What I saw through <Shadow Crow>'s eyes was a ruined building that used to be an inn, and a high school girl about that age was running from a blue monster.
The girl was running around with really light movements. From the look of her, she seemed like an Onmyoji1, so was she using something like onmyo arts to boost her body?
But the blue monster kept chasing the girl without slowing down, smashing through buildings. There was no sign she could shake it off. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before it caught up.
Well, the time I spent worrying about what to do was just a moment.
The words that came out of the girl who looked like she was about to die any second were apologies to her family-her big brother and big sister. The moment I heard that, it was pretty much decided that I'd save her.
Forgive me, blue monster. Even if you were just a kind monster who was hungry and about to starve to death.
Even a [Demon] wants to be on the side of good kids.
Through <Shadow Crow>, I could teleport near the girl anytime.
Just as I thought "Alright, let's go," a demon-like thought popped into my brainless head.
"-Saving her is fine, but in exchange, I'll have that girl help me with all kinds of stuff."
Current situation: no house, no money, no breakfast. I have something to protect, so I have to use whatever I can use.
Especially Misaki's cooking-I want to lock that down no matter what.
If I save her life, even a [Demon] can get a favor granted, right?
So after watching for a while, I called out to her when she was about to give up.
I was super nervous about whether I'd mess up, so I want this kind of chance to be a one-time thing.
By the way, the black space during my conversation with the girl, Suzume10, was made by sloppily spreading out 'Cloth Shadow'.
Meanwhile, the blue monster-the blue oni2-like youkai of this world-I tied up its whole body with 'Cloth Shadow.'
Luckily, my power was enough to hold it, so after the contract, to also show off my real strength as a Demon-like performance, I finished it off with <Demon Stake Fist>.
Well, the main reason was that since it was a blue oni, I hit it with max firepower, but it seems it was different from the one I knew, so I regret that I should've killed it more safely. Worst case, the ruins could've collapsed and hurt Suzume.
"-About 2 hours after that."
Suzume came to the empty house where we were squatting illegally, carrying a plastic bag.
"......A-are we really in the right place?"
Suzume asked <Shadow Crow>, who had guided her, with an uneasy look.
Well, it's natural for her to be on guard.
So, I guess I'll go greet her. How should I make my entrance? I went flashy during the contract, so she might be scared. Let's just go normal-I settled on casual.
"-Welco~me. Come on in~"
"Eep......"
I opened the front door and invited her inside, and she got super scared. I closed it behind her.
Yeah, sorry about my Black Metallic Powered Suit, BMP for short, look.
I hope I don't look like a Grim Reaper who reaps souls.......
Suzume-maybe she thought she had no choice, because even while trembling, she came inside the house, so I guided her to a different room from the Japanese-style room where Misaki was sleeping. To the guest room with the sofa.
"This house is Lord Yamato9's......"
"No. I'm just trespassing."
"Sigh......I, I see......"
"I just got to Japan a few hours ago, so with the emergency situation, it can't be helped."
"Hmm......well, if you're resolving things peacefully, then......"
"Suzume. You're actually the type who takes things pretty well, huh?"
She looked like a serious girl, so I thought she'd hate that I'm breaking the law, but her reaction was softer than I expected.
By the way, I'd already swallowed up the minimum stuff like dust and trash with 'Cloth Shadow.' It's a really handy [Authority].
Actually, what happens to the stuff I swallow? Somehow, it doesn't feel like it stays inside. If it's something really small, it seems like it disappears without a trace the moment I swallow it. Even though it's my own power, there's still so much I don't know.
"Sorry. There's no light, so it's pitch black."
"N-no......um, if you don't mind mine, would you like to use a light?"
"Oh, for real? Then can I take you up on that?"
"Understood."
Suzume took out a headlamp from the sleeve of her Shrine Maiden Outfit.
"Is this, like, a professional one?"
"Yes. We do a lot of night activities, so we have to prepare light sources properly."
"I see......I kinda thought you wouldn't carry stuff like this, just based on the image."
"Um, most Onmyoji cast visual correction, so they don't carry them......but in my case, I have little talent and low curse power, so to save money......"
"Hm? Ah, no no, that's not what I meant, don't worry about it! If anything, I'm sorry!"
Seems like I stepped on a landmine. Sorry about that. Still, using scientific tools like lights gets you treated as talentless as an Onmyoji?
I mean, if you're active at night, I think it's fine to carry one in case something happens.
"Then, can I borrow it for a bit?"
"Ah, yes. The charge should last a few more hours."
"Oh, thanks."
I borrowed the light and hooked it onto a thin strip of stretched-out 'Cloth Shadow,' then raised it to the ceiling.
Then I flipped the switch, and a strong light nicely brightened the room.
"Alright, that's good."
"......Ah, yes," Looking at the strip of 'Cloth Shadow,' Suzume made a face mixed with lots of emotions.
Well, yeah, seeing something you can't identify would do that. Sorry-if I apologized for every little thing, the talk wouldn't move forward, so I'll keep it in my heart.
"Come on, sit down."
"O-okay."
