The Soulmates Arc is the 18th Story Arc of the Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun manga series.
The arc centers around Iruma bonding with his best friends Azz and Clara where it turns out that he considers them to be his soulmates, which Iruma views to be a friendship higher than just normal friends. His Misfit Class get wrapped up in this as well, which given all that they've been though, Soi figures that they must all already be Iruma's soulmates. However, the question remains what Iruma sees Ameri as.
The arc consists of chapters 176 to 178.
Soulmates Arc Summary
Chapter 176: The Love Trio
Following the Music Festival, the first-years were given the task to clean up the campus after themselves, but remain confused as to why Azz is in serious mode with his fire-magic active while standing next to Iruma. Azz makes it clear to Iruma that he will protect him (given the encounter with Kirio), which he goes about doing remaining by Iruma's side with his flames active throughout the school day, even while class is in session, or when they're eating lunch. Eventually, Azz remembers that he has a meeting with Shichiro, which he finally departs, but yells that he will return to Iruma immediately afterwards, much to Iruma's confusion as to why he's acting weird today. Annoyed that Azz was keeping Iruma to himself, Clara finally sees an opening by catching Iruma in a net and runs off with him.Clara takes Iruma to a private forest spot on campus, which she happily goes about having fun with him as playing together is something they haven't been able to do for awhile now. In addition, Iruma and Clara finally have a moment alone to congratulate one another for their Music Festival performances. Clara notes that Azz's performance was amazing too, which Iruma points out to her that he's noticed how odd Azz has been acting lately believing that he must have something on his mind. Clara pouts in annoyance that Iruma's only focusing on Azz, and proceeds to give Iruma a hug claiming that she loves him. However, she also notes that she loves Azz, and that Azz must love the both of them as well. Thus, Clara deems the three of them as the Love Trio, which catches Iruma's attention. Clara further explains her Love Trio theory that if one member of the trio is bothered by something, then it's up to the other two to cheer that person up. As a result, she orders Iruma to play together with Azz in order to cheer the latter up.
Taking Clara's words to heart, Iruma thinks about Azz, and realizes that there's never been a time where it's just him and Azz hanging out. In addition, Iruma thinks about how there's something he wants to discuss with Azz alone. Having decided to have fun with Azz, Iruma thanks Clara for the advise, but remains confused as to what to do. Smiling back, Clara assures him that being the great funtime genius she is, she will come up with an idea for them. Shortly after, Azz is seen in the hallway having finished his meeting with Shichiro, who provided him information about Return to Origins. Suddenly, Iruma comes up to him, but before Azz's protectiveness kicks in, Iruma asks if he's free for the weekend in order for the two of them to go somewhere together. The confused Azz admits he is, which Iruma is seen holding behind his back some papers detailing Clara's funtime plan in Magical Street.
Chapter 177: Together With a Friend!
Wearing Detection Warding glasses to keep their identities hidden, Iruma and Azz arrive at Magical Street where the two of them will be having fun together. Azz asks about Clara, which Iruma reveals that it will just be the two of them. The revelation comes as a massive shock to Azz as he begins to panic due to it never being just the two of them together. Iruma and Azz go about having fun trying on clothes at the clothing store until eventually purchasing some that they like. Iruma also tries out a food stall, and upon seeing Iruma interested in a handheld for gaming, Azz chooses to buy it after hearing that Iruma's never been able to beat Lied. The two of them continue exploring around Magical Street until they become exhausted, and take a seat on a street bench.Looking at Iruma enjoying himself on the bench, Azz admits to himself that the former has become quite bold compared to the more timid version he knew Iruma as when they first met. Thinking about the moment that Kirio called him clueless, Azz asks Iruma why he invited him out. In return, Iruma states that he's had something he wanted to say to him, which he pulls out his Rank 5 (He) badge. Iruma points out how he remembers when Azz first told him that moving up in the ranks is a demon's pride, and that after seeing everyone celebrating his achievement, he's come to realize that being at Rank 5 (He) is really heavy. Azz remains confused by the statement, which Iruma explains that he's been wondering if this all happened too early, and has left him questioning over and over if he's become too amazing for his own good.
