When you start

having bad luck,

there isn't an end

to it.

-By Mario Vargas Llosa


Chapter 2:

The devil cat


"It is such a shame that we aren't in the same class even though we are roommates." Momo pouts looking more than displeased. "I was looking forward to spending time with you, but maybe during lunch, we can see each other! I'm sure my friends would like to meet you as well."

"Sure," I adjust my bag in my hands, barely listening to her.

But instead of going on and on about what she wants to do together, the blond actually frowns and looks at me, scrutinizing. "Are you feeling alright? You seem kind of tired."

I become rigid, but force a smile, not wanting her to know what has been keeping me from sleeping. "I was nervous because it is my first day, so it was a little hard to get any sleep,"

When Momo was in the bathroom at morning, I had quickly gone and checked on Kei who slept in my closet in the middle of my clothes that I had decided to sacrifice for his benefit and comfort. I also had left some biscuits so he wouldn't get hungry and even a small mug filled with water next to his bedding. However, I kept worrying about what would happen, if he needed to go outside to take care of his needs. No doubt he would try and scratch the room's door open or tear apart the covers of the beds. I was even worrying that he might destroy my clothes too and the smallest noise made me jump almost every time when I tried to get some rest.

He is a very playful cat, but when he gets angry, his mood will change completely and there is no telling what he would do when that would happen. However, it isn't like I could go and look at how he is doing whenever I want to, it would only create suspicion and I can't afford for that to happen. But what would I even be able to do anymore? I have decided to take care of Kei for as long as I can. I would write about it to my parents and would ask them not to worry, but there would also be that risk that they might still come here to fetch him. So, should I just stay quiet? But they would still worry about where he might have disappeared to, though.

First, my problem was moving to a new school and now a cat. I almost sigh exasperated, but then remember that Momo is still next to me and could hear and see my every action. I have thought of telling her about our third roommate, but I am still sure what she would even think of that. At least it is obvious that she isn't allergic to felines or else she might have already noticed something. Though, it wouldn't be such a surprise, if she finds out about Kei during this week. I highly doubt that he likes the idea of staying in the closet for an entire twenty-four-hour cycle.

"Um, Momo-san…?" I start to ask, but then she chuckles and waves her hand dismissingly.

"Just call me Momo or Momo-chan! No need to be so formal since we are roommates and all."

"Right. Are there any dogs or wolves here?" Now that I have asked it out loud, it kind of sounds stupid.

Obviously, if there were any, there would be some kind of fences around the dorms, warning signs and all. Besides, I am sure that the silly headmaster would've warned me about them. He seemed absentminded and childlike, but that doesn't mean that he would watch someone get seriously injured. He had said it yesterday, too. Still, though...

I remember how Kei had reacted. Whenever he saw a small animal back at home, he either growled or hissed, sitting on the edge, but last night was nothing like the typical reaction. He was malicious, ready to pounce on whatever he had seen and for a moment I had feared that he might even harm me seriously. Maybe I am overthinking this after all.

"N-never mind. Forget that I even asked."

However, Momo still looks surprised and then raises an eyebrow. "Why would you ask something like that suddenly? I have never even heard a wolf coming close to the grounds. Aren't wolves extinct from Japan anyway?"

My face flushes, knowing that she's right. "Just curiosity, since there's a pretty big area of woods in here. I live in a big city and am not used to this kind of environment," I answer waving my hand and cutting the subject to that.

"Oh."

I bite my inner cheek and try to avoid eye contact. "Won't we be late?"

"Don't try to change the – Ah! That's right! My teacher will be furious! Come on! Our classes are pretty close!" She starts running immediately and I mentally cheer that she finally forgot what w talked about. I would need to be more careful from now on.

We have already walked half of the bridge, so it doesn't take that long for us to reach the gate and run through it to the yard of the school. Momo is much faster than me though, so I have some trouble keeping up with her movements. Today her hair is done in a different style from yesterday and she has put it up into a high ponytail with a cute pink band decorating her head. I on the other hand just let my locks hit freely my shoulder blades and whip around my face. This quick observation makes me feel a bit self-conscious and nearly lose my footing.

Once we are inside the building, some other students whose classrooms are much closer than ours walk calmly through the hallways compared to the pace that Momo and I are going. She dodges and apologizes to others that she almost bumps into like she has done it a hundred times before. I just feel like I am going even slower and try my best not to collide with others, too. The worst part comes when stairs are in front of us and Momo strides over a few steps like a professional, ponytail swinging with her pace.

When she finally stops, I need to run a little longer until I catch up to her, shoulders heaving up and down. We are both breathing rather hard and I see the sweat running down Momo's face. As if knowing this, too, she opens her bag and takes out some of the powder that she had put on her face this morning.

There is no way that I'll be late on my first day, I mentally nod and inhale deeply.

"Oh, no! My makeup is ruined!" Momo finally notices the state she is truly in when a drop of now wet powder falls to the floor. "I can't go into class looking like this! I look horrible! Can you hold my bag for a while?"

