Chapter 13: Dangerous Den

It was the beginning of another week. After Akuma and Angelie have recruited the members needed to officially establish the Help club, it was time to submit the list to the teacher responsible for club activities.

"Here is the member list of the Help club, Ms. Kibishii."

Angelie was inside the faculty room during lunch break for this exact purpose.

"Oh, Fukushuu-san. I see you were able to complete the required number of members. I'm so happy that there are many like-minded students enrolled in our school."

She took the piece of paper with the names written on it from Angelie. She then stamped it as approved.

"We will have a meeting later today, after all clubs have submitted their lists. I'll inform you which room you can use as your clubroom tomorrow. Please drop by in the morning after your club president signs this form."

She handed a piece of paper to Angelie. Angelie looked at what was written on the form.

"Um, Ms. Kibishii, does it really have to be signed by the president? I'm the vice-president, so maybe I can just sign it?"

Angelie was forcing a smile as she pleaded with the teacher.

"Sorry, but the rules say it has to be the president. And we'll need the signed form by tomorrow morning because there are still things we need to discuss tomorrow."

Angelie breathed out a heavy sigh.

"I see. It can't be helped, then…"

"What's the matter? Is there a reason why Jizen-kun can't sign the form?"

"Well…"

---

After Angelie was done talking with Ms. Kibishii, she headed to the rooftop where Mimi and Sanaka were eating their lunch. The two of them were seated near the railings. Angelie joined them and sat down.

"What's wrong, Angelie-san? Were there any problems with the club's member list?"

Mimi looked at Angelie as she sat beside her.

"No, but there is an issue I can't avoid…"

Angelie told the two of them what happened in the faculty room and what else Ms. Kibishii required.

"It means I have to go to the demon's lair."

Angelie stared at the floor as she relayed what needed to be done.

"Demon's lair? Oh, you mean go to Akuma's house since he's absent today?"

Sanaka remarked as she was continuing to eat her food from her lunchbox.

"Don't make it seem like a small matter, Sanaka-san!"

Angelie slammed her hand on the floor. Then, she realized that she might have risen her voice a bit too loud.

"I'm sorry, Sanaka-san. I didn't mean to shout at you."

"Oh, it's' okay. I know you're just worried you might meet his parents—"

"It's not that—"

Mimi then interrupted them.

"You're blushing, Angelie-san."

Angelie then looked towards Mimi.

"I-I'm not!"

---

It was the end of classes. As the students started to leave the classroom, Angelie stood up from her seat and went to Sanaka's table. Sanaka was still seated, fixing her things and getting ready to leave. When Angelie reached Sanaka, she stood in front of her. Angelie then put her hands together and bowed at Sanaka.

"Please, come with me to the demon's lair!"

"I know we're friends, but I can't do that. You have to face your fears and meet his parents. It'll happen sooner or later, anyway."

Angelie whispered to herself.

"I'm starting to regret not explaining things to you…"

"What was that?"

"Uh, nothing."

Angelie's forced laugh and awkward grin were oblivious to Sanaka. Sanaka stood up from her seat and said goodbye to Angelie. As Sanaka left the classroom, Angelie thought of asking Mimi to come with her.

Angelie ran towards classroom 2-C. While she was in the hallway, she saw Mimi come out of the classroom. Mimi didn't notice Angelie and just walked further away to where Angelie was coming from. Angelie hurriedly tried to catch up and then grabbed Mimi's shoulder. Mimi then turned around.

"Oh, Angelie-san?"

Angelie put her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. After a while, she was able to speak.

"Mimi-san, please come with me—"

"Sorry."

"I haven't finshed talking yet! Please hear me out!"

At this point, Angelie grabbed Mimi's hands and inched her face closer.

"Unfortunately, I already know what you are about to say. As much as I would like to be there with you, at this moment I am unable to."

Mimi looked away from Angelie's gaze.

"B-but! What happened to always supporting me?"

Angelie had tears welling up in her eyes.

"You know well that I know you are not going to cry. You haven't cried at all since I met you before. And I don't think you will start right now because of something like this."

Angelie pouted and released Mimi's hands.

"I'm a teenage girl. I'm allowed to cry a little, here and there."

Mimi let out a weak sigh and smiled at Angelie.

"I know that. I'm sorry for assuming things. But if I could, I would come with you. It's just I promised my mother I will take care of my younger brother today. She needs to go somewhere important."

Angelie looked down, to avoid looking at Mimi directly.

"I'm sorry for being selfish…"

"It's okay. Well, good luck on meeting his parents. I hope they are nice people— "

"Stop mimicking Sanaka-san!"

---

After a bit of dilly dallying, Angelie finally made her way to Akuma's house. She got his address from their homeroom teacher. She walked around town until she arrived at her destination. The house has two floors, with a modern, western design. They had a walled fence and a small gate, where if someone was standing from the outside, their heads can be seen from the house. The nameplate near the doorbell shows 'Jizen'.

She pressed the doorbell with her shaking fingertip. No response. She contemplated if she should just leave the piece of paper with a note. But before she could convince herself to do just that, the door of the house opened.

"Yes, who's there?"

A girl with a bob cut peeked out of the door.

"H-hi, um, sorry to disturb you. But I'm here to give something to the Demon Lord."

Angelie quickly realized that other people might not know who this Demon Lord is. Before Angelie could retract what she said, the girl with the bob cut stepped out of the door.

"Demon Lord…? Do you, by any chance, mean my older brother Akuma?"

"Ah, yes, him."

Angelie laughed forcibly. She then grabbed the form from inside her bag. Before she could hold her arm out to give the form to the girl, the gate opened.

"Please, come inside! It's been a while since Onii-chan had a friend come over. Actually, I think you're the first one since he got to high school. Um, Ms. …?"

"Oh, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Fukushuu Angelie. I'm his classmate, regrettably… Also, I'm the vice president of our Help club."

"Help club…?"

"Yes, something about using diplomacy, I think…?"

Angelie laughed awkwardly again.

"So, the diplomacy thing was true?! I can't believe he'd actually be part of that… Ah, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Jizen Yuurei. Let's go inside."

Yuurei grabbed Angelie's hand and dragged her inside their house. Angelie was somewhat resisting but she couldn't outright reject the offer.