What is youth? A period in life when one is full of youth and vitality, and can dedicate oneself to pursuing dreams and hopes.
"I don't really get it," Denji would probably say.
It is indeed an explanation that lacks substance. It is full of arbitrary deception.
Humans only see what they want to see. Some people, for example, will insist that a potato is perfectly spherical in order to avoid ignoring its obvious shortcomings.
These potatoes are simply beautiful, undeniably wonderful.
That's impossible.
A potato is a potato. It's bumpy, its skin may be discolored, and it may have long hairs.
The same can be said of youth. Behind the fearless curiosity and vibrant life force, there is always the pain of immaturity, the embarrassment of losing it, and the irreparable regret that lurks within.
Denji understands the reality of the situation better than anyone.
Let's say we ask Denji the question mentioned above. He would probably answer like this.
What is youth? I want to have sex!
The perfect answer.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is one of the truths that humanity should strive to attain.
Yes, in the end, youth is all about sex. Love, romance, and nobility are not pure white without a single stain. They coexist with the taint called sexual desire.
Because Denji intuitively understood this, he was able to focus his attention on the key points that a high school boy should keep in mind during this outing.
Camping in the mountains, playing in the river, and having a barbecue.
What is the most important element among these actions?
Camping and having fun – that's something you can do even when you're older. The same goes for playing in the river and having a barbecue. But there's one core element here – an experience that can only be had during this golden age known as youth.
To flirt and be affectionate with girls my own age.
In this context, "the girls" refers to Nayuta and Reze.
Let's take an example. Let's assume Denji maintains good relationships with Nayuta and Reze for the next 5 or 10 years. Nayuta might acquire a femininity that surpasses Makima's, and Reze might grow into a bewitching beauty. At that time, Denji might still be able to camp, play in the river, and have BBQs with these beautiful, gorgeous, and potentially Guinness World Record-worthy women, even as adults.
But even so...
Even if he were to reach such a glorious future that he had only dreamed of, the vibrant, sparkling Nayuta and Reze of their youth would no longer exist there.
Now is the only chance.
This is the only moment we have.
It was clear that this was something that absolutely could not be overlooked, above all else.
(I want to play in the water! I really want to!)
It was an extremely specific and spot-on conclusion.
If there had been an opportunity to present a paper on "The Study of Youth," Denji would undoubtedly have received his doctorate simply by scribbling the above sentence on a piece of copy paper. He might even have won the Nobel Prize for Youth. It was such a rational, streamlined, and perfect conclusion.
Girl × Swimsuit = The ultimate combination
Furthermore, Denji, who unconsciously derived such a formula, determined that the top priority for this leisure activity was
"Admiring Nayuta and Reze in their swimsuits"
It was decided that...
That's where his plan began to take shape.
The one thing that had to be eliminated above all else was the possibility that the river activities would be canceled. There were two possible concerns:
① We don't have enough time, so let's skip playing in the river.
② I'm tired, so let's stop playing in the river.
Denji did various things to eliminate the possibility of ①.
First, I checked the schedule. I called Nayuta and Reze, of course, but I also called Kishibe, the person in charge, three times in the middle of the night. He got mad at me, saying, "You need to stop messing around," but I didn't care. At this point, I didn't care what the old man thought of me. It was all for the swimsuits.
I also did some research beforehand to avoid any problems. For example, setting up tents. I browsed information websites to learn how to do it. I took it more seriously than I would for my final exams, and I made good use of my notebook. I memorized the procedures, tips, and points to watch out for in just one day.
And the morning of the day itself is the most crucial time.
I woke up at 4 AM.
Of course, there was no need to get up that early. The truth is I couldn't sleep, but I finished cleaning and laundry just in case I was late. I also prepared breakfast. I made sure to feed the dogs. I checked the contents of my luggage three times.
"Yes... Perfect."
Denji took a deep breath of the refreshing air as he watched the rising sun paint the sky a pale blue.
It was still too early for even Nayuta to wake up, but I had absolutely no intention of going back to sleep.
I was prepared to stand there like a guardian deity at the entrance until departure.
I want to see swimsuits.
To fulfill the purest wish on this Earth.
"Is there anything else I might have forgotten...?"
Denji then remembers another concern.
② I'm tired, so let's stop playing in the river.
"I'm worried about Nayuta..."
She's not exactly weak, but her muscle strength is definitely inferior to Denji's. To make sure she doesn't get tired, he decided he'd do whatever it took today, even carry her luggage. If the mountain path was too steep, he'd give her a piggyback ride. If fallen trees or rocks blocked the way, he'd cut them down with his chainsaw. He didn't mind the hardship or the fatigue. If he didn't get to see her in a swimsuit today, there was no point in going tomorrow. Denji's heart was swelling with anticipation.
And the unjustly accused devil who was accompanying them was late.
"What the hell?! That's impossible! That's impossible! Let's leave him behind!"
