If she broke any of them, she admitted it. If she didn't, she admitted it. She remembered a good amount of them off-top due the similarities they had with the ten Christian commandments. The same ones Shuuichi goes by. Speaking of, after Kiyoni completed the first task, she moved onto the biggest reason why she should be revived.
"Great lords of the earth, simply put...I'm in love. For the very first time in my life, I'm in love. Real love and it's with someone...who has helped see the good in me. Even when I couldn't see the good in myself. For a while, I've done nothing but chase unattainable dreams just to avoid the pain created in my heart. With Shuuichi, I...stopped running. Better yet, I...found a new path, one that most thought I wouldn't take. It has, it's led to me wanting better, wanting something more solid. Yes, it's completely opposite to what I've grown accustomed to lately and it's definitely at a slower pace than before but it's attainable and...something that I could fully control. However, I fear as though I can't do it alone. The tasks that I want to accomplish, I...shouldn't be done alone. I need support, I need guidance and next to my family, I belie-I know that I can trust Shuuichi to be there for me, to be by my side. I want him to be by my side. I want to...be by his side. Great ones, please? I humbly, sincerely request that you give me a second chance. Please?"
All four deities glanced at each other for consideration while Kiyoni bowed down even further in complete submission. Ausar and Hathor paid close attention to the tears that landed and slid down Kiyoni's bare legs. She was truly afraid of crossing over. Anyone would be if they were in her shoes. If she failed in judgment, she would join her beloved brother. If she passed, she'd be with her newly-beloved Shuuichi. Both men have made an impact on her life and, according to Kiyoni, have reasons for her to spend her days with. However, it wasn't really up to Kiyoni to decide.
"Son…" Ausar summoned, "bring him in."
"Yes, father," Anubis lifted a hand to create a small, sandy tornado. Out of it came one more test for Kiyoni.
"Hey, sis," it was Tai and he stood just as naked as his sister.
"No way," Kiyoni marveled, "No. Tai? Is that…? Is that you?"
"It is. Man, look at you. Still just as babyish as before."
Kiyoni rose with tears flowing like faucets, "Tai…nii…"
"Come here," Tai embraced his sister and Kiyoni broke down from it.
For the first time in nearly three years, brother and sister Ikeda were reunited once more and it was a moment Kiyoni wished would never end.
"Tai, I missed you," she cried and whimpered, "I missed you so much. I never got the chance…"
"Shhhh. It's okay, sis. I know. I've missed you too. Missed you more than anyone else."
"Why? Why did you…? Why did you leave me? I couldn't handle it after you–"
"Kiyoni, what I did was stupid but you have to stop and think for moment. We were in a dangerous situation. You were in a dangerous situation. Remember all the stories mom told about her days in the military, about the people she lost and cared about? There was no way in Hell I was going to lose you. You had so much more going for you than I did."
"That's not true! Our parents got divorced, mom left for America. You were all I had left. Then you…"
"Kiyoni, think. For the love of Ra, think! Think about everything you've accomplished since moving to Tokyo. I've warned you about working at Aphrodisia but look what you've done ever since. You have it in you, sis. You have the potential. I see the dreams you've created for yourself. It's time to make those things come true."
"...I can't…I can't do it alone. I need you."
"I wish I could but I can't. My time is up but yours isn't. You must make the most of it. In order to do that, there's some things you have to do first."
"What's that?"
"First, you are going to study and work hard for those dreams. You're gonna become the best damn…whatever-you-want-to-be person I know you could be. You're going to make mom, dad, and I so very happy and so proud of you. However, it starts with yourself. The next, and most important, thing you're gonna do…is let me go."
Kiyoni was in shock, "No! No, I can't! I can't let you go. Tai, please? I can't, I can't–"
Tai fought against his sister, "Kiyoni, you have to. Even if I could come back, what could I come back to? My body is already cremated by now. What more could be done? My time on earth is up, sis. I can't do much for you anymore. You have to let me go. Accept what happened, forgive those who have done wrong including yourself, and move on. You can't do that, or anything, if you keep praying for my return. It's not going to happen. It's impossible."
