The story begins, as usual, with the familiar duo of the Traveler and Paimon, and, as usual, Katheryne issuing a new commission.
This time, the task was somewhat dangerous, so Katheryne thought of Lumine, an experienced adventurer.
The commission was a wanted notice to find a young Oni—Arataki Itto.
The reason this commission was considered dangerous was that Arataki Itto was somewhat well-known, a fairly skilled… street punk.
Katheryne told the Traveler that while Arataki Itto usually didn't do anything productive, he hadn't caused any major trouble either. But this time, for some unknown reason, he had allegedly committed robbery.
He even injured the Tenryou Commission samurai sent to apprehend him and then fled.
"No way! Your big bro would never commit robbery! Who's slandering me?!" Arataki Itto fumed.
Sure, his reputation wasn't exactly stellar, but they couldn't just pin any crime on him!
"If I find out who did this, I'm gonna punch them!" Arataki Itto waved his fist.
Then, the book in his hand fell to the ground.
"Boss!" Kuki Shinobu said only one word, and Itto picked up the book, quieting down.
Kuki Shinobu also believed Arataki Itto wouldn't do such a thing, and she had already guessed who might be responsible.
It wasn't that Kuki Shinobu was a genius—it was because Takuya was present.
Arataki Itto's brain might not make the connection, but Kuki Shinobu immediately suspected someone taking the fall.
Watching Itto wave his fist, Takuya scratched his head awkwardly.
It wasn't just Kuki Shinobu—everyone who knew Arataki Itto found it suspicious.
Even Kujou Sara, who considered herself an "enemy" of Arataki Itto, didn't believe he would commit robbery.
He'd even use open and honest methods to win a kid's lollipop!
Though, more often than not, Itto would lose to the kid, not only failing to "snag" the lollipop but possibly having to give up a ramen voucher as well.
In short, Arataki Itto wasn't the type to commit robbery… as an Oni. There had to be something fishy going on!
Though, the part about resisting arrest did sound like something Itto would do…
During the Vision Hunt Decree, Arataki Itto had a prior record, and Kujou Sara had personally dealt with him.
In the story, Katheryne also reminded the Traveler:
["It's best not to act recklessly. This person is a Vision holder and leads an organization called the 'Arataki Gang.'"]
The Traveler indicated it was no problem, as she had her trusty general, Paimon.
I have General Paimon, who can take down Itto!
[Paimon: "Sorry, sorry! Don't make me fight! I shouldn't have boasted…"]
Paimon instantly chickened out. That's Paimon for you—never losing in words, never winning in fights.
The Traveler stopped teasing Paimon and began asking around Inazuma City about Arataki Itto with her.
[Furuya Noboru: "You're asking about Arataki Itto?"]
["My impression of Arataki Itto isn't bad, but when he gets impulsive, I can't say if he'd lose control."]
["I usually keep an eye on what's happening in the city, but Arataki Itto seems to just be idling away…"]
["If someone needs help, he'll lend a hand. Otherwise, he's just messing around with his gang or kids."]
"How can you call it messing around… those are gang activities!" Arataki Itto grumbled.
Having just been scolded by Kuki Shinobu, his voice was muffled.
He considered them important gang activities, but to most people, they were just unproductive antics.
For example, a girl named Ogura Mio in the story gave a sharp critique.
She firmly stated that Arataki Itto wasn't someone who'd do bad things, but not because she thought he was a good person.
Rather, she thought Arataki Itto was too dumb to even beat kids. When he finally won once, he'd jump for joy.
He'd even eat the kid's candy in front of them and do a "mocking electric dance."
How could such a fool have the ability to commit crimes?
Arataki Itto scratched his head. While he was glad Ogura Mio believed in him, it didn't feel like she was praising him.
The third person was Uesugi, a Tenryou Commission samurai tasked with apprehending Arataki Itto.
[Uesugi said: "At first, we only suspected him, but when we investigated, he admitted to the crime outright and even provoked us."]
At this, Arataki Itto's eyes sharpened.
Gone was his usual goofy demeanor, replaced by a rare seriousness and maturity.
He was certain he'd never do such a thing, but if the culprit had Oni horns and was willing to take the fall for him, there was really only one possibility!
As for Uesugi's claim about the crime's motives—financial struggles or losing his Vision to the Vision Hunt Decree—Itto didn't care.
So what if life was tough? As long as he was happy every day, that was enough. You don't live just to survive.
Losing his Vision was a matter of being outmatched. He'd find a way to beat Kujou Sara, but he wouldn't take out his frustration on others.
Through these three accounts, even those unfamiliar with Arataki Itto formed an impression of him.
Wasn't Arataki Itto just a fool? A useless, idle street punk.
How could someone like that end up in the Prophet's book? There were no ordinary people written into those books.
Even Amber, who seemed the most ordinary, had unmatched charisma. Readers didn't think an idle fool would have any charm.
Finally, the Traveler found Detective Hanayama, who told her a story about the Blue Oni and Red Oni.
Long, long ago, there was a Red Oni and a Blue Oni, and they were great friends.
Teacher Albedo went into his "tentacle monster" mode again. Unlike Lucian's occasional illustrations, he dove straight into drawing a "comic strip."
[The Red Oni looked like an Oni but was as gentle as a human.]
The drawing showed a small Red Oni petting a kitten.
[The Blue Oni looked like a human but was as reclusive as an Oni.]
The drawing showed a small Blue Oni reading a book.
[The Red Oni wanted to be friends with humans, but people were afraid of Oni, throwing beans at him and refusing to get close.]
In the illustration, the Red Oni was crying after being pelted with beans, running back to complain to the Blue Oni.
[So the Blue Oni suggested to the Red Oni: "Red, I'll go cause trouble in the village, and you can defeat me."]
["That way, people will accept you."]
[Following this plan, the Red Oni drove off the Blue Oni.]
[The Red Oni's kindness and bravery became known, and people finally accepted him.]
[But when the Red Oni wanted to share the good news with the Blue Oni, the Blue Oni had already vanished, leaving only a letter behind.]
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Kujou Sara: About Arataki Itto's Story
"Noisy and nonsensical. But… he performed pretty well."