"Papa!" Alas=Ramus exclaimed as she leapt into Maou's arms. "Hey Alas=Ramus, did you miss me?" Maou asked as she held her up with both arms and spun her around in the air. Emi brought Alas=Ramus to meet up with Maou to surprise him and had Alas=Ramus to see her papa in action.
After the fight with the angels, life resumed as usual for everyone. Suzuno had went back to Ente Isla, Ashiya is leading the demons whom are currently living in Japan, Chiho has successfully been accepted into a college all the way at England, both Emi and Maou are running their business.
"Eme! You sure are a early bird..." said Emi in shock as she opened the door to see Emerada at her door holding a paper bag. "Well, I finished my job early sooo I could come over and get my hands on moreee cream puffs." Said Emerada as she shook the bag she was holding in front of Emi. "You could had called in earlier... did you forget how to use a phone aready?" Emerada ignored her questions and took off her shoes and welcomed herself in.
"Wheeere's Alas=Ramus?" asked Emerada excitedly. "She's with Maou currently, and why exactly are you going into my room!?" Asked Emi as Emerada excitedly searched where Alas=Ramus was. After the hectic start of Emerada's visit, she finally settled down in front of Emi. "So, I am guessing you have something to tell me? You are never early when we are planning to meet, so spill it already." Asked Emi. "Wow as sharp as always! You're right." Emerada said as she continued chewing on her cream puff. "Albert and I are getting engaged, so I'm planning to invite you and the rest for our wedding. I figured you should be the first to know." Continued Emerada. Emi's body stiffened up as she just stared at Emerada. She then managed to put her cup of tea down shakily and tried to clarify her doubts before she started stuttering as if she had a PTSD breakdown. "It was a political marriage. And of course, I had a say to it. I decided it wouldn't be so bad marrying him, seeing that we have known each other since forever." Said Emerada as she blushed slightly. "I-I see. T-that was way too surprising... hahahaha." Emi heaved. "We are adults now, marriage is definitely not something far away Emi." Replied Emerada. "So, Emi, how about you? You certainly are attractive if I say so myself. Many guys would definitely turn heads the moment you walk past them. How about marrying Maou? You like him don't you? And plus he is Alas=Ramus' papa." Asked Emerada with a wry grin. "Oh c'mon Eme, if you are talking about when I hugged Maou, it was when I was emotionally unstable and it was a coincid-" Emi's reply was cut short with Emerada's giggle which then turned into a wry smile again. "Oh Emi, this again?" Said Emerada. "Being your friend for so long, I know you are very kind. Too kind. You are only hiding your feelings just because you don't want your relationship with Chiho to be strained don't you? You are awfully considerate after all. But don't you think it's fine to be selfish once in awhile?" Emi was slightly taken aback. As if there was a revelation upon her. "You can lie all you want Emi, but you can't deny that you enjoy spending time with him. Honestly, I have never seen you smile like how you did ever before. You know I'm not lying." Continued Emerada before Emi could reply. This made Emi hesitate more, she was looking for a reply while Emerada pressured her. "U-uhm, let's get going! We shouldn't arrive later than Chiho, it is her party after all!" Said Emi anxiously. Emerada could only agree, as Emi breathed a sigh of relief.
The journey to apartment 101 was quiet, as neither of them talked much. Emi was deep in thought due to the comment from Emerada. She couldn't believe it, nor could she bring herself to deny it either. She had a inner stalemate about her feelings. She even toyed with the idea of marrying Maou, which made her blush intensely. She asked herself: "How do I really feel about Maou...?" Her trail of thoughts was cut short as they reached the entrance of the Villa Rosa Sasazuka.
The Hero comes to term with her feelings(2)
"Hey! Since you both are here already, do you mind helping with the preparations? We are short handed!" Exclaimed Maou as he was frantically plating the dishes for the party. "Actually My Liege, we are short on some drinks. Can you have someone to accompany you to grab some from a market?" Asked Ashiya as he was busy with the preps as well. "On it! Take care of things here Ashiya!" Replied Maou. "Hey can either one of you come with me? Either one of you will do." Asked Maou as he was frantically preparing to dash off. Emi had her head down and she was silent. So Emerada spoke up. "Hey Emi, you can go right? I'm not strong enough for physical labour." Emerada asked her. Emi could only look at her friend, while she scanned her petite figure, then the sly grin on her face. She heaved a sigh and followed Maou out.
