Changelog: Fixed Kokabiel suddenly popping up in the story like he did in canon.

Oh look. An update

Thank you for the supports and so on and on. Gratitude and words showing that I appreciate your backing aside, I won't be posting as often because I'm writing a thesis. This is important and all of you must know because it will affect your life.

No, really. I write when I want to and have the time. I still want to write, but now I don't have as much time because I'm being screwed by this damn thesis which deadline won't go extend itself. For me writing is a hobby, not a job.

I'm sure a lot of you know how stressful it is to do something with a deadline, like your summer homework. Except in my case I might end up jobless. Which, despite its attractive premise of being a drunk and homeless at the same time without anyone chastising, it isn't exactly my choice of living.

tl;dr: Thesis is ramming my rear 24/7. This is so sad. Can I get a like?

Anyway, enjoy

Everyday Life with Supernatural Girls

Chapter IX

||Like No Other||

Issei woke up with an abrupt start. It was as if he woke up from a drowning nightmare. Fitting, as Azazel had pinched his nose.

Two ticked-off brown eyes granted the Overseer a betrayed stare, clearly asking an uttered 'why?'. In return, the Fallen Angel sneered at him. As he came to, shifting in his blanket and groaning lightly from the mild pain nipping his back, Issei sat up on his faithful but not-so-comfortable-for-sleeping couch.

Rubbing his eyes to adjust to the lights of the living room, he looked out past the glass sliding door that served as a window to the house's backyard. He spotted the sleepy monochromes covering most of the yard. The sun was nowhere to be seen. Kunou's mini-snowmen had gained height and weight, and in truth, appeared a bit unsettling.

"It's early." Issei scowled and glared at the Fallen Angel standing in front of him, demanding explanation. "Why are you here this early. Breakfast isn't until seven."

Azazel simply took a step to his side as though presenting the less-scandalously-dressed Nekoshou sitting at another couch.

Issei stared at her. "Oh." Was she pouting? She looked like she was. That's kind of cute. The Caretaker scratched his hair in its full bed head glory. "Can't this wait...?"

"Yeah," Kuroka seconded, scoffing, "can't it wait nyan?"

Issei scrunched his brows. '...nyan?' Maybe his ears were still asleep and he was imagining things.

"Just like the both of you," Azazel replied, taking seat at his usual one-seater chair, "I want to end all of this as quick. The sooner this gets settled, the sooner I'll get my pay and bonus."

"...And—" Issei glanced at the clock, "—half past four in the morning is nearing the deadline."

"What can I say? Getting things done helps me sleep better."

"Your 'getting things done' ruins my sleep."

Azazel shrugged guiltlessly. "A sacrifice for a cause nobler than your rest."

Yawning, Issei tossed the white towel. He drank a glass of water Azazel had so considerably brought for him.

Past the counter separating the kitchen and the living room, he could see Yasaka's nine tails swaying as she seemed to prepare something for the guests and him. A peaceful sight at last. It brought his mind back at ease.

"So," Azazel restarted, lifting a leg above a knee as he leaned back, ruining his peaceful thoughts. "first thing's first; I know you've met already, but the girl's Kuroka. Shirone's older sister. And an accused thief."

"A what?" In surprise, Issei looked at her. She had the expression of someone who knew they had one wrong but refused to admit they're wrong.

"When she left, several thousands of cash were missing from the person she stayed with. I don't want to point fingers, but missing money is missing money and you running away solidified their suspicions."

Issei turned his head to his right; at Kuroka. If he learned anything from Shirone's characters, surely her sister didn't steal it. It could be that their previous family set them up, or perhaps she—

"Yeah, I brought them with me. How else am I supposed to pay for the food nyan?"

-or she stole it.

"You admit it huh... gods..." Azazel sighed deeply as he run his face with his palm.

"It's not his money anyway." Kuroka jeered, crossing her legs on the couch to make herself warmer. "I didn't take that many anyway. That guy's making a big deal."

"Still thievery. If you haven't noticed already, I'm trying to break you out before you get imprisoned."

