Rei Ao was briefly surprised. She was far more forward than he'd anticipated.
Moments later, Shizuku slumped against his shoulder, her eyes brimming with contentment and happiness.
She whispered softly into his ear,
"Rei Ao-kun, I want to give you everything all of me."
Rei Ao's eyes sparkled.
"Here and now?"
Shizuku, blushing furiously, nodded faintly. Even her soft reply was barely audible.
"Then let me take care of everything."
Rei Ao gently laid her down on the bed and pulled the curtains closed.
"Stella, thank you for giving us a tour of Hagun Academy," said Hijiri Kasuga with a sincere expression.
"Yes, thank you," added Shinoa Hiragi, equally genuine in her gratitude.
For the past two hours, Stella had guided them around the academy, introducing them to its unique features. The two visitors from another world were particularly fascinated by the cultural differences.
"It's nothing. It's the least I could do," Stella replied, scratching her head.
However, she couldn't help but grumble, "What is Rei Ao up to? Don't tell me he's with the director again"
Shizue, standing nearby, stayed silent, knowing exactly what Stella was implying.
The tension broke when Rei Ao appeared in the distance, walking toward them with a smile.
"Looks like I made it back just in time," he said warmly.
Stella shot him a fierce glare.
"If you hadn't shown up, I wouldn't have had any other places left to show them!"
She had even taken them to her least favorite spotthe library.
Rei Ao chuckled. "Thanks for taking care of our new members."
His sudden gratitude caught Stella off guard, making her feel both pleased and a bit embarrassed. She turned her head slightly, trying to hide her reaction.
With a hint of her usual tsundere tone, she muttered, "I'm not like some group leader who ignores new members to go off and enjoy himself."
Rei Ao didn't argue. After all, his absence was partly because Shizuku had been insistent. After her "baptism," she had mentioned learning many techniques from his livestream that she wanted to try. Naturally, Rei Ao obliged, ensuring she was satisfied before returning.
"Anyway, that's enough for today. Let's head back," he suggested.
Shinoa Hiragi nodded calmly. "Understood."
Hijiri Kasuga, however, blushed and avoided looking directly at him. "O-okay."
Stella looked slightly disheartened at the mention of their departure. But before they left, Rei Ao turned to her and said, "Stella, congratulations on your victory. Your performance today was truly impressive."
"Ugh!!!"
Hearing the words she had most wanted to hear, Stella felt as though her heart had been filled with honey.
But, maintaining her pride, she tilted her head up and replied arrogantly, "Who do you think I am? I'm Stella, the princess of the Vermillion Kingdom!"
Rei Ao, unimpressed by her boastfulness, poured a bit of cold water on her enthusiasm.
"Don't get too full of yourself. You still have weaknesses to address. If you don't work hard, Shizuku might surpass you."
"What?!"
The idea of being surpassed by Shizukuwas unthinkable to Stella. Their gap in strength was significant, after all.
Rei Ao, however, only gave a cryptic smile.
As Shizuku was now one of his girlfriends, Rei Ao had granted her his blessing:
[Name]: Shizuku Kurogane
[Abilities]: "Dragon's Power", "Ice Spirit", "Rei Ao's Blessing", "Inherent Device: Nocturnal Rain"
Even Kurono Shinguuji, who had shared many delightful moments with him, wasn't excluded:
[Name]: Kurono Shinguuji
[Abilities]: "Dragon's Power", "Demon", "Time and Causality Manipulation", "Inherent Device: Primordial Father", "Inherent Device: Goddess of Thought"
This was why Rei Ao urged Stella to work on her shortcomings. Without explaining further, he led the group back.
After their departure, Stella frowned as she pondered Shizuku.
"There's no way I'll be surpassed by her. She's just a defeated, defeated opponent!"
But her thoughts turned more compassionate. "She's probably back in the dorm, crying under her blanket over her loss."
She decided she might check in on her. After all, they were comrades in battle, having fought hard together.
Back on campus, Rei Ao returned to the rooftop where he had first left.
It was now dusk, and the campus was nearly empty as students had gone home.
Scanning the area, he spotted a familiar figure hurriedly entering the school grounds.
"Michiru Hyodo?"
Michiru Hyodo seemed anxious as she rushed up the stairs, eventually arriving at the rooftop, panting heavily.
"Huff huff!"
After catching her breath, she noticed Rei Ao standing there.
"Rei Ao-kun? What are you doing here?"
She remembered he hadn't been in class all afternoon and had heard he'd taken a leave of absence.
