Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In a certain city, while people were sleeping, various demons could be seen moving around. Their destination was a rather old and poorly maintained building. The most striking thing was the neon sign above the main entrance.

All these demons positioned themselves near the entrance, completely surrounding the place, as they were awaiting the return of a certain demon hunter.

But to their misfortune, that guy went to hell along with his brother, with no news of their return.

Fortunately, another figure was approaching the premises.

All the demons were alerted upon sensing the presence of the person approaching.

A young man of about 17 years old could be seen calmly walking towards his temporary home.

The striking feature of his appearance was his white hair. His clothes were completely worn out, as if he had traveled miles just to return, and had encountered several demons along the way.

Upon sensing his demonic energy, the demons thought they had found their prey, but they couldn't have been more wrong.

One of them, resembling a wild blue monkey with prominent fangs protruding from its snout, lunged at the boy.

Perhaps if it had chosen to attack him from behind, it would have fared better, but the boy swiftly caught hold of his face, instantly stopping him in his tracks.

"I'm tired. I've traveled over 300 kilometers and I also want to take down that guy, so I don't have time to play." Said the boy with a hint of annoyance, yet still sporting a wide smile on his face.

By increasing the strength of his grip, the demon met an instant death as its skull exploded.

Upon being discovered, all the demons revealed themselves, showing the boy that he was completely surrounded. One person versus various types of demons, a highly unfavorable fight for them.

"I didn't think they would throw a welcome party, and since they went through the trouble, it would be rude of me to leave without breaking the piñata." He said confidently and excitedly.

One demon, resembling a skeletal figure in a black robe wielding a scythe, was the first to advance.

His attack missed by inches as the boy moved his head.

"I just got a haircut recently, so I don't need any touch-ups." He remarked.

With that, he sent the demon flying with a spinning kick, crashing into another group of approaching demons.

Different types of demons launched their attacks, ranging from animal-like demons to those with somewhat human appearances.

But it didn't matter as the boy, using only his body, took care of them, displaying superhuman strength in the process.

"Come on, a party would be boring ..."

Before he could finish speaking, one of the bull-like demons charged at him, sending him flying at high speed towards a wall, resulting in his body crashing through it.

An attack that would be enough to kill a human, even the strongest ones would have died from the impact. However, from the debris, the figure of the boy emerged, walking as if nothing had happened.

"Now, it's my turn."

Demonstrating not only superior strength but also speed, the boy's figure swiftly moved in front of the demon, sending it flying with a single kick to the skull. The demon's body collided with others before vanishing, its skull shattered by the impact.

"It's rude to interrupt someone whil..."

But once again, he was interrupted, being stabbed by several swords through his body.

Each of these swords cleanly pierced him, blood flowing from his wounds, yet his face displayed complete nonchalance.

"I must teach them some basic manners."

He reached behind his back, drawing an eye-catching sword.

Its hilt took the form of a dragon's head with two wings, its open mouth housing the blade. The handle featured swirling designs that connected to a skull at the bottom. The name of this sword is Alastor.
Although currently just a simple sword, as its wielder lacks the ability to unleash its true power.

With a single swing of the sword, the demons surrounding him were cleaved in half.

It was only a small demonstration of what this weapon is capable of.

Of course, if he were with its original wielder, he would be obliterating them with lightning.

More demons attempted to attack him, but the outcome was the same; they were cut and decapitated by Alastor.

"So, are you the last one?" He asked upon noticing the demon in the form of a towering minotaur wielding a large axe.

The demon simply advanced toward him without hesitation.

"You could have at least answered with a roar." He taunted.

The axe crashed just inches away from the boy. Seizing the opportunity, he climbed on top of it and sprinted toward the minotaur's head.

His sword swing only managed to slice off one of the demon's horns.

"Maybe I can sell this for a good price." He quipped.

Enraged at being treated as a mere joke, the demon roared in fury.

The boy leaped to evade the axe, which cleaved through the air, narrowly missing him.

"I'm tired and hungry, so let's finish this." His journey had been exhausting, and all he wanted to do was lie down and sleep. Yet, several demons had awaited him with a welcome party.

Blocking such a massive axe with a sword would be considered madness, but he did it.

His feet slid back a few inches, but he managed to block the attack and repel it.

Taking advantage of the demon's vulnerability, he hurled Alastor toward its neck. The demon tried to use its free hand to remove the sword, but its size hindered the effort.

"Goodnight."

The boy leaped toward the sword, kicking the hilt. As a result, Alastor pierced through the demon's neck, causing it to vanish.

"That was entertaining. We should do it again sometime."

But his words fell on deaf ears as all 50 demons were annihilated without a hitch.

With nothing more to do, he proceeded to enter the building. The interior appeared dirty and dusty. Ignoring that, he went straight to the couch, placed his sword aside, and proceeded to lie down. His intention was to sleep for at least 12 hours.

...

The sound of the door opening caught Desmon's attention. Sleeping for only 6 hours wasn't enough, but after finishing his business, he could return to it.

"Desmon, I thought you wouldn't come back. How long has it been, 3 or 4 months?" The person who asked was Morrison, the current caretaker of the establishment, but not for much longer.

"It's been 4." Desmon replied with a bored tone.

What started as a simple task of getting rid of demons turned into a mission of waiting for them to appear, without a fixed date. He had to wait in that town until the demons attacked.

The worst part was that the town was far enough away that no means of transportation were viable. It required a long journey on foot.

"So, I assume you successfully completed your first job?" Morrison asked.

"This answers your question." Desmon tossed a bag towards Morrison, containing the payment he received for eliminating the horde of demons.

"That should be enough to cover the fee for borrowing Alastor, although I hope Enzo doesn't charge me late fees."

When Desmon went to get a weapon, Trish took him to Enzo's shop, and among all the Devil Arms, he chose Alastor. He could have picked more weapons, but choosing one would come with a price for its use, and not even having a place to call home, he limited himself to selecting just one.

Of course, all these years he had been using only his body to kill demons, but Dante advised him that a good sword could come in handy.

But why would Dante give him advice and allow him to use one of his weapons? The answer is simple.

"By the way, this doesn't cover what's left." Morrison said.

"What do you mean?" Desmon was about to go back to sleep, but Morrison's words gave him a sinking feeling.

"As Dante's son, all of Dante's debts have passed on to you. So, apart from your debt with Enzo, you have many more to repay. And if we include what Dante owes Lady, it's something that might take you about 30 years to pay off."

Morrison was relieved in part, but for this poor boy who had just returned after his first job, discovering that he suddenly had a lifetime of debt was not easy to swallow.

"I must be dreaming, right?" He wanted to deny that his new life had been destroyed in a matter of seconds.

"With work and effort, I'm sure you can sort it out. By the way, while you were gone, Lady took care of Dante's other debts, and she opened an account in your name."

When Dante found out that he had a son, he made sure to transfer any debts or property to his son's name. But in this case, he just inherited pure debt.

"By the way, where is that guy? I want to pierce his heart with Alastor."

"If I knew, he wouldn't be transferring everything to your name."

With a heavy sigh, Desmon slumped onto the couch.

"Fortunately, I have a job that could be useful to you. It's better than nothing, don't you think?"

"Tell me."

Resigning himself, all he could do was keep working to cover all the expenses. Of course, if he were to encounter Dante, he would make sure to run him through with Alastor, even though in their first encounter, Dante had easily defeated him.

"It's something simple, you have to hunt some supposed demons."

"If that's all, maybe it's not so bad. Where is it?"

He felt more upbeat knowing that the job involved getting rid of those demons.

"Japan."

But his expression changed when he found out he would have to travel halfway across the world to get there.

Chapter Text

City of Tokyo, Japan. 5:00 AM.

Several people leave the airport with a specific destination; some board their family's vehicles, while others take taxis. Among them, a weary Desmon walks slowly, carrying a guitar case.

Is he now pursuing a career as an independent musician? The answer is no; in fact, he's quite clumsy with musical instruments. But going back to the point, Trish advised him to avoid carrying weapons in public places. Having grown up in a remote village and worked as a bounty hunter since childhood, his common sense isn't well-developed.

Who would have known that you can't walk around cities with a sword, especially not in Japan? That's why he conceals Alastor.

"I really hate airplanes."

After finding out that his father left him with all his debts, he had no choice but to accept it and start working. That's why he's now in Japan, even though his actual destination is three cities away. Hopefully, he can catch a ride on one of the trains and travel for free since he doesn't have enough money to buy a ticket.

The money he managed to gather was used to cover the outstanding debt with Enzo for using Alastor, as well as to pay the electricity and water bills since, for some reason, Trish and Lady tend to hang out at the place and kill time. After paying all that, the remaining amount was used by Trish to buy Desmon some presentable clothes. He refused to wear one of Dante's outfits, so she had no choice but to get him a new set.

It consisted of a black leather trench coat with red lining, a dark blue polo shirt, matching jeans and black boots. It seems like most demon hunters dress similarly, so Trish took it upon herself to dress him in a similar fashion. She doesn't have an obligation to do this, but she finds it amusing and curious to see what someone with Dante's blood can achieve.

With his new attire, he got ready to go to Japan, but the problem was how he would get there. Perhaps he could go by land and then swim hundreds of kilometers, but he has to meet his client in a few days, so that's not an option.

(Luckily) Lady managed to get him a ticket for the cheapest class on a flight, along with a cell phone and an English-Japanese dictionary. Of course, all of that was added to his account. It's not that Lady hates him, but when he called her an old witch, it annoyed her. And when she found out Desmon was Dante's son, well, her reaction was similar to what happened years ago in one of her encounters with a young Dante.

Desmon, with quick reflexes, caught the bullet in his teeth, accusing Lady of being a witch as he spat the bullet to the side.

Dante just laughed when he saw this because during the fight with his son, Desmon demonstrated the ability to endure pain and regenerate, which is normal for someone with demon blood. And if you add that he's the grandson of the legendary demon Sparda, it's the least to be expected.

Now, with all the preparations done, including the case for Alastor, he said his goodbyes to Morrison and Trish. At least she treats him better than Lady.

The journey would take almost a whole day, and during that time, he should learn the basics from the dictionary Lady gave him. However, his new cell phone intrigued him more, and he got completely engrossed in it, forgetting that he's heading to a country with a different language than his own. But that would be a problem for his future self, just one day later.

"The weather in this place is really lousy." He couldn't help but complain.

Desmon walked less than three blocks before the entire area was covered in thick fog. The sound of passing vehicles and people from the airport vanished, as if the world fell into silence.

"It seems like this isn't just an ordinary fog." He thought, scanning for anything out of the ordinary, but finding nothing, he stopped paying attention.

He heard the sound of an approaching engine; a motorcycle was heading towards his location at a speed of 200 km/h. Being located on a one-way street, he was an easy target.

Unfortunately for the driver, Desmon moved a few inches, narrowly dodging the impact that should have killed him. The motorcycle performed impossible maneuvers and came to a stop. Whoever was driving had pulled off a miracle.

"I guess traffic laws don't exist in this country." Desmon muttered as he approached the driver, realizing that this person was not human. More trouble right after arriving in a foreign land. He mentally complained.

"(Seems like today is my lucky day)"

The driver got off the motorcycle, revealing the face of Japan's top motorcyclist. He had performed countless superhuman feats, making a name for himself across the country and winning all competitions. If others were to find out that this man made a contract with a demon, they would strip him of all the trophies he was awarded for this.

"Maybe I should have studied that thing." Desmon didn't understand what the demon in front of him said. No matter how much it tried to disguise itself, he could sense that it wasn't human.

"(You're human and yet a demon, an abomination, but it will be interesting to see what flavor you'll have.)"

Part of the contract he had to fulfill was consuming humans, hence the countless missing people in the city of Tokyo, but unfortunately for their families, they are already dead.

Desmond pulled out his dictionary and started searching for words based on the sounds he was hearing. He raised a finger to signal the other party not to interrupt him while he looked, but he was pleased to find the words and their meaning. "Dude, that's racist!" He mocked without hesitation.

"(Enough games, let's eat!)"

Desmon raised his finger again as he searched in the dictionary, but this time, the other party didn't wait. One of the man's arms deformed, stretching to the point where it could hold Desmon's entire body in its hand.

Desmon was lifted and slammed into the ground several times, creating cracks in the pavement. To the demon's surprise, when it looked, Desmon was still standing, dusting off his suit. It had used enough force to destroy other demons, and it was impossible to believe that this hybrid had survived such an attack.

"I had some back pain from the long journey, but your massage helped." Desmon said, demonstrating that the attack didn't faze him.

"(I will kill you in the most painful way imaginable!)"

Desmon hesitated but ultimately put away his dictionary; looking up the meaning of every word was pointless. It was better to cut the demon down rather than chat over tea.

Nevertheless, he took out his cell phone and started searching for something; after spending an entire day with the device, he was like a child with a new toy.

The demon grew angry at being completely ignored, as if its presence were just a joke, so it decided to drop the disguise and reveal its true form. Its entire body began to expand, its skin turning black, limbs growing disproportionately compared to its body, and its head transforming into that of a goat's skull. Its eyes glowed a fierce red, reflecting its thirst for blood.

Without giving his opponent a chance, the demon lunged at Desmon with incredible speed, his fist colliding with the young man's small figure. A 13-foot demon against a 6-foot guy, a significant height difference. But to its surprise, when it pulled back its fist, there was no trace of blood and torn flesh.

"You really are desperate, but I found what I was looking for," Desmon said with a wide smile, speaking from the demon's shoulder as he had climbed on top of it during the attack.

He selected the file he was looking for, pressed play, and put his cell phone away.

During the flight, he watched some action movies, finding certain songs during the fight scenes spectacular; a typical attitude for a teenager.

"And I thought I would take the morning off." Before the demon could move, it received a powerful kick to the face, sending it flying a great distance; an unrealistic sight given their size difference.

After the demon recovered, Desmon drew his sword and blocked the demon's punch, using the force to push it back. The demon tried to trap him again with its other arm.

"You're pretty fast for being so big. What did they feed you as a child?" Desmon taunted while retreating and aiming Alastor at the demon.

The demon roared in anger and attacked once more, but Desmon kept dodging while continuing to insult it. He found it amusing to taunt talkative demons.

Several years ago, a novice motorcycle rider had an accident and was on the verge of death. In desperation not to die, he started saying anything that came to his mind, and at that moment, a demon appeared before him, promising to grant any wish he had in exchange for countless human lives. Soon after, the legend of this man, a professional motorcyclist who could perform absurd maneuvers, spread. Not to mention the races where he always took home the gold.

That's how he got what he wanted while devouring humans, whether they were his fans or random people he hunted in these places. With time, he grew stronger, and devouring countless humans only made him more powerful. But even so, it was no match for the young man before it. No matter how it attacked or how much strength and speed it used, the human it faced evaded it all with a smile and words in another language.

Rage flooded its being; it wanted to kill this guy once and for all, but to its misfortune, it was impossible. Today, it should have just stayed in bed; that way, it could have continued its routine for a few more months.

For Desmon, the situation was amusing; the past few days had been stressful. So, having fun with the demon momentarily made him forget about his million-dollar debt.

But all good things must come to an end; he couldn't spend the whole day having fun.

Seizing the demon's distraction, he used Alastor to cut off one of its hands. The demon roared with anger but didn't stop attacking.

During this exchange, Desmon's gaze focused on the motorcycle the guy had used to try and run him over. Bored with the fight, he decided to tease it further.

With a mighty leap, he jumped back a great distance and landed next to the vehicle. He curiously examined the motorcycle as if he wanted to take it for a joyride. Despite being a demon hunter, he was still a 17-year-old boy.

"DO NOT TOUCH THAT!" The motorcycle represented the contract between the human and the demon, making it the most valuable possession for it.

"You want it, then take it." Desmon flung the motorcycle as if it were weightless. The demon moved to catch it, breathing a sigh of relief as it managed to hold it.

Perhaps if the demon hadn't attached so much importance to the motorcycle, it would have noticed the boy speeding toward it. The result was that both its face and the vehicle were split in two.

The demon writhed in pain and rage, but before it could recover, Desmon struck Alastor against the ground, creating a spark that ignited the gasoline from the motorcycle.

In the blink of an eye, the spark traveled all the way to the demon's body, still holding onto the motorcycle, causing it to explode and burst into flames.

"I CAN'T DIE, I... I...!" The demon's words were interrupted when Desmon kicked Alastor toward the demon's skull, putting an end to its suffering.

Desmon moved to retrieve Alastor, which had embedded itself in a nearby wall.

"I guess using a weapon isn't so bad." He sheathed the weapon and noticed the mist dissipating.

"Now, all that's left is to find transportation to cross three cities. If only I hadn't destroyed that thing.'' Desmon mentally lamented.

As he prepared to leave, he noticed the pieces of the motorcycle gathering together and being engulfed in a demonic fire, eventually transforming into an entirely black motorcycle emitting a demonic aura. The demon's last will had merged with the bike, creating a devil arm.

"That's interesting. Too bad I don't have money for gas or a place to park it." Desmon thought.

Considering the expenses of owning a vehicle and not having money, he weighed the pros and cons of keeping it. Perhaps he would use it until he reached his destination and then get rid of it.

As if responding to his thoughts, the motorcycle moved forward, as if it wanted to be ridden by him.

Desmon touched the motorcycle, feeling a strange connection and recognizing its demonic energy.

Trish had mentioned the existence of devil arms, weapons that manifest from a demon's strength or will. Of course, you had to subdue the demon first.

Remembering that, he thought about the motorcycle disappearing, and obedient to his command, the vehicle in front of him vanished.

"What name should I give you?" He took out his dictionary and searched for some words before deciding.

"Kurox."

As he said its name, the motorcycle materialized before him.

"Today is truly my lucky day." He exclaimed without hesitation, climbing onto the motorcycle and setting off towards his new destination.

"Do you need a license to drive a demon motorcycle? I don't think so."

...

On the central road, a policewoman was resting in her patrol car. Her job was to fine people who exceeded the speed limit; a tedious task for someone who had enrolled in the police academy to catch criminals. Despite finishing top of her class at the age of 24, the police chief in her city had assigned her to issuing tickets to traffic violators.

"Another boring day?" She complained, using her hand to push aside her dark blue, long hair.

It was absurd that someone with her potential was stuck in such a monotonous job, but she still did it diligently, and so far, no offender had escaped her.

While contemplating what to have for lunch, she heard a very familiar noise; a motorcycle going well above the speed limit. She observed the vehicle speeding past, noticing it had no license plate, and the rider wasn't wearing a helmet; more charges to issue.

She activated the patrol car's siren and started the pursuit. Quickly, she caught up to the lawbreaker. She noticed the young man was riding without holding the handlebars, as he had a kind of book in one hand and his cellphone in the other.

"(You have multiple charges for reckless driving. So stop, and we'll have a conversation about road manners.)"

Desmon shifted his attention to the patrol car next to him but didn't understand the language, so he continued on his way. After all, devil arms weren't regulated in traffic rules.

"(I see, then it'll have to be by force.)" She began to accelerate to overtake the offender, but Desmon interpreted this as a race, so he accelerated as well.

This act ignited a spirit of competition, and she pushed the patrol car to its limits. Unbeknownst to them, the highway turned into a race between a demon hunter and a law enforcement officer.

"(No matter where you go, I will catch you, and we'll have a long conversation.)"

Desmon completely ignored the girl and recalled some words Trish had once told him. Using demon energy in devil arms could make them perform much better.

He had never tried this before, so he decided to test it out. He touched the handlebars and concentrated, imagining that part of his energy would transfer.

Kurox received this energy, gaining an impossible acceleration. Even racing cars couldn't match its top speed.

Kurox left the patrol car far behind, becoming nothing but a distant shadow.

The patrol car stopped as it was left behind by its target. Without thinking, Asako Kusakabe blurted out, "(What the hell was that?)"

Meanwhile, Desmon tried to regulate the energy, managing to maintain a stable flow without getting launched into the air.

"That was exciting, though I need to practice it better."

Putting that aside, he continued on his way, but not before checking the message he received from Morrison.

Destination: Chiba City

Client: Shizuka Hiratsuka.

Chapter Text

Desmon mounted Kurox and continued on his way. He stopped in a field on the outskirts of a city to rest and try to review the dictionary, but after several minutes, he gave up and fell asleep with the book on his face.

When he woke up, he noticed it was already 11 am. Knowing he still had time and some money, he decided to go to the nearby city and have breakfast.

As he rode on Kurox, Desmon felt a strange sensation passing by a mountain, but since he didn't know what it was, he ignored it and moved on.

His mind started to cloud at times, as if he was changing his mind about heading to the city, but he attributed it to being tired from not sleeping comfortably on the plane and dismissed it. After several minutes, that feeling disappeared.

Once inside the city, he noticed something very peculiar.

"There are really a lot of specters here." He said to himself as he drove through the streets. Being half-demon, his eyes could perceive things that ordinary people couldn't see, like ghosts or specters. These were common, existing as restless souls, but he had never seen so many in one place; it was as if the city were cursed.

"Some cities are strange.'' Desmon thought, and ignored the matter.

Since these problems didn't affect him and the beings were not demons, he had no reason to do anything about it. Nevertheless, on his way, he stopped at a nearby park where he could see several children playing. Among them was a grotesque specter holding several balloons.

The children couldn't see it, but the specter could see them. Judging by its behavior, it was easy to guess that it was a child before dying.

"Hey, don't you know that kids should only play with their kind?" Desmon said this in a mocking tone, to which the specter stared intently, realizing someone could see it. Meanwhile, the children simply watched the strange guy speaking in another language.

However, the specter did not ignore him and lunged towards him.

"You're not of interest to me.''

Desmon pointed his hand at the specter, bending two fingers and keeping two straight, as if trying to form a weapon. The specter screamed in rage, but to its misfortune, when it was a short distance away from its victim...

"Bang!"

A small amount of demonic energy shot from his fingers, instantly destroying the specter. He discovered that he could imbue Kurox with demonic energy, but when he tried to do the same with Alastor, he failed.

It would have been easy if he could make Alastor disappear and reappear when needed, but luck was not on his side with that.

However, he found out he could do it with certain parts of his body. The amount was minimal, not even enough to harm a demon, but when he tested it on a specter, it was enough to send it to the afterlife.

"At least it can be useful to deal with those things, even if it's not my job." Desmon thought, and continued on his way, stopping at a café to have breakfast.

With the few dollars he exchanged for yen, Desmon set out to have breakfast with whatever money he had. He could go days without eating, but after spending months in that town waiting for demons, he had grown accustomed to having three meals a day and getting around 10 hours of sleep.

Before stopping, he entered an alley with Kurox, and after dismounting, the bike vanished. It would be strange if other people saw him doing this; claiming to be a magician with many tricks wouldn't make sense. That's why Morrison also advised him not to draw too much attention.

Inside the café, he was lucky that the cashier understood another language, so he ordered some chocolate donuts and a lucuma milkshake with his limited money. It was all he could afford.

While looking for a seat, he noticed other occupied tables. Ignoring all the specters that had gathered there, Desmon sat at an empty table and decided to kill time on his cellphone. After a few minutes, he looked up and saw someone standing next to him, dressed as a typical waiter, even though this place didn't have that type of uniform. After all, customers were supposed to pick up their own orders.

"Perhaps you applied for a job here and got rejected?" Desmon didn't hesitate to mock it. At that moment, the specter realized it was being seen and let out a deafening scream, summoning other specters to converge on Desmon.

Frustrated with the annoyance, Desmon gathered some demonic energy in the tips of his fingers and snapped them. As all the specters came within inches of him, they vanished in an instant, obliterated by the wave of demonic energy.

The entire café emptied, except for two tables: one where Desmon was seated and another where a girl sat. For some strange reason, the girl was staring directly at the demon hunter, as if she had seen everything that happened. But that was impossible, as humans didn't have that ability, or did they?

After enjoying his breakfast, Desmon left the establishment and headed to a nearby alley to summon Kurox and continue his journey. However, the girl from the café followed him and started speaking.

"(Excuse me, how did you do that?)" The person asking this was Yotsuya Miko.

She was wearing a light blue shirt and a black skirt, with striking black hair and golden eyes. Some might say she had a resemblance to a Yamato Nadeshiko. Desmon found her cute, though she was smaller than him. Looking around, he didn't notice anyone taller than himself.

If he had made more effort to learn the language, he could easily have a conversation with her right now, but unfortunately, he didn't understand anything she said.

"I'm not from here, so I don't understand your language." His honesty had always been one of his defining traits.

After saying this, he decided to simply ignore the girl, but to his surprise, it wouldn't be a one-sided conversation.

"I can understand you..." Miko said hesitantly. Her English wasn't the best, but it was good enough to say a few phrases and sentences.

"That's a surprise, but changing the subject, what do you need from me?" Desmon was happy to find someone else who spoke his language, but it was still strange to be spoken to out of the blue. He didn't have the best appearance.

Miko hesitated for a moment before asking this stranger about what he really did at the café.

It was the first time she had seen someone dispel several specters in less than a second. If she could do something similar, her days could return to being peaceful without the fear of being bothered by specters and having to ignore them.

"I want to ask you how you did t.." Before she could continue speaking, Miko stopped abruptly. Her face changed to a neutral expression, something she had grown used to over time.

"Is something wrong?" Desmon sensed that the girl wanted to tell him something, but she suddenly stopped.

"I see, you're scared of this big guy, aren't you?" He spoke in a teasing tone.

Desmon remembered seeing this girl at the café and, while trying to put the pieces together and observing the large specter on her back, he managed to piece together all the information.

"It's rude to interrupt other people's conversations." Desmon gathered a small amount of demonic energy, using his hand like a large sword and slicing the specter in two. It was as if a hot knife went through butter. A clean cut.

Witnessing this, Miko's face went through various changes: surprise, happiness, disbelief, doubt, and back to happiness.

"How did you do that?"

"It's hard to explain, but to be honest, it's impossible for you." Unless Miko was half-demon, doing something similar would be impossible.

Miko resigned herself to this response; she knew from the start that doing something like that would be impossible, but a small part of her had hoped that she could learn to do it.

"But you just need to ignore those things, and they will leave you alone. After all, this place strangely seems to be filled with them, and people live with it normally, or that's what I saw."

"Wait, it's not normal?"

Miko had already given up and thought about pretending not to see the specters, but when she heard that the situation in the city was abnormal, she had a glimmer of hope.

"It is. Normally, specters exist, but they are usually found in cemeteries and abandoned places. Sometimes, you may see a few wandering on the streets, but they are rare to encounter."

Throughout his life, Desmon had only seen less than five specters before coming to this city; even the previous city lacked them.

"So, this city is cursed?"

"I have no idea, but if that's the case, destroying the curse should be enough."

Demons are experts at that, and Desmon has also killed several who used such forms to harm humans.

"Could you do that?"

Hearing the guy in front of her casually mentioning that destroying the curse would be enough, sparked hope in Miko.

"I know it's late, but let me introduce myself. I'm Yotsuya Miko."

"Desmon, demon hunter at your service. Although I do various jobs." He said with a cheerful tone, feeling that this would bring him some fun, and as he still has to meet his client later in the evening, he has several hours free.

Perhaps, in the past, Miko would have questioned this, but after seeing so many things and witnessing the abilities of this guy, she had no doubts about his words.

"Then, can you destroy the curse of this city?" She asked excitedly.

"I can do it." Desmon responded confidently, as for him, there is no impossible thing to do, except maybe learning a new language.

"I suppose you don't work for free, right?"

"That's right, but since it caught my interest, I'll make it cheap for you. Just lunch." Not having money, he would have to skip lunch to meet his client in the evening, but if there was a chance to eat for free, he wouldn't miss it.

"Is that all?"

"The most annoying part would be finding the exact location, but the rest is a piece of cake. Besides, I doubt you'd be willing to pay a huge sum for it."

Miko quickly nodded her head; it was a very good deal, and she wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of it.

With the deal made between them, the only thing left was to figure out where this curse could be found, although saying it is easier than doing it.

"Do you have any idea where we might find this or any information about it? If I were to search the whole city, it would take days just to get a clue."

Miko pondered for a moment. She had no idea, but she might know someone who does. Experience and wisdom come with age.

"I think I know someone. Moreover, she's just a few blocks away from here."

"That works for me." Desmon replied as always.

Without the need to summon Kurox, Desmon and Miko began walking towards the commercial area.

...

"With that, we at least have a place to go." Desmon said as he devoured the food Miko bought for him.

During the visit to the commercial area, Miko got lucky, as the Madrina mentioned an ancient legend about a certain mountain where an ancestor secluded themselves. However, as more than 200 years had passed and there weren't many details, it had simply become another Japanese folklore legend in the city.

The Madrina was curious about why Miko was seeking that information, but when she observed Desmon, she realized he was not an ordinary person. The aura around him was strange, dark, but not quite. A contradiction. However, since she didn't sense any ill intentions, she didn't inquire further.

The world is a vast place, and people can be more than they appear to be. Furthermore, in that legend, it was mentioned that her ancestors fought not against specters but against something worse. But that information was lost over time.

With that clue, Desmon remembered being intrigued by a particular mountain on the outskirts of the city. But first, they decided to have lunch.

Keeping his promise, Miko invited him to lunch at a nearby restaurant.

And that brings us to the current situation.

Miko had planned to buy some things, but the money went towards saving the city. Or at least, that's what she thought.

Once they both finished lunch, they left the restaurant and headed towards a bus stop.

"By the way, what are we doing at this place?"

Desmon simply followed Miko, not expecting her to lead him to a bus stop.

"We'll wait for the bus that will take us to the outskirts of the city, and then we'll walk." Miko said, wanting to guide the way as an expert in the area. Although she always felt scared in such situations, curiosity overcame her fear this time.

"I was planning to go alone, but if you want to join, I don't mind. Besides, we won't be taking the bus."

Upon hearing this, Miko noticed a motorcycle appearing when Desmon extended his arm.

"How did you do that?"

"Things you learn when you've been doing this for a while." Although he had just learned it a couple of hours ago.

Desmon got on Kurox, followed by Miko. She didn't think much about it.

"Hold on tight." He said with good humor.

"Wait...."

Before she could finish speaking, Miko clung to Desmon as if her life depended on it, and in fact, it did, as he accelerated with demonic energy, starting with a burst that would have made other racers envious.

After a while, they reached a large mountain, and unlike the previous ones, Desmon felt a rejection towards this place, as if it didn't welcome him, which didn't happen with Miko.

With a big smile, Desmon used Kurox to move around the mountain, almost as if it were an all-terrain vehicle, as even the trees were destroyed when they collided with it.

Miko was the most affected by this, leaving her reason aside, at least for today.

At the top, they both got off and started walking on foot.

Following the force that wanted to reject him, Desmon went in that direction, and after about five minutes, they stopped at a rock formation, revealing a somewhat hidden cave, as the path they took was a kind of labyrinth. Even if tourists came to this place, they would never find the cave.

"So, this is the place where something is cursing the city?"

"At first, I said it without thinking, but it seems I was right." He said proudly.

Miko trusted his words, and fortunately, Desmon was right.

"Then it's time to end this.'' Desmon said confidently.

But when he tried to enter, some sort of barrier prevented him, as if rejecting his demon nature.

Miko held back her laughter. Desmon feeling like a fool after saying that and then looking like an idiot.

Even so, she wanted to try, and she passed through the entrance of the cave without a problem.

"This is..."

"I have no idea, but if I've learned something, it's that when something blocks your path, all you need to do is destroy it."

A barrier specialized in blocking access to demons. Even demons would have to fight for hours to try to destroy it, only to find that their efforts were in vain, and the barrier would only grow stronger over the years.

It was a shame that such a barrier was destroyed with one kick from Desmon.

A small tremor shook the place, but after a few seconds, it stopped.

"Are you sure that was okay?"

"I have no idea." Desmon was honest; he thought it would take him more than one attempt, but the barrier was destroyed on the first impact.

-They don't make barriers like they used to. He mocked himself internally.

Unbeknownst to them, inside the cave, the figure of an old woman opened her eyes. She was awakened from her long slumber to fulfill her mission, to protect the seal at all costs.

Without further ado, they both entered the cave, walking through a long, dark tunnel. Miko used her cellphone to light the way, although Desmon found it unnecessary as his eyes could see perfectly in the darkness.

After passing through the tunnel, they were greeted by a huge room, circular in shape. In the middle of the room stood a statue surrounded by chains and papers, like a seal to prevent whatever was there from being released.

As soon as they stepped into the room, various torches illuminated the large space. Both of them noticed the striking statue in the center of the room and walked towards it.

"So, this thing is what's cursing the city?" Miko felt curious, sensing a strange aura emanating from the statue.

"All we need to do is destroy it to find out." With that, he would finish his job.

As Desmon was about to destroy it, a large blue flame struck right where they were standing.

"That was close." He said with good humor.

The figure of Desmon carrying Miko in the air was visible, and just one second before the massive flame hit, Desmon lifted her and jumped to dodge it.

"What was that?!" Miko asked in surprise.

"Let's ask her."

As Desmon landed, both of them noticed the elderly woman standing several distance in front of them. She wore a white robe, but her figure was translucent, showing that she was just a remnant of what she once was.

"Should we have knocked before entering, or maybe brought cookies?" Desmon couldn't resist mocking. Unlike the magic used by demons, this elderly woman used something unfamiliar to him.

"(I won't allow you to destroy the seal)" The elderly woman said.

-I guess I should have paid more attention to that dictionary. Desmon lamented for not being able to understand the language.

"Miko, translation?"

"She said she won't allow us to destroy the seal."

"I see. So this old lady is like the guardian of this place. Well, in the end, the result will be the same."

No matter if she was an old lady or the grandmother of the devil, Desmon would deal with her.

"By the way, can you put me down?"

Throughout this time, Miko had been in Desmon's arms. For him, the sensation of Miko's body was the best, and since she didn't complain, he just kept enjoying it.

He might be a demon hunter, but his human side was 17 years old. It's obvious that he felt attracted to the opposite sex.

"I don't mind fighting like this." He said with a teasing tone.

Miko responded with a pout while looking somewhat annoyed.

"I guess it will be a bit dangerous."

Desmon put Miko down and indicated that she should step back. The elderly woman summoned several Shikigamis that spread throughout the area. These humanoid-shaped papers had different writings on them.

"(Your biggest mistake was trying to destroy this seal)" The elderly woman declared.

After saying this, the Shikigamis glowed. A horde of 40 wolves, 10 cyclopes, 30 crows, and 20 humanoid soldiers who were mages of various elements appeared. An army led by an ancient exorcist.

Onmyōdō magic could use different seals to have a large army at hand. It was also the minimum requirement to become an exorcist – those who once fought demons in ancient Japan.

"There's nothing worse than uninvited guests." Desmon said, his expression unchanged when facing an army of supernatural beings. These creatures emitted the same sensation as the specters; in short, they were incomparable to a demon army.

"Just to be cautious." Desmon leaped back to where Miko stood. "Kurox."

Kurox responded to the call, materializing. Additionally, Desmon unsheathed Alastor, stabbing it into the ground next to Miko.

"Extra security measures."

Miko didn't understand why he did that, but when she saw the other monsters observing her, she understood that they could attack her. However, being surrounded by Devil Arms, their attacks would be meaningless.

"Thanks. Sorry for the trouble."

If she hadn't come, Desmon would have taken care of them without worrying about anyone else, but he could handle it even with his eyes closed.

"I'll take care of them now. I'll be right back."

He said this and started moving toward the army of monsters.

"(ATTACK!!)"

Following the order, the entire army mobilized. The mages took the rear and started with long-range spells, while the crows and wolves took the front, attacking together, and the cyclopes were left to guard the mages.

It was a formation that would make anyone retreat, but unfortunately for them, Desmon was not just anyone.

''Let's dance."

Desmon imbued his hands and feet with demonic energy.

The wolves aimed for his vital points, but they were easily destroyed upon contact with Desmon's body; his fists were faster than the wolves.

Desmon started moving as if breakdancing, using his hands as a base while his legs delivered kicks in various forms, destroying the wolves and crows that approached. His movements were fluid, and his limbs destroyed the monsters with a simple touch.

Having fun, he continued to destroy the Shikigamis in this manner, even evading the attacks of the mages with style.

Feeling overwhelmed, the wolves and crows attacked all at once. He couldn't destroy them all with a single move, a grave mistake.

Desmon put his hands on the ground and started spinning as if he were the blades of a blender; his hands were the motor while his legs were the blades. He completely destroyed everyone who attacked him.

Before they realized it, the elderly woman lost her frontline.

At first, the elderly woman thought that overwhelming Desmon with sheer numbers would work, but that didn't yield any results. If she had helped, maybe things would have been different, but she was saving her remaining energy for her secret weapon.

Still, she summoned some flames that sought to impact Desmon, but he simply destroyed them with his hands. It seemed unreal. For a great exorcist in her years of life, this was embarrassing.

"Don't take it personally, but I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I'll end this."

Desmon advanced toward the cyclopes. They tried to hit him with their fists, but they were destroyed by the force of Desmon's blows.

The mages continued their attacks, but no matter how much effort they put into them, it was child's play for Desmon.

"Now it's my turn."

After finishing off the last of the cyclopes, Desmon pointed his hands toward the mages, mimicking the shape of pistols.

The elderly woman anticipated what was coming and threw herself to the ground.

"Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang!"

The mages were indiscriminately shot down by Desmon. Not having guns was not a problem when dealing with specters or monsters.

With ease, Desmon took care of the army, as if it was just another day in the field.

The elderly woman got up to try to use her magic to attack him, but before she could do so, she was hit by a wave of close-range demon energy shots, and she fell to the ground.

To Desmon's surprise, the elderly woman withstood that point-blank attack, but now she was on the ground.

"I see you're quite tough, but I don't like dealing with old ladies, so behave while I take care of this."

Desmon started heading towards the statue; a strike with demon energy should be enough to handle it.

The elderly woman considered the pros and cons of using her secret weapon. She was sure she could handle the boy, but her mind couldn't control it in its current state, and it might go out of control, attacking the city, or, in the worst-case scenario, breaking the seal.

But as she saw Desmon about to destroy the seal, she remembered the reason her companions had given their lives hundreds of years ago during that invasion, as well as the terrified expressions of the people. If that thing were released and joined with its other half, hell would return to Japan, and, in the worst-case scenario, it could spread to the whole world. And this time, the legendary knight Sparda wouldn't be there to help them.

"(For the memory of my friends, family, and all the victims that thing brought to the country, I won't let you release it, no matter if I have to give my life for it.)"

The elderly woman took out a black Shikigami, and the written kanji on it were grotesque, as if it contained an abomination.

Desmon stopped when he saw the elderly woman; he was curious about what she would do.

"¡¡Stop!!"

But before the elderly woman could finish her chant, Miko's voice caught their attention.

Miko walked up to the elderly woman. Desmon didn't understand why she was doing this, but he remained vigilant in case the elderly woman tried to do something to her.

"(I think there's a misunderstanding, or at least that's what I think from the words she said). Desmon-san, please don't destroy that statue."

As Miko was his employer, Desmon stepped away from the statue and approached them.

The elderly woman calmed down when she saw the 17-year-old monster step away from the statua.

At that moment, Miko felt admiration for the incredible way Desmon destroyed the Shikigamis, but after hearing the elderly woman's words, she understood that they were the ones in the wrong. They were the invaders who interrupted and tried to release whatever was contained in that statue, and they didn't even make sure that the statue was the cause of the city's situation.

"(Excuse me, but I think there's a misunderstanding)"

Desmon only watched the two of them talking in Japanese, but as he didn't understand anything, he took out his cellphone and passed the time.

They continued talking until the elderly woman stood up.

Miko understood that the seal kept the other half of a demon that had nearly destroyed the country hundreds of years ago. Releasing it would bring calamity to the city. But luckily, they stopped just in time.

"Desmon-san, we were mistaken." Miko explained the true nature of the statue to him.

"Wouldn't it be easier to just destroy it? I could take it as a charitable job." As he said this teasingly, the elderly woman became annoyed. She couldn't understand him, but his mocking tone indicated that this boy didn't understand the true danger that thing represented.

"(Are you an idiot for not fearing death?)"

The elderly woman began insulting him, but Desmon only heard different words that he didn't understand.

"(He doesn't understand Japanese, so he won't be able to understand you.)"

Miko offered to translate, even though she might not fully understand some words.

"(I see. If that's the case and helps this idiot understand me.)"

In the old woman's hand, a seal appeared with Kanji characters representing oral communication.

"Hey, kid, put this on your forehead." The old woman tossed the seal at him.

"She says to put it on your forehead; it will help you understand her." Miko assisted as a translator.

Desmon caught it and placed it on his forehead without hesitation, doubting that anything could affect him.

After a few seconds, the seal vanished from his forehead.

"Now, do you understand me?" The old woman asked, slightly annoyed.

"This is a pleasant surprise; I can understand you." Desmon replied.

"That's good." the old woman said with a big smile. "So, you little **** ***** **** **** ****."

Miko was astonished by the plethora of insults the old woman hurled at Desmon; she certainly had an extensive repertoire.

Desmon, on the other hand, found the situation amusing. He was more surprised that he could now comprehend her than by the insults.

After a few minutes of calming down, the old woman felt better.

"So, can I destroy that thing?" Desmon asked.

"I'll kill you"" She replied.

"Calm down, he's joking; there's no need to go that far." Miko had to exert herself to prevent the two from fighting again.

The old woman just sighed to compose herself.

"As a foreigner, you may not know this, but inside that statue lies half of a powerful demon that almost destroyed Japan centuries ago. Even with the help of other exorcists, we couldn't stop it. It was a miracle that during our final attack, we found the demon greatly weakened, so we took advantage and sealed it into two halves. Its power resides here, while its body is in another city. If one of the parts is set free, it will seek its other half, and if both reunite, hell will be unleashed again." The old woman clenched her fists as she spoke, having lost her family during that time, all killed by demons.

"I'm a demon hunter, so I don't have a problem with it, but I don't have much time right now. Perhaps I'll come back another time." Desmon said mockingly.

"A demon that hunts other demons, how amusing." The old woman remarked.

Miko lost count of how many times she had been surprised today. However, the idea of Desmon being a demon wasn't so far-fetched after witnessing him decimate that entire army.

"Times change, Granny." It's not like Desmon wanted to be born as a half-demon.

The old woman ignored that and continued with her words.

"If you didn't come to destroy the seal, then why did you come?" She asked.

"It's simple, this city is plagued by specters for some reason, so I thought it must be cursed, and destroying that curse would be enough." Desmon said disinterestedly.

The old woman pondered for a moment. "In fact, you're right; that seal also attracts the specters."

"WHAT?"

Miko gave up on solving her problem, but upon hearing that the statue was the reason her life was difficult, she couldn't remain silent.

"With the great power sealed in this place, a barrier was placed around the city to deter any demon from coming near. That's because of the vast amount of energy emitted by the specters."

Miko fell to her knees upon hearing this. There was no escape; it was either specters that would bother without causing harm or demons that would mercilessly kill anyone.

"I suppose there's no other choice. If I had to choose, specters are less dangerous than those things..." She said resignedly.

"By the way, girl, you came to this place to get rid of the specters, right?" The old woman asked.

Miko simply nodded, feeling disheartened.

"If you hadn't stopped us, things might have turned into hell. So, as a token of gratitude, I'll give you this." The old woman conjured a bracelet and handed it to Miko.

Miko put it on quickly but felt no immediate change.

"It's a bracelet that attracts good luck. It will also help you cope with your emotions better. Good luck." The old woman said with a joyful expression.

Miko gave up; she hadn't achieved anything today, but at least the bracelet was pretty.

-Throughout all my years as an exorcist, I've only seen one aura as great as yours. Could she be... No, it's impossible. After all, I saw my son die in front of me. The old woman dismissed the idea, but unbeknownst to her, perhaps that idea wasn't so far-fetched.

"Well, if that's all, we'll take our leave. By the way, how long does that seal you gave me last?" Desmon inquired.

"Until the moment of your death." The old woman replied indifferently.

"That works for me." Desmon responded with good humor. Not every day can you learn to speak a language in less than 5 minutes.

Once Desmon and Miko left, the old woman started repairing the barrier. It would take her a long time, but for some reason, seeing that girl put her in a good mood.

She hummed a lullaby as she worked. Perhaps if she had known that Miko knew that melody, things might have taken a different turn.

This would have repercussions much later, on an occasion where all of Japan would be in danger.

...

After a long ride on Kurox, Desmon stopped for Miko to get off. They arrived at the same café where they had met that morning.

It was already 6 in the evening, and the sun was starting to set.

"I must say it was a pleasant experience." Desmon remarked.

"I'm not sure what to think, but I guess I learned a lot." Replied Miko.

Though today wasn't productive in achieving her goals, Miko's mind expanded more than she could have imagined. Maybe she could tell the Madrina about it.

"Desmon-san, I thank you for today." Miko gave a slight bow since, without him, she would have been burned by the old woman's attack.

"Don't mention it. Besides, I was the one who benefited the most from this." Desmon said.

After exchanging a few more words, Desmon bid farewell and continued on his way.

Miko also began to walk home while looking at her bracelet.

...

Desmon checked his phone; there was a new message indicating the address of the restaurant where his employer would be waiting at 7.

He had an hour left for a journey of about 3 hours.

"I have no other choice."

He imbued Kurox with demonic energy to accelerate. With that, he should be able to arrive on time, barring any inconvenience.

Several police patrols chased him through the city, but he managed to escape in the end.

"I should remember not to exceed the speed limit in cities since I don't have money to pay a fine."

Having said that, he continued his journey toward the city of Chiba.

Chapter Text

At a certain Ramen restaurant, a black-haired woman sits, waiting for her companion. She's dressed in a formal outfit, resembling an office worker, but she's wearing a cream-colored coat. Normally, she would wear a white coat, but since she's meeting someone important today, she decided to appear as professional as possible.

Hiratsuka Shizuka, a teacher from Sobu High School, glances at her wristwatch. It's already 7:15, and her scheduled meeting hasn't arrived yet. However, knowing that this person is coming from another country, she's understanding. Another 15 minutes go by without any news of her companion.

Shizuka starts to feel annoyed. She was even considering treating her guest to dinner for the inconvenience, but now she's the one getting frustrated.

Desmon can't be blamed, as he forgot to slow down when entering Chiba city, resulting in another chase by the police. A little more and his face would be on wanted posters.

After losing the police, he chose to walk, completely forgetting that he's now half an hour late.

"Time is subjective." He mentally excuses himself.

Once inside the restaurant, he scans the place, and coincidentally, their gazes meet.

Shizuka is growing impatient. If her companion doesn't arrive in the next few minutes, she'll leave. Of course, she's the one who needs that person's help, so she can only continue waiting. During this time, a young man enters the establishment. They exchange glances, but Shizuka ignores him.

Desmon senses that she might be his employer since Morrison told him it's a woman, and Shizuka is the only one alone in this place. Without hesitation, he moves to her table and takes a seat.

"Let's keep this simple. What do I need to do?" He says in his usual tone. It's obvious that this job won't cover even 5% of his debt, so the quicker he finishes here, the sooner he can return to take on more jobs, and hopefully, Dante would return by then.

To Shizuka's surprise, a young man who could be the age of her students sits across from her. His Japanese is excellent, so she dismisses him as the person she's looking for. "I'm somewhat busy right now and not in the best mood, so I kindly ask you to leave." She responds curtly.

Shizuka doesn't hesitate to dismiss the young man, mainly due to his insolent manner. Perhaps on a normal day, she would think he's flirting with her, but her thoughts are elsewhere currently.

Desmon sighs at her response. "Just to confirm and not come off as foolish, you're Shizuka Hiratsuka, right?"

Shizuka is surprised when he mentions her name. "Yes, I am."

"Then I didn't mistake the person. I'm Desmon, the one you requested to handle your problem." He says proudly.

"You're him? If I remember correctly, I spoke to someone with a deeper voice who also mentioned that Japanese wasn't their native language, and you speak it quite fluently."

"Thanks for noticing. I had to battle an old woman and her army to learn it, you know, nothing out of the ordinary." Desmon shakes his head with a cheerful expression.

Shizuka raises an eyebrow, unsure whether to believe this, as what he's saying sounds too surreal.

"Setting aside my Japanese-speaking achievements, tell me what I need to do. I'll try to finish today, at the latest tomorrow, so I can leave."

Shizuka didn't provide many details when contacting Morrison, only mentioning that she saw strange figures, or simply put, demons.

"So, you are that person?"

A small vein appears on Desmon forehead. He introduced himself a while ago, yet she still doubts him.

"Does age not let you hear properly? If that's the case, I recommend buying a hearing aid." As usual, he doesn't hesitate to jest with the people he talks to. Whether it's a demon or the Prime Minister of Japan, Desmon couldn't care less about rank.

"That was quite rude, and I didn't give you enough confidence to..."

"You know, Shizuka, we both have things to do. Personally, I don't mind spending all night here talking and debating about why you're not getting to the point. But if I attribute it to your lack of interest in it, I guess this job is just a bad joke."

Part of Desmon interest in going to the other side of the world was because it involved demons. If that weren't the case, he would have thought twice before accepting.

Shizuka just sighed; she couldn't contend with this guy.

"Fine. I'll explain things to you on the way. For now, let's have dinner.''

"That works for me." Desmon said with good humor.

...

After enjoying a large bowl of ramen, they left the restaurant and headed towards the parking lot, where a red sports car caught Desmon attention.

"Is that yours?" He asked excitedly.

"That's right, it's my pride. Don't underestimate a teacher's salary." Shizuka said with arrogance.

During dinner, they talked about simple things, so now she's not as defensive as at the beginning.

"Can I drive it? I promise I'll return it by sunrise."

"In your dreams."

"I had to try..."

Like any 17 year old, a sports car piqued his interest, even though Desmon has Kurox, which can easily surpass the speed limit of the best car in the world.

Once they both got into the vehicle, Shizuka pulled out a cigarette, but before she could light it, Desmon took it and tossed it out the window.

"That was rude!"

"I'm not going to wait 15 minutes for you to finish smoking, so step on it or I will."

"You really are a headache; have you been told that?"

"Many times." Desmon replied with a smile.

Without further ado, Shizuka started the car and headed towards Sobu High. Although in her mind, she thought about smoking once they were done with this.

"So, what's happening at your school, since you mentioned you work at one and we're heading there?"

"It happened a week ago. It was already a bit late as I stayed to review some exams, but before leaving, I decided to make sure no students were left behind, as it's more common than it seems."

"So, while you were patrolling, you saw demons?"

"I'm not really sure if they're demons. But as I passed by one of the gyms, I noticed two figures talking. At first, I thought they were students trying to pull a prank, but as I got closer, I noticed that one of them was covered in a shadow, their whole being was darkness, while the other was over 2 meters tall and had an amorphous humanoid form."

"They could be specters; I've had my fair share of those today. Anything else?"

"As I tried to get closer to hear what they were saying, one of them noticed me. Our gazes locked. I felt a fear I had never experienced before; it was as if my body wanted to flee as far away from that place as possible. At that moment, the big one started moving in my direction, so I ran away. Its footsteps and roars are still etched in my mind, but when I left the gym, they stopped. Filled with courage, I went back, but there was no one there anymore."

"That rules out them being specters, so they must be demons, better for me."

-The big guy she mentioned must be under the other's orders, that's why it stopped chasing her. But why would it do that? Wouldn't it be better to kill her to prevent something from leaking out?

Although Desmon thought about it, he couldn't come up with an answer. In any case, once he's at that place, he'll extract that information from them forcefully.

"By the way, what's with the guitar?"

Shizuka noticed Desmon entering the restaurant with a guitar on his back; he still holds the instrument in its case.

"A mysterious tool that will come in handy later." He said with a teasing tone.

"Are you planning to sing to them like in a children's movie?"

"I'm sure you'll see in due time, so just wait, as a magician never reveals his tricks." During his flight, he watched some magic videos, so he found it entertaining to compare what he does with that of a magician.

"Whatever you say, Mr. Magician."

"That 'mister' is unnecessary, but I suppose for you, it might apply, right, Miss Customer?"

"You really know how to be annoying." Shizuka raised an eyebrow at Desmon way of speaking. Being referred to as a "miss" is the worst thing he could say to her.

"I put in more effort than you think."

...

"So, this is how schools are in Japan, they're quite big." Desmon remarked as his eyes scanned the surroundings.

They both got out of the car and walked up to the front of Sobu High.

"Where you come from aren't they that big?" Shizuka asked curiously, wanting to know what schools are like abroad.

"I have no idea, but putting that topic aside, where are we headed, Shizuka?"

"In case you didn't know, only close people call each other by their first names. In Japan, it's more common to refer to others by their last name, so call me Hiratsuka."

At first, Shizuka ignored him addressing her by her first name, but the tone of voice Desmon used made her feel strange when he did so.

"I'm not Japanese, and besides, I'll only be here today, so Shizuka is good enough for me."

Shizuka just sighed; though she would like to convince him otherwise, she's sure Desmon won't change his mind.

"We need to head to one of the gymnasiums, but since the school is closed at this hour, we'll have to go around and enter through a small opening on the other side."

"I see, going all the way around instead of jumping over the fence."

"It's 10 feet high; I don't think anyone can do that."

"Fortunately, I'm not just anyone."

After saying this, Desmon moved towards Shizuka.

"Wait a moment, what are you doing!?"

Desmon lifted Shizuka in his arms as if she were a princess, surprising her and making her nervous.

"This is faster than going around."

Effortlessly, Desmon jumped over the fence.

"For Shizuka, it was surreal that this guy could jump over 10 feet high as if it were nothing. One moment, her view was at ground level, and suddenly she was several feet away."

"You see? This way is faster." He said with a smirk of mockery and arrogance.

"I won't ask how you did that, as I feel you won't know how to answer." Shizuka felt curious, but due to Desmon's attitude, he'll likely just make a joke in response.

"I simply used my legs to jump, nothing out of the ordinary."

"No one can jump such a great height as if it's nothing."

"I told you, I'm not just anyone." He said confidently. "So, Shizuka, lead the way."

"I will once you put me down." She turned her gaze slightly, as this is the first time someone has carried her like this. It's not that her interactions with men always end in failures.

"By the way, you're quite heavy."

Desmon moved his head to dodge Shizuka's punch.

"Let me go already!"

"As you wish."

Without hesitation, Desmon released his grip, causing Shizuka to fall on her rear end, emitting a cute and amusing yelp in the process.

"Kyaa!"

"That was cute.'' Desmon teased.

"You're a..." Shizuka stood up in irritation.

"Let me hit you!" With those words, she attempted to strike him, but Desmon effortlessly dodged it.

It was a habit she had with her troublesome student, but unfortunately for her, Desmon didn't fall into the troublesome category.

"Maybe in another 100 years.''

"Tch!"

-Calm down, Shizuka. If you keep playing his game, you'll go crazy. Just breathe and guide him to that place.

After taking a few deep breaths, she calmed down.

"Alright, follow me. Let's get this over with."

With that said, they began to make their way to the gymnasium where Shizuka had seen those demons.

But as expected, they found nothing out of the ordinary, no matter how much they searched the area.

"If there was anyone, they're not here now."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm quite perceptive. Besides, if they can talk, it's likely they abandoned this place after being discovered."

"You're quite involved with this topic, aren't you?" Shizuka pondered how a human could be a demon hunter, but considering movies and legends, this seemed more believable.

"The title of demon hunter isn't just for show." He said with a wide grin.

Seeing that their search was unsuccessful, there was nothing more to do in this place.

"Is there a chance they might have chosen another classroom?" As long as there was a possibility those things were still in the school, she would do everything she could to remove them.

After all, she had even called a demon hunter she found through internet forums. As a teacher, her duty was to ensure the safety of her students. Even though this wasn't related to being a teacher, she cared too much about her students. She couldn't forgive herself if something happened to them and she could have done something about it.

Desmon leaned against a wall, looking thoughtful.

"I can't say for sure, but it's a possibility."

-Though the most likely scenario is that they fled upon being discovered. Desmon thought somewhat disappointed, as his journey had been in vain, though he did learn a new language.

"Can we walk through the entire school?" Shizuka wanted to be sure there weren't more of those creatures.

"I don't have a problem with that."

In that manner, they began their patrol.

While they were at it, Shizuka decided to bring up a conversation topic to make the walk more pleasant and also to learn more about the young demon hunter she had hired.

"By the way, Desmon, how's school?"

-It must be challenging to balance work and studies.

Shizuka thought that Desmon chose to come on a Saturday because it was the weekend and it wouldn't affect his studies. From what she could tell, the person beside her shouldn't be older than 18.

"School?" Desmon looked up at the ceiling as if trying to recall the last time he went there. "The last thing I remember is stopping going at the age of 12." He replied.

"Are you kidding?"

"I have no reason to lie."

For a boy his age not to attend school was strange. She hadn't considered that the person accompanying her only worked.

"What about your parents?"

She thought his parents had given him too much freedom.

"My mother is dead, and my father is missing." He replied casually.

Desmon's words made Shizuka pause.

"I'm sorry..."

Shizuka quickly apologized. She hadn't thought that Desmon's life was like that. She felt somewhat guilty for making Desmon say that.

"It's a topic from the past, and that's something that can't be changed. Besides, my father will come back sooner or later, and when he does, I'll be ready to stab him." Desmon smiled in a macabre way. Although he was sure that Dante could easily dodge it.

"I see..."

Shizuka thought that Desmon's father had abandoned him years ago, and he still held the false hope that he would return. She couldn't have been more wrong.

"So, Shizuka, are you a teacher at this school?" Noticing Shizuka's downcast expression, Desmon changed the topic. He disliked seeing people with such expressions. He had seen enough of that when he was a child.

Luckily, that question changed Shizuka's expression.

"I'm a Modern Japanese teacher, as well as a student counselor and also an advisor for a club."

"You must have it tough."

-Doing so many tasks daily must be exhausting...

"It's not quite like that. Over time, you get used to it and find the fun in it."

"I feel the same way."

Similarly, Desmon began to enjoy demon hunting over time, even though he initially did it out of revenge.

They chatted about random topics until they reached the school's entrance, finding nothing out of the ordinary during their patrol.

"At least this way, you're sure there are no more demons left here." Desmon was disappointed; he thought it would be fun to hunt demons in another country, and though the reception he received was enjoyable, he expected more from this job.

"That's a good point, although I would have preferred to find those two to be more certain."

After accepting this, they had no choice but to leave the place. Of course, Desmon ended up carrying Shizuka again, and even though she expected it and tried to avoid it, Desmon was faster.

As they left, they completely ignored a certain insect that had been observing them all this time. There was nothing unusual about its form, except for its intensely black eyes.

...

"Even if we didn't find anything, at least you helped me make sure there wasn't any left."

"I didn't really do anything." He shook his head.

After getting into the car, Shizuka offered to drive him to Tokyo Airport. Who would refuse a free ride? Although Desmon could also do it with Kurox.

"I made you come from so far away, so I feel somewhat guilty."

"It wasn't unproductive for my part."

Desmon gained Kurox, and he also learned another language. His journey wasn't as bad as he expected.

"By the way, regarding your compensation, I'll still pay you."

"That's music to my ears, as I have a huge debt to repay.''

-For someone who's in debt, his tone of voice doesn't show any concern. Shizuka thought.

While they talked, Desmon glanced back and then upwards.

"By the way, Shizuka, does your car have insurance?"

"It does. Why do you ask?" His question confused her, but she got over it when she realized who asked it.

Without answering, Desmon broke Shizuka's seatbelt, then promptly leaped out of the passenger's door, dragging her along.

Her mind couldn't follow the events that unfolded. From one moment to the next, Desmon asked her a strange question and then forcibly pulled her out of the vehicle. Afterward, she witnessed her car being completely crushed. If they had been a second later, she would have died.

Shizuka had been driving through a neighborhood before her vehicle was destroyed.

Desmon managed to land while holding Shizuka in his arms. His swift reaction prevented his employer from dying.

"That is..."

"A demon." He finished her sentence.

In front of them stood a dog-like creature about 14 feet high, its fur a reddish-gray color. Its fangs and wounds all over its body made it appear as if it were undead. Luckily, it only had one head.

Shizuka experienced a whirlwind of emotions, but anger predominated. She had bought her car less than a year ago, and now it was destroyed.

"I hope your insurance covers demon-related accidents." Desmon said with good humor.

"As if it would!" But she merely expressed her displeasure.

The demon realized it had failed to kill its targets, but quickly located them with its gaze.

"It seems it wants to play with us."

Desmon said this when he noticed a sort of barrier preventing them from escaping. It was as if someone wanted only one of them to emerge alive, and that someone was the demon.

But the good thing was that the barrier moved them to another plane, where there would be no human victims, one less thing to worry about.

"I thought this day couldn't get any better, so it's time to earn my paycheck."

Desmon gripped the guitar case he had.

"Are you going to sing it a lullaby?"

Shizuka had never seen a demon hunter at work before, and upon seeing Desmon's guitar, she thought he might be some kind of tamer.

"I told you, it's a mysterious tool that will come in handy later, and luckily, that moment has arrived." Desmon said.

Desmon pulled Alastor out of its sheath, revealing the sword for which he had to make monthly payments.

Shizuka looked amazed at Desmon's weapon. She hadn't expected him to have a sword in that sheath. It was also the first time she had seen such a weapon in real life. Japan mostly had traditional swords like Katanas, so museums mostly displayed swords of that type.

"Are you really going to fight with that thing?" Shizuka saw the young man in front of her as a minor, someone who still needed to be protected by their parents. But she couldn't do much in this situation.

"I highly doubt that giving it some croquettes will let us go." Desmon smiled as he approached the demon. When facing it, their gazes met. "Alright, Fido, you've been a bad dog for wrecking Shizuka's car, so I'll have to give you a punishment."

The demon growled in response.

"I see you don't like being called Fido, but Rocky is already too cliché." He teased while holding Alastor over his shoulder.

Desmon agilely dodged the demon's attack with a jump, even though it was a giant dog, it remained nimble in its attacks.

While airborne, the demon tried to bite him, but a kick to its snout from Desmon made it recoil.

"I'm not that tasty for you to want to eat me, though I warn you, you'll get a stomach ache if you do."

After landing, Desmon didn't hesitate to speak.

The demon rose after being knocked down and dazed for a few seconds. Despite the immense size difference, it was brought down without much difficulty.

Without stopping, the demon continued its attacks, but Desmon evaded and repelled them. He also made several cuts on the demon's body. He even climbed onto its back, exploiting the blind spot to execute a massacre, jumping away when the demon attempted to crush him but failed.

The demon had a very predictable pattern, something Desmon quickly noticed, making dealing with it even easier.

"Come on, Fido, are you already worn out?" For Desmon, this was just another day in the park. Even the guy who tried to kill him upon arrival was more interesting.

The demon's movements slowed down as it received numerous wounds from Alastor. But it didn't stop attacking.

Shizuka, on her part, was fascinated by everything she was witnessing. It seemed straight out of a Shonen manga. Even though Desmon was smaller, he was giving the demon a beating, something she hadn't anticipated.

"Well, I have things to do, and you're not on that list."

After saying this, Desmon decided to finish the demon.

The demon attempted to bite him upon realizing its hind legs were no longer responding, but that was its mistake. Desmon dodged back and buried Alastor in its snout.

The demon howled in pain as its blood spilled everywhere. It tried to remove the sword from its snout but couldn't. This was exploited by Desmon, who jumped onto it, retrieving Alastor in the process.

"Nothing personal, you know."

Without hesitation, Desmon drove Alastor into one of the demon's eyes, causing it to rear up on its hind legs due to the pain of losing an eye.

In a favorable position, Desmon leaped to cut the demon in half using Alastor, accomplishing it without much trouble. Its rotted flesh was easy to slice through.

A demon that posed no real threat, especially considering it was weakened even before the fight, was merely a sack of flesh to cut.

After landing, the demon's body followed, the large gash Alastor had made covered its entire body. Desmon was lucky Alastor did cleave it in two.

The strange barrier also disappeared once the demon was defeated.

Seeing that the demon no longer posed a threat, Shizuka approached Desmon. Her expression was anything but that of someone who had narrowly escaped being crushed by a gigant dog.

"That was astounding, the way you evaded all its attacks and counterattacked, just like in...!"

Shizuka transitioned from a composed master to a girl who loves Shonen manga and anime, which was probably why she struggled to find a partner.

-Who is this guy, really?

She thought after witnessing his first exchange of blows. His strength, displayed when he kicked the demon back, was immense.

But the more she watched the fight, the more excited she got, relating it to the action manga she typically read in her free time. She never thought she'd have the chance to see something straight out of fiction.

"It's part of my everyday life." Desmon responded as he walked towards Shizuka.

"That doesn't change how incredible you looked."

Now reunited, their gazes turned towards the remains of Shizuka's vehicle.

"Just a night in the workshop, and it'll be good as new."

"At this point, I don't know if it's true or if you're just mocking me." She sighed, unable to determine if Desmon's words were sincere.

"Perhaps the second option, although if I had been driving, the outcome would be different." Desmon responded.

"Don't keep talking, or a part of me will start regretting not taking your words seriously."

The way of speaking with Desmon had become more familiar due to him saving her life. If it weren't for him, she would have died. She couldn't thank him enough for this.

"Whatever. Now it's you who needs a ride, and luckily, I can take care of..."

Before he could finish speaking, they heard a certain sound that interrupted them. The sound of flesh being destroyed and repaired simultaneously. The demon's body began to grow and merge, having previously been split in two, becoming much bigger than before.

While they were conversing, they hadn't noticed a butterfly larger than usual, blood-red in color, approaching the dying demon's head, merging with it and making it stronger.

Its fur turned completely grayish, its claws grew larger, its previously destroyed eye regenerated, and its tail became sharpened.

Desmon smiled faintly, as it seemed his fun wasn't over yet.

"So, Fido, round two?"

Chapter Text

"So, Fido, round two?" Desmon said with an arrogant smile.

After saying this, Desmon advanced towards the demon, using his sword to stab one of its paws. To his surprise, his weapon failed to penetrate the demon's tough flesh.

"What are they feeding dogs these days?"

Desmon luckily evaded the demon's claws; now its movements were much faster, contradicting its enormous size.

Alastor failed to pierce the demon's tough flesh; its fur had become extremely resilient. Of course, if they were more synchronized, the story might be different.

Shizuka began to worry as she watched the battle. She had initially considered the fight a game for Desmon, but now he was being pushed to the edge.

"You're truly annoying."

Desmon attempted to strike, but his sword was repelled by the demon's claws, creating an opening in his defense.

In that moment, neither of them could take advantage of it, except for the fact that the demon had a tail.

Its tail, now resembling a spear's tip, pierced through Desmon's chest, lifting his impaled body and sending him flying against a nearby wall, demolishing it in the process.

Shizuka's expression shifted from concern to fear. She couldn't believe that Desmon had been impaled in such a manner out of nowhere; he might even be dead.

But as she approached to assess his condition, debris was flung aside. Desmon leaped up, dusting himself off.

Shizuka's gaze went to his chest, where his shirt had been torn apart, revealing a large circle on his shirt. But his chest remained intact; if not for the blood around, she would have doubted that the guy before her had just been impaled.

"What are you?" She asked in astonishment. Regardless of his strength, surviving and emerging unscathed from that situation was humanly impossible; his regenerative abilities were unfathomable.

To which Desmon responded with a smile. "A demon hunter."

Returning to the fight, Desmon advanced toward the demon, exchanging blows. However, there was no difference; Alastor only caused minimal damage while Desmon barely managed to dodge attacks.

"At this point, I can try that; it worked once."

Desmon used the walls of the houses as support to elevate himself. Now higher than the demon, he descended with an attack. His plan succeeded as Alastor embedded itself in the demon's snout, causing it to howl in pain.

"You're not so tough now, huh?" He felt satisfied to have wounded it, as the fact that his attacks didn't cause damage had bothered him.

However, his smile faded when he tried to pull out Alastor; it was stuck.

"I didn't expect that..."

Saying this, he leaped back to evade the tail that aimed to impale him again.

Without his weapon, he could still fight with his body, but the sound of people peering from windows and emerging from their houses due to the noise caught his attention.

In their first encounter, they were fortunate that a barrier prevented bystanders from being involved, but currently, there was no such protection. One wrong step, and innocent lives could be lost.

Desmon was aware of the destruction demons caused, thus he tried to avoid fighting in densely populated areas. Although their previous encounters had taken place in isolated spots, the present circumstances had them in a neighborhood filled with sleeping families. Children anticipating their parents' arrival at midnight.

"Shizuka, do you know of any large, deserted places?"

She also noticed the commotion from neighboring houses. Involving others wasn't something she desired, but the current situation was complex. At least, that was what she thought before Desmon posed a question.

She recalled every possible location. Luckily, one came to mind; a stadium where she had watched a baseball game a week ago. Though it was quite far from their current location, it met all the criteria.

"There's a stadium, but it's several kilometers away."

"Do you know the way?"

She nodded in response. That was enough for Desmon.

"Sorry, Fido, we'll have to change our playground."

Without hesitation, he advanced toward the demon, evading its claws and tail that tried to strike him. He launched himself beneath the demon's snout, using his hands as a base, and delivered a double kick to the lower part of the snout.

While this might not have inflicted any damage. He managed to lift the giant, multi-ton dog into the air without difficulty. Cracks were left as marks under his hands.

However, he achieved his objective; leaving the demon on its back on the ground. It would take a few seconds for it to recover.

Desmon returned to Shizuka.

"Kurox!"

In response to his call, the motorcycle appeared before them.

Shizuka wanted to act surprised, but at this point, she gave up. Even if Desmon told her he was a demon, she would believe it.

Desmon got on first, gripping the handlebars.

"Get on already, we've got a long journey ahead."

Shizuka climbed on as the passenger, holding on tight.

But Desmon didn't move, in fact, he was holding something in his hands.

"I can't decide, what music do you think would be good for a chase? You know, there has to be music in these situations."

"Does that really matter?"

"That's how ..."

While Desmon explained why he wanted to get in the mood, the demon managed to recover and focus on them, then started charging.

"Just pick one at random!"

She was startled as he noticed the demon advancing towards them, intent on destroying them with its jaws.

Desmon pressed the button that selected a random piece of music.

"Looks like luck is on our side."

"Desmon, you idiot!"

The demon's jaws were about to close on them, promising a painful death.

But Desmon poured his demonic energy into Kurox, causing the motorcycle to accelerate and evade the demon's jaws. They quickly left it far behind.

"So, where am I headed?" He said calmly, as if he hadn't been on the verge of being devoured and mutilated by the demon moments ago.

"I really wish I had your composure." She had abandoned all rational thought being beside him.

"Just keep going straight until you reach a park. Then take the right road onto the highway." As a driver in Chiba, she knew the routes well.

"I think they won't let us."

Upon hearing this, Shizuka noticed a shadow covering them. Looking up, she saw the demon's figure descending upon them.

Desmon turned right, avoiding the attack that should have crushed them.

But this took them off the route, entering residential areas once again.

Shizuka didn't have a moment to breathe, as before she could tell him which way to go, Desmon abruptly turned left, narrowly missing a car that was hurled at them.

This caused them to enter people's yards, crashing through several walls and fences. Surprisingly, Kurox had no issue with this, plowing through everything like they were made of glass. Because of this, Shizuka pressed her body against Desmon, as debris flew towards her.

Desmon could feel two soft things that were comfortable to the touch, but he sensed that if he said anything, Shizuka might throw him off Kurox. So, he kept it to himself for now.

After exiting the residential area, they reached the highway with the giant demon still in pursuit.

"That thing is really persistent. Are all demons like this?" For Shizuka, having the demon still chase them was annoying, but it was better than it causing havoc among innocent people.

"It's normal for it to give up after being beaten, but it must have its reasons."

"Like you calling it a name it doesn't like?"

"Fido is a good name."

Desmon responded as he veered to the right, dodging the demon's tail.

He would usually try to cut off that tail, but Alastor was currently embedded in the demon's nose.

"Are we there yet? I don't like just limiting myself to dodging."

They had spent over 5 minutes merely evading Fido's attacks, and even though this dog was gigantic, its pursuit speed exceeded any expectations.

"We have another 5 minutes. By the way, shouldn't that thing be split in two?"

"It really knows a lot of tricks." Desmon grinned. "Let's switch."

The demon's tail split into two. If it was easy to dodge before, now it would be a sure death to try that.

With a swift move, Desmon rose from his seat, switching positions with Shizuka. She was now the driver.

"You know if you slow down, we're dead, right?"

"Don't tell me that after we switched positions!"

"Someday, you'll tell your kids that you drove a motorcycle while being chased by a demon."

"As if that's something to brag about!"

Desmon stood up on Kurox, something impossible at the speed they were going, but on Kurox, he had full control.

"Come on, Fido, don't make this ride boring."

The demon's tails moved towards Desmon, intending to pierce him, ensuring his death this time.

Though they didn't achieve their goal, Desmon managed to deflect them with a kick.

"Come on, that's not all you've got, right?"

The demon roared, causing its attacks to become faster.

"Do you always have to provoke it?"

"It's fun." He said with a smug smile.

With that, Shizuka focused on driving while Desmon deflected the tails that would have pierced them at the first opportunity.

For the other drivers on the road, they witnessed something surreal; a motorcycle with a person atop it repelling whips coming from a giant dog. But obviously, this couldn't be real; it must be special effects for some new movie they're shooting. Most of them chose to ignore it. However, among them, a single person pulled out their phone to report the situation unfolding in Chiba.

Desmon and Shizuka were already nearing their destination, but as they got close, one of the tails changed its attack pattern, sweeping towards Kurox.

"Tch!"

Unable to dodge or deflect this, Desmon jumped onto the tail, using it to impede its movement, but now he was an easy target.

Shizuka might have tried to stop to help him, but before she could do anything, Kurox abruptly stopped, pivoting on its axis to face the demon.

"What the hell?"

Kurox advanced without slowing down toward the demon. Its tails, as well as its jaws, were waiting for him.

Unfortunately for it, and defying the odds, Desmon managed to dodge its piercing attack, grabbing onto the tail and using it to launch himself backward.

As he fell to the ground, he would have been an easy target, but Kurox caught him, skidding in the process and passing through the demon's legs.

"Does this thing have a mind of its own?" She complained. The entire time she had tried to steer Kurox, but it seemed Kurox was driving itself.

"I have no idea." He replied with his usual disinterested tone.

Though they had managed to escape that predicament, the demon now blocked the only entrance to the highway.

"Desmon, wait, you're not thinking of doing what I think you're thinking, are you?"

Seeing how he was doing things, it reminded her of action movies, and in their situation, she had an inkling of what Desmon was about to do, something she really didn't want to happen.

"I'm not psychic to read your mind, but if I had to guess, I'd say you're on the right track." He said with a tone full of confidence and a big smile.

Desmon extended his arm towards the handlebars, imbuing Kurox with demonic energy, instantly accelerating to a speed that would usually only be reached after several seconds at top speed.

Meanwhile, the demon also began to run in their direction.

If this happened, they would crash into each other, with the demon coming out victorious.

But Desmon had a plan in mind, something Shizuka would hate.

"If you'll excuse me~"

Desmon lifted Shizuka, carrying her in his arms while standing on Kurox.

"You were really going to do it!"

Seconds before the collision, Desmon leaped over the demon. Its tails tried to pierce them, but he used his legs to deflect them. He even gained some support from them, reaching its jaws where he timed a perfect step to avoid being devoured. He then leaped over the demon.

Kurox passed underneath, intercepting them before they could crash into the ground.

Desmon was seated on Kurox, holding Shizuka in his arms. It was quite a romantic sight if anyone else saw it, but if they examined Shizuka's face, they wouldn't see the expression of a smitten maiden, but that of a woman who wanted to smack the guy carrying her.

Feeling secure, they continued on their way, pursued by the demon.

Once inside the stadium, they descended and waited for their guest.

"By the way, when do you plan on letting me go?'' Shizuka is being held by Desmon in his arms, as if she were a princess.

Desmon put on an amused smile, understanding Shizuka's words.

"How much longer do you plan to keep me in your arms? I'm going to use that sword of yours to run you through the chest!"

"That's probably why you're single." He remarked, gallantly helping Shizuka down.

"I'll ignore that." She would get back at him later. "Do you have a plan? It doesn't look like you are dealing damage to the demon with your blows.''

"I thought of one on the way here. It's really annoying to do, but I don't have much of a choice. By the way, you'd better step back, as the demon is after you too."

"What do you mean...?"

Before Shizuka could finish her sentence, the demon leaped into the stadium.

"It's time to settle the score, and you also have something that belongs to me, though I'm still paying for it." Desmon declared.

Desmon started advancing toward the demon.

-I hope there's a fountain in a nearby park. Desmon thought as he sped forward.

Desmon leaped over the demon, evading its tails and claws. After several dodges, he adapted.

Landing on Fido's nose, he used both arms to pull Alastor out of the demon's flesh.

Alastor came loose, causing a significant hemorrhage in the demon. However, at this point, it didn't feel as much pain.

Fido, the first test subject for 'that.'

With Alastor in hand, he used the strength in his legs to make a great leap, rising up and gaining significant distance from the demon.

"The view from up here isn't bad at all."

The demon also leaped, aiming to crush him with its fangs, but this time that's Desmon's plan.

As the momentum waned, Desmon began descending. In Shizuka's view, she was about to witness him being devoured.

Desmon smiled before he hurled Alastor in a spinning motion towards the demon's snout.

As Desmon passed through its jaws, Alastor prevented the demon from closing its jaws around him. Just before entering the throat, Alastor was retrieved.

Shizuka witnessed it all: the boy she had called for a simple task was devoured. However, even though the situation dictated that it was now her turn to die, a part of her believed this was all part of his plan.

After dealing with its initial target, the demon shifted its attention to Shizuka, slowly advancing toward its prey.

She, on her part, didn't budge, perhaps out of fear or the confidence she had in him.

When the demon was close to her, it started writhing, its howls echoing through the nearby streets. It was a cry of pain.

It tried to shake it off, but nothing changed. Gradually, its expression transformed, its paws losing strength, and it collapsed to the ground.

As Desmon entered the demon's stomach, he began cutting everything in sight, whether intestinal walls or destroying any organs he encountered.

Upon dying, the demon started to disappear, its body turning red before vanishing completely, revealing the figure of a certain demon hunter who had been devoured moments before.

Normally, he would have been proud of this, but now he was completely covered in blood and fluids from the demon's organs.

"If they're tough on the outside, they're soft on the inside." That's what he thought before letting himself be devoured.

"You're truly amazing." Shizuka approached to see his condition, which was nothing out of the ordinary.

"I know." Desmon's smile faded after saying this, catching Shizuka's attention. "I have two pieces of news, one good and one bad. Which one do you want to hear first?"

"I'll go with the bad." She said, somewhat exhausted.

"Your entire school, as well as your students, are in danger. I can't tell you when, but that place will become a feast for demons. I can't assure you how I know, but call it intuition after today's events."

Shizuka's cheerful and tired expression changed in an instant. She wanted to ask if he was joking, but Desmon's serious expression told her he wasn't.

"But don't worry, there's still good news, and that is, I won't charge you for today, as my job is still unfinished."

Desmon carried Alastor over his shoulders.

"It's not a coincidence that thing pursued us after leaving your school. It's likely that one of those two demons you mentioned ordered an end to us."

Although Desmon said he would take care of it, it's not easy to process the fact that at any moment, her school and students could be slaughtered by demons. Today, she witnessed how dangerous they are.

"How will you do it?" She asked, somewhat dismayed.

"I'll stay in Chiba until those demons are dealt with. After all, my job involves handling the demons you saw, so I can't charge you until it's done." Desmon sighed heavily. "And here I thought this job would be short and turns out it's an indefinite one..."

If he left at this moment, he would simply be evading the situation and leaving Shizuka and her students to their fate. A school being massacred by demons is something he won't allow to happen again.

"Can you really do it?" There was a hint of fear and doubt in her voice.

"Who do you think you're talking to? I'm Desmon, a demon hunter. If you have a problem with them, call me, and I'll take care of them for you. That's my motto." He said with a lot of pride and arrogance.

"Thank you." She bowed.

When Desmon initially delivered the bad news, she had thought of doing anything to make him stay; whether it meant selling all her possessions or taking out a loan. She would have done it for the sake of her students. However, to her surprise, Desmon treated it as part of his initial job, without charging her more.

"Now all that's left is to find a nearby park or a bridge to spend the night under, and if I'm lucky, a fountain to clean up. I really reek of demon." He smirked mockingly as he said the last part.

"What are you saying? You can stay at a hotel. I'll give you the money upfront."

"I told you, I won't accept it until the job is done. That's something my mother taught me. Besides, I have experience sleeping in unpleasant places, so it won't be an issue. And from what I see, this city has better conditions than I thought. It'll be like a 5-star hotel."

Shizuka clenched her teeth upon hearing this. How could someone so young say that with a smile? She wondered, but she didn't find an answer. She definitely wouldn't allow someone who saved her life and helped her with her problem to do that.

"Until you deal with the demons, you can stay at my apartment. It's not very big, but you can use the couch to sleep, and you'll be able to take a shower."

"If you're making such a generous offer, I don't have much choice but to accept, as it's better than sleeping on the streets."

"Alright, then let's start walking, as it's a bit far from here."

"We can use Kurox."

"No way! You're covered in blood and smell bad."

"It's for that very reason that you can't find a partner, even inviting a stranger to stay with you."

"I really want to hit you!"

And so, they began heading towards Shizuka's apartment.

After several minutes, a group of people arrived at the scene, but they found nothing.

"Are you sure about what you saw?"

"I am. I saw a demon, one of those from the books."

"If that's the case, we'll have to increase surveillance. You also mentioned seeing a boy fighting against that thing?"

"Yes, I'm certain. I even took a picture."

He took out his cellphone and showed them the picture, depicting a white-haired young man in a black trench coat battling some sort of whips coming from a giant dog.

"We need to meet with him."

After finishing their conversation, everyone dispersed.

Underestimating the demons was one of their mistakes, and the worst one was treating Desmon as one. But they are still not aware of this fact.

...

Omake: Sword

After arriving at Shizuka's apartment, Desmon cracked a few jokes before heading into the shower to take a bath. Meanwhile, Shizuka went to her room to find a change of clothes for him. She didn't have anything in his size, but she found some sweatpants that Desmon could wear.

Once she found them, she headed to her living room to go to the bathroom and leave the change of clothes for him. But on the way, she got distracted by Alastor, who was by the side of the couch. Since its sheath was lost during the fight, it's currently on full display.

She imagined herself wielding a sword and cutting down demons while wearing a red trench coat. But she quickly dismissed that idea. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she started getting closer, noticing Alastor's details perfectly.

"I were you; I wouldn't do that." Desmon said as he emerged from the shower.

"I was just curious about..." She couldn't finish her sentence, in fact, she couldn't form any words at all.

She had left a towel for Desmon to dry himself, but he was currently using it to dry his head, leaving his body entirely exposed.

Shizuka's gaze roamed over the upper part of his body. His figure was defined; he didn't have massive muscles, but they were sculpted to complement his physique. There was no trace of the injury he had received during the fight, indicating abnormal regenerative abilities.

Her gaze continued downward, but at that moment, she wondered something.

-I'm sure he doesn't have his sword with him.

