Akira made his decision.
"…I'll meet her tonight."
The name lingered in his mind.
Tamayo.
A demon… unlike the others.
Not violent.
Not chaotic.
But controlled.
Intelligent.
Different.
Night — Asakusa
The streets were alive.
Lanterns glowed warmly above the crowded roads, their light reflecting across the wooden stalls and passing faces. People laughed, talked, and moved without worry.
To them—
It was just another night.
To Akira—
It wasn't.
He stepped out of the inn quietly, blending into the crowd.
His eyes remained calm.
Sharp.
Observing everything.
The Treasure Scanner pulsed faintly within him.
A direction.
A signal.
Not overwhelming like last night—
But distinct.
Refined.
"…This way."
He followed it.
Moving naturally.
Not too fast.
Not too slow.
As he walked deeper into the streets, the noise gradually faded.
The crowd thinned.
The lanterns became fewer.
Until—
He stopped.
In front of a small building.
A clinic.
It looked ordinary.
Too ordinary.
No people nearby.
No sound.
Akira narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…So this is it."
He didn't move immediately.
Instead—
He scanned the area.
No presence of hostile demons.
No immediate danger.
But—
He could feel it.
A presence inside.
Calm.
Controlled.
"…Definitely not normal."
Akira exhaled softly.
"…No need to act."
He stepped forward—
And opened the door.
Inside the Clinic
The moment he entered—
He felt it.
A gaze.
Watching him.
"…Hello?"
Akira called out calmly.
Soft footsteps echoed.
Then—
She appeared.
Tamayo.
Her presence was quiet.
Elegant.
Refined.
But beneath it—
Power.
Her eyes studied him carefully.
"…You are injured?" she asked softly.
Akira glanced down at his shoulder.
A small cut.
Not serious.
"…Just a minor one."
He didn't exaggerate.
Didn't pretend.
Tamayo stepped closer.
Her movements cautious—
But composed.
"…Sit."
Akira obeyed.
She cleaned the wound carefully.
Precise.
Gentle.
Her hands didn't tremble.
"…You should be more careful," she said quietly.
Akira smiled faintly.
"…I will."
From the side—
A voice interrupted.
"…He doesn't smell normal."
Akira turned slightly.
Yushiro.
His eyes sharp.
Suspicious.
"…Who are you?" Yushiro asked coldly.
Akira didn't react negatively.
"…Akira D. Kanahe."
He looked directly at them.
Calm.
Unafraid.
"You can call me Akira."
Tamayo observed him closely.
"…Akira."
She repeated his name softly.
"…I am Tamayo."
She gestured slightly.
"…And this is Yushiro."
Yushiro scoffed.
Looking away.
"…Hmph."
Akira didn't mind.
"…May I stay here for a while?" Akira asked calmly.
Yushiro frowned.
"…Why?"
Akira didn't hesitate.
"…Because this place is… quiet."
A pause.
Tamayo's eyes softened slightly.
"…Very well."
Yushiro clicked his tongue.
"…You're too trusting."
Tamayo smiled faintly.
"…I am cautious."
But her gaze remained on Akira.
"…You may rest."
She pointed toward a room.
Akira nodded.
"…Thank you."
Akira's Room
Akira entered quietly.
The room was simple.
Clean.
He sat down slowly.
"…Lucy."
[Yes, Host.]
"…Scan."
The Treasure Scanner activated.
A pulse spread outward.
Then—
It returned.
[High-value entity detected.]
[Location: Within building.]
Akira's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Confirmed."
Tamayo.
Then—
Another signal.
Faint.
Outside.
Far.
But—
Heavy.
Akira froze.
"…That presence…"
[Warning: Signal unstable.]
[Threat level: Unknown.]
Akira exhaled slowly.
"…Muzan."
Even without seeing him—
He knew.
That wasn't something ordinary.
"…So he's here."
For the first time—
Akira felt tension.
Not fear.
But awareness.
"…Good."
He leaned back.
"…This is getting interesting."
Morning
Akira woke up early.
The clinic was quiet.
He stepped out—
And saw Tamayo.
She was preparing something.
Akira raised his hand slightly.
"…Wait."
Tamayo looked at him.
Curious.
"…Let me cook."
A brief silence.
Yushiro frowned.
"…You?"
Akira nodded.
"…Just watch."
Tamayo stepped back slightly.
Allowing it.
Akira began.
His movements were smooth.
Effortless.
The scent—
Spread instantly.
Rich.
Warm.
Perfect.
Tamayo's eyes widened slightly.
"…This…"
Yushiro froze.
"…What is that smell?"
Akira didn't answer.
He finished.
Placed the food down.
"…Try it."
Tamayo hesitated.
Then—
She took a bite.
Her eyes widened.
For a moment—
She didn't speak.
"…This is… remarkable."
Yushiro stared.
"…No way…"
Akira smiled faintly.
"…It's nothing."
But inside—
He already knew.
(First step… complete.)
To Be Continued…