This was who I am, Kyoto Seinaru. A man with black hair and red eyes who was just an ordinary worker at a grocery store. Although my pay wasn't that much, with a clear plan, financial problems were not a problem for me at all. I was always prudent in spending to wait for a promise that had bound me. My busy days were going on normally until I saw a familiar figure passing by while I was walking around the city.
I was surprised to see a blonde-haired woman walking next to me. I gasped for a moment before continuing walking to approach the woman. If I wasn't not mistaken, the person I just saw with my very eyes was my long-lost friend who had helped me a lot back then when I was still in school. I gently patted her shoulder while asking to be sure.
"S-Sorry. Is this Tomori-San?"
The woman answered my question with a surprised expression on her face. Even though we just met again, her reaction just now proved that I'm not hitting the wrong person. She then answered my question again while looking directly at my face.
"Sei-kun?"
I nodded slowly as I looked at her, confirming her doubts just now. For a moment, tears welled up in my eyes after seeing her again. Although this woman helped me a lot before, destiny said otherwise and we were separated by distance once she moved out and left me alone in school. But, who would have known, this small world reunited me with her again. Unconsciously, I shed a tear before stroking it again to be more firm. However, I couldn't hide my happiness as soon as I met her again.
Right here and now, I looked at her while asking,
"Tomori-San, don't you remember our promise?"
The woman was surprised to hear my question. I kept standing while looking directly at her face, waiting for a reply from her. After giving it some thought, the woman in front of me nodded slowly in agreement. We exchanged addresses before finally saying goodbye to continue our day again. That was where the story begins...
My love story.
Despite working hard as a grocery store assistant, I don't waste my free time and always made plans about the places I wanted to go with her. I also bought a lot of reading materials such as romance novels and manga related to love so that I didn't get awkward when I went out with her. All the life I had lived out so far, I would use to make the only woman who believed in me happy.
We met again a few times after that when both of us didn't have any business that prevented us from spending time together. We walked around the town while holding hands, showing the world that we were a couple in love. I walked her shopping at her favorite mall. We drank and chatted casually about many things, especially our school trips. Even though I had to spend a lot of money to make this woman in front of me smile, I didn't worry because I had been ready for so long and believed this day to come. The beautiful days continued until a month later...
I walked around the town with Tomori-San as usual. However, my steps stopped as soon as a gun was pointed right next to my head. I resigned myself to my situation and immediately raised both my hands in the air. But to my shock, I was surprised to see the one pointing the gun at my head. It was Tomori-San, the person I considered my own lover.
I was silent as I looked at her, puzzled.
"Tomori-San, what does this means? Where's our first promise... Don't you want to deepen our relation-"
The woman in front of me shushed me with a cynical smile on her face.
"Relationship?!!" (Smile)
"Sei-Kun, Sei-Kun. So easy to be fooled. What makes you so delirious right now?" (Laugh)
I was silent while looking at her. I finally realized that all this time I had been deceived by her sweet promises. I was fooled by the smile she put on her face. Everything was just a mere act.
"I'm sorry Sei. To be honest, I never felt a thing for you and never considered you a friend let alone a lover"
I was upset to hear the words spurt out of her mouth. I kept silent while holding back my emotions at the time.
"Promise?!! Everyone's changed Sei-Kun. This greedy world will not spare those who are honest. Thanks to that, I am still alive until now"
My breathing became heavy as soon as I heard the explanation given by that woman. I faced the ground while asking her in a low tone.
"Why do you keep pretending..."
"Hahaha... What a stupid question... It is obvious that I must see your disappointed face after I take all your money and then dump you"
I kept silent while listening to the words thrown by the woman in front of me. The woman in front of me kept looking at my face before continuing,
"Besides Sei-Kun, you're slow... There are already people chasing after Tomori"
She showed me her ring which she had kept hiding every time she went out with me. The promise that had been keeping me alive was now dissolved as soon as I knew the woman in front of me was only using me for her own good.
