“EHHH?” Addai looked at Belial, even more baffled after the words she spilled earlier connected successfully to his brain.

“…” Belial fell silent, her cheeks burning hot.

Addai tried to talk but swallowed his words again, then attempted to speak once more. “You wha-”

“Don’t tell my boss, please,” Belial interrupted, placing her finger on Addai’s lips.

Addai, annoyed, slapped her hand from his face and glared at her. Why did everybody shush him that way?!

“Then, don’t bother me,” Addai grumbled.

Belial, baffled, frowned. “Then you don't bother me.”

Addai leaned back, giving the proper space between them. He huffed and crossed his arms, all the shadows around him faded.

Their surroundings then turned back to how it was before as if Addai had never done the damage to the walls and flooring. Belial briefly checked the wall, finding nothing wrong with it, and fixed her tall ponytail. Her burgundy hair was a striking appearance among the pale corridor’s colors, and, thankfully, only them were the highlights – not her blood and her hair like before the mirage faded.

The man in front of the devil was far from being friendly, but, at least, he seemed to be no threat anymore. However, his words (indeed) were salty.

“I don’t like you,” Addai said, his pupils thin.

Belial dusted her clothes and looked at him, trying to present herself properly. “Then it is reciprocal,” she huffed.

Addai barely digested those words, and his fist charged in Belial’s direction. But before it hit the demon, his body was pulled three steps back by his ear. It was so hellishly painful that his fist melted, and all he did was try to take the thing pinching his ear so badly and strongly.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Belial… Some people aren’t civile nowadays,” a voice behind him said.

It was clear and calm, and he knew it was enough to send chills down his spine.

He knew who it was.

He messed up.

“It’s okay kiddo- I mean, Mine,” Belial cleared her throat, glancing at Addai who was as still as a statue.

“Then,” Mine forced Addai to bow while pinching his ear, “apologize us. For his ill behavior and my recklessness to let him do as he pleases,” he bowed.

Addai knew he was in trouble. Oh, hell he was in trouble…

Belial didn’t know what to do besides watching the scene unfold in front of her. She never thought someone with Addai’s status could bow to a mere demon like her, so, she was at a loss of her words.

Noticing Belial said nothing, Mine forced Addai to bow even more, ignoring his whimper and attempting to take Mine’s away from his ear. The demon gasped and hurriedly waved her hands at the young teacher.

“It’s okay! Really!” Belial said, watching Mine turn straight and release Addai’s flaming ear. “Are you okay… Your Grace?” she couldn’t help but ask out of habit.

Addai grumbled, and it seemed that he swallowed every possible type of curse. Only his eyes spoke a fraction of the venom pit inside him. However, when Mine glanced at him, his eyes quickly changed.

Belial couldn’t believe what she was witnessing, but she was no fool to ask further.

“So, if you excuse us…” Mine started, and Addai looked at him, half confused, half shocked – he knew the consequences of his actions were coming –, “… we’ll go now. Have a nice day, Mrs. Belial,” he smiled.

Addai faked a smile and was quickly pulled by Mine, who firmly held his hand. Addai, without choice, followed him in grumbles and huffs.

When Addai was finally far enough from Belial, she finally took a deep breath and exhaled, relieved. Mine was her savior for the second time… she would definitely retribute the favor by working hard and avoiding Addai’s teasing.

She couldn’t help but chuckle when Addai’s quiet panic expression wandered into her mind. Mine was surely a good influence in his life, and she supported his interventions a hundred percent.

Well, she needed to go back to what she was doing before Addai’s rude intermission.

Her deep, violet eyes aimed at the classroom.

She took a deep breath and took a step forward.

Now, her feet didn’t glue on the floor, but she tripped.

She held the door and gasped. She had never been so anxious about something. Teaching cadets was an easy feat, but why did she feel that anxious now? Her students wouldn’t be far too different from the crew she was used to… right?

“The class is empty,” a chilling but gentle voice came from behind.

Belial secretly prayed for her heart to bear such frights. Seriously, two scares in only an evening?! Barely speaking – actually, stammering – Belial turned to the voice’s origin.

A woman with silky, ivory hair looked at her with expectant eyes. Her human ears were no longer human and a long, fuzzy tail on her back stole the demon’s attention more than her upright, Foxian ears. Blanche grinned, her pale face dusting with a faint peach blush.

“Enjoying the view of an empty classroom? I like to do it sometimes,” Blanche chuckled, the fluffy tail behind her slightly waving.

Belial looked at the tail and at Blanche’s face, her own a bit more blushed. “O-oh… so… it’s like a hobby?”

“Pfffff!” Blanche muffled her laughter by covering her mouth with her hands.

Belial’s red face deepened in the red hue. “W-what did I say wrong?”

Blanche laughed, almost in a high-pitched Foxian squeal, and looked at Belial. “You did nothing wrong, Mrs. Belial,” she smiled.

Belial swore her heart missed a beat or two, but it then ran faster when Blanche approached her face and rubbed her nose against the demon’s cheek. The faint, ticklish sensation from Blanche’s fur made Belial’s body malfunction and overheat. *But the demon kept composed as much as it was possible before she raised a hand and looked at Blanche with hazy eyes.

“B-Bed. I g-go,” Belial sputtered, waving goodbye as she wobbled in hasty steps along the corridors.

Blanche waved as well, chuckling as her tail gracefully waved from one side to another. “So silly...” She whispered, her tail flicking once more.