Still crying, Kiyoni stood in silence as the serenity prayer played in her head. The prayer was first played in her voice then switched to Shuuichi. It made her replay the day when Shuuichi first taught her that prayer. It was his idea to bring it up in the first place. Tai was right. Now that he was no longer alive, there really wasn't anything he could do for Kiyoni. However, should she return to the land of the living, there was her family, her friends, and…a red and silver-haired fox whom she helped give a second chance at life to all ready to embrace her with the love she deserved and should accept. Chances are that the fox was the first in line waiting for her. With determination, Kiyoni straightened up, her stance the same as her military mother minus the salute.
"There she is," Tai acknowledged, smiling, "There's my sister. The one who's determined to do anything she sets her mind to."
"You're right. There's someone waiting for me. I can't leave him. I don't want to. Not now."
Tai pulled Kiyoni in for one last embrace, "Go to him, sis. Make me proud. I love you. Forever and always. Through life and death."
"I love you too. Always and forever. Until we meet again. May the scales of Ma'at be in your favor by the word of Amun."
Tai turned his head towards Hathor who acknowledged the gesture with a nod. She knew what Tai was asking for. As her final tears for her brother flowed from her closed eyes, Kiyoni was grateful to give him a proper send-off. She knew and understood why Tai is where he is and was finally coming to terms with it. It was neither the fault of either sibling for only one of them to live. In terms of how Tai got to where he is, it was from the expert marksmanship of an overzealous, discriminatory madman. Why does said madman feel the way he felt or had that type of mindset that night? Kiyoni has yet to know. Another reason to live.
Slowly coming out of her dream, Kiyoni's heart rate monitor slowed down to a steady pace. Using that as a guide, she slowly opened her eyes to not only find out where she was but to find Shuuichi resting next to her, her hand firmly in his possession. The mere sight of him caused her heart to swell like before and her eyes to well for the umpteenth time this week. Speaking of her heart, Kiyoni then realized how it worked. No more chest pains unless it was medically induced, no more worrying about her heart falling apart both figuratively and literally, and no more yearning for superficial affection. In other words, Kiyoni was a succubus, no more.
Praise the gods…! Thank you. Thank you for this...this second chance. Praise you all. Thank you, Tai. Thank you for believing in me. I won't let you down.
First things first. She drowsily wiggled her fingers just underneath Shuuichi's chin to awaken him. It would be so cute to see him so happy.
"Suu'chi? Suu'chi, wake up."
"Hm? Kiyoni? Kiyoni," Shuuichi was indeed happy as a clam, mentally praising all the gods for this miracle, "Kiyoni…you're alive!"
"I am. …Hi."
Shuuichi held her face in his hands, "Kiyoni, you had me so worried, so scared. I thought you–! Wait. Your eyes…"
"What about them?"
"They're… That's right. The pictures of you on your social media. Your eyes are originally brown."
"They are. Why?"
"They're gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. How do you feel?"
Thanks to Kiyoni's mother, the daughter inherited her mother's light brown eyes, something shared with her brother. A rarity, if not, a first within the Ikeda family.
"Human. Completely human."
"So...you're free?"
"... Absolutely. Free to live, to love, to learn, and to say with the utmost confidence...I love you."
Shuuichi kissed Kiyoni's forehead and cheek, "I love you too."
Throughout her immediate healing period, Shuuichi never left Kiyoni's side during her stay at the hospital. He even handled business with the church as it was set for more repairs. Once word got out about that, members of both the church and surrounding community pitched in, financially and physically to the building's reconstruction. The price tag for it was considerably high. Even Yukina cashed in her chips with her crystalized tears.
One day, Shuuichi had returned to the hospital with a laptop in hand and a sweet gift behind his back for Kiyoni. Meanwhile, Kiyoni was watching an afternoon talk show discussing the state of affairs of the yokai community in Asia with Kurama and foxy others like him being the main reason why. The panel was split into four hosts, two of them were for the advancement of yokai while the others were against it.
"Here's what I don't understand," said one of the panel members against yokai, "Why are we waiting until now to fix the policies regarding yokai integration? It wasn't that long ago when Kabukicho basically burned down because of them and before that was the attacks made by a wild fox. Better yet, need I remind you of what happened back in 1992 when there was a string of suicides going on in Tokyo due to all the Itsuki running around? My sister was among the dead. Then, she came back just to get me to kill myself. I mean, the nerve!"
"All you're concerned with is the bad within that community," said a supporter, "Yes, we lost a good amount of people, but think of the birth rate that came from it. Honestly, we could use a jump in that now."
"Yeah, well so long as we don't get any more foxes like Kurama."
