The city was alive with its usual buzz, the university no exception. Students chattered, oblivious to the deeper forces that sometimes crept just beyond their comprehension.

Mika strolled through the crowded hallways, mind swirling with the events of the previous day. She hadn't expected to run into Kuro here. That stoic guy from the restaurant, the one with the brooding eyes, seemed out of place in the bustling academic environment.

"What the hell are you doing here, Kuro?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Ahh… I'm doing my job, that's all. But who are you again?" Kuro replied casually, not even looking directly at her. His voice carried a tone of indifference as if her presence was an afterthought.

Mika blinked in disbelief. "I was your customer the other day. Remember? Three girls? Two days ago?"

Kuro glanced up at the ceiling, scratching his head. "Three girls... two days ago... Right?" He tapped his chin, pretending to rack his brain. "Oh yeah... Burger, right?"

"Yeah."

Before Mika could reply, a sharp voice cut through the air. "Oi, I told you to do your job, bro. I'm not gonna say it again!" Katsuragi, one of the infamous thugs from the university, stormed into the scene, eyes glowing red with fury.

Kuro didn't flinch. "I'm here to do my job, kid. Aren't you listening?" His tone remained calm, even as Katsuragi's face contorted in rage. Veins bulged in Katsuragi's neck, his fists clenched tight enough to turn his knuckles white.

Shiho, one of Katsuragi's lackeys, stepped forward, trying to defuse the situation. "Calm down, Katsuragi. We can settle this another time."

But Katsuragi was beyond reasoning. "Shut up, Shiho! I know what I'm gonna do. One after another, punks keep interfering in my business."

Shiho turned to Kuro, his expression a mix of desperation and fear. "Hey, cleaner, please… come back in an hour. You don't understand what's happening here."

Kuro tilted his head, his voice casual yet firm. "Are you guys fighting? You shouldn't fight like kindergarteners. You're university students, for God's sake. Wait… I saw you yesterday, near the bus stop. One girl was running and crying, and your whole group was there too. I thought it was some kind of love rejection drama or something."

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Katsuragi's jaw tightened even more, his temper boiling over. "Fine. Before I deal with her, I'll teach you a lesson, cleaner! Your first mistake was not listening to me. Your second? Talking down to me." Katsuragi lunged toward Kuro like a crazed animal, his fist aiming for Kuro's stomach.

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Mika's heart raced. "Hey! Come here, coward, and fight me!" she shouted, trying to distract Katsuragi, but he ignored her, charging ahead.

Katsuragi's punch connected with Kuro's stomach. The force was enough to knock the air out of most people, but Kuro barely budged. His eyes narrowed as he looked down at Katsuragi, more annoyed than pained.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" Kuro scoffed, wiping his mouth. "Are you a psycho or something? Every time I see you, you're making a scene." Without hesitation, Kuro raised his hand and, with a swift motion, slapped Katsuragi across the face. The sound echoed in the room like a thunderclap.

Everyone froze, jaws dropping. Did… the cleaner just slap Katsuragi?

Katsuragi stumbled, his balance lost as he fell backward, collapsing to the floor. His lackeys stood in stunned silence.

"Three slaps in two days…?" Jiko muttered disbelief etched on his face. "My broth is baked and cooked…"

Kuro looked around calmly. "Anyone else?"

The group immediately shook their heads in fear. "No thanks, sir. Have a good day." They hurriedly picked up Katsuragi and scurried away like cartoon characters, their tails between their legs.

Kuro turned to Mika, his expression softening. "You okay?"

Mika smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'm fine. I could've handled them, but… thanks for stepping in."

It was almost afternoon when Kuro finished his cleaning shift. As he walked toward the bus station, he spotted Mika standing there. "You still here? It's been an hour."

Mika shrugged. "I was waiting for you. Why are you working at our university? Didn't you have a job at Keikkei Restaurant? Did something happen?"

Kuro sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I had to leave. The manager found a fast waiter. I wasn't good enough, so… yeah."

Mika frowned. "Don't feel bad. Not everyone's good at everything." She paused, thinking. "By the way, those guys… they're part of a gang. You might lose your cleaning job too, and worse, they'll come after you. I… I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

Kuro waved her off. "Don't worry about it. I'm used to this kind of mess."

Mika's eyes darted around as she sensed something strange. "Wait… do you feel that? There's a weird energy in the air, like… something's approaching."

Kuro rubbed his stomach, a frown creasing his brow. "Yeah… something feels off."

Mika's eyes widened. "Wait… can you really sense it?"

Kuro's stomach growled loudly. "Yeah, I feel it in my belly."

Mika's face dropped in disbelief. "You're hungry, aren't you?"

Kuro grinned. "Yep. Let's grab something to eat."

Mika rolled her eyes, trying not to laugh. "I'll kill those monsters tomorrow, I guess."

The next morning, sunlight streamed through Kuro's window, casting a warm glow on his sleeping face. His mouth hung open as he snored, blissfully unaware of the blaring alarm.

"Big bro, wake up already! It's 7:45!" Hana, Kuro's energetic little sister, barged into his room, broom in hand. Without hesitation, she whacked him on the back. "You're gonna be late!"

Kuro groaned, rubbing his back. "I'm up, I'm up! No more hitting!"

Hana rolled her eyes. "It's 7:45, you're not gonna have time for breakfast!"

Kuro's eyes widened in horror. "What? No time for breakfast?!" He scrambled out of bed, rushing to get ready.

Meanwhile, Mika's day started a bit more calmly. After class, Rukia approached her. "Mika, let's go to karaoke!"

Mika shook her head. "Sorry, I have work later. Maybe tomorrow?"

Rukia pouted. "Fine, see you later."

After everyone left, Mika headed to the girls' bathroom. She sat down, her expression serious. "Spiritual realm… open."

With a whisper, the spiritual realm unlocked itself before her, the world shifting and revealing the unseen forces lurking beneath the surface.