Chapter 4
Business & Pleasure
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Magic"
Flashback
Location / Date / Time Skip
The three stared at each other in shock before Emi stepped forward. "You never said one word about Ente Isla!"
"No, but good Natsu clearly knew!" Suzuno shouted back. "He asked if I was interested in the Devil King, but then warned me that it would end badly if I got too close to him, and then advise that I should stay clear of him."
"Wait, what?" Natsu asked in confusion.
"Having survived countless battles, I am not to shy away from combat." Suzuno continued. "But having been told by the Hero's consort that he is a serious threat, I had no choice but to retreat. Left with no alternatives, I then asked him for assistance and he gave me both of your contact information."
"WHAT!?" Both asked, Natsu out of confusion and Emi in embarrassment.
"I thought you had ascertained my true nature and let me continue on!" Suzuno reprimanded.
"How the hell could I have figured that out?" Natsu asked.
"Did it not strike you as a tad odd that a sweet young girl like myself suddenly shows up and starts cooking for three strangers like a slave?" She asked.
"Sweet, young girl?" Emi repeated in an offended tone. "You're the last person who should be talking about what's ridiculous!"
"I don't understand!" Suzuno shouted. "What could you have possibly meant when you asked me if I was interested in him!?"
"Uh... I uh..." Natsu mumbled in confusion. "Hold on. Why did you ask me if Emi and Maou had a intimate relationship? And what the hell is a consort?"
"Don't answer that last one!" Emi shouted as her checks turned bright red.
"I was told that you two had joined forces!" Suzuno shouted.
"That is a load of bull!" She shouted in anger. "We were forced to fight together to defeat a mutual enemy! That's it. You sound like an idiot saying things like that! Don't tell me you actually believed I was working the devil to exact my revenge against the church? Wait... you were the one who attacked us at the convenience store last night, weren't you?"
"...what about a convenient snack?" Suzuno asked with a head tilt.
"Yeah, that wasn't her." Natsu said, catching both girls off guard. "I got a good whiff of who ever was behind that mask, and her scent is totally different. Besides, there's no paint on her face."
"If that's the case, then who are you, why were you hanging around the devil's castle and what do you want?" Emi asked.
Instantly, Suzuno lowered her head and began speaking in her native Ente Isla tongue. "My real name is Crestia Bell. I am the Chief Interrogator of the Doctrinal Corrections Council. If you still intend to defeat the Dark Lord, please allow me to coopera-"
"Hold on." Emi quickly ran over and bought three tickets, handing one to Suzuno. "I don't want to be late for work, so save the details for shopping, okay?"
"Very well..." The kimono clad girl replied, taking the ticket.
"I hate this stupid death machine." Natsu mumbled as the two walked through the train gate.
Suzuno tried to follow, only to get blocked off by the security gate. "How dare you! I haven't the time for this! You will release me this instant!" Emi showed her the proper way to leave and the three went up the escalator, only for Suzano to fall at the top.
After a ride in the 'death machine' as Natsu put it, the three arrived in Shinjuku and Suzuno stared up in amazement, only to quickly fall over in surprise. "This land called 'Japan' transcends my understanding... It is nothing like Ente Isla..."
"Eh, you get used to it." Natsu chuckled.
"Come on, let's head into that coffee house." Emi said, pointing at a nearby Moondollars coffee house. "I have some questions I'd like to ask you."
They walked into the café and placed their order before sitting at a table. "What's with the stupid grin, Natsu?" Emi asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry, I just can't get over what Suzuno said." He chuckled, trying to hold in a laugh. "'How are those tiny people inside there?' It was a flatscreen television, not a puppet show."
A massive blush covered her face as their drinks were brought to them. "I would appreciate the dropping of that subject!"
"Where'd you learn about Japan anyway?" Emi asked with a serious face. "Seriously, what's up with the kimono?"
"I did a fair bit of research before coming here." Suzuno replied, her face slowly returning to normal. "I understood that the kimono was the traditional apparel worn in Japan. Something I learned from what they called 'historical dramas', and several documentaries gave some insight."