"Now, now, Denji, there are still five minutes until the scheduled time. Besides, the car that was supposed to pick you up hasn't even arrived yet."
"But come on! You said we'd meet 10 minutes ago!"
Denji couldn't hide his frustration. He paced restlessly in circles like a lion in a zoo.
In contrast, Nayuta and Reze were sitting nonchalantly by the front door. They showed no signs of anxiety. Just moments ago, they had received a message from the very devil who had wrongly accused them, saying that he might be a little late.
Reze stretched and yawned, leaning her face close to the ear of the little devil sitting next to her.
"Hey, Nayuta-chan"
"what"
"Denji, why are you so hyper?"
"You're looking forward to camping, aren't you?"
"Really? But aren't you getting a little too excited for that?"
"Well, I don't really know either."
Denji was wearing a straw hat on his head, a short-sleeved sports shirt on his upper body, and surf shorts that exposed his shins, even though it was only May. Just looking at him made him look chilly. On top of that, he was wearing sandals. The way he kept smacking and groaning endlessly made him look like a dangerous person.
"Oh dear," Reze sighed softly through her nose.
"Hey, do you really think you can go into the mountains dressed like that?"
"Ou!"
"Yeah, that's not right, is it? I think it's dangerous to underestimate the mountains."
"I wonder... Is that so?"
"Going camping dressed for the beach is pretty unusual, really. I mean, to begin with, didn't I tell you that this outing was mostly fake?"
"I don't know anything about that!"
"Huh? But didn't Kishibe explain it to you?"
With her lips pursed, Reze asks:
There's no need to recall it. Last night, Kishibe called and told Denji and his group this:
Nayuta—the existence of the Demon of Control has been revealed to other countries.
The reason is unknown. Perhaps the previous attack was detected.
At least one assassin from the United States has been confirmed.
To deal with the situation, a plan was devised to use Denji and his friends as bait to retaliate.
That was the real purpose of this trip.
Denji and his friends pretend to be enjoying leisure activities in a secluded mountain area to lure out their enemy.
The members are Denji, Nayuta, Reze, and the Devil of False Accusation. Plus one more person from Public Safety to provide transportation.
Public Security's Devil Hunters, including Kishibe, are lying low in the surrounding area. They will intercept any enemies that appear.
Therefore, even though Denji and his friends can pretend to be having fun, they can't truly enjoy their leisure time.
Still, Denji smiled defiantly. That didn't matter, he thought.
"If we beat up all the assassins, we can have some fun, right?!"
Denji was now filled with an overwhelming sense of exhilaration and fighting spirit. His opponent wasn't the assassin himself, but the third concern that had just emerged last night, namely the following possibility.
③ It's dangerous because assassins might be coming, so let's stop playing in the river.
I could never accept such an ending.
We'll quickly take down the assassin. Then we'll go swimming in the river. We'll absolutely prevent him from going straight home.
No other future should exist.
The current Denji is the hottest, coolest, and most unhinged devil hunter, and his motivation is at its maximum. He is determined not to back down even if a legion of transcendent beings comes from the depths of hell.
"Reze! I'm counting on you! Thanks in advance!"
"...Hey, Denji-kun..."
Reze gave a wry smile. "What a hopeless case," she continued, muttering.
"Don't blame me if you die, okay?"
"It's alright, I'm immortal!"
"Isn't that not the point?"
With my eyes narrowed, I saw a car approaching from a long, straight road that seemed to stretch to the horizon. It was a pure white van. A man in a black suit designated by the Public Security Bureau was in the driver's seat, and in the passenger seat sat a woman with her arms crossed, her visibly displeased expression clearly visible even from a distance.
He's a devil of false accusations. Apparently, he was picked up along the way.
Nayuta stood up, glancing at her watch.
"Exactly 8 o'clock. I don't approve of having no leeway."
"Well then, shall we go on a mountain survival tour?"
"Let's go swimming in the river!!"
10 hours remaining
Осталось 10 часа.
We got onto the highway and sped westward, passing densely packed residential areas. We drove past several interchanges, and as we pulled off onto local roads, ignoring the falsely accused devil's complaint of "Why do I have to work on the weekend?", we saw scattered buildings that were generally lower in height. We drove through the sparse streets, left and right, savoring the feeling of being on a long journey. As the driver, a Public Security officer in a black suit, and Reze exchanged information, the car's speaker began broadcasting the weather forecast in a flat tone.
"There is a high possibility of heavy rain today."
Denji froze.
He immediately offered a desperate prayer to the still clear sky above the mountains, but Nayuta heartlessly delivered a death sentence, saying, "It looks dangerous to go along the river, so let's avoid it." Denji protested, but there was no way he could win with words. He was shut down in 15 seconds and reduced to a boy who could only groan in frustration.
The van doesn't stop. It continues on and on down the road with no forks in the road.
