He actually didn't leave?
Toya was internally surprised. The entity lurking in the dark corner hadn't retreated; instead, it continued to fix its frigid, piercing gaze on him and Saionji Sekai.
I'll deal with you once I'm finished checking Ito Makoto's body.
Unaware of the hidden observer, Sekai continued to speak as they walked.
"Kawashima-sensei, do you know why I'm so fixated on finding out how Ito-kun died?"
"I don't," Toya replied casually.
Of course I do. It's obviously because you cared about him.
Sekai shook her head, her hands clasped behind her back. "Ito-kun and I were childhood friends—just normal childhood friends. Usually, there'd be no reason to go this far for him, but he made a request of me before he died."
"He told me that if he ever died, it was bound to be a murder, and he begged me to find the killer no matter what."
"Oh? Is that so?" Toya raised an eyebrow. "You're surprisingly helpful, Saionji-san."
He had always assumed her motivation was purely romantic, but he hadn't expected Ito Makoto to have actually entrusted her with such a task.
Sekai rolled her eyes. "Otherwise, why would I do something so disrespectful? Asking a teacher to examine a friend's corpse is hardly normal."
"I suppose I misunderstood, then."
Toya let out a short laugh. "I honestly thought the two of you were so close that his death had left you heartbroken."
"He was my childhood friend. Of course I'm sad."
The two continued their conversation until they reached their destination.
.....
Ito Residence
Toya could feel the presence behind them still trailing closely.
The time is almost up. Once I finish the examination, I'm giving you a thorough beating.
He had never seen such a bold stalker. The creature had followed them the entire way without making a move, simply watching them with those cold, decaying eyes.
"Kawashima-sensei, stay alert," Sekai whispered, pulling Toya into the cover of some nearby bushes.
"We're here to inspect a body. No matter where you are, this is considered a desecration of the dead. Did you really plan on just walking through the front door?"
"I almost forgot," Toya admitted awkwardly.
He truly hadn't considered a stealthy approach. His plan had been to walk straight into the funeral hall.
"Kawashima-sensei, I know a path that leads directly to the wake," Sekai whispered. "Follow me."
Toya nodded and followed her at a leisurely pace.
Compared to Sekai, who was creeping forward as if her life depended on it, Toya looked entirely unbothered. He didn't even look like he was trying to be stealthy.
If Sekai were to turn around, she would likely be fuming. He hadn't listened to a single word of her advice.
However, no one noticed that while Toya appeared to be walking normally, his silhouette had become blurred and ethereal, seemingly melting into the shadows.
Even to a careful observer, he would have appeared as nothing more than a passing flicker of darkness.
Shishou's Presence Concealment isn't high level, but it's more than enough for this.
Toya moved through the courtyard like a ghost, silent and invisible.
.....
Funeral Hall
A few minutes later, Sekai pointed toward a temporary structure set up for the wake. "Kawashima-sensei, that's Ito-kun's funeral hall," she whispered.
"I'll go check," Toya said softly, stepping toward the hall.
At that moment, Sekai quietly followed him. "Sensei, I'm coming too. I... I didn't want you to be scared alone."
Toya glanced at her. Seeing the fear in her eyes, he realized the real reason she was following him. Humans have an innate fear of the dead.
No matter how well you knew someone in life, that instinctive dread always creeps in once they're gone. Sekai wanted to help her friend, but she was terrified of his remains.
"Keep your voice down. We don't want to alert the family."
Toya gave her a final warning before stepping into the hall. As soon as he stepped inside, his brow furrowed.
The hall was empty, save for a single wooden coffin. But amidst the silence, he heard something. In addition to his and Sekai's breathing, there was a third breath.
"Saionji-san, do you hear that?" Toya asked in a low voice.
"Sensei, please don't scare me like that." Sekai shuddered, grabbing Toya's hand and squeezing it tight. "There's no one else in here but us. Even if you're trying to win a girl's heart, this is a terrible joke to play."
"I shouldn't have asked," Toya muttered, looking at the girl. "Saionji-san, could you let go for a second? I definitely heard another breath, and I need to find the source."
The sound wasn't coming from him or Sekai. It was coming from inside the coffin. Something in there was making a sound so faint it was almost imperceptible.
Sekai nodded shakily, reluctantly letting go of his hand. "Sensei... don't go too far."
"Don't be afraid," Toya comforted her softly, sensing her intense panic. "This is your childhood friend's wake. Even if his corpse reanimates, I'm sure he won't hurt you."
"Kawashima-sensei, don't say such terrifying things in such a gentle voice!" Sekai looked like she was on the verge of tears. "I thought I was brave, but this is completely different."
Toya laughed and walked straight toward the coffin. "Find something to occupy yourself. I'm going to check on Ito-kun."
Sekai was too terrified to stay behind and followed him every step of the way. Toya didn't mind her presence as he slowly pushed back the lid. T
he heavy wooden cover, which likely weighed nearly a hundred pounds, felt like paper in his hands as he slid it aside.
"Well, this is problematic," Toya whispered, his voice filled with surprise.
According to the rumors—and even Sekai's own account—Ito Makoto had been turned into a mummified husk. Yet, lying in the coffin was a handsome young man of about seventeen.
His skin was flushed with a healthy red glow, looking perfectly normal. His chest was even rising and falling with a rhythmic, microscopic movement.
To any outsider, it would have looked like Ito Makoto was simply taking a nap.
"Is something wrong?" Sekai asked, forcing herself to suppress her fear. She gripped Toya's arm and peeked into the coffin.
"Ito-kun... he looks normal? Is he coming back to life?!"
"Quiet. If you scream, we'll get caught."
Toya calmly reached out and covered Sekai's mouth before her terror-induced shriek could escape.
He didn't know what Ito Makoto had experienced before this, but one thing was certain: he was about to wake up.
Sekai's face was pale, her mind racing with a level of horror she had never imagined.