There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero's Party, So I Tried Confessing to Her: Daily Life at the Demon King's Castle
Youki used to be a mid-boss in the Demon King's army—right up until the hero's party stormed the castle and ended his boss's reign. But instead of finishing him off, the party's priestess, Cecilia, gave him a second chance at life among humans. And somewhere along the way, he fell for her. Hard.
So he did the only logical thing: he confessed. Dramatically. With a "I am the one who rules the darkness—" speech and everything.
She shot him down so thoroughly it echoed.
Now, six months later, You
There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero's Party, So I Tried Confessing to Her: Daily Life at the Demon King's Castle - The Girl Whose Wings Were Plucked and the Hunter's Declaration
Morning light bleached the cobblestones of the royal capital Minerva white.
Youki let out a deep breath in front of the Aquaraine estate's gate. His short black hair was sticking up every which way again today, and his deep violet eyes shifted restlessly. White shirt, dark brown leather vest, black trousers—his usual light gear.
(That black-robed figure standing outside my window that night. Nothing's moved since then. ...No—the fact that nothing's moving is what's creeping me out.)
"Good morning, Youki."
Cecilia emerged from beyond the gate, wearing a pale blue one-piece dress with a white cardigan over it. Her long silver hair caught the morning light, shimmering as it swayed.
"G-good morning...! Um, so, I'll be in your care again today."
He fought desperately to keep his voice from cracking.
"Yes, likewise. Today I'm planning to visit several gardening shops around the capital. Do you have any in mind?"
"Y-yeah. There are three fairly large ones in the merchant district. Plus about two more near the market. I figure we should start there."
"I see. Then let's go."
Cecilia smiled brightly and started walking. Youki hurried after her.
(Just walking side by side, why am I this nervous...)
The two of them walked along the cobblestone path. The distance between their shoulders was barely anything. Every so often their strides would fall out of sync and their arms would nearly brush, and each time Youki felt his heart leap.
"Youki, you said yesterday that a black-robed figure was peering into the garden, didn't you."
"Yeah. It was definitely those people from that night. They were checking on the flower. When I called out, they ran up the outer wall and got away."
"Ran up the outer wall...? That's not something an ordinary person could easily do."
Cecilia's expression tightened slightly.
"Yeah. It was trained movement. Someone military, or else... a demon."
"Either way, this isn't just a prank. It's certain that flower is being targeted by someone."
"That's exactly why I want to find a lead in today's investigation. I can't let you come to any harm, Cecilia."
"...You don't need to worry about me. I'm acting on my own will too, you know."
Cecilia said that and looked straight ahead. Her profile was so dignified that Youki found himself staring.
(She really is strong, this person. Me trying to protect her might be presumptuous.)
Even so, he couldn't help wanting to protect her. Even though she'd turned him down, this feeling wasn't fading—it was growing stronger every time they met.
"...Hey, you two."
A voice suddenly called out from the side of the road. When he turned, a fruit vendor at a stall was looking their way with a grin.
"Hey there, young man, why not buy your girl some flowers? We've got fresh-picked lamia grass this morning. Smells great."
"Sh-she's not my—! N-no, it's not like that! We're not that kind of relationship...!"
Youki's face went bright red as he waved his hands frantically.
"Oh, you're not? And I thought you made such a cute couple."
"Fufu. Youki, your face is bright red."
Cecilia giggled. At that smile, Youki's heart started rampaging even harder.
"St-stop it...! Don't tease me too, Cecilia...!"
"I'm sorry. But you really are honest, aren't you."
"Th-that's... well..."
Seeing Youki at a loss for words, Cecilia smiled again—this time more gently.
"Come now, let's go. The investigation comes first."
"Y-yes..."
It took a while for Youki's heartbeat to settle.
The first gardening shop was tucked down an alley just off the main street of the merchant district.
Beneath a sign reading "The Green Vial," potted plants in every color were crammed together. At the storefront, leaves wet with morning dew glistened.
"Welcome. Well now, well now. If it isn't the young lady of the Aquaraine family."
An old man with a white beard poked his head out from the back of the shop.
"It's been a while, Master. Today I have a few things I'd like to ask you."
"Ask away, anything at all. Ah, and who might this gentleman be?"
"I'm Youki, from the adventurers' guild. I'm assisting with an investigation."
Youki gave a slight bow.
"Ho, an adventurer. Sturdy-looking fellow. So, what can I do for you?"
"I heard that half a year ago, a man in a black robe purchased flowers here. Do you remember anything?"
The shopkeeper stroked his white beard and thought for a while.
"Black robe... ah, that strange fellow. I remember him. Couldn't see his face well, but he picked out flowers with remarkable skill. It was an exotic species, that one. ...The name was, right, 'demon flower grass,' I think."
"Demon flower grass...! So it really is the same as that flower."
Cecilia's expression turned serious.
"So, do you remember anything else about that man? Where he went, what he said?"
"Let me think... After he bought them, he said he was 'transporting them toward the underground waterways.' I wondered what anyone would want with flowers in a place like that, but it's business, you know. He paid properly."
"Toward the underground waterways... So there really is something down there."
Cecilia put a hand to her chin and sank into thought.
"Has that man come by recently?"
"No, not since then. But every now and then I see a youngster hauling flowers off toward the waterways. Couldn't tell if they were wearing black or not, though."
"...I see. Thank you."
Youki thanked him and left the shop.
Cecilia followed after.
"The lead connects to the underground waterways. The place where you first saw the black robe."
"Yeah. Something's happening down there. The ones transporting the flowers are definitely those people."
"What could they be trying to do, using demons...? I can't just leave this alone."
