Before her lay an endless inferno, while behind her loomed an impenetrable darkness.

Haruko Yamashita's lips had split and were bleeding; her mouth was so parched that even saliva would not flow. In front of her lay her young brother, barely clinging to life, having just moments ago shouted for her to flee.

Among the comrades who had fought alongside her, some were now beyond her senses. She wished to believe it was merely the overwhelming presence of demonic energy on the battlefield obscuring her perception of friend and foe, yet deep down, she recognized that was a comforting lie.

She could see the blood-red moon above, but with closed eyes, she could easily return to her own sanctuary.

Yet in the end, she must press onward. For it was her choice.

+++

For dinner that evening, Haruko Yamashita prepared beef hot pot.

In anticipation of her journey to Tokyo tomorrow to study culinary arts and become a professional chef, today she needed only to pack her bags, leaving the rest of her concerns behind.

Her younger sister, Natsumi, a high school freshman, assumed the role of chef, having even removed her fake nails for the occasion. She was currently engaged in a fierce battle with an onion.

Although her middle school brother, Chiaki, was typically noisy and often sparred with Haruko, today he remained unusually quiet, meticulously measuring ingredients as he prepared the broth.

While their father had not fully endorsed her departure to Tokyo, Haruko had earned enough money working at an izakaya, leaving him to sulk alone with the family dog, Daitama.

Her mother, though supportive of Haruko's decision, could not help but fuss as she packed. One moment it was pajamas, the next towels and a toothbrush, and in the end, she insisted Haruko take the ancestral tablet as well.

Once Haruko finished packing her backpack, she sat idly and asked, "Does anyone need my help?"

"No!" came the unanimous response, leaving her feeling somewhat trivial. Usually, she was the one responsible for the family's meals, and now that she was free, the emptiness felt uncomfortable.

"Haruko, I'll go buy drinks for dinner. Why don't you come with me?" proposed her younger brother, Winter, who had just entered the first year of junior high. Winter had always been the most dependable child, cherished by the family due to his frail health as a newborn.

"Sure, let's go!" she replied eagerly.

"Haruko, please don't be upset with Dad; he's only worried about you," Winter said as they walked home, carrying a plastic bag filled with various drinks and beer. Though Haruko had offered to help, Winter insisted on carrying it alone. "Mom, Natsumi, Chiaki, and I are all worried about you too."

"I know," she replied, fully aware of their sentiments. Just as they were reluctant to part, so was she.

"Haruko, will you come back during the holidays?" Despite being quite mature for his age, Winter was still the most attached to Haruko. Although he hadn't planned to ask, he couldn't restrain himself.

"I'll try my best," she said, feeling guilty for not providing a definitive answer to her youngest brother.

Noticing her forlorn expression, Winter quickly changed the subject.

"Did you know? Chiaki picked out today's meat and vegetables... all your favorites."

"It's alright, Winter. I'm in junior high now; if I can't come back during the holidays, I'll visit you."

"When you do, you have to cook something delicious for me!"

Haruko glanced at her youngest brother and affectionately ruffled his hair.

Tonight's beef hot pot would surely warrant seconds, leaving her stuffed, followed by sharing a drink with their father and teasing Chiaki.

Meanwhile, on the same night, another group also dined on beef hot pot.

Rather than a meal, it felt more like a late-night snack. However, few would venture out for a midnight feast at 2:30 AM.

"Isn't it enough for you to be here alone, Kogimi? Why must I join you?" Shinya Lion appeared despondent; though he relished beef hot pot, he had no desire to sit in a restaurant at such an hour with another man.

Especially since they were there to await someone he was not keen to meet.

"Do you think I chose this place merely for convenience?" Kogimi retorted. If not for Shinya's presence, he would have opted for a more upscale venue with private rooms. Yet, truthfully, Kogimi wished for a companion to face the approaching individual.

In despair, Shinya downed his glass of shochu and signaled the waiter. "Let's bring out the main dishes, and another bottle of shochu, please!"

"Make it two." A man in an expensive suit suddenly joined their table, startling the waiter. His Japanese was impeccable, yet it was clear he hailed from somewhere in the West. "Honestly, Shinya, I'm not surprised you'd meet in a place like this, but I expected better taste from you, Kogimi."

True to form, the first words were a jibe. Shinya rolled his eyes; given the circumstances, he couldn't retort, which only fueled his disdain for this individual.

"Apologies, Baron. This is the only establishment open at this hour." Kogimi's tone was apologetic, yet it bore a hint of reproach aimed at the tardy Barrett.

Barrett shrugged, seemingly unbothered by the critique.

As the waiter set the hot pot before them and the shochu arrived, Kogimi steered the conversation.

"So, how are things in Italy?"

"The same as always—a collection of antiquities, but much better than in England."

Shinya focused on his meat, feeling it had been overcooked. Barrett, despite appearing to be in his thirties, was himself centuries old, thus lacking the right to comment on anyone's age.

"So, no help from Italy, then..." Kogimi poured Barrett another drink, lost in thought.

"Not entirely devoid of progress," Barrett replied cryptically, eyeing Shinya, who was still absorbed in his meal.

"How so?" Shinya was exasperated by Barrett's evasiveness; did living for centuries instill such habits?

"They've provided me with a very capable subordinate."

Implying that while there was talent available, it fell under Barrett's command, Shinya mused that it might not serve their objectives.

"I've reported all I can; there's nothing new on my end. How about you two? Have you found the third apartment manager?"

"Sigh... it's a long story, just eat."

Barrett glanced at the pot, shaking his head in disdain.

If he wouldn't eat, then Shinya would. He grabbed more meat and slowly began, "There's a Taoist in China who would be quite suitable..."

"…But unfortunately, his daughter is still in school, and he has his own territory in China, making it impossible for him to relocate to Japan anytime soon," Kogimi interjected.

"While we have sent out advertisements, no one has responded yet."

He had done all that was required; Shinya felt no regret.

"Have we clarified the cause of the disturbances?" Barrett, noticing Shinya's lack of news, directed his inquiry toward Kogimi.

"The cause remains unclear, but it is now certain that it is man-made."

Kogimi's brow furrowed, and Barrett closed his eyes, fiddling with a ring on his thumb.

Shinya sighed, realizing that the three of them had gleaned little, and the beef hot pot was growing cold. He questioned the purpose of his late-night visit.