Kiyoni watched with disdain, "What do you have against foxes, my guy? Do you not know how awesome they are? And you're wrong. Kurama was not at fault for any attacks outside of Kabukicho. Hell, technically he wasn't at fault for that."
Shuuichi spoke from the doorway, "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Suu'chi!"
"Hello."
Kiyoni displayed her biggest smile of the day, "Hi."
"You're looking better."
"I'm feeling…" Kiyoni adjusted her position, "better. Ow."
"Hey. Doctor said to take it easy."
"And I have. A couple of hours ago, I tried walking around the hallway."
"Really? You're healing that quickly? How did that go?"
"I think I annoyed the nurse assigned to me. I thought she was my physical therapist and talked her head off."
Shuuichi found it hilarious, "You're really dedicated to that, aren't you?"
"Yes! I told you that's what I want to do."
"Okay, okay. I won't stop you nor should I."
"Neither is my dad. Look over there. After he was told about my condition, he sent me some books to read on the subject. Suggests that I get a head start on my studies and that he finds it fitting that I do so in a hospital. You know, aesthetic."
"Smart man."
"It's too late to enroll for this school year but I'll have a full year to study."
"Smart woman."
"Suu'chi?"
"Yes?"
"Can I confess something to you?"
"Of course. I believe we've earned enough trust between each other. That and we're alone."
Kiyoni sat in her bed like a child scared to snitch on herself, "Eh…remember our second date?"
"Yes. You know…I don't think you ever told me how you were able to obtain the invitation to that. I've heard rumors that Morningstar was an exclusive place."
"Well, I…stole it…from Aiko."
"What? Why?"
Kiyoni spent the next few moments explaining the backstory to their second date. It didn't surprise Shuuichi in some regards. He was actually impressed by her creativity and craftiness. Definitely a reminder of Kurama, the sticky-fingered. However, it was what Kiyoni admitted to next that actually surprised and intrigued the former bandit.
"So…" Kiyoni continued, "after I dropped you off, I went to an ATM. Remembering the code Aiko used, I went for it and deposited some money in my bank account. He had enough money so…"
"How much are we talking about?"
"Oh…not…that much."
"Kiyoni…" Shuuichi incited.
"I said not that much."
"Kiyoni…"
"Enough. Just enough."
Shuuichi's final request came with a raised eyebrow similar to the way Akio would look at Kiyoni whenever she was disciplined, "Kiyoni…"
"About…one…" Kiyoni mumbled, "hundred million yen…"
"What?!"
"I said enough! Hell, now that I'm not at Aphrodisia, I need something to get me over."
"And how much have you spent so far?"
"Oh, please. Not even enough to make a dent. I've been covering my basic expenses with it ever since. That train ride to Nagoya…I did break my monthly budget for."
All Shuuichi could do was crack a smile and laugh, "You know, if we had crossed paths during my heyday and if you had remained a succubus, we would've pulled in a lot of coin."
"Yeah, yeah. Because I'm pretty."
"Because you're crafty and pretty," Shuuichi presented his gift, "As pretty as these."
Kiyoni was absolutely touched. In Shuuichi's hands were a beautiful bouquet of starlette lilies. They weren't supposed to bloom for another three months but Shuuichi couldn't wait.
"Suu'chi…" she whined with appreciation, "they're beautiful. Oh, they're so beautiful. Thank you."
"You're very welcome," Shuuichi got back to work with his set up.
"What are you doing now?"
"To be honest, I can't take it anymore. It's been nearly a week since we were told about the case on our behalf with no form of progression. Even now, there are those like what we're seeing on tv and social media who want my head."
"That may be but Suu'chi, there are those who are behind you. One of them just so happens to be sitting in this room. Who gives a damn about the haters? I sure as hell don't."
The slight increase in Kiyoni's heart rate concerned Shuuichi, "Thank you, love, but let's not get carried away. You have to take it easy. Anyway, as to my plans, I'm going to go live using my Instagram account to... essentially plead my case. Tell my side of the story. Sway the opinion polls in my favor."
"Is that wise? I mean, are you sure?"
"Kiyoni, there's no other way. The world deserves answers. Who better to give them, honestly, than me?"
Kiyoni reclined back, "Good point."
