"You mean to tell me you fled after Shane provided you with what you desired?!" Kathleen's voice reverberated through the room, her anger unmistakable.
Dr. Kim watched the interrogation with a gleeful smirk, eager to uncover the truth himself. He sought to comprehend how a man he once considered a friend could so easily abandon those who had strived to help him.
"I did not," Takumi replied. "I struck a bargain with Agatha to save her sister after opening the door; however, neither Rener nor I anticipated the immense power wielded by the demon with whom she was bound. We only recently discovered its true identity."
Takumi's lips quivered. "The moment the realm was opened, the demon drained Rener's powers, along with the lives of those nearby. As my servant, it was Rener's duty to protect me, so he had no choice but to take me away with him."
He heaved a breath. "I passed out that night after being drained and woke up a few days later, only to learn that Agatha had been taken away by Samantha's demon. I rushed to their house, but they were already gone. The neighbors had heard the commotion that night and even saw them escaping. One witness saw them clearly and was the main source of the news, noting that he hadn't seen Agatha with them. He knew because he had been invited to the birthday party and recognized Samantha's gown from that night."
Kathleen found herself momentarily speechless, struggling to reconcile Takumi's words with her understanding of the situation. The rapid succession of revelations left her little time to process.
"Demons are notorious for their untrustworthiness unless bound by contracts," Takumi continued, his voice betraying a hint of trepidation. "This is a fact Agatha was unaware of when she offered herself, perpetuating Samantha's curse until the contract ends through her demise. That's a fate beyond my ability to alter. However, I am convinced that there may yet be a means to rescue Agatha—"
Takumi paused, taken aback by his own words. Slowly, he began to realize that his motives had undergone a subtle transformation.
Buried within Takumi's psyche lay an unconscious yearning, an unspoken desire for Samantha to embody the essence of her sister, Agatha—a complex sentiment he grappled with throughout their years of working together.
Despite the passage of time, he found himself still able to discern between the two sisters, a bittersweet reminder of the little bond they once shared.
Years had elapsed since Agatha's disappearance and Samantha's subsequent departure, culminating in Takumi's final pact with Rener.
Seeking a means to locate Agatha within the other realm, he offered his soul in exchange, heedless of the consequences. While Rener acquiesced to his plea, diligently fulfilling his end of the bargain, Agatha remained elusive despite exhaustive efforts.
Prepared to honor his commitment by surrendering his soul, Takumi found himself bewildered when Rener, instead, chose to claim his heart, unilaterally terminating their agreement before disappearing into the shadows, bound by their mutual agreement to never cross paths again.
However, even after their contract ended, it seemed the devil's eyes were still fixed on him, casting a shadow that felt like it would linger for as long as he drew breath. Perhaps it's Rener's unconventional method of offering ongoing assistance. Who would have thought that such a demon could harbor feelings for its prey?
Indeed, Takumi had undergone a profound shift with a once vibrant heart now a hollow shell. Now only driven solely by the machinations of his intellect, he moves through life in a mechanical manner, merely existing through the rhythmic motions of breath and thought.
Despite his detachment, Takumi finds himself wrestling with the enigmatic persistence of his emotions, particularly when they intersect with memories of Agatha.
She, who once illuminated his world with fleeting moments of recognition, now seems to have shaken the very foundation of his being. This unsettling revelation has led him down a regrettable path; exploiting Samantha's connection in a misguided attempt to reunite with her sister.
As Kathleen, unaware of that specific facet of his narrative, contemplated the situation, a gradual realization began to crystallize within her consciousness.
It seemed evident to her that Takumi's true motivation for aiding them lay not with Samantha. While only speculative, Kathleen couldn't shake the notion that Takumi harbored deeper feelings for Agatha, driving his unwavering commitment to her salvation over the years.
Disappointed by this revelation, Kathleen found herself unable to accept Takumi's continued assistance. With the looming threat of death hanging over her, she contemplated an alternative course of action. Remembering Theresa's mention of a demon contract, Kathleen entertained the idea of forging her own pact for survival.
