We walked under the gates of Crescent Moon Academy just as the morning haze started lifting off the pavement, like a ghost's breath.

Other students, wearing their black and silver Crescent Moon Academy uniforms, walked between the dorms and Black Withers Hall. Just yesterday I'd come here nervous about checking my student file with Hina Suiren.

I felt guilty about the way I'd almost accused her of speaking in riddles and trying to hide something from me when she'd let me look at my student file with no problem. If anything, she'd been trying to help in her own, twisted way.

And suddenly I stumbled upon an idea.

"I'm going to go talk to Suiren-sensei," I said.

Shion turned to me as though I'd suggested dumping a bowl of electric eels down the front of my pants. "Have you gone mad? Do you have a death wish? I understand you seeing her yesterday about your file. What in the world do you want with her now?"

Even Yuki looked concerned. "Oh, Ryu, must you see her? Those spider-things of hers make my incorporeal skin crawl."

I nodded, agreeing with Yuki. "Me too. Just looking at the damn things makes my eyes itch. Like the way they move. Ew."

Shion took a breath just so she could scoff. "And yet, you're the one walking into the spider's lair."

Yuki spun on her bare feet. "Positively ghastly, Ryu."

Shion smirked. "And that's coming from a ghost."

I rolled my eyes, wondering if saying anything would even be worth it. It just felt right to apologize. I'd feel better about it whether they agreed with me or not.

Then, out of nowhere, I felt something sharp and cold touch the back of my neck.

"Alright, Kazeyama, stick'em up if you know what's good for you," said an obviously British voice trying to sound like a twenties-style gangster.

I turned around and saw Inego standing with his wand pointed at my neck.

He laughed. "Good morning, old chum! How are you?"

I smirked. "Better, now that I know the ghost of Al Capone's uncle from Cadbury isn't trying to rob me."

Inego stretched his arms behind his head and grinned like a delinquent on vacation. "I cannot wait for guitar club. It's going to be a shame without you, that's true, but I think I'll manage. Tell me, are you really looking forward to literature?"

Shion stepped forward. "I am, Fallensworth-san. I'm dying to see what kind of stories Fushineko-sensei is going to have us read." Shion smiled. "That woman is simply a treasure."

I was about to point out that Fushineko-sensei's voice sounded like dragging twelve cats, claws fully extended, across the cheapest chalkboards, but Azuki popped up beside us.

"Hey! Good morning everyone! You guys looking forward to clubs after school?" Azuki asked.

Inego beamed. "I, for one, am. I don't know about my mate, Ryu, over there, though. He's been roped into going to Literature with Shion."

Shion grinned, showing the tips of her fangs. "I wouldn't say he's been roped in. It's more like a 'blood bond.'"

Azuki looked from Inego to Shion. Then she adjusted her glasses, turning several sickly colors as she did. "Oh… man, so none of you guys are in the Movies club with me?"

I perked up. "There's a Movie club?"

Yuki sighed behind me. "Ryu… you forgot to read the student handbook again last night. I bet it explained all the clubs."

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Inego exploded into laughter. "Oi, that's so American! You come here, proclaim yourself a mythical beast, and don't even bother to read how any of this works! Oh my, Ryu," he wiped a tear away from his eye. "That's simply the most American thing I think I've ever seen in my life."

I turned to look at the Student Announcement Bulletin Board. Someone had already taken a can of purple spray paint and written "Achtung Baby" across the top. The club flyers looked like they were printed on cursed napkins, glowing, twitching, some even breathing slightly.

"How's anyone supposed to read that?" I asked, gesturing towards the bulletin board.

Azuki looked at it calmly and blinked. "Um, what do you mean? With your eyes, Ryu. Is that a trick question?"

No one said anything for a second.

Azuki looked at each of us. "I'm so sorry. Did I kill the conversation? Hey, we're going to watch the movie with the dog whisperer tonight at my Movie club if you guys wanna come!"

Shion tilted her head. "That guy's in a movie?"

