(Pov - ?)
Fufu… Saik, Saik, Saik. Hmm. I think Shadow suits you better. I love your story. The poor, crazy kid nobody wanted, whose only friends were ghosts. The little boy, a disappointment to his parents. Anyone with your life would've gone mad or turned evil, Saik, but you… But you…
Hahahahaha! Sorry, I can't help it. You, Saik… You… You became a damn expressionless weirdo! So cliché!
Hahahahaha! I mean, come on… Hahahahaha! You had everything to become someone cooler or better, but you turned into a lazy guy who just wants to sleep and eat! You're handsome, but that personality of yours ruins it!
Or so I'd say, but I love you! Not romantically, gross, you're not my type, but I definitely love you! I'd love to see you cry and suffer. I'd love to see you on your knees. I'd love so much to make you suffer! To make you completely mine! But I also want you by my side.
Just imagine this, Saik. You and me, controlling the souls of every human in this world. You're not my type—I prefer shy guys—but to have you as my partner, I'm willing to fall for you!
We'd be the Gods of this world! Everyone would be forced to worship us. We'd be the supreme authority of this world! The question is: Will you help me?
"If only I could get out of this place already."
When I do, I'll get the answer to that question.
And I really want it to be a yes, because if it's a no… Shadow, if it's a no…
"You'll regret making me your enemy."
And the taste of your blood will be the flavor I celebrate my victory with when I kill you and take your legendary ghosts.
"Just wait for me, cutie. The Goddess of Ghosts will return soon."
•
•
(Pov - Saik.)
All I wanted when I woke up was to shower, eat breakfast, and go to school like any normal day.
But this… This ruins my plans.
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday! Happy birthday to the expressionless guy! Happy birthday to the lazy one! And a big happy birthday to you, Saik!"
Yuki hugged me and started shouting that the moment I opened my beautiful eyes. Ah, I hate this situation, but I'll admit I kinda like it. Who doesn't like waking up to an adorable little girl congratulating you on your birthday? Ah, yeah, that sounded weird and gross. Let me rephrase. Who doesn't like being congratulated on their birthday?
Today, I got older, and every day I get closer to my death.
"Thanks, Yuki, but you could've congratulated me more quietly."
"Nope! I gotta shout so you don't ignore me!"
Smart girl, huh? She guessed what I was gonna do.
"Let's eat cake."
"Cake? We eat it every day—it doesn't have that special birthday meaning anymore. We gotta celebrate with something else!"
"Alcohol? No, you're too young, and I don't like alcohol either."
I tried it once out of curiosity and didn't like the taste.
"I'm not young!"
"You literally look like a 10-year-old—you're young in appearance."
"It's not my fault I died with this body! And we're celebrating your birthday doing what friends do! We'll go to the movies and watch a horror film! Then we'll hit an amusement park. And finally, we'll celebrate with homemade food made by the beautiful and sensual Yuki!"
"…Sensual sounds gross coming from you. Change it to adorable. And let me guess, I'm paying for everything?"
"Don't complain—I'm a ghost, I don't have money! Fufu. I can pay you with kisses, Saik."
I patted her head.
"I'd rather pat your head. You're adorable."
"W-What?! That's not fair—you're supposed to get flustered, not me!"
"Let's eat breakfast. After school, we'll go to the movies."
"Yay!"
Well, I guess today won't be a peaceful day like I prefer.
•
•
"Hope you like it!"
Eggs… Sausages… Hmm. A basic breakfast. It'd be delicious, but Yuki burned the egg.
But it's a breakfast made with love (I hope), so I gotta be grateful.
"Thanks a lot, Yuki."
I started eating. I don't like the taste, but it's not bad either. It's edible, at least.
Yuki's eating cake—how unfair. But it's fine, it's edible, at least.
I finished eating as fast as I could and grabbed my backpack.
I left the house. The same route to school as always, no changes. I've got my sweets in my backpack, and Yuki's floating beside me. Yeah, a normal day, no changes. The only difference is it's my birthday, but that's it.
Today will be a normal day… I hope.
•
•
Ah, expecting a normal day was too optimistic.
"23,327 points?"
Everyone's staring at me.
First place, with 23,327 positive points.
Ram's Team, second place, with 438 points.
Saoto's Team, third place, with 384 points.
Danna's Team, fourth place, with 351 points.
"P-Professor, that's impossible! It has to be impossible!"
I agree, random girl I don't know. It's impossible that I can't have my normal day.
