So after fighting how to go about writing this chapter for several days, this is the result. I've attempted three different openings for this chapter, including a bit between Opera and Iruma, but NOTHING felt right. -sigh-

So, sorry in advance for not having a proper cuddle time for those two after what happened the past few chapters.

xXx-xXx-destiny-xXx-xXx

Amaryllis hummed with a slight tilt of her head as she observed her son over dinner.

He was distracted, picking at his food, and staring far too hard at his hellphone.

Normally Alice followed decorum, but without even needing to brush against his Mana, she knew he was in a strange mood.

"Alice."

Her son inhaled sharply before shoving his phone into his pocket, so as to give her his full attention. "Yes, mother?"

She smirked slightly, "It's rare for you to look at your phone over dinner. Was it Iruma-kun?"

Alice broke eye contact to stare at his barely touched plate before giving a small nod, "He invited Clara and I out. I was just surprised that he- well. He sent me the time we'll be meeting up, is all. My apologies for my poor manners, mother." He was not allowed to call Clara 'stupid' during meals.

Amaryllis nodded, her smirk slipping into a small frown. "You don't seem overjoyed to be spending more time with them, though." Not as he usually would, anyway.

Alice tapped his fork lightly against his plate in thought. "It's… nothing. I have a lot on my mind at the moment."

Amaryllis took that for the sign that it was- Alice wouldn't divulge any further, so she may as well change the topic. "Your performance during the Music Festival was lovely." She smiled, and Alice seemed to lighten up a fraction before going dim.

"Thank you."

Oh dear.

She brushed her Mana against his gently, and though he was prone to rebuffing her attempts at parental affection, tonight Alice responded.

Like holding her hand, he held onto her Mana gently and with care. There was a cacophony of emotions riddled within his Magic. ConcernWorryConfusion intermixed with feelings of DevotionLoveAffection. Amaryllis was surprised to glean so much off of his most outer layer of emotions.

"...Alice." He looked up to her from his sad attempts at eating as she pushed herself out of her seat, "Come with me."

He frowned, but he obeyed and went along with her. She turned to David, "Some tea and light snacks, if you would."

Her butler nodded and dismissed himself. Amaryllis brought her son into her personal lounge where she would take guests and hold meetings. It was a comfortable place, both for public and private business matters. She settled him down beside her on the bench and pulled him into her bosom, "My little snakelet, what has you so distressed that the thought of seeing your most treasured friends brings only discomfort?"

Alice was stiff for a moment, tucked into his mother's side, before he relented and relaxed into her hold. He laid his head on her shoulder tiredly, and wrapped his Mana around her in a loose equivalent of a hug, "...I-" He took in a deep breath, "It is difficult to explain, since there are things I absolutely cannot talk about."

Amaryllis gently ran her hand over his hair, before simply taking out his hair tie so that she could run her fingers through, "As curious as I am to make you spill, its weight has me concerned."

Alice closed his eyes and sunk into her, "I can bear the weight. I'm just having difficulty processing a number of things at once, and I feel as though I am… lacking for it."

Amaryllis couldn't help the rise of her brows, before pushing comfort and love towards her son, "And it's related to Iruma-kun and Clara?"

"...Iruma-sama, mostly. Clara's presence later… helped."

Amaryllis hummed, "What do you believe you can divulge to me, little one?"

Alice huffed lightly, but relented gently. "Iruma-sama is amazing." There is no glory or admiration there. Just… a sad understanding. "He came from a place so far away… and he grew up with so very little. It is incredible to me how he can be so kind despite it all. I…" Alice wavered for a moment, "I wish to be his strength."

It was a strange side-step of his emotions, yet it told her so much with so little. "Alice." Her son shifted towards her in acknowledgement, "You should study those feelings of yours."

Alice inhaled sharply as he became indignant, "Mother-"

Amaryllis placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed, "There is much to gain with First Love, child. Our Bloodline Magic can thrive upon those feelings for centuries. To this day I still think back to those wonderful glittering days of my first beloved and rejoice in them." She gave him a short pat as David entered the room, and allowed Alice to pull away from her. "There is no shame in simply understanding yourself. There are times where pursuit isn't necessary."

She smirked as she took a cookie off of the plate and placed it against Alice's lips to keep him quiet, "Or is that Eiko girl truly so hopeless in her admiration?"

Alice's eyes widened before he bit onto the cookie she'd forced onto him, and took care to eat it properly before responding. "I admire Iruma-sama tremendously. Don't- don't make your own assumptions about my feelings."

Amaryllis pouted at him before huffing as she took a small sandwich quarter and placed it into his unprepared hand, "Whatever your feelings may be, please do look at them, and hold them tight to your chest. Do not allow some ill-intended weasel to sully that which you care for."

Alice inhaled sharply as he sat straight, stiff for a moment, before he forced himself to calm and nibbled on the sandwich she'd given him. "...I shall take your words to heart, mother."

She sniffed, "Good." She smirked before pulling him in for a side hug, "Now tell me about this outing you'll be going on!"

Alice clicked his tongue and shoved the whole sandwich into his mouth to keep from answering her.

She mussed up his hair in revenge.

xXx-xXx-destiny-xXx-xXx

Alice was nervous as he stood at the arranged meeting spot. He tugged on his sleeve cuffs, checked his hellphone, and pushed up his detection warding glasses.

For as much as he was looking forward to hanging out with stupid Clara and Iruma-sama, he was dreading it.

He felt foolish for feeling this way. The true nature of his friend's being (ignoring the fact the Humans are REAL) should not weigh on him so heavily. Not when he had his own secrets and personal hang ups that could easily destroy any platonic relationship he had with his two innocent friends…

Alice took in a deep breath and sighed.

"Azz-kun!"

Alice turned towards Iruma-sama's voice as he lightly jogged over with a wave. He was slightly flushed from the day's chill, "Did you wait long?"

Alice shook his head, "Not at all."

Iruma-sama nodded, "That's good. Now let's go!" He started walking towards the entrance of Magical Street, and Alice's heart jumped to his throat, "Wh-wait, what about stupid Clara?!"

Iruma-sama glanced back at him in slight confusion, "It's just the two of us today."

Alice's lungs froze as he internally panicked. He'd been so nervous for so many reasons, and now his anxiety jumped to a new height, "Ah, oh, I see." He tried not to trail off in disappointment, because he.. Wasn't. Not really. He was just…

He would've freaked out more while getting ready! He should've used a few more hair oils and checked the polish on his nails! Were they chipped!?

Alice quickly caught up to Iruma-sama as his shorter friend led the way, "So what is it that we're doing?"

Iruma-sama gave him a warm look, "We're gonna have fun together!" And soon enough the two boys found themselves in a clothing store. Alice looked around in wonder while Iruma clarified, "I thought it'd be fun to buy some clothes with a friend, since Grandpa always picks stuff out for me!"

Alice began to peruse the clothing and glanced at a price tag, only to be startled by the price- and it was on sale! He'd never seen such cheaply priced clothing! Was this a scam?!

"Azz-kun!" Alice turned towards Iruma-sama, dressed in a full suit of armor, "They have stuff like this too!" He seemed to be taking the weight of it well, but… Why was Iruma-sama attracted to suits of armor?

He'd done the same thing during the Music Festival…

Alice placed his hand on Iruma-sama's shoulder and stated plainly, "That's not practical."

Iruma-sama pursed his lips as he shook slightly from suppressed laughter, "Ah- okay Azz-kun. I get it." Alice nodded, and Iruma-sama shuffled off to remove and put back the hideous plates of metal.

Alice could commission something far more elegant and fitting if he really wanted something so… outdated.

