#makio

i feel like he doesn't move at all during nighttime. he's as still as a corpse sometimes lol. i don't think he snores either, most of the time you'll just accidentally overhear him mutter "namu..." under his breath. however, if he so much as feels your warmth leaving him for a fraction of a second, he's awake and sensing around for you, dragging you back to his chest after you accidentally pushed him away in your sleep.

he always falls asleep after you. it's a small habit he picked up, only allowing himself to fully relax after you are in the land of dreams. he takes these small intervals of time between your sleep and his own to voice small prayers, his broad hands caressing your back and the top of your head lovingly.

if you happen to get out of bed in the middle of the night to get a glass of water or to use the restroom, make sure to hope fervently that gyomei won't wake up. unless he's aware of why you left the bed (eg: sleepy murmur of 'hunnyboo i need to use the toilet I'll be right back'), he'll start imagining the worst possible reasons for your absence.

imagine him feeling around for you. he finds your side of the bed empty and suddenly shoots up from bed, his blank gaze wide with apprehension, cold sweat staining his temples. where are you? he'll call out your name into the night with his entire body rigid and his voice is quavering and he scrambles to pick himself up from the bed and you don't know how much he's desperately hoping that you are okay, that you are okay, that you are okay, that you—

your soft footsteps litter the room again, a steaming cup of tea in your hands. you call out to him, your hand reaching for his, all is well.

the flame hashira . . . rengoku kyojuro!

this man literally does not care for your personal space.

he will cling to you like a koala, legs wrapped around yours and arms holding you close to his chest, nuzzling into the junction where your neck and shoulder meet, a soft "mmhhh..." leaving his lips when your perfume reaches his nostrils.

the problem with kyojuro is that sleeping with him during winter is wonderful because the man is a literal furnace. most of the time, he will sleep shirtless, allowing you to cling to him if you're cold, his rough hands traveling up and down your back soothingly to keep you happy and warm. summer, however, it's a completely different story.

you feel bad for kicking him away when he tries to hug you, but your mood is incorrigible when you are a bit too overwhelmed with the heat, and you don't want to lash out at him more than you already do when he attempts to bring you to his chest or spoon you from behind. you'll literally roll away from him or go sit outside to get fresh air, and he feels so BAAADDDD because omg he just wants to cuddle you and show you affection you're his amazing beautiful wife :(

normally, you both go to sleep around the same time after a few minutes of cuddling, but whenever this man manages to convince you to let him lay on your tatas and scratch his head, he is gone within minutes.

does not mind being big or small spoon, he enjoys both. but if he had to choose, he normally prefers to be the bigger spoon, mainly because he gets a kick out of feeling like he's protecting you and you're just so cuteeeee he loves you soooo mucchhhhh look at you omg.

he snores a bit, but you've gotten so used to it that, at this point, it's just ambient noise for you to fall asleep to lmao. you once caught him scaring himself awake with a particularly loud snore, it caught you so off-guard but it was the funniest shit you've ever seen and now you're waiting for the next time it happens.

even in his sleep, kyo's protective instincts are on full display. he'll pull you closer if you move too far away, his arms tightening around you subconsciously. if you have a nightmare, it’s like he senses it, even in the deepest sleep. you’ve woken up more than once to his sleepy voice whispering reassurances and his fingers gently tracing patterns on your back until you fall back asleep.

overall really sweet, but a pain during summer <3

the sound hashira . . . uzui tengen + wives!

now, tengen is the god of cuddling, and he's got plenty of practice with his four beautiful wives. he makes sure everyone gets their fair share of his affection, rotating between snuggling with each one of you throughout the night.

you guys could go to sleep in an established order but that completely changes overnight. one minute he’s spooning makio, his arm draped over her waist, the next he’s got you nestled against his chest, suma snuggled up behind you, and hina’s head resting on his shoulder. sometimes he wakes up alone on the other side of the bed and sees you all snuggling together and goes >:(

similarly, it's not unusual for the whole group to end up in a tangled pile of limbs by morning. tengen's long arms and legs make it easy for him to reach everyone, pulling you all into one big, cozy embrace <3

much like rengoku, he's an absolute furnace, which is a blessing and a curse, depending on the season. in winter, you and his wives love curling up against him to steal his warmth, but in summer, you often find yourselves pushing him away, only to be pulled back in when he sleepily grumbles about missing your touch.

