Where's your gavel? Your jury?
What's my offense this time?
You're not a judge but if you're gonna judge me,
Well sentence me to another life.
- Ignorance; Paramore

Chapter Three: Wonder and Betrayal

"Oh, a goddess seeking help from a human? That's news." Karamatsu chuckled as he slowly put teabags on two cups of hot water. "Though that's because you just came in this world few months ago, I presume?"

Choromatsu shyly nodded.

"So, how's this world for you?" Karamatsu asked him as he offered his guest a cup of tea. Choromatsu took it and experimentally sipped. Ah, it doesn't taste nice, he thought.

"Oh, it's not for your taste? I'll get other beverages that might suit yours then."

"Ah, no! No need. I just came here to ask for your advice," Choromatsu squeaked.

"Don't sweat it. It seems like it will be a lengthy conversation. You need something to calm your nerves." Karamatsu then called for a church staff to prepare coffee. "So, what's the matter about?"

"It's about the laws existing between the races."

Karamatsu set his teacup down and looked straight at Choromatsu's emerald eyes. "Hmm...that's an interesting topic." He stood up, getting a journal that seemed to age through the years. "In my 25 years of existence, I have already mastered the deals when it comes to the races in this world." Karamatsu slipped his reading glasses on as he skimmed through the pages of his notes. "You can just go through your questions."

Choromatsu audibly gulped then finally spoke, "I-Is there a law that two opposite races cannot be friends?"

The question surprised Karamatsu making him look at the goddess weirdly and suddenly laugh lightly as he closed his journal. "You know, there are no rules when it comes to dealing with your feelings, Choromatsu."

The staff that Karamatsu talked to earlier came back with a cup of coffee and offered it to the goddess, in which he accepted. "But... But Jyushimatsu told me that–"

"Shh..." Karamatsu smiled at him. "Don't think about what any other creature would say to you. Listen here–" he pointed at Choromatsu's chest "–for here lays the truthful answers that no other people can tell you. What does your heart say about this friend of yours?"

There was a looming silence for a few minutes as Choromatsu glanced at his reflection on the dark beverage on his hand. After a while, he muttered, "I don't really know. I still don't know what I really want."

"I see. That's understandable," Karamatsu smiled at him. "Like I said, there are no laws regarding emotional relationships between two opposite races, however, there are many factors that are taken into account.

"Although, I personally think that a creature's race should not be a hindrance when it comes to these things. It's like you're stopping a seed of rose from being planted on a fertile land–or like preventing a miner to see a ton of gold!" Karamatsu exclaimed as he dramatically stood up, pointing to the female staff that just entered the room. He asked her, "You! May I ask how will you feel if you received a bouquet that contains only single kind of flower?"

"Uhh..." The staff thought hard for a moment. "I will be happy but a bit disappointed, I guess? I think it's more wonderful when they are different," the staff replied as she smiled and got out of the room awkwardly.

"See? Even the worst-looking flower can look good if combined with the right one – just like the creatures in this world." Karamatsu sat down, sipping on his tea again. "It doesn't matter where you came from; all that matters is that you have the same intention," he preached as he glanced at the goddess.

"So... like it is meant to be?" Choromatsu asked him.

Karamatsu nodded solemnly. "But I still really don't know. I haven't personally witnessed a war against two opposite races but I think we should start talking more...domestically. That's why laws exist, right?"

Choromatsu started to drink on his coffee. He smiled. The drink was nice.

"But you're still young to understand and I personally think that I still lack the experience to apply these laws in real life." Karamatsu stood up. "There are a lot of things that are still left undiscovered out there. Perhaps it's time for us to experiment on how things would turn out.

"But always remember to be truthful to yourself; so, if ever you face a problem in the future, you can have a solid foundation on what to believe in," he added.

Choromatsu glanced at the priest and queried, "What do you believe in, Father Karamatsu?"

"Is that even a question?" Karamatsu chuckled. "I believe in God's ways, Choromatsu."

The goddess nodded solemnly as he stood up, finally finishing his coffee. "Thank you so much for the help today, Father." Choromatsu smiled.

"No problem! Just go here whenever you are troubled. I would be more than willing to help you." Karamatsu reached for the goddess's hand and shook it firmly. "I believe that you can fulfill your duty faithfully. I'll pray for you."

"T-Thank you."

"Although, coming back on my initial question..." Karamatsu faced him as he gently let go of his hand. "How's the world so far?"

Choromatsu smiled. "It's wonderful."

Karamatsu can't help but smile with the goddess's answer. "That's great. I hope it stays that way despite all the atrocities that you might face in the future."

