Chapter 10 - The First Words

Hours had passed since the chaos of the police intrusion and the aftermath in the storage room. The house was quiet now, the golden glow from the talisman casting faint patterns across the walls. Aoi sat on her bed, hugging her knees, staring at the floor. Her thoughts swirled like a storm she could no longer ignore.

She had tried to deny it, to tell herself it was just care, responsibility, or habit. But now… it was impossible to hide. Her chest ached, and her heart pounded with a truth she could no longer escape.

“I… I like him,” she whispered to herself. “I… I really like him… no, more than that… I love him.”

Her hands wrung the hem of her skirt as she paced back and forth. “Okay… what do I even say? How do I… How do I tell him? Demon Lord… I… I have a crush on you… wait… no, that sounds bad. Too childish… stupid…”

The minutes stretched into an eternity as she rehearsed, faltered, and started over countless times. Finally, with a deep, trembling breath, she pushed herself to her feet.

“I can’t… I just… I have to tell him,” she muttered.

The living room lay silent. The Demon Lord sat in his usual spot, his gem glowing softly, still recovering from the earlier battle. He turned his head slightly as Aoi entered, his golden eyes meeting hers. She felt the warmth of his gaze, and her heart fluttered uncontrollably.

Taking another shaky breath, she walked over and sat down beside him. Her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Demon Lord… I… I… I have feelings for you. I really like you. I… I can’t hide it anymore.”

The room held its breath. The talisman on his forehead flickered and pulsed, brighter than ever, as if acknowledging her words and the bond they shared. A soft warmth radiated from it, filling the space between them.

And then… something miraculous happened.

The Demon Lord’s lips parted. A deep, smooth, yet soothing voice echoed through the room.

“Aoi… I love you too.”

Aoi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You… you talked… YOU ACTUALLY TALKED!” she exclaimed, nearly jumping up in shock and joy. Her hands flew to cover her mouth, tears of happiness brimming in her eyes.

He gave a small, nervous nod. “I… I… not… good with… words… but… I… tried.”

She smiled, reaching for his hand. “It’s okay… it’s perfect. You talking… it’s perfect.”

He looked down, then softly added, “My… name… is Takahashi Shirayama.”

Aoi’s face lit up. “Takahashi Shirayama…” she repeated gently, savoring the sound of his real name. “I’m glad… to know you.”

The talisman glimmered, shining warmly as if blessing the moment. The bond between them was no longer just magical, it was real, mutual, and unbreakable.

Slowly, carefully, they leaned toward each other. Aoi rested her head against his shoulder, and he wrapped an arm around her. For the first time, neither needed words to express their connection. The room was filled with quiet comfort, trust, and the joy of being understood.

“I… I’ll stay with you,” she whispered softly.

“I… stay… with you,” he echoed, his voice still rough but heartfelt.

They hugged, long and tight, letting the weight of their feelings settle between them. No more secrets, no more fear, just the quiet warmth of love.

As the golden light of the talisman shimmered over them, Aoi and Takahashi Shirayama made a silent promise: to face the future together, unbound by magic alone, but united by their hearts.

For the first time, the Demon Lord’s voice carried the weight of centuries of solitude, and it spoke of love, hope, and a new beginning.

Together, they looked toward the future, ready to face whatever came next… side by side.