Hozuki's Shadow--Hozuki x reader (Hoozuki no Reitetsu)

Chapter 6

Of all the horrible things that could happen, Beelzebub was stuck on yet another trip to Japanese Hell, listening to his beloved wife talk about how great and wonderful that bastard Hozuki was, and how much she looked forward to shopping in Hell's 'cute little shops,' and eating at their 'cute little restaurants.' It was enough to make him want to barf.

So yeah, Japanese Hell had some interesting parts, he would admit that. It wasn't entirely horrible. In fact, he didn't hate it at all, but there was one thing he couldn't stand, and that was Hozuki.

The first time they'd met, they'd immediately gotten off on the wrong foot, and the next time they'd met, things had somehow gotten worse. First, the demon bastard had beaten him to a bloody pulp playing sports, then, just to add insult to injury, Lilith had taken several photos of the two of them standing just a little too close for comfort. Sure, it was Lilith's duty to seduce men, but did Hozuki have to go along with it? No! It was unforgivable. Absolutely unforgivable.

And now, after all that, he was being dragged back there again. He was going to have to spend the whole day with that oni, trying to hide his hatred behind a mask of diplomatic amiability. It was the worst fate he could possibly imagine.

When he arrived at the Offices of Enma, Lilith on his arm, there were three people present. Hozuki, who was unreadable as always, A blue-haired oni with golden eyes and a kind smile, and another woman, standing at Hozuki's side with a smile on her face, speaking little.

Beelzebub only had a few vague memories of that girl. During his first trip to Japanese Hell, she'd stood in Hozuki's shadow, barely noticeable amidst her boss's intimidating aura. Upon leaving, Beelzebub forgot her almost immediately. He would have done so entirely if it weren't for Lilith.

Apparently, during one of Lilith's solo visits to Hell, (F/N) had been assigned as her escort. When Lilith returned home, she kept gushing about the new friend she'd made, and the two had kept in touch ever since. Even so, Beelzebub knew nothing about her except her name, and the fact that she was Hozuki's prized assistant.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Beelzebub said, holding out several packages, and handing one to Hozuki, one to his assistant. King Enma's, he kept to give later. "These gifts are an apology from Satan-sama. He is so disappointed he couldn't come."

"We understand," Hozuki replied, bowing in thanks. "I heard a new dating sim came out recently. I'm sure he's very busy."

Beelzebub's eyebrow twitched. He'd been hoping to conceal the reason for Satan's conspicuous absence, but it seemed that was never in the cards.

"Regardless of the reason," Hozuki continued, setting his gift aside. "I am in no place to judge. There is a prior engagement I cannot reschedule, so I will be unable to give you the tour I promised."

We're so unimportant you couldn't reschedule a simple appointment?

Beelzebub's blood boiled, but before he could be overcome with rage, a thought struck him.

If Hozuki couldn't attend them, that meant he didn't have to put up with that insufferable demon!

"I—I see!" Beelzebub said, trying to hide his sarcasm. "That really is quite a disappointment. Will I be retiring to my room for the day?"

"No," Hozuki said, gesturing to his side. "Fortunately, I was able to find a replacement. Do you remember my assistant (F/N)?"

Beelzebub turned, meeting the eyes of the girl in Hozuki's shadow. She nodded to him, turning the unopened gift from Satan over in her hands. Her expression revealed nothing—little more than a smiling mask.