After a little more browsing, the two boys selected various items, from their shirts down to their shoes, and tried on a few outfits. Alice found he didn't mind the shift in apparel, switching from almost all white with gold, to mostly black with a white jacket. Iruma-sama waited for him outside of the fitting room, and he presented himself to his friend. "I'm not used to this sort of clothing…"

Iruma-sama was amazed for a moment, "You look good Azz-kun!" The clothing gave him a different silhouette than what he was used to. Though, Iruma-sama's clothing did much of the same.

Iruma-sama presented himself, "Do I look like a bad boy?!"

Alice held back a snicker, "Quite evil!" Iruma-sama grinned, and his chest warmed with affection. "Now then…" He pulled out his credit card, "I'll buy this."

Iruma-sama stopped him, "Wait!" He pulled out a change purse after the total was given, and Iruma-sama carefully counted out the change exactly. Ah, so handling payments must be part of his studies…

After leaving the store with their previous clothes carefully wrapped in their bags, Iruma-sama once again led the way to their next destination. That is, until he abruptly stopped at a hellish buns vendor and bought two to snack on. Alice could help but smile. He still enjoys his food, doesn't he?

Iruma-sama took his food items and immediately began eating one happily as they walked while looking around. He was being careful with each bite, and paused as he noticed something of interest. He moved towards a shop window just as he finished, "Woah~!" His sparkled in amazement as he looked over what was visible, "Me and Lied-kun play this game a lot! …Though, I can never beat him."

Alice didn't even hesitate, "I'll buy this, so let's beat him together."

"Huh!? Wh-really?! Are you sure!?" Alice nodded, and despite Iruma-sama's misgivings, Alice bought both the necessary game system and a few of the other games Iruma-sama played with one easy swipe.

After that Alice stopped thinking so hard, and finally allowed himself to enjoy his time with his friend. They went looking for second-year books, played around in a shop, brewed a terrifying potion in a cauldron…

Alice didn't even remember what he'd eaten for lunch, as they sat down on a grouping of benches and relaxed with their remaining drinks. He sighed lightly, finding it was just easier to think of things 'like usual,' than to agonize over the things he should or shouldn't have heard. Iruma-sama was important to him, along with stupid Clara, and that was that.

However, looking back, the life Iruma-sama had lived before being adopted… the fact that Humans were seen as food… no wonder he'd been so reserved at first. He was protecting himself in the only ways he could manage, and Alice found himself to be part of those he could trust and open up to.

Alice smiled slightly to himself. Iruma-sama was truly more than he deserved… and yet, his presence alone made him feel like he had the whole world.

To~tally Clueless.

Alice frowned at the memory of Kirio's words. "...Iruma-sama, why did you invite me out today?" It had happened before he'd learned of his secrets, and he'd honestly been surprised that he still wanted to hang out after what he'd found out.

Iruma-sama paused for a moment before he seemed to recall something, "Oh, ah, right! I have something I wanna say…" He dug into his pocket and pulled out his Rank badge. "Azz-kun, remember when you said that moving up in Rank is a demon's pride? Everyone celebrated with me when I became Rank He (5), yet… when I see the way others react to that, I can't help but think… Didn't it happen too fast?"

?! Alice had no idea what Iruma-sama was going on about-

"I mean, I'm happy about this! Of course I am! But… I feel like there are expectations for me that… I have no idea how to live up to! So, I go from being happy to nervous because… how is a Rank 5 supposed to act!? What's so special about it, and what do I need to prove? Should I carry myself differently? So… it's just… it feels heavy."

Alice tried to understand his friend's mindset before he found himself turning away to hold in a chuckle.

Iruma-sama tugged on his sleeve, "Azz-kun, you're laughing at me, aren't you?!"

Alice held up a hand, "N-no Iruma-sama… well.." He snickered, "It's a little funny, I'll admit." He was so worried about the strangest things! And he looked so serious, so he didn't mean to laugh at him!

Alice cleared his throat while Iruma-sama sighed softly and clenched his fist around his badge, "Even though this is heavy… I've grown so much here in the Netherworld. Each time I Rank Up I learn a little more about myself. So now I…" He lifted his head and looked straight ahead with determination. "I won't let go of this badge, and I'll continue to aim even higher."

Alice felt breathless as he observed his friend's resolve. His heart became so much lighter and swelled with wonder.

Iruma-sama grinned awkwardly while scratching his cheek, "I'm pretty greedy, huh?" He shifted to face him better and held one hand with two fingers up, while the other held one finger up, "So uh, since I'm pretty anxious, I'll need you and Clara to stay with me as the Love Trio, so we can support each other…"

Alice barely noticed the tear that ran down his cheek as he felt so much of internal tension leave. His chest burned as if were on fire, and he coiled that feeling closecloseclose and so very deepdeepdeep.

Iruma-sama panicked, "Wh-what's wrong!? Are you okay?!"

Iruma-sama could say the most outrageous things without the slightest hesitance! Alice quickly waved him off with a sniff as he wiped his eyes. 'What was I so afraid of? Or feeling down after being told I know nothing while thinking I have to protect him..?' Alice met Iruma-sama's worried gaze, 'No matter who tries to crush his spirit, or who better understands his journey… No one is as blessed as I am, as the one closest to Iruma-sama. I can watch him carve his path to stand on top of the Netherworld!'

Alice held a hand to his chest with a smile, "I will always follow you, Iruma-sama!"

Iruma-sama brightened, "I'm so glad!"

Alice straightened as he held a hand proudly aloft, "Of course! I am your friend, after all!"

"Aah…" Iruma-sama suddenly became nervous as he started fiddling with his hands, "Well, a friend is someone you hang out with, but…" He took a deep breath, as if trying to calm himself. "Those who you depend on, and trust the most… Uh," Iruma-sama's face slowly flushed, "Clara called us the Love Trio, but, to me…" He hunched into his shoulders, as if to hide from his own words. "We're Soulmates, I think…"

Alice felt as if the entire world had fallen away, and they were the only two left as glitter and wonder blinded him, and held him captive to Iruma-sama's confession. "Soulmates..?"

Iruma lightly hissed into his hands as he tried to hide behind them.

Alice leaned towards him with childish wonder and glee, "What's a 'Soulmate,' Iruma-sama?!"

Iruma-sama covered his face with one hand while using the other to motion for him to stop, "Wait, It's kind of embarrassing…" Agh!

Alice could hardly contain himself, "Is it about me and stupid Clara?! Is it above friend!?"

"I-it is."

"Tell me more!"

Iruma-sama let out a tiny screech due to how flustered he was, and Alice just became more and more excited to understand his proclaimed Master. So much so, that he accidently brushed his Mana against him to try and understand!

Iruma-sama took in a sharp breath in surprise, before exhaling. He rubbed at his red cheek for a moment, before glancing at Alice with a raised open hand. Alice stared at it in confusion, before taking hold. Iruma-sama held his hand in a relaxed grip before brushing back with his own Mana. Alice gasped lightly and realized what he'd done, before Iruma-sam pushed against his Magic while squeezing his hand for a moment. "...Well?"

Alice flushed, now similarly embarrassed that he'd allowed his emotions to get the better of him. "A-ah… right." He forced himself to relax, and allowed Iruma-sama past his guard.

It was like letting a cat in through the front door while winding around one's ankle. And then there was a feeling, an emotion that wasn't his, but matched so well with his myriad of feelings towards his friend.

AffectionDestinyWonder ConfusionWorriedCare

Alice now understood how his mother could be so concerned about such an odd assortment of feelings. It was confusing, but at the same time, it allowed him to realize that his Master didn't know how to deal with his feelings just as much as himself.

The only particular difference, was that Iruma-sama had words for some of their feelings, while he was lacking them.

Alice pulled Iruma-sama close, and just as he a had allowed Alice in, he would allow Iruma-sama in.

Iruma-sama's flush simply spread as he avoided eye contact while being held close to his side. Neither of them really needed to verbalize anything to the other while exposing their Mana to one another.

However, Alice couldn't help but feel as if his fangs were on edge. 'When did this start..?' He couldn't help but wonder at their intertwined feelings. 'How would it feel with Clara present, to finish their Trio?' Alice took in a deep breath and sighed, before burying his face into Iruma-sama's hair.

"You're so very wonderful, Iruma-sama. You slay me so very often."

Iruma-sama choked, "I- uh, It's… Alice." He shifted to make eye contact with his soulmate, "Uhm… Th-thank you." If he was flushed before, now his face was almost completely red. "I'm glad you're here, and that… you didn't reject me."

Alice was confused for a moment, until he realized what was left unsaid.

Thank you, for not rejecting me for being Human.

Alice teared up, before cupping his friend's face to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you for inviting me."

Iruma-sama pursed his lips, before slowly holding his cheek and giving him a shy smile, "It was Clara's idea."

Alice's perfect moment ground to a halt, "C- Stupid Clara thought of this!?"

Iruma-sama looked up at him before bursting out laughing, "She did! All because you were being so glum, and we were both so worried about you after the Music Festival Party!" His eyes were shining with a mischievous glint, "She's holding herself back because she knew that hanging out with me would make you feel better."

Alice pouted at him, "I suppose, but did you really have to ruin things by saying that?"

Iruma-sama's coloring slowly returned to normal as he placed his hand on Alice's chest with a soft sigh and gently pulled his Mana away. "Azz-kun, I come from a very reserved place. Public displays of affection are just… too much."

Alice blinked before snorting in response, "I see." He grinned, before he turned slightly and snickered, overjoyed and overwhelmed.

Iruma-sama pouted as he tugged on his jacket sleeve, "Come on Azz-kun, gimme a break!"

Alice laughed lightly, "Truly Iruma-sama, you amaze me in so many ways." He gave his soulmate and affectionate look.

Iruma-sama sighed lightly as he shook his head, before taking out his hellphone, "Let's take a photo for Clara, okay?"

Alice nodded and leaned in close to him, naturally happy as Iruma-sama grinned at the camera.

Clara's text message back screamed of how jealous she was that she wasn't there.

Alice made it up to her, by calling her later to say thank you…

…And to tell her that she was Iruma-sama's Soulmate, too.

xXx-xXx-destiny-xXx-xXx

Iruma hummed to himself as he made his way back towards Royal One with a tub full of edible flowers, when he heard screeching from the classroom. He swiveled his cat ears, and when nothing else seemed to be amiss, he entered into a clamor of confused voices. "I finished tending the flowers!"

All eyes were on him as Lied led the charge in questioning him, "Iruma-kun! Is it true that we're friends!?" Iruma startled in confusion as he plowed on, "We heard from Azz-Azz!"

Iruma bashfully hunched into his shoulders as he scratched his cheek. "O-oh, so you heard. It's… kind of embarrassing…" Iruma smiled innocently at them all, "But, I feel like you've been my friends for a while now…"

Jazz and Lied couldn't hide the baffled looks on their faces as they huddled and whispered to each other about how shocking his ideas were, and about giving their life-

Hm!?

Iruma felt a tremor of amusement from Hermod as Kerori approached him menacingly. He could feel how bewildered she was, "Hold on. Am I… also among those you call friends..?"

Iruma was now confused by her emotions. "Kerori..?"

Kerori slapped a hand to her chest, "If so, then rephrase it! Rather than me being yours, you should be my friend!" She grabbed him by the collar, "If anyone should be giving their life, you're doing it for me!"

"L-Life!?" And suddenly, before he knew it, Sabro and the others gathered around him and suddenly started tossing him in the air while "competing" with one another on how he should be their friend, and not the other way around, or something!

