Chapter 4: A Maiden’s Blush Speaks Louder Than Words

"Thanks for the treat."

Koneko set down the plate with a satisfied look. "Roy-senpai, where did you buy these desserts?"

Roy thought for a moment. "Two streets to the right from the school gate, Akikubo Dessert Shop."

"I heard the owner's a student from Totsuki Academy. If you like them, I'll grab you another batch next time."

"Thanks for the offer, but that wouldn't be proper."

Koneko shook her head. "As a devil, I can't take too much from a contractor without reason."

Roy shrugged. "No need to be so rigid. If contractor rules don't allow it, I'll buy them as your senpai. That's not against the rules, right?"

Koneko paused. "It feels… like you're different from the rumors I heard."

"How so?"

"…Really friendly?"

"Have I ever done anything bad?"

Roy was puzzled.

Before the monster attack, he'd been a model student at school.

No trouble, diligent in studies, disciplined.

Aside from being a go-home club member, he had no real flaws.

How had Koneko gotten the impression he was hard to get along with?

"That's not what I meant, Roy-senpai. Don't misunderstand."

Koneko hesitated, then explained, "I heard it from the President."

"She said after the cursed spirit attack, you went to another extreme, obsessively chasing power."

"I thought you'd turned into a battle maniac, but it seems I was wrong."

"You're not wrong."

"Huh?"

"You forgot—I'm your contractor."

Roy waved the flyer. "Guess why I summoned you."

Koneko caught on. "To fight?"

"Exactly. Spar with me."

Roy stood up. "Combat's the best teacher. I need to test my recent progress."

Koneko nodded. "No problem."

As a devil, Koneko's strength was far beyond her petite appearance.

When serious, her fists could punch through walls.

Guiding Roy, an ordinary human, would be a breeze.

After moving the table to clear a large space in the living room, Koneko faced him.

"Roy-senpai, I'm ready."

"Whenever you're good, let's start."

"Here I come."

The moment Roy spoke, he lunged, appearing before Koneko in a flash.

"So fast!"

Koneko gasped but reacted, raising her small hands to block Roy's attack.

A thud rang out, followed by a storm of relentless strikes.

With her superior physical prowess, Koneko parried each of Roy's attacks.

But the guidance she'd planned to offer fell silent.

There didn't seem to be… any issues?

From her perspective, Roy's close-combat skills were near flawless.

He'd blended the strengths of judo, sanda, taekwondo, and other styles, even refining them to suit his own traits.

Forget guiding him—Koneko half-wanted to ask Roy to teach her.

"Getting distracted in a fight isn't wise."

Roy's voice snapped her back.

With it came a doubled force from his Multiplier ability.

The heavy punch landed on Koneko's palm, staggering her.

"Crap!"

She stumbled back, trying to create distance.

But before she could, a dull thud echoed from the floor, and Roy appeared in front of her.

His large hand, showing no mercy, grabbed her neck and pinned her back.

Boom!

Koneko's body slammed against the wall, her breathing labored.

Desperate to break free, she swung both hands at the man before her.

But it was futile.

As if reading her moves, Roy blocked every attack with one hand.

Worse, his strength surged again mid-fight.

A thick sense of danger loomed like the Sword of Damocles, her breathing growing harder, her vision blurring.

Just as Koneko thought it was over, the grip on her neck loosened.

"You okay?"

Roy's voice came from ahead.

How could she be okay?

Sliding down the wall to the floor, Koneko propped herself up, gasping heavily.

"…I thought I was done for."

"Sorry, I didn't expect you to be that weak. I thought you were holding back."

"???"

Excuse me?

The flush on Koneko's face deepened, spreading further.

Looking up at the man before her, she took a deep breath and spoke.

"That was my mistake. Let's go again."

"No rest?"

"No need!"

Koneko got serious, channeling all her strength.

Noticing the cat ears sprouting atop her head and the tail swishing behind her, Roy, now on his third Multiplier boost, nodded slightly and beckoned.

"Your move this time."

…

Occult Research Club.

A magic circle glowed, and Koneko, her school uniform tattered, stepped out.

"Koneko, what happened?"

Rias, handling paperwork, looked up, puzzled.

Her aura suggested no serious injuries.

But how had a simple job left her in such a state?

"President, I…"

Koneko hesitated, her expression conflicted.

As if recalling something, the lingering flush on her face spread again.

A maiden's blush spoke louder than words.

Seeing her like this, Rias sighed, walked over, and hugged her, patting her head.

"Rest for now. Tell me about it when you're ready."

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