Sayuri tried to block out what had happened during the training lesson for now and didn't tell anyone about it. And even though she could use a basic Seclusion now, she didn't take part in the practical training again. On the one hand, she hadn't touched her baton since then and on the other hand she still had no clue about her actual tang. Necromancy, what the hell, no thanks? If Vincent was so bad at explaining, she should look for an alternative again. But who could help her with it this time? No other necromancers attended this school … Maybe she could find something useful in the Northwind's library.

It was so huge! Floor-to-ceiling shelves with thousands of papers and scripts mixed with the unforgettable scent of old books. Where should Sayuri even start to look?

After getting an overview of how everything was sorted, she could find two books related to necromancy. More than she actually expected, but less than she had hoped for. Since almost no one else was at the library, she wanted to study the books right here. The first was a very thin one. It contained information about batons, but just basic data Vincent already told her. Nothing about handling or controlling this thing.

The other book was a huge tome. It described fighting techniques and movements but also experiences from necromancers dealing with the ability to connect with ghosts. This seemed a bit more promising. Sayuri was a bit relieved that not everything had to do with fighting and power, so she copied some pages to read through for later. Did her family really have no tang at all? She didn't question this until now, but you don't have a magical rod in your house for no reason, don't you? Vincent also said, she is not its first owner. What's with all those secrets? She definitely had to confront her family about it!

Speaking of the devil, on her way back she crossed paths with her tutor. He wanted to abscond, but Sayuri already saw him.

Sayuri: "Hey, Vincent … //How should I even address him?// … sempai? Wait!"

Vincent: "Hm?" He stopped.

Sayuri: "Uhm, well … I know that Monday was a failure, but … I really wanna do it right. Maybe I should start without the baton? I read some interesting things in the library … I could try connecting to ghosts just with my mind, you know … Without the danger from the rod …"

Vincent sighed and came closer to her, so he could talk in whispers to her.

Vincent: "Of course you could, but we're not here for having a nice chit chat with some bored ghosts. If you ignore your true nature it will redound upon you sooner or later. I can't even promise things like last time won't happen again. Those energies now know you're easy to overwhelm. And … I was going to look into this. To do something against those things in your baton. This doesn't mean you don't need to get stronger, got it?"

Sayuri: //His words are cold like ever but he actually bothered?// "Say, are you also the only one of your clan with a tang?"

Vincent: "Huh? //Where does that come from?// Don't change the subject! I'll give you a shout if I know something new. I gotta go now." And he left.

Sayuri knew he wouldn't answer anything related to his private life. She was just so curious. Something just seemed off with everyone related to necromancy. Now she had to wait until Vincent found a solution. If he would make contact with her before their next lesson? Probably not.

🔹

It was Saturday evening and Vincent still didn't get in touch with her. Who would have thought it? No extra time for his mentee. Sayuri was bored again. She already read through all her copies and they were really interesting. Most stories sounded like straight from mystery series on TV where they sit in a dark room and try to talk with poltergeists or free haunted houses. Was this what Sayuri's future would look like? Not very incentive … Also none of her roommates were present this weekend. Kira had been selected for a short internship arranged from the council and Hana said she had some domesticities going on. Laying on her bed she stared at her phone screen. Oh, it was the 12th! So tonight Yuki, the girl from her dancing course, celebrated her 16th birthday which was after midnight and Sayuri had been invited. Actually she wasn't the designated party girl, even less when she had to go alone. But somehow, her boredom was so strong, Sayuri actually considered it. What could go wrong? Her life was turned upside down anyways. She could give it a try, just take a look. And if it was awful, she could just leave in an instant. Also, how big could a party be, held inside school dorms? Let's go!

Yuki's room was on the first floor and Sayuri didn't take long to find it. Maybe just because she followed the loud music that got through the door. Would the house management complain at some point? But a more acute problem: How to enter the party? How many people would even be there? 5? 10? Should she have changed her clothing? But someone else made the decision for her by opening the door.

