*Night of the festival*

All of us will be wearing a yukata for the festival, Eli visits my room and we both helped each other with arranging our yukata along with makeups. Eli wore a crimson based with lily patterns on it and added with a dark blue sash that compliments her fair skin and purplish hair. Meanwhile I wore a light pink based with cherry blossom patterns on them, adored by the dark brown sash making it seems like a Sakura tree theme yukata. We do each other's makeup and hairdo, Eli got her hair braided like a bandana underneath and mine was only tied into a side ponytail with a hair ornament added on. Despite Eli's complaint about me wearing my spiral glasses, I still wear it to stay true to my current character. I'm still reluctant about showing my true face to the others, so it can't be help.

All of us gathered on a meeting point between House of Lamentation and Purgatory Hall. The moment I have been waiting for has come, first of all I was able to see the guys admire and praise Eli for her stunning look despite being shy about it. As an extra, I cheered for her achievement in her harem dream, but out of nowhere Lucifer came to me and softly whispered a compliment about my get up. Eli notices that, grins from ear to ear and nudge me to express her unbearable teasing desire. It's not like I'm unhappy about it, but I'm still not used to it, and I don't want to gain attention with this crowd.

I remembered that there was a mini event of festival going on in the game too, but what changes it is that this one happened wasn't because Mammon was in debt and ask us to help him earn some cash. We are all leisurely enjoying the festival that held down town in Devildom. It was just like a Japanese festival, there are lots of food stalls, game stalls, and ornamental stalls that some are mixed with other miscellaneous things. It really is refreshing seeing this atmosphere on a different realm, it makes me remember the forgotten fact that I'm actually a reincarnator in here.

"Well then, the three of us will wander to that part of the festival. What will you do, Avi?" Solomon asked me when he, Simeon, and Luke decided to split up from Eli and the brothers.

"Ah I… " I feel like Eli is staring hard on the back of my head that it pressured me.

"I will follow Eli and the others, then see you guys later!" I nuzzled on Eli, signing that I will be with her. Solomon just smiled and waved at us before the group left the area.

"Hey, why didn't you say it right?" Eli stared at me, demanding the right answer. Of course I can't say that when we are still in this group.

"A-ha-ha what are you talking about, Eli? Aren't you happy that I come along too hmm?" I forced a smile, try not to sound stiff even though I may seem to be doing a terrible job at it.

"Oh well, let's continue venturing the place forward!" with that said, Eli leads the way while me and the seven demon brothers follow behind her.

Eli first leads us to the game stalls, saying that we need to exempt our energy before refilling it later. The first game we play is pulling a string of luck, if you get the right string then you will get a good prize. It seems like a lot of us didn't get much out of it except for Eli, her luck is exceptionally strong.

The next one we get into is gold fish scooping, I did try it out but since I quick to rush into panic it ended up as a failure for me. On the other hand, Belphie and Satan seems to be good at it.

"This is fun." Belphie commented while catching the gold fish swiftly.

"Oi, Belphie. Aren't those too many?" Satan looked surprised by seeing how fast Belphie caught them.

Even when they precisely scooped some gold fish, but Belphie ended up catching a lot of it that he has to return most of them so the stall can attract other customers.

The third stall we visit is the shooting game, Levi was fired up to show Eli his skill because of his otaku spirit, but reality sure hits hard on him. Surprisingly, Lucifer got a prize in one hit and he swiftly gave it to me. Never thought I would get a stuffed animal from him as a souvenir. I took a glance over the situation but it looks like the other brothers are busy competing with each other to show off their good points to Eli.

When all of us exhausted of our energy, the food stall comes next! Since it's a festival I'm looking forward to snacking along the way. Eli went ahead with Beel and Belphie to buy takoyaki, Mammon went to buy one his shenanigans food for a prank, Satan and Asmo seem to be interested in the candy apple stand. Then only Levi, Lucifer, and I left to fend for ourselves. Levi looks like he is looking for a cold drink and slowly disappear to search for them. I don't think Lucifer is the type to enjoy food while moving around so I also started looking for a dessert myself to satisfy my palate. The festival is very similar with the Japanese one, so I assume there is a taiyaki stand somewhere. When I finally found one, it's hard to choose since they have some varieties that I'm interested in.

