Chapter 19: The Most Powerful Emotion Of Them All

Following his meeting with Hitomi, Akira continued walking in the streets of the city until he came in one of Tokyo's many parks and took a seat in one of many benches available and merely watched as people walked by.

He took the opportunity to reflect even more on the events that unfolded in the last couple of days. Most importantly on his relationship with Jun. Ever since he first heard about her, he was curious to see who she was. And then he found out that she was exactly like him. Then he met her, pulled her out of her depression, spent time with her and saved her from Sirene. And even after finding out the truth, Jun still forgave him for lying to her and thanked him for saving her life. He was now looking forward to see what would happen next.

Then he remembered about what Takeshi did. If it wasn't for him, Jun would have been killed. He needed to check on him in order to find out if he was okay. He cursed himself for not having done that sooner.

So he pulled out his phone, texted Takeshi's number and after a few seconds the beast answered the call.

"Takeshi… sorry for now phoning you earlier. I just needed some time for myself. How are you?" spoke Akira after the phone rang.

"Akira! Thank God you're okay! Don't worry, i'm still in one piece! You didn't really think i could be killed that easily, did you? By the way, thanks for the pants!" replied Takeshi in a casual tone earning a chuckle from Akira.

"No problem, bro. And how's Takae? She was really worried about you, you know." asked Akira again in a cheerful tone.

"Oh, don't worry, she usually does that. More importantly, did you save Miss Fudo?" asked back Takeshi, his voice taking on a serious tone.

"I have. Though it was also thanks to Kaim, who arrived there in time to help me out." replied Akira.

Takeshi, then replied in surprise "Really? Takae didn't even manage to contact him! Some stroke of luck that was eh?"

"Yeah, you could say that." replied Akira, while hiding his stupor at the fact that Kaim hadn't been contacted by Takae but still manage to arrive there. What could possibly have made him discover what was going on?

He put his thoughts aside before asking "Say Tak, can i visit you and Takae later? Been a while since i last saw her." having been a good two and a half weeks since he last saw them, he thought it would be appropriate to pay them a visit, since he had so much to talk with them.

Immediately Takeshi replied "Did you even need to ask? Of course you can, man! As a matter of fact, we were going to have dinner with Misaki and Kyoko! They would really like to see you again too!"

A smile formed on Akira's lips but before he could reply…

….. an angel appeared in front of him. Jun, dressed in the casual attire she wore the second time he met her, taking his breath away.

After remaining still for a few seconds, his eyes meeting Jun's own, Takeshi spoke "Akira? You there?" pulling him out of his trance. He then replied "Yeah, right. I'll be seeing you then. Later Tak."

"See ya later, bro! Bye!" spoke Tak before hanging the phone.

After putting his phone back in his pocket, Akira spoke "Jun… how are you?" his voice as soothing as he possibly could. He was still a little afraid that Jun was still a little ticked off at the fact that he had lied to her.

However that fright dissappeared as soon as Jun flashed a beautiful smile at Akira before replying "Fine. Just taking a walk around." in a casual tone.

Akira then got up and for some reason, he coudn't look Jun in the eyes. The guilt of having lied to her which resulted in her battle with Sirene that ended with her being stabbed in the back by the Demon Bird's talons was still present in his soul. Jun's smile dissappeared as soon as she noticed the guilt forming in Akira's face and eyes.

He then lowered his head before speaking "Jun…... About the day before yesterday… i'm sorry….. it was all my fault….. if i hadn't been such a coward…. If i had told you the truth earlier, you…."

He coudn't finish. Jun put one of her delicate and soft hands on Akira's left shoulder causing him to look back into her eyes. He was surprised to see that they weren't filled with displeasure and chagrin but with compassion and happiness. She then spoke "It's alright. You did it to protect me. You coudn't have foreseen what happened. Don't be too hard on yourself." her voice as beautiful and soothing as that of a caring mother. Akira gasped slighly at the happiness that radiated from every word that left her mouth.

"Jun….." was all he could let out, his voice full of astonishment and awe. Noticing this, Jun removed her hand from Akira's shoulder before taking Akira's left hand with her soft hands. She then spoke "I will never forget what you've done for me. You gave me happiness again. You gave me the strength to move forward again. You accepted me for what i am, both as a human and as a beast." her beautiful voice filled with so much happiness and joy that Akira's heart began to fill with the same emotions that radiated from Jun's words.

