What did that good for nothing junkie of a disciple dredge up this time?

When that message from her crow came the other day, there was something about demons acting up. Ugh, I didn't want to get involved in any research, don't got time for that. I only agreed to receiving them because she promised a trainee with potential along with those two, and that's something I haven't seen in years.

But yet again, this is Sarumei making promises.

It's not polite to show my disappointment in front of a guest. So I grin and bear it in front of this young man who looks like he was fished out of a lake.

"Hey...Are you Hisaishi-san?"

"Eh?" I can't hear anything. Is he speaking at all?

"Talk louder, son! My ears aren't gonna bend over for ya!"

"Hi-Hisaishi-san! I...Sarumei Hebiyama sent me here." He turns to set a large covered crate in front of me. "She said...you could help us."

Is that crate...

I might be really pissed at Sarumei giving me this counterfeit, but it's cruel to let him stay out there. Maybe it won't be too bad if it's just for a few hours. As for the demons...I'll find out how to deal with them. Sarumei insisted they're useful but honestly I don't have much expectation for them.

"Come on in. I'll make some tea and get a fresh change of clothes. You can leave the box by the door."

"Thank you. Don't worry, they're muzzled so it's ok."

Convince yourself however you want.

Buckwheat tea is the best for damp days like this.

By the light of the fire I can see this lad better. I can't believe someone like this actually managed to break Sarumei's wrist. His bones are so sharp against his skin that if I didn't know better, I'd have believed he was made of glass.

And that coughing.

It's the cough of a soul leaving the body.

I had it once, too. It's when water fills your lungs and makes you ill. Our medicine nowadays might be better, but it was a lot worse when I was young. It killed my mother.

"So...forgive me, but what do we do now?"

"Hm? Oh. You seem ill, I might get a doctor to come."

"And Sayo and Kai...?"

"I don't know if a doctor can come check up on demons."

"But is there any way to turn them back?"

Yeah, I'm really gonna beat the shit out of her for swindling this poor sod. Who would make someone believe in something so stupid? They might act differently from most demons, but how convenient is it to keep them? Are we gonna just muzzle them up and cage them for the rest of their lives? If Fujikasane told me anything about that, it's a recipe for catastrophe.

But can I tell him that? When I was a slayer, people went insane over their demon family getting killed. I can definitely fight this man off, but it's still going to be inconvenient. What to respond...

"Well...I...there's no current method."

"I know. I...just thought you could help." He sighs.

And for the next few minutes, the only things sounding are the splutters of the fire between us and the air struggling to escape from his chest.

"Hey."

No answer. I clear my throat.

"Hey."

His head is bowed, but I'm not sure if it's out of reflection or unconsciousness. I guess it's not a problem to go make sure.

"Hey." I lean over to shake his shoulder. Holy shit.

He's burning.

"Hey, you have a fever."

Finally, his lips move a little. "I'm alright..." But it's so soft I almost didn't catch what he said.

"Alright big guy, I have a spare futon so you can go ahead and rest on that. Come on-" He's twice my height, but it's no struggle to hoist him up.

"But Sayo...Kai...?"

"Will be taken care of. After you take a quick little nap. Come along." It's not a walk in the park dragging him across the floor. I guess he can't help being vertically inclined. There is a futon in the back of the house, so that's where I'll put him.

"Here-just stay here, ok?" Thump! On you go.

"Hey...don't let *cough* them...go out..." He croaks. "Don't...hurt them..."

"Will do, long as you don't get up." It seems he's too weak to escape the heavy blanket anyways. Good. All he can do is cough and cough and either clear his lungs or suffocate. At least my work here is done. The doctor's office is closed so all we can do is wait for tomorrow.

"Alright, I will bring some food and water later tonight and leave it by your bed. Whether you survive or not is on the higher powers, I suppose."

I don't know if he's hearing me anymore. But tears are flowing from those blank eyes. I wonder what he's thinking about.

Finally he closes them, rolls over and buries himself in the bedding. It's funny but I don't know if I should laugh. A man as tall as a tree hidden in a futon, like a small delicate rabbit in its den. The muffled coughing rings out periodically.

More buckwheat tea would be nice. Some of that leftover daifuku from yesterday as well. As for the demons...

Wait, was that cloth moved to the left when I last saw it?

I peek in. Ah shit. This old age must be getting to me. Well, whatever demons were in there sure ain't now. The tea and sweets will just have to wait.

Why can't Sarumei stop bringing back trouble wherever she goes?