I Became Blind After Making a Deal with a Demon to Save My Daughter

Masumi dashed toward him, her cheeks glistening with tears. She hadn't expected the first face he'd see today would belong to this young woman. 

"Mr. Takashiro, how are you feeling? Is what the police told me true? Is my best friend really dead?" Her wide eyes shimmered with fear, searching his face for answers.

Kaito's words caught in his throat. Masumi was Mina's childhood friend, always by her side. They had grown up together, they were neighbors and classmates from junior high through high school. Different universities hadn't shattered their bond. 

Mina had been his only child, bursting with excitement at the thought of a sibling. She had found that connection in Masumi, a kind-hearted girl who always lifted her spirits. He knew this news would crush her.

He nodded, but his head felt heavy. The reality of Mina's death was still a foggy nightmare. "A tragic incident happened to her. It's a long story, Masumi. But when I feel calm enough, I promise to tell you. I hope you understand."

As the words sank in, she crumpled to the floor, sobs wracking her body. "Mina! Oh, Mina!" she cried, her voice breaking the silence.

Kaito turned his gaze away, unable to bear the sight of her pain. A heavy weight settled in his chest, misery lacing through him.

He waited in silence until her sobs grew quiet. "H-How did you find out?" he finally asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"The police called me when they recovered you and Mina. There were only a few people in your phone contacts, so they called me to give the news because you saved my name in your phone as Masumi - Mina's best friend. I also found out that there was no one at your home which is very unusual, like for me, it was impossible for a day to pass without either you or Mina coming home, so I came here. At first, I thought it was a scam call," she explained.

His thoughts spun like a whirlwind, unable to settle. A heavy weight pressed down on him, each breath labored. The pain in his heart was intense, but his eyes felt dry, as if they had forgotten how to weep.

He tugged at the wires on his body, determination etched on his face. Masumi rushed over, her eyes wide with concern. "Do you need help, Mr. Takashiro? Are you going to the bathroom? I can help you," she asked, her voice filled with worry.

"No," he replied, shaking his head firmly. "Masumi, I can't stay here long. I need to get justice for my daughter's death," he said, urgency lacing his words.

Confusion clouded her face, furrowing her brow. "What do you mean? Why don't you let the police take action, Mr. Takashiro? You're surely not feeling well yet," she pressed, searching his gaze for answers.

"No," he replied again, his voice stronger. "There's no time for me to just lie down all day. I'd rather die if I don't do something. But... I would like to ask you a favor, Masumi," he said, his tone becoming serious.

"What is it, Mr. Takashiro?" she asked, leaning closer. "I'll help if I can," her eyes shining with determination.

"I need to find out who killed my daughter as soon as possible," he blurted out. "Can you take care of Mina's funeral and burial? I will come on the day of her burial. But I can't handle this right now; I have something important to do," he implored sincerely.

Masumi saw the weight of his words and nodded. "No problem, Mr. Takashiro. I will take care of Mina. I'll make sure her funeral is perfect. I will ask my mom's help too," she promised, her resolve firm.

A faint smile broke through his pain. "Thank you very much for your understanding, Masumi," he said, relief washing over him.

With a heavy heart, he turned toward the door with purpose. "Do you really have to leave, Mr. Takashiro?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"I have to, Masumi," he stated firmly. "I won't allow the person who did this to Mina to roam freely in this world. More innocent people like Mina will become his victims."

He stood in the shadows, eyes fixed on their house. He wasn't foolish enough to step back into the lion's den. A cold shiver ran down his spine at the thought—they would end him if he returned. But deep down, he feared they already knew where he and Mina were residing.

Memories of Mina and Ryo flickered in his mind, like a warning sign. That guy had to know their address. He imagined Ryo parked outside their house, eyes keen and searching for him, waiting to strike.

He instructed the taxi driver to stop several blocks away, his heart racing. Familiar streets surrounded him, and he knew every face in the neighborhood. A single call for help would bring someone running, but he didn't want to drag anyone else into this mess.

Darkness enveloped the street as the sun dipped below the horizon, streetlights flickering to life. His gaze landed on clothes swaying gently in his neighbor's yard. Without a second thought, he slipped into a hoodie, the fabric a shield, pulling the hood low to obscure his face. Saying an apologetic whisper.

A figure caught his eye—a man he didn't recognize, leaning casually against the wall, cigarette smoke curling around him. His eyes were locked onto their second-floor window. Unease prickled at him; everyone in this village was familiar, and an outsider raised alarms.

Dread clenched his stomach—he couldn't turn around; suspicion would only deepen. Despite the fear bubbling inside him, he forced himself to walk forward, head lowered, eyes fixed on the ground. He hoped his face remained hidden from the stranger's gaze. His own home felt like a trap, a place he couldn't return to.

Desperately, he inhaled deeply, willing his nerves to settle. He forced himself to blend in, walking with the ease of an ordinary villager.

His heart plummeted as he neared his house—darkness loomed, wrapping around it like a thick fog. A wave of sadness crashed over him, but he steeled himself, pushing the emotion aside.

