After some quiet reading in the bookstore, the couple now stood waiting at the bus stop, talking animatedly about their next destination.
"A little hint, please?" Tsubaki begged, her glasses catching the sunlight as she gave him a pleading look. Her heterochromatic eyes only made her puppy-dog stare more devastating. Kousuke's heart twinged, but he held firm under her relentless, soul-crushing 'torment.'
"No can do~ it's a secret place," he replied with a shake of his head, lips curling into a teasing smile. He didn't want to go to one of those cliché dating spots. Instead, he'd spent hours doing research to find something truly unique. Luckily, he stumbled upon the perfect location—just a thirty-minute ride away.
Suddenly, Tsubaki spun him around by the shoulders, pulling him closer until their foreheads touched. Her arms draped around his neck, and her face hovered just inches away. "Even when I do this?" she asked, trying to sound casual, but the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her.
He blinked in surprise at her boldness, then leaned in and kissed her. Pulling back with a smirk, he murmured, "Yes, so be patient."
Tsubaki fell silent, clearly taken aback by his counterattack. She thought she had him wrapped around her finger—yet he'd turned the tables effortlessly.
Before long, the bus arrived, and they boarded together, finding seats toward the back. The ride was pleasantly quiet, filled only with the subtle warmth of their fingers intertwined between the seats. As the scenery passed by, Kousuke asked her about the book she'd been reading earlier. Tsubaki, happy to discuss her favorite pastime, chatted freely until they reached their stop.
"What a peaceful countryside," she muttered, taking in a deep breath. The scent of trees and clean air welcomed her senses.
"Indeed," Kousuke agreed, gently taking her hand. They walked together, passing fields and spotting a few elderly folks tending their crops. The pair was greeted warmly, the presence of outsiders a rare and welcome sight in the quiet rural town.
'Did this place used to be a romantic getaway in the past?' Tsubaki wondered as she observed the cheerful reactions of the locals.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked a hunchbacked old man with weathered features.
Kousuke leaned in and whispered something to him. The old man's eyes shifted toward Tsubaki before he gave a long, thoughtful pause—and then nodded.
"Alright. If that's what you want, then meet me again by the shore," the elder said, hopping onto a rusty old bike and pedaling away.
Tsubaki glanced at Kousuke, curiosity flickering in her eyes, but he merely smiled and gestured for her to follow. She decided to hold her questions—he clearly had something special in mind.
Before boarding the boat prepared by Youhei—the hunchbacked elder—Kousuke and Tsubaki changed into more comfortable clothes they had purchased earlier. Tsubaki had assumed it was just in case they got wet.
As she began enjoying the still beauty of the lake, the boat came to a gentle stop, drifting a few minutes away from the shore.
"We're here," Youhei said quietly, his tone carrying a note of nostalgia.
Tsubaki looked around, puzzled. There was nothing in sight but open water.
"Why are we stopping here?"
"You'll see," Kousuke said with a mysterious smile. "You can swim, right?"
"Of course. Don't tell me..."
Kousuke answered not with words—but by jumping in, pulling her with him. Youhei simply sighed, muttering, "Youth," under his breath.
Despite the surprise, Tsubaki didn't panic. Instead, she quickly followed him through the water. She hadn't expected to find such a vibrant world beneath the murky surface—beautiful aquatic plants swayed in the current, and schools of fish danced between them.
Suddenly, a powerful suction swept them downward. A hidden current pulled them into an underwater cave system.
"Puha~ What was that?!" Tsubaki gasped, emerging at the surface. Her arms clung around Kousuke's torso, and despite everything, she felt safe in his embrace. She looked around in awe—had they been swept into an underground cavern?
"Look over there," Kousuke said, swimming toward a rocky platform.
Tsubaki followed and stared in wonder. As he helped her up onto the rock, she took in the sight fully for the first time.
"...How stunning," she whispered.
Before them stretched a massive subterranean field of vibrant flowers. Shafts of sunlight streamed through small holes in the cave ceiling, casting a celestial glow across the blooming petals.
"There's a local myth," Kousuke began, stepping into the flower field. "A fisherman once saved a giant turtle from being bullied. In gratitude, the turtle brought him to an undersea palace—Ryūgū-jō—where a beautiful princess welcomed him."
He turned toward her, gently brushing her cheek with his hand.
"They say if a couple finds their way to this 'Dragon Palace,' they'll be blessed by the sea… and live happily ever after."
Then, kneeling, he carefully plucked a red flower and handed it to her.
"This one in particular symbolizes Eternal Love. Or so the story goes."
Tsubaki's eyes widened. 'So this was the secret place he meant…'
Her hand clenched around the flower as her heart swelled with emotion. She felt overwhelmed—not just by the breathtaking scenery, but by his sincere feelings. Yet in the back of her mind, a dark question loomed.
Would he still feel this way if he knew the truth about her?
All at once, fear crept into her chest. Fear of breaking the illusion. Fear of losing what they'd built. Devils weren't exactly like the ones described in ancient tales… but there was truth in some of those myths. They were born of sin—and not all of them could hide that.
Her gaze fell to the flower in her hand. She couldn't bring herself to look him in the eyes.
But it didn't matter.
Kousuke pulled her into his chest again, wrapping his arms securely around her waist. Then, tilting her chin up, he met her eyes.
He saw it—the fear—and he understood it. Because he felt the same.
"Aren't you curious about my year-long disappearance?" he asked softly, his voice steady despite the emotional weight behind it.
Tsubaki hesitated. "…It would be a lie to say I'm not. Everyone is."
She stared into his eyes, sensing something was about to change—something important.
"For a while now, I've been debating whether or not to tell you. But I think… I think I'm finally ready."
He exhaled slowly, the decision made. 'After all, it's just the two of us here. And it'll be a while before the trails catch up—I laid a few traps to stall them.'
"I...I am a Returner." He said at last, "When I disappeared that day, I found myself in a massive western-style castle—greeted by a young princess calling me 'Hero.'"
"It wasn't a lie when I told the Gremory Peerage that… I know it sounded unbelievable. But it's true. Another world exists. And I've been there."
"I was chosen as their Hero. Blessed by the gods to fulfill a mission. To defeat the Demon King. I won't bore you with all the details, but let's just say… after completing my mission, an even greater threat appeared."
His expression hardened.
"The one known as the Demon God."