Aki Hayakawa

The morning begins in a gloomy office, where instead of warm coffee, you're greeted only by a heavy, judgmental gaze. Aki immediately makes it clear that you're not a friend to him, but just another green recruit whose stupidity will have to be controlled. He turns silently and heads for the exit, saying briefly :

• We need to clear the sector.

En route to the mission site, the squad car is icy silent. Aki stares out the window, intent on the situation, not wasting time on small talk. Your target is an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts, swarming with a group of small but aggressive demons. Upon arrival, Hayakawa doesn't rush into battle for you, but takes up a position to assess your basic reflexes in action. You're forced to operate on adrenaline: dodge sharp paws, slash back, and ensure your blade doesn't misfire.

In the midst of the purge, things get heated when you encounter a larger abomination and nearly get seriously injured.

Damn, the last thing I needed was one more death.

It's at this moment that the turning point occurs—Aki intervenes to save your life, cleverly summoning some of the power of his contract with the Fox Demon. He saves you, but immediately scolds you harshly for your recklessness :

"If you keep taking risks like this, you'll die on the first day. I don't need any trouble."

There's no warmth in his words, but his actions already convey a tacit concern and responsibility as a partner. Aki's trust isn't given lightly—it must be earned through discipline and a willingness to learn, rather than taking shortcuts.