Kevin the Bored
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47 First Morning in the Capital
🕑 Added 2025-08-05 02:31:38 +0000 UTCThe warm, early morning sun bathes the pristine corridor in soft light through the paper windows on her right as Izumi Shikibu walks at a steady clip. Head straight and arms folded neatly before her.
However, unlike the quiet of the servants silently bustling about in the early hour, a soft, ethereal sound follows her as she hums a harmonic melody. The tones are quiet, barely audible even to the servants that pass her directly, for she is only humming for herself and not to the benefit of others.
In part simply because she is easily bored and need something to occupy herself with, but mainly out of a habit that she developed to continue training her Innate Technique. Shōshi-sama was very effective in engraving the lesson into them that they must never stop improving.
Akazome Emon and her both took the lesson to heart, and they cannot complain, as they themselves have clearly seen the effects of Shōshi's tutelage. It was only Murasaki that could be so irreverent as to ignore the words of the then-Empress.
Izumi's heart fills with warm amusement as the thinks of Murasaki, a small smile coming to her lips.
She actually hated Murasaki at first. She made it hard not to, really. Change on that front only came after Izumi had discovered certain... methods of entertainment, to speak politely.
Sex. If one wishes to be blunt instead.
Because of course Murasaki would excel even in such lascivious things as well. Why not? She excels in everything else as well.
Well, not that Izumi would complain about this matter specifically. It is hard to still hate someone after they provide such overwhelming pleasures.
Alas, consistency was not Murasaki's strong suit, so such things could not last. That woman took whimsy to a whole new level, and a part of Izumi that she will not admit out loud cannot deny that she admired Murasaki for it.
Of all of the many people she has met, Murasaki remains as the only one she would describe as the pinnacle of what it means to be a Sorcerer. She even died like a Sorcerer.
Not that anyone has any idea how someone so powerful actually died, but Izumi likes to think she knew Murasaki well enough. With what she knew, the only reason Murasaki would, or even could have died would have been by choice. By her own whim. Not even Time could take her otherwise, not with that disgusting Technique of hers.
Izumi's thoughts then circle back to the now. Walking down these halls at first light, long before most within these walls would be rising.
They all saw the same thing when the Jujutsu Sorcerers arrived, so Izumi is not at all surprised by Shōshi-sama's desire to meet the boy, Narauko.
Frankly, Izumi would have sought him out regardless, but this makes things easier. If what they saw in him is any indication, then the chance that he would refuse the invitation of morning tea with the Grand Empress Dowager is basically nil.
However, when Emon went to fetch him last night, she found that he was already absent, no doubt sneaking around and exploring at his whim. She smirks at the thought of it.
The three of them spoke briefly on Narauko the night before, theorising what Murasaki has done.
Izumi is of the opinion that she reincarnated herself into the body of a man. It is in line with her personality to do such a thing without thinking about the consequences.
The other two disagree, citing how Murasaki spent her final few years bedridden in the Kiyohara estate. Not that this fact is known to most. Izumi just thinks that Murasaki's apparent illness is just further proof that she would do something as absurd as not even bothering to try and avert death, but just control her rebirth instead.
The other two still disagree, and Izumi can't quite bring herself to deny Shōshi-sama's speculation that she is merely making herself believe it because it would mean that she could see Murasaki again.
Mainly, she wants to have sex with Murasaki as a man, she can admit that much. Well, even if Narauko is not Murasaki reborn, she still intends to see if he would be amenable. It is in her nature after all, and Shōshi-sama would not have sent her to retrieve him if she was opposed to her decision.
Izumi's enjoyment of such physical intimacy is something of an open secret these days. She knows that Shōshi-sama has used her own proclivities for her ow political gain, but she really just doesn't care about any of that. She just wants to love and be loved~.
Humming a slightly chirpier tune, Izumi is in a rather good mood by the time that she arrives at Narauko's current abode.
However, her mood only improves further when her knuckles pause an inch away from the wood as a faint, muffled sound reaches her ears from beyond.
"Ufufufufu~."
Izumi snaps out a decorative fan to cover her growing smirk, laughing as the recognises the delicate sound of a woman having a pleasant morning.
You work quickly, Narauko-kun~, she thinks to herself, moving to stand opposite the hall from his door, deciding that she can wait.
It is the least she con do, especially considering the silencing Spell placed around his room. Unfortunately for him, her Technique has made it rather difficult for any sounds to escape her ears.
She ends up waiting longer than expected.
How exciting~, ufufufu.
///
Narauko
///
Resting my hand on Tamamo's sweat-slicked lower back, i bask in the comfort of the moment.
