Shinobu Kocho's gaze was razor-sharp—so sharp that an ordinary person would've been drenched in cold sweat under its weight.
But as a demon, Rowen actually felt… oddly pleased. The negative emotions behind that piercing stare seemed to give him a subtle boost, like a reward specifically tailored to his kind.
Still… on a personal level, Rowen found it hard to accept.
(What kind of twisted play is this...) His head throbbed as he recalled the mask-wearing Duke of Hell. That guy was so obsessed with negative emotions, Rowen was starting to suspect that's what had warped him into such a weirdo.
Rowen, demon or not, just wanted to live with a little dignity. But now...
The future his innate ability had led him to—he'd initially thought it might just be a bit obscure, maybe with some timing issues.
But now it felt less like a quirky detour and more like a straight-up cursed one.
Everything unfolding was so unexpected and chaotic that Rowen was both mentally and physically exhausted.
"I got hurt protecting a child," he sighed, wearing a stoic expression like he was ready to accept death. "But… haah, forget it. Not like you'd believe me anyway."
Shinobu's frown deepened. "What's that supposed to mean? Like I wronged you or something."
"Not like. You did."
"Prove it! Where's your evidence?!"
"Where am I supposed to get that for you? Can't we have a little mutual trust between people?"
"You're calling yourself 'people'?"
"Eh??"
"Kidnappers aren't people!"
"Wha—r-right, totally..."
...
Flustered, Rowen could only stand there awkwardly. It was frustrating not being trusted, but he couldn't deny—his Depravity Value was steadily climbing.
That unexpected bonus made the corners of his mouth twitch upward.
Honestly, if it was just people hating him or giving him the stink-eye, he could deal with that.
"You—!" Shinobu noticed. Her eyes narrowed with even more disgust. "Wait... are you getting happy about this?! Are you some kind of sicko?!"
"Don't be ridiculous! I'm just laughing in anger, that's all!" His Depravity Value spiked again. Even as he struggled to suppress his smirk, he forced himself into a dramatic scowl.
"I've lived all these years—and never have I been humiliated like this! If you don't compensate me, I'll never forgive you!"
"Oh? You think you'll 'never forgive me'?" Shinobu let out a cold laugh as the edge of her blade gently traced across his neck. She looked like she might genuinely lop his head off then and there.
The chill of the blade snapped Rowen out of his smug indulgence.
He raised both hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay, let's compromise. How about we both pretend this never happened?"
"What are you even compromising on?! I haven't done anything to you—!"
"? Shinobu~ what are you doing in the bushes?"
A light, lilting voice interrupted their standoff.
Rowen looked toward the sound and saw a girl, smiling warmly as she approached.
Kanae Kocho.
Her gentle gaze drifted between them, then she clapped her hands together and beamed like a blossom in spring. "Shinobu made a new friend? You two seem to be getting along so well—can I join the fun?"
"Of course—"
"—No you can't!" Shinobu snapped before Rowen could finish.
He'd hoped Kanae's presence might smooth things over—she radiated kindness. But the second he spoke, Shinobu's fury hit a whole new level.
"What do you mean, 'of course'?! Who said you were my friend?! And—"
"And what?"
"—You're not allowed to talk to my sister!!"
"Wait—are you a siscon? Whoa, that's messed up..."
"YOU—!! I'LL KILL YOU!!"
Rowen blurted that out instinctively, and Shinobu instantly erupted. For the first time, she looked like she genuinely wanted to kill him. Her blade swung up in pure reflex.
Thankfully, Kanae gently caught her wrist, frowning softly. "Shinobu, that's not very polite."
"No, no, I think we're way past 'polite' here..." Rowen muttered, baffled.
Shinobu ignored him entirely, still fuming as she turned to her sister. "Sister—?!"
"There, there~" Kanae cooed, patting her head like she was calming an angry kitten.
Though visibly frustrated, Shinobu surprisingly quieted down. She shook off her sister's hand and returned to glaring daggers at Rowen.
(Why are you staring at me like that?! I swear I'm innocent! Are all siscons this intense?!)
Rowen hadn't done anything wrong! He was just… kind of suspicious-looking! Still, he was being treated like a criminal.
He felt wronged—but also, slightly thrilled.
The emotional outbursts from this furious little butterfly were fueling his Depravity Value like a never-ending buffet of high-quality fear—renewable, sustainable, and incredibly efficient.
He wasn't a pervert, but he was hoping to unlock an actual skill. Which meant—even though he could leave now... he didn't plan to.
Instead, he stood to the side and quietly watched the sisters, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Shinobu scowled. "Why are you still here? Aren't you going to run? What are you planning?"
"How about I introduce myself first?" Rowen smiled and extended a hand. "I'm Rowen. And you two are?"
Shinobu moved to slap his hand away, but Kanae hesitated—then suddenly remembered something and stepped forward, gripping his hand with cheerful enthusiasm.
"This is a Western greeting, right? You must be a foreigner! But aren't foreigners usually blond or red-haired? Your hair is..."
"There are black-haired people outside Japan too," Rowen replied smoothly. "In fact, among Roman nobility, black hair was considered a sign of prestige."
"Really? That's fascinating!" Kanae leaned in, a gentle floral scent surrounding her. "But you don't seem that special... though your eyes are kind of weird."
"Being broke counts as special, right?"
"But you're a foreigner?"
"Foreigners can be homeless too."
"So you're homeless?"
"No, I'm just broke... though yes, I currently have no place to stay."
Rowen had no shame whatsoever about his situation.
Shinobu, who'd been silent, suddenly interjected. "So basically, a homeless foreigner?"
"I mean, I can chop wood and stuff...?"
"A wood-chopping homeless foreigner."
"..."
"What, nothing more to say?"
"I don't even know where to start..."
Well, being called a homeless guy was still better than being accused of child trafficking.
With a heavy sigh, Rowen turned to leave, shaking his head.
He'd barely taken two steps when a slender hand landed on his shoulder—Shinobu's.
(Wait, is she secretly a tsundere? Is she gonna invite me for dinner?) After several days of cold meals and no roof, Rowen couldn't help getting his hopes up.
But then—
"I don't care if you're homeless or not. Before you go... explain why you were spying on Kanao earlier."
Her voice was anything but warm.
Her words froze him mid-step.
Rowen cursed his naïve optimism. He'd genuinely hoped she'd moved on—but no, she still hadn't let go of that tiny little detail.
And now he had no idea how to get out of this.