The late afternoon sun began to sink lower, coloring the sky in a warm gradient of reddish orange.
The day was slowly moving toward night.
Some time had passed since they left the motel, and now Kuro was once again walking casually along the sidewalk with Chiyome beside him.
The streets were still fairly busy with pedestrians passing by. Some were occupied with their own matters, while others stole quiet glances at the rather striking pair.
Kuro turned his gaze toward Chiyome from the side.
A mischievous smile formed faintly on his face.
"Reaching your limit several times earlier," he said casually, as if commenting on the weather, "seems like it made you quite excited, Chi-chan."
His tone was too calm.
Too natural.
As if the topic was nothing strange to discuss in the middle of the street.
The effect was immediate.
Chiyome stiffened at once, while a deep blush appeared on her face within seconds.
"My Lord…"
Her tone sounded slightly unsteady.
She lowered her head slightly, clearly trying to hide her now-warming face.
"Please… do not talk about such things in such a calm tone in public."
Her eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, making sure no one had actually heard them—though several passersby were likely already paying attention.
Seeing her reaction, Kuro looked even more amused.
"Want to do it again sometime?" he asked casually.
That question made Chiyome fall silent again.
Her steps slowed slightly.
She did not answer immediately.
Several seconds passed in brief silence before she finally spoke, much softer than before, almost a murmur.
"…If that is My Lord's wish."
The answer sounded formal.
But too quick.
Too obedient.
Clearly a reflexive response that came out before she could think.
Realizing this, her body stiffened slightly again.
The red on her face deepened.
She took a small breath, then added in a much more honest tone.
"…And."
She kept her gaze forward, not daring to look at Kuro at all.
"If it is with you… I do not mind."
The words came out much softer, nearly swallowed by the sounds of footsteps and the evening crowd.
But still clear enough for Kuro to hear.
After saying that, Chiyome closed her eyes briefly, as if silently regretting her own honesty.
"…I am truly beginning to have difficulty keeping my expression stable when I am near you, My Lord."
Kuro let out a soft chuckle.
Without hesitation, he draped an arm over Chiyome's shoulder and pulled her slightly closer.
"Then," he said casually, "don't force yourself to keep your expression stable when you're with me."
He glanced at her briefly before continuing, "Show more expression. Didn't I already tell you that before?"
Chiyome fell silent.
Their steps remained in sync through the crowded sidewalk, blending into the flow of people around them. But before she could respond, Kuro suddenly stopped walking.
Chiyome followed reflexively.
Kuro leaned down slightly so that he was level with her, bringing their distance much closer.
Then, in a low voice deliberately softened, he whispered right next to her ear.
"If you refuse…"
His tone sounded like a tease.
Or a threat that was not serious at all.
"As punishment, I might make you lose your focus completely."
The statement was ambiguous.
But ambiguous enough to send one's imagination in the wrong direction.
And somehow, Chiyome's mind immediately interpreted it in a far more dangerous way.
In a split second, countless possibilities flashed through her mind.
The effect was instant.
Her face froze.
Then turned sharply red.
Extremely red—up to her ears.
Her body visibly stiffened.
"My… Lord."
Her voice almost cracked.
Her gaze trembled slightly, clearly showing she had just imagined something.
Of course, none of this escaped Kuro's notice.
"Oh?"
Kuro raised an eyebrow.
The corner of his lips lifted further.
"You're imagining it, aren't you?"
His tone was full of barely contained amusement.
"So you're quite naughty after all."
His gaze fell on Chiyome's face, which could barely meet his eyes anymore.
"My adorable kunoichi."
That final line felt like a finishing blow.
Chiyome could no longer maintain her composure.
She quickly turned her face away, both hands clenching slightly at her sides.
"…You are truly going too far."
Her voice was small, almost a half-hearted protest.
But there was no anger in it.
Only overwhelming embarrassment.
She took a small breath, trying to calm her now-chaotic thoughts.
Unfortunately, a few seconds later, she made things worse by adding in a much softer voice:
"…And I am not imagining anything."
There was a brief pause.
Then she lowered her head slightly.
"…Maybe just a little."
A confession that did absolutely nothing to deny anything.
