For a moment, the Nakano sisters froze, huddled together on the sofa. Ichika, trembling as much as the rest, instinctively stepped in front of her younger sisters, her eyes wide with fear as she stared at Draconis.
Now this—this was a normal reaction, Draconis thought. Not like Mai Sakurajima, who'd barely blinked when he first appeared. He had to admit, Mai was one of a kind. Then again, remembering his own first brush with the supernatural, he'd been no less dramatic...
"Who are you? How did you get in?" Ichika's voice was taut with nerves, disbelief flickering behind her words despite having heard his introduction.
Draconis took two steps back, hands raised in a gesture of peace. "As I said, ladies, my name is Draconis. I'm a devil—summoned here to grant the wish you made."
He flicked his wrist, and a flyer materialized in the air, its magic circle glowing faintly. "Recognize this?"
His tone was calm, almost businesslike. He crossed his arms and waited, letting them take it all in.
Standing there in black—leather jacket fitted perfectly—he looked more like a fashion model than a supernatural entity. There was nothing threatening about him, no eerie aura; just a cool, composed young man. If not for the magic, he could've passed for anyone.
But the flyer was proof enough. The sisters stared, minds racing.
"So what's actually going on? Why are you in our house?" Ichika pressed on, still shielding her sisters, everyone keeping a safe distance.
"Simple. That flyer is a summoning tool. Humans make a wish, call on us devils, and we show up to fulfill your request."
Nino, braver now, frowned. "Wait, shouldn't wishes go to God? Or angels? Why would a devil come instead?"
Draconis arched an eyebrow at the mention of angels and gods, but his voice stayed level. "So, when you've prayed to God, has an angel ever shown up to grant your wish?"
Silence. No one had an answer for that.
He continued, "Exactly. Sadly, it's only us devils who actually respond. Gods and angels mostly want your faith for free."
The sisters exchanged uneasy glances.
Suddenly, Yotsuba's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Wow, is this really real? Devil-san, did I actually summon you? Are you really the kind from legends?"
Her energy was infectious—her fear vanishing as curiosity took over.
Draconis gave her his best professional smile. "Absolutely. The real deal." As he spoke, a pair of devil wings unfurled behind him.
"Whoa!!" Yotsuba's jaw dropped, eyes glued to the wings like she'd discovered a new planet.
Seeing the mood shift, Draconis smiled gently. "May I sit?"
"Ah—please, sit!" Ichika hurriedly gestured to the sofa.
Draconis took a seat opposite them, watching the five sisters still bunched together. He couldn't help but chuckle. "You believe I mean no harm now, right? Why don't you take a seat too? You're the hosts here."
"Sorry for being rude..." Ichika managed a shaky smile, and the girls finally settled back on the sofa, though their eyes stayed wary.
"Draconis-san, is it?" Itsuki piped up, voice trembling.
"That's right."
"Hello, I'm Itsuki Nakano..." She swallowed hard, choosing her words carefully. "You have supernatural powers, like in the movies? Why haven't we ever heard about this before?"
Draconis nodded patiently. "Because if a human doesn't intend to accept a contract, we erase any memory of these encounters. You forget everything, and we leave you alone."
He could tell these girls were complete newcomers—unlike Koneko's or Akeno's regular clients, who'd long since gotten used to the process. Explaining things from scratch was a rare chore.
The sisters sat, mouths slightly agape.
"Memory manipulation? For real?" Even Miku, who'd been silent, couldn't help asking.
"Of course. For devils—and angels, too—it's child's play."
Yotsuba's eyes were practically shining. "That's amazing... So you can really grant my wish?"
Draconis smiled. "Miss Yotsuba, your wish was to pass your exams together with your sisters, right?"
Yotsuba blinked, suddenly embarrassed. "Wait—if you say it out loud, doesn't that make it not come true?"
Draconis almost laughed. This kid was too pure.
He tapped his temple. "I can tweak your memory—make it so everything you study gets permanently imprinted. Forgetting would be impossible. If you want perfect scores, it's doable."
"Really?!" Yotsuba's eyes went wide. "That's incredible!"
"Yes, as long as you sign a contract with me. I grant your wish, and in return, I get paid through our pact. That's why I'm here."
"Hold on—what do you mean, payment?" Ichika, ever the practical one, cut in.
Draconis smiled. "Ever heard those old legends? Where someone sacrifices anger, greed, sadness—emotions—to a devil, gains power, and saves their loved one?"
"Wait, so you need sacrifices too? Isn't that dangerous?" Ichika and the others recoiled, alarmed.
"I'm not finished," Draconis said softly. "We do collect that kind of power, but not by taking your emotions away outright. It's gradual, through the contract—a slow trickle, not a one-time thing. It's not some 'kill the goose that lays the golden eggs' scenario."
He paused, then tilted his head. "Uh, that was just a metaphor, by the way. No hidden meaning. Don't overthink it."
The girls: "..."
Seriously, you could've just not said that last part.
If you can't speak properly, maybe just keep quiet...
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