Devil's Don't Fall in Love, Ch 81-85

**Chapter 81 What Should I Do Now?**

After passing his memories to Mahiru and Eriri, Leo stopped paying attention to either of them.

Just as he’d said before—he only kept an eye on these two because of their special positions at Sobu High. They weren’t Sacred Gear holders, didn’t have special powers or special bloodlines. They were just ordinary humans.

He didn’t mind placing a “piece” on them if the opportunity came, but he also wouldn’t force anything. Today only happened because the two delivered themselves to his doorstep, so he gave them a little “devil shock.” Whatever followed… depended on fate.

So after transferring the memories, Leo simply walked out of the underground room without a backward glance, leaving Utaha—who had witnessed everything from start to finish—itching to yell at him.

You stir up a mess and then just stroll away?

Do you ever think about what *we’re* supposed to deal with afterward?

"Kasumigaoka, you…"

Eriri, having absorbed the memories, looked at her with a face even more conflicted than Mahiru’s had been earlier.

Her head was spinning. She desperately wanted to deny everything she had just learned.

Supernatural powers existed in this world?

Devils, angels, fallen angels—all real species?

Sobu High’s most popular third-year wasn't human at all but a devil living among humans?

And the three ice queens who joined the Occult Affairs Club were actually his servants—reborn by him as devils—acknowledging him as their master?

Was she actually still lying in bed at home dreaming all of this?

Compared to *this*, her so-called hidden secret identity—the closet otaku, the ero-doujin artist—felt painfully insignificant.

If she got exposed, she’d suffer nothing more than social death.

If *these* people got exposed… the entire world would go into shock.

"Sigh…"

Seeing Eriri stare at her with wide, trembling eyes as if she were staring at some kind of cryptid rather than a fellow creator, Utaha rubbed her forehead.

"Enough. Come with me."

She and Eriri had worked together—Utaha’s novels, Eriri’s illustrations. They had a complicated bond. And despite how often they bickered, Utaha didn’t want to see this girl lose her mind over the truth.

So she took the trembling golden-haired “loser dog” by the wrist and pulled her toward her room.

She’d have to talk this woman down before Eriri wandered off and touched something she absolutely shouldn’t.

As for Yukino and Asuna, they were completely absorbed in their sparring match. The fight was intense and evenly matched—at least to an untrained eye. But the insiders all knew Asuna was still at a disadvantage.

Yukino hadn’t even used her Longinus yet. She was fighting using only her own demonic power—not exactly “holding back,” but not going all out either.

Meanwhile, Asuna had only been a devil for about a month. Even with phenomenal sword talent and her Sacred Gear Blade Blacksmith—an extremely rare and powerful ability—her current level hadn’t reached a proper Low-Class Devil’s standard yet, let alone Mid-Class.

If Yukino released her Sacred Gear and went full power, Asuna wouldn’t stand a chance.

So Yukino wasn’t using her Sacred Gear at all—just the full power of a devil. Even then, she stood among the elites of Mid-Class Devils, more than enough to serve as Asuna’s opponent.

Of course, Yukino had to maintain control. If she gave Asuna an opening, the holy attribute of Asuna’s Holy Sword would become lethal. Even a graze could flip the match instantly.

For now, Asuna’s swordsmanship was still developing. Her talent was clear, but she was still just beginning. Once her technique matured and she truly became a master swordswoman, the natural advantage of Holy Swords against devils would make her dangerous.

At that point?

Even Yukino—maybe even Leo—would have to take her seriously, or risk getting overturned in an instant.

Utaha’s growth was different from Asuna’s entirely.

Her Sacred Gear, Create World, was one of the most versatile abilities imaginable. It required immense tactical awareness and the ability to read the flow of battle, but in return—she could attack, defend, control the field, support allies. Near limitless potential.

And Utaha herself was a natural genius with Sacred Gears—a novelist with an uncanny grasp of narrative flow and situational awareness. Even without a mentor, she had mastered her Sacred Gear instinctively.

So despite Utaha being a new servant for only a few days, Leo could already tell—from the way she handled the ghouls in the Familiar Forest—that she didn’t need Yukino’s level of obsessive study, nor Asuna’s strict training. With enough “guts and gimmicks,” most devils her level simply wouldn’t be able to touch her.

Low-Class Devils wouldn’t even be able to break her barriers.

How were they supposed to win?

In short—Utaha’s combat potential was enormous.

Once she stabilized her strength, she might very well be able to stand toe-to-toe with Yukino when the latter went all out.

