Inazuma City — Hanamizaka.
Inside the workshop behind the Naganohara Fireworks shop, Yoimiya stood over her freshly finished fireworks, a bright grin spreading across her dirt-smudged face.
"Finally got that girl's order done... guh..."
Her stomach growled loudly. Yoimiya frowned and rubbed it with a pout.
"Still haven't had dinner... all because of that earthquake earlier... good thing I've got experience now. Otherwise the whole workshop might've gone up in flames."
She carefully placed the completed fireworks into a special storage box lined with soft cloth and dried grass, separating each piece. That way, even if another quake hit during the night, there wouldn't be any accidents.
Once everything was in place, she clapped her hands in satisfaction and exhaled deeply.
"Alright, bath first, then grab some late-night food, and sleep like a baby. Tomorrow I'll deliver these to the Grand Narukami Shrine and maybe draw a fortune while I'm at it!"
---
At the front of the group, Yae Miko and Hanachirusato were chatting when Ei suddenly opened the door and walked out.
Miko's lips curved into a teasing smile. "Ei, already done? Feeling good?"
Ei ignored her and turned to Hanachirusato. "Where's my sister?"
"She went to take a bath," Hanachirusato answered honestly.
Ei nodded and headed straight for the bathhouse.
Miko watched her leave, sniffed lightly, and her fox-like eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Strange. Ei doesn't have that scent on her..." she murmured.
Wasn't it supposed to be the same essential oil massage? Did Ei get a different kind of... treatment?
Hanachirusato noticed how Miko had been practically buzzing with anticipation this whole time. "You can go next," she said with a small sigh.
Miko grinned. "Then I'll graciously accept, senpai."
Senpai?
Hanachirusato could only shake her head helplessly. For someone who kept calling her "senpai," this mischievous fox showed little actual respect.
She'd even heard Miko whispering sly remarks about Ei earlier.
Honestly, only someone like Makoto or Xia Ci could keep a woman like Yae Miko in check.
---
When Yae Miko pushed open the door, the scent of calming incense immediately drifted to her.
That fragrance had a special pull on spirits and divine beings.
Having lived in the shrine for so long—and being one of Ei's familiars—Miko carried a trace of divinity herself. Naturally, she adored this scent.
"Mr. Xia," she called sweetly.
He looked up, smiling faintly. "Thanks for waiting."
"It's you who's working hard tonight."
He shook his head. "Hardly. Just part of the job. Come this way, Miko."
She swayed her hips lazily as she walked closer. From this distance, Xia Zhi could clearly smell that familiar, intoxicating scent clinging to her skin.
He'd gotten used to it by now.
[Hakushin Bloodline]: Passive – Charm +30. The body emits a unique, alluring fragrance. All charm effects toward the opposite sex are doubled.
"Do I just lie down?" she asked.
"Yeah."
"I heard there are different packages to choose from."
"There are," he said with a hint of amusement.
He'd seen plenty of clients come through here, but few walked in like they owned the place. Yae Miko's tone was light, teasing—like this was her shop.
"There's a simple relaxation massage, a slimming massage, and one that uses essential oils," he explained.
"Which one do you think suits me?" she asked, smiling slyly.
He thought for a moment. "The slimming one."
Her eyes widened. "...Mr. Xia, are you saying I've gained weight?"
His lips quirked. "Sneaking into the kitchen for fried tofu at midnight—if you're not fat, who is?"
She gasped dramatically. "How dare you accuse me of such slander!"
"So it wasn't you?"
"Of course not!"
"Really?"
"Really, I swear!"
"To who?"
"To Lady Shogun herself!"
"...Right. That makes your oath completely useless."
Xia Zhi chuckled. "Forget it. Just lie down."
"I'm not fat! No slimming massage!" she protested while obediently stretching out on the bed.
"Then what do you want?"
"Essential oil," she huffed.
"Alright... undress, then."
"Tch. So this is one of those special services, huh?"
"..."
After a moment, she purred, "Okay, I'm ready. Well? Not fat, right?"
"I can't see from here."
"Then tell me what this essential oil's made of."
"Mostly slime concentrate, mixed with floral oils and a bit of Essence of Sun and Moon—the same natural energy you youkai absorb during cultivation."
Her ears perked. "Wait, that Essence of Sun and Moon?"
"You'll know once you feel it."
Xia Zhi began spreading the oil gently along her back.
A low hum escaped her lips. "Mmm..."
That soothing chill spread across her skin, seeping into her body in rippling waves of pleasure.
