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Chapter Text

Being part of a high-ranking family meant receiving the best education possible. The children of demons who had marked the history of the Netherworld were guaranteed access to the most advanced knowledge from elementary school onwards. But there was always that special group that stood out not only for their knowledge, but also for their innate abilities thanks to the bloodline magic inherited from their families.

Ameri was part of that special group. It was a fact that she had some of the highest grades in school, but her potential in other areas was also very noticeable. She was skilled at some sports, had almost perfect flight and endurance, and was even beautiful as part of the Azazel lineage.

At first glance, she seemed conceited and rough. But her personality was completely opposite to what people believed. She was somewhat aggressive when addressing people, but those who knew her more deeply knew that she was an incredible friend to have. She did not seek to leave anyone behind but rather inspired her peers to follow their dreams. Of course, her approach to some students was very blunt and sometimes scared them, but there were others who took courage and got to know the great demon that she was.

There were certain demons who still considered her to be a bad person, but she simply ignored them. If there were demons who wanted to follow their ambitions, she would always help them. All of them had the goal of forming a new Netherworld, and Ameri would make sure they reached their full potential.

She met many classmates who had interesting traits. Demons who always caught her attention because of certain details. But one new student was able to capture all her attention. A boy with blue hair, wearing the classic school uniform and a gold ring on his finger, suddenly appeared in the classroom.

What was so special about this boy? He couldn't speak.

The teacher told them that he was mute. According to Mr. Sullivan, he was someone who could not communicate verbally. The only way he could express himself was through sign language or his notebook. The boy was strange to everyone in the classroom, so it was difficult for him to adapt to his new classmates.

Almost everyone stayed away from him because of how odd he acted. At first glance, he didn't seem to fit in with the group of demons that made up those classrooms. He had very small wings, was very reserved, and his appearance had been very sudden. No one expected Sullivan, one of the Three Greats, to have a grandson. Either Sullivan had hidden his existence very well, or he was a demon brought by force from who knows where. Either way, he was now part of Ameri's classroom.

Many students thought they could take advantage of the new kid, but he wasn’t weak. He was not someone who started fights, but he could easily defend himself against attacks from many demons who tried to abuse him, and he even managed to knock a boy into a tree trunk when the latter tried to hit him from behind. The boy went to the hospital, humiliated for being defeated by someone who didn't even try to attack him. It was as if he had a sixth sense that allowed him to see all the danger around him.

From that moment on, Iruma walked alone. No one bothered him, but no one wanted to talk to him either. But Ameri had a certain interest in him. It was the first time she had seen a mute demon, especially one with behavior that made him special among the demons in her classroom. He seemed innocent, but he knew how to defend himself; he seemed foolish, but he could cast some advanced spells for his age.

These were remarkable achievements in such a short time, but they didn't seem to fit with his personality. This prompted Ameri to start investigating him, wanting to know what Iruma was really like. It was impossible for his identity to have been hidden for long, knowing that he was Sullivan's grandson.

For weeks, she looked for an opportunity to talk to him. But Iruma didn't show up during school breaks, so she could only see him in the classroom, and there it was impossible to talk to him because he always kept his distance from everyone. The teachers assigned him special individual tasks, so he had no contact with his classmates.

He didn't know if that was at Sullivan's request or because the teachers were afraid that Iruma would hurt more students. Even so, her chances of talking to him were slim. She couldn't even find him at the exit because Iruma's carriage always arrived on time and left quickly with Sullivan's security demon.

But her lucky day came. That day there was a written test, and one of the rules was that once the exam was over, students could leave the classroom until the test time was over. Ameri finished the exam quickly as it was an easy one, so she left the classroom. But before opening the door, she looked at Iruma's seat. He wasn't there, which meant he had finished his exam fast too.

Ameri had to seize that opportunity. She walked quickly through the school to find her classmate, searching every corner of the place and even sneaking through certain areas where students were not allowed.

It took a few minutes, but she finally found him. There, under a tree behind the cleaning shed, was the boy who was a complete enigma in his classroom. After seeing his location, she understood why she had never been able to find him. He was in a blind spot that could only be seen from a certain angle. The shadow of the tree was also key to hiding him from anyone who might be looking for him.

She approached him slowly. He was focused on a book he was holding. Even outside the classroom, he continued to study.

“Suzuki Iruma?” she said.

Her voice made the boy jump in fright. He suddenly stood up, turning to see where the voice was coming from. After seeing Ameri, he hid behind the tree.

“Hey, relax. I'm not here to hit you.”

She knew she could be intimidating to certain students, but she had no ill intentions toward Iruma. However, the boy didn't share her perspective, not after his bad experiences in his classroom. Ameri tried to approach him, but he just moved to the other side of the tree to avoid her.

She could tell that he was afraid to interact with his classmates. Therefore, she decided to find a way to change his mind. She took a piece of candy out of her pocket and offered it to Iruma.

“Look, I'll give you some candy.”

She put it on the ground and took a few steps back, waiting for him to eat the candy. He slowly approached and, after picking it up, opened it very carefully, still suspicious of the girl in front of him.

However, once he ate the candy, he smiled. It seemed he liked it. With a gesture, he told her to wait there and took a small notebook and pencil out of his pocket. He wrote a short word and showed it to Ameri.

“Thank you.” That was all she read.

Ameri was relieved to know that her first impression with that demon had gone well. She approached him with more confidence, as Iruma no longer seemed so afraid of her.

“My name is Ameri. Although I think you already know me...” she said, offering him her hand.

However, she stopped talking when she focused her gaze on the cover of the book that Iruma had left on the tree.

“You read about imaginary beings too?!”

The girl had never been a fan of that subject, but she still approached the boy's book out of curiosity. Iruma did nothing to stop her, just letting her grab the book and look at what he was reading.

She didn't know that he was someone who was interested in the topic of humans. Most of the demons in her classroom weren't interested in that subject, considering them only food and a myth; there was nothing more to explore. She didn't give it much thought either, because there were more important things to focus on.

But Iruma seemed to be studying those beings in greater depth, as she could tell from the small notes he made on the images and certain paragraphs. His handwriting was somewhat confusing, as if he was learning to write the language of the Netherworld. However, she could understand what he was writing with some effort.

She thought her father was the only crazy demon who believed in the existence of humans. But now it seemed that there was another demon who had the same thoughts as Henri. If Iruma was already someone remarkable and unique at school, this made him even more special among everyone else. It was further confirmation of her theories that Iruma was a rare demon.

“Do you believe in humans? My dad always says that humans are real. But I don't think that's true.”

Iruma wrote something in his notebook again and showed it to Ameri.

“He's right. They are fantastic beings,” the paper said.

“How can you be so sure of that?” she asked.

For a moment, Iruma felt nervous. Ameri didn't know what she had said, but she could sense the change in his emotions. In an instant, the boy quickly wrote something in his notebook and showed it to Ameri.

“I read it.”

Ameri just laughed. It was strange to think that Iruma believed in humans based on just one book.

“Oh, Iruma. Well, at least you're not the only demon who believes in humans. Did you know that my father has also told me stories about them? You might be interested in hearing them.”

Iruma nodded, and after that, the two children sat down in the tree to talk. It was a time when they both “debated” about their existence. It was difficult to have a continuous conversation because Iruma only communicated with his notebook and gestures, so they could only discuss superficial topics.

But that didn't bother Ameri. She managed to get closer to Iruma and saw that he wasn't a bad demon, he just had a bad first impression of the school. Therefore, she had a new goal: to make him feel comfortable in the classroom and make him become an outstanding demon like the rest of the students.

Or so she thought. In reality, she just wanted a reason to be close to him. Iruma was a special demon, and she wanted to know what made him stand out in certain things that seemed impossible due to his lack of voice and reserved personality.

They spent a long time together, until the bell rang, signaling that everyone should return to the classroom. The exam was over, and it was time to check if they had answered the questions correctly.

Ameri helped Iruma stand up and clean his uniform so it wouldn't be so dirty. He thanked her with a curious gesture; he put his hand near his chin and then moved it forward quickly. For Iruma, it was a sign of gratitude, but for Ameri, it looked like a kiss.

For a moment, she blushed, but she decided not to think about it anymore.

“H-hey, how about we continue talking tomorrow? If you want to, that is.”

It was too soon to ask him to talk as if they were close friends. But it seemed that she had made a good first impression on Iruma. She saw Iruma take out his notebook and write something that made her smile.

“Sure. I'll wait for you.”

Ameri may have met many demons at her elementary school, but she never thought that Iruma would be the demon with whom she would have the closest and most trusting relationship.

Although communication was a notable problem between them, that didn't stop them from forging a beautiful friendship. Their first interactions involved expressing their hobbies and favorite things, then they began to discuss topics from their classroom subjects, and later, they would meet to share food and have fun in what Iruma called “dates.”

Ameri had some trouble trying to understand sign language and Iruma's notes, but little by little she began to learn what the boy was trying to express.

The result? A delightful time with a special demon like Iruma.

That tree where they first met became special to the duo. It became their happy place. Ameri still kept her goals clear at school, but she always reserved a space to be with Iruma, even if it was only fifteen minutes a day. And as the years passed, she got to know a demon of great values who not only listened to her attentively and gave her advice, but also shared facts about his life that many didn’t know.

From what she understood about Iruma, he had been born in a distant part of the Netherworld, an area beyond the tribes of the many-ears, and had come because his grandpa wanted to spend more time with him.

Iruma said he had grown up in a somewhat harsh environment where he had to work every day to eat and even told her that he didn't know about things like recess, candy, or lunchboxes. He told her that his grandpa had given him the opportunity to live with him, and that was where he discovered new things that impressed him.

When Ameri asked why his friends weren't helping him, he said that she was his first friend. He never met other children where he used to live, only adults.

His stories had some inconsistencies, such as the fact that he had lived in an isolated area of the Netherworld when he had the privilege of living in Sullivan's mansion. Or the fact that he said his early years were horrible, but now he was studying with an elite group from the Netherworld. But that was something she shouldn't dwell on too much. What mattered was knowing how he was able to accomplish great feats.

She learned how he was able to dodge many dangers thanks to his Overwhelming Crisis Evasion Capability, and she also discovered that he was someone who could eat almost as much as ten students. Iruma explained that it was simply experience and concentration. But Ameri suspected that it might be something else. All of these were interesting facts that Ameri recorded, facts that she compared with other students and that made her see that Iruma had incredible potential to achieve great goals in the future.

Until Iruma revealed a secret that made Ameri focus all her attention on him. During one of their recesses, she showed him something very special that her family had. A volume of her favorite manga, “First Love Memories”, a book her father had given her to entertain herself. However, even though it was a book with pictures, the dialogues and sentences were in a language she could never understand.

“Let me translate it for you” Iruma wrote in his notebook. Ameri handed him her manga, confused by the boy's words.

And that's when Iruma began to tell her what each word in the book meant. She compared what he wrote in his notebook with the pictures, and everything made sense. The whole story of Kakero and Rin made sense, and she couldn't help but blush at finally knowing what the texts in her sacred books said.

He explained that it was the human language. When she asked how he knew that, he got nervous but quickly wrote the following.

“I learned it from books where I used to live.”

Everything made sense to Ameri. Iruma might be mute, but that's why he must have learned many languages, including human ones, even though it was a language of imaginary beings. She knew there were languages of other beings, but she never expected anyone to master the human one perfectly.

There was no doubt about it: she was in the presence of a prodigious genius, and thanks to him, she could now understand everything in her books. Those fifteen minutes turned into hours spent by his side, and those books became the core of their closeness for several years. 

From that moment on, she began to read with him the volumes she secretly brought to school. She even invited him to her house at times to read with him in her library, where Iruma learned how crazy Henri could be and how incredible Ameri was in general. At first, he thought she would be intimidating, but she turned out to be the most wonderful girl he had ever met in his entire life.

The years passed and their time in elementary school was coming to an end. But that didn't mean they were going to be separated.

They would both go to Babyls, where they would study to become important, high-ranking demons. They were both overjoyed when they found out they would be at the same school. Their friendship might face serious obstacles, but it seemed that fate was giving them miracles so they could stay together.

That afternoon, they were at recess. They had finished reading a cooking session between Kakero and Rin while eating some chocolates that Henri always gave Ameri for school.

“I always wonder why my dad doesn't want me to make the chocolates. He liked my cake, so I should be the one making the chocolates for him and my friends.”

Iruma wrote something in his notebook, showing it to Ameri once he was done.

“I'm sure he doesn't want you to get too dirty.”

“I think you're right. My dad always wants the best for me.”

It was funny to think that Iruma was the most decent boy in their entire classroom. Obviously, there were demons who wanted to pursue their ambitions, but they were sometimes foolish and conceited. Ameri could inspire them to move forward, but some had no honor and cheated in many things or disrupted the order of the school. They even went so far as to want to start violence because of the foolish idea of returning to their origins.

