Disclaimer: I do not own Honkai Impact 3rd
Akito was in no rush. School had already started, and there was no salvaging his tardiness at this point. Mei would be fine—Grim was with her, and anyone foolish enough to try anything would quickly regret their life choices (and clothing decisions). Taking a shortcut through the park, he decided to grab some food on the way.
The park was unusually quiet for the time of day, with the morning sun casting long shadows across the grass. As he walked, Akito noticed a figure sprawled out on one of the benches. A young girl with striking white hair styled in pigtails was lying on her back, arms crossed over her chest as she grumbled softly to herself. Her expression was scrunched in irritation, but it was the loud growl of her stomach that caught his attention.
Akito stopped a few paces away, tilting his head slightly. "Are you okay?"
The girl opened one blue eye to glance at him, only for her stomach to answer the question on her behalf. She flushed slightly and sat up, glaring at the offending sound.
"I'm fine," she grumbled before another growl betrayed her.
Akito raised an eyebrow. "Want some food?"
Her eyes lit up immediately. "You mean it?"
"Yeah, come on," Akito said with a shrug, gesturing for her to follow. He led her to a local ramen shop he frequented, a cozy place tucked into the corner of a quiet street.
Sliding into a booth, Akito ordered two bowls of miso soup without a second thought. The girl plopped down across from him, her hands folded over the table as she gazed hungrily at the kitchen.
While they waited, Akito leaned back in his seat, arms crossed. "So, what were you doing lying on a bench in the middle of the park?"
The girl huffed, resting her chin in her hand. "Looking for my dad."
Akito blinked. That wasn't the answer he'd expected. "You're searching for your dad? Why?"
"Because he's a total deadbeat!" she declared, slamming a fist on the table. "He's probably off flirting with some woman instead of doing something important. It's my job to find him and beat him up."
Akito stared at her, his expression flat. "And how are you planning to eat if you're hopping between cities playing detective?"
"Easy," she said confidently, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I'm a cute girl."
The sheer deadpan weight of Akito's stare could have flattened mountains. "That sounds concerningon so many levels."
She leaned forward, grinning. "If any creeps try something, they'll find out the hard way that I'm way stronger than them!"
Akito's gaze didn't waver, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes—curiosity, maybe. There was an air about this girl, a sense of presence that set her apart from the average person. He couldn't quite place it, but he could believe her claim without much trouble.
Before he could respond, their food arrived. The rich aroma of the miso soup filled the air as the bowls were set down, and the girl's earlier bravado vanished in the blink of an eye.
"Thank you for the food!" she exclaimed, grabbing her chopsticks with gusto.
Akito simply nodded, eating at a steady pace while the girl devoured her meal like it was the best thing she'd ever tasted.
After finishing their food, the two returned to the park. Akito waved her off as he headed toward the school, already preparing himself for whatever scolding he'd receive.
The girl, on the other hand, turned in the opposite direction, her spirits clearly lifted.
For Akito, the encounter was nothing more than an odd diversion—something to be filed away in the back of his mind. He had no way of knowing that this wouldn't be the last time their paths would cross.
Haruto leaned back in his chair, balancing precariously on two legs as he scrolled through his phone. Mei was seated a few rows ahead, speaking quietly to Airi. Despite the usual hum of conversation in the classroom, there was an undeniable tension in the air.
Haruto sighed. 'Again?' He glanced out the window, where a cluster of black feathers darted across the sky, circling lazily over the schoolyard. These weren't the usual crows Akito kept around. These were bigger, sharper, and their red eyes glinted like embers even in daylight.
"Man, Akito's crows leveled up," Airi joked earlier, nudging Haruto with a smirk. "Guess he sent in the elite squad for Raiden's protection."
She wasn't wrong. Ever since Akito started arriving later to school—claiming his "bad luck was increasing"—things had shifted. People who normally steered clear of Mei's personal space seemed emboldened in Akito's absence. Haruto wasn't surprised. For all the jokes about Akito's bad luck, the guy had an aura. One part grim reaper, one part mafia boss. It kept people at bay.
But what the intruders hadn't accounted for wereanimals.
Earlier that week, a reporter and some idiot from another school had cornered Mei outside the gates. Haruto didn't hear the details, but it didn't matter. They were pressing her for information about her father and why she wasn't acting "appropriately." The next thing anyone knew, a mangy shadow had lunged at them from nowhere. The reporter fled, dropping his camera, but not before it caught a haunting silhouette.
The footage made its rounds online, sparking a storm of speculation. Some said it was a youkai. Others whispered about werewolves or a Church Grim. Haruto wasn't sure which theory was scarier: a supernatural guardian beast... or the idea that Akito somehow had control over it.
"Haruto, are you listening?" Airi's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Huh?" He straightened his chair with a thud. Mei had joined their group, looking tired but resolute.
"I said, what's your take on this?" Airi tilted her phone toward him. It displayed a string of comments from the latest upload featuring'Queen's Dog.'
'The Plague strikes again—why does Raiden even talk to him?'
