"Heh… so Mikan-chan has the day off today. In that case, I have a little something I'd like to ask of you."
"Ask of me? What is it, Sora-san?"
"It's nothing particularly important. I just wanted you to take my little Yami around Sainan Town and help her pick out some girls' clothes. Besides the maid outfit and her usual battle suit that I gave her, she doesn't have any other clothes."
"Huh? Yami-chan is really… really… okay, you can leave it to me, Sora-san!"
"Hehehe, then I'll leave it to you, Mikan-chan. As a thank you, I've prepared a mysterious gift for you."
"A mysterious gift? Hmph, then I'll look forward to it a little."
…
Watching Mikan, who had gone to prepare breakfast for herself and her useless big brother, a smirk formed on the great demon king's lips.
In the original story, Golden Darkness and Mikan were best friends. To have Mikan help him tame her, and then use her to further his conquest of Mikan—a plan to kill two birds with one stone. He was almost impressed with himself.
"That's enough, Run. You have to go to the agency with Kyouko later," he said, patting the girl who was still kneeling before him.
"Sora, who does it better, me or Lala?" she asked, standing up and wiping her mouth, a mischievous, witch-like smile on her face as she hugged his arm.
"Mmm, though you've improved a lot, Run, I think Lala is still a little better," the great demon king said, rubbing his chin and giving a professional critique. Hearing this, Run instantly pouted, unhappy.
"Hmph, Lala has just had a few more practice sessions with you every day. If I practice a few more times, I definitely won't lose to her!"
With a snort and a look of unwillingness, she didn't care anymore and bent down to get back to work.
Taking a sharp breath, but seeing her competing with Lala again, he didn't stop her.
For things like this, it was best to just close his eyes and enjoy it…
After a long morning, they finally came out of the room. After breakfast, Run and Kyouko went to the agency, and he took Lala and Golden Darkness to the Yūki house next door.
"Mikan-chan, I'm leaving little Yami with you. We're off to school," he said, and then left with Rito and the others.
"Yami-chan, what kind of clothes do you like? Let's go buy you some clothes first," Mikan asked, sizing up the cool, black-clad girl, her eyes sparkling.
"I am an assassin. Are you not afraid of being with me?" she asked, after a long, silent stare, not answering her question.
"A cute girl like you isn't scary at all, Yami-chan. Why should I be afraid?"
"Actually, I've always wanted to be friends with you, Yami-chan. Can we?"
Even knowing her identity, Mikan didn't feel any fear or dislike. In fact, she felt a little sorry for the lonely girl. She replied with a sincere expression.
She stared into her eyes, but she could only see a bottomless sincerity, without a hint of falsehood. Ripples formed in her cold, silent heart. She turned her head away, neither agreeing nor refusing.
"Yami-chan isn't scary at all. Let's go shopping now," she said.
Though her attitude was still as cold as ever, Mikan was very happy with this result. Becoming friends would take time. She took her hand and prepared to take her to pick out some clothes.
"Yūki Mikan … a strange person…"
Letting Mikan pull her along, a mix of longing and fear for that faint warmth filled her heart, leaving her with a very complex feeling…
…
"Hehe… Haruna, your boobs have gotten bigger again!"
"Nngh… Risa, Mio, don't touch… don't…"
"Haruna, Risa, come and play too!"
During P.E. class, everyone was in their swimsuits, playing in the pool. Sora was sitting on the side, holding his little pet and yawning.
"Sayaka-san, aren't you going to join them?" he asked, not minding his little pet's shamed and resentful gaze as he toyed with her little tail, and turned to a girl beside him.
Her name was Arai Sayaka, also a classmate. She had shoulder-length hair and a cute face, the very picture of purity, but what was most impressive was her… ample chest.
And in terms of looks and presence, she was on par with even Haruna.
"I-I can't swim…" she replied in a small voice, hugging her chest, as if a little embarrassed.
"Heh… so you can't swim. If you'd like, I could teach you," he said, a mischievous smirk on his lips.
"Really?"
Her eyes lit up, a look of surprise and joy on her face. But she quickly realized her reaction was a little over the top and quickly lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Of course. But I don't teach for free. You'll have to give me some kind of reward."
"Sayaka-san, can you come a little closer?"
Hearing his voice, she looked up, stunned, but she still took a couple of steps closer as he had said.
A wicked smile on his face, he raised a hand and… squeezed her impressive chest…
"As expected of Sayaka-san. No wonder those two, Risa and Mio, are always trying to sneak a feel. So this is why," he said, calmly withdrawing his hand, a look of understanding and fond remembrance on his face.
"S-Sora-san… y-you… I-I…"
Her mind seemed to have short-circuited. It took her a long moment to come to her senses, her face beet red, but she couldn't form a complete sentence.
"Kusanagi Sora, what did you just do?! I'll kill you, I'll kill you!!!"
As if seeing what he had done, a figure climbed out of the pool and pounced on him, punching and beating him and shouting.
It was a petite girl with twin-tail pigtails named Koyomi Shirayuri, Sayaka's best friend. They were always together.
"Shirayuri-chan, don't hit him! Sora-san didn't mean it."
"You idiot, Sayaka! If that wasn't on purpose, what is?! Someone takes advantage of you and you don't even fight back! You idiot, idiot, idiot!"
"Aww… I'm sorry, Shirayuri…"
Sayaka tried to pull her off him, but she was scolded by her friend and lowered her head in dejection.
"What are you apologizing to me for, you idiot, Sayaka!"
Looking at her dazed and slow-witted friend who was apologizing to her, Shirayuri was furious.
"Hey, hey, Koyomi-san. How long are you going to sit on me?" his voice came from underneath her.
"Kusanagi Sora, just because other girls like you doesn't mean we do! How dare you bully Sayaka! I won't let you get away with this!" she said, a shamed blush on her face. She hit him a few more times before standing up.
" Koyomi-san, with a personality like that, no one will want you in the future."
"Here, I'll lend you my little pet. Go play by yourself," he said, also standing up. He teased her and then handed his little pet to her.
She was about to give him a good scolding, but after seeing Rhea, she instantly went into a daze, forgetting everything.
"Aww… Rhea-chan, so cute…" she said, hugging Rhea and nuzzling her, a look of bliss on her face.
"So, Sayaka-san, let's get you swimming," he said, having dealt with the little trouble. He took her hand and walked into the pool…