Later that same day, Rio visited Yui’s place for the first time.
She was just about to look up videos of the comedian who appeared in Yui’s live comedy DVDs, when suddenly, a DM from Mina.
“We’re throwing a party at our place tomorrow and you’re invited as our surprise guest (Yui’s gonna be there)!”
Party? Yui? Something felt off but Rio didn’t have any plans for tomorrow either way, so she responded with an okay.
Rio, formally a surprise guest, was told to keep her attendance a secret from Yuuki and Yui. It would be Rio’s first time attending any party period, let alone as a surprise guest.
How does one “party?” Rio wondered, filled with equal parts worry and excitement.
The next day she got on a bus at a nearby stop.
Rio passed by her usual end stop, heading straight for the station.
Mina told Rio to wait for her phone call before turning up at their place. Having left early, she decided to kill some time by the station. Yui had suggested they go clothes shopping some day, so she surveyed the nearby department store’s clothing section.
After a little while, she received a DM from Mina. “It’s time!”
Rio took an escalator back down to the first floor, only to hear a few familiar voices nearby. She looked over. Is that... Yui and Narito?
She looked nigh unrecognizable in her black get up but it was, without a doubt, Yui. Beside her was Yuuki, treading listlessly.
Rio quickly took cover, practically going back the way she came as she proceeded to tail the two. They went up two floors, booking it to the clothing section.
Despite their frequent squabbling, Yui seemed to be enjoying herself, getting awfully loud at times.
After doing a bit of roaming, Yuuki left the store as he waited for Yui to change. Rio followed in hot pursuit, observing Yuuki from a safe distance as he leaned idly against a railing.
Yuuki then suddenly whipped his head back, prompting Rio to flee the scene.
Surprisingly perceptive, aren’t you? Rio retreated into the bathroom, equipping an emergency mask and tying her hair in a ponytail.
Her disguise complete, Rio returned to the shop. She found Yui twirling inside the fitting room, showing her fresh drip off to Yuuki.
Cyute? Astyute? What? Rio had never seen Yui this giddy; The faces she made around Yuuki were nothing like the ones around Rio. She seems so happy.
Thinking back on it, Yui was acting a little strange yesterday. When Rio brought Yuuki up in conversation, she showed a startling level of interest, asking every little thing he had said about her.
“Over here! Come on!” Yui ordered Yuuki around without restraint.
Yuuki went along with her whims, almost like he was used to it. If Rio didn’t know any better, she might’ve legitimately thought they were dating.
Yui then suddenly said something Rio simply couldn’t ignore. “Listen here, buddy. I’m Lyucifer, the devil, el diablo.”
She was Lyucifer all along! Rio couldn’t believe her ears. Her words and her actions don’t match whatsoever. Why is that?
She continued the tailing, observing them from a distance.
The two visited a knick-knack shop next, fooling around much the same. Afterward they lined up at a boba place, got their drinks and found someplace to sit.
Rio got herself some udon for blending in purposes, sneakily approached the two from behind and sat down at a nearby table with her back turned. She then began slurping on her udon as she listened in on their conversation.
“Really? You’ve never heard of the boba nostrils challenge? The one where you shove boba inside your nose. It’s super trendy.”
“Our generation is screwed. Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Life threatening, even.”
What a horrifying exchange. The devil whispers...
“Do it. I’ll record you.”
“Do it yourself. You’re Lyucifer, aren’t you? Or should I say, Bobafer.”
“Time for Bobafer to go viral, baby... is what you thought I’d say, isn’t it?”
This is no exorcism, you’re just letting her do whatever! Making Yui all subdued and docile... You’re no priest, you’re a devil master.
The two tried talking each other into nostriling boba. When that didn’t work, Yui shot a boba pearl at Yuuki spitball style, asking how he liked her “boba cannon.”
Their exchanges were very much grade schooler tier, yet to an outsider they looked like nothing more than a cringey couple flirting in a cringe worthy manner.
I see how it is, Devil Master Narito and Lyucifer! All this time you’ve been mocking me behind my back!
As Rio angrily slurped up the last mouthful of udon, her phone started vibrating; Mina was calling. Rio couldn’t risk being found out, so she rejected it.
A DM immediately followed. “Where are you? They’re going to be back any minute!” It appeared her time was up.
Rio, understandably, didn’t want to party with the conniving devils anymore, yet she didn’t want to break her promise to Mina either. But, most importantly, there was a record that needed setting straight.
The two’s antics continued as Rio exited the store, setting off for Mina’s apartment.
Upon arriving at the appropriate street, Mina started walking toward her from the other end, bags in either hand, a hat pulled over her eyes. Mina almost walked straight past Rio, so she called out to her.
Mina’s eyes flew open before eventually noticing it was Rio. “Whew, it’s just you. What’s with the mask and ponytail combo? Are you some kind of perv?”
Rio had forgotten to take her mask off. Still, would it hurt you to be a little nicer? Rio took it off, only for Mina to point at her chest.
“What is this t-shirt, or this granny ass top? So tacky.”
“That's all I had. I... accidentally threw my dress in the washer yesterday.”
“My god. Zero guestly sense whatsoever. Also, where were you? You’re late!”
“Something came up, sorry…”
“Whatever. Here, take this!”
Mina’s bags were chock full of snacks and beverages. Rio held one as they walked inside the apartment.
After placing the bags onto the table, Mina immediately began going through them. “Don’t just stand there, help! Time’s a wastin’!” She said, unloading snacks onto the table.
Rio watched absently, her mind elsewhere. “There’s something I need to ask you. It’s about them.” She said slowly, quietly.
Mina tilted her head. “Them?”
“Narito and Yui. Be straight with me: What’s their relationship?”
Mina blinked a few times in amazement before putting on a smile. “Why they’re... a lovey-dovey couple, of course! Aren’t they just perfect for each other?” Mina’s matter of fact tone left Rio’s mouth agape.
I knew it. I knew it ever since I saw that face, the face of a girl in love.
“I knew it from the very start!”
“I-is everything okay, Rio? You’re scaring me.”
Now that I think about it, I never got context for that picture I took of the two of them together. Yuuki claimed they ‘just so happened’ to be walking back home together but had likely either started or were already dating. Which is to say, they made up complete nonsense to hide their relationship from me.
Mina looked on with worry as Rio hung her head. “They didn’t tell me a thing.” She muttered despondently. “Maybe they wanted to hide the truth from me, I don’t know. What I do know is that they played me, laughing behind my back as they did.”
“What’re you saying? Yukkie and Yui would never do that!”
“Never? I experienced it first hand. They played me for a fool!”
Why couldn’t you have told me the truth from the very start? If you two really are serious about this I have no reason to ridicule you, nor do I have any intention of tearing you apart. I guess that’s really all I ever was to Yui-- not a friend, merely an acquaintance.
“’Seatmate killer? Watch over from a distance? You’ve been going out this whole time! Why would y–”
“You don’t understand. They’re doing it for me!” Mina exclaimed in a shockingly firm tone.
Rio lifted her head, looking her in the eye. “What... do you mean?”
“They’re pretend dating for me.”
“Pretend... dating?”
“Yukkie said he’d get a girlfriend to help me make friends.”