tengen’s snoring is legendary. most of the time, it's tolerable, but some nights, you've nudged awake one of your co-wives because you don't want to sleep alone just so you can go to one of the separate rooms and cuddle there instead and the poor man is sooo hurt by it during the morninggg poor guy poor guy awe

believe it or not, tengen is the last to go to sleep but not for the reason you think. his skincare routine is longer than yours and your co-wives combined lmaooo, so while he keeps putting shit in his face and hair, you and the girls start to arrange the bedding however you like and get comfortable.

suma always needs to be close to someone, so she normally snuggles up to you first, whereas hinatsuru doesn't like to be in the middle of the pile so she'll mostly cuddle whoever remains in the outer circle. makio, while she may never admit it, loves being swaddled, so she nestles between you and hina.

he enters the room to find you all sleeping without him, but he smiles softly and simply joins you, pulling all four of you close <3

So their eyes followed you as you greeted people or looked at the decorations around, even the food tables with happiness in your eyes. They were taking amongst themselves at how cute you looked with such a innocent sparkle in your eyes. But soon they watched you get tackled to the ground unexpectedly, not watching anything else but you so it slipped their sight. The couple rushed over quickly, Tengen was the first to get there.

You groaned at the impact you took and your head ached. Weight pressed on your chest and it made you open you eyes slowly with the pain still in your head. But unlike meeting a face you were meet with a woman’s cleavage in front of you at eye level. Your face heated up quickly and eyes getting wide, you snapped your head up to the woman’s eyes. “Oh? What a lovely expression.” Her lips curled in a smirk as she ran her tongue across the outline, her tone smug and confident.

“Don’t get embarrassed, makes me wanna eat you up.” Her hands pressed harder onto you and you only got more flustered. Her hips sat on yours and everything about what was happening was too much to process.

Suma was terrified at first of how you could have hurt yourself, then as she got closer she saw the woman onto of you. She teared up quickly at how she got to be on top of you, how she pressed into your skin. She cried for her to get off of you. Makio of course was scared of you getting hurt but she was more angry to yell at the person, knowing the others would check you first so she could handle the bitch. But, when she saw your eyes meet her chest…She was pulling out her weapons quickly, how dare the woman take advantage of you? Hinatsuru was of course just like suma, but over all just very scared for you. Had your head took a big hit or how was your back and body? She was in motherly mood. Just like the other girls she got jealous of the woman, her perfect baby must be so scared right now.

Tengen was pissed from the get go, how dare someone crash into somone as fragile as you? Being a harisha he had speed, so he got there first to witness what the woman said. His eyes twitched and he had to refrain himself from slicing the woman’s head off. His aura was filled with rage he looked like a monster. He noticed how she pressed her body closer to you, her hands on your chest, flirted with you and got you shy.

“Come one, tell me your name?” She took her hand off your chest and went to touch your face but her wrist was grabbed in a death grip. Both of you looked up to see tengen looking at her with a smile that sent shivers down your spine. “They are off limits to the likes of you.” He flashed a toothy grin and threw her hand to the side, next thing you knew was being picked up into the air and his arms around you. The woman landed on the ground with a annoyed, “And who are you?”

A gasped left your lips when you saw a fist hit her cheek and quickly took notice it was Makio who punched her. The two other woman pulled her back and screamed it was enough as she tried to go after her. The woman got up quickly and dusted herself off and walked off quickly, leaving all of you behind with a stomp in her step. “Leave it.” Tengen ordered and they stopped and obeyed his orders.

Suma came over and cried about how she was sorry the woman got to close. “She wasn’t even that pretty, how could she touch you like that?” She was so jealous. Makio crosses her arms and slightly yelled at you for looking at her, or how you didn’t try and get away from her. “She was a hag, how could you blush like that? Its pathetic.” She was still fuming at the thought of you looking at another woman. Hinatsuru checked you for bruises or cuts, any signs of harm she could have done to you. “Did she hurt you? What a horrible person, look at you. So shook up, don’t worry she’s gone.”

