Riku's morning had already started badly—he woke up late, skipped breakfast, and had to sprint halfway to school while praying he wouldn't pass out from starvation.
By the time he made it to campus, his stomach was making sounds that could summon a demon.
"Food. I need food," he mumbled, dragging himself toward salvation—the school vending machine.
As he approached, a girl from his class, the same one who had spoken to him before, casually leaned against the nearby railing. She glanced at him and smirked.
"Careful with that thing," she said. "It doesn't like people."
Riku, still half-asleep, waved her off. "Yeah, yeah. It's a machine. What's it gonna do, declare war on me?"
She just shook her head. "Your funeral."
Not that Riku cared. His focus was on one thing: coffee.
He pulled out a few coins, inserted them, and pressed the button.
... (Silence)
He pressed it again. ...
He squinted at the machine. "Hey. I gave you money. Where's my coffee?"
ERROR. PLEASE TRY AGAIN.
He slammed the button many times in a row.
ERROR. PLEASE TRY AGAIN.
A muscle in his jaw twitched.
"Try what again?! You didn't even TRY the first time!"
The vending machine remained silent.
Riku wasn't having it. He grabbed the machine and shook it violently. "OYE! YOU! GIMME MY COFFEE!"
The machine hummed ominously.
The girl sighed. "You really shouldn't—"
BANG.
A single can of coffee shot out at the speed of light—straight into his stomach.
"OOF—!" Riku stumbled back, clutching his gut.
The girl casually walked over, crouched down, and picked up the fallen can. She turned it over in her hands before glancing at him. "That was entertaining," she said.
Riku, still recovering, let out a tired groan. "At least let me have that after what I just went through…"
She twirled the can between her fingers, then gave him a smirk. "Tell you what—join the Paranormal Club, and this is yours."
Riku blinked. "Wait, what?"
She raised the can slightly, as if making an official offer. "You want your coffee? You sign up."
He stared at her, then at the vending machine, then back at her. "...You work fast, huh?"
She grinned. "Hey, you caught my interest. And clearly, you need all the luck you can get with haunted things."
Riku sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "I don't even know your name, and you're already blackmailing me with my coffee."
"Hana," she said smoothly.
"Hana," he repeated. "Right. Okay. I'll remember that when I'm getting revenge for my coffee."
She spun the can once more. "So? Deal?"
Riku glanced at the glowing vending machine, still mocking him with its silence.
This wasn't over.
But for now… he really needed that coffee.
"Fine," he grumbled. "But only because I have unfinished business with this vending machine."
Hana handed him the can with a victorious smirk.
"Welcome to the Paranormal Club."