Why did it have to be her of all people, come on, she was one of the peopel I didn't want to be alone with.
When I realized it was Sona standing there, I knew shit was about to go down. She had that look—you know, the one that says "I'm gonna get the truth out of you even if I have to traumatize you for life."
Sona: "Good, you seem fine now."
I blinked and glanced down. Huh. The place I got stabbed was already healed. I couldn't help but mumble.
MC: "Wow, that was fast."
Then—click click click—I heard footsteps getting closer.
I turned my head left and almost jumped out of my skin. Sona was right there. Like, face-to-face right there. Too close. Uncomfortably close. And, of course, because the universe hates me, my eyes naturally drifted to the chest area like a dumb anime protagonist.
Sona: "Care to explain how you fought three rogue demons?"
I started sweating.
MC:"Uhh… what are demons?"
Sona (deadpan): "...What are demons? That's seriously your answer?"
I could already feel myself sinking into the ground. Why am I so bad at lying!?
Sona: "So you won't talk, huh?"
She leaned in even closer, way too close, and tapped her fingers on my chest. My heart rate went from "casual" to "I'm about to die" in 0.2 seconds.
Sona: "Well… I know ways to make you talk."
I instantly turned bright red.
MC:l"W-wait! Let's talk! I'm very chatty actually! Let's chat! Coffee? Tea? A glass of water? We can totally talk!"
Sona (grinning): "Oh, don't worry, you'll talk."
She snapped her fingers.
MC(panicked): "W-wait, no, seriously—!"
Sona (smirking): "Oh, you're talking, alright."
Clink-clink-clink! Suddenly, I was chained up like a character in a cheesy horror movie. I tried to move, but nope—chains everywhere. Classic.
Sona: "Now, if you don't talk…"
She leaned in so close that I could practically feel her breath on my face. I gulped. Don't say it. Don't say it.
MC(nervously): "W-wow, this is… kinky."
Sona stopped for a second, her eyes widening slightly. I could literally see her brain trying to process what just came out of my mouth. She blinked. Once. Twice.
Sona (blushing a little): "...You willing to talk now?"
I sighed deeply. "Welp. Ain't no point trying to hide it now, huh?"
I dropped my shoulders in defeat and gave her a tired smile.
MC: "Yeah, I'll talk."
Sona (smiling): "Good. Come out when you're done resting."
With a dramatic snap of her fingers, the chains vanished. She turned to leave the room, walking out with that confident swagger of hers. I watched her go.
MC(sighing deeply): "Ah… I funked up."
I flopped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. That was... intense. Why do I always have to make things awkward?
After a few minutes of flopping around on the bed, mentally preparing myself for another round of interrogation, I finally stepped out of the room. First thing I noticed? The room I'd been in? Fancy as hell. Like, royal palace meets private academy dorm type of fancy. If I'd been allowed to stay five more minutes, I might've started drinking tea with my pinky out.
But when I stepped into the main hall, that playful mood evaporated.
Eight people.
At the center of it all, sitting in a large chair behind a polished table, was none other than Sona Shitori. Looking like a strict, calculating principal with just a hint of villainess energy. She had her hands folded under her chin like she was about to give me a pop quiz on my entire life.
To her left and right stood Tsubaki Shinra and
Momo Hanakai, both looking dead serious. And flanking them were
Tomo Meguri,
Reya Kusaka,
Tsubasa Yura,
Ruruko Nimura,
and finally the only other dude present
Genshirou Saji.
And let me just say this: the anime and manga? Did them dirty. Because every single one of them—except Saji, sorry bro—looked stunning. Like, 'cover-of-a-magazine' type of stunning. My jaw may have dropped a little. I swear sparkles appeared around them for a moment.
Sona: "Well then, shall we begin?"
I blinked. Oh crap. Right. I wasn't here to admire. That was my cue.
MC: "So… you wanna know how I fought those demons?"
Sona (smiling knowingly): "So you do know what a demon is, huh?"
…shit. I gave the most awkward laugh known to mankind.
MC: "Haha... uh, no comment?"
Sona: "Continue."
I scratched my head. "How do I explain this…"
Me: "It's better if I just show you."
