Kalego x Iruma One Shots

Their Approval (2)

Th gossip spread like wildfire throughout the rumors of an unexpected romance between Kalego, the severe homeroom teacher, and Iruma, a human student who mysteriously found his way into the demon world, blossomed into deceiving whispers.

Having first heard that gossip, Sullivan showed a mixed reaction. Chairdemon and Iruma's adoptive grandfather enjoyed his grandson and was genuinely glad to hear that finally, at least someone was looking after Iruma.

But still, the gravity of consequences should those rumors spread-especially to Eligor Naberius, the head of the Naberius clan themselves-was grave. For a long time, Sullivan knew of Eligor's reputation. He had heard rumors that the old demon was prejudiced, particularly against marriage partners looking to join the Naberius family and, worse, same-sex unions.

The rumors had always been just that, but Sullivan knew full well: if it were the case, Eligor's disapproval was sure to mean serious trouble for the two Iruma and Kalego. It wasn't as much Eligor's interference that bothered him but more what such rejection would do to Iruma, who had seen enough hardship in his young years. Conflicting thoughts battled in Sullivan's mind as he tried to hold gossip inside the school compounds.

Was he overreacting?

Was it upon him to protect his grandson's happiness, even at the risk of alienating a powerful clan like the Naberius?

With those uncertainties, he had created diversions, tried to divert the staff onto talking about other things, and even went as far as to try to get news suppressed that might leak outside the confines of the school's compound. Mere useless efforts-the Naberius clan, too, had their networks of informers, and soon enough, news had reached Eligor.

Days passed, and Sullivan became increasingly apprehensive. It was impossible not to wonder why the rumor spread like wildfire. Normally, it would take months for any kind of information to reach the Naberius clan because of how hidden they were and kept to themselves.

Something-someone-had hurried this process along. Then, the inevitable happened-a man from the Naberius clan came into Sullivan's office and let him know that Eligor would be visiting Babyls the following day.

At this, Sullivan's heart quailed. Eligor hardly ever came to see him, and it was only because a new addition to the staff at the school came from his clan: the Naberius clan.

The storm raging in his mind during the walk back to the chambers, the night seemed dark as the fear of conflict wrestled with a fierce love for his grandson.

Was he ready for his grandson, Iruma, to take up arms against centuries of tradition and prejudice?

The staff received the news in a tense, anticipatory atmosphere full of uncertainty. Whispers spread among the teachers, each one in their way trying to guess why the head of the clan came at such a time.

Kalego, so shocked by such news, found himself right in the middle of the limelight of focus of the staff members. His colleagues, knowing his relationship with Iruma, asked him about the possible reason for Eligor's visit.

Kalego, as stoic as ever, swore he knew nothing. But the tightly clasped fists and that slight quiver of fear in his eyes belied the anxiety in him. For he knew just how powerful Eligor was, not only over the clan but also over his life.

Robin, one of Kalego's colleagues present when he confessed, in jest tried to lighten the mood, saying, "Perhaps Eligor just wanted to come and give his blessings, or not." Of course, the jest fell flat; instead of soothing Kalego, he elevated his nervousness.

Guiltily enough, later in the day, Robin did think he had just stirred more anxiety. Those who worked there became uptight as well, remembering the rumor of Eligor's alleged bias against PDA of same-sex relationships. "Really?" one teacher whispered.

"Does Eligor despise them that much? The more they talked about it, the more a prevailing realization intruded into their minds: what if even the Chairdemon himself disapproved of the relationship?

Since rumors of the two flying around, Sullivan had been eerily silent. Was he like Eligor, or was he stuck between a rock and a hard place: duty to his role as Chairdemon, or love for his grandson?

Of course, the staff knew that Sullivan loved Iruma very much, but would that be enough to overcome hundreds of years of tradition and bias?

Finally, the day of their visit arrived, and with some free teachers, Sullivan was waiting at the school's entrance. They had prepared everything since they knew how important the Naberius clan was in the history of this school.

The Naberius clan was always referred to as the loyal dogs since it had sacrificed a lot for Babyls protection so that it could survive all kinds of conflicts. Its loyalty was legendary throughout the Netherworld.

A carriage on its gravel path announced the arrival of Eligor. He came out accompanied by Kalego's elder brother, Narnia. Eligor was striking to behold- his features were decidedly similar to Kalego's, but his eyes were much sharper and calculating.

After the greetings, Sullivan showed them around the school. Eligor agreed though it was evident he was not interested at all in the tour itself but rather in watching people and being in a place where no one would realize who he was.

After some time off during the tour, he wanted to, and so Eligor wandered disinterested in anything that the staff said. He went around the school and, suddenly, he bumped into Iruma hurrying to class.

Iruma apologized, not knowing who he had run into. Eligor grasped the opportunity. He then started to interrogate Iruma, pushing him with situations and questions to lure his character. Any other demon would have replied with vice or pride, bearing the attributes common in the demon world.

However, to a human innocence was infused in him, so he responded with honesty and empathy. Eligor was left even more fascinated.

Why does this human of all creatures carry such a light within him? he asked himself. And in speaking, Eligor could feel the depths of honesty and strength behind those words: there was no guile, no desire to get on his good side; there was a real soul who, against all reason and despite how fragile he must be in the demon world, was not afraid to be kind.

Is this what captured my great-grandson's heart? Eligor thought. He was feeling an oddly unfamiliar push of admiration for the persistence in this boy's spirit. Perhaps this human is more demon than most I know.

Before their talk could get further, in came Kalego, worried, along with several concerned teachers and students. Kalego looked anxious as he walked up to Iruma, looking at his face, full of fear and resolution.

He didn't know what his great-grandfather could have in mind, but he dreaded the worst. On the contrary, much to their surprise, Eligor now turned to Kalego and said, "Take care of him Kalego, and make sure that no one would dare to harm him and steal him from you."

A full moment of dead silence passed. The staff, the students, and even Kalego looked at each other, clearly not getting what Eligor meant. And then it hit them, one by one: he had given it his seal of approval.

It spread like a storm; waves of relief spilled over them within the school. Of course, not for long, though. That question still nagged me:

what about Sullivan?

Was he cool with Iruma and Kalego being together?

It wasn't answered until a school assembly that Sullivan finally said his peace on the matter. He referred to Kalego as his future grandson-in-law, and the implication behind the statement was crystal clear.

The eruption of applause and cheering in that school for those moments made everything right with the world. Not everyone was pleased, however. In the darkness on the fringes of the conference hall, two demons locked eyes, their faces falling unreadable in the dark.

"This isn't over," one whispered.

"We won't let this stand. Everything's ruined."

As days went by, Babyls went back to normal, but one question remained-who did such a thing to Kalego and Iruma? There was so much more to find out, more to go through. But for now, at least, love had prevailed over prejudice.