The Infinity Castle had become unbearable...

...At least according to every demon forced to witness the four clones of Hantengu following you around like lost puppies.

No matter where you went, they weren't far behind.

Everyone knew what they embodied:

• Sekido — Anger
• Karaku — Pleasure
• Aizetsu — Sorrow
• Urogi — Joy

The moment you rounded a corner—

UROGI: "There she is!"

He practically dove out of the air, landing in front of you with a grin that could've lit the castle.

"I found these for you!"

He held out a bouquet with both hands.

You accepted it with a smile before reaching up and gently ruffling his hair.

"You always know how to brighten my day."

Urogi completely froze.

"..."

"...SHE SAID I BRIGHTEN HER DAY!"

He shot into the air, laughing so loudly the castle echoed.

Aizetsu quietly stepped forward next, nervously holding a single blue flower.

AIZETSU: "...Mine isn't as pretty..."

You carefully tucked it behind your ear.

"I think it's my favorite."

His eyes widened.

"...Really...?"

"Of course."

Aizetsu looked seconds away from crying tears of happiness.

Karaku chuckled as he casually wrapped an arm around your waist.

KARAKU: "You're too nice to them."

"And what makes you think you're any different?"

You turned in his hold until you were face-to-face.

His usual cocky grin never left.

"So..."

"I've been wondering."

You rested a hand against his chest.

"...Do you flirt with everyone like this..."

Your fingers slowly slid up to straighten the collar of his kimono.

"...Or am I special?"

Karaku opened his mouth.

Closed it.

Opened it again.

"..."

Color rushed across his face.

A tiny stream of blood escaped his nose.

"...You're cheating."

You smiled sweetly.

"I didn't know there were rules."

Urogi pointed so hard he nearly fell over laughing.

"HAHAHA! SHE BROKE KARAKU AGAIN!"

Even Aizetsu couldn't hide a small laugh.

Karaku covered his face with one hand.

"...I need a minute."

Only one clone remained.

Sekido stood with his arms crossed, pretending none of this interested him.

SEKIDO: "Ridiculous."

You walked straight up to him.

"Hm?"

"What."

You reached up and adjusted one of the loose strands framing his face.

"There."

"...You look much more handsome when you aren't scowling."

Silence.

Sekido stared at you.

His ears slowly turned red.

"...Tch."

He looked away.

"...Don't say things like that."

Karaku immediately recovered just enough to grin.

"Looks like she got you too."

"Silence."

"I think he's embarrassed."

"I said silence."

You laughed, the sound filling the corridor.

It had become your favorite game.

A compliment for Urogi.

A reassuring smile for Aizetsu.

A bold challenge for Sekido.

And enough shameless flirting to make even Karaku—the embodiment of Pleasure himself—forget how to speak.

The four of them thought you were simply toying with their hearts.

None of them knew...

Every teasing smile...

Every lingering touch...

Every flirtatious remark...

Was hiding the fact that your heart had already chosen all four.

You just weren't ready to let them win...

...Not yet.