#ashiya rika

[kaibutsushidousha]

Seimei sounds insanely arrogant. I mean, if the affair with Rika happened where Douman first got his immortality and he STILL had trust in Douman by the time Heian-Kyo happened in a singularity despite having Clairvoyance. And Douman was still ALIVE alive even through modern times. You'd think he'd have permanently killed him before then but I guess nah? Is there a way to reconcile all that because that sounds nuts (or maybe that's the point) or is that too in the realm of hypotheticals.

Sakurai tends to alter the originals for the Servants she creates only for two reasons.

To integrate their stories with pre-established Nasu lore (the oni stuff from Tsukihime; the Clock Tower presence in the lives of Holmes, Helena, Jekyll, and Cagliostro; the Mozarts being one of the original Western mages; the laundry list of Nasu lore elements in Dantès's life; Attila and the Olympias being integrated in the Sefar backstory)

To make them less shitty husbands (Kasugahime accompanying Koga Saburou to Yuimankoku, Ragnar's wife order being shuffled, Yoshinaka having a total personality makeover, Takeru not marrying Miyazu after Tachibana's death, Odysseus never giving Circe a chance)

Reason number 2 has me really curious particularly about Rika and Cagliostro's Lorenza. Neither of those two were ever mentioned despite acknowledgment of stories they're part of, so my guess is that maybe Rika doesn't exist in TM. I really hope to be proven wrong though. A Sakurai take on Rika sounds fascinating.

[every-hanzou-urushihara]

[mcwentfandomtraveling]

Masterlist

(Well at least my attempt at one, geez I suck at this I'm sorry, anyways this is just what I have so far! And I will clean it up...eventually...possibly...one day)

Stuff of the Tolkien universe :

We are family- Glorfindel x reader

Elrond fic coming soon :3

Stuff in Pokemon :

Clinic Hours - Colress x Fem reader

My Whole World - Rika x Fem reader

Stuff in Anime or Manga :

Devil is a Part-timer

The Iron Scorpians as told by Alciel - Ashiya x Reader

...

Anyways!

[megashadowdragon]

volume 0 of jjk is more important then you think

because the idea that a burdensome level of strength is nothing but a curse, is literalised with Yuta. Rika is literally a curse that's formed out of love. this same plight is not as apparent with Gojo Satoru and Kashimo Hajime. with these two, their mannerisms say far more.

what's noteworthy is that the resolution of Gojo's own crisis is 100% opposite of how Yuta's was resolved, and it looks to be the same for Kashimo as well. Yuta forgoes his overwhelming strength by dispelling the curse on Orimoto Rika, and prioritizes his bonds with his people.

after all, that's the central theme of volume 0. as such, the most interesting thing about the shift between the prequel and the main series is just how COMPLETELY the main series contradicts the themes of the prequel.

the main series, so far, has severely punished anyone that prioritizes their bonds over a robust sense of self + selfish pursuit of power. the special grades are the best example of this. Tsukumo Yuki worked with Tengen and Choso; she didn't fight with her own domain.

only in death could he stand on an equal footing with his comrades. the framing of these demises in the main series is so deliberately opposed to how the thematic framework of JJK 0 functions. and the reason is none other than the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna.

Sendai, the City of Trees. established in the year 1600 by the daimyō Date Masamune. Date Masamune was a descendant of the Fujiwara. any JJK reader knows the significance of the Fujiwara clan in the series

the emphasis JJK gives to the Fujiwara cannot be understated. lemme run through some key examples rq. the turning point of the series, the Shibuya incident, happens in the vicinity of the Meiji Jinguu, a shrine dedicated to Empress Shōken, a deified member of the Fujiwara clan.

the revival of the Heian era, which saw the supremacy of the Fujiwara clan in the political scene, also plays a part in this. Onmyōdō, or sorcery, was at its peak in the Heian era. Ashiya Dōman, one of the most prominent sorcerers in history, was a hiree of the Fujiwara.

and this specific fact is called back to in the New Shadow Style: Simple Domain, developed by Ashiya Sadatsuna, being utilised widely in the series. the relevance of all this to the topic at hand is that Yuta is a descendant of the Sugawara clan.

symbolically, literally and meta-textually, Yuta is removed from a position of importance, and a guy from a Fujiwara-established city replaces him.

all of this is why some wouldn't feel confident about Yuta continuing to be in good health for the rest of the series 💀🚩

all the special grades in the series have been murked, except Yuta. you can clearly see why people would think he's next. BUT NOT ME! and here's why: in the Sendai colony, i.e. in the same city established by the Fujiwara, he beats Uro Takako, a hiree of the Fujiwara.

he cyclicality that JJK is obsessed with plays out on various levels, but Yuta is the only exception. and I mean the ONLY exception. not even Gojo was exempt. Yuta, a Sugawara, beats someone that was associated with the Fujiwara. it plays out the opposite of how it's meant to.

in conclusion, i think we should put our stocks in Yuta. someone that won't be the next Gojo Satoru sounds about desirable rn. Vol-0 is a treasure trove of hints when we reread with new context. i hope i gave you new insight, or at least a fun read.

"

I can’t wait for Yuta vs Sukuna, the themes of strength, loneliness, love and modernity vs history finna clash like crazy

The Queen of Curses vs The King of Curses 😤😤😤

Furthermore Yuta as the previous MC whose succeeded despite contradictory themes with Sukuna…

"

[mittens-220]

Hataraku Maou-sama! ES!! Summary (Third Story) Part 1

So as mentioned in my previous post, the third story has a longer summary/translation from the chinese website. I'm translating it in parts and will update when I have time.

Rika came to visit:

“Hey—Urushihara-san! You’re at home, right! Can you help open the door?”

Rika was sure that she could hear the sound of rubbing cloth.

“I want to open a Gate, would only disturb for a while, let me in for a while—! Please!”

“......”

“Urushi—hara—sa–n—!”

After pressing on the doorbell a few times, a sound of someone moving slowly was finally heard from inside, Urushihara Hanzo showed an unhappy expression just as Rika predicted, looking at her through the gap in the door.

“......What.”

“I’m sorry. I want to open a Gate, thus disturbing you!”

“I’m still taking a nap?”

“Oh my, you actually just dislike troublesome things so you don’t want to pay attention to me, right? The half-eaten snack is still in the corner of the closet, and I heard you moving the first time I pressed the doorbell.”

Perhaps she hit the target, Urushihara’s frown deepened.

“.......If you want to open a Gate, can’t you just do it in the corridor.”

“This is also considered outside. And I heard Ashiya-san and Emi say, Urushihara-san usually does online shopping, right? If a delivery person, newspaper delivery person or postman enters while opening the Gate, wouldn’t that be really bad.”

“Haah……seriously. Come in quickly. I am busy.”

Even though it was not known what he could be busy with while staying in the closet, it still felt awkward to tease Urushihara, so Rika placed the angel feather pen on the tatami.

“I say, I may look like this, but I am still a demon who can get rid of a human with a finger. If you act like this some more……”

Just as Urushihara decided to at least complain with one sentence,

“Hey—”

Rika had already disappeared, the Gate also closed.

Urushihara suddenly remembered and looked towards the porch, Rika’s shoes were there.

Because Urushihara was around, she took off her shoes as if she was simply going to another person’s house.

“......Forget it, it’s not my fault anyway.”

Even though he thought about whether he should throw the shoes into the Gate, at this moment, the Gate had already closed.

“And, I am Demon General Lucifer. It doesn’t matter if you are Emilia’s friend or what, isn’t this having no sense of boundaries at all?”

Rika talked about Lucifer after meeting up with Emi:

“This is fine~but why aren’t you wearing shoes~?”

“Ah. About this.”

Rika summarised her conversation with Urushihara in Villa Rosa Sasazuka Room 201, Emerada’s expression turned stern.

“As expected~ Lucifer is scum~”

“About this, Chiho and Ashiya-san and I also frequently……eh? Scum?”

This was the first time Rika heard Emerada scold other people like this, and could not help but widen her eyes.

“This kind of person should be described like this~. Well, even though that guy is not human~”

“Ah, uh, yeah.”

“Rika-san has to be careful too, okay~. That guy Lucifer, you don’t know when he would suddenly attack humans~. Because for species like demons, in principle, you cannot be careless~”

“I, I know. Erhm, thanks for your treatment. I will pay attention next time……”

(skipping unrelated conversation)

“Based on what I understand until now, it is considered natural……but Emerada-san, dislikes Urushihara-san that much?”

“Ah…… right now?”

Emi showed a troubled smile, sitting next to Rika.

“That’s right. Because there needs to be cooperation now, so there is no choice but to interact normally, but when Em is working with the Demon King and the others, she must be trying hard to tolerate it.”

“Yeah, matters in this aspect. But, they are similar to workers who were originally in opposing factions. But, I saw Emerada-san speak with Ashiya-san, how should I put it, it feels normal.”

“When we fought with Alsiel directly, he was already a demon who could be spoken to, and additionally, Em and Lucifer, there are too many direct causes.”

“Direct causes?”

“Yeah. So, I feel that even if me and the Demon King and Lucifer are only harmonious on the surface, Em might also dislike it greatly. Even though I did not feel her showing it.”

Emi looked down slightly.

(skipping Rika wishing to listen to the story)

“Or rather, it could be because Rika suddenly became connected to Ente Isla, so I have to tell you. The original nature of the relationship between our “Hero group’ and the ‘Demon King Army’...... but with this, it might change the impression of ‘Maou’, ‘Ashiya’ and ‘Urushihara’ in your heart.”

(skip Rika agreeing to continue)

“Amongst us, Em has the greatest hostility towards the Demon King Army. Even though there are many reasons, there must be areas I also do not understand……but her hostility towards Lucifer is especially strong, there are clear reasons.”

