---
---
Earlier That Day…
Yuki was still recovering from the incident—Aiko crashing into him, public humiliation, emotional scarring.
He avoided her the rest of the day.
But she found him after school anyway.
"Yuki," she said, stepping in front of him like she was waiting.
He sighed. "If you're here to mock me again—"
"You're not normal."
"…What?"
Aiko looked serious now. Eyes sharp. "Your energy's overflowing. Even someone half-blind spiritually would sense it. You're waking up—and I think I know how to help."
He blinked. "You're serious?"
She nodded. "Meet me after school. Forest path behind the gym. We're going to the shrine."
Yuki hesitated. "Why should I trust you?"
She smirked. "Because you're scared. And curious. And maybe because I saved you from being devoured by your own awkwardness."
"…That's not a real thing."
"It should be."
"So… you're glowing."
Yuki blinked at Aiko. "I what?"
She crossed her arms as they walked the path toward the edge of town. "Your aura. It's like... blazing. Wild. And unstable. You've got about as much subtlety as a thunderstorm wearing sunglasses."
"That's not even a thing."
"Exactly."
Yuki sighed. "Where are we even going?"
The shrine was nestled between twisted trees and forgotten stone lanterns. Moss clung to the steps, and the air hung heavy, like it hadn't moved in years.
Aiko stepped forward, brushing her fingers across a worn wooden post.
"This place used to be sacred," she whispered. "Now it's… off."
Yuki felt it too. The cold that wasn't from the wind. The weight on his chest. The way shadows seemed to twitch when you weren't looking.
Suddenly—
CRACK!
The ground split near the shrine gate.
A blast of dark, inky energy burst forth—and from it, something slithered out. A twisted shape, part mist, part shadow, with glowing white eyes and a jagged mouth.
"What the—what is that?!"
"A corrupted spirit," Aiko said, her voice tense. "They're drawn to unstable power. Like yours."
It lunged.
Yuki froze—but his body moved.
Faster than thought, he dodged left, then ducked under a swipe of claws. His eyes flashed briefly with silver light. His breath hitched.
He knew what the thing would do next—like he could feel it.
It attacked.
He caught its wrist mid-swipe, shocking himself. Then he threw it backward—into the side of the shrine. The spirit hissed and dissolved into smoke, leaving nothing behind.
Silence.
Yuki looked at his hands, shaking. "What… was that?"
Aiko stared, wide-eyed. "You just awakened… part of your aura. That was instinct. Your body reacted without thinking."
She stepped closer, scanning him again. "You really aren't human. At least, not fully."
Yuki's heart pounded. "Then… what am I?"
She hesitated.
"I don't know. But whatever you are... it scares even the spirits."