Morning came and by the time I woke up, Raisen and Hikage were nowhere around. Perhaps they’re looking for breakfast.
Remembering what Hikari said yesterday makes me feel encouraged, what she said was indeed correct. I went through a lot in order to survive Hyakki Yagyo, even though I failed and perhaps got pitied… I am still alive; I don’t have to wallow in depression and sadness. All I have to focus on is my current life.
With an energetic mind I burst out of my room and headed towards the bathroom… and accidentally met him.
“Hey, good morning Ryohei. You’re early today.”
“Morning father, where is mom?”
“She went out to take Ruri to school. Today is the day her school trip starts, and she will visit a museum, so she was really high strung on going, so they left early.” As he fixes his glasses and wipes his hair.
“I see… Excuse me.” Our conversation stopped there, as I excused myself and passed by him and headed to the bathroom. After taking a bath and changing into my uniform, I found a notice slip inside my bag. It’s a notice for an upcoming field trip. I really forgot about this field trip, and the teacher has been asking for it to be returned soon. So I went out and asked to be signed.
But mom is not home right now… In other words, I have to ask for a signature from him.
Feeling irritated and hesitant about it, but I don’t have any other choice.
“Father, can you sign this for me?
“What’s this?”
Notice for my class field trip, the destination is not that far. Around Togakushi, the trip will be in four days.
“So soon? What’s with sudden notice?”
“It was already given a week ago, but that was when I got hospitalized. And since I have recovered, they gave me this notice yesterday. I need this signed as soon as possible.
“Is that so, okay then… here.”
He signed it and I took it immediately and shoved it up my bag. As I turned my back, ready to return to my room and prepare for the trip, he called me.
“Going to school at this time? Isn't it kind of… too early? Why don't you sit down and relax a little.” as he sat down and tapped the seat beside him, as if prompting me to sit down and have a talk with him.
But I have no slight intention of doing that.
“I'm sorry, but I have PE for the first and second period, I'm also the cleaning duty for today. So I had to go early.” I threw all kinds of reasons at him and hoped he'd just accept it and move on, but he just talked straight to the point.
“About that thing back then… you haven’t told your mother about it?”
My eyebrow twitched and I could feel my anger slowly rise, why did he bring this up all of a sudden? It's been few years,
“Of course not, how could I?”
My answer seemed to ease his mind as he sighed in relief and thanked me.
“Thanks”
I cuffed my hands, holding my anger.
“Could you please not thank me.” then snickered, “Why? Does that make you feel relieved huh? Well, sorry to say this but I am not doing this for you… I'm doing this for Mom, so don't get the wrong Idea if I care about you.”
I leave him behind and head to the school without sparing anymore glances at him.
----------------------------------------
“AAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
A hoarse scream shook the mountain top, a scream that sounded like a method of venting his frustration.
The scream echoes throughout the mountain and scare all the birds in the surrounding to fly away.
After the scream, Ryohei felt calm and satisfied. He continued going till he reached his usual place, the outskirts of the town.
As he passed by the small river with a narrow bridge, he kept seeing the Kappa who he saw yesterday, staring at him. But paid no mind to it and moved on.
This is the first time he goes to school without Raisen or Hikage, as they are nowhere to be found since morning.
Once he reached school he glanced around to find a particular someone, but so far didn't find her.
Usually she came early, exactly around this time. ‘Did she come early and head in first?’ Ryohei thought, as he walked in and headed to class.
On the way he met his home room teacher and handed his paper slip for joining the field trip.
Excuse me Ms. Eiko, I would like to submit this… I'm sorry I was late.
It's okay, by the way. Have you fully recovered?” Asked her, but Ryohei was hesitant on how he should answer it. If he said
“Yes, I have fully recovered.” that will make him suspicious, as no one would heal that quickly after broken bones. So he answered…
“For now, yes. Unless I do some extreme physical activities I am fine, and joining the Field trip is also possible.”
“Alright, your first and second period is PE right? Take care, don't overdo it.”
“Yes ma'am.” I bowed down and immediately headed to class, but her figure was nowhere to be found.
----------------------------------------
First period started, and I saw Hikari barely made it. It's rare to see her almost late, did something happen?
“Hey, it's quite rare to see you late.” Then I noticed her wearing a face mask.
“Hikari, did you catch a cold?”
She let out a dry laugh along with a small cough, “Last night I might have stayed in the bath for too long.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to ask for sick leave?”
“No, it's fine~ It’s just a slight cold. No big deal.” as she waves her hands as if it's not a problem for her.
“Well, alright. The teacher made us boys play baseball after warming up, and you girls?”
