WARNING: THIS IS A WARNING.
You have been warned.
Update July 2020: gramur fixed to be less spastic
Everyday Life with Supernatural Girls
Chapter V
||Wondering the Reason Why||
A single golden-furred ear perked up at the ringing of the doorbell.
"Kunou got it!"
Without any reconsidering, Kunou ditched her TV show and leapt over the couch she was sitting with Shirone. It resulted in her mother's reminder to not do that again, but her mother's nagging was the least of her worries.
She hadn't fully learned how to hide her fox like features like her mother could, but she could keep them hidden for an hour. After making sure they wouldn't pop out, she excitedly opened the front door.
"Yes? Who is it—"
She dropped her smile.
It was dim but the glimmer of the moonlight caused their big shadows to fall against her. Two large furred creatures stood upon the doorway of their house. Their home. Her instincts told her to run, but her determination told her to stand her ground against these spawns of nightmares—
"Hello there, little miss."
Her tail popped out the moment one of the creatures extended their claws. Kunou shrieked in terror, slammed the door shut, and ran towards her alarmed mother.
"Great job dear, you gave a great first impression. If you were a kidnapper."
"I'm very sorry. I'm very, very sorry."
"Ahahaha, please, it's all fine Yasaka-san. No harm done." Gorou Hyoudou assured as he settled the steaming cup of barley tea. "I guess our winter coats are too thick and scary in the dark."
"We're sorry we scared you, Kunou-chan." His wife added, looking as apologetic as possible towards the shell-shocked vixen. The look he never got any more since she didn't have to.
"She's not scared." Kunou stated, but still visibly upset by the recent fright. She even had her hands crossed in a very unladylike manner. "She's traumatized."
That didn't stop Sachiko Hyoudou from melting, though. "Oh my, she's adorable! How old are you, Kunou-chan?"
"…She's eleven." Yasaka sharply glanced at her daughter. She was about to reprimand her lie when she continued, "Next year."
"Please forgive her. We weren't expecting Issei-sama's parents to come, or anyone at all." Yasaka stroked her daughter's hair, messing up her bangs and ponytail which Kunou did not appreciate in the slightest.
"Did you hear that dear? She said 'Issei-sama'." Both parents had a round of tittering glee.
"Mom, didn't Niitan tell you to use 'Ise'?"
Before Yasaka could remind her daughter to keep it shush, Issei's mother chimed in with a gasp. "Even better!"
That's when Yasaka's tails began to bounce out of fluster and Issei arrived at the front door.
Break
In that brief time period of walking from the entrance to the living room, a rattled Issei felt everything moving slower.
The first thing that crossed his mind was 'Oh. Fuck.', before all the flurries of questions brewed in his mind like a storm. Why're his parents here? Why didn't they tell him they're visiting? Did they see the girls' exquisiteness? If they did, what should he do? If they didn't, what the hell should he do?
How would he explain why he's living under the same roof with a beautiful maiden and her cute sparky daughter, and a shy but no less adorable (or small) girl? Tell them they're in the wrong house?
Right. Like that would work.
Maybe they'd believe him if he said he's renting a room… now that's a sensible reason. He only needed Shirone to participate, and hopefully, she would.
'Yes. Let's stick to that.' And Issei calmed down. He needed a cool head and a calm mind. 'Get water first. Assess the situation. Proceed as it fits.'
Yet as he stepped into the living room, 'Ah.' His voice rang tranquilly as his knees felt like giving away. 'I'm dead.'
What he saw first was Yasaka's lustrous tails as well as Kunou's, flaying about like dancing tongues of flame. They were both seated at the couch side to side with whom he guessed was Shirone.
His parents were on the adjacent couch, looking at him with excitement. It's like Issei had just achieved something grand. Which, he never really did. A bit saddening, really, but he knew he's average at best anyway.
He could only hope Azazel would make it quick with the 'forget-me-yes' magic-thing and leave his parents unharmed. It's been several weeks since the announcement, but Supernatural beings were still mostly hidden from the public's eyes. Slow and steady integration as Azazel mentioned, and Issei would prefer it that way.
Well, that's before tonight at least.
Now he wished it's fast and pacey so his parents' memories wouldn't have to be disintegrated.
"Ah Issei!" His thickly-coated father greeted him with a jovial tune and a wide smile he had never seen before. Ignorance is a bliss. "There you are. Come, come, take a seat."
Issei walked rigidly towards the couch. He felt like he's going to hell. "H-hello, parents."
"Why are you so stiff? Aren't you happy your parents visited?" His mother asked. Like her husband, she was also quite thickly-coated, except hers had those woolly collars. She looked as if she had no neck.
"Yes. I'm so happy that my mind still hasn't registered you guys are here. Just give me a second…" He blabbered as he sat by an armchair. Usually, Azazel sat here. He claimed it's the comfiest chair, and, it really was.
"Welcome home Ise-san."
As he sat down, he took the chance to study the girls' expressions. They didn't look that much different, surprisingly. Just more reserved – except Kunou. She looked bored already having to stay on the same spot for more than a minute, though her ears and eyes flickered at the sight of the familiar plastic bag on his hands.
