Launch time was over and Gabriel had to return to class, Mak didn't want to walk with him because of the way he treated Yume, Gabriel also didn't want to hear anymore of Mak talking about goblin mating so leaving him behind was a wise choice, all students returned to class, Gabriel sat down on his seat and waited for the teacher to arrive, out of habit he tried to reach for his cigarettes but he forgot that he didn't bring any, that annoyed him slightly, that's when he noticed the same girl looking at him menacing, he couldn't figure out why she was staring at him and everytime he looked at her she turned her head ignoring the fact that they had made eye contact several times by now, since the only people he had talked with were Asano and Kato he couldn't ask anyone about her so he had to endure it, Gabriel wasn't accustomed to being eyed like that, Mak entered the classroom and sat beside Gabriel...

Mak-Have you calmed down?

Gabriel-What?

Mak-You were pretty mad with Yume earlier.

Gabriel-I told you, that's exactly what these kinds of people want, to divide friends and make them argue with one another, they are using their looks to fulfill their sick desires, the same thing happened in England.

Mak-You mean that hot redhead we saw there? What was her name again? Jannet, Jenny?

Gabriel-Julie.

Mak-Yeah, a real stunner that one.

Gabriel-Exactly, that's what they do, they cloud your thoughts and make you say and do things you wouldn't normally do, they try to bring out your worst self and when they succeed they mock you.

Mak-You are overreacting again, let's focus on why we are here in the first place.

Gabriel-Sure, but...

Mak-What?

Gabriel-Do you think you can talk to someone about that girl in the front?

Mak-Is she looking at you funny again?

Gabriel-That's not funny, it's creepy.

Mak-Yeah, I'll talk with that other creepy guy over there.

Mak pointed to the other person who was watching Gabriel weirdly, his torn school uniform and the messy hair made him look scary and the fact that he was also staring at Gabriel made it all worse.

Gabriel-Are you sure about that?

Mak-Yes?

Gabriel-I don't know, he is kind of scary.

Mak-Now I have seen it all, a man who escaped hell itself is afraid of a thug.

Gabriel-I am not afraid, just...Do whatever you want, just ask him about the other girl during the break.

Mak-Got you.

Class finished without any more incidents and as soon as the break started Mak approached this guy that Gabriel told him about, he was pale with messy dark hair and a grim look, he saw Mak approaching him and instantly he was readied

himself for something...

Mak-Hey there mate, I am Mak, this is my first day at this school.

Matsuo-I am Shinobu Matsuo.

Mak-Nice to meet you Shinobu-san.

Matsuo-Yeah.

Mak-Uhg...Can I ask you something? You seem like the kind of guy who knows things around here.

Matsuo-What?

Mak-This girl that was sitting at the front desk...

Matsuo-What about her?

Mak-Well, she doesn't seem to like me very much, during class she was staring intensely, is she always like that with new guys?

Matsuo-Not really.

Mak-You are not the talkative type huh?

Matsuo-Now I would like to ask you something.

Mak-I am listening...

Matsuo-Why are you interested in her?

Mak-It's just that she was staring and my pal, Gabriel felt a little uneasy, that's all.

Matsuo-Shimoda Tamika.

Mak-Huh?

Matsuo-Her name is Shimoda Tamika.

Mak-Tamika-chan, huh?

Matsuo-No! Don't you even dare to call Shimoda-san that.

Mak-That's a new one. What's up with you all of a sudden?

Matsuo-Let me ask you this, what's up with you and Gabriel?

Mak-I don't understand...

Matsuo-Don't play dumb with me.

Tamika-Matsuo.

Tamika appeared right next to Matsuo at this point, she obviously understood that there was something of...

Matsuo responded in a way more different tone that the one he was talking to Mak, his voice cracked as he spoke...

Matsuo-Tamika-san?

Tamika-Mak?

Mak-Yes, Shimoda-san.

Tamika-Is it possible that you asked Matsuo about me?

Mak-Well...Yeah, I was quite curious as why you are looking funny at Gabriel, not that I am gonna start a fight or anything but you are making him a bit uncomfortable, you see, he isn't very social and being stared at makes him feel weird.

Tamika-You sure talk a lot.