"There's no mistake. According to the information, Saik earned those points fairly."
"It's true—Saik bet with the basketball club captain and won!"
"He also bet with the soccer club captain."
I'm tired of the stares. I'll sleep. Goodnight.
"Wait!"
I tried to sleep, but Saoto's voice interrupted my beautiful nap.
"Saik, did you expel another student?!"
It doesn't seem like it, but I sense anger in his tone, though his expression is concern.
I see. He's the justice-driven guy who always wants to help everyone. Pathetic.
I looked up and met his eyes. Eyes full of frustration. It's not hard to guess his thoughts. "Do you really enjoy ruining people's lives? Think it's fun to destroy all the effort they put into staying in this school?" He's probably thinking that right now.
"No, I didn't expel anyone, but I really wanted to. If I'd had more time, I definitely would've expelled someone. You could say they got lucky I didn't want to stay longer at school."
Truth is, I didn't want to draw more attention, so I didn't.
"And don't look at me like I did something wrong. I only did it to earn points."
"But you shouldn't expel anyone!"
"Why?"
"Because it's wrong!"
"That's your argument? Ah, you're a whiner. I'm going back to sleep."
I ignored what others were muttering about me and fell asleep.
•
•
Ah, that was a good nap. I'll admit I feel super relaxed. My muscle aches are gone. I feel pretty chill.
"Saik, we need to talk."
I looked up at the two people trying to ruin my peaceful day. Ram and Saoto.
"I won't stop betting. I won't give away points. I won't switch groups, don't worry. That's all?"
"Your actions put our group at risk."
"Drawing too much attention is dangerous."
Ah, I really don't want to talk to them anymore. They won't ruin my peaceful life.
"I see… But I don't like being given orders."
I got up from my seat and walked away.
"It's not an order—it's a favor."
"Then I don't want to do you that favor."
I left the classroom, and Yuki sat on my shoulders. I hope she doesn't start… Ah, she's already sniffing my hair.
"Yuki, I'm starting to suspect you've developed a fetish for my hair."
"Sorry, but it smells so good! Changing the topic, I think you made more enemies."
"I don't really care."
•
•
I sat under a tree. Perfect spot, far from everyone. I can eat in peace with Yuki. I made sure to ditch Sylphie and the others in time. Today, I want to eat without anyone else around. Just Yuki.
I opened my lunch, and Yuki opened hers. We can eat without worries.
"It's been a while since we ate together like this."
"Not really that long. But considering you're a weirdo who likes avoiding people, it's been a long time for you."
"Hi, Saik!"
Ah… Should I be surprised? I was so relaxed I didn't sense her. I really wanted this moment alone with Yuki.
This girl is… the Tomboy.
"Hi, girl who won't stop bothering me. Do you like me? Sorry, I'm not interested in a relationship right now. Or in having friends… Especially not with someone like you, who I suspect is spying on me."
"Fufu. I just followed you to show off this."
She showed me her phone screen. Wow, she really racked up a lot of points. 10,083 points.
"Fufu. Not gonna congratulate me?"
"Poor girl, I told you your body's worth more than some points."
"I-I didn't sell my body, idiot!"
"I know, but you look cuter when you're mad."
I pulled a lollipop from my pocket and offered it to her.
"Congrats."
She smiled and puffed out her chest with pride.
"Hmmh. Thanks."
She took the lollipop and sat next to me.
"So…"
She snatched Yuki's lunch.
"Will you join my group?"
"Saik, don't let her eat my food!"
"I don't know. Would you join the group of a girl who steals your food?"
"You gotta keep that cute body of yours in perfect shape. You shouldn't eat so much, or you'll get fat."
"My body never gets fat, don't worry… How many students did you expel?"
"Just one second-year, but he had a lot of points. If you wanna know how I convinced him to bet, join my group."
"I don't need to join to know. You found something on him—a shameful secret or proof he did something wrong. You threatened to expose it to everyone if he didn't bet."
"Fufu. That's why I like you, Saik. Smart, mysterious, and awesome. You're the full package."
"That's something I'd do to expel someone… Sorry, but I'm not switching groups… Not now. Maybe later. My classmates are becoming a headache, especially the class president. He doesn't like how I earn points."
"Join my group, Saik. We…"
"No. Not now, I already told you."
She stood up.
"I'll be waiting, Saik."
With a smile, she waved goodbye and left.
"She ate the sausages! Damn it!"
"Take mine, Yuki."
"That's why I love you, Saik!"
