I am Succubus!

Chapter 238

Major Nobara drove me and Mio to the Tsukiji city mayor's office. We were guarded by a company of JSDF infantry like the two of us were precious cargo. Understandable, given the reason we were told. Apparently, they needed our help to resolve the declining birth rates in Japan. It was a monumental task compared to my last one, which was to just be a peacebringer…

When we arrived at the city hall, they formed a perimeter in the parking lot and framed a path into the building. There, another set of guards were waiting. An older gentleman with short, graying hair and thick glasses was with them. The stiff smile told me all I needed to know that he was a politician.

"Mr. Ishioka, this is Saeko Ito and Mio, the two succubus." Major Nobara bowed to the man before us.

"Thank you, Major. Saeko, Mio. It is a pleasure to meet the both of you. As Major Nobara has already introduced us, I am Tani Ishioka. I work in the birth rate decline task force of the Children and Families Agency. Please, let's speak upstairs." Ishioka gestured to the stairs.

We entered a modest office with two sofas facing each other and a granite coffee table between. Beyond them was a desk in front of a window overlooking downtown, including the port in the distance.

Ishioka motioned for us to take a seat. As we did, a young woman, probably a secretary, came in and brought us tea. Mio purred at her. Guess she had a thing for women in suits. Ishoka sat down on the other sofa across from us. Surprisingly, the JSDF didn't enter with us. Instead, they waited outside. Only Major Nobara came in and stood behind Ishioka.

"First of all, I want to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused. I assume Major Nobara has already informed you why you're here?" Ishioka asked.

We nodded awkwardly.

"So, whaddya want us to do?" Mio asked without a hint of decorum. Fuck a bunch of guys and pop some babies? Just so you know, succubi are only fertile for a short period once a year. It ain't gonna work, pal."

"M-Mio, you should speak with a little more respect!" I whispered frantically.

"It's quite alright!" Ishioka assured us.

If my parents were around, they would scold the crap out of us for not respecting our elders. Elders in office to boot.

I cleared my throat. "Mio's got a point though. There's only a handful of us, and we don't exactly get pregnant easily. Sure, we're sex demons. But save for some unethical use of charm, it's not like we can snap our fingers and make people start having babies."

"It is quite the conundrum, yes." Ishioka agreed with a frown. "We've gone through several prime ministers and changes in leadership within the Ministry of Health tackling this issue. Our hands are tied. Billions of yen have been poured into efforts to reverse the declining population. The median age is now 50! It's almost unheard of. In another two decades, countless industries may very well collapse, and our economy with it—"

The more I listened to Ishioka, the more peeved I got. We learned about this in school. From junior high, to high, and even again in college how to resolve the problem. The solutions were right in front of their faces.

I couldn't take it anymore and interrupted him with, "Well, I don't know… Maybe pass wage legislation so that people can earn enough money to afford children? Or labor protection laws so workers aren't worked to death. Our country literally coined the term 'black company'. Or make it easier for immigrants to earn citizenship instead of making them give up their other one! I learned all this stuff in high school. We literally figured this out years ago, and you still don't know?"

My outburst put Ishioka and Nobara in a difficult spot. They weren't even contesting what I said. Both of them did look to be from the generation who grew up during the economic boom of the 70s.

"Now who needs to show some respect?" Mio nudged me in the arm and grinned. 

"Sorry, it kind of just came out…" I sank into my seat.

"W-Well, you know how it is when it comes to tackling a problem. The government is looking at it from multiple different angles. Us coming to you is but one of many! It also addresses the issue of succubi currently living in Japan. For example, with the exception of yourself, Saeko Ito, the rest of you are here without citizenship," Ishioka explained in cold sweat.

That perked the both of us right up. Mio and the others only got by thanks to the government looking the other way. Sure, they might not be able to do anything about them. They also probably wouldn't want to boot assets like the succubus race out of the country either. However, there were a lot of inconveniences associated with not having a citizenship. Like being able to own an estate, run a business, or obtain a driver's license… at least not legally.

As the succubus queen, it was my job to look after my people. 

"Okay, we're listening." I looked the man in the eyes.

"In exchange for helping us, the prime minister is more than happy to expedite your citizenship applications. Obviously, you will be paid as well. Handsomely, I might add!" Ishioka's words rang loudly in my ears.

"Oooh. How much we talking?" Mio asked, leaning in with an elbow on her knee.

Ishioka didn't answer us verbally. Instead, he wrote it down on a notepad and slid the number across the table. My jaw dropped. It didn't hit Mio yet, because she was still squinting and trying to count the zeroes.

"Saeko, maybe my eyes are shit… How much am I looking at? Is that more or less than what we make at Isekai Gohan?" Mio turned to me and saw my shocked expression.

