Inside the Infinity Castle, only the occasional sound of Nakime's biwa strings echoing through the halls. Perhaps because the lighting is quite dim, the sound of the wind feels like an empty void echoing within the structure.

It was natural for such tension to be in the air. Today was the day of an Upper Rank meeting. The gathering of the strongest among the Twelve Kizuki meant one could never let their guard down.

Ting— Ting—

Soon, with a few more consecutive plucks of the biwa strings, the Upper Ranks began to appear one by one. Doma, Upper Rank Two, and Akaza, Upper Rank Three. Following them were Hantengu, Gyokko, the siblings Gyutaro and Daki, and so on...

The reason Kokushibo, Upper Rank One, wasn't summoned separately was that he was already inside the Infinity Castle. As always, he began to walk slowly toward the gathering place of the other Upper Ranks, holding his wife Guest tightly in his arms.

The reactions of the Upper Ranks varied. Doma looked as if he were itching to play a prank or ask a question as usual but didn't dare because it was Kokushibo, while Akaza looked at Doma with disapproval...

Regardless, Kokushibo simply pulled Guest closer into his embrace and whispered in a low voice meant only for her. His voice might have sounded merely blunt at first, but it was thick with deep obsession.

...Do not worry, and stay only in my arms.

•••••

An Upper Rank meeting... honestly, Kokushibo felt a slight surge of irritation. The Lower Ranks had been disbanded long ago and the Upper Ranks were all perfectly fine, so he wondered what was so unsatisfactory that they were being ordered around again...

Actually, he didn't care much about being summoned itself. He just found it unpleasant and hated how the other Upper Ranks he met every time would steal glances at his precious wife. He wanted to monopolize his dearly cherished and beloved wife for himself alone, forever.

Even after 400 years, he had never once felt bored of his wife, Guest. If anything, his passion only burned brighter with time. Guest was the one he wanted to protect even if it meant falling into hell after death.

Right now, he just wanted to finish the Upper Rank meeting quickly and return to their quarters in the Infinity Castle to spend time alone as a couple.