Once upon a time, there lived a young man who was the eldest of six brothers. The Eldest Brother was a daring, cunning young man─but he was very kind to his younger brothers. The Second Brother was calm and mild-mannered, he often takes care of the other siblings when the Eldest Brother wasn't home. The Third Brother was a fastidious one, but he was diligent and responsible. The Fourth Brother was a quiet child, but he was reliable and obedient. The Fifth Brother was a cheerful child, loved by all despite his dimwittedness. The Sixth Brother was clever, and a bit greedy─but he was cute and funny.

The Eldest Brother loved them all unconditionally. They were his blood brothers, after all. The Eldest Brother loved the Second Brother's kindness, the Fourth Brother's resilience, the Fifth Brother's bright smile, and the Sixth Brother's wit. However, he couldn't find what he loved the most from the Third Brother. He asked himself over and over again.

"What is it? What is the thing I love the most from him?"

The Eldest Brother crawled up to the bed, looking at his sleeping brothers. He watched the Third Brother's face carefully, and smiled.

"I guess I know..." He whispered.

"What I love the most from you is your─"


Late at night, a figure clad in black coat walked across a red-light district. It was a young man, dressed sharp and dandy. Several prostitutes whispered to each other, their sights were completely captured by the charming man.

"He's from a noble family, isn't he? His outfit looks so expensive." Said one of the whores.

"Good evening, Sir. Perhaps you, by any chance, caught an interest to try one of our services?" A prostitute sweetly spoke in seductive manner.

"I would love to, but I was just returning from that big playhouse over there." The gentleman said, pointing his finger to the largest building at the district. "I'll see you girls again next time."

Not before long, a horrifying screan was heard from the brothel. Many heads turned at the commotion. One man was yelling through the streets, terrified.

"O─our girls are DEAD!" The man wailed. "One of them went nuts! She...she ATE THEM!"

The hubbub was spreading wildly like a fire. Meanwhile, the gentleman escaped from the main streets and walked through a dark, small alley. He took his hat off, revealing his blood-red eyes.

"Heh, that was fun..." He grinned from ear to ear. "Can't wait to see the headlines for tomorrow. Those horny sluts ain't worth shit...can't even make my dick hard a bit..."

He gazed at the silver full moon, shining brightly above the midnight sky. The moon reminded him of a lake's cold water, the swaying and rustling leaves of the forest's trees...

"I have to say, female humans are quite titillating...but they don't have anything compared to a certain water spirit..." The man licked his lips. "I mean, look at that slender, pale skin...the wetness of it just amped the sexy factor like hell. Fuck, I can't wait to get my hands on that! Heheheheh..."

The man sprouted wings from his back, jumped upwards to the sky and disappeared.


One day, the Eldest Brother went to the market. He stole, stole, and stole. He gave the foods he stole from the market to his younger brothers. Even though he risked himself to steal, he was happy to see his brothers' smiling faces.

The next day, the Eldest Brother went to the playhouse. He play, play, and play. He used the money he earned from the old men of the playhouse to buy new toys for his younger brothers. Even though his body was hurting from playing too much, he was happy to see his brothers' smiling faces.

The next day, the Eldest Brother went to the market again. He stole, stole, and...he was caught. He was beaten badly by his captors, gushing blood from his wounds and bruises.


"Good evening, Sexy!"

Choromatsu nearly jumped out of the lake, wearing shocked expression on his confused face.

"You again?! What do you want this time?!" He yelled, pointing at the Devil's coat. "And what's with that getup?!"

"Ah, this? Pretty fancy, huh?" The Devil took his coat off, smiling seductively at the Water Spirit. "I wear this costume to woo you, dear. What do you think? Are you turned on right now?"

"No way, stupid!" Choromatsu hissed. "Ugh! You reek of something! Your smell is disgusting! Stay away from me!"

"Hmmm? Oh, right. I was playing with some women before I came here. You know, I want to have fun!" The Devil smelled his own sleeves. "Maybe the smell of their perfume stings your nostrils, eh? Sorry 'bout that."

