The next day, Doma continued to diligently perform his duties as the Founder. This life, day after day, didn't make him feel happy, nor did it make him feel dislike. But the thought of visiting Lord Akaza tonight made time seem to pass a little more slowly than usual.
"It seems Lord Muzan allows it." Listening to a believer's tearful complaints, Doma maintained a compassionate expression while thinking to himself. Although Muzan forbade demons from gathering privately, he wasn't as strict with the Upper Moons. Perhaps it was because the Upper Moons had received the most of the Demon King's blood, giving Muzan very strong control over them and the highest level of attention. If it were truly forbidden, he would have already sent a reprimand into Doma's mind.
"I'm so happy~" Doma thought, shedding tears of pity for the believer at the altar.
When the last of the confessing believers had left and the sky was completely dark, Doma walked out of the main hall, humming a cheerful tune. He held the carefully wrapped gifts in his hand and, for the first time, contacted Nakime in his mind.
"Miss Nakime, I'd like to enter the Infinity Castle~"
The next moment, his vision blurred, and the scene before him changed to the layered wooden platforms and rooms of the Infinity Castle.
"Wow—it still feels so magical." Doma looked around like a curious child. He didn't see any other Upper Moons, only a woman sitting properly on her knees on a high platform. Her skin was grayish-white, and her long black hair completely covered her eyes, revealing only the lower half of her delicate face. She wore a black kimono, held a biwa in her arms, and a plectrum in her right hand.
"Hi, you must be Miss Nakime, right? Good evening~" Doma greeted her with a warm smile. He had wanted to wave his right hand but remembered he was still holding the gifts and lowered it.
"Lord Upper Moon Six," Nakime said in a cool tone, her face expressionless.
"Don't be so formal. Just call me Doma," Doma said with a smile, tilting his head to the right.
Nakime just lowered her head slightly and said nothing more.
"Eh? So cold?" Doma showed a disappointed expression, feeling it was necessary to improve the relationship with his colleague. Mmm, after all, among my comrades, I seem to be the only one skilled in socializing. I must become the harmonizer of our relationships, so I have to get along well with everyone.
Filled with this strange sense of mission, Doma put on an even more approachable smile. "Miss Nakime~ Do you stay in the Infinity Castle all the time? Or do you occasionally go out to play?"
"Don't you get lonely? With no one around to keep you company."
"Oh! Would you like to come over to my place to play?"
Nakime remained motionless and silent.
"Miss Nakime~ I don't think I've ever heard you play the biwa."
"Why don't you play? Ah! Is it because you have no audience?"
"It's okay, it's okay, I'll listen to you play~"
Nakime hugged her biwa tightly, her lips slightly pursed.
"Miss Nakime~ Why don't you speak?"
"Is it because you're not good with words? Or are you shy?"
Nakime tightened her grip on the plectrum in her right hand, veins popping on the back of her hand. She finally turned her attention to the chattering Doma. As she looked, her lips parted slightly.
He was carrying a large package in his right hand as if he were moving house, and he was also holding a person in his left hand... Looking like this, was he planning to move into the Infinity Castle?
At this thought, Nakime's hand holding the plectrum trembled slightly.
"Miss Nakime..." Doma was still talking.
Nakime cut him off directly, "Lord Upper Moon Six, may I ask what brings you here?"
Doma blinked his beautiful eyes, a look of dawning realization on his face. "Oh! I want to visit Lord Akaza. I..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Nakime quickly plucked the biwa with her plectrum.
Twang—
Doma's figure vanished. The Infinity Castle returned to its usual tranquility. Nakime raised her head in satisfaction, feeling that her Infinity Castle had instantly become much cleaner and tidier.
"Huh?" Doma blinked blankly, finding himself out of the Infinity Castle and standing in a dense forest. "Eh—Miss Nakime must be shy after all."
"How cute~" Doma said with a smile. Sincerity and enthusiasm are surely the ultimate weapons for making friends!
"I must keep up the good work in the future." Doma nodded in confirmation, then surveyed his surroundings. The forest was deep and lush, especially dark at night. From a distance came a "thump, thump, thump" sound, like someone rapidly striking wood.
"Is that Lord Akaza?" Doma showed an expectant expression.
He walked towards the sound and soon saw a peach-pink figure moving rapidly in a clearing in the woods, his fists and feet a blur as he struck tree trunks again and again.
"As expected of Lord Akaza. His diligence is truly moving~" Doma thought.
Just then, Akaza's movements stopped abruptly. His golden eyes, especially bright in the darkness, stared straight over.
Doma put on his most friendly and enthusiastic smile and said in a gentle, steady voice, "Pardon the intrusion, Lord Akaza~"
"I'm Doma~"
Akaza recognized Doma. He frowned at the sight of him carrying a pile of things and asked in a cold tone, "Why are you here? Are there new instructions from Lord Muzan?"
"Eh? Nope!" Doma shook his head and said cheerfully. "I wanted to visit Lord Akaza myself, though it is a bit presumptuous."
"Because we are all important comrades, it's necessary to have a good relationship!"
"Look, I brought gifts." He looked excited, shaking the gifts in his hand like a child showing off an interesting toy. "Since I didn't know what Lord Akaza likes, I prepared a little extra~"
Perhaps it was because Doma's desire to make friends was genuine enough, or perhaps Doma's behavior was as sincere and pure as a child's, but Akaza found that he wasn't particularly repulsed by him. But he would much rather this guy stay far away from him. He didn't think there was any need for demons to have good relationships.
Akaza glanced at the figure Doma was holding, and his brow furrowed instantly. The unconscious, well-built man was wrapped in peach-pink silk ribbons, tied with several beautiful bows, and packaged very exquisitely. But on a man, it was an eyesore.
Akaza: (ー`'ー)
Alright, he decided he should take back his previous thought. He now thought Doma was insane.
"Eh? Is Lord Akaza hungry?" Doma noticed his gaze, and his rainbow eyes lit up. "I specially selected this one for you, based on your preferences. Unfortunately, he's not a marechi." He showed a slightly regretful expression, then smiled again.
"Lord Akaza~ Shall we have a meal together? This looks like a good place for a picnic." Doma looked around on his own, preparing to find a suitable spot.
Akaza turned his head away. "Take it away."
"Hmm? What?" Doma turned his head, staring at him without blinking.
"Take him away!" Akaza said with a dark face and walked away.
"Eh? You don't want to eat him?" Doma showed a disappointed expression, casually tossing the man to the ground and following with his package. Lord Akaza is so picky. What a headache.
Fortunately, he was prepared and had wisely brought other gifts in advance!
"Lord Akaza~ I also prepared other gifts." Doma darted in front of Akaza in a few steps, untied the package in his hand, and revealed a pile of pink items.
Akaza: (?_?)
"How about it, does Lord Akaza like them?" Doma cupped his cheeks and said with a face full of expectation. "I specially selected all of these!"
"Let's see... there are all kinds of clothes, as well as masks, puppets, sugoroku, tops, kites, wigs..."
"Oh, and there are flower petals for a petal bath! They're all in Lord Akaza's favorite color, pink~"
Akaza: (▼ヘ▼#)
"Get lost!"
-------
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