The Demigod Girl Episode 10: "Demigods Gathering in Japan"

Episode 10: "Demigods Gathering in Japan"

Jinguji Residence - Living Room

Kaori was using her tablet to video call her friends.
Next to Kaori was Fuyuko, who looked a bit nervous. Beside her, Shoun was peering into the screen with great interest.

Kaori
"Hey everyone!"

Kaori said happily.

Kaori
"This is Fuyuko Yukimura."

Fuyuko hurriedly bowed her head.

Fuyuko
"N-nice to meet you all..."

On the other side of the screen,
Kaito looked impressed.

Kaito
"Whoa."

Kaito grinned.

Kaito
"You're cute, Fuyuko-chan."

Fuyuko
"Eh?"

Taken aback by the direct comment,
Fuyuko blushed.

Fuyuko
"Th-thank you..."

Seeing this,
Ren looked exasperated.

Ren
"Do you say that to girls other than Kaori too?"

Kaito
"Well, she is cute."

Kaito replied without a hint of shame. Then, even Shoun nodded vigorously.

Shoun
"Exactly. Cute is cute!"

Fuyuko
"U-um..."

Fuyuko is even more troubled.

Tsukina holds her head.

Tsukina
"You two..."

Tsukina sighs.

Tsukina
"You really are strange..."

Shoun
"Why!?"

Kaito
"This is normal, isn't it!?"

Airi retorts calmly.

Airi
"I don't think a normal high school boy would say that much upon first meeting someone."

Kaito and Shoun freeze at the same time.

Kaito
"Is that so?"

Shoun
"Japan is difficult..."

Ren
"That has nothing to do with Japan."

Kaori bursts out laughing.

Kaori
"Ahahaha!"

Fuyuko laughs along with her.

Fuyuko
"Hehe..."

The tension that had been in the air until just a moment ago
gradually begins to ease.

Kaori smiles as she watches them.

Kaori
"I'm glad. It looks like everyone will get along."

Fuyuko also nods slightly.

Fuyuko
"Yeah."

And on the other side of the screen—

Kaito
"By the way, Fuyuko-chan!"

Ren
"I only have a bad feeling about this..."

Kaito
"What's your favorite food!?"

Shoun
"I like ramen!"

Airi
"Nobody asked you."

Lively voices echoed once again, and for the first time, Fuyuko felt the warmth of her "new companions."
The video call was still ongoing.
Fuyuko's tension was gradually easing, and she was starting to join in the conversation with everyone.

Just then—the tablet screen changed.
Daigo appeared on the other side, out of breath.

Daigo
"Huff... huff..."

Daigo is breathing heavily.

Daigo
"I got delayed because my old man was messing with me..."

Kaori gives a bitter smile.

Kaori
"Did you try to punch Uncle Hades again?"

Daigo grimaces.

Daigo
"That damn old man... every time I try to hit him, he just vanishes... huff... huff..."

Ren looks exasperated.

Ren
"What are you guys doing..."

Airi sighed as well.

Airi
"This isn't exactly the scale of a parent-child quarrel..."

Then, Shoun laughed.

Shoun
"Daigo-kun is probably the only high schooler in the world who can get into a fight with the King of the Underworld!"

Daigo
"This is no laughing matter!"

After that.

Daigo looked at Fuyuko through the screen.

Daigo
"Hmm? Is this her?"

Daigo pointed at Fuyuko.

Daigo
"The one who is my aunt?"

Fuyuko smiled slightly.

Fuyuko
"I am Fuyuko Yukimura."

Fuyuko bowed slightly.

Fuyuko
"Nice to meet you."

Daigo nodded as well.

Daigo
"Nice to meet you too."

Up to that point, it was normal. However, Kaito suddenly burst out laughing.

Kaito Hashimoto
"Hahahaha!!"

Daigo
"?"

Kaito
"It's strange, isn't it!"

Kaito holds his stomach and laughs.

Kaito
“You’re aunt and nephew, yet you’re the same age!!”

A moment of silence.

Then Shoun bursts out laughing.

Shoun
“That’s true!! You’re both second-year high school students!!”

Kaori can’t help but laugh too.

Kaori
“Ahaha!”

Fuyuko also laughs, looking troubled.

Fuyuko
“Now that you mention it...”

Daigo frowns.

Daigo
“We just happened to be born in the same year, so it can’t be helped.”

Kaito
“No, it’s just too funny!”

Ren adds calmly.

Ren
“And besides, Daigo’s mother is Persephone, and she’s Fuyuko’s half-sister.”

Airi
“I need to sort this out, or my head is going to spin...”

