"Are you ready for bed, my adorable little brother?~ ♡"

"Yes, big sister~"

Showering gentle kisses on my forehead, the demon lord tucked me to bed.

She's so loving as always.

I smiled as she sat beside me and clapped her hands together. PAH! The room gradually turned darker. As the light dimmed to a romantic lukewarm and became perfect for us to cuddle, I nuzzled softly against Amae's thicc thighs.

"Ara~ ♡ Aren't you a clingy one?"

I pouted. Despite her giggles, I pressed myself closer. Her leg felt so warm and nice against my cheek.

"Fufufu~"

Who knew that an all-powerful demon lord had such an adorable laugh?

"Ne~ I have an important question."

"What is it?"

"What type of girls do you prefer?"

My heart thumped twice at that unexpected question. Amae continued to stare as her hazel eyes glowed with curiosity.

"This is cardinal data for my personal knowledge," The demon lord edged closer, whispering her words like an enchanting spell. "Will you tell me everything?~"

I gulped. Memories of the past emerged from the subconscious, like fragments rapidly playing in a cinematic form.

Don't be afraid.

She loves you.

Sensing my reluctance, Amae cradled me with the utmost ease. Then she gently plopped my butt in between her thighs. Latching her arms over my shoulder, I felt the back of my head lying on something soft like pillows. The view in front of me was Amae's smooth legs and parts of her majestic black feathery-wings, curling out leisurely on the luxurious silken bed.

"There there little brother~ I sensed some negative emotions."

"Yeah."

"Shall I stop inquiring?"

I shook my head and laid back comfortably into her embrace. In this position, we were the perfect fit. Her entire body surrounded mine and I truly felt nothing in the world could harm me. This was only one word to describe this heavenly feeling — home.

"No, I want to tell you. I want you to know me better because I love you."

"Little brother! ♡" Amae's voice turned high-pitched before clearing her throat. "Alright, you may begin~"

♦ ♦ ♦

[I don't want to hurt you.]

Nao continued to type over Thiscord as I stared blankly at the computer screen. My heart was already a mess, feeling overwhelmed by today's argument.

[I don't want to destroy our relationship anymore, so that's why today will be our last day.]

What do I do?

She's so toxic... but I can't let her go.

[I still like you but I want you to become better. I just can't stop myself when I'm mad.]

Dread filled my heart.

[Is this really how it has to be...?]

[Yes. I'm sorry for making you upset all the time. I will leave you now.]

Nao was a girl I met online from playing games. We eventually grew interested in each other as the RPG required us to voice chat and work together to fight monsters. While we had our fun, whenever she became upset, Nao was mean. A major emphasis on the mean.

Our future plans of meeting up... Gone.

An online crush that never turned into something more.

[Goodbye. Thank you for all the fun times.]

[Goodbye.]

That was all I could type because she was right. We were both far too naive in the realm of love, fighting each other instead of the problem.

[Nao went offline.]

But is there really someone better out there?

Is there someone who is willing to improve for the sake of our relationship?

♦ ♦ ♦

"How do you like the hot pot here, Breb?"

"Good."

Another one-worded reply from my classmate while we continued to eat in awkward silence.

It was not that she was disinterested but rather, Breb was the type of girl that did not talk much. A shy, reticent introvert. Both of us decided to try a new restaurant to celebrate after midterms.

"What did you do today?"

"Nothing much."

"How's work?"

"Pretty good."

"What did you do at work?" I probed. With Breb, conversation was the true definition of struggle. Although we had known each other for more than a year, it was too damn difficult to maintain a natural dialogue. This actually took effort.

"Just the usual."

I sighed internally.

Maybe I should talk about myself and she'll ask questions?

"So today at work, a customer forgot his ID and he threatened to call the cops on us for not serving alcohol? Like what the heck."

"Oh, that reminds me too!" Breb's brown eye lit up. "One of my students forgot that his essay was due and so he started doing in class. Then the teacher caught him..."

And the conversation always ends back to you.

I asked questions as Breb explained more details on the clumsy student. Soon after, the conversation was back to the same old silence. As expected, my classmate did not bother to mention my story earlier.

This isn't fun.

This conversation is so one-sided.

Is there someone out there who genuinely cares about my life and what I have to say?

♦ ♦ ♦

"I'm so sorry I keep canceling, my dad isn't going down to Arcadia so I have no ride."

"It's fine," I replied to Lynn over the phone. "How about I pick you up instead?"

"It's chill. My place is really far from yours."

Lynn was right. The extra forty-minute drive to eat lunch together was definitely not worth compared to the original plan.

"Sorry, we'll definitely go out next week!"

Yeah right.

"Sure, see you at school on Monday."

Why is it so hard to make plans with you?

Lynn was a classmate I grew close with during college. Beautiful golden highlights on her flowing black hair, she presented herself as a young, innocent maiden. In fact, she never dated for the past eighteen years.

Unfortunately, she had a habit of changing plans last minute. This was not the first time and I should have known better. Past behavior predicts future behavior.

We could probably be more than friends but our priorities aren't the same.

Is there someone out there who is willing to invest and spend quality time with me?

♦ ♦ ♦

Kin. A high school crush that was never realized because I was afraid to reveal my feelings.

Tris. Childhood friend and utterly rejected when I mustered the courage for the grand confession.

Jo. First girlfriend but everything fell apart due to my passive and supportive personality.

I'm so tired of trying to find the one...

Is there really someone out there who will love and accept me for who I am?

♦ ♦ ♦

"Ara~ ♡ It seems like you were rather popular with the ladies back in your world."

"Not really..." Those rejections had scarred me into a different person — cynical and a coward of love. "Are you mad?"

"Why would I be?"

"Because I was interested in so many girls, trying to find the one."

I turned around and glanced up like a little puppy, staring at my loving master. Her hazel eyes glazed over me with pure affection.

"It's because of these girls that you became the person you were today, is it not?"

I nodded slowly.

"Then why must I be mad? Those experiences, both the success and rejection, are all a part of you. And it's because you embark on this path that led me to you."

Moment of clarity.

It made sense why I was magically transported to another world. Out of the billions of people living on Earth, I was the one chosen. Why? Because I was the perfect fit for the supreme demon overlord of Ai.

"You're right, big sister."

"Was I the girl that you were searching for?"

My heart instantly knew. But how could I be honest when the love of my life was wholeheartedly giving her undivided attention and affection to me? Amae was truly the pinnacle of my dream girl. The complete opposite of everyone I had met.

It's like a confession all over again.

I could not help but feel embarrassed as I muttered a soft yes. With the happiest expression, she stuffed me into her chest and hugged me.

"Fufufu! Seeing you flustered is a reward in itself. ♡"

"I was afraid you would be mad if I mentioned about other girls... that has happened to me before."

"Who do you think I am?" A golden aura brimmed Amae's entire figure as she announced in a voice befitting of the most exalted ruler. "I'm demon lord Amae, leader of the Seven Master Races. And above all, your big sister. So do not be afraid, because you're my vowed partner until the end of time."

Then in a cutesy tone, she tilted her head and smiled.

"Thank you..."

As Amae held me lovingly in her chest, I started crying. Letting out tears of sorrow and absolute joy.

It's because of all the sadness and pain that I endured, I was able to find you.

Amae — my demon lord big sister and ultimately, lover for life.