'Wait, this girl watched movies and though they were real?' Natsu asked himself, cracking open his bottle of water. 'And Gray calls me an idiot.' He took a sip from his bottle and lowered it, turning to Suzuno as she listed her favorite movies. "Okay, why are you here and what do you want with Emi?"
"I'm with Natsu." Emi replied as she poured creamer into her cup. "Why did the chief of the Doctrinal Corrections Council move next door to the devil's castle? Care to explain that?"
"My investigation began with Olba Meyer, but all he could tell me was Satan's residence and a vague idea of his life-style." The kimono clad girl explained as she copied EVERYTHING Emi did. "I thought if I kept an eye on the devil, you would show up."
"That makes sense, but what do you want with me?" Emi asked, still not receiving a clear answer.
"First, let me apologize for what Father Meyer did." Suzuno said. "His actions are in no way a reflection of the church. And as I observed from both you and Natsu, it appears that the rumor of you joining forces with the devil were false."
"Look, stop beating around the bush and just tell us what you want." Natsu annoyingly interrupted, placing his bottle on the table. "This is starting to sound like you buttering us up."
"Very well. I wish for the three of us to join forces and defeat King Satan, and then we will return to Ente Isla and work on sending Natsu home as well." Suzano explained clearly. "However, in exchange for letting the world know of your survival, they would cover up all of Olba's deeds. Do we have a deal?"
"No."/"Hell no." The 'sibling' replied instantly.
"What!?" Suzuno asked in shock, standing up. "I am doing everything in my power to restore your honor and fulfill the promise you made to good Natsu. So why not?"
"Really?" Natsu asked back. "The last guy who came from your home almost killed innocent people trying to find Emi. And then when they did find us, they tried to kill us for 'the glory of the church'. What makes you think we're gonna trust them again?"
"Natsu's right." Emi added on. "Olba teamed up with that idiot Lucifer to kill us. Albert and Esmerald can give you a full detailed account of how much trouble he caused here. Besides, this is my duty as a hero, not yours. So don't give me that crap about a 'Doctrinal Correction Council'. All you are is the head of the new Inquisition, make no mistakes about it.
"I don't know what your whole 'cooking for demons' thing is, but tread lightly. If you mess with him or have any kind of slip up, I can guarantee that he will see through your charade and kill you. He may not look it, but he's still the devil."
"I... understand." Suzuno sighed out. "Thank you for the warning."
"Good, just promise me you'll put some thought into your own position on the council." Emi smiled as she reached into her purse, pulling out two magazines. "I grabbed these at the station for you. If you're gonna hang around here, you gotta figure out how this place works. For real."
Suzuno looked up from the paper as Emi stood up from the table. "The way you look and talk is more than a little on the old fashioned side. Anyways, I gotta run or I'll be late for work. Natsu, show her around town. And try not to infect her with your geek germs."
"Just go." He chuckled as Emi walked out the door. "Alright, let's get going."
"Where are we heading, good Natsu?" Suzuno asked as the left the coffee shop.
"First things first, we need to get you some cash." He said as they walked down the street. "Do you have anything you can sell off?"
"I do have a bit of jewelry I can liquidate." The kimono girl said, pulling out a gold ring with a green gem imbedded at the tip. She handed him the ring and he looked at the crystal.
"Wait, this isn't gonna melt anyone's face or cause a tornado when they put it on, is it?" He asked, making the people around him mutter something about 'chūnibyo'. "Let's get going." He muttered as he hung his head.
"What is this 'chūnibyo' they're speaking of?" Suzano asked.
"…I don't wanna talk about it." Natsu replied as he lead her forward.
Later That Night
"Good Emi!" Suzuno called out, catching the two girls attention. "It seems your duties for today have finished!"
Emi and the other girl turned around and stared in shock as Suzuno walked over, Natsu behind her carrying all of her bags. "Where'd she even get the money for that?" She asked Natsu. "How much did she make you spend on all those yukata?"
"Nothing, actually." He replied. "Apparently, she pawned of some costume jewelry for a lot of cash."
"And she didn't strike a hard bargain, did she?" She asked back, making him shaking his head in agreement as she let out a sigh. "Figures."
