Hayashi Itsuki looked down at Shiina Mahiru, limp in his arms, completely unresponsive, her eyes vacant as if her mind had gone blank. A flicker of pity crossed his gaze.
Every follower granted him different abilities, shaped by the heart and soul of the one he contracted.
And the Super Recovery ability he had just unlocked reflected Mahiru's gentle nature—she was truly angelic.
And yet… without even telling her his name, he had taken advantage of her heartbreak, slipping in at her weakest moment. He had obtained her.
Truly, he was a demon.
But… why did it feel so good?
Itsuki brushed a hand through Mahiru's rain-soaked golden hair, a soft smile tugging at his lips, and carried her to the bathroom. After a warm shower, he returned to bed with her, freshly tucked in under clean sheets.
Mahiru stayed quiet, only her cheeks flushed, leaning gently against him, allowing herself to be held.
Her breathing was even and steady, and exhaustion soon claimed her—she drifted off to sleep.
Itsuki reflected on what he knew of her from the anime—the heroine Shiina Mahiru of My Neighbor's Angel Classmate.
Her father, Shiina Asahi, and mother, Shiina Sayo, had been forced into a marriage for family interests, and she was born from that one night of passion. From childhood, they neglected her entirely, leaving her in the care of the housemaid, Aunt Yuki.
From a young age, Mahiru had deliberately presented herself as a gentle, obedient, and virtuous "angel." She worked hard at everything, yet could not bridge the gap between her parents' indifference.
Her self-abandonment in the rain came after discovering the truth from her mother—that she was an unwanted child.
No matter how excellent she became, those two people she called parents would never notice her, never come home to share a meal with her.
She was a scar in their lives; seeing her only reopened old wounds. No love from them was possible.
Up until now, in high school, she had thought her efforts were her own inadequacy, pushing herself to prove her worth.
But learning the truth—that all her years of striving were wasted—shattered her heart.
Alone, she had given up and sat on the swing in the pouring rain… until Itsuki found her and took advantage of her vulnerability.
Understanding this, Itsuki felt a sense of clarity.
She had lacked love. And now, he would care for her.
As her demon master, he had no intention of losing her.
Itsuki stroked Mahiru's smooth golden hair once more, pulled the blanket over them both, and drifted to sleep, deciding everything else could wait until tomorrow.
The next morning.
Mahiru groggily opened her eyes.
"Ugh… it hurts…"
A tingle of discomfort ran through her lower body, and she instinctively furrowed her brow.
Sitting up, she saw the handsome man who had held her through the night, still resting beside her.
He looked… well-built and attractive—a dark-haired young man.
But the problem was…
Did they… last night…?
Memories of shameful moments flashed vividly in her mind. Her head spun.
Yes, she had been self-abandoning last night, but now, after a night's sleep, clarity had returned.
And with it… endless regret.
Her eyes began to water. Sadness, heartbreak, and frustration knotted together, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
How could she have so casually given her body away?
Still crying, Mahiru didn't notice Itsuki opening his eyes, scooping her up again, and pinning her gently to the bed.
He leaned down, capturing her red lips with his.
She bit back with all her strength, the metallic-sweet taste filling his mouth—a mark of her anger.
Itsuki didn't mind. Enduring the bite, he held her tightly and continued kissing her.
After all, even if his head were severed, his body would heal. A scraped tongue and bruised lips were nothing.
Better to pour all his passion into her now.
Mahiru, seeing he would not release her, panicked.
And yet, as panic rose, something strange stirred in her chest. Her body went soft, her beautiful eyes slowly closing.
She let the tears fall freely, tacitly accepting his actions.
After all, he had already claimed her once… why would once or twice matter now?
Her pale hands clutched the sheets tightly, thinking to herself that a single bite from a "dog" was manageable.
Some time passed. Morning had fully arrived.
Itsuki gently ran his fingers through Mahiru's golden hair, his voice soft:
"I'm Hayashi Itsuki, first-year student at Holy White Emperor Academy. And you?"
"…."
Mahiru glanced at him but didn't answer.
"Speak up, or I'll kiss you again!"
Her cheeks flushed instantly, her embarrassment shining through as she glared at him.
"You don't know my name? I'm also in Class 1-B. Who do you think you are, perverted intruder?"
Itsuki replied seriously:
"I really didn't know… I got hit by a car on the first day of school. I just got out of the hospital today."
This was also the moment he realized the nature of his time-travel, awakening memories from his previous life as a traveler and unlocking his demon interface.
Mahiru looked at him, surprised.
"You're the unlucky guy everyone's talking about—the one hit by a car on the first day?"
Itsuki twitched his lips. "Yeah… I'm pretty unlucky."
"Still… I think I'm lucky now…"
He pulled her close, letting her feel his warmth.
Mahiru's cheeks flamed red as she tried to push him away, her eyes filled with indignation.
"Don't… come closer… it hurts…"
Itsuki chuckled mischievously, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
"Don't worry. I won't tease you anymore."
"Funny enough… we're classmates, after all."
Mahiru stared blankly, turning her head to avoid him.
Understanding she needed time, Itsuki leaned close to her ear.
"I'll take responsibility."
She pinched his arm hard, glaring at him.
"Keep dreaming. You think I'm that gullible? I'm not stupid!"
Itsuki widened his eyes.
"So… you don't want me to take responsibility?"
"Hmph. No! Just stay away from me from now on, and forget everything that happened last night and today."
She pushed him away, getting dressed quickly, spotting the crumpled black stockings at the side of the bed. Her face flushed, and she cursed silently:
Does he think stockings grow on trees?
She quickly put on her uniform, clumsily leaving his apartment, rushing back to her own next door.
Even as she cleaned up in the bathroom, tears ran down her face, her pale body glistening, and her heart was full of confusion.
Itsuki, as a demon, could see his follower's state. Seeing her cry, his chest ached.
But what's done is done. Regret was useless.
Even if given another chance, he would do the same.
Such a good girl—he had to act before someone else charmed her away.
All he could do now was try to warm her heart, helping her gradually accept his presence.
And the situation wasn't all bad. Their starting point was strong.
They had already achieved the closest bond. His little angel Shiina… a future bride in the making.