Maybe it was the thrill of her first real flight, but Mai couldn't quite hide her nerves.
"Scared?"
"Th-this? Please. I'm fine."
She tried to sound tough, stubborn as ever, but the way she clung to Draconis—arms locked tight around his neck—gave her away. He couldn't help but smile at her adorable defiance.
She was always like this, acting grown-up when he teased her, pretending to understand his innuendos, only to blush furiously after a few words. Inevitably, she'd put on her regal, queenly airs, and he'd play along, bowing to her majesty. It was a routine they both secretly loved.
Draconis grinned at Mai's determined little face. "Want me to go higher?"
"…S-sure."
She tried for composure, but her grip just tightened. Draconis felt her soft body pressed close, and his heart soared as he carried her up into the clouds.
"Way less comfortable than an airplane," Mai muttered, catching his teasing look and huffing in mock annoyance.
"I'm good. You're the one who might not handle the altitude," he teased back.
He leveled out, the city sprawling beneath them. "This is high enough. Honestly, when I first learned flight magic, the only thing I wanted was to bring you up here to see the view."
His words came out gentle, almost unconsciously tender. The look in his eyes said everything—love, pride, the joy of sharing this moment.
Mai felt her heart squeeze. This boy had changed so much. When they first met, he'd been so withdrawn, so closed off. If not for everything they'd been through, she never would have gotten this close.
She gazed down at the city below, suddenly struck by how beautiful it looked. This was their city—the place they lived, loved, and grew together.
Draconis flew in silence, lost in his own thoughts. After everything that had happened, his resolve to protect what mattered was stronger than ever. Even in the face of danger, he'd never once considered turning back.
They landed at home, and Mai bent to slip off her shoes in the entryway. Draconis spotted a pair of pink slippers by the door.
"Your sister still here?"
"Nodoka? Yeah. She's got rehearsals lately—doesn't get home until two in the morning."
"That late?"
"She's got a ride. The driver's the mom of one of her teammates, kind of manages the whole group." Mai swapped her heels for slippers, sighing in relief.
Nothing beat the comfort of home—and ditching those high heels.
Draconis changed into his own slippers and settled onto the sofa. Mai curled up beside him.
"Alright. Spill. What happened?"
He took a breath. "Let's start with the big picture. The old three powers—God and his angels, devils, and fallen angels. But now? Humanity's the biggest player."
He laid it all out, everything he knew. After disappearing for days, he owed her the truth. She listened, wide-eyed, as her world expanded—humans, Underworld, Heaven. There was so much she'd never imagined.
"…Are there a lot of crazies like the one you mentioned?" she asked quietly.
"Not many left, I think." Draconis smiled wryly. "Don't worry. The current leaders all agreed to stop fighting. Stuff like that probably won't happen again."
Of course, he wasn't that optimistic. The world was huge—there was always some maniac lurking, ready to stir up chaos. But he kept those thoughts to himself.
Mai saw through him, recognizing the comfort in his words. She sighed. "Sorry I can't help with any of this…"
Draconis shook his head, smiling. "I don't want you taking risks. If you did, I'd just worry more."
He slipped an arm around her shoulders. "Honestly, in this world, angel or devil, nothing beats being human."
He'd already made up his mind—once he advanced to high-class devil and got his Evil Pieces, he'd reincarnate Mai as a devil. That way, they could share eternity together.
"…Eternal life, huh? When I think about being with you forever, I wonder what happens if I get tired of you." Mai said it lightly, but her cheeks were burning.
"When that day comes, I'll just have to win you over again," Draconis replied, grinning. "No matter what, I'll chase you down."
Mai's lips curled. "Next time, I won't say yes so easily."
"Heh. That's a little scary. Wonder when 'next time' will be?"
"Probably in the next life," she teased, snuggling closer.
Draconis smiled softly. "Then I'll wait for the next lifetime to pursue you."
He leaned in and kissed her.
Mai melted into his arms, their kiss deepening, the world fading until all that remained was the two of them tangled on the sofa.
Draconis's hands moved gently, undoing her defenses piece by piece. When Mai surfaced from their passionate kiss, she blinked in surprise—somehow, she'd lost track of her clothes.
Draconis brushed kisses along her neck, trailing up to her cheeks and ears, making her dizzy with warmth.
She shut her eyes, face flushed, breath coming quick.
He smiled at her adorable embarrassment, then claimed her fully.
With a soft, muffled gasp, Mai yielded, their fingers laced together as they gave themselves over to endless, wordless intimacy.
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