Iruma wasn’t like that. He was ambitious, but moderate and kind to everyone. He helped the rest and at the same time inspired her to keep going, even though she couldn't hear him. Those gestures earned him a lot of points in his favor. That's why Ameri always loved spending time with him.

However, she noticed that there were things that sometimes scared him, such as the discussion about the existence of humans. For some reason, he would get nervous when Ameri mentioned it, but she made sure to calm him down. He even got scared the first time he revealed that he could understand human language. It was as if it was something he didn't want to bring to light, but it seemed that his desire to help Ameri was stronger than his secret. She assured him that there was nothing to fear, that there were no humans in the Netherworld.

Although there were times when she suspected that he was a human. However, it was an unfounded idea because Iruma's skills in magic made it impossible for him to be a weak being like humans. Besides, talking to her father, the border with the human world was closed. It was impossible for anyone to cross the barrier knowing that you had to be of a very high rank to pass immigration control.

In the end, she managed to believe in humans. But only a little. However, she thought that there were none in the Netherworld at that moment.

She continued talking about the chapter they had read, pointing out that they had to convince Henri so they could cook some chocolate. She even mentioned some previous chapters and complained about Sayo's presence for getting in the way of a beautiful love story like Kakero and Rin's. Her reviews were verbal essays; great argumentation and emotion in the tone of her voice.

A while later, she realized that she had been talking for quite a few minutes straight, so she turned her head to see if she had bored Iruma. But he was there, his blue eyes fixed on her and a cute smile on his face.

However, he seemed to have frozen. She moved slightly to one side, out of his field of vision, and the boy remained in the same position. She snapped her fingers in front of him, thinking she had made him fall asleep with his eyes open.

“Are you ok, Iruma?”

Iruma awoke from his trance. He simply nodded his head in response to his friend's question. Still, she didn't want to overwhelm her friend, knowing that he was mute. Iruma also had the right to express his thoughts.

“I wasn't making you bored with my review, was I?”

Ameri hoped he would make a simple nod or some hand gestures that would make her feel at ease. However, out of nowhere, her friend blushed when he looked directly at her. Something happened inside his head so that he had no idea what to say to her.

Iruma took out his notebook, wanting to write something to her, but the most unexpected moment came for him. He ran out of pages to write on. There was no more space to write a single word.

Ameri told him not to worry and to try to say what was going on with sign language. She felt she had enough experience to know what her friend wanted to say. The boy started pointing at Ameri but stopped after a second to think of something else.

“Is there dust on my uniform?”

His signs were very confusing, not very clear because of the pauses he made. Iruma then began to extend his hand forward, tapping his chest lightly. Then he moved his hand to his stomach, as if trying to find the right sign to show.

“Are you hungry, Iruma?”

It didn't seem like she was close to the answer, not when Iruma shook his head in response. Ameri didn't know what was wrong with her friend; it was strange that he had forgotten how to express himself with signs.

Ameri then gave him a piece of her notebook so he could write down what was on his mind. Iruma took a small breath and wrote a short sentence. He handed it to her to read, covering his face.

“You look beautiful, Ameri. You look like Rin.” She read it on the paper.

Those words were enough to make Ameri blush as red as a tomato, just like Iruma. She had received many compliments and flattery in her life, but this time, the fact that it came from Iruma was something more special to her. Her heart began to race, and she started to feel butterflies inside her.

She didn't understand what was happening inside her. The only thought that crossed her mind was the image of her dressed as Rin and Iruma dressed as Kakero in front of her house.

“W-wow... D-do I really look b-beautiful?”

Iruma nodded, his face still covered.

It was at that moment that the recess bell rang, signaling that it was time for everyone to return to class.

“T-the bell rang! I'll go back to class! I'll see you there!”

Ameri quickly grabbed her book and things and walked away, leaving Iruma behind. She didn't know whether to feel excited or weird. Iruma had told her she looked beautiful, the boy who had impressed her with his skills claimed that she looked like Rin.

For a moment, the image of Iruma as Kakero flashed through her mind again. She didn't know what was happening, but it was a feeling that was making her feel elated. She didn't want the adrenaline rush of that moment to end, but after reaching the classroom door, she did her best to act normally.

Many things were going through Ameri's mind. But she never imagined that Iruma was actually dreaming of living a chapter of “First Love Memories” with her.

“I knew I'd find you here.”

Ameri didn't need to search all over Babyls to know where Iruma would go after school. There he was, sitting with two cups of tea and some cookies, ready for his daily reading session with his girlfriend. Always in the Student Council room, their new happy place.

When she arrived, they kissed and hugged. Those gestures were brief, but it was enough for them to regain all the energy they had lost in all their schoolwork.

“Haven't you had any problems with Kalego and his classes? He's been paying a lot of attention to his class recently,” she commented as they separated.

Iruma shook his head. With hand signals and silent letters, he explained that the courses were easy to handle and that he had already made some new friends, such as Alice Asmodeus and Valac Clara.

“I don't know why I’m worried. You're amazing, Iruma.”

The duo’s arrival at Babyls had had a small mishap. Due to a fight Iruma had with Alice, he was now in the Misfits Class, a class totally different from the one Ameri was in. Therefore, unlike elementary school, this time she could only see him during breaks and after class.

However, that didn't end up being a major obstacle. Babyls was very flexible in certain schedules, and although the class pressure was significant, that didn't mean they put students in defenseless positions. Interaction with classmates was part of the school's teaching policy, and this was evident in the batoras.

Ameri was the first to experience this when she joined the student council batora, and later became its president due to her strong character and motivating personality with all the students. Those qualities that accompanied her as a child were still useful and very remarkable to the teachers.

Iruma, for his part, ended up joining another batora, but since the Student Council supervised the other batoras, this gave Ameri opportunities to meet with Iruma and talk about how they were doing in class. Therefore, they were not so far apart.

And after discovering that the student council had a special room, they both planned to continue their dates in that room doing what they loved so much. Reading Ameri's manga while learning new ways to communicate.

In the school hallways, Ameri still maintained the strong and intimidating image that many had of her since elementary school. But after classes were over, with Iruma she unleashed the true demon she was. A demon who sought a simple love story and goals that involved helping her family and loved ones. With him, she could feel comfortable and was confident that he listened to her even though he had difficulty expressing himself.

Even so, despite the passage of time, Ameri never ceased to be amazed by Iruma's abilities. It was already incredible that the boy could take on strong demons in hand-to-hand combat, but she didn't expect him to have faced a star student like Asmodeus on his first day. He had beaten him in fair combat, and although they were taken to the principal's office, she could tell that Iruma was quickly making a name for himself.

He started by rising through the ranks almost instantly, managed to grow a rare plant at school, and even invented something called “fireworks.” Ameri was right to think he was someone exceptional. And she was happy to see him progress, because her inspiration managed to reach her boyfriend.

At times, she wondered if he was really a demon for having such power and luck. But he couldn't be someone out of the ordinary. She had known him perfectly well since elementary school.

They both settled into their seats, this time with her recording the session to understand every gesture Iruma made on each page of the manga. That way, Ameri learned new signs and words so that Iruma wouldn't have so many interruptions from her; plus, she had a nice memory of the two of them.

“So here you're telling me that Rin told Kakero she wanted a piece of cake from the store, but since she didn't have the money, she was embarrassed. However, he told her not to worry and paid for the cake, giving her a kiss to tell her to enjoy it, right?”

Iruma's gestures involved placing his hand like a claw on his stomach, moving his other hand down his face with a downcast look, and lightly tapping his fist on his other hand. To someone who didn't know about Iruma's condition, he would look like a madman.

But Ameri clearly understood what he meant. Iruma nodded after seeing that Ameri's interpretation was perfect.

“I knew Kakero was a gentleman! He always wants the best for Rin!”

Iruma could sense his girlfriend's excitement with every chapter she brought to school. He didn't know how many volumes she had, but there was no doubt that it was a number that went beyond four digits. However, he didn't complain. It was an excuse to spend more time with her. Seeing her smile was enough to make his afternoon entertaining. She was his motivation and the reason he had more confidence in Babyls even though he was mute.

It was incredible to think that she would be his closest friend, his ally, his soul mate. He considered it a miracle that she was the first one who had tried to get to know him more deeply. Sometimes Iruma wanted to thank her for everything she did for him with his own voice, even to tell her directly that he loved her and that she looked beautiful like Rin.

Or to reveal to her the deepest secret he had: the fact that he was human.

But for now, the kisses and gestures he made were enough to express his love and the true person he was. And she received them with great tenderness. He never thought his heart would end up captivated by Ameri, but there it was. She was his guide, and at the same time, he guided her in a language that said more than a thousand words.

Neither of them knew what life had in store for them, but no matter what barriers the world put in their way, they would be together until death separated them. If they had overcome Iruma's condition, they would be able to create the love story they had longed for from the bottom of their hearts.

Chapter Text

He knew that being a teacher at Babyls would be a huge challenge, but he was willing to accept it for the sake of the Netherworld and for the honor of his family.

And after spending two years there, he realized that all his efforts were paying off. His mistakes in teaching the basic school subjects were now minimal, he had earned the respect of his students, and he felt more confident when teaching his classes. He was no longer the nervous Kalego who entered Babyls and was manipulated by any student.

Although there were times when Kalego just wanted to sleep eight hours or relax at Lady Levi's water park.

“I want to rest,” he muttered to himself.

That job came with significant costs. From reduced sleep hours to staff meetings to hours beyond the normal schedule, being a teacher at Babyls was hard work. He even had to be on the lookout for certain rebellious students who could unleash their evil cycle in the middle of class. He had to be constantly alert to any danger that threatened his treasures, and although all of that was a challenge he had wholeheartedly accepted, sometimes he felt like giving up.

That day, he had finished the final preparations for the new school year. He was lucky that the principal had sent him to teach in the general classrooms and that he had fewer courses to teach, but even so, he had to prepare the syllabus and activities designed to meet the school's competences.

It took him a whole week, a week where he got little sleep and drank a lot of tea, but he had finally done it. He presented the entire report to Sullivan and Momonoki, and they approved it with just a few comments. He had done a good job, and before he left the office, Sullivan wished him the best of luck for tomorrow with his usual enthusiasm.

As evening fell, Kalego just wanted to go to his apartment and get some early sleep. He didn't want to be late for the start of the new school year, but at that moment, his body wasn't responding. He had been moving around nonstop and hadn't been hydrating, so he needed a short break before he could safely fly home.

He entered the staff room, meeting some of his colleagues and greeted them briefly. He slumped into his chair, feeling the weight of exhaustion wash over his shoulders. He could already see the new wave of stress that was about to descend upon him, but he was happy to see new students eager to learn.

At that moment, however, there was another reason for his good mood: she had congratulated him. He was happy that Momonoki, his supervisor, had told him he had done a good job. She always said those words in the coldest, most direct way when he successfully completed his duties, but for Kalego, that was enough to light up his heart. This time was no exception. When he heard her approval of his study plan, his heart felt a huge relief.

Balam considered Kalego crazy at first because he accepted Momonoki's treatment as normal. From one day to the next, he went from being afraid of her to wanting to be around her more, even accompanying her to the extra sessions she had with certain students who had failed some exams. The two talked frequently, or at least that's what Balam tried to see, because he noticed his friend was nervous every time he was with Momonoki.

Until, putting the pieces together, he came to the most obvious conclusion possible. Kalego was in love with Momonoki. When he asked him about it, Kalego didn't even last two minutes before admitting it, although he couldn't even try to lie when his friend could tell when he was trying to deceive him. Balam smiled after discovering his friend's secret, and from that moment on, he was behind him, helping him to be more confident around her.

Time passed, and two years later, he felt that Momonoki was his Lilith. He had discovered the type of girl he was attracted to, despite having had a somewhat awkward and terrifying first encounter with her. But that antagonistic Momonoki no longer existed for him. Now she was a charming and strong woman who sought the same goal as him in Babyls; but with special details that Kalego couldn't describe.

“Professor Kalego?”

Kalego quickly recognized that female voice, which made him raise his head and sit up straighter in his chair.

“P-Professor Momonoki! I-I didn't expect to see you at this hour.” He felt embarrassed knowing that she had seen him in such a relaxed position.

“I'm surprised you forgot that I have some pending duties. I must review the latest instructions for the newbie who will be teaching the familiars class tomorrow.”

Kalego had no answer for his superior. He was too tired to give her a clearer answer, so he let her go to her personal desk and complete her last duties before going home. However, his nerves didn’t disappear.

It was both a blessing and a curse that her desk and his were next to each other. Only a cubicle separated them, but every day they were in constant conversation, and that made Kalego even more nervous. Momonoki couldn't see that insecure teacher, however.

At least those insecurities were about love and no longer about teaching. Once again, the teacher looked down as he gathered his energy to finally go home.