"Try harder nyan."

It was brief, but Issei saw Azazel's eye twitched. This Nekoshou seemed to be more of a chatter and would say things just to watch other people get annoyed or flustered. Or she simply didn't care. A mental image appeared in his head in the shape of Aika Kiryuu.

Issei mentally quivered at the thought of two Aikas.

"Did they press charges?" Issei then realized how badly he had always wanted to say this line. Damn you Hollywood.

"No." Azazel said, crossing his arms. "Not yet, at least. Luckily for you, he only wanted the money back. But no money, you're going to court."

"As you can see nyan, I don't have any. Isn't my gratitude enough?"

There it was again. Issei suspected he was still dreaming.

Azazel shrugged off her comment. "He demanded sixty thousand including the interest. That's equal to two thousand five hundred Turkish lira."

"Turk- what?"

"All I'm saying is; it could be worse." The Overseer added. "But you need to pay it off so I can legalize all the stuffs you need legalized."

The amount was several thousand more than his old apartment rent and roughly half of his salary. He could live off a few weeks with that much money. He supposed it wasn't that bad.

"Though, I must say I'm impressed you managed three months with only that. Even going away this far north."

Issei almost fell off his seat. "What— three months?!"

"I'm a shrewd spender nyan."

Azazel sighed. "See here. You're in this city so I'm obligated to help you. But there's a limit to where I put myself into your troubles. He asked for the payment to be made the time you're found. I can stall it for maybe a few days and a week at most, but you're gonna have to return the money."

"I can pay it." Issei said with a shrug. "It's not that much."

Kuroka stared at him as if he had grown another head. Azazel simply smiled, expecting as such. "Then it's settled. Transfer me the money, and I'll handle the paperwork and the rest because I'm a great Overseer." He clapped his hands, rubbing them together as he then left his chair for the kitchen, leaving the stark-baffled Kuroka with the young male. "I'm also famished—Yasaka, ma'am, how long until I can fill my stomach with appetizing stuffs?"

"Oh my—it's because you were standing outside too long didn't you? I'm so sorry Azazel-san..."

Issei eyed Azazel with suspicion. "...Why is she the one apologizing?"

"I didn't ask for your help you know."

Issei looked back at the girl, just then realizing she was wearing one of Yasaka's home dress. Her black hair cascaded down to her chest instead of being tied in that quirky hairstyle, and the air of mischievousness seemed to have disappeared. Oddly enough, he preferred this plain appearance over her loose kimono; he knew where to look. If two of his friends were here, they'd chastise him for heresy.

"Well, I'm pretty sure Shirone-chan would like it if her sister doesn't have any debt."

She showed an expression Issei couldn't decrypt. Her lips were frowning and so were her sleek eyebrows, but she didn't look sad to him. Ashamed, perhaps. Or it might be confusion. He supposed girls remain a mystery for his feeble male mind.

But... Nekoshous sure had large cat ears. Just looking at the black furs made his hands fidgety.

Then out of the blue, she curled a sly smile. "Hee~ that means I'm indebted to you now, aren't I Caretaker-kun? I have no money to pay you back nyan, and I'm unemployed. How about my body instead~?

Issei took a gulp as Kuroka tugged back the collar of her house dress, revealing the pearly skin of her shoulder blade. 'Oh Buddha. She's sensual.'

However, the way her two tails curled in the air gained his interest more than a sight of her skin.

"Actually... I want to touch your tails and ears." Now that was something he never expected to say. "...That's... not weird... right?"

Judging from her blinks, Issei knew what was bound to come. "You really are weird nyan." Despite knowing so, it didn't make hearing it less painful. "Are you seeing me as a pet?"

"What? No, no. I don't mean it that way. It's just that... they're—those things are—well I mean uh..." He realized he couldn't use 'I like animals' as a reason.

She stared at him inquisitively. "Well?"

"Uh... Because I don't have them and I'm curious how they'd feel like in my hands...?"

"You also don't have these things nyan." Kuroka placed her hands under her Kurokas and made them bounce. "Aren't you curious how these would feel in your hands? Hmm~?"

