A minute later, the four of them walked down the long, quiet hallway of the academy.
The silence was heavy and awkward.
Their footsteps echoed off the polished wooden floors.
Akira kept his head slightly lowered.
He glanced sideways at Yumi, who was quietly fixing her glasses, looking deep in thought.
Then at Haruto, who stared straight ahead with a neutral expression.
Finally, his eyes met Saki’s.
She was staring at him.
Intensely.
Akira blinked and quickly looked away, sweat forming on his forehead.
“Um… look, about last night, I really—”
”Glad I was forced to team up with you,” Saki cut him off sharply, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
She shot him another angry glare.
“You look so pathetic without that demon inside you.
Just a weak, ordinary guy.
It’s almost disappointing.”
Akira stopped walking for a second.
“I know what Gashin did to you.
I don’t expect you to forgive me right away, but… I really am sorry.”
Saki stared at him for a long moment, her expression cold.
“As if…” she muttered, turning her face away angrily.
She was still huffing, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out from behind them.
”Well, well~ Look at you kids getting along already!”
Kairo appeared with his usual fox-like smirk, hands in his pockets as he casually caught up to the group.
“The tension is so thick I could cut it with a talisman.
How cute.”
Akira turned to him.
“Kairo-sensei… this is kind of awkward.”
Kairo chuckled and walked straight up to Saki.
He wrapped his right arm around her shoulder in a friendly, overly familiar way.
“Listen, Saki-chan.
Forgiving him means you’re worthy of being a true exorcist. This chapter was taken from novelping.com without permission.
Holding onto anger only clouds your judgment and weakens your spirit.
Besides, this kid’s got Gashin inside him!
Think of the training opportunities—”
As Kairo continued yapping with his bright, carefree tone, Saki’s face turned bright red with irritation.
”Get off me!” she shouted, angrily shoving Kairo’s arm away.
“Stop acting like this is normal!
That thing almost killed me last night!
And now you want me to just smile and play nice with his vessel?!
Of all the insane decisions you’ve made, this has to be the worst!
What if Gashin wakes up and tries to eat us during training?!
Are you even thinking?!”
Kairo stumbled back a step from the push, but his goofy smile never left his face.
He rubbed the back of his neck, laughing lightly.
Haruto and Yumi exchanged awkward glances behind them.
Akira just stood there, unsure whether to say anything else or stay quiet.
The red scarf around his neck suddenly felt a lot tighter.