I updated and changed a few dialogues and other things when I re-read the chapter again. I hope it is to your liking and I put a lot more drama near the very end.

Maijima Cultural Festival

Act 5: Unrequited Love

Sean left the Theater after everyone finished with the cleanup, they can only use it for that day since someone booked the old theater. Accompanying him was none other than Ryan Omazaki and his girlfriend Sekai. Sean was a bit troubled to be accompanied by these two for more than one reason but kept silent.

"So, Sean? What are you going to do now? The play was a real hit." Ryan praised as Sekai nodded.

"Sure you don't want to join the acting career?" She asked as Sean merely shook his head.

"No, I already have my hands full on other things… also; I have a girl's band to manage… for more reasons than one." He informed the two while being a bit flustered as this went noticed by the two.

"Is there another reason you are managing their band. Sean?" Ryan asked as this caught Sean by surprise.

"Ah… no, no! Ano… nothing! Just nothing!" He denied albeit failing miserably causing for the mischievous Sekai to get more info out of him.

"Did you start the band?"

"Ah no, a girl in my class started the band while I manage it."

"How many girls are you familiar with in the band?"

"I am well acquainted with all of them… though one is a cross-dresser and ladies' man… I can confidently say we are all having a positive professional relationship." He answered as they walked to see the other candidates of the Pre Pre Mai High event.

"What do you think about the girl in the male uniform?"

"She's a rich girl but loves the drums, I don't think I can actually match her skills on the drums but she is very good at it."

"The girl playing the keyboard?"

"She is well disciplined on her own way; she learns quick too and can easily bring her pace on the same level as their own."

"How about the energetic one?"

"Which one are you referring to?" Sean asked as he checked that Kusunoki was also one of the candidates.

"The one who is also a candidate for this event."

"Ah, her, she's a good sport and good friend to everyone around her. She may have a fierce personality but that's under the guise of protecting her friends. I'd hate having her as an enemy." He honestly answered as Ryan was the next one to come up with a question.

"How about the lead vocalist? She seems pretty normal, she's far from your type." He pointed out causing for Sean to stop on his tracks.

"…" Silence was the only answer they needed for them to figure him out completely.

"EH!?" The two screamed in shock and surprise as Sean covered the couple's mouths and dragged them away from creating a scene.

"Can you two stop doing that!?" He yelled as they went to a corner.

"B-But! We were so surprised!" They said in complete synch which annoyed Sean.

"To think you feel that way for a normal girl… despite the fact that a lot of bountiful women are going after you." Ryan pointed out which struck a nerve as Sean retorted.

"Hey!"

"You do know that are a lot right? You can't possibly simply ignore the girls that love you, right?" Sekai asked straight to the point as Sean paled.

"You two won't quit pushing my buttons till I tell you everything now do you?" Sean asked as a vein popped as the two nodded.

"Fine." Sean sighed in defeat and told them everything. How he met her, how he fell for her and their plan on going on a date later.

"Ohh… I didn't know you were the erotic pervert." Sekai pointed out in a teasing way as Ryan became serious.

"Sean… remember that you are only allowed to go to first base." He said putting his hands on Sean's shoulders.

"Ryan…" The scene gave a good atmosphere was nice but this caused for some of the spectators to think that this was a confession.

"Hey, look over there. Is that a confession?"

"Isn't that Ryan? Is he confessing his love for him?"

"Eh? Isn't that Sean-kun?"

"I understand Ryan, I'll make sure to control myself… this time." He answered causing an uproar which shocked the three.

"Eh!? What does he mean by control himself!?"

"No, did he just agree to do it with him!?"

"Kyaa! I didn't know that Sean-kun could be such a beast!"

"Why DO I get the strangest feeling that everyone is misunderstanding us?" Sean thought as he paled.

"Were you doing this on purpose Ryan?" Sekai asked in a very scary way causing Ryan to step back.

"What? No! Wait, Sekai! Why are you holding your whip like you are about to hit me?!" Ryan asked as he was quickly backing away.

"That's because I am going to have to discipline you! Again!" Sekai then whips him which he easily dodge as he made a run for it as Sekai was slowly gaining on him from behind while trying to whip him.

"Sekai I am sorry!" He yelled as he continued to run.

"You need to know that there are times when you went too far!" She yelled back as the mess somehow resolved by that scene.

"…" Sean merely shook his head and left to find Ayumi who will be a big help for him to gain Chihiro's love.


*Somewhere around the school Building near the halls*

Ayumi was talking to herself about what her classmates and Sean have placed her into. She gave a sigh at how her fun with the festival was mercilessly cut off in half.

"You seem rather troubled." Sean pointed out as this surprised Ayumi as he suddenly appeared out of no where.

"Is there something on my face?" Sean asked as he was getting this strange feeling that she didn't want to see him which was true.

"No… just that you have awfully good timing." She pointed out which confused him.

"Well, I came here because I need your help."

"Help?"

"I want to get closer to Chihiro-san. For that, I am in need of your help, Ayumi-san." Though Ayumi knew that he was always serious and formal with his request… this was the first time that she felt how truly important this matter is to him.

"Why should I have to… help you with your relationship with Chihiro? Aren't the two of you already in good terms with each other?" She asked straight to the point as Sean blushed.

"Ano… it's kind of different now… I'm not really too familiar with the dating thing." He told her honestly which earned Ayumi a small grin.

"Jeez, have some back bone." She said as Sean straightened himself and gave Ayumi a meaningful stare.

"You were the one who said "get along with Chihiro!" why don't you take responsibility and help me out here!" He then turned as his footing weakened.

