If you gave me a chance I would take it

It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it

Know with all of your heart, you can't shake me

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be.

- Rather be; Pentatonix (originally by Clean Bandit)

Chapter Twelve: Foreshadowed Certainties and Doubts

The staring contest between the two creatures lasted for a long while, making Osomatsu wonder how the hell these two knew each other. The shock on the angel's sudden attack is still on his mind—his body shuddering at the memory of the pair of wrathful yellow eyes that stared right through him.

It honestly amazed the devil for he never thought that heavenly creatures can possess that intensity of anger in them. Seeing something as wicked as that stirred something in him—maybe it was because he is a devil and seeing that kind of showcase was...exhilarating.

"Why are you acting like a child whose favorite toy is taken away from him?" Ichimatsu mocked. "It's news to me that a guardian angel would be obsessed with the one he guided. Haha! Even to the point of hurting them."

Jyushimatsu scrunched his eyebrows further, eyes now rather annoyed than angry. "What are you getting at? Are you here to aid that devil?"

"Oh? You're definitely mistaken, angel. I don't give a fuck about that bastard. Kill him and I don't care." Jyushimatsu frowned at the reaper's vulgar words and the obvious lie. "I told you, right? I just came to visit my stalker.

"Well now, let's get down to business..." Ichimatsu walked towards Jyushimatsu's spot, eyeing Osomatsu who was attending to the knocked down goddess. His purple eyes glowed angrily as he raised his scythe around the angel's neck. "Why were you watching me all this time? Are you intentionally messing with me? Or are you ordered by your bosses?" Ichimatsu gritted his teeth.

Jyushimatsu's eyes widened slightly by the accusations. He sighed shortly, and then his usual open-mouthed smile came back as he happily stared back at the reaper. "Eh? What are you saying? I did a surveillance of you in my own volition!"

Ichimatsu's glare intensified as he clicked his tongue. "Ha? Are you fucking wit—"

"Because you did something good and that is really unusual for creatures like you!" Jyushimatsu jokingly patted Ichimatsu's hair with his white, long sleeves, which the reaper swatted away immediately.

"...Did something...good?"

"May I ask why you prolonged a soul collection some time ago?"

"Prolonged? A soul collec— oh, that." Shit. Ichimatsu's grip on his scythe tightened as he looked away from the angel, eyes widening from embarrassment. "Don't bring that shit up."

"Eh? Why?" Jyushimatsu tilted his head, a part of his jaw almost, but not quite, grazing at the sharp blade of the reaper's weapon.

"I...did not do that in purpose..." Ichimatsu hesitated answering.

"What's the use of lying, really?" Jyushimatsu still had his wide smile. "Don't you want to be commended on your good deed?"

"I am a creature of Hell, if you don't know." Ichimatsu's eyebrows were scrunched now. It seems that the annoyance contest now had its tables turned. "I don't do 'good', angel."

"But you just did! And it's not so long time ago!" Jyushimatsu reasoned out as he flapped his sleeves in front of the reaper. "Why? Why? Why? Why?" He chirped repeatedly.

"Argh! What a pain in the ass! Shut up!" Ichimatsu shouted. Jyushimatsu evidently stopped, putting his sleeve-covered hands over his mouth. His yellow eyes were wide in bewilderment but it flashed something akin to amusement which made Ichimatsu frown even more.

The silence mediated for a few minutes until the angel started to pipe up random questions on the reaper again. It made Ichimatsu retrieve his scythe away and aggressively scream at the noisy angel.

Osomatsu almost made a loud cackling noise.

Well, almost.

The figure lying on the grassy ground started to stir from his slumber. Choromatsu's eyes were welcomed by the now clear skies and were followed by the devil's red pupils that are now looking down on him.

Osomatsu heaved a sigh of relief as the goddess finally opened his eyes, smiling at the obviously disoriented goddess beneath him. "Hey, are you alright?"

Choromatsu grunted at a faint pain in his back as he slowly stood up. "What's that...noise?"

"Oh." Osomatsu moved away from his place, showing Choromatsu the sight of the bickering creatures. "I don't know how the hell did those two know each other but apparently they are good friends?"

"Idiot. It doesn't look like it— oh my God..." Choromatsu's eyes went wide. "Is that...a reaper?!"

