The buzz of activity in the Hollow Special Operations Section 6 office was constant—a symphony of keystrokes, the occasional low murmur of conversation, and the hum of holo-displays projecting mission updates. Hoshimi Miyabi sat cross-legged in a quiet corner, perched on a cushion near the tall windows that overlooked the bustling streets of New Eridu. The light filtering through the glass painted her serene form in a warm glow, her blade resting beside her.
Most people admired her for her skill with a sword, her precise and elegant movements that could turn even the most chaotic battle into a work of art. Fewer understood the Thiren part of her nature—the foxlike penchant for mischief that often twinkled in her gaze.
Miyabi softly smirked, her expression betraying the faintest hint of amusement as she reflected on her latest indulgence. Her semi-conscious meditative state was more than it seemed. While others assumed her mind was empty, she was far from unaware. Words spoken around her were stored neatly in her memory, and she had turned the habit of repeating them at opportune moments into a quiet source of amusement—one that often caught Zhu Yuan and Yanagi off guard.
This time, though, her game had taken an unexpected turn.
The encounter had happened earlier that day, outside on the crowded streets of New Eridu. Miyabi had been meditating in the open air, perched gracefully on the edge of a low wall near the Hollow Special Operations building, her sword resting across her lap. The rhythmic energy of the city buzzed around her, and she allowed herself to slip into her calm, semi-conscious state.
She hadn't expected Wise to appear—though his sudden presence was far less surprising than the overly enthusiastic fan who had cornered her just moments before.
The woman, a starry-eyed admirer with far too much determination, had approached with a declaration of love that was both effusive and unrelenting. Miyabi, still deep in her meditation, had offered no response. Her silence seemed to embolden the fan, whose impassioned pleas grew louder and more dramatic.
That was when Wise stepped in.
Standing tall, his presence commanding yet relaxed, he slid between Miyabi and her admirer with effortless confidence. His eyes narrowed slightly as he sized up the situation, and then, with a casual smile that could have melted steel, he delivered his words like a sharp, precise strike.
“She’s my fiancée.”
The fan’s face fell, her expression crumbling into heartbroken disbelief. For a long, tense moment, she stood frozen in place, tears welling in her eyes. Then, without another word, she turned and fled, weaving through the crowd with a devastated wail that quickly faded into the distance.
For the first time in a long while, Miyabi’s calm was truly disrupted. Her heart skipped a beat—not from embarrassment, but from something far more unexpected. Wise’s lie had been so sudden, so decisive, and yet carried with it a protective warmth that lingered in her mind long after the moment had passed.
He hadn’t just defended her; he’d claimed her, even if only for an instant, and the thought of it sent an uncharacteristic ripple through her usually composed demeanor.
Now, hours later, she sat in the corner of the Section 6 office, replaying the memory in her mind. Slowly, she rose to her feet, her movements deliberate, and slid her blade into its sheath with practiced ease.
Her sudden motion caught Yanagi’s attention. The sharp-eyed investigator glanced up from her work, her brow furrowing slightly. “Something wrong?” she asked, setting down the tablet she’d been studying.
Miyabi’s response was soft, her voice carrying a trace of the amusement she often kept hidden. “No,” she replied smoothly. “I just wish to visit my fiancée.”
Yanagi nodded, her attention returning to her tablet. “Oh, okay…”
The door clicked softly shut behind Miyabi, her steps light and purposeful as she made her way out.
It wasn’t until the quiet of the office settled again that Yanagi froze, the words finally registering. Her head snapped up, eyes wide in dawning realization. “WAIT, WHAT?!”
Her exclamation echoed through the office, but Miyabi was long gone, leaving behind nothing but silence and a faint air of mischief.
It didn’t take long for Miyabi to reach Sixth Street, where Random Play—the legal front of Phaethon’s operations—was located. Her pace was swift, her movements decisive, as if her body moved with a will of its own. A surge of anticipation coursed through her, a fiery desire that only intensified with each step closer to her destination. The thought of what awaited her, of what she intended to do, sent an undeniable need thrumming through her body.
