"I...apologize that you had to see me like that, Yamato-sama," Hiroko says this while bowing forward with her hands on the floor pillows she had laid out on the floor. She had brought them from the roof where she had hidden them in a storage closet. Which is where she kept most of the items that were important to her and Agano.
"Apologies are not necessary. I was happy to help you leave your crazed state. Should you ever lose control I will happily assist you in regaining your sanity," you say as the Kumiho lifts herself up from her bow. You, too, are sitting on one of the pillows directly across from Hiroko. Yameko sits on a third pillow directly between the two of you, ears swiveling to either side to listen to you both as you take turns speaking. The cup that once held your impromptu fox repellant has been disposed of.
Which means you dumped the liquid into a sink in the Home Economics room. Then put the cup in a trash can. Which Hiroko proceeded to set on fire.
Not with the supernatural fire that their races are iconic for. She simply took out a cigarette lighter and dropped it in before placing the lid back on it. When Yameko questioned where she got it, considering neither of them partake in any type of narcotics, the Kumiho had shrugged and name dropped her Partner.
You make a mental note to possibly ask Agano about that when she gets out.
Hiroko's ears begin to swivel while her tails start to wrap themselves around her arms. She fidgets in place while attempting to avoid eye-contact with you, "Yes...um...about that. I...hate to admit this but...um...how should I say-"
"That was Hiroko when she is sane, Yamato-sama," Yameko finishes for her cousin. The Kumiho looks at her friend with faux betrayal while you simply raise an eyebrow at the revelation. You ask your Partner to elaborate. She does so, complete seriousness in her tone, "The form you saw, Yamato-sama, was Hiroko after using all her willpower to keep her urges at bay. If she hadn't done that, the building we are in would be leveled."
You nod along with your Partner's explanation. You turn to the Kumiho who is trying to hide her face in behind her tails in embarrassment, "If that is the case, then you must have an extreme amount of willpower to put towards holding yourself back."
That makes Hiroko's ears prick up and her tails moves away from her face. The surprise in her features is evident, "You...you really think so? I would think that it shows how much weaker my mental faculties are. All my attempts to control myself, and the best I can do is limit the damage to this."
A hand waves at the destruction around the room. Yameko scoots closer to her cousin and begins to wrap her golden tails in the Kumiho's snow white ones.
"That is correct...from a certain point of view," your words make both fox spirits turn to you. You hold up a finger while you explain, "Yameko told me that you had refrained from eating human flesh for 999 years. According to the legends, Kumiho wishing to be human must only abide by that rule for 1,000 days. Yet, you have done so for years. And there is real world evidence that shows the more difficult a path, the more rewarding it is should you succeed at it. While I do not know why you are going above and beyond what is needed of you, I cannot personally see what you have managed to cultivate as evidence of weakness. Rather a better way of seeing it is that this is the result of a mighty will you have cultivated after years and years of keeping your more savage urges at bay. And a testament to how far you are willing to go to achieve your goals."
Silence.
"It is basic logic, truly," you shrug.
The two fox spirits look at each for a moment. Then they lean into each other and speak in hushed tones while glancing towards you every now and then. Sometimes they giggle at something you don't understand. You tilt your head and briefly wonder if you said something wrong. What you said did sound more like a speech that Hayato would give. Perhaps you simply weren't able to project the feelings you wished to get across? Maybe you could-
You are suddenly yanked away from your sitting position by twin bundles of fur. The temperature and fluffiness rises as you find yourself trapped inside of a ball of golden and white fur. You have to hold back a sneeze while keeping yourself as calm and still as possible. You know Yameko. And you trust that she wouldn't attempt to suffocate you.
Hiroko...you are willing to gamble on.
Which thankfully pays off as the two of them release you...only to find yourself pulled into another embrace. This time by Hiroko who says to you, "Thank you, Yamato-sama. You've certainly given me a better perspective on my current circumstance. I can see how you managed to convince Yameko to form a union with you."
You refrain from responding.
Not because you can't.
But because you feel that it would be inappropriate.
Hiroko is taller than both Yameko and yourself. In addition, she is quite...bountiful when compared to your Partner. So, being pulled into her embrace has you pressed against soft skin that you don't wish to agitate, lest something horrid befall you.
You hear Yameko cough into her hand after you're held for a minute, "Hiroko. I believe you've been hugging him for long enough."
"Oh~? What's wrong, cousin~? Scared I'll steal him away~. I might. He's quite the flatterer," Hiroko begins moving you to and fro while she speaks. You remain stock still. You will not implicate yourself in something that may threaten your life.
Thankfully, Yameko's tails wrap around your arms and legs and pull you away from the Kumiho's embrace. Your Partner is swift to place her arms around your neck while you take a brief moment to regain your composure. Hiroko chuckles at her cousin, "Ha ha! No need to worry, Yameko. My taste happen to fall on the...other side of the pond."
Hmm, interesting...
"Regardless, I truly do mean thank you, Yamato-sama. Not just for today, but for helping Agano. I am truly in your debt for that."
"No you are not," your words cause surprise to return to the Kumiho's features. You elaborate, "I simply wished to ensure that she was given a fair trial untainted by those of ill desires, and to help you once I learned the circumstances behind your meeting. There is no need for you to reward me nor my brother in anyway."
"Oh...um...I see," she seems...disappointed?
That can't be right.
Why would she be upset at not owing you a debt?
Whatever the reason, you'll have to find out later. The sun has begun to set and you must return to your brother.
You bid Hiroko farewell and make your way back to the Academy.
[Yamato Yameko Social Link +3 RP; 13/15]
[Yamato Hiroko Social Link +3 RP: 10/10: Can Rank Up]
[Yamato and Hiroko have formed a Bond: A Deal Upheld]
[Hayato and Hiroko have formed a Bond: A Deal Upheld]
[Hayato has unlocked Hiroko SL! Starts at Level 0]
Yeah, wanted to write a continuation.
1. To show Yamato off a bit more.
2. To add a bit to Hiroko's character since she hasn't been seen much.
3. To give the full list of Benefits from completing the Quest.
Also, I think I might do what Sage did in AGG; ER. Where he would lay out specific/special Omakes that could be written by people for singular bonuses.
Might not do it till after the Tournament though.