It lasted for maybe ten or twenty seconds, although it seemed much longer at the time. For these twenty seconds, it was pure and utter bliss. In second twenty-one, the world became incredibly more complicated than it had ever been before for either of them.

Oga Tatsumi was a handsome, strong and intelligent man, who never, ever got confused. At least according to himself. The strategy for not getting confused had always been easy enough: If something confusing happened, either punch it or ignore it until it goes away. But the thing right now… it was confusing as hell, punching felt wrong, and he was not certain if this was something he could ignore. Or wanted to. That left only the super-secret special fallback option.

"Yo, Furuichi," he shouted as he jumped over the garden wall. Furuichi was lying on a blanket, clearly perfectly happy about a lazy sunday afternoon. The fact that Alaindelon was nowhere to be seen might have had something to do with it. Well, no time to be considerate now.

"I'm gonna tell you a story about a beautiful prince right now, but I gotta warn you: No stupid interruptions. I'll punch you right into orbit if you even start to say, 'Wait, what, you kissed Hilda?'"

"Wait, what, you ki…"

A punch cut him off. He looked at Oga accusingly, but Oga refused to feel guilty. Sure, Oga had asked Furuichi for help and was thus under an obligation to act nice, but the warning should have taken care of that. If that idiot couldn't listen, it was his own damn fault. Plus, Baby Beel was totally happy that someone got punched, so Furuichi was overruled anyway.

"Same thing goes for 'Oh, my Hilda, how could you?' and all that stuff", added Oga, just in case. It wasn't his business if Furuichi made a fool of himself, but he could be annoying at times. Plus, if Furuichi started making perverted comments about Hilda now… Oga had no idea why, but he felt that he should stop that somehow.

It took Furuichi a few seconds to find something to say. Oga's guess was that he had a big list of annoying shouts that wanted to get out, but the threat of punches kept them in. Finally, the silver-haired boy simply asked how it happened.

That wasn't a problem. Oga had been thinking about it without stop for the past… he looked at a watch. Huh, had it only been ten minutes?

Hilda hadn't liked being left behind by Oga's recent power-ups. She wanted to train without holding back, and he was the only one who could take it. On the other hand, he had always wanted to know what Hilda was really capable of. So they had found themselves in a dojo in training clothes.

At first, he had wanted to hold back, because he really did not like see Hilda being hurt. That was normal, right? But Hilda was having none of it. The fight had become fast, hard and vicious. A few drops of blood flew. But most importantly, it was fun. Hilda kept smiling and laughing throughout it all. Oga was enjoying himself even more than in fights against Toujou. Baby Beel, who had taken the role of referee, was cheering both of them enthusiastically.

In the end, Oga had the upper hand. He had Hilda pinned against the wall, her sword way out of reach in the other corner. She was thinking about ways to get out, so he moved in closer, in order to keep her put and perhaps gloat a bit. But then… did he see something? No idea. But he definitely felt her body heat and smelled her scent. Following some unknown instinct, he moved her head closer, just like she did with hers…

"And that's how it happened," he said to Furuichi. No need to tell him about how good it felt. Nor about all the memories of her that flashed in his head, Or the ideas about protecting her forever. Some things weren't meant to be told, and while Oga had no idea where these thoughts had come from or what they meant, he was certain that they were part of that group.

The rest of the story was quickly told. Beel had begun shouting "Ai! Dabuuh!" more enthusiastically ever, and given them a thumbs-up sign. That interruption caused them to stop. He didn't tell Furuichi how he, at first, wanted to just do it again. He skipped over some of the doubt that appeared the next moment, too. Kissing Hilda? That's… well… he wasn't sure if he could put it in coherent thoughts, let alone words, but there was a vague fear that he had just broken something he would have liked to keep. Hilda wasn't a big help either; she just looked at him with a questioning look, blushing, and a bit helpless. For a second, he thought she had lost her memory again, but something her eyes told him no; she was just as confused as he was. They mumbled some vague excuses—which became "other important tasks" when he told this to Furuichi—and went away at a brisk pace. One might have said they fled, but Hilda and Oga didn't flee, so whatever they did could never be called that, got it?

