"He's the Demon of Nine Years Ago."
In the midst of the school's cafeteria, the trio wandered to a table near the counter, with Wyne and Trizha looking at Margaret in surprise at what she just said.
Other students walk in about, either bickering, talking, or anything else. Mostly… about him.
And this was just one of them—At this moment, Margaret is explaining the story of Nomoro Ketatsuki.
"Nine years ago, there was a school shooting incident in some kindergarten school. But, it was an unusual one—a demon appeared, and killed everyone in it. Including the shooters themselves."
Margaret said, her tone deep and serious. Trizha and Wyne couldn't help but listen intently—one of them was even gulping.
After all, this person Margaret was describing was exactly in their class.
"It was an infamous incident. And that demon, locals said, had constructed cat-like eyes, and its body was separated between human flesh and demon armor-like skin. That was just rumors, though."
"...and I'm presuming that they targeted Nomoro as the crime suspect? The demon himself? Just because he had similar eyes?" Wyne asked.
"Yes, and no." Margaret responded. "The demon had a different name, and what we all had right now was Nomoro Ketatsuki. It could be a misunderstanding, could be a coincidence."
With that, Wyne leaned her back against her chair in relief.
"Ah, so basically, it's just a misunderstanding; People thought that HE was the demon, but he wasn't after all?"
"I wouldn't say he isn't. There is evidence to support that argument." Margaret exclaimed, then added more, "In his previous school years, he was the top student when it comes to Physical Education subjects. That intrigued the rumor spreading even more, and people started rightfully assuming that he is the Demon of nine years ago."
Margaret then clicked her tongue as she took a sip of her water bottle as a short break.
"...moreover, the average age in our grade sections would be 16, including Nomoro himself. To enter kindergarten, you have to be at least 7 years old. When did the incident occur? 9 years ago. 7 minus 16 would be 9. Therefore, there's a good chance that Nomoro COULD be the demon of nine years ago."
Wyne's expression then became thoughtful at that moment, as she looked up at the ceiling to contemplate.
"We're 16… that was nine years ago, and then 7…"
"It means Nomoro was 7 when it happened, slowpoke." Trizha called out.
"Who are you calling slowpoke, blondie?"
"Thanks for calling me something obvious."
"Well look who's talking!"
"Huuhh??"
"Heeehhh???"
A spark of tension dawned as the two clashed their heads like swords, gritting like dogs. Margaret just sat there, sighing and continuing what she said.
"As I was saying, there is no evidence that Nomoro was an orphan nor did he belong in Japan. If you look closely, he doesn't even look anything close to an actual Japanese person."
In an instant, hearing Margaret explain further was enough to make Wyne and Trizha stop their bickering. Wyne was first to speak out.
"Quick question, where did you get all that information?" Trizha asked softly.
"I researched it."
"Wait, you researched it all? Just now?" Wyne said.
"I researched the Demon of Nine Years Ago case some time ago, I thought you guys would know since it was popular."
"Hold on, don't you think it is a bit too cruel to accuse a stranger that he is who they thought he was?"
"Well, there were some people who were empathetic enough to try to prove the theory wrong. But Nomoro was a bit too strange, and the evidence and proof that he was that demon was too good to be false."
"So… that means he's still on hold and being investigated?"
"Actually, they don't know where he lives. He can't be investigated."
Wyne sat there, surprised to herself.
"I can't believe I'm believing everything you just said right now, Margaret."
"I wouldn't believe me either; it's something straight out of a fantasy." Margaret said.
"You know what I just noticed?" Trizha snorted, leaning into the table cheerfully. "Margaret hasn't said anything creepy the entire time."
Wyne just rolled her eyes, muttering "idiot" as she crossed her arms.
"Trizha, everything Margaret said was creepy itself." She then smirked. "Seems like you're more of a slowpoke than I am."
"Shut up." Trizha pouted in annoyance.
***
"Ahhh!! It's him!!"
A loud scream was suddenly heard from the distance. Anyone who heard it turned over their head towards that one direction, the trio included.
Over the distance, a girl had just staggered and fell down to the ground rear first, looking up in fear while pointing her finger out accusingly at the man in front of her—
—It was Nomoro.
The students around him, made their distances and glared at his face. Nomoro, on the other hand, slowly reached out his arm towards the fallen girl.
"B-back off!!" The girl shouted, backing away further.
Nomoro didn't say anything. His face was relaxed, and he didn't look bothered. He just leaned away and gave the girl a silent apology before walking past her, as anyone he walked past made their distances even farther.
"Poor him." Wyne muttered. "This is his first day of school and people are already treating him too harshly, despite T. Myrcella's words."
Margaret just sighed, shaking her head in disappointment. "This is exactly what happens to people who are popular… in the wrong way. The community will always mask the truth with justice and call it justification."
People talked, people muttered, people murmured, everyone was focused on just that one man; all they saw was pity, cruelty, and many others.
But only one of them stood differently amongst the chaos that had been erupting—and that was Trizha.
She saw… an opportunity.
"Anyways, Trizha. I've heard that you were falling off and slowly losing your reputation as a renowned Influencer in this city. All you've been doing is chasing trends as your content instead of your originality." Wyne said, Margaret turning over to listen.
"You're becoming more like Khaby Lame, you know. You have to start thinking of what to do if you wanna keep your platform as it is–"
"I have an idea." Trizha suddenly said.
"What?"
"I know what to do."
"Really?"
Trizha smiled and looked at Wyne and Margaret with a cheerful smile and a dedicated look on her face.
"What are you going to do?" Wyne asked curiously.
"I'm going to…
Some time later.
"...Collab with me!!!"
