As soon as school ended, Ryuya and the others gathered inside the Occult Research Clubroom.
Fresh out of the shower, Rias stepped out wrapped in nothing but a bath towel—her dazzling beauty drawing the eye with lethal force.
But the only one lucky enough to witness such a sight… was the club's sole male member, Ryuya.
Rias glanced at him, not the slightest bit concerned about how dangerously seductive her current appearance was.
After all, aside from "the final step," she and Ryuya had already done plenty of things more intimate than this.
So what was there to be embarrassed about?
This was also precisely why every guy in class envied—and hated—Ryuya so much…
His relationship with Rias and the others was way too good.
For those classmates who admired these four beauties from afar, their hearts were practically freezing over.
Originally, the Occult Research Club already had three super-level beauties: Rias, Akeno, and Koneko.
Then Asia transferred into Kuoh Academy, and now the club had four stunning girls.
And standing among them… was only one boy—Ryuya.
It was no wonder the rest of the school felt so unbalanced.
In the eyes of many, Ryuya was just "a guy who looks a tiny bit decent at best."
So why did he get to join Rias-oneesama's club!?
Ryuya's behavior at school had always been extremely ordinary.
He interacted with others normally, always keeping just the right distance—neither close nor hostile.
Even if he did things together with classmates, afterward their impression of him would somehow stay vague, shallow—forgettable.
The only people who knew his real self were Rias and her peerage.
They understood that Ryuya's true personality was… a bit solitary.
He clearly didn't like talking to people, yet he consistently put on a perfectly normal façade.
A person who is withdrawn but unaware of it is pitiful.
A person who is withdrawn and fully aware—that kind of person possesses unbreakable mental fortitude.
And that was exactly why Rias and Akeno believed Ryuya was strong.
Someday, he would no longer be able to hide his brilliance.
When his true radiance finally burst forth for all to see, he would undoubtedly be overwhelmingly powerful.
Fortunately for them, Ryuya never hid his heart from them.
He laughed, he talked, he relaxed—his relationship with the girls was already deeply close.
Being able to open the boy's heart like this gave Rias and Akeno quite a sense of accomplishment…
Rias clapped lightly, drawing everyone's attention.
"So then, did everyone receive a summoning request today?"
Everyone raised their hands—except Ryuya.
"…"
Summoning his familiar, the Aegiron, Ryuya spoke in a deadpan voice:
"Did you spend all your time goofing around today?"
The tiny creature flapped its wings in protest, clearly furious at being blamed.
It had distributed the flyers properly!
Ryuya narrowed his eyes. "If you really handed them out… then who did you give them to?"
The sprite immediately sent a flood of visual records directly into his mind.
Ryuya skimmed through them—only for several black lines to appear on his forehead.
"…Why are they all girls?"
Hearing that, Rias and the others leaned in, helpless smiles on their faces.
This little troublemaker… not only loved blowing clothes off people, but also showed absolutely no mercy toward men…
"Alright, alright, even if they were all handed to girls, what's the big deal? Are you discriminating against women now?" Rias laughed.
"…In most species, female desires can be satisfied through males. Males are biologically driven to compete and display themselves for females—that's an instinct formed through evolution."
Ryuya spoke calmly. "So human women's desires are usually fulfilled by what we commonly call male 'simping.' Which means my target audience was completely wrong. No wonder I couldn't get any contracts."
"…"
"I-It shouldn't be that deep, right?"
"Really? Then check the gender distribution of your contract clients. You'll notice—most of them are men."
Everyone exchanged glances.
And upon checking… it was true.
Ryuya let out a slow sigh.
"Women can choose to rely on men. Men can only rely on themselves. If they don't make themselves exceptional, they lose their right to compete for mates. That kind of pressure pushes them toward us devils for help."
Rias and the others were speechless.
"I feel like something is off… but at the same time, it kind of makes sense…?"
Koneko stared blankly at Ryuya. "Why does Ryuya know stuff like this…?"
Ryuya spread his hands, expression flat.
"Who would force themselves to become talented if life didn't demand it?"
"…"
Rias chuckled. "Alright, enough philosophy talk for today. Those of us with summoning requests need to head out now and satisfy a few poor men's desires."
Ryuya tilted his head. "Why does that sound like you're talking about… a certain kind of service industry? If anyone requests that kind of thing, refuse immediately and punish them accordingly—especially Asia, she's too pure."
"Huh? Of course not."
Rias smiled wryly.
"Though it's true some humans make inappropriate requests, those are handled by specific low-class devil races. We, the Gremory family, would never accept those."
Ryuya gave a subtle smile.
Even without Rias saying it, he already knew.
After all, Rias's performance in bed was far too inexperienced—no way she had any prior experience…
Soon, everyone prepared to leave.
Even Rias had received a summoning request.
In the end, the only one left with nothing to do… was Ryuya.
Watching everyone teleport away one by one, Ryuya could only slump onto the sofa and pick up a book.
How annoying.
He had just met with Mai yesterday to collect the "price" from their contract.
He really wanted to see her again—but clinging to her every day wouldn't be good.
She still had work, after all.
Damn it… even his girlfriend has work…
Everyone had jobs to attend to—except him.
He was just sitting here bored out of his mind?
Ryuya pressed his lips together.
Don't tell me… even after getting a familiar, I still have to go out passing flyers?
That's way too low…
Just as he was silently despairing, Ryuya suddenly noticed his body glowing.
Wait—this feeling…
A contract summoning?
"Hm?"
He checked again.
Yes—summoning magic was active.
And it wasn't being cast by Sakurajima Mai.
It was a brand-new summoner.
Ryuya glanced at the Aegiron.
This little guy had handed flyers exclusively to pretty girls.
Those types usually had a whole army of admirers willing to fulfill their wishes already.
So getting a contract from one of them…
Was basically blind luck.
Whatever.
How could he possibly waste such an opportunity?
Ryuya stood up with a smile.
Alright then—
I love going to work!
…
---
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