City Streets
Kitakami wandered aimlessly, the city's lights casting long shadows. No real purpose drove her—just a need to clear her head.
"Hey, you there," a voice called.
Kitakami turned. "Me?"
A woman in black approached, her smile sharp. "I'm a fortune-teller. Care for a free reading?"
Kitakami shrugged. "Not really my thing."
"Just a trial," the woman pressed. "No charge."
"…Fine, once," Kitakami said, curiosity winning.
The woman led her down a dim alley. When Kitakami emerged, a strange necklace hung around her neck, glinting faintly.
Days Later, Devil May Cry Naval Base, Office
Akebono's arrival was days past. Dante lounged in the office, chatting with Houshou.
"So, that knight-like demon just vanished?" Houshou asked.
"Yeah, poof," Dante said. "Gone."
"The man who knew your name bothers me," Houshou said.
Dante smirked. "Guy reeked of trouble."
"He might've had a purpose," Houshou mused. "Demons appearing right after he left? No coincidence."
"Probably not," Dante agreed. "If he wants me, he'll show up."
Houshou frowned. "You're just waiting?"
"Yup," Dante said, plopping a magazine over his face for a nap.
Houshou sighed. Dante was calm, but the base was stretched thin. Most shipgirls were deployed to the Western Seas, leaving security light. Today, military police were arriving—not for trouble, but because Dante's refusal to accept their presence couldn't last forever. The base buzzed with preparations.
Ooyodo entered. "Pardon. Report from Kureyo Front: mission complete."
Houshou glanced at Dante. "He's asleep."
"Again?" Ooyodo's face soured.
"I'll tell him," Houshou said. "Anything else?"
"Carriers and battleships are returning," Ooyodo said.
"Noted," Houshou replied.
A knock sounded.
"Come in," Houshou called.
A group of military police entered, led by one who saluted. "We're assigned to security starting today. Pleasure to serve."
Houshou nodded. "Likewise. Admiral, wake up."
"No need," the MP said. "We'll greet him later."
Houshou smiled. "He said to handle security as you see fit, as long as the basics are covered."
"Understood," the MP said. His team exchanged glances, and all but the leader left.
"Been a while, Houshou-san, Ooyodo-san," he said.
The two blinked, confused.
"Don't remember me?" he chuckled. "The kid who loved shipgirls and visited years ago?"
Ooyodo's eyes widened. "You…?"
Houshou gasped. "My goodness!"
Years back, a boy obsessed with shipgirls had snuck into the base, let in by Naka. She was supposed to escort him home but detoured, leading to a demon attack. That boy, now grown, was this MP—a Naka fan who joined the navy and requested this posting.
"You've grown," Houshou said warmly.
"Years'll do that," he laughed. "Still a shipgirl fan. Naka doing okay?"
"She's fine," Ooyodo said. "On mission in the Western Seas."
"Got it. I'll get to work," he said, leaving with a smile.
Houshou beamed. "He's done well."
Ooyodo sighed, eyeing Dante. "Wish the Admiral would take his job as seriously."
Dante's work ethic had slipped even further.
Another knock. The newly built submarines—I-168 (Imuya), I-8 (Hachi), I-19 (Iku), and I-58 (Goya)—barged in.
"Torpedo drills done!" Goya chirped.
"Good work," Ooyodo said.
Iku bounded to Dante, shaking him. "Admiral! I worked hard, so gimme allowance!"
Dante cracked an eye. "Why me? I'm the one who needs cash. You lot drained me."
Imuya's smartphone obsession had led to buying phones for the entire base—including Dante.
"Use your phones," he grumbled.
"That's different!" Iku said, shaking him harder.
Cafeteria
Ooi frowned at Kitakami. "You look pale lately."
"Do I?" Kitakami grinned. "I'm feeling great."
"And you keep sneaking out at night," Ooi said. "You always say to tell someone first."
"Did I? It's fine, I'm fine," Kitakami insisted.
Ooi wasn't convinced. Kitakami's face was ashen, her usual spark gone. Every night, she slipped out, returning late. Ooi's worry gnawed at her.
Night, Front Gate
Kitakami moved to sneak out again. An MP stopped her.
"Heading out this late?" he asked.
"Yup, just some errands," Kitakami said.
"Be careful," he said, letting her pass.
Kitakami vanished into the dark, her steps unsteady.
Next Day, Office
Dante was idling when Ooi burst in.
"Admiral!" she cried.
"No allowance," Dante said.
"It's Kitakami!" Ooi said. "Something's wrong!"
She explained: since Akebono's arrival, Kitakami had been acting strange, sneaking out nightly and returning late, looking worse each time. She claimed she was fine, but Ooi knew better.
"She's just growing up," Dante said. "Nightlife's normal. If she's sick, send her to Akashi."
"She won't listen!" Ooi pleaded. "Don't let her go out!"
"Haven't approved any outings," Dante said.
Ooi froze. "What?"
"Only heard about Akebono's trip," Dante said. "Nothing else."
Ooi nodded, shaken, and left.
Dante shrugged, dismissing it as overblown, and napped.
City Streets, Night
Kitakami slipped out again. Ooi, desperate, tailed her.
(Don't lose her…) Ooi thought, then gasped. "What!?"
Kitakami entered an alley. Ooi followed, but it was a dead end. No exits, no Kitakami—she'd vanished.
Next Day, Cafeteria
"Kitakami, talk to me!" Ooi demanded.
"It's none of your business!" Kitakami snapped.
"Why won't you tell me? What're you doing!?"
