As Ryuichi stepped out of Nino's room, he nearly collided with Miku and Yotsuba, who opened their doors at the same time.
Seeing him, Miku blinked in surprise. "Ryuichi… why were you in Nino's room?"
"Yeah, yeah, wasn't she taking a bath? When did you get here? What happened between you two?" Yotsuba fired off her questions like a machine gun, all boundless energy as usual.
"Nino almost fell on the stairs, so I helped her back to her room," he said calmly.
Miku's expression fell somewhere between disbelief and embarrassment. For someone who'd just come from a girl's bedroom, Ryuichi sure didn't seem fazed by the potential awkwardness.
Yotsuba, however, immediately accepted the explanation without a care in the world. Simplicity truly was her superpower.
"She didn't get hurt, did she?" Yotsuba asked quickly.
"She's fine. She'll be out in a bit," Ryuichi replied as he headed downstairs into the living room. His eyes swept across a stack of test sheets scattered on the table. Picking them up, he began to inspect them with quiet focus.
A few minutes later, Nino came down, her cheeks tinged pink when she saw Ryuichi completely absorbed in checking their assignments.
Carrying a freshly brewed cup of tea, she approached and set it down in front of him. "Here… have some tea."
Ryuichi looked up, smiling softly. "Thanks."
"…You're welcome."
Her pulse jumped wildly. Watching him concentrate as he reviewed their answer sheets, she couldn't help thinking that he didn't look anything like a so-called Devil.
Could this really be one of those beings said to prey on human souls and negative emotions?
No way. There was nothing sinister about him. Ryuichi was calm, composed, even gentle—absolutely nothing like a fiend.
"…Wrong," Ryuichi murmured, rubbing his temple.
"Eh? Which part?" Miku asked cautiously.
"All of it," he said flatly.
The room went silent.
All three girls froze in collective embarrassment, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
Ryuichi sighed inwardly. What a mess. How did he always end up in situations like this?
They were all stunning, sure, but he wanted to see them focused on learning—fulfilling their contract properly.
After all, he was a Devil who honored his promises. Once he accepted a contract, he'd always see it through.
"…Forget it. I'll just spend more time tutoring you girls," he said gently.
None of them expected that tone—patient, not angry.
"So, where are Ichika and Itsuki?" he asked. "Haven't seen them around."
"Oh, they went shopping! They'll be back soon," Yotsuba chirped, smiling brightly now that she knew he wasn't upset.
Sure enough, within minutes, Ichika and Itsuki returned, arms full of shopping bags.
One look and you could tell they hadn't held back—though money wasn't an issue in the Nakano household. Their father spoiled them all completely.
"Oh, Ryuichi, you're here!" Ichika called cheerfully.
Her tone faltered slightly when she noticed the stack of test papers on the table. Itsuki, too, nervously avoided his gaze.
"Sit down. Why are you staring at me like that?" Ryuichi said casually, amused by Itsuki's guilty expression.
When she saw his relaxed smile, Itsuki exhaled in relief. "See? I told you he wouldn't be mad! He's super nice about this stuff."
The other sisters nodded wordlessly, thinking, Then why were you hiding behind the couch just a second ago?
Ryuichi arched a brow. "Seems like you've misunderstood me."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"…Let's just say I've learned not to expect too much," he replied dryly.
These were the famously scatterbrained Nakano quintuplets, after all. He'd taught himself patience by sheer necessity.
And sure enough—he wasn't wrong.
"I've found the trick is not to expect much," he continued with a faint smirk. "That way, you can never disappoint me. Even the tiniest bit of progress becomes a pleasant surprise."
The girls: "…"
Was that… supposed to make them feel better?
"Heh… that sounds kinda harsh," Ichika said with an awkward laugh.
"Don't take it personally. I truly believe you'll all graduate," he said warmly. "I made that promise when I took your contract, and I trust you'll keep your end too."
The sisters exchanged glances. Yotsuba was the first to leap to her feet. "Then we'll just have to work extra hard to surprise you every day!"
Ryuichi couldn't help smiling for real this time, giving her a thumbs-up. "Finally—your reading comprehension comes through."
"Heehee!" Yotsuba beamed, flashing a peace sign.
Ichika and the others shared blank looks. Only Yotsuba's pure heart could spin that line into motivation. Still, they couldn't help smiling a little too.
"Oh, right—" Itsuki suddenly remembered something. "Can we have tomorrow off? There's a fireworks festival downtown at seven!"
"Yeah! Let's go together!" Yotsuba exclaimed, eyes sparkling.
"We can all go with Ryuichi!" Miku added shyly.
"…I was only contracted to supervise your studies," Ryuichi said, crossing one leg over the other in typical composed fashion.
Nino pouted. "Ugh, contracts, contracts—do you ever think about anything else? Fine! Then we'll just give you another one, okay, Mr. Devil Teacher?"
Ryuichi raised an eyebrow. "…That works."
If it meant collecting another payment of faith energy, he wasn't complaining.
"Then it's settled!" Ichika declared happily. "Tomorrow, we all go to the fireworks festival!"
"On one condition," Ryuichi said, his tone light but firm. "Finish your homework first."
A collective groan rose from the sisters.
Ryuichi just smiled. No matter how much they pleaded, he wouldn't budge. A deal was a deal.