Her gaze remained fixed in that area. For someone who was single and had never even been kissed, seeing something like this left her in shock. Of course, as an adult, she had found ways to provide herself with affection during lonely days, but none of the adult videos she had seen had prepared her for this moment.

She wasn't so innocent as to believe that babies were delivered by storks, but what she was witnessing shattered one of the notions she had.

-Since when do men have an elephant down there?

Her mind, as well as her face, finally comprehended the situation.

Desmon had entered the living room naked.

"I guess I should say something, but I'm not ashamed of my body." Desmon shifted a certain part of his body as if to boast.

"Get dressed, you damn exhibitionist!"

Shizuka threw the change of clothes at him, which Desmon caught before retreating back to the bathroom. He did so with a mocking smile.

Once Desmon was gone, she covered her face. She never expected to see something like this.

"Are all foreigners like this?"

She's really mistaken because she should be asking herself if all those who have the blood of the legendary Sparda Knight possess such attributes, and the answer to that is a resounding yes.

Chapter Text

After his little incident last night, Desmon took Shizuka's sofa as his temporary bed until he faces the demons that threaten the school.

If they were to ask him which couch is more comfortable, the current one or the old, beaten-up one at Dante's place, the answer is obvious.

That's why Desmon is sleeping soundly, forgetting the massive debt in his name; or rather, that was put in his name.

"Desmon."

A few hours past sunrise, Shizuka took the trouble of preparing breakfast, but her new roommate didn't seem to be getting up, so she began calling him.

"Desmon!"

"Just 5 more minutes." He said before going back to sleep.

"Get up already, or you'll miss breakfast!"

Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster for Shizuka; meeting the demon hunter she hired only to find out nothing was happening at her school was a relief. But a few minutes after leaving, she was the target of a demon's assassination attempt in the form of a dog-like creature. She saw the boy she met getting impaled, a certain death, yet he got up as if nothing happened. They were part of a chase scene that could only be from an action movie. And in the end, Desmon decided to be swallowed by the demon, only to destroy it from the inside; an audacious decision with high chances of going wrong, but he exceeded all expectations.

For all of this, Shizuka should feel a lot of respect and gratitude toward the young man who saved her, but his snobbish, arrogant, and mocking attitude tells her he doesn't deserve it.

"You shouldn't get angry; it'll only give you wrinkles."

Desmon got up, did some stretches, then headed to the dining area.

"And whose fault is that?" She complained as she returned to her seat.

On the table, there are 2 bowls of ramen. Since it's Sunday, Shizuka went the extra mile to transfer the ramen from its packaging to bowls, as the usual practice is to prepare and eat it immediately.

Desmon sat down at the table and started eating without objection; free food is free food.

"By the way, have you thought about how you'll do the surveillance at the school?"

Yesterday, Desmon mentioned he'd take care of monitoring and protecting the place, but he didn't mention the method he'd use.

"Staying close and observing, hiding on the rooftop or in empty classrooms."

"That's what a stalker does." Shizuka facepalmed in stress.

"Maybe pretend to be a new teacher?"

"Are you good at any subject?"

"Demon Hunting Class." Desmon said proudly.

"I shouldn't have relied on you for these matters." Shizuka gave up. But luckily, she thought of something overnight. "I have an idea."

"I'm listening." Desmon continued eating.

"How about enrolling as a transfer student? That way, you can be inside the school without drawing attention and monitor the whole place."

"Going back to school, huh. I'm not really interested, but if that's the only way, I guess it's our only option."

Shizuka felt somewhat sad knowing Desmon left school out of necessity; someone who couldn't enjoy their student days, though he probably couldn't care less.

-School is fun, isn't it, Desmon?

A brief memory crossed his mind, but quickly vanished.

"So it's settled, and I have the form to complete your transfer." Shizuka said.

"This was decided from the beginning, right?"

"Not at all." She replied with a smile.

For her, young people should enjoy their student life, develop relationships, and interact with peers their age.

Shizuka stood up to fetch a sheet of paper and a pen. She filled in most of the blanks, leaving a few.

"By the way, what's your last name?"

"I don't have one." He said as he finished eating. Shizuka had finished a few minutes ago.

"What do you mean you don't have one?"

-It's impossible for someone not to have a last name.

"I stopped using my mother's a long time ago, and I won't use my father's, so during this time, I've just used my name for everything."

"I don't have the right to ask you why since it's a personal matter, but not having a last name is a problem; it's too suspicious."

"If it was your idea, don't you think you should come up with something, Shizuka?"

"You're really a... Wait, I thought of something."

An idea illuminated her mind.

"What if you use my last name?"

"I'm too young to get married, so find someone else. Though I think that's impossible."

Desmon shook his hands in a gesture of refusal.

Some veins of anger appeared on Shizuka's forehead. She didn't say it with that intention, but being rejected for no reason annoyed her. It reminded her of her multiple failures in dating.

Desmon moved his hand, catching the pen that had been thrown with enough force to hurt someone.

"It's that attitude that's keeping you from having a partner.'' He said mockingly as he returned the pen to its original place.

Shizuka wanted to hit this guy, but she felt like her hand would suffer more than his face.

"I wasn't referring to that. I wouldn't be interested in you in my dreams." She coughed to calm herself after saying this. "What I meant is for you to take my last name and pretend to be a relative of mine."

"I see, a grandson."

He moved his fingers to catch the pen again but this time stopped inches from his face.

"I'm not even close to 30, so having grandchildren is impossible for me!"

Shizuka exploded. She could endure jokes about not getting a partner and nearing 30, but being called a grandmother was too much.

"What a temper! So, a nephew or cousin?"

Desmon decided not to tease her about being a grandmother.

"In this case, it's most convenient to say you're the son of a distant cousin who went abroad. What do you think?" She took a deep breath to regain her calm.

-He really knows how to get on my nerves.

"That sounds fine, as long as it makes things easy, I have no problem."

With his affirmative answer, Shizuka started filling in the remaining personal spaces, making up the rest.

"Alright, this should be enough. Tomorrow, you'll introduce yourself as a new student, but first, you'll accompany me to the teachers' room to finish the procedure."

With one thing down, Shizuka could feel relieved.

"If that's all, I'll go back to the couch."

Desmon stood up and headed back to the couch.

"I forgot to mention, you'll need a uniform." Shizuka halted him with her words.

"Isn't how I'm dressed enough?"

Desmon turned around. He wore a black leather coat, a white polo shirt that Shizuka lent him because his had a hole in the chest, and blue jeans.

"I want you to blend in, not stand out."

"Can I at least keep the coat? For some strange reason, I feel comfortable wearing it."

With no way to object, Desmon surrendered, more because Shizuka was right.

"There's another guy who wears one, so I don't see why not." She recalled a certain strange second-year student; even in summer, he always wears a coat.

"I'm fine with that."

Without further ado, Desmon returned to the couch.

"Where do you think you're going? We have to go to the mall to buy your uniform."

"How are we getting there, in your car?"

Desmon went back to sleep after saying this.

On her part, Shizuka moved behind the couch and without hesitation, gave it a strong kick, causing Desmon to fall off the couch.

"I get it, no joking about your car and that you're a grandma, duly noted."

Desmon got up.

"Let's go already, so we don't have to wait in long lines at the mall."

"You're the boss."

With this decided, both of them left the apartment. Desmon left Alastor on the couch since it would be a short trip, and he managed for many years with just his body; it wasn't a vital necessity. Although battles were easier since he rented Alastor.

Once outside the building, Desmon called Kurox, ready to head to the mall.

"Let me ask you this, since I didn't get a chance yesterday: Do you have a driver's license?"

"You don't need one to drive a devil arm." He said nonchalantly.

"Explain that to the police; we'll take the train."

"In that case, you just need to lose their trail, besides, I escaped three chases yesterday, so I'm used to it."

"I feel like if I ask more about that, I'll get a huge headache, so I'll skip the fact that you're a wanted criminal."

"The police are fast, but Kurox is faster!"

"Don't say that proudly! We're taking the train, no complaints!"

Shizuka started pushing him from behind, to which Desmon relented and made Kurox disappear.

...

Monday, 7 am.

The moment when most of Japan's working population commutes, whether by driving their own vehicles or taking the train.

While all of that was happening, in a certain apartment located in a residential complex, Desmon was still asleep. But not for much longer.

"Get up already, or we'll be late!"

Shizuka didn't hesitate to kick the couch, causing Desmon to fall to the floor, though this time he put his arms out to prevent hitting the ground.

"That's not the appropriate way to wake someone up."

Using the strength of his arms, he pushed himself to his feet.

"I called you several times, but you ignored me!"

"I'm a heavy sleeper."

"As if that's true!"

During the night, Shizuka got up to get some water, and while in the kitchen, out of curiosity, she threw an empty can at Desmon, but he caught it while 'asleep' and also told her it's bad manners to attack someone while they're sleeping.

"I like sleeping in late."

"I'll ignore that since I don't want to argue first thing in the morning. Put on your uniform; we need to have breakfast and head to school."

"You should have started with that." He responded in good spirits.

Shizuka headed to the dining area to serve breakfast while Desmon put on his school uniform.

"It feels strange to wear this thing again."

Yesterday, Shizuka bought the uniform at the mall; luckily, her friend owns a tailor shop, so they had Desmon's uniform adjusted to ensure it offered enough mobility.

With preparations complete, they spent the rest of the afternoon walking and looking at things, which also helped Shizuka become more familiar with him. They would have to live together indefinitely and maintain the aunt-nephew relationship at school, so it's normal for them to get along.

Desmon dressed in black pants, a white shirt without a tie, and his coat.

The initial plan was to not draw attention, but his appearance and clothing do the opposite.

Once ready, he headed to the dining area and proceeded to have breakfast with Shizuka. And to no one's surprise, breakfast consisted of instant ramen.

Perhaps considering her diet, Shizuka should gain weight, but before heading to school, she usually goes jogging in a nearby park, which helps her maintain her slim figure.

Desmon isn't picky about food, so he didn't say anything about eating the same thing for several days. In fact, not having to pay for it is already a great deal.

Once they finished breakfast, they got ready to leave. They still have an hour, but the train journey and completing additional paperwork at school takes time.

"Do we have to use the train again?"

Outside the apartment, Desmon didn't hesitate to complain, recalling how crowded the train was yesterday.

"It's normal. Under normal circumstances, I'd drive to school, but my insurance doesn't cover demon attacks." She sighed, remembering her poor car.

Yesterday, the police called her after finding the remains of her vehicle. It's impossible for the police to have believed her story about a demonic dog attacking her. So, she made an excuse, saying her car was stolen and she lost track of it.

"At this hour, very few people are out and about since most are either on their way to work or catching the train, right?"

"What are you getting at?"

"I'm sure it must be annoying to be in a crowded train car, so I have a better plan." Desmon manifested Kurox.

"I told you yesterday, it's very troublesome." She sighed.

"It's troublesome if you get caught. Or do you want to repeat what happened yesterday?"

As he said, yesterday was uncomfortable heading to the mall. There was a event, so everyone decided to go, making the train too crowded for their comfort.

Shizuka weighed the pros and cons. She really hates using the train to get around, which is why she got a car in the first place. She's also a bit of a fan of motorcycles.

"On one condition, I drive."

"It's better than being packed like sardines."

With everything decided, Shizuka got on Kurox first, followed by Desmon.

"Remind me that I need to buy a helmet online."

"I'm sure that even if it were a concrete wall or another vehicle, Kurox would smash right through upon impact."

"I saw it, but the police will penalize us if we don't wear a helmet.

"You really pay a lot of attention to laws." He said disinterestedly.

"You're the weird one for not following the laws!"

With their conversation over, Shizuka set Kurox in motion; or rather, Desmon let her do it, as he can control it just by thinking and doesn't need to hold the handlebars.

...

After several minutes, they reached the vicinity of Sobu High.

Shizuka managed to drive while obeying traffic laws, although Desmon kept urging her to go faster. It didn't help that Desmon would make Kurox accelerate out of nowhere.

Desmon put away Kurox as they got close to the school. It would be strange to arrive on a motorcycle and then make it disappear in front of everyone's eyes.

Inside the school, Desmon followed Shizuka to the teachers' lounge, where she introduced him to the other teachers as well as the principal.

The teachers and the principal had no trouble believing that he was a distant relative of Shizuka, given Desmon's perfect command of Japanese

With all arrangements in place, the only thing left was for Desmon to go to his assigned classroom and join the others.

"From now on, you're part of Class J, second year. It's the only section with an available seat. By the way, do you plan to go in like that?"

Shizuka pointed to Alastor, who was inside a new guitar case.

"I can deal with those things using my body, but this way is easier and quicker."

"Just try not to let others see it. Also, don't go around calling others by their first names; use their last names." She emphasized the latter point.

"Consider it done." Desmon responded without much emotion.

"Now go to your section, as I'm busy with planning for the trip to Kyoto in a few days."

And so, Desmon began his search for his classroom, fortunately not taking long to find it.

Remembering the manners Shizuka explained, he proceeded to knock on the door until the teacher gave him permission to enter.

Once inside, the teacher handed him a piece of chalk to write his name and give a brief self-introduction.

But when he was about to do so, for some reason, he had no idea how to write in Japanese.

This was because the old woman granted him the ability to speak Japanese fluently, not to comprehend it. Thus, he couldn't write it.

Extending this wouldn't make sense, so he went straight to the introduction.

"I'm Desmon Hiratsuka. My hobbies are sleeping, having fun, and passing the time doing things I like." He thought about what else to say, but nothing came to mind. "I guess that's it... Oh right, you can call me Desmon; I don't mind the use of my name."

"Hiratsuka-kun, that was quite an unusual introduction... Please take a seat."

For the teacher, it was an odd introduction, but knowing Desmon was a foreigner, he let it pass.

Already in his conveniently located seat next to the window, he proceeded to fall asleep, as he didn't understand anything the teacher explained.

...

The hours passed until lunchtime.

Desmon opened his eyes upon hearing the bell, but he also noticed that he was surrounded by several girls. 'Luckily for him', his class had more than 80% female students.

"Which country are you from?"

"Are you a relative of Hiratsuka-sensei?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"You play the guitar! Would you dedicate a song to me?"

Several girls asked in unison.

The normal reaction would be to feel pleased with so much attention, and Desmon is no exception.

"I'll leave those questions as homework for you, but right now I'm hungry and need to talk to Shizuka about something, so let's save this for another time." He said with a smile.

After saying this, he took Alastor and made his way without much difficulty.

Though his stay is temporary, not being able to write can be bothersome.

Once in Shizuka's office, he took a seat in front of her.

"What do you think of the classes?''

"I didn't understand anything." He said it in a bored tone.

"That's normal. A few review classes should be enough to help you adapt."

Shizuka is happy that Desmon is attending school again. As a teacher, she believes someone his age should be studying and not just focusing on his demon-hunting work.

"There's actually another problem: I can't write in Japanese."

"Are you kidding?"

"I told you on the day we met. An old woman granted me the ability to speak your language fluently, but not to write it."

"I thought you were joking."

Shizuka thought for a moment, but quickly came up with a solution.

"No problem with that. In fact, it doesn't interfere with what I had in mind." She nodded to herself. "Once classes are over, come and I'll explain what you'll do."

"Works for me. By the way, can you give me some money to buy something?"

Shizuka just sighed and pulled out her wallet, giving Desmon some yen. It's her responsibility, so she doesn't have much of a choice.

"Don't worry, I won't be a freeloader. In a few days, I'll start taking on jobs, and whatever's left will be for my expenses."

"So, what you said about being in debt is true?"

"It's the truth; it's difficult when they leave debts in your name." He sighed wearily.

With that, Desmon headed to some vending machines he saw along the way and went to the rooftop after getting his food.

After finishing his meal, he lay on top of the water tower, completely forgetting he had classes to return to.

...

After taking a long nap and hearing the bell signaling the end of classes, Desmon headed to Shizuka's office.

Since today was his first day, he only brought Alastor with him; Shizuka would provide him with materials in a few days. So, he didn't bother going back to his classroom.

Once in her office, he sat down while yawning.

"What do you think of your first day of classes?" Shizuka asked curiously.

"Boring, and I don't understand most of it." He was honest. While he knows the basics, much of what was taught in the first hours was completely unfamiliar to him.

"Come with me. We're going somewhere that will help you with that."

And so, Desmon followed Shizuka to a certain classroom that functions as a club.

"Yukinoshita, I'm coming in."

Without hesitation, she opened the door, entering the classroom.

Upon entering, Desmon noticed three students in the room: two girls and a boy.

Yukinoshita Yukino, the most beautiful and intelligent girl in the school; Yuigahama Yui, another of the prettiest and most cheerful girls; and lastly, Hikigaya Hachiman, self-proclaimed king of loners.

The three of them are part of the Service Club, which is dedicated to assisting students with various requests.

"Hiratsuka-sensei, I told him several times to wait until I give him permission to enter."

"Well, you see, this is my nephew. He recently came from abroad." Shizuka ignored Yukinoshita's words. It's part of her routine.

Seeing that Desmon was just staring, she elbowed him, though it hurt her more.

"I'm Desmon Hiratsuka, but just call me Desmon. I hate formalities."

"As you can see, this boy is quite peculiar, which is why I'd like you to lend him a hand with his studies and learning various writing kanji." Shizuka explained.

"I see. But as you may know, we help people who want to be helped." She focused her gaze on Desmon. "Your nephew slept through the first half of classes, and he didn't show up for the other half."

As they share the same class, and this new student has the same last name as their teacher, Yukinoshita grew curious, but Desmon showed complete disinterest.

Shizuka turned her gaze back to Desmon, who just looked away while whistling a tune.

"We'll talk later!" She addressed Yukinoshita again. "That's why I want help so he can adapt."

"Yuigahama-san, Hikigaya-kun, what do you think?" Yukinoshita turned to the other two members of her club.

"If he's a relative of Hiratsuka-sensei, I think we should help him. What do you say, Hikki?" Yuigahama said with her usual enthusiasm and energy.

The gazes of Hikigaya and Desmon met, and while there was nothing out of the ordinary, something told Hikigaya that this boy wasn't normal. His jaded eyes were skilled at assessing people, and they were telling him that this boy didn't fit the category of a regular person. But lacking a basis to confirm this, he let it slide.

"If it's something Hiratsuka-sensei is asking for, I have no reason to refuse."

Shizuka nodded approvingly.

"That makes me happy. So, Yukinoshita, I'm entrusting Desmon to you." She headed toward the door. "I hope you pay attention and don't cause them trouble."

With that said, she returned to her office.

"So, Hiratsuka-kun, in which subjects do you need help?" Yukinoshita's plan would be tailored according to the subjects he needs to prepare for.

"Call me Desmon, and I guess it would be from elementary school subjects." He said in his usual tone.

Minutes later, the service club would realize that Desmon was a lost cause.

Chapter Text

The following days passed without surprises.

Of course, Desmon was an incredible pain in the neck for Shizuka and the Service Club.

In the last few days, Shizuka had to chase Desmon all over the school since he kept skipping classes and was often seen wandering around during school hours. Despite her efforts, she could never catch up to him. Nevertheless, Desmon didn't escape getting scolded by Shizuka during dinner.

As for the Service Club, the most affected was Yukinoshita, who reprimanded Desmon daily because he wouldn't pay attention to her explanations. They couldn't really blame him for not showing interest in learning, especially since once his job was done, he'd return to his country, though that date remains uncertain for now.

And so, the days went by with Desmon as a student at Sobu High.

Nevertheless, the day before the Kyoto trip, two boys approached the Service Club, where Desmon couldn't help but notice the boy who entered the room.

One of them was Hayama Hayato, accompanied by his best friend, who had a request for help with confessing to a girl; something quite common among young students.

After those boys left, the girl one of them mentioned came looking for help to prevent the confession from happening; a contradiction in terms of assistance, but this didn't bother Desmon since he wasn't part of the club and instead focused on how to promote his next business venture.

As expected, Desmon was still in debt, and being a student wouldn't free him from the million he owed Lady.

That's why Desmon made a few calls to Morrison, informing him that he wouldn't be returning to Devil May Cry for a while. Since it was a demon-related matter, his absence wasn't an issue, but he'd still need to earn money while in Japan.

He considered starting his own DMC, offering services like problem-solving and assistance; an idea he got from the concept of the Service Club, though he planned on charging for his services; doing it for free would be foolish.

But he decided to put that idea on hold until after the Kyoto trip. After all, who would turn down a free trip?

As for the demons, there hadn't been any signs of them since the attack, but he remained on high alert.

Returning to the present, Desmon is at the train station with all the other students, about to board a bullet train that will take them to their destination.

Before that, he headed to a nearby store to buy something to eat; he's a fan of sweets.

After purchasing a chocolate bar, he thought about heading back to the train before it left him behind. But then, his surroundings changed drastically.

A barrier with strange symbols appeared all around the area, separating him from the people and leaving him alone.

"I thought they were taking their time."

From the ground, several demons started to emerge.

They had the appearance of skeletal beings with scythes, covered in tattered rags.

"Haven't you been taught not to interrupt others while they're eating?" Desmon said, taking a bite of his chocolate bar.

Without hesitation, the skeletons lunged at him, aiming to slice him in two. But Desmon effortlessly dodged the attacks with ease.

-This is pretty sweet. I can see why it's so expensive...

In his mind, the only thing he was focused on was the taste of the chocolate, completely ignoring the demons desperately trying to cut him down.

At that moment, as Desmon mockingly evaded their attacks, one of the scythes managed to slice through the chocolate bar, sending it to the ground where it was stepped on by one of the demons.

"Alright, now I'm pissed. That cost me 300 yen!"

He reached out and grabbed the skull of the skeleton that stepped on his chocolate, slamming it into the ground, then grabbing it by the leg to use it as a weapon against the other demons.

"Which one of you is going to pay me back for that chocolate?!"

Comically, Desmon started moving, swinging the skeleton like a weapon as he tore through the rest of the demons.

Watching a guy use a skeleton to beat up other skeletons was a surprisingly amusing sight.

Quick and efficient, Desmon began wiping out the demons; there were many, but they weren't durable enough to withstand more than a couple of hits.

"I have to admit, you're pretty sturdy." He complimented his makeshift weapon before continuing to obliterate the demons.

Even though more demons kept appearing, it was in vain; they were nothing more than fodder for Desmon.

Grabbing the skeleton by both legs, Desmon began spinning in place, turning himself into a kind of human buzzsaw that annihilated any demon foolish enough to approach.

"Well, that was fun..." He said with a grin, tossing the skeleton into the air.

The poor demon was decapitated by a kick before it could even land.

With the last demon destroyed, Desmon dusted off his hands.

"That should be all."

He stretched briefly, getting ready to head back to the others.

However, to his surprise, the barrier that had been keeping him trapped still hadn't disappeared, so he began walking, searching for the demons that must still be hiding.

"Come on, don't be shy. I'll destroy your skulls gently."

After a few seconds of searching, he found the last two demons.

"Let's finish this quickly. I don't want Shizuka scolding me for being late."

Usually, he would have dispatched the demons and continued with his day, but he stopped when he saw a large blood-red butterfly flying near one of the demons. The demon caught it and devoured it without hesitation.

The demon's body started convulsing, growing larger and changing shape within seconds. Now it was more than three times its original size.

One of the demon's arms grabbed the other demon beside it, transforming it into a new, much larger and deadlier scythe. The blade of the scythe gleamed with an otherworldly purple hue.

An artificial version of one of the demons from Hell was created; a demon known as the God of Death, Soul Reaper. However, being artificial, this demon is not as resilient as the original.

''I see, that butterfly is responsible for Fido's transformation. You learn something new every day,.' Desmon said cheerfully as he drew Alastor from the guitar case on his back.

The previous demons hadn't been worth the effort of drawing Alastor, but the one in front of him seemed like it would be more entertaining.

With a joyful grin, he closed the distance between himself and the demon, Alastor clashing against the scythe, causing both weapons to repel each other.

"You're tougher than the others, but I don't have much time to play."

What's more terrifying: a huge demon with a scythe or a woman in her thirties who's still single and probably going to scold him if he's late?

The answer is obvious to Desmon.

He sidestepped the sharp scythe attack and advanced on the demon, but just then, the demon vanished, avoiding Alastor's strike.

The place fell silent once more.

''Oh, come on, the party's just starting, and you're leaving already?!''

Without a word, the demon reappeared behind Desmon, ready to cleave him in two, but with quick reflexes, he spun around, intercepting the scythe with Alastor.

Both weapons clashed again, repelling each other once more, but Desmon attacked again, and the demon disappeared for the second time.

''Is this some kind of twisted game of cat and mouse?!''

The pattern repeated several times, with attacks dodged and weapons clashing until both reached a stalemate. Desmon deflected each surprise attack while the demon vanished before being struck.

''You're really getting on my nerves.'' Desmon found the situation amusing yet annoying.

No matter if he dodged or deflected, the demon disappeared before Desmon could land a decisive blow.

-Given the circumstances, I'll try this. He thought, recalling the situation up to this point. His battle experience grew with every fight.

When their weapons clashed again, Desmon attacked without hesitation, making the demon disappear, but in one of those exchanges, the demon attacked again. Desmon dodged and struck back, returning to the same deadlock.

So, Desmon began to wonder what would happen if their weapons kept colliding.

The demon reappeared to strike from behind. Desmon deflected the attack with Alastor, but this time he waited for the demon's follow-up swing, deflecting the scythe once again with Alastor.

The sound of their weapons clashing echoed through the area, the rhythm repeating over and over. With perfect timing, Desmon managed to intercept every attack.

After a minute, cracks appeared in the scythe, and Desmon continued the process.

"Let's finish this!" He said excitedly, realizing his plan was working.

A scythe made from some random demon or a devil arm Dante found many years ago; which weapon would be stronger?

Desmon gripped Alastor with both hands before repelling the scythe once more. On impact, the scythe shattered.

The clear winner: Alastor.

Taking advantage of the demon's stunned state from losing its weapon, Desmon hurled Alastor, impaling the demon and embedding it into the wall. He then leapt forward, grabbing the demon's skull with both hands and delivering several knee strikes.

''If Shizuka scolds me, I'll be coming for you in Hell.''

With a mid-air flip, still holding the demon, Desmon showcased immense strength, throwing the demon against the wall where Alastor was lodged.

It would have finished the demon off had Alastor's blade pierced it, but the sword was stuck in the wall, causing the demon to simply crash into the weapon's hilt.

Even so, before the demon could recover, it received a double kick that sent its skull slamming into Alastor.

''What are you eating that your bones are so tough?'' Desmon grinned as he began kicking the demon's skull repeatedly into Alastor's hilt.

If there was a demon protection organization, they would surely sue Desmon for excessive force.

"Did that butterfly have calcium or what?" He complained, growing impatient.

With one final kick, harder than the others, the demon's skull finally cracked, and Alastor's hilt pierced through it.

With its skull destroyed, the demon's body dissolved into red particles before disappearing entirely. The barrier vanished as well.

"Demons must drink a lot of milk..."

With those last words, everything around him distorted, and he returned to the train station.

The people at the station didn't notice his figure appearing out of nowhere in another location.

Desmon walked back to his train, but upon arrival, he noticed that the place was empty.

He sighed when he realized the train had left without him.

As he pulled out his cellphone, he noticed several missed calls from Shizuka.

''Inside that thing, there must be no signal.''

He muttered to himself as he called Shizuka.

"Hey, Shizuka, you'll never guess..."

"Where the hell did you go!?"

"The answer is in your words." Desmond said calmly.

"What do you want..." She stopped to think for a second. "Are you okay?"

"No problem, just took too long to deal with them, and I missed the..."

-Just need to catch the train.

An irrational thought, but not when it comes to Desmon.

While he was conversing with Shizuka, footsteps were heard coming towards him.

''Kya!''

Desmon looked away, noticing a girl in his own uniform, her most distinctive features being her blonde hair and jade eyes. She had a slim figure and good proportions.

She collided with Desmon as she ran while looking at her cell phone, and since he didn't move from such a light blow, the girl ended up backing away and falling to the ground.

"It seems there's a girl who had the same luck as me." Desmon said, focusing on that girl. To then extend a hand to help her up.

Desmon's mother taught him to be friendly with girls, although he usually does so in his own way.

"That must be Miura Yumiko. Her friends said she wasn't on the train during attendance." Shizuka explained.

Yumiko's attention was on Desmon, who was speaking on the phone nonchalantly.

She had heard from her friend that the new student was Hiratsuka-sensei nephew, and he had quickly caught the attention of most of the girls at Sobu High.

"You both can wait for the next train, which will depart in about two hours. Until then, avoid getting into trouble. Tell that to Miura as well." It was the best Shizuka could come up with.

"You know I can easily catch up to them, right?" Desmon said with an arrogant and confident tone.

"Don't you dare do that..." Shizuka began to say.

Before Shizuka could finish speaking, the call was cut.

"That boy is really going to give me wrinkles."

She clenched her fist at the thought of what Desmon was about to do.

Meanwhile, back at the train station, Desmon and Miura stood side by side.

"Hey Blondie, do you prefer waiting for the next train or catching up with them?" Desmon said, hoping for Miura's positive response.

"Huh!? I have a name, you know?"

"That doesn't answer the question."

"Of course, I want to catch up with them. I was going to chat with Yui and spend time with Hayato."

Miura had a great plan for this trip, but it all fell apart when they missed the train.

"That's what I wanted to hear."

After hearing that, Miura started thinking about what Desmon had said. Is it really possible to catch up with them?

"Then follow me; we have a train to catch."

Desmon started walking toward the outskirts of the train station. Shizuka warned him not to cause any trouble, so doing so inside would cause surprise and a future scolding from her.

Miura didn't know much about him, other than Yui mentioning that he's very peculiar, but since he's the nephew of one of her teachers, she didn't pay much attention to it.

Once outside, Desmon walked toward an alley where no one was around, and to Miura's surprise, when she arrived, she noticed Desmon had a motorcycle by his side.

"Is that yours?" Like any girl, it was impressive to see a guy with something so eye-catching.

"You could say so, so get on already to catch up with them." He said with a tone of disinterest.

Desmon got on, followed by Miura.

"By the way, where are the helmets..."

Miura didn't even finish speaking before Desmon took off.

"I don't have any of those.'' He replied cheerfully, using Kurox again in the city since Shizuka had forbidden him from doing so.

With a speed far exceeding the established limit, Desmon headed for the train tracks, which were 1 kilometer away.

At his first opportunity, Desmon noticed that Kurox could use demonic energy to reach incredible speed, but this would stop once he stopped supplying demonic energy. But what if he didn't stop?

After several minutes, they reached the train tracks, where Desmon began gathering demonic energy into Kurox.

"Why are you stopping?"

For Miura, the journey was calm, strangely enough. Although she could tell they were going at an incredibly high speed, there was no turbulence. It was as if those riding on Kurox were unaffected. The truth was that Desmon bore all the brunt of the wind pressure.

"It's time."

After saying that, the rear wheels started spinning at an intense speed, but they still didn't move from their position.

A bullet train has an average speed of over 300 km/h, so if they want to catch it, they have to go faster.

Before Miura could wonder what he meant by his words, she suddenly felt a drastic change in her surroundings. Her survival instincts kicked in, so she clung to Desmon as tightly as she could.

In less than a second, they left their original position.

"What the hell is going on!?"

Although Desmon's body protected her from the wind pressure, her instincts told her that letting go would mean her death. So she held on for dear life.

They were now traveling at a speed of over 600 km/h.

Not even 10 minutes passed before a train appeared in their line of sight.

Inside it, Shizuka was lost in thought.

"He won't do something as foolish as using Kurox to catch up with us, right?"

She shook her head.

"Though if I think about him, this could happen." She shook her head again and simply looked out the window.

"It's very dangerous, and he's with Miura, so I'll trust that he'll wait for the next train."

She cleared those doubts from her mind and focused on the landscape.

Right now, they were on the tracks over the sea, so she took in the beautiful ocean view.

She also noticed a clear sky, a sign that today would be a good day, but something entered her field of vision.

She thought that nothing would surprise her after her first encounter with a demon, but seeing her "nephew" matching the speed of a bullet train was something she had never considered.

Both their gazes met for a brief second, and in that moment, Shizuka noticed Desmon's arrogant smile.

He's someone accustomed to danger, and doing something like this couldn't possibly be on his list of dangerous things to do.

Shizuka was already thinking about how she would scold him, but then she heard a certain characteristic sound of trains.

Since it was a double track, Desmon used the one that was free to go at full speed, without considering the possibility of encountering another train head-on.

But even so, the smile on his face didn't change.

Shizuka got up from her seat and moved toward the last car, which fortunately was empty.

She knew that something like this wouldn't kill him; she had gotten used to it after spending some days together. However, the same couldn't be said for Miura, who was just an ordinary human.

She located one of the hatches on the roof and began to unlock it.

How did she know what Desmon was planning? It's simple.

Last night they watched an action movie together. There was a scene where the protagonist climbed on top of a moving bullet train just before getting shot off by the air pressure.

This could have gone unnoticed if Desmon hadn't mentioned that he could do it too.

And that was the case.

Before the second train crashed into them, Desmon got up and carried Miura, using Kurox as a platform to jump to the other train.

Miura wanted to scream; she wanted to tell him that what he was doing was insane. However, fear and other emotions prevented her from doing so. Her mind was in chaos as she focused solely on holding onto her teacher's nephew.

She was surprised when he lifted her into his arms, and they soared several meters.

Fortunately, they landed on the train they were originally supposed to board, but to their misfortune, Desmon had forgotten something important; that the base he was standing on wasn't the most stable. Moreover, the air pressure only threw them backward.

"Well, I didn't think of this." He quickly turned around so that his back took the brunt of the wind pressure.

The force of the wind sent him flying towards the last car of the train, and though he tried to use the strength of his legs to stop, without a sticking point, he couldn't do anything to stop his trajectory.

Luckily, as they were about to be thrown off the train, he noticed one of the hatches opening. Without hesitation, he used his legs to stop himself at the edges of the hatch, but they still didn't have much time. First, he lowered Miura, who was received by Shizuka.

Shizuka caught her and entered the car with her. Miura lost consciousness due to the shock of thinking she was about to die, and the wind pressure during the jump had also hit her. But since it was only for a few seconds, the damage was minimal.

Once Miura's safety was prioritized, it was time for Desmon to board as well. But before doing so, he shared a look with his teacher.

-If I don't tell her something now, she'll be annoying for the rest of the day.

So, before entering, he was going to apologize. However, he could not because he had not considered that the train tracks had signs.

Unfortunately, before he could enter, he was hit by one of these signs.

His body was sent flying after hitting and destroying a large advertising sign, and when you add the air pressure, his body was ejected as if it were a pressurized chamber.

Desmon's figure disappeared on the horizon as he traveled at over 300 km/h.

Shizuka watched as Desmon was struck and then disappeared from her field of vision, but...

"He'll be fine." She said to herself. Shizuka had seen him impaled and eaten by a demon, so being thrown through the air at a speed that would kill anyone shouldn't be a problem for the demon hunter.

She stopped thinking about her roommate and worried about Miura.

"Miura, Miura!"

Shizuka shook her a bit as she checked her for any injuries or damage to her body.

"I'll really punish him for doing such a stupid thing."

A few seconds later, Miura opened her eyes; she didn't remember what had happened in the last few minutes. Her mind had blocked that near-death experience.

Once she saw that Miura seemed to be okay, Shizuka sighed in relief.

Meanwhile, on one of the tracks, Desmon could be seen lying there.

"I'm sure there were no signs that came out of nowhere in that movie." He said to himself as he got up and dusted off his clothes.

The impact wasn't strong enough to hurt him. In fact, the only time he had been seriously injured was in his first encounter with Dante. To say that Dante beat him up is an understatement.

As Desmon wondered whether he should continue his journey or return to Chiba, his cell phone vibrated. To his surprise, the sender was someone he didn't particularly like.

Let's go back a few minutes to another place, specifically in the local called Devil May Cry

Lady came in to kill some time. Inside the place, she noticed Trish sitting at the desk eating pizza.

"I thought I'd be the only one here." Lady said casually as she sat on the desk and grabbed a slice of pizza.

"Bad luck." Trish replied.

Both of them enjoyed the quiet moment, although they missed the demon hunter who used to constantly complain about debts and having essential services cut off due to non-payment.

"Hey, Trish, don't you want to take a job in Japan? I was assigned one, but I really have no interest in traveling so far."

"Japan? I'll pass."

"I figured as much."

"Why did you accept it if you didn't want to go so far?"

"It was a government request. Apparently, in the city of Kyoto, there have been reports of children disappearing. Some witnesses say they saw a very tall woman taking them, but I don't really think it's a demon, more like a kidnapper. So, I don't have high expectations, but the pay is good, so I decided to take it."

"A tall woman, you say?"

Trish pulled out a small notebook she had next to her and started flipping through it.

"Maybe it is a demon." Trish said.

"Why do you say that?"

"I've been reading about Japanese folklore and demonology. Since Desmon asked me about it. Regarding what I found, there's a legend about a woman over 2 meters tall who usually wears a white suit and kidnaps children. She's known as Hachishaku-sama."

"If that's true, I guess I have no choice but to go. By the way, why did Desmon ask you about it? Hasn't he returned from his previous job?"

Desmon usually avoids Lady, as her calls are only to remind him of the large sum of money he owes.

"Something came up, and he'll be staying there for a long time. And I think you'll be glad to hear this, but today he should be arriving in Kyoto because of a school trip."

Desmon's demeanor towards Trish, in comparison to Lady, is like night and day.

Lady had a big smile upon hearing this. She could collect the money without having to travel there herself.

"It was a good decision to come here." She said.

After saying this, she took out her phone and dialed the number of her number one debtor.

Back to the train tracks, Desmon took out his phone and answered. He would normally avoid answering, but it was rare for Lady to call him so early; she usually bothered him more at night. However, this was due to the time zone difference.

"Tell me, what do you need from me? If it's about the money, I'm working on it, although it'll take some more time." He said tiredly.

"Fortunately, it's not about that. I have a job for you. Trish told me you're in Kyoto, and I happen to need you to deal with a demon in that area. It's not a request."

Lady shared some more details and the demon's appearance with him before ending the call.

"I guess I'll have to go to Kyoto..." Desmon sighed wearily, especially since Lady had assigned him a new job now.

Desmon sighed as Kurox appeared by his side. But then an idea struck him.

"I wonder what expression Shizuka will have if I wait for her at the train station."

He formed an arrogant smile and hopped onto Kurox, with his goal being to surpass the speed of a bullet train for the second time.

Chapter Text

"In all honesty... What were you thinking when you did that?!"

At Kyoto station, as the students were getting off the train, Shizuka spotted a cheerful Desmon already waiting for her.

"I didn't arrive late. Besides, that train is way too slow." He replied, amused.

"You're the only one who would call a bullet train slow..." Shizuka felt a vein in her forehead ready to burst.

"Don’t pay him too much attention. So, where's the hotel? I wanna sleep."

For Desmon, it was just another day.

"Missing the train, I can understand. There was nothing else we could do, but putting Miura in danger is crossing the line." She glared at him.

"Who’s Miura?" Ever true to himself, he tilted his head in disbelief, brushing off any responsibility.

"You don't even remember... She’s the girl who was with you."

Desmon's mind suddenly clicked.

"Oh, you mean the blonde. Well, she's fine, so no big deal."

"There's no point talking to you..."

For the first time, Shizuka felt like she was having the most one-sided conversation ever. Worse, her usual discipline methods for problematic students had no effect on the demon hunter.

"If you stay mad, you'll just get more wrinkles, which will lower the percentage of guys who want to date you. Although..." Desmon paused, thinking, "Is there something less than zero?"

His words stabbed at Shizuka's pride like spears.

"Alright, you asked for it."

She clenched her fist and threw a punch straight at Desmon, but he sidestepped effortlessly. Even though Shizuka followed up with a barrage of blows, not a single one managed to touch him.

"Are you done yet?" He teased.

"One day, I’ll wipe that smug grin off your face..." Shizuka was breathing heavily from punching the air so much.

"That’ll only happen if I let you, and for now, that’s not in my plans." With that, he continued walking alongside the other students.

"Tch! That boy drives me crazy!"

Cursing under her breath, Shizuka joined the other teachers to lead the students to their hotel. The other teachers felt a bit sorry for her, as they understood what it was like having a troublesome nephew.

...

"Why do I have to go?"

"It’s part of the schedule for these three days."

"I don’t want to. Let me sleep, I’m tired."

Right now, Shizuka was in one of the hotel rooms, with Desmon being the last to get ready for the planned tour.

"It’s 11 in the morning. How are you still tired?"

"Maybe I was so excited for the trip yesterday that I couldn’t sleep?"

"Why are you asking me that?"

Shizuka grabbed his wrist and tried to drag him out, but there was no way she could overpower him.

"Just go without me. I’m not interested in visiting those places, or whatever it is you’re doing."

"I gave you the schedule. Did you at least read it?"

"I made a paper airplane out of it and threw it out the window yesterday. You should’ve seen how far it flew." He said proudly.

"What did I do to deserve this..." Shizuka sighed deeply. "Memorize this, I’m not repeating it: Today, the students will move as an entire class to the designated locations. Tomorrow, you’ll be with your respective groups and can visit different tourist attractions. Lastly, on the third day, you’ll have total freedom to wander around the tourist areas, and you can even group up with students from other sections. Got it?"

"The view’s pretty nice from here."

Shizuka’s entire explanation was ignored, as Desmon gazed out from the room’s balcony. The view from the 10th floor was breathtaking.

"Alright, that’s it... I didn’t want to do this, but you leave me no choice." Shizuka’s gaze turned sinister. "If you don’t cooperate, I won’t give you any money, and forget about me paying for your lunch!"

Another reason why Desmon came to Kyoto was also because Shizuka told him that the sweets they sell are delicious.

"Are you trying to kill me with that?" Desmon muttered under his breath.

"I saw you get impaled and crash into a sign at full speed while riding on top of the bullet train, and you're still here! So don't give me that 'I'm going to die' nonsense!" Shizuka retorted.

"Tch. And that's why you're still single." He mumbled to himself.

"What did you just say?!"

"Nothing..." He quickly avoided her gaze.

"You're way too much of a hassle..." Shizuka pressed her fingers to her temple, clearly trying to keep her composure.

"Don't blame me. I was taught I could do whatever I wanted, as long as I kept a good sense of humor."

"And who taught you that?"

Who in the world would give such irresponsible advice?

"A mercenary. It was a few years back."

There was a time when a younger Desmon wore nothing but a stoic expression, accepting jobs just to survive. He mostly hunted thieves or took on contracts to eliminate certain targets. The reasons didn’t matter. Desmon completed every job. That was until he crossed paths with an unusual mercenary; someone who, unlike others who only cared about themselves, tried to reach out to him.

Over time, things gradually changed for Desmon. Eventually, he chose to continue his path, but with a more carefree and fun-loving attitude. Though, that’s a story for another time.

"I want to ask more, but I feel like I'll just end up giving in to your whims if I listen to all of that."

"Is that so?" Desmon tilted his head slightly.

—There’s no point trying to reason with him, and threats don’t work either...

"If you stay here, you’ll miss out on those sweets I mentioned."

"That’s low, even for you!"

"It’s called 'persuasion'." Shizuka said with pride. "So, what will you do?"

"Fine, fine, I'll go. But I'm offended."

"As if I care."

After their brief negotiation, Desmon reluctantly obeyed Shizuka and joined the rest of the students.

The group split up by sections and boarded different buses.

At least for today, Shizuka didn’t have to worry about Desmon wandering off or causing trouble, though on the third day, she knew she'd have to stick by his side.

...

"Is it time to investigate?"

Desmon got out of bed. He left his room and made his way to the hotel’s main entrance.

Being nighttime, it was the perfect opportunity to look into the supposed demon responsible for the disappearance of several children.

Of course, another reason was that he hadn’t had a chance to sneak off earlier, with Shizuka keeping him tethered to the class activities all day. Not to mention, the promise of sweets in the morning was a hard offer to refuse.

As he reached the hotel lobby, he noticed Shizuka, Hikigaya, and Yukinoshita getting into a taxi.

—Good, more freedom for me.

Desmon felt much more at ease, knowing Shizuka wasn’t around to breathe down his neck.

"Desmon-san, are you heading out?"

Before he could step out the door and set off, someone called out to him.

"I got bored, so I decided to take a stroll." He responded in his usual laid-back manner. "By the way, who are you?"

The person who caught his attention was none other than Yuigahama Yui. She was dressed in a simple beige jacket, underneath which she wore a deep red sweater. She paired it with blue jeans, giving her a casual and comfortable look. However, something about her seemed different tonight.

"You're so mean... I'm Yuigahama Yui, your clubmate from the Service Club!"

"Oh, you're Yui," Desmon said as if he'd just uncovered one of the world's great mysteries.

"You didn't recognize me...?" She asked, a bit embarrassed.

"With your hair like that, you don't look like yourself. You can't blame me." He shrugged casually.

Yuigahama smiled brightly.

"Yumiko wanted to give me a new hairstyle because she was bored..." It's clear she doesn't mind.

"I see, it suits you." He said, sincere as always.

"Thanks... By the way, have you seen Yukinon and Hikki?"

"Who are they?"

"Mouuu, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you!?"

"I have no idea who you're talking about."

"The other two members of the Service Club! We've spent several afternoons together lately!" Yuigahama pouted, thinking Desmon was teasing her.

"If you mean those two, I saw them leave a while ago and get into a taxi. Maybe they're off to have fun. Ah, youth is so beautiful."

"Don't say it like you're not young too!" While scolding him, Yuigahama finally processed Desmon's words. "They were together...?" She said, sounding less energetic than usual.

"Shizuka probably dragged them along, so they're just victims." He nodded, pretending to sympathize with them.

"...Hiratsuka-sensei took them? You should've led with that!"

Yuigahama started playfully hitting Desmon with her fists, but instead of dodging, he just let her, knowing that she was as strong as a kitten.

"You didn't ask."

"Desmon-san..." Yuigahama let out a long sigh.

She finally understood why Yukinoshita had been more stressed than usual lately.

"If you see Shizuka, tell her I went to buy something just before she asked for me. See you." He waved nonchalantly as he walked toward the front door.

"Desmon-san, it's a bit late for a walk..."

Shizuka had asked the entire Service Club to try and stop Desmon if they saw him doing anything questionable. Normally, Yukinoshita handled that, but without her around, Yuigahama felt that responsibility now fell to her.

"More than a walk, I'm going for a little tour of the city. You know, this is when the fun begins."

Desmon was hinting at the demons and spirits that were more common at night.

"Where you're going... is it going to be fun?" Yui asked innocently.

"Hmmm, you could say that." He replied with a big smile.

"Can I come?"

With Hikigaya and Yukinoshita gone, Yuigahama thought it was a little unfair to be the only one stuck at the hotel.

"Sure.'' He answered without hesitation.

"Yay!"

Yuigahama smiled, happy to be joining in on the fun, or whatever Desmon's version of fun was.

"Then let's go."

With Yuigahama following, the two left the hotel.

"Are we walking or taking a taxi?" Yuigahama looked around, excited to be out at this hour.

"I'll drive, hop on."

"Wait... where did you get a motorcycle?"

In just a few seconds, while Yuigahama had looked away, Desmon was suddenly sitting on a motorcycle that appeared as if by magic.

"You know, movie magic."

"That makes no sense... You're a wizard!" No one knew how she reached that conclusion...

It can be kind of cute how naive Yuigahama is.

“Shhh, it’s a secret.” He winked at her.

“Really!?”

“Of course not, are you stupid or something?” He didn’t hesitate to tease her.

“Mouuu, I’m not stupid...!”

“If you keep whining and asking questions, I’ll leave you behind, so hop on already.”

“You’re so mean...!”

Pouting, Yuigahama climbed onto Kurox, wrapping her arms around Desmon’s waist.

“Make sure you hold on tight. If you fall, it's not my fault.”

“Like this?” She held on tighter.

There was almost no chance Yuigahama would fall, but Desmon just said that because he enjoyed the pleasant sensation against his back.

-It's like having two big marshmallows pressed against me... He's still a teenager, after all.

Without another word, Desmon started driving. This time, he kept the speed at a more reasonable pace, so to speak.

After about 10 minutes, Desmon stopped near the area where Lady had told him the last child disappeared.

“Alright, let’s walk.”

“We’re here already?”

Yuigahama enjoyed the ride. It was her first time on a motorcycle, and it was much more relaxing and pleasant than she had expected; though that was probably because it wasn’t a normal motorcycle.

“You could say that.”

Yuigahama hopped off first, followed by Desmon.

She did a few light stretches while looking around the neighborhood where they stopped. It didn’t look much different from any other place.

“By the way, Desmon-san, where are you going to park...”

Like déjà vu, when she glanced back at Desmon, the motorcycle was gone.

“Alright, let’s walk.”

“Wait... how... where...”

Her words were ignored, so she followed Desmon in silence.

“If you see anything strange, let me know.”

“What do you mean by ‘something strange’?”

“Mmmm, a really big woman.”

“Is that strange?”

“Let’s just say she’s three times your size.”

“Ohhh, she must be really tall...” Yuigahama couldn’t tell if Desmon was being serious or just messing with her. “Are you joking?”

“Maybe.”

“Mouuu!”

With their brief conversation over, the two walked through the neighborhood for several minutes, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

“This isn’t fun...” Yuigahama couldn’t help but yawn. She had walked quite a bit throughout the morning and afternoon, and now, doing it again at night, her body was starting to show signs of exhaustion.

“You’re right, I thought this would be interesting, but I guess I’m out of luck... Still, I’d rather not work tomorrow, so let’s keep looking.”

-Was Lady wrong? I doubt it. That woman might be a terrifying witch, but I don’t think she’d lie about this.

Somewhere else in the world, Lady sneezed.

They walked for another 20 minutes, passing through several neighborhoods, but there was still no sign of what Desmon was searching for.

“My legs hurt...”

“Are you a little kid to be complaining all the time?”

Desmon was starting to get tired of Yuigahama's constant whining.

“You should’ve told me we’d just be walking. If I’d known, I would’ve stayed at the hotel.” She pouted.

"Will you be quiet if I carry you?"

As Yuigahama kept complaining about being tired, Desmon thought about carrying her on his back.

"You're not going to tell me I'm heavy or anything, are you?"

Normally, Yuigahama wouldn't agree to this so easily, but after being on her feet all day, not walking sounded very tempting.

"I could carry an elephant, no problem."

"Are you calling me fat?!"

"Maybe." He replied with his usual attitude.

With Yuigahama agreeing, Desmon crouched down, motioning for her to climb onto his back.

"Just this once, because I'm really tired..."

With Yuigahama on his back, Desmon continued walking.

"I'm not heavy, am I?"

"I'll refrain from answering."

Desmon's mind was focused on the soft contact his back could feel.

"You're so mean!"

And so, with a beautiful girl on his back, he walked for another 20 minutes.

"This is pointless, there's nothing here..." Desmon let out a long sigh, realizing he'd have to head out again tomorrow. "Yui, let's go back."

There was no response, only the soft, steady sound of her breathing; she had fallen asleep.

"I'm starting to think you're really just a little kid."

With nothing left to do around the area, Desmon summoned Kurox, sitting sideways since Yuigahama was still on his back, and let Kurox carry them back to the hotel.

After a few minutes of travel, they arrived at the hotel.

"Alright, Yui, we're here. Wake up." He shook her a bit, but she showed no signs of waking up.

—I should've just gone alone…

Desmon got off Kurox and quickly dismissed it.

"If I remember correctly, she said her room was on the 9th floor..."

During the first few minutes of their walk, Yuigahama had shared several thoughts with Desmon. Of course, he only responded by nodding.

Desmon's eyes scanned the hotel's floors until he spotted the balcony on the 9th floor.

It's obvious what he's planning to do, but there’s a reason for it. He had caught sight of their teacher at the hotel reception, and her expression was far from that of a cheerful teacher waiting for her students.

Shizuka had originally gone out for a few drinks, but after running into Hikigaya and Yukinoshita, she bought their silence by treating them to ramen. She then planned to head to a bar, but hadn’t accounted for spending more than expected; thanks to a certain guy who had asked for too many sweets earlier in the day. After the ramen restaurant, she only had enough left for a taxi, so she had no choice but to return to the hotel with her students.

And much to her surprise upon returning, she found Miura at the reception, who asked if she'd seen Yuigahama. After speaking with the receptionist, he mentioned that he'd seen the girl leave with a white-haired guy.

So, Shizuka was doubly pissed; she didn’t get to drink tonight, and now she had to wait for Desmon to return.

"I think I'll die if I run into her..."

Shaking off that thought, Desmon leapt between the hotel’s balconies, reaching Yuigahama's room in a matter of seconds.

"Excuse me."

Without the slightest care, he slid open the door to the girls' room, where the rest of the group lay fast asleep; except for one of them.

Miura Yumiko, dressed only in pink pajamas, stared in shock and confusion as Desmon entered, laying a sleeping Yuigahama down on one of the futons.

As he set her down, their eyes met.

"If Shizuka asks, you didn't see me." With that, Desmon retreated to the balcony, jumping up to his room a floor above.

Miura had countless questions racing through her mind, but she couldn’t utter a single word. In that moment, a brief flashback flickered, though she couldn't quite grasp the memories.

"What are you doing with that guy?" She asked a sleeping Yuigahama, poking her cheeks.

"Mmmm..." Yuigahama mumbled in her sleep.

"Tomorrow, I’m definitely scolding you." She said with a smile.

Now more at ease with her friend back, Miura was able to fall asleep.

As for the demon hunter, upon entering his room and seeing his roommates already asleep, Desmon found a free futon and lay down.

Unfortunately, he was only able to delay the scolding, as the next morning at breakfast, he had to endure the full wrath of his teacher.

Chapter Text

"I’m pretty sure I should be the one keeping an eye on others, not the other way around..."

"Hiratsuka-sensei asked me to keep an eye on you and make sure you don’t cause trouble." Yukinoshita said calmly.

"Isn't that a bit unfair? I just went for a walk yesterday, and besides, you all went out too."

Though Desmon hadn’t caused any issues when he took Yuigahama along and returned late at night, Shizuka had already planned for Yukinoshita to keep an eye on him on the second day, the day students are divided into groups.

"Unlike you, we were dragged along by Hiratsuka-sensei. We can’t disobey an order from our teacher."

Yukinoshita let out a slight sigh, still recalling the ramen she ate with Hikigaya and her teacher; a taste far too intense for her refined palate.

"You just wanted to go somewhere, didn’t you?" Desmon accused, having nothing else to say.

"Think whatever you like." She replied without further interest in the subject.

For Desmon, interacting with Yukinoshita was a hassle, mostly due to her personality.

At this moment, Yukinoshita, Desmon, and a couple of other girls were strolling through the Kyouyouichi Temple; a place of zero interest to Desmon, but he couldn’t resist after Shizuka had scolded him earlier.

Inside the temple, they climbed several stone steps, eventually reaching their destination, the Karesansui garden.

This garden primarily uses rocks and other minerals without water, with white sand representing water, designed in such a way that it resembles ripples across the surface.

After the group’s tiring walk, they entered the zen garden and took their seats. Desmon, the only one not tired, seemed rather bored. Meanwhile, Yukinoshita noticed Hikigaya nearby, so she went over to chat with him.

The other girls in the group murmured among themselves, surprised to see Yukinoshita talking casually with that guy. She was someone popular, at the top of the social hierarchy, so seeing that kind of interaction was unusual for them; they could be considered Yukinoshita’s followers.

Desmon looked around, not sure how to entertain himself.

-Is watching white sand supposed to be fun?

As he wondered if this white sand could turn into quicksand, a girl approached him.

"Desmon-san."

"Hmm?"

"I didn’t expect to see you here."

Desmon barely heard her words, as he only had one question in mind.

"Who are you?"

"Are you kidding me? You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?!" Yuigahama Yui complained, frustrated that her classmate seemed to forget her every time.

"I have vague memories... did we meet a few years ago?" Desmon tilted his head, digging through his memory to identify the mysterious girl.

"We see each other every afternoon in the service club, and we went for a walk last night!"

"Ohhhh, you’re Yuki. How could I forget?"

"I’m not Yuki!"

"My bad, your name is Yumi, right?."

"You forgot my name?!"

Yuigahama might have understood if Desmon called her by her first name casually, but he didn’t even remember that.

"Yoni?"

"Why are you giving me a boy’s name?!" Tears seemed ready to well up in Yuigahama’s eyes.

"Don’t worry, Yoshi, everyone makes mistakes." With that, he went back to staring at the sand.

"...It’s true... my name is Yoshi... my name must be that forgettable..." Yuigahama mumbled, as if falling into darkness.

"Yuigahama-san, what are you doing?" Noticing the commotion and her friend’s cries, Yukinoshita decided to step in.

"...I’m Yoshi... nice to meet you..."

"Yuigahama-san, what are you talking about?" Yukinoshita rubbed her temple, as if she was getting a headache. "Hikigaya-kun, could you take Yuigahama-san somewhere to calm her down?"

"I’m on it..."

Hikigaya began leading Yuigahama away as she continued muttering the name Yoshi with a vacant expression.

Once the two of them left, Yukinoshita’s icy gaze focused on the one responsible for all this.

"Is there a limit to how much you can bother Yuigahama-san?"

Desmon looked at her in disbelief, as if wondering what he did wrong.

-Is this guy really related to Hiratsuka-sensei?

She already found it suspicious that Desmon didn’t know how to write Japanese and lacked distinctive features, but now she doubted her teacher’s words even more.

The other girls in the group were also staring at Desmon, ready to punish anyone who upset Yukinoshita with their sharp gazes, but as usual, Desmon ignored them.

"Shall we go? I’m bored now."

Letting out a long sigh, Yukinoshita and the group left, as they’d already spent quite some time in the zen garden, and there were other places to visit.

…

“Desmon-kun, just to confirm, you’re not planning to take that statue, are you?” There was a hint of irritation in Yukinoshita's voice.

“I think it’d make a great pet.”

A few minutes earlier, Yukinoshita’s group had moved to another temple, where two lion-dog statues stood at the entrance, a common feature in such temples.

The thing was, Desmon had started staring at one of the statues intensely, as if genuinely interested. Yukinoshita thought he’d developed an appreciation for the architecture and craftsmanship, but was surprised when Desmon seemed intent on taking one with him.

These statues are believed to protect temples from evil spirits, but Desmon’s curiosity stemmed from feeling that these weren’t just motionless figures.

A dog or a cat? Unless that dog has 3 heads, Desmon would find them boring. But having a pet lion-dog in extra-large size would be interesting, of course having a kind of wolf would be exciting too.

"It’s a crime, and disrespectful to the culture, to even think about taking one."

"One more thing on my record wouldn’t hurt."

"I’m ignoring that you just implied you’re a wanted criminal. You can’t take the statue!"

"Tch, you’re no fun."

After being scolded and finding nothing else to do, he gave up, moving away from the statue and following Yukinoshita.

Once the demon hunter walked away, a soft sigh echoed through the place. Statues tasked with guarding against evil spirits would be powerless against Desmon if he decided to take them, so the statues offered Yukinoshita their blessing.

…

The rest of the trip went smoothly, as Yukinoshita managed to keep Desmon from slipping away and causing trouble.

Later that evening, after dinner, Desmon was resting in his hotel room.

"Let’s hope tonight goes well..." He said with a yawn.

With nothing left but to carry out the task assigned by Lady, Desmon gathered his things, this time remembering to take Alastor along.

"Alright, time to head out."

Knowing that some teachers were watching the hotel entrance to prevent students from sneaking out for nighttime adventures, Desmon approached the balcony and leaped down to the ground.

Not his first time jumping from great heights, Desmon landed without a sound.

"Perfect landing. I’d give myself a 9.5; could’ve bent my knees a little more…" He said to himself with a wide grin.

"Before I forget, I need a map."

Failing to locate the demon the previous night, he’d called Lady to complain about the lack of precise directions, to which she’d called him an idiot and suggested he buy a map, mark the places where disappearances had been reported, and form a pattern to predict the next spot. Another child had been reported missing in the news just yesterday.

Kyoto isn’t a small city, so Desmon couldn’t be everywhere at once, but tonight, he’d make sure to finish off that demon.

He headed to the nearest convenience store, but as he approached the entrance, someone bumped into him, causing that person to fall backwards.

"Is greeting people like this your usual thing?"

The person was a girl with blonde hair and jade-green eyes, dressed in a pink shirt under a blue jacket, black jeans, and brown boots; a comfortable and casual outfit, ideal for Kyoto’s chilly night.

The girl was Miura Yumiko, muttering a quiet curse as she felt a twinge of pain from the fall.

"Watch where you’re going!" She said irritably as she stood up.

"You’re the one walking while reading a magazine; clearly, it’s your fault."

Desmon picked up the magazine that had fallen at his feet and handed it to Miura.

"Don’t think I’ll thank you, and by the way, you still haven’t explained what happened yesterday!"

"Ask Yoshi to explain it to you."

"Yoshi...? You’re the one who made Yui feel down!"

Earlier that morning, Miura saw Yui muttering softly, her face completely blank as she absentmindedly responded with the name Yoshi. Thankfully, after snapping her out of that trance, she was back to her usual cheerful self. But for some reason, she developed a certain fear of a video game franchise.

"I'm busy. We’ll talk another day."

Without giving Miura a chance to respond, Desmon walked into the store, leaving her alone on the street.

"That guy is such an idiot!" She muttered, deciding to head back to the hotel; it wasn’t worth ruining her mood.

-What does he mean I have a habit of greeting people that way?

Pondering Desmon’s words, she continued on her way.

Inside the store, Desmon began browsing city maps. As he rummaged through various items, creating more work for the staff, he sensed someone’s gaze.

"I know I’m handsome, but I'm not interested in guys." He replied casually.

"Ugh... you're the only one who’d say something like that with such confidence."

Hikigaya Hachiman, dressed in a green hoodie and brown pants, responded to Desmon’s words.

"Do you know where to find maps of this city? I need one."

"Turned into a geography fan?" He replied with some sarcasm, knowing Desmon’s carefree attitude in school earned him the title of “idiot.”

"As if I'd be interested in something that boring. I just need it to find my way around."

Desmon continued sorting through the city maps of Japan.

"Are you planning to go out? Hiratsuka-sensei has forbidden students from wandering at night. By the way, how did you even get out of the hotel?"

A fair question, considering Hikigaya also had to sneak past their teacher’s watchful eye.

"I have my tricks."

"She’s going to scold you."

"No worries. She thinks I'm still in my room. Besides, I won't be gone long." He replied nonchalantly. "But… if you happen to see her, don’t mention you saw me."

Hikigaya frowned; he didn’t like getting involved in others’ issues, especially when he could be dragged in as an accomplice and get scolded.

"Forget it. I gain nothing from this."

"I’ll tell you what color Shizuka’s underwear is on the days she doesn’t go to work.… Got it!" He said cheerfully as he finally found a detailed map of Kyoto.

Hikigaya’s expression shifted to one of shock; he hadn’t expected Desmon to say something like that.

Since they lived together, Desmon had occasionally seen Shizuka wandering around the house in her underwear.

"That’s..."

He found it hard to know how to respond.

"They’re black. I’m counting on you; otherwise, I’ll tell Shizuka I told you."

With a sly grin, Desmon left Hikigaya behind as he headed to the checkout.

"Tch..."

Being a young guy, his mind raced, picturing Shizuka based on Desmon’s comment.

"That guy is such a headache..."

Trying to push those thoughts away, Hikigaya made for the exit, but the shopkeeper stopped him.

"Excuse me, your friend said you’d cover his purchases." The shopkeeper handed him the receipt.

Sneaking out, Desmon obviously didn’t have any money, so he was lucky to run into Hikigaya.

-Shouldn’t have looked at him…

He inwardly regretted glancing his way for even a second.

Leaving Hikigaya to grudgingly pay for Desmon’s items, the demon hunter checked that no one was around and summoned his black motorcycle, Kurox, climbing onto it.

"I’ll leave the rest to you."

Those simple words were enough for Kurox to start moving.

"Mark here... trace the path in this area… according to yesterday’s news, it was around here..."

Bit by bit, the map filled with scribbles, and by correlating all he knew, he managed to narrow down the search area.

"Alright, I’ve got the spot… although… it’s on the other side. Oh well."

Kurox came to an abrupt stop, lifted onto its front wheel, then pivoted to change direction.

With the location set, it took only a few minutes for Desmon to reach his destination.

"An aerial view would be more practical."

He decided to leave the streets and climb onto nearby rooftops for a better vantage point. After dismounting, Kurox, the devil arm, vanished.

With a jump, he reached the roof of a house, moving across the rooftops, aided by his phone’s GPS.

After a few minutes, he spotted a young kid wandering out of a house aimlessly.

Most parents worked late, leaving kids alone for much of the day.

"I think I found a clue.'' He said with a smile.

Desmon decided to follow him. Fortunately, it didn’t take long before he spotted a figure in the distance.

The figure belonged to a tall woman in a white dress and straw hat. But since she had her back turned, Desmon couldn’t see her face.

"Hey, kid, you’d better head home."

Desmon stopped the child and snapped him out of his trance, placing a hand on his head after channeling a bit of demonic energy.

It seemed that children were leaving their homes as if they were hypnotized.

"Where… am I?"

"In a dangerous place, so get back home." He said calmly, though there was a hint of irritation in his voice.

That demon was exactly the kind of demon Desmon despised most.

The child quickly turned around, thanked Desmon, and headed home.

"Alright, now that there’s no one to interrupt us, we’ve got things to discuss."

Desmon spoke in a calm tone as he approached the woman in white.

But to his surprise, she turned around, and what he saw was not the face of a beautiful woman.

"I see. I guess those fangs aren’t for eating vegetables."

Standing before him was a tall, slender woman with long, disheveled black hair. She wore a tattered white dress that looked like an ancient mourning gown. Her face was shrouded in shadow beneath a wide hat, and a sinister smile stretched across it, as if carved grotesquely from side to side.

Her skin, pale and almost translucent, and her rigid, angular arms gave the impression of a being that didn’t belong in this world. Her eyes, hidden under the hat, seemed to harbor a deep, disturbing darkness.

That woman, or rather demon, known as Hachishaku-sama, specialized in abducting and devouring children. She glared at the one who had interrupted her meal.

Realizing her prey had escaped, she let out an ear-splitting roar and closed the distance with Desmon, driving her long claws into his abdomen.

A lethal attack that had killed many of her victims, but Desmon didn’t flinch.

"At least buy me a coffee before stabbing me." He replied with a grin.

The demon tried to pull her claws back, but Desmon gripped her wrists.

"It’s rude to stab someone and then try to leave." He narrowed his eyes.

Though the demon exerted a tremendous amount of strength, she couldn’t overcome Desmon’s grip.

"Lucky for you, I’m in a bad mood today... or maybe unlucky?"

With a swift move, Desmon tore both her arms off.

The demon staggered back, howling in pain, but her expression changed when she met Desmon’s gaze.

As a demon with a certain level of reasoning, she understood that Desmon was about to exterminate her.

The situation had completely shifted; the demon now felt fear, as if she were the prey before the hunter.

Then, following her instincts, the demon chose to flee.

"So, you stab me and then run away? Should I take that to mean I’m not good with girls?"

Desmon began pursuing the demon, whistling a chilling tune that signaled death’s approach.

He could be quite terrifying at times.

The demon’s speed didn’t require Desmon to use Kurox; his own legs were more than enough.

During the chase, they left the streets and entered open ground, miles of farmland stretching before them.

"Oh, come on, if you’re just going to run, this chase is pointless."

Tired of the cat-and-mouse game, Desmon drew Alastor and threw it ahead of the demon, the sword embedding itself in her path, signaling there was nowhere left to run.

The demon could only back away, keeping her eyes fixed on him as Desmon reclaimed Alastor from the ground.

Approaching slowly, Desmon prepared to finish his hunt, but at that moment, a spear shot toward the demon at high speed.

The attack was so fast it even made Desmon raise an eyebrow. The spear pierced through the demon’s chest, pinning her to the ground.

Still alive, the demon’s face contorted with pure terror, as if she had encountered something far worse than Desmon.

One of the figures stomped on the demon’s head, crushing it and ending her life, then extended a hand to absorb an eerie energy from her.

Desmon, meanwhile, focused on the unexpected guests who had arrived unannounced.

The reason was clear: the aura these two emitted was unmatched by any demon Desmon had faced; they were, in short, extremely dangerous.

Even so, that was no reason to back down; in fact, he couldn’t have been more thrilled.

"Didn’t your mothers teach you not to steal others’ prey? Although, seeing those ugly faces, I doubt you even had mothers." He taunted, resting Alastor on his shoulder.

The guests’ eyes locked onto Desmon, making the air feel heavy, a prelude to what was about to unfold.

-Looks like I’ll be running a little late.

Chapter Text

Halloween, a celebration where kids typically dress up to go trick-or-treating, while teens and young adults put on costumes to attend various parties held on this day.

And as expected in Tokyo, you can see people in costumes heading to friends' houses or parties to enjoy the night.

An ordinary day, right?

It's said that on this particular day, supernatural activity increases, including that of spirits and demons. The reason, many believe, is that the boundary between the living and the dead grows thin, making it easier for these creatures to cross over.

But for now, let's return to the main point: the costumes and the people eager for a night of fun.

Among them, there's one person who's been looking forward to this specific day more than anyone else.

His name is Riku Saito.

A 30-year-old man, owner of a successful business with multiple branches recognized nationwide.

So, why would such a successful man await this day with such eagerness, his eyes practically gleaming?

Is he a fan of fancy millionaire parties? Does he long to see others in costume? Or perhaps… he just enjoys dressing up himself.

In his case, it's the third option.

Now, wearing a simple yet striking suit with bright colors and decorations, along with a cheerful clown mask, he steps out of his sleek car and starts walking through the bustling streets.

Some people laugh at his outfit, while others are too absorbed in their own activities to even notice him.

"How I love this day…"

As he ponders all the possibilities, he walks into an alley and takes out his tools of amusement.

Nothing out of the ordinary for a clown; just a knife, a silenced gun, and various torture instruments.

Isn't that what a regular clown carries? Well, in his case, it's what he brings with him on this day.

In the past five years, over 30 murders have been reported, with victims including women, children, teenagers, and the elderly. The police have put in great effort, noticing the common pattern that the murders occur on Halloween, a time when identifying the criminal would be particularly hard.

No matter how much they investigated, the leads never pointed to the culprit, as authorities didn't expect just one person to be behind these crimes. The reason was simple: these killings happened all across the city, all on the same night.

"Who will be the first tonight?" He mused cheerfully, humming a lively tune.

There's no specific reason for his actions; he's simply a psychopath who enjoys ending his victims' lives and playing with them before they die.

"That guy looks promising; maybe he's foolish enough to wander into an alley at night."

An oblivious young man walked along, chatting happily on his phone.

Riku could only catch fragments of his conversation; something about being too tired to go to work in another city.

Without hesitation, holding his trusty knife that had claimed many lives, Riku walked casually towards the young man, and once beside him, he drove the knife into the guy's chest without a second thought.

An act that should have caused the victim to collapse from lost strength, followed by a brutal series of stabbings; yet, to Riku's surprise, his victim remained standing, not even flinching.

"Mind if you don't? I'm on a call…" He said, refocusing on his conversation. "Like I was saying, Shizuka, you're way too old to be dressing up as a magical girl…"

Riku's eyes widened in shock. Had he somehow missed his mark?

He checked the angle and depth of the blade; there was no doubt; it had penetrated his victim's skin, and blood was seeping out.

"This is odd."

After a moment's thought, he started stabbing him repeatedly, but the victim didn't react; he continued talking on the phone as if it were just another day.

"I'll call you back. There's some troublesome guy here." With those words, the supposed victim ended his call.

"What are you?" Riku backed up several steps, utterly shocked as he watched the wounds he'd inflicted heal in the blink of an eye.

"I'm Desmon, a demon hunter. Nice to meet you." Said the young man, his tone cheerful and playful.

Not fully grasping the situation, Riku drew the gun he had and fired multiple times, but none of the bullets hit their mark.

"You should be careful when shooting; you might accidentally kill someone." Desmon said, watching him with amusement.

Riku threw his gun and started running. With impressive agility, he scaled a wall and crossed various streets.

His speed and climbing skills were remarkable, the kind expected from someone with plenty of experience and escape plans for any situation.

"What the hell is that guy…?"

Once he'd put enough distance between them, he stopped to catch his breath.

"Took you long enough; I thought I'd grow old waiting for you."

A voice from behind spoke casually, and when Riku turned around, he found that same guy standing there again.

"Who the hell are you?!"

"As I said, my name is Desmon, pleased to meet you." Desmon extended his hand for a handshake.

"What do you want from me?!"

"Interesting question… hmm… maybe… your head?" Desmon replied innocently, studying him with a playful look.

The words were spoken with such a cheerful tone that they almost sounded like a joke, but Riku felt a chill run through his body.

"Catch me if you can!"

He grabbed a few tools from his pocket and threw them at Desmon, who casually tilted his head to dodge them, watching as Riku bolted away again.

-Some guys are just hopeless.

Without much urgency, Desmon began to walk after him, whistling a merry tune.

Thanks to his impressive stamina, Riku made it to his sports car, climbed in hastily, and sped off, putting as much distance as he could between himself and the city.

After driving at top speed for several minutes, he finally relaxed.

"Who the hell is that guy… no… what the hell is he? How is he still moving after being stabbed so many times? That makes no sense!"

He pounded his steering wheel in frustration.

"It doesn't matter… it just delays my plan for tonight… I'll head to another city and carry on."

Trying to calm down, he convinced himself this was just a setback.

Unfortunately, that thought didn't last long as he heard a faint tap on his car window; something impossible given the high speed he was going.

Slowly, he turned his head and spotted that same guy, apparently unfazed by being stabbed.

No vehicle could keep up with Kurox, Desmon's Devil Arm specialized for speed.

Riku pressed down on the accelerator, trying to put even more distance between himself and the psycho chasing him, but it was no use. Desmon kept up without difficulty.

Their eyes met briefly, and Desmon said something, though Riku couldn't hear it over the noise of the speeding car.

An easy fix for Desmon.

"Now, can you hear me?"

Riku had thought the door would keep him safe, but Desmon ripped it clean off as if it were made of paper.

"Get away from me!"

Distracted by Desmon, Riku lost control of his vehicle, causing it to veer off a slope and tumble down until it crashed near a beach.

The car rolled over several times, fracturing Riku's bones and causing severe injuries, yet, gathering every ounce of his strength, he crawled away from the flaming wreckage just before it exploded.

"Why is this happening to me…"

Lamenting his misfortune, Riku tried to drag himself further, but Desmon stopped right in front of him.

"I'd finish this myself, but I'm last in line, so they'll handle the dirty work."

Without a hint of emotion, Desmon kicked Riku, sending him flying into the sea.

In the vast ocean, where Riku struggled to stay afloat, various emotions surged through him.

Just minutes ago, he was about to carry on with his usual routine, and now he was in the water, fighting to survive one more day.

-What did I do wrong? Why is this happening? This is unfair…

Thoughts like these echoed in his mind.

But there was one thought that Riku couldn't shake. 'I'd finish this myself, but I'm last in line, so they'll handle the dirty work.' Those were the last words he heard from the psycho chasing him, and though he tried to make sense of it, the words seemed nonsensical.

But… seconds later, he discovered the answer as he felt an unnatural hand emerging from the depths below.

"!!!"

That lone hand multiplied, then doubled, and then quadrupled…

In seconds, something began to pull him down into the ocean's depths.

-Let me go, let me go!!!

He tried to speak, but it only made him swallow more water. In that moment of desperation, he understood Desmon's words.

Various shadows, belonging to the souls of those he had killed, were dragging him down to hell; a dark, deep hell.

Riku's eyes gradually lost their spark as more of those shadows completely devoured him.

"…this…can't…be the end…"

His efforts to escape grew weaker until he went completely still.

The last thing he saw were the twisted expressions on those shadows.

And so, in the ocean's depths, the figure of a serial killer met his end. An end for his body, but his soul was about to experience a complete hell.

…

In one of Tokyo's bustling streets, where young and old alike enjoy this Halloween night, a high school boy in a simple costume walks through the crowd.

The party with his friends had been so much fun that he lost track of time, and now he needs to head home.

Along the way, he notices the strange figure of a woman. It wouldn't be odd in itself, given that tonight is for people to go out and have fun; this kind of encounter felt natural.

But the woman didn't exactly choose the best costume for the night. She wore only a dark trench coat, and with her towering height and pale skin, she was a striking beauty, marred only by a mask covering the lower half of her face.

In short, a Halloween costume that's far from original.

As they crossed paths, close enough to brush shoulders, the woman spoke softly.

"Am I beautiful?"

The boy, who looked at this beautiful woman, didn't quite understand why she asked, but without thinking too much, he figured maybe she was flirting.

"Yes, you're…"

But before he could respond, a hand landed on his head.

"Hey, kid, it's way too late to be flirting with older women on the street; leave that to me." The voice of a stranger joined the conversation.

The boy turned to look at him, noticing a tall man with white hair, a black trench coat, and what appeared to be a sword strapped to his back.

Only on this night could you stroll through the city with a sword on your back.

"Who are you?" He asked with a dismissive tone, annoyed at the interruption.

"Desmon. I handle pest control, and right now, I need a chat with this lovely lady here, so off you go. Shoo, shoo." With his usual manner, Desmon waved him off.

Annoyed, the boy decided to leave, since if his parents got home before him, he'd get an earful. With one last glance at the two of them, he continued on his way.

"Now, where were we?" Desmon turned his attention to the seemingly normal, beautiful woman.

"Am I beautiful?"

"Hmmm, I'd say so." Desmon looked her over.

After hearing his answer, the woman slowly removed her mask, revealing a mouth torn open to her ears. Her wide grin was anything but beautiful; it was utterly terrifying, enough to send chills down anyone's spine.

"And now?" She asked, her tone menacing, as if ready to attack the person who'd answered her.

Desmon raised an eyebrow, taking in her face before responding with a relaxed smile.

"I'm a guy with… diverse tastes. A bit of makeup here… some scar cream… or better yet, a paper bag over the face could do the trick."

Without a word, the woman lunged at him, wielding a pair of large scissors.

"No offense, but I'd rather not have a face like yours; don't take it personally." Desmon moved back just enough to avoid her scissors slicing his face.

This left no doubt; the woman wasn't human.

"Well, I found you faster than I thought. And if I remember right… No, I forgot." Desmon raised one hand, motioning for her to wait, while he searched his phone with the other.

After a few seconds, he found what he was looking for.

"Kuchisake-onna, a troublesome, grouchy lady who gives her victims some 'fun' new cuts, am I right?"

Also known as 'The Slit-Mouthed Woman.' she's one of the most terrifying yōkai. Her legend has been told and retold across various regions of Japan, embodying the form of a 'vengeful spirit.'

These kinds of vengeful spirits have physical bodies and an insatiable thirst for blood, indiscriminately attacking their victims. They aren't exactly demons, but Desmon doesn't care about the distinction.

Before Desmon can finish speaking, Kuchisake-onna lunges at him again, but this time her scissors clash against something incredibly hard.

Without much thought, Desmon drew Alastor, his trusty devil arm.

"Not bad, but mine's bigger!"

Exerting more force, Desmon easily knocks the scissors out of her hand.

"You should probably complain to whoever sold you those; maybe get a refund for the poor quality?"

Kuchisake-onna glances at her hands, then lets out a terrifying scream and charges at Desmon once more; this time, Alastor meets something equally hard: claws that have grown from the woman's hand, tough as steel.

"I can only imagine how expensive your manicure must be."

Desmon fends off the troublesome woman and begins attacking with various slashes, but she manages to keep up with him thanks to her speed and reflexes.

Her claws counter Alastor's cuts as if she understands Desmon's attack pattern; not that his technique is particularly complex. Imagine a kid swinging a plastic sword, and you'd be close.

"Am I beautiful? Am I beautiful?" Kuchisake-onna repeats the question every time she trades blows with Desmon.

"You've got a serious complex; ever thought about seeing a ghost therapist?"

Even as Desmon mocks the yōkai, he feels her growing stronger with each passing minute.

This is because, as midnight approaches, demons and spirits gain power, and since it's already 11:40, Kuchisake-onna's power is getting closer to its peak.

On any other occasion, Desmon could dispatch this vengeful spirit without breaking a sweat, but the timing tonight has cranked up the difficulty far too high.

"Why do you keep going for my face? Am I that handsome? Should I feel flattered that I caught a spirit's interest? Or disappointed that only crazy women are into me?"

With a powerful swing of Alastor, he deflects the woman's claws.

"In my defense, technically, you don't have rights anymore."

Before the yōkai can regain her balance, he kicks her in the stomach, sending her flying an impressive distance.

"Maybe I overdid it?"

Wondering if there are any laws protecting vengeful spirits, Desmon starts pursuing the yōkai, who was thrown like a baseball.

She lands on train tracks, used mainly for heavy cargo trains that always speed by at high velocity.

When Desmon arrives, he finds her waiting for him.

"I'll give you a big smile, so we can be together forever!"

-Guess she can say more than a few words, that's something.

"I'm not a fan of having crazies after me, so I'll have to pass on your invitation."

Kuchisake-onna lunges at Desmon, and he sidesteps, fracturing her leg with a kick. When she loses her balance, he follows up with a kick to her neck, twisting her head around.

"Tch!"

Two light cuts appear on Desmon's face.

"I'm pretty sure the info online didn't mention this part…"

Desmon curses the unreliable online source of urban legends for leaving out the fact that this spirit isn't fazed by a few broken bones.

Looking more twisted and horrifying, the yōkai spins her head back into place, along with her leg.

"Wonder if I can do that too… though I'd rather not find out."

Without hesitation, he drives his sword into the ground and readies himself to take on the yōkai.

Desmon ducks, dodging a slash from the spirit.

In that position, he grabs her wrists, holding her in place for a moment.

"Guess I'll go for the ol' reliable." He smirks. "How about a little haircut; just around neck height?"

Desmon snapped the spirit's wrists, then delivered a double kick to its face, using the momentum to flip into the air and recover Alastor upon landing.

"Good night!"

He closed the distance with the yōkai, ready to decapitate her… but in that moment, a strange sound approached swiftly.

Teke teke teke teke teke.

A large slash appeared at Desmon's waist, a cut he managed to partially evade; otherwise, there would be two of him.

The intruder, an uninvited guest, is described as a young woman—beautiful from the waist up, yet without legs. Rather than walking, she drags herself using her arms, making a distinctive 'teke teke' sound as she moves. This sound signals her presence, tied to her terrifying approach. Her typical act is slicing her victims in half with a split-second strike.

These two vengeful spirits didn't even look at each other; they focused solely on the young man before them.

"Well, this saves me a lot of time; a two-for-one deal." He said with a grin.

With her characteristic 'teke teke' sound, also known as the new yōkai's name, she vanished from Desmon's sight, only to reappear in front of him.

Desmon drove his sword into the ground, using it as a pivot to lift himself with one hand, dodging the attack.

Looking at the yōkai upside down, he was ready to deliver an axe kick to finish her off, but the other spirit wasn't just watching.

"I must be quite popular, having two beautiful ladies chasing my body."

One wanted to disfigure him, and the other to slice him in two. He must feel like the luckiest guy alive; at least none of them want his head.