You couldn’t leave their side the rest of the night, no matter how you tried. It took so long to convince tengen to put you down. They hated not being there for you, it only pushed them closer to taking you away…

Mitsuri hated leaving you alone even for a second, the thought of someone else hurting you or something happening to you. She couldn’t handle the thought. But now she lost you in a crowded market place and she panicked at the lose of your hand in hers, that she forced you to hold, and had no sight of you. Her voice got lost in the sound of so many others, she pushed through the people and looked for you but kept getting pushed back.

This was supposed be a fun day were she could spend every second with you and she wouldn’t look suspicious. She could hold your hand, be close to you, keep you in her sight and blame it on the worry of losing you. But now she saw her mistake on taking you here, she shouldn’t take you on busy days or anywhere this big.

Making it passed the crowd she took a deep breath and searched around for you. When she saw your outfit and a woman on top of you she froze in place. Another woman touching you, sitting on your lap, getting to be so close. It made her see red. She saw you blush at the sight of her chest and wondered if you’d blush like that if it was her.

“Tell me your name cutie.” Her voice sounded so sensual and it only made it worse. Mitsuri was inches away now and glaring at the woman, wanting to tackle her to the ground and away from you. But she smiled like she aways does and appeared next to the woman’s face with a huge smile. “Mind getting off them? I’m sure they don’t appreciate it.” Her cheery tone and smile didn’t match her energy at all, and you knew her well to notice.

“And who are you? This one’s mine?” Mitsuri took a moment of staring at the woman to giggling, making you both confused. “Maybe I didn’t make myself clear, I wasn’t asking.” The weight disappeared off your body as Mitsuri kicked the woman off of you and sent her rolling away. You stared in shook as her expression didn’t change from a sweet one. “This one will never belong to the likes of you.” She pulled you up and gripped ahold of your waist and pulled you close to her.

“I’ll make sure of that..”

He’s always dragging you away from others and doesn’t care what gender they are, if they aren’t him? Then they don’t deserve your time. So it’s hard to get a chance away from him since he doesn’t let you out of sight while he’s around. He sees you as something everyone should want, but you can’t fight them because you’re weak. (Even if you’re a demon slayer or a harisha, he doesn’t care)

He was coming back from a mission and waited for your presence and he looked around the butterfly mansion for you. He missed you in every way, to your smell to your smile and how you made him feel calm but so many other strong emotions. When he opened the door he found something that he couldn’t comprehend. He felt so many things that he stopped working for a minute.

A unknown woman straddling you and her chest in full view in front of your face, her body presses up against you. The look on your face was enough to show that you were embarrassed and flustered, how you tensed up. He is the one to get straight to the point and wouldn’t care who she was. She was coming off of you.

He walked over with the most calm expression and didn’t make a sound, only his footsteps could be heard. You noticed him first and got scarred at his expression. He didn’t say anything as he took a fist full of her hair and dragged her off of you, throwing her to the ground and standing in front of you.

“It’s considered disrespectful to touch something that doesn’t belong to you. They, are mine and I should kill you.” He laughed and got his grin, his fire coming back. “I’ll give you five seconds before you see why harishas are the highest rank.” She run out the door quickly and left without a peep. Then his attention was on you and you got a sick feeling in your stomach.

“Want to tell me what that was about?” He kneeled and got close to your face, “Did she touch you worse then what I saw?” Stuttering you explain what had happened and how it was a accident but he didn’t truly by it. Or he believed your intentions but not hers.

“If I see something like that again you’re getting punished as well,” he took ahold of your chin and yanked you forward. “Understand? No one touches you but me.” You had no choice but to agree.

Perhaps a little clumsy, perhaps a little panicked. But you sure as hell were trying.

Even when the product wasn't exactly as you wanted – as you envisioned, you carefully packed each one up. Tying up the box of assorted goodies and procrastinating a good while longer before finally giving in to that leap of faith.

A gift wasn't a gift if it was never delivered, after all.

Every moment was another second of sinking doubt. Would they even enjoy something like this? Never had you seen them eat sweets like these...it just made all the harder to resist the twisting in your tummy.

Eventually, though, you reach them. Goodies still in hand and not overcome by those less than pleasant thoughts.

