Finally I can update again :) I'll have more time next week to write and publish, so prepare for the last three chapters!

PART ELEVEN – The Inquisitor and the Fallen Angel Discuss Love. The Hero Returns

On Sunday morning Suzuno was cleaning her apartment when she heard faint knocks on the door. She put the rag down and walked there to open it, only to find Urushihara in front of her. He seemed a bit nervous and avoided looking at Suzuno.

'Oh, Lucifer. Come in.'

'Thanks. I just want to ask something…'

'Sit down at my table, I have already finished cleaning it.'

Urushihara did so and Suzuno sat down opposite him. While she was sitting traditionally, he sat cross-legged and elbowed on one knee, fidgeting with his hair and still not looking at Suzuno. She noticed that his face was redder a bit than usual.

'So, I… I want to ask… last time, when Yusa started shouting out there and all… what you said…'

'Are you talking about that time when she asked if I could love you?' she interrupted. Urushihara winced at her indifferent directness regarding this matter.

'Yeah… kind of… so is that true?' He gulped.

'All my words, of course. Why would I tell a lie?'

'N-no… I didn't mean a lie, I meant… so you could love me?'

'I think yes, I could.'

That was when Suzuno noticed the sensitiveness of the topic. She herself became a bit embarrassed and blushed too.

'B-but it is not the same meaning people use here on Earth. I do not want anything from you… I am not sure if I understand this feeling completely… I just thought these feelings I have towards you, I like you, if these were stronger… that would be what people call love, that is all.'

'Okay,' he nodded, and straightened his back, but still was avoiding eye contact. 'I understand.'

They sat there in silence.

That evening around dinnertime, Chiho was home and sitting on her bed. When her phone rang and she glanced at the display to see who the caller was, she felt huge joy and relief, and hurried to pick it up.

'Emi! I am so glad you called me!' she said. 'Mr Ashiya told me you had been shopping together yesterday, but said nothing more than that there was no danger to us and that you would speak to us later…'

'Yes… sorry about that,' Emi said quietly. 'I wanted to call you first. I'll stay here with you all. I promise.'

'I am so happy to hear that! Do you want to meet tomorrow after work? Please! If you're free…'

'That would be awesome.'

Chiho's happy voice made Emi happy too.

'Thank you, Chiho.'

After they ended the call, she headed to the demons' apartment. They were already having dinner together with Suzuno, as she heard through the door. She took a deep breath, and then knocked.

'It's me, Emi.'

A second of silence passed, and then she heard Maou's voice telling her to come in. She opened the door, and for another long second the five of them were staring at her just as she was staring at them, gathering the courage to speak again.

Emi bowed down.

'I am so sorry about what I've done and what I've said. I…'

'You're forgiven,' Maou interrupted. Emi raised her head with wide eyes. 'Don't bother to tell the story again. Ashiya has already explained the situation to us, and I totally understand. Now, come and eat.'

'Oh.' She took a deep breath again. 'I guess… thank you.'

'And Emilia,' Maou spoke again. 'I'm glad to hear your father's safe.'

The breath stuck in her throat.

'Okay.' She eased then, suppressing her feelings. 'I'll take that as no offence.'

Maou smirked, and all of them knew the old Emi came back.

With this, Emi's storyline is complete. It was something that I didn't plan to involve in this fanfic originally, but then I found essential in a story about this company's bonds getting stronger, because the tension was still there between them at the end of the anime. From now on, I think all of them can consider each other friends and true comrades, and have a better chance to find another solution rather than becoming enemies again if they go back to Ente Isla.

By the way, check out my deviantart page, I'm Hyaziinthe there. I have two illustrations for this story so far, and I'm planning to draw at least two more. Sometime... in the distant future... oh, I'm such a quick-working artist! xD