THE FIRST KISS
 

Wendy and Joy took it upon themselves to prepare Yerim for the unexpected revelation about her true identity and to ready her for the daunting task of awakening their sleeping queen.

However, unbeknownst to them, the superior of Hell had different plans.

Azazel's smirk deepened as he observed from the shadows of the queen's palace, his calculating gaze focused on the unfolding events. Days had passed since he first took notice of the mysterious visitors frequenting the queen's chamber, and with each passing moment, his satisfaction grew.

Content to let events unfold as they would, Azazel remained patient, confident that his carefully laid plans were steadily advancing towards fruition.

With measured patience, Azazel awaited the opportune moment to step out from the shadows and reveal himself. Concealed from view, he observed with unwavering focus, his mind already plotting a steps of his next move.

—————
 

As days turned into weeks, Wendy and Joy grew closer to Yerim and Seulgi, their bond deepening with each passing moment. Their visits to Yerim and Seulgi's house became more frequent, almost as if they were part of the family themselves.

Wendy and Joy's presence brought warmth and laughter to the household, their camaraderie with Yerim and Seulgi strengthening with each shared moment. Whether it was cooking together in the kitchen, lounging in the living room, or simply enjoying each other's company, their friendship blossomed in the comfort of home.

Each morning, the four devils made it a ritual to gather around the breakfast table before embarking on their respective activities for the day.

Wendy and Joy, duty-bound to their responsibilities in Hell, would soon depart after the meal. Seulgi, with her unwavering dedication to her art, would immerse herself in drawing, fulfilling her promise to capture Wendy's likeness on paper.

As for Yerim, her whereabouts often remained a mystery to Joy, who couldn't help but harbor doubts whenever the mischievous devil ventured outside. Despite her concerns, Joy knew better than to question Yerim's spontaneous excursions, trusting that her adventurous spirit would always lead her home safely.

With laughter and conversation filling the air at the breakfast table, Yerim's curiosity sparked another round of questions directed at Joy and Wendy.

“Why are there so many children here in Hell? What's actually their sin?” she asked earnestly.

“They're just the children of unexpected pregnancies.” Wendy replied matter-of-factly.

“Demons enjoy and often neglect protection.”

Yerim nodded in understanding. “Ah, it's similar to Earth then.”

“Yes, but these children grow up just like any other,” Wendy assured her. “They're not the monsters you might expect.”

Yerim's next question caught Wendy off guard, her cheeks suddenly flushing with embarrassment.

“Wendy, are you still a ?” Yerim's question hung in the air, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she leaned in, waiting for a response.

Yerim's direct question left Wendy speechless, her cheeks flushing as she struggled to find a suitable reply.

Joy shifted uncomfortably beside her, sensing she might be the next target of Yerim's probing inquiries. Meanwhile, Seulgi fought back a laugh, thoroughly entertained by her sister's audacity.

Wendy cleared , attempting to regain her composure amidst the awkward tension.

“Uh, Y–Yerim, well we're just doing what h–humans do too...” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as her cheeks continued to burn with embarrassment.

Yerim squealed with delight at Wendy's response, wrapping her in an enthusiastic hug that bordered on suffocating.

“You're too cute, Wendy!” she exclaimed, oblivious to any discomfort she may have caused.

“Who's the lucky girl or guy, Wendy? Wait–” Yerim's voice trailed off as a sudden realization dawned on her, her gaze sharpening as she locked eyes with Wendy.

Wendy shifted uncomfortably under Yerim's scrutinizing stare, silently pleading for the subject to be dropped. However, Yerim's curiosity was relentless.

“Is it that Jinyoung guy who wanted to talk to you before?” Yerim's eyes widened with intrigue, her tone bordering on excitement as she awaited confirmation from Wendy.

Wendy's hesitation was palpable as she avoided Yerim's gaze, her mind racing for a plausible excuse.

Meanwhile, Joy's accusatory glare bore into Wendy, her sudden awareness of the situation adding to the tension in the air.

With Yerim's keen intuition and Joy's newfound revelation, Wendy found herself trapped in a web of uncomfortable silence, unsure of how to navigate the interrogation unscathed.

“It's okay Wendy, you don't need to answer. Yerim, that's enough, alright?” Seulgi interjected, coming to Wendy's rescue.

Seulgi's timely intervention provided Wendy with a momentary reprieve from Yerim's relentless questioning. Wendy breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for Seulgi's support as she offered a small, appreciative smile in Seulgi's direction.

“Then what about you, Joy?” Yerim grinned at her, waiting for her answer. She could glare at the young devil.

Joy's hopes for a respite were short-lived as Yerim's attention swiftly shifted towards her. With a mischievous grin, Yerim directed her next inquiry at Joy, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Joy's shoulders slumped in resignation, realizing she was now the new target of Yerim's relentless interrogation. Despite her best efforts to avoid the spotlight, she found herself at the mercy of Yerim's probing gaze, uncertain of how to evade the impending onslaught of questions.

“It's the same answer with Wendy,” Joy replied simply, hoping to dismiss the topic swiftly.

“Okay, congrats, you're not a anymore,” Yerim remarked nonchalantly, her words at odds with the expression on her face, which betrayed a hint of disappointment or not?

Joy's frustration simmered as Yerim's reaction diverged from her expectations. The young devil's pout and sullen demeanor only added to Joy's confusion and annoyance.

Feeling increasingly flustered and uncertain about how to respond to Yerim's mixed signals, Joy found herself at a loss. She couldn't decipher Yerim's true feelings beneath her facade of indifference, leaving her feeling trapped in an awkward and frustrating situation.