"Even though I proposed a date with her… I don't know what I should talk about, how I make the mood feel good for the both of us and… ugh… my heart is beating too fast just thinking about it." He admitted earning him plus points of how painfully honest he was as Ayumi understood.

"I guess I have no choice then… I'll lend you a hand." She said as Sean immediately stood up and turned to her with sparkling eyes.

"Really?"

"This guy is so hopeless…" Ayumi thought as she pitied Chihiro for falling for a guy like him.

"But… to think a friend of Katsuragi's would ask me for help… this is a surprise!" She voiced out as Sean reasoned to himself that he should try getting help from a source closer to Chihiro.

"Alright, Sean-kun! Let's win Chihiro's heart together!" She declared while putting a hand on his shoulder as Sean nodded. That's when fate decided to surprise the two.

"Ayumi." As soon as Sean saw her silhouette approaching the window he immediately crouched down below Chihiro's field of vision as she saw Ayumi by the window.

"Let's go for a midday practice. Although, there isn't much time left…" She pointed out as she carries her guitar case on her back as Ayumi agreed to go.

"I'll go, I'll go. Just wait a sec." She asked as Sean looked confused from below.

"I didn't schedule for a last-minute practice session." Sean voiced out as he sat up as this confused Ayumi a bit.

"Let it be, we have to prepare for the festival in the afternoon anyway. So let's talk then." She told him as Sean nodded.


*The Light Music Clubroom*

"Eh? For real!?" Someone said from inside the club room as Chihiro passed her song to her friends.

"A new piece of music? The concert is the day after tomorrow, you know." Miyako pointed out as both Mana and Claire already left to advertise the band to the school and within the City limits.

"Well, it's fine if we don't play this for the real concert… it's just that I already completed the song." Chihiro reasoned as Ayumi's memory of the time she played the music to Sean in his room before came back to her.

"This is the song from that time…"

"An original by Chihiro, huh? To really complete it…" Miyako said in a somewhat surprised way as Chihiro got flustered.

"Don't play it, it's embarrassing!" She told her embarrassed as Miyako pointed out that if they don't play it then they can't perform it.

"Hey, is Elsie taking a break today too?" Miyako asked as she noticed that she hasn't come back yet.

"Elly is taking too many breaks! When she is the most worrisome." Ayumi pointed out as Chihiro informed them that she was definitely coming tomorrow.

"Huh? Yui isn't here either?"

"She was here just moments ago… maybe she went to the restroom." Said girl is actually meeting with Keima who requested that Yui try to communicate the goddess within the two who remained.

"It's no good, Keima-kun. I couldn't tell! While we were practicing, I briefly switched with Mars and tried calling out in the Goddesses' language… neither Ayumi nor Chihiro seemed to respond." She informed him as Keima nodded.

"What do you mean they didn't respond?" Keima asked as he sat down near the stairs leading to the 3rd years.

"Either her power hasn't returned, or she doesn't want to reply… or neither of them host the goddess." Yui said as she was wondering if it was alright for her to actually investigate her two close friends.

"There's no way the Goddess isn't there… one of them has to have her." Keima thought in calm yet serious demeanor as he stood up.

"By the way, why did you ask me for the favor? Sean-kun would have helped now wouldn't he?" Yui asked as Keima shook his head.

"No, I doubt that Sean-kun will help me since he is currently pursuing other matters." He pointed out as Yui nodded.

"But, why the two of them?" She asked as Keima told her that they will tell them in due time.

"I have to go and prepare, Chihiro asked for my help conquering Sean-kun a little while back. This is mostly the reason why I wanted you to try to call them out." Upon hearing the news about Chihiro asking help from Keima, Yui's shock was prevalent on her face..

"Eh? What did you say?"

"Chihiro asked me since I was very close to Sean-kun… and probably because I know him more than anyone else. I have to admit, it was a bold move for her to do so. So, I had to comply with her request which she gladly accepted." As he finished explaining all of this, Yui gave a frown but later changed into a smile.

"So… Chihiro-chan is now my love rival, huh?" Keima took a step back as Yui's fiery determination ignited from within her.

"Ano… Yui-san." Keima approached her but he was suddenly grabbed by his shoulders as Yui gave him a determined glare.

"Don't think little of my love for Sean-kun. Though I know you can probably make him fall for her… I will make sure that I can take him back fair and square!" She proudly declared causing Keima to be slightly shaken.

"Yui Goidou… what once was a meek yet obedient girl is now a fierce and manly lover. Her traits and parameters… I admire them, is this the effect of my conquest?" Keima thought as he remembered that Sean wanted to save her back then and make her independent.

"No, Sean-kun is mostly at fault here… he made Yui what she is today. But, that trait of his never changed… he just can't ignore someone in need." He thought as he closed his eyes as Yui was still there gripping his shoulders.

"Okay… I will be sure that Sean-kun only has eyes for Chihiro-san. I will not let some lowly crossdresser win this bout." He declared as Yui gave a meaningful smile as she releases her grip on him.

"This lowly crossdresser will tame Sean-kun's heart." She declared as now the two are in war. Not too far from their place at the opposite side of the school building is none other than Mana who heard their conversation as she gripped the flyers containing the band of 2-D pencils.


*Rooftop*

Back with Sean, who waited at the rooftop to wait for Ayumi who he will later meet, is having a meeting with his four revived creations. Beast, Hate, Apathy, and Abintra stand across from each other all the while readying their weapons at hand.

"Looks like… the new guy is getting a welcome party~" Abintra said in mock joy as Beast, Hate and Apathy were moments from drawing their weapons.

