The night grew quieter after the lanterns rose into the sky. I told them about my family, the academy and how I ended up here. Although I didn’t tell them about Azrakar.

Mira sat at the center while hugging her knees quietly. Earlier she had been running around causing chaos like usual, but now she simply stared upward at the floating lights and listened to me.

"...What?" I asked after noticing her staring at me strangely.

"You really miss your family don’t you?"

"...Yeah, I do. It’s been a while since I last saw them."

"What are they like?"

"They’re..." I paused for a little. "...annoying. Yeah, very annoying."

Mira blinked once. "That’s your first description about the family you miss?"

"My little sister especially." I sighed. "She has this amazing talent where she can ruin peaceful moments within seconds."

"That sounds like you. Maybe she learned from you."

"...haha.. maybe."

"...But you still miss them, right? Even when they are annoying."

"...Yeah." I smiled.

"REN!" I looked up and found several drunk demons approaching me while carrying large mugs filled with alcohol.

"...Why are all of you looking at me like that?"

One of them grinned widely before throwing an arm around my shoulder. "Because tonight you’re drinking with us."

"...I don’t want to drink with men. Go away."

"HAHAHAHA You’re funny!" The hunters burst into loud laughter before dragging me toward one of the large bonfires. Mira followed behind us excitedly while Lyra walked nearby shaking her head helplessly.

"Korin!" one demon shouted loudly. "We stole your human!"

Korin was sitting near the bonfire with a large mug in his hand while several older hunters surrounded him. "...You idiots are loud, quiet down a bit" Korin muttered.

"It’s a festival, of course it will be loud."

"Whatever, let me drink peacefully."

Then one demon suddenly said, "When the Fallen attacked..." His voice tightened slightly. "...I thought we were finished."

Another hunter nodded. "That thing killed warriors stronger than me like they were nothing."

"And still..." an older demon woman continued, "a human saved us."

"...You’re making this awkward," I admitted. I’m weak to compliments.

One old demon suddenly walked toward me carrying a wooden cup before placing it into my hands. "You protected our home," he said quietly. "That means you’re one of us."

"...I only did what anyone else would’ve done." I said.

Korin snorted loudly from nearby. "No." His eyes met mine across the fire. "Most people would’ve run. You said no reason to help us."

Mira suddenly puffed her cheeks before crossing her arms dramatically. "Ren fought the scary monster while bleeding everywhere," she declared proudly. "So all of you should praise him properly."

"...Please don’t make this worse." Mira you idiot, you’re making me blush.

Laughter spread around the bonfire again afterward. Music started not long afterward. Several demon musicians began playing their instruments while villagers slowly gathered around the fires laughing and drinking together.

Mira grabbed another child before running toward the dancing crowd excitedly. "Don’t destroy the village accidentally Mira!" Lyra shouted after her.

"No promises!" Mira laughed it off.

"...That child is a disaster," Lyra shook her head helplessly.

"She definitely inherited your personality." I said.

Lyra gave me a flat stare. "...You think I act like that?"

"I remember you threatening Korin to beat up with a chair if he didn’t rest."

"Well... t-that was for his own good.." lyra looked embarrassed.

"Hahaha."

"D-don’t laugh at me." Lyra pouted. Then for a few moments, we simply stood there quietly watching the festival. The firelight reflected softly against Lyra’s purple hair.

"You’ve been staring at me for a while now," Lyra said without looking toward me.

"... I can’t help it when such a beautiful lady is standing before me." I replied.

A faint smile appeared on her lips afterward. "You really do say strange things. I’m already nearing my thirties, I don’t have the charm of my youth."

"That’s not true, you’re still beautiful. Maybe more than when you were young."

"Thanks... for your complimenting this old lady." Lyra laughed lightly. The music around us grew gentler. Couples slowly began moving toward the center of the festival and began their couple dancing.

"...Oh no," I muttered.

Lyra raised an eyebrow slightly. "What?"

"I just realized something."

"And that is?" She raised her eyebrows a little.

"I have absolutely no idea how demon couple dancing works."

A genuine laugh escaped Lyra this time. "You say that like humans dance differently."

"You’d be surprised, our dance is indeed a bit different than this."

Lyra shook her head while smiling faintly. Then unexpectedly... She extended her hand toward me. "...Then learn."

"...You know," I said quietly while taking her hand slowly, "...if I embarrass myself out there, I’m blaming you for it."

Lyra’s fingers tightened slightly around mine. "Then don’t embarrass yourself Mr. Ren Valecrest."

She pulled me gently toward the center of the festival while the music continued playing softly around us. "I hope I don’t fall face first."

"Why are you so scared of dancing? You fought a high rank fallen without fear but a little dance is what you’re worried about?" Lyra asked.

"Public embarrassment is far dangerous than fighting a fallen to death." I replied.

I placed one of my hands on her waist and the other was holding her hand. The dance started slowly. At first my movements were a bit stiff compared to the graceful way Lyra moved. The demon dance was more intimate then that of humans.

"You stepped on my foot Ren." Lyra said.

"It was intentional actually." I said trying to hide my blunder.

"You’re terrible at lying, you know?" Lyra laughed softly. She looked almost ethereal, like a goddess that descended to bless us mortals with her beauty.

"Fine, I’m not a good dancer. There I admit it. Happy now?" I said, trying to calm my heart down.

"You’re funny and a bit clumsy." Lyra said with a smile. "But, I’ll try my best to make you a good dancer by the time we are finished."

"Then I’ll try my best to learn." I replied.