Chapter 94: Feeding Play119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9AbLdTHK7
"Father, what’s wrong?" Takeda Koji quickly caught the old man as his body staggered, his voice trembling with worry. He then turned toward Kirigiri, his expression fierce. "What did you do to my father!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzyOeBI8GM
"Ignorant human." Kirigiri sneered coldly, his gaze full of contempt. "This has nothing to do with me. I merely happened to hear that Lady Hotaru’s life is about to end, so I came to retrieve her heart."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwsqY6sA2o
"You’re saying Hotaru’s heart... is with me?" The old man took a heavy breath, pushing away Koji’s support as he straightened himself, face pale yet determined. He took a step closer, his voice shaking.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyAmGeqU3i
"That’s right." Kirigiri’s tone turned mocking. "Lady Hotaru is a plant youkai. After taking human form, she condensed a Heart of Nature—an organ brimming with vitality and healing energy. Otherwise, how could a fragile human born with congenital heart disease live this long without a single relapse?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSgWo28GIA
"So... that’s how it is..." Takeda Kazuya’s eyes widened in disbelief. His hand clutched at his chest as if to protect the beating heart beneath, his whole body trembling as he fought back sobs.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJMTeld0yE
"Start the car!" Kazuya gasped, his breathing unsteady. "We’re returning to Fukushima immediately!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj04mAOnGJe
"Father, it’s late at night—" Koji tried to reason gently, but the old man’s expression turned resolute.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhZqkjCNYj
"Now!" he barked, his voice carrying the kind of authority that silenced everyone.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdydsJY0W3k
Koji could only sigh helplessly and gesture to the nearby guards. "Prepare the car."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSTG4jgxPN
"Yes, sir!" The guards bowed deeply and hurried off.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHH6PbRAjp
Koji turned back to Kouya and the shrine maiden, bowing low. "Tonight’s crisis was resolved thanks to you both. But since that Hotaru creature was indeed a youkai, for my father’s safety, I beg of you to accompany us once more."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M2G00602K
The shrine maiden glanced toward Kouya. Seeing he showed no impatience, she nodded gently. "Naturally."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI6FER6Bv0
Koji straightened and said with gratitude, "As for dealing with the youkai, I’ll leave that to your expertise."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd6WZ0ahAJ
With that, he departed with quick, worried steps.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJU6qGri7v
The moment the doors closed, the shrine maiden asked softly, her eyes moving to the trembling Kirigiri, "Kou-kun, what do you intend to do?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWDxGGarWF
"Kill him," Kouya replied flatly, his tone indifferent. Wearing women’s clothing was one thing, but showing up just to disgust people? Death was mercy.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn17Yb66Dj
Kirigiri’s legs nearly gave out. He fell to his knees, his voice cracking in panic. "Please spare me! I’m useful! The youkai in the southern district all answer to me! I can serve! I can offer information!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HLtTxtpxk
The shrine maiden narrowed her eyes slightly, her lips pressing together before she looked back at Kouya. After a long pause, she spoke softly, "If possible, could you leave this one to me?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqScSuebbO
Kouya shrugged. "As long as he never appears before me again."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz42AItioPM
The shrine maiden leaned in toward Kirigiri, whispering words that made his face go pale. After signing a contract with her trembling hands, he slinked away in defeat.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqLpIkIgKo
"Kou-kun... thank you for tonight." The shrine maiden’s eyes glimmered faintly as she bowed her head.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDL7oHfASA
"Don’t mention it." Kouya waved lazily. "Just make sure the pay is good."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbjB16eC8i
The shrine maiden bit her lip, suppressing a small smile.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gSzZjBqLh
...119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNqJnvcnQE
Ten minutes later, four sleek black cars glided out of the Takeda estate under the moonlight. The air outside was cold and still.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqbbKrN45T
Two cars carried the guards, one carried the Takeda family, and the last—spacious and dimly lit—carried Kouya, the shrine maiden, and Rina.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PZ88s1B2M
It was a luxury business-class car. Though not partitioned, the front and back were separated by tinted glass, leaving the three in the rear with quiet privacy.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18MQjpSjKF
