Author's Note: A Mixer is basically a group date of sorts, except you don't have a designated partner. You have an equal number of guys and girls and you all get to know one another in this kind of casual setting.

Chapter 1.2: From today, you are the demon queen!

I know the foreigners in their European costumes started throwing rocks at me. I know this broad shouldered Hollywood manly man on a white horse came and gave me a headache that magically allowed me to understand everyone. I know these sparkling handsome men came riding on their horses, followed by their soldiers, come to save me like a romance novel heroine.

I know there was a fight between a big, bulky Hollywood manly man and the handsome sparkling men who came to my rescue. I know I was even held aloft in the air for a moment by this adorable mascot skeleton character. I know that one of the handsome sparkling men whisked me away on his brown horse and together, we rode off into the sunset. I even know that I was faintly disappointed that the brown horse was not white, since every other item on the list was checked.

I know that. I know all of that.

"So why can't I process this at all!?"

"A lot of things have happened to you in such a short amount of time. It may take a while for you to process it all, Your Majesty. Please be patient with yourself."

Seeing my trembling and blue face, the first handsome sparkling man, the one named Lord Weller, who whisked me away on his horse. He had short brown hair and a faded scar on his eyebrow, but even though he was relatively plain compared to the other guy, he had a heroic and gallant air.

Then he smiled gently at me with his sparkling white smile and all of a sudden, I couldn't think straight.

Mom…is this the power of a handsome ma-no, a handsome knight in shining armor guy!? With this realization, it felt as if my sheltered, never had a boyfriend before school girl self magically opened the door to a greater existence, as if I had become closer to ascending to womanhood!

Mom, I understand now! I definitely won't blame you for giving me this strange name that cursed me to enter a shoujo manga! I'll just keep blaming that guy instead.

You really can't underestimate a handsome man!

Then the other sparkly handsome man, the one with long, silky hair that looked softer and more luxurious than even a shampoo commercial, gave me a fright. He crumpled at my feet and at first, I thought he'd fainted. I was so scared I almost screamed.

I grabbed Lord Weller's arm, saying in a voice that sounded tone deaf and loud even to my ears. "Is he alright!? Tell me he's alright!"

Lord Weller did not pull away, but instead used his other hand to softly pat my head.

"Look again, Your Majesty."

Then, when my fearful self finally calmed down, I realized the Shampoo Commercial guy had dropped to one knee, like a knight would to his fair maiden. When he looked up, his long eyelashes were trembling softly from the weight of his tears.

"Your Majesty! I did not meant to frighten you. If you would like, I, Gunter von Kleist, will earnestly punish himself for my impudence in daring to frighten Her Majesty!"

That actually frightened me more. That's really weird, you know! It's like Dobby! Dobby from Harry Potter! I don't care how many girls like him, I definitely don't want to be like that bully, Malfoy!

I had to gather all of my remaining strength and speak calmly, with all the poise I had.

"No, no...please don't punish yourself for my sake. It's like Lord Weller says, a lot has happened and I'm on edge. Please, give me a moment to center myself and I'll be able to think more clearly"

"Conrad," said Lord Weller faintly, "you can call me Conrad. You are not in Japan anymore, so there is no need to stick to those conventions for us foreigners."

"Oh. Right."

"And you may call me Gunter, Your Majesty. My heart is at ease knowing that Your Majesty is not afraid. I have earnestly awaited the day when I can meet you at last and to have frightened Your Majesty…my heart almost couldn't take it! From now, I shall strive to be more careful so as not to startle Your Majesty's tender heart."

I'm ashamed to admit that my heart skipped a beat. Although Gunter's excessive show of emotion initially frightened me, but on second thought, wasn't that very noble and courtly? If I were any other girl, I would've definitely swooned!

Not only was the first knightly handsome guy dangerous, so this one was too!

I, this frail and lonesome girl all alone in this strange land, definitely won't let her guard down around these two handsome guys!

Worlds away, in the small country of Japan, Shibuya Shouri looked up. His face, washed by the blue light emanating from his phone. He pushed his glasses back. They flashed ominously.