Jun's happiness was then replaced by sadness. She then lowered her head slightly and continued "After Kazumi died, i no longer had any reason left to live." before focusing her gaze back onto Akira's eyes, all of her sadness dissappearing at once, her beautiful smile making its way back on her lips before concluding "But then you came. And thanks to you, happiness has returned in my heart. You even made me feel at ease as a Beast for the first time. I will forever be grateful to you for what you've done for me, Akira."

And with those words, every fear from Akira's heart dissappeared completely. For the first time in God only knows how many years, Akira felt truly happy. His heart had been warmed after countless years of war and suffering for the first time. He hadn't fely so happy ever since the time he spent with Miki. He had finally found his second chance at love. He was afraid that after what happened two days ago, that his relationship with Jun would have come to an end. But now Jun had made it clear that her feelings towards him were unsullied, that she would forever be thankful towards him. This was the first step in their relationship's evolution from friendship to love.

"Jun… Thank you…." spoke Akira, mere inches away from shedding tears of joy, his voice as warm and cheerful as the warmth he felt in his heart at that moment.

"Akira…." replied Jun, her voice equally filled with passion and joy at the sight of the soothing smile of the young man in front of her. Her heart began to beat faster at that moment. For years such feelings hadn't been present in her heart. As much as she hated to admit it, not even Kazumi managed to arouse such feelings from her heart.

They remained like this for what seemed like hours, both of them gazing at each other's faces passionately, before Akira suddenly remembered the dinner with Takeshi and the girls which he had been invited to.

Wasting no time, he spoke "Oh, i forgot. Some friends of mine invited me to have dinner at their house. I was wondering if you would like to come with me, if it's okay for you. Plus they really hold you in high regard given how you were the one who saved their kind." in his casual tone.

Jun, after reflecting for a few seconds, replied "Really? Then who am i to say no to such a lovely proposal? Plus i'm sure they'll be delighted to meet me. I'm in." in a casual and cheerful tone, earning a smile from Akira due to how confident she sounded. She really did come a long way from the broken, introvert woman she was the first time he met her.

"Great! Can't wait to see the look on their faces when they'll find out about our relationship!" replied joyfully Akira earning a cute giggle from Jun, before they left, headed for Takae and Takeshi's house. While on their way, Akira took the time to send a message to Takeshi's phone:

- I'm coming. And get ready, cause i'm bringing someone special with me. -

Later

The Devilmen couple had arrived at Takeshi and Takae's apartment. After climbing the stairs they arrived at the front door. At that point Akira told Jun to wait outside and to hide for a moment in order to give his friends a surprise.

He then procedeed to knock a few times on the door. Not too long afterwards the door swung open and Akira was greeted by none other than Misaki and Kyoko.

"AKIRA!" they both exclaimed happily before hugging him tightly, overjoyed to see him again after a couple of weeks.

"Why, hello there, girls! How have you been?" replied the half-devil happily while returning the hug and patting Kyoko's head, earning a cute giggle from the orange eyed girl.

"Fine! We just managed to return to school!" exclaimed happily Kyoko, taking Akira by surprise slightly. Misaki then added "Took us a while, but you know what? They now even have schools specifically for Beasts!" in an equally cheerful tone as her friend.

"Cool. I didn't know that. Guess society has come a long way in just a few months!" replied Akira, happy to find out that the world of education itself had managed to cut in a niche for even the Devil-Beasts.

Then Takae and Takeshi came to greet him. The horned girl spoke "Glad to see you again, Akira. And thanks for helping Tak out." in a greeting, cheerful but at the same time thankful tone at the half-devil who had once again saved her boyfriend.

"Oh, it was nothing really. I merely helped him get some rest. Heck, i even gave him a pair of pants for when he would wake up!" replied Akira in a casual and joking tone causing the girls to laugh.

