Isn't that just a tsundere!
Kanbe Hikaru nodded in satisfaction.
Keep chatting.
...
The night deepened.
The flame of the oil lamp grew smaller and smaller.
Kanbe Hikaru leaned against the wall, closing his eyes to rest. He had chatted with that comb until it was exhausted, and its favorability had risen to -20.
Although it was still negative, the progress was significant.
He opened his eyes and looked at the tatami mat.
Kikyo had already lain down.
Her white robe was removed, leaving only the thin undergarment beneath. Her black hair was scattered across the pillow, emitting a faint luster under the dim lamplight.
The outline of her hip line, extending from her slender waist, was accentuated by the quilt.
Her chest rose and fell rhythmically, her breathing even; it seemed she had already fallen asleep.
Kanbe Hikaru watched for a while.
Then he looked away.
...
Who knows how much time had passed.
Kanbe Hikaru felt something lean over.
He opened his eyes.
Kikyo had sat up from the tatami mat at some unknown time and was currently looking at him.
Those pitch-black eyes were exceptionally bright in the dimness.
"What's wrong?" Kanbe Hikaru asked.
"I can't sleep."
Kikyo's voice was very soft: "That magical duel…"
She paused.
"I'm a little worried."
Kanbe Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
With Kikyo's strength, she was actually worried about the duel with Tsubaki?
"What are you worried about?"
"I'm not worried about losing."
Kikyo shook her head.
"It's that I'm worried about… her."
"Her?"
"Tsubaki's obsession is too deep."
Kikyo's gaze was somewhat unfocused: "If she loses, I'm afraid she will go down the wrong path."
Kanbe Hikaru fell silent.
He recalled the Black Priestess Tsubaki from the original work, that woman who fell into darkness because of jealousy.
He also thought about Kikyo's personality; although she appeared cold and indifferent, her essence was actually very gentle.
And Tsubaki, after all, had once fought alongside her and had a friendship.
Kikyo would naturally be worried about her.
"Then what do you plan to do?"
"I don't know."
Kikyo said softly: "But it has to be faced."
She looked at Kanbe Hikaru.
"Three days later, will you be there?"
"Obviously."
Kanbe Hikaru met her gaze: "I am your shikigami, right?"
"If the master is fighting, would it be appropriate for the shikigami not to be present?"
Kikyo looked at him, the corners of her mouth moving slightly.
That seemed to be a smile; although it was very faint and shallow, Kanbe Hikaru had indeed seen it.
"That's good."
She said.
Then she lay back down on the tatami mat, and Kanbe Hikaru returned to the wall to sit down.
The night grew deeper.
The two, one sitting and one lying down, were each quiet.
But for some reason, the atmosphere in the air was much softer than before.
[shikon no tama: naohi: Favorability +1]
[Current Favorability: 51 (Trust)]
[It conveyed a message to you:'She trusts you more and more.']
Kanbe Hikaru looked at the prompt on the panel.
A curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Trust, huh?
That's good.
-------------------------
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