Scene 1 – Oga's House: The Tyranny of Clothing
It was a rare calm day in the Oga household. No explosions. No gang wars. No sudden dimensional rifts. Just the distant sound of cicadas droning outside the window, a sound so oppressive it seemed to melt the very walls.
At the center of this uneasy peace stood Kogen, immaculate as always, like a prince who had accidentally wandered into a zoo. His long pale hair shimmered faintly under the sunlight, his angelic beauty both soothing and infuriating at the same time. Cradled in his arms was Beelzebub, the baby demon lord himself—squirming, snarling, and clearly seconds away from unleashing his wrath.
"Stop struggling," Kogen said smoothly, his tone the perfect balance of calm and terrifyingly absolute. He tugged the tiny shirt over Beel's head, ignoring the sparks of static electricity snapping around them. "You will wear clothes today."
"DAAAAAHHH!!" Beel flailed, his tiny limbs smacking against Kogen's chest. Drool dribbled down his chin as he tried to wriggle free.
Oga, leaning against the doorframe with his usual scowl, scratched the back of his head. "Oi. He doesn't like it. Just let him go naked."
Kogen's golden eyes snapped toward Oga with the cold sharpness of a guillotine. "You allowed him to run around without clothes during summer. He caught a cold. A king's fever." His voice lowered to a deathly chill that made the room's temperature drop. "...Do you realize how catastrophic it would've been if he lost control of his powers?"
Oga froze. He remembered the fever, the way Beel's demonic energy had spiked out of control, nearly vaporizing half of Ishiyama. He rubbed his temple, grunting. "...Tch. Fine. Do what you want."
Beel was shoved into tiny overalls with lightning bolts embroidered on them, plus a floppy sun hat. He looked... painfully cute. So cute it was almost illegal. Even Oga, who prided himself on never reacting to "cute crap," had his eye twitch.
Beel puffed his cheeks. "DAHH!"
Kogen tightened the strap of the sun hat under Beel's chin. "There. Perfect."
Beel was winding up for an explosive baby tantrum—until he froze. His wide green eyes fixed on the window.
Outside, on the wooden deck, a fat cicada buzzed loudly, its wings trembling as it clung to the screen door.
Beel's expression collapsed into sheer terror. His lips quivered. His eyes filled with tears. Then—
"BWAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"
The scream shook the whole house. Electricity burst in every direction, frying the lightbulbs. The cicada twitched, unimpressed.
Oga's jaw dropped. "...You've gotta be kidding me. A demon lord baby who doesn't flinch at gang wars, bombs, or demon assassins—scared of a bug?!"
Beel clutched Oga's leg, shaking like a leaf, wailing: "DAAAAHHHH!! BUG!!!"
Kogen covered his mouth, failing to fully hide the faintest smirk. "Ara. Even kings have weaknesses, it seems."
"Shut up!" Oga snapped. His pride had taken a direct hit. Beel couldn't be raised into a proper man if he cried at insects.
Oga clenched his fists, veins popping. "That's it. Special training. We're heading to Mapputatsu!"
Kogen tilted his head, amused. "The mountain village? To fight bugs?"
"To make him tougher!" Oga roared. "If he can't handle a cicada, how's he supposed to handle a demon army? No son of mine is getting scared of some bugs."
Beel's only reply was a loud sniffle and another "BUGGGGG!!!"
Scene 2 – Mapputatsu Village: The Bug Training Begins
The next day, Oga, Kogen, Beel, and Jagua trudged up the dusty mountain paths toward Mapputatsu.
Beel was strapped to Oga's back, still trembling whenever he heard the cicadas' droning. Oga stomped his way uphill, muttering curses.
"This is pathetic. My reputation's at stake. My kid can't be scared of bugs."
Kogen walked beside him with infuriating ease, robes fluttering like a fallen angel taking a casual stroll. "Perhaps you should be gentler. Not everyone conquers fear through brute force."
"Gentle?!" Oga barked. "The world doesn't wait for crybabies. He needs to man up."
