Ah yes, the human race. A fragile species bound to a fragile world. Their planet wouldn’t last a second if I unleashed even a fraction of my true strength. I exhaled slowly, the temptation to crush them passing as quickly as it came. Destruction was far too simple. No, this was different. I could manipulate the results, deceive the others on the Council—even Astaroth himself. But lie to myself? No. I couldn’t ignore the pull of my own decision. Earth it is.

But really, what would be the point of visiting Earth if I couldn’t indulge in a little chaos? What kind of vacation is that? I scoffed at the notion as I flicked my hand, conjuring the magical screen before me. Earth, as always, flickered to life on the surface, its image sharp and vibrant. I had watched this planet more times than I could count—from its fiery beginnings to the rise of these humans. Pathetic creatures, driven by their short lives and reckless ambitions.

Still, I had to give them credit. They were good customers—summoning demons, performing rituals, always hungry for more power. But they didn’t know the truth. They never did. The demons they revered? Pawns. The gods they feared? My subordinates. Their entire existence? A game for me to play. What could Earth possibly offer me but boredom? I thought, my eyes glazing over the screen. And yet, as I continued to observe, something odd caught my attention.

There, sitting on a park bench, was a human couple—engrossed in a kiss. I’ve witnessed human intimacy many times before, similar to how demons indulge in pleasure with succubi, but this? This was different. The male wasn’t dominating her, wasn’t claiming what should rightfully be his. His touch was gentle, his kiss soft. There was no aggression. No power.

Where’s the domination? I thought, my curiosity piqued. Was I missing something?

"Disgusting, right, my lord?" a familiar voice broke into my thoughts, its tone tinged with amusement. I turned to see one of the old wizards from the Council, draped in his archaic robes, standing beside me, his withered face twisted in a knowing grin.

"Love is such a wicked thing!" he cackled.

"Love?" I repeated, almost confused. "Isn’t this act supposed to be lust?"

The wizard chuckled again, his eyes gleaming with the knowledge of an old sage. "Ah, my lord, it’s not so simple. According to the teachings of Lord Asmodeus, there is a distinction. He taught us to recognize the look of pure lust—and how it differs from genuine love."

Asmodeus—Lord of Lust. I had heard much of him but had yet to meet him since taking my seat at the gates of Hell. There were whispers that he no longer resided in our realm. I thought over the word again. Love. A concept foreign and utterly ridiculous for demons. And yet, the old wizard spoke of it with such conviction.

"I thought demons couldn’t feel love," I muttered, more to myself than him.

The wizard nodded slowly. "Few can, my lord, but yes. Love exists among us, though not in the way humans feel it. It’s… difficult to explain. Even Lord Lucifer, should he choose, could create such emotions within himself. However, for someone as powerful as him, emotions like that are useless." The wizard paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his wrinkled face. "Love is a power beyond brute force—it cannot simply be summoned."

I raised an eyebrow. “Create emotions? More difficult than destroying a sun? Than triggering a hypernova?”

He smiled faintly, as though reading my thoughts. "Physical destruction is an act of strength. Love, however, is intangible… elusive… far more complex."

As he spoke, my attention returned to the couple. The kiss had ended, and now the woman was offering the man a meal she had packed. They sat together, laughing softly. Disgusted, I turned away. But part of me—against all logic—remained… curious.

"Why have you come, Wizard of the Council?" I asked, my voice cold. "State your name and your purpose."

"Mal'Zheroth, my lord," the wizard said with a bow. "Lord Astaroth has requested that you take a break. The Council believes it is best for you to… refresh yourself. We will manage in your absence."

A break? I had no need for such trivialities. Yet, I found myself intrigued.

"I will go to Earth," I declared.

"Y-Yes, my lord—whaaat?" Mal'Zheroth’s eyes widened in shock, his composure faltering as he choked on his words.

"You heard me," I said, dismissing him with a wave. "I’ll depart in ten minutes. Inform the others."

As Mal'Zheroth hurried away, I allowed myself a moment of reflection. What exactly was I planning to do on Earth? The answer gnawed at me, slowly transforming from a mere thought to a compulsion.

"I will go to find love," I whispered, chuckling at the absurdity of my words. Love? No, that wasn’t it. Perhaps a few experiments with human females—yes, that made more sense. Satisfying my curiosity would be enough.

Summoning the screen once more, I watched the humans closely, narrowing my focus. "Who will be the lucky one?" I mused, searching through countless faces. After narrowing down the candidates by status and lifestyle, I conjured a spinning hologram of Earth. With a flick of my hand, I threw a dart, striking my chosen location. Murasaki Hikōki.

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Perfect.

I needed a place to stay. Wealth would attract attention, and I needed to blend in. Play the human game, I reminded myself. Friday would be the day I approached her. My objective was clear: act human. No powers, no manipulation—just a game to kill the boredom.

When I opened my eyes again, I was standing on Earth in my human form. This city—her city—was a dull blend of gray concrete and flickering lights. The air was cold, biting against my skin, much harsher in this form. Testing my limits, I ran, reaching speeds of 60 km/h. But after a mere ten minutes, exhaustion hit me, and I stumbled, crashing into the pavement. My body—a fragile, human shell—screamed in pain, bones snapping. But regeneration quickly kicked in, bones mending themselves.

As I approached the apartment, a drunk man staggered toward me. "Hey, kid! Have you seen my whiskey?" he slurred, waving a bottle around.

I ignored him, but he continued to follow, mumbling nonsense. Humans… so pathetic. I sighed, resisting the urge to lash out.

