Status
Name: Yamamoto Kai
Age: 16 years
Race: Demon/Vizard
Abilities:
Charm (Passive): Subtle effect of natural attraction, without direct control.
Language (Passive): Understands and communicates in any language.
Photographic Memory (Passive): Ability to retain detailed and permanent information.
Kido Techniques:
Hadō #1: Shō (Modified): Pushes a nearby target with a burst of concentrated spiritual energy, adapted for higher intensity in direct combat.
Hadō #4: Byakurai (Practitioner): Releases a concentrated beam of spiritual energy like lightning.
Combat Techniques:
Hohō (Practitioner): Beginner's rapid movement technique, enabling agile movement in combat.
Kai was in his room, holding the diary and looking over his updated status. Two weeks had passed since the incident with Yukina, and he had made significant progress. Thanks to daily training, he had managed to use two new Shinigami abilities: Hohō, the rapid movement technique, and some Zanjutsu, the art of swordsmanship. Though he was far from a master, he was already less clumsy with the sword.
As he admired his progress, Sona called to him from downstairs in her usual firm, direct tone.
"Kai, come here. We have something important to discuss."
Going downstairs, he found Sona standing next to Tsubaki, both with serious expressions, which put him on alert. Before he could say anything, Sona began to explain:
"Kai, you need a familiar."
"A…familiar?" Kai repeated, curious yet apprehensive. In his mind, the word "familiar" only conjured images of mysterious creatures or even magical pets.
Sona nodded, keeping her serious tone.
"Yes, a familiar. It's essential for a demon. They act as our assistants and can help with various tasks, like gathering information or tracking."
Kai was already imagining a fire-breathing dragon, ready to serve a powerful master, or perhaps a shadowy wolf, but Sona brought him back to reality.
She snapped her fingers, and a white marten appeared, coiling around her neck like a furry, elegant scarf.
"This is my familiar."
Tsubaki also demonstrated by summoning a white rabbit dressed in a top hat and tuxedo, looking as if it were heading to a gala. Kai struggled not to laugh, watching the rabbit adjust itself, haughtily, as if it were a true noble.
As he processed the scene, Tsubaki said:
"Familiars are quite useful, Kai. Besides helping with tasks, they can also act as our eyes and ears when we're not around. You definitely need one."
"Great!" Kai replied, faking a confidence he didn't really feel. "What would you recommend? Maybe…something that breathes fire? Or flies fast?"
At that moment, a magic circle began to glow on the floor, and Tsubaki informed them everything was ready.
"All set, Sona."
Sona looked at Kai and calmly said:
"Let's capture your familiar."
When the magical teleportation light faded, Kai found himself in a dense forest filled with tall trees and shadows. Sunlight barely filtered through the canopy, casting the area into darkness and creating an intimidating atmosphere. He glanced around, trying to hide his apprehension.
"Many demonic familiars live here in this forest. Today, you'll have the chance to choose yours," said Sona.
As Kai tried to take in the mysterious surroundings, a young man with a peculiar appearance emerged from among the trees, wearing a red cap that looked a bit out of place in the setting.
"My name is Satooji from Madara Town! I'm a demon in training, aiming to become a Familiar Master!" the young man introduced himself, full of enthusiasm.
Kai nearly laughed out loud. This guy seemed straight out of a childhood anime, bringing a wave of nostalgia. Sona, as serious as ever, introduced him:
"Satooji-san, this is my servant, Kai. We're here to capture his familiar."
Satooji wasted no time. With a smile, he pulled out a thick catalog that seemed to contain a list of all types of familiars.
"So, Kai, what kind of familiar are you looking for?" he asked with the excitement of a car salesman.
Kai was still a bit undecided and simply replied:
"Hmmm…how about you recommend one?"
Satooji flipped through the catalog quickly until he stopped on a page, pointing with enthusiasm.
"How about a Hydra? It's immortal, has deadly venom, and multiple heads! No need for enemies because it might even attack its own master! Useful, huh?"
Kai looked at Satooji with an incredulous expression.
"Are you serious? You want me to bring home something that could kill me?! I'm pretty sure I have enough problems already."
Satooji shrugged, disappointed.
"You newbies never appreciate the thrill of a true adventure…" he grumbled, casting an annoyed look at Kai.
Kai clenched his fists, tempted to respond more "physically," but Tsubaki intervened.
"Calm down, Kai. Satooji-san just gets a little carried away but means well," she said, stifling a laugh as she guided him forward.
After wandering through the forest and spotting strange creatures (including a "giant rabbit with tiger fangs" that made Kai take three steps back), he finally saw something interesting: a peculiar crow that seemed almost invisible against the shadows of the trees. It had black feathers with red accents and a gaze that suggested intelligence and cunning.
Satooji gave an approving nod.
"That's a blood crow. It hasn't fully mutated yet, but it's quite useful. It can turn invisible, mask its presence, and share its vision with the master."
Kai smiled, noticing that the crow seemed to be observing him in return, sizing him up. He liked that the bird was discreet and efficient. When he finally approached to perform the contract, the crow did something unexpected: it let out a loud caw and spit a small fireball right at Satooji.
The fireball hit Satooji right in the face, leaving him with a scorched expression of shock.
"Looks like he likes you, Kai!" Tsubaki said, laughing as she petted the crow.
Kai laughed, pleased. He was already starting to like the crow. The little rebel not only fit his personality well but also had a humor he appreciated.
"I think I'll name him Ark," Kai announced, stroking the crow's head as it perched on his shoulder. The bird let out a low "caw," as if approving of the name.
Back in his room, Kai lay on the bed as he tested one of Ark's abilities, the ability to share its vision. He could see the neighborhood from above as if he were flying, observing the rooftops, streets, and the few people passing by.
Lost in the aerial view, he was interrupted by soft footsteps entering the room. When he canceled the vision, he saw Tsubaki had entered, wearing her pajamas — an oversized shirt that fell to her thighs.
"Took you long enough to get back. Everything okay? And where's Sona?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sona? Oh, she got embarrassed halfway and returned to her room. Said something about me still not beating her at chess," Kai replied, laughing.
Tsubaki sighed, a smile playing on her lips.
"Well, then it's just us and…" she glanced at Ark, who was perched on the window ledge. "Looks like your crow has become the room's new guardian, huh?"
Kai shrugged, but he noticed Ark really did seem to have a protective personality, as if he had claimed the room as his territory. He tried to laugh, but a hint of pride shone through.
"Hey, not everyone has a fire-spitting crow as a familiar, right?" he joked.
Ark let out a cocky "caw," as if he understood and fully agreed with his master's statement.
They spent some time chatting about recent events, and Kai couldn't resist teasing Tsubaki, mentioning how cute she looked when she slept. He pulled out his phone and showed her a photo of her sleeping the other day. Of course, the flash had accidentally been on, capturing a sleepy Tsubaki with a hint of drool.
"You…didn't take a picture with the flash, did you?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Uh…of course not! I'm way too discreet for that," he lied with a sly grin.
Tsubaki's expression said she knew exactly what he was doing. She lunged for the phone, and the two ended up wrestling playfully on the bed. In the end, both were laughing and out of breath until they heard a voice behind them:
"How long are you two going to keep fooling around?"
Kai and Tsubaki froze, seeing Sona standing in the doorway, arms crossed and a stern expression, though with a slight smile.
They exchanged looks, laughed awkwardly, and sat up, knowing their relationship was becoming increasingly filled with hilarious and unusual moments.