Akira blinked in confusion, still trying to process the chaotic group dynamic.
He turned to Saki, voice hesitant.
”Um… Saki-san, what exactly did Kairo-sensei do in the past to make you this—?”
”Don’t talk to me!” Saki shouted angrily, cutting him off.
Her voice echoed down the hallway.
She looked down at the floor, fists clenched tightly at her sides.
Her shoulders trembled slightly, and her eyes glistened with pure rage — the kind that looked like it might spill over into frustrated tears at any second.
Haruto stepped forward quickly, raising both hands in an awkward attempt to calm the situation.
He flashed a nervous smile.
“H-hey, Saki, take it easy.
We’re all on the same team now, right?
Let’s not blow up the hallway on the new guy’s first day…”
Yumi simply adjusted her glasses with one finger, her expression remaining calm and neutral as she observed Akira.
Her sharp eyes studied him like he was a curious specimen — equal parts caution and quiet analysis.
Before the silence could get any heavier, Kairo’s voice cut through.
This time, he wasn’t laughing.
His usual playful tone had vanished, replaced by something firmer and more serious.
”Saki,” he said, stepping closer to her.
“I know you’re angry.
What happened last night was dangerous, and I put you in that position alone.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder, gentler this time.
“But this isn’t about me playing around.
Gashin is an ancient threat.
If we execute every vessel we find, we’re no better than the monsters we fight.
Akira has a chance to control it.
And you… you’re one of my best students.
I need you to help him grow.
Not because it’s easy.
But because it’s necessary.”
Saki stayed quiet for a moment, still staring at the floor.
She roughly shrugged Kairo’s hand off her shoulder.
”…I hate this,” she muttered bitterly.
“I hate that you’re always right about these stupid decisions.”
Kairo gave a small, tired smile — not his usual goofy one.
“I’m not always right.
But I trust my students.
Including you.”
The group continued walking again, the atmosphere still thick with tension. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Haruto tried lightening the mood by nudging Akira with his elbow.
“Don’t worry too much, new guy.
Saki’s scary when she’s mad, but she’s actually really reliable in a fight.
You’ll get used to it… probably.”
Yumi finally spoke, her voice soft but direct.
“Just make sure that demon inside you doesn’t go berserk during training.
We’ve already lost enough people to possessions this year.”
Akira nodded slowly, swallowing hard.
The red scarf around his neck felt heavier with every passing minute.
He could almost feel something ancient and dark stirring faintly beneath his skin — not awake, but watching.
Kairo clapped his hands once, trying to shift the mood.
“Alright!
Enough heavy talk.
Let’s get you all to the training grounds.
Time to see what our new demonic classmate can do.”
Saki shot one last sharp glance at Akira before turning away.
This was only the beginning.