Chapter 5: A Promise is a Debt

It was the start of the last week of recruitment. In the morning before classes, both Akuma and Angelie were standing in front of Sanaka's desk.

"Darn it, even though we had Sanaka's masterpiece of a flier, no one even approached us about the club."

"What did you expect? It was the weekend, are they supposed to go to our houses just to inform us they wanted to join? Idiot Demon Lord."

"Of course not! But the Saint who gave out a lot of fliers, in the end, also has nothing to show for!"

Both of them glared at each other. Sanaka was slumped on her desk, not bothering to look at the two.

"Why are you having this skit in front of my table this early in the morning? Find someone else to disturb."

She let out a loud yawn, indicating she lacked the sleep and energy to react to them this early.

"Hey Fukushuu-san, someone is looking for you."

One of their male classmates called out to Angelie, and he pointed to someone at the door of their classroom. It was a girl with long, light blonde hair.

"Hmm, she looks familiar. I wonder what she wants."

"Hey, that's the girl who got a flier from me! Maybe she decided to join after all! But why is she looking for you? I'm the president!"

Angelie looked at Akuma with an air of disgust while crossing her arms.

"It's creepy that you remember her from just that moment. I'll go to her. Don't come."

"No, I'll go too."

Angelie didn't wait for his reply and already went towards the door. Akuma did follow her, just like he said. Both of them stood outside of the classroom together with the girl with blonde hair.

"Hi, I'm Fukushuu. They said you were looking for me?"

"Are you going to join the Help Club or not?"

Akuma interrupted even before the girl could respond to Angelie. He was a bit excited at the prospect of someone finally joining.

"Stop being rude to someone you don't even know! Ahem, please excuse this idiot. So, did you need something from me?

After dismissing Akuma, Angelie faced the girl with a smile on her face. In turn, the girl was only looking at Angelie and was completely ignoring Akuma. After a bit of silence, she finally spoke.

"I do intend to join the Help Club."

"Ha! See that! It was the flier from me, and not you—"

Akuma turned to Angelie to brag of a perceived victory over her.

"But I need to confirm some things first."

The girl was still ignoring Akuma, not even looking at his general direction. Akuma was desperately trying to be noticed, but to no avail.

"No need to worry about anything—"

"Why are you, the Saint, working with the Demon Lord?"

Both of them were taken aback. They couldn't talk for a while, but then it was Angelie who was able to speak first after composing herself from the shock of what they heard.

"Don't tell me, you're also from… Altro Mondo?"

"Indeed. But I am now Furui Mimi, from 2-C."

The bell rang immediately afterwards. It signified that class would begin and that all students should be inside their classrooms.

"We shall continue this conversation later after class. I will meet you in your classroom. Well, then. See you later."

---

The day passed and it was already afternoon. Most of the students started to exit the classroom until only the two of them were left, and apparently also Sanaka. She was slumped on her desk, but eventually lifted her head and glanced at Akuma and Angelie. They were awfully quiet while sitting down.

"What's wrong with you two? Though I don't mind the peace and quiet."

There was no response from either of them. It made Sanaka uneasy that she stood up from her seat.

"Hey, now you are being TOO weird—"

"Hi, sorry to have made you wait."

Mimi was standing at the entrance of the classroom.

"Oh, you're that girl they talked to earlier. Something's broken with them right now, I don't know if you'll be able to talk to them like this."

Sanaka's voice was serious, but the concern could be felt slightly.

"I'm quite certain that they will talk to me. Isn't that right, Fukushuu-san?"

It was only when Angelie heard her name that she turned her head toward Mimi. Then, Mimi went inside the classroom and stood in front of Angelie. Angelie just stared at her for a while without saying anything, until she decided to ask Mimi what was most bothering her that moment.

"So, who were you before—"

"I believe that I asked a question first earlier today. It would be only proper to answer me first, before I answer your question."

Angelie, upon realizing that she was somehow avoiding Mimi's question in their earlier conversation, hesitated to answer directly.

"I, um, I'm… only working with him because—"

"If you're asking if we've joined forces or anything, no way in hell that's going to happen. It's just that our interests in this world align and working together benefits both of us."

Akuma broke his silence. There is a bit of hostility in his voice, and his glare towards Mimi could not be mistaken.

"So, isn't it time YOU answer the question of this damn Saint?"

"I wasn't talking to you, cursed Demon Lord."

Mimi was still only focusing on Angelie. She was eagerly waiting for a reply. Angelie has her head hanging, avoiding eye contact with the girl in front of her.

"Um, I… have regrets about how I lived before, and I see working in the Help Club as atonement for being unable to protect everyone. I can help people as who I am now. Although, what that Demon Lord said is true. Our interests align, but now I can also stop him if I ever see even a hint of evil deeds being done."

"I already told you, diplomacy is my—"

"Have I answered your question sufficiently, Furui-san? Can you now tell me who you were?"

Angelie finally lifted her head and looked into Mimi's eyes, with a serious look of determination.

Mimi closed her eyes, exhaled and calmed down. The somber look on her face disappeared and was replaced with a warm and gentle smile.

"I am so pleased to know that you have not changed one bit. As such, I am obligated to uphold my long-standing pledge to offer you my support for as long as I live."

"Wait, are you—"

"Yes, I am the leader of the elven clan. It is very nice to see you, my dear friend."

Akuma stood up from his chair and slammed his desk with both hands.

"Ugh, why are my old enemies ganging up on me even in this life!? But… as the President of this club and not the Demon Lord, I will allow you to join."

Applause echoed inside the classroom. Sanaka started to clap in genuine amazement.

"Woah, when did you guys practice your lines? Maybe you should just join the Drama Club, you know? I mean, they're cheesy lines, but still."

Even though impressed, she still felt weirded out by their ability to act like this in the open.

Suddenly, footsteps of people running were echoing from outside the classroom. Then, a group of girls wearing Kyudo attire, called a hakama, stopped in front of the door of the classroom.

"Mimi-san! You can't quit the Kyudo club! Not when you're so good at archery!"

"Yeah, Furui-san. You were in line to be the next ace, and we need you!"

"Please, come back!"

Some of the girls shouted and begged at Mimi. Desperation and despair were visible from their faces. It seemed that there were even some close to tears. Mimi faced them and then walked toward the crowd of girls.