'…Should've put this on the table first.' Issei thought, staring at the hidden burgers awkwardly sitting on his lap.
"Ise, don't be rude." His mother suddenly chastised him. "Yasaka-san just greeted you."
"Oh… Uh… um… thank you Yasaka-san." He dipped his head. "Sorry. I was spacing out." Yasaka nodded, telling him it's fine. "So. What're you guys doing here?"
"That's not a question you ask your parents." So said his dad in a joking tune. "Aren't we allowed to check up on our favorite son?"
Was that an attempt to embarrass him in front of the girls? If so, his father had to do better than that. "Well I am the only son."
Gorou Hyo nodded sagaciously, crossing his winter-coated arms in front of his chest as his wife then said; "Well then, when are you going to properly introduce us?"
"Introduce you? Wait, how long have you been here?"
"Not too long before you're here."
"We would've arrived earlier if your dear father didn't make us miss the train."
"I was booking the hotel."
"Yes, but I told you to book it the day before. Not today."
No come back for that. Gorou should have been wiser. "…Mistakes were made." He admitted.
"Mistakes that are avoidable, dear. We could've bought something for them."
There was malice in that sweet nickname and pressure in her eyes. At times like this, throwing the towel was the wisest option.
Issei 'heh'ed. It was amusing seeing his father get deservedly bullied. He's a bit surprised that they hadn't mentioned any of the tails or ears. Maybe the girls 'hid' them, or maybe they had hypnotized his parents into thinking they appeared like normal people.
Either one of those things, or his parents were in a stage of denial.
Regardless, he had to clear this thing out first.
"As you can tell, they're my parents. They told me they raised me." He said, straightforwardly and almost without any intonation. "Parents, she's Yasaka-san and she's her daughter; Kunou," he gestured at the aforementioned, and Yasaka and Kunou both curtsied. "And she's Shirone-chan." Shirone nodded quietly. "They all live here."
"What'd you mean 'they told me'?" His dad laughed heartily, whereas his mother said;
"Very nice to meet you Yasaka-san, Kunou-chan, Shirone-chan. Thank you for looking after our son." With a gentle smile, she continued, "I hope you don't mind us visiting this late, we're really sorry."
"N-not at all! We're very pleased to meet you, Hyoudou-san."
"Oh, please call me Gorou." The father earned a crude stare from Issei and his wife, while Yasaka wasn't sure on what to say. "What? Let's all be casual here."
Sachiko deadpanned. A facial expression she had successfully passed on to her son. "Ise, will there be any good looking Supernatural that lives here?"
Gorou gulped. That was a clear warning if anything. "Got it, honey."
But Issei was bothered by something else. "You knew?"
"If we can't tell just by looking, you should be worried."
Fair point. But that also verified his worry. Sighing loudly as he confirmed the gravity of this situation, Issei slumped to the armchair. "Ah crap…"
"Mommy, Niitan said a bad word."
Yasaka politely ushered Kunou to be quiet. In response, the daughter gave a defiant look that expressed how unfair it was because she was whispering to her.
Her unruly feeling was lifted by none other than Issei's mother herself. "Language Ise. I didn't raise you to be a sailor."
"Wha—it was hardly a rude word!"
"And I didn't raise you to be an orator either. If I wanted you to reproach me, I'd have put you in a lawyer's school."
The girls excluding Sachiko watched and listened as the small family entered a small argument, which escalated into a discussion regarding their son's career choice and other eligible career branches he could dive into with his current skills and job experiences.
Kunou hadn't got a clue what they're talking about and honestly was much more interested in the plastic bag in Issei's hands.
"Niitan, what's in there?"
That stopped the debate. "Oh, right, it's uh… hamburgers." Issei took out the brown paper bag and immediately Kunou's eyes lit up. She's like a moth to a flame, except the moth has fluffy tail and ears and is a fox. So perhaps a fox to a flame was a more fitting idiom. "Here, for you and Shirone-chan."
"Yay~! Thanks!" Kunou squealed and wasted no time snatching the plastic-wrapped unhealthy bundle of heaven and gave Shirone the other one before heading back to her seat and being quieted by the burger.
One of those burgers was meant for him. But seeing the smile on their faces was fulfilling enough. Issei noticed his mother was soundly giggling for a reason he didn't know or wanted to know.
"Thank you, Issei-san…"
Issei smiled. A thank you had always been his preferred pay. "You're welcome."
"Thank you, Issei-san." Yasaka said, "You spoil her so much."
"It's fine. My manager gave them for free for some reason…" He even looked like he was proud of him when Issei expected to be lambasted with a lecture or even a pay cut for extending his breaktime. Until now, he still wondered what it was all about.
He's not complaining though.
"Oh, that's right. Yasaka-san, I was told you found him lying on the streets some weeks ago. Thank you for saving our boy. Sometimes, he doesn't know his limits, ohohoho~"
"Please don't mention it Hyoudou-san. I'm sure Issei-san would've done the same to anybody."
Issei's parents looked surprised. The pleasant kind of surprise.
"My, my, would you look at that… Just how highly regarded is our son, I wonder."
Issei on the other hand, "I feel like I was just insulted." But as he put that aside, he realized one thing. "Wait, who told you Yasaka-san helped me?"