"...'perfume'? What is that? It smells horrible. So...unnatural..." Choromatsu covered his nose from the sharp aroma of perfume assaulting his sense of smell. "Do humans really need to put those things all over their body?!"

"Yeah, no shit. It's full of chemicals and stuff. It masks their unpleasant body odor, you know."

"Why don't they put flowers on their bodies instead of that?! Ahhh, I can't stand its smell! It stinks!"

The Devil burned his clothes, changing it into his usual outfit with a snap from his fingers. "There. Satisfied?"

Choromatsu coughed, his eyes went watery. "Yes, good. Thank you very much. I can't understand those humans...why are they putting up such hideous substances to mask their body odor? I don't think humans' body smell that bad."

"You wouldn't understand, since you're not a human yourself. You see, I've seen how those humans act, for uncountable years. They hide their negative, ugly aspects...while keeping a pretty good work to show their decent sides. Although in the end, they're all just rotten monsters filled with carnal desire, dressed up in flesh and pretty skin─not so different from us demons." The Devil grinned, ruffling Choromatsu's hair. "I like spirits better. They're not as hypocrite as humans do. At least, they're honest beings."

"You keep babbling honest this and honest that..." Choromatsu slapped the Devil's hands. "How about you? I don't even think demons could do the same. Demons can only spouting lies from their mouths. You are all just filthy liars."

The Devil laughed. "Then, how do you want me to prove it to you, that I'm not a filthy liar?"

"Call the pact off, that is all I need!" Choromatsu exclaimed, his face went stiff from annoyance. "I don't want to see your face ever again."

"No, no, no! Anything but that! I want to accompany you, relieving your boredom, really! I don't have any ulterior motives!"

"Now you're acting really suspicious! I can't trust you at all!"

"How about this? Let's give the pact chance for...maybe about three years? If I did something that makes you angry or dissatisfied, then you can cut off the pact on the spot."

Choromatsu rolled his eyes in distrust, before finally agreed to the Devil's offer.

"Fine, then. You'll be my servant for the next three years. If you make me angry, I'll kick you out of here immediately."

"Well said, Water Spirit!" The Devil clapped his hands. "Anyway, I brought you this. Consider it as introduction gift or something."

A bouquet of flowers appeared in the Devil's hands, who gleefully handed it to Choromatsu.

"Are you stupid? I can get these kinds of flowers from the lakeside or the forest. I don't really need it." Choromatsu turned the gift down, feeling somewhat embarassed.

"Like I said, consider this as simple pleasantries I could offer. Just take it."

The Devil leaned to Choromatsu's shoulders, suddenly licked the latter's ears─much to the Water Spirit's shock.

"GYAAAAH! What do you think you're doing?!" Choromatsu screamed, his face was burning red.

"Just another pleasantries, my dear." The Devil bowed politely. "Until next time, then. I'll be bringing you more gifts to ease your boredom."

A strong wind blew, and the Devil was gone. His perfume-reek coat was left at the lakeside, along with the scattered petals from the bouquet.

"What a wicked, weird man..." Choromatsu mused, taking the coat to his hands before smelling it. The smell of sickeningly sweet concoction─mixed with heavy scent of sweat, musky smell of animalistic lust...and blood.

"I wonder...what kind of life he's been living..."

The coat brought so many new, peculiar scents of life that Choromatsu never smelled before. It was his first time smelling this kind of scent, but it was also strangely bringing a sharp pain piercing through his chest.


"Big Brother? What is it?"

The Third Brother yawned, rubbing his sleepy eyes. His eldest brother jolted, then quickly hid some coins behind his back.

"*****? You're still awake?"

"Welcome home. You must be tired."

Happily, the Third Brother hugged his eldest brother, who was sweating bullets from his neck.

"Big Brother, why do you always left the house so early in the morning, and back home so late at night? What kind of job are you doing?"

Reluctantly, the Eldest Brother spoke. "You don't need to ask. Here, I brought you some money."

Looking at the glistening coins in his hands, the Third Brother smiled.

"Do you like it? I'll be bringing you more gifts if you like." The Eldest Brother ruffled his hair.