But all of that was separate from the situation now.

With Yukino and Asuna still focused on sparring, and Utaha dragging Eriri away…

Mahiru stood alone.

Silent for a long moment.

Then she finally moved—taking a step forward and walking toward the center of the underground room.

………

By that time, Leo had already returned to the study.

He flipped through a mountain of books on Sacred Gears and Balance Breakers, hoping—just hoping—to find something that could help him shortcut the process. But the results were disappointing.

Balance Breakers.

In the original story, it felt like everyone and their neighbor unlocked one. But outside that narrative, how many people had that kind of monstrous willpower, talent, combat experience, or sheer desperation?

Anyone capable of reaching a Balance Breaker was, by definition, someone extraordinary—even if they were just a background character in canon. If their story were written out in full, they’d have arcs worth reading.

There was no simple method to reach that level.

Every method came with massive risks, harsh requirements, or dangerous flaws.

Devils weren’t particularly strong in Sacred Gear research. After reading for hours, Leo eventually gave up.

“In terms of Sacred Gears, devils are probably the weakest researchers among the Three Factions…”

He sighed.

Among devils, angels, and fallen angels, devils were the farthest removed from the system of Sacred Gears.

Angels were the closest. Sacred Gears originated from the God of the Bible. The operating system still sat in Heaven. The Church was full of humans compatible with Sacred Gears. Their understanding ran deepest.

Fallen angels, despite being Heaven’s traitors, were the most invested. Mostly because their Governor-General was obsessed with Sacred Gears and had created an entire research organization. They were now the greatest Sacred Gear experts in existence—even beyond Heaven and the Church.

Devils, meanwhile, had only taken Sacred Gears seriously after the creation of the Evil Pieces. Before that, they treated humans like livestock. Only afterward did they begin reincarnating humans with Sacred Gears into devils.

Out of the three factions, devils understood Sacred Gears the *least*.

So it was no surprise Leo found nothing useful in the Eligos family’s incomplete library.

"Should I… actually try contacting the fallen angels?"

He grimaced.

He had considered this before—he even thought about approaching the Governor-General himself.

Reveal Zenith Tempest, and the man would definitely be interested.

But he was the Governor-General of the fallen angels.

What if that interest turned into something dangerous?

Leo wasn’t confident he could even escape.

That man was a seventeen-wing fallen angel—capable of matching a Maou-Class existence. With all the trump cards he’d amassed through Sacred Gear research, he could overwhelm even the strongest devils.

And Leo?

He hadn’t even reached Balance Breaker yet.

“What should I do…?”

Leo walked out of the study, through the manor, and into the garden, still deep in thought.

As he walked, he gradually noticed someone following behind him.

“You came out too?”

He glanced back. His steps didn’t slow.

The person trailing silently behind him said nothing—just followed, step for step. Just like Leo had silently followed her in the rain that day.

They ended up walking together quietly for a long time.

Only then did she finally speak.

“You didn’t approach me last night because you suddenly wanted to turn me into a devil… did you? To make me your servant?”

Mahiru asked softly.

**Chapter 82 I’m Going to Become a Devil**

Leo understood instantly—Mahiru was bothered by the fact that he had clearly followed her yesterday with a purpose.

She might look gentle, almost angelic, but her guard was always up. Toward strangers, toward the world—she carried a constant, quiet vigilance. Deep down, she was far more sensitive than she let on, so things like this mattered to her.

And she knew better than anyone that, with her circumstances, most people—especially men—would approach her with an agenda.

That wasn’t something unique to Mahiru; all the so-called flowers of Sobu High, Yukino included, shared this awareness. They all knew their looks attracted attention. Yukino was even a bit narcissistic about it.

But among Sobu High’s five aloof beauties, only Mahiru was this sensitive, this wary.

It had everything to do with her upbringing. So Leo didn’t think her heightened caution was a bad thing at all.

And he had no intention of hiding the truth.

“I already told you yesterday, didn’t I, Shiina-san?” Leo said without turning around. “When a devil sets their sights on you, they’re not looking to date you. They want your soul.”

Mahiru hadn’t understood that yesterday.

Now she did.

He wanted her as his servant—someone who’d give him her soul and everything else.

“…Why me?” Mahiru hesitated, then asked quietly, “It’s not just because I look decent, right?”

Before yesterday, she really might have thought so. But she now knew Yukino, Asuna, and Utaha were all Leo’s servants. Those three were just as beautiful as she was, if not more. Why would he bother with appearance alone?