"Sure," as soon as I take it, she starts fussing over her face and the light-colored powder creates small clouds of dust every time she taps it on her skin. "Don't you think that you've already put on enough?"

"Of course not! My skin is supposed to look better than this!" Even when she says that the way the make-up covers her face doesn't look any 'better' at all. It seems like she is preparing to face cameras and lights like those actors whose powders are almost as heavy as what Momo is using. Finally, she stops and smiles again. "All better! Now hurry up and I'll take you to the class."

Before I even know it, we are standing in front of a classroom's door, which is wide open and showing me what is inside. The back of the class is angled so the floor rises with stairs. Each level has rows of brown desks that already some students are sitting on. I still don't, however, see any teachers around, so it is a good sign that I am not late. But when the bells finally ring, I start wondering where to sit at. I just can't stand idly by and wait, though, people probably already see that I am new in the class and are staring and whispering.

Like knowing what I am thinking and dreading, Momo gives me a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry you'll be fine."

"Thanks," I croak out but don't feel reassured at all. My sweaty hands are proof of that.

"E-excuse me! Are you a new student?" I turn my head to look back inside when a sudden voice is surprisingly close.

Suddenly, in front of me stands a petite looking girl with a short, chocolate brown hair that touches her delicate looking shoulders with different lengthen strands. She has two doe-like eyes that are the same color as her hair, but I see a small hint of wine red in them, barely noticeable, but still there. They blink as she smiles sweetly at me, if not a little awkwardly. "Nice to meet you. I'm one of the prefects of this school, Cross Yuki."

I have not thought that anyone would come to greet me. But as soon as the name registers in my head it makes a perfect sense. "Oh, so you're Kaien-san's daughter?"

"Adopted," she corrects after a small pause, still smiling. "Your name is Kazutso Michi, right?"

"Yes," I nod, and her smile widens. It is a welcoming sight and I am momentarily reminded of the silly headmaster from yesterday. Adopted – the fact surprised me – or not, Yuki certainly does seem to have the same air around her.

She bows respectfully next. "Nice to meet you, then. I hope you will find the school a nice place, Kazutso-san."

The way she speaks is polite, soft and honest like with a little child and so I found myself smiling and bowing, too. "Thanks. I already do."

Momo suddenly steps next to me and smiles sweetly. "Well! I have to go to class now. See you later, Michi-chan!"

I wave to her and watch her quickly whirl around. It feels a bit weird, but I was hoping she would stay for a few more moments and not just leave me hanging by the door like this. "Bye! Thanks for showing me where the classroom is!"

"No problem!" She smiles back and then disappears behind a corner.

"Is she a friend of yours?" Yuki asks and I turn to look at her. There is an earnest expression of curiosity on her face.

"Well, she's my roommate and we only met yesterday," I answer with a shrug, not really knowing if I should call Momo a friend already. Although, with her personality, I highly doubt that she would mind.

"You seem to get along quite well, though," Yuki says kindly and looks towards the desks. "Would you like to sit with me and my friend?"

My eyes widen from her question, but she only turns her back to me and smiles brightly, with no sign of doubt or joking. "Are you sure it's alright?"

She nods eagerly. "Sure! Come on now. The class is about to start." She turns around and starts walking up the stairs, with me quickly following after.

I still can feel many eyes on me. I have no idea how I know it or how I feel it, but with just one look at one person in the class and I am certain of it. I have come here two weeks later after the first semester began after all, so it is no wonder. Now, I know why the new students always look so awkward and I silently apologized for them in my head.

Although, I look at the back of Yuki's head, she has managed to make this less uncomfortable.

She stops next to one of the desks, looking more confident and comfortable than when she had introduced herself. "Yori-chan, I had like you to meet Kazutso Michi. She's a new student here."

The girl sitting near the end of the desk line is silently reading a book but raises her hazel eyes from hearing Yuki's voice. Then slowly, she turns her gaze to me and gives me a small polite nod to my presence. Her hair is shorter than Yuki's and has a bright brown color. It is somehow similar to the hazel on her irises. Despite its length, it looks soft and has cute waves on it that end to her chin.

Still, her blank stare makes me feel a lot of discomfort at first. However, almost as soon as it is there, the corner's of Yori's mouth quirk up into a small smile of greeting. I return it, though, much more awkwardly. If I didn't know them, I would've thought that Yori is the prefect. She seems to be a far more serious type of person and even has a calm demeanor.

"I'm Wakaba Sayori, nice to meet you Kazutso-san," she introduces herself and then looks at Yuki. "Is Zero late?"

"Oh, no. He just hasn't come yet to the class. You know how he is," Yuki chuckles and then looks at me. "Zero is a prefect like me, I'll introduce you two later, then. Knowing him he comes just barely before the teacher."

Zero. The name rings a bell within my head and a flashback comes around with it. Isn't he Kaien's son? I watch as Yuki sits down next to Sayori and starts chatting with her. I sit down next to the prefect on the other side. Is he her stepsibling, then?