'You know, the way those animals follow him, he might actually be cursed.'
'What's the story with the coast thing he mentioned? Found nothing but locked archives.'
Haruto groaned. "Seriously, this again? People need to get lives."
"Not just people." Airi's smile faded. "Some of it's coming from inside the school. I've heard a few whispers in 2-B, too."
Mei frowned but said nothing.
Haruto crossed his arms. "They're idiots. It's not like Akito asked for any of this."
"But you have to admit it's weird," Airi replied, her tone light but edged with curiosity. "Those crows? That dog thing? How does he always seem to—"
"Because it's Akito," Haruto interrupted. "Weird is his whole vibe."
Mei chuckled quietly, surprising them both. "He'd probably agree with you."
As classes ended, Haruto found himself loitering by the courtyard, waiting for Mei and Airi to finish packing up. A pair of crows perched on the gate, their crimson eyes watching him. It was unsettling, but by now, he was almost used to it.
He didn't notice the approaching students until they were close enough to speak. "Hey, Haruto," one called. He turned to find a group of underclassmen from Class 1-B, led by their representative Yuki.
"What's up?" he asked.
Yuki hesitated, exchanging glances with her vice, Chika. Finally, she said, "We were just wondering… is it true? That Hoshizora-san caused some kind of disaster before he came here?"
Haruto stiffened. He felt the crows' gaze sharpen, almost as if they were waiting for their responses. "Where'd you hear that?"
"People have been talking," Chika said, clearly uncomfortable. "Something about the coast. And firewalls?"
Haruto's jaw clenched. "It's just a rumor. You shouldn't believe everything you hear."
"Still," Yuki pressed, "if it's true—"
"It's not," Mei's voice cut through, firm and unyielding. She stepped forward, flanked by Airi. "And even if it was, it's none of your business."
Yuki nodded quickly, chastised, and the group backed off. As they left, Haruto exhaled.
"Thanks for that," he said.
Mei smiled faintly. "It's nothing. Akito's dealt with worse."
"Yeah, but…" He trailed off, glancing at the crows. "Do you think he knows how much this freaks people out?"
Mei followed his gaze. "Oh, he knows," she said. "But if it keeps us safe, does it matter?"
Haruto didn't have an answer for that.
Haruto sat near the classroom window, gazing out at the rapidly darkening sky. The weather had been unusually volatile lately—thick clouds gathering, winds kicking up without warning. And then, of course, the rain.
It always started the same way: a few fat drops falling rhythmically before the heavens opened in a torrential downpour. By now, it felt almost predictable.
Like clockwork, Haruto thought. Or maybe like a countdown.
His fingers tapped against the desk as his thoughts wandered. The pattern of the storms was strange, and not just because of their timing. It was the way they always seemed to linger around Nagazora, refusing to move on, as if tethered here.
Haruto's gaze shifted toward Mei, who was seated across the room. She had her head down, diligently taking notes, but there was a faint crease between her brows. He knew that look—she was thinking about something.
After class ended, Haruto cornered her near the lockers. "So," he started casually, "what's the verdict? Do we chalk this up to 'normal weird Nagazora weather,' or are we blaming Hoshizora again?"
Mei gave him a flat look but didn't respond immediately.
"Oh, come on," he teased, leaning against the lockers. "It's not like storms randomly decide to camp out over a city. They're following him, right?"
Mei hesitated, then said quietly, "I don't think it's that simple."
"What do you mean?"
She glanced around, ensuring no one was within earshot, before lowering her voice. "Do you remember what Akito said? About his bad luck increasing?"
"Yeah," Haruto replied. "But that's just… him, right? He's always like that."
Mei shook her head. "I don't think so. What if it's connected to something bigger? A prelude to what he mentioned before."
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "You mean the whole 'slingshot' thing?"
Mei nodded, her expression grim. "He wasn't joking, Haruto. I think whatever's coming is closer than we realize."
For a moment, Haruto didn't respond. Then, with a sly grin, he said, "Wow, Mei. I didn't know you were so close with our resident Mafia Don."
Mei's face turned a brilliant shade of red. "That's not—!"
"Oh, no, it totally is," Haruto interrupted, laughing. "You've got the crows watching your back, and now you're his official storm tracker?"
"Haruto!" Mei hissed, glancing around in panic.
Her embarrassment only deepened when she noticed a cluster of crows perched on the rooftop, their crimson eyes fixed intently on her.
"Oh, no," she muttered, burying her face in her hands.
Haruto couldn't resist one last jab. "Looks like even the birds agree, huh?"
By lunchtime, Mei still hadn't lived down Haruto's teasing. She avoided his gaze, focusing instead on her bento, but she could feel his smirk from across the table. Airi, as always, was quick to join in.
"So," Airi said, grinning, "when are you going to start handing out official titles? I vote for Haruto as 'Underboss.'"
"Don't you start," Mei groaned, poking at her rice.
The truth was, she didn't understand why the storms—or the crows—were suddenly so focused on her. Sure, Akito had left her under their protection, but this level of attention was new. It was as though they were waiting for something.