"More like saved you." Yapped Gorou. "You should pay more attention to your health."
"Y-yes dad." Issei dejectedly said, "But come on, how did you guys know already?"
"Ohohoho~ mom knows more than you think I know."
"Azazel-san told us the very day you became a, uh… what's it called again?"
Sachiko shot a dirty look at Gorou, as if she had been betrayed. "You ruin the fun."
"Right." Azazel. Of course. Why didn't he think of that winged freeloader before. But now at least, he could feel at ease. Being worried for nothing was better than worried for something. "Whew, okay."
"So where do you sleep actually, Ise?"
Thus, came the unexpected questions rather unasked. At least for the girls – save Kunou, who even followed with a; "Niitan sleeps here."
Yasaka blushed furiously.
Sachiko nearly squealed in glee as Kunou pointed at Yasaka's lap, but Issei banished all misunderstanding without fussing. "She meant the couch, mom. I sleep on the couch."
And gone was her mother's excitement. "The couch? Who are you, your dad? Ohohohoho~"
The wife might be laughing, but the husband knew all too well not to test his luck and wisely joined the laughter, albeit it was less genuine. He would very much rather not sleep on the couch, thank you very much.
Back to the main concern; Sachiko's womanly intuition made her realize that there were genuine guilt written on the girls' faces, and that her son wasn't laughing along.
"Oh dear." She muttered, putting a palm over her mouth. "You're not joking?"
Not wanting to worry the others, Issei simply laughed it off. "Well, it's not like the couch is all bad. I can even watch the TV too, fuhehe."
"Now you better watch your health young man. Mom will deal with you personally if you overexert yourself again."
Crap. She meant it. That smile wasn't a lighthearted smile but a smile of warning.
"…Y-yes mom."
With a satisfied sigh, a middle-aged Gorou Hyoudou settled down his can of beer – now very much emptied – by the wooden veranda overlooking the white-sheeted backyard.
Like father like son, Issei did the same. "Ah— that was nice…"
"Hah! Years ago, you'd complain it's bitter and ask for chocolate." Gorou laughed chestly, unfazed by the cold winter night. "Your taste has matured too, son."
"Of course." Issei shrugged, smiling airily. He then felt as if he was influenced by Kunou's smugness. "Now that you mentioned it, dad, I don't like chocolate anymore."
"You don't?"
"Nope. Not the sweet kinds at least."
"Huh. I always thought you have a sweet tooth. Or is it because you didn't get any valentine's chocolate that they turned bitter?"
"Hey!" That hit too close to home. It's funny though. "I get friendship chocolates too you know."
"We both know that doesn't count."
"…Sadly." Issei dully glanced around the backyard, trying to find a spot that the snow had missed. He's only trying to play it cool, as he was restless inside. "So, uh… dad, what do you think?"
Gorou glanced at him. "Think of what? The beer? Dad thinks it's pretty standard stuff. A bit too sweet. Dad likes Sapporo more."
"No, not that –I agree though." Nothing could beat that amber liquid with its golden glow and exquisite taste, especially after a busy day at work. Issei realized he's starting to think like a busy white-collar worker that kept thinking of his job.
That's not what he wanted to become. That's also not the current topic either. "What I mean is this." He continued, "All of this. I didn't get to talk about it with you guys since… well, I made the decision on the spot."
His father thought for a moment. "Ah, the entire 'Caretaker' thing?" Issei nodded. "Hmm, if you ask me, I don't really mind. I think it's great. You're basically their guardian or the sort, right?"
What a relief it was to hear that. "Essentially, yeah."
"Well I don't have any problem with it. Your mom does, though. When Azazel-san came to our house and told us about who and what you are, she was worried sick. She thought the government forced you into their program."
"Really?" Issei raised an eyebrow. "That much?"
"No. Your mother is an ironwoman you know." Gorou laughed while Issei groaned. "But she was worried. It's part of her job to worry about her son's life decisions."
"Okay, okay. Then what about you?"
"My job is to make sure you make a decision on your own and be responsible for it." Gorou said, "Which you did. I'm very impressed by your bravery, son. When I was your age, I hadn't even thought of working. Let alone living by myself."
Issei couldn't contain his sheepish smile. There's a sense of pride, a feeling of achievement that he was bolder than his father.
"Your mom seems pretty happy too."
The two turned around their head to peek back inside, where the girls were seated on the couch, watching something on the TV screen, talking and chatting and laughing at Kunou's antics.
"She sure does."
"You even have a cat too, hahaha~ dad's a little jealous."
"Hey, Shirone's a person too." Issei quickly grumbled. "…Half a person…?"
Being scolded by his own son… time sure flew. "Have you tried patting her head?"
"Wha—are you for real?!"
"What? Don't you want to at least try? We all know you wanted a pet as much as we did."
It was unfortunate. Rather tragic perhaps. Both parents were supportive of having a pet dog or cat, but there's simply not enough space to keep a dog, and the mother was allergic to cats.
"Still… that's not a right thing to say."
"Right, right. You know I'm just testing you." His father laughed heartily, "You've got to make sure you're committed, alright? You're the only man in this house."