After passing through thick, sturdy trees, the view opened up dramatically, revealing the deep countryside.
Okutama Town, a hidden gem.
Even within the category of "the countryside," there are different types.
While there are fields and rice paddies, things are still manageable, but in some places, the slopes make even leveling the land difficult. The land itself is inconvenient, making development impossible. These remote areas usually only have one road connecting them to the outside world, and even a single typhoon can instantly turn them into an isolated island. This cursed inconvenience prevents the construction of entertainment facilities such as movie theaters. Weekends for the residents are always spent at shopping malls far away, and they are always excited about spending a day at a fashionable, convenient, and trendy large commercial complex, but sadly, instead of being greeted by cool city boys and girls, they are only met with familiar, unsophisticated faces. This is the fate of those raised in the countryside. They can never escape the curse of their hometown.
Despairing at this sense of stagnation, the young people began to make the same vow: "When I grow up, I'm going to live in one of Tokyo's 23 wards."
That's Okutama. A rural town nestled beside a single stream flowing through the mountains.
Denji and the others finally arrived.
First, we went shopping.
From here on, there are only privately owned general stores. Just before that, the long van stopped in the parking lot of the last supermarket.
Denji, equipped with a shopping basket, carried the bags as planned. Nayuta and Reze were in charge of selecting the groceries and putting them into the basket.
The three of us wandered around the sparsely populated store.
"Ideally, we'd buy meat for a barbecue, but what should we do?"
"It works on a small stove. You can use it for meat, but apparently you can also defrost frozen foods. Ready-made meals are also convenient."
"Is it just a ready-made meal?"
Denji muttered something under his breath, but Reze completely ignored him. She put her index finger to her chin.
"Hmm, I'm not even sure if I'll have enough time to grill them properly, so I'll probably need some portable food. I hear Japanese food is delicious, right?"
"I don't know about the ones from overseas. The standard one here is... that one in the yellow box, I guess."
Looking where he was pointing, Denji let out a damp sigh.
"Calories... You've got to be kidding me...?"
"What is it, Denji? You've been talking for a while now."
"I mean, isn't it weird that we can't eat meat at a barbecue?"
"We might not be able to have that barbecue."
"Whyyyyy"
"Because the enemy is coming."
"Just keep doing it until they come back. Then, after you've chased them away, you can just eat again, right?"
"Is it enough for you to just play and eat?"
"ah"
"Sigh. You're still the same as ever."
Reze shrugged.
I stretched out my arm and chose a jelly drink.
"Speaking of which, that woman... wasn't she the devil of false accusations? Can we trust her?"
"can"
Nayuta was the first to answer.
"I have something on her weakness."
"A weakness, huh? Aren't you going to fight with your convictions?"
"Because he's a demon"
"Well, I guess that can't be helped. So, how's your arm?"
"It's alright, I guess. Better than me, but worse than Denji."
"Well, that doesn't really explain it. ...The reason I'm asking this is because I'm not very good at being a bodyguard. I'd be in trouble if you relied on me too much."
"Really?"
"I have experience on the attacking side, but I'm not so sure about the defending side."
Saying this, she moved aside to let the children coming from the other side of the aisle pass. Her voice was relaxed as she said "Go ahead," but her eyes were as sharp as a hawk's. She wasn't letting her guard down, even though the other party was just an ordinary elementary school boy.
Nayuta thought that he didn't seem to be bad at guarding anyone.
"I haven't learned it."
As if she had read his thoughts, Reze murmured.
"Not knowing something makes me uneasy."
"..."
"Here we go again," Nayuta thought. It was just a slight, almost imperceptible difference.
Nayuta narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at Reze.
A former Soviet agent.
Bomb Girl.
And now, he's the one who keeps Denji and Nayuta in line.
She says she has feelings for Denji, and Nayuta's intuition as a devil also tells her that it's not a lie.
However, their relationship seemed to be neither too close nor too distant, which I found quite noticeable.
Sometimes Nayuta will get surprisingly close, and other times she'll be aloof. It's as if she's constantly adjusting to maintain the perfect balance.
Nayuta doesn't really understand.
Is that what's considered exemplary behavior expected of adult human beings?
Or is it simply a matter of finding the right distance from its managed subjects, acting as an exceptional agent?
Reze's unsettling behavior was also occasionally observed when she was alone.
Occasionally, I would check on her through small animals, but even when Reze was in her room, she never let her guard down and acted with the efficiency of an android. She never slumped or relaxed her posture. It was as if she was always ready to respond immediately if attacked by terrorists—or perhaps she was always prepared to be under someone's watchful eye. However, at unexpected moments, she would lose focus as if her battery had run out. This unnaturalness was as elusive as a shimmering mirage, and would disappear with a single breath.
"Hmm, which one is better...?"
Now, Reze is standing in front of the supermarket shelves with her arms crossed.
Nayuta stared intently at his back and thought.
Something is changing within Reze.