"Uh, I'm a little confused here." Rika spoke up for the first time. "Do you know this girl, Emi?"
"I, uh... sure, let's just go with that." Emi sighed. "Why are you even here?"
"She's been going on and on about a request." Nate replied, confusing the other two girls.
"I would like to see good Sadou's workplace. Would you accompany me?" She asked, shocking Emi.
"Maybe not the time..." She mumbled back.
"Sadou..." Rika mumbled, trying to remember the name. "I feel like I know that name."
"I understand that you and Nate would like me to stay away from him, but I am not the type of person to simply walk away and accept things as they are." Suzuno explained, making Rika swoon.
"Wait, I remember now!" She cried out. "He's that guy that was talking to Emi after that quake at the shopping mall! Do I smell a scandal? Well, don't you worry, Suzuno." Rinka walked over to the kimono-clad girl and the two started walking away. "As an impartial third-party, I'd be more than happy to help. So where does he work?"
"The McRonalds in Hatagaya." Suzuno replied.
"Hold on a second!" Emi shouted, catching their attention. "I don't care what you guys say, I'm not going! And neither is Nate!"
The two stared at the siblings at the until Emi cracked, annoyed as they followed the two to the train station. "I did request you to take me there, but I didn't think you would comply." Suzuno confessed.
"THEN WHY DID YOU EVEN ASK!?" Emi asked in annoyance before glaring at Nate with a stern look on her face as he held in a laugh.
Hatagaya Station
"Huh, there seems to be a lot more people here than normal." Rinka observed as Emi patted her motion-sick 'brother' on the back.
"I was told that today was the start of a local star festival." Suzuno explained. "Perhaps that is the reason for all these extra people."
"Don't call them 'extra'." Natsu groaned out, standing up straight again. "You sound like a evil villain when you phrase it like that."
"Okay, but that still doesn't explain why the MgRonalds we came all the way to see is deserted." Rinka spoke up. "This is no place for proper drama. Without a busy restaurant, how are we gonna make things awkward? And with no one else around, this guy might get wise and defeat the whole purpose."
"Wow, is she like this at work?" Nate asked in a whisper.
"Pretty much." Emi replied.
"Good thing that Sentucky is open." Rinka said, glancing across the street. "The perfect place to form our council of war." The four quickly walked across the street and entered the establishment, quickly reaching the register. "Guess I'll just have an iced coffee. You guys?"
"I'll have the number eight combo." Suzuno declared.
"Iced coffee." Emi instantly replied before turning to Nate. "You get one thing on the menu, so pick carefully."
"I'll take the number one combo." He said, a bit scared by Emi as he went to his wallet.
"Don't worry about this, it's on me." Rinka replied, handing the blue-haired cashier a bill. "That'll be all."
"Thank you kindly." He replied, handing her the receipt and change, holding onto Rinka's hand. "Know that I will prepare your meal with an extra love and a side of passion." All four stared in him in confusion before they got their order. "Apologies for the wait. Your order is right here. It is indeed a crime to keep such lovely ladies waiting."
"Uh huh, sure." She nervously chuckled back as she took the tray. "Get away, he's a creep." She whispered to the others.
"I know, right?" Nate asked back. "I feel like I met a guy like him before somewhere…"
"I mean, what's up with those glasses and all that cologne?" Rinka added as they sat at a table. "So, I think the best place for us to start to is the very beginning. His name is Sadao Maou, right? Come on, I don't want anything held back from any of you. I wanna know it all."
"To me, he is my new neighbor at my boarding house." Suzuno said. "I can safely say he's a good neighboor."
'All that in the coffee shop, and he's a now a good neighbor?' Emi asked herself in disbelief. 'She's cool as a cucumber, I'll give her that.' "To me, he's just someone I want to kill the first chance I get."
"He seems like a normal guy to me." Nate replied.
"Wow, such differing opinions." Rinka mumbled. "Then again, you do have a tendency to put up a tough front, Emi."