"Hmm all of it looks delicious, should I buy the black bean pasted one? But they also got the ice cream version of it, it's hard to choose." I let out my own comment while looking at the menu, I guess my love for dessert is still the same as back then.

"Do you want one?" I got startled when I heard Lucifer is already next to me, I was too focused on the menu to not even realize it.

"Ah uhm... actually yes, it's just hard to choose one of them." Still mulling over which choice I should have, Lucifer ordered the two exact varieties I'm contemplating over and just gave it to me. Leaving me on a blank face.

"Eh? What about you?" I asked while holding two taiyaki in my hands while he held the stuffed animal for me.

"I'm fine, if you are happy with it then it's all good." I stared in awe at him, he has been extra attentive to me today. Is this really an okay sign? But what if I'm wrong?

I dislike it when I still have doubts about this because I would brood over it all day. I thanked him for buying me the desserts and the both of us return to where the other has gathered.

"Avi, do you really hogged all of those for yourself?" Eli reacted to me eating two taiyaki, guess she thinks I'm a light eater huh.

"Why yes, I actually enjoy desserts the most in this kind of event." I took a whole bite of one of the taiyaki with ice cream, moderately finishing them off.

"Looks yummy, maybe I should also buy one." Beel stared at my taiyaki hungrily, his stomach's growl can be heard from my distance.

"Haha, your stomach really is like black hole. I'm still not used to seeing how you gulp down on so much food yet still be hungry like that." I replied to Beel's words, that may be losing to his growling sound in comparison.

"Then Avi, want a bite of my takoyaki?" Eli offered one of her takoyaki balls, I instantly open my mouth and she feeds it to me.

"Full of spices, the way I like it!" I instantly responded to the taste, Eli smiled widely.

"Right? It makes you think of the original ones back at home."

"Oh, you're Japanese, Eli?" I was wondering about that a while ago. She nodded.

"What about you, Avi?" being questioned about my origin is confusing. My past-self was from the South East region but I'm not sure where this body actually lives yet.

"Hmm I'm not too sure, but maybe it's somewhere near the East?" when Eli heard my answer she didn't pry more, remembering that I was reincarnated into someone else's body instead of being born.

"Well, let me know when you're back. Maybe there is a chance we can meet there too!"

When we're back, huh? Somehow, I don't really look forward to it

Unlike Eli, I don't seem to have a family to return to in this life. Avlin is a live alone young adult, there is a chance that she is an orphan or had lost her family. The only thing my current self and my past-self have in common is that we both are freelancers. So I don't need to worry about me being a NEET.

"I'll contact you about it."

We walked another round for sightseeing the festival, the ornamental and prop stalls are fun to look at. I got a glimpsed of some nice flower-shape hair ornamentals and even found ones that suit my taste.

"You like flower hair ornamentals, Avi?" Eli watched over me who is window shopping the stalls.

"Yes, it's one of my favorite things. I actually collected them at my home." When I was too busy admiring the ornamentals, I didn't know if Eli tries to get Lucifer's attention to where we stand. She talks loudly with an excuse the crowd's noise are too buzzing. Even without her doing so, it seems to me that he is looking intensely at what I'm looking at. Rather than feeling a romantic gaze, I feel like he is about to murder me with that intense stare.

"Look! Look! I found something that will escalate my beauty!" Asmo shouted in joy, finding a pretty ornamentals that caught his eye. The both of us laugh and joins on him for another window shopping.

After a few moments, I have my filled of window shopping. All of us then went to the crowded point where they celebrate with a dance.

"Oh it's the bon odori." Eli spouted it loud enough for us to hear.

"That brings me back to my old school whenever there is an event of a Japanese cultural festival." I reminisced the fun I had back then, one of the good times I has stored in my memory.

"What is a bon odori?" Satan asked Eli while observing the people that does the dance intriguingly. Eli gladly explains to him and to the other brothers that got into it.

"Then what about we try dancing too? If you're up for it, come with me!" Eli's encouraging invitation was followed by the brother's exclamation to it. Seeing it in real life on how they act and try to compete over her is really interesting. As I thought, being a bystander of someone else's romance is quite entertaining.

"Then, I'd also like-" before I get to finish my words, Lucifer holds my hand and pulled me somewhere far from the crowd.

