When Rimuru saw Mai's silence and her trembling eyes, a victorious smile slowly spread across her lips.
She leaned closer and whispered,
"I'll take that silence as a 'yes.'"
Before Mai could respond, Rimuru captured her lips in a kiss—short, yet deep. Claiming. Possessive.
To Mai, the taste of Rimuru's lips felt like freedom. Freedom from Renako's judgment. From rejection. From shame.
Rimuru pulled back as if nothing unusual had happened and said casually,
"Oh, by the way… I forgot to mention. Starting tomorrow, I'll be in your class. I thought becoming classmates might make things more interesting for you."
Mai was still frozen—half from the kiss, half from the sudden news.
Then Rimuru took her hand.
"You look exhausted, my little star," she murmured. "Do you want to sleep with me tonight?"
Without waiting for an answer, she gently led Mai toward her luxurious bedroom.
On the bed, Rimuru skillfully wrapped her arms around Mai, drawing her close. Slowly, she guided Mai's head against the soft warmth of her chest.
Surrounded by Rimuru's scent and body heat, Mai felt her tension melting away.
As she stroked Mai's hair, Rimuru leaned down and whispered playfully into her ear,
"They're soft, aren't they? You know you can lean on them."
Mai's cheeks burned red. She buried her face further, her voice muffled.
"Yes… I can feel it… but don't say it like that… it's embarrassing…"
Rimuru only smiled.
A smile Mai couldn't see.
A smile that carried the scent of strategic victory.
An hour later, when Mai's breathing had steadied and she had fallen into a deep sleep in Rimuru's arms, those golden eyes opened in the darkness.
They glowed faintly.
Rimuru stared at the ceiling, and when she spoke this time, there was no warmth left in her voice.
"Renako… how amusing."
A quiet chuckle escaped her lips.
"Thank you for pushing her away. She was a gift you never deserved."
Her eyes softened—but only slightly.
"So I'll take her."
A pause.
"Because Mai… belongs only to me."