He pushed off with his hand, dodging the second attack.

As he landed, he leaned back, avoiding a slash to his torso, just in time to watch massive claws swish past him.

"I'll need at least a week off for this job." He sighed, exhausted.

Minutes ticked by, nearing midnight, the hour when both yōkai would grow even stronger.

"Normally, I'd love to keep having fun with two lovely ladies, but a grumpy teacher is waiting for me to share some candy, so let's finish this. I'll give you one last dance."

With these words, both yōkai lunged at Desmon, who, with a playful smile, kicked the teke teke in the jaw before she could reach him, sending her flying.

She may be quick to human eyes, even more now that she's stronger, but to Desmon, her speed doesn't compare to a certain pizza addict.

"Now, the dance floor is just for the two of us."

Desmon intertwined his hands with Kuchisake-onna's, immobilizing her claws the moment she lunged.

With her hands pinned, the yōkai didn't hesitate to bring her head toward Desmon's neck, aiming to sink her massive fangs into it.

"It's hard to resist a lovely lady's kiss, but my neck would regret it if I accepted that."

Desmon raised his knee, striking the yōkai's chin.

Gaining control, he moved with her to the side, evading a cut that would have sliced them both in half.

-It's rather helpful that she announces herself with her name every time she moves.

Once the teke teke landed, she immediately charged at Desmon.

"Don't be impatient; your turn will come soon."

As if in a dance, Desmon began to lead Kuchisake-onna, who struggled to free her claws and repeatedly tried for his neck, while the teke teke lunged at them whenever he dodged.

A comical scene, almost like Desmon was mocking these two spirits, though one wrong move would land him in serious trouble.

For a while, he maintained this incredible dance between spirit and demon.

But all good things come to an end, and that moment came as the clock struck midnight, the peak of the spirits' power.

"Right on time, so our fun ends here."

Kuchisake-onna managed to break free of Desmon's grip as the teke teke launched herself at him.

"It's over."

With his limited control over demonic energy, Desmon moved faster than both yōkai, channeling energy into his legs.

With a confident, playful smile, he greeted the teke teke with a kick to the face, strong enough to fracture the spirit's features and send her flying toward the train tracks.

Just then, a sound echoed through the area; it was time for the train to come barreling down the tracks.

The teke teke didn't even notice the train lights approaching, as Desmon's precision kick left her only a split-second to react; one she, unfortunately, couldn't take.

At high speed, the long freight train tore over the teke teke, obliterating it in a blink.

Kuchisake-onna paid no mind to the destruction of the other spirit, focusing only on Desmon, who was already waiting with a gut punch that sent her flying into the train's cars.

The yōkai's body collided, then was repelled by the high speed of the freight train. But as she twisted from the impact, Desmon grabbed the back of her head.

"Let me tell you this: you're uglier than a kick in the ass!"

Without a hint of hesitation or mercy, Desmon slammed Kuchisake-onna's head against the train, using the speeding cars like a belt sander. Slowly, the spirit's head began to disappear, releasing an overwhelming, anguished scream.

The teke teke's end was instant, but Kuchisake-onna's was anything but.

A few seconds later, all that remained of the yōkai's body fell to the ground, starting to fade away.

The sound of the train grew fainter as seconds passed.

"Another job well done… I think." He said with irony.

Why would Desmon be in Tokyo on Halloween night? The answer was simple: work.

Lady had called him that morning, saying he needed to head to Tokyo to handle three alleged demons or spirits. The first turned out to be nothing more than a psycho who loved to commit crimes on this date, but the other two were real yōkai that claimed hundreds of lives each year. Witnesses reported seeing them in Tokyo around this time.

"Hope Shizuka saved me some candy."

With that, he summoned Kurox to head to his teacher and housemate's place.

Chapter Text

Hell is known as a place beyond human comprehension, impossible to define in size due to its distortions, with realms governed by high-ranking demons and areas controlled by those once considered demon kings.

Japan lies within the territory of one of these ancient demon kings, a creature known as Enma, now tasked with judging the souls of the dead and handling demons or individuals who disrupt the balance in his domain. This role was all that Enma could achieve after being defeated by another demon of equal rank.

To maintain control of its realm, Enma relies on its two most loyal servants, demons known as the gatekeepers of hell, dedicated to guarding their master's lands.

These two demons are named Gozu and Mezu.

Both demons have a fearsome appearance: Gozu bears the head of a bull, while Mezu has the head of a horse. They share a muscular, towering physique, their bodies reflecting their roles as fearsome guardians. They wear traditional armor, reinforcing their image as warriors bound to their master's commands.

But unlike other demons, each carries weapons: Gozu wields a massive medieval halberd capable of penetrating and slicing, as well as a large shield used both offensively and defensively. Mezu, on the other hand, carries two dao swords, one in each hand.

As their weapons suggest, each demon has immense combat abilities and distinct roles in battle: Gozu with incredible strength and endurance, and Mezu with remarkable speed and agility. Together, they cover each other's weaknesses, making them unbeatable as a team.

Some might think that an individual fight would be best, but these two are inseparable, and if you manage to kill one; well, no one has yet managed it, though legend has it that defeating one alone would be your biggest mistake.

As expected, both demons are feared by lower-ranking demons, who try to flee at the mere sensation of their demonic aura. But if both pursue you, there’s nowhere to hide.

Unfortunately, this was the fate of Hachishaku-sama, who disturbed the balance in Enma’s territory, prompting both Gozu and Mezu to appear in the city to take the demon’s essence, representing its very existence.

No demon is foolish or brave enough to challenge this duo, but before them stands a guy oblivious to the nature of these two beings.

"I suppose having animal heads keeps them from talking. Well, that's too bad." Desmon commented, receiving no reply from the demons.

Desmon pointed Alastor at them. Though he couldn’t sense it, the devil arm seemed eager to confront the two demons.

“I'll make sure you learn basic manners; don’t complain if I'm too demanding!”

With that, Desmon lunged at them, slashing with Alastor as he closed the gap, only for the blade to be deflected by Gozu’s shield.

In that brief moment, Mezu disappeared from Desmon’s view, and while Desmon was left open after the parry, Mezu appeared behind him and cut him twice across the back.

"Tch!"

Desmon felt the slash on his back, yet he didn’t back down.

Using the strength in his right side, he spun around with Alastor to strike the foe behind him, but by then Mezu was already out of range.

Keeping his guard up, Desmon turned fully around, resulting in Alastor being repelled once more by Gozu’s shield.

Shouldn’t its large size slow its reaction time? Not for Gozu, who, after deflecting Desmon’s weapon, stabbed him in the stomach with the tip of its halberd.

Impaled, Gozu lifted its halberd before slamming it down, giving Desmon no chance to escape.

“Nice trick…”

Using both arms, Desmon pried himself off the halberd and rolled across the ground to avoid being crushed by Gozu’s shield.

But he had no time to recover, as Mezu was already there, ready to strike the final blow.

Unable to stop it, Desmon used his hands to soften the impact of the swords. Though pierced, his hands managed to deflect the weapons’ paths, sparing him from being stabbed in the head.

“They make a good team! I’ll give them that.”

As Mezu withdrew the swords, Desmon sprang up and delivered a spinning kick, but Mezu blocked it with both swords.

With Desmon left open, Gozu, who had already closed the distance, struck him with a shield, sending him crashing to the ground.

“Tch, can’t you just come at me one at a time?” He spat blood from his mouth. That shield blow was powerful enough to seriously hurt him.

Mezu exchanged a glance with Gozu, then kicked Alastor, lying on the ground, back toward Desmon, as if saying, “Pick up your weapon and fight.”

“I’ll wipe that smile off your face, horse-head.”

Desmon swung Alastor, but Mezu intercepted him with its swords.

The message Mezu conveyed was clear: a duel between swords. It was also why Gozu decided to simply observe. To them, Desmon was no real threat.

Desmon swung Alastor as best as he could, but each move was parried by Mezu with ease.

There was no comparison between them. Desmon was like a child wielding a toy sword, while Mezu was a seasoned soldier with mastery of the blade.

Desmon had never received any training in swordsmanship; he’d just tried to mimic moves he’d seen in movies. Against lesser demons, that had been enough; his strength and reflexes covered his lack of skill. But against an opponent who excelled in swordplay, he didn’t stand a chance.

The demon wielded its weapons without leaving openings, while every swing Desmon attempted resulted in a counterstrike from Mezu.

Gradually, cuts appeared all over Desmon’s body. Sure, he tried to dodge as best he could, but facing a dual-wielding swordsman, it was easier said than done.

-How the hell does a horse know how to use swords?

Desmon cursed internally, realizing he was outmatched by Mezu’s skill.

When he tried to focus on a horizontal cut, Mezu executed a flawless parry on Alastor, deflecting the blow and leaving Desmon completely exposed.

“This is gonna hurt…”

Mezu unleashed a rapid sequence of cuts on Desmon, moving with impeccable precision, each slice perfectly timed. Mezu finished the assault with a cross-cut.

Desmon’s body was flung backward from the impact, a trail of blood marking his path.

With the fight seemingly over, Mezu sheathed its swords. Gozu walked up beside it, raising its hand toward where Desmon’s body lay.

That final flurry of cuts should’ve been enough to finish Desmon off, so the demons considered the battle over. There was no way any other demon lesser than these two could’ve survived it.

But, to Gozu’s surprise, nothing happened.

“Damn, that hurt like hell…”

Desmon, battered but alive, rose from the ground. His clothes were slashed and bloodstained, but his wounds had already healed completely.

“It’s pointless…”

Shaking his head, Desmon planted Alastor in the ground.

“You know what they say, you have to fight like you know how.” He grinned, entirely different from his expression during the sword exchange with Mezu.

With his lack of sword skills, Desmon stood no chance. But could he hold his own against both demons?

The answer: It depends.

-When was the last time I actually took something seriously?

He began stretching, as if trying to loosen up his muscles.

"Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever done it. Haha! But you know what they say, there's a first time for everything!" He wiped the remaining blood from his mouth with his thumb, a smug grin on his face.

-I have no idea how to use this, but it shouldn’t be too hard.

Desmon focused his demonic energy on his body, though, since he’d never done it before, he could only gather it in his arms and legs.

-This should be enough. I really need to practice more with this thing....

So far, he’d only used his demonic energy on rare occasions, and the best he could manage was to concentrate it in his arms and legs; which was exactly what he needed, as it suited him perfectly.

"Alright, time for round two!"

Noticing Desmon’s unusual behavior, both demons watched him curiously as his energy condensed in a way that seemed strange to them.

It’s said that concentrating demonic energy on a specific part of the body is harder than spreading it throughout, a rule that applies to demons.

So when they saw Desmon vanish from sight, both demons went on guard.

Mezu was the first to react, drawing its swords and moving to intercept Desmon, slashing with both blades. Desmon dodged by leaning back, slipping under the weapons.

Behind Mezu now, he looked at it with amusement.

"You should aim more carefully; it’s dangerous to let someone get behind you."

Mezu quickly turned and attempted a vertical slash, but Desmon caught its wrists, preventing the swords from moving.

In this moment, their strength was evenly matched, as, despite Mezu’s push, Desmon held his ground.

With a mocking grin, Desmon leveraged the force exerted against Mezu to make a small jump and deliver a double kick to its face, sending the demon flying to the ground.

"You should wait your turn."

Without giving him a chance, Gozu advanced and swung its halberd vertically, but Desmon stepped back, catching a glimpse of his reflection in the weapon.

-I should fix my hair. He thought, noticing his reflection in a split second.

Seeing this, Gozu swung the halberd horizontally, but Desmon leapt onto the weapon.

"You two related or something? You’re both really ugly."

Seeing Desmon perched comfortably on the halberd, Gozu raised its other arm to swing its heavy shield at him.

But Desmon gripped the halberd’s handle, using it as a base to double-kick the shield.

The force repelled Gozu’s shield and arm, leaving the demon open.

Seizing the opening, Desmon ran up the halberd’s handle and leapt toward the demon’s head.

"I’ll return this favor!"

Known for its massive strength and resilience, Gozu spat blood after taking Desmon’s kick square to the head.

"The bigger they are…"

Still airborne over Gozu, Desmon grabbed its horns.

"The harder they fall!"

Showing strength that belied his size against the demons, Desmon flipped forward, yanking Gozu by the head and slamming it violently into the ground.

Dusting his hands arrogantly, he smirked.

"I’m in the mood for meat tonight... Don’t you think, pony?"

From his position, Desmon kicked back in an upward motion, deflecting Mezu’s sword.

"No matter what weapon you use, it’s pointless if you can’t hit the target. Want me to prove it?"

Mezu began its sword dance, fluid and perfect movements that left no openings in its guard, yet… Desmon dodged each of its cuts with smooth movements, as if he were dancing.

"Who would've thought that the advice from a middle-aged guy would be this effective."

With a grin, recalling memories from years past, Desmon sidestepped both swords as he closed in on Mezu and struck its wrists.

"My fists or your swords, which are deadlier?"

Mezu snorted and lunged at Desmon, delivering two quick slashes as fast as the wind, but before the second one landed, Desmon deflected the sword with one hand as he closed the distance and drove his other fist into the demon’s stomach, forcing it back.

"Are we getting started!?"

Mezu and Desmon launched into a rapid exchange of cuts and punches.

The demon’s strikes were precise, but each one was deflected by Desmon; a risky move, as a single mistake would mean getting cut by the swords. Yet Desmon had ample practice deflecting close-range weapons.

Years of training hadn’t been in vain.

Desmon met every slash with precision, striking the demon whenever he saw an opening, turning it into a battle of endurance, one that Desmon was winning.

"I must be pretty popular, huh."

He knocked both swords aside and delivered a direct kick toward Mezu, using the momentum to leap back, avoiding the halberd.

"Didn’t anyone teach you not to meddle in others' business?"

Gozu let out a fierce roar, swinging its halberd to cut Desmon. To its surprise, Desmon caught the blade with his hand. And though blood dripped from his grip on the blade of the halberd, he showed no sign of discomfort or pain.

"Hey, shitty cow, wait your turn!" Desmon’s gaze was piercing and serious.

Desmon grabbed the halberd with both hands, pitting his strength against Gozu, who had also set aside its shield to grip the weapon with both arms.

Calling it a tug-of-war would be inaccurate, as, using the sheer power of his arms, Desmon lifted Gozu, who was still holding onto the halberd.

"Get lost."

Without further ado, Desmon began slamming Gozu against the ground repeatedly until the demon released the halberd and went flying into the sky.

"Never thought I’d see a flying cow."

Gozu’s figure disappeared into the clouds.

"Sooner or later, it’ll be back…"

For now, Desmon ignored Gozu and focused on the new weapon in his hands.

The massive halberd, much larger than Desmon, was hard to wield, requiring both hands just to have mediocre control over it.

"Pointless. It’s not my style…" He said with a grin as he spun in place, wielding the weapon.

Mezu, who had taken advantage of Desmon's supposed distraction, closed in swiftly with its swords but was forced to block the massive halberd that Desmon swung toward it.

"Unlucky for you, pony, mine’s bigger."

Before Mezu could recover, Desmon spun the halberd again, making the demon block once more.

"Not so tough now, are you?" He taunted.

Repeating this pattern, Desmon focused on wielding the weapon in such a way that Mezu could only defend.

"Not so fun anymore, is it, pony?"

Desmon changed his attack pattern, tossing the halberd into the air as he closed in on Mezu.

Learning from Desmon’s fighting style, Mezu moved its swords quickly and precisely, preventing the demon hunter from blocking with his hands.

But it only took a glance for Desmon to track Mezu’s sword movements, deflecting both blades with two swift kicks.

"My turn!"

Desmon hadn't forgotten the string of slashes Mezu had aimed at him, so he decided to return the favor in his own style.

With the demon off guard, Desmon launched a flurry of punches and kicks.

Each blow was precise, leaving no room for his opponent to counter.

How is it possible for this guy to pull off an attack sequence that’s usually reserved for members of a certain country’s military?

That’s a story from one for another time, just like the story of the teacher who taught him that living to hate everything around you is pointless; better to have fun and relax.

For the first time, Mezu was treated like a punching bag, receiving synchronized blows and kicks that left no chance to defend or strike back.

"Let’s finish this!"

With a kick to the chest, Mezu was sent to the ground, and as it tried to get up, Desmon held the halberd in his hands.

“My parting gift.”

Without hesitation, Desmon hurled the halberd with all his strength at Mezu, impaling the demon and pinning it against a small mountain.

“Now, only one left.”

As Desmon pummeled Mezu, he heard a loud sound nearby, as if something massive had fallen from the sky.

Gozu, having recovered from the fall, stood on all fours, glaring at Desmon.

"I know I’m supposed to say something here, but I don’t exactly remember the word..."

Before he could think, Gozu started charging at full speed on all fours, like a bull.

Remembering the word, he did not hesitate to say it.

“Ole!”

Desmon sidestepped, dodging the demon's charge at the last second.

“I don’t have anything red, so I’ll improvise.”

Desmon removed his coat, using it to taunt the bull.

In response to the provocation, Gozu charged again, even more forcefully.

“Oleee!”

Even then, the demon hunter managed to dodge at the very last instant.

"Maybe I should be a matador. What do you say, cow?"

The demon charged at Desmon again, this time with much more speed.

Swiftly, Desmon put his coat back on and caught Gozu’s horns with his arms.

“Tch…”

The demon’s strength pushed Desmon back, as if trying to overpower him.

“You want to challenge me? Fine, I accept!”

Desmon used all his strength to stop Gozu from pushing any further.

Now, it was just two beasts testing each other’s strength.

“Tough luck, I win!”

Using the momentum of the charge, Desmon began to spin in place, holding Gozu by the horns.

Like a whirlwind, Desmon whirled around several times before flinging Gozu with all his might toward where Mezu had crashed.

“See you around!”

As expected, both demons collided into each other.

“Really…this job was more of a hassle than I thought…” Desmon yawned and began to stretch.

Having dealt with both demons, it was time to head home. But after a few steps, he turned back toward where the two demons lay.

“I’ll give it to you; you’re tough. But let’s end this last round.”

Both Gozu and Mezu were now on their feet. The stoic expressions they wore as they exchanged glances with Desmon were gone.

At first, neither demon saw Desmon as a threat, but now they’d decided to classify him as one.

Demonic energy began gathering within each of their bodies, as if it hadn’t been utilized before.

They can only unleash their true power when facing an exceptionally formidable opponent, and Desmon fits the bill.

A strange purple aura infused their bodies, making their muscles swell, along with their bloodlust.

"Let’s finish this; I have to get back, and I’m already tired..."

As Desmon said, the situation was about to end in mere seconds...but only for him.

Before he finished speaking, Mezu had already vanished from sight and appeared behind him, both swords drawn.

“…!”

Two deep slashes marked themselves across the demon hunter’s chest.

-So fast.

Desmon turned to strike, but Mezu was already on the other side.

Another deep cut appeared, now on his back.

“Tch!”

Desmon’s eyes couldn’t keep up with the demon’s speed; in short, he was in trouble.

For a moment, he considered trying to escape, but he dismissed any thought of it.

-The last thing I’ll ever do is run from demons.

Desmon focused his demonic energy and prepared to face them, but it was pointless now.

He moved towards Mezu, and as he closed the gap, the figure before him shifted; it was now Gozu who stood there.

-That’s new…

Before he could react, he was met with a blow from Gozu's shield, and though he blocked with his arms, he felt his bones and flesh scream in agony from the impact.

He would have tried to get up after hitting the ground… but Gozu didn’t give him even that chance. Gozu impaled him with his halberd, drawing him in and smashing him into the ground with the shield.

Desmon’s arms made a horrible sound as they absorbed the blow.

Right after, Gozu kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying as Desmon coughed up blood, feeling his organs destroyed by the sheer force of the kick.

While he was still mid-air, Mezu intercepted him, delivering quick slashes that shredded his skin in an instant.

When Mezu finished, it returned to Gozu’s side, watching what was left of Desmon suspended in the air. His body hadn’t even hit the ground, and it wouldn’t.

Not five seconds had passed since the last clash began, and it was already over. The dominance of both demons over Desmon was so overwhelming it almost seemed unfair.

However, despite being left in such a state, Desmon was still alive. Because of this, Gozu and Mezu readied their weapons, gathering demonic energy into their blades, then sent three devastating slashes towards Desmon at blinding speed.

-Oh, I’m dead… That was all he could think as he saw the cuts heading his way.

The attack's impact thundered across the surroundings, leaving nothing but dust and rubble in its wake.

With only debris remaining, Gozu stretched out its hand, gathering something into its palm. This time, everything proceeded as usual.

With nothing left to do, the demons’ aura faded, and they began to withdraw, a strange mist enveloping them until they disappeared completely.

Thus, this battle came to an end, with both demons as the absolute victors.

…

…

…

…

…

Seconds passed, and those seconds turned into minutes, inching closer to an hour with still no sign of the demon hunter.

Faced with such overwhelming power, the outcome was as expected.

Total annihilation and death...

Yet, a hand emerged from the rubble. Skin and wounds were fully visible, though it was clear they were slowly regenerating.

Slowly, Desmon emerged from the rubble, his body covered in blood and riddled with wounds that had only just begun to heal. He had been overwhelmed so quickly that he hadn’t even had a chance to react or defend himself.

He used this time to regenerate his internal organs and the most vital parts for survival.

"It was a draw..." He murmured to himself as he lay on the ground, exhausted, with a pale face.

Aside from a certain strawberry ice cream–loving demon hunter, this was the first time Desmon had suffered a complete defeat.

His shirt was completely shredded, his coat in tatters. He'd have to buy a new one; his pants were almost completely destroyed too, making him look like some strange, half-dressed vagabond.

After several more minutes lying on the ground, taking in the beautiful night sky, he decided to stand up and return to the hotel. Technically, he’d completed his job, so he could afford to call it a successful mission. That is, if he ignored the fact he’d been humiliated by the demons.

There was no point dwelling on the beating he'd taken; instead, he focused on how, in their next encounter, he would make sure to repay that beating double.

Having recovered enough, Desmon stood and began brushing the dust off his body, just as his phone rang. Either coincidence or luck that it, tucked in his pants pocket, hadn’t been destroyed in the clash with the demons.

"Tch, I'm really not in the mood to talk to her… but ignoring her would only make it worse..."

With no other choice, he answered the call.

“Is something wrong?” He said, sounding subdued. Defeat was hard to accept.

"Strange not to hear your usual tone. Was the job I gave you that tough?" Lady asked, mocking.

"Quite the opposite; it was a resounding success. It was so easy I decided to lie on the ground and stargaze." He tried to sound more upbeat.

A half-truth, but a truth nonetheless.

“Glad to hear it, and to show you just how much I appreciate you handling it, I’ll knock 1% off your debt. Am I not incredibly generous?” Lady spoke as if she were the most benevolent person in the world.

“No, you’re not…” He shook his head to himself.

"Anyway, moving on, I have another job for you.”

“Don’t I deserve a day off?”

“Need I remind you of the massive debt you owe me?”

He silently cursed his father for saddling him with endless debts.

“What do you need?”

With no other option, he reluctantly accepted the job.

“Tokyo city. Mr. Nakano will give you the details, but it has to do with his five daughters. That’s all; I’ll send you the address later. And try not to destroy anything, or I’ll add it to your debt!”

"Five daughters?"

"They’re quintuplets." Lady replied.

"Now I’m even less keen to go to Tokyo..."

"Just do your job!" With that, Lady hung up.

"Tch, how could Dante ever get involved with such a problematic woman?"

With nothing else to do, Desmon summoned Kurox to return to the hotel.

“Hmmm?”

But before getting on the motorcycle, he noticed something felt off.

“I must be really exhausted…”

Desmon ignored the fact that summoning Kurox felt more draining than usual, chalking it up to his fatigue.

Without overthinking, he rode smoothly back to the hotel, making Kurox vanish as he approached, before entering the building and heading to his room for sleep.

"Tomorrow, I’ll go find quintuplets… let’s hope it’s quick and simple..."

Leaving that issue for his tomorrow self, Desmon walked through the hotel without a care.

Unfortunately, he’d completely forgotten that his appearance was in shambles, looking as if he’d just stumbled out of a crime scene; a walking corpse. The hotel staff went into a panic.

“You and I need to have a long talk.”

A hand rested on Desmon’s shoulder, and he felt a chill run down his spine.

Like a scene straight out of a horror movie, he slowly turned his head, only to find an angry Shizuka waiting for him.

A peaceful night was the last thing he was going to get.

-I should’ve just kept watching the stars…

Chapter Text

On the third day of the Kyoto trip, Sobu High students are given the chance to explore on their own, either solo or in groups of friends.

The idea is to encourage students to gain a little more independence while enjoying their youth before they enter their third year, when exams for university admissions will dominate their concerns.

With that in mind, students are expected to leave the hotel and make the most of the day, with few exceptions.

Naturally, 99.9% of the students plan to have fun, but as always, there’s the 0.1% who think differently.

And that small percentage consists of just one student.

“Why do I feel deja vu?”

“Maybe it’s your age?”

“What are you implying, brat?!”

“Just let me stay in the hotel… I’m exhausted…”

With it being breakfast time, most of the students and teachers have already left the premises; except for two people.

A teacher, who even on her day off, wears her classic white lab coat, and a “student” refusing to leave the hotel.

It’s obvious these two are Hiratsuka Shizuka and Desmon.

“How can you be tired?” Shizuka says as she tries to drag Desmon with her, but her efforts are in vain.

“Someone didn’t let me sleep because she was busy scolding me…”

“What did you expect me to do?! How can you walk into the hotel half-naked looking like a walking corpse?!”

As Shizuka said, the previous night Desmon returned looking like a corpse, as no normal person could be moving with that many injuries and dried blood on them, not to mention his shredded clothing.

And since Shizuka is listed as Desmon’s aunt in the Sobu High records, she was the first person who had to handle it.

Saying, “Don’t worry, he’s half-demon and just fine, he probably fought a demon and did something idiotic to end up in that state…”

Though not far from the truth, there’s no way the other teachers or hotel staff would have believed her.

“You could’ve saved the scolding for today.” He yawned sleepily.

Desmon had drained his demonic energy from the severe beating he took, nearly costing him his life, so to recover, he just needs to let time pass—and what better way than sleeping?

Shizuka let out a long sigh and stopped trying to drag him. “You should’ve snuck in another way if you came back in that state…”

She could understand Desmon to some extent; he hadn’t gone out partying only to end up like that.

“You want to know what happened, don’t you?” He said with a smile.

“Tch!” Shizuka cursed.

As an anime and manga fan, she finds Desmon’s stories about fighting demons highly entertaining. She knows firsthand what it’s like after experiencing being chased through the city by a demon.

So, seeing Desmon in this exhausted state, even without his usual jokes while getting scolded, tells her he faced a formidable foe.

“Let’s make a deal: you buy me breakfast, and I’ll tell you what happened.”

Yesterday, since Desmon had caused trouble for Yukinoshita, Shizuka had punished him by withholding his breakfast for today, as she’s the one who gives him his allowance.

-What should I do? I gave him that punishment for his behavior… but I really want to know what happened yesterday…

Standing firm in her decision to teach him a lesson or giving in to her interests; a tough dilemma.

Noticing her hesitation, Desmon cracked a smile.

"Yesterday was exhausting… I almost died more than once, not to mention beating up those TWO huge demons… but I’m too tired to try and remember it all…”

“All right, all right, you got me.” She gave in, her curiosity finally winning. “But first, get dressed. How are you still in your pajamas?”

Being a student, getting him a new uniform wasn’t that hard, as the last one was left in tatters.

“You’re so grouchy.”

Ignoring her, Desmon began undressing in front of Shizuka to put on his Sobu High uniform.

Normally, Shizuka would be embarrassed to see a man’s body, but after living together for so many days, she’s seen him half-dressed more times than she can count. It’s been similar for Desmon, who’s seen Shizuka walk around in just her underwear or with a towel wrapped around her torso after a shower.

Shizuka had to adapt to Desmon’s way of living, or she felt she’d go crazy dealing with his logic.

“They really kicked your butt, didn’t they?” She said with a smirk.

“What makes you think that..?” The demon hunter glanced away. Always too proud, it’s hard for Desmon to admit he was used as a punching bag by two demons.

“I’ve seen your body heal from serious wounds in a flash, but now you’ve still got some cuts.”

Shizuka’s sharp eye caught the fact that, although most of Desmon’s wounds had healed, there were still scrapes here and there, especially on his chest.

The demonic energy from the demons had tried to invade Desmon’s body, making it harder and requiring more demonic energy to heal completely.

“They cut me before I knew it, then threw something at me like a missile…”

If that fight had happened in an urban area, civilian casualties would have been in the thousands. But since it took place out in the open, away from the city, that wasn’t an issue.

“That sounds rough…”

“Next time, I’ll get my revenge on that cow and pony.”

“Huh?” Shizuka was taken aback. “Were you fighting demons or visiting a farm?”

“I don’t know their names, but their heads looked like animals.”

“I take my eyes off you for a second, and you’re off fighting farm animals?”

“Now that you mention it, maybe that’s about right…”

Desmon finished changing while responding sarcastically.

Demons would tremble before a guy in a white shirt and black pants; at least his trench coat gave him a different aura, but it had been completely destroyed.

“You look strange.” Used to seeing Desmon always in his black coat, it was odd seeing him like an average student.

“Don’t remind me…”

Internally lamenting the loss of the trench coat Trish had gifted him before he left, Desmon knew he’d have to find a similar one to buy someday. But with his debts, that was a distant dream.

With Desmon ready, they both left the hotel and headed to a café for breakfast.

…

“So, you can lose after all.” She said, trying to sound serious, but inside she was amused by Desmon’s usual arrogance on that subject.

“It was a draw since they ended up leaving.” He replied, taking a large bite of chocolate-drenched pancake.

After arriving and taking a seat, they ordered several desserts, and while waiting for the food, Desmon told Shizuka everything that had happened.

"From what I understood, they thought you were dead, so it was only natural for them to back off after their victory." She took a bite of a strawberry from her parfait.

Since she hadn’t had breakfast either and Desmon only ordered desserts, she decided to order one too.

"They didn’t make sure I was dead, so they just ran off with their tails between their legs." He began by eating a piece of chocolate cake.

"Don’t be a sore loser, just admit they beat you fair and square."

"It was two against one. Any way you look at it, I was the winner." He continued with traditional sweets from Kyoto.

"I don’t know what world you’re living in where that counts as a win..." She dismissed any argument, savoring her parfait.

"Next time, it’ll be my victory; don’t doubt that." After finishing all his food, he stole a strawberry from Shizuka’s parfait.

"Hey, you brat! Haven’t you eaten enough already?" She tried to grab the strawberry back, but Desmon was quicker.

"Never waste free food." True to himself, he felt satisfied after annoying Shizuka by stealing her strawberry.

"I think you’re the only one who, after being beaten and left on the verge of death, is back to normal with just a few hours of sleep..." She regretted that the experience hadn’t matured him.

"No idea. There are all kinds of people in the world, so it’s hard to say." He replied confidently.

Once they were done with breakfast, Shizuka paid the bill, and they left the café.

"Alright, I’ve done my part, so I’m heading back to the hotel." He turned and began walking toward his room, eager to hug his comfy futon.

"Act your age, not like an old man..."

"I have no interest in sightseeing or anything like that. Plus, I have to work this afternoon in Tokyo."

Upon waking up, Desmon saw a message on his phone from his current client, asking him to meet at a hospital in Tokyo, where he and another person would be waiting to discuss his next job. Until then, Desmon was free.

"You should at least ask for a day off."

"I agree, but that woman’s a witch; I feel better keeping my distance from her."

Meanwhile, Lady sneezed in another part of the world.

"Is someone talking about me?"

Back with Shizuka, she found it curious how Desmon couldn’t defy that woman named Lady.

It wasn’t the first time Desmon had shown his dislike for her, describing her as a witch who only cared about money.

"If you’re still going to Tokyo in the afternoon, why not use this time to experience life as a high school student?" She tried to encourage him to make fun memories he could cherish later.

"I’ll pass on that idea..." He declined, crossing his arms.

Shizuka sighed inwardly, but after a moment, an idea struck her.

"If you don’t have plans, why not come with me?"

"I’m not a fan of monitoring other students and all that."

As a teacher, Shizuka's job still involved looking after the students at Sobu High, but of all the students here, Desmon is the most problematic.

"The other teachers are enough, and the other students are way less problematic than you."

"Why, thank you! You’re making me blush." Desmon averted his gaze, pretending to be a shy maiden.

"That wasn’t a compliment..." She shook her head quickly. "So, what do you say? Want to come with me? I promise it’ll be fun, and in case you’re wondering, Kyoto isn’t just a city of tourist spots."

Students are prohibited from straying too far from the designated area during the trip since it could be dangerous, though in Desmon's case, his mere presence is a deterrent. Any thug would regret trying to mess with this guy.

"Let’s go!" he replied immediately, with little hesitation; Shizuka shares many hobbies with Desmon.

"But there’s one condition."

"Ughhhh." He sighed in disappointment.

"It’s nothing serious, just that you need to act like a normal student."

Shizuka wants Desmon to enjoy himself, but in a way that’s typical for a guy his age.

"But I’m the most ordinary guy you’ll ever find."

"Your idea of 'ordinary' is out of this world…"

"So, what should I avoid doing?"

"Being yourself!"

"That just raises more questions than it answers…" Desmon thought about it, but didn’t quite get what she meant.

"Just act normal, without doing all the things you usually do."

"It’s a bit tough, but I guess I can manage."

Not that Desmon is some kind of maniac who can’t practice restraint. Right?

"Settled, then. Let’s head downtown; there are a few places to check out, like some arcades."

Like any other city, Kyoto has some popular spots for young people looking to have fun.

"You just wanted someone to go with, right?"

"Guh!" Shizuka, who had started walking, froze, avoiding Desmon’s gaze. "As if! I just wanted to make sure you have fun…" She began to whistle, feigning innocence.

She’d already seen a few places she wanted to visit while in Kyoto, but as a teacher, she has a role to uphold. Technically, if she’s supervising a student, she’d be killing two birds with one stone.

''You could’ve just said that from the start.'' He shrugged, not opposed to the idea of going with her.

-She could have just said she wanted to have some fun.

Once they’d both agreed, they just needed to leave the tourist area, hop on a half-hour bus ride to a nearby train station, and then take a few more minutes to reach their destination.

Of course, that idea didn’t occur to the demon hunter. "Alright, let’s go. I’ll drive."

Desmon was about to summon Kurox, his trusty devil arm, a sleek black motorcycle, but Shizuka stopped him.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

"Using Kurox to get downtown." He said innocently.

"What part of acting like a normal student don’t you understand?"

"Is it weird?"

"Of course, it is! No one just makes a motorcycle appear out of thin air."

"So, how are we going?"

"We’ll take a bus and then a train."

Desmon’s expression turned to one of distaste and boredom, but then he broke into a grin.

"In that case, I just need to blend in like a normal person, right?"

"Exactly." Shizuka nodded, noting Desmon’s cooperation.

"Alright, give me a few minutes. I’ll be right back."

Desmon started to walk away, turning the corner and disappearing from Shizuka’s sight.

-What’s he up to now? she wondered to herself.

In the short time they've lived together and from their interactions, she knows Desmon isn't the kind of guy who breaks his word, so he wouldn't run off or do something stupid.

With nothing else to do but wait, she started scrolling through some manga and anime news on her phone for about five minutes.

After that short wait, a blue motorcycle parked in front of her.

"Alright, problem solved." Desmon, with a cheerful smile, hopped off the bike.

"I told you that—"

Her words stopped as she realized that Desmon hadn't just painted Kurox another color. He was riding a different model entirely; a Honda GB350.

“Did you… steal it!?”

"Hey, why is that your first assumption?" Desmon protested.

"As if someone would just hand you a motorcycle because you asked!"

No sane person would lend or rent a motorcycle to a student.

“Actually, that’s kind of what happened. What went down was…”

As soon as Desmon left Shizuka, he started wandering through the neighborhood, thinking of ways to avoid an uncomfortable, slow trip.

But as time passed without any ideas, he gave up and was about to return to Shizuka.

-There's no way anyone would just lend me a vehicle if I asked…

Walking back after coming up empty-handed, he noticed a guy stepping off a blue motorcycle, pulling on a balaclava, and pulling out a gun before hurrying into a store.

Even an idiot could tell what was about to go down.

But the sight only brought a grin to Desmon's face.

“Bingo!”

Inside the store, the owner threw his hands up the second the robber entered, gun aimed at him.

"All the money, no tricks, or you're going straight to hell!"

Under threat, the shopkeeper started emptying the register, cursing his bad luck.

“I’ll be borrowing your ride; I’ll return it later.”

When all hope seemed lost for the poor man, a third voice startled them both. But as the robber turned around, he was met with a headbutt straight to the face.

The robber's eyes rolled back from the impact, and he dropped like a sack of bricks, his body twitching on the ground.

“I heard in Kyoto this is how you greet people… Well, never mind.”

Ignoring the situation, Desmon searched the robber until he found the motorcycle keys.

“You might want to call an ambulance.”

It took a few seconds for the store owner to process the words of the student who had walked in and saved him from being robbed.

“You mean the police… right?”

“Maybe I went a little overboard…” Desmon said, nodding toward the guy on the floor.

The robber’s body was still twitching, as though the headbutt had done some internal damage; not enough to kill him, but enough to leave him with a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget.

With nothing left to do, Desmon headed out with his newly “borrowed” vehicle. He might return it someday…

But just as he was leaving the shop, the man he saved called out to him.

"Can I at least know your name?"

It would be rude not to thank the person who saved him, but it took the man a while to really process what had just happened.

"I'm just a regular student." With that, he walked out of the store, whistling a happy tune.

The shopkeeper, left stunned, called an ambulance and the police.

-From now on, any student will get a discount at my store. That was his decision as thanks to that mysterious boy.

A happy ending, all thanks to a guy who just wanted to act like a normal student.

"And that’s what happened."

"So, in summary, you stopped a robbery just because you wanted to borrow a vehicle from a thief?"

"Correct."

Shizuka let out a long sigh.

"I want to scold you for this, but morally, I just can’t..."

"We got a free ride, I don’t see the downside." He tilted his head.

"You’ll return that motorcycle to the police, obviously!"

"I have no problem with that." He shrugged.

With both in agreement, they could finally head toward the downtown, plus Shizuka wasn’t exactly a fan of taking the bus and train to get there.

But before Desmon could get on the motorcycle, Shizuka stopped him.

"You know, Desmon, students don’t drive, especially not without a license."

"And do you have a license?" He asked mockingly.

Shizuka did have a driver’s license, but it was for a four-wheeled vehicle.

"Don’t underestimate me, brat." She pulled out a new license she’d gotten just before going to Kyoto.

"I’m not handing over Kurox to you."

"I… that wasn’t… Forget it, I’ll drive for now." She dropped the topic and climbed on first.

Since she drives Kurox to school every morning, she decided to get a license to avoid any issues with the police.

"Are you sure you’re okay with this?"

"Don’t underestimate me, I’m a great driver."

"If you say so..."

Without further debate, Desmon sat behind Shizuka.

"Hey… where do you think you’re putting your hands?!"

Desmon’s arms wrapped around Shizuka’s waist, a bit too close to her chest.

"I have to hold on, don’t I?" He said teasingly.

"Don’t take advantage of the situation!"

"I’m just following traffic rules; it’s what any ordinary student would do."

"Tch!" Shizuka cursed at him. "If your hands move, I won’t hesitate to throw you off mid-ride!"

"It’s a risk I’m willing to take."

With both on the same page, Shizuka began to drive.

Chapter Text

“If you were going to drive that slow, I should’ve just done it myself.”

Desmon got off the motorcycle and stretched his arms, looking a bit bored since Shizuka drove like a grandma.

“There’s something called a speed limit, you know?”

She also got off the motorcycle once they parked.

“If no one sees us, there’s no proof we broke the speed limit.”

“Don’t use such simple excuses.”

“It’s true. The cops have chased me a few times, but they never catch me.”

“Don’t confess with a smile that you’re a wanted criminal…” She sighed.

“For just going over the speed limit? I don’t think the police are going to put in much effort to catch me.” He said proudly, with a smirk.

Just as Desmon said, he’s been chased down highways and through city streets more than once, but they’ve never caught him.

A female traffic cop even tried to catch him once, but she didn’t succeed either.

“Don’t blame me when the police ask for my testimony about your crimes.”

She wouldn’t hesitate to cooperate with law enforcement.

“I doubt a cell could hold me.” He cracked his knuckles as if to prove his point.

“And that’s the scariest part…”

It would be pointless for the police to catch Desmon. How could they possibly contain him?

Superhuman strength, inhuman reflexes, and terrifying regeneration abilities. Even if they managed to get him to prison, it would only be a matter of time before Desmon got bored and decided to stroll right out.

After all, it’s not like there’s an organization in Japan specifically for dealing with demons, right?

“Setting aside the fact that I’m a wanted criminal… where to next?”

Currently, downtown Kyoto stands out from other Japanese cities. Here, modernity and tradition coexist in perfect harmony. Its various streets are constantly alive, with fashion shops, boutiques, and shopping centers filled with all kinds of products, inviting people to explore and discover.

Amid the modern options, there are also numerous recreational spots, like arcades, batting cages, and golf centers; popular hangouts for high school and college students. These lively places reflect Kyoto’s youthful energy.

Yet tradition is still present in the heart of the city. Just steps away from modern businesses, temples and shrines attract both foreign tourists and locals, reminding them of the city’s rich spiritual heritage. There are still tea shops, traditional bookstores, and small corners that invite people to immerse themselves in the local culture, many of which have been managed by generations of families, preserving the essence of Kyoto through the decades.

In this way, Kyoto remains a city deeply connected to its history, yet dynamic; a unique blend of old and new.

But all this information, which Shizuka took care to explain to Desmon, was completely ignored by the young demon hunter.

“I’m starting to think my explanation was pointless…” She lamented silently. “Since it’s still only 11 a.m., let’s go hit some balls!”

In high school and middle school, Shizuka had visited this kind of place more than once, so she had plenty of experience.

“That sounds interesting.”

Seeing that Desmon seemed on board with the idea, Shizuka led the way, and after just five minutes of walking, they arrived.

Once inside the facility, she paid for both of them, and they entered the batting cages, where they noticed the sound of the pitching machines and bats striking the balls. They weren’t the only ones there.

Crowds weren’t a problem, thanks to the nets that separated each space, preventing any accidents between players. Plus, these nets ensured that the balls didn’t go flying off in other directions.

"I thought the place would be empty..." Desmon looked at the bats and the machine that pitches the balls with curiosity.

"It's pretty common for places like these to be busy; actually, we’re lucky it’s not completely packed."

The batting cage isn’t very big, but it's well-lit, and the floor is covered with a rubber-like surface to prevent slipping, like all the other safety measures to reassure users there won’t be any issues; well, for normal people, at least.

With such durable materials, even top baseball professionals could use this place to practice.

"How does this machine work?"

"You just set the speed and the number of balls; it’s not that hard." Having more experience, Shizuka took charge of setting up the machine.

Desmon watched the other young people having fun with their friends, a kind of experience he’d never had.

"Do you want to start?"

"You go first. I've never done anything like this." He sat back to watch, relaxed.

If Desmon messed up, Shizuka would tease him, so he preferred to get a better sense of how to do it. His pride had already taken a hit yesterday and was still recovering.

"I don’t mean to brag, but I’m pretty good at this, so I won’t miss a single pitch." She said confidently.

Without further ado, Shizuka grabbed a wooden bat and positioned herself to begin.

-Desmon might be good at a lot of things, but I doubt he can beat my years of experience. She nodded to herself.

Once the time Shizuka set was up, the machine sent a fast pitch her way, but with ease, she hit the ball, sending it flying to the farthest edge of the net.

"I'm just getting started!"

With enthusiasm and skill, Shizuka played perfectly over the next few minutes, not missing a single ball.

"Whew, that was relaxing."

Shizuka walked over to Desmon, resting the bat on her shoulder as if to show off her skill.

"Was it that fun?"

At first, Desmon watched her, but after a while, he couldn’t see the appeal.

"Of course it was! You're honestly strange."

"If you say so..." Desmon’s expression showed some doubt about the whole idea of hitting a ball with a wooden stick.

Desmon got up and took the bat Shizuka extended toward him.

"Don’t worry if you miss; just give it your best."

Words of encouragement from a teacher to her student; though in seconds, she would regret saying them.

Desmon positioned himself correctly, holding the bat with both hands, imitating what he’d seen, ready to swing.

A totally normal situation, but the result was anything but.

-Wait a minute... did I just tell him to give it his all...?!

As the ball zoomed toward Desmon, Shizuka’s mind spun, realizing what she had just set in motion.

It was already too late to stop him. What would happen if someone with his strength hit a simple baseball?

Desmon’s senses picked up on the speed of the ball, and in his mind, there was no way to miss. With all his strength, he gripped the bat with determination, and, with a powerful swing, the ball collided with the bat.

It was as if time stood still. The impact was so strong that the ball seemed to momentarily warp before shooting toward the horizon. The sound of the hit echoed with such intensity that the ground seemed to shake. Not even a professional player could have pulled off a feat like that.

The action caught everyone’s attention, but before they could process what had happened or understand the source of the booming sound, another noise tore through the air, capturing their focus.

Everyone’s gaze fixed on the origin of the sound: the safety net, straining to its limit to keep the ball from escaping, began to give way under the projectile’s overwhelming force.

And as if the situation wasn’t intense enough, a thin stream of smoke started to rise due to the friction between the ball and the net.

After a few seconds that felt like an eternity, the noise faded away. The net had warped, and the ball had heated up so much that it had fused to the net.

“See, Shizuka, you were right. This is fun! Now, for the next one…!”

Desmon readied himself, now intent on making the ball pierce through the net and fly as far as possible.

Meanwhile, Shizuka’s was the only face showing panic, while the others looked on with curiosity and surprise.

“We’re leaving!”

She grabbed Desmon’s hand and quickly dragged him out of the place.

“Why the rush? I haven’t even gotten through the net yet.”

“You’re not supposed to break through the net with the ball!”

Once they were far enough from the place, she felt calmer.

“What’s the goal, then?”

“I want to believe you’re joking, but it doesn’t seem like it…” She shrugged and sighed.

“You’re weird.”

“I don’t want to hear that coming from you!”

-How does he use all his strength just to hit a ball? And his common sense?

“You told me to give it my all, so I did.” Desmon looked at her like she was the clueless one.

“I didn’t…but…still…”

In the end, she didn’t know how to respond; after all, she did tell him those words.

-I guess I’m the only fool here…

“So, shall we go somewhere else? I don’t think they’ll let us back in.” Desmon started walking, showing little interest in the incident.

“It’s obvious they won’t let us back in!”

-Calm down, Shizuka; you knew from the start that dealing with this guy would be trouble…

After calming herself, she began leading the way to other places she had in mind.

“This time, remember to hold back. I don’t want you causing more problems.''

“You’re no fun.”

“Just act like a normal person.”

“Fine, fine.” He nodded reluctantly.

With Desmon’s agreement, they both entered a large arcade filled with both retro and modern games.

“This place is huge…”

The lights and video game machines captured Desmon’s attention.

“And you haven’t seen anything yet! We can also play bowling, billiards, darts, and more.” She said excitedly, like a teenager.

Shizuka had already planned on coming to this place, where she’d be like a kid in a candy store, though at her age, it’d be a little odd to see her having fun here alone.

So, with Desmon as company, it was the perfect setup to avoid standing out too much; though that plan had already failed back at the batting cages.

“Let’s start with some arcade games; you’ll be amazed by the huge variety and types they have here.”

“I’m starting to think you’re enjoying this more than I am.”

“Haha, as if…” Shizuka avoided his gaze and quickly walked over to the arcade area.

A large hall housed an impressive array of video game machines, from retro classics to more modern simulators. Japanese technology should never be underestimated.

“Shizuka, care to compete against me in a race?” He asked arrogantly.

True to form, Desmon quickly found some racing simulators, hopping onto one that looked like a motorcycle.

“Don’t cry once I leave you in the dust.” She, on the other hand, climbed into a car racing simulator.

With both machines linked together, they could race in a single game.

“Here, don’t think it’s free!”

Shizuka tossed him a 100-yen coin, which he caught without even looking.

After quickly selecting their vehicles and track, the race between them began.

It turned into an intense competition, with both players giving it their all, ending in what seemed like a photo finish…

Or so it would have been, if reality hadn’t played out with Shizuka scoring a crushing victory over Desmon, who repeatedly found himself plummeting off cliffs, crashing into walls on curves, and bumping into other vehicles.

“Haha, you really suck at this game!” She puffed out her chest in victory.

“I guess Kurox is an exception…” He lamented to himself.

With his devil arm linked to him, his driving with it was flawless, allowing him to pull off maneuvers even pros wouldn’t dare attempt. But if he tried the same with a conventional motorcycle… well, the game’s results spoke for themselves.

“I’m just glad I was the one driving us here…”

“Don’t say it like I’m terrible at driving!”

“But you are.” She patted Desmon’s head, as if consoling a little kid.

“I want a rematch!”

“You won’t win, you know; I’m an expert!” She said proudly.

-If she wants me to take things seriously, then I’ll give her just that. He thought with a sinister smile.

Chapter Text

Desmon's gaze wandered around, finally landing on something that caught his eye in the distance.

"Let's play a round of ping pong."

"I give up." She raised both hands, and if she could, she'd wave a white flag.

Desmon scored an instant win just by suggesting the game.

"You're not even going to try?"

"I value my life too much to play against you." She shook her head quickly.

The memory of the safety net nearly snapping from the force of Desmon's swing still lingered, so playing ping pong with him was out of the question.

"And here I was planning to go easy on you..."

"Your face says otherwise."

Since Shizuka had started bragging, Desmon's expression was anything but cheerful.

-Games involving strength are banned, so skill-based games it is.

It might be considered cheating to pick games where Desmon has little chance of winning, but Shizuka wanted to show him there were things he couldn't do, as he was always overly confident, assuming he could win any challenge.

However, after hearing about what happened the night before, Shizuka realized Desmon had truly been close to death, only surviving by sheer luck.

So, if he were ever to face a powerful demon he couldn't defeat, he'd rather fight to the end than try to escape; a choice Shizuka would never allow if she had a say.

"Then let's compete in that."

Desmon pointed to the retro fighting games where two players could go head-to-head.

"You can't even win at home, and now you want to try here too?" She replied with a smirk.

In her apartment, Shizuka had a console with various games, so Desmon would occasionally play with her, mostly racing or fighting games. As expected, Shizuka always came out on top.

"There's a first time for everything."

"Have you even practiced since last time?"

"Am I sensing fear? Grandma." His tone was designed to get under Shizuka's skin, and it worked; she clenched her fist as a vein pulsed on her forehead.

"Alright, brat, let's go. I'm going to beat you to a pulp!" Shizuka said, her voice dripping with competitiveness.

-I'll show him just how scary I can be!

Shizuka inserted the tokens, and after choosing their fighters, they started.

They played three rounds, as they ended up tying, but in the final round, Shizuka's gaming prowess shone through. She perfectly parried Desmon's full combo, finishing him off with her special move.

"Is it even possible to react that fast in a game?"

"Don't be a sore loser, Desmon." She flashed a huge smile.

-I don't even know how I pulled off that move... Shizuka herself was surprised at the flawless timing.

"How about we switch games? How about bowling this time?"

Noticing Desmon looked a bit down, she chose the next game to give him a chance to shine.

"I've heard of that. You're supposed to knock things down with a ball, right?"

"It's something like that..."

Shizuka explained the basics while they walked, leaving the arcade and heading down a floor to the bowling alley that took up the entire level.

"Want something to eat?"

It was already noon, and after hours of activity, being hungry was to be expected.

"If you're paying, I won't complain." He replied with a grin.

"Who else would pay if not me?"

"I'm broke... not my fault."

"I've heard that more times than I can count."

Since she was the one who invited him, she took out her wallet and paid for their game time, along with ordering some food.

"Don't forget to put on the shoes."

"What a hassle..."

Once they had their bowling shoes on, they headed to the resting area and started choosing the balls they'd use.

"Just curious… can you lift that one easily?"

Shizuka pointed to the heaviest ball, typically used by experienced players who needed a lot of strength.

"Piece of cake." He said smugly.

Desmon picked up the ball with ease and even started spinning it on his finger like a basketball.

"You don't have to show off, but... it's a bit unreal to watch."

"You've seen crazier things, and this surprises you?"

The day they met, Shizuka nearly got killed multiple times, encountered a demonic dog, and then drove through Chiba with a demon chasing them.

"Just because I've seen weird things doesn't mean I think they're normal."

"Is this really that weird?"

"It is!"

"Excuse me, here's your food..."

A staff member brought their order, only to find Desmon casually spinning the heavy bowling ball with ease.

"I was starving." Desmon put the ball back to eat comfortably.

Shizuka watched him with interest before she started eating too.

Later on, that same staff member would attempt to replicate Desmon's trick, only to end up with a sore finger.

…

"They should put up a sign that says 'humans only'''

"Don't be a sore loser, Shizuka." Desmon teased as they left the arcade, laughing.

After lunch and once they got started, the score between them was close, until Desmon started hitting strike after strike.

He managed to adapt his throws perfectly, holding back just enough to avoid punching through the walls, and ended up achieving a perfect score.

"I'm not a sore loser; I'm just saying it's a bit unfair…" She yawned as she said this.

"Tired?"

"Not really… well, maybe a little." She stretched lightly as she walked.

After hours of moving around, any regular person would feel tired, with Desmon as the exception.

"It's getting late, and I still have to go all the way to Tokyo. Let's head back to the hotel."

"I guess you're right."

Shizuka had already had plenty of fun, even more so because Desmon's company had made her day more enjoyable.

Once they were out of the public eye, Desmon summoned Kurox.

"Hey, I told you to…"

"You told me to act like a normal student to accompany you, but technically we're already on our way back." His tone was serious, like a lawyer defending his case.

"Unbelievable that you'd go to such lengths to find loopholes..."

"Thanks for the compliment. Plus, you're tired, and letting you drive would be dangerous for me."

"Since when would a simple car accident be dangerous for you?"

"You know, I'm just an ordinary, everyday student, hehe!" Desmon playfully tapped his head, sticking his tongue out.

-This guy is just too much...

"Come on, hop on. I don't have all day."

Desmon got on Kurox, waiting for Shizuka.

"By the way, what about the motorcycle you borrowed?"

"If the police here are doing their job, it won't be long before they find it and tow it away, so there's no problem."

"I can't tell if you're respecting the police or just mocking them..."

"Maybe a bit of both?"

With Desmon answering her questions, Shizuka had no choice but to climb onto Kurox.

"Shizuka, watch where you put your hands, or I'll have to toss you off along the way." He said with a teasing tone.

"Unlike you, I doubt I'd come out of that unscathed!"

Ignoring her complaint, Desmon started driving.

-Didn't expect today to be this strange and fun... Shizuka thought as she felt incredibly comfortable.

Unlike any other vehicle, riding Kurox smoothed out the road's roughness, making the trip peaceful and relaxing.

Shizuka's arms wrapped around Desmon's waist as her head rested on his back.

"Should I thank you for the cozy feeling?" He asked with a cheerful tone, noticing two soft things against his back.

But Desmon didn't get the response he was hoping for from Shizuka.

"Hey, Shizuka, did you hear me? I feel like an idiot if you don't answer."

Still, there was no response, only the sound of her steady breathing.

-You should be more honest...

She had fallen asleep, and though Desmon couldn't see it, Shizuka had a peaceful, happy expression.

"I guess I can take the long way."

Desmon made sure Kurox kept a steady speed so Shizuka could rest until they reached the hotel.

...

In a certain simple, old apartment complex, two girls could be seen inside.

Friends? Or maybe sisters?

Whatever the answer, it didn't fit the situation.

One of them was gripping the other tightly by the neck.

The victim struggled to break free, but the hold was too strong.

Slowly, panic and fear began to take over as she struggled to breathe.

In the desperate eyes of the poor girl, a single word reflected.

Why!?

She wanted to scream, call for help, or beg her sister to stop, but she couldn't.

Her struggles weakened, and tears started streaming down her face.

She felt her mind clouding, unable to think or do anything to stop it.

Yet, in the last moments of her life, the image of someone special appeared in her mind.

-Uesugi-san...

Chapter Text

"Hey, Shizuka, wake up. We're here."

"Mmm… five more minutes…"

She remained far too comfortable leaning on Desmon to even consider getting up.

Desmon didn't mind the situation, but since he had to meet a client, he decided to handle things quickly.

"Huh?"

Half-asleep, Shizuka suddenly felt her body lose its support, as if she were falling into a void. The sensation lasted only a fraction of a second, but it was enough to jolt her awake.

"It's morning already."

"Why are you carrying me?"

The first thing she noticed upon opening her eyes was that Desmon was holding her in a princess carry.

"I made Kurox disappear, but letting you fall would've been too much, so I caught you. Genius move, right?" He said smugly.

Passersby glanced at the cheerful pair, smiling at the sight.

"Can you put me down?"

The situation was enough to shake off Shizuka's sleepiness, returning her to her usual demeanor.

"If you say so…"

"But don't drop me!"

"Tch."

"Were you planning to let me fall again?"

This wasn't the first time something like this had happened. When they first met, Desmon had intentionally dropped her.

"No…"

She let out a sigh, realizing Desmon was still the same as always.

"Hiratsuka-sensei, what are you doing?"

The voice of a third party caught their attention; it was none other than Yuigahama Yui.

-What should I say…

An unusual situation: Shizuka being carried like a princess by Desmon. As a teacher, she needed to respond carefully to avoid any misunderstandings.

"Shizuka enjoys being carried like a princess." Desmon replied.

"I didn't know Hiratsuka-sensei had that kind of hobby…"

Before Shizuka could respond, Desmon answered nonchalantly.

"I don't have such hobbies!" She protested, struggling to free herself from Desmon's firm grip.

"I'll drop you if you keep squirming." He teased with a smirk.

"I'll punch you if you do!"

"You two get along so well!"

-I'm glad it was Yuigahama who found us…

It was either a compliment or an acknowledgment of her student's lack of perceptiveness.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

Mentally exhausted, Shizuka decided she'd had enough of Desmon for the day.

"I've got plenty of time… probably."

"Just go already!"

"Alright, alright."

Noticing she was irritated, Desmon carefully set her down.

"Going out to have fun again, Desmon-san?"

Yuigahama vaguely recalled accompanying Desmon the previous night, supposedly to have fun. In reality, they had just walked around until she got tired, at which point Desmon carried her. She fell asleep and woke up the next morning in her hotel room.

"I wish, but I've got work to do."

"Do you have a job here in Kyoto?" She tilted her head like a curious little animal.

"It's in another city since my jobs are on-site. But if you've got the money, you can hire me for a modest fee. And since it's you, I'll even give you a discount."

"What kind of work do you do?"

"I'm a hunter of..."

"He's a bargain hunter."

Shizuka reacted quickly, covering Desmon's mouth as she answered for him.

"Bargain hunter?"

"Hey, I'm not…" Desmon tried to protest, but Shizuka stopped him.

"Desmon shops for people and delivers their groceries to their homes, making the most of discounts on products."

"Ohhh, I see!"

Being so cheerful and naive, she completely believed her teacher's words.

"Since when am I a bargain hunter?"

"Since today. And I'll make you work as one if you keep running your mouth."

"Alright, alright, I get it. You're so extreme..."

They whispered back and forth.

With the situation resolved, it was time for him to leave.

"Don't come back too late, Desmon."

"I'll try, but no promises."

With nothing more to do, Desmon summoned Kurox, ready to leave, but there was a small problem.

-I forgot about Yui... Oh well, I'll think of a good excuse later.

"How did you do that?!"

To the innocent girl, it looked like Desmon merely waved his hand, and a black motorcycle materialized out of thin air.

-This guy's a total idiot...

All of Shizuka's efforts went down the drain thanks to Desmon's stunt.

"My second job is being an illusionist. If you have more questions, ask Shizuka! I'm out!"

Sensing an impending scolding, he quickly hopped on Kurox and sped off.

"Hiratsuka-sensei, is your nephew really an illusionist too?!" She exclaimed, full of excitement and wonder.

"Well... I... I'm not sure..."

Faced with her student's expectant gaze, Shizuka grew flustered, unable to answer.

-You'll pay for this when you get back. Mark my words! She thought, silently cursing the boy she lived with.

...

-I feel like I'm forgetting something...

Now cruising down the highway leading out of Kyoto, a relaxed Desmon seemed lost in thought.

-Am I missing something?

Without paying much attention to his driving, Desmon stood up on Kurox, double-checking that he had everything with him.

-Mmmm, looks like I've got everything. So why...

"Oh!"

Kurox came to an abrupt stop; a move that should've sent Desmon flying since he was standing, but he didn't budge an inch.

"Let's go back for Alastor!"

Kurox made a sharp U-turn and headed back to the site of the previous day's battle.

After a short ride, the devil arm came to a halt at the scene.

During the fight with the two demons, Desmon had left Alastor stuck in the ground. But after the devastating attack, the sword had also been sent flying.

"It should be around here…"

Desmon began searching the spots he remembered, but came up empty.

-Clearing every piece of rubble is such a waste of time.

"Hey, Kurox, clean up a bit."

Responding to the order, Kurox sped up and slammed into the debris, spinning wildly and kicking up dirt and dust all around.

-I guess that's another use I can give you. Sure would be nice if you could turn into a weapon…

Kurox was extremely tough; a benefit that was too situational to fully exploit.

"Why'd you stop?"

Kurox had suddenly halted, almost as if it heard Desmon's thoughts.

"Let me tell you, you're pretty useful. You save me a ton of money…"

-Wait, can this thing hear my thoughts?

Desmon approached Kurox, ready to apologize if necessary, since he needed it to reach his new employer. But to his surprise, he spotted the familiar hilt of a sword sticking out from the rubble.

"As I was saying, you're the most useful devil arm I've got."

After praising Kurox, Desmon grabbed Alastor by the hilt and pulled it free.

Unlike the strange connection he felt with Kurox, there was nothing like that with Alastor; if there had been, he would've found it right away.

-I've got to admit, this sword is tough.

Despite the conditions it was found in, Alastor was flawless; not a single scratch, just covered in dust.

"My shirt's clean, and I'd rather make a good first impression."

With a horizontal slash, Desmon used Alastor to clear off all the dust.

"Much better."

Now that he had retrieved what he came for, Desmon secured Alastor on his back.

"I really don't understand how this stuff works…"

The first time Desmon got Alastor, he was worried about how to carry it around all the time. He consulted Dante, who simply told him to put it on his back, and as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the sword stayed in place.

When Desmon asked about the logic behind it, Dante, in his usual laid-back manner, replied:

"Logic? I've got no clue, man. But if it works, why overthink it? Some things are just like that."

"I see." Desmon punched his palm. "You're an idiot!"

"An idiot? Maybe. But at least I'm not the guy stressing over how to carry a sword, right?"

Those simple words hit Desmon's ego like a hammer. He'd always been quick to win verbal exchanges, but with Dante, it was impossible. His carefree attitude made him unbeatable.

A brief memory that crossed Desmon's mind.

-I wonder what that guy's doing in hell. Would it make for a good tourist spot?

Pondering what hotels in hell might be like, Desmon hopped onto Kurox and headed for his original destination.

''According to Lady's message, I'm supposed to meet Mr. Nakano at his house.''

Knowing Desmon could be an idiot at times, Lady made sure to send him the exact address.

"I wonder what kind of trouble involves quintuplets…"

Imagining what five identical girls might look like, a police patrol suddenly began chasing him.

"Again? This is the third time."

The distance between Kyoto and Tokyo was huge, so along the way, the police had chased Desmon multiple times; for speeding, not wearing a helmet, lacking a license plate, and now, a new one: openly carrying a weapon.

After several minutes, the police patrols would give up, retreating in defeat after failing to catch him.

However, the current patrol chasing him showed no signs of giving up, even starting to close the distance.

"Isn't she the woman I usually compete against?"

Inside the police car was a young woman with blue hair.

Her name was Asako Kusakabe, a police officer who had once been part of a special military unit. However, due to her conduct and some mistakes, she was demoted and reassigned as an ordinary officer.

The truth, was that she had been digging too deep into the military high command, leading them to set her up and strip her of her position.

Killing her would've been too much trouble, so they chose to demote her and transfer her to another city. Of course, she still had her connections and occasionally visited an old friend.

Since that moment, Asako's life had become far more boring. Going from the action of the battlefield to filing paperwork and handing out tickets was the worst. Even the criminals she arrested were low-level thugs, nothing out of the ordinary.

But everything changed one day while she was working on the highway. She encountered a motorcyclist she couldn't stop; a huge blow to her ego. How could a young guy on a bike outrun her?

Since then, she had failed every time to catch this offender.

"Hey, guy, you'd better stop so I can cuff you and throw you in jail. And why the hell are you carrying a sword?" Asako's voice came through the patrol car's loudspeaker.

Any upstanding Japanese citizen would've stopped and accepted their guilt, but Desmon, being a foreigner, simply flipped her off and flashed a mocking grin.

"Oh, so that's how it is, huh? Fine, you asked for it."

Asako floored the accelerator, matching Kurox's speed; something only possible because she'd used her savings to modify her car.

How do they expect to catch Desmon with outdated vehicles and terrible engines?

Of course, installing a sports car engine and making massive modifications isn't exactly legal either, is it?

"You're on fire today." Desmon said, locking eyes with Asako. "Looks like you've got some competition, Kurox."

The Devil Arm, as if understanding his words, began to speed up, staying just ahead of the patrol car.

"Is he doing this on purpose to mock me!?" A vein throbbed on her forehead.

Asako had brought down dangerous criminals and untouchable elites, earning plenty of merit and recognition. Yet now, she couldn't catch what seemed to be a teenager on a motorcycle.

"You'd better give up! This time, you're not getting away!"

Slamming the pedal to the floor, her car roared forward, matching Kurox's pace once more.

"Looks like this is..."

Before Desmon could finish speaking, his phone rang. He answered without much enthusiasm.

"What do you want, Lady?"

"Where the hell are you?!"

Desmon winced as Lady's shout assaulted his eardrums.

"I'm on my way to—"

"You're five minutes late! Every minute you waste costs me money, and that means I'll charge you even more!"

"That's inhumane..." Desmon muttered, a shiver running down his spine.

"Funny, since you're not even human! Now move your ass! You've got ten minutes! If you're any later, you won't want to find out what happens next."

With a chilling tone, Lady hung up.

Her affection for Desmon is obvious, isn't it?

"What kind of women does Dante even hang out with...?"

Cursing his father's taste for troublesome women, Desmon checked the distance to his destination. Judging by his expression, it wasn't good news.

"At this speed, I won't make it in ten minutes. Oh well..." He smiled.

Focusing his demonic energy into Kurox, the devil arm roared with excitement.

"Hey, blue-hair! Racing you is fun, but today, I'm taking the win again! See ya!" Desmon waved goodbye.

Asako barely caught his words over the rush of the wind.

"What does he mean...?"

Before her eyes, she watched as the boy and his motorcycle accelerated unnaturally, vanishing from her sight in seconds.

"How the hell does he do that...?" She let out a long sigh.

Realizing it was impossible to catch him now, Asako eased off the accelerator. Another failure added to her record.

But giving up didn't suit her attitude. With a fresh smile on her face, she she filled herself with resolve.

"Do I still have credit in the bank?"

As she mentally mapped out upgrades for her car to catch the culprit, she turned around, ready to keep doing her job.

Chapter Text

After surpassing twice the speed of Japan's fastest bullet train, Desmon shot through the remaining cities like a lightning bolt, finally reaching his destination.

"That really drained me..." He muttered to himself, sighing in relief as he arrived just before the 10-minute deadline Lady had given him.

To achieve such speed in so little time, Desmon infused Kurox with a massive amount of demonic energy, unleashing the full potential of the devil arm.

"Good job, now rest. Though, I’m the one who’s more exhausted..."

Desmon dismounted from Kurox near the building where his client awaited. After making sure no one was watching, he made the motorcycle vanish and walked to the building's main entrance.

Residential buildings like this only allow access with a key from the owners. If you're a guest, the apartment owner must grant you entry.

"According to Lady, the apartment is..."

After a few seconds of searching for the corresponding numbers, he pressed the intercom button.

"Good afternoon, I’ve been expecting you. Please, come in.'' Said a middle-aged man appearing on the intercom screen, responding straightforwardly.

-It's surprising he didn’t question my appearance. I guess Lady saved me the trouble of explaining further.

With permission from one of the residents, Desmon entered the building. After a short elevator ride, he walked down the hall until he reached the door where his client was already waiting.

"You must be Desmon. Please, come in."

"Excuse me." He said, remembering the manners Shizuka had taught him and not forgetting to thank his host as he entered.

As expected, the place was a large, luxurious, and well-furnished apartment.

Once they reached the main living room, Desmon noticed another young man, about his age, seated on the sofa.

"Good afternoon." Said the young man with a slight bow.

"Don’t be so formal; it makes me feel weird..." Desmon replied, a bit uncomfortable.

The overwhelming luxury of the place made him feel out of place.

"I wasn’t given many details, but I hope this long trip was worth it."

All Desmon wanted was to sleep for hours. It was obvious from his tone that he was uninterested, especially since no one had explained the nature of his job.

"Customs must be very different abroad." The man remarked sincerely.

"More than that, I just don’t put much weight on it. Besides, I can sense the anxiety from both of you." Desmon said monotonously as he casually sat on the sofa. "I’m Desmon, demon hunter." He added, making his line of work clear as he placed Alastor beside the couch.

The two men exchanged glances and nodded, their eyes lingering on the massive sword he carried.

Why weren’t they surprised or questioning it? Could it be related to the nature of the job they were about to propose?

"Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Nakano Mauro."

His appearance matched that of a middle-aged man with short black hair, parted to the sides. His sharp, small black eyes and serious expression exuded authority. Dressed in a suit and tie, he looked every bit the professional.

"And I’m Uesugi Futaro."

The second was a boy who seemed the same age as Desmon. He had pale skin and black hair styled in a bowl cut. His striking golden eyes stood out against his serious demeanor. He appeared to be wearing a local high school uniform.

"I need to know exactly what you want me to do. Otherwise, the results won’t be what you’re hoping for.'' Desmon said calmly, looking at both of them.

''He’s very straightforward..."

"Sounds good." Mr. Nakano nodded with a calm expression.

"So, Mauro, what do you need from me? I doubt you called me here just to chat." Desmon's demeanor shifted, sensing that the atmosphere hinted at something difficult to discuss.

He might seem like an idiot, but there are moments when he acts surprisingly mature.

"Uesugi-kun, could you tell him what happened to you?"

"Sure." He cleared his throat. "It all started a few weeks ago when Miku injured my arm."

"I assume she's one of the five sisters, right?"

Uesugi nodded.

"I had just started dating Yotsuba a few days before that incident."

Desmon quickly connected the dots, realizing that the names mentioned would belong to the five sisters.

"If that girl hurt you, isn't it just jealousy? ...Wait, did you win over another sister too!?" Desmon was shocked, picturing a scenario straight out of the anime or manga his roommate often watched.

"Actually, it was all five of them..." Uesugi averted his gaze.

"WHAT!? You charmed five girls, and they're all sisters? Man, you're a legend! I'm your fan now; got any tips for me?" Desmon joked with a grin.

"If you put it that way..."

"Oh, so he must be the father of the five sisters." Desmon glanced at Mauro. "How do you resist the urge to get rid of this guy?" He jumped to conclusions without hesitation.

"I decided to accept Yotsuba and Uesugi-kun's relationship. He’s shown enough aptitude to earn my trust."

"If I were you, I wouldn’t hesitate to throw him out a window."

"I won’t deny that thought has crossed my mind more than once." Mauro replied with a dark smile.

"Ehhhh?" Uesugi seriously considered staying far away from high-rise windows.

"Uesugi-kun, please continue."

"Alright..." He took a deep breath. "That day, I was helping Miku with some topics. Everything was normal until she suddenly grabbed my arm. At first, I thought it was a joke, but her expression and gaze completely changed. For some reason, I felt fear at that moment. Even more so when she began to exert unbearable force on my arm. I tried calling her name, and that's when she seemed to snap out of it and let go."

As he mentioned, Miku seemed to be in a trance that day. During that episode, she injured Uesugi, though fortunately, it wasn’t a severe injury. Still, it was enough to almost fracture his arm. He had to wear a bandage afterward.

A girl like Miku shouldn’t have the strength to break a boy's arm. Yet, she wasn’t the only one to exhibit such strange behavior.

"I don’t think simple jealousy explains this... and judging by your expression, this isn’t the end of it."

"You’re right. It wasn’t just Miku who behaved oddly. Something similar happened with Itsuki, Ichika, and Nino as well."

"Four out of the five, huh? So, the girl you’re dating didn’t show any changes?"

"Yotsuba didn’t exhibit any changes. She kept her usual energetic personality." A small smile appeared on Uesugi's face.

-Gotta give him credit for picking one out of five sisters. Any other guy would’ve gone for all of them... though that’s strange in itself...

"What incidents happened with the other girls?"

"Nothing too severe. At times, they seemed lost in thought, and their attitudes toward me shifted. They’d act affectionate one moment and yell at me the next."

"I know some women, and that sounds pretty normal..."

"I thought the same... haha." None of the five sisters had ever treated him horribly, right?

Uesugi set aside his awkward laugh.

"Even so, their behavior was far too strange and unnatural, so I decided to bring it up with Mr. Nakano, thinking he might know something."

Desmon turned his gaze to Mr. Nakano.

"I didn’t take Uesugi-kun’s words very seriously at first." Mr. Nakano admitted. "I thought it might just be a reaction to everything that had happened. But one afternoon, when I visited their home, I found Nino staring blankly at a wall. As I approached, I noticed her eyes were a different color, and her voice... it wasn’t my daughter’s."

"What did she say?" Desmon asked.

Mr. Nakano’s expression darkened as he recalled the moment.

"She told me to get out of her sight or she’d kill me. Then, she shoved me with such force that I rolled across the floor several times."

"And I’m guessing she regained consciousness afterward."

He nodded with a serious expression.

At that moment, Nino approached to help her father, completely unaware that she had been the one responsible for the incident.

"And from that, they concluded that something paranormal might be happening to the girls, right?"

A normal person wouldn’t associate such a case with demons but rather with the paranormal; ghosts, possessions, and the like.

-Maybe they should call a ghost hunter?

"I thought they might just be sick, but the medical exam showed nothing wrong, so I started researching online. I stumbled across some foreign forums filled with fantastical stories, but they all pointed to a local business that deals with these kinds of cases."

Dante’s shop doesn’t use paid advertising, so the only way people hear about it is through word of mouth; or these days, through online forums, which some might dismiss as a bad joke. This is how Shizuka eventually found DMC. Never underestimate the power of the internet.

"Didn’t it seem too unreal to be true?"

Desmon knows that for many, believing in the paranormal seems like a fantasy or baseless delusion.

"At first, I thought so too. But after talking to Morrison, I started taking the idea of such things more seriously."

Morrison handles job assignments at DMC, matching the right person to each task. Since Desmon was still in Japan for another job, Lady took over the new case and wasted no time assigning it to him.

Another reason Morrison didn’t give the job directly to Desmon was to let him enjoy his youth and take a break. Apparently, Morrison had already looked into his past, and Dante partially agreed with the decision.

"If you spoke to Morrison, why did Lady call me?"

If that’s the case, Lady should have come to Japan and taken care of everything herself.

"I also spoke to the woman named Lady. She said she has an assistant in Japan who would handle everything."

"Since when am I Lady’s assistant? Wait a second; am I even getting paid for this?"

Desmon’s pay only goes toward his massive debt. In simple terms, he won’t see a single cent of it.

Realizing Lady just sees him as disposable, Desmon sighed.

"Putting that witch aside, do you really think something paranormal; or more specifically, a demon; might be causing the strange behavior of these four girls?"

So far, Desmon had never encountered a demon interested in controlling four identical sisters, which made this case highly unusual. And this time, it wouldn’t be as simple as going to their location and cutting them down. Or would it?

"It’s all I can think of. That look on my daughter’s face wasn’t something any normal person could have."

Mr. Nakano’s words were filled with concern. If someone had told him this story a few weeks ago, he’d have thought they were crazy for even considering the existence of the paranormal.

"I’ll be honest; it’s the first time I’ve heard of something like this. I’m used to finding demons who just want to devour their victims."

While there were exceptions, Desmon’s words held true in most cases.

"So, you don’t think you can do anything?" Uesugi asked, clenching his fist.

For the young student, this situation defied all logic. Even so, he wanted to believe the person sent to help could fix it.

"I never said that." Desmon replied arrogantly. "You’re in luck; I know someone with more knowledge on these matters."

Desmon pulled out his phone and called Trish, who was always there to lend him a hand. She’d even picked out the outfit he wore to Japan, although those clothes had since been destroyed.

After a few seconds, she answered.

"Desmon, you must be in trouble to call me at this hour." Though her words might sound annoyed, her tone was calm.

"More like I have a question." he said, sounding a bit tired. He had expected this job to be a straightforward demon hunt so he could leave quickly.

Desmon then explained everything he knew to Trish.

"I see. I think I have an idea of what’s going on." She reached for a certain book. "Put me on speaker. I don’t want your head exploding from trying to process too much at once." She said teasingly.

Trish had a certain fondness for Desmon, but that didn’t stop her from mocking him for his immature behavior.

Desmon ignored Trish’s teasing and turned on the speakerphone on his cell.

“And how do you plan to explain this…?”

Thanks to a certain ghostly old woman, Desmon was fluent in Japanese, so he thought Trish would struggle with it. But…

“I won’t repeat myself, so listen closely.”

To everyone’s surprise, Trish spoke fluent Japanese. Never underestimate a demon with too much free time.

“Based on what I’ve heard, I believe the four girls are possessed by the same demon; one that preys on those with unrequited love.” Trish said as she flipped through her book.

“Is that true?” Mr. Nakano asked, visibly worried.

“This demon is known as Kiyohime, who also suffered from unrequited love in her time. Considering that the boy rejected all four sisters to choose only one, it’s likely that the four are being possessed to the point where their souls will be completely consumed, leaving their bodies as mere puppets for the demon.” Trish’s tone remained serious throughout.

With little else to do, Trish had delved into Japanese demonology and was now able to provide Desmon with potentially useful information.

“Is there a way to save them?” This time, it was Uesugi who spoke. The five girls were important to him.

“The situation is unusual. Normally, they would have killed the person responsible for their unrequited love. But since they’re sisters, their bond is too strong to break. However, given the trance-like state they’ve described, it’s possible their minds and souls are resisting. I just can’t guarantee how long that will last.”

“What can we do?” Uesugi asked anxiously.

“For now, you need to separate that girl from her sisters. She’s likely to become the next victim.”

To Trish, it was obvious the girls were possessed, and it was a mistake on Mr. Nakano and Uesugi’s part not to notice sooner.

As the two absorbed the information, Desmon began talking to Trish.

“You’ve had a lot of free time, huh?”

“Is that how you say thank you, Desmon-kun?”

“Fine, fine. But don’t call me that. It feels weird...”

While Desmon and Trish chatted casually, Uesugi had a bad feeling. He pulled out his phone and called his girlfriend.

Seconds passed, but the call wouldn’t connect, no matter how many times he tried.

“Is Yotsuba in class?” Seeing his son-in-law’s expression, Mr. Nakano began imagining scenarios of his own.

“She should’ve finished her club activities by now; she’s probably home with the others…” Uesugi replied, sounding uneasy.

“Are you idiots?!” Trish snapped. “She’s in the most danger out of everyone. From what you’ve said, the four must be close to being fully possessed. The first thing they’ll do is kill the girl who took their beloved from them, and then they’ll come after you. And now that she’s alone, it’s the perfect chance to get rid of her.”

Trish let out a slight sigh; she couldn’t believe some people could be so idiotic, but it wasn’t like she could do anything about it.

After hearing this, both Uesugi and Mr. Nakano felt a sinking dread. In their minds, they couldn’t help but picture Yotsuba’s lifeless body.

“Desmon, there’s no time. Get over there and do what you have to do.” Trish ordered.

The message was clear: do whatever it takes.

“Alright, time to work.” Desmon stood up from the couch and stretched briefly.

Without further discussion, he pocketed his phone and secured Alastor to his back.

What lay ahead was just another day for Desmon: exterminate a demon. And if the four girls were already controlled, there was no choice but to eliminate them.

“Wait!” Mr. Nakano said quickly before Desmon left. “If possible, please save them.”

“You know you’re asking for the impossible. If they’re fully possessed, there’s nothing to save. The only thing left is to end their suffering.” Desmon replied in a monotone voice.

Desmon wasn’t heartless; he was no stranger to the pain of losing a loved one. But in this case, Mr. Nakano was at fault for not acting sooner. Though, who could have guessed the girls were possessed?

Uesugi stepped closer to his future father-in-law and bowed as well.

“Please, save them.”

At this point, Uesugi had no doubt that everything about this situation was real.

"I can’t promise anything, but if the situation calls for it… I think you can guess the outcome."

Letting four possessed girls run free would undoubtedly mean several deaths.

Hearing those words, Mr. Nakano's blood ran cold. How could he face his late wife if four of his daughters died?

"Even so…"

He didn’t hesitate to say everything he wanted, eventually nodding to Desmon’s words.

Meanwhile, Uesugi looked at his future father-in-law in shock, unable to believe what he had just said.

"Mauro-san, you…"

"You can talk later." Desmon clapped his hands, cutting them off.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Desmon was eager to head to their destination. But there was one problem; he had no idea where it was.

"First of all, I have no clue where the five girls are. You know the way, don’t you?" He asked, looking at Uesugi.

Uesugi nodded hesitantly, sensing that Desmon’s tone wasn’t just asking for directions.

"That works for me!"

Without another moment to spare, Desmon grabbed Uesugi by the arm and leaped through a nearby open window.

Mr. Nakano could only watch in astonishment. If not for Lady's words from the day before, he wouldn’t have known what to do. But now, all he could do was sit and hope for good news. From his position, there was nothing else he could do.

Meanwhile, Desmon and Uesugi were in freefall from a building over ten stories high.

The poor young man screamed in terror, a perfectly natural reaction to the situation.

"Elevators are overrated." Desmon said cheerfully. Uesugi, however, couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. One moment, they were in Mr. Nakano’s apartment, and the next, they were plummeting toward certain death.

"Another thing off my bucket list." -Jump out of a tall building? Check. "Kurox!" Without hesitation, he called on his trusted devil arm.

Saying its name wasn’t necessary, but in moments like these, it felt undeniably epic; a habit born from hours of watching anime with Shizuka.

Upon being called, Kurox immediately appeared beside them. Desmon pulled Uesugi towards him, and they both mounted Kurox. The motorcycle easily adhered to the building's wall. Before reaching the ground, Kurox jumped off the wall, landing firmly on the runway and accelerating at great speed.

Destination: the quintuplets’ apartment.

Chapter Text

"Thank you so much for your help, Nakano-san."

"Don’t worry about it! I had fun!"