Unlike Yukino and the others, she didn’t have a Sacred Gear. What could he possibly want from her?

Leo had already told them that neither Mahiru nor Eriri had a Sacred Gear—but he never explained what made him choose them.

Not because he didn’t want to. But he couldn’t exactly tell them *In my previous life, you were characters from an anime, and I picked you because you were heroines in the story I watched.*

He could reveal his mutated trait. He could reveal that he possessed the second-strongest Longinus in the world. But his past life was the one thing he would never reveal.

So he spoke instead:

“I think you have a potential others haven’t noticed. Something like…a force of destiny. It makes you someone who naturally becomes the center of things. That’s what I value.”

“…Sorry, I don’t really get it.”

A faint disappointment flickered in Mahiru’s eyes.

She wanted a different answer.

The one she'd always wanted to hear.

And then—she did.

“Then let me put it another way.”

A voice cut in. Leo suddenly stopped walking, turned around, and faced Mahiru directly.

Looking into those caramel-colored eyes, Leo smiled.

“I *need* you. How about that?”

Mahiru froze.

Mahiru bit down on her lip. Emotion surged up inside her like a broken dam, so strong she almost cried on the spot.

Yes. That was all she wanted to hear.

She wanted to know that she wasn’t unwanted. That she wasn’t, like her mother always said, a child no one needed.

If she were alone, or in her own room, she really would’ve cried.

But here, she held it in.

"…If I become your servant, I won't belong to myself anymore?" Mahiru's voice trembled.

"Right. Once you become my servant, *you belong to me*," Leo said frankly.

"You're not going to…do anything weird to me, right?" Mahiru asked just as bluntly.

"Who knows?" Leo laughed. "Maybe one day I'll want to."

"…You're very honest." Mahiru lifted her gaze, meeting Leo's amused eyes—and unexpectedly laughed too. "Aren't you afraid of scaring me off?"

"A devil scaring someone off—isn't that normal?" Leo shrugged. "I'm already a devil, why hold back?"

“Living by your desires, doing whatever you want—that’s what a devil is.”

Hearing that, Mahiru started to think that maybe…being a devil didn't sound so bad.

If anything, it sounded a lot less suffocating than being human.

Then Leo spoke again, his voice low and serious, carrying a strange warmth:

"You should think carefully," he said. "Once you choose to become my servant, you'll never get the family love you want again."

"Even if your parents cared, they'd only be with you for a few decades."

"A devil lives for tens of thousands of years. You servants have to watch your human loved ones die one by one."

"The ones who stay with you through the long centuries won't be your parents. It'll be me—and your fellow servants, your partners standing at my side."

Those words struck Mahiru deeply.

"The ones who'll stay with me for centuries…my partners."

As Mahiru repeated those words softly, Leo extended his hand. A magic circle unfolded in his palm, and a glowing Evil Piece appeared.

Its power was immense—far stronger than the pieces used to reincarnate Yukino, Asuna, or Utaha.

Leo stared at the piece for a long moment before handing it to Mahiru.

She had already learned what it was from the memories he'd shared with her. She, too, stared at it for a long time.

Images surged through her mind.

A little girl sitting alone in an empty house.

Her mother's disappointed face when she returned home.

Her desperate efforts—studying, training—trying to become worthy of attention.

Her walking alone in the rain, surrounded by crowds yet feeling utterly abandoned.

"You are not a child anyone needs."

That sentence, which had carved itself into her heart, echoed again.

By the time Mahiru came back to herself, her hand had already reached out for the crimson Evil Piece.

If she accepted it, she wouldn't belong to herself anymore—she'd belong to the man before her.

It was, unmistakably, a choice to fall.

But she no longer had another choice.

"If humans don't need me, then I'll stop being human."

"I'm not an angel. And I don't want to be one."

"I'm going to become a devil."

To prove she wasn't unwanted—that became Mahiru's new purpose.

For that, the angel chose to become a devil.

A soft hum filled the air.

At that moment, a strange pulse erupted from Mahiru's body.

"______!"

Leo's expression changed dramatically, his eyes lighting up with fierce brilliance.

He knew that sensation.

It was a Sacred Gear.

A Sacred Gear awakening—faint, but unmistakable.

Just as Mahiru was about to accept the Evil Piece and undergo Servant Conversion, a Sacred Gear resonated with her heart and manifested inside her.

And just like that—Mahiru became a Sacred Gear wielder.

Then the Evil Piece in her hand burst with blinding light.

The power flaring from it was second only to Yukino's—perhaps even surpassing it.

"Bang!"

