Get it all out

Go back?

The offer, unexpected as it was, seemed to stun both Luna and Catherine. 

They shared a look, their expressions a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.

"What?" Luna blurted out, her eyes widening. 

"You'd let us leave? Just like that?"

Yuto looked down, his hands clenching, "Of course not, but it hurts more if it feels like I'm forcing you to get along"

Luna and Catherine fell silent at Yuto's words, mixed emotions flickering across their faces.

Finally, it was Catherine who spoke, her voice softer than usual.

"...and if we choose to stay?"

He looked up, his eyes which usually showed such confidence seemed almost relaxed.

"Then I will do as I first told you, I will love you all equally"

Luna's expression softened, her arms slowly loosening around herself.

Catherine's stoic facade cracked a little, and a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Equally, huh?" Luna repeated, "And how do you plan to do that, when you've already slept with Lilith?"

"I slept with the others too, Cat, is it because I didn't sleep with you and Luna yet?"

Both women's expressions turned sheepish at Yuto's response, their cheeks turning pink.

Luna chuckled nervously, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Well... no, I suppose not..."

Catherine shifted on her feet, looking away.

"But it feels... unfair"

Yuto chuckled as he raised his arms, "Come here"

Luna and Catherine shared a confused look before slowly walking over to Yuto, stopping a few steps away from him.

"What now?" Luna asked, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Catherine's eyes flicked from Luna to Yuto, her expression still stoic but a hint of curiosity in her gaze.

Yuto smiled at the two women.

"Come closer," he said, crooking his finger playfully. 

"Don't be shy"

Luna let out a soft huff, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips as she stepped closer to Yuto, her body a few inches away from his.

Catherine followed suit, her steps light and graceful, standing just beside Luna.

He pulled them into a hug, resting his head on their shoulders, "All you two had to do was ask"

"After all, I have to make sure you're both satisfied"

Luna's breath caught as Yuto's arms enveloped her, and for a moment, all the tension seemed to melt away. 

She instinctively leaned into the embrace, letting herself relax, even as her mind churned with thoughts. 

Catherine, ever the composed one, didn't immediately move, but after a second, she too allowed herself to step closer, her body brushing against his as he pulled her into the hug as well. 

Yuto felt their presence next to him, the warmth of their bodies against his, and the weight of their conflicting emotions. 

It was clear they still had doubts, but this moment of physical closeness seemed to soften them if only a little.

"You always have to be so complicated," Luna muttered, but there was no malice in her words. 

Her hand lightly grazed Yuto's chest, and she let out a small sigh.

Yuto tightened his arms slightly, pressing his cheek to her hair as he looked over at Catherine. 

"It's not about being complicated. It's about love"

"I'm not going to rush you into anything, but I also can't pretend like I'm not serious about Lilith"

"I promised her, and I keep my promises"

Catherine, still somewhat stiff, hesitated before speaking. 

"But she's a Demon General, Yuto. I... I can't just ignore that"

"I know," Yuto said softly, his voice firm but understanding. 

"But even so, Lilith has chosen to give everything to me, just as you two have chosen to stay with me"

"She's not the enemy. I won't let her be treated as such, not by anyone"

Luna's lips tightened slightly, but she didn't argue. 

Instead, she looked at Catherine, silently asking if she felt the same. 

Catherine's eyes, usually so closed off, now flickered with something resembling hesitation. 

She finally spoke, her voice quieter.

"I... don't trust her. Not yet. But I trust you, Yuto"

Yuto smiled faintly, pulling back just enough to look at both of them in turn.

"Then trust me when I say that Lilith is not here to hurt any of us"

Luna sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. 

"I guess I can't argue with that. But it still feels strange"

"You don't have to understand it all at once," Yuto said. 

"But you do need to be honest with me, if there's something you're struggling with, tell me"

Luna looked into his eyes for a moment, then shook her head. 

"It's just... you're not the same as before. Back then, when we started this journey, I thought... we'd be a team"

"But–"

Yuto's expression softened. 