The shrine maiden brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. The moonlight filtering through the window framed her face in silver. "Before accepting this commission, I investigated a little. Takeda Kazuya’s hometown is in Fukushima. He must be going there because someone important to him is waiting."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa9pQaOroq
Kouya nodded lightly, staring out at the passing lights. "Maybe so. People cling to what they love until the end."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyinxRKEIaa
His tone was detached. He had long grown numb to human sorrow and joy.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tCBv3s2wc
He’d seen it too many times—grief, reunion, parting. In the end, only love and hatred ever left real marks on the soul.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhWFTSyxfh
The shrine maiden looked at him for a long moment, sensing the calm weight in his silence, and said nothing more.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck2kIZmv8N
The car fell quiet, the only sound the steady rhythm of wheels on asphalt.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4cZk6TOWu
Kouya closed his eyes, attempting to rest. The hum of the engine filled the air like a lullaby. Then, unexpectedly, something soft and warm brushed against his leg.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGjQL8OUV4
He opened his eyes and found Rina—the little catgirl—curled up on the shrine maiden’s lap, fast asleep. Her small chest rose and fell in gentle rhythm, her tail twitching lightly.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaqkfYC59b
"Shh~" The shrine maiden leaned closer, her lips near Kouya’s ear. Her voice was low and soft. "Rina fought earlier and even went searching for you after. She’s exhausted. Let her rest, alright?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqcin5WC2t
Her breath brushed against his skin—warm and fragrant. The faint scent of sandalwood and spring blossoms lingered. Kouya caught himself tensing as her breath grazed his ear.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwaezoVG6K
The shrine maiden seemed to notice and flushed slightly, pulling away. Trying to hide her embarrassment, she casually asked, "That girl who called you earlier... who was she?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bs6GSZvYd
"A classmate," Kouya replied curtly.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAMsUBdcuE
Her eyes gleamed. "You must be close. It’s quite late for a classmate to be calling, isn’t it?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgAAk1RzoS
Close? Don’t make me laugh.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgbvomM3q4
That humiliating ‘poke-poke’ game from that day was burned into his memory! And that lazy angel wouldn’t call him for anything trivial. If she was contacting him now, it meant trouble.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEoN1rzJzA
They chatted for a while before the shrine maiden stretched lazily. Her red-and-white robes tightened across her chest as she arched her back, drawing a perfect curve. Covering her mouth, she let out a quiet yawn.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh6nVskfdX
"Well then... I’ll nap a bit. Fukushima’s still a long way off. Good night, Kou-kun."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSij641bqq
The car fell into silence again.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN9NzGBAvd
Listening to the even breathing of his companions, Kouya’s earlier tension faded. His mind slowly calmed.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZEEjUkja2
Unable to sleep, he pulled out his phone and scrolled idly through the news. Minutes passed quietly until something tickled his foot—something soft and flexible.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZBffZmnJo
He reached down instinctively and caught it.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPGdG3RKVk
A sudden "meow!" echoed through the car.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWW03aEkj1
He turned—and there was Rina, her cheeks flushed bright pink, eyes shimmering. Her tail quivered in his hand.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2zeZNjPlk
"N-no... don’t touch there, meow!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4DT38KOhZ
Kouya froze, speechless. For a long moment, he could only stare at the trembling catgirl.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA9iccOgFs
He groaned inwardly. Damn it. Why couldn’t she have a normal tail instead of one with... strange reactions!?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPqx1OlrDk
Letting go immediately, he leaned back with a sigh. Rina quickly snatched her tail back, curling up defensively. She twisted her body like a gymnast, proving how flexible she was, glaring at him with tearful amber eyes.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB6UoXIVOg
"When someone touches my tail, it feels weird, meow... really weird..."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh6fDXuoIO
