-Monday, 12:03 AM-
Yu sat cross-legged on the bed, trembling with nerves. He whispered.
"Okay… first wet dream mission. For Talo!"
Closing his eyes, he channeled the skill—then gasped as the world melted away.
When he opened them again, he stood in a dim, hazy dreamscape that pulsed like fog. At its center lay Taichi, sprawled on his bed, shirt askew, breathing evenly in sleep. Even as a teenager, he looked almost unbearably like Talo—same caramel skin, same strong jawline, same jet black hair.
Yu's heart clenched.
"…Talo."
Then he shook his head violently.
"No! Focus! This is Taichi. Totally different person! My mission target!"
He looked down at himself. The dream had dressed him automatically—in a frilly black-and-white maid outfit, short skirt and all. He froze, face going crimson.
"…Why. WHY."
[Your subconscious crafted the outfit.]
"I did not—!"
Yu sputtered, clutching the skirt.
"I was thinking of being dignified! Like a mysterious vampire! Not— not some blushing maid—!"
But Taichi stirred. His eyes cracked open, glinting with confusion. Even his eyes were the same as his Lord's, same green eyes.
"…Yukio?"
His voice was groggy, wary.
"Why… are you… here… wearing that?"
Yu's face flamed even redder.
"B-Because! I—I'm here to… to…"
He fidgeted with his frills, then forced his trembling lips into what he thought was a sultry smile.
"Serve you, Master…"
Taichi sat bolt upright, looking horrified.
"What the hell?! Did you spike my dinner or something?!"
Yu stomped a dainty foot, pouting.
"No! Stop questioning it! Just—just go along with it already!"
He fluttered his lashes dramatically.
"Master~ Won't you… indulge your poor maid?"
His voice cracked at the end, ruining the effect.
Taichi buried his face in his hands.
"This is the dumbest dream I've ever had."
But Yu, stubborn and desperate, inched closer, tugging at Taichi's sleeve with trembling fingers. His eyes shone—equal parts embarrassment and determination.
"Please… notice me. Just this once."
Something in his tone, fragile and pleading, cut through the absurdity. Taichi's dream-self hesitated, torn between confusion and… curiosity. Slowly, he lowered his hands, studying the pale boy in front of him.
"…Yukio?"
Yu's lashes trembled.
"…Yes, Master?"
Taichi exhaled shakily, the dream pulling him further in.
The hazy dreamscape brightened, colors blurring at the edges. The Love-o-Meter ticked upward: 15 - 22.
Yu's heart leapt. He clenched his fists, whispering fiercely to himself.
"Just wait for me, Talo. I'll get strong enough to save you."
Yu's knees knocked together as he clung to the hem of his maid skirt, trying to act sultry and failing miserably. His blush was so strong it nearly glowed in the dream haze.
Taichi squinted at him, deadpan.
"…Seriously, Yukio. This dream is messed up."
"It's n-not messed up!"
Yu squeaked.
"I'm your cute maid! And— and you're supposed to…"
His voice trailed off into incoherent mumbling.
Then, Taichi tilted his head back, gave a strange little laugh, and murmured:
"…Ah. A lucid dream. That explains it."
Yu blinked.
"Eh?"
"If it's my dream, then maybe it's okay if I…"
His voice broke. His hands clenched into fists, and he looked at Yu with an intensity that startled him.
"If I… finally say the things I can't say when I'm awake."
Yu's throat went dry.
"W-what are you—"
Before he could retreat, Taichi stepped forward and cupped Yu's face in both hands. His movements were gentle, almost reverent, so unlike the sneering bully Yu had been warned about.
"I like you, Yukio…"
Taichi whispered, voice trembling.
"Since forever. But I don't know how to… I always just make it worse. You always look at me with those eyes, like you'd rather disappear than be near me. And I hate myself for it. For being too much of a coward."
Yu froze. His heart hammered painfully. For a moment, he almost forgot this wasn't Talo standing in front of him—it was Taichi, pouring out a lonely boy's hidden feelings.
Then Taichi kissed him. A desperate, clumsy kiss, but warm, full of everything he'd never been able to say.
Yu let out a squeak, arms flailing before instinctively clutching at Taichi's shirt. His mind screamed mission progress! but something deeper in his chest twisted at the raw honesty of it.
Taichi pulled him closer, rocking slightly as though afraid Yu would vanish.
