I mentally figured out a Mafia If au version of this fic (short story style and mostly original since it's only at 6 canon chapters atm) and I have yet to decide if I will write it. For now, I will concentrate on finishing this story. I will soon be shifting into 'scenarios' more so than adaptation, as well as time skips/og content as something of an extended epilogue.
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When Iruma arrived at Babyls, he was prepared to take on the world as a Rank He (five).
Then Kerori made him pause in his tracks by pulling him outside and stating while holding a dress, "Wear this and become the most cuteliciousest Akudoll in the Netherworld."
He'd frozen for a second before panicking, "What's this all of a sudden!?"
Kerori tilted her head slightly, "It's not sudden though. I warned you during the Harvest Festival that if you asked me for another favor, I'd make you dance on a bigger stage. You then put yourself in my debt. It's a promise between you, myself, and Lied-san."
Iruma plopped down next to Lied, who then turned to him in confusion, "...Iruma-kun, did you really promise her that..?"
Iruma drooped, "Y-yeah…"
Kerori lifted her chin, "I know it's a tumultuous path to walk, and while I understand your trepidation, I believe in the potential of Lindy and Illuminati! With the help of my agency and myself, I will make you shine!"
Lied was fast to respond, "Wait! What agency!?"
Kerori paused for a moment before removing her glasses and pulling Iruma up beside her, "Right, it's about time you learned the truth." She used Transform to change herself and Iruma while posing cutely, "Hi, hi~! We're the Akudol's Kuromu and Irumi~!"
After that Lied screamed, and they came to an agreement about joining Kuromu for the New Year's Celebratory Akudol games.
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When Iruma had informed them that he wouldn't be available for month's end due to helping a friend, Opera had been silently disappointed. It would have been their first Deviler's Eve together, but they knew their son well enough to know it was best to let him go.
Then the fated morning came around, and they were intrigued.
Iruma was wearing a new coat, which was strangely… frilly, as well as carting around a particularly girly suitcase.
Interest now overriding any hurt they felt, they were even more intrigued when Iruma emphasized that they not watch the Akudol games.
Many. Many. Times.
So of course they got ready to settle down and watch them!
Sullivan was of course just as interested, and the games started as they always did.
Until team Devimuse came on. And there was their son.
Dressed up.
And introduced as The mysterious Akudol Irumi!
Immediately Sullivan started barking out orders to them, and they began ordering things and recording, while simultaneously texting their mother.
Soprano was swift to respond, and Opera could practically hear her giggling throughout the text.
Oh, Irumi-san? I had been interested in her since her debut (which is available to watch on Kuromu's website, btw), since she has traits from our Clan, but no known relation. I'd asked Skadi-chan to investigate her for me, but she didn't have a lot of information to pass along. So, I did what I could and joined Irumi's fanclub page through Devimuse's agency, took the number one spot, and hoped to one day meet her.
Admittedly, after meeting Iruma-kun and rewatching Irumi's performance, I finally made the connection that they were the same person. XD I figured they were hiding their identity, due to how little info was available.
This is gonna be amazing. I bet Kalego-kun and Shichirou-kun will be surprised if they're watching as well!
Opera wasn't sure if they wanted to start laughing hysterically, or just sit and watch in suspense.
They sat down while allowing themself to laugh for one second.
They had merch to find, and a small scolding to muster up.
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Kalego adjusted his winter cape as he entered Shichirou's office and scented the air. "Something smells nice…"
Shichirou turned to him with a smile in his eyes, "It's a new tea blend I've come up with. It's to help relieve fatigue after work." He turned to his stash of various items, "I also have alcohol and snacks, too."
Kalego took a brewed cup from his friend and took a deep dreg of the tea before sighing softly. "Just remember we're still on duty."
Shichirou waved as he motioned for Kalego to sit, "We're working during a holiday, so I think it's okay to take it a little easy. We could even watch a little tv!"
Kalego contemplated it before leaning back tiredly while seated, "Fine, but don't let anyone catch us. Keep the volume low."
Shichirou settled with a nod beside him and turned the television on to the main programming of the day, "Let's watch the Akudol games!"
Kalego side eyed him, "You're interested in that sort of stuff?"
Shichirou huffed lightly, "You know, Crocell-san is performing! It's one of your students' big day! You should really cheer her o-"
They both paused in their conversation as the Mysterious Akudol Irumi-chan was introduced on live television, with a close up on her face-
"-Kalego. That's… that's him, isn't it?!"
