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You remember that night so well.
It was one of those rare moments when two worlds collided. The carefully curated defenses that served to protect the mortal human population from hungry demons were compromised, an unstable portal opening between the Living World and wild Makai.
That was when you met him.
He frightened you when you first saw him, the way he walked with a swagger in his step as he approached you. He seemed to melt into the night, long black hair streaking in fine strands past his shoulders — most of it was gathered in a high ponytail, flowing in the evening wind. His scarce vest revealed a sculpted body, muscles rippling with each movement. His ears were pointed, not unlike those of elves in high fantasies, his skin just as pale, face pointed and sharp. A misshapen hat sat on his head, black leather wrapped haphazardly around his arms.
“Hey,” he said, stepping from the shadows to cut you off. “That jewel you have around your neck. Give it here.”
Home was not too far from here. This was the route you normally took after class, though you’d never had any issues walking through this neighborhood. “This? You really want this?” You had half the mind to give it to him because you didn’t want the trouble.
“That’s right.”
You clutched the jewel in your hand. It wasn’t really worth anything, you thought — it was just a pendant you found at a silent auction for a charity you were passionate about. If you remembered correctly, you probably paid twenty dollars for it. It was pretty, was all.
“Well?”
You put your foot down. “Absolutely not,” you said. “It’s worth nothing. You’re not going to get anything for it, so leave me alone.”
“That’s quite the bold bravado.”
“Someone needs to stand up to people like you.”
“People like me?”
It was then that you realized he wasn’t human. There was something… off about him. The pointed ears you could ignore — for all you knew, he might have been into cosplaying — but the wings that sprouted from his back, you couldn’t. “What are you, exactly?”
“You don’t even know what I am, and you already assume the worst.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. When I said ‘people like you,’ I was referring to people who mug girls walking home by themselves at night. It’s wrong.” You shifted the backpack on your shoulders. “Besides, you have no leg to stand on. You’re the one who’s demanding my pendant. I feel like I’m pretty justified in assuming the worst.”
He quieted, a grin spreading across his lips. “All right. That’s fair. I didn’t know humans would be so mouthy, but I suppose I’ve been wrong before.”
“Can I ask what you are again?” Your curiosity got the better of you.
He came from the Makai, he explained. It was a land that you would never see, could never fathom. It belonged to demons, a race that was purposefully separated from humans for the safety of your kind. You could hardly believe it.
“If the Makai is your home, then what are you doing here?” you asked.
“I was curious. I’ve never been here before.”
“So you really came here to steal from innocent people.”
“That was the intention.”
“You’re shameless.”
“I am a thief by occupation.”
“You say that so proudly.”
“You wouldn’t understand,” he said. “Have you ever tried it? There is a certain thrill in besting your opponents, solving their puzzles in labyrinths and vaults, escaping their traps unscathed. Unless you’ve done it before, you wouldn’t know.”
“I’m not really sure I’m interested in knowing.”
“Perhaps you should open your mind.”
“It sounds high risk and low reward to me.”
“Depends on what you’re stealing.”
“What’s worth risking your life?”
“Everyone has a different answer to that question. I steal for the thrill of it, the challenge, the fascination of an ancient artifact or sacred jewel in my hand. A mother may steal to fill her children’s hungry bellies.” He cocked his head to the side. “You might steal because now you’re curious about what I find so exciting.”
“Not likely.”
He shrugged. “All right. It’s not for everyone. Certainly not for the faint of heart.”
You ignored his jab. “Well, if you’re interested in ancient artifacts or sacred jewels, you’re not going to find anything around here. We’re just a bunch of poor college students, humans who probably won’t take well to a demon stalking around in the darkness.”
“Kuronue.”
“What?”
“The name’s Kuronue. I figure it’s probably better if you know me by that than only think of me as a demon.”
You weren’t sure how to respond. He was charming. His eyes reminded you of a monsoon storm, deep grey infused with muted blue, and when he looked at you, you felt like you were having some sort of supernatural experience. It didn’t feel real. “_____,” you said, deciding, against your better judgment to introduce yourself.
“_____,” he repeated, touching the brim of his hat. “Not bad for a human name.”
You nearly rolled your eyes. “So what now, Kuronue? You’re not taking my pendant, so what’re you going to do?”
“Guess I’m back off to Demon World. You humans don’t seem like any fun to steal from.”
You noticed the shift in his disposition. “Really?”
“Are you issuing a challenge?”
“No, I’m just surprised you’d give up so quickly after coming all the way here.”
“It’s a portal. It makes long distances short.”
“All right.” You removed the pendant from your neck, unworking the clasp and handing it to Kuronue. “Here.”
“What? I thought you weren’t going to let me steal it.” The look on his face was one of amusement, though he accepted your offering.
“You’re not stealing it. I’m giving it to you.”
“Why?”
“I think it’d be a shame for you to leave the Living World without a souvenir.”
He gave you a crooked grin, his wings fluttering. “I’ll just borrow it. I’ll return it to you someday when the portal opens up again to see how you’re doing. Maybe you’ll have a story for me when you give thievery a shot.”
“You might be disappointed.”
He winked at you. “I’ll catch you later, _____. Pleasure making your acquaintance.” He then disappeared into the night as quickly and silently as he came.
Ten years pass by, and you remember that night as if it happened yesterday. You have graduated and settled down, successful in your line of work. You have not attempted to steal anything as Kuronue suggested, and you still doubt you ever will. However, every time you see news of a robbery or theft, you think of him.
One night, as you’re walking from your car, you see someone unfamiliar appear, blocking your path.
His eyes are gold, gleaming in the moonlight, his silver hair flowing elegantly past his shoulders. Two pointed canine ears rest atop his head, a long tail sweeping from behind. He is dressed in white, towering above you. His gaze is still, and he studies you, a neutral expression on his face.
You stop in your tracks — you realize this is likely another demon. The portal must be open again. “Can I help you?”
“_____?” he says, voice chill and smooth.
“That’s me. I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
“No. But you are a friend to my accomplice.” He reaches for something in his shirt, handing it to you in his enclosed fist, palm down.
You reach for it with an outstretched hand, and when he releases the item, you recognize it. “Kuronue,” you whisper, remembering his promise. “What happened to him?”
“He’s dead,” the demon says. “He would want it returned to you.”
“B-but what—” You stop, realizing that you probably didn’t want the truth. In all fairness, you don’t know Kuronue that well, and the nature of his death doesn’t change anything. If he suffered a cruel fate, you’d feel even worse. Still, you close your eyes, trying to stem the tears. No matter your relationship, his death was somber news. “Thank you,” you say, “for coming all this way.”
The demon nods, turning and walking away as Kuronue did ten years ago.
You realize how silly it is to cry over a demon who, by popular definition, was probably no more than an acquaintance to you. But, he calls you his friend among his own, and your heart bleeds a little more.
You look at your pendant — it’s in perfect condition, the red stone set in gold metal, attached to the same chain. Kuronue took great care of it, even after all these years. In that moment, you understand that your feelings aren’t so insignificant, and even though your time together was brief, it is no shame to shed tears over a dear friend.