Chapter Text
Iruma no longer lived on Earth, but that didn't mean he had to leave his entire human culture behind.
Sullivan told him that even though he was adapting to the Netherworld, that didn't mean he had to forget everything about being human. In one way or another, those beings had a role to play in the world where he now lived, so he had to strike a balance in his education between demonic and human knowledge. And his grandpa had a point; Balam's classes explained in one way or another the importance of humans, even though they were mostly seen as food.
Therefore, he had to continue to gain knowledge of the human world. However, he couldn't assign that task to just any teacher, knowing that his identity was a mystery to Babyls. So, Sullivan assigned that task to Opera, knowing that they were one of the very few demons who knew that Iruma was human. They were someone he could trust, and although they had had a rebellious past, they were now a demon capable of teaching Iruma a variety of things.
Their classes were varied, based on a schedule they organized each day. On certain days, they asked him to read books on human language that they obtained illegally, on others they reinforced his survival skills, even though he could adapt to the dangers of each hostile environment he encountered. They even began to teach him psychology and social sciences, areas that they adapted to the society of the Netherworld while maintaining his human essence.
Opera might have been a rebel in their school days, but with Iruma, they did everything they could to make sure he understood the class to the fullest. They even got to the point of learning from each other what it was like to be human, so it was a time they made the most of.
This time, the boy had been assigned a special class in Latin and Law. The Netherworld was mostly based on customs and few written rules, but in one way or another, it followed the same rules as the earth: rules to regulate the behavior of demons and ranks.
Iruma went so far as to learn certain principles of law such as “Iura Novit Curia” and “Alterum non laedere,” principles that, although they could not be fully applied in the Netherworld, had another somewhat special form of application. A more demonic application, with little in common with the human world.
They continued until they reached a somewhat special principle. The “Pacta Sunt Servanda,” translated as “agreements must be kept.” According to Opera, this was a principle that mentioned how important it was to comply with the terms of a contract, regardless of whether it was oral or written. And in the Netherworld, it had even more value. Breaching a contract could cause a demon to pay the consequences not only financially, but also with their own life and integrity.
Iruma asked them what consequences breaking such a contract could bring. Opera began to list everything that could happen to a demon: curses with inexplicable pain, endless torture, slavery until the end of their life, even their worst nightmares coming true. Although this applied mostly to high-ranking contracts, Opera mentioned it as if it were applicable to every existing contract.
Their tone was somewhat sinister, and they stopped when they saw Iruma tremble a little. They apologized for being too direct, but sometimes they had to be specific with what they taught Iruma.
However, that fear lingered in Iruma's mind throughout the week. He wanted to make sure he hadn't broken any promises, afraid that one of his friends would hate him for not being a man of his word. Or worse, that they would abandon him, knowing that this was his greatest fear and the worst punishment he could receive.
He wrote a list of the names of his friends and family, beginning to remember all the moments he had spent with each of them. Alice, Clara, Lied, Opera, Sullivan. He was very careful with each of his memories, but little by little his fear eased as he realized that there were no promises he had broken.
Until he got to Ameri's name and his mind remembered something they had never done together. Watching fireworks together.
It was a promise he had made after the incident at the batra festival in his first year. It was very clear that she wanted to watch the fireworks he had made in his batra by his side, but that time he was unable to attend because he was trying to prevent Kirio's destructive plan. Sometime later, he promised her that they would watch other fireworks together that he would prepare with his own efforts. Ameri accepted Iruma's offer, and they made a verbal agreement.
Three years later, he had completely forgotten about it. And he knew that at some point, the punishment for his failure to fulfill his promise would cost him dearly. Therefore, he had to tie up loose ends. So as not to jeopardize his friendship with her.
More than the fear of the punishment that the Netherworld could bring him, he didn't want his relationship with her to be jeopardized by forgetting something as important as that promise. Sure, they had been through a lot together, including some embarrassing and very intimate situations, but that would mean nothing if Ameri didn't get to fulfill her dream of watching the fireworks by his side.
Iruma felt a sense of panic at the response Ameri might give him after three years of not keeping his word. She would probably get angry and stop talking to him forever.
Or worse, she might be able to accuse him to her father that he was human, and his life in the Netherworld would end up as nothing more than a vague memory. If Opera said that breaking a contract would make his worst nightmares come true, then he had to do everything he could to prevent that from happening and end up in a sea of tears.
However, there was only one way to know if his contract could still be fulfilled or if it had already expired. He sent Ameri a message with something specific: In three days, she was invited to come to his house in the evening for dinner and a special surprise. He didn't want to be direct about the fireworks, so he didn't mention this and offered her something that, according to him, would surprise her to the max.
Ameri accepted the minute he sent the message. Iruma thought it would be more difficult to convince her, but for now, he was on the right track.
