Suddenly, Rei Ao's brow knitted.
In one corner of the room he sensed a faint ripple of power—an energy that did not belong to this world.
He strode over to examine the spot, yet outwardly nothing looked amiss.
"What's wrong?" Tsuruyama Shirahi asked, tense.
"I've found a clue," Rei Ao replied. "But the situation may be more complicated than we imagined.
Tonight I'd like to keep watch here and see if those strange phenomena return."
"Right. I'll speak with Miss Mahiru."
Shirahi nodded. "All right—I'll stay with you."
Darkness cloaked Miracle Garden.
Rei Ao and Shirahi sat in the children's dormitory and waited. The room was utterly silent save for the wind outside.
After an indeterminate time the air temperature plummeted; a chill swept over them.
"It's here," Rei Ao murmured.
A faint, miserable sobbing echoed through the room—so forlorn it made one's skin crawl.
Shirahi gripped Rei Ao's hand. "That's the sound!"
He patted the back of her hand. "Don't be afraid—I'm here."
Following the sound, they discovered it came from inside the wall.
Rei Ao placed his palm against the bricks and released a gentle surge of power. The masonry trembled; moments later a hidden recess slid open.
Inside lay an ancient box carved all over with enigmatic runes.
The instant his fingers touched it, the runes blazed with eerie light, flooding the room.
At the same moment a violent gale roared through the window, hurling objects everywhere.
A shadow coalesced at the center of the room, resolving into a pale woman with vacant eyes.
"Why have you disturbed my rest?"
Her voice was icy and hollow, echoing off the walls.
Shirahi cowered behind Rei Ao, trembling.
Rei Ao met the apparition's gaze without flinching. "We only seek the truth. Why are you terrifying the children?"
"Truth?" The ghost let out a cold laugh.
"You would not wish to know. This is my domain—leave!"
Black energy erupted from her hands, lashing toward them.
Rei Ao snorted. He lifted his own hand—
The dark force detonated in his palm. The specter shrieked, a piercing wail that ripped the night apart, and her form twisted, dissolving in a burst of iridescent light.
Shirahi clapped her hands over her ears. The last wisp of resentment scattered on the wind, carrying stray cherry‑blossom petals across her pale face.
"W‑what was that?" She backed away until she met the cold wall.
Moonlight spilled through the shattered window, outlining Rei Ao's profile like that of a god. Fading golden sigils still circled his fingertips. He shook his hand and the runes winked out like fireflies.
"An aggregation of negative emotions corrupted by energy from another realm," he said, gazing out at the courtyard, now calm again.
"This world is far more complex than you imagine: gods, demons, incursions from other dimensions— they all exist."
Shirahi's pupils contracted. Rumors she had always dismissed as superstition tumbled through her mind.
"So, Rei Ao… you can eliminate them?"
"It was nothing but a flick of the wrist."
A teasing light danced in his rainbow eyes. "For now, though, let's share the good news with Miss Mahiru."
Shirahi's thoughts whirled, her senses still reeling from the supernatural shock.
The corridor was dim; they stopped at Anekōji Mahiru's door. Rei Ao knocked—no answer.
Pressing his palm to the wood he felt a lingering chill: residual energy from beyond this world—faint, but dangerous.
He drew Shirahi close; space warped at their feet and in the next heartbeat they stood in a steam‑filled bathroom.
Mist curled above the tub where Mahiru's pale body floated half‑submerged, raven hair spread like seaweed.
Water trickled along her swan‑like neck.
"Mahiru‑nee!" Shirahi cried.
Rei Ao plunged his arms into the water and lifted the unconscious woman out, laying her on the tiles. Warm droplets slid down her shapely figure and darkened the cloth of his robe.
Kneeling, he touched a glowing point of gold to her brow.
Mahiru gave a faint moan; the bluish tinge left her lips.
"She inhaled residual other‑worldly energy—it disturbed her life‑force," he explained just as her lashes fluttered open. In the hazy light she saw Rei Ao's handsome face above her.
"So it was a dream…" Mahiru chuckled drily.
"Single for so long I fantasize about the first good‑looking boy I see. Am I really that desperate?"
Suddenly her arms looped around Rei Ao's neck. Damp hair brushed his hand, carrying the scent of citrus shampoo.
"Since it's a spring dream, handsome, why don't I …" Her warm, wet lips found his, while one slender hand slid—
Shirahi's eyes flew wide. She tried to look away, yet the scene held her frozen.
Mahiru drew back with a small gasp of admiration. "Is a man supposed to be… like that?"
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