04x03 - The Essence of a Dem-dol

[bunniefuu]

I'm done.

I can't keep up.

Wait, just a little more—

Bye.

Why?

If we just practice a
little more, I'm sure...

I, I...

I want to see a huge group of cute
dem-dols singing and dancing together!

"The Essence of a Dem-Dol."

From now until the Music Festival,
we have no regular classes,

meaning we can spend
the whole day practicing.

The Hell Dance.

Until the time we perform
that and Lilith's Carpet,

let's all do our best as the
music team and dance team!

Hold it!

Why is Iruma-sama support?

Iruma-chi's super good at dancing!

- So good, good, good, good!

- Hi!

I know.

But if he's in the center of the dancing,
everyone's going to look at him.

As they should!

But the stars this time are
Nee-san and Purson-san.

Point taken.

Taken, taken.

I want the support members to be the ones
in Dalet who don't have to be promoted.

And the one who should play the
cornerstone of music, the piano,

is a demon with good rhythm,

who works best with Purson-san

and can guide everyone else.

That's why I want you to do it.

Will you please do it, Iruma-san?

Yeah! I'll do it!

Sweet, the piano. That's so cool.

I'm sure Iruma-kun will put
on a brilliant performance.

If your fingers get tired,
I'll massage them for you.

Iruma-chi, fight!

- Buzzing with motivation!
Buzzy, buzzy, buzzy, buzzy...

- A role to guide us all!
You slay me again, Iruma-sama!

Yeah! I'll do my best!

What is this?

I think this is the first
time I've been asked

to do something that
makes me so excited.

Purson-kun?

- I look forward to working with you.

- Mm.

Okay, Iruma-san.

You'll have to learn the basics of the
piano from someone who's played.

Someone who's played?

Music Studio

Wow! You're so good, Sabnock-kun!

'Tis a pastime befitting the demon king.

It changes shape, influenced
by the one playing it.

Pianos from the netherworld are amazing!

"From the netherworld"?

Er, no.

It's nothing. Whoa!

Well, of course it's going to get mad
if you touch it out of nowhere!

You must bow to it first.

I see.

Have a seat.

Wh-What kind of shape will it...

Well, it looks like it's been
influenced by your personality,

but it'll eventually settle.

It made a sound!

If you can imagine the song,
the keys will guide you.

The more clearly you can imagine the song,

the more the sound will respond to you.

Now all you need to do is play as much
as you can to drill this feeling into you.

Your only option is to practice.

Okay, got it! Thanks, Sabnock-kun!

- Exercise Room

- So...

All of you on the dance team
will be becoming dem-dols!

D-Dem-dols?

- What do you mean?

- What's that supposed to mean?

Impossible to understand.

- Hell Dance

- We're going to be doing
the Hell Dance, right?!

Listen here.

Dem-dols are the epitome of performance.

We have to learn from them!

Their steps, their songs, and their looks

have all been meticulously calculated
and refined for them to show off.

And most importantly, they're cute!

I see. So basically...

I understand completely!

Yeah, no, you don't.

There are guy dem-dols, too!

So these are male dem-dols.

- They piss me off.

- Oh, they're lovely.

- You're even lovelier, Nee-san!

- They're dazzling!

- I know, right?

We'll make sure your
outfits, makeup, and nails

are done to perfection
from head to toe!

Black nails, chic matching devil outfits,
penlights, call and response!

You're all into this.

Hmm, but...

I'm having trouble imagining it.

It's embarrassing.

Embarrassing?

Er, we're not saying dem-dols are...

P-Please calm down, my queen!

Fine, then.

How they seem on-screen and
in person are completely different.

Watch carefully.

I'm only showing you this once.

What?

She suddenly... seems like
a completely different person.

Listen carefully.

Dem-dols...

are cute...

beautiful...

and...

cool!

How lovely!

- What was that?

- My queen!

- That was devi amazing!

What was that just now?

You looked like a guy
for a sec just now, Kerorin!

Right? Right?

Oh, man. That was devi awesome!

Heh. Right?

Splendid.

It's almost like you're a real dem-dol.

Gasp!

Oh, no! I did too much fan service!

I was about to accidentally win
them over! That was close!

That was devi amazing!

- Majestic and beautiful.

- I didn't know the queen
had moves like that.

- How stunning.

- Oh, man.

A-Anyway!

Just imagine it.

With nothing but a tiny movement of your
finger, everyone trembles with delight.

Isn't it just super exciting?!

Dem-dols, eh?

Sounds good.

Let's give it a try.

Me, too!

- I'll do it, I'll do it,
I'll do it, I'll do it!

- No risk, no reward.

- If I'll suffice...

Good!

Nee-san and Clara-san,
you'll be centers with me,

so practice is going to be harder.

Right.

What about us?

First, chant "I'm awesome" 666 times.

- I'm awesome. I'm awesome. I'm awesome.

