Chapter 1.8

"Wow, the security here sure is tight," I murmured, unable to hold back my observation.

"Right~?" Persia chimed in, nodding enthusiastically. "I said the same thing when I first came here."

“And… why is that? Surely you know, right?” I asked, half-expecting a simple answer.

"I’m sure you already know the answer," Persia replied with a smirk. "After all, you witnessed it yourself and I mentioned it before."

“…You mean, using confession as an excuse for an assault?” I asked, trying to connect the dots.

"No, not exactly. Assault isn’t really the issue. It’s the confessions that matter," she clarified, her tone oddly serious.

"Excuse me?" I blinked, completely caught off guard.

"Can you imagine almost every boy and girl in your school confessing to you over the span of two months?" Persia muttered, her eyes wide as she recalled the chaos.

"I can only imagine a disaster."

"Exactly."

“No way… that’s real?” I couldn’t help but murmur in disbelief.

"Do I look like I’m joking to you?" Persia shot me a serious look.

"Nope. But I can't wrap my head around it."

“Kuroyuki is really pretty, that’s why,” Persia stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Anyone would fall in love with her if they stare into her eyes for more than ten seconds, even me included.”

“…It’s almost like you’re telling me she’s a succubus.”

“That’s the worst part,” Persia sighed dramatically. “She’s not. Kuroyuki’s definitely human, but the way you feel when you look at her… it’s almost like you can’t help but fall for her… hehehe.”

"Snap out of it, Persia!" I exclaimed, giving her shoulders a firm shake. "Come back to reality!"

“W-What? Oh my goodness, that was dangerous. I almost fell into the abyss,” Persia muttered, blinking rapidly as if waking from a trance. “Not even a succubus could charm me like that.”

“That’s terrifying,” I murmured, still shaken. “I hope I don’t end up like you.”

"You’ll be fine," Persia assured me with a smile. "You resisted my charms after all."

“…You call that ‘charms’?” I muttered, raising an eyebrow. “All I felt was a headache.”

“Headache?” Persia echoed, her forehead creasing as she clenched her fists. “Are you saying I’m unattractive to you?!”

"Hold on— no!" I quickly backtracked, sensing the imminent danger. "I think you’re quite pretty, actually. It’s just… I guess I’m resistant to your so-called ‘charms.’"

"You scum," Persia suddenly growled, narrowing her eyes. "Don’t tell me you… watch it every day."

“…What are you talking about?" I glared at her, giving her a death stare.

“Ahem. Sorry for doubting you,” Persia apologized, her face flushing slightly.

“Speaking of which, I’ve been feeling a little… off,” I muttered, rubbing my temple. “I wonder if it’s because I didn’t get enough sleep, or…”

“Oh? This means Kuroyuki’s trial has started,” Persia replied nonchalantly.

“Trial? What trial?” I asked, confused.

"Even though the school, the principal, and even I may approve of you, Kuroyuki has her own way of determining things. You’ll have to pass her trial."

“…I see.” I paused. “You seem awfully used to this. How many candidates have you brought here before me?”

Persia let out an exasperated sigh.

“More than I care to count. None of them made it past the front door. I hope you’ll be the second, since I’m the first.”

"Don’t worry, something like this won’t stop me," I said confidently, though deep down, I was starting to feel the pressure— literally.

The air around us seemed to grow denser as we approached the White Mansion’s entrance. A subtle but undeniable weight began pressing down on me, along with an eerie chill that cut through my skin.

“…I didn’t expect it to feel like this,” I muttered under my breath, the suffocating cold reminding me of someone all too familiar.

"You’re doing surprisingly well," Persia said, offering a compliment with a small smile. "But that’s only the beginning."

As the front door slowly opened, a gust of frigid air rushed out, hitting us like the wind from an open freezer.

“Ugh, that’s cold,” I grumbled, hugging my arms to myself.

"Shall we proceed?" Persia asked cheerfully, seemingly unfazed by the icy atmosphere.

“…Is it just me, or why do you seem perfectly fine?” I asked, glancing at her suspiciously.

“I’ve gotten used to it,” Persia replied with a shrug. “Oh, and by the way, I’m not allowed to help you. You have to walk on your own.”

“…Okay?” I took a step forward and instantly regretted it.

As soon as I crossed the threshold, a crushing weight slammed into my body. It was like gravity itself had multiplied tenfold, and I could feel every muscle straining just to keep me upright.

“…Are you okay?” Persia asked, glancing back at me with concern. “Don’t push yourself if you can’t handle it.”

“Give me a second,” I replied through gritted teeth, taking a deep breath to adjust to the oppressive force.

Persia waited patiently as I gathered my strength, her expression softening slightly. I took a few more deep breaths, feeling my body gradually adapt to the pressure.

“Alright,” I said, nodding to her. “Let’s go.”

Together, we continued forward, until we reached the eleavator that was at the left at the hallway.

“…You don’t look so good,” Persia said softly, her concern evident as she stood nearby. “…Are you sure you want to continue?”

“…Y-Yes,” I answered weakly, my voice barely steady. “I’m… okay… Urk…!?”

But as I spoke, my feet came to an abrupt halt.

“…L-Lucifer?!” Persia asked, alarmed.

Though she wanted to help, she maintained a careful distance, aware of the rules.

Good... stay back, Persia. Don’t break the rules.

“…S-Sfft… H-Hah…” I groaned through the pain.

Something had struck me—deep, sharp, and overwhelming.