Tengen brows lift at the sight, corners of his lips pulling into a slight smirk that's akin to a grin yet not quite there yet.

Hina has a smile on her face, small and reserved—eyes taking in Tengen's reaction before drifting to you. Her gaze softening.

Makio full on grins, getting up from where she's seated amongst her partners to go to you. Her usual energy lighting up as she greets you with something almost like gusto, "Hey!"

The beam that overcomes Suma's face when she sees you is gentle yet hardly contained, like she's about to erupt with joy as she comes over to you. It only gets worse once she notices what you've brought. "Are those snacks?" Her gasp is adorable and her eyes light up.

Although they're happy to simply have you, your treats have made it all the more sweeter. As much as you may feel off about the food you've given them, they easily bring you out of your head and into the moment. Hina comments on the flavors, Makio - boisterous as ever - wraps her arm around you whilst chatting, Suma has tears in her eyes as she enjoys your handwork done especially for all of them and chats with just as much energy as Makio. And Tengen, one to always observe his wives fondly, now gazes upon you as you get more comfortable and blend right into the chaotic group despite your uncertainties. As always, his wives rope him into the conversation to pull him out of his daze much as they did you—though with more roughhousing.

"Next time-" Suma speaks up during the downtime after the bit of playful fighting and quips, "-we should all make sweets together!"

"You know what, that's actually not a bad idea." Makio laughs happily—and although it's a little loud, it's also sweet.

"Are you saying I have bad ideas normally!?"

"Do you grow your own food?" You asked curiously.

"Of course! We eat and sell it to have extra income for the demon slayer who visit us,” the woman explained kindly. 

Even though she didn't fully agree with the “fourth wife” thing, you were her husband's guest. It would be very rude to act as if you didn't exist.

"For the demon slayer?" You asked as you looked back at the gigantic white house. 

“So they aren’t the only ones living here,” you thought, calculating the risks of your big bag. 

“Yes, since Tengen retired… You know he’s retired, right?” Hinatsuru asked you to make sure the new wife was aware. 

You nodded. 

“Good. When Tengen and we arrived at this estate, he notified the general commander that demon slayer could come here to heal and rest after their missions if they were close by.”

“Wow, Tengen really is an altruistic person,” you thought impressively. 

He was someone completely different from you. While he lived to serve others, you lived only for yourself. You didn’t know many people like that. You couldn’t even consider Mr. Matsuda altruistic, despite him teaching you everything he knows. He only did it to have one more employee under his name and earn more money without doing anything.

“What about you?” Hinatsuru asked curiously. 

You froze instantly, not knowing what to answer. Your life was such a poorly written tragedy that you couldn’t answer that in a simple way.

“What do you want to know?” You asked her, trying to give a concise answer.

“Where were you born?” 

“Damn, give me an easier question,” you thought.

“I was born in the capital,” you answered.

It was a half lie and half-truth. Your earliest memory was working tirelessly every night at The Last Drop and the closest thing you had to a father in your childhood was the owner and boss of the canteen, Mr. Yamamoto. 

When you grew up, he told you that he didn’t know where you came from either, that all he knew was that he found you abandoned next to a river. Your entire childhood was in the heart of the country, but you will never really know where you came from.

“Oh! You must have had a very fun childhood, right?” Hinatsuru asked, imagining that you lived among luxuries and a beautiful house, although she was completely wrong. 

You just nodded and smiled to seem friendly.

Hinatsuru led you to a river that ran behind the estate, giving you a bar of soap and a towel before leaving you alone. You made sure the shore was clear. The place was surrounded by trees, so someone could easily spy on you from afar. You sighed in relief at finally having some privacy, stripping off your clothes and packing them into your small travel backpack. 

You hadn’t bathed in days, your hair was greasy, and your skin was starting to turn grayish with grime in some parts. It was a relief to feel the cool water on a sunny summer day. 

You were untangling your hair with your fingers when Suma arrived with a change of clothes.

“It’s a dress from Hinatsuru, I hope you can fill it,” Suma mentioned with disdain upon seeing you completely naked.

You may not have the best curves or a good chest, your height made up for that factor, as you were taller than all three wives. Also, your hair once washed shone like the sun itself. 

It was no wonder that Tengen, a man obsessed with extravagance and luxuries, had noticed you for having such a formidable appearance.

