After the fight with Ibiza ended, I noticed a lot of people that seemed strangely happy. Guess they must also have suffered because of him.
I was really beaten up, so I thought I'd hitch a ride to the hospital with the girls that had been under Ibiza's control, but the Devil King seemed to have different plans in mind.
"Wait, there's still the closing ceremony."
So I was made to stay, despite barely being able to stand straight. Miyako accompanied the girls to the hospital.
I saw her and Miyabi talk about something before she left, but when I asked Miyabi about it, she wouldn't tell me. Maybe it was something private.
Miyabi and I headed to a waiting area the Devil King directed us to. Not long after, Lizel-senpai and Reina also showed up there.
We explained everything that had happened to them. Well, the beginning part was basically all Miyabi.
"I can't condone Yuuto acting on your own like this, but given the situation, I'll especially forgive you."
"But next time please depend more on Reina and everyone else desu."
"Even if you tell me that, I didn't really plan for any of this…"
"I know, that's why you're being especially forgiven."
"B-but…"
"Aah, let's just give up, Yuuto. We're not beating senpai when she gets all 'fyun fyun' like this?"
What's 'fyun fyun'? Is it like… a cartoonish sound effect for anger? … Am I getting better at understanding Miyabi's sound effects?!
Leaving aside my newly found linguistic abilities, it's nice to hear those sounds after so long. It means her mental state is finally recovering.
"In any case, it's interesting that Miyabi got a new magic. You'll be able to provide even more support for Yuuto now."
"A-ah, about that…"
Miyabi was about to say something, but then we heard the Devil King's announcement, saying that the closing ceremony was about to start, that was my cue to go up to the stage with him.
Honestly, I really just wanted to get healed and go home, but I suppose I might as well entertain the Devil King a bit. How long can the closing ceremony be anyway?
"Hello everyone. Thank you all for being here today despite the events of yesterday."
I'm pretty sure mostly everyone here, if not actually everyone, is only here because the Devil King said everyone had to come. But I suppose I'll keep my mouth shut for now.
The Devil King kept talking about how he kept an eye on a lot of events and saw many interesting students that showed potential, and that they should work on honing that potential for the future.
Basically, a lot of the usual stuff you can imagine a headmaster saying in a closing ceremony.
After about 5 minutes or so, the Devil King finally got to the tail end of the closing ceremony. That's to say, it was time to talk about the prizes.
"Before we get to the prizes, let's go over which team won, Devil or Lovers. Well, I may say that, but I think everyone already figured it out. The scores were pretty close together, but after Ibiza was killed and a bunch of people left the Devil team, Lovers won by a considerable margin."
There were some applause. I guess people were more happy about Ibiza losing than me winning, but I'll take what I can get.
The Devil King seemed like he was going to wait a little bit for the applause, but they ended pretty quickly, so even he was a bit troubled over what to do.
"A-ah, I get it, everyone wants to know the prize already. Try not to get too blown off okay? Here it is!"
The Devil King held up a paper coupon in his hand. Ah, wait, I remember he told me about this. It was such a bad prize I even forgot. The prize is-
"A free food voucher for everyone on Lovers team. Well, considering not a lot of people joined Lovers team, I can even maybe make it 2 for those who contributed the most to the team."
Everyone started leaving, the disinterest clear on their faces.
Wow, I'm not sure people would leave this quickly if a zombie apocalypse suddenly started. Between yesterday and now, maybe the Devil King is an evacuation specialist.
Personally, a voucher like that was nearly useless to me. I mean, high-class stuff was so out of my usual everyday life I didn't really feel like trying it with the voucher. And basically everyone in Ginsei Academy is nobility, so they don't need vouchers to taste fine dining.
Overall, it was a good example of a bad gift.
"W-wait, please wait. I know the cafeteria was destroyed, but it'll be rebuilt soon. Besides, I promise the voucher works on any food place associated with devils. Please don't leave!"
But the Devil King's pleas fell on deaf ears. He had to promise the next announcement would be the last so that at least some people wouldn't leave.
"Okay okay, everyone wants to know it, right? The grand prize. Since Lovers won the Festival, Yuuto will be the one to take this prize. Anyone has any idea what it could be?"
After the vouchers, I didn't really expect much, and neither did anyone else. Maybe something like getting to skip classes for a day or something?
These seemed to be about the same guesses as what the students were thinking. After a few minutes without anyone getting it right, the Devil King looked at me and said:
"Yuuto, Candidate of Lovers, the grand prize you won is the right to have a single wish granted by me. It's fine as long as it's something I can do. Anything from changing your grades, to becoming dirty rich, and even defeating an opponent in the Devil King War."
Everyone had gone silent when the Devil King announced the prize, and a commotion began when he gave the example of defeating another Candidate for me.
Considering the level of power the Devil King has, it's harder to imagine something he can't do rather than something he can. And now I just got the right to have such a person grant a single wish of mine.
Even defeating another Devil King Candidate was fine. For all intents and purposes, as long as I held that right, I was untouchable, since all I had to do was ask the Devil King and he would get rid of whatever was bothering me.
"How do you feel getting such a prize?"
"I…"
"No words huh. That's fine, you don't have to decide your wish now. Holding onto it until the last second is also a valid strategy. You all hear this? Yuuto doesn't have anything in mind yet, so it's the best time to suck up to him, maybe he'll decide to grant your wish."
