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The sky was a bright orange-red, signaling that the afternoon was ripe. You, Kou, Hanako, and Yashiro stood in front of the blood-stained stairs. You all watched as the blood dripped onto the fourth floor.

"W-What is this?" Yashiro asked in fear, clinging closer to you and Hanako.

Remembering what Yashiro told you earlier, you could only assume that the blood could be from one of the missing students.

"I hope they're safe..."

Although the main reason you were there was to help Yashiro find her friend, when Kou spoke of Sourukonekutā, you couldn't help but think of other things.

I'm a soul connector... At least that's what I call myself. Maybe I'm being childish, but I just have to know...

"Don't worry, I'll protect you two. N-no matter wha—"

Your curiosity must have gotten the better of you, but you waste no time walking up the stairs. Even when you reached the fourth stair, your face showed no emotion of fear. Yashiro and Kou looked at you in shock as they watched you disappear right in front of their eyes.

"...Y/N-CHAAAN/SENPAAI!!"

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You opened your eyes to see that you were now located in a well-lit area. There were lanterns generously placed everywhere, keeping the darkness from swallowing you whole. Despite all of that, another thing caught your attention.

"H-huh? What am I wearing?"

Looking down you notice that your school uniform has completely changed. You wore a short skirt kimono. The main colors were black and white, but a golden rope connected at your collar. The design pattern looked to be chains, black and white.

*you can change the look however you'd like. I just wanted to draw an outfit for you if you didn't have one in mind already. ^-^

It actually worked... I still can't believe it. All this time I've been oblivious to my true identity, and yet, I'm still unsure of myself.

"Y/N...?"

You turn to find your friends, you almost completely forgot about them due to your current situation... but then it dawned on you.

Wait... I haven't told Yashiro about my ability yet! She must be really confused.

"Ah! Y/N, is this your true form? It looks super cute." Hanako smiled and surveyed your body.

"G-Get away from her!"

Kou quickly pulls him away and you sigh thankfully. Looking at Yashiro, you grab her hands and give her an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I didn't even know myself until now but, I'm a Sourukonekutā."

Yashiro blinks at you for a few seconds...

"WHAAT?!"

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After calming Yashiro down, you explain to her briefly about soul connections and the history of your ability. Even after you told her and moved on with the mission to find her missing friend, she still looked a bit lost in thought.

After walking up the stairs for a bit, you begin to notice the reoccurrence of dolls. Yashiro and Kou noticed as well, you all observe the surrounding toys.

"Y/N-senpai... have you seen these dolls before?"

"I'm not sure, they seem familiar but I don't have any memory of one."

Hanako tells the three of you to hurry, so you quicken your pace. You surely did not want to get lost in this world, even if it felt calming to be standing in the middle of it.

"Hey Hanako, nothing's here. Didn't you say I was going to get shredded?"

"It won't do it right away. Ending this too quickly is boring, right?" Hanako smiled mischievously.

"Isn't whittling away at someone little by little way more fun?"

"You're a real piece of work." Kou deadpanned.

"Well of course I am. We're the Seven Wonders. As the seven leaders of the school's apparitions, we need more humans to know about us."

"So, we threaten them. Fun, happy, things won't stick in your memory half as long as something unpleasant or scary."

"That said. Number two is overdoing it this time. I've got to put a stop to this soon. But Y/N..."

You tilt your head at the mention of your name. Hanako floats towards you, smirking he pats your head softly.

"You can be my cute spiritual helper! You've got a connection with almost every soul right?"

You nod, confused with the boy's suggestion.

"Assistant?"

"Cute?!" Kou yelled, holding himself back from starting another fight.

"But what about Nene-Chan? She's your real assistant."

Before Hanako could reply, you feel a tug on your sleeve. You turn to see Yashiro, she looked happy or moved? All you could tell from the emotion of her soul was that she had a positive feeling.

"Y/N-Chan...That means we can work together as a team!" She beamed and held her face in her hands.

"W-wait a minute... I didn't agree to the proposal yet—"

"We could do cool girl things and maybe even find a prince, but then he ends up loving the both of us and we'd have to fight. But don't worry, I wouldn't leave you for a hot guy!"

Cut off by the excited girls rambling, you decide to keep your mouth closed and let her finish.

"I was hoping that this day would come... finally a friend that can help me clean the bathrooms!"

You and Hanako stare at the gushing girl as she rambled about her struggles of cleaning the bathrooms on her own. You laugh heartily, hiding your underlying emotions behind your bright smile.

She seems happy with the idea of two assistants, I thought I would be the only one to think that things were happening too quickly. Thanks, Yashiro for accepting me so openly... but I can't.

Your moment, however, is cut short, due to the loud ring of a nearby phone. Yashiro and Kou stare in fear, but you quickly pick it up.

"W-wait, Senpai!"

"Hello? Who is this...?" You greet the person on the other side and wait for them to answer. Kou, Yashiro, and Hanako all surround you as they listen in on the conversation.

"I am...Misaki." Your eyes widen slightly at the statement.

"She said 'Misaki'." Yashiro worriedly looked over at Hanako.

"A phone call from a Wonder?" Kou muttered.

The voice on the phone continued to speak.

"I taught students in the schoolhouse at the top of these stairs. But... I was sliced up and died here."

"Right where your standing now..."

You gasped lightly and grip the phone, your hands trembled a bit, but you kept your feet steady.

"Hey, you there. Find my body for me."

"W-wait! Is Aoi—" Yashiro is abruptly cut off by the sound of the woman's voice again.

"First, my right arm. I used this hand to write with chalk..."

"Hurry. Class begins soon."

The line went silent.
You took the phone from your ear and frowned.

"She hung up..."

The creaking of something nearby piqued your interest. On top of another platform was a large Hourglass, it turned slowly and the sand began to fall through.

"So, we've got a time limit?" Kou glared at the hourglass.

"Maybe we can go ahead if we put an arm in there?" Yashiro suggested.

You looked towards an open container, it was shaped like a house, and looked the right place to offer an arm.

"Who knows, I'm sure something will happen."

Humming thoughtfully at Hanako's words, you turn to Yashiro. She looked a bit worried, so Kou tried to reassure her.

"Don't worry Senpai, let's ignore the silly prank call and keep going."

"I wouldn't advise it. Each of the Seven Wonders is unbeatable in their own territory. For me, that's the bathroom."

Hanako smiles innocently as he slowly guides Kou to an edge of a cliff.

"But if you want to see what happens when you leave the path and make her angry. I won't stop you."

"For now," You begin.

"We should start looking for the arm like she told us to. It would be rude to not help her."

While smiling you turn to Yashiro and grab her hands softly.

"Don't worry Nene-Chan! We'll find your friend, alright?"

Yashiro's eyes sparkled and she nodded, putting on an equally determined smile.

"Alright!"

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