✦ ✦ ✦
“I—I don’t mean that…”
But that wasn’t really the issue. The issue was Emi’s position.
“Why are you still stammering, as big as you are? You feel fine now, right?”
“Huh? Ah, no, um, yeah. I’m great.”
He nodded, in a daze—and as he did, the demon’s stomach growled prodigiously.
“Okay, I’m going for real this time.”
Despite the mind-boggling events, Emi was serene as she tossed the empty bottle of 5-Holy Energy β into the Devil’s Castle recycling bag and put her shoes on.
“N-no, Emi, you…!”
“You’ve been suffering under a lot of wrong ideas, so I’m just gonna say it—I have no intention of playing the same games with you as with Chiho and Bell, so don’t get me wrong on that count.”
“Ah, uh, I, b… But just now…”
“But just now what? You thought I was gonna climb on the bandwagon, too? Even if I did, what’s the big deal? You wouldn’t even have to acknowledge it.”
“N-no…um…”
“Who besides me right now has enough holy force to crush your demonic power and flip it over to max? No offense to Bell, but she sure can’t, and neither can Eme. And with the battle coming right up, there’s no easier way to do this than that. So that’s why.”
The dumbfounded Devil King Satan balled himself up, exhausted. The next moment, he reverted back to Sadao Maou, looking as healthy as he ever was.
“Now, it doesn’t benefit any of us if someone finds out about this, so please find a solution, all right? So I never need to do it again?”
This man, back from his demon form, cowered before the resolute woman in front of him. He sat on the futon, looking pathetic with his clothes ripped up beyond repair.
“Otherwise,” Emi said as she gave him a sideways glance, “you’re gonna make Chiho real unhappy.”
With that parting line, she left Room 201 without waiting for Maou’s reaction.
“…”
Maou, left alone, tried to ease his chaotic mind. The more he did, however, the less able he was to find a clear response to what had just happened. So he decided instead to throw out his ripped clothing, change into sweats, eat the rice porridge, and go back to sleep. He didn’t say anything; he didn’t think anything. That was what Emi wanted—demanded, really—from him.
For now, at least, he thanked her. He didn’t think about it, didn’t want it in his memory—but he thanked her for helping him when he was sick and for making dinner for him. Nothing more.
“…It’s good.”
No harm in that reaction, at least. He said no more as he finished up the porridge, washed the pot, and lay back down…
“…Oh, right, I had to piss.”
The succession of shocking events had deadened his senses, but now they were back up and running. Once he was done in the bathroom, he turned out the light and lay back down on his futon.
“Maybe I better cut down on my shifts until it’s all over… I’m not gonna be able to keep up otherwise.”
He looked to his side. The cushion Emi used as a pillow was still there.
“What am I even gonna do about the child support? Ugh…”
✦ ✦ ✦
Going down the stairs outside, Emi found Erone standing there.
“Did something happen? I saw the barrier.”
“Oh, just a little thing. The Devil King’s been sick, and he wound up turning into a demon up there. So I put that up on an emergency basis.”
“Oh. Is he okay?”
“Yeah. He’s almost never been under the weather, so I’m sure his body didn’t know what to do with itself.”
“Ah. Well, that’s good…but you should be careful, too, Emi. I’m glad you’re trying to help my brothers and sisters, but I wouldn’t like it very much if something happened to all of you.”
Emi tousled the hair of the oddly concerned Erone to help him feel better. Erone always was a lot more considerate than Maou.
“We’re fine. I’m not fighting for you. I’m only fighting for Alas Ramus.”
“Eesh. Really?”
Erone smiled at Emi’s own consideration.
“I know how warm your hands are, Emi. You must really love Alas Ramus. I’m not a Yesod, but I can tell.”
“Of course. I’m ready to do anything for Alas Ramus. And today…I think I’ve decided what I should do after it’s all over. Erone…”
Emi looked down at the innocent boy.
“When you grow up, don’t wind up like the Devil King, all right?”
“Why not? I think he’s a fine person.”
“He’s a good guy…but someone who makes girls worry and cry over him… That’s never a good thing.”
“…I don’t think Satan does that kind of thing…”
“You’ll understand when you’re older.”
Erone, despite his honest misgivings, still nodded and accepted that classic grown-up cop-out.
“Anyway, I have to get going. Try not to catch any colds, Erone.”
“Um… Okay. See you later.”
After that unexpected counterpunch, Emi hurriedly talked her way out of there and headed off. She focused a bit, making sure Alas Ramus was still sleeping inside. Then, for just a moment, she touched a finger against her lips, shoulders drooping.
“This really can’t go on… I’m acting so stupid.”
Her legs stopped.
“When it all comes to a head, I gotta be sure I can settle things…”
The hand that touched her lips clenched into a fist as she made a promise within her heart.
“Even…if I have to go against Chiho’s wishes when it happens…”
Only the dark Sasazuka night sky could listen in on her resolution.