It's interesting how almost everyone thought Raynare's automatically a big gay after last chapter, without even considering she could swing both ways or was just messing around – but then again, I kinda just left it there hanging. So you're not to blame

But who cares? That shouldn't be that big of a deal since I wrote it mostly jokingly

And there's this one dude saying Issei's written like an incel and goes on an entire essay of rant of the importance of physical attraction which is absolute golden like chill lmao. takes one to know one I guess

Anyway, an update not 3 months after last chapter? Wuot? (update schedule still suck ass pls forgiv)

also im stressed out from work. I need a holiday so i won't be updating anytime soon

Everyday Life with Supernatural Girls

Chapter 14

||Pride||

Despite the internet memes (and certain other "movies"), in his whole entire life, Issei had never met a girl who was into another girl. Maybe they hid it well as he knew his country was not as open or welcoming like the western countries, but nonetheless, as Issei was a fully functional and healthy young man, he was quite more than interested.

"Are you joking?" Hey. Asking wouldn't hurt.

"I dunno." Raynare shrugged, equally as puzzled herself. "Isn't that normal? Kuroka-san is pretty."

"My co-worker is annoyingly handsome but that doesn't make me see him that way."

"Well maybe it's just a guy thing."

"I'm pretty sure it's because I like boobs." Issei replied truthfully, which got Raynare to choke and burst a laugh for his sincerity. He was a fulltime admirer of boobs and shall remain devoted to his noble faith until the end of times.

After Raynare calmed herself down and reminding herself she was in someone's home, she continued the discussion. "I'm not sure. I've never thought about it before. Is it because what we were talking at the coffee shop?"

"It might be?" Issei scratched his head, surprisingly invested more than he thought he would for this unexpected topic. "Have you ever seen… you know, any other girls like that before?"

Her purple eyes widened, as though saying he made a good point. "That's the thing isn't it? I don't know. I'm not sure yet. It's not a rare case for fallen angel to go for both, I just never thought I was gonna be one."

"Huh…" Well that's an interesting thing to learn. He should ask Azazel when he got the chance. "Okay… So… It could be a one-off thing still, right."

"Probably. It also could be because I wanted to know what it's like."

"With what?"

Raynare looked quizzed instead. "Going out with a girl?"

"Oh." Issei paused. "Same."

"D'aww you-" Guilty as she felt, she couldn't contain her laugh at his expression. "Don't worry Issei. There's a lot of fish in the sea."

"Yeah, but the problem is, until I catch one, I'll just be sitting there holding my rod."

"Your time will surely come- wait…"

When it hit, it hit hard. Raynare laughed. So hard that she had to cover her mouth and sat there, quivering as she tried to stifle the laugh.

Meanwhile, Issei sat there, satisfied, a little bit embarrassed, and gladdened she got the joke and found it funny instead of grossed out. Because then he would be blaming his two friends for their influence. Hopefully their 'got a girlfriend' influence spreads to him too.

"Oh my god I'm crying." She said as she wiped a tear off her eye, with her now freshly flushed face. "I feel warmer now." Once she calmed down to a few giggles, she added. "Oh dear… bad Issei. Bad."

"I know I'm bad and I'm not ashamed."

"…Wow… no wonder Azazel likes you."

"…Uh… in what way, exactly?" After the earlier mention of fallen angel's characteristics, that statement put him on edge.

"I mean as a person." Issei breathed a sigh of relief. "Out of all of the fallen angel I've met, he's probably the most invested in women. Well… 'invested'. You know what I mean."

Issei knew what she meant.

"B-but anyway…. It's not nice of me to talk about my boss… Sir Azazel please forgive me."

"I thought he's just a chill guy to be around with?"

"Only to people he knows won't mind. Clients, I mean. Out of all of his clients, as in other Caretakers such as you, I think it's pretty obvious he enjoyed working with you the most. You don't make much demands, and even if you do, it's reasonable and it isn't for you either – like that room for example. You're easy to talk to, you joke around but you're nice and kind. You don't make a lot of fuss about most things.

I guess you could say you're his 'ideal' client since you give him less work than the others."

"Huh. Woah. Thanks." It felt weird to receive a compliment. Moreover a buttload of them in one go. The fact that he rarely got one might be the reason. It felt somewhat embarrassing as well. But it made him happy for sure. "But let's get back to business."

"Aw geez, here we go again."

"What about Yasaka-san? Do you feel… uh…"

"Mmmn, I don't think that's how it works. You like pretty girls but it's not like you're gonna like all of them, right? Even if they're super pretty or… ehehehe… busty."

Issei nodded as he folded his arms. Tastes are more verbose than one might think. "Hmm, hmm. True, true."

"And besides… I don't know if I'm… I dunno. Worthy of her? Well not just her, but people who are just too good. Like, I'd never want to be a bad influence."

That rang true to him. "You don't want to make them uncomfortable right?"

"Yeah. I get the whole 'accept you for whoever you are' but, doesn't mean you should just keep your bad habits."

