Chapter 18: Meet The Hisakawas and In-Laws

            Asahi placed two identical bowls of pasta in front of Yuzuru and Kosuke, she then turned to Kanako. “Are you sure you don’t want to compete; I find it really strange for you to pass over an opportunity to show these two up.”

Shingo was the one to answer. “Kanako-kun doesn’t do well with spice. She’s tried competitions like this before, and well, she’s never got very far.” He nervously giggled as Kanako gave him a death stare.

“Alright then.” Asahi got the two stop watches ready and handed one to Kotone. “Ready? Set…go!” At her command, Yuzuru and Kosuke began shoving mouthfuls of pasta into their mouths.

Yuzuru made an uncomfortable snort. His face turned red, as did Kosuke’s, sweat began to soak their skin. Yuzuru collapsed to the floor, Kosuke stopped and began to cough. Asahi knelt next to Yuzuru and gave him some milk, which he chugged like he hadn’t drank anything in days. Kosuke behaved in a similar fashion with the milk Kotone gave him. Minami ran in with a panic. “Is everyone oka- ah! What happened!? Is this some sort of bio-attack!? Why are you four so calm!?”

Shingo waved his hands, getting in front of Minami to calm her. “It’s cool, it’s cool. They were just having a contest to see who could eat the spiciest food. They’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

“So, everyone is okay? There isn’t any danger?” Minami questioned more softly.

“Oh yeah, unless you think this pasta is a threat.” Asahi picked up Yuzuru’s bowl and handed it with a clean fork to Minami. “Want to try some, it’ll hurt a bit, but it is sooo good.”

Hesitantly, Minami took a bite. Her eyes lit up. “Oh my goodness!” She shoved more into her mouth. “This must be the kind of food kings eat!” She then finished off the bowl.

“I’m glad you like it! It’s nice to have someone else who can handle a little spice as well!” Asahi exclaimed.

“A little?” Yuzuru coughed.

Kotone then looked out the window. “Huh, trees? Hey, we must be here!”

“Kanako-chan! Help me up, my first impression with Hisakawa-san’s family can’t be like this!” Yuzuru desperately reached up towards her.

“Ooh, I should take a photo, then I’ll be the default tough one in their eyes.” Kanako sneered. Yuzuru the managed to get on his feet. He loomed over Kanako and made a small, but threating growl.

Hisakawa came back with the others. “Everyone ready?” Soon the saints were trekking through the forest on a dirt driveway barely wide enough for a car. The group froze as they heard rustling around in the bushes nearby. Everyone drew their swords, except for Hisakawa who remained relaxed. Suddenly two little girls jumped in front of the group, their swords also drawn. “Hey Sayaka, hey Sumire.” She then turned her head to the other saints. “These are my nieces, Sayaka is the one with the periwinkle coloured hair and Sumire has navy coloured hair.” She explained. “How has everything been going?” She asked the little girls.

“Not too bad… considering the apocalypse happened.” Sumire answered.

“We’ve missed you. I bet Papa will be happy that you made friends!” Sayaka smiled with a fake innocence. “Even if they are just a bunch of kids.”

Hisakawa scoffed. “Look who’s talking.”

Everyone put their swords away and Hisakawa’s nieces led them up the driveway. Something Kosuke found strange was the holes in the back of the young girls’ shirts. As they neared the Hisakawa family home, the group passed a fence of pikes decorated with demon heads. Minami gulped and rubbed her neck, feeling the illusionary pain of a blade cutting through it. Hisakawa’s childhood home had an ancient design, still it was upkept like new. A man crossing the yard stopped to waved at the young girls. “Hey kids, did you kill any-“then he saw the others. “Hibiki! Is that really you!?” He ran to hug her.

“Hideo! You seem to be doing well, despite everything.” Hibiki laughed.

“Well, you seem to be doing even better, considering, well uh.” Hideo rubbed his sister’s metallic arm. “Since you had the incident.”

Hibiki’s face dropped, tears forming in her eyes. “Thank you, for believing me. I’m so glad you are alright.”