They both take out their books and pencil cases and I follow. The seat under me feels hard like in any other education place and the air is filled with the scent of chalk and papers. If I close my eyes, maybe I would think that I am back at my old school, but then I probably wouldn't want to open my eyes.

This first class is about history, I think, as the teacher waltzes in and the class become silent. Last year I got a pretty good grade from it, so I should probably try it again. After a while of thinking, my mood gets a little sour, when I start to remember what classes I would have next. Math is one of the things that made me almost fail to graduate from middle school. It was and still is just such a frustrating subject that I wasn't able to solve any problems that came as homework. They always say that I just need to try harder and harder, but would that help? I think not, because how can anyone try if they don't understand the problem? But if I fail it this year, I'm certainly toasted.

I sigh softly and lean my head against the palm of my hand, depressed. Luckily, the teacher doesn't demand to introduce myself. He only mentions my name and the lesson starts. That's pretty much my only saving grace. It's possible that I might survive through this first hour.

Whatever I might start thinking next doesn't come to light, when the door to the class opens for the second time, cutting off whatever the teacher was going to say.

"Kiryu-san, you're late, again," the adult states, not sounding pleased, but not ready to ask for a reason either.

A boy steps in and closes the door after. The paleness of his skin shows the lack of sunlight, but I have to blink so that his strange silver hair doesn't blend in with it. The color is startling, but the other thing that nearly makes me raise an eyebrow is how he completely ignores the teacher and starts walking up the stairs. His steps aren't hurried like he has no problem with dragging on the lesson much longer.

But as if being used to this kind of disrespect, the teacher merely shakes his head, turns back to the blackboard and begins to write the topic of the lesson. The rest of the students also pay no mind to the boy, completely fine with how he makes his way to wherever his seat is at a calm pace. However, I am not just in peace with it, as they seem to be. In fact, I am obviously staring at him like an animal in a zoo. What I am constantly staring at, though, is his hair. Whether it's his natural color or not, it's a surprise that nobody has ordered or made him dye it to black yet.

As he comes closer to my row, there are more details that I didn't notice from far away. There are at least more than two silver piercings in his ear and a strange dark tattoo decorating the side of the neck. There's an expression of hard disdain on his face, or something close to resembling displeasure. And from seeing these things, the first thing that my mind screams is delinquent, so I look down at the desk, finding its surface very interesting.

But then I have to look back up when Yuki calls out for the boy. "Zero!"

Slowly, the gears in my head start turning and my gaze goes between her excited face and the unchanging expression the silver-haired boy's. The latter doesn't even acknowledge her and walks past the row, hands in his pockets. So, he is the…

"Meet the new student! She's is –"

"Not interested," the boy cuts her off almost immediately, voice full of disinterest.

I follow his movements without meaning to. It had been more than a little rude of him to ignore Yuki, but I am shocked how easily he did it, too. The petite girl has a mild pout of annoyance on her face, but other than that doesn't react, as if this is a normal occurrence.

Her face flushes red in a few seconds, though. "You don't have to say it like that!" She scowls at him and then gives me a softer look. "I'm sorry about him, Kazutso-san. That's Zero, the one I was talking about. He's mostly like this every day, so don't think much of it.

"I-it's alright." I smile, when she looks at me with pure apology both in her tone and face, but then my eyes go to Zero again.

He sits down on the desk behind us and places his bag down but doesn't take any books or cases out. He just stays still there with an elbow on the wooden surface and palm holding his head up, looking sour as a lemon. But then his eyes turn towards me and my whole body almost jolt. His expression doesn't change, but somehow the way his grey eyes appear piercing me like knives cause my spine to stiffen.

I swallow and turn my head away awkwardly, knowing full well how embarrassing it's to be caught staring. Even if he has turned his gaze away from me – I hope he doesn't think I was staring – I can't tell and my face flushes from imaging how stupid I must have looked.

Finally, though, I am able to focus on the lesson. I am at loss at first, but Yuki luckily explains some things for me quietly and I am so grateful to her for that. But in the end, I just concentrate on taking notes, I could then figure out more when the school day would be over. However, I also keep on glancing at the book I am using and take in how its edges seem to be worn out. It has not just been bought from a shop as brand-new edition, but from a flea market, since my parents have put almost all of their money to get me into a private school and save the rest for the new house.

Compared to the other students, who probably are from some better-off families, I can be called the poorest of the group. But the more I look at the school grounds, the more I find it disbelieving that I am even here. If my parents should've spent the money that they had saved over the years, they should've used it to buy a new house or perhaps even a car. When they used it all just to make sure I would be watched over when they can't, it made me feel extremely guilty and at those moments I wished that I could have some relatives to take me in. I have aunts and uncles, but they are too busy taking care of their own children.

Still, though, is this truly the right place for me to be at?

As the lesson proceed, I unwisely glance at Zero over my shoulder. And for the first time see a white cloth around his arm and the peek at Yuki who also has a similar on hers – the mark of a prefect. How did he even become one?

