Chapter 40: The Three's First Encounter, A Complete Failure of the Demon...

"You, Martin! Not only did you secretly accept gifts, but you even dared to point a gun at well-meaning civilians!"

The security captain berated his subordinates while patting the boy on the shoulder to comfort him.

"Young Master En, don't be afraid, don't be afraid, you've done a great job..."

"......"

The half-demon remained silent, only trembling.

People, please don't have any physical contact with me!

"Oh my water god, look at this poor child! You've terrified him!"

The more the boy trembled, the more the captain felt pity for him, wishing he could tuck Maine into his arms and give him a warm hug.

"Captain, this isn't my fault!"

The guards who had 'received the gift' were still shaken and watched the half-demon warily.

"That fugitive's pelvis was shattered into three pieces..."

"You don't know anything! Shut up!"

Before the subordinate could finish speaking, the captain's scolding had already arrived.

"It's one thing not to encourage a child who bravely did something right, but to discourage them from doing so!"

"But--"

The young police officer, who was desperately trying to hide in the corner and trembling uncontrollably, was also confused.

The fugitive's agonizing face and the panicked boy's figure overlapped, making it hard to tell which was more tragic.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't recognize him as a fugitive at first..."

"Go back and copy the entire wanted poster ten times... kid!"

The captain took the boy's hands.

"!"

Mainkuhn was startled to see his hook-like nails being held in a human's hand.

"!!!!"

My stomach started churning.

The captain was still holding the half-demon's hand, babbling on and on:

"Don't be afraid, kid. The fugitive did suffer irreversible damage, but he was wounded in the back. Anyone with experience can tell he was shot while trying to escape. In such cases, the pursuers are usually considered innocent, and you're young, so you won't bear any responsibility. But... are you alright, kid?"

Why is it shaking more and more?

The human captain could only feel the hands he was holding growing colder and colder. Looking down, he saw that the boy's droopy ears, with the lynx fur at the tips, were trembling and creating afterimages. Even his golden vertical pupils showed signs of turning white.

Are you feeling unwell? Have you caught a cold?

The kind-hearted captain let go of her hands and turned to get the thermometer:

"The temperature has really dropped sharply recently..."

"!"

It's like a broken net or a shattered cage.

"Whoosh—"

The moment the human let go, the boy, like a cat, bent his knees and arched his back, leaping out of the nearest window!

"??? This is the third floor!"

The captain peered out the window in terror, only to see Maine fleeing in panic.

After watching for a while, the captain suddenly called out the names of his team members in a sinister tone.

"...Martin."

"W-What's wrong?"

The captain grabbed him and slapped him twice:

"Look how scared you've made the child! He's running faster than an airship!"

*

"Whoosh—hah—"

Playing the role of a human is really difficult.

The boy stood at the door for a while, catching his breath, before finally managing to calmly open the door and go inside.

Sure enough, no matter how many times I tried... I couldn't control this damn trembling.

"Brother En!"

He saw the blond-haired child excitedly jumping out of the house.

You're home so early today!

Overwhelmed with surprise, Fimini couldn't help but reach out her hands, wanting to give Maine a hug.

"......!"

Embrace--

Will Fimini be sad if I hide and avoid her...?

Well, it's better than a handshake. To play the role of a good human being, I'll endure it.

Maine stood rooted to the spot, his short tail puffed up in a ball.

"Waaah!"

But those small hands were withdrawn just before they could touch the half-demon's body.

"I accidentally mistook my brother for my mother, hehe."

Little Femini scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly and gave Maine a slightly apologetic smile.

Hmph... No, are we not going to hug anymore?

While surviving the ordeal, Mainkun felt a slight sense of unease.

"Well, after all, my brother doesn't like physical contact. He never holds my hand."

Over time, Fimini naturally learned some of Maine's habits.

"Mom said that to respect someone is to respect their preferences, so if my older brother doesn't like to be hugged, I won't hug him. Don't feel sorry, older brother!"

"......"

The sharp teeth under the mask opened and closed again, but finally closed.

Fimini, you're so sensible.

This fact left Mainkuhn somewhat disappointed.

Clearly, I'm also a child who needs to be taken care of...

"Big brother came back early today, can you do a puzzle with me?"

Even the games they chose didn't involve any physical contact.