Seeing Iruma's odd confusion causes Azz to break out into a rare laughter, but Iruma remain serious stating that he's learned a lot in the netherworld, and that each time he ranks up, he learns a little bit more about himself. Thus, Iruma makes it clear to Azz that he won't let go of his Rank 5 (He) status, and will continue to go even higher, which leaves an impression on Azz. Iruma asks if this makes him greedy, and that he will need Azz and Clara to continue supporting each other with him as the Love Trio that Clara calls them, but he's suddenly caught off-guard by Azz crying. Azz thinks over how much of an idiot he was thinking that he has to protect Iruma when it should have already been clear to him that no one can crush Iruma's spirit. That Azz is the one who best understands Iruma's journey, and is lucky to be the one closest to Iruma. Thus, Azz sees an image of Iruma as the Demon King.
Deciding not to waver anymore, Azz states proudly to Iruma that no matter what path Iruma takes, he will always follow him, which makes Iruma happy. Azz adds that this is a given since they're friends, but Iruma replies that it depends as he considers friends as just people you hang out with. However, Iruma claims that he deems those he depends on and trusts the most, such as Azz, as his "soulmates," which leaves a huge impression on Azz. The excited Azz begs Iruma to tell him more about soulmates asking if it's a spot above being just a friend. The embarrassed Iruma admits it is while not wanting to discuss it anymore due to how embarrassing talking about it is, but Azz refuses to back down.
Chapter 178: The Soulmates Meeting
Word has spread around the demon world of the Abnormal class all achieving Rank 4 (Daleth) within just their first school year. At Babyls, the students look at the gate of Royal One wondering what the high-rank misfit students within it are currently talking about, but as it turns out, it's Azz and Clara holding a meeting with the class (minus Iruma) about the difference between "friends" and "soulmates." Azz describes friendship as spending time together, along with sharing each other's joy and pain, and forming a blood pact to give their lives for one another. He then deems soulmates as the level above that where one enters a true soul contract; an eternal vow where one offers up their life and whole being to someone. The Abnormal class is taken aback by how serious and heavy this all is, which Azz assures them that soulmates is a privilege that is only reserved for himself and Clara towards Iruma. However, Azz also assures them that Iruma has made it clear that he deems everyone within the Abnormal class as his friends, which shocks everyone in disbelief that Iruma's made such a heavy pact with them.Once Iruma arrives at Royal One, the stunned Abnormal students approach him asking if they really are friends, which Iruma admits they are. The class remains unable to handle such a heavy pact, but Kerori gets irritated that Iruma should be "her" friend and not the other way around. Meanwhile, Sabro complains that their rivalry should come first before friendship. Once the class manages to calm down, Iruma gets to properly explaining to them what friendship is, which is just people who get along, hang out together, eat together, have fun together, and are precious to each other. The class is let down by the explanation given how simple it is, and that since it's clear they already do such things, it's obvious that they're all friends. However, they call out Azz for providing an explanation that made it seem much bigger than it actually was. Sabro next asks about soulmates. In return, Iruma answers that it's just friends that you're especially close with as Azz and Clara instantly appear at his side. However, Purson points out that this should mean they're already soulmates, which everyone reacts.
The Abnormal class all get excited figuring that they're already Iruma's soulmates, but this ends up annoying Azz and Clara as the two of them want to be Iruma's only soulmates. In the end, the Abnormal class catches on that Iruma's knowledge of friendship and soulmates is odd, and that he truly isn't from around here. Given that they know about his closeness with higher ranked demons, Lied asks if Iruma considers "her" to be his soulmate, which Iruma questions who he's about. Said person, Ameri, is seen with fellow council member, Smoke, wrapping up their work for the school year. Smoke teases the council president that she should take a reading or tea break, which causes Ameri to flinch, but she's able to calm herself down and returns to the council room alone. Ameri sees the message on her phone that Iruma's ready for their next reading session, which gets her excited, and marks the date on her calender. Meanwhile, Iruma's seen thinking over Lied's question wondering what Ameri is to him.