Even after two years, he couldn't have a clear conversation with her. But he was surprised that even so, she was able to write an exclusive chapter about him in her family's books. It didn't matter if his words came out hesitantly, she could grasp every detail about him and highlight it for him to consider for his personal growth. It was an amazing discovery that she was excited to have someone she could teach personally. He hadn't believed Balam at first, but when she confirmed that it was true, he couldn't help but faint.

Momonoki could be intimidating, but she was honest in what she said and wrote. Perhaps that had made Kalego fall even more in love with her.

There was no conversation between them for a few minutes. On the one hand, Momonoki didn't speak because she could see that Kalego was tired. She wasn't going to waste his breath while he was recovering. On the other hand, Kalego didn't know how to continue the conversation. He wanted to at least see what plans she had for tomorrow, but he had no idea what to say without making her feel uncomfortable.

Until the moment came when the ice broke. Momonoki got up from her seat and started looking for something among her things.

“By the way, I have something for you.”

Kalego looked up when he heard those words from Momonoki.

“F-for me?”

“Yes, for you.”

Unlike Kalego, she continued to show that firm pose in both her words and her figure. As she searched for what she wanted to give Kalego, the professor's mind began to fail and burn internally.

“A-a gift from her?”

His thoughts immediately turned to the idea of a gift from Momonoki. It didn't even cross his mind that she might give him a warning letter or even a souvenir she had received from the director. It was strange to think that she had something to give him, especially since she wasn't someone who gave gifts to her colleagues.

As his mind tried to find answers on how to react, Momonoki snapped her fingers in front of him.

“Hey, are you there?”

The young teacher snapped out of his trance and returned to reality.

“Oh, yes, yes.”

“Here.”

Momonoki handed him a small purple box with a little note on top. Kalego took it and the first thing he did was read the note on top.

“Good job, Kalego. Thank you for your service to future generations.”

That little piece of paper was small, but it was enough to make his heart leap with joy and feel like he was floating on air. She had genuinely congratulated him with a gift.

“I-Is this for me?”

“Yes, you deserve it. Balam has been informing me of your progress. It's clear that you are dedicated to taking care of our treasures. Besides, they always say that you need an incentive to keep going, right? Maybe this will help you regain some energy.”

Kalego opened the box and found a handful of seasonal candies and toffees. He didn't know how much it had cost Momonoki, but he was sure those sweets weren't cheap. For a moment, he wanted to tell her he didn't deserve it, but Momonoki's gaze said he had earned it.

While Momonoki waited for Kalego to try the sweets, he didn't know how to thank her. He slowly opened the wrappers and began to eat them slowly, feeling a paradise of emotions inside his mouth. They were delicious. He continued to eat them with a small smile, feeling his energy returning to his body. He didn't know if it was because of the sweets or because the gift was from Momonoki.

“Thank you very much, Professor Momonoki.”

“You're welcome, Kalego. It's nice to know that you were able to challenge your fears and are now keeping pace with the rest of us.”

Balam was right when he said that he had grown a lot since he met him. But Kalego would not have gotten very far as a teacher if it hadn't been for Momonoki's teachings. Those sweets were like a special prize for him, and a very exclusive one, knowing how antagonistic she was with almost all the Babyls staff.

“You know, it would be great to go back to those days when I first started teaching at Babyls. I mean, I miss it a little when you guided me through my first classes and wrote things about me to help me improve my guidance with the students. You've been fantastic to me, and I want you to know that you're the best thing that ever happened to me...”

Kalego thought for a moment about what he had said and realized he had said too much. Momonoki could be a little naïve with love topics and didn't draw any additional conclusions, but Kalego knew what he had meant by those last words. 

However, this didn’t make Momonoki feel uncomfortable. She approached him and touched his shoulder lightly, showing a smile that only a few demons could see.

“Believe me, if I could teach you again, I would do so without hesitation.”

The professor was captivated by Momonoki's image.

“R-really?”

"Yes, but you've already proven yourself capable of teaching with simplicity and getting students interested in your classes. I don't think you need my help anymore. Rather, there may come a time when you teach me something new for the classes. Knowledge is infinite, you know?"

Those compliments, combined with Momonoki's small smile, made Kalego blush and lower his face slightly.

“Are you ok, Kalego?”

“Y-Yes!” I-I'm fine, j-just a little tired."

Having her so close to him was enough to make his heart leap with excitement. He could smell her perfume, he could see the sparkle in her blue eyes more clearly, and he could see a demon who was almost never seen in the school hallways. A relaxed and cheerful Momonoki, someone he could consider a friend.

Momonoki was beautiful. But little by little, he realized that calling her “friend” wasn’t enough. He couldn't deny that he had fallen in love with her after everything she had done for him.

“Would you like some candy, Professor Momonoki?” Kalego took a piece of candy from the box, offering it to his superior while keeping his gaze down.

“Don't worry. I don't like sweets.”

Momonoki let go of his shoulder and let Kalego continue eating the candy. He deserved it after a long day of work, although she knew that both she and he had much more to do ahead of them.

However, she was relieved to see that he was ready for tomorrow. That was enough to get off on the right foot. It seemed that Balam was right when he told her that Kalego needed motivation, and it was more meaningful if it came from Momonoki.

“Well, I must take care of a few things for the director. I'll go see him in his office. If you need anything, just let me know. Now, if you excuse me.”

She headed for the exit of the teachers' lounge, briefly saying goodbye to her colleagues who were there and went to see the principal. Only when she left, he was able to say something.

“T-thank you.”

He continued eating the sweets with great pleasure, feeling his soul return to his body. He now had enough energy to start the school year tomorrow, and he would be happy to continue showing Momonoki that he was now an excellent teacher thanks to her.

But what lifted his spirits the most was seeing that smile and feeling that angelic touch on his shoulder. He was happy to be one of the few demons who could see that hidden side of the demon that she was.

“What a horrible day.”

She usually had tough days, but they could be improved slightly with some extra effort and by following the rules of the book. But this time, her day had been truly terrible. 

After arriving at the residential building, the first thing she did was rest her wings for a moment. She wanted to catch her breath after her classes, and she didn't want him to see her looking haggard. She climbed the stairs slowly, thinking about everything that had happened that day. A few minutes later, she was at Kalego's apartment. Or rather, her new home.

She opened the door with her key and was greeted by Kalego, who was doing some gardening.

“Hi honey, how was your day?” he asked after seeing her.

“Terrible. If it's not those kids giving me a headache, it's the principal and the rest of our colleagues making the atmosphere very uncomfortable.”

At least she was relieved to know that Kalego had taken care of her cacti and watered them as she had told him to. It was a pleasure to know that there was a demon who understood her instructions perfectly, because some of her friends didn't understand the precise care required for those plants and sometimes ended up damaging them. Luckily, Kalego wasn't like that, and this time, he brought her happiness on that totally gray day.

Sullivan decided to reduce her salary by another 10% on a whim, her students managed to pass their exams despite having been completely distracted during the semester, and certain colleagues had been making fun of her teaching philosophies. Sometimes she felt that no one at Babyls took her seriously, even though they only told her that she should be more “free and relaxed” so that she would feel better about herself.

She felt that her work was ineffective and that her position would be in jeopardy the following semester. But Kalego assured her that no one was acting in bad faith toward her; they just wanted her to get along better with everyone.

“Come on, they're not bad people, they just want you to join in with them. You know, talk to them without getting too angry or giving exams that are a little more acceptable to the students.”

“I'm surprised how you can put up with our colleagues. And no, I won't change my teaching methods at all.”

The problem wasn't that she couldn't teach demons. The problem was that Sullivan had made the school more liberal and fun, more friendly for his grandson Iruma. His reforms were contrary to Momonoki's ideas, but she had to get used to them. Obviously, that didn't mean she shouldn't impose order in the classrooms, but the changes in the batoras, teaching methods, schedules, among other things, made it difficult for Momonoki to adapt to the principal's tastes and the new generations.

During those two years of changes brought thanks to the director's grandson, she had some terrible days, including today. But incredibly, she found a way out thanks to Kalego.

The young teacher made sure his girlfriend sat at his table and put a small coat on her so she wouldn't feel so cold from outside. He started making some tea, knowing Momonoki's tastes. She did nothing to avoid his gestures; she was simply impressed by how careful he was with her.

Momonoki could have stayed in an exclusive and luxurious room in the teachers' dormitories at Babyls thanks to her grandfather. But it wasn't the same comfort as when she was at Kalego's apartment. She accepted a smaller room at the school in cases where she had to stay for important meetings, which was only very exceptional. Other than that, she stayed with Kalego every week.

She didn't mind flying all the way to Babyls with her boyfriend; at least with him by her side, she felt she wouldn't be alone in that amusement park.

“These kids in the Misfits Class are crazy. And I don't know why I keep showing those videos of the principal. It's so embarrassing.”

Kalego gave her a little kiss on the forehead as he left a cup of tea on her desk. He wanted to see her calm down, but he also understood her position.

“Everything is fine, honey. Always have faith in your students. I'm sure you'll get some of them to change.”

“You're very optimistic, Kalego,” she said.

“Well, you've trained many star students. You're a great teacher, sweetheart. You just need to take it slowly and discover new ways of relating to your students.”

She still remembered the day he asked her to be his girlfriend. After three years of knowing him, she never thought he would want a serious relationship with her, especially when she recognized that she had certain flaws and was ignorant about certain aspects of love. She could have said no, but Kalego sounded sincere when he mentioned that she was his Lilith. Between laughs and insecurities, she agreed to be his girlfriend, and they began a small relationship while guiding their treasures.

It was the best decision she ever made.

Little by little, Momonoki began to discover new things in her life. She began to see Kalego differently than when she first met him. An inspiring and optimistic demon, someone who was charitable to the students and empathetic to everyone he met. Although she had her book and notes about Kalego, seeing his softer and cuter side made her realize that she still had new things to learn about him that he had kept hiding.

Sometimes she wondered how he could stand her. He knew she had to be strict and attentive in her work, to have a clear determination to avoid letting her guard down. She could sense that this earned her negative points with her colleagues and some students. It was even understandable if Kalego still feared her somewhat after her demanding supervision during his early years at Babyls.

But Kalego didn't care; he said he genuinely wanted to be with her. He wanted to grow up with her, have a family with her, teach future generations of the Netherworld with her. Momonoki could tell when someone was sincere in their words, and when she heard this from Kalego, she decided to give him a chance. And he kept his promise; he listened to her complaints, gave her advice on how to look less scary, and even rewarded her with some tea when he saw Sullivan congratulating her.

The situation had changed. Momonoki had taught Kalego to be a good teacher. Now he was teaching her how to be happy and see the positive side of life.

After finishing her tea, all she wanted to do was sleep. Although she had fewer classes tomorrow, she had to see Iruma and his classmates again. She said she needed every second of sleep she could get to be able to endure them. Kalego sometimes laughed at how exaggerated his girlfriend was, but he understood her. They both wanted their treasures to progress in life.

“I'm not bothering you with this, am I?” asked Momonoki.

“Not at all. I assure you that tomorrow will be a better day, and if you want, I can convince Sullivan to give you a raise again,” replied Kalego.

“Don't waste your energy on that, Kalego. You're too optimistic to think I'll be able to get used to that idiot director's pace.”

“Of course you can. As someone once told me, knowledge is infinite. There are always ways for you to reach the student with the principal's methodology. Besides, I'm going to ask Sullivan anyway. You're one of my treasures, and I’m not going to let someone ruin what belongs to me.”

Kalego approached her, kissing her on the cheek and then hugging her so she wouldn't feel alone in that situation. Those words and gestures were enough to make her blush. Momonoki was never one to express deep feelings, but Kalego was always able to bring out that hidden side of her.

She looked at Kalego and realized what an incredible demon he was. A demon with great teaching skills, someone who was empathetic and understanding with everyone he knew, with an elegant demeanor and always with his short purple hair that she could never get out of her head.

After spending some time together, they both went their separate ways and got ready for the night. It was a slow but comfortable routine compared to the pace they had at school. Kalego still had a few things to do, but he didn't want Momonoki to be stressed out for tomorrow, so he made sure she went to sleep.

Once she was ready, he began to carefully arrange her head and make sure the sheets covered her entire body. Momonoki laughed at how exaggerated his protective methods were, but she didn't complain. At least there was someone who genuinely loved her and wanted to see her well.

Kalego kissed her on the lips, and she received them with great affection. The little affection she only expressed in front of him.

“Rest well honey, you deserve it,” Kalego said.

He stepped away to let his girlfriend sleep, and once she was alone, she closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep. She never thought she would find a happy place in Kalego, nor would she ever have imagined that she would now be a student at the school of life.

But that was the cycle of life. And she was happy that it was Kalego who was now her guide. She had taught him well, and she was proud to see how he was now a perfect demon.