Tamika's voice was calm but also sad, her tone was very quiet to the point that it seemed like she was whispering even though she was clearly addressing Mak, with every word that came out of her mouth, Mak felt like he was being hit by a cold breeze, her almost perfect uniform, the dark hair that went all the way down to her waist and the pink ribbon that encircled her neck, all of this characteristics made Tamika seem very strange and creepy, even though she has just said a few words, Mak was already shaking from the way she looked and talked...

Tamika-Gabriel...

Mak-Y..yes?

Tamika-What's going on with him?

Mak-I told you, he is very shy and...

Tamika-I am not talking about that?

Mak-Apart from that, he is a very mediocre boy.

Tamika-There isn't anything special about him?

Mak-He looks good in suits, the school uniform isn't bringing out his whole character.(Strange.)

Tamika-I saw you talk with Kato and Asano earlier.

Mak-Yes, they are both very cool dudes.

Tamika-I am aware that they have planned a date with you two.

Mak-Yes, they invited us to a shrine nearby, do you think that we shouldn't go? They aren't selling drugs, are they?

Tamika-No, you should meet them there, tell Gabriel that I am sorry I made him feel uncomfortable.

Mak-I will. (That's one of my best jokes, she didn't even crack a smile, she is empty on the inside as much as the outside, like a fucking a ghost.)

Tamika-Matsuo.

Matsuo-Yes!?

Tamika-Come with me for a second.

Matsuo-Yes!

Mak returned next to Gabriel who was at this point extremely irritated by the fact that he hasn't managed to light a cigarette...

Gabriel-So?

Mak-This champ is called Matsuo and your new girlfriend is Tamika.

Gabriel-Matsuo and Tamika, huh? Well, they are the most interesting ones around here.

Mak-Really?

Gabriel-What?

Mak-You find those weirdos interesting but at the same time, you shit talk Yume-chan?

Gabriel-Fuck you, and stop calling her Yume-chan.

Mak-We are in Japan, just be cool for once.

Gabriel-Did you find why she was staring at me?

Mak-She asked if there is anything special about you?

Gabriel-Should we be worried?

Mak-Nah, she probably digs you, lucky boy.

Gabriel-Cut the crap, class is almost over, are you ready to meet that ashole?

Mak-Yeah, are we going right after class?

Gabriel-Yes, do you have anything better to do?

Mak-I was thinking of going to the senior floor upstairs and...

Gabriel-Don't tell me you are going to see Yume.

Mak-Why not?

Gabriel-Because she is a bitch.

Mak-Shut the fuck up you don't even know her, this is just your stupid assumption.

Gabriel-I know these kinds of girls.

Mak-No you don't, you are just an idiot.

Gabriel-We are going straight to the shrine after class.

Mak-Fine.

The bell rang and the final lesson for the day was about to begin, Mak and Gabriel didn't pay any attention as both of them thought of how to deal with Asano's annoying character, the class ended and they were now ready to meet the two of them at the shrine, as they walked they didn't speak a word to each other and both of them tried to find a reason as to why they wanted to meet them, if this was about showing dominance over the new kids then Gabriel wouldn't have a problem beating both of them while Mak stayed behind, if it was just some plain get to know them then Gabriel would have to find a way to stay far from Asano, all of a sudden they were now standing at the very entrance of the shrine, they went up a huge stairway without realizing it and they were now at a big empty space like a courtyard with a big red arch that signified the entrance to the shrine, a small building with obvious Japanese architecture mad from the weakest of materials like wood, between them and the building were standing Kato and Asano, they both looked eager to speak with Gabriel and Mak, as for them they looked at each other as to agree on some non-existent plan, they came close and Mak initiated the conversation...

Mak-Nice to see you didn't bail on us.

Kato-Thanks for coming Mak, Gabriel.

Asano-I really thought that you would chicken out.

Mak-Chicken out? You didn't give me the impression that you wanted a fight, haha.

Asano-I didn't?

Gabriel-What do you mean?

Kato-Now, now, Asano-san, what he wanted to say was that we wanted to talk about something very important.

Asano-You can talk while I beat his ass!

Just like that Asano pulled out an array of strange papers with Japanese wordings written on them...

Asano-"Oh great spirit of flame and ash, hear my call and unleash your fury on those who stand before me. Ignicious!"