An impulse surged within him, and the half-demon slowly spoke:

"......No."

The blue eyes I had hoped for gradually faded.

"Of course... if big brother is busy, he doesn't need to worry about me."

"No."

I mean...

Mainkun stood there for a long time, making a great decision and exerting a lot of effort, before finally squeezing out a few words through gritted teeth.

"us."

"Go out and play."

*

"Yay! Yay!"

Huh? Huh? What did I just say?

Only after the children jumped up in excitement did Mainkun come to his senses in horror.

Did something possess me just now? How could I have made such a terrible promise?!

Walking on a street full of people in human form—I'd die! I'd be scared to death!

Fimi, how about we switch to another one?

"It's been so long since I've gone out to play!"

The blond child had quickly dressed and put on his shoes, his eyes sparkling as he stood waiting at the door.

"Brother En, hurry up!"

I can't wait!

How could I possibly go back on my word?

*

"......"

Cats and humans do not share the same joys and sorrows.

Little Femini could only see his aloof and silent guardian coolly announce that they were going out to play, then stand there for a few seconds in deep thought, as if pondering some difficult problem.

"Brother En?"

Finally, at Fimini's puzzled call, the boy opened the drawer and rummaged through the drawer that originally belonged to the Fools... and found a thin iron chain?

"Huh? Is this to prevent me from getting lost?"

Part of it...

Mainkuhn appeared indifferent, but in reality, he frantically wrapped the two ends of the thin chain around little Femini's arm and his own wrist.

If I faint briefly due to excessive panic.

With this thin chain around, you won't be taken away from me and sold.

Just like my brother and me.

*

"Brother En! Where shall we go to play?"

Hmm? Should I offer some suggestions? How about we go to a deserted beach...?

"Yes! My mom used to be busy with work and almost never took me out. I stayed at home alone every day and knew nothing about the outside world."

The child looked enviously at the boy with droopy ears next to him.

"Brother En goes out every day, he must know where to go for fun, right?"

"......"

Critical hit!

Mainkun felt a lump in his throat.

I'm sorry, Fimini.

Amélie is one thing, she's genuinely busy, but when it comes to me, I'm too inexplicably afraid and weak to take you out—

How can this be allowed!

"?"

An astonishing aura rose from his side. When Fimini looked up, he saw that the upper half of his brother En's face was covered with dark clouds, and his vertical pupils were as sharp as a man-eating tiger.

Walk!

Mainkun strode forward aggressively.

An astonishing force came from the other end of the rope, and Fimini, holding onto the thin chain with both hands, was lifted into the air.

"!?"

Let me take you to the most fun places!

"Ladies and gentlemen, look here...!"

The magician performing on the steps suddenly became speechless, his mouth agape, unsure of what to do.

"Brother, look!"

Lynette stood up straight with her tail held high and exclaimed in a very low voice.

"Someone is flying a child's kite; they're a fellow professional."

...That's not right, Lynette.

What colleague would dress up like a robber?

"The top hat is completely empty now, did everyone see that?"

Linni stiffly waved her hands and feet and continued her performance, but her eyes remained fixed on the suspicious boy.

The child was put down and was smiling happily; he seemed to be fine.

Older boys...

Problems everywhere!

Masks, hats, scarves—covering up completely is one thing, but what's with that gleaming silver chain on her wrist? Is it to prevent her prey from escaping?

Kidnapper? Human trafficker? Control freak?

Linni grew increasingly terrified as she thought about it. The gloomy-looking boy gradually twisted into the shape of a tiger or leopard, and even the smile on the child's face slowly turned into a helpless crying face.

"Brother, I think you're overthinking it."

Little Lynette casually glanced at the half-demon, her gaze immediately drawn to its drooping, withered animal ears:

"Huh? He does look very nervous and uneasy, that's strange."

I knew it!

Do normal people get nervous watching magic shows?

"Listen up, my dear audience!"

Linni was sweating profusely, leaning her body towards the half-demon.

"This isn't just any ordinary hat; it's a magical hat that can grant wishes!"

Hmm, those pointy pupils are a bit scary...

Linni, his hands trembling, handed the hat to Fimini.

"Little brother, what is your most urgent wish right now? Shout it out loud into the hat!"

"......"

