Why is the Demon King like this?

It wasn't until Arisugawa Asuka approached and looked at the face that was trying so hard to keep expressionless that Ao Keisuke came back to his senses.

"Arisikawa-san."

"Is there anything I can help you with, Qinggui?"

Keisuke Aoko collected his thoughts and his expression turned serious.

"I want to sincerely apologize to you. I'm sorry, Arisugawa."

The Demon King paused for a moment: "Although I don't want to admit it, sometimes, I do seem to be unable to completely control myself when I'm with you."

Just now, as you walked over from that direction, I suddenly realized this clearly: I, Ao Keisuke, am currently unable to resist your charm.

"what?"

To her utter surprise, Arisugawa Asuka heard Keisuke Ao's blatant "confession," and her ears quickly turned red.

"but--"

"There won't be a next time," Aoki Keisuke said confidently.

Last night's "I won't do it again" and today's "There won't be a next time" clearly have completely different meanings.

"I will keep my distance from you, and I will also deal with the rumors that I have caused."

So don't worry, don't fret, I guarantee your life will get back on track.

This was precisely what the Demon King gleaned in that brief moment of trance: the highest respect for Arisugawa Asuka's noble character—the gift of self-discipline.

Restrain yourself and avoid making mistakes.

Asuka Arisugawa was stunned. "No," she wanted to say, but looking at Keisuke Ao's expression, she suddenly remembered how Keisuke Ao had refused her tutoring back then.

That attitude that seemed to brook no dissent.

It was as if he wouldn't even glance at her as she fell into hell.

Just like when Keisuke Ao occasionally acts exaggeratedly, Arisugawa knows very well that it is actually all of Keisuke Ao's serious side.

"Well then, I apologize again, goodbye, Arisugawa-kun."

Keisuke Ao turned and left, seemingly feeling much more relaxed after speaking.

Indeed, Arisugawa Asuka is gradually eroding the Demon Lord's will, so it's best to take this opportunity to maintain the proper distance.

Even if Arisugawa is in danger, he will never do anything unusual again!

After leaving school, Keisuke Ao boarded the train to Meiji Shrine.

In the evening, most of the people who come here to worship are elderly people. They climb the steps and the path, with tall and lush pine and oak trees on both sides, and wild birds chirping as they return to their nests.

The closer he got, the more he could feel the majestic and solemn spirituality of the mountain circulating along the forest.

It complements the vitality of the entire mountain, giving rise to a rich magic.

"Young man, the shrine will be closing soon, come back tomorrow," an old man reminded him along the way.

"It's alright, someone will come to see me."

Keisuke Ao climbed the steps and watched as the dim sunlight filtered through the trees, leaving pale red spots on the torii gate.

Upon arriving at the shrine, he did not enter, but merely admired the calligraphy works on the walls from the outside.

Spirituality Index: 15 → 17!

Having basked in the spiritual essence of Meiji Shrine for free, Aokiji seemed thoughtful. He could come and "visit" it more often when he had time, since it was a good place for both sightseeing and escaping the summer heat.

With so many spiritual beings, it wouldn't be a problem for me to receive more blessings, right?

As he was sightseeing, a young girl dressed in a white palace gown and carrying a round fan walked gracefully down the passageway. Her glossy black hair was adorned with an expensive flower hairpin, and the gold tassels swayed as she walked.

Charming and radiant, elegant and noble, the chief shrine maiden of Meiji Shrine had a faint smile in her eyes, which was as refreshing as a spring breeze, and also carried the composed and dignified air of a servant of the gods.

—It's a completely different art style from when we first met.

However, the slightly hurried footsteps on the wooden floor betrayed the shrine maiden's inner thoughts.

"Qinggui-kun! Did you come to see me?"

"That's not wrong."

A happy smile immediately appeared on Yui Kamabatake's face, and her delicate oval face flushed slightly.

This outfit exudes a unique charm.

To be precise, I'd like to ask you for a favor.

"Please come to the reception room to discuss this further. Let me serve you some tea!"

