This slightly provocative remark worked as intended, and Rikka became a little anxious.
Believing she had already signed a Contract with Kanzaki Saku, Rikka didn't mention her own ability to form contracts again, instead re-emphasizing her combat power.
"Hmph! Thou art underestimating the Tyrant's Eye! My true eye can materialize the power of imagination to interfere with reality!"
She waved her small fists, trying to seem more imposing. "As long as my spiritual power is abundant enough, I can create an even more powerful final art!"
However, what Kanzaki Saku thought after hearing this was that this ability to materialize fantasies could be developed into many interesting kinds of play.
Rikka, however, seemed to have misunderstood the look in Kanzaki Saku's eyes.
"The reason I lost to thee just now was because I had not yet fully unsealed my power..." she explained weakly.
"It's alright, you have me now. As your contractor, it is my responsibility to guide you in correctly developing your abilities."
Kanzaki Saku pinched Rikka's cheek, then changed the subject, making a proposal that made Rikka's heart race.
"However, just guiding you is a bit boring. To motivate my dear little Rikka to grow faster, let's make a little agreement, shall we?"
Rikka blinked her mismatched eyes and asked curiously, "An agreement?"
"That's right, an agreement. From now on, whenever you feel your strength has improved, or you've thought of some clever strategy to defeat me, you can challenge me at any time."
"If you win... you can do whatever you want to me. Whether it's making me agree to some request, or branding me in return like I just did to you, it's all up to you."
"Wha—?!" Rikka was instantly excited upon hearing this. Doing whatever she wanted to Kanzaki Saku?
Wouldn't that mean she could make him her underling!
Kanzaki Saku didn't even need to ask to know that Rikka was surely thinking of something incredibly petty.
But that was the Rikka of now. In the future, after spending more time with him, she would naturally understand.
"However! If you lose..." Kanzaki Saku continued, explaining the terms of the agreement.
"Then it will be my turn to do whatever I want to you, just like before, or perhaps some more interesting games."
Rikka's heart pounded. She was drawn to the 'victory reward' but her legs grew weak at the thought of the 'failure penalty.'
However, wasn't this the challenging bond, unique to the 'Wielder of the Tyrant's Eye' and the 'Nightmare Lord,' that she had been seeking?
"I-It is as it should be!" A flame ignited in Rikka's golden eye. "I accept this extension of the Contract! In the name of the Tyrant's Eye, one day, I shall defeat thee and make thee my possession!"
"Hahaha! Very good! I like this defiant spirit of yours," Kanzaki Saku laughed heartily.
"In that case, you'll have to work extra hard, okay? After all, every failure might mean you have to pay a 'little' price."
His meaningful words made Rikka tremble, but the flame in her eyes burned even brighter.
Now her goal was no longer to prove herself, but to one day succeed in overthrowing him from below and realize her ambition of doing whatever she wanted to Kanzaki Saku!
"I understand! Just thou wait!" Rikka lifted her head, and though she was still encircled in his arms, she tried her best to strike a pose as if declaring war.
"I'm looking forward to it." A satisfied curve formed on Kanzaki Saku's lips.
Offering a carrot while not forgetting to wield the stick—that was the best way to tame... no, to guide a cute partner.
"Alright, the discussion about abilities and our 'new game rules' is settled." Kanzaki Saku ended the topic, looked up at the sky, and saw the sunset had dyed the horizon a brilliant orange-red.
"It's getting late, time to go home. Or... does my dear little Rikka want to challenge me one more time right now, as a farewell ceremony for tonight?"
The fighting spirit Rikka had just mustered was overcome by shyness. She was a bit dense, but not stupid. Challenging Kanzaki Saku when she couldn't win would just be serving herself up on a platter.
"N-no need! Today's... today's Contract and challenge agreement have already sated my soul! I... I need time to digest!"
Kanzaki Saku stopped teasing her and helped her to her feet. Rikka's legs were still a bit weak, and she subconsciously wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.
The two huddled together, walking slowly out of the cherry blossom forest behind the old school building under the afterglow of the setting sun.
Along the way, Rikka was still processing the contract ceremony Kanzaki Saku had performed on her, and the heart-pounding challenge agreement from just now.
Her little face was sometimes confused, sometimes enlightened, and sometimes she would blush at the thought of certain images.
For her, today was not only the day she formed a contract with Kanzaki Saku, but also the day that her 18 years of lonely life came to an end.
She secretly turned her head to look at Kanzaki Saku's beautifully defined profile in the sunset, and the void in her heart that had long existed due to loneliness and being different seemed to be filled by Kanzaki Saku's essence.
"Saku..." she called out softly.
"Hm?"
"...It's a promise, okay," she said in a low voice. "I'll keep challenging you until I win!"
"Ah, I'll be waiting." Kanzaki Saku's tone was light, filled with absolute confidence. "But until then, enjoy... er, try your best to avoid the taste of failure."
After bidding farewell to Takanashi Rikka, Kanzaki Saku found Miura Yumiko and Yuigahama Yui waiting at the entrance of the school building.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Kanzaki Saku offered a gentle, slightly apologetic smile, his tone natural, showing no sign of anything unusual.
Yuigahama Yui immediately came forward, a brilliant smile on her face. "Not at all, brother-in-law! We've only been waiting a little while!"
She really felt like it hadn't been long, as if Kanzaki Saku had returned shortly after leaving for the restroom.
Miura Yumiko, standing to the side, also nodded slightly. In their perception, Kanzaki Saku had only been gone for a moment.
This was another application of Kanzaki Saku's [Reversal] ability; he had deployed a field around his and Rikka's battleground long ago.
Otherwise, Rikka's reckless moves would have attracted passersby.
And Kanzaki Saku could freely control the flow of time within the field. If he wanted to, Kanzaki Saku could become a master of time management, dating hundreds or thousands of women in a single day.
"That's good. Let's go home." Kanzaki Saku was the first to walk out of the school building.
"Yes! Brother-in-law/Kanzaki-san!" the two responded in unison.
And so, Kanzaki Saku walked in the middle, with Yuigahama Yui on his left. This shameless girl missed no opportunity to try and strike up a conversation with Kanzaki Saku, chatting about everything from interesting things that happened today (in her opinion) to future plans.
She was like a peacock in heat spreading its tail feathers, eager to attract Kanzaki Saku's attention.
____
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