Tamamo rests bare against my chest, half lying on top of me, her head resting under my chin, halfway returning to sleep. The feeling of her soft body pressed against mine in the afterglow of an energetic morning is almost as good as the sex. A different kind of pleasure, more comfort than excitement.
A soft knock unfortunately brings the moment to an end, and I consider ignoring it until Tamamo distracts me by pushing herself up. Our previous indulgence does nothing to prevent me from briefly forgetting what I was thinking about when her body fully comes into my view.
She really is unfairly beautiful.
"Go on, Narauko." Her voice is soft in the morning glow as she moves to lie on her side, untangling her legs from mine, and smiles fondly at me. "We can not lie in forever~."
"The scientific method encourages us to at least make an attempt before speaking in certainties," is my reasonable response.
She only responds with a smile and raised brows, so I sit up with a sigh, lean over to give her a quick peck on the lips and move to stand.
The moment I am on my feet and before I could use my Technique to dress myself, Tamamo flicks her hand in my direction and I feel a wave of Youki wash over me, cleaning away all the gathered sweat and smell.
Glancing down at Tamamo's own sweaty form and splayed out hair, I raise a brow. "Thanks, but aren't you going to clean yourself up too?"
She smirks up at me and moves to snuggle back under the cover of our duvet, only peaking her head out enough to stick her tongue out at me. "Don't wanna~."
Shaking my head with a chuckle, my shadow briefly rises and washes over my body, leaving me fully clothed as I approach the door.
Upon opening it, I am greeted by a face that I find only mildly familiar. It only takes me a second to place her as one of the people who welcomed us last night, though I only recall as much because she was one of the few who seemed to be paying special attention to me.
She is dressed very neatly and formally, which I imagine will continue to be the standard here. Though I do note that her clothing does not seem to be too inconvenient, freedom of movement wise.
Combined with the level of Cursed Energy inside of her, and I think it's pretty clear that she's a Sorcerer. One who is prepared to fight too, so probably a guard for the older woman she was standing behind yesterday?
"Can I help you, Lady...?"
"Izumi Shikibu," the lady introduces herself with a slight bow, causing her long brown hair to fall in front of her face, which she brushes behind an ear when she rises, smiling in a way that can only be described as sultry.
We only just met... Am I that handsome? Kyaa~, I scare even myself~.
...What am I thinking right now?
"It is nice to make your acquaintance, Narauko-kun~," Izumi continues, stepping forward and resting a palm against my chest. As he does, I get the feeling that her smile is actually just a result of her own personality rather than my handsomeness. So sad. "On behalf of Tai-Kōtaikōgō Shōshi-sama, I am here to invite you to attend morning tea. Unless you still have energy to spare~, in which case a further delay would be no issue for me at all~."
Ah. I've been caught~.
Rather than feeling any shame or trying to deny what she clearly already knows, I simply choose to match her smirk. "While I am sure that I have plenty of energy to spare, I would hate to keep Shōshi-Heika waiting. Allow me a moment to attend to myself and I shall follow your lead."
Izumi ducks her head briefly before taking a polite step back, even as her smirk only deepens. "Oh I am sure that it is your own needs you intend to attend to~."
I don't bother attempting to deny her and simply slide the door back closed with a an amused exhale.
What an interesting character this Izumi lady is. The way she looks at me is strange though. It feels like she's looking for something specific, but I have no idea what, and there are too many possibilities to make a real guess. It is certainly strange though. I'll have to ask about it if I do not learn the answer later.
Putting the thought out of my mind for now, I move back to see her sitting up facing me. Two of her tails draped over her shoulders to cover her modesty as the duvet has fallen down to her waist. To be completely honest, the partial covering just makes the sight sexier.
Unfortunately, the narrow-eyed expression of scrutiny she is wearing distracts me from getting distracted. Before she can say anything, I beat her to the punch, smiling awkwardly.
"I apologise?" Tamamo's frown loosens as she regards my apology with confusion, which in turn confuses me.
"What are you apologising for?" She asks, indirectly informing me that I have misattributed her earlier frown.
"For kind of flirting with that lady at the door, even though you are right here?" I could have just waved here off, but even if I was off with my assumption, I should at least have some follow through.
Tamamo continues to regard me with apparent confusion until a thought seems to strike her and her expression morphs into one of exasperated amusement, tinged with some fondness.
She shakes her head, radiating both perplexity and fondness together. "You can be considerate about the strangest of things. Do you expect that I will be jealous? Do I seem so insecure to you? Lay with whoever you like, you are not prisoner to me. I am more likely to join in than disapprove."
