A city of dazzling lights and extravagant pleasures—streets packed with people, carriages, lanterns, and chatter.
"Brother Ryuya, no matter what, you're not allowed to ditch me today!" Daki pouted adorably, clinging to Ryuya's arm.
Her soft, ample chest pressed against him, sending a jolt up his spine.
Ryuya lowered his gaze, helpless.
Don't misunderstand—he hadn't gone to the Red-Light District to find Daki.
She had come to him.
"My little fool, how could I bear to ditch you? I like Ume too much for that."
He gently stroked her long hair, amused.
Kibutsuji Muzan—what a scheming bastard.
Since he couldn't track Ryuya's movements or mind, he sent Daki to stick to him under the guise of "accompanying him," while the real purpose was clearly surveillance.
But Muzan should never have sent Ume of all people. This girl was too silly—too easy to manipulate.
"Really, Brother Ryuya? Then why didn't you come play with Ume before?"
"Alright, Ume, let's not bring that up. How about you and Brother Ryuya play a game?"
"Is it the kind where we take our clothes off?"
Daki covered her face shyly. "If Brother Ryuya wants to play, we can go to Ume's Oiran House. There are too many people here. But if Brother Ryuya likes this kind, Ume doesn't mind…"
"Stop. What kind of perverted nonsense lives in that little head of yours every day?"
To Ryuya, Ume was nothing more than a silly little sister. He never had that kind of thought about her.
"It's not that kind of game."
Disappointment flashed in Daki's eyes.
"Hide-and-seek. Have you ever played that, Ume?"
"Is it the one where Ume gets blindfolded and touches Brother Ryuya everywhere?"
Ryuya flicked her on the forehead without mercy.
"Ow! That hurts!"
Daki cupped her forehead, eyes shimmering with tears.
If Gyutaro saw this, he'd definitely pick a fight.
But to spend more time alone with Ryuya, Daki had insisted that her brother not follow her.
Gyutaro considered it—trusted Ryuya wouldn't harm his sister—and reluctantly agreed.
So today, Daki was not being possessed by Gyutaro.
Ryuya intended to meet Tamayo, so he needed to ditch Daki first.
He led her into a dark, quiet alley and spoke seriously.
"Ume, I'll count. You go hide. Make sure Brother Ryuya cannot find you—otherwise, there'll be punishment."
"Is it spanking Ume's bottom?"
Daki blinked with embarrassingly high expectations.
Ryuya smiled, but without warmth. "The punishment is… Ume won't be allowed to cling to me anymore."
"I DON'T WANT THAT!"
Daki froze in terror. Such a horrifying punishment existed?!
"Then you must hide well. Don't give yourself away."
Ryuya spoke gently, and Daki nodded with grave seriousness.
She was wearing plain clothes today.
Aside from her astonishing beauty, she carried none of her usual Oiran radiance.
He had also instructed her not to reveal she was a demon. And despite everything, Ryuya trusted Daki's obedience.
"Okay! Then Ume will hide now, Brother Ryuya!"
As Ryuya covered his eyes, Daki tip-toed away, reluctantly letting go of his arm to find a hiding spot.
She absolutely could not be found by Brother Ryuya!
The adorable, foolish Ume had no idea about the treachery of the adult world.
Heh. Go hide well.
Ryuya smirked and prepared to leave for his meeting with Tamayo.
But just then, a figure draped in a butterfly-patterned kimono descended gracefully, landing lightly in front of him.
"Ara ara… Mr. Demon, was that young lady just now a demon?"
"Kanae Kochou. What are you doing here?"
Ryuya ignored the question.
"It seems Mr. Demon has a very close relationship with her."
"What? Interested in her? Need me to introduce you?"
Ryuya sneered.
How did he get rid of one woman only for another to appear?
Women were truly troublesome.
"Hm… is that so? But no need. I came specifically to see Mr. Demon today."
"See me? And how did you even know I was here?"
Ryuya narrowed his eyes. Even Muzan didn't know his exact location.
So how did Kanae?
"Well~ after drinking Mr. Demon's blood last time, I seem to have developed a strange… sensitivity to you. I simply followed that sensation to find you."
Kanae raised a slender finger to her lips and smiled sweetly.
Her voice was gentle, soothing—dangerously so.
Ryuya hated gentle girls.
Because gentle girls were gentle to you… and gentle to everyone else too.
"There's such a thing?" Ryuya stared at her, speechless.
And for the first time, he genuinely regretted turning Kanae into a demon.
Wasn't he just asking for trouble?