We teleported onto the cold, wind-cut cliffs behind Akira's high school. The mountain air bit at my skin. Akira stood a few steps ahead, his back straight, his voice flat.
"You can diffuse now."
I pulled my power out of him. His eyes faded back to their normal color, and the gray, sickly shade on his skin dissolved as if he had just risen from a long, terrible illness. Every time I fuse with him, he turns pale—like death clinging to him.
"Lucifer," Akira said, his tone slow and heavy, "you've broken this world so many times. I still can't believe you're helping me fix it. Why are you doing this?"
I let out a soft laugh, curling into a smile on my lips.
"Well, well, well. When God created you mortals, He ordered me to bow before you. I refused. I was shaped from fire, and these clay-made humans were nothing but scraps to me. God took everything from me, even though I worshiped Him more than any angel. So I challenged Him—told Him His creation was trash, and I would prove it."
Akira listened without blinking.
"God accepted my challenge," I continued. "He gave me power like His own and dared me to try corrupting humanity. From Adam to now, all it takes is a whisper. One small nudge, and mortals throw themselves into sin. They barely need me anymore. They sin, then blame me for it. Boring, isn't it? So I decided to change the game. I gave myself to a human… to taste the chaos your kind creates with my name."
Akira gave a short, quiet smile.
"You disobeyed God once. Mortals do it every single day."
His words struck deeper than any blade.
"Well, Akira," I asked, leaning closer, hungry for excitement, "what's your next plan? How will you hide yourself now?"
He said nothing.
Let's listen this story from Lint Saito's prepective . I'm devil afterall ,owner of all human hearts.
I peeled off my coat, soaked with rainwater, and tossed it into the back seat.
"Oh, Akira… what kind of mess have you fallen into?" I muttered before sinking into the driver's seat. I rubbed my eyes, trying to calm my breath. Where was I supposed to find him now?
He was my childhood friend. We grew up side by side, played under the same sun. His mother always baked cupcakes for us. Who would've thought he would forget me one day… and walk beside the devil?
"HEY! Stop daydreaming! I'm stuck in your damn car!"
Lucarious screamed, wings crammed awkwardly against the roof.
"My wings can't fit! Do something!"
"What a childish fallen angel you are," I snapped. "Just fold them, dumbass!"
His expression softened with worry.
"Why so angry, man? Relax. We'll kill Akira soon enough, and I'll drag Lucifer back to where he belongs. Humans panic over tiny things. I came here to help you defeat him. Enjoy life when a handsome angel is in your car." He gave a stupid laugh.
"Shut up!" I exploded. "You angels never understand love! Akira is the only friend I've ever had. And now—now my own life has pushed me to kill him!"
Lucarious went quiet. He folded his wings neatly—without them, he looked almost human.
I drove onto the highway. The road hummed beneath us. Then he spoke, voice low.
"God didn't give hearts only to humans. We feel too. I was created after Lucifer. Even though he lived in hell, he was still our senior. I visited him often. He never paid attention to me… but he was cool. Cooler than any angel."
He sighed.
"When he challenged God and fell, I came to Earth to convince him to repent. But he refused. I broke heaven's rules by coming here without permission, so now I'm stuck forever. And Lucifer hid from me. I searched everywhere. I still believe he isn't fully evil… I want him to return home."
His voice trembled.
"I'm sorry for being childish. I just… want everyone to be happy."
I felt a sting in my chest.
"Fine," I mumbled. "Sorry for yelling."
In a heartbeat his tone switched back to wild and chaotic.
"Yooo, brother, it's all good! Anyway, where are you taking me? Are you planning to kidnap this beautiful angel? Just saying—I'm very straight."
"SHUT UP! Until we meet Sir Kinard, just shut your mouth!"
Finally, we arrived at the Kindaiechi Agency's offline base. A man in a long black coat approached. His face was hidden by an oni mask from nose to chin, and a wide-brimmed black hat shadowed his eyes. He opened my car door without a word.
The sight of him sent a cold ripple down my spine.
I grabbed the pen drive from the dashboard—the list of Japan's most dangerous criminals, ordered by Sir Kinard himself. I slid it into my left pocket and stepped outside.
"Hey," I asked, "is this the agency's new uniform?"
He only nodded and motioned with silent gestures for me to follow.
The building's interior swallowed us. Lucarious stumbled behind me, amazed.
"Bro, look at this place! It's gorgeous!"
We walked deeper… until suddenly, dozens of people wearing black oni masks gathered around us.
Closing in.
Surrounding us.
Something was very wrong...