Chapter XX-C. Treatment of Humans ️
Several years ago, young Ameri was sitting on her father's lap and asked: "Can I ask you something? When you work everyday, are you out catching the bad guys?"
"That's right." Replied her father, "I capture the demons who have forgotten their promise to the Netherworld."
"Awesome, Daddy!" Beamed Ameri in admiration, "I'm gonna catch them, too!"
Her father chuckled and gently patted his daughter's head and asked: "Are you now? But it's not just demons we capture. It's other creatures as well."
"Creatures besides demons?" Asked Ameri.
"Yes, indeed." Replied her father, "For example... Humans and their elk."
In the present day, twins from the human world, Ryūko and Iruma Suzuki, and their housemate Isabelle Abaddon were on their way to the First Year's Tower of the demon school Babylus while being drowned in attention ever since they won the Tricky Award from the Battler Party.
Student 1: "Hey, it's Isabelle, Ryūko, and Iruma!"
Student 2: "They won the Tricky Award."
Student 3: "Super tricky!"
Student 4: "They're Gimels now. Wow."
Student 5: "His hair tuft looks like a sickle."
Student 6: "Did you see her crown? She looks like a princess!"
Now with all of this popularity thrown onto the trio, it got incredibly stressful for Iruma. Ryūko and Isabelle, on the other hand, was already used to the attention, but not in a way that they want to be popular, anyway. Ryūko was touching her new black cherry blossom ear cuff on the right ear, thinking of her beloved soulmate, Kirio Amy, as they walk.
"Hey-o, Isabelle, Ryūko, and Iruma!" Addressed another student from the audience.
"I saw the special edition!" Said a demon girl.
"Oh. Why thank you." Bowed Ryūko and Isabelle regally.
"Thanks..." Bowed Iruma. "That's reeally nice."
"He's adorable cute!" Complimented a different demon girl.
"His sister is a beautiful hit of ice!" Added a demon boy.
"Isabelle is radiant, like the morning sun." Said another demon girl.
'W-We're couldn't standing more if we tried...' Thought Iruma.
'Now that I raised to a Gimel, I hope I did Amy proud.' Thought Ryūko, now in a love-like state in her head, 'It's only been today that you got taken away to Demon Border Control, but... I still miss you. We did spend a lot of time together, anyway.'
Acheron then appraoched the trio and greeted them: "Hey, guys. I see you're being swarmed by other students, huh?"
"Yeah." Said Isabelle.
"The same thing happened to me, as well. Except, that there are a lot of jealous people especially my own classmates. At least Eiko, Darris, and Gaako aren't jealous that I'm a Gimel now."
The two of them shared a chuckle.
In the Misfit Class' Room
When Isabelle, Ryūko, and Iruma got in the classroom, they noticed Clara Valac, a friend of theirs, looking at the front page of the school newspaper and exclaimed: "Ooh, the special edition! Way to go, Ryūko-kins, Issy-kins, and Iruma-kins!"
"Well appreciated, Valac." Thanked Ryūko.
"Ah, 'tis indeed a glorious affair!" Praised Lavande Félin, first female demon knight of the Netherworld and female top freshman student.
"Hey, what are you doing over there, Azz?" Asked Iruma to Alice Asmodeus, male top freshman student and only son of the Lord Of Seduction, Amuryllis Asmodeus.
"This is big your moment of glory, my lieges." Said Asmodeus as he was cutting up special article, "I have to preserve this."
He inserted that one of the many newspapers into a demon blob, that sort of looked like a printer. The article came out laminated.
"You laminated it?!" Exclaimed Iruma.
"So cool!" Said Clara.
"Now I just have to file it!" Said Asmodeus, holding a file in us hand, "But of course, I wouldn't forget to prepare one for you, milady."
"Oh. Not as quite necessary, but I thank you, Sir Asmodeus." Blushed the cat demon a little.
"In that case, I'll do the honors!" Said Clara.
"No, you will not!" Retorted Asmodeus.
Ryūko and Isabelle were next to her other classmate, Keroli Crocell, a demon living a double life as a student who was clenching on the newspaper article with envy and sullenness.
"Look, it's not like we even expected such an affair for the Tricky Award to be around." Sighed Ryūko, "We're sorry if Iruma and we stood out as such."
"I'm fine with you standing out, Ryūko and Isa, since you told me a lot earlier and not to mention, figuring out my double life." Whispered Keroli, "But I'm not happy with Iruma standing out."
