"Sora-san, Lala-san, this isn't the way home. Where are we going?" Mikan asked curiously, noticing they weren't heading in the right direction.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Mikan-chan. We're having a party at our house tonight. I already told Rito-kun."
"Lala and I were going to a nearby supermarket that I heard is pretty good to buy some groceries, so we just dropped by to see you," he replied as they walked.
Mikan's face lit up with understanding. The two families lived next to each other and were very close, so having parties at each other's houses was a common occurrence.
Her face filled with anticipation. Though she was a little competitive about it on the surface, she actually really liked his cooking.
As a super elementary schooler who was good at everything, her excellent cooking skills were her greatest pride. But compared to his, she still had a ways to go.
Though she often complained about a boy being so good at cooking, she had always been deeply impressed by it.
"Well, as the host this time, I was planning on cooking myself. But since we just helped you, if I don't let you repay the favor, I'm worried you'll feel bad about it."
"So, it's decided! We'll be in charge of buying the groceries, and you'll be in charge of the cooking!" he said, clapping his hands, his expression serious.
"Yay, yay! We get to eat Mikan-chan's cooking again!" Lala agreed, her face full of happy anticipation.
Though she liked his cooking the best, she also really liked hers.
"Sora-san, why do I feel like you're just trying to dump the cooking on me so you can be lazy?"
"And I don't feel bad at all about you helping me!" Mikan retorted, rolling her eyes, amused.
"Alright, I admit it. I just really wanted to taste your cooking again."
"Honestly, Mikan-chan, don't you know I'm very thin-skinned? You had to make me say it out loud," he said with a sigh, his expression one of helpless honesty.
Lala looked at him with a confused expression, and the loli Valkyrie perched on his shoulder pouted, her face full of endless contempt.
Mikan, of course, was the most speechless. She was at a loss for words when it came to his incredible thick-skinnedness. But hearing him say he wanted to taste her cooking again, she couldn't help but feel a little happy.
Well, in the end, thanks to his thick skin, the cooking duty fell to Mikan…
They went into the supermarket to buy groceries for the evening. Since she was now in charge of cooking, Mikan didn't hold back. She went on a shopping spree, and by the time they came out, everyone was carrying several bags full of fresh ingredients.
They walked home, chatting and laughing. But when they passed a small shop selling taiyaki, Mikan and Lala both stopped and looked at him with a longing expression. Even the loli Valkyrie on his shoulder gave him a firm tug.
"Alright, alright, I know."
"Boss, three taiyaki, please. Hot ones."
Knowing what these little gluttons wanted, he bought three hot taiyaki from the shop owner.
"Mmm… so good! So fragrant, so crispy, so sweet."
"Mmm-hmm…"
On a bench by the side of the road, Lala and Mikan sat on either side of him, happily munching on their taiyaki.
Not only the two girls, but the loli Valkyrie sitting on his lap was also nibbling on a piece, her eyes half-closed in enjoyment.
Seeing them eat so happily, he grabbed a piece and took a bite.
Mmm, not bad…
As they were enjoying their taiyaki, a girl walked towards them.
With long, dazzling golden hair, a cool black outfit, a petite frame, and a cute face, she looked like an idol from a TV show. The gazes of passersby were all drawn to her.
Her expression was calm, as if she didn't mind the attention at all. Under everyone's watchful eyes, the golden-haired girl soon arrived in front of them.
"Um… do we know her?"
Lala and Mikan, who were enjoying their taiyaki, also noticed her and looked at him with a confused expression.
"Don't know her…"
Looking at the golden-haired, black-clad girl, a strange light flashed in his eyes, but he shook his head.
"Want to try some? It's pretty good," he said with a smile, taking a piece of his little pet's taiyaki and offering it to her.
She frowned, seeming to hesitate, but her little nose twitched, and in the end, she couldn't resist the sweet, alluring scent and took it.
She took a small bite, and her eyes lit up. Her face also took on an expression of pure enjoyment, just like Lala and the others.
"There's still plenty more. If you don't mind, you can have some with us," he said, his smile widening. The great demon king seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, his gaze towards her like he was looking at another exquisite and beautiful possession…
…
"I'm Lala! What's your name?"
"Your clothes are so unique. Are you a student from around here?"
Sitting on the bench, Lala and Mikan curiously asked the girl questions. But no matter what they said, she seemed not to hear them and just continued to eat her taiyaki.
After several failed attempts, the two girls gave up, their expressions frustrated. But Sora was still sizing her up, looking very happy, as if he were expecting something.
With one more mouth to feed, the few bags of taiyaki were quickly finished. The silent girl stood up and finally spoke.
"The food on Earth… is pretty good…" she said, her voice light, as if in admiration.
"Hehe… it's delicious, right? So you can talk!"
"The food on Earth… um, are you an alien?"
The boisterous Lala had a giggling expression, but the observant Mikan immediately noticed the wording of her sentence, a look of slight confusion and surprise on her face.
Still ignoring them, the girl looked at him, her gaze suddenly becoming sharp.
"You… are Kusanagi Sora?"
Though it was a question, her tone was confident, as if she had already confirmed his identity.
"Yes, that's me. And you are?" he replied, not denying it. He stood up and smiled back.
"Golden Darkness. That is my name. Someone hired me to kill you."
"As a reward for the taiyaki, I will give you a painless death. So… please go die," she said, her tone incredibly calm as she spoke the terrifying words. Under Lala and Mikan's stunned gazes, a strand of her golden hair began to move, twisting until it became a sharp blade.
And then, it shot towards him.
Squish… The sound of a blade piercing flesh.
His eyes wide, looking at the blade, which was still attached to her golden hair and was now sticking out of his chest, Sora had an expression of disbelief.
"Ah… I'm dead!!!"
With a cry of agony, he collapsed.
The great demon king who had conquered the universe and corrupted countless goddesses… was dead!!!!!