Badr grinned, showing off the limited-edition men's watch on his wrist, a gift from Mai Sakurajima. "Most girls give guys watches as gifts. The guy you like might already have received one."
Nino Nakano: "..."
...
Badr had been genuinely trying to help Nino, offering thoughtful advice.
However, he hadn't anticipated that his answer would deflate Nino like a punctured balloon.
Staring at the watch on Badr's wrist, Nino felt lost.
Had someone already given Badr a watch?
Who gave it to him...?
Damn it, someone beat her to it...
With mixed feelings, Nino purchased the belt, carefully placing it in her bag.
Regardless, she wasn't ready to give up. Badr hadn't said he had someone he liked, which meant she still had a chance.
Nino was the type to persevere once she set her mind to something...
"Let's go back. Everyone's waiting," Badr said, turning to Nino. "Shall I fly you back?"
"Eh? Really? Like you did with Ichika last time?"
Nino's eyes lit up. After Badr had flown Ichika home, she had told her sisters about it, making them envious.
They all wanted to experience it but were too embarrassed to ask...
Badr smiled. "What did Ichika tell you?"
"That it was thrilling." Nino's words belied the true sentiment shared among the sisters; they all thought being carried through the sky was incredibly romantic.
"Then I'll let you experience it properly."
Badr smiled, bending down and scooping Nino up into his arms in a princess carry.
Since Nino, like ordinary humans, lacked demonic power, she couldn't pass through his magic circles. This was the only way he could take her flying.
As expected, the princess carry delighted Nino, and she couldn't suppress the wide smile that spread across her face.
It really was a princess carry!
His arms were so strong...
Ever since she had touched Badr's arm and felt his firm physique, Nino had often fantasized about what it would be like to be held by him.
She never thought her dream would come true...
Uncontrollably smitten, Nino felt a strange pull towards Badr.
Perhaps it was his unique and distinct aura, the kind that made him stand out in a crowd.
Indeed, since becoming a devil and embracing his true self, Badr's free-spirited and confident demeanor had become more pronounced. Coupled with his calm nature, it was hard not to notice him.
Badr, oblivious to Nino's infatuation, assumed her excitement stemmed from the thrill of flying.
After all, he couldn't read minds, and a young girl's heart could be both easy to understand and incredibly difficult to decipher...
He carried Nino back to the quintuplets' apartment, where Yotsuba had already arrived.
Seeing Badr fly in through the window with Nino in his arms, Miku puffed out her cheeks in a fit of jealousy...
"What's the meaning of this...?"
Ichika's eye twitched as she witnessed the scene.
"What? It's just a faster way to get back. Why the fuss?"
Nino feigned nonchalance, but the upturned corners of her lips betrayed her smugness.
Badr settled onto the living room sofa, his gaze calm as he looked at the five sisters before him.
"Now that everyone's here, hand over your test papers."
The five sisters exchanged glances and solemnly retrieved their tests from their bags.
Badr also took the midterms seriously. It was a crucial point; if they passed, he would have essentially completed their request ahead of schedule.
After reviewing all five score sheets, a smile graced the faces of each quintuplet.
...
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Chapter 119: I'm not Giving You my Daughters!
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...
They had, of course, secretly checked their test scores.
"...Not bad, you all passed."
"Yay!" Everyone cheered.
A smile touched Badr's lips. Their hard work over the past few weeks had paid off; all five sisters had passed their exams.
"Especially Ichika. You had the highest score among the five."
He offered a quiet compliment, but his words struck Miku Nakano like a bolt of lightning.
Ichika... had the highest score?
Miku looked at Ichika Nakano in disbelief.
She had told Ichika that if she got the highest score, she would confess to Badr.
But now, Ichika had achieved the highest score...
Hadn't she... not been studying that much?
Ichika Nakano seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "Huh? I got the highest score? That's surprising, hahaha..."
She laughed as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, but her gaze darted around, avoiding Miku's eyes.
After all, she had been secretly studying...
Even though she was tired from work, the thought of Miku confessing to Badr if she got the highest score had been unbearable.
