Chapter 48: Reality Distortion

"Why do I have to sit beside this crazy Saint?! Why don't you sit with her since you like her so much?"

Akuma glared at Yuurei.

"Oh, don't be so picky, Onii-chan. I just wanted to get to know this person better."

Yuurei touched Sanaka's shoulder while still looking at Akuma and Angelie.

"Really, Yuurei-chan?"

Sanaka's eyes sparkled as she put her face close to Yuurei's. Yuurei turned to face Sanaka.

"No, not really. Please stay quiet and behave."

Yuurei lowered her voice so the two that were still standing wouldn't hear her.

"You're cruel, Yuurei-chan… But at least you're honest..."

Sanaka slumped then quickly grabbed the menu and browsed through it.

"You go sit inside."

Angelie then looked at Akuma and pointed at the vacant seat beside the window.

"You're just going to accept this?!"

Akuma took a step back as he stared at Angelie.

"I'm hungry already! Just go sit down!"

Angelie raised her voice as she glared at Akuma. He quickly sat down and moved toward the window side. Other customers looked at their direction. Some asked whether she was the mom of the three, even though she looked too young to be a mother of three, while others commented that the poor boyfriend got easily pushed around. Angelie just clenched her fists as she heard the comments. She finally sat down beside Akuma.

"Look at what you've done. Now everyone's talking about us."

Akuma put his elbow on top of the table and rested his chin on his hand. He glanced sideways at Angelie.

"Just order already."

Angelie fiercely glared at Akuma.

"I'm doing it now. What a nagger."

Akuma picked up and quickly browsed through the menu that was beside him.

(Ah, they're already having a good time. Good thing I acted quickly. Just have to continue doing this and get them much closer together. So Onii-chan can finally ditch this other girl!)

Yuurei smiled while watching Akuma and Angelie bicker at each other.

---

A waitress approached them and took their orders. Akuma chose the Cheese stuffed Hamburg Steak. Angelie got the Shrimp and Vegetable Doria. Yuurei ordered the Three-piece Grilled Chicken. Sanaka ordered Meat Sauce Spagetti, Small French Fries and Teriyaki Cheese Burger. The other three stared at Sanaka as the waitress left.

"Can you finish all those? This better not be a repeat of our school trip."

Akuma shook his head.

"Of course, I can. Just watch me."

Sanaka beamed while looking at Akuma.

"What happened on your school trip, Onii-chan?"

Yuurei also looked at Akuma.

"L-let's not discuss that here, Yuurei-chan."

Angelie awkwardly smiled at Yuurei.

"I see… Anyway, I'll get us the drinks. What do you guys want?"

Yuurei looked at everyone.

"Let me do it, Yuurei-chan. What do you want?"

Angelie stood up from her seat and smiled at Yuurei.

"Oh, okay Onee-san. Um, I'd like soda, then."

Yuurei smiled back at Angelie.

"Just get soda for everyone."

Akuma looked at Angelie.

"Tch. I wasn’t asking you, but fine."

Angelie walked toward the drinks bar.

"Hey, Onii-chan! Stand up and help her!"

Yuurei glared at Akuma and pointed at him.

"Why should I do that?!"

"Why? Because if you don't, Mom will know about your magazines—"

"Okay, fine! Enough of those imaginary magazines!"

Akuma begrudgingly moved and stood up from the bench. He caught up with Angelie at the drinks bar.

"Why are you here?"

Angelie raised her eyebrow as she saw Akuma beside him.

"Yuurei forced me. I didn't want to do this, for your information."

Akuma took two glasses and put ice cubes in them.

"Hmm. I guess you just love your little sister that much, huh?"

Angelie put soda from the soda machine into the glasses she already had in her hands.

"Let's just say, she's more devilish than me."

Akuma looked away.

---

The two of them returned to their seats after they got the drinks. Once the orders arrived, all of them started to eat. Even though Sanaka had more food than the others, they were all able to finish almost at the same time. Sanaka then looked at the menu for desserts. Even Yuurei browsed through the menu to see if she wanted something. Angelie, on the other hand, kept twitching on her seat while glancing back and forth on the menu beside her. Akuma saw this as he was resting due to being full.

