Chapter 144: The Morning Tug-of-War

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Minamoto Kiyomoto had a dream. To be precise, in his dream, he remembered something from a long time ago.

When he was three years old, on a sunny but windy day, his mother took him for a walk on the beach of Shodoshima Island. His mother picked up a seashell for him, a very beautiful seashell.

On the way back to the inn, his mother thought he was tired and insisted on carrying him.

Along the way, his mother would occasionally rub her cheek against his, asking him in a low voice what he wanted for dinner, if his feet hurt, and if the sea breeze was cold.

Where did that seashell go?

In the drawer of the desk by the window, or in the corner of the bookshelf?

Why did he dream (remember) this?

Could it be that this small matter, which he usually didn’t pay much attention to, was his happiest memory before he met Kamibayashi Miko?

◇

When Himegami Izayoi woke up, the wind outside had stopped. Minamoto Kiyomoto was right beside her, and her right leg was still across his body.

She snuggled closer with longing. After a little while, she suddenly opened her eyes.

She lifted the quilt, peeked inside, and a smile crept onto her lips, “You little rascal, you weren’t well-behaved all night.”

Putting down the corner of the quilt, she patted it comfortingly, then stared at Minamoto Kiyomoto’s sleeping face in a daze.

That handsome face, which was usually either smiling, or confident, or contemptuous, and always infinitely charming, now had a hint of childishness.

“No wonder that Miko treats you like a child,” Himegami Izayoi laughed, her hand gently stroking his side profile.

After staring痴痴地for a while, she leaned down and whispered in his ear:
“Good~morn~ing~, Mas~ter~Kiyo~”

His eyelids twitched a couple of times. He should be awake, but before he even opened his eyes, he had already subconsciously pulled her into his arms, his face buried in her hair.

Himegami Izayoi’s originally clear eyes instantly blurred.

Minamoto Kiyomoto hadn’t even opened his eyes, yet he had already instinctively held her. This made her heart feel an indescribable sweetness, and the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly.

She lay in his arms, so comfortable she was about to fall asleep.

However, the person who had woken up wouldn’t let her sleep—Minamoto Kiyomoto’s hand was gently stroking her back.

It was very comfortable, but this kind of comfort was not for sleeping. It was the kind that would make one more and more awake.

She propped herself up, her head resting on her hand, and looked at Minamoto Kiyomoto charmingly, not speaking, just smiling.

Feeling her gaze, Minamoto Kiyomoto finally opened his eyes.

Waking up from a dream, the first thing he saw was Himegami Izayoi’s charming and stunning little face, and her smiling, rosebud-like lips.

He moved his mouth closer. Himegami Izayoi let out a light laugh, accepted his tribute, and at the same time, gave him a sip of water.

“You big rascal, don’t touch me randomly,” their lips parted, and she gently touched his forehead with hers.

“You’re the one who shouldn’t be touching me randomly,” Minamoto Kiyomoto couldn’t help but kiss her on her rosy little mouth.

Who would have thought it was a sheep entering a tiger’s den? Instead, he was bitten by Himegami Izayoi.

The two of them just bit each other like this, looking at each other, not speaking, their eyes full of smiles.

“Ah!” Himegami Izayoi suddenly exclaimed, her expression dazed, her face blushing.

Her whole body went limp, and she pressed herself against him softly, saying in a coquettish and gentle voice, “You’re bad.”

“I’m a fast learner, and my skills are superior,” Minamoto Kiyomoto said smugly.

His face suddenly fell into a pitiful expression, “Big sister, don’t stop.”

“No,” Himegami Izayoi took her hand out of the quilt and wrapped it around his neck. “I’m tired. That’s it for today.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto hugged her tightly, his lips against her hair.

That broad embrace held her, and the firm and wonderful feeling once again eroded Himegami Izayoi’s body.

“Sigh,” she sighed with reluctance and sat up.

“What’s wrong?” Minamoto Kiyomoto asked.

“No wonder Miko isn’t with you. When I’m with you, I almost forget about training,” Himegami Izayoi scolded with both love and hate.

