When the thick soundproof door closed, the roaring frenzy that had been swirling behind me suddenly faded away with a whoosh.

I left the studio and walked down the dim corridor behind the stage wings.

The thousands of gazes that had been poured over my entire body just seconds ago and the heat of the lights that felt like they were burning my skin, rapidly receded.

But the adrenaline coursing through my veins was still smoldering.

My fingertips felt slightly hot.

It was not fear, but the exhilaration and sense of fulfillment a carnivorous beast feels after bringing down its prey.

The staff members I passed recoiled as if struck, retreating to the walls and giving way to me.

When I had arrived, the women who had looked at me with curiosity and appraising eyes now stood rigidly at attention, gazing at me with eyes mixed with fear and awe.

It was as if they were soldiers seeing off a king’s triumphant return.

“Jō!”

From the far end of the corridor, Hibiki came running toward me.

The woman who was usually calm now had flushed cheeks and moist eyes.

“That was incredible! Truly incredible!”

Hibiki grabbed my upper arm and rattled off her words rapidly, still unable to calm her excitement.

“The instant the atmosphere in the studio completely changed, I got goosebumps. That kind of scene has never happened before in the history of television in this world. You really are… a Demon King.”

“You’re exaggerating. It was just killing time, wasn’t it?”

“No, it was a revolution. Look, my hands are still shaking.”

The fingertips she showed me were indeed trembling in small, rapid motions.

It did not look like fear, but rather the shiver of a warrior before battle.

“Thank you for your hard work, Akutsu-sama.”

From behind Hibiki, Saotome appeared soundlessly.

As always, she kept her expression neutral as she offered me a pure white towel and a bottle of chilled mineral water.

“You must be thirsty. Please.”

“That helps.”

I took the water and poured it down my throat in one go.

The cold liquid seeped into my overheated body, cooling my reason just a little.

“Now then, let us withdraw. If we stay here any longer, it will cause another commotion.”

Urged on by Saotome, we started walking down the long corridor leading to the dressing rooms.

* * *

The passage leading to the dressing room area should have been quiet, unlike the back of the studio.

However, midway through it, I saw two figures waiting.

One was a middle-aged woman wearing a flashy dress.

The other was a small-framed girl dressed in frilled clothing.

They were Unabara Shion and Himemiya Alice.

The losers who had faced me on stage just moments ago were leaning against the wall, waiting for me to come out.

“…Ah.”

The moment she noticed me, Unabara Shion’s shoulders jerked as she hurried over.

Seeing her face, I frowned.

The commanding presence she had had as the most poisonous tongue in show business was nowhere to be found.

The eyes behind her heavy makeup wavered anxiously, like those of a high school girl waiting to ambush an admired senior.

“U-um… Akutsu-san. Thank you for your hard work…”

Shion looked up at me with upturned eyes, clasping her hands together shyly.

“Th-that is… aren’t you thirsty? I have some tea in the dressing room that’s really good for the body… if you like, would you like some? There’s also a massage chair…”

“…Huh?”

A foolish sound slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

What was with this attitude?

The woman who had tried to slice me apart with her sharp tongue was now completely wearing the face of a devoted woman.

“N-no, I’m not forcing you! It’s just… I’m sorry for saying rude things on the program. I actually really like strong men with a solid core like you…”

With a desperate expression, Shion pulled a business card from her chest.

“At-at least let me give you my contact information! I know lots of good restaurants. Would you like to have a meal sometime? I’ll pay as much as it takes!”

She was trying far too hard.

Seeing her shamelessly ingratiate herself to create a private connection left me dumbfounded.

“…Hey. What happened to the big one?”

I averted my gaze and asked about the absence of the other beast, Gōda Tora.

Shion blinked in confusion, then quickly gave a wry smile.

“Ah, Tora-chan is… curled up in the corner of the dressing room, crying.”

“Crying? I didn’t hit her.”

“It’s not physical pain. She said, ‘It’s the first time I’ve ever been overpowered by a boy like that… I don’t know how to face anyone.’ Her face is bright red, she’s turned into a maiden… she’s too embarrassed to come out.”

…Seriously?

That rock-like former pro wrestler had turned into a maiden and shut herself away?