While the story was being told, Furuichi had been sitting, listening, and occasionally asked questions for clarification. To Oga, it looked as if he was a bit jealous. What could you do, though? It was not like it was Oga's fault.

"So what are you gonna do now?" asked the silver-haired creep finally.

Oga had half a mind to scream "I don't know, that's why I'm here, you idiot!", but that wouldn't do. There was a reputation he had to hold up. Besides, if he admitted ignorance, then Furuichi would probably ask questions that Oga didn't want to answer.

The shortest answer was that he would really like to do it again, because it felt good at the time. But then Furuichi would ask for details. Besides, he knew that it would not be that simple.

"Are you and Hilda a couple now?" continued Furuichi. Damn that guy. Couldn't he just once accept silence as an answer?

Well, okay. Were they a couple? For that, he'd have to… ask Hilda. About the kiss. And what it meant. Not a scary thought, right? A manly man like Oga could totally do it, right? He noticed something like panic setting in. Did he want her to say yes? Did he want to ask her? What if she said yes?

Suddenly, he thought of another possibility. What if she said no? For some reason, that thought was even more scary than her saying yes. Would she say no? Oga had always considered himself to be good-looking, and he had certainly saved her a few times from mortal peril, but was that enough? She had told him that he was Baby Beel's father, but he had always thought that this was something else entirely. Maybe she already had someone else in the demon world. Given how often she disappeared there, it was certainly possible, and he had never bothered to ask. He had never really asked her about her life at all, he suddenly realized. That probably counted against him.

So what would happen if she did say no? She wouldn't go away. She hadn't come here for him either. They'd still be sitting next to each other each day, only he would have made a total fool of himself. To her, he'd be a creepy idiot, a total… Furuichi. Would they still be able to fight together if she wondered whether he was always trying to get her to… well, at least kiss? That seemed doubtful.

So on the one hand, something that felt good once. On the other, loosing your best friend other than Furuichi. Framed like that, the answer didn't seem all that difficult.

"Furuichi, I need you to tell me everything you know about how to treat girls."

The silver-haired boy looked hopeful. Clearly, he wasn't happy that Oga had kissed Hilda, but he sure liked it when people stroked his ego.

"If I do all that, then kissing will stop." continued Oga.

Furuichi's face fell as if Oga had told him that Beel had just liquified all of his ero-magazines. And the store where Furuichi bought them, too. Again.

"Why?", he asked.

"You idiot!" shouted Oga, because he felt like an idiot right now, and it was only right to share that feeling. "I never wanted any of that demon stuff. I am just a normal teenager, and I don't want my life to be any more complicated! That's just annoying!"

He felt smug. Yeah, that would work. Nip all that complication in the bud. No need to think about whether it was a good idea or not. No need to think about what she thought. No need to think about what she was to him. No need to think about what would or could grow from this. And no need to fear the answer to any of these questions.

Sadly, Furuichi wasn't buying it. He rolled his eyes. So did Baby Beel, the little traitor! And Oga had put on his best lying face, too. Damn, he needed to train it more. It was hard being always so straightforward.

"You're a lying stupid idiot!", shouted Furuichi all of a sudden. "This kiss isn't something you can take back! If you like Hilda…"

Another punch interrupted him. Oga really didn't like Furuichi calling him stupid. At least not when he was right.

Most importantly, Oga realized that he had to end this discussion. It was pretty obvious what Furuichi was going to say. Listening to it would only weaken Oga's resolve. That way, all the confusion and fear would start again.

"Thank you for your help!", he shouted, hoping that Furuichi would not notice his insecurity. Sure, there was the punch, but with any luck, Furuichi would file it under "completely random". With a big leap over the garden wall, Oga disappeared again.