First impressions can go wrong, and you can judge people because of them too easily. But it is so clear that he isn't paying much attention to the lesson. Maybe it is because of his hair, piercings, and tattoo again, but everything about him tells me not to get closer. Nobody is sitting near nor behind him, almost like there is a barrier around him. Yuki had seemed friendly to him when she had tried to talk to him, so maybe they are more familiar with each other, being prefects and all.

Suddenly, Zero looks up and narrows his eyes at me, like he knows that I have been staring at him for a while for the second time. His eyes are once more piercingly cold and the wrinkles between his brows deepen to the point of making him look menacing.

A shiver of fear goes down my spine and I look away in a second, not glancing back for even once during the whole lesson. I don't want to be caught for the third time.

But when I look for assistance from Yuki near the half-way of the lesson, to my surprise and shock she's asleep. I am truly alone in this, after all.


My feet carry me up to the stairs faster than I could imagine, and I don't stay to watch the beautiful lobby of the Sun Dorm. My hand is clutching the handle of my bag tightly and my right side is starting to hurt from all of the runnings.

Momo bought the excuse of me forgetting my books at our room perfectly, but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't need to be quick. First, I have to check that everything in the room is still in one piece and that Kei hasn't gone to have a bathroom session already. But if he has… that's just more work for me then.

The moment I step in, though, the first thing that I notice is how the room smells awfully like Kei already and it makes me fear the worst. Looking around, I also notice how there's nothing destroyed so I sigh in relief from knowing that. And as if knowing that I have been thinking about him, Kei comes out from the half-open closet and runs towards me looking rather grumpy.

He started growling up at me and a few pieces of biscuits that he has already eaten fall from his fur and to the floor. I sigh, knowing what he wants, but then yelp when his claws start to attach themselves to my brown school boots. I thank my luck that the material is thick enough so that the nails don't dig too deep, but they would probably leave some marks on both skin and shoes. I am used to the pain caused by cats, though, but I am not able to stay calm knowing my footwears are suffering.

"Bad cat! No!" I take a step back and shoo Kei away, which works, but he is still hissing. "Alright! Alright! I'll take you out! Just calm down!"

I place my school bag down and quickly run to my closet to get my bag. As expected, the cat's smell comes waffling and my shoulders drop from the fact that my clothes would be smelly until they would be washed. The water and the biscuits are all almost gone and, on the nest, that I have made from an old grey shirt, white cat fur covers almost everything – my eyebrow twitches. I need some serious help.

Wrinkling my nose in disgust I grab the bag and walk to Kei who has managed to relax in the few seconds that I have not paid attention. Ignoring this, I take a hold of him from the scruff of the neck and place him in the bag. He fights against it, of course, but I can't risk anyone seeing him in the broad daylight. So, I swallow the pain, when his claws scratch my hands and zip the bag half-closed. This doesn't stop Kei from fighting, though. I love my cat and all, but sometimes he just knows how to get into my nerves like a moody teenager.

"Sorry Kei, but this will have to do," I apologize and avoid yet again his claws.

After closing the door, I walk down the hallway carefully but wince almost every time that Kei scratches the bag from the inside. I know that all the students are supposed to be in the main building, but I am still worrying that someone might catch me. Not to mention I have obvious red marks on my hands now and that would definitely wake up some questions from others.

The skin around the scratches is angry red and irritated, but I bit my inner cheek, when I see the crimson color of blood. It isn't much, but one small streak of it slides down my palm. If the cat in my bag won't be obvious, this definitely will be.

Don't worry. Keep calm and just take the angry cat out. I inhale deeply and then quickly start to walk down the stairs covered in a brilliant red carpet. I can almost feel how soft it is through the bottom of the boots but knowing that it isn't the time to enjoy things, I open the door to the outside carefully and look around. It is quiet and the only thing you can pretty much hear are the birds and the rustling of the leaves – the coast is clear. Though, it does nothing for my raising heartbeat. Like the saying always goes, it's calm before the storm and I am not very keen on the idea of getting caught.

When I start to think about it, I remember Kaien saying that those who would break the curfew rule would be caught by the prefects and be punished. But when I imagine being caught by Yuki, it's pretty hard to believe that the consequences would be too harsh. Zero is a completely different matter and story, though. He had been scary enough by just being quiet and sitting in the classroom. The mere idea of seeing him corner me with Kei and having the dark aura of a devil creates violent shiver down my spine. It is almost too unbelievable that the angel-like girl and the demon-like boy have to work as a team every day. Well, they are siblings, adopted or not. They must get along, then?

I don't know how Yuki can keep up with him, though. I have no siblings, so I can't tell what kinds of family dynamics there are between them.

Descending down the stairs, with the same scary image of the silver-haired boy, I run towards the forest. Now during the daylight, I decide not to head towards the spot I had gone last night.

The shadows of tall trees are soon covering my form and even Kei in the bag starts to become much calmer and only lets out small growls that vibrate against my back. A small smile spreads on my lips when I noticed this. My shoulders relax from tension I did not notice before. So, feeling safer, I unzip my bag and Kei pokes his head out immediately, ear twitching with curiousness. It's astounding how his mood changes so quickly.

"Meow," he mews. His eyes look up at me with a tilt of the head and I raise an eyebrow.

