MIE: It's... real. A real... Demon Weapon.

KOUGA: Oh, boy.

MIE: I've never seen one this up close.

KOUGA: Did you... get its powers or something?

TSUYUKI: Why would that even happen?

KOUGA: You heard what Ryuken said?

MIE: He became a Sixther the moment he touched it.

TSUYUKI: (glares) Do you really think his Soul suddenly decides to be spiritualised just by touching a Demon Weapon?

KOUGA: Um, well... isn't it the same as that... Elysium thing? R- right, Mie-chan?

MIE: (nods her head)

TSUYUKI: No, dummy! It's not even the same thing! (sheathes the sword)

MIE: (shakes her head)

TSUYUKI: And it's called Elysian. How could you be an Exorcist without knowing that?

KOUGA: ... it's not like we have exams for it.

TSUYUKI: (places sword in the bag) Look, I don't think it's possible for him to suddenly be a Sixther overnight. It can't be that easy. (stands up) I think he was already one even before he touched that sword.

MIE: Then, how could he become one now?

TSUYUKI: I don't know... and it's been bugging me this whole time.

MIE: (scratches chin)

KOUGA: (scratches head)

TSUYUKI: ... but I do know something else.

MIE: Ah?

KOUGA: Hm?

TSUYUKI: You'll eventually find out about it sooner or later. But I might as well tell you now.

...

At the porch, Ryuken and Kenzaki are about to leave while Akari, Makise & Maki are greeting them goodbye.

KENZAKI: Thank you for the meal, Ishinara-san. It was a lovely dinner.

AKARI: Aww... don't mention it. It's always nice getting to cook for other people.

KENZAKI: And... I do wanna apologize... for the fuss that happened earlier.

AKARI: Psh... you don't have to feel sorry at all. But this guy... (grabs Makise's shoulder, pulls him closer) I got a few ways to make him learn his lesson.

KENZAKI: Oh, you don't have to punish him too harshly, please. It was partially my fault.

AKARI: Ah, don't worry about it. This happens all the time. Too many times...

MAKISE: I mean... he's right. He started it.

AKARI: Don't make this any worse, boy. (turns to Kenzaki) It's all right, Kenzaki-kun. If anyone here should feel ashamed, it should be me. I would never want my guest to feel bad entering and leaving our home. I tried to control this firecracker here, but it didn't go so well... but hey, it happens.

KENZAKI: (smiles gratefully) What I said earlier was not a lie, Ishinara-san. I do feel comfortable being in your home. You have been a great host.

AKARI: And you have been a great guest. Please, come back anytime you want.

MAKISE: Or never.

AKARI: (shoves Makise's head downwards) Or whenever this loudmouth is not around. You're always free to eat with us. Hey, maybe you could bring your mom here too? I can teach her some simple meals.

KENZAKI: (smiles) That would be a great idea.

MAKI: Bye, Kenzaki-san!!!

KENZAKI: Bye, Maki-chan.

AKARI: See you later, Kenzaki-kun.

KENZAKI: Ishinara-san.

MAKISE: ...

KENZAKI: ... Makise.

MAKISE: ...

AKARI: (nudges Makise)

MAKISE: (scoffs) What? We're in the same school. We'll see each other...

KENZAKI: ... well, then. I'll be sure to bring Ryuken back before it gets too late. Farewell, and thank you for the night. (walks away while waving back)

RYUKEN: (follows Kenzaki) I'll be back, mom.

AKARI: Take care!

MAKI: Come back soon, okay!

As Kenzaki walks away from the house, he halts for a moment and looks back at Akari.

KENZAKI: ...

AKARI: Hm?

KENZAKI: ... 46.

AKARI: (shock) ... how... how did you know?

KENZAKI: (chuckles) It was just a guess.

AKARI: Wow! (laughs heartily) I can't believe you got it right!

MAKISE: Wha... what's 46?

AKARI: (wiping her tears of joy) ... I'll tell you later. Have a good night, Kenzaki-kun!

KENZAKI: You too, Ishinara-san!

Kenzaki and Ryuken walk away to the road, while the rest of them enters back into their homes.

KENZAKI: (smiling fondly)

RYUKEN: (stares at Kenzaki, looking unapproved)

KENZAKI: (notices Ryuken) ... um, are you alright?

RYUKEN: ... you have that look.

KENZAKI: Wh- what look?

RYUKEN: The same look Genji makes after he met my mom.

KENZAKI: Who?

RYUKEN: Never mind.

Confused by what he said, Kenzaki then notices the stuffy bag Ryuken's carrying.

KENZAKI: What's in the bag?

RYUKEN: Some books and boxsets of mine.

KENZAKI: Why would you bring them?

RYUKEN: What if they check my bags before I leave? I don't want them to feel suspicious!