"…Just stay. Even if it's only here. Just let me hold you for once."
The dreamscape pulsed, brighter now.
Yu's cheeks burned, his heart a mess of flustered pride and aching sorrow. He stammered,
"Y-you dummy… this isn't— it's not—"
But the words caught in his throat.
DK01's voice cut in dryly.
[Congratulations, Host. Extremely efficient first mission engagement. You should be proud.]
'P-proud?!'
Yu squealed inside his mind, still caught in Taichi's arms.
'I just got confessed to by my target while dressed as a maid! This is humiliating!'
But his trembling fingers lingered against Taichi's warmth, and the tiniest thought whispered traitorously in his heart: If only it were my king holding me like this instead.
Taichi's kiss broke with a sharp inhale, his green eyes burning with something Yu had never seen before—unfiltered want. His hands, still cradling Yu's face, slid down, brushing over his shoulders… and then lower, tracing along the frilly maid bodice.
Yu squeaked, nearly jumping out of his skin.
"W-Wait! Waitwaitwait! Where are those hands going?!"
Taichi didn't seem to hear. His gaze roamed over Yu's pale figure, lingering on the delicate waist the dress cinched in, on the ridiculous stockings that made his legs seem even thinner, and on the trembling lips still flushed from the kiss. His hands moved instinctively, caressing Yu's sides, thumbs grazing dangerous territory as though to memorize every curve.
"…You feel real…"
Taichi whispered, his voice ragged.
"So warm… so soft…"
His breath quickened, and Yu could feel the heat radiating from him, the dream warping with his desire.
Yu flailed, caught between outrage and something far scarier—his own racing pulse.
"S-stop! I-I'm not—! This is supposed to be a dream strategy, not— not a pervy touching session!"
His hands shot out to cover his chest, his face turning scarlet.
"Don't just—don't grope your classmates without permission, you dummy!!"
Taichi's fingers trembled, but instead of pulling back, he clutched Yu tighter, burying his face against Yu's shoulder.
"…I can't help it. I want you so much it hurts. Even if it's just here. Even if you'll hate me more for it when I wake up."
Yu froze. The words pierced straight through him, leaving him both flustered and unsettled. His tail (if he still had one in this dream body) would have been puffed up like an angry cat's. He pushed weakly at Taichi's chest, wailing.
"Y-you're not supposed to say embarrassing things like that!! I'll die of shame before the hero can even kill me!!"
The Love-o-Meter pulsed again, brighter than before:
22 - 25.
DK01's voice chimed in, maddeningly calm.
[Impressive. At this rate, you'll reach 50% before Monday morning. Efficiency rating: optimal.]
Yu shrieked back internally.
'Optimal my butt! He's about to ravish me in a maid outfit, and you're calling it efficient?!'
Taichi, oblivious to Yu's internal tantrum, pressed another desperate kiss to his jawline, whispering like a confession meant for no one but himself.
"…Don't disappear. Please."
Yu's heart clenched, his protests dying on his tongue. He wanted to scream, to kick Taichi off, to insist this was all just a dream. Instead, he found himself whispering back, voice tiny and trembling.
"I… I can't promise that."
The dream flickered, growing hotter, heavier with Taichi's need—until DK01 abruptly cut in.
[Warning. Host's vitals are spiking. Suggest cancelling skill before you actually combust.]
"C-cancel!! Cancel, cancel!!"
Yu yelped, scrambling as the dream shattered into fragments of light.
Love-o-Meter: 25 - 26.
[Skill cancel: successful.]
---
Yu bolted upright in bed with a strangled cry, sweat dampening the collar of his borrowed human pajamas. For a moment he didn't know if he was still in the dream or not—his lips tingled, his body burned, and the image of Taichi's desperate eyes clung to him like a curse.
Then it hit him.
"Ohmygodohmygodohmygod—what did I DO?!"
He flopped backward with such force that his head smacked the pillow, limbs splayed like a starfish. Then, as though that wasn't dramatic enough, he rolled to the side, grabbed the extra pillow, and screamed into it.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!"
His legs kicked helplessly against the mattress, the sheets twisting around him until he looked more like a trapped caterpillar than an Incubus King.
[Host, please refrain from rupturing your human vocal cords this early in the morning…]
DK01's dry voice chimed.
[You'll need them to socialize with classmates you inevitably must seduce—]
"I'M NOT SEDUCING ANYONE!"