"You're always going to stand by my side. You and Catherine, and Lilith too. All of you. That won't change"

Catherine finally spoke up, her voice steady. 

"We need to talk to her. Lilith. I want to hear it from her, why she's with you, what she wants out of this"

Luna nodded, looking at Yuto. 

"Yeah. If she's really serious, then she has to tell us herself. I can't just accept her blindly"

Yuto's gaze turned to the trees around them, and the sounds of the forest were a distant hum. 

"I'll go get her" 

He pulled away, though he kept one hand resting on Luna's shoulder for a moment longer. 

"Are you both sure about this?"

Luna gave him a look that bordered between playful and serious. 

"Yeah, yeah. Just go get her"

Catherine nodded silently, her usual composure returning. 

"We'll wait"

With a nod, Yuto walked a few steps into the forest, his senses tingling with the awareness of Lilith's presence nearby. 

It didn't take long before he found her, leaning against a tree, her usual confidence tempered by the weight of the moment.

"You're sure about this?" Yuto asked, his voice low.

Lilith looked at him, her eyes unwavering. 

"I've never been more certain of anything in my life"

"After all, in this life, I gave myself to you, body, soul, everything"

Yuto stepped closer, his expression softening. 

"They want to hear it from you"

Lilith's lips curled into a faint smile, and she tilted her head. 

"If it's what you want, then I'll say it"

She walked toward him, her presence almost overwhelming. 

Yuto stepped aside, gesturing toward the clearing where Luna and Catherine waited.

Lilith glanced back at Yuto. 

"They won't like me anymore after this. You know that, right?"

Yuto smiled gently, his voice warm and understanding. 

"I know. But it's not about them liking you, it's about them trusting me. And trust comes with time"

Lilith nodded, but there was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. 

"Then let's see what happens. I'll speak the truth, even if it's hard"

Together, they walked back to the others. 

Luna and Catherine stood, arms crossed, waiting for Lilith's explanation. 

The air felt heavier now, tension settling in like a storm cloud.

Yuto stood by Lilith's side as she faced Luna and Catherine, the two women's eyes fixed on her, waiting for answers.

Lilith spoke, her voice calm. 

"I know what you both think of me"

"I know I'm a Demon General, and that's hard to accept"

"But know this, I already gave him my body and soul because I believed in him, and I still do"

"And I'll stand by his side, just as I stand by his promise to you both"

Luna and Catherine exchanged glances. 

Luna opened her mouth to say something, but Catherine was the first to speak.

"Then why him, Lilith?" Catherine asked, her voice steady. 

"Why give everything to him?"

"Why?"

Lilith's gaze softened, and she looked at Yuto for a moment before answering. 

"Because he's more than just a prince or a hero. He's someone who can make a difference"

"..."

"Someone who can love without limits" 

She met their eyes, unflinching. 

"And he loved me despite being a demon. That's why"

There was a pause as Luna and Catherine processed her words. 

Finally, Luna exhaled sharply, crossing her arms again, though there was no anger in her stance now, only thoughtfulness.

"Well," Luna said with a sigh, "I guess we have some things to discuss between ourselves"

Catherine nodded, her eyes not leaving Lilith's face. 

"Yeah. We'll need some time"

Yuto glanced at the three women, "I'll give you the time you need. Just remember, I want all of you here with me. No matter what"

…

"I know what you're thinking," Lilith began, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of something older, something familiar. 

"You think I'm just another demon, another power-hungry creature out to ruin Yuto's life. But you're wrong" 

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes intense as they locked onto Luna and Catherine. 

"I've been with him before, long before any of you were even in his life"

Luna stiffened, her arms crossing once again. 

"What are you getting at?"

Lilith's lips curled into a smile, but it wasn't one of amusement. 

"I'm talking about his past life, the one that doesn't get spoken of much"

"Yuto and I... We didn't start on the best of terms. We had a very rocky relationship"

"Trust me, it was nothing like what you might imagine now" 

Catherine's brow furrowed, but she didn't interrupt. Luna, however, was less patient. 

"So, what? You two were enemies?" she demanded, her voice laced with skepticism.

Lilith's gaze hardened.

"Enemies? Maybe. But I wasn't just some rival in his past life"

"We fought side by side, we tore apart armies together, and yes, we also fought against each other, time and time again"

'And had intense intimacy'

"But we never truly trusted each other. Not until now" 

The shift in Lilith's tone was subtle, but it carried an unmistakable weight.

"In the cave, I realized that him being in the human world, being born a human, has changed him a lot"

"Was I scared of him? Of course, I was after all, I was in front of the first hero, the demon prince"

"But my feelings aren't a lie..."

She paused, her gaze flickering over to Yuto for a brief moment before returning to Luna and Catherine. 

"I've made my choice. I'm not going to let anyone get in the way of that" 

Her voice lowered as if she were speaking a quiet vow to herself as much as to them. 

"I'm not here to make things easy. I'm here to stay, and if you think that's something you can't accept, well… that's your problem, not mine"

Luna looked taken aback for a moment, but Catherine's voice cut through the silence, calm and thoughtful. 

"So, you're saying that all this... history between you two, all the fighting, all the animosity, that doesn't matter anymore?"

Lilith's gaze was unwavering as she nodded, her expression resolute. 

"No, it doesn't. It never mattered as much as it does now. I've changed"

"Yuto has changed. And if that means we have to confront the past together, then so be it. But make no mistake, I will protect him"

"I've promised that" 

Her eyes gleamed with a fierce certainty. 

"And if that means I have to fight you both for his heart, then I will"

Catherine's expression softened slightly, but there was no mistaking the weight of her words. 

"We're not trying to take him from you, Lilith. We just need to know that you're not going to tear us apart"

Lilith met her gaze without hesitation, her voice firm and sure. 

"I'm not here to tear anyone apart, Catherine. I'm here because Yuto chose me, just as he chose both of you"

"But I've already made my decision, and I will not step aside. Not for anyone"

Luna's eyes darted between Yuto and Lilith, the tension between them palpable. 

She wasn't sure what to say, but her tone softened a little as she looked back at Lilith. 

"Then we'll have to see how this goes, won't we?"

Lilith gave a single nod. 

"Indeed" 

The air felt heavy as if the weight of their conversation had finally come to a boiling point. 

Yuto stood silently, watching the exchange with a quiet intensity, knowing that this was the turning point for all of them. T

the boundaries had been set, and whether or not they would respect them remained to be seen.

But one thing was clear.

Lilith was not going anywhere, and she wasn't about to let anyone take Yuto away from her, not now, not ever.

Night

The sky above was a deep shade of black, studded with stars, and the camp was quiet, save for the rhythmic breathing of the sleeping forms scattered around the small clearing. 

The fire flickered softly, casting shadows that danced across the faces of the slumbering group.

Yuto sat alone by the fire, his back against a log, his gaze distant as he watched the flames. 

The warmth from the fire bathed his face, but his mind was elsewhere, lost in thought. 

He hadn't been able to sleep much lately. 

The conversations with Luna, Catherine, and Lilith had weighed heavily on him, and the emotional tension was hard to shake off.

A soft rustle from behind him broke his focus, and he turned to see Catherine slowly approaching, her expression a mixture of curiosity and something else… concern, perhaps? 

She sat down next to him, close enough to feel the warmth from the fire but not too close to make it awkward.

"Couldn't sleep?" Catherine asked, her voice quieter than usual, as though she didn't want to disturb the night's peace.

Yuto glanced over at her, giving a small smile. 

"Something like that." He stretched his legs out in front of him, leaning back against the log with a relaxed sigh. 

"Too many thoughts in my head"

Catherine settled next to him, staring into the fire. 

"Yeah, I get that feeling. This whole situation... It's a lot to take in"

There was a brief silence as they both stared into the flames, the crackling of the wood the only sound between them. 

Then, Catherine let out a quiet laugh, breaking the tension. 

"You know, this feels kind of weird"

Yuto raised an eyebrow. 

"What do you mean?"

Catherine glanced at him, her expression slightly amused. 

"We're sitting here, both of us, just... talking. After all that's happened. After everything with Lilith, Luna, the whole mess... this is a little surreal"

["What?"]

Yuto chuckled softly, leaning back a bit further. 

"Yeah, I get what you mean. But sometimes, it's nice to just sit back and talk. No pressure, no drama... just... life"

Catherine nodded, her eyes turning more thoughtful. 

"Yeah, it's been a while since I've had one of those nights. Just... talking"

Yuto smiled, a genuine warmth in his voice. 

"Well, you know, we've got to make the best of it. Life's too short to not enjoy the quiet moments"

The fire crackled again, a log popping as it split. Catherine's gaze flickered to the flames before she turned back to Yuto, her expression a bit more serious. 

"You never really talk about your family. I mean, you've mentioned them a few times, but not much"

Yuto stiffened just a little, though he quickly masked it with a shrug. 

"Not much to say. My family's... complicated"

Catherine looked at him with a raised eyebrow. 

"Complicated? You've got me curious now. What's the story?"

Yuto's lips quivered into a small, sad smile. 

"Well, my mom, Cara, she's a talented exorcist. One of the best, actually"

"Then there's my little sister. She's even more talented than I am, at least in the magic department"

"I guess you could say she's the real prodigy of the family"

Catherine smiled, clearly enjoying the way Yuto spoke about his sister. 

"A talented mage for a little sister, huh? Sounds like a family of overachievers"

Yuto chuckled, nodding. 

"Yeah, something like that. But she's a good kid. Really strong, too. A bit too strong for her own good, sometimes"

"And your father?" Catherine asked, her voice quiet but inquisitive.

Yuto's expression immediately shifted, a shadow crossing his face. 

His gaze fell to the fire, and for a moment, he was silent, lost in thought.

"My father... It's not a pretty topic" 

His tone was colder now, the warmth from the fire not quite reaching his heart.

Catherine studied him closely. 

"A lover should know more, Yuto. Especially about the things that make you who you are"

Yuto's gaze flickered toward her, and for a long moment, he seemed to be considering whether or not to say anything more. 

Finally, he let out a soft sigh and nodded, the weight of the memories settling in.

["She'll find out eventually, might as well tell her"]

"The Demon Lords' army invaded our village when I was younger"

"We got the news from my mom and aunt, they had set their sights on our entire region"

"My father was a legend, known as the kingdoms swordmaster"

"While the rest of us fought against the army with mercenaries and adventurers, he fought against three demon generals… alone"

"As soon as I reached him, he was dying, and I couldn't do anything my uncle was the one who finished them"

"And when I woke up after being knocked out, it was far far too late"

"He was gone"

Catherine was silent for a moment, her eyes softening as she looked at him. 

She hadn't expected such a heavy story, especially not from someone as composed as Yuto. 

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, her voice sincere.

Yuto shrugged, his expression hardening slightly. 

"It was a long time ago. Doesn't change the fact that he's gone. I don't really like to talk about it, but... yeah. That's how it happened"

Catherine placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch gentle but firm. 

"That's... a lot to carry, Yuto. I can't imagine what it was like, losing your father like that"

Yuto looked up at her, his expression softening slightly. 

"Yeah, it's something that stays with you. But I've made peace with it. I have to. For my family, and for everything that's come after"

They sat in silence for a moment, the crackling of the fire filling the quiet between them. 

Yuto leaned back again, staring up at the stars for a long while, before finally speaking once more.

"Sometimes... I wonder if I'm strong enough. If I'm really strong enough to live up to everything that's been expected of me" 

He let out a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper. 

"But then I remember... I've got people who care about me. People who won't let me fall. And that gives me the strength I need to keep going"

Catherine smiled, the warmth in her eyes genuine. 

"You're stronger than you know, Yuto. And you're not alone in this"

Yuto gave her a small, thankful smile, and for the first time that night, the weight on his shoulders seemed just a little bit lighter.

…

Yuto noticed that Catherine was closer, closer than before, and her soft laughter from earlier lingered in the air.

They had been sitting in a comfortable silence for a while, but it didn't take long for that silence to feel heavy. 

Catherine's fingers brushed lightly against his hand, a slow, deliberate touch that made his heart beat faster. 

His gaze flicked to her, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade into the background.

"You know," Catherine said, her voice low, "we've come a long way from that first meeting"

"Who knew this was where we'd end up?" 

She gave him a teasing glance, though there was a warmth in her smile that made his chest tighten.

Yuto gave a small, awkward chuckle. 

"I didn't plan on... any of this, to be honest"

Catherine leaned in closer, her hand gently settling on his lap. 

The weight of it was enough to make him freeze for a moment, but he didn't pull away. 

Instead, he looked at her, searching for any hint of hesitation. 

There was none.

"You didn't?" 

She asked softly, her breath warm against his ear. 

"But now that we're here, you don't want to pull away, do you?"

Yuto swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. 

"I... don't think I could"

Without a second thought, Catherine closed the gap between them, pressing her lips to his in a soft, lingering kiss. 

It started gentle, testing, but quickly deepened as the need for each other became impossible to ignore. 

Her body shifted, closing the remaining distance between them as her hands slid up to rest on his chest. 

Yuto responded in kind, pulling her closer, his hands finding their way to her back. 

The kiss continued, slow and heated, as the warmth between them grew with each passing second.

The sound of the fire crackling was drowned out by the intensity of their kiss, and everything else faded away. 

It was just the two of them, their hearts pounding in time with each other.

Just as they started to lose themselves in the moment, a rustling sound from behind them made them both freeze.

Yuto pulled back slightly, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths, and looked over to see Luna standing there, her arms crossed with an amused expression on her face.

"Well, well," Luna said with a smirk, "seems like you two couldn't wait"

Catherine, her face flushed, gave a sheepish laugh. 

"I suppose not"

Yuto's heart skipped a beat, and he leaned back against the ground, trying to regain some composure. 

"Luna... I didn't hear you come over"

Luna raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the sight of the two of them flustered. 

"It's hard to sneak up on people in a forest like this, Yuto" 

She lowered herself onto a log nearby, her eyes flicking between him and Catherine. 

"Though I have to admit, I wasn't expecting this"

Catherine let out a soft sigh, still a bit out of breath. 

"What can I say? I couldn't resist"

Yuto, now fully aware of the change in the air, rubbed the back of his neck. 

"Well, Luna, this is... awkward"

Luna laughed, clearly unbothered. 

"It doesn't have to be, Yuto"

Catherine, her voice tinged with a playful note, added, "Though, next time, maybe we shouldn't start without you"

Yuto's face turned beet red at the implication, and he let out a groan. 

"I wasn't... planning on it happening like this"

Luna grinned mischievously. 

"Of course, that's what they all say"

The Next Morning

Yuto woke up with a sore body, his muscles stiff and his mind sluggish from the emotional and physical strain of the previous night. 

He groggily sat up and rubbed his face, realizing that he was absolutely drained. 

Beside him, Catherine and Luna were already awake, preparing breakfast. 

Yuto glanced between them and noticed how... pleased they both seemed. 

Their faces were flushed with a quiet satisfaction, while his own exhaustion hung heavy over him.

Luna caught his eye and flashed him a knowing grin. 

"Sleep well?"

Yuto groaned, feeling a slight embarrassment, but managed a tired smile. 

"I'll never get used to mornings after nights like that"

Catherine, always the more playful one, teased him with a wink. 

"You did well, Yuto. You looked like you needed it"

Yuto chuckled, running a hand through his hair. 

"You both look way too pleased with yourselves"

"Well," Luna said with a smug smile, "we are. You'll get used to it"

Yuto smiled wryly, but deep down, he couldn't deny the sense of contentment that seemed to settle over him.

He noticed that Lilith was drinking coffee, Luna and Catherine gave her a plate of breakfast. 

And him?

He was still in his boxer shorts, looking at the kingdom ahead of them.

The adventure was far from over, and there was much more to come but for now, he allowed himself to simply breathe in the calm.