"Weird. You're fine with us, but not him." Sweat-dropped Isabelle, "Oh. Ryūko and I were thinking of making a violin-keyboard cover for Kuromu's latest song. I'll send you a video so you can give me her opinion if she saw it."
"Really? You making a violin-and-keyboard piece for it?" Asked Keroli as Isabelle nodded, "S-Sure. I'll ask her."
She leaned over to whisper into the Isabelle's ear, as well as Ryūko's, "Even though you know who she really is."
"But I am the one who's gonna become the Demon King!" Declared Sabro Sabnock, a demon with an aspiring ambition to become the next Demon King, as His Majesty's throne has been vacant for centuries.
"Sir Sabnock, when shall we practice our sparring?" Asked Lavande.
"I will think about that, Félin." Said Sabnock, "But thank you for asking."
'We 're standing out more than ever.' Thought Iruma as everyone looked at the special article, 'This is bad. If they even suspect for a minute that we're human... I can't imagine what they'll do to me and my sister, despite her being a half-demon?!'
In the Common Room
Isabelle, Ryūko, Iruma, and Lavande went over to the common room as per manga reading session with Student Council President, Ameri Azazel, daughter of the Demon Border Control Chief.
Now if you can't recall, Lavande is one of those demons, besides Sullivan, Kattrin, and her father, who believes that humans exist. Only a few high-ranking demon know of their existence, previously signing contracts that involve desires.
Lavande is capable of speaking several human languages and has an interest in human culture, but would never cross the borders between the Netherworld and the human world. But she doesn't really translate the shojou manga series, First Love Memories, with Isabelle, Ryūko, and Iruma; instead, she serves as their guard and looks out for any unexpected guests or intrusions.
"Apologies for we must keep you at bay, Lady Azazel." Apologized Lavande to Ameri.
"It must have been very rude of us, to have you waiting as such." Added Ryūko.
"I heard what happened." Said Ameri as she set her tea cup down on its saucer, "About Kirio Amy. I received an secret explana-"
"Don't you dare mention him in such a negative way!" Outburst Ryūko suddenly.
It was so loud and sudden that everyone in the room was shocked at her emotions bursting out.
"What? Did I say something about him to upset you, Ryūko?" Asked Ameri.
Before she would say a thing, the blue-haired half-demon clenched her fists, shrugged her shoulders tight and tears streamed down from her red and blue eyes.
"To have him, my beloved soulmate, mention in a way I cannot bear... it's got me thinking of him, our forbidden love, my heart aches from hearing him mentioned in a place like this." Said Ryūko, "He was the one demon who could never leave my head. Only today, he had to be arrested away after what I requested for a last stay... Even so, I still love him the same! But I can't get him to leave in such a short time that flew so fast! Why couldn't I let it go?! He was the reason I want to reach to my ambition and pull it closer to me! He was such a great upperclassman and I knew how much he went through and I saw the string of fate that tied us together, with such silence! But to think, he was this much of a villain that I still cherish ever so!"
This was an unbearable scene that Ryūko was bringing out and Ameri was shocked to know that those two were in relationship. The bluenette sank to her knees and cried as she thought of her beloved again. Ameri stood up and walked to her, crouching down to her height and gently patting her head.
"Gee, I'm very sorry for you, Ryūko." Apologized Ameri, "I never knew that you... felt such a thing. You saying that this love was forbidden, meaning you, Isa, and Iruma saved everyone and Kirio was doing all of that. I'm really sorry."
"Lady Ryūko... You have felt... a forbidden romance? That indeed is tragedy." Said Lavande in pity.
"Sis, it's going to be alright." Reassured Iruma as Isabelle followed, "There will be a time for you guys to be together again. I guarantee you that."
Are you guys really... sure I will see him in person again?" Asked Ryūko, still teary-eyed.
"Soulmates are never too far away from their hearts, my lady." Said Lavande, "Rest assured, I know of it."
"... You guys are right. As long as I love him, there's no need to be alone." Smiled Ryūko softly, "I have him in my heart. That's why I look a little like him now with this new cape and ear cuffs as memorials of him. Thank you, everyone."
Her tears even touched her Soulmate Scar, located on her left ring finger, and the scar glowed in turquoise and admiral blue.
"Sis, your scar is glowing again!" Exclaimed Iruma pointing at her scar.
Ryūko looked at her scar with the light and she touched her right ear cuff in remembrance of Kirio.
"That glow means that my love for him is growing stronger." Said Ryūko, "The fact I had him over last night made me feel at ease and I just... I just love him so much."
After Ryūko had some time to calm down, Ameri decided to continue.
