'What took you two so long?' Saki crossed her arms.
'Sorry. I just needed to rest for a bit,' Kasumi said quickly.
Saki's eyes narrowed. Her gaze dropped to our hands, and a grin spread across her face.
'What. Is the bastard afraid he'll get lost, so he asked to hold your hand?'
Kasumi glanced down, panicked, and quickly let go.
'What?!'
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
'You're such a baby, bast—'
'Come on, Saki.' Hina grabbed her arm and dragged her away.
'Wait! I need to make fun of the bastard!'
'My knight, you must hold me for protection.'
'Umm… okay.'
Kasumi reached out her hand, and Eri took it.
'Onward, my knight.' She pointed toward Saki.
'O… okay.'
And just like that, I was alone again.
—————————————————————-
'You're too weak, Dark Lord!'
'Heh. This lord was going easy on you.'
Throughout the session, they repeatedly slammed their bumper cars into each other, occasionally catching Kasumi and Hina in the chaos.
'Ahhh!'
'Sorry, Kasumi,' Saki apologised before glaring at Eri. 'Look what you made me do, Dark Lord! This is your fault!'
Eri was already hunting for her next victim.
'Your friends are pretty wild,' a guy next to me said.
'Yeah… they are.'
I drifted around until I came across a fellow lonely driver.
We cruised side by side, chatting.
'At least your friends are still with you,' he sighed. 'Mine ditched me for some girl.'
'That's tough, brother.'
'Yeah…'
Suddenly, Eri and Saki slammed into me.
'Hahaha! Take that, bastard!'
'Heh. Serves you right, my servant.'
They sped off, immediately targeting Kasumi and Hina again.
The guy slowly rolled up beside me.
'You just got destroyed.'
I sighed. 'Indeed I did.'
—————————————————
After the bumper cars, we headed toward the drop tower.
From a distance, we could hear the terrified screams of riders.
'Are you sure, Eri?' Kasumi asked.
'Yeah.' She nodded eagerly. 'It looks… entertaining.'
'Okay… if you're really sure.'
We lined up and waited for our turn.
Saki watched the ride rise and fall, eyes gleaming with excitement. Meanwhile, Eri hummed quietly to herself.
'Yay!' Saki hopped into a seat.
I sat on the outer edge, with Eri between Kasumi and me.
The platform slowly lifted us into the air, revealing a sweeping view of Tokyo below.
'I am king of the world!' Saki screamed out.
'This is quite nice,' Hina said, watching her feet dangle.
Then…
The ride dropped.
'WEEEEE!'
Eri gripped the seat tightly with a smile.
————————————-
Once the ride was over, we did a pit stop at the food court.
'Whoa. The food prices are so high,' Saki muttered, staring at the menu.
'Yep. That's how they get you,' Hina said flatly.
'Ahh, hello, boss. What can I get you?' The cashier greeted me.
'Hmm…' I rubbed my chin. 'What do you recommend?'
'This.' The cashier pointed at the pizza. 'I personally think pizza is the best here.'
I turned to the group.
'Pizza or something else?'
'Oooo! Pizza!' Saki shot her hand up. 'Obviously.'
'Then you can pick the flavour.'
Saki immediately leaned in, scanning the menu.
'What about the rest of you?'
'Anything's fine,' Hina said.
'Um… I'm okay with whatever,' Kasumi added softly.
'Eri?' I asked.
'This lord… will.' She hesitated.
'You don't have to pick what we're having; if you want something else, that's fine.' I said. 'We're all friends here.'
Kasumi gently took her hand. 'Yeah… really. You can choose whatever you like.'
Eri glanced off toward another stall.
'Then… this lord wishes to dine there.'
Kasumi looked at me. 'I'll go with her. Just in case.'
'You sure?'
She nodded. 'I want to try Indian food anyway.'
'Alright.'
They walked off together. Eri gripped Kasumi's hand.
'Huh? Where'd they go?' Saki looked up from the menu.
Hina and I exchanged a glance and sighed.
'They went over there,' I said, pointing. 'So, have you chosen your pizza?'
'Yep.' She tapped the menu. 'That one. And I want the whole box.'
Of course you do.
'Then how about you find an empty table while I place the order?'
'Sure.'
Just as Saki was about to leave, Hina tapped my shoulder.
'I'll go with her.'
'What pizza do you want? How many slices?'
'Cheese, three slices.'
I placed my order and grabbed the food when it was ready.
Searching around, I saw Hina waving at me.
'Here you go.' I set the pizzas down.
Saki, meanwhile, was locked in a silent standoff with a pigeon.
'What's she doing?' I asked.
Hina didn't even look up. 'Staring contest.'
Unbelievable.
I walked over and tapped Saki's shoulder.
'Food's here.'
'Tch. You win today,' she muttered to the pigeon before turning away.
