Being with Sakurajima Mai was always easy and pleasant—
Maybe that's just how people in love are.
On the outside, Mai had the elegant charm of a mature woman, but inside she was pure and genuine.
When she was with Ryuya, she loved teasing him, only to end up being teased back. And when that happened, she'd stubbornly puff up and refuse to admit defeat—
Until Ryuya, with a warm smile, would say something sweet to coax her back into laughter, leaving her happily basking in her boyfriend's affection.
Sometimes, a few stray words would accidentally steer their conversation into those kinds of flirty, risqué topics… and she'd end up blushing furiously, pretending nothing had happened while her entire face burned red.
After reaching the station, they boarded the train. There were no empty seats, so Ryuya stood by the wall of the carriage, holding Mai close as the train swayed lightly.
Perhaps because she knew he'd already used Common Sense Alteration to keep them unnoticed, Mai relaxed completely, leaning into his broad chest.
After a while, she shifted her stance slightly, bending forward and lifting one leg to rub her ankle.
"Your foot hurts?" Ryuya asked.
"Mhm…" she murmured softly.
Looking down, he saw she was still wearing shiny black heels—sharp-toed, sleek, and obviously painful just to look at.
They had walked quite a distance after leaving the company, and she had apparently worn those same heels all day during her shoot.
"You should've changed before coming out. Your feet must be killing you."
Ryuya's gaze lingered for a moment. Her legs, wrapped in black stockings, looked perfectly shaped, the high heels accentuating every curve and line, making her legs look even longer and more flawless.
"I forgot."
Mai sighed. She'd been so happy when she heard Ryuya was coming that she'd walked out of the company building before realizing she hadn't changed shoes.
By the time she remembered, her feet already hurt.
Ryuya glanced around the crowded carriage. "How about I get someone to give you their seat?"
Of course, what he meant was that he could use Common Sense Alteration. Without it, who would willingly give up a seat to two young people like them?
"It's fine," Mai said quickly. "There are only two stops left anyway."
She didn't want him to use his power for something like this. Her human sense of morality made her feel that would be selfish.
Ryuya understood. He smiled softly—then leaned down and gently kissed her cheek.
The sudden gesture made Mai blush.
"What was that for?"
"A reward for being kind," Ryuya said with a grin.
"I don't need some self-appointed reward. You just wanted to kiss me, didn't you?"
Her cheeks turned pink, though she tried to look indifferent.
Ryuya didn't argue. He simply held her quietly by the waist until the train reached their stop. Then, crouching down, he patted his shoulder.
"Come on. I'll carry you."
Mai blinked. "No need, I'm not that spoiled."
"I know Mai isn't spoiled," he said with a warm smile. "I just want to pamper my girlfriend a little."
People around them naturally walked past, not paying any attention—thanks to his little tweak of common sense.
"Come on, or we'll block the way," he urged.
Mai couldn't help but laugh softly, helpless but moved. She stepped closer and climbed onto his back. Ryuya effortlessly lifted her up, his hands steady beneath her legs.
With her arms wrapped around his neck and her chin resting on his shoulder, Mai completely relaxed.
As the streets and lights slowly drifted by behind them, she thought to herself—
Moments like this… are what happiness really feels like.
The station wasn't far from Mai's apartment. Ryuya carried her all the way home and gently set her down on the sofa.
Then he went to the entrance and fetched her a pair of slippers.
"Thanks," Mai said with a relieved smile.
Finally free from those heels, she slipped them off immediately and rubbed her sore ankles with a sigh of relief.
"Here," Ryuya said softly.
He sat down beside her, lifted her smooth legs onto his lap, and began to gently massage her feet and ankles with both hands.
Mai's face turned bright red in an instant.
"Y-you don't have to go through all that trouble…"
She clearly looked embarrassed.
"It's no trouble at all," Ryuya said calmly. "Think of it as… a reward."
His composed tone made Mai blink in surprise.
"Huh? A reward?"
Ryuya only smiled without explaining further, leaving Mai's imagination to run wild.
Reward…? Could he mean—
Wait, don't tell me he has a… foot fetish?!
"You… you're weird," she muttered, cheeks flushing deeper as she pretended to sound casual. "I just got home, you know. I haven't even washed my feet yet…"
Ryuya raised an eyebrow, smirking teasingly.
"Even better."
"...??"
Mai stared at him in disbelief. She knew how mischievous he could be, but still, that reply left her completely speechless.
"...Idiot."
She sighed and laughed softly, giving up on arguing, and simply let herself enjoy his massage.
Ryuya's touch was gentle and precise, and before long, the soreness and swelling in her feet had melted away.
"It doesn't hurt anymore," she murmured, her face still pink.
"Got it."
Ryuya stopped kneading, but he didn't move her legs away. Instead, he let them rest across his lap, idly running his hand along her silky, stocking-clad thighs.
"Can't stop touching them, huh?" Mai said coolly.
"I just can't get enough," he admitted with a grin.
"Quit it—it tickles."
"Hmm, then maybe I should take the stockings off. That might help."
Mai shot him a look that could only be described as exasperated affection.
"Honestly… why do you like playing with my feet so much?" she asked, leaning in to pinch his cheek gently and pull at it.
Ryuya tilted his head slightly with the motion and replied with mock seriousness,
"Because you won't let me play with anything else yet."
"…"
Mai froze for half a second—then realized what he meant. Her entire face went scarlet.
"Pervert."
She quickly pulled her legs back, slipping on the slippers he'd brought her. "I'm taking a bath."
"Can I join you?" Ryuya asked, still smiling.
"No."
The refusal was instant, firm, and final.
Mai gathered her change of clothes and walked straight into the bathroom, shutting the door tightly behind her.
Ryuya chuckled softly, his expression shifting from playful to serene in an instant—a transition so smooth it was almost disarming.
He could feel the link of their devil's contract pulsing faintly, and he realized something remarkable: the stronger their love became, the more emotional energy he received in return.
What surprised him most was how abundant that energy felt—
A constant, overflowing stream.
Glancing toward the bathroom, a gentle smile touched his lips.
He truly hadn't expected that falling in love with Mai would make the contract's emotional feedback this powerful.
To think he'd found such a perfect girlfriend… what incredible luck.
He really had hit the jackpot.
...
------