Shuuichi opened the curtains of the window next to Kiyoni to bring in some natural lighting. Definitely necessary to be on camera. Kiyoni got on her phone to see if she could share Shuuichi's live show to her followers as well. Laptop camera activated, Shuuichi got comfortable in the only chair that was in the room, using Kiyoni's bed as a platform for the camera.
"Ready?"
"I'm all set here," Kiyoni confirmed, "You got this, Suu'chi."
"Right. Here goes," Shuuichi took a deep breath and let it all out, "Good morning and afternoon. My name is Minamino Shuuichi and...I am the moderator for this very account on behalf of Lighthouse Tokyo church in Tokyo. Ever since its inception, constant followers of this account have bore witness to the many photos and videos displaying the best Lighthouse has to offer. Today, on this day, things are going to take a different turn. Today, I have a confession to make. Until recently, those who have seen me and have attended services at Lighthouse know or knew that I was just...another human living a normal, human life. I still do in a way. However, things have changed. In short, not only am I a yokai but...I am the very one that has been talked about lately. Not only am I Minamino Shuuichi, I am also...Kurama. The very Kurama that has struck fear in both the yokai and human communities. The very one behind the actions in Kabukicho about a month ago."
Both Shuuichi and Kiyoni received an uptick in viewership. Twenty viewers at the start became nearly a hundred by the time Shuuichi made his admission and it was only going up from there.
"You see…" he continued, "the very reason why I did what I did then was because...I had lost my sense of accountability. I wasn't in my right mind then. That's not to absolve me of any wrongdoing because no matter how things are justified, it was still wrong. It's just...things were complicated, complex at the time. I was also under the control of the church's leader, Father Sensui Shinobu, who isn't, wasn't as innocent as he proclaimed to be."
Viewership continued to increase as Shuuichi told his story and he didn't leave anything out either. By late morning and early afternoon, some of the local media picked up on the live show and made reports about it. Clips of the video were shared on social media with many TikTok and Instagram users stitching their own opinions about Shuuichi's story. There were those who praised him for coming out as a yokai, speaking against the abuse within the Christian faith, and why said religion is a cult. On the other side, there were those who condemned Shuuichi for spilling such blatant lies, for making Christianity and Shinobu look bad. There was a general belief that just because he's a yokai, he deserves the punishments that he may and should've received. Because of the Internet, Shuuichi's video was eventually translated and broadcasted for the rest of Asia to view at least.
"Holy shit," Kiyoni read, "Word spreads quickly. Do you see these numbers?"
"Indeed. Opinions are definitely forming."
"Talk about going viral. How do you feel?"
"Honestly, I feel better about getting the word out but...even I fear the future now."
"You did the right thing, Suu'chi."
"Thank you. I believe so."
Eventually, Kiyoni was given the greenlight to go home provided she takes it easy, her heart has to heal...literally. First things first, she wanted to go home and stay there. By the time she reached the steps to her apartment building with Shuuichi, she hesitated.
"Kiyoni, I don't think it's wise to use the steps yet," Shuuichi insisted.
"No. I want to try this at least. It's just 1-2-3-4, five steps. Depending how I feel, you can carry me home afterwards."
"Better yet, I'll carry you home after these steps regardless of how you feel."
"...Deal."
Surprisingly, the couple found a couple of visitors standing outside Kiyoni's door.
"Oh, my fucking god," Shishi stated with a box of golden chocolates in his hands, "She lives!"
"Please don't speak God's name in vain like that," Shuuichi responded, "It's very offensive."
"Kiyoni," Juri shrieked while carrying a small basket of apples, "O-M-G, you're home!"
"Hey guys," Kiyoni grinned while catching her breath in Shuuichi's arms, "What are you doing here?"
Shishi smirked, "Someone had to welcome you home. She's just a stowaway."
"You liar," Juri disclosed, "You begged to come with me as soon as I said something."
Shuuichi hummed a laugh, "It doesn't matter. It's nice to see you both."
"So is it true," Shishi wondered.
"Is what, true," Kiyoni asked, "Better yet, can we go inside first, please? I miss my bed."
Shishi and Juri were aptly informed on Kiyoni's condition in terms of her health, her identity, and her future. They understood where she was coming from and were saddened yet relieved to hear the news. Then again, it wasn't like any of them had anywhere to go since Aphrodisia is no more. However, the fact that they've come across a succubus who has successfully regained her humanity really gave them hope...and made them consider going to church or participating in some form of religion to...find their own "Shuuichi". That gave the deacon some ideas.