On the phone's screen was the drawn figure of a cute girl with wide eyes, dressed in a school uniform. To her side was a box filled with the words, [Onii-chan, who do you like better? Food or Me?]. However Shouri was going to respond, his planned response was washed away.

Washed away by the loud alarms ringing in the back of his mind.

The phone slid out of his hand. With dexterous hands, Shouri immediately caught it and tossed it into his side bag. His expression morphed into one of determination.

"Don't worry, Yuu-chan! Big Brother will definitely come to save you!"

His classmate, who had been waiting for the train with him, shouted after him: "But what about the Mixer!?"

When we disembarked from the horses, it was to arrive at a rustic wooden cabin out in the woods.

Strictly speaking, as a frail and lonesome girl forced to wander this foreign countryside with these two men and their small battalion of sweaty men, I really had to wonder what they were doing. As if sensing my thoughts, Conrad handed me a folded pile of clothing.

"It is fall in this country and the temperature will drop as night approaches. Although this uniform may not be to Your Majesty's taste, but it will surely be warmer than what you are currently wearing."

Gunter gnashed his teeth against his white handkerchief. "It pains me to see Her Majesty to wear such rough clothing, suitable for her grace and majesty, but I must agree. It would be unseemly to leave her in such attire, soaked through as it is."

This uniform is a hundred times better than my wet uniform. I had to sit on that horse in a skirt. Although I always wear shorts underneath, if only so Shouri would stop worrying about random perverts…I still got worried.

"Thank you," I said with a relieved smile.

Perhaps sensing my hesitation, Conrad patted my head and said: "Do not fear, no one will harm you whilst I am here."

It was totally cliche, but somehow!? Somehow!? This Conrad guy suddenly became really cool in my eyes. The power of a handsome man.

"Even if I have to sacrifice my life, Your Majesty, I will ensure nobody enters whilst you are changing!"

Gunter too! Another handsome man! Even though that was entirely too dramatic, it was still very cool! You are so cool!

"Thank you so much!"

And with that, I entered the cabin. When I entered, one of the soldiers gave me a lit lamp with a bright and flickering flame, the kind you would take with you camping. Behind me, the door closed with a creak. There was a roughly carved wooden table (whose style has become more popular nowadays) inside. I set the lamp on it. Realizing my school bag was still on me, I breathed a sigh of relief. Then I pulled it off me.

Then I changed quickly and put my school bag back on. My school bag…even though I dislike studying as much as the average girl, all that remains of my life is in this bag.

Although…I admit that I'm still suspicious, we rode through the quiet countryside the entire time and nothing bad has happened yet. Not only that, but they saved me from those people throwing stones at me and their brutish lord. I watched the door the entire time. Nobody tried to open the door or knock on it or even take a peak.

So you could say my trust meter went up a bit.

When I opened the door and told them I finished changing, only Gunter and Conrad entered.

"Let me explain, Your Majesty, of the circumstances that led one of your glory to return to this world."

Gunter stood across from me. Conrad stood as a guard. His sword was at his side and he leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. I sat in my chair, next to the wood stove. Its fire was warm against my back. Earlier, I was so cold in my damp uniform I started to sneeze. Now, I felt so warm in this dry uniform, sitting next to the fire. I was grateful for it.

Gunter had just explained this entire situation to me. As you'd might expect, it was long-winded and flowery. To be frank, I wasn't sure if this were all an elaborate dream or not. A prank TV show was out of the question. Nobody would spend that much attention to detail on those shows.

He finished his explanation, closing it with this:

"I deeply apologize for the undignified manner you were thrust into this world-of course Your Majesty is the most dignified, but…our calculations were not. By our calculations, you should've arrived in our kingdom's capital. However, it seems we must have put to much power and you landed on the outskirts of the country, within a village of humans. I am very sorry, our Majesty. It is only good fortune that those we placed along the border as a contingency and Conrad reached you in time. We are now within our own territory, so there is no need to worry. Please be at ease."

"So let me get this straight…I am your queen and you are my vassals, so that is why you keep speaking to me in that roundabout way…"

Gunter nodded eagerly. "We are your vassals," he proclaimed. "It is only proper."

"..and this is another world."

Another nod.

