Dong~ dong~ dong~
The copper bell hanging atop the palace rang out on time, its deep tone echoing in Ōtsutsuki Hekira's ears, making her already uneasy heart even more restless.
"Gin-sama, are you sure it'll work this time?"
Ōtsutsuki Hekira swallowed nervously, her white eyes looking at Gin for reassurance, her voice cautious.
"Believe me, you're the best~"
Gin gave a big grin and encouraged her with confidence. He had just helped remove the impurities from her body… though he'd accidentally missed a few spots. Well, it was manual labor after all. A little slip-up was understandable, right?
His dead-fish eyes skimmed over her large figure, lingering for a moment at a particularly pronounced area. That secret… he would take to the grave.
"Then please watch me, Gin-sama—my transformation!"
Fueled by Gin's words, Hekira felt a surge of power well up inside her. Reflected in her white eyes was the smile of the man she admired. Her heart fluttered slightly. Taking a deep breath, she activated the Chōka no Jutsu (Butterfly Metamorphosis Technique), aiming to emerge from her cocoon in front of the one who had her heart.
Dong dong dong!
Blue chakra flared up around her like flames, and behind her, cyan butterfly wings began to form. Just as she was on the brink of rebirth, a frantic knock on the door shattered the moment and interrupted her technique.
"Who is it?! I told everyone not to disturb me!"
Her expression darkened with anger. She shouted at the door, but the knocking continued, even faster now.
Left with no choice, Hekira suppressed her rage and opened the door. To her surprise, it was the black puppet that had been standing guard outside.
"You? Why are you knocking so insistently?"
Somewhat puzzled that it was her own butler puppet who interrupted her, Hekira didn't get angry but asked calmly.
"Master, the alarm you set has gone off."
The puppet's yellow eyes stared at her blankly, its mechanical voice emotionless.
"Ugh! I completely forgot!"
Hearing the reminder, Hekira slapped her forehead. Tonight was the important day of offering service to the clan head—and she'd forgotten.
"Gin-sama, please come with me~"
Turning to Gin, who was looking confused, she sighed inwardly. If only we'd met sooner. But the application had already been submitted. All she could do now was ensure Gin's safety.
Gin adjusted his bathrobe, wrinkling his brow. He had originally planned to investigate the mystery of the figurine girl again tonight.
"Eh… this late and we're still going out?"
He had hoped Hekira's transformation training would give him a break for the evening, but that plan was clearly doomed.
"Mhm, don't worry. Just grit your teeth and it'll be over soon."
Hekira lowered her head, seeing Gin's clear reluctance. Guilt swelled in her heart. Forcing a strained smile, she placed an invisible green hat on her head and reassured him softly.
???
What did that mean? Was she throwing him to the wolves? But there wasn't a hint of malice from her—only overflowing kindness.
Gin's senses buzzed with confusion. Have my instincts dulled this much that I can't even read intentions anymore?
With no choice, Gin followed her aboard a lavish airship. As it rose into the sky, it brought him closer to the false moon above.
Maybe I should sneak away? That figurine girl's pull is just too strong. One day without her and my heart itches.
Staring at Hekira at the bow, Gin began scheming a shadow clone escape.
"Huh?"
Just as he quietly formed the seals, he looked up and realized—the ship was heading toward the figurine girl's castle. That was Hekira's destination!
"Hekira-sama, we're going to… wait, why are you crying?"
Gin, surprised by the coincidence, dispersed his chakra and approached Hekira—only to find her wiping tears from her face.
"Uu… I'm not crying. The wind up here is strong, dust got in my eyes."
Startled by Gin's sudden appearance, Hekira quickly wiped her tears and forced a smile.
"Uh… sure… the wind is… a bit wild tonight."
Gin, who only felt a gentle breeze, was skeptical. Did Hekira just tell a blatant lie with a straight face? Maybe she's crying from the joy of finally seeing weight loss success?
"We've arrived, Gin-sama."
With those words, the ship docked at the tallest, most majestic castle on the floating island. Hekira adjusted her expression and invited Gin to disembark.
"What is this place?"
Landing on the grass, Gin feigned ignorance and asked with wide eyes.
"Gin-sama, time is tight. Just follow me. Don't speak unless necessary."
Looking at the slowly opening golden gates, Hekira's heart sank further. She didn't want to prolong the pain, so she decided to get this over with swiftly.
