Oga's Last Attempt
Morning broke in Ishiyama City.
Oga Tatsumi dragged his feet down the street, Beel strapped crudely to his back with a towel. Furuichi followed at a distance, clutching his head in despair.
"This is insane," Furuichi muttered. "Completely insane. Why are we still pretending this is normal?!"
"Shut it," Oga grumbled. "Today's the day. I'm gonna get rid of him for good."
"Again?! You said that yesterday!"
"And today I mean it." Oga's eyes gleamed with determination. "All I need is someone dumber, stronger, and meaner than me. The brat'll like them better, then I'm free."
From behind, Kogen's calm voice slipped into the air, smooth as velvet.
"Oh, Tatsumi. How cruel you sound. Talking of abandoning your own child in front of him."
Oga stiffened. "Don't sneak up like that!"
Kogen walked alongside them, parasol resting delicately on his shoulder. His smile was soft, but his eyes glinted with dangerous amusement.
Beel immediately squealed, stretching his tiny arms toward Kogen.
"B-Ba!"
Kogen scooped him up effortlessly. "Good morning, my little prince." He pressed a kiss to Beel's forehead, and the baby melted in delight.
Oga's vein popped. "Oi! Don't hog him!"
"Why, Tatsumi," Kogen said sweetly, "you sound... jealous."
"LIKE HELL I AM!"
Furuichi whispered under his breath: "You so are."
Rejected Again
Their first attempt came quickly. Oga shoved Beel toward a towering delinquent covered in tattoos.
"Here. You're big, scary, and probably don't shower. Perfect parent material."
The delinquent blinked. "Eh? Wha—"
Beel stared for two seconds... then burst into tears.
Lightning exploded, frying the delinquent to a crisp. He collapsed, twitching.
Oga groaned. "Not again..."
Kogen simply rocked Beel in his arms, smiling serenely while chaos erupted. "There, there. Mother's here."
The crying stopped instantly.
Everyone stared.
"...The hell is that sorcery?" Oga muttered.
Kogen tilted his head, lashes fluttering. "It's called love. You might try it sometime."
Furuichi muttered: "Oga knowing love? That'll be the day."
The Maid's Challenge
Later, in a secluded lot behind the school, Hildegarde stood with her parasol planted in the dirt.
"You are unsuited, Oga Tatsumi," she said coldly. "The Young Master requires a protector capable of both nurturing and destruction. If you are truly chosen, then prove it."
With a snap of her fingers, dozens of rough-looking delinquents stumbled into the lot. Gang members, rivals, thugs — all glaring at Oga.
Oga's grin widened. "Now this... this I can work with."
Furuichi paled. "Wait, this is insane! Hilda, you can't just throw a gang war at him!"
Kogen, seated elegantly on a broken crate, stroked Beel's hair. His smile never faltered. "Let him try. It will be... educational."
Fight for Parenthood
The first thug charged. Oga's fist smashed into his jaw, sending him flying into a wall.
The second swung a pipe. Oga ducked, headbutting him into the dirt.
One after another, they fell.
But as the fight grew heated, Beel started crying again — frightened by the chaos. Sparks built, rattling the air.
"OI, SHUT IT, BRAT!" Oga roared mid-punch. "I'M BUSY HERE!"
The sparks grew worse. His own fists began shocking him.
Kogen's melodic voice floated over the noise. "He doesn't cry because you fight, Tatsumi. He cries because you fight without him."
Oga froze mid-swing. "...What?"
Beel reached toward him, wailing, wanting to be held.
Oga growled, scooped him up in one arm, and slammed another thug with the other. "There! You happy now?!"
Beel giggled through his tears, sparking less.
And for the first time, Oga realized he could fight with Beel clinging to him. Punch after punch, the baby laughed at each impact, as if it were a game.
The storm calmed.
The thugs were broken.
And Beel nestled into Oga's chest, smiling.
The Smile of the Mother
Silence fell. Oga panted, bloodied but unbroken.
Beel was asleep in his arms, sparks gone, peaceful.
Kogen rose gracefully, approaching. His steps were soft, but each one carried an aura that made even the remaining thugs shiver.
He leaned close, his smile beautiful, chilling, unreadable.
"My, my... You were magnificent, Tatsumi. Truly." His voice was silk with hidden blades. "Perhaps not elegant, but... effective."
Oga scowled. "Don't talk like I'm your damn apprentice."
Kogen chuckled. "No. Not apprentice." His eyes softened briefly, unsettling in their warmth. "Parent."
The word hung heavy.
Oga opened his mouth to argue — then stopped when Beel's tiny hand gripped his shirt, refusing to let go even in sleep.
The Demon's Verdict
Hilda closed her parasol with a snap. "So be it. You pass. Reluctant though you may be, you are bound. The Young Master has chosen."
Oga groaned. "Don't I get a say?!"
Kogen smiled sweetly, leaning in close, his voice almost a whisper against Oga's ear.
"You may try to run. You may curse, and you may fight. But a bond written in blood and lightning cannot be denied. You are his, Tatsumi. As much as he is yours."
Oga shivered despite himself.
Beel snored softly, still clutching him.
Furuichi fainted again.
And the family from hell was sealed.