"There was a war whose end caused chaos. Thus, my soul which was supposed to be born in this world was instead born on earth instead."

"Perfect! That is correct, Your Majesty! You honor me with your wisdom, Your Majesty!"

Gunter beamed and I could see the light emanating from his figure. This guy is incredibly intense, I thought. I wonder how he does it? No, no, that's not the point Yuuri. The point is, the sooner I figure this out, the sooner, I can go home and return to my ordinary life.

Don't get distracted by his perfect looks, Yuuri. You have to keep your guard up. Don't forget Shouri's teachings!

When I was six years old, my eleven years old older brother pulled me aside and said:

"Since Yuu-chan is growing up and going to school by herself, you have to be more careful now? Understand?"

"Ok Sho-chan."

Of course, I didn't understand. Why would a six year old understand? I just wanted to watch TV, not talk to my weird brother. Sensing this, he stood in front of the screen with his arms outstretched wide. No matter how much I tried to keep watching, I could.

With a serious expression, he said:

"No. I mean it! There are a lot of strange people out there, Yuu-chan, boys and girls and even bad adults who will do bad things so sometimes, even if somebody seems nice, you have to ignore them and show a cold and dismissive atittude!"

"But..but Yuu-chan doesn't want to be mean."

"Yuu-chan! Do you want a bad guy to take you away forever? Where you'll never be able see Big Brother or Mom or Dad again?"

Back then, I was still innocent and followed Shouri like a duckling, copying his every word and deed. If Shouri liked it, I did too. If Shouri didn't like it, then it was disgusting. That's how I was. Naturally, I grabbed my brother's arm while crying.

"N-no…Big Brother…Yuu-chan doesn't want to be taken away! Yuu-chan wants to be with Mamma and Papa and Big Brother forever!"

"Then Yuu-chan has to listen properly! I don't want to scare you, but it's important that as a girl, you can defend yourself. If a suspicious boy or even an adult man acts strangely towards you, you need to be cold and dismissive! If they try to grab you, you have to scream loudly and say, 'Help me!' so that somebody will help you. If that doesn't work…you use this! Here!"

He handed me a small bag of things. I thought it was fun toys and felt happy inside, but when I looked through it, I saw a bunch of strange things instead.

"This is an anti-pervert kit. Here, let me show you how to use it. Let's see...the manual says…"

Then my eleven years old brother earnestly taught my six year old self about things such as a rape whistle and pepper spray. Since the rape whistle was the only fun thing, I grabbed it and started blowing on it loudly.

Mom heard it and came running. When she realized what was going on, she confiscated the kit and scolded Shouri for it.

"That's too dangerous for Yuu-chan right now, Sho-chan! Don't give her that."

"How is she supposed to defend herself then? I can't follow her to school, Mother!"

That was when Mom, with her sparkling eyes, turned to me and said, "Don't worry, Yuu-chan! Mama will teach you how to defend yourself!"

Of course, that never stopped my brother. Every year without fail, he pulls me aside and says, "Yuu-chan! Since you're older now, there's something I want you to know…" and then teaches me a lot of self defense methods, quizzes me on various situations, and gives me a lot of weird stuff.

Last year, he gave me another rape whistle, but I lost it somewhere.

Really, after hearing all this, don't you think the biggest pervert here is my Big Brother? That was my original thought. It's only now that I realize…he was preparing me all this time!

Any other girl would've been swept off her feet by either the muscley Hollywood guy, the handsome knight Conrad, or the sparkling shampoo commercial Gunter. Regardless of whether or not either of them mean well, Shori was right! Even if most people are good, there's always some who are bad! What's more important is taking the appropriate measures to protect yourself!

To my older Brother! After being a frail and lonesome girl in the wilderness, only surrounded by these two dangerous guys…I realize that even when you kept telling me all the things that could go wrong for a frail girl like me, all along, you were trying to protect me. Thank you, Shouri.

I definitely won't ignore you, next time.

That's why…even though both Conrad and Gunter are handsome, gentlemanly, and considerate, I definitely won't fall for their tricks! Even though I relaxed my guard, I'll just raise it again!

