Under the starry sky

As Megumin and Komekko returned to the house, they found Jack sitting cross-legged, his eyes closed in deep meditation. His calm demeanor contrasted with the exhausted appearance of Hyoizaburoo, who seemed drained of energy.

As Megumin and Komekko approached, Yuiyui greeted them warmly, while Hyoizaburoo offered a weak smile. It was evident that something had transpired during their absence, but Megumin decided not to pry for now, especially since Jack seemed focused on his meditation.

Yuiyui, on the other hand, had a pleasant smile on her face as she watched Jack. She had been having a conversation with him while Megumin and Komekko were out buying pastries, and it seemed that the two of them had found some common ground.

Yuiyui greeted her daughter and Komekko warmly. "Welcome back, my dears. I hope you enjoyed your outing." she said with a gentle smile.

Megumin nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. "Yes, Komekko and i had some fun." She sat down next to him and whispered, "What did you talk about with them?"

Jack opened his eyes, looking at her with a small smile. "Oh, just some casual conversation. They wanted to know more about our adventures and how we ended up together as a party."

"Did they mention anything about the situation in the village?" Megumin asked, her curiosity piqued.

Jack's smile faltered slightly, and he glanced at Yuiyui before replying, "They mentioned that there was some trouble with a few monsters that attacked the village, but the Crimson Demons dealt with them swiftly."

Megumin raised an eyebrow. "Monsters attacking the village? That's unusual. The Crimson Demons are powerful mages, so they rarely face such threats."

"Yes, it seemed odd to me as well," Jack agreed. "But they assured me that it was taken care of, so we needn't worry."

With twinkling eyes and a bright smile, Komekko approached Jack with an endearing request. "Excuse me," she said, her voice filled with innocence and excitement, "can I have a piggie ride, please?"

Her tiny hands reached out, tugging gently at the person's sleeve, as if to emphasize her desire for this simple joy. Her face radiated eagerness, and her anticipation was palpable.

Jack couldn't resist the charm of her request. He crouched down to her level, meeting her gaze with warmth and affection. "Of course," Jack replied, a tender grin forming on his face, "I would be delighted to give you a piggie ride."

The atmosphere in the room lightened as Jack gave Komekko a piggyback ride, much to her delight. Megumin's parents chuckled warmly, happy to see their daughter having found such a caring and fun-loving partner.

Yuiyui watched the scene with a glimmer of approval in her eyes. "You know, Jack, Komekko can be quite mischievous. But it seems like she's taken a liking to you." she said, her voice tinged with amusement.

Jack laughed, adjusting his grip on Komekko. "She's adorable, and I don't mind at all. We had a lot of fun playing together." he replied, enjoying the moment.

Hyoizaburoo, who had seemed tired before, even cracked a small smile, seeing the interaction between Jack and Komekko. It was evident that his daughter had chosen her partner well.

Megumin looked around the room, noticing that Yunyun was nowhere to be seen. She had returned from her outing with Komekko and was surprised not to find her.

"Hey, have you seen Yunyun?" Megumin asked Jack, who was now sitting by the window after leaving Komekko with her dad.

Jack nodded, recalling their earlier conversation. "Oh, Yunyun went back to her house to check up on her dad. She seemed a bit worried about him, so I offered to accompany her, but she insisted on going alone.

With Yunyun occupied with her family matters, Jack saw an opportunity to spend some quality time alone with Megumin.

"Megumin," Jack began, trying to sound casual, "since we have some time to ourselves, would you like to go on a date with me?"

Megumin blushed slightly, surprised by the sudden proposition. Her heart fluttered, but she managed to keep her composure. "A date, huh?" She smiled warmly. "I'd love to, Jack."

Jack felt a wave of relief wash over him, and a smile of genuine happiness spread across his face. "Great! How about we go to that lovely café we passed by earlier? They have the best pastries, and I'm sure you'll enjoy them."

Megumin nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds perfect! Let's go." The two of them walked hand in hand, enjoying each other's company as they chatted about their adventures, dreams, and future plans.

At the café, they sat across from each other at a cozy table, surrounded by the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries. They laughed and shared stories as they indulged in the delectable treats, savoring each moment together.

As the date progressed, Megumin couldn't help but become increasingly shy. She found herself blushing at the simplest compliments Jack gave her, and her heart fluttered with each gentle touch of his hand. She was normally confident and fiery, but when it came to matters of the heart, she felt like a nervous schoolgirl.

