9 . 2 . 23
That afternoon, a girl named Rin — newly in 8th grade — walked to her coaching center, TTH. It wasn't far, just a 10-minute path from her home.
She was soft-hearted, with dark black hair and light brown eyes, and always tried to keep a smile on her face… even when most people just used her kindness. Too pure, maybe, to see the truths of this cruel world.
Her friends Momo, Riko, and Suzuki arrived too.
Momo and Riko were from Mikugami Private High School & College, while Suzuki came from Tokyo Scholars High School.
The first class was English 2nd paper, taught by a young teacher named Liza.
Suzuki brought a grape drink, sharing it first with Momo and Riko — then offering some to Rin too.
She hesitated, shy, then took it. It felt strangely touching, his kindness reaching her through the smallest thing.
Rin wore a mask, so few ever saw her full face.
When she slipped it down to drink, Momo and Riko glanced at her and teased:
"You look like a snake yokai actress!"
Rin blushed deeply. She'd never thought of herself as beautiful.
Then Riko nudged Suzuki and whispered,
"Hey, have you ever seen Rin's face? She really does look like a yokai girl."
"No," Suzuki answered — but his gaze lingered, surprised.
That day, Rin wore a wine-red open kimono. Feeling his eyes, she turned quickly away, shy heat in her cheeks.
Suzuki was known in the whole coaching center: even seniors confessed to him, and he always gently refused. Was it because he was too kind… or because his heart simply couldn't belong to anyone?
When the class changed, Momo and Riko moved to a separate room, leaving Rin and another girl named Suki as the only girls left in the main batch.
At one point, Suzuki asked Rin alone for a pen — and though her heart jumped, she'd been holding it ready the moment he spoke, but delayed slightly so the boys wouldn't tease.
The next class began: Bangla language.
A young male teacher walked in — tall, slim, with milk-tea skin, dark curly hair, thin glasses, and deep black eyes that seemed to hide entire stories.
His name was Demon.
Rin had studied under him for two years, yet every time he entered, her heart fluttered.
That day, Demon wore a white shirt with two buttons undone, revealing his pale collarbone, and light blue jeans.
Sweating lightly from rushing over, his messy hair fell over his forehead.
"Quickly… turn on both fans," he said, breathless.
Rin hurried to switch them on.
The class flowed with laughter, small jokes, and stories about writers. Time slipped by softly.
When the bell rang, Rin left with her younger sister, who was still in 5th grade.
But outside, she noticed Demon standing a little apart, as if waiting for someone.
In that moment — his side profile, quiet, slightly tired, yet calm — he looked unreal, like a character stepping out of an old movie. Her heart skipped.
Then, catching sight of Rin, Demon walked closer.
He held up a green pen.
"Is this yours?" His voice was unexpectedly gentle.
"N-no, sir," Rin stammered, shaking her head.
"Keep it with you," he said. "I must have picked it up from your desk — maybe it's Momo's. Return it to her tomorrow."
"Alright, sir," Rin answered softly, taking the pen.
As they parted, Rin thought he had gone back.
She stopped near a small shop with her sister, and when she began walking again, she was startled to hear Demon beside her.
"What's your address?" he asked.
Surprised, she forgot for a heartbeat, then cleared her throat and answered:
"It's… near Mika Housing, sir. And yours?"
"That's my house," he said, pointing at a black door.
Then with a small wave, he added,
"See you tomorrow," and disappeared inside.
Rin stood still, hand trembling around the green pen.
A soft, unfamiliar feeling curled inside her chest — half fear, half hope — before she turned and walked home.
[ End of Chapter 01 ]