"Class dismiss, have a nice day everyone!" the teacher said and left the room.
Yuuri who's sitting quietly in his seat yawned. His classmates are starting to leave the room, saying goodbyes to each other. Picking up his bag, he left the room as well. He's not expecting any of his classmates would ask him to join him on his way home. But, he's sure Murata Ken is waiting for him. After all, his best friend wouldn't want to miss his mother's curry.
When he stepped out of the front gate, Murata is nowhere to be found. He should be here any minute now. The double black looked at the sky, the sun is setting down already.
He's walking down the streets when a familiar voice called his name.
"Shibuya!" It's Murata, as expected. Yuuri turned around to see his best friend running towards him.
"You're late!" The double black said, glaring at Murata.
"Sorry, I was talking to some girls." He said, scratching the back of his head.
"Yeah and you forgot about me who's waiting in front of the school gate for thirty minutes." Yuuri rolled his eyes.
The Great Wise Man patted the double black's shoulder and chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll talk to the girls next time." And he winked.
Yuuri shook his head. This side of Murata is only shown to him and nothing changed. Even the Great Wise Man has a side like this.
"Let's go home, and I'm sure you'll stop by my house to eat my mom's curry."
"Of course! Mama-san's cooking is the best!"
On their way home, they started to talk about the events happened the whole day. Topic by topic, the events in the Shin Makoku was brought up by Murata. Saying how things completely changed since Yuuri became the Maou. He knew Shinou didn't make any mistake for choosing this guy to rule his kingdom.
"Yu-chan! Ken-chan! Welcome home!" Yuuri's mom greeted and gave both a hug. When she pulled away, "You'll stop here to eat curry right, Ken-chan?" she asked and giggled.
And as expected, Murata nodded with smile. "Just hearing about your curry makes me hungry now." They all went inside. As they stepped in, the smell of curry lingers around. Yuuri took off his shoes as well as Murata. Yuuri excused himself to go upstairs, to his room. He was passing by when a yell from Shori's room, surprising him.
"The boss is here!" His voice echoed from the room. The double black just shrugged his shoulder and went to his room. He is used to Shori being like that. His brother is really into video games, even though he is already in college.
He closed the door and placed the bag in the corner. Then, he threw himself on the bed. Today is another tiring day. But he knew there'll be more of it when he came back to Shin Makoku. For sure, the paper works are piling up again, waiting for his signature.
He can hear from his imagination about Gwendal complaining how slow he is in doing the paper works. It's not easy for him to read the documents. Besides, he can't just sign them all without reading it correctly. His father told him to read the whole document before signing it to make sure there's no error. And also, he's still having a little hard time reading eat since it's different in writing and reading system from Earth.
"Yu-chan! It's time for dinner!" His mother said from the other side of the door. He sat and responded going downstairs. He sat up, stretched his arms and stood up to leave the room.
When he's downstairs, everyone is waiting for him. They're all sitting in their seats. He went to his seat and settle down. As they started eating, Yuuri observes everyone. It seems quite normal for him. He took a spoonful of curry into his mouth.
Murata who's sitting next to him, leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "A girl asked about you, Shibuya."
"PFFFT!"
"YU-CHAN!" her mother exclaimed. "You're making a mess!"
Yuuri wiping off his mouth and coughing, glared at his best friend. "Seriously? We're eating!"
The Great Wise Man just shrugged his shoulders and continue eating his food.
. . .
"Don't do that again, Murata!" Yuuri said. He was lectured by his mother about not to make a mess again in the dinner table. He wasn't supposed to do that, but Murata's sentence made him surprised. Thus, made him choked with his food.
"But that's true, Shibuya. A girl asked me about you." Murata said, looking at the Maou. Yuuri stared at him for moment, trying to see if he is serious or not.
"Who is she?" Yuuri asked, out of curiosity.
"Well. . ." his best friend placed a hand on his chin, doing a thinking gesture. "I'm not going to tell you."
"What?! Why?"
