Subaru Mikage 

Some violence, including eye trauma in episode 10.

A room in a certain building in Shinjuku. My heart always started pounding whenever I came back here. No matter how dilapidated, this place was more precious to the two of us than any castle.

"Hmm~ hmm hmmmm~ ♪"

I opened the door, humming my favorite tune.

"..."

There he was! ♪ He was sleeping soundly in bed today, too.

"Oh—Oh—you're still asleep, Hayato. Let's get over there already!"

Hayato Kourai—my precious partner. Ever since he was little, he could hear voices of the dead, so he's had a hard time.

"Hey, up and at 'em. It'll be dawn if we don't hurry!"

"Subaru, lemme sleep a little longer..."

I couldn't let him, even though I wished I could watch his sleeping face forever.

Nope, sorry, Hayato. We're heading out, so you better get ready!"

"Is it my power to hear voices of the dead you need? Or this?"

Hayato picked up the sword lying near his bed. Hyakki—One Hundred Demons. It was a sword that sucked the blood of demons, and only he could use it. One time, I wondered if I could use it too, and secretly tried it, but I couldn't even pull it from the sheath. When Hayato found out, he got so, so mad, asking, "What if you hurt yourself!?"

He was pretty scary back then, honestly. I decided not to touch it after that.

"Aw, grumpy 'cause I interrupted your sleep? I need all of you, not just your power, you know. ♪"

"Flattery will get you nowhere."

It wasn't really a lie, or flattery either. I wonder why Hayato never noticed when I said what I really felt.

"Come on, get ready! I'll find a way to thank you for it."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"All righty, where to today~? ♪"

I looked at the map for a place we hadn't been yet—if we went to the same place as yesterday, it wouldn't be much of a date.

"Okay, let's go here!"

"If that's your choice, let's leave quickly. If we gather info at the scene, the sun really will rise."

It wasn't a big deal to me, but Hayato apparently fell asleep all the time in class. It would be a shame, but maybe it was better to go home early today.

"Is that annoying god 'Adras' still sleeping?" he asked.

"Yep. But he'll wake up any minute now. We've gotta feed him a demon, fast."

There was an ancient god named "Adras" inside me. There was a very important reason we had to feed him demons.

"...Okay. Let's hurry."

"Right. Let's do this, partner."

Even though it was well past midnight, the streets of Shinjuku were as bright as ever. The unchanging scenery of hunting demons in the city with Hayato—that was our irreplaceable everyday life.

I had always been alone.

A sudden swell of emotions put my mind to sleep, and in its place, a certain god awoke. Then, when he slept, I woke up. I hated that moment. It was always the same—left in a place I didn't know, looking down at a person I didn't know. Yes—whenever I woke up, my hands were stained red.

"Haaaaaah!"

Hayato's slash lopped off the demon's limbs, and it collapsed to the ground, powerless.

"Nice one, partner! Amazing swordplay as always."

"Just eat it before it disappears."

"Will do."

I held my hand up to the demon and it disintegrated into a black mist that disappeared into my body. That would keep Adras asleep a while longer.

"Okay, all done."

I was the reason we hunted demons. Adras was trying to gather power to wipe out the onmyoji who once sealed him inside me. I had no choice but to help. If I tried to ignore what he wanted...

I suddenly saw Hayato staring at me with concern on his face.

"What do you look so worried for?" I asked. "It's fine. If I run wild, you'll just kill me, right?"

"Yeah, I'm not so sure."

"Ah, bullying me again, I see. The two of us made a promise—you'd better keep it."

"Yeah, yeah."

It would be real trouble if he didn't. I might even end up hurting someone, just like back then...

— Several Years Ago —

"Again? What are we supposed to do about it?"

"There's nothing I can do about that monster. Please, dear, think this over carefully."

I could hear my parents arguing. Even as a child, I knew what they meant. When my dad said "it" and my mom said "that monster," they were talking about me.

It's so boring.

It was just me, alone in my room. There was nothing for me to do, nothing I was allowed to do. I couldn't do anything because I'd hurt someone if the power inside me went wild. No school, no friends, no fun; nothing at all... Still—I wanted to go outside and play.

