Wakumaku, along with Natsumi and Houichi, had transferred to this new school. The shadow of the terrifying incident at their previous academy had mostly faded, allowing them to start fresh, make new friends, and no longer stay cooped up at home.
Like Natsumi, the other survivors of the academy invasion were gradually returning to normal lives.
Wakumaku had made some new friends in her new school and class. As for Yotsuya-san, she wasn't particularly close to Miko Yotsuya, but having witnessed the monster invasion firsthand, Wakumaku easily noticed something off about her.
Miko sometimes acted strangely, as if hiding something.
As a member of the archery club and an honors student, Wakumaku wasn't dim. Unlike Miko's busty, airheaded friend who noticed nothing, Wakumaku was different—she was sure Miko had a secret.
Still, she didn't pry. It was Miko's business, after all. Her concern stemmed from fearing another crisis like the last one, so she'd spoken up. Seeing Miko dodge the topic, Wakumaku smiled, said nothing more, and waved goodbye.
Muxiao, perched on the warehouse roof, partially revealed himself, watching the departing girl. "As expected of a survivor from that incident. That Wakumaku girl… much sharper than Hana Yurikawa."
As for Hana, Miko's busty friend, she might be a bit ditzy, but there was a charm in that. "A girl with strong life energy, huh… Might be worth meeting her later."
Minutes later, Muxiao saw Hana Yurikawa, Miko's friend—a beautiful, adorable girl. But… he didn't sense any life energy.
"Maybe my [Magic] stat is too low, just D-rank… If I could boost it, I might sense her life energy or see those spirits?"
Muxiao frowned, thinking. "Even if my magic stat's lacking and I can't see spirits, my super intuition should at least pick something up."
He'd keep watching. Hana was supposed to have strong life energy, attracting evil spirits, right? He'd see.
Muxiao sent a message to Natsumi, then leapt after the two girls.
"See-chan, you okay? You look pale," Hana said, concerned for her friend. She hesitated, then pulled a carton of milk from her pocket. "Did you skip breakfast? Not eating makes you weak—I've been there. Here, take this milk to fill your stomach."
"I'm not as gluttonous as you, Hana. I ate breakfast," Miko said, knowing her friend's huge appetite. Glancing at Hana's jiggling chest, she twitched. Is her bust that big from eating so much?
"I'm not stealing your milk," Miko said, patting Hana's head. "You drink it. I'm not hungry—just had a stomachache earlier."
"Eh? You sure you're okay? Want to go to the infirmary?"
"I'm fine now."
Smiling at her friend, Miko's pupils suddenly dilated, as if she'd seen a ghost. Looking past Hana's shoulder, she saw the round-headed monster peeking through a distant window.
It's back!
This is the fifth floor—how's it clinging out there?
Hana didn't notice the subtle change in her friend's pale face, chatting cheerfully, oblivious to the monster outside the window. If she turned, she'd see it too, and Miko would realize this tentacle monster wasn't like the usual evil spirits.
Sadly, she didn't look.
"Good, then. If you're unwell, eating helps… Well, maybe not for a stomachache," Hana rambled. "But even when I'm sick, my appetite's still great…"
Miko humored Hana while stealing glances at the ghostly monster, her mind racing. It's watching me, it's watching me, it's watching me… Stay calm!
Muxiao was actually eyeing Hana, studying the ditzy, busty girl, then scanning the surroundings. Where's this supposed life energy? Where are the spirits it's supposed to attract? Not a single evil spirit?
What a waste of effort!
Even if he couldn't see them, Miko could. Judging by her reaction, there were no spirits around either. This isn't what I expected.
All day, Muxiao turned full stalker, trailing Miko and Hana—peeking through windows during class, lurking on the ceiling during bathroom breaks, watching from trees during lunch…
Nothing. By the end of the day, not a single evil spirit or supernatural entity appeared, even after school ended.
Without club activities, Miko and Hana left campus together. At a crosswalk, facing flashing traffic lights, Miko sighed, knowing the monster had fixated on her.
She couldn't see it now, but she felt its gaze all day, leaving her nearly numb.
"See-chan, wanna go shopping? I found a great pizza place…" Hana said, practically drooling.
"Sorry, Hana, I'm not feeling well. I want to rest at home."
"Aw, too bad. Next time, then…"
Parting with her friend, the long-haired beauty walked to the bus stop, glancing at the clear sky, scanning her surroundings with her peripheral vision. Boarding the bus, she saw no monster.
On the bus, surrounded by normal humans, no spirits or monsters, Miko relaxed slightly.
After getting off, bag slung over her shoulder, she walked home, her shoes clicking crisply. Her unfocused gaze caught a glimpse of the tentacle monster peeking from roadside bushes.
Her mouth twitched.
Not much tension—just a resigned of course expression. She was numb.
"It really followed me home…"
Miko slapped her cheeks, opened the door, and called, "I'm back—"
"Welcome home, you're early today," her beautiful mother greeted. "I made tamagoyaki. Want some, See-chan?"
"Hold on, I'll go to my room first."
Upstairs, seeing her cozy bedroom free of monsters, Miko patted her chest, set down her bag, texted Hana to say she was safe, then went downstairs.
She savored her mother's delicious tamagoyaki at the table.
The quiet, peaceful home, her gentle mother, and tasty food soothed her anxious heart. Miko calmed down, but as she did, she reflected on the day.
A sense of unease hit her.
"No… something's off…"
Her eyes widened, swallowing her food. "Why… besides it, did I not see a single monster today?"
More precisely, since it appeared, she hadn't encountered any terrifying evil spirits.
Miko froze, realization dawning.