Kalego's brain had a swift restart before he had a mild panic. What was his son, his foolish half-human adopted son, doing on LIVE TELEVISION!? And he was an AKUDOL!? Since WHEN!?
Keroberos began to laugh obnoxiously in the back of his mind as he processed this information.
It took him a moment to realize his phone was vibrating, and he opened it to see a message from his mother.
He opened it, and Shichirou leaned in when he stopped moving.
OH. MY. DEVI. KALEGO! IRUMA IS THE AKUDOL SOPRANO LIKES! THIS IS HILARIOUS! DID YOU KNOW!?
No. He hadn't, Shichirou hadn't, and he'd hazard that Iruma had kept this one last secret tucked away for Reasons from even Opera and Sullivan.
The boy was, and was in, so. Much. Trouble.
Because now he had to watch the games instead of his orchestra performance.
"...Kalego..? Sh-should we say something?"
Kalego rubbed his face, "Nope. Don't know. Don't care."
He was lying, Shichirou knew he was lying, and after a long pause, Shichirou snickered. "You are so insincere, Kalego."
Kalego smacked Shichirou's thigh limply with the back of his hand, "Shut up, 'Chi."
Shichirou shook his head, "Well then, let's cheer them on!"
Kalego groaned.
xXx-xXx-sparkle-xXx-xXx
The games had mostly gone on without too much of a hitch.
Kind of.
Ameri'd been scouted to help them replace their stolen teammate, and honestly, Irumi was glad for it. Melie-chan was spectacular for so many sporting events, and she was blowing everyone away with her talents. Irumi could easily say she was proud of her, and her teammates agreed.
Lindy-chan also had her own talents, and they'd parted ways with high hopes for a win.
Irumi had managed to win the bun-eating contest, though if her appetite had been like before, she probably would've disqualified herself by eating everyone else's. (The buns were, admittedly, tasty.)
…And of course she'd taken a moment to flesh out her archery skills, by absolutely dominating the target takedown game. (Ali had been cute for a second too, even if he was totally teasing her. She just didn't think about that until later.)
And then Gyari had won the tail-wrestling game and challenged her onto the stage.
"Yo! Irugly! I wanna talk with you!"
Irumi pouted, annoyed, because she wasn't ugly at all! She was super duper cute, and Kuromu hadn't lied to her! She'd been sincere during their training for this day, and she wouldn't let this random bitch come out of nowhere to clown on her!
She stomped up to the stage, more than happy to defend herself as she gripped a microphone in her hand.
Gyari continued her tirade, "Don't get all cocky just because you won target takedown, Irugly! That's child's play to someone as awesome as me!"
Irumi responded swiftly, "I am not ugly!"
Gyari began to praise herself earnestly, "Compared to that, my tail wrestling was amazing! Because it was me! Gyari!"
"I am not ugly!" Irumi honestly didn't care about what she had to say- she just wanted the record to be set straight!
Gyari met Irumi's eyes and straightened up, "I've been waiting for this moment, so I have something to announce! So all of you listen closely! I, Gyari, am going to win this tournament, and then I will marry Kuromu!"
Kuromu had already been on edge with how Gyari had begun to specifically target Irumi since that morning, when she'd declared in front of Irumi and Lindy that she would force Kuromu to retire and marry her.
Now she had to intervene for the sake of damage control. She wouldn't allow Gyari to hog the narrative. Kuromu's opinion mattered as well, even if Gyari was too stuck in her own head to listen to reason.
"Wait!" Kuromu strode swiftly to the stage to Irumi's side with determination. Irumi gave her a worried look while saying her name, but she put her hand out, "Give me the mic." Irumi nodded, and Kuromu faced Gyari head on while speaking into the mic. "I, too, want to make something clear." Her gaze sharpened on her opponent as she grabbed Irumi's hand firmly. "I… Will not marry you. And it's because-" She lifted Irumi's hand high, "I'm going to marry her!"
To say Irumi was immediately embarrassed and shocked would be an understatement.
She was incredibly embarrassed, and not only that, but strangely…
Shameconfusionhurt
The feeling shrieked through their bond, and Kuromu nearly recoiled from the sharp black inkiness of it.
Kuromu startled as the announcer exclaimed about her declaration, and she swiftly turned without another word, dragging Irumi along as she shut off the mic.
Iruma allowed Kuromu to take the lead, incoherent thoughts and feelings running rampant before she finally managed to formulate her base thoughts, "Kuromu, what- wait! Kuromu! What was all that about!?"
Kuromu looked dizzy as her whole body turned red, before she buried her face into her hands and ice exploded around her, "Aaah! Sorry! I am so sorry! I'll explain later, so forgive meeee~!"