One evening, I snuck out of my room without my parents noticing. There were boys and girls about my age walking and talking together, carrying school bags. I wanted to be part of that circle—but I didn't have the courage. Suddenly, my vision started to shake.

"Heh heh heh, what do we have here? Looks like the perfect meal!"

That voice again... So scary... I'm fading... I can't—

"Y-You did that...?"

When I came to, I saw a big monster and a boy whose face was drenched in tears. What happened...? There was just one thing I knew. My hands were stained crimson like the setting sun.

"I—I just—waaah!"

Oh no, I did it again. I hurt someone... What do I do? I snuck out on my own. It's all my fault that this kid...

"You really saved me. Thank you," the boy said, unexpectedly. Why was he thanking me?

"Huh? Y-You're...?"

"I'm Hayato Kourai. What's your name?"

The boy named Hayato Kourai gripped my hand back. That was how I met Hayato, and how our story began. Back then, I wasn't just focused on him holding my hand, I wasn't even sure I could say my own name right, thinking, What do I do? I haven't talked to anyone for a long time.

"Subaru Mikage..."

Oh, that's weird. I guess I said it right?

"Okay, Subaru-kun! Hey, let's have some soda together!"

With that, Hayato pulled on my arm and the two of us ran down the road, dyed gold in the evening glow. I'd never run with someone like this before. Maybe Hayato and I could even become friends.

Would Hayato-kun run away too if he knew about me? I wondered...

From then on, I started meeting up with him more often. Every day I snuck out of my room to play with him, and before I knew it I was going to his house. Of course, I wanted to hang out with him, but I also wanted to get out of my house. That's why I sometimes stayed over late at Hayato's. Both of Hayato's parents were very affectionate toward me, and I didn't want to go home...

"Just like brothers," Hayato's mother had said. I remember those words because I was so happy to hear them. That day, I felt like my connection with Hayato was more than just friendship, and I decided not to keep my secret any longer.

"U-Um, hey, Hayato-kun. There's something I've gotta tell you."

"Hm? What is it?"

As I sipped the soda Hayato bought for me, I spilled my secret. After I said it all, I thought Hayato might be scared, but instead—

"Sorry, Subaru-kun, I've been hiding something too. See, I actually already heard about your powers."

"Huh? Wh-What do you mean?"

"I've got a secret too. I can hear voices of dead people."

That's when I first learned about it—that my rampages were caused by a god called Adras, and he would go wild if he didn't have demons to eat.

"No way... Then, what should I do...?"

"You don't have to worry, 'cause we can work together!"

"...Really? I mean, isn't it dangerous?"

"You saved my life, you know? And more importantly, we're friends!"

For the first time, I had met someone I could call a friend.

After finishing our work, the two of us shared soda like usual. I thought the flavor I gave Hayato was kind of weird at first, but for some reason, it looked delicious when Hayato drank it. I ended up getting curious and asking for a sip. He handed it to me, reluctantly.

"Oops! Drank a little too much. You can have mine, so forgive me, 'kay? ♪"

"Yeah, yeah..."

We had been hunting demons together ever since that time. Hayato was always searching for a way to set me free from Adras.

"What are you grinning at me for?"

"Oh, nothing at all! ♪"

We weren't just friends anymore. I thought it was too cheap a word to describe our relationship on its own. Yes, Hayato was my precious best friend.

One day...

When I went to the base, Hayato was gone. Had he gone out alone again? If he had gone out without saying a word to me, he must be hiding something. But I knew the places Hayato would go like the back of my hand.

Shinjuku—the city where we operated. It was so simple for me to guess where Hayato might go here.

"Heheh, fancy meeting you here. What're you up to?"

When I called out to Hayato walking on his own, he muttered, "You?" and made an annoyed face. "It's a secret."

"Aww, no fair. Keeping secrets just makes me more curious!"

"Anyway, I got some info from the dead. Let's go there today."

I hurried after Hayato as he quickly started walking away.

"Hey! Don't leave me behind!"

As I approached the place Hayato had mentioned, there was an unsettling noise.

