What's the best way to spend a Saturday?
Work? Sleep? Play video games? Read?
Or maybe... riding a motorcycle on your way to meet five troublesome sisters?
If your answer is the last one, you're probably named Desmon and happen to be a demon hunter with questionable luck…
Wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans, the white-haired young man rides his black motorcycle down the highway while watching videos on his phone.
One would expect him to always be in his school uniform, but Desmon actually has other clothes for different occasions. However, he isn't wearing his beloved black coat today—his tailor told him it was too damaged to be salvaged and that he'd be better off buying a new one.
And when Desmon asked Shizuka if she could give him money for a new coat, she simply smiled and said:
"Not a chance."
So, until he either earns enough money for a new coat or finds someone who can make him one that regenerates from cuts, he'll have to dress like a regular person.
Which of the two will happen first?
"I hope I can deal with those quintuplets quickly so I can go back to sleep..." He yawned lazily, glancing away from his phone to take in the scenery.
Just a few minutes ago, Desmon had been lounging around Shizuka's apartment, wasting time. But his peace was interrupted by a call from Mr. Nakano, asking him to come to the hospital where Yotsuba was recovering. His job? Explaining the situation to the rest of the sisters.
Breaking the news to three teenagers that they were possessed to the point of nearly killing their sister isn't exactly easy. It takes a certain kind of attitude—or just brutal honesty. Desmon falls into the latter category.
But wait, weren't four of the five sisters possessed?
That's right. But unlike the others, Miku actually witnessed Kiyohime firsthand and played a crucial role in giving Desmon the opening he needed to defeat the demon. More importantly, Miku saw Kiyohime's memories. Of the four, she's the one who needs the least explanation. In fact, Desmon is counting on Miku to make things easier.
"At this speed, I should be there in an hour. I guess I can take a nap until then..." He yawned again.
True to himself, Desmon had no qualms about dozing off while riding. After all, his devil arm could handle the driving on its own.
"Wake me up when we get there, Kurox..."
Completely ignoring basic road safety, Desmon fell into a deep sleep.
This kind of reckless behavior should get him into trouble, right?
As he cruised down the highway, a police patrol spotted him sleeping soundly. However, the officers chose to pretend they didn't see him.
Desmon had become something of an urban legend among highway police. Rather than chasing him just to have him slip away effortlessly, they preferred to avoid the hassle.
Well, most of them. There was still one officer determined to catch him—but her shift wouldn't start until later that afternoon.
…
"Nothing beats sleeping through a trip." Desmon stretched his arms as he stood in front of a large white building.
After an hour-long, peaceful ride—one he didn't experience since he was asleep—he had finally arrived at the hospital where Mr. Nakano was waiting for him.
"Alright, time to get to work." He got off his motorcycle, scanning his surroundings.
Once he confirmed no one was watching, he made Kurox disappear before heading inside.
"Excuse me, where can I find the room...?" He pulled out his phone to check the details. "...for Nakano Yotsuba?"
Having no clue about the hospital's layout, Desmon approached the reception desk and asked one of the nurses.
"You must be Desmon-san, correct? Mr. Nakano told me to guide you to his daughter's room once you arrived. Please, follow me."
-I could get used to this kind of treatment.
Led by a beautiful nurse, Desmon followed her to Yotsuba's room, which—unsurprisingly—was on one of the upper floors, receiving top-tier care. Being the daughter of the hospital's chief doctor had its perks.
Remembering the manners he rarely used, Desmon knocked on the door.
-Why do I get the feeling this simple conversation is going to be a huge pain?
Seconds later, the room's door swung open, revealing a girl.
"Desmon-san, welcome."
"Hello, girl who looks exactly like her four other sisters, but I have no clue which one you are. If we rule one out, that leaves four, but I still have no idea what your name is." Desmon flashed a calm smile. "Mind if I come in?"
What a unique way to greet someone.
In response, the only Nakano sister with two star-shaped hair accessories promptly shut the door in his face.
"Did I say something wrong?" Desmon pondered deeply but found no issue. "Maybe I should be more subtle." He knocked on the door again.