Yotsuba Nakano, a lively girl with short hair tied back with a green ribbon, decided to stay behind after school instead of heading home. She helped the volleyball club, who needed an extra player for their practice.

"I was really lucky to run into you since the local tournament is coming up soon. With one of our members missing today, it would’ve been hard to train without someone as skilled as you."

"I'm not that skilled, hehe." She replied, scratching the back of her head modestly.

"Are you sure you don’t want to join our club?"

Thanks to Yotsuba's athletic talent, several sports clubs had tried to recruit her, but she politely declined their invitations. Still, whenever she had free time, she often helped out different sports clubs.

"I don’t think I have much time to dedicate to a club." She said with a faint blush.

Since she started dating Uesugi, the two would usually walk home together after school. But today, with Uesugi tied up with something, Yotsuba had a bit of extra time to help the volleyball club.

"I see... well, if you change your mind, the volleyball club will always welcome you!"

After chatting a bit more about the practice, Yotsuba headed to the locker room to shower.

Japanese schools are well-equipped to meet students' needs, and the gym facilities include spacious locker rooms and showers for students participating in extracurricular sports activities to freshen up.

As the hot water ran over her pale, smooth skin, Yotsuba let out a soft sigh, savoring the relaxing sensation. Her hands unconsciously slid to her chest, feeling the warmth of her own touch.

"Why do they feel bigger?" She murmured, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

Though she knew her body had already matured, the thought made her smile shyly, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. Shaking off the idea, she let the water wash away not just her thoughts but also her tension.

A few minutes later, she stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a towel that clung delicately to her figure. Moving with an unhurried precision, she got dressed in her school uniform.

"See you later, girls!"

"Bye, Nakano-san!" The volleyball club members called out cheerfully as she left.

Unlike any of her sisters, most of the girls at school found Yotsuba easy to talk to thanks to her cheerful, energetic demeanor.

-I wonder what Uesugi-san is up to...

As she walked, tilting her head in thought, she couldn’t help but notice that her boyfriend had been acting a little strange lately.

-Knowing Uesugi-san, he'll probably tell me eventually.

That clumsy yet kind boy, who had become her boyfriend, often made silly mistakes that Yotsuba found endearing.

Recalling those moments, Yotsuba kept walking in a cheerful mood. Soon enough, she caught sight of a rather old apartment complex.

"I'm home." She called out as she opened the door to her modest home, where she lived with her four sisters.

Taking a few steps inside, she felt something was off.

Yotsuba’s gaze swept around the apartment, but she couldn’t pinpoint anything unusual.

-Am I coming down with something?

Shaking her head quickly, she walked to her room and set down her belongings.

"This place has never been this quiet..." She murmured, finally realizing what was making her feel uneasy.

It wasn’t just her apartment; the silence seemed to blanket the entire complex, as if all the neighbors had agreed not to make a sound at the same time.

The apartments were usually filled with noise from all kinds of residents: elderly folks, families, office workers, young students, college kids, and children.

That’s why, except at night, there was never a moment when the entire complex was this quiet.

But it only took a glance at the neighboring apartments to figure out the reason for the silence.

-Why can’t I shake this feeling that something’s wrong?

From the moment Yotsuba walked in, something deep inside her told her she needed to leave. Quickly.

Humans, although they have evolved over the years, still retain fundamental traits inherited from their predecessors, such as the survival instinct that alerts us to danger. This instinct is closely tied to the brain’s ability to detect threats in its surroundings.

And while Yotsuba couldn’t quite grasp what was wrong at that moment, her instincts could sense it—the scent of death lingering in the air.

"Girls, are you home?"

She tried to brush aside those uneasy feelings and called out for her sisters to ease her mind.

"They should’ve arrived by now..."

Yotsuba glanced around her small apartment, but there was no sign of her sisters.

"I should call them..." As she moved toward her room, a figure caught her eye, sitting at the dining table.

"Miku, you scared me!" Yotsuba jumped slightly, her hand instinctively flying to her chest. She hadn’t heard a single sound from Miku.

Sitting at the table was a girl identical to Yotsuba, both wearing their school uniforms. If not for the differences in hairstyles and accessories, they would have been indistinguishable.

As expected, the girl was one of Yotsuba's sisters; Miku Nakano.

-Did she not hear me?

Seconds passed, but her sister didn’t respond.

"Miku?"

Yotsuba stepped closer, concerned by her sister’s silence.

"Are you feeling okay?"

Reaching out, Yotsuba touched her sister’s forehead to check for a fever. But as their eyes met, Yotsuba stumbled backward in terror. Her instincts screamed at her to run, to get as far away as possible, as fear gripped her mind upon seeing her sister's eyes.

Miku's irises had turned a blood-red hue, while the whites of her eyes were now pitch black.

"M-Miku?" She stammered, her voice trembling with fear.

Before Yotsuba could act, Miku moved in an instant, wrapping her hands around Yotsuba’s neck.

"Urgh…"

A strength far beyond anything Miku should possess tightened around Yotsuba's throat.

Among the five sisters, Yotsuba was the strongest and in excellent shape due to her athletic habits. Yet now, Miku was strangling her effortlessly.

-This... can’t... be... The situation was so sudden that Yotsuba couldn’t think or react.

As the oxygen left her body, Yotsuba began to struggle, but it was futile; her vision blurred with every passing second.

-I’m sorry for this...

Summoning her last ounce of strength, Yotsuba delivered a powerful blow to her sister, breaking free from the chokehold. Her survival instincts had taken over entirely.

Freed from the brink of death, Yotsuba collapsed to her knees, coughing violently as she gasped for the air she had been denied.

"Even at death’s door, will you deny me that satisfaction?" Miku’s voice had changed; now deeper and harsher.

"Miku...?" Yotsuba whispered, backing away on her knees.

"Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to end your life for robbing this poor girl of what she held most dear." Miku's voice grew sinister.

Gathering all her strength, Yotsuba forced herself to her feet and bolted toward the door.

There was no time to process the situation; her body and mind reacted purely to the overwhelming fear she felt and the chilling words from her sister.

"I’ll get help…"

Before Yotsuba could reach the door and call for help, she collided with something; or rather, someone.

Blocking her path was another sister, Nino Nakano, who looked identical to Yotsuba, save for her distinct accessories and slightly shorter hair.

"Nino, Miku’s sick..."

Maybe Miku is sick; I need to get help; that was Yotsuba’s initial thought as she tried to convey her concern to Nino. Even in a situation like this, Yotsuba’s first instinct was to prioritize her sister’s health.

But her words didn’t fully leave her mouth.

-Why...? Yotsuba froze as she noticed the same eerie look in Nino's eyes.

Before she could react, Nino slapped Yotsuba. What should’ve been a light slap sent her flying into the wall.

"Ahhh!" She cried out in pain.

The impact was thunderous as Yotsuba crashed against the wall, coughing up blood upon impact.

There was no way she could emerge unscathed after a blow like that, even with her superior physical condition.

"Don’t think you can escape!" Nino declared, advancing toward Yotsuba.

At the same time, Itsuki and Ichika, the two missing sisters, walked through the apartment door. The five girls looked identical, all wearing the same school uniform, but…

No… the differences were now more than just the length of their hair or their accessories. The uniforms of Itsuki, Ichika, and Nino were covered in blood.

Did they visit a butcher shop? Or perhaps they turned their neighbors into butchered meat?

In the other apartments, only lifeless bodies remained. There were no survivors; no elderly women, no children; no one left alive.

The worst part was that none of them died quickly. It seemed like the perpetrators had relished in their suffering. What might have been the last thoughts of a mother watching her child perish in front of her, unable to do anything as her limbs were shattered?

Helplessness, fear, hatred, and, above all, despair; knowing she couldn’t protect what she loved most before joining her child in death.

“Our guest of honor has finally arrived, so we can’t let her leave.” Itsuki said, walking slowly toward Yotsuba. “You disgust me.”

Grabbing Yotsuba by the arm, Itsuki hurled her into another wall, this time with enough force to break through it. The flimsy, old apartment building was no match for that kind of strength.

“Itsuki, I told you not to throw trash around.” Ichika said as she appeared in front of Yotsuba’s crumpled body, kicking her to the other side of the room.

Even though Yotsuba’s body was stronger than any of her sisters, she wasn’t indestructible, as her current condition proved. Her body was covered in wounds and bruises, with several fractured bones.

Lifting her gaze slowly, Yotsuba could only look on helplessly as her four sisters approached her, unable to comprehend why they were doing this.

“Why…?” She couldn’t finish her sentence; even speaking brought unbearable pain.

The four girls stopped near Yotsuba’s broken body, and Itsuki stepped in front of them.

“This is the first time I’ve seen four girls so miserable, and the most surprising part is that they’re sisters. Even though they try to hide it and endure, the pain of their souls is impossible to conceal.”

The voice that came from Itsuki’s body was different this time; both sinister and seductive.

The demon known as Kiyohime had successfully taken control of the minds of the four sisters, moving her consciousness between them while turning the other three into puppets of her will.

The process hadn’t been easy. Despite their weakened wills, the love they felt for their sister Yotsuba had been strong enough to resist for a while.

For that reason, Kiyohime took her time, planting ideas in their dreams until their resistance finally broke.

“Let’s finish this so we can move on to the boy.”

The demon could have killed Yotsuba from the start, but where was the fun in that? Breaking and tormenting her was far more entertaining.

Yotsuba, still conscious, didn’t know what to think after hearing those words.

“I’ll give you the satisfaction of finishing her off. After all, it was your emotions that brought me to you.” Kiyohime said.

Miku stepped toward Yotsuba, grabbing her by the neck and lifting her as though she weighed nothing.

Without hesitation, Miku began to squeeze, threatening to either strangle her or snap her neck.

“Will you run out of air first, or will your neck give in? Let’s find out!” Itsuki said, laughing with twisted pleasure.

The little consciousness Yotsuba had left was consumed by fear of death. There was no way out. She didn’t understand what had happened…

No, she knew. Her sisters had said it repeatedly. She was going to die for being Uesugi’s girlfriend.

Was it an unfair fate? Who could say?

Yotsuba’s neck began to give way as tears streamed from her eyes, her breath slipping away with each passing second.

"How thrilling it is to watch you die like the bitch you are!" Kiyohime screamed in delight.

Yotsuba felt her body stop responding, the creeping sensation of death overtaking her. In those final moments, her mind drifted to the memories she shared with her sisters, from their childhood to the present day. And even now, as she faced death at their hands, she couldn’t bring herself to hate them.

In one’s last moments, they say the most important memories surface. After the images of her sisters faded, another figure appeared in her mind; a boy with a serious demeanor who sometimes seemed clumsy but was the one she had fallen in love with.

And like something out of a child’s fairy tale, she wished for the impossible, a wish that made no sense and would only endanger the person she held dear.

-Uesugi-san… save me…

That was her final thought before her tragic end.

The poor girl’s neck was snapped by the brutal force, and her lifeless body was tossed aside like a discarded bag of trash.

There was no escape for Yotsuba. This was the inevitable conclusion.

…

…

…

…

…

…

...

...

...

...

Or at least, it should have been.

Seconds before her life was snuffed out, a strange sound echoed; a noise like something rushing in at high speed.

"Hmm?"

Kiyohime turned toward the source of the noise… utterly unprepared for what was coming.

A black motorcycle burst through the door, screeching to a halt right in front of Yotsuba. The rear wheel kicked up into the air, spinning wildly before slamming into Miku with such force that it sent her crashing through the nearby apartment walls, saving Yotsuba from her grim fate.

“Demon hunter, at your service!” Declared a white-haired boy.

Chapter Text

"You're going too fast..." Uesugi said, clinging desperately to Desmon.

When they leaped out of Mr. Nakano's apartment window, Uesugi thought he was going to die crashing into the streets below. Now, he's convinced he’ll die if they collide with anything.

To say Kurox, the Devil Arm, exceeded the speed limit would be an understatement. It completely obliterated it.

Currently, they're racing through the city streets at a breakneck pace, narrowly avoiding collisions with other vehicles as Kurox maneuvers with precision.

"Are we close to those girls' place yet?" Desmon asked in his usual tone.

Uesugi glanced around uncertainly, but all he could see were blurred images streaking past.

"We should be close... just two more blocks, and we'll reach a very old apartment complex."

"Quite the contrast compared to where their father lives."

"Things... happened."

"I can imagine."

That brief exchange distracted Uesugi from his growing worry about Yotsuba. He wanted to believe she was fine, that she'd simply forgotten to answer her phone.

Moments later, the apartment complex came into view.

"Want to hear something funny?"

"Huh?" A shiver ran down Uesugi’s spine.

"I’ve never tried braking at this speed. Haha!"

"Now's not the time for that...!"

Uesugi could only watch as they crashed through the apartment door. Seconds later, the motorcycle came to a screeching halt, spinning on its front wheel with a loud thud, as if something had been thrown across the room.

Uesugi barely registered Desmon's dramatic introduction; his attention was entirely on Yotsuba's limp body on the floor through the settling dust.

He scrambled off Kurox and rushed to her side.

"Yotsuba, please answer me!"

Her body was covered in wounds and bruises, filling him with dread.

-This is my fault... if only I’d realized sooner... if I...

"Uesugi-san..."

Those intrusive thoughts vanished the moment he heard his girlfriend's faint voice.

"Yotsuba, hang on! I’ll get you to a hospital!"

Her weak smile, realizing her beloved had come to her rescue, was short-lived as she slipped into unconsciousness.

"Uesugi-kun, so good to see you." Itsuki said with a sinister smile.

"Shut up. You're not Itsuki. She’d never hurt her sister."

"Such cruel words, Uesugi-kun... they break my heart." In the blink of an eye, Itsuki closed the gap between them. "I’ll break every bone in your body to make us even!"

"Am I invisible or something? And here I was, trying to make a cool entrance." Desmon quipped, intercepting Itsuki by grabbing her wrist, preventing her from landing a blow on Uesugi.

"Don't touch my sister, you filth." Nino snarled, sneaking up behind Desmon with the intent to impale him.

"Kurox."

At the command, Kurox moved, blocking Nino's attack and fracturing her hand in the process.

"What the hell...?"

"You want your sister? Be my guest."

With little effort, Desmon hurled Itsuki by the wrist, sending her crashing into Nino and knocking them both down.

"Futaro-kun..." A chilling whisper made Uesugi freeze as Ichika appeared at his side.

"The guy already has a girlfriend. Don’t be a home-wrecking cat."

Before Ichika could strike, Desmon grabbed her face and slammed her onto the floor.

"We could sit here, chat, and have a little family therapy session, but that girl needs medical attention." Desmon said nonchalantly.

"I know..." Uesugi responded, picking Yotsuba up in his arms.

-This time, I won’t leave you alone. I promise... He could feel Yotsuba’s temperature dropping as her body grew colder.

"Fuutaro, are you going to leave me again for her?"

From one of the broken walls, Miku emerged. Her body was riddled with injuries, and her bones jutted out grotesquely. Yet as she stepped forward, her wounds healed, her body returning to its unscathed state.

With a terrifying smile, Miku moved at incredible speed, but she was sent flying by a kick to the stomach from Desmon.

-If they can regenerate like that, things are going to get interesting. He smirked at the thought.

"Kurox, take them to the hospital." After saying this, he placed his hand on the devil arm, channeling his demonic energy. The devil arm worked best when near Desmon, but he couldn't afford to accompany them, so he left everything to Kurox, who, despite appearances, was an excellent devil arm.

Kurox had plenty of tricks Desmon had yet to discover.

Uesugi climbed onto Kurox, carrying Yotsuba.

"It's got autopilot, so don’t worry. Just point out a few landmarks if you can; you know, we're new in town." He joked lightheartedly.

Uesugi wanted to say that none of this made any sense, but Desmon had shown him that shutting down such thoughts was part of why his girlfriend was in her current state.

"Please, do whatever you think is necessary." Uesugi said with a serious expression. Whatever needed to be said had already been discussed before coming to this place.

"Where are you going?"

"Fuu-kun, are you seriously leaving with that bitch?"

Itsuki and Nino lunged at Uesugi, but Desmon intercepted them, looping his arms around their necks and sending them rolling across the ground.

"I'll keep that in mind."

With nothing else to do, Uesugi left with Yotsuba on Kurox, heading toward the hospital. He quickly sent a message to his father-in-law to ensure Yotsuba received proper care in the emergency ward.

With the main players gone and the primary reason for the four girls' actions now removed, they shifted their attention to the one remaining guy, who appeared calm and unfazed.

"It’s not every day you get the chance to have a date with four gorgeous sisters. I must be the envy of the neighborhood." He laughed.

"Who the hell are you?" Miku shouted, stepping out of the rubble.

Following Miku, the other girls joined her.

"Desmon, your friendly neighborhood demon hunter." He said with a grin.

"Demon hunter? Hah! It’s been years since I heard anyone call themselves that." Miku laughed as if he had just told the greatest joke in the world.

"I’m guessing you must be Kiyohime, right?" Desmon raised an eyebrow.

"Looks like someone’s done their homework, kid~" Miku puffed out her chest with pride. "I am the great Kiyohime, slayer of the bitches who dare steal what’s most precious from lovesick maidens."

"I see… so because all four of these girls love the same guy, you can control them all."

"That’s correct. Not only that, but their bodies have evolved beyond pathetic, ordinary humans. I’ve never possessed girls with such powerful emotions of love and heartbreak… it’s intoxicating~"

Strength, agility, and most of all, incredible resilience and regeneration; the four girls had surpassed human limits.

"I see, I see… So, do I need to take you out or the four girls?"

"What a sinister question, kid~" This time, it was Nino who responded.

"Are you really thinking about killing four innocent girls~?" Itsuki feigned a sad expression.

"I wonder what their father would say if you killed them. You’re so cruel~" Ichika pretended to sound distressed, but her sinister smile ruined the act.

Kiyohime controlled all four girls, able to shift her main body between them, making her effectively immortal.

"That’s a tricky situation… I doubt I’d be very popular if I killed four beautiful girls."

"Glad you understand. Either way, we’ll finish you off before going after those two~"

"Hey, you’ve got a handsome and charming guy here. At least give me a bit more attention, will you?"

"You’re disgusting."

"You seem boring."

"Are you some kind of delinquent with that dyed white hair?"

"You’re not my type. I’d never date a guy who hits women."

The four girls answered in their normal voices, further showcasing Kiyohime’s complete control over them.

"A total rejection, huh… I think I’m heartbroken now." Desmon pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears.

"Glad you understand. Now, just let us kill you so we can move on to them."

Nino darted toward Desmon, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms with his free hand.

"Come on, at least give me a chance. Dating four identical sisters would be such a taboo, but imagine the story I could tell at school."

"You disgust me!"

"That’s a bit harsh, sniff sniff."

The other three girls joined in, clearly upset at Desmon for flirting with Nino.

"Don’t worry, I can handle all of you."

With a cheerful smile, he swept Nino’s leg out from under her and followed up with a kick that sent her flying toward the other apartments.

Desmon blocked Itsuki and Miku’s attacks while lifting his leg to stop Ichika’s kick.

The girls’ strength was enough to kill a professional martial artist with one blow, but Desmon wasn’t just strong; he was fast and had sharp reflexes.

"I know I’m irresistible, but I’ll deal with you one at a time."

Desmon reached out to grab Itsuki and Miku’s heads, but the two stepped back, predicting his move. Anticipating this, Desmon spun in midair and delivered a kick to Ichika.

"My hobbies? Sleeping and eating sweets. What do you think?" He said arrogantly.

"You’re such a loser."

"Are you seriously trying to flirt with us? Pathetic."

"I had nothing to lose..."

Shrugging off their second and third rejections, Desmon closed the distance with both girls.

With skill, he blocked their strikes and countered with an uppercut to Itsuki’s chin, sending her crashing into the ceiling.

"And that’s why girls don’t like you." Miku quipped as claws extended from her fingers.

"Ouch, that stings."

With precise footwork, he began dodging Miku’s swipes.

"Ever considered a trip to the nail salon?"

Using his reflexes, Desmon interlocked his fingers with Miku’s and, with a calm expression, broke her fingers.

"You’re a…"

Before Miku could finish her insult, Desmon kneed her in the jaw, then in the stomach, and ended with a spinning kick that smashed her head into the ground.

"You’re the last one. So, what do you say? Want to grab some sweets after this?"

While he dealt with Miku and Itsuki, Ichika recovered and approached Desmon.

"I might consider it."

"Really?" He tilted his head curiously.

"Sure, after I kill you, I’ll take your corpse out for sweets." Ichika lunged at him, her claws aimed at his neck.

"Tempting offer, but I need to stay alive to enjoy them."

Flipping backward, Desmon evaded the attack, kicking Ichika down in the process.

"Four rejections in a row. Guess I’m bad at this..."

-Maybe I should read more of those romance mangas Shizuka keeps hidden in her desk’s second drawer.

When Shizuka told him not to look inside, it only took Desmon a couple of seconds to do just that.

-But I doubt that whole "be the protagonist and girls just fall for you" thing actually works… Who am I kidding? What a lazy idea.

Cultural differences and his upbringing had heavily influenced his personality.

"Go to hell!" The four girls yelled as they charged at him together.

Back to reality, Desmon watched the girls rushing in to end his life.

"On second thought, having four crazies after me isn’t exactly my idea of fun."

With a smug grin, Desmon leaped into the air, dodging all four girls and landing gracefully.

"I’ll admit it, kid, you’re good, but this is where your luck runs out~."

Normally, achieving such compatibility with the bodies Kiyohime possessed would’ve been challenging, but now, these girls were perfect for further evolution.

Greenish scales began appearing on their skin, accompanied by sharp claws and fangs.

"Oi, oi, don’t go making them scarier. Their dad’s going to chew me out."

"Let’s see if you can keep that grin on your face." Nino said as she dashed toward Desmon.

Though he managed to dodge her claws, a deep cut appeared on his cheek.

"Not bad. My turn."

Desmon’s fist slammed into Nino’s face, but she only stumbled back a few steps. Blood trickled from his knuckles after the impact.

Those scales not only served to increase defense but also reflected part of the damage taken.

“Tch, this is going to be annoying.” Desmon's gaze shifted to the girls, who seemed ready to take him on.

“This unpleasant first meeting ends here. Goodbye!”

With perfect coordination, the Nakano sisters charged at Desmon.

He did everything he could to dodge the claws attacking him from all directions while trying to counterattack, but he only managed to hurt himself more than he hurt them. Cuts began to open all over his body.

Dodging all four at once was too much. He could barely avoid the deadliest blows, the ones that would tear out organs or strike vital points.

“Got you!”

Miku appeared, using one of her sisters as a distraction. Taking advantage of the opening, she drove her claws into Desmon’s abdomen, ripping out a large chunk of flesh.

“Where are you looking, hunter-kun?”

Nino caught him off guard from behind, sinking her fangs into his neck and tearing through his jugular. A torrent of blood gushed uncontrollably.

-This is bad...

Before he could cover the wound or back away, Itsuki stabbed him in the chest. Her claws came down with force, opening a massive gash that soaked everything in blood.

Surrounded with no room to react, Desmon could only remain standing as Itsuki relentlessly continued to stab him.

After leaving his body in complete disarray, the three girls stepped back. Ichika approached slowly, a sinister smile on her face.

“See you later~.” She whispered into Desmon’s ear before sinking her fangs into the other side of his neck, destroying the second jugular.

With both major veins severed and his body a complete wreck, Desmon dropped to his knees.

The Nakano sisters smiled in satisfaction, reveling in their victory. They had subdued and humiliated their prey.

Despite it all, as darkness claimed him and death seemed inevitable, one final thought crossed Desmon’s mind:

-...This uniform is borrowed.

Chapter Text

"It’s time to go. We need to find Yotsuba-chan." Nino said with a smile.

"If she's with Uesugi-kun, it makes things easier." Itsuki tilted her head innocently.

"Futaro-kun... I wonder what your blood tastes like?" Ichika grinned maliciously.

"Fuutaro, what kind of face will you make when I tear Yotsuba's heart out right in front of your eyes~?" For Miku, nothing mattered more than killing her sister while Uesugi watched helplessly.

With nothing left to do in the old and abandoned apartment complex, the girls started walking toward the exit.

"I’m starting to think you were all this crazy before being possessed."

Before they could leave, a third voice echoed through the place.

"How are you still alive?" Ichika glared furiously.

The injuries piled upon the demon hunter were extreme. No human should have survived, and even if by some miracle they did, the immense blood loss would’ve been fatal. For anyone else, at least. But not for Desmon, whose wounds had already healed as he stood up.

"Movie magic, maybe?" Desmon said with a smirk.

"You’re not human!"

There was no doubt now; the boy standing before Kiyohime was far from ordinary.

"Oh, how curious. Demons usually recognize me right away." Desmon said, closing the gap between him and Ichika before slamming his fist into her face, driving her headfirst into the ground.

However, Ichika's scales mitigated the damage and reflected it, causing several cuts to appear on Desmon's hand.

"I’m not a masochist, but there’s a first time for everything." He said, clenching his fist as the wounds healed instantly.

"You’re a demon!"

"Congratulations, Sherlock, you’ve figured out what other demons know at first glance."

Itsuki and Miku charged at Desmon, but he dodged them and closed in on Nino. Grabbing her by the head, he kneed her face, shattering it with the impact. To make matters worse, he spun midair, delivering a descending axe kick to her stomach with his right leg.

Nino’s body took severe damage, and though her scales were meant to provide resistance and reflect the blows, Desmon withstood the feedback with a grin.

"If you’re a demon, the idea of a date sounds nice." Itsuki teased, winking at him.

Kiyohime hadn’t expected Desmon to be a demon; his lack of the usual demonic aura all demons possessed caught her off guard.

-I might be wrong, but... how is he still alive without a demonic aura?

The demonic aura is a demon’s essence. Its disappearance signifies their end. Kiyohime's surprise was understandable.

"Tempting offer, but you four seem like way too much trouble. It’s not you; it’s me." Desmon replied, dodging the interest of the very ones he'd been courting earlier, a blow to Kiyohime’s pride.

"Then just die already, you bastard!"

Ichika got up and attacked alongside Itsuki and Miku, but Desmon only pressed his foot harder against Nino’s stomach.

"That trick won’t work twice, idiot."

Desmon intercepted Miku with a gut punch, following it with a sidekick to Itsuki.

"Tch, you’re one hell of a stubborn bastard." Ichika cursed, stopping just in time to avoid his next blow.

"Do I look like I enjoy being covered in blood? This uniform is borrowed, and now it’s in shreds. Who’s going to pay me back for it...?" He sighed in frustration.

Every strike Desmon landed came with backlash, further staining his already torn shirt with blood.

Luckily, his pants remained intact.

"I see..." Ichika moved her arms, emphasizing her voluptuous chest. "This is what all guys are interested in, right~?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"If you want, I’d let you touch them~." She said, approaching slowly.

"This isn’t some hidden-camera show, is it?" Desmon glanced around, searching for the camera.

"Why do you say that?" She tilted her head innocently.

"Because your acting is terrible. No one would believe it."

Without hesitation, he kicked Ichika in the stomach, using the momentum to spin mid-air and deliver a kick to Miku and Itsuki, who had tried to attack him from behind.

“I already told you, that trick won’t work twice. Didn’t you hear me?”

“I thought you were just an idiot, but you’ve got some damn regeneration. Why don’t you just die already?” Nino stood up and walked straight toward him.

“I doubt dying will be that easy for me. Besides, don’t you ever get tired of trying to buy time while the others regenerate?”

Kiyohime’s control had a flaw. Whenever the girls’ bodies were injured, she needed to momentarily focus her energy on healing them, creating opportunities for Desmon to strike.

Because of this, Desmon began hitting each of them harder, forcing Kiyohime’s mind to struggle to keep up with all of them at once.

“Was it that obvious?” Nino’s smug attitude suggested she wasn’t bothered by his discovery.

“Even an idiot would’ve figured it out eventually.”

“Well, that explains how you managed to.”

“That’s a low blow… but it’s not the first time a girl’s insulted me, so I’m used to it.” Paying her no more attention, Desmon approached Nino.

The fight was absurd; Kiyohime could regenerate the girls while Desmon could regenerate himself. The battle would inevitably become a war of attrition. But since Desmon didn’t possess a demonic aura, Kiyohime couldn’t predict how long he could last, whereas her demonic energy wasn’t limitless.

“One more step, and this girl goes to hell.” Nino held her claws against her own throat.

“So that’s how you’re going to play, huh?”

Having cornered her, Desmon had expected Kiyohime to resort to this.

“You’re a damn monster, I’ll give you that; happily beating up these girls while having fun. Psycho. Still, I possess four bodies; losing one won’t change a thing. But I don’t think that’s an option for you, is it, hunter-kun~?”

“You’re stalling to let the others escape while you hold me here, aren’t you?”

Desmon could feel the girls’ presence moving to nearby apartments.

Kiyohime couldn’t fully control them if they got too far away, so she had chosen deception.

“You’re not as dumb as you look.” Nino gave him a superior smile. “So, it’s your choice: go after the others and let this one die, or stay here with me while they escape.”

“Hmmm, option A is terrible, and option B has its charms but isn’t appealing. So I’ll go with option C.”

-Option C?

Before Nino could process what he meant, Desmon disappeared from her sight. A second later, pain exploded across her face as Desmon’s fist struck her squarely. To keep her from flying away, he grabbed her by the ankle and slammed her into the ground.

“Wait...what are you doing...?” Nino’s voice wavered, her nerves evident.

“The girls’ father was clear; if there’s no way to save them, I’m to give them a quick death.” With that, Desmon grabbed Alastor from beneath the rubble of the shattered door.

“You’re insane! Their father would never allow this!”

Desmon’s choice flipped Kiyohime’s plans on their head. If he started killing them one by one, only one body would remain, and once that one was destroyed, Kiyohime herself would perish.

Kiyohime never imagined Desmon would go this far. From the beginning, he seemed intent on saving the girls, but she’d clearly misjudged him.

“Losing four daughters to save one; that’s a drastic choice, but I respect it. That’s what a father would do.” He said solemnly, his expression hardening.

“No! Get away from me!!!”

Nino tried crawling away, but her terror was genuine, and it made her clumsy.

“I’m a demon hunter; did you really think I go around rescuing girls? Go find yourself a damn prince!”

“You wouldn’t dare...”

-Huh?

Nino couldn’t even finish her sentence before Desmon’s blade swung toward her. A second later, her vision shifted to Ichika’s body.

''He did it, he really killed her! There’s no time. We need to regroup and get out of here.''

The girls scattered between the first and second floors of the adjacent apartments.

One of Kiyohime’s disadvantages was her unstable state; if her main mind was disturbed, it became harder to control the others. And after witnessing Desmon decapitate Nino, her mind was in chaos.

“Are we playing hide-and-seek now? That was one of my favorite games as a kid.”

Ichika could hear Desmon’s voice approaching the apartment she was hiding in.

-Relax. It’s impossible for him to have killed her. He must be trying to trick you…

That thought vanished when Kiyohime, from her hiding spot, caught a glimpse of Desmon. He was holding a sword, dripping with blood as if it had just sliced through flesh.

-Who the hell is this guy? He’s insane!

At first, Kiyohime dismissed him as just another human hunting demons; a fairly common thing in Japan. She didn’t think much of it until she realized Desmon was a demon himself. That alone was alarming, but even then, he didn’t seem to be after the girls. Now, however, everything had changed.

“Where are you hiding? Come on, don’t be shy. I promise I’ll only cut off your head.” He said with a wide grin, scanning the surroundings and focusing on the various objects scattered across the apartment floor.

“Looks like you had fun with the previous tenants too. In that case, I’ve changed my mind; I’ll make your death slow and painful!”

Those words only unsettled Kiyohime further, plunging her mental state into deeper chaos, leaving her unable to switch between the other girls.

Ichika held her breath as Desmon drew closer to the closet she was hiding in.

“Hmm, I guess you’re not here. Plenty of apartments left to check…”

Slowly, Desmon exited the apartment, his footsteps growing fainter as he disappeared.

With Desmon gone, Ichika could finally breathe again.

-The other two are already doomed. I’ll use them as bait...

“Found you!”

Just as Ichika sighed in relief, the wall behind her shattered. A hand grabbed her by the head and slammed her into the ground.

“You bastard…”

“Hehe!”

Desmon pinned her against the wall with a kick.

At this point, the roles had entirely reversed. The girls, once the hunters, had become the hunted; picked off one by one by Desmon.

If the police showed up now, he’d be the obvious suspect, looking every bit the deranged slasher from a horror movie.

“As I promised, I’ll take my time with you. Though, since you’ll just keep switching bodies, it’s pointless. I’ll save the final girl for a little date with me.”

Desmon raised Alastor high above Ichika’s head.

“Wait…!”

Kiyohime’s vision shifted. She was now in Itsuki’s body, hiding on the second floor.

-This is bad. I don’t have time to deal with him.

Itsuki quickly dashed toward the window, smashing through it and tumbling to the ground below.

“Did the weather forecast predict a chance of falling teenagers today?”

“What...?”

Desmon was already outside, waiting for her.

“I’m more of an indoor person.”

Before Itsuki could react, Desmon struck her with the back of his fist, sending her flying back into one of the apartments.

“You’re insane!”

“Says the one who massacred everyone living here. How ironic.” He smirked.

“You didn’t even hesitate to kill those girls. Tell me, which one of us is the real demon?”

Her provocations fell on deaf ears.

“Well, I’m pretty sure the handsome white-haired guy isn’t.” He said with feigned modesty.

Few things truly infuriated Desmon, and the rest of the insults were just meaningless words to him.

-I’ve got one last chance… It’s now or never!

Accepting the inevitable fate of this body, Kiyohime lunged at Desmon, only to see Alastor’s blade rapidly closing in. Her vision shifted again. She now found herself in a room with old furniture and bloodstains left behind by the previous residents.

-Why did I have to run into this lunatic?

Now in Miku’s body, the last one still alive, Kiyohime began calculating how to escape from Desmon.

Chapter Text

The first thing Miku did was move silently through the apartment.

Any plans Kiyohime had for the future were destroyed in an instant by that lunatic, who seemed to enjoy himself as he took the lives of the girls. Even now, Kiyohime’s chances of survival were slim, but they weren’t zero.

“Come on, you’re the last one left. The sooner you make this easy for me, the sooner I can get back and claim my pay.” He said, cheerful as ever.

Once he got paid, he’d buy some chocolate donuts.

Desmon’s footsteps echoed throughout the place, getting closer and closer, as if he had known their exact locations from the very beginning. That would explain how he found them so easily. His ability to detect presences should never be underestimated.

With remarkable agility, Miku darted toward one of the farthest apartments. The place was littered with the remains of a kind elderly woman who had been living there only minutes ago. Blood stained even the photograph of an old man resting on what appeared to be a small family altar.

Kiyohime hadn’t shown mercy to anyone. Whoever lived in the neighboring apartments wasn’t part of this world anymore. To her, they were just toys to play with.

And now, ironically, the situation had reversed; Desmon was hunting her.

-This spot will do...

“I know you’re there. Come out already.” Miku said with a confident smile.

“And here I thought I could add some suspense,” Desmon replied, leaning against the doorway before stepping inside. “You’ve stopped running. Guess you’ve accepted your fate.” He added, amused.

He began swinging his sword in a relaxed manner, as if to say, this ends here and now.

“Remember this: even if you manage to kill me, I won’t disappear! When I come back for you, I’ll kill you in the cruelest way possible!” Miku screamed, her voice dripping with anger and hatred.

“You sure talk a lot for a demon. Now I understand why that guy abandoned you. Hahaha!” Desmon chuckled.

Just a quick search online was enough to dig up information about Kiyohime’s origins; something Desmon had done while on his way here. He was skilled at multitasking.

“You bastard! You have no right to mention my beloved, you filthy hybrid!”

“Wow, that’s racist. Why do all demons judge me without even getting to know me...?”

Is it unfair to be treated as a pariah by other demons?

Every demon capable of speech hurled insults at him over his origins. At least the non-speaking ones only wanted to kill him without judgment.

-Isn’t there a ministry for demons who verbally abuse others?

Such an out-of-place thought perfectly reflected how little the demon hunter cared about the situation.

“You’re an abomination that shouldn’t even exist! Every demon knows that!”

“Keep talking like that, and I might cry...”

Desmon’s wide grin, so at odds with his words, remained fixed as he closed the distance, aiming to drive Alastor into Miku’s chest.

This was exactly what Kiyohime had expected. Desmon was playing into her hands.

-What an idiot.

Using the opening created by Desmon stabbing Miku, Kiyohime planned her escape. The apartment was near a highway, and she could use the chaos and destruction she’d cause among humans as a distraction to get away. It was a feasible plan since Desmon would be forced to protect innocent bystanders first. So... why was the demon’s true form suddenly filled with confusion?

“Impossible…!”

Desmon’s sword, which appeared to be heading straight for Miku’s chest, shifted at the last second, plunging instead into Kiyohime’s real body as it emerged from Miku to make her escape.

Like any demon, Kiyohime had a true form. By possessing the girls, her body merged with theirs, turning them into disposable vessels and making her partially immortal; until the vessels were destroyed.

Kiyohime’s plan should have worked. She would have escaped with her true body right as Desmon killed Miku, using the opening to find new vessels and plan her revenge in the future.

“Unlike those other four, you’re truly ugly. If I keep looking at you, I might turn to stone.”

Kiyohime’s true body was long and coiled, covered in glistening scales like a massive snake. The upper half of her body retained a humanoid shape, her face twisted in fury, her burning eyes brimming with hatred, and her sharp fangs bared. Her long, dark hair seemed to move of its own accord. Meanwhile, the lower half of her body was purely serpentine, with a thick, flexible tail that twisted and lashed out with practiced ease.

In short, her appearance is terrifying; a perfect mix of woman and snake; but that’s not the whole truth.

"How did you know!?" She screamed in rage.

"Know what? Your biography? It’s on Wikipedia." He replied smugly.

The most powerful weapon Desmon has? That’s right: the internet.

"You didn’t answer my question!"

Kiyohime slowly backed away, dark blood spilling from the gaping wound in her chest caused by Alastor.

"Are you wondering why I didn’t kill that girl?" Desmon tilted his head innocently.

"Did you… already know this would happen!?" Her tail slammed into the ground furiously.

"I have no idea, but let’s say I did." He replied with an arrogant smile.

From the moment Desmon realized Kiyohime’s mind faltered when it came to regenerating one of the girls, he used it to his advantage. By tricking her into thinking he had killed them, he threw her off balance.

In reality, the Nakano sisters were still alive; unconscious but alive. They might feel some mild discomfort when they woke up, but they were safe.

Before Alastor could decapitate the girls, while Kiyohime’s attention was locked on the sword, Desmon struck them in an instant with immense force, breaking through their scales and knocking them out cold. This forced Kiyohime to abandon their bodies and move to another vessel.

Even so, Kiyohime could still sense the girls’ presence. Her mental stability depended on that awareness. If Desmon could keep her distracted, she wouldn’t realize the truth.

As if that wasn’t enough, the blood on Alastor played an important part in Desmon’s ruse. Since the girls’ scales reflected damage back to their attacker, Desmon used the blood to paint a convincing scene of carnage.

It was just a hunch, a reckless idea, but to his surprise, it worked. He may act like a fool, but Desmon isn’t stupid when it comes to battle.

His senses and intellect sharpen with every fight.

"You tricked me!"

Kiyohime finally understood the situation. The girls were alive but unconscious. And now that she had moved to her original form, she couldn’t return to their bodies unless she repossessed them.

A risky plan; had Kiyohime stayed calm, Desmon would’ve had to come up with something else.

"Why are you acting like I’m the bad guy here?"

-Is it wrong to knock out beautiful girls? …That doesn’t sound great...

Desmon found himself imagining the police chasing him down for this particular “crime.”

-Do demons have lawyers? Are they protected by law?

While Desmon seemed lost in thought, staring into space, Kiyohime tried to retreat. But Desmon hurled Alastor, cutting off her escape.

-Tch, damn you… I still have one chance.” She began to smirk.

"I should’ve known... There’s no way the girls’ father would let you kill them." Kiyohime cursed her own obliviousness.

"You're mistaken, but you’re also correct." Desmon answered calmly.

Back in that conversation at Mr. Nakano’s apartment, he had begged Desmon, even going so far as to kneel, to do everything in his power to save the girls. If there was truly no other choice, he asked Desmon to at least grant them a quick death.

It was a heartbreaking decision for a father, but if it meant freeing his daughters from Kiyohime’s torment, he was prepared to let them go.

Desmon, moved by this act of unconditional love, had agreed. For once, his smug demeanor vanished, replaced with solemn respect for Mr. Nakano’s resolve.

-In the end, I managed to get her out of their bodies. Not bad for an improvised plan.

From the start, Desmon had intended to save them. Kiyohime’s ability to regenerate their bodies was a bonus; otherwise, Kurox’s attack might’ve killed Miku outright.

-Let’s not mention that part...

Would they be called the Quadruplets now?

"All men are fools, but you’re the biggest idiot of them all for explaining everything to me! I just have to reclaim their bodies, and I’ll be invincible again!"

Confident that Desmon wouldn’t harm the girls, Kiyohime lunged toward Miku’s unconscious body.

"You’re far too naive."

Just as she was about to reach Miku, she suddenly found herself unable to possess her. The reason? Desmon held her tightly by the tail.

"The girls deserve some rest. Let’s take this conversation somewhere else." He said with a grin.

With ease, Desmon hurled Kiyohime’s enormous form into the apartment next door.

"Damn you...!"

"Be a good demon and let me end your life. Then again, is there such a thing as a good demon?"

-What is a good demon? One that never leaves the underworld?

A question for him to ponder in the future...

"Don’t underestimate me!" She roared.

Kiyohime used her tail to hurl the furniture from the apartment at him, but Desmon, now reunited with Alastor, simply sliced them into pieces.

"Tch, you're slippery. Then again, it makes sense; you are a snake."

The demon took the opportunity to search for any of the other girls.

"They must be close..."

Using her claws, she dragged herself faster across the floor, tearing through the walls and columns of the apartment complex.

When she smashed through a wall, she caught sight of one of the Nakano sisters.

"You're mine!" She wasted no time lunging at her.

"The girls need several hours of sleep; or at least that's what Shizuka told me."

Desmon dropped from the ceiling, placing himself between Kiyohime and Ichika's body.

"You!"

Desmon deflected Kiyohime's claws with his sword, and in the opening he created, he kicked her into another apartment, sending her body crashing through the walls.

The apartment complex was already old, and with the destruction caused, the building began to tremble. It was only a matter of time before it collapsed.

Desmon could survive the debris, but the other girls wouldn’t fare so well under the crushing weight.

"Let me be kind; any last words?"

There wasn’t much time left before the building collapsed. Desmon prepared to finish off Kiyohime. If not for the urgency, he would have ensured the demon screamed in pain, begging for death.

"Damn you!" She concentrated her demonic energy. "I still have this!"

There was no guarantee her final move would work, but she didn’t hesitate to use it. After all, everyone has something they want to forget.

She locked eyes with him; her sinister gaze turned black and gold, her pupils dilating as if they could see into the past.

-What is she trying...

For a moment, Desmon felt strange, but the sensation faded in an instant.

"Ahahaha!" Kiyohime erupted in maniacal laughter.

"What’s so funny?" He raised an eyebrow. "If you’ve got a good joke, I’m all ears. I’ve still got time." He taunted her.

"You’re fascinating! Who would’ve thought that’s what you’re hiding!"

"Hiding? Want to play hide-and-seek? Aren’t you a bit too old for that?"

"Say what you will, but answer me this: How does it feel to have killed with your own hands the only person who ever cared about you?"

Kiyohime reveled in her words, and seeing Desmon’s expression only heightened her delight.

Chapter Text

After hearing Kiyohime's words, Desmon simply watched her in silence.

One of Kiyohime's abilities is to peer into the soul of her victims, uncovering their moments of misfortune. This technique is usually employed on unlucky girls to gain their trust. However, this time, she used it to delve into Desmon’s memories; into the most painful moments buried deep within his being.

"That girl accepted you as you were, and yet you ended her life." Kiyohime hissed, slamming her tail against the ground. "She had so many dreams and aspirations, but the only person she truly trusted sent her straight to hell. Hahaha! Tell me, Hunter-kun, aren’t you more of a demon than I am?"

Desmon closed his eyes and remained silent, as if those words triggered buried memories.

"Don’t blame demons for your mistake; you’re the one who killed her!" Kiyohime pointed at him. "Do you remember her final words? How she cursed you with her last breath?" Her voice dripped with satisfaction. "That girl died because of you, and here you are having fun. Aren’t you just a filthy hypocrite? Why don’t I do you a favor and reunite you with her?"

People have things they’d rather hide, even memories they want to forget, locked away deep inside. But Kiyohime turned this against Desmon.

-Who would’ve thought? This guy’s nothing but a filthy murderer! Hahaha!

Kiyohime moved closer to Desmon, extending her claws.

"How do you sleep at night? Did you forget how she begged for your help while you ran away like a coward? You’re trash; as a human and as a demon. A pathetic creature that blames others for his own weakness."

Now standing in front of him, Kiyohime drove her claws into his chest and lifted him off the ground.

-Just a helpless boy who can’t run crying to his mommy anymore.

"What did you do after you killed her?" She sneered. "Did you take responsibility, or did you just run like the coward you are?"

Impaled and dangling from her claws, Kiyohime wrapped her tail around his leg and began slamming him into the ground repeatedly, venting her frustration after her earlier humiliation.

"Back then, you wanted to cry to your mommy, didn’t you? Wanted her to tell you it was all just a nightmare. But guess what? You were the reason for her death, too! Hahaha!"

After smashing him against the ground several more times, she hurled him across the room, sending him crashing into the walls.

-So pathetic. I should’ve done this from the beginning.

With control firmly in her grasp, Kiyohime ignored the girls and focused solely on breaking Desmon. If she succeeded in shattering his spirit, there was a chance she could possess him. And if she pulled that off, she’d become unstoppable.

"Miss your mommy and your precious friend? Well, guess what; they’re dead, and you killed them!"

She was close; so close to breaking Desmon’s spirit. Or so she thought... grave mistake.

As she approached him to dig deeper into his memories, an immense pressure bore down on her. It was as if gravity itself had multiplied, and the murderous intent in the air was suffocating.

"What… what is this…?"

From where Desmon had been thrown, demonic energy began to swirl uncontrollably.

"Didn’t anyone ever teach you not to pry into people’s memories?"

Desmon started walking toward her slowly. The gaping wound in his chest had already healed.

"You don’t scare me, you filthy murderer…" Kiyohime growled from the ground.

"I didn’t give you permission to speak." He replied, his voice calm yet utterly devoid of the mocking tone he usually carried.

When he opened his eyes slightly, they gleamed a deep crimson.

At this moment, Desmon was truly furious.

Few things could shift his mood so drastically, and Kiyohime had the misfortune of striking a nerve.

"You bastard!"

Kiyohime tried to stand, but the overwhelming pressure kept her pinned down.

-How does he have so much demonic energy…?

Without another word, Desmon moved toward her, gripping Alastor in his right hand.

"Ahhhhhh!" Kiyohime screamed and writhed in agony as Desmon plunged Alastor into her back.

"You think… you can.... Arrggggh!'' She stammered before another scream tore through her as he withdrew the weapon and drove it back into her.

Over and over, Desmon stabbed her, until finally he kicked her upward with such force that her massive serpent form crashed through the second floor and the roof. Like a weightless object, Kiyohime’s enormous body flew through the air before plummeting back down, headfirst.

Death by falling? Desmon is not that pleasant.

Kiyohime's body never hit the ground as Desmon drove his fist straight into her face.

The force of the blow was so great that it shattered half of Kiyohime’s jaw, sending her body crashing through walls and tumbling across the ground until she finally came to a stop.

-I... I have to escape...

By sheer luck, the impact hurled her out of the apartment, offering her a slim chance to flee. But her body was in such a pitiful state that even moving was excruciating. Her massive frame lay sprawled in a dark pool of blood, spilling from the countless holes in her chest.

Enduring unbearable pain and with her face disfigured by Desmon's strike, she used her claws to propel herself forward. Just as she made her move, a sharp pain erupted from the base of her tail.

Desmon had hurled Alastor from inside the apartment, pinning Kiyohime's tail to the ground.

“Argh!” Unintelligible sounds and cries of agony escaped her mouth.

-You... b-bastard!

Her half-destroyed jaw made speaking nearly impossible, and by this point, her regeneration couldn’t keep up with the overwhelming damage.

"Why the rush to leave?"

Desmon began approaching her slowly, taking his time. His emotionless eyes and torn, bloodied clothing gave him the appearance of a demon

-H-he’s going to kill me!

Screaming in despair, Kiyohime dragged herself forward with the strength left in her arms. Each desperate pull caused Alastor to rip further into her tail.

“Aaaaargh!”

She let out a guttural scream as she finally tore free from Alastor, leaving her tail split in two. Blood gushed out, staining the ground beneath her.

No longer bound, she crawled with every ounce of willpower she had left, as though her very life depended on it. But when she turned her head to check for Desmon, he was nowhere in sight.

"Who gave you permission to leave?"

That emotionless voice sent a shiver down her spine. Turning toward the sound, she saw nothing but Desmon’s foot aimed directly at her face. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance.

The backward kick (Dwi Chagi) obliterated Kiyohime's once-beautiful face, her body ricocheting off the ground before finally crashing back into another apartment.

Without hurry, Desmon began walking toward the apartment again, picking up Alastor along the way.

-Damn it! H-he’s a monster!

From the very beginning, Kiyohime never stood a chance against him. Her body was shattered, and her face completely disfigured by the devastating kick. She could no longer move.

What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue? Or should I say... mouse?”

His words lacked the usual amusement he carried in his tone.

Seeing that Kiyohime had given up on running, Desmon closed the distance. Once in front of her, he grabbed her by the hair, lifting her to force their eyes to meet.

Kiyohime felt absolute terror as their gazes locked. There was nothing in Desmon's eyes. When she tried to read his soul, she was met with an unyielding void.

Her fate was sealed. A horrifying, painful death awaited her, and the worst part was that she had no idea how it would come.

"It would be so easy to end you; cut you into pieces and destroy them one by one. But, on second thought, you’re not even worth my time. You’re nothing but a pathetic woman who couldn’t handle rejection, chasing after a man even beyond the river, turning into a pitiful snake-woman in your delusional pursuit of marriage to fulfill a childish dream."

He didn’t let her look away, holding her firmly in place.

“And just so you know, any man would leave a lunatic like you. Even I would walk away from a woman so crazed she’d abandon everything for a miserable illusion.”

His calm tone carried a hint of pity as he finished.

Without further regard, Desmon hurled her body toward the apartment’s kitchen, shattering the stove. Gas began leaking uncontrollably.

The message was clear: You’re so pathetic that leaving you alive is punishment enough for someone as wretched as you.

This was the greatest insult Kiyohime had ever received. Not even the rejection of the man she once loved had caused her such pain.

Without paying further attention, Desmon turned around and walked toward the apartment door, pausing briefly to grab something from one of the shelves.

"Bastard! W-who do you think you are to say that? You're just a worthless loser who can't move on after killing the most important people in your life."

That was the message she wanted to convey, but with her face broken beyond recognition, all she could produce were erratic sounds that Desmon ignored.

-I’ll kill him, no matter what, I’ll kill him!

Groaning in pain, Kiyohime tried to get up to go after Desmon and finish him off. There was no way she could forgive him for everything he'd said.

But as she forced her tortured body upright, she noticed a tiny object that seemed too insignificant to cause harm when thrown at her.

She paid it no mind and began dragging herself toward the door.

Had she not been consumed by rage, she might have realized that Desmon had tossed a lighter; its flame still alight.

Without a trace of expression, Desmon closed the apartment door behind him and walked away. Moments later, the lighter's flame connected with a gas leak.

"Huh…?!"

It was too late for Kiyohime to process what had happened. The gas ignited, and the resulting explosion consumed the entire apartment in flames.

Her screams of agony echoed throughout the complex. Burning alive is among the most horrific ways to die.

"AHHHHHH! ARGHHH! IT BURNS! IT BURNS! N-NO! AAAAAGH!"

Her cries grew louder as the flames devoured her.

Even then, Desmon didn’t look back.

...

"This place is going to collapse."

After the explosion, pieces of the ceiling began to crumble. At best, there were only a couple of minutes left before the entire building gave way.

"No time to waste."

With his signature grin, Desmon started searching for the Nakano sisters.

Dwelling on the past doesn’t change anything; words he tried to believe but failed to live by. That’s why he masked everything behind his smile and carefree attitude.

In a hurried sweep, he found Itsuki, hoisting her over one shoulder before moving to another apartment. There, he found Nino, lifting her onto his other shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Hmm, feels like someone’s missing..."

His eyes scanned the area until he spotted Ichika. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he carried her along and rushed out of the crumbling apartment complex.

Once they reached a safe spot, Desmon gently laid the girls on the ground.

"A job well done. I even deserve a bonus."

With the mission successfully completed, Desmon pulled out his cell phone; which, inexplicably, had survived unscathed; and sent a message to Mr. Nakano, informing him to send an ambulance for his daughters and reassuring him that they were safe.

The girls seemed to be in good condition; even the scales on their skin had completely vanished. Still, a professional assessment would be prudent.

The only reply he received from Mr. Nakano was a single word: "Thanks."

As the hospital director, he was overseeing Yotsuba’s emergency surgery for severe injuries. A few more minutes without care, and she would have succumbed to internal bleeding.

Knowing his other daughters were safe and that Yotsuba was now out of danger, Mr. Nakano could finally breathe a sigh of relief. The weight crushing his heart had lifted.

Nonetheless, he immediately dispatched an ambulance to meet his daughters and bring them in for examination.

With his task complete, Desmon allowed himself to relax.

"This trip to Kyoto felt endless..." He sighed, stretching.

As he did, he heard a noise from the sisters, who were beginning to regain consciousness.

"Where… am I?" Ichika was the first to speak.

"Outside a collapsing apartment complex." He nodded.

"Why does my head and body hurt so much?" Nino complained.

"Maybe because of the beating I gave you, but I don't think it left any lasting damage... probably." He said, averting his gaze with guilt.

"Who are you?" Itsuki asked, her voice tinged with resilience.

"Desmon, your reliable and friendly demon hunter." He replied with a wide grin.

With every answer from the boy standing before them, the girls looked at him as if he were some kind of weirdo. They had no memory of what had happened, only a few vague, confusing images they couldn’t make sense of.

The explanations could wait. There was no rush to overwhelm them with the truth; that they had been possessed by a demon and almost killed their other sister.

"It might sound strange, but I think I dreamed that this guy was hitting me... and it annoys me." Nino said coldly, glaring at him.

Desmon's cheerful, laid-back attitude only made him more irritating to watch.

"I had the same dream." Ichika said, trying to piece her thoughts together but failing.

"So did I..." Itsuki stared at him curiously.

"That’s just the power of sisterhood; sharing the same dreams!" Desmon chuckled.

The doubtful stares from the girls didn’t faze him. He simply answered whatever came to mind. After such a busy day, he desperately needed some sugar to recharge.

"Miku, did you have the same dream too?" Nino asked, but her question went unanswered.

"Hey, weird guy who’s half-naked, have you seen Miku?" Ichika added.

As if it weren’t enough that Desmon already seemed strange, he was indeed standing there half-dressed, wearing only torn pants that barely covered him. After all those slashes, what normal clothes could’ve survived intact?

"Miku? Who’s Miku?" He tilted his head and looked at the sky. "Oh, right! She’s the one who sings: Arattsa ttsa yari bidabirin ra bari ddan rin ran ren ran doodoo, right?" He mimicked the lyrics as best as he could remember.

Shizuka’s hobbies were definitely rubbing off on him.

-What is he even talking about? The three sisters thought in unison.

"Miku, our sister. If I’m not mistaken, the four of us were together before everything became a blur." Itsuki clarified at last.

"One, two, three..." Desmon counted them. There were only three of the four sisters present; technically five, but one was still in the hospital.

Realizing the situation, Desmon’s gaze shifted toward the crumbling apartment complex nearby, prompting the girls to follow his line of sight.

There was so much to explain, so much to inform them about. Yet, in the face of all this, Desmon simply muttered:

"I guess I can be forgetful sometimes."

Chapter Text

"Where am I...?"

Inside what looks like a crumbling apartment complex, flames consuming parts of the structure, a girl slowly regained consciousness.

Hesitant and disoriented, Miku Nakano opened her eyes.

"What... happened?"

Her gaze wandered across the surroundings, attempting to make sense of the chaotic memories swirling in her mind. After a few moments, her eyes fixated on something.

"What... is that?" She muttered, uncertainty and dread filling her voice.

As she tried to stand, her eyes fell upon a red stain on the floor—an enormous pool of blood.

She wasn’t mistaken. That pool of blood and the scattered remains belonged to an elderly woman, one who had always been kind to the Nakano sisters. Now, she was nothing more than a lifeless corpse, showing clear signs of having been tortured before her death.

For a few seconds, Miku's mind couldn’t comprehend what she was seeing. Then, realization struck her like a thunderclap.

"Ahhh!"

She screamed, her voice piercing the air, and scrambled to the corner of the apartment.

"W-What’s going on? This doesn’t make s-sense." She stammered, trembling with fear.

She was just an ordinary girl. Witnessing a corpse in such a state would be a traumatic experience for anyone.

Fragmented memories flickered through her mind, but in her panicked state, she couldn’t make sense of them.

"Futaro... I’m scared..."

In that dire situation, the only thing she could do was wish for the boy she still loved to come and save her.

Unbeknownst to her, those feelings, her unyielding longing for her sister’s boyfriend, made her an easy target.

-Miku, I’m here.

"Futaro?"

For a brief moment, she thought she heard the voice of the boy she was so desperately waiting for.

"I thought I heard his voice... but it’s strange..."

The situation grew even more mysterious. That voice echoed only in her mind.

-Miku, come to me. I need you!

Hearing those words again pushed her doubts aside.

"Futaro! Futaro!"

Clinging to the hope that the person she loved was calling her, Miku left the apartment through a large gap in the wall.

Her hesitant steps turned into eager ones as she moved toward where the voice seemed to originate.

But when she peeked around the corner, she froze in her tracks.

Standing there wasn’t the boy she loved. Instead, a serpentine woman; what remained of her; greeted Miku. The flames had scorched much of her body.

-I knew you would come...

Kiyohime’s thoughts resonated directly in Miku’s mind. Despite her critical state, the demon had managed to survive and had been drawn by Miku’s earlier scream.

"You... you’re the one I saw in my dreams..." Miku whispered as she tried to back away, yet something about the demon seemed eerily familiar.

To lure Miku, Kiyohime had invaded her dreams, earning her trust bit by bit until she could slip into her very being. She had done the same to Miku’s three other sisters.

-Come closer to me. I can make all your problems disappear if you help me.

Her words carried an intoxicating allure, as though Miku was falling under a spell.

"I... I don’t know..."

Miku’s mind felt pulled toward Kiyohime, but her body instinctively resisted, urging her to flee.

-Is it fair that a girl like you must suffer for an unrequited love? Is it fair that she gets to have the one you love?

Kiyohime didn’t need to name the "she" in her words. Miku already knew.

-I can make your dreams come true. You can spend the rest of your life with the one you love. No one will stand in your way~.

"Can I really... be with Futaro?" Miku’s voice trembled, filled with doubt and fragile hope.

This was the same tactic Kiyohime had used to ensnare her sisters, a promise that ensnared their hearts before possession.

-You will. I promise. He’ll see only you.

Though in truth, once Kiyohime fully possessed Miku, she’d likely rip out Futaro’s eyes to fulfill her promise.

"And what about my sisters?"

For the first time, Miku managed to resist Kiyohime’s seductive words.

-They’ll all be happy. The four of you will have him all to yourselves. You’ll never suffer again~.

Slowly, Miku began stepping toward Kiyohime.

"All... four of us?"

Only a few steps separated her from Kiyohime’s grasp, but then Miku stopped.

-That’s right. The four of you deserve happiness. You deserve to be with him.

This act had played out before.

"It’s true... we worked so hard for him..."

Miku’s mind began to cloud, as though she were slipping into a trance.

-That's right, it’s unfair that a slut who never put in any effort gets the prize, isn’t it~?

“That… is…”

The same situation was bound to repeat itself, but this time, something happened that didn’t occur the first time.

As Miku’s mind seemed to cloud over, fleeting memories of what had transpired surfaced, giving her a vivid image of Yotsuba’s body after being beaten by her sisters.

“…No! You’re wrong, Yotsuba doesn’t deserve this!”

Through sheer willpower, and the returning fragments of her memories—along with the guilt of seemingly being the one who hurt her sister; Miku managed to break free from the trance.

Was it worth trading her sister’s life for the love of a boy?

A question to which Miku found no answer.

-You disappoint me.

The soothing voice Kiyohime pretended to have shifted to reveal her true tone.

“You… you’re the one who did this to Yotsuba…!”

Being near Kiyohime, and the connection they once shared, caused Miku’s mind to slowly recall more.

-You’re wrong. It was you and your sisters who nearly killed her. One more second, and your hands would’ve ended that slut's life. But that bastard just had to show up in time!

Kiyohime couldn’t loathe a certain demon hunter more—the one who appeared at the last second and beat her to the brink of death.

“That can’t be…” Tears streamed down her face.

The thought that she came so close to taking her sister’s life was a devastating blow.

-Your emotions are delicious. They made it so easy to possess you. After all, you chose a boy you’d barely known over the sister you grew up with.

“Shut up! That’s not true…!” Miku tried to protest, but her voice faltered, as if Kiyohime’s words were exposing truths she didn’t want to admit.

-That’s the truth. I never do anything the girls don’t want me to do. If you almost killed your sister, it’s because you felt jealous and had thoughts of taking her life. You’re the best sister ever~

Kiyohime’s words left Miku in shock.

-I don’t think I can hold on much longer, so just let me come back to you. I’ll take care of the rest~

With difficulty, due to her battered body, Kiyohime began crawling toward Miku.

“No!!! Stay away from me!! I don’t want to hurt Yotsuba!” Miku declared with all the courage she could muster. Even so, her body remained frozen in fear as she faced the demon.

This time, if Miku were possessed again, it was certain she would kill Yotsuba.

-It’s too late. Everyone’s abandoned you—from the boy you love to your sisters. No one cares about you. You’re a burden to them all, so just die for me!

Sensing she was close to possessing a perfectly intact body once again, Kiyohime didn’t hesitate to use the last of her strength to lunge at Miku.

“Futaro!!!” Feeling helpless, Miku cried out the name of the boy she loved, as if hoping he would come to save her.

As unrealistic as it seemed, moments earlier, Yotsuba had done the same, and responding to her feelings, Uesugi had arrived to save her and take her to the hospital, where she was now recovering.

But for Miku, luck was not on her side today. Uesugi wouldn’t come riding in on a white horse to rescue her. Something as fantastical as that would never happen.

And yet, as if something defied her fate, the apartment ceiling collapsed, and a figure landed in front of her, blocking Kiyohime’s claws with a sword.

“How is it that, out of all the apartments, you were in the last one I checked? Do you know how many cool lines I wasted while coming in? I almost gave up, but then I remembered your father and sisters would kill me, and Lady would increase my debt for leaving a job half-done…”

The first thing the mysterious figure did was complain about Miku’s location.

This unexpected arrival turned the entire situation on its head.

Since when did Uesugi have white hair? Was he wearing a wig because he got bored of his black hair?

Where did Uesugi get a sword? Do they sell those online?

Why was Uesugi half-naked? Had he developed a fetish for exhibitionism?

When did Uesugi start working out to get a… well-built physique?

These were the questions that flashed through Miku’s mind in an instant as she stared at the uninvited guest who had shown up without an invitation.

"Futaro?" Miku said his name, just to be sure.

Those words made the mysterious figure crack a smile.

"I don’t think I could ever compare to a legend like that guy. Who else could win over five sisters? Do you think he’d give me his autograph if I asked?"

Who wouldn’t want the autograph of a guy who pulled off such a feat?

Demon hunting? That’s child’s play compared to that achievement.

Uesugi should write a manga about his story—it’d be a bestseller, though it might get slammed for the ending.

"Who are you?" Miku asked, watching him with mixed emotions: surprise, joy, relief, and doubt.

"Have I introduced myself so many times today that I’ve forgotten who I am? Maybe it’s time to get a new name."

“Y-you bastard!!!” Despite her broken jaw, Kiyohime managed to spit out the words.

"Bastard doesn’t sound like a great name choice… Oh well, I’ll stick with Desmon." He said proudly.

Is this guy who just barged in and saved Miku an idiot? The answer is yes. No second opinions allowed.

With little effort, Desmon used Alastor to force back Kiyohime's claws.

"By the way, if your sisters ask, tell them I got here way earlier to rescue you." Desmon sighed. "Those girls are such a headache. Is it my fault I forgot one of their sisters? Don’t answer—that was rhetorical."

Miku didn’t even know what to say. Desmon’s attitude was completely out of place for the situation.

You couldn’t really blame him, though. The moment the Nakano sisters realized Miku was still in the apartment complex, they scolded him and sent him to find her. For a brief moment, all three treated him with an odd sense of trust, as if their instincts told them he could handle everything.

And so, Desmon started searching every apartment, dramatically bursting into one after another—but with no success.

"You’re weird…" Faced with such a strange guy, Miku didn’t hesitate to speak her mind.

"Thanks for the compliment." True to himself, Desmon responded in good humor.

"That wasn’t a compliment..." She looked at him like he was a complete oddball.

"That’s all a matter of perspective. Words can be simple, but they’re also so complex, you know?" He said confidently.

"That doesn’t make any sense…" Miku raised an eyebrow.

"Doesn’t it? I remember one of Japan’s most important historical figures said something like that…"

Desmon wracked his brain, but, of course, he just made it up.

"I’m good at history, and I’ve never read that in any book!"

"Maybe you need to read more."

"You’re just making stuff up!"

"Oi, oi, are you suggesting I sleep during history class? You’re wrong. For example, a bald guy once said, ‘If your enemy lives in the mountains, go swim.’' He delivered it with conviction.

But upon hearing those "profound" words, Miku just stared at him in shock; not because he got the quote right, but because he just butchered one of her favorite historical figures’ most memorable lines.

"Don’t ever say that again!"

"Surprised? I know some history too." He puffed his chest out proudly.

"You’re completely wrong! Where’d you even get that from? What did Miyamoto Musashi ever do to deserve such a blatant misquote? Even elementary kids know his actual words!"

Desmon tilted his head like a confused puppy trying to understand why it couldn’t pick a fight with a bigger dog.

"The correct quote is, ‘If the enemy thinks of the mountain, impose the sea; if he thinks of the sea, impose the mountain.’' Miku corrected him with pride.

"Oh!" Desmon snapped his fingers. "I get it now. So that bald guy liked mountain climbing." He nodded, pleased with his "understanding" of Miyamoto Musashi’s supposed war-time hobbies.

"How did you even come to that conclusion?! When did I ever say he liked mountain climbing?! And why are you calling him bald? Just so you know, that hairstyle was perfectly appropriate for his era!"

Talking with Desmon completely diverted Miku’s attention, especially as he kept messing up quotes from historical figures she admired.

"Ha! You’re so intense. You must really like those historical figures, huh?"

To Desmon, who had been napping through most of his time at Sobu High, Miku’s passion was downright amusing.

"Is that a problem?" Miku was bracing herself for his teasing.

"Everyone has their preferences, so no, it’s not." He shook his head, still smiling brightly.

“Oh!” Miku responded with genuine surprise. “You can actually say something that makes sense…”

“What’s that supposed to mean? For your information, most of the things I say do make sense.”

“Hearing you say ‘most of the things’ makes me doubt it…”

Like two classmates chatting casually during lunch, they continued their conversation as if nothing else around them mattered.

That’s just how Desmon is, while Miku managed to distract her mind with the exchange.

However, both of them had forgotten something crucial—the demon they had deemed too dangerous yet were now completely ignoring.

Kiyohime could only watch as they disregarded her, as if telling her she was no longer a threat, like some bad joke.

Her first great humiliation had been at the hands of the man she loved, who fled from her, turning her into a wretched demon driven by pursuit.

The second humiliation came from Desmon, who mercilessly defeated her and spared her out of pity.

And now, both Miku and Desmon were ignoring her, an action that mocked her existence as a demon.

Kiyohime’s fury reached its peak. This third great humiliation would be her last.

“You do know it’s rude to interrupt someone else’s conversation, right?”

Desmon shifted his focus to Kiyohime, who was now radiating an immense demonic aura, far beyond anything she had previously displayed—almost as if she had become a different entity.

From ancient times, myths and legends have been passed down through generations, eventually being written down to preserve them.

But the process of transcription often distorted the details, making the stories less accurate over time.

Kiyohime is portrayed in Japanese folklore as a serpent woman, and while that description isn’t entirely wrong, legends tend to lose crucial details with time.

One of the lost details was her true form. A snake has scales, but another scaled creature also exists in mythology.

Had the original legends survived unchanged, Kiyohime would have been described as far more complex than a serpent woman…

In ancient beliefs, snakes embodied wrath and vengeance. But when those emotions evolve, they become an uncontrollable fury, often associated with the massive creatures of legend: dragons.

...the correct description would have been that of a dragon woman.

Upon unleashing her true form, Kiyohime’s scales thickened, granting her greater resistance and enhanced damage reflection. Her body grew larger, with severe burns and wounds rapidly healing. Wings sprouted from her back, along with lengthened fangs. Her claws, too, became sharper and far more menacing.

The situation shifted drastically. Desmon now had, at best, two minutes before he and Miku would be buried under the collapsing debris.

Escape wasn’t an option, yet fighting would hardly be the smartest move.

Unfortunately, Desmon wouldn’t describe himself as a smart man.

“Looks like today’s my lucky day.” Desmon pointed Alastor at Kiyohime. “Who would’ve thought I’d tick off another item on my to-do list?”

Miku watched him, unsure of what to say or do, unable to tear her eyes away from what was about to unfold.

“I don’t need anyone! I’ll kill anyone who gets in my way!” Kiyohime roared with a thunderous scream.

At this point, she had become an unstoppable demon. And yet…

“It’s time to earn my title as Dragon Slayer!” Desmon declared with a grin.

…there’s always someone ready to send her back to the depths of hell.

Chapter Text

Dragons are known as divine, powerful, and wise beings, characterized by their long, serpentine bodies, wingless forms, horns, and shimmering scales.

Legends speak of dragons capable of controlling rain and storms, revered as symbols of good fortune and protection.

However, every positive thing has its darker side.

There are dragons that succumbed to demonic power, transforming into malevolent figures associated with misfortune and death.

These dragons lost their divine traits—their ability to fly, their horns, and even their great intellect—becoming more wrathful and irrational creatures.

But in losing something, they gained something else: wings that allowed them to rule the skies once more and an overwhelming, destructive energy as the price for their divinity.

Thus, dragons—divine and wise creatures—are also known as destructive and wrathful beings.

It is said that, in Japanese folklore, yōkai sometimes take on dragon forms. Although they may resemble these enormous beings of immense destructive power, they lack the true might of demonic dragons.

This is the case with Kiyohime, a serpent woman who, consumed by rage, transforms into an unstoppable fury, her serpentine body becoming that of a demonic dragon.

Legends and the diverse creatures of Japanese folklore are more connected than they seem.

...

"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

Kiyohime, now transformed and brimming with demonic energy, lunged at Desmon with her razor-sharp claws outstretched.

"Looks like the ladies are all over me today." He said with a confident grin.

Desmon used Alastor to intercept Kiyohime's claws, though her sheer strength sent his body skidding back.

"You'll have to share your workout routine with me."

Gathering demonic energy in his arms, Desmon managed to deflect her claws, giving him the chance to deliver a vertical slash across the demon's chest, which he didn't hesitate to take.

"Idiot~." Kiyohime sneered, a mocking expression on her face.

Alastor sliced through Kiyohime’s scales effortlessly, showcasing the sword's immense power. Yet, as the blade cut, a deep gash appeared on Desmon’s chest, as if Alastor had turned against him

"These scales are a pain."

Continuing his assault, Desmon leaped and delivered a kick aimed at her head, as if trying to snap her neck. However, mid-air, his head twisted unnaturally, sending Desmon hurtling into the rubble.

Cuts or blows—every attack on Kiyohime is mirrored back on the attacker, turning this into a battle of endurance. Who can regenerate more effectively?

"Guess I kick pretty hard." He joked, standing up and popping his dislocated jaw back into place.

"It's only a matter of time. I'll enjoy tearing you apart piece by piece.~"

Desmon had been exhausting his demonic energy ever since arriving at the apartment complex. Between using most of it with Kurox to speed up his devil arm and a brief rage-fueled outburst, it was only a matter of time before Kiyohime’s regeneration outpaced his own. Without demonic energy, Desmon's ability to heal mortal wounds was, in essence, nonexistent.

"I see. So, I just need to end this quickly." He replied, confident and upbeat. Showing doubt or hesitation would only work against him.

"How long will that attitude last before you're begging for your life?~" With the upper hand, Kiyohime allowed herself a smug tone.

"At least I’m not running away in fear, you know?" Despite the odds, Desmon didn’t hesitate to taunt her right back.

"YOU WRETCH!!!" The memory of her past humiliation sent Kiyohime into a furious rage.

She let out a thunderous roar and began flapping her wings.

"This place is already falling apart, and now you're thinking about flying? Consider the rest of us, will you?"

Before she could take off, Desmon hurled Alastor into a nearby  heating system, releasing a cloud of steam that engulfed Kiyohime.

"Trying to buy time? Don't toy with me!"

Kiyohime beat her wings furiously, clearing the surrounding vapor.

"More than buying time, I just needed a distraction."

Leaping onto Kiyohime's back, Desmon grabbed hold of her wings.

"Get off me!!" She thrashed wildly to shake him off but couldn’t do so in time.

"Your wings look pretty cool—mind if I borrow them?"

Without waiting for an answer, he used her back as leverage and, with immense force, tore her wings off in one brutal motion.

“Arghhh!!!” Kiyohime screamed in pain as the demon hunter kept a smug smile on his face.

“If your scales reflect damage, the best choice is to aim for something without scales.”

Kiyohime’s body was entirely covered in scales, making it difficult to harm her without taking damage in return. However, her wings, made of delicate membranes, became the perfect target—and disabling them also prevented her from taking the fight to the skies.

“YOU'LL REGRET THIS!!!”

“I don’t think so, not now that I know your weak spot.”

Desmon leaped off Kiyohime’s back, landing with a roll and retrieving Alastor.

-Not sure how much longer this building will hold... and taking her down the way I had planned won’t be easy.

Hurting something that reflects damage? What part of Kiyohime doesn’t have scales?

“THAT WON’T DO YOU ANY GOOD!!!”

Kiyohime lashed out with her tail, aiming for Desmon. He blocked the strike, using her momentum to propel himself back toward Miku.

“Hey, Miyu, do you think you can help me out?”

“Miyu? I don’t know any Miyu.” Miku sounded a bit offended at the mix-up.

“Your ability to stay so calm is admirable, but there’s no time for that now. I need you to irritate that thing.”

Oddly enough, Miku was unusually composed in this situation. She could have tried to run, but instead, she stayed and watched Desmon’s battle. Her mind raced with countless thoughts.

Even she didn’t fully understand why, but... she didn’t want to walk away until she knew how things would end with Kiyohime.

“Me?”

“You’re the only other person here... give me a moment.”

Desmon moved to intercept Kiyohime as she charged toward them at full speed. She was met with a swift kick to the face, followed by another that sent her flying back the way she came.

Of course, Desmon also felt the pain of the reflected damage, but he managed to land near Miku.

“Alright, now where was I?... Oh yeah. Try to piss her off as much as you can.” Desmon stood with a quick jump and stretched.

“You’re the perfect person for that…” Miku wasn’t about to agree to something so reckless.

“I can’t do two things at once. And even if I could split myself in two, it’d probably kill me. If I die, I’m pretty sure they don’t have donuts in hell.” Desmon shrugged.

Miku couldn’t help but think of him as a hopeless idiot, but she quickly gave in.

“What do you want me to do?” She asked hesitantly, unsure of how she could possibly make a difference against Kiyohime.

Faced with this entirely valid question that might turn the tide of the battle, Desmon replied:

"I have no idea, both of you have been rejected, so you should be able to understand each other. Think of something while I buy us some time''

Without waiting for Miku’s response, Desmon dashed toward Kiyohime, countering the demon’s attacks.

“He’s insufferable!” Miku stomped the ground in frustration. That guy had casually suggested that, since she’d been rejected too, she should come up with a way to tick Kiyohime off.

But... he wasn’t entirely wrong.

-Should I just leave while he distracts her? The thought crossed Miku’s mind, but she quickly shook her head.

Why did it feel like she wanted to stay and see the fight through to the end?

Before she realized it, this situation had turned into a problem Miku felt compelled to solve herself.

“She’s wrong!” Miku clenched her fists tightly.

Kiyohime’s earlier words had stirred anger in Miku—not directed at Kiyohime, but at herself.

-“They chose a boy they barely knew over the sister they grew up with.”

-“I don’t do anything girls don’t want me to. If you nearly killed your sister, it’s because your jealousy drove you to think about taking her life.”

Kiyohime, having possessed Miku, knew the truth. There were no lies in her words—she’d seen all of Miku’s thoughts and memories.

The five sisters had grown up together. Like any family, they had their share of arguments, but in the end, their bond was unbreakable.

At least, that would have been normal. But because of Kiyohime, those bonds were nearly shattered, including the near-loss of one of their lives—all because they’d fallen in love with the same boy.

Was it worth trading her sister’s life for a boy’s affection?

Initially, Miku had no answer to that question. But now, she had her own answer—one she’d found thanks to Kiyohime.

Meanwhile, Desmon kept dodging and deflecting Kiyohime’s attacks.

"What's wrong? Not going to fight back?!"

"I'm not a masochist… I think?" He hesitated for a moment. The internet had far too much content aimed at teens.

Kiyohime's strength and speed had increased significantly, but Desmon could still keep up with her. However, merely dodging wasn't his style.

"Whatever you’re planning, it won’t work!!!"

Kiyohime slammed her tail against the ground, forcing Desmon to jump to avoid it.

-How much longer is she going to take?

“Don’t underestimate me—sometimes, my ideas are revolutionary.”

Midair, Desmon twisted, narrowly evading Kiyohime's claws with a smirk.

"Too late!"

Although he avoided her claws, Kiyohime's tail intercepted him. Desmon braced for impact, but it never came, as the tail wrapped around him, trapping him.

"You know, I’m not into your whole bondage thing, but maybe…” His disinterested tone was cut off as Kiyohime squeezed tighter.

“How many seconds until you’re nothing but a pulpy mess of blood and flesh~?”

"...the s-sufficient ones..." He wheezed with an arrogant grin.

“DIE ALREADY!”

The pressure intensified drastically. Desmon felt his muscles and bones cracking under the strain.

-I don’t think bones are supposed to make that sound…

His bones, blood vessels, and organs were crushed under the immense force. Even though he was regenerating, the relentless pressure only prolonged his suffering.

Blood began to seep from his mouth, ears, and eyes. His body was seconds away from turning into the mangled mess Kiyohime had promised.

-This is definitely going to hurt tomorrow…

“What happened to all that confidence~?” She taunted, clearly savoring his helplessness.

Seconds from death, Desmon's plan had already succeeded.

"That’s enough! Your conflict is with me, not him!"

“Huh?”

Kiyohime shifted her focus from Desmon to the girl standing before her.

“I’ll deal with you after I crush this trash~!”

Kiyohime had no reason to prioritize Miku anymore; possessing her was no longer necessary now that she had grown stronger.

“That’s exactly why Anchin left you!” Miku shouted, summoning all her courage.

Kiyohime’s gaze froze on Miku, the name too familiar for her to forget.

“You’re hardly one to say that.” Even so, Kiyohime remained calm.

“I know. But I’m still better than you!”

Of all the sisters, Kiyohime showed the most compatibility with Miku, and upon possessing her, she was able to see all of the girl memories and thoughts. However, this also happened in reverse, as during the possession, Miku was able to see Kiyohime's memories.

“YOU LITTLE BRAT! IF YOU WANT TO DIE, I’LL GRANT YOUR WISH!!!”

Kiyohime’s demonic aura made Miku tremble, but she stood her ground. At this moment, she was the only one who could stop the demon.

Miku was a shy, quiet, and reserved girl. Her insecurity and pessimism stemmed from years of isolation and limited experience in understanding human connections or emotions.

Falling for Uesugi had been a new and exhilarating experience for her, like a fairytale dream of a maiden meeting her prince. But that dream shattered when he chose Yotsuba as his girlfriend.

With her lack of experience in love and the pain of rejection, dark thoughts crept into Miku’s mind—thoughts she never imagined she could have.

It was in that vulnerable moment of anger, sadness, and loneliness that Kiyohime’s influence latched onto her, turning Miku and her sisters into easy prey.

Once freed from the possession, fragmented memories not her own surfaced in her mind.

The most vivid of them was a giant serpent coiled around a massive bell. Inside, a man was hiding, but his efforts were in vain; his end awaited him in that place.

This marked the beginning of Kiyohime’s legend…

Chapter Text

In the past, there was a young monk named Anchin, known for his physical beauty and religious devotion. Every year, during his travels, he stayed at the house of a young woman named Kiyohime, the daughter of a local landowner. At first, she was friendly with the young monk, but over time, her feelings grew into a deep affection that spiraled into an unhealthy obsession.

During their interactions, Anchin would often jokingly say that they would marry when she came of age. However, he never meant these words seriously nor intended to fulfill them.

When Kiyohime finally came of age, she confessed her feelings to Anchin and urged him to honor his promise. Attempting to avoid conflict, he told her he would return and marry her after completing his journey. But this was another lie—he had no intention of returning and purposely avoided passing through Kiyohime's home again.

Upon discovering the deception, Kiyohime was overcome with pain and humiliation. Her sorrow turned into wrath, and she set out to confront him, determined to force him to keep his word. Realizing she was pursuing him, Anchin attempted to evade her and sought refuge in a temple. When Kiyohime reached the temple, he denied knowing her, claiming he was in a rush to meet someone else. These words shattered Kiyohime’s heart, transforming her sorrow into unrestrained rage.

Cornered, Anchin fled to a nearby river and persuaded a boatman to ferry him across, instructing him not to let Kiyohime aboard. However, Kiyohime's grief and fury manifested in her transformation into a supernatural being—a serpent woman, symbolizing how extreme emotions can strip away one’s humanity. In her monstrous form, she effortlessly swam across the river.

Kiyohime followed Anchin to another temple, where the monks hid him inside a large bronze bell. Guided by her anger and supernatural senses, Kiyohime slaughtered the monks who refused to reveal his location. When she found the bell, her fury erupted. She coiled around it and heated it with her body until it glowed red-hot, burning the monk alive inside.

All of this flashed through Miku’s mind as if she had lived it herself. That memory filled her with resolve to confront Kiyohime.

“Was death truly what Anchin desired?” She replied to the demon’s words.

“STOP SAYING HIS NAME!” Kiyohime's fragile patience finally snapped at the casual way Miku spoke of the man she had once loved.

