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Inside the bedroom, Jack and Mai Sakurajima were wrapped up in each other, their affection overflowing as they finally let their feelings loose.
After a long while, their lips slowly parted. They looked into each other's eyes in silence, so quiet it almost felt like they could hear each other's heartbeat.
Jack remained calm as ever, but Mai—no matter how composed she usually was—couldn't hide the flush spreading across her face after the kiss.
Even someone with her usual queen-like presence revealed a shy, almost bashful side in that moment.
"Consider this a little reward for you," she said with a smile, trying to keep the upper hand in the relationship.
The boy smiled gently, his gaze so soft it was almost overwhelming.
People often say you can't hide the way you look at someone you love. Right now, the warmth in his eyes was practically spilling over.
"If that's all I get, it feels a bit… lacking."
Jack spoke quietly, his hand already starting to wander.
It didn't take long before he felt the delicate softness of the girl in his arms.
Mai let out a soft gasp, her face instantly turning even redder.
"I—I didn't say you could go that far…" she said, trying her best to sound composed.
"Exactly. That's why I figured I should take the initiative." Jack smiled and lightly pecked her lips again, studying her beautiful face from up close.
The famous actress was completely flushed now, her eyes carrying a hint of charm that was downright captivating.
"Don't stare at me. It's embarrassing."
She raised a hand to cover his eyes, catching only the slight curve of his lips.
"Mai…"
"Hmm?"
"Will you become my wife?"
With his eyes covered, Jack felt an unexpected calm settle over him. His hands returned to her waist, holding her close, absentmindedly tracing the softness there.
"W-Why are you suddenly asking that?" Mai's heart pounded wildly at the direct question, her embarrassment spiking.
The smile on Jack's lips deepened.
He had never imagined himself seriously falling in love with a girl.
He had always deliberately lived an ordinary, low-profile life, avoiding people whenever possible. Most of the time, he preferred being alone, even if it meant just sitting quietly doing nothing.
He had never felt lonely. If anything, he disliked putting on fake smiles just to deal with others.
But living in the world meant interacting with people. There were always things that forced you to accept that reality.
So he learned to maintain that polite, artificial smile, blending in, making himself seem normal instead of distant or strange.
But everything changed after he crossed into this world.
He became a devil. He met people like Rias and the others—people who truly reached his heart.
He gained the power to ignore the rules of society, to act however he pleased. Yet because of his contracts, he still had to keep dealing with others.
Still, he had changed.
He expressed his real emotions more often now. He no longer bothered with fake politeness, because he didn't need to follow those worldly rules anymore.
More importantly, he found himself smiling more. Real smiles.
Because there were finally things—and people—that genuinely interested him.
Maybe… this was where he was meant to be.
Compared to this, his old world had been unbearably dull.
He let out a soft breath, then gently removed Mai's hand from his eyes. His dark gaze fixed steadily on her.
"My life used to feel empty and meaningless. But now… I think I came to this world just to meet you all."
"At a time like this, you're supposed to say just me," Mai said, suddenly tugging his cheek in annoyance.
She knew he was a devil. She couldn't judge him by human standards. He had already told her how important his master and companions were to him.
But even so… when it was just the two of them, she couldn't help wanting to be the only one in his heart.
Jack let her pull at his cheek, noticing how her queen-like aura had returned. He couldn't help but grin.
Mai blinked for a moment, then smiled too.
"Much better. That smile actually looks real now. When I first met you, I honestly wanted to punch that fake smile right off your face."
She let go of him and snuggled into his arms.
"Sleep. And don't try anything else," she ordered, her tone full of authority as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
Jack didn't argue. Devils might indulge their desires, but they could also control them completely. Right now, he preferred this simple, peaceful warmth.
More than that, through their contract, he could feel a steady stream of power flowing in—born from Mai's emotions.
Well… mostly from her love.
Realizing that, Jack smiled softly and kissed her forehead.
Mai had her eyes closed, as if already asleep. But when she felt his kiss, the corners of her lips lifted into a sweet, unconscious smile.
The power from the contract grew even stronger.
Jack couldn't help but chuckle. This was practically cheating.
Not wanting to waste all that accumulated emotional energy, he immediately began converting it, synchronizing his consciousness with his Sacred Gear and keeping everything within a manageable range. Holding Mai like that, he quietly began to cultivate.
By the time morning arrived, Mai was sleeping soundly in his arms when Jack slowly opened his eyes.
Golden patterns flickered within his dark pupils, turning them into brilliant, radiant gold.
He hadn't slept at all that night, yet he felt completely refreshed.
Gently releasing Mai's soft body, he sat up and stretched. The results of last night's training were impressive—his demonic power had increased noticeably.
"You're up so early?" Mai's voice came softly. It seemed his movement had woken her.
"Sorry, did I wake you?"
She smiled and shook her head. "I've already had enough sleep."
"Alright. I'll go buy breakfast for you, then I'll head back."
Jack got out of bed. With a flicker of demonic power, a black outfit materialized on him instantly.
Watching him, Mai lay on the bed and laughed softly. "You actually look really handsome."
"Of course."
Jack showed no trace of modesty. He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
"I'm heading out. Wife, you should get up and freshen up soon."
"Y-You… I haven't agreed to marry you yet." Mai's face flushed again at the title, though she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
Jack just waved casually, a faint grin on his face.
"Heh. It's only a matter of time."
"..."
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