Inside the school building bathed in twilight.
"Isshiki-san, why do you want to help me with my campaign?"
Hearing the question, Iroha turned her head thoughtfully, then replied jokingly, "Same as what Yukinoshita-senpai said—I want to change a little too!"
"I see." Kanade blinked. Her transparent golden eyes seemed capable of seeing straight into one's heart, but she didn't say it aloud.
This wasn't a fleeting impulse, nor a heartfelt confession—such hidden motives were audible even if awkwardly expressed.
On this matter, Kanade simply said:
"I'll fight to become student council president... So Isshiki-san, you must fight too."
"..."
Watching the snow-white-haired girl enter the teacher's office, Iroha slowly stopped in front of the door. Her doubtful expression gradually faded. She let out a soft sigh, and a hollow, helpless smile appeared on her face.
"Geez, I don't have anything worth fighting for… Helping with this campaign? I'm just trying to use Tachibana-san's talent and popularity for my own gain."
She murmured, almost scolding herself.
The voice, as soft as a feather falling, quickly vanished in the empty corridor.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Yuu waited until Yukino had gone upstairs before taking a detour toward the luxurious apartment building.
He took the long way not without reason—he simply didn't want to walk home together with Yukino, nor did he want to explain why he was suddenly visiting his girlfriend's place, who also happened to be a former client.
Successfully avoiding any potentially awkward atmosphere, Yuu waited for the elevator and finally arrived at Masuzu's floor.
*DING-DONG!*
He pressed the doorbell, and someone immediately opened the door.
"Welcome back—you're a bit late today."
"My club had an activity, so I was delayed."
"Oh, poor thing."
The girl who opened the door casually took his jacket and work bag. After placing them down, she smiled shyly, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said:
"So, do you want to eat first, take a shower first, or… eat me first?"
Yuu walked past her expressionlessly.
"I'll cook, so no time for a shower. And you… you can't be eaten unless you've taken a shower."
Her innocent, teasing expression instantly collapsed. Masuzu looked quite sulky.
"You're treating me like I'm dirty—that's outrageous!"
Yuu's voice came from the kitchen, accompanied by the sound of the fridge opening. "That's not what I meant. Do you enjoy torturing yourself?"
"Who told you to stay such a saint all this time—completely unmoved no matter how much I tease you?"
Peeking secretly into the kitchen to make sure Yuu was too busy to look her way, Masuzu buried her face into his jacket, inhaling deeply as she whispered calmly:
"Do I need to (inhale)... give you a Mona Lisa painting (exhale)... to make you return to normal (inhale)?"
"I'm not some ordinary employee—what good would something like that do me?" Yuu called out while chopping ingredients. "What kind of noise is that? Are you sick again?"
"No, just suddenly having trouble breathing."
Having recharged her energy, Masuzu happily removed the jacket, her face flushed with satisfaction. Leaning against the doorframe, her tone became mature and alluring.
"In that case, next time you come, I'll take a shower first and wait for you."
Amid the sound of slicing vegetables, Yuu casually replied, "No need. I'll just make your food and leave. There won't be enough time for that."
"Oh? Are you implying you'd last very long?"
"I can't help boasting. As for whether it's true or not—wait until you're ready, Masuzu-san, you fan of dirty jokes."
Wearing loose house clothes, Masuzu giggled, her eyes filled with lazy smiles.
"So you know me well after all. How scary~"
From the entrance to the kitchen, there was now a warmth, a homely feeling that hadn't existed before.
Conversations like this had repeated countless times since Yuu got used to pressing her doorbell.
And Masuzu always tried to tease him—it seemed she truly wasn't afraid of what might happen when they were alone together.
Yet, whenever he approached with a serious expression, Masuzu would shyly pull away. Clearly, she wasn't ready yet. At home, his movements were even more restrained than during their kisses outside...
Though in this regard, Yuu was almost the same.
Even so, ignoring Masuzu, Yuu wasn't some untouchable saint.
Although the system granted him higher thresholds, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't one day act impulsively and cross that line. He might just make the woman fond of crude humor understand exactly what it means to "talk the talk and walk the walk."
But there was no other choice. The world wasn't peaceful yet, and the ever-strengthening dragon had to remain sealed.
A mature man recognizes his desires, then restrains himself with unavoidable reality—that's why Yuu could always keep control.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Alright, remember—let it cool before putting it in the fridge, or it'll spoil quickly."
As usual, after making porridge for her, Yuu prepared to leave Masuzu's apartment—he had a younger sister at home waiting to be fed, so he needed to head back soon.
"Good job, Yuu." Masuzu smiled softly, reaching out her cold hand to touch his cheek, gazing into his eyes with her deep blue ones. "You're starting to look more and more like a house husband. How about I support you instead? Supporting your sister wouldn't be a problem either."
"The money you earn now isn't necessarily more than mine—already planning to support me?" Yuu irritably swatted her hand away, then crouched by the entrance to put on his shoes.
"Later, I'll support you, and every day you'll strike JoJo poses for me—how about that?"
"To think of something so weird—you truly deserve the title King of Demons, Yuu."
Masuzu pulled her hand back and laughed indifferently, her fingers slowly moving behind her, as if reaching for something.
After putting on his shoes and standing up, Yuu suddenly said, "By the way, I might be a bit busy lately."
"Busy?" Her movement paused. Instinctively, Masuzu asked, "Weekends? Do you have time on weekends?"
"Weekends? I have to take my sister to the doctor."
"...Anything else?"
"I also have to participate in the national kendo club tournament. The schedule isn't set yet—I'll let you know."
Unconsciously, Yuu had grown accustomed to reporting his whereabouts to her with the attitude of a boyfriend.
Yet Masuzu didn't seem to notice. She only widened her sapphire-like eyes, staring at him in confusion.
"Kendo club? National tournament?"
"Yuu, did you get involved with another beautiful girl I don't know about?"
Yuu: "..."
(So she immediately assumes it's related to a pretty girl… What kind of impression do I even have in Masuzu's eyes?!)