"Subaru, it sounds like someone's fighting up ahead. Don't use Adras's power unless I say it's okay."

"Yep, I gotcha."

Hayato grabbed Hyakki. It was too bad I didn't have any fighting strength like him right now. If I were to fight, I'd have to borrow the sleeping god Adras's power. I didn't want to do that if I could avoid it. Still, I couldn't just sit back and watch Hayato fight.

"I'll go ahead and check. Stay right there."

Hayato went on ahead to investigate.

"Raaah!"

I heard a shout. He sounded young, and seemed to be fighting alone.

"Looks like you're having trouble—let me help!" Hayato said, jumping out.

"Wh-Who're you!?"

"Just know I'm not your enemy. We'd better focus on beating the ones that are enemies first," I said.

"Uh, right!"

"Hokuto, don't get careless just because there's one more person!"

"I know that, Genbu-sama!"

As I watched the battle from the shadows, Hayato took the lead and swung Hyakki. The boy called Hokuto followed suit, slicing at the demon. I thought he was alone, but there were three people—two children were with him as he fought, sword in hand.

"What's with him? I could team up like that."

The demon struck back, grazing Hayato's cheek.

"Hayato!? How could that demon—!"

The next moment, I leapt out and sent the demon flying, drawing on Adras's power.

"What was that!?"

"You're always trying so hard on your own. Didn't we decide we'd fight together?"

"Subaru!?"

Like I said, I couldn't just watch. If anyone hurt my partner, no matter who, I'd beat them senseless.

"Is that your friend? Let's work together then!" Hokuto asked, slashing at the demon.

"Don't do anything reckless, Subaru!"

"Yep, I hear ya!"

A few minutes later...

The demon's huge body slowly toppled to the ground.

"We finally did it. Subaru, are you all—"

Hayato called out to me, but I had to absorb the demon instead of answering. I might have used too much of Adras's power. I was getting drowsier by the minute. If I fed him now, Adras shouldn't come out.

"Hey, what's he doing?" Hokuto asked.

"...Just watch," Hayato said.

A black mist appeared from my outstretched hand, absorbing the demon into my body. That should be enough for you, Adras.

"What's happening?"

"He's absorbing the demon's power."

"Ugh..."

"Subaru!?"

I wobbled unsteadily and nearly fell, but Hayato caught me gently.

"Ahaha, guess I overdid it... The rest is up to you, partner..." I said, and closed my eyes. I really was sleepy from using up all my strength, so I thought I'd act a little spoiled. Plus, it was a bit of payback for keeping a secret from me.

"Is that guy okay?"

"Just sleeping. He'll be fine. I want to let him rest, so I'm gonna head back."

"Yeah. You really saved me today—I owe you one."

"We've got our own reasons to fight. You really don't need to do anything."

"No, it's okay; I want to pay you back. You can always ask if you're in trouble—we're basically in Nakano."

As I listened to their conversation, Hayato picked me up on his back and made to leave.

Oh, I'm getting sleepy...

"You two—interesting pair. —surprising you'd—"

"What do you—?"

"—really—save him?"

Seems like Hayato's talking to someone... Surprising...save...? They're saying stuff that kinda bothers me... No good...can't stay...awake...

Several days passed after that. Lately, I felt like I had been blacking out more often than before. Today, I'd even turned down Hayato's invitation, and I found myself curled up at our base.

When I came to, I was surrounded by pitch black. Darkness extended everywhere I looked. Just where am I?

"Heh heh heh! Finally awake, are you?"

A boy of my stature stood before me in the emptiness, horns growing in his white hair. His voice was inhumanly repulsive.

"...Wait, are you Adras!? How...?"

That would mean we were inside my own consciousness. But Adras had never appeared in my mind before, so what was he doing here now?

"Yes, just as you're thinking. It wasn't simple to get into your consciousness."

"What!? How do you know what I'm thinking...?"

"Oh, we're out of time. Ah well, I suppose I'll hand over my body for now!"

"This is my body, you—"

The next moment, I saw a familiar ceiling. I sat up to check my surroundings.

"Sure enough, it's our base. I guess I just dozed off..."