All that time, he was preparing for that special night. A date that would determine whether Ameri would continue to be his friend or not. He asked Opera to cook their best recipes, asked Sullivan to give him fireworks, and asked them both to give them a little space on a balcony in the mansion.
Iruma remained calm, trying not to worry his grandfather or Opera. But inside, he wanted to explode. If contracts were as important in the Netherworld as Opera had said, then the punishment for being forgetful could cost him dearly.
And he knew his greatest weakness. Being alone. Losing Ameri was something he would never forgive himself for.
He slept with insecurities throughout that time, but he arrived with energy and a nice suit for the night that would determine whether or not his friendship with Ameri would continue. He wanted to be optimistic; he wanted to think that everything would turn out fine and he would keep her friendship.
There at the door, punctual and ready for her date, was Ameri. She was wearing a purple dress and shiny heels, as well as a unique perfume that she had just started wearing. Iruma knew this because it wasn't the same perfume she wore when she went to Babyls. It was a totally new one.
She looked fantastic in Iruma's eyes. Every day he saw her more beautiful than usual, and this time she looked like a princess.
"Ameri! You made it!"
“Of course I was going to come, Iruma. I wasn't going to break the promise I made to you.”
Those first words were enough to make the young man nervous again. Even Ameri was reminding him of the contracts, even though she didn't realize it.
However, she didn't look angry or uncomfortable. Iruma took that as a good sign.
Iruma led his friend to the main table in the mansion. Once there, Ameri sat down next to her friend. They started talking about how they had been doing lately and whether the stress of school had caught up with them unexpectedly. Ameri looked calm and happy, maintaining the firm posture that characterized her perfectly.
But internally she was nervous, just like Iruma, although for different reasons. It was a date with the human of her dreams, a moment alone with Iruma. Sure, they could spend time together at school and at various attractions in the Netherworld, but there were always crowds or people around who interrupted their atmosphere.
This time they were alone. Opera and Sullivan were practically like shadows. Iruma and Ameri had the space all to themselves, so Ameri had to make the most of that time with him. Besides, when he told her he was going to give her a surprise, she imagined many things. A chat about their past lives, a date with balloons, a gift from him, lots of hugs until the end of the night.
Or a kiss.
She couldn't let her mind betray her that night, so she remained calm and let the date unfold slowly.
They both had a huge feast. It was a huge variety of luxurious dinners, desserts, and drinks suitable for their age. Iruma usually chose the food, but this time he focused on giving Ameri her favorite dishes because she was the special guest. Ameri couldn't eat as much as the boy but knowing that he had made an effort to learn about her food preferences, she was motivated to eat everything on the table with him.
They laughed and smiled nonstop. And even though Sullivan and Opera were in the house, they let the couple have their moment alone, only appearing when they needed small things like new napkins or something for comfort. Ameri was delighted to have that dinner with Iruma, this time with no schoolwork or disasters around them. It was quality time with the boy of her dreams.
Iruma was happy that Ameri was enjoying their little dinner, even though he knew that their entire friendship depended on what was to come. That meal wasn't going to be enough; he knew that the contract would define his future with her.
Once they were finished, Opera appeared to clear away the dishes. He was satisfied to know that the couple had enjoyed their meal. The two young people sat for a few minutes, and then Iruma asked Ameri to follow him. She stood up and began walking behind him, thinking they were heading to the main hall or the mansion's garden.
But they began climbing stairs until they reached the top floor of the mansion. Iruma opened a door, which had two chairs of different sizes for both. They were on the balcony.
“Why are we here?”
“Because you need a good view for what I have to show you.”
That's when she realized it was time for Iruma to show her his special surprise. Her mind quickly filled with moments of love between Rin and Kakeru: a declaration of love, a slow dance, even a kiss.
She was eager to see what Iruma had prepared. She settled into the chair Iruma offered her, and once she was ready, Iruma sat down next to her.
He asked her if she was ready to see his surprise. With great excitement, she nodded her head.
“Look up at the sky, please.”
Ameri looked up as Iruma used some magic from his ring. For a moment, she was witnessing the stars and moons that covered the night sky. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, but she knew that something was going to happen that would exceed her expectations of Iruma once again.
Iruma shot a small light into the sky with his magic, as if he were signaling something. Ameri wondered why he had done that, but suddenly, she began to see flashes of light directed toward the sky. And when they reached a significant altitude, they exploded like sparklers, lighting up the sky as if it was the human New Year.
In the distance, Opera was setting off fireworks with a mortar. And unlike the batra festival, these were exclusively for Ameri.
“I hope you like this,” he said as he approached her to hug her.
Ameri couldn't hide her surprise. In fact, the situation was much better with Iruma by her side. She did nothing to stop him from approaching her, simply letting him hug her without any problem. She didn't know how to express what was on her mind. Both the sky and the earth were giving her the greatest happiness of her life.