Ryota: "Who do we have here?" He grinned with his tooth-advertisement smile. "Come in, I was just on the way to fetch some more sweets, but I see it has been taken care of!"

Sayuri: //EEEEEHH?!// "Hello Ryo, haha." //I will just ignore this now.//

Ryo shoved her inside and went his ways. Okay, so he really was on the way, but … no. She wouldn't overthink this now. Ryota just always was like this and he surely just wanted to say something nice and ease the atmosphere. Like normal people behave. That's nothing Sayuri was good at.
She stood in the corridor, but couldn't see much as the light was dimmed and only a disco ball shone colorful through the room matching to the music's beat. She made her way through some people. Since Ryota was here, maybe Hiroshi was here as well?

Yuki: "Sayuri, you came." She suddenly emerged in front of her.

Sayuri: "Yeah, thanks for the invitation." She tried to smile.

Yuki: "Here, have a drink! More alcohol is over there and the food is right here." She handed over a cup to her and went her ways.

Sayuri snuffled her beverage and then just started drinking it. Tasted good, but definitely had some percentage. Where could such a young girl get this stuff? It's not that Sayuri never secretly drank alcohol before, but Yuki had to get quite an amount for all the guests here … She looked around and counted approximately 15 persons. Of course, she knew no one from them. Oh well, whatever. She went over to the snacks.

After she ate through half of the food, she didn't know what to do. The music playing was also nothing she would hear herself, but at least it wasn't anything horrible. So she decided to dance anyway. Firstly, because almost all other ones did it as well and secondly, dancing was one of the things Sayuri could do anywhere. She loved dancing and it was the perfect activity to get distracted from all those exhausting and confusing things lately. 

And then she bumped into someone. Both turned around and wanted to apologize at the same time.

Sayuri: "Hiro?!"

Hiroshi: "Sayuri?! I didn't know you're also invited!"

Sayuri: "Well, a lot of people seem to be here, is this your whole class?"

Hiroshi: "Almost everyone from A.1, yeah. And you and Toki."

Sayuri: "Toki?" //How big is this flat, I still haven't seen him?!//

Hiroshi: "Yeah, I mean, Yuki visits our room pretty often, so she knows him as well. What about you?"

Sayuri: "We're having sports together." 

He nodded affirmatively.

The party went on and Ryota came back as well and joined the two. At least occasionally, when he was not busy with flirting and dancing with other girls. Sayuri felt kinda relieved that this evening did not turn out super weird. It was refreshing to feel like a normal teenager, drinking forbidden things, having some fun with friends … But socializing was exhausting nevertheless. On top the alcohol made her head a bit fuzzy as well. So after a while she was kinda drained.

Sayuri: "Guys, I need a little break."

Hiroshi: "Sure, you can just sit down around the corner."

Sayuri went off to where Hiroshi directed her. She just had been in one part of this dorm room. First she wondered about the missing doors inside for Yuki's roommates, but Ryo told her that Yuki had this apartment for herself. This school also offered separate rooms for an extra charge. So behind this wall there should be a living room?

???: "Sayu?! You should have told me you're here!" Someone laughed.

Sayuri: "Toki?" Ah, there he had been the whole time. Lingering on the couch, his arms nonchalant on the backrest … with Yuki next to him. Sayuri wasn't sure if she was disturbing or not, but then Yuki stared at her with an angry face. So she turned around ready to leave.

Toki: "Hey, stay here!"

Yuki: "Just let her go …" She sounded stroppy.

Toki: "Why? I wanna talk to her. Sayu, come here!" As Sayuri stood there still irresolute about what to do, he made a pouty face. "I mean it!"

Sayuri: "All right, all right, I'm coming." //Something's different about his behaviour today. Maybe he drank too much? But who am I to talk? I know Yuki wants me to leave, yet I'm happy he wants me to stay.// She shook away that thought and sat down next to Toki while Yuki looked daggers at her. So much for that evening not being weird. 