Azuki nodded enthusiastically. "Sure is! There's this plane crash, and these guys all learn how to get along with each other. And that guy, you know, the Irish actor from High Spirits? Well, he's in it, and he tries to talk to the wolves who are just protecting their kids."

Inego's eyes grew wide. "Azuki, this movie you're talking about… Was it made on Earth, like, this Earth and not Earth 2 or Bizzaro World?"

Azuki nodded. "Yeah, it's a real movie. The Irish actor. Wolves. Um… lots of talking and a whole lotta snow."

I gasped. "Azuki, is this Irish guy also in the movie Taken?"

She scrunched her face up. "Taken? You mean the movie where everyone forgets about the missing blonde girl? Yeah, he's in that one too."

Shion took a breath and laughed. "Wow… all of that just for The Grey? That was almost as disappointing as the movie itself."

Inego winced. "Sick burn, Shion. Hey, I'm headed to class. Fushineko's going to quiz us on The Raven."

He looked up at me.

"You coming?"

I shook my head. "I can't. I'll catch up with you in a few. I need to talk to Suiren-sensei before class."

Inego whistled. "Well, best of luck, old chap. I hope your affairs are in order."

Shion grinned. "You needn't worry about a thing, Inego. I'm the executor of the estate."

Inego put his hand on my shoulder. "You're a brave soul."

Azuki gasped. "Inego! Ryu-sama is a dragon! He's not part of a shoe."

Inego laughed harder. "Azuki, I meant 'soul,' not 'sole.'"

Then everyone laughed as Azuki stood there wondering what was so funny.

I tried not to make it sound forced. I wanted to laugh with my friends, but the way Lana said, "so I decided you'd just be Andrew Ryu Kazeyama here."

They looked so happy. I wanted this to be real, and I wanted to be real with them.

I bid the others farewell, except for Yuki. Then, I slowed down a little as I passed the stone path leading to Black Withers Hall.

I saw Azuki just ahead of me.

Perfect. I'd been meaning to talk to her away from the others.

"Azuki," I asked, keeping my voice low, "do you remember when you kissed my cheek and asked me about the dance?"

I watched as she blushed several different shades of pink. "Uh huh. Yeah, and I realized that they haven't even announced the dance yet! I mean, wow. How embarrassing, right? You should really know about the dance first so you can ask me about it later."

She giggled at herself. "Cause first, then effect, Azuki."

I heard Yuki beside me. "You're going to ask Azuki to a dance? Ryu, that's adorable. You're so sweet. I was afraid you'd ask Shion. Can you just imagine her at a formal?"

Azuki spoke before I could explain. "Oh no! He doesn't know about the dance yet, Yuki. I've still got to wait but thank you. And of course Ryu can't invite Shion. Duh."

I blinked a few times. "Thank you, Azuki. That clears everything up."

Her smile was infectious. "Think nothing of it. Tanukis are famous for imparting knowledge."

I could tell. I was so afraid to ask my next question, but it had to be done because I didn't want to rely on Rinko's 'sweaty boob money' again unless I had to.

"Do you know if there's any extra way I can earn some money around here?" I asked.

Her eyes lit up instantly, like someone had just offered her a side quest. "Oh! Absolutely! I could check with the other tanuki. Maybe see if you can help out with the shrine or… or even cleaning duties! I'm great at asking around, and I bet the tanuki have a ton of things you could do. I bet some might even pay you if you remind them."

I felt my heart sink straight to the abyss. "Thanks. I owe you."

She beamed. "You already owe me a hug later. But sure, I'll help! Ryu-sama needs them fat stacks!"

She turned to leave when a gruff voice rang out from behind the three of us.

"Hey, ye watch where yer goin' ya dimension-hoppin' squirrel. And you too, ya over-stuffed lounge lizard. I've got me eyes on the both of ya."

I turned around to see the ugliest, meanest, most unpleasant-looking bearded man I'd ever laid my eyes on.

Azuki gasped in fear. "Oh no! It's Obie the Bitter Dwarf!"

His beard looked like a nest for bad omens, and his clothes were stained with the colors of a thousand bad decisions.

And he was headed our way.

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