Chapter 4: First Encounter

"Oy, kid. Wake up," Shoma said, trying to wake Kaede while his arms were wrapped around his sister's remains.

Shoma and his team were alarmed about a massive Goryo attack in Twelve district, where Minami's house stood. He and his team went there as soon as possible, but they came across damaged pieces of land, body parts mutilated, and the boy was sleeping next to the wall.

Shoma has his hopes up when he sees the boy sleeping.

"I see why you want this kid," Clara said before putting on her gloves and picking up the pieces of the dog's flesh.

"He has it. I know," Shoma answered and walked to the boy still sleeping.

"Kid, wake up," Shoma slightly pushed Kaede's shoulder, and he saw the ripped part sleeve of the shirt he was wearing. And when he checked his arms, nothing.

"Mnnm," Kaede finally awoke.

"Good morning, kid. Why are you sleeping outside instead of at your house?"

Confused Kaede, he looked at the man and then at his surroundings. Suddenly, he remembered everything that had happened last night.

"The dog! I saw a huge dog last night. It tried to eat my sister's remains, but someone showed up and killed it," he blabbers at Shoma.

"Fear is obvious in his voice," Shoma said to himself.

"Who?"

"I.. I don't know," Kaede said, holding his head. "I must protect my sister's remains from any monster," he said before remembering the Jar.

He saw Shoma holding it, and he snatched it from him.

Shoma heaved a sigh.

Kaede must have been traumatized by what he experienced last night, which is partially his fault. No one came alive nor killed any Yurei, especially the second-class Goryo. It is impossible unless this kid has something in him.

"Come with me. You are not safe here anymore. Now that a Goryo found this place, another will come to kill you," he told Kaede, who didn't resist.

While inside the car, Shoman tried to talk to Kaede and persuade him of who killed the Goryo. It wasn't just an ordinary Goryo; it was the fully transformed Goryo that most first-year Exorcists struggle to hunt.

"Did you kill the Goryo last night, kid?" he asked him.

Kaede looked at Shoma and then looked at the road again. The man has insisted on coming with him even though he doesn't want to.

"No, I did not," Kaede answered him. "It was someone else."

"Did you see it? The face?"

"No. I didn't. Someone wore a long cloak, and the huge hood hid its face."

"Do you know where it came from?" Shoma asked him again.

"I don't know. I don't even understand it, either. I...I only saw my left arm lit up, and then the hooded figure came out," he said, still remembering how this odd tattoo suddenly appeared in his time of need and then disappeared after the monster's demise.

"Hmm," Shoman hummed. "Then it's decided. You will enter the Ryōshi High," he said.

"A what?" Kaede looked at him with wide eyes.

"A school that is best suited for you. No more questions. I'll answer that after we arrive at the dormitory," Shaman said and shut Kaede up.

Kaede fell asleep during their long drive, and when he woke up, he saw green whenever his eyes looked. And he almost freaks out when he steps on a grave.

"Where are we?" he asked Shoma, rubbing his eyes.

"Okutama," he answered.

"Oku what? Is this even part of Japan? This is deserted, and this is a cemetery too!"

"Yes, it is, and I know. Come on, help me with your things," Shomansaid before carrying his other bags.

Kaede followed Shoma. While doing it, he couldn't help but feel eerie in their way. And why not? Their path is in the middle of a cemetery; he can even see the newly buried dead as the soil is still fresh.

"Don't be afraid. Everyone buried here are those who sacrificed for the sake of the Celestial Axis," he said. "Same goes with your sister. And also, everyone here is safe. A spell protects this cemetery," he added. "Ah, here it is."

Kaede stopped when Shoma showed him an open casket like cement.

"What is that?"

"The place where your sister's ashes will be laid in peace. Her final rest place," Shoma said before letting him put the Jar inside the open door of the gravestone.

"Are you sure no yurei will come and eat her?" Kaede ensured his sister would be safe inside the gravestone.

"Yes," Shomansaid before locking the door of the gravestone with Minami's remains inside.

He and Kaede prayed for her peace before proceeding to walk.

"This will be your dormitory," Shoma told Kaede when they reached this old, eerie dorm as he said.

The dorm was made of wood and some grass called cogon for the roof. Kaede knew this kind of house since he stayed in the Philippines back to his grandparents when his parents died before Minami picked him up.

"This will be your room," Shoma showed him the second room on the first floor.

Kaede opens the door, and a plain wooden bed, table, chair, and a gas lamp greet him.

"Is there any electricity here?" he asked.

"Yes. But we have strict rules here. Most Keireis don't like the light at night because this is a sanctuary," Shoma said. "We only use electricity in the morning. Charge your phone or do your stuff in the morning," he added.

"Huh? Are you serious?" Kaede couldn't believe what he had just heard. "For real?!"

"Yes. So I suggest you follow it. Keireis are ill-tempered creatures. If you disturb them at night, they will attack you. You have been warned," he said. "So I'll leave you for now to arrange your things. Wake up when you hear this horn sound. Breakfast is at seven, and the class starts at eight. Someone will fetch you here," he said before leaving the confused Kaede.

Kaede is a night person. He usually stays at night playing his game and sleeps around three in the morning, even if he has class the next day. Although he had difficulty sleeping in a new room without his usual stuff, Kaede eventually slept and woke up to the sound of a gong.

"What the hell?"

He opened his eyes and checked his phone. It's already four in the morning when sleep is usually good.

"Ugh!" he moaned and got up.

He pulled the towel hanging on the rack and immediately jumped in the cold shower to awaken his sleepy system.

"Wooh!" he cursed. The shower was too cold, but that's more he liked it. He is used to showering in cold water, especially after his football practice or matches.

After his cold shower and change to his uniform, a black turtle-neck long-sleeve polo paired with black jeans, Kaede slid his feet inside his favorite black socks and a brand new pair of shoes to his sister's gift. Shoma told him that he could wear whatever shoes he wanted, so he did.

He heaved a sigh when he remembered his sister.

Three knocks have been heard on his room's door.

"Mister Kaede Rodriguez, your breakfast is served at the dining hall. Please come out wearing your uniform," a soft voice spoke at him outside his door.

"Coming!" he answered him. He looked at himself in a full mirror before leaving.

A monk wearing orange buddha clothes is the one who picks him up.

"Are you ready?" he asked him.

"Yes," he answered, slid his hands into each pocket of his jeans, and followed the monk.