Yu wailed into the pillow, voice muffled and high-pitched.
"I was just trying to strategize, not— not—"
He cut himself off with a hiccup, his face burning so hot he was sure steam was leaking from his ears.
[Correction: you did seduce someone. Quite effectively, in fact.]
Yu kicked the sheets off and shot upright again, hair a tangled white mess, ruby eyes wide with mortification.
"Don't say it like thaaaat!"
He slapped his own cheeks with both hands, whining.
"I-I'm pure! My chastity is intact! I won't be remembered in demon history as 'that incubus king who put on a maid outfit in a high schooler's wet dream!'"
[Too late. That's precisely what you'll be remembered as—at least in my logs.]
DK01 replied smoothly.
"Y-you evil box spirit!"
Yu screeched, throwing a pillow at the lilac screen hovering serenely in the corner of the room.
The system didn't so much as flicker. Instead, the Love-o-Meter appeared in big, glowing numbers as it went up again:
26 - 27.
Yu froze. His ears twitched, his tail (if he had one) would've lashed wildly, and then—he collapsed forward onto the bed with a heavy groan.
"…twenty-seven percent already? And I haven't even talked to him in this world yet!"
[Correct. In fact, you've achieved the fastest initial meter gain on record. Previous Host required three months of groundwork—]
"Previous Host?!"
Yu snapped, pointing a shaky finger at the floating window.
"What do you mean previous host?!"
[Irrelevant. Please disregard that anomaly.]
Yu narrowed his eyes, suspicious, but DK01's flat tone left no room for argument. With a pitiful whimper, he buried his face back into the sheets.
"Ughhh, this is the worst. It's Monday. I have to go to… to…"
[School.]
DK01 supplied.
[Where you will inevitably encounter Taichi.]
Yu jolted upright like he'd been electrocuted, eyes bugging out.
"T-Taichi! After what happened—! How am I supposed to look at him in real life after that dream?! I'll just—I'll just combust in the hallway and die on the spot! AGAIN!"
[Don't worry…]
DK01 droned.
[Humans are notoriously oblivious. He will likely assume you were merely a figment of his own repressed feelings. Which, to be fair, you were.]
Yu shrieked into both hands, rolling across the bed like a panicked hamster.
"Th-this is worse than facing the Hero! At least the Hero didn't want to—want to put his hands—kyaaahhh!!"
The system dinged.
[Objective: Survive Monday without fainting. Recommended approach: deep breaths, eye contact, minimal squeaking.]
Yu, muffled by the blanket he had pulled over his head.
"I'm doomed…"
With DK01's "encouragements" that were just thinly veiled threats of mission failure, Yu got out of bed, reluctantly.
Yu stared blearily into the fridge. Cold light spilled across his pale face, illuminating rows of things he didn't recognize. Bottles, jars, boxes—human alchemy at its strangest. He plucked up something round and green, sniffed it suspiciously, then dropped it like it was cursed.
"…What even is this?"
[That is a cabbage.]
DK01 intoned.
[Common food item. Boiled, fried, or raw.]
Yu whimpered.
"It looks like a demon egg that got abandoned in a swamp."
After twenty minutes of pawing through Yukio's kitchen and nearly setting the stove on fire twice, Yu ended up gnawing miserably on a red apple. He hunched over the table, hair sticking out in all directions, muttering between bites:
"S-strongest Incubus King reduced to… fruit rabbit. Truly, this is my downfall."
[At least you didn't burn water this time.]
DK01 said, voice too smug for a system.
Yu slammed the half-eaten apple on the table.
"That was ONE accident!!"
[Hurry and get dressed or you'll be late.]
Getting dressed was no easier. Yu tore through drawers and closets, tossing clothes left and right. When he finally unearthed the crumpled uniform shirt from under a pile of neglected laundry, he clutched it like a lost relic.
"Haah… victory!"
[It took you forty minutes to put on one outfit.]
"I'm delicate!"
Yu snapped, hopping on one leg as he tried to pull up his socks.
"These stupid human buttons—why are they so TINY?!"
By the time he stumbled out the apartment door, hair only half-brushed and tie crooked, he was already late. The streets stretched out in every direction, all identical and confusing.
"D-DK, where am I supposed to go?!"
Yu cried, spinning in circles like a lost lamb.
[Turn left in two hundred meters. Proceed straight for one kilometer. Destination will be on your right.]
"…You sound like a bored god of directions."
