A/N: I'm fairly new here, so this is my first published work. I was hesitating whether or not I should put this up, but I thought, why not? It's New Years anyway and besides, this is good practice for me.

I'm a big fan of The Devil is a Part-Timer, as you can tell. Especially the relationship between Maou and Emi, but even that can't beat the utmost respect that I have for Lucifer. He's awesome.

I'll have to clarify, I'm not exactly on point with the novel. I know the 20th one came out this month, but so far, I've only read some snippets of spoilers here and there and I have to say, I'm severely confused with what's happening. The last volume I read was the 15th one, and I still can't really remember what occurred there and the two ones before that.

Anywho, I think I've babbled enough. If you didn't get my message already, some of this drabbles (if you could call them that), short stories, prompts or snippets—whatever it is—will focus on what happened with the anime and the first to the twelfth volumes. They'll mostly be concentrated around my imaginations though, and whatever my brain processes at that time. I'll say it beforehand, but you guys will probably get confused, so my bad, I'm a very confusing creature.

Now that that's done, let's get right into it.

Disclaimer: Might contain some spoilers.

New Year's Resolution

Prompt: In which Maou asks the Hero about her New Year's resolution.

Outside of Villa Rosa Sasazuka, the Demon King, Maou Sadao, leaned on the rails behind the half-angel, Emi Yusa, who was perched on top of the stairs with her gaze directed up at the starry night sky.

"Hey, Emi."

"Hm?"

"How long are you staying out here? It's two in the morning already."

"No one asked you to come outside, Maou." There was no enmity in her tone—just veracity. "I needed some fresh air after all the ruckus. Why are you here?"

Maou scratched his temple. "There's too many bodies on the floor to not accidentally step on, so I followed you outside," he said. "I don't want to deal with anyone's wrath just in case I did walk on someone."

He especially didn't want that to happen with Suzuno. The image of her clutching her massive hammer to strike him down made him shudder.

Regarding the boisterous gathering for New Year's Eve that took place in the Devil's Castle with the usual crew, everyone had fallen asleep, sprawled on the floor with barely any room left to move for the other two participants who were awake. Hence why Maou had taken it upon himself to avoid disturbing the individuals inside by accompanying the Hero who lingered on the staircase for fresh air.

Emi let out a snicker, not registering the fact that Maou had moved to sit beside her until she felt a warm presence on her left. Only the slight widening of her eyes indicated her surprise, but they soon narrowed skeptically. He pretended to not notice.

"So," Maou tried not to let his awkwardness show by stubbornly evading her gaze. He felt her eyes bore holes on the side of his head. "Have you thought of a New Year's resolution?"

"I didn't think you'd ask me that."

He shrugged. "Might as well start a conversation. It's only us two."

Silence. Then, "It hasn't changed."

Maou turned to her and found that she wasn't looking at him, but at the previous thing that occupied her sight.

"Hasn't changed? You mean, it's the same as last year?" She nodded. "Emi, it's called New Year for a reason."

"Do you have to disagree for the sake of arguing?"

The dark haired demon shrugged again as he planted his hands on the platform behind him and used them to support his body. He tilted his head up and surveyed the stars.

Emi sighed, noting his lack of answer. Deciding to humour him and his weird behaviour, she murmured, "What about you?"

"...My resolution?" The Devil King put a finger on his chin thoughtfully and stared at the red head who seemed lost in her reverie. "I still have that long time goal of conquering MgRonalds, but that would take awhile, so I guess—for this year..." A lopsided, yet teasing smile promptly formed on his face. "How about… making the Hero fall for me, maybe? How does that sound?"

Emi nodded absentmindedly, too engrossed in her musings.

"That doesn't sound b—" she abruptly paused and spun her head so quickly in his direction that he thought it almost could have snapped. As if realizing what he just said, her face turned pink as the weight of his words finally dawned onto her. She blinked once, then twice, shook her head, and gaped at him.

"I-I… um—wait. W-wait... wha... what…?" she uttered incredulously, losing the ability to form any proper words.

Maou's grin broadened. If it wasn't for the almost unnoticeable flush on his cheeks due to the dark lighting, Emi might have thought he was entirely joking, but when she looked at him closely, she could tell he was serious. There was that glint of determination in his crimson eyes she's only witnessed a few times before, which was usually present when he was in battle, or facing a difficult trial.

"What do you think, Emi? Are you up for the challenge?"

He held out a hand towards her, and couldn't help the smirk that took shape on his lips when he saw her dumbfounded expression.

"…E-eh?"