The piece shattered the moment Mahiru touched it, dissolving into particles of light that sank into her body.

Devil wings burst open on her back, completely changing the angelic aura she once had.

And then—

[trait: Servant Conversion — activating…]

[Received basic feedback — demonic power (large amount).]

[Received rank feedback — Rank: Eight-Wing.]

[Received bonus feedback — Sacred Gear (Balance Breaker).]

As those messages flowed into Leo's mind, devil wings unfurled from his back as well.

But unlike Mahiru's single pair, or the three pairs he originally had—he now spread a full four pairs.

By reincarnating Mahiru as a devil, Leo had finally broken through, becoming an Eight-Wing Ultimate-Class Devil.

The demonic power that had been just one step away from evolving surged forward—not only crossing the threshold into Ultimate-Class Devil, but climbing significantly beyond it.

But even that wasn't the real reward he received.

The greatest gift was the sudden flood of visions appearing in his mind.

Inside him, Zenith Tempest stirred, resonating with an unknown force—passing down the memories of all its past wielders.

But this time, it wasn't about how they fought.

It was about the moment each of them reached the realm of Balance Breaker.

Someone awakening in absolute despair.

Someone going mad through sheer obsession.

Someone rising again with unwavering resolve.

Someone training endlessly, day and night, until their will transformed.

Leo experienced it all as if he had lived their lives himself—feeling every struggle, every breakthrough… every heartbeat of the power called **Zenith Tempest**.

**Chapter 83 “Holy Relics”**

“Boom!”

A violent burst shook the quiet manor, the shockwave rumbling through the ground.

“What…?!”

In that instant, Yukino and Asuna stopped their training in the basement, Utaha and Eriri froze mid-conversation in their room, and even Musashi—who hadn’t gotten out of bed yet—sprang up, all of them turning toward the same direction.

“W-What’s happening?!”

Eriri panicked, clueless about what had occurred.

The others, however, sensed it clearly.

A surge of demonic power.

A Sacred Gear’s fluctuation.

And the air—heating rapidly, the temperature inside the manor rising by the second.

All of it came from one place.

“The garden!”

Yukino called out and flew toward it.

Asuna blinked in surprise, then followed.

Utaha also wanted to rush over, but after seeing Eriri flailing helplessly, she sighed and dragged her along.

The group of girls arrived at the garden—and froze.

It was engulfed in purple flames.

Those purple flames burned freely in the air, swallowing the entire garden in a sea of violet fire.

“W-What is this?!”

Yukino, Asuna, and Utaha all went pale.

The moment the purple flames entered their sight, their bodies trembled instinctively—as though facing a natural enemy.

It felt similar to confronting the Holy Sword Asuna could create—an overwhelming sense of hostility.

“…I didn’t expect to see this here.”

Musashi’s quiet voice pulled the girls back to themselves.

The swordswoman stepped out of the main building, eyes fixed on the flames, her expression tense.

“Sensei!” Asuna quickly asked, “You know what this purple fire is?”

“Of course. It’s infamous.” Musashi exhaled, unsure whether to laugh or sigh. “You may not have seen it before, but for devils, it’s even more terrifying than a Holy Sword. With its power and reputation, there’s hardly a devil who doesn’t fear it.”

“You must have at least heard its name.”

“—‘Incinerate Anthem.’”

At that name, everyone except the still-confused Eriri stiffened.

Incinerate Anthem—one of the thirteen Longinus, ranked eighth.

Its fame came not only from being a Longinus.

It was also a Holy Relics.

Holy Spear, Holy Grail, Holy Nails, Holy Shroud, Holy Cross…

Artifacts tied to God Himself, revered by heaven and the Church alike.

Each one was a high-grade holy object—more sacred than even the highest-tier Holy Swords.

Among the thirteen Longinus, three evolved from these Holy Relics:

**True Longinus**, **Sephiroth Graal**, and **Incinerate Anthem**.

Incinerate Anthem originated from the Holy Cross. Its wielder could release a cross-shaped purple holy flame—intensely hot, laced with powerful divine and purifying power. For devils, grim reapers, vampires, youkai… even a touch could be fatal.

“So this purple fire is the holy flame from Incinerate Anthem?”

Yukino narrowed her eyes. Frost gathered around her, revealing her agitation.

A Longinus ranked *above* her Absolute Demise…

“Why would the Holy Cross’s wielder appear here?!”

Utaha held Eriri’s hand tightly, stunned.

“No clue.” Musashi’s tension finally faded, replaced with her usual casual grin. “Guess we’ll have to ask the owner.”

