Hanako pov:
The sun was beginning to set for yet another average day, well I wouldn't say average. My life has been nothing but that these past few days. Ever since I met Ryu, he has never left my side. He accompanied me everywhere I went. His presence has been quite beneficial to my mental and physical health. I felt less alone and tired when he was around. He helps me clean my room and do my homework, what more can I ask for?
We were sitting on my couch in the bedroom, reading a book. He was having a hard time understanding what it was about. The questions he would ask me as I read for him were quite laughable, but I loved explaining them to him. He would shrug and look away every time I do and I would laugh at his childish reaction.
"You seem to know a lot about books, that's cool I guess." He said, turning his face away in embarrassment. "I read a lot when I have nothing better to do," I say with a soft smile. "I know" he spoke under his breath. "You know?" I asked and he looked at me with wide eyes. His face turned red and his eyes brightened. "What?" My lips curved into a warm smile, I shook my head and resumed my book reading it out loud for him.
After an hour or so, he interrupted my reading with a loud yawn. "What? You're tired already? I thought demons don't get tired." I said, feeling a sudden feeling of disappointment rushes over me. "Where did you learn that from? A book?" He said, his voice sounding a bit raspy and sleepy. "Maybe, I don't remember," I say truthfully. He blinks and rubs his eyes "I'm not tired. No offense but your book is kinda boring."
I gasp at his remark and my eyebrows curve in disapproval "No it's not!" He got up suddenly from the couch and yawned again.
"I gotta go, you should sleep soon." He says, I cringe. "Okay, Dad." He turned his head to face me and smiled "Bye." He said before disappearing, as he always does. I smile to myself and close my book to put it back on the shelf. He was right, I should go to bed, It was getting late.
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Ryu pov:
I hated the fact that this guy takes up more time of my life than he needs to. I mean he owes me a lot but still.
He is my mentor, he's like an older brother to me, but I hate him with a burning passion. I had to cut my little book reading session with Hanako just to be here, at this tavern full of drunk demons to meet him, and there's one thing worse than a demon, it would definitely be a drunk demon.
I walked between the tables, full of customers until I finally spotted him, sitting alone in the corner of the room. He seemed different tonight, he looked happier than he usually is. Maybe it was the alcohol but his yellow bright eyes seemed brighter. His red long hair was held in a messy, but beautiful low ponytail. His hair looked longer than usual too. His horns and wings were the same, nothing about him looks off but everything does at the same time. He got buff and toned too. What happened?
"Ryu! I'm here!" He yelled, his cheeks were a bright shade of red and his hand held a glass bottle of blood wine. He waved his arm in the air and everyone stared at him in amusement. I quickly walked towards him, putting my finger to my mouth to stop him from speaking another word. "Long time no see!" He said with joy-filled eyes. "Shut up Genji" I speak coldly.
Genji is my mentor, he's been training me ever since I was a kid, I guess being immortal left him with too much free time to waste. He has recently been promoted to the highest achievable demon rank, to the top 4. He's always had the potential to make it there, he sticks to the rules more than he needs to and he's kind of a suck-up, but I guess being like that gets you somewhere in life. And not only is he one of the top 4 highest-ranking demons in the demon realm, but he's also been directly promoted to number 1.
I should be proud of him, but I couldn't care less to be honest. He took a big gulp of his wine "You must have heard the big news right? I'm one of the demon lord's 4 best friends!" He seemed like a happy drunk, too happy of a drunk. Best friends? That is surely a bizarre way to call those idiots in the high ranks.
I nodded and looked away, he frowned slightly "Aren't you happy for me?" He asked, his eyes turning to look at me in a soft pitiful look. I looked at him dead in the eyes "No"
We sat for a couple of minutes, he filled my head with his nonsense and then finally spoke something sensical "Oh I almost forgot! Lord Megumi is going to hold a party in honor of my promotion! Isn't that cool?" He said, putting his hands on the table and standing up in excitement, everyone stared at him "I invite you of course!" My eyes widened and he sat back down .
Maybe because THE lord of demons is hosting an actual party or maybe because I was invited to it, but I was too stunned to speak. He sat back down and took another big sip. "It's 2 days later, bring anyone you like," he said calmly, his mood changing in a second. "Do I have to come?" I asked. I'm not exactly sure about leaving Hanako alone while I'm at a party, what if something happens in my absence? "Of course! If you don't come I'll hunt you down and kill you" he said coldly, but with a gentle smile on his face.
I panicked and smiled back "Nevermind, I'm totally coming!" I changed my mind quickly. Genji was strong, stronger than any demon I know. Even when he was at my rank when he had his human before she died. He was exceptionally powerful. Usually, demons seize to exist after their human dies, but he stayed, he proved that he's able to move on to the next rank. He fought against angels, other demons, and even some of the former top 4 rankers and won.
He deserved this rank more than anyone in the demon realm. "By the way..." He said, changing the tone of his voice and taking me out of my bubble of thought. "How are things with her?" I faced him "Her?" I asked in total confusion. "Your human you idiot!" He said. The confused look on my face quickly turned into a look of shock. "Why do you wanna know?" No one knows about my friendship with Hanako, not even Genji.
It's one of the biggest offenses in demon rules to show yourself to humans, no matter who. We are not allowed to interact with them. Our only job is to ruin your assigned human's life, and only your assigned human (broke that rule getting revenge on my human's family).
I've committed many crimes in just a week. If Genji, the closest authority figure to the demon lord, found out about any of the actions I've done this week. They'd have me executed straight away, without a second thought.
Despite Genji being similar to an older brother figure in my life, he would not hesitate to make sure justice is strictly served. It doesn't matter if you're close to him or not, he would kill you if the king told him to. "Nothing, why?" I answered his question. My palms began to sweat. "I don't know, you seem to be spending more time in the human world than usual," he remarked.
I need to change the subject, but before I could think of something, he continued. "Have you been causing extra trouble to her recently? I never thought you were the type to enjoy your job" I scowled and stared at him. "Why are you the way you are Genji?" He laughed and took the final sip of his wine bottle. "I'm just kidding bro chill" I sigh after his reassuring words.
I need to learn how to control my temper sometimes, who knows what this guy can do to me if I make a single wrong move?
"Ummm, is Hanako taken? Is that why you're always with her? Are you somehow jealous?" He teased. "That's it!" I slammed my hand on the table while getting up.
While I was leaving the tavern, I heard him laughing hysterically in the background "Don't forget the party!" He yelled out at me. I turned around to face him, raising my middle finger to him then leaving and slamming the door shut behind me. He surely knows something about me and her now...