[Edited]
You found yourself in your homeroom classroom, taking a moment to settle into your seat by the doors. As you sat down, your mind began to wander, lost in your thoughts. Soon enough, the teacher entered the room and started explaining the lesson for the day. Your attention slowly drifted away from the teacher's words, your gaze fixated on the window opposite of your desk. The soft breeze whispered through the glass, carrying with it the scent of fresh blossoms from the nearby garden. Your mind wandered to distant places, far beyond the confines of the classroom walls. You had imagined yourself doing anything BUT school, yet here you are... But as your daydreams carried you further into unknown territories, a nagging voice in the back of your mind reminded you of reality.
The weight of unfinished assignments and looming deadlines pressed upon your shoulders, reminding you that there was work to be done. Reluctantly, You pulled yourself back to the present moment. You refocused your attention on the teacher's voice, determined to absorb every piece of knowledge being shared. You soon felt a tap on your shoulder and turned to see your classmate, Natsuhiko Hyuga, requesting a spare pencil.
"Hey, do you have an extra pencil? Beautiful?" Natsuhiko's voice barely reached your ears, as if carried by a gentle breeze. You turned to face him, with a not-so-enthusiastic look plastered on your face. your reply was equally hushed.
"Sure, here you go." you handed him a sharpened pencil, your fingers brushing briefly in the exchange. Natsuhiko smiled gratefully, his eyes gleaming with appreciation. His messy red and black hair was styled into an undercut. He has grey eyes. He is considered quite good-looking, as noted by the girls in your class. He also wears the usual Kamome Academy High School boy's uniform. His uniform shirt is unbuttoned and has its sleeves rolled up to reveal a teal, long-sleeved t-shirt. He also wears a germanium necklace with a red cord, 'strange.'
"Thanks," he whispered, his words barely audible amidst the classroom's muted atmosphere. You nodded softly and returned your attention to the teacher at the front of the room. But before you could fully immerse yourself in the lesson again, Natsuhiko leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper." I hope we can finish this project soon," he murmured, his tone carrying a hint of longing.
A flicker of understanding passed between them. You nodded subtly, sharing his sentiment. "Me too," you replied softly, your voice tinged with boredom. As the teacher continued with the lesson, Natsuhiko leaned closer to You, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He whispered a joke so funny that You couldn't help but snicker at the joke. "God that's dumb!" You let out, looking at him, while slight laughter escapes your lips.
But just as you were both enjoying the moment, an abrupt "ahem" from your guys teacher shattered the air. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned toward them. Your cheeks flushed with embarrassment as you quickly composed yourself, trying to stifle any remaining giggles. Natsuhiko's grin faded slightly, replaced by a sheepish expression. "Sorry, teach..." Natsuhiko muttered. You both knew you two had been caught in a moment of lightheartedness amidst the serious classroom atmosphere.
With a gentle nod from your teacher, you reluctantly returned your focus to the lesson, suppressing any further laughter that threatened to escape. After class, You and Natsuhiko gathered your guys belongings and made your way out of the classroom.
A playful smile tugged at the corners of Natsuhiko's lips as he fell into step beside you."So," he began, his voice filled with a mischievous undertone, "what do you say we grab some ice cream to celebrate surviving that lesson?" You chuckled, your eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I could use a sweet treat after all that, So why not" You replied, playfully nudging him with your elbow. You both walked together down the hallway, your laughter mingling with the chatter of other students. As you both reached the school's exit, Natsuhiko extended his arm, holding open the door for You. "Allow me," he said with a mock bow, a teasing glimmer in his eyes.
You grinned and stepped through the doorway, feeling a warm rush of gratitude towards Natsuhiko. You both continued your banter-filled walk towards the nearby vending machine
In that simple gesture and shared laughter, You couldn't help but feel a growing sense of fondness for Natsuhiko. And as you both indulged in creamy scoops of ice cream.
Natsuhiko sighed, his eyes filled with worry as he leaned against the classroom door. He glanced at You, hoping you would understand without him having to say it outright.
With a loud 'ahem', you finally noticed his deperate plea of attention and comfort. After finishing your ice cream, you asked what was wrong. And he soon explained that The Student Council was threatening to shut down their beloved club if they didn't recruit more members soon. "I don't know what to do," Natsuhiko confessed, his voice tinged with desperation.
