We decided to inspect the school at night and opted to wait for Ichinose-kun to finish his part-time job. Honestly, I thought it would've been better to go home since we had some free time, but it wasn't too bad since Kichi-san was there talking non-stop. We ended up having dinner at the family restaurant, waiting for Ichinose-kun who was supposed to finish his job at 8. Eventually, Ichinose-kun arrived in his school uniform. "Sorry to keep you waiting." Ichinose-kun apologized as he took a seat beside Kichi-san. "Hi." Kichi-san made room for him with a considerate smile. "Hello. We can head out now if you're ready, or do you want to eat something first?" I passed him the menu while saying this, and Ichinose-kun started browsing through it. "Sorry for this. But I'm basically starving." Well, that's high schoolers for you. "Order whatever you like." "Awesome. I'll have the steak." Ichinose-kun decisively chose to order meat and called over a server. The steak arrived quickly, and Ichinose-kun began to dig in. "Kichi-san, do you not have any part-time work?" "Ah... I'm not allowed to work part-time. I just get an allowance." "Is that so? Is it a family policy?" "No, it's because of my grades..." Ah... "Kyoka is a moron. She acts like a brainiac, but in a fight, it's all brawn with her." Ichinose-kun chuckles as he eats his steak. "Just because you have slightly better grades..." Kichi-san pouts, and I kind of get where she's coming from. She's pretty and adorable, but there's this wild streak in her, especially when it comes to her cutthroat side. "You might want to think things through a bit more." "I just go with my instincts. It usually works out for me." Though you're probably going to regret that tomorrow... I casually pick up the menu and flip to the dessert section. "Ooh... the temptation is real..." Kichi-san glares at me. "Order whatever you like. I've got a nice bonus because of you guys, so it's on me." With that, I pass the menu to her. "You devil, you..." Muttering this, Kichi-san hits the service button. "Eh?" Kichi-san looks puzzled, and then a waiter comes over. "A pudding a la mode, please... Huh?" Kichi-san tilted her head throughout as she enjoyed the pudding a la mode she requested. "This is strange... but delicious..." She's truly acting on instinct. I sipped my coffee while watching Ichinose-kun eagerly devouring his meat and Kichi-san eating her pudding with a tilted head and a smile. After they finished their meal, we left the restaurant and headed towards their school. The school was in complete darkness upon our arrival, and the absence of any lamp lights added to the eeriness. "At noon it feels totally normal, but now..." Kichi-san murmured as she gazed up at the school building. "It feels a bit spooky." "Doesn't it?"

Our sentiments were probably aligned. "I'm not bothered by it. I got used to it when I had to exorcise demons in the elementary school bathroom. There's nothing worse than that." Ichinose-kun seems to have had his share of hardships... That would make anyone cry. "Well, let's go in for now." We went through the school gates and made our way to the building. Reaching the front, we looked up at the darkened edifice. "Nights really are frightening..." "Yes, they are... It must be even more frightening for you, Yamada-san, not being used to this. Shall we hold hands?" Aren't you yourselve the one who's really scared... "No, I'd rather not—I might get arrested." "You're quite concerned, aren't you? You won't report you. Yuusei-kun, should I hold your hand?" After being turned down by me, Kichi-san looked over at Ichinose-kun. "No way, why? If we hold hands, I can't move. And there might be demons around!" "Aren't you more afraid of ghosts than demons?" "Are you even an exorcist..." Poor Kichi-san. "Kichi-san, since there might be demons, why don't you transform into Slasher Kyoka-chan?" "That's kinda catchy. Like a magical girl title." Really? "Don't put a positive spin on it... 'Slasher' isn't exactly a catchy term. Though it is memorable, but for the wrong reasons." Ichinose-kun seems to have had the same thought. "Well, catchiness aside, it might help alleviate some fear." "O, Okey!" Kichi-san pulled her sword out of its bag, unsheathed it, and began to stare at the blade. "Ichinose-kun, do you have the key?" I ask Ichinose-kun since Kichi-san went under her self suggestion. "The main gate has been opened for us. Yamada-san, do you sense any magic?" "Not in the slightest." "Neither do I. So is it the possession type after all?" Ichinose-kun began to ponder deeply. "Yamada, I don't feel any magic, but something's definitely here." Miriam whispers to me. "There is something here..." This time, it's Kichi-san, who has taken on the persona of Slasher Kyoka-chan, murmuring to herself. "Something like... A demon?" Ichinose-kun asks Kichi-san, who has a piercing gaze now. "Most likely. It's hiding its presence well, but I can see through it." This kid is incredible. "No, what she's detecting is me, meow. I can't tell if she's impressive or not, meow." She must be impressive... probably... "Let's go inside and check it out." "Right..." When I suggest moving, Kichi-san looks up at the school building. "What's the matter, Kyouka?" "Is something wrong?" Kichi-san seems off. "Hah... Scary things are scary alright... Yamada-san, let's hold hands after all." You have the eyes of a killer and you're still scared? And why the act? Trying to impress someone?