"What? Not going to scratch my eyes off this time?" Getting more urgent on getting back quickly, I place the bag down and take him out.

With careful steps, Kei softly starts walking around and sniffing the air, like during last night. The way he does it in clear light makes the action look cuter than before and I smile again before sitting down under a tree. The wounds on my hand still sting, but the sight in front of me is much too adorable for me to hate the poor creature. He just keeps on chasing after a small fly that has suddenly appeared, and I can feel a large grin forming on my face rather quickly.

However, I soon start to feel bothered again, when I remember that I still need to inform my parents about the situation. Mother is definitely back at home already and starting to notice that Kei is nowhere in sight. Both of my parents care for our pet, especially father because the feline seems to favor him out of the three of us. It definitely has raised his ego during the years to some extent. This is bad. They will definitely panic. The thought of their faces is enough to cause something to wretch within my gut.

This mustn't come in the way of their work. They have already spent much time in plans for the further future next year… this will only cause unnecessary stress for them.

Suddenly, Kei freezes and from instinct I lean forward, ready to stand up and go to him. It is like what had happened last night. The stance, the silent growls that come out of the white brown male feline are all the same and I direct my gaze towards where he is looking at.

"C' mon Kei," my voice is a soft whisper and I carefully stand up, approaching the stiff cat. Ignoring me completely, he lets out a loud 'meow' and then bolts towards the trees. It is something I do not expect, so I just stand there dumbfounded for a few seconds. Then I feel like the air has escaped from my lungs and I start running after him. "No! Come back!"

His white form is easy to spot in the middle of all the green colors and I thank my mother for the first time that she chose him and not one of his darker colored siblings years ago.

"Wait, Kei! You can't go there! Come back! Come back I say!" My shouts are obviously in vain.

I can't possibly spend the rest of the day in the forest and search for him. Momo and Yuki would certainly notice my absence and inform it to the others until the word would reach the headmaster's ears. That's the worst possible scenario replaying in my head.

The branches of the trees and bushes whip against me, as I run past them in full panic. Being too desperate is the thing keeping me moving on. Kei has already gained quite some distance and it is a miracle that I am even able to still see him. An angry scowl between exasperation and anger crosses my face and I almost trip. I am worried – whatever he's chasing will get me int trouble.

What if it's a bear!? Momo's denial of such things from the morning holds no meaning anymore. I am a city girl, I am not used to this kind of terrain. The forest is suddenly much thicker and scarier and for a few moments I let my quick running pace slow down and the cat disappears from my vision during that opportunity.

Not seeing him anymore in front of myself, fear starts ripping me in two and it makes my legs move again. Few new ends of bushes' branches scratch against the skin harshly and I bite in the yelps of pain. The bobtail cat would need to be grateful, if he even understands what I am doing for him, despite all the trouble he is causing.

"Kei!" The forest suddenly ends, as I burst out of it.

The time stops – I stiffen from what I see in front of me. It is a lake, glittering and sparkling in the sunlight, stretching as far as the eye can see. From further away, the dorms are visible together with whatever other buildings are standing near the other end of the mass of water. I am not worried about this, though.

Kei wouldn't be able to go further away from here. And as I realize that, I hear the sound of his hisses again. "Kei! This is not funny anymore! Let's go – "

The breath in my throat feels like it is knocked out of my lungs for the second time. The moment I turn towards the direction of his sounds is when everything freezes.

As expected, Kei is there looking far more than ready to attack, but it is not the cat that causes me to feel like the whole world is collapsing. There is a person standing a few feet away from him. A tall one, with a golden colored short hair, looking down at the cat. However, as if just now noticing my presence even after raising my voice, the person looks up.

Once again, I feel like bricks have just crushed me.

The two pairs of eyes are the clearest shade of green. They are framed by dark lashes that close once in a blink, creating shadows on pale and high cheekbones. The boy, obviously near my age group, has broad shoulders, but still delicate looking form that is standing rather too relaxed despite the growling feline so near. In fact, a smile graces the angel-like features after only about five seconds. The boy, to my utter shock, waves happily like we are just standing in the middle of some kind of park and not a forest.

"Good day," his voice is clear and bright, not too deep, but pleasant. The smile is particularly shining brighter than the sun, as he gives a small bow.

Without really wanting to, I blush. He is obviously attractive in every way, from his neat looking white shirt to his brown pants and black shoes. Even the way his perfectly combed hair moves softly on the wind seems unreal and for a moment, I think he is some kind of mirage, a piece of my imagination.

The sound of Kei's hisses draws me back to reality, though. The gravity of the situation finally sinks in, hard. Utter panic and cold sweat fill my whole being and I quickly run to Kei and scoop him up, before taking two large steps back with caution. The boy hasn't moved but looks quite confused and curious as he blinks at me, or rather down at me.

