No matter how much time Ringo had spent on Hiraeth soil, hearing things likeĀ āIām a half demonā and talking about killing others never failed to send him into a stupor. It was possibly his biggest weakness as a teach of the school: his prior location had been a school for future idols to establish themselves within and learn from the best⦠here, the concept wasnāt far off but instead of idols it was fighting and magical powers. When Ringo had first arrived, it had been quite the pill to swallow but it was through his own powers that he was able to gain confidence.Ā
However, it was thanks to Dante confessing his sins that Ringo was able to see what sort of deep, dark secret that must be revealed. He smiled weakly, a hand cupping his cheek while he crossed his other arm over his chest. Thankfully, he didnāt have quite the same level of skeletons in his closet.
āWell⦠I suppose my biggest secret right nowā¦ā Ringo took a deep breath before facing the statue, a determined look on his face.Ā āEven though I am trying to wear the mask of an accepting and truthful professor, I will admit that I do tend to avoid students that are not human. While it is no excuse, the existence of other beings and even abilities themselves still frightens me.ā
The statue did not seem to move, which prompted Ringo to continue.Ā
āI have⦠favoured students simply because they are more like me. Even though I talk a lot about being a good professor, even I am evidence of favouritism.ā
It was then that the statue shifted, and Ringo breathed a sigh of relief. It didnāt feel good to speak so openly about such a topic, especially after Dante admitting he was half-demon. But at the very least, he had been truthful and told of a secret he had hid deep down for several months.Ā
Ringo tried for a smile instead of the worry on his face that would undoubtedly cause age lines on his forehead. Looking at the young girl, Ringo clapped his hands together.
āLooks like itās your turn, Tsubasa-chan! Spill the beans so we can move on quickly!āĀ
She could relate to both of their secrets--at least, being part demon and being nervous around other beings. Sheād been the same way before sheād discovered that part of herself. Still, having to follow that up was a little...
Tsubasa gave a small sigh and shifted her weight.Ā āWell, sorry to drop another bomb..ā But she didnāt have a choice if they were going to get past this statue. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.Ā āIām keeping...a pretty big secret from the rest of my family,ā she began.Ā āMy parents and my grandmother are the only ones who know, but the rest of the family..doesnāt have the full story. My priestess ancestor didnāt defeat a demon lord...she fell in love with him. Weāre descended from their child..āĀ
She wet her lips, feeling more than a bit nervous to be admitting it outloud, even though sheād already done it once before to her parents. But her grandmother had been there for emotional support, just in case things had gone sour.Ā
āEvery one thousand years, a child is supposed to be born as the priestessās successor...but for whatever reason, I ended up more like the oni she married. And weāve kept it a secret from the rest of my family because I know they wouldnāt react favorably.ā Ironic, considering the oni clan had been pretty welcoming--but maybe that had more to do with her resemblance and the fact her demon side seemed much stronger.
The teen gave a nervous laugh and looked off to the side.Ā āIām basically hiding the fact that Iām more oni than holy maiden from them now.ā
It felt terrible lying to her family, but at the very least, the statue had moved out of the way, leaving the way open for them.