A New Beginning

Her

Makomo was raised in a lovely place.

As lovely as an orphanage could get.

She had friends but there was no one she considered as family.

10 years she lived her life like any normal girl.

Until a demon appeared at their front door on a summer night.

Nothing was the same before.

She ran as far away as possible, leaving everyone behind, the smallest children had already been in eaten by the demon's hands.

Through the forest she escaped and stayed there until morning, crying over her new knowledge.

That happiness was a fragile thing in this world, and the weak had no choice in the matter of keeping it or not.

Yet she still wanted to survive, to live in that ignorant world like before.

The next day she met the face of the same demon, and just as she was about to be eaten, a man in a tengu mask came to save her from death.

His name was Urokodaki, he was strict but kind, always giving a caring pat on her head everytime she felt sad. Telling her that everything will turn around so there was no reason to cry.

She lived with him for the next two years.
Once again feeling like a normal girl and cherishing the moments she spend with 2 other kids, 2 and 3 years older than her at the time.

Kouta and Kazumi.

Kouta was 13 when she first met him he was really kind and always making sweets for her.

Kouta unlike the other kids at the orphanage would protect her from other boys and teach her to write. Often times calling her his little sister and praising her for the little things.

One day Kouta shared his story with her.

Kouta had 3 little sisters in his life, he never cared about them and would often be jealous that they got more love than him from his parents. However the little sisters would love him anyway.
He tought himself how to make sweets like mochi and dango. It was quite ironic considering he took an interest in pastry to make his parents proud.

"And since I didn't like my sisters, they would be my secret food tasters." he said, letting a small set of giggles before the boys tears fell down.

"I didn't want them to die by demons, I just wanted them to... I wanted to feel like I was a part of the family." Makomo hugged him for a moment, she didn't know what else to do.

"I guess I'm just trying to make up for my mistakes by doting on you huh, that sound like a stupid way to cover my problems."

"I like it though." Kouta turned back her, tears still in his eyes.

"I like it that you dote on me, I never had anyone done that for me." Makomo smiled.

He replied with another smile. "I'm glad."

The next summer he went off to the final selection alone, leaving her with an anmitsu on her hands. Promising to come with alot more sweets after that.

But he never came back.

Makomo cried for a day and a half.

Now only Kazumi was left.

Kazumi was the complete opposite to Kouta.

He would train for days, for hours to no end.

He was cold towards any other person apart from Urokodaki San, and even at some point he wouldn't care to talk at all or just ignore the other two.