Chapter 28
Scarlet Devil Mansion – The Late-Night Tea Party
Candlelight flickered, casting long shadows over the elegant table where fifteen women sat in a circle.
The rich aroma of tea and pastries filled the air, setting a seemingly peaceful atmosphere. However, the conversation inevitably drifted back to the incident from a few nights ago—the night of the aphrodisiac.
Reimu held her teacup, absentmindedly murmuring,
"That night was… well… never mind, let's not talk about it."
Patchouli took a quiet sip of her tea, her voice calm and composed.
"It was nothing more than an accident… as long as there were no lasting effects, it shouldn't be a big deal."
Just as her words settled, a soft, yet unmistakably sharp chuckle cut through the air.
Yukari, elegantly fanning herself, glanced around the table, her amethyst eyes gleaming coldly with an unreadable glint. Her lips curved into a knowing smile.
"An 'accident'…? Are you all really going to blame everything on the aphrodisiac?"
Closing her fan with a crisp snap, she lightly tapped her fingers against the table. Though her tone remained as calm as ever, there was an overwhelming pressure behind her words.
"If that night was just an 'accident,' then what's stopping any of you from going to the Human Village, spreading your legs for the first man you see? Or is it that…"
Yukari's tone suddenly shifted, her gaze sweeping coldly across every face as she added sharply:"Can you really be that invested, that immersed? Or do you think this is just like one of those ridiculous rumors from the outside world? Nonsense like the so-called 'Paradise Project' or 'aphrodisiac assaults'? Do people seriously believe that kind of crap—that the women of Gensokyo are something to be touched at will?"
Yukari's words sliced through the air like a blade, instantly shattering the fragile walls of composure among the gathered women. A heavy silence fell over the room, thick with tension. Then, in the next moment—
An explosion of fury.
In an instant, everyone's expression changed—shame, rage, shock, and a killing intent that couldn't be suppressed!
This time, Yukari had hit everyone's reverse scale!
Reimu suddenly stood up, glaring at Yukari, her cheeks flushed red with a mix of embarrassment and determination.
"Yukari! What the hell do you mean by that?! Are you seriously comparing that idiot Kyouya to those filthy men in the Human Village?! I'd never let those bastards lay a finger on me! If any beast really tried using some aphrodisiac on me, I'd pin him to the ground with a purification needle, then erase him from existence with my Fantasy Seal! Kyouya is my choice—I love him. He's the only one allowed to have me!"
Her fists clenched, and her voice turned icy cold.
"The most disgusting thing is—there are actually people spreading rumors in the Outside World saying I'd let men touch me for money, or that I'd even welcome it?! Who the hell started that crap?! Try to buy me like that? Why don't they go hire a whore?! Touch me and I'll blast them into ash with my Yin-Yang Orbs!"
But then, Reimu faltered slightly, her face tinged with pink and her voice carrying a trace of tsundere shyness.
"Besides... I'm not short on money! As long as that big idiot's around, I can make a decade's worth of offering money in a single day!"
She looked down, biting her lip, voice softening.
"And back when he was planning the festival... he actually respected me. He even refused to sell figurines based on me... saying he didn't want 'his shrine maiden' to become some object of dirty fantasies. What a hopeless chuuni idiot..."
Remilia let out a cold snort, her ruby eyes glittering with fury as she gripped the table edge tightly.
"Yukari, you've gone too far! Kyouya is my knight—how dare you say something like that? What do you know? Other than him, no one is worthy of standing beside me, Remilia Scarlet! Those Human Village men? They're not even worthy of licking my boots! If any man other than Kyouya dares to touch me, I'll tear out his throat on the spot!"
She sneered and added sharply,
'Paradise Project'? 'Slavery'? What kind of brainless fool is spreading this filth? Are their heads filled with nothing but semen? You seriously think the girls of Gensokyo are easy prey?"
Her sharp fangs gleamed as killing intent radiated from her eyes.
"If any of that trash even steps into the Scarlet Devil Mansion, I'll drain them dry of blood and throw their dried-up corpse to Flan to shred."
Mokou shot to her feet, her white hair trembling under the candlelight. Her voice was filled with suppressed rage and humiliation.
" Yukari, cut the bullshit! That night… that night you were just as into it as the rest of us! Who the hell are you to judge us now?! I'm not some damsel from those trash rumors who gets taken advantage of with aphrodisiacs. The only one who can touch me is Kyouya! Anyone else tries? I'll burn them until there's not even dust left!"
Aya flapped her wings, her tone a mix of fury and shame.
"Yukari, are you trying to pick a fight?! Don't you realize how disgusting that sounds?! Kyouya is mine! My heart belongs only to him! No outside-world garbage rumor will sway me! If anyone dares spread that filth, I'll chop off their hands, legs, and head—and publish the uncensored gore on the front page of the Bunbunmaru News!"
Marisa clenched her fists and stood up, pointing at Yukari, her tone brimming with indignation.
"Yeah! Besides Kengo, I won't accept anyone else! I don't regret that night… but I won't let you mock us with that kind of talk again! Those guys in the Human Village? Not even worth a glance! My heart's already his! And as for those creeps who think they can use drugs or dirty tricks? One Master Spark and I'll send them straight to hell! Don't joke about those nasty rumors!"
Suika set her sake gourd down, her eyes unusually serious.
"Yukari, are you kidding me right now? Without Kengo, that night would've never happened."
Her voice was firm yet confident.
" He's the man I chose! Those Human Village guys don't even qualify to pour my drink! All that crap about how Gensokyo girls are easy to harass or touch? Hah! I can punch a meteor crater into the ground—don't even think about touching a single strand of my hair!"
Youmu raised her head, fists clenched tightly, her usually gentle face now full of shame and conviction.
"Yukari-Sama, what you said is too much! I'd never give myself to anyone else! That night was my decision—because Kengo is the only one I acknowledge! Anyone who dares come near me and thinks they can turn me into some twisted fantasy from a sleazy rumor? My Roukanken and Hakurouken are not just for show—I'll cut their head off without hesitation!"
Sakuya set down her teacup, her eyes cold but her voice steady.
"Yukari, those words... crossed a line. I've always respected you, but this is an insult to everything we feel. My heart belongs solely to Kengo. Anyone who dares compare me to those ridiculous rumors from the Human Village? Heh—I'll stop time and turn those men into pincushions with a thousand knives."
Komachi leaned back in her chair, her usual laziness gone. Her gaze was uncharacteristically serious.
"Yukari, you're joking, right? Any man besides Kengo touching me? Do you seriously think we're that easy? If those Human Village fools actually tried copying those disgusting rumors and touched me, I'd drag their souls straight into the Sanzu River—and make sure they never reincarnate again."
Though Sanae's face was bright red from embarrassment, her tone was firmer than anyone's.
"Yukari-San… how could you insult us like this?! Tamami is the only one I love—no one else could ever take his place! Those filthy lies saying I'd be used by some random guy from the Human Village?! Keep away from me! I'm a shrine maiden of Moriya—anyone who dares defile me will be wiped off the face of the earth by divine wrath!"
Patchouli fixed Yukari with a cold stare, her voice calm but laced with frost.
"Yukari, that was beneath you. Tamami is the only one I recognize—that night was my willing choice, not an 'accident'. As for other men? You already know the answer. And if anyone truly believes I'd ever be forced to accept such filth—my grimoire will erase them from existence until not even dust remains."
