On the roof of one of the few high-rise buildings in Kyoto, a white-haired young man sat. His legs dangling over the edge of the building, he admired the night view, periodically distracted by the half-empty bottle in his hand. The door opened behind him, but Kiyoshi did not pay attention to it. Without breaking the silence, his best friend sat down next to the phoenix. For a while, they were simply silent, lost in their thoughts.
— Years go by, but your habits never change, Kiyoshi. When you want to think about something, you prefer to watch the sky from the roof, — these words made the blond remember the old warehouse, the first refuge of the children's gang. — You haven't been seen since yesterday. Did something serious happen at the meeting?
In response, Zankoku silently handed a new bottle to Shinichi, taking a big sip from his own. Just the mention of the meeting and its aftermath gave him a headache. He spent the whole day in the company of his female bosses, discussing and planning his next steps.
— Let's just say, — a crooked smile appeared on his face, — everything didn't go well. So much so that it could result in big trouble, and in order for us to avoid it, we need to arrange these same troubles for others. And with all this, a lot of work fell on my shoulders again.
— Mm-hmm. You often disappeared before, and now it's even worse.
— Yes and no, — seeing the questioning look, Kiyoshi decided to clarify his words: — With the approach of the beginning of our plan, the stakes increase significantly, but it will not be possible to organize additions so immediately. Requests for a meeting have already been sent, but it will not be possible to implement everything for at least a week.
— What do you intend to do during this short respite?
— As planned before — I will spend some time with the girls and visit my grandparents. I haven't visited my hometown for a long time.
— Hometown, huh... — Shinichi said with slight sadness. — I haven't been there for a long time.
Seeing his friend like this, the phoenix cursed himself mentally. Unlike him, Shin had parted with his parents on a bad note. When the blond invited his loyal deputy to Hyakki Yako, the boy's parents were categorically against letting their son go to Kyoto to become a member of the yakuza. They could tolerate his antics in the gang, but not like becoming a real criminal.
— They still don't want to talk to you?
— Yes. The last time we talked, they completely disowned me, placing all their expectations on their younger brother, — without saying a word, the guys bumped bottles and took a couple of sips. — Do you have something to eat? — In response to the question, Kiyoshi pulled out a plate full of snacks from his personal space. — Convenient! Do you always carry these with you?
— Ha-ha-ha! No, I was just planning to come to you soon, but you found me so conveniently yourself, — both laughed cheerfully, admiring the scenery again. — Tell me... do you regret accepting my invitation?
— What? Of course not, idiot! — Shinichi was very angry with this question. — In all this time, I have never even thought about such a thing. Without even asking my opinion, they already decided my entire future life for me. However, when their son refused and decided to take his fate into his own hands, they simply cut off all ties with me, — the guy blurted out angrily. — And what did they want for me? For me to sit my whole life in a cramped office for a pittance, in a shitty team and constantly overtime? No way! Just ten years ago, we played hooligans, intimidated classmates and took money from them, and what now? Hyakki Yakou is the largest and strongest gang in the entire country! I'm just over twenty years old and I have power and money in my hands that most people will never get in their lifetime.
— Ha-ha-ha! Right on target, Shinichi! You've already achieved what many people never dreamed of, and you have your whole life ahead of you to enjoy it.
— And what about you? — the brunette asked cheerfully. — I still don't believe in the existence of the supernatural, despite daily confirmation. But you command the parade of evil spirits, are friends with the legendary nine—tailed fox and constantly meet with real gods.
— Don't forget about the two beautiful nekomata wives and the dragon, — the phoenix added with a grin.
— Yeah! You fulfilled the dream of many teenagers about a harem with cat girls. Ha—ha—ha! — the guys burst into friendly laughter.
— Well, seriously, to the said bonuses you can add minuses in the form of enmity with the Demon Lords, an army of fallen angels, foreign gods and the entire Heavenly army for my soul.
— Sounds like a death sentence, — his friend smiled wryly, — but you have the dragon god of Infinity on your side. I always get goosebumps just by her presence, how do you live with her?
— During the first ten visits to the loli dragon, Kuroki and I would get goosebumps when we were around her, but little by little we got used to it. Soon this little one stopped scaring me so much, and we found a common language. Ophis lost her naivety, acquiring imperious traits worthy of a being at the top of the world. It is her pride and aura of superiority that affects you and the others so much, but with her family she is a cutie and a sweetheart. What are their and Kumiko's constant pranks worth? — the phoenix fondly recalled his family.