Or someone.
She glanced out the window, watching as the dark clouds gathered again. There was a heaviness in the air, a sense of something brewing just beneath the surface.
"Mei?" Airi's voice pulled her back to the present.
"Sorry," she said quickly. "I was just… thinking."
Haruto leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "About Akito again?"
"No!" Mei shot back, a little too quickly.
Airi snickered. "You know, the crows might actually be on to something. If I didn't know better, I'd say they're rooting for you two."
Mei groaned, wishing the ground would swallow her whole.
After school, Airi lingered near the Augury Tree, scrolling through her phone. The silhouette of the mangy dog from the reporter's camera was trending again, sparking new theories.
'Definitely a youkai.'
'No way, it's a Church Grim.'
'Whatever it is, it's creepy as hell.'
Airi didn't know what to think. She wasn't superstitious, but even she had to admit there was something unsettling about the way these things kept happening around Hoshizora.
And then there were the storms.
She tilted her head, watching as the sky darkened once more. Haruto had joked about the weather being a warning, but Airi wasn't so sure. Warnings were clear, direct. This felt more like a buildup, a slow, inevitable escalation.
She pocketed her phone and glanced toward the gates, half-expecting to see Akito's usual unhurried stride as he finally arrived at school. But the gates remained empty.
"I don't get it," she muttered to herself. "What's he up to?"
The caw of a crow answered her, sharp and close enough to make her jump. She turned to find one of the larger ones perched nearby, its red eyes glinting in the dim light.
"Okay, okay, I get it," she said, raising her hands. "I'll stop asking."
The crow tilted its head, almost as if it understood, before taking off toward the darkening sky.
The streets of Nagazora felt different lately. Haruto couldn't pinpoint exactly when it started, but the air seemed heavier, like the city itself was holding its breath. People were acting jumpier too—students, shopkeepers, even the usual crowds at the market.
Walking home after school, Haruto noticed small groups of people gathered on street corners, murmuring in hushed tones. He caught snippets of their conversations.
"... saw it again last night, near the old canal."
"That dog? The mangy one with the burnt fur?"
"Yeah. It was just standing there, staring. Gave me the chills."
Haruto didn't believe in superstitions, but the mention of the dog made his pace quicken. It wasn't the first time he'd heard about sightings of Grim, and the descriptions always made his skin crawl.
When he passed a newsstand, one headline caught his eye:
"Phantom Dog of Nagazora: Protector or Omen?"
Underneath was a blurry photo of Grim, his red-tinged eyes glowing in the darkness. The article speculated wildly—some said it was a yokai, others claimed it was a ghost, and a few theorized it was tied to recent storms.
Haruto shook his head and kept walking, but he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling settling in his gut.
Airi sat in the classroom, her notebook open but untouched. Around her, the usual chatter of her classmates was quieter than normal, replaced by uneasy whispers.
"Did you hear about the reporter?" one girl murmured.
"Yeah, they're saying something attacked him. He ran screaming into the night."
"I heard it was a huge dog, bigger than any normal one."
Airi rolled her eyes but couldn't deny the growing tension. Even at school, where things were usually insulated from the chaos outside, the atmosphere was thick with fear.
During lunch, she joined Mei and Haruto at their usual spot under the Augury Tree. Mei was quiet, picking at her food, while Haruto leaned back against the tree trunk, looking uncharacteristically serious.
"You guys feel it too, right?" Haruto finally said.
"Feel what?" Airi asked, though she already knew.
"The way everyone's on edge," Haruto replied. "It's not just the storms or the dog or whatever. It's like the whole city's waiting for something to happen."
Airi frowned. "You think it has to do with Hoshizora?"
"Maybe," Haruto admitted. "Or maybe it's just Nagazora being Nagazora."
Mei looked up, her expression thoughtful. "It's more than that," she said quietly. "I think… I think the storms and the animals are reacting to something. Like they can sense it coming before we can."
Haruto and Airi exchanged a glance. Neither of them wanted to admit it, but Mei's words struck a chord.
After school, Mei decided to take a different route home, hoping to avoid the prying eyes of reporters and classmates. The constant attention was suffocating, and even though the crows always seemed to intervene, it didn't stop people from trying.
As she walked through a quieter part of town, she felt the familiar prickling sensation of being watched. She glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing—just the empty street and the fading light of the setting sun.
"Get a grip," she muttered to herself, quickening her pace.
Ahead, a dark shape loomed in the shadows of an alley. Mei froze, her breath catching in her throat. It was the dog. Grim.
He stepped into the dim light, his mangy fur and scarred body making him look more monstrous than ever. His red eyes glowed faintly as he stared at her, unblinking.
Mei's heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay calm. "You're not going to hurt me, are you?" she whispered.
Grim tilted his head slightly, as if considering her words, then let out a low huff and turned away, disappearing back into the shadows.
Mei exhaled shakily and hurried home, but the encounter left her rattled. She couldn't help but wonder if Grim was protecting her—or warning her.