Issei nodded briefly. "Wait, what bad habits do you have?"

"W-well… erm… something that isn't good…"

Not one she's comfortable sharing with him yet, it appeared. Whatever it was, she's conscious of it. Understandable. Issei held back on prying more.

But before he could shift the topic, a door slowly and quietly swung open, and Yasaka emerged from it, shutting it shut as slowly. As she did, both Raynare and Issei piped down as though Yasaka was a manager who walked in on her workers gossiping about.

Except this manager was too kind to be one.

She had gotten out of her kimono and don her purple sweater instead of her pajamas.

"I'm sorry, I was just putting Kunou to sleep. I'm going to make tea, would you two like something to drink?" She asked as she prepared to go to the kitchen.

"No thanks! I'm fine Yasaka-san. Thank you."

"Me neither, thanks." This one male was actually planning to have a beer later on during the new year. It's only small celebration for a supposedly huge occasion like a new year, but he felt it was alright to leave the big exciting stuffs for malls and the such.

As Yasaka left to make her tea, Raynare and Issei both decided to continue their conversation later.

"So… I'm guessing you don't plan to join the public celebration?"

"Oh you mean by that huge Christmas tree?"

There would be one at the town square, Issei remembered. Crowds would surely gather and the atmosphere would be surely fitting for a new year. Some of his coworkers would be there and even invited him, and

"Are you kidding me?" he replied in an incredulous tone, "My reason's probably the same as yours."

"Too many couples?"

"That was quick, but pretty much."

Raynare giggled. "Fair enough."

That was just one of his reasons, though. "My coworkers actually invited me too, but…" he would like to spend it with them – after all, free beers for everyone was always awesome, because it wouldn't cost him anything. As he glanced at his hands, he continued, "It'll be my first new year with them. With the girls, I mean. Maybe it's not a big deal kind of thing… but I feel obligated. Kind of. And since they can't go outside yet, so…"

"So… you'd rather be with them?"

"Yeah." He said that without thinking.

Issei didn't fully realize the weight of his words until he saw Raynare's reaction; face flushed as if she had experienced a secondhand embarrassment.

Then he did the same. He lifted a hand and gave his eyes a quick massage to hide his face.

"Aren't you straightforward."

"Egh…" Issei stammered, "Buuuut I didn't know they were gonna go out back then and they'd be back before midnight. I'm all out of preparations here."

"Were you planning to buy something?"

"I-… I don't know, actually. What do people buy when they celebrate new year?"

"I dunno. Blow trumpets?"

"They don't do that in their house I don't think." Besides, Issei wasn't completely supportive of the idea of giving Kunou a trumpet yet.

Raynare shrugged as the rhythmic clinking of a teaspoon was heard. "What do you do at new years before? When you're at your old home."

"I'd drink beers with my dad. My mother can't stay up late even if she tried."

"Mmn. Well, then I don't think you should worry too much about it. It's not how you celebrate it that's important, but the… the uh… the togetherness with who you spend it with."

"Okay Ms. Raynare the Wise." Issei joked, but knowing fully what she said made perfect sense.

"Hey."

During her menacing stare and complaint that the title he gave her made her sound old and white, in which Issei responded with an "OK boomer" that spurred her more, Yasaka arrived with her tea cup, returning peace to the Japanese heated table.

"Excuse me." She tucked only her legs under the table, not particularly fond of the heat. Unlike Kuroka or Shirone who would cover their back with the blankets at the sofa. Then again, neither have tails as lustrous or as plenty as hers.

While once again reminded of the beauty of her tails, Issei noted Raynare's sudden awkwardness. After all, she hadn't spent much time with Yasaka or any other of the residents other than Issei to be more than just an acquaintance.

"How was the festival, Yasaka-san?"

"Oh, it was nice." She replied with a smile as nice. One that reached her eyes. "I met my friends there. Some are like me as well – living with their Caretaker, and how they wished they could introduce their Caretakers. Fufu, same as I do."

Issei felt flattered, as well as curious as to how Yasaka's friends looked like. What kind of Yokai they were, how many tails they have, and such and such. But it was good to know she had fun – in her own way.

"Kunou must be having so much fun wasn't she."

"Yes!" Yasaka's smile beamed. "She was very excited. I'm not surprised if she had visited all the stalls at least once. I couldn't keep up that Shirone-chan and Kuroka-san had to look after her most of the time. I hope they didn't mind."

"She didn't." He could be wrong, but Shirone didn't seem to be type to get excited on stalls, however, he could say with certainty she would be happy to help Yasaka with anything at any time. More so when Kunou's involved. Same applied to Kuroka except towards Shirone.

"Dang, must've been fun." Issei hoped he could join them the next time. If they were still living with him – or the other way around.

"I do wish you could be there, Ise-san."

