𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲| | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

十九

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𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫

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"I see, so that's how they get around so quickly. But the thing I'm wondering is, where's the demon? It has to be somewhere around here otherwise we wouldn't be here in the first place."

Utsukushī flapped his wings for a moment as he settled onto a pillow. "It seems like the humans running the stand are in kahoots with the demon, I'd say get a hold of one of them to get more information. Caw~" The crow suggested. 

(Name) hummed at this. It had been a few more days now, and it seemed as though every time she came within a 5 foot radius of the restaurant, they'd quickly close shop and tell everyone to come back another time.

They were avoiding her.

That's when (Name) started asking around about those who had eaten there, and where they had gone. Out of the mass of elderly that would come, only a quarter of a half went missing that same night. This demon, whatever its blood demon art was, clearly targeted the elderly and would snatch them away during the night. Just a few days back, (Name) had actually ran into that man that was running into the wall of her hotel room and asked him what exactly was he seeing during that moment.

"It was bright, oh so very bright. And-and it was warm. It felt as though I was being lured into paradise as the sound of a voice softly whispered in my ears. Oh, it was so amazing! I still wish to go there today.." He trailed off. His eyes seemed to cloud over as he reminisced the moment.

(Name) brought an eyebrow to a raise , "Where exactly is.. there?" She asked, tone questioning and concerned.

Sighing, the girl placed her cup of tea down and gazed out at the mass of villagers, each going on about their daily lives as usual. 'I'm already starting to miss the estate...' Slumping down onto her table, she whined.

'I wanna finish this already and go hommmmeee...'

Thinking about Yūkan and what he could possibly be doing, (Name)'s eyes landed on a familiar face outside. 'Hana!' Jumping from her seat, she placed her money on the table and rushed from the establishment. Hurrying to the woman's side, (Name) gave her name a call and grinned when the woman recognized her.

"Oh! It's you again dearest!" Hana's smile was as bright as the sun as she watched the teen girl approach. 

"Hana I'm so happy to see you're doing alright." (Name) smiled. 

The older woman nodded and placed a hand on her chest, "Knowing that you'd bring my husband back to me has set me at ease."

(Name) brought a hand behind her head and gave it a scratch, how was she going to break it to this sweet old woman that she wanted to use her as bait to try and find the demon causing all of this? A bit questionable, right?

"Ahh, yes yes...oh uhm I can help you with those!" Rushing to grab the bags Hana held, (Name) happily chatted with the woman. They talked about all kinds of things: Hana's life while growing up, recipes, her husband, (Name)'s friendships, the odd boy she met that cries a lot, almost anything and everything.

Nightfall had come like any other day and (Name) found herself sitting at the dining table within Hana's house as the old lady moved about, getting ingredients and cooking whatever meal it was she was preparing. The gentle bubbling of the pot filled the quiet atmosphere as (Name) observed the small but cozy home.