Anime Girls are Moist

Chapter 1128 1,127: The "Devil Child" sold herself to another “Devil”

Night in Ohara.

Moonlight spilled through the gaping hole in the library's roof, washing everything in pale light.

Robin knelt in the middle of a pile of shredded paper and ruined books.

The Ohara "family" she had awakened with her power was gathered around her now. Their hands were warm as they rested gently on her shoulders.

"Robin!"

"Thank goodness… you've grown up!"

Her ears were filled with laughter and cheers that trembled with sobs.

Faces she had only ever seen in memories—in nightmares—were swaying right in front of her.

It was too real. Real enough to make her nose sting.

Her lips curved despite herself, trying to smile.

But the next second, her eyes burned hot.

She suddenly lowered her head, staring hard at her own palms.

Stop smiling, Nico Robin.

Who are you fooling?

This power—this "devil's" power—was given to you by the man beside you.

You're just an idiot who traded everything for a momentary mirage.

Her fingertips began to tremble uncontrollably.

A cold, bleak sorrow shot from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her skull.

Like being thrown into the winter sea of the North Blue.

The warm voices around her—laughter, talking—suddenly felt far away.

Muffled, as if she were listening through thick frosted glass.

She couldn't make out a thing.

Rei Ao was leaning not far off against a stone pillar broken halfway through.

The night wind was strong, whipping his black clothes with a loud rustle.

One hand was in his pocket; the other hung loosely at his side.

Head tilted, he watched the figure kneeling under the moonlight.

Watched her smile, watched her cry, watched her shake.

Watched her get torn back and forth between ecstasy and despair.

There was no emotion in those eyes—calm as the ocean at midnight.

Or rather… more like someone enjoying a decent play.

The actor was giving it everything, the scenery was tragically beautiful, the conflict was rich—worth the price of admission.

"Hah…"

Robin drew in a deep breath.

Cold air pierced her lungs, barely forcing down the raging churn in her chest.

She lifted a hand and stiffly smoothed the hem of her clothes she'd messed up earlier.

Then she stood and walked toward Rei Ao.

Every step was heavy, crunching over broken stone and the ashes of knowledge.

It hurt.

Worse than back then, fleeing across the sea barefoot—worse than stepping on shattered shells.

She stopped in front of him and looked up.

Moonlight fell across her face; you could still see the wetness clinging to her lashes.

"What should I do?"

The words came out—hoarser than she expected.

She quickly cleared her throat, unwilling to sound weak.

Though there was probably nothing left to hide.

Rei Ao didn't answer right away.

He bent slightly, leaning in.

His fingers reached out—ice-cold fingertips brushing lightly across Robin's cheek, so fast it felt like an illusion.

"All you need to do is keep me pleased," he said.

His tone was airy, teasing.

But the meaning landed like lead, every word heavy as it smashed down.

"…"

Robin's body jerked violently.

Not from cold.

From something else crawling up her spine—making her blood feel like it stopped for a heartbeat.

Her pupils tightened on instinct, her face turning frighteningly pale in the moonlight.

Keep you… pleased?

Her mind went blank for a second, then a flood of messy images surged up.

She hadn't never considered the price might be steep.

But hearing it out loud still felt like someone punching her in the gut.

She bit down hard on her lower lip until she tasted a hint of iron.

Then, almost by reflex, she lifted her hand and grabbed the collar of her top.

Her fingers were cold and rigid.

No hesitation.

Or rather—she didn't have the right to hesitate.

Riiip—

The sound of fabric scraping was harsh in the quiet.

Her slender neck and collarbone were exposed, her skin prickling into a fine shiver in the cool air.

She didn't look at Rei Ao.

Her eyes were fixed on the charred remnants of a book page on the ground.

Her head buzzed, loud and empty.

Just get it over with—treat it like a nightmare.

But the expected "next step" didn't come.

A hand reached out and clasped her wrist. The grip wasn't tight, but it was steady.

His touch was colder than the night wind. Robin froze mid-motion.

Where his fingers held her, a clear, чужд coldness seeped into her skin.

She looked up, confused.

Rei Ao was watching her, one brow lifted, that half-smile still on his face.

He shook his head.

"What's the rush?" he said.

"Not yet."

Not yet?

Robin's movement stopped completely, her wrist still pinned in his hand.

That chill crawled inward in thin threads.

Confusion.

Then, a more violent wave of humiliation rose a beat later, burning her ears hot.

What did he mean?

Was he playing with her?

Making her do it herself—then stopping her halfway.

She felt like a puppet, all the strings in someone else's hands, every motion a joke.

Her revived family seemed to still be celebrating, oblivious to the subtle standoff in the corner.

That made it worse.

Part of her even wished they would notice.

See her like this—and finally realize what the Robin who could "bring them back" really was.

A thing surviving on a bargain, someone who might hand over even her bodily autonomy at any moment…

"What do you want?"

The words rolled around her throat, almost bursting out.

…

But in the end, she only moved her lips. No sound came.

She tried to wrench her wrist free.

Rei Ao didn't let go.

He simply watched the storm in her eyes—confusion turning to humiliation, then the anger she forced down, and deeper helplessness underneath.

He found it interesting.

More interesting than he'd expected.

"An agreement is an agreement, Miss Robin," he finally said, releasing her. His voice wasn't loud—just enough for her to hear clearly.

"But the method and timing of payment—those are mine to decide."

He straightened and leaned back against the pillar again.

"I'm very satisfied with today's 'performance.' That's enough."

He flicked his hand, casual as if dismissing something trivial.

"Go enjoy your reunion."

After that, he didn't look at her anymore.

"…"

Robin stood there.

The ring of cold on her wrist hadn't fully faded.

Slowly, she lowered her arm and pulled her torn collar back into place.

Her fingers still trembled; she fumbled with the fastenings several times.

Inside, though, everything was ice.

That was the look someone gives "property"—or, worse, "a toy."

What a joke.

She'd spent twenty years running, twenty years searching, trying to find somewhere that could accept the "Devil Child."

And in the end, she'd sold herself to another "devil"—in a way even more absolute.

Was it worth it?

She didn't know.

She only knew she had no way back.

All she could do was grit her teeth and keep walking down this chosen road—into pitch black, to the very end…