Reze as a warrior.
Reze as a killing machine.
A completely new self-awareness, separate from those, is beginning to sprout.
The phrase "trauma from the past" crossed Nayuta's mind, but he quickly dismissed it. Reze hadn't shown any particular aversion to it so far. On the contrary, if necessary, she would speak about it with complete composure.
Reze's past.
Or perhaps the future.
Her gaze seemed to be directed neither way.
"..."
One hypothesis emerges.
Reze might be similar to my former self.
This is me back when I didn't have any dreams yet.
That was me back when I was just doing the bare minimum necessary to survive.
They are solely focused on survival, with almost no room for leisure.
Reze said she was raised as a warrior.
Perhaps that's why she doesn't know how to live like a normal human being.
"...I wonder."
Nayuta thinks it's not wrong.
However, my devilish intuition told me there was something more to it.
I have no idea what that is.
The memory of Reze from the other day comes back to me. Her dismissive tone of voice.
--The devil wouldn't understand.
I really don't like it.
It's as if we're being shown the vast depth of the chasm that separates humans from demons.
Reze said she would be on our side, but she's hiding things. I'm not saying she has to make us trust her, but at least she shouldn't make us feel distrustful.
Do you want to get closer, or do you want to move away?
I wish they'd at least show me what they want to do.
—Because people don't want to show what's inside them.
He snorted.
Okay.
Then let's find out. The true feelings that Reze is hiding.
"—Can Nayuta defend herself?"
Before I knew it, Reze was staring at me.
"Hmm. What is it?"
"I wonder how much self-defense they can do. Do they have the strength of a professional wrestler?"
"Actually, I've gotten a little stronger again."
"Really?"
"My existence is probably becoming widely known. And that means a little more fear has spread."
"Oh."
Leze throws a coffee pack into a shopping cart at the supermarket.
"So, I guess I can beat an ordinary person. I should probably avoid fighting demons or devil hunters. If anything happens, I should call for help and focus on self-defense."
"I understand."
Then I glanced at the shopping basket beside me. It was packed full of goods. Denji was holding one in each hand, and they looked quite heavy.
I offered to hold one for him.
I was rejected without hesitation.
"I'm fine."
"I think I'm stronger than Denji when he's not transformed."
"It's going to be alright!"
Denji was stubborn. No matter what Nayuta and Reze said, he wouldn't budge. He even showed consideration for the ladies, telling them to just relax.
It makes you tilt your head in confusion.
He's usually completely lacking in tact. What on earth changed him?
...Could it be because I've started living under the same roof as Reze?
Nayuta pursed her lips just one millimeter.
I absolutely hate it. When it was just the two of us living together, he was the kind of guy who would wander around in just his underwear.
"Shall we head to the checkout now?"
"...Yeah"
Could it be that today's mysterious enthusiasm is simply because he gets to play with Reze?
I don't know.
I don't understand Denji, and I don't understand Reze either.
Feeling troubled, Nayuta headed towards the cashier.
@
It's almost 11:30 in the morning.
It was a precious weekend, but the public security officers couldn't relax.
They surround Denji and his group, who are acting as decoys, from a distance, waiting for the enemy to appear at any moment. Some are dressed as construction workers, others as hikers. There are combatants and surveillance personnel. They won't overlook anything suspicious, not even a stray dog. They share detailed information one by one via wireless microphones hidden in their collars. Just now, one of the surveillance personnel was keeping an eye on the three elementary school children who had passed Denji and his group in the supermarket.
Everyone thought it was impossible for children of that age to be assassins. But at the same time, they knew that if they used the power of the devil, they could be used for reconnaissance or as hitmen. They couldn't let their guard down. They had to be vigilant against any opponent and report via radio.
Suddenly, a small question arose.
"Hey, there's something that's bothering me."
"What's wrong?"
"No, those three kids who just left the supermarket... I remember hearing a similar report a little while ago..."
"Was that right?"
"You know, those guys I passed on my bike about an hour or two ago. The group of three who were heading towards town."
"Isn't it just that the numbers match?"
"I think their clothes were the same too... Hey, someone must have kept a record, tell me what happened."
A brief silence.
Another man responded.
The answer I received was—
"There is indeed a record of checking a group of three people whose clothing matches."
--That's how it was.
The man groaned.
"...Aren't they the same kids? They could come back in an hour, right?"
"I wonder. Would they come back right after going out to play?"
"You must have forgotten something. Like your wallet."
"Hmm... Hey, does anyone know where those kids I passed in the store earlier went?"
silence.
No one had the information the man wanted.
"Nobody can tell that. If we chased after every single person we passed by, we wouldn't have enough staff."
"That's true."
"You're overthinking it. Those kids really just passed by each other; they didn't even touch any of the Hayakawa family members."
"Hmm. Well, I guess so...?"
"Look, the bosses are getting into the car. We'll be moving too, so get ready."
