Chapter 144: Higokumaru wants to grow up~
Higokumaru had been living with Kirataka and the others for some time.
She didn't know where she came from, nor did she know who she was, but everyone around her was very kind to her, and she could eat hot, soft fried tofu every day, so she felt quite happy.
She liked surfing the Internet and had learned some hacking techniques almost without any instruction. Even big sister Bronya praised her as a super genius.
Although she would occasionally follow Kirataka's request and disguise herself as a doll, this did not cause much trouble in her life.
If possible, she would like to continue living happily with her master and elder sisters like this.
However, the little fox had been a bit sad lately.
Her owner, Kirataka, hadn't been playing with her much recently.
In the past, after he came back, he would play with her for a while, but recently, he basically would go wash up and rest after coming back.
For example, now—
"Master, play with me~"
The little fox lay on his thighs and acted coquettishly.
"Sorry, Higokumaru, I'm a little tired today. I'll play with you when I'm free later."
Kirataka yawned and patted her little head.
During this period, he had been focusing on practicing and mastering the basics of Taixuan Sword Qi, which consumed a considerable amount of energy. As a result, he would fall asleep as soon as he returned.
"But, Master, you'll accompany Sister Kiana for morning exercises and Sister Mei for night jogging..."
Higokumaru pouted, sounding a bit unwilling.
"That's for exercise. Or rather, it's because of these two things that I've been so tired lately," Kirataka explained patiently.
The Taixuan Sword Qi he learned during the former process was the main culprit that drained most of his energy.
The latter, meanwhile, involved discussing details of the next action with Mei and the Stigmata will within her body.
The time for action against Cocolia was approaching, and he had to prepare as soon as possible.
Once this matter was resolved and Cocolia disappeared from this world, he'd probably have some free time.
"Okay... I understand..."
Higokumaru said, disappointed.
Then, she lay on his bed, wagging her big tail, and looked at Kirataka, who had already walked into the bathroom.
She pondered silently.
Hmm...
The master had a very good relationship with the other big sisters, accompanying them even when tired.
But she couldn't...
What was the difference between her and the other older sisters?
Her little head quickly pinpointed the key issue:
She was so small!
She was as small as a doll, and perhaps, in her master's mind, she was more like a pet.
The other older sisters, however... using words from a recent TV drama she saw, they were like girlfriends, right?
After all, only boyfriends and girlfriends lived together.
Ignoring the proportions, she turned her thoughts inward.
Her master must have neglected her because of this.
To resolve this, there was only one solution.
If she could become the same size as the others, would her master's attitude change?
Yes, it was worth trying.
Higokumaru's little brain quickly reached a conclusion.
She needed to make changes. She wanted to grow up. Only by growing up could her master like her more.
However, given her current form, she would need significant changes to her body shape.
She couldn't do it herself... but perhaps someone else could.
For now, Higokumaru kept quiet and didn't act. She simply curled up and slept near Kirataka's pillow as usual.
Soon, Kirataka finished washing up and returned to the room. He lay down on the bed and began to rest.
Exhausted, he quickly fell asleep.
At this moment, Higokumaru quietly opened her eyes and carefully observed Kirataka's sleeping face.
"Master~ Master~"
After calling him softly several times and confirming that he didn't respond, she moved to his neck with a swift motion.
On the left side of his neck, very close at hand, was a Stigmata made of three magatama.
Higokumaru didn't know what it was, but instinctively felt it was connected to her.
She reached out and gently touched the Stigmata.
The moment she made contact, an imperceptible wave emerged and enveloped her body.
Then, her figure suddenly vanished.
…
"Where... is this...?"
Higokumaru found herself in a mysterious place, looking around in confusion.
It was a world of complete darkness.
There was no light, and the atmosphere felt oppressively heavy.
It seemed as though the environment might swallow her up and seal her away at any moment.
Although she herself was not quite sure about it, the true form of the Herrscher of Corruption from the previous civilization, a fox demon named Higokumaru, was now sleeping on Kirataka's body.
And here was the sealed place mixed with the power of the black box.
As an essentially unified being, after coming into contact with the Stigmata on Kirataka's body, Higokumaru was naturally teleported here.
Higokumaru floated in the dark environment for a long time and finally saw a huge fox demon sleeping quietly in front of her.
"So... so big..."
Higokumaru wagged her tail, came closer to the massive fox, and looked up at the enormous creature in front of her.
The other fox was much larger than her. If it opened its mouth, it could probably swallow her whole.
Her arrival roused the sleeping giant fox, which opened its eyes.
"...Higokumaru."
The tiny figure in front of it was reflected in its intimidating fox eyes.
"You... you know me? What should I call you?"
The fox girl asked timidly.
Although she had instinctively arrived here, it was actually the first time she had seen the true form of herself, Higokumaru.
Its massive size and fearsome appearance were intimidating, but beneath the fear, she felt an odd sense of familiarity and warmth.
"..."
Hearing her question, the fox's gaze shifted slightly.
Its name?
For a moment, it hesitated, unsure how to answer.
Of course, it could give her an answer like "Higokumaru" or "Herrscher of Corruption," but...
Was that really what she wanted to hear?
Those were merely labels imposed by others.
