Chapter 3: I Really Will Cut Off Your Head
On the streets of the town, the air was filled with the savory scent of oden, the charred smell of grilled skewers, and that most lethal of scents for a demon: the aura of human flesh and blood.
" 'Really Fragrant' Cafeteria? " Tatsu looked at the small shop in front of him, which had a deep blue noren hanging in the doorway, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Kanae Kocho stopped in her tracks and turned around, her purple eyes rippling with a gentle smile.
" What's wrong, Mr. Tatsu? Do you not like it here? Although this shop is in a remote location, the taste is actually quite good. "
She wore her Kocho-patterned haori, which swayed gently as she turned.
However, Tatsu noticed that although her right hand hung naturally at her side, her little finger and ring finger were slightly curled—a posture ready to grasp the Nichirin Sword at her waist at any moment.
" N-no. " Tatsu swallowed hard, struggling to suppress the burning thirst in his throat.
Just then, a gust of wind blew by, carrying the smell of alcohol from some drunks on the street, as well as the thick aura of life from the crowd.
For Tatsu, who was in a state of extreme hunger at this moment, this was no mere breeze; it was like the steam released from a pressure cooker, rushing towards him with the scents of "braised pork," "steamed fish," and "sauced pork knuckle."
It was just that these ingredients could talk and move.
His pupils contracted violently. His eyes, originally just a deep crimson, instantly looked like fresh blood dripped into water, glowing with an eerie, chilling red.
His heart hammered violently in his chest, as if a war drum were beating frantically in his ears.
" So hungry... so fragrant... "
Every cell in his blood vessels was screaming, roaring.
Tatsu felt his teeth begin to itch, wanting to pierce something warm and drink deep of that sweet liquid.
The crowd around him was no longer human in his eyes; they were walking pieces of protein, moving bags of plasma.
The fat man laughing loudly had veins throbbing at his neck, as if saying, "Take a bite of me, just one bite"; the woman applying makeup had visible blue veins at her wrists—what enticing drinking straws they were.
" Haa... haa... " Tatsu's breathing became heavy, like an old, broken bellows.
His fingers gripped his own clothes tightly, his nails even piercing the fabric and digging deep into his palms.
Just at the moment he was about to lose control and take a step forward, a cold killing intent, like a basin of cold water in winter, was poured over his head.
" Mr. Tatsu, you must hold on. "
Kanae Kocho's voice remained gentle, even carrying a hint of a sweet, syrupy smile, like a big sister next door coaxing a child to take their medicine.
But her right hand, which had originally been hanging naturally, was now resting on the hilt of the Nichirin Sword at her waist.
Kanae tilted her head slightly, her hair tips gently brushing against her cheek. Although her eyes were still gentle, deep within them lay a cold scrutiny.
" Otherwise, I really will cut off your head. "
This huge contrast made Tatsu shudder, and the frantic appetite in his mind was instantly diluted by fear.
He looked at Kanae's fair, slender hand, now firmly gripping the sword hilt. If he showed even a shred of aggression, that blade would be unsheathed in a tenth of a second, and then precisely slice off his head.
Is this Kanae? The sweeter the smile, the more ruthless the cut.
" Gulp. " Tatsu swallowed hard again, this time out of fear.
" No! Absolutely cannot eat humans! "
I am a modern civilized person who has received nine years of compulsory education, three years of high school tempering, and four years of university baptism! How could I eat a human?
This is not just a question of moral boundaries, but also a matter of species dignity!
Once I eat a human, I can never go back. I will have completely betrayed my past, betrayed that youth who ran under the sunset!
" Rest assured... " Tatsu's voice was hoarse, " I also do not want to die by Miss Kanae's blade... "
He lifted his head abruptly, his blood-red eyes filled with bloodshot veins, but his gaze was exceptionally firm.
" I... I would rather starve to death than eat a single bite of human flesh! " Tatsu gritted his teeth, squeezing the words out through his teeth.
Kanae was slightly taken aback. She had seen many demons.
Some demons would cry and beg for mercy when hungry, then attack when caught off guard; some would go completely mad, turning into mindless beasts; others would use all sorts of lies to cover up their desires.
But she had never seen such a gaze. It was a kind of pride as a "human," a desperate defense of one's own bottom line.
Even though his body had become a demon, even though every cell was craving blood, his soul was still roaring in refusal.
Kanae's fingers gripping the hilt loosened slightly. She could feel that this youth in front of her—or rather, this demon—was experiencing a torture unimaginable to ordinary people. It was a life-and-death struggle between physiological instinct and Spiritual willpower.
" Haa... haa... " Tatsu gasped for air, cold sweat the size of beans rolling down his cheeks.
He felt his stomach was like a black hole, devouring his internal organs, but he forced that desire back down, relying on the strange self-esteem of "I am a person who has received higher education."
" Let's... go find a place to sit. " Tatsu raised his sleeve and wiped the cold sweat from his face haphazardly; although his voice was still trembling, it had regained some calm.
He had done it.
The surprise in Kanae's eyes flashed by, then turned into a deeper smile. This time, there was less wariness in her smile, and more genuine appreciation.
Just a moment ago, her thumb had already pushed the tsuba of her blade. If Tatsu had taken that step, she would definitely have swung her blade without hesitation. But he had held back.
To be in such close proximity to so many humans while in such a state of hunger, he had actually managed to hold back. This was nothing short of a miracle.
" Very well. " Kanae replied softly, her voice crisp and pleasant. She released her hand from the sword and let it hang naturally at her side again.
The two lifted the noren and walked into the small shop named "Really Fragrant."
The shop was not large, with a U-shaped counter occupying most of the space, surrounded by diners. There were exhausted employees who had just finished work, heavily made-up geisha, and burly men who looked like yakuza bosses.
The air was filled with the rich aroma of tonkotsu broth and the crisp scent of sake.
" Welcome! " " Two people? This way, please. "
Kanae led Tatsu straight to an empty seat by the window. It was relatively quiet here, and they could avoid the crowding of the masses.
The moment Tatsu sat down, he felt as if every bone in his body was about to fall apart. That psychological struggle just now had drained too much of his energy; he was now both hungry and exhausted.
"Boss" Kanae raised her hand,
"Two bowls of tonkotsu ramen, large portions, and please make sure to add two soft-boiled eggs to one of them! "