Akari searched with Shunji for Naoki for several days, but they couldn't find anything. Akari felt annoyed, but there was no point in rushing. Akari decided to return to college to find more information. For some reason, Shunji said he wanted to go with her.
Akari looked at him strangely.
"I'm not going to play games. I need to get on with my life. I don't have time to look after you, and I don't think you'll go unnoticed."
Shunji smiled and snapped his fingers. In a few seconds, his appearance changed. His old dark tunics suddenly changed to ordinary modern clothing, his hair and eyes darkened slightly, and his striking features became ordinary.
Akari was speechless. His transformation was impressive. Even his demonic energy was not detectable at first glance. If she had not seen it with her own eyes, she might not have recognized him at first sight.
"Don't worry, I won't bother you. I, too, have lived in the human world for some years, and I have some unfinished business to settle." Akari didn't know what she should be more surprised about—not only because a full demon lived among humans quietly, but also that he had business and a common life outside.
Akari sighed and thought she had been very close-minded. Although for her, a few years had passed, for the world and the demons, hundreds of years had passed. Mentality and life had clearly changed. She must adapt too.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I didn't think about it. If you need something, come to the college to ask me." Shunji nodded happily.
Before leaving, he punished Takeshi for his stupidity, also to prohibit everyone from exiting the barrier for a while. No one could enter or leave without his permission.
Akari returned to the college. While she was taking classes, she tried to find some news similar to the last incidents.. Perhaps Naoki was involved. She managed to find some that caught her attention.
She decided to check them as soon as possible. Akari sent a message to Shunji. She was planning to leave that same night. Shunji answered quickly, and that night, both met outside the college.
"I searched for a few places, but they are far away. We don't have enough time. I think we should split up." Akari said.
Shunji chuckled. "It isn't necessary. We can go everywhere. Have you forgotten? I am a dragon. I can fly very fast. Would you like to try it?" She was tempted. Akari hesitated for two seconds before surrendering to her wish and said.
"Yeah, that's a great idea." Shunji smiled and transformed into his dragon form.
Akari was surprised because he transformed in the middle of the city. If someone saw him, what would happen? She was startled, but before she could say anything, Shunji said directly to her mind.
"Don't worry, I created a barrier. No one can see us." Akari sighed in relief. This time, with calm, she could observe his dragon form. It was definitely impressive.
Akari climbed onto its back, and the dragon flapped its wings and flew off, blending into the night sky in seconds. Akari smiled. He was really fast, she thought.
The sight was beautiful. Akari observed the sky and the city from this height. She felt very calm and relaxed. Flying cleared your mind. For a second, Akari forgot about Naoki and focused on enjoying the moment.
Shunji noticed she was happy and took the longer route so she could enjoy the moment a little longer. It wasn't visible, but he was smiling too. For many years, he had regretted not being able to share this moment with her. He never imagined he would be able to do it now.
Shunji realized she didn't recognize him. It wasn't strange to him. It had been thousands of years. No matter how strong a demon they were, they weren't immortal. He didn't even know how he had survived all those years. Perhaps, it was because he had stayed inside the barrier and inside his shell until forty years ago. He didn't blame her. He couldn't believe it either. He hadn't recognized her until she used that special attack. He had a sense of that feeling only when she killed demons. So when she did it, he knew it was her, although he had never seen her face.
At first, he thought about telling her immediately, but then he thought it would be uncomfortable for both because, after all, they didn't know each other well. The problem wasn't only whether she would believe him. He didn't want to build their new relationship only on the feelings of the past. After all, he knew how she was, more or less, but Akari didn't know anything about him. He wanted to become the confidant he once was to her, but for who he is now.
Akari was someone very special to him during all those years of loneliness. She was the only one who had treated him as an equal. That's why after she left, Shunji had no reason to wake up. He remained asleep almost all the time for more than four hundred years. There was no one to visit him, to speak to him about the world. It was pretty boring. He even thought he would never break his shell, but for some reason, he broke his shell about forty years ago.
He lived a peaceful life. He hadn't had great aspirations, so after he paid his debts to the demons who helped him and learned many things in the human world. He usually remained asleep in his cave. There was no one and nothing outside of his interest. But when he met Akari again, Shunji found the motivation he used to have of gathering demonic energy for many days just so he could stay awake when she came to visit him.
Now the things he used to think were boring became interesting with her by his side. He hoped these moments would continue for a long time.