CHAPTER 56: EPILOGUE: IT FEELS LIKE IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY THAT THIS WHOLE CRAZY STORY BEGAN...

«I’m really glad that stupid slut killed herself. Now that’s the kind of news that totally makes your day!» Eliss exclaims, a radiant smile on her face as she cooks a warm soup whose aroma fills the entire apartment. «And to think you and I even fought when I tried to kill her that night — such a pointless argument, since she decided to do us the favor of removing herself from the picture with her own hands!»

«It’s not nice to talk like that about someone who’s gone, especially if they did something that extreme!» Aoshi scolds her — though not too harshly. After all, he promised Shin he wouldn’t tell anyone about Miori’s tragic situation and the disorder she was born with, so he knows that in Eliss’s eyes Miori is nothing but a heartless manipulator who only acts out of pure malice, and he can’t really blame her for practically throwing a party over Miori’s death.

«Wow, you sure get worked up whenever it’s about her, huh? Forgive me again for daring to disrespect your sweet, beloved, unforgettable Miori!» Eliss huffs, shaking the ladle so hard that hot soup splashes around the room.

«I-I’m not worked up because it’s Miori! I’m telling you, we’re talking about a young girl who killed herself — I would’ve reacted the same way for anyone!» Aoshi mutters, flipping absent-mindedly through the pages of his programming textbook, so lost in thought that he forgets everything the moment he reads it.

But it’s not just Miori’s death that’s troubling him.

We’re almost at the end now... Aoshi thinks, casting a nostalgic glance at Eliss from the corner of his eye as she cheerfully whistles while preparing dinner, lost in her like a daydream. Three months. When Raelor told me that would be the duration of Eliss’s punishment, it felt like an eternity. I mean, three months is ninety days! More than two thousand hours! More than a hundred and thirty thousand minutes! Basically endless. And yet, it feels like it was just yesterday that we clashed in that alley in Ueda and this whole absurd story began. Yeah... it feels like only yesterday... and yet it’s already almost over.

Sure, living together wasn’t all sunshine and roses, and I won’t deny that the idea of Eliss being a demon capable of killing anyone who pisses her off in the blink of an eye still terrifies me almost as much as the day I found out. But despite everything, I can say with absolute certainty that these were the happiest months of my life. I guess it was the smartest choice not to let myself get emotionally involved in all this — otherwise I can’t even imagine how devastated I’d feel right now...

Aoshi rests his cheek on his hand, leaning forward lazily with his elbow resting on the table. He doesn’t take his eyes off her for even a moment — and not just because of the miniskirt she’s wearing. It’s so short that with every tiny movement it lifts just enough to leave half of her perfect ass exposed, barely covered by a red thong. Her long, wavy golden hair falls softly down her back, and that sweet, cheerful smile lighting up her face as she prepares dinner — along with those lively little chirps she makes whenever she’s busy with housework — create a melody capable of chasing away both his ordinary university worries and the deeper, more stubborn troubles buried inside him.

Even the simplest things she does — like opening the fridge or pulling something out of the pantry — seem special to him now. Aoshi is painfully aware that soon that sweet chirping he loves so much, that cheerful and exuberant way of hers that fills a home that was once cold and silent, all those small ways she spoils him every single day, will become nothing more than a distant yet happy memory.

«I know I’m gorgeous, but if you keep staring at me with those love-struck eyes, I’ll end up getting all wet,» Eliss teases, a mischievous smirk stretching across her face — words that make Aoshi jolt upright in an instant.

«W-W-What kind of thing is that to say?! And anyway, since when does a princess talk so vulgarly?!» Aoshi snaps, completely panicking.

«I may be a princess, but I’m still a succubus madly in love — and for your information, where I come from, a girl telling a guy he makes her wet just by looking at her is the greatest compliment he could ever get!» Eliss huffs, offended.

«There’s a big difference between what you say and how you say it...» Aoshi mutters, then collects himself and suddenly becomes very serious. «And anyway, if I was staring at you like that, it’s only because I think you’re beautiful — and I’m not just talking about your looks. Even if I imagine all the sweet words, every act of care and affection you’ve shown me, are probably just the result of that enthralling charm of yours... You know, I’ve wondered many times what the real Eliss is like, but maybe knowing the truth would ruin the image I’ve built of you... so I think I’d rather not know...»

Eliss’s expression — smug and proud from the compliments — suddenly shifts into a flustered, angry one at that final remark. She puffs out her cheeks and shoots Aoshi a murderous glare.

«Are you implying that I’m a bitch?!»

«N-No, of course not! I’d never dare!» Aoshi panics, waving his hands around. «It’s just that... if it weren’t for that enchantment, someone like you would never even look at someone like me. I mean, let’s be real here: you’re totally out of my league. And I don’t know if I could handle the look of disgust and revulsion you’ll give me once you come back to your senses and think about all the dirty things you said to me, the kisses we shared and... well, everything else that happened between us.»

He sighs. «It’d be like meeting your idol — they seem like the nicest person on TV, but then in real life they turn out to be a piece of shit...»

«Oh, so not only a bitch, but also a piece of shit? Thanks, really. That’s very kind of you...» Eliss huffs, increasingly irritated.

«Why do you only hear what you want to hear...? It’s obvious I didn’t mean it like that! Whatever, forget it...» Aoshi grumbles. «Anyway, I was thinking — you really have a beautiful name, you know? I’ve never heard it before, I don’t even know if it exists in this world, but I really like it! If I ever have a daughter, I think I’ll name her that.»

He adds the last part with a friendly tone and a bright smile — clearly trying to chase away her bad mood.

And it works — her pout immediately turns into a mischievous grin.

«No. You can’t,» she declares firmly, lifting her chin dramatically high.

«And why not? It’s not like you own the name "Eliss"...» Aoshi mutters.

«Well, you can’t because...»

Her grin widens even more, practically reaching from ear to ear.

«...because in this world, children can’t have the same name as one of their parents.»

Aoshi literally falls off his chair.

«E-Eliss. Cut it out.»

🔸️END OF VOLUME 3🔸️