Vol 1 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Night 2: The 15th November Incident

There was nothing that was important to her

Maybe there had been, but that was in the past She didn’t re like that

Aa tio insane Happy entle feelings had been gradually stolen by the passage of ti left was a cold and empty void Empty – all she could do was store the Apples of her friends in the void that was her flesh There was no reason for her to go on She didn't even knohy she was alive Soinning to lose her grasp on her humanity - had she become a monster?

She couldn’t smile

She couldn’t find a single happy or treasured memory

So important in life – could that really be called a ‘human’?

“Who are you? What are you planning to do?”

- As usual, whenever that question was asked, she choked on her oords

Her shoelaces were ether That was to be expected – after all, it had been a long tied in such a delicate activity Thus it was that Gankyū Eguriko was sitting on the wooden floor in front of the dih School, trying in vain to tie a butterfly knot But after trying for ten full uely reone now

The only memories she had of her past were those filled with terrible pain and a feeling of helplessness so powerful it was crushi+ng That was the reason she never tried very hard to remember

There was still quite soan, and even the stairere vacant Guriko et to school early in order to practice tying her shoelaces Despite that, she hadn’t been able to produce anything that didn’t look like a bunch of wet noodles, dragging her deeper into despair

She didn’t even realize that “he” was standing before her

Focused on tying her shoelaces with her head bowed, it wasn’t until she was engulfed by his shadow that she realized so in front of her, and so slowly raised her head

It was a tall ood looking hu an i to her - those feelings had withered away to the point of no return

Despite that, she felt herself shi+ver involuntarily

She had no idea why

“… Are you waiting for me?” Guriko asked quietly

It was such an un-cute reaction

She had left all her cute, innocent, Usagawa Rinne-like reactions behind a long, long tio

“I never thought I’d see you here this early Having trouble with your shoelaces?”

The aze down to Guriko’sher nonchalantly, he knelt down and swiftly untangled thea perfect butterfly knot out of them

With that, he looked up at Guriko, as now sitting up straight, and bluntly said, “Don’t you even know so as simple as that?”

“S-shut up! What are you doing here?”

Dauy helping her out There was even a tinge of happiness inside her fro nice to hiood

She knew she couldn’t be friends with him That would be impossible

Feelings like that just weren’t going to happen, no matter how hard she wished for it

This was so Guriko knew very well

Guriko shi+fted her gaze from Sakaki’s face, which was inches from her own, and bowed her head Sakaki ilared down upon her from above

“Like I said earlier, I want to knoho you really are, your motives, and just what you’re after here”

It was a calm, clear, and loud voice It was a voice of authority

Guriko didn’t feel intihtest, however

“You don’t need to know”

“That doesn’t matter Now talk I don’t want to use force, but I will if I have to”

“You think you stand a chance against me?”

Oh boy, what a bother

Why did I say so like that?

In her sailor unifor up at the taller lare with an intense and fiery stare from his emerald eyes

People with beautiful eyes were always beautiful in the end

Guriko again averted her gaze and picked up her bag from the floor

“…Why do you want to know? Are you curious? Or just intrigued?”

“Neither I’ this out of love”

“…You’re worried about Usagawa Rinne?”

“That’s right”

“Hmm…”

What resolve! How could he ansithout hesitation?

did he really love her that much?

Guriko gave him a small smile

“…How adawa”

“What?”

“Nothing Just talking to myself”

With that, Guriko looked at hi me, why don’t you look out for Mushi+ instead? I didn’t ain Those Mushi+, on the other hand… they won’t give up on that Apple so easily”

“Mushi+…”

“Yes”

Mushi+ – the name of the enemy

Guriko put on a stern face and stared at Sakaki, as if trying to burn a hole through hiaze

“Those guys were Mushi+ – And not only are they everywhere, but they will stop at nothing to achieve their goal”

Don’t let your guard down, she thought silently

Out of all the teachers in Kannonsakazaki High School, the one in charge of Class 1-B, Sakaki Guryū, stood out above the others HisTo top it off, he was quite the unique teacher,weird about his teaching Despite technically being a History teacher, he actually taught his class all subjects

“Are we back in ele?” Sakaki’s students didn't approve of this matter at all

The answer to this riddle was Usagawa Rinne Sakaki wanted to spend as much time as he possibly could with her Thus, no y, PE, or Music, he indiscri Not only that, but he did so flawlessly There were no i style Class 1-B’s steady rise in grades was easy to see In addition to his handsome features and artistic talent (which wereprofession), he had earned the students' approval as he was generally kind despite his somewhat cold personality Therefore, he was truly unique Gossiping co-workers called hi, lord of the perfect ones, out of jealousy The students who grew up in a later generation usually had no idea what they were talking about

Yet, this superhuman called Sakaki Guryū had a problem one wouldn’t expect froion’ of “worshi+p-Usagawa-Rinne-above-all-else” In other words, his obsession with Milady Usarin and the notion that the world revolved around her That love for the girl in Class 1-B was unrivaled and, in fact, was the very reason he had gotten a teaching license in the first place This love was already coh School, and since he was the type to do whatever it took to achieve his goals, he got that license through force, influence, and authority

