Chihaya Estate.
"So... the punishment is that I'm not allowed to touch games for three days?"
"That's right. Console games, mobile games, arcade games, even tabletop board games... You are not allowed to touch any form of 'game.'" Seeing Kiyoharu's subtle expression, Chihaya Airi said coldly, "Do you have an objection?"
"I have no objection."
Kiyoharu put on a look of deep sorrow, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Three days without gaming was manageable. His free time would visibly become more boring, but he could endure it and get through.
Looking at it another way, he could just treat it like overtime.
As a mature man who had turned over a new leaf and mended his ways, such a trivial matter would not break him. Naturally, though, he still had to look miserable on the surface so Airi would feel that the "punishment" had value.
Why else would she be called the "Red-Eyed Devil"? Demons were creatures who delighted in human suffering!
Since there were no games to play, Kiyoharu planned to find a book. Just as he was about to head for the study, Airi called out to him.
"Stay here and watch TV with me."
"Huh?"
"This is part of the punishment."
"Young Lady, you should tell me the full terms of the punishment as soon as possible. Don't casually add hotfixes."
"There's nothing else. Oh, of course, if you make the same mistake again during these three days, I'll add more clauses."
So Kiyoharu went over and sat at the other end of the sofa, looking toward the variety show playing on television.
To be honest, he did not particularly enjoy variety shows.
Airi seemed deeply enthusiastic about such mindless comedy programs. She watched with rapt attention, occasionally letting out cheerful laughter while stuffing snacks into her mouth.
The Young Lady had already taken off her evening gown, removed her formal makeup, and changed into a home nightgown. She was beautiful even barefaced, with more of a girl-next-door charm than when she wore makeup.
Combined with how carefree she looked while watching television, it was difficult to connect the person before him with the cold and brutal Tokyo demon.
Suddenly, Airi turned to Kiyoharu and demanded, "Why aren't you laughing?"
Fine, a demon's true nature was always demonic!
"Because I don't think it's funny. Everyone has different tastes and different things that make them laugh. If the smile isn't genuine, I assume the Young Lady wouldn't be satisfied either?"
"Tch..."
It was the answer she had expected.
There had been many complicated reasons why she had chosen Kiyoharu to be her nominal husband. One particularly important reason was his sincerity.
When they had first met, Airi had still been attending Chihaya Academy. During the sports festival, someone had suddenly shoved her from behind in the stands, nearly causing her to fall.
Ito Kiyoharu, who had happened to be passing by, caught her.
It was later discovered that the incident had been part of an internal family power struggle. Airi's father dealt with everyone involved with a stern iron hand. Yet at the time, Airi had been full of suspicion toward Kiyoharu, because his appearance had been far too convenient.
"Classmate Ito, you arranged that little act beforehand to curry favor with me, didn't you?"
Faced with her suspicion, Kiyoharu calmly replied, "I do indeed want to curry favor with Classmate Chihaya. But as you said, the hero-saving-the-damsel routine is too clichéd and easily arouses suspicion. Out of respect for Classmate Chihaya, I would not use such a crude method."
"Oh? So you're one of my secret admirers too?"
"It isn't secret admiration. I simply admire the Chihaya Family's wealth and hope to get a share of it."
"...Huh?"
"My ideal is to become a freeloader in a conglomerate family and live a wonderful life of eating, drinking, and waiting to die."
The early spring breeze was slightly cool, and bright sunlight fell over the boy's shoulders. Petals drifted in the wind, blending into the smile in his bright eyes and handsome features.
It was the first time Chihaya Airi had heard someone make such an honest statement—and say it right in front of her without the slightest shame, even with a hint of pride.
She found this person somewhat interesting, so she allowed Kiyoharu to speak to her a little more. Unless necessary, she rarely spoke with men.
And so, their later cooperation came naturally.
Born into the Chihaya Family, she had seen too many false pretenses. In her eyes, Kiyoharu was a very special existence.
Take the question from just now. If it had been any other friend, they would most likely have laughed along with her. Even if they did not find the variety show funny, they would still have laughed.
This was not the distinctive individualism of adolescent rebellion. Kiyoharu had always been tactful in dealing with people, yet at certain times he was especially insistent on being himself. That subtle sense of balance made Airi want to explore him further.
"If the Young Lady finds a husband who 'watches an incredibly funny variety show without laughing' to be an eyesore in the living room, I'll go cut some fruit."
"Go. I want strawberries and melon."
"Understood."
Airi quietly muttered "Understood" in imitation of Kiyoharu's poker face and bland tone, then made a face toward the kitchen.
This prematurely mature guy was clearly the same age as her, yet he was as steady as an old grandpa. That was precisely why Airi wanted so badly to see him break.
Airi had once deliberately ordered him around the house, making him do this and that. Kiyoharu had always completed every task patiently without the slightest reaction. Eventually, she gave up that meaningless torment. Now it seemed that preventing him from playing games bothered him more.
However, "private time after dinner" was stipulated in their agreement. Airi could not torment him without reason. Although tormenting Kiyoharu was fun, Airi was someone who valued promises.
She needed to think of a way to make Kiyoharu continue making mistakes.
About half an hour later, most of the fruit platter Kiyoharu had prepared had been eaten when the doorbell rang.
It was Uncle Tsuchiya.
"I brought what the Young Lady wanted."
"Thank you for the trouble, Uncle Tsuchiya. You even made a special trip this late at night."
"Ah, it's nothing, nothing. Then I won't disturb you any longer. May the son-in-law and the Young Lady have a pleasant evening." Tsuchiya Takao winked at Kiyoharu.
The latter immediately understood what he meant—or rather, what Airi's parents meant.
As traditionally minded parents, they desperately hoped that Kiyoharu and Airi could give the family an heir as soon as possible.
But that was simply unrealistic.
Airi's disgust toward men was practically innate. If Kiyoharu accidentally touched her in daily life, she would frown in displeasure. Having children was out of the question.
Airi took the cardboard box Uncle Tsuchiya had brought back to the living room, then immediately ordered, "Open it and put it on."
Kiyoharu opened the box.
Inside was a men's uniform, clearly the sort worn by service staff. Its excessively flamboyant design immediately made Kiyoharu think of male escorts at a club...
"Put it on and massage my feet."
"...Are you serious, Young Lady?"
"My feet hurt from wearing high heels all day."
"But..."
"But what? Are you afraid I'll eat you? There's a pair of white gloves in the box. Put them on."
Kiyoharu suddenly understood. So that was it. If he touched her through gloves, she probably would not find it as disgusting.
Yet he still doubted whether Airi really needed a massage. If she did, could she not just call for a female masseuse? The leisure clubs under the Chihaya Group had plenty of respectable female massage therapists with excellent technique. Why did it have to be Kiyoharu?
According to their agreement, Kiyoharu was obligated to look after Airi's daily life. Massaging her feet naturally counted as part of that care. So despite his doubts, Kiyoharu moved over a stool and sat at the end of the sofa bed.
Airi reclined lazily on it and extended a pair of fair, pinkish feet before him, her calves raised and resting on Kiyoharu's knees. In an instant, the glimpses beneath her nightgown were exposed before Kiyoharu's eyes.
Kiyoharu understood immediately.
She was fishing for him again?!
Before you continue