Max got ready for the surprisingly large party Bee had prepared.
He stood in front of a cracked mirror in the small apartment, adjusting his jacket and running a hand through his hair.
"Raphael," Max said calmly, "disable all non-essential skills. Leave only what's necessary for survival."
There was a brief pause.
Raphael:
"Confirmed. Passive abilities reduced to minimum threshold."
Max exhaled.
"I want to actually experience one of Bee's parties properly."
He rolled his shoulders slightly, already feeling the difference. The subtle constant awareness, the enhanced senses, the layered protections—gone or heavily suppressed.
For once…
Things felt normal.
Well.
As normal as Hell could get.
He glanced at himself again, combing through his hair, adjusting his wolf ears slightly, and brushing out his tail.
He paused.
"…Yeah, that's good enough."
He didn't bother going overboard with cleaning up. It was a Gluttony party—half the attendees would be drunk within minutes anyway.
Just as he stepped away from the mirror—
His phone buzzed violently.
Max blinked.
"…What now?"
He picked it up.
Two notifications.
One from Poppi.
One from a circle-wide announcement.
Max opened Poppi's message first.
It was a picture.
Of him.
Combing his tail.
Max froze.
"…What the—"
Knock.
Max slowly turned his head toward the window.
Standing casually on the narrow ledge outside—
Was Poppi.
He stared at her.
She waved.
Max walked over and opened the window.
Poppi hopped inside like it was completely normal and plopped down onto his bed.
"What's up, bro?" she said casually. "Been a minute."
Max just stared at her.
"…How did you even find me?"
He walked over and sat beside her.
"And how did you even get here?"
Poppi grinned.
"What? You're saying I wouldn't cross all of Hell to find my boyfriend?"
She winked.
"…Because of love?"
Max gave her a completely flat look.
"…I don't believe you."
Poppi sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
She leaned back on the bed.
"One of my gifts lets me travel freely between rings."
She shrugged.
"And my sister wanted some Beelzejuice."
Max raised an eyebrow.
"So you came all the way here for that?"
"Yeah," she said casually. "She thinks I've got connections."
She smirked.
"I really just sneak into parties, grab a bottle or two, and leave."
Max chuckled slightly.
"…Fair enough."
Then his expression shifted slightly.
"But still… how did you find me?"
He looked at her more seriously.
"After what happened at that party last night, I shouldn't be that easy to track."
Poppi tapped her chest lightly.
"Well… there's a small side effect from your whole harem magic thing."
Max narrowed his eyes.
"…Go on."
Poppi shrugged.
"My heart kinda… beats faster the closer I get to you."
She made a face.
"Honestly, it's a little cheesy."
Then she smirked.
"But it's also really useful."
Max blinked.
"…That's… actually good to know."
He paused.
"…Hopefully the others haven't figured that out yet."
Poppi laughed.
"Good luck with that."
She sat up slightly.
"So," she said, crossing her legs, "you're going to try and add Bee tonight, right?"
Max nodded.
"Yeah."
He leaned back slightly.
"And maybe Verosika."
Poppi raised an eyebrow.
"Blitz's ex?"
"The succubus?"
She tilted her head.
"…That's a bold choice."
Max shrugged.
"She seems like a good pick."
Poppi gave him a look.
"I didn't think she'd be part of your plan," she said. "You know… considering the whole sleeping with everyone thing."
There was a hint of concern in her voice.
Max waved it off.
"Relax. I've got that covered."
He stood up and stretched.
"Besides…"
He looked back at her with a slight grin.
"We're supposed to have fun tonight, remember?"
He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Poppi blinked—
Then flushed slightly.
"You cheeky bugger," she muttered, trying to hide the smile forming on her face.
She stood up quickly.
"Alright," she said, brushing herself off. "Let's go."
Max grabbed his coat and headed for the door.
"Let's see what kind of chaos Bee has planned."