'Who are you?' The confrontation between Yuuko and Nora.

The walk lasted a few more minutes, and the forest became darker and darker as they advanced, which was starting to worry Ayumu. The teacher was focused on following some camouflaged signs, and Nora walked calmly between them, keeping a close eye on Yuuko. An orange light filtered in the distance, and a peculiar sound broke the silence. Both students stopped in surprise.

‘This is a hot spring resort!?’ Eleonora raised her voice. The teacher turned to them.

‘Well, more or less.’ The forest gave way to a clearing where a large, somewhat neglected cabin was built. ‘Excuse the state, it’s not what you might call… super modern. In fact, it was already quite old when I was a student.’ Yuuko let out a soft laugh as she climbed the porch stairs. She saw the names etched on the weathered pillars of the worn tree trunks that guarded the entrance, a wistful smile gracing her face. ‘It’s been a while, huh?’ her fingers traced the engravings, pausing briefly, capturing the students’ attention. Then she continued until she stopped in front of the door, whispered something, and it opened. Yuuko ventured in and gave a hurried inspection. The orange light filtered through the thin glass. The place was abandoned, its old furniture collecting dust. It was a rather picturesque place and, despite its location, was well stocked. The sound of flowing water and bamboo accompanied the atmosphere, creating a magical ambiance. The teacher turned to her students. They were stopped on the porch. ‘Come in!’ they looked at each other. The blonde girl smiled and ran inside to explore the place after saying,

‘Excuse us,’ her laughter echoed throughout the house as she walked down the hallway, following the sound of water. ‘This place is fantastic! Outdoor hot springs and everything!’ the echo of her voice faded in the corridor.

‘Don’t make too much noise!’ Yuuko raised her voice from the hallway. She resigned herself and shrugging her shoulders. ‘Seriously, where did they find this girl?’ she exchanged glances with Ayumu. ‘Are you hungry?’ his teacher showed up a sweet smile to him before approaching the fridge.

‘I think the fridge is empty.’ His gaze followed his teacher.

‘Oh!’ she opened it to show that it was full of food. ‘Don’t worry, it may seem abandoned, but I know someone who often comes here to slack off work and bathe.’

‘Huh? I didn’t take her for that kind of teacher,’ Eleonora bothered her again, appearing there, covered by a bathrobe.

‘Not me, moron!’ she turned to her, annoyed. ‘Why are you wearing that!?’ the blonde girl looked at herself in bewilderment. ‘Don’t play dumb!’

‘Ah!’ she acted surprised.

‘Stop that!’ Yuu became even more exasperated. ‘Did they send you here to drive me crazy?’ Nora’s lip trembled, trying to contain her laughter. ‘It’s useless to reason with you.’ She looked away, biting at her nails.

‘We apologise, Miss Serizawa.’ He caught the attention of both and approached Nora. He placed his left hand on her head and gently pushed her down, making her bow down with him. ‘We’re sorry for causing so much trouble!’ the sympathetic gesture visibly moved the teacher.

‘Well, it’s not that big of a deal. It’s my job after all.’ Blushing, she glanced back at the fridge. ‘Anyway, it’s getting late, and I imagine you must be hungry after the trip. Let’s have some dinner.’

‘Let me help you.’ The boy approached Yuuko.

‘You’re very kind, Nonomiya.’ Eleonora ignored them and retired to the locker room to change. After a pause, the boy set the plates on the table and opened his mouth.

‘Dinner is ready!’ he looked up the stairs. ‘Delphi!’

‘Hey, I’m coming!’ leaning over the stairs, she was amazed by the appetising picture on the table and the delightful aroma of food filling the air. ‘Oh, it looks good!’ she hurried down.

‘What were you doing up there?’ Yuuko raised an eyebrow. Nora sat down before answering.

‘Just looking, they’re normal rooms,’ the teacher snorted.

‘And what did you expect? It’s a dorm.’ The blonde girl ignored the comment and picked up her chopsticks.