Jack noticed her growing shyness and couldn't help but find it endearing. He was used to seeing Megumin full of energy and bravado, but seeing this softer side of her made him appreciate her even more. He decided to tease her playfully to ease the tension.

"You know, Megumin," Jack said with a smirk, "I've seen you face countless powerful monsters without batting an eye, but it seems like a simple date with me is enough to make you blush."

Megumin's face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she tried to hide her embarrassment behind her hand. "Th-that's not true!" she stammered, trying to sound confident.

Jack chuckled warmly and reached out to gently take her hand in his. "It's okay, Megumin. I think it's cute how you're reacting," he said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to hide anything from me. Just be yourself. In fact, I rather enjoy watching you get all shy."

Jack got close to her ear and whispered. "It's really... endearing." Megumin blushed deeply at Jack's words, her heart pounding in her chest. His whispered words sent a delightful shiver down her spine, and she couldn't help but smile, feeling a mix of embarrassment and happiness.

While Megumin's brain was rebooting, Jack decided to move the conversation forward, which she was thankful for. There was only so much excitement she could take. "So, Megumin," Jack began, "I've seen you cast those powerful explosion spells many times, and I know how much you love them. But, is there anything else you enjoy besides explosions?"

Megumin smiled and leaned back against a tree. "Well, explosions are my greatest passion, of course," she said with a playful glint in her eyes. "But there are other things I enjoy too. I love spending time with my family and friends, especially Komekko. She's such a cute little sister, don't you think?"

Jack chuckled. "Yes, Komekko is adorable. It's clear how much she looks up to you." He glanced at the window. it seems like it will be nighttime soon. "What about other hobbies or interests? Do you have any favorite books or activities you enjoy?"

Megumin thought for a moment. "Hmm, I do like reading about famous mages and their adventures. It's fascinating to learn about their different magical techniques and strategies. And, of course, I enjoy training and honing my skills in magic." She looked at Jack with a mischievous grin. "Maybe one day, I'll teach you a thing or two about magic as well."

Jack asked Megumin about the type of stories she enjoyed reading. Megumin's eyes sparkled with excitement as she began to share her favorite tale.

"Oh, Jack, you have to hear about the Legendary Grotto!" Megumin exclaimed. "It's an ancient story passed down through generations among the Crimson Demons. The Legendary Grotto was an incredibly powerful individual who lived hundreds of years ago. He had this unique ability to both annoy and fire up the spirits of the Crimson Demons with his invulnerability to magic."

"He was invulnerable to magic?" Jack raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Yes! It's said that no matter how powerful the spells thrown at him, they would have no effect whatsoever," Megumin continued. "But he didn't just use his invulnerability for himself. Instead, he used it to challenge and inspire the Crimson Demons to become stronger and reach their full potential in magic."

"That sounds impressive," Jack remarked, genuinely interested in the story. "So, what did he do exactly?"

"Well, the Legendary Grotto would travel to different villages and challenge the strongest mages among the Crimson Demons to a duel," Megumin explained. "He would let them use all their power and cast their most devastating spells on him, but nothing would harm him. It was as if he was completely unaffected by their attacks."

"But why would he do that?" Jack asked, intrigued.

"It was his way of motivating them. You see, the Legendary Grotto believed that the best way to grow stronger was to face challenges and push oneself to the limit," Megumin said. "By showing the Crimson Demons that even the most powerful spells couldn't harm him, he encouraged them to keep striving for greater heights in their magical abilities."

Jack nodded, understanding the importance of such inspiration. "Sounds like he was a great mentor figure for your people."

"He was indeed," Megumin replied with a smile. "His actions left a lasting impact on the Crimson Demons, and his legend continues to inspire us to this day."

she mentioned a small detail that piqued Jack's interest. "You know, there's this interesting tidbit about the challenges the Crimson Demons issued to the Legendary Grotto," Megumin said, her eyes shining with excitement. "Some say that the Crimson Demons were actually the ones who secretly annoyed him by constantly challenging him to duels."

Jack's curiosity was piqued. "Really? But why would they do that if they knew they couldn't harm him?"

Megumin chuckled. "It's all about the Crimson Demons' pride. They never wanted to admit that there was someone they couldn't defeat with their magic," she explained. "So, they kept challenging him, trying their best to prove their strength, even though they knew deep down that it was futile."

"That's quite amusing," Jack replied, a small grin forming on his face. "I can understand their pride. It's like they were saying, 'We might not be able to harm you, but we won't back down from a challenge.'"

