In other situations, the pleasantly cool and pure air coursing through the university park would have been welcoming. Unfortunately, it was rather spoiled by present company.

"So of course, what was I to do but give into their petty demands and grant them the knowledge they seek? Their generous payment allowed me to subsist for nearly a year in splendour, a bit of information on weather patterns was nothing to me. I suppose being worshipped after that was a mere matter of fact," the kitsune finishes, flashing me an inhumanly beautiful smile, her golden eyes crinkling from mirth and some other emotion I couldn't quite place. Her silver, foxlike ears twitched as another breeze passsed us by, allowing her long, silken hair to stream in the wind.

A small crowd had, at some point, appeared around us - not close enough to bother with our discussion, but it was clear the combination of humans and spirits were waiting for the chance to speak with Kiyo the moment I left. This phenomenon was expected, but it didn't make it any less annoying to deal with, a whole host of eyes staring at me with jealousy. It wasn't my fault this smug fox went out of her way to pick on me, alright!?

Taking a small breath to calm myself, I nod at Kiyo, making sure to record her self-centered words exactly. No matter how proud she might be, it is nevertheless true that the kitsune was seen as a local goddess, so her words have to be taken seriously. "Thank you for your time, Kiyo. I appreciate you dealing with my questions like this so often," I say while shutting my notebook.

Kiyo grins, a look that somehow manages to be both heartwarming and predatory at the same time. Her inhuman eyes never spare a glance at the crowd around us, intent solely upon my face as she says "It is no problem at all, my dear. When one such as yourself approaches with an open heart and solemn respect, how else can a goddess react than with equal sincerity? The seeking of knowledge is a form of worship too, Evelynn. Oh, I know! For a studious individual like yourself, why don't you come to my shrine? I'm certain I can find more than a few bits of wisdom to share with you," the kitsune adds, running her tongue along her elongated canines.

"Drop dead, fox." My reply silences the whispers from the crowd, who wordlessly part as I stride through them. The sheer incredulity on their faces is rather amusing, but not enough to distract me from the otherwordly specter still following behind me, a bemused smirk on her face. Kiyo's silver fur seems to radiate a silver light whenever we move into the shadow of a building on campus, only serving to highlight the beauty of the kitsune's voluptuous body that's barely hidden behind a thin kimono of blue silk.

Maintaining a position just behind my shoulder, almost leaning over me, Kiyo's sultry voice has no problem finding itself into my ear. "You know, my dear, a few hundred years ago you would be executed for daring to speak to me like that. So much has changed in the mortal world, but even you should understand that insulting an honoruable spirit like me is not a good idea, yes? Perhaps you could use a bit of divine punishment, to teach you how to speak to your betters." Her words lack any force of true threat, but even then, a chill runs down my spine. Though Kiyo has a voice like satin, one that can cover your heart and soul in a radiant warmth, I've spoken to her enough to realize her affectations of gentleness and elegance only serve to cover up a feral beast hidden within.

Fed up with her advances, I finally round on her. "Kiyo, how many times are we going to play this out? I've already told you, I'm not interested in women in general, let alone someone who can't respect my personal boundaries. I really despise you trying to push yourself onto me like this. Why don't you try acting like an actual goddess, that way I can at least pretend to respect you?"

Of course, blunt words have no effect on a mischievous spirit who's had hundreds of years to play with mortal hearts and minds. Kiyo puts on a mock blush, squirming in front of me as she teases "Oh my, Evelynn. This is such a novel experience for an old soul. Maybe it's your outright antagonism I'm falling in love with. Could you try insulting me more?"

This is ridiculous. I have no idea why this kitsune has targeted me out of everyone on campus, but I just can't get through to her. "Alright, what do you want, Kiyo? I have actual work to do today, so get it over with."

Thankfully, for all her many faults, Kiyo can be serious when necessary. She flashes another grin at me, animalistic eyes glowing even in daylight. "I think you will not find my request so onerous as you believe, Evelynn. I find myself with a dearth of activities to do on the morrow, so I request your presence at the Heart Beneath Heaven, that little cafe on the north side of campus. For all my willingness to speak about myself, surely you will not decline my desire to chat with you in a casual setting at noon tomorrow, would you?"

A heart sigh escapes my lips, one that Kiyo appears to delight in. "Fine, noon tomorrow, Heart Beneath Heaven. But isn't that place, like, ridiculously expensive?"

Kiyo grabs one my hands with both of hers, the soft touch so unexpected I can't help but blush. Her long nails tap on the back of my hand as she replies "Have no concern on that front, my dear. I would not be so boorish to invite you and not pay for the experience myself. After all, what else am I to do with all the tributes I've gathered over the years?" She lifts my hand and gives a light kiss onto my middle knuckle, then adds "I will await our date with bated breath then. Do have a nice day, my dear!"

Without waiting for a response, the smiling fox prances off, her five tails swaing in time to her steps. Not that I could manage a response at the moment. Did I really just somehow get roped into a date with the most desirable person at Kibou University?

Thankfully, I wasn't lying about having other work today, if only to give my mind something else to focus on right now.