Friday morning. Before Class.

"Celeste~~ come here for a moment." Kanae called out. It's irritating to the ears! He calls out like he's teasing me.

I approached him, forcing a smile. It's too obvious that that smile is fake. "What do you want, POS?" I asked with an irritated tone.

"POS?" He raised a brow.

"Yeah. 'Cause you're a POS OF SHOT." Zan butted in.

Half of the class laughed while others cowered in fear.

I am neutral. I could've laughed too but the joke is the real problem. I can only facepalm myself with the question "why did I befriend this Bad Comedian?" And why will I cower in fear? He was the one who wanted to form a contract with me. He's not a threat. Moreover, I am a threat to him.

"Oh? Am I now? Fascinating. Just wait when I mush you into one." He stood up from his seat wearing a scary glare, cracking his knuckles angrily. "Don't forget that I took her from you. You lost three times now, Co-me-di-an."

Zan was caught off-guard, defenseless and weak.

"Hey, hey, you already stopped? That's too bad. I wasn't finished yet. Soon, the whole world will laugh at your pathetic life. Wouldn't you like that? The whole world will see your big joke!" He further irritated him. "Come on, why don't you say something back to my face?" He pushed him. "Come on." He pushed him again. "Come on." And again. "Come on." And again.

Zan got tired of Kanae's pushing so he grabbed his arm when he tries to push again and with his free hand, punched Kanae on the face.

Kanae was about to retaliate but I stood in the middle.

"Stop it. Class is about to start."

The two of them hung their head. With this chance, I slapped them simultaneously.

"You fucking morons!! Why do you always fight?!!" I yelled out with the same power as when I slapped them. I turned to Karma. "You!" I pointed. "You won thrice, aren't you contented?!" I turned to Zan. "And you!" I pointed. "You lost thrice, isn't that enough?! Don't butt in if you know that he's going to get you!" I backed away a little, crossing my arms. "APOLOGIZE!"

"I'm sorry... Celeste." They whispered.

"To each other, you dumbasses!" I slapped them again.

"Sorry, you piece of shit, for telling the truth of how you are a piece of shit."

"Sorry, Loser, for being such a winner."

I heaved a heavy sigh. "Close enough." I sloppily sat down on my seat and buried my head under my arms.

As soon as I did, the bell rang. What a luck! I didn't even have a small amount of time to rest after reprimanding the two.

•

1st Period...

"Celeste, Kanae and Zan are fighting again! Come quick!"

2nd Period...

"Ms. Auden, Kanae and Zan are fighting again! Stop them!"

On and on and on and on and on...

"Celeste,"
"Auden,"
"Rich Kid,"
"Miss,"
"Madam Auden,"

"Kanae and Zan are--"

•

Dismissal.

I'm tired of this! I should just go to my locker and throw some things in there so that it will become cleaner.

As I went to my locker, I sense people trying to sneak up on me. I looked behind to check but the moment I did, a large sack covered my face. It covered my vision but I can still sense them. I couldn't even breathe in here!

Taking advantage of my strength and little time, I decided to go all out on them.

I kicked the guy in front of me and the ones on the sides. There are still more, the ones behind the guy in front and on the sides.

I couldn't handle much longer.

I knelt down in exhaustion, breathing through my mouth.

"So you gave up, eh? That's what you get for fighting while you can't see and breathe." The guy in front said.

The two guys on the sides held my arms. I can't kick them because I'm kneeling, or even stand up, because they're holding my arms down. I am now vulnerable.

The guy in front raised his metal bat and was about to hit me but he suddenly fell down to his knees. It seems like he had passed out.

Someone else is removing the sack from me as someone is fighting the guys attacking me.

As the sack covering me was removed, I was about to take in most of the "fresh air" when a gas mask was quickly inserted before I even had the chance to inhale.

"What the hell!" I complained, turning to that person behind me, fixing the gas mask.

"For the smoke." He replied.

Then, like waiting for its cue, there was a smoke bomb discharged at school. I assumed Zan was pulling me away from that smoke.