"Oh. Yep." Osomatsu chirped as he wore the gloves that Todomatsu gave Choromatsu when they went on their trip to Hell, which he was still not in favor. "Ichimatsu. He's a friend of mine."

"What is he doing here?!"

"Why do you sound so panicked?" Osomatsu raised his brow. "He's not that bad. Well, except that his attitude is pure shit but he's a pretty okay guy. And he kind of saved me earlier when your angel was about to kill me with his bat—"

"Jyushimatsu did what?!"

"Geez, Choromatsu, stop screaming at everything you discover!" Osomatsu scratched the back of his head. "Well, he just went crazy when he found out how you were still seeing me despite his warning."

"...I'm sorry." Choromatsu looked up worriedly at the devil. "Are you all right?"

Osomatsu rubbed his nose playfully. "Of course I am!" He glanced at the two bickering creatures at the other side of the river. They still haven't noticed that Choromatsu woke up. Okay, let's get down with it. Osomatsu crouched down, looking at the goddess face to face. "Hey, I have a...proposition to make."

Choromatsu had his whole attention on the devil as he properly sat, facing right in front of him. "What is it?" He asked gently, his voice hushed.

Osomatsu blushed slightly as he obviously gulped, looking down at his gloved hands. "Well...I was thinking...since, I think you feel suffocated with how that angel restricts you from seeing other creatures and...how I really want to spend time with you...just like a couple of years ago."

Choromatsu suddenly coughed as he covered his burning cheeks from the memory of his 'childhood'. The devil looked at him—apparent worry in his eyes. The goddess looked away, his hand making a gesture for Osomatsu to continue.

"I was thinking..."

"...T-That?"

Osomatsu grabbed the goddess's hands, in which the latter squeaked in surprise. Both of them looked into each other's eyes, determined reds meeting embarrassed greens.

"Say...how about we run away from here?"

Silence.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?!" Choromatsu suddenly shouted, making both Ichimatsu and Jyushimatsu look at their direction. The angel's eyes lightened up, seeing that the goddess was well and fine.

"Choromatsu! You're finally awake!" He waved his covered arm happily as he called out for the goddess.

Why isn't he noticing my presence? Osomatsu thought as he looked at the severely blushing goddess. "W-Wait, Choromatsu!" Osomatsu panicked, looking immediately for some sort of escape when he suddenly met Ichimatsu's eyes. The reaper nodded at the devil, the former's hand opening up on his side. Osomatsu can see a white thing materializing on Ichimatsu's hand but he cannot specify what the thing was.

They both exchanged nods as Osomatsu promptly grabbed Choromatsu's hand and ran as fast as he can, dragging the goddess away from the river. "There's no time to be dumbfounded, goddess! We don't have all the time in the world!"

As Osomatsu took action, Ichimatsu immediately tied Jyushimatsu's body using the rope that he somehow managed to summon on his hands. Caught off guard, the angel didn't have any time to react to the sudden assault as he felt his feet tripping over each other, his body toppling on the ground. Jyushimatsu made a pained noise that went louder as he felt Ichimatsu's heel on his back.

The angel turned his head as much as possible, his face contorting in an utter fury. "What are you doing?" He muttered in a low voice, the rage in his yellow pupils slowly coming back.

Ichimatsu stayed silent as he kept Jyushimatsu under his feet, his mouth pursed in a thin line.

"LET ME GO, REAPER!" Jyushimatsu shouted as he kept on trying to yank himself away. His hands are tied on his body and his bat was sliced in half. He could use some of his powers but it would be too reckless on his part, for his combat prowess is still uncontrollable; he might end up destroying everything in a hundred meter radius.

Ichimatsu glanced on the direction where the devil and the goddess ran away. Seeing that it was clear, he prepared a teleportation spell to himself.

He looked down on the still struggling angel, his purple eyes flickering in amusement. He knew this angel was holding back on attacking him because of the law that exists between the races.

"Well, in a way, I saved your ass from being punished by the Heavens, didn't I?" Ichimatsu spoke. He noted that Jyushimatsu stopped moving and was just lying on the ground as he finally accepted his defeat. "That goddess though..."

A sob escaped from the creature beneath him, surprising Ichimatsu.

"I tried so hard..." Jyushimatsu cries, "I tried so hard protecting him...yet...yet..."