Beel whined, hugging Oga's neck tighter. Jagua meowed in agreement, though it was unclear if he was supporting Oga or mocking him.
When they reached the village, Oga immediately set up "training." By training, he meant:
Holding Beel in front of a tree full of cicadas.
Laughing when Beel screamed.
Threatening to throw Beel at the tree until he stopped crying.
"DAAAAAH BUGGGG!!!" Beel wailed, sending out shockwaves that blew leaves off every tree in a 20-meter radius.
The villagers peeked nervously from their homes. "Is... is that baby summoning lightning again?"
Kogen pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. "This is not training. This is torture."
"Shut it!" Oga growled. "He'll thank me later."
Scene 3 – The Encounter: "Aoi Kunie"
Later that afternoon, while Oga tried to calm Beel with grilled fish, a familiar voice drifted through the mountain air.
"Ko-taaaa, don't run off too far!"
Oga turned his head, frowning. Down the path came a young woman in a simple summer kimono, carrying a toddler on her hip. The disguise was modest: her long hair tied back, no Ishiyama uniform, just plain clothes.
It was Kunieda Aoi. But to Oga, she was "that random park lady" again.
She froze when she spotted him, her heart lurching. Oh no. Not him. Not here.
Oga blinked. "Oi. You're... that babysitting lady from the park."
Aoi quickly recovered, bowing slightly, her cheeks faint pink. "Ah—y-yes. We meet again. My name is... Aoi Kunie."
"...Kunie, huh?" Oga muttered, chewing on a fish bone. "Weird coincidence. I know a girl named Kunieda who looks just like you. Except she's annoying."
Kunieda twitched violently. Annoying?!
Oga continued, oblivious: "But you seem way friendlier. You don't yell at me every five seconds."
Kunieda's face went bright red. She wasn't sure if she wanted to die of embarrassment or punch him. But—part of her... melted a little. He really was kinder to her like this.
Behind her, an old man approached slowly, his posture bent but his aura sharp. It was her grandfather, Ittōsai Kunieda.
. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Oga.
"...And who might you be, young man? How do you know my granddaughter."
Oga shrugged. "Just Oga. I know your granddaughter through babysitting. We... share experiences."
Ittōsai's eyes flickered, intrigued. "Babysitting, hm? And what brings you to Mapputatsu?"
Oga opened his mouth. "Training Beel to—"
But Ittōsai cut him off with a sharp gleam in his eyes. "Ah. So you came to train yourself."
Oga blinked. "What? No, I—"
Ittōsai suddenly extended his hand. "A firm handshake, then."
Oga frowned, gripping his hand. "Uh... sure?"
The next second—SLAM.
Oga's body flew into the dirt, flipped effortlessly over Ittōsai's shoulder. Dust exploded around them.
Oga roared, scrambling to his feet. "THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!"
Ittōsai cracked his knuckles, smiling faintly. "Let me help you train a little."
Oga's eyes darkened, fury sparking. "You bastard..."
Kogen, watching from the sidelines with Beel and Kunieda, sighed. "Here we go again."
Kunieda clutched Kota nervously. "Grandfather, please—"
But it was too late.
Oga lunged, fist cocked. Ittōsai sidestepped effortlessly, his palm striking Oga's chest. WHAM. Oga skidded back, coughing, stunned by the sheer force of the old man's technique.
"Not bad," Ittōsai said calmly. "But sloppy. You rely on raw strength alone. You have much to learn."
Oga's pride shattered. His blood boiled hotter than ever. "Tch... You think I'll lose to some wrinkly old man?!"
Ittōsai 's eyes glinted. "Prove it."
Lightning cracked in the sky. Beel wailed, sensing the fight brewing. Kogen's eyes narrowed faintly, his aura of Death flickering for a second—unnoticed by all but Beel and Jagua.
The mountain air grew heavy. The cicadas went silent.
Oga roared and charged again—
And the cliffhanger slammed shut.