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Since Mai Sakurajima had already made up her mind to confront her mother tomorrow, there was no point wasting more time investigating.
"I'll walk you home," Jack said.
"I can go back on my own," she replied.
"It's just to make sure you're safe. Come on."
Jack started ahead and added, "Once you've signed the contract with me, you'll be able to summon me directly through a magic circle."
"Then how did you show up before?" she asked curiously.
"Oh, another senior demon helped send me over."
"I see…"
Mai tilted her head thoughtfully. "So, do other demons also make contracts with humans like you do?"
"Of course. Why, is that strange?"
"Not really." She smiled faintly.
In truth, she felt kind of lucky that she'd summoned him. If it had been another demon, their conversations probably wouldn't have been nearly as easygoing.
Her expression had brightened noticeably—there was a lightness in her step now, her face soft with a rare smile.
"Feeling better after finally deciding what to do?" Jack asked, glancing at her. Her emotions were usually hard to read, but today, they were written all over her face.
"My mood's always good," she said with mock innocence.
Jack couldn't help but chuckle. Yeah, sure.
"Well, since you're in such a good mood, mind if I ask you something?"
"Depends. Not anything too personal."
"Oh, then that's a problem. You'll probably get mad if I ask this."
"Then why even bring it up?" she shot him a warning look.
Jack gave a helpless sigh. "Because I'm really curious. Guess I'll just have to do some sneaky research later."
Mai frowned slightly. "It's about me, isn't it?"
"Of course."
"Then just ask. You'd dig around anyway if I said no."
"You promise you won't get mad?"
"I won't."
He nodded, cleared his throat, and asked with a grin,"So… which magazine published your swimsuit photobook? And, uh, is it still for sale?"
Mai blinked. "…What??"
After two stunned seconds, she reached out and pinched his side hard, twisting the soft flesh with deliberate force.
Jack's expression didn't change—but the corner of his mouth twitched."Mai, you said you wouldn't get mad."
"I'm not mad."
Her smile was sweet, calm, and absolutely terrifying as she twisted harder.
"You said you wouldn't get mad."
"I told you, I'm not."
"You definitely said—"
"I definitely said I'm not mad."
And so the two of them kept up that ridiculous back-and-forth all the way to her apartment.
After dropping Mai off, Jack headed home. But halfway there, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, one eyebrow raising. "President?"
"Mm. Jack, come to the clubroom right away. Can you make it?"
"Sure, on my way."
He didn't even ask why. When it came to Rias, his feelings were… complicated.
On one hand, she was his master. On the other, she spoiled him—way more than seemed normal.
Seriously, did other high-ranking demons really sleep next to their servants like it was nothing? From what he'd gathered, Rias didn't do that with Akeno or Koneko… so yeah, maybe it was just him.
He shook his head, brushing the thought away. Whatever the case, she was his master—and someone he trusted completely.
When he arrived at the Occult Research Club room, Rias, Akeno, and Koneko were already there.
"President. Akeno. Koneko," he greeted them one by one.
Rias smiled and nodded. "Sorry to call you all in on a Saturday. I know it's your day off."
The three of them assured her it was fine.
"Jack, how's your potential contract partner coming along?" she asked casually.
…Why did that sound like a relative asking about his girlfriend over the holidays?
"I've run into a few complications," he admitted with a wry smile. "But I think I can get it finalized tomorrow."
"Oh my, don't get discouraged," Akeno said warmly, her smile as soft as ever. "Forming a contract isn't easy. Communication and understanding are key."
"As long as you're serious about it, it'll work out," Koneko added. Her golden eyes were as sharp and steady as always beneath her short silver hair, fixed right on him.
Jack chuckled. "Yeah, I know."
Then he turned to Rias. "So, President, what's this meeting about?"
Rias's expression grew more serious, though her voice stayed calm and confident."Because we just received a sudden request from a duke."
She crossed her legs gracefully on the sofa, flipping her fiery red hair back as her gaze hardened with commanding energy.
"Tonight," she declared, "we're hunting down a Rogue Devil."
"Rogue Devil?" Jack frowned. "Never heard of that one."
Akeno smiled knowingly. "It refers to a devil who's betrayed or even killed their master after being reincarnated as a servant. Once they lose their master, they become free, lawless demons—and we call them Rogues."
"There are devils who betray their masters?" Jack tilted his head.
"Of course," Rias replied with a smirk. "Why wouldn't there be?"
He gave a small laugh. "Guess it's just hard to imagine, since you're too kind for that."
Rias's smile turned amused. "I suppose that means I haven't spoiled you for nothing, then."
Akeno and Koneko both let out quiet laughs.
Rias straightened, her tone turning sharp again."Anyway, Rogue Devils are dangerous. They ignore all rules, abuse their power, and do whatever they please. Without a master's restraint, they're nothing but chaos—and such creatures don't deserve to live."
Jack learned that "rogues" existed in every faction—Rogue Angels, Rogue Fallen Angels, even Rogue Priests.No matter the side, these outcasts were treated as dangerous and eliminated on sight.
This time, Rias intended to take Jack along—to give him some real experience.
As he listened, Jack couldn't help but think, Ever since I got thrown into this world, my life's been… ridiculously busy.
"..."
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