Somewhere in your mind you still weren't sure why you had been assigned to this mission. Six people are more than enough for this sorta job even if a tough devil is involved so why are you here... You could be sleeping damnit! Power and Denji of course were causing a commotion as expected only to be silenced by the promise of gum from Aki. You were more sophisticated than a simple piece of gum, thus there was no incentive to act out. Heh, your vocabulary is starting to sound super fancy! Aki, Power, and Denji were already a part of the job, but the three newcomers were rather interesting. Well, two plus the girl from that last time. 

The girl with the beauty marks that caused you severe bleeding was nervously shifting from foot to foot, desperately trying to blend into the background. Her name was like... Ko... Ko... Koko? Next to her was a large guy. He didn't seem especially special. He had spiky black hair and a scar on his face but eh that's kind of needed in this sort of job. The third woman seemed older than the two. She had a mature allure to her form much like Makima processed but... she seemed more playful than the scary redheaded woman. Her dark hair barely reached her shoulders but the most interesting aspect of her was the eyepatch over her right eye. You wanted to ask how she got it but even in your learning state of human interaction you had a hunch, it would not be good to ask. Your people watching was interrupted as the guy started speaking.

Spiky Hair Guy: Mr. Hayakawa, as people who are supposed to fight together against a devil... Is it really okay to be trusting our backs to them? One's a devilman, and the other... the other is some little punk... And that guy!

He suddenly twisted to point at you. Whatever you were didn't seem to really care but the human intuition you had picked up recently wanted to snap his finger in half. Or was that the devil half? Eh.

Spiky Hair guy: I don't even know what that guy is with that weird crevice in his face. I just can't trust them.

Aki began to speak softly. He was firm and to the point with how quickly he was willing to kill the three of you. Relationships did seem a bit fickle when you are threatening to kill the other. Did Aki really feel this way? Sure you were annoying and cost him a fortune in cheese and cat-related expenses but come on... 

Power: Aren't you just treating us like animals?

Aki: You three don't have any human rights!

You couldn't help but gulp at the statement. Not out of fear but a growing resentment. You hoped somewhere deep inside that Aki was putting on fabrication for the other humans here but you were also frustrated. How could-

Denji: He's really mad. Probably cause of this morning.

Power: That was a pretty bad prank...

Aki: That was not a goddamn prank! I'll fucking kill you!

(Y/n): Wait what?

Power took the chance to jump behind you climbing onto your back to rest her head on her shoulder before thrusting you forward a few steps.

Power: It was all (Y/n)'s idea!

(Y/n): The hell it was?! I was sleeping this morning! I'm still not recovered from that bat fight!

Denji: Yeah! We almost died cause of that bat, and we're already getting dragged back into work! Where's our reward?!

This time it was the mysterious eyepatch girl that stepped up to the plate. She threw her arms up and winked her eye. Or was that a blink? 

Eyepatch Girl: Alright I'll pitch in too! I'll give whoever kills the devil this time... A kiss on the cheek!

Denji: Eh?!

Spiky Hair Guy: EHHH?!

(Y/n): A-A-A-A kiss?!

Denji and the guy with the spiky hair seemed flustered by the offer. You couldn't help but feel a warmth come to your face too. You had learned about kissing rather recently from a book Aki picked up that had pictures in it. It seemed like a rather private affair though so to offer it so openly... Plus, isn't it weird that this is the second time you've been offered an award involving someone's body? 

Eyepatch Girl: What about you?

(Y/n): H-Huh?

The girl approached you now. Now up close you could take in her fair skin much more closely. Your eyes drank in her features from her obsidian-colored locks to the similar colored cloth patch over her right eye. Her left eye was a lovely forest green-like color. The smile upon her face seemed slapped on to shield something inside but you are a simple man. Even a simple simile can draw you in.

Eyepatch Girl: Do you want a kiss too?

(Y/n): I... I don't think so. Kissing seems like something special compared to touching breasts or something.

