Mairimashita: Iruma-kun! - Trapped

Trapped, part 2

Mairimashita: Iruma-kun! - Trapped, part 2

The following day went on as normal, everyone sticking to their routines and doing their duties.

However, there were a few more instances when someone swore they saw Robin flirting with or leaning toward a girl from the corner of their eye. Yet, when they turned to look, it was always just another student.

Robin, himself, had yet to see such a phenomenon, but he had no reason to doubt his peers. Still, whispers were beginning to stir and groups of students would occasionally giggle or give him dirty looks as he passed.

That meant that the visions were no longer isolated to the faculty. Thus, the student council had to be brought in to silence the rumor whenever it reared its ugly head. Every measure was being taken for damage control.

That afternoon, Bachiko finally heard the whispers. Of course, she never believed them for a second. She knew her cousin better than that. The trick was controlling her temper; If she protested too much, it may appear to the student body that she was simply covering for her relative.

That evening, she had a long discussion with Robin, trying to figure out the rumor's source, but, inevitably, each report was always just a side glimpse.

No one ever saw anything head on. Someone had even tried taking a photo at one point, but, same as looking directly at the students, the picture was of an average teen couple.

The only somewhat odd thing that stuck out, aside from the entire absurd situation, was that Robin briefly mentioned that, sometimes, it felt like he was being watched.

That would make sense, of course, being under investigation, so Bachiko didn't focus on it. Instead, she was more concerned with clearing his name and upholding the clan's spotless reputation. Thus, they discussed how to handle everything.

He didn't want to tell her about his dream yet. It was a recurring vision that seemed to add another detail each time, but he didn't want to worry her further. Honestly, he wasn't even certain if it was connected. So, he remained silent.

***

A few more days passed,  then something seemed to change. At least once or twice a day, Robin was certain his keen vision had picked up on a particular demonic energy in the crowds or even in class, but no one was ever there when he looked a second time.

As the second week of oddities began, the unusual entity took on a form. She appeared to be a sixth year student with hazy features. Sometimes, her projected energy was incredibly sad, as if about to cry out, "Please help me!".

Other times, she simply seemed glad anyone was aware of her at all, offering a sorrowful smile or tiny wave. Yet her features were never in focus. Was she the one causing the strange visions?

Desperate to find out who she was or how, or even if, she was related to the rumors, Robin turned to Kalego.

His senpai had quickly and efficiently narrowed down a list of the entire student body to a single student during the previous year's bartra party - Amy Kiriwo. So he had complete faith Kalego could do it again.

It would have been easier if they had more information to go on. Unfortunately, Robin couldn't even tell him what color her eyes and hair were. Whenever she appeared, it was almost like a ghost - see-through, a mere outline, at least at first.

As the days rolled into the third week, her face slowly became clearer and her expression was always so sad, desperately trying to convey something. Stranger still, no one else ever saw her at all.

Was she truly connected to the sightings of him with other students or a phantom all of her own?

There were no records of any students missing or with a bloodline ability that could explain either mystery, not even in the deceased records.

So, despite his efforts, Kalego found nothing. Frustratingly, there were few demons he could turn to with extensive knowledge of the school's history, and that irritatingly whimsical principal was simply out of the question. So he went to Dali to deepen the search.

Robin wondered if it was a spirit since the phenomenon was localized to himself. At first, neither of his senpai gave the ghost theory any credit. There was simply no proof, though they could potentially reach out to Paimon, of the thirteen crowns, for her help if it was indeed a spirit.

As the discussion went on, Balam joined and was cautiously opening his mind to alternative ideas. As a biology teacher, he tried to maintain a healthy distance from the paranormal, but as a comrade, he was willing to consider all options in order to clear Robin's name. Thus, he wore his old friend down.

Begrudgingly, Kalego finally agreed to bring in a specialist. Thankfully, Orias had someone in mind - Someone who worked on the fringes of the demon world, someone with an unusual skillset and occupation... An exorcist.

Paimon, lord of spirits, was still a viable option, of course, but it really was best to handle the situation as quietly as possible. After all, the reputation of the staff and even the school itself were on the line. Of course, that also meant that the chair demon had to be notified of the situation.

Thus, a small meeting was held between Kalego, Dali, and Sullivan. The principal was surprised to hear such a rumor at first, especially involving Robin, but as Kalego spoke about what they knew and what they needed to find out, Sullivan kept a calm, introspective expression throughout the rest of their time together.

At the end, he said, "I see... Thank you for handling this, Dali-kun, Kalego-kun. Please keep me updated."

Then they were dismissed. His detached demeanor was strange for such a serious rumor, and that didn't sit right with Kalego, but Dali played dumb to his kouhai's observations.

Sullivan was a wealth of secrets, but what was Dali hiding? Did he know who the phantom was or why this was happening?

Annoyed, Kalego once again sought counsel with the one demon he trusted most at the school - His oldest friend, Shichiro.

After listening to everything about the meeting, Balam thought it all over.

"Kalego-kun, I've been told there have been some troubling disturbances involving the second year tower. I haven't yet researched it as much as I'd have liked to, but it could be connected", he ventured.

Kalego stared pensively at him. He had thought of that, too, yet it seemed almost too easy. Besides, the ghost theory was really starting to bug him. There was far too much magic in the netherworld and too many enemies of Babylus to simply dismiss it all as a rogue spirit. He had to protect his post.

"Hmph. Check it out just in case", he grumbled, dismissively.

Balam silently accepted his answer. It needed to be addressed anyway, but his best friend's sharp nose had obviously picked up a different scent. Either way, between the two of them, they'd soon have their answers.

To be continued…