In the night of Heian-kyo, within the considerably expanded Choyo-machi, the five-story Cat Izakaya stood as a prominent landmark. This tavern, with its flamboyant decor, drew a vast crowd of yokai and even human guests. The primary draw was not merely the food, but the fact that a truly extraordinary figure was a regular here. For those wishing to cross paths with that Great Lord, this was the premier location. Consequently, humans and yokai alike flocked to the Cat Izakaya daily under the guise of dining, hoping for a chance encounter.
The lower four floors of the Cat Izakaya were dedicated to dining areas, kitchens, and guest rooms, while the fifth floor was kept vacant as an exclusive reception space.
This fifth floor was a lavishly decorated Grand Hall with windows on all sides, offering a magnificent and sweeping view. Currently, within this hall overlooking the night scenery of Choyo-machi, a small, private banquet was underway.
At the head of the banquet sat Miketsu, clad in black robes and wrapped in bandages. She had just tasted a dish from the plate before her. Turning her head to gaze down at the lights of Heian-kyo, she felt the evening breeze and heard the melody of a shamisen drifting within it. Beneath her bandages, the corners of her mouth curled into a faint, imperceptible smile.
It truly was a night view one could never tire of, growing more dazzling and brilliant by the day. She could finally understand a little why Sanzu always preferred to stay atop the pagoda rather than come down...
"Mmm~ My Lord, you're admiring the night view again. How many times have you looked at it? Aren't you bored? Why not have a few more cups of fine wine and get drunk on the moment instead?" Accompanied by a seductive voice, an incredibly enchanting woman walked gracefully toward Miketsu.
She was a stunning fox woman. Her white hair was neatly combed and pinned up, with white, furry fox ears poking through. A thin kimono draped over her fair skin, yet it could not fully contain her lush, curvaceous figure. Her supple curves were clearly outlined, and a fluffy tail swayed behind her. Her exquisite face, adorned with heavy makeup, was the picture of allure.
Holding a cup of wine, the seductive fox woman pressed herself directly against Miketsu’s side, deliberately flaunting her provocative body—especially her half-concealed, rounded chest—as she smilingly offered the wine.
"Come~ My Lord, Konkiku offers you a toast..."
Suppressing a rising spark of irritation, Miketsu took the cup from Konkiku. She gave her a sharp, annoyed look and spoke to her through their divine messenger contract.
'You've only been in human form for a few days and you're already this bold. If you dared to act like this in the shrine, your sister would have tied your tail to a tree and left you hanging all night.'
'That's why I have to be a good little fox just like Sister when I'm at the shrine. Out here, Lady Uka will keep my secret, won't she~?'
Konkiku responded through the contract with a look of seeking favor. Miketsu glanced at Konkiku's figure once more, sighing inwardly that they truly were sisters, before downing the wine Konkiku had handed her without another word.
"My Lord truly has a fine capacity for drink. Let Konkiku pour you another... Eek!!" Just as Konkiku, acting like a favored consort, was about to take the empty cup to refill it, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her tail. She let out a yelp and jumped up, spinning around to find the Cat Shop Owner standing there calmly with a tray. Her foot was currently planted firmly on Konkiku's tail.
"Hey! You mangy cat, what do you think you're doing stepping on my tail!" Konkiku shouted indignantly as she scrambled to pull her tail out from under the Cat Shop Owner's foot, her elegant and seductive persona completely shattering.
"You were blocking the path for my food delivery with that slovenly posture. If I don't step on you, who should I step on? Move aside, you vixen." After speaking, the Cat Shop Owner placed a newly prepared dish in front of Miketsu, wagging her own tail with a smile.
"Please try this, My Lord. This is a new roast meat dish researched by Kino and the others."
"Mhm..." Miketsu nodded slightly. She picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks, but instead of eating it herself, she held it out to her right. She offered it to Menreiki, who had been sitting very close to her, quietly watching the scene.
"You should try some too."