Takeshi sweat-dropped before replying sheepishly "Right, let's not get into that…. Quite embarrassing detail." causing Akira and the others to laugh even more. In the meantime, outside the apartment, even though Jun coudn't see them (due to Akira having instructed her to wait outside until he would come out and tell her to get in, in order to give his friends a surprise), she coudn't help but smile at the friendship and bonds that Akira had with those people. She guessed that it was a quality of being extroverted, the opposite of her introvert character.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by Akira speaking "For real though, Tak. I'm the one who should thank you." while putting one of his hands on Takeshi's right shoulder, earning a confused look from him and the girls. The beast then asked, puzzled "And why's that?"

"Cause if you hadn't stepped in, Sirene would have killed my girlfriend. I don't know how i will ever be able to repay you." replied Akira with a soft smile and his voice full of gratitude. But this only served to exacerbate the confusion and bewilderment on the four beasts's faces.

"Your girlfriend? What do you mean?" chimed in Takae, beating Takeshi from asking said question. With his smile growing even more, Akira removed his hand from Takeshi's shoulder and replied "Yep, my girlfriend. As a matter of fact, she's standing outside right now. And she's the one i told you about earlier in that message." then Akira walked back towards the door before saying "You can come in now, Jun." motioning Jun to come inside.

The confusion on the four beasts's faces turned into utter astonishment and disbelief as soon as Jun came inside and stopped at Akira's side. The four beasts's jaws dropped in utter shock and amazement as soon as they recognized their saviour, the one who had given them freedom.

"M…. Miss Fudo…" was all Takae could manage, not believing that the saviour of both humanity and the Devil-Beasts, Victor of the God Child was now standing before them.

"The….. the Devil….. Lady…" also spoke Misaki and Kyoko at the same time, their voices faltering.

As soon as Jun's eyes landed on the four beasts before her, her jaw also dropped in shock. Those four were the same beasts she had rescued from the concentration camp before she would go on and battle Satoru for the final time. And those three girls were the same girls that were with Kazumi moments before Naperius kidnapped her and brought her to the Crusaders's lair.

"Y-you… I remember you….." was all Jun could say, just as shocked as the four beasts that were standing in front of her. She then turned towards Akira and spoke "Then those beasts you spoke of two days ago…." her voice still full of shock and disbelief.

"Yep. Takae and Takeshi were attacked by a toad-like demon nearly two months ago. And i just happened to be at the right place and at the right time. Afterwards, they welcomed me in their house and the rest is history." replied casually and cheerfully Akira, causing Jun's eyes to widen even more in surprise.

Afterwards he watched happily as Takae, hesitantly walked towards Jun before stopping mere inches away from her, causing the Devil Lady to watch, still bewildered, her eyes meeting Takae's yellow ones. Immediately afterwards, Takae hugged Jun deeply, burying her head in the taller woman's lower chest and upper abdomen,

Jun's lips parted from each other in surprise as soon as she began to feel Takae's tears of happiness on her chest. Then, the horned girl, spoke "T…. Thank you… If it wasn't for you…. We…. We woudn't have a future….." nothing but utter joy and gratitude present in her voice.

Jun's eyes softened as soon as those words were spoken. She then watched as Misaki and Kyoko also came towards her and joined their horned friend in the hug. Kyoko, easily the most emotional of the three girls spoke "We… we thought you had dissappeared forever…." her voice just as full of the same emotions as Takae's. Misaki then added, just as emotional as the other two girls "We had lost all hope…. Then you came….. And you gave us freedom….. We will never be able to repay you for everything you did for us….."

Takeshi and Akira both smiled happily as soon as a soothing, caring smile formed on Jun's lips before she returned the hug, her eyes mere inches from shedding tears of happiness. The tender embrace she had received had warmed her heart. She then replied happily "Thank you… I only did what had to be done… I could no longer stand aside and watch those bastards mistreat you…..."

It dawned on Akira even more at that moment: Jun was their hero, their saviour. She had succeded where Akira had failed. She had given them freedom, equality with humanity. It was all thanks to her that they now had a better world to live in, a better future. Seeing the girls expressing their gratitude to Jun only served to strengthen his resolve to protect this new world and all the new friends he had made ever since he was reborn.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by Takeshi, who came at his side and spoke still in disbelief "You did it… You really did it, Akira. You saved her." causing Akira to turn slightly towards him. With a smile, he put his left hand on Takeshi's right shoulder and spoke "I coudn't have done it if you hadn't stepped in Tak. Thanks to you, i was able to arrive in time. I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if you hadn't." his voice full of gratitude for what his friend had done for him.