Tsukina also gives a bitter smile.

Tsukina
“The family relationships of gods are really complicated...”

Daigo crosses his arms.

Daigo
“Even I don’t really get it.”

Kaito
“Even you don’t understand it?!”

Everyone starts laughing again.
Watching such a lively exchange, Fuyuko smiles slightly.

Fuyuko (inner voice)
(...I'm glad)

She had been anxious before coming to Tokyo. But now it's different. Here, there were companions who welcomed her as family.
Such warm moments were spreading to the other side of the video call as well.

Meanwhile—all over the world, new demigods were beginning to make their moves.

Nagoya

Afternoon class. The teacher is writing a formula on the blackboard.

Teacher
"If you use this formula—"

However, in the back seat, Yuchika Noma was resting her cheek on her hand.

Yuchika (inner voice)
(So bored...)

Teacher
"Noma."

Yuchika
"Yes?"

Teacher
"How much were you listening to just now?"

Yuchika
"Uh... from the beginning to the end?"

The whole classroom laughs.

Teacher
"You weren't listening, were you?"

Yuchika
"Did you catch me?"

Laughter erupts again. Yuchika smiles in a friendly way.

After school, Noma residence

A detached house in a residential area. Yuchika goes out into the garden while still in her uniform.
There stood a single tree.
Yuchika touches the trunk. Then—a pale purple light spreads. The leaves begin to sway. The branches change, and countless vines stretch out.
The next moment—the tree is full of ripe, juicy grapes.

Yuchika
"Whoa."

Yuchika picks one and carries it to her mouth.

Yuchika
"The grapes turned out delicious today, too."

Just then—a gentle voice is heard from behind.

???
"You must not use your power recklessly."

Yuchika
"Huh?"

Yuchika turns around. Standing before her was Dionysus.
Yuchika's eyes widen.

Yuchika
"Huh!? Father!?"

Dionysus smiles.

Dionysus
"It has been a while, Yuchika."

Yuchika
"You're back!?"

Dionysus
"Yes."

Dionysus nods slowly.

Dionysus
"I arrived in Japan just a moment ago."

Yuchika
"You're always so sudden..."

Dionysus takes a grape and puts it in his mouth.

Dionysus
"Mmm. As always, they are magnificently done."

Yuchika
"Right?"

Yuchika puffs out her chest proudly.
Then, Dionysus's expression becomes a little serious.

Dionysus
"However..."

Yuchika
"?"

Dionysus
"It is time for you to know as well."

Yuchika
"Know what?"

Dionysus
"There is a certain demigod young lady in Tokyo."

The wind blows.
Grape leaves sway.

Dionysus
"Right now—many demigods are beginning to gather around that young lady."

Yuchika
"Demigods...?"

Dionysus
"Yes."

Dionysus smiles meaningfully.

Dionysus
"They are interesting children."

Yuchika
"Huh..."

A hint of interest dwells in Yuchika's eyes.
And far away in Tokyo, Kaori and the others were about to meet a new companion.

Washington D.C., United States of America

A major fashion studio.
Dazzling lights, large cameras, and many staff members.
At the center of the shoot—stood John Garcia. Tall with well-defined features. Not just model-like, but a top model in his own right.
The photographer calls out excitedly.

Photographer
"Wonderful!"

Click!

Click!

John shows a natural smile.

Staff A
"Perfect..."

Staff B
"Is he really a high school student?"

John laughs, looking a little embarrassed.

John
"That's a bit of an exaggeration."

The shoot continues.
Every time he changes his pose, sighs of admiration escape from the staff.

And—the shoot is over.

Photographer
"Okay! That's it for today's shoot!"

Applause breaks out in the studio.
John bows deeply.

John
"Thank you very much!"

Staff
"Great work!"

"See you again!"

John waves with a smile.

Outside the studio

The setting sun illuminates the city.
John runs up to the woman who was waiting for him.

John
"Mom!"

The woman turns around.
To the public, she is his manager. But—her true identity is different.

John
"How was it? My shoot today!"

The woman smiles.
In that moment—her body is enveloped in a pale golden light.
Long blonde hair. Divine beauty. An overwhelming presence.
The one who appeared was—Aphrodite.

Aphrodite
"It was wonderful."

Aphrodite gently touches her son's cheek.

Aphrodite
"As expected of my son."

John gives a wry smile.

John
"You say that every time."

Aphrodite
"Because it's the truth."

John
"Yeah, yeah."

Aphrodite laughs happily.

Aphrodite
"But it wasn't just your appearance; your consideration for others was perfect, too."

John
"I think I'm happier to hear that."

Aphrodite's expression softens slightly.