I frown a little at how casually she is waving such things off, even if it isn't the first time I've heard similar thoughts in this life. "Is it so simple to wave such things away? I for one would feel rather upset to learn of you laying with other men, would that not then be hypocritical?"
"Narauko," the way she looks at me is as if I just started speaking a foreign language or something, and she speaks slowly as if talking to a dumb child, which honestly I find more amusing than insulting. "You are a man, I am a woman. While your consideration to the equity of gendered treatment is appreciated, men and women are different creatures. Expecting the same of both is absurd, who in Yomi taught you such strange... Ah, are these thoughts perhaps a holdover from your previous life?"
I can only smile helplessly and shrug at that. "Monogamy was the norm, and I recall women being rather upset at any suggestion otherwise."
She shakes her head, as if being upset by polygyny is the strange thing. "What an odd place you come from, Narauko. May I ask where such a viewpoint came from?"
"I think it mostly spread from Christianity," at her look I elaborate, "Monotheistic religion worshipping an all knowing, all powerful God far West of here."
"You mean Yahweh? The Abrahamic God?"
"Yeah, that's the one. Wait, is he real?"
"Of course he is?"
We share an awkward moment of eye contact before I decide to simply move on from that revelation.
"Right, so, and I honestly am probably missing so many details here, but my understanding is basically that Christianity is the main reason monogamy spread as much as it did. It became the cultural norm, so it is rather ingrained in my mind."
"Were you a worshipper of Christianity?" Tamamo asks, not a question I was really expecting but fair enough.
"Nope. I did not believe in Gods or anything supernatural at all. I might have just not had access to any of that knowledge, or I might have actually been from a different reality where such things simply weren't real at all, I do not know."
"I see." Tamamo rubs her chin lightly. "And do you feel opposed to acting beyond monogamy?"
"I mean..." My hand comes to scratch the back of my neck, feeling somewhat awkward. "No? To be honest, it is basically a fantasy, I just feel selfish for wanting to pursue it."
She huffs at me and shakes her head in exasperation. "Then do so." As if her expressions so far hadn't gotten the point across yet, she even rolls her eyes. "You are not in this land of Christianity of your past. Adapt to your present. My home village is less populated by the neighbouring Kitsune village by a ratio of roughly three to eight. You know why? It is because that village has a tradition of an annual orgy and many of my kind prefer to live in such an environment. Sex is just sex, I will only feel betrayed should you shun or abandon me. So do as you like. The only person in the entire realm that will get upset at you for laying with whomever you desire appears to be yourself. Frankly, it is rather silly."
Man, the feeling of a lifetime of ingrained culture being dressed down is weird. Like my mind is trying to beat itself up. Ultimately though, I had already consigned myself to the fact that my selfish desire would overcome my sense of consideration anyway, so I'm feeling pretty good about this.
Who doesn't love getting permission to do 'bad' things, even if it seems that I'm the only one that sees them as 'bad'. Kami this feels weird. That's internal conflict for you, I guess.
"Regardless of this strange but fascinating conversation," Tamamo says, waving the previous conversation away as if it is smoke, "I was going to caution you before you interrupted me with this. You should be careful of that woman outside, and for the sake of clarity with the previous conversation in mind, I am not concerned about her apparent sexual interest in you."
Facing Tamamo's teasing smile, I roll my eyes at her. "I get it. So why should I be cautious?"
"Two reasons," she holds up two fingers to illustrate. "The first is that when she first arrived, I felt a faint Yōkai presence coming from her. At first I thought that they were a Yōkai hiding their presence like myself, but upon closer examination I believe it more likely that she is simply majority human and only has some Yōkai blood running through her veins. Izumi is well disguised enough that I can only sense her Yōkai blood now that I am no longer concealing myself. I have interacted with her before as Nariko and did not notice anything amiss."
Tamamo notices my intrigue and casually pre-empts my thoughts. "Humans with Yōkai blood in them are hardly as rare as one would think, though it is often a difficult thing to detect if the human in question is unassuming enough. It could also go to explain the blatant lust emanating from her, but that could just as easily be a coincidence."
Nodding my head along, I bring up the one question I have about her deduction. "If it is not an uncommon thing, then is there really a need to be concerned about her potential Yōkai heritage? It is not like she is strong."
She shakes her head at me. She's been doing that a lot over the past five minutes. "It is not her specifically that requires caution. Sorcerers with Yōkai blood are often killed young by either Onmyōji or the Principle Clans. That she is not only alive at her age but inside of the Imperial Palace, implies that there is a great deal of influence behind her. In this case, that influence comes in the form of the Grand Empress Dowager, Shōshi, whom you have been invited to meet. She is also the daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga, who effectively runs the Human Realm at this point in time. I am noticing that my words seem to be doing the opposite of imparting caution."
