And we are more or less halfway through! The next chapter will the last of this arc. After that, Diablo will go for the wives that are not in the same city. I'm sorry but I don't plan on making chapters about him travelling around. I pretty much began every chapter with him already face to face with the girls and I plan to keep this up. I just suck at making extra details, I would have to think of what they do to get to this city then who will they meet... That would be a pain and would make me less motivated to write the story so... I will use that famous fast-travel function from RPGs and make Diablo arrive in his destinations instantaneously.

Oh, by the way, if some people are not aware, Mei almost never refers to herself with "I". She is always saying in third person "Mei-chan" or "This idol".

Disclimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 6 - Mei

"Heya! Diablo-san! It sure is rare for you call me out ! Are you dissatisfied with the hous- the Relief Inn Hideout Store?"

"...No, it's good and all but I didn't call you out to talk about the house."

(...So she still insists that it's not a house but a part of the inn, huh?)

"Then what could it be? Calling me out here(here=his house) and... I don't see Shera-chan or Rem-chan... not even Krem-chan anywhere."

"I asked to them to leave for a little while. I had to speak with you undisturbed, just the two of us."

"O-Oh! I-I see-nya! It must be really im-important right! For you to call me when there's nobody else around!"

"Why are you flustered?"

"Nya! Mei-chan is not flustered! It would be bad if this idol were to show her flustered form to the customers-nya!"

"Well, suit yourself. I called you because I need to ask something of you."

"...What is it-nya?"

"In the end, it will be up to your will. I'm not going to force you to accept or anything. It's just really important to me and it may be for you as well. For the future."

"..."

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"...from the way you speak, it must be that right? Diablo-san must have some insatiable 'hunger'. Ah, it's not like I dislike you or anything for it, Diablo-san is man after all. They also say heroes are fond of sexual pleasures. It's just a bit conflicting for me-nya."

"Wait a damn second! What have you been assuming since a while ago?! And I'm a Demon King, not something like a hero!"

"It's just...! For the past few days you have been calling girls here when the all the others were away! I thought it was a little strange that each day you were alone together with a different girl but since you all live in the same place it could be just a coincidence. But then, yesterday the Guildmaster also visited you. And all the girls who were with you left while looking so happy and blushing."

"Since when did you become a detective Mei?!"

"All these things added together... I thought Diablo-san suddenly turned into, or rather, awakened as a wolf, since Diablo-san is living together with beautiful girls too."

"...And you came here? Even though you suspected I was going to do something to you?"

"I was a bit nervous-nya. But...'If it's Diablo-san I could accept it', is what I thought. I really wanted to thank Diablo-san for everything you did until now and since you had Shera-chan and Rem-chan... I thought it was hopeless for me so..."

"...You were hoping for a one night stand?"

"We-well... I thought I could spend at last a little time living a happy dream, Mei-chan has always been this Relief Inn's idol but I've never fallen for anyone before. But recently, Mei-chan's heart accelerates whenever I see Diablo-san and I got a little happy when you called me here too..."

"Mei..."

(Not just Sylvie but Mei as well? Should I really start revising my opinion of myself? After what Sylvie told me, I can understand that people around me won't always see me as bad guy. Still, holding favour is a little...)

"But, you see-nya. Mei-chan herself is not sure if this is love. After all, this idol never had a boyfriend or a crush before-nya! Even so, it's the first time Mei-chan felt like this so, I wanted to treasure this feeling-nya..."

"...Treasure, huh?"

(...I see. Though you are not sure about yourself, you understand that it's not something unpleasant so you decided to accept it...)

"...Well, I'm sorry about your expectations but I will be warning you firsthand to avoid repeating previous failures."

"Failures-nya?"

"Never mind it. I will now explain the situation regarding as to why I've been calling everyone for private talks. It's very important so pay attention closely."

"! Yes-nya!"

Sensing the seriousness is his voice, Mei's meek attitude and playfulness vanished in a heartbeat. Maybe he wasn't just playing around with girls for the past few days. She still believed he did something to them though. That alone was undebatable.

