Chapter 3

I don’t know what came over me. The only time I’ve experienced that level of cold, was when I was in the Panopticon. Yet, when I remember the luminous glow of her hair, or the misty blue/grey of her eyes, I can’t help but blush.

My Mum would tell me stories about the Yuki Onna when I was a kid. It was a way for her to teach me to be wary of beautiful women. She always had a fear that I would be abducted by a beautiful woman, because in her words “I was just so damn cute!” Mum was right. I need to be wary of the woman known as Shirohime Shirayuki.

Despite the obvious flags compelling me to steer well clear, I can’t get her solemn transformed appearance out of my mind.

Following our encounter, Shirayuki-san would continue to sit next to me in all of our lectures. She would occasionally steal a glance and then blush and mumble to herself, while holding her face in her hands or hiding it behind a textbook. I didn’t get around to mentioning my encounter with the Yuki Onna to Seir, I didn’t wanna cause Shirayuki-san any trouble and I would just prefer it if he didn’t know.

I’ve been wondering what he’s been up to lately, there’s no doubt that’s he's been tirelessly planning for the King of Hell Summit. He hasn’t given me many details other than explaining the hierarchy of the Goetia and teaching me how to be one of his vassals, but I’m sure he’s been meticulously planning for what’s to come. Just when I thought about contacting him, I received a call from Alice.

“Hello?”

“...I have a message from Lord Seir.”

“What is it?”

“...”

“Alice?”

“...Yo Kuro-kun, I’ve got something that you just gotta check out, swing by my place this weekend OK? Bring your new girlfriend with you, from what my little Alice tells me, this new girlfriend of yours, is pretty COOL!”

“...”

“...Lord Seir ordered me to convey the message in that manner, as well as keep tabs on you while you’re away from the Estate. I apologise if I have caused you any inconvenience *click*"

“...Damn that Seir”

I don’t know why Seir wants me to bring Shirayuki-san along with me but despite his teasing, I’m sure he has a reason. One thing I’ve learnt after being his vassal for the last few years, is that there is always method to this guy’s madness. I wouldn’t be surprised if we were all beating to his drum from the very beginning. Although, part of me just thinks that he wants to tease me in front of Shirayuki-san...

Shiro’s POV

It’s been 2 weeks since my first close encounter with Fujioka-san. Despite constantly sitting next to him in class, we haven’t even had one conversation. I tried many times to get his attention and ask him, if he really thought that my Yokai form was beautiful. But it’s like he’s constantly trying to avoid my gaze. Maybe I misheard him before, maybe I’m being a nuisance and he already has a girlfriend…

“Hey Shiro! Are you even listening?”

“Ahh sorry Miyabi, I was a bit distracted.”

“Urgh, ever since you met that Fujioka guy, you haven’t been paying attention to me at all.”

“...I’m sorry Miyabi.”

“What do you see in him anyways? I mean he’s handsome, but from what the other girls have told me, he hardly says anything and keeps everyone at arm’s length. Plus, according to my rich guy sensors, he doesn’t give off much of a signal.”

“H-hey Miyabi, do you know if he has a girlfriend?”

“Wah? Well if he does, she’s definitely not at this Uni. I asked all my guy and girl friends and they don’t seem to know much about him.”

“Phew that’s a relief…”

“Ohh speak of the devil, there he goes now, hey hang on a second Shiro, wait right here, I’ll be right back.”

“Eh?”

OMG, there he is and he has such a serious look on his face too, my heart is starting to pound. Wait, where is?

“Oooiiii, over here Fujioka! I wanna talk to you.”

Damn it Miyabi, what are you doing!?

“Oh, so you’re the Fujioka that has caught the attention of the Princess of Niigata huh? Not bad, you’re more handsome up close than I was giving you credit for."

“Who are you?”

“Fujioka-saaaaaaaan!”

I just about caught up to the two of them.

“This is my childhood friend Miyabi Misawa.”

“Ah right, well perfect timing, if you’re not busy right now, I was wondering if I could have a word with you in private Shirayuki-san?”

“H-hey, hey! Wait just a minute lover boy, there’s something I wanna make clear with you first. If you cause any trouble for Shiro, then you will know no worse enemy than me, you got that! Also, Shiro’s family might be wealthy but don’t think you can con her out of any money OK? I’m watching you.”

“Alright, jeez Miyabi! You’re embarrassing me, don’t you have class in 10 mins?"

“Oh crap you’re right, grrrrrr, alright! I’ll let you off for now Fujioka, but remember, I’m watching you. If he tries anything funny Shiro, scream as loud as you can, my spidey senses will go off and I’ll come and save you. I also slipped some mace into your bag and…”

“Just go already!”

She finally left, it’s just the two of us now, maybe I can ask him about what happened a few weeks ago.

“Ummm, Fujioka-san about what happened a few weeks ag…”

“Shirayuki-san, I was wondering whether you’d like to accompany me somewhere this weekend?”

“Eh? Ehhhhhhhhh!?"

“It’s OK if you’re busy, I’ll pick you up from the dorms if it makes things easier. I plan on driving us there anyways.”

He just asked me out. In fact he just said that he would pick me up and then take me on a date. Calm down now Shiro, from what I’ve read in Yokai Weekly Magazine. When a human boy asks a girl out on a first date, he normally waits for her at the agreed meeting point for hours and then just says “No I just got here” when she finally shows up and asks if he’s been waiting long.

Does that mean that he thinks we’ve already been dating for these past few weeks? I mean it’s only natural right? Grandmother told me that our ancestors would just marry the men that came up the mountain, after just the first meeting. Yes, yes, it does make sense.

“Sure, I’d love to go with you this weekend.”

“Great! I’ll come by the dorms on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the final arrangements. Oh yeah, I haven’t got your mail address and telephone number yet have I?”

“Uh no, I haven’t given you those.”

“Here, I’m not good with technology, so I think it’d be easier if you just added them to my phone.”

His phone is so warm, wait what’s this? “Last call Alice” Who’s Alice? Should I ask him? Why do I suddenly feel like transforming and freezing hi...No, no Shiro, think logically. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation. Don’t just be a stereotype, the time where Yuki Onna freeze their lover first and ask questions later is over...

“S-Shirayuki-san?”

“I-I’m done, I’m done!”

“Riiiight, well, I’ll text you the details. Oh and please don’t wear a long skirt or dress, It will just get in the way, Later!”

“...WHAAAAAAAT?!”

“M...Miyabiiiii!”

“Achoo!”

“Is everything OK, Misawa-san?”

“Ah yes, no problem Professor, I think somebody is just thinking about me, wonder who it is?”