Kami-Jutsu: The Yakuza's Son is Aware-Chapter 25: Mai, is This Tea Laced?

I had the impression Ferry’s death still sat uneasily with him, something far from his liking.

"So?" I turned to face him. "With Sabertooth out of the way, what’s next?"

"Your identity as Shinigami Ō will draw the attention of the other mammoths in the underworld," he answered matter-of-factly. "You should also expect the Kurosawas to possibly see you as a threat. For that reason, make sure only Najimi knows who you really are."

He went on to explain that I could use gangs and small-time criminals as a way to train and refine my Kamijutsu, but that dismantling any more syndicates at my current level would prove extremely difficult.

Still, with Sabertooth gone, my clan now held a much stronger position.

Given that the Spider Mafia had heavily depended on Sabertooth, they were now vulnerable, possibly even on the verge of being eradicated by Father and his men. Any careless move on their part, and the Kurosawas would not hesitate to bare their fangs.

This felt like the beginning of our return to former glory. Everything was unfolding according to plan. I would bide my time, grow stronger, and eventually cut down the remaining mammoths of Tokyo’s underground.

Before I could let the thought drift away, something came to mind.

"Hey, did I see Yamada? Or was that just a hallucination?" I asked.

"Nope, you really saw him," Ferry replied with a shrug. "Him, and everyone else you’ve killed since becoming a godman."

Wasn’t that something that should be treated more seriously? Why was he shrugging about it?

Ferry went on to tell me that I had acquired a very rare and valuable ability, [Possessed God Technique], which granted me access to Valhalla — a realm of fallen warriors.

Ah, yes. I had noticed something like that earlier, floating in my mind: Kurosawa Ken has obtained [Valhalla], or something along those lines.

"So I can summon them whenever I want?" I asked.

"Yes," Ferry nodded, "but it will consume a significant amount of energy each time."

According to him, humans also possess something akin to Kami particles. This energy exists not only around us but within us as well. However, the energy in our bodies is not Kami particles exactly; rather, it is something similar, as Kami particles are the foundation of creation itself.

The energy within humans, Ferry explained, is known as "spiritual energy."

It seemed I possessed a large reserve of it, and better yet, I had the ability to control it. That was the reason why others had yet to notice anything unusual about me.

That was a close call, really.

There was still so much for me to learn about this new world, but I had the feeling it would prove to be worthwhile.

*

Hehehe... I managed to hug Onii-sama again.

Ah, he smelled just as divine as ever today!

I skipped happily back to my room, and it was only after locking the door behind me that it struck me.

Ahhhhhh!! How embarrassing!

O... Onii-sama had been staring at my most precious place...

Had I done it at last? Had my womanly charm finally managed to seduce Onii-sama?!

"Welcome back, Ojou," Mai’s voice rang out from beside my bed, a few feet away.

Way to dampen the mood, missy.

"Tsk! I really didn’t want to see your face right now," I muttered.

"How awful, Ojou!" she shrieked as she stepped forward, carrying the tea I always drink before bed.

So she still hasn’t given up yet? Tenacious brat. I honestly don’t know why I continue to put up with her.

"Mai, is this tea laced?" I asked, twirling the cup lightly in my hand.

She visibly flinched. "Ah, I... I did lace it with a little sugar!"

"Oh really? Then drink it yourself."

"Ah, Ojou! I would never!" she protested, shaking her head. "This is your tea. My lips are far too unworthy to touch it."

"Fool. Give it up already," I said, taking a sip of the tea anyway. Her eyes lit up behind her glasses, glowing with some strange delight.

"I’m in love with Onii-sama. There is no space in my heart for anyone else," I replied as I began taking off the black dress Onii-sama had put on me earlier.

I’ll never wash it again.

After slipping into my nightgown, I glanced over at Mai, who was basically worshipping me with her eyes.

"Don’t you ever get hurt?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "With those antics of yours, you keep feeling like you’re getting close, but you know very well it’s impossible to reach."

Mai slurped up her own drool, snapping herself back into reality. "Of course I do! Even your rejection hurts so good!"

Ugh. This gross pig.

I climbed into my bed and slid under the covers.

Then, slowly, I felt my muscles lose their strength. The paralysis began to set in.

Mai wasted no time. She dashed into the bed and wrapped herself around me from behind, spooning me warmly. Unfortunately, her hot, heavy gasps against my ear ruined any trace of comfort.

*

Honda Mai: nineteen years old.

She has been living in our house for as long as I can remember, and has served as my personal attendant ever since I was four years old — back when I got lost in the mountains.

Deadly, precise, and a genius in her own right, she is more beautiful than most women I have ever met. Her dark violet hair, which she ties neatly into pigtails, frames her face perfectly. Her dark eyes are accented by long lashes, and she possesses a figure most women would envy.

To be honest, I envy her form myself, and I have long been wary of Onii-sama potentially falling for her.

But despite all her strengths and charms, Mai carries an unnatural fondness for me... No — an outright obsession.

I used to believe it was simply because of my popularity as a prodigy. But one night, I learned the truth.

*

Four years ago, Mai introduced me to something new.

"Ojou! I’ve found it — the invention that will make Ken-sama fall in love with you!"

"Then why are you still standing there? Bring it to me!"

It turned out to be a foreign herbal tea, supposedly offering special benefits to whoever drank it. It promised great skin, proper growth, a beautiful figure... basically, everything I could possibly need to make Onii-sama finally notice me.

Except the effects were suspiciously specific.

’That Mai... she’s making a fool of me!’ I thought in quiet hatred, already plotting my revenge.

Still, I drank the tea — just in case it actually worked.

That night, for the first time, Mai snuck into my room.

I was certain she had come to do something wrong... perhaps assassinate me or something equally foolish.

I decided to feign sleep so I could catch her off guard and slit her throat.

But as I reached for the knife hidden by my bedside, I realized I couldn’t move. My body was paralyzed.

Then I felt the bed shift as her weight pressed down on it.

’What is she doing?’