The smoke cleared away, revealing strong muscular unconscious bodies laying on top of one another. There were 6 of them, and they were all defeated in an instant...

I removed my gas mask and Zan did the same. The one who was alive, emerging from the smoke was none other than...

"Good job, Kanae." Zan praises. Wait-- praises?!

"You too, Zante." He did the same?!

"What has gotten into you two?! Were you brainwashed?" I approached them and examined the two of them thoroughly. Before I could finish, Zan grabbed me by the waist and gently put me down.

They simultaneously pat my head gently and warmly, one hand for each side.

"Good job too, Miss." They said.

"Ok seriously, what has gotten into the two of you?" I blankly asked. I can't get over how the two of them drastically changed.

"Come out now. We can see you." Kanae ignored my serious question and continued on with their own businesses.

From the corner of the wall emerged a classmate of mine. The teacher's favorite, particularly Ms. Sabin's, and the arrogant girl in class-- none other than Veronica Star.

She was reluctantly stepping out. With her head hung, her gaze fixed at the ground, her hands intertwined with each other, it was a satisfying thing to see.

Kanae approached her with a terrifying glare. "Try doing that again." He threatened.

Veronica simply shyly glared back at him and ran away. I swear, small tears welled up in her eyes as I saw her running.

"You're safe now, Familiar." I just stared at them dumbfounded. "What's wrong?" He curiously asked.

How am I going to answer that? I don't know why but I wasn't moving. I just stared into space.

Zan poked my shoulder, thinking that it will snap me back into reality.

As I felt his touch, I unconsciously grab his arm and twist it. He panicked, immediately backing away before I do anything else.

I was surprised at myself for doing such an act.

Why am I acting like this?

I sensed a thug move from behind me. He was on top of everyone else, and instinctually, I grabbed him by the collar and slammed his head on the locker. He was still alive... So I kicked him repeatedly. When he passed out again, I cannot lose an opportunity like this, I thought. So I took out my spear and happily stabbed them all at once.

I faced the two of my friends and smiled brightly.

They stared at me emotionlessly. "I want to go home. Bye." I waved, walking towards the school exit.

------

"I know why she calls me interesting now." Kanae blurted out of nowhere.

"Really? She called you that?" Zan asked, thinking that it was ridiculous for Celeste to say that Kanae is interesting.

"Yeah. That's the reason why I like her...when she appreciated my determination and plans when I was assassinating her." He answered, putting his arms behind his head lazily. "She called me interesting because of how I exhibit devil-like personalities even though I'm a human. To be honest, she's more interesting. She's a demon but sometimes exhibit human-like personalities. The way how she stared into space for a while may be because her demon instincts are reminding her how she's still basically a demon."

"You may be right..." Zan stared at the ground, thinking about it deeply.

"You know, you should stop hanging out with her."

"What? Why? I thought we already settled this."

"We did. But the conflict between her and Joan aren't settled yet. Joan wants you for herself so she told me to help her. She helped me by providing me informations about Celeste and how to properly assassinate her and make her my familiar, while I command her to stay away from you so she can take the spotlight."

"But you didn't command her, did you?" Zan panicked.

"Not yet." Kanae took out his phone, showing Celeste's phone number from his contacts. "But I can in a single call. Joan gave me her number."

"You two shouldn't work together!" Zan complained.

"Well sorry that we are." Kanae coolly shoved his phone in his pocket, also placing his hands in. "If I command her, she'll just feel bad for you since she couldn't touch you. However, if you distance yourself from her, she'll feel less bad but she will think about revenge. You don't mind the second option, do you?" He asks, not turning to face Zan.

"No..." He simply answered.

"Hmph. As expected." Kanae smirked.

------

Saturday.

My phone unexpectedly rings in the morning. It's really unexpected since no one calls me in the morning, not even Zan.

But still, I decided to pick up since if it's some stranger, I should keep it formal.

"Hello?" I started.

"Ah, it really is your number!" I heard a familiar voice in the other line.

I was silent for a few seconds before trying to put up a convincing facade.

"Who is this?" I asked.