I was very aware that this world was full of lies. I was so aware of it. However, I didn't expect that the person I had put all my trust in would also deceive me and even see me not as a human being but as a tool. A glimpse of my memories of her back then at school suddenly flashed through my mind.
"Hey, Sei-Kun. Although distance separates us, trust will never. Tomori will continue to wait for the time when we meet"
I smiled at her at that time.
I then looked back at the face of the woman who was now in front of me. Her once kind and loving self had completely changed. I couldn't even see the woman in front of me as the same woman who had accompanied me back then at school. I kept staring at the ground where I was standing with a blank stare. I remained in that position for some time without able to shed any tears from my eyes.
"I got what I wanted. So I have to take care of what they wanted now. Sorry, Sei-Kun. This world is really cruel-"
"Begone...from my sight..."
"Ara, how brave are you to even answer..."
The woman looked at me with disgust, probably because she was annoyed with me for acting tough despite being on the verge of death.
"I SAID... BEGONE?!!"
"If not, what are you gon-"
In an instant, the body of the woman in front of me disappeared and spewed out blood everywhere. I sat weakly looking at my hands that were stained by her blood. However, no sympathy appeared or was felt in my heart. I then lay weak on the ground as if death had approached me. Instantly, all the efforts I had ever made crossed my mind.
"I can't sleep until I find an interesting place to go for our next date"
"Excuse me. What places are interesting here?"
"Sorry to ask. What's interesting here"
All of my energy and time were used to make that woman happy. But I myself never used those times for my own happiness. Slowly, everything went dark and I lost my consciousness.
----------------------------------------------------------
Bam.
A loud explosion wakes me up from my slumber. I slowly open my eyes while looking around. I then rub both my eyes which are still sleepy. Instead of seeing the classic and soothing bar scene, my eyes see something I shouldn't see. I'm casually sitting on a chair in the middle of the ruins of a building that is barely standing like in a battlefield.
"Am I dreaming?" (Stared)
But I finally realize that what I'm seeing right now is not just an illusion since nothing changed after I rub my eyes. Plus, there are two people standing at the end of the street right outside the now destroyed bar.
I'm surprised to see Saoto standing in front of a woman in iron armor who is in a combat posture, ready to strike. Although the woman still wields her sword firmly, there are wounds all over her body. As for Saoto, there is not even a single scratch as he stares at the woman with a flat face. In that tense situation, I slightly catch the details of their conversation from afar.
"Compensate the damaged bar.."
The woman looks at Saoto while yelling in panic.
"W-WHY I NEED TO DO THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE?!! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO SHOT A DEADLY MAGIC AT THAT BAR..." (Panicked)
"WHO'S BEEN SITTING NEAR THERE, HUH. YOU BET I WON'T NOTICE THAT YOU KEPT WATCHING US, HAH?!!"
Both of them put on tense faces. I then run towards Saoto to calm him down first. From the details of their conversation just now, I can confirm that this bar gets utterly destroyed by Saoto who goes berserk as soon as he found out the woman has been sneaking and watching our movements. If I allow this to continue, I'm worried that the land that receives the impact of these two colliding will not hold for long, making a small apocalypse occur right here. I only intend to ask the woman for her explanation of doing so. However, if she turns out to be guilty, I will not stop Saoto from punishing her right here and now.
"SAOTO?!!"
For a moment, both of them stop fighting while simultaneously look at me. I run and hug Saoto's body tightly to calm him down.
"S-Sei?!!" (Shocked)
"Tyrant Demon King?!!" (Shocked)
Saoto and the woman in front of him are surprised as soon as they see me. However, I'm also surprised by the woman who is calling me with something strange just now.
"Huh?"
I look at the woman in front of me, puzzled. In an instant, she drops the sword she had drawn as her eyes fill with tears as soon as she sees me.
"Long white hair, with bright red eyes that frighten anyone who sees them. There's no mistaking it. This is the Tyrant Demon King" (Moved)
I'm surprised by the woman's words. I then look upon my body. I finally realize that I have become a succubus again as soon as I see my long flowing white hair and my chest blocking my view. I guess that also explains why Saoto seems to be a little taller than me just now as soon as I hug him.