"Hehe sorry." I grin and lean down, pulling her chin up slightly t peck her again on the lips. "I am too strong to be cautious. Whatever happens, happens. Dangerous is just another way of saying interesting~."
An amused exhale leaves her and she doesn't bother arguing the point. "The second reason is because Izumi was referring to you with -kun. With your relative positions, she should either be using -sama or -dono. Maybe -san if she were probing your attitude. That she would use -kun implies something else entirely, and most likely it is some manner of test on behalf of Lady Shōshi. Just try not be led around. You may be The Strongest, but politics is a foreign battlefield to you."
"Believe it or not, but I did actually notice that. She spoke like she expected to be familiar with me. It felt like she was looking for a specific response, and it seemed more personal than just doing what she was told." I shrug. "I am sure all will be revealed soon enough. That is the point of morning tea, right?"
I even have an ingenious plan to learn more about Izumi's apparent Yōkai blood.
"True enough," Tamamo agrees before abruptly perking up. "Oh! One last thing before you go."
Tamamo raises a hand up in front of herself and snaps her fingers, causing a flash of light that fades away to reveal a smooth wooden box held in her open palm.
"This is something that I made for you, take it."
"I thought you said that you only got me one gift?" I ask her with a raised brow, even as I reach out and accept the box.
She smiles impishly at me and shrugs, putting on an aloof air, even as she smirks. "I lied~. How could I have passed up such a convenient excuse~?"
I snort at the shameless admission, moving my attention to the box in my hands. It is gibber than the box my kiseru came in, a little bit bigger than both of my hands squeezed together. The wood is lacquered and smooth, very fancy looking.
I don't bother with too much ceremony, as there are no ribbons or wrappings or anything of the sort. Instead, I simply grab the top of the box, having to spread my hand out fully to be able to grasp each side, and pull it off.
Pulling out the object inside, I am immediately struck by a sense of familiarity. A feeling that only grows ever more intense as I finish observing it and find myself frozen in place staring at what is unmistakably a polaroid camera.
What the fuck?
There are some differences, of course. The main body is small enough to fit comfortable in my hands, and where I figure a more modern screen would be, there is instead a slight indentation, as if said screen was removed. I can intuit looking at it that an illusion is built into the object that will project over the dip, effectively making a magical holographical screen.
From the main body protrudes a small trapezoid that ends with a rectangle about two thirds the size of the main body. At the end, where a lens would normally be there is only a small seam. I get the feeling looking at it that it opens up like an actual eyeball instead of a lens which, while kind of cool, is also kind of scary.
The whole thing is smooth and glossy, looking like it is made out of polished, near-black wood lined with dull golden veins like the bark of a tree. Even ignoring the functionality of it, I'd be willing to keep it purely as an accessory.
"In the short time we had together," Tamamo's voice pulls me out of my stupor, drawing my attention back to her as she continues, "I recall you saying, multiple times, how you wished you could freeze a moment forever in time. You repeated the same gesture multiple times too. Whether facing the sunrise or a random pond or flower."
Tamamo brings her hands up in front of her face, making what is clearly a gesture miming the taking of a photo.
"So I made you this," she continues, oblivious to my shock. "You activate it with the switch on the left," I note said switch beside my forefinger, "Which will open the eye on the front," so it is an eye. "Then you simply press the button on the top of the right. The eye will blink and the device will cast the last image observed by the eye onto a sheet of paper that will be printed from the back. It is powered by Youki—including the creation of the paper—which you lack, but you do have Cursed Energy and Ki, so I made it capable of doing the natural conversion itself, if with an incredible lack of efficiency. I call it Thief of Time, for all the moments you may steal."
For a minute, I am simply struck still. Rather overwhelmed by the gift in my hands. The one thing I have been lamenting my lack of for years.
"...Do you like it?" Tamamo's hesitant voice snaps me out of my thoughts, making me realise that I've taken far too long to respond.
Seeking to rectify that immediately, I all but tackle Tamamo to the floor, getting a surprised yelp from her as kiss her deeply. She reciprocates once her surprise wears off, though she does so whilst giggling lightly.
I pull away a moment later and beam down at her, trying my best to infuse every ounce of gratitude and affection I feel into my voice. "Thank you, Tamamo. I love it, and I love you."
I don't wait for her to respond before planting another long kiss on her lips. From nothing more than an offhanded gesture and a few words on my part, she invented a camera. Just for me. How could I feel anything but love in the face of that?
