Chapter 29 Attention

"You're late," Issei said, thorns laced in his voice. He sat on the couch with arms crossed, narrowing his eyes at Kousuke, who entered the living room with Tsubaki clinging to his side. Her arm wrapped around his, and her expression glowed with satisfaction—radiating the kind of afterglow that said more than words ever could.

Issei couldn't believe it. He had gone to wake his friend earlier—hand on the knob—only to freeze when he heard it. A muffled moan. Then skin slapping against skin. The blood rushed from his face to... other places, and he stood there, stunned. 'he wasn't lying back then?!'

He couldn't wrap his head around how Kousuke managed to pull that off—especially after flirting with Yasaka yesterday like nothing was wrong. And yet here he was, looking more composed than ever, like a man who just conquered the world.

"Sorry about that, I was spoiling a certain someone to the point I forgot where I was," Kousuke said with a chuckle, clearly unashamed. Tsubaki lightly smacked his chest, her cheeks tinged pink.

After learning about the devil birth rate problem, Kousuke noticed his girlfriend had become... notably more insatiable. He wasn't complaining. But even he was a little surprised at how open she had become.

"Y-You should learn about time and place," Rias mumbled, blush blooming on her face. She had overheard everything. She hadn't expected her tattling to lead to that kind of outcome.

She glanced toward Issei and quickly looked away, biting her lip. Something inside her twisted—not exactly jealousy, but something adjacent. Something frustrated.

"A devil with an exhibitionist streak is telling me that?" Kousuke teased with a grin. Akeno chuckled behind her hand.

"I'm not an exhibitionist!" Rias shot back, but her outfit—barely a step above lingerie—betrayed her. All eyes subtly drifted her way.

"Even you, Issei...?" she asked, her voice small.

Issei looked away, scratching his cheek awkwardly. He was suddenly reminded of that night when she sat on his bed, bare and beautiful, claiming him as her servant. Since then, she'd dressed provocatively plenty of times, but… always just enough to provoke, never enough to satisfy.

"Maybe you should be more aware of yourself, Rias," Akeno said playfully. "Or are you going to let Tsubaki leave you behind?"

Rias turned redder.

Before things could spiral further, Yasaka entered the room with a serene smile, carrying a tray of drinks. Her golden hair shimmered as she walked, elegance in every step. But her eyes immediately found Kousuke—and the young woman clinging to him. Her smile didn't falter, but her eyes narrowed… just a little.

"How was everyone's sleep last night? I trust everything went well?" she asked as she placed the tray gently on the table. Though she had attendants for this sort of thing, Yasaka insisted on doing it herself. It wasn't about hospitality.

It was about him.

After placing the drinks down, she calmly took a seat beside Kousuke and, without hesitation, wrapped her tails around his free arm. The thick, warm fluff pressed against his skin, a sensation he was already dangerously familiar with.

Tsubaki's eyes narrowed. She recognized what was happening immediately.

'This woman's being very blatant...'

Akeno's lips curled upward, watching the situation unfold like her favorite soap opera.

"Did you sleep well, Kousuke-kun?" Yasaka asked, her tone honeyed. She casually rested her head on his shoulder, completely unfazed by the cold stare Tsubaki shot her way.

Koneko, who had already claimed Kousuke's lap earlier in the morning, looked increasingly out of place. The little girl hesitated, unsure whether to move or stay. She shifted slightly but ultimately didn't budge.

She wasn't part of their fight. She just wanted to be spoiled like a little sister.

Kousuke let out a relaxed sigh. "Yes. The bed was comfortable. I slept like a baby."

"Fufufu, I'm so glad my hospitality met your standards," Yasaka cooed. Her eyes met Tsubaki's—two forces clashing in silence. Sparks flew behind their smiles. Rather than ignoring them like a dense harem protagonist, Kousuke smirked and wrapped both arms around their waists, pulling them closer to him with practiced ease.

"There's no need to fight for my attention," he said smoothly. "I'm not going anywhere~"

Tsubaki let out a small 'hmph,' trying not to let the smugness get to her. Yasaka tilted her head, feigning innocence. The tension between them was thick enough to slice with a sword.

Across the room, Issei watched all this with wide eyes. It was like watching someone effortlessly live the life he dreamed of. But instead of being excited, he felt… hollow. A little irritated. Maybe even a little insecure.

He stood up and walked outside onto the balcony.

Rias noticed and hesitated. Then she followed him.

Balcony – Morning Light.

Issei leaned against the railing, hands stuffed in his pockets, a rare scowl on his face.

"...You okay?" Rias asked gently.

He shrugged. "I don't know. It's just… weird. Seeing Kousuke like that."

"Jealous?" she asked, teasing—half-heartedly.

Issei didn't answer right away.

"I used to think having a harem would solve everything. That being surrounded by beautiful girls would make me feel complete. But looking at him… he's not just collecting women. He's making them feel wanted. Safe. Loved."

Rias blinked, surprised at his honesty.

Issei glanced at her. "I want that. With you."

Rias's breath caught.

"But…" he added quietly, "I don't know how."

There was a pause. Then Rias leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder.

"We'll figure it out," she said. "Together."

Back in the Living Room.

Meanwhile, Akeno leaned in toward Kousuke from across the table, resting her chin on her hand with a mischievous smile. "You know… it's impressive how you're handling all this attention."

Kousuke smiled. "You make it sound like I'm not used to it."

"Oh? Are you?" she teased.

"Let's just say… I had a lot of intense party members in the Other World. By comparison, this is relaxing."

Koneko finally looked up at him and mumbled, "You like being spoiled?"

He gently rubbed her head. "Who wouldn't?"

The girl purred softly, content to keep her seat.

Tsubaki leaned into him slightly, a small pout on her face. "Just don't forget who your real girlfriend is."

Yasaka chuckled. "Fufufu, I don't mind sharing. So long as I get my turn." As a widow, she knew firsthand how lonely it was.

Kousuke sighed dramatically, pulling them even closer to him. "Man…being loved is hard." He almost felt like a scumbag—the good kind. He hadn't expected the outing to turn out like this.

Everyone stared at him with different reactions—jealousy, amusement, affection.

And in that moment, Kousuke felt it.

Not just attention.

Belonging.