That evening, Akira wandered the city streets, his mind heavy with thoughts of the future. He had lived quietly for so long, but Ren's appearance had shattered that peace. Now, the question gnawed at him—how long could he keep hiding?His steps led him to a quiet park, the moonlight casting eerie shadows on the ground. As he sat on a bench, he felt another presence nearby. His instincts immediately flared, and he stood, scanning the surroundings."You don't hide your aura very well, Kurosawa," came a familiar voice.Akira turned to see Ren leaning against a tree, his yellow eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "What do you want now?"Ren stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "I told you before, I want to see your power. But there's something else too…"Akira crossed his arms, his patience wearing thin. "What else?"Ren's smile returned, but it was different this time—less threatening, more curious. "You're not like the Demon Lords I've heard about. The others… they were cruel, power-hungry. But you're hiding. Why?"Akira's gaze hardened. "I don't need to explain myself to you."Ren chuckled softly. "Fair enough. But you're going to have to make a choice soon. More hunters will come, and they won't give you the luxury of hiding. When that happens, what will you do?"Akira clenched his fists, his mind racing. He had long abandoned his past life, but could he really stay hidden forever? Ren's words cut deep, because Akira knew the truth. The peace he had found was fragile, and it wouldn't last much longer."Maybe I'll just disappear again," Akira said quietly. "Leave this place behind."Ren tilted his head, intrigued. "You think running away will solve anything? You might be able to hide for a while, but sooner or later, they'll find you."Akira glared at Ren, frustration boiling inside him. "What do you want from me? Why are you so obsessed with my power?"Ren's expression softened, and for a moment, his usual arrogance faded. "Because power like yours… it changes everything. The Demon Lord isn't just a title. It's a force that shapes the world. And whether you like it or not, you have that power. So, what will you do with it?"Akira fell silent, the weight of Ren's words sinking in. He had always tried to live as a human, but the truth was undeniable. He wasn't human. He never would be. And no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't escape what he was."I don't know," Akira admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.Ren watched him closely, then nodded. "Then figure it out, before someone else makes the choice for you."With those final words, Ren turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving Akira alone once more, lost in thought.The following days passed in a blur, with an uneasy tension hanging over Akira. Ren's words echoed in his mind, and despite his efforts to maintain his normal routine, the reality of his situation became harder to ignore. Every moment felt like a countdown to something inevitable, something that would force him to make a choice he wasn't ready for.In class, Akira noticed Yumi watching him more closely than usual. She had always been nosy, but now there was a genuine concern in her eyes. She didn't know the full extent of what was happening, but she could sense something was wrong. Akira appreciated her friendship, but he knew he couldn't let her get involved. The more distance he put between them, the safer she'd be."Are you really okay, Kurosawa?" Yumi asked during lunch, her voice quieter than usual. "You've been acting strange lately. And I'm not the only one who's noticed."Akira hesitated, glancing around the cafeteria. Ren was sitting alone in the far corner, his sharp yellow eyes fixed on Akira, as if waiting for something. The atmosphere felt suffocating, the weight of secrets pressing down on him."I'm fine, Yumi," Akira finally said, forcing a smile. "Just… a lot on my mind."Yumi studied him for a moment, then sighed. "You always say that. I don't know what's going on, but if you ever need to talk, I'm here."Akira's chest tightened with guilt. He wanted to tell her everything—to explain why he kept his distance, why he was always so closed off—but how could she possibly understand? How could any human understand what it meant to carry the weight of a demon lord's power?"Thanks, Yumi," he said softly, his voice tinged with sadness. "But some things… I have to handle on my own."Yumi frowned, clearly unsatisfied with his answer, but she didn't push further. "Just… don't push yourself too hard, okay? We all have limits."Akira nodded, though deep down he knew that his limits were far different from anyone else's.