The Yuuki family, much like the Yukinoshita family, was a prestigious household.
The difference was that the Yukinoshitas were a major family in Chiba Prefecture, active mainly in politics, while the Yuuki family was a powerhouse in the Tokyo region—giants of the business world, famous throughout the capital market.
Asuna was the treasured daughter of the Yuuki family. Her father was the CEO of a nationwide—and internationally renowned—electronics manufacturing company. Her mother was a university professor. Asuna had been raised under elite education from a young age, always attending private, aristocratic schools. Just like Yukino, she was a model honor student admired by everyone.
The only reason she appeared in Chiba Prefecture this time was because her older brother had to attend a banquet here. Driven by curiosity, she tagged along. She originally planned to wander around while he was at the banquet—yet that whim led her straight into disaster.
Yukino had assumed Asuna was attacked on her way home from school, but the truth was that Asuna had gotten lost before the attack happened.
As for her uniform and school bag—those really were hers. She hadn't planned on attending the banquet or staying long, so she didn't bring any dresses or casual clothing. She'd simply worn her uniform and brought her bag.
Tokyo and Chiba weren't that far apart, and Asuna had arrived in her family's private car, so she hadn't thought much of it.
Unfortunately, she never imagined that one moment of curiosity would lead her to encounter something that shattered the worldview she had held for seventeen years.
As she recalled what happened yesterday, a flicker of fear appeared on Asuna's delicate face.
Leo noticed that fear, exchanged a glance with Yukino, and spoke.
"Do you remember what happened yesterday?"
That was his first question.
"Yesterday…" Asuna lowered her head, gripping the blanket tightly in both hands. Her inner turmoil was written across her face. After a moment of hesitation, she finally said, "Yesterday, I got lost outside. I was about to call my family… and then a monster appeared."
Asuna would never forget how she felt in that moment.
Her worldview collapsing, her breath freezing, her consciousness blanking out from the sheer shock—she could still feel it vividly now.
It wasn't even dark yet, just dusk. But the road she had taken was already empty.
That creature—half-shark, half-nightmare—had burst out of the shadows with a crazed laugh. Her pupils contracted. Her whole body trembled. She forgot to run. She just stood there.
The monster lunged at her.
And then… she remembered nothing.
As that Stray Devil had mentioned, she had fainted on the spot and lost consciousness.
In a way, that was a blessing—otherwise, she would have witnessed her own stomach being torn open and devoured, dying in terror and despair.
"So anything that happened after you fainted—you don't remember?"
Leo nodded thoughtfully.
Yukino felt a twinge of envy.
They both died. But unlike Asuna, Yukino hadn't been lucky enough to pass out—she had watched her own body get pierced, watched herself fall in a pool of blood, dying with resentment.
"What happened after that? Were you the ones who saved me?" Asuna leaned forward urgently. "What was that monster? Why does something like that even exist?"
Moments ago, she'd been afraid others wouldn't believe her absurd experience. Part of her even hoped it had all been a nightmare.
But judging by Leo and Yukino's reactions, she realized everything had been real. And that the two standing before her clearly knew about the existence of such creatures.
Now, Asuna just wanted answers—what had she encountered, and what was going on?
Leo understood that feeling. He nodded toward Yukino.
"Actually…"
Yukino caught his meaning. Choosing her words carefully, she began explaining.
She told Asuna that the world wasn't as simple as it appeared. Beyond the boundaries of normal human life existed supernatural races that had survived from ancient times.
Devils, angels, fallen angels… Yukino shared what she knew about the hidden world and explained what a Stray Devil was, letting Asuna understand exactly what had attacked her.
Asuna desperately wanted to deny it. She bit her lip, her pupils trembling slightly, but she couldn't refute any of it.
She couldn't. Last night's experience had already proven that the world wasn't as ordinary as she once believed.
"So I was attacked by a devil… and I actually died? You defeated that devil and brought me back?"
It took a long time, but she managed to temporarily accept it. Her gaze toward Leo and Yukino no longer held suspicion.
"Are you… demon hunters?"
At that, both Leo and Yukino wore strange expressions.
Then Asuna heard Leo laugh.
"First, what you met was a Stray Devil—a rogue creature that's no longer considered part of the devil race." Leo looked her straight in the eyes, almost playfully. "Second, we're not demon hunters. We're actual, literal devils."
Asuna froze.
"You're… devils?"
She clearly didn't want to believe it.
Leo stood up and straightforwardly offered proof.
With a sharp gust of wind, six devil wings unfolded from his back.
Asuna's eyes widened.
Beside him, Yukino saw in Asuna the same expression she once had. As if playing along, she unfolded her own wings—white feathers spreading outward.
"You—you two…?!"
Fear flashed across Asuna's face—then she suddenly felt an itch on her back.
The next moment, a pair of black devil wings burst from her back.
Her mind went blank. Completely blank—just like the moment she encountered the Stray Devil.
What was happening?
Why… did she have wings too?
While Asuna stood there stunned, Leo's voice came slowly.
"Not only are we devils—you've already become one too."
"I know this is sudden, but you were completely dead. No heartbeat, no breathing, no body warmth. From a medical standpoint, you were gone."
"Fortunately, you have talent. So I chose to save you—by turning you into my servant, reborn as a devil."
What followed was a brief explanation—Leo's identity, the existence of Evil Pieces, and how they worked.
"I… I'm a devil now?"
Asuna felt utterly overwhelmed, unable to gather her thoughts.
To wake up and find your humanity revoked—that kind of feeling, Yukino understood perfectly. Her gaze toward Asuna softened with sympathy.
Becoming a devil was one thing. But becoming someone's servant? For a girl raised like a princess, how could that possibly be acceptable?
Even a normal person would struggle to accept something like that. It wasn't ancient times—slaves and servants didn't exist anymore.
Honestly, Yukino didn't even know how she managed to swallow that fact back then. She wasn't exactly easygoing, and her pride was far higher than most. Given her upbringing, she was sensitive and guarded. That she didn't explode on the spot had been a miracle.
As expected, Asuna also struggled. But unlike Yukino, she wasn't aloof or prickly. In the end, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
"I'm sorry… I just can't accept all of this yet." Asuna's face was pale. She lowered her voice. "Could you give me some time alone?"
Leo nodded. He and Yukino retracted their wings.
"Sure. Rest for a bit. Come find us when you're ready." Leo added, "I'll leave a familiar outside the door—a maid. Call her if you need anything."
With that, Leo and Yukino left the room.
Asuna stayed in the now-silent room for a long time before finally glancing at the wings behind her.
"…How do I fold these back?"
...
Meanwhile, Leo and Yukino were talking in the hallway.
"Do you think she'll accept it?" Yukino asked quietly. "Will she freak out and run off… becoming a stray?"
"Who knows?" Leo walked ahead with an easy smile. "But I believe she'll come around."
After all… she was the kind of person you could call a heroine.
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