"Aoshi... your friends already think we’re together. So why do you keep refusing to call me your girlfriend?" Eliss mutters.

They walk arm in arm on their way home after another long night at the Moonlight Club.

"Because my friends don’t know the truth! And I’ve told you a thousand times not to tell them you’re my girlfriend — but talking to you is like talking to a wall..."

"Y-You’re so cruel! It hurts every time you push me away, you know? I don’t get what’s so wrong with letting me act like your girlfriend, at least in front of them!"

"If the curse binding you to me suddenly broke tomorrow morning, what would I tell them? That I left you? Yeah, right — as if anyone would believe that! They’d all think I got dumped again, just like with Miori! My excuse that you were a cleaner who also worked as a rental girlfriend was perfect — I could’ve just said, ’I don’t need her services anymore,’ and that would’ve been the end of it. But now I’ll have to endure Ayane’s pitying looks, Takuma’s teasing, and everyone else at university judging me when I show up alone again."

"I see... but right now we’re alone, and you won’t even hold my hand. What’s so wrong with treating me like your girlfriend, at least when it’s just the two of us? I know you don’t love me, but... what would it cost you to pretend? Wouldn’t it be more fun if we acted like a real couple?"

"The problem is... what if I keep pretending and end up falling for you?"

Eliss parts her lips as if to reply — but no words come out.

He’s right... I promised Ayane I wouldn’t hurt him. It wouldn’t be fair if, because of my selfishness, Aoshi ended up falling for me. It’s already a miracle it hasn’t happened — I mean, who wouldn’t fall for me?

A heavy silence follows them all the way home. But just as Aoshi slips the key into the lock, Eliss stops him.

"I was thinking... since tomorrow’s Saturday and you don’t have classes... how about we go out tonight? Ever since I got here, I’ve only seen your apartment, the university, and the road between them! If every day here could be my last, wouldn’t it be a waste to go back to Elyndra without seeing at least a bit of this world?"

"Yeah, but... it’s night! And I’m exhausted! Not to mention it’s freezing and there’s basically nothing to see within an hour’s bike ride!"

"So what? Places that are beautiful by day become even more magical and romantic at night! And if you get cold, I’ll warm you up!"

How the hell am I not supposed to fall for her when she acts like this? She’s the living definition of the perfect girl, damn it!

"That’s exactly the problem..."

But no matter how hard Aoshi tries to resist, his iron will shatters the moment Eliss gives him those big, glossy eyes, paired with soft whimpers like a wounded puppy begging for affection.

"Ugh... fine, you win! But just for tonight, got it?! Give me a minute — I’ll grab the bike, a couple of warm hoodies, and we’ll go..."

Before long, they’re already on the bike, with Eliss sitting on the rear rack, holding him tight.

"Where are you taking me, my sweet Aoshi?"

"To the only place around here worth mentioning — well, sort of. The path along the Chikuma River. I’ve never been there myself, but I know where it is, and everyone who’s been there says it’s peaceful, surrounded by nature. I’ve been meaning to go for a while, so I thought... why not kill two birds with one stone?"

"So you really decided to take me somewhere romantic? I’m so happy! And — it’s your first time there, and you chose to go with me! I can’t wait to see it. Maybe it’ll be the first of many ’first times,’ hmm?"

"Eliss, calm down... It’s already hard enough not to lose control when you’re this close. The least you could do is not make it even harder."

"I-I’m not doing it on purpose! The words just slip out... Cover your ears or something!"

"Cover my ears, huh? Even if I were deaf, I couldn’t ignore you..."

"Look on the bright side — if I were ugly, it’d be way more embarrassing having me glued to you day and night, right?"

"If you were ugly, it’d definitely be easier not to give in to... certain inappropriate temptations."

It takes over an hour of hard pedaling to reach the path’s entrance — and by then, it’s almost two in the morning.

Eliss’s first thought as she gets off the bike:

This place is so... so beautiful! Moonlight reflecting on the river turns the leaves silver, and it’s so quiet — just the sound of water and insects! I didn’t think the human world had places this enchanting. It’s so romantic... I can’t wait to lie on the grass in Aoshi’s arms and fall asleep under the night sky!

Aoshi’s first thought:

How the hell am I supposed to bike another hour back home? What a pain...

After chaining the bike to a lamppost and praying to any god listening that it’ll still be there when they return, Aoshi heads into the woods surrounding the path, with Eliss right behind him.

"The things I’d heard about this place don’t do it justice..." Aoshi says, completely enchanted by the view.

"Yes, it really is magnificent. Everything about this place is magnificent — especially you."

Aoshi stiffens instantly — his breath catching. Not just because of her words, but because Eliss’s hand brushes his, her pinky hooking around his in a shy attempt to hold it. Aoshi pulls away immediately.

"Eliss, please... stop," he murmurs, more serious than ever.

"Why don’t you want me, Aoshi? Why do you keep rejecting me?!"

She clings to his arm, pressing it against her chest, but once again he pulls free. He steps back, trying to put distance between them, but it’s not enough to stop her.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Eliss throws herself at him again — this time not at his arm, but at his whole body.

Her superhuman reflexes give him no chance to react. She slams into him with all her weight, knocking him backward onto the grass and ending up on top of him.

She pins his legs with her own, then grabs his wrists and presses them to the ground.

Eliss may look like a normal girl, but she isn’t — she’s a demon, and her strength far surpasses that of any ordinary human.

"Aoshi..." Eliss whispers, licking her lips. "...Please — make me yours..."