"Wait—calm down. This isn't the right time, is it?"
Minamiya Natsuki backed away step by step, her petite body like Little Red Riding Hood facing a big bad wolf—frightened and wary. With the space here under Shichen's control, her own space-manipulation arts were useless; there was no escaping. All she had now was a body that looked like a grade-schooler's. And how could a grade-schooler outrun an adult man?
She hadn't even taken two steps when Shichen caught her and pulled her into his arms.
"W—wait…!" Natsuki struggled, to no effect.
He held her tightly, lifting her into his embrace. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "I've been waiting a long time."
"Mm…"
His warm breath on her ear made her neck shrink and her heart jolt; she froze on the spot. Her avatars had dulled this sort of sensation; now, in her true body, she finally understood how overwhelming it was. She couldn't withstand it at all—no experience, a completely new first time, everything stimulation.
She liked Shichen; she couldn't hate what he was doing. She simply wasn't used to it and wasn't prepared. She'd always acted mature—twenty-something, a teacher—but in this moment, she was scared.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here," Shichen said softly.
"…," Natsuki blanked for a beat, then calmed down and looked at him expressionlessly.
"By the way—haven't you said those exact words to Tritos and the others?" she asked.
"Hm? No. They were a bit too proactive."
"…Really? Sounds like that's exactly your type," she said dryly.
"Why bring them up now? Don't tell me you're jealous?"
"What would I be jealous of? It just occurred to me how much of a flirt you are."
"…Ahem. I won't deny that."
"And you even admit it?"
"What's there to hide? But don't change the subject—won't work. I'm not letting you go today." He loosened his grip just enough to look into her eyes.
"…I'm not changing the subject," she said, serious as ever.
"Yeah? Then—" He leaned in. They were already inches apart; a slight move and they touched.
"Mm…"
Natsuki didn't have time to react; her eyes shut by instinct. Their lips met, and sensation bloomed—one felt something small and fine, the other a spreading heat.
Shichen hadn't closed his own eyes yet; he looked at her delicate face, lashes trembling, perfect white skin—adorable in every detail. He smiled inwardly, then closed his eyes to savor the kiss. He hugged her tighter and lifted her, one hand under her small hips, the other around her back—like holding a doll.
The feeling thrilled him, fascinated him. She was completely legal, and yet truly as petite as a little loli—beyond comparison with Yukina's group, even smaller than Aurora's.
Moments ticked by; soon he couldn't help himself and deepened the kiss. "Mm!" Natsuki jolted, eyes flying open; she froze, then let herself be guided—no strength to resist. This time she fully saw his face up close—so familiar, wearing a never-before-seen expression: smiling eyes, excitement in his brows. Is that because of me? Because he's entered my domain? He really did like her—though perhaps also because she looked like this. But this is her.
There were plenty of people with her build in this world, but only she was in his arms now. No need to overthink it—clearly, she should enjoy it and accept the affection that was hers.
No getting away today, it seemed. With that, she relaxed and let him do as he pleased.
As they fenced and twined, Shichen felt the little one in his arms loosen; even the little bottom softened. His hands moved of their own accord—one hand working steadily, the other seeking and then holding.
"Mm—"
Her body, newly relaxed, tensed again—she hadn't expected that; he'd never done that to an avatar. Was it because this was her true body, or because he'd caught her off-guard? Too late now—she couldn't fight back, and keeping up with the kiss took all her focus. And she was running out of breath.
Reading her perfectly, he let her go. "Haa… haa…" She gulped air, face scarlet. Her breath warmed his cheek. She'd truly been asleep in here for ten years—meaning ten years without brushing her teeth—and yet he caught only a sweet scent. Little girls really are soft and sweet… maybe it's because she's a witch, he thought. Witches didn't have ordinary human bodily issues. Or maybe he was simply smitten.
Breathing hard, eyes misted, a pink mouth, a small tongue—she looked like a work of art.
His eyes reddened; fangs slipped down without marring his elegance. "Natsuki…" he murmured, leaning close.
"G-go ahead…" She tilted her head, baring her neck, eyes closing again.