Taking advantage of the moment, he gathered the girls for another group study session, using his magic subtly to enhance their memory and focus.
By the end, the room was filled with sighs, groans, and adorably desperate protests—but progress was made.
Once he was sure they'd absorbed enough material for the night, he finally called it quits.
"Phew… that's enough knowledge for one day," he muttered with a wry smile.
It was nearly 11 p.m. when Ryuichi returned home, wrapping up another long day.
He'd never thought tutoring could be this exhausting.
After teleporting back, he opened the fridge, took a big swig of milk straight from the carton, and peeled off his gear as he stepped into his bedroom.
The door opened—and there they were.
Two girls lay asleep on his bed, clothes scattered neatly over a chair.
Rias Gremory and Asia Argento.
A thin silken sheet draped lightly over their midsections, barely staying in place. Their flawless bodies curved gracefully beneath the cover—one mature and seductive, the other pure and angelic.
Ryuichi sighed softly. Rias must be rubbing off on Asia. She's gotten used to sleeping like this too…
Or maybe Asia had simply picked up on his habits—she really was too sweet for her own good.
Watching the two of them sleep peacefully, a small, contented smile crept onto his face.
He went to take a shower. In the laundry basket, a few articles of their clothing rested on top—Rias's usual black lingerie, elegant and daring; Asia's delicate white set, as innocent as ever.
Carefully setting their undergarments aside, Ryuichi tossed the rest into the washing machine, helping them get their things cleaned before heading back to the bedroom.
Both girls were awake now, their sleepy gazes lifting as he entered.
"Welcome back. How was work?" Rias asked, stretching with a yawn.
"Can't complain," Ryuichi said with a smile.
"Good job, Ryuichi," Asia murmured drowsily.
"Sorry if I woke you. Go back to sleep."
He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Asia's lips. The girl's face lit up with a soft smile.
They shifted slightly, making space for him. As soon as he lay down, both girls curled up against him—one on each side, warm, soft, and very much awake now.
Their smooth skin met his, their warmth seeping through him, making the idea of sleeping almost impossible.
He turned toward Rias, wrapping an arm around her slender waist. Their eyes met in the dim light, and desire flickered quietly between them. Rias's body tensed, then melted against his as their lips met again.
Her breath hitched; warmth flared between them.
Asia, beside them, stirred—and then joined in, unwilling to be left out.
Time melted away in stolen whispers and soft sighs until, at last, both girls fell asleep, smiling contentedly in his arms.
Ryuichi closed his eyes, shifting smoothly into his nightly meditation. He didn't really need sleep anymore; training his magic served him better.
When dawn arrived, he opened his eyes, full of renewed energy.
The two girls were still peacefully asleep beside him. Unable to resist, he brushed a hand along their forms, then gently woke them.
Both groaned adorably in unison, eyes fluttering open.
After some playful teasing and a bit of "morning exercise," they headed to school together.
Classes passed uneventfully. That evening, Ryuichi prepared to meet the Nakano quintuplets again for their promised outing.
When he teleported into their home, he stopped short.
All five sisters were already sitting neatly at the table, homework spread before them, pencils in hand, faces serious.
"…Am I hallucinating?" he muttered. "You're all actually studying."
Apparently, the fireworks festival was one powerful motivator.
Ryuichi leaned in beside Miku, watching her as she solved a problem.
Flustered but focused, Miku's cheeks flushed faintly as she sensed him so close. Still, she pressed on.
"This one's wrong," Ryuichi noted, gently tapping her notebook. "You solve it like this."
Miku quickly grabbed her eraser, nodding attentively.
"What about the rest?" she asked quietly.
"The rest are fine," he said with a slight grin. "You've been working hard, Miku."
Her heart fluttered. The warmth in his tone stirred something deep inside her—resolve, pride… something softer too.
He really did believe in them. She couldn't let that faith go to waste.
Smiling, she whispered, "I remembered what you said before. I think I'm finally starting to believe I can do it… So you'd better take responsibility for me now, okay?"
"Of course," Ryuichi replied gently. "I know you can do it, Miku."
Just then, Nino's voice cut in. "Ahem! I have a question."
Ryuichi chuckled. "Let's see."
He walked over, leaning close as Nino smiled triumphantly—just as Ichika caught the look and raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
Meanwhile, Yotsuba nudged Miku and whispered, "Hey… you don't like Ryuichi, do you?"
Miku froze, blushing bright red, unable to answer.
Ryuichi's sharp hearing picked it up, but he just smiled faintly and said nothing.
Teenage girls, after all—they were bound to chat about such things.
He just focused on his task, overseeing the quintuplets' progress. And, miraculously, they managed to finish all their homework before six.
"Yay! Let's go to the fireworks festival!" Yotsuba cheered, jumping up with both arms raised.
"Time to change! We have to wear yukata, of course!" Itsuki added enthusiastically.
The five girls dashed upstairs, their excited chatter and clattering footsteps echoing through the house.
Listening to the chaos above, Ryuichi rubbed his chin with an amused smile.
"Wearing yukata to a fireworks festival, huh…" he murmured. "Guess traditions really do overlap between worlds."
He looked toward the stairs, a smile tugging at his lips. "Let's see if it's what I'm imagining."
He'd find out soon enough.