“Anchin wouldn’t have wanted this.”

Kiyohime’s attention shifted entirely to Miku, relieving some of the pressure on Desmon.

“YOU KNOW NOTHING! DON’T SPEAK AS IF YOU KNEW HIM!” She roared with visible rage.

“You’re right—I don’t know him. But because of you, I do.” Miku locked eyes with her, unwavering.

“WHAT?!”

With those memories came the emotions Kiyohime once felt as a young girl—a simple girl in love.

Hope, love, affection, expectations... so many emotions that Kiyohime had experienced in her youth, always filled with joy whenever the young monk was involved.

For a moment, Miku saw herself reflected in Kiyohime from that time—a shy, introverted girl who knew nothing of love until a certain monk appeared in her life. As their interactions grew, so did her feelings.

“I understand the emotions you felt back then, as well as the rage of being rejected by that man.”

“SHUT UP! SHUT UP!” Kiyohime began slamming her tail around, causing Desmon to suffer the impacts as well.

Being a third party in a conversation between rejected women never ends well...

“And above all... I understand the pain you felt when you took his life.”

At that moment, Miku let her true thoughts and emotions surface.

“I’VE MADE MY DECISION—I’LL KILL YOU FIRST!”

Kiyohime released her tail’s grip on Desmon, causing the heavily injured demon hunter’s body to collapse to the ground.

Badly injured, with crushed bones and organs, he still managed to wink at Miku, signaling her to buy him a few more seconds.

The demon moved until it was positioned before Miku. The sense of impending death was overwhelming—Miku knew this well, yet she refused to step back.

"You don’t understand a thing, brat. After all, you almost killed your sister, and then you were ready to kill the boy you loved." Kiyohime sneered.

"I know..." Miku gritted her teeth. "But that didn’t happen, and it never will!"

"You sound awfully confident. Should I possess you again and make you slaughter everyone you know? Hahaha!"

Kiyohime could kill Miku in an instant, but the girl’s words enraged her. She wanted to make her suffer first.

"Try it! But that won’t bring Anchin back!"

Kiyohime’s claws smashed into the ground mere inches from Miku, but the young girl didn’t flinch.

"You think you’re better than me? You and your sisters chose an idiot over your own sibling’s life! You’ve got no right to speak, not after you thought of killing your sister to replace her!"

Miku felt a chill run down her spine, taking an involuntary step back… but no farther than that.

"You’re right. I was a terrible sister for choosing Futaro over Yotsuba... but that ends now!" She took a deep breath. "If I had to choose right now between Yotsuba and Futaro, I’d choose my sister!" She declared, resolute.

After learning Kiyohime’s story—a woman who sacrificed everything for the man she loved, abandoning her humanity to avenge her rejection—Miku realized some things needed to be let go, especially if they meant harming someone you cared about.

At one point, blinded by jealousy and rage, Miku had entertained the idea of sacrificing her sister for the love of the boy she loved. But now, that idea was buried in the past.

Clinging to someone who didn’t choose her? She wouldn’t do anything so pathetic—not now, not at the cost of Yotsuba.

Miku’s determination only fueled Kiyohime’s rage, as if those words denied everything the demon had sacrificed to avenge her rejection.

"BITCH! YOU’RE JUST ANOTHER FOOL WHO DOESN’T UNDERSTAND THE LOVE OF OTHERS! YOU—YOU—YOU...!"

Kiyohime moved her tail, ready to crush Miku. But just as she screamed her hatred, a figure burst through the rubble above and landed on her.

The figure—Desmon, the demon hunter—was battered, his body covered in blood from his injuries. With one hand, he grabbed Kiyohime’s head, and with the other, he plunged Alastor into her mouth.

"It’s over!"

While Miku had distracted Kiyohime, Desmon had regenerated. Once his bones were back in place, he leaped to the second floor, guided by the demon’s enraged voice, and seized the opportunity to strike.

It happened in a fraction of a second—so quickly that Kiyohime didn’t realize when Alastor pierced through her mouth and out the top of her head.

The demon had no chance to respond. Her brain was destroyed in an instant by the blade.

Attacking Kiyohime this way had been Desmon’s only option: striking at the one unscaled spot, her mouth.

Of course, Kiyohime could have foreseen this. That was why enraging her and forcing her to scream had been necessary.

"Didn’t anyone ever teach you to keep your mouth closed, or a fly might get in?" Desmon quipped, smiling despite his exhaustion.

He jumped back, pulling Alastor from Kiyohime’s head. Blood erupted like a fountain from the wound.

With her brain destroyed, the serpent’s massive body collapsed, disintegrating into crimson particles.

-..Eh...

Kiyohime’s mind was fading fast. This time, there were no second chances.

Unable even to comprehend how she had been defeated, her final thoughts fixated on Miku. Even at the end of her life, the girl held her attention.

One might have expected Miku to look at her with hatred for everything she had done—or perhaps with pity for how Kiyohime had sacrificed everything for vengeance. But Miku’s gaze was neither.

-I see...

As her body and mind dissolved, Kiyohime was reminded of the expression she once had as a young, innocent girl—a time when she enjoyed reading at home and chatting with her servants. A life she had abandoned to chase after the man she loved.

-...In the end... you were better than me...

Kiyohime's vision blurred completely. She wore a calm smile, as if she'd finally found the answer she'd been searching for all these years. Moments later, her entire body dissolved into a red mist and disappeared.

"This might just be my lucky day.'' Desmon muttered.

From within the fading red mist, a strange necklace appeared. It was a beautiful accessory made of gleaming metallic scales arranged like those of a serpent, glowing with a faint red hue. At its center rested a stunning sapphire with an obsidian core, giving the illusion of a serpent's eye.

Desmon and Miku approached the necklace, with the young demon hunter picking it up.

-If I sell this, I could pay off all my debts to Lady...

Desmon's vision of a debt-free life was cut short as he felt his hand engulfed in searing heat.

"Ouch, that's hot...!"

The unbearable heat forced him to drop the necklace, which Miku caught with ease.

"Does it really burn that much?"

Miku examined the necklace, surprised that she felt none of the intense heat Desmon had complained about.

"It's useless if I can't even carry it to sell..." Desmon scratched the back of his head, irritated at the lost fortune. "You can have it; I doubt anyone else could use it."

"Are you serious!?"

Strangely, Miku felt a sense of calm while holding the necklace, as if there was some kind of connection between them.

"You were crucial in distracting Kiyohime. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to land the final blow, so think of it as your share." Desmon gestured for her to simply accept the necklace.

Miku was left speechless by his words.

"What's wrong?" Noticing her expression, he asked with curiosity.

"I've only known you for a few minutes, but I didn't think you knew how to say thank you..." Miku said, genuinely surprised.

"What the hell do you take me for?" Desmon raised an eyebrow.

"An idiot?" She replied with an innocent tone.

"Seems like all the sisters in your family are a little unhinged." He sighed in exasperation.

With the demon defeated, Desmon's job was technically done. But there was still one tiny, insignificant detail left...

...That tiny, insignificant detail is making it out of this place alive.

"Tch!"

The sharp sound caught by his senses was anything but pleasant. Moving at full speed, Desmon scooped Miku into his arms, ready to escape, but it was already too late.

The apartment complex, which had somehow withstood the entire battle with Kiyohime, had reached its breaking point. Flames had consumed the adjacent apartments, and the explosions of gas tanks and heaters had begun.

The place was now a ticking time bomb, and in mere seconds, the entire building was engulfed in a massive explosion that consumed everything in its path. The flames devoured everything—furniture, debris, and even the figures of Desmon and Miku.

Chapter Text

"Why are they taking so long?" Nino muttered irritably.

"Maybe he stopped to chat with Miku?" Ichika suggested.

"You don't think he got lost and is still looking for her, do you?"

Ichika and Nino glanced at Itsuki, as though the idea wasn't entirely out of the question.

The three sisters stood a safe distance from the apartment complex, waiting for Desmon and Miku to emerge. It was obvious the building was going to collapse; staying too close would have been foolish.

"I don't know the guy, but I feel like that could've happened.'' Nino grumbled.

As long as Miku came out unharmed, Nino had no problem with Desmon getting buried in the rubble. After all, she didn't know him well enough to care, and her vague memory of Desmon giving her a rough time didn't exactly help his case.

"First impressions mean a lot, and he knows how to make one.'' Ichika remarked.

As an actress, Ichika had met plenty of young men, but Desmon gave off a completely different impression—especially since the demon hunter seemed to have no problem strutting around half-naked in public.

"By the way, why is he here?" Itsuki's question made the other two sisters pause.

"He said something like, 'I'm your reliable and friendly demon hunter'..." Ichika hardly believed the words she'd just uttered.

As expected, Desmon was very straightforward when introducing himself.

"I'm starting to regret sending that guy to look for Miku..." Nino muttered, looking back at the apartment complex.

"He said it was his job, but he didn't exactly explain what he came here to do. Also, I can't clearly remember how we even got here…"

Unlike Miku, who managed to recall everything, her three sisters only have fleeting memories of what happened.

"I'm tired of waiting. Let's go find Miku."

Nino isn't the most patient girl, and trusting her sister to a stranger is out of the question.

"Nino, it's dangerous. The building looks like it's about to collapse." Ichika, the eldest, stopped her sister from doing something reckless.

"Exactly why we should look for her ourselves. That idiot won't be able to..."

Nino's words were cut off by a massive explosion that destroyed the apartment complex, engulfing it in flames.

The girls shielded themselves from the shockwave with their arms, screaming in surprise.

As their vision returned, they could only stare at the burning rubble—the sole remnants of their old home.

"Miku…"

Their expressions froze as they contemplated the outcome. They were about to run toward the site...

…but at that moment, a figure shot into the sky from the wreckage.

Against the backdrop of the sunset, with the horizon glowing in gold and crimson, a figure rose, cradling someone in their arms.

"I don't get paid enough for this…"

Wearing a tired smile, Desmon muttered to himself.

"How are you planning to land?" Miku asked sincerely, marveling at the breathtaking sunset.

"With my legs?"

Answering casually, Desmon's body finally gave in, and they began descending rapidly toward where Miku's sisters stood.

"Baka" She remarked calmly.

"You're surprisingly composed."

"This isn't worse than being burned alive."

"Fair point."

The brief exchange ended as they neared the ground.

-This is going to be rough on my legs…

True to his word, Desmon landed on his feet.

With a resounding thud, he performed a near-perfect landing, using his legs to absorb the impact—something that would shatter the bones of an ordinary human and probably drive them straight through the skin.

But Desmon pulled it off flawlessly, still holding Miku securely in his arms.

"How many points would you give me for that landing? I'd say a perfect ten."

"An eight. Better luck next time."

"Harsh critics… What about you all? How'd I do?" Desmon turned to the rest of the Nakano sisters.

Their fear and worry over Miku had morphed into confusion, seeing her casually interacting with the white-haired, half-naked guy holding her.

"Miku… Is that really you?" Nino asked, still startled.

"Don't worry. Everything's fine." She nodded reassuringly.

"Hey, you bastard! What did you do to my sister? She's acting nothing like herself!"

After what had happened, some change in Miku's attitude was to be expected.

"Nino, it's me. I've just… decided to let go of a silly delusion." She tightened her grip on the necklace in her hand.

-Thank you, Kiyohime…

She silently appreciated the gift the demon had given her—a gift that had saved both her and Desmon from that massive explosion.

When the blast had erupted, enveloping them in flames, the necklace had emitted a brilliant glow, forming a barrier that shielded Miku from the fire. Desmon, being close by, was also spared, though the artifact might have audibly complained if it could.

Protected from the flames, Desmon didn't hesitate. He leaped through the debris, using the wreckage to propel them skyward, ultimately escaping the fiery demise unscathed.

"It's good to see you safe, Miku." Ichika breathed a sigh of relief.

"You really scared me-" Itsuki added, visibly relieved.

"Uh, hello? I'm here too! I did all the work, you know. Don't I deserve a little credit for saving everyone?"

"You! How much longer are you going to hold Miku? Let her go already!" Nino snapped at him.

"Eh… I don't want to. She's soft and comfy."

Desmon's hands rested on Miku's lower back and thighs—a position that was far too comfortable for him to willingly let go.

"Y-you didn't have to say that out loud!" Miku scolded, her cheeks burning as she realized their situation—made even more awkward by the fact that Desmon was shirtless, with her pressed against his bare skin.

"What's the problem? You're soft to the touch. It's like holding a marshmallow in my arms."

Miku's face turned bright red, flustered by his shameless comment.

But her embarrassment quickly shifted into another emotion as the demon hunter continued speaking.

"Though it'd be better to put you down already, you're really heavy..."

There was no way a girl wouldn't get mad when her weight was brought up.

"Baka"

Miku pressed the collar against Desmon's cheek, making him feel an intense heat radiating from the spot.

"That burns! Alright, alright, I'll put you down, just get that thing away from me..."

Grudgingly, Desmon carefully lowered Miku, who, after everything that had happened, was finally reunited with her sisters.

Watching the four of them happily chatting together, Desmon smiled.

He had completed his job successfully. Sure, the huge explosion hadn't been part of the plan, but those were minor details.

"The sister package is complete... Unless you tell me there's a sixth sister hiding somewhere, in which case, I'm not taking responsibility." He said, scratching the back of his head.

The girls glanced at the exhibitionist who still hadn't bothered to cover himself, but ignored him and focused on asking Miku what had happened.

Guess I'm not very popular with girls...

As he lamented his fate and considered asking Uesugi for tips on winning over girls, the sirens of the authorities started closing in, drawn by the massive explosion.

An ambulance from the Nakano sisters' father's hospital arrived as well, with Mr. Nakano stepping out of the vehicle.

"I'm glad you're safe..."

The first thing Mr. Nakano did was hug his daughters tightly.

"What's going on? You don't seem like yourself.'' Nino remarked, never expecting her father to wear such an expression.

The other sisters were just as surprised by his attitude, but each of them quietly admitted that seeing this side of him wasn't so bad.

Meanwhile, firefighters worked to extinguish the flames and control the situation, while the police approached the sisters to ask a few questions.

"Desmon-kun, thank you for your help." Mr. Nakano handed Desmon his jacket to cover himself; being half-naked in the streets was a crime in any country.

"Don't mention it. I was just doing my job. By the way, there'll be plenty to explain, and that's going to be a headache, so let's leave it for another day. I'm sure they need some rest as well."

Today had already been exhausting enough without repeating everything to the sisters who might not fully grasp what had happened.

"Huh...?"

As Miku chatted with her sisters, she suddenly felt her legs give out for a moment, but her sisters caught her. Hospital staff quickly helped Miku and the other sisters into the ambulance.

"You're right..." Mr. Nakano sighed. "Even so, I might still need your help. I'm not sure I'll be able to explain this properly."

"You've got my number. If you need anything, just call me."

-I lost the money for that collar, but now the real profit begins...

Desmon hadn't done this job for free; there was a reward waiting. Of course, that money was intended for Lady, but before transferring it to her account, Desmon planned to borrow a little to indulge in sweets for a month.

"Thanks, I'll be in touch." With that, Mr. Nakano turned and headed to the ambulance to join his daughters at the hospital for their medical checkups.

Before Mr. Nakano could leave, however, Desmon cleared his throat.

"Just so you know... The job's done, and your daughters are safe, so about that payment..."

Desmon could already taste all the sweets he'd buy with the money.

In response, Mr. Nakano calmly said. "Don't worry, I already transferred the payment to that Lady's account as soon as you confirmed my daughters' safety. I even added a bonus for your help. Don't waste it."

Placing a hand on Desmon's shoulder, Mr. Nakano turned and got into the ambulance.

Desmon stood frozen, watching as the ambulance drove away, along with what should've been his money.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a short-haired woman with jet-black hair smiled cheerfully at the substantial amount deposited into her bank account.

"Hey, Trish, dinner's on me tonight!"

What's better than free money?

Back in Japan, the young demon hunter stared up at the vast, darkening sky. That was all he could do...

"Well... At least it can't get any worse..."

With nothing else to do, he decided to head back to Kyoto.

But as if cursed by those very words, a hand landed firmly on his shoulder.

"Would you mind joining us? We have a lot to discuss, and one of the girls mentioned you knew what happened." Said one of the officers while another waited by the car door, holding it open.

When the police arrived, they approached the girls to ask about the incident, but Nino simply said that the white-haired guy knew everything and, if possible, they should arrest him for being an exhibitionist.

Isn't Nino just a sweetheart?

"I don't know anything about the explosion. It was probably caused by a gas leak, and maybe some idiot threw a lighter that triggered the first blast… Oh..." He trailed off at the end of his sentence.

Desmon knew exactly who the idiot was that started the fire.

"I see... Why don't we discuss this further at the station?" The last words Desmon said were all the police officer needed to hear.

The cheerful cop, wearing a broad grin, slapped cuffs on Desmon.

"Huh!?"

Before he knew it, he was already in the car, heading toward the station.

-I guess I shouldn't have done that...

Something very hilarious, but it's just another day in the life of the young demon hunter.

Chapter Text

Christmas Eve is a time filled with symbolism and emotion, a tradition that has endured through the centuries, evolving with cultures yet always preserving its essence: a moment of kindness, generosity, and hope. The carols filling the streets, the scent of fresh pine mingling with sweets and spices, the twinkling lights imitating the stars—all of it creates an atmosphere that seems to defy the darkness itself. For humanity, it’s a season of reconciliation, a reminder that even in the coldest and darkest days, the warmth of united hearts can light up the world.

But this light, so precious to humankind, is an affront to demons—creatures that exist only to spread suffering and death, viewing their prey as mere sources of entertainment. Among all these demons, one in particular despises this day with every fiber of its being. Known as the antithesis of Santa Claus, it prowls the shadows, feeding on hatred and contempt for this holiday.

The origins of this demon are shrouded in mystery. Some say it was born as a twisted echo of the earliest Christmas rituals, when offerings meant to ward off the darkness inadvertently attracted the very things lurking within it. Others believe it is a manifestation of children's collective fears—a monster taking shape in the minds of those who fail to understand the true spirit of Christmas.

Its physical form varies depending on who describes it, but certain features remain consistent: a tall, hunched figure cloaked in tattered garments that seem to absorb light, massive horns, eyes like dying embers glowing with boundless hatred, and a voice that rumbles with a terrifying, guttural laugh. It is said to be accompanied by twisted creatures—corrupted versions of the familiar symbols of this holiday.

This demon doesn't simply kidnap naughty children; its true intent is far more insidious. It seeks to destroy the emotional bonds of families, stealing away their most vulnerable members and leaving behind an unfillable void. By spreading pain and fear during this festive season, it hopes to permanently tarnish the spirit of Christmas, turning what was once a symbol of hope into a reminder of loss.

Unlike Santa Claus, who brings gifts and joy, this demon has its own dark take on Christmas traditions. Instead of a sack of toys, it carries a bag made of dark, leathery skin, filled with broken dreams and the screams of the children it has captured. Instead of a sleigh, it travels on a throne of ice and bones, pulled by shadowy beings that silently streak across the skies. Wherever it goes, Christmas decorations wither—lights flicker and die, wreaths dry out, leaving a trail of death and desolation. Though its full presence is rarely seen, the signs of its arrival are unmistakable: a bone-chilling cold, a metallic scent in the air, and an oppressive silence, as if the world itself holds its breath.

Would this Christmas be like any other?

A grave mistake to assume so, for now, this demon has achieved a bitter victory over its nemesis.

Leaving Santa Claus gravely wounded is satisfaction enough, rendering him vulnerable just as he is set to embark on his journey to deliver gifts to the world.

Is there anyone capable of opposing such a vile and powerful demon?

As long as darkness exists, there will always be light. And while a mighty demon rises to destroy everything… there will always be some fool ready to destroy it.

...

"This looks perfect."

Inside a modest apartment, a woman busied herself with the final touches on her Christmas decorations, humming cheerfully as the festive atmosphere lifted her spirits.

After placing the last ornament on the tree, Shizuka stepped back, admiring her work with pride.

“I’ve never put in this much effort, but I think it turned out great.” Shizuka said, her tone light as the decorations throughout her apartment brought her a sense of delight.

The festive decor filled the apartment with holiday cheer. In the living room, a Christmas tree stood in one corner, adorned with red and gold ornaments and wrapped in a string of warm lights that cast a soft glow. At the top of the tree, a golden star gleamed, completing the look. Around its base, a few small touches added to the scene: a pair of Christmas-themed cushions on the sofa and a red throw draped over part of the couch.

On the living room table, a small centerpiece featuring white candles and sprigs of pine added a cozy charm, while the shelves displayed a snowman figurine and a couple of Christmas baubles, adding a festive flair without overcrowding the space.

The kitchen was also adorned with Christmas details. Over the counter, a garland of pine and tiny lights added warmth to the atmosphere. The kitchen table was decorated with a bowl of fruits in golden and red tones, complemented by a pendant lamp casting a soft glow.

As she mentioned herself, in past years, she had never bothered to decorate her apartment; at best, she would have a few small ornaments. But this year, she put in more effort to give the place a festive look.

Is there some unwritten rule that says a woman her age shouldn’t go all out decorating her apartment?

If anyone asked Shizuka why she decided to go all-in this year, her answer would be her roommate.

"If this doesn’t awaken his Christmas spirit, nothing will."

A few days ago, during a casual dinner conversation, Shizuka and Desmon touched on the subject of Christmas. That’s when she found out that Desmon hadn’t celebrated it in years—not since he left his small hometown.

The fleeting, lonely expression that crossed his face for just a second was enough for Shizuka to decide she had to bring the holiday spirit to him.

So, where is the guy for whom Shizuka worked so hard to decorate her apartment?

That’s easy: Desmon is out buying fried chicken.

A deeply ingrained Japanese Christmas tradition—fried chicken is a must for Christmas dinner. Shizuka used this as an excuse to send him out while she decorated.

Fried chicken is no joke when it comes to Christmas dinner. Fast-food restaurants turn into absolute battlegrounds.

Something Desmon learned too late, as even demons couldn’t compare to the ferocity of housewives determined to secure their share of fried chicken.

Meanwhile, Shizuka enjoyed the fruits of her labor. Decorating to such an extent in minutes is no easy task.

As the Sobu High School teacher hummed a Christmas carol to herself, she heard the front door open.

Wearing his usual black trench coat, blue jeans, and a white shirt, Desmon walked into the apartment, holding the hard-won Christmas dinner in his hands after surviving a brutal clash against middle-aged women.

"I’m not sure if I should be impressed by the decorations or worried that I took so long you managed to do all of this." He said, his tone lighthearted.

At any other time, Shizuka might have overanalyzed his words. But after living with him for months, she had learned that such comments were as good as a compliment—or so she thought.

"I worked hard to decorate and get everything ready. What do you think?" Shizuka puffed out her chest proudly.

"It looks great, especially down below."

"Hmm? I couldn’t find many decorations for the lower part of the tree." She glanced at her Christmas tree, which she had purchased just for this occasion. Don’t underestimate the salary of a single teacher...

"I was talking more about your outfit. It’s sexy." Desmon said, giving her a thumbs-up.

-Seeing her in that outfit made the fried chicken run totally worth it.

Shizuka blushed and averted her eyes at his remark.

"The outfit was a prize… don’t get any weird ideas." She muttered, her cheeks flushed.

While shopping, Shizuka had come across a raffle at the mall and decided to join. She ended up winning, and her prize was a Santa Claus costume.

So, before starting her decorations, she tried it on.

Shizuka wore a Christmas outfit that was both elegant and alluring, subtly revealing her feminine curves. Her long, dark hair—slightly wavy—fell in soft waves over her shoulders, framing her delicate face with rosy cheeks that gave her a hint of shy charm. A red Santa hat with a white trim perched atop her head, complementing her short, figure-hugging red dress. The dress, adorned with fluffy white details along the edges, clung to her body in all the right places, accentuating her curves and drawing attention to her ample mountains, which would make anyone’s gaze linger. Around her neck was a holly leaf choker with tiny gold bells that jingled softly with every movement, and a black belt with a gold buckle cinched her waist. Her slender thighs were encased in red thigh-high stockings with fluffy white trims, adding both warmth and a hint of allure

The outfit was meant to bring a festive atmosphere, but Shizuka’s figure made it look far sexier than intended.

When Shizuka put on the outfit and looked in the mirror, she realized it was tighter than she expected. Even so, she decided to keep it on since she planned to tease Desmon a little. After all, he always called her an old lady. However, Desmon's straightforward words caught her off guard—something she should have expected.

His honesty was as boundless as his love for sweets.

“I like it; it’s pleasing to the eye.” He said with good humor.

After saying this, leaving a blushing Shizuka behind, Desmon walked to the kitchen and placed the fried chicken on the table.

"Are we eating already? I’m starving." He asked in his usual tone.

Shizuka sighed at Desmon’s attitude, unsure if his words were genuine or just a way to mock her.

"It’s only a few minutes until midnight."

"Eh... but I’m hungry..."

"Are you a little kid or something!?"

Shizuka let out a heavy sigh, heading to the kitchen and pulling out a box of cookies.

"Here, have some. The rest of the cookies are for Santa." She said, sitting at the table now that everything was ready and there was nothing left to do but wait for midnight.

Desmon began eating the cookies, his expression content.

"Do you really believe in Santa Claus? Aren’t you a bit old for that?" With nothing else to do, he decided to chat with Shizuka until midnight.

"What’s wrong with believing in the magic of Christmas?" She replied, raising an eyebrow.

"You’ve got a pretty childish side..."

"I don’t want to hear that from a guy who hunts demons—creatures that supposedly don’t exist."

"That’s a totally different thing." He nodded firmly.

"Oh, yeah? How is the existence of demons different from Santa Claus?"

"Well... you see... one of the differences is..." He stumbled over his words, failing to come up with a good argument.

Shizuka smirked, amused at seeing him rendered speechless.

"For your information, when I was a kid, I always left a glass of milk and cookies before going to bed. And the next morning, they’d be gone."

"Your parents?"

"They used to go out on Christmas to have fun, so it couldn’t have been them."

The thought that her parents might have been behind the gifts had crossed a young Shizuka’s mind many times. Even as an adult, she still entertained the possibility. But once she learned that the supernatural and fantastical were real, what was to stop Santa Claus from being real too?

"You don’t have to say that with so much pride..."

"They’d always have dinner with me first before going out. They’re great parents, so don’t start thinking weird things." She lightly smacked him on the head.

Her words might have been misinterpreted to suggest she spent Christmas alone like many other Japanese kids, but Shizuka had always been deeply loved and cherished by her parents as a child.

"All right, all right. So, you were spoiled as a kid, and Santa even brought you presents."

"And you? Didn’t you say you hadn’t celebrated Christmas for over five years?" Shizuka’s curiosity about Desmon’s past grew.

"It’s not that I didn’t want to celebrate. I just didn’t have the time." He replied, grabbing another cookie.

"Why not?"

"Most people are less cautious during Christmas. It made my old job easier."

Desmon had once been a young mercenary. His work ranged from taking out criminal gangs for money to assassinating assigned targets. Back then, he didn’t think twice about breaking into a house and eliminating his mark, even if the family was there to witness it.

At the time, his mental state was far from stable. The incident that drove him away from his home had left deep psychological scars.

But after meeting someone who became his mentor for a long time, Desmon gradually began to recover emotionally, becoming more selective with his assignments. He increasingly took on protective jobs.

Jealousy, revenge, and envy were the most common motives behind assassination requests. However, there were also assignments to eliminate people worse than demons—jobs Desmon accepted eagerly.

"That must’ve been really hard for you.'' Shizuka said, her tone tinged with sadness.

She knew Desmon had been a mercenary but didn’t know the exact nature of his work, though she could imagine. For a twelve-year-old to survive on his own seemed impossible, so she couldn’t judge him for the choices he’d made.

"Don’t make the mood heavy, baka." Desmon flicked her forehead lightly with his fingers.

"Kya!" Shizuka let out an unexpectedly cute yelp at the sudden flick. "What was that for?!" She exclaimed, covering her forehead.

"Christmas is supposed to be a time to be happy or something, right?"

If Desmon showed no interest in his past, Shizuka had no reason to pity him. That was the message Desmon wanted to convey.

"Don’t switch roles. I'm the adult here!" She complained, though her expression now was calm.

"This is better." With a smile, Desmon got up from the table and walked over to the Christmas tree to admire it, as Shizuka had held most of his attention until then.

-He usually acts childish, but Desmon can also act like an adult...

Living with Desmon over the past few months had been a rewarding experience for Shizuka. Bit by bit, she’d come to know him better, discovering that the young demon hunter was much more than a demon-killing machine.

Feeling cheerful, Shizuka got up from the table and began preparing the milk and cookies for Santa Claus, placing them on a small table near the living room.

Just a few minutes remained until midnight, making this a relatively quiet and cozy Christmas.

"Shizuka, I should assume this gift is for me, right?"

"What are you talking about... huh?"

Shizuka had bought a present for Desmon, but it was still in her room, so she found it odd that a peculiar red sack was now sitting under the Christmas tree.

"So, I can assume you didn’t put it there? Is it a gift from Santa Claus? I must’ve been really good this year, huh." He said arrogantly.

"I’d like to say it’s from Santa Claus, but it’s not even midnight yet."

For a moment, she found herself pleased by the idea of something tied to Santa Claus being real, but with it not being midnight yet, the presence of the gift didn’t make much sense.

Shizuka walked over to the Christmas tree, standing beside Desmon.

Desmon trusted his instincts; they’d gotten him out of countless tough situations. But even he hadn’t noticed when that red sack appeared.

Either the sack had always been there, or whoever left it was far more skilled than him.

-Better to stay cautious.

With just minutes left before Christmas, an unexpected surprise would be irritating, so Desmon grabbed Alastor, which rested near the sofa. If anything emerged from that red sack, he’d eliminate it instantly.

"We’re both curious, so let’s see what Santa left us." He said with an arrogant smile.

Without hesitation, Desmon reached into the red sack, ready for anything that might come out.

But inside the sack was nothing—just a large, empty red sack.

"That’s weird."

"Does it even make sense?"

Both peered curiously inside, almost expecting something to happen—but nothing did.

After all, Santa’s sack isn’t just for carrying gifts.

With their guard completely lowered, the red sack swallowed both Desmon and Shizuka.

In just a split second, they were engulfed by darkness and transported elsewhere.

As they fell from a great height, Desmon and Shizuka took in the breathtaking view. Sure, they were plummeting toward their deaths, but for Desmon, it was just another day, so he enjoyed the moment.

In the vast white horizon, they spotted a strange village in the distance.

"The ground is getting closer..."

"Yeah, that’s usually how gravity works."

"Do something, idiot!"

"On it."

As they neared the snowy ground, Desmon wrapped his arms around Shizuka, using himself to absorb the impact.

The white ground—nothing but snow—was disrupted by a massive thud that sent snow flying.

"Well, that's gonna hurt tomorrow." Desmon said lightheartedly, even as his vision turned red. Not from the blood caused by the fall, but because of the two soft sensations pressed against his face.

Shizuka quickly pulled her chest away from Desmon's face once they were safe.

"You're the only one who’d say that after falling from that height!" She yelled, covering her chest in embarrassment.

"What can I say? I’m used to it." He said, tilting his head while springing to his feet.

"By the way, where are we?"

"I have no idea. I'm terrible at geography."

"You’ve been at Sobu High for several months and still don’t know the basics?" Shizuka sighed, realizing she’d have to give him more lessons.

"Classes are boring," Desmon said, waving his hands dismissively.

"Let me recap—a strange red sack swallowed us and brought us here. Judging by the snow everywhere, we must be at the North Pole."

"So, Santa Claus kidnapped us? That sounds way too ridiculous."

Shizuka raised an eyebrow at him. After all that had happened over the past months, the idea of Santa Claus abducting them didn’t seem entirely far-fetched anymore.

"By the way, I don’t think we’re at the real North Pole." Desmon crouched down and touched the snow.

"Why do you say that?" Shizuka asked, confused.

"Don’t you feel it? I thought you were smarter than this."

-I don’t get it. We’re in a cold, snowy place, and there’s snow everywhere…

As she thought about it, something important clicked. She crouched down and touched the snow with her hands.

"It’s not cold!" She exclaimed in surprise.

Since they arrived, their bodies had stayed at a normal temperature—something impossible if they were truly at the North Pole.

"I’ve got no idea where we are, but if Santa Claus kidnapped us and brought us here, there has to be a reason. If not... well, I hope the kids of the world will forgive me if I give Santa a nice little cut on his neck."

"Don’t casually talk about decapitating Santa Claus!"

"I don’t think I have much choice until I meet him." He replied.

She nodded at his words. Shizuka brushed the snow off her outfit, stretched a little, and adjusted the Christmas hat on her costume.

"At this point, the idea of Santa Claus kidnapping me doesn’t feel so crazy anymore, but at least he could’ve called first."

"Santa Claus calling you to fix a problem? Sounds even more surreal—maybe he wants you to save Christmas?" Shizuka joked with a playful tone.

By now, worrying about how they got here was pointless. The only thing left to do was move forward, especially since they had glimpsed a village in the distance while falling.

"Staying here won’t solve anything. Let’s pay the guy in the red suit a visit." Desmon summoned Kurox, his reliable devil arm; a black motorcycle.

"Your attitude is contagious." Shizuka let out a small smile.

"So, what do you say, Shizuka? Ready for a Christmas adventure?" Desmon hopped onto Kurox and extended his hand to her.

"I don’t think I have much of a choice, do I?" Without hesitation, she took his hand and climbed up behind him.

Her arms wrapped around his waist, and he could feel two soft marshmallows pressing against his back.

"Alright, time to have a little meeting with Santa Claus!"

Without waiting any longer, Kurox sped off toward their next destination—the village of Santa Claus.

Chapter Text

"What do you think of the view?"

"Since when is just seeing snow everywhere considered a view?"

"Technically, it should count, right?"

"Hmm, good point. Still, it's a pretty boring view."

"Got to agree with that."

Their conversations revolved around simple topics to pass the time since staring at an endless white landscape wasn't exactly inspiring.

A few minutes had passed since they arrived at what looked like the North Pole. Both were currently riding on Kurox, heading toward the Santa village they’d spotted on the horizon.

"That was faster than I expected."

It didn’t take long at all—they had already reached their destination.

How did they know?

In front of them stood a giant arch with the words: Santa Claus Village.

"Seriously? Santa's village has a huge sign that literally says 'Santa Claus Village'?" Shizuka tilted her head.

"I doubt they get many visitors, so why not?"

"Fair enough."

With nothing stopping them, they climbed off Kurox and stepped into the village.

Santa Claus Village was a one-of-a-kind place, like something out of a dream. The streets were blanketed in a soft layer of snow, glimmering under the winter sun, creating a serene, white canvas. The houses, with perfectly aligned roofs dusted in melting snow, had wooden façades painted in festive shades of red, green, and white. Each home featured round windows with red curtains, adding a cozy touch. On the doors, wreaths of fir adorned with gold and red ribbons brought warmth to the frosty scene.

At the heart of the village was a grand plaza dominated by an enormous Christmas tree. It was dazzling, with twinkling lights adorning every branch, golden ribbons cascading like waterfalls, and a shining star crowning its peak. Surrounding it were wooden benches, offering spots to sit and admire the magical sight while snow gently continued to fall. Old-fashioned streetlights cast a golden glow, enveloping the area in a warm, inviting ambiance.

The village’s main streets were lined with small shops, each brimming with bright lights, garlands, and festive decorations hanging in their windows. The rustic, postcard-perfect buildings, some with charming wooden balconies, featured additional holiday embellishments like snowmen, glittering stars, and fluttering red ribbons.

Every corner of the village had something special—a peek of a red curtain here, a whimsical snow sculpture there. Though snow blanketed everything, the vibrant lights and festive adornments made it feel anything but cold, as though Christmas itself infused every inch of the place.

It was lively, almost as if out of a fairy tale… except for one problem.

"By the way, the security here is terrible."

"Now that you mention it, this place is completely deserted."

Shizuka had expected to see Santa’s elves or the reindeer that pulled his sleigh, but all she found was an empty village.

"Maybe they’re on a lunch break?"

"All of them at the same time?"

"I don’t know elf customs."

"I feel like asking you this is pointless…"

They kept walking. Despite the vibrant decorations, the streets were eerily empty.

"Maybe the elves are on strike?"

Desmon stepped inside one of the houses, but they found no one there.

"With Christmas just around the corner, where do you think Santa's helpers could be?" Shizuka raised an eyebrow, having already figured out the answer.

"At a bar, drinking punch?"

"As if that’s even possible!"

"Fine, fine, I give up. Where are those elves?"

"At Santa’s workshop." She replied confidently, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.

Desmon followed Shizuka’s gaze toward a massive workshop nestled in the farthest corner of the village.

"I’ve got to admit, elves are creatures that even work on Christmas…"

"Of course, they work on Christmas!"

"I see… Santa Claus exploits them. Maybe he does deserve a slash to the throat…"

Shizuka let out a sigh, choosing not to bother figuring out whether Desmon was serious or not. With their destination in sight, the two started walking toward the gift factory.

"Ladies first?"

"Don't start acting chivalrous now." She said with a shrug.

With no one around to stop them, they pushed open the enormous factory doors and stepped inside.

Santa Claus's factory stood towering before them, an awe-inspiring sight. A massive brick building with large windows that let sunlight stream in, illuminating everything in its path. The walls were adorned with garlands and twinkling lights, while snow gently rested on the roof, creating a picture-perfect winter scene. The air was filled with a warm aroma of wood, spices, and sweets, mingling with the constant hum of activity.

Inside the factory, everything seemed meticulously organized. Conveyor belts moved swiftly, carrying toys in every direction. Large work tables filled the space, where artisans skillfully assembled and painted dolls, trains, and teddy bears. Sewing machines, carpentry benches, and painting stations were arranged with precision, forming a symphony of motion and sound.

Shelves packed with ready-to-wrap toys lined the walls: rag dolls, bicycles, stuffed animals, and wooden trains, all organized by color and size. In one corner, a large machine wrapped presents in shiny paper and colorful ribbons, producing perfectly decorated packages. Everything operated flawlessly, like a well-oiled machine that never stopped.

The walls were decorated with festive murals of reindeer, Christmas trees, and shining stars, infusing the space with a sense of endless joy. The large windows let in light that reflected off the falling snow outside. In some corners of the factory, soft Christmas music played in the background, completing the festive atmosphere.

And yet...

"I'm starting to think the elves really went on strike."

...the place was utterly empty.

“This is seriously weird…”

They continued exploring the factory’s interior, but they didn’t find anyone.

Before giving up, Desmon caught sight of a small figure in a strangely unlit area.

"Better ask that little guy what's going on here."

“Oh! You found an elf? I wanna see!” Shizuka exclaimed, her mood instantly lifted like a child’s.

At last, having found one of Santa’s helpers, it was just a matter of time before they’d meet the man in red himself, right?

As they stepped into the dimly lit area where the elf stood, a spotlight turned on, shining directly on the figure, who had his back to them.

What other creature but an elf would wear a red-and-green outfit paired with a hat that covered most of his head?

“Hey, little guy, take us to your leader.” Desmon said, grinning with a menacing edge.

“When did you turn into an alien?”

“That movie last night was awesome.”

“It really was, super entertaining.”

Desmon’s comment brought Shizuka back to the film they’d watched together the night before. Both walked toward the elf in high spirits, exuding confidence.

“Hey, didn’t you hear me? Do I need to teach you a lesson?”

“Stop trying to intimidate the elf!”

Shizuka stepped forward first, crouching and placing a hand gently on the elf’s shoulder.

-I wonder if he’ll look just like the descriptions in books and movies. Should I take a picture?-

She couldn’t have been more excited to meet an elf.

“Hi there, could you tell us where Santa Claus is? We somehow ended up here…” Shizuka said kindly.

When the elf didn’t respond, Shizuka lightly shook him, making the small figure turn around.

In an instant, Desmon’s hand shot up to cover Shizuka’s eyes, shielding her from the horrific sight before them. Whatever had been done to the elf’s face could only have been born of an unimaginable hatred.

The elf’s grotesque visage was revealed, a horrifying blend of cruelty and suffering. His features had been deliberately mutilated, erasing any trace of the inherent beauty his kind was known for. His eyes, sunken and hollow, looked as though they’d been torn out and replaced with voids that consumed all light. His skin was torn and crudely stitched back together in chaotic patterns, scars crisscrossing his face like a macabre tapestry.

His hair, once soft and gleaming, was now charred and matted, as if partially burned. The elf’s iconic pointed ears had been hacked away, their jagged edges raw and bloodied. At the center of his forehead, an empty hole gaped—a gruesome cavity where it seemed his very brain had been ripped from his skull.

-Oi, oi, what the hell is this?

As Desmon kept his hand over Shizuka’s eyes, she tried to protest.

“Desmon, what are you...?”

“Don’t look.” He ordered firmly. “This isn’t something you want to see.”

For the first time, Desmon’s tone was serious, devoid of his usual lively and teasing demeanor.

“What’s going on?”

“Something—or someone—decided to vent their wrath on the elf’s face.” He replied flatly.

“Is it that grotesque?”

“Worse than anything you’ve ever seen.”

“Thanks…”

Shizuka turned away, avoiding the horrifying crime scene inflicted on the poor elf.

“Let’s get out of here.”

Desmon took her hand and began leading the way out. However, as they left the area where the elf was, the once-vibrant appearance of the factory had transformed entirely.

Santa Claus’s workshop, once alive with the cheerful bustle of toy-making and laughter, now stood as a massive ruin, a shadow of its former self. Its towering brick walls were marred with deep cracks, like unhealed scars. The snow that once adorned the entrance was now dirty, mixed with debris and dust. The large wooden doors, which had previously opened with a welcoming creak, now hung broken from their hinges, like colossal, lifeless teeth.

The air felt unnatural, laden with the heavy stench of decay. The conveyor belts that once hummed with activity, carrying freshly crafted toys, were now rusted, cloaked in cobwebs and dust. Shelves that had been filled with dolls, wooden trains, and teddy bears were empty or shattered, with splintered wood and metal shards littering the floor.

The walls, once bright with festive colors and decorations, were crumbling, exposing the building’s decaying innards coated in a slick, black mold. Lights that once bathed the place in a golden warmth were extinguished, leaving the entire space consumed by shadows. A faint, foul odor, a blend of rot and abandonment, pervaded the air.

Scraps of wrapping paper and torn ribbons were scattered across the ground, crushed beneath the rubble. In one corner, an old music box, its cheerful melody now distorted and sluggish, emitted a haunting murmur that mixed eerily with the workshop’s empty echoes. Santa Claus’s workshop, once the heart of Christmas, had become a grim, hollow shell, teetering on the edge of oblivion.

“Tch, not exactly the kind of place you’d want to show the kids on Christmas,” Desmon said, forcing a smirk.

Shizuka looked away briefly. The joyful atmosphere of the workshop had been shattered in an instant, replaced by a living nightmare.

“Yeah, I’ve had enough of this haunted factory! We’re leaving!”

In a flash, Desmon scooped Shizuka into his arms and leapt onto Kurox, quickly leaving the factory behind.

But if the factory had changed, what about Santa’s village?

Santa Claus’s village, once a dreamlike place, was now drowned in a thick, oppressive silence. The streets, formerly blanketed in soft snow, were torn and jagged, strewn with chunks of ice and soil that formed a dark, muddy mess. The once-charming houses were now abandoned and crumbling, their roofs collapsed and walls fractured. Windows, once round and inviting, were shattered, letting the icy wind howl through the remnants, making the wood creak as if the village itself were in pain.

At the center, the Christmas tree that once sparkled with multicolored lights now stood wilted. Its branches were broken and bare, covered in a lifeless gray frost. The star that had crowned the top was gone, leaving a dark emptiness that seemed to consume any light around it. The benches in the square were shattered and overgrown with black moss, as though nature itself sought to claim them. The lamps that once cast a warm glow were extinguished, their long shadows resembling ghostly figures that seemed to writhe with an unnatural life.

The Christmas decorations that had once brought joy and vibrancy were gone. In their place hung scraps of torn ribbons and shattered ornaments, mocking remnants of what once was. Trees, stripped of leaves and life, stood like skeletons, their branches clawing at the gray sky as though grasping for a faint glimmer of hope that dared not show itself.

The wind blows fiercely, but there’s no freshness to it. Instead, it carries a heavy air, laden with a distant whisper, as if the voices of those who once inhabited this village still linger, murmuring in the darkness. Everything is shrouded in a dense fog, and the only sound is the creaking of old wood and debris beneath the steps of anyone daring enough to venture near. The place feels cursed, as if death itself had walked its streets, leaving an indelible mark.

"I have to admit, Santa Claus is creepier than he looks."

Desmon jumped alongside Shizuka as a massive hole suddenly opened in the ground, nearly swallowing them whole.

"Is driving through the streets prohibited or something?"

The abrupt shift in their surroundings also caught Desmon off guard, as if the entire scene had been staged to strike at him mentally. So, he tried to say random things to clear his mind.

"It's fine, you can put me down. Something like this won’t faze me!"

Shizuka gritted her teeth and shook her head.

If Desmon faltered, it was clear the mental impact on Shizuka was worse, but as an adult, the last thing she could do was panic.

"I thought you'd lose your mind."

"Don’t underestimate me—I’ve been chased by a demon before." She replied confidently.

Desmon smirked, regaining his usual demeanor.

"Good to know, 'cause we’ve got company."

From the seemingly vacant and abandoned houses, a horde of elves began to emerge, looking just as terrifying as the one they’d encountered in the factory. However, these elves moved like zombies.

"When did this go from Christmas to Halloween? Oh well, time to start chopping off zombie elf heads!''

Desmon reached back for his sword, where it should have been, but no matter how much he searched for the hilt, his hand found nothing.

"Shizuka… have you seen Alastor? I’m pretty sure I had it before we fell…"

"You’re just noticing that now?!"

"What can I say? I’m forgetful."

While in mid-air, when Desmon had reached for Shizuka, he had let go of Alastor. The devil arm was now lost somewhere in the endless snow.

"Guess I’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way." He said with an arrogant grin.

The zombie elves wasted no time and launched themselves at Desmon.

Without hesitation, Desmon intercepted the first one with a punch imbued with demonic energy, obliterating its head, which disintegrated into a reddish dust.

Next, he dodged an attack by leaning back gracefully, letting the elf's claws swipe through the air where his face had been. With a swift spin, he delivered a roundhouse kick to its chest, sending it crashing into two others approaching from behind. The trio collapsed to the ground like discarded corpses.

Another group of elves charged at him, but Desmon was ready. He leapt forward, spinning mid-air, and came down with a devastating strike to one of their skulls. The sheer force drove it into the ground as the others hesitated momentarily.

"Is that all you’ve got?" He taunted with a smirk.

He spun on his heel, his fists wrapped in demonic energy, delivering precise and lethal blows. Each strike shattered bone and flesh, leaving a trail of dismembered bodies in his wake.

It wasn’t a battle; it was a one-sided massacre.

Before he could take a moment to consider if they’d make it back in time for Christmas, another pair of zombies attacked him from behind. Without flinching, Desmon dodged one and grabbed the arm of the other, twisting it violently and using it as a shield to block its companion. Flashing a cocky smile, he flung the elf into the air, slamming it into the ruins of a nearby house.

"Come on, come on! Don’t make this boring!"

More zombie elves emerged, even from the ground, mimicking a horror movie scene. They all rushed him at once, trying to overwhelm him with sheer numbers.

Still, the young demon hunter didn’t even flinch as he faced the swarm.

"Let’s dance!"

Desmon placed a hand on the ground, and immediately his body began moving unpredictably. Each time he switched hands, his speed increased, his torso spinning so rapidly it became a blur. His legs shifted constantly, like a whirlwind tearing through the horde. Deadly kicks flew with surgical precision, taking down any elf foolish enough to come near, as if breakdancing in this forsaken place was the most natural thing in the world.

And in no time, all the elves had been wiped out by a young man who seemed more amused than terrified.

"Well, that was easier than I thought."

With no enemies left in sight, Desmon dusted off his hands like someone satisfied after exterminating a pesky infestation.

"I think I feel bad for the elves who just got obliterated while you danced..." Shizuka sounded concerned for a moment, but her worry faded as she watched Desmon gleefully take down the elves like it was some sort of game.

-Maybe I worried too much. Desmon seems to have everything under control...

"They were nothing special. Though, I still don’t fully understand what’s going on here. Did the zombie apocalypse hit Santa's village first? Who wished for a zombie outbreak as a gift? Oh, and by the way, do you have an Umbrella?"

-... Yeah, I was definitely an idiot for worrying too much…

Shizuka let out a sigh, though internally, she felt immense relief knowing that Desmon could handle the situation.

"Desmon, were those snowmen always there?" Shizuka pointed to the side of the street, where several snowmen stood piled together.

"Whoever made them has some serious issues..."

At first glance, they seemed like oversized, deformed snowmen, but that would be a grave mistake. These creatures weren’t made of pure snow but frozen blood, giving them a translucent crimson hue that shimmered ominously under the dim light.

Their bodies were grotesque amalgamations of ice and flesh. Where one would expect soft, rounded curves, there were jagged, irregular edges, as though their very existence mocked what snowmen should be. Their disproportionately long arms ended in sharp, icy claws dripping with a dark liquid, seemingly eager to tear apart anything in their path.

Instead of cheerful faces with coal smiles and carrot noses, these abominations had grotesquely wide jaws, lined with razor-sharp teeth.

"I’m way too old to play with snowmen!"

The blood-and-flesh snowmen began to move toward them, albeit slowly, hopping awkwardly as they lacked legs.

Not waiting for them to get closer, Desmon intercepted one with a kick that instantly destroyed its head.

However, it didn’t have the desired effect. The snowman simply scooped up some nearby snow with its claws, forming a new head.

"That could be a problem…"

The other snowmen began their assault, claws that seemed to freeze the air itself slashing toward Desmon.

-Time for a change of plans.

Desmon dodged their attacks with swift footwork until he leaped onto what used to be a Christmas tree.

"Borrowing this!"

Grabbing the tree by its base, he hoisted it effortlessly.

"Time to bat!"

Snowmen went flying through the air as Desmon swung the tree, sending them soaring in comical arcs.

In moments, the snowmen disappeared into the sky, leaving Desmon with several impressive home runs.

-Tch, at least let me catch my breath… Kurox.

The devil arm he summoned instantly closed the distance to strike the creature that appeared beside Shizuka. Wasting no time, Shizuka climbed on Kurox and returned to Desmon, as the creature wasn’t alone.

"Damn it, every good memory I have of Christmas is being ruined by these things..." She complained, glaring at the scene ahead.

"Technically, they’re just very twisted versions of Christmas icons."

"That’s even worse..."

"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and friends, I charge you with traumatizing Shizuka! Do you have any defense?" Desmon said with a big smile.

In front of them stood a group of reindeer. Rudolph led the pack, but it was no longer the cheerful red-nosed guide of Christmas Eve. Its skin, tattered and worn, looked more like dry leather than fur, with patches of exposed flesh faintly pulsating as if alive. Its nose, once a symbol of hope, now emitted a sickly, pulsating glow like an incandescent tumor, casting writhing shadows along the walls.

Its eyes were dark, empty pits devoid of any kindness or life. Occasionally, a crimson glimmer flashed through Its sockets, as if something malevolent stirred behind them. Its antlers, which should have been majestic, were jagged and deformed, covered in frost that dripped a viscous, dark liquid.

The other reindeer were no less terrifying. Their skeletal bodies bore grotesquely protruding ribs beneath rotting skin, as if an eternal hunger was devouring them from within. Their legs, unnaturally long, ended in jagged, broken hooves that clicked against the icy ground, producing a sound reminiscent of nails scraping glass. Hanging from their jaws were shreds of blackened flesh, with yellowed, razor-sharp teeth clearly designed for tearing meat.

But strangely, unlike the other creatures, the reindeer merely stared at them, as if awaiting orders.

"Are reindeer one of those animals that don’t see you if you don’t move?”

“As if that were true…”

So far, the creatures that appeared hadn’t been a match for Desmon. As always, he managed to overcome the demons that came after him… but everything has a limit.

Their cheerful, carefree banter was suddenly interrupted by an overwhelming demonic pressure that descended upon them.

The energy was so overwhelming it severed the connection between Desmon and Kurox, causing Shizuka to collapse to her knees, unable to stand.

Then, a sword landed just beside Desmon, grazing his cheek—a clear message that he could have been killed in an instant.

Under these circumstances, the best option was to move, but both were paralyzed by an intense, bone-deep cold that seemed to freeze them from the inside out. The silence that enveloped the area made it impossible to act.

Shizuka struggled to breathe, with intense pain assaulting every part of her body. Desmon experienced the same, though he could endure such levels of pain. Yet there was something he hadn’t expected to feel again.

And that was… Fear.

His instincts screamed at him to flee—there was no way to defeat the creature watching them as if they were mere ants.

The demon’s figure was tall and menacing, its body covered in fur as black as the void, concealing grotesque and powerful musculature. Its head bore a blend of goat-like and demonic features, with two massive, twisted horns worn down by time and hatred. Its glowing red eyes blazed like embers, and its mouth, filled with jagged teeth, housed a long, serpentine tongue that moved as if alive.

Its mere presence was enough to subdue both Desmon and Shizuka. The immense demonic pressure was incomparable to anything Desmon had ever faced.

Even so…

“You’re just a worthless piece of crap demon!”

Desmon unleashed his own demonic energy, countering the creature’s influence to some extent and breaking free from the oppressive weight on them.

This allowed Shizuka to breathe again, though her condition was far from ideal. Just a moment longer, and her body would have been destroyed from within. Still, she signaled with her hand for him not to worry.

Desmon focused on the demon once Shizuka reassured him she was fine. There wasn’t much he could do for her anyway, and worrying about her condition would only distract him.

“Oh, interesting. So, you’re just trash that can resist a little.” The demon’s voice echoed, though its mouth didn’t move. Both of them heard the words as if they came from everywhere at once.

“Thanks for the compliment.” Desmon replied, locking eyes with the demon. “Should I assume that if I manage to take you down, we’ll be able to leave this place?” He asked, feigning confidence.

He had known from the start—there was no way to win this.

“This is my domain. You will not leave unless I allow it.” The demon’s voice was prominent but dispassionate, as though Desmon wasn’t worth its time.

“Well, that makes things easier!” Desmon grabbed Alastor and pointed it at the demon.

His instincts told him there was no chance of victory. Even so, Desmon wasn’t the type to stand still and be slaughtered.

The demon’s grotesque face twisted into a macabre grin, as though it welcomed the opportunity for a bit of fun before delivering death to its nemesis.

For this demon’s name was…

Krampus.

Chapter Text

In the darkest corners of the Alps, where snow blankets the mountains like an eternal shroud and the nocturnal silence is almost absolute, a figure emerges, straddling the line between myth and reality. Krampus, the demon with twisted horns and smoldering eyes, is more than just a legend used to frighten children; Krampus is the embodiment of ancient hatred, a being cast aside and forgotten, yearning to reclaim a rightful place.

In ancient times, before Christmas filled homes with lights and carols, Krampus was more than a monster. A dark guardian, a wild force representing balance, reminding mortals that kindness had to be earned and that darkness was as necessary as light. But with the rise of Christianity, Krampus's image was rejected and demonized. What once symbolized justice and fear became a pariah, an aberration to be banished. In that exile, hatred for Christmas was forged, for every ringing bell and exchanged gift is a taunt to Krampus’s very existence.

To Krampus, the holiday with its promises of love and redemption serves as a constant reminder of what was stolen. Where once an integral part of winter’s cold embrace was claimed, Krampus now lingers as a displaced specter, a shadow on the outskirts of collective memory. But this demon has not forgotten. On the coldest, darkest nights, Krampus prowls villages, claiming the children deemed unworthy as if to prove that the joy of Christmas is never truly safe.

The demon’s appearance is as terrifying as the legend. Towering and cloaked in black fur that seems to swallow light itself, Krampus is the stuff of nightmares. Twisted horns protrude, and ember-like eyes burn with eternal hatred. A mouth lined with razor-sharp fangs opens to reveal a serpentine tongue that writhes with menace.

But Krampus does not merely haunt the human world. Deep within an otherworldly realm beyond comprehension, there lies a dominion: the Realm of Eternal Night. This grotesque mockery of Santa Claus’s village mirrors Krampus’s hatred and thirst to corrupt what is seen as a glorified lie.

At the heart of this domain is a warped village, blanketed in snow that melts into a dark, viscous sludge. The cabins, crooked and constructed from rotten wood and bone, glow with ghostly green lanterns. Surrounding the village, twisted trees—mockeries of Christmas pines—are adorned with cages holding living shadows, blinking lights resembling watchful eyes, and garlands of chains and thorns.

Krampus is not alone in this realm. An army of minions known as the Fearmongers obeys without question. These nightmarish parodies of traditional Christmas figures include demonic snowmen, grotesque reindeer, corrupted toys, and macabre versions of Santa’s elves, all ready to carry out Krampus’s dark will.

In this grim sanctuary, Krampus tirelessly schemes against the eternal rival: Santa Claus. The hatred for Santa is not merely personal but deeply ancestral. Santa embodies everything Krampus despises, and a jolly image is a perpetual reminder of Krampus's exile. The two have clashed more than once, with Santa ultimately triumphing each time.

However, mere days before Christmas, Krampus has achieved the unthinkable: Santa Claus is gravely wounded. In a recent confrontation, the demon struck during a rare moment of vulnerability, leaving Santa weakened. The injuries, though not fatal, have jeopardized the ability to fulfill a sacred duty. As Santa prepares to persevere despite the wounds, Krampus senses this might finally be the ultimate opportunity.

With Santa vulnerable, Krampus revels in the domain, rallying creatures and crafting dark artifacts to unleash terror and despair. This is a chance to finally end the life of an eternal foe, vengeance that has brewed for centuries.

And yet… just as Krampus settles into anticipated victory, a ripple disrupts the realm. Two strangers have managed to breach the barrier.

What better than an appetizer before the main course?

The thought amuses Krampus as a sinister plan is concocted. The domain reshapes into a twisted imitation of Santa’s village, brimming with joy and hope to lull the visitors into a false sense of security. Once the illusion shatters, they will know despair, tasting the primal fear all living beings harbor.

There is no reason for Krampus to exercise caution. If categorized, this demon would undoubtedly bear the title of a legendary demon.

Krampus is not simply a demon haunting the cold nights of winter; it's a legendary entity whose power and existence transcend the boundaries of time and memory. Its name has been passed down through generations, etched into the stories and myths of countless cultures, representing far more than just a being of darkness. It is a manifestation of primal forces, a reminder that light and darkness must coexist in a delicate balance.

Legendary demons like Krampus are beings of colossal power, their feats and supernatural influence leaving an indelible mark on history, becoming symbols of a forgotten era. In ancient times, they were both revered and feared, their existence not only beyond human comprehension but touching the deepest threads of reality itself. They were not mere monsters but entities embodying the primordial forces of chaos and order, punishment and justice.

Krampus, as a legendary demon, does not simply spread terror or destruction. Its very presence is a reminder that darkness not only exists but is essential for the balance of the universe. Within its being lies the echoes of a past where good and evil were tangible forces, coexisting in the same reality. Its figure, with twisted horns and flaming eyes, is a vestige of that ancient time, a symbol of a primordial power that transcends the earthly.

The legend of Krampus goes beyond its deeds. It is not just the monster stalking the festivities but the embodiment of humanity’s fear of the consequences of its own actions. In an era where Christmas is celebrated with joy and hope, Krampus’ presence stands as a reminder that even in the light of festivities, darkness is never fully extinguished. The shadow of Krampus remains a constant, woven into traditions and the hearts of those who remember.

Like all legendary demons, its influence not only shapes stories and myths but represents the immutable truth of balance between good and evil—a lesson that endures through generations.

In short... Krampus is not a demon that a mere demon hunter can hope to defeat.

And unfortunately for the young demon hunter, he is about to face the harsh reality… a vast difference in power he cannot overcome.

...

The situation for Desmon and Shizuka had completely shifted. What had seemed like a cheerful visit to Santa Claus' village turned into a terrifying walk through a demon's territory, where the only way out was to defeat Krampus.

Knowing this, Desmon didn't hesitate to face the demon. Even as his instincts screamed the futility of his choice, he prepared himself for the battle.

But… it would be wrong to call it a battle—more like a one-sided massacre.

“I’m going to wipe that stupid grin off your face!”

Gripping Alastor, Desmon charged toward Krampus with determination. But as soon as he took the first step, his knee buckled, forcing him to slam Alastor into the ground for support.

“Tch…!”

In an instant—faster than his eyes could follow—Krampus made a slight movement with its claws. What followed were several massive, deep slashes tearing through Desmon’s body, shredding flesh and bone with brutal precision.

Desmon possessed an incredible regenerative ability, but it depended on his demonic energy, and the more severe the wounds, the greater the cost.

Krampus' slashes weren’t just lethal; they were devastating. Desmon should have died instantly, his body reduced to several pieces. However, his regeneration had saved him, transforming inevitable death into extremely grievous injuries as his organs, muscles, and bones were destroyed in that split second.

“I thought this would be easy for you.” Krampus’ voice, dripping with sarcasm, echoed from all directions.

“I’m just… getting started…” Desmon coughed up blood as he struggled to stand.

-Desmon…?

Shizuka could only watch the scene in stunned silence. Normally, no matter the situation Desmon faced, he always carried an arrogant, mocking expression, a typical smirk plastered across his face. But ever since that demon had appeared before them, Desmon had stopped smiling. His facade of calm couldn’t fool Shizuka.

What kind of demon were they facing to push Desmon to his limits after a single attack?

I knew it… This thing won’t go down as easily...

Desmon glanced quickly at Shizuka, whose face showed an expression of surprise and confusion.

-This isn’t the time to think about that…”

Desmon shook his head and focused on Krampus.

"Come on, make this less boring!" Krampus roared.

"Count on it!"

Desmon stood up and charged straight at Krampus, swinging Alastor as he closed the distance, aiming to cut through the demon. But the blade couldn’t pierce the black fur—it felt like the toughest thing he’d ever tried to cut with Alastor.

No matter how good the weapon is, in the wrong hands, it can never reach its full potential.

-It’s useless…

Desmon leapt, aiming to drive Alastor into the demon’s face, but the blade failed to penetrate the flesh.

"Is that all?"

Countless slashes appeared all over Desmon’s body as Krampus made a slight motion with its claws.

His coat and white shirt were shredded, leaving Desmon bleeding from numerous cuts that tore through him internally.

Even so, Desmon took advantage of the moment, flinging his blood to blind Krampus. Being so close, he used the demon’s massive body as a platform to propel himself straight toward Shizuka.

“Kurox!”

There was no hesitation in his actions. As soon as he grabbed Shizuka by the wrist, he summoned Kurox and fled as fast as he could across the endless white expanse. He even chose to channel his demonic energy into his devil arm rather than focus on healing himself.

“Is that all?” Krampus asked again, a look of delight on its face.

There was no way to escape this place. The only thing Desmon could gain was time—but Krampus wasn’t known for patience.

In its domain, Krampus had total control over everything—and everyone.

“Hold on tight, Shizuka!”

As they raced away on Kurox, countless cracks formed in the snow, threatening to swallow them whole. Within those cracks were demonic constructs—terrifying attempts at twisted Christmas toys that sought nothing but to tear their victims apart.

But that wasn’t all. Sharp spikes of earth shot up from beneath the snow, as if trying to skewer them like a skewer.

A deadly obstacle course emerging out of nowhere at any given moment.

Even if Desmon barely managed to avoid dying like that, it didn’t mean the ordeal was over.

"I’m not a fan of snowballs."

Massive snowballs, large enough to crush them, fell from the sky like some kind of divine punishment.

-Tch, faster!

Trying to keep his composure in this situation was impossible. Things were not looking good for either of them.

And as if all that wasn’t enough, giant snowmen began forming out of the snow—replicas of the ones Desmon had previously sent flying, but these were much larger.

Their enormous icy claws reached for the pair. Dodging them would have been easy with Kurox at full speed, but with thousands of these snowmen, there was no way to avoid them all.

Cracks filled with demonic toys, massive snowballs falling from the sky, sharp spikes emerging randomly, and gigantic demonic snowmen—this was merely a taste of Krampus’s true power in its domain.

"Running away like the rat you are? How disappointing."

Krampus’s voice echoed darkly behind them, wrapping Desmon in a sense of impending doom.

There was no time to think, much less react. Instinctively, Desmon turned and wrapped Shizuka in his arms, shielding her with his body as much as he could.

In that instant, when time seemed to stand still, everything collapsed. An indescribable power swept through everything in its path.

Massive slashes, as if the world itself had been torn apart, rained down upon them. The enormous snowmen were obliterated, and the snow-covered ground split, leaving deep craters that were soon filled by an avalanche triggered by the upheaval.

Desmon and Shizuka’s bodies were dragged into the depths created by Krampus’s slashes, disappearing beneath the avalanche that erased them from sight.

Chapter Text

“…What happened…?”

With difficulty, Shizuka opened her eyes, her consciousness slowly returning. Her entire body ached, yet, surprisingly, she hadn’t suffered any severe injuries.

“Glad you’re awake. It’s a snowy day—perfect for hot chocolate.”

Desmon’s voice greeted her with a cheerful tone, accompanied by a smile that tried to mask the weight of his condition.

The demon hunter extended a hand to her, offering help to get up. But as she looked at him, Shizuka found herself speechless.

Desmon’s body was covered in deep wounds. His skin was torn in multiple places, and while his regeneration ability was still working, all his demonic energy was focused on repairing his internal organs. He was barely holding off total collapse.

He was utterly exhausted, far beyond his limits. He had given everything to protect Shizuka, withstand Krampus’s assault, and escape that nightmare. He had nothing left to give.

“Your… arm…” She murmured, disbelief and pain mingling in her voice.

Desmon averted his gaze, letting out a small sigh before sitting down in the snow.

“I was thinking of learning the piano, but I guess that’s not happening now…”

His left arm was gone—ripped off entirely from the shoulder. There was no escaping that battle without sacrifices, and his arm had been the price of their survival.

He’d always been curious what it might be like to lose a limb. Now, he knew. His flesh had regenerated just enough to seal the wound, but no further. The loss was permanent.

The weight of that reality felt colder than the snow beneath them. Desmon tried to find solace in his usual humor, but the silence that followed was suffocating. The battle wasn’t over yet—this was only the prelude to when Krampus would find them and end their lives.

In the vast white horizon, where nothing but an abyss of snow and cold stretched endlessly, the two sat in silence, side by side. The atmosphere was bleak.

“…I’m sorry…” Desmon’s faint whisper broke the stillness as he gazed up at the sky.

His own weakness had caused this. If he had been stronger, things might have turned out as they should have. But he had never imagined a demon as powerful as Krampus existed.

And now, because of that weakness, both of them would die in an unknown place, their bodies never to be found.

“Why are you apologizing?” Shizuka asked, gritting her teeth.

Shizuka didn’t know what to say. The situation had gone far beyond anything she could handle—she had been nothing but a burden to Desmon.

“I dragged you into this…”

His once-confident, sarcastic tone was now full of sadness and regret, as though revealing his true self.

For someone who had lost everything at a young age, all he could do was run from his past, unable to face the people he had lost.

-This isn’t right… This isn’t the Desmon I know…

The young man she knew was an idiot who always found a way to have fun no matter the danger. No matter the odds, Desmon faced everything with a goofy grin as he charged straight into the fray.

Shizuka didn’t know all that Desmon had endured, but she refused to accept that, even at the end, he’d act like someone she didn’t recognize. As an adult and a teacher, her job was always to support the younger generation when they faced difficulties.

But in this moment, what were the right words to say?

“Are you giving up now? What are you, an idiot?” Shizuka asked, glaring at him.

“I don’t know what you expect from me…” His voice grew weaker with each word, as though all hope had drained away.

“You’re supposed to be a demon hunter—the kind of idiot who always gets the job done. Isn’t that what you’re so proud of?”

“…You expect too much from me…”

Shizuka gave him a sharp smack on the head when she heard that.

“Maybe I do expect too much from you in this situation…”

There was no way out of their predicament—that much Desmon already knew, resigning himself to die.

“…But you’re the one who’s made me expect more from you than I ever thought possible! You’ve always exceeded any expectation I had, even making me feel stupid for worrying about you when you’d just overcome any obstacle with that dumb smile and a random line to go with it!” She spoke her mind sincerely.

Hearing her words, Desmon turned his gaze to her.

"So, here and now, you're going to finish off that demon like you always do so we can get back home before our dinner gets cold, or are you telling me a demon that looks like it came out of a ten-yen children's book is stronger than you?" I didn't hesitate to call out its weakness.

Strong words that could crush anyone in this situation...

...And that's exactly right—these are the best words Desmon could hear.

Anyone else would need words of comfort and reassurance, something to tell them everything will be fine and they can rest. But if you said that to Desmon, it would be enough to break him mentally. The guilt that eats away at him would utterly consume him.

He doesn't need cheap sympathy. What he needs is a reminder of how he's always done things—staying true to that reckless attitude of doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Because that's precisely how he's managed to get this far.

A legendary demon with overwhelming power? That thing is weaker than a certain demon hunter Desmon crossed paths with once—a guy who, while absentmindedly eating a strawberry ice cream, gave Desmon a proper beatdown. A memory Desmon will never forget, and one he even treasures.

"Hahaha." Desmon started to laugh. "Are you seriously making me work on Christmas? You're a demon, Shizuka."

The guilt and melancholy disappeared from his face, as though it had never been there. Now, even in his current state, he wore a wide grin filled with confidence and arrogance.

Desmon doesn't need anyone's pity—he needs someone who will tell him to push himself to the brink. Someone who, when he falls, will tell him to get back up on his own. That's how he was raised as a child.

If he can't fight for what he wants, he'll lose everything. And that's not something Desmon is willing to let happen for a third time.

And thanks to Shizuka's words, he remembered that.

"Well, then, it's time to get moving!"

Shizuka stood up and extended her hand toward him.

"That Christmas dinner better be worth it!"

Desmon took her hand, got to his feet, and stretched lightly.

"So, how are we getting home?" Shizuka asked, her mood lifting as she saw Desmon back to his usual self.

"That's quite the dilemma..."

The wounds on Desmon's body began to heal rapidly, returning him to normal—save for his clothes. But being an exhibitionist seemed to be second nature to him by now.

"By the way, if I’m not mistaken, didn’t that demon have a strange red sack on its waist?"

Their earlier exchange had been so quick that Desmon hadn’t had time to assess all the alternatives, but now, with a calmer mind, a way out of this place seemed plausible.

"Now that you mention it, I think I did see something red on its waist..."

Desmon grinned.

"Great, that’s all we need to know. Our goal now is to grab that sack and head home."

"And what about that thing?"

"A demon who apparently hates Christmas? It’s obvious Santa Claus should handle demons out to ruin his holiday. Besides, it’s not like he hired me directly to deal with it. But if he offers me a good paycheck, I might consider it."

"That makes some sense, but charging Santa Claus...?"

"If he’s running a massive gift factory, he can afford it—unless his elves survive on photosynthesis."

At this point, he was just saying the first thing that popped into his head.

As the two debated whether Santa Claus paid his elves or exploited them to the brink of union strikes, a chilling sensation washed over them—a feeling they were all too familiar with.

"Looks like it found us. Less work for me."

Krampus appeared before them, and just as they remembered, a red sack wrapped in chains hung at its waist.

"Think you can handle it?"

"I don’t need both arms for this, but I’ll need your help with the others."

Shizuka couldn’t sense it, but a massive amount of demonic energy spread throughout the area. From the ground, numerous demons began to emerge, resembling the Christmas-themed abominations they had faced earlier.

Only now, there were hundreds of them.

"This just got a lot harder." Shizuka said.

"Kurox will stay with you."

Desmon’s devil arm appeared before Shizuka, its greatest strength being its incredible durability and its ability to move on its own. To ensure her safety, Desmon infused it with a large amount of his demonic energy—this wasn’t the time to hold back.

"Have you accepted your fate yet?" Krampus asked, flanked by its overwhelming army.

"I reject this so-called destiny of yours. Besides, why should I follow the rules of a demon that looks like it came out of a ten-yen children's book?" He said, brimming with confidence.

"Good answer. Now, die!"

Krampus swung its claws, unleashing the same attack that had left Desmon vulnerable before.

"Tough luck. I can see them now."

Desmon swung Alastor, deflecting the massive cuts that tore apart the ground around him. Though his defense wasn't perfect and he took some damage, these cuts were nothing compared to the ones from before.

A trait of his demonic heritage—the ability to evolve through battle—allowed him to see the previously invisible slashes.

"Interesting, but that's nothing."

"Let's test that, you cheap Santa Claus knockoff!" Desmon took a defensive stance. Using just one arm was harder for him, but he quickly adapted. "Let’s do this, Shizuka."

"You don’t have to tell me!"

At the same time, Krampus ordered its army to charge at them.

The demons wasted no time, throwing themselves into battle, but Kurox intercepted them with a powerful rush, while Desmon cut through their ranks, swinging Alastor with precision.

Krampus's army was massive, endless in its territory. But Desmon wasn't aiming to win by defeating them all—he only needed to retrieve the red sack strapped to the demon’s waist.

"I won’t deny it… but damn it, this is fun!"

Shizuka, riding on Kurox and mowing down demons, couldn’t hold back her grin. Destroying these twisted caricatures of the holiday symbols she adored brought a twisted sense of satisfaction.

She let herself go, urging Kurox forward as the black motorcycle roared like an untamed beast. The demonic energy Desmon had infused into his devil arm pulsed like a contained storm, ready to erupt with every turn of the wheels. Kurox seemed more formidable than ever, moving with almost supernatural agility, as if anticipating the demons' attacks before they even happened.

If Desmon could evolve in battle, then so could his devil arm. And Kurox, with its untapped potential, was far from done growing.

"Let’s go, Kurox! Don’t leave a single one standing!" Shizuka shouted, her voice a mix of thrill and defiance.

She had ridden Kurox many times before, though not exactly to fight demons.

With a sharp twist of the throttle, Kurox reared back on its hind wheel, the front rising into a dramatic wheelie. Shizuka held her balance as the front wheel, now charged with demonic energy, spun at high speed, tearing through a cluster of demons in a dark explosion of ash and gore.

Kurox slammed front down, shaking the ground beneath them. It immediately skidded into a tight turn, sweeping through another group of demons. Shizuka barely had time to relish the metallic crunch of the destroyed demons before another wave surrounded her.

Yet she wore a grin, not fitting for a teacher her age, but for a teenager handed a new, destructive toy.

Kurox surged forward again, charging straight into a group of blood-formed snowmen attempting to block their path. At the last second, the motorcycle shifted back, dodging their massive icy claws. But Kurox wasn’t done; as the claws slammed into the ground, it accelerated, racing up the demon's arm before smashing into its head, shattering it in a burst of gore.

The image of a woman in a tight Santa-themed outfit riding a black motorcycle as it obliterated the massive head of a snowman demon, flying through crimson mist, was both stunning and surreal. She continued her rampage, riding over more snowmen and delivering them the same brutal fate.

After obliterating several of the towering monsters, a herd of shadowy reindeer awaited her, their razor-like antlers ready to impale her upon landing.

An unavoidable scenario—but Kurox, as if possessed by its own instincts, unleashed bursts of demonic energy from its wheels, creating shockwaves that launched the reindeer away before they could strike.

"I’ve got to admit… that was pretty intense." She said, exhilarated.

Even so, more and more demons kept emerging, replacing the fallen ones. But that didn’t stop Kurox and Shizuka, who continued obliterating the fiends.

Meanwhile, Desmon moved with blinding speed, slicing through every demon in his path with Alastor as he charged toward Krampus, who lazily sent slashes his way.

"Is that the only trick you know?" He taunted with sarcasm, leaping to avoid the swarm of elves trying to grab him.

But the elves, like relentless cockroaches, leapt after him without hesitation.

"Do Santa's elves also share this level of idiocy?" He mused, spinning mid-air with Alastor in hand, turning into a deadly saw that shredded all the elves into pieces.

After completing his massacre, he swung Alastor, deflecting Krampus’s attacks that rained down on the remaining demons, which were demons in the form of grotesque toys, only to be torn apart by the force of its cuts.

"Those your workers? Not even a Christmas bonus? You're a terrible boss." He said with a look of mock surprise and amusement.

As he landed, Desmon advanced, deflecting Krampus’s cuts and dispatching more demons. But they seemed endless; the more he cut down, the more appeared.

Krampus's minions were no match for Desmon, but their overwhelming numbers turned the fight into a test of endurance. If this dragged on, the demons would have the upper hand. To end it, Desmon had to eliminate the source: Krampus.

"Come on, is that all you've got?" He shouted mockingly.

Since the beginning of their clash, Desmon had been deflecting Krampus’s slashes as if to taunt him.

"You’re nothing more than a trivial distraction! Don’t get cocky!" Krampus's disdainful voice roared, and the energy surrounding it erupted violently.

"ARMAGEDDON!"

"I hate when it does that..." Desmon muttered through gritted teeth.

As the creator of this realm, Krampus had absolute control, and now it was twisting the world to its will.

"Confirmed—you’re a horrible boss." Desmon sighed.

The ground cracked open, massive fissures tearing through as lava erupted in fiery bursts, resembling the wrath of raging volcanoes.

But that wasn’t all. A fierce storm howled, razor-sharp winds cutting through the air, while the snow transformed into jagged ice fangs ready to pierce flesh and bone. The environment itself seemed hellbent on their destruction.

Left with no choice, Desmon leapt to evade the ice spikes bursting from the ground, only to find himself vulnerable to the raging storm above.

"Taxi...!"

Just as he was about to be torn apart, a black blur moved at lightning speed, swooping in to save him while dodging the lethal attacks.

"You’re way too cheerful for this situation, Shizuka," He remarked from atop Kurox as he noticed his master’s unusually good mood.

"As if..." She replied, glancing away.

"Childish as ever."

"Oh, you're the last one who should be saying that!''

"Touche."

As the two exchanged casual banter, Kurox plowed through, its wheels crushing the icy spikes with ease while maneuvering through the apocalyptic chaos unleashed by Krampus.

Meanwhile, Krampus’s demons kept pouring out and being slaughtered in an endless cycle.

"I can’t keep this up forever." Desmon admitted. "I don’t have enough energy to maintain Kurox’s speed for much longer. We need to end this."

"Got a plan?"

Krampus stood at the heart of it all—approaching it was a death sentence.

"No idea how to get close without getting blown to bits. But you know what they say: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Charge, Kurox!"

"You’re insane!"

Kurox spun around in a sharp drift that any professional biker would envy, speeding toward Krampus.

"Maybe a little,,."

Kurox weaved through obstacles, with Desmon deflecting the slashes that the storm rained down upon them.

When they reached a moderate distance from Krampus, with a sea of lava barring their path, improvisation became their only option.

"Well, here I go.''

As a last-ditch effort, Desmon devised a totally logical plan: to launch himself as a projectile.

Without much thought, he leapt off Kurox mid-motion. But just before he descended, the devil arm skidded to a sudden halt. The force was so intense that the rear wheel lifted off the ground, and Kurox flipped into a full 360° spin on its front wheel.

Desmon landed on the rear wheel at the perfect moment. With all that built-up force, the wheel launched him like a bat striking a ball, hurling him straight toward Krampus with overwhelming power.

Even as he shot forward at incredible speed, the explosions of lava and the storm descended upon him.

Balancing Alastor, Desmon deflected the cutting wind as best as he could. Though he succeeded, it came at the cost of numerous cuts. An enormous wall of lava rose before him, the final obstacle in his path.

"This is going to hurt tomorrow..."

With no way to stop or evade, he slammed headfirst into the magma wall.

"What an idiot, dying in such a ridiculous way." Krampus mused.

The battle had been entertaining enough, but watching the demon hunter charge straight to his death was nothing short of dull.

Desmon might be reckless, but he wasn’t stupid. From the lava wall, a figure emerged.

-Are devil arms lava-proof? Desmon thought, just before twisting his body while swinging Alastor quickly, mimicking the motion of a saw. With incredible momentum, he managed to cut through the wall of lava. Pushing himself to the limit, he poured all his demonic energy into the attack to make it happen.

"Huh? Interesting." Krampus muttered.

Desmon successfully reached Krampus, landing at the demon’s waist and slashing the red sack surrounded by chains with Alastor. Holding it between his teeth.

But as he did, his body froze for just a moment—a second that stretched into what felt like minutes. Quickly recovering, he jumped away from Krampus.

"So that’s what you were after. But if you’re dead, you wouldn’t get to use it." Krampus spoke with a calm voice, as if the artifact didn’t matter at all. To him, it was just Santa’s sack.

"Figured you wouldn’t let me off easy..." Desmon muttered.

This time, Krampus didn’t limit himself to just its claws. It raised its entire arm.

Everything around him was about to be obliterated—an attack inescapable and unstoppable at such close range.

Even in an impossible situation, Desmon didn’t hesitate. Because right now, he wasn’t alone.

A strange figure darted toward him, matching the speed of sound. Only a residual image of Desmon remained as Krampus’s attack disintegrated everything, tearing and destroying even the space around them.

In its domain, Krampus was invincible—or so it seemed.

"Nice catch, Shizuka." Desmon said, placing Alastor on his back and showing the red sack.

"You’re completely insane..." She sighed, relieved everything had gone well. Now, they just needed to get back home.

"I hear that more often than you’d think." He replied.

-He always manages the impossible... What an idiot. She thought with a small smile.

"Time to..."

"I’m counting on you for the rest."

Before she could finish her sentence, the red sack enveloped her, making both Shizuka and Santa’s sack vanish.

"Looks like it’s just you and me now, Kurox—or at least it would be, if I weren’t so exhausted..."

At that moment, Kurox vanished, sending Desmon tumbling into the snow, rolling several times. With Krampus no longer focusing on its previous attack, the surroundings returned to a stark white horizon.

"I thought you’d run. Seems you’re not a coward." Krampus remarked.

Desmon leapt to his feet and ooked at Krampus.

"So, you’re Krampus, huh? Is it your fault I never got Christmas presents? Eh, doesn’t matter..."

Gripping Alastor tightly, Desmon pointed it at Krampus.

"Indeed, I am Krampus. Grovel and kneel before me!" Krampus’s booming voice shook the surroundings.

Desmon smirked, brushing off the demon’s arrogance.

"Normally, I don’t take last-minute jobs, but some jolly guy in red just hired me. You don’t say no to Santa Claus, right? I’d rather not get coal for the next few years."

"I see. Then it’s time. I won’t waste any more on you."

With only seconds left until midnight, Desmon’s job was clear: buy as much time as possible and put an end to Krampus.

An impossible task, but now there was a possibility, which is why he entrusted that task to his companion.

"Hey, ignoring your guest? That’s bad manners for a host." He joked, pacing to the side.

"You haven’t even managed to hurt me. In your state, you’re nothing but dead weight. I have more important matters to attend to."

Krampus turned away as thousands of twisted, horrifying figures of Christmas icons rose from the snow, forming the ranks of its demonic army.

"If that's the case, I have to give it my all, right?"