"Okay, I understand."
@
Same time.
A narrow alleyway branches off from the road in front of the supermarket, like tiny roots sprouting from the ground. Following the winding path between weathered stone walls, you suddenly come to a cliff, and if you look closely along one side, you can see small wooden steps hidden by the weeds. Carefully descending to avoid slipping, and climbing over huge rocks while listening to the babbling of the river, you find yourself in a secluded space known only to locals. The dense trees block the view, making it impossible to see from the road far above. A secret hideout by the river. Conveniently, there's even a dilapidated hut built there.
Let's take a look inside.
Three elementary school boys were standing facing each other.
However, being an elementary school student was only true up until this very moment.
The three figures, gazing into each other's eyes in the dimly lit cabin, begin to change shape without warning. Their outlines undulate, their bodies swell and increase in volume, and in an instant they become adults.
A skinny man. A slightly overweight man. A short man.
Three middle-aged men.
Assassins from America.
"Ah, turning into a kid isn't fun."
The chubby second son shrugged his shoulders in a deliberately exaggerated manner.
The one who answered was the skinny eldest son.
"So you'd prefer a woman, huh? You always say that."
"Isn't that obvious? What's so fun about becoming a stinky guy or a short kid? If I'm going to transform, I'd rather be a woman, and a young, attractive woman at that."
"Hmm. So... you mean a woman like this?"
The eldest son puts his hand to his face.
Then,
Once again, her body rippled and changed shape. The angular joints became rounded, and even her clothes transformed into something else. She transformed into a girl in casual, outdoorsy attire—Reze.
"How is it?"
"Oh, it's working, it's working."
Three devil hunters arrived from America. They had made a pact with a demon that could mimic appearances. The conditions for activating this ability were far simpler than those of the infamous skin demon. All they had to do was approach the target and keep them in their line of sight. That was all it took to copy their appearance.
However, the risks are far greater than those of an average demon. Not only is your lifespan taken away, but each time you change your form, your sense of self is eroded, and you lose all sense of who you are.
Therefore, when transforming, it was necessary to be with family members who could remind me of "who I originally was."
The eldest son, who had transformed into Reze, turned his chin towards his younger brother, who was standing beside him.
"So, what about you? Were you able to successfully copy their appearance?"
"Of course."
My second son also put his hands to his face.
Then he called out the name of the demon he had made a contract with.
"She's a plagiarism-fueled demon."
The flesh of my second son's entire body began to writhe.
The middle-aged man's big belly quickly deflated, condensing into the form of a small child. A slender body. Soon, he transformed into the form of a young girl. The little devil, Nayuta, whom he had just passed in the supermarket aisle.
"How is it?"
"Whoa! Nice, isn't she the 'woman' you like?"
"Just kidding. I'm not interested in kids like that."
After laughing for a while, the fake Reze and fake Nayuta turned around at the same time, as if they had planned it.
"in,"
"How about you?"
The person standing there wasn't the third son...
A straw hat, short-sleeved shirt and shorts, and sandals.
The man who looks like Denji is the target of the American group.
"Okay, that makes three servings."
"All that's left is to wait until one of them is alone and make contact. Take them to a secluded place, and BANG! ...It's an easy job."
"..."
However, the fake Denji doesn't respond.
She stares at her two older brothers with a suspicious look in her eyes, as if she's having a bad dream.
"Hey, what's up?"
"fruit"
"a?"
"Swimsuit, swimsuit, swimsuit, when I see swimsuits, I feel naughty, naughty, naughty."
It repeats like a broken record.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
His expression was vacant. Only his mouth continued to move automatically. He didn't look sane at all.
"He's finally gone crazy," the second son thought, biting his lip.
"Pull yourself together!"
The eldest son raised his arm and slapped his youngest son's broken cheek with a loud bang!
He grabbed his youngest son by the collar and pulled him closer as he stumbled.
"Who are you?! Tell me your name!"
"I am, Hayakawa Denji."
"That's not right! What's your name?!"
"I, I, I'm a swordsman of the night..."
"No! Your name is—"
I made eye contact with him and told him about my third son's profile. Over and over again. His hometown, memories with his parents, the work he'd done recently—
After spending a considerable amount of time on it, the third son's self-awareness was somehow restored. However, it was far from clear. The third son's sense of self had become so inflated that he couldn't define its boundaries.
The second son clicked his tongue in frustration. The situation was critical. There would likely be no next time.
This job must be the end of it. I will definitely achieve it and make sure my brother leaves this life behind.
@
Same time.
About 10 kilometers upstream along the main road leading into Okutama, you'll find one of the only train stations in the area. It's a rural station that's still fairly lively. There's a fair amount of car traffic, and even away from the roundabout, you'll find a scattering of chain restaurants: a yakiniku restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, a ramen shop, and more.
And there's also a hamburger shop that's infamous for all the wrong reasons.
