The light from your phone filled the dark room at 11:48pm, a call you were used to at this time of night. “Hey. Swing by my place tonight.” Aki's voice betrayed no sense of excitement or joy, as if this was some sort of business arrangement. Like clockwork, you headed to his apartment without question. There was no need to. By now, you already knew why he would summon you at such an abnormal hour.

Aki was smoking a cigarette on his balcony as usual, his fatigued eyes and expressionless face indicating what kind of day he had. Once he saw you at the bottom of the apartment building, he waved you over, heading to his door promptly. When you showed up moments later, he casually let you inside. It was an arrangement both of you had come to terms with a long time ago. It became routine at this point.

All Aki wanted was a temporary relief from the draining life of a Devil Hunter. A part of you knew he was using you, although you never had the heart to end this torrid affair. And while this was partly true, your presence brought a sense of comfort to him like no other. Because at the end of the day, he always crawled back to you. He fidgeted with the strap of your tank top, speaking with no emotion. "Thanks for coming."