The moment she said that, the flames shifted.

They surged inward, as if being drawn to something.

From within the parting purple fire, two figures emerged—Leo and Shiina Mahiru, walking hand in hand.

The entire garden’s fire flowed toward Shiina Mahiru and merged into her body.

At that, everyone understood.

“Shiina-san is the Holy Cross’s wielder?!”

Asuna cried out.

“How’s that possible?!”

“I thought she didn’t have a Sacred Gear?!”

Yukino and Eriri were stunned.

“S-Shiina-san…?”

Eriri finally snapped out of her confusion, staring blankly at the girl surrounded by divine purple flames.

What was going on?

Was this kouhai not just an ordinary person like her?

How did she suddenly turn divine the moment she stepped outside?!

“Looks like the Holy Cross chose her.”

Musashi watched Mahiru with interest.

Incinerate Anthem, despite being the fourth-ranked Longinus, was unique.

Most Sacred Gears and Longinus were governed by heaven’s automatic artifact system—even angels couldn’t control their assignment.

But Incinerate Anthem was different.

It moved by its own will, choosing hosts autonomously.

When a host died, it personally selected the next—never through the system.

Clearly, the Holy Cross had chosen Shiina Mahiru, turning a particular kind of human into the newest Longinus wielder.

“Your servant’s luck is… something else, Leo-sama.”

Musashi shook her head, half impressed, half speechless.

She could already tell—Shiina Mahiru had been reincarnated as a devil, becoming Leo’s servant *just* before awakening as a Longinus wielder.

“I was pretty shocked too.”

Leo held Mahiru’s still-dazed hand and smiled helplessly.

He hadn’t expected that the legendary Holy Cross would choose her.

He had recruited her to test whether his trait could affect reincarnated devils—drawing in dormant Sacred Gears.

But Incinerate Anthem acted on its own will. There was no telling whether it came because of her nature… or because of *him.*

Either way, Leo’s experiment had succeeded—even if in an unexpected way.

Not only that—it proved another suspicion of his:

A protagonist was a protagonist.

Only a chosen child could go from “ordinary but unusual human” to “Longinus wielder” in a single step. It was practically destiny.

And Leo, who had taken her as his servant, earned enormous returns because of it.

A Longinus ranked above Absolute Demise.

A Holy Relic.

This time, his feedback was undeniably greater than what he received from Yukino.

His demonic power advanced into the Ultimate-Class Devil tier—not barely, but pushing well past the threshold.

His devil rank rose to Eight-Wing.

And the Sacred Gear…

Thinking of the unreal, almost dreamlike experience just moments ago, Leo nearly drifted again.

Whether he was the current wielder of Zenith Tempest or one of its countless predecessors… that had been a question haunting him for a long time.

And now, without warning, it had been resolved.

“Guess that’s how the world works sometimes.”

Leo couldn’t help smiling.

Musashi watched him, then glanced at his servants—two Longinus wielders, two rare Sacred Gear users, and Leo himself, who possessed a Longinus as well.

What *kind* of monster team was this?

She couldn’t even imagine what this group would become once they grew stronger.

Or how the underworld—its three major powers and the entire devil faction—would react.

And they weren’t even done recruiting yet.

It was… honestly exciting.

“Say hi to everyone, Mahiru,” Leo said, gently pushing Shiina forward.

“…H-Hello, senpai.”

Shiina Mahiru finally snapped out of her daze. Feeling the familiar power circulating through her and sensing the changes within, she bowed nervously.

“I’m Shiina Mahiru, first-year… and Leo Eligos’ Bishop piece.”

She bowed deeply.

“Please take care of me from now on.”

**Chapter 84 An Uncrossable Distance**

Evening sunlight spilled across the sky, staining the clouds red one by one until the whole horizon glowed with sunset colors.

The manor had quieted down again. The purple flames that once filled the garden had vanished without a trace, and the temperature had returned to normal—as if nothing had happened at all.

But of course, that was an illusion.

Mahiru had already gone back to her apartment to pack her things.

Leo had officially transferred one of the manor rooms to the angel girl, so she would soon move in like the other servants and become part of the household.

Yukino and Asuna wanted to help her move, but Mahiru declined.

“I want to say goodbye to my past with my own hands.”

She left after that.

Both Yukino and Asuna sensed something in her tone and expression. Without speaking further, they returned to the basement and resumed training.

As for Utaha, she walked Eriri out of the manor.

The two were saying their goodbyes.

