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For the entire afternoon that followed, Bokue Keikain basically stayed at the family head's residence, keeping Yura company while she handled official business.
After all, she was the heir apparent. Though she hadn't fully taken over as clan head yet, considering the current head's advanced age, most matters had already been delegated to Yura for handling—essentially giving her practice to slowly familiarize herself with the responsibilities.
Time flew by, and soon evening arrived.
As the sun sank below the horizon, the twilight that had been absent all day finally blanketed Kyoto once more.
Inside the family head's study, Yura finally signed and annotated the last document of the day. She let out a long breath, closed the file, set down her pen, and raised both arms high above her head in a stretch.
"Mmm... finally done."
"Yup yup, congrats on finishing."
The moment she spoke, light applause came from her right—Bokue Keikain clapping gently.
"So can we head out now?"
"Huh? But we haven't had dinner yet..."
Yura blinked in surprise, instinctively touching her stomach.
But Bokue looked completely unconcerned.
"Then we'll eat out. Kyoto's got so much good food, we'll be stuffed just walking around."
Yura hesitated, glancing at the neatly stacked pile of completed documents on the desk.
"But I still need to deliver these files..."
"Eh, whatever. Just take them over tomorrow morning."
Their conversation was like watching a straight-A honor student being corrupted by some delinquent who skipped class, jumped fences, pulled all-nighters gaming, and had every bad habit in the book.
Yura was the honor student.
And Bokue Keikain was the delinquent.
In fact, Bokue wasn't satisfied with just verbal persuasion—he directly took action, half-forcibly lifting up the young Onmyōji girl whose legs had gone numb from sitting at the desk all day. At the same time, golden magnetic field energy began glowing around his body.
But just then, Yura—lying in his arms—called out to stop him, her voice somewhat panicked.
"W-wait a second..."
"Hmm? What's wrong? Something else you need to do?"
Bokue had already prepared to teleport away, but he still looked down to ask.
"It's just..."
The moment their eyes met, Yura immediately looked away, a light blush appearing on her fair face.
"Earlier, when summer vacation started and you came back, I specially ordered you a custom yukata from a famous shop in Kyoto. I wanted you to try it on to see if it fits... and this seems like a perfect opportunity..."
Two minutes later, having changed into the custom yukata, Bokue Keikain returned to the study.
The moment he reached the study doorway, an expectant yet nervous voice came from inside the room.
"H-how is it? Does it fit?"
"Pretty good. I like it."
As Bokue spoke, he was still looking down, adjusting the garment.
He had to admit, Yura knew his preferences. She hadn't picked anything too flashy—just simple pure black, with cherry blossom patterns embroidered in gold thread. The size and style fit him perfectly too.
Though now that he thought about it... how did Yura even know his measurements?
Just as Bokue was pondering this, the next second the young Onmyōji girl who came into view made him stop thinking entirely.
Yura, who should've been waiting in the study, had apparently taken advantage of him changing clothes to change outfits herself. She'd shed her usual hunting robes that marked her as an Onmyōji, instead wearing a white yukata embroidered with cranes.
One black, one white—flowers and cranes complementing each other beautifully.
"Th-this outfit... when I went to order yours, I also got one made for myself..."
As Yura explained, she seemed somewhat nervous. Her already slightly flushed cheeks appeared even rosier against the white yukata.
"I don't really get many chances to wear something like this. Since we're actually going out together like this, I figured I might as well change too."
"Oh, looks great."
Bokue didn't overthink it, simply nodding in approval.
"Though if we walk around together tonight, we might scare some people."
"...Scare them?"
"One black, one white—we kind of look like a pair of grim reapers."
"..."
Yura instantly fell silent.
Then the young Onmyōji girl quickly stepped forward—tap tap tap—and grabbed her older brother's hand.
"Alright, let's go."
"Have you decided where you want to go?"
Bokue let her lead him, following along obediently.