And just before she could continue and unintentionally fluster him and fueling Raynare's imagination further, the person herself came downstairs, now with a thick nightgown made of flannel, and yet another blanket she carried down and would forget to carry it back up. Only Raynare noticed Issei was practically using his eyebrows to exaggeratedly signal her of the arrival of her apparent crush.

Kuroka hurried her way, muttering 'cold, cold, cold' until she let out a melting sigh as she herself melted into the kotatsu. She sat beside Yasaka instead of the empty side of the table, and it seemed it was done intentionally.

"I'll be borrowing these nyan—"

"Ah-!" Yasaka made a soft squeal as Kuroka nabbed a pair of her tails to hold, keeping them close to her chest. "K-Kuroka-san?"

Never had Issei and Raynare felt so jealous in their life. Their eyes could turn green from envy.

"OH don't be stingy. You still have seven left." The Nekoshou pouted, holding the tails like a bolster now. "…Nyan."

"B-but… I have yet to take a bath yet…"

"You smell fine nyan."

Understandably, Yasaka was troubled. Issei imagined it'd be as if someone grabbed his hand to keep them warm. But he decided that didn't seem to be a fair comparison for a hand is not a tail.

Kuroka wasn't going to let down, and Yasaka being Yasaka, as in, compliant when it wasn't her daughter, she gave in.

"What were you gossipin' about hmnya?"

"How your festival went, pretty much." Issei said.

"Eeeeh… why not about how your date went?"

"A date that isn't really a date." Issei adlibbed. Surprisingly, he wasn't agitated as Kuroka had hoped. A dull reaction like that killed the main idea of her teases. Raynare, however, to claim she stayed calm as Issei would be wrong. "It's like a usual outing, we had coffee and chatted for a while, and then got back here because there's people everywhere we go."

"Wow, you took her to your place on your first date huh? Nice."

That got him nervous a little as he looked back on his unexpected advances. "W-well we're tired of walking… Come on Kuroka-san, you're making her uncomfortable. Besides, it's not like she doesn't have someone she's interested in."

Kuroka raised her eyebrows. "Ohh~?"

"Yes. And a surprising one too. You won't expect it." Issei sent a meaningful look at Raynare that only she understood the meaning behind. Desperately, she shook her head.

Of course Issei was only joking around, ideally to take the heat off of him. And it worked. "Nah I can't say that."

"Wh- you can't just say all that and not say it! That's just cruel. C'mon, spill the beans nyan. I swear I won't tell at too many people."

Issei quipped; "…Ain't that relieving."

"U-um…" Raynare fidgeted; she held her head down and twiddled her fingers. "I'm not sure if it's more than a 'like' yet… but I am interested in he- him."

Kuroka's eyes narrowed. "Not Azazel right."

That was genuine worry coming from Kuroka. Issei and Raynare wasn't sure if they should laugh or feel bad.

"You don't rate him highly do you." Issei said.

"Nah. Not as a boyfriend he ain't. Nyan. He's like a dad who doesn't want to be called a dad because he doesn't feel old yet. A sugar daddy more like nyan."

This is where Issei would spat out what he was drinking if he was drinking. He instead buried his head under his hands and laughed all he wanted.

"K-Kuroka-san! It's not nice to talk behind someone's back!" Chastised Yasaka, full-blown mommy mode.

"I'm not nice." Kuroka replied with a tongue stuck out, still cuddling the tails guilt-free.

"But you shouldn't- I apologize Raynare-san."

Raynare, meanwhile, was corpsing; struggling not to leak laugh herself because Azazel certainly would pass as a sugar daddy. "N-no… it's okay Yasaka-san."

"See, you're just too nice Yasaka-nyan. My un-niceness balance it out." Kuroka said proudly.

'Yasaka-nyan.' Raynare got a mini heart attack at the Nekoshou's adlib.

"Also, your name is too long nyan. It sounds French." The Nekoshou continued, "Mmmn, but what do. Ray-nyan doesn't sound right. Ra-nyan? Ray-ray? Nyan-nyan? Nyanare?"

Raynare looked like she would explode squealing.

"Stop that." Issei said, semi-laughing. "Your cutesy act is torturing her."

"Hah, as if I didn't know nyan."

Break

An hour before next year, Raynare excused herself, reasoning she didn't want to disturb Issei's time with the girls – and was already more than happy to had been accompanied this late and even got acquainted with Kuroka. A shame she wasn't able to stroke Yasaka's tail or see Kunou, but there's always a next time.

All was well and good, but Issei didn't understand how he got in Yasaka's bathroom at the moment.

Actually, he knew how the process went, and it was all thanks to Kuroka's mischievous suggestion. He could even hear her cackling behind the wall. Still, he just couldn't understand how he got in here, semi naked with only his shorts to wear. Not even in his wildest dreams he had ever imagined being in this position.

Not this soon at least.

He knew he should have refused. His common decency was telling him to refuse. But alas, his dick emerged as the victor in the debate.

'Calm down Issei. C'mon… Get your shit straight you wuss.'

