Second Chance Brew

Okay, I can explain!!!

Explain what…? You’re texting from the street? (・_・;)

‘Was he pretending to be stupid… or did he really not remember? That’s impossible. My spells were always perfect.’

Lucy stared at him through the café window. ‘And why does he look so cute while doing nothing…’

‘Ugh, focus! I have to tell him!’ She slapped her face and yanked her phone out of her pocket again.

I just remembered EVERYTHING!!

…Everything? Like what? Like “I dreamed I was in a romance game” everything, or… “we killed each other in a past life” everything?

THE SECOND ONE!!

‘I knew it! He remembered it!’ Lucy glared at him. ‘How dare he joke like this?!’

And that makes you run outside at 8am in your apron… why exactly?

BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS!!! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Her fingers flew over the screen. She froze for a second, realizing their first regular customer was approaching the door.

An old lady, sweet as ever, looked confused at Lucy standing across the street, then gave a gentle wave and stepped inside.

Are you coming inside or what? We got work to do.

I. DON’T. CARE!!

Come on, Lucy. Don't be like that. We got bills to pay, unless you want us to become homeless.

I suppose we will be no different from stray puppies then. ૮ ◞ ﻌ ◟ ა

Don’t you dare pull that on me. Fine! I will come, but don't talk to me. Make sure to not forget to put two cookies for Miss Smith.

Lucy put her phone away, looked around for cars before crossing the road to go back inside.

Miss Smith greeted her, asking if she came back from an errand. Lucy however did not carry anything, so she just smiled and said she was out to get fresh air.

She went to the back to organize their supplies and check if the supplier delivered everything.

Lucy felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She took a glance and scoffed. She put it down first, but then decided to open the screen to respond after all.

So how was your “fresh air”? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Oh shut up. Don't be on your phone when we're working.

But you didn’t want to talk. So texting should be fine, right~?

Besides, it's a quiet morning and YOU are on your phone too.

Lucy groaned and put her phone away. ‘Why is he always so carefree? Does he not care that we fought each other to the death in our previous life?’

Lucy huffed and blew her bangs from her eyes, annoyed at her own spell. ‘How did we even end up together like this?’ Lucy sat down, checkmarking the orders, while groaning in annoyance.

She thought about their human life in this world. They’ve dated each other for six years, six months and six days by now.

‘How ironic of me to put a memory time limit like this on us.’ Lucy laughed, pushing the pen harder on the clipboard.

Her phone vibrated again.

Please don't be upset. I still love you, my demon lord. ( ˘ ³˘)♥︎

Lucy sighed. She hesitated to type, but couldn’t ignore her boyfriend.

Even though I killed you?

To be fair, it was my total win. ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵)

…

Hm? Don't worry about it, my love. It was all in the past, we were enemies.

We live a good life now, with you, me, and Mr. Meow Meow!

I can't just move on like it never happened.

Why not?

Lucy sighed loudly, already tired of explaining her emotions.

She always hated the hero who wanted to take everything away from her.

She ruled with care. With dominance. So fools were submissive and listened.

The system worked.

Idiots could not rule, so she did it instead. They could not make smart decisions, so what was wrong with giving them orders?

Yet, humans rebelled.

They wanted more power. More freedom.

And the idiot hero, who could never say no to the pleas of his kind, struck her down.

Now she was in love with that same idiot. Who burned her milk and forgot to lock the door.

Lucy stopped mid-checkmark.

The pen snapped clean in half.

“…Right,” she muttered.

She stood up so abruptly the chair screeched against the floor. Arthur looked up from the espresso machine, one eyebrow raised.

Lucy walked straight toward him. No more phones. They talked directly.

Oh? Did the clipboard offend you too?

Lucy did not answer.

She reached out, grabbed the milk pitcher from his hand, and slammed it onto the counter. Milk sloshed dangerously close to the edge.

Hey, hey! That one’s hot—

Lucy leaned in, eyes sharp, voice low.

Kneel.

Arthur blinked.

For half a second, nothing happened.

Then his knees buckled.

…Wait.

He caught himself on the counter, fingers digging into the wood. His breath hitched, eyes widening in genuine shock.

Lucy.

The air around them trembled. Just a flicker. Barely there. But Lucy felt it answer her like an old friend stretching awake.

Her heart slammed against her ribs. Her lips turned into a grin, her eyes glowed fire red.

Arthur straightened slowly, staring at his own hands like they had betrayed him.

You didn’t even chant.

I didn’t need to.

Silence.

The espresso machine hissed cheerfully, completely unaware of the former demon lord and hero having a quiet power struggle beside it.

Arthur looked up at her, no smile this time. No teasing.

Okay. So it wasn’t just a dream.

Lucy crossed her arms, frowning.

You remembered. And you still joked around. You behaved too calm. You even burned the milk.

Hey. I didn't do that last one on purpose.

Arthur.

She said his name the way she used to say his title. The way that meant command, not affection.

Arthur swallowed.

I remembered since this morning. All of it. The war. You. The ending.

And you decided to what. Pretend it was nothing?

Arthur rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish and painfully human.

I knew that if I freaked out, you would freak out harder. Which. Judging by you running off across the street in an apron. Was still correct.

Lucy wanted to yell.

Instead, she laughed. Sharp and humorless.

You idiot.

Yeah. That checks out.

She leaned closer again, lowering her voice.

Listen carefully. I am not okay. I am not forgiving you. And I am definitely not ready to play house like we didn’t slaughter each other.

Arthur nodded slowly, dissapointment and sadness washing over his face.

But.

She hesitated. Just a breath.

I am also not running away.

Arthur’s shoulders relaxed a fraction.

So here’s what’s going to happen.

She pointed at him.

You are going to be my servant.

Arthur opened his mouth.

Not a single complaint. You will do all the chores at home from now on!

What? Even cleaning up Mr. Meow Meow’s litterbox?

Arthur. You won, right~? You. Killed. Me.

Right.

No complaint. After work we will talk more.

Arthur smiled mischievously. He leaned in closer, making Lucy blush.

Sure. We will talk.

From the counter, Miss Smith cleared her throat.

"Dear. My cookie count is short by two." Miss Smith said.

Lucy stiffened, her face felt like it was on fire. Arthur grinned and slid the plate over.

On the house today.

Miss Smith smiled warmly. "How kind."

She left.

Lucy exhaled slowly. Arthur leaned in, whispering.

So. Demon lord.

Lucy glared at him.

Say it again and I will make you mop the floor with a toothbrush.

...Noted

Lucy picked up a new pen. This time, she did not break it.