Oh, would you look at that? Another explanation!

"...And that's how it is."

"..."

"Mei?"

"Oh? Ah! It's Nyathing! Nothing at all-nya!"

"...Is that so? Then, what is it?"

"W-what?! I said it's nothing, Diablo-san!"

"...Look, I'm not going to force you to speak or anything. But I came here because I trust you and I... hoped you could do the same for me."

"...Saying that is cheating Diablo-san. It makes it hard to refuse-nya. But Mei-chan is fair, after all, so I will tell you. My opinion is the same as the Guildmaster-nya."

"..."

"Even if I know Diablo-san will have even more wives, this idol was still happy that she got chosen to be part of the group. I could be even closer to my friends and the first person I felt these emotions for too. This may be just Mei-chan happy illusions but..."

"No."

"Nya?"

"There's nothing wrong with that, Mei. I too, only got here because I had goals and dreams(getting a job and a girlfriend! Or exploding all riajuus if the latter is not possible!). However, you made a tiny mistake towards the end."

"A mistake-nya? Where?"

"This is not an illusion. I, this Demon King will make this a reality!"

"...! Mou, saying these things with this timing... You're too cunning, Diablo-san. But it makes Mei-chan so happy to hear these words."

"Then, is this your answer?"

"Yes, my dear husband ."

Before Diablo could move over to Mei, she herself came over to him. She took the same stool she used to kiss him in the cheek last time(Refer to volume 9). While putting her hands on his chest to support herself, Mei gently leaned her face towards Diablo's. The last thing Diablo saw before he closed his eyes was Mei's face closing in, her cheeks lightly blushing, her lips slightly open and curled into a small smile.

*Chuu*

It was different from all the other times. Sensing that Mei was not someone he should use his experience on(not yet at last), not mentioning the fact that she tiptoeing on a stool, Diablo limited himself to only doing a gentle kiss. No intense tongue action, just a very light contact between lips.

(Though kind of innocent, this type of kiss is also not bad I guess. It's my first tim-not. I guess I already did this kind of kiss with Rem, Shera and Krem, huh? But since it was only for the contract I didn't consider it that much.)

Before he knew it, Mei separated her lips from his. She was still leaning on his chest though, and now that her face was free, she also leaned her head on his shoulder.

"*sniff*Diablo-san smells so good-nya!"

"I don't think I smell particularly good though..."

"It's not that kind of smell, Diablo-san. I'm talking about feeling the warm of person you love, being in the arms of the one you love and smelling the one you love too."

"Heeh... I thought you said you wasn't sure whatever this was love or not."

"Mou! Diablo-san, please don't ruin the moment with these comments!"

"...Sorry."

(It's not only how others view me, it seems I also need to learn some delicacy... That's not Demon King-like though...Maybe if I show it only in front of my wives it will be okay...)

"Mufufu! Thanks Diablo-san, ops, dear husband ."

"You don't need to force yourself, or rather, don't call me that in front of other people."

"While Mei-chan wanted to brag to others, she would be too embarrassed too."

(Damn straight. I would die of shame if she came screaming 'Dear!' in front of everybody in the inn.)

"Well then, Mei-chan has to go back now. The inn needs it's idol back to take care of it."

"Yeah. Have a safe trip."

(It's only a few meters though.)

"Thank you, Dear . I will see you tomorrow!"

"...Like I said, stop calling me that out loud."

"Oh, yeah. Mei-chan almost forgot."

"?"

"Please continue supporting this idol from now on ."

Mei did her pose with hands imitating cat paws and used her trademark smile, before running back to the inn. Diablo just sighed and smiled a little.

(Some things never change, do they?)

He went back to his room and decided to sleep early. The next one was one of the people he had trouble with. Even so, he still knew her better than a lot of other people and she showed interest before, so... Diablo had no choice but to go for it, to go for Zircon Tower's Feudal Lord, Farnis Lamnites.