Ichimatsu removed his boot from the angel's back as he sighed, snapping his fingers to dematerialize the rope that restricted the latter. Jyushimatsu, however, just stayed there as he remained sobbing loudly.

"Oi, angel."

A weak sob.

"Oi, Jyushimatsu."

The angel weakly whimpered.

Ichimatsu sighed as he crouched down, looking at the angel. He then laid out his gloved hand at the top of the angel's head, avoiding the lone hair that stood wimp—as if it was matching Jyushimatsu's mood. He gently moved his hand sideways, effectively messing the angel's neat hair.

It earned him a curious look from the angel who was now peeking at him. The reaper's eyes widened and he immediately removed his hand from Jyushimatsu's head, looking away from the latter.

"I'm leaving," Ichimatsu muttered as he stood up, pulling his black gloves inwardly—the faint blush from embarrassment never went away as he did so.

The angel finally stood up as well, wiping the tears and dirt away from his now smiling face. He chuckled as he watched the reaper fix himself. "Wait, Ichimatsu."

"Ah?" Ichimatsu tilted his head back to the angel's direction.

Jyushimatsu smiled at him earnestly, "thank you!"

Too bright.

"Don't get the wrong idea. Remember that I was also at fault on why your dear goddess is now in jeopardy, right?" Ichimatsu grinned.

Jyushimatsu nodded. "Nn! You're an accomplice of that devil! I know. I know."

Ichimatsu finally faced him. "Also, I know you're holding back earlier, right? You could've easily destroy me right here and then."

"You really know a lot, huh? For a creature of Hell, that is." Jyushimatsu covered his mouth with his sleeve-clad hand. "I know there's something why. Your hesitation to attack me, your kindness out of nowhere, the way you helped your friend."

Ichimatsu just grinned.

Jyushimatsu looked straight at Ichimatsu's eyes and then he spoke in a low voice: "I'll find out everything about you, reaper."

The reaper chuckled darkly. "Well, I accept your challenge. Good luck on finding those things, angel."

A strong gust of wind suddenly blew past their place, making Jyushimatsu look away from the reaper's direction and cover his eyes. When it was gone, Jyushimatsu finally uncovered his eyes, looking back at where the reaper stood.

Well...stood.

As soon as the gust of wind was gone, so was the purple-eyed reaper.

_______________________

"Choromatsu! Oi, Choromatsu!" Osomatsu panted as he tried to catch up with Choromatsu, who was now obviously sulking and leaving him behind. "Oi! Wait--"

"Why did you suddenly pull me? I did not even agree to your proposition yet!" The goddess suddenly shouted out of frustration. "And now we don't even know where we are now! What are we supposed to do now?"

"S-Sorry, okay?!" Osomatsu looked down. "I just wanted...to be with you. I know I was selfish! I just wanted to give you a breather from all the stress that you are facing. I guess I was too full of myself, huh?"

"Idiot." Choromatsu's gloved hand smacked Osomatsu's head. "Did you hear the word 'yet'?" He lightly blushed. "Well, what's your plan?"

The devil sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Well, about that..."

"Of course. I figured it as much." Choromatsu glanced at the scenery above them. The afternoon sun seeped through the reddish and yellowish foliage above them. "I know it's still the middle of the day but we certainly need to find a place where we can sta—"

"Eh? Isn't it a bit too early for Halloween?" A small voice suddenly interrupted them.

Osomatsu and Choromatsu froze in their spots upon hearing the voice of the intruder. Their backs were turned to her so they were kind of fine but there was surely no escape.

"Hey! Hey!" The little girl chirped again. "Somebody told me that not responding when someone's talking to you is bad manners!"

"E..err. Hi there?" Choromatsu was the first to turn around. "Woah! So little!"

"Hi! Why are you here in the forest? Oh...Oh! I know, I know!" The little girl raised her hand. "Are you lost?"

"Uhm...that's right." Choromatsu turned to Osomatsu, instructing him to turn around. "We ran away from something...destructive, and we ended up here. We have no idea where we are right now. Can you...perhaps guide us to the nearest exit of this forest?"

"Or maybe you can help us find a place to stay for the meantime?" Osomatsu suggested.

"Hey, isn't that a bit too farfetched?" The goddess scolded him. "She's just a little girl."

