When the sun rose from the east and sunlight scattered from the horizon, shining upon the earth, the forest surrounding the Shichio Shrine had already begun to show signs of life's revival.
Flocks of birds chirped and frolicked among the trees, various small animals darted between trunks, and dewdrops rolled along green leaves on each tree. The vibrant scene was the kind that instantly soothed the soul.
If it were a normal day, during the time she stepped into the shrine grounds, Mariya Yuri would occasionally stop and admire this beautiful scenery.
Even though she had seen this view many times—so many that she could say she saw it every day—Mariya Yuri never grew tired of it.
But today, Mariya Yuri was not in the mood for that.
"…I wonder if that person has woken up."
Not wearing her miko outfit but instead a student uniform, Mariya Yuri held a package in her arms and sighed softly.
At this moment, she was slowly walking toward the administrative office behind the Shichio Shrine.
That was the place she usually used for rest.
Although the room had a bathroom and all necessary facilities, making it fully livable, Mariya Yuri didn't normally reside there.
Her main home was in Saitama Prefecture, and her current residence was a high-end apartment in Toranomon. For the sake of convenience in work and school, the Mariya family had settled there.
Usually, Mariya Yuri lived with her parents and younger sister. The administrative office was only used when necessary, so the Shichio Shrine was not her home—just her workplace.
Of course, because of her high status as a Hime-Miko, the administrative office was basically for her use only, with others prohibited from entering.
However, starting last night, her private space had been forcibly invaded by someone else.
And that person was a male, only a few years older than her.
If this matter got exposed, it would surely cause an uproar, wouldn't it?
Especially in Private Jonan Academy, those male students who viewed Mariya Yuri as an unattainable flower, and the female students who idolized her, would be shocked—some even heartbroken.
But what could Mariya Yuri do?
Let alone the administrative office, even she herself had already become that person's possession.
"Haah..."
Sighing heavily, Mariya Yuri arrived at the administrative office, her face full of worry.
She skillfully opened the main door, stepped inside as if it were second nature, and walked straight to the room where she usually took naps.
"Hoo..."
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Mariya Yuri stood outside the door for a full five minutes before cautiously knocking.
"King, have you woken up?"
She didn't dare to call out loudly, only whispering softly.
"Come in."
A voice came from inside, somewhat muffled, as if freshly woken.
"Sorry for the intrusion..."
Mariya Yuri looked nervous and awkward.
She had no choice. This was her first time entering the room of a male close to her in age.
Although, strictly speaking, this was supposed to be her own room—even the bedding was what she normally used—just the thought of a male her age living here, lying in her bed, made her feel an inexplicable sense of shame.
Thinking carefully, letting a man use the room she rested in, even sleeping on her usual bedding—wasn't that already a major problem?
Anyway, until now, Mariya Yuri had never dared imagine such a thing would happen.
But still, as said before, what could she do?
Ultimately...
"You're already my possession now, why are you acting so cautious?"
Kaiser, just emerging from under the covers, was still wearing his sleepwear. His hair was a mess, and as he looked at Mariya Yuri entering the room, he yawned and spoke with a half-smile.
"I thought you were going to stand outside for half an hour before calling me."
Hearing this, Mariya Yuri's expression instantly turned into one of silent indignation.
"How would I dare disturb the King's rest?"
Her tone was laced with sarcasm.
"Should I take that as you being pouty?" Kaiser finished yawning, sat down at the small low table, and looked at the uniformed Mariya Yuri. "Heading to school?"
"Of course." Mariya Yuri nodded. "Today isn't a holiday, and at my current age, I can't drop out of school."
Besides being a Hime-Miko, Mariya Yuri had always considered herself a student obligated to learn.
So she had always taken school seriously, studied hard, and her grades were consistently in the top five of the entire grade.
She even participated in a club. Although it was just the tea ceremony club, she still earnestly engaged in club activities.
This serious attitude made her the object of admiration for many males and even females.
"Relax, I wouldn't go so far as to order you to drop out." Kaiser poured himself a glass of water and said with ease, "As long as it's not necessary, I won't interfere in your private life."
Hearing this, Mariya Yuri didn't feel any reassurance.
