Chapter 20: Chapter 20: The Bait
"This, this, this… is....this?!"
Miko covered her face with her hands, but her wide eyes peeked through her fingers, fixed on Lynn and Utaha.
Utaha-senpai… so bold!!
Her cheeks burned, her whole body felt hot, and her thighs pressed together unconsciously.
After a brief moment.
Utaha pulled away from Lynn's lips.
Her gaze was hazy, filled with lingering emotions, a faint blush painting her face.
So moist.
Lynn gave a simple two-word evaluation in his heart.
Utaha blinked, returning to her senses. Then, as if realizing what she had just done, her hands trembled violently.
What… what did I just do?!
My dignity!
The dignity of a maiden!!
Utaha abruptly pulled back, straightened her posture, ran her fingers through her hair as if nothing had happened, and stammered,
"D-Don't misunderstand! I just thought that offering some benefits to my master was a basic duty of a follower."
Lynn smirked, watching her flustered act in amusement. Then, he calmly reminded her,
"But wasn't that a reward I gave my follower just now?"
"After all, you were the one who said it was for replenishing magic."
Utaha's body stiffened. Then, as if in defiance, she retorted,
"There was no magic transfer just now! It doesn't count!"
"Next time… next time, I'll come to collect it properly!"
With that, she awkwardly turned toward the door, her movements stiff and unnatural.
"I-I just remembered something important! I'll be going now!"
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
Leaning against the wall outside, Utaha clutched her chest, feeling her heart race wildly.
"My body… it's so hot."
She exhaled shakily, hugging herself, her eyes slightly unfocused.
Too impulsive!
She had acted on instinct, without thinking.
Raising a trembling hand, she touched her lips—then, unconsciously, a foolish smile spread across her face.
My second kiss…
The sensation was far stronger than the first time.
And this time.
She was the one who initiated it.
"Hehehe…"
Utaha chuckled softly, falling into an irresistible daydream.
Suddenly, inspiration surged through her like a flood.
A spark!
A breakthrough!
Utaha's eyes widened in realization.
"Oh no! I forgot to bring my tablet!!"
—
She's unexpectedly innocent.
Lynn recalled Akeno's past evaluation of Utaha.
It was surprisingly accurate.
Meanwhile, Miko was in the middle of a crisis.
She had just witnessed what felt like the 'Kiss of the Century.'
Before she could even process what had happened, Utaha's parting words sent her into another downward spiral.
'It's a follower's duty to provide benefits to their master.'
Is that really true?!
Is this a devil-exclusive lifestyle?!
Miko's hands trembled as she frantically flipped through the basic knowledge of the underworld.
Damn it, there's nothing about this in the guide!!
But…
Utaha-senpai just did that.
As a follower, wouldn't it be natural for her to show appreciation as well?
If she didn't, would that be considered neglecting her duty?
Would Lynn end up… disliking her?
Miko thought back to the description of stray devils she had just read.
Devils abandoned by their masters were treated like vermin in the underworld.
No, no, no!!
Miko abruptly stood up, her expression resolute.
She took determined steps toward Lynn.
Lynn: "…?"
Why does this feel familiar?
"You—"
Before he could finish, Miko suddenly leaned in and pecked his cheek.
"It—it's a benefit for Master Lynn!"
She stammered out the words and bolted, her face as red as a tomato.
Bang!
The door slammed shut again.
Outside, Miko let out a deep breath, her cheeks still burning.
Then, she felt a sharp gaze on her.
Slowly turning her head.
She locked eyes with a pair of wine-red irises.
"Ahaha… Utaha-senpai, you're here too?"
Miko awkwardly greeted Utaha, before quickly excusing herself.
"Uh, I-I have something urgent to do! I'll be going first!"
And just like that, Miko ran away!
Utaha narrowed her eyes.
"She's also fallen into the trap, huh?"
—
Inside the room, Lynn touched the damp spot on his cheek, momentarily stunned. Then, he rubbed his chin and murmured,
"Utaha… you're such a good woman…"
Seeing Miko's hastily scribbled notes, Lynn could already guess what misunderstanding had formed in her mind.
But that didn't matter.
Because Lynn had already decided.
This misunderstanding would become reality.
Moments later, a new announcement appeared in the peerage harem group.
[It is a follower's duty to provide benefits to their master.]
And thus, the first rule of Lynn's Family was established.
Lynn nodded in satisfaction.
Suddenly, his eyes sharpened.
On his system panel.
The [Devil's Summoning] skill flickered.
"Finally…"
His crimson pupils gleamed.
A contract had been accepted.
A contract that transcended worlds.
A seemingly innocent flyer that facilitated demonic expansion and resource plundering across dimensions.
"Finally, someone took the bait!"
(To be continued.)