Tamamo's delighted laughter is like music to my ears, and I can feel the reciprocation of my feelings in the air.
After an appropriately judicious number of kisses, I pull myself to a seat next to her. One hand flicks Thief of Time on before falling around Tamamo's waist, pulling her close enough that I can lean my cheek on top of her head.
"Let's commemorate the occasion," I declare with a grin, my mood jubilant. "The first moment of time I will steal from this world should be with you."
Radiating a deep combination of amusement and affection, Tamamo leans against me as a response, one of her hands resting gently against my chest. I notice her head tilting my way and turn down to meet her for another, more tender kiss.
"Since we departed," she begins, her voice soft but full of care, "I was aware that I would likely fall for you." She pauses for a moment after the admission, seeming to brighten somewhat at whatever she sees in my eyes. Likely noticing the warm fuzzy feelings her words wrought within me. "I merely failed to expect it would happen so quickly. So easily. I have never felt how I feel now, with you. So I do not know if it is hasty to say, but I love you as well, Narauko."
Of all the things I have seen, experienced and learned so far in this life. It is only hearing those words that crystalise the commitment in my mind to live forever. To finally have an answer to Tengen's question. I will find a way to make myself immortal, if only so Tamamo never has to say goodbye.
"Then let us love one another," I speak softly, pressing one more tender kiss upon her lips before turning to face the camera held in the air before us. "Until we run out of time to steal."
The quiet click of the camera echoes through the room, and we remain pressed together as I bring it down and watch the image print. Unlike a polaroid, there is no need to wait for it to dry or anything, and a moment later I am holding my first ever stolen moment.
A beginning held in the present. A moment that can no longer be forgotten.
We both stare at the photo for a while. Neither of us saying a word.
Eventually, Tamamo sighs and pushes me lightly. "You probably should not keep Lady Shōshi waiting any longer."
Accepting her leverage with a quiet chuckle, I rise to my feet and immediately crouch back down to kiss her again, just because I can. Both her gift and our photo find their place in my shadow with a twist of thought. I'm going to need to make a binder for a photo album at some point.
She smirks at me before flopping down with a soft huff, using a pair of tails to pull the duvet back up to her nose, leaving her wrapped up like a tortilla. "Go have fun," she murmurs, clearly getting comfortable, "I still have some sleep to catch up on~, thanks to you."
Chuckling lightly, I straighten myself back up, patting creases out of my robes. "Alright. Enjoy your nap, I'll see you later?"
"Hmph, was last night and this morning not enough~?"
"Can one have too much of a good thing?"
Her smirk is answer enough, so I wave a goodbye as I turn to the door. However, before exiting the room, I turn back around and decide to blow a kiss her way. As I am doing so, I get an idea and imbue some Cursed Energy into my lips as I kiss my palm, and then when I blow it in her direction, a small, sparkling kiss flies off of my hand and in her direction.
A soft giggle leaves Tamamo as she watches my kiss dance through the currents in the air until it reaches her. Still giggling lightly, she catches my kiss on two fingers and brings it to her own lips, looking me in the eyes and smiling widely as she does so.
"Later," I say with a smile, actually leaving the room this time.
"Indeed," is her softly sighed response.
Returning to my room's door, I take a moment to shake the incredibly distracting thoughts of Tamamo out of my mind before sliding it open.
Now then, time to see what's going on with this Shōshi lady.
///
Izumi Shikibu
///
Ceasing her humming upon noticing Narauko's reapproach, Izumi straightens herself up as his door slides open for a second time.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Izumi-chan," he says upon seeing her, and she smirks at him matching honorifics with her.
"Oh it is nothing to apologise for, it is only gentlemanly to leave your lovers with a proper goodbye~." She watches him carefully for his reaction to her teasing, looking for signs of Murasaki's mind in his body.
She notes a sense of warm happiness almost radiating from him, which does match with the rumours surrounding him. The feeling is deeper than when she saw him arriving the previous day, but allowances can be made since he has clearly had a good night, so she does not pay it any mind.
"You were being so subtle about it earlier~," he playfully whines at her as they start to walk down he hall. "Alas, it is also gentlemanly to not kiss and tell, so let us move on to something else."
Hmm, that response wasn't very Murasaki-like. She had no respect for anyone after all. She'd be more likely to respond with a subtle insult, likely in reference to Izumi's inexperience or lack of bedside manners. Though that would naturally fall flat in the face of Izumi's actually rather vast experience.
"Is there something that you would prefer to talk of, Narauko-kun?"
He turns his head enough to meet her eyes, choosing to walk by her side instead of a step ahead, another point away from Murasaki's likeness.
