Of Yokai and Hopeless Romantics

Chapter 9

" Thank you very much you didn't have to," Shige said.

" Think of it as a reward for your dedication," Benihime said.

" Just think of how much better her rewards would be if you two were a couple," Yayaka said making Benihime blush.

" Don't joke Yayaka-chan, anyway I don't have time for a girlfriend," Shige said as he ate a rice ball.

" I'm sure Inna-chan has told you before, there's more to life than schoolwork. None of these beautiful girls you paint will grow old with you. I can assure you, us real girls are a lot more fun than 2-D girls," Yayaka said coming behind Benihime and lightly caressing her chest.

" Stop that!" Benihime said, swatting Yayaka away. " Let's change into our yukatas."

When the two were alone in the changing room Benihime asked, " you're not going to be like that the whole time are you?"

" I might have gone a bit overboard, sorry Beni-chan," Yayaka said.

" It's ok, I know you didn't mean anything by it," Benihime said not seeing any reason not to accept her apology.

The two changed quickly, Benihime once again wearing her light blue yukata with white flowers while Yayaka wore a turquoise yukata, with silver trim and a white crane embroidered on the back. Yayaka took a look at herself in the mirror, as was to be expected she looked stunning.

" This won't do, he won't be able to keep his eyes off of me," Yayaka said. Yayaka's breast shrank, her hips became less curvy, her but less round, even her hair lost some of its volume. " I can only change so far or it'll become strange."

" You do not have to go so far Yayaka-chan, Shige-san does not seem to be such a shallow person and anyways your aura cannot be hidden," Benihime said.

" I'm going to suppress my aura as much as I can, while you pump up your own to make sure he keeps his eyes on you," Yayaka said.

" I can not do that, that would be manipulating him," Benihime said. As a yuki-onna, she could also create an aura that attracted men, but to a far lesser degree than that created by a succubus.

" It'll just be to offset my aura not to entrance him. If he's as perceptive as you all claim, he won't be able to keep his eyes off me otherwise," Yayaka said.

Benihime had to admit she had a point, so as she walked out of the changing room with Yayaka, she boosted her aura, trying to match Yayaka's natural attractiveness. The result on Shige was instantaneous, he stared at both of them unable to move or talk. He looked dumbfounded and that professional nature that he always had was gone.

" Uhh....., Oh right...... set you up," Shige managed to stutter out.

He then went about the task of positioning Benihime and Yayaka. Even with her aura suppress, it was possible to see the conflict going on between Shige's hormones and his more chivalrous side. Benihime admired the willpower that Shige was showing, it was obvious he was attracted to the two and was doing everything in his power to not be a creep. Once he got back to his easel and started painting, he was like a completely different person. No longer was there an inner conflict etched on his face, instead his face was a monument to concentration. Shige's hands were a flurry of movement, his eyes had a rabid quality to them, and he was mumbling to himself. He seemed like a man possessed. Benihime found herself drawn in, it was such a contrast to herself when she was cooking. Benihime was just as focused when she cooked, but her movements were not as furious, they were quick and precise, timing being everything. Watching Shige so completely enraptured piqued Benihime's interest. If he was that passionate about his painting, could he in turn be just as passionate about her? Benihime was being desperate after all wasn't all this passion at its core driven by the want to make money at the auction? Even if that wasn't the case, Shige seemed to be far more interested in his art than in girls.

" I need a brake Shige-kun," Yayaka said after a while breaking Benihime's train of thought.

" Ok, feel free to stretch," Shige said, slowly snapping back to normal.

Yayaka did exactly that and Shige chivalrous or not ended up with his eyes glued to her. Yayaka caught him and gave him a small smile, letting him know he was caught, but she wasn't going to read him the riot act. Benihime sometimes wished she had Yayaka's natural abilities, she could say more with a smile and a wink than Benihime ever could with her words.

" Say Shige-kun did Inna-chan invite you to go camping with us?" Yayaka asked.

" She did, but I'm busy and can't make it," Shige said.

" Oh come on, you're going to turn down the chance to be with four beautiful girls in woods? Three of us are available, you never know what might happen out there where there are no prying eyes," Yayaka said and she started to slowly raise her aura.

" I really shouldn't," Shige said, but it was obvious he didn't have much fight in those words, Yayaka's aura starting to affect him.

" You need free time to play, that's my assessment as your President. You want to be a good boy don't you, you wouldn't want me to feel like I was failing as a President?" Yayaka had a coy smile on her face and grabbed Benihime. " You wouldn't want to disappoint Benihime either would you?"

" No..., No I wouldn't, I..... I'll be there," Shige said whatever fight he had left in him fading under the power of Yayaka's aura.