Hello everyone!

"......"

"....."

...Okay, I know you must be wondering, what's going on here? Well, the answer is that I'm kneeling, being stared at by a furious Echidna in an uncomfortable silence.

You don't understand how we got here?

Well, you just have to recap to remember Echidna's unexpected revelation about the creation of "shikigamis" which led me to (violently) ask about it!

Don't look at me like that?!

I know I might have made a mistake by suddenly attacking with the frying pan when I asked, yelling and demanding answers, starting a fight with Echidna that lasted 2 full days....

BUUUUUUUUUUUT!!

I was (to a certain extent) within my rights!

.... Ah, who am I kidding? I definitely got carried away there, being just as guilty as Echidna... Or rather... I... I was actually the one who went too far in the end.

What did you do...?

Normally, I'd say something like, "Excellent question, dear reader!" however, this time it's a bit... no, I mean, it's extremely embarrassing what I did! For that reason, I have to ask for your total understanding and comprehension... Also, don't laugh... Can you promise me that?

Yeah, who am I kidding...? Is that too much to ask...? Haa... but I have no other choice but to trust you!

So, okay, fine, I'll tell you what happened... I repeat, I trust you, so... Don't betray me! (PLEA)

Ahem... you see, it turns out that the fight between Echidna and me can be reduced to slaps versus frying pan hits... for 48 continuous hours without interruption... How did it last so long?

Well, that's because, dear reader, unexpectedly both Echidna and I had gained a resistance to the other's attack, thanks to us habitually hitting each other in that way.

Isn't that stupid?!

Yeah, I think so too, or rather, that was both of our reactions upon discovering this truth after realizing we were at a stalemate.

When we realized it, the normal thing would've been to stop the conflict, talk, and reach a peaceful agreement, right?

BUT I REFUSED!!

Why the hell did you refuse?

That's simple, dear reader, because if I did, I wouldn't feel satisfied, especially knowing how Echidna would probably repeat her habitual lack of information!

I mean, in this case, it was about the "shikigamis" born from my cursed energy (accidentally), but knowing Echidna, it's possible there's more information she may have omitted to tell me under her bad habit of "it's interesting"!

So, with every intention of "winning," I thought of a way to counterattack, and at that moment, I came up with a good (very bad) idea that would give me victory in this "discussion."

... I won't lie to you, after I calmed down, I realized how far I had gone while a nostalgic thought popped into my mind, as I knew I was completely screwed.

What did I do?

Ahahahahaha, well, of course, I dug my own grave!

Haa... but you probably want to know exactly what I did, right?

Well, what I did was actually quite simple! At that moment, I decided to counterattack Echidna using my "massage arts" after a long time out of the spotlight.

But since it's been a while since they came to light, let's review them one by one!!

Let's begin with the first forbidden massage art!

This art, known for its intense and often addictive effects, uses spiritual energy to stimulate the body's pleasure points to an unimaginable level. It focuses on awakening the senses and bringing the person to a state of ecstasy. The technique involves channeling the masseur's energy to intertwine with the recipient's, creating a deep and erotic connection. Although pleasure is the main objective, if not handled with care, the energy can be overwhelming, leading to an emotional or physical dependence on the masseur. (information given by Echidna)

The next one is the art of healing massage!

This technique is based on the principle that illness is often an imbalance of the body's vital energy. The masseur uses their spiritual energy to identify and correct these imbalances. Through soft and firm touches, it targets the energy centers and meridians to dissolve blockages and restore energy flow. This massage not only alleviates physical pain but also accelerates the healing of wounds, regenerates tissues, and strengthens the immune system. It is a purely healing technique, whose objective is to restore health and vitality. (information given by Echidna)

Next comes the art of relaxing massage!

Unlike the other two, this massage focuses on the mind and spirit. The masseur channels a calming and serene energy to dissipate stress, anxiety, and mental worries. The technique uses slow and rhythmic movements that act as a balm for the soul, quieting thoughts and releasing emotional tensions. The objective is to purify the mind, leaving the recipient in a state of inner peace and clarity. It is often used to treat insomnia, depression, and mental exhaustion, helping to heal the invisible wounds of the mind. (information given by Echidna)

And to finish, there's the last and most recently developed one thanks to a suggestion from Susie, named in her honor as the art of torturous massage!

This art is the antithesis of the others, as it uses spiritual energy to inflict unbearable pain without leaving a physical trace. Through the manipulation of the body's energy points, the masseur channels a corrupt and dense energy that causes mental and physical agony in the recipient. The technique focuses on blocking the flows of vital energy, creating a sensation of suffocation, burning, or internal tearing. It is often used as a method of torture or punishment, as the pain is so intense it can break the recipient's will, but the injuries are invisible, which makes it almost undetectable. (information given by Echidna)

I hope that reminder was useful!

Huh...? What do you mean I never gave you this information until now?

No... wait a second... D-did I... FORGET TO SAY IT?!

NO!!

I refuse to accept that I was influenced by Echidna!

This must be a mistake!!

("we are having technical problems we apologize for the inconvenience")

Ahem... again, I'm sorry about that, so, please, let's get back to the plot, especially since Echidna's cold stare is piercing (escapism).

You see, it turns out that at that moment, I decided to combine the four massage arts I had at my disposal and use them on Echidna, when she let her guard down.

And yes, it's not even necessary for you to say this was a stupid idea, since I would experience firsthand the consequences of my own stupidity...

What happened?

...Please... just... don't ask... Or rather... let me keep what little dignity I have left...

But at least I can assure you that, thanks to that, after experiencing something I don't even plan to remember and that I sealed in the deepest part of my subconscious inside my mental trunk, hoping it never resurfaces, we arrive at the current situation in which I'm kneeling in front of Echidna (in human form), receiving a freezing stare while I'm tied up, completely immobilized in a position I'm not going to describe...

"......."

"......"

... I guess in this situation, I only have one choice: to play my secret weapon to get out of this... I'm sure it's going to end badly... But there's no choice!

"I'M SORRY!!"

"......"

"I'll make you unlimited desserts for a week!!"

"I FORGIVE YOU"

I would pay dearly for the consequences of this decision later, but at that moment I still didn't know it...