"Yes. Thank you very much, Big Brother!"

"Now, go to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow, *****."


The next day, Choromatsu was still bewildered by the Devil's coat. He grudgingly tried to throw it away, but he couldn't do it. The coat was reek of women's perfume.

It's disgusting. Choromatsu thought to himself. Why would anyone love that kind of smell? I can't understand humans.

The scent brought his mind back to the first human he ever met─a young girl. The girl also loved to wear flowers on her clothes. She said, her mother always wearing some kind of oil scented with flowers.

How is she doing today? Is she doing well? The Water Spirit wondered. Ah, she must be gone by now. It's been hundreds of years since I first met her. Humans' lifespan doesn't last long. She must have been very happy for spending his lifetime with fellow humans, and I hope she has found happiness with that man.

A tinge of jealousy filled Choromatsu's heart. His mind went bitter and sour for remembering about the girl. He shook his head, and shifted his focus at the Devil's coat.

He must have been happy, too. He always does everything he want to do without any hesitation. Like, nothing really bothers him. Ah, and Jyushimatsu. I bet he's been having fun with Ichimatsu, that Reaper. Everyone's had a lot of fun...so...

However, the more he thought about that, the more irritated he became. His chest was pained with inexplicable feelings he couldn't describe.

...It's okay. As long as they're happy...I...

He grabbed the Devil's coat, smelling it once again. It was still there, lingering from the fabric─the smell of the Devil.

It's his scent. But this 'perfume' smell really ruins it for my nose. He mentioned that he 'played' with several women last night. Did he really enjoyed their company? Did he really had fun with them?

However, the more he thought about that, the more irritated he became. Driven with jealousy, he clenched his teeth.

What about me? Am I so boring that no one wants me? Am I really that unwanted by anyone? No, I don't want that. I just...I just want to be accepted. Someone, anyone would do. So...

The Water Spirit gulped. His body went hot, almost feverishly burning. Dirty thoughts began to slamming inside his mind. He felt a strange, nauseating intent swelling up within his head.

No...that's not it. I was just trying to hide my own selfish, filthy desires. What I really want is─

He touched his own body, slowly but steadily moved his shaky fingers on the bottom part. Heavy breath escaped from his lips, as the movements became faster and harder.

Ahhhh...in the end, I'm just the same as them─a hypocrite...a lewd and indecent being. A rotten slut covered in nice, squeaky clean skin.

"That looks kinda difficult there...you okay?"

Choromatsu gasped. His eyes widened in horror as he saw a pair of red eyes caught him in a shameful state. A wide, mischievous grin was formed across the pale face. The Devil was sitting atop of a tree, gleefully watching Choromatsu's awkward position.

"Do you need some help?" He chuckled, making Choromatsu's face blushed hard.

"N─no! Go away, you freak!"

"Ehhh...but you're almost at it. It would be a waste to stop at this point, right? Please continue."

"NO WAY, YOU CREEPY PERVERT!"

The Devil jumped down from the tree, shamelessly touching Choromatsu's stiff body with his freezing skin.

"Let me help you. It would be easier if you follow my lead." The Devil whispered, suprisingly gentle to the anxious Choromatsu. "You really should relax your shoulders a bit─since you're so fucking tense. You must be a virgin, eh?"

"Shut...up...hnnngh..."

Without protesting much, Choromatsu gave himself up to the Devil. He struggled to hold down his moaning, but to no avail. A slight sigh came out from his mouth.

"Whoa...you came a lot. Good job for your hard work, sweetie." The Devil said, amused by the Water Spirit's gasping breath.

"D─don't look at me! I...I'm the worst..." Choromatsu sobbed, his face was sparkling with tears. "...I never knew...I had this filthy desire inside..."

"So what? Having a sexual urge is perfectly normal. Why are you feeling ashamed of yourself?"

"You call this normal?! What is wrong with you?!"

"Hey, that's my line. Feeling ashamed of your own lust is questionable, you know? Humans or not, we're still creatures─beings that possesses urge and desire. Seriously..."

