So how could a dragon like Tohru, who wasn't even human, fall in love so quickly?
"Then how do you explain my heart racing when I hold you?" Tohru asked, placing a hand on her chest.
Thump thump thump!
Her heartbeat was indeed rapid.
In response, Rei Ao pointed downward.
"Don't you feel something pressing against you?"
"..."
Tohru lowered her gaze.
She saw it.
Blinking her large, watery eyes, she abruptly let go of his neck and ran back to her room.
"Hah, so even Tohru can get embarrassed."
Rei Ao thought she'd run off out of shyness.
But that wasn't the case.
Because just as he was taking a shower
Bang bang!
Tohru barged into the bathroom, draped in a towel, her ample curves bouncing.
"The internet says you should help someone you like scrub their back!"
"..."
Rei Ao suddenly realized Tohru was taking things very literally.
Sigh.
He sighed softly.
Since she'd gone this far, how could he refuse?
He wasn't one to let opportunities slip by.
Looking at the voluptuous figure before him, he was already roused.
"Well, since you're so eager, I won't hold back. From now on, you're my girlfriend."
"Really?!"
Hearing this, Tohru's tail wagged like an excited puppy.
"Maybe you don't fully understand what love is yet, Tohru," Rei Ao said, smirking. "But I'll teach you what it means for feelings to grow over time."
"Hmph, I understand perfectly."
Tohru pouted.
Maybe she didn't understand human love, but Rei Ao was the first human she didn't dislike.
Instinctively, she knew how dragons expressed affection.
"Heh."
Rei Ao chuckled mischievously.
"Well then, since you understand, why don't you start by helping me out? Use that."
He pointed.
Tohru looked down.
There was nothing else there just the view obscured by her chest.
Noon. At the mall.
"Rei Ao-kun! Over here!"
Yui Yuigahama waved excitedly when she saw Rei Ao.
"Oh? Yui, your outfit today"
Rei Ao approached, giving her a once-over.
"How how is it?"
Yui asked nervously, worried he might say it didn't look good or wasn't suitable.
But Rei Ao had a sharp eye for spotting beauty.
"You look great. Very elegant and mature."
Today, Yui looked completely different from her usual schoolgirl appearance.
Her pink hair was tied to the side in a floral pattern, and she wore a white floral camisole.
Her collarbone and neckline were covered with a delicate silk scarf, while a black hemline and heels added a touch of sophistication.
She even had a pair of earrings and carried a small pink purse, completing the look.
Rei Ao was genuinely impressedit was a sight to behold.
Even after his recent encounter with Tohru, Yui's outfit managed to captivate him.
"W-Well"
Yui blushed at the compliment, feeling both shy and delighted. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Rei Ao took her hand.
"Didn't you say this was a date? Let's go."
"Eh?"
Yui wanted to clarify that it wasn't a date, but as he held her hand, she forgot what she was about to say.
And she didn't pull her hand away.
She let him lead her into the mall.
.
At the entrance of a women's clothing store
"Seriously, I've been giving him so many hints, and he hasn't made any move?"
Muttering softly, Yumiko Miura complained while considering a new dress.
She had even sent private messages. Couldn't Rei Ao take the initiative?
It was such a perfect holiday, and yet no date was planned.
How was she supposed to accept his confession without an excuse or a lead-in?
She had already lowered her standards for tolerating Rei Ao and his relationships with other women to the absolute minimum.
And yet, he remained indifferent.
Her frustration was bubbling over when, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a familiar figure.
"Hmm? Is that"
Looking more closely, she spotted him.
It was Rei Ao, standing by the counter of a bubble tea shop, looking as stylish and confident as always.
And next to himYui Yuigahama!
"What are they doing together?"
Yumiko froze in disbelief as she watched them.
The two stood together, waiting for their drinks, seemingly relaxed and happy.
Her mind raced, her thoughts in turmoil.
And then, Rei Ao noticed her. He smiled at her, as if acknowledging her presence!
Flustered, Yumiko immediately opened the chat group and sent a private message.
Private Message: Yumiko Miura
Yumiko: "What are you doing?"
Rei Ao smiled as he replied.
Rei Ao: "Can't you tell?"
Yumiko: "???"
Yumiko: "The person next to you is Yui, right? What's going on between you two?"
Rei Ao: "Haha."
He turned slightly to face Yui, gently raising a hand toward her face.
"Rei-Rei Ao-kun"
Yui's voice quivered like a whisper as her eyes fluttered.
