My Childhood Friend the Demon Knight Hates Me

“…… For them?”
Reiss sighed on the brown surface of the water that remained in the cup. Everyone could take a break from work and participate in it …, and the muttering that included a lot of dismay was somewhat smiley.
At first, I was a little worried about whether Reiss would fit in with the security team.
A former member of the Order of the Privileged was an easy target for envy and jealousy. Reiss was not an amiable person, and I was secretly worried that he would be tormented.

I didn’t say that if I confessed to him, he would get angry, saying, “Don’t treat me as a child.”

But that was a mess. The guards were all friendly people, saying, “It seems that some people have been relegated from the privileged knights due to circumstances. I’m sure he made a big mistake. Let’s leave it alone. ”
　
I thought it would be disgraceful for Reiss to be interpreted as sympathetic, but he didn’t care at all, so I guess it was okay. Since he was the youngest of the group, Reiss was loved by many people.
He had always been liked by older people, both men and women, …
I had the opportunity to meet some of the members of the group a few times, and they were all very friendly to me as well.
When I went to deliver the lunch box that Reiss forgot at the filling station, I was told, “Hey, Reiss! Hey, demon knight! Your wife is here!” I was struck with shame, though.
His nickname, ‘Demon Knight’, which had leaked from somewhere, was still alive and well, but it had become a term of endearment.
At any rate, I’m glad that Reiss was surrounded by kind people, for all the time he spent fighting alone because of the demon.
“Why don’t you just give it to them? I’m sure they won’t all be throwing their work away to come. They were a lively bunch, and it would be fun if they came.”

“If …… Suu says so.”
“Also, you know, Uncle Alan’s former subordinate, the one you’ve been taking care of. We should invite him, too.”

I was about to get up to clean up my empty cup, but Reiss stopped me, collected my cup as well, and disappeared into the kitchen.
I get slightly embarrassed every time he took care of something small like this.
He takes the initiative to help with the housework, and was a good cook because of his dexterity. He was also good at cleaning and laundry.

Today was my day off from work, and Reiss was tired after his shift, so why not just sit down and let me handle it? I knew I was right to pretend that I didn’t know about the mysterious instruction book called …… “How to be a Good Husband – Beginner’s Course” that came out of Reiss’s room.

It was time to close the window.
A breeze blew in through the small opening and gently lifted the curtains. I sat up from my chair and reached for the wooden handle.
On the windowsill that obscured the field of vision, there were two ‘treasure chests of spirits’ placed side by side, like a pair.

As for Reiss, the parts of the pendant of Rikora that I gave and the handkerchief with embroidery were fortunately stored.

My own was currently empty.
But I’m sure I’ll be able to put as many things as I want in there from now on.
As I softened my eyes, imagining the future with him, Reiss returned before I knew it. I let go of the hand I had been holding on the window.
I was about to say, “Thank you for cleaning up,” when I tilted my head.
Reiss stopped in front of me, his mouth was suppressing something as if he wanted to say something.
“What’s going on? Reiss?”
“Can I ……?”
“What?”
“……… I have a sudden urge to touch you, can I touch you now?”

For a moment, I didn’t understand the meaning of the question and blinked repeatedly as if I was dumbfounded.
Then I understood and blew it out.
I wondered what he was going to say with a serious look on his face.
“Of course you can.”
“Is it okay if I hug you, …?”
“As you wish. I mean, you don’t have to ask me every time, do you?” I laugh.
He pulled me in tightly and placed me in his hard chest. Then, slowly, as if to confirm my existence, he put his arm around my back.
It was not like a phantom that disappeared like a bubble. I’m not going anywhere, even if I’m not that anxious.
The kisses that were gently dropped on my golden brown hair were as gentle as they could be.
Like a warm, gentle rain, his thoughts fall gently and soundlessly into my heart.
As I buried my face in the black kimono, I thought again, ‘Oh, I’m so happy.’
As I thought of something, I suddenly looked up.
The red eyes of Reiss, looking at me, are as brightly colored as the ricola flowers we planted together in the garden of this house.
” Hey, Reiss. It’s a story I heard from my father a long time ago, but if you feel happy for a moment, it’s better to put it into words, like I am happy. Are you happy? Reiss is happy now? ”
As I spoke, I felt that I had asked the same question to Reiss in the past.
When was that, …?

Perhaps Reiss also rememberd, he took a slight breath and opened his eyes astonishingly.

The strength of the arms holding me became stronger.

Her neat eyebrows were drawn together, and her beautiful face, as clear as ice on a lake, was filled with a certain heat. I couldn’t look away from her eyes, which flickered with a faint flame.
And Reiss had a crazy sadness that made her chest tight, and an expression that was a mixture of overflowing love.

So that I could think of my thoughts in the distant past — “I can finally say it,” he said.

“… I’m happy too. I’m very happy. It’s all because I met you, Suria.”

Whispering and smiling, Reiss’s face looked so beautiful and happy.

When I looked straight at him, the heat transmitted from him ran around my whole body, and my ears suddenly turned bright red. An unspeakable voice leaked out.

….. I’m disappointed that my childhood friend, who was younger than me, seemed to be swaying me.

“You really love …… me instead of hating me, don’t you?”
“That’s right.”

In return for his heart, the light mouth he struck returned smoothly. When I hugged him, I had such a habit of hesitating. Suddenly this was a little embarrassing.

He twined his fingers in my long hair lovingly, and once again showed me the debaucherous smile he rarely showed, and I could say nothing more. For once, I was completely defeated.

But I’m still disappointed, so I wonder if I’ll use a lot of carrots which Reiss didn’t like for dinner.

Feeling a little unfaithful, I sighed to cover my heated cheeks and rested my head quietly on Reiss’s chest.　
The shame that burned my body, may not be so bad if it was part of the ‘happiness’ that he and I have grasped after so many years of crossing paths.
The scent of ricola flowers entered through the window, which I forgot to close.
The sweet and gentle scent filled the air around us as we danced together in celebration.

Author’s Note:
You have reached the end of “My Childhood Friend, the Demon Knight, Hates Me” – so far.
The detailed postscript will be in the activity report on October 30, 2016.
Thank you for sticking with me till the end!

Translator’s Note: That was all? I thought there would be more action than a holding hand and a hug. ಠ︵ಠ
With that being said, thank you for reading so far, but still, there will be more chapters after this. ^_^