[Correct.]
Even with DK's guidance, Yu managed to take two wrong turns and nearly wandered into a convenience store by mistake. By the time the school loomed into view, he was sweaty, frazzled, and seconds away from curling into a ball on the sidewalk.
---
Inside the building, the chaos only grew worse. Endless hallways. Identical stairwells. Doors marked with strange codes. Yu wandered hopelessly, clutching his bag like a talisman.
[Classroom 1-B. Down the hall. Turn right.]
Yu whined under his breath.
"Why do humans need so many doors? Is this a fortress?"
[Yes. A fortress of education.]
By the time Yu slipped inside the classroom, the bell had already rung. Every head turned for a brief second… then turned away just as quickly. The silence stung more than if they'd laughed. Yukio Hokohayashi—his body's original owner—was already a pariah. Nobody wanted to sit too close. Nobody wanted to risk Taichi's wrath.
Yu sank into his desk by the window, shrinking in on himself. For once, no tantrum came. Just a quiet ache. So this is what his life was like…
Then the door slammed open.
Taichi Arifukua strolled in like he owned the place, hands shoved into his pockets, shoulders loose with practiced swagger. His green eyes scanned the room, sharp as glass, and landed briefly—coldly—on Yu before sliding past him like he wasn't even there.
Two shadows flanked him, making his presence heavier.
Yamato Yamada, tall and broad, with a buzz cut and arms like tree trunks. He wore his uniform half-unbuttoned, gold chain glinting at his throat. He didn't talk much, but his fists did plenty of speaking when needed.
Souma Satou, wiry and fox-faced, with slicked-back hair and a perpetual smirk. He was the mouthpiece of the group, always laughing the loudest, always whispering cruel jabs loud enough for everyone to hear.
Together, they made Taichi look untouchable—part gang leader, part urban legend.
Yu's heart jumped into his throat. He looks… exactly like my King… but not at all like last night.
Dream-Taichi's warm eyes, desperate confessions, trembling kisses—gone. Here stood a boy with armor thicker than steel, his every movement daring someone to challenge him.
Yu gripped the edge of his desk, knuckles white, face burning. How am I supposed to handle this…?
The Love-o-Meter flickered faintly at the corner of his vision, still holding at 27%.
The classroom buzzed again once Taichi and his shadows took their seats in the back. Laughter, chatter, the scraping of chairs—it all returned as if Yu had never entered at all.
He sat stiff in his desk, heart pounding. His eyes darted once, twice, toward Taichi. Say something. Maybe thank him for—no, no, that wasn't real. That was a dream. This is real. He doesn't even—
The scrape of a desk jolted him. Souma had sauntered up, that fox grin plastered on his face. He leaned against Yu's desk, far too close, his voice pitched just loud enough for the class to hear.
"Well, well. Look who actually survived the weekend. Hokohayashi, how'd ya like that swim in the school's pond? Wanna cool off again?"
Snickers rose around the room. Yu's throat tightened. He wanted to bark something back, but all that came out was a squeaky.
"N-no, I-I'm fine!"
"Fine, he says."
Souma's grin widened.
"What'd you eat, air? You're skinny as a ghost."
Yamato lumbered over next, dropping a heavy hand on Yu's desk so it rattled. His shadow swallowed Yu whole.
"Don't bother, Souma. Dead weight like him doesn't need food."
Yu squeaked again, curling over his notebook.
'I'm going to die. I'm going to combust on the spot. Why didn't DK warn me about this?!'
[Warning: imminent bullying detected…]
DK01 intoned, as though announcing the weather.
[Recommended action: keep head down, avoid confrontation.]
"I am keeping my head down!"
Yu hissed into his arm.
Yamato frowned.
"Oi. Talking back?"
Before Yu could protest, Taichi's chair scraped loudly against the floor. The entire class went silent. Taichi walked forward, every step deliberate, green eyes cold and sharp. He stopped in front of Yu's desk and stared down at him.
Yu froze. His chest constricted. Up close, Taichi's face was almost too much to handle. That jawline, those eyes—it was like looking at his King reborn, except twisted colder, crueler.
"Money."
Taichi said flatly, palm outstretched.
The word sliced through Yu like a blade.
He stammered.
"W-what money?"
Taichi's eyes narrowed. The room seemed to shrink.
"Don't play dumb."
Yamato chuckled low. Souma clicked his tongue.