Yura hummed softly in confirmation: "Kiyomizu-dera Temple. There should be fewer people there by now, and it's on the way."
"On the way?"
Bokue found this phrasing a bit confusing.
Weren't they just going to Kiyomizu-dera to hang out? What did she mean "on the way"? It sounded like this outing had other destinations too.
"Because on the way back tonight, we also need to visit Fushimi Inari, Chūgū, Ryūen-ji, Seigen-ji, Saihōgan-ji..."
Yura rattled off about ten different location names in one breath. With each one she mentioned, Bokue's expression grew more complicated.
Because if he remembered correctly, all these places were shrines belonging to various branch families of the Keikain clan—also the locations used to disperse and seal Hagoromo-Gitsune's power.
And judging by how smoothly she recited them, like reading off a menu, inspecting all these shrines had clearly become part of Yura's daily routine.
Honestly, being the heir apparent was rough.
Though now that he thought about it, if everything went according to plan, Hagoromo-Gitsune should be making her move tonight too, right? Wonder if they'd run into her?
❁❁❁❁
Meanwhile, at the entrance to Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto.
Standing on the mountaintop plaza, watching the last rays of sunset fade beyond the distant horizon, Hagoromo-Gitsune—still dressed in her black-stockinged high school uniform—remained expressionless, her eyes betraying not a ripple of emotion. Only the mountain breeze gently stirred her pleated skirt.
Behind her came the blonde beauty's inquiring voice.
"Are you ready to depart?"
"Of course, sister."
Her response brimmed with confidence. The Lord of Darkness who'd once ruled Kyoto four hundred years ago turned her head, a smile curling at her lips.
"Your arrogant child didn't take advantage of my sealed powers to destroy me. Instead, he practically invited me to reclaim my sealed strength piece by piece. So I will honor my promise—once I've reclaimed all my power, I will wipe out every last drop of that detestable Keikain bloodline!"
As her words fell, Hagoromo-Gitsune's form dissipated into the air.
Witnessing this, Yasaka could only sigh softly, closing her eyes to channel her demonic power, further reinforcing the barrier blanketing the entire Kansai region.
❁❁❁❁
The scene shifted.
Hagoromo-Gitsune had already appeared within Fushimi Inari Shrine, the deepening twilight coalescing to form her figure, as if she'd stepped out of an ink painting.
It was currently dinnertime, so Fushimi Inari Shrine had almost no tourists, but there were still Onmyōji from Keikain branch families stationed to guard it.
Seeing someone appear so abruptly, the guards immediately raised their vigilance, surrounding her while gripping their talismans.
"Stop right there. We've closed for sightseeing today."
The lead branch family Onmyōji scrutinized the girl who'd seemingly materialized from nowhere.
The only reason he hadn't attacked immediately was because he detected no demonic energy. Plus, in this world, demons weren't the only ones who could appear in weird and unusual ways.
What if she was from some other allied faction? Starting a fight by mistake would be trouble.
There'd definitely be a whole mess to deal with afterward.
However, the unfamiliar high school girl before them acted as if she hadn't heard their warning at all. She raised one hand to lightly touch her lips, tilting her face upward arrogantly.
"Keikain Onmyōji? No matter how many years pass, you're still just as revolting."
"What did you just—!"
Hearing those words, the branch family Onmyōji realized something was wrong and moved to activate his talisman.
But it was already too late.
Like a heavenly fox, nine massive tails suddenly swept out from behind Hagoromo-Gitsune. In just an instant, all the branch family Onmyōji in the shrine were torn to pieces, blood and flesh scattering in every direction.
Having finished this, Hagoromo-Gitsune didn't even spare them a glance. She walked straight into the shrine's interior and casually yanked up the wooden post that had been covered in talismans and bound with thick ropes.
"Good. Now part of my power has returned..."
Just as Hagoromo-Gitsune was thinking this, the next second, a massive form as huge as a mountain burst up from beneath the shrine's underground.
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