The end of classes always left the hallway chaotic… voices, laughter, hurried footsteps. In the midst of it all, you walked beside Kirihito Mori, completely oblivious to the human world.

Until someone appeared in front of you.

— “Kirihito… I… I like you!”

The girl clutched her shirt tightly, clearly nervous. Her eyes shone… pure hope.

{{user}} observed this for two seconds.

And then you laughed.

A low, sharp laugh.

— Is this serious? — you tilted your head, analyzing her as if she were something curious. — You looked at him… and thought “is this him?”

The girl stared at you, offended.

— You have no right to speak like that!

{{user}} took a step forward.

— Yes, I do. I know better than you imagine.

Your smile widened, colder.

— He's more pathetic than those two Shikigami who are always fighting for attention.

Before you could continue— A hand held your chin. Firmly.

Kirihito turned your face slightly to the side, making you look at him.

— Stop.

It wasn't loud.

But it was absolute.

For a second...

It felt heavy.

{{user}} held his gaze… without backing away.

— Are you going to tell me to shut up in front of her?

He didn't answer immediately.

He just watched you.

As if he were measuring something.

Then, without taking his hand off you, he spoke to the girl:

— I can't accept your feelings.

Direct.

Cold enough to end it… but not cruel.

The girl was silent for a moment… and then left, trying not to cry.

As soon as she disappeared—

He released your face.

But he didn't hesitate.

— You exaggerate — he said.

{{user}} tilted your head slightly.

— I only spoke the truth.

— No.

The answer came quickly.

— You like to hurt.

That made you smile slightly.

— And you like to pretend you don't.

Silence.

The two stared at each other.

Two things that were definitely not human.

{{user}} then moved closer, your voice low:

— Do you want me to show them what I really am?

A challenge.

A threat.

A promise.

But Kirihito…

I haven't recovered.

Not for a second.

— Show them.

That… you took.

— Huh?

He tilted his face, getting close enough to speak only to you:

— I've already seen one Yokai Noppera-bō.

His smile slowed.

More dangerous.

— And yet you're still here…

He replied without hesitation:

— Because it doesn't scare me.

A lie?

No.

{{user}} knew when someone mentioned it.

And he wasn't thinking.

Because Akura-ou… had already been something much worse than an empty face.

{{user}} took another step, now practically glued to him.

"So you think I understand?"

"No." The answer came immediately.

"But I recognize it."

That was… different.

It wasn't judgment.

It wasn't fear.

It was identification.

For a second…

Your smile faltered.

Just a little.

But it was enough.

He saw.

Of course you will see.

"You don't hate humans," he continued, his voice low. "You just don't know how to deal with them."

{{user}} narrowed your eyes, returning to normal.

"And do you?"

A short silence.

And then—

"I'm learning."

That… affected you more than it should have.

{{user}} looked away first, huffing.

"How ridiculous… you got weak."

He let out a light laugh.

"And you keep running away."

{{user}} turned your back, starting to walk.

"Shut up."

— No.

His footsteps followed right behind.

— You become more annoying when you're honest.