FULL STORY SUMMARY

Rated M for mature. Reader discretion advised.

After the death of her mother, young Himari and her father becomes part of an unscrupulous clan; the Kato family. Himari is subjected to continuous abuse by the family but all that changes when she falls in love with The Progenitor of Demons, Kibutsuji Muzan.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

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CHAPTER VOCABULARY

* oni: a kind of yōkai from Japanese folklore, primarily demons

MEDIA DICTIONARY

* Thoughts

* "Dialogue."

* 'Telepathic dialogue.'

* "Past conversation."

* {Sound}

* [Movement]

MUZAN

Muzan guided Himari through a deep forest. The Demon Lord reverted his hair to his usual curly style and wore a charming suit, along with a white fedora.

"Suppress your demon characteristics," he demanded.

Getting the hang of being a demon, Himari did as she was told. Her horns, markings, and fangs disappeared.

Not bad for a beginner.

As they continued their journey, Muzan casted a spell that subdues one's appetite upon her.

Timidly, Himari walked closely behind him.

Prepare yourself, Himari, because tonight you will prove your worth to me.

HIMARI

The two demons finally made it through the forest and stood before an average looking house.

Himari's nose frantically twitched as she recalled a faint, familiar scent.

That scent… that smells like Hakujaku!

"Just follow me," he sighed. When they approached the door, Muzan knocked.

"My Lord, why are we here?" she whined. Himari didn't want to see her father or the Kato's.

"You shall see momentarily."

Hakujaku opened the door and almost fainted from shock. "Himari, it's you! I was so worried about your safety!"

He grimaced as he turned and saw Muzan. "And you!" Hakujaku bellowed as he pointed with an accusatory finger. "Don't act clueless because I know what you've done, you oni! Himari, get away from him!"

Perplexed, Himari glanced at Muzan for permission, who nodded. Slowly, she entered the house and saw Soaku behind the kitchen counter with her mouth gaping.

"It's… you. Y-you're here," Soaku stuttered in disbelief.

"Hello, Soaku," Himari replied crudely. When she looked at the door, she saw Hakujaku blocking Muzan from entering, screaming obscenities at him.

The Demon Lord towered over the man with an apathetic expression on his face.

"You're a demon, a liar, and a cheat, and I have proof! I even found an ear at your estate!"

"An ear, you say? That's highly unlikely since I haven't entered my home in a while. But, I could have you charged for trespassing, if what you say is true, of course," he sighed.

Hakujaku snorted in incredulity. "You wouldn't dare, you foul—"

"Stop arguing with him, Haku!" Soaku interjected. "Ah, Mr. Kobayashi, I apologize for my husband's behavior. He's been unwell lately." She tucked a stray bothersome hair into her bun. "Please, come in. I'll pour you some sake."

With reluctance, Hakujaku let Muzan enter and shot daggers at him.

Soaku rushed to pour a glass for him then motioned for them to sit in the living room.

Muzan sat on a white sofa and Himari sat beside him. Then he took a small sip of sake and made a repulsed expression, presumably from the taste. Himari giggled at his reaction.

"It's so nice to be in your presence, Mr. Kobayashi. What could we do for you?" Soaku cooed.

Rolling his eyes, Muzan said, "I and Himari are here because she wanted to say farewell."

Farewell? What does he mean by that?

Hakujaku looked as bewildered as Himari did. "What do you mean farewell? Are you two leaving? Where are you taking my daughter?" he spat.

"No, you are mistaken. You and your wife are the ones who'll be leaving."

Gasping, Himari said, "My Lo-Tsukihiko, what are you saying—"

Suddenly, a sensation that felt like she was being stabbed repeatedly shot within her. Himari crumbled to the floor as she contorted in immense agony. A vicious ache in her head throbbed angrily.

"Argh! W-what's h-happening to me?" she strained to say as she looked at Muzan.

The Demon Lord sat unaffected and continued staring at Soaku and Hakujaku with an empty look in his eyes.

"Himari, are you alright? What's going on?" Hakujaku asked, rising from his chair.

Himari jerked uncontrollably on the floor as she felt her horns protracting and her teeth lengthening. She buried her face to hide the transformation.

No, not here! Please not now, not in front of them!

'Himari.'

Muzan's voice resonated within her brain, making her feel faint. His deep, smoky voice hung in her mind like molasses.

'Do not disappoint me…'

Suddenly, an immense hunger reverberated through her very soul. Her body started moving against her will.

S-so hungry… I'm so hungry…

The aromatic scent of human flesh wafted in her nostrils. Himari salivated at Soaku and Hakujaku.

"Himari, get the hell up off my floor! I just had it cleaned!" the obese woman bellowed, her jowls jiggling.

"My dear, I think something's wrong with her! Call for an ambulance!"

Hakujaku rushed to his daughter's side and cradled her. "Himari, stay with—Ah!" He screamed once he saw her demonic features.

Himari's eyes were an inhuman shade of pink, her fangs were bared, and two horns were growing out of her skull. The girl started growling uncontrollably.

"Ah! Himari, you're an oni! Himari!" he sobbed.

'You may feed, pet.'

Father, please get away from—

Himari realized she couldn't speak. Her body started moving by itself as if she was a marionette.

I'm so hungry… he looks so... delicious. No, what am I thinking? That's my father!

The body that wasn't hers extended her claws, turning her nails as white as snow.

"Arghhh!" she roared as the desire to consume humans gnawed at her very core. Himari continued to fight the formidable craving as Muzan glared at her.

'Himari, why are you fighting your urges? It's only natural for demons to feed on humans. Give in…'

Hearing Muzan's voice caused the pain to increase drastically.

No, I won't hurt them! I refuse to do it! Please stop this!

'You will learn to obey me, Himari.'

Then everything went black.