The Demon [A JSHK Fanfiction]

Chapter 02

'Do you know the meaning of DNA?' Nene wrote on a paper, showing it to Izumi. Izumi hummed as she though about it.

"Oh! It's deoxyribonucleic acid," Izumi told the girl, watching as Nene wrote it down. Nene muttered a 'thanks', as Izumi pointed out her mistake.

"Yashiro Nene, deoxyribonucleic doesn't have a space," Izumi said, pointing at the word. Nene immediately fixed her answer.

———

"Oh! Sorry, Yashiro Nene, I have to get going! I'm going to the library. If you want to come, you're more than welcome!" Izumi waved goodbye to Nene before walking towards the library.

It was already the students' dismissal and Izumi parted from Nene. She wanted to accompany her on her way home, but Izumi still had to talk with Tsuchigomori.

Arriving at the library, Izumi saw the tall teacher. He was behind the librarian's desk, reading a book. She went to him with a grin.

"Tsuchigomori-san!" Izumi called, the tall man looked at her blankly.

"What do you want?" Tsuchigomori asked irritably. Izumi only smiled at him.

"I told you, Tsuchigomori-san! I would pay you back," Izumi happily reminded as she took a seat at a chair next to Tsuchigomori. "So, do you want me to do something for you? Treat you some snacks?"

"Ugh, fine," Tsuchigomori let out a defeated sigh. Knowing Izumi, she won't stop until he gave in. "Give this to Honorable No. 7."

Izumi received a wooden box from the man. She looked up at him.

"Where can I find Honorable No. 7?" She asked, not having a slightest idea about who number 7 is. "And who is Honorable No. 7?"

"You'll find him at the third floor girls' bathroom in the old building," Tsuchigomori paused. "And as for Honorable No. 7's identity, you'll find out for yourself."

"Now, go," the teacher shooed her away, not wanting any more questions.

Izumi huffed as she walked out of the library, pouting as she looked at the box in her hands. She wondered what was inside, but she brushed her curiosity aside to do her quest.

"Man, what's his problem?" Izumi irritatedly asked herself as she walked away from the library. She sighed as she walked towards the old building. "Luckily, the old building's near."

Izumi wandered in the abandoned building, feeling nostalgic as she scan the familiar place. A small smile appeared on her face as memories resurfaced. She climbed up the stairs and headed straight towards the third floor girls' bathroom.

Stopping in front of the door, she held her free hand up. She was debating if whether or not she should knock. Sighing, she decided not to and slide the door open. Peeking in, she looked around. But she saw no one.

She stepped inside and sighed. "Damn it, Tsuchigomori."

"Hello?" She called out, but no one appeared. Sighing, she placed the box down at the sink. "Um, I'm just gonna place this here. This is from Tsuchigomori-san."

As Izumi turned around, she was met with a pair of familiar golden orbs. Izumi jumped in surprised, backing away as soon as she met face to face with an upside-down boy.

"Ah! The donuts that I requested!" The boy happily took the box as he floated normally.

Izumi's eyes were wide as she took a good long look at the boy. Her entire expression changed as she looked at him.

"You..." the boy paused, looking at Izumi in curiosity. "You're the Honorable No. 7?"

Izumi's brows were furrowed as she stared at the boy in front of her. He grinned at her.

"That's right. I'm the seventh of the seven school mysteries," the boy tipped his hat down as he smile at her. "Hanako-san of the toilet."

"For a school mystery, you sure are short," Izumi teased, giggling a bit as she saw him sulk. "I'm Kurokawa Izumi. The so-called demon protector of this school. Nice to meet you, Honorable No. 7!"

"You are real," Hanako hummed in thought as he observed the demon. Izumi looked at him as if he was crazy.

"If you're real, what makes you think I'm not?" Izumi shook her head as she looked away from him. "The rumors are all true."

"Ah, right. Anyway, tell Tsuchigomori I said thanks!" Hanako cheerfully told her. Izumi only nodded, smiling at him.

"Will do! I'll see you tomorrow, Hanako-san!" Izumi waved goodbye at the supernatural. Izumi felt his eyes boring at the back of her head as she was walking out.

Izumi's smile fell as soon as she had gotten far enough from the bathroom. Her face was contorted in disbelief as she let out a shaky sigh. How is it that he's there?

She glanced back at the bathroom, frowning as she rounded a corner.

———

Izumi walked back to the library, her frown still present. She walked towards the tall man. She tugged at his sleeves lazily, obviously still hasn't recovered from her shock.

The man let out a tired sigh, grunting as he waited for her to talk. Izumi sat beside him, resting her arms at the table.

"What happened?" Izumi asked softly, her voice slightly cracked as she spoke. "How did he became like that? He's supposed to live a happy and normal life. He wasn't supposed to be like that..."

Tsuchigomori didn't answer, letting the girl talk. He only patted her head in comfort, knowing about the person she's talking about.

"He was still so young..." Izumi buried her face in her arms. A few minutes of silence, Izumi looked up at Tsuchigomori.

"Do you think he should know?" She asked. The two toned man looked at her in confusion, not knowing what she was talking about.

"If you think it's right, go for it," he answered. Izumi looked down at the table, her frown deepening.

"What if it hurt him more? What if he started hating me because of it?" Izumi asked, starting to doubt her decision. Multiple scenarios and questions plagued her mind, clouding her better judgement.

"Sensei! What if he didn't take me seriously?! Then, he wouldn't really believe me," Izumi covered her face with her hands, feeling anxious. "I'm scared of what would happen if I tell him."

"If you think that way, then he might as well not take you seriously. And if you strongly feel as if he won't ever believe you, give him a proof," Tsuchigomori only ruffled her hair. "Don't keep him in the dark."

"But...—" Tsuchigomori cut her off. He gave her a stern stare.

"Just tell him when you're ready," Izumi nodded and smiled weakly.

"Thank you, sensei," Izumi thanked him, wanting to give him a hug but she held herself back. She composed herself and stood up. She patted the teacher's back. "I'll see you tomorrow, sensei! By the way, Honorable No. 7 says thanks!"

The teacher watched as the girl walked out of the library. He let out a sigh as he returned back to work.