Takeshi remained still for a few moments before returning the smile and replying joyfully "That's what friends are for, Akira. To help each other out. You were the only one after Miss Fudo that ever did so much for us without wanting something in return. And plus, you know what they say: actions speak louder than words." They were now even again. After saving him and Takae from Zuboo, spending time with them, welcoming him in their house, fighting at his side in the dancing club, he had finally repaid his debt with Akira. He had unknowingly saved the soon to be new love of his life.

"I coudn't agree more." Chimed in Jun, pulling the two half-devils out of their exchange, after pulling out of her hug with the girls and coming towards them. Her brown eyes then met Takeshi's own before she continued "Thanks to you, i was able to hold my own, until Akira arrived. I will forever be grateful to you for that."

Takeshi could only smile soothingly as Jun's beautiful voice warmed his heart due to the gratitude that radiated from every single word that left her lips. He then replied "Don't mention it. It was the least i could have done to repay my debt to you. Thanks to you, we now have a future, just like the rest of our kind…." his eyes then moved from Jun's own, to his girlfriend's yellow ones "Thanks to you, our child will grow up in a world of peace."

Jun, gasped slightly in surprise as soon as those words left Takeshi's mouth. She then spoke, hesitantly "Child?" causing Takae to come to her boyfriend's side and answer "Yes, our child. During our time in the concentration camp, Tak and i fell in love. And shortly afterwards we expressed it. Our child won't have to go through what we went through. And it's all thanks to you, Miss Fudo." her eyes and her voice full of joy.

Jun's heart filled itself with utter happiness at that moment. Despite having lost her beloved Kazumi, she had prevented countless other people from suffering her same fate. She had given the next generation exactly what they were fighting for. A world of peace and equality. Seeing the gratitude that those four Beasts had expressed towards her, restored her resolve to fight, to protect the world she had brought upon them.

Overcome by joy, she then smiled joyfully before replying "I….. i don't know what to say….. I'm happy for you all….." warming the four beasts's hearts at the sight of her beautiful smile. She then turned towards Akira, her brown eyes meeting his black eyes and spoke passionately "Akira… you were right… I….. i am not alone….."

The half-devil then returned Jun's smile before putting his left arm around her back, resting his hand on her left shoulder before replying in the softest, most soothing voice he could put out "Yes, Jun. Look at what you have achieved. These people have all suffered just like you did… but then you came… and you brought their lives back….. you brought back their happiness, their freedom."

Jun could only listen speechless, her eyes filling up with even more emotion, before Akira removed his hand from her shoulder and gently grabbed her right hand with both of his hands before concluding "I hope… that i have done the same for you." with a serene smile.

And as soon as those words left Akira's lips, Jun's happiness became so much that she coudn't take it anymore. After calling out "Akira….." with unprecedented passion and joy, she hugged him deeply. Takeshi and Takae could only watch in utter astonishment and contentment at the beautiful moment that unfolded before their eyes.

However the same coudn't be said for Misaki and Kyoko, whose jaws dropped in realisation after watching the tender moment shared by Akira and Jun. After a few seconds, Kyoko spoke "Wait a moment…." after putting two and two together, while coming closer to them. She then asked "You two know each other?!" utterly disbelieved.

In response Akira, after breaking out of the hug and with a casual smile on his face replied "Of course we know each other! She's my girlfriend!" taking Jun completely by surprise. The four Beasts's eyes widened in shock and bewilderment at the revelation.

"WHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTT! SHE'S YOUR GIRLFRIEND?!" Exclaimed both Misaki and Kyoko at the same time, not believing what they had just heard. Akira and Jun both sweat-dropped at the sudden outburst. The latter began to feel a little uncomfortable at how the two girls were now staring at them.

"But….. but how?!" was all Takae could let out in utter disbelief and shock, her mouth hanging wide open, while Takeshi had been so shocked that he coudn't even speak. She coudn't believe it. Akira, the one who had saved them from that toad demon and the demons at the dancing club, the counterpart from another universe of the Devil Lady, had become its boyfriend?!