"Whoever you are, you are not needed. If you think you can just join our circle then you are wrong." Beast pointed out bearing his fangs and claws at him as he was ready to turn into a Lycan when provoked.

"Your scent reeks of death and the foul stench of rotting corpses. You are far different from us." Hate said as his chains are running through his right hand, ready to lash out a powerful move at him.

"Personally, I wouldn't agree with these two hot-heads… but you are someone we couldn't ignore. You better leave now before things truly get out of hand." Apathy warned bearing Elune's Scythe which he somehow successfully borrowed from Vulcan.

"Heh, looks like we will know who the leader is soon." Abintra said mockingly placing his hand on his Nodachi waiting for the right time to slice the three into tiny fragments of what they once were.

"Enough of this you guys! We don't have time for this!" Sean yelled getting in between the two opposing factions as he can feel the killing intent they were releasing.

"Heh, your no fun." Abintra said with a scoff as he removed his hand from his Nodachi as the others followed.

"Also, when will you three understand that Abintra is our ally? If it wasn't for him then that demon that I sealed long ago wouldn't have been dealt with!" He argued as the three merely shrugged.

"So, what does the kid represent? The three of us repress a part of your darkness but this guy doesn't have an ounce of darkness in him." Beast pointed out as Abintra merely shook his head.

"You are wrong, sly dog. I am a being who represses Master's intent to kill. I was born way before the three of you arrived." He pointed out as Beast denied this fact.

"Like hell you are! I was with Master way before you did! Show me some proof that-" Beast raged on as Sean smacked him with a paper fan.

"Enough bickering you two. I asked you all here because I have an assignment for all of you." He said as the four nodded as Sean continued.

"Beast, I am giving you the task of watching over Maijima Private High. You will lay in wait at the shadows and try to keep track of any suspicious activity and immediately inform the others, got that?" Sean asked as Beast nodded.

"Hate, I want you to look after Kusunoki-sempai. Last time, the enemy got close to her because her sister held a very strong Weiss! I want you to be alert and be casual around her." Hate was very confused on what he meant by being casual but nodded anyways.

"Apathy, I want you to meet and join Haqua as soon as possible. You two will act accordingly and protect both Keima and I from the shadows. Be cooperative as the enemy will try to sabotage one of the girls we are with!" Apathy merely kept silent as he revealed his weighing scales.

"Taking into account of Haqua's abilities and safe guarding you two… okay. The price is just right for us to carry out the task." He reassured him as Sean nodded.

"Abintra!" Sean yelled as Abintra stood straight and looked at his master.

"I am leaving the most difficult task to you. Are you up for the challenge?" He asked as Abintra merely gave a sly smile.

"Are you kidding? I am up for anything at this point. If you want someone gone then they'll be missing, if you want someone killed then they'll be unrecognizable, if you want me to deal with someone… then expect nothing less from me." He said all the while licking his dagger which was hidden in his long sleeves which surprised the 4 others somewhat.

"Okay, Abintra… I want you to safe guard the Goddesses while Keima and I are dealing with our targets. Can you do that?" Sean asked as Abintra was a bit confused.

"Who are these Goddesses?" He asked as the others forgot to brief him of everything they have done till now.

"Well, here's a folder about the Goddesses and their host. Though they may seem weak they are far from being helpless. Also, can you do me the task of not arguing with them as well?" Sean asked as Abintra read through the folder. He then puts it away in his long coat as he nodded.

"Alright, everyone, I am counting on you, Godspeed!" The four then immediately disassembled as soon as he commanded them to leave. Sean then looked at his watch as he merely sighed and went on his way to meet with Ayumi.


*Ayumi Takahara's Love Consultation*

Despite the fact that Interpol Branch of Japan is funding the school for their festival along with Black Wing Interpol Agents helping out the preparations, some of the students volunteered to help out as well so that they're Cultural Festival will be a success. This leaves some of the students assigned to do cleaning duty though this time they didn't complain about it and it turns out that they are much more energized with the action.

"At a glance, Chihiro maybe a rebellious girl, but she's really a young lady." Ayumi pointed out as Sean had to agree with her.

"She is surprisingly quite girly on some occasions." Sean admitted as Ayumi nodded.

"Speaking of which, why don't you fix your hair already? When was the last time you had a haircut?" Ayumi asked as she tugs down Sean's ponytail.

"Miyako-san told me that she will fix my hair later… I'm not quite sure if I should actually comply since my hairstylist is here." Of course when he meant hairstylist he means Sekai. Ayumi looked a bit confused but shook her head anyways.

"Do you even know Chihiro's birthday?" Ayumi asked as Sean nodded as he pulls out a small notebook from out of his pocket.

"December 3rd. Height: 158 cm. Weight: 50 kg. Blood Type: O. Favorite type of guy: Good looking. Favorite Meat Bun: Lawson's Special Meat Bun." He said as he puts the notebook away which freaked out Ayumi.

"Whoa, since when did you start keeping tabs on Chihiro-chan?"

"Since I created a fan page for our club. Of course, I had to observe you 5 for a while before I can upload it." He said bringing out his PFP and showing her a Beta version of their homepage.

"Whoa… never thought that you were serious about this stuff." Ayumi pointed out as Sean merely gave a scoff as he puts his PFP away.

"Don't underestimate showbiz! The media is another thing but once you get there then you will have to be ready for anything! Thus, I've gone ahead and did some things that are too troubling to explain." He said as he noticed that Ayumi couldn't catch on what he meant as she tries to fool him with a smile.

