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"Hey Shizuka! We couldn't believe that Lucifer kissed you!", Izumo grabbed her arm and whispered.
"I can't believe it either. Can we talk about this later? The teacher would hear us."
It was the last of their subject: Demon Circle Summoning. Todo sensei was unavailable at the time due to family business, so Igor Neuhaus taught them instead. The lesson for the day was the characteristics of Naga and how to summoned them. He coughed at the two. "Kamiki, Lovegood, do you have something to share with our class?"
"We are sorry, Neuhaus sensei. It's nothing", Shizuka responded sheepishly.
"Then please pay attention to the lesson. You can continue your businesses outside of this room after we are done."
The way he taught the lesson was quite different from Todo sensei. Todo sensei could make any hard subjects easier to understand, while Neuhaus sensei was quite stern. She was unable to pay attention, due to what happened earlier between her and the King of Light. How odd of him. He had never showed any affection in front of public, and his current actions puzzled her so much. She continued her musings until the lesson ended.
Before she followed her friends walked out of the room, Igor summoned her. "Shizuka-san, can I have a word with you for a moment?"
"Of course, sensei."
They walked out and sit on one of the benches. "How is your study during these few weeks? Do you have any problems?"
"I'm fine, Neuhaus sensei. It's pretty much the same since I decided to have a therapy for handling my trauma. My friends and Lucifer are helpful."
He was quiet for a moment. "You seem to be closer with the King of Light with time's passing. I heard that he came here before I arrived."
"Indeed. He wants to speak about something with me, but I still haven't known anything about it. After I'm done with my counseling, I'll come to visit him."
"Shizuka-san, I know that you are close with him, but do you remember what we had always taught you? Some demons are not good to make friends with."
"Lucifer is a good one. I know that he had done terrible things in the past, but he done it because he was in pain. He didn't hurt me all this time. In fact, he even helped me to get through my trauma."
Igor was apprehensive. From the way she talked about Lucifer, it was highly possible that she's under Lucifer's spell. The King of Light might be in good behavior in human terms, but demons could be antagonistic if people like her didn't careful.
Shizuka realized that Izumo and Shiemi were waiting for her. "I'm sorry, Neuhaus sensei. My friends are waiting for me. I must go, but I appreciate your concern."
She walked to her friends' way. "Hi. Sorry for making you waiting."
"What are you talking about with Neuhaus sensei?", Izumo questioned.
"He only told his concern for me. But when I talked about Lucifer, it seemed that he doesn't like him much."
"Well, not surprising. Neuhaus sensei is not a type of person to like demons, especially the Demon Kings. Even he has a hard time to trust Mephisto. I think it would be the same when it comes to Lucifer, considering what he had done", Izumo explained.
"Do you want us to accompany you to the psychologist?", Shiemi offered.
"Sure. Come on."
When they were accompanying her, they learned further about her current condition. Since she went through examination for her condition, they knew she suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. She surely took a long time to heal herself mentally, but she had shown good improvement. She had finally started to find comfort in trusting people. She wasn't quite affected when it comes to her telling of her traumatic experience. They gave her a salute. As a survivor, she was a strong one. Mephisto was right for telling them to have faith in her. As an exorcist, she would soon faced many demons that possibly more dangerous than Asmodeus, so mental strength was important.
They were having a chat about Lucifer. They accompanied her to the mansion before going home.
"Shizuka, come on! Tell us about Lucifer. Is it common for him to be that affectionate to you when both of you are alone?", Izumo asked her excitedly.
"Yeah, tell us Shizuka-chan! It's a first time for us to see him kissed you", Shiemi added.
Shizuka was blushing. "Well, he does that often when it's just the two of us."
"Lucifer is definitely in love with you! I can see it!", Izumo assumed in daydreaming. "This looks just like in the romance mangas that I usually read. Honestly Shizuka! I never thought Lucifer is a romantic type of demon."
"And looking from the way he treated you, he likes you so much to the point of getting bolder to show it by kissing you in front of public! Oh my, it's so sweet!", Shiemi commented.
Shizuka was nervous. She was in love with him, but she was unsure of Lucifer's attitude. She was getting more curious about his intention.
Without them knew it, they arrived in front of the mansion.
"Izumo, Shiemi, thanks for your company."
"You're welcome. Oh yeah, Shizuka, don't forget to tell us more about him after both of you meet each other!", Izumo winked.
She laughed. "Yeah, sure. I better get inside. I'll see you later!"
Lucifer had realized that she arrived as he looked from the window of his room. He heard about how excited her friends were when they looked at their closeness. He smirked and quickly leaped out of his room. "It's alright, Belial. Let me open it", he told the demon.
Shizuka was surprised when he stood in front of her. "Hey Lucifer."
"Hello, Shizuka. Come in."
She put her bag when she was inside of his room. She saw Lucifer made a cup of tea for her. "So, you told me that you have something to tell me. I'm curious. What is it?"
