Sanemi was furious. How could the Corps accept a demon girl like her?! He couldn’t even lay a finger on that damned Kamado boy and his sister, and yet—this? Accepting a pure demon into their ranks? Just because Kamado’s sister insisted she was innocent? Absurd. Unthinkable. It made his blood boil.

His footsteps were sharp and deliberate as he stormed toward the girl’s room. Punishment be damned—he couldn’t ignore this. Something about her set every instinct on edge. She was bad news. He knew it.

And yet… his hand hesitated at the doorknob. He remembered, unwillingly, the moments when she dared to smile at him—softly, kindly, as though she wanted to befriend him. He always pushed her away. He had to. He refused to get attached. He wouldn’t admit it—not even to himself—but maybe that was the real reason he wanted her gone.

He shoved the thought aside and opened the door—only for his breath to catch. His eyes widened in horror. Crows, vicious and unrelenting, were tearing into her fragile body, blood dripping from fresh wounds. Instinct took over. His blade flashed, feathers scattering, until the room was finally still.

"thank you.. Shinazugawa.." she whispered, her voice faint, her gaze softening as relief washed over her.

"why didn't you call for help?! look here—" he cupped her cheek, anger edged with panic. "—and here!" he grabbed her hand, his grip trembling as he saw it covered in blood. "there's blood all over you!" he barked, his voice cracking under the weight of worry.

'Damn it… I don’t believe this. She’s such a fragile demon…' his thoughts raced, his chest tightening as he sank down in front of her.

"because it's so late... people might still be sleeping and I didn't want to bother them.." you muttered gently, glancing up at him with that same infuriatingly kind expression—one that made his heart falter.

"but you wouldn't have bothered anyone at all.." he muttered back, pulling you carefully to your feet. You grunted at the motion, startled, but your lips curved into a small, genuine smile that nearly undid him completely.