When I sat on the sofa, Suzume sat formally on the floor across from me, with the glass coffee table between us.
Hmm, I'm not sure if I should tell her to sit on the sofa. Since her look is Japanese-style, maybe sitting formally is more familiar to her.
"......Um, this is what you asked for as payment."
Yeah, to be honest, the plastic bag Suzume was holding had been bugging me the whole time. I mean, ever since I saw her buy it through the crow, I'd been fidgeting.
I actually wanted to get it the moment we met at the entrance, but since I'd set up the pretense of "payment for the contract," I felt like I had to look cool about it.
"Right. Then let me take the payment."
"O-okay."
I thought she'd just hand it over, but Suzume spread a clean white cloth on the coffee table from her pocket, then carefully placed the contents of the plastic bag on top of it.
Three onigiri3, probably bought at a convenience store.
Two bottles of tea.
And fried chicken in a square paper bag.
After laying it all out, Suzume, still sitting formally, moved back one step and bowed deeply to me.
"Lord Demon Yamato, this time you saved my life. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have brought what you wished for, so please accept it."
Man, I got treated like a god.
The reason she didn't sit on the sofa seemed to be because she cared about who took the higher and lower seats.
What do I do-sure, I'm a [Demon], but I feel like I should clear up the misunderstanding that I'm not that big a deal, but.......No-wait a sec.
"Suzume."
"Y-yes."
"I'm a [Demon]. So don't treat me like a god-be more casual with me."
It's not that being reserved or humble is bad, but if she's going to respect me, there's no reason not to use that. Thinking that, I didn't correct her and just said what I wanted.
"Um......"
"Well, I get that it's hard when someone suddenly tells you that. Anyway, normal human manners are fine with me."
"O-okay. I'll try my best," Suzume's shoulders loosened a little.
What she actually does is up to Suzume, but I could see her relax.
I don't think Suzume is a bad kid, and I'd be happy if she gets used to me and stops being so careful.
"......Then, can I eat right away?"
"Ah, yes, go ahead."
"Then, let's eat."
The convenience store food lined up on the table. Before I could even think about what to eat first, my hand moved and grabbed the paper bag.
Was it this small? No-my hands are just big.
I pinched the tip and pulled. The bag opened cleanly along the perforated line, and the square fried chicken showed its face.
"Is this, like, Fami-chiki8</a?"
"No, it's Fumi-chiki from Fumirika Mart......d-did I get it wrong!?"
"......No, this is exactly right."
It looks a lot like it, but it's different.
I feel like I just understood from the bottom of my heart for the first time that this isn't the Japan I know.
But at the same time, I thought there's no mistake that this is Japan. Because the savory smell coming from the fried chicken was the same as what I remembered.
"Haaah......"
I brought my face close to the breading and breathed in hard.
I meant it as just a test breath, but I could clearly smell the fried chicken.
I always had a sense of smell, but maybe there was nothing to smell in [Hell].
Or maybe being summoned to Japan changed my body.
Either way is fine-I'd been wishing for the day I could smell this again.
A weird feeling rose in my stomach. It's been so long that I'm not sure if this is what you'd call hunger.
"Let's eat."
I opened my big mouth-you could say it's the lower half of my face-and bit into the fried chicken.
Just like that, the taste spread all through my mouth.
"......So good."
My first meal in over a thousand years. I guess I really didn't have this many words.
I took a tuna mayo onigiri out of the bag and threw a whole one and the rest of the fried chicken into my mouth.
I chewed and chewed until my jaw ached, then swallowed, reluctant to let go.
"......So delicious."
A small, shaky voice slipped out.
I thought I'd yell more, but I was so moved that I didn't.
My reason tells me I'm exaggerating, but of course I'd be like this.
The long time in [Hell]. Sometimes I just can't stop remembering food.
I banged my head on the floor over and over, wishing the memories would go away.
Even so, I couldn't forget.
Steaming white rice. Sandwiches. Hamburgers. Pasta. Pizza. Tamagoyaki4, miso soup, tonkatsu, natto5, hot pot, tofu, pickles, kimchi, sausages, ham, gyoza7, sushi, tempura, karaage6, saury, mackerel in miso.
And so many other foods, too many to count, I remembered until my head went crazy.
And now I could finally eat all of it.
I bet if this body could cry, I'd have been sobbing.
"......Thank you for the meal."
I faced Suzume, put my hands together, and showed my thanks.
The remaining two onigiri and one bottle of tea are for Misaki.
Honestly I want to eat them, but I'm a contract Demon-for my master's sake, I can hold back properly.
Ahh, I should've asked her to buy three more of each without holding back.
This body seems like it can eat more than I thought. Or actually, can it even get full? Whatever. There'll be plenty of chances to test it from now on.
"It was good......seriously......"
"Th-that's great......Do you like fried chicken?"
"No, I like Japan."
"Japan!?"
Suzume-maybe she's bad at hiding her feelings, because she gets surprised pretty dramatically.
She's a good kid, and a funny kid. I got blessed with a good connection.
