[Magical Apparatus Battler Room – Post-Exam Vibes]
Laughter echoed through the Magical Apparatus Battler room as the Royal One students gathered, joy bubbling from each corner. Magical trinkets blinked and whirred in the background—useless inventions half-assembled in the exam stress chaos of the past week, now forgotten.
Clara spun in circles, arms outstretched. "We did it! We really passed!"
Lied pumped his fist in the air. "No more doom-and-gloom study sessions!"
Gaap slumped into a beanbag chair, smug. "Told you morons we'd make it. Eventually."
Iruma smiled quietly as he watched them celebrate, arms crossed, Sharingan deactivated but ever present behind his eyes. The success felt different this time.
I didn't get carried by My friends … I earned this. Man Demon world knowledge is sure hard.
He turned toward Asmodeus, who stood silently near the far wall with a composed smile.
"Hey, Azz… where's Elicos?"
Azz's expression dimmed slightly, arms folding.
"Elicos attempted to cheat during the exam. He was caught by Professor Balam's lie-detection ability—'Buzzer.' He's been assigned to the Supplementary Class."
Iruma's expression flickered with something unreadable—equal parts pity and disapproval.
"He should've trusted himself more. That shortcut cost him everything."
"Indeed." Azz nodded. "Your efforts, Iruma-sama… they influenced many of us. It's ironic—those with raw talent looked for shortcuts, while you, with neither advantage nor heritage, rose by will alone."
Iruma tilted his head slightly, amused. "I'm just... updating myself."
Azz smiled. "That's what makes you dangerous, Iruma-sama."
No. Iruma turned toward the group again.
That's what makes me different.
[School Courtyard – The Scoreboard]
The digital scoreboard in the courtyard shimmered in golden magic, listing the results of the End-of-Terminus Exams. Students from every class buzzed around it, murmuring about who ranked where, who failed, and who surprised them all.
Standing quietly among the crowd, cloaked in silence and her long shadow, was Azazel Ameri.
Her red eyes scanned the list with sharp focus, brushing past countless names until they landed on one.
"Iruma Suzuki — 81st."
She smiled softly, folding her arms beneath her cloak.
"You really are full of surprises, Iruma…"
Even though I suspected you were struggling, you still clawed your way up. Without excuses. Without shortcuts.
She stepped back from the board, her long hair catching the wind, her heart a little lighter.
You'll make a fine king.
---
[Student Council Room – Afternoon]
Ameri straightened a crisp stack of human manga on her desk, her gaze falling longingly on First Love Memories Vol. 6. A tea set was arranged to the side, still steaming, meticulously prepared with snacks Iruma mentioned liking—mostly based on Clara's loud opinions, but Ameri trusted her oddly accurate insights.
She cleared her throat, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"It's about time…" she murmured, eyes glancing at the clock.
Just then, a crash echoed down the hallway. Ameri instinctively stood as the double doors slammed open with enough force to rattle her teacups.
"IRUMA'S NOT COMING!" Clara cried, dramatic as ever.
"What?!" Ameri blurted, uncharacteristically loud. "Why not—what happened?!"
Clara pouted as she marched in, dragging a little tea cart behind her. "He's with the guys doing Screeching! It's like karaoke, but way more intense!"
Ameri froze, her composure faltering.
Screeching? That obnoxious male bonding ritual? Instead of our reading session?
"B-but I had tea ready…" she whispered.
Clara sniffled melodramatically. "I had cart tea, Ameri! We were gonna have fun! So I'm making you have fun instead!"
Before Ameri could protest, Clara grabbed her hand and yanked her out of the office with unnatural strength.
---
[Magical Apparatus Room – Girl Time]
The room was unusually calm, filled with pastel decorations and glittering spell lights Clara had conjured. Kerori sat cross-legged on a beanbag, in full "normal girl" mode—hood up, idol persona set to low-power mode. Ix, floating lazily with a mug of inferno cocoa, waved as Clara and Ameri arrived.
"Yay! More girls!" Ix grinned. "Let's introduce ourselves again but like, girly version!"
Ameri sighed, still recovering from the emotional whiplash. "Azazel Ameri. Third-year. Student Council President."
"Kerori Crocell," Kerori added, barely looking up as she applied lip gloss. "Second-year. Idol. Don't tell anyone I'm here."
"I'm Ix Eligos! Lover of aesthetic explosions and eternal sparkles!"
Clara beamed, placing the cart in the center of the room. "And I'm Clara Valac! My hobbies are fun, Iruma, and causing noise!"
Ix clapped. "Perfect! Now… girl talk time!" She turned to Ameri, squinting. "Okay, serious question: what shampoo do you use?"
Ameri blinked. "…Devian."
Gasps followed. Even Kerori raised an impressed brow.
"Devian? That's like, elite shampoo. It costs more than a week of school meals."
Clara suddenly popped up behind Ameri and ran her fingers through her hair like a curious squirrel.
"So shiny! Like a moonlit waterfall!"
Ix nodded dreamily. "I wanna live in your bangs."
Kerori flipped her hood back, letting her blue curls shine. "I use Lovelica. Limited edition. I get it imported."
Everyone turned to Clara.
"I use soap!" she declared proudly. "For shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath, and toothpaste!"
A beat of silence.
Ix choked on her cocoa. "…Toothpaste?"
Kerori gently palmed her forehead. "Clara, no."
Ameri, despite herself, chuckled softly. "That's… impressively chaotic."
"Here." Kerori pulled a sample bottle from her bag. "Lovelica trial size. Use it for your hair. Not your teeth."
