The moment you heard Mammon was walking Yuki home was the moment you nearly lost your composure and smacked talk the male(even more).

You managed to swallow the bitterness and instead insist that they go together instead while you stop by a nearby store to grab something for your sibling.

It was quite worrisome that the possibility of Mammon doing something to Yuki once they were alone, but at least the look of pure terror on Mammon's face when you left them a very meaningful threat soothed your nerves slightly.

The store thing was an excuse, of course. Why the hell would you tag along and be a miserable third wheel?

You stood inside the building, looking blankly at a few random greeting cards to seem as though you were actually considering buying something.

You didn't even notice you had been staring for a few minutes before you left the store silently. You hoped the staff didn't think weirdly of you to stare at cards for a long time before leaving without buying anything.

You began to saunter out into the streets, gazing at the surroundings mindlessly. The sky began to grow darker, making you furrow your brows.

Then a few drops of water came down.

And a few more.

Soon, then rain began to pick up speed as you hurried to a café nearby. You shivered at the feeling of the air condition blasting your slightly damp uniform.

You made your way to a further spot from the door to avoid air conditioning as you hugged yourself to keep warm. You scanned the menu in front of you.

You weren't very assured with the money you brought along at the moment, so you avoided buying much and settled for a (hot beverage).

You were supposed to be at home right now if you weren't so stubborn. And now you were caught in the rain without an umbrella.

You breathed out a sigh before looking around.

No one was in the café but you, currently.

The waitress shortly served you your order, and you consumed the hot beverage without a second thought.

You stared out the heavily pouring rain, wondering how long it would last before you could finally go home.

"..."

At the mere prediction that it might last longer than you originally thought, you frowned.

Your phone vibrated, signaling a message. The screen lit up, showing you a preview.

It was Yuki, telling you they had gotten home fine. Another message came, asking if you had managed to make it home right before the rain began falling.

You didn't open your phone and opted to stare mindlessly at the endlessly pouring rain. You paid no mind as a loud ring sounded through the cafe, signaling someone just came inside.

You began to feel quite tired.

Propping your elbow on the table, you rested your chin on your palm.

Your sibling was most likely over at a friend's house right now as they usually were, and you wouldn't dare ask Yuki after what you excused yourself with.

Who else to call then? Solomon?

Damn, it would be real nice if someone were to help you out...

You folded your arms on the table, planning on resting your head there, when you saw the waitress on her way to you from the corner of your eye.

You raised a brow as you saw the (hot beverage) and a few scones accompanying it. You shook your head. "Miss, I didn't order these."

The female placed it on the table despite your protest. She smiled politely. "...It's from a secret admirer."

"..." You paused. Then you scanned the entire café.

Other than you and the staff, who else was in the café but that one person covering their face obnoxiously with the menu?

"...Miss, you don't peg me for an idiot, right? There are literally only two customers right now." You blankly remarked as you pointed at the said weirdo. It was unlikely that the so-called secret admirer would be part of the staff.

The waitress laughed sheepishly before bowing and hurriedly leaving the table.

You pretended to gaze out the window by turning your head to the side. Though still peering at the person from the corner of your eye.

Soon enough, the menu lowered slightly.

Low and behold, there stood a certain champagne-haired male.

Truly who else would it have been.

Seeing you glaring at him immediately made him flinch and laugh sheepishly, waving awkwardly.

"Ah...ha ha... (M/n)... What a coincidence, huh? It must be fate!" He shouted from all the way over his spot. You narrowed your eyes in annoyance.

"Stop shouting. Take these back."

"..." Taking your words as an invitation, Asmodeus grinned before sauntering over happily. He unhesitatingly took a seat in front of you and smiled, looking ecstatic to be noticed.

It would've been cute if you hadn't been so upset with him.

You sighed. "What's this secret admirer stuff? Are you mocking me for earlier?"

"Oh! Um, of course not, silly." Asmodeus waved a hand. "I just wanted the waitress to give it to you. I thought it'd be romantic if it was a secret admirer situation instead."

"...You ordered too much of these. Eat them yourself."

"...Don't you like scones? In that case, I can order you some biscuits or donuts instead. What are you into?" Asmodeus grasped the menu and scanned through it. You furrowed your brows before shaking your head. "Don't spend any more on me. Just eat these by yourself. They're too much."