He attempted to distract himself by looking around the modest bathroom. It wasn't made of wood – the walls were made from drywall, and the floorings were white tiles. There was showerhead by his side accompanied with two small wooden stools for anyone to clean themselves prior entering the bath. It was certainly bigger than his own bathroom, which was practically a shower room.

He could feel the balmy heat from the floating steam on top of the bathtub, and, for him personally, he wasn't a big fan of hot baths. Even during winter.

It got him to think. Yasaka was resistant to cold, but he supposed she liked hot baths still? Well, he didn't know any girls who disliked hot baths. Almost none, actually (and that was not because he didn't know any girls).

Then the door clicked, and he heard Yasaka entering the closet room; the only thing separating them was the thin wall and the frosted glass door.

"I'll be coming soon Ise-san."

"O-okay. Take your time, Yasaka-san."

His mind became so utterly disorganized that he couldn't think of anything straight. What would she be wearing? What should he do? This was by no means a normal daily occurrence, but he felt this was both a curse and a blessing. The blessing far outweighed the curse though.

'Oh shit, oh fuck.'

Shut up and be happy you lucky prick.

'…?'

Before Issei could process the supernatural voice in his head, Yasaka slid the frosted glass pane, and entered with only a mild pink colored towel covering her body. It wasn't even wrapping her, she simply held it vertically to her body, failing to hide the upper part of her breast. However, her nine golden bushy tails covered what her towels couldn't. Her hair was tied to a ponytail, revealing her human ears and slender neck.

But her skin. So pretty. So flawless. So goddamn smooth. So smooth that he thought his finger would slip off if he ever touched her. Everything about her was so beautiful. Even her collarbones were gorgeous.

Nevertheless, Issei knew this was a victory in his life.

"…P-please don't stare too much…"

'Right, I'm sorry.' "That's not fair. You're too captivating Yasaka-san." Issei said what was meant to be his thoughts instead. He still averted his sight, though.

"…."

Her tails started wagging and he knew that was another victory.

"Uh… you really don't have to force yourself to do this, Yasaka-san."

"N-no… I'm aware you still pay for the utilities, Ise-san… A-and I want to thank you for taking care of me and my daughter."

"Ah… but I think you've taken care of me more than I do to you. I mean you cook and you also clean the house."

"Nn. That's nothing compared to what you've done, Ise. Kunou has never been this happy before you came to our life." '…As do I.' Was what she wanted to add, but, for some reason only she didn't know, she kept it to herself. "Please, allow me to show my gratitude."

"W-well if you put it that way then… I can't say no, can I..."

Issei heard her shuffling behind him, dragging the wooden stool. He felt her presence, and he knew she was sitting behind him. God what he wouldn't give for a mirror right now. Or a third eye on the back of his head.

Speaking of which, he wasn't the only one bothered. It was her first time seeing his naked back, first time seeing his shoulders that weren't much wider than his frame, the subtle muscles here and there that was hidden underneath his clothes.

She shook her head, snapping out of it. "C-can you lend me the shower head please…?"

"Oh- r-right…" 'Goddammit Issei, stop stuttering.'

Yasaka grabbed the shower handle as Issei turned the faucet. A quiet drizzle then followed. He flinched a little as the warm water splashed against his back, causing Yasaka to panic.

"W-was it too hot?"

"No, I was just… surprised."

"Okay…" She muttered. "…I'll start rinsing you now…"

"Alright."

Issei allowed his mind to relax a little after all the stresses as water poured on his body. He couldn't remember the exact time someone last washed his back. Probably when he was just a kindergartener. He unconsciously gulped when Yasaka placed her hand on his back.

Never did he think the day would come when he went out on a -technically- a date with a woman, and yet a different woman would stroke him that night. He felt conflicted but happy and would not complain.

It was tense yet relaxing at the same time, feeling her delicate fingers sliding on his backside. He wished he could just focus on the new sensation, but he knew Yasaka was just as nervous as him. Unless she didn't see him as a man, which would break his confidence a little should that be the case.

"So… uh… what did I want to ask then…?" He thought for a moment. He really didn't think this through. "Uhh… what kind of Yokai are your friends, Yasaka-san? Are they a Kitsune also?"

"Hm? Oh, not all of them." She replied happily as she scrubbed soap on him. "Let's see… I met… Senko-san, a Kitsune who is living with her Caretaker. A Yuki-Onna who's named Yuki," she giggled, "She's only a year younger than you, Ise."

"Really?" Issei paused. "Is she taking part of the whole Caretaking thing?"

Yasaka shook her head. Not that he could see it. Or sense it like some anime protagonist. "No. She's a very shy girl. And perhaps it isn't easy to find a suitable Caretaker for her. I'm not entirely sure, Ise-san."

"I see…" Come to think of it, not all Supernaturals were like Yasaka or Kuroka. Some required more care than the others, surely. He couldn't imagine a Snow Woman / Yukki-Onna living at a dry climate, and he'd imagine not many would want snows constantly on their houses.