Minamoto Kiyomoto didn’t speak. He was once again lost in a daze.

Himegami Izayoi sat on him, the sash of her yukata loosened, the collar open, revealing a large expanse of her snow-white, full chest, which pushed the yukata up high.

Her black hair cascaded down in a streamlined fashion, her waist slender, her lips charming, small and moist.

“What are you looking at?” she said with a smile, her spring-like eyes looking at him, while at the same time, she raised her snow-white wrist and tied up her hair.

“Nothing,” Minamoto Kiyomoto said blankly.

Himegami Izayoi looked at his foolish expression and rolled her eyes at him smugly.

But she was also shy from Minamoto Kiyomoto’s gaze, and her body was pressed tightly against the little rascal, as if pierced by a raging fire. Her whole body was weak, and her hair was tied up loosely.

The loose hair made her even more lazy and beautiful.

Himegami Izayoi glanced at the lying Minamoto Kiyomoto, suppressed the urge to lie down again, and got out of bed.

“You get up quickly too,” she tightened her sash. “In a little while, your Miss Kamibayashi will be rushing up.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto also sighed with reluctance and sat up from the bed.

Looking at Himegami Izayoi who was tidying her clothes beside him, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing.”

As a result, Himegami Izayoi also laughed.

“What are you laughing at?” Minamoto Kiyomoto asked with a smile.

“Laughing at you for being a fool,” Himegami Izayoi laughed and turned around, her back to him, the curve of her back beautiful and enchanting.

“Koyako, you’re so beautiful.”

Himegami Izayoi slightly pulled open the collar of her yukata, revealing her snow-white shoulders.

“I’ll give you one last look,” she said charmingly.

Minamoto Kiyomoto stood up, hugged her from behind, his lips kissing her shoulder, her fair and slender neck—
“Stop messing around,” Himegami Izayoi’s face dodged. “It’s almost dawn.”

“For the rest of the day, my mind will be full of you.”

Himegami Izayoi bit her lip to keep from laughing.

Minamoto Kiyomoto gave her soft face one last kiss, and this lingering morning tug-of-war finally ended.

Himegami Izayoi left, and Minamoto Kiyomoto went straight downstairs.

In the night, Kamibayashi Miko sat under the wind chime on the outer corridor. She wasn’t doing her morning prayers, but was staring in a daze at the plum tree that had been broken by the wind last night.

“What’s wrong?” Minamoto Kiyomoto walked over and sat down beside her.

Kamibayashi Miko didn’t speak. She slowly closed her eyes, and golden particles floated around her.

It didn’t look like she was shy, but rather a little confused and resigned?

‘Did she see Himegami Izayoi spending the night?’ Minamoto Kiyomoto couldn’t help but guess.

He didn’t explain. Instead, his spirits were high. As long as he still wanted the three of them to be together, he would have to pass this test sooner or later.

This matter couldn’t be argued. He had to admit it frankly and use time, gentleness, and love to melt Kamibayashi Miko.

The same went for Himegami Izayoi.

The matter was important, but now was not the time to think about it.

Minamoto Kiyomoto closed his eyes. Black light flickered like a candle flame, then was ignited like a bonfire.

Mountains, grass, wood, atmosphere, soil, starlight. Among these divine energies, Minamoto Kiyomoto also communicated with the Yellow Springs.

Brown, green, azure, silver, transparent, dim yellow. Divine energies of various colors, like a waterfall of light, poured into his body.

When he opened his eyes, it was already dawn. Himegami Izayoi had already sat down beside him at some point, and Kamibayashi Miko was in a daze again.

“Miss Kamibayashi.”

Kamibayashi Miko came back to her senses and turned to look. In the bright morning light, Minamoto Kiyomoto was watching her with a smile.

Her heart trembled again. At the same time as the sweetness, the thought that she should part with him made her feel indescribably confused, sour, and painful.

“Don’t think about these things now,” he said with a light laugh. “Let’s first consider how to deal with the ‘Coral Demon Moth’, and then we’ll think about our matter.”