— Let's forget about the supernatural, I don't really understand it anyway. I am completely satisfied with working in the human part of our world.
The friends continued to have fun under the light of the full moon, letting go of their problems. Reminiscing about the past and joking about the present, they sat like that until dawn.
***
When Kuroki's day came to go on a date with Kiyoshi, she decided to spend half the day on a family outing. Taking Kumiko with her, the couple delighted their beloved daughter in the best amusement park in Japan. Various rides, all kinds of snacks made a wonderful impression on the little nekoshou. Ringing joyful laughter was heard throughout the entire walk, and a happy smile did not leave the girl even upon returning home. The evening was planned for a more adult pastime, as the dark-haired nekomata loved.
A luxury car drove up to the entrance of the best restaurant in Tokyo. As soon as the car stopped, an employee immediately approached and opened the door. A young white—haired youth got out of the car. He was dressed in a yukata over which there was a haori with a picture of a purple Phoenix. Following the man, his companion appeared from the car. The dark—haired beauty was dressed in a pink yukata with a pattern of a two—tailed black cat. As soon as the girl took his hand, the couple walked to the reception desk.
— I made a reservation under the name Kiyoshi Zankoku.
— One second, — the girl quickly found the name on the list and nodded to the waiter, — You will now be shown to your seat. Have a nice evening.
Having thanked the employee, they took the elevator to the top floor, from where a magnificent view of the night city opened up.
— Here is your table, — the waiter led the couple to their place by the window, — As soon as you are ready to place your order, let me know, and I will serve you immediately, — the young man said with a duty smile. Having cast one last glance at the beauty, who sent playful glances in his direction the whole way, he left the couple.
This establishment was elite and not every person could afford to visit it, so any client here was very influential. However, sometimes there were cases like this, when the girls were more interested in the cute waiters than in their companions. Taru, as one of the lucky ones, was glad to attract the attention of this beauty. He was already fantasizing about a pleasant night of love, when the manager called him to him.
— Any problems, boss? — the young man asked with a smile.
The manager, a stern man with gray hair, looked closely into Taru's eyes.
— You know, over the past six months you have become one of my best employees. Although you sometimes cross the line, flirting with visitors, but I turned a blind eye to it, since they themselves wanted it, — the young man was proud of the praise and smirked arrogantly. — However, I ask you not to do anything stupid today. Your usual behavior can end badly for both you and our restaurant.
— What are you talking about, old man? I never start first, the girls themselves take the initiative. I only respond to their desires. Just like that beauty, — at these words, Taru caught Kuroki's gaze and smiled at the girl's wink. — You see.
— That's the problem, — the man looked at the brunette with apprehension, — This is not the first time we have had this couple and something like this has happened before. In front of you is not a simple gold digger like you are used to, but a cunning woman. She just plays with stupid boys, provoking them to act, so that she can enjoy the consequences later. Don't ruin your life, Taru, don't do something stupid.
— Okay, but are you sure that this is right... — the young man decided to listen to his boss and friend, but looking at the girl again, he stopped short. Instead of a sweet smile, the brunette had a malicious grin on her face, as if she had heard their entire conversation and was mocking the victim who had successfully escaped. Toru decided not to provoke fate and not to serve this table.
—Tsk, he's lucky, — the nekoshou tsked in disappointment. — Why are you looking at me like that?
— I'll punish you, — the blond said calmly. — As soon as we get home, you'll get what you deserve.
— Ah, Kiyoshi, he wants to punish his naughty kitty, nya, — the girl asked with a mischievous smile. — I'm looking forward to my punishment, ho~zya~in~.
—Eh-h, — all the irritation that Kuroka had made him feel disappeared. — And how am I supposed to be angry with you if you behave like that? I am, of course, a terrible and jealous owner, but you shouldn't expose good people to my wrath. The kid really didn't try to do anything before your game started.
— Wow, has my jealous husband become softer?
— No, but I can't kill just because of simple admiration for the beauty of my magnificent and perfect wife. Otherwise, there would be too many corpses, — none of the couple paid attention to the trembling waiter who was serving the next table at that moment. — When they look with lust, undressing with their eyes, then you can tear out those very eyes.
