The Devil Is a Part-Timer!, Vol. 3 by Satoshi Wagahara Page A

way they know how.”
    Chiho balled up the old diaper with the rest of the trash and threw it into the burnable-refuse bag. Using another wet tissue to wipe her own hands, she picked up Alas Ramus and brushed cheeks with the red-faced child.
    “There, see? Feels a lot better being clean, right?”
    “Oooo.”
    It was hard to tell if Alas Ramus was agreeing or simply growling to herself, but she responded to the question nonetheless.
    Now it seemed clear. The cause of Alas Ramus’s endless carrying-on last night wasn’t emotional, but physical. Around her rear end, to be physically specific.
    “It’ll be all right, okay? Daddy will be home soon, and…um, Mommy…too, okay? So be a good girl until they do!”
    Chiho felt an odd sort of psychological barrier keeping her from calling Emi “Mommy.” But there was no point brooding over it. Keeping Alas Ramus warm and supported took priority.
    “Okee!”
    Her eyes were still tearful, but Alas Ramus flashed a meek smile as she looked straight up at Chiho and nodded.
    “Awww… There’s a cute little girl.”
    Chiho couldn’t help but grin as the child fervently brushed away her tears with her little hands.
    “Hmm…?”
    Just then, Chiho noticed a purple, crescent moon–shaped mark appear on the placid Alas Ramus’s forehead. Her entire body emitted an ever-so-faint glow, the same color as her yellow dress.
    It was barely noticeable, and it disappeared in the blink of an eye.
    Chiho sighed. The event didn’t seem to bring about any major changes, but it was a timely reminder that this infant was a being from another world.
    Still, all she could do was approach Alas Ramus with the kind of love she thought she needed. She hugged her tightly.
    “Ahp!”
    Alas Ramus blurted out in surprise.
    Watching on, Ashiya put his hands on the floor, all but defeated in spirit.
    “Truly, I am no match whatsoever for you, Ms. Sasaki… How embarrassing it is! Yes, embarrassing to let my previous name as the demon forces’ master strategist go to my head…! And such deft maneuvering you demonstrated to me in the way of diaper application… Truly, the scales have fallen from my eyes…”
    The universe may be a vast, inscrutable place, but it still seemed fair to say Ashiya was the first and last demon to ever be asked to change a baby’s diaper during his quest to conquer the world. Even so, he deeply regretted the dishonor he showed at failing the task.
    Chiho, unable to find the words to console him, turned to the wall clock in an attempt to distract him instead.
    “When do you think Yusa will come back?”
    “Once her work is complete, I would imagine. No sooner than six in the evening.”
    “You know Emi’s work shifts, Suzuno?”
    “No, but I did lie in ambush for her once.”
    Chiho had no context to rely on for this sudden confession, but a glance at the bag she brought in reminded her of something.
    “I’m sorry, Suzuno, but there’s a notebook with a pink cover in my bag. I stuck a piece of paper right under the cover, but could you get that out for me?”
    “Certainly. One moment… Is this it?”
    Suzuno unfolded the paper for Chiho, her hands occupied with holding Alas Ramus still at the moment, and presented it to her.
    “Lemme see… Today Maou’s shift supervisor from morning until past the lunch rush. Kisaki’s scheduled to show up after that, and… Oh, he’s getting off early today. Four PM , it says.”
    It was a handwritten shift schedule, drawn up by Kisaki for her staff as a portable version of the on-site attendance spreadsheet. It was currently two thirty in the afternoon, according to Chiho’s phone.
    “…Oh, I know! Say, would you mind if I took Alas Ramus to MgRonald?”
    “Pardon?”
    “What?”
    Neither Ashiya nor Suzuno were capable of a yes-or-no answer.
    “Well, I think she’s gonna be pretty bored, cooped up in here all day. Maybe if we took her on a walk, she’d get in a better mood and remember something about her past for