Choromatsu then proceeded to walk out of the room. "I'll be going then. Thank you so much for the drink."

"That's coffee. I'm glad you liked it." Karamatsu waved at him. "Have a good night."
________________

"Osomatsu-kun! I never knew you're already here! Welcome back~!" A lady approached Osomatsu as he walked across the hallways of their palace.

Osomatsu smiled. "Thank you, Totoko-chan. How was hell when I was not here?"

"It was boring!" She pouted. "The other devils won't even do stuffs with me. Come on, come on!" She pulled him as she walked. "There's an ongoing trial of the people who died today. It seems like Ichimatsu-kun has finished a job well done collecting souls again." she snickered.

Osomatsu just followed her; he had nothing to do anyway. Besides, it was fun to watch trials.

They went through the baffling maze toward the court room – it was made to ensure that only authorized people are able to go to the place. The ambiance of the path was really eerie; like an old, dilapidated mansion that was abandoned for a thousand years already. Their shoes clacked on the tiled floor, accompanied by the feeling of sticky liquid on the ground. The walls had many defaced parts but it didn't bother the two devils even the slightest. The light slowly fades away – a sign that they were almost at the place.

"No– please! I'm not meant to be here! There must have been a mistake!" A voice was heard even outside the double doors of the court room, "I'm not a bad person!"

Osomatsu opened the doors and glanced at the current soul that was judged– it was a tall man that has a weird overbite and a moustache.

"Wanna bet on this?" Totoko spoke beside him as they find seats. "He's gonna lose and he has charges on...hm...Pretty sure it's avarice." They sat on the east side of the court that was practically empty aside from some few higher ups that were watching as well. "What's your bet?"

Osomatsu laughed. "We can't; we have the same bet." He looked intently at the ongoing trial. Ichimatsu was standing at a side, clearly bored with the ongoing process as he spoke about the details of the soul.

"This is Iyami, aged 34, died in a police shootout when he refused to take participation to an old plunder case. You sure are one hell of a coward, aren't you?" Ichimatsu spat at the man that was under jurisdiction.

"But they forced me!" 'Iyami' shrieked. "I am definitely not a plunderer! I am calling my lawyer!"

A loud, raspy voice was suddenly heard at the whole room that made Osomatsu cringe. "A lawyer? You do know that you have no right to defend yourself, don't you?" The owner of the voice rose up at the judge's table. "This is hell– where sinners are placed and enjoy the liberty of doing more sins! There are surely no mistakes, right, Ichimatsu?"

The mentioned reaper looked at the judge. "Of course there's none." Ichimatsu grinned at him. "When did I ever fail my job, Tougo?"

Tougo.

Osomatsu can only sneer at the appearance of the mentioned demon. He didn't like him in the slightest; even if he is the current ruler of hell. He frowned. He wanted to get out of here.

"I can feel a keen aura of hatred beside me," Totoko murmured as she glanced sideways at Osomatsu. "Still the same feeling towards him, huh?"

Osomatsu clicked his tongue and scowled. "Of course."

"But I'm wondering why," Totoko asked as she rested her head at Osomatsu's shoulder. "You two were so close before. Heck, you even helped him overthrow the previous ruler of hell. So, what happened? Why are you so avoidant of him now?"

The devil sighed. "Let's just say that he made me realize how much of an idiot I was in the past. There was a lot of realization that occurred to me when we succeeded on overthrowing the past ruler– and one of those realizations is that Tougo is a fucking despicable being."

"But doesn't that make him more suitable for the throne? The more despicable, the better."

Osomatsu just laughed at Totoko's statement. "I guess so." He gently removed Totoko's head off his shoulder and stood up. "Let's go. I don't feel like watching anymore."

Totoko glanced at the ongoing trial one last time and smiled before exiting the place with Osomatsu. "Guilty," she muttered under her breath.

_______________

Osomatsu carried on with his life in hell– causing mischief to the lower echelon of devils, countless arguing with his other brethren whilst laughing with them, watching some trials whenever he's bored.

He would also often chat and go out with Totoko since, well, they are good childhood friends and honestly, Totoko is one of the few people he can fully trust. He would often tell her some stories of his (mis)adventures in hell or on the land and vice versa. They would also often play pranks on whoever they wanted.

They both held important positions in hell; Totoko is one of the council that overlooks for the overall government in the kingdom. She would often watch trials to inspect some stuff that might be useful in the future.

Osomatsu is Tougo's right hand, much to the former's chagrin. Although for now, Osomatsu often does some funny sabotage on simple tasks that he finds annoying. He was Tougo's favorite but he always does his very best to irk the tyrant. A lot of Tougo's underlings that witness Osomatsu's shenanigans would think that he want the throne.

