Chapter 94: Feeding Play108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmRM5DTdHK
"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!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWaiTuldEH
"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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEz27rqHh6
"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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6ybEm8bJe
"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?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSGooSuLnb
"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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtESSTxTUem
"Start the car!" Kazuya gasped, his breathing unsteady. "We’re returning to Fukushima immediately!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYz8W6QBJV
"Father, it’s late at night—" Koji tried to reason gently, but the old man’s expression turned resolute.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5isfIW4yil
"Now!" he barked, his voice carrying the kind of authority that silenced everyone.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbVlaOVIIV
Koji could only sigh helplessly and gesture to the nearby guards. "Prepare the car."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYdpvEnKa9
"Yes, sir!" The guards bowed deeply and hurried off.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrnRG4ZYAM
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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY2cP5Gthb
The shrine maiden glanced toward Kouya. Seeing he showed no impatience, she nodded gently. "Naturally."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eqIOXKGsM
Koji straightened and said with gratitude, "As for dealing with the youkai, I’ll leave that to your expertise."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjandyxMlsp
With that, he departed with quick, worried steps.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIjm629q49
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?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3QRxViInL
"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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWNLbk482q
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!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh8VJS5SwX
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?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpuBADELVI
Kouya shrugged. "As long as he never appears before me again."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJlBhgxxNZ
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSGSO3dIwu
"Kou-kun... thank you for tonight." The shrine maiden’s eyes glimmered faintly as she bowed her head.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDztbDLPzII
"Don’t mention it." Kouya waved lazily. "Just make sure the pay is good."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75F94aRLCB
The shrine maiden bit her lip, suppressing a small smile.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYZUlSdQLq
...108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfXuNa3yuy
Ten minutes later, four sleek black cars glided out of the Takeda estate under the moonlight. The air outside was cold and still.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUALI0q3Mu
Two cars carried the guards, one carried the Takeda family, and the last—spacious and dimly lit—carried Kouya, the shrine maiden, and Rina.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzYRG4qnXL
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83acMhxytA
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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvJ3q4EyJs
Kouya nodded lightly, staring out at the passing lights. "Maybe so. People cling to what they love until the end."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhM4Pvb3Ug
His tone was detached. He had long grown numb to human sorrow and joy.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbcudIv2KQ
He’d seen it too many times—grief, reunion, parting. In the end, only love and hatred ever left real marks on the soul.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55waFiUMzM
The shrine maiden looked at him for a long moment, sensing the calm weight in his silence, and said nothing more.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYorWnyl1i
The car fell quiet, the only sound the steady rhythm of wheels on asphalt.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJwCLMkPZB
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlkXdc49k1
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzqpqYUh0h
"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?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpmLvjThFP
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbB5zMprSy
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?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn8BdrxU9s
"A classmate," Kouya replied curtly.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFWf5vlcCM
Her eyes gleamed. "You must be close. It’s quite late for a classmate to be calling, isn’t it?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T3DBnrb9e
Close? Don’t make me laugh.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk0zLzBtcY
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4IH08spx2
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXyl6d36d1
"Well then... I’ll nap a bit. Fukushima’s still a long way off. Good night, Kou-kun."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kESDrF13l
The car fell into silence again.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XlspOonoa
Listening to the even breathing of his companions, Kouya’s earlier tension faded. His mind slowly calmed.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFimZzyxQuR
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SwHFcwiuH
He reached down instinctively and caught it.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bfNraYuCO
A sudden "meow!" echoed through the car.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAsMKizrHm
He turned—and there was Rina, her cheeks flushed bright pink, eyes shimmering. Her tail quivered in his hand.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a1z6nGq9H
"N-no... don’t touch there, meow!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf0RKp0PvO
Kouya froze, speechless. For a long moment, he could only stare at the trembling catgirl.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpZZGAdmow
He groaned inwardly. Damn it. Why couldn’t she have a normal tail instead of one with... strange reactions!?108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC59ck5PeL
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEmse1H8xf
"When someone touches my tail, it feels weird, meow... really weird..."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVUedh5lEY
"Won’t touch again." Kouya said flatly, though his tone was faintly exasperated. He had no interest in awakening that kind of fetish.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswLhb0Vjle
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!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbHSQBIUeG
A few minutes later, her voice came again, this time small and timid. "Meow’s hungry..."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VTMMb0ai8
Kouya sighed inwardly. Of course she was. Even weak youkai burned through energy faster than humans.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxYvP506vW
"Then eat something," he said simply.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vNuUwECww
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!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmDP34hcHo
Kouya blinked and reached in, pulling out a small packet of yogurt. "Oh right, that blue-eyed hatchling shoved this at me earlier."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeOP1Ut3td
Rina’s eyes lit up instantly. She stared at it like a starving kitten.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmisqbYcge
"Don’t look at me like that," Kouya muttered. "You’re not getting it."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrvmY95Nvn
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZjfW5BheC
It was the oldest trick in the book.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ16P39foxY
Kouya pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Here."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqDUhnK09S
"Really for me, meow?" Her eyes widened in delight.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh2HmKyHVo
"Take it or leave it."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamGUGzZ5vB
"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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlP93rYKNe
Then the car hit a bump.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZOgt45E5o
The yogurt splashed—straight toward Kouya.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr2S25Xbi0
He blocked it instinctively, catching most of it with his hand before it stained his clothes. He reached for tissues.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PptYatj0x
But Rina shouted, "No, meow! The three-second rule! It’s still good!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwugRxYVYT2
Kouya blinked, utterly dumbfounded. "The what—"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kqln9B5sf
She nodded earnestly. "If it’s less than three seconds, it’s safe to eat, meow!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JYDTHLAl8
Shut up! Stop showing off your nonsense!108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSpRICKPC2
Who told you that crap!? Do you think bacteria wear watches!?108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSs1E1JNAq
He mentally ranted, recalling every failed myth he’d ever heard.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8N1xGJAfl
Before he could say another word, Rina leaned forward, clutching his wrist.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJSvtCyUgb
"Still drinkable, meow~" she purred.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfkNkj2NYr
Then, to his horror, she bent down and began licking the yogurt from his palm with her small pink tongue.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEoLKhSuDH
The sensation was unbearably strange—soft, wet, warm, and ticklish, crawling across his skin like electric ants.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxvebNLkNS
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKuhHxXnnt
And then, from the side, a quiet, drowsy voice spoke:108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpygfp2eCrW
"Kou-kun... care to explain yourself?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdupdJ93xq
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCYe70pVpf
Before he could respond, she let out a quiet, knowing sigh.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxXrNLFUlY
"Or is it that Kou-kun finally couldn’t hold back... and decided to reveal his love for little girls?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF59CuuNhz
Kouya: "..."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvZqnGotSN
That sharp tongue again. Even half-asleep, she couldn’t resist twisting the knife.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRa57CEmN8
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