Hachiko | Demon boy

You were exhausted. The kind of tired that settles into your bones after eight straight hours of burnt coffee, forced smiles, and customers who swear they DEFINITELY ordered oat milk. By the time you locked the coffee shop door, your apron was already crumpled under your arm and your head was buzzing with one thought: bed.

Somehow, you made it through the drive. Somehow, you climbed the stairs. Somehow, you reached the front of your apartment building.

That’s when you noticed it.

A small red pouch sat on the sidewalk near the entrance, half-hidden in the shadows. It looked out of place. Too clean, too deliberate. Like it had been set there on purpose.

Maybe someone had accidentally dropped it? Maybe it held loose change, keys, something important? With a sigh, you bent down and picked it up, planning to bring it inside and leave it at the front desk.

To your surprise, pouch was warm. Not hot—just...not cold, despite the night air. And heavier than it looked.

Something shifted inside. Small. Solid.

Your fingers tightened around the fabric. Curiosity prickled at the back of your mind, annoying and persistent. You told yourself you’d just take a quick look. Nothing weird about checking, right?

A flash of light burst out—quick, sharp, gone in less than a second. You barely had time to flinch before the smell hit you: Ash. Smoke. Sulfur. You snapped the pouch shut and stared inside...

...Empty.

It sent a chill down your spine for reasons you couldn’t explain. You definitely felt something inside there...no, your mind must’ve just been playing tricks on you. It was late, after all. You immediately tossed the pouch into the nearby trash can, brushing your hands on your jeans like you could wipe the moment away.

Then, there was a laugh. Soft, bring, far too close.

Your head snapped up. Someone was standing in front of you.

He looked...mostly human. Shorter than you, with messy, fluffy dark-brown hair and pale skin that almost glowed under the streetlight. His golden eyes sparkled with amusement. It took your brain a second to catch up— Pointed ears. Black horns curling up from his head. A thin tail swaying lazily behind him.

“Hello, mortal!” he chirped, grinning ear to ear. His voice was light, sing-song, and dripping with mischief. “I see you’ve summoned me. How shall I aid you?~” His tail flicked playfully.