Kaguya placed her teacup down, her voice carrying traces of noble disdain and royal authority.
"Yukari, I truly disliked hearing that. Tamami is the only man I acknowledge as my husband. My decision needs no defense, and certainly not some excuse like 'it just happened.' I am the Princess of the Moon—do you think I would allow my purity to be sullied by a commoner? Any lowlife who dares imagine me 'falling'... heh, let's toss him into the vacuum of the Moon and see how long he lasts. That should be amusing enough."
Yuyuko gently set down her teacup, her usually elegant movements tinged with rare seriousness.
"Yukari, as your friend, I hadn't intended to argue with you… but what you just said—I can't tolerate it. Tamami is the only one who gives me peace of mind. That night… was my choice, born from my heart. No one else could ever take his place. As for those slanderous rumors spreading in the Outside World… I advise those people to take back their delusions before I make their souls vanish entirely."
Flandre rocked in her chair, her gaze innocent yet filled with unwavering resolve.
"Yukari-neesan, what you said was way too mean! Tamami-niisan is mine! He's so gentle—I don't want any other man! That night… I did it because I really love him! And those rumors saying we could be bullied or used however someone likes? Hmph! I'll make whoever spreads that kind of filth explode into a bloody mist!"
Yukari looked over their furious expressions, but her smile only grew more prominent.
She slowly closed her fan, raising an eyebrow ever so slightly, her tone softening."Ufufu… Why are you all getting so worked up? I was only reminding you that this love is real. There's no need to hide behind excuses like 'it just happened.'"
Her gaze lingered briefly on each girl's face, and her voice carried a rare trace of sincerity."Your choices were made with your whole heart—and they're something to be proud of. This bond… it's the desire of your soul, isn't it? Your pride, your love—it's all real, and it should never be tainted by those worthless rumors. If anyone dares spread that filth in Gensokyo… then tear them to pieces and toss what's left outside the Hakurei Barrier."
Reimu's face was still flushed red, her expression a mix of anger and lingering embarrassment.
"Yukari… what about you? You were the first to jump on Kyouya that night. What right do you have to say all this?"
Silence.
The room, which had been filled with voices of defiance moments ago, now fell into an anticipatory stillness.
One by one, all eyes turned toward Yukari—watching, waiting. Even Remilia, who had been seething with anger before, now looked on with amused curiosity.
Yukari was momentarily stunned but quickly let out a soft chuckle. She shook her head, a gap opening beside her revealing a cup of black tea. Taking a slow, deliberate sip, she then answered without hesitation:
"Of course, I love him."
Her response was so direct that everyone fell silent, waiting for her to continue.
Setting down her teacup, Yukari's violet eyes gleamed with a rare softness, her voice carrying a mix of sincerity and self-mockery:
"I am Yukari Yakumo, the youkai sage. For over a thousand years, I have watched humans and youkai alike, yet I have never truly loved anyone… until that foolish Toushin stormed into Gensokyo and turned my world upside down."
Her voice grew lower, tinged with an uncharacteristic trace of sentimentality.
"Kyouya is the first and only person I have ever loved in my thousand years of life. And in this lifetime, I will never love another."
Lifting her gaze, her violet eyes now shone with unwavering determination, her voice regaining its usual composure and authority.
"That is why I had to remind you all—this love of ours was never just an 'accident.' Our feelings for them are clear, undeniable. There is no need for excuses, no need to blame it on some aphrodisiac."
The room fell into silence again, but this time, the air was no longer tense—it was filled with a newfound understanding and shared sentiment.
Reimu lowered her head, gripping her teacup tightly. Her voice was soft, but it carried a shy certainty.
"You're right… our feelings were never just an 'accident.'"
Remilia huffed, crossing her arms, a clear note of dissatisfaction in her voice.
"Hmph, since you feel that way, what was the point of that whole speech? Did you just want to irritate us?"
Mokou clenched her fists, her voice simmering with restrained anger.
"Yeah! That was just picking a fight! Do you think we need you to validate our choices?"
Patchouli let out a quiet sigh, her voice as calm as ever.
"Yukari, you weren't wrong, but perhaps… we needed to be more honest with ourselves."
Sanae's face was burning red, but her voice held undeniable conviction.
"Tamami is the one I chose for life… I don't regret it. If anything, the aphrodisiac only made us realize our feelings sooner."
The other girls exchanged glances, their eyes now filled with mutual understanding, their expressions softening with silent agreement.
Yukari chuckled lightly, snapping open her fan once more, her tone now far more relaxed.
"Now that's more like it. You've all acknowledged your feelings. Those so-called 'accidents' were merely the hand of fate giving you a nudge."
At that moment, Yukari's smile slowly faded, her violet pupils flickering with a cold glint. She closed her fan and gently tapped her fingers against the table, her voice dropping to a deep, chilling tone:
"However—this love… isn't something filthy creatures can just defile."
Her voice remained calm, but it exuded a pressure so suffocating that it sent shivers down everyone's spine.
"Those filthy human men from the Human Village, the lowly youkai who dare fantasize about the women of Gensokyo, and all those disgusting fools who think they can indulge in their lust... Do they really believe they're worthy?"
She leaned forward slightly, and in her violet eyes shimmered a deadly coldness—like countless abysses ready to devour everything.
"I am Yukari Yakumo. The Sage of Gensokyo. The Master of Boundaries. The protector of this paradise. Anyone—be they human, youkai, or even a god—who dares lay a filthy hand on me or my companions has only one fate—"
She paused, then curled her lips into a cruel yet elegant smile:
"To be erased completely. Gone, even from the concept of existence."
Remilia smirked wider. "Oh? That's rather harsh."
Aya furrowed her brows. "Yukari, you don't mean…"
Yukari waved her hand gracefully, her tone returning to its usual elegance:
"No, I won't let them die easily. I'll make sure they understand what true fear means before they vanish."
Her voice was soft, almost gentle, but it carried more cruelty than any direct threat:"First, I'll cast them into an endless gap—an eternal void of darkness and temporal disarray. Let them get lost in the infinite. Then, I'll strip away their senses, one by one, until they feel their very existence unravel. Their thoughts will collapse, and they won't even remember their own names."
"And once they've become empty husks, I'll send them to the darkest corner of Gensokyo—where even death gods cannot find them. Their souls will become nameless dust."
Everyone in the room shivered.
Patchouli frowned. "…That's far worse than simply killing them."
"Of course," Yukari replied with a cold smile, speaking lazily as if explaining a simple recipe.
"Killing them outright would be too merciful. Besides, I have no intention of letting their filthy souls reincarnate."
"This is simply ensuring they're erased—from the world, from memory, from reality itself."
Silence fell over the room once more. The girls exchanged glances with each other—until Marisa snorted and crossed her arms:
"Hah. I thought I was ruthless… but damn, Yukari, you're on another level."
Remilia gave a small smile and raised her teacup:"A Yukari like this is… actually quite admirable."
Reimu let out a soft sigh, then looked at Yukari, a rare glimmer of approval in her eyes:"...Your words pissed me off at first. But this time… I completely agree with your approach."
Yukari calmly picked up her teacup again, took a small sip, and smiled:
"Then it's settled."
Their love was never something to be defiled.
