"So, what do you think of Chiho's question?"

"What question?"

She grits her teeth. She didn't like me being too sarcastic whenever she was being serious. I laugh at her.

"What are you going to do, Maou? Are you going to keep it going on like that?"

"Keep what going on like what?"

She smacks me with her oversize purse. I yelp in pain. My gosh, what does that woman carry in that purse of hers?

"Sooner or later, we'll have to return to Ente Isla. And also continue our battle. You will have to forget about Chiho. I will have to forget about Chiho. Chiho is an outsider to us. We can't drag her into our battle."

I stop in my tracks while Emi continues walking forward, not knowing that I have stopped. After a few meters, she turns to look at me.

"Maou?"

I know. I know that some day, Ashiya, Urushihara, Kamazuki, Olba, Sariel, Emi and I would have to return. Return back to Ente Isla. It is something that we all cannot avoid. We have already meddled enough within this world. But-

"I know, Emi. We are going to have to cut ties in the future. Sooner, or later. I don't know. But, just for a while, just for some more time, I think I want to stay here."

I smile at Emi. She reciprocates my smile with a glare. She equips herself with the Better Half, full of disbelief. I think, I know her feelings on this take.

"I can't believe this. The Overlord here, wanting to be human? For a little bit more? You arrogant bastard! How dare you ask for more time! On top of that, being a human?! How insensitive, Overlord! That is very unfair to the people of Ente Isla! To the people that you instilled terror within! To the people that you took away friends and families and homes away from! You took away the happiness the people deserved! You took away my life with my father! You stole my happiness! You killed my father! You will forever be the heartless Overlord who stole the peaceful days of the people of Ente Isla!"

"I know that! And I can't reverse time to stop my doings! But, like Chiho said to Kamazuki, things change. I still think I haven't changed though."

She takes a breath and chuckles. "You have. You've become, more mature?"

"What? I have always been mature."

"No. You now is different from Ente Isla. Somehow, it's a good thing."

"And it's a good thing you have calm down. Your anger earlier-"

"Shut up." She smacks me with her over-sized purse again. Under her breath, I hear her mutter, "You're better this way."

I smile. I pretend I don't hear her because I was wanting to tease her. "What was that?"

She walks on ahead, ignoring my question.

"Don't revert back to the annoying Overlord, you hear me?"

We arrive at her apartment. It still amazes me that she was able to get such a place to live in, while I share a worn down apartment with Ashiya and Urushihara. Though it is worn down, it still feels cozy enough because I have two companions. I wonder how Emi feels by herself? I deide to ask her.

"Emi, aren't you lonely by yourself?"

She looks back at me before walking into the building.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, isn't it lonely to sleep in an apartment by yourself?

"Not really. I get to have privacy to myself. And if I was to live next to you guys, I'd probably never get any sleep. I wonder how Suzuno deals with you lot. You lot are just bummed out losers."

That was really uncalled for, but I let it slide. I sigh and smirk.

"But at least we are able to benefit from each other. Three brains are better than one brain."

"How lame. Birds of a feather flock together."

"Then you're grouping Kamazuki with us."

"No that's not it! She's totally different than you and the other two devils."

"Well she-"

"That's enough. I'm going."

She waves.

"Maou."

I look at her. Though she expresses no facial emotion, I can see the look in her eyes. It has a heart-warming feeling to it. Something similar to Chiho, but not exactly Chiho either. Maybe, just maybe, she may have found a bit of relief to where I can be on her list of likable people. I wave to her goodbye and turn towards the direction of my apartment.

I walk along the streets filled with everyday citizens.

Office workers. High schoolers. Gangsters.

Ordinary people living their ordinary lives.

I stop and stare into the deep blue night sky that seems to melt away into blackness. No stars can be seen because of the bright neon lights. I finish crossing the crosswalk and stare around. People walking to and from home or work. Then, all of a sudden, a memory of the people of Ente Isla flashes into my head, seeming to blend itself to the reality in front of me.

These people are the same as those of Ente Isla. Why has it not occurred to me now? I don't harm these humans. Is it because I have no magic at the time being? No, it doesn't feel that way.

Can I kill these humans right now if I wanted to?

I can't. I understand Chiho and Emi now. Being here in Sasazuka has changed me. I have become, more, human. Though, why?

Thinking about it has made me feel . . .

What is this feeling that hits me?