Irumi calmed down a little from her confused embarrassment as she watched her.
Kuromu held a hand to her chest, "I just couldn't stop myself… It was all I could come up with in the moment…"
Irumi observed her before asking, "Why, though..?"
Kuromu took a moment to breathe before explaining their odd past. How she and Gyari had been part of the same agency, but that Kuromu had refused to work with her. "You see, Iruma-san, I absolutely can't be with Gyari." And Irumi felt a short sadlonelywish sweep through their bond as she continued. "Remember the "Millionaire" part from "Lilith's Red Carpet"? Gyari is exactly like him. She has all of the status and fame, and can get anything she wants. She's Greedy, and I'm the jewel she wants."
"I am the object of her adoration, that's why… I cannot become hers. The moment I do, her love… will vanish."
Ah.
Irumi suddenly connected Kuromu's words to an underlying current to their bond that she had politely ignored.
Gyari was the person Kuromu- Kerori, truly loved. For whatever reason, in their own twisted way, they were deeply in love with one another, and the only way Kerori can keep her own value in Gyari's eyes, is to keep herself forever out of reach.
It was… sad, really. To not be able to hold the person you wanted to.
Kuromu straightened up as she finished her story, "The more I shine, the higher she climbs to reach me. Iruma-san, I…" She faced him with a fanged smile on her face, "I want to stay like this, with her reaching for me, so I can see her shine in a way that only I can." Irumi shuddered as she felt something she couldn't describe reverberate enviously warm and deep between them, "After that incident, she'll lose restraint and go all out. She can shine even brighter, so I have to whip her into shape so she can reach her full potential."
While Kuromu felt invigorated by the end of her talk, Irumi couldn't help but grasp her hand firmly. "Kuromu."
Kuromu paused and gave him her full attention as she turned fully towards him.
Iruma hid behind his bangs for a moment, before meeting her gaze with pain and hurt. "I understand what you're saying… and I will support you in every way that I'm capable of, but…" He took in a deep calming breath before continuing, "Don't you dare play with me."
Kuromu's eyes widened as her heart dropped in slight confusion.
Irumi was frowning, and he was somewhat… disappointed. They were torn about what they should say, but decided to lay everything bare. "Kuromu, you know my deepest secret. I let you into my life, and as I said, I will support you in your endeavors. I truly and honestly want you to fulfill your Ambition. I want to see you sparkle, and become the greatest Akudol to have ever been, and perhaps, ever was, in the history of Akudol's, however…"
They pursed their lips. They really shouldn't take this so personally, but they'd been dealing with their feelings too much. Their own personal affections, and how they weren't the way they believed they should be. How against the grain it was to love several people.
It honestly seemed to be very odd, here, too. Even if Gyari was hand-wavey about it. The level of shock that had gone through the stands was enough to let him know it wasn't as blatantly common as she'd like them to think.
Iruma met Kuromu's eyes, "You started this thing that's between us, and now you've declared that you're going to marry me to the entire Netherworld. I'll support you, but I don't want to be some publicity stunt. Take responsibility for this, or end what you started between us."
Because ending things would hurt them miserably, but he would break even further both ways.
Tolerating him when she loved someone else would break his heart. However, rejecting him and severing what she'd started would quite possibly cause him to not only go into a Wicked Phase, but drive him into the depths of ferality and distrust.
But he wouldn't be tossed about in some catty spat like a ragdoll. He cared too much to be used.
He'd been used by his previous Guardians enough to not tolerate being used ever again.
Kuromu's chest tightened, and she realized how much of a miss-step she'd made.
She'd been far too focused on the games and her image, that she forgot about his circumstances.
There was no way, if any of his family was watching in that moment, that she'd get out of this unscathed, either.
They would hunt her down for hurting their child, who had suffered enough, and pick her bones dry, and smash them in the wastelands.
Kuromu pursed her lips as she bowed her head. Iruma was right.
She slowly returned his firm grip, and lifted her head, "...You'll really support me like that..?"
Iruma nodded with an unreadable expression on his face. There was a swirl of what she could only describe as grey between them, and settled down to one knee with a soft sigh.
She took his other hand, and squeezed them both as she met his eyes with firm resolution.
"If you're okay with it, if you're really willing to support me on my journey to the top… Then I hope you'll continue to support me at my side. I won't take back the words I declared to the entire Netherworld."
"...If you'll take me, would you marry me?"
Iruma wanted to continue being mad. He wanted to be able to say that he wasn't so easily swayed, and that he could hold a grudge for at least two seconds.