The commotion grew even more. I even heard some people shouting "I never doubted you, Lovers" or even "I-I was on your team from the start" and other such phrases.
Honestly, I could even think of a way to use this to win the Devil King War. I'd just wait it out until everyone else was defeated, since it was unlikely anyone would go after me as long as I held this wish. Once it was just me and someone else left, I'd ask the Devil King to beat them.
Or maybe I could also straight up ask the Devil King to make me win. There were many possibilities for this 1 wish.
But there's something that stuck out in my mind, the only thing I could really call a wish right now. I might as well use the wish for that.
"Wait, I already know what I want."
I raised my voice enough that it didn't lose to the commotion going on. Everyone's voices stopped once they heard mine.
"Y-you sure about that, Yuuto? Like I said, there's no need to choose now. Maybe have a talk with your Cards to see if there isn't an easier way to get what you're thinking of now, and save the wish for something else."
"No, I already know what I'll ask for. And it's something only you, the Devil King, can do."
Was it just me or was the Devil King trying to make me change my mind on using my wish? Maybe he had some plans behind the scenes, and maybe I'm being stupid for doing this without even consulting anyone, but I feel like I have to do it.
Yes, this wish could be used as a weapon in the Devil King War, I could even call it the best weapon. But that's not the only way this wish can be used.
The Devil King noticed I wasn't going to back down, so he had to give up and listen to my wish. After thinking about it for a little, just so there's no complaints that the wish was unclear or anything like that, I said what I wanted.
"I want the Devil King to fix this whole mess Ibiza made. Give back what he stole, help those that need help, and make the people that helped him of their own volition pay for their crimes."
"… Are you sure, Yuuto? I know what you mean with this wish, and sensei can make it happen. But are you sure that's what you want?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Really? There's no taking it back, you know. If you end up defeated by another Candidate and are left to die, won't you regret not having this wish?"
"If I lose then that's simply where my strength takes me. I won't regret it. Rather, I feel I wouldn't be worthy of the title if I won the Devil King War with this wish."
Well, the Devil King made this an easy question to answer, since he asked if I was left to die.
If it was my parents, or maybe Lizel-senpai, Reina or Miyabi, then I might wish I still had it, but to avoid that I just have to keep getting stronger. Strong enough I can protect them with my own power.
The Devil King noticed the determination in my eyes. He knew I wouldn't back down, so he just let out a sigh of resignation.
"Alright, I get it. I'll do it. I guess this brings the Devil VS Lovers Festival to a close. Ah, classes go back to normal starting tomorrow, by the way."
I was about to leave the stage when I heard a clap, then more and more. It soon turned into an applause. I turned around to see what it was about.
"Thank you, Lovers!"
"You really are a good guy!"
"Good luck on the rest of the war."
"Don't get yourself killed."
I was only really thinking of Miyabi and the people close to her when I made that wish, but I did word it in a way that would help everyone that needed helping. It's not like it would take anything away from Miyabi and the others, so I figured I might as well.
But hearing everyone's cheers like this… it felt good. It was worth it.
I returned to where Lizel-senpai and the others were waiting. I was received with a hug that felt almost like a tackle.
"Yuuto!"
"Ow! Ow! You're hurting me, Miyabi."
"A-ahaha, sorry. I was a little too 'waku waku' excited."
My arm is still broken, you know? You can't just bear hug me like that. Well, it's not like she meant any harm, so I'll forgive her.
I looked over at Lizel-senpai. I thought she might be a little mad about me just using the wish like that, but it seems she didn't mind it. She was showing a rather satisfied smile.
"But really, thank you, Yuuto. You helped me and mom when we were left without a home, you beat Ibiza for us and now you've even given everything back. I *sniff* I swear I'll always be with you. I love you!"
Before I could react, Miyabi kissed me. This kiss was a lot better than the previous one.
Now I remembered it, Miyabi had said she'd decide about staying as my Card or leaving after we defeated Ibiza. I guess that's what she talked about with her mother before, and she's telling me her decision now.
But is that fine? Isn't it a little too quick? I don't want her to stay if she just feels indebted.
"M-Miyabi, are you sure? Don't you want to think a little mo-?"
"I won't change my mind even if I wait, so I might as well tell Yuuto now. Now shut up and kiss me more."
Miyabi resumed the kiss I'd stopped. Well, I'm happy to have her if she feels like staying.
Still, Miyabi was being quite aggressive with this kiss. It was to the point Reina was blushing watching us. On that note, Lizel-senpai… didn't seem bothered by it, huh, don't know why I thought she would be jealous.
"Woah. Sorry to interrupt but, uhh, if you're not 'busy' later, I'd like Yuuto to meet me in my room after everyone leaves."
"Mm, nn."
I wanted to say "ah, okay" to the Devil King, but Miyabi wasn't letting me. He left while saying "again, sorry to interrupt."
… Wait, did I just say I'd meet him after everyone left? I want to leave! Can I go to the hospital, please?
"It can't be helped, it's a request from the Devil King. Let's go to the Palace to wait."
"Good idea. Yuuto and I are going to need the bedroom."
"T-that's what you're thinking?!"
"Awawawa!"
It was a bit chaotic, but that's how the Devil King Academy Athletic Festival ended this year.
