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Chapter 2: Alice's Serenade
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"I am offended, Iruma-sama. To think that you would rely on him more than me. What does he have that I don't?"
Blue eyes widened as he took in the frustrated appearance of the pink haired demon. Asmodeus had pulled him to the side after his meeting with Ameri. And even the crimson-haired demon was wise enough to recognize the fury of the first year Daleth.
Ameri, despite her strength and head strong attitude deduced the spat between friends and decided to cut their reading session short. Telling Iruma that he should tend to the raging inferno outside her doors and she's not in the mood to hear about Kakeru's romance for the day.
And so here was Iruma, trapped between a volatile mass of purple flames he never even knew was possible and a hard wall behind the student council building.
"Tell me, Iruma-sama! Please…" The human boy flinched, a combination of desperation, of anger, of sadness all rolled into one as Alice's voice shook as he slammed his fist against the wall beside his face. Iruma gulped. Guilt was starting to eat at his heart too.
It's apparent now that the fight between Asmodeus and Sabro was about him and it dawned on Iruma that he may be the culprit of this tumultuous discord that affected even their class.
"Azz… what… What are you…. What do you mean exactly?"
"Allow me to enlighten you Iruma-sama." Iruma winced at the venom with which his name was spoken. Any minute, he would think that Alice would slip into an evil cycle but he knew how the other was keeping his restraint. The closed fist, the clenching of the jaw all apparent that Alice had been bottling his frustration all day….
"While I was innocent… while you innocuously whispered goodbye to me, you spent the night with that… that… oaf! I saw you that night, on his back."
This time, Iruma gasped, realizing what Alice was talking about. But if he saw that… then that means… the cause of it all…
His missing wings.
"Tell me… Iruma-sama… Why? Why would you ride on him? Why would you let him…" Alice trailed as he laid his forehead on the other boy's shoulders. Iruma knew of course. But he's not ready… He's not ready to admit what he is. "Such advanced stage of courtship… Was the chair demon even aware of it? Why would he approve of him?"
And then…. Iruma paused…
"Ehh?" There's not a lot he didn't know about the customs of the demon realm. Now that he thought about it, Sabro was serious too when he offered to be his wings. Was this what he meant when he promised that?
Was he courting him? But that can't be.. they were too young… Why…
"Iruma-sama…" Alice was getting more desperate. And Iruma knew he had to say something… anything to quell his friend's anger.
"Asmodeus-kun… That's…" Iruma was blanking out. On one hand he need to assure the other demon that it wasn't like that at all. But if he do that, he'll have to admit everything… on why Sabro offered to be his wings and he's not sure whether he can handle that truth getting out yet. "That's not it at all."
"Then what, Iruma-sama? Why would Sabnock tour you on his back? Why would you even accept such an invitation? I was… I was hoping I'd be your first ride and now…" Iruma felt something warm and wet hit his neck. He realized that Alice is now crying, the uncontrollable tempest of flames behind him has died down and Asmodeus is down on his knees, both arms on his shoulders as he sobbed on Iruma's shoulders.
"Why would you even accept the offer?" Alice's voice was barely a whisper now. "Haven't I always been loyal to you? Why him? Why?"
"Alice!" Iruma whispered… And the use of his first name with such conviction brought Asmodeus from his haze. Head lifting, he gasped as he met Iruma's determined eyes. Iruma took the pink demon's hand and grip it tightly.
"I can't… I can't tell you more.. But…" Asmodeus' eyes dimmed at the words. "You have to believe me. I care for you both. Perhaps even more than friends. Just…. Please I hate seeing you like this. You're my Azz-kun… You've always been by my side and I know okay? I know how you always looked out for me and I appreciate it. I loved how you're always there for me. I… I wanted to tell you so bad, Azz-kun… But please… don't ask this of me now. Just… just know that you're just as important to me as everyone is."
"I see…" Iruma gulped. Asmodeus was beyond calm for his liking. The taller demon has stopped sobbing by now. Instead, he stood up, composed himself and without looking at Iruma, he whispered to himself.
