Monday morning arrived with deceptive normalcy. Akira woke to his alarm, went through his usual routine, and headed to school with Mia clinging to his arm like always.
Everything seemed fine.
Until gym class.
Akira was in the middle of running laps when he noticed Rina on the sidelines. She was supposed to be running too, but instead she stood there, hands clenched at her sides, breathing hard despite not having exerted herself.
Her face was flushed, sweat beading on her forehead. Her eyes tracked him with an intensity that made his skin prickle.
"Kurogane!" Coach Yamada called. "Why are you standing around? Get moving!"
Rina didn't respond. She just kept staring at Akira, her chest heaving, and her whole body trembling.
"Darling, something's wrong," Ai's voice cut through his thoughts. "Rina's energy signature is spiking. Rapidly."
"What do you mean spiking?"
"Her demonic essence… it's destabilizing. The Soul Seed is…"
Rina moved.
