Seeing the firm and serious look in Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes, Masao knew with certainty that if he said another word, he would regret it.
'Is she flying into a shame-fueled rage because I saw something embarrassing?'
Faced with a Yukinoshita ready to commit murder, Masao looked away and focused on his meal.
"Ah, today's boiled chicken breast is really delicious," he muttered to himself. "So flavourful in its complete lack of flavour."
Jahy, having just swallowed her own mouthful of eggroll, nodded thoughtfully.
'He seems terrified of this woman. Could she be his weakness?'
It was only then that she took a proper look at Yukinoshita.
'She's quite pretty. Almost on par with me in my prime. Her aura is a bit like a snow woman's—cold and icy. As for her figure... Well, the word is 'flat.''
She couldn't quite figure it out. Did Masao have a crush on her? But her own looks weren't inferior.
Could it be that he just didn't like dark-skinned beauties? The only other explanation was that Yukino Yukinoshita was exceptionally powerful, and she just hadn't sensed it yet.
—
Had Masao been able to hear Jahy's thoughts, he would have found her analysis wildly off the mark. The truth was far more complicated…
Did Masao like Jahy?
The answer was, of course, yes.
However, this was strictly limited to the mature, adult version of Jahy.
As for the current Jahy, shrunken in size and stripped of her magic… Sorry, but no. Masao couldn't possibly feel that way about her.
So, if he liked the mature Jahy, why was his attitude toward her so different from his attitude toward Yukinoshita? The most important reason was a matter of… species.
Let's be clear: Masao was not a specist. He simply adapted his attitude to different species—a practice known as "acting according to circumstance."
Yukinoshita Yukino was human, so Masao interacted with her as one would with an ordinary person.
Jahy, however, was a demon, a being of innate power. Faced with a powerful demon like her, Masao couldn't afford to be gentle… Ahem, let's not get off track.
The point is, he adopted a more dominant attitude around her.
Another reason lay in their personalities.
Yukinoshita was aloof and serious. While she could be sharp-tongued and sometimes looked at Masao as if he were garbage, she was, at her core, a kind person who wouldn't actually cross the line.
Jahy, on the other hand, was arrogant and conceited. If Yukinoshita looked at you like garbage because your behavior disgusted her, Jahy looked at you that way as a simple statement of fact, a recognition of your inherent inferiority to her demonic majesty.
This was a character trait forged by her long-standing status and power. In the past, with her immense strength and lofty position, Jahy was a queen.
Now, though… Hah. She was just a powerless, bratty little girl. And on top of that, she was a total goofball.
—
Jahy decided that Yukino might be the key to dealing with Masao and resolved to stay in the Service Club to observe her closely.
Let it be known, it was absolutely not because she was still hungry and wanted more food.
"I shall have more of the egg roll," Jahy declared.
Yukino, having cast a satisfied glance at the diligently eating Masao, nodded.
A gentle smile graced her lips as she turned to Jahy. "Of course. Here you go."
Masao secretly peeked up at the scene unfolding before him.
'Oh, poor Jahy.' She's still gleeful about getting tasty food, unaware that Yukinoshita has started treating her like a pet.
He knew Yukinoshita all too well; this was the exact expression she wore when doting on or feeding a cat. He could see the longing in her eyes, fixed on the cat ears atop of Jahy's head.
Her desire was practically overflowing.
Yukinoshita didn't have a large appetite, and the portions in her lunchbox were precisely measured for herself. Consequently, the remaining tamagoyaki were gone in two or three bites from Jahy.
As for the leftover rice and vegetables in the box… Jahy had no interest in those.
Suddenly deprived of her feeding amusement, Yukinoshita felt a little lost. The fun had ended too soon, and she wasn't ready for it to be over. Her gaze then drifted toward Masao's lunchbox.
Masao's portion was much larger, and since his attention had been on Yukinoshita and Jahy, he hadn't eaten much, leaving plenty behind.
After one glance, however, Yukino shook her head, a look of disappointment on her face as she turned away. It was as if she were saying, "I can't feed that to her."
Masao, who had been watching the whole time, felt his eye twitch.
'Is my food really that bad? Sure, it is a bit bland, but it's nutritionally complete… This diet is agony. I want it to be over, now.'
Wanting to prolong the joy of feeding, Yukinoshita hesitated for a minute before opening her bag. She pulled out a small packet of dried sardines.
She always carried some with her to feed any stray cats she might meet. While they were technically pet treats, the ingredients were perfectly healthy and safe for human consumption.
In fact, since they were made for pets, they contained even fewer artificial additives—cats and dogs have sensitive noses and would refuse anything too "chemically."
Yukinoshita tore open the package, pulled out a small dried fish, and offered it to Jahy.
"Would you like to try one?"
"Oh? Fish?" Jahy leaned in, wiggling her small nose as she gave it a cautious sniff. "Mmm~ Mmm~ The scent is acceptable. Allow me to sample it."
Jahy opened her mouth wide and chomped down on the treat. Yukinoshita was holding the fish by its body, and since the sardine was small, her fingers were positioned near its middle.
In her attempt to eat the whole thing in one bite, Jahy's wide mouth inevitably brushed against Yukinoshita's fingertips.
The sensation—damp, soft, and slightly ticklish—sent a faint shiver through her body.
When you feed a little cat, they sometimes extend their tongues and give your hand an affectionate, grateful lick. This gave her the same feeling.
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