Bab 208: Ch 208. Kotoko's First Time?
In the dilapidated and desolate shrine, Hoshimi endured the swelling pain in his body and asked, "Kotoko, who is she?"
Kotoko turned her head to look at Hoshimi. Seeing his pale face, she quickly walked over and pressed down on his shoulder. "Hoshimi, don't move. Take it easy and let the excess spiritual energy in your body settle."
"Hmm." Hoshimi nodded slightly and stopped moving, calmly sitting cross-legged to wait for the so-called flow of spiritual energy.
Seeing that Hoshimi had settled down, Kotoko withdrew her hand and answered his previous question. "Her? She's just a "yokai" who's bored. Don't ask too much; I can't reveal her identity."
"...," Hoshimi nodded, understanding enough not to pursue the matter of the shrine maiden further.
He closed his eyes, preparing to practice the onmyoji cultivation method for a while.
"Hoshimi, don't continue cultivating. Just let the spiritual energy naturally dissipate from your body," Kotoko advised.
"Hmm?" Hoshimi opened his eyes, looking at Kotoko in confusion.
Kotoko set her staff aside and sat down next to Hoshimi, leaning her head on his shoulder. She explained, "Don't continue cultivating. Once you've started on this path, undoing it can be painful. The path of an onmyoji isn't the best choice. I'll find a better method for you later. For now, just relax and chat with me."
"Alright, I understand." Hoshimi nodded obediently. Then he asked, "Kotoko, is it troublesome for you to find a cultivation method?"
"It's okay, just so-so." Kotoko's answer was somewhat vague.
From her usual chatterbox tendencies, this vague reply clearly indicated she didn't want to elaborate.
But this time, Hoshimi wasn't so easy-going. He wrapped his arm around Kotoko's waist and pressed her further, "Kotoko, explain more, won't you? Aren't we supposed to chat? A few words don't count as chatting."
"Hmph~," Kotoko pouted, poking Hoshimi's side. She reluctantly said, "Hoshimi, knowing too much isn't always good, you know. You should understand that."
"Haha~," Hoshimi chuckled softly and held Kotoko closer. He lowered his head and nuzzled her cheek affectionately. "Kotoko, do you think that with our current relationship, anything concerning you wouldn't affect me? In the realm of "mystery," ignorance is a sin, especially when it concerns the 'Goddess of Wisdom.'"
"Hmph~," Kotoko pouted and muttered, "Hoshimi, you're really eloquent—almost as much as me... No, just a bit less than me, since I'm the professional here."
"Okay, enough babbling." Hoshimi rubbed Kotoko's head and smiled, "Hurry up and answer my question. Otherwise, out here in this remote, desolate place, I might start having some naughty thoughts."
"?!" Kotoko's eyes widened in surprise, staring at Hoshimi.
"Hmm? What, did I say something wrong?" Hoshimi grinned mischievously, pressing his forehead against hers. "Kotoko, don't you enjoy being under the sky and on the ground? I think this place is perfect. It might give you a memorable experience."
"Hoshimi, are you joking, or are you serious?" Kotoko looked at him with an unusual glint in her eyes.
"Of course, I'm serious. Why else would I say it?" Hoshimi's hand slowly reached toward Kotoko's chest, showing he was ready to take things further.
"..." Kotoko's purple eyes gleamed with a strange light.
Without saying a word, she reached behind her for the zipper. She was wearing that classic white dress today. One pull on the zipper, and it would be "ready to eat."
"Zzzip—"
However, just as Kotoko pulled the zipper down a mere three centimeters, Hoshimi grabbed her hand.
"Kotoko, are you really going to do this?" Hoshimi looked at her in surprise.
Honestly, he hadn't expected Kotoko to be so serious about it. After all, this rundown, deserted shrine was far from an ideal setting.
For Kotoko, he didn't want to treat her so poorly. At the very least, he wanted to find a more romantic place.
Like Kotoko's home, their future wedding house, his home, or some other more memorable place.
"Tch~," Kotoko clicked her tongue. "What else? Why do you think I asked if you were serious?"
"Alright, that was my fault. I shouldn't have provoked you with such a question," Hoshimi immediately admitted his mistake.
Indeed, one can never predict the "Goddess of Wisdom," Iwanaga Kotoko, with common sense.
In this situation, most other girls would have been flustered or angered by Hoshimi's words. But with Kotoko, she was ready to face it head-on without any fear, as if she didn't mind Hoshimi actually making a move right here.
"Hmph! As long as you know you were wrong." Kotoko zipped her dress back up, leaned on Hoshimi's shoulder, and resumed answering the original question. "Hoshimi, didn't you just ask if it's troublesome for me to find a cultivation method?"
"Yes." Hoshimi nodded slightly.
This was something that concerned him a bit. Owing favors can be quite troublesome, as too many debts could make one feel constrained.
He was carefree, but not heartless. He couldn't easily disregard someone's goodwill. Therefore, it was better to clarify some things.
In other words, if the feelings were clear, he could return the favor when necessary, and continue enjoying life without interference.
Not like with Kasumigaoka, where issues of guilt left him constrained.
Speaking of which, the date with Kasumigaoka last time had already brought the progress of atonement to 75%. One more date should complete it, allowing him to tease the lovely "defeated" female writer again.
Oh, right, Kasumigaoka was now a new, popular writer, no longer a struggling one.
Yes, it would be even more satisfying to bully her in that state. He already had a plan in mind.
"Hoshimi, who are you thinking about?" Women and girls alike possess an extraordinary intuition for certain things.
The moment Hoshimi's expression changed, Kotoko keenly caught the subtle difference.
She squinted her eyes, the purple hues hiding an underlying sense of danger.
"It's nothing; I was just waiting for your answer, Kotoko." Caught in the act, Hoshimi's expression remained calm as he pulled Kotoko closer.
If caught, don't panic. Confession will lead to leniency; denial will only make things worse.
"Is that so?" Kotoko stared at him for a while, choosing not to pursue it. Instead, she answered, "I am the "Goddess of Wisdom." I have certain obligations as well as rights. For me, finding a cultivation method isn't troublesome; it's just a matter of saying the right words."
"But..."
The twist came as Kotoko took Hoshimi's hand, playing with his fingers while continuing:
"But..."
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