— Then let's not talk about useless things. You wanted to talk about something else, right? — using senjutsu, Kuroka hid their conversation from the others.
— Yes, it's about your training, — Zankoku's gaze became more severe. — I understand that injuries during training are quite normal, but with Shirone receiving the Balance Breaker, you have become too carried away. On my part, this sounds like hypocrisy, considering everything we have been through, but I do not want you to put so much pressure on yourself. Understand, torn off limbs are not what I want to see during your sparring.
— And what do you order me to do when everyone around me is getting stronger? — asked the nekoshou with undisguised resentment. — With the help of twilight healing, Shirone no longer sees me as an opponent, and Akeno sees me as a dragon with a full-fledged longinus!
— I'll talk to that berserker cat too, but if you're worried about not having a mechanism, then stop it, — Kiyoshi gently grabbed Kuroki's clenched fists. — I just didn't have a mechanism suitable for you before.
— Before?
— Yes, before, — the phoenix confirmed.
— When I received my training material from Serafall, I discovered a powerful mechanism in the girl. After studying it, I was able to learn more about it, and it will suit you perfectly.
— By the way, what about this sleeping sickness, did you manage to understand the reasons?
— Yes. My suspicions were confirmed, — he happily said. — The problem is related to the soul. With the help of the Grail, I can fix it, but we need to wait a little. If our scientists fail to improve the extraction artifact in a week so that it does not kill patients, then I will use the Grail and resurrect the girl, curing her of the disease at the same time.
— Why couldn't the demons figure out the cause of the disease themselves?
— Without the Grail and its knowledge of the soul's structure, it's almost impossible to make a correct diagnosis, and since it's a sacred mechanism, no one will risk the life of a pure—blooded devil for the sake of a ghostly chance.
— I see, nya, — the girl had already cheered up after the news of the imminent gift. — Then fulfill my last whim, — the nekomata moved closer to Kiyoshi's ear with a quiet purr, — and we can go to the very hotel where you've already booked a room.
— I just can't refuse you this, — the blond answered with a grin, who had been feeling a disgusting look in their direction from one of the guests for some time.
They continued their dinner, but at this time the nekomata focused her attention on her new victim. An obvious representative of the golden youth, who got everything they wanted at the expense of their parents' money, looked lustfully at the luxurious brunette. Sitting in the company of an unpretentious guy, she was clearly more interested in him, if the glances she was throwing at him were anything to go by.
— Maybe you should dump this loser and spend the evening with a real man? — the dyed blond approached their table, no longer wanting to hold back.
— Well, I don't know, — the girl pointedly glanced at her companion, — how do I know you're telling the truth?
— Ha! I'm Jura Shimodo. My father is not the last in the Cabinet of Ministers, so I have more power and money than many people here.
— Really?! Great! — Kuroka admired, and the rich kid stared at Kiyoshi with superiority. He was already used to girls reacting to his words like that. — Then you can get rid of him, otherwise he'll never let me go.
— You heard the lady, loser. Get out while I'm being kind, or you'll get in trouble, — the white-haired guy silently rose from his seat at his tirade. Towering half a head above him, Kiyoshi delivered a sharp blow to the jaw, knocking the guy off his feet. — What! Have you completely lost your fear, bastard?!
— No kid, — Zankoku's wooden sandal was imprinted on Jura's stomach, — you're the one being very fearless today. Mortally fearless, — ignoring his attempts to throw his foot off, the phoenix sent a message from his phone. A minute later, when the rich kid was already seething with rage and humiliation, his phone rang. — Answer the call, it must be your father.
— Shut up! As soon as I get out, you'll die, bitch!
— Ha-ha! — a blow to the face interrupted the guy's screams, — If you don't want to, I'll help you myself.
Kiyoshi took the phone out of his jacket and put it on speakerphone.
— Jura, what have you done?! The Prime Minister just called me and told me to resign voluntarily, otherwise I'll face a public scandal. Who the hell did you insult? — Everyone in the restaurant heard his words and looked at the white-haired youth with fear, especially their original waiter Taru.
— Who are you?— Jura asked in horror.
— I'm just a servant of our gods and the leader of the Hundred Demon Parade.
— Nya-ha-ha! At least you tried, kid, — the brunette grabbed her companion's arm. — But my husband was too tough for you. Goodbye, loser-kun!