With the chant finished a series of fireballs went straight for Gabriel, as soon as Gabriel took grasp of the situation he pulled his hand in front of his face to block the attack with the gauntlet, even if he could himself endure the attack, there was no guarantee that the impact wouldn't hurt Mak who was standing next to him so very quickly, Gabriel made the decision to nullify the attack...

Asano-As I figured, you are quite a tough one, huh?

Kato-Asano, I didn't want to do this!

Asano-What are you talking about? Are you blind or what?

The barrage of fireballs were still going towards Gabriel who was blocking with his hand...

Kato-We didn't even give them time to explain.

Gabriel-Maybe you have to explain some things.

Asano-What!?

Without any of them realizing, Gabriel leaped towards them, looking Asano directly in the eyes he was close to enough for their breaths to hit one another and as Gabriel pulled his hand back to launch a devastating attack on Asano something hit him from the side, Kato reacted in an instant knocking Gabriel back with a golden staff with chimes hanging from the tip, Gabriel placed his hands in the floor to stop the momentum of the attack, he looked back up only to see Kato now standing in front of him ready to a strike down on him...

Gabriel-Are you serious?

Kato-As much as I wanted to talk first, I can't forgive you for trying to hurt my friend."Elephant Bite"

Gabriel raised both his hands to block the strike from the staff, the impact of the attack buried Gabriel in the ground a few meters but he was able to withstand the hit.

Asano-Stand back! Gentle spirit of the earth, unleash your might "Mountain Dive".

Kato jumped back, by the face he made, it was clear that the attack that Asano was about to do would be strong enough to damage both of them, a huge boulder appeared out of thin air and dropped on Gabriel who was down on his knees from the previous strike, Gabriel looked at it and punched the rock with all his strength shattering it into pieces...

Gabriel-Mak stand back!

Mak-I already am.

Kato-Protecting your friend is a smart move.

Kato was once again standing in front of Gabriel, he was about to strike again, this time Gabriel had time to react and blocked his hit...

Kato-You are quite resilient.

Gabriel-Question is are you?

Gabriel punched Kato with the same force as before when he smashed the rock but to his surprise, Kato blocked it with his staff...

Gabriel-Wha...

Kato-It seems I can't hold back any longer, "Tiger Rush".

A series of rapid strikes came down on Gabriel who failed to block all of them, some of Kato's hits reached Gabriel dealing considerable damage, while trying to block, Gabriel realized that Kato matched his speed and almost his streangth, by

focusing enough, Gabriel was able to block all the strikes from Kato, the hits were so strong that the shockwave emitted destroyed the nearby stone formations that were scattered around the courtyard, as they continued to fight a strange voice could be heard, a calm but also powerful voice that came from behind the small building. It was Tamika...

Tamika-Enough, both of you stand down.

Gabriel-What?

Kato-Shimoda-san.

Asano-Tamika-chan!

Mak-Shimoda?

Tamika and Matsuo appeared from behind the shrine, they walked towards the two guys that were trading blows just seconds ago...

Tamika-I expected Asano to do something stupid, but you, Kato, I thought you were smarter than this.

Kato-I am sorry Shimoda-san.

Asano-Come on Tamika-chan, give me a smile.

Tamika-Shut up, you idiot!

Matsuo-You know, maybe we should talk with them...

Gabriel-What the fuck is going on here?

Mak got out of his hiding spot...

Mak-You care to explain?

Tamika-How about you start?

Mak-Me? They are the ones who started doing this magical shit and tried to hit us.

Tamika-Don't play dumb with me, you know what they did.

Mak-Onmyoji techniques.

Tamika-Yes, now your turn.

Mak-As I figured.

Gabriel-Is anyone going to explain to me what the hell is going on?

Mak-We are lucky mate, these guys here are what we are looking for.

Gabriel-What?

Mak-They are Onmyoji.

Gabriel-Oh, why the hell did you guys attack me all of a sudden?

Mak-They can see your aura.

Gabriel-Aura?

Mak-Your energy, that's why Tami...Shimoda-san was staring at you earlier.

Tamika-Correct, your energy signified that you were not a human, what are you?

Gabriel-I am not sure.

Asano-What kind of bullshit is this? Let me kill whatever this is.

Tamika-I am sorry for the actions of this fool, we are Onmyoji students, now tell me about you...