You faked a smile, so as not to answer her innuendo with a slap across her face, and took the garment. It was a violet dress with a flower print in a darker shade. You had never worn a dress, but there was always a first time. 

You tried to thank her, but you realized that Suma was still upset. Maybe not with you directly, but with the situation. She had her arms crossed and a killer look. She seemed the most sensible of the three wives, if you convinced her to be on your side, she might even be useful to you.

“I understand that you are upset, but I didn't know he was married.” Suma, surprised, lowered her arms, relaxing her posture.

“What?” She asked between stutters. 

The fact that Tengen hadn't mentioned them seemed impossible to her, but that was the truth. 

“I didn't know he had 3 wives, so now I'm hesitating to marry him,” you said pretending to be sad.

In order for your hit-and-run plan to be a success, you had to make the wives want to cooperate with you. Three united women can move mountains if you motivate them enough. You had to pretend that you didn't want to marry Tengen so that they would do everything in their power to return everything to normal. 

Suma, hearing that, became excited. She shared her husband with Makio and Hinatsuru because that was the norm in her culture, but she would never forgive herself if she gave her husband up to some random girl so easily. 

“If you doubt that you love him, we will not allow you to become his wife! Tengen is a wonderful man and deserves all the unconditional love in the world!” 

You heard her exclaim passionately as you changed into the tight clothes. It was more open and low-cut than you would like, but at least it covered your private parts.

“Maybe you're right, I should go, but I don't know how to tell Tengen. From the little I know him, I know he'll object immediately.” 

“Take the bait,” you prayed in your mind. 

Suma's eyes lit up upon hearing that. Would it really be that easy to get rid of the new wife?

“I'll help you escape, that way you can just leave our lives without complications,” Suma said in complicity. 

You tried not to smile wickedly at how easy it was to get an accomplice under those circumstances. Suma really was a pushover.

“Really? Would you do that for me? Wouldn’t you go against your husband’s will?” You feigned concern for her marriage, when what you really wanted to know was if she would easily spill the beans to her husband. 

Suma thought about it for a second, but didn’t take back what she had said.

“Of course! Plus, I’m Tengen’s favorite wife, so he’ll forgive me easily,” she said with a proud smile. 

You smiled at her in complicity, as if she was doing you a favor.

“I actually have a plan,” you mentioned spontaneously. 

“This hit will be a piece of cake,” you thought with a poker face.

｡ ˚ ︶︶✩︶︶‌ ₊ ˚ ︶︶✩︶︶‌ ｡˚

After you got ready, you returned to the main house. As soon as you took a step inside the house, you began to discreetly inspect for treasures to steal. This house was very different from the commander general’s. The rooms were larger and had very elegant seats, expensive paintings, and an incredible pair of swords resting on the wall. 

They were prostrated on golden rests to give them the honor they deserve. The blades still shone against the reflection of the light. They were two swords connected by the pommels with a heavy chain. The hilts were gold, but they were wrapped in a reddish cloth, each guard had an emerald green cross with a bright yellow, their edges were gold, and each one had the phrase “Demon Destroyer” engraved in gold kanji. 

It was strange to see the swords that had threatened you the night before so calmly on a wall, yet you couldn’t help but be mesmerized by their size and beauty, they really screamed that they were Tengen’s property. 

“I can’t steal them, they’re gigantic. Bummer,” you thought.

Looking down, a silver headband with diamonds rested on a wooden dresser next to some giant golden rings with fine engraving. 

“This is definitely worth some money” you thought with excitement in your eyes.

Suma approached you to look at the flashy accessories.

“They are Tengen’s from when he was in the Demon Slayer Corps,” she explained. 

You wanted to take the headband, but Suma slapped your hand away to prevent it. 

“They are super precious to him, no one can touch them!” She scolded you before leading you into the house.

You quickly apologized and followed her. 

After passing through the spacious living room and the comfortable dining room, you arrived at the kitchen. A nice place with everything you needed to make a great feast. The cabinets were white while the stove made out of stone, the sunlight came in through the window that was decorated with cute curtains with little birds. 

It was more cozy than the kitchen at The Last Drop, you even felt like you went back there for a second. You really didn't want to go back to the busy and stressful kitchen life. 