"Thank you, Fa... mmm... My Lord..." Seeing this, the usually quiet Menreiki gave a serene smile, a slight blush creeping onto her small face as she ate the food Miketsu offered. Witnessing this scene, both Konkiku and the Cat Shop Owner froze, their cheeks puffing out simultaneously in annoyance.
That girl...
Just as Miketsu was about to continue her meal amidst this peculiar atmosphere, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed from the stairs. Soon, the handsome yokai youth walked into the Grand Hall, leading a timid, dog-tailed cat.
"My Lord." Slippery Nura stepped forward and bowed solemnly. Seeing Miketsu give a slight nod of acknowledgment, he relaxed his posture and continued.
"My apologies, My Lord. We failed to capture the target during this operation. It escaped."
"Makoto already returned earlier and told me the details. The strangeness of this matter indeed exceeded expectations. I do not blame you," Miketsu said with a sigh. She thought to herself that if she hadn't been busy at the Onmyoryo that afternoon, she would have led the team herself. Had she been there, she might have discovered more, and this lead wouldn't have gone cold.
Playing three roles by herself—sometimes such situations were simply unavoidable.
At this moment, Enokoneko was trembling as he knelt behind Slippery Nura, occasionally peeking up at the scene before him. In his sight, he could see the dark, profound presence seated at the head of the Grand Hall, surrounded by several beautiful figures.
'Is... is this the Owl? I can't feel much demonic energy, but the aura is so deep and heavy... especially those eyes, they're terrifying. What kind of yokai is he... And those yokai girls are all so beautiful, each with a different charm. Since they're so close to the Owl, are they all his concubines? Tsk tsk tsk... as expected of a Yokai Lord.'
While Enokoneko's mind was wandering, Miketsu's gaze slowly drifted toward him. Opening her mouth, Miketsu asked in a deep voice.
"wild god who seeks the name of Inari, you were the first to see that monster, weren't you? Tell me what happened."
"Meow, y-yes... Lord Owl. I was preparing to hurry down the mountain to the Inari Shrine when I heard a strange noise on the way. I went to investigate out of curiosity and saw that pitch-black monster devouring a yokai's corpse. I thought it was just yokai preying on each other and wanted to leave quickly, but I didn't expect it to spot me instantly even though I was within the divine realm. It lunged at me, and thankfully your subordinate saved me, woof." Enokoneko knelt on the floor, recounting everything he had seen and heard.
"Are you saying that the monster ignored the barrier between realms and crossed directly into the divine realm to attack you?" Miketsu asked in a questioning tone to confirm.
"Y-yes, meow. I was also curious how that monster saw me. I shouldn't have been connected to it by any causality that would allow for realm-crossing..." Enokoneko continued. As a wild god, he also possessed spiritual vision and could perceive the demon realm.
"Slippery Nura, you fought that monster. Do you believe its strength is at a level where it can cross realms at will?" Miketsu pondered for a moment before asking Slippery Nura.
"To cross realms at will requires strength close to that of a yokai general. Based on the two exchanges I had with it, that monster shouldn't be at that level yet. It's possible it wasn't using its full strength, or perhaps it also possesses a power like spiritual vision."
Slippery Nura shared his thoughts after a moment's reflection. Just as Miketsu was about to say more, the sound of flapping wings came from outside the window. Makoto flew into the Grand Hall, landing beside Miketsu, and spoke respectfully.
"My Lord, the High Priestess of Inari requests an audience."
"The High Priestess? ...Mhm..." Hearing Makoto's words, Miketsu's eyes darted playfully, a slight smile touching her lips as she continued.
"Let her up."
Makoto flew back down the stairs in response. A short while later, footsteps echoed in the stairwell again, and a young girl stepped into the Grand Hall.
The girl appeared to be around thirteen or fourteen years old, dressed in red and white miko attire. Her jet-black hair was tied back and hung down her back. Her fair, delicate face bore an air of dignified holiness. As a human girl, she looked upon the room full of yokai without fear; there was even a faint, imperceptible trace of disdain in her expression. It was only when her gaze landed on the black figure at the head of the hall that she immediately moderated her attitude and bowed deeply.
"Priestess Kikyo greets Lord Owl."
Rate on N.U.