“…I know what to do,” Kamibayashi Miko replied faintly.

She stood up and walked into the living room.

“What’s wrong with her?” Himegami Izayoi opened her eyes and leaned over to ask.

“She probably found out about last night,” Minamoto Kiyomoto replied.

“Ah?” Himegami Izayoi’s face turned red.

She was very talkative and could do it when they were alone, but as soon as there was a third person, she immediately became as shy as a sixteen-year-old girl.

Extremely cute.

“Don’t worry,” Minamoto Kiyomoto laughed, his voice gentle. “This matter is my responsibility. I’ll take care of it.”

“It’s okay if you don’t solve it,” Himegami Izayoi, with her flushed face, showed a cunning smile. “It’s best if she gets angry because of this and ignores you for the rest of her life.”

“Then what about when I’m intimate with her? You won’t ignore me for the rest of your life, will you?” Minamoto Kiyomoto asked.

“Haven’t you been intimate with her enough?” Himegami Izayoi gave him an irritated look.

“Not as much as you…” Minamoto Kiyomoto was about to joke when he suddenly remembered something and pondered, “Because of the Hokkaido Miko, she also knows that I’ve been intimate with you. Why wasn’t it like this before?”

“Is kissing the same as sleeping in the same bed?” Himegami Izayoi was even more irritated, but because she was the one sleeping in the same bed with Minamoto Kiyomoto, she laughed smugly.

“You’re still the smart one,” Minamoto Kiyomoto was relieved.

After a pause, he looked at Himegami Izayoi and teased her, “For the reward of the ‘Coral Demon Moth’, I’ll just let her sleep with me. Everyone is equal.”

Himegami Izayoi’s pretty face turned cold, and she looked at him expressionlessly.

“Haha!” Minamoto Kiyomoto clapped his hands and laughed. “Your jealousy is also a reward for me!”

“My jealousy is a reward, is it? Come, let me reward you enough!”

Himegami Izayoi’s hand went to pinch Minamoto Kiyomoto’s face. Minamoto Kiyomoto quickly jumped away.

“Don’t go, come back!”

“Thank you, big sister Koyako. I can now understand why Miss Kamibayashi is so angry!”

“Lady Miko is angry? What’s going on? You dead piglet, you’re not allowed to eat breakfast until you explain clearly!”

Hakusan Shrine was lively from the early morning.

◇

The first class of hygiene started at 8:30 in the morning and lasted until 10:15, a full 105 minutes.

In this long period of time, it was a fantasy to keep one’s attention focused on the class.

Bathing in the warm winter sun, this class seemed even more endless.

Even the Todai students, who had better study habits, after fifty minutes, their tense heartstrings finally began to loosen.

Everyone either started to doze off, or occasionally scrolled through their phones to prevent themselves from falling asleep, or simply played on their phones.

The teacher continued to lecture calmly, with no intention of deliberately maintaining discipline.

As for Minamoto Kiyomoto, he hadn’t been listening from the beginning. He was thinking about the “Coral Demon Moth.”

Last night, he had a simple discussion with Himegami Izayoi. She would not send people close to him to help him, such as the Minamoto clan, the Ichijo clan, the Izumo Miko, etc.

On the contrary, the Taira clan and the Ashiya clan, who were not on good terms with Minamoto Kiyomoto, would be sent over.

In this way, those who were on good terms with him and were truly willing to help him did not need to occupy the official dispatch quota and could come to help in a private capacity.

But that was the “Coral Demon Moth,” which had destroyed all of Miyagi Prefecture, killed countless practitioners, and even the previous generation’s Divine Medium had died at its hands. Without the “Lord of Kyoto’s” order, it was still unknown how many people would come to help him.

Minamoto Kiyomoto was also unwilling to force others to sacrifice. He hoped that the people who helped him would all do so voluntarily.

Next, he would have to visit some people one by one and ask for their help.

Anyone who was still willing to help him in this matter, he would definitely remember in his heart. This was undoubtedly a battle of nine deaths and one life.

But speaking of sacrifice, the one he should remember the most was Himegami Izayoi.

