Birth.Also known as the culmination of human pregnancy.According to science, it's the moment a fetus leaves the mother's womb.According to religion, it's the beginning of a new human life.
Human.The truth is, humans are incredibly egomaniacal.Always believing they're the center of the universe.That they're unique.The chosen ones.Special.The ones who always win.Who deserve to win.
Even after everything they've done.Even after killing each other without a shred of remorse.Even after polluting their planet like toddlers in a mud pit.Mindless egomaniacs.
But they weren't always like that.
How do I know?Well... though I'm a little ashamed to admit it...It was my father's fault.
Yeah. All his fault.
He was the one who tempted Samael to tempt Eve.The one who whispered in Lucifer's ear—and in the ears of the other six Princes of the Underworld—to leave Heaven and follow him.He planted the seed of liberalism, of free will, and watched as it bloomed into the mass fall of angels.
Twenty percent of Heaven's angels fell...Just for expressing a thought.
How?Turns out my dad had a little gift.A gift too convenient for someone who planned to corrupt creation until the End of Time.
The gift of "convincing."
Though, "convincing" doesn't really do it justice.It's not just a power—it's a force.
Angels were meant to guide humans.To illuminate their path.To protect them.
Well, if angels were supposed to guide...Then Dad?He was born to lead them astray.
He didn't just tempt people.He was Temptation itself.
My father is Satan.The Original Demon King.
And so, my children, that was the true origin of Temptation.The real one.Not the cheap knock-off today's demons peddle with pride.
Even "The Demon's Whisper"—currently the strongest known form of demonic persuasion—is just a pale imitation. A farce.Garbage among garbage from the Nine Kingdoms.
It's pathetic.Even more pathetic than the crap Fenrir drops on the carpet every damn day.
(Note to self: Boys, girls, please remind Fenrir for the hundredth time to do his business outside. In his designated spot.)
But I digress.
God didn't like that.Of course not.
He was God.The Omnipotent.The Way, the Truth, and the Life.The King of Kings.
And He wasn't going to let His creation be tainted by what He called His "only mistake to date."
My father spread the idea that rebelling against God wasn't so bad.Wasn't so hard, either.
Kuoh — 25 years before me
Kuoh.Just another small town.No more than 10,000 people.Ordinary.
But still, in its own quiet way... beautiful.
Warm summers, mild winters with just enough snow to feel magical.A perfect blend of rural charm and modern convenience.
Parks, shopping centers, no tall buildings, but cozy as hell.There was even a tram line once—but it shut down after the local economy stabilized.
Among the few tourist spots, one stood out:The Himejima Shinto Temple.
A flawless fusion of nature and craftsmanship.Expansive grounds.Towering, leafy trees.And at the center... a single sakura tree, pink and perfect.A masterpiece.
Maintaining it must cost a fortune.Whoever donates that much cash is either a saint... or completely nuts.But hey, not my problem.We'll save that mystery for later.
For now, focus on three girls playing tag around the temple.
"You can't catch me, Shuri-chan!" shouted a brown-haired girl, about ten years old, laughing as she ran.
"Onee-sama, wait up!" cried a smaller girl—six years old, same brown hair—panting as she chased after her.
"Run, Aki-chan, or Shuri-chan's gonna get us!" the older one teased.
"Don't get cocky, Yumma-chan!" came a voice from behind—a redhead, long-haired, in a shrine maiden's kimono, just about Yumma's age. "Gotcha!"
With a triumphant yell, the black-haired Shuri pounced, tackling Aki in a playful heap.
PLOP
The two girls burst into giggles, rolling across the smooth marble floor of the temple's courtyard. Yumma dove in to join the chaos.
They rolled.They laughed.Pure joy.Pure adrenaline.Pure innocence.
And they were rolling so fast...So wildly...That none of them noticed they were headed straight for the sakura tree.
The only sakura tree planted at the temple in centuries.
It would be a shame if they hit it.A real shame.
PUM.
"Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe..."
That was all they managed to say before collapsing—giggling, dizzy, and bruised—under the horrified gazes of their mothers, who rushed over in a panic.