"Hey… have you seen Lucifer? And that other girl too?" Mammon, who realized we're missing, looked around to search for us but fail in the end.

"Relax, I bet they got swept off somewhere by the crowds. We'll eventually see each other again soon. Let's just have fun now!" Eli led Mammon to keep on dancing and distracting the others that are with her.

So you've finally make your move on her, good luck then…

Eli let out a chuckle, thinking of how Lucifer took the first step before I can. She definitely can't wait to see the end result of it.

Meanwhile on the way through out the crowd, I was sort of confused that Lucifer himself is taking me away from the others. The place we are heading have less and less people the further we go, it makes me nervous.

"H-hey, where are we going?" even though I tried asking him, he wouldn't answer me.

We arrived in a small forest-like garden where no one is present. The moonlight shone down on us so I can still see the place despite it being dim. Now that the two of us are alone, I was thinking about the chance that I thought would be hard to get. Although it's surprising how Lucifer is the one to make the first move, knowing his prideful-self, it's usually the other way around. When I was playing as MC, I remember that even though he favors us we would still need to be the one to ask something out of him or to make the first move on him before he goes for the attack. It could be that this is just a spontaneous move, which I'm really curious what he is thinking right now.

"Uhm… Lucifer? Is there something you want to talk about?" I can at least do this much to break the silence, I hope he talks even if it's just a little.

He turned around to look at me, but still remain shut. I don't know what he will do right now, it's starting to make me more nervous. While my head is being preoccupied with thoughts, I try to remember Eli's advise on how to reduce my nervousness.

She said I'm supposed to think fun things, whatever I like that makes me less nervous. I used to like thinking of my favorite songs to calm myself down, maybe I should try imagining that-

"It looks good on you." Lucifer suddenly complimented me on something, I was sort of blank on what he is talking about.

"What is?"

"That hair ornament, like I thought it fits you flawlessly." He smiled satisfyingly.

I tried touching the ornament and it seems he bought a new one for me. Since when did he put it on me? My head was too busy calming myself down that once again I didn't notice him doing so.

"Oh, you bought me one? That's nice of you, thank you." I take off my spiral glasses that has been in the way of my clear view, and abruptly ask him about my looks.

"Well, how do I look now? It must be tacky seeing everything else is a nice fit but just these glasses sticks out like a sore thumb." I laughed, it's quite silly thinking about my get up that made Eli complained a lot before.

"Beautiful, no matter how you see yourself, that is what I truly think." Hearing Lucifer said that churns my stomach, having butterflies doesn't seem to be as wonderful as what fiction depicts it.

"You know, you have been very attentive to me today that I find it strange. And you praised me quite often these days. I don't knwo what you are thinking but... I might… misunderstand it." I buried my face behind the stuffed animal that he gifted me, I think my face is flushing too much right now.

"How so?" Lucifer took strands of my hair and kiss it gently, "what misunderstanding are you thinking of?"

It's torturing when you asked me like that, but maybe it's my chance to convey it once and for all

"That… " I struggled to find the right word, it's always difficult for me to say it. I looked away and took some deep breath before starting it.

"How should I say it? I was afraid of something, and without realizing it I took some of it out on you that day. You can say I have a bad past memory about abandonment, it's also the reason why I put up a wall between people."

I can feel his gaze on me, like piercing a hole onto my head. Even though it's unbearable I mustn't stop here.

"When I confided to Eli about it, she gave me hints on what I should think. I tried organizing my thoughts after that, and found out I actually had a trauma I didn't even notice. I kind of regret it now that I spent my time adamantly staying true to my false belief, it's why today is really the first time I had fun as myself." I tightened my grip on the stuffed animal, suddenly feeling melancholic having to remember what happened before.

Even though our time wasn't long, and I don't know what will happen after this, it's the only thing I don't want to have left in regret

"It calmed me down after I know what to do with my problems, but there is another one that keeps bugging me," my lips trembled as I'm about to say it, "and that is… you."

I closed my eyes and braise myself for anything to happen. Instead, Lucifer asks me about my last words.

"What about me?" his tone sounded like the time when he teases people, I can imagine him smirking right now while waiting for me to answer.

"I… I just realized not too long ago, that I'm… in love with you, perhaps from way before this all. And I don't know… what to do about it."