"Anyways, I received an secret explanation." Said Ameri, "As the Student Council President, I thank you three and Acheron. It must've been rough, sorry."
"... Of course. It has, especially to let my feelings go like this." Sighed Ryūko, a little sad about it.
Ameri then abruptly stood up from her armchair and said: "Anyway, that aside! We have a lot of missed reading time to make up for now!"
She exchanged a smile to the twins and Iruma smiled back whereas his sister and Isabelle nodded. In today's chapter of First Love Memories, main male character Kakeru Aozora, apparently slipped and slammed his hand next to the head of main female protagonist, Rin Hoshino. This resulted in both of their hearts to flutter. Not just them, it seemed.
In spite of how fierce the Student Council President is, she can be really cute.
"Squee! Wh-What are these palpitations I feel?!" Asked Ameri to herself when she turned away.
"To no mistake, you must have felt the song of romance touching that strong heart of yours, Lady Azazel." Said Lavande, "Was that of a thing thou hast seen in thine eyes that lead to the ache of love in thy core, Lady Ryūko?"
"Oh. Yes, it was indeed." Nodded Ryūko.
"A-Are you alright?" Asked Iruma.
"Th-There's no need to worry. I'll be fine." Reassured Ameri, "I would rather you just continue reading..."
But at a second she looked at the window, she saw her father walking into the school compound.
"Is there something wrong, Ameri?" Asked Isabelle.
"Oh, it's nothing." Said Ameri, "I saw someone I know and need to chat with them."
"Oh, I guess we can catch up some other time, then..." Said Iruma.
"Sorry about this, Isa, Ryūko, Iruma, and Félin." With that, Ameri left the common room and hurried down the hallway wonder what was her father doing in school.
Isabelle, Ryūko, Iruma and Lavande were just walking through the hallway to class. Lavande went up front and said: "My lieges, I shall await for you with Sir Asmodeus and Lady Valac. Fare thee well, for now."
Isabelle, Ryūko, and Iruma nodded at her leave before the feline demon went off to class, leaving the trio alone.
"It's rare for Ameri to be that in a rush. She's usually so measured." Said Iruma, much to Ryūko and Isabelle's agreement, "She said she saw someone she knew, but I wonder who it could be..."
Isabelle ears twitched while Ryūko's spider senses picked up a menacing vibration from behind and the two girls turned around.
"Oh. So we meet again." Greeted Ryūko.
"Hello, Officer Henri." Greeted Isabelle.
"Who are you guys talking abo-" Iruma was shocked at who was his sister and housemate are referring to; the demon behind them was none other than Henri Azazel, Chief of Demon Border Control and Ameri's father!
"You're Iruma, aren't you? And so to your agreement, Ryūko." Asked Henri, "I need to speak with you two. Isabelle, can you also come with us?"
"Of course, sir." Replied Isabelle with a bow.
Iruma assumed the worst, but not much happened as they were just outside sitting on a bench and silence only filled the air.
'We agreed to come out here with him... but still, who is he?' Thought Iruma, 'He sorta reminds me of someone.'
Henri then turned his head to Iruma, who felt so much of pressure as the older demon thought that this is the Iruma he heard of.
Flashback To Chapter XVIII
At Demon Border Control Headquarters
When Sullivan received the message that Babylus needed him, he wanted to leave the interrogation room.
"Well, I'm going to head back to school now." Said Sullivan.
But Henri interfered with his wanting to return to the school.
"Lord Sullivan. We haven't completed our interrogation." Said Henri, "We need you to stay here until you've been cleared of any and all suspicion."
"But alas, you have no proof now." Said Sullivan, "Sorry, but I' must leave you."
Henri called him again, but to find a horrifying aura emitted by Sullivan, "As I've told you, I'm leaving."
The aura filled the entire room full of dread, paralyzing Henri at the spot.
'M-My body... I can't move.' Noticed Henri.
"I'm very sorry but I intend to keep the promise I made to come back." Said Sullivan before he returned to his cheery self, "I promised Ryūko and Iruma. Okay, bye!"
And with that, Sullivan left the scene through a portal.
End Of Flashback
'Lord Sullivan's obsessed with these children...' Thought Henri as he balled his fists, 'Which means the reports were true. They were dragged here by the Chair-Demon against their will-'
He then squished Iruma's cheeks with both of his hands before finishing up, 'And they're human!'
'Yup. This has definitely happened before...' Thought Iruma with a déjà vu.
"Pardon me, Officer." Addressed Ryūko before it was her turn to have her face sandwiched.