What exactly is wrong with it? You'll find out as soon as you step inside. You'll be greeted by a poorly executed play.
"Let's eat a family burger together as a family!"
"Dad and Mom love this family burger!"
"tomato!"
"lettuce!"
"cheese!"
"bread!"
"The main character is the hamburger..."
"Great!!"
Not a single customer was watching.
The staged portrayal of family is rather unpleasant to watch. It's blatant and painful to see.
The same was true for the sisters sitting in the corner of the shop.
"Are you kidding me?"
"That was a scornful remark from my sister."
The voice was by no means quiet, but no one seemed to frown. Since it was in Chinese, the other customers around them couldn't understand what was being said.
"Oh, big sister, your voice is so loud..."
Two girls were sitting at that table.
They looked to be around middle school age. Both of their clothes were old and faded, and the hems were stretched out, but they weren't exactly dirty. But they definitely stood out.
One of the girls, the older sister who was cursing, had a poorly cut bob haircut that reached her shoulders. She was leaning on her elbows, glaring resentfully at the brightly colored interior of the shop.
And then there's the other younger sister. She has long hair that reaches down to her waist. It's messy and unkempt, so she doesn't give off a clean impression. She herself seems aware of how out of place she is, as she's cowering as if to hide herself.
Then another girl appeared.
This girl is even younger than her sisters, around the age of an upper elementary school student.
Blonde hair and blue eyes.
He's clearly a foreigner. He's sitting in front of the sisters' table, tilting his head slightly, carrying a tray piled high with hamburgers.
"May I sit there?"
"Do whatever you want."
"P-please go ahead..."
The little girl sits across from the two Chinese men.
The older sister asked, still resting her elbows on the table.
"Hey, what do you want to talk about, bringing me all the way out here? You should at least tell me your name by now."
"Santa Claus"
"Huh? Are you kidding me?"
"That's not my real name. You can think of it as a code name."
"Hmm, Santa, huh... Unfortunately, I've never had the chance to rely on him before."
"Do you perhaps believe in urban legends?"
"Don't underestimate me. I know that there's no one that convenient. I know that all too well."
"is that so"
The girl, who introduced herself as Santa, pushed the tray to the center of the table.
"It's on me. Please eat as much as you like."
He said this while picking up a hamburger.
"This is my first time eating a hamburger."
I peeled off the wrapper and took a bite of the patty with my small mouth.
She puffed out her cheeks like a squirrel and wore a happy smile.
"You should try it too. It's so delicious you'll want to dance!"
"...Okay, I'll take it."
"I'll enjoy having this"
The Chinese sisters hesitantly reached out. After unwrapping them, they hesitated for a while, but when they finally took a bite, their eyes widened. They immediately began eating enthusiastically. A second one, a third... The pile on the tray dwindled, and soon it was all gone in the sisters' stomachs.
"Ah, it's really delicious."
"Freshly made food tastes so good, doesn't it?"
"...There's one left over. You eat it."
"Let's share it in half."
"I'm not needed."
"It's fine... Here."
"Tch, I guess there's no helping it."
The girl who introduced herself as Santa Claus watched the sisters in silence.
"What is it?"
"No, not really. --Shall we get down to business now?"
"Yeah, sure. I was wondering the same thing. So, what do you mean by wanting to team up?"
"It means exactly what it says."
She tilted her head, shaking the ends of her golden hair.
"You guys are amateurs, aren't you?"
The sisters did not answer immediately.
However, realizing the futility of silence, my sister snorted, indicating her surrender.
"That's right. We're not devil hunters. We're just ordinary people who made a deal with a demon. So what?"
"I'm amazed you've made it this far."
"ah?"
"He's an illegal immigrant, possesses a demon, and doesn't even understand Japanese. I was amazed he'd managed to get this far without being caught," he said.
"That's why I told you, it's because I asked the future demon what to do, right?"
"Yes, I'm sure that's the case. And one more thing to add, that carelessness in easily revealing the name of the demon you've made a contract with is also dangerous."
"Huh? What exactly are you trying to say?"
"It's telling you that you can't go any further than this point."
My sister frowned. She slowly leaned back in the chair, narrowed her eyes, and glared directly at the blonde girl.
But Santa Claus remained unfazed, not even a flicker of hair. He even wore a gentle smile.
"Even if you know the right path, you won't be able to follow it."
"Why?"
"Do you have any combat experience?"
"..."
He could only remain silent, his face contorted in bitterness.
"Your opponents are demons and public security officials. Even if you get close enough, it's not that easy for an amateur to kill them. That's true even if it's a surprise attack from behind."
"Hmm, you're right. But so what?"
He snorted and crossed his arms.
"Mind your own business. I'm going to do it, even if the success rate is only 1%."
"Let's expand those possibilities."
The blonde girl raises her arm.
Kotori placed something on the table.
"...What's that?"
Both sisters peered in suspiciously.
