25 Time is Cruel

Natsuki Minamiya closed her eyes and tilted her head back, letting the warm water from the showerhead cascade over her.

The soothing warmth trickled down her glossy black hair and onto her smooth back, providing the witch with a rare moment of relaxation.

Though petite and appearing almost childlike, her cold demeanor and mature behavior gave her an air that transcended her youthful appearance.

Natsuki's skin was flawless, unmarred by any blemishes or imperfections.

Despite her slender curves lacking in traditional femininity, her doll-like features and delicate figure exuded a distinct charm.

She made an effort to ignore the gaze behind her.

However, no matter how much she tried to dismiss it, she couldn't truly pretend that the gaze didn't exist.

She could only maintain a stern expression, avoiding any display of emotion to prevent further ridicule from the devil.

She remembered the embarrassment of her first bath, when the devil had laughed at her mercilessly all night. Since then, Natsuki had tried to keep her face expressionless, as a defense mechanism against her own nerves.

In comparison to bathing, the humiliation of using the restroom was even more intense.

The odd sensation of having all her secrets laid bare felt almost like it might shatter her spirit.

Though inherently strong-willed, Natsuki's strong sense of pride made her even more sensitive to this humiliation.

So, she could only comfort herself by reminding that the one hidden in her shadow was merely a devil, a being that, despite taking on a human form, was still fundamentally different from humans.

Even if this self-deception felt somewhat disingenuous, it was better than doing nothing.

After her initial discomfort with using the restroom, Natsuki began to adopt a resigned attitude.

Girls, by nature, prefer cleanliness, and Natsuki could only tolerate a few days without bathing before it became unbearable.

When even privacy in the restroom was stripped away, she wondered why she should bother being so concerned about bathing.

Holding onto this mindset, Natsuki navigated through what she considered a harrowing few months.

Sometimes, she even pondered whether she should hasten the completion of the final part of the Prison Barrier and fall into a deep slumber.

At least this way, she could create a true doll with her magical power to act in her place.

As a magical construct, she would have no need for restrooms or bathing.

The only regret was that her sensory experiences, such as taste, would significantly diminish when operating as a doll.

This would cause her to lose many of the pleasures of being human.

After finishing her wash, Natsuki wrapped herself in a towel, revealing her snowy white shoulders.

Her petite, delicate feet went barefoot as she walked across the carpeted floor of the high-end apartment.

Standing before the vanity mirror, she took out a hairdryer and began drying her freshly washed hair, the steam rising and spreading the subtle scent of a girl throughout the room.

"Would you like me to help dry your hair?"

Saigou observed Natsuki from behind, his chin resting on his hand, lost in thought.

Natsuki, catching a glimpse of Saigou's contemplative expression through the mirror, assumed the devil was concocting some new form of mockery.

Perhaps he was thinking about her unremarkable physique or her childlike appearance.

Natsuki tried to dismiss these thoughts, but she couldn't help but care deeply about them.

People are often most intrigued by what they lack and most desire what is out of their reach.

For Natsuki, whose magical abilities had stagnated, the allure of femininity was particularly strong.

Despite her best efforts to project a mature demeanor, her unchanging figure and youthful voice still made her appear somewhat childish to others.

Seeing Natsuki's resolute silence, Saigou grew somewhat bored.

In truth, he had been pondering the differences between Natsuki and Shalltear.

He concluded that aside from Shalltear's vampiric, waxy skin that was distinctly inhuman, there seemed to be little difference between the two.

Moreover, both harbored grievances about their own appearances.

"Natsuki-chan, you're heading to university soon. What do you plan to do after graduation?"

Saigou asked, trying to make conversation.

"That's something for after graduation, not something I need to think about now."

"Remember, Natsuki-chan, human life is fleeting. It's even more important to plan your future in advance to avoid regret."

"…Only beings like us, who live for centuries, view time as a burden and don't concern ourselves with its passage."

As Saigou began to preach again, Natsuki set down the hairdryer.

She turned around, clutching her towel with both hands, and asked with curiosity, "…As a devil, how many years have you lived?"

Although the devil's words often sounded harsh, sometimes they contained genuine insight.

Saigou feigned deep thought and replied slowly, "…Who knows? I don't bother keeping track of such trivial details."

"…Just as you wouldn't count the number of grains of rice you've eaten."

In reality, Saigou had lived only a few decades across two lifetimes; in this life, he was merely in his twenties.

"Why do you ask, Natsuki?"

Saigou smiled, his tone light.

"I just find you different from the three primogenitors who've lived for thousands of years. According to the information from the Island Management Bureau, those three vampires, due to their long lives, exhibit many eccentric behaviors and thoughts."

"…But you seem different."

Natsuki Minamiya pondered aloud her feelings.

Saigou chuckled softly, "…Time is the most terrifying force. Even immortal beings lose their sanity and sense of self under the 'wear and tear' of time."

"…That only shows that those three ancient progenitors are simply too weak compared to me!"

Saigou spoke boastfully, indifferent to the experiences of those who had lived for millennia.

"Back to our previous discussion, Natsuki-chan, what job do you want to pursue?"

Saigou shifted the topic back.

Natsuki, having opened her mouth to speak, did not refuse to answer. Instead, she said, "…If I had to say what I want to do after graduation, I would probably want to become a teacher."

"Oh?"

Saigou's expression turned whimsical, "…A teacher, huh? I can just picture you, Natsuki, dragging a chair up to the podium amidst a crowd of students."

"…And then standing on a chair with a pointer in hand, teaching amidst the laughter of children. That image is quite amusing!"

Seeing Saigou tease her once more, Natsuki huffed. She glared at him and said, "…I'm going to bed!"

Without waiting for a response, she walked straight into her bedroom, leaving the door open, as she knew the devil would not be confined by mere doors.

In her bedroom, she removed her towel, changed into simple pajamas, and tucked herself under the covers, closing her eyes to escape the day's disturbances.

Saigou smiled, settling into a nearby chair, and observed Natsuki's doll-like, adorable face as she drifted off to sleep.

…

In the dead of night, Natsuki suddenly awoke, sensing a surge of magical energy.

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