"See ya, little guys!" Reisen Riou waved to the Floating Spirits, zipping back to Narukami Island via Makoto's Statue of the Seven teleportation. He still hadn't a clue what Raiden Makoto and Yae Miko discussed in their sealed spell-talk. Post-lunch, they'd pulled Raiden Ei into a long chat, after which Makoto and Yae Miko warmed to him, but Ei grew oddly stiff—baffling him completely.
Back on Narukami Island, expecting to lament missing the Yuna Clan's hot springs, Reisen Riou was thrilled to get special access. Free spa time! he cheered inwardly, unaware of Ei's calculating glance. I'm going dark, she thought.
…
Flashback to Makoto and Yae Miko's spell-shielded talk. "Miko, what do you think of Ei and Riou?" Makoto asked.
"You mean that?" Yae Miko grinned.
"Exactly. I wasn't keen, but Ei's been so down—desserts barely help. Mention Riou, though, and she perks up," Makoto said, worried.
"Are they really…?" Yae Miko trailed off.
"No clue, but Ei spent days at Riou's estate," Makoto said. "A man and woman alone…"
"Right, something's off. Remember Ritou?" Yae Miko asked.
"Were they already at it? They seemed normal then," Makoto mused.
"Normal? Ei held his hand—when does she ever do that?" Yae Miko countered.
"True," Makoto nodded. They traced Ei's actions, concluding she and Reisen Riou had long been smitten. She'd never visited disciples so often before, and their cover was blown at Ritou. Post-Seven Archons' Banquet, their "refreshed" demeanor confirmed it. They debated why Ei liked him: shared interests, intellectual parity, and his near-Great Youkai ascent in just 74 years—a genius. They agreed, post-breakthrough, he'd barely be worthy of her.
Dragging Ei in, their sharp gazes confirmed her feelings and his mutual interest. Her explanations only dug deeper—Makoto and Yae Miko dismissed them, doubling down. Ei, sensing escape was futile, "blackened," plotting to mess with Reisen Riou and get back at her sister and Yae Miko. (Ei: I never said that!)
…
Reisen Riou soaked in the Yuna Clan's hot springs, savoring the off-duty freedom to linger. "So relaxing," he sighed, sensing faint electronic signals tied to him. Curious, he linked to them via Thunderous Yougou Divine Machine 2.2. "So white, so… big…" Nosebleed averted, he panicked. Too much!
"What's this, Ei?" Yae Miko's voice echoed.
"Something fun I found on Ritou," Ei replied.
"A love token from your sweetheart?" Yae Miko teased.
"Uh, Lady Ei, Miko, what's that about?" Torachiyo asked, confused.
"You sly fox, don't run!" Ei chased Yae Miko, their hot spring antics unfolding. Reisen Riou's brain raced—enjoying and processing. He knew Ei understood the eavesdropping function's simple tech. "What's she playing at?" he muttered, coughing to mask his awe at Yae Miko's tail and Ei's cinematic angles. Makoto, identical yet distinct, dazzled him. Narukami preserve me, not intentional, but… wow. Torachiyo's petite charm? Not his type.
Parsing their banter, he grew suspicious. Makoto and Yae Miko thought he and Ei were a couple—possibly that far. Ei's denials only fueled their belief, especially when Yae Miko teased, "Is Riou good?"—a suggestive jab. Ei, missing the innuendo, said, "Very," blushing as she caught on (reading his mind). Her flustered excuses sealed the "truth."
They're so wrong, but… Reisen Riou considered disconnecting but shrugged. No danger yet. Might as well enjoy. Death by peony's romantic, right? He leaned in, figuring a little more wouldn't hurt.
--------------------
Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage