Chapter 167

"Ah~"

Squatting on the ground, Masamune Izumi held his chin in pain.

"Brother! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine!"

Hearing the worried voice of his sister, Sagiri Izumi, through his headphones, Masamune struggled to keep his voice steady.

"I just got hit by a girl, nothing serious."

"I'm more worried about her."

Looking down at the shattered screen of his tablet, Masamune winced.

"After all, she hit the tablet with her face before bouncing into my chin."

"With the screen broken like this, she might've cut her face!"

"Brother, she already ran off."

"I think she was one of the cute girls we saw near the convention entrance. Hurry and chase after her!"

"?"

Confused, Masamune stared at the broken tablet in his hand, then at the skid marks on the floor. He couldn't help but marvel at the resilience of some people.

Despite crashing into a hard tablet, shattering its screen, and sliding across the floor, she had vanished in an instant.

Picking up a dropped camera from the ground, Masamune followed Sagiri's directions through the headset.

"By the way, Sagiri."

"The tablet's screen is broken, so how are you still seeing what's going on?"

"Well, about that…"

"Sagiri discovered something amazing—the software still works despite the shattered screen!"

"So I have a great idea, Brother. Could you fulfill Sagiri's wish?"

Wiping sweat from his brow, Masamune opened a bottle of water and took a sip.

"What is it, Sagiri?"

"Leave the broken tablet on the floor where lots of pretty girls pass by!"

"Then Sagiri can see all kinds of beautiful panties. It's a brilliant plan!"

"So hurry and deploy this secret weapon!"

"Pfft! Cough, cough!"

Masamune nearly spat out his water in shock.

Suppressing the urge to choke, he shouted, "There's no way I'd do that!"

"Sagiri, you perverted artist!"

"I don't know anyone by that name!"

"Brother, just remember to put the tablet somewhere useful."

"No way!"

Frustrated, Masamune clenched the broken tablet and shouted passionately:

"Your ridiculous fantasy shall be shattered by me, your wise and mighty brother!"

"If you seek revenge, remember this humiliation forever!"

"Sigh, wake up, Brother."

Sagiri's exasperated sigh came through the headset. Whenever her brother entered his creative mode, he'd inevitably slip into a delusional state.

Despite feeling second-hand embarrassment, Sagiri resolved to support her silly brother.

"Brother, look ahead. That girl is right there with a bunch of other cute girls. Let's go!"

"And remember, you don't have some magical 'anti-fantasy charm' or red-eyed power like in anime."

"So next time, say those lines in your room."

Cough, cough.

Masamune cleared his throat, feeling embarrassed. He glanced ahead and saw an orange-haired girl wiping away tears.

"Excuse me, I'm the person you bumped into earlier. Are you alright?"

"Sniff… Huh?"

Sniffling, Satania turned toward him, her teary eyes lighting up with joy.

"Ah! My camera!"

Snatching the camera from Masamune's hand, she beamed.

Bowing deeply, Satania exclaimed, "Thank you so much!"

"The Great Demon Lord Satania will never forget your kindness. When you die and descend to Hell, be sure to visit my castle!"

"No need, no need!"

Waving his hands frantically, Masamune carefully examined Satania's face, relieved to see no injuries.

"Are you hurt? I'm the person you ran into earlier."

"Huh?"

Hugging her camera, Satania tilted her head.

"Did I bump into something?"

"I was racing Gabriel, glanced back, and my nose hurt suddenly."

"To stop Gabriel from catching the Great Satania, I immediately got up and kept running."

"Then I realized my camera was gone."

Smiling gratefully, she said, "Thank you so much for returning my camera."

"There are precious memories in here—Master Ruri's training poses, Gabriel's evil smirks…"

Gripping Masamune's hands, she shook them vigorously.

"I truly appreciate it! I'd love to host you at my demonic castle as thanks!"

"B-But humans can't survive in Hell…"

"How about you die once, and I'll properly host you!"

"No need!"

Finally registering her words, Masamune took two cautious steps back.

"I have a sister to care for, so I can't accept such a… generous offer."

"Returning your camera was nothing. Take care!"

Forcing a polite smile, Masamune quickly turned and left, Satania's sincere words shaking his core.

Her intensity reminded him of a heartfelt confession from a long-lost crush.

Breaking into a light sweat, Masamune kept his trembling smile as he waved goodbye, disappearing into the crowd.

"Eh? How disappointing…"

Watching Masamune flee like a startled rabbit, Satania stomped her foot.

"I just wanted to repay his kindness!"