"Arara~ you are quite the shameless flatterer, Gorou-sama," Yasaka declared as she served the tea.
The kitsune's movements were filled with elegance and subtle charm, something Gorou had not had the opportunity to observe among those around him.
The only person capable of rivaling Yasaka's elegance was Alpha. However, the latter did not possess the mature charm that made the beautiful kitsune so attractive.
"A shameless flatterer? Yet I strive to be honest with myself and my desires," Gorou replied while taking a sip of the drink.
As for the idea of being poisoned by the woman sitting in front of him, he did not care much.
At this stage of his existence, he had already become a spiritual lifeform.
In Yuuki Kagurazaki's original universe, spiritual lifeforms are unaffected by a large portion of ordinary attacks.
If Yasaka wanted to poison him, it would require a poison at least on Samael's level.
However, Gorou doubted Yasaka's ability to get her hands on a poison of that caliber in such a short period of time.
A logical conclusion, since such things were rare and required deep connections within the supernatural world.
"Oh really? Then I shall accept your compliments. I apologize if my doubts may have offended you, it's just that I have been a widow for so long that I no longer think I am to the liking of a young man such as yourself," she said in a calm voice while her delicate hands grasped a teacup.
However, Gorou noticed a trace of joy hidden beneath the professional smile of Kyoto's leader.
Something he would have failed to detect under normal circumstances.
As reluctant as he was to admit it, Gorou had to acknowledge that he would not have noticed Yasaka's act without the Extra Skill Analytical Appraisal and Assessment.
"She must have some insecurities regarding her age," Gorou thought while observing the single mother through several skills.
Many otaku from Earth ignore this, but age remains a significant factor in supernatural relationships.
Appearance is important, but age is not an insignificant element for supernatural beings.
To better illustrate this, imagine yourself as an elf in a magical forest.
You have your several-thousand-year-old "elder" as your guide, who still maintains the appearance of a voluptuous milf.
Would you even think about "eating"?
The logical answer is no.
Like humans, supernatural beings also have social norms.
Supernatural creatures are simply more flexible in their approach to such matters, since they belong to a civilization composed of different species.
This racial diversity has led them to be more open-minded regarding relationships, but that factor does not erase their awareness of their advanced age.
"Strange… this situation reminds me of Zel's remarks in the manga Interspecies Reviewers," he recalled while observing Yasaka peacefully drinking her tea.
"For us, that elf isn't 'young.' You just slept with a grandmother," Zel explained while looking at his human friend with disgust.
(Image)
To the young elf, his friend Stunk had committed an act similar to Soldier Boy.
He was attracted to an older woman.
Is that a problem for Gorou?
The answer is obvious, isn't it?
No.
Since when would age be an obstacle for a former otaku in another world?
Better yet, Gorou found that aspect rather "stimulating" in many ways.
Thus, he shared an opinion similar to Stunk's.
"To the liking of a young man such as myself? Should I interpret that as the beautiful kitsune before me having a weakness for 'young men'?" he asked in a teasing tone.
He would never have made such a bold statement without the information he had gathered about Yasaka during their formal exchange.
Gorou slowly slid his hand toward Yasaka's, but the kitsune withdrew.
The woman's movements contradicted the feelings of "joy" he had detected at the moments when their hands brushed against each other.
It was as if Yasaka had remembered something important to her.
And that was what ruined the mood.
"I'm sorry, but unfortunately I cannot mix my private life with politics," she said while bowing toward him apologetically.
A lie.
It would actually be beneficial for Kyoto if Gorou were affiliated with them through a romantic relationship, or even a political marriage.
Gorou could feel it.
The kitsune was not opposed to the idea of "trying" for the sake of Kyoto, but also to ease her own loneliness.
Yet something was holding her back.
Gorou was annoyed by Yasaka's retreat, but decided not to pressure her.
After all, he was not an NTR protagonist.
"Perhaps it's because of her daughter? I've heard that single mothers always put their child first," he thought inwardly.
[Affirmative.]
As he decided to temporarily step back, the voice of Great Sage echoed in his mind.
"What do you mean by 'affirmative'?" Gorou asked, somewhat confused by the Unique Skill.
[You are correct. The target is concerned about the well-being of her offspring,] Great Sage explained before continuing.
[I recommend that the host gain Yasaka's daughter's favor first.]
Gorou's face twitched slightly at the idea of "gaining the affection" of the little kitsune he had seen upon entering the residence.
Kunou was… too young.
(Image)
"Sorry, but I'm not a lolicon," Gorou replied firmly to the Unique Skill.
[Host… I never mentioned romantic affection.]
"Shit…" Gorou muttered, but Great Sage ignored his curse and continued.
[Furthermore, your relationship with Asia is clearly not platonic at this stage.]
Gorou did not answer the Unique Skill.
His intellect suggested that he should avoid continuing this conversation, as his dignity risked being stained by these "baseless" accusations.
"Gorou-sama? Are you listening to me?" Yasaka asked in a slightly nervous tone.
She seemed worried by Gorou's silence after rejecting his advances.
"C-cough… sorry, I was just surprised to be turned down. However, I do not intend to give up on 'you,'" he said half-seriously.
"G-Gorou-sama…"
Yasaka was surprised by Gorou's sudden declaration.
Unconsciously, the experienced woman slightly averted her gaze while blushing.
It was the first time she had been courted so directly.
"Well, I enjoyed the tea and our conversation. Nevertheless, I have a complicated family matter to deal with," he declared after noticing that Yasaka had regained some of her composure.
Kyoto's yokai representative coughed lightly to dispel the ambiguous atmosphere, then adopted a solemn and dignified expression.
She had gone from being a "woman" to being a politician.
"Gorou-sama, I want… no, the Shinto faction would need the method you used to cleanse the pollution within natural energy."
Gorou had expected a recruitment offer from Yasaka, or perhaps a proposal for an alliance.
He had even anticipated a question-and-answer session.
But not this.
The Shinto faction was interested in his ability to purify the world's malice.
Something every senjutsu practitioner was exposed to during training.
"Interesting… these damn yokai want to grow stronger using my powers," he thought while observing Yasaka's face.
The latter revealed nothing on her beautiful face, but Gorou could sense her nervousness.
After a brief moment of silence, the scientist parted his lips to ask a perfectly logical question for a healthy young man.
"Will I be paid?"
"Of course, Gorou-sama."
"Is payment in kind an available option?"
"Haha, you are funny, Gorou-sama~"
"At least I tried."