Meanwhile at Ven’s manor

Ven and Ventina had come back to Ven’s place from the banquet. Ventina finally felt at home when she reached Ven’s place. She couldn’t feel comfortable with all the important looking people approaching her just because she stood next to Ven.

However, Ventina knew that she shouldn’t stay in his manor for too long or she’ll really start to think of the place as her home.

“Ven, I think I’m going to move out soon. I’ve been freeloading at your house for over a month and the guilt is killing me.” Ventina said when she changed back to casual wear and settled down.

“Huh? Then where are you going to stay? You don’t know anyone else here, right?” Ven asked, feeling a little alerted at her sudden proclamation.

“I’ve already decided to apply for a transfer to the demon realm. I feel like I can be myself here in the demon realm. I’ll probably just find some cheap apartment to live in.” Ventina answered.

“You know you can just stay here, right? My place has got too many rooms and we can afford feeding one more person.” Ven tried to persuade her. Somehow, he felt reluctant to let her live alone.

Even though he knew she was an adult and could take care of herself, he felt worried for her. Perhaps he had regarded her as his own sister some time along the way.

“I can’t do that! We’re not family or anything so making you pay for my living expenses is unthinkable.” Ventina quickly declined. One of the reasons she wanted to move out was because she didn’t want to see him with another girl of he ever found someone he loved.

“It’s fine. I don’t want you to suffer any hardships. You came to the demon world since you were worried about me, right? I need to be a good host to you.” Ven still tried to persuade her to stay.

“Although it’s true that I came to the demon world because of you, I decided to live here so I can’t just intrude on you forever. Besides, I’ve been thinking about this for a while already.” Ventina didn’t budge.

“Then have you found a place to live yet? If not, you can stay here until you find one.” Ven sighed as he knew how stubborn she was once she decided on something.

“I haven’t but Zeke told me that he can take me around to search for some cheap places tomorrow.” Ventina replied. Earlier at the banquet, Ventina and Ven was introduced to Kazuya’s friends and became close quite quickly. Zeke was especially interested in Ventina as she was exactly his type.

Ven was surprised that Zeke would suddenly be mentioned. Unknown to him, his heart was slightly squeezing from jealousy.

“Why are you going with him? I’m free tomorrow so I can go with you. You don’t need to trouble him.” Ven said, his voice contained jealousy.

“I thought you said you have plans tomorrow?” Ventina asked, feeling confused. Ven had told her that he was busy tomorrow so that was why she agreed to Zeke’s invitation in the first place.

“Right. I forgot.” Ven said as he remembered what he had to do. It was going to be Ventina’s birthday soon and he had planned to throw a small party for her with Lilica and Sharon. They were going to go buy some things for the party tomorrow. With tonight’s incident, Lilica probably wouldn’t go and it would probably be only him and Sharon going to buy things together.

“You have a date tomorrow, right?” Ventina guessed. Although he could be busy with other things, Ventina had a hunch that he had plans with a woman.

“Well, I guess it could be considered a date.” Ven answered as he thought that it would probably be only Sharon and him tomorrow.

Ventina smirked at herself as to mock herself. ‘Why did you ask when you already know the answer? You know how much it would hurt if you heard it directly from him.’ Ventina thought to herself as she felt her heart being pierced.

“Ven… Do you know why I want to move out of your manor so much?” Ventina asked, her voice slightly trembling. However, Ven didn’t notice the change in her tone.

“Why?” Ven asked, feeling confused as to whether he had done anything wrong.

“It’s because I can’t bear to be with you. Watch you come near other women, knowing full well you’ll never look at me romantically. The date tomorrow is with Sharon, right? I can tell how fond you are of her just by looking at the way you look at her.” Ventina emotionally said as she felt hot tears flow on her face. She knew there was no going back to being friends if she said the three words, but she wanted to come clean with their relationship. However, just from seeing the way he looked at Sharon tonight made her feel helpless.

“You know what? Being near you hurts me. I love you too much. It hurts just seeing you look at other women affectionately.” Ventina continued as tears flowed down endlessly.

“...” Ven was speechless when he heard her confession. He had never thought that the person he regarded as his best friend actually loved him romantically.

“I’ll be staying somewhere else today. I’ll move out the day after tomorrow too so don’t worry. Thanks for everything.” Ventina said as she wiped her tears and walked out quietly. Although she had nowhere to go, she didn’t want to stay in Ven’s manor anymore. She figured she’d just go to a hotel to stay for the night.

Ven was still frozen in place. He was shocked, surprised and a little happy. All kinds of emotions were going on in his head that he finally came back to reality when he realized she was already gone.

He quickly ran to the window to see if she was still outside, but her figure was nowhere to be seen.