Nico (part 1)

1.2 - Nico

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Did he just… No.

No, this has to be a trap.

Instead of asking about the wallet incident, he asked about my ability to see the invisible. Weirdly enough, I wasn't expecting that, even though it was my biggest quirk.

I looked around, and everyone was just as surprised as I was. Everyone was expecting him to confront me about the wallet incident. But instead, he asked about my curse. What exactly does he want?

I should… play more defensive.

"And… what about it?"

"Oh, I'm just curious, that's all! I'm just wondering, what are the things you see, exactly? And how does it look to you when compared to the majority of people? Oh, and call me Nico! Nice to meet you, Elizabeth!"

He really is being so casual with me… that's interesting.

Majority of people.…huh?

One thing I noticed about his choice of words, was that he didn't use the word 'Normal' or 'Usual'. He carefully picked his words to become polite, because if he used either one of those words, it would come up as if he was mocking me for being the opposite of those words.

An 'Abnormality'. Nicolas A.K.A. Nico purposely avoided using the term 'Normal people', even though everyone I talked with used that term every time when they compare me with the other people, because they think of me as nothing like normal.

I should… pry a bit more to see his intentions.

"I see ghosts. It's as simple as that."

"Then, what things do you see from them? Do you see them wandering around you? Do they have the ability to meddle with the living? Or do they just wander, like, aimlessly? --Oh!! Are they scary??"

His questions… sounded exactly like what a child would ask a person who can see ghosts.

Surprisingly, I'm biting the bait.

"They are just… there. They aren't scary. If anything, they're just invisible boring people."

"Are you sure they don't do anything? Like, at all?"

"Yes. They just float around you like nobody's business."

"Oh? That's so interesting! Then, what about the 'Naughty' ones?"

Immediately, my eyes opened wide. As soon as he mentioned that, I knew exactly what his reason for coming here was. But, I just don't know to what extent he wants out of me.

He definitely knows some things...

"… What do you want, exactly?"

I said coldly at him, and that completely angered the girls by the door.

"Woi!!--"

Suddenly, Nico lifted his hand to silence the people at the door. As soon as he did that, the people at the door continued to be silent.

"Sorry about this… I kinda approached you at the wrong time, huh?"

He suddenly said to me while rubbing the back of his head, and I could only keep my surprised look at him.

Not only is he not asking about the wallet incident, he is also defending me? Why?

"Please, be quick. I want to eat lunch."

I continued to be cold against him, pissing off the people by the door even more. But to my surprise, Nico was still unfazed by that.

"In that case, I'll be direct.

Have you ever hunted ghosts before?"

His expression changed into a much more confident one, and that completely caught me off guard. Everyone who heard it also became super confused, but seeing his expression suddenly made me realize what his intentions truly are.

He is… just a child.

I turned away from him and began lifting my bag to my lap.

"No. Those things only exist in movies."

"W-Wait, so you haven't? At all?"

"I'm hungry. I will be using the table, thank you."

"Just hold on a second, I'm being serious!"

"No. Just leave me alone."

"This concerns life and death!!"

Immediately, I stopped what I was doing.

I was taking out my lunch box to place it on the table, but after hearing his shout, I stopped moving immediately. I stared at him with a very confused face, but to my surprise, his expression turned smiling immediately.

"Eh? Hehe, that worked."

"… seriously?"

"Yes, I'm being serious! Look, ghost hunting is a normal thing. Maybe you just haven't seen one since you've only been to the safe areas, but there are genuine places where ghosts actually harm people!!"

His explanation does make sense. I knew for a fact that there are indeed ghosts that meddle directly and negatively with the living humans, and I have always done my best to avoid running into one ever since I learned about the realm of the dead.

Unlike spirits, or even Naughty spirits, those ghosts fell into a different category completely. The third category, the surface level of dangerous ghosts. The 'Demons'.

Now, I know that he is actually quite well-versed in the world of the invisible. What I don't know is how deep his intentions go.

"I know that. I still don't get why you are asking it."

"It's very simple! You, who have the ability to see them, should do something about it!"

…

Huh?

"No? I don't have to."

"But, those things harm people!"

"So, what? It shouldn't be my concern."

"But, still! Nobody likes getting possessed!"

"Still, a no. Why would I endanger myself for others?"

"B-Because…"

Immediately, Nicolas looked quite disappointed. He turned away, trying to think of any reason to get me to change my mind. Meanwhile, I already started enjoying my lunch.

Everyone else can only listen in on our nonsense. And fortunately, no one is saying anything.

"Well, certainly, that's completely your choice. But, I only wanted to ask you for help, mainly because you are the only one I can ask this to."

Nico said to me, and I turned my attention back to him again to realize that he is actually being serious.

He really… wants to hunt ghosts.