“Volleyball.”
“Alright, take care. I’ll see you after the class.”
The teacher calls us to gather and begin basic warm-ups together. I try to follow along, but by the end of one set, something feels off. Each breath I take feels like a surging fire in my lungs, and an ache blooms in my chest. My whole body is drenched in sweat, as if I had done a marathon. With a gesture of hand, I wiped down my forehead, my hand came back slick, slightly trembling.
‘What’s happening? Is this normal? Am I really this exhausted just from a few stretches?’
I force the thoughts away, blaming it on the oppressive hot weather. ‘It’s just the weather’ I tell myself as doubt begins to linger.
Once the warm-ups end, the teacher splits us into two groups. The boys will head to the baseball field, while the girls go to the school gym for volleyball.
On the field, I’m assigned as a hitter. My teammates chatter excitedly, but I stay silent, distant. The bat feels strange in my hands—uncomfortable, and weird. My palms are slick, and I grip it harder to keep it steady.
*Krrrt, Krrrt.
The sound of the bat creaking under my grip sends a chill up my spine. I shake my head, trying to focus.
’This should be easy.’ I thought, then the pitcher winds up and throws. I see the ball clearly, spinning as it arcs toward me. I swing with confident and—
*Swoooosh!
My eyes widened in disbelief; did I just miss? Did that ball go right past me? But how? I clearly see the ball coming.
“Strike!” our teacher as the umpire announces, as he threw the ball back to the pitcher.
Still in disbelief of what just happened, I ready my bat once again, and the pitch was coming once again, it was a straight throw, I got this.
The second pitch comes, straight and fast. I tighten my grip and swing again, determined to connect.
*Swoooosh!
“Strike two!”
I freeze. My hands tremble on the bat. This time, I realize the problem—my swing is too fast, almost unnaturally so. The ball hasn’t even reached me before I’ve completed the motion.
One more chance. I adjust my stance, forcing myself to slow down. The final pitch comes. I swing.
*THONK! Crack!
My eyes widened as the jagged shard of wood fell to the ground. The bat was split into two, even though the bat breaks, the hit should turn into a weak hit. Yet the ball rockets off, faster than what I imagined to be possible. It slams into the wire fence at the edge of the field with a deafening CLANG, shaking the entire structure. For a moment, it holds—then the ball punches through, leaving a jagged hole in the mesh.
Everybody was speechless after that and then followed up by the loud amazed scream from other students. These are rare moments that happened in their school, some students show amazement while others, especially in the Baseball club deny it.
“Woah! That ball just goes straight through the fence!”
“He broke the bat!”
All that praise swarmed me, then…
“Meh, that’s just a lucky shot. He was just lucky to hit exactly where the wire fence was rusty and weak. Besides, breaking the bat doesn't necessarily mean your hit was strong, it was purely because of the poorly hit ball. He hit it at the edge of the bat, and that’s why the bat broke.”
“Oh, wow, if you’re so great then why don’t you try it!” said another student, mocking him.
Their conversation got heated and their arguing attracted more students to join in, meanwhile I was just standing there frozen… along with the teacher behind me.
“Uh, sir… I’m sorry I broke it.” I muttered, raising the broken piece toward the teacher.
He laughs. “Well, that’s a first! Don’t worry about it—the bat was old, and the fence was rusty. It’s not your fault.”
He was the PE teacher as well as the club advisor for the baseball club. He asked me if I was interested in joining the baseball club, but I refused. Saying that my body hurts again because of that swing just now, bullshitting my way through by saying I haven’t fully recovered.
The match resumed and my hit was counted as a Homerun. I did a lap around the field before going back and sitting on the bench in the corner of the field.
Others may think that as fluke… but I don’t. I’m getting nervous as I look at my palm.
----------------------------------------
The class ended and I was asked to stay behind and clean up after our PE class, since me and three other students were on the cleaning duty today. Two of them were asked to clean all the used equipment in the Gymnasium, where the girls are. While me and one other student cleaned the baseball field.
“Alright done, one of you wipe down the bench clean while the other takes this equipment to the Gym storage room.” Said the PE teacher. The other students screamed. “I’ll take the bench!” as he hurriedly ran towards the bench and wiped it down with a towel, leaving me with the remaining task, bringing all this bat and gloves to the storage room.
With a little sighed I took it and headed towards the gym storage room which was in the east part of the school. Many dislike this task as you have to carry heavy things towards the outdoor storage building in the far end of the school grounds. But that’s not really a problem to me, In fact I find it quite easy.
Once I reached the storage, I turn the door handle with eas–
*Thunk!