"A place to stay?" The little girl smiled. "I know one! I know one!" she exclaimed as she jumped happily. "Follow me, follow me!" She began treading through the bushy surroundings without any hesitation. It was as if she knew this place as if it was the back of her hand.

"She sure is lively, huh?"

"I wonder if this is all right." Choromatsu mused as they began walking behind the little girl. "Wouldn't she found out that we're not humans?"

Osomatsu waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry. She actually thinks we're dressed up for Halloween."

"Halloween?"

"Oh, you don't know, huh." Osomatsu mulled. "Well, it's basically an event where humans celebrate the life of dead people and most people dress up as different creatures, may be it Hell or Heaven."

"Oh. So we're going to use that as an excuse?"

"We have no choice, do we? Besides, she's not really suspicious of us...like, at all. Isn't that a win-win?"

"I guess you're right..." Choromatsu looked in front of him where the little girl was skipping happily as she made her way through the bushes—her grayish-black hair that was untied fluttered wildly as she did so. She occasionally stops to break some stray twigs that popped out of the trees or pick up some plants that she deemed edible.

"Oh! How rude I am!" The little girl suddenly halted, facing the two creatures behind her. "I haven't introduced myself at all!" She smiled at them. "I'm Hana! I don't know my full name but the people I met just suddenly started calling me that because they said that I look gentle as a flower! I'm 9 years old! I don't know when my real birthday is but some people told me that it would be best as the date when spring starts! If I remembered correctly it is..."

"March?" Choromatsu filled up for her.

"Yes!" Hana smiled. "My birthday is March! And look at this!" She points at her hair. "Look at this cute blue flower! I picked it up on my way here. Beautiful, isn't it?"

"It is! It suits you so much. Thank you for helping us, Hana." The goddess crouched down and laid out his gloved hand to the little girl. "My name is Choromatsu." He then motioned to Osomatsu. "And his name is Osomatsu. Nice to meet you, Han—"

"Are you lovers?!" Hana's blue eyes sparkled in excitement.

"H-Ha?" Choromatsu stood up, slightly annoyed. "What are you sayin—"

"Yes, we are!" Osomatsu suddenly piped up.

"No, we aren't!" Choromatsu snarled. "Stop saying that to the little girl!"

"Yes, little girl! You got that right!" Osomatsu was the one who crouched down this time, raising his hand for a high five. Hana excitedly hits the devil's palm. "He's just in denial of his feelings for me!"

"Excuse me?!" The goddess retorted indignantly. "I'm no—"

"Then why did you agree to run away with me?" Osomatsu grinned.

Choromatsu gawked, his words trapped in his throat. Hana and Osomatsu laughed at the goddess's flustered face and did another high five.

"In denial! In denial!" Hana cheered. Osomatsu laughed and joined the little girl in her cheer but immediately stopped upon seeing the grim expression that the goddess wore.

"Uh-oh. Hana!" The devil motioned for the little girl to come close to him. "Prepare yourself. We're gonna escape the wrath of him!" He fiercely whispered.

Hana gasped dramatically. "Oh my! Let us, let us!"

"Hold on tight, okay?" Osomatsu grabbed her small hands. "One... Two..."

Choromatsu gritted his teeth. "O...so...mat—"

"Three!" Osomatsu suddenly opened his wings and jumped high, starting really fast for his flight. Hana happily squealed as she was welcomed by the clear, blue sky.

"This is so beautiful! And fun!" Hana screamed as she felt the strong gust of wind on her face.

Osomatsu grinned. "You're not afraid, aren't you?"

Hana shook her head. "Definitely not!"

"Hahaha! You are one brave little girl! Well done!"

The goddess could practically hear the excited screams of Hana from his place. He sighed, opening his wings as well. He prepared himself for flight. "How about our disguise, you idiot?!" He shouted, smiling, as he leapt off.

"Woah! Is that Choromatsu-san?!" Hana pointed as she turned her back slightly, only to see the goddess catching up with them.

"He's still good at this, huh?" Osomatsu smiled to himself.

"What is that, Osomatsu-san?!"

"Are we almost there yet?"

Hana squinted to the scenery in front of her. "Oh, we're quite near already! It's there! The gap between the woods!"

"Okay!" The devil grinned at him. "We're gonna do something more fun! Prepare yourself!"