-------------------------

As the evening sky darkened, Jack suggested taking a walk outside the town to a quiet spot where they could stargaze. Megumin agreed with a shy smile, feeling her heart flutter with excitement and nerves as they walked hand in hand.

Once they reached a secluded area away from the village lights, they found a comfortable spot to sit down on the grass. The night sky was adorned with countless stars, each one twinkling like a tiny diamond in the vast expanse of darkness.

"It's beautiful," Megumin whispered, her eyes fixed on the mesmerizing display above them.

Jack glanced at her with a soft smile. "Yes, it is. You know, when I was traveling alone, I used to spend nights like these looking up at the stars. It always gave me a sense of wonder and made me realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things."

Megumin nodded, her gaze still fixed on the heavens. "I feel the same way. It's like the stars are reminding us that there's so much more out there beyond our own little world."

Jack leaned back, resting on his hands, and looked at Megumin. "You know, there's something magical about this moment," he said. "Being here with you, under the stars, it feels like time stands still."

Megumin blushed, feeling her heart race at his words. She couldn't help but smile warmly in response. "I'm glad we came out here together," she admitted. "It's... special."

"Yeah," Jack agreed, his voice soft. "It really is."

They fell into a comfortable silence, content to simply enjoy each other's company and the breathtaking view above them. The night breeze gently caressed their skin, and the faint chirping of crickets added to the peaceful ambiance.

As they sat there, Jack found himself admiring the way the moonlight illuminated Megumin's features, making her look even more radiant than usual. He couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and affection for her, and he wanted to savor every moment they spent together.

"You know, Megumin," Jack began, breaking the silence, "ever since I met you and the others, my life has changed in ways I never thought possible."

Megumin turned to him, her eyes full of curiosity and affection. "What do you mean?"

Jack reached for her hand again, intertwining their fingers. "I mean that being with you, and the rest of the group, has given me a purpose beyond just fighting monsters. It's given me a family, people I care about and who care about me in return."

Megumin's heart swelled with emotion. "I feel the same way," she confessed. "You all have become so important to me, and I can't imagine my life without any of you."

Jack smiled, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I'm grateful to have you in my life, Megumin. You've brought so much joy and excitement into it, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Megumin blushed again, feeling a mixture of happiness and shyness. 'Thank you, Jack,' she whispered, her heart fluttering at his words. Jack was captivated by those ruby-like eyes looking at him. Following his feelings, Jack started singing for her.

"Under the vast expanse of the starlit sky,

We find ourselves here, you and I,

Hearts entwined, emotions soaring high,

A song of devotion, meant for you."

As Jack began to sing, he stood tall under the starlit sky, his strong and confident posture befitting a hero. The soft glow of the moon cast a gentle light upon his features, adding an ethereal quality to his presence. His deep, melodious voice resonated through the air, carrying the emotions of his song to Megumin's heart.

"With each note, our love takes flight,

A melody of passion, burning bright,

In this moment, everything feels right,

Singing under the stars, our souls ignite."

His eyes never left hers, singing solely for her, and her alone. With each note, his gaze held a tender affection, as if he was pouring his love into the very lyrics he sang. His voice was smooth and clear, carrying the emotions of his heart with every word he uttered.

"Through the trials, we'll stand side by side,

With courage and love, we'll never hide,

Together we'll face whatever may collide,

For in each other's arms, we confide."

As he sang, his hands occasionally gestured with the melody, adding an elegant flair to his performance. Sometimes, he would gently lift his hand to emphasize a touching line, and other times, his fingers would gently touch Megumin's hand, connecting with her on a deeper level.

"So, let this melody convey,

The love I hold, come what may,

Forever bound and forever true,

This song of love will be my gift to you."

In that moment, under the starry night, Jack's singing became a beautiful symphony of love and devotion, resonating in Megumin's heart and creating a cherished memory that would forever be etched in her mind.

As Jack finished his heartfelt serenade, Megumin's heart felt like it was soaring. Her cheeks flushed with a mix of joy and adoration as she listened to him sing. "That was beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with awe and affection.

Jack smiled warmly, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm glad you liked it," he replied softly. "I wanted to express how I feel, and singing just felt right."

Megumin's heart swelled with happiness. "You have a wonderful voice," she said, still feeling a bit shy from the serenade. "And the way you sang... it made my heart flutter."

Jack chuckled, his hand gently squeezing hers. "You make my heart flutter every day, Megumin," he confessed. "I cherish every moment we spend together." With the stars as witnesses, they embraced each other, knowing that their love would only grow stronger as they faced whatever challenges the future held, together.