He didn't really mind, but perhaps he should hold back on accepting more supernatural for the time being. Maybe until the day where they could walk around freely.

"U-umm… m-may I wash your front as well…?"

All his thoughts exploded. His heart too. "H-hm?"

"I've rinsed your back…"

"Oh… w-well I- maybe I'll just wash them by myself. Thank you, Yasaka-san." He didn't feel right to ask for more despite his inner desire.

"Okay… then I will wash myself…"

He never heard her voice to be that rigid, but he supposed being a supernatural didn't make you immune to nervousness.

But he just couldn't help it. He had to do it. He was, after all, a healthy man.

"Can I…" 'C'mon, just say it! This is one of those 'once in a lifetime' thing!' "Can I wash your back for you, Yasaka-san?"

"H-huh?!" Her voice hitched a few notes higher. "Y-y-you don't have to, Ise-san!"

He took another imaginary bravery pill whilst keeping stare at the wall in front of him. 'I'm sorry for this, Yasaka-san.' "But I… want to."

Issei couldn't see her, but he could tell she was battling with herself from the silence. He wondered what she looked like when she was conflicted. What would her tails do? Would they swish wildly like Kuroka when someone (Shirone) ate her share of cake? Or would they simply stay still but stiff?

Alas, yet another mystery.

"O…Okay…"

His heartbeat escalated. "…Ah… alright…"

Issei nervously turned around. His imaginations had played dozens of images of her back, how smooth they would be, how slim and flawless they would be among the rest. He completely forgot there were still her tails hiding all of that humanely desires.

But, he didn't exactly mind.

For a moment, Issei sat there, marveling his close encounter with nine golden fluffy tails and their white tips that gradated to black and then her luminous golden. They bloomed like a flower, but instead of petals, they were like flames. They weren't like a fox', hers were more graceful. He couldn't imagine the care she gave for them.

"Your tails are just so pretty, Yasaka-san." He let out. It was unfair of him to not pay a compliment for this… this spectacle.

"A-ah! I'm sorry! I-I'll hold them for you…"

Issei felt an odd sadness as she pulled away her tails to her front, but happiness and a sense of victory once again swept him off his feet. Her back was even more beautiful than he imagined. An ivory skin with a warm glow, as smooth as silk, curves as lovely as her heart. The line on her back and her shoulder blades were other things in his life he didn't know he would find attractive, but here she was, proving him wrong.

"You're breathtaking."

Issei breathed. He felt like he was under a spell – and he thought none of these fairy tale things could happen in real life – or his life at least - that all of these could only happen in movies, and yet, here he was. Spellbound.

Her tails began to struggle against her own hands, wanting to express the joy she felt from that comment alone. Perhaps it wasn't due to the comment, but because it came from him. No… she realized that was not a 'perhaps'. 'Perhaps' signified uncertainty. She wouldn't be this happy if it came from someone else.

Nonetheless, she was lucky he couldn't see her face; else she would have to pick between hiding the fervent blush on her face, or hold her tails still.

In the midst of her fluttery feeling, she managed a timid "Thank you…"

"Ah, I'm sorry! I forgot what I was doing-" He mistook her shivers as a sign of cold, and quickly apologized as he grabbed the shower, and started to properly rinse her. "…" Issei sighed. That had to be one of the if not the most nerve-wracking moment of his life, and the luckiest.

His heartbeat quickened again once he realized he was about to touch her. He couldn't play it cool this time, and, although his hands weren't shaking as they held the soap, he felt as if they should.

"Uh… um… I've never done this before so… Just tell me if I'm not gentle enough, Yasaka-san."

"O-okay… I will."

Slowly, he scrubbed the soap onto her back. She flinched – a small shudder. He continued as gently as he could while making sure he cleaned her properly. If he didn't, what's the bloody point?

Maybe it was the soap making her skin slick, but she was so very soft and smooth. Dear god she was so very soft. Compared to his labor-hardened hands, she was like a polished pearl and he was a ragged rock. He worried that she might break just from touch. Her bushy tails, although she pulled them to her front, they still covered a portion of her body.

But Issei didn't mind not seeing her butt. He did take a peek at where her tails sprout out of curiosity and without perversity for once. It looked as if it just connected to the end of her back. How it worked? He had no idea.

The bathroom went completely silent. The balmy air from the bath slowly seeped in, tingling their skins with its soft and warm alluring touch, beckoning them to quicken their rinsing and enter the tub. The thought brought another dilemma for him, however. After they were done washing themselves, what do? He couldn't possibly enter the bath together with her. It wouldn't fit. And as wonderful and dreamlike it would be to share a bath with a woman such as her, he wouldn't dare making her feel uncomfortable.

As the water carried away the soap from her skin, Issei ended the silence. "I'm done, Yasaka-san."

"Ah, okay… Thank you, Ise."

'You're very much welcome.' "No problem, Yasaka-san."