I had thought it was only a bad dream until I noticed something strange on my body. My hands—no, looking closer, my clothes, too, were covered in mud.

"Don't tell me Adras was..."

It couldn't have been. Sure, I'd used a bit of his power, but I'd been fine doing that until now.

"How much time do I have left as myself? If I gave him too much power..."

That would explain why Adras had acted so calm. "I'll hand over my body for now." Then, had he already taken over me...?

"Hayato..."

I said his name without even thinking. But no one was there to answer. It wasn't exactly a good thing that he wasn't there, but this time, I was glad for it. If Hayato saw me like this, he'd just worry over me too much. Hyakki was still here, so he must not have gone to do something dangerous.

"Gotta do something about my clothes first."

I headed to the bathroom to wash my face and get the mud off my hands. When I felt a bit refreshed, I remembered what that kid had said before that bothered me.

"You two are an interesting pair. It's surprising you'd work together."

He meant me and Hayato. That couldn't be further from the truth.

"What an awful thing to say! Hayato's my partner and we get along suuuper well—don't make it sound like we should be enemies!"

Of course, there were times we got angry at each other or fought. But we always made up right away. I'd never once thought of Hayato as an enemy, or someone to hate.

"Well, aside from Hayato and Adras—"

It was a casual remark, but maybe that's what he meant... I felt a terrifying hypothesis forming. If Genbu meant Hayato and Adras, then Adras must also hate him and consider him his enemy.

There was only one person that could be.

"Hayato's...an onmyoji...?"

Now that I thought about it, why was it that only Hayato could use Hyakki? Not to mention he could hear the dead and see demons. If those were all powers of an onmyoji...

"No way..."

It can't be. He can't be.

I muttered, trying to tell myself that—but my body was already trembling in fear.

"Then, I should try..."

The sword that cut apart demons—Hyakki. This is what he needed to slay demons. I reached out my hand toward Hyakki.

I thought it would go on forever. Coming to the base, waking Hayato, going out. Roaming the streets at night together, getting into danger sometimes... Drinking soda together, shoulder to shoulder, talking about how today's drink hit the spot... I wouldn't change our everyday life for the world. So I wouldn't let anyone get in the way. Even if that someone was—

"I couldn't use it back then, but maybe I can do it this time."

Hayato had always been stronger than me. It must have been easy for him to handle Hyakki when he first got it. Since then, I'd gotten strong enough to draw on Adras's power. I reached out and tried to grab Hyakki. In an instant, my hand was assaulted by burning, violent pain.

"Ngh!? What...was that...?"

I looked at my hand and saw faint burn marks.

"Haha, okay... Seeing this, I guess I've gotta accept it."

Hyakki wasn't just a sword for slaying demons. It could cut even gods. If anyone were able to use it, it could only be someone with the power to seal away a god. An onmyoji—one that Hayato was descended from. If Adras had realized it, he would go after Hayato before he even knew. There was no way I would let that happen.

"Adras is sleeping—now's my chance."

I could go so far away, farther than Hayato could follow. I had to leave before he came back. After all, if I told him about this, he'd totally say something about helping me. He looked all cool at first glance, but he was so kind underneath. That's why I had to take the lead this time.

"I'd better leave a note, at least..."

I was just trying to write a short farewell message...but time passed by little by little as I did. Tears soaked the paper, and I kept on rewriting it. I didn't want to worry Hayato as much as I could avoid it, so I couldn't leave him a note with the letters all smudged.

"There, I wrote it..."

It hurt—my chest was so tight I couldn't speak. My tears overflowed as sobs escaped my mouth. No—what if it got wet again after all my trouble writing it? I placed the note gently on the table and looked over our base once again. It always felt a bit cramped, but that was surely because Hayato was with me. Now, it looked vast and empty.

I'd never come back here again. Silently, I stepped out of the base. There was nothing more to say, nothing more I wanted to say. All my feelings were written in that note.

I snapped awake. Blue sky stretched out before my eyes. I panicked and sat up on a bench, my body aching.

"Oh, must have been Adras again..."