KENZAKI: Ah... I guess you're right... By the way, what you did back there, that was really smart. Surprising... but smart.

RYUKEN: I just wanted to get outta there.

KENZAKI: (chuckles) You and me both. Somehow, I just couldn't think of a good excuse.

RYUKEN: A silly excuse is better than nothing.

KENZAKI: (chuckles) You're right.

RYUKEN: (sigh) Anyway... now that's done, what do we do with the katana?

KENZAKI: We'll just have to study it, and see how it is connected to you and the Stone Ape.

RYUKEN: I don't know how you would study it, but... is it possible to know everything by tonight?

KENZAKI: ... hardly.

RYUKEN: (sigh) Figures...

KENZAKI: But it's a start. If we can't do it by ourselves, we just have to find someone who could help us.

RYUKEN: ... okay.

KENZAKI: But... that may too... takes time.

RYUKEN: (looks down, upset)

KENZAKI: (pats on Ryuken shoulder) Don't worry, Ryuken. We're here for you. We'll figure this out, one way or another.

RYUKEN: (smiles softly) Thank you... Kenzaki-sempai.

As they walk along the road, they both noticed Tsuyuki, Mie & Kouga, standing under a streetlight.

KENZAKI: Tsuyuki's not gonna be happy with us... (walks to them) Sorry, we were late. There have been some... problems that we have to go through.

Tsuyuki glares at Ryuken, while Mie & Kouga looks at him as well, feeling uneasy.

KENZAKI: Is... something wrong?

RYUKEN: (chuckles nervously) Sorry, guys. My mom's not an easy person to-

TSUYUKI: Ishinara.

RYUKEN: Huh?

TSUYUKI: What do you know about your mother?

RYUKEN: ... my... mother?

KENZAKI: Tsuyuki?

TSUYUKI: Kenzaki, did you feel anything different about her?

KENZAKI: What are you talking abo-

TSUYUKI: Just answer me.

KENZAKI: ...

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: ... she was just a Regular.

TSUYUKI: All that's left is his father, then.

RYUKEN: W- what about my dad?

TSUYUKI: You said your dad went out on a business trip, right?

RYUKEN: Um... yeah.

TSUYUKI: What kind of business?

KENZAKI: Tsuyuki, this is not what you think it is.

TSUYUKI: Of course, it's what I think it is! He's a damn Hellblood, and you know it the moment you felt his Sense.

RYUKEN: ... Hell-what?

KENZAKI: No, he's not a Hellblood! And I thought I told you not to say anything!

KOUGA: We... already knew about it.

KENZAKI: Wha?

MIE: ... she told us.

KENZAKI: ... Tsuyuki...

TSUYUKI: They're gonna find out either way.

Kenzaki and Tsuyuki stare down at each other in unsettling silence.

KENZAKI: ...

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: ... Mie, Kouga... I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but... like I said, he's not a Hellblood.

MIE: But... him being one makes sense, right?

KENZAKI: What?

MIE: T- think about it. A Demon can only Sense their own kind, right? The Stone Ape is chasing after him maybe because... he might be related to some other Demon that the Stone Ape knew.

KENZAKI: But that's not how it-

TSUYUKI: Then, what is it then?!

KENZAKI: ... Tsuyuki-

TSUYUKI: You told me you Sense a Demon in him, and clearly, that Stone Ape is after it.

Ryuken froze in shock after hearing what he just heard.

RYUKEN: (whispers) ... a Demon... in me?

KENZAKI: Tsuyuki, this is not-

TSUYUKI: It all makes sense now.

KENZAKI: Just listen to me for a sec-

TSUYUKI: He's a Hellblood, simple as that.

KENZAKI: Again, he's not a-

TSUYUKI: Now let's just cut the crap, report the Stone Ape to Central, along with the Hell-

KENZAKI: HE'S NOT A HELLBLOOD!

Silence hits the group as Kenzaki raised his voice intensely.

TSUYUKI: ...

MIE: ...

KOUGA: ...

RYUKEN: ...

KENZAKI: The... their Sense is different ... from a Demon. Even if they are related... they won't be able to Sense it.

TSUYUKI: ...

RYUKEN: ...

KENZAKI: ... he can't be a Hellblood because he was never one.

MIE: ...

KOUGA: ... then... he's a Demon?

RYUKEN: (quickly turns to Kouga) Wha-

KENZAKI: No! He's human, just like us.

TSUYUKI: He can't be a human and a Demon in one body!

RYUKEN: (silently stands still in shock)

MIE: ...

KOUGA: ...

KENZAKI: ... you're right. But that's what I Sense in him.

RYUKEN: (turns to Kenzaki)

KENZAKI: When I met him, he just felt like any other person. But, when I shake his hand, his soul starts to burn brighter. Then, I... I can feel it... I can Sense it. Fragments... pieces of a Demon, latching itself onto him... like... like a parasite.

