hope

It took an enormous amount of energy just to maintain her body, let alone use PK. Normally, she could convert energy directly from UV radiation against her skin, but this planet’s closest star didn’t output nearly enough for her even in a day.

There’s nothing like feeling constantly hungry. Altair slumps into her seat in the cafeteria, stomach still growling even after her eighth plate of grub. The cafeteria workers cut her off. Giving into her hunger pains, she slumps her head against the table, staring dully outward to the rest of the students. She sees someone who’s hardly touched her plate.

“E-eh?!” She jumped, almost thinking she was in trouble, before she calmed herself back down and got a grip on her nerves. “Er...no, probably not,” she laughed nervously. “You’re welcome to it, if you want. I’m still not used to it yet.”

No matter how much time Ringo had spent on Hiraeth soil, hearing things like “I’m a half demon” 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 wasn’t 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. 

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 didn’t have quite the same level of skeletons in his closet.

“Well… I suppose my biggest secret right now…” Ringo took a deep breath before facing the statue, a determined look on his face. “Even 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.”

The statue did not seem to move, which prompted Ringo to continue. 

“I 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.”

It was then that the statue shifted, and Ringo breathed a sigh of relief. It didn’t 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. 

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. “Looks like it’s your turn, Tsubasa-chan! Spill the beans so we can move on quickly!” 

@onipride​

She could relate to both of their secrets--at least, being part demon and being nervous around other beings. She’d been the same way before she’d discovered that part of herself. Still, having to follow that up was a little...

Tsubasa gave a small sigh and shifted her weight. “Well, sorry to drop another bomb..” But she didn’t have a choice if they were going to get past this statue. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m keeping...a pretty big secret from the rest of my family,” she began. “My parents and my grandmother are the only ones who know, but the rest of the family..doesn’t have the full story. My priestess ancestor didn’t defeat a demon lord...she fell in love with him. We’re descended from their child..” 

She wet her lips, feeling more than a bit nervous to be admitting it outloud, even though she’d already done it once before to her parents. But her grandmother had been there for emotional support, just in case things had gone sour. 

“Every one thousand years, a child is supposed to be born as the priestess’s successor...but for whatever reason, I ended up more like the oni she married. And we’ve kept it a secret from the rest of my family because I know they wouldn’t react favorably.” 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. “I’m basically hiding the fact that I’m more oni than holy maiden from them now.”

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.

  pulling out the scissors tucked within his haori, one snip at the air was all it took for petals to conjure beneath his feet, spiralling together to unify as a large pink flower. a small smile graced sadamatsu’s lips; at the very least, he retained selfish flower — because without it, then he would truly be alone in this world.

falling back almost comically, the manifested flower acted as a mattress for the young man. all he desired now was a nap. however, as eyelids began flitting to a shut, a shadow blocked out the light, provoking them to open again to only lock with lurid, red irises. 

…a person? did someone want to talk to him? faint expectations caused his heart to flutter, but sadamatsu decided to not to cling onto hope. propping himself into a sitting position, he faced his new company.

❝ hello… do you need something? ❞

She froze, however, when his eyes opened. “Ah,” she spoke, cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. Of course, she should have realized her shadow would have been noticeable. Well, there was no going back now.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” she began honestly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I was just curious...I’d never seen an ability like yours before, so I thought I’d get a closer look.” She laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. He had looked like he was about to go to sleep though, so she couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

Given the past tests he had seen and experienced within Hiraeth’s boundaries, Ringo had to admit this was a rather tame experience thus far. Of course, he knew not to underestimate the mind-boggling creativity that the innermost circle of faculty held, and was intelligent enough to know that if things seemed easy now, they most certainly wouldn’t be further down the road. The part that had Ringo on edge was the requirement to fight, but a severe lack of any abilities or sensible weaponry to support them. Ringo faired well in a fight where he could use his voice, but this… well, at least he had something potentially useful for a weapon.

Just as they were moving along, Ringo easily falling into step behind the team leader and the student that had been thrust into a group with two teachers, a sudden rumble sounded from above and the statue that had fallen down demanded to know their darkest secrets. 

It seemed as though things were meant to get a little personal quit early on.

“You’ll do best not to let yourself be surprised during these tests - that Headmistress and her friends are truly something.” Ringo said, almost defeatedly as he rested a hand against his cheek. He glanced from the Demonology teacher to the student, before letting out a quiet sigh.

“Truth be told, I can’t even think of a dark secret! I’d love to go first but I’ll have to give this one some thought…” Ringo smiled bashfully, “I think as our faithful leader you should go first with confessing~. What do you think, Tsubasa-chan?” 

     | | your turn, @onipride​ !!

She was, admittedly, baffled by the situation, but she was at least glad that she hadn’t been caught in something embarrassing. It was also a bit reassuring to be on a team with two teachers. At least, in the event something went wrong, they would be able to take care of it. Though it was strange being cut off from her powers like this. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would have been like to go through life like that. Ah well.

But she was also a little excited about the thought of a challenge. Sure there were monsters, and sure she was little more than a normal human right now but there was something kind of exhilarating about it.

“I am a little confused...But I guess it’d be too easy to fight our way out with our powers.” She’d just have to do her best. Though admitting a dark secret..? She’d definitely have to think pretty hard on that. Did she even have one? She was a terrible liar, so there probably weren’t many secrets. Well, one did come to mind, but she wasn’t sure if it really counted as dark.

Upon being addressed, she tensed, eyes widening as she pulled herself out of her thoughts. “Eh? Ah...well, it might be a good idea,” she reasoned. “At the very least, it’d give us a reference for what exactly counts as a dark secret.”

“I’m probably like an open book, so I’d really have to think about any big, dark secrets I have. Do you think keeping something secret from the rest of your family counts?”