Omake 3: In which Akiko's luck takes as hard a tumble as she does. But in place of a golden stripe, a servant bears the brunt of it. And so does the entire procession. (Plus, Hallee isn't always a souless demon.)
Frantic, Akiko elbowed her way between the horde, earning disgruntled complaints. Her body popped out and blended with a troop of horses and armour-clad men as she skidded to a stop beside a palanquin.
A collective gasp was overridden by outraged grumbles from the soldiers. "Halt!" Someone clamoured. If it was for her or the entourage, she hadn't a clue.
Akiko attempted to run in the direction contrary to that of the procession, instead smacking into one of the servants bearing the palanquin. The pair toppled down and the carriage swayed. There was a loud yelp from the depths of it, before it crashed into splinters and puffs of dust.
An ominous silence taunted them all, laughing at their misfortune (it was Taiitsukun). This time, there was no commanding screech while everyone glanced at their neighbour, horrified and confused.
Akiko chanced a glance up, and perused the crowd for her demonic author.
Hallee was frozen in her seat, wide-eyed and lips quivering. There was no anger in her eyes, only disbelieving shock and... Fear?
Well, that was new. The demon was scared?
"A-all the hard work..." she choked, "... down the gutter. My dearest Hotohori crushed to death. W-where am I going to find a new Emperor?!" Hallee fretted, clutching her head in hysterics. "The old sage is going to murder me; I shall never see the light of day again!"
The demon dashed to a corner, far from the chaotic disaster Akiko had unfortunately (and most definitely unintentionally) caused, a pitiful sob tearing her from throat.
Hallee cradled herself, bawling her eyes out untill her body went limp from dehydration and cold fear.
The demonic author would never have the chance to say it... but Akiko was pretty sure she was more than fired.