The Shiraishikawa family wasn't particularly far from Sōbu High, only a 10-minute train ride. The wait for the train, however...
Brought a familiar face.
It was Yotsuya Miko, who went to school with her best friend, Yurikawa Hana. The barrier's range was only in their rented apartment. Outside of the safe and comfortable zone...
One could tell just from Miko's restrained and serious expression.
The ghosts, attracted by Yurikawa Hana's powerful life force, were always following them. For Miko, who possessed the ability to sense spirits...
It was quite a challenge.
Although Shiraishikawa had explained that as long as they pretended not to see them, there wouldn't be much impact, it was still extremely difficult to do.
"Shiraishi-kun, good morning!"
With her best friend, Yurikawa Hana's, reminder, Yotsuya Miko saw the figure on the platform ahead. The surprise of the unexpected meeting was overshadowed by the sense of security.
As long as Shiraishi-kun was there.
The ghosts around them would stay far away because of him. Yotsuya Miko hadn't realized, though, that she already harbored other feelings for Shiraishikawa, who was gentle and kind to her, having helped her so much.
She waved back, a faint smile gracing her face. "Good morning, Shiraishi-kun. I didn't expect to see you at the station."
"I have to go to school."
In another world, he would be considered a superpowered individual, but back in his real life, in high school, Shiraishikawa was just an ordinary high school student.
However...
He didn't dislike his mundane high school life, and being surrounded by beautiful girls wasn't so bad.
He simply greeted them.
He activated the "Demon Slayer" skill, "Diamond Body", and the ghosts, which were still about 10 meters away, fled instantly after sensing his presence.
"How have you been doing lately?"
"Much better than before."
Yotsuya Miko's sleep quality had gradually improved, and she didn't have to bear any psychological pressure at home. Her dark circles had even faded.
Having the same ability to sense spirits...
and being a Demon Slayer himself, Shiraishikawa naturally understood what she meant. Her eyes held a sense of gratitude as she said, "Thank you so much, Shiraishi-kun. The house is great."
"Right! Especially my big bedroom. The light is really good every morning."
Yurikawa Hana nodded in agreement. For this price, being able to rent a house with such a great environment, even though they hadn't been living together for long...
Her favorability for him had reached its maximum.
"Just make sure you feel at home."
Even though she was a silly, beautiful girl, Yurikawa Hana was still very likable. Shiraishikawa replied casually, his spiritual sense scanning her body.
He hadn't had much time to look at her yesterday.
There was still a faint lingering resentment. It seemed that the spirit hadn't completely given up. He needed to resolve this when he had some free time.
The train they were waiting for arrived quickly.
Many students were going to school in the morning, and it was difficult to find an empty seat after Shiraishikawa, Yotsuya Miko, and Yurikawa Hana boarded the train.
"I should think about buying a car for commuting when I turn 18 and get my license."
Looking at the changing scenery outside the window, Shiraishikawa, whose bank account was more than comfortable, suddenly had this thought.
He caught a faint scent of orchids.
He turned his head slightly, only to discover that Yotsuya Miko, standing beside him, seemed to have noticed his gaze focusing on her. She turned her head slightly.
Revealing her perfect profile.
Taking the initiative to strike up a conversation, Yotsuya Miko's voice was soft as she asked, "Shiraishi-kun, what's wrong... is there something on my face?"
"I just suddenly thought about getting a driver's license and buying a car for commuting."
Shiraishikawa didn't hesitate to tell her. Seeing Yotsuya Miko's slightly trembling eyelashes, he added with a smile, "But..."
"That thought suddenly faded."
"With Shiraishi-kun's conditions, shouldn't you be thinking about the driver's license, not the price?"
Yotsuya Miko raised her head, a little curious, but when her eyes met Shiraishikawa's, her inner shyness made her turn her head slightly.
"If I could see Miko every day on my way to and from school..."
"What would be the point of buying a car?"
These seemingly lighthearted words made Yotsuya Miko's fair cheeks flush red. She didn't say anything, but just turned her head away so that she wouldn't be seen.
Saying something like that...
It was too unfair!
#
Sōbu High.
In the F class of the second year of high school, some unremarkable students had been replaced by Yotsuya Miko and Yurikawa Hana.
The class environment hadn't changed much.
The student group led by Hayato Ezaki and Miura still existed, and Shiraishikawa's "status" in the class was also at the top.
His landlord's relatively affluent family conditions.
Since the beginning of the second year, he had consistently held one of the top 3 positions in the grade, and he got along well with most of his classmates because he was easy to talk to.
Upon arriving in the classroom.
After exchanging greetings with the classmates around him, he had just put his bag on his desk when a figure clad in a black women's suit appeared at the classroom door.
Her tall, perfect figure perfectly accentuated the curves of the women's suit.
Her long black hair cascaded down her shoulders. Hiratsuka Shizuka looked around first, then her gaze settled on Shiraishikawa, and a smile curved her lips.
"Shiraishikawa, come with me to the teacher's office!"
"..."
He had been thinking that there wasn't any Japanese language class today, so he could avoid running into Hiratsuka Shizuka, but he hadn't expected that she would come looking for him specifically.
Wearing women's high heels...
The already tall Hiratsuka-sensei was only half a head shorter than him. She greeted the other students enthusiastically as she walked past them.
How should he explain...
Shiraishikawa really hadn't thought about it, but just followed her to the office's lounge. Hiratsuka Shizuka sat down on the sofa in a relaxed manner, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
She pulled a pack of cigarettes from her suit pocket.
Lighting one, she took a long drag before turning her gaze to Shiraishikawa. "Hey, Shiraishikawa, is there a vacancy in the Classic Literature Club?"
"..."
He thought she was going to ask about his absence.
Shiraishikawa was surprised that she was asking about the club, but he shook his head and said, "Currently, there are 5 members."
"Me, Chitanda, Yotsuya, and the first-year, Tsuruya Kumin. There's also a third-year senior who's in the club."
"..."
"There's a student in the International Program named Yukinoshita Yukino. You should remember her, right?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes were fixed on Shiraishikawa, and she added, "Yukinoshita-san wants to start a club, and the club rooms are a bit tight."
"I came to ask you what you think. Can you share the same club room?"