The date is January 4th, 2013. The air is cold and harsh, the wind even harsher. The empty field of grass flows quietly in the bitter wind, bits of grass letting go as they fly into the air and curve with the wind. In the horizon, a small windmill calmly picks up the wind, its propeller turning as a result. Some farm animals begin to roam around, grazing on the icy grass. The combination of the wind roaring and the livestock eating fills the air. Winter is still young, yet tonight is not a snowy one. The cows and horses all enjoy the calmness of the night.

Until – snap.

One of the cows grazing collapses on the ground, its neck torn clean off as it shakes violently. A creature stands above the suffering cow, staring at it in its crimson pool of blood. Its fur is as black as the night. Its eyes are bloodshot and as red as the cow’s blood. It growls angrily and bares its fangs at the cow, in a way that seemed as if it was laughing at the cow’s suffering. With one mouth stretch, the wolf-like beast crushes the cow’s head, ending its suffering. The other livestock immediately sense the danger of this beast, and begin to stampede towards the neighboring village. The beast growls happily, as if a chase will make its meal more satisfying, storming off after the helpless animals. Just as it catches up to a baby calf and lunges its mouth at its backside, it screeches to a halt and jumps back, barely avoiding a large blade from falling on it. Its growls angrily at the blade, now impaled into the ground, the sound of grass crunching as a lone figure walks towards it. The figure smiles at the beast, pulling out his crimson blade from the earth below them. He smiles, his crimson scarf flowing behind him like a cape as he analyzes the beast, his golden eyes showing no fear. He dusts his black boots, chuckling to himself as he rested the back of the blade on his shoulder.

“I never thought I’d find another demon like you… How funny. The last time I fought a demon like you was the day before I met the princess…” he said, looking up, pondering for a moment. “I wonder… Maybe something new will happen?” He shook his head, as if realizing it must be a coincidence, and looked at the demon.

The demon wolf growled then began to chuckle, “Hahaha! You must be Suzaku Furukawa. I have heard tales of you!”

The young mobian smiled, scratching at his grey quills, his tail wagging from embarrassment. “Oh, stop~,” he laughed, jumping into the air as the demon smashed its paws where he stood, creating a large crater.

“Son of Hayate Hoshibara, I will end your sad, pathetic life, here and now!!” The demon pushed itself into the air, clawing at Suzaku. Suzaku hummed softly as he twirled in the air, dodging every attempt the demon tried. Both landed on the floor, the demon posed for another strike as Suzaku casually spun around to look at him. The demon dashed forward, clawing at Suzaku. With every missed strike, Suzaku quickly spun again, making sure the demon missed his scarf as well. Suzaku hopped over the demons frail attempt at attacking him, stepping onto its head.

“Are we done here? I wanted to finish this while having some fun, but for a demon of your caliber, you’re hell’a boring.”

“YOU TRASH!!” The demon grew more and more irritated, it’s back ripping open as its spine split, black, slimy tendrils spewing out, whipping around violently. “I WILL TEAR YOU LIMB FOR LIMB, JUST AS HAYATE DID TO YOU’RE WHORE MOTHE—“

Suzaku smirked, as if he lost his cool for a split second. He quickly and effortlessly kicked the demon in the back of the skull, forcing it onto its belly. It began to push itself back up, stopping as Suzaku’s blade met face-to-face with its eye.

“P-Please… S-Show mercy… You aren’t like your father… Right?” the demon whimpered. It shook in fear as its life was a centimeter close to ending immediately. Without warning, Suzaku swung his sword, missing the demon just barely. He sighed, sheathing it as he stepped off the demon, beginning to walk away. The demon got up, wincing as it burst into flames made by Suzaku’s sword, screaming in agony.

“YOU BASTARD CHILD. GRAAAAH.”

Suzaku smiled, walking towards the village as the grass ahead glowed from the burning demon.

“A NEW STORM IS COMING, AND THIS TIME, IT WILL CONSUME NOT ONLY YOU, BUT EVERYONE ELSE YOU CARE FOR! YOU’LL ALL BURN IN THE DEPTHS OF HELL THIS TIME!! HAHAHAHAAaaaaa...” The demon’s voiced quieted down as the flames picked up.

Suzaku stood there, broken.

You’re kidding, he thought. Another goddamn war… What’s next--
His mind began to race, creating various scenarios with the thoughts he just made.

“Dammit. Not him… I’ve got to get to Misaka, and fast.”

He shook his head, looking up into the moon.

I hope I’m wrong.

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Misaka City.

It was not even a week ago that this city was on the verge of destruction.

Hayate Hoshibara, the former leader of the Holy White Knights, the world’s current “demon exterminating police force” for a lack of a better term, had become possessed by a powerful demon with a grudge on the Cross family and the Furukawa family. The demon had awakened the Hell Gate, the portal from our world to the demon world. The world would have been thrown into chaos, with Misaka the first to be wiped clean from the world.

