Disclaimer - I don't own The Devil is a Part Timer!/Hataraku Maou-sama! or any characters involved. Copyright to Satoshi Wagahara, White Fox and Funimation.

Headcanon: Lucifer got his PASTA console from a bag Olba had stolen

The Birth of a Gamer

Lucifer stood around a dark corner untouched by the ray of any streetlight, impatiently waiting for Olba to finish his current job. He was still low on magic at this point, reduced to nothing more than a small, weak, completely average human teenager. Nevertheless, there was one benefit to finding himself without his wings or magic; it was far easier for him to blend in, unnoticed by the people of Tokyo. With his old general's uniform replaced by a t-shirt and jeans, he would wander through the streets during the day and no-one paid him any heed. He could learn more about this world and how it worked with so little effort.

It didn't take long for him to discover Earth's more advanced technology.

Libraries and internet cafes and been a big help to him, even if Olba believed it was all a waste of time. Soon, Lucifer had developed the required skills to research, hack and monitor his targets. But he was yet to learn of the various other uses this technology had to offer.

He was stirred from his thoughts by the sounds of a struggle, a thud against the pavement and a young voice calling out in pain. Olba rounded the corner in a hurry, not bothering to stop and wait for him, or even look to make sure he followed. Neither did Lucifer look up at his (regrettable) partner as he pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning against and trailed after him, keeping a fair distance behind him so as not to arouse suspicion should anyone be watching. Not too far behind him, he could sense the fear and anger emanating from Olba's victim and he could feel the negative energy flowing into him. He moved slowly, taking the time to draw out every last drop of magic he could before the distance was too great. Once he had gained all he could, he quickened his pace, not wanting to attract the unwanted attention that would come with flying.

He arrived back at the formerly-sealed off classroom soon after Olba, who by now was emptying out the contents of the bag he had just stolen. There was always the chance of finding a few hundred yen or something else that could be of use to them. As Olba pocketed what money he had found, Lucifer took the opportunity to rummage through the bag himself, curious at what else a human might carry around. One item in particular managed to pique his interest; an odd, shiny grey box-like contraption with previously unfamiliar lettering, which he now knew spelled 'PASTA'.

A strange word to be written on what looked like some sort of electronic device.

That night, as Olba slept, Lucifer examined the device, finding a small cartridge inside which he removed, turning it over and over in an attempt to find an explanation other than the colours and words on one side before replacing it. He successfully turned the machine on and blinked in surprise, staring at the screen.

So… it's like a computer…?

Lucifer had not yet gotten used to the fact that his new human body practically demanded sleep. It was hard to begin and even harder to finish. He certainly needed something to pass the time and maybe even wear him out enough to fall asleep. Not that he was all that interested in a human invention, that is. He only meant to use it as a distraction, a simple hobby.

He never meant for it to consume him virtually every second of free time he had.

And he didn't especially care that the noise and light was keeping Olba awake night after night. When the time came that they had restored enough of Lucifer's magic to take down both the Devil and the Hero, and they had finally devised a plan, he would not put down the game.

"I'm almost done, just gimme a sec…" he insisted, absentmindedly waving a hand at Olba.

"You are becoming far too comfortable in this world, Lucifer."

"Says you, old man." He didn't even look up, just rolled his eyes.

"Listen to you! Even the way you talk, your language…!"

"It's called fitting in, Olba," Lucifer glanced at him for only a couple of seconds, "If I want to avoid getting into any trouble here before we achieve our goal, I need to understand the world around me."

"What use is there in talking and acting this way when I'm the only one here?"

"Would ya shut up for a second? I'm about to beat th-"

"Are you really going to waste your time on this?" Olba snapped, still not eliciting any response from him, "Aren't you serious about returning to Heaven?!"

Lucifer flinched.

Olba watched with smug satisfaction as he shut off the game and stood, letting the console drop to the floor.

Lucifer followed Olba out of the room without a word, and without any expression on his face. The Devil and the Hero would be meeting to talk in private tonight. They would be together, in the same place at the same time, and with any luck, there would be no witnesses. But that didn't mean it would definitely go according to plan, and, of course, it didn't. The targets managed to escape, while Lucifer did no more harm to them than startling them a little and giving a bike a flat tire. He blocked out Olba's reprimanding the entire walk back to the school and the moment he entered the abandoned room he picked up the PASTA again and turned it on.

At least I got to finish the level before I left.