I had ended up here before I knew it, instead of the hotel I was staying at yesterday. It had been ten days or so since I left the base. Adras had taken over my consciousness several times since then. I wasn't sure if it was because Hyakki was close by, or the onmyoji Hayato, but the switching was getting more frequent. It was as if our personalities, which had always been independent from each other, were becoming one.

"I've been so depressed all day..."

I'm really getting used to waking up in unfamiliar places, Hay—

"Whoa, that was close. Almost called out to him again."

I hadn't spoken his name since that day. I was scared he'd really show up if I did.

"Today's challenge is to see how far away I can go. Hopefully I'll find something tasty there! ♪"

I had to force myself to get hyped up. I'd withdrawn all my money, so I thought I'd treat myself to something nice today—

The moment I stood from the bench, my vision shook.

"Must be 'cause I was sleeping here..."

I was also incredibly thirsty. Luckily, there was a vending machine, so I went to grab a drink. As I looked for something to buy, the vending machine suddenly shook, and pain shot through my hand.

"Hey you, don't hit the vending machine! Dont'cha have any money?"

"...What?"

I looked at my aching hand to see that my fist had dented the machine.

"Did I do that...?"

I had the urge to destroy something...? That can't be right, I'd never do that... I don't want to destroy, I won't destroy—

"Whoa, hey, you okay?"

I hate humans? I hate onmyoji? No, I—I'd never hate anyone—

"No, I... I have to get far away..."

Why? ...Why? Why go so far? Because I don't want to kill him? Why would I kill him? I don't hate him, so why? No, I must hate him. I must have hated him. No, that's not right, he was my precious friend. He was—in the whole world...

Then why do I hate him?

Because he's an onmyoji.

That onmyoji—I hate—

Hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate
Hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate
Hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate
Hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate

"No! I—!"

When I snapped back to my senses, it was already too late. Darkness filled my vision and hatred filled my heart.

"Hahaha! How long have I awaited this moment!?"

I heard my voice—Adras's voice—from outside. Instantly, I realized what had happened. My body belonged to Adras now.

"Now then, I've been longing to take a trip home—to that brat waiting for you to come back!"

No, stop!

I raised my voice and tried to scream, but it was all swallowed up by the darkness. My voice could no longer reach anyone.

Don't come near me... Please...

I kept on struggling desperately in the darkness. There was nothing for me to reach out and grab, and my voice wouldn't carry no matter how loud I spoke.

"Heh heh heh... It's been so long since we came back here! Isn't that right, Subaru?"

With those words, I understood. Adras had just come back to the base.

"Hmm~ hmm hmmmm~ ♪"

He hummed happily to himself. It was the tune I always hummed. All I could do now was pray. Please, don't come back.

"It's pointless. The boy's returned."

Don't come near me—near Adras!

"Oh, I've just had a great idea. I've got to give you a reward for keeping me trapped in this body all this time."

The world engulfed in darkness suddenly became clear. There, I saw who I had been longing so unbearably to see again—Hayato.

Hayato!

"Heh heh heh! Nice view, isn't it? That's your front-row seat to watch him die!"

Hayato came closer, regarding me with concern. Stop it, stay away! I pleaded desperately, but he wouldn't reply.

"Are you really Su—"

The next moment, my first flew at Hayato's face, interrupting his words.

"Wha—!?"

Hayato had fallen backwards, dodging Adras's attack. Relief flooded my chest for a brief moment, before Adras's swing hit the wall, smashing through it and sending cracks down to the floor. I'd never used such power before. This body really, truly wasn't mine anymore...

"Heh heh heh, how lucky for you, boy."

"Don't tell me...Adras!?"

Yes, I was Adras now. So, Hayato—fight!

"Running away? Heh. Hahahaha! Not bad—entertain me more!"

Adras's loud laughter echoed through the base. This was a special place for us, and it was being destroyed by my own hands...

"Shit!"

I could no longer stop my body or my swinging fists. I prayed for just one thing—that Hayato would put a stop to me.

"What's wrong—is that sword at your waist just for decoration? Then get ready for a thousand years of torment!"

"You realized, then...that I'm an onmyoji."

"That's right. It was your little friend who told me!"

"Friend...? ...What have you done to Subaru!?"

