Never did Hajime expect to be seeking the warmth of his own bed so much as he did on that night. Once he got inside the mansion, all tired from his nightly adventure, he was quick to turn the security systems back on, after which he tiptoed his way back upstairs, changed into his pajamas and crashed on the soft cotton sheets and plush-like mattress. He fell into slumber almost immediately, his mind taking him to faraway lands of peaceful dreams.
Hajime greeted the morning sun with a genuine smile, his rest had been very refreshing. The clock showed that it was 9 AM, but his courses were starting in an hour so there was no rush. After a warm shower he was dressed up and ready to go. Tsugumi awaited him in the kitchen with breakfast, and thankfully she was oblivious to his sneaking out.
"Good morning, sweetheart." She smiled warmly, gesturing him to sit at the table.
"Morning." He stretched his limbs and sat down. "Look, about last night…"
"Don't worry, I know that we both went a little overboard, it's no big deal," Tsugumi assured him. "I just didn't want to manage you."
"No, I understand, I shouldn't have said those things to you either," Hajime replied.
"I do have some good news!"
"Oh?"
"Subaru finally phoned me early in the morning. He told me that he was not the killer."
"That's great, grandma!"
"However…" her tone became a bit somber, "…he fears that Demon Subaru may have gained another body. The killings seem to suit his style almost too well."
He nodded in agreement, "That is quite the possibility indeed. But even if it is him, that won't scare me off. I promise I'll do my best to help the police find Ken's murderer."
"Hajime, I think it's best you stood out of trouble. If you keep going on like this, how long will it be until you become the next victim?"
"That's a risk I'll have to assume."
And thus he began eating his omelet, Tsugumi sighing in defeat as she turned to the window.
A while later, Hajime headed out. The sky was surprisingly sunny for an autumn morning. People were filling the sidewalks, rushing to their jobs or whatever businesses they had downtown. It was a very pleasant and welcoming atmosphere, almost as if nothing bad had ever happened the previous day. But he knew all too well that once he would have arrived at college and taken his lonely seat in class, he would have felt Ken's absence. His entire life was so safe and normal up until the previous day. Now he was sure that it would have never been the same again, and not even the cheeriest of days could have managed to make things better.
Upon setting foot in the large building, he noticed something peculiar – the corridors were all empty, almost as if the entire place had been abandoned. It unnerved him. And then he heard voices coming from ahead, prompting him to investigate. After a bit of walking, he looked out a window and saw that there was a gathering in the college's inner yard. Not wasting any time, he went to the closest exit and joined the crowd. Through the many silhouettes of his peers he managed to recognize a red cowboy suit and he was quick to tap that individual's shoulder.
"Huh?" Jack turned around. "Oh, good morning."
"Morning." Hajime shared a quick handshake with him. "What's this all about?"
"The dean's holding a speech, so we're starting the courses a bit late. I think he'll talk about what happened yesterday."
"Hopefully they'll do something about it fast."
"Look, here he comes!"
A short balding man dressed in a formal suit coupled with a red tie walked up the podium, checked the microphone and looked around the crowd. Tense silence reigned for a couple of moments until he cleared his throat. Thus he began his speech in a rather soft spoken voice.
"Dear students of Sagakin University, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce you of the unfortunate tragedy which had occurred yesterday at the cafeteria, where one of your peers, Ken Sakaki, had been discovered brutally murdered." He paused for a moment to look at their reactions. "Please, do not let this get the best of you. It is important that one go through such events with a clear mind. I cannot emphasize more on how your personal safety is important to each and every one of us." And then his voice began to crack a little. "So, I beg of you, if you happen to find any clue whatsoever that can lead to us finding who committed that horrible act, please contact the local authorities immediately."
A taller man who seemed overweight, wearing a blue uniform that had a couple of badges, also went on the podium.
"Ryuta Nakamura, the chief of police, also has a word to address to you. Please listen closely to his advice," the dean concluded and stepped aside, allowing the other man to take his place.
"Thank you," the chief spoke into the microphone. "As you are well aware, yesterday the police had interrogated every student present on the campus. So far we have found no possible trail that can lead us to a suspect, but the search is ongoing. Until we get to the bottom of this, I have to offer you all some safety tips to make sure that this tragedy won't happen again." He stopped to get a better view of the crowd and was pleased to see that the majority seemed very interested in what he had to say. "First off, even if your courses end late at night, be sure to always head back home with a friend. Always walk under the streetlights and avoid going in dark secluded areas at all costs."
And so the speech continued for almost half an hour, the two authority figures sometimes interacting with the crowd and answering questions. When the meeting finally ended, everyone went their own way back to their classes. Jack followed Hajime down the corridor, the two discussing with lowered voices.
