In the world of Type-Moon, it all begins with becoming Morgan's husband!

A look of sudden realization dawned on Ibaraki-dōji's eyes.

"I thought you were reminiscing about Uncle's big stick!"

Upon hearing this, Shuten-dōji blushed.

"No, let's not talk about this anymore!"

"We need to get back to Uncle's mansion as soon as possible."

"now?"

Ibaraki-dōji looked up at the sky, which was adorned with stars.

"Now is the time for humans to rest."

"Won't we disturb them if we go back at this time?"

"Hehe, Ibaraki, you just don't understand, do you?"

Shuten-dōji placed his hands on his hips.

"We have a secret passage."

Shuten-dōji's secret passage wasn't really that secret.

In reality, it was just a "path" to climb over the wall, then climb over the roof, and through the window to reach one's room in the Genji residence.

However, since only petite and agile oni like her and Ibaraki are capable of climbing up and down, it is indeed quite a secret.

but--

When Shuten-dōji climbed onto the window of the room, she saw a scene that puzzled her.

There, a fox demon was leaning against a pillar in the room.

Beside her was a neatly folded set of clothes and a small teapot lid.

However, rather than calling it a small teapot lid, Shuten-dōji felt that its mushroom-like shape was more like something that could be inserted and then used to cover up a place.

The fox demon was blindfolded, and there was a white strand of towel at the corner of her mouth.

Her hands and legs were lifted up to near her ears, and then ropes were used to pull them to a pillar in the room.

This left her unable to move, only able to sway her body occasionally.

The whole scene looks like a great Onmyoji has captured a monster and tied it up here to make it feel remorse and shame.

But what surprised Shuten-dōji the most was not her shameful posture.

It was the subtle aroma of tea emanating from that treasure shaped like a steamed bun, permeating the room.

This is--

Are you using this fox spirit to make tea?

149. The Great Onmyoji's Lover He Longed to Marry But Couldn't (4,000-word chapter)

"..."

Shuten-dōji stood there, stunned.

She never expected to see something like this at this time.

This is clearly the room I left before!

and--

She didn't know this fox demon at all.

How could it have turned out like this?!

Looking at his friend Shuten-dōji lying motionless on the window above, Ibaraki-dōji's eyes were full of doubt.

"Shuten-dōji?"

Why haven't you gone in yet?

"Isn't this our room?"

“Eh?! This…”

At this moment, Shuten-dōji had absolutely no idea how to answer Ibaraki-dōji's question.

"Wait a minute, Ibaraki!"

"We can't go in yet!"

"Why?"

Ibaraki-dōji looked at Shuten-dōji above with increasing confusion.

Has something strange happened?

"No! It's normal! Everything is normal!"

"really?"

"Really!" Shuten-dōji nodded repeatedly. "Ibaraki, you have to believe me!"

"……All right."

Ibaraki-dōji didn't say anything more, but waited silently.

Shuten-dōji was thus able to continue observing the situation inside.

Although his eyes were covered and his hands and feet were bound by ropes.

But Shuten-dōji had to admit that the fox demon was quite beautiful.

Judging by what she had seen and heard, she was a beauty of the same caliber as Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

but--

It's still unclear why she was tied up here.

The only reasonable explanation that Shuten-dōji could come up with was that the great Onmyoji was punishing this fox demon.

but--

Shuten-dōji looked at the fox demon before him—she was far too calm.

Rather than saying she was being punished, it would be more accurate to say she willingly allowed herself to be tied up here.

After all, this is a fox demon. If it were captured by a great Onmyoji, it would struggle a bit, right?

Not right.

This is so wrong.

Realizing this, Shuten-dōji became even more hesitant to enter the room.

She feared there was something fishy going on.

One hour.

"Shuten, can't we go in yet?"

"no!"

Two hours.

"Shuten, it's been so long."

"No means no! Ibaraki, please wait a little longer!"

at last.

Heian-kyo fell into the dead of night.

The room that Shuten-dōji had been secretly observing has finally seen some changes.

With a whoosh.

The shoji door was pushed open.

The figure of the Great Onmyoji appeared there.

You have entered Tamamo-no-Mae's room.

You have come before Tamamo-no-Mae.

Looking at her motionless figure, you felt a mix of emotions.

You've noticed that her place in your heart has changed somewhat.

"Xiaoyu."

Ian lowered his head, leaned close to Tamamo-no-Mae, gently stroked her hair, and spoke softly;

"I... want to try the tea."

Although she couldn't speak, Tamamo-no-Mae nodded.

Her slightly flushed face showed that although she felt ashamed, she was also delighted.

of course.

Although he said he would use it to brew tea, Ian did not actually pour boiling water into Tamamo-no-Mae's treasure.

After all, if she were treated like that, she would be ruined very quickly.

The Great Onmyoji did not want to see this situation, nor could he allow it to occur.

He came to put her at ease, not to torment her.

and so--

Ian actually used a gentler approach.

He was indeed using her treasure to brew tea.

The water used didn't make her feel uncomfortable; it was warm but just the right amount to allow the tea leaves to fully steep.

As for tea, needless to say.

Ian was worried that it would make Tamamo-no-Mae uncomfortable, so he used the best tea that could be found in all of Kyoto.