"You already forgot your Master's voice? What a useless familiar." He mocked. It was obvious that he was making fun of me.

Irritated, I hung up.

After a few minutes, my phone rang again.

I angrily picked it up, planning to shout at his ear.

"I'm at your house."

That sentence made my actions stop. My mind stopped working, my body was frozen in place. I stared into empty space...

It was like yesterday.

At that moment, I now realized why. His actions are more devilish than mine. My instincts are treating it as a challenge of who is more evil. My body stops and then snaps into a more demon-like one-- being cautious and sadistic.

"Hello? Celeste? Are you still there?"

I hung up, not knowing what to answer.

I immediately closed and locked all windows and doors in an instant and returned in my room. I climbed up my bed in a fetal position and waited for something to happen...

My phone rang again and I quickly picked it up.

"Is something wrong, Celeste? Why is your house all boarded up?" I couldn't answer a thing. My demon instincts wouldn't let me. "Oh, never mind."

I was confused. Does he want to walk away?

A few seconds later, my window was smashed. The culprit then stands before me in a casual manner.

"I like it how there's a tree near your bedroom window." He commented, pointing at the tree just outside my window. "Tell me why your house is boarded up."

I didn't move an inch.

"Don't defy your Master. Come on, answer me." He slowly approaches me, trying to make me answer.

"Because I don't want you to go near me..."

He stopped at his steps and stared at me with wide eyes. "Why?" He asked. It seems like he was reluctant asking me this since it seems like he's breaking but still, he did.

"Your bloodlust and devil-like actions overwhelms mine. My demon instincts are thinking it as a challenge so when I go near you or witness your devil-like actions, I snap into the devil beyond my own standards!"

"So that time..."

"Yes. I snapped."

"Hmm... Then how about this:" he started, holding his chin. "How about that every time I'll exhibit these actions, I'll tell you to cover your eyes. Ok?" He tilted his head with a smile.

I was still in doubt so I didn't respond well.

I glanced on the side, thinking about it deeply.

Suddenly, I didn't notice his quick act to hug me. I don't know for what purpose....but I think it's to distract me from my own instincts. He feels soft and warm that he doesn't feel like a challenge to my instincts anymore.

I reverted back to normal.

I feel safe and secured around him. I closed my eyes as I felt the warmth of his body transfer to mine...

"That was a way to calm your bloodlust-- err-- instincts down."

"I see... It worked." I looked at myself. There was no blood or any sign of violence. I simply secluded myself while Kanae infiltrated my bedroom. Right. I wonder why I still haven't killed this kid. "So uhh... What do you want to tell me? Why do you want to go to my house?"

"I'll show you something. Come on, we're leaving now!" He hastily answered, grabbing my arm and pulling me around.

We exited the same way he entered. I was scared the whole time but he kept me safe, even though I'm behind him. His hand grabbing my arm...it wasn't just because he recklessly wants to tag me along. It was to keep me safe while recklessly wanting to tag me along.

On the way, we met some bullies. I don't know if this was to be expected or not.

"Don't get in our way, misters." Kanae held his chin high. "Celeste, close your eyes."

"My, my, what's this? Don't want your girlfriend to witness you fighting. That's unfair, right?" A bully walked up to me and held my chin high. I was uncomfortable and tried to attack him because of it but he was holding my arms. I can't get rid of his grip!

While this one is keeping my eyes open, the other two fight Kanae. It was obvious that he's holding back his strength since I'm watching and making it look like he's trying to be weak. But still...even though he's holding back, he was able to beat down the two bullies in a minute.

"So, mister, hands off of her?" He threatened...

The bully immediately ran away. Kanae grabbed my arm again excitedly. "Come on, let's go, let's go!"

I sighed to get rid of my instincts trying to kick in again. "Yes, yes."

•

After some running and walking around, we met a café.

"You haven't had any breakfast yet, right?" He glanced at me.

"Right....because you abducted me from my boarded up house."

"So, what do you want to eat?"

"Scrambled egg with toast." I read, pointing at the pictures on the menu. "I'll also have chai tea and red wine."

