Demonic Po*nstar System

Chapter 1028: Mounting Tension

He always knew that Yunohana was beyond beautiful, but she seemed so graceful, so distant, so... out of reach, that he never really thought about it.

But now, faced with her tender smile and eyes full of adoration, he was finally forced to admit reality.

She was one hell of a Japanese milf.

”I know you are quite capable of looking after yourself,” Yunohana spoke with a soft voice. ”It would still please me to offer you a little protection.”

Around them, the attendants had stopped talking. Sonoda watched the cord resting across Yunohana’s fingers, then looked up at Kaiden with a smile of her own.

He offered his left wrist, turning his palm upward for her.

”Would you tie it for me?”

”Of course.”

Yunohana supported his hand while she slipped the loop over it. Her fingertips brushed the inside of his wrist as she adjusted the knot, leaving enough room for the cord to rest comfortably against his skin.

She had enjoyed every part of choosing clothes with his family. Alexandra’s delight over the flowers had made her want to fill the woman’s arms with beautiful things, and the girls’ laughter had kept drawing her away from the counter to join them.

Now Kaiden was holding still for her, watching with such care as she fastened her gift. Yunohana found herself hoping he would keep it long after its blessing was gone.

”Wherever you may go in the future... I hope you will remember your time in Japan fondly. Perhaps this can remind you of us.”

Her thumb smoothed the finished knot before she released him.

Kaiden turned his wrist beneath the light. He had watched her take the silver cord from her own hair and make it into a ward for him, with the same tender attention she had given Alexandra’s flowers.

He was touched. She wanted him safe even after he left her country, when the gates were cleared and his family had gone home.

”I’ll keep it with me,” he promised. ”Thank you, Yunohana. You’ve made us very happy here. I couldn’t ask for a better host.”

She had been composed while offering the blessing. Hearing him promise to carry it made her beam so brightly that he smiled back before he could help himself.

”Then I am very glad. It suits you.”

Luna and Nyx exchanged a silent, knowing glance.

Before Luna could run her mouth, Nyx raised a finger to her lips, grinning.

”Big Brother, look at mine too!” Alice called.

Alexandra came over in the blue floral display kimono, with Alice beside her in an ivory sample. Both carried their new fans. The blonde touched the ornament in her freshly pinned hair with a delighted smile as Nyx complimented her.

”I feel like we’re going to a festival.”

”We can certainly find something sweet to eat,” Yunohana offered. ”Shall we take a walk?”

They approved the drawings before changing back. Bastet lingered to thank the older attendant. By the time the felinid finished, the woman was holding her hands and inviting her to visit again.

Yunohana paid for the commissions and gave the proprietress Sonoda’s contact details to arrange the next fittings. While everyone changed back, the staff collected the display garments and packed their chosen ornaments and fans to take with them.

Alexandra kept her new ornament in her hair. She touched it once more as they thanked the staff, blushing when Yunohana noticed.

Several attendants gathered at the door to see them off, their earlier nerves thoroughly conquered.

”Thank you! Please come again!”

”We will!” Calypso promised, waving over her shoulder.

...

Outside, late sunlight reached across the ponds beneath the covered walkways. The family followed Yunohana toward the confectioner, with Alice walking beside Alexandra and opening her rabbit fan to test it.

Beyond the entrance, the street had grown busier. A woman lifted a camera above the crowd, and the captain raised his palm toward her until she lowered it.

At a side door, another guard checked an arriving delivery worker’s identification against his tablet. The worker waited with his cart while the shopkeeper came out to confirm the delivery. Afterward, the worker entered under escort.

”They’re very strict,” Kaiden mused to Sonoda.

”Lady Yunohana was very clear about your afternoon being private, my lord.”

Their hostess had stopped at a glass counter filled with shaped sweets. She pointed out a pale flower with a yellow center and turned to the girls.

”This one is my favorite. Would anyone like to try it?”

Nyx’s hand went up. ”Me, me!”

”I shall sample the competition,” Alice decreed.

They chose their sweets and carried them to the benches around the pond. Yunohana sat beside Kaiden while Aria settled on his other side, taking his arm before accepting a little plate.

Alexandra and Alice took the bench opposite them. Calypso leaned over its back to inspect the painted rabbit on Alice’s fan.

Bastet joined Nyx and Luna at the adjoining table, setting her plate between them.

”This is delicious,” Alexandra said after her first bite.

Yunohana watched her guests enjoying their purchases and felt her happiness deepen. She had hoped to give them an afternoon they would remember fondly. Hearing Alexandra tell Alice how lovely the golden rays would look made her impatient to see them both in their finished kimono.

”I’m glad you agreed to come,” she told Kaiden.

”So am I. Thank you for treating everyone.”

”It has been my pleasure.”

Across the pond, the captain stepped away from his post.

Kaiden noticed because the crowd immediately leaned toward the opening. A man in a dark coat walked between the guards, his hands resting in his pockets, while the captain held everyone else back.

The stranger crossed the garden without a badge or escort. Yunohana lowered her plate and addressed the captain in Japanese, with Sonoda turning toward him as well.

He looked directly at Yunohana and gave no answer, so Kaiden stood. Aria set her plate down beside his while Alice closed her fan across the pond.

”Can we help you?” he asked the approaching man.

The stranger stopped a few paces from their bench, looking openly delighted to have found him.

”Kaiden Grey, at last.” He took one hand from his pocket and offered it. ”Viktor Thorne. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for a very long time.”