As she neared the door to Random Play, it opened before she could reach for the handle. Standing there was Belle, the younger Phaethon sibling.
Miyabi’s gaze briefly flickered over her before a subtle thought crossed her mind. Or will she be my sister by the night’s end?
Belle blinked, startled. “O-Oh! Miyabi, what brings you here?”
“Hello, Belle,” Miyabi replied smoothly. “Is your brother in?”
Belle nodded, her hands brushing lightly against the doorframe. “Random Play is closed for today while we update our stock of movies. Wise is letting me go alone for the first time in a while.”
Miyabi tilted her head slightly, her tone curious. “Did something happen the last time?”
Belle’s expression turned sheepish. “Yeah… A Hollow formed on the route I took, and I got trapped inside. Wise was pretty panicked about it, but he also came and rescued me.”
Miyabi’s lips curved into a soft smile. “Dependable…”
Belle giggled. “He is, though I can’t say he handles thriller movies well. Still, if you’re here to see him, he’s upstairs.”
Miyabi offered a small nod of gratitude. “Thank you, Belle. Stay safe on your travels.”
“Thank you, Miyabi,” Belle said warmly.
Belle stepped aside, holding the door open for Miyabi before heading off to collect more films.
Once inside, Miyabi’s steps were steady as she ascended the staircase leading to the Phaethon siblings’ upstairs apartment. She followed the open door at the top of the stairs, assuming it led to Wise’s room. However, as she stepped inside, she quickly realized he wasn’t there.
The space was quiet, organized—a reflection of a mind more methodical than she had expected. The room was unmistakably Wise’s, yet it carried a sense of maturity that seemed out of place for someone his age. There was an odd harmony in the way it was arranged, as if he were a man balancing the demands of responsibility and a lingering sense of youthful freedom.
“Miyabi?”
His voice cut through her musings, and she turned to see Wise standing in the doorway. His hair was damp, and he was toweling it dry—a clear sign he had just stepped out of the shower.
“Wise,” she said simply. “I’ve come to see you.”
Wise blinked, understandably confused by the bluntness of her declaration. “Why?”
“Sit next to me, and I will tell you,” she replied.
Still bewildered, Wise hesitated for a moment before crossing the room to sit on the edge of the bed beside her. His brow furrowed as he tried to piece together her intentions.
“So…” he began cautiously. “What can I help you with?”
Miyabi turned to him, her expression as composed as ever, though there was something unusual in her eyes—a glimmer of amusement or perhaps something more.
“I wanted to properly accept your proposal from the other day,” she said.
Wise froze, his mind racing. “What proposal?”
She raised an elegant brow, her voice steady. “You called me your fiancée, correct?”
The color drained from Wise’s face, only to return in the form of a deep blush as realization struck him. “But wait… Didn’t you say that you didn’t remember—”
“I am a warrior, Wise,” Miyabi interrupted, her tone calm yet firm. “If I told everyone the intricacies of my techniques, people would use it against me. I remember vividly that you claimed me. And so I wish for you to take responsibility.”
Wise swallowed, his throat dry. “Responsibility… How?”
Miyabi’s lips curled into a soft smirk, her voice lowering. “By making your words truthful.”
Before he could respond, she shrugged off her green jacket, her movements deliberate. Then she undid her tie and discarded it as well. Wise could only sit there, stunned, as she continued. Her boots hit the floor, one after the other, her actions quick and efficient.
“Miyabi, I—” he started, but his words faltered when she turned to face him, her expression calm yet pointed.
“Am I not enough for you?” she asked, her voice carrying a faint edge.
The accusation struck him like a physical blow, rendering him silent. He didn’t know if she was entirely serious, but the weight of her words stilled any protest he might have offered. She said he had claimed her, and though he knew little of the Hoshimi Clan’s customs, he couldn’t deny the possibility that this meant something significant to her.
“I… You are. I… Are you sure you want this?” he asked, his voice quieter now.
Her gaze softened, and though her expression remained serene, her words carried a quiet intensity. “I’m sure.”