"Ok. Then, I'll have bacon and egg sandwich and coffee. Waiter!"

As he tells the waiter our order, I stopped listening to him and glanced at the window next to us.

I saw an image flash before my eyes... Zan is with some prostitutes even though he looks like 10. By that spot, not far away from this café, is Zan being wrapped around some prostitutes' arms. Even though it's disgusting, I continued to watch.

Right until the point where they try and undress him, removing his hoodie first....

"Celeste?" Kanae attempted to snap me back in reality.

He was successful on doing so because when he called me out, that empty space that I've been watching is back to empty...

"A-ahh..." I stuttered. Not knowing what to explain, I slammed my head on the table to cool myself down.

•

A few minutes later, the waiter arrived with our orders.

"Excuse me." I called out.

"Yes?"

"How old are you?"

Both Kanae and the waiter were startled when I suddenly asked him.

"I-I'm 30. Why?"

"Was there a pub or some stripper club at that spot before?" I pointed outside the café, aiming accurately to an empty spot that I saw the image flash before my eyes.

"N-no... I haven't seen one before..."

"Thank you anyway." I dismissed him with disappointment.

"What's wrong, Celeste? Why did you suddenly asked that guy that kind of question?" Kanae seems worried...but carefree at the same time while he chomps on the toast.

"Oh, nothing... Probably my imagination..." I chomped on my toast.

"Oh~~ so you were imagining some kind of stuff, eh? How lewd~~" there he is with his teasing.

"I'm not involved in it! And even if I were lewd, it's to seduce men so I can eat their souls. After all, I'm a demon, remember?" I protested. "Anyway, there's someone I know that was involved in those kinds of things...so I was led to ask that. Since he said that he's older than me, maybe that 30 year old waiter can help me, I thought. Hey, how long was 1623?"

"Hmm... 393 years ago."

"Ok, so let's ask a 393 year old human."

"I don't think there's a 393 year old human that's still alive."

"Then I'll raise him from the dead." I blankly answered, finishing off my toast.

"Right. Demon." Kanae sips on his cup of coffee.

"Are there any more places you'd like to show me around?" I sip on my chai tea.

"In fact, there is. But, let's just save that for tomorrow. I'll invite a couple of friends too."

"Why tomorrow? Why not now?"

"Because knowing if there was a pub or stripper club on that empty space is important to you, why not just go with that? After all, I have my own schedule."

I haven't felt someone prioritizing me more than himself until now...

I buried my face from blushing by sipping the chai tea.

Is Zan prioritizing me more than himself? I wonder... He saved me multiple times, holding grudges towards my enemies, and much more that includes sacrificing himself but...was there a time where he would directly show it?

That image just now... I know that that wasn't an imagination from the doubts on my mind about him. He was telling the truth when he said he's older than me. I'm just 130 years old and he's 393 years old...

It's not like he isn't prioritizing me. He still does but it looks like it was...a little bit forced... Using "friend" as an excuse. I wonder why... Does he pity me? Does he
really like me or it's just some fake and forced like?

I wiped my mouth off and drank the red wine in one gulp.

"Let's go to the cemetery." I slammed the wine glass.

"Check please." Kanae raised his hand to catch the waiter's attention. Of course, he paid.

"You owe me, Miss."

"There's no way I had time to get my wallet when you hastily just abducted me!"

"Never mind then~~" he hummed, covering my mouth to avoid misleading stories and rumors.

After Kanae paid, we headed off.

Kanae is in front of me, as usual, and leads me to the nearest to farthest cemeteries in this place.

"You still owe me though."

"Yes, yes. I'll pay you back later."

"Here, my address." Kanae handed me a piece of paper with hard to read combinations of letters and numbers.

I'm sure that giving this to Sebastian and letting him drive me here is easy. I shoved the piece of paper in my pocket and continued to follow Kanae behind.

"Here's the first cemetery." He presented.

I wasn't expecting this kind of cemetery. I look forward to a more black than white and grey.

It looks typical.

I walked towards all the corpses until one caught my eye... It's just the first cemetery but I saw someone that lives in 1620! Lucky~~

"Death: old age"

Perfect!

