デミ人間 (Demi Human)

Chapter 2 : 6 Days

Keisuke : Obviously... is it my soul?
Ryushiferu : (laughs) Not really. That would be so boring.
Keisuke : ... what do you mean?
Ryushiferu : Tell you what... I don't want to kill you just yet. That's no fun.
Keisuke : (wonders)
Ryushiferu : I'll give what you want... what you desire... in exchange for your...
loyalty.
Keisuke : Eh? Loyalty?
Ryushiferu : (nods) You shall be my servant.
Keisuke : Nanda?!  (What the?!)
Ryushiferu : But like I said... I'm not gonna kill you. I want to stay in your
world for now... it's so boring back in the Underworld so I want to have
some fun in here. And of course, with your help. What do you say?
Keisuke : Chotto matte kudasai! Am I hearing it right? You want me to help you
have fun?? In 'our' world??
Ryushiferu : Yup.
Keisuke : ... and... how are you suppose to do that? I mean... have fun??
Ryushiferu : Humans are such interesting beings... and they're perfect for
entertainment. It's fun to see how humans struggle everyday to survive
this world... it's even exciting when they struggle more when they're
in misery.
Keisuke : I don't like the sound of it. It's as if you're saying that you'll
just toy with humans.
Ryushiferu : You're so smart! I like you, Kei-chan.
Keisuke : K... Kei-chan??
Ryushiferu : Shinpai sasenainda tte... (Oh, but you don't have to worry...)  after all, you're not
part of those people I'm going to play with. You're an exemption.
Keisuke : ... but still... I think it's not right for you to just toy with us.
Even if you are really... 'Ryushiferu', like you said...
Ryushiferu : There's one thing that I hate... and that's when people try to tell
me what I can't do... so don't even try me.
Keisuke : ...Uh... su-sumimasen.
Ryushiferu : (chuckles) You're thinking twice, ne Kei-chan?
Keisuke : Eh?
Ryushiferu : About my offer.. humans worry too much.. but it's needless. (walks around Keisuke) Which is really intriguing too... so, I won't rush you. I'll give you at least... 6 days... yes... 6 days to decide.
Keisuke : 6? W-wait a second...!
Ryushiferu : A second? Okay~
Keisuke : Iya! No, I meant... hold on! You're giving me 6 days to decide about
your offer? What if I can't decide?
Ryushiferu : What's so hard about deciding? You just either say yes or no. If you don't want my offer, then tell it to me and I'll be off to find someone else.
Keisuke : What the...! So you're really planning to stay in our world?
Ryushiferu : Hey. You're asking so many questions already. I don't have all the time to waste with you, you know. You're lucky I found you first.. gave you my offer and even gave you the a discount by not asking for your soul but only your loyalty.
Keisuke : What if I won't accept... how can I assure that you won't do anything to make me regret it...?
Ryushiferu : I don't have any reason to do that... that simple.
Keisuke : ...
Ryushiferu : Is that your answer? ... You won't accept then?
Keisuke : ... (thinks) ...
Ryushiferu : Well then, I should get going. (starts to leave)
Keisuke : Chotto!
Ryushiferu : (stops)
Keisuke : (long pause) ... 6 days, then.
Ryushiferu : (smiles) Right. Think about it. 6 days is quite long enough.
Keisuke : ........
Ryushiferu : If you finally decide. Just give me a call, okay? And I'll appear
to you... anytime... anywhere.
Keisuke : W-wha?
Ryushiferu : Jaa ne. (snaps his fingers)

(A blinding light shines and...)

Keisuke : Huh!? (quickly wakes up) ... (gasps) (looks around and seems shock to find himself at home, in his room and on his bed) ... (takes a deep breath and feels his forehead) ... Nani shiteta...? (What happened?) (blinks and tries to recall what had happened) ... was everything... a dream? (thinks hard)
... yeah... so it was just a nightmare then... (sighs and feels relieved) (Scratches his head and gets up) What a dream... (chuckles) Ryushiferu? ... that's so... original. (feels stupid)

(Keisuke is about to leave his room when his cellphone rings)

Keisuke : (looks) Huh? It's Minami-chan! (answers) Moshi moshi. Mi-chan?
Minami : Ohayou, Keisuke.
Keisuke : Mo ohayou.
Minami : Are you busy today?
Keisuke : ... not really. Why?
Minami : Can I see you then?
Keisuke : ... S-sure.
Minami : Yokatta. How about lunch together?
Keisuke : Un. Sounds okay.
Minami : Okay. I wanted to talk to you so badly. So... let's meet at  L'Osier. Okay?
Keisuke : Okay.
Minami : Jaa ne.
Keisuke : Jaa. (hangs up and looks at the time) 9 AM. I have to hurry and prepare.. (throws his cellphone on the bed) ...huh? (suddenly recalls something about his cellphone breaking) (hits his head) Baka. It was a dream. (chuckles)