Tokyo, Tamano Housing Complex.
A narrow alleyway.
Two young girls walked together—one in a school uniform, the other in a Public Safety Devil Hunter uniform.
Asa Mitaka broke the silence. "I didn't expect to run into you here. What a coincidence."
Higashiyama Kobeni's eyes darted away. "Y-Yes… it is."
No matter who she spoke to, Kobeni instinctively hunched her shoulders. She and Asa had met only twice before, likely due to her connection with Cael. Kobeni carried a faint but lasting impression of Asa.
"Is Akai patrolling alone?" Asa asked, trying to make conversation.
The girl was painfully introverted and socially anxious, far more so than Asa herself. Since she was Cael's colleague, Asa wanted to avoid making her feel uncomfortable.
Kobeni lowered her head and whispered, "It… it was supposed to be two of us, but my partner was hit by a drunk driver and sent to the hospital…"
Asa gritted her teeth. Why do drunk drivers even exist?
"By the way, do you live around here?" Asa asked, glancing at the cramped residential area. The stares from the balconies made her uneasy.
She took a deep breath and said slowly, "I used to rent nearby, but I've moved out. I'm staying at Cael's shop—it saves some money…"
For Asa, saving money was only part of the reason. Another major factor—Reze still lived there.
Though Reze was an employee, having just Cael and Reze in such a large Funeral Home felt… risky. Reze had a bright personality, impressive skills, and was stunningly beautiful.
Asa imagined herself in Cael's position. It would be hard not to fall for a girl who was a 'white Moonlight' dream. Sparks could fly if one wasn't careful, so Asa kept a close watch to prevent him from straying.
"Save money?" Kobeni asked quietly, tilting her head. "Are you saving to pay tuition?"
Seeing Asa in a school uniform, Kobeni realized she was a university student. While others studied freely, Kobeni risked her life hunting devils to survive. A wave of bitterness and inferiority washed over her.
"Not really," Asa said, pinching her chin. "Scholarships cover most of it. The money I save… well, it's for the future, for marriage."
"Scholarships?" Kobeni's eyes widened. Her thoughts were consumed by money. "That's enough for tuition? Ms. Asa is amazing…"
"I'm not as amazing as you say," Asa replied, a bit embarrassed by the praise.
"By the way, how old is Akai?"
"20," Kobeni answered softly, clutching her uniform. She wasn't used to questions about herself.
"Asa nodded. "I'm almost 20 too. Akai's older, so no need for honorifics—just call me Asa."
"Yes!" Kobeni replied, a little louder than expected.
The sky overhead was overcast, heavy with the threat of rain. A moment of silence passed.
"I said there's no need to be so serious…" Asa murmured.
Suddenly, Kobeni began to cry, covering her mouth to preserve some dignity.
"So what are you crying about now?" Asa asked, a flicker of irritation in her voice.
"I… I want to go to university like Asa…" Kobeni sobbed.
"Then go!" Asa snapped, but something felt off to Yoru, sensing something unusual.
"But I can't! There are over ten family members relying on my salary. And I have to pay for my brother's tuition too!" Kobeni's sobs broke further.
Asa's face flushed in disbelief. "How many people are in your family?!"
Kobeni cried through tears, "Nine siblings, plus my parents—eleven! Why are they so cruel to me!"
"Eleven…" Asa's chest heaved. Painful memories surged. She looked up, tears sliding down her cheeks. "Bastard! Why does Akai have so many, while mine… are all gone?"
"All… dead?" Kobeni stammered.
Asa laughed bitterly. "The loneliness that rises from deep within, unresolved… Akai will never understand it…"
Kobeni, undeterred, countered, "And the weight of family pulling me down… Asa can't understand that either!"
Asa exhaled, despairing. "I'm tired… every precious thing is taken away too soon. Long-term relationships never last—Mama, Gurambun, Cael… probably the same…"
Kobeni, a mess of tears and snot, whispered, "I… don't understand…"
Inside Asa's mind, Yoru warned sharply, "Asa, snap out of it. You're being too negative."
Asa gave a bitter smile. "I seek comfort from Cael when lonely… isn't that arrogant? Cael can like as many girls as he wants. Who am I to interfere?"
Kobeni fell to her knees with a thud, still crying. "I just want to escape my family…"
Asa crouched beside her, pressing her forehead gently against Kobeni's. "Do you think it would be better if people like us just died?"
"Die?" Kobeni paused, then cried louder. "No, no… I don't want to die!"
Suddenly, large raindrops splattered against Asa's head, soaking her black hair. But it wasn't just rain… dark shadows plummeted from the sky, whistling as they tore through the air.
Whoosh—
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The shadows struck the concrete, crimson liquid splashing over their bodies. Falling people.
"Eh?!"
Asa and Kobeni turned toward the nearby residential buildings. Hundreds of residents, seemingly resolved, were throwing themselves from balconies toward the ground.
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