She grabbed my sausages without hesitation.
Ram and Saoto are becoming a headache. If this keeps up, I'll end up accepting that girl's offer and take Sylphie with me. Sylphie's the only reason I'm still in this group.
•
•
I returned to my classroom, and everyone turned to look at me… Literally everyone.
Wow, I've become famous.
"S-Saik."
Sylphie said my name quietly—no one else could hear, just me. That tone of concern. What's going on?
Ignoring whatever's happening, I was about to sit, but someone stopped me.
"Saik, you need to come with us."
Students, probably third-years. The soccer club captain is among them.
"Officer, you need to show me a warrant."
"Don't play smart and come."
"I don't want to. I read the school rules—you don't have the authority to force me. Excuse me, I'm gonna nap."
The soccer club captain approached and stared into my eyes. Eyes full of fury.
"Come with us."
"Still mad because I'm better than you at soccer? Come on, Mr. Captain, there's always someone better than you in the world. No one's the best at anything."
He grabbed my shirt and raised his fist.
"That's enough, Akito."
With elegant steps, a girl approached us. Long, red hair… Vibrant red eyes. Wow… This girl gives off a vibe of… danger and authority. I like that.
"Saik, we want to talk to you about something important. Come with us."
"Ah… So lazy."
I looked Ram in the eyes.
"Ram, if I disappear and they find me dead, report this girl."
"Fufu. You're funny, kid. Let's go."
I left the classroom with them and sighed.
Five people. Three guys, two girls. The student council. They don't have the power to do this, but they control the third- and second-year groups. At least that's what Yuki told me. I guess since I expelled a third-year and humiliated one of their members, they see me as an enemy.
We entered the student council room, and I sat across from the president's desk.
"So? What do you want from…?"
One of them tried to hit me, and I stopped his fist with my left hand.
"Ah, I see, you're trying to beat me up to teach me a lesson."
I stood up and kicked the guy in the groin.
I swept his legs, and he fell to the floor.
This guy, no exaggeration, is huge. Probably 1.9 meters. A damn freak… Well, I'm not one to call others freaks.
"All against one?"
"Fufu. The rumors are true—you're weird, Saik."
"I know, I know."
I looked the president in the eyes… Wow, no wonder I sensed danger.
"Can you see me? I want to be seen… I want to be seen."
A ghost of a woman with long black hair is on her shoulders. Malice… Love… So many emotions in that ghost. Who is the president, really?
"So I'm just here to get beaten up? Fair warning—I'm an equal-opportunity hitter. I'll hit guys and girls alike."
"I heard you're strong, smart, and incredible. Perfect grades, you beat the soccer and basketball club captains, and you earned a ton of points. Simply amazing."
"Ah… I see… So? What do you want from me? I wanna go sleep."
"We're just giving you a warning and an opportunity. The warning is simple: don't mess with any third-years or student council members. And your opportunity is this: return the points you won from Akito, or you'll regret it."
"Saik, Saik, don't do it, don't do it!"
Of course I won't, Yuki.
"Can I say something?"
"Sure, we're listening."
I approached her, and they tried to stop me.
"Hey!"
"No, Akito, don't stop him."
She stood up, and I faced her. I looked into her eyes, and the ghost started trembling.
"You! You're not normal!"
Shut up, ghost, I don't have time.
"When I was a little kid, I had imaginary friends."
"Imaginary friends?"
"I'd spend hours talking to myself—they even called me crazy. It's one of the most embarrassing moments of my life, but I don't care if everyone knows. After all, I think it's normal for a little kid to have imaginary friends."
"What are you getting at?"
"I think I know what's going on. You feel humiliated because I, a first-year, in my first days of school, became a threat to third-years and humiliated one of your members. Not just any member—your vice president. Maybe you're rich people. People who feel superior because of your position. I don't know, maybe you feel like a mafia boss, but instead of running a criminal organization, you control the students of a school. It sounds ridiculous, but it's pretty convincing for a school that guarantees students a full scholarship and a chance to study at any university they want. Rich or not, the opportunity to study at any university is a huge advantage. Now, should I be scared? Should I respect and obey you? No, and there's nothing you can do. Threaten my family? No matter how rich you are, you can't threaten to harm my family because they're all dead—I'm alone. Threaten my friends? I don't care. Threaten me? Trust me, if you mess with me, you'll end up regretting it. You're telling me to return the points I won, but I won't. You want me to leave third-years alone? I don't care—I'll keep doing it, and if I get the chance to expel one, I will. By the way…"
I turned to Akito.
