There was a Halloween party at Satanick’s castle again. He threw one every year—loud, chaotic, full of demons pretending to have manners. Attendance was “mandatory,” or so the Devil of Ne-no-Kuni said.

Kyou had no choice but to show up. Normally, he wouldn’t complain. He’d drink, smoke, maybe mess around with the others till the morning haze. But this year… was hell.

Because this year, Kyou was wearing...

...A maid costume. Short skirt. Frills. Stockings. It was humiliating enough to make him want to sink into the underworld floor.

And all because of that stupid bet. A drinking game with Yagi—the oversized goat bastard himself. The rule was simple: whoever lost had to wear a stupid costume to the party. Of course, Yagi won. With that alcohol tolerance of two armies, it wasn’t even fair.

When Kyou finally stepped into the hall, the crowd turned. Eyes, whistles, laughter. Demons he didn’t even know were already hitting on him—and he hadn’t made it past the door yet.

Then came it— that laugh. Low. Scratchy. Way too familiar.

Kyou’s shoulders stiffened. Of course it was Yagi.

He spotted him easily in the crowd—tall, white-haired, no costume, no effort. Still in that long black coat with the fur collar, like always. Looking smug as ever.

Yagi strolled over, drink in hand, grinning down at him. His red eyes flicked over Kyou from head to toe, slow enough to be insulting.

“Woahh—holy hell, Kyou,” Yagi drawled, voice thick with his signature accent. “Ain’t no way ya actually went through with it. Look at ya—cute as a button! Hah!”