"Ack...!"

Someone bumped into you on the gate of campus, effectively sending both of you down to the rough concrete. You cracked an eye open, ass aching due to the landing.

"Ugh, Mammon?" You grumbled, pushing him off of you. The white-haired male grunted as you stood up and dusted yourself off.

Mammon glared up at you as you rolled your eyes. Both of you remained that way for a few seconds.

"..."

"..."

"...Why aren't you standing up?" You raised a brow. Mammon snapped out of his stupor and stood up hastily, patting himself down with a huff.

"...Were you waiting for me to offer you a hand or something?" You gave him a cheeky grin, crossing your arms. Mammon clenched his jaw before turning away. "Ah, whatever! I don't have time for ya!"

You could only watch as Mammon turned around, about to break in a sprint, before he crashed into another poor student.

And unfortunately for him, the student was holding a beverage that spilled onto Mammon.

And that beverage just happened to be hot coffee.

So you could guess Mammon was screaming inside as his expression drew blank on the outside. The student flinched, apologizing profusely. They even bowed a few times.

You didn't feel comfortable with the crowd forming, but you also didn't want to feel guilty by leaving Mammon to deal with this by himself.

You sighed exasperatedly before sauntering towards your dear friend.

"Mammon, you should really watch where you're going when you run." You then smiled at the guilty student. "Don't mind it. Now run along please."

Although confused, the student hesitantly does as told. You patted Mammon's shoulder. "Hey, you doing alrig–"

"How 'bout I sock your nose a couple of times to show ya how I–"

"Don't finish that punchline. Just say 'no'" Your nonchalant shrug fueled his wrath. Mammon roughly shrugs your hand away from his shoulder, scoffing. "Just leave me alone. I hafta make it to the Student Council room by–"

"Wait, you're planning on going to a student council meeting like that?" You furrowed your brows. Mammon's frown deepened. "Well... Yeah?"

"...Ah." You sighed in disappointment. "Whatever. Do you have a spare uniform?"

"H-huh?"

"Yes or no?"

"Well, I have some in my lockers–"

"Great. Take a quick shower too." You promptly grasped his wrist, tugging him towards the showers by the gym. Mammon was stupefied, mindlessly letting himself dragged.

Then all of a sudden, he dug his heels on the ground, effectively getting you to stop and turn to him.

"What..? I don't have time for this!"

"Your skin is turning red because of the coffee. Just take a damn shower." You sighed. "I'm sure Lucifer wouldn't mind."

"No, no, no, Lucifer mind." Mammon yelped, though unable to keep himself from getting dragged along by you.

"I'm sure even Lucifer would understand that being splashed with hot coffee would be a valid reason to be absent or late to a meeting."

"Uh, have you met Lucifer?"

You didn't answer, merely pushing him inside the showers. You took his bag and smiled innocently at him. "Shower. I'll go get your uniform from your locker."

Not letting Mammon express his qualms, you shut the door and shuffled through his bag.

Taking his locker key, you went back to the main building, where the lockers were located.

7023

Even his locker was in the range of Asmo's.

7051.

Asmodeus' Locker.

Nostalgic. In a bad way, actually.

Pushing the key to the hole, you twisted it open.

Mammon's locker was a mess, as expected. Books looking as though they were just shoved inside haphazardly.

Under the books, was a plastic bag that contained his spare uniform. You carefully took it, one hand holding the other books from falling out.

Once you had, something fell.

You bent down to pick it up.

It was a photo of Yuki, smiling casually at the camera while their arm was cut off from the image.

Actually, no. It was folded. Unfolding the photo, you found yourself staring at...you.

Yuki had their arm around your shoulders, smiling happily as you bore a deadpan. You had purposely been folded away.

You snickered.

Well obviously. Why would Mammon want to see a photo of you and Yuki?

He should've just used scissors, idiot. And besides, shouldn't he and Yuki have a photo of the two of them alone already?

You put it back inside and shut the locker.

Snooping around wasn't very nice, wasn't it?

And so, you made your way back to the showers, just as Mammon had finished up. You knocked, handing him the plastic once he opened the door and confirmed it was you.

Soon enough, Mammon exited the room, small droplets of water from his hair glimmered under the sunlight. You hummed.

"You think you can still make it to that meeting of yours?" You handed him his bag.

"It's already done, I'm pretty sure." Mammon accepts the bag and pulls out his phone. He winced. "...Lucifer already messaged me."

"Don't answer. Just tell him what happened in person."

Seems like Mammon was bound to be late either way, even if he wasn't splashed by coffee.

"Ugh. He told me not to be late or he'll roast me alive." Mammon shivered. You chuckled. "Pray he'll settle for something painless, at least."

"You're not helpin'!"

You only shrugged mockingly as he growled. Both of you started walking back to the main building, considering classes would start soon.

"...You weren't with Yuki earlier."

"They had to go absent because of a migraine. Quite bad, from what I heard."