But of course, he couldn't. He could feel how she felt with their hands intertwined as they were. How she felt slightly scared of rejection, that she truly did feel apologetic for hurting him so thoughtlessly, and the determination to take responsibility for what she had started.
The swirl of affectionworryhopeaplogy that made his stomach turn evaporated his indignation.
He took in a deep breath and sighed out all of his frustrations and sunk into relieved resignation. "Yeah, I will."
Kuromu brightened for a moment before carefully taking his right middle finger and enclosing her fangs around it in promise. She stayed like that for a moment, as Iruma flushed in partial confusion at the action, before Kuromu released him, and then covered her fangs and horns. "I apologize for harming not only your feelings, but breaking your heart. I was caught up in the moment, and could only think of how to save my career."
Iruma was silent for a moment before lowering himself into a kneel to meet her at her level, "Kuromu…" He cupped her cheeks, and pressed his forehead against hers gently, "You are part of my pack, my colony, and my heart. Please take care of me, and I will do the same for you, alright..?"
Kuromu nodded, before cupping his cheeks in return for a short chaste kiss to seal the deal between them, before pulling back to stand.
Iruma pushed himself to his feet, and quickly began to pick up the frayed edges of his Irumi persona and shove them back into place as she smiled, "Let's get back to the others."
Kuromu nodded, and they returned to their base with their hands intertwined.
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The chariot match had been intense, but going well, until Chima accidently put herself in danger.
Irumi managed to keep her safe while taking on the weight of several people, but they'd lost the most important match of the preliminaries.
Gyari had taken the ribbon, and would thus be able to choose the genre of the final match.
And certainly, Gyari would choose what she was best at and known for- Rock. She had her own convictions about the games, and so did Kuromu.
If Gyari won, Kuromu's career was over.
Kuromu wasn't angry with Chima of course, but she was now sinking into her own head, trying to think of the best way to defeat her opponent.
She went through multiple scenarios, before her train of thought was interrupted with Irumi's hands making a loud clap in front of her face. She startled in confusion as she wobbled, "Wh-huh?"
Irumi sagged in relief, "Can you finally hear me, now? I've called your name a few times now, and…" Her gaze shifted to her skirt, where Chima was sobbing silently while holding onto the hem of her clothes.
Kuromu immediately went into big sister mode, as she realized how deep into her own head she'd gotten, and comforted her little sister.
Eventually, Irumi pulled Chima aside, and knelt down to wipe away her tears. "Oh, they're so pretty…" Chima looked up to her in confusion as she continued, "I hadn't noticed before, with your bangs covering them, but your eyes… They're a lighter shade than Kuromu's, like a frozen lake in winter."
Chima's eyes widened, as Irumi's words struck her like an arrow's shot.
Irumi turned to look after the others, but that passing moment for Irumi unknowingly changed Chima.
Kuromu straightened after everyone had comforted Chima and recovered. "Sorry, Gyari's idiocy is contagious, and I let her get to me." She brightened, "An Akudol's shine is meant to bring a smile on everyone's faces! Thank you, I'm fine now. We'll beat Gyari at her own game, and bring a smile to everyone's faces! This is going to be the best show ever, because we're all super duper cute!"
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Irumi wasn't sure what she'd been expecting when Kuromu had gone off for a while, only to come back and push all of them into their own dressing rooms with a big smirk, and a giddy mischievousness zinging through their bond.
When the door closed, and she saw the outfit waiting for her, she swallowed hard.
It was one thing to wear something fluffy, frilly and cute.
This was… sexy.
Irumi- no, Iruma did not have the physique for sexy. Femme or Masculine.
He took in a deep breath and swiftly dropped his dress and stepped out of his boots.
This was going to take a lot of courage to wear, but he'd do it for Kerori's Ambition.
(At least, that's what he repeated to himself as he put on the sleeveless, fishnet cutout top… and the tight, short pencil skirt… and the heeled boots… and finished with opera-length with white accent gloves.)
He put on the gold earrings, white choker, and white belt.
He placed gold metal clips onto his cat ears, and finished the look with a gold ring near the end of his tail.
He fidgeted as he looked at himself, flushed, in the mirror.
Everything about it was so very revealing, and he felt inadequate for a moment while taking in his appearance.
He took a deep breath, and stepped out to see what everyone else looked like.
Kuromu and the others turned to him, and he stepped in between Lindy and Melie to hear Kuromu's explanation about the act she'd planned out.
