Death: This Death is a bit unorthodox.

Kiryuu doesn't dislike beautiful things... no, rather, he likes them.

Should we make it into flower cakes, or use it to make wine...?

Let's brew some wine. True Moon prefers wine to flower cakes.

—Kiryuu made a decision.

Although it was their first date, Kiryu was unsure of what to do.

However, she was still very happy about the date itself.

As long as Aozaki Mayuki is by his side, that is the greatest happiness for Hikifune Kiryu.

As the sun gradually set and the sky slowly turned to dusk, Aozaki Mayuki and she embarked on their journey home.

Kiryu was already used to walking the path that led from this land to that house, so he didn't find it tiring.

Since they went on their date, Aozaki Mayuki has been in Hikifune Kiryu's sight all day.

This made Kiryu feel incredibly sweet, and at the same time, she gripped the man's hand in her palm even tighter.

She couldn't help but hug Aozaki Mayuki, then looked up at him with deep affection and whispered:

"Matsuki... tonight, will you stay with me?"

Just then, Aozaki Mayuki also stopped, quietly gazing at the beautiful sunset scenery before her, and slowly spoke:

"Kiryu, you know me well, so you know that I am a very greedy person."

"!?"

Kiryuki blinked his big eyes in surprise and tilted his head.

She couldn't understand why Aozaki Mayuki would suddenly say such a thing, so she could only remain silent.

Aozaki Mayuki continued:

"I often think of you since we parted ways. And of course, Senju-senpai."

"..."

"So, when I discovered that Kiryu was still the same Kiryu, I was very happy."

Aozaki Mayuki turned her head and gave Hikifune Kiryu a bright smile that made Hikifune Kiryu's heart race.

Pfft! !

Pfft! ! !

Listening to her heartbeat, she realized that Aozaki Mayuki's fingers were intertwined with hers.

As if he were about to suffocate, Kiryu felt as if his heart was being gripped by a large hand, yet there was also an indescribable sense of comfort.

Every move Aozaki Mayuki makes has a huge impact on her mind and body, and she wants to respond to every action.

Looking at Hikifune Kiryu, Aozaki Mayuki's expression softened even more.

"I like you very much too, so I'm very sorry, Kiryu... I can't grant your request."

Chapter 369 Welcome Back

"……Why!?"

Kiryuki was startled; his heart skipped a beat as if gripped by an invisible hand.

Her confession just now had exhausted all the courage she had once in her life, and had used up all the bravery she had left for the rest of her life.

Aozaki Mayuki also said that he likes her too.

He has done so much for himself, indulging his whims these days, tirelessly catering to his own desires.

This was the answer I received; I realized I had gone too far...

Aozaki Mayuki continued to look into Hikifune Kiryu's eyes, and in those deep eyes, Hikifune Kiryu's disappointed expression was reflected.

His voice was deep and gentle:

"I want to be a little more selfish. Although I can't be sure it will happen right now, I want to be with you for a longer time."

"It's not just tonight, as you said, but even longer, forever and ever, I want to selfishly possess you."

Kiryuu's eyes widened, his lips trembled slightly, and he was speechless for a moment.

Her mind was in chaos, and the whole world became blurry.

A complex emotion welled up in Kiryuu's heart.

She felt both surprised and scared, both expectant and worried.

This man, the man she loved so deeply, had so openly expressed his desire for her.

Aozaki Mayuki continued:

"So I can't agree to that. I'm such a greedy scoundrel that even if I've only had it once, I don't want to give it up."

A strong sense of shame welled up in Kiryuki's heart, a feeling that made her feel utterly ashamed.

Compared to Aozaki Mayuki's attitude towards love, she realized that she was far inferior and simply an incompetent lover.

She realized that she didn't trust enough in the love that Aozaki Mayuki would give her.

He said, "Tonight isn't enough! We should be together forever!"

However, Kiryuu Hikifune was unaware of his deepest desires and had always believed that he was already very happy.

She would be content as long as she could be with Aozaki Mayuki and take that crucial step.

Therefore, she hoped to completely entrust herself to Aozaki Mayuki before he left.

Only at this moment did Kiryuu realize that this was what he had always thought.

But just then, Aozaki Mayuki reminded her.

Make her understand that this is far from enough.

They were almost at the luxurious mansion at the top of the mountain, but Aozaki Mayuki suddenly stopped halfway there.

He turned his head, gazed at Hikifune Kiryu with deep affection, and gently lifted her cheek.

"I'm sorry, I can't accept your offer because I'm not willing to have you only once."

"..."

"I won't let you leave me so easily. I want to possess you for a longer time, to make you mine. And I will never get tired of you, and I will never let you go."

Aozaki Mayuki's voice rang in my ears, as if it possessed a kind of magic that penetrated people's hearts.

Kiryuki tilted his head slightly, looking at the man in front of him, his eyes flashing with a complex light.

She realized that she longed for more than just a night of happiness; she wanted a love that she could remember for a lifetime.

However, Aozaki Mayuki also told her that this is how it should be.

Kiryuki felt her fingers begin to tremble. She tightly grasped the hand that Aozaki Mayuki was using to touch her cheek, as if trying to hold onto that warmth.

"Can you... always satisfy me? Can you make me feel that even if I wait for a hundred or a thousand years, I would still be very unwilling to let you go?"

Her voice was full of expectation and anxiety, like a child seeking comfort.

Aozaki Mayuki smiled slightly, a sly glint in her eyes.

"Who knows? I generally don't like to force things, except when necessary. However, I do know a way to make you dependent on me."

Kiryuu couldn't help but feel annoyed. This man was always so cunning, revealing his unrestrained and dissolute nature at crucial moments.

He is always unpredictable, yet irresistible.

"You bad guy..." Kiryuu said in a low voice, but a hint of sweetness was in his heart.

Tears welled in Kiryuu's eyes, her face beaming with joy, and her breathing rapid and passionate.

She said softly:

"Kiss me...and then give me a happiness I'll never forget."

"I understand, my love."

Aozaki Mayuki responded with deep affection.

On the way to the mansion, they gazed into each other's eyes, as if time had frozen in that moment.

Aozaki Mayuki slowly approached Hikifune Kiryu, and their lips gently touched.

Their kiss was full of love and warmth, as if the whole world had shrunk down to just the two of them.

Kiryu felt a surge of indescribable happiness as he experienced Aozaki Mayuki's warmth and care.

She greedily savored the kiss, wishing time could stand still so she could remain forever immersed in this sweetness.

However, Kiryu knew it was just a beautiful moment, but she had a greater greed and wanted to continue loving this man.

Not just until the time of parting, nor just until the time of reunion.

She longed to bind him with the love of hundreds of years, thousands of years, and even more than a lifetime.

Kiryuki realized that she was a very, very greedy and bad woman, but she gladly accepted this fact.

…………

"...When will Little True Moon and Little Kiryu finally come back?"

Shutara Senjumaru hugged his knees tightly, swaying from side to side as he sat on the cold stair steps like a child.

The sun was about to set, and the entire stairwell appeared unusually dark and cold.

However, Shutara Senjumaru did not want to return to his room or living room.

As Aozaki Mayuki and Hikifune Kiryu's senior, she felt it was her responsibility to take good care of them even when they went out to play.

Even if they leave me to look after the house alone, I still have to do a good job.

Moreover, it is something that an elder should do to greet the younger generation as soon as they return home.

However, this embarrassing senior did not realize that at this moment, her behavior and expression were exactly like that of a pitiful, hapless child waiting for her family to return.

Her face brightened instantly when she sensed that Aozaki Mayuki's spiritual pressure was approaching the hillside.