Seconds later, another girl opened it.
"Hello...!"
"Aren't you supposed to be in jail? Tch!"
Before he could even get a word in, the door slammed shut in his face once more.
"I'm pretty sure that girl doesn't like me…"
Shaking his head, he knocked again, hoping this time would be different.
They say the third time's the charm. A few seconds passed before the door opened again.
"Yo! By the way, you guys aren't still holding a grudge over the beating I gave you, right? And that explosion wasn't my fault either. Since you're all half-crazy—no, scratch that, completely insane—can I come in?"
Ever so politely, he apologized for what had happened that day.
Upon hearing that grand apology—which wouldn't be accepted in any country—the short-haired Nakano sister flashed a cheerful smile.
"Not interested in whatever you're selling. Bye!"
And for the third time, the door shut in his face.
"Am I doing something wrong? Maybe it's the way I'm dressed? Should I have shown up half-naked so they'd recognize me?"
Desmon questioned the very existence of humanity but found no answer as to why he was being ignored.
"There should only be one sister left, so technically, it has to be her…"
Confident that the girl who had helped him take down Kiyohime would let him in, Desmon knocked again.
Seconds later, the last remaining Nakano sister answered the door.
"Desmon, what exactly did you say to my sisters to make them slam the door in your face?"
Rather than a greeting, he was met with a scolding.
Noticing a peculiar necklace around her neck, Desmon instantly recognized her as the same girl from last time.
"No idea." He shook his head.
"Try being nicer to people!" Miku scolded him.
Seeing this side of Miku would have been unthinkable. But after experiencing Kiyohime's story firsthand, she had reconsidered a lot about her worldview.
"Alright, alright, I'll try to be nicer, but I can't promise anything." Desmon sighed. "Can I come in now? I don't want to stand in front of a hospital room all day."
"The magic words?"
Desmon raised an eyebrow as Miku flashed an innocent smile.
"Your thighs were really soft."
Miku's face turned red at the memory—Desmon carrying her in his arms, refusing to put her down, claiming it felt nice.
And as expected, for the fourth time, the door slammed shut in his face.
"Come on, I was just joking… Does no one have a sense of humor?"
Someone really needed to learn not to say exactly what they were thinking.
"Your sense of humor is awful!"
Miku cracked the door open just enough to say that.
"I get it, I get it. Maybe I went too far?"
"Why are you saying that as if you were asking?" She pouted.
"I have no idea?"
"You're an idiot…"
Seeing no point in continuing the conversation, Miku finally opened the door. "You can come in, but try to behave."
"Oi, oi, I'm one of the nicest people you'll ever meet."
Miku looked at him, deadpan.
"Impossible…"
"Why do you sound like you just gave up on life?"
With their pleasant little exchange, the two entered the hospital room. Though calling it a simple hospital room would be an understatement—it looked more like a five-star hotel suite.
Some hospitals in Japan have VIP rooms, and as expected of the hospital director's daughter, she was staying in one. Designed for maximum patient comfort, these rooms exuded luxury and were typically reserved for politicians and business executives.
Unlike regular rooms, VIP rooms feature a private lounge with comfortable sofas and tables for visitors. They also come with a fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances, allowing for personalized meal preparation. The room includes an adjustable bed, a luxury bathroom, and advanced technology to control lighting, temperature, and health monitoring.
It goes without saying, but this place is…
"It's huge... Is this really a hospital room?"
"I told our father that something this extravagant wasn't necessary, but he said his daughter should have the best environment possible."
"I can understand that..."
After all, Mr. Nakano didn't hesitate for a second to bow and offer Desmon anything if it meant bringing his daughters back safe and sound.
As they entered the lounge, Miku headed for the couch and sat down with her sisters, who looked at Desmon with a certain resilience. He didn't exactly give off the friendliest impression at first glance.
But for Desmon, the feeling was mutual. The Nakano sisters might be beautiful girls, but they were so peculiar that dealing with them was nothing short of troublesome. Or at least, that's what Desmon thought.
