Demon's Nexus

The room was dark, the only light was from the red numbers glowing on the clock.

the sounds of the city muffled as the rain hit the window.

A silent breathing pattern was present as the girl slept in her bed. She started to look troubled as she continued to sleep. Her face scrunched a bit as she had vivid dreams.

She tossed and turned as she moved to her final resting position, laying on her back. 

In her mind, visions of the past played over and over in her mind. 

Sudden flashes of blood, of gore and her brother's face. The white of his eyes as he breathed his final breath.

She cried in her sleep as she continued to look troubled. Finally seeing an image of her brother covered in blood, maggots crawling over his dead body as he stared at her. 

Sumi shot up, awake in a cold sweat as she cried. She breathed heavily as she stared blankly. The room that was silent was now filled with heavy breathing as she cried. The city and rain was even more muffled as she focused only on her nightmare, looking up to see the clock told the time of 3:28 AM. she laid down, staring up at the ceiling.

Sumi stood up out of bed and walked over to her closet to put clothes on. Wearing her raincoat, she walked outside to walk around the city. She wasn't in Amaia anymore, instead now residing in Ichibuko, a city 80 miles west of Amaia. 

The city is a bustling hotspot of innovation and creation, most entertainment is created here, from film to music, to electronics to medicine.

Ichibuko rests on the shore of the saltwater ocean, mostly sunny most the year, although rainy during winter and parts of spring.

The city was bursting with colors of neon pink and blue, to purples and greens. 

The sky broke through some of the rain clouds as Sumi looked up, the rain hitting her face. The sky was a mixed hue of purple and blue, with stars shining behind the bars of color in the sky, almost like the northern lights.

Sumi looked back down at the rain puddles as the neon lights from the city reflected, with her hands in her jacket pockets, she just stared down.

Sumi continued to walk through the city streets, the steam floating up to the sky as the food vendors fed their customers, the cars driving through the streets, the light-trains moving through the light paths. 

Sumi enjoyed being in a new place, but she wasn't used to it completely, despite the 4 years there.

"Hey kid" an older man yelled as Sumi turned to face him.

 "Aren't you from the city of Amaia?" The man asked, Sumi frozen for a second hesitated, slowly shaking her head. "No… I'm sorry, you must have mistaken me for someone else" Sumi replied. The man stared at her with piercing eyes for a moment.

 "Ech… whatever, thought you were that monster's daughter…" The man said, referring to Mozoku. As he went back to what he was doing, Sumi's eyes shifted down and around as she thought about her family tree, her history and what being the daughter of Mozoku meant.

Sumi continued to walk, hours went by, eventually the clock hit 7 AM.

Sumi arrived at the academy where she and Rina now teach a small group of up and coming demon hunters.

Sumi walked by Rina's desk, glancing. She stopped and turned around and saw a picture of Her and the rest of the others.

Sumi, Rina,Katsumi, Ryuu, and Jasper. 

Sumi stared at the framed photo as she closed her eyes, opening them back up, they watered up.

"I miss them too." A voice said as a door silently closed. Sumi looked behind her, seeing Rina holding two cups of hot tea. "Sorry, I got here early to get some work done." Rina told her, setting the cups down as she sat.

"It's just us two now…" Sumi told Rina in a depressed voice.

"Kat is still here, just… busy." Rina replied, Sumi visibly looked like she disagreed, setting the photo down as she walked over to her own desk.

"By the looks of it, you were up earlier than me." Rina said as Sumi sipped on her tea.

 "Couldn't sleep. Not sure if Ghost's need to sleep…" Sumi replied, "It's a good question. But since you can't really die by normal means, I'd say no." Rina replied.

"Rina?" Sumi called. "Do Ghost's dream?" She asked.

 "Well… I haven't heard anything about it, nothing through research. Usually souls brought back from the soul dimension don't dream as they don't completely reside on the physical plane." Rina told her, "But since you seem to be a special case of teetering on both planes… it's possible" Rina added.

Sumi slouched as she ran her finger around the top of her cup, looking lost.

"Sumi, did you dream?" Rina asked, Sumi stayed silent. Rina didn't want to pry, she figured she'd let Sumi talk when she was ready.

"Now" Rina said as she stood up, "Where are our students?" Rina asked as the clock was close to hitting 8 AM

The alarm rang as the young adult shot up out of bed

"Shit, shit shit!! I slept through all my alarms!" Daiki said as he rushed to get dressed.

Chugging milk from the carton, "Bleh! I don't even like milk!" he said as he rushed out the door.