Choromatsu stared at the Devil, bewildered and confused. "That means...you're fine with me? Even though I'm this dirty..."

"Huh? What's that? What are you talking about? I can't hear you over the fact that you just jerked off to my coat!" The Devil laughed. "You just jerked off to my clothes! I'm so happy right now, holy fuck!"

"You better not tell a soul about this." Choromatsu growled. "Don't be so full of yourself, you conceited bastard."

"Yeah, yeah. I promise. That aside..."

The afternoon's warm wind breezed through Choromatsu's hair. He could felt the Devil's cold kiss stung his lips.

"...I'm really glad you had that kind of thought about me. No sarcasm intended."

The Devil flashed a genuine smile so bright, it nearly outshined the sunlight pouring down from the clear sky. Choromatsu's face was lit up in bright red.

"...I told you...don't be so full of yourself...idiot."


He saw the Eldest Brother covered in deep, deep red. A bloody, large axe was shining malevolently in the Eldest Brother's hands. He screamed in his sleep, begging his big brother to stop.

"Big Brother! O, Big Brother! Cease your carnage at once! I beg you, please think about our bleeding hearts! It pains us to see you bathe in sin!"

He felt something cold touched his cheek. It was his Eldest Brother, waking him from his horrible nightmare. His other brothers were sleeping soundly on the cradle.

"It's alright now." The Eldest Brother whispered, embracing his trembling younger brother within his arms.

"O Big Brother! Promise me, you won't take anyone's life for our sake!" The Third Brother cried, sobbing in horror.

The Eldest Brother caressed his younger brother's head lovingly, before deathly cold words muttered from his grinning lips.

"Yes, *****. I promise."


Two days later, the story of several prostitutes' unusual death buzzed the entire town with anxiety. A prostitute went insane for reasons unknown, and murdered three of her co-workers in gruesome fashion.

"The harlot sliced open the other three's bellies, before ripping out their guts and ate them! She was almost like a monster!" The innkeeper─an old man, was telling the story to his patrons in a fiery tone.

"That's...quite a disturbing story, Sir." A patron commented, his eyebrows raised restlessly.

"What's a 'harlot', Karamatsu? Is it some kind of monster?" A young boy innocently asked, much to his older companion's shock.

"Hush, Totty. You shouldn't listen to adults' conversation. Go to our room, now. I'll see you later." The older man pointed his finger to a door.

"Awwww, no fair." The young boy sulked, reluctantly closing said door shut.

"Who is that? Your son, I presume?" The innkeeper asked, unable to hide his curiosity.

"No, no. I'm just his guardian..." The man replied. "We just arrived at this town yesterday...right after the murder occured. But, Sir...tell me more about this incident."

"Oh, sure. This incident is spreading around like a wildfire, young man! Almost nobody knows what's been going on about that freaky murder...well, except travelers like you, for instance!" The old innkeeper continued his chat. "I also heard that the lady's eyes turned blood-red before she went berserk and killed the victims."

"It must be a curse! That woman is cursed!" The innkeeper's wife murmured in fear, clenching to her husband's sleeves.

"Well, strange things do happen, after all. But it would be best to not get ourselves involved. By the way, where did you come from, traveler? Are you a merchant or something?"

The young man scratched his head, sporting a friendly smile. "Ah, I'm just your ordinary traveling bard. I traveled from town to town...but I actually came from the far northern village. I was a clergyman at first, but then I decided to raise that child..."

"Oh! So, you're a musician! I would like to hear some songs, if you don't mind..."

"Dear! It's already so late! Let the guests rest, will you?!" The innkeeper's wife angrily stared at her husband.

"Thank you, Ma'am. I guess...I could use some rest. Well then, if you'll excuse me..."

The young man bowed, and entered his room. Inside the room, the child was sleeping on the bed. Looking at the child's peaceful face, the young man couldn't help but smile. He nearly forgot about his own mind worrying over the gruesome murder that took place at the town.

"Murder...red eyes...sudden change in behavior, huh?" The young man mumbled, caressing the child's rosy cheeks.

"Why can't I shake off this chill haunting my spine? I wonder..."