After mooching another meal from Ryouko, the great Demon King Sora wiped his mouth and left. The sight of his back as he waved goodbye, not taking a single cloud with him, was indescribably suave, but it made Ryouko grind her teeth in frustration.
That detestable brat!!!
He returned to the classroom, greeted Rito, and chatted with Haruna for a bit before it was time for class.
Sora had no plans for the afternoon, so he slumped over his desk and fell fast asleep again. Sleeping at night and sleeping during the day—in truth, he wasn't tired at all. It was just that with nothing to do, he was incredibly bored and could only use sleep to pass the time.
Watching Sora go off to dreamland again, his deskmate Haruna shook her head helplessly. Sora-san is too smart and too amazing. He can accomplish anything with ease. Things like studying in class are completely meaningless to him.
After spending these days together, Haruna felt she could somewhat understand his troubles, even if they were the kind of troubles most people could only dream of having...
As expected, time passed quickly when he was asleep. By the time Sora opened his eyes again, it was time to go home.
"Sora-san, let's go home together."
As if it were now routine, Rito, having packed his things, walked over to Sora's desk.
"Hah... Class is finally over? Let's go home then."
"See you tomorrow, Sairenji-san."
Stretching and yawning, Sora had nothing to pack. He said goodbye to Haruna beside him and prepared to leave.
"Mm, see you tomorrow, Sora-kun, Rito-kun."
Organizing her things, Haruna nodded with a smile.
Rito's gaze fell on her, and he looked as if he wanted to say something but held back. He sighed inwardly and ultimately said nothing, just giving a polite nod before leaving the classroom with Sora.
"Rito-kun..."
Watching his back, a complex expression flashed in Sairenji's eyes.
The perceptive girl had naturally noticed the recent changes in him. Rito-kun was no longer the careless, muddling person he used to be, always getting distracted in class to sneak glances at her. He had become somewhat quiet but much more serious.
He listened attentively in class, did his homework seriously, and would even humbly ask Sora-kun for help with problems he didn't understand, just like she did. This change should have been a good thing for Rito-kun, and she should have been happy for him, but Haruna couldn't help but feel that the distance between them had grown a little wider...
…
"Rito-kun, it's a good thing that you've become serious and studious lately, but it seems you're paying a lot less attention to Sairenji-san. Are you sure that's okay?"
"Sora-san, don't tease me. I've just come to understand something recently. Even if I pay more attention to her, what's the point? It doesn't really mean much."
"Oh... Does that mean you don't like Sairenji-san anymore?"
"Th-that's... well, it's pretty embarrassing, but since it's you, Sora-san, I'll be honest. I like Sairenji. I like her a lot. I did in the past, I do now, and I will in the future!"
"Heh... Then why have you..."
"Because I've realized some things. In the past, I only thought about myself and never considered things from her perspective. I only realized these past few days that someone as average as me, with almost no good qualities, probably doesn't deserve someone as dazzling and outstanding as Sairenji..."
"Rito-kun, don't underestimate yourself. you have many good qualities. Your honesty, your gentleness, your..."
"Ugh... Sora-san, please stop! Hearing you say all that makes me feel less like a boy and more like a perfect Yamato Nadeshiko!"
"Hahaha... don't mind it, don't mind it! But those really are your good qualities!"
"Hah... only you would think I have so many good qualities. Don't I know myself best..."
"Come on, Rito-kun, don't be so discouraged. So, what's your plan? Since you still like Sairenji-san, you're not going to give up so easily, are you?"
"Right! I want to change myself, starting now. Even if I can't be as outstanding as you, Sora-san, at least I can't be as useless as I was before!"
"So, you mean you want to become outstanding yourself, and then when you feel you're worthy of Sairenji-san, you'll confess to her?"
"Yeah, that's more or less it. Though I know it sounds really childish..."
"Rito-kun, your idea isn't childish at all. On the contrary, it shows you've matured. Go for it! I believe you can do it!"
"Sora-san..."
...