Aoki Keisuke readily agreed, and followed Shinba Yui, changed his shoes, and entered the area where tourists were not allowed to enter.

The quiet corridor was sheltered from the summer heat, and along the way, clergy members walked by, dressed in light white robes.

They lowered their heads and bowed respectfully to the sacred banner and tied their clothes, then curiously looked at Qing Guijie.

Although Keisuke Ao was wearing a school uniform, he exuded an extraordinary air and showed no signs of nervousness, while admiring the works of famous artists in the corridor.

Seeing this, Yui Kamabatake slowed down and smiled as she explained the origin of the work to Keisuke Ao.

The familiarity they've developed from their first meeting is the result of the shrine maiden's countless training sessions.

If it weren't for the hint of expectation that Keisuke Ao saw in her beautiful eyes, he might have actually been fooled.

—It's abnormal, and it won't change easily.

Just like a minotaur warrior won't be easily defeated by pure love.

"Please come in."

Shinbata Yui pushed open the shoji door of the tea room, took off her shoes, and knelt gracefully in front of the wooden tea table. She took out the stove, tea kettle, water jet, and white charcoal and began to boil water and select tea leaves.

"Does Qinggui-kun have a favorite type of tea?"

"Either is fine." Qing Guijie sat cross-legged opposite her, watching her pleasing movements, as if every move had the rhythmic beauty of a dance.

Outside the door on the other side is an exquisite little courtyard, where every plant and tree is meticulously crafted, resembling a meticulously miniature landscape painting.

"Then let's try the green tea made by the shrine itself. I've even watered and shaded these tea leaves before."

While the water was boiling, Shinbata Yui went to fetch some sweets and incense sticks and lit them.

"Please try this; it's yokan from the Kazano family."

After enjoying the dessert, Yui Kamabata began to brew tea with boiling water.

White gardenias are painted on the teacup, scattered like stars on the dark blue bowl.

If he hadn't seen her other side, Aoki Keisuke might have genuinely admired Kamabatake Yui.

After enjoying desserts and hot tea, Keisuke Ao felt a long-lost peace in the tea room. Even his affair with Arisugawa seemed to have become a distant memory, something that could be temporarily put aside and forgotten.

"Qinggui-kun, what brings you here?"

Its bright, sparkling eyes really did resemble those of a fawn suddenly turning its head in the jungle.

—If we don't investigate the root of this fervor.

"Um……"

Keisuke Ao set down his teacup, his fingers lightly resting on the edge of the coffee table. He leaned forward, getting closer and closer, and after witnessing the girl's increasingly flushed face, he whispered, "I have a secret I want to tell you, but can you keep it a secret for me?"

"Even if you are tortured and humiliated, you can't say anything?" The chief priestess's breathing became rapid.

Qing Keisuke:?

I don't think I've gone to that extent myself, have I?

But upon closer inspection, it didn't seem to have any problems, so he nodded:

"That's right, even if the gods look down on you, you must remain silent."

"hiss--"

Upon hearing this, the girl immediately became excited, like water boiling in a kettle on a stove. Even her spirituality was ignited, and she easily broke through to four digits.

"Qinggui-kun, that's an unreasonable request!"

She said with an indescribable pleasure, "We're right inside the shrine, yet you're asking the priestess to do something so contrary to her faith!"

But it must be said that this is undoubtedly a more intense form of provocation than physical humiliation.

Seeing Keisuke's unwavering gaze, Yui Kamabatake trembled all over, her eyes becoming misty. She reached out, wanting to touch Keisuke's handsome face, but he easily dodged her.

Keisuke Ao gradually came to understand the perverted nature of Yui Kamabatake.

So he added, "I won't rush you to make a decision; you're free to hesitate in this torment."

Or rather, enjoy it.

Is it because of his high status that this unknown quirk arose, or is it because the divine favor was too heavy, leading to the distortion of human nature?

Aoki Keisuke also became curious.

Why is the girl named Kamibata Yui like this?