"Stop following me, or you’ll regret it," I warned.

"Respect your elders!" he mumbled.

I snapped my fingers, and he collapsed on me and I lay him on the floor “I must act human” I smirk and continue my path. A group of thugs appeared, circling the unconscious man. One of them grinned, pulling a knife. "Didn’t your grandpa teach you respect?" He directed his look at me.

My patience wore thin. I could crush his skull right now. But no, I had to play the part.

"Do what you want," I muttered, turning away and running as they robbed the old man. Act human and escape as a human.

I quickened my pace, reaching the apartment with ease. Running only 30 km/h this time, I felt the exhaustion creeping in again, but I pressed on.

Finally, I stood before the apartment door, scanning the surroundings for any witnesses. The hallway was empty, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning. I smirked. Perfect. This will be easy.

With a quick glance around, I prepare to use my abilities to unlock the door, my fingers grazing the handle. Just as I start to concentrate, the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoes up the stairwell. My heart skips a beat. I tense, but quickly remind myself to stay calm. Act natural.

I straighten up, casually turning toward the horizon outside the nearby window, pretending to admire the evening glow as if I have every reason to be here. The footsteps grow louder until a figure emerges from the stairs—a woman.

Our eyes meet. In that fleeting moment, a subtle jolt of awareness passes between us. Her dark eyes seem to question me, her pace slowing as she approaches. Does she live next door? The thought flickers briefly, but I shove it aside. Getting involved with a stranger is the last thing I need.

I let my expression remain neutral, indifferent even, and I sever eye contact, breaking the silent tension between us. My fingers tighten around the door handle, and with a subtle application of my powers, the lock clicks open. She lingers for a second longer, watching, as if trying to read something in my demeanor, but I offer nothing. Ignore her.

Without hesitation, I slip inside, the door closing quietly behind me. The warmth of my new home envelops me, the air thick with silence. I exhale slowly, leaning against the door for a brief moment, thoughts swirling. Whoever she was, it doesn’t matter. She saw nothing. As far as she knows, I’m just another tenant moving in.

But still… there was something about the way she looked at me, like she knew.

No. I shake the thought away. I can’t afford to get distracted, not now.

The days blurred together as I continued my observation. The magic TV, my reliable window into humanity, was useless for tracking her now. Murasaki Hikōki hadn’t made a pact with any demon, nor was she anywhere near death’s door. My usual channels for understanding mortals failed me, and it irked me more than I cared to admit. I sighed” I know her house spot, but I do not know which way she will take to lead home, and I can’t wait outside school, I will be restrained by looking suspicious” I thought, leaning back against the couch.

But what should I do in the meantime? “Perhaps… I should perfect my appearance,” I mused. Yes, the perfect human male—one that would draw her in without effort. I spent hours watching human celebrities and male models, analyzing their movements, their voices, and their smiles. I adjusted my form slightly—just enough to blend in, to seem alluring but not supernatural. Not yet, at least.

Days passed without incident. I’d kept my distance, allowing the monotony of Earth life to wash over me. Until, one night, a scream pierced the quiet of the building, its intensity cutting through my senses. “What now?” I muttered, irritated.

The sound came from the apartment next door. The girl from the other day, my neighbor. The idea of police arriving to find any culprit for the scream would to find me—an illegal tenant—was an inconvenience I didn’t need. “Eureka!” I grinned, realizing this could be an opportunity to demonstrate "human" valor. A little self-defense—boxing or karate, perhaps—would look perfectly reasonable when the attacker was lying on the ground, broken and defeated by my hands.

I open my door and stepped out into the hallway, the echoes of the scream still fresh in my ears. No more sounds came from her apartment, which meant one thing—the intruder had likely silenced her. Covering her mouth, most likely. A typical move. My senses sharpened, tuning in to every detail. What would a human do in this situation?

Breaking down the door might seem heroic, but with my physique, it would raise suspicion. I could call the police, but that would only lead to my arrest—illegally occupying an apartment tends to raise unwanted questions. No, something more subtle was required. I knocked on the door.

I could hear her pulse, steady but quickening. No sounds of a struggle. If something was off, I would know it. If she was lying, I would hear it. When the door creaked open, I was met with a sight that was almost comical.

The girl stood there, babbling nervously, her head tilted down as though in apology. She was fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. Her words were sincere, no deception in her voice or her heartbeat. The whole situation was ridiculous. I stared at her for a moment, and she looked back at me, eyes wide and unsure.

An awkward conversation would follow if I lingered—of that, I was certain. So, without a word, I turned on my heel and walked away, retreating to the comfort of my apartment.

As I entered my apartment I tried to change my focus to Hikōki “Two more days,” I muttered to myself once I was alone again.” Then “ I will study to watch the different paths of where she will lead to.“Two more days, and I’ll confess my love to Hikōki.” I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of my own words. “Love?” I chuckled, the idea as foreign to me as peace in a demon’s heart. “Ridiculous.”

I returned to my seriousness, shedding the fleeting amusement. "If my calculations are correct, she’ll take the route towards Muse Park," I murmured, “ Predictable."

The patterns were clear. Humans, despite their supposed complexity, often fell into repetitive routines to avoid extra work. Murasaki Hikōki is no different. That day would be no exception. She will walk through that park.

"It’s only a matter of time," I whispered, leaning back in my chair, eyes locked onto the screen. The game was set, and I was ready to act when the moment was right. All the pieces were falling into place.