With almost no demonic energy left, his body battered and pushed to its limits, clothes in tatters, and exhaustion etched on his face, Desmon still wore that ever-arrogant grin as he advanced toward Krampus.

But the army of thousands of demons wouldn't allow him to reach so easily. He was intercepted and overwhelmed by the endless swarm.

"It's over! My revenge and your life will end here!"

Krampus was ready to leave, but at that moment, Desmon’s figure tore through the horde of demons, closing the distance between them.

"Never underestimate a man with nothing to lose!"

Using the last remnants of his energy, Desmon leaped, swinging Alastor in an arc that slashed across Krampus's face. Upon landing, he stumbled and rolled through the snow.

"Huh?"

Thick, dark blood poured from the cut. Desmon had managed to wound it.

"Not as tough as you look, huh? Haha..." He taunted, using Alastor as a crutch to try and stand.

But the assault had left him far from unscathed—passing through the demonic army unscathed was impossible, even for him.

"If you truly wish for death and for your existence to end, I'll grant your wish!" Krampus roared furiously.

The air grew heavy, the gravity around them intensifying as though the earth itself sought to crush anyone defying Krampus’s will. A towering column of darkness spiraled up from the heart of the battlefield, devouring everything in its path. The demonic energy seemed to consume even the light, leaving behind only shadows and despair.

"Final Judgment!" Krampus declared, its voice resonating with a power that shook the fabric of reality.

From within the infinite column of darkness emerged twisted, shadowy hands, as though thousands of tormented souls clawed their way out to drag Desmon into the abyss, promising an eternal suffering beyond comprehension.

Barely able to recover from his last attack, Desmon felt the crushing weight of gravity press down on him, each movement more labored as his vision blurred under the pressure.

Even so... he managed to rise and dodge the darkness.

But he wasn't alone against Krampus—the demon army surrounded him, intent on tripping him up and feeding him to the abyss.

Against all odds, Desmon did his best to cut down and evade the demons, but his strength and energy were almost entirely depleted.

A monstrous, twisted version of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer struck him, its horns piercing through his side and immobilizing him for a moment. Desmon twisted his body and decapitated the demon, but the reindeer had accomplished its goal.

"Tch, I guess this is it for me..."

The darkness swallowed him, devouring his body piece by piece. Every inch consumed brought an inconceivable pain, an eternal torment that seared through his very being.

Krampus smiled, as seeing the demon hunter being devoured by the darkness delighted it.

Desmon's legs, torso, and finally his head were engulfed, the darkness erasing him entirely, removing him from existence itself.

There was no way Desmon could win against Krampus. Simply wounding it was an accomplishment, but that was his current limit

After all...

...to defeat a legendary demon...

...one must become...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...a legendary demon hunter.

Chapter Text

"I'm counting on you for the rest.''

That was the last thing Shizuka heard before her vision blurred and she was swallowed by Santa Claus’s sack.

Moments later, her eyes opened slowly, revealing an entirely different environment. She found herself in a bustling room brimming with energy. Small desks covered in endless gift lists and piles of paperwork were scattered across the space, manned by tiny creatures in green and red uniforms. Warm light emanated from star-shaped lamps hanging from the ceiling, casting golden glimmers throughout the room.

"Welcome. I’m Jingle, one of Santa Claus’s elves."

The elf was small, with pointy ears sticking out from beneath his red hat adorned with a tiny jingling bell. His mischievous eyes sparkled, and his smile was overly confident for someone his size. He wore a pristine uniform with gold accents, complemented by a striped scarf.

"Huh? Do you really think you can fool me again!?"

With a swift motion, Shizuka grabbed the little elf by the collar of his outfit and hoisted him up with one hand. Jingle flailed his tiny arms in a futile attempt to break free while the bell on his hat jingled wildly.

"You’re wrong... I’m real." The elf stammered nervously as Shizuka’s expression grew increasingly terrifying.

"I’ve been through this once before, and I won’t hesitate to smash your cute little face!"

The other elves quickly tried to intervene, pleading for Shizuka to release their companion, but there was no chance they could accomplish such a feat.

"We don’t have much time... I don’t think that guy can hold out much longer..."

Hearing this, Shizuka finally let go of the elf, causing his tiny body to hit the floor with an amusing thud.

Krampus didn’t seem to be the one who had dragged them into this living nightmare. Technically, that meant it was Santa who had sent them on a direct path to doom, and there was no way Shizuka would stay in a good mood after realizing that.

"Talk. I’m listening. Or would you prefer I set a record for how many elves I can send flying?"

"Hiiiiiiiii" All the elves scattered, hiding from Shizuka’s fiery wrath.

"Let’s... let’s all stay calm." Jingle stuttered in fear. "Let me explain..."

Quickly and concisely, the little elf explained the situation.

Krampus, Santa Claus’s eternal rival, was a demon of overwhelming power. However, Santa had always managed to defeat Krampus, proving that the man in the red suit was far more than just an old guy with a white beard.

But a few days ago, Krampus had managed to injure Santa. It wasn’t a severe wound, but it would make Santa’s work far more difficult—and dangerous—if Krampus launched a full assault on Christmas Eve.

This situation had all the elves worried. Even though Santa never backed down, no matter the risks, they wanted to find a way to help their leader. That’s when one elf mentioned how, during a trip to a certain country, he’d witnessed a white-haired guy facing two immensely powerful demons and coming out victorious.

After learning this, the elves began monitoring Desmon and determined he might be capable of defeating Krampus. They devised a plan to bring him to the North Pole using Santa’s sack, where they would explain the situation and provide him with an artifact that would guarantee his victory.

But to their shock, when the sack absorbed Desmon, he instinctively counterattack with his demonic energy, disrupting the set destination and sending them straight into Krampus’s territory.

Panic erupted among the elves as Krampus had also taken the sack, making any rescue attempt impossible.

Nevertheless...

True to their expectations, Desmon managed to retrieve the red sack. When he did, the elves conveyed the crucial information to him. Someone needed to stay behind to hold off Krampus while another went to the North Pole to retrieve the artifact. That task fell to Shizuka.

"I see... you should’ve explained yourself from the start." She nodded, finally understanding the situation.

The elves weren’t to blame; it had been an accident that occurred during their attempt to transport both her and Desmon to the North Pole.

"There’s no point. It’s too dangerous to give him that artifact now." A new voice echoed across the room.

"What do you mean?" Jingle asked, turning to face the speaker.

Elves had ranks, and the one who spoke seemed to be a supervisor of sorts.

"He won’t survive it."

A strange screen appeared, displaying Krampus’s territory, where an infinite darkness had been unleashed. It was the same devastating attack that had once wounded Santa himself.

“Did we lose?”

“Is it all over?”

“It’s too late...”

The elves panicked.

That darkness was about to devour the demon hunter, erasing him from existence. And if that object fell into Krampus’s hands, everything would be doomed.

“You clearly don’t know Desmon.” She sighed. “No matter what’s in front of him, he always finds a way to come out on top.”

“How can you be so sure? Could you bear the guilt if Krampus ends up taking millions of lives?” The head elf asked.

“I could.” Shizuka replied without hesitation.

This experience had taught her far too much. Now was not the time to waver or overthink. In the short time since they had left her apartment, she, too, had been forced to come to terms with certain truths. If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have been able to stand beside Desmon.

“I see... If that’s your resolve, then we must also take responsibility for involving you in this.”

The supervisor elf stepped closer to Shizuka and handed her what looked like a Christmas tree ornament, but in gold.

In Shizuka’s mind, she imagined they’d give her an overwhelmingly powerful magical weapon—but it was just an ornament.

“You’ve got to be kidding. What’s Desmon supposed to do with this? Show Krampus the Christmas spirit while decorating a tree?”

“This is one of Santa’s most powerful creations. It holds the ability to grant a miracle, a single wish that can alter the course of events.”

“I take it back—that sounds incredible!” She exclaimed, her excitement evident.

“However... it’s a bit particular. If you’re not specific about your wish, it won’t work. That’s why it’s rarely used.”

“Exactly how…”

“There’s no time! It’s almost midnight!” Another elf interrupted, panicking.

“There’ll only be a one-way trip. We can’t guarantee your return.” The supervisor elf said hastily.

“It doesn’t matter; we’ll figure it out.” She responded with a confident smile.

Months ago, Shizuka would never have imagined herself in such a situation, much less with this kind of attitude. But spending time with that man had infected her with his stupidity.

“We’re counting on you. Good luck.” The elves said as they bowed.

Taking it as its cue, Santa’s bag absorbed her completely, leaving behind only a trail of light that vanished within seconds.

For the third time in a matter of minutes, her vision blurred. When it cleared, she found herself standing in an endless, snowy wasteland. The biting cold stung her skin, and the sky was an oppressive sheet of gray clouds that seemed to crush the horizon. But what truly unsettled her was her surroundings: thousands upon thousands of grotesque demons with glowing eyes, the army of Krampus.

In the distance, something even more horrifying was happening. A massive, writhing darkness pulsed like a living entity, consuming Desmon. Only his outstretched arm remained visible, moments from vanishing completely.

There was no time to strategize or move closer; the situation demanded immediate action. Gripping the golden orb tightly, she took a determined stance. Her knees bent, her arm pulled back, and her fingers gripped the sphere as though it were the most crucial pitch of her life. Each movement mirrored the precision of a professional baseball player.

The air around her seemed to freeze as she focused. The pressure was immense; there was no room for error. Taking a deep breath, she channeled all her strength, twisting her body with flawless technique and hurling the orb with a force that cut through the air like a lightning bolt.

“Go!” She screamed with all her might, watching as the golden orb tore through the sky, leaving a brilliant trail as it soared toward its target.

Yet as the orb closed in, Desmon’s arm was swallowed completely, vanishing into the darkness.

There was no escape—everything was over. Now Krampus had the power to go after Santa and eliminate its nemesis... Even so, she didn’t give up.

“Desmon!!!” She screamed with every ounce of strength she had.

There was no way Desmon would fall without a fight. After everything they had been through, this couldn’t be his end.

Responding to her companion’s passion, the moment the golden orb touched the infinite darkness, an arm surged forth. Most of the skin had been shredded away, leaving bones visible—but even so, he managed to catch the orb.

That didn’t last long, as this time the darkness made sure to absorb him completely.

"I don't know what you were trying to pull, but it's useless! There’s no one who can stop me!" Roared Krampus.

With nothing left to interfere, the only thing remaining was to attack Santa Claus. After all, there were only three seconds left until midnight.

"If I were you, I wouldn’t be so sure about that." Shizuka said with a confident smile, her eyes shining with determination.

Krampus didn’t even bother to pay attention, ordering its demon army to deal with her as if she were insignificant.

However, just as the army began to move, the clock struck midnight—the magical moment when Santa Claus, the spirit of goodwill and joy, prepared to deliver gifts to children across the world. And then, something unexpected happened.

The immense darkness that had swallowed Desmon began to convulse violently, as if a storm were raging within. The shift was so sudden that even Krampus couldn't ignore it.

"Huh?" It murmured, its glowing red eyes widening in surprise. There was no way anything could escape from that technique—or so it thought.

The fluctuations within the dark mass grew more intense, capturing the attention of the entire demon army. The darkness, once an unstoppable force, now quivered and rippled as though struggling to contain something too powerful, something unnatural and entirely beyond its control.

It was as if the very essence of the darkness was being torn apart from within. Its once uniform, oppressive surface now flickered with crimson sparks—signs of an overwhelming energy desperate to break free.

For a moment, the fluctuations stopped, leaving the battlefield in an eerie silence. It seemed like everything was back to normal. But then...

A deafening explosion shook the ground, shattering the darkness completely.

The sound was like the fracturing of reality itself. Pieces of the dark mass scattered into the air like shards of broken glass, glimmering faintly before disappearing into nothingness. The sheer force of the explosion made even the demons recoil in fear.

And amidst the dissipating fragments, a figure emerged.

"Why do I suddenly crave pizza?"

The unknown figure strolled through the mist as if destroying a legendary demon's technique was just another walk in the park.

Clad in a crimson leather trench coat that had clearly seen more battles than peaceful days, the figure exuded effortless style. Underneath, a half-buttoned dark shirt screamed “I couldn’t care less” paired with black, reinforced pants perfect for kicking ass. High combat boots with straps and fingerless gloves completed the badass look, while a massive sword rested casually on its back, ready for action.

What does it take to defeat a legendary demon? The answer is simple: a legendary demon hunter.

And lucky for every demon present, they now had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to face the son of Sparda.

Is there even a need to say his name?

-Who is that? Shizuka wondered, staring at him. Yet, something about the stranger felt oddly familiar—his white hair, in particular.

As their gazes met, the man’s lips curled into a grin. In the blink of an eye, he was already by her side.

“Now that I’m up close, that Santa outfit of yours is quite provocative, Shizuka. Makes me wonder if there’s some red lingerie under all that."

There was only one person who could say something like that at a time like this. But his appearance was nothing like what she remembered.

“Desmon?”

“Hmm, excellent question. Am I that idiot who loves candy? Or am I that middle-aged guy who lives for pizza, breathes debt, and oozes style?”

When Desmon had seized the golden orb, a multitude of thoughts raced through his mind:

-I want to be stronger than Krampus.

-The strength to defeat that demon.

-Stronger, huh?

Yet none of Desmon’s wishes seemed to work, for one simple reason: his desires were not specific enough.

To be stronger than the demon—how strong? Compared to what? And what exactly is "strength"?

No matter what Desmon thought, nothing seemed to click.

Without any other choice, it had to call on a certain white-haired individual who was technically his father. But there was a problem—where exactly was that guy?

Without a clear idea of what it wanted, the golden orb could not be used.

Feeling like an idiot for not knowing how to use the wish and on the brink of suffering a fate worse than death, Desmon ironically thought.

-Why not just become Dante until I get out of here?

At that moment, the orb emitted an intense glow, granting his wish.

Desmon vividly remembered Dante: His fighting style, his arsenal of weapons, even the sensation of his strikes. Combined with the stories Trish had told him, the image of Dante and his personality were clear in Desmon's mind.

In other words, Desmon transformed into the latest version of the legendary demon hunter he remembered, retaining Dante's original personality and demeanor while sharing Desmon's memories.

“So...?”

“Just your friendly, reliable demon hunter.” Dante smirked arrogantly.

Is now really the time to contemplate the philosophy of the self?

Shizuka's mind remained somewhat confused, but as long as everything worked out, there wasn’t a problem—except for one thing.

“By the way…”

“Something wrong?”

“Why the hell have you been staring at my chest since you got here?!” Shizuka covered herself, slightly embarrassed.

“Technically, I’m innocent of anything I do right now. Also, the thought of you wearing lingerie under that Santa suit has been lingering in my mind for a while.”

“As if that’s even possible!”

“I see…” Dante lowered his gaze. “Now I’m in a bad mood, so—damned demons—time to wipe you all out!”

“That’s the worst excuse for motivation I’ve ever heard!”

As if they were in a park, the two chatted casually, completely ignoring Krampus and its horde of demons.

"Vanish!" Krampus’s voice was like a deadly whisper. With a wave of its claws, it unleashed an enormous slash that tore through space itself, heading straight for them.

Dante merely raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways with a mocking grin.

Almost impossibly, the slash meant to obliterate him caused no harm at all. Instead, Krampus was sent hurtling across the ground, slamming into it violently.

“Impressive, huh? I picked that up from a kung fu–training panda.” Dante grinned, subtly adjusting his stance.

Shizuka stared in disbelief. That brief display made it clear the battle was over the moment Dante arrived.

“I think I’m starting to feel sorry for Krampus…” She muttered, shrugging.

“Hold on a minute, Shizuka. I’ll be right back!” Dante gave her a cheerful wave before vanishing, reappearing in the midst of the demon horde.

"Alright, who’s first? It’s Christmas, and I’m feeling generous."

The demons froze, paralyzed with fear. Instinctively, they trembled before the man in the red trench coat. Dante's demonic energy was too overwhelming for mere cannon fodder.

“You bastard...” Krampus stood up, covered in severe wounds from Dante’s counter.

“What’s wrong? Not so scary when facing someone stronger than you? Wanna cry?” Dante teased, his amusement glinting in his eyes.

“Don’t get cocky just because you managed this...!” Before Krampus could finish, Dante was already in front of it. A brutal kick sent it rolling through the snow, its jaw shattering on impact.

“I’m not here to listen to you. If I wanted that, I’d watch an infomercial while using Shizuka’s credit card.”

From a distance, Shizuka frowned, mentally reminding herself to check her credit card statements once they returned home.

“Kill him!” Krampus roared in fury, clutching its face.

The demons obeyed, surging toward Dante. But they were nothing more than cannon fodder. The first wave comprised demonic toys attacking from all directions.

“No offense, but if you were my Christmas gift, I wouldn’t want ugly toys like you.”

Dante pulled out his double-barreled shotgun, firing without hesitation. Each shot obliterated his enemies in mere moments. The pellets tore through multiple demons, transforming the assault into a massacre.

In a single movement, over 300 demons were annihilated.

“So, you’re up next, big guy?”

A line of blood-soaked snowmen stood before him, their towering forms meant to give them an edge.

“Time to heat things up!”

Metallic boots appeared on Dante’s legs, igniting with flames as he began moving frenetically in place.

"Come on, baby!"

The snowmen attacked with icy claws, aiming to kill Dante, but their claws shattered under the force of his kick.

"My turn!"

Dante's body vanished from sight, reappearing high in the air. In an instant, he dove down like a lightning bolt, his foot slamming into the head of one of the icy demons, making it explode on impact.

"They don’t make snowmen like they used to..."

Dante flipped mid-air and drove another kick into the next demon, repeating the motion fluidly, eliminating the snowmen in rapid succession.

"Seriously, they're endless, huh?" Dante eyed the reinforcements. More demons poured in, their numbers surpassing the thousands. "Time for some crowd control. I’m not much for big audiences."

Dante leaped into the sky, drawing his twin pistols. "Oi, Krampus, did your demons bring umbrellas?" With a smirk, he channeled demonic energy into his weapons and fired.

"Bon appétit!"

Without mercy, Dante began spinning mid-air, unleashing a torrential storm of bullets that pierced through the demon horde in an instant. Even stray shots rebounding from the ground turned into death traps, escalating the carnage into a full-scale massacre. Thousands of defenseless demons met their end. Where’s the demon protection agency when you need them?

Dante landed effortlessly with a flip, taking note of the crimson-stained snow.

"What’s wrong? No more playmates for me?" He holstered his guns, stretching casually like he was just getting warmed up.

Krampus, consumed by fury, roared as its body erupted with demonic energy.

"I’LL SHOW YOU TRUE TERROR!" Its form expanded, new arms sprouting from its sides, while its power surged to overwhelming levels.

Dante watched, visibly thrilled.

"Try blocking this!" Krampus bellowed, extending its four arms and preparing a devastating slash that could cleave through the entire realm—a landmass comparable to Earth’s largest continent.

"I like a challenge. Bring it on!"

Just as Krampus unleashed its ultimate technique, Dante moved with incredible speed, positioning himself at the center of the impending strike.

What happened next defied logic, even Shizuka couldn't comprehend what just occurred.

In the brief moment when Krampus prepared to destroy everything, Dante closed the gap, intercepting the attack. With a flash of devastating power, Krampus’ body was obliterated in mid-air.

To be more precise, Dante's technique's energy was fully charged, releasing all of it onto Krampus's body. Executing a flawless counterattack

"I win this bet!"

"I-impossible..."

"I only watched the first movie with that panda… Imagine if I’d seen the sequels." Dante grinned, his voice full of humor.

Krampus' battered and wounded body hit the ground heavily

"By the way, what do you think of this new arm?" Dante teased, waving one of Krampus’ severed limbs mockingly.

The result of their clash was clear: three of Krampus' four arms had been mercilessly ripped off, with Dante holding one like a trophy.

-Easy come, easy go.

"You know what they say: an eye for an eye, an arm for an arm." Dante tightened his grip on the severed arm, crushing it into bloody fragments with immense force.

Krampus couldn’t respond—only gasps of bloody breath and pained growls emerged as its body struggled to regenerate, albeit at a sluggish pace.

"A demon of few words! Well then... My turn!"

With a metallic shimmer, Dante's arms were encased in glowing gauntlets as he closed the distance.

His punches came in a torrent: rapid, precise, and unnaturally powerful. Each strike not only destroyed flesh but vibrated the very air, laced with scorching energy. In mere moments, the gauntlets blazed with a furious fire.

"Smile for the camera."

Dante clenched his fist and punched Krampus square in the face, the force so immense it sent the demon flying. Its towering size proved no match for Dante's raw strength.

Without giving Krampus a moment to recover, Dante teleported in front of it, positioning himself and channeling demonic energy into his gauntlet. The demon was met with a real impact that launched it skyward, where Dante was already waiting, unleashing a savage combo of punches.

“You know what's funny? Just minutes ago, you looked so terrifying and imposing… but I guess I was wrong.”

With a crushing axe kick, Dante sent Krampus hurtling back to the ground, only to intercept it mid-descent with another kick. The demon’s body bounced around like a soccer ball as Dante laughed with a nearly childlike glee.

"How about we wrap this up? I’ve got some fried chicken waiting for me back home."

The gauntlets vanished, and Dante reached for the sword on his back, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

“This isn’t over…!”

“I think it is!”

With Rebellion in hand, Dante propelled himself toward Krampus, launching into a series of rapid, precise slashes. His skill and flair with the sword were on full display.

“One… two… three!”

Like a dance macabre, Dante ended his assault by sending Krampus flying, swinging his sword like a baseball bat.

“ENOUGH… I WILL DESTROY YOU ALONG WITH EVERYTHING! NO MATTER WHAT, YOU WILL DIE!” Krampus roared, halting mid-air and unleashing all its fury.

Furious beyond measure, Krampus channeled its demonic energy into a single, enormous sphere, raising it high with its remaining arm. The sheer power of the attack threatened to obliterate everything in its path.

But Dante’s confident smirk didn’t falter. His relaxed demeanor spoke volumes.

"Playtime's over. This is where we say goodbye!"

Adjusting his stance, Dante focused all his demonic energy into Rebellion.

The clash was inevitable. Who would emerge victorious?

The answer was absolute.

“DIE AND VANISH! OBLIVION!”

With an earth-shaking roar, Krampus hurled the massive energy sphere. Dante didn’t budge, his sword glowing brighter as it brimmed with demonic power.

“Hope you enjoy this!”

In one swift motion, Dante unleashed three devastating energy slashes. The cuts tore through the sphere, obliterating it before continuing their path toward Krampus.

The demon had no chance. The slashes struck true, ripping Krampus apart and scattering its remains across the battlefield.

Dante strolled toward the demon's shattered head, still wearing an eternal expression of hatred.

“This… isn’t my end… I will return… and when I do… nothing will save you from my wrath…”

“Not my problem.” Dante replied nonchalantly. “Besides, I’m sure Desmon will beat you to a pulp by then.”

With a playful smirk, Dante drew his pistols and aimed at Krampus’s head.

“Jackpot!”

The gunshot echoed, silencing everything.

The legendary demon Krampus had fallen, defeated by Dante’s overwhelming strength and skill.

“A job well done.” Twirling his pistols, Dante holstered them as calm settled over the battlefield.

But the moment of peace was short-lived. A massive earthquake shook the area.

With the creator of this realm dead, its source of energy was gone, and the place began to collapse.

“Time to go!”

The ground beneath them started rising toward the sky, as though gravity had flipped.

“Ready, Shizuka? Let’s move!”

Before Shizuka could react, Dante swept her into his arms.

“What...?!”

“Oh, come on. We’ve done this plenty of times. Don’t tell me you’re still surprised.”

Not waiting for a reply, Dante leapt across the floating debris heading skyward. Somewhere amidst the crumbling heavens, a strange white light marked the exit.

With a mighty jump, Dante shot toward the light, breaking through its barrier with a powerful kick.

In an instant, a blinding glow enveloped everything around them. Moments later, a familiar sight greeted them both—they had successfully returned to Shizuka’s apartment.

"I think we made it just in time." He said with an arrogant smile.

"Desmon?!"

When her vision returned, she realized the one carrying her was the same guy who had been living with her for a few months—even his severed arm had come back.

"The one and only. Who else were you expecting?" He said with a grin.

Once the wish had been fulfilled, Desmon was restored to his former self. His wounds and clothes had returned to normal.

"By the way, how much longer do you plan on holding me?" Shizuka could feel Desmon’s hands in… certain areas.

"It feels soft and cozy. Can't we stay like this a little longer?"

"If you don't put me down this instant, you'll go without dinner!"

"Tch, so grumpy…" With no other choice, Desmon set Shizuka down.

The clock in the apartment struck midnight and one minute—exactly the minute Dante had promised to finish off Krampus

"So, shall we eat? I'm starving…"

Everything ended just as it began.

"Looks like you haven't changed." She sighed in amusement. "Hold on, there's something I want to give you."

Now that it was Christmas, Shizuka went to her room, opened a drawer, and took out a small gift box before returning to the living room.

"Merry Christmas, Desmon!" Shizuka extended the small box toward him.

Desmon was surprised by the gesture, hesitating for a moment before accepting it.

"Can I open it?"

"Ho ho ho, what's the matter? You look like an impatient little kid." she teased, grinning.

"Not at all…"

How many years had it been since Desmon last received a present?

With some hesitation—and a hint of excitement—he opened the box, revealing a pair of black, fingerless leather gloves.

"I wasn't expecting this."

Desmon slipped on the gloves immediately, and they fit perfectly.

"I always see you using Alastor, so I thought it'd be better if you had gloves for it." Shizuka said, scratching the back of her neck, a bit embarrassed.

"I'll make sure to take good care of them. For some reason, I do have a tendency to end up half-naked… Maybe someday I'll get clothes that can regenerate."

"Now that's just being ridiculous. Are you stupid?"

"Haha, maybe a little…"

As Desmon laughed, he spotted another gift box under the Christmas tree, accompanied by a small note.

"Looks like someone else left me a gift."

In good spirits, he approached the tree and read the note.

-Sorry for the trouble. Consider this a token of my gratitude for your help. I’m sure you’ll like it since it’s something you’ve been asking for. Sincerely, Santa Claus.

Desmon had saved Christmas, so it only made sense for Santa to leave a great gift. When he opened the box, a mischievous smile crossed his face.

"Hey, Shizuka, this one’s for you."

"For me?" She walked over, curious. After all, it had been Desmon who did all the work.

-Santa left me something… Could it be some amazing weapon?

But when she looked inside the box, she found a set of red lingerie with festive Christmas details.

"Who knew Santa Claus was so thoughtful? If he asks nicely, I might handle the demons for him again next year. So, Shizuka, what do you think? Want to try it on?"

Yeah, right! Like hell I would!'' She threw the box to the floor.

"Don't be so intense…"

"You were the one who asked for this...?" She said, her expression darkening.

"Maybe…" He averted his gaze.

"I'm finishing what Krampus started." She muttered, clenching her fists.

"Shizuka… why does it feel like you’re trying to kill me?"

And so, the two enjoyed a cheerful Christmas, though Desmon spent a week punished—no sweets allowed.

Chapter Text

Kyoto is home to countless tourist attractions, but at night, only a few spots truly shine under the moonlight. One of these rare gems is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

At night, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove transforms into an almost magical place, starkly different from its daytime charm. The dark stalks rise like towering shadows under the moonlight, while the wind whispers through the leaves, creating an almost hypnotic melody. The darkness gives the forest an air of mystery, as if it holds ancient secrets, and the stars filtering through the bamboo tops add a dreamlike touch to the scene. Strategically placed lanterns enhance the enchanting atmosphere, making it a mesmerizing sight.

It’s the perfect setting for a confession—a deeply significant moment where someone bares their feelings to another.

This logic guided the Service Club members in choosing this spot for a boy’s confession to his classmate.

The plan was set the day before their trip to Kyoto, when the Service Club, composed of Yukinoshita Yukino, Hikigaya Hachiman, and Yuigahama Yui, agreed to help ensure the confession went smoothly.

They brainstormed ideas to increase the boy’s chances. But things took a twist when the girl, supposedly the lucky recipient, visited the Service Club the next day and, indirectly, expressed a desire to keep things the way they were.

Hikigaya, after spending three days in Kyoto and having private conversations with Hayama Hayato and Miura Yumiko, realized what he had to do.

The boy wants to confess and find out the girl’s response, while the girl doesn’t want the dynamics within the group to change.

At first glance, it seemed like an impossible dilemma—there was no way to satisfy both sides. But Hikigaya devised a solution where no one would end up hurt.

As a self-proclaimed "King of Loners." it was unthinkable for him to choose an option that would benefit everyone—someone would inevitably lose.

When the time came, the Service Club, the boy, and his friends gathered in the bamboo grove, preparing for the big moment.

Everything unfolded as expected: Tobe Kakeru stood before Ebina Hina, fumbling to find the right words to declare his feelings.

Despite his determination, all he managed to utter were incoherent stammers.

"Uh, uh… see, um…"

This was Hikigaya’s cue to step in and take control of the situation.

He began to walk toward them, ready to confess himself. Ebina would reject him, stating she wasn’t interested in dating anyone, allowing Tobe to get his answer while preserving the group dynamic.

This plan would create countless problems for Hikigaya and change many things with his companions...

Or at least, that’s what would have happened if an unexpected voice hadn’t interrupted, stealing everyone’s attention.

"What’s going on here? Is this a party or something? If I know the guy in the back, that technically makes me invited, right?"

The voice belonged to a boy approaching them. He wore a coat with shards of glass, along with tattered pants that still served their purpose. If someone said he’d just survived a dogfight, it would have been believable.

His skin bore dried bloodstains; his injuries had already healed, and overall, he looked less like a vagabond and more like something far worse—comparing him to a vagrant would be an insult to them.

This scrappy figure, who could terrify anyone in a dark alley, was none other than Desmon, the young demon hunter.

But what was he doing here? Wasn’t he arrested and taken to the police station?

That’s correct. Desmon had been detained, handcuffed by the police, placed in their vehicle, and taken to the station for questioning before being arrested as a suspected perpetrator of the explosion.

A dire, inescapable predicament?

Perhaps for someone normal. But not for Desmon. This wasn’t his first time being hauled into a police station for interrogation.

Months earlier, on his way to his first job, Desmon had found himself entangled in an incident in Manhattan, New York, and was treated as the culprit, leading to an interrogation by the Special Victims Unit.

But that’s a story for another time…

Since Desmon already had experience dealing with the police, he preferred to avoid causing a scene or showing off how many bullets he could dodge while breakdancing, as he had in the past.

So, while still in the patrol car, Desmon decided to perform a magic trick.

"Want to see something cool? Now you see me... and now you don't!" He quipped before leaping out the car window.

Desmon tumbled across the road a few times before getting to his feet, effortlessly breaking the handcuffs. With a snap of his fingers, his trusty motorcycle, Kurox, appeared, and he sped off. The police lost track of him, still trying to process what had just happened.

Still, they had their orders to capture the suspect of the accident. However, a call from their superior soon clarified things—the boy they’d detained was innocent.

Mr. Nakano, wielding considerable influence, stepped in immediately when Nino casually mentioned that she had told the police Desmon was to blame for everything.

Isn’t Nino such a lovely person? Desmon couldn't help but wonder why he didn’t hit her pretty face harder when Kiyohime had possessed her.

In no hurry, he took his time, using the journey as an opportunity for a nap.

Over an hour passed as he slept soundly, while Kurox’s auto-pilot feature guided him all the way to Kyoto. When he woke up, yawning like a child who’d just napped after a day of play, Desmon noticed the bamboo forest—a well-known attraction in the city.

Since it wasn’t too late and knowing he’d be too lazy to return another time, he stopped at the entrance of the bamboo forest and decided to explore it.

-Why not visit a free spot? He thought as he wandered through the serene paths.

Desmon’s stroll should have been brief, allowing him to continue his journey. But along the way, he came across other students from Sobu High, recognizing a few of them.

With nothing better to do and completely ignoring the atmosphere, Desmon nonchalantly approached Tobe and Ebina.

"Hey, bro, I don’t think this is the best time to interrupt..." Tobe said awkwardly.

Hearing this, Desmon glanced around, noticing that the two seemed to be alone, while others watched from a distance, as if this were some sort of significant event.

After thinking about it for a few moments, Desmon understood the situation.

"I wouldn’t recommend it." He said, shaking his head. "Girls just want to make you work hard and take all your money. They’ll never be satisfied and will always push you to earn more, even if it means coming back covered in blood..."

He spoke from experience with Lady. She only ever called him to settle her debts or give him frustrating jobs.

"Uh..." Tobe didn’t know how to respond to Desmon’s nonsense.

"I’m serious. Your life will become miserable, and you’ll lose all your freedom. You’re still young—go out, have fun with your money, eat delicious food, and flirt with as many girls as you want."

The best advice for someone young, right?

"But be careful who you get involved with." Desmon continued. "Just met a guy a few hours ago who won the hearts of five sisters.—yeah, five! But four of them had a screw loose. They didn’t even hesitate to try sending him to the afterlife. So make sure the girls close to you aren’t crazy, or at least get to know them well before doing something stupid."

Nodding to himself, he reflected on his past. Sure, cute girls are appealing, but some turn out to be lunatics who get possessed by demons and try to kill you. And even after you save them, they might still throw you to the cops.

"Anyway..." Desmon placed his hands firmly on Tobe’s shoulders. "I recommend you make the most of your youth. Spend time with your friends and have fun. There are plenty of girls out there, but the moments you share with your friends will be far fewer."

From another angle, it looked like he was spouting nonsense, especially considering how oddly Desmon was dressed.

There’s an old saying: A fool who listens to a fool is also a fool.

Thankfully for the lucky girl about to receive a confession, the boy in question was also a fool.

"When you put it that way... I think you’re right!" Tobe exclaimed, his mood lifted.

So far, Tobe had received kind and encouraging words from his friends about confessing his feelings, so Desmon's opinion was well received. Moreover, since this was his first time falling in love, he hadn’t really thought about what would happen afterward—typical of a teenager.

"Of course I’m right. For now, just focus on having fun and spending money on yourself.” Desmon said, giving Tobe a hearty slap on the back as if to cheer him on.

“Hahaha, I will! I think I rushed into this.” Tobe responded, a laugh on his face.

Since Tobe had never been in a relationship, everything that might happen if Ebina accepted his confession would be new to him. Hearing those words from Desmon—a lively guy who seemed to get along with everyone—instantly gave him confidence. Even though they’d only crossed paths a few times and never really interacted, Tobe decided to trust him as if they’d been lifelong friends.

"It’s good you realized that. I won’t keep you any longer—carry on!"

Desmon walked off toward the Service Club members, who, for some strange reason, gave him complicated looks. Or to put it simply, they stared at him as if silently telling him he was an idiot.

Meanwhile, Tobe nodded as he saw Desmon off.

-How is he such a nice guy? Why didn’t I become friends with him sooner?

“Tobechi, is something wrong?”

Ebina had already noticed the change in Tobe’s demeanor, feeling more at ease now that the situation was resolved, albeit in a very unusual way...

“I just wanted to ask if you’ve been having fun these past few days. Hahaha.” Tobe said, his usual goofy tone back, something Ebina found endearing.

“Yes, I’ve had a lot of fun.” Ebina replied with a smile.

She wasn’t looking for a relationship with anyone—she just wanted her friend group to stay the same.

“Hahaha, that’s good to hear… I won’t keep you any longer. Though it’s getting late, and I can’t let such a cute girl walk home alone at this hour.” Tobe said, pointing to himself with a confident grin.

To anyone else, it might have sounded like flirting, but Ebina knew better. This was just Tobe being considerate toward a friend.

“Oh, Tobechi, you’re so thoughtful. I’ll gladly accept your offer.” She said.

“Hey, guys, are you coming, or are you just gonna keep standing there staring?” Tobe called to his group of friends. “When we get back, I wanna play poker! I’m feeling lucky tonight, hahaha.”

Tobe’s friends were surprised for a moment but quickly joined in.

“Just don’t start whining when we clean you out!”

“My gut says you’re all going down!”

“Wanna bet your future lunches on it?” One of them joked, wrapping an arm around Tobe’s neck in a friendly gesture.

“Don’t flirt in front of me, guys… it only makes me…!” Ebina added, her breathing turning exaggeratedly dramatic.

“Ebina-san, maybe you should calm down a little…” Hayato said, handing her a handkerchief.

And so, the group walked off in high spirits, eventually disappearing from the Service Club’s line of sight.

“Something on your minds? You all seem a bit... distracted?” Desmon said.

Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, and Hikigaya were still processing everything that had happened.

“Desmon-san… what exactly did you just do?” Yuigahama asked.

“I just spoke the truth. You’d be surprised how many girls don’t handle rejection well, turning into grotesque creatures as they try to take revenge on the guys who turned them down. It’s convenient for me, though, since it becomes my job to deal with it.” Desmon replied with a shrug.

“Desmon-kun… We’ve been carefully thinking of ways to help Tobe-kun with his confession. We spent time planning all this, and you just walk in, say whatever comes to mind, and somehow resolve everything…” Yukinoshita remarked.

“You’re welcome. I’m a professional problem-solver. Normally, I charge for this kind of thing… Tch, had I known, I would’ve set a fee.” Desmon sighed, regretful.

-What’s going on in this guy’s head?

For once, the members of the Service Club all shared the same thought.

“If the problem’s resolved, does it really matter how it happened?” Yuigahama asked.

“I’d like to disagree with that, but... you have a point,” Yukinoshita admitted, letting out a sigh. “By the way, Hikigaya-kun, before Tobe-kun confessed, you started walking toward them. Were you planning to…?”

Her words also caught Yuigahama’s attention. If Desmon hadn’t intervened, what exactly would Hikigaya have done? Yukinoshita could guess—and she didn’t like the thought.

“Well, I…” Having been caught, Hikigaya hesitated for a moment.

In his mind, his plan and reasoning were flawless, so he had no reason to waver. Yet Yukinoshita’s piercing gaze made him falter.

“And why does that matter?”

Before he could answer, the half-naked guy spoke first.

“Desmon-kun, could you be quiet?” Yukinoshita shot a cold glare at Desmon.

Something a normal person would interpret as “don’t interfere,” but Desmon, used to far more dangerous situations, simply ignored it.

“Do I really have to say it?” Hikigaya stopped hesitating and answered.

"I want to know what you were going to do. You know I don’t approve of certain ways of doing things." She focused on Hikigaya.

“That has nothing to do with you.'' He replied, meeting her gaze.

“Hikki, Yukinon…” Yui could only whisper, not knowing what to do. A bigger problem had been avoided by not letting Hikigaya sacrifice himself for others, but the willingness to do so was still there—something Yukinoshita wouldn’t overlook.

“Hey, Yoshi, since when has Yobiko been dating Nineman?”

Desmon asked Yui casually, watching as the two seemed to start an intense couple-like argument.

“They’re not dating…” She started to reply but quickly cut herself off. “Wait, who are Yoshi, Yobiko, and Nineman!?”

Yuigahama’s words created an awkward silence. Even Yukinoshita and Hikigaya turned their attention to him with a deep sigh.

“Yobiko, Nineman, and Yoshi—it’s obvious.” Desmon pointed at the three as if his words were the most normal thing in the world.

“Why am I Yoshi?! How does Yoshi even resemble my name? I’m Yui! Yui!” Yoshi started to protest like a little girl.

“They both start with Y. Are you dumb or something?”

“That makes no sense... Yukinon, I think I’m going to cry...” Yui, unable to deal with Desmon, turned to her friend for help.

“Desmon-kun, could you stop renaming people? Also, who is Yobiko?” Yukinoshita asked sinisterly, her gaze sharp on Desmon, though she glanced briefly at Hikigaya—something he didn’t miss.

“Yukinoshita, why are you laughing...?”

“What do you mean, Nineman-kun?” She replied with an innocent expression.

“I see... Yobiko...”

“Did you say something, Nineman-kun?” She added a menacing tone to her words.

“I didn’t say anything...”

The tense situation eased with a few simple words.

“Hikigaya-kun, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt this time.” She used her hand to toss back her long black hair.

“I’ll keep that in mind...” Hikigaya shrugged as he replied.

Thanks to Desmon’s interruption and nonsensical remarks, they both had time to clear their minds and realize that arguing over a non-existent problem made no sense.

“Desmon-san, did you plan this?” Yuigahama asked softly.

“Plan what?”

“To stop them from fighting.”

“?” Desmon’s expression said it all. He simply said what came to mind. “You’re weird, Yoni.”

“Who are you calling weird? Aren’t you the last person who should say that? And why am I Yoni now!?”

“Yuigahama-san, trying to get a coherent answer from him is pointless. You’d just be wasting your energy.” Yukinoshita sighed. “By the way, Desmon-kun, why are you half-naked?”

Yuigahama, distracted until then, quickly noticed and stepped back.

“Now that you mention it, he’s only wearing an open coat and ripped pants...”

“Is it some kind of fetish?” Hikigaya added.

“Like I said, I was dealing with four sisters who went crazy, so I ended up like this after helping them. Of course, the police arrested me, but I escaped the patrol car by jumping out the window.” Desmon’s calm tone didn’t match the absurdity of his words.

“So, in short, you harassed four girls, got arrested, and managed to escape. Got it… I just need to call the police, and everything will be fine...” Yukinoshita pulled out her phone.

“Are you really dating her? Good luck, man...” Desmon pitied Hikigaya.

“We’re not dating!” They both shouted simultaneously.

“Even answering at the same time—you two are so in sync.” He nodded.

“That has nothing to do with this! Why would I date this dead-fish-eyed guy?”

“I have no reason to be this stubborn girl’s boyfriend.”

Both denied simultaneously again, neither willing to yield to the other.

"Shizuka always says that people who argue a lot secretly like each other. What do you think, Yumi?"

Yuigahama, lost in thought, was startled by Desmon's words, stumbling over her response.

"Eh... well... I guess... I don’t know..."

Asking Yuigahama to give her opinion on something like this is too much. She’s still grappling with her own emotions and can’t really offer an answer.

"As you can see, even Yui agrees with me." Desmon said, taking Yuigahama's stammering as confirmation.

"Like I told you, my name isn’t—oh! You actually got it right this time!"

The fact that Desmon pronounced her name correctly for once overshadowed everything else.

Talking to Desmon was practically impossible. His conversation topics shifted so quickly that it was hard to keep up. Yukinoshita and Hikigaya could only sigh, realizing it was pointless to continue talking to someone who seemed to have a flair for exhibitionism.

"Desmon-kun, if you’ve got nothing better to do, we should head back to the hotel and meet up with the others," Yukinoshita suggested.

The Service Club was in the area to support Tobe, but that boy had already left with his friends several minutes ago.

"Good idea. I also need Shizuka to get me a new uniform."

It was already the second uniform Desmon had ruined. Not to mention, his coat had also been torn to shreds and would have to wait until they returned to Chiba to be repaired by a tailor.

"What happened to your last uniform?" Yuigahama asked, grinning widely. It wasn’t every day that the guy who usually forgot her name actually remembered it.

"A cow and a horse shredded it. It was a tie since they both retreated..."

A giant question mark seemed to hang over the heads of the Service Club members. They might think it was some kind of joke, but Desmon’s expression suggested he was being entirely serious.

"I’d rather not ask for details... This feels like a never-ending loop." Yukinoshita muttered, a headache already forming.

"I feel the same..."

Hikigaya, no stranger to dealing with eccentric types like his friend Zaimokuza, found himself thinking that Desmon was in a league of his own.

"It’s late, and I’m hungry. Let’s go back." Desmon began heading toward the exit of the bamboo forest, with Yuigahama quickly following.

"Desmon-san, tell me more about that cow and horse!"

"It’s a pretty long story. It all started the day God created the universe..."

Before Yukinoshita and Hikigaya realized it, Desmon and Yui had already walked ahead, with Yui pouting as Desmon launched into his own bizarre version of the origins of cows and horses.

Yui’s cheerful and carefree attitude blended well with Desmon’s laid-back and slightly goofy demeanor.

"Should we follow them?"

"We don’t have much of a choice, do we?"

The more rational pair started walking as well. Unlike Yuigahama and Desmon’s nonsensical chatter, Yukinoshita and Hikigaya’s conversation took a more serious and intellectual turn. For instance, they debated which version of Pan-san the panda was better: Kyoto's or Chiba's. You know, the really important topics for Yukinoshita.

Once they returned to the hotel, the staff stopped Desmon and refused to let him enter until Shizuka stepped in, scolding him.

And so, Desmon’s journey in Kyoto came to an end.

Though his adventures hunting demons and meeting new people across Japan were only just beginning.

Chapter Text

After the trip to Kyoto, Desmon hoped to relax and unwind, as that journey had been more troublesome than enjoyable. From being humiliated in a fight against two demons to getting arrested by the police, it was anything but a relaxing getaway.

For this reason, when Desmon found out he had to attend school the very next day, he didn't know how to react.

"Today we got back from a three-day trip, and tomorrow we have school?"

"Exactly." Shizuka nodded.

"This school is a..."

Desmon ended up with duct tape over his mouth.

The next morning, during breakfast, Desmon continued complaining.

"I’ve been through a lot, you know. With all the blood I lost, I could’ve filled a river. I deserve a little kindness." He said as he popped a piece of fish into his mouth.

"Is that 'kindness' staying at home doing nothing?"

"Exactly. After all, I didn’t even get paid for all my effort. It’s disheartening…"

Desmon had vanquished the demon that was devouring children and rescued the quintuplets, successfully achieving his goals. Yet, he wasn’t rewarded for his efforts.

"And what happened to that money?"

"A voracious, horrible creature has it."

The world can indeed be cruel. While the young demon hunter is broke and deeply in debt to said creature—who never hesitates to work him to the bone—on the other side of the world, the creature is enjoying a beach trip with a friend, funded by the money Desmon earned. To make matters worse, the men on the beach can't take their eyes off the two beauties, causing trouble with their wives.

Doesn't Desmon deserve a day at the beach, surrounded by gorgeous women? Perhaps later—if he survives the daily life of a japanese student.

"What do you do with all the money I give you? Do you spend it on sweets?" Shizuka raised an eyebrow.

"What’s wrong with eating sweets?"

"It’s bad for your health."

As a school counselor, Shizuka knows the effects of excessive sugar consumption on the human body. Sometimes, she even has to give lectures about not overindulging in sweet treats. She isn’t just a ramen and shonen manga addict, right?

"If sugar could kill me, I’d be dead by now. Plus, I’m in great shape. Want to see?" He winked at her.

"Yes, yes, I know you’re in shape." She replied without bothering to pay him much attention.

Is there any reason to call Desmon an exhibitionist? There is. At home, he mostly wears just shorts, so Shizuka is used to seeing him half-naked.

There was also that time Shizuka came home from work and found Desmon striking poses in front of the TV while watching an anime about muscular men… though she eventually joined him in doing the poses.

"So there’s nothing wrong with eating sweets. I just wish they weren’t so expensive." he said, resuming his meal to prove his point.

"Sometimes I forget that normal rules don’t apply to you…"

"That’s natural; after all, you’re already old..."

In that instant, Desmon felt a chill run down his spine, as if his past battles against demons paled in comparison to the danger he now sensed.

"Well then, since I’m old, I suppose I might forget to give you your lunch money today." Shizuka said with a noticeable vein on her forehead, her smile hiding her frustration.

And so, Desmon had to go to school without lunch money.

…

"Today, we’re going to review some important concepts we’ve already covered and hand back last week’s essays. Please open your books to page…"

At Sobu High, in Class 2-F—a section designated for students from abroad or those planning to earn scholarships to study overseas—Shizuka was teaching modern Japanese.

Fulfilling her role as a teacher, Shizuka delivered her lessons in an organized and efficient manner.

Being the case that 99% of the students in the classroom are paying close attention to their teacher.

But what about the other 1%?

Among all her students, there is just one who found it more interesting to fall asleep in class.

At first, Shizuka thought Desmon was doing it as revenge for leaving him without lunch money. However, as the minutes passed, she dismissed that idea. Desmon wouldn’t stoop to something as childish as that kind of payback. He simply… fell asleep.

-That guy…

Shizuka stopped writing on the chalkboard and turned around. Locking onto her target, she didn’t hesitate to fling the chalk toward Desmon, who was comfortably in Morpheus’s arms.

The chalk soared with perfect accuracy—after all, Shizuka didn’t hold back in the slightest.

Unfortunately for her, Shizuka had forgotten the words Desmon had once told her.

“Unless I want it to, you won’t be able to hit me.”

Just as the chalk was about to collide with him, Desmon raised his hand and intercepted the projectile between his fingers.

The young demon hunter didn’t even bother to open his eyes; in fact, he remained fast asleep, as if his body had reacted purely on instinct.

But as the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense.

Before the chalk could lose its kinetic energy, Desmon spun it between his fingers and sent it flying back at Shizuka. The entire exchange happened in less than two seconds.

And like a cruel act of betrayal, the chalk she had launched to wake Desmon ended up smacking her square in the forehead.

“Kya!”

-…Kya?

All the students who witnessed the exchange had the same thought: it was shocking to see their usually composed teacher make such an adorable sound.

Meanwhile, Shizuka felt a momentary sting on her forehead but quickly regained her composure. She turned back to the chalkboard and continued her lesson as if nothing had happened.

“As I was saying, turn to page…”

She couldn’t bring herself to make eye contact with her students after such a humiliating moment. Her face was as red as a tomato.

-Desmon… I swear you’ll regret this. I won’t forgive you!

Shizuka cursed Desmon in her mind, knowing that punishing him in the traditional way would be pointless.

Kicking him out of the classroom would only grant him freedom to wander the school grounds, likely causing more mischief.

Thus, she decided that pretending her most troublesome student didn’t exist was the best course of action.

And so, Shizuka resumed her class as if the guy who was sleeping soundly didn’t exist.

…

“Don’t forget to complete the questionnaire in your books. That’s all.”

As the lunch bell rang, Shizuka wrapped up her lesson.

-Now, it’s time for a little… chat with him. She began mentally preparing the scolding she would deliver.

Shizuka was ready to drag Desmon to the faculty office for a long, stern lecture. But when she approached Desmon’s desk, she found it nearly empty, save for a single piece of paper.

“Huh?” She picked up the paper, realizing it was written in English.

“Told you, you couldn’t hit me, lol. Also, you know I don’t understand any Japanese writing, so I had nothing better to do than take a little nap. By the way, you’re so stingy—that’s why you don’t have a boyfriend. xD.”

“That little brat!” She shredded the paper in a fit of rage.

-Think you can get away from me, huh? Idiot! We live together! She fumed, clenching her fists.

It seemed someone would be going without dinner—and dessert—for several days.

“Is something wrong, Hiratsuka-sensei?”

“Don’t worry about it, Yukinoshita. I’m just… planning the execution of a fool.” She cracked her knuckles.

Shizuka casually responded to Yukinoshita's words, who already had her bento in hand.

“Now that I think about it, when did Desmon-kun leave the classroom?”

Yukinoshita’s desk was next to Desmon’s, so it was strange that she hadn’t noticed his departure. The only quick exit was through the window, but since they were on the second floor, that seemed implausible, rigth?

“Huh…?” The question caught Shizuka off guard, leaving her unsure how to respond. “Are you going to have lunch with Yuigahama? You shouldn’t keep her waiting.” With no better option, she changed the subject.

Desmon’s presence in Chiba was to deal with suspected demons targeting Sobu High, but such a story would be hard to believe, especially for someone as pragmatic as Yukinoshita.

“Desmon is a demon who hunts other demons, and I hired him to get rid of demons who tried to kill me. Oh, and my car got crushed by a giant dog, hahaha!”

Saying those words would definitely make Shizuka seem like a woman with a screw loose, so she’d rather avoid anyone finding out. After all, Desmon would be gone as soon as he finished his work.

“You’re right, it would be rude to keep Yuigahama-san waiting.”

Paying little attention to Desmon, Yukinoshita dismissed the thought and left the classroom to meet her friend.

Shizuka let out a relieved sigh, spared from having to explain anything that might make her look foolish.

-There’s no point in stressing out anymore today. Desmon will come back to me, whether he likes it or not.

With nothing else to do, and still unable to find the guy she needed to scold, Shizuka also left the classroom to head to the cafeteria for lunch.

What is a coincidence?

It can be defined as a situation where two or more events happen at the same time, appearing to be connected in some way.

And that’s exactly what’s about to happen.

-I wonder what’s on the menu today…

Shizuka was thinking about her lunch as she turned a corner, while a white-haired guy aimlessly wandered the hallway, also rounding a corner.

-How can I get some money…

Caught in their thoughts, the two had a minor collision.

“Sorry.”

“No problem.”

Neither paid much attention to the incident as they continued on their respective paths…

Until Desmon only managed three more steps before a shadow loomed over him.

-Why do I feel like death is breathing down my neck…

Before he could turn around, Desmon felt something gripping his shoulder firmly.

“Enjoying your little stroll, D-E-S-M-O-N?”

Shizuka, quick to recognize him, turned sharply, closing the gap between herself and the demon hunter in the blink of an eye.

“Well… you know… walking helps me focus better in class…”

“Oh, I see. It’s nice to know you’re making such an effort to concentrate and learn more.”

“I’m a dedicated student…” Desmon didn’t even glance at his teacher, knowing full well that looking back would only make things worse.

“You know, I found a very interesting note on your desk.”

Desmon swallowed hard.

“Maybe someone left it there…”

“And, interestingly enough, it was written in english.”

“Coincidences of life?”

“Are those your final words?” Shizuka clenched her free hand into a fist.

“My final words are…” Desmon took a deep breath. “Your underwear ... is very erotic.”

Shizuka’s expression softened into a calm and friendly smile upon hearing that.

“DIE!”

With a confident smirk, Desmon seized the chance, crouching low and slipping out of her grasp before rolling across the floor as if Shizuka were the Ashen Lord himself.

“This will forever be remembered as the day you almost caught your trusty, friendly demon hunter, Desmon! See you around!”

Now free and at a safe distance, Desmon turned and bolted down the hallway.

“Get back here, you little brat! I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget!”

Wasting no time, Shizuka sprinted after him, her humiliation in the classroom giving her all the motivation she needed to push herself to the limit.

Students walking the halls stood stunned as they watched a teacher chasing a student as if her life depended on it.

Despite appearances, Shizuka was quite athletic and wasn’t far behind Desmon, maneuvering skillfully as she turned corners.

It was an amusing sight, but the chase wouldn’t last much longer—the hallway ended in a solid wall.

“This is it! Give it up already!”

“I refuse!”

For the average student, being trapped by a wall would’ve marked the end, but for Desmon, it was just another route of escape.

Without breaking stride, Desmon leaped at the wall, using it as leverage to flip through the air and land behind Shizuka.

-Tch, I forgot this guy isn’t normal…

“Catch you later, Shizuka!”

With a playful wink, Desmon taunted her before dashing off, vanishing from sight in an instant.

“Now I feel like an idiot…” Shizuka sighed in frustration.

A part of her had always known catching Desmon was impossible, but for a fleeting moment, it had seemed within reach.

“I’ll deal with him tonight…”

Regaining her composure, Shizuka decided to put Desmon out of her mind and headed for the cafeteria. After that wild chase, her appetite had certainly been stirred.

...

“If I had let her scold me, would Shizuka have given me some money?”

It wasn’t out of necessity—Desmon just wanted something sweet. But without money, that wasn’t easy to achieve.

Of course, he could easily break a vending machine and take the snacks, but even as a demon, he still had principles.

“Yahallo, Desmon-san! What’re you up to?”

“Oh, Yuni! It’s been weeks since I last saw you—you’ve grown!”

“At least you’re getting closer…” As long as they didn’t completely distort her name, Yuigahama would let it slide. “We just saw each other less than two days ago. I doubt I’ve grown that much since then.” She said with a lighthearted tone.

“Is that so?”

Desmon’s gaze briefly drifted to a specific part of Yuigahama’s uniform.

“Why do I feel like you’re mocking me?”

“I have no idea.”

“You’re weird.”

“I know.”

With that brief exchange, the atmosphere fell silent.

“So… are you planning to buy something?”

Since Desmon was standing beside the vending machine, it was the first thing that came to Yuigahama’s mind.

“I’m broke, thanks to Shizuka’s stinginess.”

“You must’ve done something for Hiratsuka-sensei to refuse to give you money.”

“No clue what it could’ve been...” Desmon thought for a moment but came up empty-handed.

“It's rare for Hiratsuka-sensei to punish you for no reason.''

To others, the relationship between Desmon and Shizuka was akin to that of an aunt and her mischievous nephew, so their familiarity wasn’t unusual.

“Shizuka’s weird. Anyway, changing the subject, do you think you could lend me some cash? I’ll pay you back later.”

Desmon’s only consistent talent was borrowing money he’d never repay.

“No!” Yuigahama firmly crossed her fingers.

“Why not?”

Knowing Yuigahama’s personality, Desmon had expected the sweet girl to lend him money—probably forgetting the debt later herself.

“Hiratsuka-sensei specifically told me not to lend you money... She only told me, though, not Yukinon or Hikki…”

Always cautious, Shizuka had warned Yuigahama against lending money to the guy notorious for piling up debts. As for the other two, there was no chance they’d part with their cash, no matter how much Desmon begged.

“Tch.” Desmon muttered a curse toward Shizuka under his breath. His last hope of borrowing from Yuigahama seemed dashed—unless he could think of another option.

“Zuni, do you know what I do for work?”

“Hmm, you’ve never said exactly what you do.” She didn’t even bother correcting the random name he used this time.

Desmon had mentioned at the Service Club that he had odd jobs keeping him busy now and then, but he’d never clarified what those jobs entailed.

“I take all kinds of requests. For example: hitting someone for you, helping with cleaning, hitting someone for you, finding lost pets, hitting someone for you, doing shopping, and hitting someone for you.”

“Why did you keep repeating ‘hitting someone for me’!?”

“It’s a good way to solve problems with other people.” Desmon gave her a thumbs-up.

“That’s a crime!”

“It’s only illegal if there are witnesses.”

“Oh, I hadn’t thought...wait! No, it’s still a crime! Don’t try to fool me!”

“Alright, alright. Putting that aside, don’t you need help with something? Since you’d be my first customer of the day, I’ll give you a discount. I usually charge a lot, you know.”

“I only have 500 yen…” She pulled out the coin.

“That’s plenty. Besides, I charge upfront.” In the blink of an eye, Desmon snatched the coin from Yuigahama’s hand. “So, what do you need me to do?”

Without wasting a moment, Desmon began buying snacks from the vending machine.

“Hmm…” Since the deal was already sealed, Yuigahama thought about what task she could assign Desmon, though it felt like she’d just been scammed. “I’m in charge of cleaning my classroom today, but my partner is absent. Could you help me after school?”

“Are you sure you d-don’t want me to b-beat someone u-up instead?” He replied between bites of chocolate buns.

“No! Why would I ask you to beat someone up!?”

“So… you’re really only asking for this? You could just tell me to handle all the cleaning oin ypur place.”

Desmon had expected Yuigahama to be more selfish with her request.

“It wouldn’t be fair to leave it all to one person! Besides, cleaning’s much more fun when you do it together!” She flashed a beautiful and innocent smile as she spoke.

For a moment, the young demon hunter froze, the smile stirring a distant memory of someone else.

“Doing things together is much more fun, isn’t it?”

A faint echo of a memory from years ago lingered in his mind.

“Desmon-san? Are you still here?”

Yuigahama’s voice snapped him back to reality, though he seemed lost in thought.

“I got distracted for a second, but I’m back now.” He shook his head to clear his thoughts—he had no right to dwell on such memories.

Yuigahama gave him a curious look but decided not to overthink it when he returned to his usual self.

"So, what do you say? Does it sound good?" She asked eagerly.

"That sounds good to me, I’ll be at your classroom once classes are over."

"That’s great! I thought you’d say no." True to her personality, she began bouncing around happily.

"I always keep my word." He replied, taking another bite of the cream-filled bun he had bought.

"I’m glad to hear that!" She nodded cheerfully.

Desmon had been lucky, managing to get enough money to buy several sweets and secure a job.. All that was left was to enjoy the rest of the treats in a better spot.

"I don’t have anything else to do here, so I’m heading to the rooftop to eat. See you later, Yumi."

"See you later, Desmon-san… and it’s Yui, Yui!"

Desmon ignored her completely and continued on his way.

Once Yuigahama was left alone, something popped into her head. -What was I doing…?

Unable to remember why she had come here in the first place, Yuigahama decided to head back to the Service Club while humming a cheerful tune.

Back at the club, she was greeted by Yukinoshita, who had been waiting for her. The two had been having lunch together just a short while ago.

"Yuigahama-san, what happened to the sweets you were going to buy?"

"The sweets…" Her mind went blank at the question.

-That’s right, I went to buy some sweets… Her expression grew uneasy.

Originally, Yuigahama had gone to the vending machines to get some snacks, but Desmon had distracted her, and she’d ended up spending the money elsewhere.

"Yes, the sweets you went to buy with the money I gave you."

"Ah, those sweets…"

"Yes, what happened to them?"

"Did they get lost?"

"Why would you ask that?"

"Well, Yukinon… Sorry, I spent the money on something else." She clasped her hands together and bowed.

Yukinoshita raised an eyebrow and sighed at her friend’s words. It wasn’t like Yuigahama to make such a blunder.

"It’s fine, as long as you didn’t waste the money."

"Don’t worry, I didn’t use it to pay someone to beat someone up!" She said proudly.

"Yuigahama-san, I fail to understand what exactly you’re trying to say." Yukinoshita pressed a hand to her temple. "Why would you even consider paying someone to beat someone up?"

"No, no!" She waved her arms frantically. "What I mean is, the money wasn’t used for a crime. Even if there are no witnesses, it’s still a crime, right?" She tilted her head, her words making no sense compared to her tone.

"Yuigahama-san, please sit down. I think the two of us have a lot to talk about."

And so, for the rest of the lunch hour, Yuigahama was scolded for casually joking about committing crimes.

Chapter Text

In schools, when the final bell rings, it signals the time for students to head home or go to their respective clubs.

But before that, there’s one more thing that needs to be done—an activity specifically assigned to two students from each classroom: cleaning.

"Are you sure you can handle the cleaning, Yui?" Said Miura Yumiko as she grabbed her bag, ready to leave.

"Don’t worry! Desmon-san will lend me a hand!"

"That guy? You shouldn’t hang around him, he’s so weird."

To Yumiko, Desmon is nothing more than an oddball. For some reason, she feels like he put her in danger once, but she can’t quite remember how.

"You’re right about that... but he’s fun to be around, and he’s not a bad guy… I think…"

Desmon casually mentioning he could hit someone if Yui asked him to isn’t exactly normal.

"Desmon-kun is interesting. I don’t think he’s a bad person, and like Yui said, he’s pretty funny."

Ebina is grateful to Desmon for helping her during Tobe’s confession. She even met with him the next day to thank him personally, but he didn’t even remember who she was. After Ebina reminded him, he responded:

"I only did it so that boy... What was his name? Robe? Yeah, so he can keep enjoying his youth. It’s way too early for him to sacrifice his freedom and money."

The girls Desmon has met since arriving in Japan are all very troublesome, and adding Lady to the mix doesn’t make things any better.

Any other girl might have taken offense at Desmon’s words, but Ebina just laughed at his honesty. Regardless of his intentions, the result was that he helped Ebina without any negative consequences.

"You think that way about him too?"

It doesn’t matter what others say about Desmon. To Yumiko, he’s just an ill-mannered guy who does whatever he wants, the complete opposite of Hayama Hayato—the ideal guy: polite, handsome, and attentive to others, someone who’d never forget people’s names.

"If you got to know him better, you’d find him fun."

"Hina’s right. Desmon-san is really funny, even though most of the time he seems lost in thought..."

The few interactions Yui has had with Desmon have only shown her that the white-haired boy is too laid-back to take things seriously. He just seems to wander around having fun.

"Huh!? Why would I spend time with an idiot like him? He’d probably get me involved in some weird situation. No thanks." She waved her hands dismissively.

"As straightforward as ever."

Yuigahama nodded at Ebina’s comment. Yumiko is very straightforward and has no trouble saying what she thinks, which sometimes gets her into trouble.

"So, Yui, try not to hang out with that guy too much. And if he tries anything, just let me know. I’ll put that idiot in his place."

"Don’t worry, Desmon-san doesn’t seem like that kind of person."

Yuigahama couldn’t imagine Desmon doing anything bad.

"You’re way too nice, Yui." Yumiko sighed and shook her head.

"Why does it sound like you’re pitying me?" Yuigahama pouted cutely.

The way the three girls interact could easily be described as the dynamic of close friends.

"Yumiko, don’t forget we have to go to the mall to get those boots you wanted unless you want someone else to snatch them up." Ebina said, heading to the classroom door.

"Oh, right!" Yumiko dashed to the door. "See you on Monday, Yui!"

"See you on Monday, Yui…!" Ebina barely finished her sentence before Yumiko dragged her out of the classroom. There’s nothing scarier than a girl on a mission to shop.

"Bye, Yumiko! Bye, Hina!"

With her friends gone and the rest of her classmates already left, Yuigahama found herself alone in the classroom.

"Alright, time to get started!"

With renewed determination, Yuigahama headed to the small storage cabinet where cleaning supplies were kept.

"Should I start with the windows or the board?"

There was plenty to do in the classroom: sweeping, mopping, cleaning the windows, desks, and board—all tasks that two students from each class were usually assigned to every day. Unfortunately for Yuigahama, her assigned cleaning partner had called in sick.

Yuigahama gathered all the supplies she needed and even tied a white handkerchief around her head, fully prepared to get to work.

"I wonder if Desmon-san will be able to find the classroom…"

"Did you call for me?"

"Kya!"

Yuigahama dropped everything in fright, but Desmon caught it effortlessly.

"You should be more careful."

"Where did you come from?!"

"I came through the door. Or did you expect me to crawl in through the window or something?"

Desmon wasn’t dumb enough to come in through the window—though he might use it to leave.

"You startled me a bit. I didn’t hear you come in."

"I can tell, Yuki."

"If you remove just one letter from that name..."

"Uki?"

"Forget it…" Yuigahama sighed in resignation. No luck today.

Getting Desmon to say her name right was like playing a gacha game—odds of success were about 0.0000001%. Poor Yoshi wasn’t getting any luckier.

"So, what’s the plan?" Desmon placed the items on the floor and sat on one of the desks.

"I was just thinking… hmm, I can start by cleaning the board and the windows while you sweep and mop. How does that sound?"

"The sooner we finish this, the better."

With no complaints, they got to work.

Yuigahama began wiping the board, while Desmon swept the classroom. The only sounds were of their cleaning, but with two people, silence never lasted too long.

"By the way, Desmon-san, you live with Hiratsuka-sensei, right?"

Bored of the quiet, Yuigahama started a conversation to pass the time.

"It’s the only place I can stay without paying rent." Desmon answered, continuing to sweep.

"She’s your aunt, so of course she wouldn’t charge you."

"Aunt? What are you talking about… Oh, right, yeah, she’s my aunt." He nodded quickly.

Yuigahama didn’t seem to notice his slip, though anyone else might have.

"What’s it like living with Hiratsuka-sensei? She’s so serious and kinda fun at school."

Does she have a hidden agenda or is it just simple curiosity? Normally, you’d assume the former, but with Yuigahama, it was purely the latter.

"Shizuka’s not much different from how she is at school. Pretty much the same."

After living together for over a week, Desmon probably knew Shizuka better than her students did.

"Now that I think about it, you actually say Hiratsuka-sensei’s name right!"

"Shizuka’s my client, so I have to get her name right. Gotta show some manners to my employer"

"Hiratsuka-sensei is your client?" Yuigahama tilted her head.

-Tch, slipped up again…

Shizuka had made it clear to Desmon several times that her students weren’t to find out about their current situation. Letting high schoolers know that demons might come after them wasn’t ideal, and while they probably wouldn’t believe him anyway, it was better to avoid the risk.

"I think you misheard. What I meant was, 'Shizuka’s at my house, so I need to remember her name' (Shizuka wa watashi no ie na node, namae o oboenakereba narimasen). It’s totally different from 'Shizuka’s my client, so I need to remember her name' (Shizuka wa watashi no kyaku na node, namae o oboenakereba narimasen). My japanese isn’t perfect yet, so I might mispronounce words sometimes..."

If Shizuka found out he talked about this carelessly, he’d probably lose his allowance until the job was done. A thought that sent chills down Desmon’s spine.

"Oh, I see…" Yuigahama picked up a piece of chalk and started writing on the board. "But you still messed up. The sentence should’ve been, 'Shizuka’s my family, so I need to remember her name' (Shizuka wa watashi no kazoku na node, namae o oboenakereba narimasen). That’s what you meant, right?"

Desmon scrambled to think of a replacement kanji for "client" that sounded similar, blurting out the first thing that came to mind.

Though it might not seem like it, Desmon had mastered spoken Japanese thanks to an old woman who’d given him that talisman. But as for writing... he's at the level of a small child.

"Yeah, that’s exactly what I meant!"

Yuigahama puffed out her chest with pride. "Now I get why you mixed it up. Don’t worry, just keep working hard to improve."

Moments like this, where Yuigahama got the chance to teach or correct someone, were rare. Most people labeled her as a cheerful, bubbly 'a little airheaded' girl, so she couldn’t be happier.

"By the way." Desmon pointed. "Didn’t you already clean the board?"

"Huh!?"

To make her point about writing, Yuigahama wrote on the blackboard, rendering her previous cleaning pointless.

"Why do you have that look on your face? You totally think I’m an idiot, don’t you?!" She pouted, glaring at Desmon.

"I didn’t say anything..." He muttered, looking away.

"You totally did! That’s the same face Hikki makes when he says I’m idiot!"

"Then I don’t need to say it out loud."

"You’re the worst!" Yuigahama huffed and turned back to continue cleaning.

-I can’t tell if she’s just clueless or if that’s really her personality.

With their playful banter over, the two focused on their tasks.

Once Desmon finished sweeping, he started mopping. Meanwhile, after cleaning the board a second time, Yuigahama grabbed a chair, climbed up, and began cleaning the windows.

"Don’t fall."

"I’m not that clumsy!"

As cliché as it might seem, one would expect Yuigahama to lose her balance while cleaning the window, only for Desmon to catch her in a classic princess-carry pose. Miraculously, that overly predictable scene didn’t happen.

"All done," Desmon said, spinning the mop in his hand.

"I’m almost finished..."

In a matter of minutes, the floors and windows sparkled.

"By the way, the floor is slippery, so don’t—"

"Kya!"

As Yuigahama stepped off the chair after finishing the windows, she slipped and landed on the floor. The short fall wasn’t harmful, just comically awkward.

"You really are clumsy."

"You should’ve warned me sooner..." Yuigahama tried to complain, quickly pulling her skirt down with her hands.

She had fallen with her legs apart, and with her skirt and Desmon right in front of her...

"You saw, didn’t you?!" She shouted, her face burning red.

"Saw what exactly?"

"Don’t make me say it...!"

"I definitely didn’t see anything pink with a small ribbon in the center, or anything soft-looking." Desmon shook his head in denial.

"So, you DID see it! Baka, hentai!"

Yuigahama to her feet and bolted out of the classroom, her face redder than a tomato.

Some clichés might be avoided, but others will always be just around the corner.

"Now I understand why this is so common in anime and manga. Apparently, it happens in real life too..."

Today, Desmon learned a little more about Japanese culture.

Without dwelling on the matter, he continued his cleaning, quickly finishing with the desks. With no one around, he didn’t bother to hold back.

"That should do it."

With his task complete, Desmon put all the cleaning tools back in the storage closet and left the classroom.

"Should I head to the Service Club?" He muttered to himself, strolling down the school hallways.

Ever since Shizuka enrolled him in Sobu High, Desmon had been attending the Service Club in the afternoons, where Yukinoshita taught him the basics covered in Japanese elementary schools.

But after the trip, and now with Yuigahama running off because of that little incident, there was a high chance Yukinoshita would scold him for something that wasn’t his fault. His only crime was having good eyesight.

"Yeah, I think I’ll pass today. I could use a break."

It had been a grueling week for the young demon hunter. In just a few days, he had faced several demons at the train station, chased down a bullet train only to crash into a billboard, pursued a child-eating demon, battled the gatekeepers of hell, and fought Kiyohime along with the possessed Nakano sisters.

Mulling over how hard it is to be an average Japanese student, Desmon left Sobu High and headed to Shizuka’s apartment. Upon arriving, he immediately collapsed on the couch and picked up some manga Shizuka had bought in Kyoto.

Minutes turned into hours as his eyes grew heavy, and soon, he drifted into a deep sleep.

When he finally opened his eyes and stretched, the first thing he saw was a terrifying figure—his teacher and roommate, Shizuka.

"Oh, I’m dead..."

Those were his last words before receiving the biggest lecture of his life.

Chapter Text

Deep within Mount Togakushi in Nagano Prefecture lies a village seemingly frozen in time. Its unchanging atmosphere and self-sufficiency are almost legendary, as if an invisible barrier separates it from the outside world. This place, known as Kuroyama Village, thrives without the need for outside contact—a true miracle of isolation and balance.

However, centuries ago, Kuroyama was a very different place. The village was a bustling hub of trade and culture, connected by trails to neighboring villages and towns. Its people not only farmed the land but also traded their harvests and handcrafted goods, drawing visitors with their hospitality and the area's natural beauty.

At the heart of this vibrant community stood the Seika-ji Shinto temple, also known as the "Temple of the Silent Flame." This majestic sanctuary, shrouded in an aura of serenity, was renowned for rituals dedicated to deities who safeguarded the village from calamities, illnesses, and malevolent spirits.

Seika-ji wasn’t merely a place of worship; it symbolized Kuroyama’s prosperity. Tourists traveled from far and wide, lured by tales of miracles and blessings granted to those who offered prayers at the temple. The village became both a spiritual and tourist destination, enriching its community but also arousing envy among its neighbors.

In a smaller, less prosperous nearby village stood another temple—one that did not worship the benevolent kami of Shinto but rather the yokai, supernatural entities that straddle the boundary between the human and spirit worlds.

This dark and mysterious shrine sought to appease the yokai and gain their favor. While some of these spirits were mischievous or even benevolent, many were dangerous and destructive, and devotion to them stemmed more from fear than reverence.

The contrast between the two temples was striking: Seika-ji glowed warmly with paper lanterns and the joy of festivals, while the other shrine—known as the Sanctuary of Wandering Shadows—was cold, cloaked in an eerie gloom. Visitors to the latter spoke of whispers emanating from its walls and shadows shifting in its corners. Avoidance of this place became the norm, furthering the frustration of its villagers, who resented Kuroyama’s flourishing success.

With each passing year, the envy of the neighboring villagers only grew.

In a desperate attempt to change their fortunes, they summoned minor yokai, hoping their mischief and small terrors would bring chaos to Kuroyama. Yet, these efforts failed miserably.

The priests of Seika-ji, adept in exorcisms and shielded by their patron deities, swiftly purified the village, restoring peace. Far from diminishing it, Kuroyama’s reputation soared even higher, becoming a beacon of unshakable faith and divine protection. This only fueled the neighbors’ bitterness.

What began as simple jealousy eventually twisted into hatred. The priests of the Sanctuary of Wandering Shadows, blinded by this resentment, decided to take drastic action. They resolved to summon a deadly yokai to destroy Kuroyama, believing they could later seal it and be hailed as heroes who saved the region. With this, they hoped to finally claim the fame and recognition they felt Kuroyama had unfairly stolen.

The ritual took place under the full moon, deep within the temple. Forbidden chants were recited, blood was spilled as an offering, and the veil between worlds was torn asunder. The air grew thick, and the flames of lanterns flickered until they extinguished. A dense, black smoke began to rise from the ground, creeping like a living fog that swallowed all light.

The priests had summoned Enenra—a yokai born of smoke and shadows, whose sole purpose was to consume life in a relentless path of death and destruction.

At first, the priests attempted to control Enenra, but they couldn’t have been more wrong about such an idea.

Enenra, showing nothing but chaos and destruction, unleashed its black smoke across the village, ending the lives of its inhabitants. Those who inhaled the polluted air began to cough violently, their skin taking on an ashen-gray tone. Enenra's toxin ravaged their bodies from within, burning their lungs and corrupting their souls. Some tried to flee, but the fog was like a sentient predator, chasing them down until it caught them.

The crops withered within minutes, animals dropped lifeless in the fields, and the nearby rivers turned a deep, murky red. Life in the village was extinguished, leaving only silence broken by the fading echoes of screams lost in the dense mist. What was once a vibrant place filled with life became a ruined wasteland steeped in perpetual silence.

But for Enenra, the destruction of that village wasn’t enough. Like a warm summer breeze, it began to drift toward the village of Kuroyama.

The priests of Seika-ji Temple, alerted by the strange approaching fog, prepared themselves for what was coming. However, the power of Enenra was beyond anything they could have imagined.

When the smoke reached Kuroyama, chaos erupted. Those who breathed in the haze suffered agonizing deaths: their bodies convulsed in pain, their eyes sunk deep into their sockets, and their souls seemed to be slowly torn away, leaving behind only emptiness. Even the temple's blessings and protections were powerless, as though Enenra were immune to divine will.

No one was spared—children, the elderly, women awaiting the birth of their next child—all perished because of Enenra.

Although the village had many blessings, in a single day, its population of over a thousand was reduced to less than a hundred—a handful of survivors desperately taking refuge within the temple.

Amid the despair, a ray of hope appeared. One of the deities of Seika-ji Temple, moved by the villagers' years of faith and devotion, chose to descend in divine possession, using the body of a priestess as a vessel.

The ensuing battle was fierce, lasting three days and nights—an extraordinarily powerful yokai against a deity. But, tragically for the few survivors, the deity was bound by the limitations of the priestess's human body.

By the third day, the priestess's body could no longer withstand such immense power and was ultimately slaughtered by Enenra. Yet, the noble sacrifice of the young girl was not in vain.

While Enenra was focused on defeating the deity, the remaining priests worked on a final resort: an immense sealing ritual. It required their life force to unleash such tremendous power, but it was the only way to stop the yokai. With their final breaths, they succeeded in imprisoning the Enenra within a sacred vessel.

The sacrifice of the temple's most experienced priests had not been in vain. They had achieved victory at the cost of their lives.

The vessel housing Enenra was taken to a hidden cave behind the temple, where it would be eternally guarded.

But not all the news was good. Despite their success, the village of Kuroyama was irreparably scarred. A dense black mist engulfed it—a deadly poison that made leaving impossible.

A curse without precedent, or perhaps a blessing?

The few survivors accepted their fate with resignation. They chose to live in eternal isolation rather than risk anyone releasing the Enenra. Their sacrifice was an act of love for humanity, a final demonstration of the kindness and devotion that had always defined them.

From then on, Kuroyama became a village shrouded in mystery, lost in the great forest and mountains, slowly vanishing from records as though it were nothing more than a legend.

Within the village, however, the survivors lived out their days in quiet peace, tending to the temple and guarding the seal. To them, their confinement was not a punishment but an honor—a small price to pay for the safety of the world.

...

“Takahashi-san! How’s the family?”

Near a sprawling field bathed in the morning sun, two men worked together, tilling the soil as they chatted cheerfully.

“My little boy’s about to turn four. Don’t forget to come by for his birthday party next week.”

“Of course, I’ll be there! After all, I’m Daichi-kun’s uncle, hahaha!”

The men laugh, their faces marked by daily toil yet radiating an unshakable sense of peace. Around them, life in the village of Kuroyama flows naturally. Adults work together, exchanging jokes and advice as they tend the fields. Children run and play freely, their laughter mingling with the rhythm of the day. Near the temple, a group of elders patiently passes down their knowledge to the young, teaching them vital skills for life in the village.

At first glance, the village seems frozen in time, much like it was centuries ago—a place where joy and unity prevail. However, the village of Kuroyama remains cursed, sealed off and isolated from the rest of the world. Its people, however, have learned to accept their fate. What could have been a tragedy has become a source of strength.

Since that fateful day when Enenra was sealed and the village became shrouded in a toxic mist, cutting it off from the outside, Kuroyama has slowly blossomed once more. It is now home to more than 300 residents, each watching over and supporting one another. Though disputes occasionally arise, they are quickly resolved.

Yet something profound shifted in the villagers after the tragedy. Their unwavering faith and resilience—demonstrated in sacrificing their freedom to protect others—did not go unnoticed by the local deities. In recognition of their sacrifice and indomitable spirit, the villagers were granted a blessing once reserved for priests: the ability to channel and harness spiritual energy.

Spiritual energy is an invisible force that flows through all living beings, a thread connecting the soul. In Kuroyama, every resident can now manipulate this energy.

The spiritual energy remains a deeply intricate concept, and despite ongoing studies by select groups, three primary methods of obtaining spiritual energy have been identified

Divine Blessing: Granted by the favor of a deity, this method offers immense initial power, as energy flows through the individual’s connection to the divine. However, this also imposes limits—the wielder's strength is tied to the magnitude of the deity supporting them.

Training: Those without innate talent or divine favor can still master spiritual energy through years of rigorous practice and discipline. While slower, this method allows steady growth and limitless potential.

Innate Gift: In extremely rare cases, individuals are born with a natural affinity for manipulating spiritual energy from a young age. These prodigies are considered "peaks of humanity," capable of reaching unparalleled heights of power.

While those blessed by faith gain an early advantage through divine guidance, their dependency on a deity restricts their potential. In contrast, those who rely on training or innate talent can overcome any barrier through time and effort.

Thus, despite being trapped and constrained by the mist, life in Kuroyama has become an exemplar of resilience and adaptability. Grateful for the gods' blessing, the villagers use their spiritual energy not just for protection but to enhance their daily lives. They employ this power to cultivate land more efficiently, heal the sick, and defend against any possible threats.

Even amidst adversity, the villagers of Kuroyama have found purpose in their isolation: protecting the outside world from the threat sealed within the cave’s depths. To them, living in harmony and joy is not just a form of resistance but a way to honor the sacrifices of those who gave their lives to contain Enenra.

Yet peace has not been entirely uninterrupted since their confinement. On more than one occasion, yōkai have attempted to infiltrate the village, drawn by the immense aura of death emanating from a cave behind the temple. However, the villagers, now prepared and empowered alongside their priests, have managed to repel these threats with ease.

For generations, Kuroyama thrived in peace and prosperity, passing down the lessons of the past to younger generations and preserving their way of life.

But...

Peace is never eternal.

Chapter Text

"Emergency!"

A blood-curdling scream shattered the peaceful routine of the village. A man from the watch group sprinted desperately toward the fields where the villagers toiled. His face was pale, his eyes filled with indescribable terror.

"Noburo-san, what happened?! Where are the others?"

The villagers dropped everything and rushed toward him, alarmed to see that only one of the watchmen had returned.

"T-they’re dead..." Noburo stammered, his voice breaking with fear.

"What happened?!"

An chill crept down each villager’s spine as they braced for his answer.

"W-we were patrolling the outskirts... when those things appeared. We tried to stop them, but nothing we did hurt them. Those black creatures started slaughtering everyone... Haruto-san told me someone had to warn the village and stayed behind to buy us time..."

The watch group comprised villagers with exceptional spiritual energy and was led by one of the most seasoned priests. If they had been massacred, it could only mean one thing—the intruders were far beyond anything the village could handle.