"It really is the Essence of Sun and Moon!" she sighed.
"Told you."
"How'd you even get your hands on something like that?"
"Trade secret."
"Come on, tell me~ I'm so curious..."
He raised a brow. "Are all fox spirits this nosy?"
She giggled. "What kind?"
"The charming kind."
"Ahh, so Mr. Xia prefers the pure and innocent types?"
"Not really."
"Then what kind do you like?"
"Pretty ones."
Her laughter tinkled through the room. "You're refreshingly honest, Mr. Xia."
"And you're refreshingly shameless."
"Then we make quite the pair, don't we?"
He paused his hands, chuckling softly. "Miko, do you always flirt this much with people?"
"I do. But if you dislike it, I can try to behave."
"Can't picture you being serious even if you tried."
"Pfft—Mr. Xia, you're good at making girls laugh."
"I'm good at making clients comfortable. It's part of the job."
"Then you must be very successful at business."
This fox really knew how to toy with people.
Still, bantering with her was kind of fun.
As the massage went on, Miko's body relaxed completely. The room quieted, and Xia Zhi could sense her fragrance growing thicker, almost intoxicating.
It's like Ganyu's coconut scent... just with more bite.
"Alright, front's done. Turn over," he said softly.
"Mm..."
She flipped over lazily. After a while, her voice drifted out again. "Mr. Xia."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think Hanachirusato is the reincarnation of Lady Kitsune Saiguu?"
"In a way, yes."
"Then... do you think Lady Kitsune Saiguu could be revived?"
"Revived?"
"Like Lady Makoto was."
She looked up at him, eyes glimmering with fragile hope.
He hesitated. "I'm... not sure."
"If Lady Saiguu could return," she whispered, biting her lip, "I'd do anything for you, Mr. Xia."
He gave her a strange look. "Aren't you supposed to be Ei's familiar?"
"Ei wouldn't mind. It's her wish too."
"...Right."
"Besides," she added slyly, "with Lady Makoto and you... it's only a matter of time for Ei."
"Having a familiar like you must be a blessing for her," he muttered.
"Mr. Xia... do you not like me?"
Here we go again.
This fox never stops.
Honestly, only Ying'er or Madame Ping could keep up with her energy.
But he wasn't helpless either.
He remembered the set of potion buffs he'd once tested: [Mermaid's Voice], [Siren's Voice], [Fairy's Voice], [Angel's Voice], [Succubus' Voice], [Flower Spirit's Voice], [Celestial Fox's Voice].
Each one enhanced a specific kind of charm.
He'd tried a few before. Tonight, he figured he'd test the [Celestial Fox's Voice].
If [Mermaid's Voice] could enthrall sea creatures, then maybe [Celestial Fox's Voice] worked especially well on fox spirits.
Activating the buff, he lightly pinched her soft cheek and said gently, "Yeah, you're too fat. Totally not my type."
To him, the voice didn't sound any different—maybe just a little smoother. But he could feel its strange resonance, that subtle pull.
And in that instant, Miko's entire body tensed.
Her eyes flew open, wide with disbelief.
She didn't even know why—she just felt it.
That voice... slipped right past her guard, swirling straight into her heart.
Too fat.
The words echoed in her mind, leaving her oddly flustered.
"Mr. Xia... where exactly do you think I'm fat?" she asked, blinking dazedly.
He turned off the buff. "You're not fat."
Her brows knitted instantly.
No. That wasn't the same voice.
It sounded identical, but the warmth, the pull—it was gone.
"Wait! Mr. Xia!"
"What?"
"Change it back!"
"Change what back?"
"Your voice! The one from before, when you said I was fat!"
"This one?"
"No! Not this one! That one was... way hotter!"
"..."
How the hell did she find that hot?
Do fox spirits have some sixth sense for this sort of thing?
"Enough," he said calmly.
"But..."
She bit her lip, her tone turning small and pitiful. "Mr. Xia... bullying me again."
What a chameleon.
He sighed, reactivated [Celestial Fox's Voice], and patted her head. "Be good."
Her fluffy pink hair was surprisingly soft to the touch.
Miko's eyes lit up immediately. "Yes! That's the one! That's the voice!"
Without a word, he withdrew his hand and turned the buff off again. "What voice?"
She blinked. "It's gone again!"
He frowned slightly. "Miko, are you messing with me? My voice doesn't sound any different."
She hesitated, then said carefully, "Maybe... if you touched my head again? Or pinched my cheek?"
"..."
----
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