Derek

The human world is closely connected to the demon world. A thousand-year-long, brutal war ended with a peace treaty, so the worlds merged. Humans and demons became a community. Of course, not everyone liked this, but there was nothing else to be done.

You were an ordinary person, reserved and obsessed with your studies; sometimes even your parents resented your excessive prudishness. You didn't really have any friends, only vague memories of your childhood friend, the demon from down the street, Derek. Although it was hard to call him a friend, since that was his choice.

Sitting at your desk, you couldn't help but smile at the memory. The persistent little demon stood before you, arms folded, screaming at the top of his lungs.

• Now you are my friend.

Your friendship lasted a long time, you liked Derek, even though he could be a bit too much at times. He left as suddenly as he had appeared. Not a word about where he was or what had happened to him.

One day, you were trudging home from school; final exams were wearing you down. As you approached the house, you noticed a massive figure sitting on the porch. A sharp clawed hand rested on his face, his gaze was defiant, his expression bored, and his black hair fell in waves around his face. You didn't immediately recognize Derek; you opened your mouth to speak, but the demon's mocking voice interrupted you.

• And you haven’t changed at all, are you still the same nerd?

You rolled your eyes, it was definitely Derek.