"I have a question, actually. I have it on good authority that you have Yōkai blood in your veins, and I was wondering if you would be willing to espouse my curiosity on the matter?"
Izumi stutters briefly, almost missing a step as he bluntly brings up such a sensitive topic.
Murasaki obviously would have already known of her Yōkai heritage, however Izumi feels fairly confident by now that even if Narauko is Murasaki reincarnated, he does not have her memories. He would have acted differently otherwise.
The fact of her Yōkai blood is something known to very few. Only really the higher-ups of the Onmyōji as well as some other persons of influence. If it were to become something commonly known, then there would likely be enough political pressure against said higher-ups that she would be forced to flee the capital for her life.
This is something that Shōshi-sama has had to shoulder. Bearing the pressure on Izumi's behalf, something she will forever be grateful for.
The Principle Clans certainly would never allow her existence if they knew of it. They truly take their dedication to exterminating Yōkai influence to the extreme.
His wording is interesting though. A lifetime living among the nobility of the capital has inured her to these things. Especially in conjuration with the rumour she has heard of Narauko supposedly being incapable of lying.
'I have it on good authority' implies that it is information that was given to him, rather than gathered himself. She could have easily believed that he simply sensed her heritage himself, what with his apparent talent. However, if that was the case, then he would have worded himself differently, even if he had also been informed beforehand and only sensed it later.
This means that he himself cannot notice her heritage, at least not without being blatantly invasive with his scanning of her, something that she would not expect anyone to do, not here and not without cause. Even the Principle Clans wouldn't be so blatant here. Not unless they already had actionable intelligence.
Which means that he is in contact with someone who's ability to perceive Izumi's Yōkai heritage is even greater than his own prodigal talent.
With that being the case, Izumi can only figure one of three possibilities.
One is that he was informed by Kiyohara no Nagiko, who seems to be close with him. She finds that unlikely due to a lack of opportunity. After all, Izumi has only ever been within sight of the Kiyohara girl's Cursed Eyes once, and that was not even twelve hours ago.
The second option is that he was informed by someone already in the know beforehand, perhaps as a matter of preparation by someone who would have known of Shōshi-sama's interest in him and predicted the current course of events.
That doesn't seem too unlikely if not for the simple fact that Narauko is not of the clans. He is new to this world and lacks connections. The only option there is Kamo no Yasunori, but she isn't even certain if he knows, or if he would even care.
Which leaves the final option. The one she suspects to be the truth, even if the former option should be more likely.
Like recognises like. If anyone were to notice Izumi's heritage, hidden as it is, then it would be another Yōkai. A strong one at that.
Compounding on that, Narauko does seem the type to have little problem befriending a Yōkai no different from a human. And if Izumi considers the timing of it all, she believes that it is entirely possible that the woman he spent the previous night with was in fact a Yōkai. Either one that snuck in specifically to be with Narauko, or one whom has already ben present, disguised amongst the humans.
My my~, how exciting~.
Useful too. Izumi will be sure to inform Shōshi-sama of her thoughts. Her teacher may find such leverage useful. If not, then Izumi does not really care. All that political influencing thing is Shōshi-sama's game. Izumi will do her part to help out, but all she really cares about is having sex to be frank.
"Yōkai?" Izumi eventually answers, her tone coy. "I fear that your authority must be mistaken. After all, Yōkai are not allowed in the capital, and certainly not in the Imperial Palace. Why, any living being with Yōkai blood within these walls would be killed on sight, even if having present would make it easier to spot another in disguise~. Only Abe no Seimei could survive such rumours~."
She watches his face carefully. Seeing if he will recognise her not too subtle implication. Unfortunately, his face betrays no concern. Though whether that is because he does not suspect her to suspect him of being in contact with a Yōkai or simply because he does not recognise the danger having such contact would bring.
After all, for what reason must The Strongest balk?
With an amused tilt to her lip, Izumi does not wait for his response before continuing, "However, if I were to be descended from a Yōkai, hypothetically. Then I imagine it would be Rasetsu blood running through my veins as a gift from my grandmother~. They are Yōkai who feed off of carnal indulgences after all~, quite fitting to my own nature~."
"Ahh, I see." He nods his head, clearly understanding the concept of plausible deniability. "Then, to transition into an unrelated course of conversation. I have recently learned of a type of Yōkai known as Rasetsu. Would you happen to know of them?"
His apparent curiosity matches with Murasaki, as does the fact that he even brought this subject up so bluntly in the first place. All told, Izumi is finding a certain lack of strong evidence either way to her hypothesis.
