CHAPTER I.I. WHITE ARC

"I will not be fooled by your kindness, Kakureta Neko."

Mirei stated, glaring at me from across the table. She didn't change her expression until the waitress came over to our table. I was surprised by how fast she could switch her entire attitude when it came to people. The waitress smiled as she set down two bowls of Udon.

"Thank you." Mirei smiled at the waitress, getting her chopsticks ready.

Once the waitress' back was turned towards us, her glare returned in an instant. It didn't help how her face didn't change while she ate. Well — her face did change a couple of times. Mirei winced when she tried to shove some of the noodles in her mouth without blowing. I also found it cute how she needed to wipe her glasses because of the endless amount of steam coming from her bowl.

"Ow, Ow, Ow!" She cried, getting burned once more.

"The noodles aren't going to grow legs, Hisakata-San."

"Is there a reason why you refer to me as my surname? You must know by now, Spirit People don't have proper surnames like the Humans in this world." 

I glanced over at her white school sweater she placed on the chair next to her. Even if she was some Spirit Person, she must be cold. I never saw her wear her blazer, speaking of which, it was quite strange how I never saw her carry a school bag either. I grimaced thinking about my own bag that was torn in half by Mirei.

"—pay for it . . ."

"Eh?"

"I-I'll pay for your . . . school bag . . . ." Mirei mumbled with a slight blush. "Wh-When I manage to kill any other roaming Apparitions, I'll trade their Souls for Yen, so I can pay for your items I destroyed."

"Wait . . . but aren't you trying to kill me—"

"And I will," Mirei shoved some more noodles into her mouth. "I just don't want to be in debt to an Apparition. Also, you never answered me."

I crossed my arms over my chest looking down at my Udon like it had the answer. I mean . . . even if Hisakata wasn't her real surname, it's a little weird to just call her 'Mirei.' I couldn't just call her that openly — what would Tomoko think!? For all she knew, I was a delinquent who barely attended school . . .

"Well, why do you refer to me as Kakureta Neko when my name is clearly Matsuri Raama?"

"D-D-Don't answer my question with another question!"

I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at her outburst. Hisakata frowned in response but kept stuffing herself until she was done with the entire bowl. She must have been extremely hungry because she left her bowl spotless — she was even eyeing my unfinished bowl.

"Ahem! I think it's time for me to go." Hisakata stood up abruptly, not wanting for my response. She grabbed her dirty white sweater preparing herself to leave the restaurant.

"Hisakata-San, wait! Do you even know how to navigate through this area?"

Hisakata froze at my question. She adjusted her glasses several times before she answered me.

"O-O-Of course I do! Its-Its not like I always stay at that school. I do leave . . . you know . . . like today when I followed you . . ."

"You mean to tell me you've never left Hisamitsu Private High School?"

"I mean . . . I kind of live there . . . so—"

~~~

Hisakata and I just walked silently back to where the school was. It wasn't like I could do anything to help her. There was just no way Tomoko could understand why I allowed a random First Year into my house. Hisakata would refuse and even if she did accept, she would kill me while I slept.

Kakureta's guard was down whenever I slept — well more like forcibly down. Ever since Kakureta possessed me when I was five, I had some of her powers. It was just immortality, extreme regenerative properties, agility, and some strength. I couldn't defeat an Apparition on my own, even if it was a weak one. I could, however, handle a couple of Spirit Warriors on my own. It's a strange thing.

I shuddered feeling the cold wind down my back. Even when I wore the school blazer, I was still freezing. I glanced over at Hiskata who couldn't stop shaking. She didn't put her sweater back on, my guess is because it was dirtied with trash. Of course, her messed up uniform is my doing — Udon wouldn't magically revert the bruises, cuts, and dirty clothes.

"You seem cold, do you want my blazer?" I asked suddenly. I could feel Kakureta's piercing yellow eyes glaring at my offer. She definitely hated the fact that she was spending so much time with a Spirit Warrior that was essentially trying to kill her.

"Kakureta Neko, this truce only lasts for today. Tomorrow I will go back to trying to behead you, so why are you offering me your blazer?" Hisakata didn't look up at me once. She may have been trying to examine the area, so she could plan when to attack me tomorrow.

"I don't think I'll come to school tomorrow." I lied, waiting for a reaction. The black-haired girl just stopped suddenly. At first, I thought she was going to summon her weapon. 

"That's a lie — you have soccer practice tomorrow, with Yohei Haruno. You seem to only attend school once or twice a week, because you're on the team and need practice. I was surprised when you came on a day when practice wasn't even being held."

My blue eyes widened at her observation. I didn't realize Hisakata had been studying my routine — even my friends. Well . . . she kind of messed up his name, but she was insanely accurate. I only did go to school because you were required to go to your club meetings at least twice a week. And since I'm going to this school on a soccer scholarship, I couldn't just avoid the meetings.

"His name is Kohei Hareno, but other than that . . . I'm impressed. Erm, I'm kind of freaked out but impressed nonetheless."

"Kakureta Neko, you have a very basic schedule. And if I'm going to kill you, I need to know where you'll be at all times. It's just been difficult since . . . well . . . since I live in the school." She quickly rubbed her nose that had turned a bit red. I had pretty pale skin, but hers was just so sensitive. Anything seemed to color her skin red or pink.

"My name is Matsuri Raama. Where on earth do you hide? Why can't you just get an apartment??"

"I 'hide' in the second library. The librarian, Ukacho Osakawa-Senpai, is a banished Spirit Person. She doesn't care that I sleep there, she even gives me the key."

I could tell Mirei deliberately avoided answering my second question. She did pique my curiosity though, so I let it slide. 

"Wait . . . we have a second library?? Why does the school even have a second library . . ." I muttered to myself, placing my hand under my chin. "Banished Spirit Person!??"

"Okasawa-Senpai's business is not mine to tell."

I mean she already told me her business; what's the point of being so secretive now? I sighed in response, wondering if there were Spirit Warriors who lived in the Human World. I didn't know much about the Spiritual World in general — only what Kakureta wanted me to know. I would ask Hisakata, but she's currently trying to kill me so I doubt she'd stop to explain.

Kakureta did mention a Spirit Warrior Clan called 'Kyomu' that owns a huge portion of land. All I could think of though was the Inshoku mansion that resided on a large hill. There is also a student with that surname as well, but if he is a Spirit Warrior, why hasn't tried to kill me? 

"Hisakata-San—"

"We're here." Hisakata gripped her white sweater nervously. "Do not think I will be like this tomorrow. I will kill you, Kakureta Neko."

Displaying a defeated grin, I just nodded at her statement. Hiskata's face reddened, caught off guard with how compliant I was. 

"See you."

"Goodbye," Hisakata slowly walked towards the school building. Clubs were still ongoing so it shouldn't be too difficult for her to get in. Her back was toward me, never once turning around. But even so, I still managed to hear her say something. 

"Raama-Senpai."

She then disappeared behind the large school doors.