And what a wave of relief that was. Happiness too, but Issei kept on his airs. "Yeah, of course. Don't worry dad."
"And hide your stash."
"Yea- wh—I didn't even bring them here!"
"So, you do have them."
Issei stopped to rethink his blunder. He forgot his cunningness was an inheritance from his parents. Both of them.
"Had." He reasoned. No use trying to hide it now. They're all adults here. "I had them."
"What did you do with them then?"
"Donated to the needy."
"I see." Gorou nodded solemnly. "I did the same thing as well when your mom moved in."
"What? I didn't know that."
"Yeah. It's true. I sold them to my friends."
"…You sold them?!"
"Why of course! It was a good collection and we needed the money at the time. Don't tell your mother though." He laughed nervously, "Even though I think she knew. She always does."
Issei agreed. Was there anything a mother's eyes could miss in this world? She knew when he lied about having enough lunch money – because he spent half of it for his 'collection'. She's so perceptive that not even his missing sock could remain hidden in the realm of darkness of the washing machine.
"You probably don't know that she knew all the places where you hide yours. I don't even have any clue."
Issei froze.
He realized there indeed is bliss in ignorance. It was better when he didn't knew.
Then the two went completely silent and felt cold sweat dropping as the mother herself emerged from the sliding door. "What are you boys talking about? Get inside, Kunou-chan wants to play blackjack with you."
Gorou paused. "Blackjack?"
Not wanting to make a scene, Issei got up along with the empty cans as he explained the reason a ten years old girl could play a card game that was commonly used for gambling. "It's the easiest card game to teach her before she gets bored."
Break
It was getting late. The crescent moon had taken the spotlight in the vast midnight skies, and the air slowly turned colder and the chill was starting to bite their skin. But even so, the warmth they shared that night would not be easily defeated.
But all good things come to and end, and so did his parents' untold visit.
"Look at the time. I think we should be leaving now." Gorou said as he nudged towards his wife sitting by the table.
Sachiko nodded in agreement. "Alright dear. It is getting dark outside."
"Awww… But Kunou didn't win again!" Kunou whined, revealing her hands; an ace of spades and a nine of diamonds.
"Heh, I actually won." And so, Issei unfolded his four cards that summed up to twenty with a smug smile. There was an audible groan coming from Kunou.
"I don't think so, dear." Then came his mother with two nines and a three, thus zipping up Issei's smile. "Fufu~ don't celebrate prematurely."
Issei slumped down on his seat. Bamboozled yet again. And by his own mother no less. Such a shameful display. But at least someone's enjoying his misery – namely, Kunou.
"Hehe, Niitan sucks."
"Yeah, go on. Rub it all on my face."
Kunou continued to giggle and joyfully wadding her tail side to side. She still did so by the time she ditched the table, leaving the tidying up duty to Issei. She had another important matter to attend to; that being, pouncing on the quiet Nekoshou. "Nekonee~!"
Her sleek white tail stiffened a bit. She's not used to Kunou's energetic huggle just yet it seemed.
At the front entryway, Yasaka straightened down her sweater as she stood by idly. "Thank you for visiting Hyoudou-san. Do come by anytime you want to."
"We'll tell you the next time." Said Sachiko Hyoudou as she and her husband walked towards the front door. As he helped her wear her coat, she continued; "Do watch over my boy. I hope he doesn't trouble you too much."
"Oh not at all! If any, I'm the one who should apologize for having to trouble him."
"My, my, you're very polite. And so very young! It would be nice if he could have a wife like you, ohohoho~"
"Y-you're too kind Hyoudou-san…" Her pearly cheeks went aflame, and all of her nine tails wagged for a brief period.
"Take care Yasaka-san. And good night." Gorou nodded his head, which earned him a look from his wife.
"What are you suddenly being formal for?" Sachiko skeptically grumbled, but her smile returned as she noticed the incoming girls, with one latched onto the other. "Kunou-chan, Shirone-chan, see you two again later!"
"Bye-bye ba-san!" Kunou cheerily replied while Shirone gave a polite and silent nod.
"Ba-san?" And then Issei popped out from the corner. "Isn't that supposed to be obaa-san? You're two generations above her."
"Shush, let me live in denial."
"Right." Issei dryly replied.
Sachiko shook her head at her son. But she smiled, nonetheless. "Goodnight dear. We'll come by again some time later. Maybe then, your father won't forget what he should've done."
"Alright, alright. Goodnight everyone."
And with that, the two braved the night, disappearing in the distance. Issei loitered around the front yard for a while to watch them bicker for a while. He chuckled to himself, and then went back inside to rejoin the girls.
Break
And the night grew darker and darker and well past Kunou's bedtime. Which mattered little for Yasaka as her daughter had never stayed awake past her bedtime. Chances were either she tired herself out or asked for a cup of milk before ultimately getting lulled to sleep.
But she hadn't asked for any, and she was sitting quietly by the living room, staring at the TV like a nice quiet child, hugging her own tail. The last part worried her the most, as she only hugged her tail when she's nervous.
"Kunou, are you sleepy? It's about time to sleep, and Ise-san might want to rest as well."