"Yui, your hair is messy."
With that, Rei Ao used his fingers to smooth out a strand of her silky hair.
At such close proximity, Yui stared blankly at his face, her cheeks flushing.
From a distance, Yumiko's grip tightened on her shopping bag.
Rustle Crunch!
The bag creaked under the pressure of her anger.
She was already burning with jealousy.
A date?
Taunting me?
And with my best friend?!
So this was why he didn't ask me out or chase me more actively? Because he was busy dating Yui?
Fine. FINE.
Yumiko: "I won't let you get away with this!"
Rei Ao: "Oh? So are you planning to come out now and embarrass Yui?"
Yumiko froze mid-step.
She had been ready to storm over but stopped in her tracks.
He's right That would embarrass Yui, wouldn't it?
And it wasn't as though she and Rei Ao were officially anything yet.
"Here's your drink. Let's go look around over there."
"Mm."
Rei Ao handed Yui her bubble tea, taking her other hand and leading her toward another section of the mall.
Yui, blushing but obedient, quietly followed while sipping her drink.
"Damn it!"
Yumiko stomped her foot in frustration, clenching her fists.
She was consumed by a mix of jealousy, anger, and helplessness.
The guy I like is flirting with my best friend.
Why did she have to witness this?
She didn't want Yui to feel hurt or embarrassed, which was why she hesitated earlier and didn't interrupt their outing.
But letting Yui continue with Rei Ao felt far too dangerous!
Who was Rei Ao?
He was the guy who had seduced many women in the chat group, including pairs like Yuriko and Saya Takagi.
Someone like Yui, who was a natural airhead and easily influenced by mood and atmosphere, was bound to fall into his trap without realizing it.
There was no way Yumiko could let that happen.
Quietly, she began following them from a distance.
If she noticed anything suspicious, she was determined to step in and stop it.
~~~
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Chapter 115: Caught in the Act, All Hail the Demon King
Rei Ao was well aware that Yumiko Miura was secretly following them.
He chose not to expose her.
Instead, he continued walking and shopping casually with Yui.
Yumiko's "tracking" drew curious glances from other passersby, forcing her to buy a cap and mask to cover her face.
Despite the embarrassment, she persisted.
This is for Yui!
Her determination was admirable.
The pair wandered around until evening, eventually stopping for dinner.
Yumiko never once lost sight of them.
"Did you have fun?" Rei Ao asked Yui.
"Absolutely!" Yui replied without hesitation, but then her face flushed.
"Sorry I was supposed to thank Rei Ao-kun, but I kind of got carried away and forgot."
"It's fine."
Rei Ao smiled gently.
"Spending the day with a beautiful girl like you is already a treat for me."
The critical moment was coming.
"W-why does Rei Ao-kun always compliment me so suddenly? You're making me shy"
Yui was far from immune to his direct praise.
The occasional compliments throughout the afternoon had kept her blushing and her heart racing.
After patting her cheeks to cool herself down, her gaze shifted to a nearby cinema.
Her eyes sparkled with an idea.
"Rei Ao-kun, let's watch a movie! I'll buy the tickets!"
"Sure," Rei Ao agreed without hesitation.
After all, a movie theater was the perfect place to foster intimacy.
And at this time of day8 PMit was even better.
"Movie theater"
Yumiko saw the two enter the cinema.
"Watching a movie at this hour?"
Her mind raced with possibilities.
A two-hour movie would end around 10 PM.
What would happen after that?
She thought of countless stories in novels where couples wouldn't go home after such a time, instead heading to a hotel.
No way! I have to stop this!
Determined, Yumiko followed them into the theater.
It wasn't particularly crowded, and they had chosen a horror movie.
"Horror movies aren't really my thing if I'm watching alone," Yui said playfully, blinking her big eyes. "But with Rei Ao-kun here, I think I'll be fine!"
Thus, she bought the tickets.
When they entered the screening room, there were even fewer people than expected.
Rei Ao and Yui's seats were close together, with just one other person nearbyYumiko, sitting right behind them.
The horror movie began.
""
Yumiko immediately regretted her decision.
She shouldn't have bought a ticket.
It was terrifying.
Absolutely terrifying.
The empty theater only made it worse.
And with the backs of the chairs in front of her blocking her view, she couldn't even see Rei Ao and Yui clearly.
Suddenly, through the gap between two seats, she spotted one shadow leaning closer to another.
"!!!"
She instantly sent a private message.
Private Message: Yumiko Miura
Yumiko: "What are you doing?!"