A week later, the tension in Nagazora had reached a boiling point. People were openly talking about the storms, the dog, and the strange occurrences around the city. Even the school was abuzz with rumors, some more outlandish than others.
"Do you think the dog is connected to Hoshizora?" someone whispered in class.
"Of course! He's always surrounded by weird animals."
"Maybe he summoned it. Like a familiar or something."
Haruto sighed, slamming his textbook shut. "You guys seriously have nothing better to do?" he snapped.
The class fell silent, surprised by his outburst.
"Look," Haruto continued, "Hoshizora's not some villain out of a horror story. Stop spreading rumors about him."
After class, Airi caught up with him. "You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," Haruto muttered. "I'm just sick of everyone treating him like he's the cause of all this."
Airi nodded. "You think Mei's okay? She's been quieter lately."
Haruto frowned. "I don't know. But if anyone can handle this, it's her. She's got Grim and the crows watching her, right?"
Airi smiled faintly. "You really think that's a comfort?"
That evening, Airi scrolled through her phone, checking the latest posts about Nagazora's mysterious dog.
"Saw it again tonight. It was huge, with glowing red eyes. Definitely not normal."
"I swear it was watching me. Just standing there like it was waiting for something."
"Maybe it's not a dog at all. What if it's something worse?"
Airi shivered, setting her phone aside. She didn't believe in monsters or spirits, but even she couldn't deny that something was wrong in Nagazora.
From her window, she could see the storm clouds gathering again, their dark shapes swirling ominously above the city.
Mei sat alone under the Augury Tree during lunch. The chatter of her classmates drifted around her, but none of it was directed toward her anymore. She'd been a queen once, respected—or feared—because of her status and lineage. Now, she was just Raiden Mei, the daughter of a fallen man, reduced to whispers and sidelong glances.
Her chopsticks trembled in her hand as she picked at her bento. She wasn't hungry, but forcing herself to eat had become a habit—something normal to cling to in a world that felt increasingly unstable.
The sound of wings rustling above her made her look up. A group of crows perched on the tree's branches, their red eyes glinting in the sunlight. These weren't Akito's usual crows—Aaaaah, Spectre, or the others—but their presence was oddly comforting.
"You're here again," she murmured. The crows tilted their heads in unison, watching her silently.
She sighed, closing her bento. "It's like you're trying to say something. Or maybe I'm just losing it."
The breeze shifted, and for a moment, she thought she heard footsteps. Turning her head, she caught sight of Akito in the distance, standing near the school gates. His uniform was disheveled, and he held a plastic bag—likely filled with convenience store food. He didn't approach her but simply nodded in her direction before heading into the building.
Mei's shoulders relaxed slightly. Even when he wasn't by her side, Akito's silent acknowledgment felt like an anchor, keeping her steady.
Haruto's father sat at the dining table, his expression stern as he leafed through a newspaper. His mother, always impeccably dressed, stood by the kitchen counter, her arms crossed.
"Haruto," she began, her tone clipped, "we need to talk about your... associations at school."
Haruto sighed, setting his chopsticks down. "What about them?"
His father folded the newspaper with deliberate slowness. "The Raiden girl. And Hoshizora. They're both trouble, son. Mei's family is in ruins, and Hoshizora... well, the rumors speak for themselves."
"Rumors," Haruto repeated, his voice sharp. "That's all they are."
"Does it matter?" his mother snapped. "Your future is at stake here. Universities, connections—these things matter, Haruto. You can't afford to be dragged down by their reputations."
He clenched his fists under the table. "Mei's still the same person she's always been. And Hoshizora... he's not what people think he is."
His father's eyes narrowed. "You're being naïve. This isn't about friendship; it's about survival. If you can't see that, then maybe we need to reconsider—"
Haruto stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "I'm not abandoning them." Without another word, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Airi sat in her room, her phone buzzing incessantly on her desk. Ignoring the calls, she stared at her laptop screen, scrolling through the latest social media posts. The stories about Grim and the crows were everywhere, fueling the growing paranoia in Nagazora.
Her parents had been relentless lately, their expectations weighing heavily on her.
"You need to think about your reputation," her mother had said earlier that evening. "Being associated with Raiden Mei is bad enough, but Hoshizora? He's a walking disaster."
Airi had tried to argue, but her father had cut her off. "This isn't a debate, Airi. You'll do what's best for your future."
Now, sitting alone in her room, she felt the sting of their words. Haruto might be willing to stand up to his family, but Airi wasn't sure she had the same courage.
Her phone buzzed again, this time with a message from Haruto.
Haruto:"Meet me under the tree tomorrow. We need to talk."
She sighed, typing out a quick reply.
Airi:"Fine. But I'm not sure what to do anymore."
As she hit send, a shadow passed by her window. Glancing outside, she caught a fleeting glimpse of something—Grim, she realized. The mangy dog stood in the street, his glowing red eyes fixed on her house.
A chill ran down her spine as the dog turned and disappeared into the darkness.
