Shuna, the strong-willed woman who always leads everyone, has a secret side she only shows in front of Rimuru. Her usual tough attitude is just a front she created to be useful to him.
One day, Rimuru visits Shuna's room because of a tiny scratch. But when they're alone, Shuna bursts into big tears. "When I'm with you, Rimuru-sama, I just can't keep it together." It's a special confession from her.
She's been holding back her pain, not wanting to show weakness. Rimuru gently holds her, strokes
By Rimuru's Side, You Cry, and Then You Smile - Say it in front of everyone—Lord Rimuru, am I your lover?
Morning light slanted thinly into the central office corridor.
Shuna stopped in front of the office door. Her fingers laced together tightly in front of her chest.
*(Today. Today, I'll say it.)*
Her heart was loud. Her own voice from last night—forehead resting against Rimuru's chest, telling him, "Tomorrow, please listen to what I have to say properly"—still lingered deep in her ears. She'd said it so quietly then, but now she wasn't even sure if her voice would come out at all.
She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath.
" Rimuru-sama, good morning."
She opened the door. Rimuru, who had been flipping through documents at his desk, looked up.
" Oh, Shuna. What's with the formality?"
" I have a request. I'd like you to call an emergency executive meeting this morning."
Rimuru's hands stopped. His golden eyes gazed steadily at Shuna.
" What's the agenda?"
Shuna didn't answer. She simply looked back at Rimuru, unwavering. She pressed her lips together and shook her head. She couldn't say it. If she said it, she'd end up spilling everything right here. That, she couldn't do. Because this was something she had to say in front of everyone.
" …...Got it."
Rimuru gave a short nod, then picked up the magic stone communicator at hand. Quietly but clearly, he gave the order to summon Shion, Benimaru, Souei, and Hakurou.
Shuna drew another deep breath.
Her trembling fingers clenched into a fist.
*(This is right. With this, finally—)*
Thirty minutes later.
Everyone was assembled in the meeting room. Morning light streamed through the large windows. The rectangular table, normally piled high with reports and documents, was bare today. Shuna's hands held nothing either.
Shion tilted her head. Her usual bright smile looked just a little worried today.
" Huh? No materials? That's unusual."
Benimaru had his arms crossed, leaning back heavily against his chair.
" …...The hell. This ain't normal."
Souei stood by the wall, expressionless, watching Shuna with his golden, vertically-slitted eyes. He said nothing. But it was a quiet gaze, as if he already knew something.
Hakurou narrowed his eyes gently and took his seat at a leisurely pace.
Rimuru sat at the head of the table.
" Let's begin. Shuna, you're up."
Shuna stood.
Her knees trembled. Her fingernails bit into her palms. The mask of the ever-composed advisor was about to crack audibly and fall away.
Everyone's eyes pierced into her.
*(I'm scared.)*
*(But I have to say it. Now—I have to say it—)*
She raised her head. She looked straight at Rimuru.
" Rimuru-sama."
Even she could tell her voice was shaking.
" In front of everyone, please tell me. Do you... see me as your lover?"
For an instant, the air in the room froze.
Shion's mouth hung open, frozen. Benimaru uncrossed his arms and straightened his back. Souei's golden eyes narrowed faintly. Hakurou quietly placed a hand on his chin.
Shuna bit her lip.
" If... if that's not the case, then I—"
She couldn't finish. Her throat closed up. The trembling wouldn't stop.
That was when it happened.
A chair scraped loudly.
Rimuru stood up.
" Shuna."
Everyone's eyes gathered on Rimuru.
" I love Shuna. The one I choose is Shuna, and no one else."
Somewhere, the sound of a breath being caught was heard.
Tears spilled from Shuna's eyes. But—
" Me too! I love Rimuru-sama too!!"
*Bam!* Shion slammed the desk and shot to her feet. Her long purple hair swayed. Her face was a beaming smile, overflowing with her usual straightforward, radiant light.
" I thought, now's the time I have to say it! I won't lose to anyone!"
" I, too, will record this."
Souei pushed off the wall and stepped half a pace forward.
" Regarding Rimuru-sama, I possess emotions that exceed the normal master-servant relationship. I have determined that information sharing is necessary."
" Whoa, whoa, whoa!"
Benimaru shouted, his face bright red.
" Mine's a big-brother-type feeling! Completely different! It is absolutely not romantic feelings!"
" I, too, hold Rimuru-dono in special regard."
Hakurou joined the fray with a gentle smile.
" Hey! I'm serious, you know!"
" The definition of romantic feelings is ambiguous. Re-analysis of information is required."