"Well…" began Akira after sheepishly rubbing the back of his head with his right hand "Let's just say that i met her by pure chance while i was out for a walk. We talked a bit, went to a pub for a drink and then we started dating each other!"

Jun was taken completely aback at how cheerful and casual Akira sounded. She guessed that it was the way he usually acted when he was among his friends. Nonetheless she coudn't help but smile at how cheerful he sounded.

"We even taught some thugs a lesson! Man, you should have seen her fighting! The way she nonchalantly manhandled five of them on her own, the grace of her moves and her gorgeous hair flowing seamlessly with them! She was such a badass, man!" continued Akira, happily recalling that time in which they curb-stomped that gang of ten thugs.

This caused Jun to blush intensely due to the compliments Akira was giving her and due to him calling her hair gorgeous. Nobody had ever complimented her in such a casual way before. She put both of her hands on her cheeks and looking away, she spoke "A-Akira….. Please….. you're embarrassing me…." her voice taking on a nervous and flattered tone, causing the beasts to gasp slighly due to how cute she sounded. Despite how far she had come, she still wasn't used to others complimenting her in such a casual way.

"She….. she's blushing….." thought Takae, still in disbelief. Never before had Takeshi, Takae, Misaki and Kyoko ever imagined that the Devil Lady could also sound this cute.

Takeshi then broke out of his stupor and spoke "You lucky bastard…" his smile retuning on his lips, while crossing his arms around his chest "Just when i thought you coudn't amaze me any further. You literally got yourself engaged with the Devil Lady herself."

Akira in response, grinned casually before replying "Yep. I guess that deep down, i'm a chick magnet Heheheh-"

He coudn't finish laughing. Jun elbowed him slightly on his side, pulling him out of his hubris before she replied "Don't push your luck. I still haven't completely forgiven you for lying to me." a smug, taunting smile forming on her lips, causing Akira to flinch back slightly due to how scary she sounded. He had forgotten that sometimes she could really sound…. Unnerving to say the least.

"Fair enough." replied casually Akira, while the other beasts watched in awe at the relationship between them. However at that moment…..

"I don't understand…" began Kyoko, gathering the attention of everyone "Why are you two a couple? Shoudn't Kazumi be with Miss Fudo instead?"

And as soon as those words left Kyoko's mouth the mood in the house changed completely. A look of surprise formed on Takae and Misaki's faces at the realization, Akira's face filled itself with shock and disbelief….

And all of Jun's happiness and cheerfulness vanished at once.

Immediately regretting what she said, Kyoko asked hesitantly "Did… did i say something wrong?"

For what seemed like hours a deafening silence filled the entire house. That was, until Akira broke it "You….. you knew Kazumi?!" he asked, his voice filled with pure bewilderment causing Takae, Misaki and Kyoko's eyes and mouth to widen in pure shock, while Jun turned her eyes towards the three girls, her lips slightly agape in shock.

"Akira….." spoke Takae, just as shocked as him, at the realisation that he had heard about her. Her face then took on a look of seriousness before she pointed towards the table and said "Perhaps it would be better if we would all just sit. It's gonna take a while…"

A couple dozen minutes later

To say that Akira was at a loss of words was an understatement. Never would he have expected those three girls to have been aquainted with what was essentially Miki's counterpart of this world.

Everyone after having dinner, took on a serious expression on their faces as the moment of truth had arrived. After a silence that seemed to last for hours, Takae was the first to speak "Chika was the one who introduced Kazumi to us, after she saved her from a raid conducted by the Human Alliance on a dancing club filled with Beasts. She was actually a fan of her, due to her passion for modelling."

Akira and Jun both simply listened stoically, showing no emotions on their faces as the horned girl began to recall the memories of their time spent with Kazumi.

"As i already told you Akira, we had been on our own ever since we were kicked out of our houses after becoming what we were. At first Kazumi was a little afraid of our appearance but it didn't take long for her to become a friend to us." continued Takae, her voice slightly beaming up, causing Jun's eyes to soften slightly. It warmed her heart slightly to know that those girls had helped Kazumi out of simple altruism.