“You really don’t want us to arrange a car to take you home?”

Utaha leaned against the gate, arms crossed.

“No.” Eriri shot her a glare, sounding annoyed. “I need time to sort my head out. If I go back like this, my mom is definitely going to see through me.”

Today had hit Eriri far too hard.

She *needed* time to calm down.

“You’re just overthinking.” Utaha’s sharp tongue showed itself instantly. “When I first learned about all this, I didn’t fall apart like you.”

“That’s because you’re thick-skinned.” Eriri fired back without hesitation. “Normal people don’t just accept all this right away. And you’re definitely not normal!”

“I’m not even human anymore.” Utaha shrugged casually. “I’m a devil now.”

“You’ve always been a devil.” Eriri muttered, “Even without all this, you’re still the witch of Kasumigaoka.”

“Aren’t *you* the real loser here?” Utaha raised an eyebrow, smiling without warmth. “Who was it that kept insisting the three of us were ‘fooled,’ and only she and Shiina-san were still normal?”

“Well, Shiina-san has joined us too. Sobu High’s aloof beauties now number four—while you’re all alone. That’s a textbook loser outcome, you know?”

Eriri froze, speechless.

“You might as well join us.” Utaha said lightly. “You’re a blonde loser, but I don’t think our president would mind taking you as a servant.”

Eriri refused instantly.

“*You* go be someone’s servant!”

To Eriri, willingly becoming someone else’s servant was something only an idiot would do.

Especially for a pretty boy like Leo’s group—becoming a servant to a girl their age? That was practically encouraging someone to commit a crime.

Why lower your own value like that?

Of course, Eriri didn’t know the full story behind Yukino, Asuna, and the others. She didn’t know Yukino and Asuna had died and been resurrected by Leo—repaying him with the life they shouldn’t have had. That wasn’t hard to understand.

Utaha herself had chosen reincarnation willingly, but she was a Sacred Gear wielder. The Church could view her as dangerous, unpredictable. If she joined the wrong faction later, she could be eliminated before she caused trouble. Her choice made sense.

But Mahiru?

Eriri truly couldn’t understand.

Mahiru didn’t need saving.

She had no threat to her life.

Her circumstances weren’t desperate.

Her family situation was enviable.

Her appearance and grades were exceptional.

She was the kind of flawless girl adored by everyone—so why would *she* give up her humanity and become someone else’s servant?

What was she after?

Was she… bored with being human?

Eriri couldn’t wrap her head around it.

Immortality, supernatural power, eternal youth—those were tempting. But if the price was becoming someone else’s servant, Eriri would pass.

And that was the crucial difference between her and Mahiru.

Mahiru had nearly lost hope in reality.

Eriri was still content with her life.

Her family was warm.

Her daily life was peaceful.

She could draw illustrations and manga she loved.

She had everything she wanted—nothing worth throwing away.

Eternal life wasn’t something she cared about. She was young; her future was bright. Why give up her freedom just to become a devil?

Eriri had never once resented her life.

She was satisfied.

So there was no reason for her to ever think about becoming someone’s servant.

Let alone giving up her humanity to become a devil—a target for the Church.

“Yeah… you have no reason to choose this path.”

Utaha didn't find Eriri's rejection strange at all—it made sense for someone like her to refuse.

In fact, *that* was how normal modern people thought.

In this era, people already complained about being corporate slaves. Becoming someone’s servant? Much worse.

If Utaha weren't a Sacred Gear wielder destined to step into the supernatural world—if she weren't someone whose power might someday cause disaster—she'd never have considered becoming a servant either.

Even if she had a slightly less comfortable life, she still wouldn't.

But fate had already chosen her.

With a Sacred Gear like Create World, rare and powerful, she would inevitably end up on multiple factions' radar. Eventually, she'd be forced to pick a side.

So why not choose someone she at least *knew*?

Yes, becoming a servant might feel demeaning.

But it wasn't like Utaha hadn't put in the effort—she tried approaching the Church, and the Church rejected her. What was she supposed to do?

Utaha was proud—*very* proud.

People at Sobu High were drawn to her, countless boys confessed to her, and she turned them all down brutally, sending them running with their egos crushed.

That kind of girl becoming a servant to a boy her age?

If you told the old Utaha that, she would've laughed in your face.

But she was also rational.

Everything has a cost. Nothing comes without payment.

So after being stonewalled by the Church, she came to observe Leo. After seeing what devil life was actually like, she took his Evil Pieces.

And the result wasn’t bad at all.

