Next day
The next morning, Isshin woke earlier than usual, feeling the weight of a peculiar situation. Blinking against the mild headache pounding in his temples, he found himself wrapped up with multiple women—or cursed spirits, to be precise. He groaned, not from discomfort but at the hazy memories that started to resurface. "If my memory serves right, I had the wildest night… one best left forgotten," he muttered, recalling fragments of the events that had unfolded after getting too deep into the bottle.
The previous night had been a battle of endurance. The four women—Rani, Marika, Melina, and Malenia—had all taken turns draining his energy, ensuring he wouldn't get a moment's rest. They thought they had bested him, but Isshin, always one step ahead, had claimed victory in a different way. "The great war was won," he mused, a smug smile creeping onto his lips.
"I still can't believe it," he muttered as he left the room, shaking his head. "I actually managed to form a binding vow with them, and they accepted it willingly." He was in disbelief that his silver tongue had worked so effectively, binding all four to him without coercion. Isshin prided himself on his cunning, but even he hadn't expected this level of success.
*Riiinggg*
His phone's shrill ring cut through the quiet hallway. He picked it up without glancing at the screen. "Must be the Inspector General," he said to himself. Sure enough, it was the higher-up from Japan. It had been three or four days since Isshin arrived, and no contact had been made between him and the higher authorities.
"I was wondering when those fools would finally call," Isshin remarked with a smirk, his typical swagger returning. He spent the next few minutes in a conversation with the general, discussing the mission's progress and assuring them that everything was under control—though, of course, he left out some key details.
---
In the room they had shared, the women began to stir. Rani was the first to wake, followed by Marika, Melina, and then Malenia. As the memories of the previous night came flooding back to them, a collective silence fell over the room. The weight of what had happened settled in, and each of them began to process it in their own way.
Marika, always quick to anger when she felt wronged, was the first to break the silence. "He took advantage of our vulnerability!" she hissed, her eyes flashing with fury. Isshin's manipulation had clearly stung her pride. She despised being used as a pawn in someone else's game, and this situation was no different.
Rani, on the other hand, though in agreement, remained calm and composed. "Indeed," she said quietly, her voice measured. "He tricked us into the binding vow with his silver tongue." While she acknowledged the betrayal, she seemed less shocked than the others, as if she had anticipated this outcome. There was something almost resigned in her tone, as though Isshin's cleverness hadn't come as a surprise.
Malenia, less fiery but equally thoughtful, broke the tension with a suggestion. "Should we confront him about this?" Her voice wavered slightly, uncertainty coloring her words. She wasn't sure if confrontation was the best course of action, but it felt like the only option left to them.
Melina, who had spent the most time with Isshin, spoke up with a sigh. "If we do, it'll definitely lead to a fight," she warned. "I've been with him long enough to know that much. Isshin never backs down, not when he's been caught in something." She crossed her arms, the weight of experience behind her words. She knew him well, and she had seen how he reacted when pushed.
Before any of them could respond, Isshin appeared at the door, his usual cocky grin in place. He leaned casually against the frame, eyes gleaming with amusement. "What are you all talking about?" he asked, his voice light and teasing, but with a subtle edge that told them he was well aware of the topic at hand.
The tension in the room spiked as they all turned to face him, their eyes narrowing with suspicion, frustration, and a mixture of disbelief. Isshin stood in the doorway, relaxed but watchful, his usual smugness tempered by a readiness for the confrontation he knew was inevitable. For a few seconds, the silence was deafening. No one moved. It was a standoff of wills, each person searching the other's eyes for an opening.
Marika's voice cut through the tension first, sharp and filled with anger. "Why did you do it?!" she demanded, her fists clenched at her sides, her fury barely contained. The betrayal was fresh, and her pride wouldn't allow her to let it go so easily.
Isshin, unbothered by her anger, let out a slow breath before answering. His tone was calm, almost dismissive, as if what he'd done was the most logical thing in the world. "For ensuring you won't interfere in this world," he said simply, his words cold in their practicality. "I mean, I had other options, but they weren't nearly as optimal."
The room fell silent again, his words hanging in the air. The admission stung, not just for its bluntness but for the casual way in which he laid out his reasoning.
"I've been planning this for a week," Isshin continued, his gaze shifting between them. "I waited for the moment when you'd all lower your guard." His voice held no trace of remorse, only the calculated tone of someone who had orchestrated every move with precision. To him, this wasn't a betrayal—it was just the smartest move to achieve his goal.
Rani's eyes narrowed. She had suspected he was scheming, but hearing him confirm it so casually still left a bitter taste. "You played us," she said, her voice calm but laced with disappointment. "But surely you know the repercussions."
Melina, arms crossed, spoke next, her voice quieter but resolute. "You may have won this round, but we're not the kind to be bound so easily." She looked him square in the eyes, knowing he understood the gravity of her words.
Isshin only smiled, but there was something darker behind his eyes, a hint of the battle of wills yet to come. He didn't need to say it aloud—this wasn't over, and they all knew it.