Chapter 40: Imaginary World

"Ugh. Why are you here?!"

Angelie straightened up and pointed back at Akuma.

"It's only normal for a guy like me to be here! It's more unnatural for a girl like you to want to go here!"

Akuma stomped his foot while he glared at Angelie.

"That's sexist! We can love manga just as much as you guys!"

She snapped at Akuma.

"That's not what I mean! Aren't you supposed to be some straight-A student type?! When do you find the time to read manga, huh?"

He clenched his fist as his other hand continued to point at Angelie.

"I-I'm allowed to have a few hobbies here and there! And living by yourself can be boring, so…"

Angelie looked away from Akuma.

"Tsk. Well, I've been reading manga since I was young. I have more rights to be here than you. Also, I was here first so just go somewhere else—"

"Whatever. I'm heading inside."

Akuma wasn't finished talking when Angelie started to walk toward the entrance of the building. He went after her.

"Damn it, I wasted all those coins yesterday! Those statues don't work!"

Akuma grumbled as he and Angelie paid the entrance fee and went inside.

---

Upon entering, they were mesmerized by the sheer amount of manga that was on display. Their eyes widened and glittered. Their eyes then darted toward different aisles and sections of the museum.

Beyond the mostly local selection of manga, there were some international ones that were on display. The building, which now served as the Manga Museum, was previously an elementary school. Some of the relics from those days were also displayed.

The highlight of the museum was the 'Wall of Manga' spanning the whole building, where there were about fifty thousand books readily available to be browsed on the spot. One could also check the Research Reference Room and Manga Database to search for old manga or ones not on the shelves.

In the permanent and temporary exhibits, one could see the origins and history of manga, and its evolution as well. There were also other activities that one could participate in. There was a manga workshop where one could join and experience the making of manga. There was also a booth where one could have their portrait drawn in manga style. A café and a museum shop could also be found near the entrance.

After admiring the sight upon their entry, they both looked at each other and sneered. They then looked away and went on their separate ways.

Akuma walked around and browsed through some manga on the 'Wall of Manga'. There were some he hadn't read before and some he checked again because he recognized reading it a long time ago. He was smiling as he read some of the old ones. He continued to browse through some of the books on display until he reached a section where he recognized one of the titles.

"Oh, it's 'The Evil King who Saved the World'! I haven't read this last volume in a while."

Akuma reached out to grab the book that was on the shelf. Before he could touch it, someone else has grabbed it first.

"Sorry, I'd like to read this one—"

"You again?!"

Akuma shouted as he saw Angelie took the book in her hands.

"This place is big enough for the two of us. Just get out of my way."

Angelie turned around and walked away from Akuma.

"Hey! I saw that book first! Give it back."

Akuma chased after Angelie.

"What do you mean 'saw it first'? I was the one who got it first, so wait until I finish. I haven't read how the story ends yet."

"Wait, so… you really like that book?"

"Of course! Why else would I take it then?"

Angelie stopped walking and looked at him.

"Well, to spite me or something."

Akuma scratched the back of his head as he looked away.

"You really think I'd waste my time just to do that? Anyway, I just love the story of 'The Evil King who Saved the World'."

"Oh, really? What about it do you like?"

Akuma raised his eyebrow as he looked at Angelie.

Angelie started to list some characters and storylines that appeared in that manga. Akuma responded that some were over rated but some of the characters she mentioned were interesting. He then started to state some of his favorite parts of the story. Angelie listened intently and nodded at some of what he said. She was quite amazed at his almost encyclopedic knowledge of the events and story of the manga. Their conversation continued for a while.

"So that's what happened there. I was a bit confused at that part, to be honest."

Angelie had her hands on her waist as she listened to Akuma.

"Some complained about that too. But it takes a broad mind to understand what the author was trying to convey when he made those decisions."

Akuma smirked as he nodded his head.

"Well, the best part of the story is the character arc of the protagonist, the Evil King."

Angelie beamed as she mentioned the Evil King character.

"It seems that you're not that hopeless, after all. He is the one that elevates this story from being a good story to a masterpiece."

Akuma smiled as he crossed his arms.

"Right?"

Angelie nodded her head as she smiled.

"I love that the Evil King was rightfully seen as the hero of his world."

Akuma puffed up his chest.

"…Huh? He was seen as the hero because he was given a chance at redemption and he grabbed it."

Angelie tilted her head sideways as she looked at Akuma.

"He was still the Evil King, in the end. Nothing he did changed that distinction. But in spite of his name, he was still recognized as the hero!"

"Um, it was his acts of heroism that led people to see him as the hero. They didn't care that he was called the Evil King because he didn't act like one in the long run."

"That's not how I see it."

"Are you somehow trying to relate the story to you… being the Demon Lord...?"

Angelie leaned closer and squinted at Akuma.

"Ugh… No…?"

Akuma's eyes darted around at every direction.

"I knew it! I can't believe it!"

"You were agreeing to everything I was saying earlier!"

Akuma pointed at Angelie as he took a step back.

"I was! And I can't believe I did… I actually thought we had something in common. Something we could agree on…"

Angelie looked down and stared at the floor.

"A-anyway, it seems like you've lost interest in the book, so let me have it—"

"No! I'm still going to read it!"

Angelie walked away again.

"After all the explaining I did, you owe me! Give it to me!"

He chased after her.

---

While the two of them walked around the museum and argued who should have the book, they reached the area where one could have their portraits be drawn in manga style.

"Um, excuse me, you two. Do you want to have your portraits drawn as a couple? It'll be in manga style."

The male artist sitting behind a desk called out and smiled at the two of them.

"I'm sorry but what makes you think we'd want that? And as a c-couple?! Why does everyone see us like that?!"

Angelie glared at the artist. He kept on smiling at her.

"Just give me the book and no one will have to see us together! It's your stubbornness that's causing misunderstandings!"

Akuma reached out for the book but Angelie kept it out of his reach.

"Don't you dare sneak your selfishness into this situation!"

Angelie shifted her glare to Akuma.

Their argument went on for a while. Unbeknownst to the two of them, the artist proceeded to draw Akuma and Angelie. After he finished, he called out again to them.

"Here you go. Hope you make up already."

He handed the portrait to Angelie. It depicted the two of them smiling at each other.

"I'm sorry, we didn't ask for this—"

"I'll take it. How much is it?"

Akuma grabbed the portrait from Angelie's hands.

"I'll give you guys a discount as help toward your reconciliation. It'll be just 2,000 yen."

The artist smiled at Akuma.

"Here. Thanks."

Akuma took out his wallet and paid the artist. He then walked away from the artist. Angelie had her jaw dropped as she watched the whole exchange. When Akuma was starting to get further away, she shook her head and followed after him.

"Hey, you! W-what are you planning to do with that portrait? Why did you take it?"

Angelie called out to Akuma as she walked behind him.

"I-I'm finally a manga character! So, this is how I look like in a manga, huh? I'll just have to cover this part with the dumb Saint on it."

Akuma smiled as he stared at the portrait.

"Uh huh…"

Angelie had her hand on her face as she shook her head.