"There’s no time to lose! Alert everyone!"

"Summon the priests!"

"Get the women and children to the temple!"

Panic erupted as the men scattered to sound the alarm.

Takeshi sprinted toward his home, his heart pounding. Bursting through the door.

"Dear, what’s wrong? Breakfast isn’t ready yet..."

In the kitchen, his wife—a woman with black hair and delicate features—was preparing their meal while their young son played in the living room.

"There’s no time! Take Daichi and head to the temple, now." His tone was sharp, laced with urgency.

The temple was the village’s last stronghold, protected by a powerful barrier and the blessings of the local deities. According to protocol, women and children were to take shelter there during emergencies.

"What’s going on, Takeshi?" She asked, her voice shaking.

"Something terrible. I have to join the others to stop it."

“Takeshi, what about you?” His wife said as she carried their son.

He averted his gaze, unable to answer.

The village’s mission since that tragic night was to keep the powerful yōkai sealed for eternity. After all, something so destructive could never be controlled, could it?

"Promise me you won’t do anything reckless." She pleaded, pain lacing her words. She knew her husband, like the other men in the village, wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself to protect their home.

"I promise I’ll come back alive. Now go. You’ll be safe at the temple."

They exchanged a brief, tender kiss before parting. Takeshi watched as his wife and son joined the group of women and children hurrying toward the temple, the village’s last line of defense.

At the temple’s only entrance, a large group of men and priests prepared to face the impending threat. Their orders were clear: under no circumstances were the intruders to reach the temple.

Every villager knew the consequences if these dark beings succeeded in freeing Enenra..

"Stay alert! Attack on sight!"

One of the priests barked orders, the air thick with tension as everyone readied themselves.

From the dense forest emerged three shadowy figures, humanoid in form but unmistakably inhuman. They were made of pure darkness, wielding massive scythes, their exposed skulls radiating an aura of death.

"Now…!" Commanded the lead priest.

Before he could finish, his head was severed in a blink. His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless, spraying blood onto the nearby men.

“Huh?” The villagers were frozen, unable to process what had just happened.

The sight paralyzed them with fear. These creatures moved with an unearthly speed and strength. They had faced yōkai before, but this... this was different. These beings were demons, pure embodiments of evil.

In mere minutes, the battle devolved into carnage. The demons’ scythes sliced through the villagers like paper. No matter what they tried, the villagers were ruthlessly slaughtered.

...

“...I-I have to... I have to go to them...”

Takeshi’s voice was barely a whisper, trembling as it escaped his lips. His body shook, each attempt to move sending sharp agony ripping through the wound in his stomach. Blood soaked his clothes, pooling on the ground beneath his feet. Despite the searing pain, he managed to stand, staggering as his eyes darted around.

The scene before him was nothing short of hell on earth. The dismembered bodies of his companions were piled atop one another, discarded like broken toys without a trace of mercy.

The demons had moved with a cruelty beyond comprehension, their scythes carving through flesh and bone with ruthless precision. They had descended upon the villagers, leaving no time for escape or resistance. In less than five minutes, the massacre was over.

Takeshi’s fate would have been sealed if it weren’t for his brother-in-law, Sinichi. He recalled the moment Sinichi threw himself at him, shoving him out of the scythe’s reach and taking a fatal slash that tore through him from side to side. Despite the ache in his soul, Takeshi gave a brief bow toward his brother-in-law’s lifeless body.

“Sinichi... thank you...” He murmured, his voice breaking.

Clutching his bleeding stomach, Takeshi staggered toward the temple. Each step was a torment, but a fragile hope kept him moving forward. He needed to see his family.

“Please... let them be safe...”

But reality is rarely kind...

When he finally reached the temple, the sight awaiting him was disheartening. The courtyard was filled with lifeless bodies. Elders, women, and children had been slaughtered mercilessly. Terror lingered in their frozen expressions, while their mutilated remains painted a grim picture of their desperate final moments.

Takeshi collapsed to his knees, his breathing ragged.

“They’re not here...” He muttered, frantically scanning the corpses. His wife and child were not among them. That single, fragile spark of hope kept him moving.

The temple led to one last place: the sacred cave where the yōkai Enenra had been sealed. If his family was still alive, they would be there.

As he moved closer, the trail of blood and bodies only grew. It was as though the entire village had made a last stand here, giving their lives to protect the priests and the barrier. But nothing had worked. Spiritual energy attacks, once effective against yōkai, had left no marks on the demons.

Inside the cave, Takeshi saw the village’s head priest standing behind the final barrier, a desperate line of defense protecting the urn that held Enenra. Beyond the barrier, Takeshi's family huddled together.

By a twist of fate—or perhaps by luck—Takeshi, in his younger years, had fallen in love with the head priest’s daughter, now his wife. Because of this, his family had been placed under the greatest protection possible.

The demons slashed at the barrier with their scythes, but it held firm. A barrier created by a deity would not yield so easily.

But before Takeshi could take another step toward them, the sound of footsteps echoed from the cave’s entrance. Each step carried a heavy, oppressive aura that pierced the soul.

‘’That's enough, the time for games is over.''

The voice was deep, cold, and seemed to rise from the abyss. A dark figure appeared, cloaked in shadow. A hood concealed its face, and a massive, curved scythe radiating a suffocating aura of death hung at its side. Perched on its shoulder was a black crow, forged entirely from darkness.

Upon hearing the voice of the master, the demons stopped and vanished

Takeshi’s entire body froze. His legs trembled, and his mind screamed a single command: "Run." But he couldn’t move. Every instinct within him screamed the same thing: this being was death incarnate.

The head priest, his expression resolute, stepped forward to confront the intruder.

“I don’t know who you are, but don’t think you can breach the barrier of our ancestors...”

Before he could finish, the dark figure closed the distance in a heartbeat. The scythe swung with impossible speed, shattering both the barrier and the priest in a single cut. The blade sliced through the air, and in an instant, the elderly man’s body disintegrated in a burst of blood.

The scythe wasn’t merely a weapon—it was destruction given form.

Takeshi's wife and child began crying and screaming desperately.

But as if something resisted the complete extermination of that village, a brilliant light illuminated the area. Numerous figures of light descended—it was the local deities in their true forms.

They had hoped to arrive before the massacre, but they hadn’t anticipated the overwhelming power of the demons.

What followed was to be an intense battle between the mysterious entity and the local deities...or at least it would have been, had both sides been evenly matched.

''They are not worth my time''

That strange being of darkness had disappeared and reappeared behind the local deities as if they were nothing more than a bad joke

The divine beings, who had protected and drawn strength from the village for centuries, were annihilated in an instant, their very existence erased.

Simple local deities were no match for this entity.

This village had been doomed the moment he noticed Enenra's presence. After all, he was in need of a new dog—its previous one had been killed.

Noticing that the dark being didn’t even glance in her direction, Takeshi’s wife ran toward her husband, who also began to move toward his family.

Every step they took seemed infinite, as if the distance between them only grew with each stride.

The dark entity paid them no attention, focused solely on the urn ahead.

He didn’t need to see them to ensure their fate. Shadows extended from his feet in an instant, and a dark spike emerged from the ground, impaling the woman’s chest.

She let out a choked scream. Before her body could collapse, dark stakes erupted from within her, tearing her apart from the inside. Blood sprayed across Takeshi's face as he watched, frozen in horror, while his family was murdered before him.

“Nooooo!” He screamed, collapsing to his knees beside the remains of his wife and child.

The dark figure didn’t even glance his way. His attention remained fixed on the urn. With one blow, he shattered the seal, releasing the yōkai Enenra.

Amid the chaos and despair, Takeshi made a desperate decision—to rely on the one entity feared for its uncontrollable nature and the power to raze cities.

“I know the death and destruction you can bring. Destroy that bastard!”

Freed from its seal, Enenra launched itself toward the dark figure, following its instinct to bring chaos and ruin. But the figure merely raised a hand. With humiliating ease, he absorbed the yōkai entirely, dissipating its form into nothingness as if it had never existed.

“You’ll need to be trained if you’re going to be of any use to me.” The dark entity muttered, now possessing exactly what he had come for.

“How… how is this possible?” Takeshi stammered, unable to comprehend what he had just witnessed.

Since birth, he had been taught about Enenra's devastating power—capable of destroying cities and snuffing out life itself. That was why they had accepted confinement within the village. Yet now, a stranger had appeared and wiped out everything, defeating Enenra.

The dark figure turned, indifferent, and began to walk toward the cave's exit.

“You’ve done as you please! I won’t forgive you!” Takeshi shouted, charging forward in pure desperation.

Without even turning around, three demons emerged from the figure’s shadow, tearing Takeshi apart in an instant, ending the last survivor of the once-enduring village.

...

Hidden deep within the mountains and concealed by dense black mist, the village of Kuroyama was now nothing more than a ghost town. The fog had dissipated, and every resident lay slaughtered.

“I wonder how useful this yōkai will prove to be.” A young boy muttered as he calmly walked over the corpses of the villagers.

His serene appearance betrayed nothing of the horrific massacre he had caused. He looked like an ordinary teenager, someone who could be attending school and living a normal high school life.

“Will you survive, demon hunter?” He asked with a sadistic smile.

There was no need to say it—the guy treading over the lifeless bodies of innocent people was a demon.

Chapter Text

What's the best way to spend a Saturday?

Work? Sleep? Play video games? Read?

Or maybe... riding a motorcycle on your way to meet five troublesome sisters?

If your answer is the last one, you’re probably named Desmon and happen to be a demon hunter with questionable luck…

Wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans, the white-haired young man rides his black motorcycle down the highway while watching videos on his phone.

One would expect him to always be in his school uniform, but Desmon actually has other clothes for different occasions. However, he isn’t wearing his beloved black coat today—his tailor told him it was too damaged to be salvaged and that he'd be better off buying a new one.

And when Desmon asked Shizuka if she could give him money for a new coat, she simply smiled and said:

"Not a chance."

So, until he either earns enough money for a new coat or finds someone who can make him one that regenerates from cuts, he’ll have to dress like a regular person.

Which of the two will happen first?

"I hope I can deal with those quintuplets quickly so I can go back to sleep..." He yawned lazily, glancing away from his phone to take in the scenery.

Just a few minutes ago, Desmon had been lounging around Shizuka’s apartment, wasting time. But his peace was interrupted by a call from Mr. Nakano, asking him to come to the hospital where Yotsuba was recovering. His job? Explaining the situation to the rest of the sisters.

Breaking the news to three teenagers that they were possessed to the point of nearly killing their sister isn’t exactly easy. It takes a certain kind of attitude—or just brutal honesty. Desmon falls into the latter category.

But wait, weren’t four of the five sisters possessed?

That’s right. But unlike the others, Miku actually witnessed Kiyohime firsthand and played a crucial role in giving Desmon the opening he needed to defeat the demon. More importantly, Miku saw Kiyohime’s memories. Of the four, she’s the one who needs the least explanation. In fact, Desmon is counting on Miku to make things easier.

"At this speed, I should be there in an hour. I guess I can take a nap until then..." He yawned again.

True to himself, Desmon had no qualms about dozing off while riding. After all, his devil arm could handle the driving on its own.

"Wake me up when we get there, Kurox..."

Completely ignoring basic road safety, Desmon fell into a deep sleep.

This kind of reckless behavior should get him into trouble, right?

As he cruised down the highway, a police patrol spotted him sleeping soundly. However, the officers chose to pretend they didn’t see him.

Desmon had become something of an urban legend among highway police. Rather than chasing him just to have him slip away effortlessly, they preferred to avoid the hassle.

Well, most of them. There was still one officer determined to catch him—but her shift wouldn’t start until later that afternoon.

…

"Nothing beats sleeping through a trip." Desmon stretched his arms as he stood in front of a large white building.

After an hour-long, peaceful ride—one he didn’t experience since he was asleep—he had finally arrived at the hospital where Mr. Nakano was waiting for him.

"Alright, time to get to work." He got off his motorcycle, scanning his surroundings.

Once he confirmed no one was watching, he made Kurox disappear before heading inside.

"Excuse me, where can I find the room...?" He pulled out his phone to check the details. "...for Nakano Yotsuba?"

Having no clue about the hospital’s layout, Desmon approached the reception desk and asked one of the nurses.

"You must be Desmon-san, correct? Mr. Nakano told me to guide you to his daughter’s room once you arrived. Please, follow me."

-I could get used to this kind of treatment.

Led by a beautiful nurse, Desmon followed her to Yotsuba’s room, which—unsurprisingly—was on one of the upper floors, receiving top-tier care. Being the daughter of the hospital’s chief doctor had its perks.

Remembering the manners he rarely used, Desmon knocked on the door.

-Why do I get the feeling this simple conversation is going to be a huge pain?

Seconds later, the room's door swung open, revealing a girl.

"Desmon-san, welcome."

"Hello, girl who looks exactly like her four other sisters, but I have no clue which one you are. If we rule one out, that leaves four, but I still have no idea what your name is." Desmon flashed a calm smile. "Mind if I come in?"

What a unique way to greet someone.

In response, the only Nakano sister with two star-shaped hair accessories promptly shut the door in his face.

"Did I say something wrong?" Desmon pondered deeply but found no issue. "Maybe I should be more subtle." He knocked on the door again.

Seconds later, another girl opened it.

"Hello...!"

"Aren't you supposed to be in jail? Tch!"

Before he could even get a word in, the door slammed shut in his face once more.

"I'm pretty sure that girl doesn't like me…"

Shaking his head, he knocked again, hoping this time would be different.

They say the third time’s the charm. A few seconds passed before the door opened again.

"Yo! By the way, you guys aren’t still holding a grudge over the beating I gave you, right? And that explosion wasn’t my fault either. Since you’re all half-crazy—no, scratch that, completely insane—can I come in?"

Ever so politely, he apologized for what had happened that day.

Upon hearing that grand apology—which wouldn’t be accepted in any country—the short-haired Nakano sister flashed a cheerful smile.

"Not interested in whatever you’re selling. Bye!"

And for the third time, the door shut in his face.

"Am I doing something wrong? Maybe it’s the way I’m dressed? Should I have shown up half-naked so they’d recognize me?"

Desmon questioned the very existence of humanity but found no answer as to why he was being ignored.

"There should only be one sister left, so technically, it has to be her…"

Confident that the girl who had helped him take down Kiyohime would let him in, Desmon knocked again.

Seconds later, the last remaining Nakano sister answered the door.

"Desmon, what exactly did you say to my sisters to make them slam the door in your face?"

Rather than a greeting, he was met with a scolding.

Noticing a peculiar necklace around her neck, Desmon instantly recognized her as the same girl from last time.

"No idea." He shook his head.

"Try being nicer to people!" Miku scolded him.

Seeing this side of Miku would have been unthinkable. But after experiencing Kiyohime’s story firsthand, she had reconsidered a lot about her worldview.

"Alright, alright, I’ll try to be nicer, but I can’t promise anything." Desmon sighed. "Can I come in now? I don’t want to stand in front of a hospital room all day."

"The magic words?"

Desmon raised an eyebrow as Miku flashed an innocent smile.

"Your thighs were really soft."

Miku’s face turned red at the memory—Desmon carrying her in his arms, refusing to put her down, claiming it felt nice.

And as expected, for the fourth time, the door slammed shut in his face.

"Come on, I was just joking… Does no one have a sense of humor?"

Someone really needed to learn not to say exactly what they were thinking.

"Your sense of humor is awful!"

Miku cracked the door open just enough to say that.

"I get it, I get it. Maybe I went too far?"

"Why are you saying that as if you were asking?" She pouted.

"I have no idea?"

"You’re an idiot…"

Seeing no point in continuing the conversation, Miku finally opened the door. "You can come in, but try to behave."

"Oi, oi, I’m one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet."

Miku looked at him, deadpan.

"Impossible…"

"Why do you sound like you just gave up on life?"

With their pleasant little exchange, the two entered the hospital room. Though calling it a simple hospital room would be an understatement—it looked more like a five-star hotel suite.

Some hospitals in Japan have VIP rooms, and as expected of the hospital director’s daughter, she was staying in one. Designed for maximum patient comfort, these rooms exuded luxury and were typically reserved for politicians and business executives.

Unlike regular rooms, VIP rooms feature a private lounge with comfortable sofas and tables for visitors. They also come with a fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances, allowing for personalized meal preparation. The room includes an adjustable bed, a luxury bathroom, and advanced technology to control lighting, temperature, and health monitoring.

It goes without saying, but this place is…

"It's huge... Is this really a hospital room?"

"I told our father that something this extravagant wasn't necessary, but he said his daughter should have the best environment possible."

"I can understand that..."

After all, Mr. Nakano didn’t hesitate for a second to bow and offer Desmon anything if it meant bringing his daughters back safe and sound.

As they entered the lounge, Miku headed for the couch and sat down with her sisters, who looked at Desmon with a certain resilience. He didn’t exactly give off the friendliest impression at first glance.

But for Desmon, the feeling was mutual. The Nakano sisters might be beautiful girls, but they were so peculiar that dealing with them was nothing short of troublesome. Or at least, that’s what Desmon thought.

"Desmon-san, thanks for coming."

While Desmon was still taking in the place, Mr. Nakano approached to greet him, coming from Yotsuba’s room.

"I promised, and I always keep my word." He replied with his usual relaxed expression.

"I'm glad to hear that. By the way, Uesugi-kun also wanted to thank you."

"It's fine, I’ll tell him myself."

Uesugi joined the conversation, also coming from Yotsuba’s room. Just moments ago, the two had been talking with her.

"There's no need. I was just doing my job. Besides, you were the one who brought your girlfriend to the hospital—the credit for saving her is yours. I just handled her lunatic sisters until they came back to their senses."

Desmon waved his hands dismissively, as if dealing with four possessed girls and the demon controlling them was just another day at the office.

"Who are you calling a lunatic, you exhibitionist?!"

"Come on, Nino, don’t interrupt them."

"Tch!"

As the eldest sister, Ichika took it upon herself to calm Nino down.

"If it weren’t for your motorcycle, I don’t think I would have made it in time. And you also kept me from suffering the same fate..."

Uesugi couldn't help but glance at the four girls watching them.

Had he gone to that apartment alone, he would have most likely been brutally murdered alongside Yotsuba. But luckily for him, Desmon had been there.

"Alright, alright, let’s drop the formalities. I’m not really good with those." Desmon said, averting his gaze. Too much sincere recognition was something he wasn’t used to.

-He can actually make a normal face? That was the shared thought of both Mr. Nakano and Uesugi.

Someone who jumps off buildings for fun isn’t exactly what you'd call normal, but apparently, Desmon could act like a regular teenager when he wanted to.

"That works for me." Mr. Nakano cleared his throat. "I would like you to explain everything that happened to my daughters. I’ve tried, but I think you’re the most suited for it."

Uesugi nodded in agreement with his future father-in-law.

"I don’t mind."

Knowing what he had to do, Desmon approached the four girls, who were still staring at them.

"By the way, Miu, I think you should back me up here. You were there too, after all."

"It's Miku! Miku!" She stood up from the couch, pouting.

"Yeah, yeah, Miu, Miku, Miyu—same thing."

"It’s not the same."

Miku sighed, as if giving up on making Desmon understand the difference. Another one joining the club.

"I’ve told my sisters bits and pieces about what happened, but they don’t believe me..."

"You mean that ridiculous story about a snake woman or whatever controlling us? I told you, Miku, you’ve read way too many books."

"I agree with Nino, it sounds too far-fetched." Itsuki added.

"Mmm... It does seem unreal and even a little silly, but I do have some strange memories here and there." Ichika admitted, at least not outright rejecting the idea.

It was only natural that the girls had vague memories of what happened—after all, Desmon’s well-placed hits had momentarily disrupted Kiyohime’s control over them.

"I guess I’ll start from the beginning."

He took a seat in one of the chairs, knowing this explanation wouldn’t be a short one.

"Alright, here’s what happened..."

For over fifteen minutes, Desmon went over everything that had transpired—from how the girls had tried to kill Yotsuba and Uesugi to how he had to give them a "little lesson."

"Wait a second, you really expect me to believe that I fought you, you broke several of my bones… and then I just regenerated? Are you an idiot?"

Itsuki and Ichika nodded. It was too unreal.

Believing they had been possessed was one thing, but accepting that they could regenerate like reptiles was something else entirely.

-I guess I have no choice…

"Technically, it was something like that…"

The best way to make something believable is to prove it. So, Desmon stood up.

With complete indifference, he grabbed his left forearm with his right hand and, without hesitation, broke it. The dry crack of the bone snapping echoed through the air, exposing the fracture.

Did that not hurt him?

It would be great if cuts and fractures didn't cause pain, but it was quite the opposite. Every blow, every wound hurt. However, thanks to his regeneration and his body's enhanced resilience, Desmon could mitigate almost all of the pain.

Of course, that also depended on his condition. The longer a battle dragged on and the more he had to regenerate, the more he would wear down—until his injuries and the accumulating pain would eventually render him unable to move.

That was why he had no hesitation in demonstrating it. A normal human simply couldn't do something like this.

“...!”

But not everyone could remain indifferent after witnessing it.

Silence took over the room. Everyone was frozen, unable to process what they had just seen. Their thoughts were clouded with confusion.

Before anyone could react, something impossible unfolded before their eyes. Desmon's limp arm, hanging lifelessly for a moment, suddenly began to mend itself. The bones realigned on their own, the skin healed without a trace of damage, and within seconds, his arm was as good as new.

As if nothing had ever happened.

"Now, is it more believable?" I said with a mocking smile.

-This guy is insane! That was what everyone thought at that moment.

For Desmon, this was the best way to prove how the girls had regenerated while under Kiyohime’s control. After all, he hadn’t held back, and their bodies had ended up with shattered bones and damaged organs more than once. Yet now, there was no trace of those injuries.

"Desmon-san, are you alright?"

Mr. Nakano was the first to react, stepping forward to check on him, verifying if what he had just seen was real.

To the doctor’s surprise, Desmon’s arm was completely healed—like it had never suffered such severe damage. Yet the blood staining the area told a different story.

"Your way of proving things is… unique?"

Among the Nakano sisters, Miku was the only one able to speak. After all, she had already seen horrific and gruesome things through Kiyohime’s memories. But still, watching Desmon snap his own arm without warning was shocking.

-Is it strange that seeing something like this doesn’t affect me as much?

That thought crossed Miku’s mind, but she quickly shook her head.

Had she… inherited more than just Kiyohime’s memories?

"It's easier to believe something when you see it, isn't it?" Desmon looked at Miku as he said this.

At that moment, Miku's necklace emitted a faint glow, barely perceptible to anyone else. It was so brief that only someone with heightened senses would have noticed it.

-Now I get it… A fleeting thought passed through Desmon's mind.

But there was still much to confirm before he could be sure of his theory.

Meanwhile, the other three girls still had expressions of disbelief and shock, as if understanding Desmon’s explanation had finally made something click in their minds.

"If what you're saying is true… that means we tried to… Yotsuba…"

"We even tried to hurt Uesugi-kun…"

"That's a lie! We would never hurt Yotsuba!"

Ichika and Itsuki managed to grasp the situation to some extent, but Nino was the only one who refused to believe it.

"That’s the truth. And if you still don’t believe it, you can ask Miku." Desmon had done his part by telling them everything—whether they chose to believe it was no longer his problem.

"Miku, is everything this guy said true!?"

Nino got up from the couch and confronted her sister.

"I'm sorry… it's my fault this happened…" Miku lowered her gaze.

"What do you mean it’s your fault? Come on, talk!"

Nino grabbed her sister by the shoulders, shaking her.

"Nino, stop."

"Nino, control yourself."

Itsuki and Ichika held Nino back, pulling her away from Miku.

Little by little, the situation was becoming more complicated.

If they were alarmed upon realizing they had almost killed their sister, how would they react if they found out they had massacred and tortured their neighbors to death? Though Miku is the only one who remembers it without issue.

Is it healthier to feel guilt over it or to feel nothing at all? Does that make her inhuman?

Or is it enough to blame something that controlled you to free yourself from guilt? Questions Miku had asked herself that first night without finding an answer.

"If you're looking for someone to blame, all four of you are responsible. But that doesn’t matter anymore—the damage is done," Desmon said indifferently.

He's the last person who should be saying that.

"Stay out of this!" Nino glared at him with hatred.

"So grumpy." He raised an eyebrow and smirked.

Seeing people exasperated with him is far more common than receiving gratitude.

"Nino, this isn't the time to look for someone to blame. Besides, no one could have foreseen this situation—pointing fingers is pointless."

Thanks to Mr. Nakano’s words, Nino looked away and calmed down.

Now that everyone present understood what had happened, should things be considered settled?

Unfortunately, there's still a major problem.

"Desmon-san, I’d also like to ask for your help with something else." Mr. Nakano cleared his throat. "After conducting several clinical tests on Yotsuba, an acquaintance of mine in the field of psychiatry diagnosed her with post-traumatic stress disorder related to her sisters."

Chapter Text

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental condition that arises after experiencing a traumatic event, such as accidents, abuse, or extreme violence. It manifests through intrusive memories, nightmares, and flashbacks that force the person to relive the trauma intensely. Additionally, they may experience sudden mood swings, a constant sense of fear, and a state of heightened alertness, as if the danger were still present.

When the disorder is caused by extreme violence inflicted by another person, the victim's reaction upon seeing or remembering the aggressor can be intense and uncontrollable. They may feel panic, become paralyzed, enter an emotional crisis, or react aggressively as a defense mechanism. In many cases, the fear is so overwhelming that even the mere memory of the aggressor can trigger severe anxiety, leading the victim to avoid places, people, or situations associated with the trauma.

For this reason, when the trauma stems from an attack by a specific individual, it is crucial to maintain distance between the victim and the aggressor—not only for safety but also to prevent them from constantly reliving the harm they suffered.

Such was the case for  Nakano Yotsuba.

...

On the day Yotsuba arrived at the hospital, her injuries were severe, but the medical staff managed to stabilize her after a successful operation.

Although she remained unconscious after surgery, since her life was no longer at risk, she was allowed to rest until she woke up. After that, she would continue her recovery process until she gradually returned to normal.

That same day, Nino, Itsuki, Ichika, and Miku went to visit Yotsuba.

The first thing they were told was that Yotsuba had been in an accident, as there was no way to tell them that they had nearly killed their own sister.

It was a vague explanation, but their father assured them that he would provide more details in a few days. Since Miku supported their father’s decision, the rest of the sisters accepted it as well.

Of the four, the only one feeling guilt and remorse at that moment was Miku. Unlike her sisters, she remembered everything that had happened. Because of this, while the others returned home, Miku stayed at the hospital to be with Yotsuba.

As Miku reminisced about their childhood, trying to bring back old memories, Yotsuba slowly opened her eyes.

“Eh… where am I?” She asked, still dazed.

“Yotsuba, you’re awake!” Miku couldn’t help but smile upon seeing her sister regain consciousness.

A heartfelt reunion between sisters?

“Stay away from me! Someone, please help me! AHHHHHH!!” Yotsuba screamed in terror, desperately trying to get away from Miku.

“Yotsuba, calm down! It’s me, Miku...”

“STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!” Yotsuba's face was filled with pure fear, as if she were staring at the person who had nearly ended her life.

Unable to understand Yotsuba’s rejection, Miku rushed out of the room to find her father.

Mr. Nakano quickly arrived and spoke with Yotsuba, while Miku remained outside. He already had a suspicion about what was happening to his daughter.

After several minutes of uncertainty, her father finally stepped out of the room, his expression a mix of confusion and concern.

“Miku, how much do you remember about what happened yesterday?” He asked in a serious tone.

Mr. Nakano had intended to wait until Desmon arrived to get a full explanation of what happened after Uesugi rescued Yotsuba, but if Miku remembered everything, he wanted to hear it from her directly.

“I… I remember everything…”

“I see…” He sighed and sat down on one of the couches in the waiting area. “I already asked Uesugi-kun to come to the hospital. Yotsuba wants to see him. After that, I want the three of us to talk.”

“Alright…” She nodded.

Silence filled the room. Miku didn’t know what to say, while her father seemed lost in thought.

After several minutes, Uesugi arrived at the hospital, exchanged a few words with Mr. Nakano, and went in to see Yotsuba. After a while, he came out, looking calm. Seeing his girlfriend awake had reassured him.

“Did you notice anything different about her, Uesugi-kun?” Mr. Nakano asked.

“She seems like her usual self, but… she doesn’t remember how she got to the hospital or why she’s even here…”

"It was the same when I spoke with her..." Mr. Nakano said, glancing at Miku. "Just to be sure, I'll have a specialist friend run the necessary medical tests. I just hope it's not what I think it is."

Uesugi nodded and took a seat on the couch. Judging by Mr. Nakano’s expression, there was more to be said.

"Miku, can you tell us everything you remember? Especially what happened to Yotsuba."

"Miku, you remember!?" Uesugi asked in shock. Until now, it was believed that the other sisters had no recollection of the events.

"...I don't think so..." Miku’s weak, uncertain voice filled the room.

It wasn't just the brutal beating Yotsuba suffered—it was also the fact that the girls had killed their neighbors in the other apartments, making them, technically, murderers. Saying something like that wasn't easy.

"Please, we need to know exactly what happened if we want to help Yotsuba."

At any other time, Mr. Nakano would never pressure his daughter to speak about such things, but in this situation, it was necessary to ensure Yotsuba received the right treatment.

"I’m asking you too, Miku," Uesugi said, lowering his head.

"...Alright." Miku hesitated for a moment before finally beginning to recount everything that had happened.

As she spoke, fear, shock, and concern flashed across both their faces. Hearing what Yotsuba had gone through—and what the sisters had done under the demon's control—was horrifying.

After several minutes, Miku finally finished. There were moments when she hesitated, struggling to say out loud how they had tortured their own sister and innocent people. But in the end, she managed to get it all out.

"So that’s how it is..." Mr. Nakano sighed, looking up at the ceiling with a complicated expression. "Miku, don't tell your sisters what happened with Yotsuba today. Just say she's still asleep. And for now, they can’t visit her. Only Uesugi-kun will be allowed to."

Miku remained silent and simply nodded.

"Uesugi-kun, you should head home for now. You have a lot to think about."

After hearing everything Yotsuba endured—the pain, the trauma—it was too much to process all at once.

"Yeah… I’ll go now. See you later, Nakano-san." With a vacant expression, Uesugi left the room, never once looking in Miku's direction.

No matter what anyone said, he couldn't shake the guilt of letting all this happen.

With Uesugi out of the room, Mr. Nakano was left alone with his daughter.

"None of this is your fault, Miku. Don’t look for someone to blame. What matters is that you’re all safe."

Even if they had been controlled, the law would never accept that as a defense. To the world, the girls would be seen as murderers. But by sheer luck, the explosion had incinerated the victims' bodies, and authorities had classified them as casualties of the blast. That was the report Mr. Nakano had received earlier that afternoon.

In any other case, it would be easy to blame everything on a demon—erratic creatures that could appear anywhere and kill indiscriminately. But as Trish had explained that day, Kiyohime wasn’t a demon that simply appeared out of nowhere. There had to be a catalyst—a moment and a host for her to manifest.

Was it the girls’ fault for still loving the boy who didn’t choose them?

Or was it the boy’s fault for not choosing any of them?

Should Uesugi be judged as the sole culprit?

Or were the Nakano sisters to blame for lacking the maturity to move on from rejection?

No matter how one looked at it, everyone bore some responsibility for what had happened. There was no point in searching for a single scapegoat.

"Even so…"

"That’s enough for now. Go home and get some rest." Mr. Nakano said as he stood up, pulling out his phone to make some calls. "If you can, start telling your sisters bits and pieces of what happened. They’ll have to learn the truth eventually."

Prolonging a lie would only make things worse—especially between people so close.

"I don’t think they’ll believe it." Miku said, her expression uncertain.

If she were in their place, she wouldn’t believe such nonsense about demons and possession either.

"I know." Mr. Nakano replied. "That’s why, for now, I want to wait for Yotsuba’s test results before deciding on our next steps."

With that, he stepped out of the room to take a call.

"Alright…"

Still unsure of what was truly wrong with her sister, Miku stayed in the room for a moment longer before finally heading home to her sisters.

…

"Post-traumatic stress?" The Nakano sisters said in unison upon hearing it from their father.

"That's right. And Yotsuba's situation is far more severe than it could have been."

Silence filled the room once again. The girls had just learned that their sister was nearly killed, and now, because of that attack, Yotsuba was left with lasting mental scars.

"I don’t think I’m the right person to handle something like this. I mean, I’m not a therapist." Desmon shrugged.

He could solve a lot of things, but he was definitely not a medical specialist for this kind of situation.

"I know that very well. What I want is to hear your thoughts after you talk to Yotsuba."

"I guess I can do that."

If it was just a simple conversation, Desmon was the right person for the job.

"Why is he going in first!? Isn’t he just a stranger!?"

For Nino, who still couldn’t fully believe what she had been told, Desmon’s presence—along with how formally her father treated him—felt infuriatingly out of place.

"I mean, I didn’t try to kill my sister, you know?" With a mocking smile, Desmon stepped into Yotsuba’s room, leaving an outraged Nino speechless.

The room was as luxurious as expected, and at its center lay a large bed, where a short-haired girl in light blue pajamas sat.

Since Yotsuba was no longer in critical condition and a few days had passed since her surgery, she was finally able to wear more casual clothes instead of the typical hospital gown.

"Are you a friend of Uesugi-san?" She tilted her head curiously upon noticing the unfamiliar guy, though her father had mentioned that one of Uesugi’s friends would be visiting. "I'm Nakano Yotsuba!" Following basic etiquette, she introduced herself.

"Mmm… maybe? Honestly, I have no idea. Let’s just say we’re acquaintances." He sat down beside her. "Name’s Desmon. Just call me that—I’m not a fan of formalities."

"I see, Desmon..." Yotsuba smiled. "Are you embarrassed to admit Uesugi-san is your friend? Don’t worry, I know him—he probably wouldn’t admit it either." She chuckled lightheartedly.

-Is this girl really psychologically unwell?

First impressions were important, and to Desmon, Yotsuba seemed like a perfectly normal and cheerful girl.

"Let’s just say yeah." To keep things simple, he decided to play along and act as he normally would.

"It’s good that Uesugi-san has more friends." She nodded proudly.

"He doesn’t seem like the type to socialize much, but he’s reliable when it matters."

Despite the tough situation Uesugi had faced, he managed to keep his cool and take his girlfriend to the hospital. Not many people would have been able to do that under those circumstances.

"Exactly! Uesugi-san is amazing. You can always count on him."

"You really trust your boyfriend, huh?"

"Eh...!" Yotsuba’s face turned red. "Y-yeah... I trust him a lot." She admitted shyly, caught off guard by Desmon’s bluntness.

"Haha, you remind me of another girl I know. She’s just as energetic… and just as clueless."

"Did you just call me clueless? For your information, my grades are pretty decent!" She nodded confidently, taking the teasing in stride.

-Whoever diagnosed this girl needs to go back to med school…

"Anyway, changing the subject—what exactly do you remember about your accident?"

"Hmmm." She tilted her head, deep in thought. "The last thing I remember is heading home… and then everything gets really blurry."

"Do you recall anything from that blurry moment?"

Desmon wasn’t a doctor, much less a psychologist, but he had been interrogated by professionals before during his visit to Manhattan, New York. All he had to do was imitate some of the techniques they used. Not that he was about to start threatening Yotsuba into telling the truth like they did when they accused him of kidnapping and murder.

Who in their right mind would try to lock up Desmon when he could walk in and out of prison like it was his own home? First, they’d have to gather enough personnel to catch him. And more importantly, they’d better pray the demon hunter was in a good mood and willing to humor them in their game of cops and robbers.

"I don’t remember much, but I feel like I had a strange dream!"

"That sounds interesting. Care to share?"

Like her sisters, Yotsuba believed what she experienced was nothing more than a bad dream.

"You really want to hear it? You’re not gonna call me childish, are you?"

"I don't have much to do right now, and besides, children's stories have their own charm." He said with a lighthearted tone.

"It's not that interesting, you know? It’s still pretty confusing for me, but you still want to hear it!?" Yotsuba looked excited.

"I'm fine with that."

"Yay!" She cleared her throat, trying to sound serious, imitating TV presenters.

Both her father and her boyfriend seemed way too serious, but Desmon looked completely unfazed, making it easier for Yotsuba to talk to him.

"In my dream, there were four blurry figures trying to get close to me, as if they wanted to hurt me."

"Like ghosts?" Desmon raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm, I guess so. Their shapes were strange and dark, so I couldn’t see them clearly."

"And then? What happened when those ghosts got closer?"

"Everything went dark. I couldn’t see anything, like everything was fading away." Even though what she was describing could be interpreted as standing at death’s door, she remained calm as she spoke. "Even if it was just a dream, it felt so real."

"You seem pretty calm for someone who had that kind of dream."

"A dream is just a dream. Besides, my dream isn’t over yet..."

"Let me guess. Just when the darkness was about to swallow you, a prince appeared to rescue you."

"Yes! That’s exactly what happened!" Yotsuba said, thrilled.

"And then the prince took care of those ghosts, carried you in his arms, and rode off into the horizon on his noble steed?"

"How did you know!? Can you read my mind? Quick, guess what I’m thinking!" She said, surprised and excited.

It was easy to piece together reality and Yotsuba’s dream to figure out what happened next.

"It’d be amazing if I could read minds. It would come in handy at casinos. But unfortunately, I don’t have that ability... or at least, I don’t think I do."

You never know what’s possible when you’re a demon. But for Desmon’s misfortune, neither telepathy nor invisibility were part of his abilities.

"You’re right! If you could read minds, that’d be straight out of a movie!"

"So that was your whole dream? You woke up here after that?" He asked again to make sure he hadn’t missed any details.

"Hmm... yeah. My dad told me I had an accident, but it wasn’t too serious, so I should recover quickly. Besides, I feel fine." Yotsuba raised her arm, showing off her usual energetic spirit.

"Glad to hear that. I bet you’re already eager to leave the hospital."

With how full of energy Yotsuba was, it was easy to understand her—unlike her sisters.

"Yes! I want to go back to school and make up for lost time!"

-Well, this was a waste of time. If this girl is out of her mind, then I must be insane…

They had been talking for a while, yet Yotsuba never showed any change in her attitude. She remained cheerful and calm, like any normal girl.

"I guess that’s all." Desmon sighed, exhausted. "Maybe your dad was overreacting. Well, I’ll go tell your sisters that you’re fine so they don’t make a fuss—especially the one who seems to hate me."

Desmon stood up to leave, but just then, Yotsuba started laughing.

"You’re funny!"

"I don’t recall saying anything funny. Though, I do have a talent for making people laugh."

"It’s just that you’re mistaken." Yotsuba looked him in the eyes. "I don’t have any sisters. I’m an only child!" The way she said it left no room for doubt, as if it were an undeniable truth.

"I’m pretty sure there are four girls outside who look a lot like you."

"Now that’s scary! Four girls who look like me… but that’s impossible." She waved her hand dismissively. "After all, I don’t have any sisters. Though, I wish I did… maybe then I wouldn’t have been so lonely as a kid."

Even if there were a lie detector next to Yotsuba, the machine would say she was telling the truth—her truth.

-Well, this definitely seems like a problem... Why do I have the feeling things are only going to get more annoying from here?

Chapter Text

“Why can he talk to Yotsuba while we can't?” Nino asked her father.

Nino’s complaint was valid—when they were called this morning, they were told to go to the hospital, but they couldn’t see Yotsuba until further notice.

The worst part was that someone like Desmon could go in and talk to Yotsuba while her own sisters had to wait outside, unable to see her.

“I want to believe Yotsuba’s current condition was caused by an external factor.”

His daughters had been controlled by a demon, and he had even heard how those girls displayed superhuman abilities like regeneration. That meant there was a possibility that Yotsuba’s state was due to some kind of curse.

That was why he wanted Desmon to talk to her. If that small chance turned out to be true, the young demon hunter might be able to do something about it.

But… that was just a faint hope Mr. Nakano held onto. The reality was that his daughter was suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder  (PTSD) due to the brutal beating she endured—one that had left her barely alive.

“You only told us she has PTSD, but you didn’t explain what that even means!”

“For now, this is for the best. I’ll explain everything once Desmon-san gives his opinion.”

“Tch!” Nino clicked her tongue in frustration.

“Come on, Nino, let’s just wait for now.” Ichika said, trying to calm her sister down.

“How can you be so calm!?” Nino snapped.

“I’m not…” Ichika clenched her fist. “I still can’t believe everything we were told, but they have no reason to lie to us. And… if we were the ones who seriously hurt Yotsuba, she’d be the last person who’d want to see us.”

As the eldest sister, it was her duty to protect and take care of them. But learning that she was the one who had hurt Yotsuba so badly was a heavy blow to Ichika.

“Do you seriously think that’s possible!?”

“Nino, that’s enough!” Itsuki raised her voice, glaring at her.

Ever since Desmon went to talk to Yotsuba, Itsuki had pulled Miku aside to ask for more details. In the end, Miku had no choice but to tell her everything.

“What’s your problem, Itsuki!?”

“Stop acting like a child and accept it already!”

Itsuki wasn’t much different from her sisters—at first, she found it hard to believe. But after Miku confirmed it, she no longer had any doubts and accepted the truth. In a way, she was the most mature of the five.

“Huh!? You actually believed Miku’s nonsense!?” Nino raised an eyebrow.

“Our memories from that day are a mess. Can you say for sure that it didn’t happen!?” Itsuki challenged her.

All of them, except for one, had already come to terms with the fact that it was their own fault. But Nino stubbornly refused to accept it.

“I…”

Before Nino could answer, Desmon walked out of Yotsuba’s room and approached Mr. Nakano.

“Desmon-san, what do you think? Do you think you can do something about it?” he asked, his voice tinged with hope.

But Desmon simply shook his head.

“I see… Maybe you know someone who—”

“I don’t know anyone good enough to fix Yotsuba’s condition. Besides, I think you already know—what she’s dealing with is the aftermath of what happened to her.” Desmon’s expression remained as calm as ever.

Desmon had few connections, and none of them were miracle doctors who could treat any kind of illness. Not that such a person even existed in Japan, right?

Mr. Nakano let out a sigh. Maybe he had been holding onto too much hope that an external force was responsible for Yotsuba’s condition, something that could be easily fixed.

“…I understand.”

As an adult, all he could do was face reality.

With Desmon’s answer, Mr. Nakano knew it was time to tell his daughters the truth. He cleared his throat, looked at them seriously, and began to speak.

“Yotsuba has post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s a mental health condition that develops after experiencing an extremely traumatic event. It causes intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, and intense emotional changes. People with PTSD feel like they’re in constant danger, even in safe environments.”

He carefully chose his words, making sure his daughters grasped the gravity of the situation.

“There’s a treatment for it, right?” Ichika asked, worried.

But before their father could answer, Miku spoke up.

"But that's not all… right, Father?"

Nino frowned at her after hearing what she said

"What do you mean by that, Miku?" She asked incredulously. Wasn't it enough that her sister was already dealing with a mental disorder?

Miku lowered her gaze for a moment, trying to find the right words to explain what had happened that day, but Mr. Nakano continued speaking.

"In some cases, the brain blocks out trauma as a defense mechanism. This is known as dissociative amnesia."

The atmosphere grew tense.

"If Yotsuba has amnesia, then she doesn't remember what happened… that's a good thing, right?" Nino asked, her tone laced with a desperate attempt to convince herself.

-If she only forgot those days or even the last week, it wouldn’t be a problem. Nino thought, trying to believe that maybe her father was exaggerating.

But her hope crumbled the moment she saw her father shake his head.

"Dissociative amnesia isn’t like regular amnesia." He explained. "It’s not that Yotsuba simply forgot… Her mind suppressed those memories to protect her from the pain. That means she can’t remember the traumatic event voluntarily."

He paused for a moment before continuing, taking a deep breath.

"However, the memories can resurface suddenly if she encounters a trigger. If she sees her assailant, her mind may force her to remember everything at once. And when that happens, she experiences an extreme emotional breakdown."

A shiver ran down Ichika’s spine upon hearing this.

"Does that mean… if Yotsuba sees us, she’ll remember what happened?"

Mr. Nakano nodded gravely.

"That’s what happened a few days ago when she saw Miku. Her mind associated her with the trauma and reacted with fear."

Miku’s eyes widened in shock. Until now, she had thought Yotsuba hated her, but the truth was far worse. Seeing her had triggered something so painful that her body had gone into crisis mode.

"But her condition can be treated, right?" Itsuki insisted.

For the second time, she asked about treatment, as if her father had deliberately avoided answering before.

Mr. Nakano closed his eyes for a moment before responding.

"Normally, 80% of patients with dissociative amnesia recover their memories with the right therapy." He said calmly.

The sisters felt a slight sense of relief… until their father spoke again.

"…But Yotsuba’s case is different."

Nino’s heart stopped for a moment.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked, her voice filled with unease.

As Mr. Nakano prepared his response, Desmon leaned toward Uesugi and spoke in a low voice.

"You seem pretty calm. You already know what he’s about to say, don’t you?"

Uesugi kept his gaze fixed on Yotsuba’s hospital room door and simply nodded. He knew what was coming… and it wasn’t good news.

Mr. Nakano took a deep breath and continued.

"For therapy to work, there needs to be a reference point to reconstruct the trauma. But Yotsuba doesn’t have one… because she doesn’t remember the people involved."

Miku took a step forward, her voice trembling.

"What do you mean by that?"

Mr. Nakano clenched his fists. Saying it out loud… was almost unbearable.

Tired of the drawn-out tension, Desmon decided to cut to the chase. Sometimes, it was better to be direct rather than drag things out unnecessarily.

"What your father is trying to say is that Yotsuba’s mind is so distorted that it completely erased her sisters from her memories. To her, you don’t exist. She believes she’s an only child. And since I spoke with her, I can confirm it." Desmon said calmly. "Her attitude, her demeanor—she’s just a cheerful, energetic girl. Yotsuba is completely normal. She can go on with her life… without you."

The silence that followed was crushing. Desmon’s words hit like a punch. None of the sisters could react immediately.

They didn’t know what to say. They didn’t know what to do.

"As Desmon-san said, Yotsuba’s condition is far from promising." Their father’s voice was quiet, almost defeated. "There’s a 90% chance she will never regain her memories."

The last sliver of hope they had… crumbled.

Hearing those final words, the Nakano sisters' expressions showed pain and fear, but…

-She can’t just forget us, right? We’re sisters, we’ve been through so much, and now she’s just erased us?

…But only one of them bore an expression of anger.

Nino let out a dry, bitter laugh, devoid of any joy.

"Hahahahaha…"

Her laughter echoed through the room, but it wasn’t amusement. It was denial. It was despair.

"Did Yotsuba forget us? Did she forget all the years we spent together? That we attacked her because we were possessed by a demon?" Her voice trembled between fury and disbelief. "I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!"

Before anyone could stop her, Nino spun on her heels and stormed toward Yotsuba’s room.

"Nino, wait!" Ichika tried to reach her.

"Stop! Don’t do anything reckless!" Itsuki shouted, but Nino wasn’t listening anymore.

With a loud slam, she threw the door open.

"Uesugi-san, did you forget some..."

She froze mid-sentence. Her eyes widened. Her body tensed. Her expression shifted from calm to sheer terror. She shrank back against the bed, hands trembling, breath unsteady. Yotsuba was paralyzed by pure fear.

"Ahhh!?"

"Yotsuba, end this already!" Ignoring the terror on Yotsuba’s face, Nino stepped closer.

"NOOO!!! STAY AWAY FROM ME!!! NO!!!" She screamed, her expression twisted in absolute horror.

"Yotsuba, it’s me, Nino! Look at me!"

Nino grabbed her shoulders, forcing Yotsuba to meet her gaze.

"NOOO!!! S-SOMEONE, PLEASE, HELP…!!"

Her mind replayed the events of that moment—when her own sisters, the people she loved the most, had tried to kill her. Beating her mercilessly, as if they were enjoying it.

That image, the overwhelming fear, the unbearable pain—they all came rushing back. But above all, the disbelief that her own family had wanted her dead.

"UESUGI… SAVE ME…!!"

Just like back then, when she was on the brink of death, when she had whispered a childish wish for her boyfriend to come and rescue her, her mind now latched onto those same words, screaming for help.

"Nino, that’s enough!"

With an expression filled with anger, Uesugi forcefully pulled Nino away from Yotsuba, nearly making her stumble and fall.

"Fuu-kun?" Nino muttered in disbelief as she saw the hatred in Uesugi’s eyes.

"UESUGI… UESUGI…" Yotsuba sobbed in her boyfriend’s arms.

"It’s okay, Yotsuba. I’m here." He ignored Nino completely.

After Uesugi stormed into the room, the others followed. But the moment Yotsuba’s eyes landed on her sisters, her fear surged even stronger.

The girls finally understood. Seeing Yotsuba like this left no room for doubt—everything they had been told was true. Even Nino finally realized it.

"I… they… why…!" Yotsuba could barely form words, stuttering as she hyperventilated. Her mind involuntarily dragged her back into the trauma, forcing her to relive it—something her subconscious refused to allow.

"Yotsuba! Yotsuba!"

In Uesugi’s arms, she lost consciousness.

At that moment, Mr. Nakano stepped forward to check on his daughter.

"Uesugi-kun, she’s alright. Her mind shut down, so to speak, to keep her from processing those resurfaced memories."

Yotsuba’s condition was delicate. The best thing for her would be to live her life without regaining those memories.

"I understand." Uesugi gently laid Yotsuba on the bed.

Seeing how Yotsuba reacted to even the sight of her own sisters—her family—brought back old thoughts. Maybe this was all his fault.

Uesugi lifted his gaze and met Desmon’s eyes. He had also entered the room.

"Desmon… this is my fault, isn’t it?" Uesugi asked, his voice heavy with guilt.

For Kiyohime to have interfered in the girls’ lives, certain conditions had to be met. Maybe if he had been more decisive, if he had outright rejected the other girls, things would have turned out differently.

That’s what Uesugi Futaro believed. But no matter how he had handled things, as long as that feeling of rejection remained, that demon would have manifested anyway.

"I have no idea. Demons are unpredictable most of the time. But… it’s always best to be cautious, don’t you think?" Desmon replied seriously.

That was all Uesugi needed to hear.

Japanese folklore was vast, and if demons were involved, there was no guarantee that another entity like Kiyohime wouldn’t appear in the girls’ lives again.

And if they had survived this time, there was no telling if they’d be so lucky the next.

Kiyohime appeared on the same day the girls were rejected, when a strong sense of rejection took hold. Because of this, a conversation to clear things up and support each other never happened—the demon had already planted the seed of doubt and hatred within them. And so, any chance for the girls to resolve things through dialogue and have a normal future without complications was lost.

"…I see." Uesugi turned to face the four girls.

Mr. Nakano, meanwhile, nodded as he met Uesugi’s gaze. What comes next is something that only concerns the young ones. It’s time to set things straight.

"I should have said it from the beginning, but I was too much of a coward… Maybe if I had, Yotsuba wouldn’t be in this situation. I’m just as guilty as that damn thing that possessed you…" He lowered his head.

The girls looked at him in surprise, but they could already sense what Uesugi was about to say.

"I love Yotsuba. She’s the most important girl to me. That’s why I can’t be with anyone else, no matter what happens, no matter how much time passes, even in the future—my feelings for her will never change." Uesugi took a deep breath. "That’s why I’ll never be able to return anyone else’s feelings. It doesn’t matter if it’s today or years from now—the only girl I will ever love is Yotsuba!" He declared with unwavering resolve.

Uesugi cherished all the Nakano sisters; they were his dear friends. But among them, the one who had won his heart was Yotsuba. That was why he had always hesitated to reject the others outright, unwilling to hurt them so abruptly. But now, things had changed.

Still… what would have happened if Uesugi had confessed to all five sisters? That’s something no one will ever know—because the only one he loves is Yotsuba.

After all, for a man to be with multiple women, he’d have to have a screw loose, disregard social norms, or simply not care what anyone else thinks. Unfortunately, normal guys never even entertain that kind of thought…

Once the girls heard his words, there was nothing left to say. Uesugi had been clear and direct: no matter what happens in the future, he will always love Yotsuba. Even if something were to happen to her, she would forever remain the only girl in his heart.

"I hate you!"

Nino ran out of the room, tears spilling from her eyes.

"She needs some time alone." Ichika said, placing a hand on Itsuki's shoulder, who seemed like she wanted to chase after Nino.

"I think we need it too..." She replied, noticing the tears in Ichika's eyes, while Itsuki herself was sobbing.

Miku, on the other hand, remained silent, her head lowered.

"It’s harder to hear than to say, isn’t it?" Desmon placed a hand on Miku’s head as he spoke.

During the Kiyohime incident, Miku had firmly stated that she would always choose her sister over the boy she loved. She had said it with complete confidence—or so she thought. But hearing Uesugi’s rejection directly stirred conflicting emotions within her. She had believed she was prepared for this moment, but reality proved otherwise.

"It is… It really hurts…" Miku let out a few quiet sobs.

Desmon was more considerate of Miku because of the help she had given him against the demon. Otherwise, he would have simply ignored the situation, chalking it up to teenage drama.

-What should I even say here? Desmon pondered, searching for the right words.

"You went toe-to-toe with a half-dragon demon. I doubt this is harder to get through." He said with a lighthearted tone.

"Your way of comforting people is terrible." She sniffled, wiping her tears.

"I know. But it’d be worse to say things that aren’t true." Desmon continued to ruffle her hair as if she were a little girl in need of comfort.

"Alright, alright, you’re awful with words." Miku brushed his hand off her head.

"At least I can say I tried." He shrugged, noticing that Miku seemed a little better.

With their conversation over, silence settled over the room.

A lot had happened in just a few minutes, and everyone had something to process. Some needed time to think things through, while others just wanted to go home and sleep.

"Desmon-san, thank you for your help. I don’t think I could have said it myself… Having you here today really meant a lot. Truly, thank you."

In the end, it was Mr. Nakano who broke the silence, stepping forward to express his gratitude to Desmon.

"I'm good with words. Besides, it was time for them to accept the truth of the matter. I hope their daughter recovers."

Despite what people might think of him, he can be quite sensible at times.

"I hope so too. Even if the chances are low, there's still a possibility that she can regain her restricted memories and overcome her trauma."

As long as the possibility isn’t zero, Yotsuba still has a chance to recover.

"I guess we won’t be seeing her again…" Miku said, looking dejected.

"Unfortunately, that’s how it is. I still need to figure out what to do moving forward."

Sooner or later, Yotsuba will have to return to her normal life. But if she happens to run into one of her sisters, it could trigger her trauma. And since all five of them still attend the same school, the chances of a chance encounter are high.

"For now, we should leave. I don’t want Yotsuba waking up." Ichika spoke, showing her protective side as the eldest sister.

Even if she can’t interact with Yotsuba anymore, she will still watch over her. After all, it’s her duty as the eldest. Though at this moment, she isn’t sure she has the right to, not after the harm she caused.

Her other two sisters nodded, knowing this would be the last time they could be near Yotsuba.

"Uesugi-kun, what about you?" As the only person his daughter trusts, Mr. Nakano placed his full confidence in him.

"I'll stay with Yotsuba a little longer, then head home."

For Uesugi, who had already made up his mind, the most important thing right now was doing everything he could to help Yotsuba.

"I'll check with some colleagues to see if there are other rehabilitation methods. I'll keep in touch."

With that, Mr. Nakano and his daughters left the room, leaving Desmon, Uesugi, and Yotsuba alone.

For several seconds, silence filled the room until Desmon finally spoke.

"Before I go, I just wanted to say—I admire you. See you around."

Desmon smiled and waved before leaving.

Uesugi had been through a lot. Few would have the mental strength to face such a situation, let alone stay by Yotsuba's side after everything that had happened.

Anyone else would have chosen to distance themselves from this family full of problems. But Uesugi Fuutarou didn’t run away. He chose to stand by the girl he loves and face the problem head-on. It wouldn’t be an easy path, but it was his decision.

That kind of determination and conviction was something Desmon genuinely admired. Unlike him, Uesugi didn’t run away like a coward when things became too much. He didn’t abandon the only girl who had ever truly cared for him.

But then again, what could you really expect from a scared twelve-year-old who thought he was going to die?

That regret would haunt him until the day he died.

In response, Uesugi gave him a calm smile.

"See you later, Desmon-san. And… thanks for everything."

With that, Desmon left the room, leaving the couple alone—finally closing the case of Yotsuba Nakano… for now.

...

"Not sure if I should be happy that a girl is waiting for me… or concerned that it’s you."

Once outside Yotsuba's room, Desmon found Miku waiting for him.

"It’s the first one, baka." Miku sighed.

"In that case, I’m thrilled to have a beautiful girl waiting for me. But if I remember how much trouble she is, it definitely lowers her score."

"When you’re quiet, you don’t seem like such a child."

"Oi, oi, was that a compliment? Are you flirting with me? Sorry to say, but I like mature women. Maybe in three to five years, you can try aga...Ouch!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Miku, fed up with his nonsense, pressed her necklace against his cheek, causing him pain.

"Are you done talking nonsense?" She scolded him.

"Yeah, yeah, I’m done. Just get that thing away from me…"

For some reason, Miku’s necklace seemed to have an odd effect on the demon hunter.

Seeing that Desmon had given up, Miku put her necklace away.

"Sometimes I can’t believe you’re the same guy who fought Kiyohime." She shook her head.

Anyone else wouldn’t be able to connect the relaxed idiot in front of her to the ruthless demon hunter who mercilessly took down his enemies.

"I’d rather not stand out. Having a fan club chasing after me would be exhausting."

Miku stared at him as if she were looking at an absolute fool.

"That’s never going to happen." She shook her head.

"At least let me dream…" He sighed.

With that brief exchange, the two left the hospital room and began walking through the hallways.

Desmon had finished everything he needed to do, so now all that was left was to head back to Shizuka’s apartment for a nap.

“If you come across any doctor who might be able to help Yotsuba, let us know.” Miku said.

“Like I told your father, I don’t know any doctors. I’ve never needed to go to a hospital since I can regenerate, and as for illnesses, I’ve never even caught a cold.”

His regenerative ability and the supernatural nature of his body made him incapable of getting sick, let alone needing medical attention.

“You’re weird, so I’m sure you’ll run into someone who’s an amazing doctor… of demons?”

If demons and yōkai exist, then the idea of a supernatural doctor capable of treating all illnesses isn’t impossible. And given Desmon’s terrible luck, the chances of him stumbling upon someone like that are even higher.

“I can’t rule it out, but a demon doctor? That sounds insane. I’d say meeting an alien doctor is more likely.”

“Aliens? Do they actually exist?” Miku asked curiously.

If demons and other supernatural beings are real, what’s stopping aliens from existing too?

“I’ve never seen one, but I wouldn’t want them showing up in a spaceship and abducting me… though the view would probably be amazing.”

“You’re the only person who’d think that while being kidnapped by aliens…”

How did their conversation shift from doctors to aliens? Only the two of them knew.

And so, they kept walking through the hospital, debating the existence of aliens in ancient times—an idea Miku rejected outright.

-Now that I’m paying more attention, this place is full of those things. Desmon thought, but he quickly stopped caring. They weren’t worth his time.

His vision had picked up on certain things more often than usual—at least in this hospital—but since his demonic essence had been erased, they simply ignored him, as if he were just an ordinary human.

Not that it mattered if those things noticed him. After all, he was a truly dangerous existence to anyone. And with Miku showing great resolve and pushing herself to overcome rejection, she wasn’t an easy target either.

After all, demons and yōkai aren’t the only dangerous supernatural creatures out there.

And unfortunately for Nakano Nino, she was about to find that out firsthand.

Chapter Text

Years ago, on a rainy afternoon, two little girls sat on the floor of their living room, wrapped in the sound of falling rain.

One of them rested her head on her arms and let out a heavy sigh.

"I hate the rain..."

The other girl tilted her head at her sister’s complaint.

"I like it. It feels refreshing." She said with a smile.

The first girl frowned and raised an eyebrow.

"It’s boring. We can’t go outside, we can’t run, we can’t do anything fun. It just traps us here."

Her sister watched her in silence for a moment. Then, with a playful smile, she leaned in slightly.

"Then let’s do something."

"Like what?" Curiosity flickered in her eyes.

"Let’s make a promise."

"A promise?"

"From now on, if you ever feel sad on a rainy day, I’ll be there with you, so you won’t feel alone."

The first girl blinked, caught off guard by the seriousness in her sister’s voice. Her eyes held a genuine warmth—something she hadn’t expected on such a rainy afternoon.

"Why would you say that?"

Her sister shrugged, still smiling.

"Because you always pout when it rains."

Clicking her tongue, the first girl looked away, puffing her cheeks as if she wanted to argue—but found no words. After a moment, she let out a sigh of resignation.

"That’s so silly... but fine, a promise is a promise." Realizing her sister wouldn’t back down, she gave in.

They hooked their pinkies together, sealing that childish vow.

And though it seemed like a promise of little significance, her sister always made sure to keep it.

Even after all these years, she never broke her word... until today.

...

The sky, which had started with pleasant weather, was now covered in gray clouds, hiding the sun as if warning of the rain to come.

Under that somber sky, a girl walked slowly. She wore a white long-sleeved blouse and a flowing purple skirt, but her clothing wasn’t what stood out—it was her expression. A broken face, etched with pain, silent tears sliding down her cheeks.

She had no real destination. She had simply run out of that room, away from her sister, away from the truth she had just heard. Yotsuba would never regain her memories.

At first, Nino refused to believe it. How could it be possible? How could her beloved sister forget them so easily, as if they were nothing? Could someone truly erase from their mind the people they had spent a lifetime with?

No, she didn’t want to accept it. She clung to the idea that there had to be a mistake… but when she saw the emptiness in Yotsuba’s gaze with her own eyes, she understood. She was gone. There was nothing left of their bonds, their moments, their laughter. Only oblivion.

And as if that weren’t cruel enough, her sister now suffered emotional breakdowns. Seeing them triggered something inside her—panic, distress—like they were ghosts from a past she didn’t want to remember.

From now on, Nakano Yotsuba’s life would continue without the memories of her sisters. But that… that was something Nakano Nino wasn’t ready to accept.

"It was so easy to forget us..." She whispered, her voice trembling.

She wanted to blame her. She wanted to scream. As Desmon had said, Yotsuba still acted like the same cheerful, energetic girl she had always been, as if losing her memories didn’t matter, as if none of this meant anything. As if they had never existed in her life.

But what was the point of blaming her? Yotsuba hadn’t chosen to forget them. They were the ones at fault.

"Maybe… it’s my fault? I never meant to hurt her..."

She recalled what Desmon had explained about that day. At first, the idea that a demon would seek out girls consumed by rejection seemed impossible. But now… now it made perfect sense.

The guilt was suffocating her. Not just because of what had happened to Yotsuba, but because, deep down, she knew why it had come to this.

She still had feelings for her sister’s boyfriend.

That unrequited love was the root of everything. That was why, when Uesugi rejected them, they all ended up in tears. Not just because of heartbreak… but because their inability to accept that rejection had made them easy prey for the demon.

And even though Desmon told them it wasn’t their fault, that demons were unpredictable beings… accepting that wasn’t so easy.

Nino kept walking until her legs could no longer carry her. With a heavy sigh, she let herself collapse onto a bench on the rooftop.

She lifted her gaze to the sky.

A sky that remained gray, dull—reflecting exactly how she felt.

"What did they expect me to do…? To accept that I wasn't chosen and smile like it meant nothing…?"

The day Uesugi chose Yotsuba had been painful. But today… today had shattered what little she had left.

Because yes, she was just a teenager facing her first heartbreak. But did they really expect her to get over it with a simple smile? To stand up and move on as if her world hadn’t crumbled?

She lowered her gaze, her eyes clouded by memories. She remembered all the times she had laughed with Yotsuba, the moments they had shared, the times they had supported each other.

She remembered a promise. A rainy day, many years ago.

And then, as if the universe itself was mocking her, she felt a raindrop fall on her face. Then another. And another.

It wasn’t a storm, just a drizzle. A light rain, barely noticeable, yet enough to remind her that it was there.

Just like that day.

"Liar… You promised…!" Her voice was barely a whisper.

She clenched her fists, feeling the tears welling up again.

Yotsuba had forgotten that promise. And now, Nino was completely alone with its memory.

-This is all my fault… I… I…

The guilt was too heavy. Too overwhelming.

"Why did this have to happen? Why did it have to be us?!"

The raindrops mixed with her tears. And even if she wanted to stop them, she knew she couldn’t.

Because unlike Yotsuba… she still remembered. And that memory hurt too much.

-If we hadn’t gone after Yotsuba, she…

"Why… why…?!"

Nino lifted her gaze to the sky. A gray, empty, lifeless sky.

Nothing. There was nothing left for her.

Her sister had lost her memories.

The boy she loved had rejected her.

And her own family… what did they think of her now? Maybe they hated her for being the reason Yotsuba had broken down.

-I’m the worst…

"Maybe… they’d be better off without me." Her voice broke into a whisper.

Her eyes, once filled with anger and pain, were now dull. As if, little by little, the idea of going on was slipping away along with the last bit of hope she had left.

-What… what am I thinking?

A shiver ran down her spine, snapping her back to reality.

She took a step back, trembling at the mere thought that had crossed her mind.

Even in a situation like this, even feeling so desperate… that thought was absurd. No, more than absurd. It was something only those who saw no other way out would even consider.

"I should go home…" she whispered, trying to convince herself.

Yes, that’s what she would do. She would go back. None of this would change if she stayed here.

But when she tried to move, her body wouldn’t obey.

-…Do I really have a home to go back to?

The thought flashed through her mind for just a second. But it was enough.

The small resolve she had managed to gather… shattered.

"This isn’t right. I’m not alone… I still have…"

-Who?

Nino felt her breath hitch.

"Huh?"

Her expression of disbelief was her only response.

She turned her gaze toward the door leading off the rooftop. But… the more she looked at it, the farther away it seemed. As if the entire world was pulling away from her.

-Why… why does my body feel so heavy…?

She tried to move, but her feet turned in the opposite direction.

She wasn’t walking toward the exit.

Each step took her farther and farther away.

Her eyes locked onto a section of the rooftop’s safety railing. It was under maintenance. There was a small gap—just big enough for a person to slip through.

"This doesn’t make sense… I… I would never think about…"

-Who even needs me…? Would anyone actually miss me…?

"Shut up!"

Her furious scream echoed through the air.

But no matter how much she fought it, the thoughts wouldn’t stop. They only grew stronger. Deeper.

-It’s so sad… I’m alone… No one needs me… Do I even have the right to be a burden on them?

"I don’t want to be a burden…!"

Tears blurred her vision. Her mind whispered things she didn’t want to hear.

She felt her feet moving on their own.

And when she finally snapped back to reality… she was already standing in front of the gap in the railing.

The cold breeze brushed against her face. From here, she could see the city—so distant. So small.

The hospital was about 20 stories high. A fall from this height would be fatal. Four seconds until the ground.

-This is for the best… isn’t it? Yes… it is…

Her eyes lost their light.

Her consciousness faded.

"Everyone will be happy…"

Convinced that her existence was nothing more than a burden to others, she leaned forward.

And jumped.

…Or at least, that’s what would have happened if not for a voice breaking the silence.

"Pretty sure the bathrooms aren’t this way… Hmm…"

The sound of footsteps echoed across the rooftop.

"Hey, you— the girl trying to fly. Do you know where the bathrooms are? I think I’m lost."

The stranger shrugged, as if the scene before him was just another ordinary day.

Nino glanced at him. Just for a second.

But she paid him no more attention and went back to what she was doing.

"Cat got your tongue? Oh well, whatever. In that case—hey, you, the other thing next to her. Can you tell me which way I should go?"

Nino attempting to end her life like this made no sense. It wasn’t something she would do.

That was true. It wasn’t a choice she could consciously make.

From the moment Nino stepped onto the rooftop, she hadn’t been alone. A dark presence—a shadow in the shape of a faceless woman with long hair—had been there the entire time.

Waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Finding an easy prey in Nino, the specter had silently drawn close. And without her noticing, it had begun distorting her thoughts, her emotions… her desires. As if every idea running through her mind had been her own from the start.

Specters were common in cities—some more than others. But there was one thing that made them unique: they couldn’t harm humans directly. Not unless they were seen.

And since Nino had no special abilities, she had no way of realizing something was twisting her will.

"Hmm… not much of a talker, huh?" Desmon murmured, his gaze shifting to the faceless figure. "Then again, you don’t have a mouth, so that checks out."

He began walking toward Nino.

She tried to take that final step, but her body wouldn’t move. It was as if something invisible was holding her back.

The specter felt it too.

Desmon’s demonic essence had been stripped away, making him appear like an ordinary human. But if he willed it—if he manifested his energy—things were different.

The specter froze in sheer terror. The kind of fear creatures like it weren’t even supposed to feel.

"One troublesome girl is already enough for me…" Desmon sighed. "Two would be a headache. So… this is where we part ways."

He raised his hand, shaping it like a gun.

"Bang!"

A blast of demonic energy shot straight into the creature.

The specter didn’t even have time to scream before it was destroyed. Its body crumbled into nothingness, vanishing as if it had never existed.

Alive or not—it made no difference to Desmon. To beings like these, he was a nightmare.

"What… what was I doing…?"

The influence faded along with the specter, so Nino snapped back to reality.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t remember anything.

Everything from the moment she had stepped onto the rooftop was a blur.

"I think you were trying to fly." Desmon said, his tone indifferent. "But I don’t think it would’ve worked out."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Nino snapped, irritation clear in her voice.

Every time this guy showed up, something bizarre happened.

But as she spoke, her eyes darted around—only to realize where she was standing. Right at the edge of the rooftop, one wrong step, and it would’ve been over.

"How did I even get here…?! This is your fault, isn’t it?!"

"Don’t remember telling you to walk along the edge for the view."

"You’re the worst…"

And just like that, Nino disappeared from his sight.

"Wow. That’s a neat trick… I don’t get paid enough for this. Then again, technically, I’m not getting paid at all." He sighed.

As Nino tried to step back, away from the ledge, her left foot slipped. Her balance broke and she fell.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

-So this is it… I guess it’s over…

There was no time to process it.

All she knew was that she was falling—plummeting toward death.

Her story would end here. No reconciliation with her sister, no chance to change, not even a single step toward something better.

They say that, in the face of death, a person’s true self is revealed.

-Fuu-kun… Yotsuba… I hope you can forgive me…

Although she wasn’t to blame for what happened, she never truly apologized. She lacked the courage to admit she had made mistakes.

Like letting her emotions take control.

-Girls… I’m sorry…

Accepting her fate, she closed her eyes.

There was nothing else she could do.

A few weeks ago, in a similar situation, she would have hoped for Uesugi to save her.

After all, he was the one she loved.

But today… he made it clear that there was only one place in his heart, and that was for Yotsuba.

That’s why Nakano Nino had no right to even think he would come to save her.

All she could do was surrender.

And wish, with all her heart…

…that in the end, they could both forgive her.

Chapter Text

"You really love causing me trouble, huh?"

As if time had slowed down, their eyes met. Nino didn't know what to think when she saw the guy she found frustrating and foolish by her side, who, without hesitation, lifted her into his arms.

"You...!"

"Not exactly thrilled to see you again either, though it’s only been a few seconds... You should remember that flying requires wings." He smirked mockingly.

As expected, the moment Desmon saw Nino falling, he questioned how someone could be so stubborn and clumsy. After quickly concluding that she might be the most naïve of her sisters, he dashed to the edge of the rooftop and leaped.

One second had passed since Nino had fallen—one second in a four-second drop, creating a significant gap between them. So, the moment Desmon was in the air, he twisted his body, planting his foot against the wall to propel himself forward.

With this, he gained enough speed and force to close the distance, aligning himself with Nino mid-air. From there, all it took was a quick rotation to slow his descent and position himself to catch her. And he did it all in under two seconds.

"You...what are you...!" She protested, irritated by how suddenly Desmon appeared.

"Stopping you from crashing to the ground.. Pretty obvious, isn’t it?" He said with a smug grin.

Their exchange of words lasted only a second, leaving just another before crashing to the ground. Explaining to bystanders how two people had fallen from such a height unscathed would be annoying, so Desmon had another plan in mind.

Kurox, his trusty motorcycle, materialized beneath his feet, serving as a platform to push off from, gaining altitude. The devil arm then vanished—otherwise, it would’ve been like dropping a massive weight onto the pavement.

With a successful boost, he used the hospital walls as stepping stones, swiftly bounding up the building with several rapid jumps.

With one final push, he reached the rooftop, landing smoothly with Nino still in his arms.

This time, Desmon had perfected his landing—Miku had criticized him the last time.

"Thank you for flying with Desmon Airlines. Hope you enjoyed the view."

From the moment Desmon caught her, Nino’s mind struggled to process how she had gone from plummeting to standing safely on the rooftop once again.

No matter how hard she tried, she simply couldn’t comprehend it.

"Put me down!"

But she did understand one thing—Desmon was still holding her like a princess.

"Your wish is my command."

"Kya!"

Nino let out a cute sound as she landed on her backside.

"Why did you drop me?!"

"You wanted me to put you down, but not let you go? Make up your mind... Women are impossible to understand." Desmon sighed.

-I really don’t get these sisters. They’re way more complicated than they seem. No wonder Uesugi chose Yotsuba.

Compared to the others, Yotsuba seemed far more pleasant and approachable.

"You’re a complete idiot!"

"Mmm, maybe just a little." He shrugged.

Nino stood up, dusting off her skirt.

"Dropping a girl just like that… Tch!"

She wanted to focus on the fact that she had almost died, but Desmon’s attitude—acting like it was nothing—infuriated her.

"By the way, how did you even know I was here? Are you stalking me? Gross!" She crossed her arms, fuming at the idea.

"I have better things to do than stalk a crazy girl like you."

"Oh, so I’m supposed to believe you just happened to show up here by chance?!"

"You can thank Miku. She was worried that her idiot sister might do something stupid. Also, since I saw those things lurking around the hospital, it was likely that you were in trouble.''

Miku’s exact words had been different, but her concern for her sister was clear all the same.

Minutes earlier, as they were heading toward the exit, Desmon had noticed the unusually high number of specters lingering around the hospital. It was curious at first, but after a moment’s thought, it made sense—after all, countless people died in this place every day.

"I’m worried about Nino." Miku said, looking worried.

''The one who ran off?’''

''You could at least make an effort to remember her name.’'

One of the reasons the four girls were upset with Desmon was that he kept forgetting their names.

‘'Too much work.'’ He shrugged. '‘If it worriers you so much, why don’t you go after her?’'

Desmon already had a pretty good idea of where Miku was going with this, but he preferred to be wrong.

‘'Right now, she wants to be alone. She probably doesn’t want to talk to any of us… but I know her. She’s my sister.’'

‘'And what you’re really trying to say is?’'

‘'She’s impulsive. After everything that happened, none of us are the right person to talk to her...’' Miku smiled as she looked at Desmon. '‘If only there were a guy who’s absentminded, terrible with words, but honest about what he really thinks—then she wouldn’t know how to react.’'

'‘That’s interesting. Hope you find someone like that.’' He nodded.

‘'It’s you, baka.’'

‘'Ehhh? Why do I have to go talk to your sister? She’s annoying, and she doesn’t seem to like me. Though, I could be wrong.’'

'‘She can’t stand you.’'

‘'Thought so.’'

It wasn’t exactly a surprise that Nino seemed to hate him.

‘'Nino won’t listen to anything we say, but I’m sure she’ll listen to you—because you drive her crazy.’'

‘'I can’t tell if that’s a compliment or an insult, so I’ll just take it as a compliment.’'

Miku burst out laughing.

'‘It’s a favor I’m asking you. I’m counting on you to take care of Nino.’' She said this last part with a serious expression.

‘'Aren’t you trusting me a little too much?’' He raised an eyebrow.

Their interactions had been brief, so entrusting him with something important like Nino felt a bit strange.

‘'Mmm, I don’t know how to explain it, but I feel like I can trust you.’'

Stockholm syndrome?

‘'Maybe Yotsuba isn’t the only one who needs a mental check-up.’'

‘'What was that, Desmon-kun?’' Miku asked, smiling ominously as she clutched her necklace.

Affection? A crush? Not a chance.

Since the day they met, all Desmon had done was be an idiot—someone who seemed to enjoy life in his own way. That alone wasn’t enough to make someone fall for him.

But when it came to getting things done, Desmon had proven he could deliver on his promises. That was enough for Miku to know that if she asked him, he would make sure it got done, no matter what.

'‘Fine, fine. I’ll make sure your sister doesn’t do anything stupid.'’ He sighed, knowing he’d have to track down that troublesome girl.

'‘Thanks.'’ Miku smiled warmly as she bid him farewell.

And so, the young demon hunter set out to find Nino. After a few minutes, he wondered what the most cliché place for a rejected girl to go would be—of course, the rooftop.

And that’s how he found Nino before she could jump.

'‘Miku? She sent you to babysit me like I’m a child!?'’ She said, outraged.

‘'That’s right. You’d probably do something stupid otherwise. I hate being a babysitter…’'

Nino wanted to be angry at Desmon, but she suddenly remembered something he had said.

‘'By the way, what exactly do you mean by "those things"?’'

''Long story short, a specter was messing with your head, making you consider taking skydiving lessons—without a parachute.’'

'‘You’re saying I…’'

‘'Yeah, save the shock. You’re back now, so overthinking it is pointless.’' He shook his head.

‘'You should have more tact when you talk to people!’'

‘'You’re not my boss, and I don’t get paid enough to save you twice, so at least make sure to have a parachute or learn how to fly. Later.’'

Having fulfilled his promise to Miku, Desmon turned to leave.

-I’m hungry. Maybe I’ll stop by a shop and grab something to eat.

'‘It’s so easy for you to talk like that, like you just do whatever you want. You don’t know what it’s like to have someone you love forget about you and be powerless to do anything!’'

Despite him being a stranger, she didn’t hesitate to vent her frustration.

Hearing that, Desmon stopped and turned around.

‘'You’ve got a point. I have no clue what that’s like.’'

Desmon tried to think about it, but he had never been in a similar situation—most of the people he cared about were just… dead.

'‘Then don’t talk like I’m overreacting!'’ She pointed at him.

'‘Is that so? I just said what I think. What’s the point of complaining if you can’t do anything about it?’'

That was something Desmon had been taught—whining and grieving over something beyond your control was meaningless. It was better to focus on making sure it didn’t happen again.

‘'That… that’s not…''

"Your sister was traumatized, but she's still alive. And as long as she's alive, she can recover. As for the rejection, Uesugi isn’t the only guy in the world—find someone else and move on."

There wasn’t much to think about—Desmon was speaking the truth. But it was his truth, something that differs for each person.

"Don't talk like it’s that easy to get over!" She stepped closer to Desmon.

"Just accept it and move on. It’s easy to do. But if you can’t, then you really are an idiot." He nodded.

"You…!"

Nino tried to slap him, but Desmon was faster, flicking her forehead lightly.

"Kya!" Nino winced at the sudden pain and took a step back.

"You need about a hundred more years of training before you even think about hitting me, baka." He said with amusement.

Whether it was a girl or the Prime Minister of Japan, Desmon made no distinctions. Equal treatment for all.

"You’re such an idiot! How dare you hit me?!" She rubbed her sore forehead.

"That was self-defense, no matter how you look at it." He shrugged.

"You…!!" Nino wanted to lash out at him again, but in the end, she gave up.

Unlike normal people, Desmon did whatever he wanted most of the time.

"If you stayed just for that, then leave already! Get out and leave me alone!"

Right now, Nino's opinion of Desmon couldn't be worse.

-I feel like she’s about to do something stupid again. This day is seriously exhausting.

His only option was...

"If you keep dwelling on the past, you’ll miss the things right in front of you." Desmon lifted his gaze to the sky, watching as the gray clouds slowly began to disperse. "Or at least, that’s what someone once told me."

The conversation had hit a dead end. Arguing wouldn’t lead anywhere, so the only thing he could do was try to give her some advice—even if he wasn’t exactly the best person for it.

Nino stared at him, stunned for a few seconds before looking away, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"I know that! Do you think someone like me doesn’t already know that?! It hurts…! Talking is easy, but…" Her voice cracked, and tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

-I really hate these situations… Desmon scratched the back of his head, feeling uncomfortable. These kinds of conversations weren’t his strong suit.

"You don’t have to go through this alone. You have a family that cares about you, and they always will. I mean, I’m here because Miku is worried about you. Technically, I was forced to come, but you get the point." He nodded as if that could somehow downplay the situation.

If it were up to him, he’d already be on his way home, but Miku’s request had kept him on this rooftop.

"I don’t want to drag them into this, I…"

"It’s too late for that. Your sisters care about you." Desmon glanced toward the rooftop entrance. "Whether you like it or not, there are people who won’t just let you disappear from their lives."

Nino clenched her fists. She wanted to shoulder all the blame herself, but in her situation, that was impossible.

"Even so… what happened to Yotsuba… she… she…!"

The conversation was about to loop back to the beginning, making no progress. That’s why Desmon decided to tell Nino a part of his talk with Yotsuba.

"When I spoke with Yotsuba, she told me that, as a kid, being alone was really hard. It was boring and lonely, not having anyone to talk to or spend rainy days with. Well, that’s how she remembers it now."

Nino gritted her teeth tightly.

"But when I kept asking her questions, she said:

‘’Mmm... this might sound strange, but I had some dreams about the past. In them, I wasn’t alone as a child—I was with four other girls. We had fun together, did everything as a group, and were inseparable. But... I can’t remember their faces. It’s a weird dream, isn’t it?’’

‘'She told you that!?'’ Nino stared at him, her eyes filled with total shock.

That was enough to know that Yotsuba hadn’t completely forgotten them. They still existed somewhere in her mind, buried deep in her subconscious, as if a part of her refused to let them go. As long as those fragments of memory remained, no matter how faint, Yotsuba had a chance—however small—of regaining her past.

‘'A bond that strong can’t just disappear. Your sister’s mind suppressed those memories because accepting the truth would have been too painful—that the ones who hurt her were her own sisters. Simply put, Yotsuba loves and cherishes you all so much that she chose to forget rather than face the reality of what happened.’'

That was Mr. Nakano’s conclusion after his explanation.

-I see… I see… Yotsuba refuses to accept that something like that could’ve happened, so her mind blocked it out…

Even now, the human mind remains a mystery, something even science has yet to fully unravel.

But now, Nino understood. Her sister didn’t hate them. Even in this state, Yotsuba still cared about and loved them. Realizing that felt like a ray of light breaking through the darkness.

‘'She doesn’t hate us…’'

Nino’s expression began to change—from sorrowful and distressed to melancholic yet hopeful.

And then, she noticed it.

Sunlight spilled onto the ground. Nino lifted her gaze, watching as the gray clouds that had covered the sky just moments ago had completely dispersed, revealing a vast, brilliant blue sky.

‘'Looks like you finally get it.’' Desmon stretched, noticing that Nino seemed to be feeling better. ‘'You really are a handful. Running off to be alone in the rain, like you were waiting for someone to come and find you so you wouldn’t be by yourself. What are you, a little kid or something?’'