"Sean-kun! She's here, she's here." Ayumi told him as she hands him a waste basket.

"Hey… have you heard of this story?" Ayumi asked as she leaned on him as Sean backed away a bit.

"Too close." He pointed out as Ayumi got flustered.

"Anyways, you need to go!" And with that, she turned him and gave him a push as Sean bumped into Chihiro which surprised her.

"!? Sean-kun?" Sean gasped. He then noticed that she was holding a waste basket as well.

"Chihiro… are you taking out the trash? I am too…" He said while blushing a bit. Not too far from their area is Ayumi, who was looking on at the scene behind a tree, and Keima, who was looking on at the scene behind a tree as well.

"You're also taking out the trash? Hmm…" Chihiro then followed Keima's instructions of letting Sean go with her as they take out the trash. They then went to the recycling storage room as they separate the burnable trash to the non-burnable trash.

"Did you separate it properly?" She asked as Sean nodded. Chihiro then closed the door to the storage room as they turned around about to leave when she suddenly remembered something.

"Come to think of it… we came here to take out the trash before…" Chihiro pointed out as Sean nodded.

"Yeah, I remember that… Keima-kun wanted me to change with him because he wanted to buy a game." He pointed out which surprised Chihiro.

"Eh? That's strange, Ayumi swapped with me because she had track practice." Chihiro pointed out which in turned surprised him as well.

"Strange coincidence." They secretly concluded as Sean remembered to remind her of their date at the festival eve.

"I'm looking forward to the festival eve tonight." He said making Chihiro blushed as Sean blushed a bit as well.

"Uhh… now that I have the free time… I wanted to remind you since it will just be the two of us." The awkward nature of Sean's words only made things more embarrassing for the both of them as both Ayumi and Keima concluded.

"By the way, when "two people take the same thing" to the camp fire… good things happen, apparently." Remembering what Keima told her a while back, Chihiro brought on the subject as Sean was a bit confused.

"The same thing?" He asked as they continued to their destination.

"Well, it's a story I heard." She said as Sean turned back and continued walking.

"Even if they talk about the same thing, all I have on me now is a jersey…" He pointed out as Chihiro suddenly remembered that she had something with her that she can give to him.

"Sean-kun. Wait, wait. Wait!" She called out as Sean stopped and turned.

"Gimme your hands." She ordered as Sean only gave her his left hand as she quickly decided to put it inside his jersey.

"What the-? What did you put?" Sean asked as he searched for the thing inside his jersey as she went away.

"Sorry, it's an old one I used to use but hold onto that." She requested as she went away to meet with Keima as Sean took his waste basket and sat near a bench as Ayumi got closer.

"This is… a guitar pick… isn't it?" Sean asked as he remembered that Chihiro was once using this during the times she was practicing.

"How did it go, Sean-kun? Did you manage to talk with Chihiro?" Ayumi asked as Sean nodded with a bright smile on his face.

"Yeah, we got along very well."

"That's good to know! See, my plan was a success! Since you don't understand the feelings of girls… you need to listen to what I say!" She declared as Sean nodded.

"Speaking of which, how is Mercury? Is she still resting?" Sean asked as Ayumi gave him a smack to the back of his head.

"Are you implying that I'm lazy?" Mercury asked as Sean merely shook his head.

"Nah, just wanted to know… since I believe that Keima-san is going to make a move on you." Sean said as this caused for Ayumi to blush furiously.

"Wha-!?"

"Love is not a game… and Keima knows that more than anyone else." He said in a whisper as Sean stood up and walked away.

"Thank you, Ayumi. Tonight, I intend to confess my feelings for Chihiro! Wish me luck, okay?" Sean yelled cheerfully as Ayumi gave a sigh as she nodded.

"Don't make her cry, alright! If you did, expect a beating you have never experienced before!" She warned while pumping her right fist as Sean nodded.

"Yeah! If that were to happen, then don't mind going all out! After all, I am in love with Chihiro more than anyone else!" Sean declared causing for Ayumi to give him a heart-warming smile.

"Those are the words… of a hopeless man falling madly in love with someone." Ayumi thought as she gave a sigh as she looked at the skies.

"But to think that Sean-kun fell for Chihiro-chan of all people? Who would have thought?" She asked herself as Mercury was the one who answered.

"Perhaps it is because he noticed that she was the only one he ever truly fell in love for. We Gods will never admit our love though we all knew that we love each other like family. However, Sean seems a lot more different… like he found something that he lost long ago." Mercury pointed out as it only confused Ayumi.

"It's fine if you don't understand yet, Ayumi. Love is a lot more complex than anyone would think. That's why I fear for him, I'm afraid. After all, it would seem like misfortune follows him wherever he goes." Mercury told herself as she can clearly feel that great misfortune follows him; she pitied him, for she knew that his love was only short-lived because of what fate has decided for him.


*That evening*

As the time passed, everyone including Black Wing finally finished all of their preparations as some of the students welcomed the others. Alfred and Takai were the announcer team as they reminded every one of the scheduled events that night and reminded everyone to throw away their thrash properly. Around this time, Keima met with Nikaido briefly explained to him how important the Maijima Cultural event is and its significance to their school. Keima's shocked to see her wearing revealing clothes but kept the information. It didn't take long for both Keima and Chihiro to meet as they left to the stage to find out that the Teacher's play was finally over.

"Alright everyone! Next up is what you've all been waiting for! It's the Princess & Prince Mai High! Are you ready?!" Of course, the host of this event are none other than the Idol couple Ryan and Sekai, the former of which had a considerable amount of bandages covering his body due to Sekai's disciplining.

