The Ogre's Bride (鬼の花嫁)

You're my bride.

The rest of your life belongs to me.

Reiya...

I can feel how strongly he feels about me.

He wants to claim my entire being.

His red eyes shining with desire have captured me and won't let me go.

I know you can't fully trust me since we just met,

but I won't let you go.

Even if you doubt me, stay by my side.

But what if you change your mind like Yamato did?

I'm telling you, I won't.

I'm not like your parents or boyfriend who cast you aside.

It's bad enough that you dated someone before.

Being compared to that scum offends me.

He doesn't seem angry. It's more like he's sulking.

If you ever feel anxious, tell me.

I'll alleviate your anxieties as many times as I need to until you trust me.

Reiya...

If you want a job, help me with my work.

Your work?

Yes.

You'll feel better if you're covering your own school expenses, won't you?

He's taking my feelings into account.

Yes. Thank you, Reiya.

Will I trust him unconditionally someday?

Will I ever fully trust and bask in the love given to me?

I hope I do someday.

THE OGRE'S BRIDE

MY RIVAL IS A CAPABLE SECRETARY

Yuzu-sama, take care.

I will.

Yuzu.

Reiya.

I'll send someone to pick you up after school.

Okay.

Um, do I have to be driven to school, too?

Of course.

Reiya-sama, it's nearly time.

You, too, milady.

R-Right.

Does Takamichi-san not like me?

I can't get used to being driven everywhere,

but Nyankichi-kun warned me about the dangers of being a bride.

Anyway, it was awesome.

Oh, it's Yuzu.

Hey, Yuzu.

I haven't been to class in a few days.

Nothing's changed, but I missed this place so much.

I was dealing with some family stuff.

Oh, that's what happened?

I'm the only thing that's changed dramatically.

Good morning.

Good morning, Touko and Nyankichi-kun.

Hey.

All our classmates yield to them, but not in a bad way.

Everyone looks up to the dignified demon Nyankichi-kun

and Touko, the bride he showers with love.

They can't casually speak to them.

Since you're at school, does that mean you worked things out?

Yeah. I'm going to be working for Reiya.

He was apparently the one who called my job to quit.

Oh my.

Well, Demons can be possessive. Right?

I'm grateful he's letting me work at all.

I'm surprised Reiya-sama is allowing his bride to work.

He probably wants to spend more time with Yuzu.

Hey, uh... did you just say you're a bride?

Oh, actually...

Yuzu was chosen to be an ogre's bride.

Touko! Why would you say that?

Should I not have?

Is it true, Yuzu?

No way! An ogre?

Is he hot? Is he?

That's amazing! Good for you!

Well? Do you have any pictures of him?

N-No.

I do.

How is he so hot?

Is he even real?

He's gorgeous!

How'd you become his bride?

Why do you have that?

I took it while he was leaving yesterday.

He was happy to do it in exchange for a picture of Yuzu.

When did you make that deal?

Class has started! Take your seats!

The lesser ogres? When did you get here?

What are those?

They're so cute!

I thought I left you at home.

Hey!

Pets aren't allowed at school!

Um... They're not pets.

Well, there's not much we can do now that they're here.

Just try to behave yourselves.

What?

Let's get started.

Even our teacher is powerless against their cuteness.

I-I'm exhausted.

Being interrogated during every break must've been tough.

Whose fault is that?

Now, now. Let's recharge by eating lunch.

Yeah.

What a luxurious lunch.

The mansion's private chef made it for me.

It's so good!

Are the Kiryuins treating you well?

Yeah. Everyone's nice to me.

I'm glad to hear that.

I was worried since, you know... the young master is already engaged.

What?

Her beauty is otherworldly, and she's smart to boot.

Kiyama Sakurako is popular among other ogres, too.

She's engaged?

To Reiya?

Yeah. Wait, you didn't know that?

Reiya is engaged?

Nobody mentioned that. What does that make me?

They keep calling me his bride,

but if he's already engaged, then why does he need me?

Touko, you're giving her the wrong idea by putting it like that.

Sorry.

What wrong idea?

First, demons generally only marry other demons.

You know that already, right?

Yeah.

The next clan head's partner is chosen by committee.

Reiya-sama's family chose Kiyama Sakurako-sama to be his fiancée.

They picked her because she's part of the greatest branch family,

and her demonic power is strongest among the clan girls around his age.

But when a bride is found, she takes priority.

Really?

I had a fiancée before, too,

but our engagement was called off when Touko showed up.

I'm pushing someone like that aside to become his fiancée?

Reiya doesn't tell me anything.

He was summoned to the main house again yesterday.

I'm the only one who doesn't understand what it means to be a bride.

Nyankichi-kun, are brides only women?

Are human men ever chosen?

Right, about that...

Demon women have stricter standards than men.

They value demonic power and wealth.

Human men without any demonic power are beneath their notice.

They sound tough.

There's still a lot we don't know about brides.

How do they give birth to powerful demons

when they have no demonic power themselves?

How do they enhance their partner's demonic power?

How do demons know at a glance who their brides are?

If even demons don't know, there's no way I would.

We just know that's how brides work.

Nobody actually knows why.

I wish I knew.

Then I wouldn't feel so anxious.

Maybe then I could confidently call myself Reiya's bride.

To be honest, I don't even really understand love and romance.

I only dated Yamato because I was happy someone liked me

and was excited to be asked out.

When I think of it that way, I wasn't very sincere either.

I'd always hoped someone would love me, and then I met Reiya.

I should just surrender to Reiya's love.

There's a part of me that whispers that.

But ideally, I'd like to love him back.

Thank you.

Okay, that should do it.