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 embarrassnt, 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 ."
The critical mont was coming.
"W-why does Rei Ao-kun always complint so suddenly? You're making shy…"
Yui was far from immune to his direct praise.
The occasional complints 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 ti of day—8 PM—it 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 ho after such a ti, 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 nearby—Yumiko, sitting right behind them.
The horror movie began.
"…"
Yumiko imdiately 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 ssage.
Private ssage: 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 sothing inappropriate with Yui.
Rei Ao: "Ah."
Rei Ao: "[Photo]"
Rei Ao: "See for yourself. She leaned on 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 fud 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 anything—I'll be watching you two all night!"
Rei Ao smirked as he read her ssage.
Gently, he pulled his arm out of Yui's embrace.
"…"
Yui's expression dimd 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 mont, 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 monts, and horror films were no exception.
"Um… Rei Ao-kun, I need to use the restroom," Yui said shyly, her voice full of embarrassnt.
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 imdiately got up as well.
She shot a glare at Rei Ao when their eyes t 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 sothing?"
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?"
…
anwhile, Yui had finished washing her hands after using the restroom.
She glanced at the mirror, noticing that her cheeks were still flushed.
The mory 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 sa! I didn't expect to see you watching a movie too!"
"Uh… yeah, just a movie," Yui stamred, 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 ssage from her mom.
Mom: "Yui, it's getting late. I figured you might not co ho tonight, so I slipped a few condoms into your bag. Be responsible, okay?"
"…"
Yui's face turned beet red.
"M-Mom!!!"
Yumiko, who had accidentally glanced at the text, imdiately realized the truth.
It was Yui's mom who had put them there.
She had misunderstood Yui!
Still, she hesitated, holding the condoms like they were a hot potato.
"Um…" Yumiko cleared her throat, attempting to act serious.
"Yui, are you on a date with a guy? Don't do anything reckless."
"I'll… hold onto these for now. You can get them back from later."
She quickly stuffed the condoms into her pocket.
Before Yui could protest, Yumiko pressed further.
"Who's the guy you're with? As your friend, I have to et him!"
"Uh…" Yui began to sweat nervously.
She couldn't admit it was Rei Ao!
Seeing her hesitation, Yumiko's suspicions deepened.
My best friend is up to no good…
Thinking quickly, Yumiko linked arms with Yui.
"It's not hard to guess. The only movie showing right now is that horror film, and I was watching it too."
"Let's head back together."
"!!!"
Before Yui could co up with an excuse, Yumiko began dragging her toward the theater.
Caught off guard, Yui had no choice but to follow, her face flushed with embarrassnt.
As they reentered the theater, Yui's mind raced, desperately trying to co up with an explanation. Her face burned with anxiety as she trailed behind Yumiko.
But the mont they stepped inside, a chilling gust of air hit her, stopping her thoughts in their tracks.
"Brr!"
Yui gasped audibly, her teeth chattering.
"What's going on? Why is it so cold? And… where is everyone?"
She rubbed her arms as a shiver ran down her spine, looking around the now nearly empty theater.
Before she could figure it out, Yumiko pointed toward the front of the room and murmured nervously, "Rei Ao?"
"!!?"
Yui froze in surprise. Did he notice us?
But when she followed Yumiko's gaze, her mouth fell open in shock.
There, in front of the movie screen, stood Rei Ao.
But what caught her attention wasn't just him—it was the strange, towering ice sculpture in front of him. Encased within was a grotesque, wolf-like creature that looked horrifyingly lifelike.
"Is… is this so kind of special movie effect?" Yui thought aloud, attempting to rationalize what she saw.
However, this was far from a cinematic stunt.
The next mont, beams of holy light and dark smoke materialized out of nowhere.
Angelic and demonic presences filled the room.
"???"
Yui's head spun.
Wait… didn't I co here to watch a horror movie about a supernatural curse? Why are there angels and demons here now?!
Rei Ao paid no attention to the two confused girls at the back of the theater. Instead, he turned to the angel Raphiel and the demon Vignette, who had just arrived.
"This one has magic as well," he said, gesturing at the frozen creature.
"Indeed," Vignette replied seriously. "The last ti we encountered one of these, I sent it back to the demon world for study. They seem to be strange creatures that absorb negative emotions and convert them into magical power. They're more like aberrations than true demons."
"However," she added, "it didn't originate in the demon world. We suspect these entities are coming from another dinsion entirely."
Rei Ao nodded, glancing at the frozen beast before him.
[Demon]: Werewolf Demon
[Level]: 12
[Ability]: "Eyes of Fear"
"It feeds on negative emotions, which explains why it's lurking in a horror movie screening," Rei Ao observed.
Raphiel chid in with a hypothesis. "Could this have co from the newly dubbed Dragon World? That's what we're calling the world where Tohru is from, right?"
The Dragon World—an alternate dinsion recognized by angels, demons, and gods—had recently begun overlapping with their own world.
"No," Rei Ao shook his head. "Tohru told there's nothing like this in her world. She would've noticed if there were."
"Then where is it from?" Vignette mused.
Rei Ao cracked his knuckles. "Guess we'll have to ask it ourselves."
He rapped his knuckles against the ice, causing sharp cracks to echo through the room.
CRACK! CRACK!
The ice shattered, freeing the werewolf demon.
"AWOOOOOO!!!"
The creature let out an ear-splitting howl, snarling viciously.
"Shut up!"
Rei Ao delivered a single punch, instantly shattering its jagged fangs.
The demon whimpered, cowering before him.
"…"
Vignette glanced sideways at Rei Ao, impressed by his ruthless efficiency.
The reason he hadn't killed it outright was simple—it had intelligence. That ant it might hold valuable information.
"Talk. Where are you from?" Rei Ao demanded coldly.
The demon eyed Rei Ao's fist fearfully but remained silent, its body trembling.
Then it opened its mouth and let out a string of guttural, unintelligible sounds.
"$#_#$#$…"
"???"
Rei Ao frowned.
"It's not speaking any language we know…" Vignette muttered in frustration. As a demon, she had an extensive understanding of infernal languages, but this one was entirely foreign to her.
"…"
But Rei Ao's eyes glead with a sudden realization.
He activated the ability he had recently gained—"Demon King."
BOOM!
Black and crimson lightning crackled around his body, sending waves of oppressive energy rippling through the room.
THOOM!
The atmosphere grew unbearably heavy.
Yumiko and Yui both collapsed to their knees under the suffocating pressure, struggling to breathe.
Even Vignette instinctively summoned holy light to shield herself from the overwhelming force.
And then sothing bizarre happened.
Vignette, a demon, knelt.
With trembling reverence, she clasped her hands together, bowing her head.
"!!!"
Alongside the werewolf demon, she spoke the sa words in unison:
"All hail the Demon King!"
~~~~
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