RYUKEN: (touches his chest, in disbelief)

KENZAKI: Look. I understand if you're scared and cautious about all this. Just like all of you, I don't know why Ryuken is who he is. I still don't understand it either.

TSUYUKI: ...

MIE: ...

KOUGA: ...

KENZAKI: But everything happened when he touched that sword. And it happened for a reason. We just have to find out what it is.

RYUKEN: ...

KENZAKI: And... Ryuken.

RYUKEN: Ah?

KENZAKI: I know that you're more frightened than any of us here. I can't tell how you must be feeling right now.

Ryuken quietly looks down, trying to process his thoughts of who or what he is.

Kenzaki holds Ryuken by his shoulders to comfort him.

RYUKEN: (looks up)

KENZAKI: But I won't let anything happen to you, Ryuken. We'll get through this together. I promise you... I promised your mother... that I'll keep you safe.

Ryuken slowly looks back down again, responds with a weak and hesitant nod.

RYUKEN: ...

KENZAKI: ...

TSUYUKI: (sighs impatiently) Either way, whatever he is, we have to report him to Central.

Kenzaki's eyes widen, as he sharply turns to Tsuyuki.

KENZAKI: No!

TSUYUKI: What?

KENZAKI: You can't. (walks to her) Whatever you do, we can't report him to Central.

TSUYUKI: Are you out of your mind?! First, you don't want to report about a Level 4 running around town, and now, you're saying you can't even report this guy? What's the big deal?!

KENZAKI: If we do, you know where they'll take him.

TSUYUKI: So what? That's where all the Hellbloods go.

KENZAKI: He's not-

TSUYUKI: I heard you! He's not a Hellblood! You already said that a hundred times! But you can't expect him to join the Academy.

KENZAKI: ... that's the plan.

TSUYUKI: ... what?

KENZAKI: I'm planning to register him to the Academy.

Tsuyuki's face changes, bewildered by his idea.

KOUGA: Ca- can you do that?

TSUYUKI: He can't do that... You can't do that!

KENZAKI: But I am.

TSUYUKI: Are you saying you're going to smuggle a Hellblood into the Academy? Do you really think you can get away with that?!

KENZAKI: ... no.

TSUYUKI: (madly confused)

KENZAKI: ... but Mie can.

TSUYUKI: What?

MIE: Wha?!

KENZAKI: Mie, you're a true Seal Specialist. I know you are. You confuse his Sense from Trackers like me. And I believe you can make a new seal that would block his Demon Sense completely.

MIE: L- like the Stone Ape?

KENZAKI: Yes.

MIE: Uh...

KENZAKI: ...

MIE: ... it's not... impossible...

TSUYUKI: No, Mie! You won't do that.

MIE: Ah?

TSUYUKI: Kenzaki, do you even understand what you are saying?

KENZAKI: ...

TSUYUKI: You're thinking of sneaking this... kid into the Academy, dragging Mie with you, telling her to fake his Sense, and pretend that he's one of us?!

KENZAKI: He is one of us.

TSUYUKI: He's not! He belongs to the Integration Program!

KENZAKI: I won't let them take him there!

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: ...

RYUKEN: ...

TSUYUKI: (seething) Why are you being so soft? Why are you so protective of him?

KENZAKI: ...

TSUYUKI: Why are you so GODDAMN stubborn?!

KENZAKI: ... I've seen what it's like. He doesn't belong there. No one does.

They both intensely stare at each other. The rest could not let out a single peep.

Tsuyuki, infuriated with what she is facing.

Kenzaki, standing adamant with his decision.

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: ...

TSUYUKI: ... I'm reporting him. (walks away)

KENZAKI: Tsuyuki-

TSUYUKI: I'm reporting him, and that's that! (continues to walk away)

MIE: Yuki-chan!

KOUGA: ...

RYUKEN: ...

KENZAKI: ... I'll charge you.

TSUYUKI: (keeps walking)

KENZAKI: I can charge you for disobeying your commanding offi-

TSUYUKI: (stops) Do it. Do it then! (looks back at Kenzaki) If you do that, then I'll charge you for treason!

KENZAKI: ...

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: ... please, Tsuyuki. I know it's hard for you to understand, but please... I don't want to see us fighting like this.

Tsuyuki furiously glares back at Kenzaki, until she finally turns around and walks away.

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: ...

MIE: ...

RYUKEN: ...

KOUGA: ... I'm with Kenzaki!

TSUYUKI: (halts, turns around) What?

KOUGA: (walks to Kenzaki and Ryuken) I'm with them.

TSUYUKI: ... Kouga... if you join him, you would just be another victim to his moronic idea.