I look at the bound yellow haired woman wearing the armor again with a puzzled face. She keeps saying the same thing I don't understand from earlier as soon as I came to interfere. I then ask Saoto to confirm something.
"Saoto? Is this Saoto's friend?" (Staring)
"No, I don't even know where she came from" (Staring)
"Eek?!!" (Sad)
We continue to stare at the armored woman. In a moment, she picks up her sword again and points it at us even though her hand is shaking, unlike before.
"R-Release the Tyrant Demon King... Mahou, doesn't Mahou remember me at all?" (Sad)
I look at her strangely while shaking my head. For a moment, the woman suddenly cries and drops her sword again. I immediately run toward her to calm her down.
"Calm down... Take it easy"
I stroke her head gently to calm her down. For a moment, a smile spread all over her face.
"I'm not mistaken tho. The gentle way of calming remains the same... But how come I got forgotten just like that..." (Sad)
The woman in front of me now crying louder than before. I once again try to calm her down by patting her back. Saoto then approaches me and the woman after being silent for a while.
"Who will remember what had happened thousand years ago tho..." (Sighed)
In an instant, the woman in front of me stops crying before looking directly at Saoto's face as if she just realized about something. I remain silent because the woman in front of me doesn't seems to need me to calm her down anymore. He quickly takes something from her back pocket and shows it to me.
A picture.
"Don't you remember, Mahou? This picture of Mahou is the same as how Mahou looks right now"
I look at the picture she holds carefully. In a glance, the said features are indeed the same. Long flowing white hair and bright red eyes. However, I look back at her while lowering her hand.
"I-I thought you might have gotten the wrong per-"
I get surprised as soon as Saoto grabs my shoulder and crouches next to me while looking directly into my face. A little surprised by his action, I quickly turn my face away from him, probably because his face gets too close to my face.
"Sei, why do Sei really want to go to that palace in the first place?"
I'm surprised to hear Saoto's question and then looking back at his face. He asks me about the Tyrant Demon King's castle which has now become Queen Lumina's palace. I'm thinking for a moment to recall something on my mind.
"Because Sei has kept dreaming the same woman who looks similar to that picture. Sei wants to go there because Sei wants to investigate what had happened to that woman and why Sei kept dreaming about her over and over again-"
For a moment, I'm surprised as soon as Saoto holds my hand tightly while looking at me. He smiles before continuing again,
"That's Sei's real face. Is Sei sure all of that dream is all just a mere dream and not Sei's memory?"
I'm shocked to hear Saoto's question. I never thought about it until then. However, it also makes sense that what I had dreamed is not just a normal dream but the fragments of my memory that arise like pieces of a puzzle from time to time. I then look at the face of the man next to me with a puzzled face.
"With that said... That picture is actually how Sei's looks back then and Sei is the Tyrant Demon King who lived a thousand years ago?"
I look at Saoto with a face wanting certainty. Saoto smiles while nodding slowly to answer my question just now. The woman in front of me also nods as if she agrees with what I just said.
"E-EEH?!! I-IF THAT'S THE CASE, W-WHY THERE IS A WARRIOR HERE?!! D-DID I WANT TO BE PUT IN A JAIL?!!" (Shocked)
I'm surprised as soon as I realize something. This warrior just came to Miltia district while knowing about my true identity thus I'll be dragged into the prison. I then retreat and hide behind Saoto as soon as I make such a conclusion.
"I-It's not like that... I-I don't intend to come here as a warrior, but as a subordinate..."
She is panicking before being followed by sadness at the end of her words. I then approach her again to calm her down while gently stroking her head.
In an instant, tears flowed out of her eyes.
"Even though Mahou has forgotten who I am, Mahou still serves me as well as Mahou did before. I will remain by Mahou's side as before, as Mahou's main servant..." (Cry)
I get shocked upon hearing it. It's hard to believe what I just heard. How could a high-blood and famous warrior like her be my subordinate or servant a thousand years ago?