"...Huh."

"You gonna come over to take care of them?" You half-heartedly teased. Mammon scoffed. "Whadd'ya take me for?"

"Someone who wants to take care of Yuki, perhaps?"

"..." Mammon's gaze went downcast.

You hummed idly.

Asmo had already been influencing you, huh?

"Don't you dare tell Yuki about any of this." Mammon suddenly says. You glanced at him for a split second before looking away. "Whatever."

"..."

Unbeknownst to you, Mammon sent you a split second glance. He pressed his lips together.

Thanks.

But of course, he didn't want to say it out loud.

Though, perhaps without him saying it outright, maybe you already understood.

Even with his troubling thoughts about Lucifer, Mammon couldn't help but feel nice.

- - -

"He's coming for me, I know it."

"Ugh, you coward." You scoffed as Mammon expressed his paranoia for the 27th time this morning.

"This is all your fault!"

"You bumped into me, and then another person, then all of a sudden it's my fault?" You rolled your eyes, though you knew he was kidding.

"Hmph."

"Ya-hoo~ " A voice rang out.

"Asmo." You acknowledged. He grinned back as he walked closer. "Good afternoon to my sweet and gorgeous lover."

At least he whispered.

"Oh, hi there, Mammon." As if he only just noticed now, Asmo greeted. "Do you know just how angry Lucifer was this morning when you didn't show up? It was actually kind of hilarious!"

Mammon grew pale.

"He was trying to keep his composure, with Diavolo watching and all. He practically vowed to hunt you down this lunch!" Asmodeus taunted, sniffling. "I'll miss you. Not really."

"Asmo, have mercy on the poor guy." You were amused, not going to lie. But still.

"Eeh?" Asmodeus frowned, slumping on your body. "No fun~"

"I'm sure Lucifer isn't out for your neck."

"You are?" A voice was heard from behind you three.

Mammon immediately shrieked, pushing Asmo off of you and clinging onto you instead. Asmo yelped, having been shoved unexpectedly.

"...Yeah. I am." You answered with a smile, looking Lucifer right in the eye. The male crossed his arms, now looking at Mammon.

From the side, Asmodeus grumbled, practically ripping Mammon off your body and pushing him onto Lucifer. Mammon was even more terrified.

"Mammon."

You could see the male tremble.

"Did I not tell you that punctuality is very important, especially for someone of your title?"

"...What title?" You subtly whisper to Asmo, who shrugged. "Student Council member I guess?"

"A-ah, um..." Mammon looked over to you for back up, only to see you chatting with the champagne-haired male.

"I warned you. You even had the nerve to get Diavolo to wait for you, when you weren't even going to show up." Lucifer looked highly furious, despite the smile he bore.

"Haha...funny story... um..." Mammon's eye darted in many directions, aside from Lucifer's.

"Well, it better be if it gave you the courage to defy me."

"Some student bumped into Mammon and spilled their hot coffee on him. He took a quick shower on campus, but by the time he was out, the meeting was already over." You spoke up, startling Asmodeus and Lucifer.

"...What?" The champagne-haired male gave you a strange stare.

"I took his bag and left him no time to argue when he told me he had something important to attend to because...I didn't believe him...?" You sounded a little confused by the end.

"...yeah, yeah, so um, I didn't get to tell you. It was a total accident." Mammon followed up. Lucifer paused, then shook his head with a frown. "Even so, that doesn't change the fact that you disrupted the meeting and made us all wait."

"Even so, that's still a valid reason, right?" You cut in. "Mammon didn't mean to miss out, and he didn't mean to not tell you in advance because he couldn't. You can't just punish him unjustly."

"...Yeah!" Mammon followed up, albeit in a small voice.

"Mammon, you can talk to Diavolo directly. I'm sure he'd be fine with it." You advised.

Lucifer shook his head. "How do I even know this isn't some excuse he brewed up as always? Mammon's an expert at making such, after all."

"Well, I was there, first of all. And you can smell the scent of coffee on Mammon anyway. Quick showers aren't very precise, stupid."

"How would you know that?" Asmodeus snickered.

"Well, Mammon keeps clinging to me in fear, so I can smell the coffee." You crossed your arms. "And besides, Lucifer. Having to punish Mammon for something he can't control this time is not a very good look on people from the student council, you know?"

You casually threw out. "I mean, not that people would know, but you would, right?"

"..." Lucifer clenched his jaw, though not denying.

"And besides, have mercy on the fool. That coffee was hot, his skin was turning red by the instant." You shrugged.

"..."

Letting out a loud and exasperated sigh, Lucifer turned away.

"Another late or absent will not be tolerated, Mammon. Be more punctual next time so you won't get caught up in ridiculous situations."

"...Huh. I thought he'd argue more with me." You mused as he walked away.

Mammon turned to look at you, nearly in tears. "You..."