Her perfect demon. And the one that would be forever with her.

Chapter Text

As a famous singer once said, “There is no woman without a wound, nor man who does not lie.” True love does not exist in all cases, and in a world that has grown in an unequal way, one party always ends up worse off than the other. One party is betrayed and sad, while the other is happy and goes on to find another victim.

She thought that throwing all those things in the trash would help calm her down, but it had the opposite effect.

Her anger increased, and memories of those days came flooding back into her head. Memories of that person who broke her heart and left her adrift. She wanted to cry in peace, but she couldn't do it in the middle of the school hallway. Besides, she still had more things to get rid of.

Except for a few janitors and certain students who had extra classes, she was lucky that no one witnessed her sad figure at that moment. What she didn't understand was why she had stayed after class. She told herself it was because she wanted to keep herself distracted to avoid remembering him, or because if she went home, her anxiety would kill her. But what she was doing was counterproductive to her goals; she kept remembering him, and her anxiety was overwhelming her in a place far from home.

Momonoki told her that she would be there to help her. She listened to her cries and broken words during all those days, hugging her friend and assuring her that she would not let her suffer. She encouraged her to go to school, accompanied her during every break, and made sure she took good care of herself. Raim stood out for being a beautiful girl, and Momonoki wasn't going to let her beauty be destroyed by someone who didn't know how to appreciate her.

But it wasn't enough. Raim still felt alone.

It wasn't enough that her first ex had cheated on her, but now her second partner had done the same. Both with the same results, with a girl who felt betrayed and realized that it didn't matter how good she was at seduction and offering her heart. She had only been a pawn in their eyes. She was a flower that had been wilted and degraded to the maximum.

She had little time left before going to college, and it seemed that everything was against her. It was already serious that she had no idea what to study for her future. But it couldn't be possible that just when she needed the support of her supposed soul mate, she found him cheating on her with someone else.

And she knew that Momonoki couldn't be with her all the time. They were both going to choose different majors in college, so their time together would be significantly reduced.

“I held your fucking hand the whole time, and this is what I get for it?”

Her anger was very noticeable at first glance. Her gaze and her clenched fists were signs that she wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. Especially when her mind was filled not only with images of her ex, but also of the girls who, since she entered school, had caused her nothing but trouble.

They were vain, lacking in awareness, and aggressive toward her to the point of considering her a disgusting girl. No one wanted to talk to Raim; either they considered her incompatible with them or they simply wanted her to be alone so she would have the worst time of her life.

Momonoki always said that those girls were like that because they were jealous of her beauty and her strong personality, which allowed her to advance quickly toward her goals. And although that was partly true, as she had won a small beauty contest that year and had outstanding grades unlike many of her classmates, this time it wasn't enough to alleviate the damage done to her self-esteem.

She felt that she had been left for someone more beautiful than her. She felt that after that, she would be alone against the world. Raim knew that all those girls wanted fate to turn against her. She could imagine that they would have smiled when they found out what happened to her ex.

Except for Momonoki, she hated all those girls.

Sometimes she thought her beauty was both a blessing and a curse. She had fallen in love with two people she found charming, and those two had broken her heart mercilessly. She felt used.

She arrived at her locker after a long walk. She wanted to tie up the loose ends and finally break all ties with him, but at the same time, she couldn't open it because the memories of her ex would come flooding back into her head. She looked for ways to take his gifts and destroy them, but her willpower wasn't as strong as she thought.

She fell to the floor, leaning her back against the lockers and covering her face with her arms. She was lucky that no one was in the hallway; at that moment, she just wanted to be alone. Without anyone criticizing her. Without anyone betraying her.

She cried profusely, not knowing what she had done wrong. She didn't know why everyone hated her. She didn't understand why her rivals were luckier in love; she even thought that in the end those girls were right, she was just a horrible girl compared to them. Her beauty would never shine for anyone; she would just remain a girl who would be used for pleasure and stabbed until the end of time.

“Are you ok?”

A male voice made her lift her head. And the first thing she saw was a huge figure in front of her, disheveled, hunched over, and wearing a mask on his face.

“What do you think?” she said hostilely.

“I don't know, I'm just asking. At this hour, I don't think it's appropriate for you to stay here.”

“You shouldn't be here either.”

For a moment, she wanted to get up and punch him in the face. She wasn't afraid of his size at all; she just wanted to be alone and didn't care if that got her expelled. But it didn't seem like the boy had come to bother her.

She focused her eyes and realized she knew the boy. Or at least, at first glance, she knew of his existence. She tried to remember his name without success, so she focused on the characteristics he was known for.

“Hey, aren't you the guy obsessed with animals and people's bodies?”

“Heh, yeah. I guess.”

“Just what I needed. Some weirdo noticing my sad existence.”

The boy said nothing and just stared at the girl with tears on her face. She didn't seem to want to talk to anyone, but he had come there for a clear reason.

“Why are you here?” she said with all the coldness in the world.

“For this.” He held up a small notebook before handing it to her. “I saw your notebook in the trash while I was recycling. I can tell it was yours because of your signature on the first page and the smell of your perfume that has lingered.”

That notebook was where she had written down notes and experiences she had had with her ex. It was incredible that the boy knew immediately that it was her notebook, although it was also strange that one of the reasons for this was her perfume. Luckily, he seemed to respect her privacy because he didn't seem to know its contents, but the fact that he had brought the notebook to her was enough to make her anger grow.

It seemed that fate hated her to the point that it didn't want her to forget her ex easily. She didn't take the notebook and threw it out of her hands onto the floor.

“Just throw it back in the trash, damn it.”

“Are you sure? It's a nice notebook, and it wouldn't be worth throwing away,” he said as he picked up the notebook again.

For a moment, she wanted to punch him. She was coming out of a breakup, and he was talking nonsense. But she remembered that Momonoki had once told her not to act or say anything she might regret later. She couldn't blame the boy. He didn't know she had broken up with her boyfriend.

“You're so innocent... What was your name?”

“Balam. Balam Shichiro. And you?”

“Just call me Raim.”

She didn't feel like giving him her full name. The last thing she wanted was to give personal information to someone who acted strangely toward everyone. From what little she knew, Balam had a strong obsession with animal research and human anatomy. He went so far as to use overly taboo terms in front of his classmates, and his explanations were very uncomfortable to listen to. Additionally, his hunched posture and the fact that he touched many people out of the blue didn't help. He was simply horrible to look at for many.

“Listen, you don't have to tell me what's going on. I don't think it's something you want to share with me, and I understand that. But at least I want to make sure you get home. School will be closing soon, and I don't want a guard to call your attention.”

“What if I want to stay here?”

“Well, then there's nothing I can do to change your mind. I just came to give you your notebook, but it looks like I'd better get rid of it myself.” Balam sighed. “I'll see you later...”

“No,” Raim replied, suddenly changing her mind. “Just... stay here for a while.”

She didn't even know why she had said that, but she couldn't bear to be alone at that moment, even though she denied it. Balam stood there for a while longer, thinking she had misspoken, but he realized she was serious when she gestured for him to sit down beside her.

The two remained seated on the lockers, staring at the ceiling. They could hear the rain outside.

“Are you planning to study anything after you finish school?” asked Raim, wanting to change the subject.

"Yeah. I think after this I'm going to lean towards becoming a teacher. My idea is to study medicine first, but I want to focus more on teaching. To guide the younger generation so they don't go down the wrong path. What about you?"

Balam already had plans for his future; he had a clear ambition despite appearing to be somewhat careless. Meanwhile, she was still at the beginning. She had certain doubts about what to study; in fact, her idea was to get a recommendation from her boyfriend. But that idea had already been ruled out.

She wanted to say any career to prevent him from seeing her as someone insecure, even though her tears said otherwise. However, he was known for being able to detect lies easily somehow.

Therefore, she decided to be honest with him.

“I don't know,” she said.

Balam laughed slightly at her, something Raim quickly noticed even though he was covered by his mask.

“What's so funny?” she replied, almost angrily.

“I'm surprised you don't have a clear decision. Whenever I saw you in class, I saw a girl who was totally firm in her words and her goals.”

“That Raim no longer exists.”

The girl covered her face with her arms again, trying not to remember those memories of her being confident in class. In the end, her enemies had won. Balam, for his part, looked up again and began to speak.

"I'm going to guess that answer comes from that incident you just had. But don't let your mind deceive you. Reality says otherwise, and I am a witness to that. Besides, we still have a year and a half to think about what we want to study. Right?"

She glanced slightly at the boy beside her. Normally, she only received positive comments from Momonoki. But she never expected to receive compliments from someone as strange as Balam.

“I guess you're right,” she replied.

They both remained seated in the hallway. For a few minutes, they were silent, listening to the rain, with no one to interrupt them. The few students who were at school had left, leaving only the janitors and security guards behind. They could still leave, but they knew they risked being scolded by someone on staff if they stayed there.

Raim thought the moment would come when Balam would have to tell her he had to leave so he wouldn't be late home. But during all those minutes, he stayed by her side. He didn't seem to want to get up.

“Why are you still here? I mean, at this point, you should have left.”

“The streets are unsafe,” Balam replied. “If my mother taught me anything, it's that you should always help weak beings from the dangers outside. My friends always must face rocks or the arctic cold of the city. And now, just look at yourself. Although I don't know much about you, at least I know you're not in any condition to go out walking like that.”

She knew that when he said “friends”, he meant the animals on the streets. She also knew that when he said, “weak beings”, he was including her. She felt offended.

“What are you trying to say? That I'm not capable of getting home?”

“Just look at yourself. Your makeup is ruined, your clothes are going to get even more damaged in the rain, it doesn't look like anyone has come to pick you up, transportation fares will be expensive now, and you don't look like you have the energy to go home. If you don't leave quickly, you'll probably end up sleeping at school.”

She hated to admit that he was right. Of all the people she could meet at school, Balam saying that was a blow to her pride. Her house was far away, and she knew that going out late at night in that context was like going through hell. The area outside the school was full of demons and wasn’t safe unless she had company.

But he didn't look trustworthy. And even though she knew self-defense, she didn't want him to walk her home.

“I'll be fine. You don't have to act like a gentleman.”

“I can take you to where you live. I can pay for the transportation. Just tell me where it is so I can accompany you.”

“I can go alone, just give me the money and I'll go on my own.”

Balam took a deep breath, not thinking she was being stubborn.

"Raim, do you know the saying, ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend’? I know you hate me, just like many others here, and I know you still want to hit me for showing up out of nowhere. But we both know that for you to get home, you need someone to give you a hand. Remember that even public transportation is risky at this hour. Your enemies are those demons outside this school, and even though I am also hostile in your eyes, you need me."

“Someday you will find out that it cuts both ways.”

Balam laughed again after hearing her. Raim was someone who was strong with her words, there was no doubt about that.

“You and I both know you won't last five minutes before falling and catching a cold. You're in no condition to go home alone.”

Raim felt uncomfortable with his comment. It seemed like he still saw her as weak and fragile.

“What do you know about being alone?”

There was a brief pause at that moment, but Raim could tell that Balam smiled under his mask after hearing that question. As if it were something very easy to answer.

“I know a lot, actually. You know why.”

He was known for being strange. No one heard the name Balam without feeling disgust or discomfort, and he seemed to know it perfectly well. Raim then began to think about what Balam's life was like. Going to school alone, not having a friend to congratulate him or accompany him, not even having someone to share his interests with.

Raim knew he had gone too far with his comment.

“I'm sorry.”

“Don't worry about it.”

The girl thought again about the boy's offer, and it didn't seem like there was any other way out. In fact, she knew she didn't deserve this opportunity after being so cruel to him. But Balam hadn't held it against her. It seemed like he genuinely wanted to help her.

“Alright, but if you try anything, I swear I'll kill you. I hope you keep your word, Shichiro.”

“Don't worry, after this, you can go back to seeing me as a stranger.”

The two got up from the ground and, under an umbrella that Balam had brought, began walking to the bus stop. They waited twenty minutes, but finally the bus arrived. And just as Balam had said, the fare was expensive, but he made sure to pay for it.

At every moment, Raim did her best to prepare a fist or pull out an object to throw at him in case he wanted to do something inappropriate. But throughout the entire trip, he never tried to hurt her. Not even when she let her guard down for a few seconds did he try to do anything wrong. It was a peaceful trip without any problems.

They arrived at Raim's house, and she said goodbye in the most appropriate way, thanking him for his kind gesture. He said goodbye, wishing her a speedy recovery, saying that it wasn't nice to see a girl like her suffering and damaging the good image she had at school.

She told him not to worry, that she would be fine. They parted ways, and she went into her house. Although the pain of her breakup was still felt inside, she felt that she had been given a little band-aid during the time she spent with Balam. He made her forget her ex for a moment. And even though it wasn't much, it made her afternoon better, even if she didn't believe it.