‘Enjoy your meal!’ she closed her eyes and put her hands together before eating. A complicity look was created between the student and his teacher and smiled. They said in unison.

‘Enjoy your meal,’ the dinner ended after about thirty minutes. Eleonora put down her chopsticks.

‘That was amazing. You two are excellent cooks.’ Serizawa got up, picking up the utensils with Ayumu’s help, and walked over to the sink to wash them.

‘Not that big of a deal,’ she downplayed her skills. ‘By the way, Nonomiya, you’re quite good at cooking despite being so young.’

‘Well, since I can remember, it’s just been my mother and me at home, and she’s not good at cooking, so we used to eat pre-cooked meals until I learned myself.’

‘You look like a couple!’ Eleonora made a mischievous smile.

‘Could you stop saying weird things!?’ Yuuko turned to her, exasperated. Her gaze shifted back to the sink. Her hand and her student’s hand ended up touching when they reached for the same dish. They both blushed and moved their hands away and looked opposite directions, embarrassed. With a trembling voice, the teacher redirected her attention to the other student, diverting the focus. ‘B- by the way… Delphi, you come from Europe, don’t you?’

‘Yes, I’m from Greece…’

‘That’s very unusual.’ The girl’s face became serious at Yuuko’s reaction. ‘Usually, students from Onmyou have graduated and gone to the West. Since records have been kept, no one from the West has set foot in this academy. Where did you study before?’ Eleonora closed her eyes and spoke in a frozen tone.

‘I’m afraid I can’t answer that question.’ Her reaction earned her the gaze of both Japanese people, surprising them with her sudden change. Nora tried to be friendly once more. ‘Because of family business, I travel a lot with my grandma, so I haven’t had just one place to study.’ Yuuko looked at her suspiciously. The blonde stood up and headed towards the exit.

‘Delp…’ her companion tried to call her.

‘Can we go now, Sensei?’ She turned to Serizawa. ‘It’s getting late and I’m tired. It’s been a long day. I just want to go to the bed.’ The teacher turned off the tap.

‘Sure, I just finished washing the dishes.’ Nora nodded and went out the door. Yuuko turned to Ayu. ‘Go to bed early. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow. Don’t leave your room unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you hear any noise downstairs, hide, okay?’ she headed towards the exit. ‘It will all be over tomorrow.’

‘Good night, Miss Serizawa!’

‘Good night, Nonomiya.’ Serizawa gave him another smile and closed the door behind her. The blonde leaned against the pillar on the stairs, wearing a wry grin.

‘Finally, some peace, don’t you think?’ the teacher passed by her in a sepulchral silence. ‘You’ve had a pretty complicated day. You should be grateful for a break.’ Nora followed her gaze. ‘I was pretty surprised to see that it was you, Lady Phoenix, one of the greatest witch hunters in the service of The Court in the East, who appeared. I didn’t know you were a teacher. Even though you saw through my facade, the greatness of Asian witches never ceases to amaze me…’ Yuuko gave her a suspicious gaze as she stretched.

‘Who the hell are you, Eleonora Delphi?’ she caught the attention of the blonde.

‘Me? I’m just an ordinary exchange student.’

‘Right, sent by The Court. Allow me to question that…’ They examined each other, and Eleonora’s tone became more threatening.

‘I’ll give you some advice, Miss Serizawa. Save the questions that we might consider unnecessary. I think you already have enough problems harbouring a civilian like Nonomiya. Perhaps the three houses won’t take it very well, don’t you think?’ Their gazes met.

‘Was it your doing? The Court’s methods have always been questionable, but seriously, are they now putting civilians at risk?’

‘How cruel of you!’ the blonde feigned offence before smirking again. ‘But no, it wasn’t me. Although I agree with you, it wasn’t just a coincidence. I don’t know who brought him here, or what their motive is… However, my babysitting task is over. I’m passing the baton to you.’ She turned around and started walking. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to sleep, I’m jet-lagged from all the travelling.’ They vanished into the forest as the last rays of the sun pierced the dark sky.