She raised an eyebrow. Everyone else looked curious.
MC (grinning): "I'm made out of rubber."
I pulled at my cheek and stretched it like a cartoon character.
...Silence.
The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. And I immediately regretted the decision.
MC (laughing nervously): "Hehe… wow. This is awkward."
Then, out of nowhere, the shortest and most energetic girl in the room—Nimura—zoomed over and started pulling on my face.
Nimura: "Woooow! You really are made of rubber! This is so cool!"
Right behind her came Momo, who joined in without hesitation.
Momo: "Fascinating…"
Then Saji, Reya, Tomo, and the rest piled in like I was some science exhibit at a carnival.
MC (yelling): "GET OFF ME!!!"
I was flailing now. Arms, legs, rubber skin flying everywhere.
Sona (calmly): "Are you human?"
Everyone stopped and turned. I blinked and tried to compose myself.
MC: "Well... yeah, I am."
MC: "I was just born with these weird powers. Got used to them. Now I'm kinda strong."
I was lying through my teeth.
She looked skeptical but didn't push it.
Sona: "You will join my Peerage."
MC: "Huh?"
Sona (again): "You will join my Peerage."
Yep, I heard her right.
MC: "Uh, what's that again?"
I knew, obviously. But playing dumb is kinda my thing.
Sona: "My team. You will become one of us."
Then she dropped the bomb.
Sona: "We are Devils."
Suddenly, all of them sprouted wings. Black, leathery, intimidatingly beautiful wings.
MC (jumping back): "WHAT THE HELL!?"
I dropped into a fight stance, heart pounding (mostly for dramatic effect). I glared, then pretended to hesitate.
Sona (smirking): "Calm down. We won't hurt you."
MC(thinking): Yeah, yeah, I already knew. Just putting on a show. Oscar-worthy performance if I say so myself.
MC: "So you want me to become a Devil?"
Sona: "Yes. You will serve under me."
MC: "Nah, I'm good."
That actually got a reaction. Shock rippled across the room.
Sona: "What?"
MC: "I like my freedom. Not a fan of working under someone."
She narrowed her eyes, but then her expression softened.
Sona: "You will only follow my direct commands. Outside of that, you are free."
I was about to refuse again when…
Grrrrrrgle.
MC (blushing): "Uhhh... if you feed me something, I might reconsider."
She sighed, then smirked.
Sona: "Momo, get him something to eat."
MC: "A LOT. I eat like a beast."
Sona: "Of course."
[27 plates later]
I was lying back in the chair, bloated beyond reason. I looked like a giant marshmallow with limbs.
Saji (laughing): "Dude looks like he's gonna pop."
Ruruko: "He's like a big round balloon!"
Tomo: "How did he eat that much?!"
MC(groaning): "This… is my power…"
I looked around, wiped my mouth, and stood up with effort.
MC: "Okay. I'll join you."
Sona (blinking): "What? Really?"
MC: "Yeah. I mean, you did feed me. It's only fair."
She smiled and snapped her fingers. A chessboard appeared out of thin air.
Sona: "You will serve me, Levi."
MC: "Yeah, yeah, I got it."
Several chess pieces floated up: one Knight, one Rook, and four Pawns. They glowed brightly and then slammed into my chest like magic missiles.
Fwoosh!
I staggered slightly but didn't feel anything weird.
MC: "Huh. That's it?"
Everyone stared.
Reya: "That many pieces… in one person?!"
Tsubaki: "That shouldn't be possible..."
Sona (smiling): "You'll be a great piece, Levi."
MC: "Heh. Thanks."
I stood up fully, belly still round.
MC: "Welp, I'm heading home."
I waddled toward the door like a bouncing ball.
Ruruko: "He's like a balloon! Haha!"
Saji: "Yeah, he's gonna float away!"
I stopped, turned, smirked.
MC: "Watch this."
I smacked my stomach. BOING! In an instant, my body snapped back to normal. Six-pack and everything.
Reya: "...I'm low-key jealous."
MC: "Looks like things are gonna be fun now. Hehe."
Sona (watching me leave, smiling faintly): "looks like I got a big one."