"A LOT more. This has to be a mistake. That's an annual salary of sixty million yen!" I exclaimed.

"Oh, shit. I can buy some more porn games for the VR Xstation!" she whooped in celebration.

"Shhh!" Ishioka lifted a finger up to his lips and eyed the door. "We're open to negotiations if it is too low. We would also like to employ as many succubi as possible. All of them, if possible."

Huh? We could ask for more, too?

"Wait, wait, wait. What exactly do you have in mind for us to help you reverse Japan's birth decline anyway? If you're paying us that much, you're probably having us work full-time, too, right?" I asked.

That was the most important part, whether or not we were capable and what their expectations were.

"Indeed. This job is about as important to Japan as national security. Heck, if we don't resolve the birth rate issue, there won't be a Japan anymore! Taking this job means you will demand your full focus, meaning your withdrawal from school—"

"Deal!" Mio stuck a hand across the table before Ishioka even finished.

"You're ready to quit school just like that? He didn't even say what we would have to do!" I argued.

"It's a whole lot better than going to class everyday. Fuck, man. I fall asleep as soon as I get to lectures! Besides, you were the one who told me the point of going to school was to get a good job. Well, we got a good job right here! Probably. Well… good paying!" she reasoned in such a way that I couldn't even deny.

I rolled my eyes. We didn't even know what exactly the job entailed. When I turned to Ishioka, he was quick on the uptake.

"You will be working directly under me in the new arm of the Children and Families Agency, the Succubi for Promotion of Sexual Freedom and Liberation. SPSFL for short! An escort service that provides sexual relief, companionship, and education!" Ishioka explained like it was the greatest thing he had ever come up with.

"S… So it's a government-sanctioned prostitute-delivery service?" I asked.

"Please, don't call it that!" He flustered and went red. "It's the Succubi for Promotion of Sexual Freedom and Liberation! There are many lonely bachelors out there who only need to learn how wonderful it is to have a partner. Since a succubus such as yourself is in need of… well, that, this is a very ethical way of providing it to you while also helping people."

"Come on! This sounds like the perfect job for us! Let's do it together!" Mio exclaimed while shaking me by the shoulders.

I'd essentially be prostituting myself… Somehow it came to this after all! I wanted to strangle the air. Or whoever spun my fate that destined me to end up here. However, I couldn't shake the interest I had in this…

Not only would I be doing something worthwhile in my life, but also… getting to have as much sex as I wanted. Both of the men before me awaited my answer with bated breath. The future hung in the balance after all.

"As the succubus queen, you will be especially compensated for your work! Please, think on it!" Ishioka bowed deeply, as did Major Nobara behind him.

"I-I'll… I'll do it!" I exclaimed at the top of my lungs.

They glanced up with a glitter of hope in their eyes.

"Alright!" Mio pumped a fist in the air.

"But!" I chimed back in. "I-I need some time, and I want to start with an administrative role first!"

"Aww. Seriously?" My girlfriend pouted beside me.

My parents would kill me. My mom especially, might even return to her old ways as a Delilah to force me out of the job. I needed a way to convince them, and going in as a pencil pusher was the easiest way to break it to them.

"It is still a great relief that you accepted our proposal!" Ishioka got up and grabbed my hand, face awash with gratitude.

They let us go for the time being. Apparently, there was a lot of bureaucratic and political logistics going on behind the scenes for them. Ishioka intended to reach out to me again after new years once things were in place.

 I made an emergency call to all the succubus squad leaders about SPSFL, and to no surprise at all, the initial wave of responses were positive ones. I mean, the succubi who bowed to me were working menial jobs to get by. This job meant they could make a killing just feasting to their hearts' content.

A government-sanctioned prostitute, huh. I had a lot of explaining to do… When we inevitably got home, there were two pairs of shoes more than usual in the foyer. I recognized them immediately.

"Saeko, Mio! Look who came to visit while you two were out!" Hatsumi shouted from the living room.

As soon as we entered, Grandma and Grandpa were on the couch, waving to the both of us.

"Gram and Gramps are here!" Mio jumped into the room to give Grandma a hug.

"I thought we told you we'd come to you guys instead. What happened?" I asked.

"We came to see you, obviously! Oh, it's a day early but here." Grandma handed each of us our New Year money.

"Hatsumi also told us the JSDF wanted to speak to you. Everything alright?" Grandpa turned to me with concern in his eyes.

"Er… It's nothing important. They just offered us a job since we're succubi. But we'll have to quit school…"

Both of them erupted with surprise. Hatsumi did, too. After all, this was kept hush-hush. I probably shouldn't even be telling them. In the end, Mio and I gave them a quick rundown of what was discussed at the meeting anyway.

"A government job that pays that much? Including benefits? You're going to be set for life!" Hatsumi gasped.

"Yeah. What's the big deal? You're your own adult. Just take the job," Grandpa insisted.