" No, the definition's pretty damn clear! I'm telling you, mine's different!"
" Now, now, everyone. No need to get so heated."
The meeting room had descended into chaos.
Shuna, still teary-eyed, stood with her mouth slightly agape.
" Wha... wait, what is this situation..."
" You guys—now, of all times!?"
Rimuru clutched his head. At that moment—
" Here! A loving care package for Rimuru-sama!"
What Shion produced from seemingly nowhere was a special rice ball, glowing an eerie orange. Its surface was bubbling and frothing.
" Uwaaah! You made another inedible monstrosity!"
Benimaru clutched his stomach, laughing hysterically.
" …...Confirmed: Rimuru-sama's life is in danger. Shifting to defensive action."
Souei wordlessly stepped in front of Rimuru to shield him.
"Jeez, Souei-san, you're in the way!"
" Everyone, please calm dow—"
" Everyone, be quiet."
A low but clear voice resounded through the room.
Silence.
Shion's smile froze. Benimaru straightened his posture. Souei returned to the wall. Hakurou quietly closed his eyes.
Rimuru was looking at Shuna, and Shuna alone.
And then—he started walking.
One step, then another.
Rimuru stopped right in front of Shuna.
" The one I choose is Shuna. Only Shuna."
Rimuru's hand drew Shuna's hand toward him.
" Now, from here on, forever."
His arms wrapped around her back. He held her. The warmth of Rimuru's chest enveloped Shuna's entire body.
" Ri... muru-sama..."
The strength drained from her knees. As she was about to collapse, Rimuru held her up firmly.
" I'm sorry for making you hide it all this time. You don't have to hide it anymore."
He whispered it by her ear.
Shuna's vision warped with tears.
" Uwa... uwaaah...!"
Her voice overflowed.
In front of everyone, with all of them watching, Shuna sobbed like a child. She buried her face in Rimuru's chest and cried aloud. The mask of the perfect advisor, the pride of an ogre princess—everything, all of it, was washing away with these tears.
Rimuru's fingers wiped Shuna's cheek.
They gently traced the trails of her tears.
And then—
Quietly, their lips met.
" Wow..."
Shion murmured, dumbfounded.
Benimaru, arms still crossed, looked up at the ceiling.
" …...Well, figures."
He chuckled quietly.
Souei had produced a cat plushie from somewhere and was casually stroking it, his expression blank.
Hakurou narrowed his eyes.
" Mm, a fine thing indeed."
He nodded deeply.
It was a long, long kiss.
Their lips parted.
Shuna lifted her face, a mess of tears.
And then—
With a smile she'd never shown anyone before, unadorned and simply, purely happy.
" Thank you... so much... Rimuru-sama..."
She said it.
" Shuna-san is crying and smiling at the same time! Super rare!"
Shion shouted, flapping both hands.
" Ain't something you get to see often... Man, that hit me right in the heart."
Benimaru narrowed his eyes and smiled. Gentle laughter spread through the room.
" But! I'm not giving up!"
Shion declared, and Rimuru started,
" No, Shion—"
but Shion was no longer listening.
" Alright! If that's how it is, it's time for celebratory drinks! I'm taking charge of tonight's banquet! Tell Geld to bring out his finest sake!"
Benimaru stood up, and Hakurou nodded.
" I shall accompany you. This is a joyous occasion."
" As the Information Management Division, I will prepare the documents for the official announcement."
Souei stated flatly, and Benimaru shot back,
" You work way too fast!"
and laughter erupted again.
In the corridor outside the meeting room.
Shuna and Rimuru walked side by side.
A little distance apart, but still—not hiding, not running away, unlike just moments before.
" …...I was scared, all this time."
Shuna spoke quietly.
" I thought that if I wasn't useful, Rimuru-sama might not need me anymore. That if I wasn't useful, I couldn't be loved."
Rimuru stopped walking.
And then he turned to face Shuna.
" That's wrong. It's not because you're useful."
" It's because you're Shuna. That's why I want you by my side."
Shuna didn't answer.
Instead—she gently took hold of Rimuru's sleeve.
Just a light pinch with her fingertips.
This was her, right now, just as she was.
" Rimuru-samaaaaa!!!"
From far away, Shion's shout echoed.
" Shion! I told you to get the banquet ready first!"
Benimaru's angry yell chased after it.
The lively voices resounded in the distance, and then, Tempest's everyday routine began to move once more.
Shuna, still holding Rimuru's sleeve, smiled a small smile.
The morning light fell upon her dried cheeks, where the traces of tears remained.
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