The weight of Miyabi’s words hung in the air, her unwavering certainty leaving no room for doubt. Wise sat beside her, his mind racing, the reality of the moment settling over him. She had always carried an air of calm authority, but now there was something else beneath her exterior—a flicker of vulnerability wrapped in quiet resolve.
He let out a slow breath, his hesitation melting away. If she was sure, if this was truly what she wanted, then he wouldn’t question it further.
With measured intent, Wise reached out, his hand brushing against her cheek. His fingers moved with surprising tenderness, tracing the line of her jaw as if committing the moment to memory. Miyabi leaned into the touch, her stoic expression softening ever so slightly, her eyes steady as they met his.
He leaned closer, drawn in by an unseen force, until their lips finally met. The kiss was soft at first, a tentative exploration. Wise’s grip on her cheek tightened slightly, his thumb brushing along her skin as he deepened the kiss. Miyabi responded in kind, her hands finding their way to his shoulders, steadying herself as she leaned into him.
The warmth between them grew, an ember catching fire. Wise broke the kiss briefly, his breaths uneven as his gaze dropped lower. The faintest hesitation flickered across his face, but Miyabi’s hands, purposeful and deliberate, moved to guide him. Their motions mirrored an unspoken agreement, clothing gradually discarded in the quiet intimacy of the moment.
Miyabi’s composure never faltered, her movements sure and unhurried, but the way her breath quickened betrayed her growing anticipation. Wise followed her lead, his own actions careful and measured, until the barriers between them were gone. The cool air brushed against newly exposed skin, only to be replaced by the warmth of shared proximity.
“Miyabi…” he murmured against her lips, the sound of her name carrying both reverence and need.
She didn’t respond with words; instead, her hands moved with deliberate purpose, tracing over his chest, feeling the strength beneath his calm exterior. Her actions sent a shiver through him, one that he didn’t bother to hide.
As the moments stretched on, Wise’s hands moved instinctively, sliding down her sides before settling at her waist. His fingertips pressed against her, drawing her closer until there was barely any space left between them. Her breaths came heavier now, though her steady control still shone through.
Breaking the kiss, Wise met her gaze again, his own expression a mix of awe and anticipation. “You’re… incredible,” he said softly, his voice nearly a whisper.
A faint smile graced her lips, but it was fleeting as her focus remained locked on him. “Then show me.”
The invitation stirred something deeper within him. He leaned in again, pressing a series of kisses along her jaw and down to the curve of her neck. She tilted her head slightly, allowing him more access, her breathing steady but undeniably quicker.
Wise’s hands traveled lower, tracing along her hips before one slipped beneath the layers of fabric between them. He hesitated briefly, his touch gentle, seeking her unspoken approval before continuing. When she shifted slightly, a subtle but unmistakable invitation, he let his fingers explore further.
His touch against her core was tentative at first, a careful exploration that sent warmth spreading through her body. Miyabi closed her eyes, her composure wavering as she let out the faintest of sighs. Wise, encouraged by her reaction, continued, his fingers tracing deliberate patterns against her, teasing but never rushing.
She shuddered beneath his touch, her breath hitching as her hands gripped his shoulders more tightly. Yet even as her body responded, her resolve remained intact—focused and deliberate, as though she refused to lose herself entirely.
Wise’s own restraint surprised him. Though the fire between them burned brightly, he moved with care, savoring every response he drew from her. Her quiet sighs, the way her body shifted ever so slightly toward him—it was enough to leave him breathless.
“Wise,” she murmured, her voice softer now, tinged with a vulnerability he hadn’t expected.
He looked up at her, his fingers stilling for a moment as he met her gaze. “Is this okay?”
The corner of her mouth quirked upward, her eyes glinting with a mixture of warmth and mischief. “You already know the answer.”
Her words sent a spark through him, and he resumed his movements, his touch more confident now. Miyabi’s breaths quickened, her body responding instinctively to his ministrations. Yet, just as the tension between them seemed to reach its peak, Wise withdrew, his hand returning to her waist.