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I was shocked by the sudden loud sound, then I found the door handle snaps clean off in my hand. I freeze, staring at the piece of metal as it clatters to the ground.
‘W… what…? How did I…?’
My suspicion was right, I felt something was off since the PE class. Why do I have this superhuman power? I didn’t even transform!
I became frantic as my breathing started to fasten, my mind raced, trying to process what happened. Then the school bell rang.
Realizing that the next period is about to start, I shoved the equipment inside, and slammed the door shut and walked away like nothing happened.
‘No, this isn’t real’
‘This shouldn’t be…’
As my mind filled with worry and unease, I didn’t notice the environment surrounding me. I hurriedly ran before the next period started.
----------------------------------------
Lost in my own thoughts, as I weighed down by worry and unease, I barely noticed my surroundings as I hurriedly ran through the hallway. The next period was about to start—I had to move fast.
*CRASH!
“OUCH!!”
I crashed into someone, sending him stumbling backward hard and falling to the floor.
"Hey! Watch where you’re going!" he snapped, glaring up at me.
"Oh… I’m sor—" I started to apologize, but another voice cut me off.
"NO RUNNING IN THE HALL!"
An older female teacher, her glasses glinting under the hallway lights, stormed toward us.
“Crap!” The guy scrambled to his feet and bolted, leaving me behind to face the consequences.
"You there! What’s your name? Which class are you from?" she barked.
I jumped, immediately straightening up. "Usui Ryohei, second-year, Class C, ma’am!"
"And what are you doing here? The third period is about to start!"
"Yes, ma’am! I just got back from cleaning up the PE equipment!"
She narrowed her eyes. "Did you bump into that brat just now? Where did he go?"
"Uh… yes, ma’am. He ran downstairs." I pointed in the direction he fled. Her lips curled into a grin.
"Alright, get back to your class—quickly." Without another word, she turned and marched off in pursuit.
I exhaled in relief. That was Ms. Dian, the counseling teacher notorious for her unforgiving punishments. Getting on her bad side was the last thing anyone wanted.
Shaking off the tension, I headed back to class and changed into my uniform. Even though I was momentarily distracted, the thoughts still lingered in my mind, refusing to fade.
"Usui!"
I blinked, snapping out of my daze. Hikari continuously called me, but I was too focused to hear her.
"Ah—yes? What…?" I turned to see Hikari staring at me, her brows knitted in concern.
"You’ve been completely out of it. Did something happen?"
"Nothing," I said with a quick smile, trying to ease her worry. "Just a regular PE session."
She didn’t look convinced, but she let it go.
The third period started—English, with our homeroom teacher, Ms. Eiko. But no matter how hard I tried to focus, her words barely registered. My attention kept drifting back to my hands, which looked no different from before.
But I had to be sure.
Slowly, I picked up a pencil, holding it between my fingers.
If I really was getting stronger… if my body was changing… then all it would take was a little pressure, and the pencil would snap effortlessly.
But I hesitated.
I was scared.
What if it was true?
And if it was…
What would I do then?
Was this the side effects of becoming a Half Yokai?
My stomach churned as I overthink it, that feeling was back again–a hot feeling everytime I breathe, beads of sweat forming on my skin. I stood up, raising my hand.
“Excuse me Ms.Eiko, I don't feel so good… May I go to the infirmary?”
She paused for a moment and then nodded, “Okay, can someone help him to the infirmary?”
The classroom remained silent. The awkwardness settled in, and not wanting to drag it out, I quickly shook my head.
“No, I'm fine. I can go on my own. Thank you teacher.”
As soon as I stepped out of the classroom, my breathing turned uneven, and nausea hit me in waves. My steps quickened as worries flooded my mind—until I suddenly froze right in front of the infirmary
“OUCH! IT HURTS!!”
A scream came from inside. My hearing, unnecessarily sharp at this moment, picked up every detail.
“Stop being a baby!” The nurse in charge scolded him as she bandaged a student’s shoulder. He winced, his voice filled with pain.
“But sister, it really hurts!”
“I told you to call me ‘Teacher’ when we're in school! And what did you even do? Look at this bruise!” She tapped the blackened area covering his whole left shoulder.
“I didn’t do anything! I just ran and bumped into this guy, and suddenly my shoulder hurt! The bruises were already there!”
“Nonsense! Bumping into someone doesn’t cause wounds like this! Are you trying to lie to me? Did you get hit by a car?” She slapped the bruise again, making him yelp.
“Oww! Stop that! I'm not lying!”
Listening from the hallway, my body stiffened. He got that severe bruise… just from bumping into me?
Even though it was an accident, I had hurt someone with this… inhuman power.