Shhh—!
No hesitation—he buried his face at her neck; fangs pricked; blood flowed. To an outsider it would be terrifying; to them it was a mingling of blood. Her blood was delicately cool, with no distinct flavor—yet delicious. He nearly drank too much, then forced himself to stop. He began to feed her his own blood back.
"Mm…" The reverse flow drew a soft sound from her; she cradled his head, body flushing hot—the bite's aftereffect rising.
When he lifted away on a red thread, she had lost control. "Shichen…" she breathed—the name she'd never spoken aloud, only in her heart. She leaned in, arms around his neck, and kissed him. She tasted her own blood without discomfort—paired with an extraordinary bright note—vampire blood like sunlight.
It wasn't the time to analyze. Quick study, she ventured her tongue and twined—she'd learned a bit just now, though only a bit. Shichen soon took the lead again, holding her close and teaching her more of the rhythm.
At some point her gothic-lolita dress vanished, leaving only two plain white underthings. Plain and unadorned, yet on her they somehow looked cute. Perhaps ten years sealed away had bleached her skin to a cold white, impossibly smooth, no veins or pores visible—delicate, translucent, sculpted by the gods.
He noticed, then a stray thought: Does she even need to wear that? And after ten years, were those two underthings still… fine? Of course they were. And at a moment like this, he hardly cared.
When he finally pulled back, using her breathing pause to turn her around, he helped ease her discomfort—small as she was, up or down, it was easy for him. One hand controlling, the other helping—and with her a little dazed, it was the perfect time; otherwise she wouldn't have let him handle things personally later.
In an instant, the two white pieces came free and fell atop the black-purple dress—white and black-purple, opposite colors accenting each other with mystery and allure. Most people would have let their minds run wild—but Shichen had no time for them now. He turned her back and froze, eyes dazed at the sight.
Two faint pink jades set in white—exquisite beyond price. Below, a thin, almost invisible seam marred the white jade—but it didn't ruin the beauty; it only made one want to look closer. How deep was that line?
"Shichen…" she whispered, cheeks burning under his gaze. He hugged her again and kissed her; heat washed her through.
His hands roamed without restraint, testing the smoothness of the jade—white and pink both—silken everywhere. But he didn't linger; at last he sought the fine seam, tracing to test and see.
Natsuki's eyes flew wide; she glared at him in shy anger. The jade was perfect—even if there was a fine line—what if he widened it?
He opened his eyes too, cocked a brow, pleased. If it widened, it widened—how else could he check?
To make checking easier, he examined other places first, moving lower; the white jade was cool and slick, and he couldn't resist pressing a kiss. Jackpot.
She couldn't stand him—so shameless; it was just jade—must he kiss every inch? He didn't care. First time seeing—how could he resist?
After a long while, he couldn't help himself—time to test the fine seam. "Natsuki, is that okay?" he asked, voice serious and rough. Jade was fragile—what if he broke it?
"Mm…" She turned her head away, unable to look, unable to answer. She was afraid he'd damage it.
"Natsuki…" he whispered, kissing the pink jade—steeling himself.
"Why ask me? If I refuse, will you stop?" she shot back.
"No," he said, shaking his head.
"Then why ask?"
"Because I want your consent," he said simply.
"…"
"Natsuki…"
"…Fine," she said at last, eyes squeezed shut, mind elsewhere.
He didn't ask again—he checked how deep the fine line ran, whether the jade would be affected.
"Ss—" Natsuki sucked in a breath. Careless! What if he broke it?
He hurried to soothe the other parts of the jade—even if something happened, the rest was priceless—and besides, he could fix it. She could too. But she didn't know that. She started pounding on him, heart aching for her jade, crying and fussing. Her sobs echoed through the prison world—but Shichen had foreseen that; his spatial barrier let not a sound out.
And with his steady comfort, she soon brightened, even started humming. The melody was teasing and beautiful; Shichen got lost in it, forgetting time.