Wendy and Seulgi exchanged amused glances, finding the dynamic between Joy and Yerim unexpectedly endearing. However, Wendy realized the need to defuse the situation and redirect their focus.

“Alright, enough of that conversation.” Wendy interjected with a gentle chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood and put an end to the discussion about before Yerim could delve into more uncomfortable topics.

“Let's get going to work now, Joy.” Wendy continued, taking charge of the moment and steering them towards more productive endeavors on their duties for the day.



 

As Joy and Wendy departed for work, leaving Seulgi and Yerim behind at the house, it became apparent that the duo was exempt from the usual tasks assigned to the demons. This exemption wasn't arbitrary; it stemmed from a direct order issued by their superior, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their day ahead.

Wendy glanced at Joy, who still had an annoyed expression on her face. She could only chuckle at the sight.

“You like Yerim, don't you?” Wendy's teasing question caused Joy to snap her attention towards her, ready to defend herself. However, before Joy could respond, Wendy beat her to it.

“I like Yerim too.” Wendy declared with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, leaving Joy momentarily speechless.

Joy gasped in disbelief at Wendy's unexpected admission, her mind racing to comprehend the implications. Wendy couldn't help but grin, thoroughly enjoying the reaction she had elicited from her friend.

“I like her like a little sister. Yerim is very naughty, but she's so endearing that I can't help but feel a strong urge to protect her,” Wendy explained, her smile softening at the thought of the mischievous devil.

Joy, feeling a wave of relief wash over her, couldn't help but admire Wendy's genuine affection for Yerim, though she couldn't shake off her own inner turmoil.

As they settled into a moment of quiet reflection, Wendy's expression turned serious, her voice carrying a weight of contemplation.

“Do you remember what the superior told us before?” she asked, her tone somber yet determined.

“Everything that has happened to the queen is because of love. Our queen is capable of experiencing love. Why can't we too?”

Joy pondered Wendy's words, struck by thesincerity and depth of her friend's convictions. The notion of love among demons, once considered taboo, now seemed ripe for reconsideration in light of their queen's example.

Yet, despite Wendy's reassurance, Joy couldn't shake off the lingering uncertainty clouding her own heart.

“You're in love with Jinyoung, Wendy?” Joy asked, her curiosity piqued. If Yerim hadn't mentioned Jinyoung's name earlier, Joy wouldn't have suspected there was something between that man and to her friend.

Wendy's smile faltered, her gaze shifting to the floor as she contemplated Joy's question.

“But it's not right to feel this way, to be in love, because we are devils,” Wendy murmured softly, her chuckle tinged with a hint of sadness.

Joy felt a pang of empathy for her friend's internal struggle. She searched for words of comfort but found herself at a loss, uncertain of how to ease Wendy's inner turmoil when she grappled with similar doubts herself.

Wendy's gaze shifted to Joy, who had fallen silent beside her, lost in her own thoughts.

“Just be careful Joy,” Wendy cautioned, her tone tinged with concern.

“Yerim is the daughter of our Queen.”

The weight of Wendy's words hung heavy in the air, reminding Joy of the complexities of their relationships within the demon hierarchy. She nodded solemnly, acknowledging the gravity of Wendy's warning, while silently resolving to tread cautiously in her interactions with Yerim.

 

—————

Every time Yerim ventured outside and left Seulgi alone in their house, Seulgi dedicated herself to unlocking her latent powers. Upon hearing Wendy's revelation that all demons and creatures in hell possessed powers, Seulgi's excitement surged. She yearned to learn, to possess a power of her own, especially the ability to teleport, akin to Wendy's.

“Wendy, how can you do that? The teleporting, I want to learn that too. Can you teach me?” Seulgi asked eagerly, her eyes shining with anticipation.

“Sure, Seulgi. Teleporting is all in the mind. You have to focus and concentrate on where you really want to teleport,” Wendy replied, her tone encouraging. She could sense Seulgi's enthusiasm and was more than willing to guide her through the process of mastering teleportation.

 

Seulgi's determination never wavered, despite countless failed attempts. She tirelessly practiced, exploring every possible avenue to unlock the elusive ability to teleport.

Then, one fateful day, as Seulgi stood in the middle of her room, she closed her eyes and focused with unwavering determination. In her mind, she visualized Yerim's room and concentrated with all her might. Suddenly, a strong wind enveloped her, and when she opened her eyes, she found herself standing in Yerim's room.

Gasping in disbelief, Seulgi's heart raced with exhilaration.

“I did it!” she exclaimed, jumping with excitement. “I have to tell Wendy about this!”

With newfound confidence, Seulgi began to experiment with her newfound power. Slowly but surely, she honed her ability to teleport, venturing further and further with each successful attempt. And in a daring move, she pushed the limits of her newfound skill, teleporting straight to the queen's palace, a testament to her growing mastery over her abilities.
 

...

 

Yerim had a routine whenever she ventured outside. Without fail, she would make her way to the market, where she indulged in her love for food and sweets.

However, her routine didn't end there. Yerim always made a stop at Eunwoo's place, her new friend.

Accompanying her on these was Stratus, her magical bike. Just like in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, where broomsticks had names like Nimbus 2000, Yerim had affectionately christened her bike “Stratus.”

With Stratus at her side, Yerim felt unstoppable as she navigated the streets of hell, her faithful companion ready to whisk her away on any adventure that awaited.