I stab my spear in the coffin. After a few seconds, limbs started to emerge from the ground. No, not limbs. It was more like a bone...skeleton, yeah, that's it!

"Hmm... Maybe I forgot something..." I think about it deeply and finally came up with an answer. I should reverse his life! Gosh, I'm so stupid. Haha. I snapped my fingers and he was reverted back to being a reckless teenager. "Yo, this is 2016. Let me just ask you something real quick and then I'll kill you again. Capiche?"

"No..."

I groaned then gave him the ability to understand and speak modern language.

"Follow me, I'll ask you something." I was about to reach out for his arm but Kanae slapped my hand away.

"He's a total stranger. Don't go on trying to be familiar with him."

"Right..." I retracted my hand.

I followed Kanae behind while the stranger followed behind me. I tried numerous times to hold back from holding his arm to guide him better.

Kanae suddenly stopped his steps at an empty space. I was spacing out until I saw the café we visited earlier. That time, I snapped back and remembered that this is my objective.

"So, do you remember a pub or stripper club right around here?"

"Yes. A stripper club. The one man who steals all the prostitutes...is only 10 years old. I forgot his name and looks but feeling overwhelmed, I stopped coming to this stripper club so I don't remember what happened to him next."

"I knew it... Back to the dead for you!" I snapped my fingers and he immediately went back to his coffin, all boney and dead.

"What do you mean you knew it?"

"It wasn't an imagination. I saw Zan, 10 years old...and it was disgusting!"

"Ironic, hearing from a demon who seduces men to eat their souls as food."

"It's a complete different story!" I protested. I cleared my throat, regaining my composure. "Thanks for keeping me company. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sure. I'll pick you up." He smiled, waving at me.

"By 'pick up', you mean 'abduct', right?"

"Probably, if your house is still boarded up." He put up a thumbs up.

I sighed in defeat. "Right."

"Oh, and don't forget your debt, ok~~??" He mentioned in a devilish tone.

"Yes, yes."

He glanced on my sides and suddenly proposed. "Want me to walk you home?"

I glanced on my sides too, but I don't sense any danger around. "Ah, no, I can walk by myself."

He smiled. It wasn't because he was condescending me, it was because he trusts me. "Suit yourself." He pats my head and walked to the opposite direction from my house.

I walked towards the direction of my house without uttering a proper goodbye to Kanae.

•

Halfway there, and I was subdued by some men with something on a napkin. By then, I didn't have enough time to react, I didn't have enough time to escape.

It was in this moment that I knew that I'm screwed.

------

"Kanae, Celeste is being kidnapped."

"Follow the vehicle. I'll catch up in a minute."

"Roger."

Zan followed Kanae's command. The only communicating device they're holding are none other than their phones.

He continued to follow the white van where Celeste is until he saw a grand house.

"No way!"

He stealthily continued to follow the kidnappers.

They ended up in a basement. A guy who looks like he has complete power over everything sat in front and says something. Zan wasn't able to figure out what.

Afterwards, they shove the unconscious Celeste in an underground chamber, just below the basement.

Zan waited until the kidnappers decided to take a break.

"Kanae... Where are you right now?"

•

After some time, Kanae finally reached the place and immediately saw Zan standing by the small window of the basement.

"What does it feel like encountering an invisible wall between you guys?" Kanae decided to tease first as an appetizer.

"Just shut up and infiltrate this house!" Zan yelled at him. Unfortunately, Kanae wasn't actually listening. "The kidnappers are almost done with their break!"

"What are you blabbing about, Loser Comedian?" Kanae furrowed his eyebrows. He non-hesitantly kicked the window, creating a loud noise that caught a lot of attention. "Help me with your own abilities."

Zan sighed in defeat. Kanae was just too much to handle. "Roger that." He lazily responded.

Kanae jumped inside and ran towards the underground chamber, avoiding the sight of the workers.

This is a work of an assassin, Zan thought.

When he felt like it was safe, Zan jumped too and followed behind without being seen by either Celeste or the workers.

