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Maybe it was because of Jack's unexpected reply, but Rias blinked in mild surprise before smiling and nodding in understanding.
"Well, you gave up on your own, so don't blame your master for not pampering you."
"No need to take care of everything about me."
Jack answered calmly, though in his head he was thinking how absurdly different this all felt.
Who could've guessed that after becoming a devil, instead of being exploited, he'd end up with a master who actually doted on her servant?
She even unlocked a "sleeping-together" function for him. Unreal.Even TV dramas wouldn't dare go that far.
"I'm gonna take a shower first," Jack said quietly.
He couldn't stand the feeling of sweat dried on his skin, especially with his demonic senses being so damn sensitive.
After a quick rinse in the bathroom, he came back to find Rias still lounging on the sofa, completely relaxed and totally unbothered—legs crossed, sipping tea like she owned the world.
"You took forever," she complained lightly. The moment she saw him, though, she hopped up and headed straight for the shower herself.
Jack watched her fiery red figure step under the water, humming a cheerful tune. He sighed, shaking his head as he shut the bathroom door so the steam wouldn't spread through the room.
He gathered her clothes from the bed, folded them neatly, and placed them in the guest room.
Back in his own room, he didn't spare a glance at the silhouette now visible against the frosted glass of the bathroom door. He just collapsed onto the bed, feeling utterly drained.
That fight might've been short, but to him, it was like walking the edge of life and death—especially when he'd forced himself to resist the holy light while attacking. The mental strain alone was enough to break him.
Still, he was alive. That was something.
The moment his mind eased, exhaustion crashed over him like a wave, and he fell asleep almost instantly.
Half-dreaming, he felt the bed shift a few times—Rias must've climbed in beside him, curling up against his warm chest.
Half-conscious, Jack instinctively wrapped his arm around her.And… absentmindedly gave her a gentle squeeze.
Even through sleep, he could feel that warmth and softness pressing into his palm, completely filling his hand.Too full, actually.
A soft, surprised little sound escaped Rias's lips—half gasp, half sigh. Then everything faded again, and Jack drifted back into deep sleep.
The next morning, the noise of cars outside pulled him back to consciousness.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a cascade of crimson hair—Rias's unmistakable color.
She was still asleep, nestled in his arms, breathing softly.
He could feel the smooth warmth of her back against him, his right hand wrapped around her waist… maybe a bit too low. His eyebrow twitched.
How to describe it…
It reminded him of playing with those water balloons filled with hot water as a kid.
With a sigh, he recalled the faint memories of last night.Didn't he set up a guest room for her?So why was she in his bed again?
Oh well. No point in overthinking it now.
He pulled her a little closer, surrendering to the comfort.Her warmth, the softness of her skin—it was like being wrapped in something gentle and alive. Before he knew it, he was drifting off again.
Then a light tap on the back of his hand. Rias's soft, amused voice followed.
"Jack, time to wake up. No more sleeping in."
"…Sorry. Dozed off again."
He loosened his hold on her, flopping onto his back, half-opening his eyes with a lazy smile.
God, sleeping in felt amazing. He never wanted to get up.
Rias rolled over to face him, propping her head up with one arm. With her other hand, she poked his cheek playfully.
"You were pretty eager last night, weren't you?"
Jack cracked an eye open, turning his head slightly to meet her teasing grin.
"…Didn't I prepare you a guest room?"
Seeing he wasn't taking the bait, Rias just laughed, stretching languidly. Her motion made certain parts of her body move in ways that were… very distracting.
"The guest room was too far," she said innocently.
"It's literally just down the hall."
"But it's so warm and cozy when you hold me. I couldn't resist."
She said it so straightforwardly that Jack didn't even know how to respond.
"…Couldn't you at least wear a nightgown?" he sighed.
"Huh? But I can't sleep in clothes," Rias said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Can you?"
"…Not really."
"See? Same thing!" she said triumphantly.
Jack could only give a helpless laugh. He'd always slept naked, but finding out Rias did too… that was another story.
Leaning back against the headboard, she smiled lazily. "Now, go grab my clothes for me."
"Yeah, yeah."
He fetched her outfit and watched as her perfect figure slowly disappeared beneath layers of fabric.
"Rias," he said, "are there a lot of fallen angels and angels in this city?"
"Not really," she replied. "After the Great War, all three factions were weakened. None of us have the numbers we used to."
Seeing the look on his face, she smiled reassuringly.
"Last night was just bad luck. Normally, you'd never run into a fallen angel around here. And if we move together, they'll usually avoid us."
Then her tone turned more thoughtful. "Still, last night was a good reminder. I should upgrade our sigils—can't have them getting jammed so easily again."
"Yeah, definitely."
Jack nodded. He was still weak for now, and sticking close to Rias was the smartest move he could make. No shame in that.
"I'll get stronger," he said seriously.
Rias's smile deepened. "You've already surprised me. Akeno told me the one you took down was a four-winged fallen angel—used to be a high-class angel, actually. Normally only a mid-level devil could handle that."
Her tone carried clear pride and approval.
No wonder she'd used ten of her precious chess pieces on him. A lower-class devil who could resist holy light and win? That was something rare.
"Don't worry about rushing your training," she said with a wink. "Take your time."
She flipped her hair over her shoulder, glanced at the clock, and realized they were about to be late.
Without missing a beat, she activated her teleportation spell, and the two of them vanished—reappearing directly inside the clubroom at school.
Jack let out a silent sigh of envy. Teleportation really was unfair.
"..."
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