At that moment, she felt that someone else understood her.

The first step she took at university, she felt a lot of eyes on her. There wasn't a day that went by without her attracting attention, something she had come to accept without question.

In this new world, she now felt freer, even though she carried the weight of being attractive and dazzling. It wasn't the school where she had made enemies without meaning to; now she was in a place where everyone was pursuing their own goals, and the new people she met were beginning to see the more extravagant qualities of her personality. No one wanted to be mean to her; in fact, many wanted to get to know her better.

She was a new woman, or at least that's what she wanted to believe. She was still beautiful, confident, and someone everyone wanted to be with.

But at the same time, everyone knew how dangerous it was to get close to Raim when it came to love. The girl could see through the tricks and lies of people who tried to flirt with her, she could make anyone blush without any problem, but above all, she rejected anyone who proposed to her without mercy. She had her reasons, she didn't say it in a hostile way, but she was direct in saying “no” and broke hearts without feeling any pity.

Having her as a friend was great but trying to have her as a girlfriend was suicidal. She was like a rose. Beautiful to behold, but up close, she could hurt you with her thorns. Poison ivy, attractive to the eye but lethal if you weren't careful.

No one managed to capture her heart. Not even anyone came close. She had friends who asked her what her type was, but she only replied that her heart would only belong to someone who met her personal standards. They all wondered what that guy would be like, but Raim kept it a mystery. She wasn't lying when she said there were attractive guys at school with good intentions, but she had to be honest with them, and sometimes honesty hurt.

Still, there were always stubborn people who wanted to try to win her over even though she rejected them. That morning, after arriving at her locker, she noticed three students from another faculty approaching her from a distance. She easily recognized the boy in the middle; he was a boy she had rejected twice, but he didn't seem willing to give up. But this time, it didn't look like he was going to take no for an answer. And this time he had brought reinforcements.

Raim quickly sensed that this guy didn't come with good intentions. But she decided not to attack first.

The boy came over to where she was, leaning against the lockers and standing in front of Raim. The other two stayed behind him so that no one would notice them. Raim was unlucky that most of the faculty was in class, so she was alone during those few minutes. Even so, she kept her friendly gaze despite knowing that these guys looked dangerous.

“Wow, but it seems that fate has brought us back together again.”

“Hey honey, it's so good to see you again. But I thought fate had already given us an answer about our relationship. I don't think it's right to challenge it, you know?”

She could sense some anger in the guy. He had once again understood that she was rejecting him. And it wasn't just him who was upset; it seemed that his friends were also uncomfortable with her response.

“You know that fate wants us to be together. You can't say no.”

“What if I give you the same answer again?”

“Well, I'll take you to a special place to change your mind. Maybe you'll even help convince my friends.”

Raim had met persistent people before, but this guy was already making her angry. She didn't like being seen as weak, and she knew what he meant by that. Still, she wasn't going to let someone stupid guy get away with it.

She didn't respond for a moment, letting him make his next move. He could appear strong, but his heart was the source of his thoughts, causing him to act without reason and reveal his weaknesses.

“Then it looks like we have a deal. Take my hand and follow me.”

The boy extended his hand for Raim to accompany him somewhere far from the university. She took his hand delicately at first, making the boy feel excited to be holding the hand of one of the most beautiful girls in the university.

However, she began to squeeze it so hard that it seemed as if she was about to break the bones in his hand. Raim was stronger than they expected.

“How sweet. Too bad I already told you that you're not my type. And I don't think it's a good idea to get to know you better. You bore me,” she said.

She didn't seem to want to let go, and it got to the point where the pain was starting to make the boy cry. He wanted to hit her, but she didn't seem afraid of what he might do.

“If you do anything weird... you'll be making a big mistake.”

“I've done a lot of weird things in my life, honey. I'm not afraid of a jerk who needs two people to do something that any man can do alone. And you know what? This time I'll make sure my answer fits in your head.”

With a sharp blow to his stomach, she managed to temporarily incapacitate the boy, bending him in half. And there, while he was recovering, she took the opportunity to lift him slightly and, after giving him a quick look with her purple eyes, she gave him another blow to the head that made him fall to the ground immediately, unconscious.

Raim knew that his bodyguards were going to attack her, given their huge advantage. There were no teachers or students around at that moment. But she didn't seem worried. The two of them were thinking about how to hurt her for knocking out their friend, but a male voice interrupted their thoughts.

“Is something going on here?”

The duo turned around after hearing a voice behind them. There was a boy significantly taller than them, muscular at first glance, with short hair and wearing a gray mask that covered part of his face. They didn't know how he had gotten there, but he didn't seem friendly.

Seeing his green eyes and the strength that boy had was enough to intimidate those students, and they decided to leave quickly. The two went to help their friend up, leaving the area and leaving Balam and Raim alone in the hallway.

When they walked away, they both began to speak more clearly.

“You know, you didn't have to show up. I could have handled them.”

“I know. But I didn't want your hair to get ruined.”

The two made sure no one was watching them, and when they confirmed they were alone, Raim kissed him on the cheek. Balam always had to lower his face to her height so she could kiss him, but it didn't bother him at all.

“Shall I walk you to your classroom?” Balam asked.

“Sure,” Raim replied.

The girl took his arm, and they began walking to the language school where Raim studied. And there, as they walked, the girl remembered once again how incredible her boyfriend was. Meeting him had been a great adventure. After he had comforted her in the school hallway, their story was filled with so many memorable moments.

Throughout the rest of high school, she could never forget Balam's kind gesture. In the days that followed, she tried to sit next to him during breaks to thank him for what he had done for her, but then she would approach him just to talk to him. Balam didn't mind listening to her, and he even apologized for the notebook incident. He didn't know that she had broken up with her ex at that time, but she told him it was fine, no one could know someone at 100%.

In the year and a half they had left at school, they began to get to know each other and realized that, although they had significant differences, they were somehow compatible. They had both unintentionally made enemies, they both survived the stress of expressing their likes to the outside world, and they even realized that their birthdays were in the same month, only five days apart.

Raim always thought that Momonoki was the only person she could consider a true friend. But she never thought that Balam could also be considered a friend. They shared intimate secrets that revealed a lot about their pasts, such as why Balam always wore a mask or why Raim had always had self-esteem issues.

They both grew up understanding their own problems and insecurities, and after some time, she was able to find her calling in language and fashion. If it weren't for Balam, she would have been wandering aimlessly.

“Do you think those guys will try something again?”

"Maybe. But I'm not afraid of them. After all, I'll be happy to break their hearts again." 

“And their bones, from what I can see.”

Raim laughed at her boyfriend's comment. Sometimes she didn't believe in her own strength, but he assured her that she was someone who could defend herself in specific situations. Her self-defense classes were useful, and her boyfriend assured her that she was a strong person.

Now, she knew that Balam was three times stronger than her; he could easily defend her. But she also knew her boyfriend's personality; it was very different from his physical appearance. Beneath those muscles and intimidating image was a friendly and gentle guy, someone who only opened to certain people and who showed himself to be a gentleman hidden among a bunch of monsters. 

She didn't want him to risk fighting too much so as not to make him stray from his true personality; but he told her that he didn't mind beating someone if it was to protect her. She was the flower he wanted to take care of until his last day, and he wanted to fulfill his mother's promise well.

But sometimes Balam felt that she was stronger than him. She was someone who could scare people with her firmness and determination. She hid a strength behind that image of a pretty woman. Anyone would have found it uncomfortable to witness, but Balam liked that; seeing that incredible side of Raim captivated his heart day after day. She had an imperfect nature when it came to loving someone, and it was one that only he understood well.

“You're not struggling with your studies, are you? Medicine is a complicated career.” 

“To be honest, it's harder for me to maintain this haircut than to pass my specialty courses.”

“You know you look beautiful, honey. Don't doubt it.”

She was sure that, unlike her past relationships, Balam was someone loyal. With him, she felt like a beautiful flower again, no longer wilted. She had been reborn thanks to his care and encouragement.

But she wasn't the only one who was happy about it. Balam finally got to know what it was like to be loved by someone. To be loved by the first person who saw beyond his mask.

There was no doubt that Balam's appearance was striking to certain students; it was a radical change from high school. But even though he received compliments from many girls, they were nothing compared to the words Raim said to him. The girls at the university called him a variety of good things, but he simply responded with a thank you, maintaining a serious look and showing little emotion.

However, when Raim told him he looked cute, he would jump towards her and hug her with all his strength. He would even carry her, something the girl let him do without any problem. He acted as if she were his whole world and she even helped him improve his self-esteem. All he needed was some sincerity and honest affection so that he could also see the light in him.

At school, he always felt insecure about his impression, and sometimes even thought that he might die and only his family would miss him. But Raim helped him see himself in a different way. He had a lot to offer the world, both in terms of knowledge and physical appearance. She helped him see himself as more attractive and develop his own fashion style. They even shared the taboo topics that Balam liked to talk about endlessly.

In the end, they were both focused on human anatomy in one way or another.

When they both left school, they thought their communication would be abruptly interrupted. But the surprise came on the first day of college when they found out they were going to study their majors in the same place. Seeing each other in those hallways was such a joy for both that they couldn't resist hugging each other.

And after finding out that Momonoki was at the same university as her, Raim no longer felt alone. She felt she had started off on the right foot, and that was only confirmed as time went by. The courses became easy to adapt to, she met more friendly people, and she could express her beauty more thanks to the motivation of Balam and Momonoki. They both made her feel like a shining star, and that was enough to boost her self-esteem.

With Balam, she had a curious routine. They didn't share the same class schedules, but they waited for each other at the exit and even during breaks. They spent time together laughing and sharing intimate moments that only they knew the true meaning of. They created memories that were more beautiful than those they had made at school.

The idea of enmity that they had both mistakenly held for years had disappeared. And a year later, they were walking together. Like soulmates. Sharing the sincerest love one could wish for.

The university would be surprised to think that someone like Balam was with Raim. For now, they kept their relationship hidden, but it was because the boy was still discovering what love and fashion were. Only Momonoki knew their secret, but she approved of their relationship, knowing what a gentleman the boy was. But when their relationship came out, they would be ready to face a new chapter in their lives. Raim just needed Balam to come out of his shell, and she felt she was doing a good job.

They arrived at Raim's classroom after a long walk. The girl let go of her boyfriend's arm and leaned close to say goodbye to him.

“See you later, honey,” she said, kissing him on the cheek.

“Good luck today, ok?” he replied.

Raim said goodbye with a smile, giving Balam enough motivation to endure the rigors of medical school. It was only a few hours until they would see each other again, but time flew by quickly. He focused on the upcoming exams, knowing that at least Raim was safe and happy in her classroom.

They were two significantly different people, but they were united by a negative past that they managed to overcome together. Now they were walking toward a beautiful future full of love and respect, maintaining a common goal. To be teachers in their specialties so they could guide the next generations and prevent them from falling into the risks they faced.

Raim, for her part, knew that this was going to be possible. They could say whatever they wanted, but Balam's words carried more weight. They could try to bring her down, but she would rise again like the tide. Her boyfriend finally made her eliminate her insecurities and made her a perfect flower in his eyes.

She was a strong girl, and no one was going to take that away from her.

Chapter Text

Sometimes a person has such a small goal that when they achieve it and wonder what comes next, they run out of ideas because they never thought they would get that far.

“How did I end up here?”

Eiko always hoped to talk to Iruma. Ever since he saved her, she sought every opportunity to interact with him directly, but without success. For years, she looked for the right moments to talk about classes and even thank him for saving her on her first day of school.

But fate seemed to have a little conspiracy against her. However, for her, it was only on a small level, because at least she could interact with her friend Alice to talk only about Iruma. Thanks to him, she learned that she was able to help Iruma study thanks to the guide she made for his final exams. Sometimes she felt that the Netherworld gave her small doors, but that it was possible to go through them in creative ways.

By her third year, Eiko realized that she had to find more direct ways to get Iruma to listen to her. A few weeks ago, she had managed to get close to Ameri after much effort and different strategies, and the results were incredible. Even after being blacklisted by the student council, she was able to fulfill one of her dreams of meeting the president and telling her how wonderful she was.

But that wasn't enough. Her main dream was to be able to talk to Iruma. And if her brother Eita had managed to talk to him, she should have been able to do it too. But she needed to think outside the box, to be creative, just like Alice.

She thought about it for a few days, until she had her next clear idea. She was going to ask Iruma out on a date. But this time, without her comrade's help. She would give him the invitation herself and wait for his response. That way, it would be Iruma who had to approach her.

At least from what she understood from Ameri, a date was a time when a boy and a girl went out together. It was something intimate at first glance and a somewhat suicidal idea for her due to her shyness. Because of this, she decided not to go directly to him to tell him she wanted to go out with him and instead went with the idea of writing him a little note and leaving it somewhere simple for him to find.