Eyepatch Girl: Oh ho~ So that's what you want? I suppose I can let you cope a feel if you kill the devil!

(Y/n): Wha?! Don't say that sorta thing out loud!

Eyepatch Girl: So what do you say?

She lifted her right hand and allowed her pointer finger to gracefully trace the crevice in your face. It felt strange. Power was rough, Makima was seductive, and the Ko girl had been nervous, but this woman's touch was... strange. 

Power: Eh?! You wanna touch her body but not mine?!

(Y/n): I never said I wanted to touch anybody's body!

Eyepatch Girl: Eh? Am I really so unattractive...? Is it because of my eyepatch?!

(Y/n): W-Wait not that's not it! I think you're beautiful! A-And I'm sure your body is too!

Eyepatch Girl: So you accept~?

The girl's face pulled into a smile with a faint blush. Everything seemed to be just breaking down as Power tried to assault you for your apparent lack of interest in her body, the spiky-haired guy tried to convince the girl that you were some sorta monster, and Aki did his best not to kill everyone gathered around him. Order was eventually restored and the seven of you marched into the hotel to clear it of its danger. All the while you tried to figure out how you got wrapped up in this scenario.

The interior of the hotel didn't seem special in any regard. Simple colored walls with doors leading to the rooms the guests would have stayed in. The group was loosely clinging together as the Spiky guy and Denji rushed off in the hopes of rewards while you, Aki, Eyepatch, Power, and Koko stayed relatively close. 

Eyepatch Girl: Teasing boys is the best!

Now that you think about it... Isn't it a bit rude to just call somebody eyepatch? So you gathered your courage and began walking next to the woman, acutely aware of Aki waking right behind the two of you.

Eyepatch Girl: Oh? Hello again. Admiring the goods?

(Y/n): I... Well... Wait no I mean! Hah... I wanted to know your name.

Eyepatch Girl: Really? That's some privileged info you know. 

(Y/n): Still, I think it would be better to know your name for the sake of team effectiveness.

The woman took a moment to ponder your words. Her eyes looked you up and down before her serious face cracked into a smile.

Himeno: You can call me Himeno. Hope that sates your curiosity! You weren't calling me "Eyepatch" in your mind, were you?

(Y/n): ... no... 

Himeno chuckled softly as the two of you continued down the large corridor. Leaning against your shoulder suddenly she spoke once more.

Himeno: The girl there is Kobeni Higashiyama and the guy with the spiky hair is Arai, just so you know for your "team effectiveness". So for this effectiveness of yours, I will need your name too, Mr. Curious boy~

(Y/n): I-It's (Y/n) (L/n)...

She clearly got something out of teasing you. Then again she did say earlier that she liked teasing boys. So rather than continuing to be teased, you took the chance to escape quietly by moving forward to walk in step with the skittish girl you met before.

(Y/n): Hello Kobeni!

Kobeni: Weh?!

The girl seemed to have a gentle heart attack as she quickly looked at you in panic.

(Y/n): Ah I'm sorry you probably don't remember me.

Kobeni: A-Ah no! you were the guy with the blood and bones and stuff...

(Y/n): Well I'm glad you somewhat remember... my name is (Y/n) (L/n).

Kobeni: Nice to um... see you again.

(Y/n): You as well.

The two of you walked in awkward silence as you took side glances at Power next to you who seemed to ignore the two of you in favor of muttering about needing a drink of blood. Kobeni was still like herself just as you met her last time. You did mentally thank Himeno for reminding you of her name. That would have been a bit embarrassing...

(Y/n): I'm all healed up from my last fight. Still sore in some places but I'm good to go. 

Kobeni: That's good to hear.

(Y/n): So don't worry about anything cause I'll do my best to keep us safe.

Those words seemed to calm the girl down a bit. Not much as she was still twitchy and fidgeting but it was an improvement.

Kobeni: T-Thank you...

