Chapter 2: The New Transfer Student

Ruri stepped out of the house, her bag slung over one shoulder, as the soft morning air brushed against her skin. The sky was clear, painted in pale blue, just like her eyes. Her long blonde hair swayed gently behind her as she walked, the quiet sound of her footsteps keeping pace with the stillness around her.

"My name is Ruri," she thought. "I'm a high school student."

The road to school was long, lined with trees and empty sidewalks. She didn't mind walking. It gave her time to think, to breathe, and sometimes to remember. And today, for some reason, the memories came back.

"When I was little, my parents were always overprotective. They wouldn't let me go anywhere alone." Her thoughts drifted, and a scene from the past flickered in her memory.

In the warmth of a childhood afternoon, Ruri sat on the floor of the living room, legs crossed. A kindly old woman visited often back then, always telling strange, ancient tales. Stories about a lost civilization that once thrived in their town. The details were hazy now-just fragments clinging to the corners of her memory.

The memory vanished as two students riding a bike called out to her.

"Good morning, Ruri!"

"Ah-good morning," she replied with a small smile.

One of them leaned a little closer.

"You look a little tired. Did something happen?"

Ruri hesitated.

"It's nothing. Just... a bad dream."

"Are you sure you're okay?" the one asked.

She nodded reassuringly. "Yeah. I'm fine."

"Alright, see you in class!"

"Bye," she said, watching them ride ahead.

As she resumed her walk, her eyes wandered to the edge of the forest nearby. For a split second, she saw a dark figure standing between the trees. Her steps faltered- but only for a moment. She blinked, and it was gone. Shaking it off, she continued down the sidewalk.

Just ahead, an elderly woman was struggling with a heavy box outside a small store. Without thinking, Ruri hurried over.

"Let me help you with that."

The old woman looked up and smiled, her eyes narrowing in recognition.

"Oh my... I know you. You were just a little girl the last time I saw you."

"You used to visit our house, didn't you?" Ruri said softly.

"That's right," the old woman chuckled. "My, time flies. You've grown so much."

They stepped inside the store, and Ruri gently set the box down on the counter.

"Thank you, dear. Such kindness is rare these days."

She rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a small, weathered charm.

"Here. Keep this with you. it's more than just good luck."

"Oh, thank you," Ruri said, surprised.

"I should be the one thanking you," the woman smiled. "Now run along, or you'll be late for school."

"Right. Thanks again!" Ruri turned to leave.

The old woman whispered to himself:

"It's been many years now... since you died, my little black cat."

The school bell rang as Ruri reached the building, the shrill sound echoing across the grounds. She slipped into the classroom just as the teacher was preparing for the first lesson: Literature. But her focus was quickly pulled elsewhere.

The girl seated beside her leaned in and whispered, "Hey, Ruri. You remember the meeting today? The club one?"

"Yeah," Ruri replied. 

"So… about that," her friend said, her tone suddenly mischievous.

The scene shifted to the club room, where a small group of students was gathered. The air buzzed with light chatter.

"So… is he handsome?" her friend asked with a grin. "That new transfer student from City #—everyone's talking about him."

"What are you trying to do?" Ruri raised an eyebrow. "Set me up or something?" 

"I just think you'd be perfect for each other!" 

"Seriously? He might have a nice face, but we don't even know him. What if he's a total jerk?"

Ruri gave her friend a sly look.

"Are you the one with a crush on him?"

"No way! I don't think he'd even notice me."

"And we still don't know his personality or his type," Ruri said, crossing her arms. "But honestly, I'm more curious about why he joined this club."

"Yeah," her friend agreed. "He's supposed to be athletic, top of the class… and he chooses this club? A supernatural one?"

A soft voice interrupted them.

"Excuse me." The boy stepped forward—tall, composed, with quiet eyes that hid something unspoken.

"Do you know where I can find the past records of the club's investigations?" 

Ruri pointed toward a nearby cabinet. "Over there. What are you looking for?" 

He hesitated. "Nothing specific. Just curious."

"About what?"

"When I first arrived in this town… I felt something strange," he said, almost to himself.

"You mean the stories? About the forest and the abandoned street? Street 07?"

He nodded. "Yeah. That's part of it. But there's more. I need information from the club's past cases."

Ruri narrowed her eyes slightly. "Why are you so interested?"

"Like I said… just curious." 

She watched him carefully. "He's hiding something."

"Then let me join your investigation," she said. 

He looked surprised. "Why?" 

"This is the supernatural club, isn't it? I'm the vice president. If you're investigating something like that, I want to help." She extended her hand. "Deal?"

"Can I come too?" her friend chimed in.

Suddenly, two more students stepped into the room.

"Can we join as well?"

The club president smiled. "So—when do we begin the investigation?"