The situation wasn’t the best for Eiko. Her fears made her body tremble, knowing that there was a chance that Iruma might laugh at her for making such an invitation. And to top it all off? She was going to ask Iruma out while he was in his evil cycle. Stress seemed to have taken hold of the boy, and he didn't seem like someone who was eager to go out with a demon.

Eiko had known him indirectly for years, and although she knew that Iruma wasn't an aggressive person, his evil cycle could hide a side that she perhaps didn't know in depth. And it was ironic that she thought that, even though she was one of his number one fans.

But even so, she took the first step. She wrote a short note and, with some stealth, managed to sneak into the classroom of the Misfits Class and placed the piece of paper on Iruma's seat. She wrote only one sentence, which was clear and concise.

“I want to go on a date with you. Please, you're amazing, I'd love to get to know you. Eiko Oni.”

At the bottom of the paper, she left her number for Iruma to send her a message. After that, she left his classroom and waited for a response.

She wanted to send him a longer note, but nerves and anxiety overwhelmed her at the first word she put on the paper. Therefore, after two hours of hard work and a firm grip on her pencil, she wrote only those words. She thought that Iruma would simply look at the paper and walk away or even make fun of her. But even that would be a victory for Eiko. At least he would realize that she existed.

She had only considered scenarios where he would ignore or reject her request. However, she didn’t anticipate that Iruma would text her and agree to accompany her anywhere she chose.

And now she was on a date with him. The two of them were alone in Iruma's carriage on their way to the shopping mall to enjoy their time together.

Eiko had decided to go there because she had no idea what to do on a date. Iruma agreed without any problems, picking her up at her house and making sure she was always comfortable. The boy asked her why she didn't just tell him directly that she wanted to go on a date, and Eiko replied that she didn't know how to approach him.

She didn't want to say that; it sounded so silly, but Iruma didn't seem to mind.

“Well, I don't think there should be a problem now. I have your number on my phone. So next time, I'll be the one to ask you out.”

That answer alone was enough to make Eiko's face turn tomato red again.

While Iruma remained incredibly calm and smiled from time to time, Eiko was swimming in a sea of emotions. Iruma looked charismatic while maintaining the kindness that represented him, and on the other hand, Eiko tried from time to time to catch her breath to avoid fainting. She didn't think she was having a moment alone with the director's grandson.

Just from those moments, she knew she had gone further than Eita in her interactions with Iruma.

They arrived at the mall after a while. Iruma opened the door for her and helped her out. Wearing a simple yellow dress and sunglasses, she was ready to walk with her date. Around her neck, she wore her camera. She wasn't going to miss the opportunity to take special photos with the boy of her dreams, so she made sure she had enough memory available for every moment.

The first thing Iruma had in mind was to invite her to a luxurious restaurant. Four stars but known for having one of the best yakisoba in the Netherworld. She accepted, and the two headed to the restaurant to share a nice lunch together.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Iruma's appearance and demeanor were very noticeable to everyone present. He was dressed in a somewhat rumpled purple suit, but his confidence and aura were enough to let people know that they were in the presence of someone important in the Netherworld.

The waiters quickly recognized Sullivan's grandson and quickly arranged a table. For the chefs and waiters, having Iruma there was a great privilege because he wasn’t only someone connected to the Three Greats, but he was also known for having an unmatched appetite. It even seemed that he had come with someone special, so the staff focused on giving Eiko and him the best attention.

However, not all eyes were positive toward the couple. Some diners stared at Eiko, wondering why she was in that place, being significantly lower in rank than everyone else. The girl could feel certain stares piercing her soul, which was noticed by Iruma. He grabbed her hand to give her some security, assuring her that there was nothing wrong with her presence in the restaurant.

He wasn't going to let anyone treat Eiko badly, so after giving the diners who were criticizing them a piercing look, they stopped staring at the couple. Iruma even noticed that they fell silent for a moment when he turned his gaze to them.

“Don't be afraid. They're just demons who like to criticize others, but they're more insecure than an Aleph. They're foolish to think they'll be sitting here forever, because in the end, they're the ones who can most easily fall in rank.”

With those words, Eiko felt calm being by his side. Although it took her a while to realize that Iruma had taken her hand. It was soft and warm, enough to make her want to faint right there in the restaurant. But she had to be strong; she couldn't ruin her chance with Iruma.

The chefs made sure to put some extra food on both of their plates. Eiko managed to eat a medium-sized plate of yakisoba, but Iruma turned out to be hungrier and managed to finish five whole plates from the daily menu. Even in his evil cycle, his appetite didn’t diminish.

Just like in the school cafeteria, Eiko could tell that some things about him hadn't changed. He was still the same incredible boy she knew.

“H-how's school going, Iruma?”

“Everything's fine, same old heavy routine, but I'm putting in the effort to fulfill my ambitions. How about you, Eiko?”

“Oh, uh, yeah, yeah, everything's fine. I have exams coming up, but they shouldn't be a problem.”

They started talking about classes, and she asked him what it was like to be in a different classroom from the rest. Iruma told her that he felt more comfortable, although sometimes he wished Kalego wasn't so grumpy. Eiko agreed with him; even though she didn't have him as a teacher, she could tell from his appearance that he was a difficult teacher to deal with.

They laughed as they talked about each of their teachers and even commented on the exams they had. It was there that Iruma thanked her for her notebook for his classes. He always wondered who was the demon that helped him, but the notebook only had two initials: E.O.

But now that he had connected certain dots, he realized that Eiko was the one who gave him a hand. He thanked her with a smile on his face, and she responded with a simple ‘thank you’. She didn't know what else to say, but she was happy to know that Iruma had made progress in his classes thanks to her.

After finishing lunch, they both went to see some stores to buy something. Iruma offered to buy her new clothes or anything she wanted. Eiko told him that it wasn't necessary to buy expensive things, but Iruma told her that she didn't have to feel bad. What mattered at that moment was that they both had fun and enjoyed themselves.

“Besides, don't you want us to have a souvenir of this date?”

Eiko couldn't deny that she wanted this to be a special date, one that would stay in her mind forever, so she gave in to his words and accompanied him to buy a few things for both. Even so, Eiko knew she couldn't take advantage of Iruma's kind gestures. She accepted his offer but decided to buy only a bracelet and a green hair bow for herself.

As they wandered around certain parts of the mall, Eiko was surprised at how pretty she looked in what she had bought. She didn't consider herself a sexy girl, even though she had managed to enhance her beauty after taking Raim's classes. But somehow, that day she felt very different. The yellow dress matched perfectly with the bow she bought, and Iruma gave her sincere compliments that made her feel better about herself.

Still, she felt she didn't deserve to be with Iruma at that moment. She felt out of place. He and she were from different ranks, different realities, and it couldn't be possible that Iruma was so kind to her even though they had only recently met. Especially when he was in his evil cycle.

Iruma noticed this from Eiko's downward gaze, so he decided to assure her that the purchase wasn’t in vain and that he was having a good time with her. The last thing he wanted was for someone to feel sad around him.

“Money is meant to be spent, Eiko. Don't feel uncomfortable asking for anything; what matters is that we have fun.”

In his evil cycle, he retained his good manners and characteristic kindness. He could appear hostile with his dark gaze and aggressiveness in his interactions, but he was still the same Iruma in one way or another. His words sounded a little cold, but Eiko understood that Iruma was saying them with complete sincerity. She appreciated his compliments and the gifts he bought her.

But she knew that he couldn't carry the burden of the entire date. Eiko was the one who had invited him, so it didn't make sense for Iruma to choose all the places they went. But that was when she remembered something she had wanted to do with him since her first year at Babyls.

After a few hours at the mall, they both decided to take a tour of the Netherworld in Iruma's carriage. It was still a little early to go home, so they decided to take a walk while breathing in the fresh air. At a slow pace, they were witnessing the beauty of the Netherworld.

Iruma asked her if she wanted to go to a specific place to watch the sunset. It was just the question she wanted to hear.

“I-I would like to... go to the cherry blossom tree at school… if you don't mind.”

One of her biggest dreams was to see with Iruma the plant that he himself had grown in his first year. It was very beautiful and perfect for a romantic moment as a couple, and she always imagined him comparing her to the color and beauty of flowers. When he asked the question, she already knew what to say. She even had a plan that she had put together with Gaako in case she was alone with Iruma. Everything seemed to be fine, but for a few moments, she was detached from reality.

“But it's Sunday. Babyls isn't open today.”

Those words quickly brought Eiko down from her clouds. She had forgotten the notion of time and had said something silly. However, he told her that he could take her to see a small garden that he knew about thanks to Balam. Eiko accepted without hesitation, though internally she wanted to hit herself for her idiocy. She had asked for something impossible on a weekend, and in the end, it was Iruma who had to lead the entire date when she was the one who had taken the initiative.

Still, she wanted to stay calm. She couldn't faint or hurt herself when the date was about to end.

She was distracted for a while, until they finally arrived at the garden that Iruma had offered to show her. The boy opened the carriage windows and presented Eiko with a unique scene. A landscape of flowers forming different patterns of colors, and behind them, demons returning home as they flew over the gardens. The sun of the Netherworld was setting, and they could both see it in all its glory thanks to Iruma having steered the carriage toward an area almost clear of mountains and buildings.

Eiko had seen beautiful places in her life, but that sunset view was something special. The reason was simple: Iruma was with her.

She thought about everything that had happened that day. This time she wasn't imagining scenarios with Iruma, she wasn't even drawing pictures of Iruma with her. She was going on a date with him, a real date where they were genuinely getting to know each other after three years of studying in different classrooms.

For a moment, she felt like a high-ranking demon by his side. Someone special, someone of great value.

“Iruma... can I ask you something?”

“Sure, what is it?”

“I haven't made you uncomfortable with all this date stuff, have I? I mean, in the end, you were the one who arranged all this.”

She felt that there were some things that could have caused problems with Iruma, such as the situation she had with the restaurant customers, or the fact that she had no idea what to do on the date after giving him the idea of the shopping mall, but Iruma didn't seem angry.

“Oh, not at all, Eiko. I've enjoyed my day with you. In fact, I always enjoy meeting new friends.”

Those words calmed Eiko's insecurities. At least Iruma didn't hate her, and that was a good step.

“I'm glad you enjoyed the date, Iruma. Although I admit I didn't know where to go. I just let you take me wherever you wanted to go.”

"I know, but it wouldn't be bad if we went somewhere you had in mind. In fact, how about we go to the cherry blossom tree at school next time?"

Those words immediately surprised Eiko. Normally, she would be the one to keep inviting him on other dates to get to know him better, but this time, it was Iruma who was opening the doors of friendship to her.

“W-would you mind going on another date?” she asked.

“Not at all. Besides, I'd love to get to know you better, Eiko. I can finally talk to someone who's been with me since I entered Babyls, and it wouldn't be right if this was the only time we saw each other. Especially after you helped me with the exams.”

The beginning of her adventure with Iruma was completely assured. Eiko's heart was beating rapidly, happy with what she had heard from Iruma. He was known to be very kind, but it was one thing to see those gestures and another to receive them.

Eiko couldn't help but blush, but this time she didn't hide her face.

“Are you ok? Your cheeks are red.”

"Y-yes, I'm fine. And of course, I'd love to go with you to the cherry blossom tree. B-but only when you're free!"

Those words were enough for Eiko to know that Iruma wanted to spend more time with her. She didn't care if they started out as friends; at least she had already taken the first step toward being with him.

The setting was perfect for her. And that's when she decided to do something she had wanted to do for a long time.

“Iruma.”

“Yes?”

“Do you think we could... could we take a photo together, please?”

Although she was already becoming comfortable with Iruma, she was still somewhat afraid to ask him certain things. However, he didn't seem uncomfortable with her requests.

“Sure”, he said without hesitation.

Iruma approached her, looking for the best position for the lighting to be just right for the photo. Once they were ready, Iruma grabbed Eiko's camera. The camera captured a shared, natural smile, a photo that, in the girl's eyes, was wonderful. But Eiko wanted another photo from a different perspective, so she told him she wanted to take another photo with him, but with her taking the selfie. Iruma agreed without any problems, and they both took another photo.

The two photos had turned out amazing. Eiko never thought that the day would come when she took photos with the director's grandson.

“They're perfect,” she thought.

Eiko stared at the photos for a long time. Iruma, for his part, was surprised at how fixed Eiko's gaze was on her camera.

“Is the photo fine? If you want, we can take another one...”

“It's wonderful! Thank you, Iruma!”

Eiko shouted excitedly, which slightly startled the horse, causing the carriage to jolt for a few seconds. Iruma managed to calm his traveling companion, and luckily, neither of them was injured.

“Oh, uh, I'm sorry, Iruma. I didn't mean to scare your horse.”