"YES! YES! YES!" All of the boys and girls chanted together mimicking a certain fanfare overseas.

"Here come all the handsome Princes for the ladies~!" Sekai said with a blink as all the male participants, including Sean, walked to the stage as surprise settled in everyone's faces.

"Whoa! Who is this guy whose face is shining like the morning star*!" Ryan asked as he was generally shocked that somebody actually had the looks to make the fan girls swoon. (Yeah, he meant Venus right there.)

"Ah, Ryan, I didn't know you were the host." Of course, the shocking truth of finding out it was actually Sean wearing a black sleeveless shirt over a black sleeveless vest, pants with torn kneecaps holes show his kneecaps and wore white sneakers. What amaze the crowd even more, however, is his badass paint tattoos on his right leg and left arm and his slightly trimmed bishounen flowing hair which Miyako personally applied on him. Take note that he is using his Amber eyes this time which is a lot more alluring.

*A while back*

"Sean-kun, you look stunning in your new look!" Miyako praised as she took pictures of his new look as the two pose at her cellphone's camera and added said pictures on their social networks.

"Are the paint tattoos a bit too much?" Sean asked a bit nervous as the last time he had paint tattoos was when he had to play as a native host with tattoos everywhere on his body.

"No! Of course not! It will take too long for me to remove it since you'll be sweating a lot!" Miyako pointed out as Sean nodded... though he felt that it was unnecessary since the winter season was fast approaching.

"Should I wear my contacts or should I go natural?" Sean pondered out loud as Miyako pointed out that he should go as natural as possible.

"Okay." He then removed his contact lens from his eye sockets and keeps them away at their case as he reveals his Amber eyes to Miyako which made her heart skip a bit a few times.

"Sean-kun... you will make the entire crowd speechless!" Miyako proclaimed as Sean was hoping that they wouldn't.

*Back to the present*

"…" The couple was quite speechless.

"Hmm? Is there something wrong?" Sean asked as the female audience climbed the stage which shocked everyone.

"Oh no! Sean's alluring new look has gotten the attention of many adoring fans!" Ryan declared as they were inches away on dog filling Sean and getting a piece of him.

"Back off you girls! Come on, get back to the audience!" Sekai commanded as she cracks a whip as the girls abruptly stopped.

"We'll be selling pictures later. You girls better behave or you won't get any of his pictures!" Sekai ordered as the group of girls immediately complied and left the stage.

"…" Sean, however, felt like he saw his life flash before him not once but twice and his happened before and after Sekai cracked her whip.

"Anyways, it looks like it is a sure win for who the prince will be!" Sekai declared as she ignored the girls tried to rip Sean apart much to some of the boys shock.

"Alright! Up next are the girls! Also, a little caution for the guys! If you try to do what the girls did earlier expect to be shot by a long rage sniper!" Ryan declared as much of the male audience scowled.

"And now here are the candidates!" And the entire girl candidates came out… including class 2-B's Ayumi Takahara and Kusunoki Kasuga.

"Wait! Isn't that a maid outfit?!" Ryan asked as he noticed that Ayumi was wearing a frilly maid outfit which sent most of the boys howling. The rest of the male candidates couldn't help but admire the girls' beauty. Both Ayumi and Sean noticed Keima and Chihiro talking together and leaving the stage. As soon as the event ended, Ayumi and Sean met up and confronted each other.

"Did you see that?" Sean asked as Ayumi looked quite depressed.

"Huh… yeah. I did." It was obvious to the both of them that they are depressed on what they saw.

"Should we… meet with them?" Sean asked a little optimistic about what happened earlier as Ayumi nodded as they left to meet with the two at the bonfire.

At the bonfire, both Chihiro and Keima were waiting for the two of them to show up. Accompanying this bonfire is none other than Sam and Claire, both of whom gave a great fire dancing performance before lighting the bonfire as Sean and Ayumi arrived just in time before they light the fire.

"Ah! You two finally made it! I thought we would have to wait for another hour or so!" Keima complained as he took Ayumi's hand which made her blush.

"Eh?" Of course, the two are confused but Chihiro explained everything to them.

"Katsuragi and I planned on waiting for you two here since we both have a date. I persuaded him to go with me since I told him to." She explained which made the two gave a sigh of relief as this confused Keima and Chihiro.

"Did the event tire you two? Want to go and take a breather somewhere?" Keima offered as Sean shook his hands.

"Ah, no! Ano… actually, Keima… I want to tell something to Chihiro… so, do you mind if we leave first?" Sean asked a bit embarrassed as Chihiro was as well. Keima hid a smile as he nodded.

"Okay! I hope that you two will have a great time!" He told them as Sean and Chihiro moved to a new space as they admire the bonfire.

"Sean-kun, did you bring the pick?" Chihiro asked as Sean nodded. He brought out his necklace which also acted as a locket and opened it. The unusual thing about his necklace is that it also had a dog tag dating back to his military campaign.

"What's that?" Chihiro asked a bit curious as Sean smiled.

"Ah, this? This is a necklace that I bought a few years back. It has the picture of my sister and also… the pick that you gave me." He pointed out as he revealed that the pick she gave him was inside.

"Amazing! Here's mine!" She revealed hers as Sean noted that they look identical.

"Is it really okay to give this to me?" Sean asked as Chihiro reassured him that it was fine.

"It's already been used so it's fine."

"Good things happen if you bring the same object at the eve… I wonder if it's true." Chihiro pondered out loud as Sean noticed that she was wearing a rose hair clip.