Alright, no reason to panic, thought Hilda. She could deal with this. Sure, technically, this was her first kiss, but she had seen all the soap operas, so she knew about it, right? Nothing to worry about.

Oh, like hell it was! That stupid, annoying man! They had a perfectly normal sparring session, and then out of nowhere, he kissed her! What was that all about? If she knew him at all, then he only did it because it just occurred to him. He would so pay for this… except that her story wasn't any better. There was no denying that she kissed back. Why had she done that? She was a royal nurse maid. She didn't just go ahead and kiss people, other than the young master. What exactly had happened here?

She had gone to a little park to try and sort her thoughts, but if anything, it only got worse. Her mind just went in circles as she sat on the bench. It wasn't just a kiss, was it? There was a feeling of… something more. And she had no idea whether she liked that.

Based on the soap operas, the best solution for dealing with completely unexpected kisses, almost-kisses, the odd marriage and other similar events was to pick a good friend and talk about it. Hilda had never been a fan of that approach. She had always tried to solve her own problems and let others deal with theirs. Otherwise, how could she ever be the best possible maid to the young master, and justify Miss Iris's trust in her?

But this wasn't a usual problem by any means. Talking to someone might just be worth a try. If only she knew someone who was suitable.

Lamia? She was her closest friend. But she was also ten years old, and her experience with relationships was limited to ignoring Lord En. Oga's family? Misaki was nice. She also thought that Hilda and Oga were already married. The deception was helpful at times, but right now, it would only confuse things more, not less. Alaindelon must have once kissed someone, given that he had a daughter, but she didn't want to think about the details of this too much. Besides, his judgement in romantic areas did leave something to be desired anyway. Aoi Kunieda was something of a friend… no. Just no. That only left…

Hilda stood up, and immediately bumped into someone carrying a family-size bag of chips and a fire extinguisher.

"Yolda?", said Hilda. She had never seen her sister wear a business outfit before, but it suited her. For a second, Hilda wondered whether she should try some different clothes, too. Would Tatsumi like it…? No, stop these thoughts!

"Hilda? What are you doing here?" replied Yolda. Without waiting for a reply, she continued, "Listen, I'd looooove to stay and chat about your boring life, but the young master wants these"—she held up the chips—"and if he doesn't get them soon enough, he'll need this"—she held up the fire extinguisher—"so I really have to…"

Without thinking, Hilda just blurted out the first and really only thing on her mind.

"I just kissed Oga!"

Yolda stopped in her tracks, and blinked a few times. Then, a dangerous smile appeared on her lips.

"Maybe the young master can wait after all. Tell me everything!"

Hilda was not happy telling the story to Yolda of all people. She knew that her sister was already looking for a way to annoy her with this knowledge. Right now, she was probably preparing a mental list of people who Hilda did not want to know about the kiss. On the other hand, she was family, and she undeniably had experience with kissing. Quite a lot, in fact, with a lot more different people than Hilda thought appropriate, but bringing this up right now might not be helpful.

So she told the story, trying to remain as detached and technical as possible. But Yolda would not accept that.

"What was it like?", she asked with a smirk. "Like, on a scale of zero to ten?"

Eleven, but Hilda wasn't about to say that out loud. Not that she needed to; her blush was doing all the work for her. Yolda was enjoying it far more than she should have.

"That much, eh? Nice! That reminds me, you never apologized for destroying my chance to try that with him. No need to be formal, just lend him to me for an hour or so. Shirt optional."

Hilda felt anger rise inside her, but she tried to hide it. That was just what Yolda wanted. To be honest, she was doing a good job of it. Asking Hilda to hand over her Oga, even as a joke… wait, had Hilda just thought of Oga as her Oga?

"Well, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to tell you now," said Yolda. "You know how it works and what happens now. Our parents gave us both the same talk, you know, with all the euphemisms… Oh, I want a little niece!"