KOUGA: I know. But I trust Kenzaki.

TSUYUKI: ... why would you-

KOUGA: In the few years we've been under his wing, he has always taken care of us. He never let us down, even when he comes up with some... ridiculous plan that somehow ended up working. He treats Ryuken the same way he has been treating us. And I'll treat him the same way.

RYUKEN: ...

KOUGA: I'm gonna back him up, no matter how crazy it is. And... and...

TSUYUKI: ...

KOUGA: (sweating) I'll... I'll even charge you for... disobedience as well.

TSUYUKI: W- what?!

KOUGA: (whispers) Oh, boy... I'm dead...

Gritting her teeth, she quietly glares at Kouga, who's sweating bullets.

TSUYUKI: ...

KOUGA: ...

TSUYUKI: ... so that's it, huh? You're willing to break the Code... all for him? ... you really want to be criminals that bad?

KOUGA: W- well... at least, you get to fit in, right? (smiles nervously)

TSUYUKI: (instantly furious) What did you say?!

KOUGA: (braces for pain) Ah! I'm sorry! Bad joke! Bad joke!

KENZAKI: ... but that is true.

KOUGA: Eh?

KENZAKI: (moves forward a little) Starting by tonight... we are all criminals.

MIE: ...

KOUGA: ...

RYUKEN: ...

KENZAKI: And Tsuyuki...

TSUYUKI: (glares angrily)

KENZAKI: You have to know... that if we all charge against you; you may have no hope in the Order.

TSUYUKI: (fizzes with rage)

KENZAKI: And if you do decide to charge against us, what do you think will happen?

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: Which side do you think they'll lean on? Who do you think they'll listen to?

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: A rookie officer and his Academy juniors... or an attempted murderer?

RYUKEN: (shocked) ... wha?

Tsuyuki stares furiously at Kenzaki and Kouga, clenching her fist tightly, boiling with rage.

Mie looks back and forth between Kenzaki & Tsuyuki, unsure of what to do.

MIE: ... uh...

TSUYUKI: MIE!

MIE: Ah!

KENZAKI: ... Mie.

MIE: Um... uh... (turns to Tsuyuki)

TSUYUKI: (stares vexingly)

MIE: Er... (turns to Kenzaki)

KENZAKI: (stares calmly)

MIE: Mm...

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: ...

Mie moves her legs towards Kenzaki, to Tsuyuki's utter disbelief.

TSUYUKI: ...

MIE: ... I'm... I'm sorry, Yuki-chan.

TSUYUKI: ...

MIE: I just... I just wanna help Ishinara-san...

TSUYUKI: ...

KENZAKI: ...

KOUGA: ...

RYUKEN: ...

Tsuyuki stares coldly at the ground with defeated eyes.

TSUYUKI: ...

She slowly starts to crack a soft yet hopeless laugh.

RYUKEN: ...

TSUYUKI: ... this is great.

KOUGA: ...

TSUYUKI: (whispers) This is great... this is great... this is great... (starts walking around in circles) this is great... this is great... this is great...

KENZAKI: Tsuyuki...

TSUYUKI: This is great, this is great. This is great! This is great. This is great... this is great, this is great, this is great. This is great! This is great! This is great. This is great. This is great, this is great, this is great... this is great, this is great, this is gre-

MIE: Yuki-cha-

TSUYUKI: THIS IS GREAT!!!

BASH!

Tsuyuki fiercely punches a wall. Small pieces of the cracked paint fell to the ground. She stood there silently, with her fist firmly stuck on the impact zone. The rest watches her quietly.

She slowly takes her bruised fist off it, takes a deep breath, the deepest she has ever taken, and exhale it all out.

She feels calmer, or at least she thinks she is.

Step by step, she walks back to them, taking a breath each time. With her head still facing down, she goes to where they stand.

TSUYUKI: (exhales on her last step, pauses) ... okay. Alright. Let's pretend that the last 5 minutes didn't happen.

KOUGA: ...

TSUYUKI: Like you said... many... many times... he's not...

RYUKEN: ...

TSUYUKI: (pauses, takes a deep breath and exhales) ... he's not a Hellblood. Fine... whatever.

MIE: ...

TSUYUKI: But we still... have... one more problem.

KENZAKI: ...

TSUYUKI: (stares coldly into them) How the hell are we gonna deal with that f******g ape?

...

In Machi Town's centre, where many small buildings stand low over the calm traffic, a giant creature is sitting on the tallest apartment building. He seems to be in a quiet, meditative state.

His bright, yellow eyes quickly open, alerted. He stands up and looks at the woodland outskirts of the town. He stares deeply into it, believing that the answer he seeks, lies within the greenery, waiting for his arrival.

BEIRUL: ... Master.

End of Chapter 10