In the halls of the school, Trizha shouted those words with one of her arms extended with hands out and open palm, standing in front of the one and only… Nomoro Ketatsuki, who looked at her with an aloof, yet unreadable expression.
The two of them are standing next to a staircase of the school, with some students walking past nearby, taking a few glances and muttering and whispering to themselves;
"Is that Izha…?"
"What is she doing with him?"
"Did I just hear 'collab'?"
Trizha stood there, getting anxious at the moment. She was waiting for his response. Any could be taken, as long as it takes her out of this humiliating misery…
"...I refuse."
…except for a 'No'.
"What?!" She said, shocked.
"Sorry, but I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because I can't."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Everything."
With that, Nomoro suddenly and simply walked across and past Trizha, making her gasp at his sudden move.
But she followed him anyway and walked beside him. She wasn't willing to give just yet—this is a person with a reputation, and a person with a reputation will always be an opportunity.
"D-do you even know who I am?" She stammered.
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"Long enough." He said casually.
"And you're not even interested in the slightest? Not interested in the renowned Influencer of this city, Izha??"
"Not a chance."
"Fine, I'll give you a shoutout on some social media platforms!"
"No thank you."
"You were seen as a terrible person, right? I can help you solve that problem!"
"No need."
"I can make anyone give you a good view!"
"They can do that to themselves."
"Alright, how about this—if you know me long enough, that means you know about my merchandise!"
She then took out her phone mid-walk, showing Nomoro the items she was selling, trying to keep her cheerful exterior.
"If you accept my collaboration, I'll grant you 60% off my merchandise!"
"Too expensive."
"Okay, how about 80%?! This is a lifetime opportunity!!"
"No."
"90!!"
"Still no…"
"Are you reconsidering? You're definitely reconsidering!"
"...not a chance."
"Oh come on!!"
Trizha threw her arms out as she groaned stubbornly in frustration. But as they walked, she noticed that his pace was getting faster.
She increased her pace as well, trying to keep up with him, ignoring the students they pass by, no matter how awkward it was becoming.
Soon enough, they reached the entrance of a staircase where the first floor is downstairs.
But right before Nomoro could walk down, Trizha blocked his path just in time, spreading her arms wide just enough to block away space.
She gasps for air, breathing heavily after what seemed like countless attempts to convince Nomoro for a collaboration with not just words, but walking as well.
Nomoro's cat-like eyes looked down on her with concern in his face, his left arm extending towards her but not too close to touch her.
"Are you…–"
Nomoro was then cut off by Trizha after she instantly raised a finger in his face.
"...If… if what you're about to say is that I'm done, I'm not. This is going to be my final attempt…" she said, panting. "In exchange to join my collaboration…"
She inhaled deeply, letting the air enter her lungs, preparing herself for what she is about to say next.
These next few words and one sentence will determine the worth of all her efforts.
That includes that very thing she wants most—his cooperation.
She is willing to do anything just for this one opportunity.
"...I'll give you a kiss!"
"Screw that." Nomoro ultimately said, casually walking past her and going downstairs towards the first floor.
"Uuuggghhhh!!!"
Trizha groaned loudly enough for anyone to hear and notice her.
All her efforts, all that dedication, all just for that one opportunity, completely vanished before her eyes.
Her conversation with Nomoro was already awkward, and this moment made it even worse; it's humiliating. It's embarrassing for someone like her.
She clenched her fists, gritted her teeth. This time, she decided to be reckless.
"...just what is wrong with you?"
Her words sting, and that was enough to make Nomoro stop in his tracks.
"Just why can't you cooperate?"
Her tone was low and desperate, slowly turning her head around to look down on Nomoro and shed tears.
"What don't you understand? Can't see my efforts? My dedication? Don't you understand what I'm doing just for you?!"
She roared, looking down on the so-called Demon of Nine Years Ago without fear, just… hatred.
However, Nomoro stood there, silent and unfazed by her words.
"I gave you an opportunity to better yourself! But no, you're too careless to do that. In fact, I don't even think you care about yourself!"
The world fell silent to her words. The only thing that can be heard… was she and herself.
"...I get it. I see now. You're just a demon. In the end, you'll never help–"
"Stop it."
But the world of silence she made soon came to an end… when Nomoro spoke to her.
"Stop making yourself… any worse… than you already are."
His words were deep, but it was soft and gentle.
As soft as a foam, as gentle as a slow touch. There was a slight hesitant tone in it, but his words came out clear and just.
Trizha was speechless at those words. For a moment, a thought never came out for her to talk back.
It was as if she was cornered with a broken sword, surrounded by the truth.
After all… she herself chose… the wrong route.
Nomoro saw that she didn't say anything afterwards, and decided to just nod and leave without saying anything. Trizha was left there, speechless and unmoving, inactive.
And that was simply because…
…from another person's words, she heard herself.
"Hi Izha!!"
"Hey Izha! We've been looking for you!!"
"Hey, can we have an autograph?"
In the midst of everything, some people still had the strength to come around and expect something nonetheless; as a group of fan girls approached the unmoving Trizha Frantzes.
But at this moment, Trizha just stood there and never answered their prayers.
"Izha…?"
"Hey, are you there?"
"Hellooo…!"
Noticing that she hasn't moved, the group decided to leave her alone.
But the next second… she moved. She clenched her fists harder, veins popping out of her forehead as she showed her hatred in person.
"You're not going to cooperate? Fine… I'll do it myself."
And so, she left that area, with a plan ahead—a plan… against the Demon of Nine Years Ago.
As said, the community will always mask the truth with justice and call it justification.
That's exactly what she will do next… all just for her popularity.
After all, that's what it means to be an Influencer.