"What'cha doin Mama?"

Her body was stunned hearing that voice, "A-Alas? How did you get here?"

"I'm in your head, remember?" she giggled.

"Right…," muttered Emi."

Alas Ramus was still puzzled. Papa went out earlier in the morning, and mama said that she was going to work today. But mama didn't take the bus like usual. She kept wondering what's the problem until Emi turned her head sideways. In this state, Alas Ramus can only see what Emi sees, when Emi's eyes caught the unsuspecting couple, so did Alas Ramus'.

"Chi-Ne-Cha! Mama I want to play. Let's go!" Alas Ramus excitedly exclaimed.

"Not today, mama got an important task to do." Emi swiftly changed into her 'spy' mode. She silently moved into the crowd, following the two's each and every step

In the end, she had to maintain the 'spy' mode for 5 hours. Maou and Chiho went to a café, bought some ice cream, went to the park, fed the birds, and ate lunch at a restaurant.

"I really had a great time! See you tomorrow then!" said Maou as he waved away his lovestruck co-worker. Woo, that was tiring. Should I buy something on the way home? Those pancakes were so good! I wonder if Emi will like it, he thought to himself.

Before he was able to step forward, his ear was suddenly pulled by a familiar hand. "Oww!" He turned around in pain only to find 2 angry eyes glaring at him.

"Errands my ass! You were havin fun with Chiho-Chan back there!" Emi shouted, with hands-on her hips. That's when you know that you're in trouble.

"Why do you care so much anyway? Yes, we went to the park and all that, but what does it have to do with you? I'm a grown man." Said Maou nonchalantly.

Maou averted his attention back to the street until he felt a gentle tug on his arm.

Emi stared at the street pavement, trying her best to avoid Maou's gaze. "Of course I care. We live together, we eat together, we sleep together, we're raising Alas Ramus together. We're practically married." Emi was suddenly hit with a moment of realization. 'Practically married', maybe she shouldn't have blurted that out. Maybe she should've used a different phrase, maybe she shouldn't have cared. Maybe-

"Alright, I'm sorry. You wanna grab some pancakes before we go home?"

"PANCAKES!" Alas Ramus jumped out without permission. She shouldn't have been able to do that. But hey, pancakes are a magic word for a hungry infant.

Maou was ready, but once again, he was stopped. "What else?" He groaned. A tone of annoyance accompanied his glare.

"You never took me out" she muttered slowly.

"Take you out? Jesus Emi, you want me to kill you?"

Emi stepped on his shoes angrily. "You know damn well what I mean."

He sighed, "Fine, tomorrow's Saturday, right?"

"Waahh…So many people!" Alas Ramus jumped excitedly. "Wait, where's mommy?"

Maou heard the question and raised his eyebrow, "Now that you mention it, where is that broad?"

They found her leaning back on a tree. Sitting alone, it's as if she's talking to someone.

"Yo! We've been searching for you."

"Shut up" she hissed back.

"Tch, fine then. I'm just gonna ask Chii-Chan to participate." Said Maou, as he motioned for Alas Ramus to grab his hand. "Mama don't wanna play with me?"

It felt like a huge slap in the face for Emi, "W-Wait! It's not that I don't want to play with you. I…I just thought that we're going on….nevermind." She got up and tried her best to forge a smile for Alas.

"Welcome to the Blue Lake Festival! Now, for this year's main attraction. Drum roll please!"

The overly intense MC's voice managed to spread across the park. Hundreds of people gasped in excitement. After all, this yearly festival always hosts games with the biggest prizes.

The curtains were raised, revealing a rectangular-shaped piece of ground. With lines drawn dividing the track into 6 large lanes.

"Now, don't be confused. This will not be a regular running competition. It's a good-ol family relay competition!" said the MC with a huge smile on his face. As for the prize…

Once again, the curtain opened. But this time on a small stage, revealing a silver Subaru Impreza.