My hands hold the stiff cat, who luckily isn't injuring me any further as my life depends on it. My mind is a scattering mess. What to do!? What to do!? He saw Kei! Now everyone is going to find out! This boy is obviously a student or what else he would be doing here!? Why is he even here!? No! I have to come up with an excuse or should I just flee and leave him? NO! He'll definitely then tell about this, you idiot! But what should I do then!? I'm scared! Stupid Kei! Why did I let him stay in the first place!?

"Um, miss? Are you alright?" The voice snaps me back to reality from my inner panic attack. He has come even closer, despite the fact that there's literally a murderous feline only a few feet away. His whole face is written with slight concern. The pair of green eyes don't even spare a glance towards the cat in my arms.

There is no hostility, other than from my side. The boy makes no move to come any closer, but my feet involuntarily start inching back.

Get out of here, is what my mind keeps on screaming. "I-I-I..." I stammer, the whole body shaking like a leaf. "P-please don't tell anyone about the cat!"

"...Pardon?" He tilts his head like a confused puppy, with his light-colored bangs almost starting to cover one of his eyes.

"This cat isn't mine!" The words just come out of my mouth before I can even think straight. Despite standing extremely still, it's like I am running again. breathing is suddenly much more difficult. My voice just rises, and my stuttering gets worse. "I'm just l-l-looking after it so p-please d-don't tell anyone! I'll pay y-you later f-for it, s-so please, don't s-say a word! P-please!"

I have never acted like this before unless you count the small play I did back in elementary school. At that time, too, my mind had become blank like paper and I only let my body do the work. And even back then, I was scared and feeling totally lost of what to really do. The way my limbs move is that of a robot's. This boy will definitely able to tell that I am lying straight away and then think that I am a strange and crazy girl who just ran out of the forest after a cat and starts rambling things. He seems to be like one of those rich boys from the way his whole being looks – a selfish, self-centered person. There is no way he will listen to excuses.

As all the hope is leaving me, the only thing that fills my mind anymore are the faces of my parents and the trouble I will be causing them. I don't think that I am able to hold the cat in my hands anymore. Everything is shattering right before my eyes and the downright spiral of desperation gets me hopeful that the earth would swallow me up. That would be better than –

"Alright, I won't," the boy smiles genuinely, giving a small nod.

I flinch. Blinking and directing up gaze back up, staring at the boy in shock. A small closed-eye-smile on his face is too perfect to be real. I blink again. "W-wha – e-excuse me?"

"I said I won't tell anyone," he repeats and then links his arms behind his back in a leisure manner. But when he notices how there is no response, his expression turns puzzled. "Is something the matter?"

"N-no!" I almost clamp my hand on my mouth, when my voice rises again. Is this really happening? Is this guy for real?

"You have got a very cute cat," he says suddenly, and I blink for the hundredth time. His voice is honest and so is his face that smiles down at the feline in my arms, but Kei doesn't seem to be at least a bit happy to be near him. He just hisses and growls till his fur stands up in a threatening way. It almost makes me want to drop him. "And he sure has a lot of energy."

Instead of uneasiness and fear that I experienced earlier, just those few words out of his mouth have made me raise an eyebrow in confusion. "T-thank you?"

The boy chuckles good-naturedly, the sound soft. "I was really surprised when he just came out of nowhere."

"Ah, I'm sorry about that. I don't know what came over him," I apologize hastily and look down at my clearly upset pet. This is all your fault... He has never acted like this around people, so I can't understand why he is doing it now.

Suddenly, I realize something that should've been obvious.

Right now, every student from the Sun Dorm is in the main building, safe for this one. He is standing in front of me, between the lake and the shadows of the forest that cover us, with casual looking clothes and not the black uniform that I have seen. More importantly, why is he here in the first place?

Frowning, I look up at him again. His green eyes rise from Kei at the same time to meet mine and the words flow out of my mouth rather boldly. "Are you skipping classes?" His eyes widen a little and I feel like I have hit the nail on the head. So, I continue, gaining more confidence. "If you're, you should stop. I have only been here for a day, but I know that one of the prefects is rather scary so getting caught by him someday wouldn't seem like a good thing."

Green eyes stare down at me for a while, silently. Honestly, it is more than a bit uncomfortable and whatever confidence I have shimmers down. My main purpose was to get him off guard or change the atmosphere – I didn't want to be the only one feeling busted, so the thought of him being in a spot is reassuring… or was.

I have met many people with light hair in my life but never seen the kind that he has. It is like each individual strands is different, out of silver gold, but has still the brightness of yellow on it. He reminds me of one of those prince characters from storybooks that parents read to their children, much like this entire academy is like a castle. The more I stare, the more self-conscious I become for he does not even look like a human, the more you look deep into his jewel-like eyes that is.

Out of nowhere, he smiles again and then leans his face closer. I take a small step back to create some space and Kei's claws dig through the fabric of my sleeves, gracing my skin. But the boy doesn't seem to mind our reactions.

"So, you're new here, huh?"

"Yes – wait. How do you know that?" I ask, frowning and baffled.

Instead of answering, his smile seems to only widen – I do not like it. It is as if he has found something amusing.