She reminded you of a scared puppy to be honest. Like something that needed to be protected in order to grow. Aspa was totally different though. He had already laid claim to the corner of Aki's apartment to train in his fight against Nyako. Kobeni seemed way too nervous for this job but at the same time, you remember Mafayu talking about appearances and receiving? Or was it deceiving? So why not strike up a little small talk while you walk?

Himeno: Aww look at them~ They look like a young couple.

Aki: They should be focusing on the mission.

Himeno: Aww Aki don't be a buzzkill. What do you think about (Y/n)? You told me about the other two but not him.

Aki paused for a moment, looking over the slight smile on your face as you spoke with a frightened Kobeni who was, in turn, watching Power nibble on your wrist.

Aki: (Y/n) is annoying, brought a cat to my apartment without informing first. And goes through an abnormal amount of cheese even for a devil. However... He's the only one of those three that has any decent manners. He's strong and doesn't seem to hate humanity, but there are still a lot of unknowns with him too. 

Himeno: These five... Do you think they'll survive?

Aki: Guys, who I thought were strong, and the guys I thought weren't have died or gone to the private sector within a year.

Himeno: That isn't an answer... Don't die, Aki.

Those words were all that filled the corridor for but a moment before something began to approach. It felt like a devil and only grew closer and closer until one of the room doors slid open.

Himeno: Aki... It's coming.

And it did. Out through the door came... a ball of flesh. Once it came to a stop it was... horrific. It had some sort of face and hair and hands for feet? Of course, it didn't sit still for long. The head thing jumped in the air and aimed for Kobeni.  Suddenly it stopped in midair with a surprised choke before Power easily dispatched it with one of her blood weapons. There we go! Mission accomplished let's go home!

Power: Stupid devil! It got so scared of me it started floating grahahaha!

Himeno: You got it all wrong. That was my power! My ghost caught it!

Power: Ghost?

Himeno: I've contracted with a ghost devil. In exchange for letting it eat my right eye, I can use the ghost's right hand. It's invisible and strong. Super convenient.

And here you were thinking she went through some horrible trauma... Well, at least you answered the burning question you deemed inappropriate to ask.

(Y/n): So Aki... this little squirt have a piece of the gun devil?

Aki: There isn't a strong reaction... It's not him.

Himeno: Welp, we head up to the next floor then.

The stairs leading up the next couple sets of floors were normal too. Aside from that little head thing you hadn't yet felt any devil impressions in this place. You certainly weren't an expert but it seemed strange. As the group filed up the stairs, you were pretty much in your own mind until you heard Power say something that sent a shot of adrenaline through your muscles involuntarily. 

Power: Then, If I said I was going kill her, what would you do?

Himeno was the one she had directed the question to though she barely had a chance to move a finger as you were already on the scene. Your grip on the devil's wrist seemed rough but you pulled her arm back quickly with the blade retracting. 

(Y/n): Don't play around like that Power.

Power: What's your deal? I just wanted to see what she would do. I'll kill her if I want to!

Then Himeno was able to use her powers. Your eyes watched as Power was suddenly choked by a materializing hand. You had never seen devils used by humans before. It was sort of surreal, to be honest. Could anyone use a devil? Could you be summoned like in those books Aki brought you sometimes? Or the better question... could you use them since you technically have a human body?

Himeno: Hey (Y/n)?

(Y/n): Huh? Yeah?

Himeno: Could you do us a favor and go downstairs?

You couldn't help but blink at the strange question. Were you in trouble? With a simple shrug of your shoulders you took the time to walk down the stairs... only to find yourself staring at the group from above? Wait... how did they get down there before you?

(Y/n): What are you guys doing down here?

Arai: Huh...

You quickly tried to stumble your way back up the stairs only to run into Kobeni who was giving peace signs. 

(Y/n): What the hell is this?

It was Aki who would fully deduce the situation your group was in. All the windows lead to rooms, the stairs lead back on each other and each door opened into a new room that opened back into this exact hallway.

Aki: We can't get off the 8th floor.