Their hearts and bodies belonged only to the men they loved.
And those lowly predators…
Never had the right to exist in this world—to begin with.
As the conversation drifted, the girls began recalling their past experiences—how they once viewed romance before meeting the three tsukumogami who changed everything.
Kaguya absentmindedly twirled a lock of her long hair, her voice carrying both nostalgia and a hint of contempt.
"I have lived for centuries… and I remember those so-called suitors from long ago—men who challenged the Five Impossible Requests to 'win' my hand. In the end, none of them truly loved me. They only sought a prize, a trophy to claim."
She scoffed, sipping her tea.
"Love? Hah. To them, I was nothing more than a symbol of victory."
She paused for a moment, her tone softening slightly.
"But Tamami is different. He never tried to prove anything with grand gestures, nor did he attempt to conquer anything. He simply treated me with kindness, quietly and sincerely. Even in the Yomi, he was willing to sacrifice his own existence for me..."
She let out a gentle sigh, her voice carrying a newfound tenderness.
"At that moment, I asked myself—how could such a fool possess such a gentle strength? Then I realized… everything he did for me was never about proving something. It was simply because… he truly loves me."
Yuyuko elegantly lifted her teacup, her voice soft yet tinged with deep nostalgia.
"A thousand years ago, when I was still the daughter of the Saigyouji clan, I had many suitors. They used sweet words to try and win my favor, but when I became a ghost… their so-called love vanished like mist."
She let out a quiet chuckle, her tone filled with reflection.
"Tamami is completely different. He never once minded my existence as a ghost, nor did he care about my past. His simple words, 'You bring peace to my heart,' may seem ordinary, but I know they were genuine. I never imagined that someone could hold a spirit like me in such high regard."
Yukari fanned herself slowly, a faint, knowing smirk playing on her lips.
"Hmph, you young ones have it easy. At least you haven't had to endure centuries of disappointment."
She snapped her fan shut, her tone gaining an uncharacteristic weight of sincerity.
"I have spent thousands of years watching the false affections of humans and youkai alike. Every suitor who approached me either sought to use me or was merely captivated by my appearance…"
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly, the smirk on her lips turning into something more genuine.
"But Kyouya… his love is undeniable. When he called me 'the most important woman in his life,' it was so foolishly blunt that I wanted to hit him. But I knew, for him, those words carried more weight than his own life."
She let out a soft laugh and glanced around the room.
"By the way, have any of you noticed? Ever since meeting Kyouya, I haven't hibernated in the past two years?"
The girls all gasped in shock, speaking over one another.
"Wait, what?! You haven't been hibernating?!"
Yukari's smile was poised and elegant as she replied in a whisper-like tone.
"Of course not. After all, I wouldn't want to miss the meals that foolish Toushin prepares for me… or the time I get to spend with him."
The room fell into a brief hush before an excited murmur spread through the group.
"Wow… Yukari changed a habit she's had for thousands of years… just for Kyouya? That's… unbelievably romantic!"
Reimu lowered her head slightly, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and helplessness.
"As the Hakurei shrine maiden, men from the Human Village often try to approach me, sometimes even bringing gifts. But they only care about my looks, or… think shrine maidens are some kind of rare curiosity. I've never thought they were truly sincere, and honestly, I can't even be bothered to entertain them."
She looked up, her eyes filled with determination.
"But Kyouya is different. He may act overly dramatic sometimes, but he never speaks empty words. He stands by me, helps me when I need it… and most importantly, he always puts me first. I can feel his sincerity."
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she mumbled,
"This feeling… makes being the Hakurei shrine maiden feel a little less lonely."
Remilia scoffed, gripping her teacup a little tighter. She had always considered herself noble and elegant, never once feeling any affection for men. To her, the so-called "human aristocrats" and "youkai leaders" were beneath her notice.
She recalled the many suitors who had approached her in the past—those who wished to use her status as the "Scarlet Vampire Queen" for their own gain, those who sought to obtain immortality through her blood, those who tried to flatter her with flowery words and lavish gifts. Some even proposed forming a "blood contract" to become her eternal companion.
She sneered.
"Fools. None of them ever stirred my heart."
Then Kyouya crashed into her life—an insufferable man who had the audacity to challenge her. When she tried to use her aristocratic presence to intimidate him, he had the nerve to smirk and say,
"Hey, Vampire Queen, are you inviting me for tea or just trying to scare me?"
At the time, she had been so furious she nearly sank her fangs into his neck. But now, as she recalled that moment, she found herself smiling.
"That fool… Compared to those sycophants who only know how to grovel, he's the only one who actually suits my taste."
Sanae clutched the hem of her skirt, her voice carrying both embarrassment and frustration.
"As the shrine maiden of Moriya Shrine, there are always believers trying to get close to me. Some even look at me with ulterior motives… I always politely decline, but deep down, I never believed their feelings were real."
She lowered her gaze, her voice filled with distaste.
"It's not just the shrine. Even back in the outside world, I received confessions from boys—but most of them only cared about my appearance or my body. The modern world is filled with men who only see women as objects to be played with."
Raising her head, she spoke with newfound conviction.
"But Tamami was completely different. When I was in the Yomi, my face had been disfigured beyond recognition, yet he embraced me without hesitation."
Tears welled in her emerald eyes as she whispered,
"At that moment, I knew… I would never be able to live without this fool."
Marisa crossed her arms, her tone carrying a rare touch of softness.
"I always thought Rinnosuke was a good friend, but that's all he ever was. He never really put me first—it was always about convenience, about what he needed."
A small smile tugged at her lips, her voice becoming gentler.
"But Kengo… he's different. The way he cares for me goes beyond simple friendship. He always considers things from my perspective, and he even supports my crazy experiments without hesitation."
Her golden eyes flickered with deep emotion as she murmured,
"No friend would willingly erase themselves from existence in the Yomi just to bring me back to life."
Yukari gently shook her fan, her tone softening.
"When it comes down to it, those three fools can be frustratingly slow at times, but there's one thing they can't lie about."
She raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping across the room.
"Do you all remember? They told Izanagi: 'They are more important to us than ourselves, than Gensokyo, than the entire world!' Those words weren't just empty talk—they were an unshakable belief they've held all along."
Reimu bit her lip, speaking in a low voice.
"…Yeah, I remember. Back then, they even tore down the Taga Taisha just to plead with Izanagi for us… And in these past two years, they've never once made us feel like we were being overlooked. Everything they've done has shown us that we are the most important thing to them."
Yuyuko chuckled softly, her tone gentle.
"Before we met them, we thought that love was just something fleeting. But now, we know that there's a kind of deep devotion… one that matters more than ourselves, more than the world itself."
Reimu lifted her gaze, her expression resolute.
"If they see us as so important, then we can't just keep waiting around. This time, we'll make sure they understand—this love has long since surpassed mere 'friendship' or 'bonds'!"
Yukari smirked, snapping her fan shut.
"Heh, exactly. Since they claim we mean more to them than the world itself, it's time we show those fools just what that 'importance' truly means!"
The girls exchanged knowing smiles, the atmosphere in the room shifting into one filled with excitement and anticipation.
This time, it wouldn't be like their previous confessions—they would take the initiative and, in their own way, make these three clueless tsukumogami understand what love really meant!