After leaving the classroom, Sora and Rito discussed life as they walked. Although he had matured a bit recently, Rito was still a simple teenager. With just a little guidance from the great Demon King Sora, he poured his heart out.
Sora was actually a little impressed by Rito's thoughts and plans. To work hard to change for the person you like is not only a form of personal growth, but it will also deeply move the person you like when they find out in the future.
If nothing unexpected happened, perhaps Rito really could have succeeded in the future—not only becoming outstanding himself but also capturing the girl's heart and winning her over!
However, now that the great Demon King Sora was here, he would naturally have to make sure something unexpected happened!
Sora had no intention of stopping Rito's plan to better himself. On the contrary, he would support him, greatly support him!
However, while Rito was busy changing himself, his relationship with Haruna was bound to become distant for a while. And what Sora had to do was, on one hand, help Rito improve himself, while on the other, ruthlessly pull Haruna closer to him, making the distance between them grow even wider.
Perhaps one day in the future, when Rito felt he was outstanding enough and turned back to find his Haruna-chan, he would suddenly discover that she was long gone!
And as for where she went, she would naturally be in the arms of the great Demon King Sora...
A demonic, evil curve formed on his lips. Sora once again lamented that he was truly a lost cause. Just how badly was he going to screw over Rito!
But, he just couldn't resist the urge to do it. He even felt an endless thrill and anticipation...
The two walked out of the school, chatting. Rito had been quite down lately, and after telling Sora all this, he felt much better. Sora's affirmation and support also moved him greatly.
As for Sora, he was currently calculating how to screw over Rito in more interesting ways in the future... sigh...
"Ah... what is that?!"
"Look out! It's falling this way!"
"Danger! Everyone, get back!"
...
Just as Sora and Rito were about to leave the school grounds, a series of panicked shouts erupted around them. They looked up in the direction of the sound and saw something like a spaceship from a movie falling from the sky!
Seeing the spaceship falling towards them, Rito was horrified, his face pale with terror. But Sora's eyes flashed with a brilliant light, and he was filled with excitement.
There's no mistake. It's here. It's Lala's ship!!!
He had been wishing on stars for this, and today his wish had finally come true!
BOOM!!!!!
With a tremendous roar, the spaceship crashed onto the school's plaza, sending dust everywhere and creating a scene of chaos.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Coughing repeatedly, Rito thought he was about to die, but thankfully, the ship had crashed about a meter in front of him without actually hitting him.
Like Rito, many other students had nearly been crushed and were so scared they almost wet their pants, but no unlucky soul was actually hit. Although the plaza now had a large crater and some surrounding buildings were damaged, it was a blessing that no one was hurt.
"Sora-san! Sora-san, where are you?"
Suddenly realizing Sora was gone, Rito's heart skipped a beat. Don't tell me he got hit? He began to shout anxiously.
"Rito-kun."
A hand clapped on his shoulder, startling him.
"Sora-san, are you okay? You scared me."
Turning to see it was Sora, Rito let out a small sigh of relief and complained a little.
"Hahaha... sorry, sorry. Rito-kun, we should get out of here quickly."
Laughing, Sora apologized, but then his expression turned serious.
"But, Sora-san, that... that..."
Pointing at the ship, Rito hesitated. He was very curious about this UFO-like object that had suddenly fallen and wanted to stay and have a look.
"Rito-kun, this is beyond our league. It won't be long before the government shows up and seals off the scene. If we don't leave now, we might get held for questioning later."
He had already used his light-speed to enter the ship and investigate, but it was empty. He knew Lala must have already fled in an escape pod. To find her quickly, he certainly wasn't going to stick around to look at a broken spaceship.
"Mm, okay..."
Feeling that Sora had a point, Rito didn't want to be held for questioning either. He didn't know when he'd be able to go home, and Mikan would worry.
Ignoring the wrecked ship and the curious students crowding around it, Sora and Rito quickly left the scene and the school.
According to the original story, Sora remembered that Lala would appear in Rito's bathroom at night. He glanced at the still-disappointed Rito beside him, and an idea formed in his mind...