The Shady Trio

"Yo! Done yet?" I casually greeted as I walked towards the Kamisato Head. I was able to escape once again! These ladies can't catch me!

"Yes. Let me clean this up first." Ayato said as he stood up. I could just take care of it, but he seemed to enjoy this usual routine of his, so I decided to leave him be and waited.

"You were completely prepared for my appearance. So I guess, you expected it?" I interrogated the suspicious man. He is being too nonchalant about my sudden teleportation.

"Oh... Let's just say, my sister was quite loud..." He explained his attitude with a chuckle. I guess I was suspecting him too much. There's no such thing as an eavesdropping tool kit yet in this world.

(And I didn't notice anyone hiding earlier. I doubt anyone can hide from my eyes that easily anyway... This at least answers the idea of 'Two shady people walking into a bar.' You get it...)

"Shall we go?" I inquired after seeing his aftermath cleaning work done.

"Sure. This way Lu." Ayato answered back casually, with his usual smile. I then followed him and we walked quietly.

(Where to? The usual thing. Just shady people doing shady things...)

***

It only took us a few minutes to reach our destination. I could've just blinked us, but where is the fun in that? One of the best parts of having a hiding place is finding it. And we have a lot of free time anyway, so why not?

A secluded room, hidden behind an illusion appeared before us. The design of such a hideout was complicated enough to get rid of any sneaky travelers. In the middle of the room is a big luxurious box, giving an aura of a treasure chest as it should.

(This place is completely foolproof of everything you can think of. Certified by me! The maker of this tricky place!)

"What is the current count, partner?" I asked shadily. A word yours truly recently formulated.

"Stop acting like we're human trafficking or something, your majesty... The current count is 56. That's the best that we can do even with her help." Ayato sighed at my antics, before opening the chest.

Inside of it were visions, varying from different elements. I ordered Ayato to collect the remaining of them in Inazuma, giving them my artificial ones in exchange. Sara was currently too busy to handle it, so I asked him and someone else to do it.

"Why do we need to keep it a secret from my sister though?" He pondered. I'm sure he can already think of some reasons, but I'll humor him.

"Your sister is too serious sometimes... most of the time. So she'll probably be the first one to offer her vision. How can I teach her if she doesn't have one?! The specialized ones that I am making aren't done yet! Are trying to work me to death?!!!" I slipped up intentionally about another secret project of mine.

(Don't blame me, I can't have them using walking fucking trackers! And no way I'll be giving them the mass-produced ones. I will be providing them with something useful, like what I gave to Sara before.)

"Anyways! I will be taking 50 of them. It should be enough for what I have in mind." I stated as 50 of them immediately disappeared from the box.

I left Ayato, who was in deep thought about what I hinted at. That information should be enough as payment for his work.

"Ara? Leaving already Lu?" I heard a mischievous voice before I could port out.

"What a shame... Even though I worked vigorously to gather these 20 visions from countless Yokai races. Ah, what a waste..." The voice said in a regretful tone.

(I fold! You know how to bait me, you foxy woman... Those old farts don't need visions anyway! As a man of nature, nature-ally, I am fond of recycling. Haha, get it?! No?... Okay...)

I stopped myself from casting my magic trick and scanned the new person who had arrived. It was none other than Yae Miko, the other collaborator.

"I can't fathom why you told me to work with this annoying man. I cannot read his mind at all. But if it's for you then why not? Perhaps you can read his intentions well enough?" The foxy lady, Kitsune, grumbled.

"Maybe I can. Maybe I can't. All I can say is that I could easily read people filled with ambitions." I replied with a smirk. The person on the topic shivered uncomfortably.

"I don't understand what you meant by that, your majesty." Ayato nervously said. I only responded to him with the smirk I currently have.

"Then, don't mind me. I will be taking 25 more-"

"Hold yourself handsome man~. I need a proper compensation... too~." Yae stopped me with an inviting look.

"You should have heard what I said earlier-"

"It was accidental. And even if it isn't, you properly prepared it in advance." Nani?! How dare you use my tricks against me, woman...

"I won't ask much... One date! One date later on, and you're off to go with both of us happy." Yae demanded with a serious look.

"...I didn't expect you to be that straightforward." I said, shocked by her current behavior.

"I doubt any of my schemes would work against you anyway..." She shrugged in response.

(No Shit! I learned to take a fox seriously the hard way, after all!)

"Well... Sure. Once things calm down, we can go anywhere you prefer malady~. I teased the desperate miko. Immediately pocketing the 20 visions from her hand, and 5 more from the chest.

She blushed as I expected, but I was not focused enough to predict her next move. Yae dashed towards me and sneaked in a peck on my lips, before running back fully red while giggling.

"I will be glad to stay at your side anytime~...I'll be waiting..." She said with her eyes darting away from me between words, then left with a faster dash. She probably couldn't take it anymore.

(How cute... I didn't expect her to become that daring. She didn't even bother with the cheeks and went for a goal!)

"Ehem! I should take my leave too... I got some more work to do, Haha..." Ayato said awkwardly before leaving too.

(Poor guy... He received the third wheel role earlier. Your sacrifice, I shall not forget it! Comrade...)