"Desmon-san, thanks for coming."
While Desmon was still taking in the place, Mr. Nakano approached to greet him, coming from Yotsuba's room.
"I promised, and I always keep my word." He replied with his usual relaxed expression.
"I'm glad to hear that. By the way, Uesugi-kun also wanted to thank you."
"It's fine, I'll tell him myself."
Uesugi joined the conversation, also coming from Yotsuba's room. Just moments ago, the two had been talking with her.
"There's no need. I was just doing my job. Besides, you were the one who brought your girlfriend to the hospital—the credit for saving her is yours. I just handled her lunatic sisters until they came back to their senses."
Desmon waved his hands dismissively, as if dealing with four possessed girls and the demon controlling them was just another day at the office.
"Who are you calling a lunatic, you exhibitionist?!"
"Come on, Nino, don't interrupt them."
"Tch!"
As the eldest sister, Ichika took it upon herself to calm Nino down.
"If it weren't for your motorcycle, I don't think I would have made it in time. And you also kept me from suffering the same fate..."
Uesugi couldn't help but glance at the four girls watching them.
Had he gone to that apartment alone, he would have most likely been brutally murdered alongside Yotsuba. But luckily for him, Desmon had been there.
"Alright, alright, let's drop the formalities. I'm not really good with those." Desmon said, averting his gaze. Too much sincere recognition was something he wasn't used to.
-He can actually make a normal face? That was the shared thought of both Mr. Nakano and Uesugi.
Someone who jumps off buildings for fun isn't exactly what you'd call normal, but apparently, Desmon could act like a regular teenager when he wanted to.
"That works for me." Mr. Nakano cleared his throat. "I would like you to explain everything that happened to my daughters. I've tried, but I think you're the most suited for it."
Uesugi nodded in agreement with his future father-in-law.
"I don't mind."
Knowing what he had to do, Desmon approached the four girls, who were still staring at them.
"By the way, Miu, I think you should back me up here. You were there too, after all."
"It's Miku! Miku!" She stood up from the couch, pouting.
"Yeah, yeah, Miu, Miku, Miyu—same thing."
"It's not the same."
Miku sighed, as if giving up on making Desmon understand the difference. Another one joining the club.
"I've told my sisters bits and pieces about what happened, but they don't believe me..."
"You mean that ridiculous story about a snake woman or whatever controlling us? I told you, Miku, you've read way too many books."
"I agree with Nino, it sounds too far-fetched." Itsuki added.
"Mmm... It does seem unreal and even a little silly, but I do have some strange memories here and there." Ichika admitted, at least not outright rejecting the idea.
It was only natural that the girls had vague memories of what happened—after all, Desmon's well-placed hits had momentarily disrupted Kiyohime's control over them.
"I guess I'll start from the beginning."
He took a seat in one of the chairs, knowing this explanation wouldn't be a short one.
"Alright, here's what happened..."
For over fifteen minutes, Desmon went over everything that had transpired—from how the girls had tried to kill Yotsuba and Uesugi to how he had to give them a "little lesson."
"Wait a second, you really expect me to believe that I fought you, you broke several of my bones… and then I just regenerated? Are you an idiot?"
Itsuki and Ichika nodded. It was too unreal.
Believing they had been possessed was one thing, but accepting that they could regenerate like reptiles was something else entirely.
-I guess I have no choice…
"Technically, it was something like that…"
The best way to make something believable is to prove it. So, Desmon stood up.
With complete indifference, he grabbed his left forearm with his right hand and, without hesitation, broke it. The dry crack of the bone snapping echoed through the air, exposing the fracture.
Did that not hurt him?
It would be great if cuts and fractures didn't cause pain, but it was quite the opposite. Every blow, every wound hurt. However, thanks to his regeneration and his body's enhanced resilience, Desmon could mitigate almost all of the pain.
Of course, that also depended on his condition. The longer a battle dragged on and the more he had to regenerate, the more he would wear down—until his injuries and the accumulating pain would eventually render him unable to move.
That was why he had no hesitation in demonstrating it. A normal human simply couldn't do something like this.
