8 Hotel Hotel

[Word Count: 2759]

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'We're in Tokyo...' The ⬜⬜⬜ Devil spoke.

During the day, the streets of Tokyo had a completely different atmosphere compared to the night. It was relatively quiet, with most of the vibrant locals being occupied with school or work. The streets were mainly occupied by older individuals, job seekers, or occasional troublemakers.

'Now what...'

"Now we leave."

'WHAT!?'

"It's expensive to live downtown, and we don't have that kind of money," Leo reasoned. "So we're going to the outskirts for a cheaper hotel."

Ignoring the ⬜⬜⬜ Devils grumbling, Leo got on his bike, picked a direction, and started pedaling.

As Leo cycled through the city streets, he couldn't help but notice the abundance of vending machines that seemed to be scattered everywhere. "Seems the rumors are true," he remarked to himself. "There are at least two vending machines per person in Tokyo."

The vibrant advertisements that adorned the buildings and streets also caught Leo's attention. They showcased everything from the latest boy band to provocative establishments, demanding attention from passersby.

As Leo continued his journey, he silently thanked the black-haired girl who had initially helped him. Her assistance had allowed him to cover more ground and make better progress. Grateful for her unwitting contribution, Leo pulled up next to a modest, affordable hotel—a far cry from the more extravagant options he had passed along the way.

Reaching into his backpack, Leo retrieved the wallets he had stolen, searching for a suitable ID to use for check-in. With a selected ID in hand, he made his way into the hotel, ready to secure a place to rest.

Stopping in front of a mirror, Leo paused to examine his reflection. He realized that the calm bike ride had unexpectedly calmed his demeanor, leaving him with a somewhat dull expression. Not satisfied with this presentation, he rubbed his hands across his face and practiced a forced smile, attempting to appear more at ease.

"What?" Leo questioned, sensing the Devil's presence.

"I didn't say anything," the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil responded.

"You did, just not with words," Leo insisted, confident in his perception.

Letting out an unamused grumble, the Devil relented. "Why are you playing with your face?" it inquired.

"I'm trying to make a smile," Leo explained.

"Why?" the Devil queried.

"Do you think I can make one naturally?" Leo asked rhetorically, implying his difficulty in expressing genuine happiness.

"Hmm... probably not," the Devil admitted.

"Exactly. I'm but a defenseless child. My main weapon is my unsuspecting nature," Leo mused, acknowledging his ability to navigate the world with a certain innocence.

"A wolf in sheep's clothing approach, then," the Devil remarked, finding some amusement in Leo's reasoning.

Feeling satisfied with their exchange, Leo took one last glance at his reflection before his attention was drawn to an older couple across the street. He noticed their stifled laughter and felt a tinge of embarrassment, causing him to tighten his grip on his bike as he made his way inside the hotel.

As Leo entered the lobby, a bell chimed, announcing his arrival. The space was empty, with a minimalist design and a neatly arranged bench in front of the reception desk. Indoor plants added a touch of greenery to the surroundings.

Walking up to the reception desk, Leo's gaze was drawn to a gleaming golden bell and neatly stacked piles of papers, signifying the hotel's organization and attention to detail.

Taking a deep breath, Leo reached out and rang the bell, its clear sound echoing through the silent lobby.

...and waited.

...and waited.

enhanced version:

Just as Leo was about to ring the bell again, he heard another distinct ding behind him, catching his attention.

DING

Turning around, Leo's gaze met the entrance door opening, revealing an elderly gentleman with graying hair, narrow eyes, and thick, rounded eyebrows. The man wore a plain white button-up shirt, neatly tucked into his black dress pants. Suspended from his back were crutches, aiding him in his movement. A dark green scally cap rested atop his head, adding a touch of character to his appearance.

Leo couldn't help but notice the missing leg that the man's crutches supported. It was unclear whether it was due to an accident or a previous surgery, but the determination in the elderly man's eyes hinted at his resilience.

As the elderly man approached the reception desk, he briefly glanced at Leo, his gaze full of curiosity. Once he reached the front of the desk, he greeted Leo with a gentle smile, projecting warmth and kindness.

"Well hello there, how can I help you, young one?" the elderly man kindly inquired.

Leo felt a knot form in his stomach as things suddenly became complicated. He had planned to present the stolen ID to secure a room and resort to lying if questioned about his parents. However, he realized that the elderly man in front of him was part of the couple that had witnessed his earlier antics. He knew that his parents weren't outside, and lying to the elderly man would be futile.

Although Leo possessed the ability to erase the encounter from the elderly man's memory, doing so would violate the terms of his contract with the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil. The Devil's power must align with its ultimate goal, and erasing memories for personal convenience was not part of that plan.

