"Good afternoon, Celestia!"
The lively greeting pierced through the bustling atmosphere of the school courtyard, prompting Celestia to turn her gaze towards the source of the familiar voice. There, making his way towards her with a warm smile, was Han, his eyes alight with genuine affection and camaraderie.
It had been a week since Zerro's departure, a departure shrouded in mystery and unanswered questions.
In his absence, Celestia had initially felt a palpable sense of unease, a feeling compounded by the absence of the enigmatic demon who had become an unexpected presence in her life. However, with Han now by her side, she found herself navigating the uncertainty with a newfound sense of calm.
Coming out of her daze as she heard Han's cheerful greeting, Celestia halted in her footsteps, tilting her head back to meet his gaze. The question hung in the air between them, her words blunt and tinged with a hint of curiosity.
"What do you want?" she asked, her tone direct and unyielding.
She expected her brusque demeanor to deter him, to put an end to whatever interaction he sought. However, Han simply brushed her words aside, his smile unwavering as he stepped closer.
"What do you mean? We're eating lunch together like usual!" His response was cheerful, almost buoyant, as if her question was nothing more than a playful jest.
Before Celestia could react, he hooked his arm with hers, catching her off guard with the sudden contact.
Startled, Celestia attempted to pull away, her instincts urging her to retreat from the unexpected intimacy. But Han's grip on her arm was firm, his strength evident as she struggled in vain to break free from his grasp.
Reluctantly, Celestia found herself being led—or rather, dragged—by Han, her steps faltering as they navigated through the crowded hallways of the school. As they passed by clusters of students engaged in animated conversations or rushing to their next class, all eyes turned to them, the curious gazes of their peers following their every move.
The weight of their stares felt suffocating, pressing down on Celestia like an invisible force, threatening to crush her under the weight of their scrutiny. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, the discomfort of being the center of attention gnawing at her insides.
"Stop looking so blue," Han's voice cut through the tension, his tone gentle yet firm as he nudged her lightly, coaxing her to meet his gaze.
Reluctantly, Celestia lifted her head, her eyes meeting his kind smile. His words resonated with a wisdom that belied his youthful appearance, offering her a lifeline amidst the sea of judgmental stares.
"You shouldn't care for their actions nor words and be strong. If you keep falling, they will continue to attack so you can never get out," Han's advice was met with a flicker of awe from Celestia, her features softening with understanding.
Taking a deep breath, Celestia straightened her slumped shoulders, her resolve hardening as she held her head up high. With each step forward, she focused on the path ahead, shutting out the whispers and stares of their peers, determined not to let their judgment dictate her actions.
"There you go," Han grinned at his friend, his warm smile coaxing a small twitch of Celestia's lips, a subtle indication of her happiness at his praise.
The two soon arrived at the empty classroom they had chosen to enjoy their lunch in, settling into their respective seats. As Han opened his simple lunch box, containing a sandwich and a few snacks, Celestia reached for her own, much larger lunch box.
When she placed her sizable container on the table, Han's eyes widened in surprise, nearly choking on a piece of his sandwich in the process.
"Whoa! You never bring in such a big lunch... oh, is that white pasta? Can I have some, please? Pleaseeee?" Han's excitement was palpable, his eagerness contagious as he practically begged for a share of Celestia's meal.
Unable to resist his pleading expression, Celestia relented, pulling out spare utensils and handing them over to him with a resigned sigh. She couldn't deny that Han's enthusiasm brought a touch of lightness to her day, even if it meant sacrificing a portion of her lunch.
"It's delicious! You're an amazing cook, Celestia! How did you make this?" Han's eyes twinkled with wonder as he marveled at the taste of the pasta, his enthusiasm infectious.
Celestia shifted uncomfortably under his barrage of questions, feeling overwhelmed by his sudden interest. She couldn't bring herself to admit that she hadn't actually made the meal herself, but a small part of her couldn't help but feel a sense of joy at his genuine reaction.
"I'll make you some tomorrow," she offered, hoping to deflect his inquiries as she focused on her own meal. However, before she could take another bite, Han's exuberance reached a new height as he leaned in for a hug.
His attempt was met with a swift punch to his abdomen, causing him to recoil in pain as he slumped over the table, clutching his aching stomach.
"You're so mean..." he sulked, his voice muffled as he buried his face in his arms, nursing his newfound injury. Despite his playful protest, a hint of amusement danced in his eyes, a testament to the easy camaraderie that had blossomed between them.
-------------------------------------------------------
Over in the demon realm, amidst the dimly lit chambers of his laboratory, Xander found himself engrossed in an intricate experiment, his brow furrowed in concentration as he meticulously tended to his work. However, his focus was abruptly shattered by the unwelcome intrusion of his assistant.
"Sir, someone is here to see you," his assistant announced, their voice tinged with nervousness.
Xander released a frustrated sigh, his irritation palpable as he swiveled his chair around to confront his assistant. "You know I'm too stressed to deal with anyone at the moment. Tell them to come another time," he dismissed with a wave of his hand, eager to return his attention to his experiment.
But to his dismay, his assistant remained rooted in place, their hesitation betraying a reluctance to comply with his directive. Xander's curiosity piqued, he followed their gaze to the figure standing by the door, a smirk playing upon their lips.
"That's not how you used to welcome me, Xander," the newcomer remarked, their voice laced with amusement.
Xander's eyes widened in disbelief, his heart skipping a beat as he beheld the unexpected visitor before him. With a chuckle, Zerro stepped further into the room, his presence casting a shadow over Xander's meticulously controlled environment.
"Prince Zerro? What-how-wait, I-I thought you were..." Xander's words trailed off, his shock palpable as he struggled to comprehend the unexpected presence of the demon prince in his laboratory.
