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Everyone was quite curious about Hiromi's "big brother"—soone I knew very well.
"Well, we haven't spent as much ti together as I would've liked, but... we get along just barely fine," Hiromi sighed.
"Just barely fine?!" Erika asked. "Co on, tell more about your big brother..."
"Y-You said he was a Devil?" I asked, still trying to process everything. "What kind of Devil? Wait... do Devils actually exist in this world?"
"Like you, they're distant descendants of people who once mingled with demons," Hiromi explained. "Hell has always had a connection to our world—more so in the past than now. Demons would sotis erge here, taking over a mortal's body and using it as an avatar to... well, seduce an unsuspecting woman, too enchanted by their magic to realize what they truly were. By the ti they vanished, it was already too late. That's how many humans with Devil or Demon bloodlines ca to be."
"What's the difference between Demons and Devils? Honestly, I've never fought either," Erika said. "I don't think they even show up in Japan. We've got Yokai everywhere. Maybe there are so many that other threats avoid the country altogether."
"Yeah, my mom told sothing like that. Japan's a small country, but every forest and mountain is filled with spiritual veins that demons and devils would love to claim. But since the land is already teeming with Yokai, Oni, and Kami, it's hard for outsiders to gain anything without sparking a massive conflict with the factions living there," Hiromi said with a smirk. "That's why mountains are so precious here. A single mountain in Japan could contain dozens of Spiritual and Demonic Domains—and even Divine Realms, if Kami reside there."
Oh, so that's why we want Mount Takao so badly. Beyond the resources and spiritual veins, there are Domains and Pocket Realms to conquer... and supernatural beings to recruit—willingly or not.
"Okay, back on topic... tell about your brother!" Erika said. "Also, what is he exactly?"
"My big brother is the last mber of an ancient Devil-Human clan. They have power over objects they create and imbue. He can even transform into weapons or sothing like that... and he seems to have inherited so Incubus traits," Hiromi replied. "If you ever et him, be careful. His charm doesn't work on Vampires, but it's said to have devil-like properties. He can control people with it."
Whoa. So they adapted his Cosmic Ego skills into so kind of bloodline power over weapons and magical items? That's actually pretty cool.
And he's an Incubus? So that's how they're going to justify his looks.
"That's so interesting!" I said. "I'd love to et your big brother, Harumi. I've always enjoyed romance novels with devil princes or demon kings. I used to dream of eting one for real. I even dabbled in the occult for a while... though I never got too deep into it."
"Huh?" Harumi narrowed her eyes at , raising an eyebrow. "Why would I ever let you into my territory? You're a complete stranger."
"A-Am I? Well... I suppose you're not wrong," I admitted with a nod.
"Co on, Harumi, what's wrong with Kireina coming along?" Frank asked. "She's basically the sa as if you think about it. And you were way nicer to than you are to her..."
"T-That's because the circumstances were different," Harumi said. "It also took us a while to get along, Frank. I wasn't as trusting back then."
"Yeah, yeah, I don't like her!" Erika snapped. "She gives bad vibes..."
"Ugh... I guess I shouldn't have gotten involved with you all," I muttered, looking down as my hands trembled. "I'm sorry. I've been tornted by this bloodline for so long... I awakened strange powers I was terrified of. I thought that... because you were like , you'd understand. But I guess I was foolish. I'm sorry."
I turned and walked away, tears welling in my eyes, leaving everyone stunned.
"H-Harumi, Erika! Why are you being so an to her?! Poor Kireina was crying! She was crying! You made the most popular girl cry!" Matsuo shouted behind . "Wait, Kireina!"
"Kireina, please wait!" Frank called out, running after . "I'm sorry they were so rude. I swear they're good people..."
"It's fine, Frank. Maybe we just weren't ant to be friends," I said softly, eyes downcast. "I know they're good deep down. I wish you all the best. I was just... stupid to think I could make more friends."
The rest of the class had noticed the commotion. Concerned, several students approached , offering comfort and handkerchiefs.
"You guys are the worst! Why would you treat Kireina so badly?"
"You should feel lucky she even tried to be friends with you!"
"What the hell is wrong with those girls, Frank?"
"Don't worry, Kireina. If you want more friends, I'll be your friend!"
" too! too!"
"Harumi and Erika have always been troublemakers... I don't know how Matsuo and Frank even put up with them."
Harumi and Erika suddenly felt cornered, gasping as they noticed the disapproving stares around them. Their popularity plumted in an instant.
"A-Ah... damn it," Harumi muttered, biting her lip. "She's making feel guilty..."
"Ugh, why did she have to cry?!" Erika groaned. "Now everyone's staring at us! Okay, okay—I'm sorry! I didn't an it like that... geez."
"R-Really?" I asked, stepping forward slowly, leaving the others behind. "I'm sorry if I seed suspicious to you. I have a hard ti... connecting with people. I spent my whole life shut inside my house."
"Hm... I an, there's nothing wrong with what you did," Harumi said, rolling her eyes. "And... I'm the sa. Sorry, Kireina. I went too far."
"Yeah... okay, fine. Sorry," Erika sighed. "We good?"
"It's fine. I wasn't blaming you," I said with a small smile, wiping my tears. "Um, how about we go to karaoke to make up for it? I can invite you. You don't have to pay for anything."
"Aww, Kireina's even trying to make peace!"
"Whoa, you girls are so lucky!"
"You don't deserve her kindness!"
"I heard she's filthy rich. Imagine having her as your friend..."
Under the pressure of the crowd, Harumi and Erika sighed and reluctantly nodded.
"Sounds good. I an, if you're inviting, why not?" Erika said with a smile. "Just a heads-up—I eat a lot."
"I was planning to invite everyone anyway," Frank added. "We've got sothing to celebrate from the other day... and I wanted to share so news too. So yeah, let's do it!"
"Hell yeah! Karaoke with this cutie!" Matsuo cheered. "Ahem—I an, with Kireina-sama! Haha..." He quickly corrected himself under the jealous glares of the other boys.
"Thank you so much," I said with a gentle smile. "Oh, and I brought a bunch of snacks for my friends, but there's still plenty left. Would you like so?"
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