"Jeez, those safety measures were so basic, it's almost like he thought we're five or something!" Jack rolled his eyes with slight annoyance.
"Can you blame him after what happened? At least he gave us their phone number," Hajime argued.
"Hah, as if we didn't know it or weren't able to google it."
"Whatever."
"I must admit, I really cringed when that wannabe sheriff started shit talking violent video games and the 'occult', whatever the hell that's supposed to be."
"You're not the only one, I heard a few voices in the back mocking him."
"No wonder the police in this town is so out of touch." And then Jack's tone became a bit more serious. "So you got any idea about what happened to Ken?"
"None yet, and from the looks of it, the police aren't faring any better either." Hajime sighed in frustration. "I just can't wrap my mind around it, who would want to do this to him?"
"No offense, but Ken was indeed a bit of an asshole sometimes. And even then, he didn't really strike me as the type who'd make enemies on the whim."
"Exactly my point, Jack. Most likely the one who did it was some kind of psychopathic stalker."
"If what you're saying is true, then we're in deep shit."
"The last time I spoke to Ken, he was at the snack bar and was headed to college. I want to head there today and investigate the area. There must be some clues we can gather from there!"
"I don't know, partner, it sounds a bit dangerous for you to be doing detective business."
"Someone has to get to the bottom of this before it's too-"
All of a sudden, their conversation was interrupted by a loud scream echoing in the hallways. The duo joined those who rushed into the classroom from which the noise came, and there they were stunned upon entering. A young professor, in her early thirties, was lying mauled on the table, her chest and belly torn wide open, a few of her inner organs splattered on the floor, her mouth and neck tied up by intestines. Some girls rushed out to call the authorities. Before Jack could take in what had just happened, Hajime pulled him away from the crowd and whispered in his ear, "There's no more doubt about it – the killer's main target is this college."
"You're right, there was another victim discovered last night in an alleyway not too far from here," Jack muttered.
And thus the two sat there and watched the older adults run into the horrific scene to clean the mess and take the remains away.
Inside an air vent, Bochiborof giggled at the sight of those horrified humans. Demon Subaru remained neutral as they both witnessed the scene, licking his bloodied claws in a bored manner.
"Congratulations on that swift kill, master!" the plushie whispered. "It was smart the way you took advantage of that assembly's chaos to pull that one woman away from the crowd. If I'm not bothering, may I ask what was the purpose? To send them a message that you're always watching and they're never safe?"
"Not quite," Demon Subaru shortly answered.
"Then what was your reasoning behind this action, sire?"
"Feeding."
"Just that…?" The little wolf stared at him, slightly dumbfounded.
"Yeah." Demon Subaru began retreating down the vent.
"Kind of anticlimactic, don't you think?" Bochiborof brought up as he followed suit.
"Practical things usually are not entertaining."
"If you say so…"
Making sure that the coast was clear for them, Demon Subaru jumped outside of the building through the air vent's hole, his underling doing the same, both of them landing in a bush and sneaking out of the yard. Once they found themselves in the protection of an alleyway's shadows, Demon Subaru pulled out a cell phone he had stolen earlier that day and dialed a number.
"So what are we doing next?" Bochiborof eagerly asked.
"The time has come," his master solemnly stated as he waited for his call to be answered.
"For wha-?" The Funky Knightmare was quickly silenced by a raised palm.
"Edo Kanda's the name, joking around is my game!" a cheery old man's voice spoke on the other line.
"Edo-kun, it's been too long!" Demon Subaru spoke with a kind old man's voice, one that sounded exactly like his human counterpart.
"Suby? I didn't know that you got yourself a new phone number! I haven't heard from you in ages!"
"I know, buddy, I was remembering the old days and thought of calling my best friend."
"Oh yeah, remember how we'd go out surfing during the day and then have a video game and dueling marathon all night? Haha, those were indeed some fun times!"
"Exactly. Listen, Edo-kun, why don't we meet up at the beach by lunch? I was thinking that we should ride the waves just one last time."
"I'm sorry, but you know we're not that in shape anymore."
"Pretty please with sugar on top, Edo, old buddy, old pal, old bro?"
The man on the other line said nothing for a few moments, silence befalling between them, and then he exploded in playful laughter.
"Hahaha, what the hell, sure thing! I'll be dusting my surfboard right away!"
"Awesome! See you there, Edo-kun!"
And thus he hung up and hid the phone back in his jacket. Lowering his head, Demon Subaru changed his appearance, and once he took off his hood, he revealed that his hair had grown longer and gone white, his skin had wrinkled, his eyes had gone brown and his fangs had turned into normal human teeth. Bochiborof stared at him in awe, but he simply gestured for the minion to follow him as he started walking in the beach's direction.