"All I'm saying is… you have the talent that not even one in a million people has! You have the ability to do so, and yet you chose not to use them to help others. If you're asking me, maybe you should start utilizing your ability for great things!"

"If you're asking me, maybe you should stop watching superhero movies."

"E-Either way!! You have something that other people don't. So please, don't waste that ability!"

He said as he cupped both of his hands at me, begging me to listen to him. Meanwhile, I look ever so confused at his actions.

He is… being very genuine with his words.

"And? What do you want me to do with this… curse?"

I continued being cold to him, even though I already knew his intentions. And as soon as I said that, he looked rather hurt.

"So, that's how you perceive it, huh…? I can only imagine how it felt bearing such a thing. But, it's not always a bad thing, right?

Certainly, there was some positivity that comes with it. Right?"

He said while trying to sound as optimistic as possible. And hearing him speak like that made me understand how he views my ability.

And… he is not wrong.

"Well, you're not completely wrong."

"See!? Then, let's use that ability for some more positive things! Help me hunt down ghosts!"

S-Seriously…?

"How are you still going on about that? They are dangerous. Stop joking around."

"I'm being serious!--"

"Then, how exactly are you going to 'hunt' them? Do keep in mind that these things can actually hurt you. And I meant 'Hurt' like actually harming you. You won't just lose your mind if you go anywhere near them. You'll die. You hear me?"

"Oh, don't worry about that! As long as we don't let them near us, we'll be fine. Right?"

… how?

No way. This guy actually knows how to do that?

"Do you even know… You know what? Forget it. It's dangerous, and it's not something to be joked about."

"I'm telling you, I'm being serious!"

"Then, forget it completely and go find another hobby. Just stop it, I'm being serious as well, for both our sakes."

I said with a little anger placed in my tone, and that completely made him sulk. Seeing him like that quickly made me feel bad for crushing his enthusiasm, but hunting down demons was not something one should have as a hobby.

It's like going to war with invisible things that can literally kill you in one attack. It wasn't a metaphor, because it was the reality. Demons can genuinely harm you, and if you don't be careful, it can completely kill you without anyone ever knowing you disappeared.

This guy… I don't know where he got his knowledge from, but certainly he does not understand the dangers that demons can do. His ideas must be stopped, otherwise, he might just harm himself.

Seeing him sulking, I truly feel bad for him. He was probably a perfect and popular guy probably ever since he was young, so he must've rarely gotten an earful like this from anyone. To think I'm the first person to completely reject his wishes like this, he must've come to hate me in the future.

Well… this is fully my fault. He was not an enemy, and yet I still flamed at him. But, I will not be able to stand watching him walk into danger like that. I must get rid of all his thoughts about going against demons.

"In that case… I will do it without you."

… huh?

Nicolas suddenly stood up, and he stared straight at me with a really confident expression.

"If you aren't going to help me, then I can go by myself. I can still get rid of those demons even without seeing them, right? I have my ways with it, after all!"

He said confidently, boasting that he has the capabilities to get rid of demons even without looking. But, I know for sure that even with his capabilities, he can still get hurt.

Fighting something that you can't see, smell, or sense is the same as dying. Even when you have a weapon that can kill tons of demons at once, it will still be impossible if you can't see where you should use it. In the end, what he is thinking is completely and utterly stupid.

But, seeing him this determined about dying made me realize something. He probably hasn't mentioned it yet, but hunting these demons might actually be something very important for him. He didn't say so, probably because he was afraid of dropping a large amount of responsibility on me. When in reality, he truly needs my help in getting rid of them.

I see… he must have his own situation, huh?

It was kind of stupid of me to prejudge him based on his looks and popularity alone. Who knew that someone like him could have some supernatural problems?

If that's the case… then, I should help.

"I'll… see what I can do, then."

Ah… poor choice of words.

"Hehe! See-ing, was indeed the thing you do!"

Quickly, his expression turned bright again. And to my surprise, I grinned at that joke from him.

Ah, shit. I showed emotion.

As soon as he saw me smile, he grinned even wider. Beforelong, he turned his body the other way and began heading towards the exit.

"Then, I'll wait for you by the gate after school. You haven't joined any curricular activities, right?"

Uh… no. Curricular activities start next month for us first years… so, no.

But, I won't have to say anything and he already knows. He was just saying that as part of his good bye, for the sake of conversation.

He waved his hand at me as he approached his friends. And beforelong, they left the classroom. As soon as the group left, the classroom continued to turn rowdy. Now that the idol boy is gone, everyone can turn their attention away from me and continue enjoying their lunch break.

Only some groups… stayed silent. They seemed to be still keeping a watch on me as I ate my lunch, but I didn't mind them at all.

Jealousy… was all I could sense from their gazes.

Back to the topic at hand,

WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED!?!?!??