"Meanies to Cuties Switch!" Was the theme they were going with, and Irumi would join her in the singing portion, until they switched.
Irumi was fine with that, but then Kuromu had to go and say, "I'm looking forward to hearing your wicked cool voice!"
Irumi pursed their lips before taking a moment to step away from the others for privacy. "Ali-san…"
The avatar of the Ring of Gluttony came out and looked up at his partner in trepidation, as if already sensing what they were about to ask as he settled into their cupped hands.
"...I also want to go all out, so..! Could you please… do whatever it was that changed my personality before..?"
Ali floated up out of their hands and gently patted their nose, "Are you sure..?"
Irumi nodded, "Please..? Just… just make sure it doesn't last as long…"
Ali snorted softly, "I have a better understanding of my abilities, as well as your temperament. You can trust me this time." He then shifted and placed a finger against Irumi's forehead.
It was a mental and emotional thing of course. Just a small amount of Magical Manipulation, but somehow, with Iruma, it changed a number of things about them.
Their posture, their eyes, their movements. So many things became a little foreign to the kid's body, yet matched his personality in a strange way that was difficult to explain.
Irumeanie opened their eyes with a small smirk before they gently toned, "Thank you, Ali-san." They felt a lot better about themself, and the way they were dressed. They knew they looked good, but they were certain they looked even better, now.
Ali dismissed himself, and Irumeanie presented themself to their musical partners with a confident smirk, "Let's blow them away."
There was little time to practice their routine, and Irumeanie had to learn the keyboard part fast.
Time was limited, but they'd make it.
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Setting up on stage had been easy enough, as Gyari spoke at them. "Don't think you can beat me just because you look cool now, Irug-"
"Hey, now." Her voice was huskily smooth, in a way fermented honey was sweetly intoxicating as she threw off her cloak while meeting Gyari's gaze, "Who're you calling ugly?"
Gyari was stunned speechless for a moment as Irumeanie smirked at her, before taking her microphone and turning to the only ones that mattered- the audience. "Let me sing you the sweetest lil' Rock song you'll all ever hear in your lives!"
The crowd was in an uproar, and Irumeanie soaked in the glory of her surprise. She was more than ready to do her part, and it was also a little amusing that people thought she was an entirely different person, due to how stunning she was.
She took in the sounds of cheers, of people becoming her fans in that second- really, she could just slay everyone's hearts here if she wanted to.
But this wasn't entirely about her, and with a quick glance towards Kuromu as a que, their show began.
Your Little Imp Apocalypse -Rock Remix-
Though their differing tones could blend nicely in tune with one another, Irumeanie had chosen a different route.
When they sang together, she harmonized to Kuromu's melody, and in turn, Kuromu harmonized to Irumeanie's. Certainly, there were times when they sang the melody together, but their tones best played off of one another and amplified in their harmonics.
And then the moment came, when the song hit its crescendo and they would switch, so Irumeanie stepped back as the music rang into a beat of confused silence before she began to play the keyboard.
Lindy and Melie played their part as Kuromu continued to sing, changing her into her white flowery dress as she sang her heart out.
Lindy and Melie went back to their parts, to finish the song in its original form as they completed their performance.
It was a spectacle to be remembered, and Irumeanie was proud of her mate, as she sang.
It might be a foolish love, but Irumeanie was fool enough to support Kuromu in that, as well.
xXx-xXx-sparkle-xXx-xXx
When it was time to announce the Most Valuable Akudol, as well as the winners, it was clear who the top two teams were as Team Kuromu and Team Gyari were announced.
Except that Gyari was missing, and Kuromu felt… weird about that empty space next to her.
Irumeanie could feel how unsettled she was, and did her best to push confidentalrightcomfort towards her, and she gave him a tiny halfhearted smile through the hurtconfusedanxious that she felt.
The announcers were also baffled, but pushed through as Gontetsu-san presented Kuromu with the winning place and a bouquet of flowers.
Melie was hunched into herself, stuck in her own thoughts, while Lindy was surprised, "Wait, we actually won..!?"
Melie cheered for Kuromu, "We did it!"
Irumeanie observed Kuromu as she smiled awkwardly, "Yep! We did!"
Irumeanie didn't know how to comfort her, since the only person who probably could put her at ease now was missing-
There was a rumbling roar of a motorcycle, and suddenly Gyari made her grand entrance. Kuromu pouted as she crouched near the edge of the stage, "Where've you been? It's been so awkward…"
Gyari pushed up her goggles and answered with a microphone in her hands. "...Kuromu, I've been a damn fool. I was so focused on my own growth that I completely missed yours. As I thought, you are my ideal woman, and I will one day make you turn your head towards me. I love you."
Kuromu pushed herself up and smiled, relieved. "...I know."
The crowd cheered, and Irumeanie felt Kuromu's spirits lighten into relief as she moved the microphone away. "But where the heck were you?"
"Hm?" Gyari motioned behind Kuromu, "Isn't it obvious? I had to prepare your congratulatory gift!" She took Kuromu's hand and pressed her knuckles against her forehead before pulling back to point at the microphone she held, "Now go on and give 'em a speech!"
Kuromu moved the microphone with a nod and began speaking, "...First, I would like to thank you all for cheering us on today…" She spoke of how Akudols were sparkling objects of adoration for the sake of the people, and how she wanted to become a beacon of hope when others were in a dark place, unable to move forward. "This is my duty! This is my Ambition! So I will become the greatest Akudol to ever shine! Forever dazzling and undefeated!"
Lindy, Melie, and Irumeanie showered her with petals as they cheered her on, glad to be by her side to help her obtain her goal-
"Oh, and we'll be performing with the same team next year!"
The three of them were speechless.
xXx-xXx-deviler'seve-xXx-xXx
Watching their son's team win the Akudol games was something so beyond the scope of Opera's imagination, that they had to take a moment to lean on their Lord while gripping their chest.
Sullivan wasn't one they went to for comfort, but he was overwhelmed with joy, and hugged them tightly to his chest despite her unusual behavior.
Opera was terrified, but so very happy for their child. They'd done something amazing, and they had to try and hold onto that joy with both hands, even as it slid through their fingers…because… what if the ones who'd hurt them figured Iruma out because of this..?
It was an irrational fear, but they were gripped with it so fiercely, that they didn't even notice when Sullivan had begun to thread his Mana through theirs to pull them down. "Now Opera… You're jumping to some wild conclusions."
Opera sucked in air through their teeth and seethed, "I know that."
Sullivan hummed, before gently running his hand through their hair. He'd snuck off their hair tie, and now was trailing through the length of their threads.
It was an entirely fatherly action, with waves of soothing comfort pulling down her jagged edges of anxiety.
"Let's be proud of our adorable child and praise him in the morning. I'm sure he'll be in no shape to talk when he gets home to explain anything."
Opera slowly eased into Sullivan's comfort with a soft sigh. "...Yes, sir."
Sullivan huffed lightly, but let it go as he continued to pull them into his protective rhythm, and away from a spiraling emotional state that would only end badly.
They didn't want to shriek at Iruma when he returned home. They were actually quite impressed and proud of him.
Opera allowed her eyes to close as she let her head rest on Sullivan's shoulder, before slowly falling into a light doze.
Sullivan was the one they put their Trust in. He would protect His and Theirs.
xXx-xXx-deviler'seve-xXx-xXx
At the beginning of the evening's celebrations, a number of Akudols couldn't help but approach Irumeanie shyly while congratulating them. They smiled and thanked them, flustering several girls and making them weak in the knees.
Irumeanie wasn't sure if they were simply that convincing of a girl, or no one really cared because he was hot. ('Cause they were definitely swooning over him.)
They'd eaten a few carefully portioned variety of foods, and right when they'd decided to have more of something specific, Melie came over and dropped her hat on their head, "Hey, you, don't wander off so much!" Irumeanie bowed under the gentle weight of her hand, "You're drawing enough attention as it is."
Lindy made a comment about Iruma's supposed Wicked Phase before mentioning, "I'm still pretty flustered about this…"
Irumeanie became indignant for a moment, "Listen up." He slapped a hand against his chest as she exclaimed, "I'm pretty flustered too, y'know!"
Lindy was startled, "Eh, really!?"
Irumeanie felt his ears heat up, "I wanna hide under a blanket!"
Lindy blinked, "Eh!? Ah, your ears are kinda red! How cute!" Then he got closer, "Then how come you were so lively back there!?"
Irumeanie pulled Melie's cap down over his eyes to hide his face, "I just went with the flow…"
Melie raised a hand and interjected, "Well… I think I get it now, Irumi… This odd hobby of yours! I'll try hard!"
Irumeanie turned to her and panicked, "HM!?" He swiftly moved into her space, "Hold on Melie-chan… you're seriously misunderstanding…"
Melie raised her hands as if to placate him, "Calm down, shall we? Let's be a little more calm…"
"D-don't say that like you're humoring me!" They snatched Melie by her jaw and drew her close while loud whispering, "This isn't a hobby dammit! I'm doing it to help a friend!"