Hana's blue eyes sparkled again in delight. "Okay!"

"Here we go!"

Osomatsu decelerated as he performed some somersaults in the air and then promptly diving down into the woods. Hana screamed in glee as she tightly clung to the devil.

"Hana, can you close your eyes for a moment and keep your body close to mine? I'll just do something with these annoying stray twigs."

"Okay!" Hana followed the instruction. Osomatsu's eyes glowed slightly as he laid out his arm in front of him, a red ball of light slowly forming on his palm. He then muttered a little spell and then the ball got bigger and it formed a beam towards their front, clearing the way and removing all extra branches from it.

"Okay, done!"

"Osomatsu! Is the child all right?!" Choromatsu was suddenly behind them. "You frightened me! Why did you suddenly dive towards here?"

"I'm all right, Choromatsu-san!" Hana shouted.

"Also, shouldn't we slow down already?!"

"Oh, you're right! We're almost there!" Hana noted.

Both of the creatures finally slowed down as they approached the hut in the middle of the woods. They came to a full stop upon arriving at the yard with Osomatsu setting the little girl down.

"Huh...? No one's here?" Osomatsu noted. "Hana, you live alone?"

"Oh, haven't I told you?" Hana asked. "Yes! I live alone here since I was little!"

"Where are your parents?" Osomatsu asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

Hana shrugged. "I don't know!"

Choromatsu spoke up. "Isn't it...lonely?"

Hana shook her head. "Nope! The people in the village near here are really nice! They sometimes take care of me when they have time to spare. Some even taught me how to read and write! Although, I only know how to read and write my name since I don't go to...hmmm...what was it aga—ah! School! Yes, that one."

"What about your food? Your clothes? Your welfare?"

"I learned how to take care of myself! I know how to do laundry, to cook, to search for food, to make fire, to clean the dishes and the house! They really taught me a lot of things!" Hana grinned. "Amazing, right?!"

Osomatsu and Choromatsu exchanged worried looks.

"Hey, Hana. Come here for a second." Choromatsu laid out his hand, grasping the small hands of Hana between his palms. "In exchange of us staying here, say..." He gulped. "How about we become your temporary parents?"

"R...Really?!" Hana's blue eyes widened. "Really?! Really?!"

Choromatsu smiled at her. "Yes, really."

"I would love to!" Hana tackled Choromatsu with a big hug. "Thank you...so much!"

"Ssshh, Hana. Don't cry." Choromatsu pulled away as she wiped her tears away.

"I'm just...I'm just happy!" Hana smiled, tears still flowing from her face.

Choromatsu smiled.

"Well, our precious princess shouldn't be crying!" Osomatsu gently grabbed Hana from her place, promptly hoisting her up in the air. "You're too lovely to be crying, Hana!"

"Yes!" Hana hugged him.

Osomatsu smiled nervously at Choromatsu, the latter responding with a snicker and a mouthful of 'you'll be fine.'

"Well then, shall we go inside?" Choromatsu asked.

Hana cheerfully raised her hands. "Okay!"

Osomatsu turned to Choromatsu as they approached the door. "What is this? An indirect proposal that you want to have a family with me?"

Choromatsu gritted his teeth as he kicked the devil on his shin. "Shut up."

_____________________

"Dad! Can I ask you something?" Hana asked as she giddily swung her feet back and forth while sitting on a high chair inside the house.

"Hm? What is it?" Osomatsu replied; his hands on his hips as he held a ladle on his other hand. He was currently cooking at the yard with the moonlight serving as his guide.

Hana jumped off the chair and ran towards outside, the evening breeze gently caressing her. "Have you ever kissed Papa?"

Osomatsu was caught off guard with her question but suddenly broke out in a fit of laughter.

"Oi, I can hear you from inside, you know?" Choromatsu suddenly appeared beside them. Hana let out a small squeak as the goddess crouched down and pinched her cheeks lightly. "Where did you even learn that word?"

"From one of the villagers!" Hana exclaimed. "They say that it is what lovers do! You're lovers, right?!"

Choromatsu frowned. "We're not."

"We are!" Osomatsu removed the pot from the open flame and threw in more firewood into the fire to create a bigger campfire. "But Choromatsu is so cold to me!"

Hana dramatically gasped. "That's a no-no, Papa!" The little girl crossed her arms, her foot stomping on the ground as she clicked her tongue. "You should tell Dad how you really feel!"