I really wanna run away right now, but that would complicate things, just bear it for a moment myself!

"Isn't it simple?" Lucifer removed the stuffed animal from my face and lean closer to have a look on my expression.

"You just have to say it while looking at me directly."

I don't know how I look right now, I can feel my face is burning and my level of embarrassment is too much that my pupils stars to swirl. I gathered up every last bit of my courage to look him in the eyes, despite my flushing red face.

"I… love you."

Ah, I said it. I finally said it. I wonder what he'll do now?

Before I can look up to see his face, Lucifer's arm pulled me into a hug. We stayed like that for a while, within the bustling sound of the festival that starts to get louder in our silence. And after some time, Lucifer finally breaks the ice.

"Just like this, I wish for you to stay with me for eternity. It sounds impossible, but that is how much I came to love you."

My ears could be deceiving me, but it is what I heard. I couldn't believe it right away, not until it sinks down to my heart that what Eli predicted was true. After a moment of silence, I slowly try breaking away from his hug to have a look at him. Lucifer smiles his usual smile, but it's a little gentler compare to his polite service smile. And there is a hint of tint blush that decorated his cheeks when he gazed at me.

"It's still hard to believe you feel that way about me. Because, I heard that Eli is your long-lost sister's descendant, your brothers seem to be infatuated with her. Not to mention... overall she is a magnificent person. All of you must definitely be glad that your sister still exists within Eli. What of me that you love even though Eli is there?" I admit that I'm still anxious, it still doesn't make any sense how come Lucifer loves me rather than Eli.

"You truly do like to overthink things. If my words can't convince you, then I have to take action instead."

Lucifer's right hand stroke my cheek and lift my chin up to make me look straight at him. He leans closer until our lips touch one another, leaving me speechless and find myself drowning in my own feelings. I can no longer go back being hesitant, the doubts I have regarding Eli starts to disappear slowly. When we part away, I was struck back by my embarrassment that I can't stop blushing after knowing what he just did.

"Eli may be my sister's distant descendant, she is precious to us, but my feelings for her doesn't revolve anything romantic." He pats my head like I'm a child, but I don't dislike it all.

"But I still don't understand, what about me that interests you?" he did say that he has no romantic feelings for Eli, but he hasn't answered that one about me.

"From the first time you arrived, your presence was indeed clashing with Eli and Solomon. But rather than the way you look, your aura is strongly stick out to me, overwhelming the others." Lucifer started his story, I listen to him carefully.

"Whenever I look at you, it reminds me of myself at the time I hide things from my brothers. And when I know that you have similar problems with me, it left me with a relief because there is someone I can relate to. You put walls to protect yourself and others, but at the same time that burden were getting too much that it starts eating you away." I'm surprised that Lucifer was constantly observing me way back from the start. It just shows me that I was focusing on myself too much and ignore my surroundings.

"The case about your disguise and little secret, I was intrigued by it because of your avoidant nature. Unlike Eli who throttles her way upfront, you take the roundabout ways of things. But that makes me realize that you are extra careful of doing what you do, before it gets too much." He continues while looking at me fondly, I find myself being showered by his emotion.

"If you ask me why I have these feelings for you, I'm not so sure how to answer it precisely. But I do know that my interest of you has grown into an affection more than just a friend."

I finally understand that fate doesn't always have to go the same way it was predicted, sometimes human focused too much on the end result that it retracts us from taking a different action. Lucifer's words reached out to me in more than a way, I was always looking for reasons to things because I'm afraid of what will happen if I lose it. And now, hearing his feelings, I know that having to love doesn't always had to have an exact reason, because that's the nature of emotion.

"Thank you." I hugged him out of spite, still feeling embarrass as if this is my first time.

"No need, if you want anything from me you can ask right away. It's adorable seeing this side of you." Lucifer is still patting my head, I peeked up just to see his happy face.

"It looks like the fireworks are about to start, we should return to everyone." I stated that out of reflex.

But Lucifer didn't budge from letting me go, he kept his stance and instead placing his hands on my waist and the other on my other empty hand.

"It's the night of a festival, no one is watching us here. Might as well we dance for one time." I do know he's not the type to be productive in crowded places, perhaps this is his way of saying to have fun with me.