"Because I don't know her name." and he laughed.
"Get lost Murata." This guy is unbelievable! Is this what the Great Wise Man do? Saying things that aren't supposed to be, and not thinking about who can hear him?
"I'm going home, see you tomorrow Shibuya!" Murata smiled and left.
Yuuri closed the door and sighed. His mom is washing the dishes while talking to their father. He went back to his room and changed his clothes into pajamas. He laid down on his bed and took a deep breath. The thoughts about how Shin Makoku is doing came across his mind. He left yesterday to prepare for studying. Now, he wants to go back but can't do it. There are many preparations for school tomorrow that he must do. But thinking how much time has passed since yesterday is urging him to go back. It is easy, not to mention the tub is only downstairs and he can travel on his own.
The time difference is huge in two worlds. And he's aware that time in Shin Makoku runs faster than in Earth and that is what makes him worried about. And for sure when he gets back, Gunter will say he's late for studies. Gwendal will tell him to sign the paper. Lastly, Wolfram will call him a wimp for his long absence. Their voices are running through Yuuri's head like a recorder. He covered his head with pillow to force himself to sleep. Tomorrow, he will hear their voices for real.
The next day...
"Good morning Yu-chan!" Her mother greeted and placed a plate on the table. "Your father has left already. Sho-chan is preparing to leave as well."
"Huh? He doesn't have any classes today." Yuuri said, confused.
"Mr. Rodriguez is picking him up to meet Bob later." Her mom answered.
He hummed in response as he began eating his food when the doorbell rings. And next is Murata calling his name. The Maou stood up to let his best friend in. As usual, he's wearing his usual clothes and the smile.
"Ken-chan, did you eat already?" As expected, her mom asked.
"Yes, but if you had prepared something for me, I'll gladly eat it."
"Perfect!"
Yuuri looked at him. "Did you just came here to eat?"
"Half of it, yes, but also, we need to go back to Shin Makoku since it's been two days." The Great Wise Man said. They bid goodbye to Yuuri's mother and went to the bathroom. Taking a deep breath, they jumped together to the tub and got sucked up.
. . .
Gunter is placing documents on the King's table. He's preparing everything for Yuuri's return. There's a lot of them that needs Yuuri's attention and sign. Not only that, the Maou is way too late for his studies. The books for him to read are ready.
It's been a week since Yuuri left and the work became quite complicated since it's starting to pile up. Though they can manage to maintain the peace Yuuri left but the things they need to finish are not getting closer because of Yuuri's absence.
"Heika, when will you return?" Gunter mumble while holding the book he will teach to the Maou. "The real peace is when your presence is in here!" he cried.
As for the first son of the previous Maou, he is running for his life.
"Gwendal, come back here!" Anissina yelled.
Gwendal continue running away from his childhood best friend, knowing what the result will be if she caught him. The soldiers are watching him run as Anissina follows him behind, trying to catch him. Her heels tapping the floor is telling him to move faster. Especially, he can hear them loudly, meaning she's closing to him. He made few turns to lose the inventor but still failed.
"Come back here or I'll never give you the kitten!"
He stopped.
He's breathing fast but hearing the words made him stopped in his tracks. Kitten. He saw the kitten in Anissina's room. He was staring at the animal because of its cuteness earlier when Anissina saw him. Knowing Gwendal, he's into "cute things".
"That's right! I won't give the KITTEN to you!" Anissina yelled, emphasizing the animal.
Gwendal wanted to run but looks like he's cornered by Anissina through his weakness. The latter knew him, and she knew him when it comes to things. Although, she doesn't used this method most of the times, but if that will make Gwendal help her then so be it.
Then, he felt her hand patted her shoulder. "Now, now, help me with my experiment. The kitten is waiting there." She whispered. The first son stood still for a moment. There's no turning back, he wants the kitten and the only way is he will help Anissina with her invention. And the inventor starts pulling him back to her chamber to start the experiment, and she's wearing a smile knowing this time, she won again.
