"Riiing—!!"

The shrill alarm shattered the morning calm.

"Mm …"

Emilia let out a drowsy mumble.

Her long lashes quivered a few times before she slowly opened eyes as clear as amethyst crystal.

Out of habit she nuzzled toward the warm embrace beside her—

—but found the spot empty.

Only the faint hollow in the pillow and the lingering warmth in the quilt proved her lover had lain there last night.

She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and her silky silver hair spilled like a waterfall over her smooth shoulders and the thin camisole nightgown on her back.

She glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand—6:30 a.m.

The holiday was over.

Today she was on the early shift.

A faintly "lived‑in" scent still hung in the air.

Seeing that Tohru and the others were still asleep, Emilia slipped out of bed as quietly as a cat, bare feet meeting the cool floor.

"Smells so good …"

Her nose twitched; something fragrant was drifting through the air.

She followed the aroma to the kitchen.

Beneath the warm lights of the open kitchen, a tall, well‑built figure in simple loungewear was busy at the stove.

"Rei Ao?"

Her voice was soft and sticky with sleep.

The figure turned, revealing a handsome young face.

Black hair, blue eyes, a deep yet gentle gaze—it was Rei Ao.

In one hand he balanced a plate of perfectly fried sunny‑side‑up eggs and bacon; with the other he was pouring warmed milk into a cup.

"Awake? Great—breakfast is almost ready."

His tone was mild, tinged with the crisp freshness of early morning.

Emilia walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around his lean waist, and pressed her cheek to his broad back.

She drew in a deep breath.

Rei Ao's clean, refreshing scent filled her nose,

familiar and reassuring, soaking her heart in quiet happiness.

"Mmm… it smells amazing …"

She mumbled, lazy as a kitten.

Rei Ao set the plates down,

turned around,

and pulled Emilia smoothly into his arms.

Lowering his head,

he buried his face in her silver hair, faintly scented with flowers, inhaling just as deeply, almost intoxicated.

"Mm, it really does smell good."

His voice dropped, carrying a playful heat.

Warm breath brushed Emilia's sensitive ear.

Color blossomed across her pale cheeks.

She gave his chest a gentle push, half‑scolding, half‑shy:

"Mm … stop it. Wasn't last night enough? Fooling around first thing in the morning is so… improper."

Her words grew smaller, tinged with embarrassment.

"Heh."

Rei Ao chuckled low in his throat, tightened his arms so she fit even closer, then planted a tender kiss on her smooth forehead.

"How could it ever be enough?"

"As long as it's you—Emilia—and the others… I'll never be satisfied."

The words were blunt yet sincere, his gaze blazing at the bashful hero in his arms.

"Because all of you are far too beautiful."

The small kitchen warmed with rising intimacy.

They lingered a while longer—until Emilia, realizing she truly would be late, pushed him away with a crimson face and sat down to the loving breakfast he'd prepared.

After eating,

Emilia changed into her uniform to leave.

Rei Ao walked her to the entryway.

"Be careful on the road," he reminded.

"Mm."

She nodded, rose on tiptoe, and offered her cherry‑red lips.

Rei Ao naturally did not refuse.

One arm around her slender waist, the other cupping the back of her head, he deepened their morning farewell kiss—gentle, lingering, as if branding each other's breath into their very souls.

At length they parted, slightly breathless.

Emilia's cheeks were scarlet, her eyes shimmering.

After one last, lingering glance, she opened the door and left.

…

Walking along the cool morning street,

Emilia's heart was still overflowing with happiness.

Who could have imagined that the hero who once bore the burden of defeating the Demon King and saving the world on the continent of Ente Isla…would now be immersed in such ordinary yet priceless bliss in a different world?

Yet the thought stirred a faint longing.

Ente Isla…

That land for which she fought—

its people, Emerada, Albert… all those former comrades…

Were they doing well?

I should ask Rei Ao sometime, she decided silently.

He's so capable—perhaps he could take me back for a visit?

The idea made her already bright eyes sparkle still more.

…

By stark contrast to the cozy home of Emilia and Rei Ao, the room at the far end of the second floor in a run‑down Sasazuka apartment could only be called bleak.

This was the so‑called "Demon King's Castle" of the once‑fearsome Demon King Satan of Ente Isla—now Sadao Maou—and his faithful general Alciel, now Shirou Ashiya.

Sadao Maou, messy black hair askew, sat cross‑legged on the tatami in a washed‑out, bargain‑bin T‑shirt and shorts.

"Sigh …"

He heaved long, heavy sighs at the low table before him.

In front of him sat a bowl of plain white rice,

topped with a few lonely, half‑black pickles.

"Ashiya, have we hit a new record for this month's deficit again?"

His voice was limp.

Opposite him, Shirou Ashiya maintained the severe, butler‑like posture he always did.

Even in the same cheap shirt he sat ramrod straight.

He pushed up the black‑rimmed glasses he wore as a disguise; behind the lenses, his −4.1‑diopter eyes were sharp and deeply worried.

"Yes, my lord."

His tone was low and grave.

"After deducting rent and utilities—and the strategic item you insisted on buying last week, that second‑hand air‑conditioner—we have only enough this month…"

"to purchase the most basic food supplies."

He pointed at the pickles on the table.

"That will be our main side dish for the next week."

Sadao Maou stared at the pitiful pickles, his face scrunched like a bitter melon.

Exactly—because he'd bought that air‑conditioner, the household was in the red again!

~~~

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