~ Support & Read 60 Advanced Chapters on Patreon
~ Bonus Chapter every 200 Powerstones!
<><><><><>
One had to admit, shared sensation was truly a wonderful invention.
Two minutes later, as Kuroka successfully claimed the top position thanks to her nekomata race's maxed-out sensitivity stats plus her strategic positioning, the other girls in the bath all trembled, displaying varying degrees of strain.
After all, unlike Kuroka—this "veteran" who'd gradually expanded her progress bar from a dozen centimeters to nearly thirty over seven or eight years through a complete step-by-step process—the other girls present simply couldn't handle the full extent.
At absolute most, they were like Lady Yasaka before today, managing two-thirds at their limit.
Especially for Koneko and Asia—their progress bar caps were only half of Kuroka's.
Taking on the complete full measure like this was something they'd never even dared imagine before.
They'd definitely break!
Fortunately, unlike direct physical experience, shared sensation after activation only transmitted tactile feelings without causing any actual damage to their bodies.
"By the way, about what I mentioned earlier."
Already settled in the bath, Bokue supported the waist of Kuroka—who was making victory signs at the other girls like a champion.
He'd originally planned to discuss this afterward, but thinking again, everyone would probably be too dazed by then. Better to speak while everyone's minds were still clear.
"After dinner, I first sent Yura back to the Keikain house, then stopped by Yasaka Shrine and learned something—Hagoromo-Gitsune has revived."
"Uh... eh? Hagoromo-Gitsune?"
Akeno Himejima, who'd been clutching her stomach and biting her lower lip with a strained expression, couldn't help but open her mouth wide.
In contrast, Rias, Asia, and the others looked completely lost.
"Hagoromo-Gitsune? What's that? Sounds like some yokai's name?"
"It is a yokai."
Akeno nodded gently.
"And... a legendary great yokai said to command a hundred demons."
As a former member of the Himejima family—one of the Five Principal Clans—she naturally wasn't unfamiliar with this name.
"Four hundred years ago, she entrenched herself in Kyoto as the lord of all demons and spirits. Even Hidemoto Keikain, the thirteenth head of the Keikain family and considered a genius of his time, couldn't handle her. It took the combined efforts of the Nura clan—yakuza from Edo led by Nurarihyon—to kill the then nearly nine-tailed Hagoromo-Gitsune and seal away her scattered power."
"Even the so-called 'killing' was only temporary."
"Legend says Hagoromo-Gitsune is a reincarnating yokai. Once she dies in one life, she immediately enters reincarnation for the next, inheriting memories from her previous life. Each reincarnation adds another tail and increases her power until she becomes a nine-tailed celestial fox."
"Oh~ sounds pretty impressive." Rias said casually, her cheeks flushed.
"Well, don't worry about the specifics. I'll handle it myself." Bokue remained as unconcerned as ever. "Just that I might not be on Itogami Island for the next few days, so let's make up for those days tonight."
"Really? Then hurry up! Leave everything to big sister!" Kuroka leaned back, pressing her cheek against the youth's and nuzzling hard.
"Don't rush, here it comes." With that, Bokue moved his hands to the cat-eared girl's shoulders, then suddenly applied force.
"Nyaa~!"
The next second, accompanied by a heart-melting cat's cry, Kuroka's head tilted high, her slender neck suddenly straightening.
Simultaneously, several other warm currents rushed through the bath.
❁❁❁❁
Time flew to the next morning.
Kyoto Shinkansen Station was crowded as always. Dazzling sunlight poured through the station's glass dome. Conversations, footsteps, and various sounds mixed with station announcements, echoing through the vast space.
[Attention please, the train bound for Tokyo Station is arriving. Passengers boarding please mind your belongings. Let passengers exit first before boarding. Please be careful. Once again...]
As another train arrival notice lit up on the electronic board suspended above the waiting hall, the rumbling sound of tracks already echoed faintly from far outside the station.
The next second, a high-speed train shot into the station, stirring up air currents behind the waist-high safety barriers before steadily stopping at the corresponding platform doors amid braking sounds.
Doors opened, and masses of passengers with luggage poured out like water from a punctured plastic bag.
Saeko Busujima was among these many passengers.
She also dragged a large suitcase, but unlike other passengers, she carried a sword bag with a katana on her shoulder. Stepping from the train into the waiting hall, she couldn't help but sigh in relief.
"Phew~ Finally in Kyoto. Next is..."
Speaking, the kendo girl pulled out her phone from her pocket.
According to the text sent to all students by Kuoh Academy last night, after arriving in Kyoto, she still needed to queue for tickets to Itogami Island.
This was quite puzzling. Logically, wasn't Itogami Island in the waters near Tokyo?
Though three hundred kilometers couldn't really be called "nearby," it was at least closer than from Kyoto to Itogami Island, right?
Saeko truly couldn't understand.
But just as she pulled out her phone and lit up the screen, a new message popped up before her eyes.
[Yo-ho, when are you getting to Kyoto? —Satoru Gojo]
Below the message was attached a selfie of a certain unreliable white-haired blindfolded male teacher with his three students in front of Kiyomizu Temple.
[Just arrived, at the station now.]
Though unclear why he was also in Kyoto, Saeko still replied.
But her message had barely shown "Sent Successfully" when an incoming call appeared on screen.
It was from Gojo.
What did this guy want now...
After brief consideration, Saeko chose to answer.
"It's me. What is it, Gojo-sensei?"
"Well, nothing much. Just guessed Busujima-san would come to Kyoto, so sending a message to confirm."
Gojo's familiar frivolous voice came through the phone, and from the noisy background, the guy seemed to be at a tourist spot.
"Oh right, by the way, we've already bought your ferry ticket, Busujima-san. Though boarding time might be about a week from now."
"A week from now? Why?"
Saeko grew more confused.
"Because there are so many people wanting to go to Itogami Island now. Kyoto doesn't have enough ships..."
Gojo paused here, then continued in an incredulous tone.
"Oh my? Don't tell me you don't know, Busujima-san. Just yesterday, for some unknown reason, Itogami Island was moved to the waters near Kyoto?"
What...?
Saeko's mouth fell open in shock.
Could artificial islands actually sail around the ocean like ships?
<><><><><>
~ 60 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
<><><><><>
Keep the chapters coming—Support with Power Stones!