Greta threw the ball to Conrad, and the second son caught it. They've been doing this since morning. Wolfram is watching both of them, sitting on the side. He doesn't want to be hit by the ball like the last time, especially Conrad is the one playing with Greta. Remember, if Yuuri didn't caught the ball, he probably ended up having an aching head like Yuuri had once when he's waving at Greta and wasn't aware the ball was thrown. It gave the double black an aching forehead for a week.
"Wolfram, aren't you supposed to train the soldiers?" Conrad asked.
"No, Giesela insisted to be the one doing it for today." The blonde answered. He stared at the young girl.
That wimp. Where is he? A week has passed already, and his presence is in demand everywhere. Greta is asking about Yuuri's return and he could only answer 'soon'. There's no assurance when he'll be here again. Though, Yuuri told them he won't take long, he's just needed to go back to study and will return again.
"Kaka! Message from the Tomb! Heika has return!" Dacascos voice echoed in the whole castle. His voice reached the rooms where Gunter, Anissina and Gwendal is
Wolfram quickly stood up from his seat after hearing Yuuri's return. "Let's go, Greta." The little nodded in excitement. Conrad follows them behind.
Riding their horses, they went to the Tomb of the Great One. Greta is left in the Shin Makoku, waiting for her father's appearance. The excitement is visible in her eyes.
After reaching the Great One's Tomb, they jumped off their horses and made their inside. The guards are assisting them. And there, they saw Yuuri and Murata standing on the fountain. Their clothes were drenched from the water. The maidens are looking at two with such happy faces. The presence of the two gives meaning for peace.
"Conrad! Gunter! Wolfram!" Yuuri called their names in lively voice.
Wolfram is walking towards Yuuri, wearing an annoyed face. "What took you so long, wimp?" He asked as soon he got near the Maou.
Yuuri frowned. "Don't call me a wimp!" Can't he greet me in a nice way? Sheesh! He thought
Gunter handled them towels to dry themselves off. "Welcome back, Heika, Geika." Both double blacks hummed in response. And the lavender-haired man gave them their clothes to change.
"It's good to be back." Murata said.
After changing into their formal clothes, Yuuri left the Tomb together with Wolfram, Gunter and Conrad. As usual, Murata is left behind in the Great One's Tomb. He is the only man who is allowed to stay. After all, he is the Great Wise Man. And for sure, Shinou is waiting for his return as well.
"Welcome back, Geika." Ulrike greeted. Murata smiled.
. . .
"Yuuri!" Greta jumped at him, giving her father a tight hug. Yuuri almost lost his balance because of what his daughter did. "I missed you!"
"Me too." He said, returning the hug. The maid behind them bowed their heads in respect. The soldiers are standing still. The two pulled away and Maou stood up, holding Greta's hand. He nodded his head, motioning them to go inside. The three followed the two as they walked inside the castle.
Yuuri's gaze wandered around. "It's good to see it's still in one piece." Thinking what might have happened here and seeing everything is great relieves his mind.
Gwendal's voice roared as an explosion happened.
"Though, this happened normally…" Yuuri mumbled.
Gunter coughed to interrupt. "Heika, we need to start your studies again. You're far too late for it."
"Eh? I just got here!" The Maou whined. "Can we do it another day?"
"Then, we start with the paper works."
"Give me a break…" The double black lowered his head.
"Gunter, let Heika rest for a while. I know for sure, he did a lot in the other world." Conrad said.
The lavender-haired man sighed. "Tomorrow, we will start Heika."
Yuuri's face lighten up and nodded. Even a king like himself demands a rest.
Gunter excused himself to the library. Conrad left since Gwendal called him. And Greta said she will see Anissina's new invention. And only Wolfram remains with him.
"You should be reading the documents." The Fire Mazoku said, arms crossed above his chest. "It's a king's duty to that."
"I know. But I need a break for today."
"Wimp."
"Don't call me a wimp!" Yuuri glared at him. "Besides, I need to practice my sword skills."
