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When Jack saw that the bed was already claimed by Mai, he sighed and took the single sofa in the corner.
Across the room, Sakurajima Mai sat up and rubbed her ankle.
Jack's eyes, however, were glued to her—specifically to her legs wrapped in sheer black stockings.
"What are you staring at me for?" she asked, eyebrow twitching.
"I'm admiring a beautiful woman and her even more beautiful legs."
So blunt it was almost disarming.
Mai blinked, speechless. "Wow. You're actually that much of a perv."
"Please forgive me. It's my first time getting a hotel room with a cute girl," Jack said with an exaggerated shrug.
"...So I guess it's my fault for coming along, huh."
She stretched lazily, letting out a small hum, then stood up. "I'm taking a shower."
"Go ahead."
"No peeking."
"I'd love to, but unfortunately, the bathroom has a lock."
He said it casually, though his mind couldn't help but flash back to the scene from when he'd first been summoned—when he accidentally saw her in the bathtub. The image, annoyingly, was still vivid.
A curse upon his excellent memory.
Mai didn't bother replying. She simply pointed silently at the door, clearly telling him to get out.
"If I go outside now, people might think I'm a burglar."
"Then tell them you're not a burglar—you're just a pervert."
Ouch. That one hit straight in the chest.
"Pretty sure I'd still get arrested either way," Jack replied with a grin. "If you keep insulting me, I might just join you in there."
"Hmph."
Mai huffed and ducked into the bathroom, making a point to slam and lock the door loudly.
...God, she was adorable.
Jack smiled to himself and pulled out his phone, trying to search up information about Sakurajima Mai.
Predictably, nothing came up. Not a single hit.
Instead, the search results were filled with "Kuramoto Mai," "Sakurajima Koko," and other random idol profiles.
"What kind of garbage search engine is this? I'm trying to look up a real person, not a lineup of B-list idols."
He sighed. "I'm a respectable—uh, respectable demon, thank you very much."
He tried again, but still nothing. Before long, the sound of running water stopped.
Click. The bathroom lock turned.
Mai peeked out with a towel wrapped around her head, her damp hair clinging to flushed pink shoulders. Beads of water trailed down her skin.
"You didn't do anything weird while I was in there, did you?" she asked suspiciously.
"Weird? Like what?"
"L-like… weird stuff!" she stammered, her cheeks tinting pink.
Jack rolled his eyes. "You came out dressed like that just to ask me that question?"
"...Of course not! I just—what am I supposed to do about my underwear?"
"Huh?"
"My clothes are fine, but my socks and underwear are soaked. I can't wear them."
She looked genuinely troubled.
"I could wash them for you," Jack suggested. "And, you know, dry them with a hair dryer or something."
"Or you could just die right now."
"Wow. Harsh." He stayed perfectly calm. "So… you're not wearing anything under that towel right now?"
"I am wearing a towel!"
"Oh~ that's a nice image too."
"...!! Stop saying weird things!"
Annoyed, Mai yanked the towel off her head and threw it at his face.
It smelled faintly of her shampoo—sweet, clean, and maddeningly pleasant.
Jack tugged it down lazily. "Fine, fine. Stay here a minute, I'll run to the convenience store and get what you need. I could use a change too."
"You sure that's okay?"
"What's the problem?"
"You're a high school boy buying women's underwear."
"Relax. I already got labeled a pervert anyway," he said breezily.
Mai was momentarily speechless. "…I'd better come with you. Who knows what you'll buy."
"I'll behave, promise."
"I just don't trust your taste."
"Fair enough," he muttered as she disappeared back into the bathroom to change. He could hear faint rustling, then the hum of a hair dryer.
When she came out again, Jack caught himself glancing—just once—wondering if she was still, well, unarmored. Probably not. Hopefully not.
They went downstairs to the convenience store and made straight for the daily goods section.
It was surprisingly well-stocked. Before Jack could even get his bearings, Mai had already grabbed a black camisole and matching panties, dropping them into the basket.
"This pink one looks cute," he teased.
"It's not like I'm wearing it for you, so the color doesn't matter," she said flatly.
"Heh. Maybe I'll get a look someday."
"In your dreams, idiot."
She said it lazily, dragging out the "idiot" just enough to sting, then wandered toward another aisle.
Jack picked up a pair of black boxers for himself and caught up.
"Actually, black looks pretty good on you," he said lightly.
Mai dropped two ready-made meals into the basket, and though she clearly heard him, she still turned that intimidating gaze on him.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
He grinned and took the basket to the counter.
Thankfully, the cashier didn't give him any weird looks. No awkward "why's this kid buying women's underwear" scene—mission accomplished.
They went back to the hotel, sat facing each other, and ate their convenience store dinner.
After that, Jack showered, dried his hair, and came out to find Mai sitting on the bed, frowning in thought.
"Don't tell me you're planning to kick me out again," he said.
"The hallway's out of the question. I don't want to cause trouble for the hotel owner," she murmured, then glanced at the single bed.
"…Can you swear you won't do anything?" she asked carefully.
"Of course. I swear."
"Liar."
Jack spread his hands helplessly. What else could he do? Even if he paused to think before answering, she'd probably take that as proof of bad intentions.
I swear I can't win with her.
Mai sighed. "…If it's just sleeping next to me, I guess it's fine."
"Awesome."
"Say one more word and I'll punch you."
Still on guard, huh?
As she slid over to the inner side of the bed, Jack lifted the blanket and climbed in beside her. The sheets were warm from where she'd just been lying.
He closed his eyes and smiled.
"Man… this is touching. First time someone's ever warmed my bed for me."
Mai: "...??"
"..."
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