"Hm?" Kunou hummed, and unconsciously checked the clock on the wall. "Oh right! Time to go to bed." With that, she leapt off Issei's designated bed. "Night Niitan. Don't go to bed too late."
Issei who was at the time looking for some late-night snack grumbled his response. "Yeah, yeah. Sleep tight Kunou." Being told by a kid. How humorous.
Then again, maybe she was worried for nothing again. Her daughter more often than not did the unexpected. Maybe Kunou is simply tired. Her daughter did like to hold her mother's tails from time to time, though not as often.
"Goodnight Ise-san. Have a nice rest."
Issei's face peeked out from the edge of an arch. "You too Yasaka-san. Goodnight."
And thus, the mother and the daughter made their way to their bedroom. Kunou was oddly quiet, but Yasaka didn't think about it too much as she turned off the light, leaving only the lamp on the nightstand to dimly light the room.
She was making herself cozy with the duvet, sitting on her side of the bed, when she noticed her daughter had been standing by the door, seemingly spacing out.
Something was off.
"What's the matter dear?" She asked softly, her tone sewn with worry. "Is something wrong?"
Kunou blinked once, twice, before she moved her head and crawled unto the bed to join her mother. She didn't instantly curl up and hid behind the blanket, instead, she sat and brought her tail forward to her chest.
She held it again as she looked up at her mother. "Mom, what's a father?"
Ah. There it was. The question she had been hoping to avoid and even had forgotten, but nonetheless was prepared to handle as it was expected. Sooner or later, it would come.
"A father is… He's someone who helped mommy get pregnant with you." Perhaps, her answer could use some work. She really wasn't ready for this after all.
"Mmmn…" Kunou folded her arms and slanted her head slightly to one side, as if weighed by her thoughts. "…So, without a father, Kunou won't be with mommy?"
Yasaka nodded. "Mhmm."
"Okay…" It's amusing to see her think so hard, despite the subject at hand being rather disheartening. "Mmmnn….. Niitan kept calling Ji-san with 'dad', but auntie calls him 'father'. She calls him 'husband' too. Why so many names?"
Goodness. She wouldn't have to worry about her daughter's perception skills. "A father can also be a 'dad' and a 'husband', dear. Gorou-san is Ise-san's father and dad because he's his parent, but Gorou-san is also Sachiko-san's husband."
Kunou worked her gears. She felt her head was getting hotter. "Hmm… okay. Parents. Mmmnn…"
Yasaka stroked her lush golden mane, untying Kunou's ponytail as she did. "You'll understand soon, dear."
"So Niitan has two parents?"
"Mhmm."
Kunou creased her eyebrows. "Wha— does Kunou has two parents too? Is it because Niitan's a boy that Niitan gets to have a father?"
"Of course you do, dear. And no, it's not because of that." She replied softly, offering her hands to her daughter. Kunou quietly scuttled to her side, and Yasaka warmly embraced her. "Ise-san, Gorou-san, and Sachiko-san are Humans. We're Kitsunes, dear. Our fathers have different jobs than Human's fathers. Being a 'dad' is not one of them."
"Jobs? Dad? What's the difference?"
"Mhmm. Because we are so few and we don't have a lot of fathers, they look for a 'mother'. When they meet and they have a little Kitsune, like you," she poked her nose, and Kunou's eyelashes splashed as she giggled. "they continue their search. They don't become a 'dad'. A dad is… a man who watches the children grow."
"While Humans' fathers, there's a lot of them. They don't have to search for 'mothers' like we have to."
Kunou worked hard to register all the new information she had. Yasaka hoped she did it correctly like her mother explained to her, but she wasn't sure if her daughter could take it all in. But as she nodded, Yasaka breathed a sigh of relief.
"So a father doesn't always have to be a dad… Alright. Kunou understands a bit. Kinda. She hopes she does."
Yasaka giggled. "I'm sure you do, dear. You're a smart girl."
"Of course she is." Her tail wafted as her prideful smile etched on her small lips. It stopped a bit too soon for her liking, however. "Mom, why doesn't Niitan live with his mom and dad?"
So very inquisitive her daughter was. While she didn't mind, Yasaka would prefer being asked at daytime or when she's not too sleepy to think straight.
"Because Niitan is an adult, sweetie. Ise-san can look after himself without the help of his parents. Kunou can be like Niitan too when you're older. If you want to, that is."
Her daughter gave her a ridiculed look. "Eeeh, why would Kunou want to be away from mommy?"
"Mfufu, who knows? You'll have to ask Niitan about that." Yasaka said.
"Alright. She'll ask Niitan tomorrow." Realizing what she had done, Yasaka mentally apologized to Issei for dragging him into this.
The two made themselves comfortable as they settled underneath the duvet, still warm in each other's embrace. Then another question nudged Kunou's mind.
"Is Niitan a father?"
"No, dear. Ise-san isn't. He doesn't have a child."
"Oh, okay… but Niitan can be a father." Kunou said, wanting to confirm her new knowledge.
"Mhmm. Someday, mommy's sure he will."
"Can Niitan be Kunou's dad?"
"Hm?!" Yasaka yelped. Issei would die if he heard her shriek or see her madly blushing cheeks. "N-no, d-ear… w-well, there are some ways… b-but it's too difficult to be explained right now. It's- it's complicated."