"Leave me alone!" Kitakami stormed out.
It was rare for them to fight, and Ooi crumbled, tears streaming.
Kaga, fresh from the Western Seas, intervened. "Calm down. What's this about?"
She'd returned to a mess, clueless about the cause.
Ooi sobbed. "Kitakami…"
Dante walked in. "What's going on?"
Akagi sighed. "Admiral, it's…"
Office
They moved to the office to hear Ooi out.
Houshou frowned. "So you snuck out too?"
"I was worried!" Ooi said.
"Tell us sooner next time," Houshou said.
Dante leaned back. "Weird story."
Akagi nodded. "Vanishing in a dead-end alley?"
"Not normal," Kaga said.
Kongou tilted her head. "What now?"
"Guess I'm pulling an all-nighter," Dante said.
City Streets, Night
Kitakami hit the streets again. Dante and Ooi followed at a distance. As before, she slipped into the alley. They pursued, finding another dead end—empty.
"We lost her!" Ooi cried.
"Same spot as yesterday?" Dante asked.
"Yes!" Ooi said.
Dante touched the wall, sensing something off. He drew Rebellion and slashed. The wall warped, revealing a hidden door.
"Clever," Dante muttered.
"A secret door?" Ooi asked.
"Yup. Kitakami's through here," Dante said.
Something had cloaked the door, making it seem like a wall. Beyond it, a staircase descended into darkness.
"What's she doing down there?" Dante wondered.
Ooi's voice was firm. "Let's go."
"You can stay here," Dante offered.
"No way!" Ooi snapped. "She might be in danger!"
Dante smirked, and they descended into a dank sewer.
"Smells like mold," Dante said, then sniffed. And demons.
Ooi glanced around. "Which way?"
Dante pointed. "That way."
Following the scent, they reached a narrow passage leading to a wider corridor lit by eerie red light. Doorless rooms lined both sides, each holding unconscious teens and young adults on tables. In one, Kitakami lay still.
"Kitakami!" Ooi rushed to her.
She was breathing, alive. Dante eyed the necklace around her neck, sensing its power. He yanked it off.
"This is it," he said.
Ooi looked up. "What?"
"Remove every necklace in here," Dante ordered, heading deeper.
"Where are you going?" Ooi called.
"To say hi to the host," Dante said. "They've been looking after Kitakami."
Ooi tore necklaces off the others as Dante ventured on. The deepest room was different—ornate, filled with antiques. A woman in black stood waiting.
"Welcome to Madame's House of Fortunes," she purred.
"Not here for a reading," Dante said.
"Then what?" Madame asked.
"Why're you collecting people?" Dante demanded.
"Young blood," she said. "Their vitality keeps me beautiful. Their bodies feed me. Efficient, no?"
Dante held up the necklace. "Using this?"
"Exactly," Madame said. "It lures them back, letting me siphon them slowly. I thought I'd go unnoticed…"
Spider-like legs sprouted from her back, sharp and deadly. Her lower legs morphed too.
"Didn't expect to be found so soon!" she hissed, her form fully demonic.
Dante laughed. "That look suits you better than your fake youth."
"You'll be my next meal!" she snarled.
Her legs lashed out. Dante dodged, firing Ebony & Ivory. She was too fast, weaving through the bullets. Her legs attacked in waves, overwhelming. Dante couldn't land a hit and backed off.
"You won't escape!" Madame roared, pursuing.
Ooi, still removing necklaces, saw Dante sprint past, Madame in chase.
"Admiral!?" Ooi gasped.
"What was that?" she muttered as Madame ignored her, focused on Dante.
Dante reached the narrow passage and stopped.
"Giving up?" Madame taunted.
"You think so?" Dante grinned.
He fired Ebony & Ivory. In the tight space, Madame couldn't dodge. Bullets pelted her, staggering her. Dante hadn't fled—he'd lured her into a trap.
"Wide open!" he shouted, unleashing three crimson Drive slashes from Rebellion. They severed her legs, and she collapsed.
"What are you!?" Madame screamed. "Not human!"
"Ask God," Dante said, aiming Ivory.
"Wait!" she pleaded. "I just wanted youth—"
"Repent in hell," Dante said.
A single shot ended her.
Outside, they emerged from the sewer.
Kitakami stirred. "…Where am I?"
"Kitakami!" Ooi hugged her, nearly crushing her.
"Gah! Ooi!?" Kitakami gasped.
"Why're we here?" she asked.
Dante raised a brow. "No memory?"
"Admiral?" Kitakami said.
"It's fine," Ooi said. "Bad dream."
Like the others Madame had ensnared, Kitakami recalled nothing of the past few days. The victims woke and returned home. Kitakami tried to stand but wobbled.
"My legs… no strength," she said.
"I'll carry you!" Ooi declared.
"But it's heavy—" Kitakami started.
"I'll carry you!" Ooi insisted, her intensity winning.
The three headed back to the base.
Three Days Later, Cafeteria
After two days of rest, Kitakami's color returned, her usual self restored.
"Kitakami!" Ooi called, diving for her sundae.
"Want some?" Kitakami offered.
"Yes!" Ooi took a bite, melting in bliss.
"Sorry, Admiral," Kitakami said. "Guess you saved me again."
"No big deal," Dante said. "Used to it."
Ooyodo entered. "Admiral, new mission orders from HQ."
"Got it," Dante said.
Kitakami's nighttime outings were over. The Devil May Cry Naval Base hummed along as usual.
To be continued…
Note: New story is out, if you want to check it out.
Search --> Kill Sector: Tokyo