I remain silent as I continue to stroke her head gently. Even though I want to calm her down, it doesn't help that much since what is making her cry right now is the fact that I don't remember anything about her. Saoto immediately pats the head of the woman in front of me while looking at her with a smiling face. For a moment, the woman stops crying before looking back at Saoto's face with a puzzled expression.
"That's why I want to bring Sei to live with me so she can go back to the palace and restore her memory there"
I'm surprised to hear Saoto's words. Apparently, that has been the main reason Saoto wants to marry me and take me to his palace. I look at the woman in front of me again. She looks at Saoto's face with a surprised expression. Her tears also stop flowing as soon as she hears Saoto's words. For a moment, she exhales a heavy breath before she quickly stands up before paying her respects to us.
"Pardon my rudeness. Allow me to be Mahou and Demon King Saoto's subordinate from now on"
"Huh?..."
Saoto nods slowly to show his agreement. However, he gets back up again while crossing his hands to say something.
"With one condition. The bar that has been destroyed needs to be compensated again"
For a moment, the woman gets shocked before shedding some tears.
"Eeh, do I still have to..." (Sad)
Saoto smiles as he looks at my face before looking back to the woman that has been kneeling in front of me.
"Compensate it by stopping being a warrior and loyally serves under me"
The woman turns shocked again as soon as she hears the punishment she gets. Tears streaming down all over her face. She then stands up again to show us respect while saying loudly,
"Ready to execute"
I smile happily while watching the scene in front of me right now. Finally, the tense atmosphere earlier can be eased while everything ends well without any bloodshed or damages. Although there is a part of the building that gets destroyed like the bar earlier, it could have gotten worse if these two keep arguing with each other. I then look at the woman's face to make sure of something.
"Anu, why were you lurking around earlier?"
For a moment, the woman bowed her body as if apologizing before continuing again,
"Sorry for not introducing myself first. Call me Nita. Nita was assigned to overcome the problem in Miltia about the escape of the Tyrant Demon King done by Demon King Saoto. However, Nita only see Demon King Saoto alone in the bar at that time..."
"EEP?!!"
I gasp upon hearing that. Apparently, this woman in front of me doesn't realize that the man she saw in front of Saoto at that time was indeed me. Meaning, my appearance just changed as soon as there was a big misunderstanding between these two people. For a moment, I try to recall what has happened that caused me to be a succubus again.
("Sei has long chose Saoto")
For a moment, my cheeks redden as soon as I remember it. I, who gets very drunk at that time, told the man next to me all the feelings I had hidden all this time. I, who still feel embarrassed get shocked when Saoto suddenly grabs my head and strokes it gently before asking me something.
"Is there something bothering Sei?"
I look directly at Saoto's face while muttering to myself.
"EEK?!!"
("EEH, I CAN'T TELL HIM ABOUT THAT, RIGHT?!!")
Saoto look at me with a very concerned face. I quickly turn my face away from him so he wouldn't see my face.
"N-Nothing"
Saoto gently caresses my head. Even though I'm not asking him to do so, this man next to me seems to understand that my heart is not very calm at the moment and then caresses me gently to calm me. However, that warm moment finally ends as a shaky voice crosses my ears.
"Anu, u-until when does Nita have to watch a love show-" (Almost crying)
I quickly look at her face again while waving my hands in panic to deny it.
"W-where were we just now... Go on, Nita-Sa-" (Panicked)
"Mahou, Nita also wants to be close to Maho-"
I get surprised as soon as Nita jumps and hugs me tightly. I then push her face away from my body while asking her to be more serious.
"Oi, Nita-San. Please continue the story... Quit playing around already..."
I keep pushing her body that really wanting to hug me until she finally gives up from continuing it. Despite the sad look on her face, she quickly straightens her posture and puts on a serious face again.
"Ehem... After that, Nita continues to wait and wait for the opportunity to meet Mahou not to catch, but rather as a reunion after a long separation. Although Nita could see Mahou now despite Mahou didn't remember-"
I quickly pull both of her cheeks with my hands. I immediately react by doing that since I feel that I could not calm the woman in front of me by stroking her head. So before this woman cries, it's better if I tease her a little so that she doesn't continue to be carried away by her sad emotions.
