Years later, I was in middle school. Bittersweet was still my one and only friend. By this time, I was fine with it. In fact, I didn't even really want another friend. I was also used to seeing demons everywhere. It was scary at first, but I did as Bittersweet told me, so I was never harmed again.

Still, no one was aware of Bittersweet's existence, though I tried less and less to keep it secret. Even though she wanted me to hide it, I just couldn't anymore. She was my friend, and I wanted her to be known.

My family was concerned about me, saying that I need to stop talking to myself, that I'm crazy, that I need help. My mother told me that having an imaginary friend as a small child was normal, but as a teen, I need to get over it. She thinks I completely made Bittersweet up because I have no friends, but... I know she's real. It's impossible for me to be imagining something for so long, especially if she's told me things that I've never known before.

But no matter how much I tried to convince them, they wouldn't listen. They forced me into therapy. First they thought I was Schizophrenic, but I tested negatively for that. Then they suggested that I was taking hallucinogenic drugs, but because of the fact that I was four when she first appeared, that theory didn't last long. They tested me anyway, and as expected, it was negative. There were no signs of me, or my brain being abnormal in any way, so they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. It couldn't be because I was just an idiot, because I had the highest GPA in my grade. So they finally came to the conclusion that I was lonely, and trying to get attention.

"Suzuki-san, it's okay to feel lonely. You don't have to hold on so strongly to this imaginary girl." my therapist, Dr. Kanzaki, told me.

"But I'm not lonely." I said, crossing my arms, "I have a family who loves me, even though it doesn't really seem like it right now. I get plenty of attention from them, especially now, even if it's negative." my eyebrows furrowed as a spoke, "I don't need friends at school. And Bittersweet isn't imaginary. There's no way I could possibly be imagining her for so long, without a single bit of her personality, appearance, or voice changing at all!"

"The human brain has a lot of power, Suzuki-san. It can make you believe certain things, when they really aren't true." he explained, "And yet, they seem very real to you. You've made yourself believe in her, and now you can't give her up."

I didn't respond. I knew this was true. But Bittersweet wasn't fake.

"Why don't you try to make some real friends?" he suggested.

"Because everyone avoids me. They won't even give me a chance." I told him, my voice low and cold, "Even if Bittersweet wasn't real, my interest in demons alone would be what keeps them away."

"Then try to meet some kids who don't go to your school. Maybe transfer to a different school, and start over."

"Dr. Kanzaki, I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. I dont. want. friends." I stood up, "Demons are evil beings, but humans are just cruel. It's a shame we're forced to live in this kind of world." I said quietly to myself, but loud enough for Dr. Kanzaki to hear. I started heading towards the door.

"Suzuki-san! Wait, don't go!" he called out to me. I glanced back at him for a moment, but I just shook my head, and walked out the door.

I was put on medication once. I took them to prove a point. I even made my parents watch me take it everyday for a week. Bittersweet went on about her day as normal, going away to work, but then eventually coming back. They didn't work, and the drugs just made me sick.

Although my family issues made me pretty depressed, I could always rely on Bittersweet. That made me believe in her more. She always made me happy on a bad day.

Oh! And she did eventually tell me who her boss was, just like she said she would. Turns out it's Satan himself. Apparently, she's also his favorite Shinigami, although Bittersweet has a few grudges against him, and doesn't exactly show him any respect. She works hard, and that's all that matters to him.

What Bittersweet has against him, though, she never went into full detail. But from what she has said, she's like a.. test subject for him. He gave her a bunch of abnormal abilities and qualities. It doesn't sound bad, but she was resented for it during training. It mostly just affects her appearance and personality more than anything else, though.

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By the time I was in my last year of junior high, Bittersweet came to accept me talking to her so openly in front of other students, and my family. She enjoyed the concerned and confused looks everyone gave me, and she usually got a laugh out of it.

We were sitting on the couch in my living room, talking about random things with no purpose, when she stopped laughing, and had a serious look on her face.

"Bittersweet? Something wrong?" I asked.

"High school."

"Eh?"

"Where do you plan to go?" she asked.

I stared at her, confused, for a moment, "It's completely unlike you to casually talk about my education like a mother. What do you really want to say?" I haven't put much thought into where I was gonna go. I figured I'd just go along to the next school, like everyone else, but then again... I don't really want to be in a school where everyone knows me anymore.

Bittersweet laughed at my comment, "I guess you know me better than I thought." she patted me on the head, "Alright, there's a school I think you should attend."

"Really? You put thought into that?" I raised an eyebrow, "Okay... What school?"

"True Cross Academy."

"What? Isn't that some rich kid's boarding school?"

"It's an expensive school to attend, yes, but you could get in easily if you took the enterance exam." she pointed out.

"But I'll have to live in dorms!" I pouted, "And besides, I heard some kids talking about it the other day. Their older brother is apparently attending, and he says that it's.. weird sometimes."

"That's to be expected."

"Wha-?"

"Of course there's a reason why I want you to attend, not simply because it's a great school." she smirked at me, "There's an exorcist cram school there."

It took me a moment to realize why she was telling me this, but it finally hit me, "You want me to be a-"

"Sh." she quickly stopped me, putting a finger to my lips, "Your mom's in the other room. I don't want her to know." she moved her hand away from my face, and continued talking, "Yes, I want you to start training to be an exorcist."

"Why?"

"Think about it. You can already see demons, you have basic knowledge on them because of me, and..." her voice suddenly got softer, "I'm not always gonna be around you, and... Since that ghoul all those years ago..." I don't think I've ever heard her sounding so upset before, "You need to be able to protect yourself if I'm not around."

"So then why," I started to whisper, "can't my mom know?"

"Well, she obviously doesn't believe in demons. And even if she did, it's a dangerous job." she explained, "You can tell her after you've become an Exwire." she said with a smile, "It may take a while, but at least you'll have a reason to keep going."

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I ended up just telling her that I'd think about it. It didn't take me long to make up my mind. Though by the time I did, she was off to do her job, and she wasn't going to be back for a few hours. I decided to tell my parents in the meantime.

"Mom, Dad, I want to go to True Cross Academy." I said suddenly during dinner.

Both of them looked at me, sort of in shock, "But.. isn't that a bit expensive?" my dad asked.

"Yeah, but it's mostly free if I can pass the enterance exam." I explained, "You both know that I'm very capable of doing that."

"Okay, then... why that school?" my mom asked.

This is where it gets difficult. I can't tell them the real reason, so how can I play it off? "I've heard good things about it." I explained, "I'm... also... tired of being known by the entire school as an 'attention whore' and a 'creepy loner who talks to herself'"

They looked at my sympathetically. I could tell they were trying to avoid telling me that it was my fault, "Isn't it a boarding school? You'll have to live in a dorm." my dad tried, "Are you sure you're up for that?"

"Yep. I've made up my mind." I said, "I want to go."

"I guess we can't argue then." my mom said, "Okay."