Daiki climbed over the connecting fences, running through closed off yards as his neighbors got mad at him. "You good for nothing lazyass!" His neighbor yelled as he accidentally knocked over their trash. "I'm sorry! I'll clean it up after class!" Daiki yelled as he ran off, eventually passing the city dump. 

He saw his friend walk out of the alley next to the dump, "Ayumi! Did you just come out of the dump?" Daiki asked as he grabbed her hand, dragging her along.

 "N-No! I just… took a shortcut" Ayumi replied, "Ah cool, seems like you woke up late too" Daiki replied as Ayumi tried to keep up.

Daiki looked back at Ayumi as he smiled, "Daiki, lookout!" Ayumi said as she tried to pull away to stop herself, but it was too late. Daiki ran into two other classmates.

"God damnit, is there ever a moment you aren't a stupid piece of shit, Daiki?" Izumi asked. 

"I thought that was you being an ass like always, Izumi" Koji said as he stood up, aggressively picking up his shades.

 "Sorry… We were late and-" Ayumi said as Koji cut her off, "I don't care, there's no excuse for his empty brain. He's just a waste of space here." Koji said.

 "For once, I have to agree with Koji." Izumi said as she stood up, cleaning her glasses off.

"Like you two are any better. All you did was bring turf wars to class." Daiki told them, standing up. "The rich bratty girl and the Yakuza wannabe." He added as he was caught off guard, Koji grabbed him by the collar, lifting him off the ground as Daiki looked scared.

"What the hell did you just say?" Koji asked as he clenched his teeth.

 "You should have stayed in Inari, Inari is nothing but gang war trash!" Daiki said to him. 

"That's it, I had enough of your smartass!" Koji said as he was about to punch him.

"Daiki!" Ayumi called in fear. Suddenly, both Daiki and Koji were knocked back. 

 "What the hell. Daiki, you lil-!" Koji said, before being cut off.

"It's been 4 years and you four still can't get along!" Sumi said as she stood above both of them. 

"It's not my fault! Koji and Izumi are always being assholes!" Daiki said as he pointed at Koji, "Actually, it was your fault. Bowling ball-dumbass!" Koji said, "Enough!!" Sumi yelled as two small sparks of flame lit up on her head, just like Ryuu before her.

"Woah…" Daiki said under his breath. "Koji, Izumi, stop starting fights with him. And Daiki, stop saying unnecessary things about their upbringing! I'll have none of that in my class!" Sumi said in a stern voice.

 "Yes Ma'am…" All three of them said. "Now, all of you are late. Come on." Sumi said as she walked back inside. 

"Watch your back, lil shit…" Koji said as he followed Sumi.

 "Can't believe I have to be here with inferior people…" Izumi said, walking inside.

"Are you okay?" Ayumi asked as she helped Daiki up. "Just fine…" Daiki replied.

"Who do they think they are?" Daiki asked, "Come on, you didn't have to mention the gang stuff with Koji…" Ayumi replied, "But it's true!" Daiki replied.

 "Maybe, but he's obviously trying to change… even if him and Izumi do think they're better…" Ayumi told him, "I Guess…" Daiki replied, rolling his eyes.

"Come on!" A voice said as she grabbed Ayumi and Daiki around the neck "We're late and you guys don't wanna be late!"

 "Eri…" Daiki and Ayumi said at the same time, somewhat annoyed.

"She isn't part of Ghost Squad… So who is she?" Both Ayumi and Daiki thought to themselves.

Sumi walked through the hall, on her way back to her office to get ready to teach class as she ran into someone.

"Oh, Sumi. I didn't see you turning the corner there!" Kuze said. Sumi looked up and blushed from embarrassment for not paying attention. "Sorry, Mr Shimura. I guess I was a bit distracted." Sumi replied, "It's no worry" Kuze said, laughing it off. "where are you headed?" Kuze asked.

"Oh, I was about to get ready to teach class." She answered, Kuze helped pick up some of her study materials. "Actually, I'm going to have Rina cover for you. We just got a new group, and the teacher could use your help on his first day teaching." Kuze asked her.

"Oh, I guess there's no helping it." Sumi replied, "Great!" Kuze said with enthusiasm, handing her a piece of paper with the class room number. "It's in the west wing of the building, you should have no problem finding it!" Kuze said to her with a smile. "Yeah, thanks." Sumi replied as she started walking towards the west wing. "Nothing like making new friends!" Kuze said, Sumi faked a smile as she walked away "yeah…" she said with sarcasm and a tone of enthusiasm. 

