7 The Devil Gets Asked Out on a (Non)Date

And so life went on as usual. Or more accurately, it gained a new level of normality for the demon lord and her retainer. Work was going well, and Mifuru had attended to her duties at home with little trouble. Their rent situation was all figured out, though their budget was tight between the living expenses, food, and building up their newfound castle.

"My lady." In fact, the two of them were in the middle of discussing finances at this very moment. "Do we really need to buy all these things?"

"Don't think of it as buying." Rame countered. "Think of it more as making an investment." She had been working at the convenience store for about a month now. At this point, she was feeling that they had finally been able to be secure in their living situation. But the path of moving up and controlling this world meant that resting on her laurels could not be the play to make. There had to be a few risks she could take here and there.

"But did we really need this heater?" Mifuru pointed to the new machine that was being installed, without her permission, which was their brand new heating and air conditioning unit. "Not only is it expensive, but I've read about the continuing cost to run such a thing. It'll will increase our bills, which we already have a hard time covering."

"Look, Winter's coming up soon." They had the unfortunately timing of arriving here during the middle of Autumn. So there were only mere weeks before snow would be covering the land. And with it, temperatures below freezing. Considering that the clothing they bought was barely enough to handle the winding blowing on them, she felt this was necessary for their survival. "Besides, at least thanks to you, we don't need a dishwasher or washing machine."

"Correct." Mifuru took that as a major compliment. "I suppose since you are the master. I shall accept your decisions."

"Great, does that mean I can get one of those bike?"

"Absolutely not."

***

"No bike…" Rame grumbled to herself all the way to work. With the Winter coming, the days were also lasting much shorter. What used to be a time when the sun would be setting, it was now dark on the path to the convenience store. Not to mention that the sun's warmth was no longer giving her anything. All she could feel was the wind chilling her skin.

If only she had a bike, then this commute wouldn't take as long. She'd also be able to enjoy the climate controlled joy of being inside a building much sooner.

"Hey boss, I'm finally… Huh?" She walked through the automated doors as she normally did, but this time she was greeted with a new sight. "What's all this for?"

"Hmm?" Juuto was standing atop a stepladder. "I know not everyone celebrates it, but I would've thought you'd know what Halloween was."

"Halloween?" The holidays that were celebrated on this world were a mystery to her.

"Yeah you know, trick-or-treat? Costumes? Candy?" He was wondering if this was just some trick she was playing on him as a joke or something. "I know it's not really celebrated in the country and all, but corporate really enjoy their promotions." Admittedly, he was quite fond of the holiday itself. It was a little bit of a joy to give away free candy to the kids, and encourage everyone around the neighborhood to dress up for a day.

"Oh right. Halloween…" She nervously laughed to try and fit it. This was going to have to be something heavily researched so that she couldn't draw any awkward looks at her.

"They'll even be a festi—vaaal!" He was going to tell her more about the town's traditions, but he got a little unlucky with the ladder he was on. Despite being a stepladder, it swiveled under his feet and caused him to fall off to it. That fall would've been plenty nasty if she wasn't there beneath him.

In an impressive display of strength, she caught him from the air. So that he wouldn't get hurt. Despite her small frame, she was able to hold him using a princess style of manner.

"Um, thanks." He looked her right in the eye, while being held by her. Juuto thought to himself that perhaps he should be looking into a gym membership.

"No problem boss." She smiled and set him down. To her, this was all just part of the job. "But, how did that happen?"

"Sheesh, one of the screws is loose." He said. "That could've really taken me out of commission there." Of course, he could've taken workplace compensation. However, Juuto would've much rather spend his time working, because that's what he loved to do.

"Don't you worry about that." She said. "I got your back, so I'll take care of it." And so Rame went to the backroom to go look for a screwdriver to fix their little problem. Ever since she started working here, Juuto couldn't help but be impressed at her work ethic. He never thought that there was anyone that was as passionate about this job as himself. While she was off doing that, a pair of customers entered the store. A mother and her son.

"Ah, Sunae." He greeted the woman as she entered. "And there's little Suzuta." He gave a little heat pat on the young boy, who was barely five years old.

