MYSTERY I: Missing people and the fox

The world is a twiddle of blacks and whites, swarming in the race of light and dark and somehow still remaining at the center of the tunnel, the grey. The light is white but is it really so? The dark is black, if that's so, then why does the light blind one and the dark remains as it is so.

Since the day Kaname had opened his eyes, he has seen shades that others don't. The black and white. Kaname Yashiro was born with eyes like no other, haze of the brown in his pupils yet it perceived no colours. Even so, it saw more than any other, his mind was like a sharp nip of a pencil, a slide of it could write miracles and yet a poke of it could draw blood.

Joining his hands in front of the mini shrine of the god he so believes in, he bowed his head praying for luck and love, Kaname took a few steps back, respectfully to not show his back and turned to leave the shrine room. The room that his grandmother uses to see… the ones in need of God.

Kaname Yashiro, the youngest child of the Yashiro family. The family that carried the lineage of the shamans. He was the sole successor of his shaman lineage, with his family's support, to be the best at his job as a shaman– Kaname Yashiro decided to pursue his studies in folklorist and demonology.

A bright smile on his face, Kaname ran a hand through his dyed autumn hair, the wooden beads on his wrist jiggling. With his bag slung on his shoulders, Kaname headed out to his first day in his college.

“I'm heading out!” No one responded. The empty house echoed his voice. Kaname didn't mind, he was used to his days being lonely. Perhaps that was the reason he wished to help the people in need, like his grandmother. To feel the warmth of other humans.

The neighborhood felt eerily empty, the crows echoed their screams in the sky as they flew past Kaname. Kaname tried to pay it no mind, however growing up amidst the paranormal embedded a kind of a paranoia in him. To think for the worst. Regardless of such, Kaname tried his best to be as optimistic as he could be. He shook his head, easing the visible frown on his temple. Dusting his brown jacket, he took a deep breath. “It'll be just fine!”

After a few minutes of walking, Kaname reached his destination. His new college– The University of Chronicle. Yes, a singular word. Though it was close to his residence, Kaname had wanted to attend his studies in this university for a different reason.

“I'm finally here…” He stood outside the gates, majestic in its golden glory, the students rushed in, chattering, laughing and some even arguing. It was lively, contrary to its reputation. “Town's biggest spot for supernatural activities.” Kaname mumbled to himself. 

"Did you hear that the fox appeared himself when they sneaked in last time!" a girl's voice echoed in the background. "What?! I bet he was tots handsome, lets go in next time ourselves!" Kaname's mind did not register words of the squealing girls as he stood there admiring the relic of a building.

The university wasn't much different from any other universities he's seen before, white painted walls, clean floors and an incredible amount of students. Satisfied with himself for finally making it into his dream university, Kaname took a step in-

Thack!

Something dropped in front of his foot. Features scattered on the concrete ground with wide dead dark eyes staring back at him. A dead crow had dropped in front of his feet. A drop of sweat trickled down his, “is this an omen?” A nervous chortle left his lips. Dread started washing over him as his grandmother’s words echoed in his ears.

“Kaname! Why won't you listen to me?! That place is a den of spirits, it don't do you any good to go in there!”

“Oh hell nah, that can't be good.” A girl’s voice mumbled from behind him, coming beside him with a worried expression on her face she pulled him away from the dead bird, bringing him inside the gates. The girl let go of his arm as soon as they were away from the bird. She let out an exhausted sigh. “That was too creepy for the first day of college, huh?” She looked up, meeting his eyes with a smile. Easing the dreadful feeling on his back. As if he was being watched amidst the crowd of many.

She turned to face Kaname fully, her straight dark hair bounced, almost shining blue in the sun. “Hi! I am Hikari. Hikari Kurokawa. Hikari as in the light. I am in my second year.” She gleefully extended her hand to shake his. Kaname let his guard down, shaking her hand with a friendly smile of his own. “Kaname Yashiro. It's my first year, it's nice to meet you, Kurokawa.”

Hikari blinked twice, registering Kaname’s respectful tone as he preferred her surname over her first. While it wasn't rare to have people you weren't familiar with use your surname to call you, Hikari had always been comfortable to be called by her first name.

Something about Kaname felt artificial when he spoke. As if he was there yet there was a thin weaved veil between him and the world. However, Hikari brushed it off. Kaname and Hikari walked side by side, entering the massive building for education. “I must say, this year does not have a good start.” Hikari grumbled, slowly growing somber.

“What do you mean?” New to the premises of the university, Kaname tilted his head curiously. “People are going missing. There's been 5 missing reports since the break started…”

“What!?’ Kaname almost spat out. Japan was known for its strict discipline, to let a case get this bad and to allow the university to still go on as if things were normal was- bizarre, to say the least.

“I know what you are thinking..” Hikari brought her thumb to her lower lip, crushing the tip of her nail under her teeth. Something she has a habit of doing whenever she was under stress. “The police are behaving like an absolute trainwreck, they believe it's the doing of a kitsune.”

Kaname raised his brow, finding her words absolutely ridiculous. Kotsu was a small town in Japan. While it was small, it was still a huge tourist spot, for it was known for its rich history and connection with the supernatural. As such, Kitsune were not only seen as a spiritual being but some families in Kotsu even worshipped Kitsune as a deity. A shiver ran down Kaname's spine again, he glanced around. Perhaps it was the atmosphere but Kaname had again felt someone's eyes on his back.

“They can't be serious. Are they really planning to ignore the situation over something like this?” Kaname habitually ran a hand over his autumn hair again. His full lips pressed together in frustration. Somehow he felt responsible after knowing that the supernatural might be being used to cover up something big.

Hikari nodded but her eyes flared up with determination. “I'm going to solve this case myself but I'm going to need help.” Kaname wanted to support her but her claims felt suspicious. “Of who?”

“Yukio Manabe.”