Rimuru didn't let go of Mai's chin.
Instead, a sly smile curved her lips—half playful, half calculating.
"In that case," she said, her voice lowering slightly, becoming richer, more serious, "because she kept saying she could see your 'true self,' you convinced yourself you were in love with her… didn't you?"
Mai froze at how accurately Rimuru had read her. Slowly, she nodded.
"Yes… She was the only one who made me feel understood."
Rimuru's smile deepened.
She leaned in closer—so close that Mai could feel the warmth of her breath against her skin… could smell the faint, expensive fragrance clinging to her.
"If we follow that logic," Rimuru murmured softly, "then I was the first person who saw the real you. I understood you years before she ever did, my little star."
Her golden eyes locked onto Mai's.
"So by your own definition… shouldn't you be in love with me too?"
Mai couldn't answer.
Her throat tightened.
Those golden eyes felt hypnotic, like twin suns pulling her in.
Rimuru tilted her head slightly, a dangerous glint appearing in her gaze.
"If you don't say no," she whispered, "I'm going to kiss you right now."
Mai's heartbeat pounded violently in her chest.
"But… but Rimuru," she stammered, her voice shaking, "that was in the past… We were just kids…"
Rimuru didn't step back.
Instead, her hand slid slowly around Mai's waist, pulling her closer.
The warmth of her body, the maturity in her touch—it completely enveloped Mai.
"Now that she's rejected you," Rimuru said softly, her eyes drifting down to Mai's lips, "why don't you go out with me instead?"
Her gaze sharpened.
"I can promise you something that that cowardly girl could never offer."
Her voice dropped into something both sincere… and quietly possessive.
"I will never leave you."
She brushed her thumb gently against Mai's waist as she continued,
"I know you don't need money. I don't either. But I promise you this—whatever you want from me, I'll give it to you. If you want to touch me… If you want intimacy… If you want more… I won't run away."
Her eyes softened—just slightly.
"I'll give you all of me. Everything she was too afraid to give."
Mai felt small in Rimuru's embrace.
The guilt she had been drowning in only moments ago began to fade, replaced by something warmer… safer.
Rimuru wasn't just an old friend who had returned.
She was a refuge.
A place where Mai's so-called "forbidden" desires weren't rejected—
They were welcomed.