"Just looking for something," Rei Ao replied casually. "What about you, Michiru-san? You seem to be in quite a hurry."
Michiru scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
"I'm here looking for something too," she admitted.
Glancing around, she continued, "When I got home, I noticed a piece was missing from my guitar. I couldn't find it, so I thought I'd come back to the school and check here."
It wasn't uncommon for her to come to the rooftop during lunch to practice her guitar.
~~~
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Chapter 167: Mai was worried that Rei Ao would be squeezed dry
"Not here?"
Michiru Hyodo looked around the spot where she had spent her lunch break but couldn't find the missing item she was searching for.
Rei Ao's gaze fell on a small gap nearby. Bending down, he reached in with his fingers.
When he straightened up, he held a small brown object between his fingertips.
"Is this what you're looking for?" he asked.
Hearing his voice, Michiru turned toward him. Her eyes lit up with delight when she saw the object.
"Yes, that's it!"
"Here," Rei Ao said, handing it to her.
Michiru carefully examined it to confirm it was undamaged, then let out a deep sigh of relief and offered her thanks.
"Thank you so much, Rei Ao-kun. I was about ready to give up."
"As long as you've found it. You seemed really worried," he replied.
Michiru sighed again, this time with exasperation.
"I can't help it. My band has a performance tomorrow, and without this part, I'd have to waste time getting a replacement, which would cut into my practice time."
"Oh? Where's your performance? Is it on a big stage?" Rei Ao asked, curious.
"Uh" Michiru hesitated, looking a little embarrassed.
"Even though our band has a tiny bit of a name, we're not big enough for that yet. It's just a small street performance."
She blinked her sparkling eyes at him and asked, "Are you interested in band performances, Rei Ao-kun?"
"Me? Kind of."
"Then would you like to come and watch our performance?" she asked eagerly.
"Sure, just tell me the time and place, and I'll come by if I'm free."
"Okay!"
After bidding Michiru farewell, Rei Ao returned home to find Mai lounging on the couch, bored and watching TV.
Without a word, he made to scoop her up into his arms, but Mai stopped him with a firm hand.
"What's going on? Is my Mai no longer willing to let me get close to her?" Rei Ao teased.
Mai rolled her beautiful eyes at him.
"How many?"
"Huh?"
"I'm asking, how many this time? Shizue, Stella, Shizuku, Hijiri Kasuga, Shinoa Hiragihow many did you 'conquer' on this trip?"
Her sharp gaze cut straight through him, leaving him no room to dodge the question.
Rei Ao held up two fingers.
"You're overthinking it. Only Shizue and Shizuku confessed to me."
"And? Did you sleep with them?"
"Yeah."
Mai exhaled heavily, her exasperation evident.
"So you just agree whenever someone confesses to you? Do you even know how many there are now?"
"What can I say? I'm a kind-hearted guy," Rei Ao said with a shrug.
"Kind?" Mai's voice was full of disbelief.
"That's right. Kind. I can't stand to see girls crying over unrequited feelings. I just want to give them a home, just like I did for you, Mai."
With that, he pushed past her hand and wrapped his arms around her.
"You!"
Mai wanted to protest, but she couldn't escape his embrace.
"And me! This is my home too!"
Tohru suddenly burst out of the room and leapt onto the other side of Rei Ao.
What caught Rei Ao's attention was Tohru's attireor rather, the lack of it. She wore nothing but an apron.
"Tohru, who taught you this outfit?" he asked, standing a little straighter out of respect.
"Mai did," Tohru replied without hesitation, glaring at his chest.
"Mai, is this your thing?" Rei Ao asked, his expression turning strange.
""
Mai's face turned red. She had only been brainstorming ways to attract Rei Ao while chatting with Tohru. The idea of an apron-only outfit had come up as a joke, but Tohru had taken it seriously, using magic to bring it to lifeand even exposing her involvement.
Shooting Tohru a deadly glare, Mai pretended to act composed.
"Don't change the subject!"
In truth, she was the one trying to change the topic.
Rei Ao didn't press her and instead played along.
"As you can see, you're all my wings. I'm building a big family for us."
"I'm worried about you!" Mai snapped, her exasperation obvious.
"Worried about me?" Rei Ao nibbled lightly on her soft ear, clearly intrigued.
"What about me? Worried I'll be drained dry and can't satisfy you anymore?"
He was joking, but to his surprise, Mai fell silentand then nodded.
"Y-yeah, I'm a little worried about that," she admitted, looking away in embarrassment.
