Since I was little, I always wondered.
Why was he so hated? Why did everyone look at him differently? Why did he keep smiling cheerfully? Why?
I didn't understand the reason. Around me, everyone looked at me with love, as if I were someone important, completely different from him.
One day, a man threw me to another wall, Circoland, which had long been invaded by demons. This forced the remaining humans to inhabit the wall of Mangoland.
I didn't understand why he did that to me.
Wasn't I loved by everyone?
In the same place, I found that boy, but he was completely different. Did something happen? I was trembling with fear, but that boy showed no panic. His face seemed like the devil himself, so full of anger he was.
"I will survive and kill all of you!"
'Everyone? Am I included?'
This doubt made me tremble even more. He looked in my direction and began to run angrily.
'Am I going to die?'
Soc! Pow! Sock! Zump! Bum!
I heard some noises, and after a few seconds, my cheeks were burning intensely. I instinctively opened my eyes and saw his face very close, staring at me with extreme anger. I felt afraid, and then his hands moved away from my cheeks. He turned his back and said:
"If you don't want to die, keep your eyes open."
"Y-yes."
With each battle I watched, it was like watching the fight of two caged beasts. He looked like a beast, tearing the demons' bodies apart, kicking, punching, biting, and even eating.
Anyone who saw this scene would probably feel deep fear. While I was terrified of the demons, he inspired hope in me.
I decided to stand up and fight by his side, but I was too weak. Every moment, I needed to be saved, and I felt useless. I wanted to be useful at least once, but I couldn't.
I didn't know how much time had passed, an hour, two hours, or more, but then my father appeared, and I felt great joy. He ran towards me in despair and hugged me.
"I'm so glad you're alive," my father cried. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"I have some injuries, but thanks to him, I'm alive, Dad."
"Him? There's no one here."
'What do you mean? He was here just now.'
I looked around and didn't see him; I thought I was going crazy.
"But he was here; he saved me, Dad."
"Really?"
"Yes, Dad. You have to believe me, Dad!"
"Okay, let's look for him."
"Thank you, Dad!"
I couldn't do anything but accept. With this feeling, I dedicated myself even more to training, hoping that one day I could watch his back. Although my father said it was just an idea in my head, I didn't believe it.
No matter what they said, I would keep training and become strong enough to protect him one day.
Five years passed, and then a person everyone was talking about appeared, and I could hardly believe it when I saw her.
"From now on, you will live here."
I was extremely happy to know that the person I admired so much would be living in the same house as me. I couldn't contain myself and asked:
"Hi! Izumi, do you remember me? It's me?"
"Who are you?"
"Ah!"
"Don't waste your time; your memories are a mess."
I kept insisting, but he didn't remember me, even though he was in a better state. A year passed, and he still didn't remember, but I kept training so that one day I could help him.
Two years passed, and the tournament was approaching. I had to win because, according to my father, it was the only way to go on an adventure with him.
The people in the town always showed resentment, but he stood firm and didn't care what others thought, which was incredible to see.
'So admirable!'
I lost the fight, but I wasn't sad because my defeat was inevitable from the beginning. However, knowing that I couldn't go on an adventure with him made me quite sad. I felt a mixture of happiness and sadness at the same time, but my admiration for him continued to grow.
'You're the best, Izumi.'
In the auditorium, when my father announced that I would go with Izumi, I was extremely happy. After all, we would be the best fighters in Mangoland. I was excited until that girl appeared and insulted Izumi. I didn't like her since then.
During the journey to defeat the fearless, Izumi almost killed Idalme, but I intervened, even though I didn't like her, because I recognized her usefulness in making us better.
I scolded her, but it didn't take long for her to open her mouth again and talk nonsense. This woman ruined the romance that was happening with Izumi.
Everyone started looking at us differently, and I thought we would have to leave that village. However, when Izumi slapped my cheeks, I was very happy.
'He remembers!'
Izumi entrusted this to me, so I had to keep the promise. Given the difficult situation, it was a challenge, but I didn't give up.
'I will defeat the demon and show Izumi my strength!'
Although Izumi claimed to be the only demon, the villagers were still suspicious of us. We couldn't blame them, after all, the word 'demon' was the most feared, and every precaution was necessary.
"Is it really true that Izumi is a demon?" Ui asked doubtfully.
This girl was probably the first woman who was interested in him, and I couldn't let that pass.
"Not entirely; Izumi is a hybrid."
"Hybrid?"
Everyone had doubts about that, but it wasn't surprising. The concept of hybridization should never have happened in history, at least that's what I thought.
"Hybrids are beings with half human and half demon origin, but not from demonification. They were born in the body of a woman who had a relationship with a demon."
"I see, so he's not a demon," Ui said, relieved.
"It doesn't matter; as long as demon blood runs in his veins, he will be a danger," the old man said calmly, and I felt like he knew something we didn't. "I've seen beings like them before. This race doesn't care about anyone; they are selfish and only concern themselves, and I tell you. They tend to be worse than demons."
"I see you understand the subject."
"You're still very young; one day you'll regret walking with that being in human flesh."
"I'll remember that."
I didn't like this old man; everything he said annoyed me. He dared to say that Izumi was more dangerous than demons? If it weren't for the mission, I would have punched him in the face.
"Well, I'll help you with the demon, but don't think I'm doing it for you."
"Understood. Ui, show them to their respective rooms."
"I request that we be placed in the same room."
"Ehh!" Idalme said surprised.
"Any problem?"
"No, no, no. It would be a pleasure," she replied, holding her hair and looking away.
'So obvious. You're the cause of all these problems; don't think you have a chance with me. Anyone who causes problems for Izumi is my enemy.'