The next morning, the bell of St. Mary's High rang across the courtyard as students streamed in through the gates.
Among them, two new faces blended into the crowd, at least they were supposed to.
Nabi walked with her head high, black hair falling neatly to her shoulders, her uniform fitting so perfectly it looked tailor-made. The moment she stepped onto campus, half the boys stopped mid-conversation. Some whispered, others stared openly. Even the girls turned their heads, caught by her quiet radiance.
Hayato trailed beside her, hands shoved into his pockets, head tilted low. He tried not to look but couldn't help himself. Man… if I were still alive, she'd be exactly the type of girl I'd have crushed on. He quickly shook the thought away, cheeks warming.
They passed through the main gate together. Hayato's silence stretched long enough for Nabi to glance sideways at him.
"Is everything alright?" she asked softly.
Hayato blinked, forcing a shrug. "Yeah. Just… memories, that's all."
Her eyes lingered on him, but she didn't press.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as the crowd of students swirled around them. "I haven't really been to school in a long time." His tone was casual, but there was a weight under it, something unsaid.
They stepped through the doors of St. Mary's, the chatter of students echoing down the hallways. For a moment, Hayato slowed, the fluorescent lights and familiar rows of lockers pressing on him like ghosts of a life he'd tried to forget.
And yet here he was, walking into school again. What a bother…
As they walked through the main entrance, Hayato glanced around. The halls were already crowded with students, lockers slamming, laughter echoing but he and Nabi had no clue where they were supposed to go.
"Do you… know which class we're supposed to be in?" Hayato muttered.
Nabi shook her head. "Or even how to check."
Hayato rubbed the back of his neck, awkward and tense until his eyes landed on someone leaning against a locker by himself. A familiar face.
Ozu.
Hayato froze for a moment, then Nabi gave him a sharp nudge. "You might as well use that opportunity for good."
"…Yeah, yeah."
He straightened his uniform, walked over, and tapped Ozu on the shoulder. "Hey, buddy."
Ozu turned, confused at first, his glasses slipping down his nose. He stared blankly, then suddenly blinked hard, as though something clicked. Memories that had been buried rushed back into him.
"You…!" His voice cracked. Then, nervously, almost sheepishly, he said, "T-thank you. For taking away the cursed chicken."
Hayato winced inside. Man, I really did scam this guy… But he forced a small smile, pushing down the guilt. Focus on the mission.
"Didn't know you went to this school," Ozu continued.
"Yeah," Hayato said smoothly. "I'm new here. Just transferred in. Same with my friend." He motioned to Nabi.
She stepped forward gracefully, offering a kind smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Nabi."
Ozu's face turned bright red. "Ah—y-yeah! Nice to… to meet you too." His eyes darted everywhere but her.
Hayato coughed into his fist. "Listen, Ozu. Do you remember what I told you before? About the Witch of Envy?"
Ozu stiffened, then nodded slowly. "Yeah…"
"Well, she's here," Hayato said, voice low. "That same Witch who cursed the chicken. She's working at this school."
Ozu's eyes went wide. "What?!"
"We're undercover priests," Hayato explained quickly, lowering his tone like it was some grand secret. "We're here to find her. And when we do, we'll perform an exorcism to drive the demons out of her."
Ozu swallowed hard, clutching his bag straps tight. "That's… really scary. But… I get it."
Behind him, Nabi let out a small sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. Such stupid lies…
Hayato shifted awkwardly, glancing at Ozu. "Hey, think you could show us around the school a bit?"
Ozu shook his head quickly. "I—I've got lessons…"
Before Hayato could press, Nabi leaned forward slightly, her tone warm and her smile gentle. "Please? Just a little while. It would help us a lot."
Ozu's face turned crimson, his hands fidgeting with the straps of his bag. "I… uh… o-okay…"
Hayato watched the poor kid melt under Nabi's charm and sighed inwardly. Yeah… I'd fall for that too. Can't even judge him.
He scratched the back of his head, then added with a straight face, "One more thing. Could you, uh… maybe take us around to get close to all the female teachers?"
Ozu froze, glasses slipping down his nose. "Wh-what?!"
Hayato shrugged, dead serious. "Purely for investigative purposes."
Still flustered, Ozu nodded nervously. "R-right… sure…"
And so, with shaky steps and a heart pounding far too loudly for comfort, Ozu began guiding the two undercover "students" through the halls of St. Mary's.
Hayato trailed a few steps behind as Ozu nervously guided them through the halls, Nabi chatting to him in a calm, kind tone that seemed to loosen his shoulders bit by bit. The two of them walked ahead, their conversation weaving around ordinary school life. Teachers, subjects, small details that made Ozu relax.
Hayato, though, wasn't listening. His eyes wandered.
The classrooms they passed buzzed with chatter, students laughing and leaning over desks. Hayato's gaze lingered on the back corner seat of one room, the kind of spot he had always taken. Alone, quiet, invisible.
Further down, his eyes caught the courtyard through the window. A shaded bench sat empty, tucked away from the clusters of students gathered in circles. He remembered those kinds of places too. Lonely spaces that had once felt safer than the noise.
He blinked, pulling himself back to the present as Nabi's laughter drifted down the hall.
A small chuckle escaped him, low and dry. "…Guess you can never truly escape your past, huh?"
Nabi turned, noticing Hayato lagging a few paces behind. Her black hair shifted with the movement as she gave him a soft smile, hands on hips. "Pick up the pace, we haven't got all day Hayato!" She called, her tone light but warm with a hint of sass.
Beside her, Ozu glanced back too. For a moment, a small, subtle smile tugged at his lips. "You're on a mission, remember?"
Something in Hayato's chest tightened. His eyes watered faintly, but not enough for anyone to notice. He blinked hard, forcing it back, and quickened his steps until he rejoined them.
"Yeah, yeah," he said, slipping on a grin. "Can't have the rookie priest falling behind, right?"