21 Consequence

Although Natsuki Minamiya was a high school student without parents, her unique circumstances meant she was always under the watchful eye of the manager of Itogami Island.

As a result, Natsuki Minamiya enjoyed special privileges not available to other ordinary high school students. For example, she lived alone in a luxury apartment, and the manager covered her daily expenses.

Even though Natsuki was aware that everything she was receiving now would come at a heavy cost in the future, she knew that future was an inevitable part of her fate. So, she decided to enjoy the present while she could.

Pushing open the door to her apartment, the automatic sensor light at the entrance flickered on. At the entrance, Natsuki Minamiya lifted her heel, her fingers deftly pulling at the back of her shoe. The shoe, which had been tied around her slender ankle, fell to the floor with a crisp clatter.

Without bothering to tidy up the shoes scattered at the entrance, she walked across the floor with her long, shapely legs clad in black silk stockings, her expression slightly weary as she made her way to her bedroom.

So much had happened today, too much for Natsuki Minamiya's mind to fully process. Once everything finally settled down, a deep fatigue seeped through her entire body, making her long for nothing more than a good sleep.

As for everything else, she would deal with it after she woke up.

"Ugh..."

Just as she entered her room and was about to collapse onto her soft bed, Natsuki Minamiya suddenly widened her clear, sky-blue eyes. She quickly turned around and glared at the figure behind her. "...Why did you follow me in here?"

Just like Natsuki Minamiya's youthful appearance, her voice, despite its commanding tone, carried a hint of childishness. Her slightly slurred words made one feel an irresistible urge to pinch her adorable cheeks.

Standing behind her was Saigou, clad in a pitch-black cloak that covered a body seemingly made of burning black flames.

Hearing Natsuki's words, Saigou chuckled softly, "...I am your watcher. Naturally, wherever you go, I must follow."

"...I am also your guardian, the shadow of a witch who sold her soul. Do you think a human can be separated from their shadow, Natsuki-chan?"

Frustrated, Natsuki Minamiya ruffled her sleek black hair, leaving it tousled and messy. "...Don't call me Natsuki-chan!"

She had despised that nickname since she was young. Because of a special ritual, her body had stopped aging. Whenever someone called her that, it made her feel as though she was being treated like a child, which only irritated her more.

It wasn't as if she wanted to stay in this youthful form.

Despite her harsh tone, Natsuki Minamiya knew all too well the terrifying nature of the devil before her, so she refrained from speaking too harshly.

Even though they had a contract, it was she, the witch, who was bound to uphold it. Who knew if devils could break their contracts?

There had never been a case in history where a devil violated a witch's contract, but that rule didn't necessarily apply to Natsuki Minamiya.

Because she knew her so-called guardian and watcher was no ordinary demon.

"Alright, Natsuki-chan."

Saigou replied with a cheerful grin, completely ignoring Natsuki's warning.

If there was anyone in this world who posed the least threat to him, it was undoubtedly Natsuki Minamiya.

Her soul was in his hands, and even the power she now possessed had been granted by him.

"You... Forget it..."

Natsuki Minamiya knew that words were useless against this kind of devil. Even though she didn't like it, she could only swallow her grievances and endure.

Suddenly, a thought struck her, and her body stiffened. "...You said that as my watcher, you'd be my shadow."

"...Does that mean you'll follow me even when I take a bath or use the bathroom?"

For any other witch, this wouldn't have mattered, as their guardians were usually mindless devili.

However, since Saigou could speak and had a will of his own, Natsuki Minamiya found it impossible to treat him as a simple guardian.

"That's right, Natsuki-chan."

Saigou's response sent a chill down Natsuki Minamiya's spine.

"Can we make a deal? When I go to the bathroom or take a bath, could you not follow me?"

For once, Natsuki Minamiya lowered her stance, making a rare plea. Knowing her strong-willed personality since childhood, it was difficult for her to adopt such a supplicating attitude.

"No deal. I've already said I am your watcher. As your watcher, I must follow you closely, ensuring there is no chance of you breaking the contract."

"…Humans really do have strange morals and a sense of shame in some areas. If you can't tolerate it, then just stop bathing or using the bathroom. Isn't that simple?"

Saigou was fundamentally human in his thoughts, but that didn't mean he couldn't pretend to be detached from humanity to deceive Natsuki Minamiya.

"If you know I'm human, you should understand that no human could ever do that!"

Natsuki Minamiya retorted, her face turning red.

As a human, she needed to eat and drink, which naturally meant she needed to relieve herself. Even as a beautiful young girl, she couldn't defy these natural laws!

"It doesn't matter. Soon enough, you'll be far removed from humanity. Even now, you are a witch who has sold her soul."

Saigou spoke dismissively.

His words brought silence from Natsuki Minamiya.

Indeed, it wouldn't be long before she was no longer tied to being human. As a witch, she would naturally assume the responsibilities she had agreed to long ago, becoming the key to the Prison Barrier.

At that time, her true self would slumber within the barrier, and in the real world, she would rely solely on a simulacrum to act.

Then, she would no longer need to eat or bathe.

Realizing this, Natsuki Minamiya lost any interest in continuing to bicker with Saigou.

"Is it possible, Natsuki-chan, that my current appearance is making you uncomfortable?"

"…If that's the case, I'll adopt a form you can tolerate for now."

As Saigou said this, his body, made of flames, began to twist and transform.

Before Natsuki Minamiya's eyes now stood a slender, tall young man with a handsome face, dark hair, and dark eyes.

After absorbing the world's nourishment and beginning to grow, Saigou had acquired the basic shapeshifting ability of demons.

But even now, it was merely a mimicry. His body was still fundamentally made of demonic fire, and this human form was simply a variation of that demonic flame.

Seeing Saigou suddenly shift from his devilish form to a human one, and even as a male, Natsuki Minamiya couldn't help but gape.

In this form, if Saigou were to follow her to the bathroom, it would be even more embarrassing!

"Can't you take the form of a woman?"

Natsuki Minamiya asked, her voice almost childish and slurred.

"Devils also have genders. I am a male archdevil, so naturally, I appear in a male form."

Saigou's words left Natsuki Minamiya speechless.

She learned a new piece of information—devils had genders too, although this bit of knowledge was utterly useless.

"Do whatever you want. I'm going to sleep now."

Natsuki Minamiya felt even more exhausted. She waved dismissively, not even bothering to remove her clothes, and collapsed onto her soft bed.

Saigou watched the girl lying on the bed, dressed in a Gothic dress, her straight legs stretched out, as beautiful and delicate as a doll. He sat on a chair beside her, quietly gazing at her.

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