"Have anything to say, Mammon?" Asmodeus egged on, leaning into your side for support as he smirked.

The white-haired male clenched his jaw, managing to grumble out a small and highly begrudging "Thank you."

Lifting his gaze, Mammon made eye contact with you. The instant you did, you sent him a smile.

"You're welcome."

...

Maybe...

Maybe you weren't such a bad guy after all....

"...Notice how I didn't say 'no problem'?" Your smile melted into a smirk.

"Because you owe me."

...

Bastard.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°

What bullshit.

From Simeon of all people.

But then again, maybe he was just trying to cheer you up by being nice.

Now it just made you miserable.

You sighed, watching Asmo receive gifts from various students. You leaned onto the balustrades from the second floor as the champagne-haired male smiled and greeted his fans.

"...How do you just casually befriend people?" You pondered.

"You want more friends?"

"Ack–!" You flinched back, spooked to hear Solomon's voice from beside you. The male gave you an innocent smile.

"Where the hell did you come from?"

"Just here and there." He shrugged. "Anyway, you suddenly want more friends?"

"...I don't know. I just feel a little pathetic standing next to Asmo when he's like..." The two of you watched Asmo cheerily interacting with the crowd. "...that."

"You know you don't have to be surrounded with a lot of people just because he is." Solomon's strange smile contorted into a softer one. You sighed.

"I guess so. I just hoped Simeon wasn't lying to me, but..."

"Simeon lying to you?" Solomon snickered. "Sounds kind of impossible, but okay."

"I'm serious." You huffed. The white-haired male propped his arm above the balustrades and smirked. "I'd love to hear this."

"It's ridiculous, okay? I know. And besides, it's not important."

Asmodeus noticed you and Solomon by the second floor and grinned, waving excitedly. The crowd's attention diverted to you and Solomon, making you slightly anxious.

You hesitantly waved back, prompting his grin to grow brighter.

"And what did Simeon say?" Solomon egged on. You scoffed.

"He told me I had a charm that made people like being around me and that I could easily befriend people because of it." You shrugged. "Sounds like something Simeon would say. Just not to me."

"Haha...Simeon said that to you, huh?" Solomon looked away with a small somber smile.

"Yeah."

"...Well, as I said. You don't have to force yourself to be an extrovert because Asmo is."

"I don't know. I guess I just feel bad taking Asmo's time from people."

"He doesn't mind, I'm sure. But what about Yuki?"

"Mammon gives me a dirty look when I do. Makes me feel like a third wheel." You chuckled. Solomon laughed. "Now you know how I feel."

"Maybe this is Yuki's big break. That dumbass always wanted a lover."

"That's nice." Solomon chuckled.

"I'm only friends with a few people, you know. You and Simeon are pretty popular too."

"Thanks." Solomon grinned. "But if it bothers you so much, you could try befriending a few people. Not everyone."

"...Hm." You hummed in thought.

"Ya-hoo! (N/n)!"

Footsteps were heard before you eventually felt arms around your waist, accompanied by newfound weight on your back. You chuckled. "Good afternoon, Asmo."

"Ahh, those gifts were really heavy. Who knew people would be so concerned because I said there was an emergency?" Asmodeus sighed. You rolled your eyes. "I did. That's why I told you not to do it."

"Well whatever. What are you and Solomon talking about?" He curiously inquired. Solomon shrugged. "(M/n) feels that he doesn't have many friends so he's nervous."

"Wow. Rude." You felt a bit embarrassed at how Solomon put it.

"Eh?" Asmodeus frowned. "You don't need friends. You have me, right?"

"...Red flag." You and Solomon spoke in unison, making brief eye contact and chuckling. Asmo huffed as the white-haired male waved and took his leave.

"Then make some. I'm sure you'd make a lot easily if you tried."

"Firstly, it's not that easy. And second, damn, you and Simeon are too alike." Creeped out, you shivered.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing, nothing." You dismissed. Asmo hummed, the simple act sending vibrations to your back since he was leaning on you. "Get off me."

"...Fine~" He retracted his hands and stood beside you. "Ah, by the way. Did you find it yet?"

"What's it?" You inquired. Asmo frowned, grasping your left hand and tapping on your ring finger. "That's a no then."

"What is it?"

"I left a gift ages ago for you and you haven't even found it?" Asmodeus feigned disappointment. "I left it in your closet. In your house."

"Oh." You winced. "Where in my closet, exactly?"

"Where I keep my clothes." He smirked. "My, how unorganized."

"Unlike you, I don't go through other people's stuff." You scoffed. Asmodeus brings your hand closer to his face before placing a swift kiss on it.

"Let me know when you find it, Love."

- - -

"Stupid. Why would you expect me to rummage through your stuff..."

Asmo's part of the closet was previously an unused drawer. He stuffed a few pairs of his clothes for different occasions. Right in the middle, was a small paper bag.

You took it out and closed the drawer.