Because... she liked Badr too...
As the eldest sister, she should take care of her younger siblings;
But giving him up to Miku just like that... she felt a pang of reluctance...
Ichika and Miku were engaged in a silent battle of wills, unnoticed by the others. Then, Nino Nakano stood up.
"Alright! To commemorate this momentous occasion, I have an announcement!"
Everyone's attention shifted to Nino.
She opened her bag and pulled out a gift she had bought, solemnly presenting it to Badr.
"I like you!"
Everyone: "...???"
The other four sisters were stunned into silence.
Badr looked at the familiar gift in his hand, blinking in surprise...
Huh? What's going on?
"N-N-Nino..." Miku's voice trembled.
"This..." Ichika's expression was one of astonishment.
"Eh!? Nino..." Yotsuba stammered after a two-second delay, seemingly torn between speaking and remaining silent.
Itsuki, her mouth full of cake, almost choked. She quickly gulped down some water, then stared at Nino with a dumbfounded expression.
Badr, however, maintained his composure. After the initial surprise, he pursed his lips slightly.
"I understand. But Nino, I'm a devil."
"What does that matter? There's no rule saying I can't like a devil, and there's no rule saying a devil can't like a human, right?"
Nino Nakano was truly courageous.
Looking at her, Badr was taken aback. He explained patiently, "What I mean is, devils and humans have different moral values. I have several girls I like, both human and devil. This is different from human perspectives, and you don't know much about me. Would you still like me even knowing this?"
"Ha... Ha!?"
Everyone was dumbfounded by Badr's words.
Indeed, they had never really considered these things...
"See? Your feelings for me are more out of curiosity and admiration for supernatural powers," Badr said calmly. "Now that the terms of our agreement have been fulfilled, perhaps everyone should take some time to reconsider..."
...
Silence fell over the room.
No one had expected Badr to say such surprising things.
Not only did he already have someone he liked, but he had many...
So, what did their feelings even mean?
These thoughts swirled in their minds, creating a sense of confusion.
Badr was so straightforward, laying bare the stark difference in their worldviews, just as he had done with Mai Sakurajima.
As they were lost in thought, the door suddenly opened.
A middle-aged man in a suit, with a dignified posture, stood at the doorway, accompanied by the chauffeur who drove the sisters to school every day.
The five sisters froze.
"Dad?"
They spoke in unison.
Badr's eyes met the man's.
So, this was the quintuplets' father...
As far as he knew, this man wasn't their biological father.
Their mother had raised them single-handedly before meeting and marrying a doctor, the man now standing before him, Maruo Nakano.
It was commendable of him to accept five daughters as his own.
"We have a guest?"
Maruo Nakano entered, his expression stern, not giving the impression of being easily approachable.
Badr stood up, replying softly, "I apologize for the intrusion. My name is Badr."
"Badr, is it? I've heard of you," Maruo Nakano said indifferently. "My daughters have been in your care for some time now."
Seeing their father's serious demeanor, the sisters grew worried.
They knew their father's stern personality often intimidated others, making him seem unapproachable.
"Uh, Dad, what brings you back at this hour?" Ichika asked quickly, forcing a smile.
"Today is the day midterm exam results are released. I haven't forgotten," Maruo Nakano replied calmly, his gaze sweeping over the report cards on the table.
"Oh? You all passed. That's surprising."
"I-It's thanks to Badr! He's been tutoring us recently!" Yotsuba quickly interjected. She had a feeling her father wasn't very welcoming towards Badr...
"Is that so? Then I must express my gratitude."
Maruo Nakano's gaze scrutinized Badr from head to toe.
Badr met his gaze calmly, his composed demeanor unusual for a seventeen-year-old.
Maruo Nakano was slightly taken aback. He had known about Badr's existence for a while. After all, the chauffeur had practically watched the quintuplets grow up and would have reported anything unusual happening around them.
From the looks of it, this young man was indeed exceptional.
No wonder his daughters had changed so much since his arrival...
"Badr, come with me. Let's chat about my daughters' recent progress."