And naturally, he would appear in 1-B’s classrooawa Rinne Honestly, he was sharossed such a perfect man to this level of obsession? Does she have some sort of relation to Helen of Troy!? It was a co the students

One ordinary day, at lunchtime in this classroom—

So unique happened It was known as “The November 15th Incident” from then on

Hurry up

What’s taking sensei so long? Usagawa Rinne thought to herself

The date was Monday, November 15th Luckily, the classroom that day was quite warm Rinne calmly smiled and put two lunchboxes on her desk as she waited for Sakaki Guryū

During lunch, Sakaki always ignored the normal school lunch and came to eat and chat with Rinne She loved to cook, so it was never a problem to cook for two Still, she couldn’t help but feel a bit odd at times because of their rather unnatural relationshi+p Sakaki grew up sheltered in an incredibly wealthy household, and so lack of common sense would cause clashes with others

Secretly, though, she found this cute Itthat even the perfect Sakaki can soe relieved her a bit Sakaki Guryū was still huave her that reassurance, she couldn’t deny that she liked that part of hiree

‘Like’ — Rinne liked Sakaki Sakaki was a teacher, and she was his student Despite this difference in status, this wall between them, the two loved each other That was their trust and theirBecause of that, they would be able to find happiness

Usagawa Rinne was happy

Sure, she’d get worried from time to time

But she was undoubtedly happy

It was noisy Even though Kannonsakazaki High School was prestigious enough to house only the most obedient of students, lunchtime was still rowdy The school was old, so the floors and walls orn and there were randoh it probably bothered the neat freaks, Rinne actually liked it She felt it paid hoave some hints of those who occupied it before

A cold breeze blew in, causing the curtains to flutter inward Despite so warun

At this point, Sakaki Guryū finally arrived

Sakaki’s hair was a bit messy, probably since he’d rushed here

As soon as he opened the door, Sakaki shouted, “Sorry I’ into the room

“It’s not a problem I don’t mind”

Rinne sentle response Despite how much it actually had bothered her, she let none of it show Still wearing that apologetic face, Sakaki passed through the students who had hushed at the appearance of their teacher and walked over to Rinne’s desk He pulled up a chair and sat down

“I’m truly sorry, milady Someone popped in at the worst time It was some old man that looked like he could croak at any oing on and on without getting anywhere I think the Director of Education probably dumped him on me”

Sakaki thought nothing of saying the harsh words he used and sighed

“Ugh! Why on Earth did they have to send hito punish me, I tell you”

Rinne held back a laugh, and covered her mouth with her hands

Sakaki’s confused expression was just too cute

“Sensei, maybe it’s best if you don’t look at it like so to punish you, or that’llabout it will bother you!”

“That is true… What you say does make sense Haha, I can’t tell who’s the teacher and who’s the student here, Milady Usarin”

She honestly didn’t knohy he insisted on calling her “Milady Usarin” “Usarin” was an abbreviation of her naawa Rinne,” but why japanese people love to shorten all proper nouns was a mystery to her Like pocket bells, personal computers, sexual harassment, or convenience stores “Guriko” was another example of this

Rinne thought of the mysterious transfer student called Guriko who had killed her, although Rinne barely re TV when her door was suddenly busted open When she turned around, so pierced her eye, and she passed out When she had woken up, Sakaki was by her side and her roo

What had she gotten herself into? Just who exactly was that Guriko girl? Rinne did not understand what had happened at all, not that she particularly wanted to delve deeper into thethreatened her future with Sakaki If Guriko had actually wanted to kill her, then that would really be scary Rinne understood far too well the pain of death

Yet, it would be silly to feel terrified just because of a possibility, and Guriko hadn’t shown any signs of acting again Therefore, Rinne wasn’t particularly on guard despite the fact that it had only been a few days since the girl transferred here

Besides, no matter what happened, Sakaki would protect her That was the way it was

With a cheerful expression, Rinne opened a lunchbox and idly chatted with Sakaki She was poor, so her lunches weren’t anything luxurious, but Sakaki still see child with clasped hands when he exclai that, she couldn’t help but smile

This calm scene was the way they passed their time

While stuffing his face with green beans, Sakaki happily asked, “By the way, how’s the wall that got blood splattered all over it? Did you find a way to get it cleaned up yet?”

Rinne poured soulp She then answered, “Well, there were bits of flesh with it too, so washi+ng it ater only wouldn’t work Even scrubbing it with a rag probably wouldn’t have worked, so I put neallpaper over it”

“Wasn’t that expensive?”

“Yup, I used up all s Since the tatami was also soaked, I had to swap that out too That was expensive too For a poor student, that kind of spending is deadly”

“I’ll never forgive that Guriko But back to the et her to pay you back?”

In front of Sakaki, who seeed

“It was you who shot that gun! Besides — Guriko probably has it worse than me I think she’s homeless, and besides, she told me that she can’t even afford stationery”

“…Do you two talk often?”

“We sit next to each other She doesn’t see to do after class, so I talk to her”

Rinne’s naivety nearly caused Sakaki to faint

“Your lack of concern for your personal safety never ceases to baffleto her will get your eyes gouged out?”