"Good evening." Sunae was glad to see the manager doing his usual tasks. "Where's your co-worker?" Her and her son had come from time-to-time to shop at the store. It was usually for a couple of things for dinner, or to get something for lunch the next day. So she had gotten to know Rame at the store during those times.

"She's just out back looking for something to fix this ladder." He gave the thing that nearly killed him a pat, which caused it to rattle in response.

"Are you going to the festival next week?" The little boy asked him, while his mother was picking out something for the future.

"Of course I will." He answered. After all, it was always a good business opportunity to try and get people to check out what the store had to offer. Even if not his specific store, they could always go to another one of the same brand in their area. Even if he never met the people that worked at other locations, surely they liked having more customers.

"Oh, but you're always by yourself when you go." Sunae said, returning with items that they were going to purchase. "It must get so lonely since everyone's usually always with their friends or family."

"You should ask the pretty lady you work with to come with you." Suzuta told him. Juuto could handle a kid telling him to do what pretty much everyone else had told him to do. It was his mother that came off as really childish to him though.

"Oh my gosh, you should do that." She giggled like she was a school girl. "It'll be so romantic, ooh it just reminds me of how my husband asked me out for the first time."

"She wasn't hired just so I could have a girlfriend." He countered, even if that was partially the case given what his old manager did. "But she did just move here, so she'll probably need someone to show her what this is all about."

"That's perfect. Then she'll see just how reliable of a man you are." Sunae continued to miss the point. "You have to promise that not only are you going to ask her out, but you have to dress well too." This woman was forgetting that Juuto's not her real son here. And that he doesn't need any help with dating anyone either. The man was perfectly content with being single right now.

"Ask who out?" Rame had finally returned from her search for a screwdriver. With it in hand, she had begun work making sure the ladder was in working order.

"We want Mr. Sakai to go on a date with you." If he was drinking, Juuto would've spat out his water in response to how bold that kid was. That was probably the only thing he didn't' like about children. They never seem to have any tact about these sort of things.

"It's not a date." He tried to keep a serious face and tone. But it was clear from how he was blushing, just how flustered the man was. "But I was just wondering if you were going to the spooks festival. Um, you know, so you could help me with-"

"Oh forget about the store." Sunae interrupted him, then she went to go finish what he started. "Young lady, the two of you should go have fun at the festival. What do you say?"

Rame never really knew what festivals were about. It was a bit of a rumor among the demon populace that human had these traditions that involved having celebrations with big crowds. But, no one in the realm of demons ever had a reason to throw such grand parties. Most of the time, it was spent doing hard labor or preparing for war. This upset her that they somehow found the time for fun, even when she was providing crushing oppression across the land. It made her… Jealous.

Admittedly, as the leader of all these demons. That was entirely her fault, but she'll blame the humans anyway.

"Sure, I'll go." The girl decided that now was the time to find out what was so fun about these things. If the demons never had any traditions that revolved around celebrating, then it couldn't have been all that great, right?

"That's so wonderful!" The woman and child had more excitement than Juuto, and he was the one that was going on this so-called date. "Oh, I bet you two will just have a grand old time. And maybe fall in love~" She said in a sing-song voice.

"But what about the-"

"Oh please, don't always worry so much about work." She cut him off. "Please, for us, could you just have some fun?" The two of them gave him puppy dog eyes, to which Rame was confused about why people would imitate an animal to try and get what they want. Though it worked, because Juuto would break and do what the woman asked him to do.

In joy over her success. Both Sunae and Suzuta walked out of the store with the biggest smiles on their faces. In contrast, Juuto had on a look of dread with what he found himself wrapped into.

"You know, you don't have to do it if you don't want to." He said once they were alone again. "I'm sure you were just being nice in front of them."

"Hmm? Well, I've never been to a festival before. So if it's with you, I'll do it." She replied with plenty of energy. "But, what do you do at these types of festivals?"

"Well, this one is kind of unique, since it's about monsters and spirits." The phrase caught her attention. Now she really needed to make sure she attended this festival. If there were going to be monsters, then she might be able to find some allies in this world. "But, if you can tomorrow, we can go shopping for some costumes."

"Let's do it!" She said with a steel resolve.