Issei bit his lower lip to help solidify his self-restraint as the Nekoshou realized the fun in torturing him and his willpower.

"...Yes."

Alas. He was not strong enough.

"Heh. Perv."

Even her smug smile reminded him of Aika. Just more adorable. Maybe because she wasn't Aika. No offense Aika.

Time to change the subject. "A-anyway," he cleared his throat, looking at somewhere that wasn't as provoking as her. "she thinks of you all the time, your sister. She was very worried when she saw you last night."

Kuroka's expression changed bitterly. "That's cheating. Can't we just keep talking about my chest."

"What are you, a temptress?" Issei remarked, "She'll be happy to see you're alright, I'm sure. Just uh... well... make sure you explain things to her." Issei waited if she wanted to respond. When she gave none, he continued. "She... may be needing some clarifications..."

An ear pointed at his direction. "About what."

"Hmm..." Issei thought, hard, force-starting the cranky gears in his brain as after the sleep that was interrupted twice, thinking 'how to handle this without butting in other people business' was a chore. More so when he didn't know how to word it. That night in particular where Shirone sobbed to sleep had left a bitter impression regarding Kuroka.

"Just spit it out nyan."

"Right." Issei loosened. "So... you see... Shirone-chan might be thinking that you might have left her because she might be a burden to you...?"

Each word he said, the more he shrunk to his seat. Was he some sort of the harbinger of bad news? Was that a side-job for being a Caretaker? First the little sister and now the older sister. This wasn't written in the contract he signed. Even not in the fine prints.

Shirone was a light-sleeper. She woke up when he had to get up for work, but she normally went back to sleep until it was eight. He didn't have any work today, however, and knowing her sister was here, she might get up sooner instead.

Seeing Kuroka's conflicted look, Issei decided it was best to give her time to think. "I'm going to get some water."

He joined Azazel and Yasaka in the kitchenette. The air was already mixed with various vegetables and the boiling broth.

"Good morning Ise-san."

"Good morning. Isn't it a bit too early to start cooking?"

The Kyuubi was in the middle of whisking some white tofu while a small sauce pan was boiling. A soup with tofu he guessed. The scents of the vegetable soup filling his lungs and watered his mouth as the heat from the stove stroked his skin.

"Oh, this is for Kuroka-san and Azazel-san."

Issei shot a dirty look at the man in question. Kuroka he understood. She was cold last night. This man however.

In the meantime, Azazel busied himself by the counter, reading a newspaper with a cup of black coffee by his side.

"It's going to be a cold, hard week. Snows every single day." The Overseer grumbled as Issei sat a stool away, a glass of water in his hand. "Yet even if the snows piled up to my height, I'd still have work in the freezing cold. The work rate of this country is insane I tell you."

Azazel folded the paper afterwards, disappointed about the lack of noteworthy news regarding this city.

"That's yesterday's news." Issei said plainly.

"What?" Disgruntled, Azazel reread the front page and checked the date. He muttered something under his breath. "...I knew I read this some times before."

"Maybe you forgot it's still very early in the morning. The delivery man is probably melting down his bike."

"Yeah, yeah. Why so grumpy?" Azazel waved his hand dismissively. "Anyway, done flirting with the lass?"

Issei imagined Azazel's reaction if he splashed water on his face. It must be wetly amusing.

"You'd never guessed she's the girl's sister eh? Black hair, frolicky attitude. Stubborn. Bit of a hot-head. Large racks. It's like the Sun compared to Earth."

"Are you calling my sister flat?!"

"Earth is spherical." Azazel quickly replied as if he had anticipated this outcome. "See what I mean?"

Issei preferred to stay out of it. So he stayed out of it. He did agree on that last bit. But Shirone was still a young girl – though older than Kunou. Equally as flat... too he supposed. But still. There is room for improvement.

'What the hell am I thinking.' They both had fluffy ears. It was all that mattered. Should be all that mattered. He couldn't imagine a petite girl like Shirone with a large bust. It'd be imbalanced and would mess with his brains and mental sanity. This was real life. Big-boobed lolis should stay in the 2D world.