A Few Days Later—A Winter Night
A thick layer of snow covered Gensokyo, blanketing the Hakurei Shrine in pure white. The wind howled through the trees, but inside the shrine, the warmth of the kotatsu provided a stark contrast to the cold outside.
Reimu was curled up at the kotatsu, wrapped in a blanket, a rice cracker in one hand and a steaming cup of tea in the other.
Kyouya stood at the doorway, arms crossed, silently watching the snowflakes fall. A faint smirk played on his lips, a glint of mischief in his red eyes, as if he had just thought of something amusing.
"Want me to stop the snow?" Kyouya turned his head toward Reimu, his voice playful. "Maybe even throw in some auroras? I guarantee it'll bring in so many shrine visitors that your donation box will be overflowing with cash!"
Reimu looked up, taking a bite of her rice cracker. She raised an eyebrow, her tone lazy.
"Hah? Auroras? You think this is the North Pole or something? Don't mess with the weather just because you feel like it."
She rolled her eyes and sank deeper into the kotatsu.
"Besides, I like it the way it is. The snow is pretty. Don't go messing things up."
Kyouya shrugged and moved to sit across from her at the kotatsu, tapping his fingers idly on the table. His tone remained confident, but there was a hint of sincerity beneath it.
"I'm serious, you know. Stopping the snow or lighting up the sky—changing the heavens themselves—it's nothing for me."
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice, his expression softer yet unwavering.
"As long as it's something you want, anything you need… I can make it happen."
Reimu's grip on her rice cracker tightened slightly, and she hesitated for just a moment. She lowered her gaze, seeming to consider his words, but then quickly looked up again, glaring at him with a mix of stubbornness and deflection.
"You always talk big, acting like I actually need you or something… The snow is fine, and I don't care about auroras."
Her voice grew quieter, as if trying to suppress something within her.
"Besides… what right do I have to change the weather just because I feel like it?"
Kyouya's smirk faded slightly, his tone shifting into something undeniably earnest.
"What right? Because to me, you're more important than the world itself."
His crimson eyes locked onto hers, filled with a warmth deeper than any winter night could suppress.
"You don't have to justify it, Reimu. If it's something you want, that's reason enough. If it makes you happy, then that's the only answer I need. Is that… enough?"
Reimu's face turned crimson in an instant. She quickly averted her gaze, taking another bite of her rice cracker in a poor attempt to mask her emotions. Her voice, however, betrayed her as she stammered out a retort.
"You… you idiot. That's such a ridiculous, over-the-top thing to say… You say stuff like that to everyone, don't you?"
She spoke quickly, but the slight tremor in her tone revealed her unease—almost as if she was afraid of hearing his answer.
Kyouya froze for a moment before letting out a helpless chuckle, his tone carrying a hint of sincerity.
"Saying this to everyone? Reimu, do I seem like the type to casually say things like that? You, of all people, should know—I don't have the brainpower for flowery words and empty flattery."
He paused for a moment before speaking again, this time with complete honesty.
"I only know one thing: you are important to me… No, the most important
."
Reimu's eyes widened in shock, as if his words had struck a chord deep within her. She stared at him, searching his face for any sign of jest, but all she found was a calm, unwavering gaze that made her heart race uncontrollably.
"You idiot…" she muttered under her breath, her blush deepening.
Suddenly, she stood up, walked over to him, and grabbed his sleeve, her grip firm as she met his eyes with unwavering determination.
"Kyouya, answer me." Her voice was soft but carried a rare courage. "You said I'm the most important to you… Do you even understand what those words mean to me?"
Kyouya blinked, caught off guard by her sudden intensity. He scratched the back of his head, looking genuinely confused.
"What does it mean…? Uh, that you're my most important friend? Or maybe… my greatest bond?"
The second the words left his mouth, Reimu's expression shifted.
Her hands clenched, then slowly released his sleeve. She covered her face with one hand, taking a deep breath as if trying to calm herself.
"…You really are an idiot. You still don't get it." She sighed, her voice laced with exasperation and frustration. "Listen carefully, Kyouya… Because tonight, I'm going to make sure you understand exactly what those words mean."
She leaned into him, pressing her body against his, her heartbeat pounding like a drum. Her face was flushed all the way to the tips of her ears. She closed her eyes for a moment, then looked up—her emotions surging.
"Kyouya…" she whispered, her voice carrying a mixture of nervousness and stubbornness.
Then, without hesitation, she tilted her head up and kissed him.
Kyouya's eyes widened in shock, his mind going completely blank. His entire body froze, stiff as a statue, as the warmth of her lips sent a jolt through him.
"R-Reimu?!" he stammered, utterly flustered, his voice laced with disbelief.
Reimu didn't respond immediately. As the kiss ended, she pulled back slightly, her gaze flickering with embarrassment and determination.
Then, she reached up and untied the red ribbon from her hair. Her long, dark locks cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall of ink.
Without breaking eye contact, she lowered her hands to the sash of her shrine maiden outfit, her fingers working with deliberate intent. The fabric loosened and slid down, revealing the white sarashi .
Her hands trembled slightly as she began to untie it, her voice shaking yet firm.
"Kyouya, this time… there's no aphrodisiac involved."
She bit her lip, her tone carrying that signature mix of tsundere pride and determination. Her blush deepened even further, spreading down her neck.
Kyouya stared, his crimson eyes widening in pure panic. His face burned hotter than ever as he instinctively took a step back, his words coming out in a panicked stammer.
"Reimu… W-What are you doing?! Are you… Are you sick or something?!"
His mind was spiraling into chaos, unable to process what was happening. His heart pounded against his ribs like a war drum.
Reimu, seeing his flustered reaction, stomped her foot in frustration. She crossed her arms over her chest, her expression a mixture of shyness and irritation.
"You idiot! Stop pretending you don't understand!"
Her voice wavered slightly, but her determination didn't falter.
"Didn't you say I was important to you? Didn't you say you'd do anything for me?"
Her voice grew quieter, almost a whisper, but her conviction remained strong.
"I'm done waiting for you to figure it out on your own… I've had enough of your cluelessness! If you won't understand, then I'll just… make you understand!"
Kyouya's face was practically on fire. His gaze darted around, unable to meet hers. He stuttered,
"R-Reimu, t-this isn't… isn't this a bit too much? I-I mean, y-you always say I'm a fool…"
He swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I… I don't even know what to do right now…"
Reimu took a deep breath, stepping closer. She grabbed his sleeve again, but this time, her grip was gentler. Her voice softened, laced with an undeniable sincerity.
"Kyouya, I know you're slow when it comes to this kind of thing, but I also know your heart is real."
She lifted her head, her gaze filled with both hope and courage.
"So, now you have two choices. Either accept me… or tell me your answer."
Kyouya was speechless. His mind was still racing, but as he looked into Reimu's determined eyes, something inside him clicked.
For once, he didn't need to overthink it.
A slow, warm smile spread across his lips."Reimu… You're always so stubborn."
He reached out, his fingers brushing through her soft, untied hair, his voice laced with rare gentleness.
"But… you should already know my answer, shouldn't you?"
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, feeling the warmth of her body against his. His voice dropped to a soft whisper.
"You are my one and only, too."
Reimu's lips curved into a small, blissful smile. She buried her face into his chest, mumbling,
"Idiot… That's more like it."