"Right!" Osomatsu imitated Hana's actions. "You should finally confess your undying love to me—ack! What the hell, Choromatsu! Stop kicking me!"

"Why are you even so adamant about it?" Choromatsu squinted at the little girl.

"Because an old lady once told me that you should tell the ones you love that you love them or else it might be too late!" Hana exclaimed. "I love both of you because you are my Dad and my Papa for a month now!" The little girl smiled.

"Time sure passes by, huh." Osomatsu murmured as he ruffled Hana's hair. "A month? And you've been a really really good girl, Hana!"

"Really?!" Hana's eyes sparkled as she turned to Osomatsu.

"Yes!" Osomatsu grinned.

"Papa, am I a go—oh! Let me help you with that!" Hana piped up to Choromatsu who was putting dinner in plates. She laid out her arms as she smiled brightly.

The goddess smiled, too, as he gave a small plate to Hana. "Just carry your own plate and go to your Dad. I can do this on my own."

"Okay!"

"Be careful!" Choromatsu reminded as he carried two plates then giving the other to Osomatsu, who was now sitting on the blanket that was put near the campfire. "Here."

"Thanks!" Osomatsu began digging through his meal, occasionally helping Hana with hers.

"But really, it's been a month, huh? I can't quite believe it." Choromatsu mused. "I wonder how long are we gonna stay like this?"

"Forever!" Hana exclaimed.

Choromatsu just smiled sadly. "Hana, you know that we can't be with you forever, right?"

There was silence.

"Choromatsu, you did not need to remind her that." Osomatsu commented as he set down his plate, pulling Hana into his side.

Hana shook her head. "No, Papa's right. I just...I just wished that we can...maybe..."

Osomatsu and Choromatsu exchanged worried looks. "Hana..."

"But I'm glad!" Hana spoke. "I'm glad that you two became my parents even if the time is limited! I experienced to have people who will look after me, will eat with me, will sleep with me, will play with me and will treat me as if I'm their own child! I'm really...really happy to be with you, Papa, Dad."

The older creatures exchanged another looks—this time, of pure astonishment. They laid out their hands in front of them, signaling for a hug. Hana's face brightened up immediately, tackling both of her parents into a hug. All of them fell to the ground, Osomatsu and Choromatsu being so careful not to have contact with each other's skins but still hugging the little child as if they were in a group hug. Hana chuckled loudly with both of them following after.

"Well then, it's time for your night bath, Hana. We're all dirty so we should clean up before we sleep, yes?" Choromatsu slowly stood up, carrying Hana with him. "You can do that, right?"

"Yes!" Hana pipped as she dislodged herself from Choromatsu and then running towards the bathroom. "Follow after me, okay?"

"No. Choromatsu, help her with her bath, please?" Osomatsu smiled. "She might get colds if you let her by herself, right?"

"Oh. You're right." Choromatsu then began walking. "Follow right after, okay? It's quite cold tonight."

"I will, I will." Osomatsu smiled. "Good night."

"Good night." Choromatsu then turned his back to him and followed the little girl. "Ah, Hana! Wait up!"

As soon as the both of them are gone, Osomatsu's red eyes glowed in the dark, his horns and tail materializing as he did so. Someone's here. After scanning the area, he sighed in relief.

"You seriously suck in surprises, Ichimatsu." Osomatsu frowned.

"And you're still sharp as ever despite disappearing for a month and reducing your appearance into a human, Osomatsu," the reaper spoke as he went out of the place he hid. "How's life pretending playhouse with a goddess and a human?"

"Fun and really fine until you showed up." Osomatsu chided. "Well? What is it? Some news?"

"Tougo." Ichimatsu sat down on one of the trunks. "Been in a berserk since he found out that you escaped again."

"So? Let him be."

"Even if some of your friends are already affected?" Ichimatsu sneered. "He's investigating every single corner in Hell, mine included. It's annoying. Just go dethrone him or something."

"And you're seriously asking me to do that?"

"Hey, it's about time you do so. You did it before, right? And you need to stop him before he even gets any crazier idea that might lead to havoc in the current harmony of the races. Your goddess and human included." Ichimatsu deadpanned. "Would you risk them getting hurt just because the current king of Hell has the huge possibility to disobey the existing laws between races?"