Following close behind, Gin took this chance to openly examine the castle. Last night he had snuck in using the Shadow Realm and didn't get to see anything. Now, he could soak in the splendor.
The interior was far more luxurious than Hekira's palace. Stained glass windows depicted countless people and legends, and everywhere mechanical puppets worked tirelessly to maintain the estate.
"This is it. Remember—not a word out of line, or I can't protect you."
At last, they reached a grand, thick door guarded by elite combat puppets. Gin found the door strangely familiar.
Wait a minute—wasn't this the figurine girl's room?
Knock knock knock~ Patriarch-sama, Hekira requests an audience!
Hekira stepped forward and knocked firmly. The deep echo of the knocks made Gin's heart skip.
No way, no way… I didn't mean to walk in through the front door!
So this room belonged to the Ōtsutsuki patriarch? Then the figurine girl… was she just a bed-warming servant?
"Enter."
As soon as Hekira knocked, a cold voice responded. Gin froze—it was her voice.
That's her! The figurine girl! So she really is just a servant…
Gin stiffened, tempted to run, but the doors opened before he could react. Resigned, he hunched his back and followed Hekira in, convincing himself:
I didn't show my face last night. She won't recognize me…
"Hekira-sama, why are you here so late?"
Facing the cold expression of Ōtsutsuki Tsukihime, Hekira was about to speak, but Tsukihime beat her to it.
"Uh… didn't the proposal explain everything?"
The room fell awkwardly silent. Hekira's raised hand froze midair. A thousand inner curses surged in her heart.
Was this… a self-offered husband situation? And she never even read the proposal?!
That realization cracked Hekira's mental defenses.
Wait… is she bluffing? This maid dares raise her voice to the clan's grand elder?
"Proposal? Oh, right… wasn't I supposed to approve that soon?"
Tsukihime, seated high above, seemed distracted. She barely acknowledged Gin's presence, brushing over him entirely.
But the moment her cold gaze swept over him, Gin broke out in cold sweat. His senses screamed in alarm.
No… no no no—she's not a servant. She's the freaking clan head!
All Tsukihime could think about was the despicable intruder from last night. A flicker of irritation crossed her cold face. Seeing Hekira and this stranger only deepened her suspicions.
"So I'll just leave then?"
Realizing the patriarch really hadn't read the proposal, Hekira had a wild idea. She could pretend nothing happened, retrieve the documents, and revise the plan to give Gin more freedom.
"Patriarch-sama, the proposal was incomplete. I came to retrieve it and will resubmit after revisions."
"Alright, I'll look for it."
Unconcerned, Tsukihime stood up and searched among the scattered documents. Her pale feet stepped gracefully through the mess, her white eyes shining faintly with red.
Damn that thief—I forgot again…
Feeling the soft friction near her thighs, she blushed as she bent over to pick up the papers. Her legs peeked from under the robe, her peach-shaped rear curving elegantly, and her generous chest threatening to spill from her loose collar.
The playful glimpse of her soft skin pierced Gin like a kunai.
No! I'm a battle-hardened veteran—I won't fall for cheap tricks like this!
Unaware of her indecent posture, Tsukihime flipped through the pages. One caught her eye—her name was on it. Curiosity piqued, she read more.
"Huh? Eh… AH!"
She hadn't expected this. Her blush exploded from foot to forehead. Trembling, she tidied the pages and hurried back to her seat—this was the first time she truly read one of these proposals.
"H-Hey, Patriarch-sama, no need to waste time! That's the rough draft! I'll revise it—promise!"
Seeing Tsukihime suddenly interested in the plan, Hekira panicked like an ant on a hot wok. She glanced at Gin, who was spacing out, and tried to play it cool.
"Hekira-sama… what is the meaning of this visit?"
After finishing the plan, Tsukihime crumpled the page slightly in her fingers. With her usual icy tone, her eyes pierced Hekira like a blade.
"I—I really just came to retrieve the plan, I swear!"
It was rumored the patriarch could see through a person's soul. Hekira never believed it, but now… she had doubts. Still, she couldn't backtrack or it'd look even worse.
"Hmph! If you only came for the proposal—then how do you explain that man behind you?"
Tsukihime's frosty face twisted slightly in anger. Even now, Hekira dares lie?
Her delicate brows furrowed. She bit her lip in disappointment, her chest rising and falling with frustration.
"Have I, Ōtsutsuki Tsukihime, become so weak… that you all think you can ignore me?"
(End of Chapter)
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