"Rinka, I'm gonna say this for the thousandth time: there is NOTHING between me and Maou." Emi firmly declared. "I don't want Suzuno meeting him for completely different reasons. He's a cruel, crafty, greedy, insensible, destitute, impetuously expects gratitude for giving you a freaking umbrella, lacks any commonsense and-!"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" A voice called out before Ashiya was suddenly standing before them. "I will not turn a blind eye and have you insult the head of my household!"
"Wh-why are you here?!" Emi shouted in shock. "Were you hiding from us?"
"No, I was just staying out of your way." He replied. "But I won't tolerate your tone and your insults towards my master like this!"
"Yeah, yeah…" She dismissively replied before a thought crossed her mind. "Wait, this is perfect. I need your help and it concerns Maou's dignity as well."
"After everything you just said, why should I help you?" Ashiya asked back.
"I'm sure your here to scope out this place." Emi surmised. "Do this, and I'll treat you to what ever you want."
"If you insist." He said, instantly sitting down next to Rinka.
"Emi, help me out. I'm totally lost." Rinka confessed. "Is he your friend?"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Both shouted at the same time, scaring her.
"Okay, I'm gonna take a leak." Nate said, standing up from the table. "Let me know when you guys are done and I'll meet you out front." He walked away from the table and headed for the restroom, before turning to the side. 'I know I smelled something familiar. I'm gonna figure what it is.'
He headed over to the kitchen and tried to push open the door, only for the manager to grab his wrist. "I'm sorry, but only employees may enter here. Please leave our secrets alone or be forced to leave."
"Sorry, but I need to find someone." Nate replied.
"I see, then you leave me no choice." Mitsuki replied.
Crashing into garbage cans, Natsu pushed himself up as the back door to the restaurant was shut before him. "Damn, for a little guy, he's pretty strong." Natsu said, dusting himself off. His phone started buzzing and he turned on the screen, showing a text from Emi.
Walking out of the alley, he turned and reached the front of the building, seeing the group. "What happened? You reek." Emi asked, holding her nose.
"I thought I smelled something familiar and went looking for it, only to get thrown out." He chuckled. "So what'd you tell Rinka?"
"Ashiya basically framed it all like we're old business rivals. And now she's fascinated by the guy and wants to network with this troll." Emi explained.
"Network?" Natsu asked in confusion. "What's fishing got to do with this?"
"Not that kind of fishing." Emi sighed as they crossed the street. Reaching the MgRonald's, they entered and Ashiya instantly splintered off to talk with Maou as the others sat down.
"Huh, their relationship is pretty good." Rinka said as Emi stared the two down. "So they have a mix between business and personal. You're surrounded by some amazing people. Oh, can I be one of them?"
"Knock yourself out." She replied as Maou walked over. "What do you want?"
"We'd appreciate if you sit down only after you've placed your order." He nervously replied.
"Fine, whatever. Get me a small iced coffee." She huffed back. "And an apple pie too. While you're at it, feel free to bring it to the table when you're done."
"Emi, don't be rude." Her 'brother' said standing up. "I'll put my order in. Anyone else want anything?"
"So you're THE Sadou Maou?" Rinka asked aloud, catching his attention. "Somehow, you aren't as charismatic as I imagined you'd be. Sure didn't expect your restaurant to be empty."
"Well that's just plain rude." Sadou replied. "Who are you anyway?"
"Rinka Suzuki." She introduced herself. "Emi and I happen to be coworkers. I've got your number; these three and your buddy Ashia told a bit about you, so I came to check you out myself. So far, Emi is the only who outright despises you."
"Well, Emi can't stand to see me happy, so I see why she brought you here." He snapped back, sighing in disappointment. "Fantastic, I don't know which is worse: no customers or Emi being here?"
"Mr. Maou, you shouldn't talk like that." Chiho said as she walked up from behind. "Miss Yusa is a valuable customer. Here you go." She placed Emi's order on the table, making her smile.
"Thank you, Chiho. You know how I get around him." The Hero explained with a small smile.
"No, I understand." The teen smiled back before turning to Rinka. "Oh, we haven't meet. Are you one of Miss Yusa's friends? I'm Chiho Sasaki."