"You still don't trust me enough, after all."
"Ehh? Wait… Azz-kun that's not what I-" But before he could finish, Alice has already taken off the silent gush of wind the only clue that he had been there. Iruma could only stare sadly at the disappearing silhouette of his friend.
Unknown to him, Asmodeus' eyes were burning with resolve. As he took to the skies, he whispered a silent promise to himself.
"Then I'll earn that trust until all you can rely on is me, Iruma-sama…"
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Iruma poked at his food, a concerned Opera stared at him.
"The chair demon will be returning shortly, young master you have no need to worry." The cat demon pushed a plate of food toward him. And Iruma looked at him with wide eyes.
"Ehhh? That's not… I…"
"Don't lie to me. You were worried about something. You usually can eat more. Is something wrong, Iruma-sama?" Iruma gulped. Despite the fact that Opera is a security demon, their relationship has always been that more of mother and son, rather than an employer-employee. Opera has always been motherly towards him and Iruma grimaced at the worry on the other's face.
Opera has stopped eating by now and they placed their fork and knife square on the table. Iruma gulped. Opera's full attention is on him now. And while at times, Iruma appreciates their care, this is one of the moments when he doesn't want to be fussed over.
He's still confused, still sorting out his feelings about his friends. And now he has to deal with Opera and their questioning.
"I'm alright, Opera-san, really…" To prove his point, Iruma picked up the plate that Opera pushed to him and ate it in one go. Though this did not placate the cat demon. Iruma really hated how Opera can see through him, sometimes.
"It's just… I think I… uhhh…" Iruma cleared his throat. "Opera-san…Is it normal for one to like more than one person?"
The question has taken the cat demon aback. And they smiled as the question sunk in, realizing what the other was asking. Briefly, Opera's mind wandered to Shichiro and Kalego and took a deep breath. Maybe this talk is better suited for the chair demon, but Opera couldn't deny the fact that Iruma had always been more at ease with them.
So Opera stood up, transferred to the seat beside their young master and patted him on his head. Innocent blue eyes looked up at comforting pair of red.
"Sometimes, I forget… You have adapted so well to the demon realm that I forget you're human. You see Iruma-sama, such human conventions is beneath demon society. It's unrealistic to expect so much from one partner that demons often take multiple partners. We have different needs, just as we have different strengths and weaknesses. One can fulfill multiple roles, but one can only do so much. A demon who can fulfill your emotional needs might not be enough to fulfill your physical ones. Much like how we need both hands to eat, or both eyes to see and two legs to run, isn't it rather unfair to rely on just one when you have these parts to yourself? Who you are is a sum of your parts, not just one. Is that what's bothering you?"
"I guess. I think… I may love…two…or…more…" Opera's eyes widened. "But I'm a human. Wouldn't that be unfair to…"
Opera shook their head. And smiled. Truly, this boy is such a gluttonous child. But….
"The concept of fairness is very human, we're demons, Iruma-sama…"
"But Alice… and Sabro… And… gahhh… this is too confusing…"
"Are they who's bothering you?"
"Partly. I mean… there's the rest of the class too. But…"
Opera chuckled… Truly a glutton… Befitting of the demon king.
"I don't think there's anything that should hold you back, Iruma-sama. I'm sure everyone in your class respects you already. They will be a fool not to look at you twice."
"But I'm a human… will it… will it really be okay?"
"I remember when you first got here… You were so eager to return home. But… deep down…. That's not the case anymore is it?" Iruma thought for a moment and wonder where Opera was leading with this. "Human, demon, it doesn't matter. What matters is how you treat and care for others and the sincerity behind your actions."
"I see." Iruma melted into Opera's touch. Truly, the older demon could see right through him. And he wasn't sure if he liked it, but he's starting to feel a little bit assured now.
As he leaned into the other demon, he felt Opera's ears twitch.