He and Kanae were surprised by what was in front of them-- the boss, who holds a blindfolded Celeste by her long brown hair.

Zan gritted his teeth and his eyes glowed bright blue. He was about to protest, opening his mouth wide.

"So what? Gonna give her to me or what? After all, she's no use to you, is she?" Kanae instead calmly stated, shocking him. Even in this situation, he's still calm!

"I'm merely using her as a hostage. Once her parents pay up, I'll give her to you." The boss stated.

"I see. So you're scared of handing her to me. What, you're just a coward good-for-nothing poor boss?" Kanae mocked.

"Hmph. Beat him down." The boss ordered.

------

What is happening? Why can't I see anything? Is this my first kidnap? This should be interesting.

"Hmph. Beat him down." An old guy ordered. He was holding me by the hair. It fucking hurts if he doesn't know yet!

I couldn't do a single thing. It feels like I'm helpless, I'm immobile, I'm vulnerable...AGAIN!

These guys surely know their jobs.

I heard beating, violence, though I don't know what's happening.

I was dropped with no reason. After that, I guess that the kidnappers have the upper hand.

I can hear Kanae's voice, not giving up no matter how strong his opponents are.

I can hear his inner voice saying "help." But it isn't addressed to anyone. I believe it was because that I'm his familiar that I can hear his voice when he needed help. I should come and rescue him when that's the time. After all, I don't exactly know where I am. He might've gone to this place just to save me. I want to return the favor. I don't want to owe him more.

I can hear him spurting blood. My, how careless he has been.

I think it's my turn to shine.

"B-boss! The girl's moving!" One kidnapper panicked.

The old guy grabbed my head and raised me high.

"Stop being so stubborn, little girl. We won't hurt you or your family if you just sit down quietly."

I already snapped when he mentioned "family". I quickly twisted his arm and threw him.

"I don't give a damn about my own life, nevertheless my family's."

I took out my spear and stabbed him in the chest.

I faced the kidnappers. Two were holding him off and one was beating Kanae to death.

I ripped off the piece of cloth that's covering my eyes and glared at them.

"Hands off my Master."

In a spin, I was able to blow them off-guard. I summoned spears identical to mine and motioned my finger to attack. Each and every one of them were stabbed twice or more.

I snapped back when all of them were dead, and kneeled in exhaustion.

"Kanae!" I called out.

"Don't worry, Celeste. There are no fatal injuries." He assured me, standing up with no problems.

"Then why were you asking for help?!"

"Oh, so you heard?"

I approached him and swept my finger from his mouth and tasted it. "Tomato juice?"

"I drank it on the way."

"And why aren't you fatally injured?"

He looked up, a broken part of the ceiling that acts like a door-- an exit and an entrance.

"Someone is helping me." He says like it was distant. I guess someone is helping him by that big hole.

I didn't bother to ask. Maybe it's a friend of his and I don't know how to interact with him.

"Alright. Let's go."

Not long afterwards, we exited the grand house.

Suddenly, I had a weird feeling.

"Do you know where Zan is? Usually, he's the one who always finds me when I'm in trouble."

"Hm? How?" He asked with his hands behind his head.

"I don't know."

Kanae looked around. "Want me to take you home?"

I giggled. "Whatever you say, you POS."

"You're calling your Master a piece of shit? The one that you tried to save and the one that tried to save you?" He then took out a recorder and played it back.

"Hands off my Master."

I tried taking it away from him but I couldn't since he's taller.

"Since when did you have that?!"

"I brought it with me. I was initially going to frame that old guy but this is better~~"

"Why you--!!!"

He continued to laugh as I continue to try and snatch the recorder from him. This fucking piece of shit!!!

------

I feel bad for myself. I can't touch her, let alone be together with her. This invisible wall is driving me crazy!

Well, I hope it's for the best.

I heaved a heavy sigh.

"Don't worry King, I'll still fulfill my promise..." I looked up to the heavens as I talked to myself.

How can I act as a substitute father for her if I can't even go near her? I guess this is what he feels.

I wonder what else will happen from now on...