"If you're worried about Kiryu-kun, I appreciate the concern. However, I think I'll be able to handle him. Though, I shouldn't even be around this area, to be honest," he chuckles at the end of his confession, a bit bashfully like a kid found doing something wrong. His action of rubbing the back of his head sheepishly is also another factor, but his pearl white teeth are visible and wipe imagine of awkwardness.

Kiryu-kun… ah, that's Zero. The teacher called him that at one point, but the realization of that makes me further confused. He doesn't have the same last name as Yuki and the headmaster. Does that mean he's… my thoughts trail off, again, when I look back at the blond before me. His smile is the same, but my throat dries up.

"W-well, anyway, goodbye!" I whirl around and run as fast as I can towards the forest, but the voice that calls from behind.

"I hope we can meet again!" He sounds cheerful as if nothing is wrong in the world.

Is he serious!? The last thing I want to do is meet up with him for the second time. I am not sure what drives me to turn around, but when I do, he has already disappeared somewhere. All I see is an empty spot where he used to be. In disbelief and worry, I try looking around, but he is truly nowhere to be seen and that makes me frown deeply. Until Kei shifts in my arms, that is. The cat is completely relaxed, and its chest rises and falls on each breath.

The feline is fast asleep. Oh, so now you're quiet?

Shaking my head with a slight smile, I start to walk towards the Sun Dorm and the place where I had left my bag, but my mind keeps unconsciously wandering back to the strange boy I had met. I feel uneasy, knowing that he knows the secret about Kei. It scares me, the fact that he might tell about the animal to someone. But most of all, I feel terrified, because I know nothing of him, and he already knows something about me. It's like the walls around the dorm are not something to protect me anymore, but to keep me in a cage.

That mysterious boy's face keeps on bugging me. He appeared and disappeared without a trace. And I keep on glancing behind me the whole time I am walking to the dorm.


"Michi-chan! Are you alright!? What happened to your hands!?" When I immediately meet my roommate in front of my classroom, she takes notice of bandaged hands. Others that pass us luckily keep things to themselves and continue down the hallway, despite her loud voice.

"Well, I tripped, when I came back from the dorm. There were pretty sharp rocks on the ground, and this happened," I say, and a little sharp tug of shame and regret hits my chest. I feel somewhat bad for lying to someone who has been very welcoming to me, but I also don't want to tell her what truly mauled my limbs.

"You should be more careful! Who knows what might happen to you, when I'm not looking? I can't risk losing my new roommate!" Momo pouts but then smiles brightly again. "Oh! We must hurry so we can see the Night Class! I can't wait to show you Aidou-kun! We've got only twenty minutes left!"

"Um, isn't that more than enough time?" I ask, trying to appear somewhat enthusiastic.

However, whatever she's planning for us to do, I am not exactly in the mood for it. I feel like someone has drained me of energy, particularly after the sprint to the dorms and back. Not to mention, I still have to make sure Kei gets his exercise before going to bed.

"Nonsense! That's too little. There are already others waiting at the gates and I can't risk standing behind all of them! Or else Aidou-kun won't notice me!" She rambles on and then gestures for me to follow her. "Hurry up already!"

I do follow her, but also am not seeing sense in any of this. "Wait! What do you mean by 'others waiting'?"

A chuckle. "You'll see!"

I sigh, both from vague explanation and not wanting to run again after what I have been through earlier today. Still, my feet decided to follow the energetic girl down the hallway. She keeps constantly checking her face and hair through a small mirror that she has used during the morning and it makes me wonder just what kind of person this Aidou is. Most of all, I can't understand why there would be others near the gates of the Moon Dorm.

Does it mean that they all get along? Maybe that's why Kaien had started laughing yesterday from the question.

Momo beams, as we walk towards the door that opens and closes as other students are going out. All the girls especially seem to be as happy as the grey-eyed girl walking in front of me and to my surprise, they even start adding makeup and checking their hairs, as well. It is so strange – bizarre is more like – that I can't stop looking around myself and the other people like I have just stepped into a labyrinth. I am so confused and in loss of what exactly is happening. It is like all the girls are preparing to meet their idols or something like that.

The yard is completely empty, but when we get nearer the doors that lead to different dorms, there is the sound of squealing and excited chatter. I am not able to tell what it is properly until the doors of the Moon Dorm are finally in sight. Though, what I see is something that makes me want to back away. The whole door has a herd of girls of the Day Class blocking the entrance.

However, Momo isn't bothered by this and only runs towards them, probably forgetting that I am even there. I have never been happier to be ignored like that. I am starting to fear that if I take one step too close, I would be crushed by the feet of others.

"H-hey! Stop p-pushing! Go back to your dorms!" A very familiar girl's voice yells and it is obvious from the tone that she is struggling with something. Soon I see a familiar brown hair peeking on the front near the door.

Yuki? Well, it makes sense that she would need to be here to calm down this chaos. But where is Zero? I turn my head around the place, but I see no signs of silver hair anywhere. Shouldn't that tattooed boy also be helping Cross right now with… whatever this is?

"You're not being fair, Cross!"

