The Devil Summoner in Shadow

Chapter 17: The Shadows Hunt

Ding dong, dong!

The school bell rings, echoing across the emptying courtyard like a tired heartbeat.

Classes are over.

Students pour out the gate in waves-laughing, chattering, oblivious. Some glance at me as they pass. Whispers follow in their wake. I ignore them.

Then she arrives.

Akane Nishino.

Dark eyes that always seem to shine a little more than they should. Her brows lift the second she sees me. A mix of relief and something softer lights her face.

"Mino-mmh, I mean Kagenou! You've been gone almost a week. I was seriously worried. You're skipping more and more. What's going on?"

She starts into a monologue. Something about education. The future. Careers. Predictable concern.

I cut her off.

"Nishino... I'm dropping out."

Her voice catches. "Huh? Wh-what do you mean you're dropping out?! You can't do that! What about getting a job later?! What about your parents?! Did you even tell them?!"

Her voice trembles. So do her hands.

I stay quiet for a second. Then answer.

"Don't worry. I don't need any of that. I finally have everything I need to chase my dream. And now it's time to separate what matters from what doesn't. School is just... noise. A waste of time."

Her breath hitches. Her mouth opens. Shuts. Then opens again, this time smaller, more fragile.

"Is there really nothing that'll make you change your mind...?"

Silence stretches. I meet her gaze.

"Nothing."

She looks down. Her voice is barely a whisper now.

"...Will I still see you?"

"That depends," I say, shrugging. "Anyway. It was nice seeing you."

I turn on my heel.

Time to move forward.

But before I can take more than two steps, I hear it. A voice, small-nearly drowned by the wind.

"...Wait. Just a second."

If I were a normal human I probably wouldn't have heard it but I'm a Summoner.

I stop. Turn.

Her head lifts.

Tears streak her cheeks. Her shoulders tremble as she forces her words out.

"Thank you. For everything. Especially... for saving me that night. And... goodbye. I hope we meet again someday."

I nod. "Me too."

And then I vanish, leaving nothing but the breeze and her fading sobs behind.

----------

The Club Cretaceous.

Dim lights. Low chatter. the smell of smoke which oddly enough wasn't disturbing and black vinyl couches.

I walk in, eyes adjusting.

There they are-already seated around a low black table, its surface is immaculate like it was never used. Sosome, who I haven't seen in a while, and Mei, of course, all energy and sunshine.