"Sure, but I might step on your feet since I'm not that good with dancing." Not to mention I'm wearing a yukata right now, only fitting for the bon odori simple movements.

"I assure you, that you won't be able to. My lead is good enough to sway your feet away." As smooth of a talker as ever huh, that's the Avatar of Pride for you.

In a dim forest-like garden, dancing under a moonlight really is a fitting image for him. Even though I can't do a good dance, he makes sure I can still enjoy it nonetheless. It has been a while I haven't smile and laugh so much like now, all the bad things that happened make me think that it's all worth for the happiness I have today.

The both of them sure take their sweet time, I can't distract the brothers any longer

Eli and the brothers had fun on folk dancing and are currently taking a break from it. Seeing Mammon still has his bag of dumplings, Eli suggested that he shared them all.

"Mammon, care to share those dumplings with us?"

"Sure, but this isn't any ordinary dumplings. One of it contains a spicy sauce, it's Russian Roulette Dumplings!"

Each of them took one share of dumplings, and on the count of three everyone will take a bite to see who got the unlucky spicy dumpling. Satan's face turned red and he demands to have water right after he eat a bite.

"Water, get me some water! Ugh… why do I have to be the one to get it?" he looks upset but tries to suppress it since Eli is present.

"Hahaha so Satan got the one!" Mammon laughed, while Levi offered him the rest of the drink he has.

"Hey, Lucifer and Avi have been gone for a while. Shouldn't we go look for them?" Levi brought up the topic that Eli has been quiet until now.

"The fireworks are almost starting, some of us have to look for them." Mammon was about to get up but Eli held him back by the shoulder.

"Speaking of them, I think they are already heading this way." She pointed towards two figures that are walking toward them. One is as stoic as ever, and the other is waving at them.

"Where have you guys been?" Mammon raised his eyebrows and threw a question to us, of course what happened is more or less our little secret for now.

"Sorry, we just got swept away in the crowds and wander about the festival. Coincidentally we met with the people from Purgatory Halls too on our way." From behind us, Solomon, Luke, and Simeon appeared and say hello to the brothers.

"Looks like everyone is here, let's find a place to get a great view." Eli clasped her hand to get everyone's attention.

"I know a place for it, come with me, Eli!" Mammon cues for her to follow him, and of course the other brothers won't stay quiet about it.

"Eh, that's unfair Mammon! Eli is coming with me!" Asmo retorted and pulls Eli's arm in a possessive way.

"No, me!" Levi joins in the fight, and followed along with Satan, Beel, and Belphie.

The rest of us just follow them behind until we reach an uphill ground where the festival is in wide view. From here, we will definitely be able to see a clear view of the fireworks. Each and everyone took their position, the six brothers, of course, gather around Eli as usual with their bickering and rowdiness. The three Purgatory Hall tenants stood not that far from them while listening to Luke chatting along on how fun he has had tonight. Lucifer and I stood a little behind the rest of them while gazing at the clear night sky.

"It's a wonder how my brothers have a lot of energy to run around and making a lot of commotion." He sighed like an old man, sometimes the way he acts reminding me that he is an ancient being. I doubt he'd look pleased if I say he is like a great grandfather or something.

"That's what is fun about them, I never get tired seeing how they act, especially when Eli is around." Indeed, it has been so much fun whenever I got the chance to see their antics relating to Eli.

"So you think of it that way. As long as you are happy, then I can feel happy as well."

Lucifer can be cheesy without having to sound like one, it tickles me when he said things like that.

"It seems to have started." I said when I saw a firework blew up in sky.

Everyone stopped whatever they are doing and their gazes are now focused on the colorful sparks spread on the sky. Seeing it with everyone like this is quite fulfilling, I don't feel lonely anymore and unexpectedly I was able to conveyed my feelings and be reciprocated from it. When a lot of good things happening in a day, it makes one think that this is a dream, one that I want to keep going.

I hold Lucifer's sleeve while being shy about it, especially when everyone else is right in front of us that it makes my heart races.

"Hm?" Lucifer realized I was holding on his sleeve, immediately he offered his hand and grab mine.

"You don't need to hold back with me." He chuckled, firmly holding my hand and locking our fingers before our eyes return to watch the fireworks again.

Now that the event is closing to its end, I wonder how much longer I'll be able to stay in here with this experience?