Despite being a servant, Leo never acted superior. He treated them casually, comfortably, like equals.

Being a devil hadn’t ruined her life. If anything, it made it more interesting.

She had supernatural power.

She’d visited the Underworld.

She contracted a familiar.

She saw countless things she once thought only existed in stories—and for a novelist, it was intoxicating.

So intoxicating, in fact, that her writer’s block vanished. She had already finished the draft of *Love Metronome* volume seven, and her editor loved it.

She couldn’t wait to show it to the person she once called “the harshest critic,” just to see what score he’d give her this time.

All in all, Utaha was content. She had no complaints.

Their conversation faded into silence—one that was complicated and heavy.

"…I'm leaving."

Eriri looked at Utaha with a complicated expression, then spoke.

"Take care of yourself."

With that, Eriri turned and walked into the distance.

Utaha watched her back disappear.

For a moment, it felt like an uncrossable distance had formed between them.

One stood at the manor gates.

The other walked farther and farther away.

Their paths were diverging—maybe forever—leaving a faint loneliness in Utaha's chest.

"…You're not as rational as you think."

Utaha let out a small, self-mocking laugh.

But she quickly steadied herself.

Once Eriri's silhouette vanished completely, Utaha turned around and headed back to her new home…

**Chapter 85 — The Hidden Master Chef**

As the sun dipped below the horizon, night slowly settled in. The sky, once glowing with the colors of sunset, faded completely into darkness.

By now, the streets had begun to empty. People were either heading home to have dinner with their families or gathering in restaurants for evening meals, filling the night city with a gentle warmth.

It wouldn’t be long before most of the city fell asleep.

But for devils, this was when they truly came alive.

"Alright, let's welcome Mahiru to the team."

Inside the mansion’s dining hall, Leo’s call marked the start of a small welcome party.

"Welcome, Shiina-san."

"...Welcome."

"Eat whatever you want. Don’t hold back."

Utaha was the first to respond to Leo. Yukino hesitated for a beat but still spoke up, a little stiff. Only Asuna smiled warmly at Mahiru and guided her closer.

The long dining table was piled high with dishes—steaming hot, fragrant, and beautifully arranged. But these weren’t made by the mansion’s familiar chefs.

Asuna had cooked everything herself.

Leo had come up with the idea of hosting a welcome party on a whim, but Asuna had immediately shown interest. She volunteered to take charge, rushed into the kitchen, and ended up preparing an entire feast.

"Thank you, senpai."

At first, Mahiru seemed a bit tense, as if she wasn’t used to such a lively atmosphere, but her pure smile soon broke through as she accepted everyone’s kindness.

"Is there udon? There should be, right?"

Musashi was here too—and she had the nerve to place an order. She looked at her disciple with a face full of expectation, practically glowing with longing.

"There is, sensei. Please enjoy it while it’s hot."

Asuna respectfully set a bowl of udon in front of Musashi, earning an immediate cheer from her.

"Nothing beats udon!"

She happily slurped her noodles, and the others started digging in as well.

"This is amazing." Kasumigaoka Utaha praised between bites. "Your cooking really is the best, Asuna."

Living alone, both Utaha and Yukino knew how to cook for themselves.

But compared to Asuna, at least in terms of skill, Utaha readily admitted defeat.

She was convinced that among everyone in the manor, Asuna’s cooking stood at the top—possibly even outshining the familiar chefs.

But Asuna didn’t see it that way.

"Yukino's cooking is great too. I don't think I can beat her."

Her words immediately shifted everyone’s attention toward Yukino.

She wasn’t wrong.

Yukino might be aloof, sharp-tongued, and cool-tempered, but no one could deny her competence.

She cooked well, she handled housework perfectly—she excelled to the point of near flawlessness.

Asuna was good too, but she had only begun seriously studying cooking after reaching high school. She had developed an interest while her family, claiming it was good practice for becoming a bride someday, didn’t stop her. But even now, Asuna had been cooking for barely two years. Compared to Yukino, who was skilled in all household arts, she felt lacking.

"Your cooking is already excellent, Asuna." Yukino said calmly. "Even if I were the one cooking today, it would probably turn out about the same."

She was capable, yes, but she wasn’t a professional chef. She didn’t think she could surpass Asuna by much.

"Both of you are amazing, alright?"

Utaha suddenly felt like she had taken a loss in the “competent young woman” category and muttered in mild frustration.

She was probably the worst cook among the boys and girls here.

Her cooking wasn’t terrible, but compared to Yukino and Asuna—who were both naturally talented—there was no competition.