"Is that-"
"What is it Opera-san?"
"Come with me, Iruma-sama." Opera led their young master to the main balcony. And as they neared the massive doors, Iruma could hear it too. A haunting melody… it starts off sad, slow, but there's aggression… possession… desperation… a quickening tempo that transformed into a discordant tune. It's a tumultuous tune that haunted through the halls, a tempest of emotions poured in its melody. And when Opera opened the balcony window, Iruma's eyes widened.
Down to the main gates is the one and only Asmodeus Alice, fiery wings and horns in full display as he danced to his devi-violin, purple and pink flames trailing behind him as he performed in front of the chair demon's house.
"The Devil's Trill. One of the most difficult pieces to date. Impressive." Opera mused beside him.
Iruma watched, entranced and mesmerized by Alice's performance. The melody itself setting his heart ablaze, despite its haunting tone. He was briefly reminded of Alice's earlier frustration. Of his anger…. But it's more subdued this time, more controlled, an ember of what used to be a raging inferno that used to burn bright.
Beneath it all lies the usual warmth of the pink haired demon. And Iruma could clearly feel the intent behind every note.
"It is even more imperative that I assert my claim now."
Alice's voice flashed through his mind from earlier. And Iruma genuinely believe that those words were conveyed even more vividly now. Alice wanted him, wanted to court him properly, much like how Sabro did. He may not be well versed in demon realm customs.
But from what he can surmised, it appears that individual demons have their own ways of showing intent. And this one is far stronger than Iruma have ever felt before.
His eyes marveled at how Alice's white coat, now longer with crimson and gold trims, an elaborate golden shoulder cord glistens as he moved. The ornamental aguillete snaked gracefully as it matched with an equally elaborate blood red ascot on his neck; inlaid with a crimson gem that glistens against Asmodeus' flames, trailed behind him as he played effortlessly.
The flames seem to beckons to him, to call out to him as they danced around Asmodeus' playing figure. His eyes seemed to glow as Iruma caught them, a testament to his incubus lineage. And he can't help but gasp as he felt a chill at those eyes that seemed to look straight to his soul… to his heart.
As Asmodeus finished playing, Iruma was breathing deeply. He didn't know why but his whole soul was burning as he watched the tall demon play.
It's as if Alice was pouring all that he was into that one performance. And Opera seemed to have noticed this too as they rested a supporting hand on the small of Iruma's back, knowing that his young master's knees buckled at the intensity of the other's music.
"This is—Azz—" Iruma was about to say something but he was stopped when Opera squeezed his shoulder.
"Let him finish, young master. He's putting a show for you. It's prudent to let him finish. Just wait." Opera whispered as he took a step back, pulling out his camera as Asmodeus slowly rose to the balcony, eyes completely focused on Iruma.
The intensity of his eyes, so breath taking that it even made the usually stoic cat demon gasp as he held his camera.
"Iruma-sama…. No" He shook his head. "Sullivan no Iruma… I… Asmodeus Alice… Heir to the house Asmodeus… first son of Asmodeus Amaryllis… pronounce my desire to court you. With your permission, accept these gifts."
Iruma took a step back from the balcony as flashes of flames appeared in front of him. When the flames vanished, multiple gifts, flowers and food was in front of him. Iruma noted that among the food were his favorites from the school cafeteria. And he can't help but feel butterflies partying in his stomach at the sight of them.
"Sir… your reply?"
Despite Opera's urging, Iruma couldn't tear away his eyes from the demon in front of him. The way that Alice glowed after his performance was hypnotic. He could only stare at the hand outstretched in front of him.
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A/N: Yes, in this AU, riding on someone's back means you're accepting their proposal. I noticed that most of the time, we are shown other demons being carried by the arms or wrist, below a demon. I'm also thinking this is why Asmodeus wanted Clara to get off his back during the flying test haha. Well, if canon contradicts this already, my apologies, but this is what my story is based on. So I'm rolling with it. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little update. And let me know what you think.
