The Sekirei’s Covenant

Night, at the Kusanagi household—

"Damn it! That old hag dares to look down on the Kusanagi family!"

"Even though my stupid Onii-sama is evil, corrupt, and completely hopeless, if anyone's going to scold him, it should be me! Who does she think she is?!"

"Hmph, why is Mariya-senpai so amazing, but her mother is so annoying?!"

…

After returning home, Sora was bombarded with questions from the girls and had no choice but to recount what happened during the day when he visited Yuri's house. Both Erica and the maid's expressions weren't great, but what truly stunned Sora was how Shizuka, the little girl, immediately exploded in anger!

"Hey, hey, Shizuka, is that any way to talk about your Onii-sama?"

"And also, why do you keep kicking me while you're at it?"

His eye twitching, Sora grabbed Shizuka's little leg, clad in knee-high socks, as she kicked at him, looking utterly speechless.

"Hmph, who told you to be so useless? You've been completely looked down upon."

"Let go, let me kick you a few more times, or else you're not getting any dinner!"

Clenching her little fists, Shizuka glared at Sora and shouted.

"Uh, well, please go ahead, Your Majesty."

Shizuka was full of energy when she was angry, and Sora didn't dare provoke her further, so he reluctantly let go.

Honestly, Sora didn't mind being kicked by her a few times—her strength was negligible, and it didn't hurt at all. He was more worried that she might hurt herself, but judging by her demeanor, she seemed fine.

"Remember, useless Onii-sama, starting tomorrow, you're going to chase after Mariya-senpai with all your might. If you don't win her over, don't bother coming back!"

After kicking him a few more times and finally feeling a bit better, Shizuka grabbed Sora's collar and spoke in an unquestionable tone.

"Uh, little girl, are you sure you're not sick today? Maybe we should go to the hospital first, while there's still time…"

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Sora looked at the clearly abnormal Shizuka and spoke weakly.

"You're the one who's sick! Since they look down on you, we're going to prove them wrong!"

"Hmph, that old hag thinks you're not good enough for Mariya-senpai? Then you're going to win Yuri-senpai over and make her furious!"

With a fierce expression, Sora didn't know whether to be moved or something else entirely by how angry Shizuka was on his behalf.

Well, if he had to put his current feelings into words—

"My little sister can't possibly be this 'ferocious'!!!"

"Did you hear me?!!"

Seeing Sora still in a daze, Shizuka tugged hard on his collar again.

"Ah… got it, got it! Don't worry, Your Majesty, I'll definitely complete the mission!"

Sora was inwardly delighted. Naturally, he wouldn't refuse such a good thing. In the past, Shizuka had often scolded him about his relationship with Yuri, but now she was encouraging him to pursue her.

Well, it's best not to try to understand the thoughts of the little sister. You'll never figure them out…

"Hmph!"

Finally feeling a bit better, Shizuka snorted and, too lazy to deal with Sora anymore, went back to the kitchen to attend to her own business.

"Tehehe, my king, it's so unlike you to hold back and not do anything in the end!"

After Shizuka left, Erica pounced on Sora, her long arms wrapping around his neck as she giggled.

"Little brat, that's Yuri's mom. Did you really expect me to go and beat her up?!"

Knocking on Erica's head, Sora looked at her with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Well, actually, this time there was some gain. Even though that cold-faced auntie looked down on me and mocked me, it made Yuri even more devoted to me!"

"Hehehe… if you think about it, maybe I even came out ahead…"

Recalling the moment when Yuri had actively kissed him, Sora's mischievous hands wandered over Erica's body as he chuckled wickedly.

"Heh… if you put it that way, we really did come out ahead!"

Her eyes sparkling, Erica didn't care about Yuri's father or mother—they were just irrelevant bystanders to her and Sora. What they truly cared about was Yuri herself!

Of course, this was just an accident, and Erica didn't want to dwell on it too much. But if anyone dared to disrespect her king like that again…

A cold glint flashed in her eyes—Erica wasn't one to be trifled with either!

"Athena, how's the task I gave you coming along?"

Letting Erica sit behind him and massage his shoulders, Sora called out to Athena.

Munching on chocolate while watching TV had become the classic scene of this little goddess at home. Whether it was because he had influenced her or not, this little goddess was becoming more and more adept at enjoying life. Sigh…

It seemed that Sora was somewhat displeased at being disturbed. She glared at Sora angrily, then walked into the kitchen. Not long after, Athena came out holding a plate of freshly made warm pastries with both hands.

"Did you make these?"

Sora casually asked while grabbing a piece and putting it into her mouth.

"Yes, I made them."

A hint of guilt flashed in Athena's eyes, but she answered calmly and without changing her expression.

"Hm, not bad."

Sora nodded and gave a sincere evaluation, showing no sign of doubt.

Just as Athena breathed a small sigh of relief, thinking she had finally dealt with this troublesome person, Sora spoke again:

"Arianna, come here."

She beckoned to the maid who was peeking her little head from behind the door. Sora smiled brightly.

"Master Sora, I… I…"

Like a child who had done something wrong, the maid slowly walked over, lowering her head nervously.

Watching Arianna the maid, Erica, who was massaging Sora's shoulders, smiled as if enjoying the show, with no intention of defending her.

"Arianna has been working hard lately; her cooking skills have improved a lot."

"But if you cheat for lazy Athena again next time, I will punish you!"

Pinching the maid's chubby cheeks with both hands, Sora smiled.

"Um…"

A deep blush rose on Arianna's sensitive little face as the mischievous Demon King fondled her, and she answered softly.

"Hehe, as expected, Arianna is the most obedient. Go on, go on!"

Having had her fun, feeling it was about time to stop bullying the little maid, Sora finally released her hands and gently patted Arianna's shoulder.

"Yes, Master Sora!"

Feeling a long sigh of relief, Arianna gave Athena a look that said, "Master Athena, I did my best," then happily skipped off to the kitchen to prepare dinner with Shizuka, leaving a certain little girl standing there with a sour expression.

"Hehehe… Even the legendary goddess Athena resorts to such tricks. What do you think would happen if the other gods found out, dear Athena-chan?"

Lifting the petite Athena onto her lap, Sora grinned mischievously.

Athena's face turned pale as she turned her head away.

Lazy and cheating? Damn you, Kusanagi Sora, you are the first in thousands of years to insult me like this. The first!

"Oh? Still not convinced? As I said before, no snacks for you for the next three days!"

Seeing Athena sulking and throwing a tantrum, Sora laughed and confiscated Athena's snacks for three days with one sentence.

"Why?!"

Unable to bear it any longer, Athena glared at Sora angrily.

"Hehe… Because you're my captive now, and I bought those snacks with my own money!"

Pinching Athena's cute little face with both hands, Sora smiled brightly.

"Kusanagi Sora, I hate you!"

"Oh, I'm so scared. Can you hate me a little more?"

"When I regain my freedom, I will curse you!"

"Tch, still talking nonsense. Do you think you'll ever get out? Just be my cuddly bear forever. If you behave, I'll take good care of you."

"You shameless creature, I'll bite you to death!!!"

"Ah!!! Ouch, ouch… Where did you learn that move?!"

"Ugh… I learned it from TV, especially for dealing with you… ugh… this kind of person…"

…

Watching the two playfully fighting, Erica brushed her hair aside and stepped away. She didn't want to get involved with these two.

It felt unbelievable. These two, a god and a demon king who fought to the death at first meeting, could actually get along so "harmoniously"…