The absence of his touch left her breathless, but as she opened her eyes to meet his, she saw not hesitation, but restraint—a deliberate pause meant to leave her wanting more.
Their eyes locked, the air between them charged with unspoken promises. Wise leaned in once more, his lips brushing hers in a lingering kiss, the warmth of his touch still lingering on her skin.
“This isn’t just a game, is it?” he asked softly, his voice steady but filled with a quiet vulnerability of his own.
Miyabi’s hand came to rest against his cheek, her thumb brushing lightly against his skin. Her answer was simple, but it carried the weight of everything unspoken. “No. It isn’t.”
Wise’s breath caught at her words. The weight of Miyabi’s response settled over him—not a game, not a fleeting moment, but something grounded in intent and meaning. He had never imagined her like this, so open, so vulnerable, and yet so commanding in her quiet resolve.
She didn’t wait for him to move this time. Her hand slid from his cheek to his neck, pulling him into another kiss. It was slower now, less tentative and far more deliberate. Wise responded instinctively, his lips meeting hers with growing fervor as he leaned into her, their bodies pressing together.
The heat between them built steadily, an unspoken rhythm guiding their movements. Miyabi shifted beneath him, her hands trailing down his back, urging him closer. Wise moved with her, his touch growing bolder, his hands exploring her body with newfound confidence. Every response she gave—every subtle shift, every quiet sigh—drove him further, pushing past any lingering restraint.
As they moved together, their proximity erased any remaining barriers. The warmth of her skin against his and the soft, unspoken encouragement in her gaze spurred him on. Wise lowered her gently onto the bed, his weight settling over her as their bodies aligned.
Miyabi’s legs shifted instinctively, opening to accommodate him, and he paused just briefly, his gaze searching hers for confirmation. She answered with a faint, knowing smirk and a slight tilt of her hips, her message clear.
He pressed forward, the intimate connection sparking between them as their bodies joined. Miyabi exhaled sharply, her calm exterior faltering as she adjusted to the feeling of him within her. Wise stilled, giving her a moment, his hands braced on either side of her.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly, his voice laced with genuine concern.
Miyabi nodded, her lips parting as she let out a slow breath. “Yes,” she murmured, her tone steady but tinged with something deeper. “Keep going.”
Wise began to move, his motions careful and measured, each shift deliberate as he found a rhythm that matched hers. Miyabi’s hands slid up his back, her fingers curling into his shoulders as she responded to every motion, her body moving in perfect harmony with his.
The room seemed to shrink around them, the outside world fading into insignificance. Their breaths mingled in the quiet, punctuated only by soft sounds of pleasure as their movements grew more fluid, more instinctive. Miyabi’s composure gave way further with each passing moment, her sighs and soft gasps betraying the depth of her feelings.
Wise leaned down, his lips brushing against her neck, leaving a trail of heated kisses that made her shudder beneath him. Her thighs tightened around him, and she arched her back slightly, her body rising to meet his in a way that left him breathless.
“Miyabi…” he whispered, his voice strained as he fought to maintain his control.
Her response was wordless but clear, her legs lifting to wrap around his hips. The shift in their position brought them impossibly closer, and Wise groaned softly, his rhythm faltering for a moment as he adjusted to the new intensity. Miyabi’s grip on him tightened, her intent unmistakable.
She gazed up at him, her usual stoicism softened by a rare vulnerability. “Don’t hold back,” she said, her voice quiet but commanding, the words carrying an intimacy that left no room for misinterpretation.
Wise didn’t hesitate any longer. His movements quickened, his restraint slipping away as he gave himself over to the moment. Miyabi responded in kind, her body meeting his with equal fervor, her legs drawing him closer, ensuring there was no space left between them.
The heat between them built steadily, the intensity of their connection growing with every motion. Miyabi’s breaths turned into quiet moans, her head tilting back as she gave herself over to the sensations coursing through her. Wise felt the same fire burning within him, his focus entirely on her, on the way her body responded to his.
