Akuma Kun (悪魔くん)

- -

Now that that's done...

Good grief.

Next time you clog your toilet, deal with it yourself.

Don't summon me.

My ramen. What happened?

I ate it.

You ate-- Whatever for?

Would've gotten soggy just sitting there.

Huh?

Last time I called you here to fix the leak in my roof,

you said it was my fault that your ramen got all soggy.

Come on.

You can't just eat it.

So, you would've eaten soggy ramen?

You bet I would.

Then why'd you complain so much about soggy noodles last time?

Well, because...

Were you lying to me then, or are you lying now?

It's okay. I forgive you.

Look, if you want to bring me here, there are other ways to make it happen.

They have this thing called a telephone.

I'd still have to wait for you to show,

and there's no way to guarantee you'd come right away.

I'm saying it takes more work to activate a summoning circle

than to pick up a plunger!

We've been over this before.

I'm half human, okay?

I can never make it through properly.

That's simply because the human side of your lineage is resisting.

Let yourself give in and do my bidding.

That's not the dang issue, and you know it.

AKUMA KUN

EPISODE 1 DEMONS

- -

- - Hmm?

The hell was that?

It's really starting to creep me out.

Maybe I'm just beat.

I'm gonna ditch tomorrow's class.

What is that?

- -

What the hell are you?!

- -

MILLENARIANISM RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Excuse me, is anyone here?

Hello?

Hmm?

Oh. We'll be right with you, miss.

All right. We've got a client! We can pay rent!

I bid you welcome.

Would you happen to be Akuma Kun?

We work together.

I am Mephistopheles...

...the Third.

Oh.

Please come in and have a seat, and we can work from there.

What's your name?

It's Hina Asanagi.

What can we do for you?

- Well, a mysterious-- Huh? - No.

We're not interested.

We're the Millenarianism Research Institute,

and we're busy.

You ever heard, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth?"

Isn't that supposed to mean

that we should refrain from judging a gift we've been given?

I disagree with that interpretation.

This isn't about that.

I'm talking about our rent, which is way past due.

Sorry, but are you Akuma Kun?

The second one.

A once-every-ten-thousand-year genius.

- - Hmm.

- Care for some coffee? - Yes, please.

It's Kilimanjaro.

The beans are dark-roasted to remove the acidity.

Now, then, tell us your story.

Right.

Two of my friends from the university I attend were killed in accidents.

Accidents are the second-leading cause of death for 20-somethings.

It's rather common. The leading cause of death is suicide.

But both of their accidents happened at the same time on the same day.

Even though they lived in completely different places.

- And that's not the only thing. - Hmm?

Three other people in Kamichofu also died at the exact same time.

Now you have my interest.

Don't be impolite.

- It's intriguing. - Hush.

This was the moment where my story with Akuma Kun began.

Ever since that day,

my nights have been plagued with strange dreams.

That seems normal, given the circumstances.

Yes, but these are... different.

Oh. Hina, you've brought guests.

How unexpected.

Mother, these are friends of mine.

Hi. I'm gonna go ahead and check out your bedroom.

- How do you know where my room is? - Wait.

I... I can lead you there.

It's obvious once you take the house's structure into account.

Would you please wait?

Stop being rude to our client.

What makes you think you can just barge into a lady's room?

It's inconsiderate.

I wasn't really expecting visitors.

- Don't let it bother you. - But it is bothering me.

So I guess this is how your partner normally behaves.

His genius doesn't cover interpersonal skills,

but it isn't unusual for him to ask to see a client's room.

I made tea if you'd like some.

Thank you, mother.

- That's so kind. - I could go for some hotcakes.

I want something sweet to go with the tea.

Will you stop being so demanding?

Wait. What's wrong with asking for what I want?

You can't stroll into someone's house and demand hotcakes.

Oh, it's quite all right.

I'll, uh, whip up some pancakes for you.

I don't want pancakes. I want hotcakes.

And with butter, not margarine.

And maple syrup too.

Oh. I'm surprised you didn't already know.

Hotcakes are just like pancakes. They're functionally the same thing.

Then as a member of the primate order,

you're functionally the same as a monkey.

I asked for hotcakes.

Here you are.

They're good.

I'd rank them the 18th finest I've had.

Was that supposed to be a compliment?

That's high praise from him.

Oh. A stack of four is quite a generous feast.

She may not look it, but Hina has a healthy appetite.

Mother.

I don't believe I got your names, gentlemen.

Oh. This is Ichiro Umoregi.

He goes by the name Akuma Kun.

- And this polite young man is... -

Ah. Yes.

I am Mephistopheles... the Third.

Thanks.

And you're Yuko Asanagi, aren't you?

A professor of European History. I saw your book in your living room.

Oh. I'm flattered that you know my work.

Lives and Sins of Kings,

such a dull read.

You've read my book?

Perhaps it was a little too difficult for you to understand.

I found your interpretation of the medieval monarchy to be far too banal.

Banal? I'm not sure I know what you mean.

Let's use Frederick the Wise as an example.

The way you addressed it in your book,

his collection of holy relics was seemingly--

Um, Mother, could we get privacy please?

You don't want me to explain my position?

You do realize that's not why I asked you to come over.

Well, I suppose I'll leave you kids to whatever it is you're doing.

Feel free to make yourselves at home.

- -

Now that my brain has its much-needed sugar,

I'm ready to hear your story.

I discovered something when I attended my friends' funerals.

All five people passed away at 2:23 in the morning, three days ago.

They each died in various ways. Not one of them the same.

Some went to other universities. One had just graduated.

Maybe it's a coincidence they all died at the same time.

Uh, that seems unlikely.

At any rate, this needs to be thoroughly investigated.

Now then, in regard to our payment...

Hmm.

What is it?