"Aoshi... my sweet, beloved Aoshi... wake up, sleepyhead, or you’ll be late for university," Eliss whispers, her voice soft as she leans over him, gently shaking his shoulder.

"Y-Yeah... just five more minutes..." he mumbles, not even opening his eyes, rolling over in the futon and turning his back to her.

"If you won’t wake up nicely..."

W-What is... this feeling? So soft... so warm... It’s like I’m lying on a cloud.

His eyes snap open.

Wait... I don’t own a cloud-futon! — No one does!

"E-Eliss... what the hell are you doing?!"

"I’m obviously waking you up! Isn’t this how a loving wife wakes her dear husband?" Eliss replies, pressing her chest against his back.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to crawl into my futon every morning?! I spent a fortune on yours — so use it!"

And yet, there’s hesitation in his voice.

If any of this were real — if Eliss truly loved me — it’d be every guy’s dream.

She’s sweet, affectionate, caring... sure, maybe a little too jealous, and when she gets mad she’s downright terrifying. But that’s exactly what makes her feel so... perfect.

Yeah, Eliss is perfect. Too perfect to ever fall for someone like me. This is just a pleasant illusion — one that’ll disappear the moment she finds a way to break the spell tying her to me. And when that happens, she’ll make me regret it if I’ve taken advantage of her. I don’t even want to imagine what happens when a demon princess gets angry.

But even worse... if I let myself get too emotionally involved, I might actually start falling for her — and that would be a complete disaster. That brutal breakup with Miori was already more than enough.

The only thing I can do is grit my teeth... and hope this ridiculous situation ends soon.

Aoshi shoots out of the futon.

Breakfast — made by Eliss. Check.

Quick wash. Check.

Dressed. Check.

Bag packed. Check.

Lunch...

Shit, lunch! I completely forgot!

"Darling, why are you so flustered?" Eliss asks, her voice laced with gentle concern.

Aoshi isn’t just flustered — he’s desperate.

Damn it, how am I supposed to survive until afternoon without eating?! I don’t even have a single yen — I can’t buy anything! And I’m already late!

Why didn’t Eliss wake me up earlier?!

Oh right... she did.

Damn it!

"Looking for this, my love?" Eliss asks with a radiant smile, holding out a lunch box.

Aoshi’s eyes light up.

"It’s... a bento! Eliss, you saved my life! I owe you big time!"

"Anything for my dear husband. Now that everything’s ready, we can go."

"Yeah, I— wait... we can go? Who’s ’we’?"

"Isn’t it obvious? You and me, my love! I saved you from being late and starving — so the least you can do is take me with you! I’ve never seen where you humans study! I’m dying of curiosity! Please, my love, take me with you — just this once! I promise I won’t ask again! Pleeease—"

"Alright, alright!" he cuts her off, already worn out. "But listen — Takuma’s going to be there. You know, the guy who came over the other day. As far as he’s concerned, you’re still my maid, and I have no idea how to explain you coming to university with me. I’ll figure something out. Just remember — you’re not my girlfriend, got it?"

Eliss nods eagerly, but that sly smile makes it painfully obvious she plans to do the exact opposite.

Aoshi lets out a deep sigh, already preparing for the worst.

Please let this go smoothly... though, judging by that look, I already know it’s going to be a disaster.

◇◇◇

Boing! Boing! Boing!

Every bump and dip in the road sends Eliss’s soft, ample chest pressing against Aoshi’s back, each impact followed by a faint, stifled moan.

Like every morning, Aoshi rides to university on his trusty steed — a battered old bike that’s somehow still holding together, even though it should’ve been fixed three paychecks ago. Eliss clings to him from behind, perched on the rear rack.

Inside Aoshi’s mind, a war is raging — fiercer than any battle in human history... or at least, that’s how it feels to him.

As much as he hates to admit it, having Eliss this close — just like earlier, when she slipped into his futon — is far too pleasant. The thin fabric of his pants does nothing to hide just how much he’s enjoying it.

Damn it... stay down, you stupid pervert! I know she’s ridiculously sexy, but you don’t have to broadcast it to the entire street!

Eliss isn’t doing any better either.

W-Why... does this feel so intense? It’s not like anything special is happening...

I-I can feel it... I’m completely soaked... and all from such a trivial, accidental contact through our clothes?

Aaah... it’s slipping out of control. My body is completely under the influence of Seduction Magic now. I can’t control my words or my actions anymore... and even my thoughts are starting to give in!

Her breathing turns heavy, uneven. Her cheeks burn like she’s running a fever as she bites her lip, struggling to keep her moans from slipping out.

He may be a complete mess... but I’m so lucky I met him. From what little I’ve seen of this world, I already know that anyone else in his place wouldn’t have hesitated for even a second to take advantage of me — to push me into things my body wouldn’t have been able to resist.

It would’ve been so easy to fall into the hands of some twisted maniac who would’ve taken that precious virginity I’ve guarded so carefully... saving it for someone capable of giving me that feeling I’ve always longed for — something no one has ever made me experience.

Aoshi... you’re a disaster in every possible way... but thank you. Truly. For everything you’ve done for me. I promise that when all of this is over, and the spell is finally broken... I’ll do everything I can to repay you.

When they reach the university, his two closest friends are waiting right by the gate — not that he has many to begin with. Takuma Shionogi, the one obsessed with erotic RPGs, and Ayane Tsukiwana, the girl with rainbow-colored hair layered from countless DIY dye jobs. Both are instantly caught off guard by Eliss’s presence.

"A-Aoshi... why did you show up with that insanely hot maid of yours?" Takuma blurts out, his eyes practically turning into hearts. The image of Eliss — wearing nothing but a kitchen apron — is still burned into his mind, safely filed under Memories to Take to the Grave.

Ayane, meanwhile, looks both puzzled and deep in thought after hearing Takuma’s words. Her mind immediately begins spiraling into the most absurd possibilities.

That girl... is she really just a maid? Since when can Aoshi even afford one? That idiot... I’ve been offering to help him clean his apartment for years, and he’s always turned me down. But more importantly—why did they come to university together?

I can already rule out the idea that she’s a live-in maid. Those cost a fortune—and you’d need a place big enough to house her. Aoshi’s apartment is barely enough for one person, let alone two.

Maybe she’s a new neighbor who just moved in and offered to clean for everyone to make some extra money? That would make sense... but it still doesn’t explain why they’re here together this early.

There’s only one possibility that comes to mind—but it would be insane to think that just three days after getting dumped by Miori, Aoshi has already moved on, met another girl, and fallen for her enough to start living together.

But if that’s not it... then what is?

Oh, Aoshi... what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?

"Nice to meet you, I’m Ayane Tsukiwana — one of Aoshi’s classmates," she says with a polite, slightly forced smile.

"I’m Eliss Narkhalis, it’s a pleasure. I’m really glad my Aoshi finally decided to introduce me to his friends."

Ayane freezes.

My Aoshi...?

A cold shiver runs down Aoshi’s spine. Not even ten minutes ago, he had explicitly told Eliss not to present herself as his girlfriend — instructions that clearly went in one ear and out the other. Before he can react, Ayane beats him to it. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Oh? So you’re another friend of Aoshi’s? That’s strange... he’s never mentioned you."

"A friend? Oh no, I’m his girlf—"

"Oh wow, look at the time! We’re gonna be late!" Aoshi cuts in, panic written all over his face. He grabs Takuma and Ayane by the arms and drags them past the gate.

Meanwhile, Eliss stays behind, cheerfully humming to herself, waving with exaggerated enthusiasm as Aoshi vanishes into the morning crowd.