"Hey, crybaby, still mad because I'm better than you at soccer? Tell me, how does it feel to be outdone by me, a guy who's never played soccer? You must feel like a failure. All that training, just for someone with no experience to surpass you."
"Shut up!"
"Akito, calm down. Saik, you don't know what you're saying."
"Ah… Akito, maybe you feel like the best in school because you're vice president, soccer club captain, and a popular guy. Had a lot of girlfriends? Not a virgin anymore? Sleeping with lots of women? I don't care. Sex, friends, fun… Those concepts mean nothing to me. I'm here to study and graduate, not waste time on that. I'll say it one more time. If you mess with me, you'll regret it. Just try one thing, and I'll make sure you, the 3-A students, drop to 3-B… Or maybe 3-C. Even 3-D."
"Being smart is one thing—being stupid is another. You could never do it," said the other girl in the room.
"If you want to test me, just say these words: 'Saik, we'll keep bothering you.' Say that, and you'll see what I'm capable of."
"Fufu… Hahaha! You're more interesting than I imagined. Tell me, Saik, interested in joining the student council?"
"Are you crazy?! I won't let…!"
"Shut up, Akito."
"Tch."
"Well? What do you say, Saik?"
Ah… This situation's dragged on too long.
"No, but thanks for the offer. I'm out… I don't have shameful secrets I'm trying to hide—you can't use that against me. If you want to expose my secrets, go ahead, I don't care. You threatened me first, so I'll do the same. I'll give you a warning and an opportunity too. The warning: If you try to mess with me again, you'll regret it. The opportunity: If you apologize for wasting my time, I won't get Akito expelled."
"Expel me? Big words for an idiot."
"Wow. So an idiot managed to win that many points from you? You're more pathetic than I thought. Are you really the vice president?"
"Quiet, both of you. Saik, you can leave."
"That means you didn't take the opportunity. Fine. Akito, enjoy the time you have left."
"As if you could expel me."
"It's not a possibility—it's a reality. You'll be out of this school soon."
I left the student council room and walked beside Yuki.
"You looked so cool, Saik! Nice job not letting those idiots intimidate you! But are you sure you can expel that guy? He's the vice president and captain of a major club. He's got awards and soccer trophies. He's super important to the school. Someone like him must have a ton of points, and I doubt he'd bet them."
"Everyone has secrets, Yuki. And uncovering them weakens people."
I can expel him, and I will.
•
•
I entered my classroom.
"Can I come in?"
"They explained the situation. Go ahead."
I sat at my desk and pulled out my materials for class.
Ah, I really wanted to sleep, but I made some annoying enemies. I need to humiliate them so they'll stop bothering me.
•
•
Classes ended, and I was ready to head home… But no, I can't—I have something important to do first.
I got up from my seat and grabbed my backpack.
"Did you get scolded for sleeping in class, or why didn't you sleep this time?" Ram asked.
"I just wasn't sleepy."
"And what'd they say?"
"Sorry, no time. I've got something to take care of."
Ignoring Ram, I left the classroom. I need to expel that person.
"Saik!"
Sylphie started walking beside me.
"You okay? They didn't say anything?"
"I made some annoying enemies. They're mad because I humiliated the vice president and expelled a third-year. But don't worry, I'll be fine."
"I-I see… B-By the way, here, I said it once, but I'll say it again. Happy birthday."
Sylphie handed me a book. Ah, a light novel. I don't have this one.
"Thanks. What's it about? Comedy?"
"It's fantasy and comedy. I noticed you really like that genre."
I prefer mystery, but I like comedy too.
"Wow… Thanks a lot, Sylphie. That's really sweet of you. When's your birthday? I'd like to get you a gift too."
"I'm glad you like it! M-My birthday's December 8."
"I'll have a gift ready for you… Well, I'm off to expel a third-year. See you tomorrow, Sylphie."
"See you tomorrow, Saik… Huh?"
Alright, I've got the perfect guy for this. I hope he doesn't give me too much trouble.
"W-Wait, Saik!"
Sylphie grabbed my arm, and I turned to look at her.
"What's up?"
"A-Are you seriously going to expel another student?!"
"The student council declared war on me—I need to send a message. If I want to keep my school life, I have to do this."
"…I'll go with you… I-I'll help!"
"I don't need help, but you can come along if you want. Thanks for the support, Sylphie."
Alright, time to show what I'm capable of.