Episode 4 THE RETURN TO THE ROOFTOP”

The lights flickered again.

Ren’s entire soul vibrated. “Nope. Nope. I refuse. I’m going home. I’m changing schools. I’m changing continents—”

Kira tightened her grip on his sleeve.

“Ren. Focus.”

“I’M TRYING.”

Hiro gulped. “Guys… do we… do we actually go up there? Like, upstairs? Where the thud came from? Where the unknown thing that traumatized my bloodline lives?”

Kira didn’t answer — she was already walking toward the stairwell.

Ren hissed, “WHY IS SHE LIKE THIS?!”

Hiro whispered, “Just follow her. Statistically speaking, she dies first.”

Ren followed anyway.

The three climbed the stairs slowly, quietly — or at least, that was the plan.

Hiro stepped on a loose tile.

CRACK.

Ren slapped him. “BE QUIET.”

Hiro slapped him back. “DON’T SLAP ME FOR SLAPPING.”

Kira turned around. “Both of you. Stop.”

They froze instantly.

When they reached the rooftop door, Kira paused. The handle looked burned.

Ren blinked. “Uh… was this like this before?”

Hiro shook his head. “I don’t think so. Unless the school cooks their doors now.”

Kira slowly pushed the door open.

A cold gust of wind blasted them.

The rooftop was empty.

Silent.

Wide.

Gray clouds churned above, making everything feel colder than it should.

But the real problem was in the middle of the rooftop.

A symbol.

A large one.

Scratched into the floor like someone dragged metal claws across the concrete.

Ren whispered, “Kira… what… is this?”

Kira didn’t answer. She stepped forward, crouching beside it. Her fingers traced the edge of the scratches — still warm.

Hiro’s face drained. “Warm… as in freshly made warm? As in something BIG was here?”

Before Ren could panic further, a sudden metallic clang rang behind them.

They turned.

The rooftop door slowly closed.

By itself.

Ren nearly fainted. “NO. NO. I’M TOO YOUNG FOR GHOSTS—”

Kira stood. “It’s not a ghost.”

“Oh, good,” Ren said, relieved.

“What is it then?”

Kira looked him directly in the eyes.

“…Worse.”

Ren regretted asking.

Another thud shook the rooftop.

This time closer.

Ren, Hiro, and Kira backed up — shoulder to shoulder.

Hiro whispered, “Okay, new plan. We jump off the rooftop. Broken legs are better than demons.”

Ren whispered back, “Why are you like this?!”

Kira watched the rooftop door… waiting.

The handle rattled.

Ren flinched so hard his soul left his body.

Then—

SLAM.

The door burst open, but nothing came out.

The wind howled.

Silence.

Kira slowly walked toward the door.

Ren grabbed her wrist. “STOP DOING THAT!”

She turned, her expression softer than expected.

“It’s okay. I won’t let anything touch you.”

Ren blinked.

Wait.

That… felt like a promise. A very dangerous promise.

Before he could respond, a shadow flickered across the rooftop wall.

Ren froze. “What—Hiro—tell me you saw that—”

“I SAW EVERYTHING.”

Kira’s eyes sharpened again. “It’s here.”

Ren whispered, “WHAT IS ‘IT’?!”

Kira finally answered:

“A hunter.”

Ren exhaled. Relief washed over him.

“Oh. Like… a teacher? Someone looking for students?”

Kira looked at him.

“…No, Ren. Not that kind of hunter.”

A screech ripped across the rooftop.

Metal scraped concrete.

Ren’s heart plummeted.

Hiro screamed, “WE’RE GONNA DIE—”

Kira shoved Ren and Hiro behind her.

“Stay behind me.”

Ren stuttered, “Kira—why are you acting like you can fight a monster?!”

Kira narrowed her eyes.

“Because I can.”

The shadow moved again — fast.

Kira braced herself.

Ren whispered, “I’m dead. I’m actually dead.”

And then—

A black blur lunged at them.

Kira leaped forward.

Ren screamed.

Hiro screamed louder.

And the episode ends.

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