“Don't worry, Eiko.”

The view of the garden was beautiful, but the end of the sunset was a sign that they both needed to go home. The walk back to Eiko's home was somewhat slow, but they were in no hurry to arrive. Eiko enjoyed those last moments with Iruma, at least for today. She knew that after that, she was certain she would be able to meet the boy of her dreams without any problems.

It seemed that fate had decided it was time for her to have her chance.

Once they arrived at her house, she carefully got out with Iruma's help. Once they both walked to the apartment door, Eiko told him that she would go on her own because she had the key to her home. Iruma agreed to leave her there but told her to be careful. Once they checked their phones to make sure they had each other's contact information, it was time for them to say goodbye.

Eiko expected a simple smile from Iruma to say goodbye, but she forgot that, in his evil cycle, he was another demon. His last gesture was to lightly grab her hand and give her a small kiss, a gesture that, according to “First Love Memories,” was a good ending to a date.

“I'll see you at school, Eiko. Don't forget that I'll be waiting for you under the cherry blossom tree.”

The boy returned to his carriage and left, allowing Eiko to enter her home. Once he was gone, Eiko couldn't take it anymore and fell to her knees.

It didn't seem real to her. It was a kiss from Iruma, a kiss from the boy she admired and loved with all her heart.

She didn't know if she should start by being his friend. She didn't know if she should express her love quickly. She couldn't even decide who had made her happier: Iruma or Ameri.

She had no idea how to express all her happiness, or how she was going to tell Gaako that she had had the perfect date with Iruma. But that was a problem she would fix later. She opened her camera and started looking at the photos she took with Iruma, thinking of ways to hang them in her room.

“He's amazing,” Eiko said through tears of joy. There was no doubt that this had been the best day of her life.

Chapter Text

“Opera! Open the door, we don't want the child to get sick.”

As soon as he heard his superior's voice, Opera went to open the door of the mansion. The first thing he saw was a child in his arms, covered in a blanket and sleeping. He thought Sullivan was joking when he said he was going to bring a street child home with him, but it seemed that he was serious.

At that moment, the old man's only concern was the child he was carrying in his arms. He handed the kid to Opera to carry him while he took off his raincoat and hat.

“Mr. Sullivan, with all due respect, you are completely insane.”

“I am still legally capable of exercising my rights. Therefore, I am aware of what I am doing.”

Opera knew that Sullivan had always wanted to have a family. He was a millionaire, but he had no biological children or grandchildren to call his own. He had so many luxuries in his home, but he was always envious when he saw Levi and Belial showing off their grandchildren. His friends shared photos they took with them, commented on their achievements, and even did unimaginable things like making statues of them for being the best grandchildren in the world.

That love and those experiences were something Sullivan couldn't buy with money.

He had been very successful in building a stable fortune, but he didn’t have the same success in topics of love. For years, he had always been alone, with Opera being the only person who cared for him as their butler. But one day he said enough was enough; he was going to get himself a grandchild one way or another. And now, he had fulfilled his dream. He had a new member of the family.

Opera wasn’t opposed to Sullivan adopting a child, but they imagined he would bring one from an orphanage, someone who had a basic upbringing and understood the values of home. But this child who had come home looked very bad, coming from the street with a knife in his pocket.

“What were you thinking on adopting a child you met a few hours ago?” Opera said as they followed Sullivan.

“Oh, nothing. I just want to be a good man and not let that child die in the hell he lives in,” replied the old man.

In fact, Sullivan had known Iruma for longer, but not directly. He saw Iruma in an alley around the corner from his house every time he went to work. The boy was always begging for food and using his knife to try to cut off some scraps of trash he found lying around. At first glance, he seemed like a hostile child, but he didn't seem to genuinely want to attack anyone with his knife.

He began to give him food from time to time out of pity, and unlike other homeless people he helped on the street, Iruma seemed grateful for his gestures. Sometimes the boy would show up in the middle of the night to give him an apple when he was returning home, and he would even use his knife to make sure he could pass through that alley without being attacked by any other criminals. Sullivan let him do that, even though he could defend himself with a gun hidden in his clothes.

Fortunately, he never had to use it and protected Iruma in the same way. Seeing him in that alley made him happy for some reason. And after months of thinking about it, he decided that he would be his grandson.

Sullivan finished hanging up his clothes and ordered Opera to put the boy on his sofa. The butler began to dry him off from the rain that had soaked him and tried to see if he had any serious injuries. He made sure the knife was far away from him, being careful that the boy didn't get up and tried to attack him.

“Aren't you too old to be his dad?”

“Grandpa sounds better. You know I've always wanted a grandson, and besides, there's nothing wrong with doing something good for a child who's been suffering on the streets.”

The old man had gone to get him after work, just as he was sleeping in the rain, covered with a completely ruined box and without a blanket to protect him from the cold. He was next to some trash, with his knife as his only friend that night. It pained him to know that he was making the decision to make him his grandson that day, considering that he must have been suffering for a long time.

But that was about to change. He was going to be the best grandfather in the world for him. He had already had the papers ready and was holding the child in his arms. Now all that remained was the new responsibility of being a good role model for him.

“I'll set up a bed and some clean clothes,” said Opera after finishing drying Iruma.

“Prepare some food too in case he wakes up.” added Sullivan.

Sullivan was lucky he had brought a blanket in his backpack that day, which he used to cover Iruma and keep more rain from falling on him. At least that would prevent him from catching a bad cold, but if he did get sick, Iruma would be under Opera's and his care. 

Opera called her master once they have finished arranging the guest room, which was to become Iruma's room. There was no doubt that they were very efficient with household chores, although it seemed that their work would double with the presence of the child. The old man carried Iruma carefully in his arms, preventing him from getting up with the movements he made to reach his room.

Luckily, the boy was fast asleep. Once Sullivan had settled him into bed, Opera left the room to prepare dinner. They needed to make some extra food in case the new guest woke up, so they left the old man to take care of the little boy for the time being.

Sullivan stroked Iruma's head, knowing the challenges that lay ahead. He only knew his name because he had told him, but he knew nothing else about him. The rest of his life was a mystery, but even so, he was going to do everything possible to make Iruma feel at home. And at the same time, he was going to be able to experience having a real family.

“Welcome to your new home, Iruma.”

“Have you found Mom and Dad yet?”

Months passed, and the boy continued to ask the same question every morning. From the first time he woke up in Sullivan's mansion, he always asked them both that question. It was a question that was difficult to answer honestly because of Iruma's age, but luckily, his innocence made it easy for them to deceive him and give him some false hope.

“They're hiding well, master Iruma. They want to win this game at all costs. We'll go look for them, but for now, you'll stay here and not leave until we say so.” said Opera.

“Can we at least go to the market to buy food?”

“Mr. Sullivan? What do you say?”

“Of course, Iruma! We'll go buy all the food you want!”

Iruma's smile was something that brightened the old man's mornings, and even Opera had begun to get along with him, making the mansion a much more charming place than before. The three of them began to have new adventures thanks to the boy's kindness and innocence, not to mention that he was very polite, which suited Opera because he wasn't going to cause any trouble at home.

His presence was enough to radiate positive energy throughout the mansion. But behind that child full of good feelings and smiles, there was a past full of suffering.

What Sullivan didn't expect was that Iruma was hated by his parents. When he found him, he thought he was someone who grew up on improvisation and miracles, with the idea that his mother left him in the trash because she couldn't take care of him. But the reality was different; he did have a family. Only without the essential aspect of love.

Sullivan listened to the boy's stories every night, stories that showed that not all families were good. For seven years, he had been his parents' source of income. He was exploited and used as an object. He innocently told him how he worked as a processor at fishing docks, as a loading assistant at a construction site, and even as a dishwasher in seedy, low-paying restaurants.

Their silence in Opera and in him was a sign that they themselves could not believe what Iruma was saying.

The boy told his grandpa that he only went to his parents' house if he managed to get some money to give them. According to them, this was a sign of gratitude for bringing him into the world. Only then he could sleep under a roof for a night or two. This had been his routine since he could walk, but when he turned seven, his parents told him that he now had to go to another city to find work to help them.

“You can come back when you have a billion yen.”

It seemed that his parents had no intention of bringing him back. Iruma had arrived in the city with an empty backpack, a knife, and his survival instinct. The boy had gone in search of money with hope in his heart, but he didn't realize that he had been sent to die on the streets. Without protection, without knowing what it felt like to be loved by someone.

The old man didn't know if the real hell for Iruma had been the seven years he spent with his parents or the nine months he spent surviving in that dangerous alley where he found him.

“Do you like breakfast, master Iruma?”

“It's delicious, Opera. Thank you,” said the boy as he handed them the plate so they could serve him more food.

Sullivan had freed him from his chains, and he realized that he wasn't the only one living the dream of having a real family. Iruma was also experiencing being loved by someone close to him. That was enough for the old man to realize that he had made the right decision to adopt Iruma.

But even so, Iruma didn't seem to understand the reality around him.

“Do you think Mom and Dad will like Opera's food?”

“It's enough that you like Iruma. After all, you're the one who deserves that food.”

“Yeah, but I want my parents to try their food.”

Iruma had been raised to believe that everything his parents did was for his own good. He seemed unable to refuse a favor, which meant he wanted to achieve his goal of earning that huge amount of money for his parents. 

They couldn't tell him directly that his parents didn't love him; it might make him cry. Therefore, Sullivan and Opera decided to do something special so that he would gradually come to terms with the idea that his parents had left him. A game of hide-and-seek; they both told Iruma that his parents were actually hiding somewhere else in the world waiting for him to find them, and that they had been called in to help him win the game. The money was ready; all they had to do was go to every corner of the world to find them.

The lie had worked well. Very well.

“Well, I promise that when we find them, they'll be able to share at least some bread. But in the meantime, I want you to be safe here. I'll take care of looking for them in every corner of the planet.”

“And then we can all eat together?”

Sullivan knew he wasn't going to do anything to find that couple. He wasn't going to send Iruma back to the hell he had just rescued him from. But even so, he didn't want to be harsh with his words and continued with the game he had organized with Opera.

“Yes, Iruma. That way we can all eat together.”

Opera brought another dish for Iruma, leaving it on the table for him to enjoy the feast. It was only breakfast, but Iruma ate with the appetite of someone in a five-star restaurant. He enjoyed every bite of their food, and Opera smiled, knowing that there was someone else who appreciated their culinary skills.

These were unforgettable moments that Sullivan wanted to preserve. But he knew it would be difficult to get his grandson to forget how his parents had raised him. Perhaps in the future he would understand the truth, but for now, he just needed to enjoy a time of happiness and good manners.

After finishing breakfast, the three of them got ready to go to the market. There was no doubt that Iruma's favorite part of the day was when they bought food, so they did their best to give him the freedom to choose what he wanted for lunch and dinner, respecting the limits of his age and health.

The three of them put on coats and went out to the market as they had promised Iruma. As they walked, Sullivan thought about what the future would hold for his grandson. Iruma might be innocent, but he would realize that everything was a lie as he grew older. Still, he wanted to believe that he could be strong enough to accept the harsh truth.

He only hoped that time would help Iruma forget those demons and know that he was now in the hands of a real family.

“Grandpa! I'm home!”

They thought Iruma would have trouble getting home; after all, it was his first time going to school alone. But he arrived safe and sound, without a scratch on him and happy about his first day of middle school.

“Welcome home, Iruma!” Sullivan got up from his seat to hug his grandson, lifting him up in the air, happy to know that he had arrived home safely. “How was your first day?”

“It was fun, Grandpa. I already made my first friend. Her name is Ameri.”

Iruma had lived fourteen years without knowing a friend, so the excitement of meeting someone like her was enough to make his day wonderful. Especially since she was his classmate, so he would be able to see her every day.

Sullivan accompanied Iruma to the main table so that everyone could have lunch and enjoy some quality family time. Opera went to cook the turkey they have stored away, while Iruma told his grandpa about his first day beyond meeting his new friend.

The old man couldn't stop smiling as he listened to how well things had gone for his grandson. He had always heard that the best education was the best gift anyone could give a child, so he used his position and influence to get Iruma into Babyls, a school for high-achieving students in the country. He had received a private education thanks to Opera, but he knew that there would come a time when he would have to face the world alone; of course, not in the same way his parents had done years ago. 

Levi and Belial made it possible for their grandchildren to attend the most prestigious schools in the city, so Sullivan did the same for Iruma.

Enrolling him wasn’t easy. Sullivan had to play some dirty tricks, such as forging documents that “proved” Iruma's previous education and even fake death certificates showing that his parents had died and that Iruma was now in his care. These were documents that Iruma never discovered, but they were enough to get him directly into Babyls. 

Crime was already normal in the old man's life, so he didn't worry about the consequences that might come his way.

“Are you ready for lunch?”

“Yes, Opera!”

