It started out like any other Monday morning. The sun filtered through my cheap blinds, landing directly on my face like it had some personal vendetta against me. Groaning, I fumbled around for my phone, squinting at the screen.

"7:45?! Oh, crap!" I shot out of bed like a poorly launched rocket, tripping over the piles of manga and empty cup noodle containers that decorated my room. Today was supposed to be normal. Wake up, go to class, pretend to pay attention, and come home to my backlog of games. But, of course, fate had other plans.

By the time I bolted out of my tiny apartment, I was already five minutes late. The streets of Hoshikawa City buzzed with their usual chaotic rhythm—salarymen rushing to catch trains, old ladies power-walking like they were in some secret competition, and schoolkids laughing loudly enough to pierce my headphones.

"Man, I wish my life were that simple," I muttered under my breath, dodging a cyclist who decided bike lanes were optional.

I didn't notice her at first. She was just another face in the crowd, standing at the crosswalk. Long black hair tied into a high ponytail, sharp golden eyes that practically glowed, and this... aura. You know the kind. The kind that says, Hey, I might look hot, but I'll probably ruin your life.

She turned. Our eyes met.

And my heart sank like a lead balloon.

"Rika?"

Yep. It was her. Rika Kurobane. My ex-girlfriend, and the single most terrifying human I'd ever met. She was beautiful, sure, but she also had a way of smiling that made you question whether or not you'd survive the next five minutes. We hadn't spoken since... Well, let's just say the breakup involved a lot of yelling, an ominous warning about "destiny," and a broken PlayStation.

She smiled. That same unsettling, too-perfect smile. "Takeshi. Fancy meeting you here."

"Oh, uh, hey!" I tried to sound casual, but my voice cracked like an awkward middle schooler. "It's been a while, huh?"

"Not long enough," she said sweetly, tilting her head like she was deciding whether or not to crush me under her boot. "I'm glad I ran into you, though. It saves me the trouble of tracking you down."

"... huh?"

Before I could process her words, the sky darkened. People on the street stopped and looked up, murmuring nervously as clouds swirled together in an unnatural spiral. Lightning crackled, striking dangerously close, and the air grew thick with a strange, oppressive energy.

"W-What's going on?!" I stammered, stumbling back.

Rika stepped forward, her eyes glowing brighter now. She raised her hand, and in an instant, her clothes transformed into something straight out of a fantasy RPG. A flowing black dress with crimson accents, a crown that looked like it was forged from shadows, and a staff that screamed "Boss fight incoming."

The crowd gasped and scattered, leaving me alone in the middle of the street with her.

"Takeshi," she said, her voice echoing unnaturally, "by the authority of the Demon Realm, I, Rika Kurobane, hereby reclaim my title as the Demon Queen!"

"Demon what—?"

"And you," she continued, pointing the staff directly at me, "are going to be my servant."

I blinked. Once. Twice.

"...WHAT?!"