Melie flushed at their proximity, "But then why-"
Irumeanie moved one hand behind her neck while using the other to cover her mouth while stating flatly, "I have shitty luck, and you walk in at the worst times. Please don't delude yourself into thinking I enjoy dressing like this. I don't."
They were still for a moment before Irumeanie backed off and allowed Melie to breathe with a stiff huff.
Melie stayed quiet for a moment before slowly nodding, "...Okay."
Irumeanie relaxed a little and hoped she wasn't simply humoring him, before moving over to a bench to have some space and relax for a minute.
After a few minutes Kuromu joined them, "Hey, Irumi-san… you helped me, yet again. I'm so grateful I depended on you. Thank you for helping me with everything."
Irumeanie lifted their hand and couldn't help but gently ruffle her hair as she turned to them in confusion. He answered her silent question with a small smirk, "Sorry for touching you so suddenly, I just thought you were cute."
"Cu- Wha!?" She flushed under his affection as he combed his fingers through her hair to settle her strands back into order.
That is, until Gyari forced her way between them, before praising Irumeanie for being a fine woman, and stating that if Kuromu was going to marry her, then she could just marry them both and have the whole package.
This… was the wrong thing to say, as Kuromu became absolutely frosty with her, and Gyari was left baffled.
Irumeanie was baffled by Gyari's change of heart, but knew it didn't really matter, as Melie came up behind him and quietly asked, "That marriage thing was a lie, right..?"
He didn't know how to answer her, but he was saved by the countdown to midnight, and thus, what he could only conclude was something like New Year's, and got herded along with the others in front of a broadcasting camera.
He was super lost, and Kuromu intertwined her fingers with his while many others huddled close to them to yell, "Happy 13th!"
And then the celebrations were over, and the party began to come to a close.
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Ameri returned to her original post to be picked up by her very confused father, while Lied huddled close to Irumeanie's back. He kept looking around frantically, "Make sure he doesn't see me."
Irumeanie gave him an odd look, "..Who're you talking about?"
"Beeber."
Irumeanie gave him a particularly baffled look before snickering. Lied whined and tugged on the back of his coat for making fun of him.
Mar-san eventually got their ride home ready, and soon the two boys and Kerori were loaded into Mar's car to drive home.
Lied was in the front, with Irumeanie and Kerori in the back. Lied began to fall asleep the minute they were in relative safety, as the day immediately caught up to him, though he was definitely the type who'd wake up once he got home and spend three hours gaming to destress.
Irumeanie and Kerori were quiet in the back, and it wasn't until Lied slunk out of the car and was safely in his apartment that Mar brought up the proposal.
Kerori took the lead on answering her inquiry, "I won't retract my statement."
Mar-san was surprised, "It wasn't just a publicity stunt?"
Kerori squirmed a little, before settling into resolution, "Iruma-san supports my Ambition. He won't do anything to endanger my career… and well, I have to take responsibility for my actions."
Mar-san frowned before narrowing her eyes and meeting Kuromu's in the rear-view mirror, "Explain."
Kerori shrunk into her shoulders with a flush, "I uhm… Well, I've... been feeding Iruma-san my Mana… for a while now."
Mar-san almost slammed on the breaks to turn around and look at her wildly, but instead she pulled over, parked, and rubbed at her eyes, "Kerori-"
Kerori straightened, "I know it wasn't something I should've done! But! If you had any idea what his Mana felt like- the state it was in-! Even you would have wanted to do something about it!" She gripped her thighs as she hunched into herself and bowed her head in apology, "I know I could've done something else, if I knew of an easier and less invasive way to help him! But his Magic had been so small and cramped, that I honestly had no idea how he was still alive! I didn't have time to even think about asking him why his Mana was like that, I just… acted."
She'd slightly shrunk into herself by the end of it, and gnawed on her lips as she flushed at her foolishness.
Mar-san sighed heavily, before leaning back into her seat. "...Iruma-san, pardon me for being rude."
Irumeanie was confused for a moment, until he felt something brush against his Magic. He panicked at first, weakly slapping the feeling away, before the feeling of foreign Mana came back and firmly pressed against him. It was less startling the second time, as he realized it was just Mar-san's Magic.
He wasn't comfortable with letting her in, but he pressed back a little, before vaguely helping her find whatever it was she was looking for.
Mar-san's breathing hitched before pulling her Mana back into herself, "Oh." She turned back to look at Irumeanie, to really look at him, and finally treat him like one of hers. She was Kuromu's manager, but she had allowed Irumi to go on stage, and thus, he was her responsibility as well.
