.
.
"I heard Kazuma-san has finally confessed to Lady Bishamon," Mayu said. "I can't imagine how strange that must be, having your Master courting your exemplar."
"To be honest, if they hadn't told us, we wouldn't have known," Kinuha said. She took a sip of her coffee, thoughtfully. "Kazuma-san is exacting as always, and Ane-sama hasn't changed at all."
"Well that makes sense, when they're on patrol they have to be professional," Mayu said.
"Even in private they don't act any differently," Kinuha said. Mayu raised her eyebrows. "Not that I make the habit to spy on them!" Kinuha said. "But there have been times I'd see them talking in the grotto or walking in the corridors, and all those times it's usually just Kazuma-san giving Ane-sama another report."
"It's true!" Tsuguha said. She poked her head up from the booth behind them. "Ane-sama doesn't say anything, but all Kazuma-senpai does is complain about her clothes!"
"That really hasn't changed either," Kinuha said.
"Well at least they're being professional," Mayu said.
They took a sip of their drinks. Mayu traced the rim of her glass.
"I don't suppose you know if they're..." Mayu dropped her voice. "You know...having relations."
Kinuha reddened. "Mayu-san, really! What kind of question is that?" Kinuha said.
"It's just that that no-good Jersey has been saying all sorts of perverted things. The last time we spoke with Kazuma, he had given him a book of sex positions and a bottle of flavored lube."
"Well I think that's more a reflection of your former master than it is our exemplar," Kinuha said.
xXx
.
In truth, none of Bishamon's shinki had ever seen Kazuma or their master act anything at all like a couple.
"I don't think they're doing anything," Aiha said. She crossed her arms and stuck her chin out, defiantly. "Ane-sama is much too pure and Kazuma-san would never defile her! They are just two old souls who are meant to be together."
"And what?" Tsuguha said. "Do paperwork and talk about ayakashi sighting reports?"
"Wait," Mineha said. "Ane-sama and Kazuma-san are a couple?"
Aiha rolled her eyes. "Of course they're a couple, they made the announcement a million years ago! Read it in the diary, geez!"
"You don't have to be so mean about it," Mineha said, frowning.
"You guys, you guys." Tsuguha motioned for them to come closer. "How about we spy on them?"
"What?!"
"Tsuguha what are you smoking?"
"Don't you wanna see?" Tsuguha said. "No one's seen them kiss or hold hands, they're always so stiff and formal! I just wanna see Ane-sama happy," Tsuguha said. She smiled, dreamily. "Kazuma-senpai has a true, pure love! I just want to see them as a happy couple for once!"
"And here I thought you said my romance stories were stupid," Aiha said.
"C'mon! What's the harm? We won't spy spy on them. We'll just...you know! Take a look around."
(They followed them, and it was boring. Just more reports and a few stray comments. There were no furtive kisses or secret caresses, and there definitely weren't any longing looks or bedroom eyes between them. Tsuguha and Aiha wondered if they were even going out at all.)
xXx
.
If you asked a grouchy old man, he'd tell you it was none of his business.
Kuraha was technically Kazuma's junior, but even though Kazuma-san had a few centuries' worth of experience over him, in life and love, he was still rather young.
He was in his lion form again, sleeping at the foot of Bishamon's bed. He had often slept in the bed with his lady like this, and of course harbored no untoward thoughts toward her while she slept; the first time he slept there after she and Kazuma-san announced their relationship, Kazuma-san was shocked to see him curled up on top of the comforter, grooming his paw and swatting his tail, lazily.
"K-Kuraha?!"
"Ah Kazuma-san. My apologies. There was a patch of warm sunlight on the bed earlier, and I thought I would help myself."
Kazuma's face was red. He pushed up his glasses, shakily.
"Don't mind him, Kazuma," Bishamon said. She was already preparing for bed, unwrapping a shawl from her shoulders. "Kuraha sometimes sleeps here from time to time. I just love sleeping next to his lion form - he's so nice and warm!"
"Oh," Kazuma said, and then, "I will sleep in my quarters, then," and his voice was exactly the same as if he were finishing a report, then acknowledging his dismissal.
"Kazuma, a moment," Bishamon said, and she turned to Kuraha.
"I understand, my lady," Kuraha said, before she could say anything, and he gracefully jumped off the bed, arching his back and waving his tail.
(Later, as they grew more comfortable with each other, Kuraha would sleep at the foot of the bed while Kazuma and Bishamon slept beside each other. Kazuma-san always held the lady from behind, his sleeping face pressed against her neck and his arm slung heavily around her waist. A protective gesture. Sometimes Kuraha's lion instincts would take over, and he would sprawl heavily behind Kazuma, purring and nudging him up against his mane, and kneading his back with big, soft paws.)