Scene Shift: At Home.
In the entryway stood Kuroka, her expression signaling an impending mental blowout. Both hands clenched into fists, arms hanging straight down in front, and beneath her loose-fitting kimono was a round, curvy backside arched just slightly. Where her two black cat tails usually swung playfully, they now stood rigidly angled upward at sixty degrees—like a pair of exclamation marks.
"Arrgh! Bokue, you've got another woman's scent on you today—and it's super strong! Hurry up and explain. Did you hook up with some sneaky stray cat out there?!"
She looked exactly—no, literally—like a cat with fur on end.
And this time, unlike when she'd guessed incorrectly about Saeko, she had it right on the nose.
"Yeah, well, something did happen…"
Changing his shoes at the door and slipping into house slippers, Bokue Keikain stretched out both arms and scooped up the cat-eared girl.
Skin brushed skin; their scents intermingled. A second earlier she was baring fangs—now Kuroka let out a soft mewl and instantly fell quiet.
Bokue had planned to keep explaining, but her abrupt silence took him by surprise. He glanced at Kuroka, who was also looking down at him, cheeks flushed, biting her lower lip. Her gorgeous golden eyes brimmed with watery longing.
"…Are you turned on again?"
After this many times, even Bokue—normally a bit dense—had figured it out by now.
"Mmm…"
Kuroka gave a small nod.
Bokue was astonished. "Seriously? We just spent the whole weekend doing stuff, and this morning you were complaining your back still hurt."
"S-so what if it hurts, meow…"
Her face turned scarlet as she grumbled in defense.
"It was sore earlier, but when you suddenly picked me up—hugging my butt— I… got a surge all at once, meow… Enough talk… I-I feel so awful, meow, hurry…"
Feeling her body squirm restlessly with renewed desire, Bokue mentally shrugged.
Looks like they'd be bathing before dinner again.
As he'd told Rias in the hotel earlier, with his near-limitless endurance, an hour or two straight was nothing. Even going a hundred hours wouldn't tire him one bit.
❁❁❁❁
Time slipped away. About two hours later—by the time the clock on the wall of the living room was inching toward eight—the commotion in the bathroom finally died down.
Soaking in the tub after a string of intense "Mountain Summits," Kuroka slumped limply against Bokue's chest. Her long legs curled up, as if trying to fold herself into a small ball, and the cat tails that had stood stiff as rods now lay obediently coiled at her side.
After resting for a while, regaining a little energy, Kuroka abruptly shifted, turning to face him at a slight angle—something more convenient for conversation. Eyes half-lidded, she mumbled:
"Hey~ so you still haven't told me. Which stray cat were you messing around with this time?"
It was a lot gentler in tone now that she'd been "fed."
Bokue hesitated a moment, choosing a more diplomatic explanation:
"It started near the end of today's last period. Akeno suddenly messaged me that Rias was feeling under the weather, so club was canceled—"
"That rich redhead?!"
Kuroka, who had been lying limp and unmotivated a moment ago, bolted upright in shock. But she immediately recognized she'd overreacted, so she eased back down, pressing her reversed 'twin peaks' against the water's surface.
"Ugh… go on?"
Bokue didn't waste time. In a minute or two, he recounted all that had happened.
Kuroka listened blankly, then rolled her eyes and gave a heavy sigh.
"Knew it—figured it'd be that sort of reason. You always go soft about these things."
"I wouldn't say soft; I just hate having regrets. That's all."
Bokue shook his head.
"Like when you were being hunted by those devils. If I'd done nothing, they would've caught you. I'd have suffered no real harm, but maybe afterward, I'd look back and regret not helping. Wonder what might have happened if I had. Then I'd torment myself with that thought.
"So if doing nothing is guaranteed to make me regret it later, I'd rather pick the other path. And so far, that's always proved right, just like us right now."
As he spoke, he lowered his gaze to meet Kuroka's in mid-air, right as she lifted her head, lips parted as if to say something.
Recalling the origin of their relationship, Kuroka's thoughts returned to that first encounter. Her golden eyes, already misty with emotion, held an extra layer of gentle affection.
"Meow, we sure were back then…"
She lay on Bokue's chest, tracing circles with her fingertip.
"So you're gonna fight for someone else again, right?"
"Pretty much…"
Bokue's tone was casual. In his mind, the moment he kissed Rias in front of Grayfia, his choice was made—he might have to head off to the Underworld, but big deal.
"All right—then I'll go with you," Kuroka chirped suddenly, perking up, a sly grin on her face.
"…Huh?"
That threw Bokue off guard.
Sure, if it came down to dealing with the Gremory–Phenex dispute, they'd probably head to the Underworld to settle it. But that would mean him and Rias's group. Kuroka was an extra. And let's not forget Shirone would be there…
"That's probably not necessary. Just a quick trip to the Underworld, right? Won't take more than a few days—"
Kuroka gave an indignant pout. "So you plan to leave me here at home alone for days with no call or text, hmm?"
"…"
Why did that ring so familiar—like some universal line all girlfriends used?
'I was just being logical.' Bokue realized with a sigh.
They always turn it into a "you don't care about me" interrogation.
No wonder people say, "Never try to reason with a woman."
He changed tactics to be practical again:
"But if Shirone is there, what do you intend to do?"
"Mmm…"
Kuroka tapped her lip, pretending to think earnestly. Then she flashed him a peace sign and gave a mischievous wink.
"As long as I don't get dragged into the battle, I can handle things just fine, meow~!"
<><><><><>
If you're interested, you can read 18 Advanced chaps, Up to 58+ :
p@treon.com/dragonnx
( Replace '@' with 'a' to access normally )
<><><><><>
Keep the chapters coming—Support with Power Stones!
+200 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter