The Heartbreaker itself is a stupid number of chapters and I will be skipping pretty much all of it and more. Still had to read it though, to make sure of anything I could incorporate. It took most of my day off to do so. OTL I'm essentially glazing over chapters 220-284 for this.

xXx-xXx-interloper-xXx-xXx

It was around four thirty in the morning when Opera settled onto the ground with their legs tucked under them. Iruma slowly joined them, catching their sudden expectation for a break. He was confused, but Opera seemed contemplative for a long moment before speaking. "Iruma-sama… I apologize if this might seem unreasonable to ask, but I request that you hide your ears and tail for the time being while at school."

Iruma straightened, confused and almost hurt for a moment before pursing his lips. He watched his mother for a long moment, the way their tail curled in agitation at the tip, the stiffness of their shoulders- this wasn't something they particularly desired for him. "..Can I ask why?"

Opera nodded before explaining themself. "There will be two new teachers joining the staff today, and they will be your new teachers. However… I cannot trust them."

Iruma tilted his head slightly, "Well, if they're new, that's understandable-"

Opera shook their head sharply, and Iruma went silent as they gathered their thoughts. "At Babyls, we do not deny anyone who applies. When it comes to the staff, they either take an examination, or they are recommended by someone. With these two… they were recommended."

Iruma tapped a finger on his leg in thought before asking, "And that's the problem?"

Opera's ears went low before pulling back up, "Yes. They were recommended by Kalego's elder brother, Narnia. We absolutely could not deny his recommendation, but…" They met Iruma's eyes with an intense gaze, "He is someone who is a danger to you."

Iruma blinked, "Huh?"

Opera took in a deep breath as they clarified, "You see, Narnia hates anything that isn't purely demon. The Deities… someone such as yourself… or even a pure-blooded human. They are all things to be removed and culled from the Netherworld in his opinion." They clenched their hands, "I cannot imagine him recommending two new teachers, who just so happen to be placed so close to you, is a coincidence."

Iruma stiffened as he came to understand his mother's concerns. "You think he's investigating me."

Opera shifted awkwardly, "In some sense, quite possibly, yes." It felt unreasonable, even to them to be so suspicious, but…

"Alright."

Opera straightened as they watched their child in surprise. "Even though I could just be overreacting?"

Iruma gave them a tiny empty smirk, "I felt that contract. It was evil. You were also acting weird at the 13 Crown's dinner. Something is going on, and… it's unfortunately related to me. If you think something's not right, I'd rather listen and have you be over-paranoid, than leave it be and give them whatever they need to hunt me down."

Opera slowly eased into a relaxed slump, "I see… Thank you, Iruma. I'm sorry that things are like this."

Iruma shook his head, "It's not your fault."

Opera took a deep breath to refute him, before smiling to themself with a small sigh. "...Oh, and don't use Hermod, either."

Iruma almost asked, before realizing it went hand-in-hand with his ears and tail. He nodded, "Got it."

Opera nodded, before pushing themself up onto their feet and falling into their usual fighting style, "With that said, Fight Me with All You've Got."

Iruma swallowed heavily before pushing himself up and falling into position. He coiled his muscles and sharply observed his mother. "...Understood."

xXx-xXx-interloper-xXx-xXx

Iruma couldn't help but feel a strange sense of familiarity with the new female teacher, Shiida-sensei.

He collected a pot, as well as the new flower seeds the janitor had gotten ahold of for him.

Her scent is familiar.

Iruma hummed with a slight nod at Hermod's comment. Now that they'd said it, Iruma realized he recognized her by scent, and maybe, a little bit by her… aura? The air about her seemed… protective.

She'd protected him before.

He couldn't remember the how, or the why- something placed a gap within his memory to prevent him from recalling, but…

Someone had been with him in the Ferris Wheel.

And then the familiarity skittered away strangely.

Iruma frowned as he made his way to the new plot of land he would be planting in, when he saw her.

The entire time he spoke with Shiida-sensei, as she gently planted seeds with him, he felt safe.

So strangely safe, in that feeling of familiarity-

He was surprised when she'd pushed him down, and asked him not to say anything-

The words and thoughts were trapped behind a rotating one-way door.

xXx-xXx-interloper-xXx-xXx

Opera hadn't wanted to be right.

They had played their (pathetic) part in the Heartbreaker well- they'd observed the students and their signs of growth. Even the new first years seemed to be a promising bunch.

However, when all teachers were allowed full use of their abilities because one of the new teachers, Atori, had seemingly returned to Origins and was a threat-

Opera's chest had constricted and their throat closed. They had wanted to find their Child and hide him under their breast. Yet, they controlled themself, and stayed by their Master's side as a proper Security Devil should.

They swallowed their building anxiety, and crushed Her Memories beneath the desperate need to keep control over themself.

Amduscius Poro showing up to interrupt Sullivan's interrogation of Atori was also a serious surprise, as well as a problem.

Opera controlled themself well, as Sullivan placed them in charge of the house. They had much to investigate and read over, and all they could do was meet Iruma's eyes and hope he wasn't traumatized, before taking care of business.

They had to protect Babyls and the students first over their own child, and it left a terrible bitterness in the back of their throat as they walked away.

xXx-xXx-interloper-xXx-xXx

Iruma held onto Alice, his face buried into his chest as he simply breathed. Alice wasn't particularly bothered by the action, and Clara was happy to join in on the cuddle-fest.

But in part, Iruma was just so, so glad to still be here, with them.

Atori had targeted him, even without his maternal traits showing.

He was a Target.

Iruma sighed with a trembling emotion he couldn't name. He'd been scrambling in the moment- trying to figure out a way to free himself and not do anything suspicious. He'd held himself back too much, and had nearly been kidnapped.

Alice's hand was warm on his back, "Iruma-sama…"

Iruma sniffed, "I- sorry Azz-kun. I know we're trying to take a picture together, but now that it's quiet…"

Clara seemed to pick up on the change in mood and gently pulled him out of Alice's chest into her own. She held him close while carefully brushing away the tears that escaped him and began to hum softly.

Iruma leaned into her, and Alice held onto his hand, "I apologize for being unable to keep that… thing from taking you from us."

Iruma was certain his father was feeling worse. They'd been trapped within his Magic- they should have been safe, yet, Atori had managed to break through and nearly succeed in stealing him away.

"It's not your fault Azz-kun. I…" He hesitated, "Opera warned me just before Atori-sensei and Shiida-sensei had been introduced. That they… might be a danger to me. It's why I've been hiding my ears and tail lately…"

Alice hummed softly, "I heard that the stat sheets for our class went missing."

Iruma swallowed thickly. What a mess if true, since his sheet had been burned with a strange crest.

'We never did re-evaluate my abilities in private…'

Alice was silent, before squeezing his hand, "I won't allow you to be taken from me again, Iruma-sama."

Iruma smiled slightly, "Yeah. Thanks."

Clara tightened her grip on him, "I'll work to power up too, Iruma-chi!"

Iruma nodded, "Right." He sniffed and wiped his face, "Let's take a picture together with our badges lined up, okay?"

Clara cheered as she pulled out some tissues and went about cleaning Iruma's face after he'd blown his nose.

Alice held them both close as he shoved down his worries as they took their picture.

xXx-xXx-crushcrush-xXx-xXx

Iruma carefully wove in his hair extension, before moving on to their make-up. They hummed lightly as they carefully wove their Magic to appear more feminine, and put on a simple black hoodie, leggings, and skirt.

They put on a light coat, a pair of detection warding glasses, and left behind their quiet house. Opera was working late that day, and Kerori had asked them to come over to her dorm room, and well… they couldn't go as a guy, hence, the change in clothes.

They were nervous by the time they arrived, and knocked lightly on Kerori's door. They heard a small commotion before Kerori opened the door, snatched their collar, and pulled them in swiftly.

Iruma tripped on themself a little as they steadied themself in the doorway and took off their shoes, "Uhm, thank you for inviting me over..?"

Iruma put away their glasses, and Kerori took their coat. She was quiet for a moment while hanging it before turning back to them with a small smile, "Thank you for coming over on such short notice, Iruma-san."

Iruma smiled weakly, "It seemed kind of urgent..?"

Kerori's gaze slid away from him before she nodded, "It's nothing threatening, and maybe I'm just overreacting… But, well." She took his hand and pulled him into her home, "Let's have a small meal first, since this'll be our first date."

Iruma nearly tripped over themself as they flushed, "A- a date!?"

Kerori pouted at him, "Nothing serious, and you've already gone on a few with Ameri, Asmodeus, and Clara, so…"

Iruma slowly lowered themself onto one of the seating cushions, and tried to control their full-body blush as they fanned their face with their hand, "I-I've never had an at-home date before, though!"

Kerori snickered lightly as she pulled out the meal she'd had delivered. It was cold devi-soba and imp-salad, which Iruma was totally fine with, but it was still a little odd…

Iruma observed her while the two of them ate, until they couldn't contain himself anymore, "Did something happen..?"

Kerori seemed a little… weird. They couldn't exactly pinpoint the problem, but Kerori was far more adept at keeping her emotions to herself than they were. She was distracted, and didn't seem inclined to answer them.

It left them with no choice but to brush along the growing part of them that was 'Her,' and shove confusion and worry her way.

She jumped at their prodding before placing her fork down with a sigh. "Chima wants to be your number one."

Iruma blinked before setting their own fork down. "You… did not just invite me over on a date to tell me your sister likes me, did you..?"

There was an underlying whine in his stated question, and Kerori winced as she met his eyes, "Not completely, but… mostly?"

Iruma sighed heavily, "Ameri told me the same thing…"

Kerori folded her hands together on the table, "She did?"

Iruma nodded, and explained what happened after the first years' opening ceremony.

Kerori leaned back slightly with a sigh, "This… is a problem."

Iruma raised a brow, "Unless she confesses to me, I don't care?"

Kerori blinked before meeting his eyes. They stayed locked for a moment before she rolled them and sighed, "An ice demon's wrath is just as bitterly passionate as a flame, you know."

Iruma nodded, "I understand that… but I'm not responsible for Chima's feelings. That's her problem, not mine. I just see her as a cute little sister."

Kerori smirked, "She'd hate that, but… That's reassuring. Make sure to turn her down properly, if she confesses, okay?"

Iruma nodded, "Absolutely. Now…" Their voice turned a little sultry, "I hope this isn't all you'd planned for tonight, Kerori."

Kerori snorted and threw a nearby folded shirt at his face, "Of course not, dork. We're gonna watch a movie!"

"It's not romance, is it?"

"Devi-no!"

Iruma chuckled lightly while finishing their meal, and by the middle of the movie, had Kerori tucked against them while they enjoyed an Akudol documentary together.

Opera was not happy to find the house empty, and picked Iruma up half asleep an hour after the planned end of their date.

xXx-xXx-educator-xXx-xXx

Opera stared coldly at Kalego as the silence between them rang with a strange echoing buzz along their bond. "Good job, Kouhai. You've proven yourself."

Kalego was still trying to catch his breath from running the distance they'd odered in under thirty minutes. He wasn't out of shape, but what Opera had demanded was damn-near impossible. "Do you… still seriously… want to be a teacher?"

Opera's tail flicked once in annoyance, "Yes. I will join the staff to help teach them Practicals."

Kalego rubbed his face tiredly before blatantly stating to his mate, "I feel sorry for them."

Opera raised a brow, "How rare."