It certainly does not help that it is entirely possible that he is Murasaki, does remember his previous life, and is just fucking with her entirely by pretending not to.
Kami, Murasaki's personality makes this so much more difficult than it needs to be.
He looks like her, if nothing else. Izumi an see the resemblance.
"As it happens, I do." She winks playfully at him, to which he chuckles politely. "Rasetsu are demonic Yōkai who lure and capture their prey through sexual enticement. They 'feed' on their prey in only the most enjoyable manner until their poor victim runs out of vitality, whereupon they will become food, eaten until naught but bones remain."
"Flesh-eaters, huh?" Narauko muses before gaining a wry smile. "I imagine there are a number of men, and likely women too, that would take that deal."
She shares a titter of light laughter with him before paying attention as he tilts his head—a rather cute, cat-like, gesture of curiosity on his part—and faces her with a suggestive smile. "Though it does beg the question, if laying with a Rasetsu is a path to blissful demise, then how many generations diluted must Rasetsu blood be before the risk of death is eliminated~?"
"Hmmm~? Who knows~?" She obviously does. The simple answer is that she does not need to sustain herself off of the vital energy of others, but can use it to supplement her diet. She can also tap further into her ancestry if the need arises, but that is a last resort sort of trump card. She obviously isn't going to ruin the fun by saying any of that though. "I suppose some experimentation would be required in order to divine such an answer~."
He chuckles but doesn't answer one way or another. She isn't bothered though, she can be patient.
The rest of their walk passes in comfortable silence until they leave the guest wing and start upon the open path towards the abodes of regular nobility. The Sorcerers naturally share a separate compound from the regular folk.
Sorcerers are scary after all~.
Izumi laughs inwardly at the pathetic nature of the average noble as she leads Narauko down a specific path. One that is slightly less direct, but important for her observations of him.
She can tell the exact moment that he notices where she is leading him.
His eyes widen a touch and she feels his aura fluctuate through various positive emotions, to varied to distinctly name. Simply full of enjoyment.
Izumi's eyes return front and she takes in the sight of their path lined either side and above by blooming sakura trees, forming a tunnel of small pink flowers.
She has walked this path many times, seen the sight so often that it has lost much of its charm. However, even if it is hard to muster the same level of awe she once felt as a child, the sight still gives her pause for only a moment. Even as something that is no longer spectacular, the beauty of this sight never truly fades.
Izumi has only ever known one person who's eyes could gloss over this sight as if there is nothing to admire. Murasaki was strange like that. She was undeniably curious of everything, taking in every new sight with wonder. But she had a peculiar view on life. Struggling to find anything to admire about anything 'complete'.
Even the beauty of these sakura trees did not move her, because they had already grown and bloomed. Her eyes hardly recognised their existence beyond the first sight. Murasaki believed that beauty lay in growth. In potential.
With those thoughts in mind, Izumi turns back to face Narauko, only to freeze in place at the sight of him.
It is not that Izumi has not seen the same expression on the faces of others bearing this same sight. But for some reason, looking into Narauko's wide eyes, seeing the streams of colourful light reflecting in them like stars in the night sky, what she sees is something more. A sense of such wonder that it makes everyone else's passion seem like only mild interest in comparison.
It's beautiful. Like looking at a painting, filling her mind with memories of her youth. Back when the world all seemed so new and magical.
Even beyond that, she realises after a moment that there is something more. A feeling of warmth cloaking her. It takes her a moment to even realise that what she is feeling is Narauko's Cursed Energy, spread all around them like a small sun shining warmth to all around him.
How strange, Izumi ponders to herself as she basks in the comforting warmth of his aura. Cursed Energy is not supposed to feel like this. Why.. is it so warm?
She does not recall hearing any rumours of Narauko's Cursed Energy having a special property. That sort of thing is generally too obvious to really conceal.
Her reverie is disturbed by movement, and she quickly regains control of her emotions, turning to watch with a wry, bittersweet smile as Narauko takes out a strange, box-shaped thing. She can infer from the way he is waving it around that it is some manner of recorder, though she knows not the specifics.
I suppose I can no longer cling to that baseless hope of mine, Izumi thinks to herself. Her bitter feelings welling up despite her attempt to keep calm.
Narauko turns back to her, tilting his head from five paces ahead. "Something the matter?" He asks, before mistaking her lack of response as curiosity about his device.
She pays attention to the words, Shōshi-sama wouldn't stand for any less attentiveness, but she doesn't really focus. She simply lets his explanation of how his 'Thief of Time' functions flow over her.
The similarities are there, and Izumi is still sure there is some manner of connection, but she cannot deny what is clear before her eyes.
