Suddenly, from the edge of the training field, a brief static sound echoed.
Kuro and Chiyome turned toward the source at the same time.
A Hero Association communication device was blinking faintly.
Devices like this were typically used by lower-ranked Pro Heroes to request emergency support from headquarters or nearby heroes.
Even though they were inside the Mirror Dimension, Kuro had intentionally left a small opening at the edge of the training area so signal waves could still pass through.
"Looks like a work call," Kuro said casually.
Chiyome immediately switched back into professional mode.
She stood up, quickly steadying her breathing, then walked over and activated the device.
The small screen lit up.
A woman's voice soon came through.
"Is this Serpent Poison?" she asked quickly.
Her tone was tense.
"We need immediate assistance in City K. There has been a monster sighting—poison-type, with area toxin capabilities."
The staff member continued.
"Four Rank B Pro Heroes have already gone down. One Rank A Hero is also unable to continue combat."
Chiyome's expression immediately sharpened.
Her eyes became serious.
"Understood," she replied calmly. "I will head there."
At the same time, Kuro had quietly moved behind her.
A faint smile remained etched on his face.
Without saying much, he drew himself closer, bringing a sensation akin to a serpent slithering within its nest, causing Chiyome's body to jolt slightly.
"H-nggh...!!"
Her shoulders and back tensed at once, while her breathing flowed softer, yet heavier.
"My Lord…" she murmured softly, almost sounding like a warning.
"What is it?" Kuro whispered with suspiciously innocent calm. "Just continue talking."
Chiyome's brows twitched faintly.
Clearly aware he was deliberately teasing her at the worst possible moment.
"You are truly… troublesome," she murmured quietly.
On the other side, the female staff member on the communicator suddenly fell silent for a few seconds.
"…Uhh."
An awkward pause followed.
Then, the sound of papers rustling could be heard through the device.
"Is… this a bad time to call?" she asked carefully.
Kuro held back a laugh.
Chiyome closed her eyes for a brief moment, clearly trying to maintain her professionalism despite her nearly unsteady voice and what little composure she had left.
"No," Chiyome answered quickly, though her breathing sounded slightly heavier than it should have. "I'll be there soon."
"O-Okay!"
The call was immediately disconnected.
Chiyome slowly lowered the communication device from her hand.
Her body gradually wavered.
Her knees touched the ground first, followed by her palms bracing against the floor to steady herself.
"Aahh... haa... nhnnaa..."
Her breathing immediately broke apart.
Short.
Unsteady.
As though the air inside her lungs had suddenly become far too thin to hold.
Behind her, Kuro merely adjusted his position calmly.
His movements never stopped.
Consistent.
Steady.
Almost like a Flame Serpent that had already found its warm path and refused to stop before reaching the core.
As a result, Chiyome's eyelids slowly lowered halfway.
Her vision blurred.
Her focus slipped away little by little.
"My Lord…"
Her voice still tried to remain calm.
Yet at the end, it softened and broke—almost like the faint hiss of a serpent losing control of its rhythm.
"Could you… hhhh... perhaps... hngg... refrain from teasing me... aahh... while I'm receiving emergency... haaah... calls?"
Kuro only smiled faintly.
"No promises," he replied casually. "Besides, we aren't finished yet, are we?"
He leaned closer toward her ear.
His warm breath brushed against skin already burning with heat.
"The usual magical energy transfer standard I use through this method still isn't enough," he continued.
"Especially after our sparring session… and whatever you'll be doing afterward."
His tone sounded far too logical for the current situation and hold tightened slightly.
"You clearly... need a larger reserve."
Silence followed.
Only the increasingly uneven sound of Chiyome's breathing filled the training grounds.
Sometimes cut short.
Sometimes stretched long.
Like warm venom gradually spreading through every part of her body, refusing to let her regain stability.
For the first time since the call, Chiyome looked completely defeated.
Her fingers tightened against the floor.
"…please," she murmured softly, almost like a small plea. "Not too long… My Lord…"
Kuro smiled.
But this time, his brows furrowed slightly.
Even his own breathing had begun to change.