"I feel that good things will happen… during the festival this year." Sean reassured her as she gave a cheerful smile and nodded. Around this time, Keima has already initiated an event with Ayumi and accompanied her away from the bonfire.

"If only there was music…" Sean thought out loud as his wish came true and answered by none other than Nero and Mana who assembled a sound system near the medical care spot.

"Excuse me, excuse me. Hello everyone! This is DJ Oren and DJ Mana! Are all of you having a good time out there?" Nero asked as the crowd gave a yes.

"Good because we are going to make your time a little more sweet!" He reassured them as the DJ started a song of pop music as everyone started to dance to the song around the bonfire.

"Those two… have they wired my clothes or something?" Sean asked as he looked through his clothes to find any kind of communication device planted on him.

"Want to dance?" Chihiro asked a bit embarrassed as Sean nodded and the two proceeded to dance. The two DJs saw that they have done good for their friend as Mana felt a bit torn.

"You still feel attached to him… don't you?" Nero asked making sure that this is a private talk between the two of them.

"Ah… yes, I hate to admit it but I will miss him." She confessed as Nero pulled her into a comforting hug.

"Mana… though I am only half a demon I understand what you feel. But for now, you can cry into my arms and let it all out." Nero reassured as Mana's tears started flowing out. She cried into his arms as Nero continued to comfort her.

"I know this feeling very well… I only wish that you can move on." Nero was a man who has a strong platonic relationship with Mana since they first met. Though the two would always fuss and fight over the smallest of things… they both knew that deep down they understood each other and cared.

"It seems that I've somehow managed to get those two together… strange, I haven't done anything." Sean thought as he can see the two hugging each other as it went unnoticed by the crowd. It didn't take long for Sean and Chihiro to finally get tired as they left the field and went somewhere a little more private.

"Let's go to the south building." Sean said as Chihiro pointed out that the place is closed as Sean corrected her.

"The other buildings are closed… but today the first floor of the southern building is being used as a waiting room for the stage." He pointed out as he was there not too long ago.

"I see." Chihiro said as Sean grabbed hold of her hand and lead the way.

"From the rooftop, we might be able to see the campfire." He pointed out as Chihiro nodded and closed hands with him which made the two blush as they continue to walk to the building. Around this time, Keima and Ayumi have already proposed and kissed which brought out and restored the Goddess, Mercury.

"It's true. It's open."

"But I wonder if the way to the rooftop is open as well?" Chihiro asked as Sean told her that he knows the password to the door.

"How do you know that?" She asked as Sean pointed out that he used to always go there to hide from the others during the scandal.

"As expected from someone who always gets in trouble." Chihiro complimented as Sean laughed.

"But that's got nothing to do with knowing the password anyways." He pointed out as the two ascend to the rooftop. Around this time, Lune was taking patrol around the school. She didn't notice the two earlier and just merely continued familiarizing the area.

"Wow! This place is great! There's also no one else here and it's cold as well…" Chihiro pointed out as she was warming her arms. Sean, however, has gotten used to the cold climate as he had a lot of reckless insane training back when he joined Black Wing.

"Not to mention that the campfire looks like a speck." Chihiro pointed out as they were at the edge.

"Are you making fun of it?" Sean asked as he laughed a bit.

"Oh Sean-kun, you can see the Akanemaru from here." Chihiro pointed out as she noticed that it was impossible to see it from this darkness.

"As I thought, it's not visible. Heh?" She said as she laughed a bit in embarrassment.

"No, I can see it quite clearly from here." Sean pointed out which stopped Chihiro from laughing.

"Hey, Sean-kun, I know that I made a wrong assumption just now but you don't have to lift my spirits." She said as Sean merely shook his head.

"No, Chihiro, I can literally see it clearly from here. Have you forgotten that I can see more clearly and remember things faster than ordinary people?" Sean asked as Chihiro has completely forgotten about that.

"Chihiro… today, you are different from usual." Sean pointed out as Chihiro blushed.

"How am I different?" Chihiro asked as Sean had a hard time to come up with an explanation.

"I also… feel different! I never thought that I'd be talking to you about this sort of thing…" Chihiro pointed out as she sat at the hand of a bench near them.

"Before, you always seemed so distant and so cautious. You were always alone and never wanted to have friends other than Katsuragi. But today… I… I can see that I was wrong about you. That I… want to be with you… forever…" She confessed as this made Sean's heart skip a bit.

"F-Forever might have been a little too much…" She said embarrassed and looks down to hide it. Sean got close to her and puts a hand to her shoulders. Chihiro looked up to meet the gaze of Sean's Amber eyes looking at her own.

"If I learned anything from the God of Conquest himself… then that's now would be a perfect time to confess." Sean thought as he remembered Keima's lectures. Chihiro was steaming red as she tried to retreat.

"Um… umm… Sean-kun…?!" Of course, her action caused for the two to fall into the bench and in a compromising position.

"S-Sean-kun…" Sean laid flat on the bench; he was silent as he thought of something both daring and cunning for him to do.

"Chihiro… I want you to stay like that for a while." He requested as Chihiro complied with a nod as Sean leaned into her ear.

"わたしは、あなたを愛しています*" He confessed into her ear which made Chihiro quite surprised as she turned to meet her eye to eye.

(Watashi wa, anata o aishite imasu. A rarely used word that Japanese use as they tend to express their love with feelings rather than words and thus it is quite the surprise for Chihiro to hear those words from him.)

"Do you… love me back?" Sean asked hoping for an answer as his face said it all. Chihiro couldn't help but skip a beat at how serious he was about her… a girl who had no special features about her.

