"Me?"
Kojou Yuna could feel Fujiwara Shunsui silently begging for help, but she couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.
Still, she smoothly took the cue from Nakamura Aoi and said, "If you really have the talent, Aoi-chan, I think you should go for it. If you need funding, just tell me."
While speaking she flashed an encouraging smile.
Maybe it was the boost she needed; Nakamura Aoi rose right at the table and declared, "Leave it to me! I can't remember the last time anyone encouraged me like this."
Watching the fired-up Aoi, Fujiwara Shunsui nodded in satisfaction—he adored Yuna-chan; one look and she knew exactly what he needed.
A strange thought suddenly flashed through Shunsui's mind.
He remembered that Kiko-chan also "got" him, usually right after he'd patted her butt.
Hmm… could it be that anyone who falls for me automatically learns a skill that lets them read me perfectly?
Of course, he figured it was just a silly fantasy.
Seeing him drift off, Kojou Yuna gave his leg a gentle nudge under the table.
Shunsui snapped back—they were still at dinner, and three people were waiting for him to speak.
"Yuna-chan's right," he said. "If you can pull this off, I'll owe you big time."
At the words "big favor," Nakamura Aoi's eyes lit up. She jumped in: "Even if it's helping me commit an assassination?"
Assassination? Seriously?
Helpless, wry smile—he didn't even bother face-palming.
To Shunsui, taking out a Tokyo housewife wouldn't be hard.
But he wasn't some ruthless yakuza.
Even in the Cultivation Novels of his last life,
demon kings usually followed the rule: no kids, no women.
Getting him to compromise on that would be tough.
Besides, it was only 20 million japanese yen; Aoi-chan herself had said that sum wouldn't even cover an assassination contract on the Dark Web.
And with such an obvious target, acting rashly was out of the question.
Using old contacts wasn't safe either—Syndicate HQ had too many eyes on him lately.
Someone had already quietly warned him.
With that, he buried himself in his rice and spoke to his bowl: "Your Step-mother issue is still up for discussion; anything else, full support. Eat up! Don't tell me Kiko-chan and Yuna-chan's cooking isn't good?"
He didn't want further talk—he was afraid he'd rashly say yes if they kept at it.
He already had Aoi's number: as long as he didn't dangle impossible hopes in front of her,
she wouldn't keep badgering him.
"Okay, fine."
Disappointment flickered visibly across Nakamura Aoi's face.
Sensing her mood, Miyaharuni Kiko kindly ladled food into Aoi's bowl. "We're still here, aren't we? Didn't you say you love Chinese food? Try my new Kung Pao Chicken!"
Good grief, Shunsui thought, head down, I never told Kiko-chan I like Chinese food.
He'd assumed she'd become a mind-reader—turns out he was just full of himself.
The real "fan" was someone else.
"Never even asked what I like…"
A pang of jealousy rose, and he mentally scolded Kiko-chan.
Once Yuna-chan—wait, no need to wait; she's already my girlfriend. That should be fine.
Heh-heh-heh.
He couldn't help snickering out loud.
The already-down Nakamura Aoi frowned. "Shunsui-onii, why are you laughing at me?"
He shook his head frantically. "Not at you—just something funny popped into my head."
If anyone knew he was fantasizing about a Threesome tonight, he'd die of embarrassment.
Not to mention Yuna-chan was practically an old flame rekindled.
There was no way to broach the subject, even if she acted open-minded.
"Okaaay—"
Aoi dragged the word out to show her pout.
But reality seemed different.
[system prompt]
[Nakamura Aoi's Favorability toward Host +3]
[Nakamura Aoi Favorability: 39/100]
Shunsui suddenly understood—girls rarely say what they mean.
Always making you guess; no wonder people say a Maiden's heart is a poem.
He sneaked a glance at her ample… and mused, "Still counts as a Maiden?"
…Two hours later, Shunsui, Yuna-chan, and Kiko-chan sat awkwardly in the living room.
The hottest Variety Show was on TV, but none of them were watching.
Their phones kept chiming:
"Ding——"
"Ding——"
"Ding——"
Shunsui was busy replying to Nakamura Aoi's messages.
Nakamura Aoi: ["Shunsui-onii, I'll definitely work hard to find them!"]
Nakamura Aoi: ["They seem to be a pro outfit—no trace so far."]
Nakamura Aoi: ["Do you think I'm useless?"]
Fujiwara Shunsui: ["Don't stress, just do your best. You're amazing."]
Nakamura Aoi: ["Really? I'll give it my all, Shunsui-onii!"]
Honestly, seeing her call him "onii" non-stop gave him a kick.
In that instant he finally got why, in his past life, people loved yandere or "landmine" girls.
They might seem unhinged, but when it comes to love they hold nothing back.
Even though they'd only just gotten close, her passion already had him floating.
Meanwhile,
He'd set the phone down and was "watching TV," though his eyes kept sneaking to Kiko-chan and Yuna-chan.
He was sure the two women were plotting something behind his back.
He spotted the smile in Miyaharuni Kiko's eyes.
And saw Kojou Yuna's tell-tale lip-bite when she was thinking.
His heart screamed: I'm doomed—they're gonna drain me dry tonight!
He started mapping out how to "battle" both girlfriends for three hundred rounds, barely able to hide his grin.
But if he knew what they were actually saying, he wouldn't need to suppress anything.
Kojou Yuna: ["Sis Kiko, he's too much—how could he make you take the initiative to clear things up!"]
Miyaharuni Kiko: ["That's trivial. What shocks me is that you kept such danger from me—and you still speak for that scoundrel. Look, he's practically drooling."]
