Mika gripped the scroll to her chest that she had taken from the records room after Muichiro had left her to read at her leisure. Her mind struggled to understand the words on the paper. The records room, although meticulous and airy, with the warmth of the sun filtering in through the delicate paper doors, Mika felt suffocated by the stories she had uncovered and somehow stumbled her way out into the courtyard of the building. She sat on the edge of the wide porch and tried to regain some semblance of calm, breathing in the warm air and closing her eyes.

She could hear the sounds of faint laughter and soldiers training, now becoming familiar sounds to her. There as a hurried shuffling to her left and someone muttering under their breath.

"Does Muzan think we can work miracles? Not even Tamayo-san can produce these many vials in such a short time. It's impossible."

Mika opened her eyes at the grumbling voice, in time to see a short and slim figure appear around the corner. He sported short hair neatly styled to the side, in hues of green and black. He was dressed in a smartly buttoned up shirt and black pants, covered by a white kimono.

Recognizing the distinctly cranky attitude and the reverence in his tone at the mention of his master, Mika called out his name before she could help herself.

"Yushiro."

The figure in question stopped in their tracks and peered at Mika from a few feet away, a suspicious look in his violet eyes as he cradled some vials in his hands.

"Did Muzan send you?" He barked out, already starting to walk again. "They're not ready yet. I already told him! Tamayo-san and I need time! Come back in 3 days!"

Mika fought a smile as he brushed past without a backward glance.

Seeing him helped her bring her back to reality and she stood up and caught up to him, her long strides no match for his short impatient ones.

He peered up at her as she continued to walk beside him.

"Are you deaf? I just told you to tell your master three days."

Mika shook her head, pocketing the scroll in her pocket. "Muzan is not my master."

Yushiro rolled his eyes. "Then why are you following me? I don't have time. I have to get these to Tamayo-san."

Mika offered an outstretched hand, but he immediately bared his fangs. Mika smiled, knowing how deep the loyalty and love ran for Tamayo.

"What are these? Maybe I can help." She offered instead, as he turned into the next building and down the main hallway.

Yushiro shook his head. "These are very sensitive drugs. Not just anyone can create them. They require a delicate touch to balance the deadly contents."

Mika opened her mouth to ask if it was the drug she had read about in the original story. The drug that had been Muzan's downfall, making him human.

Yushiro nodded curtly at a staff passing the hallway before turning into another corridor.

"These are for the upcoming battle with the Gods."

Mika was surprised that he actually told her. Her eyes widened, realizing the weight of his words.

"Yushiro, you brought a guest!"

A warm and musical voice called out as she entered what looked like a laboratory. Yushiro set down the vials on a nearby table and stood beside a woman who was kneeling down where an orange cat patiently waited. She set a note on his collar and rubbing his ears before she patted his head and stood back up. The cat meowed once before padding out of the room.

The woman turned around to face Mika, who noted the dark brown hair braided into a bun, the same violet eyes as Yushiro and a dark purple kimono covered in red flowers. She smiled warmly at Mika.

"Will you come sit with me, child?" She asked, gesturing for Mika to take a seat at a nearby table.

Yushiro wordlessly shuffled around the room to get tea for them both while Mika sat opposite Tamayo.

"Tamayo-san." Mika respectfully greeted her, gratefully accepting the cup of tea Yushiro handed her.

Tamayo continued to warmly smile at her, her violet eyes so compelling. "Mika, was it?"

Mika nodded, a guilty look on her face. "I'm sorry if I intruded. I didn't mean to follow Yushiro all the way here."

Tamayo softly laughed. "Nonsense, child. I had been meaning to speak with you. I would have asked Yushiro-kun to seek you out today, but you have found me already. Lucky me." She cheerfully sipped at her tea as she nodded towards Yushiro, who stood alert by her side.

"Yushiro-kun, take a seat. We have much to discuss with Mika."

Yushiro's mouth twisted into a small frown. "Tamayo-san, Muzan insists on having those drugs ready by tomorrow. I will continue the work until you complete your chat with her."

Tamayo sighed but nodded. "Yes, they are priority. We will do what we can."

He stiffly nodded towards Mika and busied himself in the back of the lab.

Mika set her cup down and looked worriedly at Tamayo. "Yushiro mentioned this drug is for the battle with the Gods?"

Tamayo leaned forward and held Mika's hands in her own. "Have you read the records? The true ones that Amane-san told you about?" She asked instead.

Mika nodded, taking the scroll from her cloak and setting it on the table.

"I don't quite understand." Mika hesitated before she made a decision to be more transparent. She had been trusted with these records and she would like to give them her trust as well. "The Gods….they do not belong in this world."

Tamayo shook her head, a shadow on her beautiful, ageless face. "They are Gods. They do not belong in any world. They have the power to create and destroy the world. All worlds."

Mika was speechless as Tamayo unrolled the scroll and pointed to a specific area in the text.

Mika looked down to see what she was referring to and flinched. It was the section that unsettled her when she initially read.

Gods are beings with powers no mere human could possess. And yet, their powers are a double-edged sword. For their powers were meant to protect those under their domain. In the greedy pursuit of more power, the Gods lent their powers to humans to subject demons to their will.

But it is whispered that demons are the true powers. And a God is one of the same name.

"I don't understand. According to this, the demons are the true gods?" Mika lightly traced the words on the paper.

Tamayo shook her head. "Gods and demons are one and the same, child."

Mika's hand froze over the scroll. "If what you are saying is correct," She stopped mid-sentence, realizing at the truth.

"The Gods sought to subjugate and erase demons but in doing so, it corrupts their own power. It is like light and shadow. One cannot exist without the other."

Mika snapped to attention, her eyes flying to rest on Tamayo's serene face. "The devolved demons. Because the Gods have imbalanced the power."

Tamayo smile was pained as she nodded. "Yes, their greed has corroded the balance. If we do not correct it, many lives are at stake."

Mika's eyes widened as Tamayo lifted her sleeve, revealing a smooth arm save for the faint dark lines that began to mar the surface.

A crash of vials broke the silence as Yushiro rushed to Tamayo, protectively pushing down the sleeve to cover her as he glared at Mika.

"Do not forget what Tamayo-san has told you. Record it for all to know the truth. They are fake Gods. And we will banish them."

Tamayo patted Yushiro reassuringly on the arm as he moved away again to clean up the mess he had made.

Mika swallowed, closing the scroll and pocketing it within her cloak again. "Thank you for helping me understand. I will not forget."