The next time you woke up, it was nearly nighttime, judging by the lack of sunlight from your window.

Your head didn't feel as heavy and hot as it did earlier. Your blanket was still covering you. Something heavy was behind you.

Shuffling to turn around on your bed, you were met by a curled up Asmodeus, sleeping peacefully. He was covered by the blanket as well.

If you didn't know better, you'd have thought he was nuzzling himself into your back earlier.

Taking a quick glance at your phone, it read 8:27 PM.

You weren't exactly too keen on the idea of having him stay overnight.

Although you felt slightly guilty for doing so, you woke Asmo up and told him to go home. After countless assurance that you were now indeed fine, he finally budged.

- - -

As Asmodeus waved at you as he proceeded to walk out the path, the two of you caught sight of a familiar person.

Your sibling smiled at Asmo. "Ah, you're leaving already? Wouldn't you like to stay for dinner since you took care of (M/n)?"

"I'd love to." Asmo smiled charmingly. "But I'm afraid tonight might not be a good time. I have to head home soon."

Asmo then waved his hand once more, turning to your direction. His grin grew broader, more genuine. "I'll see you tomorrow, (M/n)! I'll miss you!"

Your eye twitched upon the last sentence.

He wasn't even gone, and yet he was so proud to say such things already.

Your sibling laughed at Asmo's antics before waving goodbye at the male as he departed.

You opened the door wider for your sibling as they walked inside. They took off their shoes as you moved towards the kitchen, presumably to prepare for dinner.

"I see you look fine now. I take it Asmo did a great job of taking care of you?"

"It didn't really matter. I would've been fine without him either way."

"I didn't think you'd be this stubborn to deny. Did you even thank him for doing all of this?"

"..."

"Of course, you didn't." Your sibling sighed at your lack of response, knowing damn well.

You proceeded to ignore their stare as you continued to make preparations for dinner. Your sibling sat on the chair to rest temporarily.

"You're lucky to have someone like Asmo be willing to drop whatever he was doing just to head over and take care of you."

"He was probably just guilty for being the reason I ran in the rain yesterday."

"So if he wasn't the cause, you think he wouldn't come here?"

"Mhm?"

"Oh my, you're in denial. Or dense, I'm not really sure." Your sibling grinned as you avoided their eyes completely. "Did you see the way he looked at you yesterday? When you handed him your clothes?"

"...No.

"Or when you sanitized and bandaged his palms and knees, did you see how flustered he was?"

"He was probably just sick."

"Momentarily?"

"Momentarily."

Your sibling rolled their eyes.

"Well, whatever. If that guy ends up courting you, don't say you're surprised."

'He already is.'

- - -

"..."

As soon as you stepped foot into the campus, a certain champagne-haired male was already trailing beside you.

It was unusual, really. To think he was the one beside you and not Yuki.

"After school, do you want to go on a date with me?" He questioned with a grin. You shook your head. "I have something to do later."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes, that day too."

"How about the day after that?"

"Busy."

"Next week?"

"Still busy."

"(M/n)..." He spoke your name, upset. He then huffed, crossing his arms and looking away.

It wasn't long until he turned to your direction once more. He nudged you, urging you to meet his gaze. Once your eyes were locked, he questioned. "Can I hold your hand?"

"...Why?"

"Because I want to?"

"...Is your palm better now?"

"Hm? Ah, that." Asmodeus ran his fingers through his other palm, touching the bandages. "It wasn't that bad, really. It's a shame I had to remove yours to replace them every time it gets wet."

"I see."

"...Thanks for bandaging them for me, by the way." Asmodeus smiled brightly, tilting his head to the side slightly. The action made his hair bounce a bit.

Coincidentally, you two had just crossed a window. The sunshine that passed through the glass behind Asmo gave slight highlights to his features, especially his hair.

You couldn't even deny that Asmo was attractive, especially now. Not that you'd tell him that, of course.

Even as you both continued to walk, Asmo still maintained his closed eyed smile for a bit too long. Your eyes grew half-lidded. "...Are you waiting for me to do something?"

"I don't know, am I?"

"..." Damn it.

You sighed. "...I didn't get to tell you last night. That I..." You swallowed. "...Really appreciate you going absent on a moment's whim and taking care of me. Thank you."

Finally opening his eyes, a faint tint of crimson grew on his cheeks.

You dearly hoped that was just his make up growing more prominent under a different light.

"...So, can we hold hands?"

"Can't we just walk together like this?"

"So you're fine with walking together?" He grew excited. You deadpanned. "We already are."

"Yay!" He cheered, though not latching himself onto you.

"My, you already said yes?" Solomon, who had just come across you both, looked visibly surprised. Your brows furrowed. "To what, exactly?"

"To Asmo?"

"Hell no." You sneered. Asmodeus frowned, tugging on your sleeve. "Hey now, don't say it so repulsively!"

"'scuse meee!" A loud voice was heard before Solomon moved to the side to make way. Curious gazes were sent to the newcomer, having made his way towards you.