He invited Badr into his study.
Badr smiled and followed him in, maintaining his composure.
Maruo Nakano sat in his chair, exuding an aura of authority.
"You might not know this, but I was considering hiring a tutor for them. Then you appeared. I should compensate you for your services."
"They are my friends. Helping them wasn't any trouble. You don't have to worry about it, Mr. Nakano."
"Is that so? Just friends?"
Maruo Nakano stared directly into Badr's eyes, a hint of pressure in his gaze.
Badr smiled, seemingly unaffected. "Yes, I enjoy spending time with them."
Perhaps the father had sensed something?
Miku, for instance, was quite obvious about her feelings. Badr had noticed it long ago.
Miku, who usually wouldn't even think about cooking, was now learning how to. It wasn't difficult to figure out who had inspired such a change...
Maruo Nakano looked at Badr intently. "I'm very satisfied with my daughters' progress, and that's thanks to your help. As their father, I thank you."
"Well, speaking of that, if you'll permit me, Mr. Nakano."
"Go ahead."
"You should spend more time with your daughters," Badr said calmly. "If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time you've been home this month."
Maruo Nakano fell silent.
This kid...
Did he even know that this was his first time home this month?
Just how many times had he been to their house?!
"I'll adjust my work schedule," Maruo Nakano finally said.
"Then there's nothing more to discuss. It's getting late, Mr. Nakano. I'll take my leave now." Badr smiled and stood up to say goodbye.
"Take my car back."
"It's no trouble. I rode my bike here," Badr said casually, making an excuse.
"Then I won't see you out."
As Badr reached the door and was about to leave, Maruo Nakano suddenly called out to him, his voice low and ominous.
"Badr, I won't let you have my daughters."
Badr turned back to see the father's gaze, cold with a hint of jealousy.
His daughters were being pursued, and as expected, the first to feel threatened was the father...
Badr chuckled. "Then you'll have to keep a close watch on them. There are many who have their eyes on these five princesses."
With that, he smiled faintly and left.
In the living room, he saw all five sisters sprawled on the sofa, looking flustered.
A single slipper lay abandoned near the study door...
That was Miku's...
They had been eavesdropping.
Badr picked up the slipper and walked over to Miku, placing it beside her foot. She was wearing black stockings but was barefoot on one side.
Miku's face was flushed, utterly adorable.
...
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Chapter 120: That Apron is Actually Nice!
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...
"I'll be going then. With your current level, graduating shouldn't be a problem. The commission is officially complete."
Badr smiled gently, bidding farewell to the Nakano Quintuplets.
Confusion rippled through the group.
"Y-You're not coming back?"
"Did Dad say something to you? Honestly, I'll go talk to him!" Nino Nakano huffed, about to march into the study.
"Nothing like that happened," Badr said, stopping Nino. "Didn't I say? The commission is complete. What you choose to do next is up to you."
With that, he activated a teleportation spell and vanished.
The sisters stared at the spot where he had been, a hollow feeling settling in their chests.
"W-Why did he just leave like that? Was it because of what I said...?" Nino stammered, flustered.
"No," Ichika Nakano said softly, gently embracing Nino.
"He gave us a choice."
Ichika, seemingly understanding Badr's intentions, explained quietly, "Before, our connection was due to his commission. Now, we have to choose whether to continue interacting with him, to get to know him better, or to part ways here..."
She pulled out a peculiar flyer, a demonic summoning circle...
...
Back at his house, Badr assessed his gains.
Completing the Nakano Quintuplets' commission had yielded a substantial reward; the "price" he collected was quite significant.
However, after this, he likely wouldn't be able to accept another commission from them for a while...
It was a complicated situation.
Badr sighed. While he was fond of the quintuplets, he didn't want to lead them on, which was why he'd been upfront about having someone he cared for.
He wasn't interested in playing with anyone's feelings; his view on relationships was based on mutual consent.
His own harem was certainly growing. If the quintuplets couldn't accept that, it was best they distanced themselves from him, this devil. The choice, however, was theirs.
