Friday arrived.
After breakfast, Miko Yotsuya went to the corner of the living room and picked up her schoolbag. She opened it and checked the scroll inside. Once she had confirmed there was no problem, she walked over to Griseo.
As Griseo looked at her with those big eyes, Miko habitually patted her head. Then, after saying, "I'm off," she left home.
Walking along the route she took to school almost every day, Miko no longer felt even the slightest concern or fear toward the evil spirits that appeared now and then.
She simply ignored them and entered the school.
The Signet of Stars Griseo had given her could still be used twice, and she now had one additional shikigami she could summon each week. Miko was feeling quite confident.
However, when she reached the school building and saw the state of her best friend, Hana Yurikawa, Miko completely froze!
"Morning, Miko!"
Hana happily pounced toward Miko, but Miko hurriedly dodged in a panic, nearly making Hana fall to the ground.
Hana stared at Miko in utter disbelief, her expression wildly exaggerated.
"Miko, you... you're disgusted by me? You said you liked me last time."
"..."
Miko was speechless. It was not that she disliked Hana, but what the hell was that terrifying thing behind her?!
Hadn't Griseo given Hana a Signet of Stars too? Why was something so horrifying still following Hana?!!
Miko could not understand it.
Everything had been fine yesterday...
"Hana, what did you do? Or where did you go before this?"
Miko did not dare look at the monster behind Hana. This monster was far stronger than ordinary evil spirits, about on par with the one that had been in Hana's bedroom last time.
"Before... Oh! Um... I went into... the cursed building..."
Seeing Miko like