With my help, the stone-faced Great Demon King girl clutched the sapling, her expression dark as she slowly climbed out of the pit.

Sunset faded fast after the mountains swallowed the sun. By the time I’d fetched the sapling to pull her up, full darkness had fallen. Night draped the forest, crickets chirping nonstop—but I had zero energy to notice.

The Great Demon King glared at me coldly once free. Her face stayed icy, yet the goodwill meter above her head instantly flipped to zero.

My promise-keeping must’ve erased her disgust.

Just as I sighed in relief, her goodwill plummeted to -50. My heart thumped wildly.

"Today, I’ll let you slide," she said frostily. "But if you don’t make Rinka-chan forgive you? Next time we meet, I won’t hold back."

I wiped sweat from my brow. "Y-yes, ma’am!" I chirped, plastering on an exaggerated smile.

Guess my actions wiped the hate, but remembering my past screw-ups tanked her goodwill again.

Watching her leave, I finally relaxed—then winced at my torn little dress. Seriously? I ripped the shreds off, scanning the woods. My face froze.

"...Where... am I?"

Totally lost, I could only trail after the Great Demon King.

I caught up fast, hanging back behind her. She seemed to search for the downhill path too—just as lost as me.

Heh. The town’s strongest, the Great Demon King, lost in the mountains chasing a kid? If word got out, half the town would faint.

Unworried, I followed. Any normal kid—even my age—would’ve sobbed in terror here at night.

But me? I wasn’t a real child. Once an adult, I wouldn’t fear mere darkness.

Lost? I glanced at the moon through the treetops and snorted. With the moon guiding me—and this mountain map memorized—I couldn’t get lost.

Why stay? Only worry for that icy Great Demon King girl kept me here. Otherwise, I’d have bolted ages ago. Who’d enjoy midnight mountain strolls?

She treated me like dirt, so I wouldn’t rescue her. Who kisses cold cheeks with warm lips?

Meh. I’d just watch. I was dying to see this aloof Great Demon King panic when she realized she was lost. That flustered, helpless look? Pure moe gold.

To her, I was just a grade-schooler. But in my eyes? She was still a middle-schooler.

A middle-schooler with insane combat stats, sure. Me? A kid’s body, an adult mind—a pint-sized genius detective... ahem. Wrong script.

Point is: inside, I’m all grown-up. No debate.

Fifteen minutes later, trailing her, we were still deep in the woods.

I knew she marched the wrong way—straight toward the mountain’s heart. But hoping she’d suffer, I stayed quiet.

Still, even a teen should’ve been scared trekking pitch-black trails. How was she so calm?

Hands behind my head, I watched her back. Tsk. Truly the Great Demon King. A middle-schooler surviving this wilderness, unshaken? At her age, I couldn’t have done it.

But if she didn’t crack soon, I’d cave first. Bushwhacking drained me, and hunger gnawed my stomach.

What if she outlasted me?

No way. I, Kamidou Chiyo, would starve or die here before backing down to her.

That’s my manly pride talking.

My body’s younger, but my mind’s decades ahead. So for that sliver of dignity? No surrender.

Like a courage test—if a guy chickens out before a girl, what’s he worth?

This wasn’t just sightseeing anymore. It was a battle for my manhood.

"Hey," I called casually into the night. "Lost?"

Even during this manhood duel, teasing her was fair game. Trash-talking to rattle opponents? Classic tactic.

"... ..."

She marched on, silent.

Tsk. Was she near breaking point? Faking calm? Or truly fearless?

Unable to see her face, I guessed wildly.

"Hey-hey! Keep walking, and you’ll hit the ocean past that ridge. Midnight beach date? Romantic~"

I jeered, voice dripping with sarcasm.

She stopped dead. Back still turned.

Silence stretched. Then slowly, she pivoted. Moonlight caught her crimson eyes—locking onto me with chilling intensity.

Every hair on my neck stood up. I stumbled back, face paling.

"W-wait! What’re you doing? I’m not scared!" I yelped, hand diving into my shorts pocket.

"Which way," she demanded, voice glacial, eyes gleaming dangerously, "leads back to town?"

One wrong word, and I’d be mincemeat.

"...Uh..." I swallowed hard, weighing options. Pointing opposite her path, I muttered, "Sis, you’ve been walking the wrong way..."

"... ..."

She blinked, stunned. "How do you know?"

"Moon and stars," I mumbled, forcing a sheepish grin.

Guess sometimes a man must swallow his pride.

She nodded stiffly, striding past me. "How’d you learn that?"

Relief flooded me. I bounced back to my goofy smile. "Dad taught me in Hawaii!~"

"Still slick-tongued. Disgusting."

She put distance between us, tone flat.

"Eh, being hated by the Great Demon King? An honor~" I grinned, trailing her like a pest.

"You’re young. I won’t stoop to your level. Grow up."

My eye twitched. Young? My real age is double yours!!

I scanned the dark trees. "Think they’re searching for us?"

"...They must be."

"Pfft. It’s summer break. Kids play late all the time." I shrugged.

"I don’t believe you."

"Bet you then? Loser grants the winner one wish." I beamed. "Small stakes—just one condition."

"... ..."

She paused, thinking. Finally: "Fine. If I win, you obey my command without question."

"—Bingo! Deal sealed!!!" I snapped my fingers, grinning. "Let the bet begin!~"