Asa had no idea about the tension between Makima and Reze.
She couldn't pick up on the subtle hostility in their exchange and genuinely thought they were just talking about dogs and mice.
"Then it's settled." Reze clapped her hands lightly and turned to Asa, her expression softening.
She smiled, a little sly.
"Asa… can I borrow Cael for ten minutes?"
She brushed her hair back casually. "His ability makes cleaning up easier. If I do it alone, it'll take a while."
Asa frowned slightly.
She hadn't expected that.
Reze, you better actually be cleaning…
She let out a quiet sigh.
She didn't like the idea, not really… but Reze had at least asked.
That mattered.
As the main girl, she couldn't be too stingy.
"…Alright." Asa nodded.
But she had another reason.
Makima's presence was overwhelming.
Way too overwhelming.
Compared to that, Reze felt… manageable.
And judging by their interaction, Reze and Makima clearly didn't get along.
Good.
That meant she needed to stay closer to Reze.
Makima smiled faintly. "Why don't I help as well? It'll be faster with more people."
Reze rejected her immediately.
"No need. Too many people just get in the way."
Then she grabbed Cael's hand.
"Come on."
"Wait," Makima said, stepping in smoothly. She took Cael's other hand and pressed a key into his palm. "You'll need this."
Reze let out a quiet scoff.
"Who needs a key?"
She pulled out a thin wire with a grin.
"I can open it myself. And if I can't… I'll just blow it up."
Asa blinked, a bit flustered.
Hold on…
Both of you are pulling on my boyfriend right in front of me.
Isn't that a bit much?
Sure, Cael wouldn't die… but tearing him in half still sounded like a bad idea.
Caught between them, Cael stayed silent.
Helping either side felt like stepping on a landmine.
He scratched his head, slightly sweating.
In the end, Asa stepped in.
"Cael, it's getting late. Go help Reze clean up. We should rest soon."
Then she naturally took Makima's hand.
"Miss Makima, could you show me around? I've never stayed somewhere like this… I don't want to accidentally break any rules."
…
Inside the room next door.
Click.
The lights came on.
The room was simple, minimal furniture, clean layout.
Not messy, but clearly unused for a while. The air carried a faint layer of dust.
Cael rolled up his sleeves.
"Reze, go get some water first, we'll—mmgh!?"
Thump.
Before he could finish, Reze shoved him back against the door.
Click.
The lights went out.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Cael blinked, caught off guard.
Damn.
He had expected something like this…
Just not this fast.
Reze didn't give him time to think.
"…Time's short," she murmured near him, voice low. "Start with me."
…
Ten minutes later, they finally pulled apart.
Reze straightened her clothes and calmly fastened the buttons behind her back.
That was enough.
Close enough to the edge without crossing it.
She wanted it to be perfect when it actually happened.
Just like Asa.
Just like Makima.
She leaned into Cael, clinging to him.
"Cael…" her voice softened near his ear, "when's my turn?"
"You had your chance just now," Cael replied honestly.
Reze frowned slightly.
"Idiot…"
She bit him lightly on the head.
"I'm not rushing it."
She pulled back, eyes steady.
"I want it to be like with Asa and Makima."
Her voice dipped, almost dreamy.
"So intense you can barely stand after."
"…Then we'll go again."
Cael let out a quiet breath, half amused, half helpless.
"Alright. There'll be a time."
He paused.
"I'll tell Asa properly first."
"All three of you… need to get along."
Reze nodded.
"I'll wait."
…
Late at night.
Bedroom.
After a shower, it was finally time to sleep.
Asa wrapped her arms around Cael from behind, a playful smile on her face.
"Miss Makima said the rooms are soundproof, so…"
Cael understood immediately.
Yeah.
He wasn't sleeping early tonight.
With a quiet sigh, he focused himself.
No holding back now.
He turned and pulled her closer.
"Mmm…"
Asa's eyes softened, slowly losing focus.
"Cael…" she murmured, her voice unsteady. "You're surrounded by so many beautiful girls… when you get tired of me… you won't leave me, right?"
Cael brushed her hair aside and pressed the back of his hand gently to her forehead.
"No fever," he said lightly. "So why are you saying something this stupid?"
Asa flushed, pouting stubbornly.
"I want an answer."
Cael smiled, softer this time.
"I'm serious about you, Asa."
"This isn't a game."
"I won't get tired of you."
"I love you."
His voice lowered.
"You're mine. Always."
Asa's heart pounded.
Every time.
No matter how many times.
That same feeling came rushing back, just like their first kiss on the ferris wheel.
"I love you too!"
Her emotions surged, overwhelming her.
She lost control and activated her ability.
"Banishment!"
"Turn over!"
Her voice carried a strange excitement.
"Time for the War Devil to show you something!"
…
Elsewhere.
Makima lay awake.
Reze. Asa Mitaka.
They had just moved in, and already…
Causing trouble one after the other.
Meanwhile, she hadn't had a moment alone with him.
She sighed softly.
"How shameless…"
…
Inside the kitchen storage cabinet.
Fami sat curled up, quietly nibbling on bread.
As the Famine Devil, she could appear anywhere food existed.
Right now, she watched everything unfold, her expression slightly flushed.
"Interesting…"
Her eyes lingered.
"So this is how it works…"
She smiled faintly.
"Cael, Asa, Reze… and little sister…"
"Your lives look… very fun."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"I kind of want to join in…"
____
Patreon = _Zeph