"We've arrived."
Using teleportation magic, Rei Ao appeared at the entrance to Yukino's apartment.
Yukino still wasn't quite used to the dizziness that came with teleportation. Instinctively, she held Rei Ao's hand tightly. After a few seconds of steady breathing, she confirmed the sensation had faded and released her grip.
"Thanks."
As she expressed her gratitude, she pulled out her keys to unlock the door.
At that moment, Rei Ao casually asked, "The other day, I saw you in the chat group sounding exasperated about Mabel. Her laziness must be pretty outrageous, huh?"
"…"
Yukino froze mid-motion. Thinking back on Mabel's antics over the past few days, she sighed deeply, her frustration evident.
"I really should've listened to you back then."
She managed a bitter smile. "But I made the choice, so it's my responsibility to host her until she leaves."
Her pride wouldn't let her back out of a commitment she had made, even though Mabel had significantly drained her confidence. Yukino had learned the hard way that not every burden was hers to bear.
Hearing the faint melancholy in her tone, Rei Ao offered a lighthearted reassurance. "Don't be so hard on yourself. It's not your fault. Mabel was spoiled in the Ice Clan—she's used to everything being handed to her."
He continued, "That's a bad habit, and you don't need to accommodate her."
If it were up to him, he wouldn't hesitate to use a firm hand to straighten out Mabel's antics. After all, her neglectful upbringing wasn't his problem, but he wouldn't mind stepping in to teach her some discipline.
As Yukino finally opened the door to her apartment, she felt a small boost in confidence after Rei Ao's words of encouragement.
She turned to bid him goodbye, but noticed his gaze had grown strange.
Following his line of sight, she turned her head—
"…"
And fell into a stunned silence.
Standing right in the middle of the apartment was Mabel, completely naked, holding a popsicle.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze as the three of them stared at each other in a tense tableau.
Crack!
The popsicle fell from Mabel's hand and hit the floor.
"Ahhhh!"
Mabel screamed, but instead of covering herself, she somehow pulled out the God-Freezing Sword made of ice.
"Pervert! Die!"
With a slash, an icy frost erupted toward the two at the door.
Yukino's eyes widened in terror. The biting cold of the attack made her feel as though her body had been plunged into an arctic hell, paralyzed by fear.
She was going to die!
"Tch. I told you she'd be trouble. Looks like I'll have to help you discipline her properly, Yukino."
Before she could react, Rei Ao stepped in front of her.
With a simple gesture, he gripped the frosty attack in his hand.
Crack!
The frost stopped spreading and shattered into harmless shards.
"Wha—!"
Before Mabel could comprehend what had happened, Rei Ao was already in front of her.
With a swift move, he disarmed her, sending the God-Freezing Sword clattering to the ground. He then scooped her up in his arms.
"Seems like my warnings fell on deaf ears. You dare use your powers so recklessly in an apartment?"
Rei Ao sneered. "Yukino might tolerate you, but I won't."
He had no patience for her irresponsibility. If he hadn't been there, Yukino could have been seriously hurt—or worse.
"H-Hey! Let me go!"
Mabel squirmed wildly in his grasp, her bare skin pressing against him. Her cheeks turned crimson from embarrassment and frustration, but Rei Ao didn't let go.
Instead, he carried her to the sofa, sat down, and placed her face-down over his lap.
"Ahhh! Stop it! Let me go!"
Mabel flailed her limbs, but Rei Ao pinned her down with ease.
With an unamused expression, he raised his hand high.
"Smack!"
A crisp sound echoed through the room.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Mabel froze, gasping in shock as a stinging pain radiated from her butt.
Before she could protest further, Rei Ao's hand came down again.
"Smack!"
"Ahhh! It hurts! It hurts!"
Mabel yelped in pain, tears welling up in her eyes as her struggles grew weaker.
Behind them, Yukino stood frozen in place, unsure whether to intervene or look away.
No one had ever disciplined her like this.
As a member of the Ice Clan, Mabel had never been scolded, hurt, or physically punished. Yet here she was, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes after just two strikes.
Unfortunately for her, Rei Ao remained indifferent to her cries. His expression was stoic, his hand merciless as it continued to land firm smacks.
He was determined to teach her a lesson.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
The sound of strikes mixed with Mabel's sobs echoed through the room, snapping Yukino out of her daze.
"Haaaah!"
