Iruma and words of affirmation as love language.
One thing I love about Mairuma is that love is everywhere, family love, friendly love, platonic love, love for a passion, etc. And I think words of affirmation are a love language that is used a lot and is very important in this manga.
This can be seen in the demonic rites of Iruma, life is very precious to the demons and in these rites they give thanks for life. Iruma never received love in his life in the human world not even from his parents who literally sold him to a demon, the only one who cared about his life and survival was himself but Iruma is someone loved and liked by many people, genuinely in the underworld.
And Iruma knows he is loved and he loves them too. But the fact that they tell him that they are grateful that he was born and his simple existence, that they are glad that he lives with them makes Iruma cry. (and makes me cry too)
Because words are powerful, you can hurt someone just by using words, but you can also make someone feel deeply loved.
In this chapter a special focus is given to Iruma's most important and beloved people, Sullivan, Azz and Clara (I honestly don't know why there isn't such a scene with Opera).
Actually, the "siege of praise" is a very good example of what words of affirmation are.
Iruma doesn't say "I love you" directly (but when Clara asked him if he loved Azz and her he said yes <3) but he says (to Azz and Clara) "You both are very precious to me, i want to be with you two, that's why I'm happy that I have you two as my friends" he says (to Opera and Sullivan) "I'm home" he says (to Lied) " I managed to win the harvest festival because the whole class helped. Especially you as my teammate and I really grateful for that, you're so interesting and you've taught me so many things tha'ts why i think of you as a really realiable little brother of mine" he says ( to Amelie) "I think you are someone I'd like to get much, much closer to" he says (to Purson) "It's okay, you can tell me everything. I'll listen" "It must be you. I want to stand to the stage with you...The 13 of ya together. It can't be anyone else but you, Soi-kun..."
Iruma says " I fought hard during the harvest festival and reaffirmed where I belong so now it's reeeeeeally hard to left them go" (referring to Azz and Clara and holding them).
He says (to Clara) " Clara you are amazing, this is great" "You know, i'm not good at playing games, but i'm having so much fun with you, Clara! I feel so warm and happy... I love playing together with you, Clara!"
He says ( to Azz) "Since, i'm pretty anxious, I need you and Clara to stay with me, as the love trio" "Clara called us, the love trio but, to me... We're soulmates, I think..."
He doesn't say "I love you" but the feeling is transmitted.
For people who gravitate toward words of affirmation, they find fulfillment through positive reinforcement via compliments or praise that shines light on something they did or who they are as a person. And I believe words of affirmation are Azz and Clara's favorite love language from Iruma.
(I'm pretty sure that Azz's love language is words of affirmation).
They always want to be praised by Iruma and when he does they are very happy 💗✨.
This is why I love this scene from chapter 228.
When Clara is panicking and doesn't know what to do she remembers what Iruma told her and that's what cheers her up. Like unlike others he doesn't think that how she uses her abilities is wrong. That it's okay that she uses her abilities to have fun and that she is the funtime genius.
Iruma tells people what they need to hear and he does so by being honest to what he thinks and his own feelings as well, which only adds to the impact of his words.
“…he always bestows words like this upon me — words that touch me more than i could ever imagine.”
—Asmodeus Alice
