Night fell quietly.
Haruwiko lay still, staring into the celling.
A smile draw into his face because of what happened earlier saying to him self.
"Marcea-sama I completed the mission…but it's Night again, huh…"
His thoughts drifted.
Sleep… training… talking…
"…Doesn't matter."
His eyes slowly closed.
Silence.
Then—
A ripple.
"…Haruwiko-chan."
A voice echoed—not in his ears, but somewhere deeper.
"Hey. Wake up."
Haruwiko's eyes opened slowly.
"…Ah…"
He frowned slightly.
This wasn't his room.
Endless space stretched around him—dim, quiet, almost unreal.
"…Bakunawa-kun," Haruwiko said, recognizing the presence immediately.
"Good evening."
He glanced around, already familiar with this place.
"…Shall we begin training?"
Bakunawa shook his head.
"No. Not tonight," Bakunawa replied calmly.
"I didn't bring you here to train."
Haruwiko tilted his head.
"…Then why?"
Bakunawa met his gaze.
"I just wanted to hear your thoughts," he said. "Any concerns. Or questions."
Haruwiko thought for a moment, placing a hand under his chin.
"…No concerns," he answered.
A short pause.
"…But I do have a question."
He looked back at Bakunawa.
"Why aren't we training tonight?"
Bakunawa let out a quiet breath.
"There's not much left for me to teach you… for now," he explained.
"And even I need rest."
"I see…" Haruwiko murmured.
Silence followed.
Then—
"…Hey, Haruwiko-chan," Bakunawa spoke again.
"Thank you."
Haruwiko blinked.
"…For what?" he asked.
"For treating me like this," Bakunawa said.
"…Eh?" Haruwiko sat up slightly.
"What's so special about how I treat you?"
Bakunawa looked away for a moment.
"…Nothing in particular," he admitted.
"But I'm glad… that I chose you as my guardian."
Haruwiko chuckled softly.
"…Then I should be the one thanking you," he said.
"For choosing me."
A brief silence passed.
Then—
"Haruwiko-chan," Bakunawa called.
"I have a question."
"…What is it?" Haruwiko responded.
Bakunawa hesitated.
"…Why did you become a Demon
Lord… in your past life?"
Haruwiko's expression darkened.And in that silent world—
He began to speak.
He told Bakunawa everything.
When he finished, Bakunawa closed his eyes briefly.
"I see…" Bakunawa said quietly.
"Your intentions were good… but your methods were inhuman."
Haruwiko didn't argue.
"…You're right," he admitted.
He looked up at the empty sky.
"But great dreams require great resolve."
A faint smile appeared.
"…The past is the past."
He lay back, his body beginning to fade.
"…Since we're not training… I'm going back to sleep."
"…Ah." Bakunawa nodded.
"Good night, Haruwiko-chan."
"…Good night," Haruwiko replied.
The world dissolved.
Back in his room—
"Zzz…"
Haruwiko slept peacefully.
In the fading space, Bakunawa's voice lingered.
"…He really falls asleep fast."
A small pause.
"…I suppose I'll rest as well."