The King of Light had that glint of excitement in his eyes. "I want you to be my date."
Shizuka was surprised. "Wait, wait. Lucifer, this is too sudden for me. What do you mean?"
He laughed softly. "Before I explain further, have you heard of the news regarding a ball in the hotel near the Imperial Palace?"
She widened her eyes. "Oh, so that's what you meant? Yeah, I've heard of it in news."
"I was invited to join as soon as the prime minister heard that my condition improved. Actually I was thinking on declining his invitation, considering that I don't have anyone that I can ask to come with me. Then I reminded of you, that's why I called you to come here. I want you to be my dance partner. Do you want to be my date?"
She was unsure. "You told me that this is a ball, right?"
"Yes, a formal dance party, a masquerade one to be exact."
"I-I have never been in that kind of party. If I may ask, what kind of dance it would be?"
"It would be waltz."
She really wanted to slap her forehead. "I-I don't know, Lucifer. I have never danced that way before. If you asked me for a casual dance, it's fine. But this... this is a big event. Not to mention, many important people would be present. I don't want to put you in embarrassment, Lucifer."
"Why do you think so lowly of yourself? You haven't tried yet."
"It's not that. I don't know how to dance in waltz. I don't even have the proper dress for this kind of thing."
"Just leave the dress part to me", he comforted her.
"Is it okay? You don't have to be that overly generous."
"It's alright. The clothing is up to us, as long as we are dressed in costumes and masks. I can help you find the perfect model."
She suddenly reminded of what she saw earlier. Lucifer had no interest in women with revealing clothing. "Well, just find me a modest dress. Besides, I don't really like being too exposed."
He nodded. Lucifer understood that considering what happened to her, she started to be aware of her own body. "Is that mean you are willing to be my dance partner for the party?"
"If that's what you want, I'll come with you. But I don't know how to dance. I think I need to learn about it first."
He chuckled. "I can be of help for that. Let me show you how to dance."
Shizuka let him guided her to the center of his room. She was nervous being so close with him, but she had to fight it, for his sake.
"Now, I want you to put your right hand on my left shoulder. I will hold your left hand, while my left hand is on your waist. Just relax."
She did as instructed, and they started moving in rhythm as soon as he turned on his phonograph. Classical music was in the air as they danced.
Along the way, while he showed her the proper feet movements for the dance, she stepped on his foot for a couple times by accident.
"Oops! Sorry!"
"It's alright. It's common for a newbie to do something like this at the start. After you are getting used with it, you'll be good in no time."
"It seems that you used to do this in the past. You are way better than me."
Lucifer chuckled, "You can say it like that. Actually, when I do this, I only dance with women as a mere formality business. Of course, being a king I am, I have to participate in many events, including the one we are going to attend, so I have to learn many things. You might not know it, but actually some demons are quite good at manners. Dances like this are also available in Gehenna as the proof. But I'm asking you to come with me because I think that you're different from them. You are special, Shizuka", he flirted, quickly made her blushing.
He suddenly realized that Shizuka could already get the hang of it.
"Hey, you are actually good, Shizuka! Look at you", Lucifer complimented. "It seems that you are a fast learner."
Shizuka laughed, "Well, I'm learning from the best."
"What about we raised the tempo? It's going to be fun."
"Sure! Let's do it!"
He pulled her closer to him while they danced faster. He whirled her gently while he holding her hand, and the sight, feeling of her dancing with him enchanted him. During some occasions, he would lean down over her while she held on to him. He then raised her body in the air and pulled her into his arms. They were clearly enjoying themselves.
Mephisto and the others heard of the music from Lucifer's room and by the time they checked out on both of them, they chuckled.
"It seems that they are having a good time. Look at them!", Iblis laughed.
"I agree on that. Let's leave them alone", Azazel told his siblings.
Shizuka placed her head on his shoulder. She could not believe that she was dancing with the King of Light, but she was happy knowing that he wanted to take her to the dance with him. She breathed deeply near the crook of his neck.
Lucifer could also feel the same about her. As he hugged her in their dance, he smelled the scent of her body. She smelled wonderful.
But as they continued their dance, Shizuka suddenly tripped on her foot. Lucifer was surprised when both of them fell to the floor.
"Aw, that's really hurt", she complained. Her back was in pain.
He opened his eyes slowly. What surprised him was knowing that their faces were so close with each other, he could swore their lips almost touching.
She saw his bewildered face, and she immediately aware of the reason. She was shocked that she fallen on Lucifer, and she straddled him on his waist! "Oh my God, I'm sorry! I didn't know that I fall on you. I guess I'm still clumsy."
"It's quite alright. Are you hurt?"
"I guess my back is a little bit in pain, but it's nothing to worry about."
Lucifer observed his situation. He could feel the way her body felt against him in their position. She wasn't heavy; in fact, he didn't know that her body was so soft against his own. Her long hair was disheveled and it enveloped both of them. The King of Light saw her face looked somewhat in wonder.