**

Sumi walked down the halls with a frown, looking tired and depressed. "Like making friends has worked…" she thought to herself, having a flashback to her past.

The sun sat in the middle of the sky, the clouds hung back behind the city, sitting close to the mountain tops surrounding the urban structures.

The bell rang as the crowd of kids made noise leaving the school.

Sumi walked down the steps out front the school, seeing a boy sit lonely on the bench nearby.

"Sumi!" A familiar voice called. "Sumi! Mom said she had a surprise from uncle Toro when we get home!" Ryuu said in excitement.

"I'll catch up with you, I have something to take care of." Sumi said to Ryuu. "It's that boy isn't it?" Ryuu asked. "Yeah, he's always sitting there alone after school." Sumi replied.

The two fell silent for a moment.

"Alright…" Ryuu said as he gripped the strap of his bag. "But don't be long!" Ryuu said as he waved and walked off "Hey, Ayame, wait up!" Ryuu called as he ran towards her.

Sumi walked up to the boy as he looked lost.

"Hey, I've seen you sit here alone everyday, are you okay?" Sumi asked 

 "Oh, yeah I'm fine. Just like sitting alone." The boy replied.

"You sure? I've had my fair share of bad days…" Sumi replied, rubbing her wrist with her sleeve.

 "Not really… but, I'll be fine…" the boy responded. 

The two sat beside each other as they stayed silent.

"Sumi, right?" The boy asked.

 "Yeah, how'd you know?" Sumi asked.

"I've seen you practice boxing in the gym after school sometimes. Heard one of the teachers call your name" he responded.

Sumi smiled a bit.

"I'm Kai." He told her, smiling a bit.

 "Nice to meet you Kai." Sumi replied, smiling.

"You're stuck with me." She said as he smiled back.

**

Sumi snapped out of it as she opened the classroom door.

"Hey there" a calm, confident voice said as the man leaned back, sitting on his desk.

His hair was parted to the side in a messy style, his eyes looked tired, yet inviting. His stubble surrounding his suave smile as his demeanor was cool and collected.

Sumi was caught off guard, instantly falling for him. 

 "The name's Tano." He said as he lifted his right hand out.

Sumi, caught off guard, stared at him, finally snapping out of it "O-oh, I'm Sumi" she replied as she awkwardly shook his hand.

"I take it Kuze didn't tell you until a bit ago about us. Well, we're Class 2-A, Snake Squad." Tano said to her, "These are my students. Kolira, and Claire. Actually, Eri is part of our squad too, but she insists on staying around you. Guess she finds safety in you." Tano said as he stood up.

"W-well… if you need anything I'm here to help." Sumi said, "yeah, we could use a little tour." Tano said to her as he smiled. "You bet. I'll get you started on that if you wanna follow me." Sumi said as she smiled back at him.

The class followed her out the door as she walked down the hall, Sumi was happy, but a thought lingered in the back of her mind still. She began thinking back on Kai again…

**

Sumi walked into the classroom to see her friend, Kai wasn't there. She worried a bit, but shrugged it off, thinking he was just late.

She waited a few moments before the teacher walked in, "alright, everyone be seated" the teacher said. Sumi's mind began to wander. She became worried and sick to her stomach knowing his history with depression.

The minutes passed slowly, like waiting for ice to melt on a cold winter's day. it felt like it'd never happen.

The students' conversations carried through the halls as they all talked in different groups, Sumi wandering the halls. 

The principal walked out of his office as Sumi passed by.

"Oh, Kumiko" the principal called as Sumi stopped and turned around to face him. His face looked distressed.

"I need to speak with you for a moment." He said as Sumi's heart sank. "Is everything okay?" Sumi asked.

"It's Kai… he's in the hospital." The principal said as Sumi's mouth opened in disbelief, her eyes widened with a glimmer of fear.

Sumi ran down the city streets, rushing to get to the hospital as the principal's words rang in her ears. "His parents found him just moments after he tried to hang himself, he was passed out. They were able to get him safely." The principal told her.

Sumi was escorted into Kai's room, he layed in the hospital bed staring out the window with a depressed look, frowning. 

"I'll let you two have privacy." The nurse said as she closed the door behind her.

The room fell silent, the birds chirping faintly heard through the window.

"Why?" Sumi asked as she slowly walked up to the bed.

"What set it off?" Sumi asked as Kai turned to her.

 "I feel… unneeded." He said looking at her. "My body felt numb, I felt so isolated, I felt alone and it washed over me. I felt so stupid, I felt so depressed like my neck was already tied!" Kai said as his eyes filled with tears.