"Won’t touch again." Kouya said flatly, though his tone was faintly exasperated. He had no interest in awakening that kind of fetish.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmStv0vYfd
Rina thought for a moment, then puffed her cheeks and raised her hands beside her face like claws. "And... and don’t tell anyone about it, meow! Or... or I’ll bite you!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROaJNK2AX2
A few minutes later, her voice came again, this time small and timid. "Meow’s hungry..."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1Rml2ROig
Kouya sighed inwardly. Of course she was. Even weak youkai burned through energy faster than humans.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH0dVGaF84
"Then eat something," he said simply.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x1adGYz6I
The catgirl sniffed the air. Her small nose twitched adorably as she leaned closer to him. "Sniff sniff... I smell food, meow... from your pocket!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekqqzb1stE
Kouya blinked and reached in, pulling out a small packet of yogurt. "Oh right, that blue-eyed hatchling shoved this at me earlier."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFSrtOag8F
Rina’s eyes lit up instantly. She stared at it like a starving kitten.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWST5mU7M5
"Don’t look at me like that," Kouya muttered. "You’re not getting it."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanh9xExbRh
Her lower lip quivered. Her hands clasped near her chest as she looked up at him, amber eyes sparkling with tears that hadn’t even fallen yet.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb3djoI8ZT
It was the oldest trick in the book.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmZu9qMhKZ
Kouya pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Here."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI5ETwkIaQ
"Really for me, meow?" Her eyes widened in delight.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYnLT153x3
"Take it or leave it."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdvvpvcXHz
"I’ll take it! Thank you, meow!" She accepted it eagerly, biting the edge open and sipping happily. Her ears perked up, her tail swishing.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t94Le2qsb
Then the car hit a bump.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU7bABQOrx
The yogurt splashed—straight toward Kouya.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iaJW8KYpA
He blocked it instinctively, catching most of it with his hand before it stained his clothes. He reached for tissues.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AzZboUQwy
But Rina shouted, "No, meow! The three-second rule! It’s still good!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2jKUGpAc2
Kouya blinked, utterly dumbfounded. "The what—"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67UePJ4MqV
She nodded earnestly. "If it’s less than three seconds, it’s safe to eat, meow!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmme2fjqwM8
Shut up! Stop showing off your nonsense!119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96qpm4Dgwj
Who told you that crap!? Do you think bacteria wear watches!?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhLmPnA1nc
He mentally ranted, recalling every failed myth he’d ever heard.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInwswnkp22
Before he could say another word, Rina leaned forward, clutching his wrist.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CWRWi0sGf
"Still drinkable, meow~" she purred.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoruW18JWEP
Then, to his horror, she bent down and began licking the yogurt from his palm with her small pink tongue.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV4gL5yFot
The sensation was unbearably strange—soft, wet, warm, and ticklish, crawling across his skin like electric ants.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLj6iOaiQR
Her scent—sweet, soft, like freshly washed fur mixed with vanilla—filled the air around him. When he looked down, his eyes couldn’t help but trace the delicate curve of her collarbone, the glint of smooth skin, and the faint swell beneath her clothes.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KCQhJlm13
And then, from the side, a quiet, drowsy voice spoke:119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiIdWWWU8X
"Kou-kun... care to explain yourself?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD2czxfib7
Kouya froze. The shrine maiden had woken, still half-asleep, her expression blank and hazy. The faint confusion on her usually composed face made her look unexpectedly adorable.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1RTFDaWjJ
Before he could respond, she let out a quiet, knowing sigh.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O3ZWps3I9
"Or is it that Kou-kun finally couldn’t hold back... and decided to reveal his love for little girls?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtK7sztd44
Kouya: "..."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMrVpsWcit
That sharp tongue again. Even half-asleep, she couldn’t resist twisting the knife.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eYyyoRqa6
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