At first, Hanachiraku hadn't thought much of it.
But the moment she saw Kitsune Saiguu's reaction, she suddenly connected the dots.
Her cheeks flushed bright red in an instant.
Lin Mo also noticed the strange expressions on both of their faces.
He couldn't help but ask, puzzled, "Uh… what are you two thinking about?"
"Every inch of Hanachiraku's body was crafted by my own hands," Kitsune Saiguu said. "Is that… something to be embarrassed about?"
Lin Mo looked genuinely confused.
In his view, Hanachiraku's body really wasn't that alluring.
Maybe just… the level of a well-crafted life-sized alchemy figurine.
A figure…
Or a silicone doll?
"It really is a bit embarrassing…"
Hanachiraku murmured softly, her voice barely audible.
Her shy posture only made Kitsune Saiguu even more wary.
Hanachiraku might have her own soul now…
But she had inherited all of Saiguu's memories.
Who knew if those memories would make her develop feelings for Lin Mo?
Not to mention—
In Kitsune Saiguu's eyes, Lin Mo was absolutely the type to fall for temptation.
That was exactly how he ended up having that "unexpected night" with Chiyo back then.
Saiguu believed Chiyo to be the most beautiful vessel she had ever crafted—
But even she had to admit that Hanachiraku's figure carried its own dangerous charm.
"Alright, enough,"
Kitsune Saiguu said as she stepped in front of Hanachiraku protectively.
"If Hanachiraku feels unwell, she can come ask you. But as for letting you examine her body… I still don't trust you."
"Fine, fine~"
Lin Mo waved casually. "I'll give Hanachiraku a set of biological alchemy notes. She can learn to repair herself if anything goes wrong, okay?"
Seeing him so nonchalant, Kitsune Saiguu couldn't help doubting herself.
Was she… being too strict?
Yet she glanced at Hanachiraku—head lowered, eyes shimmering with lingering embarrassment.
Saiguu knew.
Whether because of inherited memories…
Or because Lin Mo had brought her back to life…
Hanachiraku already harbored special feelings for him.
In a delicate situation…
If she didn't resist…
Lin Mo definitely would do something.
Especially something like… a "physical exam."
That thought only strengthened Saiguu's resolve to keep some distance between them.
What she didn't know was—
Lin Mo's Serenitea Pot was already bustling with… complicated entanglements.
If she knew what was going on inside, she and Lin Mo would've been fighting again.
Just then, Lin Mo smiled.
"I really miss those days when a few of us would meet beneath the Sacred Sakura.
Now that Hanachiraku has returned… let's go find Lumine and Paimon.
I want to see the Chiyo of those days again."
Hearing this, Kitsune Saiguu nodded.
She longed for that time too—
The days under blooming sakura, peaceful and warm.
Once Lumine and Paimon purified the corruption within Chiyo,
They would go to the Shogunate to meet Ei—
And the four of them… could reunite under the Sacred Sakura again.
"But they left a while ago," Saiguu asked. "Where do we find them now?"
"Mt. Yougou—at the Grand Narukami Shrine," Lin Mo answered immediately.
"I overheard their discussion. They were planning to look for Miko.
Besides, according to the story, that's where they're supposed to meet her anyway."
Since Lumine was already at the foot of Mt. Yougou,
She definitely wouldn't detour elsewhere first.
So the group headed toward the Grand Narukami Shrine at the mountain's peak.
Unlike before—
Kitsune Saiguu carried the still-weakened Hanachiraku.
Hayate was slung on Lin Mo's back, half-asleep and swaying gently like a tiny drowsy tanuki.
Meanwhile…
Lin Mo held a right arm in his hand.
If one looked closely, it was clearly a young girl's right arm.
But it wasn't taken from anyone.
He had forged it himself using biological alchemy—
A replacement arm for Chiyo, who had lost hers in battle.
With its built-in ability for vertical propulsion,
They reached the shrine quickly.
The moon hung high.
Silver light spilled across the Sacred Sakura, giving it a cold, ethereal glow.
As soon as they landed, they saw an oni girl crying in Yae Miko's arms.
"Huh?"
Lin Mo blinked.
Lumine and Paimon were that efficient?
Chiyo's corruption was already purified?
He waved immediately.
"Miko! Chiyo!"
The moment she heard his voice,
The crying girl jerked up, teary eyes widening.
"W-Wisteria Lily…!"
Barefoot, she sprinted toward him.
"Thump!"
She threw herself straight into Lin Mo's arms.
Yae Miko approached as well—
Her violet eyes widening in disbelief at the sight of Kitsune Saiguu standing beside Lin Mo.
She hurried over and bowed slightly.
"Lady Saiguu…"
"Miko, you're the Guuji now. No need to bow to me."
Saiguu smiled gently.
She could see the questions burning in Miko's gaze—
But this was a moment of reunion, not explanation.
Especially when she looked at Chiyo—
Crying like a child in Lin Mo's arms.
"Chiyo…"
Lin Mo stroked the oni girl's silky hair.
Chiyo lifted her tear-stained face, voice hoarse.
"Wisteria Lily… I'm sorry… I… I bit you too hard…"
"Oh, that?"
Lin Mo touched the faint bite mark on his neck, smiling.
"It's nothing. I'm not hurt."
Chiyo looked at the reddened imprint and felt her guilt deepen.
She pouted through tears.
"How is that not important?
Then what is important?"
"What's important…"
Lin Mo glanced at her empty right sleeve.
He smiled softly.
"Chiyo, can you entrust your body to me for a moment?"
"Eh!?"
Kitsune Saiguu let out a cold, warning snort.
Even Yae Miko pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You—w-what are you saying?"
Chiyo stammered, face flushing.
"There are so many people watching… H-how can you be so impatient!?"
"Huh?"
Lin Mo froze.
Then slowly raised the right arm in his hand.
"I mean a surgery, Chiyo.
I'm going to give you a new arm."
"You—what were you thinking?"
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T/N:
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