"Sakura, the club president...she's been trying so hard to find new members, but no one seems interested." Your eyebrows furrowed in concern as you listened intently. Natsuhiko's words hung in the air, a silent plea for your assistance. Suddenly, an idea sparked in Your mind. You bit your lip nervously before speaking up.
"Well, maybe I could join?" You suggested tentatively. "I mean, if it helps save the club..."A glimmer of hope shone in Natsuhiko's eyes as he looked at you, gratitude evident on his face. "You would do that? You would join my club?" You smiled warmly and nodded.
"Of course," you replied. "If it means keeping the club alive and helping this Sakura girl out, count me in." Natsuhiko's fake sorrows washed away, replaced by a cheeky smile that danced upon his lips. He couldn't help but admire your selflessness and willingness to join his club, all for the sake of saving it from the clutches of the Student Council.
"Thank you," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
"You have no idea how much this means to us." you shrugged nonchalantly, a playful glint in your eyes. "Hey, what are friends for? I know we just met... but I've been recently needing an excuse to stay after hours at the school." You quipped, nudging him with your elbow.
"So... if you don't mind- I'd love to join...!" You said, accompanied with a gentle smile on your face. Natsuhiko smiled back and winked at you. "I knew I could rely on a pure beauty like yourself~," He said, doing some form of- kissy face. You cringed nodded slowly. He soon ran off to meet up with his lady friend, also known as "Sakura Nanamine". The broadcasting clubs President.
You sighed and waved him off, before heading towards the stairs. You soon felt buzzing coming from your pocket. It must be your phone... another order from Yuta probably...
_____
[Could you possibly investigate the corner shop near here? I heard from locals and students that there was an inhuman stench lingering in the alleyway. Could you go and investigate it for me?]
-Seen..
_____
You looked at your phone, and then the clock on the wall- 'I got time...' you thought. Before running off to the school gates.
Little did You know. An apparition was observing them closely. He jumped down from where he was sitting and approached Natsuhiko. "Did you do it? Did she say yes!" He said his voice beaming with excitment. Natsuhiko looks down at the little runt before him, and smirks. "Yup! Looks like we got ourselves a new recruit." He said, leaning on the wall. The boy with amber eyes looked at the you slowly walking away. He smirks, before giggling to himself and he starts to float in the air.
"Hey, hey! Do you think they remember me?" He asked spinning in the air as he threw his arms around. "Not sure, maybe." He shrugged. The ambered-eyed boy swoons as he watched your retreating figure.
Eyes filled with adoration and longing. He snapped his fingers and out came his koku-joudai. A black wisp with a green swirl in its centre. He whispers to it and it whisks itself into a black paper crane. It swooped down and hid itself in the your uniforms pocket. Before leaving the school grounds, and making your way through the very busy streets. People passing by, full of smiles- some smiled at you, some others looking away- minding their own business. You didn't mind. Not much you can do about it, but smile at them politely.
[FIRST POV]
I turned down a street, and made it to a small shop- full of snacks, drinks, and basic everyday necessities! The person walks inside. Looking around, before seeing the cashier. It was a sweet old lady, who appeared to be in her late 80's. I walked around the store a bit, before picking up a pack of Dorayaki! I walked over to the counter to pay for them.
"That'll be 48 Yen." The sweet old lady mutters as she looks at me with a gentle smile. I grabbed my wallet and paid for the item. I looked around, seeing if there were any passers-by, before deciding there weren't any, so I leaned onto the counter a bit.
"If you don't mind me asking... have there been any stories about an Alleyway near here?" The old lady stared at the coins in her palm, before shakily looking up. "Yes sadly... disappearances of young kids too..." The old lady looked up with sad eyes. "A boy that used to come here every day, recently went into the alleyway to get home... but ever since that night... he never came by once..." She wiped her cheek, which I'd assume had a tear going down. "He was taken away and killed by that ghastly apparition...!" She murmured under her breath. Now THIS caught my attention.
