Yagami said in a calm, cold tone:
"Alright… that's enough."
But Ichidna didn't move away from him. With a mischievous smile, she said:
"No, no… not yet. You need to make me feel a little better first."
Yagami replied emotionlessly:
"I don't have time for these games. Return to your sword form."
Ichidna raised an eyebrow and said softly, in a threatening tone:
"If you don't fulfill our contract, I won't put my power at your disposal either."
Yagami let out a sigh of exasperation:
"Ughhh… fine. But only when your power is running low."
Ichidna's eyes sparkled with delight.
"Perfect… then let's get started."
She pushed her clothes aside and pressed herself against Yagami. She took a short but deep kiss from him and slowly slid her hand down his chest, until she undid his belt.
Yagami, however, remained cold; motionless, emotionless.
Ichidna brought her lips close to his ear and whispered:
"I know you like it, my young master…"
But still no reaction.
Frustrated, Ichidna said:
"This won't work like this… you have to make a move too."
Suddenly, Yagami grabbed her from under the arms, threw her onto the bed with a swift motion, pushed her clothes aside, and took control.
Ichidna's voice grew loud.
Yagami quickly created a sound-blocking barrier.
When the last layer of the magical barrier was sealed, the outside world faded away;
it was as if only their intertwined breaths remained.
Ichidna calmed down. Her voice was no longer a cry, but a whisper;
warm, trembling, full of emotion she hadn't even expected from herself.
Her hand unconsciously slid onto Yagami's shoulder, not to tease…
but to hold on.
For the first time, Yagami paused.
His movements slowed, his gaze lowered;
as if something beyond the "contract" was happening.
Ichidna said softly:
"You're not always this cold… you're just hiding yourself."
Yagami didn't respond, but his hand—for a brief moment—gripped tighter.
Not roughly;
protectively.
Ichidna rested her forehead against his chest.
Her usual mischief had gone quiet.
"You know? If you only wanted power… you wouldn't have slowed down like this."
Silence.
Then, the sound of Yagami's breathing growing deeper.
Time passed; uncounted.
When everything finally calmed, Yagami pulled back and said:
"That's enough."
But his tone was no longer as empty as before.
Ichidna sat up on the bed, her silver hair spilling over her shoulders.
With a tired but sincere smile, she said:
"I think this was your first time… right?"
Yagami said nothing. He just turned his head and lay down.
His back was to her, but he didn't put any distance between them.
Ichidna hesitated for a moment, then gently embraced him from behind.
This time not for play, not for teasing.
For closeness.
"I know you've suffered a lot…"
Her voice was soft, without sarcasm.
"And I know you don't trust anyone."
Yagami stared into the darkness with half-open eyes.
He said nothing.
But for the first time, he didn't pull himself out of that embrace.
Their breathing synchronized.
And before Yagami realized why,
sleep took him.
Yagami was dreaming.
A dream of his best friend…
Yuji.
They were playing together. Yagami fell to the ground, his knee scraped, and tears welled up in his eyes.
Yuji pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, placed it on the wound, and smiled:
"It's nothing. I'm here."
Yagami reached out to touch his face…
but—
He jolted awake.
His hand was on the chest of Ichidna, the Demon Queen.
Ichidna said in a sleepy, mischievous voice:
"This early in the morning? Want to start again?"
Yagami jumped back in panic, fell off the bed, and hit the floor hard. His forehead got scratched.
Ichidna immediately came forward, placed her hand on Yagami's forehead. The wound disappeared in an instant. Then she gave a warm, soft smile.
For a moment…
Yagami felt his heart flutter. His face turned red.
Ichidna said teasingly:
"What's wrong, Master? Why is your face red?"
Yagami quickly jumped up, covered his mouth with his hand, and let out two fake coughs.
"It's nothing. We need to get ready soon. Our destination… is the final labyrinth."
Ichidna smiled and said:
"But I don't have any clothes."
Yagami turned his head away.
"What kind of clothes do you want?"
Ichidna said softly:
"Whatever my master chooses."
Yagami extended his hand.
"Magical Creation."
Magical light enveloped Ichidna's body, and the Succubus Battle Outfit—the special demon combat attire—formed on her.
Ichidna stood up.
Yagami glanced at her face and thought to himself:
"It looks like she doesn't like it."
Ichidna said in a voice trembling with excitement:
"N-No… this… this is so beautiful, my young master."
She threw herself into Yagami's arms.
"Thank you, Master."
Yagami said briefly:
"You're welcome."
Then he raised his hand.
"Now let's go… Special-level magic: Teleport."
(To be continued…)