"What? Is he planning something?"

"He once mentioned it in one of our meetings. Gaining more power and larger territory and stuffs like that." Ichimatsu smiled. "And now, your disappearance might be a catalyst for that plan."

"Guilt-tripping me like that..." Osomatsu frowned. "...your personality is really shitty."

Ichimatsu chuckled as he stood up. "I am well aware of that fact, Osomatsu."

"That's it?"

The reaper arched an eyebrow. "What? I just went out of my soul collecting since I had extra time. Did you expect me to be dramatic after seeing you again?"

"You're making onii-chan sad, you know?"

Ichimatsu growled. "Shut up."

"...Dad? Who's that?" A small voice suddenly interrupted.

"Hana! Why did you come out so fast?" Osomatsu quickly dematerialized his horns and tails, crouching down to pick up the little girl. "Where's Choromatsu?"

"It was Papa's turn in the bath and I noticed that you're still not inside the house." Hana turned to the reaper. "Hi, mister! Are you Dad's friend?"

Ichimatsu glared at Osomatsu, which the latter just grinned. "Well, um...yes, I am," he answered.

Hana's eyes sparkled. "Dad's friend is my friend, too! I am Hana! What's your name?"

"...Ichimatsu."

"Ichimatsu-san!" Hana cheerfully spoke.

Ichimatsu's eyes suddenly widened when he noticed something on Hana's face. "Your eyes..."

The little girl tilted her head slightly. "Yes?"

Ichimatsu looked right through Hana's eyes. Hana did not falter despite the intimidating gaze of the creature. Despite the dim surroundings, the reaper could still see the color that it possessed.

It's almost as if...

Ichimatsu shook his head. "Never mind. I shall be going."

"It's not safe to wander around at night, Ichimatsu-san!" Hana worriedly exclaimed. "Won't you stay the night here with us—"

"No. Thank you for your offer but I still have a lot of things to do."

"Oh." Hana suddenly felt down. "Well, take care of yourself then." She smiled.

Ichimatsu just nodded.

"Bye-bye!" Hana waved her hand as Ichimatsu began treading through the darkness.

"Well, shall we go inside now?" Osomatsu smiled at Hana.

Hana yawned and smiled. She embraced Osomatsu's neck and settled her head on the latter's neck. "Yes," she acquiesced quietly.

Osomatsu began walking as he hummed a tone similar to a lullaby that he can remember. Soon after, the little girl's breathing evened out, indicating that she fell fast asleep.

Choromatsu was now waiting at the door, tapping his foot impatiently at the ground. Osomatsu smiled at this.

"What? Too eager to wait for your husband to come back?"

"Shut up. You're not my husband."

"Yet. You forgot it."

Choromatsu hit him lightly on his shoulder.

____________________

Osomatsu can finally hear the chirps of birds outside as he opened his eyes, then glancing at the little girl embracing him. He slowly ran his gloved fingers on Hana's thick tresses. The gesture was reciprocated by a small whimper from Hana.

He looked up to see that Choromatsu was still deep asleep as he did so. He smiled sadly as he gently removed himself from Hana, careful not to wake her up. Hana grunted but quickly returned to her snoring.

Choromatsu suddenly stirred from his sleep, eyes opening to a surprised devil. "...Osomatsu?"

The mentioned creature put his index finger in front of his lips, gesturing for the goddess to be quiet.

Choromatsu stood up gently and went to Osomatsu, who was now in the yard. "What's wrong?"

"I need to go." Osomatsu gently fiddled with Choromatsu's gloved hands.

"Go?" The goddess frowned. "To where?"

"Hell. I need to settle things with Tougo."

"For how long?"

"I'm planning to dethrone the bitch."

Choromatsu gasped. "Are you sure?"

Osomatsu nodded.

"How about her?" The goddess turned to the sleeping girl.

"Take care of her while I'm gone." The devil brought the goddess's hand to his lips. "And take care of yourself as well."

"You're saying that but aren't you the one who'll be more susceptible to danger?" The goddess's eyebrows are scrunched. "Be careful, okay? We'll be waiting here for you."

"Come on, don't be such a worrywart. Don't you believe in your husband?" Osomatsu grinned. "Ow."

"Stop joking. This is a serious matter."