It was an awkward and shameful topic, but she felt she had to ask. Her mother had sent her a long-overdue message earlier that day, discussing issues like infidelity, physical compatibility, and the balance between love and desire.
The conversation had left Mai with a lot to think about, and now those thoughts spilled out in her concerns.
"Pftt"
Rei Ao couldn't help but burst into laughter at Mai's concern.
"What are you laughing at?!"
Her tone was a mix of embarrassment and anger, her frustration only deepening as Rei Ao wiped away imaginary tears of laughter.
He then grabbed her right hand and placed it provocatively over his lap, making her cheeks flush with rage and shyness.
"I'm being serious, but all you think about is"
She glared at him with a seductive, yet annoyed expression, but Rei Ao leaned closer, ignoring her protests.
Whispering softly into her ear, he said, "Can't you feel it? I'm far more vigorous than you imagine."
Tohru, sitting nearby, grew bolder and let her hand wander, giving her own assessment.
"Mai, you can trust Rei Ao. I'm sure he's stronger than even a full-grown dragon in this regard."
Dragons were known for their unparalleled endurance in such matters, and Tohru's statement only made Mai more flustered.
"Ugh"
Hearing this "certification" from a literal dragon, Mai felt her concerns were utterly ridiculous and embarrassing.
"It's all my mom's fault for putting such ideas in my head!"
As Mai cursed her mother internally, Tohru's expression turned playful, her eyes taking on a pinkish hue of mischief.
Rei Ao patted her head.
"If you want to, go ahead. Let's prove to Mai that her worries are unfounded."
"Yes, yes!" Tohru said enthusiastically.
Without a shred of embarrassment, the two started right there, ignoring Mai's presence entirely.
Mai, feeling her entire body crawl with unease, could only sit in stunned silence, her face burning.
Meanwhile
Shizue Izawa returned to the large house where she was temporarily staying with Velzard and Velgrynd.
The moment she entered, Velzard's eyes lit up, and she immediately approached Shizue, sniffing her lightly.
"Tsk tsk, such a strong scent of Rei Ao. How intense," Velzard teased.
Velgrynd, arms crossed, snorted coldly.
"You watched the livestream, didn't you? Poor Shizue was really bullied. And now you say this?"
"Ugh!!!"
Shizue whimpered, utterly embarrassed, wanting to dig a hole and bury herself.
So they had seen the livestream after all.
Velzard chuckled. "I was just curiouswhat does it feel like?"
Turning to Shizue, she asked, "Can you share your experience with us?"
Despite her overwhelming embarrassment, Shizue couldn't refuse Velzard's request.
Blushing furiously, she described her feelings in vivid detail to the curious Velzard and the secretly eavesdropping Velgrynd.
She spoke of the swelling, tingling sensations and the overwhelming sweetness of it all.
Elsewhere
Stella was still fixated on Rei Ao's earlier statement.
"Shizuku surpass me? That's impossible."
She repeated this belief to herself as she returned to her dorm.
The moment she entered, she was hit by a strange, intense smell.
Her eyes scanned the messclothes were scattered everywhere, the room was in complete disarray.
Her first thought was that her dorm had been burglarized.
But when her gaze fell on Shizuku lying soundly asleep, wrapped in a blanket on Stella's bed, her confusion deepened.
Shizuku's bare skin was marked with countless imprints, and the bedding beneath her bore a conspicuous red stain.
"What is this"
Stella's voice trembled as she clamped her hand over her mouth.
In the chat group:
Stella: "@Rei Ao, did you come to my dorm to see Shizuku?!"
Sui: "What happened now?"
Stella: "See for yourself! [Image]"
The group members saw a picture of Stella's dorm in complete chaos.
Stella had avoided photographing Shizuku directly, respecting her privacy, though everyone in the chat was femaleaside from Rei Ao.
Akame: "It's so messy."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "Why are there so many torn clothes?"
Saeko Busujima: "Is this your dorm, Stella?"
Stella: "Yes! But all these clothes are Shizuku's, and now she's lying on my bed with nothing to wear!"
Ayame Yomogawa: "Uh this"
Frieren: "I have a bold guess."
Rei Ao: "It was me."
Stella: "I knew it!"
Yukino Yukinoshita: ""
At this point, Yukino was numb to these conversations. Everyone in the group either understood what had happened or had been around long enough to piece it together.
She was tempted to ask outright: "Is Rei Ao some kind of human stud horse?"
Stella had similar thoughts.