A bitter taste filled my mouth, my mood darkening. My fingers curled into fists, a mix of guilt and fear churning in my chest. I turned away, and decided to leave.
----------------------------------------
I wandered aimlessly, until I found myself at the back of the school. My throat felt dry, and I swallowed hard as my gaze landed on a nearby vending machine.
“I’m thirsty…”
I took out my purse and fumbled for a coin. But I’m struggling to pick up a coin as my hands won't stop trembling.
*Tch
I clicked my tongue in frustration and clenched my fists, trying to get my hands to stop shaking.
“Stop trembling!”
My hands finally stopped trembling. But when I finally uncurled my fingers, my breath hitched.
The coin I tried so hard to get was crushed by my palm, showing how effortless it is for me to crush something to pieces.
No
No
No
At this point I was just denying it
As if mocking me, the sky opened up, and rain began to fall—a light drizzle at first, then turning into a heavy downpour.
I didn’t move.
Didn’t seek shelter.
I just let it wash over me.
“... What have I… become.”
----------------------------------------
‘Ryohei looked weird, did he perhaps notice the bruise on my face? I hope not… he was fine this morning, but ever since PE class, his expression darkened–just like the other day.’
Then Ryohei raised his hand and asked the teacher to rest in the infirmary. To be honest… I wanted to accompany him, but Ryohei immediately said he was fine and went there alone.
Once he was gone, class carried on as if nothing had happened. As if his presence didn’t matter. Easily forgotten and barely remembered.
I raised my hands while faking my cough.
*Koff Koff,
“I'm sorry Ms. Eiko, I don't feel well either. May I go to the infirmary?”
Ms. Eiko nodded, but before I could stand, several students also asked to accompany me
A part of me felt grateful, but another part was irritated. Why did no one offer to help him, yet now everyone wanted to help me?
Without hesitation, I turned them all down and left alone.
But when I arrived at the infirmary—he wasn’t there. Confused, I asked the nurse in charge.
“Excuse me, did someone come here before me?”
“Welcome. Hm? No, just you and him.” she said, as she hit the student on the back as he yelped.
“I see. Thank you. If you’ll excuse me.”
As I left the infirmary and walked through the empty halls. My steps echoed faintly, a sharp contrast to the muffled sounds of rain hitting the school windows. ‘Where could he have gone?’ I couldn't shake the unease building in my chest.
His face during PE—how distant it looked. And now he’s disappeared.
“Usui…” I muttered under my breath. My worry grew with each passing second.
I climbed to the second floor, peeking into empty unused classrooms one by one, hoping I’d see him leaning against a desk or resting in the back of the room. But found nothing so far.
On the third floor, I wandered out to the empty hall near the library. Still no sign of him. My frustration and concern tangled together. ‘Where are you?’
The rain outside grew louder, its steady rhythm turning into a deafening roar. The only place I haven't checked is the north building that leads to a dead end, but checking one more place couldn’t hurt.
When I reached it, as expected he wasn’t here either. As I turned around and witnessed the violent rain outside, I noticed a figure standing still in the heavy rain. That figure was very familiar… as realization hit me, my eyes widened in response.
I ran.
My shoes slapped against the floor as I descended the stairs two steps at a time, my breathing quickening. A part of me already knew where he was, but I didn’t want to see it.
When I finally reached the back of the school and pushed open the heavy double doors, the sound of the rain swallowed me whole. It was pouring now, the downpour drenching the pavement and turning it into a dull gray blur.
And there he was.
Ryohei stood still, his back to me, his uniform soaked and clinging to his frame. His hair dripped rainwater, but he didn’t seem to care—or even notice. His fists hung loosely at his sides, and I could see his shoulders trembling, though I couldn’t tell if it was from the cold or something else.
“Ryohei!” I called out, but my voice barely carried over the rain.
I stepped closer, the cold rain soaking through my blazer. I reached out a hand, hesitating for a moment before lightly grabbing his arm. His body flinched at my touch.
“Hey…” I said softly, trying to look at his face. “What’s wrong? Why are you out here?”
He turned his head slightly, just enough for me to see his expression. His eyes were dark, and his lips pressed into a thin line.
My heart ached at the sight of him. This wasn’t the Ryohei I knew. Something about the way he stood—so still, so distant—felt different. It wasn’t just exhaustion. It was like he was… breaking.
“…Ryohei.” I took a deep breath and continued.
“Come on,” I said gently, tugging at his arm. “You’ll catch a cold if you stay out here.”
But he didn’t respond.
As the silence stretched between us, filled only by the sound of raindrops hitting concrete.