Toki: "What do you have here?" He pointed to Sayuri's cup.

Sayuri: "Uhm, it's this red cocktail, I don't know wha–"

He just pulled the drink to him and took a slug.

Toki: "Next one's on me!"

Yuki: "Everything here is for free, baka."

Toki: "Hm … you're right." He grinned.

Sayuri: //I can't take this situation. I need to leave.//

But just as she wanted to get up another person came around the corner.

Hiroshi: "Yo, I think I need a break as well!" he plunked himself down next to Sayuri. With his tall stature he took away quite much space. "But Toki, say, how long have you been sitting here already? You're missing out on the whole fun! You should go dance with us."

Toki: "I hate dancing … Even if I'm wasted."

Yuki moved closer to him. Her look at the two unwanted intruders could kill. Maybe Sayuri could convince Hiroshi to go back to the dance floor?

???: "CHACKA!!"

Someone, no it was definitely Ryota, suddenly jumped on the couch as well. He squeezed himself next to Yuki and everyone was pressed in Hiroshi's direction. Now Sayuri was caught between him and Toki. No one could move now anymore. Yuki's face was priceless.

Ryota: "Why so sad, birthday girl? Wanna sit on my lap? Then we'll have some more space?" Was he even able to smile like a normal person? Probably not. 

Yuki didn't say anything, she just was clearly offended. Ryota only shrugged. 

Ryota: "I'm looking forward to fighting you soon, Hiro! I'll crush you!" 

Hiroshi: "Are you sure? I won't hold back!" 

Ryota: "I don't expect anything less from you! Yuki, wouldn't a combi attack from us be amazing? We could totally beat him!" 

Yuki: "Well, I don't know … If you say so …" She was still pissed.

Toki yawned.

Toki: "Maybe I really should get up or I'll fall asleep. I need a new drink as well." 

Now Sayuri and Yuki sat next to each other and the black haired girl could literally feel Yuki's evil aura, she even got chills. So before feeling even more uncomfortable she just took the opportunity and left as well. Now the green haired girl was the remaining boys' problem.

Ryota: "Don't overdo yourself, Toki!" He blinked towards his friend who smirked back with a peace hand. It was pretty obvious they were talking about the alcohol consumption, but Yuki seemed to mistake it.

Sayuri felt relieved she could leave that awkward situation together with this party. The host hated her now anyways. But actually she didn't do anything wrong. It wasn't her fault, was it?

Suddenly she lost the ground under her feet as if she slipped on pure ice. Instinctively she tried to get a hold and grabbed the next best thing in her reach. In this case Toki's shirt. But Sayuri was still falling and pulled the unprepared boy with her.

Toki: "What the …?!" He tried turning around, but that wasn't easy if someone was lying on top of you.

Sayuri: "Aaah, sorry, sorry, sorry!" She got up immediately. 

Toki: "Are you drunk or what?" He smiled while getting up as well.

Sayuri: "You're the one to talk! I mean … the floor was slippery and …" She turned around, but the floor was clean. How …? She looked back to the couch where Yuki just averted her gaze with crossed arms.

Toki: "And ruining my shirt was the payback for stealing your drink earlier, right?" 

Sayuri didn't understand at first, but then Toki turned around and it was torn apart from where she had grabbed it.

Sayuri: "I-I'm sorry, I–" //AAaAh, I want this evening to end, help, I knew this was a bad idea …//

Toki: "Don't worry, it's okay as long as my headphones aren't broken." He smiled. "But! As payback for the payback you're coming with me!"

Sayuri: "Huh?"

Toki: "Well, because of you I will miss my precious party time and my next drink will be postponed as well. I might even suffer from becoming completely sober!" He put extra drama in his sentences. "Cling together, swing together!"

Sayuri: "I guess I have no choice then." This might be the first time Sayuri grinned.