A little heavier.
Suggesting that whatever flow existed between them was nearing its final point.
"Just a little longer…" he murmured quietly.
His voice lower now.
Heavier.
The next moment—his rhythm changed.
Deeper.
More deliberate.
Like a Flame Serpent finally reaching the deepest source of warmth within its own nest.
And instantly, another wave of warmth surged forth.
Strong and overflowing, like liquid venom filling a core chalice already far beyond capacity.
"Hngahhhh... hhhh..."
Chiyome's voice immediately broke.
Her breath stopped for a moment before escaping again in disarray. The heat within her body spiked sharply, rising like fire finally consuming every remaining trace of ice within her.
Her body trembled.
A soft, continuous shiver.
While Kuro remained still.
Calm.
Allowing that warmth to continue flowing for a few moments longer, as though ensuring there wasn't even the smallest fragment of ice left behind.
***
Some time had passed.
While Chiyome was carrying out her mission to eliminate monsters in City K, Kuro finally stepped out of the Mirror Dimension and sat casually on the living room sofa.
The atmosphere in the house felt much warmer than before.
Of course, he wasn't alone.
Tamamo sat very close in front of him.
So close that there was barely any space left between them.
Their faces were near.
Their breaths touched, blending together within the warmth of sacred foxfire.
"Mmmm... nnn... hhha... aah..."
Soft sounds filled the room quiet and gentle, as though only the two of them understood the silent language of the night.
Their movements were simple and familiar, like two serpents who had long since learned each other completely.
Sometimes intertwining.
Locking together.
Chasing ever so slightly.
Then pulling away again with a soft rhythm, almost like an old game they had already mastered.
Meanwhile, Kuro's fingers moved slowly between hidden layers of petals.
Light.
Patient.
Touching like a small serpent wandering through a secret garden without any intention of disturbing it.
That simple action alone was enough to make Tamamo's shoulders tremble faintly.
"Hhh... mmh... hhaa..."
Her breathing grew slightly uneven, the foxfire surrounding them felt warmer, as though the flames were slowly melting away every final trace of ice still trying to remain.
Not long after, the two slowly pulled apart.
Leaving behind only a faint trace between them before it gradually faded.
Tamamo fell silent.
Her eyes remained fixed on Kuro.
The tip of her tongue lightly brushed her lips, as if savoring a lingering taste only she could understand.
Then a faint smile curved at the corners of her lips.
Beautiful.
Soft.
Slightly mischievous.
"Darling…" she said quietly.
Her voice was warm like honey.
"It seems you're still not quite satisfied with playing around…"
A brief pause followed.
Her eyes narrowed just slightly.
"…after spending time with Chiyome earlier."
Kuro raised an eyebrow faintly.
Tamamo let out a soft laugh.
She leaned closer again until the tips of their noses touched.
"You really are naughty, Master…"
Hearing that, Kuro tilted his head slightly.
"Just from taste alone," he said quietly. "You can tell?"
"Of course," Tamamo replied without hesitation. "I know your traces far too well to miss something so small."
Slowly, Tamamo pulled back just a little.
Her arms, which had been wrapped around Kuro's shoulders, moved lower, adjusting and lightly pulling at the white fabric covering him.
The motion unintentionally revealed faint scratches along his back.
Tamamo lifted a brow.
"Even something like this doesn't escape my notice," she murmured.
Her tone was sweet.
But mischievous.
"It seems Chiyome was rather enthusiastic as usual, darling…"
Kuro chuckled softly.
There was clear amusement in his voice.
His thoughts had obviously drifted back to what happened earlier.
For some reason, he could already imagine Chiyome's reaction once she realized she had accidentally left such marks behind.
Most likely guilt and a bright red face.
Naturally, Tamamo—sitting directly in front of him—noticed the subtle shift in his expression.
"You're so naughty," Tamamo remarked.
_____
Author's Note:
Creating something, even a fanfic, is not easy! Please support me! Leave comments, reviews, and some (or all) of your Power Stones! 😎
Hei. Don't ignore meh! Plz notice me senpai~