She then came to a realisation "That's why i coudn't find her when those rebel beasts began to show themselves. You were the ones who protected her." she spoke, her voice taking on a soft tone.

Takae, smiling slightly replied "That's right, Miss Fudo. She told us so much about you. You were, like, the older sister she never had, she once told us."

Jun's eyes filled with melancholy and sadness as soon as those words left Takae's mouth, causing a worried look to form on Akira's face. She then lowered her head slightly, turning her gaze from the horned girl's eyes before saying "I was more than that to her. I was her lover."

Takae, Misaki and Kyoko all gasped in utter shock at what they heard. After a few seconds of silence, Misaki spoke in utter disbelief "K-Kazumi….. was your lover?"

"Yes. Her parents were murdered by a Beast many months ago. I took her in my house, gave her a place to stay. It was during that time….. that her admiration towards me….. turned into love….." replied Jun, her voice getting heavier and dryer with each word due to the sadness she felt upon recalling the memories of the time she spent with her beloved and the tragedy and horror she had to go through.

Akira could only listen in downheartness. He knew that Jun was lying when she told him that Kazumi and her parents died in a car accident but then again, he too had lied to her about Miki's fate.

"I should have known. It's just like when Agwel and Ghelmer attacked Miki's house" mused the half-devil in his mind, saddened.

The three girls's hearts sank at that moment. They had no idea that Kazumi had suffered just like they had, but for different reasons. She had her family taken away from her for the only crime of being associated with someone who was no longer human.

"I….. i'm sorry… I… i didn't know…" was all Takae could let out in sorrow. Kazumi was such a optimistic and resoluted girl. She had no idea that she had been through the same pain, she and her friends had.

"She was the first one ever to treat us with such kindness after we ended up as we are now." chimed in Misaki, her voice just as full of sadness "She even renounced her humanity after witnessing Chika being gunned down." lowering her head downwards in grief.

Akira's eyes widened at the reveal. Kazumi had to watch as the one who rescued her was gunned down simply for the crime of protecting her. He then asked "Renounced? What do you mean? His voice dead-serious.

Kyoko was the one to answer. She weakly spoke "She said….. that she would rather have been a beast….. the cruelty she witnessed that day made her realise than in the end being a human or a beast didn't matter…" causing Jun's eyes to get heavier, filled with even more sadness.

"Kazumi…." she weakly muttered out, pain evident in her voice. It dawned on her: nothing no longer mattered to Kazumi after she became a beast in front of Jun's eyes. Being human or not was no longer a concern of hers. All she ever wanted from that point on, was to be with Jun. She had become exactly like her. And just when the future became brighter for them her life was abrubtly cut short.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by Takeshi who asked to his girlfriend "But if she was a human, why did you bring her with you at Tsukuba Island?" in a serious tone. Little did he know of the consenquences this question had caused.

Jun's eyes shot wide open as soon as she remembered all the events that unfolded once the state of national emergency was declared. She then turned towards Takae, her face horror-stricken and spoke "You…. You took her to Tsukuba Island?!" startling the girls due to the distress in her voice. Even Akira was surprised to see Jun like this. Never before had he seen her so distraught.

A look of pure guilt and grief formed on Takae's face before she spoke "We never arrived there. We were captured by human soldiers….." her voice getting heavy due to once again recalling the memories of the soldiers torturing them and then gunning Chika down. "That was the last time we saw her…. Before that white winged beast took her away…"

Jun at that moment felt the entire world collapse all around her. She had to tell them that Kazumi, their friend died. But she coudn't do it. The trauma, the grief and the pain was too much for her. She slowly got up and took a few steps backwards and began to hug herself and shutting her eyes due to the traumatic memories that were returning in her heart while everyone watched in sadness.

Jun then weakly spoke "K-Kazumi…. I…. i'm sorry…. If….. if you hadn't met me…..." her voice cracking with every single word. It dawned on her that everything that happened to her was because of her. She was merely used as a pawn because of her bond with Jun.