She turned up with a dull and rather straight look. Henri then took both of their hands to inspect them for any injuries, but the way the inspection was held seemed more like a dance.
"No cuts, bruises. No problems, hey!" Chanted Henri before he let go of them, "My apologies! It was a bit weird... But I managed to make contact with them. If they show any signs of needing help, I need to take them in immediately."
He sat back down on the bench and Iruma stared at him with anxiety whereas Ryūko was thinking of revealing who the Mysterious Arachne really was.
"Sir, I'm sure you want to know who the Mysterious Arachne is. Allow me to show you." Said Ryūko as she stood up and transformed into her Arachne form, "I was that demon who interfered with you. There was no other way I could show Kirio my gratitude for everything he has done for the Magical Apparatus Battler, so I had him over."
Henri was shocked, he really thought that Ryūko was a pure human, but she's actually a cambion, a hybrid of both a human and a demon.
'Wait... she can... transform? And she's the Mysterious Arachne?' Wondered Henri in surprise, 'If she's neither a human, nor a demon, she's half of them, like Isa? But... how is that possible?'
Ryūko told him to keep this alias of hers secret from everyone when she reverted back to her normal form, because if anyone else finds out that she's the Mysterious Arachne, chances are that panic will take over.
"This has been a well-kept secret, but I've actually encountered two human beings: one in my the distant past, and another a few decades ago." Said Henri.
Iruma was alarmed, so was Ryūko, but she would never show it for the sake of her other half. Isabelle, on the other hand, was calm as she had heard that story when she was a kid and that one of those humans was her dad.
"Huh? H-humans, really?" Asked Iruma nervously, "That's amazing. What happened? Did you manage to capture the either one of them?"
"Yes, of course, I did." Said Henri, "For the first human, the torso went to the lab for experiments. The lower half I enjoyed in a hotpot with some of my colleagues."
Iruma screamed in terror and Ryūko and Isabelle just stood there, stoic as normal, the latter since she knew that was just a fabrication.
"You needn't worry. Only joking."
Iruma fell of the bench in surprise that he was joking. But how was he supposed to tell? Most serious-looking people aren't good at cracking in humor. And Henri was very convincing. Plus, Iruma's sister seems to be a little amused and chuckled from the joke while Isabelle said 'Called it' with a smirk.
"To be totally honest, if a human were to be found in the Netherworld, I'm not sure what would happen." Said Henri, "Some demons are going back to basics, so it'd be quite dangerous for a human here. That's why I took that first human in and made sure they were returned safe and sound to their own world. In addition, I did the proper paperwork so they could go back immediately. We did a procedure that erased all their memories of being in the Netherworld and sent them home."
"Going back to basics... Wait a second, are those demons said to return to their origins?" Asked Ryūko, remembering what Kirio said in a dream once before.
"That is correct." Said Henri.
"But wait, what about the other human from a few decades ago?" Asked Iruma.
"Oh, this one has a different story, unlike the previous human. You see, this other human had gone to this realm for a few days and when I found him, he fell in love with a female demon. I needed to bring this human back home and had his memory erased of the Netherworld, but he refused to budge as he doesn't want to leave his demon lover behind. So, we reached a compromise to give that human unlimited access between his world and ours so he could see this female demon."
"Wow..." Trailed Iruma.
"Ryūko... Iruma... If you are seeking help, please don't hesitate to ask..."
"Hey, Father!" Ameri suddenly came around and ran up to Henri, "I've been looking all over for you!"
Realization hit Iruma and he shouted: "Wait, he's your father?!"
"Yes, he's my father and he's employed at the Demon Border Patrol." Introduced Ameri.
"He's also a good friend of my mother." Continued Isabelle. "I even knew him way before I met Ameri."
"So I am not mistaken." Said Ryūko, "Henri Azazel: Chief of Demon Border Control and also, a member of the Thirteen Crowns. Am I saying this correctly, or perhaps that was far-fetched?"
"Y-You know my affiliation!" Exclaimed Henri before turning to his daughter, "So you already know Ryūko, Iruma, and Isabelle?"
"Sure. They're very famous at our school. They've built an impressive record ever since the day they got here. At the Battler Party, they put on a superb show." Said Ameri before she walked closer to Ryūko and Iruma, "Isa, Ryūko, and Iruma are..." She smiled before her turned over to her father, "Isa, Ryūko, and Iruma... are most outstanding demons."
Henri wasn't exactly sure if Ameri knew that the Suzuki twins were actually human, but one look into her eyes and he decided to let it rest for today.