Realizing what she had just said, Chiyome closed her eyes tightly for a moment, as if wishing she could disappear on the spot.
Meanwhile, seeing her entire reaction, Kuro looked like he was on the verge of laughing openly.
***
Their journey finally ended at home.
Throughout the trip back, Chiyome's condition did not improve much. After repeatedly becoming the target of Kuro's teasing, the kunoichi ultimately chose to enter astral mode.
Or more precisely, a graceful escape to hide her still-flushed face.
A reasonable choice.
At least that way, she did not have to keep facing Kuro's calm gaze, which clearly enjoyed every one of her reactions.
Upon entering the house, Kuro paused briefly.
A warm aroma immediately greeted him.
Rich, spicy, and dense enough to feel like a sudden sensory attack.
The sensation was slightly chaotic.
A bit overwhelming.
Yet strangely familiar.
Almost like the scent of a home filled with light domestic chaos.
For some reason, it felt nostalgic.
Following the scent, Kuro arrived at the dining room.
The sight there was impressive.
The table was filled with various dishes arranged neatly, far beyond what would normally be necessary for a meal.
A wide variety of cuisine, colors, aromas, and elegant plating covered nearly the entire surface, clearly prepared with full dedication.
Standing beside the table was a pink-haired fox woman with a bright expression.
The moment she saw Kuro, her face lit up.
"Ah! My beloved husband is home!"
Tamamo's cheerful voice filled the room.
She immediately stepped forward energetically, her tails swaying behind her.
"Welcome back!"
Her hands lifted slightly as if presenting her work.
"My first day's task is complete! I cooked so much to welcome you back!"
She smiled proudly.
"From main dishes, desserts, to snacks for later—everything was made with full love from the number one ideal wife!"
She placed her hands on her hips confidently, looking like a fox who had just achieved something very important.
"Please praise me as much as you want."
Then she tilted her head slightly.
Her eyes narrowed sweetly.
"And if my husband feels moved…"
Her tone became much more affectionate.
"…I also accept extra attention as a reward."
Her tails wagged even more enthusiastically, clearly unable to hide how excited she was to see Kuro home.
Seeing this, Kuro smiled gently.
"We're not married yet."
He stepped closer and took a small spoonful of one dish to taste it.
A few seconds passed.
Then he nodded slightly.
"It's good," he said honestly. "Very good."
He turned to Tamamo with a soft gaze.
"You cook really well."
A brief pause.
"Thank you."
That simple praise immediately made Tamamo's expression bloom even more.
However, instead of sitting down to eat, Kuro suddenly snapped his fingers.
A golden ripple appeared in the air.
Gate of Babylon opened.
In an instant, the entire dining table—food, plates, utensils, and even the table itself—was sucked into the golden portal and disappeared.
Tamamo froze.
Her eyes blinked several times.
Her fox ears slowly drooped, while a confused expression appeared on her face, making her look unintentionally adorable.
"…Eh?"
That was all she managed to say.
Before she could process what had just happened, Kuro had already taken her hand and held it casually.
Then began walking with her.
Tamamo followed reflexively, still slightly dazed, but not resisting at all.
"But…" Kuro said calmly while walking, "I'm actually more sleepy than hungry."
He let out a small sigh.
"I haven't been sleeping well lately."
His tone was relaxed, almost like casual complaining.
"And last night, remember? You two were quite productive."
Tamamo paused.
Her pale cheeks immediately turned slightly red as she caught the implication.
Then slowly, a sly smile formed on her face.
"Ara~ my husband is tired?"
She moved closer, now holding his arm with both hands.
Her next words came out with a tone full of satisfaction.
"So storing all the food earlier was actually to spend time alone with me, right?"
Her eyes sparkled with hope.
Her tail swayed again.
"Fufu… I feel much more special now."
She smiled smugly.
Very smugly.
"And about sleeping…"
Tamamo raised a finger confidently in front of her face.
"As the ideal wife, I'm quite skilled at helping someone rest comfortably."
Her tone sounded like a premium service offering.
"So," she tilted her head slightly, "shall we go to the bedroom?"
______
Author's Note:
Creating something, even a fanfic, is not easy! Please support me! Leave comments, reviews, and some (or all) of your Power Stones! 😎
Hei. Don't ignore meh!