Chapter 7: The Parents Get an Intervention
In the quiet neighbourhood of Sasaki's, there sat the inquisitor, graciously accepting a cup from the matriarch of the household, Riho Sasaki. The weather was fairly stable in the sense that a small drizzle of rain came from above with light clouds blanketing the otherwise pristine blue skies. A perfect day for pilots but a dreary day for those on the ground.
"Thank you, Miss Sasaki for taking the time to speak to me. I greatly appreciate your help." Suzano bowed as Chiho's mother simply chuckled at the woman's mannerisms, her gestures being far too formal for their situation.
"My… no need to be so polite, I'm happy to help a friend of Chiho's." Riho smiled as she lead the inquistor into her family's humble abode. Leading her to the living room where they would have their discussion.
The matriach and Suzano sat across from one another on opposite couches, a coffee table in between them with some tea in the centre, a cup close to each of them with the pot being at the middle. The father, Senichi Sasaki, was out as per his duties as a police officer and wouldn't be back for some time. As such, both women had the house to themselves to an extent, huge parties like college students were simply outside the realm of possibility.
"But first, how is Chiho doing?" Riho asked as Suzano simply smiled, understanding the motherly concern of her daughter. A concern that she's familiar with having faced devastated mothers who lost their children, hoping they would reappear in the orphanage and hope that sometimes came true, but often didn't.
"She appears to be fine for the time being, may be after another week or so, she should be perfectly fine to do as she pleases." Suzano explained as she took a small sip of the tea. Suzano tried to hide away such thoughts, she was now stepping on the path she now believed in. Why were such memories coming back now? Suzano, having been an experienced inquisitor who knew the dangers of such thoughts, decided to put them away and consider them in her own time.
"That's good to hear…" Riho sighed in relief as she herself took a sip of tea.
"Now, what was it that you would like to ask me about?" Riho asked as she focused on the topic of concern. Her gaze was as calm as an experienced mother could be but had a hint of cheerfulness, an aura that balanced her otherwise calm appearance.
Suzano then went onto explain their current circumstance as well as hers and her colleagues', a word that was still in the air in her mind, concerns regarding Alas Ramus' parents. Naturally, she adjusted the details to fit the details of the story that Ashiya told to Rika when they first met. The story was the easiest to comprehend and proved rather iron-tight than explaining their war; a story that could only be described as fantastical, at best, to someone like Riho.
"Hmm… So they've gotten over it but some part of them is still stuck in the past…" Riho contemplated the situation as Suzano noted the room around them. Nothing of interest stood out to the inquisitor and assassin but she couldn't help but wander her sight outside to see two colourful butterflies, contrasting in the colour of their wings, danced around one another.
"I think it may be best for you to talk out all together, you and Maou's friend are on good terms with one another, correct?"
"Yes, me and the good-Emi do trust one another." Suzano answered in formal bluntness as she watched the woman's mind go to work.
"Perfect, it may be a good idea for you two to let them discuss things out between them or find a way for them to talk about their feelings." Riho suggested as Suzano contemplated the two options. If the two discussed it out between them then there would be little need for them to intervene, but given how things are between and the circumstances, letting themselves solve their differences may prove more disastrous than beneficial. As such, external factors may need to be used.
"Do you believe a mediated discussion between them would work? I understand it's usually called an 'intervention?'" Suzano looked in confusion as Riho gave a chuckle.
"I'm sorry, 'intervention' is a little too formal to call what you're doing, but the idea's there." Riho explained as she poured herself some tea. Suzano contemplated on the logistics and plausibility of such an idea before Riho spoke up.
"It may work. There's no certainty unless you try." She explains as Suzano used the words as food for thought. If they were to try, what could happen? To Suzano, a good number of possibilities flowered before her. Some good, others bad. Slowly, she crossed off the ones before arriving at the set of events that made sense given what she knew. Most of them were bad since the unlikely parents have undoubtedly negative impressions of one another, but a potential of good laid there once she noted both their interactions with one another after Alas Ramus' appearance and their unforeseen stay in Japan.
"Although I should warn you, these things may be more tricky than they seem. After all, emotions are always complicated especially in situations like yours." Riho advised with Suzano raising an eye at the mention.
"That said, the solution is rather simple. It's best to let both of them talk it out and let them understand one another. Then, you can find a solution to your problem." She advised with the experience to match in her voice. Seemed she was using this as practice to help Chiho if Suzano had to guess.
Still, the idea made sense and could give them an idea of what exactly to do. It was a fairly standard plan in-terms of diplomacy and a variety of other situations. It seemed no matter what, talking and communication always proved useful.