It was a small nail.
"The Cursed Demon"
Santa Claus continued speaking at length.
"If you stab anyone with this four times, they will definitely die."
"What did you say?"
"I'll lend it to you."
She brought it to her sister with a soft thud. The nail, placed there without a sound, looked like nothing more than an ordinary iron rod.
However, the blonde girl says it undoubtedly possesses the power of a demon.
"You can try it on a stray cat to see for yourself. Of course, the more you use it, the shorter its lifespan will be."
The younger sister swallowed hard.
Santa Claus and two sisters who vow revenge.
The gazes of the two pairs meet. They silently try to read each other's intentions.
An electronic sound echoed throughout the store.
"Let's eat a family burger together as a family!"
A strange shout passed between the tables.
An unnatural act of goodwill, distributed for free.
A world adorned with pretense.
It was something completely unrelated to these two groups.
"...Why? Why are you lending me your strength?"
"You have no means of attack. Do you think you can kill your opponent with just a counterattack using the Demon of Vengeance? If your trick is exposed, you'll be captured and it's all over."
"That's not the point. Why would you help us? There's no reward for it."
She crossed her arms, her bobbed hair swaying, her eyes gleaming carefully, trying to see through the sweet words of the child-like con artist.
"Those guys who pretend to be kind and approach you like that are always scumbags who are just thinking of using you for their own benefit."
"Yes, that's correct."
Santa Claus did not deny it.
"I am trying to use you."
They show no remorse.
The sisters were unexpectedly silenced by the bluntness of the answer.
"We're professionals. We'll use whatever we can to achieve our goals. And this time, that includes you guys. It's more useful to lend a hand and use you as a force than to leave you to self-destruct. Don't you agree?"
"You bastard..."
"Think about it. Our goals should be the same. To eliminate the Demon of Control—right?"
"..."
"I have no personal grudge against the Demon of Control. I don't mind if you're the ones who defeat him."
"Hmm"
My sister glared at the pale-skinned girl with sharp eyes, but then slowly released her grip. She reached out her hand towards the table.
He clutched the cursed nail.
"I don't like it. But I'll ride it."
"Big sister!"
"Shut up. What he's saying isn't wrong. It's annoying, though."
"But, but, if I use it, its lifespan will be shortened again..."
"So what? What's the point of living a long life while rotten? Even if my life is short, I want to live with my head held high."
"That's..."
A younger sister clings to her older sister, who rejects her. Ignorant avengers have arrived from China.
Santa Claus simply stared with emotionless, lifeless eyes.
The older sister is blinded by revenge, while the younger sister is terrified. Their wills are at odds.
However, there was one thing they all shared.
it is--
"Huh? What's up with you? What have you been staring at this whole time?"
"No, not really... I just thought that you two have a sense of mutual respect and admiration."
"K-I? What's that?"
"...?"
"It's nothing much. I just want to join forces with you to eliminate the Demon of Control."
"Oh, yeah...? Do whatever you want."
"Ugh..."
"So, I look forward to working with you from now on."
Santa Claus smiled faintly.
@
Same time.
We travel another 2 kilometers further back towards the city center from the hamburger shop where the two pairs of assassins from China and Germany had made their secret agreement.
In a town that wasn't quite rural, nor was it a big city, with a similar density of buildings, and just off a main street, there was a single conveyor belt sushi restaurant.
This isn't a chain restaurant that primarily relies on frozen imports. They use natural ingredients and maintain strict freshness control. In the highly competitive food and beverage industry, their ability to maintain a certain level of popularity is largely due to the skills of the chefs who have come from long-established restaurants.
Two demons from the Soviet Union were eating in that booth.
Because she wears her knitted hat pulled low over her eyes, the scales growing on her forehead are hidden. Furthermore, her fluent Japanese pronunciation and the friendly smile she displays have prevented anyone from becoming suspicious of her since she entered the country.
Japan was a country of peace.
The crime category of "fake police officer" is practically nonexistent. Everyone is so trusting that they unconditionally believe someone just because they're wearing a uniform. Thanks to this, the two assassins were able to casually eat sushi at a local restaurant with only simple camouflage.
"Mmm, delicious!"
However, Polina was the only one in a touristy mood.
In stark contrast to her partner, who skillfully used chopsticks to shove tuna into her mouth, her dimples softening with happiness after each bite, Anastasia silently stuffed her mouth with sushi as if it were a chore. Her face was sullen, as if she were eating stones. She picked up a plate and ate, picked up another plate and ate again. After piling up about 15 plates, she finally put down her chopsticks and glanced at the black button on the table.
"Hey, what is this?"
"Hmm? Oh, that,"
Polina slurped the fish broth and continued.
"They say it has hot water."
"What are you going to use it for?"
"Apparently, it's for washing hands."
"Oh, like this?"
I reached out and pressed down with my thumb.
