Just before dawn, Kage slips back into his home, permitting himself a few hours of sleep before school. When he wakes, he doesn't even bother checking the clock—he knows he wouldn't be able to sleep more, even if he had the time.
As he dresses and eats breakfast, his thoughts drift to the night before. To how Tsubasa looked at him.
She was afraid of him.
He'd seen that look a thousand times before, but this time, it irritated him. Why? What did it matter? He wasn't looking for trust or approval. He was a vigilante.
A criminal.
And yet... part of him wished she hadn't flinched. That she had looked at him with something other than fear.
He pauses, the tie in his hands hanging around his neck.
When did this girl become important to him?
He's only known her a day. So what could possibly make her so special that he'd let her invade his thoughts?
He shakes his head, clearing the feeling, and finishes the knot on his tie before heading to school.
As he walks down the streets of the city, he feels the sun warm his face—secretly wishing his mask could protect him during the day like it does at night.
He stops in front of the school, sighing. He's early. The gates aren't even open yet. He checks his phone and resigns himself to sitting beside the gate, preparing to wait another twenty minutes for the principal to arrive.
When the principal does arrive, he parks his car and walks to the gate. As he unlocks it, he glances down at Kage. "You know, I've never asked you why you're always here so early. So, how about you give me something to work with here?"
Kage stares off down the street, where cars are slowly beginning to file out of homes and storefronts. His hands clench into fists. "I'd rather be alone here than at home," he says quietly.
There's a long silence. Then the principal's brow furrows. He pats Kage's shoulder and lets the gates swing open.
Kage makes his way to his classroom and takes his seat.
When Sensei arrives, she frowns at finding the door already unlocked. She scolds him in her mind before she's even stepped through it.
"Mister Tamashi. As early as always. At this rate, I'd believe you if you told me you slept here."
Kage bows respectfully. "I apologize, Sensei. But I'd like to keep coming in early, if it's not an issue."
Sensei sighs, already knowing how this conversation will end. She sits at her desk and begins organizing her notes for today's class.
"One of these days, you'll have to give me a reason, Tamashi."
A smirk teases his lips. "Maybe..."
Kage pays little attention as students trickle into the room, his mind still lingering on the night before. He barely registers Tsubasa entering—until a sudden flurry of excited voices snaps him out of his thoughts.
Tsubasa has barely sat down when a group of girls swarms her desk, their voices buzzing with excitement as they fire off questions.
Tsubasa does her best to answer, though most of the questions have nothing to do with her anyway. "I don't really know much. All I remember is that he wore a blue Oni mask and called himself Kurai."
The chatter halts. The girls look at each other in confusion. Eventually, one speaks up. "You met him?"
Tsubasa blinks, unsure. "I mean, not really. He just dropped onto my balcony and told me to go inside. Is that... strange?"
Miki shakes her head. "Most people he saves don't even see him."
Tsubasa frowns. "Wait… Most? How often does he do this? Who is he?"
The girls giggle at her ignorance. "He does it every night. The news doesn't even bother reporting on him anymore."
Another girl laughs as well. "How brave do you have to be to commit crimes in this city with that guy running around?"
Kage smirks faintly, a flicker of pride stirring in his chest as the girls giggle and chat about his feats.
Miki sighs. "And yet this stupid city is still crime-ridden."
The smirk fades. Kage's jaw tightens slightly.
Tsubasa shakes her head. "I don't know... I think he seems kinda... scary."
He tenses.
There it is again—that stupid feeling. Why does her opinion matter so much?
Tsubasa notices the muscles in his neck tightening and instinctively reaches out to tap him on the shoulder.
But before she can speak, a sharp voice cuts through the conversation.
Sensei taps a ruler against her desk, the sound snapping them all to attention. "All right, girls. Time for class. Take your seats."
The girls begrudgingly return to their desks. The classroom quiets down reluctantly as Sensei begins her lesson.