"Ou-ouch"
("Since when was Mahou good at pulling people's cheeks") (Staring)
The woman rubs her sore cheek. I look back at Saoto's face who is standing next to me. My heart that is still pounding just by thinking about the issue earlier quickly makes my cheeks blush again. Despite being so embarrassed, I try my best not to turn my face away from him even though my eyes don't dare to look directly into his face. In a moment, Saoto turns his face as he is called by Nita who is standing away from me as if she wants to whisper something to him.
"Come here, Saoto-Sama!!!"
"MAHOU SAOTO?!!"
"Eek?!! Why are you so picky" (Almost crying)
"Who won the duel?"
"Huk... Huk..." (Sobbing)
Nita snickered as her eyes fill with tears as soon as she gets teased by Saoto. I, who get puzzled earlier suddenly chuckle when I see the two of them. Saoto and Nita continue to whisper something without my knowledge for a while before Saoto walks slowly towards me again. I, knowing that I'm about to be the next victim to be teased, quickly turn my body away from him. Slowly, I feel my shoulder being touched by Saoto and his mouth is placed close to my ear to whisper me something.
"Sei, do Sei want to continue?"
Somehow Saoto's whisper sounds very seductive in my ears. My body then suddenly feels strange. My breathing becomes heavy as my tail wagging fast, showing him that I'm not calm at all right now. His seductive voice instantly makes my body weak as if a desire has arisen in me. Slowly, I call the man in front of me with a trembling voice.
"H-hey S-Saoto... B-before w-we continue our journey today... S-Sei w-want a k-kiss"
I tell him the desire that has been hidden in my heart. Although I'm very embarrassed by it, my mind can no longer think straight in a body like this. My heart won't calm down until I get what I've wanted from him, a kiss.
For a moment, Saoto caresses my cheek gently. I, unable to hold back my desire, almost letting out a strange sound before Saoto quickly kisses my lips and hugs the back of my head tightly before gently stroking it. Instantly, my heart feels much calmer as soon as I receive a kiss from him. However, I get surprised as soon as I hear a thunderous applause followed by cheers around me.
"Congratulations, Mahou. Congrats"
"CONGRATULATIONS, MAHOU"
"Congratulations to Mahou and his partner"
I then squirm while hitting Saoto's back repeatedly to ask him to release me from his arms. Saoto then looks at me with a puzzled expression to make sure of something.
"Sei, didn't Sei chose to be Saoto's wi-"
"Shush... Shush..."
I hint Saoto to speak more slowly while pointing my finger on his mouth. With a low voice, I look back at Saoto's face with my cheeks already red in embarrassment.
"S-Sei is s-so e-embarrassed to be seen b-by so many people..." (Embarrassed)
Saoto gets surprised as soon as he hears my excuse. He then releases his arms while smiling at me. I'm momentarily happy to know that the man in front of me understands me very well before returning his smile again. Saoto then extends his hand to help me stand up before I tightly grab his hand with my hand. I'm suddenly surprised as soon as Saoto hugs me tightly next to him while looking at the crowd to announce something.
"To everyone here, thank you so much for your applause. But, please keep this a secret until I make an official announcement later"
"Hupp"
In an instant, the crowd that has surrounded us just now immediately disperses after being directed by Saoto. To be honest, I almost stop him from making the announcement publicly because I'm worried he would announce it. However, I feel very relieved and happy since this man next to me not only disperses the crowd but also really cares about my feelings.
For a moment, my reverie stops as soon as I see Nita looking at me with a face full of tears.
"It's very touching but if only Nita could get involved in that beautiful moment..." (Sad)
I sigh as soon as I see her reaction again. To be honest, I'm surprised how someone who cries so hard like her can become a warrior who should be brave and tough. I then run to get her quickly before stroking her head gently again.
"Then let's come with us to Sao's palace-"
"Nope. Nita, please go to the palace first to prepare the welcome"
I'm surprised as soon as I hear Saoto's order. I then think of any reasonable reason why Nita is told to go to the palace first when we could just go together with her. Saoto then approaches me before slowly stroking my head gently.