"Yeah! Stop trying to get all of the Night Class to yourself!" There are furious shouts from the girls in the crowd and I stare in disbelief and pity at Yuki for a moment.

For being so close to the angry looking females, I have to say she looks to be handling it rather well. Though, I am not sure why everyone looks so upset at her, to begin with. The wisest action I can think of is to keep my distance, for now.

"As I have said, this is my job as a prefect! Ah! I said stop pushing!" Yuki yells back, but that doesn't seem to have any effect on the squealing girls.

My hands fly up to cover my ears from the loud noise, but with no success. I keep seeing the top of both Yuki and Momo at some points, but other than that there is nothing more than a mass of humans there further away from me. Honestly, all of that starts appearing as a scary gathering of mongrels, and so against the voice telling me to wait for Momo I turn around. Heading back to the dorm is the safest option possible.

The screaming gets even louder when I am already walking towards the door leading to the Sun Dorm. Out of curiosity and annoyance, though, I turn my head to face the direction where I come from to see the wooden doors open. The screaming makes the air vibrate and I take a step back and cover my ears again.

Good, God! What's wrong with them!?

Despite the girls being obviously excited, they scatter and make a path in the middle for the people that suddenly come out of the gate. Though, when I see them, I can't even call them 'people' anymore. Whatever ringing has filled my ears fades in a second and I freeze on the spot.

Each one of them has flawless looking smooth and white skin, but not as white as the uniforms that have the same design as the Day Class students. Hairs are combed back, styled or simply left like they are. But no matter what the style, I find myself in trance from watching the strands move in the air, even from far away. Beautiful eyes with all elegant shapes and sizes are either looking at the Day Class girls or simply what is in front of them, but no matter what they do the act is made flawlessly and with the grace of unhuman beings.

Those are… the Night Class students? My mouth is dry and suddenly the heart within my chest begins to drum in an uncontrollable pace. With no support, I cling to my bag. Despite the beauty, I feel a strange chill traveling down my spine.

Even though they shine brighter than the Day Class students around them – like rays of light cutting through the dark – there is something cold in their beings. Whether it's the way the Day Class behaves is too frightening or merely just the people dressed in white, I am left standing like a statue.

However, at one point inside my blank mind, something does catch my attention or someone.

The same blond hair is as soft as I had first seen it and two pairs of green eyes are maybe even brighter.

Ba-thump!

The boy I saw in the forest today is amongst them. But instead of the clothes that he had been wearing before, there is a white uniform sitting nicely on his shoulders.

Ba-thump!

I literally forget how to breathe.

Without even thinking, I whirl around and start to run towards the Sun Dorm, not looking back for even a second. I don't want to seem like a coward, but even if he recognizes me, which he obviously will, there is no telling what he would do. Despite him smiling so kindly and warmly and how he had told me that he wouldn't tell anyone of what had happened, I don't trust him. Not one bit and the fact that he is in the Night Class makes me feel even more uneasy.

It's in my understanding that the Night and Day Class have different curfews that are followed strictly, but that boy had been in the Sun Dorm's territory during the daytime and that is more than suspicious. He couldn't have gone there through the bridge, because someone would've obviously spotted him. So, why did I have to meet him and why did he have to be in the forbidden area, when I was taking Kei out?

There's only one conclusion to all of this: I'm cursed.

Hands shaking, I open the door and soon started to run along the stone bridge. The sound of my boots on its surface comes out as quickly paced tapping sounds and even the sound of how the books and pencils move in my bag reaches my ears. I fear that everyone hears it through the screaming of the girls.

Just run and get back to the room! You'll be safe there! Is what I try to reassure to myself in the depths of my mind, but it doesn't stop the urge to hide inside the closet with Kei.

I must never see him again! Is also something that I repeat, but as a loud yell that almost escapes from my mouth. With my hands clenching, I feel the stinging of the wounds return and how they open again.


The last thing I expect to happen is to run for the second time to my room in sweat and hurry. As soon as I get in, I don't go straight for Kei, but for my phone. Thoughts of fleeing, hiding or even suicide cross my mind and I end up dialing my mother's phone number, getting it wrong more than twice.

It will be alright, I think and sit down on the bed, struggling to take off the jacket that is suddenly very constricting. Rather, the air in the entire room is suffocating and I have to open the window. But even then, the evening air does so little in cooling me down.

Please answer quickly, please answer quickly, I silently chant and squeeze the covers of the bed.

The beeping next to my ear stops.

"Hello? Mother?" I ask, knowing full well that my tone is full of desperation.

"The number you're trying to – "

I cut off the connection the moment that monotonous voice of the phone answers instead of a real human being. The emotion I experience is more than disappointment. It's around the borderline of being absolutely defeated and crushed. Ugh! Don't give up yet!

During the next few minutes, I try calling my mother for a few times, then to my father. But no matter how many calls I make, the phone is the one who keeps on answering and repeating the same words. Then, I try sending a message and to my utter disbelief and anger… there's no connection, to begin with.

"No way," I breathe out, head spinning from seeing this for the first time.

It is certain now – Kei won't be going anywhere until I figure something else.