“Un.”

Emi deliberated on her wordings, Rika did not rush her.

She was waiting for Emi to speak naturally.

“Em, lost in a direct battle with Lucifer, and was forced to submit to him. Because of this, our hometown—Western Continent Saint Aire empire, fell under Lucifer’s command.”

“Urushihara-san ruling a country, this cannot be imagined at all……but many unbelievable things also happened earlier. Demons can also rule a country huh.”

“I am also unclear on what demons in other lands can do. But, the invasion of the Demon King Army caused the areas controlled by humans to decrease rapidly, almost all of the Western Continent fell into Lucifer’s hands. My journey, started during those despairing conditions.”

Then Emi—Emilia Justina started to narrate.

The Hero’s journey of saving the world, the first story.

[keepyourpantsongohan]

Ayesha Liveblogs Devil is a Part Timer S2

"He had four trusted generals: Lucifer, Adramelech, Alciel, Malacoda." Where does Camio, Big Bird Friend, fall into the order of generals

This is such a wildly different experience than watching the first season because I know EXACTLY who is coming into the Devil's Castle and what's about to happen. I am THRILLED

It's gotta be a different animation studio for this season; they've fallen into the trope of making everything shiny and round (just googled: It is)

I do admire Japanese animation's approach to censoring insects. Me as an animator kjghgkjhg

"I can barely remember my parents." I love foreshadowing

WELCOME HOME BABY!!!!!!!!!!

"Papa is... Satan." "I see, your Papa is Satan. Huh?" HAHAHAHA I love how quick everyone is to believe Maou has been spending his Devil days philandering

"Her father is the Devil and her mother is the Hero?" ENEMIES TO LOVERS COPARENTING; ALL I'VE EVER WANTED

I also love how quickly Emi folds and agrees to be Alas Ramus's mama

"If you are willing, once King Satan gains power in Japan and forms his new Devil's Army, I'd like to see you in its highest position." Ashiya said: After you finish school please consider pursuing full-time work at Demon Inc., Chiho!!

"You and Mr. Maou have a kid?" Rika continues her spot-on assessments

"Have you two ever stopped to consider how it looks for a high school girl to come in and out of a man's apartment, taking care of a baby?" Manager Kisaki raises a very fair point

"I don't know enough about society to confidently dismiss it." I feel like this is somewhat a thesis statement for Maou's time in Japan

I love that Emi is denying being the Devil's wife, which no one has accused her of, to herself

Maou petting Alas Ramus's hair as he talks <3 I love his Dad era

"Of course she's not my kid," said Maou, to a montage of him working hard to support Alas Ramus, installing a children's bike seat and integrating her into every part of his home:

"That outfit would be hard to fight in." That's okay Ashiya she's going on a family date

Maou making a life-altering confession that he's no longer interested in leading the demon armies while he and Emi go hat shopping

"Even if I got all my magic back, I couldn't conquer the world the way I am now." "Very true. If all the demons are dead, you can't be their lord anymore, either." It kills me that they're having this conversation in front of the hat saleslady. Does she think they're talking about D&D LMAO?

"I wanted to know what Emi's face would look like on a date with a man." Family date confirmed by Rika ahahah

Rika asking Chiho what she's doing here as if Chiho does not follow Maou literally everywhere he goes

Alas Ramus's calls for 'Mama' after waking up are very telling

I'd ask why Ashiya seems to be majority comic relief but I guess he plays a similar role in the manga; it just feels less concentrated

I love one (1) set of parents and child. Look at this silly family!!

"You're frowning, Mr. Boyfriend!" Hahaha I love this photographer giving everyone titles by how he thinks they're related to one another. First Emi (Mom) and Maou, now Ashiya (Mr. Boyfriend) and Rika

"Because I was crying, she said. Because I was the first demon she'd ever seen cry." Maou being human before he was human <3

It does make me laugh that Maou and Emi bop each other on the head when the other is being ignorant

"They're all names of sephiroth, the cosmoplastic orbs in the Tree of Life. Alas Ramus may be an incarnation of Yesod." You know, no matter how many times I hear this explanation, I still don't really understand what Alas Ramus is LOL

It is killing me they're having this kidnapping threatening conversation while Maou is holding a bunch of balloons. They were passionate for the continuity of it

"What parent would exchange their kid for pizza money?" You know, it probably wouldn't be the first time, Maou

It also makes me laugh that all members of the Devil Family are making the exact same >:( face at Gabriel:

"You may end up with all of Heaven as your enemy." "I'm not about to make a kid cry just to save my own life." Maou said: I've only had Alas Ramus for a day but if anything happened to her I'd demonic force everyone in this room and then myself

Chiho said: I can tell you're an angel 'cause you're MEAN, Gabriel

Hahahaha, Chiho used her most powerful move to get Gabriel to go away! The tears of a teenage girl

"At times like this, an adult plans for the worst and manages risk. Emi, you sleep here tonight." I wish all risk management plans came in the form of a slumber party

"I figure I'm reaping what I sowed. But I think the ones who died during my invasion of Ente Isla probably would've put their lives on the line to save their kids. If they could do it, surely the Devil himself can do it." Maou said: A custody battle is step one in my Twelve Step Program For Balancing Your Karma

Ashiya's explanation to Suzuno that they invaded Ente Isla because demons are naturally poor gkjhgkjhjgh

No offense but this is the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life:

Emi asking about the bedtime story because of how desperately she wants to understand Maou ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Maou bowing his head to beg for his daughter's life 😭😭😭😭

"Er, could you have your marital spat later?" Even Gabriel sees what's happening here

"Get away from Alas Ramus," said Emi to Gabriel as her daughter sucker punched him through the sky with a beam of light

HAHAHAHAHA Lucifer intimidating the nameless soldiers of the Heavenly Regiment just by telling them to get lost

Maou offering to have Emi kill both him and Gabriel just to get Gabriel away from Alas Ramus is both Incredible Teamwork and Strong Co-Parenting

"'Til death do us part," said Emi about Maou, both as a marriage vow and a threat

So consumed am I in the plot of family shenanigans that I don't have all that much to say about Gabriel as guardian of the Yesod. I guess it's very Naraku in Inuyasha of him to try to take advantage of the shard collection that Team Devil and Hero have formed

I did already know Alas Ramus was going to eat the sword, but it's fun to see how they animated it as a little chomp, like a teething toy

It's honestly very fair of Emi to teach Maou to feel a fraction of the loss he caused by not telling him where Alas Ramus is right away

"I'm not cryin'," said Maou, while actively wiping tears away

Djdjlkdjdkjd Maou cackling to himself over how beautiful his kid is. 10/10 first-time father, no notes

"You said 'three'—that means you're counting Mr. Urushihara, right?" Urushihara has cultivated a reputation for himself as incapable of completing manual labour or social interaction

Also, to be fair I just remembered he's a wanted man HAHAH

"You were very cooperative with the Devil today." Why DID Emi need to be there for them watching the job opportunity video tape? Maou: Emi is short for EMotional support

Sariel really thinks he should be congratulated for not trying to kidnap a child

"If you give me a good answer [about your romantic feelings], I'll have to duel Miss Yusa for you someday." Real and true

The blind loyalty Chiho has to Maou is very funny. She said (lightheartedly): I don't care who you're trying to conquer, I'll be your informant

They talk about the nostalgia of trains like Ente Isla isn't comparatively in like the 1800s hahahahah

"No wonder your mother trusts you." Emi really embracing Mum Mode too even with Chiho hahahah

I will always love the assumptions about the relationships in this friend group:

"House dirty." I wonder how Amane feels having her business location roasted by a toddler

"I just don't get the trope of dead people coming back and doing bad things." Amane said: Maou, Emi, you can't raise your daughter to be ghostophobic

"That startled me! It sounded just like a dragon." Maou casually implying he has a history in Ente Isla with dragons???? Elaborate

"What are demons doing here in Kimigahama, Chiba?" asked Alciel, as if he were not also a demon hanging out in Kimigahama, Chiba

I adore that the Devil's Army immediately forms a protective circle around Camio. They're just one fucked up family:

I know these four were technically the pillars of a demonic plague on their society but I do have to laugh that Maou and his generals can be described as: Part-time MgRonald's worker and doting father, chronically-ill househusband, teenage shut-in with a criminal record and shopping addiction, and Big Bird

Camio with tears in his eyes because he missed his little Demon King 😭

I loooooove them all working together in the beach shack. They are so good at teamwork!!!

I cannot help but realize, since these patrons are going to later be revealed as ghosts, that at least four of them are dead children

"Tomorrow we might have customers who come to get a look at you!" said Maou, like that wasn't a weird thing to say about a sixteen-year-old

"Well, I'm grateful and everything, but there's nothing to compliment." Maou said: I'm actually tiddy man myself (but as a demon he does have enough tiddies for the both of them)

"Why does Olba want to negotiate with Heaven so badly?" Because he's a rancid old man

Emi gasping at insult that she herself uttered at Lucifer who burned down her village kjhgkjhg she truly oscillates from incredibly polite to incredibly sassy

"But Camio survived through intelligence instead of violence," said Maou, as his 1-year-old chased Camio through the room with nothing but argumentative peeps to defend himself

"The cute baby and the woman are the Sacred Sword and the Hero," said Maou, refusing to explain his relationship to either

"Remember how we took over the Demon realm. I had a dream that maybe we could do the same thing with humans in this country." Maou fully telling Camio AND Emi that he is aiming for an enemies-to-family narrative

"After all, the Hero and I never planned to work together, and we still manage okay." YEAH YOU DO!!!!!!!!! Also Emi blushing 👀💗

"You and I brought our war to this country. It's our responsibility." Emi ❤️

"I've only spent two days with you, but I know what kind of people you are." Bold of Amane, but I do love how Team Devil and Hero emanate good vibes

Amane clarifying she could kill them all with one finger but chooses not to:

Emilia thinking of ways to avoid killing Cirriato and the Malebranche!! I love how their approach to conflict develops over time

"He's doing Mito Komon on purpose, right?" I had to Google this reference but as suspected, it is Emi laughing that her homies' dialogue sounds like a shogunate period drama

"Cirriato, may I see your pendant?" I love how politely Emi asks her demon opponent, who she was struggling not to kill mere minutes ago, for his magical-jewel-tracking necklace. And he just hands it to her!!!!

