The Help Club President is a Demon Lord

Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Equivalent Exchange



"What the hell are you talking about?! And why are you here?!"

Angelie pointed her finger at the scandalous interloper.

"Of course, to tell him of your true intentions. And that is you want him to join the Help club!"

"Th-that's not entirely false…"

She lowered her hand and quickly turned towards Kiba.

"Ketsueki-kun! It's true that we want to help you in any way we can, and it's also true we'd like to ask you to join. But if you can't, then it's okay! At least we were able to help if you need it."

Akuma smirked while placing his hands on his hips.

"That's the difference between us! You want to help but can't ask for anything concretely in return. Well, as the President of the Help club, I have come to save your sorry asses. I came here to tell him that if we can help him in any way, then he has to join the club. Give and take, shall we say?"

Angelie turned to Akuma again.

"If that's how you're going to run the Help club, then no one will go to us for help!"

"Huh? Who said anything about that? If he's going to be in the club, then he might as well know why he is joining. And it will be because he owes us."

Akuma then pointed his finger at Angelie.

"I don't need to hide my intentions from my underlings! You and the others are here to help me improve my image and then I will rule this school as the student council president next year!"

"We are not your underlings! Damn Demon Lord… But he does have a point about being honest, even though I don't like to admit it…"

Angelie was biting her fingernail as she stared off into space.

Kiba let out a loud laugh, bending over and wiping tears from his eyes. Everyone looked at him.

"You guys do really crack me up. But can I have a say in all of this joining the club thing?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Akuma slowly put his arm down.

"I did say I can't join at this time when I took your flier, right?"

"I think so…?"

Akuma scratched the back of his head, looking up to search his memories.

"The truth is, we can't keep the shop closed any longer. My dad is getting better but he still needs to rest. I need to open the shop this weekend so I can earn some money to help my dad. The problem is I don't know how to do it, all I know to do is to bake the bread. So, I do need help. Can you guys help me?"

Kiba was rubbing his finger on his cheek.

"As long as we manage to help you, then it is assumed you will join the Help club?"

Akuma held out his hand towards Kiba, signaling closing the deal with a handshake. Kiba paused for a while.

"Yeah. I'd be glad to."

Kiba shook Akuma's hand. Then, Sanaka raised her hand.

"I don't have to, right? Since I'm not—"

"All right everyone! Be here early tomorrow morning!"

Sanaka let out a sigh, but then she smiled subtly without anyone noticing.

---

The next day, everyone met inside the bake shop. The sun has not even risen yet and the town was still covered in darkness. Everyone was dressed in their P.E. class uniforms, comprised of a t-shirt and jogging pants. Meanwhile, Kiba was wearing a baker's attire, complete with his white, long-sleeved jacket and apron from the waist down.

The girls were lined up beside each other. Angelie was standing straight and firm. Mimi was covering her mouth while she was yawning a few times. Sanaka, on the other hand, was struggling to open her eyes and keep her head up. Akuma and Kiba were standing in front of the girls, facing in their direction. Akuma cleared his throat to begin their meeting.

"Okay, here is what we are going to do. To ensure efficiency, Sanaka and the elf will help him bake the breads."

He then turned to Kiba and gave him the thumbs up.

"Those two are proven to be good at cooking, so you won't have to worry. You have my guarantee."

"Hey! I said I can cook, too!"

Angelie stomped her feet in protest.

"We have no empirical data to back up that claim, so no."

Akuma shook his head and raised his hands.

"Why, you… What should I do, then?"

"Go clean outside, sweep the road and wipe the windows."

"I'm doing this because it will help Ketsueki-kun and not because I am following you! Got that?!"

Angelie picked up the cleaning tools on her way out of the shop.

"Well then, let's head to the kitchen and I'll show you around."

Kiba pointed to the direction of the kitchen at the back of the store. Akuma stayed inside the shop and started to clean.

---

Inside the kitchen, the trio of Kiba, Mimi and Sanaka started to prepare the ingredients for baking. Flour, eggs, sugar and various baking tools were scattered around the kitchen. Kiba gave them directions on what steps to do. While working individually on the same large table, Kiba started a conversation since it was too quiet.

"So, are those two always like that?"

"Yes, most of the time. Though it is hard to explain, it's pretty much to be expected."

Mimi, while busy mixing some ingredients, answered without looking up.

"Yeah, I can imagine that."

Kiba laughed while kneading dough in his hands.

"Oh, you can?"

Mimi paused for a while and looked at Kiba. He just laughed it off without explaining. She returned to what she was doing then glanced at Sanaka.

"Hey, Sanaka-san. That's salt and not sugar."

"Oh crap! I'm still so sleepy I can't concentrate. Why did I have to be here again? We're getting some bread to eat, right?"

Sanaka yawned loudly and covered her mouth with her arm.

"Yeah, we can taste it later once it's baked. It's for breakfast, I guess."

Kiba smiled as he continued to knead and mold the dough.

"Well, that Demon Lord did force you to make fliers all night for the promo the shop's going to run. By the way, Ketsueki-kun. Is your father okay with what we're doing here today?"

After somewhat consoling Sanaka, Mimi turned his attention towards Kiba again.

"Oh, he's super excited. He said it's the first time I had friends over and help us. He'd like to meet you guys once he can stand up and walk."

"I don't mind being your friend, if you bring me bread every day for free."

Sanaka was still clumsily mixing her ingredients.

"This is the first time I had a friend who will run us out of business."

Kiba and Mimi laughed together.

---

A few hours passed and the sun started to bring some light around the town. During this time is when people start to buy bread. Some may eat it for breakfast while others during their commute to work even on a weekend. The shop offers several types of breads, from loaves to buns with different fillings.

Before they opened the shop, they ate some of the bread they made for breakfast. They were seated around a table inside the kitchen. Akuma then stood up after finishing what he was eating.

"Alright. It's almost time to start our plan. You three, get ready and change your clothes."

"A-are we really doing this?"

Sanaka covered her chest area with her arms.

"Well, he is a Demon Lord, after all. This is not something beyond him."

Mimi closed her eyes, resigned to her fate.

"Th-this is just part of h-helping the shop. Th-there's nothing wrong a-about it…"

Angelie turned red while her shaking hands put the bread in her mouth.

After the girls were done eating, they headed to the room being used as an office to change their clothes. When only the two guys were left at the table, Kiba talked to Akuma.

"I really appreciate you guys doing this."

"I was clear with our intentions, if this will help you, then you can help us by joining our club. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Still straight to the point, as always."

"Still? What do you mean?"

"I forgot something in my bag—"

Sanaka returned to the kitchen and overheard them talking. She paused before she could interrupt them.

"I didn't plan to tell you guys this, but since you were transparent with me, I figured I should do the same."

Kiba looked straight into Akuma's eyes.

"I'm the Vampire King."


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