Outside, the winter wind howled through the shrine grounds, blanketing the world in white.
Inside, next to the warmth of the kotatsu, Reimu sat, her shrine maiden outfit half-undone, her cheeks flushed scarlet. Her chest rose and fell with each quickened breath, her heart still pounding from the intensity of the moment.
Kyouya placed his palm gently against her chest. Although it appeared to be a bold gesture, there was not a trace of lewdness in it—only a pure sense of curiosity and reverence.
His gaze fell upon her half-exposed chest as he murmured in something akin to awe:
"Reimu, your 'yin-yang orbs' are really beautiful…"
The moment he finished speaking, driven by an impulse he himself couldn't fully explain, his lightly stroking fingers pressed a bit more firmly against her fair skin, tracing its contours. Then, carefully watching her expression, and with no small amount of clumsiness, he leaned down and placed his lips around her "cherry."
Reimu felt the unexpected touch and froze in place, as though a jolt of electricity had shot through every nerve in her body. She bit down on her lower lip, wanting to stop Kyouya's actions, yet overwhelmed by a surge of emotions that kept her from truly pushing him away.
"You… y-you…"
One hand braced against the kotatsu, and the other gripped Kyouya's shoulder tightly. Her breathing was ragged, tinged with uncontrollable shyness but also something deeper—an indescribable yearning.
She wanted to scold him for being so audacious, yet she couldn't deny how much she craved the gentleness that was his alone. These conflicting feelings warred inside her, clashing violently in her heart.
Sensing Reimu trembling, Kyouya paused and looked up at her, his face still wearing that somewhat "innocent" expression, yet clearly filled with the strong desire to understand her better.
"Reimu… does it hurt?"
He lowered his voice, careful and subdued, as though any small mistake might harm her.
Reimu gazed at his clumsy yet attentive face, feeling a jumble of emotions surge within. This hopelessly chūnibyō fool could be exasperating, yet in such intimate moments, he showed a surprisingly tender side.
"Not… not painful…"
In the end, she responded quietly, her ears so red they looked ready to drip blood.
She turned her face away slightly, tugging the disheveled fabric of her shrine maiden outfit back up in a gesture of shy defiance.
"I… I'm just…"
She took a deep breath, but realized she was trembling too much to speak steadily. Finally, she lifted her gaze and glared at Kyouya.
"Let me say it again! This has nothing to do with aphrodisiacs, and it's not something casual either… I just don't want to see you being so dense anymore, understand?"
By the time she finished, she herself wasn't even certain how to explain the complicated feelings inside her. Harsh words were all she could manage to hide the embarrassment—and desire—burning within.
Kyouya watched her carefully. For a moment, he seemed to truly grasp what Reimu was feeling. Though he might not have fully "woken up," he realized that this represented a deep, precious expression of Reimu's emotions.
He reached out again, gently stroking her hair, his voice even softer:
"Reimu, don't worry… I know this is important to you. I'll be careful, and I'll cherish it."
His fingers were warm, but he made no sudden moves. Instead, he simply looked at her intently, wanting to be sure she was okay with continuing.
Reimu looked back at him and, at last, relaxed her tense shoulders. She lowered her head with a small sigh.
"…You really are…"
Yet she never finished the sentence. She already knew—this fool was truly looking out for her with all his heart.
Kyouya opened his mouth, as if to say something else, but no words came. He simply offered a slightly clumsy smile and reached out, trying to hold her in his arms again.
After a few seconds of silence, Reimu finally relented, burying her face against his chest. It was as though this embrace could temporarily dispel all the nervousness and confusion in her heart.
Her body still trembled—half from the cold and half from the pounding of her heart brought on by Kyouya's presence.
Moments earlier, she had already done something that left Kyouya utterly at a loss: she deftly undid his pants, her shaking fingers extending toward him.
Perhaps she wasn't experienced in such matters, but she held more than enough resolve.
"Reimu…?"
Kyouya's voice was hushed, laced with both alarm and a ragged edge. He was startled and had no idea how to handle her sudden action.
But Reimu simply took a deep breath, biting her lip as she stared at him. Memories of the aphrodisiac incident crossed her mind—a moment when she'd first experienced that frightening, indescribable "stretching sensation," one that far exceeded any notion she had of what "men" were.
Precisely for this reason, she fully grasped how bold her current behavior was.
"Hmph…"
She looked away, struggling with a trace of awkwardness, but still grabbed the collar of Kyouya's clothing. Her tone was haughty, even if her body language betrayed her shyness.
"Someone who can cause this kind of 'incident(ihen)' inside me… I can't just let it go. I have to… 'exterminate' it properly!"
With that, she didn't wait for Kyouya to respond. Summoning all the clumsiness and impulsiveness of a young woman in love, she leaned down, taking that "culprit" into her mouth.
Kyouya's eyes went wide, as though lightning had struck his brain. He couldn't speak, and his entire body tensed the moment she moved. Inhaling sharply, he found he couldn't control the intense shudder that coursed through him, a deep blush quickly spreading across his neck and ears.
"R- Reimu...?!" His voice was hoarse, his hands hovering in midair, uncertain whether to hold her or retreat.
He feared startling her, yet at the same time, he feared losing control himself. His heartbeat skyrocketed, and even his already slow-processing mind completely crashed.
Reimu didn't give Kyouya much chance to speak. Her cheeks were flushed red, as if they could bleed, yet she had already thrown caution to the wind, unwilling to retreat.
The last time was an 'accident,' and I already experienced that bittersweet feeling firsthand. This time, I don't need any excuses, right?
That thought only strengthened her resolve.
At the same time, she could feel Kyouya's tension and hesitation, which stirred a strange mix of irritation and satisfaction within her.
She was so embarrassed she could faint on the spot, yet she still muttered defiantly under her breath:
"D-Don't think I actually want to do this… This is an exorcism! Exorcism, got it?!"
Kyouya forced himself to calm down, cupping Reimu's face gently in his palms, trying to make her pause—or at least confirm her true intentions.
"W-Wait… Reimu, you…"
He realized his own voice was so hoarse it felt foreign to him. He was torn between concern and an overwhelming sense of emotion.
Her warmth, her posture, and that exasperated yet sweet voice of hers—all of it kept hammering at his self-control.
Kyouya had always been dense, but even he wasn't dumb enough to not understand what this meant.
Finally, Reimu stilled her movements. She let out a soft cough and quickly turned her face away, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
"I… I wasn't doing this to make you feel good, don't get the wrong idea…"
She struggled to mask her embarrassment, but the misty sheen in her eyes betrayed her.
Kyouya looked at her slightly trembling shoulders and her stubbornly composed expression. His heart softened. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her and tried to make his voice as gentle as possible.
"Reimu, thank you… and… I'm sorry, for not making you feel more reassured…"
At this moment, the cold winds and snow outside felt like a world away.
Though Reimu was putting on a front, and Kyouya was still dense enough to wonder why she was doing this, the heat between them was undeniable.
This time, their closeness wasn't the result of some accident—it was the start of something real, something they were finally ready to face.
There was no need for further words. Because what happened next would be the truest answer to everything—
No aphrodisiacs, no external forces.
Only the clumsy yet sincere intertwining of their emotions.
Reimu bit her lip and glanced up at Kyouya, her eyes flickering with both a warning and silent permission.
Kyouya leaned in slowly, capturing her lips once again.