Mei walked through the school halls, her head held high despite the whispers and stares that followed her. She'd grown used to the attention, but it didn't make it any easier.
She passed a group of students huddled near the lockers, their conversation halting as she approached. One of them snickered. "Queen's Dog isn't around today. Guess she's on her own."
Mei ignored them, but the words stung. Akito's absence had become more frequent lately, and while the crows and Grim kept most people at bay, there were still moments when the isolation felt overwhelming.
During lunch, she sat under the Augury Tree again. Haruto and Airi joined her, both looking tense.
"My parents want me to stop hanging out with you," Airi admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Same here," Haruto added. "They think you're a liability."
Mei's expression didn't change, but her grip on her chopsticks tightened. "I don't blame you if you want to distance yourselves," she said quietly.
"Who said anything about that?" Haruto shot back. "I'm not going anywhere."
Airi hesitated, then nodded. "Me neither. It's just... hard, you know?"
Mei managed a small smile. "I know. And... thank you."
Despite his growing absences, Akito's presence lingered in subtle ways. The crows seemed to watch over Mei more intensely when he wasn't around, their red eyes glinting ominously. Grim's appearances had become more frequent, and while he never approached Haruto or Airi, they often felt his presence nearby.
Akito himself rarely spoke about what was keeping him away. When Haruto confronted him one morning, Akito simply shrugged and said, "Bad luck's acting up. You know how it is."
But there were moments—fleeting, almost imperceptible—when Akito's usual poker face slipped. Mei caught him staring at the horizon once, his expression distant and almost... troubled.
"Akito?" she'd asked, using his given name without thinking.
He blinked, the mask snapping back into place. "It's nothing. Just thinking."
Mei didn't press him, but the unease in his eyes lingered in her mind long after he walked away.
Haruto leaned against the lockers, watching as Mei entered the classroom, her steps deliberate and her expression unreadable. She'd been putting up a strong front, but Haruto could see through it. The slight hesitation in her stride, the way her shoulders tensed whenever someone whispered behind her back—it was all taking its toll.
Airi appeared beside him, clutching her notebook tightly. "She looks exhausted," she murmured.
"She is," Haruto replied. "But do you think she'll admit it?"
Airi shook her head. "Not a chance."
The bell rang, and they took their seats. Haruto glanced at Mei, who was already pulling out her books. She caught his eye and gave him a faint smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.
After class, they gathered under the Augury Tree for lunch. Haruto tried to lighten the mood. "So, Mei, how's your cooking progress with Hoshizora?"
Mei groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Don't ask. I tried to make rice yesterday, and it somehow turned into porridge."
Airi snorted. "How do you mess up rice?"
"Don't encourage her," Haruto said with mock seriousness. "We don't need another kitchen casualty."
Mei glared at him, her cheeks flushing. "It's harder than it looks, okay? And for your information, Akito said I'm improving."
"Did he really?" Airi teased.
"Well... he said I'm banned from his kitchen until further notice," Mei admitted, her voice barely audible.
Haruto and Airi burst into laughter, the tension momentarily lifting.
Later that evening, Mei sat in her room, staring at her phone. Her fingers hovered over the screen, debating whether to send a message to Akito. She wanted to thank him—for the crows, for Grim, for everything—but the words felt inadequate.
Her phone buzzed with a notification. It was from a social media account speculating about the "demonic guardians" that had been sighted around Nagazora. One post included a blurry photo of Grim, his glowing red eyes piercing through the darkness.
The caption read:"Is this the creature protecting Raiden Mei? Youkai? Church Grim? Something else entirely?"
Mei sighed, setting the phone aside. Even though Akito's "protection" kept most people at bay, it also added another layer of isolation. She was no longer just the disgraced heiress; she was the girl watched by monsters.
The school was abuzz with rumors. Students whispered about the increasing storms, the ominous crows, and the mysterious sightings of Grim. Even the teachers seemed uneasy, their glances lingering on Mei whenever she walked into a room.
In town, the tension was even more palpable. Shops near the Raiden estate had reported unusual occurrences—shadows moving on their own, animals behaving erratically, and the inexplicable sound of wings flapping overhead.
At a local café, two reporters discussed their latest assignments.
"Did you hear about the dog?" one of them said, lowering his voice.
"The mangy one? Yeah. Someone got a picture of it near the school."
"It's not just near the school," the first reporter whispered. "People are saying it's been spotted all over Nagazora. Always around the Raiden girl."
The second reporter shivered. "You think it's real?"
The first shrugged. "All I know is, I'm not going near her. Bad luck seems to follow her wherever she goes."
The next weekend, Mei stood in Akito's kitchen, determined to redeem herself. Akito leaned against the counter, arms crossed and an unamused expression on his face.
"Okay, Mei," he said, "today we're making scrambled eggs. Simple, easy, impossible to mess up."
"I can do this," Mei said, tying an apron around her waist.
Akito handed her a bowl and a whisk. "Crack the eggs, whisk them, and then we'll cook them. Got it?"
