The Saturday sky above Kuoh Town was painted a bright, gentle blue. It wasn't the Underworld, where the horizon always burned with a subtle crimson glow; this was simple, human warmth.
Riser Phenex looked up with genuine curiosity as he adjusted his casual blazer—something Sona had insisted he wear instead of his flamboyant noble attire. "So this is where you live most of the time. Hmph… not bad."
"You don't sound impressed," Sona replied, her arms folded across her chest. She was wearing a modest cream blouse and long skirt, paired with a light cardigan. Practical. Elegant. But Riser noticed how her hair ribbon matched the faint blush dusting her cheeks.
"Oh, I'm impressed," Riser smirked, leaning close enough to make her flinch. "Mostly because you look beautiful, Sona. Did you dress up just for me?"
Her composure cracked instantly. "D-don't say things like that in public!"
He chuckled, hands slipping into his pockets as they began walking down the street. Humans strolled by without a clue that one of the most notorious devils in the Underworld was teasing their school's student council president.
First Stop: CaféSona led him into a quiet café near the station.
"This is one of my usual spots. It's peaceful," she explained, ordering a tea. Riser, of course, ordered something ridiculous. "One of every dessert. Surprise me."
The waitress nearly tripped. Sona sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You can't just order everything."
"Why not?" Riser leaned back, eyes glinting. "I'm an immortal Phoenix. You'll never see me lose to sugar."
When the mountain of parfaits, cakes, and puddings arrived, Sona buried her face in her hand. "People are staring…"
Riser took a forkful of cake and leaned across the table. "Say ahh."
Her eyes widened. "I-I can feed myself—"
"Not as your fiancé, you can't." He gave her that molten, domineering grin.
Under the curious gazes of other patrons, Sona finally opened her mouth just enough to let him feed her a piece of cake. Her face turned redder with each chew.
"…It's good," she admitted softly.
Riser looked smug. "Sweeter than you?"
"R-Riser!"
Second Stop: ArcadeSomehow, Riser got it into his head to drag her into the arcade. The flashing lights and noisy machines were the opposite of Sona's usual composed atmosphere.
She adjusted her glasses nervously as Riser slapped coins into a claw machine. "This is beneath you," she muttered.
"On the contrary," he said, utterly focused. "To win the heart of Sona Sitri, even these machines must bend to my will."
After several failed attempts, he finally yanked out a small plush phoenix. He presented it to her like it was a crown jewel.
"For you. To remind you of me when I'm not here."
Sona held the plush against her chest, her lips twitching as if to hide a smile. "…Idiot," she whispered, but her grip on it was tight.
Third Stop: ParkThey ended their day at a quiet park, the sun setting over the pond. Children played in the distance, couples strolled hand in hand.
Riser sat beside Sona on a bench, his usual grin softened by the fading light. "You know, Sona… I've been to countless banquets, countless halls of power. But this?" He gestured to the simple scene. "This feels more real than any of it."
Sona looked at him, her glasses reflecting the golden sky. "…You really mean that, don't you?"
"I do," Riser said, turning to her fully. "And I meant what I told you before. I may not love you yet. But every time I see you—serious, strong, beautiful—I fall for you a little more. Today just made it worse."
Her cheeks burned as she looked away, clutching the phoenix plush in her lap. "Y-you're too forward."
He laughed softly, leaning in until his lips nearly brushed her ear. "Then let me be more forward. Will you reward me again? A kiss, perhaps? Not on the cheek this time."
Sona's breath caught. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it. For a long moment, she didn't move—then she turned just enough to press the lightest, quickest kiss to his lips.
Riser froze. Then a slow, satisfied smile spread across his face. "Sona Sitri… you'll make me fall in love faster than I thought."
She pulled back immediately, covering her face with her hands. "Y-you're insufferable…"
But she didn't let go of the plush phoenix.