Tenshi woke to the steady hum of a car engine.
Soft morning light streamed through the tinted windows, warm enough that for a moment he thought he was still dreaming. But when he shifted, feeling the stiff police seat beneath him and the ache in his bones, he knew he wasn't.
He pushed himself upright slowly. His body felt heavy, drained, as if someone had wrung every bit of strength out of him. His mind blurred between reality and that strange garden—the thorned vines, the crystal roses, the voice calling his name.
Two officers sat in the front of the car. They spoke quietly, but Tenshi still heard parts of their shaken conversation.
"…vitals don't match any record…"
"…body regenerated… impossible…"
"…Tokyo HQ demanded immediate transport…"
Tenshi lowered his gaze. His hands were trembling.
His left hand—whole, perfect, as if it had never been cut off.
He swallowed hard.
"What's… happening to me?" he whispered, voice rough.
The male officer turned halfway in his seat, eyes uneasy.
"You're going to Tokyo. To the Devil Hunter Organization. They'll… figure you out."
Figure me out? Tenshi thought.
I don't even understand myself.
They drove for hours until the small towns disappeared behind the tall, glass-sided buildings of Tokyo. The city swallowed the sky. Everything felt too bright, too fast, too loud for someone like him.
When the van finally pulled to a stop, the doors opened to reveal a towering government structure—steel, glass, and shadows merging together. A bold sign beside the entrance read:
**JAPAN GOVERNMENT
DEVIL HUNTER ORGANIZATION
HEADQUARTERS – TOKYO**
Tenshi stared up at it, overwhelmed.
He had never seen anything like this.
Then he saw her.
A woman stood waiting at the entrance as if she had known exactly when the van would arrive. She looked young—maybe twenty—but her presence felt far more mature . Her short white hair shimmered faintly in the sunlight, framing a face too calm for a place like this. Her red eyes watched Tenshi with a steady, unreadable focus that made the air feel colder.
She wore a tailored gray suit, simple but perfect, and every officer around seemed to straighten the moment she stepped forward.
"You must be Tenshi," she said softly. Her voice carried a smooth authority, like she was used to being obeyed. "My name is Himari Saya. I oversee Division One."
Tenshi lowered his eyes. "Am… am I in trouble?"
Himari walked closer. Something about her movements was precise, almost graceful, but also calculating—as if she was examining a rare artifact rather than a boy.
"No," she said. "But the circumstances surrounding you are unusual. Until we understand what happened, you'll remain under my supervision."
Her tone wasn't harsh.
It wasn't comforting either.
It was something in-between—gentle enough to calm, firm enough to trap.
"You'll stay in our facility," Himari continued. "Your movements and daily schedule will be monitored. You'll answer all questions honestly. And you will report directly to me."
Tenshi nodded automatically.
Himari smiled faintly, almost kindly.
Almost.
"Good. Follow me."
She turned and walked into the building.
And Tenshi followed, because what else could he do?
The lobby was cold, polished, filled with whispering officers who stared at him like he was made of something dangerous. Tenshi kept his eyes on the floor, trying to steady his shaky breathing.
Himari's office felt strangely warm for a government building. Sunlight drifted across the floor, catching on the plants and books arranged neatly around the room. Tenshi sat on the small couch again, still unsure if he was allowed to relax.
Himari closed the door gently behind them and took her seat across from him.
"Let's talk a bit," she said lightly, pouring tea for them both. "Nothing formal. I just want to understand you."
Tenshi nodded quietly, holding the warm cup with both hands.
Himari's red eyes studied him for a moment.
"Tenshi… you fused with a devil."
The words were simple, soft — but they made his breath catch.
"A-A devil?" Tenshi repeated, voice trembling. "Inside me?"
"Yes," Himari said, tone calm, almost soothing. "It happens under rare circumstances. The details don't matter right now."
She didn't offer more.
She didn't explain the type.
She didn't explain the danger.
She didn't explain the power.
She simply let the idea sit inside his mind — unfinished, confusing, and easy to guide.
"You're not in trouble," she continued. "You didn't choose this. And you're safe here, under my division."
Tenshi lowered his gaze. "I… don't understand any of this."
"You don't need to," Himari replied gently. "Not yet."
She tilted her head slightly. "For now, I just need to know who you are."
She folded her hands neatly on her lap.
"Tenshi," she said, her voice softening, "what do you like to eat?"
"Huh?" He blinked. "What do I… like to eat?"
"Yes." Himari gave a small, warm smile. "Food. Snacks. Anything."
Tenshi hesitated. No one had asked him something so normal in a long time.
"I, uh… like shortcakes," he said quietly. "But… I haven't had one in years."
"Shortcakes," Himari repeated with interest. "Strawberry?"
He nodded shyly. "Y-Yeah."
She smiled again. "Good. I'll remember that."
Tenshi wasn't used to people remembering things for him.
"And what about hobbies?" she continued smoothly. "Or things you want to try?"
"Well…" Tenshi looked at his hands. "I used to imagine going to cafés. Or watching movies with people. Or… singing at karaoke. But I never actually did."
Himari listened, her expression soft.
"Those sound like good dreams," she said. "Maybe we can try some of them one day."
Tenshi blinked. "Really…?"
"If you behave, if you follow the rules," Himari said lightly, "then yes."
Her smile was gentle, but something in her tone felt like a leash being quietly placed around his neck.
She shifted the topic again, keeping everything light and harmless.
