Chapter 350: 140. The cute and charming Kawashima Miki has been counter-killed again. _6
Such an action does not match her status as an Empress. Fujiwara Reya lowered his head, the two gazed into each other’s faces and chuckled softly. She seemed attracted by the chaotic village festival, as if also drawn to the way Fujiwara Reya protected her.
"Have you seen such a performance before, ma’am?"
"No, I haven’t. Whenever there’s such an event, I always stayed far away."
"You don’t like it?"
"I do, but participating alone feels awfully lonely."
"Happy today?" Fujiwara Reya wrapped her petite body in his embrace.
Nestled in his arms, Kawashima Miki let out a gentle laugh, "Let’s make a pinky promise."
"What?"
"For future summer festivals, you mustn’t leave me alone."
Saying this, she held up her slender white little finger, and Fujiwara Reya paused while gazing at it before extending his own finger to hook onto hers.
It turned out that the lady was genuinely jealous and indeed felt lonely alone in Tokyo.
In front of them, villagers, usually unrelated to adventures, became extraordinarily excited. They tirelessly chased the lion, almost pushing the front-row tourists into the bonfire. The monks managing the event inserted themselves between the two groups to coordinate traffic, shouting until their voices were hoarse.
"Make way!"
"Don’t push..."
"No touching the lion!"
The crisp crackle of burning wood reached Kawashima Miki’s ears. At this moment, her tender ears could hear nothing, only leaning against Fujiwara Reya, listening to the harmony of emotions within both their hearts.
The two held hands in the crowd, gazing at each other.
"It looks beautiful," Kawashima Miki whispered.
"The lady looks even more beautiful," Fujiwara Reya lowered his head to kiss her jade-like nape.
"Ah..."
Kawashima Miki shrank her neck as if she felt ticklish.
Although bashful, she did not really refuse and guided Fujiwara Reya’s hand from her small belly up to her chest. Fujiwara Reya’s lips moved from her neck to her cheek, seeking her lips, but Kawashima Miki kept twisting her face to prevent him from succeeding.
Unable to align their lips, Fujiwara Reya displayed the impatience of a child.
Immersed in his eager thoughts, Kawashima Miki’s lips curved into a slight victorious smile. Before the fox demon appeared, she could thoroughly enjoy this man. After allowing his lips to miss a couple of times, Kawashima Miki stopped twisting her face, and their lips finally met. Moments later, she turned around slowly, the two embracing face-to-face.
The lion leaped in the firelight, from one end to the other as the crowd shifted, causing a turmoil.
The dizzying crowd passed in front of Kasahara Asuka, who pursed her lips unhappily, "Where did senpai go—"
"Forget about him," Hoshimi Rinko was also somewhat frustrated.
Instead of searching for that scoundrel, it’s better to enjoy the lion dance.
The young men carrying the lion had white headbands and let out beast-like roars in unison. The lion’s head rose high again, dominating the four sides, stirring a hot wind among the crowd as they surged by. Their sweat-drenched skin glistened with a bronze hue under the glow of the firelight.
The never-ending bonfire tinted the night sky of Minami-Izu red.
"I can’t, just thinking about him leaving us makes Asuka angry," Kasahara Asuka tiptoed, scanning the surroundings. To avoid getting separated by the rushing crowd, she clutched Hoshimi Rinko’s sleeve tightly, with Hoshimi Rinko resting her hand on her shoulder.
At a certain moment, she saw a tengu mask among the crowd.
"Looks like over there."
Her junior’s shoulder easily shrugged off the senior’s hand resting upon it.
Then, her petite body wedged into the crowd, Hoshimi Rinko following anxiously, holding onto her sleeve.
At this time, the lion’s head suddenly whirled crazily, its green mane shaking as it cleared the tourists before it. Among the crowd, Natsuki Kuri glanced toward Fujiwara Reya, her lips cracking into a grin, revealing sharp fox teeth that shimmered beautifully white in the firelight... the moment of the hunt was almost upon them.
Fujiwara Reya, on his end, just finished their kiss.
"Phew, why aren’t they here yet..." Kawashima Miki muttered softly, fiddling with her yukata sash. Her purple yukata looked both luxurious and alluring, embodying her beauty and infatuation. She was very pleased with this attire, the pattern exuding vitality while the tightly bound sash around her waist portrayed a sense of Athenian grace.
In every aspect, she considered herself flawless at this moment.
The woman possessed gentleness, composure, maturity, and allure... possessing every trait, she awaited the Fox Girl to appear, confident she’d boast of her beauty as a victor.
In the huddled crowd, Fujiwara Reya seemed to hear someone calling "senpai."
No need to guess, he knew who noticed him. He dared not remain, grabbing Kawashima Miki’s hand, wrapping her waist he headed into the crowded area.
Amid the commotion, Kawashima Miki was held firmly by his steady strength.
His exceptionally muscular arm embraced her, forging a path through the throng of people. With a call, he kicked aside lanterns obstructing his way, sending the remaining firelight swirling in the air, the sparks dazzling slightly. The muscles around his shoulder blades fluttered like wings.
The strength inherent in a healthy body shone brightly in the moment.
Several times, Kawashima Miki was convinced that anything could happen tonight. Her cheeks flushed hotly. Hugged forward by Fujiwara Reya, she did not resist, only stumbled ahead to where he desired. Amid the tumult, Fujiwara Reya’s arms wrapped tightly around her chest from behind. For such contact, she was already accustomed, yet tonight, there were particularly intense numbness and fierce excitement clashing within her soul.
While on the move, Kawashima Miki reached out and touched his adam’s apple.
It’s unclear what kind of impulse this was, she only felt it was something she didn’t possess and desired.
Just then, a strong wave among the tourists surged— turns out the lion returned. People continued moving with the lion, pulling back in retreat. Going against the flow, Fujiwara Reya was almost knocked down. Kawashima Miki turned and buried her face in his chest as if scared, her fingertips pressing against the muscles of his back. Sensing a dignified heat... the tourists’ pushing resumed, showing that the manager’s efforts were of no avail.
Behind, Kasahara Asuka paving the way with fists and feet, trampled over people and charged straight through.
With enemies blocking ahead and pursuing behind, Fujiwara Reya glanced around, turned around, rudely charged out of the crowd, and hid behind a large tree. Immediately, white wings unfurled, he jumped up the tree holding Kawashima Miki, hiding within the dense canopy.
In less than half a minute, Kasahara Asuka rushed over, complaining at the tree’s base.
"He certainly came this way, where did he go—"
Hoshimi Rinko also reached the tree’s base, scanning left and right, "It seemed like he was with another woman earlier, did you see who?"
"The one in a purple yukata!" Kasahara Asuka said through clenched teeth.
The two young girls circled menacingly under the tree, occasionally glancing upward.
Fujiwara Reya dared not even breathe, fearing exposure. Yet, at his ear, he heard Kawashima Miki softly snort, "I saw the Fox Girl coming, have you thought about how you want to die!"