A headache welled up and I pressed my fingers to my temples.

Then, my shirt sleeve was tugged, tap tap.

When I looked down, the top idol Himemiya Alice was standing there.

“…Hey.”

Alice looked up at me with eyes like those of an abandoned puppy.

There was none of the sadistic shine or domineering S aura she had shown on stage.

What filled them instead was deep dependence and a desire to cling.

“…That was the first time anyone ever scolded me like that.”

Alice blushed and tightly gripped my sleeve.

“All the adults around me just try to keep Alice (me) in a good mood. No one ever seriously scolded me.”

She took a step closer to me.

“…You were like my dad.”

“…What?”

“It was scary, but… my heart was pounding. …Hey, mister. Will you scold me again?”

Alice pressed herself against me, as if she were about to hug my waist.

“Scold me more. …Will you pat my head? I’ll be a good girl, so…”

I looked up at the ceiling.

The sharp-tongued woman was trying to become my wallet, the super-strong woman had turned into a bashful maiden and the sadistic idol had transformed into a father-complex-seeking child craving paternal affection.

‘…What is wrong with these people? What is going on with their emotions?’

The reactions were so unexpected that confusion outweighed anger or wariness.

Not knowing how to handle them, I let out a sigh.

“…You two, calm down for now. Your characters are completely collapsing.”

“But…”

“Please!”

The moment the two tried to press in even closer, a black shadow slid in front of me.

It was Saotome.

With a cold, expressionless face, she stood between Shion and Alice, forming a literal wall.

“I apologize.”

Her voice rang out at absolute zero.

“Akutsu is very busy. For private solicitations or contact, could you please go through the proper procedures via the agency?”

“Eh, w-wait…”

“Let us go, Akutsu-sama.”

Saotome suppressed the two with unquestionable pressure and pushed me from behind.

Grateful to my savior, I shook off the losers who were reaching out regretfully and left the area.

* * *

At the end of the corridor.

She was standing in front of the final door leading to the staff-only exit.

Godai Satsuki.

The creator of this program and the root of all evil.

With her arms crossed and her back against the wall, she had been waiting for us.

“…You really made a mess of my box garden.”

Satsuki spoke in a low voice.

But there was no anger on her face.

Her lips were curved into a smile and her eyes glinted with a strange, blazing light.

“It was perfect. You were a ‘dramatic poison’ that far exceeded my expectations.”

She stepped closer and peered into my face.

“You destroyed the existing framework of the ‘cute boy’ and planted a new set of values. Once this footage airs, women all over the world won’t leave you alone. In one week, you’ll become a god.”

“That’s quite the evaluation.”

I met Satsuki’s gaze head-on.

“But I don’t intend to become a god. I’ll just live as myself.”

“Hehe… that’s what drives women the most insane.”

Satsuki laughed in amusement and pointed at the exit door.

“Go, Demon King-sama. But be prepared. The world will no longer let you escape.”

“That’s exactly what I want.”

I grinned back at her.

“Go ahead and prepare a sturdy cage. If you want to keep me captured, that is.”

I passed by Satsuki and pushed open the heavy door.

* * *

After leaving the station and getting into the hired car waiting in the underground parking lot, silence filled the interior.

As I sank into the heavy seat, exhaustion flooded over me.

It wasn’t physical fatigue.

It was mental wear from being constantly exposed to a torrent of incomprehensible energy.

“…Phew.”

Beside me, Hibiki let out a deep breath.

“…You did it, Jō. Now you’re truly the ‘person of the moment,’ in name and reality.”

Staring at the scenery flowing past outside the window, Hibiki murmured her words.

“The broadcast is in a week. Honestly, I’m looking forward to it, but it’s also a little frightening. How the world might change.”

“It will change. That’s why I did it.”

I too, turned my eyes to the view outside.

Tokyo’s nightscape flowed by in bands of light.

A dazzling, distorted city stained with desire.

But the scenery I saw tonight looked different from when I had first arrived here.

I was no longer prey that could only run away.

I had dug my claws into this world and claimed my place.

“Let’s go home.”

There were twins waiting for me there and comrades as well.

Sensing the noisy days that were about to begin, the hired car tore through the darkness of the night.