…
The appearance of the Prison Barrier left most of Itogami's residents uneasy. Those who didn't understand slept as if it didn't concern them. Fifth Primogenitor real? A soul-shaking dragon familiar? None of that touched their lives. If Itogami was doomed, they couldn't do anything; if not, life went on. Living in a demon special zone required a sturdy heart. And they'd heard that the Fifth Primogenitor was the island's master—how could a master let his territory fall?
There was work and school tomorrow—best to sleep.
Those who did know, especially among the upper ranks, didn't sleep at all, fearing the inmates would escape and wreck Itogami. Fortunately, they knew Natsuki guarded the Barrier—and that the Fifth Primogenitor had a close relationship with her. With him there, things should be okay; that gave them backbone. Still, since the Barrier hadn't vanished, they couldn't fully relax until dawn.
At first light, Shichen finally returned home carrying a sleeping Natsuki. He dropped Sendougi Yūma directly onto Kojō's bed—she'd probably thank him later. After he left, the Barrier faded; no one but he could find it now. Seeing no anomalies, the powers-that-be finally relaxed—and collapsed into sleep.
"Sensei, you're finally back!"
"Shichen!"
"Onii-chan…"
None of the girls at home had slept; every one of them was waiting for him. Asagi was there too. Which made sense—"the Cyber Empress" could find out anything online, and she knew he was a Primogenitor. Barrier and familiar—she knew exactly what had happened.
"Asagi, when did you get here?"
"I came as soon as I saw that green dragon familiar. It was yours, right?"
"Handsome, isn't it?"
"As expected of Sensei! A dragon familiar!" Asagi said, proud.
"Hehe~ how about a ride on its back sometime?"
"Yes!"
"Sensei, me too!" Yukina jumped in.
"And me~"
"Onii-chan, can I?"
"There's room for everyone, okay?"
"Yay!"
"Go rest. Natsuki's situation is completely resolved—no need to worry."
"Really? That's good… but why is Minamiya-sensei's face so red?" Yukina had noticed.
"Haha~ you've experienced it yourself—could you have gone home right away?" La Folia teased.
"I…" Yukina flushed; she wasn't ready to admit it.
"What? He did what with you?" Asagi was stunned.
"Hehe~ maybe more than you think~" La Folia sang.
"Mm…" Asagi was crestfallen. Those people, living under the same roof, had it too easy. She'd been plenty proactive, but without living together she didn't get alone time with him—no way to "progress." Perhaps I should move in!
"You all that wide awake? No one looks the least bit sleepy," Shichen said helplessly.
"No, I'm very sleepy… haa~ If Natsuki's fine, I'm going to bed," Sayaka yawned and headed for the door.
"My, my—who was it just now practically dying of worry?" La Folia teased.
"W—was not!" Sayaka turned red.
"La Folia, I do know Sayaka's personality," Shichen said with a smile.
"Mm…" Sayaka flushed harder.
"By the way—get ready over the next few days. I'm taking you all somewhere to have a proper, long vacation," Shichen said suddenly.
"Eh? Somewhere?"
"Where?"
"For how long?"
"We still have school…"
"Don't worry. Itogami will be closed for a month—and we leave after Kanon gets back."
A week later, on the day the Festival ended, Shichen took everyone and left this world together. Getting a month off school was child's play for him—he only had to say the Barrier needed a month to fully stabilize. The rest he left to the higher-ups.
Kanase Kanon's acknowledgment also went smoothly—no one dared move against her. With the Fifth Primogenitor there, who'd try?
As a result, the fact that La Folia and Kanon were Shichen's women became completely public. But aunt and niece together? The royal family didn't object—now they had a Primogenitor for a backer.
This time, Shichen also brought along Akatsuki Nagisa. With another girl in the house and a not-so-ordinary relationship with her brother, Nagisa wanted to give them a chance to develop—if they did, she wouldn't need to look after her brother anymore and could finally live freely.
She didn't even know where Shichen was taking them—but she wasn't afraid. She half hoped he'd completely spirit her away.
It was quite a crowd; he didn't dare imagine how lively the café would be. Luckily everyone there was used to him bringing people back—though Natsuki and the others might be a little surprised.