‘'Can you repeat that last part?’ 'For some reason, Desmon’s words felt oddly familiar to Nino.

‘'That you’re a little kid?’'

‘'Not that! The part before.’' She frowned.

‘'That you ran off to be alone in the rain, like you were waiting for someone to come and find you?’'

‘'Where did you hear that!?’'

The words themselves weren’t anything special—but to Nino, they were. She felt a flicker of hope as she waited for Desmon’s response.

‘'Yotsuba said it when I mentioned it looked like it was about to rain.’'

At that moment, something stirred in Yotsuba’s mind—a vague, distant memory.

‘'Rain, hmm… That reminds me. If you ever see someone sad and alone on a rainy day, you should stay with them so they don’t feel lonely!'’ Yotsuba nodded to herself. ‘'I feel like I promised that to someone a long time ago, but I can’t remember who… Oh well! I’m sure I’ll remember someday!'’ She said cheerfully.

Hearing that, Nino was stunned.

‘'She… she still remembers!’'

Tears welled up in her eyes, and no matter how hard she tried to stop them, they spilled over uncontrollably.

But this time, they weren’t tears of sorrow. This time, they were tears of joy—because despite everything, despite her condition, Yotsuba had still managed to hold onto a piece of the promise they made as children.

-At this point, I doubt she’d do anything reckless. Desmon was convinced now. Nino no longer had that aura of sadness hanging over her.

With Desmon’s support, maybe their relationship would finally be a little more peaceful… right?

‘'Why didn’t you mention that sooner…?’' Nino wiped her eyes, drying her tears.

And just when things seemed to be settling down, Nino turned her frustration toward Desmon.

If he had just said that earlier, maybe she wouldn’t have gotten so emotional. Maybe she wouldn’t have thrown a tantrum that led to her falling from the rooftop. In other words, this was all Desmon’s fault.

‘'It was just some random conversation. I didn’t think it mattered.'’ He shrugged.

‘'Of course it matters, you idiot! You could’ve said it from the start!’'

‘'You’re intense. Now I get why Uesugi chose Yotsuba.’'

Is being that blunt a blessing or a curse?

Thanks to Desmon’s kind and considerate words, several veins of anger popped up on Nino’s forehead. Now she was well and truly pissed. Whatever feelings she had before were completely replaced by rage.

As if being rejected wasn’t enough, now they’re making fun of her.

"Go to hell, you idiot!" She gave him the middle finger.

"I would if I could, but I still have things to do. Maybe later." He replied as if he couldn't care less.

"Moron, idiot, fool, dumbass!!!"

Doing anything physical against Desmon was impossible, so all she could do was insult him and try to vent her frustration.

"Aren’t you overreacting? He just rejected you. There are plenty of guys out there."

For someone who’s never been rejected, his words felt like punches to Nino.

"Don’t talk like it’s that easy! Do you think I’d just go out with any random guy?"

"Yeah? Would you?"

"You’re a complete idiot!" She had to hold back the urge to punch him.

"You asked."

"That’s not the point! Fuu-kun is special to me, he’s really important! I can’t just forget about him so easily!"

The situation had shifted from emotional and sad to Nino wanting to beat Desmon up. Humans really are fickle creatures.

"But he rejected you. And he has a girlfriend."

"I know…"

"Though, now that I think about it, with your personality, I doubt any guy would be willing to put up with you."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean!?" She was ready to jump at him, even though she knew she’d lose.

"Oh well, guess I’ll have to sacrifice myself for the greater good. Hopefully, my noble act will be worthy of a peace prize." He said with conviction.

"You!? Hahaha, don’t make me laugh! Not even if you were the last guy on earth!"

-I have way better qualities than that idiot. I’m sure any guy would be happy to talk to me. Not that I need them, anyway. She thought proudly.

Nino would rather stay single than even consider dating someone with Desmon’s attitude.

"Oi, oi, I think I’m a solid option. I like eating sweets, I enjoy sleeping, and I’d rather stay home than go to work."

What girl wouldn’t be attracted to such amazing qualities?

"Hahaha!" Nino couldn’t hold back her laughter at the nonsense he was spouting. "You’re an idiot! You have no idea how to deal with girls, your attitude is the worst, and any girl interested in you should seriously see a therapist!"

-As long as they’re not too much of a hassle, I guess dating a slightly crazy girl wouldn’t be so bad.

It’s not like the girls Desmon usually dealt with were completely sane. Take the four sisters possessed by a demon who fought him—no matter how you looked at it, those girls were missing a few screws.

"Right now, I’m looking at a girl who checks all those boxes. Though she’s still a headache, considering she tried to fly by jumping off a building. Maybe she’s an idiot, but she’s kind of cute."

A fantastic compliment that would surprise any girl—but not in a good way.

"I don’t even know why I’m still talking to you!"

This last part really pissed Nino off, mainly because it was true. So she decided to leave before Desmon could give her an even bigger headache.

"Because you keep talking to me. Even an idiot would figure that out."

"I’m outta here!"

Tired of that guy, Nino walked toward the rooftop entrance to leave. Just as she stepped through the door, she whispered something to herself and kept walking.

"You could be more honest, it wouldn’t hurt you." Desmon said with a lighthearted tone.

Even though Nino spoke in a low voice, Desmon’s enhanced senses picked it up.

"Thanks."

All the pain and guilt Nino had been feeling faded after her conversation with Desmon, giving her renewed hope that one day Yotsuba would regain her memories. As for the rejection, Desmon’s stupidity made it easier for her to forget the sting. After all, she gained confidence in knowing that finding a partner wouldn’t be an issue for her—while Desmon, on the other hand, was just a hopeless fool who could barely talk to girls without scaring them off.

Simply put, despite how unlikely it seemed, Nino realized that everything that had happened in these last few minutes had helped her process the negative emotions she had been carrying. And considering Desmon had saved her life, she couldn’t just leave without thanking him.

Of course, she wasn’t about to acknowledge him directly. He probably hadn’t even intended to help her—just blurted out the first thing that came to mind. Still, she knew that things had turned out fine thanks to that idiot.

Without a doubt, any girl who hangs around Desmon has a screw loose.

And so, just as Miku predicted, Desmon was the one person Nino wouldn’t know how to deal with.

"I guess you could call that a good outcome?" Desmon tilted his head.

Now, with his last unpaid job done, he could finally head home. Maybe he’d even make it in time for lunch. Shizuka had probably made ramen.

Something Desmon definitely wouldn’t complain about.

-Guess I should wrap everything up… and here I thought I was done.

"How much longer do you plan on eavesdropping?" He asked in his usual voice.

His voice echoed across the rooftop, as if speaking to no one in particular—but that wasn’t the case.

"Ah, you caught me. Figures."

Near the rooftop entrance, another girl peeked out—the same one Desmon had seen just a few minutes ago.

Looks like his day was far from over.

Chapter Text

Nakano Ichika is the eldest of five sisters, and ever since their mother passed away, she had to take on the role of the most mature one to fill the void left behind and ensure they were all okay. She became their guide, the one who had to stay strong no matter the situation.

From a young age, Ichika was forced to grow up quickly, understanding that as the eldest sister, it was her responsibility to take care of the others.

This pushed her to make difficult decisions from an early age, becoming the "adult" figure in the household while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. She smiled, joked, and did everything she could to make sure her sisters never noticed how much it weighed on her.

Although she often appeared easygoing and playful, beneath that facade lay a heavy burden. Her desire to protect her sisters led her to ignore her own feelings and needs.

However, when she fell in love with Uesugi, her personality changed—she became more selfish and manipulative, even going as far as disguising herself as one of her sisters to deceive him. For the first time in her life, she didn’t want to lose something she wanted for herself.

This internal conflict tormented her, as her love for Uesugi clashed with her duty to prioritize her sisters. But in the end, when Uesugi chose Yotsuba, it all seemed to come to an end.

Yet, that was only the prelude to an even greater tragedy—Nakano Yotsuba was gravely injured and suffered lasting mental scars due to the actions of her own sisters.

In the days that followed, Ichika began having unsettling dreams about the incident. Disturbing images haunted her—visions of them hurting Yotsuba. Miku, through subtle remarks, made her question whether they were just nightmares, but Ichika chose to ignore it.

That changed the day the strange white-haired boy revealed the whole truth—a truth too difficult to accept. At first, Ichika refused to believe it, but the more she listened, the more those dreams began to make sense. Desmon’s words echoed in her mind, but even then, it wasn’t enough to convince her.

The final proof came with Yotsuba’s reaction upon seeing them. In that instant, there was no longer any doubt—they had been responsible for her suffering. The pain in Yotsuba’s eyes was unmistakable, and the guilt became unbearable.

Each sister reacted differently to the truth, but for Ichika, the blow was devastating. She, who was supposed to look after her sisters’ well-being, had ended up causing them irreparable harm.

Even so, she tried to suppress her emotions and inner turmoil, just as she always had. Acting as the eldest sister was her duty—if she didn’t do it, who would? But this time, for the first time in her life, her hands trembled.

She tried to hide it, but the final blow came when she heard Uesugi’s direct rejection. Deep down, she had already expected it, but hearing it from his own lips was brutal.

A hollow feeling spread through her chest, as if everything that had kept her standing had finally crumbled.

After some time, she dried her tears and spoke with her father about Yotsuba’s condition before leaving. It wasn’t a situation she could handle directly—her sister’s recovery would be in the hands of professionals.

But there was still something she could do—find Nino and talk to her. Seeing her run off in tears was not a good sign.

Determined to find her and make her come to her senses, Ichika said goodbye to Itsuki and set out on her search.

"Where could Nino have gone?"

Ichika searched the hospital for several minutes with no success. She tried calling her, but Nino didn’t answer. Her heart pounded—she couldn’t leave her alone at a time like this.

-If I were Nino, where would I go?

After thinking for a few seconds, Ichika took the elevator up to the rooftop. As she stepped outside, she was greeted by the last few drops of rain falling and the damp scent of the air.

"I thought she’d be here."

She walked around, but there was no one in sight. The sound of the wind and the overwhelming sense of solitude surrounded her.

-I guess she must have gone somewhere else...

However, an odd feeling made her stop. Something told her she shouldn’t leave just yet.

Just as she was about to turn back and continue searching, she heard a strange noise approaching quickly. Her instincts kicked in, and she hid near the rooftop entrance.

"Thank you for flying Desmon Airlines. Hope you enjoyed the view."

-Is that guy…? And he’s with Nino?

Ichika watched in surprise as Desmon held her sister in his arms, but what was even more shocking was that they had appeared out of nowhere.

-That must’ve hurt…

She considered stepping out of her hiding spot to talk to them, but she froze when Desmon casually dropped Nino to the ground.

-I think I’ll listen a little longer.

Unsure of how to interrupt them, she decided to stay silent and eavesdrop on their conversation.

Thanks to this, she uncovered several startling details.

Miku had sent Desmon to stop Nino from doing something stupid, and it seemed like he had succeeded.

On top of that, Desmon casually mentioned how Nino had jumped from the rooftop, which alarmed Ichika. However, she felt relieved upon hearing that it had all been caused by a specter influencing her sister—and that Desmon had already taken care of it.

Ichika didn’t know much about the supernatural, so she could only accept it.

-Should I thank him later?

Whether she wanted to or not, Desmon had once again saved one of her sisters—something she had failed to do herself.

As time passed, their conversation grew more intense, and Ichika noticed that it was only a matter of time before Nino tried to lash out at Desmon.

-She really pushed her luck this time…

Ichika was taken aback when Desmon stopped Nino’s incoming slap with nothing more than a flick to her forehead.

Normally, Ichika would have stepped in, but the movement was so fast that she barely had time to react.

The more she listened, the clearer it became that Desmon was completely indifferent to other people’s feelings.

-If this keeps up, Nino will be the one who suffers the most. I need to do something…

At first, she thought Desmon would offer her sister some help or advice, but it turned out to be the opposite—he was just mocking her.

“If you keep dwelling on the past, you’ll miss the things right in front of you.” Desmon looked up at the sky, watching as the gray clouds slowly began to scatter. “Or at least, that’s what someone once told me.”

Ichika paused at those words.

-Maybe I should keep watching…

The conversation took an unexpected turn when Desmon suddenly softened his tone and began offering Nino advice.

-Did he see me? Was that just a coincidence?

For a moment, Desmon’s gaze landed precisely on her hiding spot, sending a chill down her spine. But when he looked away, she convinced herself it had just been happenstance.

-I see… Yotsuba still remembers us, even if only vaguely…

Tears of joy welled up in her eyes upon realizing that her sister hadn’t completely forgotten them.

Knowing that helped ease the heavy burden of guilt she had been carrying—if only a little. Maybe, with time, she could finally move forward.

After a few more minutes, things got heated again, and the discussion turned into another argument. Furious, Nino finally decided to leave.

-I don’t know if he did that on purpose… or if he was actually flirting with Nino…

“I’m outta here!”

Tired of Desmon constantly teasing her, Nino stormed off toward the rooftop door.

“Thanks.” She muttered under her breath.

But since Ichika was close by, she heard it loud and clear.

-So, you noticed after all, huh?

With Nino gone, Desmon was left alone.

-Nino already left… I just have to wait for him to leave too, then I can...

“How much longer do you plan on eavesdropping?”

-He knew from the start…

“Ah, you caught me. Figures.”

With no other choice, Ichika stepped out of her hiding spot, coming face-to-face with Desmon.

“Normally, I’d say being spied on is annoying, but if it’s by a cute girl, I guess I can let it slide.” He said in his usual carefree tone, watching her with amusement.

Ichika wore a long-sleeved yellow sweater and white pants—a combination that highlighted both her femininity and maturity.

“That’s your idea of a compliment?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Mmm, depends. What do you think?”

“It’s the worst compliment I’ve ever heard.” She replied with a teasing smirk.

“Then I guess it’s not.”

Ichika had seen enough of Desmon’s personality to know how to handle him. He wasn’t someone who took things too seriously.

“We haven’t properly introduced ourselves, have we? I’m Nakano Ichika, nice to meet you.” She said calmly, giving a small nod.

Even though she had overheard most of his conversation with Nino, there were still a few things she wanted to ask. The first step was to establish a proper conversation.

“The name’s Desmon. Your reliable and friendly demon hunter—though I take on all sorts of jobs.” He introduced himself as he always did.

If Shizuka were here, she’d probably scold him for not following proper Japanese etiquette.

"I want to thank you for your help." Ichika bowed her head slightly in respect.

"Drop the formalities, they’re not my thing. Besides, your father already paid me—that’s why he hired me." Desmon waved his hands dismissively.

Ichika understood immediately: Desmon wasn’t someone who helped others out of kindness—he did it because he was paid to. It would’ve been different if he had simply happened to be passing by and decided to step in on his own.

"I wasn’t talking about that." She shook her head with a smile. "I meant your help today."

"All I did was show up and chat for a bit. Besides, I promised your father that day, so think of it as a little extra."

-I see, he has a hard time accepting gratitude…

"You helped Nino when she jumped off the rooftop."

"Miku asked me to. I couldn’t refuse—I owed her for helping me that day."

"Is that so?" Ichika tilted her head innocently.

"It is. Otherwise, I’d already be on my way home."

"But you didn’t leave, and that’s reason enough to thank you." She flashed a sincere smile.

"You’re not gonna drop this until I accept it, huh? Fine, fine, I get it. It was nothing."

With no other choice, Desmon accepted Ichika’s gratitude, though he had a feeling she was subtly teasing him.

"By the way, Desmon-kun, I’m curious… when you talked about specters, are they different from demons?"

Ichika couldn’t help but wonder if it was just a coincidence that her family had encountered both creatures in less than a week.

"To put it simply, they’re like mosquitoes—you’ll find them everywhere. Most people can’t see them, so it’s not an issue. But if someone is in a vulnerable state, one of them might be able to manipulate them. Like, for example, that thing right next to you."

"Eh?!"

A chill ran down Ichika’s spine as she hesitantly turned her gaze to her right… but there was nothing there.

"You scared me!" She pouted, looking back at him.

"My mistake. It was to my right. But it doesn’t really matter—you wouldn’t be able to see it anyway."

"I get the joke, but it’s not as funny when you repeat it." She sighed, brushing it off.

Contrary to her expectations, Desmon flashed a wicked grin and stepped closer, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"I can’t guarantee this will work, but I’ve learned that if you’re creative enough, demonic energy can be used in all sorts of ways. So, I want to experiment a little."

With a relaxed expression, he infused his hand with demonic energy and held it out toward Ichika, who eyed him with suspicion.

-Is this another one of his jokes? Or does he just want to hold my hand?

"You should be more straightforward with your insinuations~" She teased, deciding to play along.

Without thinking too much about it, Ichika took Desmon’s hand, feeling a faint tingling sensation on her skin. It seemed like just another one of the demon hunter’s pranks—nothing to worry about.

"What do you think? It looks kind of nice, doesn’t it?"

"I don’t think..."

Ichika averted her gaze absentmindedly, but this time, something caught her eye.

Right beside her, an amorphous, dark mass slithered across the rooftop. Its body was made of liquid shadows, shifting and twisting, with multiple grotesque mouths and erratic, writhing limbs.

-This can’t be real…

Her eyes locked onto the creature, as if she were staring at a monster straight out of a horror movie—except this time, it was real.

"If you keep staring at it, it’ll notice you… and do something like that."

The specter seemed to freeze for a moment before twisting its deformed head toward Ichika. The instant it noticed her startled reaction, the creature responded immediately.

"Can you see me...? She can... Can you see me...? Do you see me?! Do you see me?!"

The specter's many mouths began speaking in unison, forming a chaotic and unsettling murmur. Its voice was a blend of a wrenching wail and a distorted echo.

The moment it confirmed someone could see it, the creature lunged at Ichika with unnatural speed, emitting grotesque sounds—like something straight out of hell.

"That demonstration should be enough."

Desmon sighed indifferently and, with a simple snap of his fingers, unleashed a shockwave of demonic energy. The invisible force struck the specter, breaking it apart into shadowy particles that dissipated into the air.

Ichika watched in silence, her body still trembling from the shock.

"And that would be a specter." Desmon explained calmly. "Something that can be eliminated with minimal effort. Demons, on the other hand, are far more troublesome. They can see you from the start, and unlike specters, they don’t play around… they just kill and devour you."

Ichika didn’t respond right away. Her mind was still processing what she had just witnessed. Hearing about it was one thing, but seeing it with her own eyes was something else entirely.

Until a few minutes ago, specters were nothing more than something out of a TV show. Now, she knew they were real—and terrifying.

"Hey, are you listening? Still in a trance?"

Desmon waved a hand in front of her face, trying to snap her out of it.

"Yeah... I'm fine... It's just hard to process that those things are around us..."

"Not always." Desmon gave it some thought. "They're mostly found in hospitals and cemeteries. Though, there is one city where you’ll find them everywhere."

-Now that I think about it, I need to go back there and ask that old lady for another one of those talismans to help me learn Japanese.

Learning from Yukinoshita isn’t working—she just keeps scolding him for not knowing something even a grade-schooler could understand.

"Good to know the difference… I guess…" Ichika sighed in relief, realizing that thing was truly gone.

"Like I said, most specters aren’t an issue. But if you're emotionally vulnerable or if you can see them… well, you can probably guess the outcome."

"So..."

"I don’t know any way to keep them away. And as for demons…" Desmon locked eyes with her. "If you see one, call me. That’s my job, after all." He said with a confident smile.

"I see… In that case, it’d be good to have your number." Ichika nodded slowly.

Desmon smirked, as if just noticing something.

"I’d give it to you, but I kinda need my hand free first."

Ichika blinked in confusion before realizing she was still gripping Desmon’s hand tightly. Her face flushed slightly as the situation sank in.

"Ah, sorry! I didn’t even notice… Guess I got a little distracted, hahaha!"

She quickly let go, trying to mask her nervousness with an awkward laugh. No one could blame her—seeing a specter for the first time would rattle anyone.

Without making a fuss about it, Desmon casually pulled his phone from his pocket. Ichika did the same, and after bringing their devices close, the contact transfer was done in an instant.

Technology keeps evolving at an insane pace—soon enough, we’ll probably have computers that can hack entire nations.

"I’ll give you a discount on your first request." He said confidently.

"That’s reassuring." Her sarcasm was subtle but clear.

Friendship and business were two different things, and Desmon rarely mixed them. Of course, his idea of payment was pretty unconventional—he could charge anything from a hefty sum of money to something as trivial as a chocolate bar, depending on his mood and the situation.

"By the way, you’re not gonna ask me to be your personal advisor or something, right? I’ve had enough of your sister..."

Glancing at her with mild curiosity, Desmon wondered why Ichika was still lingering. She didn’t seem in a hurry to leave, yet she also wasn’t starting another conversation.

In truth, she was still processing everything she had just witnessed.

As for the demon hunter, he just wanted to grab lunch and wrap up this whole Nakano sisters ordeal.

"No need. Unlike my sisters, I understand the situation." Her voice was calm—almost too composed for the moment.

Desmon studied her with a mix of curiosity and relief. If Ichika had already overheard his conversation with Nino, then she must have known that Yotsuba still remembered them. That meant he didn’t have to spell it out for her.

"It's a relief to hear that. I thought you'd be feeling down too after how directly Uesugi rejected them for Yotsuba, and that you'd want to talk it over with someone other than your sisters to get an outsider's perspective. But since that's not the case, I have nothing more to do here, so I'll take my leave. See you around."

He raised a hand in farewell and walked toward the rooftop door at a relaxed pace.

Finally, I can go home...

Being surrounded by troublesome girls was mentally exhausting.

In a good mood, Desmon began humming a tune carefreely. Freedom was just a few steps away.

Or so he thought.

"Hmm?"

He had barely stepped through the doorway when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Instinctively, he pulled it out to check, hoping it wasn’t a message from Lady.

Nakano Ichika:

If you’ve got some free time, that idea doesn’t sound so bad.

Desmon blinked several times, as if trying to force his brain to process the situation.

"Should I be relieved that it’s not Lady... or depressed that it's a message from the girl I just said goodbye to?"

He turned his head and saw her. Ichika was sitting on one of the rooftop benches, her expression calm but with a hint of expectation in her gaze. She raised a hand and gestured for him to come closer.

-If Miku trusts Desmon-kun enough, and he was able to help Nino... then maybe I should give him a chance. Ichika thought with a smile.

If even her more cautious sisters had trusted Desmon, maybe she could too. Maybe she could finally shake off the weight of that rejection.

She could act like the understanding big sister, pretend Uesugi’s rejection was already behind her. But in the end, it was all just an act. And if someone was willing to listen, why turn them down?

Desmon let out a long, exhausted sigh.

-Next time, I’ll leave without saying too much...

Resigned to his fate, he walked back and dropped onto the bench beside her.

"Don’t look so down, I’ll treat you to lunch later." She said cheerfully.

"Who do I have to get rid of?" He asked in a serious tone, since there was something on the table now.

Ichika let out a light laugh. If she didn’t know his personality, she might’ve thought he was serious.

"Oh, come on. I just need a listener."

Desmon adjusted his seat and sighed once more before flashing a half-smile.

Giving advice wasn’t really his thing, but if a meal was part of the deal... how dumb would he be to turn it down?

"I'm all yours."

Chapter Text

"So, what do you think?" Ichika asked curiously, tilting her head.

"I'm trying to process it... it's a lot of information."

For over ten uninterrupted minutes, Ichika explained everything from her perspective—starting from the day Uesugi introduced himself as their tutor up until now. It was a full summary of events, along with details about her emotions and the reasoning behind her decisions.

For someone like Desmon, though, understanding all of this would just give him a headache.

"I think fighting demons is easier than listening to a girl talk..."

"Really? I tried to keep it as brief as possible." She said, resting a finger against the side of her lips.

"Hmmmm."

Ever since he started living alone, Desmon's life had been about eliminating targets and surviving on his own. Sure, there was a time when he had something resembling a mentor—someone who trained him and gave him a home—but it’s not like two men would sit around discussing feelings and all that.

"Just to be sure, you're asking for my neutral opinion on your actions and decisions, right?"

Ichika pouted. "Haven’t you been listening!?"

-And here I was, being so honest...

"Don't get mad. I just wanted to confirm." He replied with a shrug.

"So, what do you think, Desmon-kun?"

Ichika clenched her fist. She knew her actions had never been right—in fact, she could admit she’d been a terrible older sister. But still, there was a chance Desmon might have a different perspective...

"From a neutral standpoint, you're a terrible sister. If there were a competition for the worst older sister, you'd win by a landslide."

As expected, he gave his honest opinion.

"Hahaha... as blunt as ever." She said awkwardly.

-I figured as much... Everything I did was awful as a sister.

"You impersonated your sisters multiple times to deceive Uesugi and sabotage Miku. You also prevented another sister from making a move on the guy she liked. You played dirty countless times out of selfishness, and that’s just scratching the surface. I could go on all day."

Desmon had only pointed out the highlights based on what he’d heard, but he could easily keep listing more.

"I get it, I get it... no need to repeat what I said." She muttered, averting her gaze.

-I really am the worst... but I already knew that. She gritted her teeth at the thought.

Hearing it from someone else hurt more than she expected—like Desmon was outright condemning her selfish behavior. Then again, this was exactly what she had wanted from the start.

"Your actions would be considered criminal in several countries." He said with a calm expression. "That’s my neutral take. But I also have a personal opinion."

-Well... it can’t possibly be worse than what he already said.

Ichika sighed and tried to force her usual confident smile, but it was a poor attempt. Desmon’s words had hit her harder than she’d thought. But since she was the one who asked for this, she had no right to complain.

"Alright, let’s hear it."

"You should've just kidnapped Uesugi and locked him up somewhere."

"Huh?"

Ichika could expect anything from Desmon, but she never saw that coming.

No sane person would ever ask for his opinion. Given the way he was raised, his ideas were the complete opposite of normal human ethics.

"If you want something, you take it. Simple as that." He said indifferently.

During the darkest period of his life, his actions couldn't exactly be called 'moral.' Even though he had changed, he still had some questionable thoughts. He just avoided acting on them now because the consequences were too much of a hassle.

If he wanted money, what was stopping him from robbing a bank? The police? That guy could massacre an entire country's law enforcement while barely breaking a sweat. But doing so would make him a national enemy, leaving him with no peace, and everyone would run from him.

Desmon defied human logic—his strength, endurance, and regeneration were beyond anything normal. He was a danger to anyone. But he wasn’t some lunatic who killed people for no reason.

As long as he remained the same idiot he’d always been, he could still pass as just another teenager.

"Hold on a second, I don't think I heard you right." Ichika blinked several times, unable to process Desmon’s words.

"If you really wanted Uesugi, you should’ve just taken him for yourself. A few ropes and a good hit to the back of the neck, and he’s yours. What’s so wrong with being selfish?"

"That’s a crime!"

"It’s only a crime if you get caught."

"You've got a point... No, wait—no! It's a crime because it's wrong!" Ichika nearly agreed with him.

-Is this guy even sane?

There was no way Ichika would ever do something so outrageous.

"If you’d prefer another method, you could manipulate Uesugi, make him feel like he’s lost everything, and then become his guiding light. He’d grow as dependent on you as a pet."

On his way back from his first job as staff for Devil May Cry, Desmon made a stop in Manhattan, New York, where he spent several days assisting a certain police unit in tracking down criminals. Well, not that he was actually helpful—he just found it entertaining and had nothing better to do. And since the officers couldn’t do much about him, they just let him be. Not like they had much of a choice.

That’s why he knows a few techniques psychopaths use on their victims.

"That could—wait! No! That’s another crime!"

-Did I make a mistake asking for his opinion?

"You’re really demanding..." Desmon sighed. "Then, you could just eliminate him. If he’s not yours, he won’t be anyone else’s."

Yeah... letting this guy participate in investigations on psychopaths was a mistake. He learned way too much about how those lunatics think.

"Your suggestions just keep getting worse! There’s no way I could ever do something like that!!!"

Desmon's examples were only getting more extreme.

"If you haven’t done anything like that, then what’s the problem?" He shrugged.

"Huh?" She couldn’t quite grasp what he was getting at.

"From what you told me, all you did was try to be a little more selfish this time. You liked someone and did your best to make him notice you. What’s so wrong with that?"

"But... I did terrible things to my sisters!"

Little by little, Ichika's mask was slipping. She had expected Desmon to reprimand her, just like he had been doing from the start—not to support her decisions.

"If we ignore that demon showing up, the situation between you five was normal. People argue, especially siblings. So in the end, your actions didn’t really have any lasting consequences," he said calmly.

"What are you implying?"

"It doesn’t matter what you did—only how it turned out in the end. Or as they say, the means don’t matter, only the results. And in your case, despite everything you did, you didn’t get the guy. So in the end, none of it mattered."

Desmon's way of thinking was straightforward. That’s exactly why he could stay so relaxed and unfazed by everything happening around him. Who cares if you go through tough times? As long as you survive, the problems will sort themselves out eventually.

Well, except for death. There’s no fixing that.

-That doesn’t make any sense... But why does it feel like it does?

Desmon's words should’ve sounded like nonsense to Ichika. She knew that. But the more she thought about it, the more they started making sense.

That was because of everything she had been through. Understanding that creatures existed that defied logic hadn’t been easy. So, what was so wrong about Desmon’s way of thinking?

"You’re saying I should just ignore everything I did and act like it never happened?" She asked, unsettled.

"Not at all. If you did that, you’d be a psychopath."

"Huh!?"

This time, she genuinely had no idea how to take that.

"I’m not telling you to pretend it never happened. Just acknowledge it and move on with your life." Desmon glanced up at the sky.

"You’re asking too much. It’s like you want me to move on as if nothing happened, knowing what I did. That’s way too selfish." She gave a fragile smile, as if she were moments away from breaking.

"What’s wrong with being selfish?"

Those simple words were the final straw. It was as if Desmon hadn’t listened to anything she had said—as if everything she had done had been meaningless, as if she hadn’t hurt anyone at all.

"What’s wrong with it? Everything! I’m the eldest sister—my priority is to take care of my sisters, to support them! But... when I started liking Uesugi-kun, I just couldn’t suppress my feelings. I should have. I should have kept acting like I always did. I..."

“Baka.”

Desmon flicked her forehead lightly with his fingers.

“Kya!”

-Is this what Nino felt? Ichika rubbed her aching forehead.

“As I said, you’re making a big deal out of this.” Desmon looked at her again, but this time, his expression turned serious. “You did a lot of bad things to your sisters, so what? Did you do it for no reason? You’re not some lunatic who tried to ruin their lives just for fun. Everything you did was to get the guy you like. What’s so wrong about that?”

“I… Kya!”

“I’m not done talking.”

Since she was the eldest sister, Desmon gave her a second flick to the forehead.

-Isn’t this too much? And why does it seem like he enjoys hitting me?

Ichika wanted to complain and let out her frustration, but Desmon’s actions made that impossible.

“A lot happened, and maybe what you did wasn’t the best, but things are fine now between you and your sisters. So there’s no point in dwelling on the past. If you do, you won’t be able to face the future.”

-Who would’ve thought quoting lines from one of Shizuka’s mangas would actually be useful?

“…Is it really okay for me to think that way?” She asked hesitantly.

-Is this girl stubborn or just plain dumb…?

Desmon was trying to get his point across, but Ichika just wasn’t getting it. Then again, hardly anyone would.

“Look, if you had done something truly awful, like… I don’t know, cutting off a limb from each of your sisters to attach them to yourself before kidnapping Uesugi or something, then yeah, you’d owe them a huge apology. But compared to that, you were just a little selfish. Honestly, it’s kind of funny how he never realized you were impersonating one of your sisters.” He spoke as if it was nothing.

Common morals and ethics didn’t apply to Desmon. Expecting a rational response from him was asking too much.

-Why does he say such ridiculous things? What kind of comparison is that? …And the worst part is that, somehow, it’s making me feel less guilty.

Bit by bit, the serious conversation turned into nonsense, making Ichika question if she had been overthinking everything. Her sense of morality and ethics was getting twisted by this problematic guy.

“…Alright, I think I get what you’re saying.” She sighed, giving up on trying to understand Desmon’s logic.

-I didn’t do anything so unforgivable that it can’t be fixed with a simple apology to the others, so clinging to this guilt doesn’t make sense… I think…

After reflecting on Desmon’s words, Ichika arrived at a simple conclusion: There’s no point in worrying about something from the past that’s already been resolved. A predictable outcome if you take advice from someone like him—someone who lives simply without overcomplicating things.

“It’s not that hard, is it?” Desmon stood up from the bench and stretched. “At the end of the day, you’re the only one who decides how to live your life. If you can’t do that, you’re just an idiot.” He said with a grin.

The doubts Ichika had at the start were gone—not because Desmon was particularly persuasive, but because the way he spoke made her problems seem trivial.

Making her feel like an idiot for not getting over them sooner.

“People who call others idiots are the real idiots, baka.” She smiled calmly.

“I never said that, but if you felt called out, that’s not my fault.” He shrugged.

“You always have an answer for everything, don’t you?” She pouted when her argument was shot down.

“I just say whatever comes to mind.”

A simple guy with simple responses.

“I can tell. You have no filter when talking to people. You should learn to be more considerate, especially with girls.” She scolded him.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it… Why does everyone keep telling me that?”

Desmon had lost count of how many times he’d heard that, but he was sure it was more than twice…

-I guess I could teach him a thing or two…

“Let’s do this: I’ll ask you some questions, and you have to tell me how you’d react in each situation.”

Since Desmon had helped her, the least Ichika could do was help him deal with girls. Maybe it’d make things easier for him in the future.

“I don’t mind.” He nodded, in a good mood.

Ichika crossed her legs and cleared her throat, imitating a TV show host.

“Alright, let’s start! 1- If a girl says she’s cold, what do you do?”

“I tell her to find a store with heating.”

2- "If a girl asks you for directions, what do you do?"

"I tell her to look it up on her phone."

3- "If a girl tells you she's feeling sad, what do you do?"

"I tell her to buy some ice cream to cheer up—and maybe get me one too."

4- "If a girl says her new dress looks ugly, what do you say?"

"If it's ugly, why did she buy it? Is she an idiot?"

5- "If a girl says, 'I'm fat,' what do you say?"

"I don’t know—do you want a workout routine or a burger?"

6- "If a girl is mad at you and says, 'Do whatever you want,' what do you do?"

"I do whatever I want. Obviously."

7- "If a girl says, 'I'm not hungry,' but then takes your food, what do you do?"

"I take my food back and run for it."

8- "If a girl texts you ‘Hi’ and nothing else, what do you reply?"

"'Bye,' to keep things balanced."

9- "If a girl asks, 'What would you do if I disappeared one day?'"

"Depends. Did she owe me money?"

10- "If a girl asks, 'Do you remember what day it is today?' but you have no clue, what do you do?"

"I check my phone. It’s probably a Friday."

With that last question, the room fell completely silent.

Ichika looked at Desmon with a complicated expression—or at least that's what her face showed.

"Desmon-kun, you were being honest with your answers, right?" She asked, looking troubled.

"Why would I lie? So, how’d I do?"

-Is this for real?

"You're terrible at understanding a girl's feelings." She sighed, completely drained after hearing his responses.

"You asked for honesty."

"You're right, that was my mistake… I completely forgot these questions wouldn't make sense…" Ichika started regretting bringing this up, but it only proved how much work she had ahead of her with him.

Expecting reasonable answers from Desmon was asking too much.

"Listen up, Desmon-kun. I’m going to answer some of these questions for you, so next time, think more about the other person and follow my lead. Got it?"

"Do I have to?"

"That wasn’t a request." Her expression turned ominous.

Ichika took it upon herself to make sure Desmon learned how to deal with girls.

"Yes, ma’am!"

-Should I just jump off the rooftop? Desmon thought.

If you can't handle a girl, you can always run.

"If a girl says she's cold, offer her your jacket. If she asks for directions, explain the way and walk her there so she doesn’t get lost. If she looks tired from walking or standing, support her or find a nice place to rest. If she asks how she looks today, tell her she looks as beautiful as always. Got it, Desmon-kun?"

"Do I have to?"

"It’s the bare minimum! Be more considerate of girls, understood!?" She scolded him again.

"I’ll keep it in mind…"

-Oh well, what do I have to lose? In the end, he gave in.

And with that, Ichika’s lesson was over—though she had no idea that this would only lead to more problems and misunderstandings for the demon hunter.

"Can we eat now? I’m hungry."

"I have a question—or rather, I just want to satisfy my curiosity. Just answer honestly."

-Desmon-kun knows our situation, so it’s not that awkward to ask him this.

"As long as it’s not some school trivia, I don’t mind.' He replied, uninterested.

Who would score higher on a test—Desmon or a grade schooler?

"If you were in Uesugi-kun’s situation and had to choose one of us five as your girlfriend, who would you pick?"

Knowing how brutally honest Desmon was, Ichika was curious to hear his answer—especially since the guy in front of her wasn’t exactly the most normal person.

Of course, out of the Nakano sisters, Desmon seemed to get along best with Miku, or at least that’s what Ichika had noticed. So she expected him to lean toward her.

"None of you." He said firmly. "You’re all way too much trouble, and I barely know anything about you."

Desmon might try to avoid trouble, but somehow, it always found him. Having these girls around would only take away his rare moments of peace.

"Yeah… I should’ve seen that coming…" Ichika sighed.

"It’s only logical, isn’t it? Why would I date someone I don’t even know?"

Who in their right mind would go out with a girl they barely knew?

It might sound strange, but Desmon’s view on relationships was shaped by what he learned as a kid. Since then, he’d never really had a chance to talk about it with anyone.

At least in that aspect, he was an idealist.

"Oh, that's a good point!" She said, surprised.

-It's strange hearing him say something that actually makes sense.

''Although, if I spoke from Uesugi's perspective, having known and interacted with all five of you for a long time, my answer would be easy.''

"And what would that be?" She asked, intrigued.

"I would choose all five of you.''

"Eh!?"

Choosing just one? Why would you, if you could have them all? Something so incredibly selfish that a normal person wouldn't even consider it.

Or at least, that’s what he learned from hearing Shizuka complain about how some of the harem manga she reads end with the protagonist picking just one girl—too afraid to take the risk and go for all of them.

Japanese law prohibits polygamy, and dating five sisters would definitely be considered indecent, frowned upon by society. But that’s not something Desmon really cares about.

In the end, someone as straightforward and selfish as Desmon would always go for everything rather than settle for just one. Of course, it all depended on how the girls responded.

"That's strange?"

"Of course it is! Choosing all five girls... though... I guess that is something you'd do."

After thinking about it for a moment, Ichika realized that if anyone would give that kind of answer, it would be Desmon.

"I don't see the problem."

"Maybe not, but the girls would probably beat you up for saying that." She nodded.

"Maybe you're right, but since it's something that’ll never happen, I don’t have to think about it."

Would multiple girls actually fall for a guy like that? To begin with, they’d have to be a little crazy themselves.

"That’s one way to look at it." Ichika smiled softly, wishing the demon hunter luck.

Desmon simply shrugged in response.

With that, their conversation came to an end. It was time for lunch.

"So..."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Like I promised, I’ll treat you to lunch."

-He's not as unpleasant as I thought... he's actually a good guy.

Ichika extended her hand toward Desmon with a faint smile.

"Desmon-kun."

At that moment, he recalled the lesson Ichika had given him: he needed to be considerate toward a girl.

Ichika was reaching out her hand… what did that mean?

After thinking it through, the answer seemed obvious—she wanted help getting up from the bench.

As a gentleman, it was his duty to assist a lady. But what was the best way to do so?

Then, an idea crossed his mind, making him grin mischievously.

"You too? I guess that makes sense, since you're sisters."

Without warning, Desmon leaned down and lifted her into his arms, carrying her like a princess.

"What are you doing?!" Ichika yelled, completely caught off guard.

"Being considerate toward a girl. If you ask for help getting up, the best way is to carry you, don’t you think?"

"You're twisting my words!"

"I don’t think so."

The weather on the rooftop was perfect, with a refreshing breeze gently blowing. Desmon’s hair moved with the wind.

Ichika, still in his arms, instinctively wrapped hers around his neck. From that angle, she had a clear view of the demon hunter.

Normally, the wind would make a girl’s hair sway elegantly, making her look stunning—enough to steal anyone’s heart. But, against all odds, the exact opposite happened.

"Something wrong?" Desmon asked in his usual tone, noticing that Ichika was staring at him.

"...It’s nothing." She quickly looked away, feeling a slight blush rise to her cheeks.

-Why did I hesitate just now?

"Alright, time to head to the cafeteria." Desmon started walking.

"At least put me down first!" Ichika began pressing her finger against his cheek.

She tried to calm her thoughts and reason with him. Being carried like this had completely caught her off guard, and the worst part was that Desmon didn’t even seem the least bit uncomfortable.

"I'm a gentleman. I can't let a tired girl walk."

"I'm not so tired that I can't walk..." She muttered, but then noticed the smirk on his face. "You're doing this on purpose!"

Desmon might seem like a fool or just plain clueless, but the truth was, sometimes it was hard to tell what went on in his mind. After all, he was a demon hunter… but he was also a teenager.

"Me? Who knows..." Desmon grinned playfully. "Hold on tight. I don’t feel like waiting for the elevator or down the stairs, so we’re taking the fastest route down."

He spoke so casually, yet kept walking toward the edge of the rooftop.

"You’re not actually thinking of..."

-Is he really going to do it?!

"Bingo." He winked.

A terrible feeling washed over Ichika. Without thinking twice, she clung to him for dear life, as if her survival depended on it.

"Desmon-kun!!!"

And just like that, the two of them vanished from the rooftop.

Chapter Text

"I can't believe you jumped off the rooftop!!!" Ichika pouted.

"Just imagine you went skydiving—without the parachute."

"As if I'd ever do that!!"

She looked annoyed, yet she still walked alongside Desmon through the hospital corridors.

"There's a first time for everything. You should be more adventurous."

"The day I decide to jump off a rooftop, you'll be the first to know!"

"Count me in!" He said enthusiastically.

-I'm starting to think this guy is an idiot… She sighed at the thought.

As Ichika fell alongside Desmon, she was convinced she was plummeting to her death. But seeing the smile on his face told her there was nothing to worry about. After all, what's a fall from over twenty stories? Just a horrific death—nothing to stress over.

And, as expected, when they neared the ground, Desmon smirked. This wasn't his first high-altitude fall. He had plenty of practice perfecting his landings to minimize noise and avoid serious damage.

Like it was just another ordinary day, Desmon used the strength in his legs to absorb the impact, landing them both safely. Of course, the landing still produced a dull thud, but as he had observed before jumping, there weren't many people around to notice two teenagers dropping out of the sky.

Afterward, they reentered the hospital and made their way to the cafeteria.

They walked as if nothing had happened, though Ichika was still complaining about how Desmon hadn't warned her beforehand, leaving her screaming the entire way down.

"Is hospital food really as bad as they make it seem in movies?" Desmon asked curiously.

During his trip to Japan, he hadn't been a fan of the in-flight meals—despite the fact that, as a demon hunter, he had eaten things that looked far worse.

"Hmm." Ichika recalled the times she had eaten at the hospital.

"Maybe in other hospitals, but here, the food is delicious. You'll love it once you try it…"

As she spoke, her phone vibrated.

"Give me a sec."

Ichika took out her phone and answered the call. After exchanging a few words, she put it away.

"Good news?"

"The opposite. They moved up a scene that was supposed to be filmed tomorrow, so I have to go now."

-Guess I've got no choice. I'll just grab something to eat on the way.

It wasn't the first time a shoot had been rescheduled, and by now, she was used to these sudden changes.

"Are you an actress or something?" Desmon raised an eyebrow.

"If I remember correctly, I told you that when we talked on the rooftop. Did you already forget, Desmon-kun?" She asked in a chilling tone.

Had Desmon seriously forgotten everything they had talked about?

"Oh, right… I think… I mean… yeah. You must be a great actress!"

-I won't forget this…!

Ichika wanted to take her time scolding Desmon, but she couldn't afford to be late, so she postponed it for the next time she saw the demon hunter.

"Here, just hand this to the cafeteria staff."

Being the daughter of the hospital's head doctor, the Nakano sisters had certain privileges, including cafeteria vouchers.

"Two tickets?"

"One is enough for a meal. Consider it my way of thanking you for listening to me."

-Then again… did he actually listen to me at all?

"And the other one?"

"For helping Nino."

What's better than a free meal? Easy—two free meals!

Without overthinking it, Desmon accepted both tickets.

"See you around, Desmon-kun."

"Yeah, see you…"

For a moment, Desmon seemed like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he let it go.

"I hope you didn't forget my name." She frowned.

"Today's a great day, hahaha." Desmon averted his gaze.

-With a lot of luck, I managed to remember the name of Mi… Mi… Miyuki? No, no, it was Misuki… right?

Is there a deeper reason behind Desmon's terrible memory for names, beyond just being an idiot? There is.

"It's important to always remember the names of the people you take jobs for. It shows you're better than the other scum in this place."

"Hmmm, and once the job's done?" asked a 14-year-old Desmon.

"Just forget them. Maybe they'll be dead soon anyway, or you might get a job to take them out later." Said the man who had once been Desmon's mentor.

Back then, in the city where Desmon grew up, only the strong survived while the weak were devoured. Over time, certain habits became part of him.

"My name is Ichika!" She pouted.

-If he remembered Miku and Yotsuba's names, then why not mine?

"Alright, alright, I'll try not to forget it..." He said, shrugging.

"Can't you at least put in a little more effort?"

"Do I really have to?"

For a moment, she thought Desmon's responses were nothing but more questions.

Ichika let out a long sigh—some conversations with Desmon could really get on her nerves.

-I want to believe he's just pretending to be an idiot, but maybe that's too much to ask...

"I'll be late if I try to teach you basic manners, so let's save it for another day."

With that, Ichika turned around and started walking away. But after a few steps, she paused and pulled out her phone.

"Hmm?"

Feeling his phone vibrate, Desmon checked it, noticing a message from the girl who had just walked away.

Nakano Ichika:

"Thanks."

When he looked up, his eyes met Ichika's—she had turned back to see his reaction, flashing him a beautiful smile before continuing on her way.

-Déjà vu?

After thinking about it for a moment and finding no answer, Desmon started heading toward the hospital cafeteria.

Once inside, the scene was as expected—an open space with plenty of neatly arranged tables and chairs, reflecting the cleanliness and order that characterized Japanese society.

-Now that I think about it, this is my first time having lunch in a place like this.

Desmon made his way to the food counter, where the staff collected meal tickets in exchange for various dishes.

"I've got two of these tickets. What can I pick?"He asked after grabbing a tray and a pair of chopsticks.

"Good afternoon. You can choose from any of these dishes. Each meal comes with soup and a drink."

Desmon's gaze landed on a menu, and luckily for him, it had pictures instead of just words.

"I'll take these two."

-No idea what they are, but they look delicious.

"Alright, that would be a Katsudon (rice with breaded pork cutlet and egg) and Sukiyaki (thinly sliced beef with vegetables, tofu, and noodles in a sweet broth), correct?"

Desmon nodded.

"Just a moment."

As expected from Japanese efficiency, his food was ready in less than five minutes.

"This looks great."

"Enjoy your meal."

In good spirits and hungry, Desmon searched for a seat, but since it was lunchtime, every table was full.

-Should I just eat standing up?

As he weighed the pros and cons of having lunch on his feet, he spotted a familiar face at one of the tables—someone who had, in fact, shut a door in his face earlier that day.

"It's been a while. What a coincidence."

Without waiting for an invitation, Desmon sat across from Nakano Itsuki, who wore a red blouse and a long green skirt, giving her a casual yet calm appearance that suited her personality. But the most striking thing was the amount of food on her table—enough for three people.

"Desmon-san? I thought you had left." She said, surprised.

"Your sisters had me running errands, so let's just say they kept me busy."

Despite how things looked, Itsuki knew Desmon had helped them out, so she didn't object to sharing her table. Not that Desmon would've left even if she had.

"Really?"

"I've got no reason to lie. Actually, one of your sisters with short hair gave me these meal tickets but had to leave for work."

"I see. That must mean Ichika had something urgent come up." She took a bite of her food after saying this.

On another occasion, Itsuki might have taken the chance to correct some of Desmon's habits, but right now, her focus was entirely on her meal.

"That looks good too.'' Desmon commented as he started eating.

"Yeah, it's delicious. Today, I got Tendon (rice with grilled eel and sweet sauce), Udon (thick noodles in broth with meat), and Shogayaki (ginger pork stir-fry with soy sauce and rice)."

"Maybe I'll try those next time..." Desmon's eyes lingered on Itsuki's food.

"I'm not sharing.'' She warned, sensing his gaze hovering over her meal.

Seeing Itsuki's reaction, Desmon smirked mischievously. Nothing good ever happened when he did that.

"Hahaha, don't worry. I've got my own food. Besides... eel is pretty tasty." He said, taking a bite.

Which was strange—because none of the dishes he ordered contained eel.

-...Wait a minute.

Itsuki began alternating her gaze between Desmon's chopsticks and her own food, trying to process everything.

"When did you even take that?!"

By the time she realized it, it was already too late—she had fallen victim to a food thief.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't moved from my seat."

Desmon's chopstick movement had been imperceptible to Itsuki, making it impossible for her to notice.

"Mmmmm." She stared at him without blinking, but the moment she did, she noticed a piece of stir-fried pork sitting between his chopsticks, as if it had appeared by magic.

"What was that dish called again?"

"You totally took it from my plate!" She accused him as if he had committed a crime against humanity.

"I don't think so. I'm just really fast."

"You just admitted it!"

"There's no proof~"

Ignoring the situation entirely, he continued eating at a leisurely pace.

-Does he really think I'll just sit back and do nothing after he stole my food?

There were some things Itsuki simply couldn't let slide, and having her food taken was one of them.

With a determined gleam in her eyes, burning with the thirst for revenge, she lunged with her chopsticks toward Desmon's food. However, the young demon hunter intercepted her attack with his own chopsticks.

"Stealing other people's food is wrong."

"And you have the nerve to say that?!" She pouted.

She tried to push through, but her chopsticks couldn't break past his defense.

"You can keep trying, but it'll just be a waste of time." Desmon said arrogantly.

"It's unfair for you to take food from others!" She kept up the struggle.

"I just wanted a little taste. I wouldn't call that a crime."

"You have your own food!"

"You should learn to be less selfish."

"Right back at you! You should learn to share!"

They reached a stalemate, neither willing to back down.

-I just want to finish my meal and leave, but at this rate, I'll be stuck here until dinner.

Desmon hadn't expected Itsuki to be this serious about her food.

"Fine, just take some already."

Giving up, he let her chopsticks pass through.

"Yay! I wanted to try the pork chops!"

With lightning-fast speed, Itsuki took several bites from Desmon's plates.

"Hey! I said take a little, not everything!"

"You started it. You have no right to complain."

-I need to remember never to take her food again.

Once she was satisfied, she resumed eating her own meal.

"Do you always eat like this?"

"What do you mean?" She spoke after swallowing.

"Three full plates of food, plus what you ate from mine."

-Now that I think about it… she's eating enough for three people.

"I was just a little hungry." She averted her gaze slightly but didn't stop stuffing her mouth.

-For someone who eats this much, she stays in shape… where does all that food even go…

Instinctively, Desmon's eyes drifted toward her body. After a few seconds, his gaze stopped at a certain spot.

"Oh, I see." He nodded to himself.

"Mmm?"

Itsuki looked at him curiously as he seemed to realize something.

"It's nothing."

And with that, they continued eating without any further incidents.

...

"That was delicious."

"Agreed."

After a while, they both finished their meals, satisfied.

-I guess today wasn't so bad after all, Desmon thought in a good mood.

"By the way, Desmon-san, what did my sisters ask you to do?"

Now that the meal was over, Itsuki wanted to know exactly what her sisters had requested from the demon hunter.

"One asked me to stop her sister from doing something stupid, and the other asked me to have a conversation with her."

"Judging by how you said that… Miku asked you to stop Nino from doing something dumb, and Ichika asked you to listen to her."

"Oh! That's correct—100 points!"

Desmon's explanation had been vague, but she understood it perfectly.

"Not surprising. I know them well, so it was easy to figure out." She said proudly.

"Just to be sure, you're not gonna ask me to talk with you about something too, are you?"

The last thing Desmon wanted was another girl venting her problems to him. He could barely deal with his own, let alone anyone else's.

I wasn't thinking about that, but from the way you say it, I take it you've already talked to Nino and Ichika."

"Yeah, it was exhausting. They both needed me to spell out the obvious, but I guess they would've figured it out sooner or later."

Desmon just voiced his thoughts. If he could come to that conclusion, then obviously, the girls would've reached the same answer eventually.

"It must have been tough for them..." Itsuki imagined the scenario of her two sisters talking to Desmon, but the only outcome she could see was them freaking out.

"It was even worse for me. Jumping off the rooftop twice—bad for the legs."

"Jumping off the rooftop...? Oh, I get it! It's a metaphor!" She nodded in amusement.

"Technically, I did, but I guess everyone interprets things their own way." He shrugged.

They both understood completely different things.

"Are they okay?" Itsuki asked with a serious expression.

That was the crucial question she wanted to ask.

She could tell her sisters were still struggling with their emotions—Nino didn't seem willing to talk about it with anyone, and Ichika would just pretend nothing happened, making things even harder. So, it was a surprise that both of them had opened up to Desmon.

"They're fine. You don't have to worry—they managed to move on. They just needed someone to remind them." Desmon's expression turned serious for once. "Although... one of them hates me, and the other wants to scold me the next time she sees me." Of course, his seriousness didn't last long.

"Haha, yeah, I can imagine. They're a bit special that way." Itsuki said with a smile before her expression softened. "Desmon-san, thank you for helping them. They can be a little difficult, but deep down, they're good people." She bowed her head slightly.

As the youngest of the five sisters, Itsuki was also the most mature. Even though Uesugi's rejection and Yotsuba's situation had been tough, she understood that shutting herself off and dwelling on it wouldn't help.

Her sisters, however, didn't see it the same way. And if Desmon had been able to help them, then it was only right to thank him.

"It was nothing." Desmon waved it off like it wasn't a big deal. "At least you didn't cause me any trouble—except for stealing my food. But I guess I had that coming."

-So he really is just like Miku said. Itsuki thought.

During their conversation, Miku had told her that while Desmon might seem like a troublemaker, he was actually a good guy.

"You started it, so you can't complain." She grinned.

"Noted. If I take your food, you'll turn into a hungry bear."

"That's an unfair comparison." She pouted adorably, like a small, sulky animal.

-I'm not a hungry bear… I wonder what bear meat tastes like?

Somewhere in Japan, a bear shivered, sensing a greater predator watching.

"I think it's a pretty accurate one." Desmon said before standing up and stretching.

Finally, he could head home and get back to sleeping.

"Don't forget your tray."

Itsuki stood up as well, picking up hers.

"What are you, my teacher or something?"

That classic scolding reminded him of how Shizuka always nagged him about the smallest things.

"I actually want to be a teacher in the future." Itsuki said with determination.

"I feel bad for your future students..."

"That's rude!"

Arguing over whether or not Itsuki would be a good teacher, the two dropped off their trays and left the cafeteria, heading toward the hospital exit.

"Hope there's no line at the station." Itsuki sighed, already picturing herself crammed like a sardine in the train all the way home.

"I feel you. Train rides are exhausting, that's why I prefer not to use them.''

"Wait, don't you take the train? I heard you're from another city." She looked at him, slightly surprised. Desmon didn't seem like the kind of guy who owned a car, let alone had a driver's license.

"I've got something better and way more convenient than a train." Desmon glanced around to make sure no one was watching. "Faster than any train in this country."

-How did he…?

Before Itsuki's eyes, a black motorcycle materialized out of nowhere. But unlike any normal bike, Desmon's had an aura—something almost mystical.

"If you're wondering how this is possible—I have no clue!" He declared proudly. "If it works, no need to overthink it."

On any other day, Itsuki would've questioned the logic behind what she had just seen. But after everything that had happened lately, she knew not everything could be explained with common sense. The supernatural defied the logic she was used to.

"That's a pretty simple way of looking at things..." She raised an eyebrow.

"Overcomplicating simple stuff doesn't help anyone—that's my motto!"

Without overthinking it any further, Desmon approached Kurox, his favorite multi-purpose devil arm.

But just as he was about to hop on, he remembered his conversation with Ichika.

-Oh, right… she said I should be more considerate with girls. …how annoying…

"Oi, if you don't want to take the train, I'll drive you."

Like a true gentleman—or at least, that's what he wanted to believe. Desmon offered to give Itsuki a ride. However, the annoyed look on his face made it clear he was doing it more out of obligation than kindness.

"Thanks, but I don't think I'd feel safe in that thing. Besides, having you as the driver gives me a bad feeling..." Itsuki frowned, already picturing the disaster.

"It's perfectly safe. I can even take a nap while driving."

"That's a crime!"

"The cops already stopped chasing me, so I guess they gave up." He spoke with complete disregard for traffic laws.

Well, except for one particularly stubborn officer who still hadn't given up. That woman was way too persistent.

-What is he even saying...?

"By the way, what I said wasn't a question." He said with a sinister grin.

Before she could respond, Desmon scooped Itsuki into his arms.

He might not seem like it, but he was a sore loser. She had stolen several bites from his plates at the cafeteria, and if there was a way to get revenge, he'd take it—with a big smile, just like now.

"Wait—put me down!!"

With her still in his arms, Desmon mounted Kurox.

"Shouldn't your hands be on the handlebars...?" She asked, fear written all over her face.

Her struggles were pointless—there was no escape. More importantly, Desmon's hands were currently occupied.

"Don't worry, it's got autopilot. Full speed ahead, Kurox!"

As if responding to his command, the motorcycle roared to life and sped off.

With no other choice, Itsuki clung tightly to Desmon.

-He is definitely not a good guy!!

...

High above in the sky, a shadow-cloaked figure remained still, watching something in the distance.

"A yōkai forced to become a demon... This should be entertaining."

As he spoke, a thick, ominous black smoke began to seep from his hand.

"Kagenra, show me how strong you've become... and more importantly, the chaos you're capable of unleashing." His voice was chilling, as cold as the void itself.

Once, it had been Enenra—a yōkai. But its master had renamed it. Now, it was something far more powerful and destructive than in its original form.

Named demons were superior beings, far more fearsome than ordinary demons—creatures of will and raw chaos. However, having been forcibly transformed, Enenra had lost all autonomy. Now, it was nothing more than an obedient hound for its master.

Slowly, a massive cloud of black smoke spread across the sky. Though the entity had no eyes, looking at it gave the eerie sensation of being watched—like staring into hollow sockets that reflected an infinite abyss.

Without another word, the dark mist began to move toward its target—a young man riding his motorcycle home along the highway.

"Make this entertaining, demon hunter."

And just like that, the shadowy figure vanished without a trace.

Unaware of what was to come, Desmon was about to face a demon he could not defeat alone—an enemy that would drag him through hell itself.

Chapter Text

On the highway, a white-haired boy wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans could be seen riding a uniquely designed motorcycle.

"I really don’t get girls… If I’m not nice, they complain. If I am nice, they still complain… Women, who can understand them…" Desmon sighed, exhausted.

No one could blame him. Like a true gentleman, he had taken Itsuki home, receiving her cheerful words of gratitude in return.

"What you did was kidnapping, you hear me?! I thought you were gonna crash at any moment… Where the hell did you learn to drive?!"

As rational as ever, Itsuki labeled Desmon as a delinquent—a delinquent who had helped them and even saved their lives, yet still a menace behind the wheel.

It’s not like Desmon intentionally drifted under a moving truck… Well, at least he didn’t do it three times.

After scolding him for his reckless disregard for traffic laws, Itsuki stomped off toward her house, grumbling about her near-death experience—twice—while passing under a truck.

And so, Desmon casually waved her off and rode down the highway without much concern.

Broken bones, lacerations, organ damage… It would only take a few seconds for a demon hunter to be as good as new.

Knowing he couldn’t die easily, why wouldn’t he have fun doing things that would normally be fatal?

Even if Desmon crashed full speed into a truck, his only worry would be how much he’d have to pay for the damages.

If that weren’t the case, he would have died years ago—on that day when everything changed.

"What does she want now?"

Desmon was about to take a nap while riding when his phone started vibrating. The name "Shizuka" flashed on the screen.

"Desmon’s not here. If you need something, leave a message after that weird sound it usually makes." He said indifferently, reclining on his motorcycle and propping his feet up on the handlebars.

"Do you take me for an idiot?" Shizuka shot back.

"…Yes."

"Remind me to beat the crap out of you when you get back!"

Desmon could practically hear her cracking her knuckles through the phone.

"We both know that’s not gonna happen, so quit whining… That’s why you don’t have a boyfriend." He muttered the last part, but just loud enough for her to hear.

"Listen up, you little punk—I’m single because I want to be! I don’t need anyone!" Shizuka shouted, sprawled on her couch.

She was dressed comfortably for a Saturday—wearing only a snug white tank top that accentuated certain features and a pair of short shorts that highlighted her toned legs.

Nothing beats dressing comfortably on the weekend.

"And what about your date last night?" Desmon smirked teasingly, even though she couldn’t see it.

"How do you know a-about that?!" She stammered, startled.

-How does he know? I didn’t see him at all yesterday… Is he spying on me?

She quickly came to a conclusion.

"I went out to grab some food last night, since you weren’t around. That’s when I saw you with some guy who looked completely drained. I even felt bad for him."

"He wasn’t drained… He told me he’d had a lot of work that day… But he seemed full of energy when we met… Damn it, now you’re making me doubt!"

Shizuka’s personality and intensity were way too much for the average man—especially when she started ranting about some insufferable guy she lived with.

Who complains about that on a first date?

Or rather, she acted just like she always did when talking to Desmon—he was, after all, the person she’d interacted with the most in recent days.

"From what I saw, that guy looked like he was desperately trying to find a way out."

The poor guy was just an office worker who had tried his luck on a dating app. He had come across the profile of a stunning woman—one whose personality completely clashed with her description.

At first, he thought Shizuka was just a bit talkative, with an intense yet cheerful personality. But the longer they spoke, the more he realized she was nowhere near the kind of woman he was looking for in a relationship.

The most common ideal for single working men these days was a Yamato Nadeshiko—a sweet, gentle, reserved woman, devoted to her family, skilled in household chores, well-mannered, and, of course, breathtakingly beautiful.

And while Shizuka met certain standards, she fell short in other areas, almost making it seem like she would be the man in the relationship. The poor guy could picture himself wearing a skirt and taking care of the kids while Shizuka came home from work, cigarette in hand.

Simply put, Shizuka was more than he could handle.

For that reason, after finishing their ramen dinner—Shizuka’s choice, of course—the guy tried to call it a night. But Shizuka insisted on walking and talking a little longer. With no way out, he walked alongside her for a few more minutes, just long enough for Desmon to catch sight of them and notice the guy’s expression.

“He enjoyed our conversation.'' She said confidently.

“I’d bet you did all the talking while he just listened.”

“Of course not… maybe…”

Shizuka tried to recall a moment when her date had spoken, but all she could remember was herself talking the entire time.

“After living with you for so long, I can say for sure—you’re way too intense for Japanese men.”

Desmon grew up with different values and beliefs, making his perspective and way of thinking quite unconventional. For that reason, having pointless conversations with Shizuka was entertaining for both of them.

One crucial detail about Desmon—he’s brutally honest and exudes confidence. If he thinks someone’s an idiot, he has no problem saying it to their face. His lack of social filters tends to exasperate people.

“I’m not intense. It’s just that the guys I meet aren’t like the ones I have in mind…” She nodded to herself.

It’s not that Shizuka is a master at scaring men away—it’s just that they don’t match the type she’s looking for. Or at least, that’s what she tells herself.

“You mean that gacha game character you have as your phone wallpaper?”

“How did you know…?!”

For months now, Shizuka had been hooked on a particular gacha game. Her favorite character? A tall, strong, and handsome guy with a stoic personality who occasionally cracked jokes—exactly the type that caught her interest.

“I don’t think you’ll find a guy like that.”

“Don’t crush my dreams! I know I’ll find him one day!”

It’s not like she expects her future partner to be an exact copy, but if he shares some similarities with her favorite character, all the better.

“I seriously doubt that day will come anytime soon, but if it does, I’ll personally offer my condolences to the poor guy. I’ll pray for his soul.”

Desmon silently saluted the unfortunate man for his impending sacrifice.

Is dating Shizuka a blessing or a curse?

“Don’t make it sound like being with me is a bad thing!!” She started kicking her legs on the couch in protest.

“But don’t worry. If you don’t find the right guy, I can always sacrifice myself for humanity.” He said it with pride.

Like any guy his age, Desmon was interested in women. Of course, he preferred older ones, and Shizuka checked that box.

“No thanks.” With a serious expression, she waved him off.

Shizuka would have to be out of her mind to consider dating Desmon—not only was he younger than her, but he would also be gone once his job was done.

“Had to give it a shot…” He sighed in defeat. “But hey, if you ever change your mind, I’ll be available.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.” She didn’t even bother taking him seriously.

Even if she didn’t seem like it, after living with Desmon, Shizuka had learned to understand his true personality. That’s exactly why she was sure that his casual flirting was just a joke—he had no real interest in relationships.

“By the way, did you record this morning’s anime... Tch.” Desmon cut himself off and looked away.

“Something wrong?”

It was rare to hear Desmon click his tongue. Something must have gone seriously wrong.

“Yeah. Something really annoying and troublesome.”

“You mean…”

“The cops.”

Behind Kurox, a police motorcycle with its siren blaring had started following him.

“I was an idiot for worrying too much…” She sighed.

“Don’t worry, you’re plenty idiot even without worrying.”

“Oi, brat…!!”

“I’m going through a tunnel. I think the signal’s cutting out or something...”

“Don’t you dare...!”

Desmon hung up.

-Guess I’ll make a few stops along the way until Shizuka cools down.

If he heads straight home, Shizuka will most likely scold him, so he has a few free hours before returning.

While Desmon was lost in thought, he didn't notice the police motorcycle matching his speed.

“This time, you won’t escape from me.'' Said the policewoman with determination.

Her name was Kusakabe Asako, a woman who could only be described as stunning. Her long blue hair, combined with the classic dark blue police uniform, gave her an air of both sensuality and authority.

Police uniforms were supposed to inspire respect, but Asako had made a few minor adjustments to hers—it was just too uncomfortable otherwise. Was leaving a few buttons undone against the law? Or was it simply a matter of comfort?

“Oh, it’s you again—the persistent one who keeps chasing me. Haven’t you given up like the rest of your colleagues?” Desmon said with a mocking grin.

Since neither of them was driving at high speed, they could speak freely as they rode down the highway.

“Laugh all you want, but this time, you’re coming with me to the station! I’ll make sure you get every single ticket you’ve been avoiding!”

Before, Asako had no way of keeping up with Desmon’s motorcycle. No matter how hard she pushed her car, it simply wasn’t fast enough. So, with a mix of determination and stubbornness, she made a drastic decision—she swapped her vehicle for a police motorcycle and spared no expense in modifying it. She reinforced it, tuned it up, and turned it into a speed monster.

Let’s just say someone’s a sore loser… and also terrible with money.

“Oh? Is that a challenge?” Desmon asked, his signature smirk never fading.

“Damn right it is! I’ve been waiting to test this beauty against you.”

It was worth noting that Asako wasn’t exactly a model police officer…

“Don’t come crying when you lose.'' Desmon warned, flashing a cocky grin before twisting the throttle. The roar of his engine echoed as Kurox shot forward.

“Don’t underestimate me!”

Forgetting all about her duty as an officer of the law, Asako let the adrenaline take over and gunned the throttle. Technically, she was now engaging in an illegal race, but ever since she’d been reassigned to highway patrol, her job had become painfully dull. The only excitement in her day came from chasing down speedsters trying to evade fines… but there was one driver who always managed to escape her.

Desmon.

He was the exception to the rule—the only one who could slip through her grasp effortlessly. Any other officer would have given up by now, either out of frustration or because his skills were simply too good to challenge. But Asako wasn’t like the others. She never backed down.

“Oh? Not bad. Thought you’d have given up by now.'' Desmon teased, clearly enjoying himself.

“Not a chance.”

With fierce determination, Asako accelerated, managing to overtake Desmon for a brief moment.

“Well, someone’s getting cocky. What do you say, Kurox? Should we teach her a lesson?”

As if understanding the challenge, Kurox roared in response, surging forward with a sudden burst of speed. But this wasn’t just any motorcycle. No—Kurox was a devil arm. Once a man who had forsaken his humanity in pursuit of speed and power, only to be destroyed by Desmon and reborn as his devil arm.

In the blink of an eye, Desmon caught up once more. Their engines thundered at 150 mph, drowning out everything else. But Desmon had an idea.

-Let’s see how she handles different terrain.

Without warning, he twisted the handlebars and veered off the road, tearing into a dirt path filled with mud and uneven ground.

Kurox was built for any terrain—pavement, dirt, mud, even the walls of buildings. There was nothing it couldn’t handle.

“You really think switching terrain is gonna make a difference?” Asako shouted, undeterred as she followed without hesitation.

-Good thing I paid extra for all-terrain tires…

The chase continued as the ground shifted from dirt to dense forest, massive trees closing in around them. At 180 mph, a single mistake meant certain death.

“If you die, don’t blame me!” Desmon shouted over the roar of their engines.

“Worry about yourself! Don’t go dying on me!”

But for them, this was no problem.

Desmon—a demon hunter with reflexes beyond human comprehension.

Asako—a former elite soldier and sharpshooter with exceptional skill behind the wheel.

They weaved through the trees with near-superhuman precision, riding as if it was second nature.

Both riders sped up and maneuvered through the dense forest with flawless precision. Desmon gripped Kurox’s handlebars and rode on his own—what’s the point of a challenge if he lets his bike do all the work?

-For someone so young, he has excellent control over his vehicle…

Asako displayed incredible skill, weaving through trees with only seconds to react. It wasn’t the first time she’d pulled reckless stunts while riding. In her youth, she had been a wildly troublesome girl—enough to even exasperate her best friend.

After a short while, both of them rode with amused expressions as they emerged from the thick forest, following the overgrown path.

"That was fun, but I think our race ends here!!"

In the distance, a broken bridge came into view, once meant to connect both sides of the river. Now, beneath it, a raging current roared.

The dilemma was simple: stop or use it as a ramp to leap across. One mistake meant plunging into the violent waters below.

"You’d better stop. Even an idiot like you knows that’s way too dangerous."

"Fear and common sense? Never heard of ‘em! HAHAHA!"

Desmon ignored the warning and gunned it. Kurox roared with demonic energy, blasting past 250 mph, leaving Asako in the dust within seconds. The race was decided. Or so it seemed.

"You’re a complete lunatic… I LIKE THAT!"

Without hesitation, Asako flipped a switch on her handlebars, activating her bike’s nitrous boost. She got it at a discount. No way she was saying no to that.

The burst of speed was brutal. Within moments, she was neck and neck with Desmon once again.

If they weren’t on opposite sides of the law, they’d probably be great friends. Though, if Asako ever caught him, the first thing she’d do was take Kurox for a ride. Who wouldn’t want to test out that demonic engineering marvel?

They locked eyes, grinned with reckless confidence, and floored it. This was the decisive moment

One winner. And that was...

"Oh, a coin."

Kurox came to a screeching halt, defying all laws of physics. From 250 mph to a full stop in an instant. The bike reared up on its front wheel, spun mid-air, and landed smoothly.

"Almost missed it."

Desmon hopped off and picked up a five-yen coin. Money is money.

-…I feel like I’m forgetting something.

Lifting his gaze, he spotted Asako already airborne, having used the bridge as a ramp. Her expression was a mix of disbelief and sheer panic.

"EHHHHHHH?!"

That was the last thing he heard before she vanished into the distance.

"Oh, right… I was racing her. Oh well, I’m sure we’ll meet again. She’s too stubborn not to."

Without a second thought, Desmon hopped back onto Kurox and made his way back to the highway.

It’s not like he wouldn’t run into Asako another day, so he didn’t think much of it. Classic Desmon.

"Hope Shizuka’s cooled off by now."

Thinking about his clumsy yet attractive roommate, Desmon kept riding as usual—which, for him, meant taking a nap at the handlebars. After all, was there anything in this world that could truly be a threat to him?

…

"I really can’t stand that guy…"

Asako cursed under her breath as she got back on the road. Her pulse was still racing from the adrenaline.

That jump had been risky, but she’d pulled it off without a hitch. Still, what truly threw her off was seeing Desmon standing there, watching her with that smug look, without even bothering to chase her.

He had mocked her. Again.

"…Though, I have to admit—it was thrilling. Maybe we should do it again."

A spark of excitement flickered in her chest at the thought of another challenge.

It took several minutes to leave the rural area and return to the highway. Her uniform was dusty, her bike was covered in grime, and her shift wasn’t over yet. She sighed, weighing her options.

-Maybe I should wash my bike first… it got way too dirty.

As she planned her next move, her phone vibrated in her pocket. Pulling it out, a familiar name lit up the screen.

"JB…"

She answered with a tired voice. If her friend was calling, it meant bad news.

"That’s one hell of a way to greet a friend!" JB joked.

"Get to the point. I’m not in the mood."

"You ran into that guy again, didn’t you?"

"Bingo. We raced. Pretty sure I won… but somehow, I still feel like I lost."

JB let out a mocking laugh.

"I still can't believe a teenager on a motorcycle keeps escaping from you. Are you getting old?"

"In your dreams. I'm still young—I haven't even hit 25 yet."

"And yet, someone much younger than you keeps slipping away… How many times has it been now?"

Asako clicked her tongue. She had no one to take out her frustrations on after losing to Desmon, so venting to her friend brought her some comfort.

"Four… five… eight… This would be the ninth time."

"Are you sure you're not letting him escape on purpose?"

"The only thing I want is to arrest that brat, slap him with every fine possible, confiscate his bike, and take it for a ride myself.'' She said with amusement.

JB sighed.

"I still don't get why you're a cop…"

Asako narrowed her eyes.

"We both know the answer. Do you have any new intel?" Her voice turned serious.

JB's tone shifted as well.

"If you're talking about those bastards they demoted, it's complicated. Too complicated. Higher-ups are involved in this."

Asako clenched her fist.

"Tch. I'd love to put a bullet through their skulls."

"There'll be time for that. For now, lay low. Sooner or later, they'll let their guard down, and when that happens…"

"I'll take down every last one of those idiots." Asako said with a sinister smile.

"Couldn't have said it better myself."

Before Asako could reply, something made her frown. The sky. It was strange—too strange. It was only two in the afternoon, yet black patches were spreading across the sky like a plague.

A bad feeling crawled down her spine.

"I have to go. Something weird is happening."

"I'll call you later. Don't do anything stupid." JB warned.

"I'll try." She replied with a smirk before hanging up.

As she sped down the road, she noticed the asphalt was ruined. Craters and deep cracks stretched across the pavement, as if something titanic had crashed into the earth. She tightened her grip on her gun and accelerated. This wasn't natural.

The destruction only became more apparent the farther she went. Bloodstains were scattered chaotically among the debris.

A terrorist attack?

She picked up the pace, staying on high alert. But before she could go much further, something in the distance made her blood run cold.

A body.

She rushed toward it, quickly dismounting to check on the person.

But…

They were already dead, lying motionless in the middle of the road, surrounded by a pool of dark liquid.

Their skin was torn by deep wounds, shredded clothing revealing flesh punctured by something sharp. But what truly disturbed her was the blood.

It wasn't normal.

It was black. Thick. And it poured endlessly from every wound—nose, mouth, eyes, and ears—as if something inside had torn it apart from within, devouring it little by little in an unspeakable agony.

Asako swallowed hard.

"What the hell happened here?"

Those kinds of injuries were unnatural, but what stood out the most was that dark, oozing blood. Whatever had happened before she arrived defied all logic.

She knelt beside the corpse and, with a solemn gesture, closed their lifeless eyes.

"I don’t know what happened to you… but I hope you can rest."

The face of the young man, now still and void of life, was the same one she'd been chasing just minutes ago.

If something out there could kill the demon hunter… then nothing could stop that thing.

Chapter Text

’'Zzzz….’’

Without worrying too much about the dangers of driving while asleep, the young demon hunter lay peacefully, napping on the handlebars of his motorcycle.

If a survey were conducted on how many people could do the same and live to tell the tale, the number would shrink to just a handful—after all, the world is far too vast to take things for granted.

But for Desmon, who has a habit of pulling off reckless stunts with ease, having a regenerative factor is both a blessing and a curse.

For that reason, he stopped worrying too much about moments of imminent danger.

It doesn’t matter if he’s impaled or has his organs destroyed; to him, it’s just another part of his daily routine. Whether he likes it or not, he’ll regenerate from any damage he takes.

However, that doesn’t mean he’s immune to pain. The sensation is still there, and feeling your organs being shredded is far from pleasant.

Thanks to his immense endurance and demonic energy, he can mitigate a large portion of the pain. But as a fight drags on, that mitigation gradually weakens—until he reaches the point where he can’t even move due to the agony.

That said, Desmon is not immortal. If he were to face opponents far stronger than himself, sooner or later, he’d reach his limit, and from that moment on, death would be breathing down his neck.

Fortunately for him, since arriving in Japan, he has yet to encounter an enemy capable of pushing him to that extent—except for the gatekeepers of hell. But Desmon considers that fight a tie, so it doesn’t count.

Because of all this, Desmon can afford to act like a fool, completely oblivious to danger…

…Until today.

‘’Five more minutes! I can’t start my day unless I get my full fifteen hours of sleep.’’ He muttered casually without even opening his eyes, yet he still gripped Kurox’s handlebars and turned right.

For a short distance, Desmon dodged a massive black stake that nearly skewered him like a kebab.

‘’Isn’t it rude to wake someone up while they’re sleeping? Didn’t they teach you that in school?’’

-Seriously, can’t a guy get some sleep while driving…?

Stretching his arms back after being woken in such a manner, Desmon casually caught another black stake flying toward him.

‘’And what exactly is this?’’

Applying some pressure with his hand, the stake dissolved into black smoke and vanished.

-Yeah, I see… I don’t get it.

Until now, he had never faced anything like this.

‘’The weatherman definitely got the forecast wrong. Pretty sure he didn’t mention a stake storm.’’

Flashing a calm smile, Desmon gripped Kurox’s handlebars and began weaving in all directions as a rain of stakes started pouring down on him.

Above him, in the sky, a strange black cloud loomed, unleashing an onslaught of stakes, each large enough to impale him entirely. And Desmon was certainly no masochist—this wasn’t the kind of experience he was looking for.

‘’I wonder… would an umbrella have helped? Yeah, probably not…’’

Despite speeding through the chaos, dodging the attacks that crashed down around him with deafening noise and destruction, Desmon remained calm.

-Kurox doesn’t run on gasoline, so why the hell is a cloud attacking me?

Was the environment his enemy now?

The thought crossed his mind, but it made no sense for a cloud to be trying to kill him. No, this thing was definitely not normal.

-Should I just give up? Maybe I should’ve recycled more…?

‘’Oh, that one almost got me!’’ he said, grinning as a shallow cut formed on his cheek from a near-miss.

-If I had Alastor, I could use it to deflect these things… but there’s no way I can handle this many at once.

Desmon hadn’t seen the need to bring Alastor for a simple conversation, so now all he had were his fists—more than enough in most situations, but against a barrage of projectiles, things were getting tricky.

‘’Guess I’ll just have to try.’’ He shrugged.

Without a second thought about his precarious situation, Desmon stood up on his bike—an incredibly dangerous move, yet ironically, the demon hunter remained perfectly stable.

-If I remember correctly, it was something like this…

‘’Ora, Ora, Ora, Ora, Ora…!’’

Channeling his demonic energy into his fists, Desmon unleashed a flurry of punches, shattering the stakes raining down upon him.

‘’Come on, is that all you’ve got? Should I start mixing plastic with organic waste?’’ He taunted, destroying the stakes with precision.

After several seconds, the stakes stopped falling, as they were useless if Desmon could destroy them so easily.

"I guess that's it… I'll be more mindful of the environment. Lesson learned…" He said, scratching the back of his neck in guilt.

But as if that dark cloud refused to accept his apology, two enormous clawed hands formed and lunged at Desmon.

"I'm starting to think that cloud hates me." He spoke calmly before the hands closed in on him, ready to trap him.

With just a thought, Kurox came to a sudden stop, dodging the claws effortlessly.

"First stakes, now clawed hands—would it be too much to ask for some food to come out of that cloud?"

After complaining about how unfair nature was, Desmon sat back on Kurox and resumed driving. The reason? Even more hands were beginning to emerge from the cloud.

"How the hell am I supposed to fight a cloud?!"

As Desmon tried to figure out a solution to his bizarre problem, he maneuvered down the highway with the skill of a seasoned driver. The hands kept emerging from the black cloud, relentlessly trying to take him down, but Kurox dodged every single attack with ease.

-I'm gonna have to add this to my list of insane things I’ve done: getting chased by giant hands while riding a motorcycle…

With each passing day, crazier things kept adding to his list. One of the most absurd? Jumping out of a plane and surviving the fall.

If anyone else were watching this chase, they'd probably think Kurox had a mind of its own. The motorcycle glided across the highway with unnatural agility, maneuvering with eerie precision.

-I think I've hit a dead end…

Desmon frowned, fully aware that running away wasn’t a viable option. At his current pace, he’d reach the next city in minutes, and that black cloud would destroy everything in its path.

"Heading into a city with that thing chasing me? Bad idea… Guess I’ll have to deal with it. No clue how, though, hahaha!"

All he could do was laugh at his predicament.

That was classic Desmon. His situation was ridiculously complicated, yet he faced it with the confidence of someone who had already witnessed the impossible and lived to tell the tale. But could a cloud even be destroyed? He wouldn't know until he tried.

With a smirk, he tightened his grip on Kurox’s handlebars. He didn’t have many options, but at least he could do what he did best—slay demons. Because if that cloud wasn’t a demon, then it simply didn’t make sense.

-Since when do I struggle to recognize a demon? This is weird…

He shrugged, realizing now wasn’t the time to think about it.

-If it acts like a demon, then it’s a demon. And demons get exterminated. Nice and simple.

"What if some demons are like zombies, turning everything they touch? That’d be a goddamn nightmare…"

Someone's been watching too many zombie movies.

Not wanting the demon hunter to get lost in his thoughts, the cloud unleashed even more hands, closing in on him from all sides, leaving no room for escape.

"Okay, now this is harassment!"

He slammed the brakes, tilting Kurox forward onto its front wheel. The motorcycle spun violently, and its rear wheel—reinforced with the hellish toughness of a devil arm—shredded through the hands trying to grab him.

Never underestimate Kurox’s durability. That bike could smash through a steel wall without a single scratch.

Desmon clicked his tongue as he looked up, noticing that despite destroying them, the hands kept coming back, endlessly regenerating.

"Oh, come on! Fighting something that regenerates infinitely is just unfair!"

He crossed his arms for a moment. If he himself had regeneration, then why shouldn't his opponent have the same advantage? Poetic irony, really.

-This is starting to piss me off…

Desmon scratched his head with both hands, but no brilliant ideas came to him.