In the sky, fireworks flew in sync and in short bursts so that Ameri could enjoy the scene to the fullest. A variety of colors covered the girl's eyes: purple, blue, red. And with the combination of the moons of the Netherworld, it made for an enchanting landscape for Ameri.
“This is incredible!”
And on earth, Iruma's company was the cherry on the cake. Her Iruma was by her side, having done something he wanted only her to witness. It was something that few could see as it was a human event; no one had the privilege of seeing fireworks at that moment other than Ameri.
It was like the gift Kakeru gave Rin in one chapter of her manga. A night of fireworks that he made for her on her birthday, in the middle of a full moon night and under a tree. She was excited when she read that chapter with Iruma at school, but now that she was experiencing that moment in real life, she had new feelings she didn't know she had.
Iruma was amazing. Every day she was sure of it.
The setting was perfect for Ameri. An exclusive night with Iruma watching fireworks, with nothing to interrupt them and hugging like a real couple. It was the romantic setting she had seen many times in her manga, and although she still had her feelings saved for when Iruma reached her rank, she considered this a special moment of love.
But there came a point where his embrace felt more like an attempt to suffocate her.
Ameri was surprised at how tightly Iruma was hugging her. She looked down and realized that he had started to cry.
“Iruma, why are you crying?”
“Y-you don't hate me, do you?”
“W-why would I hate you?”
“For forgetting my promise... For doing this when three years have already passed...”
Ameri was surprised by her friend's words. She didn't know what she had done wrong that night.
“W-what?! I-Iruma, what promise are you talking about?”
Iruma didn't know how to respond. He felt pressure in his chest, thinking that after that hug she would leave him forever. He didn't have the courage to look up, he just wanted that moment to last forever.
But Ameri wasn't going to let her date be ruined by some misunderstanding. She grabbed Iruma by the shoulders, trying to get him to look at her.
“Tell me, what happened? What made you think I would hate you?”
The boy tried to lift his gaze and hold her look, but he was afraid to show her his tears. But he had told himself that he had to be brave to see if their contract would be fulfilled or not.
“I promised to take you to see fireworks, remember? In our first year?”
“But Iruma... we're watching fireworks together... What's wrong with it being today?”
“That was a promise I should have fulfilled at the time... B-but now, I-I don't want this to be our last day together.”
“Last day? Iruma, do you really think I was going to get angry because we didn't see fireworks together since that time?”
Iruma just nodded. He didn't want to talk much.
“I mean, o-obviously I wanted to see fireworks with you, Iruma. But I also understand that you have your own goals. I don't want to get in the way of everything you have planned. I didn't want to ruin your plans just because of a whim of mine.”
She didn't seem upset that he had broken his promise. It didn't seem like his deep fears were going to come out that night. She wasn't grabbing his shoulders with the urge to attack him. He could tell she was controlling her strength.
Iruma felt like a fool. And Ameri looked worried about how he was reacting.
“Forgive me for breaking my promise. Forgive me for being a bad friend.”
“Don't you dare say that.” Ameri let go of his shoulders and grabbed his face. "Look at me in the eyes. Can you see me angry? Can you see me wanting to kill you? Because everything I've experienced tonight has been phenomenal. I don't know who gave you the idea that my promise was to cut you out of my life. Iruma... I'm not going to leave you alone because of a little incident like that."
Reality was hitting him hard. Ameri wasn't acting the way he had imagined all these days.
“Y-you don't want to... leave me alone?”
“Never. Iruma, we've been through so many adventures together, we've bled and sweated to fulfill our ambitions. I'm not going to let a misunderstanding ruin what we have; do you understand me?”
Iruma's heart ached at Ameri's words. He could see that she wanted to cry too, but the last thing he wanted was for her to suffer because of him. He gathered his inner strength and fought hard to hold back his tears.
“I will always be with you, Iruma. Please don't ever think that forgetting a past promise will make me walk away from you.”
Ameri's sincere words made his insecurities vanish. He was happy to know that she didn't hate him.
“Besides, I loved everything you did for me. Thank you. But please, I don't want you to ever think that I will abandon you. You are always in my mind, and I want you to have me in yours too, ok?”
“O-ok,” said Iruma, smiling through his tears.
Ameri let go of his face and hugged Iruma again. She didn't understand what had happened during those days when she wasn't with him, but she wasn't going to let her love story with Iruma be ruined by some misunderstanding. She had once heard that love is always seen in bad times, and although technically they had both had a small incident, they were both able to calm down with a good conversation.
The two remained embraced as they continued to watch the burst of fireworks in the sky. This time, Iruma felt more comfortable next to Ameri. Without any more fears, he was confident that she would not leave him alone.
At least everything had turned out well. His breach of contract had not punished him in the worst possible ways. And that was because their love for each other overcame all the barriers of insecurity they had.
Iruma let himself be carried away by the warmth of the embrace as he continued to watch the fireworks with her. After so much time in the shadows, he was no longer afraid of being alone.