Scene transition: having taken the magic-powered elevator from downstairs, Bokue exited just as the two ladies following closely behind emerged. He waved toward them.
"I'm heading over first."
"Mm-hm~"
Venelana smiled while waving back.
"Don't forget what Auntie said—no rush coming over. Prioritize taking care of Kuroka-san. If time permits, check on Rias too. Auntie will be in her room regardless. Come whenever convenient."
"Well, I'm calling it early tonight. Won't be joining you two for further activities."
Sheila shrugged while adding her piece.
Bokue nodded without further comment before turning to walk directly toward the guest rooms along the corridor's opposite side.
However, even after the young man's silhouette disappeared around the corridor corner, Venelana and Sheila remained standing at the elevator entrance. Behind them, the elevator doors hadn't closed—meaning no one from other floors required the elevator at this hour.
"Speaking of which, quite cautious. Actually, in-law, you realize this means Bokue probably won't come tonight, right?"
Glancing at the beautiful woman who'd previously "fought side by side" with her in bed, Sheila smiled faintly.
"Doesn't that feel somewhat unsatisfying?"
"Mm... I'd say the same applies to you, in-law."
Venelana angled her gaze sideways.
"You even proactively chose direct departure. Weren't you also worried Maria-chan and the others would discover?"
"Ah no, not really."
As if anticipating Venelana's response, Sheila's mouth curved further upward—slightly smug.
"Regarding Bokue and myself, Lucia-chan has known for ages. As for Maria-chan, though currently unaware, even if she found out... probably wouldn't matter much? Mm... might even make her more excited and eager?"
"Don't forget—we're nightmares, after all~"
Reaching the end, the nightmare wife couldn't resist licking her lips.
Nightmares—broadly categorized alongside succubi.
The sole distinction: succubi required pleasurable activities to drain prey's life force for self-strengthening. Nightmares directly fed on others' emotional fluctuations.
Precisely because of this, beyond individual "succubus disgraces," most succubi were promiscuous.
Yet considerable portions of nightmares remained extremely faithful regarding love.
However, both shared one commonality: the more elaborate the play, the greater power obtained.
So though nightmares proved far more faithful than succubi romantically, regarding certain worldly moral concepts, they championed complete freedom from restraint.
What Sheila described was entirely possible.
"Hearing you say that makes me somewhat envious..."
Venelana pursed her lips.
❁❁❁❁
Meanwhile, when Bokue—having exited the elevator mere seconds earlier—traversed the floor corridor around the corner approaching his room entrance, he looked up to spot a certain red-haired girl stationed at his door. Appearing as if wanting to knock yet hesitating.
Rias?
Bokue raised an eyebrow while quickening his pace forward, simultaneously clearing his throat lightly.
"What's wrong, Rias?"
Eh??
Still hesitating, the red-haired girl completely hadn't expected her boyfriend's voice to suddenly ring out. She immediately looked up, glancing left and right.
Only then spotting Bokue approaching from the corridor corner.
"Bokue, you... where were you? Why are you coming from that direction?"
"Because I just returned from outside."
Reaching the girl's vicinity, Bokue hoisted the takeout barbecue in his hand.
"Just went browsing night markets with Lady Venelana and Lady Sheila. Brought food back for Kuroka too."
"Eh?"
Hearing the first half, Rias froze slightly. Her cherry lips parting, she felt something inside violently tugging—momentary suffocation.
Bokue and Mom... went browsing night markets together?
"Oh, then Lady Venelana also complained to me that you seem to be pressuring yourself again, Rias."
"...Not at all."
Nearly a full second elapsed. Only when Bokue's voice sounded again did Rias notice the food bag in the young man's hand.
"Uh, you all ate late-night snacks at the market?"
"Yeah, ate quite a bit of good stuff."
Bokue spoke truthfully.
"Shame you didn't come, Rias. Lilith's night market is pretty decent."
"I didn't want to go..."
Rias exhaled softly while pouting.
"Eating late at night—watch out for weight gain."
"That's definitely not a concern for me."
Bokue shrugged.
"At most, maybe Auntie might..."
"Are you very concerned about my mother's figure?"
Inexplicably—under premises even Rias herself hadn't considered saying—she suddenly blurted this out.
Ah...
Almost simultaneously with the words falling, the red-haired girl's fingertips twitched slightly.
She herself was shocked by what she'd just said—reflexively wanting to cover her mouth.
Too late. Spoken words were like spilled water.
Already uttered. Even covering her mouth now couldn't pretend nothing happened.
Rias could only force herself to calm down, placing hands back at her sides.
Too awkward. How could I say that?
Too disrespectful. Made it seem like she suspected Bokue and her mother having an affair.
"I'm sor—"
Rias's lips moved twice.
However, just as she was about to utter those three words of apology, Bokue's voice transmitted once more.
"As for Auntie... probably wouldn't have those concerns either?"
Hm?
The red-haired girl looked up blankly, met by the young man's gaze as usual.
"Anyway, as long as calorie expenditure suffices. Plus, occasionally eating one meal won't cause immediate weight gain. Are all devils prone to easy weight gain?"
"Uh... no..."
Rias shook her head somewhat stiffly.
Of course not. Though some devils possessed rather abstract appearances, those were basically low-class devils.
High-class devils generally appeared similar to humans. And without exception, high-class devils were never ugly or obese.
But—but why was he genuinely discussing this topic seriously with her??
"Then that settles it."
Bokue shrugged while pressing the door handle, preparing to open the door.
"By the way, since you're already here, Rias, come inside too."
"Oh..."
The red-haired girl almost reflexively agreed.
Her mind still pondered their earlier conversation.
Though... since Bokue brought takeout back for Kuroka, Mom and the others really did go to the night market.
Just eating and drinking—all perfectly normal, right...
However, at this moment, Rias couldn't yet imagine this brief psychological comfort would be completely shattered in the near future.
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