The Girl That Yokai Loves ((mainly) Nura Rikuo x reader)

Chapter 12

[miru's note: sorry for the late update, but I think I'm gonna update even late next time, prbbly around May, I'm really sorry........ Sooooooo sorry.... I'll prbbly update during my semester break, I'm really sorryyyyy]

Arriving at the said place, Tsuoki couldn't help but scowl as he clenched his fist, "(name)-sama, I don't feel good about this". You lightly tapped his shoulder, "all the more reason for you to be here Tsuoki-kun".

"so? Where's the inn?", Saori looked around.

"just follow me~", he grinned as he confidently strode to a place. Rikuo jogged next to you while smiling sweetly as you returned the same gesture, "did you know, that Yuki-onna actually wanted to go here with me?". You tilted your head in confusion since you never really met the said Yuki-onna, "you could've just let her come with you if it's bothering her that much", you chuckled lightly.

He awkwardly laughed, "she's worried about my safety too, just the same as Tsuoki-san being worried about your safety, if it's okay with you don't go anywhere alone, okay?", he stared deep into your eyes making you feel a weird sensation in your stomach. Tsuoki was trying his best not to murder Rikuo for being extra close to you.

"sure Rikuo-kun", you smiled up at him, making him feel the urge to pat your hair softly.

And that my friend was the last straw for Tsuoki, he was enraged so he pushed Rikuo away from being close to you.

"ittae..(that hurts)", Rikuo winced while looking dumbfounded at Tsuoki who was enraged. An irritated mark appeared at the side of your face, as you pinched Tsuoki's ear, "Tsuoki-kun.....", you smiled sweetly up at him, and an adrenaline rush crept at him seeing the different side of you.

"what did I say about Rikuo-kun and the others?", you smiled while still pinching his ears. Tsuoki chew his bottom lip, "I'm only doing this for your safety, (name)-sama", he cowered under your stare. Rikuo stared at your cute angered behavior with a smile on his face.

"what did I say about Rikuo-kun and the others?", you repeated your question again, with the same gesture as before. He clenched his other fist before unclenching it and breathing out a sigh, "he's a good guy". "and the others?", you continued. "they're...wait (name)-sama, you didn't even say anything about the others though", his brows were furrowed in confusion.

You hit your knuckles lightly on his forehead, "I'm testing you~ well the others are just like me, so treat them well too", you smiled up at him. "okay then (name)-sama", he looked away with a light blush shading his pale cheeks.

"now apologize to Rikuo-kun", you tugged his sleeve on your right hand while your other hand tugged Rikuo's sleeve. "eh??? It's fine (name)-chan, he doesn't need to apologize", Rikuo quickly shook his head as he waved his hands to shrug things off.

Kana and Yura were watching the three of you as if you were in some sort of drama, that was until Kana saw the look in Rikuo's eyes as he stared at you.

Rikuo was lovingly staring at you despite your angered look to Tsuoki. "(name)-chan", he called. You turned your head to look at him with a small cute pout.

"it's fine", he grinned, "let's go, the others are already there", he ushered you to follow him. Pursing you bottom lip, you eventually followed him, as Tsuoki followed you from behind.

"we're going up there??? Straight to yokais hunting? You must be joking", Saori groaned as she rest her hand on her hips. "yokai hunting?? What about the inn you were talking about??", Kana's lips went agape.

"I guess we really should head back, yeah? It's dangerous here either way", Rikuo tried to make them follow his words, but after hearing what Kiyotsugu said in return, the girls were more than happy to follow Kiyotsugu.

"the inn is right up at the mountain, and they also have onsen", he smirked with his usual weird laughter.

The girls were excited as they walked up the flight of stairs, especially both Saori and Torii. You were looking around with Tsuoki right behind you. Kana walked ahead of you along with Yura by her side since Rikuo wouldn't dare to leave your side.

Walking up the flight of stairs you couldn't help but feel the strange aura around the place.

"ne... Tsuoki-kun, you have any idea who this mountain belongs to?", you lightly turned your head so Tsuoki could hear your words. "shouldn't you ask that to Nura Rikuo? I heard his family has a connection with them", he replied while still keeping an eye on every single thing that would make his mistress in danger, which also includes keeping an eye on the said brunette next to you.

Suddenly, a sound caught the ears of all 9.

"ah! Let me check it just in case", Rikuo cautiously walked into the bushes, along with Yura whom were gripping her bag to take out her shikigami if it were a yokai.

"where is Professor Adashibara? He's supposed to lead us the way", Kiyotsugu muttered as he looked around with an unsure look. Shima gulped as he watched Rikuo and Yura disappeared from the bush, he scurried to your side and laid a protective arm over you, " don't worry I promise I will protect you with my life (name)-chan".

Surprised at his sweet demeanor, you couldn't help but gave him your sweet smile, which lasted until Tsuoki decided to interrupt, "I exist here solely to protect her, so scram!", he glared at him, making Shima ran away as the color on his face drained white.

"luckily it was just some squirrel, minna-san", Rikuo came along with Yura following him from behind with her usual gentle smile. "the squirrels were reaaaaallly cute", she implied. You pouted, "d'awwww I want to see it too".

She shook her head, "even so, it's still dangerous for you to come with us, you didn't even realized that while we were in the train, yokais tried to grab you, lucky to have Tsuoki-kun with you (name)-chan", she lightly tapped your shoulder as you pouted.

Suddenly another movement caught the teens' eyes for the second time again.

"what's that?".

"is it another squirrel??".

"Ho. Ho. Ho", it voiced out, "don't worry........ it's just.... me", a 30-year-old man revealed himself from the bushes, he seemed like a mountain tracker but some might assume that he's an otaku through his looks.

"Oh! Professor Adashibara!", Kiyotsugu beamed as he shook his hand with the said old man.