"Mammon?" You spoke his name. The white-haired male was frowning. "Why are ya ignorin' Yuki?"

"I'm not ignoring Yuki." You denied with a subtle shake of your head. Mammon scoffed. "Hah? Why aren'tcha approaching them then, huh? You weren't even answerin' their messages yesterday!"

"...I was sick, Mammon. My head was hurting to the point I wasn't able to use my phone, let alone reply to messages, so I just shut it off."

"...Oh."

"...Maybe don't start making assumptions so early?" You berated, lips stretched into a thin line. Mammon paused, then scratched his head before bowing slightly. "I'll go get them then. Yuki thinks you're angry at 'em."

"..."

As Mammon sauntered away to fetch Yuki, Asmodeus raised a brow teasingly. "My, wasn't able to use your phone? I thought you were texting Simeon last night?"

"Whatever."

"...Mammon was unusually polite." Solomon pointed out. You hummed thoughtfully. "I noticed. Just a few days ago, he was ready to pounce on me for degrading him."

"So you like making digs at Mammon, but not sabotaging him?" Asmodeus mused. You shrugged. "It's just how it is. I'm not too fond of Mammon, after all."

- - -

"...Your hand looks lonely."

"My hand doesn't have feelings."

"(M/n), I haven't finished the line!"

"Then make your lines less refutable."

"Then can I just hold your hand?"

"What do I get out of it?"

"Comfort?"

"..."

"So?"

"If I agree, will you stop asking?"

"...!" His face lit up. "Yes!"

"Then fine."

In no time was your hand occupied by his. He was practically melting on the spot. Solomon hummed, staring at a faint splotch of black on the wall, wondering how it came to be.

"(M/n)." A voice called out. All three of you turned, only to see Mammon, Yuki, and Simeon. The latter waved at you, smiling brightly.

"Are you doing fine now?"

"Ah, yes. Asmo was the one who told you, right?" You grinned at him. The champagne-haired male raised a brow at your clear and obvious lie. Simeon paused, blinking twice.

"...Asmodeus?"

"Mhm?" You mentally begged him to agree in favor of the duo beside him.

As if sensing your mental turmoil, Simeon just opted to agree, nodding. Yuki bowed slightly. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Um, for...having forcefully try to make you and Mammon friends. I didn't think about how it would be for you."

"...Mammon's fine, what do you mean?"

Both Yuki and Mammon perked up at your words. The former rose from their slight bow. "Then what are you angry about?"

"I was never angry, Yuki."

The first bell rang, signaling for students to start gathering in their classrooms for their first class. You hummed, waving to Yuki and letting go of Asmo's hand, much to his dismay.

"I'll see you later, Yuki. Simeon. You guys should go to your own classes as well." You sent a nod towards the group before you depart.

Though, just before you completely turned around, your eyes met Asmodeus'. It was fleeting, but it was there.

And somehow that was...

...

"...Asmo, you're completely and utterly smitten." Solomon wasn't sure whether he should be a little more disgusted, considering his friend was unusually so whipped.

"Ehe~ Well, it's him, after all." In somewhat of a daze, Asmodeus walked in the direction of where you left off to. Simeon paused.

"...Isn't his class the other way?"

"Let him figure it out himself." Solomon smiled, thoroughly amused. He turned to the three. "You guys should get going too."

Yuki and Mammon nodded, departing soon after.

Solomon's eyes flickered to Simeon, then to the male's hand.

The brown-haired male was holding two boxes of something. Raising a brow, Solomon inquired. "What are those?"

Surprised by Solomon's question, Simeon's eyes widened minimally before subtly hiding the box behind his legs.

"Ah... Just something..."

"..."

- - -

"Asmo left school to come over and take care of you?"

Yuki was surprised.

The group earlier was now sitting together on one long table, minus Simeon. You and Asmodeus sat on one side, while Solomon, Yuki, and Mammon sat on the other.

"Mhm! I'd make a really nice boyfriend, don't you think?" The champagne-haired male nudged you softly as he teased. You hummed. "I wouldn't know."

"...Hmph." He huffed at your reply. "You will, soon enough."

"That?"

"That I'd make the best candidate for a boyfriend for you." Asmodeus spoke confidently. You raised a brow before smirking.

"Asmo, that title would go to Simeon. Even so, I think I'd rather date Solomon than you when you say it like that."

Solomon perked up at the mention, visibly surprised by your words. And as for Asmodeus...

This was the very first time you'd ever seen the male bear such a horrified expression.

Though, before Asmodeus could cry, Yuki interrupted your little chat.

"You could've called me instead, you know? I'd be willing to miss classes, if that was the case." Yuki looked slightly hurt, to which they tried to mask with the best of their abilities. You frowned. "My sibling was the one who contacted Asmo, really."

"...I wonder why."

What was that burning feeling on the bottom of their stomach?

Yuki looked deep in thought, probably nulling over your reasoning. From the corner of your eye, Asmodeus was looking at you. You turned to look at him as well.