"C'mon, Hokohayashi. You know the rules. If you want peace, you gotta pay for it."
Yu's fingers twitched against his bag strap. He's… he's really shaking me down. Just like the story said.
His mind screamed tantrums—Unfair! Rude! You don't just walk up to people and take their stuff!—but his chest ached in a different way. This isn't the boy who kissed me in the dream. That Taichi said he wanted me. This one… just wants my money.
[Decision point…]
DK01 whispered in his mind.
[Do you comply and avoid conflict, or resist and risk escalation? Just so you know, if you resist, it will count as OOC and you will be booted and start back from day one. Choose wisely, Host.]
Yu's ruby eyes flickered from Taichi's cold stare to his open palm. His heart hammered, caught between fear, fury, and the faintest, most dangerous hope.
'Somewhere under there… my King still exists. Doesn't he?'
Yu swallowed hard, fingers trembling as he unzipped his bag.
'Just give him the money. It's fine. You'll get him back later. Ohhh, Demon King, forgive me, your humble servant must first bow to the tyranny of capitalism!'
He rummaged. Papers, pens, a crumpled apple core—no wallet. His pulse spiked. He shoved his hand deeper, praying. Nothing. His breath hitched.
'Oh no. Oh no no no no no no. I left it on the counter. I was so busy burning eggs, I FORGOT MY WALLET.'
DK01's voice purred in his head.
[Congratulations, Host. You've achieved "financial ruin" speedrun on your very first day.]
"Shut up!"
Yu whispered into his bag, voice cracking.
Souma snorted.
"Is he… talking to his backpack?"
The laughter swelled again. Yu whipped his head up, red eyes glossy, and croaked out to Taichi,
"I—I'm s-sorry! I f-forgot my wallet at home! B-but I can bring it tomorrow, I promise!"
The words tumbled out like a confession before a firing squad.
The room went dead quiet.
Taichi's hand, still hanging open, curled slowly into a fist. His eyes narrowed, lips pressing into a hard line. For a heartbeat Yu thought he might strike him. Instead, Taichi leaned down, face so close Yu could see the flecks of gold in his green eyes.
"Tomorrow."
He said, voice low and sharp as broken glass.
Yu nodded frantically, nearly headbutting his desk.
"Y-yes! Tomorrow!"
Yamato barked a laugh.
"Pathetic. Can't even pay on time."
He smacked Yu's desk again, rattling his pens.
Souma leaned in on Yu's other side, grinning ear to ear.
"Don't forget, Hokohayashi. Interest's a bitch."
The two of them swaggered back toward the rear seats, cackling. The rest of the class quickly busied themselves with notebooks, pretending none of this had happened.
Taichi lingered one more second, his gaze boring into Yu's. Cold. Heavy. Then he turned, walked away, and sat without another word.
Yu sagged in his chair, hands shaking so badly he dropped his pencil. He buried his face in his arms and muffled a groan.
'First day… and I'm already the school's designated piggy bank. Ohhh, Demon King, why does this mortal suffering burn so much?!'
DK01 chimed sweetly.
[At least you remembered your apple this morning. That's progress.]
Yu kicked the leg of his desk with a muffled.
"I hate this world."
---
By the time the bell rang for lunch, Yu's stomach was eating itself alive. His demon body had been capable of fasting for days, but this fragile human shell demanded fuel like a spoiled prince. He dug through his bag, searching for anything, anything at all.
Nothing.
No lunchbox. No coins. Not even crumbs.
Yu wilted in his seat, clutching his stomach.
"So this is how mortals perish… starvation after one missed meal…"
[Correction: starvation generally requires multiple missed meals…]
DK01 quipped.
[But yes, you are impressively dramatic. Congratulations.]
Yu dropped his head onto the desk with a groan. All around him, classmates opened bento boxes and unwrapped sandwiches. The smell of fried chicken and soy sauce filled the air, stabbing him like knives. No one looked his way. Not even once.
Of course not. He was the designated pariah. If anyone tried talking to him, they'd risk becoming collateral damage in Taichi's bullying games.
He hugged his stomach, trying to make it hush.
"Even prisoners get slop… why not me…?"
By fifth period, the hunger had evolved into lightheadedness. Yu's eyes glazed, his notebook filling with doodles of sad apples. Whenever the teacher called on him, he jolted like a deer, muttered nonsense, and flushed red. The class giggled softly.