Akira, utterly shocked by what Jun was going through, got up and spoke soothingly "Jun….. What happened?" however his eyes filled with even more sorrow as Jun buried her face in her hands and began to cry. However, between sobs, she weakly managed "It…. It was them….. Those who declared war against humanity….. They were the ones… who murdered her parents!"

Everyone's eyes widened in pure shock and horror at what Jun said. Kyoko then was the first to speak "W-what…. It was them?!" her face filling with horror at the realisation that the ones who had proclaimed the independence of Devil-Beasts, who had waged war against humanity, where the same ones who murdered Kazumi's parents.

"They…. they were the ones who murdered her parents?" spoke Misaki as well, just as horrified.

Seeing the state she was in, Akira came at her side and spoke "Jun, please. You have to calm down." his face full of worry and with a soothing tone. However his face contorted itself in shock when Jun turned towards him with a face so full of sadness and sorrow that it almost broke him.

"How am i supposed to calm down?! It was all my fault!" she cried at him, causing him to gasp slighly in shock at the pain that radiated from her voice and that filled her eyes. Never before had he seen her so devastated, so broken. It broke his heart to see her like that.

"Jun…. Please…. I know how you feel but-" began Akira, putting a hand on her shoulder in an attemp to to comfort her, only for her to lash out at him, removing his hand from her shoulder. She then rounded her eyes on him, grief still filling every part of them.

(OST: "Loneliness" = Devil Lady soundtrack (the track that plays from 1:55 to 3:16) = watch?v=urPG62zXTUM)

She then grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him towards her before bellowing "NO, YOU DON'T! YOU WEREN'T THERE WHEN THOSE MONSTERS MURDERED HER PARENTS FOR THE SOLE CRIME OF BEING ASSOCIATED WITH ME!" her voice filling up with anger and hatred but at the same time sadness and sorrow at what those monsters did to Kazumi, her eyes turning yellow. This caused a look of pure sorrow and grief to form on Akira and the three girls's faces upon hearing how distraught Jun sounded and at what Kazumi went through simply for the sole fact that she happened to be Jun's friend.

"YOU WEREN'T THERE WHEN THOSE BASTARDS KIDNAPPED HER, USED HER AS A BAIT TO LURE ME IN, TORTURED ME BEFORE HER OWN EYES, AND TRANSFORMED HER INTO A BEAST!" Continued Jun, lowering her head towards the floor, the anger beginning to dissappear from her voice, replaced by despair and pain as her eyes returned to their original color. She then shut her eyes due to the pain those memories brought back, tears still flowing from them.

Akira was on the verge of tears. Seeing Jun going through such an emotional breakdown at recalling those painful memories sent chills down his spine. She sounded exactly like he did after he finished slaughtering the monsters who had murdered Miki.

"She… she….." whimpered Jun, trying and failing to speak, her pain suffocating her. Finally she raised her head back, her brown eyes, filled with tears of pain and grief meeting Akira's own again before finally wailing "SHE DIED IN MY ARMS AND I COUDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!" her voice cracking completely, replaced by cries. Finally she buried her head on Akira's chest, her tears no longer held back. The girls coudn't take it anymore. They all broke down in tears at the revelation that Kazumi had died.

"No….. Kazumi….." whimpered Takae, burying her head in her hands, while Takeshi who had stood by in silence during the entire conversation pulled her into a hug and the horned girl buried her head on his chest.

"All….. All this time….." sobbed Kyoko, crying even more than her horned friend while Misaki pulled her into a hug and her tears added to the orange eyed girl's own.

Witnessing the emotional breakdown of the girls was the final straw. For the first time ever since he was reborn in this world, Akira broke down in tears. Kazumi had suffered the same fate Miki had. She had lost her parents, murdered by monsters for the sole crime of being associated with someone who was no longer human. And then she had her life taken away, just when things were starting to get better.

Witnessing Jun breaking down in tears before him, burying her head on his chest broke Akira's heart. It was the same pain he felt when he hugged Miki's severed head and screamed at the heavens for hours. He then slowly wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and pulled her even closer to him. Jun gasped as soon as she felt Akira's body shaking in pain and sadness, before his tears landed on her body.

He then spoke weakly "J-Jun…. I… I'm sorry… I…. i didn't know….." his voice having cracked completely. It got to a point where he could no longer speak. Cries were the only things that came out of his mouth.