"And when you get back to the demon realm, tell everyone that King Satan lives. And that one of the sacred swords is already in my possession." I do prefer the manga's translation of this moment, which is a more literal, 'one of the sacred swords is already in my grasp':

"I'm going to sever the Gate from this realm. After that it's up to you." "Can you do that?" [Smiling] "I'm telling you that I can." [Smiling back] "Yeah? That's a scary thought." Maou said: Mark me down as scared AND horny

I wish desperately I could've seen Emilia rescuing three grown men by herself from the middle of the sea and dragging them unconscious to shore hahahah. Little Mermaid: Extreme Edition

"They went boom, and then there was a big whoosh and then a hug." Alas Ramus is happy that her parents are getting along

"But the powerful magics you were flinging around yesterday have distorted this sacred place." [Merlin from Shrek voice] Please leave any bad vibes outside the healing vortex

"My enemies became my friends, and now support me in my conquest. Don't you think humans could do the same?" "I see. Perhaps so." This is Maou telling Alciel he wants to make Emi a General

I looooove when Maou romanticizes humanity 💘 Something something inherent beauty of being a person

Maou politely handing Emi a crystal which will now make her 3x stronger than him ❤️ Supportive Spouse Behaviour

"Better be ready, because when I get my power back, I'm gonna dominate you and everyone else." Why say it like that, Maou?

Emi genuinely baffled that the pressing news of the Devil's Castle is that Ashiya tightened the sink and their daughter learned a new word:

"Well, I guess the moral is that even dark lords get heat sick and carsick." "What? 'Dark lords'?" Maou is SO used to saying insane stuff in front of people and never getting called on it because they're all also freaks of nature or retail workers

"By the way everything in this area other the public roads belongs to the Sasakis." Devil's Army learning that Chiho was born into wealth

Chiho's family is quite eager to meet Maou as her coworker and crush but lack the context that he is, technically, an unwed father

The Devil's Army has been felled by one (1) day of farm work

"Mama! Papa's here!" The unwed father's out of the bag HAHA

"But Miss Yusa looks just like her mom, so when Miss Yusa visited, Alas Ramus got attached." Riho said: Sounds like bullshit, but I'll allow it

"I was raised on a wheat farm. I think I can be more useful than they can." Emilia has some farm-related trauma to work through

"I'm sorry I came here looking like this," said Chiho, about her pretty modest pajamas, as if Maou does not chill in his apartment in far less in front of all of them LOL

"We destroyed her home life. Of course her reaction would be, 'How dare you do farm work?'" Something something a fundamental desire to understand each other 💘

I love how Suzuno is consistently the only one who uses first names for everyone (with a semi-archaic honorific)

Emi giving Maou a horticultural lesson while they pick eggplants 🥺💔 Both useful and a way of processing her anger

"But if you start regretting it, my thirst for revenge might waver a tiny bit." Babygirl. You are co-parenting a child, who is the sword you wanted to use to kill him. You go everywhere together, including family dates and sleepovers. You fight enemies together. Your thirst for revenge HAS wavered, and you are a full-on team now

Fjkjfljf I see they cut out Hinako joking that Emi was Maou's wife to get a rise out of Chiho hahahaha. They don't have time for every line, I suppose

I love that Emi and Maou agree to send the others away and take the bear on, but then Maou, who isn't really at his strongest anyway, does absolutely nothing in this fight

It was just as thrilling as I imagined to see Emi body slam a bear:

"However, neither he nor the good Hinako disclosed the details of the fight even to me, let alone the public." Sasaki fam said: Grandma didn't raise no snitch

"As long as there's enough magic in the air, demons don't need to eat. I bet a world that doesn't produce food can't create societies." The mechanics of the demon world fascinate me to no end

I love how demonstrably intelligent and good at leadership Maou is 🥰🥰🥰 Even in his human body, he is the first person to start organizing people, figuring out strategies to get customers or to protect the Sasakis' produce! It really gets to me how he approaches every task with equal sincerity

"Maybe ya aren't normal people," said Grandma Sasaki, in the understatement of the century

Lucifer said: Let me give you some insight into the mind of a criminal who is taking the path of least resistance

The reason the thieves took a watermelon is maybe for a Thieving Trophy but mostly for the plot convenience of allowing Suzuno to get a good look at the thieves rolling up to the farm

I adore the imagery of these two young woman absolutely destroying this car with minimal effort:

God I'm fucking enamoured with the teamwork of this whole sequence. Urushihara as the tech/commander centre, Ashiya as capturing the first thief, Suzuno and Emi as the vengeful apparitions, Maou as the demon who delivers the final blow

"You four will spend the rest of your lives paying the price for hurting people. Just like us." Maouuuuuuuu 😭💔❤️‍🩹

"I can feel something cold from way down the mountain. Everything is over now." Grandma Sasaski said: I'm a little psychic, what about it

"Ya used to see folks like that sometimes, way back when." WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE WERE YOU HANGING OUT WITH, GRANDMA SASAKI???? HOW MANY ENTE ISLANS HAVE BEEN TO EARTH!!

More family photos for Maou's MgRonald's comfort album ❤️

"Emilia, I'm pretty convinced this weirdo is your mother." What a way for Emerada to break this news hahahah

We cut to: Gabriel just living life at his temp agency

"Be quiet, Emilia! I secretly don't want to buy a TV!" It's killing me that this mundane conversation between demons is irrepressibly honest

"I spend a lot of time thinking about whether there's some way that all of the people I love can find happiness together." "There isn't." Chiho 🥺 Also Emi and Maou responding to this question the exact same way kjghjghg. They're self-aware of their 'it's complicated' relationship status 💞

"As long as the Devil is in Japan, he's hardworking and safe. And you and I get to enjoy an easy life in an unbelievably rich culture, blessed with good friends and confidants." Suzuno cutting straight to the heart of their situation ahhhhhhh

Between Emi and Rika having problems and 'Don't do that to me,' I wonder if Co-worker Maki thinks that Rika and Emi are dating

"Way better than sitting around in that empty space for so maddeningly long. I couldn't take the boredom anymore, so I joined Satan's plan." The mechanics of Lucifer's fall from Heaven make even LESS sense given the events of the manga

Can we take a minute to note the absolutely haunting background music to Emerada's phone call. For why????

"I invited her to stay the night, and she moved herself in with me..." Why does Emerada phrase it like she's been fucking Emilia's mum LMAO

Whoever decided to take the creative license to make Chiho's friend a fuj*shi. Thanks I hate it

I love the implication that Rika and Ashiya have a budding phone call relationship where they discuss things like the trip to Choshi

Maou explaining his ability to speak English with 'I've had a lot of situations' me too man hahahaha

"Have you by any chance, fallen for Ashiya?" Maou doesn't believe in beating around the bush

"It's not my place to say this, but isn't it boring to live life alone?" Maou said: Ashiya should have a girlfriend, and you should get on an app or something, Suzuno

Ashiya answering Rika's questions as honestly as possible because he wants to tell her someday 💕

I wonder what the people of Japan think about the exploding TVs that have no consistency in brand. Seismic event?

"Raguel and Sariel worked as a pair. They'd strip angels of their immortality, banish them to Ente Isla—" Lucifer dropping the incredibly wild lore that they will not elaborate on

"You, who keeps together two beings that by rights should be incompatible... may one day become the mother of a new Daath." Lailah, I feel like this is giving Chiho a lot of credit for something that's not even mostly on her. Emi and Maou have persistently tried to understand each other, regardless of if Chiho was there or not. Besides that, you'd think that if you were gonna credit someone for bringing them together, it'd be Alas Ramus

Lmao @ Emi being the Heavenly equivalent of a Zonkey

"If people knew that angels were the same as normal humans, humanity's faith and worship would crumble." I don't know, the cross-form courtship didn't seem to bother followers of Zeus. Tales told, he'd impregnate anything

"She says to say, 'leave me alone, dummy!' and stick out my tongue." Lailah confirms via Chiho that sass is genetic

"I now begin your trial!" is actually a sick as hell way to declare a fight, go Suzuno

Emilia having a crisis of morality about Maou not actually having killed her father while Maou and Alciel are literally transforming into demons in front of a crowd of people

Maou bursting a cola bottle out of concern for his Not Wife:

Also also. Is the implication here just that Lailah had Chiho throw a magical dust storm over various parts of Tokyo in the hopes some would hit Maou. Bold. I like it

"But if I hadn't been the Hero, I probably wouldn't have met you, so I don't hate it so much now." Emi is such a good mum 💞 She said the absentee parenting ends with me

"You recovered fast. Processed all your emotions already?" "None of it makes sense, so I'm putting it off until later." WOW WHAT A LIFE MOOD EMI HAHAHAHA

"Are there fees in Heaven?" Even angels cannot escape capitalism

Maou reasonably points out that Chiho is way too chill about being possessed hahahaha

"Surely haven't forgotten me... Satan Jacob." I fully forgot that Maou has a real name

"As the househusband, Ashiya manages the Devil's Castle's finances," I love that the recap special is calling it like it is

I enjoy the description of Alas Ramus as "taking the Devil and Hero for her family," because it has the double meaning of 1) assuming they are their family and 2) making them her family by force, they must obey the toddler

I know the implication is that Lailah is Alas Ramus's metaphorical mother, but I do like both Alas Ramus and Emi's bond and also just the idea that Lailah has essentially strong-armed Emilia (and Maou) into giving her a grandbaby

Lailah, probably: I can't wait to be a grandma

Emi: I'm not expecting any children

Lailah: You should be 🥰

"They managed to drive off Gabriel with the power of family." What an accurate and funny way to describe this fight

Say what you will about Gabriel, he's not above a tactical retreat

"Of the two of them, the one we really need to watch out for is Alciel." Suzuno said: Ladies, ur man is gullible he'll be fine

"Tailing them was going a bit far." Hahahaha Maou is one of the only people in this friend group who isn't possessed of the urge to relentlessly follow the other friends for entertainment or suspicion

I said this 3 minutes before he sent Ashiya to tail them again hahahaha

I love that Suzuno and Emi's excuse for where they're going is just "girls talk." What you gonna do about it, Demon Boys?