"You idiot! You have me! You can count on me! I won't forget you!" Sumi yelled as Kai burst into tears, his emotional response was anger.

"How would you know what I'm feeling?" Kai asked, "Because I've been there all my life!" Sumi yelled in response. Silence filled the room again, Kai's eyes shook. Sumi quietly cried as she clenched her teeth in anger.

"I know that feeling… I'm alone… I'm nobody… I'm just a ghost…" Sumi replied to him.

"But that's why I love you… because you're just like me, you understand me." Sumi said as she looked up at him, she looked tired and vulnerable.

Kai looked down, disappointed in himself.

"I'm sorry, I should have told you I was going through this…" he responded.

 "It's okay, I know how it is, it's hard… but I'll be here for you all the time, I'll never leave." 

Sumi added. She hugged him as he cried.

"I promise I won't leave you, you're stuck with me." Kai said as Sumi smiled, Kai smiled back.

**

"And finally, this is the theater. Usually to show our skills, sometimes I bring my students here to just hang out and hopefully bond." Sumi said, Sighing as the four overlooked the theater.

"It hasn't really worked so far." Sumi giggled with anxiety.

 "It's nice" Tano said, "oh man, I'd love to bring my guitar and jam here!" Kolira said in excitement.

"I could bring my violin and practice with you!" Claire said, matching Kolira's excitement.

"Well, whatever you all choose to do, I'm sure it'll be great. Tomorrow I'm going to take my students to the training ground to practice teamwork." Sumi replied.

 "Ah, teamwork is a great thing." Tano replied, "yeah, especially when it actually works." Sumi replied with a slight annoyance in her tone.

"Your students don't get along?" Kolira asked, "not much. They all come from different backgrounds so it's hard for them. But we're working on it" Sumi replied.

"Hmm." Tano sighed, "well if you ever need anything, I'm just a room away. Us teachers gotta stay close. You're stuck with me now." Tano said, Sumi's eyes widened as her heart sank a bit. "Alright girls, let's get back to class and settle in" Tano said as Sumi looked down with a bit of sadness in her face.

"It was great meeting you, Sumi" Tano said as he smiled at her. Sumi faked a smile back at him as she slowly walked to one of the seats. She sat down in the empty theater as she started thinking back on negative thoughts again…

**

Sumi and Kai walked through downtown as they talked to each other.

"Hey Kai!" A voice called out from behind.

Three teens from a different class walked up to the two as they greeted him.

"Oh hey, Sumi, these are some of the others from class 2-C. Erin, Yukine and Tsu." Kai said. "You gonna come to the party tonight?" Erin asked him.

 "Oh yeah, I wouldn't miss it!" Kai responded.

"Kai, what about our plans?" Sumi asked him.

"Oh well… I'm free tomorrow! I can text you tomorrow and we can spend the whole day together!" Kai replied. 

Sumi looked a bit sad, faking a smile for him. "Okay…" Sumi replied, "but you're buying the snacks for the movie!" Sumi told him. 

"Bet!" Kai said as he walked off with the others.

Sumi's expression changed as she gripped her bag. frowning as she watched them walk away.

The next day, Sumi messaged Kai, but was left on read. The day passed on as she tried to ignore it, but her chest fell heavy, her mind racing on what was going on. As she laid in bed, her phone went off, a single text from Kai saying "I'm sorry, I promise to make it up to you! Goodnight." Sumi responded "okay, did you have a good day?" with no reply back.

As the week went on, they never hung out. Sumi got messages back as she could tell he was growing disinterested. At school, she could see how distant Kai had become, hanging out with his new friends instead. She had to ignore it.

**

Sumi walked back into the office with Rina, Sumi looked tired as Rina looked up from her paperwork.

"Oh, hey! The students actually did really well today! Although they were… separated…" Rina said in excitement.

"Oh yeah, that's great…" Sumi said as she sat in her chair, slumping down. she stared out the window watching the sun set behind the trees.

"Soo… how'd it go with the new teacher? Was he hot?" Rina asked as Sumi looked over at Rina for a quick glance. "Yeah, he's pretty attractive. But I'm not counting on much." Sumi replied in a monotone voice as silence fell.

"You know… you aren't gonna be alone forever…" Rina said, trying to consolidate her. "It's not that… how can I expect another person to stay when I already lost so many people… Hell. I lost my best friend who said she'd be here, and she isn't." Sumi said as she looked over at Rina.

"She still loves us, she's just busy." Rina told her, "Too busy to visit for one day? That's my niece too, and I haven't seen them in 3 years!" Sumi replied as she raised her eyebrows with a sad expression. "Akiko too…" Sumi said. 