Kerori… wasn't wrong. She could tell how Kerori had been pushing his pathways open so very carefully. That there was a building bond resting in his bones and Magic. How it was only recently that others had begun to weave their parental bonds into his Magic to help him grow-
"...You raised yourself."
It was a statement, but Irumeanie clenched his hands for a moment before stiffly nodding, "Yeah." It was a quiet and lonely admission.
Mar-san sighed softly before facing forward once more, "I see." She rapped her fingers in a short rhythm on the steering wheel, "I… will talk with Kuromu in depth about this later, and leave it to her to inform you of anything important. From now on, I am you Manager for when you are on stage, and your health is my responsibility. If you have any needs, and I am capable of assisting, please let me know. Not just physical, but if there's anything that might trigger you-"
"-Chan."
Mar-san stopped before turning to him along with Kerori, "Huh?"
"I don't like being called -Chan. It's… I think I could explain it if asked, but I've reacted badly to it really recently. So long as no one sing-songs my name, or calls me Irumi-chan, I'll be fine."
Mar-san mulled that information over before quickly typing out a note into her phone about it, "Understood… though, if you don't mind me prying..?"
Irumeanie pursed their lips before baring their fangs at their hands. He struggled to form the words, and they stayed lodged in his throat as he tried to muster something of an explanation. Sullivan had gently asked him about it as well, and it'd been easier to mumble a response then.
Now it was a little harder.
Kerori could feel his emotions building, before she finally connected the dots and explained shortly, "His past Guardians Hurt him."
Mar-san startled at her response, before inhaling sharply, "I see." She was quiet for a moment, "I apologize for my inconsideration, Iruma-kun."
Irumeanie shrugged and swallowed the lump in his throat, "I finally found my real mom, I have two dads who give a shit, and my Grandpa loves me. I'm… in a better place, now."
Mar-san nodded, and then eased back onto the road.
Kerori carefully placed her hand near him on the seat between them, and after a moment of deliberation, he placed his hand over hers, and wove their fingers together as he grasped her hand with care.
He felt her Mana nudge against him, and he let her in, and she soothed his frayed emotions into some semblance of normal by the time they got him back home.
He hesitated to leave for a moment, before impulsively pulling Kerori close to give her a swift, but somehow achingly intimate kiss goodnight. "Happy New Year."
She hummed in confusion dreamily, before snickering softly, "Is that something people said before..?"
Irumeanie nodded before nuzzling his face against hers and parting ways, 'Goodnight, Kerori." He got out of the car and ducked to catch Mar-san's attention, "Thank you for the ride home, stay safe, and have a good evening."
Mar-san blinked, "Oh, uhm, thank you."
Kerori waved, and Irumeanie returned the gesture before collecting his suitcase and making his way to the front door, which opened five feet before entering.
Opera took a few uneasy steps before hugging him close with a surprise squeak as they nuzzled Irumeanie and grumbled unintelligible complaints as their hair curtained their face.
Kerori smiled slightly at the thrum of fading feelings she picked up from him in that moment.
She settled into her seat, and once Iruma had stepped inside and the door closed, Mar-san began to drive towards the dorms.
Kerori had a lot to think about. The abrupt engagement with Iruma. The ways she could maybe use this newfound scandal to propel her career… and well… honestly…
She knew she wasn't the number one person in his heart, just as he wasn't in hers. Yet, she found herself easily capable of accepting it. Unlike Gyari, who had everything she wanted and was capable of tossing anything away that bored her…
Iruma gripped onto the things he cared about with both hands while clutching them close. Certainly, she wondered about what had happened the other week, when he'd been particularly distraught. Her fangs had felt odd for nearly two full days, and when the feeling had finally left just before Iruma had arrived late with Asmodeus and Clara, she sort of knew what had happened.
She hadn't asked, but something had caused his fangs to go completely on edge.
And… she'd gotten flickers of that same oddity around Ameri all day, so it must have had something to do with her.
Kerori leaned her head back against her seat as she folded her hands in her lap.
Iruma loved so deeply, but he valued each person wholeheartedly, with equal devotion.
That was the primary difference between him and Gyari.
Gyari's love was imbued with Selfish Greed that was there one moment, and insatiably onto the next thing in another.
Iruma was far more steadfast and considerate in his feelings.
Kerori sighed softly.
There were no easy answers, but they were young, and finding them is what they'd wade through together.
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I struggled for over seven hours with this chapter, so please review and let me know if you enjoyed it!