"That your wife?" "She's the mother, but not my wife." I do appreciate the town being under the general impression that Alas Ramus is the product of Emi and Maou having a one-night-stand

HKJFHFKJFHKJFH I guess they cut out Alas Ramus joining Maou at the bathhouse, because reasonably, even if one of them is her father, they didn't figure it was best practice to animate her hanging out with three grown men at an onsen

"I can't think of anything more touching than someone wanting power not to leap into danger, but to escape or help her rescuers." Chiho ❤️

Also lmao @ them having this very sober conversation about Chi's motives for learning magic all dressed in their towels:

REAL QUICK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THE NEW OPENING THEME FUCKING RULES?????? HELLO!!!!!! It is every AMV I've ever mentally made for this series

"My goal is to become a barman." Love this for Kisaski

"The Devil turned out not to be the father-killer that Emilia wanted revenge on." [soft gasp] I kind of forgot that Chiho wasn't privy to this news LOL

"Why do I have to go through this headache to protect the devil?" Because you loooove him, Emi

Maou trying to protect Emi's feelings by suggesting he'll do evil things again 💘 Insane, but sweet

"If you really were just a cruel, bloodthirsty demon king, I wouldn't... I wouldn't be struggling with this so much! You never wanted to conquer the world! I think you just wanted someone to recognize you for doing something big!" EMI 😭😭😭 Something something a fundamental desire to understand each other

"Maybe that saved me from saying something I shouldn't." I desperately want to know what Maou's response to this was going to be before he got barrier-kidnapped

"If we refuse to change the path we walk, the world won't change either!" Maou being determined to learn a better way of life for his demon subjects

Fjfjlfjf Chiho popping up in the barrier to explain sumo idioms

Emi finally deals with some consequences to having a sentient toddler sword: Sometimes she won't want to fight ur enemies

Sariel said: I've turned over a new leaf, I'm in my helping era

"Yes, adults have dreams for the future too, you know?" How old is Kisaki supposed to be to be calling Maou kid LOL? I didn't peg her as any older than mid 20s

I love how much Maou looks up to full-time manager Kisaki

"Why else? To figure out why it went wrong, so I can help with Satan's dream." It's unclear to what degree Chiho is pro-world conquest hahahah

Immediately she clarified she's aiming for a happy, cooperative family dinner kind of conquest. Like being the president, but of your family, I guess

"What can such a thing [as currency] mean in the face of true might?" "Nothing, but I'm out to give it meaning." Somehow I don't think capitalism is the solve for Maou's problems

Maou turning himself into a demon using Suzuno and Emi's celestial force as a poison is one of my favourite mechanisms in this show kjhgkhgkj

HAHAHAH I love Maou declaring the girls as part of his Four But Actually Five Great Generals. Perfect writing. No notes:

Maou trying to relieve some of Emi's struggle by inviting her to find out who he really is and how he views the world 😭❤️

"Emilia the Hero, follow me," said Maou, accidentally proposing to his Not Wife

"I've given up on that closet. That's where we store Urushihara," said Ashiya, like he was a bag of flour and not a fallen angel in the body of a teenage boy

You know, I wasn't sure they were going to adapt the futon story because I believe it's a bonus chapter but I am sooo glad they are

I think this 'Emi has to be two train stations away' max sounds like something they made up for the show, bc I don't remember it. But I love it, more sleepovers!

"You mean the best course is to have Alciel and Lucifer sleep in my apartment like when Gabriel came?" Mama, Papa, and Baby sleepovers no less kjhgkgh. Emi could EASILY stay with Suzuno

"Parenting is a series of surprises, huh?" said Maou to Emi, about Alas Ramus getting a booboo, like their daughter hadn't arrived to them via giant apple with arms through a dimensional gate

Emi having an existential crisis every time they act like they're married with a child, which, they kinda are

When they lift Alas Ramus together over the staircase!!!! :')

"What's tough is deciding whether I should prioritize 'Hero' or 'Mama,' that's all." "I'm sorry. Both of my priorities work pretty much the same, so..." Maou apologizing for being fully oriented towards his family when Emi can't be ❤️‍🩹

Maou smiling while he thinks of their first human interactions, which consist of him giving Emi an umbrella and her trying to shank him ❤️ Insane Boy Behaviour

I truly can't remember where this udon B-plot is going LOL

"The sleepover can't happen!" said Ashiya, as if they were in grave danger

"You're usually pretty at home in Mom Mode yourself." HEE HEE Maou also calls it Mom Mode!!

HAHAHAHAHAHA Emi and Maou trying to manage both the feelings of their daughter (who wants them to get along and sleep as a family) and Chiho (who wants them to get along but also really doesn't want them to sleep together)

Maou 🤝 Alas Ramus 🤝 Lucifer: Being sensitive to ginger

Emi going to stay at her parents' place to get away from her feelings circles back to Romantic Drama: Family Edition

"Is it me, or you all acting like Emi's definitely in trouble—and like I have to go save her?" She is and you do, Maou

It's really very interesting when Ashiya and Lucifer show their political understandings of Ente Isla and the consequences of naming Emi general, but also her overall chance of survival. A foresight that Maou is trying hard to emulate

Maou convinced that Emi is going to come back 💔

Hahahaha, Tsubasa/Acieth just sniffing Maou in a public place like that's not a weird thing to do

LMAO @ THEM DOING THIS IN FRONT OF RIKA AND JUST LEAVING ASHIYA TO HAVE TO EXPLAIN:

Hfhgghkgjh I forgot that Acieth is the younger sister in the Yesod girls equation

Maou just plopping Emi's dad in their living room via magical flight while Ashiya is trying his best to explain why Suzuno and Urushihara could ALSO fly is peak comedy

"When a chosen one is prepared to expose the truth of the world, bring the wings to our daughter." Nord. Did your wife make a prophecy? Elaborate

Also. Also. Also. I know I shouldn't be phased by this. But WIFE? WHO OFFICIATED THIS WEDDING BETWEEN A FARMER AND AN ANGEL?

HAHAHAHAHA Libicocco pausing his terrorizing to teach Chiho how to say his name

"If you don't like what I'm doing, Miss MgRonald's Barista General, then force me to stop." Libicocco believes in addressing people by their correct titles

Obsessed with the implications of Rika's surprise towards Emi not being Japanese. What is the racial delineation of Ente Isla? Do all people in Ente Isla look ethnically Japanese? They have different skin tones, certainly, but do they generally appear some variety of features we would categorize as East Asian? Because Japan is one of the most ethnically homogenous places in the world, so either everyone looks like they're from Japan, or we have abandoned the structure of race entirely

"This is an oversimplication, but you can think of Yusa as an alien." [X-Files theme tune plays]

Rude of them to attack Ashiya, chronically-ill househusband

Maou's love for Alas Ramus is only matched by his irritation towards Acieth Alla

"I'd rather regret being betrayed than regret losing faith." 💗Suzuno

Lucifer protecting Suzuno/Bel and Chiho with his wings 😭 Their relationship has come so far

"We're just putting them back where they belong." They belong with the people they love and with those that love them!!

"I can't believe I'm letting the ruler of demons have my body... I'm sorry, Mom." Maou said: Thank you for making every interaction as weird as possible, Acieth

Suzuno giving her whole life to protect Chiho!!!!!! I love one (1) found family

"Bold of a mere Malebranche leader to take that tone with me, don't you think?" Maou said: Do you know who I am? Ur about to find out Libicocco

Maou has been here for a minute and a half and he's already managed to bring up Emi twice, I think he misses her

[YELLING] POWER SWAPPPPPPPPP YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Also the fact that the sword they share is named Better Half. COME ON. COME ONNNNNNNNNNN

"Trying to fight you seems like a losing proposition." Amane defeats Gabriel based on pure vibes

"I'm sure you've got some conflicting duties here, but I don't care. Make one wrong move and I'll punish you," said Maou to Libicocco, as if he had not already chopped off his arm. We have reached the end of his near-infinite patience 💖

Chamuel is living out his Old King Satan beef vicariously through Maou

Props to Ashiya to share coded messages while being kidnapped

"We're gonna go rescue Alas Ramus, Nord, Ashiya... and Emi." YEAH YOU ARE

I fully also forgot that Emi's hometown is named Sloane LOL

"Lisen, Alas Ramus... What's your mama's name?" "Lailah!" Their family tree grows more fucked up by the second LMAO

Also how does Alas Ramus know EVERYONE'S name but Emi's!

It's tough managing tantrums as the parent of a supernatural toddler:

"But I've made up my mind: I'll accept Emi and Mr. Ashiya no matter who they are, and I want to do what I can." Rika said: Count me in for Team Devil and Hero

"In fact, given Emi's strength, it worries me that she hasn't come back." [Everyone in the room gawks] They are unused to this level of emotional honesty from Maou about Emi hahahaha

Do you think Kisaki genuinely doesn't see the magical shenanigans or just pretends not to?