There was strong resolve in Cecilia's voice.
(This person really is strong. Even knowing she might be in danger, she doesn't waver.)
Youki gazed at her profile.
"...S-somehow, investigating together with you, Cecilia, I feel like even I'm getting stronger."
"Fufu. What are you saying? Weren't you strong to begin with?"
"No, that's not it... It's, um, my heart, I mean."
Youki scratched his head as if to hide his embarrassment.
"...I see. Then that's good."
Cecilia blushed just a little and faced forward.
(That just now, was that... No, don't overthink it, me. Don't get the wrong idea.)
Youki shook his head vigorously.
"What's wrong?"
"N-nothing, it's nothing! C-come on, let's go to the next shop!"
Youki started walking at a brisk pace.
They visited the second and third gardening shops, but the information they got was mostly the same.
A man in a black robe had purchased demon flower grass half a year ago. Since then, it was being transported toward the underground waterways. Nothing more detailed than that.
"That covers all the gardening shops in the capital, then."
Dusk was approaching, and the buildings of the merchant district were beginning to cast long shadows.
"Yeah. The only takeaway is that it connects to the underground waterways. But now I'm sure. Their base is down there."
"Right. Next we'll need to investigate the underground waterways."
"...Cecilia, it's dangerous. Monsters come out down there, and those black-robed people are there too. I'll go alone—could you wait at the estate?"
"No. I'm going too. This is a problem for my family as well. Besides, I can't let you go alone."
Cecilia looked straight into Youki's eyes.
(...She really is strong, this person. My worrying isn't necessary at all.)
"...Understood. But absolutely don't push yourself. If anything happens, run immediately."
"Yes, I promise. You too."
"Yeah."
The two of them walked side by side along the cobblestones at dusk.
A stretch of silence followed.
(Time passes so fast when I'm with her. ...No, rather, I find myself wishing this time would last forever.)
"...Youki."
"Wh-what?"
"That chuunibyou thing of yours... I've been thinking about it for a while now."
"Ugh... Th-that's, um, just forget about it..."
Youki recalled his dark history and wanted to cover his face.
"...I don't dislike it, you know."
"Huh?"
Youki stopped in his tracks without thinking.
"That chuunibyou—I don't dislike it. ...I think it's a little bit amusing."
Cecilia smiled just a tiny bit as she said it.
"...Damn, that's a direct hit."
Youki muttered that in his heart and turned bright red.
(Right now, my face is definitely grinning. No, calm down. Keep cool, keep cool...)
"Oh my, your face is red again."
"Th-that's not true! It just looks red from the sunset!"
"Fufu. Let's just say that's what it is."
Cecilia giggled.
The two of them parted in front of the Aquaraine estate gate.
"Thank you for today. I'll be counting on you again tomorrow."
"Yeah. Same here. ...Um, Cecilia. Thank you, really, for today. I was happy, being able to investigate together."
"Me too. Being with you made me feel reassured."
Cecilia smiled gently.
"Well then, good night. Let's meet at the guild again tomorrow."
"Yes. Good night."
Cecilia disappeared beyond the gate.
Youki stood there rooted to the spot until she was out of sight.
(...See you tomorrow. Those words make me this happy.)
Youki let out a small breath and started walking toward his apartment.
Youki's apartment was in an old three-story building on the outskirts of the adventurer district.
His room was a single small space—just a desk, a bed, and a little shelf. A modest room.
"...I'm exhausted."
Youki collapsed onto the bed.
The day's events spun around and around in his head. The demon flower grass. The black-robed man. The underground waterways. And Cecilia's words.
"...'I don't dislike it,' huh."
Youki murmured while staring at the ceiling.
(What did she mean by that? Just being polite? Or did she really...?)
The more he thought about it, the more his chest itched.
"...Forget it. I'm going to sleep."
Youki sat up and started to change.
That was when it happened.
Knock, knock.
There was a knock at the door.
"...?"
Who would come at this hour?
Youki approached the door warily.
"Who is it?"
"..."
No answer.
Another knock.
Knock, knock.
Youki slowly opened the door.
And he gasped.
Standing there was a single girl.
Her long silver hair caught the moonlight, gleaming a pale blue. Her golden eyes had vertically slit pupils, harboring some mysterious light. A small frame. Over her back, she wore a large cloth as if to conceal something.
"...Happiness?"
Youki called that name in a trembling voice.
"It's been a while, Captain."
The girl said it in a quiet voice.
"You—why are you here...!? And your back, what is—?"
Youki looked at her back.
Something was missing from beneath the large cloth.
"Your wings—what happened. Where did your wings go?"
"...I plucked them out."
"Huh...?"
Youki was at a loss for words.
"To blend into human society. Wings would make me stand out, after all."
Happiness said it in a flat tone.
"...You plucked them all out. It must have hurt. It must have been agonizing. Why would you do such a thing?"
Youki's voice trembled.
"I came to save you, Captain."
Happiness looked straight into Youki's eyes and said it.
"I was hired as a maid by the Aquaraine family. Through some mix-up, the head maid, Lady Sophia, took a liking to me. ...And that worked out perfectly. Now I can be by your side, Captain, while staying in the capital."
"...Hired as a maid? By the Aquaraine family?"
Youki, though confused, tried to understand her words.
"Yes. Starting today, I'll be working at the Aquaraine estate. ...So please, don't worry. I can do this properly."
Happiness smiled just a little.
"...You're too reckless. Plucking out all your wings—there had to be another way besides that."
"...Is that so. But this was the most certain way."
Happiness said it quietly.
Youki felt as though his chest were being squeezed.
(She threw away her own wings for my sake. If only I'd noticed soon
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