This time, he did not hesitate, nor did he question himself.
His hands cradled her face carefully, as if he were holding something priceless.
Their lips and tongues entwined, breath growing more chaotic, yet perfectly in sync.
"Reimu…" Kyouya whispered her name between breaths, his voice tinged with both longing and uncertainty.
"So… can I keep going…? Is it okay?"
Reimu's face was already so red that she could no longer hide it.
Her gaze flickered with shyness, but also undeniable determination. She turned her head slightly, parted her lips, and responded in her usual tsundere way:
"I… I never said no, did I? If you dare stop halfway, I'll—"
She never finished her sentence, as Kyouya's deep gaze silenced her.
In the end, Reimu took a deep breath, then gave a small nod, granting her silent permission.
Kyouya gently lifted Reimu, feeling her warmth and the slight tremor in her body.
Every movement was careful, as if he were handling the most delicate and precious thing in existence.
He slowly laid her back against the kotatsu, ensuring she was comfortable.
His crimson eyes shimmered with nothing but tenderness and devotion.
"Reimu, you are the most important person in my life… I want you to feel that."
His voice was low, steady, and filled with a sincerity unlike anything before.
Reimu looked up at him and reached out, her fingers lightly gripping his forearm.
Her voice was soft, slightly trembling:
"Kyouya… stop talking about that. Right now… it's just the two of us, understand?"
"If you feel uncomfortable at any point, tell me immediately."
Kyouya's voice carried no trace of his usual bravado. Instead, he was incredibly careful, incredibly gentle.
His fingers intertwined with hers, transferring warmth between them as if seeking silent reassurance—
He wanted to be absolutely sure that this was what she wanted.
Reimu hesitated for a moment at his words, then unexpectedly let out a soft chuckle.
Her lips curled into a slightly mischievous yet affectionate smile.
"You really think I'd back down now? I'm done hiding behind excuses and accidents…"
She raised her head slightly, meeting his gaze head-on, eyes brimming with quiet resolve.
"In this lifetime, I only need one man. And that's you."
For her, there was no one else.
Even if she had once wrestled with doubt due to the aphrodisiac incident, she had long since understood their bond.
Now, no drugs, no external forces—Only pure, unfiltered emotion between them.
Kyouya's lips parted slightly as if stunned by her words. His chest tightened, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of what she had just said.
"Reimu… you…"
He found himself at a loss for words, the feelings inside him surging so strongly they left him breathless.
Finally, he could do nothing but wrap his arms around her tightly, pressing her against his chest.
He felt her heartbeat, her warmth—
Felt her.
She didn't resist.
Instead, she returned his embrace and whispered softly into his ear:
"I don't need you to hesitate anymore. I don't need you to hold back.
And if I ever feel uncomfortable, I will let you know."
A silent rift in the boundary opened in the corner of the washitsu (traditional Japanese room), and Yukari gently poked her head through, wearing a meaningful smile.
"Reimu… could it be you actually took the initiative?"
She mumbled to herself, intending to check whether Reimu had really made a move. However, the moment she leaned half her body in, her ears were met by a series of rhythmic sounds and suppressed gasps, accompanied by breathy moans echoing in the room.
Yukari froze, her violet eyes flashing with surprise as she traced the source of the noises…
The sight before her made her cheeks flush involuntarily. The kotatsu area, which ought to have been a tranquil spot for tea and rice crackers, was now in complete disarray. Rice crackers and teacups lay toppled across the tatami, completely ignored.
Meanwhile, Kyouya and Reimu were entwined in each other's arms, oblivious to the outside world.
Kyouya's body pressed against Reimu's slender frame, his motions both intense and laced with a trembling gentleness. Each movement drew a string of broken, pleading moans from Reimu, filled with both surrender and undeniable pleasure.
Reimu clung tightly to Kyouya's shoulders, her cheeks flushed a deep red, her eyes half-closed. Her fingertips dug unconsciously into his flesh, her voice trembling with shyness:
"K-Kyouya… you… you big idiot… ah! You're hitting my womb… slow down… ah… it's too deep…!"
Kyouya chuckled softly, leaning down to kiss her lips, each move brimming with unending love and respect. His voice was low and tender:
"Reimu, you're my everything… I'll treasure you forever."
"…!?"
Yukari's lips twitched, the smile on her face gradually freezing into place. In its stead was an unmistakable reddening of her cheeks.
She lifted her fan to cover half of her face, but her violet eyes continued to stare at the scene inside. There was a trace of embarrassment and helplessness in her gaze.
"Those two… they really have no sense of restraint, do they?"
She muttered under her breath, her tone betraying not only her pounding heart but also a tinge of jealousy.
"Reimu… that girl is so headstrong most of the time, yet in moments like this…"
Yukari pressed a hand lightly to her chest, feeling her own pulse quicken, a crimson flush creeping all the way to her ears.
She murmured softly to herself, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Although she raised her hand to hide her face, the curvature of a growing grin was evident behind the fan, and her violet eyes shone with a certain undisclosed eagerness.
"Looks like I ought to have Kyouya come to my gap tomorrow… so we can have a nice, 'deep' chat…"
The rift quietly sealed shut, and Yukari's form disappeared from the washitsu.
Her cheeks still bore a telling blush. Outside, the heavy snow continued to drift down, silently covering the shrine grounds in white.
Within the shrine, the couple's interwoven bodies grew ever closer under the sway of mutual desire. Their voices and breathy moans filled the stillness of this winter night…
Back in her gap, Yukari's cheeks glowed faintly red as she clutched her fan, her hands trembling slightly. The image of Kyouya's gentle treatment of Reimu replayed in her mind, sending a swirl of unfamiliar emotions surging through her.
"Kyouya… that guy… How can he be so gentle with Reimu, even licking her 'cherry' so intently…"
she muttered, her voice tinged with an indescribable mix of jealousy and anticipation.
Lightly biting her lower lip, she couldn't help but picture a scene in her head: tomorrow night, when she was alone with Kyouya, would he treat her with the same tenderness? Would he look at her with that same devoted gaze?
Yukari's face grew even redder, and her hands gripped her fan more tightly as she tried to maintain her composure, yet the fantasy in her mind only became clearer.
She closed her eyes, as though she could truly feel Kyouya's hand gently brushing her cheek, hear his low, warm voice murmuring by her ear:
"Yukari… you are my most precious bond…"
Her heart pounded harder and harder, her ears dyed bright red, even the air within the gap seeming to turn warm.
"Tomorrow night… he'll do the same for me, right?"
Yukari whispered softly, the corners of her lips curving into a shy smile.
Within the gap, Yukari leaned against the rippling energy, sighing quietly like a maiden in the throes of first love:
"Reimu, oh Reimu, you really are fortunate… But tomorrow, I won't lose to you."
A hint of mischief and anticipation flickered in Yukari's eyes as she snapped her fan shut, masking her own embarrassment. However, the blush on her cheeks refused to fade.
Meanwhile, inside the shrine, Kyouya and Reimu continued their passionate union, utterly unaware that someone on the other side of the boundary was lost in her own surge of emotions because of their affection.
This night, Yukari found her heart unexpectedly aflutter. Perhaps tomorrow would bring her a share of tenderness and warmth as well.