Normally, she chose to keep her intentions hidden from Takumi—from everyone—realizing that their assistance were driven solely by personal gains, rather than any genuine concern for her nor Samantha.
Takumi discerned the weighty silence that followed from Kathleen. He sensed that she had relinquished the fragile faith she had slowly built up. Aware of his own culpability, he harbored no intentions of assuaging her suspicions or seeking validation.
With that, he decided to shift his gaze to Dr. Kim, his expression a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
"And what would be your purpose of showing up now?"
"Certainly be of help," Dr. Kim smiled.
Takumi chuckled, seemingly mocking. "I am intrigued," he began, his voice calm but laced with underlying tension. "How did you manage to survive after being sacrificed?"
Indeed, he found himself blurting out his thoughts in front of Kathleen, opting for a newfound transparency. After all, she already seemed to have insight into his intentions, which he himself was not fully aware of.
Dr. Kim's lips curled into a sly smile, his demeanor unshaken by Takumi's pointed inquiry. "Ah, Takumi," he replied, his tone dripping with smugness. "Survival is a matter of adaptability, wouldn't you agree? As for the specifics of my escape, let's just say I possess a knack for anticipating such... eventualities."
Takumi's eyes narrowed as understanding dawned on him. "Ah, so you've made a pact with a succubus, haven't you?" He remarked with a chuckle. "Quite the unexpected turn of eventualities."
"S-Succubus?" Kathleen stammered, her jaw dropping in disbelief, eliciting a soft chuckle from Dr. Kim as he shook his head.
"In the pursuit of survival, I felt I had no other option."
"Y-You two seem to have quite the rapport," Kathleen snorted, her tone laced with disdain. "It only deepens my contempt for both of you. Leave! Take your selfish endeavors elsewhere."
Dr. Kim turned to her. "We used to, until he sacrificed me after gaining my trust and friendship. Such is the nature of those born from the devil's will."
"I don't give a fuck!" Kathleen cursed. "Both of you, get out! I don't want to see either of you ever again!"
"Unless you transfer Christian elsewhere, I'm afraid you'll have to deal with me," Dr. Kim replied bluntly, leaving Kathleen without a retort.
She turned to Takumi instead. "What are you still standing there for? Leave!"
Takumi hesitated, torn between the urge to reason things out and the realization that he had indeed crossed a line.
Deep inside, he knew he had to apologize and clarify his actions, but the words seemed to stick in his throat. Admitting his wrongdoing was one thing, but expressing the complex thoughts swirling in his mind was another challenge altogether.
Despite his inner turmoil, he remained rooted in place, unable to bring himself to speak his mind fully, thus, chose to leave quietly.
Dr. Kim cast a sly, almost lascivious glance at Kathleen. "So, do you accept my help now?"
Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "No, I know you cannot be trusted, so don't interfere with anything I have to do tonight. And stay away from me and my boyfriend."
Dr. Kim grimaced, glancing at Christian before turning back to her. "You know I have to check on him. How am I supposed to do that from far away?"
"I assume you're an intellectual person, doctor. You should understand what I mean," she replied curtly.
"Very well, I assume my assistance can be rendered remotely?"
Kathleen hesitated briefly. "Proceed as you may, but be warned: if your intentions are to harm me, my boyfriend, or anyone else, I will pursue you relentlessly."
Dr. Kim smiled. "So, you do care for them, after all."
"Do not make me reiterate myself."
He laughed softly. "Understood. I'll see you tonight, then. Just be very sure to think things before you act. Christian's soul has not been devoured completely yet. You can still save him if you'll be smart of your next actions."
Kathleen's gaze followed his to the same spot where Theresa had been staring earlier. "Good luck," he murmured and left.
Kathleen couldn't settle in one place. She's been torn once again.
She looked at Christian, lips trembling. "Y-You and Shane... You wait for me, okay."