Naturally, boiling water gushed out like a waterfall. It hit the back of her hand, but the tall girl didn't even flinch. She just stared curiously at the splashes flying around her.
The elderly shop assistant let out a cry of astonishment.
"Oh, customer?! Are you alright?!"
"What is it?"
"You'll burn yourself! That's boiling water meant for tea!"
"Hmm, is that so?"
Anastasia finally took her fingers off the switch. She stared intently at the back of her wet hand, and saw steam rising from it.
"No problem. It's heat resistant."
"Oh, really? But wouldn't it be better to chill it...?"
"Nothing's wrong."
The shop assistant was constantly expressing concern, but Anastasia simply brushed him off like a wall.
After somehow managing to send them away, he muttered to himself.
"...Polya, you tricked me."
"Yeah! Because Nastya looks bored."
She covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
"What's so interesting about this?"
"I was wondering how Nastya would react to the store clerk. Hehe, I did it."
"That might be funny to you, but I don't find it funny."
"But it wasn't hot, was it?"
"ah"
"That's fine then. It's just a little surprise."
"What's so good about that...? We're on a mission right now. Don't do anything that will draw attention to yourself."
However, Polina only shrugged and looked exasperated.
"There we go again. Don't we even care about the mission anymore? We've practically quit already, haven't we?"
"I haven't quit."
"Huh? But we did defeat Doshi's uncles, didn't we?"
"Those guys weren't comrades. No problem."
"Well, it's fine, I guess? Thanks to that, I was able to come to Japan and eat sushi."
Anastasia was displeased.
"Listen, a mission is a mission. Do it properly. Not for anyone else. For yourself."
"I don't really understand."
"Don't you want to leave something behind?"
Anastasia lowers her voice.
Shrimp, salmon, gunkan maki... I ran my fingers along the rim of my teacup as I watched the plates pass by in front of us.
"We're going to die soon. When we die, there's nothing left. Nothing remains. That's why I want to leave something behind. That's what I think."
"Wow. You're saying things that make you sound like a bad worker."
"I'm a little surprised myself. Apparently, as death approaches, feelings of anxiety arise. I can't stop thinking about how I should die, how to end my life without regrets, what responsibilities I need to fulfill..."
"How does that become a mission?"
"I can't think of anything else."
I sprinkled the tea powder into the teacup and poured in the hot water.
"All we've had in our lives has been training and combat. So all we can leave behind is results. We should make the pride of having carried out our missions more perfectly our medals. Anastasia and Polina have admirably fulfilled their duties... what else is there?"
"...Huh? What's that?"
Polina remained sullen for a while, but then, as if suddenly struck by an idea, she raised her voice in a high-pitched voice.
"Nastya! Can I share my knowledge of Japanese sushi chefs?"
"Hmm... ahh"
"They say, 'Three years to cook rice, eight years to make sushi,' right? Apparently, sushi chefs in this country train for over ten years just to be able to make sushi. Do you know why?"
"Well, I don't think it requires any particularly advanced technology to make this."
"You know, there are over 30,000 sushi restaurants in Japan. So, apparently, they're deliberately not teaching how to become a sushi chef to prevent the number of chefs from increasing too much."
"What's that?"
"But it's the way of the times, and conveyor belt sushi restaurants that use robots and mass-produce ingredients, making them cheap and requiring no special skills, are gaining popularity. In other words, sushi chefs today, who have worked incredibly hard to become skilled, are being driven out of their place in the industry!"
"..."
Now it was Anastasia's turn to be displeased.
I instinctively glanced inside the store. The employee who had spoken to Anastasia when she was scalded with boiling water earlier was stifling a yawn, looking bored.
"I didn't want to know that. I really didn't want to know..."
"Hehe! Just like us right now!"
Anastasia took a sip of tea and rummaged through the bag she had set aside. She pulled out a hip flask and pressed it into Polina's hand.
Polina's sensitive nose twitched, as if she were a demon.
A unique smell, one that can only be encountered on the battlefield, emanates from the water bottle, which was originally intended to hold alcohol.
"Is there blood in it?"
"ah"
"Human blood?"
"I've already procured it."
"So it's for therapeutic purposes? Nastya is really serious about this."
"That's my only redeeming quality."
"You're right. It's more fun to look at other things too, you know?"
"I never had such an opportunity."
"You can do it from now on."
"There's no time."
"Well, that's true, but...oh!?"
Polina's eyes widened when she saw the conveyor belt. Pudding! She reached out her hand with a joyful expression.
Anastasia, meanwhile, was sullenly taking out another flask. As she slipped it into her inner breast pocket for herself, her eyes suddenly fell on the information board posted on the wall. Along with today's recommendations, it read:
"Sea urchin is sold out today! We look forward to your visit tomorrow or later."
"...I wonder what it tasted like."
The red-haired girl murmured. The hands of the watch on her wrist were pointing straight up.
6 hours remaining
Осталось 6 часа.