"…Kunou doesn't get it. Why is everything so complicated, sheesh."
"Mom wonders why too… Let's just sleep dear."
And Yasaka put out her bedside lamp, but not the lingering thoughts of her daughter's recent words.
"Night mom."
"Goodnight, sweetie."
.
.
.
"Mom…?"
"…Yes?"
"Nekonee said she has a sister, right?"
"Yes…"
"What's a sister?"
"She's… someone who is born before or after you do, dear."
"Can Kunou have one?"
Again with these questions. How many times was she going to give her a mini-heart attack? "Y-you can… but n-not anytime soon." Kunou 'aww'ed whiningly. "Let's sleep now Kunou. Mommy's tired."
Break
Ironically, she couldn't sleep.
Those questions wouldn't stop circling in her head, taunting and chirping. How could her daughter keep her up even when she's fast asleep, soundly heaving soft breaths?
She's ten years old already… soon to be eleven. Sometimes, Yasaka forgot how fast time could fly and how many things had changed. Few weeks ago, she was all alone with her daughter in the old shrine, secluded from the world. Now she's with Issei. With Shirone. And she had met his parents and perhaps, soon she would meet many more.
As her kind was no longer kept a secret from the Human's, perhaps she could try to find a suitable Human male to be her daughter's father. She was the same as her, but it would be nice if Kunou could grow up with one.
She didn't understand why, but it felt… nice seeing Issei and his father sitting by the porch. Talking and drinking. She wondered what having a father would be like. She had only heard from stories and oftentimes a movie from television.
Deciding to make herself some milk, Yasaka carefully untangled herself from Kunou's grasp, using her pillow to be her replacement. She carefully and quietly snuck out, and then shut the door behind her slowly.
The living room would have been pitch black if not for the running TV.
Issei roused on his couch, laying on his side as he blankly watched the running commercial. He didn't feel sleepy yet. His body had probably adjusted itself to keep up with his former harsh sleep schedule.
It had been a year, but it felt as though it was only yesterday since he left his house. His parents, his hometown, his local friends, everything. He didn't have much luck with his jobs, but at least he's more experienced now and no longer the naïve boy he once was. Could he consider being a Caretaker as a job? He doubted it was. The government covered their expenses, but he didn't get paid a single yen.
Well, this was voluntary work after all. There's probably a paragraph or two that specifically stated this rule in that thick guidebook he didn't bother reading.
He didn't complain however. He didn't have to live alone, and he got to experience what it's like living with a different species. Shame he couldn't pet their furs freely and had to rely on 'accidents' such as one last time.
Issei stared at his open palm as he reminisced the sensation of Yasaka's fluffy tails. So soft and heavenly. Each hair was like the finest golden silk; smooth and sleek, yet soft and bouncy to touch. He'd pick hers over an expensive swan feather pillow at any time.
…There better be no one in this world that hunts them for their tails. He might consider creating a taskforce or expand the International Anti-Poaching Foundation to Japan.
As the commercial ended, Issei heard the clicking of a door.
He looked over his couch, getting up to a sitting position. It was dimly lit as the TV was the only source of light, but those nine flame-like shadows were impossible to mistake.
"Yasaka-san?"
"Ise? You're still awake? You have work tomorrow, no?"
Issei scratched his hair as he looked at the clock. A minute past midnight. "Today actually…"
"Oh dear, then you better have some rest. Are you alright? I was going to make some hot milk for myself, do you want some as well?"
As if he could tell her he couldn't sleep because of the couch's unfriendliness to his back. But the offer for hot milk was too precious not to take. "If it's not too troubling… yes please. That'd be great. Thank you, Yasaka-san."
Issei watched her tails sway as she turned on the light just short enough that she wouldn't caught him but fulfilling enough that he felt comforted. It still made him wonder how she could fit those fluffy things in her clothes.
Shirone must have it quite easy as she only had one small tail. He knew Kunou had most of her clothes specially cut for her tail to pop out. But what about Yasaka's nine tails? Did her clothes have those too? Or did they simply spill out? If so, how did she wear a skirt and still have her tails flaying in the open?
Yet another unanswered mystery of life. Perhaps he should start a detective agency. There must be tons of others out there that shared his exact passion for fl—
His train of thoughts stopped before reaching the terminal as he saw a pair of feet scaling down the stairs. "Shirone-chan?"
She didn't seem to expect him to be up as her amber eyes gazed at him. They looked drowsy from afar, and even drowsier the nearer she walked towards him. She stopped as she sat on Azazel's armchair, and held her knees.
Now she looked even smaller. "Uh… something wrong…?"
Her head shifted at the TV, but her white ears shifted downwards languidly. "…I can't sleep."
That night he learned being a Supernatural didn't help much while dealing with insomnia – even being partly feline was no help.
"Yasaka-san's making some—"
She arrived just in time to show Shirone what she had made. Two steaming cups of white milk were in her hands.
"Ah, Shirone-chan, you're having trouble sleeping as well?" Yasaka giggled as she gave Issei his share. "Would you like some too?"
She said nothing but gave her a timid and uncertain look. They all knew she wanted the hot drink.