"Thank you for your counsel, I believe I have an idea of what to do next. I am forever in your debt." Suzano thanked as she stood up, bowing before raising her head and prepared to leave.
"Oh! You don't have to flatter me like that. But will it be alright if Chiho stays out of whatever you do next?" Riho requested as Suzano easily knew the answer to her question. Despite Chiho's good intentions and desire for them to get along; her 'fondness' of the demon lord might make things worse or more awkward as her emotions may cloud her better judgement. She knew too well how desperately some people hold onto certain things, whether that is power, love or anything else they desire. As such, Chiho may prove more of a liability in this case than a benefit.
"Do not fret, we will keep good-Chiho out of whatever we do next." Suzano answered as she turned towards the now-relieved mother, clearly giving the answer Riho hopped.
"Good, thank you, I'm sorry for bothering you about it but I'm sure you understand my reasons." Suzano nodded in understanding as Riho gave a sigh of relief.
"I understand, but please let us know if something happens to Chiho, we'll do our best to help." Suzano assured as Riho could only smile at the kindness of Chiho's friends.
"Don't worry, I will." The mother thanked before giving her goodbyes as she watched the women disappear a moment later behind the door. Staring out to the night of Tokyo through a nearby window, she couldn't help but think how thankful she is that Chiho has found good people for her to stand beside.
-o-
"How the hell did you find something so cheap?!" The demon lord yelled, albeit not too loudly, in surprise as the hero merely rolled her eyes.
"It's not like Alciel is the only one who knows a few tricks with money." She explained with clear annoyance as a squeaking sound could be heard behind the door.
"Sire?" Ashiya opened the door, somehow getting a toy stuck under it, to their apartment to find the demon lord and Emi talking between them as Alas Ramus happily played with a number of toys the hero brought over. Emi and Maou in the midst of discussing the price of the toys as they also kept watch on their daughter, playing with her on occasion.
"Oh, hey Ashiya, what do ya need?" Maou responded as Emi turned her attention to Alas Ramus. She then picked her up as Suzano also appeared behind Ashiya.
"Me and Ms. Kamazuki would like a word with you and Emilia." Both the demon lord and hero looked at each other in confusion. What could they need to discuss if it wasn't already known to them? Ashiya and Suzano could look in rather formally neutral expressions, faces as plain as a piece of bread that came out of the oven but wasn't considered fresh.
"Allllright, Emi?" Emi sighed as she put down Alas Ramus.
"Lucifer, if you may…" Lucifer gave an out-of-sight sigh as he entered the room with Alas Ramus giving a cheer; the others left them alone and headed into Suzano Kamazuki's apartment right beside the devil's abode. Before the others could sit down, a loud of bang and bell could be heard in the Devil's apartment. Everyone agreed to simultaneously ignore the noise as they sat around the table.
"So…" Another bang followed by a bell. "... Tell me what's going on before-" Another bang followed by a bell.
"Nevermind…" Emi sighed as it was clear someone just lost and she really didn't need to concern herself with Urushihara.
Suzano and Ashiya, looked at one another before taking a slight breath. Ashiya cleared his throat.
"Sire and Ms. Yusa, it has come to my and Ms. Kamazuki's attention that the relationship between you and Emi has improved, but…" Ashiya looked at Suzano as she prepared a folded up piece of paper hidden in her kimono.
Unfolding the sheet, she placed the piece of parchment on the table they sat around.
"We're concerned that your residual hatred might affect Alas Ramus." Suzano finished, turning the paper towards the odd couple.
Both Maou and Emi flinched at the knowledge and implicit reminder of the park and their feelings towards one another. Despite everything they've gone through, they both had no doubt that they both held some level of irrational hatred of one another. Both of them also remembering various events where said hatred reared its ugly head:
-o-
"IT'S YOUR FAULT I'VE HAD TO BUY THIS CRAP!" The hero yelled as she revealed several bags of cheese-flavoured snacks meant for kids.
"HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW SHE WOULD SNEAK INTO THE FRIDGE AND EAT ALL THE CHEESE I BROUGHT BACK?!" Alas Ramus could only look at both of her parents before crying.
"OHHH NOOO!" Both of them jumped to comfort their daughter.
-o-
Both the hero and lord couldn't help but cringe at the memory.
Ashiya continued, carefully noting their expressions and sudden flinch they both seemed to have had.
"That's why we're proposing that you two must find a solution regarding your relationship with one another and, invariably, help Alas Ramus." Ashiya finished as both the Hero and Demon Lord carefully took a look at the paper in front of them.