Aphrodite
"You're a kind child."

John
"Inherited from Mom?"

Aphrodite
"Of course."

John
"You're not going to deny that?"

The two of them laugh.

Then—Aphrodite's expression becomes a little more serious.

John
"?"

Aphrodite
"John."

John
"What is it?"

Aphrodite
"What if I told you that there are other demigods like you all over the world?"

John is a little surprised.

John
"Demigods?"

Aphrodite
"Yes."

John
"There are others like me?"

Aphrodite nods.

Aphrodite
"And soon—"

Aphrodite looks toward the distant eastern sky.

Aphrodite
"Those children will begin to gather in one place."

John
"Where?"

Aphrodite
"Japan."

John
"Japan?"

John shows a little interest.
Aphrodite smiles meaningfully.

Aphrodite
"Don't you want to meet them?"

John
"..."

John thinks for a moment. Then he smiles.

John
"That sounds interesting."

The sun sets.
Far away, another demigod was about to start moving toward Japan.

Berlin, Germany

The Schmidt family home in a corner of a residential area.
Flick Schmidt returns home.

Flick
"I'm home."

However, without waiting for a reply, he heads straight to his room.
When he opens the door, it is almost a workshop. There are tools on the desk. Blueprints on the walls. Shelves lined with self-made machines and metal parts.

Flick takes off his uniform jacket and immediately begins working.

Flick
"If I do this here..."

He moves the tools. He installs the gears. He connects the wiring.

A few dozen minutes later—

Click.

Flick
“...I did it.”

In front of him was a small, multi-functional machine.
Flick pressed the switch.

Whirrr

It worked perfectly.
Flick's face lit up.

Flick
“Success!”

Flick stood up instinctively.

Flick
“Hey! This is my masterpiece, what do you think? Dad!”

At that moment—flames appeared from the wall of the room.

Whoosh!

Bright red flames roared, yet the room did not burn. It was divine fire.
From within the flames, a large man appeared. It was Hephaestus, the god of fire and the forge.

Hephaestus
“Hmm, let's see...”

Hephaestus picked up the machine and observed it closely. He checked the back. He looked at the wiring.
Flick was a little nervous.

Hephaestus
“Yeah. Not bad at all!”

Flick's face brightened.
Hephaestus laughed heartily.

Hephaestus
“That's my boy!”

Flick
“Really!?”

Hephaestus
“Yeah!”

Hephaestus patted Flick on the shoulder.

Hephaestus
"There aren't many people who can build something like this at your age!"

Flick
"I did it!"

Flick, who is usually expressionless, can't help but smile.

Hephaestus
"This mechanism in particular is good."

Hephaestus points to a part of the design.

Hephaestus
"Your thinking is flexible."

Flick
"That was the part I struggled with the most."

Hephaestus
"It was worth the effort."

The father and son continue their discussion about machinery for a while.
Then, Hephaestus suddenly puts on a serious face.

Flick
"?"

Hephaestus
"Flick."

Flick
"What is it?"

Hephaestus
"Soon, demigods from all over the world will start moving."

Flick frowns.

Flick
"Demigods..."

Hephaestus
"Yes. Toward Japan."

Flick thinks for a moment.
Hephaestus watches his son's expression. Then he smiles just a little.

Hephaestus
"If you're interested, go and see for yourself."

Flick
"To Japan?"

Hephaestus
"Yeah. There are other demigods there, just like you."

The flames flickered.
Hephaestus's eyes seemed to be looking somewhere into the future.

Hephaestus
"The world is about to change significantly."

Flick looked out the window. The night sky of Berlin. And then, he cast his gaze far away to the east—toward Japan.

Jinguji Residence - Living Room

A variety show was playing on the TV.
Kaori was sitting on the sofa, relaxing with Fuyuko. Beside them, Shoun was fiddling with his smartphone.

Shoun
"Hey, Kaori?"

Kaori
"?"

Shoun
"I met with Dad today, and..."

Kaori
"Yeah."

Shoun smiled meaningfully.

Shoun
"He said something really incredible."

Kaori
"What did he say?"

Shoun put down his smartphone.

Shoun
"He said other demigods are coming to Tokyo, too."

Kaori
"What!?"

Kaori stood up abruptly.

Fuyuko was also surprised.

Fuyuko
"To Tokyo...?"

Shoun nodded firmly.

Shoun
"There's no mistake. Dad saw it himself while traveling the world."

Kaori
"Hermes is..."

Kaori gasps in surprise.

Shoun
"And it seems like quite a few of them."

Kaori gulps.

Kaori
"Then... there are four left, but does that mean four are coming all at once!?"