I’ll gouge your eyes out!

That was actually a death threat

But still, Rinne was not afraid

“So like that's obviously a joke I know for sure she’s just scared of being alone She avoids other people since she doesn’t want to hurt them I can see that since that’s how I used to be I think Guriko actually wants to interact with people more”

Rinne told him how she honestly felt, but he seemed less than impressed

He sighed while looking up at the ceiling

“Look… I know you’re naïve… But you should realize the reason why I don’t think she’s kidding is because she’s already gouged your eyes out once!”

“I suppose that’s true”

Rinne, defeated, smiled and set her cup doith a “clank” Sakaki seeainst Guriko, but Rinne didn’t think she was all that bad She decided Gurikoher eyes

“Aren’t you going to eat,tea so far”

Sakaki was confused Not only was Rinne’s food untouched, her lunchbox hadn’t even been opened His question was a valid one

Rinne stayed silent for a while

“…I-I don’t knohy, but I haven’t felt hungry or thirsty ever since Guriko al in about four days”

“What?”

Sakaki felt his voice crack as he spoke

“Even so, I’ry Hmm… isn't that weird?”

As she looked to hione white as a sheet

Sakaki had already told Rinne about her ied out But with this loss of appetite, this — wasn’t this extraordinary!? It was proof she wasn’t human anymore

After noticing she no longer had a need to eat, she had constantly run into the bathroo sure she hadn’t turned into some sort of monster

If that happened, she’d lose Sakaki, and that was a fate worse than death for her So Rinne had kept her lack of appetite hidden until then

“Sensei…”

Rinne looked at Sakaki, who had yet to respond

Rinne understood that there were so, but even so, she longed for hi like that If only she could get that reassurance, she could go on

But—

The door slid open

Guriko stood there Her wolf-like hair looked like it had been styled by a typhoon She had on a bored and impatient expression, but her eyes were the type that un This was the transfer student — Gankyū Eguriko

Her gaze fell upon the couple that sat across from each other in the centre of the classrooht then, her face turned to one of surprise For Guriko, whose face usually revealed no expression whatsoever, showing a genuine emotion like shock was quite a rare occurrence

Upon noticing the school’s well known lovers, this transfer student who had recently dolared at Sakaki She gave hi him and bluntly asked, “Have you eaten?”

“…Huh?”

“I asked you a question Did you eat this bento?”

Guriko’s expression was extremely focused And thanks to her loud voice, the entire class had turned to look All of the now?’ Very quickly, the classroom becae Guriko in her question

“Yes, I ate it”

“Really?”

She muttered mostly to herself

Guriko suddenly lowered her head and pressed her lips against those of Sakaki Guryū

“Eh…” “Whoa…”

Sakaki’s eyes opened wide Rinne’s face was shocked The class fell into uproar

“Ugh…”

“Uh…”

Guriko held Sakaki’s head, and locked lips with him Put plainly, she kissed him forcefully In the middle of lunch In front of the entire class What the heck was she thinking?? This uriko had stolen a kiss fro been there for only two days Not only that, she even did in front of that teacher’s lover Her motives didn’t matter To the student body, this was clearly a declaration of war against Rinne There was no other way for them to see it, but Guriko’s next action provided only added fuel to the fire

“Clang—”

Of all the things that could happen!

Guriko flipped the lunchbox Sakaki had been eating froly prepared Then, she took Rinne’s lunchbox and du her foot into the spilled food After she had destroyed the lunches she declared, “Don’t eat this woman’s food!”

And because of this—

What was there to be done? There was nothing that could explain this Without another word, Guriko walked off with pride, leaving the stunned Sakaki and pale Rinne behind Within an to text and call their friends Messages like: “Usagawa Rinne’s rival in love appears!” “On just her second day after transferring, Gankyū Eguriko kissed Sakaki Guryū, thren the lunch Rinne made for him, and declared, “Don’t eat that wo!” began to flood forth

That was the “November 15th Incident” It has lived in infamy ever since

For those living an ordinary high-school life, this had been quite the event

“What splendid entertainment!”

The voice sounded boththat lacked distinction

“What are you planning — Mushi+?”

That pure and innocent voice seeh the previous one

They were in front of classroo outside the chaos of the classroo sounds of students in the hallway The two of the human appearance, neither of the on the form of a human, and the other had once been human, but had since becouriko The Mushi+ wore a sailor uniform, had short hair, and wore a friendly expression She looked completely normal, save for her red eyes

The Mushi+, still e noise

“This was just a confirmation! After all, there’s no way for ‘us’ to lose We siawa Rinne’s Apple has taken root in her soul You should already know there’s nothing on’t do in order to achieve our objectives”

“…After death, the soul separates itself from the physical body Apples reside in the soul, so — death is the only requireawa Rinne’s Apple has already taken root in her soul I confirmed this myself”

“But ‘we’ have not! We do not trust anyone besides ourselves, especially not you!”

The Mushi+ replied in a dull and terrible voice They had no individuality, and thus did not have emotions