Maou is also forced to empathize with the experience of having a young girl inside his head with little-to-no impulse control and an angel vendetta. Co-parenting at its finest. This is like those people who do labour simulations for their partners hahaha

"I left Heaven before you guys started doing that stuff," said Lucifer, 'that stuff' being the creation of human beings from jewel fragments in their spare time

"I don't want to go back to a world where Heaven's safety is prioritized above all else." Sariel said: Ente Isla is LAME, I love tiddies and fast food management now

Rika constantly roasting Maou for not living up to his reputation both as a human and a demon. It's a fun little dynamic

"Why do I always want whatever I can't have?" said Emi, about a dream that ended with Maou stabbing her to death

"Once this mess is over, we'll have to have a big family meeting." I know they literally refer to each other by familial terms but it makes me happy to hear Maou say it

"My unification of the demon realm brought about order and peace, and fear and despair gradually disappeared. As a result, our magical reserves began to rapidly decline. Which was inevitable in hindsight, because we'd gotten rid of its source. It was my fault, and the realm would have starved if I didn't do something." I genuinely fucking love this world-building. What a paradox!!! To desire peace to have more of your people continue living and be driven to famine by its existence

"I forgive you, though. Satan, king of demons, I have heard your confession. I have judged all your words true, and I absolve you in my name, the name of Crestia Bel... regardless of whether God or anyone else in the world refuses to." This is one of my favourite conversations in this series. Suzuno having them back-to-back so Maou is better able to share, Maou's confession, the absolution. IT'S GOOD WRITING!!

Emi trying to prevent the army from killing any more demons!!! I love her

Emi crying over her fallen enemy she didn't even face because now in every demon she sees her friends 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

"Albert, join forces with us. Rescuing Emi won't be enough to settle this." Maou said: I can go on a rescue mission AND make friends! Multi-tasking

The revelation that sephiroth are not inherently holy is very interesting but I am distracted by Alciel walking around with his pants unbuttoned bc they don't fit LOL

"But I wasn't born directly from sephiroth like they were. My dad came from a sephirah, but my mother is human, so I guess you can think of me as biracial." So race does exist, but in the weirdest way possible

Alciel using the MgR's shifts to calculate their date of rescue

LMAO @ MAOU ready to throw hands with Acieth over his magical impotence

"Adramelech wouldn't follow a King who was some bloodthirsty beast. So when Emilia said she wouldn't kill Satan, I figured I was okay observing just what sort of people these 'demons' really are." Albert admitting he already empathizes with demons, at least a little 💗

"Those are for warding off evil," said the barkeep, like the King of Demons wasn't sitting at a table right beside him getting a to-go box

"Who is Emi to you, Maou?" "Good question." IT IS A GOOD QUESTION

"Emi treats me like she's my equal or better. Everything I lack, she has," said Maou, in a very normal and chill way to describe your rival

Ashiya and Emi being used as pawns against each other 😭

"Why are you coming so deep into my heart?" said Emilia, in a decidedly even less normal or chill way to describe your rival

Alas Ramus coming around to remind Emi she's never alone 💝

"I let a lot of demons die by obeying Olba. I doubt the Devil and Alciel will forgive me." 1) Babygirl that is not your fault and 2) They absolutely will forgive you, you guys have written the masterclass on coexisting with people who have been party to your hardship

Alciel is SO GOOD at coded messages HAHA Emilia just had her sense of hope regained by a tofu-related threat

"The Devil is coming. For me," said Emi, with tears of happiness running down her face. Also. Why say it like that, Emilia

You see, I KNOW, I KNOW. I am being set up for disappointment, because while there's every indication in this arc that Emi has (at the very least) started to fall for/acknowledge her feelings for Maou, I have gathered from where Maou is at, and various little jibes on the internet by viewers (no spoilers pls), that that's probably not the way the light novels go. Which like. A damn shame. Because you have 36 episodes and 20 manga volumes of these two people giving each other a second chance, raising a child together, operating as a team, sharing powers, understanding each other's burdens in a way no one else possibly could, even being called numerous times husband and wife, AND YET. And yet. They will not go all-in on the relationship they've built. Call me a romantic, or barking up the wrong tree, but it seems WHACK

It's Hinata's Law. Wherever there exists a passionate but kind, mildly submissive, busty unacknowledged love interest with unparalleled loyalty to the protagonist, the writer will have to use them as an endgame relationship LMAO

"I need a shoulder to lean on." [Hops on his shoulders] I love Suzuno hahahaha

LMAO @ Albert and Bel getting sent back to start

"Emilia the Hero, you come to challenge me despite knowing the power of my hiyayakko (tofu) and ginger bud? How foolish!" HAHAHAHA THIS IS MY FAVOURITE FIGHT

Olba really miscalculated thinking demons would be loyal to him more than Alciel hahahaha

"Since our hands are tied, we'll dance until our strength runs out!" ❤️ We love a play fight

It is funny that Maou and Acieth are literally allergic to bonding

NOT ALAS RAMUS WANTING UNCLE ALCIEL TO SPIN HER FASTER WHILE MUM IS BEING TOSSED AROUND THE ROOF HAHAHAHA

"Don't damage the place too badly. Nord Justina is being held in the Cloud Retreat." Alciel helping Emi to keep her dad safe 😭

"They've been fighting for seven hours now. Talk about energy!" OMG props to Emi and Alciel for keeping it up so long

"Alas Ramus, Ashiya, Emi—I'm here!" shouted Maou, with literally no current assets to fight beyond a sick sword-girl

HAHAHAHAHAHA I FORGOT HE FOUGHT THE FOOT SOLDIERS WITH FIREWORKS AND MALOTOV COCKTAILS

"Just do your best to avoid hurting anyone!" Maou is so excited to be able to 'threaten people only' hahahah the benign evil of it all

"If I ever return to Japan, I'll make all those apologies I owe you." EMIIIIIIII 😭😭😭😭😭

"Ashiya, don't you think Emi's acting weird?" It's called emotional honesty, Maou, you should try it sometime

"Emi, I don't expect forgiveness for what I did back then either. But I found a lost treasure of yours, so I'm giving it back to you as a token of my apology." MAOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU 😭💘😭💘😭💘😭💘😭💘

Maou, trying to explain that their daughter has a little sister who looks at least a decade older, who is also kind of the daughter of Emi's father, and Emi knowing Emi's mother is also kind of the mother of Emi and Maou's daughter: We'll trade diagrams later back at home xoxo

They finally have lyrics on the OP and I'm AHHHHHHHHH ("I was still pretending to fight alone / Would life be easier if I just let go" and "I tried to stay quiet but my voice rang out / I sang the song I couldn't forget about / I smiled with you, and that alone lightened my load") I want to tattoo this whole OP to my body

Maou telling Emi repeatedly to stay out of the fight so she doesn't compromise her position in Ente Isla by helping him 😭😭😭😭

NOT MAOU HAVING A FULL-ON PHONE CONVERSATION WITH SUZUNO MID-FIGHT HAHA

"I don't understand, but I shall assist," said Suzuno, summarizing the plot of the whole series

Emi giving Maou a Yesod fragment 😭 SYMBOLISM

EMI GETTING TO SEE MAOU USING BETTER HALF!!!! HEE HEE

"Yesod is branches. They tie life and life, heart and heart." !!!!!!!!!!!!

"Very well, we shall obey you, New General." Farfarello said: Okay Suzuno, you've charmed me

"There can be no genuine angels in this world." I can't believe we're about to unlock the most ludicrous origin story since the Naruto war arc

ACTUALLY THEY'RE NOT GOING TO? THEY'RE NOT GOING TO EXPLAIN THE WHOLE [REDACTED] STORYLINE? OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD!!!! That's so fucking funny. The animation studio said: That's not my problem. Goodbye 💖

"Papa's gonna work even harder than usual—My daughter is watching!" Maou in his ultimate Dad Era

"Human, I don't know what you intend to do next... but don't die." Libicocco said: I would like to be friends with Suzuno also

"Nothing about our relationship has changed," said Maou, like they hadn't had to face and resolve every trauma in their friendship on this one road trip

"I'm giving you the right to choose what I call you from now on, Miss Emilia Justina!" I love Rika 😭

You know, regardless of all other factors, I do find every part of these characters a delight. IT'S A NICE STORY!

[madara-fate]

Im not sure if you've watched or read The Devil is a part timer but, me and my partner and I recently discovered it and love the series. I'm confused about how the Fandom reacted to the Mao and Chiho ship.. I did some digging and discovered the show had no filler and was 100%Canon, and from what me and my partner and I can see that they have a good basis for a relationship and seem sweet and friendly to each other.. but i see the Fandom mad that he should be with EMI.. but I see them as more of enemies that slowly get to know and understand each other and become friends, which is a narrative I like and would love to see more of in anime, rather than the tired enemies to lovers trope. Sorry if u haven't seen it, but I'd like your thoughts if you have

I watched it, and it was rather enjoyable. I was never part of the fandom so I'm unaware of the fandom's general reaction to the ships, but I can definitely see there being an Emi favouritism over Chiho. As for me, I was always more interested in the Ashiya and Rika ship.

[nijigasakilove]

Damn Lowkey one of the best episodes in a long time. Who would’ve thought that Emi’s simple trip to see her family would result in all this.

It really goes to show how big a role she plays in the group dynamic. She’s basically the mom of the group because as soon as she left, Maou, Suzuno and the rest look depressed and lost as hell.

Despite his act, it’s obvious Maou is concerned about Emi and Alas Ramus and for good reason. Gone an extra week without any way of contacting her in the midst of a lot of unrest in Ente Isla.