"Akiko was my friend too…" Rina replied.

 "You don't get it." Sumi replied, turning her chair back towards the window.

"What don't I get?" Rina asked, "Ryuu was a friend too, I loved him. I miss Katsumi as well, but she's a mother now." Rina tried reasoning with Sumi.

"I loved him!" Sumi yelled as she turned her chair around. "I thought I did… I didn't know they were using his corpse as a puppet. But it felt real, it hurt when I found out he was dead for so long. To be fooled by Kuma. I thought I found someone who would actually stay, he worked with me during investigations and he was a good partner. But I was tricked! And he's gone! Just like Ryuu, just like Katsumi, Just like Kai!" Sumi yelled as she cried.

"Tano will be no different." Sumi said, getting up to walk out the door. 

"Sumi, wait!" Rina said as she grabbed her arm. Rina hugged Sumi as she stared. 

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… but I'm here, I'm your sister, I'm never leaving. And you deserve Tano, I know he'll stay…" Rina said as Sumi cried, hugging Rina back. "It hurts… it hurts to be so alone…" Sumi cried. "I know… it'll be okay." Rina said as Sumi closed her eyes, thinking back again.

**

The sky opened up, rain falling as a cold crisp breeze had swept over the red and yellow trees.

It had been a few months since Sumi and Kai had a long conversation. Sumi stopped trying as she could tell he lost interest. But she should be happy, he wanted to be found and he finally was, but she couldn't help but feel just as lonely as Kai once was. 

Sumi saw Kai hanging out with his class 1-C friends again, her heart sank as she felt depressed. She walked away slowly, returning to her next class.

The day went on slowly, the school was quieter than usual. The gray clouds made time move slowly, it seemed that everything was frozen but her.

At the end of the school day, the bell rang as usual, Sumi changed her shoes as usual, putting her hoodie on, as usual.

The halls were crowded as she passed couples, friends, cliques. Groups she felt she'd never be a part of. There was a feeling of disconnect in her heart. She felt like she was in a dark room, a single dim light above her as the air around her was frozen. 

She imagined a dark monster wrapping its large fingers around her neck, choking her. 

Like she was in a dark ocean, trying to catch her breath, to swim, but she just couldn't. She felt like she was drowning, like a phantom feeling as she started hyperventilating.

She lost focus and zoned out as she continued walking, trying to catch her breath. Suddenly she got knocked over.

Sumi snapped out of it as Kai looked up at her. "Oh, hey. I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Kai said as he stood up, reaching a hand out to help her. Sumi stared for a moment, Kai smiled at her, but she remembered…

She stood up, ignoring his hand.

"Whatever…" Sumi replied as she walked past him, giving him the cold shoulder.

 "Sumi, wait!" Kai called as he walked towards her, "No, leave me alone." Sumi said as she tried to catch her breath.

"What's your deal?" Kai said as Sumi stopped and turned around, tears rolling down her face as she looked angry.

"What's my deal? My deal is you! I helped you out of being lonely, I helped you out of depression. I helped you out of suicide!" Sumi yelled as she threw her books down.

"Sumi…" Kai said, "I was the only one there for you! And you replaced me!" Sumi yelled as silence fell. Sumi's anger turned to sadness. "You left me… "you're stuck with me" you told me… and you left me." Sumi said as Kai looked down. 

"I'm sorry." Kai responded as his friends walked up, "come on man, let's get out of here. It's probably her time of the month" Erin said as she gave Sumi a dirty look.

Kai looked at Sumi as he walked away. Sumi watched as he walked away. The students were staring at her. Sumi stared at the ground trying to piece together what happened. She covered her mouth, trying to not throw up from anxiety. She rushed to the bathroom as she locked the stall door behind her.

Sumi pulled her sleeve up, staring at her exposed wrist. She contemplated for a moment.

That dark monster wrapped its fingers around her neck tighter as Sumi's heart grew more painful. Sumi pulled out her knife, placing the blade on her wrist, as she bit down on her lips, closing her eyes.

She heard the sound of liquid hitting the cold tiles below. She didn't feel anything, but the placebo in her mind made her feel relieved for just a moment. Tears silently fell down her face as she looked at her cut wrist, bleeding. blood dripped off her wrist.

**

Sumi opened her eyes and looked down at her wrist, seeing her scar still there. A reminder of the pain she felt. She closed her eyes again, trying to ignore the pain. Her scar glitched for a moment without her seeing it…