"Heheh, you only just noticed? A little slow on the uptake, aren't you, boy?"

"...! Give him back!"

There was no trace of despair in his eyes. Instead, he stared straight at me, his gaze reflecting a heart prepared to struggle. That was how much he cared about me. As glad as I was for his kindness, those feelings were the reason he stayed his hand. Enough already—I don't want to see you get hurt!

Taking advantage of the moment Hayato averted his eyes in thought, Adras swung his fist down, smashing through the floor.

"Oh no—!?"

"Hahahaha! One blow to begin!"

Hayato quickly blocked his fist, but I could hear a cracking sound. It was my body doing the fighting, but I couldn't feel a single thing, not even when I was struck.

"Hahaha! Incredible! The pleasure of tormenting the brat—and your despair! I want to revel in this forever!"

Why—Why wouldn't Hayato fight back?

Adras leapt from the building to chase after him. It wasn't just Hayato down below, but a crowd of people gathering around him.

"I'm not done tormenting you yet!"

"Get away!" Hayato cried.

He pushed back the people swarming him and wrenched himself free. He just barely dodged Adras's leg as it swung down, smashing the ground instead. 

"Hey, quit dodging me!"

"Wh-Wha...!?"

The people around us couldn't seem to move, unable to comprehend what was happening before their eyes.

"Run, he'll kill you!"

People shrieked and ran in response to Hayato's scream. 

You should be worrying about yourself before anyone else! Hurry up and run, Hayato!

"Heh heh heh, how kindhearted of you! Why don't I take care of them first?"

Hayato reached for Hyakki.

Yeah, that's it. Finally—kill me.

"Subaru..."

But he wouldn't draw Hyakki.

Why? We promised, didn't we!? Don't hesitate—strike me down with Hyakki!

"Coward—you can't even fight!"

Adras didn't miss his chance when Hayato stopped moving, his fist once again colliding with his body.

"Gack—!?"

The sound was different from before. With a noise like his entire body was shattering, Hayato slammed into the wall of a building and started vomiting.

"Ahaha, look at you, boy, covered in vomit and dirt!"

Adras's laughter echoed in my head. I couldn't cry or call out to Hayato. What I was sure of was that it was my fists and my legs that were hurting him.

"I've still got lots more to do, so don't you drop dead on me yet!"

No you don't.

"—Subaru."

I won't let it happen.

"Won't let what happen?" Adras spoke in my mind. "What can you even do now—"

Yeah, I've always been the one who couldn't do anything. Without your power, I couldn't have fought alongside Hayato. I thought that as long as I could be with him, it was fine to use your power, whatever it was. But I was wrong! I don't need your power. This is my body. Fighting, getting hurt, crying, laughing with Hayato! My body, my memories! They're all mine! So—

"Like hell I'll hand it over to you!"

"What—!?"

Sight, sound, and senses became clear. Before me, I saw Hayato, injured to the brink of collapse. I'd finally come back, but it wouldn't be for long. I had to tell him, quickly...

"Hayato..."

When did we make that promise? I think it was when Hayato first saw me become Adras.

"That was Adras, Hayato. Scary, right?"

"Hah, that wasn't scary at all. I mean, he just looks like you," he replied, laughing.

"Well I'm scared. Adras might take all the way over someday. And then I'd hurt you..."

"I'll be totally fine... Hey, if you ever do turn completely into Adras, then I'll knock you down and put a stop to him."

"Really?"

"Yeah, promise!"

Maybe Hayato didn't remember it, but to me, our promise that day was—

"Suba—"

I took his hands and made him hold Hyakki. I watched as my right hand was covered in severe burns when I touched it.

So hot, it hurts—

But Hayato was in even more pain. This was nothing, really. Besides, if I made a pained face, Hayato would never steady his resolve.

"...Keep your promise, okay?"

He looked ready to burst into tears. Don't make that face—the Hayato I knew was always like that.

"Show me your cool side, Hayato."

"...Okay."

There was no more hesitation in his eyes.

"Enough of this!"