Having your attention, Asmodeus's lips curled up mischievously.

'You're talented at casually bullshitting Yuki, hm?'

"...Yuki, aren't you going to eat?" Mammon questions out of the blue. Yuki turned to the male, startled. "A-ah, well, I wasn't feeling it earlier, so I didn't make some lunch for myself."

"...Ya know that ain't very assuring. Aren'tcha plannin' on eating anything?"

"I'll last." Yuki shrugged.

Mammon looked very deep in thought, staring down at the table as if it owed him money. Then he swallowed, taking a deep breath.

"...S-so..."

He stuttered, heat crawling up his neck as he suddenly felt as though speaking was a difficult task. He mentally cursed himself.

"I, um, made too much food earlier..."

"...?" Yuki still looked confused.

"But I still...p-packed it, so it wouldn't go to waste." Mammon felt redder on the face. "A-and since you said... You didn't pack anything..."

"Spit it out." You interrupted, thoroughly amused by his anxious demeanor. Watching him squirm and look so nervous was amusing, you couldn't deny.

A smirk played at your lips as he sent a quick glare at your direction.

"Ya should have it instead, Yuki! So it won't go to waste...!" He unintentionally raised his voice due to the pressure you gave. "N-not because I'm concerned or anythin'! I mean, it's not like I made it for ya or whatever! I just made too much!"

"..." You sucked in a breath and choked on your own air, trying your very best not to burst out laughing at Mammon's desperate denial. From the corner of your eye, you could see Asmodeus resist the urge to laugh as well.

"You two, shaddup!"

"W-we didn't s-say...anything." Asmodeus nearly trembled. He inhaled to compose himself, wiping away a stray tear. "My, Mammon. You're truly bad at this. It's kind of embarrassing..."

"Shut it!"

"...Are you sure, Mammon?" Yuki cut in. The said male froze in spot before stiffly turning his head to look at Yuki. "U-uh, yes..."

"Alright then. Thank you." Yuki smiled at the male. Mammon's face flushed entirely before scrambling to grab the said food from his bag, albeit nervously.

"Careful, Yuki. Mammon's cooking is so bad that it manages to repel even Beel." Asmodeus berates.

Apparently, it wasn't only you who liked dissing Mammon for the sake of it.

"Shut it! I stayed up all night redoing the recipe for it to turn out perfect!"

"Is that so? You must've really wanted the food to taste good for yourself, hm?" You smiled mischievously at the confession, as did Asmo. Solomon raised a brow at the mirrored expression.

'What a couple...'

"Mammon, you're pretty diligent, huh? It must have turned out very great then." Yuki praised, not minding the implications.

Mammon wanted to get swallowed whole by the ground as he sulkily brought out two containers.

Asmodeus falsely whispers loudly to you, hiding his lips behind one of his hands as he turns to your direction. "Huh. Weird how there are two containers when they're all supposedly for him. He could've brought a larger container, right?"

"I was wondering the same thing." You sarcastically whispered back.

Mammon slammed his hands on the table, face redder than before as he glared down at you and Asmo. The champagne-haired male grinned mockingly.

You sighed, feeling slightly bad for teasing him this much.

"Mammon, just admit it was meant for Yuki. Is it really unusual to show affection towards the person you're courting? I can't believe this is the same person as the one who proudly declared to me that he was courting Yuki." You crossed your arms above your chest, shooting him a smug look. "Are you really going to chicken out because you're embarrassed? Have a little more backbone, Mammon."

"..." As if caught in a trance, Mammon's stance slackened as he slowly sat back down, still looking at you, baffled.

"..."

"Mammon, you seem unable to retort this time, hm?" Solomon hummed as he watched.

"..." Yuki's cheeks grew slightly pink at your words.

As smug as you seemed outside, you couldn't deny the presence of jealousy being bottled up inside.

Between you and Mammon, truly who was the coward?

Bashfully, Mammon shakily handed the food to Yuki, who accepted it with the same emotion.

Seeing your expression slowly draw blank as you watched the interaction, Asmodeus chuckled forcefully. He laced his fingers between yours, smiling in comfort. You looked up at him, startled.

"Aren't you going to eat as well?"

"I'm not in the mood either, Asmo. And I didn't have time to make some for myself earlier."

"...You can have my lunch instead. I didn't exactly pack extras." He chuckled sheepishly as he placed his packed lunch on the table. You raised a brow. "I don't want to. And besides, aren't you going to get hungry later?"

"Ehh. I was planning on going on a diet, anyway."

"For what? You're thin enough as it is." You unintentionally complimented. "You're fine as you are now, Asmo. Don't starve yourself."

"..." You felt your hand get squeezed slightly as you faced the table once more.

You failed to notice how a decent shade of crimson now painted his face as he lowered his gaze.

"...I don't mind giving you some of my food, (M/n). I made them myself." Solomon grinned, enthusiastic. "There's plenty to go around."

You also didn't notice the look of sheer horror on Asmo and Mammon's face at his offer.