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Chatting with Mai Sakurajima always left Jack with a warm sweetness in his chest. Even someone with his personality would unknowingly talk with her for ages, as if there were endless things he wanted to say.
By the time the bathwater had turned lukewarm, he finally said goodbye and hung up.
He sank back into the tub, replaying the soft, intimate conversation in his mind. The corner of his mouth curved without him noticing.
Yeah… being in love felt pretty good.
He stood up, gave himself a quick wipe, and left the bathroom. Too lazy to bother with clothes, he simply flopped onto the bed.
Tomorrow's trip to the familiar forest was already taking shape in his imagination.
Closing his eyes, he slowly drifted toward sleep.
Suddenly, a surge of magic rippled through the room. Jack, who had already fallen asleep, snapped awake instantly.
He opened his eyes, staring quietly at the space in front of the bed.
It was the middle of the night, but his demon body granted him perfect night vision—everything in the room was even clearer than in daylight.
As he watched, a magic circle lit up. Rias stepped out from its glow.
Jack blinked, looking at the girl who had suddenly come to "visit" in the dead of night, speechless for a moment.
His home really was an open door to demons who could teleport at will…
"Jack, did I wake you?" Rias asked when she noticed his eyes open and fixed on her.
"I'm awake now."
Half-squinting sleepily, he didn't sound remotely annoyed.
"Sorry… I couldn't fall asleep. So I came to sleep with you."
"Sleep together, huh? That's a pleasant phrase."
He teased lightly, as if this were nothing new.
Seeing this, Rias began undressing.
Her motions were graceful and unhurried, and soon her pale, flawless body came into view. Jack calmly shifted to the side to make room.
Rias slipped under the blanket, finding the warm spot he had left behind, and nestled herself snugly against him.
Jack naturally wrapped his arms around her. Her skin was unbelievably soft and springy—his hands strayed without conscious intent.
Rias didn't mind in the slightest. Wrapped in his warmth and breathing in his scent, she felt safe… peaceful.
"I don't know why, but I like sleeping next to you. I feel really calm when I do."
"Guess I make a decent pillow."
"You certainly know your role well," she said with a soft smile, running her fingers over his chest.
Jack closed his eyes with a faint smile. They had no official relationship, yet they were already far too intimate…
"Rias," he said suddenly, tone steady and quiet, "can I marry you?"
Rias's body jolted. She stared at him in surprise.
"You…"
"I know I like you," he said calmly. "But I don't understand you. If you don't feel the same, then what exactly are we doing like this?"
He explained the situation between them in a level voice. He had never truly grasped Rias's feelings.
She was his master. Demons didn't care about ethics the way humans did. Her affection for him often felt like the affection one had for a treasured possession, not… romance.
It didn't feel like love.
Which was why, despite all their nights curled up together, skin to skin, he had always controlled himself and never crossed certain lines.
But after their more heated moment that morning, he felt it was time to speak plainly.
Maybe he was still stuck with a human's way of thinking.
Rias looked stunned.
Two seconds passed before she seemed to finally understand.
So that's what he thought.
"I… of course I like you," she said, voice low and honest. "I didn't notice it at first, but lately I can't stop thinking about you. Even when I try sleeping alone, your face keeps popping into my mind. That's why I keep running here…"
She confessed openly, but her expression carried frustration and sadness.
"If I could… I'd want to be your wife. But… I can't."
Her voice grew small. Pain flickered across her face.
Jack frowned. "Why not?"
Rias opened her mouth, then—seeing his determined gaze—finally let out a powerless breath.
"Because… I'm someone else's fiancée."
That one did surprise him.
Rias already had an engagement?
And she was still crawling into his bed?
He wasn't stupid. The realization came fast.
"You don't like the guy, do you."
"…No."
Finally—finally—she said it out loud.
Rias's voice trembled slightly, as though a weight had been lifted.
And in that moment, everything clicked for Jack.
Rias was the heir of the Gremory family. Her fiancé was surely someone from an equally powerful household.
The engagement wasn't her choice. She probably had no way to refuse—family obligations, clan politics, all of that.
She wanted his help to break free, which was why she kept pushing him to grow stronger.
Jack's mind worked fast. The pieces fit perfectly.
"I get it now."
A slow smile touched his lips.
"…What?"
"I'll help you, Rias," he said, confident and calm. "You should've told me sooner."
"But you're no match for him. Even I'm not sure I can win."
Rias lowered her eyes. Saying it out loud eased her heart, but it didn't magically solve the problem.
"We'll see. People can change their fate."
Jack chuckled softly. "At least you got it off your chest. Bottling it up is bad for you."
He held her gently, savoring the smooth warmth of her body.
"Pressure won't crush you," he murmured. "But emotions will."
Rias stared at him in a daze, overwhelmed by tenderness.
He always knew how to care for her.
Her thoughts blurred. She leaned in on instinct, pressing her lips to his.
Even that morning, when desire had nearly overtaken them both, they hadn't kissed like this. This time, she gave herself to the moment without hesitation.
"That was my first kiss," she whispered softly.
"..."
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