The tension between them reached its peak, a crescendo of sensation and emotion that threatened to overwhelm them both. Wise’s rhythm grew erratic, his breath coming in short, uneven bursts as he neared the edge. Miyabi’s legs tightened further, holding him firmly in place as she met his gaze, her expression resolute yet tender.
“Now,” she whispered, her voice breaking slightly, the single word enough to send him over the edge.
With a final, shuddering motion, Wise succumbed, his release overwhelming him as he buried himself fully within her. Miyabi’s body trembled beneath him, her grip on him unrelenting as she held him close, ensuring there was no escape from the intimacy they shared.
For a long moment, neither of them moved, their breaths mingling in the quiet that followed. Wise rested his forehead against hers, his heart pounding in his chest as the reality of what had just happened settled over him.
Miyabi’s hands slid to his back, her touch gentle now, almost reverent. She didn’t speak, but the faint smile on her lips and the warmth in her gaze spoke volumes.
In that moment, nothing else mattered.
The room was still now, the earlier heat of their passion replaced by a comforting quiet. The faint glow of the city lights filtered through the window, casting soft patterns across the walls. Wise lay on his back, one arm tucked behind his head, the other resting loosely around Miyabi. She lay beside him, her head nestled against his shoulder, her silver hair spilling across the sheets.
Miyabi’s breathing was calm, though her mind was far from quiet. She stared at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling with a mixture of contentment and mischief. This all began as a small joke—a playful ploy born from her penchant for stirring the waters. But now…
She glanced at Wise from the corner of her eye. His face was calm, his expression unreadable in the dim light. There was something grounding about him, she realized. Something steadfast and unyielding that had drawn her in far more than she’d ever anticipated.
Miyabi sighed softly to herself, silently debating if she should confess that this had all been a prank—a harmless trick that spiraled into something far deeper than she intended. But before she could find the words, Wise shifted slightly beneath her, breaking the silence.
“Are you really okay with… y’know, me coming inside?” he asked, his voice hesitant but filled with genuine concern.
Miyabi blinked, caught off guard by the question. For a moment, she didn’t understand, the meaning eluding her. But then realization dawned, her sharp mind piecing it together in an instant.
Her cheeks flushed a vivid red, the heat spreading quickly across her face. Of all things, she hadn’t considered that. It definitely wasn’t a safe day.
Leaning into him, she buried her face against his chest, hoping to hide her embarrassment. “It’s okay,” she murmured, her voice muffled. “But… you’ll have to marry me now.”
Wise froze for a moment, her words hanging in the air before a soft chuckle escaped him. “Of course,” he said, his tone warm, without hesitation. “I couldn’t let you raise our child alone.”
Miyabi’s breath caught at his response, her blush deepening. There was no hesitation in his words, no doubt—just a quiet, resolute promise. It filled her with a warmth she hadn’t expected, a depth of affection that surprised even her.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze drifting toward the window as a wry smile tugged at her lips. How did this happen? she wondered silently. How did the universe manage to trick the fox into settling down?
Wise, of course, wasn’t privy to her musings. Instead, he simply tightened his arm around her, pulling her closer into his embrace. Miyabi felt her heart flutter, her earlier amusement giving way to something quieter, more profound.
“Wise…” she began softly, her voice trailing off as her fox ears twitched. A sudden thought struck her, and her ears flattened against her head in visible distress. “I’ll have to explain this to Yanagi… and the higher-ups.”
A small whine escaped her throat, one that she immediately regretted, though it was far too late to take it back.
Wise laughed quietly, the sound low and comforting. “We’ll deal with it together,” he said simply, his hand brushing gently against her back in reassurance.
Miyabi sighed, the tension easing slightly at his words. She still dreaded the idea of explaining this to her colleagues—especially Yanagi—but as she felt the steady rise and fall of Wise’s chest beneath her, the weight of the situation seemed lighter.
For now, she allowed herself to relax as she rested her head against him. The future could wait, and the challenges ahead would be tackled together.
Wise said nothing more, his hand idly stroking her back as the quiet of the room settled once again. Miyabi closed her eyes, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulling her into calm.
And for the first time in a long while, the fox found herself content.
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