"Umm… you can enter the bath first. I'm going to wash myself in the meantime."

"Alright." It was getting late and he'd rather avoid a small argument consisted of 'no u'. His mind changed once he dipped a finger on the bath. "Actually, the water's still too hot for me."

Her ears perked up. "Really?" She said as she reached out a hand to feel the water. Inadvertently, as he normally would see her when talking to her, as her arm left the side of her chest, his eyes automatically darted to the gap between her arm and her side, and caught a glimpse of the backside of her breast, lightly bouncing as she moved. He quickly averted his sight. Any other and he would had let his eyes linger, but this was no other woman – and as if he'd get a chance like this with other women.

There's the saying about 'accepting for whoever you are', but he would die inside if she found out he was a pervert. He now understood what Raynare meant regarding 'bad sides'.

She looked past her shoulder. Her pearly shoulder. "Is it too hot for you Ise?"

"Uh… yeah." He tried to shake away the feeling. He didn't literally shake his head because only characters in anime do that stupid-looking thing. "Isn't it?"

She tilted her head and one of her ears. "Isn't this the normal temperature?"

"Hm. No, I don't think it is. Not for me, at least." He pretty much expected this. "Either way I still think you should get in first Yasaka-san. It'll be a while until it cooled enough for me and…" He wasn't comfortable knowing she'd bathe herself with a secondhand bath water. He didn't say it since it might start another 'no you first'. "…Yeah."

"Okay… I'll do as you say."

'And I'll try not to look.' Issei turned away, facing the wall. He still didn't fully understand how Kuroka managed to cause this situation, but he wouldn't complain.

He listened to the ripples of water as she dipped in the bathtub, and her soft pleased sigh.

"You must've been waiting for that, aren't you."

"Fufu, indeed I have."

Another round of silence. That conversation ended quick. Both wanted to continue yet neither knew what to say. And because of the silence, the realization that they were in the same room, naked, started to resettle.

"It's nearly a month…" He whispered, going off on a tangent as he washed the soap off his arms and shorts.

"Hm?"

"In a few hours, it will be a month since we started living in this house."

"O-oh… You're right..." Though it felt as if they had known each other longer. Much, much longer. "A month… don't time flies."

"Haha, yeah." Though, he hoped it could fly a bit slower right now. "It felt like this year just… flew by."

"And the years before, and before."

A bit scary, now that he thought about it. "Do you have any wishes, Yasaka-san? I know that normally you wish at the temple… and you're not supposed to say it- I think, but…"

"A wish?" Her ears flounced. "Mmn… I'd wish for… Kunou's happiness, as well as ours."

Dang, what a mom.

"What about you? Ise-san? Do you have any wishes?"

"W-well rather than wishes, it's more of a resolution kind of thing so… well. I want to be more upfront. Say 'no' when I want to, say 'yes' if I want to. And of course I want everyone to have a nice year."

He heard the water splashed. It was weird for him to talk without making eye-contact, and feeling her eyes on the back of his head.

"Did you have a nice year?"

He paused his wash, and the question swirled deeper into his mind. This year had been a lot of struggles. He had to move thrice – though he didn't mind the third one -, and five times he had to switch jobs. All were part-time work.

He had to patiently increase his work experience with little wages since so very few would want a high-school graduate with zero work experience, and even fewer needed a long-time part-timer. Two to three months at most. Albeit it was his own choice in the first place, he was on the verge of giving up. Pack his things and go back to his parents.

But then she found him.

Things got better then.

"It's been a nice year." Issei said with a smile. "Wish I could've met you sooner though."

"How so?" Yasaka asked, already feeling warmer and it wasn't due to the water.

"Because now I have all this—" he motioned his hands, "This house. There's you, there's Kunou, there's Shirone and Kuroka. I get to know the… this 'supernatural' side of the world."

"I… see…" Her tails couldn't stop wagging. If she didn't have them suspended in another dimension – a place that nearly every Kitsune developed to hide their tails or ears from the public eyes -, they would have caused too many ripples for him to not hear.

"I'm… glad, that we aren't a burden to you, Ise-san."

"Haaah?" His instinct to give her an incredulous look was too strong that he looked past his shoulders. Their eyes met, both equally surprised. Warmth rushed to their cheeks like a rapid current. Though he looked away just as fast, the image of her naked skin had been imprinted permanently in his mind.

And why her tails were gone.

"…Sorry. I did that without thinking."

"It's… alright." Yasaka was just as nervous as he was. Nobody had ever seen her like this since more than a decade. And although she found it weird that she didn't truly mind, the embarrassment was present. "We do share a bathroom so..."

Meanwhile, all he thought about was her cleavage. Strange how a single line would incite so many impurities within him. Regardless, he should thank Kuroka after this. Maybe treat her some sushi. Or anything fish related.

"Uh… anyway, I never thought of anyone as some burden. I never feel like I'm carrying anyone's weight. Actually, it's more like I'm the one who is doing the 'homestay' part, while you are taking care of me and everyone else." Issei said with a small laugh. "You being the cook and clean and all."