I dropped into my seat.
Eri and Kasumi also arrived with naan and curry.
'Itadakimasu!'
We all started eating. On the other hand, Saki was trying to reinvent how to eat pizza with chopsticks.
'The food is not bad here,' Hina said.
*Tap Tap*
She held out a piece of naan with both hands.
'D-do you wish to partake, my servant?'
I blinked, caught off guard. For a second, I just looked at her.
Her voice was quieter, unlike her usual 'Dark Lord' tone.
'Don't worry about me,' I said. 'Eat it while it's hot.'
Her hand lingered for a second before she set the naan back down.
She deflated.
'This lord… wishes to provide for her people,' she murmured, eyes dropping to the table. 'Especially… those dear to her.'
Kasumi immediately leaned over, wrapping her in a hug.
'That's really sweet, Eri.'
'S-sniff...'
Kasumi pulled back.
'Are you crying?'
'This lord does not cry.' She wiped her nose.
'If you want to, it's okay.' Kasumi patted her and went back to eating.
*Tap Tap*
'Yes?'
Eri was looking at me again. Same piece of naan in her hand.
'Are you certain… you will not accept this offering?'
I hesitated. It wasn't about the food.
Something about the way she asked and the look in her eyes told me that this mattered to her.
'Alright,' I said, reaching out. 'I'll take it.'
Her eyes lifted.
'But,' I added, grabbing a slice of pizza from my box, 'You can have a slice in return.'
'I…'
'Too late.'
I swapped them before she could protest.
She stared down at the pizza now sitting on her plate, like it had just appeared out of nowhere.
'That's yours now.'
'…'
For a second, she didn't move.
Then, slowly, she picked it up and brought it to her mouth.
*Chew. Chew.*
'…'
She swallowed.
With a soft smile, she said, 'Um… This establishment's food is… satisfactory.'
Yeah.
Worth it.
——————————————————-
After having a late lunch, we continued to explore around the park, playing various mini games.
'How the hell is this supposed to fit in there!' Saki pointed at the hundreds of bottles.
'Oh… I just did it.'
Kasumi wasn't expecting any of it to land, so she just threw them casually.
'What?!'
'What a lucky lady.' The employee said. 'Choose any of the prizes up here.'
Saki immediately rushed at Kasumi.
'Choose that! Choose that!' She pointed at a big duck plushie.
'Then… I'll take that.' Kasumi pointed to the duck.
The employee gave it to her and she gave it to Saki.
'Here you go, Saki.'
Saki held onto the duck with sparkling eyes.
'Thank you, Kasumi. You're the best!' She hugged Kasumi with the duck squished between.
'Y-you're welcome.'
Eri, on the other hand, declared war on probability, throwing an entire bucket of rings at once.
'Go forth my minions. Bring glory to our kingdom.'
She missed every single one.
Her face drooped.
'Here, you can have my bucket.' I pushed it toward Eri.
She pushed it back toward me.
'No. This lord does not take from her people.'
'You sure… it seems like you want it.'
She realised her hand was moving on its own. She quickly pulled it away.
'Then we can go half.' I suggested.
I grabbed a couple of rings and threw them aimlessly.
Eri hesitated for a bit, looking at the bucket and the bottles.
*Ding*
She couldn't hold out for much longer and dug her hands inside the bucket.
We kept on throwing until the bucket ran dry; unfortunately, for us, no dice.
Eri looked devastated.
She was staring at one of the big plushies.
'Hey, you mind allowing me to get one of the plushies?' I asked the employee.
'Anything for you, boss.' He said. 'So which one do you want?'
'Hey, Eri.' I called out.
'Y-yeah?' She looked at me.
'Come here for a sec.' I waved.
She waddled over.
'Which one do you want?' I pointed.
'Can this lord select one?' She tilted her head.
'Yeah. Any.'
'Then, can you grant this lord that one?'
I looked at the one she pointed to. It was a bear plushie.
'Sure.'
The employee grabbed it and handed it to Eri.
She held it tightly. A smile graced her lips.
'Thank you, my servant.'
'No problem.' I ruffled her hair.
She flinched for a second before enjoying it.
'Oh my.' Kasumi covered her mouth.
Eri turned around and saw the whole group watching.
'Ahem! My servant here was just fixing this lord's hair.' She said with a blush. 'That's enough servant. Let's go.'
She held my hand and pulled me toward the group.
———————————————-
As night fell, we boarded the Ferris wheel.
The city stretched endlessly beneath us, glowing in gold and white. Buildings shimmered, and roads were traced with streams of light; it almost didn't feel real from up here.
'Wow…' Eri pressed her hands against the glass, eyes wide. 'The city… it's beautiful.'
The rest of us settled into our seats, the cabin gently swaying as it climbed.
Saki, of course, didn't sit.
She bounced from one side to the other.