Rei Ao: "Shouldn't I be asking you that? You've been following us all day."
Yumiko: "Hmph! It's because you're going after Yui. I need to protect her!"
Yumiko: "Are you taking advantage of her right now?"
She was certain that Rei Ao was trying something inappropriate with Yui.
Rei Ao: "Ah."
Rei Ao: "[Photo]"
Rei Ao: "See for yourself. She leaned on me first."
Yumiko: ""
She was speechless.
In the photo, Yui clung to Rei Ao's arm with a fearful expression, snuggling against him for comfort.
So envious
Wait, no! What am I thinking? He's just a perverted wolf!
Furious, Yumiko fumed silently.
But since it was Yui's own choice, she couldn't figure out how to intervene.
All she could do was send a harsh warning.
Yumiko: "Hmph! Don't think you'll get away with anythingI'll be watching you two all night!"
Rei Ao smirked as he read her message.
Gently, he pulled his arm out of Yui's embrace.
""
Yui's expression dimmed slightly.
She started to straighten up, only for Rei Ao to drape his arm over her shoulders.
"If you're scared, you can stay like this," he said softly.
Feeling his arm around her and his comforting presence, Yui leaned closer to rest her head on his shoulder.
She didn't resist at all.
"Mm" she murmured shyly, barely audible.
But at that moment, Yui had entirely stopped paying attention to the movie.
Instead, she found herself secretly gazing at Rei Ao's profile, her heart racing faster than ever.
Behind them, Yumiko Miura gritted her teeth in frustration.
Movies, like anything else, always had their dull moments, and horror films were no exception.
"Um Rei Ao-kun, I need to use the restroom," Yui said shyly, her voice full of embarrassment.
Although she was reluctant to part with the comforting warmth and safety of Rei Ao's presence, nature had called.
"Go ahead," he replied warmly.
Yui stood and headed toward the exit.
Yumiko immediately got up as well.
She shot a glare at Rei Ao when their eyes met but then quickly followed Yui, trying to act inconspicuous.
I'll pretend to run into her and give her a little warning.
Otherwise, this clueless girl was going to be tricked into a hotel tonight!
As the two left, Rei Ao narrowed his eyes.
A chilling draft suddenly filled the theater.
"Ugh, it's freezing! What's going on?"
"Did the AC malfunction or something?"
The temperature had dropped so sharply that several scattered viewers couldn't handle it and began leaving one by one.
Rei Ao stood and stared coldly at the movie screen.
"Your food's gone. Are you coming out, or do I have to drag you out?"
Meanwhile, Yui had finished washing her hands after using the restroom.
She glanced at the mirror, noticing that her cheeks were still flushed.
The memory of clinging so closely to Rei Ao replayed in her mind, causing her blush to deepen.
She couldn't believe how bold she had been.
Just as she prepared to return to the theater, a figure suddenly bumped into her.
"Ah!"
Unable to dodge, her bag slipped from her hands and fell to the ground.
"Sorry, sorry!"
The voice was strangely familiar.
"Yumiko?" Yui asked, surprised.
"Yui?" Yumiko feigned shock as she looked up, acting as if she had only just recognized her friend.
"Yumiko, what are you doing here?"
"I could ask the same! I didn't expect to see you watching a movie too!"
"Uh yeah, just a movie," Yui stammered, flustered.
She felt uneasy, worried that Yumiko might discover she was here with Rei Ao.
She didn't know how Yumiko would react if she found out.
I need to leave quickly!
Yui bent down to pick up her bag.
But before she could, Yumiko's hand got there first, grabbing a few items that had spilled out.
"What's this?" Yumiko's eyes widened.
"Condoms?"
Yumiko froze in shock, her mind racing.
"Yui, why do you have condoms in your bag?"
Her hands trembled as an absurd thought began to form.
Was this not a case of Rei Ao seducing Yui?
Could it be Yui who was trying to seduce Rei Ao?!
Otherwise, how could Yui explain carrying condoms?
Her best friend trying to seduce the guy she liked?!
"Huh?"
Yui stared at the condoms in Yumiko's hand, her mind going blank.
"I they're not mine! I swear!"
She frantically tried to explain.
She genuinely had no intention of doing anything with Rei Ao and had no idea how those items ended up in her bag.
Her phone buzzed with a notification.
Opening it, she saw a message from her mom.
Mom: "Yui, it's getting late. I figured you might not come home tonight, so I slipped a few condoms into your bag. Be responsible, okay?"