"Saoto and Sei want to go for another walk around the city. Nita please head to the palace first and prepare to welcome us later"
Nita looks at Saoto's face with a surprised expression. She then anxiously replies back to him,
"H-HOW CAN NITA E- ENTER THE PALACE WITH THIS ARMOR... E-EVERYONE WILL ACCUSE THAT THERE IS A HERO WHO INFILTRATED THE PALACE..." (Panicked)
Saoto sighs before snapping his finger, causing a magic circle to appear in the air followed by a strange light that then surrounds Nita's body. Panicked by it, I then tap the man next to me while looking at him with a worried expression on my face.
"S-Saoto!!! W-What if t-that clothes will be the same as S-Sei's clothes that day?!!" (Anxious)
I'm worried as soon as I remember that Saoto had given me a 'clothes' before leaving the house. I am certainly worried that I will witness the same incident again in front of my very eyes. I don't mind if what I'm seeing is my own body shape but it's different if it's another woman's body. I keep tapping his body before finally Saoto returns my gaze with a smiling face while gently stroking my head to hint me to calm down.
In an instant, the warrior armor she was just wearing suddenly changed into a beautiful black and white maid dress with a headband perfectly placed on her head. I breathe a sigh of relief as soon as I find out that what I imagined just now did not become true. Saoto then looks at Nita's dazed face again as if she couldn't believe what she just witnessed.
"If you wear those maid outfit, it won't be a problem to enter the palace. After arriving, go straight to meet Obaa-San, the oldest maid and show this to her"
Saoto hands what looks like a royal symbol to Nita. However, despite being provided with clear instructions, Nita still stands with tears in her eyes.
"Nita wants to join in, can I-" (Flatter)
"NO"
Saoto replies briefly to Nita's question. As usual, the woman's face continues to fill with tears. I then gently rub her head while whispering something in her ears.
"It's okay, Nita. Later at the palace, we can chat to our heart's content-"
"Aight" (Excited)
Nita immediately corrects her posture while her sad face suddenly becomes cheerful as soon as I tell her to wait for me in the palace. In an instant, she disappears as soon as she uses a teleportation-like magic. After that, I'm immediately surprised when I find out a strange light also surrounds my body and changes my man clothes into a white blouse and long red pants covering my whole body. I then look back at Saoto's face with a puzzled expression.
"Saoto said we want to go for a walk, right? Why does Saoto have to change Sei's clothes all of the sudden?"
I ask in a puzzled tone. Saoto smiles at me before lowering his body slightly to whisper something in my ear.
"Saoto wants to take Sei on a date, not a normal walk. After all, Sei said Sei never had a chance, right?"
I'm surprised as soon as I hear Saoto's request. My cheeks also flushed as soon as I remember what has happened at the bar earlier. Not only that, in my previous life, I spent a lot of my time planning the best to make my loved ones happy. Despite that, I never thought of my own happiness. I fall silent while thinking about something for a while. In a low tone, I ask Saoto to ensure something.
"F-for S-Saoto, d-does d-dating makes S-Saoto happy too?" (Embarrassed)
I'm reluctant to accept his request if his original intention is just to make me happy because that will hurt him just as much as I did before. I'm willing not to do it if that can make both of us happy without having anyone being hurt. After a while, Saoto then puts my head on his chest while stroking my head gently before replying back to me.
"Saoto invites Sei because Saoto feels happy only when Sei is beside"
Saoto says all of it with a smile on his face as he looks straight into my face. I then hug him tightly while shedding some tears.
I'm very happy to hear that Saoto is also happy to follow my selfishness. In a moment, Saoto quickly wipes out my tears before lifting up my face to look directly into his face again.
"Sei don't be sad. We want to have some fun, right?"
"Hurm..." (Smile)
I smile again while looking at him before tightly welcoming the hand he extends for me. We continue our 'dating' around the city and also stop at the fun fair we went by earlier. I spend a lot of my precious time with the person I'm in love with right now.
Saoto.