When Sakurajima Mai stepped out of the bathroom, she froze for a moment at the sight before her.
Ryuichi was sitting cross-legged in meditation, his eyes closed, a pair of demonic wings unfurled behind his back—slowly rising and falling with a quiet rhythm.
For a brief instant, the girl's expression turned dazed.
Only when she saw those wings with her own eyes did she truly feel the difference between him and ordinary humans.
He was a Devil…
And yet—he completely overturned everything she had ever believed about Devils.
So they were real after all… but not at all the cruel, deceitful, monstrous beings she'd imagined.
Mai's thoughts drifted; she couldn't help wondering—Ryuichi is a Devil, and I'm a human. Can the two of us really walk the same path to the end…?
As the girl stood lost in thought, Ryuichi's meditation came to a close.
He slowly opened his eyes, a brilliant light flickering within them. The boy's spirit felt vivid and alive, brimming with energy.
He honestly hadn't expected his magic power to grow this much.
At this rate, he was almost ready to break through to the Mid-Class Devil level.
Even before this, his combat ability could already rival most mid-class Devils; now his strength had climbed even higher.
Once he truly reached that rank, his battle power would surely become far greater still…
So this is the power of a Faith Contract? No wonder Rias and the others were so excited—turns out I really did form a contract with an extraordinary partner…
Ryuichi was satisfied with his progress, but not content.
After all, Rias still had that mysterious fiancé arranged by her family, constantly looming in the background…
A noble match like that meant his rival was bound to be powerful and talented. For someone like Ryuichi, a Low-Class Devil, he probably didn't even register in the other's eyes.
But to stand by and watch Rias marry someone she didn't love—that was impossible.
Which meant he still needed more power…
I'll try training with Sacred Gear resonance later, he thought.
But not until after I part ways with Mai. I don't want her to worry.
Having decided, Ryuichi rose from thought and turned to her with a gentle smile.
"Mai, do you have any other wishes?"
Although their contract was already complete—and he could continuously draw energy from her emotions and desires—fulfilling additional wishes would strengthen that bond and yield him more compensation. Naturally, Ryuichi didn't want to miss that chance.
Mai tightened the sash of her yukata and answered calmly, "I don't really have any other wishes. If I had to name one… I just hope my acting career keeps moving forward."
"That's already part of our contract terms," Ryuichi replied lightly. "I'll keep supporting you no matter what. I meant—do you have any other kinds of wishes?"
His lips curved into a teasing smile. "We're bound by a contract now, remember? Whatever your wish is, I'll do my best to grant it."
"Then…" Mai's voice softened, her gaze steady. "My wish… is to make your wish come true, Ryuichi."
Her words were pure, sincere—and the emotion shining in those beautiful eyes struck straight into his chest.
It was almost unfair, the way her honesty disarmed him.
Ryuichi blinked, momentarily taken aback. Then, to hide the warmth stirring inside him, he chuckled and said playfully:
"Really now? Well, if that's the case, my current wish would be… to have a child with you."
He expected her to blush, flustered. But instead, Mai stayed perfectly composed—as if she'd anticipated his outrageous remark.
"That'll have to wait until after we're married."
Her tone was calm, matter-of-fact.
By now, she understood Ryuichi well. He wasn't someone who easily voiced his true feelings, so he often masked them behind jokes or teasing remarks.
And Mai had learned that the best response in those moments was not to fluster—but to stay poised. Otherwise, he'd just lead her around by the nose.
In short: she had successfully predicted his nonsense.
Ryuichi raised a brow at her serene reaction, unwilling to give up so easily.
"Then let's get married."
"Marriage comes after career success," she replied smoothly.
"You're already famous enough. Doesn't that count as success?"
"Hm… you're right," Mai said with a soft laugh. "Then let's say… after I finish school."
Her impromptu "conditions" came one after another, and her face brightened with amusement. She clearly enjoyed watching Ryuichi's helpless expression—it was cute, and she knew it.
Ryuichi sighed, half-defeated. "So basically, I'll have to wait ages before I can have a child with you."
"Looks that way," Mai said, smiling in quiet triumph.
Ryuichi chuckled. "You're the real Devil here, Mai—a little she-devil."
Her laughter filled the room.
He didn't press the teasing further; instead, he stood up and stretched.
"All right, I'll head back for now."
"Eh? You're leaving already?" There was a faint trace of reluctance in her eyes, though she didn't say it aloud.
Ryuichi wanted to stay longer, too. But he had already collected the emotional energy he came for—and right now, his focus needed to be on training.
He wanted to spend more time with her, but… to gain something, you always had to give something up. That was simply the way of the world.
He suppressed the lingering warmth in his chest and smiled.
"Unless," he said lightly, "you'd rather have me stay the night?"
"Then take out the trash on your way out."
Mai's calm, deadpan reply hit him like a critical blow.
This woman…
Was dangerously adorable.
Ryuichi laughed softly, then suddenly leaned forward, pressing her down gently onto the sofa.
Her surprised eyes widened as he looked down at her—so close he could see the faint blush blooming across her cheeks.
Then his lips descended toward hers.
Mai struggled weakly for an instant, but soon her arms slid up around his neck, pulling him closer.
Their lips met—warm, lingering, full of unspoken feeling.
They kissed deeply, lost in each other, until at last—after five long minutes—they parted, breathless and reluctant.
"I'll be going," Ryuichi said softly. "If you need me, summon me through the contract."
Summoning through the bond would allow him to use a teleportation circle—instant, effortless.
"See you," Mai whispered, her face still flushed with that alluring shade of rose.
Ryuichi smiled once more, then turned and left the apartment without looking back.
He planned to hurry home and start his next round of training—but just as he stepped into the street, his phone rang.
"Ryuichi, come quickly—Asia's in trouble."
Rias's voice came sharply through the receiver.
Ryuichi's pupils narrowed. "Where is she?"
"At the downtown intersection," Rias replied immediately. "She ran into Fallen Angels. Don't worry—Asia's safe for now. We've already arrived, but it seems the enemy's been alerted."
Through the familiar bond between Master and servant, Asia carried Rias's sigil, allowing instant contact when danger struck. The High-Class Devil had teleported to her side at once.
Ryuichi exhaled slowly, relieved—but only for a moment.
"Got it. I'll head there right now."
Fallen Angels again…
So those bastards still hadn't given up on Asia's Sacred Gear, huh?
Persistent pests.
There was no time for taxis or buses. Ryuichi broke into a sprint, his body blurring as he raced through the night.
He moved like a phantom—swift, silent, and deadly—vanishing into the darkness.