Ameri nodded and unfastened her bag with surprising speed, offering Clara a slender bottle with golden inlay.
"Devian. Use sparingly."
Clara squealed, hugging both of them. "Now I can have shiny princess hair too!!"
Ix grinned. "Now that's girl bonding."
As the room filled with laughter and teasing, Ameri relaxed into the moment, letting go of her disappointment.
Maybe… this is nice, too.
---
[Gamer Battler Room – Screeching Session]
The walls thudded with bass. Neon lights flickered wildly as boys yelled into echoing crystal microphones, casting sound spells that made their voices ten times more dramatic.
"NEXT UP—IRUMA!" Goemon shouted, practically dragging him to the front.
Iruma gave a small sheepish wave, the kind that said "please don't expect much" but stood under the glowing rune spotlight anyway. With a deep breath, he selected the same song he sang with Kerori at the concert.
The melody kicked in—soft, gentle, swelling with emotion.
And then his voice cut through.
Smooth. Strong. Sincere.
The room froze.
Even Sabro, who had been flexing for no reason in the corner, slowly turned toward him. Shax choked on his drink. Gaap blinked in disbelief.
"Is that… our Iruma?" Goemon whispered, stunned.
As the final verse rang out, Iruma's eyes closed, his voice holding that subtle ache and calm confidence that had begun to define his new self.
When it ended, the room exploded in cheers.
"BROOO!""Encore!""YOU'RE THE MAIN CHARACTER!"
Iruma scratched his cheek, a shy grin forming.
"Heh… guess I'm still not half bad."
"Master Iruma, Your voice, Your song are so Great it brings my tear"
*Sniff*
---
[Magical Apparatus Battler Room – Girl's Night Chaos]
Meanwhile…
The girls had gathered around the center table, still sipping the soothing (and suspiciously too relaxing) tea Clara brought. The faint pink steam swirled like mist. The vibe was peaceful… until Ix decided to poke the beehive.
"Sooo…" she twirled her straw like a wand. "Anyone you like?"
Clara's hand shot up like a summoned beast. "IRUMA!"
The air cracked.
Ameri's cup froze halfway to her lips.
Her inner monologue imploded.
Wait, Clara… LIKES Iruma? What does she mean by that?! She means romantically?! But she's always so touchy with everyone—no, this is serious, her tone changed!
Her hand trembled slightly. Her usually pristine posture tilted. "A-Ahaha… w-what a… coincidence…"
Ix grinned mischievously. "I mean, he was kind of cute during that evil cycle phase."
Kerori, trying to maintain her idol aura, muttered into her cocoa. "…He was… so cool…" She immediately blushed and looked away.
Ameri's thoughts spiraled.
He's a womanizer. This is just like chapter 22 of First Love Memories when the prince accidentally builds a harem without realizing it…
Ix leaned toward Ameri. "You're the President. Got any love advice?"
Ameri cleared her throat, clutching her tea like it was a lifeline.
"W-Well… Physical contact is crucial… like, lifting someone in a bridal carry when they're falling from the sky during a netherbeast attack."
Everyone blinked.
Clara gasped. "OHHH! So touching IS important!" She stood and waved her arms dramatically. "I touch everyone in class all the time!! That means I love them all!"
Ix nodded sagely. "Honestly, same. I'd date everyone. All of 'em."
Ameri choked. "N-No! You must clarify! 'Like' is different from 'LOVE'!"
Ix tilted her head. "Clara, would you marry Iruma?"
The question slammed into Clara's mind like a spell impact.
She froze. Face turned beet red.
"M-M-M-Marry?! I-I-I mean—he's super fun—and I like being around him—and… it'd be… kinda nice?"
Ameri combusted.
She's dangerous. A chaotic force. Must keep Iruma away for his safety.
Ix cackled. "Iruma would make a good husband, huh?"
Ameri's face went redder than the Student Council seal.
Kerori crossed her arms, defensive. "That depends on the age of consent laws and education system rules. Marriage between students is—And Iruma is so Cold!"
"A Whatttt!!" Clara countered.
"S-Still! Love isn't something to be rushed!" Ameri argued, eyes flaming with sudden passion.
Ix laughed. "It's the tea! We're all going feral!"
The room devolved into rapid-fire debating, blushing, shouting, and quoting random manga references. The tea steam intensified—revealing the secret behind it: Valac Relaxation Blend MAX Strength, forbidden by some health codes.
---
[Later That –]
The girls now lay across beanbags and rugs like exhausted adventurers after a final boss battle. Soft snores. Gentle glows. Scattered shampoo bottles and untouched sweets.
They had vented every emotion possible… and somehow, remembered nothing specific.
Clara stretched and yawned. "What were we talking about again?"
Ameri blinked, confused. "...Hair products, I think?"
They all giggled faintly.
Kerori grabbed her phone. "Let's exchange numbers, just in case."
Phones beeped. Contacts saved. Smiles exchanged.
A strange peace had settled between them.
Friends.
Allies.
Co-conspirators in the chaos that was… liking Iruma Suzuki.
[Just Then – The Door Opens…]
"Hey! Sorry for interrupting, I was wondering if—"
Iruma stepped into the room with a polite smile, only to be met with a WALL OF PILLOWS thrown at supersonic speed.
"GIRLS ONLY!" they all shouted in unison.
Slam!
The door shut behind him.
Iruma stood in the hallway, blinking.
"...Okay. That's… fair."
He scratched his cheek and turned, walking off with a chuckle.