Rimuru: A Second Chance that Won't Be Wasted

Demon Lord Milim Nava

*Knock Knock Knock*

"Who's there?" a voice rang out once the knocks subsided.

"It's me, Rimuru." an answer to the question was heard.

"Me? Who's me? I don't know anyone with "me" in their name?" the voice suddenly turned mischievous, clearly already knowing who was knocking at the door.

"Really, Rimuru? Do you want to play this game?" The person at Rimuru's office entrance was clearly pretending to be unamused, despite the underlying playful tone.

"Game, what do you mean? I am clearly not playing around as you so claim, I have serious work to do!" The mischievous voice only grew bolder.

"Very well. I will go inform Shuna that you seem to be in a working mood and to assign more paperwork to-"

She didn't even get to finish her sentence as Rimuru burst through the doors of his office, grabbed her, pulled her into the office, before slamming the doors shut and locking them. He then turned to her.

"I was joking, Shizu! Joking! I know you're joking too but please for the love of all things blue please do not give me more paperwork!" A somewhat panicked Rimuru immediately yelled out, before immediately sagging in defeat as Shizue wore a smug smirk on her face.

"Rimuru - 0. Shizue - 1." She responded.

Rimuru frowned. "Pretty sure the leaderboard was heavily in my favor before we agreed to restart because you found it unfair."

Shizue simply smiled and put a hand to her face. "Indeed, I vaguely remember how you used to bully a poor maiden with black hair and pale skin. How sad that those days are behind you."

"I still remember how that "maiden" used to yell at me over the littlest things...such as laughing about barely dodging a chalkboard eraser of all things. Or better yet, let's talk about how you react to-"

It was Rimuru this time who was interrupted by a hand cupping his mouth.

"We do not speak of that!" Shizue's other hand pointed straight at his face, only for her to tense up as she saw the smile in his eyes.

"As I was saying about yelling... Rimuru -1. Shizue - 1." He let her know through {Thought Transmission} exactly what he was thinking of at the moment.

Another short pregnant pause, before laughter ensued

Thus ended their usual banter. Banter that almost ended with the two smiling at one another. It had become a sort of tradition for the two of them.

Shizue, who did not have many people to speak to due to her self-imposed exile, would frequently visit Rimuru when he was relatively free. The two had even scheduled regular meetings in their timetables.

In these conversations, the two gradually started to joke around with one another, thanks to Rimuru's teasing and efforts to ensure a good transition for Shizue into this kind of life, despite the lack of communication with other citizens.

In consequence, Shizue started to get used to Rimuru's antics, and even started to get a better read on him. One such read being his personality. At his core, Rimuru was a laid-back individual. Someone who would much rather relax and indulge in his hobbies than conquer and rule the word, so to speak. He was mischievous and cunning, childish and playful, yet completely serious whenever a threat emerged or when it came to the wellbeing of those he cared for.

Which was one of the reasons why she had started to visit him more often. She noticed something off about his character. Ignoring the childish banter between the two of them and his relaxed demeanor when interacting with his subordinates, Rimuru had demonstrated an unusual amount of dreadful seriousness in his alone time. Reflecting alone, his attitude would take a sharp turn; he would become more sorrowful and would get lost in his thoughts. A sharp contrast to his usual personality, prompting her intervention.