In the early hours of the morning, the Hakurei Shrine was lit only by the dim glow of the kotatsu. Two silhouettes, exhausted yet content, lay entangled together.
Reimu, half-slumped in Kyouya's arms, still bore a deep blush on her cheeks. Breathing heavily, she glanced toward the window. Through it, she could still see the faint reflection of the moonlight on the snowy landscape.
"Idiot… five hours straight…"
Reimu muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with complaint yet laced with a sweetness that couldn't be concealed.
"How am I supposed to manage the shrine tomorrow…?"
Kyouya gently wrapped his arm around her, lowering his head to place a soft kiss on her hair. His tone carried a hint of teasing:
"You could just think of it as the shrine's deity giving you a day off, couldn't you?"
Reimu lifted her head and shot him a glare. Though her voice still carried traces of exhaustion, she couldn't quite suppress the small smile tugging at her lips:
"What deity? Clearly, it's just you, this idiot, causing trouble again."
Kyouya chuckled lightly, not bothering to refute her. Instead, he flicked his fingers, and the snow that had been steadily falling outside instantly ceased.
The sky cleared, and moments later, the night sky of Gensokyo was illuminated by a breathtaking aurora.
The dazzling, multicolored lights shimmered against the snowy landscape, making the scenery even more mesmerizing.
Reimu froze, her gaze drawn to the magnificent sight, momentarily forgetting her complaints and fatigue. She murmured in quiet awe:
"Is this… an aurora?"
Kyouya smiled slightly, his red eyes watching her with a mix of warmth and playful arrogance:
"You said auroras weren't anything special, but you've probably never actually seen one, have you? Since tonight is a special night, I wanted to make it a memory you'll never forget."
Reimu turned her gaze from the aurora back to Kyouya's face, her eyes reflecting a complicated blend of emotions. Slowly, she leaned against his chest, her voice barely audible:
"Idiot… You always have a way of making it impossible to hate you."
Kyouya lowered his head and kissed her forehead again, his voice deep and filled with tenderness:
"Reimu, you are the most important person in my life. Every tomorrow of yours… I want to protect it with all my heart."
Reimu didn't answer. She simply closed her eyes, a faint smile lingering on her lips as she let herself bask in the warmth and peace of the moment.
The night wind had stilled, the aurora continued to paint the sky above the shrine, adding an undeniable touch of romance to the snowy night.
In the depth of this winter's night, their bond grew ever closer, and along with the aurora, this moment would forever be etched in their hearts.
The Next Morning
The golden sunlight streamed through the windows of the Hakurei Shrine, gently waking Reimu from her slumber with its warmth. A rich, enticing aroma filled the air, luring her senses back to consciousness.
She squinted her eyes slightly, a lazy smile forming on her lips.
"That idiot… He got up early to work again."
Stretching her arms, she sat up, the memories of last night still lingering in her mind. She glanced at the empty space beside her—just as expected, he was already gone.
With a sigh, she rose from the futon, slipping back into her shrine maiden attire. Standing before the mirror, she carefully retied her red ribbon. She knew Kyouya well—he treated her, Yukari, Remilia, Mokou, and Aya with equal devotion, never showing favoritism. But they all understood that, to
him, the five of them would always be his "first priority"—always the most important.
Stepping into the dining area, Reimu found the breakfast table already set with the usual feast he had prepared.
A warm bowl of steaming white rice, golden-edged fried eggs, a refreshing miso soup, and his homemade pickled side dishes.
There was even a plate of freshly steamed tofu, garnished with finely chopped green onions.
She sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and took a sip of the miso soup. Instantly, warmth spread through her body, easing the last traces of fatigue from the previous night.
"That idiot… His cooking is still as ridiculously good as ever."
As she slowly ate, she could feel her energy returning.
Even though she knew he wasn't here, she was well aware of his morning routine.
Kyouya always made sure to prepare her breakfast first, then moved on to preparing meals for Yukari, Remilia, Mokou, and Aya. His attentiveness toward them never wavered—always fair, always gentle.
"Ugh… Even though I know he treats all five of us the same, it still annoys me a little."
Reimu huffed softly, setting down her chopsticks. Despite her words, there was no real frustration in her tone.
She leaned back lazily in her chair, gazing out the window at the birds flitting about.
"But… I suppose this is fine too. At least I know that idiot's heart will never give me anything less than his all."
A faint smile crept onto her lips as she murmured to herself:
"Kyouya, you'd better hurry back… Otherwise, I won't be able to finish this breakfast without you."
The Hakurei Shrine was silent in the dead of night, the only sound being the gentle breeze rustling through the courtyard, bringing with it a crisp chill.
Kyouya had just finished his daily tasks and was about to lie down for some well-earned rest when—without warning—a familiar gap tore open in his room.
"Kyouya, good evening~ You should have time now, right? Let's have a little chat."
Yukari's lazy yet playful voice echoed as the space around him distorted.
Before Kyouya could react, the power of the gap pulled him in. In the blink of an eye, he found himself inside Yukari's mysterious, dreamlike domain. The enigmatic gap youkai reclined elegantly on a lavish sofa, draped in her long robe, idly swirling a glass of crimson wine in her hand.
Her golden hair cascaded in waves, and her amethyst eyes gleamed with their usual mischievous glint.
Kyouya exhaled, rubbing his temples.
"Yukari… What are you up to this time? Dragging me in here this late—has something happened to the boundaries again?"
Yukari leisurely swirled her wine glass, the deep red liquid shimmering like blood in candlelight. She smirked.
"Oh, there's no problem at all. But you see… last night, I happened to witness your rather 'intense battle' with Reimu."
Kyouya froze for a moment before feeling an undeniable chill run down his spine.
"…You saw that?" His voice stiffened, and his gaze subtly shifted away.
Yukari gracefully set down her wine glass and leaned forward slightly, her tone tinged with playful provocation.
"Of course. My gaps are everywhere, after all~" She studied him, her expression carrying an unreadable amusement. "Seeing how gentle and devoted you were to Reimu… it made me wonder. Shouldn't the rest of us be receiving the same treatment?"
Kyouya sighed, shaking his head.
"Yukari, you know full well—each of you is irreplaceable to me. I don't favor anyone more than the others."
Yukari chuckled, stepping closer. With a single delicate finger, she lifted Kyouya's chin, forcing him to meet her gaze.
"Such sweet words. But I'm not here just to hear them."
For a brief moment, Kyouya found himself overwhelmed by her presence, before quickly regaining his composure. With his usual confident smirk, he quipped:
"Oh? My esteemed youkai sage, dragging me here at midnight—are we having tea, or are you planning to lecture me on the mysteries of the boundary?"
Yukari arched an eyebrow, her lips curling into a teasing smile.
"Tea? A tempting offer. But tonight…" she deliberately dragged out her words, "I want to taste something far richer than tea."
Kyouya blinked, feigning exaggerated surprise as he stepped back dramatically.
"Wait a minute… Are you trying to steal my forbidden secret power? Or perhaps… you plan to banish me to the depths of the gap for some 'indescribable' adventure?"
Yukari chuckled behind her fan, her violet gaze narrowing with amusement.
"You're such an adorable fool, Kyouya. But what I'm really interested in… is that gentleness you showed to Reimu. Are you sure it should belong to her alone?"
Kyouya hesitated."I… treat all of you the same way, I swear!"
