Unclear on what exactly Hayashi meant by "first kiss," a hint of smug delight flickered in Naruse Mio's eyes.
The words she'd intended as scolding ended up coming out as a physical response.
She opened her cherry-like mouth and bit down on Hayashi's shoulder, as if trying to leave her mark on him.
After all, she already had too many marks of her own.
Unfortunately for her, Hayashi's skin was too tough—she couldn't bite through.
"Stop being clingy. Get up and wash up already—I need a shower too."
His whole body was damp and sticky—no way he could go without bathing.
Naruse Mio, face bright red with embarrassment, didn't argue. Despite the soreness, she got up and walked out of the bedroom.
Sitting up in bed, Hayashi then turned to Raynare, who was pretending to still be unconscious.
Smack!
Without hesitation, Hayashi slapped her ass, leaving a bright red handprint.
"Ahhn!"
Raynare yelped in pain, snapping awake, and shrank back into the corner, glaring at Hayashi with hatred.
But just as she did, the contract ring around her neck activated and unleashed a curse.
"No!!"
Raynare twisted her body, trying to resist, but the curse instantly shattered her rationality.
Knowing that continued "training" might burn out her nerves, Hayashi relented slightly.
He decided to let her vent the curse by cleaning the house.
"Your angle's off! And that pressure's weak! Clean it properly—what's with all this residue?!"
Under Hayashi's harsh supervision, Raynare was soon drenched in sweat.
Parched from exhaustion, she quickly grabbed the glass of water on the table and gulped it down.
Gulp! Gulp!
The sound echoed in the room, and with it, the curse on her body finally faded.
Now trembling with fear and shame, Raynare fully grasped her fate.
There was no resisting. If this went on, she'd die.
"You…"
"Call me Master."
"..."
Staring at Hayashi's imposing figure, Raynare trembled and eventually dropped to her knees in submission.
"Good morning… Master."
"Now that's more like a proper servant."
Hayashi patted her cheek, leaving another red mark on her fair skin. Then he asked plainly, "Tell me everything you know right now."
That one simple sentence struck Raynare like divine law.
If this kept up, her brain and body would both be ruined—she feared that outcome more than anything.
No longer hiding anything, Raynare spilled all the details.
"I have three companions: Kalawarner, Mittelt, and Dohnaseek.
Dohnaseek is already dead—the others should be gathering near the church.
Our initial goal was to use a stray exorcist group under our command to contact a nun excommunicated from the Church.
She possesses a Sacred Gear that can heal even Devils. I wanted it for myself—to become stronger.
Then last night, we got word of a stray pureblood Devil arriving in Kuoh Town.
Given her value, I led the others to hunt her down."
Listening to the end, Hayashi had a full picture.
Raynare and her group were simply opportunists.
Tears welled up in Raynare's eyes.
She'd only wanted to farm some Points by hunting a pureblood Devil—how could it have backfired this hard?
But Hayashi felt no pity as he evaporated the moisture from his body with mana.
He motioned for Raynare to stand, then opened the door and left the bedroom.
Left alone on the messy bed, Raynare had no tears left to cry.
All her fluids—emotional or otherwise—had been drained.
"Damn this Master-Servant Contract… He really is my Master now."
She tried to curse, but the faint glow of the contract mark made her instantly change her tone.
Too cruel.
Even thinking bad thoughts about Hayashi got overridden by the curse.
The more she didn't want to think about him, the more her mind conjured him up.
His powerful image, those overwhelming impacts—his devastating punch replayed in her mind over and over.
As someone who respected strength and followed her instincts, Raynare tragically realized—
She couldn't even bring herself to hate Hayashi.
He was simply too strong. In every way.
From his fists… to his "other fist"… he'd shattered all her resistance.
Torn between emotions, Raynare dejectedly got up and conjured clothes using mana before following him out.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Naruse Mio was confronting Naruse Maria.
Her voice, colder than ice, echoed in Maria's ears as cold sweat rolled down her face.
"Maria… can I talk to you for a moment?"
It felt like her head was being gripped by a giant invisible hand.
Mio then dragged her out of the room.
"Ahhh! Mio-sama, my head… my head hurts!
It wasn't on purpose… I didn't mean it!"
Maria wailed, but Mio paid her no mind.
BAM!!!
As the bedroom door slammed shut, Hayashi heard the ensuing shrieks and thuds.
"The just punishment for a pervert."
Hayashi knew Maria had brought it on herself.
Still, since she'd brought him so much "benefit," he gave her one moment of silent mourning.
Then, ignoring the screams, he calmly sat down and started eating the breakfast Maria had made.
He had to admit—this little chef's cooking was excellent, way better than his own.
As he ate, Hayashi glanced at his [Crossing Gate] progress—it had already reached 98%.
"Raynare was probably just a bonus. Mio's the main jackpot—she gave me most of that progress."
She'd saved him months of effort. How wonderful.
With just 2% left, sticking close to Naruse Mio should be enough to fill it.
"Master~"
Raynare, now fully dressed, appeared at the doorway.
Without her Fallen Angel wings on display, she looked surprisingly pure.
Her beautiful face radiated delicate vulnerability, and her silky black hair gave her a cold elegance.
The buttons of her reddish-brown blouse were stretched taut, like they might pop at any moment.
Her chest—ranking somewhere in the fifth letter of the alphabet—was simply outrageous.
Her blouse was neatly tucked into a black pleated skirt, emphasizing her slim waist—small enough to wrap a hand around.
Below, her curves exploded outward, the skirt stretched tight like an inverted honey peach, proudly showcasing its "above-the-shoulders" tier.
Having "gripped" her personally, Hayashi knew she was a top-class supercar.
Naruse Mio was by no means inferior—her potential even exceeded Raynare's.
But Mio was still in the "break-in" phase.
Raynare, on the other hand, had already proven that she could deliver miracles with brute force.
In the short term, Raynare clearly had the edge.