Thinking of how he barged in yesterday without warning, causing her such a huge loss, Mariya Yuri felt both angry and resentful.
If you don't want to interfere with my private life, then don't just break into my personal space...
In the end, Mariya Yuri didn't say those words, instead sitting down in front of Kaiser and unwrapping the package she had been holding.
"This is a bento. It's not very well made, but please make do."
Saying this, she opened a bento box filled with beautifully prepared food.
Eggs, sausages, meatballs, green peppers, dried small fish... the contents were quite rich. Though the presentation was simple and couldn't compare to the gourmet meals made by the professional chefs of the Copper Black Cross at luxury hotels, it had a faint feeling of warmth.
Mariya Yuri also brought a thermos. Instead of water, it contained miso soup.
"You made this for me?" Kaiser was a little surprised and smiled. "I thought you hated me, didn't expect you to still make me a bento."
Mariya Yuri didn't want to talk, seemingly at a loss for words with Kaiser.
She did harbor some resentment toward him, for using such forceful methods to subdue her, but it didn't reach the level of hatred—just some dissatisfaction.
Kind-hearted as she was, even toward someone she disliked, she wouldn't go too far. So even after being subdued through force, she still worried whether he'd have something to eat in the morning.
Thus, after much internal struggle, Mariya Yuri made this bento.
As for the chaos this caused at home, how surprised her parents were, how astonished her sister was—none of this did Mariya Yuri mention.
"I just made an extra portion while preparing my own lunch."
The Hime-Miko of Musashino said this with a straight face. If her words had been slightly more tsundere, it would've been classic.
"That's thoughtful of you."
Kaiser smiled, picked up the neatly placed chopsticks, and began to eat.
"Aren't you eating?"
"I've already eaten."
"You can still have a little more."
"No need, I'm not hungry."
"But me eating alone feels a bit awkward."
"But you're eating so happily—it doesn't look awkward at all."
"You saw through me. That's embarrassing."
"Hmph..."
Their conversation flowed naturally. At the very least, Mariya Yuri no longer seemed as flustered as before.
Though far from warm, this atmosphere of interaction didn't make it seem like there was a status gap between them—instead, it looked just like an exchange between two people of the same age.
At this moment, Mariya Yuri didn't seem like a nation-worrying Hime-Miko, and Kaiser didn't look like a lawless Demon Lord.
When Kaiser was nearly finished with his meal, Mariya Yuri asked a concerned question.
"Do you have any plans today? Anything you're intending to do?"
As she said this, Mariya Yuri seemed to return to her usual self—once again the nation-worrying Hime-Miko.
"Today… I don't really have any special plans." Kaiser sipped the miso soup and looked at Mariya Yuri. Suddenly, he smiled. "Or did you see something again?"
"...No." Mariya Yuri immediately shook her head and whispered, "I wouldn't dare use Spirit Vision on you again."
"It's fine. If you want to use it, go ahead." Kaiser said casually, "After all, you're mine now. If you want to see where I am or what I'm doing, I'll let you."
"Spirit Vision isn't that convenient. It doesn't let me see you whenever I want." Mariya Yuri replied with a serious face. "Unless… you're planning to do something outrageous again."
"That 'again' really hits the mark—it clearly shows what you truly think of me." Kaiser downed the rest of the miso soup in one go, then looked at Mariya Yuri with a smile. "If you're that worried about me wandering around alone, how about I accompany you to school?"
"What?" Mariya Yuri froze, shocked. "You… you want to go to school with me?"
"Is that not allowed?" Kaiser narrowed his eyes. "Or are you afraid I'll cause trouble at school?"
"It's not that..." Mariya Yuri stammered. "I just… why would you be interested in my school?"
Her expression clearly showed she suspected Kaiser was planning something.
"Please just stay here!"
At the thought of a god-slaying Demon Lord going to her school, Mariya Yuri panicked and hurried to stop him.
But Kaiser ignored her and stood up.
"Let's go. I want to see where you attend school every day."
Saying that, Kaiser walked out.
"No! King!"
Mariya Yuri cried out and quickly chased after him.
The two continued to squabble like this as they left the administrative office.