Time slipped by little by little as Utaha stood there, her expression shifting between hesitation and conflict, the turmoil in her heart practically written on her face.
Leo didn't rush her. He continued tossing the glowing chess piece in his hand, looking completely unbothered.
Neither spoke. The heavy silence filled the room.
"...Haa."
Only after a very long time did Utaha exhale.
"I believe you're a devil now." She sounded strangely calm. "Only a devil could tempt people this precisely—play on their desires so cleanly, right?"
"That's rude, senpai." Leo frowned. "Everything I said was true. Not a single lie."
"That's exactly why it's scary." Utaha spoke as if she were an observer instead of the target. "Lies can be exposed. They don't fool smart people. But the truth is different. As long as you present it the right way, even the smartest person will fall for it—and eventually compromise."
"So does that mean you agree?"
Leo held the devil piece out to her.
But Utaha didn't take it.
"Become a devil, stop being human, become your servant, serve you forever—how could I agree to that on the spot?" Utaha looked at him deeply. "Just be honest with me, devil-kun. You've had your eye on me for a while, haven't you?"
Clearly, she had noticed something.
"So does Kasumigaoka-san want the truth? Or a lie?"
Leo didn't answer immediately this time. He smiled and raised the stakes.
"Start with the lie." Utaha's response was unexpectedly bold, as if refusing to let him take control. "I want to see how good a devil's lies really are."
"Not much skill involved. Just facts." Leo shrugged. "I told you already—devils get summoned, form contracts with humans, grant their wishes, and take the corresponding price. That's our job. So anyone with desire is a potential client. That includes senpai. If that counts as me watching you, then sure—you've been on my list."
"A clever lie. Using one truth to mask another. If I weren't prepared, I might've fallen for it." Utaha crossed her arms and nodded. "So what's the truth?"
"The truth is… I'm not the only one watching you." Leo's eyes focused on her calm expression, his tone carrying a deeper meaning. "Humans with desires are my potential clients. But senpai, you're special. Much more special than most. So I doubt I'm the only one keeping an eye on you."
That made Utaha frown. Her calm shattered.
"Why? What about me is worth that kind of attention?"
She was no longer composed.
But Leo didn't answer.
"I've already explained everything necessary," he said casually. "I even threw in some bonus tips because of our personal relationship. Anything more, and I can't say. If you don't plan to get involved with our world, it's better not to know too much. Otherwise, it won't do you any good."
"And besides—senpai, I'm a devil. You summoned me. Yet you don't plan to give me any work, any results, any performance… and instead treat me like a free audiobook. That's kind of cruel, don't you think?"
"I'm not like those guys at school who're so obsessed with you they go crazy. They're thrilled just to talk to you. I'm not one of those dogs."
Utaha fell silent, though her frown only deepened.
But then, slowly, she relaxed her brows.
"In that case… what if I make a wish?" Utaha asked. "I want to know everything I'm trying to understand right now."
That actually surprised Leo—and amused him.
"Well, that's unexpected. Senpai, you really are cunning. Like a sly little fox."
He meant it as praise. It didn't sound like praise.
"Let's see."
Before Utaha could react, Leo eagerly pulled out a device.
It was a devil's special tool—similar to the one Yukinoshita Yukino used before to locate humans with strong desires. Leo keyed in Utaha's wish, and the device instantly calculated the price she would need to pay.
The cost always differed from person to person. Human value wasn't equal—those with potential, ability, or talent could achieve greater wishes for lower costs.
A useless homeless man wishing to become the richest person in the world? Unless he had the potential for it, the cost would be lethal—literally. His life, soul, everything.
But someone truly valuable would require far more effort from a devil to fulfill a major wish—because their soul was worth far more.
And Utaha?
Her value was… extremely high.
Beauty, family, background, artistic talent—her potential far surpassed her peers. Even as an ordinary human, her future could easily reach heights 99% of people would never touch.
Her life and soul were worth an absurd amount. Among every client Leo had ever seen, she ranked in the highest class.
And if he included her other special traits…
Her value might surpass everyone he'd ever met.
For someone like her—already possessing the potential to reach their world—asking for information was almost nothing.
The price would be unbelievably low.
So when the device displayed: "One item of clothing personally worn by the client."
Leo fell silent.
He knew there was no hidden meaning behind it.
Just like how celebrities' used clothing could sell for high prices—an item worn by Utaha could be treated as a collectible. Devils could archive it, wait until she achieved greatness, then sell it for a fortune.
Leo had accepted similar payments before. He knew anyone who read too much into it needed to sit in the corner and reflect on their life.
But he also knew that if he told her this was the payment, this "perverted devil-kun" label would cling to him forever—no escape.
So you want to force me into being a pervert?
Fine.
Leo shut off the device immediately and looked at Utaha.
"Kiss me once, and I'll tell you."
The air froze.
Utaha stared at him, stunned, silent, and then—unsurprisingly—looked at him with pure contempt.
"Are you sure that's the payment for devil work? Not your personal desire?"
"Yeah, and what if it is?" Leo replied without shame. "Either way, once the price is paid, the wish is granted. Fair deal, right?"
"And besides, are you losing anything?"
"Look at my face. Putting a little lipstick mark on it—is that really something you can't accept?"
He leaned in close, way too close, making Utaha jolt back. Her cheeks flushed instantly from the proximity.
"Don't get that close, perverted devil-kun."
She pushed his face away and started fanning her cheeks with her hands, trying to cool them down.
Leo burst into laughter.
"Well, considering our relationship, I'll let you have the wish first."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and a magic circle expanded in his palm.
"You'll be receiving the memories you wanted—everything about the supernatural world."
"I'll deliver the goods first. You can pay me later."
"And as for becoming my servant… I'll be waiting anytime you change your mind."
With those words, a flood of foreign memories crashed into Utaha's mind. Her head shook, her eyes losing focus.
Devils. Angels. Fallen angels. The Church. Sacred Gears. The Underworld…
Countless pieces of knowledge poured into her, helping her finally understand what "mystery," "supernatural power," and the "hidden world" truly meant.
She didn't know how long it lasted.
By the time her head stopped spinning and her vision refocused, Leo was gone.
On the floor sat the devil flyer she had used earlier. The magic circle carved onto it was bright, clear, and unforgettable.
"..."
Utaha stood still for a long time before stepping forward to pick it up.
"A Sacred Gear… huh?"
Now that she finally understood her own uniqueness, her expression turned complicated.
Remembering the fates of Sacred Gear users who lost control in the memories Leo had given her, she shivered involuntarily.
"That guy did it on purpose."
Utaha muttered bitterly, flopping onto her bed and staring at the ceiling, speechless for a long, long time.
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Goal: 100 powerstones for extra chapter
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You can read up to chapter 95 on patreon.com/NiaXD.