Boom! Boom!
The sound of approaching footsteps reverberated through the corridor, someone rapidly approaching the room.
Despite her anger building up inside, Ruri had to make an effort to control her emotions, avoiding any accidental outbursts that might devastate the entire building.
Before opening the door, she mentally prepared herself. Thoughts of violently confronting those who dared to intrude without permission ran through her mind.
With a resounding crash, Ruri forcefully swung open the door, seemingly unbothered by the potential damage she might inflict on it. In the end, a severe crack marred the door frame as a result of her hasty entrance.
Startled by Ruri's abrupt arrival, the two occupants in the room appeared surprised.
Yet, the catastrophic scenario she might have imagined failed to manifest. Instead, both people inside were unusually well-behaved and proper.
Ayane remained seated at the edge of the bed with a chair, fully clothed, showing no signs of disarray. She was spoon feeding Shiraishi hot rice porridge with a gentle touch, as if she was tending to a patient carefully.
Ruri's face betrayed no emotion, her stern presence filling the room. It wasn't so much anger radiating from her as it was an aura meant to unnerve those inside.
"I realized that Shiraishi-kun was home alone, so I brought over some lunch. I didn't do anything... Are you angry?" Ayane set down the spoon and the bowl of hot rice porridge, calmly addressing Ruri.
"No. I just thought it would be nice if you let me know before coming over. There's no need for it to take so long to feed him." Ruri responded with a tone as level as Ayane's.
Though their conversation seemed normal, Shiraishi could sense the palpable tension in the air.
"Well, Shiraishi-kun's kindness is hard to resist, and he's been pulling me closer. It is a bit of a dilemma, so I stayed for a while." Ayane explained with a gentle smile.
"Didn't you just decide stay refusing to leave?" Shiraishi interjected.
"What are you talking about? Shiraishi-kun, men should never lie to women."
Ayane replied, her head tilted in apparent confusion, as if she was completely unaware of what Shiraishi was talking about.
"Alright, Ruri, there's really nothing to it. Can you take her out? I would like some time alone." Shiraishi said while rubbing his forehead, feeling exasperated by the tense atmosphere.
Shiraishi massaged the area between his eyebrows, deeply troubled by the tense atmosphere. The more Ayane tried to clarify the situation, the worse it seemed to become.
This woman had a remarkable knack for maintaining her composure even when facing challenging situations. A mere hint of embarrassment and the truth would remain unspoken.
"You should have considered me a wounded person before coming over here,"
Shiraishi remarked, his eyes filled with complaint as he gazed at Ayane. It wasn't so much about angering Ruri as intentionally disrupting his rest. He could likely comprehend the root of this resentment. As a result, a sense of guilt began to well up within him.
While Shiraishi pondered these thoughts, Ruri, on the other side, took a deep breath and said, "You can continue your conversation here. I'm not that possessive."
With that statement, she left the room, her attitude just as cold as usual.
Approximately ten seconds after Ruri left the room, a sudden deafening noise rang out.
Boom!
The entire room, no the entire house, from the rooms to the foundation underneath, experienced an intense and horrifying tremor.
Amid the panic and screams, the house tilted at a thirty-degree angle. In his weak state, Shiraishi awkwardly rolled off the bed and fell onto all fours on the ground.
"What's going on—?"
Shiraishi barely had time to voice his confusion when he heard a resounding crack from above.
Looking upward with a sense of foreboding, he watched as a gaping hole formed in the ceiling, causing stones to fall down.
The entire house was reduced to rubble. Shiraishi and Ayane were buried beneath a huge amount of debris.
Passersby were drawn to the scene.
An old man walking his dog passed by. He glanced at the collapsed house and continued on his way with a nonchalant expression. His dog barked twice.
...
After enduring the cold wind all afternoon and moving to a new single-family villa in the evening, Shiraishi's cold appeared to worsen. His plan to rest and recuperate during his illness had been thwarted. However, the chaotic events from earlier in the day had subsided, and he could finally enjoy a peaceful evening.
Shiraishi planned to take another day off to compensate for missing a day of relaxation.
During the night, as he lay in bed, Shiraishi suddenly noticed Ruri standing beside him, her eyes locked onto him without blinking. Her gaze, akin to a deep, cold abyss, sent a chill down Shiraishi's spine.
"Ruri... what's the matter?"
Shiraishi asked, feeling an unsettling thump in his chest. His worsening cold had made his tone nasal.
"I'm thinking about... if i should strangle you right now." Ruri said in a cold tone.
'Please don't say such dreadful things at night.' Shiraishi said inwardly as he felt the cold chill creeping into his very bones.
When Shiraishi was about to respond, he suddenly felt a severe twist in his waist.
"Ah!"
