Click.

  The sharp sound echoed through the room like the snap of fate itself.

  “Done,” Mira said ftly.

  I stiffened.

  Charmie gasped so hard I thought her soul might leave her body. Grando’s fingers tightened against the furniture she was still cruelly handcuffed to, her eyes fixed on me with quiet panic.

  Then Mira reached for her knife.

  Not just any knife.

  It glowed faintly, white-blue light humming along the bde like restrained lightning.

  I swallowed.

  “Stay still,” Mira said, her voice calm in the way humans got right before doing something extremely threatening. “If you don’t want to get hurt.”

  “I—yes,” I nodded slowly, every instinct screaming that I was about to be beheaded in a human apartment. “I am very cooperative today.”

  Charmie squeezed her eyes shut. “I can’t watch…”

  Grando whispered, barely audible, “My Lord…”

  CLANG!!!

  The sound was violent—metal screaming as if offended by reality itself.

  A shock ran through my arms, gravity suddenly reciming my wrists. I stared down in disbelief as the cuffs fell apart, broken clean through like they were never meant to exist.

  I was... Free.

  “Oh my Lord…” Charmie whispered reverently. “Congratutions.”

  Grando cpped softly, carefully, like she was afraid celebrating too loudly would summon consequences. “You are… liberated.”

  I flexed my fingers slowly, savoring the sensation. “Thank you everyone...”

  Then Mira grabbed my colr.

  My joy evaporated instantly.

  She pulled me closer—not gently—and before I could even react, something cold snapped shut around my neck.

  A choker.

  Bck. Simple. Thin. Too light to feel harmless.

  “There,” Mira said, adjusting it with practiced precision, her fingers brisk and efficient. “Now you’re free—and slightly less weird to be seen outside.”

  Charmie leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “Ooooh, My Lord got special treatment!”

  Grando tilted her head. “Is it… decorative?”

  I touched it carefully. “Mira… what does this do?”

  She looked me straight in the eye. “Tracks you. And if you do anything funny—”

  Grando gasped sharply. “D-don’t tell me—”

  “Your head explodes?” Charmie shrieked.

  Mira snapped her gaze toward them. “Shut up or I might test it right now.”

  Charmie froze. Grando went completely still.

  I dropped to my knees instantly. “I apologize for existing!”

  Mira rubbed her face slowly. “Why am I agreeing to this…”

  Then she straightened.

  “Anyway!” she barked. “Seven days. You learn it or not. All of you go back to your realm. End of story.”

  I nodded quickly. “Understood.”

  “If you break our deal,” she added coldly, “I'll kill you.”

  “Cool,” I replied immediately.

  She turned to Grando and Charmie. “No releasing them. If you try—”

  I smiled calmly. “I promise. I will never lie.”

  She stared at me, unimpressed. “Good.”

  I turned toward my companions, guilt settling in my chest. “I’m sorry… just a little longer.”

  Grando smiled softly. “We can endure it.”

  Charmie grinned. “Good luck on your date, My Lord.”

  “It’s not a date, I'm studying...” I muttered.

  Mira turned sharply. “Let’s go.”

  I waved awkwardly as she dragged me out.

  The door locked behind us immediately.

  She froze.

  Just… stood there.

  “Mira?” I called.

  “Huh?!” She jolted like her soul had just re-entered her body. “Right.”

  Was she sleeping while standing? Humans were terrifying...

  ---

  The sky had already darkened by the time we stepped outside, the city glowing in artificial stars. Cold air brushed against my skin, slipping through my worn dress like it had a personal grudge.

  Mira walked three meters ahead of me. Never looking back.

  People whispered as we passed.

  “Is that girl okay?”

  “Why is the one behind wearing such a tall hat?”

  “Is she being followed?”

  Mira didn’t care in the slightest and kept walking at a pace that felt downright hostile to demons who were still adjusting to sidewalks and weird rolling metal artifacts.

  I had no choice but to follow.

  Cars—massive metal beasts with glowing eyes—roared past us, making me flinch every single time. Bicycles zipped by like silent assassins on wheels.

  I stumbled more than once, nearly tripping over cracks in the road, discarded cans, and something called a “curb” that clearly existed only to humiliate outsiders. Somehow, despite everything, I managed to keep up with Mira.

  She didn’t slow down.

  By the time I noticed her shoulders rising and falling faster, sweat clinging slightly to her hair, I realized we’d been walking far longer than I thought. Humans truly had terrifying stamina when motivated or when running away from awkward situations.

  Eventually, the chaos faded.

  The roaring artifacts vanished. The streets softened into quiet paths, bnketed with fallen leaves that crunched gently underfoot. Warm lights glowed from nearby buildings, painting the night in gold and amber. There were only a few humans around, walking slowly, ughing softly, existing peacefully.

  I stopped without realizing it.

  It was… beautiful.

  “…Wow,” I breathed before I could stop myself.

  Mira finally halted too. She stood there, hands tucked into her coat pockets, eyes forward. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

  “So…” I said, breaking the silence, my voice hushed as if the pce demanded respect. “This is what humans like? When two people who are interested in each other go somewhere together… you call it a ‘date,’ right?”

  Mira didn’t answer immediately.

  I tilted my head, genuinely puzzled. “I’m sorry, but it feels a bit… boring.”

  She gnced at me then sideways, unimpressed. “You have too many expectations.”

  “Maybe,” I admitted with a shrug. “Your glowing box shows dates with fireworks, dramatic music, and sudden emotional breakdowns. Compared to that, this is just… walking.”

  Her lips twitched. Just barely. “That’s television...”

  “…Ah.”

  She looked away again, ears faintly pink. “Everyone has different preferences.”

  I exhaled softly. “You’re right. I guess I shouldn’t compare real humans to exaggerated illusions.”

  We moved again, slower this time, until she sat down on a bench nestled beneath a tree. I followed, sitting beside her with careful distance, like I was unsure whether the bench might explode if I misbehaved.

  I was thrilled.

  Everything fascinated me—watching humans pass by, observing couples, families, lone figures with glowing rectangles in their hands.

  I whispered my observations to myself, giggling whenever I misidentified something, like mistaking a dog for a low-ranking beastfolk.

  Meanwhile, Mira yawned every ten minutes like her soul was slowly leaving her body.

  “Mira...” I said softly.

  “Hm?” she replied, eyes half-lidded.

  The cold finally reached me. A sharp, biting chill that seeped straight through my worn-out dress and into my bones. I shivered. Dramatically.

  “I think… I might die.”

  She sighed. “Now what?”

  After a pause, I added, quieter, “May I… hold your hand?”

  She froze.

  Her body went stiff, like I’d cast a paralysis spell by accident. She stared straight ahead, brain visibly buffering.

  Before she could answer, another gust of wind sliced through me. Survival instincts kicked in. I grabbed her hand with both of mine.

  Warmth rushed into my fingers instantly—human warmth, gentle and alive. I leaned closer without thinking, even slipping my hands partially into her gloves like a fool desperate for survival.

  [Announcement: The Demon Lord has initiated unauthorized physical contact.]

  “W-wait—! What are you doing, Getgun?!” she snapped, voice cracking just a little.

  Reality crashed down on me.

  My heart pounding, eyes fixed on the ground. “I-I’m sorry,” I said quickly.

  “That was rude. Please forgive me.” I said, gathering every ounce of courage I had left and looking up at her.

  Her face was red. Completely. Not angry, just flustered, eyes wide, lips pressed together like she was fighting words back. But she didn’t pull her hand away.

  We stared at each other.

  I was still confused.

  But I wasn’t cold anymore.