Not really.

Well, there was a part of him that wanted it so he can do some judgments on that bastard– maybe exiling him? Or setting him on fire? Guillotine looks nice, too. How about public execution? Damn, those stuffs sound so alluring.

But that wasn't even the gist of everything.

He wanted that bastard to die.

Well, technically, they are already dead but he wanted Tougo to disappear forever. No more, no less.

The root of his hatred?

It was when Osomatsu realized that Tougo was using him all along.

Back when Osomatsu was still a young devil, Tougo was the one who took care of him. The latter would dine with him, play with him, teach him things that he needed to learn. Osomatsu adored those times. Really– and maybe way too much. He felt that he had family despite the situation that he was in– even though he was a devil, he felt that he lived like an ordinary human being that he had read on some story books: a human that had a warm family to come home to; a human that will always have that father whom he can confide in; a human that will feel the care of a parent.

But that time came.

When he grew into a teenager, Tougo introduced him the idea of the kingdom that resides in hell. Tougo dreamt of being the king and he damn made sure that Osomatsu was aware of this ambition. The older one told Osomatsu some of his plans to overthrow the kingdom and Osomatsu, being a teenager that he was, felt thrilled and all-ready with the plan.

Osomatsu was naïve. Oh, so naïve.

Osomatsu strived hard to study and train– solely for the plan to transpire. He became one of the most adored students and it was an unspoken rule that he had the chance to be introduced to the king.

The king was overjoyed to see an excellent devil that he can use as a front line soldier. He proposed that Osomatsu can be his right hand– which was a huge honor for any devil that lived in hell. But of course, the young devil refused.

The king insisted on him pursuing his studies inside the castle for there resides the largest bank of knowledge that their race had ever collected. This time, Tougo advised him to accept the offer.

Long story short, their plan to overthrow the kingdom was a success. Young Osomatsu was exhilarated at the achievement as his fiery glowing eyes glanced around the kingdom that was now in flames.

Ashes, ashes, they all fell down, and it was mainly on Osomatsu's account.

Tougo's laughter resonated around the hall and Osomatsu easily whipped around to see his 'father'.

"Tougo! Tougo!" Osomatsu jumped excitedly as the mentioned demon went closer to him. "I did it! I killed the king! You own the throne now!"

Tougo grinned at him as he held the younger devil's bloodied hands. "Good job, Osomatsu. From now on, you are my right hand and you shall serve me loyally, okay?"

Osomatsu nodded at him and excitedly spoke, "I will! I will be honored to serve the new king!"

Months passed since that day– the kingdom rose up once again with its new king, Tougo.

Osomatsu noticed that his 'father' would not bond with him like before. It was fine! Maybe Tougo was just busy with rebuilding the kingdom.

Or so he thought.

Like some cliché stories that we had known, Osomatsu once heard Tougo talking to a reaper inside his room. The young devil didn't mean to eavesdrop but a mention of his name caught his attention.

"What about Osomatsu? Isn't he your son?" A bored voice asked the king -- in which he laughed off.

"What do you mean? Son? No way! He's just too naïve for his own good. That's why he ends up being used by some random person. Give him some pleasantries and he's fine! He'll do anything that you say–"

"Tougo?" Osomatsu finally barged in and uttered, "w-what do you mean? You..."

The reaper and Tougo exchanged looks then nodded. In a second, the reaper disappeared, leaving the two inside. Tougo walked towards him, a kind smile on his face as he slowly caressed the younger devil's cheek.

Snap.

Osomatsu felt an immense pain on his back as he stood back on his feet. What happened? He looked at Tougo– only to witness the hateful look that Tougo gave him.

Tougo's eyes screamed 'I just used you, you naïve brat' and it was further confirmed when Osomatsu felt a sharp blade on his jugular.

"Look at you, looking so helpless under my grasp," Tougo sneered. "That's what you are, Osomatsu. You're forever a pawn for me to use. Accept your fate and be a good little devil that you are. Don't you dare fight back or I'll personally kill you, understand?"

Osomatsu only nodded as he was released from Tougo's grasp. He went back to his room. Gritting his teeth, he began throwing everything that he can see until his place looked like a garbage bin.

All this time, he believed that he was taken cared of; that he was loved; that he had a family. Oh, how mistaken he was.

He looked at his pathetic reflection on the mirror. Naïve, credulous, used.

That day, Osomatsu learned the concept of betrayal.

And he made sure that that bastard will someday pay for playing with his young mind and heart.