Opera knew how big of an appetite Iruma had, so the turkey turned out to be larger than normal. According to them, it was to celebrate Iruma's first day at school. At his 14, he was finally starting a new chapter in his life.  

The three of them ate amid laughter and joy, with Opera and Sullivan being the happiest to see Iruma gradually growing up in a good way. The mansion had not undergone any major structural changes, but the two felt that Iruma was able to change the whole atmosphere with just his smile and his presence in every corner.

They thought there would be leftovers due to the size of the turkey, but Iruma's hunger was greater than that. Thanks to the boy, the turkey was eaten in its entirety.

“How was the food, master Iruma?” Opera asked.

“As always, it was delicious.”

“I'm glad you enjoyed it, master Iruma. You deserve it for successfully completing your first day at school. And if you get good grades starting today, I promise the next turkey will be even bigger.”

Food was the boy's weakness; there was no doubt about it. It was easy to deduce after seeing that Iruma had spent seven years without eating properly. Now that he was in a home of great luxury, he could eat non-stop, although it seemed that there were no limits to his appetite.

Opera got up from the table to take the dishes to the kitchen to wash them later. Iruma continued talking to his grandfather about how school was going, as well as what he wanted to do with him during the week.

Sullivan listened attentively to his grandson. His main dream was to form a loving family and seeing how Iruma expressed himself and felt comfortable with him was proof enough that he was doing everything right.

“I can't wait to tell my parents that I met a friend. Also, do you think they would love Opera's food too?”

But even in his middle school years, Iruma still had some hope that his parents would be found. The idea that they were his real family still lingered in his mind, even though he had been living with Sullivan for almost seven years.

Sullivan felt uncomfortable because Iruma still thought his parents loved him, even after abandoning him in an alley. It could be seen in the sudden change in his face, a change that Iruma luckily didn't notice. Still, the old man couldn't blame him. Iruma had been raised by them since childhood, and he had a confused idea of what his parents' love was.

“Iruma, don't you think they might have hidden in unknown places and don't want to be found anymore?” Sullivan's voice sounded more serious than usual.

“I don't think so. I always found them easily when I was a child. But now that they're all over the world, I feel like it's harder to win the game. Although they might be cheating and changing their hiding places,” replied Iruma.

Some things changed, but others remained the same. An example of the latter was Iruma's innocence. Sometimes Sullivan wanted to tell him directly that his parents had abandoned him, but he wasn't a cruel man. He may have committed crimes in secret, but he couldn’t ruin the happiness of the child who was his reason for living in his final years.

“Maybe that's true. But remember that sometimes games must end, Iruma.”

“I know, but even so, I want to win. Will we keep looking for them, Grandpa?”

Sullivan sighed after hearing his grandson's question. He couldn't be honest at that moment, so he decided to continue with his lie.

“We'll keep looking for them, I promise you that.” 

Iruma threw himself at him and hugged him with all his strength. Although Sullivan remained firm in his position not to look for those scumbags, he didn't want those moments of joy with Iruma to vanish in an instant.

“I can't wait for us all to eat together, Grandpa.”

“When the time comes, Iruma, when the time comes. For now, why don't you tell me more about your friend Ameri?”

The boy returned to his seat after hearing his grandfather and told him everything he knew about Ameri. Opera had yet to bring the drinks, so the old man and the boy had some quality time together. But even so, Sullivan was a little afraid to think that Iruma might be able to find his family on his own or even discover that the game of hide-and-seek he had organized with Opera was a lie.

At some point, he had to be honest with him; it couldn't be possible that the game of hide-and-seek would continue to be something he believed with complete certainty.

Sullivan didn't expect time to pass so quickly. One day he was playing ball with Iruma, and now he was watching Iruma in his last year of high school with new people around him.

At 16, Iruma was already practically a well-educated young man, someone who was slowly forging a future filled with more love. He had new friends like Alice and Clara, and even a closer relationship with Ameri. His grandfather could sense that from the way he talked about her whenever the topic of conversation turned to her. 

At that moment, they had gone to the market to buy things for the house, taking advantage of the weekend. Groceries, cleaning supplies, new clothes, everything they could think of; in the end, they had money to spare. Opera had stayed home to prepare dinner, so the afternoon was reserved just for grandfather and grandson.

Sullivan already had difficulty going out because of his age, but it wasn't so bad that he would miss a day off with Iruma.

"Look, grandpa! You might be interested in this."

The young man approached one of the vendors and showed him a purple coat from a well-known brand. Sullivan could see that his grandson was already able to identify high-quality items, a skill he was proud to see him put into practice.

“Do you want me to buy it for you, Iruma?”

“No, thank you. Actually, I want to buy it for you.”

Iruma took out a handful of money from his backpack that he had saved from the tips Sullivan gave him before going to school. Those tips were supposed to be for him to buy more food, but Iruma saved them for special occasions. And in this case, a gift for his grandpa was a special occasion.

Sullivan was surprised by Iruma's gesture. He told him that it wasn't necessary for him to spend his savings, but his grandson remained firm in his decision. He wanted to give his grandfather something special.

He chose the purple coat from the counter, and after helping his grandfather try on his new clothes, Iruma paid the salesperson. This was the first gift he had ever given Sullivan with his own savings.

“Here you go, Grandpa. This is for being the most amazing person in the world.”

“Oh, thank you, Iruma.”

There was no doubt that the bond between them had grown to a very significant level. Sullivan wholeheartedly appreciated that Iruma had decided to give him a gift, and it was a present he would keep until the last day of his life. He wanted his purchase to be worthwhile, so he was already thinking of ways to preserve that coat well.

Still, he was going to pay him back that money in the future one way or another. He didn't want that purchase to diminish the savings he had accumulated.

The two continued walking through the different stores, getting the things they needed for the mansion and talking about Iruma's experiences at school. It was a valuable time for both, where joy was reflected in their smiles and in the lightness with which they carried the bags.

They reached a point where they decided to rest for a moment. They sat on a bench overlooking the city at sunset, a sunset filled with vehicles and shops everywhere. They saw families wandering around different places and even some birds flying over the telecommunications towers.

They sat in silence for a while, looking at the horizon, until Iruma said something that surprised the old man.

“This reminds me a little of my mom.”

Sullivan was intrigued by Iruma's comment.

“In what way?”

“I don't know. Probably some stupid thoughts. Let's just enjoy the atmosphere, ok Grandpa?”

It was the first time he had ever had a negative thought about his parents; in fact, it was the first strong word Iruma had ever used. Normally, he would have been lightly scolded for learning such a term, but on the other hand, he was using it against his mother. Against the person who had abandoned him without mercy.

Iruma stared into space while Sullivan continued to watch his grandson. The logical thing would have been to leave the conversation there, but Sullivan wanted to make sure that what Iruma had said was sincere.

“Are you still thinking about that game from years ago, Iruma?”

“A little. But I think they must have lost by now.”

Those words were enough to put his mind at ease. Normally, a child learning the truth about his abandonment could result in tragedy, but it seemed that he was slowly coming to terms with the fact that his parents were no longer necessary in his life. But it was also a sign that his innocence was slowly fading away.

That didn't mean that Iruma was no longer the charming child he had met years ago. But he knew that Iruma was beginning to understand things about the real world. He hadn't yet told him directly that his parents had abandoned him, but it seemed that he was beginning to realize it. The signs were clear to him, but he didn't seem to care.

He just wanted to spend time with his grandfather and Opera.

That made the old man happy. He decided to end the conversation with those words and turned his gaze toward the city. Sitting next to his grandson, they enjoyed the sunset for a long time before returning home, where Opera was waiting for them to have dinner as the happy family they were.

Living for a long time was something Sullivan considered a curse, but it wasn't until Iruma arrived that his perspective on the subject changed.

For a long time, he thought he would die alone, without the opportunity to start a normal family; but when Iruma came into his life, everything around him changed for the better. Since his arrival, he was happy to witness his gradual and steady growth and happiness.

However, he knew that everything must come to an end. Now he wanted to live much longer, but his body was showing signs of wear and tear.

The old man was already 77 years old, but he felt that death was stalking him at every moment. At some point, it would strike with all its strength and deliver a direct blow that would end his life in a second. He wasn’t afraid of death; he was even ready to face God's judgment in the afterlife.

But he wanted his death not to be tragic for his grandson. After all, he and Opera were the only family he had. At least temporarily.

“How did your date with Ameri go?” asked the old man.

“It was great, Grandpa. We shared ice cream, went to the carnival, and she even gave me this as a souvenir.” Iruma showed him a bracelet that Ameri had made for him, which had hearts and precious pearls on it.

“Well, it looks like you finally found your soul mate, doesn't it?”

Those words made Iruma blush. He was no longer that child who didn't understand such comments. Now in college, he was fully aware of everything around him, although he still retained some traits that made Sullivan see him as a little boy.

There was never a moment when Iruma stopped talking about Ameri in an incredible way. Sullivan knew that this was a sign of what was to come, but keeping in mind that Iruma had loyal friends and a loving girl in his mind, he was sure that he was ready to move on to the next step in his life.

“You can't fool me, Iruma. I've known you for many years to know that you're in love.”

“Hehe, maybe, Grandpa. Maybe.” Iruma replied, trying unsuccessfully to cover his blushing face.

After that conversation, Iruma told him that he was going to see Ameri one more time. He wanted her to spend some time at the mansion to study, so he was going to go to her house to pick her up and bring her to his home. Sullivan gave him permission, and the boy quickly went to change so he could go to where Ameri was.

It didn't take long, and he was back on the first floor, with his grandfather waiting for him and Opera making sure he had the perfect perfume for the occasion. He was wearing some elegant clothes that his grandfather had kept from years ago, clothes he was proud to wear.

As he checked his pockets, he noticed something solid in his pocket. He reached in and realized it was a badge with the letter “S” marked on it.

“What's that?”

“Oh, it's a badge my dad gave me when I was a kid. He said it was so I wouldn't forget my last name. I don't know how it got here. Give me a moment.”

The young man headed for the kitchen, followed by the two adults. Once inside, he made a perfect throw, and it landed in the trash can.

Sullivan realized that Iruma had already come to terms with the fact that his parents were no longer part of his life. When he learned the truth, he cried a little, but not to the extent that it caused him terrible depression. His life had improved with Sullivan and Opera, and it was something he was truly grateful for.

Although now, Sullivan had to be honest and admit that he did nothing to return him to his real family. Sometimes he wondered if it had been right to do nothing to see what his family was like, perhaps even the words Iruma had said as a child were lies.

These were thoughts he didn't understand why they came into his head, but he still wanted to apologize if he had caused any problems in his life.

“I'm sorry, Iruma. It seems that in the end, I failed in my mission to find your family.”

“No, Grandpa,” said the boy. “I already found my family. I have them with me right now.”

Sullivan knew that he had never tried to find Iruma's parents and had been deceiving him for many years. His grandson probably already knew about his actions too. But he never expected that he would consider him his real grandfather after all this time. Those words were enough to lift his spirits to unimaginable heights.

“I wish my parents were here. But I realized that they just didn't love me. And that's ok, right? At least I have you guys.”

“We will always be with you, Iruma. You can be sure of that.” Sullivan approached his grandson and stroked his head.

Once the boy felt ready, he said goodbye to his grandfather and Opera, assuring them that he would arrive at the mansion in an hour.

“I’ll see you later.”

Iruma left the mansion to see Ameri, carrying his trusty knife in case he needed it and some extra money to buy her something to eat. When the door closed, Sullivan couldn't help but smile at his grandson's maturity. And even though he was mostly on the streets, he could feel that he was always by his side just by wearing the purple coat he had bought him years ago.

He was happy that Iruma had adapted to the truth in the best way possible. He was at peace knowing that he had done something good for his life.

But he knew that happiness would come to an end.

“He knows that I will die someday,” Sullivan said.

“I know. Iruma is not as innocent as he used to be. But I'm sure he'll get through all this,” Opera replied.

At some point, they had to talk about death. There was no opportunity to delay that conversation any longer, knowing that it was just around the corner. But this time, Sullivan was sure that Iruma would be ready for that moment. He had reliable friends, a large inheritance, and even Opera's company so he wouldn't feel alone.

However, even though his time was running out, he wasn't going to let his grandson be left without his care.

“Did you get what I asked you for, Opera?”

“Yes, here are the requirements for the orphan scholarship.”

“Perfect.”

Sullivan didn't know when death would strike its final blow. But he wanted to ensure that when he passed away, Iruma would have access to a high-quality, virtually free education. That way, he would be guaranteed a stable future in Opera's hands and with his future partner.

It was his last gesture of love on earth, and no matter where he went, he was sure that Iruma already had a place in heaven thanks to his care.

Even in the afterlife, he would do everything possible to take care of Iruma. Because he was his favorite grandson. And part of his real family from the moment he found him.