You really are gone, Murasaki.
She only wishes that finally acknowledging that fact would make it any easier to bear.
///
A/N: He~llo! Dear readers!
Narauko finally has his camera!!! Woooo!!! It only took a little over 250k words! =3
Now just you wait for the level of nostalgia I will force down your throats like 8 months from now real time and like 700k more words later when Narauko looks back on that photo taken with Tamamo.
Next chapter will finally give y'all some more information on Murasaki =3.
Idk how to feel about that bit talking about monogamy tho. Did it feel pandering? Or like I'm making excuses as the author? Cuz I almost deleted it. I only wrote it in part to show Narauko's alien-ness some more and in part to just put a rest to having to write Narauko being deeply conflicted about sleeping around. I just worry it might seem forced, but I didn't delete it cuz it felt to me like it didn't read as forced and I am just overreacting about it.
Also if anyone has any cooler name ideas for Narauko's new camera, feel free to share. Worst case is I won't use it.
Comments
Lucy Edwards
I clearly didn't explain it right, but Tamamo wasn't saying that only men could have harems. More like she was saying basically that it's fine for a ma to cheat cuz he can do so without consequences, while a woman would have to worry about getting pregnant. The implication in terms of harems would be that a man with a harem could fuck whoever he wants while a woman with a harem should induct every man she fucks into her harem. Also, Otakemaru is an example of a powerful yokai choosing monogamy lol. Izumi Shikibu is historically known to have been a bit of a slut lmao. Her wiki page literally has a link to the page 'femme fatale' in the opening page lmao. Lmao, I feel like people might get mad when I reveal Murasaki's technique just cuz've how unfair it is xDDD Lastly, the implication was that Tamamo created the camera design as she did because she saw narauko holding his hands up as if taking a photo when looking at pretty things and designed it so that it would fit in his empty hands. Twas supposed to emphasise just how much attention she has been paying to him :P
Aca Purp
A more laidback chapter this week, littered with romance, lust, more information on Murasaki and most importantly of all, a neat camera. Those moments between Tamamo and Narauko, she’s smitten beyond understanding. Her explanation of monogamy and how alien it is makes sense in universe, strength is attractive and The Strongest is obviously going to attract many suitors. The culture of the Kitsune is compatible with that. My one point to raise would be that in the Youkai world, women can be just as strong and even stronger than men so the same rules should apply to them (in theory). Of course, you could just have a Youkai with a personality that prefers to stay monogamous regardless of how their culture is as a workaround to this (the strongest tend to be the outliers in skill and personality). I like how unashamedly horny Izumi seems to be for Narauko, the Youkai blood may be diluted but clearly it burns with passion. I wonder how much of that is gone now that she’s confirmed he’s not Murasaki’s reincarnation. Imagine finding out that your long dead friend might have reincarnated only to be met with the reality that no, they’re gone for good. All that hope, all that desperate grasping at the possibility. Gone. Brutal. More Murasaki teasing but thankfully we’ll be getting more concrete evidence in the near future. Her Technique is described as “Disgusting” (implying absurd strength, yeah that tracks). I’m really curious about her seeing her personality in action, we’ve only heard second hand accounts and we know because of Narauko that how one is perceived and how one actually thinks can have quite some difference. Finding it difficult to admire anything “complete”, much more preferring things that are still growing, still with potential to grow. She doesn’t want to see how high the ceiling is, she wants to shoot through the sky and beyond. Tamamo just reinvented the somewhat modern camera design almost exactly, sheer coincidence or potential hint as to some Precognition shenanigans? Either way, it’s impressive work. She’s created a system to convert two types of energy into a third type, then produce matter, then record an image onto that. All that to make her man’s wish come true. Like I said, she’s got it bad for him. Good chapter, slow paced but with just the right amount of teasing and hinting. TYFTC.
Lucy Edwards
Thanky you honeyboo, and I have no fucking idea lmao, I haven't thought that far ahead yet :P
THOTSLAYER
w chap as usual brother bear, murasaki sounds like a true sorcer honestly, wonder how her own curse would clash with Sukuna and Narauko
foo-jin
I didn't mind the polygamy explanation, it's a staple of the genre really. Currently it is just Tamamo's opinion, so if you later want to introduce characters who disagree that is always an option. In DxD races birthrates are also low enough that that influences things; after all, a man can impregnate multiple women at the same time while the inverse does not hold true.
Yuval
Name for the camera. 今目撃者/Ima mokugeki-sha meaning right now witness or 一瞬の瞬間/Isshun no shunkan meaning a moment in time
