Kawashima Toya watched Kiyoura Setsuna's small figure retreat down the hallway. Sorry, but I'm going to have to let you down.
The confession letter was a vital clue; there was no way he was going to ignore it.
He glanced down at his right hand. It was stained with a faint, inconspicuous dust—a tracking powder that would remain invisible during the day but would glow like a beacon to his senses once night fell.
.....
Sakano Academy Infirmary
The rest of the afternoon was uneventful. Not a single student came in with so much as a scrape, leaving Toya alone with his thoughts and his games.
It wasn't until the final bell rang that a playful voice echoed from the doorway.
"Kawashima-sensei! I've come to see you!"
Toya looked up to see Saionji Sekai leaning against the frame. "Why? It's not like I'm going anywhere. Shouldn't you be at a club meeting or heading home?"
Sekai blinked her large eyes mischievously. "I wanted to see what the school nurse looks like when he's off the clock. I hope you aren't as cold as you were during gym class."
"Gym class was my rest time," Toya replied calmly. "Since you were all resting, I figured I should too. I couldn't let anyone disturb that."
As he spoke, he focused on her. On her palm, he caught a glimpse of the same tracking powder he had picked up from the letter.
She's been marked too.
According to the placement of the powder, both he and Sekai had been tagged as prey. The only difference was that he had touched the mark intentionally, while Sekai had likely been tagged without her knowledge.
He didn't press the issue. Once he went to the designated meeting spot tonight, the answers would reveal themselves.
Toya swapped his white lab coat for his casual wear, revealing his lean, well-built frame. Sekai's eyes widened in genuine admiration.
"Wow... Sensei, you're basically every girl's dream guy. In the coat, you have that refined, intellectual doctor vibe, but without it, you look completely different. I think I'm starting to fall for you."
Toya remained unmoved. He didn't let the flattery get to his head. "Alright, Saionji-san, what's your real motive? You didn't come here just to tell me I'm handsome."
"Sensei is too sharp." Sekai's lively smile faded, replaced by a trace of sorrow. "I actually want to ask for your help."
"I'm listening."
Based on her expression, this was about the late Ito Makoto. It aligned perfectly with his own goals.
"Since you're the school nurse, you must be skilled in medicine, right?" Sekai looked at him with a glimmer of hope. "I want you to help me investigate my childhood friend's death. I think the cause of Ito-kun's passing was... strange. It wasn't natural. But nobody believes me. They all think I'm losing it."
"Investigate Ito-kun's death?" Toya pondered for a moment. "As far as I know, he passed away several days ago. According to local custom, he should have been cremated by now. Even with medical knowledge, there's not much I can find from a pile of ashes."
"He hasn't been," Sekai said seriously. "His body is still at his home. The cremation isn't scheduled for another week. We could go and check tonight."
Talk about a lucky break.
He feigned hesitation, but internally, he was pleased. The investigation into the love letter could wait; the corpse wouldn't.
By examining the body, he could determine exactly what kind of entity he was dealing with. This would give him the edge he needed to prepare for the inevitable confrontation.
"Please, Kawashima-sensei!" Sekai pleaded, her eyes watery. "I'll agree to any condition you want. Just please say yes. I don't want Makoto to leave this world with such a dark mystery hanging over him."
"There's no need for any conditions. Since you've asked so sincerely, I'll help," Toya said with a smile. "I'm not the kind of person who takes advantage of students. Don't say things like that; people might get the wrong idea if they overheard you."
If it weren't currently twilight, he would have headed to the house immediately. Sekai's face flushed red. "I'm sorry, Sensei. I won't do it again."
"However, I do have one request." Toya looked at her with a mischievous glint. "Since I'm doing you such a massive favor, you can pay me back by buying me dinner tonight."
"Deal!" Sekai agreed, her face still burning. Internally, she scolded herself for having such impure thoughts about what he might have asked for.
.....
Sakano City Streets
Night fell. Toya walked casually down the street, accompanied by a very depressed-looking Saionji Sekai, who was currently staring at her empty wallet.
"Saionji-san, don't mourn your money. I'm about to do you a huge favor. The danger involved is far beyond what you're imagining."
"Sensei," she whimpered, "did you come here with the intention of eating a hole through a millionaire's bank account? You just ate a whole week's worth of my food budget. I can't believe how much you can actually fit in your stomach."
Toya chuckled. "Now you know. Never underestimate a teacher's appetite."
Tonight was going to be an intense session. Since he had agreed to such a risky request, he had to make sure his help didn't seem cheap to her.
He checked his phone; it was well past nine—the time mentioned in the letter. He had missed the meeting, but he didn't care. The corpse was a more direct lead.
"Lead the way, Saionji-san. It's perfect for a night visit."
"Thank you, Sensei. Everyone else thought I was crazy, but you were the only one who believed me."
Sekai looked truly moved. The feeling of being trusted warmed her heart.
"No need to be so dramatic. I'm just curious about Ito-kun's death myself," Toya said gently. "Even though I'm new, I hear his name mentioned quite often."
He was about to say more when he felt a sudden gaze from the shadows.
Something is watching us.
Toya's brow twitched. He wanted to catch whatever was lurking, but with Sekai right there, he had to hold back.
A cold gaze and the scent of decay... it's the same thing that sent the letter. But the presence is nothing compared to the ruins I've faced before.
If Sekai hadn't been there, he could have caught the creature with one hand.