In the room were Hinatsuru and Makio chopping vegetables for dinner.

"Oh, that dress looks nice on you!" Hinatsuru commented upon noticing your presence. 

Makio saw you and held back his laughter.

"But I think it's for someone with more personalitities," Makio mocked, to which Suma followed. 

Hinatsuru just scolded them. You sighed to not take it personally and laughed with them, which took Makio by surprise. Now it was time to convince the two wives that you didn't belong there.

"You're so funny, Makio! Is it to make up for being an airhead?" You asked, pretending to laugh with her when you were clearly making fun of her. 

They may not have liked the situation they were in, but that didn't mean they could easily disrespect you.

“What did you say, bitch?!” Makio barked before putting the knife down on the table and approaching you. 

Hinatsuru stepped in between you. You smirked at her, causing her to get even angrier.

“Stop it, girls! Tengen wouldn't like to see us fight!” Hinatsuru scolded them both. 

Makio reluctantly walked away from Hinatsuru and crossed her arms.

“Speaking of Tengen, where is he?” Suma asked curiously.

“He went to buy meat to celebrate the engagement,” Makio replied, still upset.

“Oh, too bad Y/n won’t marry him,” Suma commented sarcastically. 

You looked at her in surprise, you didn't think Suma would spill the beans so quickly. This caught the attention of the other two wives.

“What is she talking about?” Hinatsuru asked you worriedly.

“I didn’t know Tengen was married to you when he proposed to me.” 

Hinatsuru and Makio gasped in surprise at that.

“That was my reaction!” Suma exclaimed in complicity.

“So he cheated on us?” Makio asked, annoyed with her husband.

“I don’t think it counts as cheating because I only slept with him.” 

The three wives gasped at such an offense.

“I didn’t think they would care so much,” you thought, confused with the attitude with the girls.

“That damn cheater!” Makio exclaimed, hitting the table next to her with her fist.

“That’s why I decided not to marry him. I don’t know if I’m ready for a polyamorous relationship.” You explained, pretending to be devastated by the actions of your non-fiancé.

“So when will you tell Tengen?” Hinatsuru asked.

“I can’t just tell him, he’ll follow me until I change my mind. You guys know how stubborn and greedy he is,” you explained, praying they would swallow that excuse.

“That’s why we have an escape plan!” Suma exclaimed excitedly.

“An escape? I love the idea!” Makio exclaimed. 

She couldn’t wait to get rid of her husband’s new girlfriend.

“Wait, do you really think this is for the best?” Hinatsuru questioned. She had a bad feeling about all of this. “How do you think Tengen will feel about this?” 

Ever since you saw her, you knew that your biggest obstacle in this heist wouldn't be Tengen, but Hinatsuru. She looked like an innocent, kind, and good girl over all. A role model for any wife. She was like an older sister to the other two wives. Usually, what she said, was done. Hinatsuru was the most important piece in this plan, so you had to convince her no matter what.

"Do you think Tengen thought of you when he proposed to me?" You asked, attacking Hinatsuru's trust in her husband head on.

Thinking about that probability, Hinatsuru couldn't help but feel sad. Surely, he had been as romantic and affectionate with you as he was with them, so she couldn't help but feel a hint of envy. 

She thought that being in a polyamorous relationship and having an extremely attractive husband would make her no longer jealous, but she was surprised at herself when she saw that this wasn't the case.

"Anyway, Tengen is my husband and I love him very much, I can't lie to his face." The girl explained with those sad eyes that would make anyone cry. 

“Damn, that didn’t work,” you thought annoyed.

“You don’t have to lie to him, just distract him a little,” Suma intervened. “If everything goes well, our lives will go back to normal as always.” 

Hinatsuru looked at you over the shoulder of the wife who was trying to convince her. “Will everything stay the same?” Hinatsuru thought guilty.

Even though she didn’t fully agree, her two married partners were determined to follow your plan, so she decided to just play along.

｡ ˚ ︶︶✩︶︶‌ ₊ ˚ ︶︶✩︶︶‌ ｡˚

Tengen arrived with the meat at the estate half an hour later. As expected, his three wives pounced on him, while you just detached yourself from the situation. You really couldn’t imagine living the same life as them. The wives were fine and tasteful girls, while you were the opposite. 