Yukari took another step closer, her delicate fingers pressing lightly against his shoulder as she locked eyes with him.
"The same? Really?" she murmured, her breath brushing against his skin.
"Then… I'd like to see for myself whether 'tonight's me' will truly be treated the same way."
Kyouya sighed in defeat, realizing that there was no escape.
"You're really not giving me a choice, huh, Yukari?" He smirked, tilting his head. "Well, since you've already decided… I guess I have no choice but to—"
Before he could finish, Yukari pressed a single finger against his lips, silencing him. Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable authority.
"No need to force yourself. Just give me all of you, without holding back. Leave the rest… to me."
For a moment, their gazes remained locked, the atmosphere growing heavier with unspoken tension. Yukari's usual playful demeanor softened, revealing a rare glimpse of something more tender beneath her teasing exterior.
Kyouya finally exhaled, his usual bravado fading as he responded in a quiet, genuine tone:
"Then as you wish… Tonight, I am yours."
Under the flickering candlelight, Yukari stood with a grace that rivaled celestial beings. Her golden locks cascaded like molten silk, and her amethyst eyes gleamed with an intoxicating depth.
With deliberate ease, she reached up and removed her hat, placing it aside. Her hair, unbound, fell freely over her shoulders, its soft waves framing her flawless complexion.
Then, with slow, deliberate movements, she unfastened the buttons of her robe, each action meticulously calculated—a performance, an unveiling. The silky fabric slipped from her shoulders, revealing elegant collarbones, smooth, porcelain skin, and the exquisite curves of her figure.
By the time the robe pooled at her feet, she stood before him in her full, unguarded beauty.
Kyouya, who had long since experienced everything, still found himself momentarily stunned. Even though the previous aphrodisiac incident had already exposed him to every inch of her, this was different.
His reaction was not one of mere desire—it was a feeling of deep admiration, reverence even. As a Toushin, he had existed for billions of years, effortlessly obliterating any foe that threatened Takamagahara or the mortal realm. No matter how beautiful his enemies were, they had all met the same fate under his blade.
But Yukari—he could not look away.
She noticed his pause, and her lips curled into a smug, knowing smile.
"Ara~ A mighty Toushin, completely speechless? This is a rare sight."
Her gaze drifted downward, settling on a particular area, before she chuckled.
"My, my… It seems your body is far more honest than your words."
Kyouya's brows twitched, and he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, as if that would somehow ease the situation.
"Yukari… Are you testing my self-control?"
Yukari's fingertips traced over his chest, her voice sultry and playful:
"Testing? No, no… I'm simply curious. Since Reimu enjoyed such a wonderful experience, I wonder if I can receive the same?"
Kyouya sighed, shaking his head with an amused yet resigned smile. But when he looked into her deep violet eyes, his expression turned more serious. He inhaled deeply before speaking.
"Yukari, you already know—you are, and will always be, one of my most important people. Tonight… I am only yours."
Yukari's smile softened, and she reached up, looping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
"Then… Don't disappoint me, idiot."
As the candlelight flickered, their silhouettes merged, disappearing into the infinite depths of the gap. The outside world ceased to exist, leaving only Yukari and Kyouya—and the long night ahead.
The atmosphere between them grew increasingly intense. Yukari's delicate hands slid up Kyouya's neck, drawing him into a feverish, passionate kiss.
Her movements were both expertly teasing and deeply affectionate, making it impossible for Kyouya to resist.
In the heat of the moment, Yukari's deft fingers moved to his chest, effortlessly unfastening his robe in a single fluid motion—clearly, she was experienced in such things.
As she worked, she smirked and let out a playful remark:
"Honestly, don't you think it's time to get a new robe? Wearing something this worn out is hardly fitting for you, is it?"
Kyouya let out a breathless chuckle, half amused, half exasperated.
"My dear youkai sage, if I have the time to buy clothes, I'd rather spend it taking you shopping in the Human Village…"
Hearing this, Yukari couldn't help but laugh softly, her expression carrying both teasing amusement and genuine warmth.
"Oh my, how thoughtful~ But right now, what I'm more interested in is…"
Before she could finish her sentence, her hand slipped lower, gently wrapping around a certain part of him. Her movements were both playful and curious, her violet eyes flashing with their usual mischievous glint.
Tilting her head slightly, she whispered in an amused, sultry tone:
"Oh my~ So full of energy… No matter how many times I see it, the sheer size is still impressive."
Kyouya instantly tensed, a trace of embarrassment flashing across his face as he let out a helpless sigh.
"Yukari… Are you sure about this?"
Yukari grinned knowingly, leaning in close to whisper right into his ear, her breath warm against his skin.
"Of course I am. Besides, right now, there's no one else here but us… isn't there?"
Their gazes locked, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in the vastness of Yukari's domain.
Kyouya reached out, his fingers gently tracing the curve of Yukari's face, his expression soft yet deeply serious.
"Yukari… you're breathtaking. Right now, you're not the great youkai sage, not the boundary mistress of Gensokyo—you are just my Yukari."
For the first time, Yukari's usual playful confidence wavered slightly. She pressed her lips together, her violet eyes flickering with an emotion far deeper than amusement. She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could utter a word, Kyouya silenced her with another deep, lingering kiss.
This time, it was different.
The warmth of his lips, the intensity of his embrace—everything about him felt unshakably certain.
As they melted into the kiss, Kyouya's fingertips pulsed with a gentle, swirling force, almost like a miniature whirlwind of divine energy. That soft, warm power brushed across Yukari's skin, sending waves of tingling sensation through her—a touch so exquisite that even she found it impossible to maintain her usual composure.
Though Yukari had already experienced Kyouya's unfiltered self during their previous aphrodisiac "incident," this time… it was entirely different.
She had always known that Kyouya was no ordinary man—not just a warrior, not just a guardian, but a divine battle god who wielded power beyond comprehension. And yet, here he was, channeling all of that strength into nothing but pure tenderness—for her alone.
"Are you alright?" Kyouya murmured against her ear, his tone half-teasing, half-genuine.
Noticing the flushed color of her cheeks and the quickened rise and fall of her chest, he smirked playfully, lifting his fingers—now glistening with delicate traces of moisture—and held them up as if inspecting something intriguing.
With a mock-innocent expression, he quirked a brow and mischievously inquired:"Huh? And what's this supposed to be~?"
Yukari instantly stiffened, her face flaring even redder. She instinctively raised a hand—perhaps to swat him away—but the overwhelming sensations flooding her body made her movements weak and unsteady.
All she could manage was to bite her lip, glaring at him with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. Finally, in a voice that was both breathless and filled with unspoken longing, she muttered:
"You… really are an idiot."
Their breathing grew heavier, their eyes burning with an intensity that left no room for hesitation.
The atmosphere within the gap seemed to ignite, like a slow-building wildfire consuming everything in its path. Any lingering doubt, restraint, or pretense melted away, leaving behind only the raw, undeniable reality of their feelings and desires.
Kyouya leaned in once more, capturing Yukari's lips with his own, and this time, she did not hold back.
The two of them shared a knowing smile, their lips meeting in yet another searing kiss. The temperature soared in the depths of the gap, their bodies pressing together, the boundaries between them vanishing entirely—
Until—
Just as things were reaching their peak, a sudden, out-of-place sound echoed from within the gap, shattering the moment.