Kalego glared at them, "You are one of the most spiteful demons I know. You will put them through hell and back."

Opera tilted their head up, "I'd like to say you've been quite spiteful with your homework as well, Kalego-kun."

Kalego clicked his tongue, "If only you could be this-" He stopped himself and shook off his words. He didn't have a death wish. "-perhaps you could tone down that Charm of yours sometime, Senpai."

Opera frowned. They didn't use Charm on purpose. It was a natural trait-

They furrowed their brows, "What the hell does that mean?"

Kalego rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, "Have you heard the rumors?" Opera gave him a look to elaborate after a moment of silence, "There's a rumor that Iruma has ten girlfriends."

Opera barked out a laugh before looming over him, "That's ridiculous."

Kalego didn't back down no matter how much of a headache he had, which wasn't a particularly good sign. "Yet the teacher's have brought it up, and I've heard it whispered around the school."

Opera's domineering pulled back into something a little more… lost. "...Charm?"

Kalego crossed his arms, "I didn't give it much thought at first, but your Clan is close partners with the Lust Group. And well, you yourself have a tendency to Charm Shichirou and myself when you want something particularly badly…"

Opera's eyes widened. They hadn't even thought of that! Their face turned grey as they thought over the attention Iruma seemed to naturally bring to himself. His natural ability to sweet talk people without any malicious intent. His ability to be an Akudol and charm the masses..!

They punched Kalego square in the gut and hissed, "Why the fuck have you never mentioned my Charm ability before!?"

Kalego glared up at them despite being doubled over and growled, "Because I thought you were doing it on purpose!?"

Opera sucked air in between their teeth and got in his face, tried to speak, before turning and storming off.

Kalego coughed before straightening himself out with a wheeze. He pressed against Shichirou's Bond, and after he responded in confusion, sought out his other partner to discuss the issue with Shiida's return, and Opera's addition to the staff.

He wasn't one for pity, but he absolutely pitied his students at that moment.

Opera, in the meantime, was having a full on crisis. They- they had Charm? They could Charm without meaning to?! How!? Since when had that started!?

Was it just… a natural aspect of their Clan's biology? The fuck? They hated it! They loathed the very idea that they could just… naturally Charm without meaning to! They had control of their abilities! They prided themself on their control!

They made their way towards Raim-sensei and startled the poor woman as they loomed over her menacingly, "I've got a bone to pick with you."

Raim gulped as her skin broke out in a sweat. She lifted her hands in an attempt for peace, "Wh-what exactly is going on, Opera-san?"

Opera bared their teeth, "How could you not tell me that I have a natural Charm ability?"

Raim's brain short circuited for a moment before trying to boot back online, "A natural- what?" She placed a finger on their nose and pushed them back into a less threatening position, "Perhaps we should restart from the beginning here, hm?" She pressed against them, and Opera physically recoiled from her flirtation.

Raim huffed lightly before smirking, "It seems my predecessor's notes might be handier than I'd anticipated…" She stepped back and beckoned Opera to follow as she crooned, "Come along little kitten~. It would seem it's time for some… unfinished business to be attended to."

Opera swallowed their revulsion and followed at a distance behind the Seduction Teacher with nausea pooling in their gut.

Raim closed the door to her personal chambers where she trained her best and brightest. She observed Opera, how uncomfortable they were, and noted how much they didn't want to be there.

She started up her incense burner to induce calm and relaxation. "I haven't Scoped you since you were a student here. Perhaps I should've checked on that a bit more often."

Opera glared at her as Raim went around the room and tidied things to feel less… sexual, and more… relaxed? They had no desire to feel at ease, but slowly, between the incense and Raim's adjustments, they came to release some of the tension in their body.

