After returning home through a teleportation circle, Ryuichi began sorting through the textbooks and reference materials he'd need for tomorrow's tutoring session.
At the same time, he dialed Rias Gremory to share the good news.
Five new contracts in a single day — that was no small achievement for a young Devil. Even Rias, busy as she was with her own client, couldn't help but sound pleased for him.
Once they hung up, Ryuichi went right back to his nightly routine. He trained until sweat covered him from head to toe, showered off, and finally stretched out on his bed — satisfied, tired, but content.
His mood was still buoyant when he scrolled through his contacts and pressed another number.
This time, it was Mai Sakurajima.
The call connected after only a few seconds, and her familiar, melodic voice filled his ear.
"Hello?"
"It's me — Ryuichi."
"I figured," she replied dryly. "You're the only one who calls this late just to bother me."
Her tone carried that lazy charm unique to Mai.
Ryuichi chuckled. He didn't mind her teasing; in fact, he liked it — liked her — just the way she was.
"You already asleep?"
"Not yet. Just finished my shower and changing."
The faint rustle of fabric over the line made him grin.
"So… what are you wearing right now?" he asked playfully.
"Pajamas. Obviously."
"Already? That was fast."
"You're disappointed?" she asked. "Sleeping without pajamas is bad for your health."
"Then maybe I should be the one keeping you warm instead," Ryuichi said with a laugh.
Mai exhaled softly. "Someone's in a good mood tonight."
She was calm as ever, though Ryuichi couldn't help but imagine a small blush coloring her face on the other end of the call.
"You're right," he admitted. "Something good happened."
He told her about signing five contracts in one go.
There was a pause, and then Mai's voice came back, quieter, almost wistful.
"…Wasn't having me as your only contractor enough?"
Ryuichi blinked — and laughed under his breath. "Wait… are you jealous, Mai?"
"I'm not."
"No?"
"Of course not…" she said, though a hint of pout bled through her words. "It's just… when it was only me, it felt kind of nice. Like I had you all to myself. But I knew this would happen eventually."
Ryuichi smiled gently. "Why does it make me so happy to hear that? You're way too cute when you're jealous."
"Don't push it," she shot back, but the warmth in her voice betrayed her irritation.
He could almost feel her imaginary foot nudging his shin through the phone — a habit she had whenever he got too smug.
The sweetness of the moment made him relax completely.
"Mai," he said softly. "I only make contracts to grow stronger — so I can protect what's important to me. You understand that, don't you?"
There was silence for a heartbeat, and then Mai's quiet answer came through, steady and thoughtful.
"…Yeah. You have your own world — and it's full of light."
Ryuichi shook his head, smiling. "No. My world's only bright because you're in it. That's why I want to get stronger — so I can keep everyone I care about safe. Without you guys, all that power… all that immortality… wouldn't mean a thing."
A soft breath came through the line, followed by her whisper:
"So, when you say everyone… does that include me?"
"Of course it does."
"Funny," she murmured. "Because sometimes I feel like I don't really know you at all. Maybe I'm just a small part of your life… a human passing through an immortal's story."
Her voice carried a note of melancholy — calm, but aching.
Ryuichi frowned slightly. Then, without another word, he stood up, snapped his fingers, and activated a teleportation circle.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared in Mai's bedroom.
She sat up on her bed, still holding her phone, blinking at him in disbelief.
"…You really just teleported into my house."
"Would you rather I let you keep overthinking alone?" he teased. "Sorry, but you're already my goal, Mai. You can't escape now."
He smiled gently, stepping closer.
Mai sighed, cheeks slightly pink. "You know, this counts as trespassing."
Ryuichi didn't answer — he simply sat beside her, the faint scent of soap and warmth hanging between them.
"You looked upset," he said softly. "So I came to fix that."
He brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek, and before she could reply, he leaned forward and kissed her.
Mai blinked, startled — but she didn't pull away.
When he drew back, his voice was low, sincere.
"Mai, would you… want to share eternity with me?"
Her eyes widened. Then, unable to meet his gaze, she turned her face aside, her blush deepening.
"Of course I want to live forever," she murmured.
Ryuichi tilted his head. "Hmm… not quite the answer I was hoping for."
"Too bad," she said, smiling faintly. "Now, if you're done being dramatic, go to sleep."
She turned her back to him and settled down beneath the covers.
Ryuichi chuckled quietly and lay down beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist. Her hand found his, fingers intertwining naturally.
No more words were needed. The air was filled with warmth, closeness, and the quiet rhythm of two hearts beating in sync.
As he breathed in the soft scent of her hair, Mai whispered sleepily,
"Don't leave any marks, okay? I've got an audition tomorrow…"
He laughed softly against her shoulder. "Got it."
And as the night deepened, the two of them drifted into peaceful silence — their feelings perfectly understood, without another word spoken.