Though, no doubt Motohama would feel justice had finally come to Earth if they do exist.

Although... Putting the existence of women with cat ears or fox tails into consideration...

Issei decided he shouldn't be thinking about stupid things like this so early in the morning. He should wait until at least noon.

Seeing Azazel drinking the hot cup of coffee, Issei supposed he needed one as well to sober him up. He moved towards the cupboard, taking a peek at Yasaka's cooking and quietly listening to her hum. Being near her had always made him feel at ease, seemingly freed from all other nagging troubles. It could be that her tails swooped them away.

"Would you like some coffee Ise-san?"

"I'm making one myself, thanks. Moving helps me waking up sooner." And made him stop thinking about those questionable questions. As he browsed the cupboard for a cup and searched the drawers for a sachet of coffee, Yasaka allowed her curiousness defeat her.

She placed down a ladle she used for stirring the soup. She always looked at the person she's talking to. "...Ise-san, do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Yes? What about?"

"Will you... let her stay?"

"Kuroka?" Issei looked at her. And as she responded with a slow nod, he continued as he walked to the water dispenser. Hot scalding water flowed afterwards. "Well... I don't think it's up to me... but if it is, I'd say yes."

"Oh, thank goodness." She smiled, relieved by his answer. "I was worried you'd say no. She cares for her sister. She doesn't flaunt about it, but... she does."

Issei chuckled. "Maybe not like you to Kunou, but I can kinda tell. Shirone was happy last night when I told her she can stay here. She wasn't sad or... well that's not important. She's just, happy and glad. I don't think she would be if her sister's a bad person." Staring at the swirling black water, he added, "It's all up to her now."

The more time she spent with him, the more she admires this man that she spoke without thinking. "You're very thoughtful Ise-san. It's admirable."

"W-well, I need to have some redeeming qualities am I right?" He said with a nervous laughter. He so was not accustomed to praises. At least not one as genuine as hers. He was used to something along the same line as 'even though you're like this, you're not that bad'.

With a light giggle, Yasaka returned to her cooking, and her soft hum waltzed in the air.

The hot coffee swirled in the cup as he stirred it, its hot white mist rising as its rich scent tickled his nose. His morning had an unpleasant start, but it was getting better by the day.

At least it was, until Azazel chirped behind him. "So. Boy, are you going to adopt her as well?"

"Adopt..." Issei echoed, wondering if that was really the proper term. Knowing Azazel, it wouldn't. He'll play along for now and conserve his energy. "Not sure. It's up to her."

Azazel looked strangely disappointed. "My assistant mentioned that you would."

"I just thought Shirone would like it better if her sister's with her in here." Taking a careful sip, Issei glanced at the living room. Kuroka was lying down on her couch, palms supporting her head, staring at him with a bored look.

Being stared made him uncomfortable. So he looked back at Azazel. "Why? Is there a limit or something?"

"It depends on the Caretaker. A working young lad like you shouldn't have more than three unless it's under some circumstances. All of this is pretty new. The law is stricter. It'll loosen as it ages, I bet, but that's still a long way ahead."

"So... I guess I'll have to hand Shirone back?"

His long black eyebrows scrunched under his golden bangs. "What're you saying?"

"They're sisters." Issei plainly said as he took a seat. This time a few stools away so that Azazel won't steal his coffee. "Separating them after they just met doesn't sound right to me."

Mainly because Shirone cared for her sister. They had yet to meet each other again – at least not when both sides were conscious. Depending on the result, his mind could take a turn or steel itself. He hoped for the latter.

He was deep in his mulling that he didn't realize Azazel was studying him.

"You're a good lad." He said. It felt strange hearing it from him. "Having you as a Caretaker will be a blessing for anyone. You're not half bad despite your collection."

That was more like it. He didn't feel as embarrassed. "I've pawned them off, alright. I'm a changed man."

"Hah! Say what you like, but a man will return back on the road he paved." Azazel snickered while Issei began to have second-guesses. "By the way, how'd it goes last night?"