Did Yolda want to be cut in two or what? Just saying… that… out loud, seriously! It was just a kiss! Nothing more! Oga and Hilda weren't gonna… do… right?

Of course, Hilda knew that Yolda was just teasing her again. Sometimes it seemed as if that woman had never left elementary school. But beyond all the crap, maybe there was a point. How would this continue? Sure, right now, the kiss had been amazing. And Oga was… a really good man. Possibly more. Way more. He made her feel safe. He cared for the young master and he cared for her. She cared for him. And he was not exactly bad looking either. Being with him was fun. But that was just normal friendship… at least that's what she used to think before. If it got any further, and then ended… and then what about the young master?

Hilda's efforts to maintain a stoic facade apparently were on the verge of failing. At least they weren't good enough to fool her sister anymore. The look in her eyes… oh no. Was Yolda feeling pity for her now?

"Listen up, sis," she said. "You look like you're over-analyzing again. What matters is that it felt good, and you're both totally into each other anyway, you just don't know it yet. So the next step is easy: You go up to him, and you kiss him again, and then you'll see what happens. He's not gonna kick you out; after all, you're almost as hot as me."

Hilda had to admit that this had a certain appeal to it. No thinking, just doing what felt right… it was actually fairly close to the way Oga fought. It was reckless, dangerous, stupid, and for him, very successful. She kind of liked that about him, but she didn't like saying so.

But that didn't change the fact that it was still stupid and reckless. Oga had the young master's infinite force to help him out of any tight spot. There was nothing comparable here. Hilda had one shot, and if that failed now or down the line…

What if it failed? Did Oga even… well, he did save her life whether she wanted him to or not, so clearly he was not completely indifferent. But getting there had taken a long, long time. A single reckless decision could break it. And then they'd be back where they were, trying to get rid of each other, only this time with the memory of what had been. what would happen to the young master? Would Oga try to get rid of him, too? Hilda did not like that thought one bit, not after seeing how close father and son had become, but it was not without precedent. Or would the young master choose sides? Hilda loved the young master with all her heart, but she had no illusions about who had the stronger bond.

"No", said Hilda finally. This was all too damn confusing. She didn't just have a job or a mission, she had a calling. It was to care for her young master. There was no room for starting something… anything with Oga. She told Yolda as much. What she neglected to mention was that this approach also made everything a lot simpler. By definition, Oga was just another of her master's servants. No need to think about what else he might be to her. If she didn't ask, he couldn't say no.

"Thank you for your assistance," she coldly, although she was not even entirely certain what this assistance had been. "I'll be off, preparing my master's evening meal. Oh, and if you tell anyone about this…"

Yolda shook her head in defeat. "Don't tell me you're hiding from real life behind your 'calling' again? Lord Beelzebub won't thank you, and neither would Miss Iris if she knew. I won't tell anyone if you promise to reconsider."

Hilda turned to walk away. The last comment had shaken her, but her resolve was clear. Yes, Miss Iris might have said something like that, or maybe she might not. There was no point speculating now. The last thing she heard as she left was Yolda calling out,

"I still want that niece!"

Author's notes: After causing so much death and mayhem, I thought it was time to do something normal, fluffy, to atone for all the distress I caused some of you. For this one, I guarantee a happy ending and no deaths. Of course, Oga and Hilda may have to do some work to get there…

Special thanks go to Secret29, Frayner and particularly DJ Blonde for reading early drafts of this first chapter and helping with plot and character description. If you like it, it's only thanks to them. Conversely, all faults are mine (especially since these nice people haven't read the final version yet). Thank you!

A few notes about canon: I'm basing this on the manga; hence Yolda has never actually kissed Oga (they did in the anime, if I recall correctly). I'm also assuming that demons are as old as they appear to be, as recently confirmed by Hilda. All that talk about demons being hundreds of years old is based on one fan translation of one single scene; no other source, and not even other translations of the same scene, include that figure.