Yasaka made a small frown, but before she could refute, he continued.

"That's why… hearing what you said earlier, that made me happy. Knowing I was able to give you something as well in return. I still wish there's more that I can do, though. Maybe when you're all free to walk around. Perhaps then I'll have more responsibilities. Because at the moment I don't feel like a Caretaker yet. It just feels like… I'm living together with you all. Not complaining though. It's way better than living by myself."

Oh dear, Yasaka thought she just heard her heart falling faster and faster.

"So I guess, my wish for the coming year is to be a better Caretaker for all of you, and keep providing everything that's going to be needed. Be more capable, I guess, for short."

Because pride is a weird thing. Everyone had it, but in a different intensity.

He didn't consider himself as someone who was prideful. But that was because he had nothing to be proud of so far. He had a good life, some difficulties, for sure, but everyone had the same more or less. But he was well aware and well bothered that he had done nothing noteworthy. That was the one bugging him the most.

Which was the reason why he wanted to devote himself in his role as a 'Caretaker'.

He didn't need to be the best Caretaker, he just wanted to be the best he could be. To do whatever he could. Provide whatever he could provide. Whatever needed to ensure they live a good life.

And maybe then… maybe then he felt he had done something in his life.

Those words weren't just words he said to impress her, but as a genuine promise, and she knew. She wanted to hug him so badly it pained her chest. Her admiration of him had only increased more and more the more she learned about him.

"Welp. I hope that I'm not just all talk after all that." He had an inkling feeling that next year would be a busy year for him, and it actually excited him more than worried him. Come what may, because at this moment, he had the full confidence that he will deal with it. He kinda felt like a protagonist of an action anime.

It was slightly embarrassing.

Well, whatever he thought he was, Yasaka had been completely entranced by his resolve anyway.

"I believe you, Ise-san. You can do it." She said, after realizing she was speechless for almost a minute. "I'll support you with however I can. Thank you."

"H-huh? Well… it's not like I've done anything yet but… thanks. I won't let you down."

Break

"Teehee~ liked my present?"

"…It's great, thanks."

"Hmnn, I bet nyan. So where's the lady?"

"She's going to sleep."

"Oh? You tire her that much in your first night? My, my, Ise, you dirty-dirty man."

"Wh-what do you mean? I dindu nuffin!"

"You what? Speak Japanese."

And so it happened.

The excitement-inducing blasts as flashes of colors flourished the night sky, marking the coming of the first day of a new year. Issei never thought much of new year, but this time he swore he will be a better man. Not to get recognition, or praises, but for others around him.

"What's up with you nyan? You look like you want to punt a mutt."

"…What?" Issei gave Kuroka an odd look. "That's… a strange allegory."

"Well, that what came up to my mind." Her pupils shrank as another firework exploded. "Mfufu. Shame she's not here hmmn?"

"Hey come on… stop teasing me."

"Oh please, it's been a year since I did that."

"…"

"What? Surely you'd expect some silly new year jokes."

"Not from you I didn't."

"Mfufu~ surprise-surprise."

Silence. Issei emptied his can of cold beer. His first of a few more to come. He didn't expect to like beers, but when he was small, he didn't expect to like coffee either. Tastes change, he supposed. Fortunately he still liked boobs all the same. Glory be to them tiddies.

"Hey. You know I'm not good at these kinds of things nyan."

He paused. This must be entering a different topic. Not sure yet what, however. "What kinds of things?"

"Don't make me say it you idiot." She yapped, in a mix of irritation and playfulness. "Geez."

"Do I say sorry now."

"Well you can't now since you asked. Aaaah, forget it nyan." Kuroka huffed and turned away, facing the glass sliding door to watch the fireworks. "I was gonna say 'thank you for this year' but I guess I won't now."

Issei chuckled. "Aw man. I didn't get to say you're welcome then."

"I know right? Your fault."

"Maybe next year."

"Fu, guess so nyan."

Well, while it was true he wanted Yasaka could be here with them, as were Kunou and Shirone who were both asleep, he was still grateful for everything. Next year, hopefully, they'd get to do this together.

"Hey Isse-nyan."

"What?"

"Raynare's into me isn't she."

He paused. He could never tell what was in the mysterious mind of hers. "Wat."

"Myeh, just a hunch."

"So full of yourself aren't you."

"Why shouldn't I? Am cute. Nyan."

"…You're not wrong, but still." So very few could say that with full confidence while wearing a bright yellow Pikachu onesie, but Kuroka certainly was one of them.

"So am right, and you admit that I'm cute."

This woman was bad for his sanity. "Yeah, yeah…"

"Mfufu. Tell you what, I wish you won't be as dense as you were last year nyan."

His eyes narrowed and his eyebrows scrunched. "Wait. What's that gotta do with anything."

"See? This is why. If you'd be any denser, you'd be… something dense. Like a rock nyan."