Issei knitted his eyebrows. "What're you talking about?"

"I'm talking about my assistant. I did tell you I'll introduce you to her."

"You didn't mention leaving instantly after a coffee."

"Need I remind you how busy I am?"

"Then why are you still here." Issei asked with a flat tone.

"Are you telling me to leave and waste the missus' culinary she prepared specifically for me?" Azazel looked pained. Issei agreed. He was a pain in the butt. "Unscrupulous. Nonsense."

"It isn't just for you I think."

It was nothing more than their harmless japes, of course. His carefree personality did have its saving grace. Azazel was easy to talk to despite being a pain in the butt.

And thus, the two japed a bit more, still in the same topic about his old 'ammunitions'. Azazel seemed intent on squeezing it dry as it made Issei uncomfortable the most due to Yasaka's presence.

But they all stopped as Shirone slowly made her way down the stairs. Issei held his breath, suddenly tense. Apprehensive of what about to come, yet equally invested. Azazel looked ready to make a bet, while Yasaka was watching them anxiously while tending to her cooking.

The dramatic effect was rather spoilt as they saw Kuroka had gone back to sleep, nuzzled in a blanket that once covered him.

"...You kidding me?" Issei unintentionally let his disappointment bled into words.

"To be fair, cats tend to sleep more when it's cold. Helps in keeping their body warm, see."

"Isn't it rude to compare them to cats?"

"They are related in one way or another." Azazel said with a shrug. "Like missus Yasaka to a fox and her little girl to a vixen. It only gets uncomfortable if you overthink it."

That was a point he could agree with. Best not to think about it too much. Well then... back to the cats—Nekoshous. Issei corrected his thoughts, slapping himself on the inside in the process.

"Well would you look at that." Azazel chuckled, smirking at the white haired Nekoshou. "Isn't that just sweet."

Issei allowed a smile. "Yeah. I guess they'll be alright."

"You know what they say. 'There's no one else like a sister'."

"She has a cold, though." Issei pointed out.

"What, you're going to pry them apart? Good Lord, Ise. I never took you as a heartless man."

Issei disregarded the jape delivered with a weird posh accent. "What if she catches it?"

"Then you'll nurse her back to health. Or the missus will. She's done it twice now."

It would be rude to keep staring at them. So Issei casually glance away to have another go at the carefree Fallen Angel and his wisecracks while waiting for breakfast, as Shirone lulled herself back to sleep in her sister's embrace.

Kuroka felt her lips quivering and her cheeks tingly. She tried to fall asleep to buy more time, but her sister had gone downstairs sooner and had crawled into the couch, and skulked herself in the tiny space between her and the rim could offer.

Her white hair smelled clean. Better, now that it wasn't constantly plummeted by snow or rain or cooked under the autumn sun. Her arms were thicker too, and held her with such fervor. Almost as if she was afraid she'd leave her again.

Well... who could blame her?

"You weren't a burden or anything, alright."

She tried sounding aloof, but Shirone knew her sister better than anyone. "...It's okay..."

She didn't dare opening her eyes. The tears would leak for sure. She didn't want to cry where there are others nearby, and especially not in front of her sister.

Shirone didn't have that much trouble, though. She openly sniffled, squeezing her sister's dress and nuzzled herself closer. It took a while, but Kuroka returned her embrace and was instantly brought back to a time where they cuddled against the cold.

The blanket was warm, but it wasn't close to the warmest.

"I'm sorry."

Gods. How she had missed her.

To be continued...

I bet you're thinking "under 4k chapter wat heck u massive not nice person"

I know. It's short and sweet. Like my dic—tatorship reign.

This chapter is dedicated to muh Bianca. She went to kitty heaven three chapters ago. Or about two months ago because my update is consistently slow. Still missing ur fluff bb.

Leave a review that says you'll miss me. I need your help boosting my fragile ego. Or maybe let me know if this chapter's worth a damn of your time or why there should be a God of Fluff.

P.S. TAFFO.

Tails Aren't Furry Fuck Off