Thankfully, he was defeated by Melody Cross, Kurisu Murata, and Suzaku Furukawa, along with all of their friends. Now, after a week of recovery for the residents and the heroes of that day, and most of what had been destroyed now almost completely restored, today is the day the city moves forward.

With the news of a public speech, the young princess and her butler arrived at Misaka Central, the largest part of the city, where the city received all of its imports and shipped all of its exports, where the city gathered for its yearly festival, and where the city held its last stand. The princess walked atop the stage where she would be giving her speech on the city’s recovery.

Immediately in front of her was a majority of the city, all standing eagerly as they awaited their princess’ speech, and between them were cameras broadcasting the speech across the globe. Behind her stood Fletta Industries, the world’s leading technological research and development facility, the facility that helped both fight to protect Misaka and rebuild it. To her right, stood Kurisu Murata, her childhood friend, butler, and more importantly, her lover. On her left, another childhood friend, a young lady roughly her age, her importance being the founder and CEO of Fletta Industries: Riku Fletta. Beside Riku was her long-time friend and secretary, Elise, a female, red-haired dragon who earned her fair share of hero praise.

The young girl cleared her throat away from the microphone and walked to the mic, tapping it once.

“Good morning, everyone~!” she began, radiating with her bubbly, warm smile.

The citizens began to cheer and clap, happily replying to their princess, a few people cheering on by yelling out their praise to her and to the other three beside her. The crowd slowly quieted down as she began to speak again.

“It’s hard to believe that just one week ago, my friends and I were fighting for this city as if it was our own lives, but, to be honest, this city is my life, and every single one of you are a part of it,” she smiles, looking into each camera at least once. “And thankfully, thanks to these three on stage, as well as the cooperation of both the Holy White Knights and Fletta Industries, we now have the future we all deserve! And it is a future we will all head towards, together!”

The crowd of citizens began to clap and cheer; even a few of the camera-men couldn’t help themselves but clap along. Kurisu smiled, glancing over at Riku and Elise as even they were clapping. The speech continued as Melody, and later Riku, talked on their plans at continuing a steady pace for the city’s recovery.

The morning slowly died out and became lunchtime. The four of them decided to stay in Misaka Central, heading over to their usual spot, Black’s Café. The owner, Black, a jolly, old, human man, had just returned from their speech, smiling.

“Ah, Princess Melody, welcome! That speech was very inspiring! I don’t remember the last time I saw you so mature. Perhaps I’m too used to seeing you squeal like a schoolgirl over the crepes and tea you love so much,” he chuckled teasingly as he was already beginning the group’s orders.

Melody blushed heavily, hiding her face in her hair, “G-Geez. That’s exactly what Kurisu-kun and Riku-chan said!” She sat herself down, her cheeks puffing in a pout. Black and Kurisu both chuckled while Riku and Elise sat down with Melody, the three already chatting about girly things and girly topics. You get the picture.

Kurisu began to take out his wallet, but Black patted his hand on Kurisu’s, shaking his head, “Today’s on the house.” Kurisu smiled at Black, bowing slightly as Black went to work on his famous tea. Kurisu put away his wallet, walking over to the girls and sat down next to Melody. Riku looked at the two, her hand on her chin.

“Weird.”

“W-What was that?” Melody asked, confused on Riku’s sudden comment.

“I mean… I always imagined it happening, but I never thought it would.”

“N-Never thought what would happen?”

“You and Kurisu, the newest lovebirds.”

Melody’s whole face instantly glowed red with embarrassment. She herself honestly thought it would have never happened, and to be fair, neither did Kurisu.

I don’t give a damn who you are right now, Hayate! You aren’t destroying this city and you’re definitely not taking the girl I love away from me!

It was a little cheesy, and admittedly a spur-of-the-moment thing, but she knew he meant it. How was she supposed to forget her first love confessing like that?

Kurisu blushed softly, his hand moving over Melody’s. She jumped up slightly, startled from his sudden action. She glanced up at him, staring into his violet eyes as her own emerald eyes shimmered. Both of them looked at each other for quite some time before being pulled into reality harshly. Riku, Elise and even Black smiled widely as they watched the new couple… attempt at flirting. Melody quickly pulled her hand away, turning in her seat away from Kurisu.

“P-Pervert.”

“How was I a pervert?!” The three spectators laughed softly as Black wiped his tears, setting down their orders; Jasmine tea for Kurisu and Melody, a Caramel Mocha for Riku, and a Chai Latte for Elise. Melody smiled at Black as he went back to his pastry making for the day. Everyone began to continuing teasing Melody and Kurisu on their new relationship, a few laughs here and there. Kurisu smiled nervously, looking out the window and blinked, nudging Melody softly. She blinked curiously, looking outside the window, seeing a familiar friend and his crimson scarf.