Chapter 4: Rumors of a Dangerous Individual
"Uh..."
The boy from the other class clearly hadn't expected to be rejected so bluntly in front of everyone. Feeling a bit humiliated, his expression turned sour.
"I just wanted to make friends, that's all. If you don't want to, fine, but what's with the attitude?"
"Boring."
Touma Kazusa's expression didn't change in the slightest as she continued walking forward on her own.
However, she hadn't taken two steps before the boy blocked her path again, his words becoming even more aggressive.
"Someone like you who openly sleeps in class is just trying to act like you have a unique personality, right? Who are you putting on this high-and-mighty act for now?"
Kazusa pursed her lips. On the surface, she maintained her icy demeanor, but a keen observer could notice a trace of panic between her brows.
"Excuse me."
Just then, the boy felt someone tap him on the shoulder from behind.
He turned around impatiently, only to be met with Yoru's face, which wore a friendly smile.
"Since she's not interested, you should probably stop talking. Continuing to pester her like a cockroach and being an eyesore will just make you look even more embarrassing, don't you think?"
Hearing this, the boy felt there was something sarcastic about the tone. Just as he was about to retort, his friend standing next to him looked Yoru up and down, then suddenly changed his expression and whispered something in the boy's ear.
"It's him?"
"Yeah, that's him."
After listening to his friend, the boy's face turned a bit ugly. He looked at Yoru with a mix of wariness and panic, gritted his teeth, and said:
"Forget... forget it. I'll let you off this time. Let's go."
With that, he and his friend turned around and walked away quickly.
"What was that about?"
Yoru noticed the change in the other party's expression. I hadn't even used my secret technique cultivated in the toxic wastelands of online gaming—Dust Release: Mama Detachment Jutsu—so why did he run away like that?
What a pity.
I really wanted to use this chance to roast him.
Touma Kazusa narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, swept a cold glance over Yoru, and walked away without even a word of thanks.
Of course, Yoru hadn't expected her to express any gratitude anyway.
"Um..."
Yotsuya Miko, having held it in all morning, finally found her chance during the lunch break. She hurried out of the classroom, caught up to Yoru, and whispered carefully.
"Can I talk to you alone? About... those things?"
Yoru nodded nonchalantly.
"Sure."
"Then let's go to the rooftop."
"The rooftop?"
Seeing the relaxed smile on Yoru's face vanish the moment he heard the word "rooftop"—a face that remained calm even when facing evil spirits—Miko was startled and asked subconsciously:
"Is there danger on the rooftop?"
Yoru waved his hand.
"No, I just remembered an old friend who passed away many years ago."
Hearing this, Miko was stunned for a moment, then apologized.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up sad memories."
"It's fine."
Yoru stretched his body in a long, lazy arc, yawned, and complained lazily.
"That guy deserved to die. He didn't have the guts to open a harem openly, yet he was two-timing behind the scenes. He had it coming."
Miko was speechless.
She had realized something.
No matter the time or place, she could never use normal logic to predict what Yoru would say next.
He was truly unpredictable.
On the way to the rooftop, Yoru heard the students in the hallway seemingly discussing the same topic.
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Before class this morning, a male student tried to threaten a female student. Luckily, a teacher arrived in time, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable."
"For real? No way, I didn't see any police cars arrive."
"Exactly, that's the craziest part. That male student did something like that but didn't receive any punishment. I wonder what kind of background he has."
Listening to the chatter around him, Yoru shook his head and spoke earnestly to Miko beside him.
"Society is really going downhill, and people's hearts aren't what they used to be. To think someone would do such a thing in broad daylight... Sobu High has truly fallen..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he heard the group of students continue their discussion.
"I heard that the guy was carrying weapons. He had a dagger and nails, and even some yellow paper that looked like talismans."
"That's not all. In the version I heard, he was carrying a gun."
"Whatever the case, just avoid him from now on. Apparently, he's a first-year in Class A. Black hair and eyes, about 180cm tall. He's actually quite good-looking."
"The better-looking the pervert, the more you have to watch out. Let's detour around Class A in the future so we don't run into him."
"He's really a dangerous individual."
...
Silence... as profound as the night over Cambridge.
After a long while, Miko looked at the silent Yoru and whispered an apology.
"Um... Yoru-san, I'm sorry that people misunderstood you like this."
Yoru remained silent, walking straight to the door of the rooftop.
Seeing him like this, Miko's heart jumped into her throat.
Although Yoru didn't look like a bad person, who could say for sure?
At the very least, someone who could devour evil spirits was definitely not a normal person.
Is he planning to take me to the rooftop to silence me for good?
Just as Miko's imagination was running wild, Yoru suddenly muttered to himself.
"Makes sense. I really should get a gun."
"As the saying goes: beyond seven steps, a gun is fast; within seven steps, a gun is fast and accurate."
"To deal with evil spirits, I should try some American-style Iaijutsu."
"Decided. I'll find a chance to get a gun."
Miko sighed helplessly.
You actually want to get a gun?
Good grief. The "dangerous individual" label the other students gave you isn't unjust at all.
"If you want to ask something, you can ask now."
Once they were on the deserted rooftop, Yoru closed the door and spoke.
"Um..."
With a thousand words on the tip of her tongue, Miko suddenly didn't know where to start.
After thinking for a good while, she lowered her voice and asked.
"When did you start being able to see those things?"
Yoru shrugged and replied nonchalantly.
"About half a month ago."
Miko was extremely surprised to hear this.
Only half a month, and he's completely eliminated his fear of evil spirits and ghosts?
When she first awakened this sight, she didn't dare leave her house at night for nearly a month.
Is it because I'm too timid...
Or is Yoru just not normal?
Miko composed herself and then asked curiously.
"Then, up until today, how many of those things have you destroyed?"
Yoru smiled and said something that sent chills down Miko's spine.
"Do you remember how many slices of bread you have eaten in your life?"