This time, I even slipped into the calm and focused self defense mode that Shouri had painstakingly quizzed me on! It was weird, but he said he'd help me with my homework and for the sake of my grades, I had no choice. At this point, it's only natural…since I naturally have to keep my distance from these dangerous sparkling handsome men!

This could still end badly, you know? Even discounting their soldiers, there's still two of them and one of me. I'm not saying that they would do anything bad, but if they did, I'd be helpless.

"Sorry, but how do you know I'm who you're looking for?"

"You have the mark of the king, Your Majesty! There's no doubt! That noble visage, the purest black that adorns your hair, those clear, unclouded dark eyes of the same color. There's no doubt! You are Your Majesty! Even your jet-black garments proclaim your standing!"

I self-consciously fiddled with the school uniform I set out to dry near the fire. It's a little too big for me. The whole uniform is, since I'm prepared wear it for the next three years.

Hey, Mister! Don't look too closely, ok? Not only will I be embarrassed, but it's inappropriate for a grown man like you to look too closely at a school girl uniform!

"Your Majesty, do you wear black every day? It is the royal color only members of the royal family can wear. How wonderful! Black garments that match the shade of your eyes and hair…"

"Yes….since this is my school uniform."

Like I mentioned before, it makes me look like a shounen manga villain. A black sailor uniform with a red ribbon and white lines. Doesn't this look ominous and somber compared to a more light hearted and proper blue?

I wanted a blue uniform…I still feel a bit sad, when I think about how close I was to getting it.

Gunter clasped his hands together and sighed dreamily.

"How majestic! Like a beautiful dream…I half expect to wake up in my bed. Your Majesty is truly Your Majesty!"

He sounds like my mother. Somehow, it became easier dealing with him, after that.

"...but a lot of Japanese people have black hair and black eyes. This uniform is commonly worn too, since it's my school uniform."

In case they didn't get it, I pressed harder. "So let me ask again, are you sure I'm who you're looking for?"

Conrad smiled his sparkling smile. "You are speaking our language, aren't you?"

Ugh. I still have no defense against this guy. To regain my bearings, I had to look away for a moment. Next time, I'll definitely be more prepared. As Shouri says, research is the key to victory!

"Your Majesty," Gunter said earnestly, "What Adalbert-" the manly man Hollywood guy "-did to you, I…deeply regret, but it was what allowed Your Majesty to recall your soul's past memory of our language. All souls keep memories from their various past lives, but ordinarily, the door to these memories are shut. Instead, they must rely upon the knowledge of their current self, but that man! That horrible man forcibly dragged your knowledge from the deepest depths of your soul! To use that barbaric human magic against your noble person! How despicable!"

I quietly digested this information. It seems too fantastical to be real…but Gunter was genuinely angry, wasn't he? I'm not sure how to react to this…

Around me the two engaged in conversation.

"...I've heard it can be useful."

"It's outrageous, is what it is! While I'm grateful he was skilled…if he'd been even a little less skilled or even a little more reckless, imagine what could've happened to Her Majesty! She would've remembered events from her past life! He would've burdened her thin shoulders all the more! Overwhelmed her innocent mind! Nobody wants to remember the past travails of their soul."

I admit…I'm curious about what my soul has experienced, but it's true that I wouldn't want to be burdened down by their past experiences. In the end, Yuuri is better off being Yuuri.

From where he leaned against the doorway, Conrad told Gunter calmly, "But if you think about it, this is why we can speak to and understand Her Majesty. Without it, would you have known why she was so frightened earlier? There's no point in being angry over past events, Lord von Kleist."

"Certainly, Conrad, you are correct. It is a pity…I had drawn up many lessons and bought many textbooks so that I could teach Her Majesty High Mazoku..."

Seeing that genuine look of disappointment on his face, I felt guilty, even though I did nothing wrong.

I awkwardly added, "there's probably a lot of things I don't know that well and it would help immerse me further in your-I mean our society. Maybe you can cover those gaps in my knowledge, ah Gunter?"

That did the trick.

"Yes! Of course!" With stars in his eyes, Gunter said, "how gracious and kind of Your Majesty! To comfort a lowly one such as I! I will surely teach you to the best of my ability. In any case, Your Majesty, this is further evidence that you are indeed Your Majesty!"