After hugging and kissing each of his wives, Tengen looked at you in that tiny dress and couldn't help but smile.

He approached you and was going to place his hand on your head, but you pulled away instinctively. You blushed when you realized what you had done. Tengen was worried by the sudden movement, but immediately understood that as you came from a dangerous life, you had to be alert to anything. 

"I'm not going to hurt you," Tengen assured you before placing his hand on your head, this time making sure to be gentler. 

You looked to the side, embarrassed.

"I already know that," you grumbled under your breath. 

Tengen gave you a smile before removing his hand. 

His three wives glared at you, but Hinatsuru still felt guilty of Tengen not knowing what they had planned that night.

"I'm going to take a nap, wake me up when dinner is ready," Tengen asked before handing the bag of meat to Suma. 

The wives nodded and got to work.

The three wives cooked efficiently, they were used to doing everything as a team since they met. You just watched them intently from the doorway. Hinatsuru chopped the vegetables, Suma prepared the sauces, and Makio prepared the meat to make sukiyaki, a traditional dish where meat and vegetables are cooked in an iron pot in a sauce made from soy and sugar. It was a fairly easy recipe to prepare, you could even do it with your eyes closed.

“You should help us with dinner,” Makio mentioned. 

You didn’t really want to cook, but if you wanted them on your side, it was the least you could do. You walked over to Hinatsuru, who you noticed was chopping the vegetables poorly. 

Quickly, you noticed that the knife was made of powdered steel, so it must have cost a fortune.

“Let me take care of it.” You asked as you moved her from her station by the waist. 

That slight, innocent touch made Hinatsuru’s heart skip a beat. She looked at you with a slight blush on her face. You took over her position and noticed that the knife was dull. You grabbed another nearby knife to fix it. 

“The key to a good presentation is having a good edge,” you mentioned, sharpening the knife with quick movements.

When it was ready, you began to cut the scallions and leeks with precision, showing off your impressive skill in the kitchen. Hinatsuru was surprised to see how fast you were. For you, cutting vegetables was in your muscle memory from spending your early years in a hot kitchen, full of adults who didn’t care about you. 

When you were old enough to go to school, you were learning how to make karaage. Instead of doing homework, you waited on drunk and annoying customers. You didn’t have any friends your age, but you had Mr. Matsuda.

“Wow! You chop like a pro!” Suma commented excitedly upon witnessing the girl's hidden skills.

“Where did you learn to chop so fast?” Hinatsuru asked excitedly.

“I worked all my life in a kitchen, I had to learn to survive,” you explained before finishing chopping the vegetables in less than a minute. 

You left the knife on the cutting board and headed for the kitchen door. 

“I'm going to the bathroom,” you commented before leaving. 

The three wives looked at her, mesmerized by your genius.

“Wow…” Hinatsuru and Suma sighed at the same time, enthralled by your presence.

“Oh, come on!” Makio exclaimed, annoyed by their reaction.

Going to the bathroom had clearly been a lie. You just wanted an excuse to explore the house a little more. There weren't many expensive things in sight, but you had already taken that into account. Most people keep their valuables in their bedrooms or hidden places.

You checked the first two rooms you came across, but they were practically empty. There was only a single bed, a closet, and a nightstand in each guest room. 

You immediately recognized the master bedroom when you looked through the small gap in the last door. There was a half-naked Tengen lying on a gigantic bed. It was too big, even for him alone. You immediately blushed as you noticed the large figure before you.

His broad chest rose and fell to the rhythm of his breathing. He seemed to be very comfortable, stripped of that purple yukata he had been wearing a few moments ago. His strong arm was under his head, showing the strength of his muscles. You wanted to look away from him and focus on your mission, but you couldn't. He really was a very attractive man, and your eyes felt blessed to witness him in all his glory.

You were sure that any woman wouldn't think twice about marrying him, but you couldn't. Why should you be like that? Why couldn't you be like the other three happy wives who adore and worship him as if there were no jealous almighty gods? 

You didn't know for sure, you just knew that you had to follow your life mantra: move on and trust no one. 

Thanks for reading!

Next →