Hikari sighed. “I don’t know what’s going on, but standing in the rain like this isn’t going to help. Come with me… Please.”
I reached for his wrist.
He flinched.
It was quick—almost unnoticeable—but I saw it.
“…Did you get hurt?” I asked him carefully.
“No,” he muttered, finally speaking. His voice was hoarse, distant.
Of Course I didn’t believe him, but I didn’t push it. Instead I tightened my grip and pulled him away from the rain.
He didn’t resist when I pulled him along, guiding him back inside.
By the time we got to the infirmary, he was shivering, though he still hadn’t said much. The nurse looked up in surprise as I guided him in.
“Oh my, what happened? You’re soaked!”
“He was unwell and drenched when he was heading here,” I explained quickly with a little bit of lie mixed in. “Could we borrow some towels?.”
The nurse nodded, her tone softening. “Of course. Let me grab those for you.”
I ran back to the class to get his bag which had his gym clothes. Then told the teacher he was not in the condition to go back to class anymore. Fortunately Ms. Eiko allows it.
I brought his bag and handed him his gym clothes. Asking him to change so that he wouldn’t catch a cold. He took one of the corners with a curtain and changed. When he emerged, wearing the school’s gym uniform, he looked a little better—at least physically. But his eyes still carried that same shadow.
“Lie down and rest,” I told him, patting the cot beside me. “You’re not going back to class like this, I have asked for permission to Ms. Eiko, you can just relax and rest.”
He didn’t argue, so far, he just followed it all without saying anything…
And his willingness to move as he was told scares me, it's as if he became a doll.
By the time he lay down on the infirmary bed, his expression was unreadable again—closed off, distant. I sat beside him, watching as his eyes slowly drifted shut.
There’s still tons of questions I wanted to ask, but I can’t bear to ask any more questions.
But deep down, she knew this wasn’t just about feeling unwell.
Something had changed in him.
----------------------------------------
The bell rang, signaling the end of the day. I had stayed by Ryohei’s side, even though he hadn’t said much.
“Feeling any better?” I asked as he sat up slowly, rubbing his face.
He didn’t answer right away, but eventually, he nodded.
I smiled, even though I wasn’t convinced. “Come on, let’s go home.”
We walked together in silence, the rain now reduced to a light drizzle. I kept stealing glances at him, trying to figure out how to cheer him up.
“Hey, Ry–, Uh… Usui.” I said finally, breaking the silence. “Are you free tomorrow?”
He blinked, looking at me for the first time in what felt like hours. “Tomorrow?”
“Yeah. It’s Sunday. Let’s hang out.” I tried to sound casual, though my heart raced a little.
He hesitated, then muttered, “I… I don’t know.”
“Well, you’re free now,” I said with a teasing grin. “So I’m not taking no for an answer. Let’s meet up tomorrow, okay?”
For the first time that day, I saw a flicker of something in his expression—maybe surprise, or maybe gratitude.
“Okay,” he said quietly.
We walked together until the school gate, and he was surprised to see his mom and little sister waiting for him there.
“...Did you call them?” Ask Ryohei, but I have no Idea. I shake my head in confusion.
“No, I know that you don’t like to show your weak side to your mother… Perhaps the Nurse called her.”
As we walk closer, I bow and greet his mother. Then his little sister, Ruri ran and jumped at her big brother.
“Big Brother! Hear this, I visited a Doraemon museum! His head is this big!” As she opened up her arms wide, showing how big it is, it looked adorable. “I also eat Dorayaki!”
The child-like innocence from her sister made Ryohei smile from his gloomy and sad nature. Without realizing it, I also smile as I watch both of them. It must be nice to have a little sister…
Ryohei who was smiling and giggling with her little sister's story, had his hand reach out. Just before his little sister’s head. He twitched and pulled his hand back, his hand slumped at his side.
‘!’
I noticed it... His smile disappeared as he clenched his arm in frustration. Right after he was about to pat her heads.
“Hikari, thank you for taking care of Ryohei at school. I was nearby when suddenly got called by the nurse, saying Ryohei was resting at the school infirmary. It’s nothing much, but this is for you.”
She hugged me and handed me a souvenir she bought, “Oh no, you don’t have to! Ry– Usui also helped me a lot in school.”
Then she turned to Ryohei and hugged him too, worried about his condition. “What happened to you, Ryohei?”
He sighed and said that just because of excessive physical activity when he’s not fully recovered. But when his mother hugged him, I noticed it again…
As both of his arms reached out behind her mothers back, but stopped at the last moment, and didn’t touch her. His expression darkened again, as if in pain. Did he have problems in his family too? I wondered.