On the paper were clearly written ideas on how the couple could address their feelings towards one another. All of them allowed Alas Ramus to stay in a part of both their lives and hers, while also allowing them to avoid a possibility that Alas Ramus might witness one of their admittedly petty arguments and relationship. Despite the possibilities, they were finding themselves in a rather difficult dilemma as they both couldn't help but feel that all of the solutions robbed something from Alas Ramus.
"Suzano. You know half of this stuff isn't… well…" Emil's eyes meandered off, trying to find the right word.
"You know some of these things are never gonna happen." Maou finished as Ashiya turned to Suzano.
Suzano sighed at the expected response as Maou and Emi looked at her.
"That is something we're well aware of. Both me and Ashiya know that these aren't ideal but do keep in mind, we can't have your residual hatred with one another cause problems for Alas Ramus, it sets a poor example and will ultimately prove harmful for her." Suzano explained as Emi contemplated her words with Maou keeping quiet with his own train of thought.
"My liege?" Ashiya asked in concern as Maou closed his eyes.
"Emi… What do you think?" Maou asked as he turned towards Emi with his demonic red eyes.
Emi, with a determined look hiding the conflict of emotions within her, gave a face of determination before sighing.
"If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, and it hurts me to say this, but I don't think we have any other choice." Emi said with a shiver as Maou gave a nod while also feeling a rather weird child down his spine.
Both of them inhaled with determination as they spoke the same words.
"We'll live together, under one roof."Both of them confirmed with determination as Suzano and Ashiya looked at them dumbfounded. That said, the unlikely couple seemed determined yet incredibly uncomfortable with the idea, although 'embarrassed' was the best description given the blushes and the looks away from one another.
"Look… it's our only option with Alas Ramus. I don't think she wants to see us like this…" Maou spoke as calmly as someone redder than a cherry fruit.
"H-he's right, she seems happier when we're together, more than when it was just me and her." The embarrassed hero supported with a conflict of emotions, much to her chagrin at the thoughts. Living the Devil happened before, but these were EXTREMELY different circumstances.
"Well…" Ashiya closed his eyes with his mind deep in thought.
"If you believe what's best, then I have no objections. Aside from a few concerns." Ashiya voiced as he gave an aura of the determined accountant.
"Much the same here." Suzano calmly agreed, quietly scooting away at the former general's sudden aura.
"Now, in regards to living under one roof, I believe our fin-" before Ashiya could pull out the calculator. A sudden and, to the demons, terrifying voice made its appearance.
"I don't believe you'll need to worry about such minute details." Both demons froze mid-scream at the voice of their landlord. The two demons then regaining themselves and staring in fear.
"Lady Mikitty, how may we help you this fine afternoon?" Suzano asked in her ever formal manner, completely unfazed by the demon's antics.
"Oh, Ms. Suzano, I've already helped myself to this entertaining and heart warming display of concern and bonding. The type of show one would watch and wish they could have." She joked in an ethereally calm manner as she stepped into the room.
"Now, Ms. Yusa and Mr. Maou. I just received an interesting notice that I believe meets the requirements for an… interesting family of three." The landlady teased, the former inquisitor and hero now looking at her dumbfounded. Maou and Ashiya, who are trying to keep themselves from running, barely mustered the energy to notice that she knew. Somehow, they just knew she somehow knew.
"Umm…. okay, but what about-"
"Oh, you don't need to fret about such minor matters." The Mikitty winked as she produced a slip of paper from her purple pursue. A storage device that contained tools to contain the demons in the need arises, or, at the very least, torture/scar them for the rest of eternity.
"I just happened to be well-acquanted to the property manager of your residence. It was a simple matter really." She assured as she handed Emi the letter regarding her lease agreement. The letter now informing her that her contract has been revised as well as multiple other documents that, all in all, meant she was free to move on from where she currently lived.
"HUH?!" Emi could only stare dumbfounded at the papers.
"Now… we can find some other time to discuss about everything else." Miki smiled as the rest of them were in various states of surprise, the demons now calming themselves down to think rationally.
"Thank you Lady Mikitty but it will be some time until we can reach a decision." Suzano thanked Miki gave a slight chuckle.
"Oh, I understand. Decisions like this don't happen on a whim. Do take it under consideration." She bid her goodbyes and then left the demon's castle, seemingly disappearing from sight.
Meanwhile, the Ente Islans, could only recuperate themselves and prepare for the next things they need to prepare.
"GUYS HELP!" which was saving Urushihara from Alas Ramus.
"Meh…" or not…
A/N: Some research needed to be done to get the general idea of how renting works in Tokyo. Frankly, it's mostly the same as those in North America albeit with differing requirements such as guarantors being required for someone to rent in Tokyo (it's kind of case by case in North America).
As always, feel free to critcise my work or say what you like. It always helps to know where I can improve.