I honestly was afraid to go back to school. I know that people would be panicking about Midori. This wasn't the first time something like this has happened at school and everyone had hoped that Akademi High's bloody past had all been behind us. But it seems like scandal can never leave the school for long without someone dying for it.

And now, for once, I'm directly involved with it.

I had gotten away with murder. I felt terrible for everyone who cared for Midori and now will never get to see her again. She had her whole future ahead of her and she could've even gotten smarter if she had the chance to live. But my stupid mistake had ended it all.

Still, I had one more clue to where my Flame Demon is.

He definitely wasn't in the Demon Realm and from what I can conclude; he might not be coming back. But I have to keep making these blood sacrifices if it means that I could gather some information from the Lust Demon . . . and do whatever she wants me to do in exchange.

After everything I did, I could never go back to living without Flame Demon. If I had end a life to continue my quest, then I'll keep going at it. Maybe it was just to give Midori's death a sort of purpose, so I won't have to feel guilty whenever I see other people grieving about her. But no matter what, I have to see my Flame Demon again, even if it was for the briefest second, just to know if he was okay.

When I entered school that morning, Midori's death was all anyone could talk about, which was a real shame since beforehand; no one wanted to be around her. But everyone knew as annoying as she was, Midori was a good person. She could be sweet at times and backed off when she realized she was being a nuisance—but then later on forgot and continued to babble. Still, she never did anything wrong.

In the plaza, where everyone hung out before class to gossip, the clusters of students seemed to be slightly closer together, like to prove to whoever the killer may be, they wouldn't be the next victim because of witnesses.

I wouldn't attack right on the spot, however. My ritual knife didn't demand blood right now.

With her friends, Saki chronicled the tale of finding Midori dead on the Occult Club floor. Her friends listened with rapt attention. Yuna Hina trembled when she heard the mention of blood, sidestepping closer and closer towards Mei, who was equally as startled. Koharu was the bravest amongst them and her emerald eyes skirted around the plaza quickly, trying to discern who looked the guiltiest. Everyone wanted to remain closer to one another, to try and hold on to safety if case the murderer was still near. The only who didn't show a hint of fear was Yui Rio, the red-haired girl, who grinned wickedly when Saki spoke about the pools of blood and gash on Midori's throat, relishing the tale like it was a fable Saki made up on the spot.

The boys to the right of the fountain gathered into a circle also spoke of Midori's death. But Ryusei didn't seem to want to speak about being a witness of the murder. His eyes were blank and his pupils were dilated, and he flinched whenever someone spoke Midori's name, which was very often. He was absolutely traumatized, which added a slice of guilt inside of me. I couldn't imagine being in his position, but more than anything; I wished that I could be as clueless as everyone else. Instead, I'm caught in between.

Taro Yamada, who was sitting on the fountain by himself as always, looked oblivious to the terror around him. I'm not surprised.

The Occult Club was worried as well, but not for their own safety. Instead, they discussed if Midori's spirit could still be lingering around campus and terrified that someone amidst their school was a murderer. They were definitely curious however, and tried to do research in the various books in their club.

The Martial Arts Club was as normal as normal could be, but they were heavily concerned about everyone's safety. It looked as if their training was much more rigorous, like if their lives were in danger.

The Photography Club was the most curious about Midori's death. As I passed their club room, I heard them discussing who could be the culprit of the crime. They were polishing the SAIKOU cameras around their neck urgently, almost like they were weapons.

Dread filled me as I walked by, there was no way I could ever avoid them.

Everyone tried their best to remain as calm as possible, but it was no use. No matter how many times you try to change the subject or try to drift attention elsewhere, there was still an empty seat in the classroom, replaced by an honorary white flower. I'm the only one who knew the truth of what happened. And if it ever gets out, it could mean the end of me.

After classes were over and everyone gathered their outdoor shoes, I headed over to the Occult Club room again. But for once, I wasn't going to be intruding. People were going to be suspicious of me if I kept going into the club without being an official member and this room was crucial to my search for my beloved. I couldn't have anyone think of me as a potential suspect, especially not the Photography Club.

Standing in the center of the room, surrounded by flickering candles, was Oka Ruto. In every corner of the room was a club member, each of them having something obscuring their right eye, whether it was an eye-patch or thick bangs, their noses stuck in a book filled with blood-red illustrations of demons and ghouls. Perhaps I should be learning more about occultism if I'm going to devote myself to finding Flame Demon.

Oka looked up from the floor when she saw me approach, unclasping her hands from her chest.

"Um . . . hi," she mumbled, sounding incredibly tired. Now that I'm looking at her straight in the face, I could see black rings lining her eyes. I couldn't believe it took me this long to realize that she was the only member who possessed a visible right eye, aside from the boy sitting in front of her with the messy hair.

"Uh, are you looking for new members?" I asked.

"You . . . actually . . . want to join?" she said, surprised. I couldn't exactly blame her.

"Yes," I said firmly, knowing that there was no going back at this point.

For the first time, Oka smiled a genuine smile. "This is wonderful news," she said gleefully. "Perhaps the world isn't such a dark and lonely place after all . . . um; anyways . . . you're an official member now."

And maybe for the first time after murdering Midori Gurin, I smiled when I accepted the crescent moon choker and wound it around my neck.