As the illusion dispersed like mist beneath sunlight, the students and teacher slowly regained consciousness, blinking in confusion. Murmurs rippled across the classroom, but no one could make sense of what had just happened—so, like most things that defied logic, it was quickly brushed aside.
Akiyama Ren and Kurahashi Kyōko sat at their desks, feigning surprise like the rest, blending into the flow of classroom routine.
The lesson soon ended, and with it, the bell echoed through the hallways of Soubu High.
No sooner had the teacher stepped out than a group of boys rushed to Kyōko's desk, their intentions written all over their eager faces. Each tried to strike up a conversation, ask questions, or simply stay near the captivating transfer student. But Kyōko's icy demeanor quickly formed an invisible wall. She didn't bother hiding her disinterest, barely acknowledging their presence.
Ironically, her coldness only fueled their enthusiasm.
Kyōko looked like she was about to summon a Shikigami just to disperse the crowd when a calm voice rang from behind her.
"Kyōko, I've got something to discuss. Come with me for a bit."
It was Ren.
Kyōko's eyes lit up instantly. She assumed he was coming to rescue her from the mob, so without hesitation, she grabbed his arm and practically dragged him out of the classroom. Her escape was swift and dramatic.
The boys watched in disbelief.
"Akiyama Ren... just swooped in like that?"
They were crushed. Competing with Ren was like challenging a protagonist in his final power-up phase.
The girls weren't any better. Their carefully guarded fantasy of Ren as the aloof, untouchable prince had just shattered.
Sagami Minami clenched her fists under her desk, teeth gritted.
Just last semester, I confessed to him… and he rejected me! But now this transfer girl—who's barely been here a day—is already walking beside him like it's nothing?
Jealousy flared like wildfire. A dark emotion surged in her heart.
Where am I worse than her? she screamed internally.
And just like that, somewhere within the halls of Soubu High, a small Curse Spirit was born—an ethereal wraith born from envy. As it absorbed the quiet bitterness of all the girls Ren had turned down, it began to grow, taking shape, evolving into something darker.
---
On the rooftop of the school building, wind tugged gently at their uniforms. The city skyline of Chiba stretched in the distance, glowing under the late afternoon sun.
Kyōko turned to Ren and smiled. "Thanks for earlier."
Ren blinked. "Huh? For what?"
Kyōko rolled her eyes, a rare hint of exasperation in her otherwise composed expression. "For helping me out of that mess."
Ren scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed. "Actually… I really did want to talk to you."
Kyōko's smile froze slightly. So I overthought it? Her face darkened as embarrassment crept in.
Ren, sensing the mood shift, quickly changed the subject. "Anyway! Kyōko, wanna join my club?"
She stared at him, arms crossed. "That's what you wanted to talk about?"
"…Yeah."
Ren winced at her expression and quickly added, "I'll treat you to something after school. Anything you want. Your pick!"
That got her attention.
"I like wagashi," she replied with a sly smile.
Ren gave a thumbs-up. "Done. What kind?"
"Traditional style. With red bean paste."
"Got it."
Kyōko finally relaxed, then asked, "What's the club called?"
"Occult Research Club. Officially, we investigate supernatural phenomena. Unofficially…" He leaned in slightly. "You know what I mean."
Kyōko's eyes lit up with understanding. As an Onmyōji, she was already part of the hidden world. A club like this was more than fitting.
"That's interesting. Alright, I'll join."
Ren extended a hand, and she took it with a small, composed smile.
"Welcome aboard," he said.
---
At exactly 3:30 PM, the school bell echoed through the corridors of Soubu High, signaling the end of the day.
Akiyama Ren calmly zipped up his school bag, ready to head out when Kurahashi Kyōko approached him, her expression uncharacteristically candid. "I don't have a place to stay in Chiba City for now. Would it be alright if I lived with you temporarily?"
Ren blinked. No hesitation, no overthinking.
"Sure," he replied casually. "Free rent, in exchange for teaching me more about Onmyōdō. I'm still pretty curious about the whole Shikigami summoning style. It's seriously cool."
The words left his mouth with such nonchalance that it almost masked the grin tugging at the corner of his lips. A beautiful Onmyōji under the same roof? What kind of protagonist would he be to say no?
In truth, Ren had turned down countless confessions from girls at school—not because he was shy or reserved, but because most of them simply didn't catch his eye. Their looks were average, and their personalities even more so.
Even Sagami Minami, who was objectively attractive, was far too calculating for his taste.
Before awakening the System, Akiyama Ren was just an adopted son of the prestigious Adagaki family. Every word, every gesture he made, was scrutinized and weighed as a reflection of the family's dignity. Love, for someone like him, had to be measured—status, reputation, lineage.
If he had ever accepted someone like Minami, the Adagaki elders would've thought she was chasing wealth, not love.
Besides… he had seen girls like her before. Scheming, sweet-talking types straight out of the anime clichés he'd binged in his past life.
But that was the old Akiyama Ren.
Now, he was something else entirely. A transcendent being. A god in a world still bound by the laws of the mundane.
Money? Just data on a screen.
Family name? A title that meant little to a man who could level cities.
Now, if Sagami Minami were to confess again… well, he wouldn't just say yes. He'd take her straight to a love hotel and let destiny decide the rest.
That was who Akiyama Ren had become—a man unshackled by expectations.
No more masks. No more pretending.
He would do whatever he wanted.
Pursue the girls he liked.
And accept the beautiful ones who liked him.
Simple.
"I don't know that much Onmyōdō myself," Kyōko murmured, voice soft with reservation. "If you're serious, you should really consider attending the Onmyou Academy. They're the real deal."
"No thanks. I'd rather learn from you." Ren waved off the idea without a second thought.
Kyōko sighed, shaking her head slightly. Teaching this guy might be more trouble than it was worth.
Together, they left the school grounds, walking side-by-side.
Ren's apartment wasn't far—normally, he'd walk. But since he'd promised Kyōko some traditional wagashi, they hailed a taxi straight to the commercial street.
The moment they stepped onto the bustling avenue, both of them stopped in their tracks.
Ren narrowed his eyes.
Kyōko's brows furrowed.
The street looked perfectly normal to the passing crowds, but to their eyes—it was something straight out of a supernatural fever dream.
The entire district was crawling with spirits—flickering shadows, floating masks, twisted creatures weaving between humans unnoticed.
A full-blown Hyakki Yagyō—the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.
Though terrifying in appearance, these spirits didn't pose any threat to regular people. Instead, they drifted around like lost souls, repeatedly murmuring, "Can you see me? Can you see me?"
The scene triggered a déjà vu in Ren's mind.
"These ghosts," he asked, glancing at Kyōko, "they won't harm civilians, right?"
Kyōko nodded, her expression serious. "No. Normal people can't perceive them. But if someone has awakened their Yin-Yang Eyes and makes the mistake of acknowledging them… then they'll materialize—and attack."
***********
I was searching the ability to see spirits that Yotsuya Miko possesses and in the Onmyo context/Tokyo Ravens, it doesn't have a specific name. Calling it Yin-Yang sight is appropriate, Reikan/ Spirit sense is also okay but while Reishi is closer in meaning, I didn't pick it since in Bleach Reishi is the ambient spirit particles not the spirits themselves.
If you have a suggestion, lemme see it in the comments or in the chat.