__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Spending time with Sakurajima Mai was always easy and pleasant.
Maybe that's just how people in love are.
On the outside, Mai had the air of a mature, composed older woman, but deep down she was surprisingly pure. When she was with her boyfriend, Jack, she loved teasing him—but more often than not, he'd turn the tables on her. Then she'd get all pouty, stubbornly refusing to admit defeat.
In the end, it would always be Jack who softened first, smiling as he coaxed her back, until she broke into a happy grin and basked in his affection.
Every now and then, a casual exchange would drift into more suggestive territory, and she'd end up embarrassing herself—face flushed red, yet still trying to act like nothing had happened.
By the time they reached the station and boarded the train, all the seats were taken. Jack wrapped an arm around Mai and stood with her against the wall of the carriage, swaying gently with the motion.
Maybe because she knew he was protecting her with his "altered common sense" ability, Mai relaxed completely, hugging his broad back.
After standing like that for a while, she suddenly bent slightly, lifting one leg to rub her ankle.
"Your foot hurts?"
"…Yeah."
Jack glanced down and saw her glossy, pointed high heels—just looking at them made his own feet feel uncomfortable.
They had already walked quite a distance, and she'd probably been wearing them all day at work.
"Why didn't you change your shoes before coming out? That must've been torture."
His gaze drifted over her legs—long and elegant in black stockings, made even more striking by the way the heels stretched her calves taut.
"I forgot," Mai sighed. She'd been so happy knowing he was coming that she didn't remember until she was already far from the office.
And by then, after walking even more, her feet were starting to ache.
Jack glanced around the carriage. "Want me to get someone to give up their seat?"
He meant using his ability, of course. Otherwise, who would give up a seat for two young people?
"Forget it. We're only two stops away anyway."
Mai shook her head. She didn't like the idea of him using that power for something like this—it felt selfish.
Understanding her thoughts, Jack just smiled and leaned down to gently kiss her cheek.
She flushed a little. "What was that for all of a sudden…"
"A reward for being kind?" he said with a grin.
"I don't need some random reward. You just wanted to kiss me, didn't you?"
Her cheeks were faintly red, though she tried to look indifferent.
Jack didn't argue. He simply held her close until the train arrived.
When they got off, he crouched down slightly and patted his shoulder.
"Hop on. I'll carry you."
Mai blinked. "No need, I'm not that delicate."
"I know you're not. I just want to spoil my girlfriend a bit."
He smiled. Around them, people instinctively gave them space, slipping past without a second glance under the influence of his ability.
"Come on, or we'll block the way."
With a helpless smile, Mai stepped closer and leaned onto his back. He lifted her easily.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, chin resting on his shoulder, and she relaxed completely.
As the scenery slowly passed by, she suddenly felt incredibly happy.
The station wasn't far from her apartment. Jack carried her all the way home before setting her down on the sofa.
Then he went back to the entryway and brought her a pair of house slippers.
"Thanks."
Mai quickly slipped off her heels, clearly relieved, and rubbed her ankle again.
"Here."
Jack sat beside her, lifting her legs onto his lap and gently massaging them.
Her face immediately turned red.
"You… don't have to go to all that trouble…"
"How is this trouble? Think of it as a reward."
Mai froze. "Huh? A reward?"
He just smiled without explaining, which made her imagination run wild.
What kind of "reward" was this…? A foot fetish?
"You're… kind of weird," she said, cheeks tinged pink, trying to sound calm. "I just got back. I haven't even washed my feet yet…"
Jack raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
"Isn't it better that way?"
Mai: "…??"
She knew he liked to joke, but even so, she couldn't help feeling both amused and exasperated.
"…Idiot."
Muttering under her breath, she decided to just relax and enjoy it.
His hands were skillful, and before long, the soreness and numb ache faded away.
"It doesn't hurt anymore," she reminded him, blushing.
"Got it."
He stopped kneading—but didn't move her legs away. Instead, he left them resting on his lap, absentmindedly stroking over the smooth black stockings.
"Still not done?" Mai said, trying to sound composed.
"Can't get enough."
"Stop, it tickles."
"Mm… then maybe take off the stockings?"
Seeing how shamelessly he was taking advantage, Mai sighed in defeat.
She leaned closer and pinched his cheek, tugging lightly.
"Honestly, why are you so into feet?"
Tilting his head with her pull, Jack answered seriously,
"Because you don't let me play with anything else."
Mai: "…"
It took her a second to process—and then her face exploded into a deep red.
"Pervert."
She pulled her legs back, slipped on the house slippers he'd brought her, and stood up.
"I'm going to take a shower."
"Can I join you?" he asked with a smile.
"No."
The refusal came instantly.
She grabbed a change of clothes and walked straight into the bathroom, shutting the door firmly behind her.
Jack remained where he was, a calm smile on his face. The ease with which he shifted from playful teasing to quiet composure was striking.
He could feel the contract between them—and he had already realized that the deeper their feelings grew, the stronger the feedback he received from it.
What surprised him was how steady and abundant that feedback was.
His gaze drifted toward the bathroom door, a faint smile forming.
He hadn't expected that falling in love with Mai would bring him such an overwhelming flow of emotional power through the contract.
Having a girlfriend like her…
He'd really hit the jackpot.
"..."
______________________________________________________________________________________________________