Shiraishi couldn't help but shout. As he gingerly touched his painful waist, he realized it had turned an alarming shade of blue.
Indeed, it had.
Just as Shiraishi was about to speak, Ruri changed her position and straddled Shiraishi, digging her nails deeply into his neck.
"Why can't you control your lower part?"
"I'm truly dedicated to you, you're the best woman in the whole world." Shiraishi hurriedly replied.
This statement wasn't just a polite statement. It came from the heart.
"What about her?"
"Well...."
It was complicated. It wasn't easy to explain. After all, what was wrong with men having desires? He just didn't want to let anyone down.
As adults, they had grown more open about their feelings. To him, each of them was a unique and cherished individual.
They were worth risking his life for.
Though he held these sentiments, saying them out loud made him feel something terrible might happen.
"If you're lying to me, I won't go easy on you. I'll kill you." Ruri warned.
"I'm not lying."
"What about her!!?"
Her fingers were tightening on his neck. They seemed to be drawing blood.
"It appears you have no excuses left, so I'll deal with you tonight."
Her murderous intent was evident.
Initially, Shiraishi believed Ruri was simply joking, but he soon realized she was serious.
The sound. of the howling wind outside seemed to grow louder.
...
When he woke up in the morning, the warmth of a burning stove contrasted with the cold outside.
Shiraishi's cold had not yet healed, and his eyes were surrounded by heavy dark circles.
The woman who shared his bed was entirely naked. She woke up at that moment, her breath warming the air as she asked by his ear, "How many times were you 'killed' last night?"
Shiraishi's entire body ached, and he couldn't muster the strength to speak.
Seeing Shiraishi's silence, Ruri understood he had been overtaxed and deprived of his much-needed sleep. She, however, showed no signs of sympathy. Instead, she continued to exploit his weakened body relentlessly.
"I almost thought i was going to die."
After a long silence, Shiraishi sighed heavily.
"It's best for men like you who wants to ride two boats to die."
Ruri said to him with a cold glare, paying no mind to his complaints. The man, much like that Byakugan woman, couldn't speak a single word of truth. They had both learned to be deceitful.
Shiraishi didn't object. He acknowledged that he was a despicable man. He turned around and drew Ruri into his arms, tenderly stroking her belly with one hand.
"We didn't use any protection last night. Will you get pregnant?"
"Don't worry, if there's a child, I will kill the man who wronged me on the spot."
"Please don't talk about killing all the time. it's bad luck."
"I hate you."
Shiraishi held Ruri even closer, allowing her to rest her head against his chest.
"Then you can hate me forever, but I'll love you forever."
Ruri didn't know whether to feel happy or irritated. If he had been confined in that underground base of her childhood home without any outside exposure, she might have been spared of these complications. She opened her mouth and bit down on Shiraishi's exposed arm.
....
As the night of the festival arrived, a new year began.
The weather in January grew colder, but the city's atmosphere managed to dispel the chill, enveloping it in a warm and inviting ambiance.
The New Year's Eve Festival was really different from the one in Konoha.
In Shiraishi's opinion, Konoha's New Year's Eve Festival was rather unremarkable. It mainly consisted of shopping, dining, watching some unoriginal entertainment, and witnessing juggling acts which were copied from unknown sources. The festival neither celebrated nor deepened Konoha's unique cultural heritage.
Even in the Land of Fire, lare-scale religious ceremonies were organized. The daimyo would invite genuine monks from the Temple of Fire to lead ceremonies in the capital.
In Shiraishi's view, a unique culture not only deepened people's faith but also bolstered their sense of belonging to a particular "organization."
Konoha was different. it maintained no such rituals. In a way, it had different beliefs compared to the Land of Fire.
Konoha, along with other ninja villages and countries, operated based on long-term contracts or alliances of interest rather than shared governance. There was no unity of power either.
The Land of Demons, an enigmatic country where military, political, and economic power are solely under the control of the high priestess herself.
It is apparent that this nation has its own allure for the priestesses and lovers of the mysterious, rather than simply imitating other countries' customs and rituals at their most important festival of the year.
Along the main road of Oni City, amid the typical festival-goers in ordinary clothes, there was no shortage of people dressed in peculiar and unique outfits, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere.
Shiraishi, Ruri, and Ayane who were wearing masks to hide their identities, blended into the crowd with their ordinary appearances.
The owner of the open-air grilled Takoyaki stand had dressed as a ghost. The fron store adorned with eerie lights evoked the ambiance of a haunted house, luring curious onlookers.
And then, a little girl garbed as a shrine maiden rushed by, clutching a coin, likely on a mission to vanquish demons.
The peculiar culture of the Land of Demons was distinctly evident. This being their first time partaking in such a festival, it was natural to be curious.