"Do you have any allergies?"
"No."
"Any foods you dislike?"
"Not really…"
"And your birthday?"
"September 12 at least that what I remember."
Himari nodded, committing every detail to memory.
"Good. Thank you for telling me."
She took a sip of her tea.
Then she leaned back and look at him with a calm, pleased expression — the kind someone might have when examining a rare, delicate treasure.
"Tenshi," she said softly, "you'll be staying here from now on. You'll have a room, meals, clothes, and supervision. If you ever need anything… anything at all… you come to me first."
"Okay…" Tenshi whispered.
She stood gracefully and opened the door.
"Let's get you settled," she said, her voice warm. "I want you to feel comfortable here."
Tenshi followed, still confused but oddly relieved.
He didn't notice the glimmer in Himari's red eyes as she watched him pass through the doorway.
She knew exactly what lived inside him.
She knew exactly how powerful it was.
But refus to tell him worried about what would happen.
Himari led Tenshi through another hallway, this one quieter than the rest. At the end stood a tall man waiting with his arms crossed. He wore a simple black jacket and dark pants, just like the uniformed officers around the building. His short black hair was neatly trimmed, and he had a sharp look in his eyes, like he was constantly evaluating everything in sight.
He glanced at Tenshi only once before looking away again.
"This is Asahi," Himari said, stopping between them. "He'll be your supervisor from today onward."
Asahi gave a short nod. "Tenshi, right?"
"Y-Yes…" Tenshi replied softly.
Asahi didn't smile.
He didn't seem like the type who ever did.
Himari continued, "You'll stay at his apartment for the time being. He'll make sure you follow all regulations and adjust to the facility."
Asahi sighed faintly but nodded again. "I'll explain the rules later."
Himari ignored his tone. She stepped closer to Tenshi, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"You'll be safe," she said softly. "Asahi is strict, but reliable."
Asahi looked away as if he didn't want to hear that.
Tenshi nodded. "Okay…"
Himari straightened, her red eyes lingering on Tenshi just a second too long.
"I'll check on you tomorrow. If you need anything tonight, call me."
Her voice was gentle, nearly warm.
Then she turned and left, heels echoing through the hallway.
The moment she disappeared, silence settled between Tenshi and Asahi like a thin wall of frost.
"…Let's go," Asahi said finally.
They walked out of the HQ building and into the evening air. The sky had already shifted to a pale blue-gray. Cars passed by, and the city lights slowly flickered on. Tenshi looked around, overwhelmed by the size of Tokyo, the noise, the crowds, the speed of everything.
Asahi didn't seem bothered. He walked with steady, confident steps, as if he knew every street by heart.
After a ten-minute walk, they arrived at a quiet apartment building tucked away from the main road. Nothing fancy, just clean and practical. Asahi unlocked a door on the third floor and stepped inside first.
"Come in," he said.
Tenshi followed.
The apartment was small but spotless.
Shoes lined up perfectly near the entrance.
The living room had a low table, a couch, and a single bright lamp.
The kitchen counter was empty, except for a neatly arranged dish rack.
No dust. No clutter.
Asahi glanced at Tenshi before speaking.
"First rule: keep everything clean. I don't care how you lived before—here, you respect the space."
His tone wasn't cruel. Just blunt.
Tenshi nodded quickly. "I will… I promise."
"Good." Asahi pointed toward a door. "That's your room. Bathroom's next to it. Don't leave your stuff lying around."
Tenshi peeked inside the small bedroom.
A simple bed, a desk, and a closet.
Clean sheets. A folded towel. A shirt and pants neatly placed on the chair.
He touched the fabric softly.
It had been so long since anyone prepared anything for him.
Asahi walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. "There's food if you're hungry. Nothing fancy."
Tenshi stepped into the living room awkwardly. "Um… do you mind if I sit?"
Asahi shrugged. "It's your place too now. Just don't spill anything."
Tenshi sat on the couch carefully, like it might break under him.
Asahi took a seat on the floor beside the low table, flipping through a small notebook.
For a while, they didn't speak.
Only the quiet hum of the fridge filled the room.
Eventually, Tenshi asked softly, "Do you… usually live alone?"
"Yes," Asahi said without looking up.
"Oh…"
Asahi sighed, closing the notebook. "Look, I'm not good with… new people. Just follow the rules, and we'll get along."
Tenshi nodded. "I'll try."
"Good."
After another moment of silence, Asahi stood and walked into the kitchen.
"You want something to drink?"
Tenshi blinked. "Uh… water is fine."
Asahi poured two glasses and set one in front of Tenshi.
A simple gesture, but somehow it made the room feel less heavy.
Later, Asahi turned on the small TV. A news program flickered on, filling the apartment with soft chatter. Tenshi watched quietly, curled slightly on the couch, feeling the warmth of the room settle around him.
Asahi glanced at him occasionally—
not hostile, not friendly,
just checking if Tenshi was still breathing.
"Get some sleep soon," Asahi said finally. "We wake up early."
Tenshi nodded. "Okay."
He stood and walked to his room, closing the door gently behind him.
The small room felt safe in a way he hadn't felt in years.
He lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
For a moment, everything was still.
No screams.
No pain.
No running.
Just the faint city noise outside.
As his eyes grew heavy, he whispered to himself:
"…Maybe tomorrow will be normal."
He fell asleep quickly, unaware that Asahi paused in the hallway, watching the closed door with a thoughtful, cautious expression.