The darkness outside the cave was fading into dawn.
They walked a few steps before Kobeni suddenly stopped and turned back. "Himeno-senpai! Hoshino-kun said we can go home!"
Himeno didn't answer.
Hoshino said quietly, "Kobeni, I thought I explained this. Only two people can leave."
"Huh?"
"There are three of us, but only two can live. Or rather, only two people in Okura Village can survive. That's what the Contract states."
"W-what?! Then what about Himeno-senpai?!"
"She dies. What else can she do?"
Then he added, "Unless… you want her to live and leave me here to die?"
He opened his palm, revealing a small, pale fingertip—ghastly and cold.
According to the Contract, it could open the barrier for a short time—but only for two people.
"It's the key. Here, you choose."
"N-no, no, no, no!" Kobeni backed away, shaking her head like a rattle drum.
Hoshino closed his hand. "Relax. I was kidding. I'm not dying for anyone."
"…"
Kobeni lowered her head in silence. After a long pause, she whispered, "Can't we… fight our way out?"
"Not a chance."
"Then… why me?" Her voice was barely audible.
With a click, Hoshino shut his lighter.
Darkness returned, hiding his face just a few inches away.
"Because you're important to me."
"…"
"…"
Eh?
Kobeni blinked, barely making out his shadowed profile.
Eh?
Ehh—EHH?!
"How could he say something so… so shameless?!" she screamed internally. "Flirty! Awful! So awful!"
But why…
Why does that make me feel so good?!
Wait—does that mean…
Her cheeks burned. From her hair to her neck, her whole body felt like it was on fire.
Am I… am I just as flirty as him?!
How could this happen… I'm sorry, world…
Before she could spiral any further, a warm hand gently took hers.
After that, her memory blurred.
Everything was hazy. The next thing she knew, they were outside—the barrier behind them broken.
Night and dawn overlapped.
The mountain wind carried flakes of snow across their ears, waking the world from slumber.
"…We're out."
Hoshino dropped onto the snowy meadow, staring blankly at the horizon.
A red-gold line traced the mountain peaks. The light split the night like a sword, bathing half the valley in molten gold.
The border between dark and light passed over him. Sunshine and warmth spread through his body.
After a long silence, he finally muttered, "Time to get to work."
He stood, opened his backpack, and handed it to the still-staring Kobeni.
She peeked inside, eyes going wide. The bag was stuffed with wallets of every color.
"There's nine million, four hundred thirty thousand yen in there," Hoshino said. "Quit being a Devil Hunter. Find a decent private school and focus on college."
"N-nine million… for me? N-no, I can't—" Her words tangled as tears welled up.
"Half of it's mine. Just hold onto it for now. Withdraw the cash and destroy the wallets."
"D-destroy them?" she asked, confused.
"Yeah."
Hoshino zipped the bag shut. "Half that money came from enemies. The other half… from allies. Dead Devil Hunters, mostly."
Kobeni waved her hands frantically. "That's not okay! You have to turn it in—"
"The mission wasn't officially logged, so the spoils don't need to be reported."
"Then… then the part from our people should still be turned in."
"Tch. What, trying to defy me? I'm not turning anything in. I'm keeping it all!"
He grabbed her shoulders and leaned close, pretending to glare. "What, you don't wanna share my sins? You gonna let me bear them alone?"
"T-that's not right!" Kobeni turned her face away, cheeks glowing in the morning light.
Her lashes trembled. Then she suddenly looked up. "You're not going back to Tokyo? Wait—you are going back?"
Hoshino nodded. "Of course. I'll save them. This money's just compensation."
"It's too dangerous!"
"I'm going anyway."
The rising sun blazed in his eyes like fire.
"I have to."
"Then I'm coming with you!"
"No. I'd get distracted by your cuteness and end up dead."
"Ah! Don't say stuff like that!"
"Fine, fine. I'm not really going back to save people. Saving them's just a bonus."
"Then why—"
"Don't ask. When you get back, don't tell anyone you were ever in Okura Village. Just say you got lost before all this happened."
"That makes me sound like a total idiot."
Heh. Fools always speak the truth.
Hoshino smirked, his tone shifting to something more serious.
"Do what I told you. If I come back and find out you're still working as a Devil Hunter—or at some other crappy job—I'll lock you up and make you have ten kids."
"Wha—?! No way!"
Kobeni's face turned bright red, her entire neck flushing as she yanked free of his grip and bolted like a rabbit.
Under the blue sky, two crows soared side by side. Then, with a single cry, they parted and disappeared into the distant mist.
Hoshino turned, waved once, and walked down the curved hillside.
"Don't die!" she shouted after him.
"Main characters don't die!" he called back.