- Hey, you don't get to say it, Azz-Azz!

- Why?

Music Studio

Iruma-kun... You absolutely suck.

I'm so sorry!

Well, you did just start,
so it's expected.

It's only natural that
you'd be terrible at it.

Even babies have a hard time
using their wings at first,

so you'll just have to practice.

You really do suck, though.

Do your best.

I-I guess I do have to try harder.

This is the role I've
been given, after all.

I had confidence in my
concentration and perseverance

because I trained with Master, but...

I can't seem to play the
sounds I want to play!

Plus, if I let my guard down,

the piano turns into that fluffy thing,
and the sound gets all flimsy!

This isn't working!

I need to ask Sabnock-kun
the trick to this again!

Music is so hard...

I'll have to practice even harder.

Yeah, this is rough.

You say all that, but you're grinning.

Huh?!

You okay? Did your facial muscles break?
You wanna take a break?

Maybe you should lie down.
You need a futon? Want some meds?

No, no, no. Um...

You see, I've listened to so many
requests over the years, just because.

But this request from
Keroli-san made me all excited.

It's probably because it
couldn't be just anyone.

She said it had to be me.

I think... that made me happy.

I've never felt anything like this,
so I want to do my best.

Uh, you basically said
the same thing to me.

I want to see you being
complimented by everyone!

I guess he doesn't even
realize what he said himself.

That's actually sort of amazing.

Well, I understand how you feel.

R-Really?

- Sorry, but the dance
team's busy right now.

- I'm awesome. I'm awesome. I'm awesome.

- That includes Sabnock-kun.

- Huh? Um, but what are they...

I said they're busy.

I'm glad I'm on the music team.

Y-Yeah...

But don't worry!

I've thought all this through.

I've asked the perfect instructor to give
you the exact guidance you need, too.

Huh?

Hurry and return to the room.

He might already be there.

After all...

he's...

You're late.

...a very strict demon.

Don't run away.

Let's get this started
already, you greenhorns.

But we need a little help, so...

Please.

Please teach Iruma-san
how to play the piano.

Why ask me?

This is the list of the classes that
have won the Music Festival in the past.

I also verified this with Balam-sensei.

"Kalego-kun! He can pretty
much play any instrument."

That fool...

Honestly, I can't guide
the whole class on my own.

I need your help, Sensei!

- Please, help us!

- Very well.

Huh?

What?

E-Er... You just... agreed so quickly.

The duty of a Babyls teacher...
is to always prioritize the students.

You were correct in seeking guidance.

Because I...

am a strict instructor.

Chassé! Flow! Flow! Beelze! Quattreu!

Eek!

Your fingering is wrong.
Move them just like I told you, you fool.

Your tempo is too fast. Stop improvising.

Your performance should
complement your accompanist.

I will not allow you
to play a song just yet.

You must start with the basics of
the basics. Drill them into your body.

Don't worry.

Whether your fingers fall off
or your throat burns,

I will never cast you aside.

No!

After school!

W-We practiced for six hours straight.

Get up. Time to start the next lesson.

No way...

You two clearly lack any
understanding of the song,

though the song you chose
is quite difficult.

There was once a bewitching
demoness named Lilith

in the netherworld, known
for her unparalleled beauty.

The path she walked was filled with the

corpses of the men
who fought over her.

It was called "Lilith's Carpet."

The details are all written here.

Read these over and
over until you've got it

all memorized and further
your understanding.

A-All of those?

This song is written in praise
and admiration of Lilith,

as well as the foolish men
who tried to obtain her.

Meaning the theme is...

love.

Pfft.

I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry.

But it feels insanely
unnatural to hear the

word "love" from your
mouth, Kalego-sensei,

and my stomach couldn't handle it...

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow...

I'd rather not talk about this, either!

Listen well.

The dance is the performer in this story,
and the song is the world.

The world?

Use the music to imagine Lilith's world.

Lilith is a demoness
with unparalleled beauty.

The pining male demons
profess their love to her.

They want her, so they woo her.

But in the end...

Lilith does not bend.

That is what this song is about.

Do you understand?

I-It's very, uh, mature...

Right, Purson-kun?

Calm down.

Yes, it's rather lew—
er, beautiful... or pretty...

Also, I'm not sure why,
but I found it pretty unpleasant.

You're rather honest, aren't you?

What you just heard was
a world that I created.

The one who'll actually
be playing is you, Iruma.

You cannot just copy me.

You'll have to create this world
from your own imagination.

Y-Yes, sir...

Try to express the words
you'd use to woo Lilith.

Y-Yes, sir!

Woo her, woo her, woo her...

Create a world... Woo her...

Imagine it!

Lilith is a demoness
with unparalleled beauty.

Wanting her to have fun...

the men...

woo her.

O-One second. I'll try one more time.

Um... The men...

w-woo her.

W-W-Woo...

- W-W-Woo...