Issei took it as a yes. So he stood up and gave the glass to her. "Well, here you go." Understandably, she's reluctant. A little push was all he needed. "It's fine, you can have it. I think I'm gonna have some instant noodles instead… I'm kinda hungry."
"…Thank you."
He didn't need to lie and she took the offer. A win-win situation if you ask him. Her quiet 'thanks' was the cherry on the cake. It'd be nicer if he could fluff her ears though. God what wouldn't he give to have seven minutes in heaven. Just a minute would be enough.
Yasaka whiffed the milky scent, taking in its mild sweetness. Her tongue tingled in anticipation. After a few soft blows of air, she sipped the hot white milk. The warmth coursed through her body like a warm hug – her mother's hug. It might not be as calming or as comforting, but it gave her a reminder of what she had and Yasaka wouldn't ask for more from a glass of milk.
Sighing in content, the young Kyuubi glanced at the seat in front of her and found Shirone was still blowing air on her drink. She then stuck out her tongue, and dipped the red flesh in the white sea, before wincing and shutting her eyes in pain. She looked dejected, but she didn't give up. She continued to blow and blow.
"Oh dear," Yasaka frowned sympathetically, "you have a cat's tongue. Don't you Shirone-chan?"
"Yeah…" Shirone muttered, her eyes half closed as she longingly stared at her glass, now settled just above her lap. "…It's pretty annoying."
"Maybe you can add an ice cube. That can help."
She shook her head. "Nn… I like it hot. I'll just wait."
Silence reigned, but not the uncomfortable kind of silence. It's the peaceful kind of silence, with the TV running in the background. They simply enjoyed each other's company.
Yasaka sighed mellowly as she thought of an idea to help. Even using her magic wasn't much use. She might end up freezing the whole milk and the cup if she's not careful. Not a risk she's willing to take.
"Yasaka-san?"
"Is it… okay if I…"
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Issei had just done pouring hot water in his cup noodle. He unintentionally – or intentionally – overheard their conversation. He didn't hear much as they talked rather quietly, but he did hear the word 'cat'. At least he's pretty sure he did – why was he making a fuss about this again?
Rejoining the girls, Issei sat on his makeshift bed with his cup noodles at hand. Now he didn't understand how they all decided to be unable to sleep on the same night. He was a light sleeper, so he knew Shirone always went downstairs in the middle of the night. Probably she wanted to grab something to drink. However, this was the first time he saw Yasaka out of her room at night.
Maybe they're just hungry like him?
He glanced at Shirone to his right, noticing her staring at the cup she's holding with drowsy eyes. Her white hair took in a little of the TV's screen light. To his right, he saw Yasaka drinking the last drops of her drink, exhaling contentedly. He also noticed her twin ears frolicked several times.
"Mhmn…n~" Her yawn somehow startled both Issei and Shirone. Not because it was loud—no. It wasn't loud. It was soft. Very feminine. But also very sensual that the two would've mistook it as a moan if they didn't know her.
"I'm going to head back inside my room." She muttered, a smile still on her lips. The milk certainly helped. Seeing Shirone hadn't finished her drink yet, she bade her leave. "Goodnight Shirone-chan, Ise-san."
"Goodnight." Shirone bowed lightly, almost tipping over both her glass of milk and also herself.
"Night Yasaka-san." Issei said. Once again he watched her tails swing and sway. It's like watching a pendulum; he couldn't get enough of it even though it's only the same motion repeated over and over.
And it didn't go unnoticed by the Nekoshou who had been watching him instead, holding her glass close to her chest for the heat it gave.
"…Ise-san."
"Yeah?"
"Do you like Yasaka-san?"
His head snapped at her. "…What?"
Still bashful if her eyes made contact, Shirone shied her eyes from him and pretended to watch the running commercial about an upcoming anime. "Y-you were staring at her… often too."
His brain formulated no thoughts or response, but it registered that he was in shock. Issei closed his gaping mouth, narrowed his widened eyes, then looked at his noodles before glancing back up to catch her eyes – or her silver-white hair.
He took a gulp, before confessing his guilty pleasure. "I… I just…. I just wonder what it's like to brush her tails."
Now it was Shirone who stared at him, dumbfounded.
"Haha—I know. I shouldn't think like that." He laughed nervously. He knew that sooner or later, he'd be found out. Just not this soon. "It must be rude isn't it?"
"…I don't think it's rude." Somehow, her silent, quiet voice that'd melt to the slightest of touch, lifted the guilt off his chest. "It's a kind gesture."
She peeked at him. It was faint, but her amber eyes were glowing in the dark. It's like a small sunset. Small, but captivating all the same. Coupled with her smile, his heart might forget how to beat permanently.
"Y-you mean… If I ask, she'd let me?"
"That depends on her…" Shirone shriveled, making herself even smaller.
Issei thought it was because of his excitement, but he realized it wasn't him that was bothering her. "Oh, you must be cold. Why don't you take my blanket Shirone-chan?"
"…." He was about to lend her his blanket, but instead, she got off her chair, put her cup on the table, and walked to him. Then she sat next to him as she huddled herself in the bedspread. She likely thought nothing of it, but for someone who had never ever shared a couch and a blanket with any girl except his mother, it was something.