Rika finally knows about their powers now so she and Ashiya ship can sail eventually lol.

Was that Emi’s dad and a future version of Alas Ramus on the bus? Maybe time dilation because of the different worlds? I’m very much looking forward to getting answers next week

[mylittlesecrethaven]

Ashiya Too

Following my previous post about Urushihara-

This mans is so loyal and so cute that I can't help but like him.

(Edit from later: Please let Rika and Ashiya become a thing I beg of the gods of anime and whoever the creators of The Devil Is A Part Timer are)

[ljaesch]

English Cast Announced for the Second Cour of the Second Season of The Devil Is a Part-Timer!! Anime

The English cast has been announced for the second cour of the second season of The Devil Is a Part-Timer!! anime: Main cast: Jessie James Grelle is Maou Felecia Angelle is Emi Anthony Bowling is Ashiya Tia Ballard is Chiho Alex Moore is Suzuno Sarah Wiedenheft is Alas Ramus Supporting cast: Caitlin Glass is Kisaki Morgan Lauré is Lailah Alexis Tipton is Rika Cynthia Cranz is Mika R. Bruce…

[boyiwishiknewwhatiwasdoing]

One of my favorite small (and probably unintentional) detail in the Devil is a part timer is Rika repeatedly being the deliverer of emotional epiphanies in the main cast.

The warmth Emi feels when she realizes somebody cares about her as a human being rather than The Hero, her speech when she first meets Ashiya and gives him his first genuine praise, and he's like 'oh, guess I am important here', and the infamous "A God who asks you to kill is no God at all", which puts Suzuno's station as a High Inquisiter in a perspective that helps her pull away from the church.

It's such a small thing story wise that has such a huge impact on their character arcs, and I just think that's neat.

[every-hanzou-urushihara]

[verelan]

A commission I bought from https://www.deviantart.com/anko-sensei

Thank you!

[kagakusenpai]

That one super silly Rika x Ashiya fanfic I regrettably wrote

You know sometimes you just get this really dumb idea? And you’re talking with your friends and you mention it and they're like ‘haha do it!’. Ya, so I did it.

I know I had some stupid fun writing this, so I hope you all enjoy it too - these events take place sometime after volume 11. Don’t worry its SFW ;)

~~

“Dude, this storm is getting crazy, you sure Libicocco isn’t back to kidnap Chiho or something?” Urushihara asked while lazily leaning backwards from his permanent post at his computer.

“You know you shouldn’t joke about these things, remember what happened last time he showed up? Something about you ending up becoming more of a useless corpse than you usually are.” Was the snappy reply from across the room.

The windows in Room 201 of Villa Rosa Sasazuka were creaking and groaning under the immense pressure of the storm that had suddenly taken Tokyo by surprise.

“I hope Ashiya makes it back in time to make supper, I’m starving already.”

Maou checked his phone to see if Ashiya had sent him a message.

No new messages.

“Maybe we’ll have to get a MgRonalds delivery…Kawada’s gonna complain if I ask him to deliver in this weather…” Maou muttered as he stretched himself out on the floor.

“Dude, if you order delivery Ashiya’s gonna kill you. Plus, if Acies finds out she’ll make you order thirty burgers…again.”

Maou stared at the clock on the wall. 6:42pm. Deciding whether he’d rather face death in the form of starvation or Ashiya’s wrath, he let out an audible sigh.

~~

Elsewhere in Tokyo, the Demon General Alciel was fighting his own battle. The once ferocious general who had cunningly brought his enemies to their knees without lifting a finger was currently on a battlefield he’d never experienced before. The sweat on his face was starting to form neat rivers as it slowly slipped down his forehead and onto his cheeks. Shivering from the combination of wet clothing and air conditioning in the room he stammered:

“Ms. S..S…Suzuki, I’m terribly s.s...sorry. I meant n-no offence.”

He knew he had messed up.

~~

40 minutes ago, at Shinjuku Station.

Normally accustomed to riding the train during non-peak hours, Ashiya was quite frustrated with the hordes of businessmen that were constantly entering and exiting the train. When he finally managed to get out at Shinjuku station, he found himself being pushed and pulled along with the crowd as he tried to find the right exit.

“If I recalled correctly, Ms. Suzuki had mentioned we should meet at the ‘New South Gate’.”

Earlier that week, Ashiya had sent a message to Rika Suzuki asking if he could request her assistance in purchasing a new phone. Considering recent events, he thought it would be appropriate if he also had a mobile phone to contact Maou in case of an emergency. Rika had arranged they meet today after she got off work at six o’clock.

As Ashiya turned the final corner to reach the New South Gate, a familiar voice shouted out behind him.

“Heeeey! Ashiya over here!”

Rika grabbed Ashiya’s shoulder before he got swept further away by the crowd. Blushing ever so slightly, she pulled him aside, away from the steady streams of business men flooding through the ticket gates.

“Ah, Ms. Suzuki, I didn’t notice you there. My sincerest apologies for such an oversight”

“No, no it’s fine! I know its super busy right now so there’s no choice but to call out before I lose sight of you. Anyways let’s go before it gets any more crowded here.”

“It gets even busier than this?” A stunned Ashiya replied as he quickly followed Rika further into the station.

After a few minutes of navigation, Rika and Ashiya finally arrived at the Yamanote line platform headed towards Ueno. Ashiya had seen an advertisement for a big cellphone sale at a major retailer near Ueno station, prompting his request with Rika earlier in the week.

“It’s twelve stations from here to Ueno, so let’s see if we can snag a pair of seats. Keep your eyes peeled Ashiya!”

“Understood. I shall make amends for my previous mistake with due diligence in acquiring seats for Ms. Suzuki”

“Hey, no need to be so… oh the trains here, quick!”

Ashiya and Rika rushed over to a less crowded door on the train and hopped on. Unfortunately, not only were all the seats taken but this cart was packed with rush hour commuters. Rika and Ashiya made their way to the middle of the cart and stood face to face while holding onto the hand grips.

“Ms. Suzuki, it appears to me that most of the seats here are occupied by what seems to be…sleeping businessmen” Ashiya frowned.

“Don’t worry, they’ll end up waking up ten second before their station. It’s second nature to the veteran salarymen around here, believe it or not.”

Ashiya smiled at Rika’s casual explanation. He noticed that her work clothes were different than usual. In place of her usual purple and white vest and shirt, she was wearing a deep olive-green shirt with elegant ruffles down the middle. The red hairslide she normally wore had been replaced with an intricate blue clip with a butterfly pattern. She gave off a more mature aura, fitting of Rika’s role today as his guide, Ashiya thought to himself.

“Now Arriving at Shin-Okubo Station. The doors on the left side will open.”

Ah, eleven more to go. Ashiya realized that a fair number of people were queued to enter the train at this station.

“Ahhh, this is gonna be crazy packed! Hold on tight Ashiya.”

The doors opened, and dozens of people began to make their way into the train. Unfazed by the sudden influx of people, Ashiya held his ground against the increasing pressure from the other standing commuters trying to stuff their way into the train. Rika, on the other hand, was not faring too well but managed to stay on her feet.

The train lurched forward as it begin making its way to the next station. Suddenly…

“Ah!”

The momentum from the passengers pushed Rika off her feet into Ashiya’s chest. Being a bit short in stature, the sudden lunge forced her to let go of the hand grip and grab onto Ashiya’s chest.

“I-I’m s-sorry Ashiya.” An embarrassed Rika could barely get the words out of her mouth as she desperately tried to regain her footing.

“Not a problem Ms. Suzuki, please feel free to hold onto me until you’ve regained your footing. I do say, it’s amazing how you manage to survive these crowds every day on the ride back home. This almost feels like a new type of battlefield.” Ashiya looked down at the panicked Rika, his whiskey brown eyes gauging whether he should lend a hand.

His strong, steady gaze made Rika squirm even more. Nervously glancing downwards, she carefully fidgeted her feet around to find a position that would allow her to stand up straight and keep her balance. The train’s constant rocking offered no help with her attempts.

Another sudden turn forced her to cling onto Ashiya some more. She could smell his clothing, which had a strong smell of the softener that Ashiya frequently used. Her grip on his shirt let her feel the shape of his chest muscles. They were much more toned than she thought. His usual UNICLO wear didn’t do his body any justice, she thought. Rika allowed her mind to wander like this for a moment…she suddenly felt pangs of heat coursing through her body. She was starting to lose her composure.

“Ah what am I thiiinkiinngggg!” Rika whispered to herself.

“I think we’re almost at the next station Ms. Suzuki. I believe I have the perfect opportunity to acquire us some seats, as that gentleman beside us seems to be preparing to stand up shortly.”

Ashiya’s brief interjection brought Rika back to her senses. The adrenaline had begun to flow after her series of distracted imaginings. Luckily, they both managed to grab a pair of seats on the train at the next station.

Rika stared down at her handbag, trying to avoid all eye contact with the aloof Ashiya, who was busy gawking at the sheer number of commuters on the train.

~~

“Now arriving at Nippori station. The doors on the right side will open. For transfers to the…”

“Two more to go! We’re almost there Ashiya”

“I’m sorry for having to put Ms. Suzuki through all this…”

“No, its my pleasure! Plus, it beats having to go home alone in these crowds, it will be a lot less busy by the time we’re done.” Rika finally mustered up the courage to look back up and smile at Ashiya. The moment her eyes met with his, she felt her chest tighten a little.

As the train began to move again, Rika noticed that all the new passengers were carrying soaking wet umbrellas. She looked out the window behind her to check the situation.

“Ashiya look! It’s absolutely pouring out there. Did you bring an umbrella?”

Outside, a large storm had begun to brew. The rain was almost pouring down sideways, meaning the wind was also blowing in full force.

