The little girl was a ghost.
Once the unpleasant aura around her body reached a certain limit, it would be absorbed by the crack in the sky. Immediately afterward, she would transform into a monster, attacking the world and humanity.
This was one of the ways monsters were born.
Haruto called them "Hollows."
They were very similar to the Hollows in the anime "Bleach."
Another type of monster was mysteriously born in the void. Haruto referred to those monsters as Void Demons. So far, he had only seen one once a year.
Void Demons had the posture of a demon, the body of a monster, and terrifying strength that made people tremble.
It was during such an encounter that Haruto was injured for the first time and nearly died.
The fear of death, the harsh reality, and the despair of a bleak future completely shattered him, leading him into a long period of darkness.
It was during this low point that he met Mafuyu.
Mafuyu was his teacher.
If it weren't for Mafuyu, perhaps he wouldn't have been so uplifted.
"Troublesome."
Haruto sighed and walked over. "I told you, apologize quickly!"
"Huh? Apologize?"
"Brat, are you trying to meddle in other people's business?"
Facing the two men approaching him, Haruto slowly opened his shirt collar, ignoring their fierce looks, and calmly said, "You're right, but there's no reward for guessing."
"Huh!"
Upon hearing his mockery, one of them rushed out and swung a punch at his face, "Just…"
*BAM*
His fist was suddenly grabbed and immobilized.
"You... disgusting!"
The young man tried to pull away, but couldn't. At that moment, he only felt surrounded by mocking and insulting gazes.
Suddenly, the young man grew furious and threw another punch.
Haruto sighed and countered.
*BANG*
The young man was immediately sent flying, clutching his stomach and vomiting. "What did you do!"
"Damn it!"
Seeing this, the other two rushed at Haruto ferociously.
Haruto remained calm. Ever since awakening his superpowers, he had experienced terror, witnessed despair, and faced all kinds of oddities every day.
Three thugs were nothing.
Even if a hundred of them came, he wouldn't show any weakness.
With a clean kick, Haruto sent the two of them flying. Then, he stepped on one's chest and looked down at him, saying, "Apologize."
At this moment, a whistle blew, and the onlookers reluctantly moved aside, letting a black, luxurious-looking car slowly pass by.
"Y-yes... I'm sorry!"
"This apology isn't for me! It's for her!"
Haruto kicked a few of them and pointed to the wall.
"We're sorry!"
The three thugs dared not say another word and immediately apologized.
Haruto sighed and said, "Also, if you destroyed someone's things, remember to buy them and place them here properly. Otherwise…"
After resolving the issue, Haruto glanced at the little girl ghost curiously watching him from near the wall, "It's okay. If something like this happens again, let me know."
"Thank you... thank you, Onii-chan."
The little ghost girl wiped her tears and thanked him sweetly.
Haruto waved his hand. "I'm off now. See you again."
"Goodbye, Onii-chan."
The little girl waved back with a happy smile on her face.
Haruto looked away, turned around, and left.
Life was full of surprises.
For some people, their lives ended before they even started, due to accidents.
This little ghost girl was just like that.
If she ever became a monster again...
He might have to kill her on the spot, right?
Haruto sighed again.
He didn't want superpowers at all.
Only by experiencing them could one understand how dull an ordinary life could be.
Humans were like that—often only appreciating things once they were gone.
Haruto walked along the road, feeling sleepy under the warmth of the sun.
If Mafuyu didn't call him every day...
He wouldn't be able to wake up at all.
He was an excellent student with a photographic memory. In fact, even if he didn't attend Sobu High, it wouldn't make much of a difference.
Even if he lost his superpowers today...
It wouldn't matter.
Because he never relied on his superpowers.
Superpowers came out of nowhere.
It wouldn't be surprising if they disappeared one day.
It was similar to the syndrome happening at the school next door. The syndrome might fade away after a year or two, or maybe a few months.
So relying on superpowers was undoubtedly foolish.
Enriching oneself and excelling in personal growth were the most practical things.
If not for the oddity invasion...
Perhaps his life would still be peaceful.
"What are you doing here?"
The cold voice was like a freezing wind blowing from Siberia, as if it would freeze anyone it touched.
Looking up, he saw Mafuyu standing at the school gate, giving him a death glare.
Once someone received her death glare, they would unconsciously fall into negative emotions like panic, tension, fear, and anxiety.
That's why Kirisu Mafuyu was nicknamed the "Siberian Ice Queen" at Sobu High, similar to how other teachers referred to Hiratsuka Shizuka as the "Ice Queen."
She was both feared and admired.
Especially among the female students, Mafuyu—and Shizuka—were very popular.
"Mafuyu-chan?"
"Hm?"
Mafuyu seemed slightly fierce.
In public, she also wanted to maintain her dignity.
Haruto immediately adjusted his tone and seriously said, "Kirisu-sensei, good morning."
"Insult!"
'He actually called me Mafuyu-chan in public...'
Mafuyu said with a blank expression, "What are you still doing standing out here?"
Haruto immediately replied, "Basking in the sun. It's so comfortable under the sunlight today."
He must not say he was looking for a place to sleep; otherwise, she would surely watch over him the whole time.
Very troublesome.
Mafuyu took a deep breath, suppressing her complex thoughts, and said, "Hurry inside!"
"I don't want to be punished with silent reflection, and I don't want to clean the toilets."
"..."
Mafuyu pursed her lips and couldn't help glaring at him. "Stop talking nonsense and get inside quickly!"
"Alright!"
Haruto sighed and went inside.
There was no escaping it.
As expected from Mafuyu.
Her exceptional discipline and serious, responsible attitude!
"Write a 500-word reflection later!"
Haruto slightly curled his lips and looked at Mafuyu, "I protest!"
"Protest denied!"
"Mafuyu-chan, you've studied too much."
"...Insult."
Mafuyu's beautiful face hardened slightly, and she gave him a sharp look before turning away with her high heels.
'Why have you learned so poorly? If I'm not strict with you, I won't be able to control you at all, right?'
The first class had started.
Haruto sighed, and after receiving permission from Teacher Sato, he entered the classroom.