"A….. Akira…" she called out, after feeling his cries, his body shaking. She then understood: the pain, the sorrow, the sadness she felt from his voice and his cries… they were the same as her own. She had witnessed such emotions the moment she first met him. And then she saw a glimpse of them when he told her his past. But now… They were no longer held back. Could it be… that Miki….. went through the same ordeal Kazumi had?

After Jun once again called out his name, a powerful emotion, one Akira hadn't felt in years came back. He then pulled himself out slighty from their hug and gently put his hands on Jun's cheeks, taking her breath away. As soon as their eyes met each other, Jun's sadness and pain began to fade away, replaced by passion and for her feelings towards Akira. Her heart began to beat faster at that moment. The sadness, the grief and the sorrow present in his eyes made her understand that he was there for her. He had understood her pain, her sorrow.

The girls could only watch in awe as the emotional, magical moment began to unfold. Their tears dissappeared immediately upon seeing Akira breaking down in tears, giving Jun the warmth and the comfort she needed.

"Jun….. i promise you. I will never let anyone hurt you again. You will no longer be alone. Not anymore. I'll make sure of it. I'll even give away my life for you if i have to." spoke Akira, his voice absolute and devoid of any doubt, causing Jun's lips to part away and her eyes as well as her heart to fill with an emotion she hadn't felt ever since she and Kazumi finally confessed their feelings towards each other.

Love.

Love towards the man who had pulled her out of her depression, who had spent time with her, who had healed her broken heart, who had brought back happiness into her life and who had, just now, embraced her and shed tears for her.

"Akira….." was all Jun could let out, her heart beating so fast that her past no longer mattered to her at that moment. She then watched as Akira removed his hands from her cheeks before grabbing one of Jun's delicate hands and placing it on his chest, where his heart was. Jun's eyes and mouth widened even more due to how much it was beating.

"I'll bear all of your pain, all of your sorrow and grief. I will make you happy again. You have suffered for far too long. I give you my word. As long as i'll live i will not let that happen again." spoke once again Akira, his voice becoming as soothing as that of a caring parent, devoid of any hesitation, of any second thought. Jun's eyes began to shake in passion. In Akira's eyes there no longer was any hint of sadness. They were filled with the most powerful of all emotions, one that would motivate a man to face challenges most would escape from, exposing him to defeat… and death.

"W…. Why…" she weakly asked, her eyes and lips softening. The feelings she felt towards Akira at that moment had become so strong that nothing else mattered. But she needed to hear those words. Those words who would have healed her heart once and for all.

"Because….. because…" began hesitantly Akira, while removing Jun's hand from her heart and putting his left arm on Jun's right arm and his right arm around her back. Finally, mustering all of his strength, letting his heart speak for him, he spoke three words. Three words that would forever chance Jun and Akira's fates. Three words that would forever unite them for the rest of their lives.

"I love you."

And as soon as those words left Akira's mouth, all of Jun's sadness and pain vanished from her heart, replaced only by the burning emotion that Akira also felt in his heart. She then put her hands on Akira's shoulders as a smile of love, passion and happiness formed on her beautiful lips. The most beautiful smile Akira had ever seen, a smile so powerful and beautiful that nothing would have ever come close to it. She then spoke "Akira….. I…. I love you too." finally admitting her feelings towards him.

Finally, holding each other tightly, their lips met each other in a kiss of pure, unsullied love. They remained like this for what seemed like an eternity, their bodies making contact with one another, their souls momentarily becoming as one. In Akira and Jun's hearts at that moment, there no longer was sadness, sorrow and grief. They were filled with joy, warmth and peace. Those emotions had finally returned in their hearts after the hell they went through.

Takeshi and the girls could only watch in awe and joy as the Devil with the heart of a Human and the Saviour of both Mankind and the Beasts finally expressed their love for each other for the first time.

(Soundtrack Ends)

After the hell they went through, they finally found each other. And now love had finally blossomed between them. Their second chances at living, at love had finally arrived. And now they will be forever bound together. Their bond had finally been consolidated. Now they will stand together to the end. They will protect this world and its people together until death will separate them.