She nodded, concentrating as she cracked the eggs into the bowl. When a piece of eggshell fell in, she quickly fished it out, glancing nervously at Akito. He raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Things went smoothly—until she turned on the stove.
"Why is it smoking?" Mei asked, panicking.
Akito sighed, stepping in to adjust the flame. "Because you had it on full blast. You're not trying to incinerate them."
By the time the eggs were done, they were a bit overcooked but still edible. Mei looked at Akito expectantly.
"Well?"
He took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. "It's... not terrible."
Mei beamed. "See? I'm getting better!"
Akito smirked. "You're still banned from my kitchen until further notice."
"Akito!"
Despite his usual stoic demeanor, Akito's subtle actions spoke volumes. Mei noticed how he always kept a careful eye on her when they crossed paths, his gaze sharp and assessing. If she so much as stumbled, one of his crows would swoop down, startling her but preventing any harm.
Haruto, too, picked up on Akito's quiet vigilance. During one stormy afternoon, he saw Akito standing under the Augury Tree, seemingly lost in thought. But when Haruto approached, Akito's posture straightened, his poker face firmly in place.
"You're out in the rain," Haruto said.
"So are you," Akito replied evenly.
Haruto hesitated. "...Are you worried about Mei?"
Akito didn't answer right away. Instead, he glanced at the sky, his expression unreadable. "The storms aren't random," he said finally. "Something's coming. I don't know what yet, but it's close."
Before Haruto could respond, Akito walked away, leaving only the faint sound of crows cawing in his wake.
Mei sat alone in her room, scrolling through her phone. The screen was flooded with posts about her, Akito, and their friends. It was exhausting, watching her life dissected and discussed by strangers who didn't know her.
One post caught her eye:
"Raiden Mei's downfall continues. Protected by monsters and abandoned by her 'friends,' how long can she survive in the real world? Maybe her guardians will turn on her next. #CursedHeiress"
Mei's grip tightened on her phone. Her heart sank as she imagined her father's face, his reputation already in ruins. Would he see these posts? Would he blame her for the mess their lives had become?
She glanced out the window, where Grim sat silently on the garden path, his red eyes glowing faintly in the darkness. The crows perched in the nearby trees, their watchful presence both comforting and eerie.
A knock on her door broke the silence. It was Haruto.
"You okay?" he asked, stepping inside without waiting for an answer.
Mei forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Liar." Haruto sat down across from her. "You've been glued to your phone all day. What are they saying now?"
"Just the usual," Mei said with a shrug. "That I'm cursed, that Akito is some kind of death god, that you and Airi are traitors for sticking with us."
Haruto sighed. "They're idiots. They don't know anything."
"Do you?" Mei asked, her voice trembling. "Because I don't. I don't know why this is happening. I don't know if it'll ever stop."
Haruto didn't have an answer. Instead, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Haruto sat at the dinner table, barely touching his food. His parents' voices droned on, their words cutting deeper with each sentence.
"Haruto, you need to think about your future," his father said sternly. "Associating with the Raiden girl and that Hoshizora boy is dangerous."
"People are talking," his mother added. "Your teachers, your classmates' parents. They're worried about the kind of company you're keeping."
Haruto clenched his fists under the table. "They're my friends," he said firmly.
His father frowned. "Friends can drag you down, Haruto. Think about what's best for you."
Haruto pushed back his chair and stood up. "Maybe what's best for me is sticking by them," he snapped before storming out of the room.
Airi stared at her reflection in the mirror, her usual bright smile absent. Her family had been relentless lately, pushing her to cut ties with Mei and Akito.
"You don't owe them anything," her older brother had said that morning. "If anything, they owe you for sticking by them this long."
But Airi couldn't bring herself to abandon them. She thought about Akito's quiet protectiveness, Mei's determination, and Haruto's unwavering loyalty. They were her friends, and they needed her.
Still, the weight of the whispers at school, the looks from teachers, and the disapproving glares from her family were beginning to take their toll.
Social media was ablaze with speculation and fear-mongering. The appearance of the snakes added fuel to the fire:
"Anyone else notice the snakes? I swear I saw a Mamushi near my house yesterday. What is happening in Nagazora?!"
"Hoshizora Akito is DEFINITELY cursed. First the crows, now snakes? He's gotta be a shinigami in disguise."
"Is it just me, or do the storms seem worse lately? Maybe it's connected to Raiden Mei and her 'guardians.' Creepy af."
Even the sightings of Grim became a topic of heated debate:
"Saw that mangy dog again near the school. Pretty sure it's a Church Grim. Someone should investigate."
"Nah, it's probably just a stray. But those red eyes? Yeah, no thanks."
The posts about Haruto and Airi were less dramatic but no less cruel:
"Nakamura and Tanaka are cowards. They're only sticking with Mei because they're too scared to leave. #Queen'sDog"
"Bet they're trying to milk the Raiden name for all it's worth before she's completely ruined."