The huge moon in the sky cast its glow upon the snow-covered streets. This year, the road surface was smoother than in the past, and the city appeared cleaner, further kindling the spirit of festivity among the people.
In addition to the local cultural activities in the Land of Demons, foreign traders attending the festival brought their own countries' uniqueness without overshadowing the hosts, fostering a romantic ambiance.
"It's so much livelier than Konoha."
Ayane said, her pink yukata and rabbit mask giving her an endearing appearance as she looked at the lively and orderly festivities.
Shiraishi silently agreed. From the moment he set foot in the Land of Demons, he had invested significant funds, invited professional Craftsman to assist in transformations, and enlisted ninjas capable of the craft.
This year's festival bore the fruits of their collective labor.
As the capital of the country, Oni City was already a relatively prosperous large city. Following this new wave of improvements, it would be disgraceful for it to pale in comparison to Konoha, given the huge investments of time and resources.
Ruri remained silent, her eyes captivated by the dazzling array of beautiful sights before her. In her moon-white yukata and vibrant fox mask, she exuded a sense of interest.
For their first time at such a festival, the three of them wandered without a specific goal, taking breaks on benches along the snowy path and observing the festivalgoers' extravagant outfit.
Continuing their walk, they reached the heart of the commercial street.
Here, a vast open square featured a magnificent and well-thought-out stage. A large number of priestesses in red and white or pure white garments, danced on the stage.
The soft sound of flutes filled the air, creating a lively yet serene ambiance.
People exchanged hushed conversations, their voices no match for the enchanting melodies.
The priestesses took to the stage, wearing bright red lipstick and jingling ornaments on their heads and clothing, such as bells that rang as they swayed to the music.
In contrast, the pure white-clad priestesses stopped dancing, forming an outer circle. This allowed the red and white-clad priestesses to continue their circle dance.
With their eyes closed, they lifted seven knives in their hands, as if engaged in a sacred and solemn prayer ceremony.
Afterwards, the seven knives erupted in a burst of spectacular flames, illuminating the surroundings and inciting cheers from the spectators.
Their movements were graceful, their expressions solemn and divine, and their dances executed flawlessly. These exceptional Miko were selected from shrines across the Land of Demons and assembled here to conduct the annual blessing ceremony for the country.
As snowflakes gently fell from the night sky, they resembled countless feathers wafting through the air before gently landing on the stage.
The combination of snowflakes and the Miko dancimg created a spellbinding spectacle.
People were momentarily transported away from the cold winter night. Their spirits and the priestess' fervor danced as one, praying for happiness, reunions with family, purification of their hearts, and the dawn of a new year.
"Shiraishi-kun, you were utterly lost in thought. I called you several times, but you didn't respond."
Coming to his senses, Shiraishi found both Ruri and Ayane looking at him with unfriendly eyes.
"I was praying for you just now."
Shiraishi replied with a smile. After all, surrounded by the enchanting dancers, he was as captivated as everyone else. That's right he wasn't stunned by the beauties.
"Damn it! are you having ideas about other women?" Ayane retorted, annoyance in her voice.
"Don't be ridiculous!"
Cold sweat formed on Shiraishi's forehead. He had merely been admiring the beauty of the ceremony, yet Ayane was drawing unwarranted conclusions.
"What sacred and solemn prayer ceremony? It's clearly a seduction ritual!" Ayane fumed.
Ruri, though less vocal, shared Ayane's disapproval. Despite her aversion to Ayane, she agreed on this point.
This wasn't a sacred blessing ceremony. It seemed like a seduction ritual aimed at enticing men. Especially men like Shiraishi, who could be emotionally and physically swayed easily.
"Come on!" Ayane seized Shiraishi's arm and led him in a particular direction.
"Where are we going?" Shiraishi was baffled.
Ayane pointed at a clothing store nearby.
"Don't you want to withstand temptation? I'm going to get a Miko costume too!"
'What's going on in this woman's head?' Shiraishi wondered, struggling to understand this woman's logic.
Ten minutes later, Ruri and Ayane, now dressed as Muko, stood before Shiraishi. Shiraishi scratched his head, unsure of what to do.
"It seems that wearing the Miko costumes adds more to the festival experience." Ayane said, gazing down at her costume with satisfaction.
"I'm hungry, let's go get something to eat."
Shiraishi had little choice but to agree He decided it would be wise not to wander around further.
After all, this was a festival, the streets were filled with Miko performances and blessings, particularly in the commercial street's center, where the melodious sound of flutes could be heard from a distance.
The three of them entered a hot spring tavern to have a meal and enjoy the hot springs afterward. While ordering food, they also bought a few bottles of sake.
The flute's melodies could still be heard from outside, where priestesses continued their gorgeous dances to pray for people.