'Sit down,' Hina said, grabbing her sleeve and pulling her down.
Saki clicked her tongue, but dropped into her seat. 'Fine.'
The higher we went, the quieter it got.
Even Saki stopped talking.
Only the low hum of the wheel and the distant city below remained.
Eri didn't move from the window.
Her reflection stared back at her, small, almost swallowed by the lights behind it.
Then…
*Drip. Drip*
Saki frowned. '… Hey. Dark Lord.'
Eri didn't respond.
'Oi.' Saki leaned forward. 'Are you… crying?'
Eri blinked.
'I… this lord…'
She touched her cheek, staring at the moisture on her fingers.
'Who did this?' Saki grabbed Eri's shoulders. 'Say the word. I'll deal with them.'
Eri shook her head.
'No, it's not… no one…'
Her voice caught.
She looked at each of us, and then more tears followed.
'I just…' Her hands clenched in her lap. 'This lord… does not wish for today to end.'
Her words came out small, fragile.
'I had… a lot of fun with all of you.'
Saki went quiet.
Then she pulled Eri into a hug.
Eri stiffened for a moment… before slowly melting into it.
'I… I love all of you,' she said, her voice breaking. 'Spending time like this… with my people… I… I…'
Kasumi and Hina dissolved into quiet sobs.
Kasumi reached over, gently resting a hand on her back.
'We can do this again,' she said softly. 'Anytime you want.'
'Exactly,' Saki added, holding her tighter. 'We'll be rivals forever, Dark Lord.'
A weak laugh slipped through Eri's tears.
Hina nodded, her usual composure slipping as she wiped her tears.
I said nothing.
Didn't trust myself to speak.
Eri clung to Saki, as if she might disappear if she let go.
'You all…' she whispered. 'You're… the best thing that's ever happened to this lord.'
No one joked.
No one teased.
We just let her cry.
And somewhere along the way…
Without anyone noticing exactly when…
The Ferris wheel reached the top.
Then began its slow descent.
—————————————————————-
'Good evening, boss.'
'Good evening to you too, Mamoru.'
I checked the rear-view mirror, and both Saki and Eri were out cold, while Kasumi held Eri's hand.
'Guess they finally ran out of energy,' I muttered.
Mamoru dropped everyone off at their apartments.
'Bye, Mamoru.'
'Bye, boss.'
He drove away.
Eri was in my arms, still sleeping.
I carried her to her room and laid her down.
'Goodnight, Eri.'
I turned off the lights and stepped outside.
'Alright. You two can come out now.'
The night was quiet, too quiet.
The kind of quiet that doesn't belong in a city like Tokyo.
To me, that meant danger.
I stood still, eyes fixed on the tree just beyond the edge of the yard.
'Don't think I haven't noticed,' I added. 'You've been following us all day.'
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then…
Two figures stepped out from the shadows.
Not quite what you'd expect from the movies. No dramatic masks, no exaggerated movements. Just tight clothing.
'Impressive,' one said.
I don't know what forces lurk in this world, but people like them… screamed 'assassin.'
'Who are you two and why were you following us?'
The two exchanged a glance before one of them spoke.
'The girl in your house,' the other replied. 'She's dangerous. To you and to everyone else.'
'We'd like you to hand her over.'
'No,' I said firmly. 'She is under my care.'
'She's not what you think. Beneath that human exterior is something far more sinister.'
I let out a quiet breath, then I crossed my arms.
'You mean she's half-demon?'
Their posture shifted, just slightly. Eyes sharpening. Attention narrowing.
'I've known for a while. And you two…' I glanced between them. 'You've got demon blood too, though only a trace.'
'…'
They looked at each other again.
This time, there was hesitation.
Eventually, one of them spoke.
'Then this becomes easier,' the first said.
They straightened.
'We are Taimanin; our sole mission is to protect humanity from supernatural threats.'
The other one gestured toward the house.
'The girl inside is a potential risk to humanity, so if you could hand her over, you would be saving lives.'
Saving lives.
I glanced back at the door.
Eri, clinging to a pillow as she slept.
The way she presents herself as a 'lord.'
And how today… the way she held out her naan like it meant something important to her.
'… A risk?' I muttered.
My hand tightened into a fist.
'You're talking about a high school girl.'
'She may not be one for long,' the second replied. 'When her power matures… then what?'
I looked back at them.
'You want to talk about what she might become,' I said, my voice steady, 'but ignoring who she is now.'
A faint breeze moved through the trees.
'Then let me make this simple.'
My fist clenched tighter.
'If you're trying to take her away…'
I stepped forward.
'… You're going to have to go through me.'
The air shifted.
The two adjusted their footing in unison.
'… Understood,' the first said.
One of them lowered their centre of gravity, ready.
'We tried to be reasonable.'
'Yeah,' I replied quietly. 'So did I.'