"...!"
But not everyone could remain indifferent after witnessing it.
Silence took over the room. Everyone was frozen, unable to process what they had just seen. Their thoughts were clouded with confusion.
Before anyone could react, something impossible unfolded before their eyes. Desmon's limp arm, hanging lifelessly for a moment, suddenly began to mend itself. The bones realigned on their own, the skin healed without a trace of damage, and within seconds, his arm was as good as new.
As if nothing had ever happened.
"Now, is it more believable?" I said with a mocking smile.
-This guy is insane! That was what everyone thought at that moment.
For Desmon, this was the best way to prove how the girls had regenerated while under Kiyohime's control. After all, he hadn't held back, and their bodies had ended up with shattered bones and damaged organs more than once. Yet now, there was no trace of those injuries.
"Desmon-san, are you alright?"
Mr. Nakano was the first to react, stepping forward to check on him, verifying if what he had just seen was real.
To the doctor's surprise, Desmon's arm was completely healed—like it had never suffered such severe damage. Yet the blood staining the area told a different story.
"Your way of proving things is… unique?"
Among the Nakano sisters, Miku was the only one able to speak. After all, she had already seen horrific and gruesome things through Kiyohime's memories. But still, watching Desmon snap his own arm without warning was shocking.
-Is it strange that seeing something like this doesn't affect me as much?
That thought crossed Miku's mind, but she quickly shook her head.
Had she… inherited more than just Kiyohime's memories?
"It's easier to believe something when you see it, isn't it?" Desmon looked at Miku as he said this.
At that moment, Miku's necklace emitted a faint glow, barely perceptible to anyone else. It was so brief that only someone with heightened senses would have noticed it.
-Now I get it… A fleeting thought passed through Desmon's mind.
But there was still much to confirm before he could be sure of his theory.
Meanwhile, the other three girls still had expressions of disbelief and shock, as if understanding Desmon's explanation had finally made something click in their minds.
"If what you're saying is true… that means we tried to… Yotsuba…"
"We even tried to hurt Uesugi-kun…"
"That's a lie! We would never hurt Yotsuba!"
Ichika and Itsuki managed to grasp the situation to some extent, but Nino was the only one who refused to believe it.
"That's the truth. And if you still don't believe it, you can ask Miku." Desmon had done his part by telling them everything—whether they chose to believe it was no longer his problem.
"Miku, is everything this guy said true!?"
Nino got up from the couch and confronted her sister.
"I'm sorry… it's my fault this happened…" Miku lowered her gaze.
"What do you mean it's your fault? Come on, talk!"
Nino grabbed her sister by the shoulders, shaking her.
"Nino, stop."
"Nino, control yourself."
Itsuki and Ichika held Nino back, pulling her away from Miku.
Little by little, the situation was becoming more complicated.
If they were alarmed upon realizing they had almost killed their sister, how would they react if they found out they had massacred and tortured their neighbors to death? Though Miku is the only one who remembers it without issue.
Is it healthier to feel guilt over it or to feel nothing at all? Does that make her inhuman?
Or is it enough to blame something that controlled you to free yourself from guilt? Questions Miku had asked herself that first night without finding an answer.
"If you're looking for someone to blame, all four of you are responsible. But that doesn't matter anymore—the damage is done," Desmon said indifferently.
He's the last person who should be saying that.
"Stay out of this!" Nino glared at him with hatred.
"So grumpy." He raised an eyebrow and smirked.
Seeing people exasperated with him is far more common than receiving gratitude.
"Nino, this isn't the time to look for someone to blame. Besides, no one could have foreseen this situation—pointing fingers is pointless."
Thanks to Mr. Nakano's words, Nino looked away and calmed down.
Now that everyone present understood what had happened, should things be considered settled?
Unfortunately, there's still a major problem.
"Desmon-san, I'd also like to ask for your help with something else." Mr. Nakano cleared his throat. "After conducting several clinical tests on Yotsuba, an acquaintance of mine in the field of psychiatry diagnosed her with post-traumatic stress disorder related to her sisters."