Futaba is a member of the Tsukuyomi Family.
The Tsukuyomi Family serves Kaguya-hime. The relationship between Kaguya-hime and Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto is more than “complicated.” If Futaba is sincere, then it’s fine. One more person means one more strength, and the Divine Oracle can be completed faster. But if she came with a purpose—if her approach is an instruction from Kaguya-hime—then the consequences would be unimaginable.
She needed a way. A way to make Futaba fully commit. Not just verbally saying “I am also You-kun’s girlfriend,” but a real, irrevocable alignment. Only then could she feel at ease.
While Chihaya was lost in thought, Mai’s voice came from beside her, with the nasal tone of just waking up.
“Sister, what are you thinking?”
Chihaya composed herself, turned her head, and smiled at Mai.
“It’s nothing, Mai.”
Her voice was very light, very gentle, exactly as usual.
Mai blinked and smiled.
“That’s good to hear. Seeing that you didn’t get up right away after waking up today, I was a little worried.”
Chihaya sat up from the futon, her hair loose on her shoulders. Morning light leaked through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating her profile, softening its contours.
“Even I have times when I want to be lazy. Mai makes too big a deal out of it.”
She got out of bed and put on her slippers.
“I’m going to wash up first. Mai can sleep a bit longer.”
Saying that, she slid open the bedroom door and stepped out.
The door closed.
The room fell silent, only the rustling sound of bamboo leaves outside the window.
Mai lay in the futon, watching the direction where her sister had left, and her expression slowly changed.
It was no longer the innocent, nasal, just-woken-up look from before. Instead, it was a deeper, heavier gaze.
‘Sister, even if you don’t say it, I know.’
‘You’re worried about You-kun looking at Futaba-nee, aren’t you?’
Mai pulled the blanket up to her chest.
‘Unfortunately, I’m also very worried about this. Sister always treats me like a child, and although I love that about her—she cares for me, looks after me, thinks everything through for me—but love is love, I won’t give up on making You-kun look at me either.’
She turned over, faced the wall, and closed her eyes.
‘Let me sleep a bit more. Anyway, Sister still has some time to wash up.’
***
You sat at the table, holding the piece of white paper that he had “purified” countless times. The paper surface was so white it shone, like a brand new piece just taken out of its packaging. Across from him sat Futaba and Hitomi.
Futaba wore a light pink blouse and dark gray trousers. Her hair was loose, the ends slightly curled. In her hand was still that fan, unopened, twirling casually in her grip.
Hitomi wore a white short-sleeved shirt and beige trousers, her hair tied in a low ponytail. On her face was that gentle smile, like the afternoon spring sunshine.
He had just asked the two of them a few questions about Curse Technique Practice, and they had patiently answered.
You glanced at Futaba, then at Hitomi, then lowered his head and turned the white paper over.
He was thinking about something.
Futaba seemed to be avoiding him lately—of course, it was just a feeling. Whenever he looked for her, he could find her, and when he spoke to her, she would respond as usual, with the same perfect smile and lazy tone, but after finishing, she would find an excuse to leave—to pour tea, to get her fan, to check what Hitomi was doing.
You placed the white paper on his lap, looking at the hydrangeas in the courtyard.
‘Had I been too aggressive that day? Was this “avoidance” good news or bad news?’
He didn’t know.
He recalled the words he had said before—“You weren’t looking at me, so how do you know I wasn’t looking at you?” Futaba had been stunned for a moment, then admitted, “I have been watching you.” That was the first time she had openly acknowledged her attention on him.
Then he chickened out.
Because Mai was nearby, he was afraid of a hellish scene, so he changed the subject.
You sighed inwardly.
‘If only I had continued the offensive back then, maybe I would have already figured out Futaba’s true intentions by now.’
But then he recalled the dangerous atmosphere from Mai that day, and a chill ran down his back.
‘Whatever, take it slow.’
“Good morning, You-kun.”
Chihaya’s voice came from behind him.
You turned around. Chihaya wore a light blue home dress, her hair tied in a simple ponytail. Her face still had the moisture of just being washed, making her delicate features appear more lively. Her expression was calm, revealing nothing.
“Good morning, Chihaya.”
Chihaya naturally sat down in the seat next to him. She glanced at the white paper on You’s lap.
“Why aren’t you continuing to practice?”
“Taking a break,” You answered casually.
Chihaya looked at You, then at Futaba and Hitomi sitting across, and raised an eyebrow.
“You-kun, are you asking Futaba and Hitomi about Curse Art?”
“Yes,” You nodded. “There are some parts I don’t understand.”
He was a little nervous. Actually, he wasn’t really asking about Curse Art; he was looking for an opportunity to talk to Futaba. But this couldn’t let Chihaya know—at least not now. The way Chihaya looked at him made him feel as if he had been seen through.
Futaba smiled.
“That’s right.”
Hitomi also smiled gently.
“You-kun is very studious.”
Chihaya nodded and didn’t ask further.
Her gaze moved to the courtyard. The cluster of hydrangeas beside the stone lantern was in full bloom, their blue petals glowing softly in the morning light. A butterfly flew over the flowers, its wings fluttering, slowly drifting away.
Futaba’s mind was a bit troubled.
Since that day, she had been subconsciously avoiding You. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see him, but that seeing him would unsettle her. That unsettledness wasn’t fear or nervousness, but something indescribable, as if her usual composure failed her when she saw him.
She didn’t like this feeling.
She was used to smiling, to hiding, to standing on the sidelines and watching others’ excitement. But You always managed to find her, always made it impossible for her to hide. When he asked her questions, she would answer earnestly; when he looked into her eyes, she couldn’t help but look back; when he called her name, her heartbeat would skip a beat.
‘Futaba Tsukuyomi, what have you become?’
She scolded herself inwardly, but every time You spoke, she still couldn’t help responding.
Hitomi’s mind was also troubled.
She had already mentally prepared herself. Amaterasu Omikami wanted her to be the legal wife; she couldn’t escape, so she would face it. Take the initiative to get close to You, take the initiative to win him over, take the initiative to make him see her. She had even started plotting the first step…
But these past few days, she noticed that You was more attentive to Futaba.
Hitomi looked at You’s profile and sighed inwardly.
‘The mental preparation I had done is beginning to waver again.’
‘Maybe wait and see a bit longer?’
Chihaya watched this scene, thoughts turning in her mind.
‘This won’t do.’
You procreating the bloodline was the will of Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto; she couldn’t stop it. Whether Futaba was sincere, she wasn’t sure. Since she wasn’t sure, she would find a way to make Futaba fully ally herself.
She needed a way, a way that would leave Futaba no room to backtrack.
How could she get such an opportunity?
Chihaya lowered her eyes, picked up her teacup, and took a sip.
She needed to think carefully.