Morning air carried a lingering chill, but warm sunlight streamed onto the desk, slowly dispelling the room's cold. The black-haired girl in bed stirred awake, her bare face showing a cute, sleepy expression as she groggily scanned her room.
"Hm?"
Something jolted her awake. Her golden eyes darted around like a scanner—her charging phone on the desk, the half-open backpack on the chair, the familiar bookshelf and wardrobe…
Miko Yotsuya cautiously lifted her blanket, peeking under the bed. Nothing there or in the sheets. She patted her chest, the thin silk pajamas barely concealing her smooth, milky skin.
Though not as exaggerated as Hana Yurikawa or Tsubaki Ryuurikawa, her chest was still sizable, like Natsumi's, swaying slightly without a bra, hinting at their rounded contours.
Her patting revealed a glimpse of her alluring figure in the pajamas, and she blushed, quickly pulling the blanket over herself, nervously glancing around.
"No idea where it went, but it's probably nearby, peeping, right? That big pervert~"
Muttering to herself, the black-haired girl let out a soft chuckle. She never worried about such things with evil spirits—they didn't act like that jerk who'd caused such a stir in the bathroom last night.
Miko smiled at the sunlight streaming in. Usually expressionless, her sudden, radiant smile was breathtakingly beautiful.
She was in a great mood.
"Mmm—"
Stretching her arms, her slender, graceful figure arched, letting out a soft moan. "I haven't slept this well in ages—no worrying about spirits or my room being invaded by monsters."
It felt like a return to her once warm, peaceful daily life.
"Even if he's a big pervert, it's thanks to him that things around me are calm again," Miko said, pressing the blanket, her golden eyes glinting with a spark. She zoned out for a moment, then slapped her cheeks with a crisp smack, jumping out of bed.
"Morning, Kyousuke," she said, surprised to see her younger brother up before her.
Kyousuke was equally shocked. "Sis, sleeping in? You're up later than me?"
"I can be a bit lazy sometimes. Is that weird?" Miko knew why—she hadn't slept so soundly in a long time.
"No wonder you look so refreshed, See-chan. Must've slept well," her mom said, handing her a glass of milk. Miko took the breakfast, her eyes instinctively scanning the room.
Where's that guy? Where'd he go?
His name was Muxiao… not very Japanese. Is he human? Since he was physical, he wasn't a spirit formed from a human soul, yet he had a name.
He could communicate, spoke Japanese—how strange.
As for why the persistent evil spirits vanished after Muxiao appeared, Miko wanted to know, but after thinking all night without answers, she gave up.
As long as the outcome was good, that was enough.
"I'm heading out—"
"Tentacle-kun, it's been a few days. I thought you were busy with Himegami Society stuff, but here you are," Toa Matsubara blinked her big eyes, striking a cute pose. "Are you here to see Natsumi?"
"Then why do I catch you stalking that unfamiliar girl?" Toa placed a delicate finger on her lips, her gaze teasing. "Being a player's no good~"
The more Muxiao looked, the more he sensed a dark edge to her. Even if you're a yandere brother-obsessed girl who can't stand your brother chasing others, I'm not your brother. Mind your business.
Muxiao had already accepted his playboy status.
Of course, he'd never admit it aloud, especially to this outwardly sweet but inwardly venomous girl.
"You're overthinking. I'm not some shallow guy who only cares about looks. As for following that girl, I'm just testing a theory," Muxiao grinned, letting out a malicious chuckle.
"What about you? Why're you here? Not planning to let this school fall to monsters, are you?"
"As if I caused the last school's downfall. Tentacle-kun, have you forgotten I was a victim too?" Toa's tone turned plaintive, sensing his wariness. "You saved me back then, and now you talk to me like this…"
Muxiao pretended not to hear.
Toa sighed again, genuinely disappointed. Though she'd turned dark as a monster, Tentacle-kun was the only one she could still interact with normally. For one, they were both monsters. For another, he'd saved her… She'd never forgotten, harboring complex feelings for him.
"As for why I'm here… Unlike you, I still look human. Transferring schools is normal, right?"
"You transferred here?"
Muxiao's eyes widened.
"Yup. Want me to show you around, Tentacle-kun?"
"…You're not off chasing your brother, and you've got time to give me a tour?" Muxiao shivered. A yandere brother-obsessed girl following him to school? Terrifying. Luckily, none of the women around him were that kind of scary yandere.
Well, Tomie doesn't count.
"I haven't seen him yet," Toa paused, seemingly reluctant to continue. "Tentacle-kun, why are you following that girl? Is there something special about her?"
Hm?
Toa hadn't noticed? True, Miko's disguise was flawless. If Muxiao didn't know the plot, he wouldn't have guessed she could see spirits.
"Miss Matsubara, you're not as sharp as I thought," Muxiao shook his head, acting smug. "Can't you sense them? The ghosts, evil spirits, all those entities in this world?"
"Ghosts?"
Toa frowned, puzzled. "I haven't noticed any. Are there ghosts here?"
"Who knows? I'm trying to find out," Muxiao said, glaring at the black-haired girl happily chatting with Hana in the classroom.
I'm out here working hard, observing, and you're just enjoying yourself?
Muxiao's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Miss Matsubara, if you want the truth, stick around and watch her. If you can snap a few photos for me, even better."
"And you?"
"Me? I'm outta here. If I stay, how will those hiding spirits show up?" Muxiao's expression turned cunning, letting out a wicked chuckle, waving his tentacles, and vanishing.
Toa was left with a head full of question marks.
In the classroom, Miko felt a sudden chill down her spine…