As an individual, she helped him unconditionally;
As the “Lord of Kyoto,” she was willing to sacrifice countless practitioners of Kansai to help him.

What’s more, he was going to help Kamibayashi Miko in this matter.

Perhaps Himegami Izayoi was cultivating him and letting him become the “Honshu Shinto Lord” to achieve the goal of unifying the world, but her affection for him undoubtedly exceeded her selfishness.

Minamoto Kiyomoto was very clear about this, so he promised her that if she won, he would never be connected to Kamibayashi Miko even after they broke up.

Kamibayashi Miko was his dream, his truth, but if that day really came, he would love Himegami Izayoi with all his heart.

Of course, Minamoto Kiyomoto was very confident about this.

Kamibayashi Miko loved him more and more, and his relationship with Himegami Izayoi was also deepening. No matter how he thought about it, he was sure to win. All he needed was time.

Putting aside his wandering thoughts, Minamoto Kiyomoto continued to think about the candidates he could win over.

The Izumo Miko had to be won over, but he had to try his best not to let her feel that he was a threat;
The Suiten-gu Miko… he could try to ask, but he would never agree to any of her excessive requests—she, who was good at healing spells, might be directly sent by the “Ogosho” to participate in the battle;
Mansaku-shonin could be tried;
Minamoto Nagatoku and the others… could be tried;
The Kyushu Shinto Lord had almost no friendship with him, but he had gotten the ‘Demon Dragon Nail’ and helped him keep his position as Shinto Lord. If he promised to help him protect Kyushu as much as possible after becoming the ‘Honshu Shinto Lord’, there was a little chance;
Amatsumara… this traitor, he was just looking for a reason to deal with him. This subjugation would be his punishment;
The Hokkaido Miko…
Minamoto Kiyomoto hesitated for a while, and finally wrote “can try.”

This white-haired doll-like girl, born in the snow, always gave him a feeling of being elusive and unpredictable. He couldn’t figure out how close or far their relationship was.

Finally, Minamoto Kiyomoto thought of Itomi Sayaka and Yagyu Michiko again.

If they could come to help this time, the probability of success would undoubtedly be much higher.

At the same time, he could use this opportunity to, after becoming the ‘Honshu Shinto Lord’, have a reason to help them and let the two of them completely break away from the Shinto sect.

As for the matter of being an undercover agent in the Shinto sect, the Izumo Miko was enough. Itomi Sayaka had been with him for so long, and it was time for some substantial reward.

Spells and the like were not rewards. Giving Itomi Sayaka what she really wanted—to return to her family—was the reward. This was a little idea of his to win people’s hearts.

There were benefits, and naturally, there were also disadvantages.

If she left the Shinto sect, her family might be retaliated against by that group of madmen. During the subjugation of the “Coral Demon Moth,” she would also be in mortal danger.

He would explain the pros and cons clearly to her and let her make the choice.

Besides finding people to help, he also had to train hard and try his best to turn a ‘prefecture-level’ yokai into a demon body.

He just didn’t know when the “Coral Demon Moth” would return to Kanto, and whether time would allow him to find people and train.

Closing his notebook, there were still three minutes before the end of class. He was in no mood to listen to the lecture and stared out the window in a daze.

The University of Tokyo in early November was a sea of golden yellow, with the shadows of tourists everywhere.

Was Kamibayashi Miko also staring out the window in a daze now? Was she still angry about last night? I like her so much.

What was Himegami Izayoi doing? She couldn’t be seriously attending class, right? Was she dozing off?

Thinking of Himegami Izayoi’s cute dozing appearance, Minamoto Kiyomoto couldn’t help but smile.

“Minamoto-kun,” the professor stopped his lecture. “Is there something funny about bioaccumulation?”

Those who were sleeping opened their eyes;
Those who were playing on their phones looked up;

Those who were seriously listening to the lecture put down their pens.

The entire classroom looked at Minamoto Kiyomoto.

On these people’s faces, there was a smile of watching a good show, and also the relaxation of the upcoming end of class.

“Nothing… bioaccumulation is pretty good.”