Just as he braced himself to move, a voice pierced the air. "Hey, you,"

Panic surged through him—was he calling for him? Did this man know who he was? My God!

Ignoring the voice, he quickened his pace, shoving his hands into his pockets. 

"Hey, I'm talking to you!"

With a dry throat, he lifted his gaze to the man. He angled his head down, hoping his shadow hid him well. Relief washed over him as he spotted the man across the street, a pole beside him casting a shadow that revealed his features. He felt no spark of recognition; likely another face from the syndicate.

Fortunately, the street on his side was drenched in shadows, perfect for hiding. His hoodie wrapped around him like armor. "A-Am I the one you're calling?" he stammered, glancing around as he pointed to himself, nervousness pulling at his insides.

"Damn, of course! You're the only person walking right now," the man shot back, his tone sharp, eyes piercing through the dim light.

"W-Why? What do you need?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly as he tried to mask his fear.

The man's gaze shifted to his house, his finger jabbing toward it. "Do you know who lives there?"

Relief flickered in him—this guy didn't know his face. He might know Kaito Takashiro was Mina's father, but his appearance remained a secret. Still, he recalled Ryo and others likely painting a picture of him with their words.

"Y-Yes. Why?" he replied, trying to keep his voice steady despite the rising tension.

"Do you also live in this village?" the man asked, his eyes narrowing as if searching for truth in Kaito's response.

"Do you know the person who lives there?"

"Y-Yeah…" he answered, hoping honesty would deter suspicion since any claim of being a casual neighbor sounded feeble.

The man inhaled deeply from his cigarette, the smoke curling into the cool air. "Where are the people living there?" he pressed, tone growing more demanding.

"Calm down, Kaito! Stay calm!" he reminded himself, taking a breath. He shrugged in response, attempting to appear nonchalant. "I don't know where they are. But they come home every day. Only two people live there. A father and his daughter,"

"It's been almost two days with no one there. Do you know where they might have gone?" the man asked carefully, his expression hardening with suspicion.

His throat tightened; fear gripped him like icy fingers. They were hunting him, just like they had hunted Mina. "I'm not sure since I don't talk to them much. But if it's not about the father's job, maybe the daughter is just at university," he replied.

"Do you know where the father works?"

A slick of sweat trickled down his underarms. He had to answer, no other option available. After this, he could call the police. He'll make sure to report this incident. "Um, well… I don't know exactly where he works. But his job is selling properties, land and such," he said, forcing the words out.

The man nodded, a grin spreading across his face. Anxiety twisted in Kaito's stomach; what if this went on too long? Just as he began to formulate an escape, the man's cellphone buzzed loudly, breaking the tension.

He quickly answered the call, pivoting away to lower his voice. Here was his chance to slip away. "Okay, I'll head out first," he said, backing away slowly.

Kaito's gut churned; the syndicate was likely on the other end. As he turned the corner, adrenaline surged through him, and he broke into a near-run to escape.

A sudden crack of gunfire froze him in his tracks. "Old geezer! Where are you! You can't be a witness!" a voice bellowed, echoing through the still street.

He swallowed hard, the reality hitting him—he was still just a shadow to them. They wanted him dead, a witness they couldn't allow to speak.

A wave of dread washed over him. It had been so foolish to spy. He had underestimated this man, knowing the cleverness of the syndicate's mind now loomed like a dark cloud.

Every step jolted his aching body, the weight of age creeping up on him. The man closed in, a chilling grin on his face. "There you are! Thanks for the information, but you need to die. I don't want to get caught, y'know?" he said, a menacing gleam in his eyes.

A scream clawed at his throat—whatta devil man!

Another gunshot rang out, and he bolted once more. The shots echoed in rapid succession. A searing pain exploded in his right arm, sending him stumbling. He caught a glimpse of the man's shadow closing in, so he sprinted away again, aiming for the deep woods ahead—a big park that felt like a safe haven.

He knew the village like the back of his hand; he had the home-ground advantage. But the man was relentless, his voice carrying through the trees. "Fuck you, old geezer, don't make it harder for yourself! Just come out!"

His foot landed on a large fallen branch, snapping under his weight with a loud crack. The man's head snapped in his direction. "I'm here! Now, you're going to die. Old people like you are surely talks a lot!"

The gun fired again, and pain shot through Kaito's leg like fire. He stumbled, his feet slipping on the loose dirt as he slid down the slope. The darkness wrapped around him, making it hard to see. He knew there wasn't a cliff, just a steep fall that still might leave him alive.

Seizing the moment, he let out a dramatic scream. "Aaahhh!" He wanted him to think he was gone, but as he tumbled deeper, he realized just how far down he had slipped. Darkness swallowed him whole, the moonlight becomes like a distant memory.

The man searched the area, his eyes scanning for any sign of Kaito. Satisfaction twisted his features as he found nothing. Satisfied the old man was dead, he turned and left, a smirk on his lips.

Meanwhile, Kaito struggled to rise from the cold ground, his surroundings thick with shadows. Faint memories of familiarity slipped away as he breathed in the darkness. Would he survive this? What future lay ahead for him now?