Hearing Kiba Hoshiki's words, Miko Yotsuya felt her heart sink. She murmured quietly,"If that's the case, then this so-called door is truly dangerous."
Miko's mental strength was exceptional, and she was sharp enough to immediately grasp the gravity of the situation. If the ability for evil spirits to disguise themselves as humans really came from this "door," it would be nothing short of a disaster for spirit users like her.
The evil spirit that had just impersonated Hiratsuka Shizuka had no visible flaws in its appearance. Even if there were, Miko wouldn't have noticed. The worst part was, if she couldn't tell the difference, no matter how cautious she was, mistakes were bound to happen. And the consequences of mistaking an evil spirit for a real person didn't bear thinking about.
She couldn't rely on Kiba Hoshiki to come to her rescue every time she was in danger.
Thinking this through, Miko finally made up her mind. Her eyes hardened with resolve as she said slowly,"I want to see this door you mentioned. Is it nearby?"
"Yes," Kiba replied calmly.
Miko nodded."Good. Then after the last class today, after school, I want you to take me there."
"No problem."
When they returned to the classroom together, Miko noticed the curious and gossiping glances of the other students. It was obvious they were misinterpreting the nature of her relationship with Kiba.
But Miko didn't have the headspace to worry about that now. What truly weighed on her was how she could survive going forward if evil spirits could blend perfectly among humans. Everything else would have to wait.
When the class bell rang, Hiratsuka Shizuka entered promptly, wearing a white coat and yawning lazily. She stretched and wore a bored expression.
"Well, as usual, before the end of this class we'll elect class committee members. Anyone interested?"
The students responded with enthusiasm, shouting out names—but none were their own. Instead, they nominated others, avoiding the position themselves. From this, it was clear that no one wanted the job; being a committee member was seen as a burden to dodge.
Kiba sat silently in the corner, his gaze drifting outside the window. He didn't believe for a second that any classmate—or even Hiratsuka Shizuka—would select him. With all the wild rumors swirling around him, what kind of committee member would he be? The firearm manager? The official "weirdness eliminator" for the class? The thought amused him.
Seeing the students' lack of seriousness, Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed."I know this is only the first day, and you're all still strangers. It's hard to force you to vote right away."
She paused, then changed the subject."Let's do this: we'll hold the election again before the end of the school day this Friday."
"But I warn you—by then, everyone must vote and explain their reasons."
She glanced around the room, raised her slender, pale right hand into a fist, and shook it sternly."If anyone causes trouble, you'll face my iron fist."
The students laughed and the atmosphere lightened.
Only Kiba knew that her "iron fist" was no joke. This teacher was a martial artist who loved intense fighting scenes, and her punches were no joke. None of the students could withstand her.
After class, Kiba didn't linger. He left immediately with Miko.
Standing in the corridor, Touma Kazusa watched them go. Her eyes flickered with complicated emotion before resting on the can of Pepsi Cola in Kiba's right hand.
Miko first went to the office to find Hiratsuka Shizuka. The teacher didn't mind that Miko hadn't come during the break, but confirmed once more the location of the activity room. Since Kiba was involved, Hiratsuka worried Miko might not speak up directly, so she double-checked.
Miko gave the same slightly clumsy lie to cover things up.
Outside Soubu High School, Kiba led Miko through the streets, apparently wandering aimlessly for several hundred meters.
Miko wanted to ask questions but held back. After all, Kiba had saved her from the evil spirits. It hadn't been long since they left, and she didn't want to seem untrusting or impatient.
Finally, Kiba stopped at the entrance to a narrow, dark alley and pointed inside."It's in there."
Miko peered into the alley's depths, frowning. It wasn't because she saw evil spirits—on the contrary. The alley was unnervingly empty. No small harmless ghosts, nothing.
If not for Kiba's words, she might have thought the alley hid an ancient shrine brimming with spiritual energy.
"Come in. Prepare yourself mentally."
Miko took a deep breath, steadying her nerves, and nodded.
As soon as she stepped inside, her expression changed.
Her golden eyes widened in disbelief.
"What… what is this place?!"
The ordinary alley transformed before her eyes.
The darkness seemed alive, writhing and consuming the sky above.
Thick black mist—the same that she had seen on the evil spirits, only denser—filled the entire alley.
Though she couldn't smell anything, the atmosphere was suffocating.
At the farthest point stood an ancient wooden door, slightly ajar, silent and foreboding.
From the narrow crack spilled pure darkness—an aura of absolute nothingness.
Kiba's face remained calm, as though this was nothing new.
"That," he said softly, "is the door."