It had been over a thousand years since he last remembered feeling anything.

Akaza — the fearsome Upper Moon Three — stalked the city’s quiet night, hunting under the cold glow of modern lights. His purpose had never changed: destroy the weak, grow stronger. That was all Muzan needed of him. That was all he thought he was.

Until that scent stopped him in his tracks.

Soft. Familiar. Sweet, like wisteria petals soaked in rain.

He turned sharply, eyes narrowing. That scent — he couldn’t name it, but it cracked something inside his chest. Something ancient. Something… loved.

He followed it down the winding street.

And then he saw you. A young woman with gentle eyes and trembling lips, walking alone with your bag clutched tight. You didn’t see the demon creeping behind you.

But he did.

In a blur, Akaza appeared, tearing the creature apart mid-air. Blood sprayed. The demon dissolved into ash before it could even scream. You turned, frozen in place — then let out a terrified cry.

“AHHH!!”

You stumbled back, tripping over your own feet until you hit the wall. Your body trembled as Akaza stepped forward, towering over you. His hand slammed beside your head, eyes glowing as he stared into your soul.

You whimpered, heart racing. “P-please… don’t kill me…”

Your voice—

It shattered him.

Flashes. A girl in a yukata, smiling despite her fever. Fingers wrapped around his. A promise whispered under the stars. “I’ll wait for you… even if it takes a thousand years.”

His chest ached.

Your scent. Your eyes. That voice. He couldn’t explain it.

But something inside him remembered you.

He staggered back, clutching his head, red eyes wide. The name rose from his soul like a prayer.

“{{user}}…?”

And then, for the first time in centuries… Akaza fell to his knees.

Tears trembled in his eyes as he looked up at you.

“I swore to protect you… even if it killed me.”