Kakashi jolted awake, sitting bolt upright in bed, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
_What kind of dream was that?_ he wondered, his heart still pounding. Even though he knew it was a dream, the searing pain, the agonizing heat, felt shockingly real. It was as if he'd lived it before, but when?
But the most pressing question was:
"Who was that girl? Aya," he murmured, wiping the sweat from his face. He started to stand, then noticed something—a girl sleeping peacefully on his lap.
_Has she been here the whole time?_ he thought, his eyes widening in surprise. She was almost weightless, her presence barely noticeable.
She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she turned towards him. It was her—the girl from his dream.
Their gazes locked, the morning sunlight streaming through the window, catching the vibrant blue of her eyes. Her short, blue hair framed her face perfectly, her bangs falling softly across her forehead. She was wearing a sheer nightgown, her underwear barely concealed, but Kakashi's mind was elsewhere.
She didn't look away, her gaze unwavering. The sunlight illuminating them created a scene that felt strangely cinematic, intensely intimate.
She began to lean closer, her eyes still fixed on his. Kakashi froze, unsure of what to do. She continued her slow, deliberate approach until their faces were inches apart.
The moment was shattered by the opening of the door. Mira stood there, her eyes widening in surprise at the intimate scene before her. She quietly placed the clothes she'd brought for Kakashi on the floor and quickly withdrew, leaving them alone in the aftermath of the unexpected encounter.
"Ah…I'm so sorry!" Kakashi stammered, scrambling to his feet, grabbing his clothes, and escaping the room.
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"I thought you said there was nobody in the room," Kakashi said to Mira as soon as he'd composed himself.
"Did I?" Mira replied, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Oh, I meant she left on a mission. Sorry for the misunderstanding." Her smile was undeniably amused.
"You set me up, didn't you?" Kakashi accused, his voice laced with suspicion.
"Why don't you come and freshen up in my room instead? Then we could have lunch," Mira suggested, smoothly changing the subject.
"Don't change the topic!" Kakashi insisted.
He took a quick bath and joined Mira in the school canteen. They collected their food and found a booth near a large window.
"Mira, do you know that girl? I mean…where is she from?"
"Ayaka's been at the academy for a long time. Why do you ask?"
"Nothing," Kakashi mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
"Hey, Mira!" A girl called out, approaching their table. "Can I join you?"
"Sure," Mira smiled, welcoming the interruption.
The girl sat down beside Kakashi.
"Kurumi, this is Kakashi," Mira introduced them. "He's one of the survivors from the gas leak."
_That's what they called it—a gas leak?_ Kakashi thought wryly.
"Hi, I'm Kurumi. Nice to meet you," Kurumi said, embracing Kakashi in a warm hug. "I'm glad you're okay."
Kakashi was taken aback. He barely knew her, yet she acted like they were old friends.
"..."
"Aren't you going to eat?" Kurumi asked, noticing his untouched food.
Kakashi picked up his knife and fork, cutting into the thinly sliced beef. He chewed slowly, a single tear rolling down his cheek.
"What's wrong? Don't you like the food?" Mira asked, her concern evident.
"No, that's not it," Kakashi whispered. "It's good, really good."
"Then what's wrong?" Kurumi persisted.
"It's been so long since I've eaten something this good," Kakashi admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "We didn't get delicacies like this at the lab. We ate rice balls until they made me sick. We had something different occasionally, but nothing special."
"Now you can eat all you want," Mira said. "After all, the food's free…just for today."
"You know what, Kakashi?" Kurumi leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. "Meet me tonight at room 306. I'll make you something special."
Kakashi felt his cheeks flush.
"Oh! Look at the time!" Kurumi exclaimed, glancing at her wrist, though she wasn't wearing a watch. "I better get going on my mission before Kanade-sensei catches me."
She stood abruptly and hurried away.
"What did she mean by 'mission'?" Kakashi asked Mira, still bewildered.
"What do you think she meant? You don't just get to stay here for free. Supernaturals who stay at the academy pay for everything by going on missions assigned to them," Mira explained.
"I still don't understand what the academy stands for," Kakashi admitted.
"Okay, but I'm only explaining this once, so listen carefully," Mira said, leaning forward. "The school is the result of an alliance between supernaturals and humans. It's located all over the world and accepts all kinds of people, including witches and alchemists."
"Wait, you mean witches exist? I thought they were wiped out decades ago; at least, that's what they told us at the lab," Kakashi said, his surprise evident.
"Yes, they were hunted back then, but after the alliance, that stopped. As I was saying, the alliance allows supernaturals to live in the human world, and in return, we protect them from demons by dispatching them. The exchange program is a tournament held between all ASE Academies around the world; it helps check the abilities of students and offers admission to other ASE Academies, but you have to be chosen," Mira explained.
"But what's in it for the school?"
"Well, having you here helps the school get more jobs from the government, which increases revenue. But the students get increased salaries and maybe promotions, all based on their skills," Mira said.
"You mean the more exchange programs I participate in, the more chances I have of being promoted?"
"Yes, and don't forget the salary," Mira said with a smile. "There are also other benefits. The handbook will help you understand the basics."
She handed Kakashi a thick handbook.
"You said something about 'dispatching demons'? What does that mean?" he asked, a knot of apprehension tightening in his stomach.
"It's the same as killing," she answered frankly. "But we shouldn't forget that some of those demons are people's family, so we use that word to make it less…"
"I know what you mean," Kakashi said, his expression somber.
"You don't have to be like that," Mira said softly.
He suddenly remembered the interrogator's words from yesterday. He stood abruptly.
"I'm heading to your mom's office. Are you coming?"
"Don't worry about me. I still need to finish my breakfast," Mira replied.
"Sure," Kakashi nodded and left.
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Kakashi went directly to Miss Tokoyami's office, only to find the interrogator already there. A wave of disappointment washed over him; he wouldn't get to ask about Ayaka.
"Look who's here," Miss Tokoyami said, her tone welcoming. "We were just talking about you."
"Okay, I'm here now," Kakashi replied. "You wanted to ask me something?"
"My sincere apologies for what happened last time," the interrogator said, her expression serious. "Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Elizabeth, a detective with the London police department and assistant to the Divine Sage."
"I'm Kakashi Yami," Kakashi said, feeling the need to reiterate his name.
"Why don't you have a seat, Kakashi?" Miss Tokoyami invited. "I'm sure you've recovered from the incident. So, I want you to tell us what happened at the lab. And what happened to the people who trapped you there?"
"My memories are still blurry, but I remember some parts of what happened," Kakashi said cautiously, managing to keep his tone measured. "It began about six years ago when I was ten years old."