Finally, when he hit his maximum confusion and irritation ten minutes later, Hermod struck to life and snatched him out of the air by his waist and set him down, before baring their teeth with a low growl at the whole class.

Everyone sat down in their seats at the pressure of their Mana, and Iruma swayed for a second while reorienting himself with a sigh, drained. "Uhm, well. Now that the sudden ten minute Iruma-tossing session is over, I hope you'll all take a moment to settle down. It's a good thing no one got hurt."

Elizabetta placed a hand against her cheek with a smile, "We had a little too much fun."

Lied apologized, "Sorry."

Iruma shuffled behind Kalego's desk and placed a hand down for stability, before raising the other. "Allow me to now explain to you all what "friends" are! So listen closely!" Iruma turned to write the word friends on the board before turning back to them. "Friends are people who get along. They hang out together, eat a lot together, have fun together, and are very precious to each other. That's it."

The entire class was still a little stunned by that revelation, before Lied spoke up. "Wait, that's it?"

"Yes." The class mulled that over for a few minutes, as they seemed to find that idea a lot more palatable then… whatever the heck Asmodeus had told them.

Jazz glanced at the others, "We've been friends for a while then."

Lied furrowed his brows, "Seems kinda anti-climactic." Kerori pouted.

Iruma on the other hand was happy that the others agreed with his sentiment. He was practically sprouting flowers in joy.

Lied turned to Asmodeus, "Azz-Azz, you gave a totally different explanation! You exaggerated way too much!"

Asmodeus held his chin in contemplation, "Different..? But where..?"

Lied bluntly stated, "Sometimes I wonder if we're even speaking the same language."

Clara piped up with a smile on her face, "Azz-Azz is stupid sometimes."

Sabro nodded in agreement, "I know, right?"

Asmodeus snarled, "What did you say!?"

At that moment Jazz raised his hand towards Iruma to clarify who else he might consider a friend, and after some back and forth on various individuals, Sabro butted in, "So, what's a Soulmate?"

"Erm-" Iruma sensed Clara launching herself into his side, so he raised his arms to catch her, "They're a friend that you're especially close with." He could sense how smug Asmodeus was behind him.

Purson just had to add his own two cents, "Then, are we not your soulmates?"

Iruma nearly bit into his tongue as he half glared at his spirit-brother for saying something so outrageous-

-Not that… not that saying Asmodeus and Clara were his Soulmates also wasn't… kind of… Damn was this embarrassing!

So of course everyone had to jump in and agree with Purson, all while talking over each other, until Asmodeus and Clara threw themselves in front of Iruma and yelled, "The title of Soulmates is limited to only two people, and no more!" Asmodeus held up a ball of fire as he and Clara glare-pouted at the rest of the class.

Eventually the two of them settled down, and Iruma took a moment to breathe while Jazz approached him, "Your knowledge sure is unusual, Iruma-kun."

Lied hummed, "You didn't know about Akudol's either…"

Allocer tilted his head, "Did you grow up in the boonies or something?"

Iruma fumbled, "Uh, something like that… I guess." That was so convincing.

Allocer nodded, "Other Regions have different dialects and customs, after all." Elizabetta piped in, "And cuisine!" While Lied completed their various thoughts, "But the Rank Up system is the same everywhere."

Jazz questioned, "Can you be friends with someone of higher Rank?"

"Yup! It doesn't matter, I think."

Lied got close to Iruma, "So then, what about her?" Iruma looked at Lied questioningly. "President Ameri!"

Iruma's eyes widened as his voice went silent. Why… why did it feel like there was more at stake with that one question?

Iruma should have had an answer, and yet-

Kalego interrupted his thoughts, "Silence, you brats! It's time for class!"

Iruma sighed in relief as he was saved from being put on the spot.

But… it was certainly a question he'd have to figure out how to answer.

xXx-xXx-destiny-xXx-xXx

I hope you liked the chapter, please let me know if you enjoyed it!