"Well, I need to go now before Hana wakes up." Osomatsu smiled. "I'll be back, I swear."

"You sure?"

"Have I ever broken a promise to you?" Osomatsu huffed. "I am."

"Okay." Choromatsu smiled, now playing with Osomatsu's hands as well but was stopped by the latter finally pulling back.

"Damn it. Stop being so cute, Choromatsu. It makes it hard to leave you."

"Idiot."

"I'll go now."

Choromatsu solemnly nodded.

"Too bad I can't kiss you."

The goddess's eyes widened, blushing furiously. "Osomatsu!"

The devil chuckled. "I'm just kidding." Osomatsu then began materializing his horns and tail. "Well then, until we meet again."

Choromatsu smiled. "We'll be waiting for you."

Osomatsu reluctantly turned his back to Choromatsu, opening his wings and preparing for flight. The devil shortly gritted his teeth but looked up nevertheless. He then jumped, his wings flapping loudly behind him. Soon, he had finally gone far from the place where he came from.

Choromatsu was left standing there, looking up in the sky where Osomatsu had gone. Soon after, he turned to the house, his eyes widening because of the small figure that was standing there.

"Hana..." Choromatsu said.

"Ah. Dad didn't even say goodbye to me." Hana frowned. "That's unfair."

Choromatsu grasped his chest. "He just didn't want to see you sad, Hana."

"But I understand!" Hana smiled. "I just wish he said goodbye to me. But he'll be back, right?"

Choromatsu smiled. "Of course."

A red-colored firework suddenly bloomed in the sky. This made both Choromatsu and Hana look up. The first firework was followed by a lot more—different colors adorning the slowly brightening dawn.

"Oh! Papa, can you accompany me?" Hana grabbed Choromatsu's hand. "I just remembered that the festival starts today! I completely forgot! Too bad Dad wasn't able to stay with us."

"A festival?" Choromatsu glanced at himself. He looked like a normal human as of the moment, his wreaths on his head, wrists, and ankles currently gone. He learned to weaken his divine presence as well. Pretty safe. "Sure. Let's just get you dressed up, okay?"

__________________________

The village that Hana mentioned was beautiful, to Choromatsu at least. A lot of people are on the streets, preparing their respective stalls that featured their specialties. Some people even recognized Hana, greeting her with bright smiles on their faces. Choromatsu paid his respects and greeted them as well.

Hana was obviously enjoying herself as she marveled through different stalls, most of them giving her free samples of their products. She happily accepted it, giving some of the foods and items to Choromatsu, who was just following Hana around the streets.

"Have you heard? There's something going on to the next town to us!" One of the villagers suddenly spoke as she mixed the noodles that she'd been preparing. "It was said that someone is actively hunted by the church for execution!"

Choromatsu's ears perked up. Next town? Church? Execution?

"Hana, wait here, okay?" Choromatsu instructed the little girl.

The little girl nodded as she munched on a candy apple.

The goddess immediately ran towards the noodle stand. "Umm, good day." The owner and her companion directed their attention to him. "I accidentally heard you talking about the church in the next town and I thought that you may be talking about the one where a priest Karamatsu is serving? He's a friend of mine. May I know the details of what have you been talking about?"

"Oh, good day to you, too!" The owner smiled as she offered a cup of noodles to Choromatsu which the latter reluctantly accepted. "I don't know the Karamatsu that you are talking about but it is the biggest church near this village so maybe that's it. Well, it's still a rumor but it has been said that someone who is long wanted by the church was spotted in that town and now, most church people had been searching for this creature."

"Creature?" Choromatsu gulped. "It's not...a human?"

The goddess's cup of noodles almost fell upon him hearing the villager's next words. He thanked the owner about the information shared to him. The owner even asked him if he was all right, with him responding with a quiet 'yes.'

"Papa?" Hana looked at him worriedly. "Are you all right?"

"I'm sorry, Hana, but can we go back to the house for now?" Choromatsu held Hana's small hands.

The confused little girl's eyebrows are furrowed in worry but she nodded nonetheless.

Choromatsu's heartbeat accelerated with shock and worry as they walked their way to their house. He recalled the words of the noodle stand owner earlier, almost tearing up with the pain that the words brought.

The owner looked at him worriedly and spoke, "Well, from what I heard, it is a witch."