"What apparition?" I ask, opening up my Dorayaki, and biting into it. "Kuchisake-onna..." I choked on the bits of food in my mouth. "What...? You mean the slit-mouth woman?" I ask, tilting my head. She nods. I knew it... This spirit was powerful- but without a boundary, she was just a plain old apparition. "I'll fix it ma'am... just you wait!" I say, a smile making its way onto my lips. I turned on my heel and made my way to the Alleyway.
I nippled into the Dorayaki some more, as I continued in. "Gosh! This is good!!" I say as I start to skip my way into the alleyway. I heard shuffling behind me, which I paid no mind to. That's when I felt a hand rest on my shoulder.
"Do...you...think...im...pretty......?" I turned to see- a woman with a face mask, long jet-black hair, and a green trench coat that was buttoned-up. I smiled up at the lady, and I nodded. "Yes, I do! You're very stunning for an apparition!" The woman stood there, eyes wide, She took off her face mask, which revealed two slits that make it so she looks like she has a permanent smile. "A M I P R E E T Y N O W?" She lets out, before taking a pair of razor-sharp scissors and slashing it at me- it missed! Luckily! But it knocked my Dorayaki out of my hands. I looked down, sadness appearing across my face. I looked up at her, pure annoyance at this point.
"Let's just get this over with..." I took out my Katana, which let out waves of electricity. I ran towards her, at full speed. And slashed at her face. She hastily dodges my attempted attack, moving to the side- and falling to the floor.
"A-AN EXORCIST! WHAT ARE YOU-" Before she could finish her sentence. I took a glass bottle that rolled up next to my foot and threw it at her. It smashed across her face, She hisses in pain. I licked my lips as I looked down at her, clearly amused by the state she was in.
"You see... Most of my happiness derives from sweets and foods... but nothing brings me more joy than seeing your kind in absolute sorrow and pain... so do me a favor..." I lift my Katana, making it face down to Kuchisake-onna.
"And just shrivel up and die for a second time...!" I lowered my blade onto her throat, a screamed for help she let out. I sliced at her, not letting her even scream for help with whatever was lurking in the shadows at this time. I continued to stab her repeatedly. Blood splattered onto the rubbish bins and the walls and floor. I did this notion for a few more seconds, not daring to look at whatever messed-up state she was in. As a final blow- I electrocuted her when my blade was in her chest. Her body jolts up a bit, before becoming completely limp after. After my work was done, I licked my lips- satisfied with my work today. I looked outside the Alleyway, looking for any signs of witnesses or life. Seeing as there was none, I smiled joyfully. Before going over to the remains of Kuchisake-onna, I took my beads out and bent down in front of the body. I brought my hands up, and I held the beads firmly in between both of my palms and soon started to pray to whatever god was up there, looking at this cursed mess... telling him to take the spirit of this old apparition, and guide her back to whatever paradise is up there, and to take care of her. I lowered my hands to my lap, now feeling a sort of dissatisfaction. I soon heard a buzz coming from my lower pocket. I sighed, knowing who it was. I picked up my phone while standing up.
"Yo! What's up Yuta?" I said while putting my dirtied blade into its holder. "You didn't go berserk again, did you?" He said on the other line, in a sort of calm and unamused tone he used. "Nah, but the body is in a... messed up state at the moment- It's sad... She barely fought back... not like I gave her the chance to! But I could tell, she didn't want to fight..." I say, sounding slightly sad. "Hey Yuta..." I heard a 'mhm' on the other line.
"Are we... the bad guys?"
[BONUS]
Teachers, and fellow co-workers! Ft: Mr. Tsuchigomori And Yuta-Sensei.
As Tsuchigomori patrolled the halls. He stumbled upon another fellow teacher. "Ah, Greetings!" Yuta beamed as he walked towards an already shivering Tsuchigomori. He finds the cheerful black-haired coworker of his... too- uncomfortable to be around.
"Still up to being one of my familiars?" Yuta said as he brought out the same contract and pen. "No." Tsuchigomori said shaking his head side to side. "Your no fun." Yuta said with a slight chuckle.
"So what brings you out here late at night. Shouldn't you be at home with your sister?" Tsuchigomori asked as he brought out his cigarette holder. "Nah, thought I'd greet a fellow spidery Teacher" Yuta responded as he leaned against the window.
"Ah, I see. Then would you like to go on patrol with me?"