- Yay!

N-No matter how many times I do it,

they go eat... for some reason?!

What is wrong with you?!

Looks like we'll need to change your
way of thinking on a fundamental level!

I'm sorry!

When I think about having fun,
I think about food!

Call your homes!

You'll be spending
nights here for a while!

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir...

Man, I guess this'll be an all-nighter...

Please do your best with
piano practice, Iruma-sama!

We'll do our best, too! Buzz, buzz!

Azz-kun, Clara!

Those two are working hard, too.

I need to get better, too!

Copycat cuffs.

When they're infused with magic,

they force those wearing them
to synchronize their movements.

This is absolutely necessary training
when it comes to the Hell Dance,

since everyone's movements must
be completely in sync... but...

they were originally a magical apparatus
used to control magical beasts,

so they can be a bit difficult to use.

This is what happens when
they aren't used correctly.

First, let's split up into
groups of two or three

and practice in separate
rooms until you're in sync.

Make sure you all learn
the steps properly.

Okay.

Especially... you two!

Go practice in the interior courtyard!

Okay!

Listen well, Valac.
Move your right hand first.

Do you know which one that is?

Yup! This one.

Good. You're a genius.

We've got this. We've totally got this!

If you get confused,
don't force yourself to move.

Okay, my brother!

Let's dance!

- Moron, moron, moron.

- Again...

How many times must I tell you
that your movement here is too big?!

The angle here should
be 60 degrees! Like this!

What? But this looks cooler!

Stop pulling! Watch carefully!

I'm doing it properly!

You go, "Gyah!" Then,
"B-Boom!" And then "Parapappa," right?

Stop speaking in sound effects!
You make no sense!

Why don't you understa—

Oh, right. I forgot Azz-Azz
was sort of a moron.

Hey. You're thinking
something rude, aren't you?

Anyway, at this rate, we'll keep
embarrassing ourselves endlessly!

Oh, crap!

We won't even be able to face Iruma-sama!

Alrighty! Time for some recon!

What?! Hey, wait! Stop running!

They're all together...

And good.

We cannot afford to mess up!

Huh?

Is there any way to increase
our motivation?

Well...

perhaps if we had
some kind of restriction,

our concentration might go up.

That's a brilliant idea.

Maybe some kind of
punishment if we mess up?

Ah, a competition, eh?

Then how about if you mess up,

you'll have to disclose information
about any of the female students?

What? I can't talk about them
without permission!

I will be taking the details
of the devi-mixer to my grave!

I will get this out of
you no matter what!

I cannot lose!

Let's go to the next one.

Ah... I can feel Nee-san's heartbeat.

Ba-dump...

This is like our own personal waltz—

Yes! We are coming together!

Something huge just got between us!

You're very good, Lead-kun,
but so are you, Sabro-kun.

Wow!

Indeed.

As the future demon king, my musical ear
and core of my wings are perfect.

I'm more worthy of you, Nee-san!

Huh?

Er, I mean, I'd do a better
job of teaching you.

- I'm really good at
Devil Dance Revolution!

- Wow, that's amazing.

Everyone's so good.

Okay, okay, wait one sec.

I keep telling you that you need
to smile more! Smile! Like this.

I just need to learn the steps, right?
My face isn't important!

It's very important!

Why, though?!

Now, now, let's calm down...

Your face is a sparkly egg!

Huh?

Listen carefully!

Those who are born beautiful are obligated

to show everyone that brilliance!

Obligated what?

Now, now...

And you, Jazz-san! Your steps are weak!

Hey! If we're supposed
to smile, tell him, too!

Jazz-san is fine like that!

What?!

He's fine! Okay,
let's do this one more time.

I wonder if a little brother or sister
in their evil cycle would be like this.

I keep telling you to smile, dang it!

I can't just smile outta nowhere!

They're fighting while they're dancing.

And they're good.

Each team was a bit rowdy, but...

They were really good.
Like super duper stupor good.

- I guess we'll also...

- Butterfly! Butterfly! Butterfly!

- have to spill our guts to each other.

Wait, like seppuku?!

No. What I'm saying is...

we should be more honest with each other
to get to know one another better.

Are you listening, Valac?

Y-Yup.

All right. I'll start.

- I am Su-ki-ma! Su-ki-ma! Su-ki-ma!

- Su

- Ki

- Ma

Pianos in the netherworld
are influenced by

their players and
change shape accordingly.

When Eiko touches it...

- Cringe Piano

- it's a cringe piano.

Just look at that smile!
He's so devi cute!

This side's good, too!
Ah, every angle is perfect!

Ah, our eyes just met!

- Next Episode Preview

- Listen well.

- The theme for Lilith's Carpet is...

- Love... love... love... love... love...

- Next time on Welcome to
Demon School! Iruma-kun,

- "We Can't See Him, But..."

- It's love.

- I will silence whoever laughed just now.