“Ah, yes. I do keep a small one on my person just in case something like this does occur.” Ashiya grinned as he felt his jacket pocket to confirm he had brought his umbrella.

Rika let her mind wander for a split-second, imagining her and Ashiya sharing an umbrella and walking through a rainy Ueno park on the way to the electronic store.  

“What am I thinking?? I’ve devolved into a friggin’ generic high school girl!” Rika thought to herself while biting her lip, trying to come back to reality. Her composure had already begun to crumble, even before the main event had begun. Face flushed and heart pounding she covered her face with her hands.

The sudden screeching of the train being brought to a stop brought her to reality, again.

“Attention all passengers, due to a sudden change in weather the Yamanote Line will be suspending service until further notice.” The authoritative voice on the intercom announced. “We will momentarily be stopping at Uguisudani station, all passengers are advised to disembark and seek other means of transport.”

Ashiya suddenly stood up. His back to Rika, he keenly observed the situation. It hadn’t even been a month since the previous ‘storm’ that resulted in both his and Rika’s lives being turned upside down for weeks. He tried to detect any sources of demonic or holy energy nearby, but found nothing out of the ordinary. Deducing that this weather might truly be from natural causes, he sat back down and turned towards Rika. Seeing her behaviour for the last few minutes led him to believe that she was also worried about the possibility of a demonic or angelic attack.

“It seems that we have nothing to be worried about, Ms. Suzuki. This storm seems to be one hundred percent natural, I assure you.” Ashiya gave a warm smile towards Rika, who was still recovering from self-inflicted embarrassment.

She gave a quick nod to Ashiya, unable to think of an appropriate reply. The revelations made to her in the past few weeks were sinking into her mind. Angels, demons, other worlds… it still made no sense to Rika. All that she was certain of was that the man sitting beside her, Shirou Ashiya, was currently making her feel emotions she knew all too well. Regardless of his demonic background, his white-blond hair and taut stature made her eyes stray more often than not when they were together.

The train slowly started inching forward, towards the next station: Uguisudani.

Rika thought back to the first time they had gone out shopping together. Remembering how she wished that the walls between her and Ashiya could break down, even just a little bit, made her realize how much things had and hadn’t changed since then. Learning about his past, had in a sense, widened the gap between the them. They both came from different worlds, Rika having no part to play in the epic battles of the Ente Islanders that took place. Thinking back, she missed being a naïve girl enraptured by the sight of the kind yet mysterious man that suddenly came into her life. Her train of thought was interrupted by the train’s arrival at the station.

Ashiya and Rika made their way out onto the platform along with the other passengers on the train. The rain was pouring at such an incredible speed and angle that not even the roof of the platform was able to stop them from getting completely soaked.

“Shall we go to a nearby coffee shop and wait there until this storm subsides? I wouldn’t want Ms. Suzuki to get soaked and catch a cold in this weather.” Not to mention, should Rika catch a cold, both Maou and Emi would harass him for not properly taking care of her while they were out together.

“Sure, I think I saw a sign for a small family restaurant down that street, let’s go there!” Rika exclaimed as she pointed Ashiya towards the direction she assumed the sign pointed towards.

Ashiya went to open his trusty pocket umbrella before they set out from the station. The moment he opened it and stepped outside, a large gale of wind snapped the umbrella’s top off. The force of it snapping pulled the handle out of Ashiya’s grip.

“Ah...”

He had purchased that umbrella soon after he moved into Japan with Maou. The umbrella, along with any sentimental value it had, was carried away by the wind. He’ll have to budget for a new and stronger one later.

Seizing her chance to live out the small fantasy she had on the train, Rika stepped up: “Don’t worry Ashiya I have an umbrella we can share h-”

With a short woosh~ her umbrella also slipped out of her hand and disappeared into the distance, probably chasing after Ashiya’s umbrella to keep it company.  

Rika stood there, speechless. The torrents of rain were relentless, and she knew they had go somewhere quickly before they both ended up being swept along with their umbrellas in the rain. The cold was already getting to her, slowly seeping through her clothes and causing her to shiver.

“Time is of the essence Ms. Suzuki, let us go quickly!” Ashiya quickly draped his jacket over Rika’s head and placed his hand on her opposite shoulder to hold it in place.

The warmth of his hand gently grasping her shoulder made Rika’s heart begin to race, she gripped her handbag with both her hands and brought it to her chest as they began to race through the streets.

As if sensing the sudden increase in Rika’s heartbeat, the storm picked up its pace. Rika let out a small yelp as the rain battered her sides like a barrage of arrows.

“Ms. Suzuki! Please hang on for one more moment, I will get us to safety.” Ashiya, his eyes filled with raw determination, gingerly picked up Rika and sped towards the end of the street. He couldn’t let Rika stay out in the rain any longer. Looking around, he couldn’t find the family restaurant, but he spotted a nearby building with a sign indicating hourly room rentals. He recalled Urushihara telling him that these types of buildings, called ‘Net cafés’, existed as a place where one can rest for hours with various facilities, including laundry and showers, for an extended period. Prioritizing drying off, he decided this would be the most appropriate choice.

Meanwhile, the sudden princess carry that Ashiya sprang onto Rika had dealt serious mental damage. She voiced no protest as Ashiya picked her up and lifted her high up against his chest. The gears in her brain had stopped functioning long ago.

“O-ok…thank you.” Her voice was barely audible, but Ashiya could feel her cold body shivering ever so slightly.

The next couple minutes flashed by like a blur for Rika. Ashiya gently put her down on one of the soft chairs in the lobby of the building they entered before heading towards the reception. She noticed him asking a few questions before getting a set of keys and walking back over to Rika, who had begun to regain her senses. He offered out his hand to help her get up from the chair. Rika, who had already lost all sense of shame, happily obliged and took Ashiya’s hand. Its gentle embrace caused Rika’s face to feel pangs of warmth.

“It seems we are just in luck, as there was an available room for us to dry off in.” Ashiya led Rika towards the end of the hallway where their room was located.

“You’re fine paying with a hotel, Ashiya? Isn’t that expensive for you?” Was all Rika could come up with, seeing how the normally stingy Demon General just spent a large portion of money without a second thought.

“I agree, it is unfortunate to have to spend money on such short notice, but it is an emergency and Ms. Suzuki’s safety is my top priority. Besides, the rates for this Net Café is quite cheap considering the laundry services they also offered.”

Rika smiled to herself when Ashiya mentioned her name. Even though she hadn’t told him her feelings, she was always happy to find that he cared so much about her. Most men would start revealing their true nature and act overly familiar with her at this point, but Ashiya’s gentlemanly attitude even now showed that he was a true man of class.

“You mentioned laundry, but I have nothing to change into…so I don’t think I’ll be able…”

“Don’t worry Ms. Suzuki, I mentioned this to the receptionist and they said that outfits could be provided to us with the room, at a very minimal cost. I was quite impressed, but unsure what they meant when they asked the theme of the outfits. I requested we receive the most normal set, so long as they fit us both.”

They arrived at the end of the hallway, Ashiya fumbling with the keys for a moment before managing to insert it correctly into the lock. Still latched onto Ashiya’s hand, Rika timidly followed Ashiya into the room, trying to asses her current situation. She looked around the room for a moment before realizing something…very shameful. The once broken gears in Rika’s mind started spinning in full reverse. She could feel her pulse pounding in her forehead as her eyes darted around the room. Ah, no this can’t be.

Ashiya had yet to turn around and piece together the look of horror that had begun to develop on Rika’s face. He was genuinely intrigued with the colorful layout of the room. Urushihara’s explanation of a Net Café did not mention the spacious and extravagant room he was currently in. A small basket was neatly placed on the bed, beside a couple of clean bath towels. He stepped forward to see what its contents were. He found a colorful assortment of round mints wrapped in neat foil packaging.

Picking one up, he turned around to offer it to Rika, who had been silent since entering the room.

“It seems there are some complimentary treats for guests in the room. Would you ca-”

The great strategist and Demon General Alciel could have never predicted Rika’s reaction.

“P-P-P---PUT TT-THAT DOWN RIGHT NOW ASHIYA!!!!!!!!!!” Rika’s voice rose quite a few decibels as she barely managed to stammer out her sentence. Her eyes were stained red and the expression on her face showed that she was on the cusp of breaking down.

“D-DON’T TOUCH THOSE” She pointed an accusing finger at the ‘mint’ in Ashiya’s hand.

Every single alarm inside Ashiya’s brain went off at that moment. Rika was acting completely normal up to this point, albeit a bit quieter ever since getting off the train. With the possibility of an enemy attack being second to none, Ashiya realized that the reason lay in something he had done. Further assessment of the situation had to be immediately done before coming to a conclusion.

“What is wrong Ms. Suzuki? If you are injured I can look and see if there’s anything I can do to help.” He kept calm as he took a few steps towards Rika.

“STAY AWAY.” Rika began yelling. She knew she was being unreasonable, but the situation had already gotten out of hand in her mind. Her consciousness was floating in and out. Part of her knew Ashiya was being naïve, but her instincts as a woman were taking over for her already fried brain.

Realizing he was only making things exponentially worse, Ashiya backed down. From the look on Rika’s face, Ashiya could tell that she was exhausted, but also afraid of something. Could it be that she finally saw him as the demon that he truly was, and being locked in a room alone had terrified her to wits’ end? The great Demon General Ashiya of the past could have cared less about the opinion of one lowly human, but the fact that Rika’s actions made Ashiya feel empty on the inside was an unmistakable sign that he had changed.

“I’m terribly… sorry Ms. Suzuki! I will go ahead and wash up, so please relax and keep the room to yourself.” Hiding the tinge of sadness that he had just felt, Ashiya grabbed the basket and towel and rushed into the bathroom.