And honestly, as a future novelist, she treasured her delicate hands far too much to subject them to heavy kitchen labor. Typing was more her style.

So Utaha had never seriously studied cooking. She might not be worse than boys who didn’t cook at all, but compared to these two masters, she was hopelessly outmatched.

The fact that even the newcomer might surpass her didn’t help her mood.

"I remember—you’re really good at cooking too, aren’t you?"

Leo asked, holding a perfectly balanced piece of hamburger steak with his chopsticks, smiling at Mahiru.

"I’m okay." Mahiru replied modestly. "If senpai is interested, I can cook sometime."

This angelic girl might actually be the hidden master chef in the room.

After all, she’d been formally trained since childhood.

Someone who used to take care of her once told her that if she wanted to win the heart of someone she liked in the future, she needed good cooking skills.

So among everyone here, Mahiru was likely the one who had studied cooking the longest—longer even than Yukino or Asuna.

"Hey, Shiina-chan, can you cook something for me sometime?"

Musashi—actual age and seniority the highest in the room—had no shame whatsoever. She openly admitted she knew nothing about cooking besides holding a sword, and she looked at Mahiru with bright, expectant eyes.

"I want oden!"

Mahiru was a bit overwhelmed by Musashi's enthusiasm and hesitated in confusion, unsure whether to agree.

She still didn't know Musashi's true identity—or what kind of figure she was around here.

"Okay, sensei, eat your udon first." Asuna stepped in to rescue Mahiru. She smiled helplessly at Musashi. "I'll make oden for you next time."

"Right!" Musashi cheered again.

She didn't care who made it—good food was good food.

Pure-hearted as always.

"If you want to cook later, there will be plenty of opportunities." Leo said lazily as he picked up another tender piece of fish. "I've decided: from now on, whenever we get a new servant, we'll hold a welcome party."

They hadn't done it before because they had too few members and it wasn't necessary.

But now Leo had exactly four servants—so celebrating each new addition wasn't too much trouble.

It also helped strengthen bonds and prevented the group from feeling distant despite their numbers.

"That’s a great idea. I approve."

Asuna clasped her hands together excitedly.

"Agreed."

Yukino thought for a moment, then nodded. She didn’t love lively gatherings, but she didn’t dislike them either. And if she needed to cook, she wouldn’t mind helping.

"So I just joined at the perfect time?"

Utaha muttered, bewildered.

She had only joined a few days ago—and yet all the new members after her were getting welcome parties. It felt unfair.

"You’re looking at it wrong." Musashi laughed. "Isn’t it great that you get to attend every welcome party and enjoy the food?"

Utaha shot her a glare.

The group continued chatting and eating, the atmosphere warm and lively. If the students at Kuoh Academy saw this, they would surely be stunned.

A boy with the highest popularity at school, four of the academy's most untouchable beauties, and even the legendary swordswoman—all gathered around a table, eating like a close-knit family.

No one would ever have guessed such a scene existed.

Mahiru certainly hadn’t. Watching everyone, she felt something rise in her chest—an emotion she had never experienced before.

She had never eaten at such a warm, rowdy table in her life.

Her parents never cared for her, and the servants at home would never dine with her. For sixteen years, she had almost always eaten alone, surrounded by cold silence.

So this—this warmth and joy—was entirely new.

*"Is this... what it feels like to become a devil?"*

Mahiru wondered quietly as her expression softened into a radiant smile.

Once everyone was full, the cleanup was left to the familiars.

Then Leo announced something before leaving.

"Next weekend, I'll be taking all of you to Kuoh Academy. You'll meet two friends who live there."

He had put off telling them until now.

"Kuoh Academy?"

"Is this about Shitori-senpai?"

Yukino and Asuna reacted immediately. Both had met Shitori Sona before.

"Yes." Leo nodded. "You'll be meeting Sona and another High-Class Devil's servants. It'll be a good chance to interact."

"So make sure you're prepared. Don't embarrass the Eligos servants."

"They're all devils of the new generation. You'll probably end up working together in the future, so it's good to meet early."

With that, Leo left the dining room, leaving the rest to discuss among themselves.

The rest of them exchanged glances before standing up one by one.

"Shiina-san, I’ll take you to the study."

"Okay. Thank you, Yukinoshita-senpai."

"Asuna, want to spar with me later?"

"Sure. Please go easy on me, Utaha-senpai."

Everyone scattered, each heading off to improve themselves.

The night carried on, warm and peaceful—something few devils ever experienced.

====