"Lucifer, what is it?", she asked him while blushing.
He tried to straighten his back a bit. "I'm okay. Let me sit for a moment."
As he sat, with Shizuka still straddling him, Lucifer gazed his eyes at her lips. It had the healthy pink color, and as he ran his thumb at her lips they felt so soft. He was unable to think of anything.
"W-what are you doing?"
"It's nothing, Shizuka. Just let me take a look at you longer."
Lucifer realized that he had never such beauty in a woman before. Shizuka was so different from other women that he had ever seen. She was beautiful in everything she is. She was lovely even without having to try too much.
Shizuka could feel her heart thumped loudly as Lucifer's gaze grew deeper. Her eyes widened slightly when he brought his face closer to her and cupped her cheeks in both of his hands.
The pull between them was too hard to resist. Lucifer became desperately curious. How did her lips would feel like when he tasted it with his own?
On the other hand, Shizuka was getting nervous when he gets closer. But with the gentle caressing of his hand while he moved some strands of hair bangs away from her face, she lost it. She was desperate for him, as him for her. Nothing more both of them wanted than each other's touches. She clung her arms behind his neck.
But, before they slanted their lips against each other, someone barging in.
"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry! Actually I was coming here to check out on both of you, but it seems you are still busy. Don't mind me, I'm going out! Go ahead and continue what you're doing", Rin ran out of the room, deep blush on his face. His other siblings wouldn't believe what he had just saw!
After the first son of Satan left, Shizuka and Lucifer were flustered. Before he was able to say a word, Shizuka was already on her feet.
"Are you okay, Lucifer? Let me help you", she gave him her hand. He nodded and took her offer to help him. "I'm sorry, but I need to go home. My parents are waiting for me. It's almost dinner."
"Of course. I will give you the dress as soon as I find it."
Then she left his mansion. As soon as she was inside her bedroom, she called Izumo."Hey Izumo."
"Hey! How is it going? What did he tell you about?"
"Well, he was asking me to come with him to the royal ball in the hotel near Imperial Palace this Saturday."
"Really? How lucky you are! I will do anything to participate if I were you!"
"Actually I was going to decline his offer."
"What? Why?"
"I don't know anything about dancing. I finally relented, after I saw how eager he is. I think it's better if I accompanied him too, because he hasn't fully healed from his wounds. He had taught me how to dance in waltz, and even promised to find me a dress."
"Oh my gosh! He's so attentive", Izumo said. Suddenly she realized that Shizuka was silent. "Hey, is everything okay there? You didn't say anything since we talked for a couple minutes."
"Oh! I'm so sorry. Actually, there's more that I want to tell you."
"And? What are they?"
Shizuka was flustered. She couldn't stop herself from thinking about what happened in the mansion, and she had doubts about whether to tell Izumo or not. That girl would be surprised and asking more questions if she knows, no doubt. Shizuka decided not to tell her now. "You know what? I'll tell you tomorrow when we meet with our friends in the academy. I'm really sleepy."
"Okay, I understand. By the way, I think you have made a good decision to come with Lucifer. You need support from each other, considering what happened to both of you. Don't be afraid to open yourself to the ones who love you. Live up a little, Shizuka-chan. You deserve to have some fun."
In the mansion, Lucifer couldn't stop from cursing himself. He couldn't believe what just happened. He had made things so awkward between them both during their dance practice. He almost kissed Shizuka!
In all his lifetimes, the King of Light had never been a romantic individual. Just after he was working in Assiah and met Shizuka, his affectionate nature started emerging. Since he was aware of his feelings for her, he began showing her his true feelings through affectionate, loving gestures. But a kiss on the lips? Nope, he had never done that before.
He mused of the event. Somehow, his mind went numb when he laid his gaze on her lips. They looked so tempting, and felt tender like silk when he touched them with his thumb. It must be her trying to bewitch him.
Lucifer brushed off the negative thought. Come on! She's a good girl. No way she would do that. Despite her had quite a powerful magic, she would never does such ridiculous act. Magic spells from witches would be useless against demons.
Lucifer had seen many human couples kissing everywhere he went. For him to experience this himself was quite odd. He knew that humans did this when they were with their lovers, but what was weird to him is to see them being so addicted to it. Was it really feel that good?
This made him unbelievably curious. Was this feeling the result of his attraction towards Shizuka? If so, he was ready to know. He was aware that she had every right to know all his feelings for her, considering she had no one she's interested in at the moment and he didn't want to waste anymore time. Maybe he could give her this during their dance soon. He was impatient. He was going to make this event a night for both of them to remember.
A/N : I'm back! Sorry for the late update. I got caught up in a mess called laziness, but now at least I posted a chapter.
Hahahahaha, I love teasing you guys! The first almost kiss! Now the pull between these two is getting stronger, and this incident is not going to be the last! Just wait for it!
Well, anyways, that's all my ramblings for today. I'll post the next chapter as soon as possible. Don't forget to give me kudos and comment!
