The Next Morning
The soft mattress, the fluffy blanket—the lazy girl hugged her pillow tightly, occasionally letting out a muffled murmur.
Her raven hair sprawled messily across the bed, and her pale thighs peeked out from under the covers, the tantalizing glimpse of lacy black lingerie beneath enough to make anyone's pulse race.
"Wake up!"
Suddenly, the blanket was yanked away, warmth replaced by a rush of cold air.
The girl shivered, consciousness slowly returning as she blinked her eyes open. Rubbing the sleep away, she focused—only to see four identical girls standing by her bed.
"Tokisaki Kurumi?!" she shouted, eyes wide in disbelief.
"What's there to be surprised about now?" Clone #1 mercilessly chopped her on the head, jolting her fully awake. "Aren't you Tokisaki Kurumi too?"
"Oh… right, I am the original." Kurumi rubbed her reddened forehead before suddenly flaring up in anger. "You dare hit me, the main body?! This is mutiny! My own clones are rebelling!"
"Shhh—!" Clone #3 pressed a finger to her lips. "Keep it down. Or did you forget where we are?"
"Ahem, my bad." Realizing her mistake, Kurumi immediately covered her mouth. "I'll be careful."
Last night, after completing the investigation mission Mori Ōgai had assigned her, she'd left on her own.
But as she walked, she realized—she was miles from Yokohama's city center. Even with her spiritual powers, it'd take over an hour for a Spirit like her to get back.
Doubling back to ask Higuchi Ichiyō for a ride would've ruined her cool exit, though. So, stubborn as ever, Kurumi flew all the way back to Yokohama.
But returning wasn't the end of it. This was her first day in the city—no connections, no place to stay.
And yet, the idea of asking the Port Mafia for lodging was even more out of character than hitchhiking. For the sake of her pride, she decided against asking Mori for accommodations.
Not that she suffered much for it.
Just as she thought she'd be spending the night shivering on the streets, she remembered—she wasn't human. She was a Spirit.
Lodging, money, food—none of that was a problem for her.
So, after returning to Yokohama, she simply slipped into the city's most luxurious five-star hotel and picked an empty room to crash in.
Her shadow allowed her to emerge anywhere darkness touched. Sneaking into a hotel? Child's play.
Of course, since she hadn't paid, if the staff found an unregistered guest in one of their rooms, things could get messy.
Which meant—stealth was key. Free lodging, quietly.
"Wait, can you clones just leave the shadows whenever you want?"
Now fully awake, Kurumi rolled out of bed. "Not that I mind. We are the same person, after all. I wouldn't want to be stuck in the shadows forever either. Just don't cause trouble."
"Got it."
"No worries here."
"Woohoo!"
"Woohoo!"
With that, two of the clones vanished into the shadows, off to who-knows-where.
The remaining two? One sat by the TV, catching up on world news, while the other booted up the computer and immediately opened a very specific kind of website.
Kurumi's eye twitched. 'Did I just make a huge mistake?'
In that moment, she truly understood the pain of managing her own clones.
If she ever amassed thousands of them… the mere thought was terrifying.
Stepping into the bathroom, she splashed water on her face. Staring at her reflection—a seductive beauty in nothing but lingerie—she felt her cheeks heat up.
'No wonder I stayed on the "Best Waifu" list for a whole year. My personality and body are just that perfect.'
Her skin was smooth as milk, so delicate it seemed it might tear at a touch. The risqué lingerie only amplified the effect, the lace and exposed skin blending into a sight that tempted exploration.
'Ahem. Getting turned on by myself feels kinda weird. Better not dwell on it.'
With a thought, her spiritual power swirled into a casual black dress, covering her alluring form and calming her restless mind.
But then—
'Hsss… this feeling…'
A sudden pressure in her lower abdomen made her expression shift.
After finishing her mission last night, she'd gulped down a lot of water before bed.
She'd assumed Spirits didn't need to use the bathroom. But apparently—
Kurumi burst out of the bathroom, addressing her clones. "Quick question—do Spirits pee?"
"Of course. We're living beings too."
"Remember that scene in the original series where Tohka used the bathroom?"
"Then why don't you have to?!"
"We're clones."
"Pure spiritual constructs. Input only, no output."
"Damn it!"
"You'll get used to it. There are nine more Spirits waiting for you, after all."
"A girl who doesn't pee isn't a real girl~"
"That's not comforting!"
Bending slightly, Kurumi clutched her stomach as the pressure grew unbearable. No time to argue—she dashed back into the bathroom.
Sitting on the toilet, she took a deep breath, steeling herself before sliding her panties down.
'I am Tokisaki Kurumi. I am Tokisaki Kurumi. I am Tokisaki Kurumi.'
Chanting like a mantra to fight the embarrassment, she finally relaxed.
Soon, the sound of trickling water filled the bathroom.
Emotionless, Kurumi leaned back against the toilet, her mind blissfully blank.
"Don't forget to wipe~"
A clone's teasing voice drifted in from outside.
"Guh—!"
Kurumi twitched, shooting a glare at the toilet paper beside her.
With trembling hands, she tore off a few sheets, folded them, and—after a long pause—
Slowly, hesitantly, reached down.
An unfamiliar sensation made her shudder, but she forced herself through it. Once done, she tossed the paper into the toilet.
"Whoooosh—"
Flushing felt like expending the last of her strength.
Something inside her—something precious—was swept away with the swirling water, never to return.
--+--