"…Adorable." Rinka mumbled, confusing the table until she just suddenly hugged the girl. "It's not fair. How can you know so many talented people, Emi? This little thing is so sweet and works her little tushy off. I'm stealing her from you."
"Good, you finally made it!" Maou cheered as he walked over to the older man.
"Well, it was a request from you, Maou. I couldn't refuse." He chuckled back. "Took me longer than I thought, but it was worth it. Gotta go, my wife is making me dinner. See ya on the next cleaning day."
He walked out of the restaurant and the table stared out the window, seeing the truck drop off some bamboo plants. "Alright team, let's get to work!" Maou ordered, making the staff cheer.
"Uh, what the hell are you doing?" Emi asked as the workers started throwing streamers on the trees.
"Mr. Maou came up with an idea." Chiho explained as she walked forward with even more decorations. "The Star Festival is coming up, and he thought it would be fun if our customers write wishes on paper and then decorate the trees. Then the really smart part is approval for a promotion for anyone who wants to participate.
"He got the trees from that older guy. They meet a while back during a volunteer neighborhood clean up. Mr. Maou found out Mr. Nabe grows bamboo in his yard, so they worked out a deal. I don't know if this will give Sentucky a run for its money, but at least everyone here is smiling now."
"Maou volunteers for clean up duty?" Emi asked in disbelief.
"Come to think of it… He did look dirty the other day." Nate mumbled.
"Okay, that was pretty good." Rinko said, mildly impressed. A crowd began gathering around the trees before they started funneling into the building. "Talk about knowing your feng-shui! I gotta get this guy to redecorate my place." Suzuno glared at Maou as he lead the sudden swarm of customers into the building.
Two Weeks Later
Yusa Apartment
A power ballad began playing as Emi's phone started ringing. Natsu, despite his superior hearing, was totally engrossed in his new fighting game to care. "You know, you were right here." Emi said as she rubbed her hair with a towel. Picking it up off the coffee table, she saw the caller and pressed the answer button. "Hey, Chiho. What's up?"
She stopped in front of a curtain and let her towel hang in her hand. "An amusement park? Sure, why not? We both have the day off tomorrow."
"END HIM!"
Emi turned away from the screen as the call ended, not wanting to see the feature of the game. "Oh yeah! Take that!" Natsu cheered, dropping the controller on the table.
"I don't understand how you can play this stuff." Emi confessed.
"Eh, it's not real so who cares." He replied. "So what was that about?"
"Chiho wants us to go with her to a water park tomorrow." His 'sister' replied before her phone rang again. "Hello? What, I thought he was helping at another MgRonalds?" She stood up and opened the curtain, staring out the window. "Yeah, Chiho already told me. We're going to take the train up there tomorrow, too."
"Don't say 'train'!" Nate shouted, his stomach already churning from the idea.
"She wanted some company on her day off." Emi continued. "It doesn't make any sense. How could he collect fear at an amusement park? What could be he up to? Yeah, whatever. And I'll let Chiho know you're tagging along so she doesn't get caught off guard." The call ended and she looked back at Natsu. "You're riding the train, and that's that."
"Tyrant…" He mumbled, only for the controller to be ripped out of his hands. "Hey, give that back! The match is starting!"
"Ride the train and you have a deal." She offered, waving it in her hand.
Natsu glanced at the screen and saw his fighter's health sink with every hit. "Fine, you win. I'll ride the stupid train!" Smirking, Emi threw the controller back and he caught it, just in time to counter a combo. "Now I got a fire in my belly."
"Try not to stay up to late." Emi said, walking to her room. "And keep the noise down! I'm trying to sleep!"
The Next Day
Fushima Park
Chiho stood outside the park and smiled as she saw Emi, carrying Nate over her shoulder, and Suzuno step away from the train station. Emi waved back as the trio reached the high schooler. "Sorry we're late. We had to drag Natsu along the whole way."
"No big deal." Chiho replied. "And how are you, Miss Suzuno?"
"I have no complaints to speak of." The kimono clad girl answered back. "Thank you for asking. Though I am a bit concerned. This is my first time at an amusement park. I do hope you will teach me the ways of fun."