Its true name was...
After a brief silence, the massive fox finally replied:
"Higokumaru. Just call me RIN. Why have you come here to see me?"
If the little one had gone so far as to disturb its slumber, she must have a request.
Was Kirataka, the man in the outside world, in trouble?
Or was the little fox negotiating on his behalf?
Various thoughts crossed its mind.
——Though it had been living inside Kirataka's body and behaving well recently without causing any disturbances, it had resolved long ago that it would not easily grant its power to him.
Nor will they accept the constraints of the black box and be made into a god's key that cannot control itself.
This is its bottom line as the Herrscher of Corruption.
Although it was indeed touched by Kirataka's words in Yae Sakura's Stigmata space at that time and gave up persecuting Yae Sakura, it still does not completely believe that human being.
He may have always coveted her power and wanted to have complete control over her.
The contract with her at that time might have been just a pretense.
Having been thoroughly hurt by humans once, it is not easy for it to fully trust others again.
Therefore, if Higokumaru asked it for power now, it would definitely refuse it on the spot without hesitation.
"RIN, I think, I think..."
Higokumaru pondered for a while, rubbed her hands, and said softly:
"I want to be like the other big sisters. Can you help me?"
"...?"
A look of astonishment flashed across RIN's fox eyes.
What is this request and what does it mean?
RIN didn't understand what Higokumaru meant for a moment.
If the request was to defeat an enemy or break through a network defense, it would understand it immediately, but the request that now flowed into its ears was somewhat abstract.
"In other words... you are not satisfied with the current size of this doll and want to grow bigger?"
It took some time for RIN to understand the other party's request.
'Just for this kind of thing, you came all the way to this space to find me?'
"Uh-huh, can you do that?"
Higokumaru's eyes flickered, and the four tails behind her kept wagging. She looked at the big fox in front of her with expectation.
"…"
When it handed Higokumaru to Kirataka in Yae Sakura's Stigmata space, it had specially designed the doll's shape... It was based on its previous life, plus the dolls it liked in the past.
'What? he dislikes her own design now?'
RIN snorted coldly and asked:
"Did Kirataka ask you to come?"
"No, it's my own idea."
Higokumaru repeated the theory and solution she had just thought of to the big fox in front of her, and at the end, she added:
"I like it the way it is now, but I think it will be better if I grow up a little bit."
"…"
RIN was speechless for a moment.
Facing the little creature in front of it, the only word that came to its mind was "innocent."
Innocence is the privilege of those who live a happy life.
...It seems that she is indeed living well in the outside world, and that guy has kept his promise and has not let her suffer any hardship these days.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have come here to make such a nonsensical request to her.
'Forget it... I'll just satisfy her willful little request this time.'
RIN stretched out her claws and placed them on Higokumaru's shoulders, transferring a very small amount of authority to her.
"What's this?"
Feeling something flowing into her body, Higokumaru asked curiously.
"It's just a small part of our power, so you can re-project your body later."
RIN explained casually.
Changing the body to this extent is a fairly simple matter for the Herrscher of Corruption's power.
——It didn't want Higokumaru to come to it for help every time in the future, so it simply gave her some power and let her do it on her own, once and for all.
The small portion of authority it gave to Higokumaru was not enough for combat, but if it was just for changing one's appearance or making some small life props and other daily needs, it was more than enough.
"Oh, that's it."
Higokumaru stretched out her hand, and a cherry-colored ball of light appeared in her hand. She fiddled with this power curiously.
"Okay, if there's nothing else, you can go back."
Higokumaru began to drive the guests away.
However, the little guy in front of her didn't seem to have any intention of leaving, but stood there, motionless.
So, the giant fox asked again:
"…Is there anything else?"
"that..."
Higokumaru said somewhat embarrassedly:
"RIN, can you help me design what I will look like when I grow up? I'm not very good at it."
"…"
"...All right."
…
Late at night.
Kirataka, who had been enjoying peace during this period because he had exhausted all his energy practicing Taixuan sword Qi, rarely woke up at this time.
Because he was a little tired, he was too lazy to open his eyes and planned to turn over and continue to rest.
However, his body was obstructed and he did not turn around as he wished.
"...?"
At this time, Kirataka suddenly realized that something seemed to be hugging him.
He instinctively reached out in that direction and touched something smooth, like skin.
Hmm... it feels soft and smooth to the touch, warm when you hug it, and some parts seem to be furry, which is very comfortable.
'Is it Higokumaru?'
The only one who sleeps with him every day is this little fox.
Kirataka subconsciously began to grope, searching for her neck, trying to pull her off him.
However, the more he explored, the more he felt something was wrong.
'...Why is it so big?'
After exploring up and down, he had already surpassed the size of the Higokumaru.
It's like hugging a human-shaped pillow...
If it was just a little fox, she would probably just fall asleep on her chest.
But now it feels like... someone is sleeping next to him.
Specifically, the feeling was not much different from the night with Seele before -
And as he made contact, a pleasant moan reached his ears.
"...?!"
Hearing this voice, Kirataka's sleepiness immediately disappeared.
He suddenly opened his eyes and looked in front of him.
He saw a petite cherry-colored girl hugging him tightly and sleeping quietly in his arms.
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