"I… I love you too, Sean-kun." She answered as she leaned in to give her a kiss. Not far from their site, Keima and Ayumi were looking on and discovered that the two were really in love with each other.

"Sean-kun… so, it really was true. You have finally moved on to love someone else. I'm glad; I always thought that you would continue to neglect such things as you live." Keima thought as Mercury look on at the scene.

"Strange… the darkness surrounding Sean from earlier seems to have banished. Was it just a mere fluke? No, fate is a lot cruel than turn an eye on someone like him." Mercury thought as she sensed the presence of 4 people with a lot of darkness in them as there was a small trail of darkness leaving Sean's body.

"Are they the ones taking away his misfortune? Then I guess there is no need to-!?" That's when Mercury, Ayumi, and Keima noticed something enveloping Sean's body. A powerful darkness wrapping around him as Sean froze and fell to the floor. Keima and Ayumi tried to move in however Mercury stopped them from their tracks.

"Don't! If we go and touch him, then something bad will happen to him!" She ordered as the two have no choice but to stay put and hoped that nothing happened to Sean.

"W-What is this!?" Sean was on the floor, motionless as he stared at the black sky. But no, the image of the sky didn't appear to him… but the image of the future.

"Sean-kun… I'm sorry." The image of Chihiro getting stabbed by an unknown assailant. Around him was the image of his comrades, Beast, Hate, Apathy, and Abintra… his creations who failed to stop the creature in time.

"Hehehe, that's what you get for opposing fate." The image was malevolent as it gave a smile.

"You! Why did you do that to her!? She wasn't involved in all of this!" The image of a beaten Sean yelled at the figure as his blood poured down to his clothes as he somehow managed to stand up against the figure that killed Chihiro.

"Bastard, did you really think you can find happiness without harming others? You will always be a torn by their side, you will bring pain to those around you and death to those you loved… including your Nakama." The figure said with a powerfully dreadful aura as the 5 struggled to keep their ground.

"S-Shut up! That isn't true!" Sean yelled back as the figure easily pushed back the 4 who were supporting him as the figure puts a hand on Sean's chin.

"Try as you must but destiny is already upon us, if you fail again then we will have to go through another journey of pain and suffering which you, yourself, have brought upon due to your selfish actions!" The figure said as he gave Sean a painful punch to the head as he was pushed back by the sheer force of his strength.

"No! I don't want this! I wanted to change! I'll never accept this fate!" He yelled to the figure as he was struggling to stand up again. The figure drew its sword and made its way to him little by little.

"Sean, Sean, Sean… when will you learn? You've known this all your life; it is going to happen, and no matter what you wish, no matter where you go, no matter how you squirm, there is nothing you can do to stop it." The imposing figure said in mock tone as if all is lost for him. Sean tried with all of his might to stand up and fight the figure only for the figure to kick him back in place and pin his left foot to his ribs.

"You better remember this quickly… otherwise more blood will spill in the day of promise. Remember it well… for it is your destiny to oppose fate." The figure applying pressure to his foot which made Sean cringe in pain as he tried to lift his foot from his chest. The figure didn't even felt his hand trying to pus his foot away as he steadily aims his sword at his chest and moved his foot away after Sean coughed violently.

"And because of that, you are a threat to the Gods, the Devils, and to the world! AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!" It yelled as it's sword pierced right through Sean's chest as he screamed in pain. The pain of steel meeting flesh then going through his heart was unbearable... the main was driving him insane and forcing his eyes to roll back to his head. It didn't take long after that... for Chihiro managed to call him back to reality.

"Sean-kun! Are you alright!?" Chihiro asked as Sean sat up after seeing that vision. Pain still evident on his face as his whole body shook.

"Hate, Beast, Apathy, Abintra… did you see that?" Sean asked sending a telepathic message to the four as they responded.

"Yes, Master, why is Chihiro with us in the vision?" Beast asked as the others were silent.

"Master, we're sorry, we tried to take away the darkness that remained in your heart… but we failed." Hate sincerely apologized as the others followed.

"That was no ordinary vision master; it was a warning from another party unforeseen by us and the others." Apathy pointed out as Sean agreed with him.

"But to think he defeated all of us… Master, I am not sure what just happened but it seems that the figure had a personal vendetta against you." Abintra pointed out as years of personal experience has told him so.

"What should we do? At this point… I may as well forsake everything that I have accomplished until now." Sean thought in complete despair as Apathy could feel it from his very being.

"Master… those are strong words that you just used." He pointed out as Sean was arguing with his thoughts on what to do.

"Ano… Sean-kun, are you alright?" Chihiro asked as Sean punched the pavement on the floor which surprised everyone around him as it left a disturbing sound of crushed cement and tile. After doing so, Sean's whole body stopped shaking violently and became stable again... however...

"…" Sean gave a pained expression in the darkness as his hair covered his eyes.

"Chihiro… I… " Then total darkness… the campfire has finally stopped giving its brightly-lit flame as the fireworks erupted in the background giving beautiful lights… and revealing Sean's bloody tears and red eyes.

"Tomorrow is finally the event of the Mai-Festival! Let's enjoy it to the fullest everyone!" Both Ryan and Sekai declared in the distance as everyone else, except for a few, admired the lights on the sky.

"Sean-kun… is there something wrong? You are crying…" Chihiro pointed out as she wiped his tears away using her handkerchief.

"Chihiro…" The more he tried to think about it, the more he cried and his blood mixed in with his tears. These were his true tears of love… there was only one other time this has happened… and that was the time Nora destroyed his heart by destroying his sister's image... even though it was only an illusion.

