It was impossible for Youmu Konpaku not to feel nervous about this sudden arrangement. It concerned a major event in her life, and although it was something Lady Yuyuko hoped for, she still felt that it was best to carefully consider such matters.
Besides, being in a relationship with someone Kars's age… it almost feels like a crime. This was also an area where Youmu Konpaku felt conflicted. Based on her judgment of Kars's age, she believed he hadn't exceeded two hundred years old. While that was long for a human, it was quite young for a Youkai.
Why would my body react to a child under two hundred years old… and what reason should I use if I want to approach him…
Youmu Konpaku was completely immersed in these headache-inducing problems. Only now did she realize that these matters could be so troublesome and complicated. It was no wonder Lady Yuyuko said that opportunities weren't always available, and if she didn't seize this one, things would become much more difficult the next time.
Right now, approaching him by delivering food might be a good method, perhaps? Since it was the time for the banquet, Youmu Konpaku believed she could completely approach Kars under this pretext. Therefore, after making her decision, she began searching for Kars, only to find a frustrating situation.
Kars was with Yuuka Kazami. The Flower Master of the Four Seasons had also come to this banquet, which Youmu Konpaku hadn't expected. However, considering the flower-viewing environment, it was understandable why she would come, but the sight of her hugging Kars surprised her somewhat.
She hadn't realized that Kars and Yuuka Kazami had such a good relationship. And if that was the case, it seemed she wouldn't be able to talk to Kars using her planned method.
"Sister Yuuka! You're here too!"
When Kars saw Yuuka Kazami, he happily ran up and hugged her, rubbing his face on her soft belly. Since he hadn't seen her for a while, he deeply missed her scent and buried his face in her belly for a deep breath.
"You really miss me? If so, what have you been up to lately?" Yuuka Kazami asked. Hearing this question, Kars nodded at first, but then suddenly froze. He realized he had been playing with Cirno and the others all the time lately…
Since they had reached that level of closeness, they, who lived nearby, would come to the Scarlet Devil Mansion to find him every day, so he hadn't been going out much.
"Um… that… I… I was with Cirno and the others."
"With them, huh." Yuuka Kazami nodded slightly, seeming to understand. Kars cautiously looked up, wanting to see Yuuka Kazami's expression, but in his current posture, he could only see her ample chest, not her face, so he couldn't tell if she was angry about him not visiting her after winter.
"So, do you need something?" Yuuka Kazami then addressed Youmu Konpaku, who had been staring at them from a distance for some time. Seeing her holding a dish and standing there motionless, it was clear that her target was probably Kars, who was next to her.
"I… I came to deliver the dish." Youmu Konpaku said, handing over the dish—a plate of thin slices of sashimi cut with excellent knife skills.
"Mmm! Thank you, Youmu!" Kars immediately reached out to take it. Taking this opportunity, he finally saw Yuuka Kazami's expression. Seeing that her face was the same as usual, he couldn't tell if she was angry because he hadn't visited her during the recent winter.
"Um, Kars… if there's a chance next time, I want to invite you for something." Youmu Konpaku hesitated, then invited Kars, realizing that if she left now, she wouldn't have many chances next time. Retreating now didn't align with her standards of conduct, so she directly invited Kars. She believed Kars would understand the meaning of her invitation.
"Ah? Oh! Um, I got it! You decide the time." Youmu Konpaku's invitation momentarily stunned Kars, but then he reacted and nodded in agreement. During his conversation with Yuyuko earlier, he was told that she hoped he would interact more with Youmu Konpaku. Coupled with the fact that he had caused her body to react like that before, he couldn't very well refuse this invitation now.
"Then, please enjoy the dish." After getting Kars's response, Youmu Konpaku turned around and let out a sigh of relief. The smooth development of the matter relieved her. Otherwise, she really might not have been able to continue.
"Are you very familiar with her?" Yuuka Kazami could tell that the situation between Kars and Youmu Konpaku was a bit off, so she asked directly.
"Mmm… something happened." Without waiting for Yuuka Kazami to ask what happened, Kars explained what had occurred between them. Upon learning that the activation of the energy in Kars's body would cause a very wonderful feeling and reaction, Yuuka Kazami became curious.
"In that case, I'm quite curious myself. Do you need time to prepare?" It was clear that Yuuka Kazami wanted to try that experience for herself, to see if that feeling would truly happen to her as well.
"No preparation needed, but Sister Yuuka, do you really want to try it? Here… Ugh! Alright, I understand." Seeing Yuuka Kazami's determined look, Kars nodded to indicate he understood. The dormant Sun Attribute energy in his body began to reactivate. When Kars took Yuuka Kazami's hand, the energy entered her body.
However, Kars didn't hear the usual trickling sound this time and couldn't help but wonder if it wasn't effective. But soon after, he felt Yuuka Kazami's hand tremble slightly and heard a faint, captivating sound from her.
Clearly, it wasn't that it wasn't effective; it was either less intense for Yuuka Kazami or she was enduring it. Kars looked at her slightly flushed expression and felt the urge to see her shy side. If he could let Yuuka Kazami absorb a little more energy, perhaps he could see it.
But should he do it? Or not?