Reports of unusual snakes became more frequent, their presence unsettling residents and stoking fear online:
A shopkeeper claimed to have seen a Habu slithering near his storage room.
A teenager posted a video of what appeared to be a Yamakagashi crossing a park path.
Someone else shared a photo of a Yaeyama odd-scaled snake, with the caption:"This isn't even supposed to be in this part of Japan. What is going on?!"
These sightings coincided with increased hostility toward Mei and Akito. The town's collective unease seemed to center on them, as if they were the eye of the storm.
Despite his late arrivals and cryptic remarks, Akito's concern was evident in the smallest details:
The crows' numbers increased when Mei or the others were alone, their sharp cries warding off potential threats.
Grim's appearances became more frequent, his glowing eyes and hulking frame a silent warning to anyone who dared approach Mei.
Akito's gaze lingered on the storm clouds during lunch breaks, his expression unreadable but tense.
One afternoon, as the group gathered under the Augury Tree, Haruto noticed Akito tracing faint patterns in the dirt with a stick.
"What's that?" Haruto asked.
Akito glanced up, his poker face firmly in place. "Just a habit," he said, but his tone suggested otherwise.
Mei exchanged a glance with Haruto, both of them unsettled but unsure whether to press further.
Social media buzz wasn't confined to the younger generation. Accounts tied to local business leaders, corporate heads, and even older residents were adding fuel to the fire. The combination of snakes, storms, and the scandal surrounding ME Corp was creating a potent cocktail of fear and suspicion.
"Does anyone else think the storms aren't natural? Between Raiden Ryoma's disgrace and Hoshizora Akito's... presence, Nagazora feels cursed."— NagazoraBusinessWatch
"I've lived here 60 years, and I've NEVER seen so many snakes. Maybe we've angered something, or someone's brought a curse upon us."— NagazoraElderlyVoices
"Is it a coincidence that these disasters started after ME Corp fell? Think about it: Raiden Ryoma crashes, and suddenly Nagazora's crawling with snakes and weird storms."— CorporateAnalysisJapan
Even subtler were the mentions of shadowy figures and unmarked vehicles:
"Saw a black van near the Raiden estate last night. No logos, tinted windows. Government? Or something worse?"— UrbanLegendsNagazora
"There are people asking questions about Hoshizora Akito's past, but every time someone digs deeper, their posts get wiped. #Firewalls #Conspiracy"— NagazoraInvestigates
The more tech-savvy users began to pick up on something peculiar: a pattern of information suppression. Posts and comments about certain topics—especially those involving Cocolia, ME Corp, or the term "Aberrations"—were vanishing.
"Anyone notice posts about Cocolia and ME Corp disappear fast? Whatever's going on, someone wants it buried."— DigitalWhispers
"Firewalls keep popping up whenever I try to trace anything about Nagazora's strange happenings. Looks like someone powerful doesn't want us to know."— HackerHaven
Rumors linking Cocolia to the chaos swirled in certain circles:
"Cocolia swooped in and took over ME Corp right before everything went to hell. Coincidence? Doubt it."— CorporateConspiracyHunter
"I heard whispers about a project involving some kind of 'Gem.' Could be nonsense, but if true, it's tied to all this."— AntiEntropyTracker
Mei scrolled through her phone, her face illuminated by the blue glow of the screen. Each comment felt like a knife:
"Raiden Mei might be pretty, but even beauty can't hide her family's disgrace. What's she even doing walking around like she's normal?"
"Is it true she's under Hoshizora Akito's protection? What kind of deal do you think she made with him?"
She sighed, her fingers trembling as she hovered over the close button. The faint sound of cawing outside her window made her glance up, where several red-eyed crows stared back.
"Mei, stop," Haruto said firmly, sitting beside her. "You're just torturing yourself at this point."
"They're talking about us, Haruto," Mei replied. "About me, about Akito, about you and Airi."
"Yeah, and most of them don't know what they're talking about," Airi chimed in, snatching the phone from Mei's hand. "Social media is a burning ship. Don't go down with it."
Akito, leaning against the doorframe, added in his usual flat tone, "They're right. Stop looking at people's opinions like they're facts. It's not healthy."
What Mei didn't notice was the way Akito's sharp eyes flicked to the crows outside, their presence more numerous than usual. Subtly, he slipped his phone out of his pocket, scrolling through a private network.
The uptick in unmarked vans and mysterious figures was troubling. He had tracked similar activity before but never this concentrated in one area. He snapped his fingers twice, a sound barely audible to the others, and followed it with a shrill whistle.
A loud yet soft bark answered from somewhere outside. Akito's shoulders relaxed slightly, his tension easing as he slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"What was that?" Haruto asked, his tone suspicious.
"Nothing," Akito replied with a shrug, his poker face unshakable.
Haruto and Airi exchanged weary looks as they sat with Mei. Their families' disapproval was an ever-present weight.
"My dad said the same thing last night," Haruto muttered. "That I should stop hanging out with you guys. He thinks it's bad for my future."