Thank you, gods of Japan. I'll keep it in my heart since saying it out loud now seems dangerous.
Ahh, green tea is so good too. I've never seen this package, but it's a really familiar tea taste.
"Um, so about the contract......"
"Ah, then here's my next request."
"Ah, yes. Huh? ......M-more?"
"Well yeah, the payment for saving your life being a little over 1000 yen isn't really it. You've got to be unsatisfied too, right Suzume?"
"U......you heard that......"
Heh heh. This is why you've gotta read the contract properly before confirming.
Well, there wasn't even a contract and I pushed it through with her life on the line, so Suzume isn't at fault at all.
"With this face, I can't go shopping outside. Sorry, but until I get my life sorted out, I want daily meals."
"O-okay. If it's just that much, I think I can manage."
"Please. Ah, if you could, I'd also like you to bring nutritious stuff."
"Nutritious......understood, I'll think about it."
"Thanks."
Misaki is still growing, so I don't want her to have a lopsided diet.
"Also, this isn't about payment, but I want to ask-what's an Onmyoji?"
"Huh......y-you don't know? I thought since you know Japan so well, you'd know about Onmyoji too......"
"Well, yeah. So could you tell me simply?"
"O-okay, an Onmyoji is-"
And so, I listened to Suzume talk about Onmyoji. And I came to know the problems this Japan is dealing with.
Trivia:
- Yamato calls the blue monster a "blue oni" and thinks it is the type he knows, but it turns out to be different, hinting that this world's youkai do not match his old world's knowledge.
- The fact that Yamato can smell the fried chicken but could not smell anything in [Hell] suggests his senses were dulled there, not that he lacked a sense of smell.
- Suzume admits she has little talent and low curse power, which is why she uses a headlamp instead of visual correction magic, quietly setting up her insecurity as an Onmyoji.
Translation Notes:
1 ↩ A traditional Japanese practitioner of onmyodo, a system of divination, magic, and protection. The reader should know these are not just priests but magical specialists with ranks of talent and curse power.
2 ↩ A Japanese demon or ogre from folklore, often depicted with horns and colored skin. Yamato calls the monster a "blue oni," tying it to a familiar cultural image even though this one turns out to be different.
3 ↩ A Japanese rice ball, often wrapped in seaweed and filled with ingredients like tuna mayo. A staple convenience store food that carries emotional weight for Yamato after his long fast.
4 ↩ A Japanese rolled omelet, slightly sweet and layered. It appears in Yamato's memory list as one of the many home-style foods he missed.
5 ↩ Fermented soybeans with a strong smell and sticky texture. A divisive food that appears in Yamato's list as a distinctly Japanese item he longed for.
6 ↩ Japanese-style fried chicken, usually marinated and coated in potato starch. It appears in Yamato's memory list alongside other fried foods.
7 ↩ Japanese pan-fried dumplings, usually filled with pork and cabbage. Part of Yamato's long list of foods he missed during his time in [Hell].
8 ↩ A reference to a real-world Japanese convenience store fried chicken brand. Suzume corrects Yamato that this world's version is "Fumi-chiki" from "Fumirika Mart," a subtle sign that this Japan is not his own.
9 ↩ A Japanese honorific showing deep respect, often translated as "Lord" or "Lady." Suzume uses it for Yamato, which makes him uncomfortable because he does not want to be treated like a god.
10 ↩ A Japanese honorific showing affection or familiarity, often used for children, close friends, or girls. Yamato uses it for Suzume and Misaki, showing his casual and protective attitude toward them.
Notes:
• Misaki - A quiet young girl held as a sacrifice by a group in white robes. Small enough to be picked up. May have been raised by the white-robed group. Given the name "demon child" by them. A ten-year-old girl with black eyes and black hair, wearing an all-white shrine maiden outfit. She summoned Yamato into a concrete room covered in talismans. Soft-spoken and unsure of the situation. She is Yamato's contractor, linked to him by an invisible thread. A young girl used as a sacrifice in a demon summoning ritual. Called a demon's child by others. Her mother died from illness after being shunned for giving birth to her. Now contracted to the protagonist. Sleeps peacefully after being carried from the ritual site. Quiet and traumatized but comforted by the protagonist's voice.
• Suzume - The first given name of Sakuraba Suzume. She is a sixteen-year-old First-Class Student at an Onmyoji school with little magical power, pushed onto the Onmyoji path against her wishes. With little talent and low spiritual power, she carries a headlamp to save energy. Polite and serious but not stiff, she believes she has no options, yet still helps Yamato after he saves her, and is bad at hiding her feelings.
• Yamato - A [Demon] once a Japanese human reborn into [Hell], where he spent over a thousand years tired of its constant killing. He wears a slim black metallic suit with no eyes and a jagged-toothed mouth, controls 'Cloth Shadow,' accidentally named [Hell] and [Demons], and taught Orca Japanese. Summoned to Japan by Misaki, he became her contracted [Demon], then bonded with Suzume after saving her. Lacking youki, he is friendly, casual, works on contracts, and wants to protect Misaki-chan and her cooking.