"Because Mom and Dad put me through private school just to get into Tsukiji University. I told the official I was interested, but that I'd need some time to sort things out first. They did, too, apparently. I also want to let my parents know first," I explained, sighing.

"Saeko." Grandma placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and squeezed. "Part of growing up is making decisions for yourself. Remember that."

I had the entire night to think about it. We had a big New Years dinner together. Afterwards, all of us dressed in beautiful yukatas and set into Tsukiji city for the nearest shrine. As was tradition, we waited in line to ring the bell, donated to the shrine, and grabbed our fortunes. There was plenty of street foods to be had, too. Despite eating her fill during dinner, Mio stuffed herself a second time with taiyaki and takoyaki.

By the time we got home and our grandparents had gone to bed, I had made my decision: screw it. My parents didn't need to know. Grandma was right. It was my decision to make. Oh, god. I got nauseous just thinking about confronting my parents the next time they return.

"Mio?" I whispered beside her in bed, our fingers still tightly entwined after fucking each other senseless.

"Hmm?" Mio grumbled back groggily.

"Tomorrow, let's withdraw from Tsukiji University together."

"Really?" She snapped upright. "Well, you know what this calls for? Round four, baby! Come to Mama Mio!"

"Hey, stop! It's late, and you're going to wake— mmph?!"

First thing in the morning, Mio and I put in our withdrawal from the university directly at the main office. We were allowed to stay in the dormitory apartment for up to a week, in case we needed to look for a new place to stay. Yumi and Juna Hoshino of Hoshino Housing had us set, so it was fine. Breaking the news to our friends, classmates, and club members was the hardest.

"Awwww! But I wanted us to be the bestest of friends until the end of college!" Casey cried, arms wrapped around me and Mio and refusing to let go.

Kairi was off to the side, lower lip quivering as she waited her turn to embrace us. Mio yanked her into the group hug anyway.

"We'll always be friends!" Mio wailed with them.

"Besides, it's not like we're going away. Mio and I will be working in Tsukiji. We can visit each other anytime we want!" I reminded Casey, although I couldn't help but tear up myself.

"You still haven't told us what this job is that you're quitting school for. Is it that amazing?" Kairi asked.

"It's—"

"We're prostituting ourselves!" Mio exclaimed before I had a chance to answer.

My jaw dropped, and so did theirs.

"Eh?" Casey and Kairi stared blankly at Mio, then me.

"It's a lot more complicated than that! S-Since we're succubi, the government kind of asked us to help with Japan's birth decline… by… by offering sexual services to people," I explained.

"I feel like I'm missing something. Wouldn't the decline worsen if more people seek succubi out for sexual relief instead of from each other?" Kairi asked.

A thousand different thoughts ran through my mind in an instant.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"You're right… I didn't even think of that. I-I'm sure the people behind this idea wouldn't go through with it if it was pointless," I said, more to convince myself than anyone else.

"Are you going back home-home?" Casey turned to Mio after the four of us let each other go.

"Nah." Mio shook her head. "We got someone hooking us up with a nice place downtown. Saeko and I are gonna be rolling in dough soon, so our pad's gotta be nice as fuck!"

Although it wasn't going to be one of Hoshino Housing's complexes, Juna knew someone from her real estate network that would get us a good place to live. Hatsumi insisted we stay home, but as part of mine and Mio's push towards becoming independent, this was a necessary step.

I also didn't want my parents to pull the typical 'under my roof' argument if we ever got into a yelling contest later…

My phone started ringing, and everyone looked at me. It was Mr. Ishioka. We weren't expecting a call from him until the end of the week, so this was out of the blue.

"Hello? This is Saeko speaking," I stepped away to answer, but the others followed after me.

"Saeko! I know this is an unexpected call, but we have a surprise for you and Mio. I'm sending you an address via text. If you're free right now, could you come to this location?" Ishioka asked.

"It's alright, you two should go. Kairi and I have classes soon anyway," Casey said.

We promised to hang out later. Mio and I drove to the location in the text. It brought us downtown to an administrative section of the city, a stone's throw away from the mayor's office. The two of us stood in front of a four-story building sandwiched between an e-commerce office and printing shop. It looked freshly renovated judging by how crisp the paint job looked compared to the other two stores. Mr. Ishioka was standing by the door waiting for us.

"What did you want to see us about?" I asked as Mio and I walked up to him.

"This!" Ishioka tossed me a set of keys and gestured to the building. "It used to be a soapland. We gave the place a facelift and much of the rooms are still usable, so you can use the place for in-calls. Tsukiji city has begun advertising services, and this will be the testing grounds to expand to other cities like Tokyo and eventually the rest of Japan. Congratulations, Saeko! You are now the proud director of operations of SPSFL!"