Leo's goal was to stay and live in Tokyo, while the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil's goal was to go to hell and reform the Fire Devil. So far, the Devil had aided Leo in reaching Tokyo because it served as the gateway to hell. However, it had no intention of staying beyond that.

From this point forward, Leo knew he was on his own, except for the occasional assistance from the Fire Devil. The contract he had signed with the Fire Devil suggested that it was more lenient in helping him reconnect with the rest of its body. Leo had observed the Fire Devil's nature of burning things and believed that utilizing its powers might still be possible.

But for now, Leo's immediate concern was the older man standing before him.

"I want a room," Leo straightforwardly stated, resting his elbows on the reception desk.

The elderly man placed a hand on his chin, contemplating Leo's request. "Is that so? And what about your parents?" he asked.

Leo took a moment to gather his thoughts. "Dead," he answered simply, the truth ringing in his words.

The elderly man's expression softened, understanding the weight of Leo's response. "I see," he said gently, pausing for a moment before continuing. "Do you-"

Before the elderly man could inquire further into Leo's situation, he was abruptly interrupted by the determined child.

"Look, old man, money isn't an issue. I just need a room for a couple of days. Can you or can you not rent me a room?" Leo interjected, his impatience evident.

The elderly man chuckled, unfazed by Leo's straightforwardness. "Haha, you're a rude one, aren't you?" he remarked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Throughout their conversation, Leo's forced smile faded away, revealing his true demeanor. In contrast, the elderly man maintained a small smile, seemingly undisturbed by Leo's brusqueness, choosing instead

to find humor in it.

"Due to the circumstances, I can't house you for a couple of days, unfortunately," the elderly man informed Leo.

Leo let out a sigh of resignation, ready to seek alternative accommodations elsewhere.

"I can, however, offer you a place to stay for the night," the elderly man added.

Leo looked at the elderly man skeptically. Why the sudden act of generosity?

"Haha, you remind me of my late boy," the elderly man chuckled, his smile widening briefly before transitioning into a more somber expression.

Leo was taken aback by the unexpected act of kindness. It felt somewhat unusual, and he couldn't quite discern its origin.

As Leo continued to express doubt, the senior gentleman reached behind a stack of papers and retrieved a concealed portrait.

"See, don't the two of you look similar?" the elderly man asked, presenting the portrait.

Approaching closer, Leo had to admit that there was a resemblance in their height, if nothing else. But...

"Not to be rude, old man, but your son looks like he was mauled by a pack of dogs," Leo commented, observing the scars and marks on the person in the portrait.

The elderly man burst into laughter, seemingly unfazed by Leo's bluntness.

"Isn't that telling, HAHAHA," the elderly man chuckled, finding amusement in Leo's observation.

Leo was uncertain how to react, momentarily glancing at the portrait before shifting his attention back to the elderly man. Although being the target of the joke made him uncomfortable, seeing the old man's joy was heartwarming. Leo decided to let him enjoy the moment.

As the elderly man's laughter subsided, he regained his composure, his small smile returning.

"So, you want the room?" he asked, his tone carrying a sense of genuine kindness.

Leo couldn't quite place it, but there was something familiar about the old man. Whether it was a recognition of Leo or the child he reincarnated as remained unclear, but a sense of familiarity lingered. Regardless, it was still early afternoon, leaving Leo with the rest of the day to search for alternative accommodations. Having the elderly man's room could prove beneficial if he didn't find any other options.

"Sure, I'll take the room. How much?" Leo agreed, reaching for his wallet to pay for his stay.

However, the elderly man interrupted Leo's gesture, tossing a pair of keys toward him.

"Don't worry about payment. It's only for one night. Plus, I plan on closing this place down soon, permanently," the elderly man informed Leo, his voice laced with a hint of sadness.

Leo's thoughts raced as he processed the unexpected turn of events.

"Well, shit," Leo thought to himself.

"Well, things just got interesting, didn't they, Leo? HAHAHAHA!" echoed the laughter of the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil in his mind.

As the laughter resonated, the elderly man provided Leo with instructions on how to find his room. Stepping out of the elevator on the third floor, Leo stood in front of his assigned room for the night, room 34.

As Leo entered the room, he discovered a single bed accompanied by a nightstand. A lamp rested on the nightstand, casting a warm glow in the room. Opposite the bed, a window provided a view of the outside world. Other than these features, the room appeared minimalistic and empty.

Leo carefully placed his bike by the bed and approached the nightstand. Opening the drawer, he discovered a phone book nestled inside. Although he lacked a phone to make use of the numbers, the listed addresses could prove helpful in his search for alternative solutions.

