Night had fallen. After dinner, Shichen lay back in the bathtub, eyes closed, quietly spacing out.
After a while he opened his eyes and spoke to the spirit dwelling in his body, Yatogami Tenka.
"Tenka, are you asleep? I want to ask you something."
No‑one answered.
"If you don't reply, I'll let you out," he threatened casually.
"…What do you want?" came Tenka's irritated voice.
"Ah, so you're awake. Why are you being so disobedient to Daddy? Careful, or I really will let you out."
"Shut up! You're not my dad—and who wants to come out and look at your naked body, you pervert!"
"Please, I'm taking a bath. Being naked is perfectly normal."
"Even so, you could have picked another time to bother me. You know I can sense—"
"It's fine. There's nothing wrong with a daughter seeing her father's body."
"Shut it! I'm not your daughter! What do you want? Hurry up!"
"Why is it so hard just to chat with my girl?" Shichen sighed and shook his head.
"Well, are you going to ask or not?"
"Alright, alright… Let me ask: you were created by the First Spirit—that woman—weren't you?"
"That's it? Didn't I tell you that already?"
"It just feels strange—"
"What's that got to do with me? Anything else? If not, stop pestering me."
"You're awfully cold."
"Given how close you are to that woman, what do you expect from me?"
"I'm still your fa—"
"Enough!"
"So when do you plan to meet Tohka?" Shichen switched topics.
"You're not scared, are you?"
"What would I be scared of? I just don't see the need."
"You two are practically sisters—of course there's a need."
"If there's a chance…"
"I won't keep waiting forever. My respect has limits; when the time comes I'll act on my own."
"Hmph, do whatever you like."
Tenka fell silent.
Shichen finished bathing, changed into loungewear, and stepped into the living room.
Murasame Reine was still there watching TV with Tohka and the others. When Shichen came out she looked over and nodded; he returned the nod, then picked up Yoshino, sat where she'd been, and set her on his lap. Yoshino stayed glued to the screen.
A love‑triangle drama was playing. She seemed to love that sort of melodrama and watched, completely absorbed.
"Shichen, want me to dry your hair?" Yatogami Tohka had just finished her bread. Noticing his damp hair, she asked.
"You know how?" Shichen smiled.
"Don't underestimate me!" Tohka puffed her cheeks.
"Alright, it's not hard. But my hair's short—it'll dry by itself."
It was almost June and already warm. His hair didn't reach his shoulders; it would dry in minutes.
"Shichen…" Tohka looked disappointed.
"…Fine, you can dry it a bit."
"Mm!" She brightened instantly, fetched the dryer, and stood behind him. Following the order he'd used on her before, she first ran her fingers through his hair, then switched the dryer on. One hand held the dryer, the other combed through, a radiant smile on her face.
The gentle whir filled the room but wasn't loud. Everyone kept watching the dramatic show.
A few minutes later Tohka clicked the dryer off. "All done~"
"Yeah?" Shichen freed an arm from around Yoshino's tiny waist and touched his hair. Bone‑dry.
"Great job," he praised.
"Hehe~" Tohka skipped off to put the dryer away.
"Tohka‑nee is way too easy to please," Kotori said at last.
"She knew nothing before—everything interests her," Shichen replied.
"True…"
"Tohka really is a good child," Reine added calmly as Tohka walked back.
"What? Reine, I'm not a child!" Tohka protested.
"Mm… I should head home," Reine said to Shichen.
"It is late." He nodded. "Want me to walk you out?"
"No need—it's just the door."
"Alright."
"And about Yoshino…"
"I'll take care of it tonight."
"Okay, then I'm off."
"Good night, Reine."
"…Good night." Reine paused, then walked to the door.
Click—
The door shut.
"Onii-chan, what about me?" Yoshino looked up.
Shichen glanced at the credits rolling on the TV, then down at her delicate face. "It's about the spirit power inside you."
"My spirit power…" Yoshino clearly panicked.
"Don't worry. I can seal it so you never have to fear hurting anyone again."
"Eh? Really?" Her eyes widened in excitement.
"Would I lie to you?" He pinched her soft cheek, smiling.
"I—I believe you, Onii-chan!"
"Oh my~ Onii-chan has that kind of skill? Was Tohka's case your doing too?" asked Yoshinon.
"Sharp as ever."
"Heh‑heh~" Yoshinon swayed smugly.
"What? Shichen, you're going to seal Yoshino's power?" Tohka looked over.
Kotori just sucked her lollipop and watched the meaningless credits.
"Yeah. If we don't, the AST will detect her."
"True, but…" Tohka's face suddenly clouded.
"What is it?" Shichen asked.
"Shichen, are you… going to do that with Yoshino?"
"Oh, that's what you're worried about." He laughed. "Can't be helped— it's a necessary condition for the seal."
"Ugh…" Tohka pouted.
"You don't want me to do that with Yoshino?" he teased.
"It's not that, but…" She trailed off.
"Tohka‑nee, you don't want the AST to hurt Yoshino either, right?" Kotori cut in.
"…You're right… Fine." Tohka nodded helplessly.
"Onii-chan is so sinful," Kotori sighed.
"Hmph."
"Onii-chan, what 'that thing' are you talking about?" Yoshinon asked curiously.
"You'll find out in a bit."
"Ooh, so secretive—I'm looking forward to it."
"Just don't be scared," Shichen said.
When the show ended, Shichen took Yoshino to her room; Tohka and Kotori went to his.
Yoshino's room was cute—blue décor and plush toys on the bed.
"Onii-chan, what do we need to do?" Yoshinon asked right away.
"Let's get on the bed first."
"Onii-chan isn't planning anything H‑rated with Yoshino, is he?" Yoshinon joked.
"U‑uh…" Yoshino tensed.
"Well… you're not exactly wrong," Shichen admitted.
"Hehehe~"
Sitting on Yoshino's bed, Shichen looked at the rather nervous girl and explained:
"Yoshino, next, I need to drink your blood."
"Dr‑… drink my blood?" Yoshino blinked in confusion.
"Yes. It's my ability—I have to draw out your spiritual power through your blood and store it inside my body. But don't worry, I won't take much."
"Oh…" Yoshino nodded lightly.
"So that's how it is. Onii-chan is just like a vampire," Yoshinon said.
"More or less… Yoshino, are you afraid?"
"N‑… not afraid!" Yoshino nodded earnestly.
"Good girl." Shichen rubbed her head, then added, "But to drink blood, I need a bit of stimulation."
"Stimulation?"
"That is… Yoshino, you'll need to show me your feminine charm…"
"U‑uh!" Yoshino instantly turned shy.
"Onii-chan isn't trying to take advantage of Yoshino, is he?" Yoshinon asked, suspicious.
"How could I? You just said I'm like a vampire—sucking blood is an expression of desire for vampires, right?"
"Hmm… I guess that's true."
"Yoshino, do you trust me?" Shichen gazed sincerely into her eyes.
"I… I trust Onii-chan… W‑what do I need to do?" she asked shyly.
"Um… could you take off your clothes?" Shichen asked awkwardly, comforting himself inwardly that Yoshino's age was, in fact, legal.
"All right…"
Yoshino's little face turned crimson, yet she firmly grasped the hem of her nightdress and lifted it off in one motion.
It was as if a sliver of moonlight filled the room, tinted faintly with pink.
So petite, she wore no "basic equipment" on top.
Innocent enticement, moonlit allure—Shichen's eyes instantly flashed crimson, and his fangs shot forth.
Without hesitation he embraced Yoshino, driving his fangs into her snow‑white neck.
"Mm—"
~~~
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