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After seeing Mai, Badr couldn't bring himself to leave just yet. He decided to wait until she finished work.
Hand-in-hand, they returned to Mai's apartment. She had stopped by the grocery store on the way home.
After slipping off their shoes, Mai tied on an apron and headed into the kitchen.
Badr followed, offering to help prepare dinner.
As they cooked together, a comfortable silence settled between them, the kitchen filled with the quiet clinking of utensils and the gentle aroma of simmering food.
Over a cozy dinner, they talked about their experiences over the past two months, the conversation flowing easily between them as the night deepened.
Noticing the late hour, Badr stretched and said, "I think I'll take a shower."
"Alright. I'll get you some clothes."
Mai had already washed and put away the clothes Badr had left at her apartment, anticipating his return.
"Why don't we shower together?" Badr suggested with a grin, taking Mai's hand in his.
"I'll shower after you," Mai replied calmly, unfazed by his playful suggestion.
"Think of all the water we'll save," Badr teased, scooping Mai into his arms.
"B-Badrā¦" Mai stammered, her face flushing crimson.
Badr chuckled, placing a quick kiss on her cheek before carrying her into the bathroom. The sound of running water soon followed.
After their shower, their playful banter continuing even as they dried off and dressed, they returned to the bedroom. The lingering warmth of the water and the easy intimacy of their shared shower had ignited a spark between them.
Lost in the moment, they found themselves drawn to each other once more.
Later, as Mai lay nestled against Badr, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, she suddenly spoke.
"Did you see Nodoka?" she asked, her voice quiet.
"I visited her briefly while I was waiting for your call. I brought her a gift, but didn't stay long."
"Sheā¦ annoys me sometimes," Mai admitted, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Did you two have a fight?" Badr asked, surprised.
"It's like she's trying to steal you away from meā¦" Mai's voice was muffled, but Badr could sense her displeasure.
"What?"
"ā¦I can share everything else with her," Mai continued, her voice regaining its usual calm, "but not you."
Badr smiled. "So, when I offer you immortality as a devil, I should leave her out?"
"..."
Mai fell silent. That wasn't what she wanted either.
She sat up, her movements graceful and alluring, then gently bumped her forehead against Badr's.
"Ouch," she murmured, rubbing her forehead. That hurt more than she'd expected.
Badr chuckled, gently massaging her forehead.
"Mai," he said softly, "Nodoka has seen the supernatural world now. Do you really think she'd be happy going back to a normal human life, forgetting everything?"
"I knowā¦ but I still don't like it," Mai admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "The thought of sharing you with my own sisterā¦ it just feels wrong. I'm fine with your other devil girlfriendsāthat's just how devils are. But thisā¦ this is different."
"Alright, alright. I understand. I'll keep it a secret from her then," Badr teased.
Mai stared at him blankly. How could he say something so ridiculous?
She rolled over, turning her back to him, a huff of annoyance escaping her lips.
Badr chuckled, pulling her close. Mai playfully resisted.
"Don't touch me," she mumbled.
"You're adorable even when you're angry," Badr whispered, nuzzling against her. It wasn't long before they were lost in each other's embrace once more.
The next morning, after sharing breakfast with Mai, Badr walked her downstairs.
Her manager, Ryoko Hanawa, soon arrived to take her to the set.
"Ryoko-san," Badr greeted her, "please take care of Mai."
"Don't worry. Your star is in good hands," Ryoko replied with a wink.
As Badr watched them drive away, Ryoko turned to Mai, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"So, did you have a good night with your boyfriend?"
"ā¦Don't be ridiculous," Mai replied, her cheeks flushing slightly, a rare display of shyness in front of her manager.
Ryoko chuckled, her expression knowing. "He's quite the catch. Handsome and devoted. Lucky you."
"Ryoko-sanā¦" Mai protested, though her voice lacked its usual firmness.
As Ryoko's teasing continued, their car disappeared down the street.
āāāā
After seeing Mai off, Badr pulled out his phone and dialed Miku Nakano.
She shouldn't have left for work yet. He needed to tell her to wait for him.
Miku answered on the first ring, her voice filled with surprise and delight.
"Badr? Is that you? Are you back?"
"Yes, I'm back. Is everyone home?"
"Yes, we're all here. Are you coming over?"
He could hear the excited whispers of the other sisters in the background, a flurry of movement as they crowded around the phone.
Badr smiled. "I'll be there soon."
He teleported to the Nakano apartment, finding the quintuplets preparing to leave.
"Perfect timing. I almost missed you," he said, noting their work attire.
Ichika had insisted they all share the rent, so the sisters worked part-time jobs, even during the last few days of summer vacation.
"Welcome back!" the quintuplets exclaimed in unison, their faces beaming with joy.
It had been nearly two months since they'd last seen him, and they had missed him dearly.
Badr's gaze softened as he looked at them. "I brought you all gifts."
He presented the jewelry he'd brought back from the Underworldātwo necklaces, a bracelet, a pair of earrings, and a hair ornament, each piece intricately crafted and adorned with beautiful gems.
The sisters' eyes widened in awe.
"They're beautiful!"
Their gazes were fixated on the sparkling gems.
"Choose one," Badr offered.
"They're all so prettyā¦ It's hard to choose," Ichika said with a grin.
"You're always so greedy, Ichika," Itsuki teased.
"As the eldest, I should get first pick, right?" Ichika said, her eyes fixed on the earrings.
"No way! The eldest goes last! I get to choose first!" Itsuki countered, reaching for the diamond necklace.
"ā¦Stop fighting!" Miku intervened. "Let's all choose at the same time! Ready? Three, two, one!"
The sisters each reached for a different pieceā¦
Badr smiled. Just as he'd expected.
"We never choose the same thingā¦" Miku remarked, shaking her head with a smile.
"ā¦Except for the one we loveā¦" Nino added with a playful sigh.
A moment of awkward silence followed.
...
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