Shiraishi closed his eyes, sipped sake, and listened to the flute's tunes while imagining himself dancing with one of them.
Life seemed peaceful and pleasant this way.
However, his daydream was interrupted as the dancing Miko in his imagination transformed into Ruri and Ayane, wearing in their attire, gracefully performing before him.
"Cough!"
Shiraishi choked on his drink, coughing. He opened his eyes to find an uncomfortable atmosphere at the table.
Ruri and Ayane were locked in a tense exchange of glares. Several empty sake bottles sat beside them, their faces flushed with drunkenness.
"If you can't handle your sake, you shouldn't have drunk so much. We could've enjoyed the festival afterward."
Shiraishi looked at the two who were competing silently, and thought that today could be passed without any worries, but it seemed he thought too much. How could these two women coexist peacefully.
"Shiraishi-kun, just stay seated, unlike a certain someone, i can hold my sake well, and I've never turned down a drink." Ayane held the cup in her hand, and drank in one gulp.
"I've heard that women with big chests are poor drinkers."
"Oh... Are you still jealous of them?"
Ayane retorted, puffing out her chest slightly, causing things to tremble beneath the thin fabric.
"You're the jealous one. I've won completely. Your ugliness is written all over your face."
Ruri shot back, a smug smile playing on her lips. She raised her cup elegantly and took a sip.
Ayane took a deep breath, her chest heaving, showing the extent of her frustration.
Then, she uttered two words,
"Teapot lid."
Ruri displayed a visible annoyance at the words.
"Who's sleeping next to Shiraishi now? You can see it with your Byakugan, right?"
"Teapot lid."
"...b*tch."
"Teapot lid."
The tension crackled in the air. Their utensils clinked and sparked as fork and knife collided.
"Alright, it seems like you've both had a bit too much to drink. How about we head to the hot spring to calm down?" Shiraishi suggested, hoping to diffuse the situation.
"Shiraishi-kun, just sit here."
"That's right. You're not at fault for not being able to control your lower body."
"Things were weird from the start, but obviously I was the one who honestly met Shiraishi-kun first, and I was the one who kissed him first. Why are you acting so shamelessly teapot lid? Are you trying to seduce Shiraishi-kun?"
Ayane vented her frustration towards Ruri. The more she thought about it, the more resentful she became.
Shiraishi just took a sip of his wine.
"What's the importance of your words? You b*tch, you're the one being shameless."
"Wasn't I the one to win his love first?"
"Even if you won him with a sword, it doesn't change the fact that you are weaker than me. The unwilling face of a loser is truly ugly."
"Strength is used to show power. No wonder Shiraishi-kun can't let go of my gentleness. With you around, he must have been under lot of pressure."
Observing the two engaged in a verbal confrontation, their gazes locked, with sparks flying in the air, Shiraishi realized they would likely continue bickering all night.
He sighed and decided to continue drinking. The sound of the flute filled the air, and the lively festival carried on. It seemed that this year might be peaceful.
...,..
At noon, the sun shone brightly, creating a beautiful day. The bustling festival had concluded, leaving Oni City quiet and empty during the day.
Something was moving under the bed. Ruri got up, gathered her long hair as she picked up her clothes and began dressing.
"Ruri, what time is it?"
Shiraishi asked groggily. He was experiencing a mild hangover due to the heavy drinking at the tavern the previous night. The bed felt warm and comfortable, and he had no desire to leave.
It was the New Year season, so he could afford to relax a few more days without worrying about work.
Ruri didn't respond but said, "I'm going out to buy a new house."
Shiraishi was surprised. They had only bought this house a few days ago. Why would they need a new one already?
"What's wrong with this house? Why do we need a new one?"
"This house.... isn't clean. I want a new one."
Ruri walked out with a blank expression, her expression was as cold as usual.
"Shiraishi-kun, whats... the matter? Do you still want it.....? No, I couldn't do it last night..."
Ayane's voice sounded from behind, where her white arms wrapped around Shiraishi's neck. She opened her eyes slightly and giggled, clearly still feeling the effects of last night's drinking.
"Ayane? You...?" Shiraishi was startled as he suddenly realized Ayane was sharing the bed with him.
His head began throbbing again. Thinking back, they had all consumed a large amount of drink last night, which led to…
Shiraishi's face paled.
"Ayane, get up!"
"Huh? What's wrong?" Ayane lifted herself up slightly, her pajamas partially undone. She yawned, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"No time to explain; just hurry—"
Boom!
The foundation of the building trembled, causing the entire villa to tilt at a 30-degree angle due to a powerful force.
The walls began to crack visibly.
In their panic, Shiraishi and Ayane rolled off the bed just as a large stone fell from above.
Meanwhile, Ruri stood outside staring at the house now in ruins expressionless.
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