"...I'm not going to eat them unless you eat with me."

"...Damn it."

You sighed heavily before taking a scone and hesitatingly began to eat. He smiled brightly, following suit. You watched as he happily munched on the baked goods he bought.

You weren't going to let him know you were hungry either.

"...Asmodeus, why are you doing all of this...?" You frowned, looking at him in exasperation. The champagne-haired male paused, tilting his head to the side. Then he smiled.

"I said I'd give you a chance, didn't I?"

"...I told you it was all fake. I never liked you, Asmodeus." You blatantly spoke. The male flinched dramatically at your words. He pouted, waving a hand once more.

"Anyway, I might like you, so...."

"Why?"

"I think you're cute." He spoke without hesitation, nor thinking.

"...That's stupid. Haven't you seen much more attractive people?"

"Nope."

Great, now he was bullshitting you.

"Then you're infatuated. That's shallow." You sneered. Grasping the handles of the cup of (hot beverage), you took a slow and sensible sip.

You saw the way his eyes lit up at your further acceptance of his treat.

"No, I'm not infatuated."

"Uh huh." You sarcastically agreed. "Anyway, what inspired you to actually court me after trying to humiliate me and my friend?"

"I..." He paused, then swallowed. "I think I really like you, (M/n)."

"..." You weren't convinced at all. "And you went for a direct court for a relationship because...?"

"Solomon said it was useless to have flings that I flirt with all the time, and that a relationship might do me good."

"...Of course." Finally, you knew what this was all about. "I'm glad to be the first one to come to mind when you think of starting an actual relationship. God, I fucking hate you."

You made a move to stand up, chair screeching behind you. His eyes widened before his hand shot out and grasped your wrist. "(M/n), wait! I'm sorry, alright? For everything. I know you're not going to be satisfied with just a verbal apology, so I tried giving you gifts. I know even those weren't enough either."

"...Then, you know what I really want?" You narrowed your eyes down at him. "I want you to leave me the hell alone. You've apologized and all, but I don't want to see you anymore than I need to."

"...I can't."

"Why the hell not?" Your patience was running thin. "Do you really like annoying me this much? I can report you to the higher ups for harassment you kn–"

"I think I'm in love with you."

"..."

...Hold on, why the hell did he look more surprised than you when he was the one who said it?!

"...What the fuck." You dropped the scone on your grasp, falling onto the table and dropping a few crumbs. "...What kind of bullshit are you sprouting now, Asmodeus? Are you mocking me?"

"I'm serious!" He cried out. "I'm not really sure either, but–"

"Then don't say that." You brought the cup of (hot beverage) back down the table, producing a loud thud at the impact. "It's stupid. You truly are infatuated."

"...(M/n)."

"What." You crossed your arms above your chest, scowling at him.

"...God, you look hot right now."

"...!" You slammed your hands on the table, the plate and cup jumping along slightly. Asmodeus flinched, though the sheepish smile on his face remained despite knowing he fucked up.

Wordlessly, you grabbed your bag and left your chair. Asmodeus stood up and followed right after. "Wh–! Wait! I'm sorry!"

"..." You refused to look back at him as you continued to make your way to the door. Just before you could grasp the handles, a hand landed on your shoulder.

Without missing a beat, you grabbed his hand and threw it to the side. You smiled blankly, making eye contact. "I knew you were definitely an idiot."

Still looking at him, you proceeded to open the door and leave.

Once again, a cold breeze brought by the weather greeted you harshly. You winced, though your pride outweighed your critical thinking.

Grasping onto every bit of pettiness in your body, you stubbornly trudged through the rain.

Unlike what people would describe as the soft pitter patters in their windows, having it mercilessly drop down your skin like this was more harsh than you thought. To top it all off, the wind blew harder, as if spiting you.

You dearly hoped nothing in your bag was important or susceptible to water.

"Hey! (M/n)! You're gonna catch a cold if you continue to get wet!"

You began to walk a little faster, hugging yourself to maintain a little bit of warmth.

"(M/n), please!"

"..." You heard the sound of water splashing on the ground behind you as he ran to catch up with you.

You resisted the urge to run as well. Away from him, of course.

It wasn't until you heard a crash behind you did you slow down and stopped walking. You turned around.