"I'm sorry… Chihiro…" Sean stopped her from wiping his tears as he lightly pushed her away from him.

"Huh?" Of course, this made Chihiro confused as Sean tried to walk away from her but stopped as he knew that he had to tell her or things will only get messy for him.

"Sean-kun!?" She stood up and tried to get to talk to him again but Sean stopped him as he yelled.

"That's as far as you can come near me!" Keima, Mercury, and Ayumi, most of all and only equal to Chihiro, felt dumbstruck and confused about the situation. Keima was the only one who knew him well... and yet he too couldn't help but feel that Sean is trying to do something stupid.

"I knew that… I was a coward… that I can only bring… pain to those around me…" His words didn't reach anyone's ears as he was shaking visibly and he struggled to get the words out of his mouth as his mind was overflowing with thoughts as his feelings were telling him that he shouldn't do this and find another way.

"Eh… then… why did you… confess to me…?" Chihiro asked which Sean hoped that she didn't have to bring that up but… as he already knew… fate was too cruel for the unfortunate him.

"It… wasn't a confession…" Sean's blatant words echoed throughout the rooftop and even reached the open door where Keima, Ayumi, and Mercury were hiding from. That's when Keima felt it, he was sure about it in every fiber of his being... that Sean was going to do something he will regret forever.

"I merely tricked you… so that I may see your reaction... but to think that I actually succeeded... you must be really desperate to love me." His cruel words and harsh tone made things quite easy for him. This action felt so native to him yet so foreign... he couldn't really think about it till then but... for some reason he knew that he was the worst. The fireworks flicker at the dark sky as Sean didn't flinch when it lighted the area they were in. His eyes said it all... the mirror of his soul which he tried to suppress from his very being and which was visible for only one person to see.

"His eyes... are like those of the dead... no heart... no love... and no joy..." Mercury pointed out as her words reached no one.

"You… you're kidding…" Sean merely turned his head as everyone saw Chihiro breaking from his words. No one can probably see it since it was quite dark but... Sean clenched his fist tightly from his right as his hand from his left is still like a stick. He was lucky... for if he was found out that this was all a ruse then it will only pain him more to drive her away. But, from a few feet away... the image of a girl wearing a maid outfit got out of her hiding place and slowly but silently moved in closer to the two.

"Sean-kun… what are you saying…?" Were the words that came out of her mouth as she remained there in complete shock and silence.

This was it… the unrequited love that Sean had for Chihiro has only been for this. He tried so hard to win her love... asked her closest friend to help him out only for things to fall apart. He was indeed the worst and if he only tried to explain himself it will only bring pain to both sides. Like he said before, Love is not a game... those words were echoing through the thoughts of both Ayumi and Sean. Sean knew that his targets were real people and that there feelings for him are real as well. But, for him to return back those feelings to someone else was foreign to him and yet he yearned for it to come true like a forbidden fruit which captivates its victims. But now, Sean finally knew what it truly means to love and to lose your love in the most harshest and horrible of ways... his heart nearly stopped beating once or twice during his rejection play... yet.

"Tricked me... why would you do such a thing?" Chihiro asked as she was frozen in place. She knew Sean and knew very well that he isn't like this. Far from a person to do bad things to them... but...

"This is enough... Kosaka-san... our relationship... was doomed from the start." His words were quite decisive... and yet...

He wanted to apologize, to ask for forgiveness… but he knew too well that if he tried then it will only lead to more pain which he knew too well. The pain of losing a love one is nothing compared to the act of rejecting the person you love. It boiled down into his stomach; his four creations were silent in the midst of their master's actions. There was nothing they could do, as this was his final decision. That night, they committed an act of which they thought they will never do... pray.

"This is as far as you can get close to me. Kosaka, you have a band to attend to... go now." He ordered as emotions finally returned to his eyes but held the tears that threatened to fall out. She looked at him for one last time... and what she saw was the same old Sean... the one with the same red eyes and yet with the same personality as he did when he first entered their class.

"Se..." She tried to talk to him... but words fail to come out of her mouth. She looked down in complete pain as she ran pass by him and went opposite to the exit they used earlier and went down the stairs where her shoes can be heard violently shaking the tiles. Right at this point, the most logical thing you should not do was look back and call to her... and yet this was the only logical act his brain immediately produced the moment he realized she already left.

"..." He looked at the door as his heart fell silent and only the foot steps of two people occupied the silent floor known as the roof's garden.

"Sean-kun..." What awaited him was the very violent and very angry person who promised to beat him up if he made Chihiro cry.

If you ask me, the author, if it was the right decision… then I'll have to tell you that all decisions are wrong from the start. But if you asked me if this was for the best of their safety… then I have no right to say that he was wrong. Ultimately, this brought pain to all parties involved… and slowly the wrath of somebody else will bring justice upon this lowly fool who made the wrong decision.

To be continued.


I would like to thank Takagi Akito for the review which I received late because of personal matters, you see... I'm a brother again. But, concerning my work ethic... then I will assure you all to those who have read this that I have put my all in it. I created this story while playing this song: Hajimete Koi Wo Shita Kouku and if you had realized the meaning of this song then cheers to you. I strongly recommend playing the song while reading this chapter again. You will notice that it brings out more of the fun things that I have written. Other than that, I would like to thank you all for continuing to read my work even though it was a pain to read for others. I'll be continuing to write on about the next chapter later and as you guessed, Keima and Ayumi's conquest has officially ended in this chapter.