Raim hummed in intrigue, as if she could sense Opera slowly easing into her rhythm. "By the time you graduated, you had an appeal level of seventy three percent." She turned to Opera and Scoped them, much to their annoyance, before smirking slightly. "Hmm~ hmm~!" She giggled lightly, "To think you'd reach a ninety one percent on my Ero Scope! Admittedly…" She tapped her chin lightly in thought, "Balam-chan and Kalego-kun are also pretty high ranked. Their percentages have always gone up at a similar pace as your own…"

Opera clenched their hands, "None of that answers anything about why I have a natural Charm. I want if off, now."

Raim took in a deep breath and sighed, before motioning for Opera to sit on the loveseat behind them. "Sit down while I review my notes on your file, to better explain this.. Issue you think you have."

Opera sat down stiffly in the center, refusing to relax in Raim's presence.

Raim took a deep drag from her hookah pipe, filled to the brim with calming aphrodisiacs, and breathed out a cloudy sigh. "Why are you so concerned about your Charm now, if you don't mind me asking?"

Opera was quiet for a long while, before taking in a deep breath and sighing, "Because my son seems to also have a strong affinity for Charming others without meaning to."

Raim paused before jumping out of her seat, "You- wait- a son!? You actually had a-!" Abruptly, the strange occurrences that happened around fifteen years ago springs to her mind. How Opera went MIA for three years. How terribly strange Kalego and Balam were for a time-

Raim plopped down dazed, "Who is it?" Opera tilted their head in confusion before Raim clarified, "Who do I need to Scope!? I'd like to know who I'm helping here!"

Opera stared at the floor for a long while in contemplation before meeting her eyes, "You mustn't speak of this to anyone, since we only just recently reunited and discovered our relation to one another."

Raim's internal list dropped to a frighteningly few possible students at that. "...Certainly, I promise on my pride as a succubus."

Opera took in a deep breath before sighing, "Iruma."

Raim's world paused for a moment before she smacked her face while flopping back into her chair, "No wonder Baby-chan's percentage skyrocketed!" Opera watched her with confusion as she recollected herself. "You know, at first I figured it was Asmodeus who had caused that, but it makes sense! Iruma's a Catshie?!"

Opera bared their fangs with a glare, and Raim lifted her hands in pacification, "I need to understand the situation! I get that you've got your secrets, you can keep them, but I need to know that much!"

Opera ground their teeth for a moment, "...Yes."

Raim faced Opera and crossed her legs while leaning forward. There was a natural seductive grace about her movements as she held Opera's gaze. "If it's for your son, are you willing to endure a new sort of training? Even if it means being disgusted and nauseated?"

Opera clenched their knees. They didn't want to go through more training.

They pushed down their revulsion for their child's sake. "If it allows me to better understand myself for my son's sake… Then yes." They swallowed thickly, "But I hope you'll be prepared for me to be sick on your floor."

Raim smirked harshly, "I look forward to the challenge." She swiftly messaged Balam for a handful of medicines, elixirs, potions, and forms of hydration. "I'll have to speedrun you through this training, since we both have our duties to attend to."

Opera nodded, and swiftly tore off their necktie and vest before messaging Iruma to find someone to stay with for the night. "I am in your care."

And by the end of their training, as they laid dead to the world on Raim's chest, she messaged her teacher.

The lost stray has returned home.

Amaryllis stared at the message, early in the morning as she finished getting ready for the day.

She stood and made her way through the halls, before stopping in front of Alice's room. She closed her eyes, listening intently for the sound of two sleepers breathing.

She'd had some suspicions about Iruma before.

Now she just had to find a way to speak with Opera privately to confirm them.

She walked away, with a short message to her son to remind him to not lose to someone else's Charm.

She giggled lightly as she got a question mark and an annoyed emoji in return.

xXx-xXx-overture-xXx-xXx

I had initially suspected that this chapter would be short (Like… 5-6 pages) so I could get to Deviculum. Except… a lot of things happen in canon for the lead up to it, and then the last portion happened. -shrugs-

Please leave a review if you enjoyed it!