The golden beastly eyes glanced at Linni indifferently, exuding a wild and majestic aura.

Linni?

Mainkun just looked at the magician with a puzzled expression.

Why are your hands shaking so badly? I remember you weren't stage-frightened at all.

"!"

Linni froze under the gaze, her hands no longer trembling.

Oh, that's terrifying! Was he glaring at me just now? He definitely was!

"Can I have any wish?!"

Little Fimi's eyes lit up.

"Of course, of course."

Linni forced a smile, "But it has to be your most urgent wish right now!"

For example, calling for help, calling for help, calling for help—

With so many people around, this is your best chance to call for help and escape!

"That's amazing! Then..."

Fimi took a deep breath and strained with all her might as well on the hat:

"I wish my missing mother could come back to me!!!"

The voice making the wish was full of energy and resounded like thunder.

"......"

Eh?

After a long while, Linni stiffened his neck and slowly looked at Mainkuen beside him:

What did you do to this child's mother?!

"." Ah, that's a really loud sound.

Mainkuen, his face dark, struggled to suppress the trembling in his body, tears of relief welling up inside him:

Fimini is getting stronger and stronger, that's great, boohoo.

*

Time was running out for Linni to remain terrified.

"Mom hasn't appeared yet."

Fimini stared intently at the hat.

Am I not sincere enough?

Children who believe in fairy tales are also willing to believe in magic.

"Such a wish, alas."

Meanwhile, seasoned viewers have begun to shake their heads, losing hope.

"How could that be possible? The magic trick failed."

Failure? ...Stage accident?

The golden beast eyes looked at the magician again.

"!"

Those were truly fierce eyes.

Linni felt fear just by looking at him.

But...

Fear and tension are things that should never appear on a magician's face.

"elder brother..."

"Ha ha ha ha--"

Amidst Lynette's worried murmurs, Lynne burst into wild laughter and stretched her arms to the sky:

"Oh dear, my hat is too small; it can't escape the great mother."

So... my wish can't be fulfilled?

Fimini's mood was visibly low.

"How could that be! Little brother, although the hat can't bring your mother back to you—"

Linnie gave Linette a look, and the latter immediately understood and silently walked away.

"But it can bring her love and longing to you."

"Little brother, come on, make your wish in detail one more time while looking at the hat."

"Details?" Fimini didn't quite understand.

"Yes, you need to tell me your name, your mother's name, and other information so that the hat fairy won't go to the wrong door."

Fimini was persuaded.

With childlike confidence and intense longing, he clasped his hands together in front of the hat and prayed devoutly.

"Hat Fairy, I am Fimini."

"Can you tell my mom, Amélie, that I miss her very much?"

"Alright! The Hat Fairy has heard your wish!"

Linni quickly retreated, holding her top hat, her cane flashing in a flurry of motion.

"......"

Hidden away where no one was watching, Lynette deftly flicked the prop into the top hat.

"Beautiful lady!"

The boy scanned the crowd and selected a woman holding a baby.

"Are you willing to help this little brother—"

He knelt down, presenting the top hat to the young mother, his eyes filled with sincere pleading:

"Is it to convey his mother's longing for him?"

"I......"

After a slight hesitation, the mother reached into the hat.

"!"

Everyone saw that a small envelope was pulled out from the previously empty fabric.

"When did this appear?!"

"Madam! Kind madam!"

The magician continued to raise his voice, pleading earnestly:

"Say it out loud, say it out loud!"

"......"

The young mother opened it and saw the childlike, adorable handwriting.

It was rushed and messy, and even had obvious spelling errors.

"......"

The young mother said nothing, but simply clutched the paper and looked at the expectant blond child.

“Ah, Mrs. Amélie said.”

"Mommy misses you too, my dear baby."

"I'm doing well, and I hope you are too."

"Eat well, grow up well, I love you, Fimini."

Lynette hadn't learned many words.

Lynette has no mother.

Lynette tried her best to imagine words of love.

"......"

Mainkun felt the rope around his wrist sway, and Fimini quietly covered his face.

"Waaah..."

Amidst the child's soft cries, the young mother was the first to raise her hands.

*Slap. Slap.*

The crowd followed closely behind, and thunderous applause erupted.

For a perfect magic show.

It was a scam that everyone knew was real.