"At least your dad talks about the future," Airi said bitterly. "My brother straight-up told me to ditch you all before something bad happens. Like we're cursed or something."
Mei looked down, guilt written all over her face. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Stop," Haruto said. "None of this is your fault. If anything, it's the idiots out there who can't mind their own business."
As paranoia grew, the snakes became a symbol of fear in Nagazora:
A photo of a Habu coiled near a school entrance went viral, with captions like:"Even nature's turning against us."
A Mamushi was spotted on a residential street, its presence sending residents into a panic.
The sighting of an Amami old-scaled snake was accompanied by rumors that it wasn't acting like a normal snake, as if it were drawn to something—or someone.
Mei couldn't shake the feeling that the snakes were watching her. Haruto dismissed it as paranoia, but Airi wasn't so sure. "They shouldn't be here," she said. "It's like they're being pulled in by something."
Even Akito couldn't hide his concern, though his expression remained neutral. When Grim appeared again, slinking out of the shadows with his mangy coat and glowing red eyes, he looked directly at Akito, as if confirming something unspoken.
The street outside the school was eerily quiet, the storm clouds above casting a gray pallor over Nagazora. Mei, Haruto, Airi, and Akito were walking together, the uneasy tension of the day hanging heavily between them. The streets, usually bustling at this hour, seemed emptier than usual, save for a few figures darting glances their way.
"Let's just get home," Haruto muttered, keeping close to Mei and Airi. "I don't like this."
"You think I do?" Airi snapped, her arms crossed as she glanced around warily.
Mei's head was low, her eyes flicking nervously to the corners where shadows seemed to linger. Akito, as always, trailed slightly behind them, his posture relaxed but his eyes scanning their surroundings.
The uneasy quiet shattered as a man's scream tore through the air.
"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"
The group turned just in time to see a wild-eyed man rushing toward them, a crowbar clutched in his trembling hands.
"You brought this curse on us!" the man screamed. His voice cracked with desperation, his eyes bloodshot. "You made a deal with a devil! You let the witch walk free! The snakes, the storms, everything—it's because of YOU!"
Before anyone could react, the man swung the crowbar in a blind arc aimed at Mei.
A blur of motion, and suddenly Akito was behind the man. With precise efficiency, Akito kicked the man's knees from behind, sending him crumpling to the ground. The crowbar clattered to the pavement as Akito grabbed the man's arm and twisted it roughly to the side.
The man let out a pained cry, his rage crumbling into gasps of anguish.
"Enough," Akito said, his voice cold and even. He held the man's arm in a vice grip, his knee pressing firmly against the man's back to keep him pinned.
The tension was palpable as Akito turned his head, calling out toward the group of police officers who had been loitering nearby, sneaking glances at the group. "You. Handcuffs."
One of the officers hesitated, but the other, a woman with sharp eyes, stepped forward quickly, producing a pair of cuffs. Akito yanked the man's arm upward slightly—just enough to elicit another pained grunt—before letting the officer take over.
The officer gave Akito a look, something between gratitude and wariness, before dragging the man away. The other officer followed, his gaze darting nervously between Akito and the rest of the group.
As they resumed walking, the silence was heavy, broken only by the sound of their footsteps. Finally, Haruto couldn't contain himself.
"Where did you learn to do that?" he asked, his tone equal parts awe and concern. "Did Captain or Lieutenant teach you that?"
Akito shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I learned it from my old caretaker."
He paused for a moment, then muttered under his breath, almost too quietly to hear, "Shitty old geezer."
But they caught it—the faintest trace of affection buried beneath the words.
Mei, Haruto, and Airi exchanged glances. They had come to understand Akito's subtle tells: the way his shoulders relaxed slightly, the faint warmth in his otherwise monotone voice. Whoever this caretaker had been, Akito had cared for him in his own way.
"Shitty or not, that was impressive," Airi said, breaking the tension with a small smirk. "Remind me never to piss you off."
Akito rolled his eyes but said nothing, his gaze fixed ahead.
As they walked, Mei's thoughts churned. The man's words replayed in her mind:Devil. Witch. glanced at Akito's back, his posture straight and composed as if nothing had happened.
Her chest tightened. How much longer could they keep going like this? The stares, the whispers, the accusations—they were suffocating.
Haruto and Airi weren't faring much better. Haruto's fists were clenched at his sides, his jaw tight. Airi's eyes darted to every shadow, every corner, as if expecting another attack.
Even Akito, calm as he appeared, wasn't entirely unaffected. His hand rested in his pocket, but Mei noticed the subtle twitch of his fingers—a telltale sign of his vigilance.
For a moment, she considered stopping, turning around, and apologizing to the officers. Apologizing for being a burden. Apologizing for existing.
"Don't," Akito said suddenly, his voice cutting through her thoughts.
Mei blinked. "Don't what?"
"Whatever you're thinking. Don't." He didn't look back, but his tone was firm.
Haruto and Airi glanced at each other, their expressions reflecting the same thought: 'How does he always know?'
Mei nodded weakly, her resolve strengthening just a little.