I'm not sure what I just signed up for, but he seems happier now, doesn't he? And I guess…that makes sense. I want to believe this is merely an elaborate dream since there's no way even a theme park would have such good and consistent acting, but if it isn't, I should get to know this new world better, shouldn't I?

That was when the children came in. They knocked on the door impatiently and when Conrad opened the door ever so slightly, they shouted at him to come out and play.

Earlier, when we passed through, the adults were wary and spoke to one another softly, under their breaths. They gave our group glances when they thought we weren't looking, but judging by the expression on the soldiers' faces, they knew it too.

I didn't think they would let the children out at all.

"Conrad! Teach us to throw! We can't get the ball to throw straight."

"Teach us to hit too!"

"And how to end the game…"

"All of you…the day is ending. Soon, it'll be too dark outside to see where the ball goes."

Even though his tone was scolding, I think he also wanted to play with them. These children didn't look up or down at him because he was a noble or a mazoku or a soldier. To them, he was their friend.

"But Conrad! That's why we need to play right now!"

"Yeah Conrad! Let's play!"

Conrad hesitated before giving me a quick bow and leaving the room. He must not be that suspicious, if the children like him so much. I felt a little guilty, for distrusting him and Gunter, who had been so helpful and kind to me, but what can a girl in my position do? It can't be helped. With that thought in mind, I put aside those feelings of guilt.

"...he seems like a good person, since the children like him so much."

"Yes, he is one of my prized pupils and the best commander in the kingdom."

"So you were a teacher…"

That explains a lot.

"Ah, can it be that…Your Majesty, were you suspicious of us?"

'I am a lone and frail young girl still in the blossom of her youth, surrounded by all these strange men she had just met, out in the wilderness. Why shouldn't I?' was what I thought, but it's not like I can say that out loud. That would be the same as accusing them of being perverts.

I can't do that!

Instead of answering that lose-lose question, I crossed my arms and changed the topic. A nervous drop of sweat slid down Gunter's long face. He must have realized how suspicious he came off. When he gave me a sad look with those teary eyes, I had to forcefully kill my heart and ignore it!

It wasn't easy, but as Shori says, sometimes, you have to be mean to save yourself!

"Let's return to the prior subject. For now, let's say that I am indeed your queen. Didn't you also say that I would have ordinarily returned after having grown into an adult?"

"That is correct, Your Majesty."

His expression told me he still wanted me to answer his previous question, on whether or not I thought he and Conrad were creepy perverts out to molest a young and frail innocent young woman such as I. I ignored it.

"It must have been an emergency for you to have called me here. Why did you call me?"

Gunter's face grew serious. A hushed atmosphere fell upon the room.

"As expected of Your Majesty, you immediately grasped the crux of this issue! Gunter, your faithful and loyal servant answers you: Your Majesty's dignified and proud self was summoned In order to defeat the enemy."

I sat up straighter. "Who is the enemy?"

"Humans. Your Majesty must eradicate all the humans and topple all their countries! Scorch their very earth!"

Humans!? Topple their countries!? Scorch their earth!? I expected dragons or witches or even evil empires, but….

I was so shocked I stood up. Behind me, the chair toppled to the floor.

"Eradicate all humans!? Bu-that's preposterous! I'm a human too!"

"Not at all, Your Majesty is a fine Mazoku! Vested in the clearest black, the most noble and pure of colors! The 27th Queen!"

Gunter said all this with a smile. I think the smiling is what scares me the most. He is asking for genocide with a smile. I can't understand that kind of mindset at all; hating a people so much you want to wipe them off the face of the earth! Not only that, but genocide is a crime under the UN!

For what reason is he asking for this?

"Congratulations! From now on, you are the Maou!"

I'm not human, I'm a demon. Not only that, but the Queen of Demons! Doesn't that mean…instead of being a shoujo manga heroine, I'm the villain!? I'm leading the evil empire!?

Does that mean I'm going to die a horrible death in the future after the real protagonist of the story is summoned!? Isn't that what happens?

Does this mean…I need to avoid death flags like in those light novels?

No! No! I can't handle this kind of reality at all!