“Honsetly, I didn’t at first. I thought you had actually gone crazy, but Yukari told be I needed to give you the benefit of the doubt, and it couldn’t hurt to be prepared even if nothing happened, but you were right.” He waved for everyone to follow him. He brought the group inside where his wife, his parents and in-laws were having tea. “So, Hibiki, what brings you here?”

“Well, we were able to take back Morisumo from the demons, and now we intend on doing the same to Ishidamu, to rescue the younger sister of Shingo-kun over there.” Hibiki explained, while motioning to Shingo.

“You really think you can do it?” Her mother questioned. “Oh what am I saying, when you put your mind something, there is nothing that can stop you.”

Her father was the next to speak up. “I’m more concerned about the demon she has amongst her ranks.” He growled.

“The demon society is very cruel.” Hideo’s mother-in-law began. “It is not beyond reason that someone would defect. It has happened before, my great, great grandfather was a quarter demon who managed to escape from Hell. His father was an imp and his mother was a human slave. If my knowledge serves me right, you are called a hanmusume, a three-quarter demon, am I correct?”

“Uh, yes, I was. When I was captured, which eventually led to me joining the saints, I was given the name Yasashii Minami. I’ve never heard of anyone escaping before, but I guess it makes sense that such an event would be covered up. I am the niece of a former right hand to the demon lord Barminius, he was the one who was ordered to attack and rule over half of your country; Japan. Hisa-uh, her.” Minami pointed to Hibiki, “She was the one to kill my aunt, and when her daughter took over, she killed her as well. Growing up, I could never had imagined that a human would have had the ability to do that. Humans were seen as weak and expendable, any drop of human blood, meant that you were worth less then a full-blooded demon on any day.”

“I see.” Hideo’s mother-in-law nodded.

Hideo and Hibiki’s mother spoke again. “You didn’t leave Morisumo unattended, did you?” She asked her daughter.

“No, we left a group of six to guard the city. You know the metal I created, well apparently, it’s a blessed element, making demons weak to anyone who wields a weapon made from it. I gave some katanas I made to the city guards, so hopefully we’ll return to a city that’s still standing.” Hibiki explained.

“We also have blessed elements, Kosuke-san was able to figure out how to do it as well, and taught us how. We created a wall around the city that should help keep out any armies that might try to march on the city. The only way in or out is by flying or by portals.” Yuzuru told them.

“Would you all like to stay the night?” Hideo’s wife, Yukari offered. “If you are planning on attacking a demon run city, you will need proper rest.”

“As long as we won’t be a burden.” Hibiki politely accepted.

“Oh, of course not.” Yukari smiled. “Sumire, Sayaka, come give me a hand.” She ordered as she stood up.

The rest of that day was peaceful. The teens were given a tour of the Hisakawa estate. That evening, Minami approached Yukari’s mother. “Excuse me, sorry to bother you, but do you really have demon ancestors, or were you just trying to make me feel more welcome?” She asked meekly.

“Oh, yes, most definitely. Humans have a special ability to absorb certain traits from non-human ancestors, no matter how far down the line they are.” She then took a wide stance, “Hrrmm, rah!” She shouted. Horns sprouted from her head, a tail slinked out of waist of her pants, two lumps appeared on her back. Her skin tinted pink as her nails grew into claws, her eyes turned yellow, giving off a final glow as her transformation finished. “Plus, a little bit more.” She declared as she began to unbutton her shirt.

“Uh, what are you doing? This is impossible!” Minami stammered as she stumbled into the wall behind her.

The old woman threw off her shirt as Minami shut her eyes tightly, covering them with her hands for extra protection. “Take a look, kiddo, hold on, you’re probably older than me. Still, look, I am not going to hurt you!” The old woman squawked.

Hesitantly, Minami opened her eyes. She saw that the old woman had bat-like wings. “H-how? Demons don’t have wings.”

“No, full-blooded demons don’t, but if you have even a drop of human blood, you can learn to transform, temporally growing wings and making your demonic traits more pronounced. This also works the other way, you are able to make yourself look human.” She explained.

“Noriko!” The old woman’s husband shouted from the other side of the hall. “Are you stripping again!?”

“I still got my bra on, I was showing her my wings not my boobs!” Noriko snapped back. Minami then took the opportunity to escape while the old couple argued.