It flooded me:

Pain.

Fear.

Anger.

And a profound sadness.

Before I knew it, tears welled up and flowed freely down my face, dripping to the ground. I didn’t fully understand why, but I closed my eyes, letting the emotions swell and subside. After a few moments, I wiped my tears, took a breath, and looked up with a sigh.

“…Let’s go, Persia,” I murmured. “…She waited long enough.”

…………………………..………………

First floor.

Outside the Special Student's classroom.

“…What happened back there?” Persia asked, her voice full of care.

“…I’m not sure,” I replied. “I just… suddenly felt like crying. It felt good, though. Like something heavy was lifted off me.”

“You must have a lot weighing on your shoulders.”

“…I guess so,” I said quietly, then fell silent.

“…Are you good to continue?”

“Yeah… sorry for taking so long for such a short walk,” I apologized, scratching my head.

“Don’t say that,” Persia reassured me. “At least you didn’t scream and run away like some others. Or worse, pee yourself.”

“…If that ever happens, I’d rather die than be socially dead,” I said, grimacing at the thought.

“Don’t worry, if it happens— I’ll definitely record it all with my camera,” she teased with a mischievous grin.

“I’ll kill you if you do,” I shot back.

“Eek~! So scary~ Persia is very scared~!” she said dramatically, skipping towards the door as it opened.

As I followed her inside, I was stunned by the sight before me.

The ceiling was made of glass.

High-class paintings adorned the walls.

Ornamental plants filled the room.

Personal study devices.

There was a fridge, the latest massage office chair, an open kitchen, and even a meeting area.

Yet, despite all the luxury… what stood out most was the lone figure— a girl reading quietly beneath the sunlight.

She was an illusion, like a living painting.

“Pardon the intrusion, Kuroyuki~,” Persia called out, skipping towards the girl.

Kuroyuki turned her head, her gaze piercing through me.

"Nngh…!?"

An overwhelming force hit me.

The pressure I’d felt earlier returned, but now it was sharper, more lethal. This is— ‘Intimidation’!?

Fear rushed over me like crashing waves.

My foot instinctively retreated, but I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stand firm against her icy glare.

It was as if a scythe hovered at my neck, waiting to slice at the slightest misstep.

As if a gun was aimed at my forehead, the trigger ready to be pulled.

It’s like I’m facing a being more dangerous than a demon.

Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly and stepped forward.

“…Are you not afraid of death?” Kuroyuki asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

“Then why do people fear death?” I murmured.

Kuroyuki paused, clearly taken aback by my response. After a moment, she withdrew her intimidating presence, her expression showing a flicker of discomfort.

“I see you’ve taken a liking to him~” Persia chimed in, breaking the tension.

PAK.

Without even standing up from her chair, Kuroyuki’s hand shot out and slapped Persia’s face with blinding speed.

“WAIT, WAIT— NOT THE GRIP—!!!” Persia yelped.

Kuroyuki, unfazed, stared at her coldly.

“…Which part of me suggests I’m interested in him?” she uttered in an icy tone.

“You wouldn’t even react if you weren’t interested…!” Persia shrieked.

Kuroyuki’s face remained expressionless, but her silence was telling.

“Ow—!? Why are you tightening your grip!?” Persia whined, wincing under Kuroyuki’s grasp.

“…You still haven’t explained why he’s here,” Kuroyuki murmured.

“You don’t know…!?” Persia gasped. “It’s him— the second Special Student, like you!”

Kuroyuki’s eyes widened ever so slightly, a rare look of surprise crossing her face as she released her grip on Persia.

“…Ow… you almost crushed my face,” Persia muttered, retreating behind me as if for protection.

I took a step forward, offering a polite bow.

“I believe this is our first official meeting, Kuroyuki Shiroha. Although you already know my name, let me introduce myself properly— my name is Lucifer Nightwalker von Nightmare. A pleasure to meet you.”

Kuroyuki’s sharp gaze softened just slightly, though she still looked irritated.

“…I see,” she said quietly, her voice tinged with annoyance. “…This was unexpected.”

“You thought he was just another candidate, didn’t you?” Persia asked, smirking.

“…I was going to let him pass, but it seems that won’t be necessary anymore,” Kuroyuki replied with a sneer.

“Now that your partner has finally arrived, you have to treat him nicely, okay?” Persia teased.

“…I will try,” Kuroyuki muttered, her poker face returning.

“Great~ I’m sure you two will be busy, but don’t forget to invite me over once in a while, okay?”

“…N,” Kuroyuki replied with a subtle nod.

“Well then, I’ll be off— Ahhn~!?”

Before Persia could make her exit, I grabbed her shoulder, causing her to jolt with a weird, exaggerated moan.

“Oi, why are you leaving so fast? Aren’t you going to show me where my room is?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“A-Ah, about that…” Persia stammered. “I think it’s best if the creator of the ‘White Mansion’ gives you the full tour.”

“Wait, you mean Kuroyuki?” I asked, genuinely surprised.

“Obviously,” Persia replied with a playful smirk. “Now, if you don’t mind letting me go, I’m late for class.”

“…Oops, my bad,” I said, releasing her shoulder.

“Bye-bye~” Persia waved cheerfully as she exited the room, leaving the door to close softly behind her.

And then— silence.

“………………………”

“………………………”

The atmosphere grew heavy and awkward as neither of us said a word, the quiet almost suffocating.

"………………………"

"………………………"