"Don't address me like that. You know that piece of crap took my title away from me," Zerro grumbled, his frustration evident as he approached Xander with purpose.
Sensing the tension in the air, Xander's assistant quietly excused themselves from the room, leaving the two demons alone to confront the weight of their shared history.
"I'm supposed to be banished from the demon realm, I know, but I needed to see you," Zerro explained, his posture relaxed yet his expression betraying a sense of urgency.
"It's an honor, sir, that you would think of me," Xander replied, his voice respectful as he placed a hand over his chest and offered a slight bow in acknowledgment of Zerro's presence.
"I need more power," Zerro's request cut through the air, his tone resolute and unwavering.
Xander's expression remained neutral, betraying none of the surprise he felt at the prince's demand. After all, he was well aware of Zerro's relentless pursuit of strength, a pursuit that had led him to seek Xander's expertise time and time again.
"How much, sir?" Xander inquired, his voice calm as he rose from his seat and approached a cabinet lined with glass beakers containing various concoctions.
"Give me the strongest dose," Zerro commanded, his gaze fixed on Xander with an intensity that brooked no argument.
Without hesitation, Xander retrieved a vial containing a potent elixir, its contents swirling with dark energy. With practiced precision, he measured out the desired dosage, his movements deliberate as he prepared to fulfill Zerro's request.
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"Thank you!" Han exclaimed with genuine gratitude as he received the box of pasta that Celestia had made for him.
The day prior, Celestia had mustered the courage to approach the maid responsible for preparing her lunch, surprising her with an unexpected request to learn how to make the dish herself. The maid, initially fearful of reprimand, was taken aback by Celestia's praise and eagerness to learn, her shock evident as she agreed to teach her.
As they enjoyed their lunch together, Han casually suggested the idea of hanging out at a shopping mall or some other venue over the weekend. Celestia blinked in confusion, unfamiliar with the concept of "hanging out" outside of school.
"Friends can also spend time together outside of school," Han explained, his tone gentle as he attempted to clarify.
"We aren't friends," Celestia muttered, avoiding his gaze as she busied herself with her food.
Han's expression softened with puzzlement at her response.
"Why?" he inquired, his curiosity evident.
A heavy silence fell between them, broken only by the sound of their surroundings. After a moment, Han spoke again, his voice gentle and coaxing.
"No one is stopping you from becoming my friend, right?"
Celestia's mind churned with conflicting thoughts as she grappled with the weight of her decision. The memory of Zerro loomed large in her mind, his ominous presence serving as a constant reminder of the consequences of defying him. Yet, a glimmer of determination flickered within her, fueled by the realization that she had the power to forge her own path now, free from Zerro's influence.
"No," she finally answered Han's question, her voice firm and resolute. Han's smile in response was a reassuring affirmation, a silent acknowledgment of her choice.
As they resumed their meal in silence, a sudden pressure enveloped them, sending a shiver down Celestia's spine. Han's question drew her attention, and she nodded in confirmation, her senses on high alert.
With practiced efficiency, Han stowed away their lunch and took hold of his bag, leading Celestia towards the exit with purpose. Celestia wanted to question how he knew of this escape route, but their urgent mission took precedence over her curiosity.
Arriving at the scene, they wasted no time in releasing their powers, the air crackling with energy as Han activated his barrier and Celestia summoned her sword. In that moment, they stood as equals, their combined strength serving as a formidable force against the looming threat of the demons.
The two dispatched the demons with ease, their coordinated efforts proving effective against the malevolent creatures. However, one demon managed to cling to life, launching a desperate attack against Han as he momentarily lowered his barrier. Celestia's swift intervention spared him from harm, her decisive strike swiftly ending the skirmish.
As Han recovered from the shock of the near miss, he looked up to see Celestia's attempt at a smile, her words ringing with a newfound camaraderie.
"We are friends so we have to help each other out," she remarked, her tone light yet resolute.
However, Han couldn't help but shiver at the sight of her forced smile, a fleeting glimpse of the darkness that lurked beneath her stoic exterior.
"C-Celestia?" he stammered, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Yeah?" she replied, her expression softening at his concern.
"Practice smiling before you-" Han's attempt at gentle teasing was abruptly cut short by a sharp smack to the back of his head, eliciting a pained grimace from him. He turned to face Celestia, who wore a slight frown, clearly irked by his comment.
His lips curved into a smile, the tension momentarily lifted as he prepared to laugh, only to be interrupted by a sudden sense of foreboding.
Grabbing Celestia's hand, Han led them towards the source of the disturbance, their pace quickening as they braced themselves for another confrontation. However, their confusion mounted as they arrived at the scene to find the demons they had intended to face already slain.
"A stronger demon killed them," Han explained, his eyes closed in concentration.
Unbeknownst to him, Celestia's features twitched with recognition at his words, a flash of realization briefly crossing her expression before she masked it with a neutral facade.
'It must have been Zerro.'
But despite Han's reassurance, Celestia couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her. The aura of the stronger demon had unsettled her, its power eclipsing even that of her master's.
"Something's not right here," she murmured, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Han turned to her, his expression questioning as he listened to her words.
"If this happens again, then we need to find out who this demon is. If not, then we'll drop this," Celestia declared, her tone firm as she laid out their course of action.
Han nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. Together, they turned away from the scene, but Celestia couldn't resist stealing one last glance over her shoulder, suspicion shadowing her gaze as she pondered the true intentions of her master.
'He's up to something,' she thought, the seeds of doubt planted firmly in her mind as she followed Han's lead, her resolve steeling for the challenges that lay ahead.