"Just order something. Who cares if you get dessert, anyway?"

"H-how did you know…?"

Angelie looked at Akuma.

"It's written all over your face. And all your twitching and hesitating is irritating to watch."

Akuma closed his eyes.

"Why do you care?"

Angelie turned her head away and averted her gaze from Akuma.

"The problem is YOU care way too much about what others think. Just do what you want. No one cares."

Akuma took a toothpick and tried to pick something out of his teeth.

"Hey, cover yourself while you do that!"

Angelie looked back at Akuma and pointed at him.

"See? You're so uptight. It's grating."

"Ugh. Fine! I'm ordering dessert. Happy?"

Angelie finally took the menu and looked through it. When the three girls decided on what to get, they called the waitress again. After a while, the waitress came back with their orders. Sanaka got the Pudding and Brownie Sundae with Soft Serve Ice Cream. Yuurei got Soft Serve Ice Cream with Raspberry Sauce. Angelie ordered the Pancake with Chocolate Banana and Mascarpone Cream.

"Um, I think this is too much for me."

Angelie looked down at the dessert in front of her.

"That's what you get for being a glutton."

Akuma looked outside the window.

"I didn't know it would be this big…"

Angelie rubbed her stomach.

"You should have asked first."

"There's no other way… You have to share this with me!"

Angelie grabbed Akuma's shoulder.

"What do I have to do with that?!"

Akuma turned around and looked at Angelie.

"You're the one who wanted me to order dessert! Take responsibility!"

Angelie glared at Akuma.

"I didn't tell you to get that one!"

Akuma shrugged off Angelie's hand on his shoulder.

(Oh, look at those two! They will be sharing a dessert! How sweet! Now they are close to being a real couple and Onee-san will be the only girl in his life. I'm looking forward to the day she becomes part of our family.)

Yuurei smiled while watching the two and eating her soft serve ice cream. She was seeing something different than what was happening in real life. Future events already started to run through her mind, such as a wedding and then taking care of her soon-to-be nephew or niece.

---

In the end, Akuma and Angelie shared the dessert. They also shared the payment for it. Angelie demanded the split payment. Although Akuma protested, he lost in the end. After finishing their desserts and paid for the food, the four of them left the family restaurant and walked back toward the public library.

When they returned to the library, they went back to the table they used earlier. Angelie and Yuurei resumed their lessons. Akuma and Sanaka went back to reviewing their midterms. After a few minutes, Sanaka fell asleep. Even though Angelie saw this, she just smiled and let it go.

After a few hours, Angelie then gave Yuurei the mock midterm test she prepared beforehand. It was based on a handbook that Angelie had back when she was a middle schooler. While Yuurei was answering the mock test, Angelie went to check on Akuma's progress.

"So, which ones do you still have problems with, you dumb Demon Lord?"

Angelie sat on the vacant seat beside Akuma.

"Eh, a lot. I told you, I didn't understand anything you said."

Akuma didn't look at Angelie. He kept on reading the test paper he had. Angelie let out a sigh. She then started to point at the mistakes Akuma made and told him the right answers while also explaining them.

A few more hours and it was almost evening already. Yuurei finished the mock test Angelie made and handed it over to her. Angelie said that she will be checking it that night and they will discuss it the following day. Sanaka woke up when Angelie finished speaking.

"Wait, what? We're going back here tomorrow? What about my weekend?!"

Sanaka raised her head and looked at Angelie.

"I let you sleep earlier, right? You now have to make up for that lost time tomorrow. Okay, Sanaka-san?"

Angelie smiled sinisterly at Sanaka.

"Why is it me that always sees that smile of yours, Angelie-san?"

Sanaka cried on the table.

"And that includes you, you lazy Demon Lord."

Angelie then glared at Akuma.

"What makes you think I'll do what you want? Yuurei can only force my hand today, but tomorrow I'll be much more prepared—"

"Oh, so I guess you don't want this manga back, then? Don't worry, I'll take good care of it."

Angelie waved the manga she took from Akuma earlier.

"I think they're the real siblings. They're both a pain in my ass."

Akuma glared at Angelie and Yuurei who were giggling about something he didn't care to hear about.