As Rimuru held Mai's lips, his golden eyes suddenly caught a trembling shadow at the half-open door of the rooftop. It was Renako, eyes wide and body trembling all over.
Instead of retreating, Rimuru pressed Mai closer to him. He gently rested his head on her shoulder, locking his gaze directly with Renako's tear-filled eyes. Rimuru smiled—a smile so beautiful and alluring it could captivate anyone—but for Renako, it carried the scent of death and devastation. That smile said:
— See? She is mine now, and you are nothing.
Renako felt the world spinning around her. The one who had begged for a glance from her just yesterday had, with a simple command from this woman, thrown their entire past into the trash bin of history. She turned and fled with all her strength, sobbing uncontrollably.
Mai, noticing the weight of the gaze, asked in a trembling voice:
— Was someone there?
Rimuru, completely calm, brushed a strand of hair from Mai's face and said:
— It was Renako. She saw you kiss me, cried, and left.
A sudden pang gripped Mai's heart. Guilt surged over her like an old wave:
— Oh… Renako… I… I feel so bad, Rimuru.
Rimuru stopped and fixed her with a piercing, serious look. His words allowed no room for Mai to sink into weakness:
— Don't feel bad, little star. You did nothing wrong. She was the one who didn't want you and rejected you. When someone returns a gift, they have no right to cry over its new owner. She lost her claim to you the moment she slapped you.
Mai thought over Rimuru's words. His logic was ruthless yet true. Renako hadn't wanted her, but Rimuru had accepted her completely, with all of her needs.
At that moment, the class bell rang. Rimuru took Mai's hand, his tone warming again, supportive and protective:
— Let's go back to class. We can't leave the queen and her companion waiting.