"Wait, wait, I still don't get it." How could it be? That he became the one thing he hated the most? A dense protagonist of a romcom? "Wait… are you telling me you-"

"By the way nyan, do you know? Back at the festival, I met someone who's living with a human. He's like you nyan, except he's taking care of monster girls. Lamia, Harpy, and others. Even Mermaid. He's got like, seven or eight. Prolly more. All girls."

"…Okay…?" What a strange turn of conversation, but nevertheless, he was impressed. "Damn, he must be pretty famous. And monster girls exist?"

"'Course they do. You just haven't seen any yet nyan. I dunno his name, they all have different ways to call him. Like 'Darling', 'Husband', and 'Master' I think. What's weird is they want to call him that. They're completely smitten with him it's kinda annoying."

"…Whoa. Alright. Sounds like a chad."

Kuroka peered her eyes. "Mhmm. Knew you'd say that nyan."

Issei had nothing to say against that.

"So anyway… they're pretty into him, right. Basically the guy has a harem already."

"Hmm. Sounds like an ideal person I aspire to be."

"Knew you'd say that." Kuroka exhaled, "Do you want sumthin' like that nyan?"

"…I… Well, actually, I did, but not anymore. Don't think I can do that without feeling guilty."

She raised her brows. "Heee~? Surprisingly thoughtful aren't ya? Fufu, what about two or three girls nyan?"

"….."

"Heh, your resolve's faltering already hm?"

"Well… I mean… Sure is nice but… I don't know. I wanna be equal if that ever happens. Why're you asking me this anyway?"

"Because I want to know now rather than later nyan."

"Why's that?"

Kuroka sighed. "Maaan, need everything described to you clearly don't ya? Oh ye of little sensitivity."

This was starting to be mildly annoying. "Sorry I guess."

"Look. I know you like Yasaka-nyan."

"…Guess that's obvious."

"And I know you don't know I might like you-" BANG. Another firework exploded; this one was the biggest one for it was the last. Save the best for the last, as they say.

"…Hm? What's that?"

Kuroka gritted her teeth. "Damned fireworks. Did you hear what I said?"

"…I really didn't. Sorry."

"Sheesh, it's fine. I said I know you don't know I might like you yet nyan."

It took a while to process her sentence. When he was done processing, he snapped his face right at her.

"Hm? What? Come again?"

"Heh, you should look at yourself right now nyan." She said, smugly. "I said I might like you. Are you gonna make me repeat it again nyan?"

"Oh." His heartbeat escalated. She looked so composed it was rather humiliating how nervous he had become.

"Now don't get too ahead of yourself nyan. I said 'might', so not yet. Probably later this year~? Dunno when though. I mean it's inevitable if you think of it; you helped my sister and me when we were at our lowest, you're taking care of me and her both, we're living together and we're not related. And, you're a pretty alright guy.

It's not weird if I eventually fall for you no? So when it does happen, don't worry nyan. I'll reach a compromise with Yasaka-nyan."

"Wai- hold on, what do you mean Yasaka-" This was too much for him to take in one night.

"No, no. You don't get any say in this nyan. Not yet at least." She turned away to head to the stairs, satisfied having said everything she wanted to say. She twirled around right before the stairs, and said, "But anyway, if that guy can make it work, you probably can too nyan~"

And thus, Issei was left alone with his rapidly beating heart, his jumbled thoughts, and an empty can. There was affront, and there was Kuroka. No matter what, he decided to settle down. He placed his beer, and clasped his hands, and proceed with his thoughts.

A good night sleep didn't appear to be feasible anymore, but nevertheless, what an insane beginning for a new year.

To be continued

Pride is stupid. I hate it. But i'll be damned to say I don't have any ( ͡° ʖ̯ ͡°)

Also, surprise bathroom scene.

And surprise confession. Semi-confession I guess?

Notice a familiar name? Any Senko followers out there? As a someone who's already tired of the working life, I too, desperate for a Senko.

While writing this, I recalled this was meant to be released a year ago, at the 2019 new year. Now it's nearing 2020 and I'm like damn. How long does it take me to write?

I can't even manage putting out 1 chapter every month anymore. That's less than 12 chapters per year. That's insanely rubbish bro

I don't know how you're putting up with my garbage update schedule – even if I am a better writer than your average dxd fanfic writer omegalul (jkjk)- but thank you for sticking around.

I really appreciate it, especially NeoScriptGenius12 who has been here since the very first chapter even though I rarely respond to the boi's review

The thank you isn't just for the dude obviously, but to everyone who's still in the harbor, watching as the ships set sail. SS Yasaka is pretty much nearing her destination at this point, with HMS Kuroka speeding behind.

Not yet sure if I want a harem for Issei. Yasaka with Kuroka is already a fun pairing, and I don't wanna ruin it by adding more.

ANYWAY. Doubt it counts, but this is my early Christmas gift for all you bois out there. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year since I'll be away.

Last but not least,

yeet