Asmodeus had slipped on the wet pavement, looking pained. His umbrella was discarded to the side, bag slung on his shoulder.

It was...

A pitying sight, really.

You couldn't help but feel bad. He might have attained a wound in the process.

As if beckoning you to come help him, the his umbrella flew closer towards you due to the breeze. Your gaze flicker to the umbrella, before back at Asmodeus.

"..." You sighed.

As Asmodeus looked over his possibly wounded knee and his scratched palms, the rain stopped falling on him, accompanied by a shadow looming over him.

Asmodeus looked up.

You stood there, holding him umbrella over him and looking down at him. The umbrella wasn't even protecting you from the rain. Just him.

"(M/n)..."

"...Can you stand?"

"...no."

"..." You swiftly placed the umbrella onto the ground beside him and began to walk away. Asmodeus perked up, alarmed.

"W-wait–!" Asmodeus paused, not able to hold back a shiver from the cold atmosphere. "(M/n), I'm sorry, really!"

He scrambled to stand up, grabbing his umbrella. Though, the ache in both his knees and palms made him pause to wince.

His umbrella was practically useless now that he was drenched as well.

"...Asmodeus, reject your infatuation. You're wasting both of our time." You spat out and continued to walk away, though notably slower than before.

It wasn't like you wanted him to catch up with you.

Ignoring the pain, Asmodeus weakly speed walked to catch up with you. He was dearly thankful you didn't go faster, else he wasn't sure he'd be able to catch up.

He was also afraid he'd slip again. The mere thought made him shiver.

"..." He gazed over at you, finding you mindlessly looking forward. He felt a blush crawl up his neck as the wind blew, tousling your hair slightly.

It was a crime to look so attractive effortlessly.

He squeezed the handle of the umbrella before attempting to cover your head with it. You scooted over to the other side in order to avoid the umbrella.

How petty.

Asmodeus scooted closer to you to get you under the umbrella. Once again, you scooted away.

Asmodeus huffed before trying again. And again. And again.

A few more attempts were made and you always evaded them.

"(M/n), you're gonna catch a cold."

"I'm already soaked. Your umbrella doesn't help me."

"But it's cold!" As if to emphasize his point, Asmodeus shivered. You rolled your eyes. "Cover yourself, then."

"But I can't leave you shivering when you could be beside me, you know?"

"I'll be fine."

Asmodeus gritted his teeth at your stubborn nature. He knew damn well you wouldn't budge soon.

So, he just tilted his umbrella to his other side, not covering you as he scooted closer to you. Much to his delight, you didn't move away from him now that he stood closer.

Pushing his luck slightly, he moved a little closer, shoulder nearly making contact with yours.

A giddy smile graced his face upon how close to you you allowed him to be. A flowery aura surrounded him as he looked easily ecstatic by the situation.

Not as a whole, but still.

You took a quick peek at his face before shaking your head softly.

"...Hey, (M/n)?"

"What?"

"..."

'This feels a little romantic...'

"Nothing."

- - -

It didn't take long before you both neared your house. As you were about to reach for your keys, you saw your sibling arrive and unlock the door. They eventually caught sight of your drenched form and furrowed their brow.

"What the... (M/n)?! What are you doing walking all exposed to the rain!?"

"Just let us in. I'll mop the floor later." You irritably spoke, deeply affected by the cold temperature.

Your sibling hurriedly pushed the door open and urged you to follow. Their eyes flickered over to Asmodeus before going inside.

You rushed over, careful not to slip on the pavement as you made your way to the door. Asmodeus followed after, albeit a little more careless.

Due to this, he yelps, about to slip once again. A hand shot out, grasping his wrist. You huffed irritably. "Would it kill you to be a little more careful?"

Lips pressed together in a thin line, he nodded wordlessly.

You both entered the house, dripping wet. Your sibling rushed down, holding two towels. They handed one to you, then the other at Asmodeus, who smiled tiredly.

Your sibling watched you both awkwardly, arms crossed as they were unsure whether they should question you now or have you two take a shower first before you got a cold.

As you continued to dry yourself off, you couldn't help but deadpan as the situation further dawned onto you.

...

If you had known that your stubborn decisions would have led you to letting Asmodeus inside your own house, then maybe you wouldn't have minded being a third wheel after all.