Chapter 285: Chapter 285: The Rivalry Between Kitsune Saiguu and Mikoshi Chiyo

"My benefactor’s space station is truly magnificent."

After resting for a while, Kitsune Saiguu could no longer suppress her curiosity. She left her room and stepped onto the station’s deck, admiring the view.

The vast universe fascinated her greatly.

In the past, she had been bound beneath the false sky.

She never had the chance to see such things.

But now that the opportunity existed—Of course she wanted to explore what the outside world looked like.

Compared to Yae Miko, Saiguu actually yearned for freedom more.

Perhaps it was because she lived in an era when yokai had not yet declined.

Her lifestyle carried more of the spirit of a true yokai.

"You just woke up and you’re already calling him ’benefactor’ every other sentence. What is it? After living so long, has your heart finally started fluttering?"

Mikoshi Chiyo shuddered each time she heard the word.

Calling someone a benefactor was one thing.

But Saiguu saying it in such a soft, delicate tone—

It gave her goosebumps.

She simply couldn’t imitate that kind of voice.

"A fox repaying a kindness—haven’t you heard those stories before?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Saiguu didn’t deny it.

Even though she was a fox who had lived for a thousand years—

She was still a woman.

And now she has experienced death once.

Naturally it changed how she viewed many things.

And when she first woke up—

Looking into Su Ran’s eyes—

She truly felt like she had found true love.

That fleeting moment of charm...

Something Chiyo would probably never understand.

After all, though Chiyo was beautiful—She was still an oni.

Even though she had once raised a child and experienced motherhood—

She remained somewhat lacking in romantic subtlety.

"So you plan to follow those fox stories? Find a man and marry him like the fox spirits in the tales?"

Chiyo thought back to Su Ran’s appearance and his profession.

"You could honestly call him a scholar."

Was that Saiguu’s type?

She looked at her friend strangely.

"A scholar? What are you thinking? My benefactor looks confident and spirited. How does he resemble those timid scholars in books? Do you think I like that sort?"

Recalling Su Ran’s demeanor—

And comparing it to the stories—

Saiguu couldn’t possibly place him alongside those weak scholars.

Their presence was completely different.

"But he’s still an intellectual, isn’t he? Even if he’s not frail like those scholars... what if he’s the wooden-headed type?"

Chiyo already knew Su Ran’s personality from Makoto.

But she still said this.

It was partly to warn her friend not to rush into things.

Repaying a life-saving favor with marriage was understandable.

But whether they could actually get along—

That was another matter.

"How could that be? When he held me earlier, his eyes didn’t avoid mine at all. It’s obvious he’s the carnivorous type."

When it came to judging people—

Saiguu believed she was far better than Chiyo.

Oni were passionate, but not as perceptive as foxes.

Even Saiguu herself had no doubts.

So why was Chiyo worrying?

"Or... did you fall for him too? Afraid I’ll steal him first?"

Saiguu leaned close and whispered teasingly into Chiyo’s ear.

Chiyo’s face instantly flushed.

"You can’t say things like that! What if someone hears and misunderstands?!"

She quickly glanced around.

Only after confirming no one was nearby did she relax.

"Feeling guilty?"

Saiguu teased her again.

Chiyo really hadn’t changed.

"Don’t talk nonsense. I just don’t want to cause trouble for him."

Su Ran was strong and impressive.

But after Saiguu openly declared she’d marry him—

Chiyo felt awkward saying the same thing.

Even if they were close friends—

Some things couldn’t simply be shared.

"What’s the problem? I doubt the Shogun’s relationship with him is completely innocent either. If I’m not bothered by that, why would I mind you?"

Hearing Saiguu speak so boldly—

Chiyo felt slightly challenged.

If a fox spirit could be so straightforward—

Why was she, an oni, hesitating?

"Then you’d better be careful. Back in my day, I was known as Inazuma’s number one beauty. That’s a title you never had. If you compete with me, don’t complain when you get neglected."

If Saiguu wanted to provoke her—

Chiyo would respond.

"Don’t be so confident. I still have my advantages. These fox ears and tail? On the way to my room earlier, my benefactor seemed quite fond of them."

Chiyo’s dance was legendary.

But Saiguu wasn’t intimidated.

After all—

Chiyo fell out of the pod.

Saiguu was caught.

Chiyo was helped back.

Saiguu was carried.

She already had the early advantage.

How could she lose?

A white fox like her—

There was only one.

Though Saiguu didn’t realize—

Red oni were also rare in Inazuma.

There were technically two—

But the other one was male.

And Su Ran clearly wouldn’t be interested in him.

"Don’t get too cocky, Saiguu. Times have changed."

"Oh? You know times have changed?"

Saiguu was surprised.

Chiyo’s dance had once captivated all of Inazuma.

Why would she say something like that?

Had she always thought she was inferior?

"Yes. Your junior has grown quite capable. Don’t end up losing to your own student."

White foxes weren’t the only popular ones.

What about pink foxes?

"Miko... I wonder how she’s doing now."

Thinking about the little pink fox who once followed her everywhere—

Saiguu couldn’t help smiling.

She missed that junior dearly.

Hopefully—

They will meet again soon.

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