Shoun
"Probably?"

Kaori
"How can you say that so lightly!?"

Shoun
"Because that might actually be the case."

Fuyuko ponders for a moment.

Fuyuko
"For demigods from all over the world to gather..."

Kaori also looks out the window.

Kaori
"It suddenly feels so real..."

In a place no one knew, the gears of fate were turning even further.

Moscow, Russia

A high-rise apartment.
The room is decorated with trophies, certificates, and movie posters.
In that room, Veronika Smirnov held a letter in her hand.

Veronika
"A letter from Flick?"

The sender was Flick from Berlin, Germany.
Veronika opens the envelope and begins to read.

Veronika
"..."

After reading for a while, Veronika lets out a voice in surprise.

Veronika
"It says there are lots of demigods in Japan, so I'm going to Japan to meet them...?"

Veronica continues reading.

Veronica
"In Japan... demigods like me?"

Veronica thinks for a moment.
Then she opens the planner on her desk and checks a few days ahead.

Veronica
"Come to think of it..."

Veronica mutters.

Veronica
"I don't have any work for a while."

Silence.

Then, Veronica gives a small laugh.

Veronica
"Doesn't that sound interesting?"

She picks up her smartphone.

Veronica
"Japan, huh? Maybe I'll go."

Her eyes were filled with curiosity.
And so—demigods from all over the world begin to gather.

Tokyo - Park

Kaori was explaining to Ren and Tsukina what she had heard from Shoun the other day.

Kaori
"—and that's the story."

Ren crosses his arms.

Ren
"Demigods from all over the world, huh..."

Kaori
"Yeah."

Tsukina looks a little surprised.

Tsukina
"Are all four of them going to be here at once?"

Kaori
"The possibility is high."

Kaori smiles, looking a little nervous.

Kaori
"If Sho-un's father says so, I think it's probably true."

Ren
"He is Hermes, after all."

Tsukina nods as well.

Tsukina
"He is a god who travels all over the world, after all."

Kaori looks up at the sky.

Kaori
"I wonder what kind of kids they are...?"

Ren
"I hope they're decent people."

Kaori
"Could you stop using Sho-un as your benchmark?"

Tsukina chuckles softly.

Tsukina
"True."

While the three of them were talking—new demigods were already beginning to move in Tokyo.

Tokyo Station

A massive terminal overflowing with people. There, Yuchika was seen pulling a carry-on suitcase.

Yuchika
"Whoa..."

Yuchika looks around.

Yuchika
"I thought Nagoya was big, but... Tokyo is huge!!"

She is pushed by the wave of people.

Yuchika
"Whoa!"

I almost got swept away.

Yuchika
: "There are way too many people!!"

Shinagawa

A cluster of skyscrapers.
In front of the station, John was looking around wearing sunglasses.

John
: "Wow..."

John couldn't help but laugh.

John
: "This is more than I imagined."

He muttered, mixing in some English.

John
: "It's different from New York."

Passersby turned to look. John's beauty was too conspicuous.
John gave a wry smile.

John
: "I guess I do stand out."

Shinjuku

A massive station front.
Neon lights and crowds. Flick was standing there.

Flick
: "..."

Silent.

He looked up for a while. Then looked up even further.

Flick
: "It's tall."

He was used to seeing big cities in Germany, too.
However, the scale of Tokyo was beyond his imagination.

Flick
: "I can see why Dad would be surprised."

He checked the toolbox inside his bag.

Flick
“...First, I need a place to stay.”

Shibuya

The massive scramble crossing.
The lights change, and the flow of people moves in unison.
There was a girl watching that scene. It was Veronica.

Veronica
“What is this...?”

Veronica is stunned.

Veronica
“People are walking like an army...”

Even she, a popular Russian actress, is involuntarily overwhelmed.
Veronica takes out her smartphone.

Veronica
“First, I need to find a place to stay for tonight...”

Without the other demigods—and Kaori and her friends—knowing, the four demigods who had gathered from all over the world had already arrived in Tokyo.

Olympus - Temple, Throne Room

The twelve gods are assembled at the massive round table of thrones.
Zeus sits on the throne of the chief god. His expression is stern.

Zeus
“...The demigods are gathering in Japan.”

Beside him, Hera crosses her arms.

Hera
“It seems so. To think that demigods would gather in such an island nation.”

A murmur spreads among the gods.
Then, Hermes hesitantly raises his hand.

Hermes
“Um... Father?”

Zeus
“What is it, Hermes?”

Hermes looks a bit troubled.

Hermes
“I hate to ask this, but... are we really going to kill Hestia's daughter...?”