When Adras roared that directly into my mind, I leapt back away from Hayato at once. It was my final act of resistance. All at once, the feeling in my limbs faded away, and I could no longer speak. But I'd made it in time. I got to tell Hayato what I wanted to say. I had done everything I could.

"That boy, always doing things he shouldn't! Agh, damn! My right hand!"

Can you really afford to get distracted by that? My partner's already drawing the blade that'll cut you down.

"Boy, are you—!?"

Hayato met Adras's gaze dead-on. He grasped Hyakki firmly in his hands.

Yeah, that's it. That's the cool side of you I wanted to see!

Partner. I'd always called Hayato that. But we were never truly partners until now. It wasn't me doing the fighting, but Adras's power. So in this battle, here and now, was our first and final united front!

"You brat!"

Adras gained momentum and roared, swinging his fist at Hayato with all his might.

"I'll cut off your left hand."

The next moment, Hayato slipped within Adras's grasp in the blink of an eye.

"What—!?"

I felt Adras's shock and terror. The opponent he had merely been toying with until now had suddenly bared his fangs and gone for the throat.

That's a taste of your own medicine. Now it's your turn.

Adras tried to protect his left hand, but—

A flash. Hyakki slashed through both of his eyes.

"Gaaaaaah!? My—My eyes! You wont...get away with that! I won't let youuu!"

My vision until now had been what Adras was seeing. Now, with his eyes ruined, there was only darkness around me. But the battle wasn't over yet.

"Useless! I can still sense your presence as if I held you in my palm!"

I heard the sounds of Adras raging. It seemed he certainly could perceive Hayato, but his fists still couldn't hit him. Hayato was wounded all over. He should hardly have had the strength left to wield Hyakki. If he wasn't careful, he'd only get one more swing. That meant he would be thinking about how to deal the final blow to Adras. I knew that, even if I couldn't see him. After all, we'd been partners together all this time!

"Diiieee!"

I sensed my right hand held high.

Ah, you sure are a stupid god. Did you forget about Hyakki purifying that hand!?

I focused all my awareness on my right hand, and stopped it from moving.

"Wha—!?"

For a brief moment, not even a second, Adras's fist stopped. It was all I could do, but it was Hayato's chance. The next moment came a fierce, burning pain in my chest.

"—ah?"

Hyakki had pierced my body. Perfect timing—I'd expect nothing less. Pain wracked my body as if I was splitting apart. My senses came back as Adras's soul burned away, and I returned to my own body.

Yeah, thought so... It hurts a bit...

The pain throughout my body slowly faded, except for where I was stabbed.

My mind is fading... Oh, I'm gonna die...

"It's...all over..."

In my distant consciousness, I heard Hayato's voice.

"Hayato..."

I wanted him to remember my face. Not crying or suffering, but with my biggest smile.

"Subaru, Subaru...!"

Something cold ran down my cheek. I never knew Hayato was such a crybaby. It was too bad I couldn't see his crying face, especially since he was crying over me.

"Hey, Hayato... We'll always be partners, won't we...?"

"Yeah...yeah, of course we will! We'll—"

My first and last best friend.

Thanks for keeping your promise.

Demons.
Some call them "yokai," others, "ghosts." Not just anyone can see them. There are people with a strong sixth sense who can perceive these grotesque monsters.

"N-No, get away from meee!"

A boy screamed in terror as a demon chased him down. The moment it swung its leg down to tear him apart—

"Hmm~ hmm hmmmm~ ♪"

The sound of humming suddenly came from somewhere.

"Begone."

A flash of red light sliced the demon apart. The demon's pieces fell to the ground and scattered.

"U-Um..."

"Kids shouldn't hang out in places like this...or the evil monsters are gonna getcha!"

"I'm, I'm sorry..."

"Don't worry about it. Defeating demons is my job."

"Go on home to your parents, okay?"

"Okay!"

The boy ran out of the alley.

"Oh, right! Thank you for saving me, misters!"

Demon hunters.
Those who traveled, hunting demons everywhere they went. The sword they wielded was stained red from drinking demons' blood, cutting through those fiends in a flash of red. It was said that their true identity was either an old man, or a duo of a young man and a boy who appeared while humming.

"All right, let's head to the next one—partner."