"Of course, I'd be happy too." Chiho cheered.
His strength returning, Natsu pushed himself away from his 'sister' and stood up under his own power. "Here's hoping it goes better than my last trip to a water park."
"What happened last time?" Chiho asked.
"There… may or may not have been an accident that took down the whole park." He mumbled, scratching his cheek.
"You know the rules: no magic in public." Emi said, glaring at him.
"I know, I know…" He chuckled, sweat dripping off his face.
Changing Room
Emi closed her locker and turned around, only to gasp as Chiho ran up to her. "Whoa… Miss Yusa, you look like such a grown up in that suit!"
Emi glanced down out her own suit and could only glare her lack of a chest as opposed to Chiho's rather... developed chest. "So I gotta ask… you're sixteen, aren't you?"
"I sure am!" Chiho earnestly replied, making Emi turn around and shed a single tear. "Was it something I said?"
"I am prepared." The two looked up and gasped as Suzuno stepped out of the curtained area, looking like a swimmer out of the 1850. "What ails you two?"
"Hey, are we ready to go?" Natsu asked, peaking in from the male side of the room.
"Nate, get out of here!" Emi threw her bag at him and he pulled his head back, catching the projectile at the last second. The three walked out of the women's changing room and saw Natsu standing at the side, wearing a pair of red swimming trunks with orange trim a black dragon design on the side and his scarf was wrapped around his head.
"So what are we gonna do first?" He asked. "Ride some slides, go swimming?"
"I would like to check out the MgRonalds." Suzuno declared, confusing the other three.
"They have a MgRonalds here?" Natsu asked.
"Indeed." She replied. "I believe good sir Maou is working there today."
A loud growl caught everyone's attention and they turned to Natsu. "…I guess I'm kinda hungry." He chuckled, scratching his check.
The four got in line and it quickly moved forward, letting them reach the counter in five minutes. "Alright, who's up next? Oh, Chi."
"Hi, Mr. Maou. How's it going?" She asked, a big smile on her face. "I'd like to order four big Mg meals, please." Maou punched in the order and called it out into the kitchen. "I came here to hang out in the park, today. Good luck with the crowd, you're gonna be amazing. So uh… you like it?"
"Like it?" He repeated. "Well, this store is a lot different from the one we work at. And the customers never stop coming. It's been good practice for me."
"You really are clueless, aren't you?" Emi declared as the other three walked next to Chiho.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, glaring at the Hero.
"Last time I checked, we hard working office ladies are free to do whatever we want on our days off." She replied.
The group received their order and headed to a free table. Finding one free, they sat down and started eating their food. "Wow, this place is really crowded."
"I know, it's like everyone and their mom is here to check out all the new stuff." Chiho chuckled.
"You mean like that haunted house over there?" Suzuno said, making the three turn to where she was staring.
"I hear it's pretty intense." Chiho mumbled.
"Eh, it can't be that bad." Natsu declared, taking a sip from his soda. "I bet I could walk through that whole thing and not even get scared once."
"Then let us proceed." Suzano said, wiping some sauce from her face.
30 Minutes Later
Outside the Haunted House
"What demon thought that up?" Emi asked as all three girls sat on a bench with their heads in their hands.
"This does not fit with my understanding of 'fun'." Suzuno stated with a frown.
"…That's it?" Natsu asked as he stepped out of the attraction. "I don't see what the big deal is. It wasn't that scary."
"Shall we give this a chance?" Suzano asked as the four stared outside the Reptile House.
"Chiho, it's not to late to turn back, ya know?" Emi nervously chuckled to the girl behind her.
"No, I can do this." The teen replied.
"Chi, don't worry about it." Natsu chuckled as he rubbed her hair. "She's just scared of lizards."
"I AM NOT!" Emi shouted back.
"Didn't you jump out of your chair when we were watching that movie with all the snakes?" He asked back. "And the one with the commando dragon? And the one with the-"
"Okay, I get it!" Emi groaned back. "But you got scared too."
"Yeah, but I still love them." He declared.