The air becomes heavy in an instant.

Zeus answered immediately.

Zeus
"What are you saying now? A virgin goddess who is not on this throne has borne a child. There is no choice but to erase it."

The expressions of the gods clouded slightly.
Hermes gave a bitter smile.

Hermes (inner voice)
(Look who's talking... even though he cheats all the time...)

However, he did not say it out loud. If he did, lightning would come flying.
At that moment, a voice was raised from the other side of the meeting hall. It was Hephaestus.

Hephaestus
"Ah~. How ridiculous."

The meeting hall froze.

Hermes (inner voice)
(He actually said it!?)

A vein bulged on Zeus's forehead.

Zeus
"...Hey, Hephaestus. How much further are you going to rub me the wrong way?"

However, Hephaestus was not moved at all.

Hephaestus
"Because, you know, you cheat and have a mountain of children yourself."

Zeus
"............"

Hephaestus
"What kind of law is that?"

He continued the attack.
Hephaestus looked to his side.

Hephaestus
"Mother, you think so too, right?"

Hera, who was suddenly addressed, remained silent.

Hera
"............"

All the gods in the meeting hall looked at Hera.
A vein bulged on Hera's temple. However, she could not refute it. It was because it was completely true.
Hermes desperately tried to hold back his laughter.

Hermes (inner voice)
(This is bad... don't laugh... don't laugh, me...)

His shoulders are trembling.
Meanwhile, Ares was glaring at Hephaestus.
However—he couldn't say anything. Veronica, Kaori, Hephaestus's words; various emotions were clashing inside his head.

Ares
“...”

He had no choice but to remain silent.
Poseidon was watching the situation unfold quietly while resting his elbows on his knees.

Poseidon (inner voice)
(This is...)

The corners of Poseidon's mouth relax just a little.

Poseidon (inner voice)
(Things are about to get interesting.)

Eventually, the meeting of the gods ended, and silence returned to the vast temple.
The only ones remaining were Hera and Ares.
Ares drops to one knee and bows his head.

Ares
“...I apologize, Mother.”

Hera exhales quietly.

Ares
“If only I could have finished off that Hephaestus right there...”

Hera shakes her head.

Hera
“It’s fine...”

A moment of silence.

Then Hera looks at Ares's face.

Hera
“More importantly, Ares.”

Ares
“...Yes.”

Hera
“You seem conflicted as well.”

Ares's shoulders shake slightly.
Hera continues.

Hera
“Is it because Veronica is also among those demigods?”

Ares
“!?”

Ares opened his eyes wide in surprise. It hit the mark.
Himself as the God of War, his loyalty to Zeus, and—his daughter. Everything was clashing within him.

Ares
"That is..."

He could not continue his sentence.
Hera did not blame him for anything. She just watched him quietly.
Ares eventually lowered his gaze.

Ares
"..."

Ares hung his head.
Ares, the God of War. A god who had experienced countless battles. But now, he was facing the battle he could least find an answer to.

Hera murmured softly.

Hera
"Being a parent is such a troublesome thing..."

Ares did not answer.
He only clenched his fists in silence.

The Underworld - Hades' Palace

A hall lit by pale blue flames. In the center, Hades was peering into a crystal ball.
The crystal ball showed the scene between Ares and Hera from earlier.

Hades
"Ares seems conflicted."

Hades narrowed his eyes quietly.
Then, the image in the crystal ball changed.
Kaori, Ren, Tsukina, Daigo, Kaito, Airi, Sho-un, and Fuyuko. And new demigods heading to Tokyo.

Hades
"However... the twelve demigods are finally gathering, are they..."

His voice held a hint of anticipation.

Hades stood up slowly. Persephone called out to him.

Persephone
"Where are you going?"

Hades turned back.

Hades
"To Hestia's palace."

Persephone
"Now?"

Hades
"Yes."

Hades smiles slightly, a rare sight.

Hades
"I'll go see Daigo while I'm at it."

Persephone laughs in spite of herself.

Persephone
"You're so dishonest."

Hades
"...What are you talking about?"

Persephone
"You've been worried about him this whole time, haven't you?"

Hades clears his throat.

Hades
"It's just your imagination."

Persephone
"Sure, sure."

A gentle exchange between the couple.
And then, the next moment—

Whoosh—

Hades' body is enveloped in black flames.
The King of the Underworld leaves one last word behind.

Hades
"...Well then, I'm off."

Persephone
"Take care."

The black flames flicker.
And then—Hades' figure vanished.

Kaori and the others sensed something.
That demigods were gathering from all over the world, and that the day of destiny was approaching.

Episode 10 End