Ameri, her mind buzzing with the latest installment of human romantic strategy, was concluding the Student Council meeting regarding campus zoning regulations. As she gathered her papers, preparing to execute her next crucial 'intelligence gathering' appointment, a council member, , looked up curiously.
Member: "President Ameri, where are you headed now? The security perimeter review is scheduled to begin in ten minutes."
Ameri paused. She couldn't reveal her true mission—translating forbidden texts with the confirmed interdimensional being. She had to use a cover story gleaned from her recent studies.
AMERI: "I am proceeding to a... a date."
The council chamber fell into a stunned silence.
SUBORDINATE: "A... a date, President? What exactly does that entail?"
Ameri remembered Noir's recent translation of the term: "An arranged meeting between two parties interested in pursuing a deep, shared experience, often involving food and intense emotional connection."
AMERI: "It is a highly specialized cultural practice from the other realm. It involves a planned, singular meeting to gauge... compatibility."
The students remained confused, exchanging bewildered glances. Ameri realized that any further explanation would compromise her intentions. She gathered her dignity and made a hasty exit.
AMERI: "It is a matter of the highest confidentiality! I will return when the assessment is complete!"
She fled the room, leaving the entire Student Council hierarchy reeling from the implications of their powerful President engaging in mysterious, foreign 'compatibility assessments.'
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Meanwhile, Noir Sullivan reached the designated meeting spot: the main entrance of the Student Lounge. He looked around nervously, ensuring the coast was clear before their secret translation session with ameri.
Ameri arrived moments later, carrying a neatly bound copy of First Love Memories, Volume 5. The sight of her alone, waiting for him, still sent a strange mix of panic and excitement through Noir.
Just as they approached each other, a dark corner of the courtyard concealed two figures wearing comically oversized, shimmering magical disguise glasses that did absolutely nothing to hide their identities.
It was Clara and Alice.
Clara, upon seeing Noir approach the formidable President, immediately became agitated.
CLARA: (Whispering loudly) "That's her! The scary lady! Noir-sama is meeting the scary lady alone! I want to go and play with him!"
ALICE: (Eyes narrowed, clutching his fist) "Hold, Clara! You cannot interfere! That is Azazel Ameri, the President of the Student Council. The fact that Noir-sama arranged this meeting proves my theory!"
CLARA: "What theory, Azz azz? That they are trading snacks?"
ALICE: "No! Noir-sama knew he couldn't control the President with mere strength. He is clearly scheming to control the entire Student Council! He went alone to maintain the sanctity of his strategic maneuver! We must not disrupt Noir-sama's political intentions! We observe! And wait for his command!"
Alice, convinced of Noir-sama's brilliant, ruthless ambition, forcefully held the jealous and irate Clara back, allowing Noir and Ameri to disappear inside the quiet Student Lounge.
Inside the lounge, Noir and Ameri settled into a secluded booth, the soft lighting giving the scene an oddly romantic atmosphere that was entirely lost on Noir, but meticulously noted by Ameri (comparing it to the "Café Date" chapter).
Noir opened Volume 5, finding the place they had left off. He began to translate a particularly introspective section where the heroine, Sakura, was contemplating her future.
NOIR: (Translating) "And Sakura thought to herself: 'I wonder what my dream is. If I confess to Kenji, will we share a future dream together?'"
Ameri slammed her hand on the table, startling Noir.
AMERI: (Her eyes blazing with sudden insight) "Stop! The human language is even more confusing than I thought! The symbol you translate as 'dream' is contextually flawed! In all demonic society, the term for 'a driving, future objective' is 'Ambition!'"
NOIR: "Oh, well, yes, technically, 'dream' in this context means 'a goal or aspiration.' So... Ambition, sure."
Ameri leaned forward, her intense focus shifting from the book to Noir.
AMERI: "Very well. Now that we understand the proper nomenclature, I shall gauge your insight into the true meaning of the human realm's ambition. Do you have any future Ambitions, Noir?"
Ameri's directness was jarring. She expected a grand, territorial, or political goal worthy of his immense, veiled power.
Ameri didn't wait for him to answer, instead launching into a passionate declaration of her own goals.
AMERI: "I am proud to be a demon, and I believe every student here should share that pride! My ambition is to dedicate my life to improving the quality of student lives and elevate Babyls into a learning establishment known only with absolute admiration! After my graduation, I intend to assist my father in maintaining the security of the Netherworld."
She finished, her chest heaving slightly with the fervor of her commitment.
NOIR: (Smiling genuinely) "Wow, President! That's great! Your dream—I mean, your ambition—is truly impressive and sounds like it would make the Demon World a better place."
Ameri accepted the compliment, then returned her intense gaze to him.
AMERI: "Now, your turn, Noir Sullivan. What political, territorial, or ranking objective drives your heart?"
Noir thought about his simple, newfound contentment.
NOIR: "Me? Oh, I suppose I'm content with just getting good grades, staying out of trouble, and spending my days with good friends like Alice and Clara."
Ameri's expression hardened instantly. The intellectual flame in her eyes turned cold and dismissive.
AMERI: "Empty idealism. That is not ambition, Sullivan. That is complacency. That is a philosophy fit only for the lowest ranks. This world cares only for ambition, for willpower, and for the drive to seize what you desire!"
She leaned in, her voice low and challenging, her command presence overwhelming the small booth.
AMERI: "I ask you one more time, with the sincerity due to a potential rival from the other realm: Do you possess the willpower to seize what you want?"
Outside the lounge, the argument between Alice and Clara had escalated into a quiet, but firm, conflict.
CLARA: (Arms crossed, stamping her foot silently) "Alice! I'm tired of waiting! I want to go in and ask Noir-sama to play! This is boring!"
ALICE: (Standing firm, whispering fiercely) "Silence, Clara! We must respect Noir-sama's privacy during his political moves! If we intervene now, his plan to subdue the Student Council President will fail!"
CLARA: "But what if she's making him read homework! I hate homework! I need to save him!"
The argument continued, a silent struggle of wills just outside the door where Noir was desperately trying to figure out if he should lie and claim he wanted to conquer the school, or stick to his new, simple truth.