"Well, I only came to see the Chair-Demon today." Said Henri, "I'd ask this young lady and her brother for directions. Thank you very much."
"Oh? You're welcome, Officer Azazel." Bowed Ryūko.
"N-No problem." Stammered Iruma.
"But it's rather unusual for you to praise anyone this grandly." Said Henri.
Ameri hearing this flinched and mumbled: "Oh, it's just that we've had some rather enlightening chats alone recently..."
Something triggered inside of Henri's head from hearing this.
"Alone... you say?" Asked Henri.
"Uh-huh... Sometimes, we have tea in the audience room when school gets out." Continued Ameri, "And then we talk..."
"Go on, just what do you talk about when you're alone together?" Asked Henri.
The only problem was, those books that Isabelle, Ryūko, and Iruma usually read to Ameri were considered forbidden texts, considering the fact that they are books from the human world. For this problem, Ameri needs to think of something fast.
"What are you four doing alone together?" Asked Henri again.
"Actually, we talk all about love and relationships!" Said Ameri.
An electric current of alarm coursed through Henri before Ameri added something, "Oh, we also talk about our future's hold for us!"
The lenses of Henri's glasses shattered when thought that speaking of love and futures means talking about marriage.
Henri then remembered what Ameri said when she was a child. She said that when she gets older, she would become his bride (of course, please do not take this the wrong way). He then imagined Ameri and Iruma's wedding and... That might not be happening! Also, why do his glasses keep breaking? He slumped down, concerning Ryūko, Iruma and Ameri.
"Father, no!/My goodness!/Officer Azazel!" Addressed Ameri, Isabelle, and Ryūko.
"Are you alright, sir?" Asked Iruma.
"Bite your tongue! No one gave you permission to call me "Father"!" Yelled Henri angrily to Iruma.
"Quick! To the infirmary!" Suggested Ameri after Iruma noted that he never called Henri his father-in-law.
Henri wobbled back and forth unsteadily from probably misunderstanding something. Ryūko inhaled and exhaled before she stepped forward towards the adult.
"It was pleasure to meet you again, Officer Azazel." Bowed Ryūko, "Also, what you might have been picturing a few minutes ago might be a misunderstanding so... Do not be at any worry and please do not take the conversation the wrong way."
For a moment, his normal self returned before giving the Arachne a sideway glance and said: "I'll... try to."
With things settled, Ameri said her goodbyes to the twins before she took her father to the infirmary.
"That was like walking through a storm." Said Iruma.
Ryūko and Isabelle nodded in his agreement, despite not being mad at for much. They then heard Clara calling out their names.
"Hey, Issy, Ryūko, and Iruma-kins! Kaboom!" Clara hugged Iruma from behind, Asmodeus, Lavande, and Acheron were behind Clara.
The pink-haired male demon was removing Clara from Iruma.
"Why must you always insist on acting like a psychotic gremlin?!" Questioned Asmodeus before exchanging a worried look at the trio, "My lieges. Regarding with the Kirio, I realized you're deeply involved in this so Miss Félin, Master Acheron, and I won't prod for answers."
Clara popped up and Asmodeus punched her head down before Lavande decided to finish up: "But do not be holding your darkest feelings back and come to us if anything is required."
"We'll provide you some necessary information for anything like this." Finished Acheron.
"That's all we needed to know today. Thank you." Replied Isabelle.
'Going back... It's true... That was what I wanted at one point but...' Thought Iruma.
"You three... are such wonderful comrades." Smiled Ryūko, "I... I... I thank thee. All of thee for everything until the last of our time. Shall we go to class then?"
After Acheron departed from the group for Class A, the rest entered the class, with their classmates greeted the twins and their housemate in such a friendly manner.
"Being taken in... I know that's something at Iruma and I might need or want but... Even so, we must not disclose the fact that I'm a half-human and Iruma's a pure human."
- Suzuki Ryūko
More Quotes By Suzuki Ryūko
"Some say that love speaks in similarities. But true love is when you cast aside your differences and as long as you truly love someone as your own and will give into your lustful desires or share your differences together. There is no such thing as love in being the same, as Romeo and Juliet had it before."
- Suzuki Ryūko.
"I don't give a f*** if my soulmate is perverted or not. But I hope he can improve himself and finds alternatives to reach his goal someday. In the meantime, I'll forever treasure his ambition as my own ambition. Fate brought us together, arrays of both a half-human and a pure demon collided, true romance is just as fleeting. This is a tragedy like Romeo and Juliet, but the two will be able to make this tragedy a happy story with their undying love."
- Suzuki Ryūko.