As Leo flipped through the phone book, downstairs on the first floor, the elderly man from earlier could be seen in his office, engrossed in a phone conversation.

"Haha, come on, Yuki, you always said your old gang needed fresh blood. You can't do it all on your own, you know," the elderly man spoke into the receiver.

There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line, followed by the sound of raised voices before the conversation resumed.

"Now, now, calm down, Yuki. I'm not sending you some random street rat. There's more to this youngster than meets the eye," the elderly man explained, his tone soothing.

The older man and the person on the other line exchanged ideas and opinions until they reached a mutual decision.

"Look, Yuki, let's be honest, those neighboring Yakuza have been causing you trouble, haven't they?" the elderly man continued persuasively.

There was no response from the other end, but the elderly man took it as confirmation.

"Exactly. This young blood could prove useful to you," the elderly man said, his voice filled with a jovial tone. "Besides, didn't you mention wanting a child of your own? The youngster said his parents are dead, so he might be in the market for new ones, hehe."

Once again, the line went silent as the elderly man chuckled to himself.

"Send some of those useless ones to check him out. I'm sure the youngster could prove useful to your cause," he suggested.

He could hear a sigh from the other end, followed by reluctant agreement.

"Haha, I knew you'd come around. Be quick about it. I doubt the youngster will stay long," the elderly man said, a note of triumph in his voice.

He celebrated his little victory until the sound of the entrance bell reached his ears, indicating someone's arrival. It didn't take long for footsteps to approach his office door.

Knock, knock.

Light taps followed as the person outside paused in front of the door before knocking.

Putting the phone against his neck, the elderly man responded, "Yes, it's open."

As the door swung open, the elderly man was greeted by a familiar face. It was an elderly woman named Hitoha, with age marks on her face and rectangular glasses. She had light brown eyes and short grey hair, with bangs framing her face and draping over the left side. She wore a light green kimono that reached just below her ankles.

"Ah, Hitoha," the elderly man greeted her warmly.

Hitoha bowed in acknowledgment and closed the door behind her before taking a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

"I'll talk to you later, Yuki. Hitoha has graced me with her presence," the elderly man said into the phone before ending the call.

"So, you were talking to Yuki, were you?" Hitoha asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

"Of course. It's not often I have a chance to speak with my niece," the elderly man replied.

"What are you planning, Sato?" Hitoha inquired, her tone filled with concern.

Sato raised his hands and shrugged innocently. "Whatever do you mean, Hitoha?"

"That boy, when you looked at him, you had that look on your face," Hitoha pointed out, her wrinkles becoming more pronounced.

"What look?" Sato asked, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

"You only get that look when you're reminiscing about your days in war," Hitoha stated.

Sato's expression softened as he leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, lost in his memories.

"Back during that great war, before I lost my

leg, I always had this sickening feeling of dread gnawing at the back of my head," Sato began to explain, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

Hitoha's eyes widened, but she remained silent, allowing Sato to continue.

"I loved that feeling. Whenever we were sent out or had to move from point to point, I would always get that sensation before we came under fire. It was like a sixth sense. Those moments gave me some of my greatest memories and my worst scars," Sato reminisced, a nostalgic smile spreading across his face.

"You don't mean... that boy," Hitoha uttered, her voice filled with disbelief.

"Yes," Sato replied, his gaze still fixed on the ceiling. "I felt that same feeling of dread when I looked at that youngster."

For a moment, Hitoha was at a loss for words. She covered her mouth with her hand, searching for something to say, but ultimately returning to her previous question.

"What are you planning, Sato?" she asked, her gaze fixed on him.

Sato straightened up in his chair, making eye contact with Hitoha, his expression serious.

"Me? Nothing. I'm too old to be plotting," Sato replied.

"Then what are you doing?" Hitoha pressed.

"I'm simply placing him in my niece's line of sight," Sato revealed.

Hitoha was speechless. Throughout her time knowing Sato, she understood that he had always been a thrill-seeker, an adrenaline junkie. He never truly felt alive unless his life was on the line. It was part of the reason he had joined the war in the first place.

Comradery? Patriotism?

He never experienced any of that. He simply wanted to be as close to death as possible.

"I'm getting old, Hitoha," Sato continued, breaking the silence. "Soon, I'll die, and if things continue as they are, it'll be a slow and dull death. After the war ended, I held onto the hope that I could become a Devil Hunter and perhaps die fighting against devils. But my missing leg made them reconsider."

Leaning forward in his chair, Sato met Hitoha's gaze directly.

"Now, I don't know why that youngster invoked that feeling of dread in me, but I hope, I truly hope, that he brings something to alleviate this growing sense of boredom that's been eating away at me."