The trip to the market was mundane, a bit of small talk here and there, occasionally poking fun at the other party. After reaching the market, they purchased the drinks and left. "Hey, you sure you can carry those by yourself? Looks kinda heavy" Maou commented on Emi's load. Emi sneered back at him, calling him useless for carrying the smaller load. She wasn't aware and while poking fun at Maou, she tripped and sprained an ankle, while Maou broke down in laughter. "H-hey, I know that little sprain won't affect your walking." Said Maou while trying to hold his laughter. Emi rolled her eyes while scrummaging her bag for a bottle of Holy Vitamin B, which then followed with a sigh of defeat. "Oh shut it, My body now has a Low Holy Magic Inside, and I didn't bring any Holy Vitamin B. Just leave me here, I'll figure something out." This caused Maou to groan, and then he proceeded to pick Emi up. "W-what do you think you're doing?!" Shouted Emi as Maou picked her up. "Oh will you keep quiet? You are obviously injured! Stop acting tough." Replied Maou as he piggybacked Emi back. Emi was certain that if Maou turned back and saw the face she was making, she pledged to end him, then herself. Her face was in a shade of bright pink, she was so nervous her lips curled up. A sight of a maiden in love.
Similarly, the trip back was also mundane and quiet. Towards the end of the journey, Emi suddenly said "Hey.. it's been more than a year living in Japan huh? Can't believe I was after your head before." Maou shrugged, and smiled. "Yeah, I can't believe it too. I would had never thought I would be piggybacking the hero to my castle." Said Maou as he reminisced of the past as well. "Everyday here has been so enjoyable, I can't even begin to imagine not being able to have the internet and what not." Maou continued. Before Emi posted her question to Maou, she stopped. After awhile, she finally forced her question out albeit shakily; "d-di-did you e-en-en-enjoy my c-company?" As she blushed even more intensely. The question also made Maou blush slightly, before he answered her question. "W-well if I was honest, yeah I guess. Things wouldn't be the same if you weren't around. Despite the past we had, now I genuinely care about you. I-I mean Chi-Chan and the rest w-would be sad if something happened to you! Haha!" While Maou tried to heartily laugh at his comment, Emi was blushing even more intensely, her heartbeat quicken significantly. She buried her face into Maou's back to avoid him being able to see her current expression. She was so embarrassed. More than that, she was happy. Happy at the fact that Maou cared about her and thinks of her as being enjoyable to be with. But, she was also slightly bitter. Sure Maou cares for her and would protect her, and he even enjoys being around her. But that's it. She wanted something more. A deeper relationship. She wanted him to love her. As Emerada's words to her suddenly flashed across her mind, she thought "I-it can't be true.. no way..."
"We're here, I can't open the door with you on me, you mind getting off me for awhile?" Asked Maou. Emi simply replied with a nod. After Maou placed Emi and was about to open the door, Emi stopped him. "Hey, you do know it's your fault I fell right? If you kept your comment to yourself I wouldn't be here you know." Emi said. "I Guess it was partially my fault. Fine, I'll give you a wish of your choice okay? I'll be your dog for a day if you wish so Your Majesty." Replied Maou nonchalantly. With this, Emi grabbed Maou and pulled him closer, causing him to drop the drinks he held in his hands as well as his keys. "H-hey! I know I said everything, but my life is out of the equation! It's just a minor fall anyways, why are you so petty??" This only caused Emi to grab his collar even tighter. At this point, Emi couldn't deny it any longer. She had feelings for Maou, but she still couldn't accept it for a multitude of reasons. First being Chiho. Second being the fact that Maou has killed many of her kind hasn't changed. She didn't know if expressing her feelings were the right thing to do. "Don't you think it's fine to be selfish once in a while?" Emerada's words suddenly popped into her head. "It's fine.. right? It's just this once that I'll do this, just this once..." she promised herself. Ashiya whom heard the ruckus right outside opened the door to check what is going on was presented a huge shock. The Hero and the Demon King on the floor, sharing a kiss. Ashiya's knife which he was holding clattered onto the metal flooring of the deck outside the room, with his eyes widening in shock. "Oh woooow~" Emerada said while grinning from ear to ear. "Dude, get a room please" Urushihara exclaimed while rolling his eyes. "W-wh-what a-are t-the bo-" shouted Chiho as she tried to voice out her thoughts only to be replaced with inhumane slurring and stammering. "You are despicable!" Exclaimed Suzuno as she blushed a bright red. "Mama! Papa! Me want kiss too!" Exclaimed Alas=Ramus. The scene on full display caused a huge uproar in the room, business just as usual in Room 101 of the Villa Rosa Sasazuka.