Kiko sneaked a peek: Shunsui was staring at Yuna's raised right foot.
Kojou Yuna: ["Let's ignore him—remember to lock the door tonight!"]
Miyaharuni Kiko: ["Sis, you sure know how to handle him. I hadn't realized you two had been together."]
Kojou Yuna: "That was all ages ago—back then he had zero clue how to make a woman happy, let alone back down after a fight. I actually wonder if he's even the same guy!"
Without thinking, Kojou Yuna stole a glance at Fujiwara Shunsui; their eyes met, and she saw him shyly turn away. In the past he'd never have blushed—by now he'd already have pounced.
These days the man showed restraint, which felt odd. He'd never truly respected her before. To put it bluntly, Kojou Yuna had never seen Fujiwara Shunsui care about any woman—including herself.
So when she first learned he'd flown into a rage over the "neighbour's wife" and even used his own resources, a faint bitterness stirred in her heart.
But now it really seemed he had changed.
Because right now he cared about her the same way—if only in words, she still savoured it!
Miya Harukiko: "I've never tried the old version myself. Why don't you test-drive him tonight and see if he's any different? From your description he sounds exactly the same!"
Kojou Yuna: "Nani?! (ｷ｀ﾟДﾟ´)!!"
Every character in Sis Kiko's message was familiar, but strung together they fried her composure—this was going to stay on record? She'd whispered that secret to Kiko!
Kojou Yuna's gaze flicked between her phone and Miya Harukiko, cheeks glowing as she read the scandalous line her big sis had sent.
When Fujiwara Shunsui noticed, he asked with concern, "Yuna-chan, what's wrong? Your face is so red."
"Nani nani?"
The question made her press the back of her hand to her cheeks, feel the heat, and panic—an utterly out-of-character reaction.
Watching Yuna's embarrassment and Shunsui's sudden tenderness, Miya Harukiko stifled a wicked giggle and rode to the rescue: "Maybe little Yuna remembered something blush-worthy!"
At that, Kojou Yuna blushed even harder—like a perfectly ripe apple.
Sis Kiko, how could you? I didn't imagine anything blush-worthy—you're the one who said something shameless.
Of course she couldn't say that aloud; she just hung her head, face crimson.
To Fujiwara Shunsui, Kojou Yuna right then was adorably child-like.
A Maiden's blush outshines everything.
Having found love again, Fujiwara Shunsui had never imagined that Miya Harukiko and Kojou Yuna could get along even more simply and joyfully than either did with him.
He looked at the now crimson-cheeked Kojou Yuna, feelings swirling inside him.
Too cute—he didn't dare imagine what the nightclub crowd of Shinjuku would think if they saw the feared Kojou Yuna like this; they'd toss and turn all night.
To ease her embarrassment, Fujiwara Shunsui shifted his attention to Miya Harukiko.
He moved to sit beside her, slid an arm around the small of Kiko-chan's back, and feigned anger: "Tell me—what wicked scheme were you two just hatching?"
"Aiya, what are you doing~ that's girl-talk!"
Miya Harukiko wriggled, trying to escape, but the motion stirred a faint fragrant breeze around Shunsui's nose, sparking a nameless fire inside him.
"Quit fooling—spill it!"
Fujiwara Shunsui was famously impatient, yet his tone carried absolute authority.
Seeing his state—and the urgency in his voice—both Kiko-chan and Yuna-chan froze.
One face lost its flush,
the fragrant breeze stilled; then Miya Harukiko leaned to his ear, teasing: "Impatient? Too bad—I'm not telling."
By the time Shunsui reacted and grabbed her, she'd already dragged Yuna-chan into the bedroom.
Click!
The sound of the door locking crushed his last shred of pride.
He collapsed helplessly on the sofa, shouting inside: No!!
"Snowflakes drifting~ north wind whistling~ heaven and earth~ boundless white~"
Huh?
Where's that BGM coming from?
Fujiwara Shunsui warily scanned the room, even shook his head, but the phantom tune had vanished.
Had he been "rewarding" himself so little lately that stress was making him hallucinate?
But wasn't that Yuan Hua's theme? What did it have to do with him?
Thinking this,
he glanced at the locked bedroom door, looked down at his left hand, and groaned to the ceiling: Noooo!!!
Though he said—and felt—it,
his hand honestly opened the chat and messaged Miya Harukiko:
Fujiwara Shunsui: "Kiko-chan, are you free tonight?"
Miya Harukiko: "Uncle, we're not making an appointment!"
Fujiwara Shunsui: "Kiko-baby, are you free this Sunday then?"
He checked the calendar—Friday today; he only had to endure one more day!
Miya Harukiko: "Is it what I think it is?"
Fujiwara Shunsui: "You're definitely my favourite baby! Exactly what you think!"
Harumizu could barely contain himself—Kiko-chan doted on him most. They say a young wife loves tenderly, how true!
Miya Harukiko: "All I can tell you is that Yuna-chan and I agreed on your punishment: no women for a month. She said you never meant well with all those gorgeous tenants. You'll just have to suffer."
Noooo!!!
"Snowflakes drifting~ north wind whistling~ heaven and earth~ boundless white~"
"Holy crap."
When the familiar BGM replayed in his head, Fujiwara Shunsui couldn't tell whether he was hallucinating or the system was trolling him.
But faced with Kiko-chan's message, he was powerless.
"Okay, maybe I didn't start with pure intentions—but that wasn't my fault!!!"
On the verge of tears,
he trudged to his "new bedroom" and collapsed on the bed.
P.S. I know my readership is small, but huge thanks to the fans who keep recommending me every day