Wolfram looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "You're saying?"
"Well, Conrad can't teach me. So why don't you be the one?"
The blonde smirked. "You'll just running around and not using sword." He won't forget the time he trained him the whole night for his duel with Elizabeth, Yuuri ran around and didn't use his sword at all. Remembering that makes him laughed a bit.
"Why are you laughing?"
He shook his head. "Nothing. Just remembering a moment of you being a wimp."
"For the third time, Wolfram, don't call me a WIMP!"
The double black's reaction is one of things Wolfram wants to see every day. A week without his presence made him feel lonely. Admit or not, Greta is not the only one looked for his presence. He was lost in a week without Yuuri. In day, he would walk alone in the hall. The same thing Yuuri is doing every day. At night, his hand crawled in the empty space next to Greta and look for the double black's body.
He loves him. There's no point in denying that fact. But the question is, does Yuuri feels the same? he often notices the Maou avoiding the topic, saying they should talk about another time or not now. He's always trying to open the topic, but the double black is uncomfortable when it comes to their engagement.
"Wolfram!" Yuuri waved his hand in front of the blonde's face.
"Yu-Yuuri?" Wolfram was taken back into the reality. Yuuri's face were an inch away from his. His cheeks blushed. He's too near!
"I've been calling your name and you're not responding." Yuuri said.
Shaking his head, replying. "It's nothing."
"But you seem to be in deep thought." The double black said. "What are you thinking?"
"It's not important." He stood up. "I remember I need to do something." And left without waiting for Yuuri's response. He made his way inside his chamber, sitting in the edge of the bed. There, he continue his thoughts earlier.
"Does he love me?" he mumbled.
. . .
Yuuri walked around the castle on his own. He felt a bit uneasy and he don't know why. He's used to seeing these people but since he returned earlier, the atmosphere is quite heavy. Not only that, Wolfram's expression concerns him. He was staring at the blonde for a few moments, and he saw the sadness in his emerald eyes. Though, he's not sure but the expression is telling him something is different about the blonde. And when he called his name, Wolfram wasn't responding at all. Like, the Fire Mazoku wasn't hearing him at all. That's why he leaned his face closer, waving his hand in front of the Wolfram's face, trying to catch the latter's attention. And when he did, the face expression turns completely different. And next thing he knew, the blonde left.
Yuuri shouldn't feel worry about Wolfram. He knew the blonde is more than capable of handling any situation. But somehow, there's a place of worry in him.
"Heika, look out!" a soldier shouted.
"OUCH!"
Something hard hit his forehead, knocking him out of balance. He fell on the floor, his hands on his forehead.
"That hurts…." He mumbled, rubbing the sore part. That was something would knock him cold. He's feeling lightheaded now. He tried to stand up but failed to do so. His vision began to blurry, the unclear images of people running towards him before everything went black.
. . .
Murata has been fixing the issues inside the Great One's Tomb. He lost count how many problems has been fix and yet, the maidens are continuously asking for his assistance. Being the only man allowed in here quite hurts in his part. Although, he's used to do this but doing it physically makes the Great Wise Man exhausted. His hair is already a mess.
"Geika, after this, the broken door in my room is next." One of the maidens said. He sighed. There's so much things to do!
"Geika!" Another maiden called, running towards him.
"What is it?" He asked. "A broken door? Painting the wall?"
"Ulrike is asking your presence in the Oracle's hall right now." She said.
"Alright, I'm going." He dropped the equipment and went to Oracle's hall. The guards bowed to him before opening the door. Making his way towards Ulrike who's in silence right now, he saw a familiar figure.
"You're back, I see." Shinou greeted.
"Geika." Ulrike called. "Shinou-Heika asked me to call you here." She said, bowing her head as an apology.
"It's alright." He said.
Shinou sat above one of the old boxes, smiling. His figure is small and yet, he can move around the Tomb unlike before. "Why don't you take a break for a while?"
Murata fixed his glasses. "There's still a lot of things has to be done."
