Prologue

Visitor in Black

“I am a Spirit.”

Monday, June 5.

Year 2 Class 4 at Raizen High School fell silent when the transfer student introduced herself in front of the blackboard. Not all students wore the same expression on their faces, however, as they stared at her soundlessly.

The majority had no idea what she was even talking about, and their stares were doubtful, as if to say, “What’s with her? Is she a daydreamer? Or just a weirdo?” Next in number were the boys who were so captivated by her startling beauty, they hadn’t been listening to a word coming out of her mouth.

Shido Itsuka belonged to neither of these groups.

“Wha—?!” A deep crease appeared between his eyebrows, and a trickle of sweat ran down his cheek as he focused on the transfer student standing calmly next to the teacher’s podium.

Her black hair was tied back in low pigtails, her skin was smooth and pearly white, and the neck peeking out from her collar was so slender, it seemed like it might snap under the tiniest bit of force. The most distinctive thing about her was her bangs. Her face was terribly lovely, but her bangs were absurdly long, covering the left half of it.

But Shido could only be thankful for that. The instant he’d been exposed to the right eye—the one not hidden by hair—he’d felt intoxicated, like he’d been possessed by a demon. If she looked at him with both eyes, he might have joined the ranks of the boys above.

He swallowed hard and glanced toward the blackboard, where the girl’s name was printed in white chalk.

“Kurumi…Tokisaki,” he murmured, quiet enough for no one to hear him.

A Spirit. That was what she—what Kurumi—had said just now.

Only three people in the classroom knew the real meaning of that word.

“…” Shido looked over at the desks on either side of his own.

The girl seated to his right—Tohka Yatogami—gaped, eyes wide. Even from the side, he could tell immediately that her expression was one of surprise.

Opposite her, on Shido’s left, the look on Origami Tobiichi’s face was exactly the same as ever, but the eyes she turned on Kurumi were cold enough to kill.

“…!” He looked forward again and gasped, trembling.

And for good reason. Kurumi Tokisaki was staring directly at him with that right eye circled in long lashes.

“…! Wha—?” He was frozen in his seat.

Kurumi broke into a tiny smile. “I do look forward to getting closer to you all,” she said and dipped her head in a bow.

Shido was the only one who didn’t join in the clapping that filled the classroom, a shiver of fear running up his spine.