She gasped for air, realizing she had forgotten to breathe.
Drip!
Cold sweat dripped from her forehead as she clutched her chest, struggling to calm her racing heart. Every beat pounded loudly in her ears, a visceral reminder of how close she'd come to death.
The earlier terror had been paralyzing, far more harrowing than any bloodshed she'd seen on livestreams.
Yukino's breath was shallow and rapid as the lingering fear coursed through her.
From the living room came Mabel's cries.
"Stop hitting me! It hurts so much!"
"Do you understand your mistake now?" Rei Ao's cold voice rang out.
"Yes, yes, I was wrong! Please stop, it hurts so much!"
"Not yet. You need to remember this lesson."
Smack! Smack! Smack!
Mabel's wails intensified, filled with anguish and regret.
Yukino, her curiosity piqued, hesitated before walking into the living room.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Rei Ao sat on the sofa, spanking Mabel like a parent disciplining a misbehaving child. Her reddened butt was unmistakable, proof of his unwavering discipline.
"Yukino! Help me! Please!"
Mabel reached out toward Yukino, tears streaming down her face.
But Rei Ao gave Yukino a reassuring look. "Go take a shower. You're drenched in sweat. I'll take care of her."
"You're still asking for help? Seems you haven't learned your lesson."
With that, Rei Ao raised his hand and struck again.
"Ahhhh!"
Mabel screamed even louder. "I won't do it again! I really won't!"
Her voice was hoarse from crying. It was the kind of pitiful wail that could make anyone's heart ache.
Yukino observed the scene, her lips pressed into a thin line.
She knew Rei Ao had saved her life earlier and that he was genuinely trying to discipline Mabel now.
Though the sight was hard to witness, she chose not to interfere. Instead, she turned and quietly entered the bathroom.
As the sound of the shower echoed from behind the door, Mabel realized no one would save her now.
"Waaah! Stop it! Please!"
But her cries were drowned out by the sound of smacks landing in quick succession.
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere—
"Raphi, why is your face so red?"
Gabriel yawned as she stepped out of her room, on her way to grab a drink of water.
"…"
Raphiel froze, caught off guard. She quickly waved her hand, feigning nonchalance. "I just got back from helping Rei Ao deal with a demon. It took some effort."
"Rei Ao…"
Hearing the name, Gabriel's eyes flickered. Her mind involuntarily replayed the memory of being kissed by him multiple times.
Her face flushed crimson, matching Raphiel's.
"Oh." Gabriel's tone was indifferent, but she quickly turned toward the fridge.
She opened it with purpose, muttering under her breath, "I'm not borrowing money again. Absolutely not."
The mere thought of borrowing money and facing Rei Ao again was enough to make her shiver.
Behind her, Raphiel let out a relieved sigh.
"Thank goodness she didn't ask further."
But as she watched Gabriel's back, a question lingered in Raphiel's mind.
If Rei Ao and Gabriel weren't in a relationship, as he claimed, why had they kissed?
…
Back at Yukino's apartment—
Having finished her shower, Yukino stepped out in fresh clothes.
The living room scene was… complicated.
Rei Ao sat on the sofa, flexing his sore hand with a satisfied look. Mabel lay face-down beside him, her eyes dull and lifeless. Her red, swollen butt was impossible to ignore.
When Rei Ao saw Yukino, he stood up and gestured toward Mabel.
"She's all yours now. I've straightened her out. If she causes any trouble in the next few days, let me know."
"…Okay." Yukino's voice was quiet.
She glanced at the soaked sofa, unsure what to say.
Ever since joining the chat group, her tolerance for the absurd had grown exponentially.
Things that would have been unthinkable before—like Mabel being spanked until she cried—seemed almost normal now.
She even managed a polite, "Thank you."
Rei Ao waved it off. "No problem. I'll head out now."
With that, he left, leaving behind a sniffling Mabel, who looked up at Yukino with teary eyes.
"Yukino, I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"
Her apology was genuine, and Yukino could see the remorse in her expression.
She sighed. "I forgive you."
Hearing that, Mabel's tense shoulders relaxed, and she let out a breath of relief.
Despite her flaws, she truly valued Yukino as a friend.
But when she tried to sit up, her butt pressed against the wet sofa cushion.
The sudden sting made her face twist in pain.
"Ahhh! It hurts!"
Once again, screams echoed through Yukino's apartment.
~~~
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