Chapter 18

“You have connections in Demon Lands!?” Tila exclaimed. It was a regular thirdsday, and the DCRC was holding a meeting in their new clubroom. The university had monthly magazines, and they planned on writing an article there.

“Of course!” Meline puffed out her chest. “I have a lot of connections, so if you need anything, feel free to come to me! Anytime, any request! No promises, though.”

She whispered the last part. Tila nodded, full of excitement. “Of course!”

While the two conversed, Kade was in his own mind. It hadn’t been long since Linda told them that they needed to get married. It was ridiculous, all things considered. They lived together for a long time, yes. Didn’t mean they need to get married.

Besides… why?

Questions filled his mind, but he knew he wouldn’t find any answers. Not here, at least. Linda claimed she told him everything she knew, even saying that it was just her feelings. Considering the circumstances, it was unlikely for her to be lying. She seemed like she genuinely didn't know.

He glanced at the mysterious scrolls, arranged neatly on the shelf. Maybe some secrets slumbered within them, waiting to be discovered. He reached out and took one. Nothing happened when Kade opened it.

… So does this have nothing to do with my lost children ability?

It didn’t change shape. It didn’t light up. Nothing happened. The words remained unreadable.

The only thing he could read was the two words at the center, squashed between the other unreadable words. Two words, that when he first saw him, he was sure he was mistaken.

Lorem Ipsum.

…

Kade stared at the two words. It was words he recognized. Placeholders for designs, often used to visualize what a text might look like. But… What was it doing here? Why did someone write it? If this truly did come from another lost child, were they a designer? For what purpose did they write this?

Also, couldn’t they come up with a better placeholder? Something that wasn’t as common as lorem ipsum? Or maybe, it was intentional. Maybe it held some kind of secret. Or maybe, he was reading too much into it. Maybe they thought it would be funny and no one would notice.

Kade's head hurt from just thinking about it.

Too many maybe…

“Kade, are you alright?” Tila asked. Both of the girls' eyes were on him; Meline in particular looked worried. Kade tensed up.

“I- I'm fine, I was just thinking about this.”

“Did you find anything?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

Meline stared at him, but said nothing in return.

•••

They sat in the dining room. Meline had just finished cooking, while Kade had finished sweeping. If it were just for himself, he wouldn't bother with cleaning. But Meline had the responsibilities of being a demon lord and a student. He wanted to do everything he could to lighten up her burden. Even if only this much.

After they finished, they sat down at the dining table. It was still too early for dinner, and Linda hadn't returned. Eating together with her had turned into a tradition somewhat.

“By the way, Kade,” Meline called out. “Did what Linda said the other day still bother you?”

“Umm… it's not that…”

He was still thinking about it, yes, but he was more focused on figuring out what happened. The words lorem ipsum felt so unnatural in that scroll. Could it really be no more than a joke? A thing someone from Earth wrote just for the sake of it?

“Then, what is it? Ever since the dungeon test, you have been acting unnaturally. I saw it.”

Meline had been living with him for an entire decade. Of course, she would notice him acting differently.

“Do you really have a crush on me?”

“It's-”

Not that… is it really not that?

Could he confidently say that he wasn't interested romantically in her? When have they been acting as if they were married this whole time?

“... Say, do you want to try dating?”

“H- huh?”

It came out of nowhere. Well, maybe not from complete nowhere. Regardless, he didn't expect her to consider it.

Meline shrugged. “I mean, it's not like either of us has anyone else we're interested in, right?”

“I don't mind… but… are you sure? I mean, you're a demon lord.”

“... There's nothing against marrying humans, although it is uncommon.”

“No, I mean… even as a human… I'm just a regular person. I don't have status or anything.”

“Oh. That never even entered my mind, I tell you. I don't care.”

“Alright… umm… please take care of me, then.”

Meline chuckled. “I already do.”

It was an unexpected twist of events, but not something Kade didn't like.

“Welp, let's keep this under wraps from Linda. Wouldn't want her to know, would you?”

“No.”

“... Umm… so… Kade…”

“... Yes?”

“Should we… call each other…”

“... Let's leave it at the usual for now.”

“Right. I was thinking of the same thing.”

They sat there, the awkward air between them. Normally, Meline would tell a story or two.

Realizing that Meline wasn't talking, he tried starting the conversation.

“U- umm… so… how was class?”

“... You sat next to me.”

“Right…”

Silence once more. The front door opened, and Linda appeared from it. She entered the dining room.

“Smells good, what is that?” She took a peek at the pot above the stove.

“Ah- right, I forgot to move it!”

“Le- let me!” Both Kade and Meline shot up.

“N- no, it's alright.”

“But-”

“You two talked about it, didn't you?”

Meline and Kade froze in place.

Linda sighed. “Look, I said what I say not to make things awkward, alright?”

“Then, why did you say it!?”

Linda sat in the empty chair. “The hero's on his way, remember? Things could change. I'm worried about you two.”

“Miss Linda…”

“Ah, yes, the hero. Right.”

“No fighting, alright?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Meline nodded reluctantly. “No need to tell it to me twice.”

“Alright.”

And after that, they had dinner together.