Maou's eyes widen. His mouth gaped at the sight of a possible brand-new car. The last time he checked, a car like that would've cost around 2 million yen. That's like what he earns in 2 years (I have no idea if this is true). He might be a hardline money-loving capitalist, but hey, no one would pass up the opportunity of a free car, right?"

"Oi Maou, what're you doin over there? Come here and help Alas catch some butterflies!" ordered Emi. "Papa, let's go, I have a spare net for you."

"W-What the hell are you doing a dogeza for?" said Emi in horror.

Alas Ramus meanwhile, thought that Maou was inviting her to play the princess and the horse with her. She climbed on top of her daddy, "ONWARD!"

But Maou doesn't care. He just has one thing in mind, that damn car. "Please go to the family relay with me. I really need that car!"

Family relay? She thought. She parted her lips in embarrassment. Thank god his eyes were glued to the ground. "Alright alright, I'll go! Don't you there beg like that again, it's embarrassing for me too."

Maou's eyes began to sparkle, and without warning, his arms were wrapped around Emi's body. "Tomorrow, 7 o'clock, Nando's, don't be late."

"Alright everybody, I see that every single one of you is excited! Now the rules for this game are that there would be a total of 3 players from each team. Which would need to include 1 child at least. The rest of the players would need to wait on their respective spots. A player can only run if he or she had received the red and white baton. Any questions?"

All of the families answered collectively, "NO!"

"Without further ado, let us begin!"

Alas Ramus was the one to start. Thankfully, most of the competitions were about her age. Her silver streaks of hair are flung around the air as she tries every trick she has to win. Swinging her hands as hard as she could, shouting "AAAA" to the top of her lungs. She doesn't really get what's papa is so excited about. But if he's happy, she's happy too! And maybe, she'll get some ice cream.

Alas Ramus shouted her way to first place. When she handed the baton, Maou didn't forget to give a simple thank you. Turning around, he can hear a faint giggle from Alas Ramus. "Go Papa!"

Those words lifted his already high spirit. He recalled his old technique, and by a matter of seconds, he had managed to extend his lead. A thin layer of sweat covered the nape of his neck. He felt his whole body working, his leg muscles running warm, fresh air entered his lungs. When he looked forward, he saw her. Her red hair, her confident smile. "Yosh!"

"You can do it Emi" was his last message before falling to the ground.

Emi sneered at him. "No shit"

She leaped forward. No matter how big of a gap they already have. She still has to do her absolute best. Emi tries to find motivation by thinking of the car. But somehow a certain idiot's face kept popping up. She began to sprint, her breath coming in short intervals. But something felt off. It was gut-wrenching, heart-pumping. But after several desperate thrusts to maintain her speed, her legs grew tired. "No, please…."

A couple of people began to catch up to her. She was desperate for motivation.

She may be a brute

She may be the washboard hero

She may be scary

Emilia the Hero, there's no way thou can lose a mere race?

Emi just gave Maou a dirty look. This motherfucker, she thought. It doesn't even rhyme, and that was supposed to lift my spirits?

But just beside him, stood a little girl holding up a piece of paper. In classic Alas Ramus handwriting, she wrote, "Don't tell daddy. I love you the most!"

Emi chuckled at her daughter's antics. Although she had been behind for quite a while, she still has an idea.

A strong gush of wind flung every other contestant aside. "Heavenly Fleet Feet!" Emi rode the gale and leaped to the finish line. "Victory!" exclaimed the MC.

Maou and Alas rushed over to Emi. She crossed her hands and started grinning. "Hmph! How bout' that?"

Before Emi was able to properly brag, Maou bonked her. "What the fuck are you being smug about? You literally cheated."

"But you got your car! That's the damn point. It's not like we can't just erase their memories later."

"Emilia…You're The Hero right? Don't you have any pride or honor left?" jeered Maou. "Mama is cheating. I don't like mama anymore." Alas Ramus added.

"Now let's get out of here before you find your cheating ass in jail," he said as he grabbed her hand.

I see, now which poison should I put on the stew tonight?