Everyone understood from Shinoa Hiiragi's explanation that she hadn't actually encountered any danger or threat—she was just venting a little in the chat group.
However, afterward, Rei Ao posed a question that the other members found rather odd:
Rei Ao: "@Shinoa Hiiragi, about your sister… Is she still alive?"
Sui: "Eh? Why ask that out of the blue?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "He must have some motive."
Yotsuya Miko: "Could it be that Shinoa's sister is really pretty?"
Shinoa Hiiragi: "All I can say is that she looked a lot like me."
Stella: "Then she must be gorgeous, since Rei Ao is so fond of you."
Bibi Dong: "If Rei Ao's interested, there's obviously no issue."
Shinoa Hiiragi: "But here's the thing, Rei Ao-kun: my sister is already deceased, from an accident."
Shinoa Hiiragi: "Why are you asking? Do you want to say something?"
Rei Ao: "Not really. I'm just curious."
He was intrigued by the fate of Shinoa's sister, Mahiru Hiiragi, whose destiny he didn't recall. For instance, how did she die? And why didn't she become a demon? If he didn't already have plans to visit Eriri's place, he'd have gone to see Shinoa in person.
"Oh well, I'll check it out some other time,"
Rei Ao said to himself, shelving that thought for now as he waited for classes to end.
…
After Classes
Whether it was Megumi Kato or Yui, several girls wanted to walk home with Rei Ao—but he turned them all down.
"Rei Ao-kun, do you have something going on?"
Utaha Kasumigaoka looked puzzled as her boyfriend refused her.
"I'm sorry, I already have plans."
Rei Ao glanced at his watch. It had been twenty minutes since the final bell rang; only a few students on cleaning duty remained in the classroom.
"Plans? With who?"
Utaha asked just as—
"Rei Ao-kun, I'm here!"
A familiar voice echoed down the hallway. Eriri dashed over, pigtails bouncing merrily.
"Oh, she's arrived."
"So it's her…"
Seeing the excited Eriri, Utaha's face darkened. My boyfriend is being stolen away by this blonde pigtailed girl.
"???"
Eriri felt something amiss.
"What's wrong? And why is she here?"
She hugged Rei Ao's arm protectively, wary of Utaha. Afraid he'd be taken.
"Heh."
Utaha responded with a cynical laugh.
"What am I doing here? I wanted to walk home with my boyfriend, but apparently he turned me down for someone else—do you know how annoying that feels?"
"!"
Eriri wasn't clueless; she got the situation immediately.
"He's your boyfriend?"
She looked at Rei Ao as if to confirm. He didn't hide it:
"Utaha is indeed my girlfriend right now. I just didn't have time to tell you all."
Hearing that, Utaha—who had been sulking—felt unexpectedly touched. It meant her relationship with Rei Ao wasn't hidden at all.
"…"
Because the people in the chat group had witnessed so much already, Eriri didn't overreact. She only pursed her lips in a little pout.
"Hmph, I don't care if she's your girlfriend—I'm also your girlfriend, and I asked you to come to my place first. So you will come home with me!
If you don't agree, I—I'll bite you!"
She flashed her tiny canine teeth—her signature cutesy threat. Unfortunately, it lacked any real intimidation, only making her look adorably bully-able.
Rei Ao pinched her nose:
"I gave you my word, so I obviously won't break it. That's why I turned Utaha down."
Seeing the tension, Utaha decided not to force him. She sighed:
"Alright, alright. I've been rejected, so I won't insist. I'll let you have him this time."
"But next time, Rei Ao, you have to consider me first. I'm scheduling you in advance."
With that, she stepped closer in her black stockings, a gentle fragrance wafting by.
Standing on tiptoes, Utaha leaned in and planted a quick kiss on Rei Ao's lips. It lasted just a moment, then she licked her lips and said, "That's my deposit~" before leaving.
"Eh???"
Eriri, still clinging to Rei Ao's arm, froze up. Did she just get "NTR'd" right in front of her eyes?!
"Ugh, that cow—Kasu 'big boobs' creep!!!"
Eriri, who often drew NTR scenes in her doujin work, was tasting that humiliation in real life for the first time. Her entire face went beet red…
"Ehhh…"
Rei Ao gave a helpless sigh, then moved to soothe the small, jealous creature beside him. His method was simple:
1. Tilt her chin up.
2. Lean in slowly for a kiss.
3. Tame Eriri, the little "jealous ball."
That's all. Eriri settled down in no time.
Once her jealousy evaporated, she interlocked fingers with Rei Ao, quietly waiting at the train station together. Although Rei Ao could have teleported them straight home or called a cab, Eriri insisted on riding the train for the experience. He happily obliged her.
"Ah, Mom said she'd cook French Cuisine tonight,"
Eriri remarked as they strolled.
"She even went to an import grocery store for ingredients."
"Aunt Sayuri can cook French food?"
Rei Ao was a bit surprised. He didn't recall her ever doing so.
Eriri sighed:
"It's all because of you!"
"Me?"
"Yeah! She wants to show you something more impressive, so she took the time to learn French dishes. I told her you wouldn't mind, but she wouldn't listen."
She sounded exasperated. Rei Ao paused:
"So she's changing herself for my sake…"
"Right. So, Rei Ao, do you ever expect me to, I dunno… show you another side of me?"
Eriri asked cautiously. She might say she didn't mind, but she actually worried that if she never changed, he'd get bored of her. Sensing her concerns, Rei Ao reassured her:
"Don't overthink it. I already like you as you are. It's not about changing. You're adorable now, and it makes me want to…"
Suddenly, he broke off.
"Makes you want to do what?"
Eriri probed, curiosity piqued. Rei Ao smirked, leaning close to whisper in her ear:
"Makes me want to kiss you."
~~~
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