Feeling comfortable, Shirone exhaled mellowly. "…Mmn… it's warm."
Indeed. His blanket felt as if it was warmer.
They stared at the TV that was now showing a rerun of an old famous game show, where the contestants had to go through various obstacles, like running up a slope while avoiding the rolling 'boulder' from above. Hilarity ensues as one contestant thought he could overpower one such boulder, resulting in him tumbling down like the boulder itself.
Albeit old, Takeshi's Castle would always have a special place reserved in his memory.
His snickering was like a stone bouncing across a glossy lake, creating ripples of mirth where there had been none. Shirone felt the ripple, and she felt like giggling too despite it not being that funny to her.
After realizing he was being stared at, Issei returned a glance. He wasn't laughing anymore, but he was smiling. "Yes?"
Shirone paused, thinking for a moment before shaking her head. "Nothing." Issei thought nothing of it, and went back to his show, until she raised her voice once again. "…Ise…-san…?"
"Yeah?"
"…Can I talk to you about something…"
It was Issei who paused. Without thinking, he muted the TV and gave his whole attention to her, the girl who then hid her face in the blanket before he could get a glimpse.
"Yes? What's wrong?"
Shirone was quiet for a few moments, perhaps reconsidering, or maybe wondering what she wanted to say next. Whatever it was, Issei would wait.
"…Am I… a burden…?"
Issei thought before he spoke. He thought of why she would say that, and what made her. It couldn't be Yasaka – that's just impossible. It couldn't be Kunou either. It couldn't be him and he certainly hoped it wasn't him. Was it Azazel? Nah… He's not that kind of a person.
After a while, he had a guess, but he kept it inside his mind for now. What he could do best right now, was to be a good listener to her. The job of a man as told by his dad.
"Of course you're not." He assured her, hoping she'd lift her head. "What makes you say that Shirone-chan?"
"…I always rely on someone else…" She muttered. Issei had to listen very carefully as her already silent voice was muffled by the blanket. "…You gave me food, a place to stay, and even your bedroom… I've been given many things, but… I haven't…"
Issei waited to make sure she wasn't going to continue. "Okay…" he huffed. He had considered his words. "That doesn't mean you rely on us. You cook, clean, and you keep Kunou busy." He slipped in a snigger, hoping to lift the mood. It didn't work. "You help out when you don't have to is what I'm saying. I don't think you're a burden at all. I'm sure Yasaka-san thinks the same way."
He watched hair sway as she shook her small head. "That's not fair… It's not enough… I can't pay you back…"
"I never expect you to. It's uh… a goodwill. You don't owe me or Yasaka-san anything." Out of habit, Issei stroked the top of her head, feeling her featherlight silver hair and a graze of her feline ears. "You don't have to worry about those things, Shirone-chan."
"But… that's not fair…" A sniffle leaked out.
"It's alright."
"No it's not…"
Issei kept silent, gently stroking her the back of her head, silently wishing he could help her. He wanted to do something to help, but right now, he couldn't think of any way but this. And he couldn't enjoy the fur of her feline ears if she's dejected. It's not right for him to be happy if he couldn't share it.
"…If that's true, then…then why did Nee-sama leave me…?"
As she finally lifted her face, Issei… didn't know what to say, but he felt awful. No one should ever make this kind of face. She was flushed. There was confusion in the midst of the distress in her amber eyes, as if wondering if it was something she did, asking a question she didn't understand.
He didn't understand either.
They didn't teach how to deal with these things in school. Issei didn't know what to say. He didn't even know if his strokes were helping. He knew he wanted her to feel better even if he didn't knew. He knew she's a nice girl. There had to be another reason but whatever it was, it's not her fault.
"It's not your fault."
Her face crumpled and Issei felt his heart sink yet again. Her tears overflowed from her eyes and they dripped off her chin, forming a small wet stain on the blanket. She wept, heaving soundly as her voice hitched.
Issei settled his hand between the pair of white ears, and gently stroked her hair again.
"It's not your fault, Shirone-chan. I believe in you."
He wanted to give her more than just a caress. He wanted to give her a hug, but he wasn't sure if he should. The only woman he had ever hugged was his mother, and he'd feel like he had taken advantage of her if he did.
She surprised him as Shirone leaned into his chest, bawling unceasingly, hands clutching his shirt. He was surprised that his hands remained hung in the air, before eventually holding her head and her shoulder.
It was a rather awkward position, for both him and for her, but at the time, they didn't care.
To be continued...
Pretty lengthy compared to the others. More somber too. Not because I wanted to make up for the length of the last chapter, but because this is how long it should be
I don't know what to say about this chapter. I feel satisfied with Issei and Shirone's development, but I feel like a big jerk to everyone to a certain point
I know that Shirone keeps having a gloomy ending to her scene, but what can I do? The girl has just recently been 'ditched' by her sister; the only person she had. It'll be ridiculous if I skimmed over it
The 'what is a dad' is the line that I kept on pondering the longest as it is a heavy subject as was the 'abandonment'. I don't know if I handled it right, or if it's fitting for a fluffy slice of life fic, but I do know I'm pleased with the outcome
And I'm sure as hell hoping you guys are too