UNMASKED

CHAPTER 1

DEMON'S POV

"De-huh? I'm sorry!" The man dropped to his knees, face down on the ground.

I raised an eyebrow. "What the hell are you doing?"

He trembled, stammering, "I-I'm sorry I looked at your face."

Oh, I see. He hadn't heard the rumors yet. Pathetic. He was terrified as if one glance could seal his fate. This was more of an insult than anything else-like they would drop dead just from seeing me. Well, I can't blame them. They could very well die from the sheer magnificence of my beauty. I mean, sometimes, even I'm speechless when I catch my reflection.

But his fear? It was misplaced.

"Raise your head," I said with a smirk, stepping closer. "From now on, don't take your eyes off me. Be mesmerized by my beauty whenever you want."

He hesitated, his head still low. "Your mask... do you want me to get it for you?"

I laughed lightly. How cute. He thought I still needed to hide. I leaned in, my voice dropping to a near whisper, "Sure... if you're willing to bear the responsibility." He froze, his breath catching.

I moved closer, my eyes locking onto him. "I don't need a mask anymore. I'll show them the real me."

This was no longer about hiding or protecting my identity. I wasn't some fragile figure that needed to lurk in the shadows. No, I would walk openly, in full view of the world, and they would learn to tremble beneath my gaze, not because I was hidden, but because I was undeniable.

In the silence that followed, he slowly raised his head, eyes wide, filled with a mix of awe and terror.

Yes. Let them look. Let them see what they'll bow to.

"Hey, are you bullying them?"

The familiar voice snapped me back to reality.

"Miku?" I turned around, eyes narrowing as I recognized the figure approaching me. It had been two years since I last saw him. After the war ended, I ordered old Azakura to release Miku from hiding. He was one of the few who didn't follow me blindly.

My eyes landed on the boxes he was carrying-children's clothes, toys... What the hell?

"Where are you going with all that?" I asked, confusion lacing my tone as I saw a trail of boxes behind him.

He rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "I'm just following what you like, Demon."

I smirked. "Okay, convey my greetings to them," I said, preparing to walk past him.

But then he spoke again, his voice heavy with something I hadn't heard in a while-disappointment. "I still hate you for leaving them behind."

I stopped in my tracks, feeling the weight of his words press against me like a sharp blade. His eyes were blazing, full of anger and betrayal. I could feel it, crawling under my skin, the way his hatred for me lingered in the air.

"This was the best decision, Miku," I said flatly, refusing to show him any sign of doubt. "They shouldn't be involved. They're too innocent to be dragged into this mess."

"Innocent?" He laughed bitterly, stepping closer. "Do you even know what innocence is anymore? You've made them orphans to your war."

His words stung, but I remained silent.

"I hope you don't regret it," he muttered as he brushed past me, his shoulder bumping mine with a force that was deliberate, almost accusatory.

Jerk.