Rika sensed the slight falter in Ashiya’s voice as his soggy figure made its way to the bathroom. She was being cruel to the man she loved yet could not stop herself. She knew she had to explain to Ashiya the issue behind this whole situation before she imploded any further. Water still dripping from her arms, she grabbed the remaining towel off the bed and began to dry herself off.

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Ashiya took a good look in the mirror at his drenched figure. He must have looked quite pathetic in front of Rika. The bitter feeling in his heart wasn’t going anywhere. He must make amends with Rika somehow.

“A quick warm shower should help clear up my mind.”

Turning on the shower to allow the water to warm up, he grabbed a bottle of liquid soap from the basket he brought with him and undressed himself.

“This really isn’t a hotel isn’t it…” Rika shook her head. She cupped her hands and placed her head in them, so no one could see the desperate expression on her face. Once Ashiya gets out of the bathroom, she’d ask him a few questions and explain to him what their current situation was. That way he’d also feel a bit of embarrassment and tensions would hopefully dissipate between the two of them. Her hopes were beginning to rise when –

*BANG* … … *THUD*… … “Aaaa…”

“Ashiya? Was that you?” Rika was certain the noise had just come from the bathroom. “Is everything OK?” Had something happened inside the bathroom? Could it have been an enemy attack? Rika was still unfamiliar with the allies and enemies of the Ente Islanders she knew but still considered that something heinous may be taking place on the other side of the wall.

No answer.

Taking a leap of faith, Rika opened the door too the bathroom and peered inside, expecting the worst.

She wasn’t too far off.

“…Ms. Suzuki? I’m sorry but could I enlist your help for a moment here? I seem to be experiencing some issues” A half-naked Ashiya was sprawled on the floor of the bathroom, with only his underwear on.

“Y-yes?” Rika took a step back and hid her body behind the door. Still peering from around the corner, she observed the fallen Demon General in all his glory.

“It seems that the complimentary soap provided by this establishment is far below standards!” Ashiya declared in a defiant tone. “The residue it leaves is extremely slippery and has made it extremely difficult for me to even walk! If you would be so kind as to pass me my towel Ms. Suzuki, I will clean myself up and remove myself from this pitiful state.”

Crestfallen, Rika was speechless. Normally even the thought of her seeing Ashiya shirtless would cause all the neurons in her brain to fire simultaneously, but now she was slowly dying on the inside. Extra careful not to step into the room, Rika nimbly grabbed Ashiya’s towel from off the counter and tossed it at his face.

“Many than-”

Rika shut the door mid sentence.

Ashiya thoroughly dried himself off with the towel, quietly cursing this strange soap. Perhaps it was a unique kind of soap and he had not been taught the correct method of application? Nonetheless, more important matters had to be attended to - making amends with Rika over whatever had happened.

“Ah, I forgot to bring an outfit with me to change into!” Ashiya swore at what seemed to be his twentieth blunder of the day.

Towel neatly wrapped around his waist, Ashiya had no choice but to go back into the room and fetch the outfit himself. Asking Rika to do something again would be extremely dangerous. Back onto the battlefield once more.

Sitting in the corner of the room, shoulders raised, and hands placed on her knees, Rika stared down the still shirtless Ashiya that crept out of the bathroom towards the closet. She had a clear idea what to tell Ashiya to resolve this messed up situation in her mind, but perhaps it could wait until he was dressed again…

Ashiya opened the closet.

He… couldn’t understand the meaning of the closet’s contents. A maid outfit, nurse outfit, cat costume and…some strange clothing made up of black leather and strings. Did the receptionist mistake his request for an outfit for… something else? The only outfit that could even fit Ashiya’s body was the odd leather suit. Likely designed for some sort of horse riding or climbing, with all the metal rings attached to the torso. It seemed odd to him that medieval clothing like this existed in modern Japan.

“I guess I’ll wear this until my clothes are dry.” Ashiya pulled the outfit out of the closet.

Rika couldn’t believe her eyes. She could only stare as Ashiya pulled out the costume from the closet. The moment he tried to slip it over his head, she knew she had to act, or else she’d die of shame before being able to explain anything to Ashiya.

“MR. ASHIYA…ah…umm… could you please listen to me?!” Rika’s hoarse voice surprised herself, the nervousness was getting to her. “There’s something you should know about this room before you put that…”

Unfortunately, Ashiya’s head was currently stuck inside the costume by the time Rika had begun her protests. Head tilted at an obscure angle, he was truly the epitome of a man who had lost his wits.

“Mmmmphh-ss-s-orry Ms. Suzuki I couldn’t mmmngg-hear wh—”

Rika had had enough.

Dashing from her chair, she darted to Ashiya and forcibly ripped the costume off his body. Grabbing his exposed sides, she pushed him onto the bed before running into the washroom and fetching his wet clothes. She threw the soggy clothing onto the body of their lifeless owner. Fists clenched she walked back into the bathroom.

“Put your clothes on Ashiya. Right now. You have thirty seconds.”

He didn’t need to be told twice, Ashiya had his clothes on and was kneeling on the floor when Rika walked back out thirty seconds later. The sweat on his face was starting to form neat rivers as it slowly slipped down his forehead and onto his cheeks. Shivering from the combination of wet clothing and air conditioning in the room he stammered:

“Ms. S..S…Suzuki, I’m terribly s.s...sorry. I meant n-no offence.”

He knew he had messed up. It didn’t matter why but this was his only means of escape from the current situation. Standing at the other end of the room, Rika had a deep frown on her face.

“I’m only going to ask this once, so listen carefully.” Rika took a deep breath.

She couldn’t look Ashiya in the eyes. Shifting her focus to the floor, she continued.

“Do you know what a love hotel is?”

“A l-l-love hotel?” Was the confused reply. Head bowed, Ashiya was searching through all his past experiences in Japan to find a reference to this ‘Love Hotel’ Rika mentioned. He only recalled a few things.

“It is a place where couples go to experience time together in privacy, f-from what I understand…”

He wasn’t wrong, but Rika knew she had to bridge the information gap that Ashiya was clearly missing. Her face reddened at the thought of the question she was about to ask.

“Ashiya, how do demons…reproduce?”

It was Ashiya’s turn to be at a loss for words. Rika had thrown a curveball in Ashiya’s direction that he couldn’t have expected in a million years.

“I’m sorry Ms. Suzuki but I don’t understand the purpose of this…”

“Do you know how humans do it???” Rika’s strained voice showed that her composure was near its limit.

“Y-y-yes?”

“Well, that’s what this room is for.” Rika tightened her fists a little as she told Ashiya the crux of the issue.

“B-b-but why this strange clothing and soap?” Ashiya was genuinely concerned why such odd things were placed in the room.

“Humans… have certain things they do to…umm…set the mood for these things…” was the soft reply from across the room.

Ashiya could sense the tension in Rika’s voice. He realized that he must have given Rika many mixed messages when he dragged her into this room, considering it had something to do with human mating. Still unaware of the bizarre customs behind the deed, Ashiya figured it would be best to just keep quiet and let Rika relax. He would have to buy her an apology gift on a later date for sure.

“I understand why you must have been so confused Ms. Suzuki. Please accept my sincerest apologies.” Ashiya stood up and gave a deep bow towards Rika.

“A-ah, n-no it’s fine, since you didn’t know what kind of room it was…well…” Rika nervously shuffled her hands into her pockets before continuing. “I guess I kind of overreacted as well and started yelling at you instead of stopping to explain things.” She knew the adrenaline had gotten the better of her.

“I accept full responsibility for what has occurred here today, it was my fault for failing to provide proper accommodations. Please rest assured I hold no ill-will towards you Ms. Suzuki.” Ashiya had a small innocent smile on his face.

Seeing this, Rika’s heart warmed up a little, along with her clothes.

~~

The tired figure of Shirou Ashiya labored up the stairs to 201 Villa Rosa Sasazuka in the moonlight. It was half past nine when the storm had finally let up and he and Rika could leave the love hotel. Although the tensions had been mostly lifted, Rika had adamantly declined his offer to accompany her home. The bitter feeling from earlier had crept back into his heart during the long train ride back.

“Humans are such…such…” Ashiya was too exhausted to finish his sentence. He opened the door to room 201 and quietly stepped in. The moon provided just enough light for him to tip toe in and put his bags down. Sighing deeply, he sat down with his back to the wall. He stared at the moon for a short while before looking around the room to see what the state of the room was.

At the other end of the room there was a large plastic bag overflowing with MgRonalds wrappers. From the sheer size of the bag, Ashiya assumed that at least 20 burgers had been ordered. His brain didn’t have enough energy to even get angry about that right now. Maou and Lucifer were both sleeping soundly in their usual spots, sprawled out without a care in the world.

Ashiya opened his bag. Even though they didn’t ‘use’ the room at the love hotel, being the stingy man that he was, he snuck some of the complimentary ‘mints’ and soap into his bag to take home. He carefully took them and placed them in the cabinet under the sink. Even though he was still unsure of their exact use, he had paid for the hotel room and wanted to get his money’s worth. The finances of the Devil King’s Castle on earth were no laughing matter, and Ashiya would keep anything if it meant they could save a few hundred yen later.

He let out a quiet yawn. Better get to sleep soon, so he could wake up and make breakfast for the two demons sleeping beside him. Ashiya quietly prepared his bedding and slid under the covers. What a long day it had been for him.

He fell asleep almost immediately, completely unaware of the ticking time-bomb he had just placed under the cabinet.

“aa...Ms. Suzuki…how good to…mmm…see…no…I” Ashiya muttered in his sleep.

But that’s a story for another day...

[blackvelvetinfierno]

New trope I love: centuries old mythical creature that now lives in earth and falls in love with a human but since they never knew love they're major virgins

[mymangacaps]