"As do I." Suzuno declared as she walked forward. "They appear to have a large variety of them. I do hope they're edible."
"Edible?" Natsu repeated. He had heard that word before, now he just need to remember what it meant. 'This is totally inedible. We can't have the children eat this.' The line from that game filled him with dread as he slowly turned to Suzuno. "You… eat reptiles?"
"Yes, they're delicious." She replied earnestly, scaring him and Chiho. "My first time was on the journey to the south. An acquaintance of mine told me I would deeply regret not sampling the lizard, so I partook in the meal. The Inn prided itself on serving every part from the head to the tip of the tail. The lizard tail soup was particularly good."
She turned to the side and found Natsu was turning a sickly green. "Good Natsu, are you okay?"
"Yeah… I… I just need to find a bathroom." He answered with a frightened and queasy tone, his mind having pictured Igneel as her meal. "I gotta get home, now."
The group walked through the exhibit and the creatures growled at Suzuno, yet seemed to calm down when Natsu walked past them. A crested lizard turned to Emi and launched its tongue at her, making her jump back in shock. She bumped into worker and the two shared a small talk before he left.
"Watch out, it's gonna get you." Natsu chuckled, causing her to punch his arm.
The group continued walked around the terrarium area as they studied each box. "So Suzuno, see anything that looks tasty enough to eat, yet?" Emi teased with a smirk.
"I prefer not to think of them as food while they are still alive." She huffed back as she walked ahead.
A rustling caught Natsu's attention and he turned to the side, only to find excitement. "Monkey!" He cheered, picking up the hairy beast. The girls turned and found him holding the monkey.
"Why is it wearing clothes?" Suzano asked.
The monkey turned and looked at the trio before jumping out of Natsu's arms, jumping pass Emi and diving head first into Chiho's chest. 'I don't think I like this monkey.' Emi thought in anger and jealousy.
"What should we do with him?" Chiho asked as the monkey stayed glue to her.
"Take him to the lost children center?" Emi joked.
"Let me take him home!" Natsu begged.
The monkey suddenly turned and jumped away, running over to a robed man as Maou walked up from behind. "Well, I'm glad you found him." He chuckled.
"Mr. Maou." Chiho called out as the group walked over. "Oh, not you little guy." She chuckled at the monkey, annoying Sadou.
30 Minutes Later
On the beach section of the park, Natsu bounced the volley ball around his side. "Emi, can I ask a question?" He asked his 'sister' before turning around, a gaggle of girls staring at him. "Why is everyone staring at me?"
"…Don't worry about it." She said, staring at Chiho and Suzuno on the other side of the net. "Just spike it.
Shrugging, he threw the ball into the air before hitting it over the net. A scream caught Chi's attention and the ball hit her on the head. The group turned and saw people running from the pool as alligators started crawling out. "How'd they get out?" Emi asked in panic.
Someone bumped into Chiho and Natsu quickly caught her. "Thanks." She replied before Natsu turned to the side. "What is it?" All four turned to see Maou walking towards the gators, a black aura rising off him.
The Devil King began chanting something as his eyes glowed red. The gators left the water and started walking back to their cage, making him sigh.
'I don't understand.' Suzuno asked herself. 'He could have used this situation to absorb the fear for personal gain. But he's using it to help people. King Satan, ruler of demons, what is going on in your head?'
Night
Nerima Station
Chiho and Suzuno waved goodbye and walked out of the train as Emi was forced to hold Natsu into the cart. "I swear, we have got to work on this sickness." She chuckled.
"No… trains…" He begged.
The train started moving again as a single white feather dropped by Suzuno. She turned and saw a hooded figure standing across the station. The person smiled before white wings popped out if his back, shocking her. "Suzuno?" Chiho called out to her and she turned to the girl. She turned back and found the figure was gone, causing her worry.
Wow, this was a fun chapter. Everything from a beach day to some creepy restaurant owner. I think this was a perfect way to set up for what's coming next. The quite calm of everyday life and then we BOOM! shatter it into a thousand pieces. I can't wait for the next chapter. See ya then.
Beta read by The 3rd Dragneel & TheExcadrillComics
