Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 13 Epilogue

“—What’s wrong, Basacchi?” Basara who was deep in thought for a moment was pulled back to the present by the voice of Takigawa calling out to him. “Spacing out with a reminiscent look on your face… A lot of things must have happened for you to be so deep in thought huh?” “Well, that… Now that I think about it again, I have got a lot of memories” “It’s quite something…” Takigawa with a snort of his nose, “Well, since it’s you guys, I’m sure things will be even more lively from now on. You'll make many more memories. “That’s true…” Basara nodded. –It’s as Takigawa said. From here onward, they'll be spending even more time together. That’s why this is not the end but rather, the beginning. The curtain of a new day is rising. “That’s exactly why –today is a special day for us” “Hey, hey, it’s too early to get nostalgic. The real thing is about to start… I won’t know what to say to you if your brides get angry” As Takigawa was speaking, He ended up noticing something on the table by the mirror. “…Oh, what’s up with this decoration?”   —It’s a beautiful corsage with colorful flowers. The ‘boutonnieres’ meant to be attached to the groom’s chest. “Oh… It’s time to put it on.” He didn’t want to ruin the shape with his arms moving about when putting on the ascot tie, so he had placed it for later, but it’s no problem putting it on now. Basara reaches out for it, then puts it over the left side of his chest. With this, his preparation is complete. “The quality is pretty high… It’s great” “Right? It seems when he found out about the wedding, he fussed a bit over it and sent this” “? Who is ‘he’?” “—Takashi.” Responding to Takigawa’s question, Basara answers with the name of his childhood friend. “…Seriously?” Takigawa stared at the boutonniere that Takashi made on Basara’s chest, “He made this… He’s good at cooking but whether he’s clumsy or careful, unfriendly or cute, he’s a character who I can’t read.” At the impression, Basara smiles slightly, saying “that’s true” in agreement with Takigawa. —When they contacted him regarding the wedding. Takashi’s response over the phone could only be described as curt. It's a unique wedding with eight brides of various races. Of course, there were things that happened before this. So, he wasn’t expecting any congratulations, and being curt is pretty on par with Takashi. That’s why– him sending this boutonniere is outside of Basara’s expectations. …Thanks. Surely, Takashi was giving them his blessings in his own way. Thinking about his childhood friend’s gift, Basara feels thankful once more. “—So? What will you do from here?” “Once the girls finish getting ready, I'll get a text on my phone. Then I'll head out and wait for everyone” While saying that, Basara checked his phone, but there were no new messages. —However, it'll soon be time. So, the message should come soon. “And there you’d see the brides for the first time. Seeing how you look, and how the girls are wearing dresses… This is a non-religious wedding* right?” “Yes, we have different standings and lineages. It would be difficult to have a ceremony that works for everyone if it isn’t this kind of wedding…”[2] Besides, says Basara. “Our feelings… are not something for others, not even something to vow to god. It’s answering only to ourselves, a vow to each other” “I see… Since that’s the case, then this wedding without any guests works out best for you all” Takigawa says with a sense of understanding, “Well then… I’m done here, so I should leave” “What, are you not staying till the end?” In response to Basara’s teasing, “There’s no food, so no reason for me to stay. Also, if I interrupt, I might end up on the receiving end of glares from your brides.” Besides, says Takigawa with narrowed eyes, “In any case –the security here is tight” “…Yeah” At Takigawa’s slightly anxious words, Basara nods quietly. The security for this wedding has been handed to an underling of Basara. That is the young man he formed the master-servant contract with –Shiba Kyoichi. That being said, only two people who know of Shiba being alive besides Shiba himself; Basara and Hasegawa. There’s no reason for Takigawa to know. –Despite that, Takigawa surely noticed. That someone is protecting this place, and how that someone is likely Shiba. And then –knowing that Takigawa came to this bride’s room. …That being said. Now that Shiba is cut off from his ‘ki’, they don’t know how deep they can go with the master-servant contract with Basara. With him realizing it –likely, Takigawa doesn’t think it’s strange for Shiba to be Basara’s underling and have read that much. …How amazing. Basara once more feels the decision he made was correct. —Basara and Takigawa had worked together behind the scenes. When Mio was targeted by the current demon lord faction, Takigawa was his first ally. Without Takigawa, it was likely they would have been killed in the fight against Zolgia. Even if they defeated Zolgia, sooner or later they could have died. When they went to the demon realm, when they fought Shiba, Takigawa had always been crucial. And –he’s sure that won’t change in the future. With that said, “See you–” As Takigawa turned on his heels and started walking, he made a dark sphere about 2 meters in diameter appear in his path. Watching Takigawa’s back disappear into the darkness –Basara calls out. With his honest feelings, “…Thanks for everything, Takigawa” Takigawa saved him many times. He will never forget his debt to him. —If Takigawa ever needed help. Toujou Basara will run to his side. With that certain feeling, he shared his gratitude. “–” Takigawa’s footsteps stopped. And then, with his back still to Basara. “That’s right. There’s something I must say–” A pause. “Congratulations on your wedding. May the future bring you happiness.” As he says that, he looks over his shoulder, “—That’s from me” With a smile, Takigawa turns around and disappears into the darkness. 2

—A bit after Takigawa left. A message arrives on Basara’s phone. The sender is Maria –the message is just “We’re ready!” Even with that short message, he can feel her high tension, causing Basara to smile widely. A short time later, “—Well then” Basara puts his phone in his inner pocket, leaving the bridal room for the groom. According to the weather report, Kanto should be coming into its rainy season. However, there’s not a single cloud in the sky, the blue sky spreading wide over him. There’s not even the sticky humidity of the season, a pleasant wind blowing through the garden of flowers, fluttering the grass about. Among that –walking on the white stone-paved path, Basara approaches the promised place. The virgin road with benches seating three on either side. There’s no cross or altar there. All there is in this place is the sunlight, streaming down like a spotlight. Of course, Basara, the groom, reached there first… He waits, standing under the sunlight. And then. “—Basara: At the voice behind him, Basara turns around. There are the eight brides, dressed in white wedding dresses. “—” Basara gulps down. Because they are beautiful. Mio, Yuki, Maria, Kurumi, Zest, Hasegawa, Nanao, and Celis are all beautiful. There’s no exaggeration in that. They are all dressed in dresses that fit them, all of them the world’s most beautiful brides. With how he’s completely taken by them, they all smile happily. Toujou Mio. Toujou Yuki. Toujou Maria. Toujou Kurumi. Toujou Zest. Toujou Chisato. Toujou Nanao. Toujou Celis. —The eight brides with the same surname, Basara thinks as their husband, as a single man. That he will continue to protect them from here on –them and their smiles. That’s why Basara too, smiles. And then, he reaches out his hand, “…Come, let’s make our vow” With certainty in his voice, he calls out to them. With that –the eight brides nod as meant to be. –At that moment. The groom and the brides –a happy wedding ceremony for nine begins.