"Uh…"
The boy from the other class clearly hadn't expected to be rejected so bluntly in public. His face tightened with embarrassment, and his expression turned sour.
"I was just trying to be friendly. If you're not interested, fine—but don't act like you're better than everyone else."
"Boring," Touma Kazusa replied flatly, her expression unchanged as she brushed past him, unbothered.
But just as she took two steps forward, the boy blocked her again—this time with a sharper tone.
"What's your deal? You sleep openly in class, and now you're trying to act all mysterious and aloof? Who exactly are you trying to impress?"
Kazusa pressed her lips into a tight line. On the surface, she maintained her signature icy demeanor—but a keen observer might have noticed a flicker of unease in her eyes.
"Hey."
Just then, a hand lightly tapped the boy's shoulder from behind.
He turned with irritation—only to come face to face with Kiba Hoshiki, who wore a calm, almost cheerful smile.
"She's clearly not interested," Kiba said pleasantly. "If you keep pestering her like a cockroach, it's only going to make you look even more pathetic. Don't you think?"
The boy opened his mouth to fire back, but before he could speak, his friend grabbed his arm and whispered urgently into his ear.
"…That's him."
"What? Him?"
The boy froze. His expression twisted awkwardly as he glanced nervously at Kiba, suddenly pale.
He gritted his teeth, muttered, "Fine, whatever. I'll let it go—for now."
Then, dragging his friend with him, he made a hasty retreat.
Kiba raised an eyebrow, watching them leave. Weird. I didn't even have to use my "Dust Release: Original Parent Separation Technique." They ran off way too quickly. What a waste… I was looking forward to using that one.
Touma Kazusa cast him a sidelong glance, her expression unreadable. Without a word of thanks, she simply turned and left on her own.
Kiba wasn't offended in the slightest. He hadn't expected gratitude anyway.
"…Um."
Miko Yotsuya had been waiting the entire morning for a moment like this. She hurriedly followed Kiba out of the classroom, catching up to him cautiously.
"Could we talk… privately? About those… things?"
"Sure," Kiba answered casually.
"Let's go to the rooftop, then."
"The rooftop?"
The smile on Kiba's face vanished the moment he heard that word. For the first time, his expression showed a hint of discomfort—something even evil spirits hadn't managed to provoke.
Startled, Miko asked hesitantly, "Is… something dangerous up there?"
Kiba waved a hand. "No. Just reminded me of an old friend who passed away years ago."
Miko blinked, then immediately bowed her head. "I'm sorry—I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."
"It's fine," Kiba said, stretching with a long yawn. "He had it coming anyway. Two-timing coward, couldn't even build a proper harem. Deserved what he got."
Miko was momentarily speechless.
Right. Never try to predict what this guy's going to say next… it never works.
As they made their way toward the rooftop, Kiba overheard some students in the corridor whispering urgently among themselves.
"Did you hear what happened?"
"Hear what?"
"Apparently, before class this morning, some guy tried to threaten a girl. Thank God the teacher showed up in time—who knows what could've happened?"
"Wait, seriously? I didn't see any police."
"Exactly! That's the crazy part—no police, no punishment. Just… nothing. What kind of background does this guy have?"
Kiba sighed and muttered with a heavy tone, "The world's going downhill. Morals are collapsing. Broad daylight, right in school… and no consequences. What happened to Sobu High's integrity…"
But before he could finish the thought, the students continued:
"I heard the guy had weapons on him—like knives and nails—and even a bunch of weird yellow talismans."
"That's nothing! The version I heard said he was carrying a gun."
"Seriously, just steer clear. He's a first-year in Class 1-A, black hair, around 1.8 meters, kind of good-looking, too."
"Yeah, those are the most dangerous ones. We should avoid Class A entirely—he's a total maniac."
"What a creep."
——
Silence.
Kiba didn't say a word.
Miko looked over and, after a moment, whispered awkwardly, "Um… Kiba, I'm sorry. That rumor… it's definitely a misunderstanding."
Still silent, Kiba marched on toward the rooftop door.
Miko swallowed hard. Now she was nervous.
I mean, he doesn't seem like a bad guy… but still. Someone who eats evil spirits probably isn't completely normal either…
What if… What if he brought me up here to silence me?
Just as her imagination spiraled out of control, Kiba muttered to himself:
"…Yeah. Makes sense. I should get a gun."
Miko's blood ran cold.
"A gun's faster than martial arts beyond seven steps. But up close? Accuracy matters. Hmm… American Iaijutsu, huh. That could work."
"Alright, I'm doing it. I'll find a way to get a gun."
Miko just stared at him in disbelief.
He's actually serious? Dear God, maybe everyone else was right after all.
"If you've got questions, now's the time," Kiba said as they stepped onto the deserted rooftop.
Miko quietly shut the door behind them.
"Um…"
She had a thousand questions lined up, but when she saw Kiba's blank, expectant look, her mind blanked. After a moment, she asked softly:
"When… did you first start seeing those things?"
Kiba shrugged. "Maybe half a month ago?"
Miko's eyes widened.
Only half a month? And he's already this fearless?
She remembered when her own ability had first awakened. For nearly a month, she hadn't even dared to leave the house after sunset.
Am I just weak…? Or is he just not normal?
She composed herself and asked the next question:
"Then… how many of those things have you exorcised so far?"
Kiba smiled—and gave her an answer that sent shivers down her spine.
"Do you remember how many slices of bread you've eaten?"