"Even a king needs a break. Why don't you relax for a bit?"
"That's the only reason why you called me here, right?" Murata said and sat on the stairs. "I highly doubt Ulrike would call me knowing I'm busy."
"Don't be too serious, the Maou is also demanding a break and you're lucky to have it." Shinou said. The three is sure the guards outside can't hear them since the gate is too far from them to be heard.
"I'm sorry, Geika. You should be taking a rest, but the maidens can't have anyone else to ask for help." Ulrike apologized.
. . .
Gunter was walking back and forth inside the king's chamber. His daughter, Giesela is healing the sore part in Yuuri. Her hand glowing above the Maou's forehead.
"Look at him, Heika's beautiful face is ruined!" Gunter exclaimed. He looked at Conrad who's standing in the side of the bed. "Why is he walking alone earlier? He was with you when I left him."
"Gwendal called me, and I left Heika with Greta and Wolfram." He answered.
Gunter stared at the double black whose eyes were still closed. They found out it's a flat metal, carrying by the soldiers. They were unaware of the Maou walking across their path until another soldier saw them and yelled. But it's too late for Yuuri to notice and got hit by the metal.
"Why aren't the soldiers being careful? Now, Heika has to bear this pain!" Gunter cried.
"Chichiue, stop worrying about Heika. He's fine now. He was just surprised by the hit that made him lost his consciousness." Giesela said, standing up from her seat. "He just needs some rest."
"Your daughter is right, Heika should be able to recover from this. Stop blaming the soldiers, it's unintentional." The second son said.
"Yuuri!" the door slammed open, revealing Greta. She ran towards Yuuri's bed and saw her father unconscious. "What happened?"
"He's just sleeping, Hime-sama." Giesela assured when she saw the worried expression in little girl's face. The healer glared at his father, giving him a signal to stop saying anything.
Gunter, Greta and Conrad left the room to let the double black to have rest. Everyone continue what they're doing earlier.
The king's chamber is quiet since the double black is still sleeping. His forehead has a shade of red in the middle and it's a little lump since the hit was a too hard that knock Yuuri out.
It remained quiet until the door slowly opened, revealing Wolfram who's still wearing his formal attire. He stepped in, closing the door behind him quietly as he can. Then, he started walking to the bed. And there, he saw Yuuri sleeping soundly. His gaze noticed the redness on his forehead. He heard from the maids about what happened. He couldn't help but to let out a small laugh.
"You really are a wimp…." He whispered and sat down in the double black's side. He stared at him.
Yuuri looks a kid while he's sleeping. His lips were slightly parted, allowing him to breath in comfort. The peace is visible in his face. It's like there's nothing to worry about. Wolfram brought a hand and placed on the side of his left cheek, gently caressing it. It made Yuuri hummed a little and that makes the blonde smiled. The Maou looks so adorable.
Failing to resist the urge, he leaned closer and sealed their lips. And that moment, heaven touched his body. Then, slowly move his lips against the sleeping Maou. Just a little longer, Yuuri will not know about this anyway. And he pulled away.
"Will you really love me?" he whispered. He stood up from sitting position and took a last glimpse before leaving the room. Stepping outside, he made sure no one saw him. Even though, everyone is aware of their engagement, he's worried about Yuuri's reaction if he heard rumors about him went to his room without his knowledge. He started walking away from the chamber's front. A cold expression is written all over his face.
He will sleep in his own room tonight. That would give the double black some space from him. As for Wolfram, he needs to think this carefully. He cannot do any impulsive decisions like the last time.
The Fire Mazoku made his way to his chamber and change into his sleeping clothes and laid in his bed. His emerald eyes stares at the ceiling. What he did might make Yuuri distant himself from him more if he finds out about it. But, thinking about what he did earlier. It wasn't any simple kiss. When he felt their lips met, heaven is what he felt. Unknowingly, he brought his left hand and placed on his lips. His fingers were caressing his lips gently as he continues having flash backs about earlier.
"Yuuri…"