We are all searching for someone's demons who play well with ours.

Cold, refreshing air. Sweaty palms, clutched together. A tall, ostentatious man guiding me to a doorway to nowhere.

"...and that just about concludes the grande tournée. This little life-saving key is yours to keep! It grants you access to the cram school and many other mysterious locations. Don't lose it, whatever you do," the director stated ominously.

"O-Okay, thank you for showing me around," I stuttered clumsily, kicking myself for being so shy.

"Not a problem child. However, if you find yourself with one, please see me imminently. Well, I'll be off now. Ta-ra!"

And with some sort of whimsical, magical *poof*, Mehphisto Pheles disappeared from my line of vision.

That was...really peculiar.

I wiped my sweaty palms on the sides of my pink skirt, which felt kind of gross but at this point - really necessary. Inspecting the key, I noticed it's gold detail which exuded the wealth and richness that my brother mentioned when describing True Cross Academy. He had been sending me texts about his time here, about the people he liked and disliked, and about the missions he would go through.

Shakily, I inserted the key and opened up a portal to a long, intricately designed hallway. The detailed artwork sparkled under the stained-glass windows. However, despite the initial impression, this part of the school almost felt empty compared to what Mephisto had shown me earlier.

I marched myself down the hall, taking a big inhale in and preparing myself for meeting new people. Why did it seem worse when I knew there was going to be less people than a standard classroom? Shortly, I approached the occupied classroom where I could see a young man addressing his class.

knock knock knock

"Hi, sorry to interrupt, is this the exorcist cram class?"

I sound like a fucking mouse.

The tall man, who I suspected was Yukio Okumura, nodded and gestured for me to enter.

"Indeed, it is, you must be (Y/N), lovely to meet you. Please introduce yourself to the class."

His stance was strong but not intimidating, and approaching him made his features more visible. He had square spectacles, broad shoulders and a constellation of freckles or moles dotted on his face. He also appeared to be a lot younger than I initially thought.

I had been staring at him way too long so I quickly turned to directly face the class.

"Hello everyone, I'm (Y/N), it's really nice to meet you all," I gestured to the students nervously. I was almost certain they could nearly taste my discomfort.

I tried to take a moment to take everyone in, noting only two girls in the entire class, but my vision grew blurry due to the nerves racking up.

This should be interesting.

"Well, (Y/N), I am Yukio Okumura but you may call me Mr. Okumura. It'll be good to have you in the class."

"Thank you," I said politely. God, I was nervous.

"I'm just going to go over everyone in the class so that you get a rough idea who everyone is. Over here we have Izumo, Nemu and Shiemi. Next to Shiemi is Rin, and over on our other side here we have Shima, Konekomaru and Bon. I'm going to sit you next to, let's see...Shima," he said whilst he looked over the room.

Rin. That's familiar.

I didn't even have time to scan the people whilst he was saying their names because I was tunnel visioning on the back wall of the class where Shima sat, anxiety pulsing through my veins.

"Sure," I replied and headed toward the salmon-haired boy, greeting him as I sat. I placed my bag down gently and got out all the necessary note-taking items.

That was when the classes apparent resident skunk turned around in his seat to face me, "So, (Y/N)," he smirked, "Enjoying True Cross Academy?"

"It would've been better with a guide..." I trailed off, nonchalantly, not even bothering to look in his eyes as Mr. Okumura was beginning to conduct his lesson after being interrupted by my arrival.

"Well, maybe I can give you the real tour later," he laughed, turning back around, "Nothing like the one that clown gives."

I huffed and sat back in my chair, desperately attempting to gain back some slither of peace. Today in one word? Overwhelming. That paired with the fact it felt a very piercing gaze on me the moment Mr. Okumura turned his back.

I looked over to my right and sure enough, a dark blue-haired boy was straight in my eye-line. The gaze was almost penetrating and could've possibly been deemed as intimidating, if it weren't for his half-asleep look.

To try and alleviate some awkward tension, I gave the boy a gentle wave which strangely seemed to startle him. That's when I understood...he was in a complete daydream and I was pretty sure he'd been in and out of a nap the entire time I had introduced myself.

Then I remembered – it's Rin. The guy that Bon often warned me about.

Mr. Okumura continued on with his lesson, half of which I didn't really understand and the other half I couldn't engage with as I didn't have the materials. My line of view kept falling on the sleepy boy, though. Something was...intriguing about him?

Not like I could see much from four rows behind him, but he had pretty hair.

The lesson persisted and abruptly came to an end with a loud bell, "Alright everyone, class dismissed. (Y/N), could you please stay behind?" Mr. Okumura asked.

I dropped my pencil to the floor in the shock of hearing my own name, "O-of course!" I replied, all-too-eagerly.

A few members of the class snickered at my bright-eyed, bushy-tailed demeanour. I tried to ignore it, though, not wanting to get myself upset.

"Don't forget this, you'll definitely need it if you want to catch up," Bon laughed as he tapped me on the head with my once floor-bound pencil.

"There will be bacteria on that and now my head, you idiot," I scoffed as I grabbed the pencil out of his hand and made my way over to Mr. Okumura's desk, the remainder of the class filing out behind me.

"Of course, that's what you'd worry about, idiot."

I ignored my older brothers remark and headed for Mr. Okumura's desk.

"Alright, (Y/N)," the teacher began, "I just want to go through a few questions with you so that I can come to a better understanding of you and your experience as an exorcist. Is that okay?"

"Sure."

"Great. So, first of all, have you received your temptaint?"

"I have, yes."

"Good. I see on your notes that you're listed as being a qualified Ex-Wire, is this correct?"

"It is," I replied nervously, I almost felt like I was getting questioned at TSA.

"Interesting, can I ask how you got to that rank without attending any formal education?"

"Well, at the temple where I'm from, there's a training regimen for exorcists that's acknowledged by the True Cross Order. The monks completed the programs with me last year."

"Excellent, I never knew they did that at your temple," he smiled, "Kyoto, right?"

"Yes," I smiled back, "I assume you've looked at my files?"

"I have, (Y/N), and I can truthfully say I'm glad you've came to be a part of our school. I think it'll really benefit you. I understand last year was difficult for you."

I was a little bit taken aback by not only the fact that Mr. Okumura knew about my past, even though I shouldn't have been because of course he would've, but also by his dexterity and kindness about the subject.

"Well, I really appreciate that, Mr. Okumura."

"Anytime," he said softly, "Okay, last thing I want to ask, then you're free. What do you plan on advancing to?"

I faltered for a moment because it was a question that was always in the back of my mind but truthfully, I wasn't sure.

"To be honest, I have experience with Taming but I think I'd maybe like to try be more combative and perhaps become a knight," I said, which sounded more like I was asking permission rather than it being my decision.

"I think that's great, (Y/N). It's good to set your goals high, and everyone here will try to make sure you can reach it. The hard bit is believing in yourself."

I smiled into my lap. It was an overwhelming day, sure...but it felt good to have positivity surrounding me.

"We have a lot of field work here at True Cross, (Y/N), so that will definitely help you out in your decision. And I know I said that was the last question but I wonder if I'd be able to push for one more?"

I nodded to the teacher in acceptance.

"I'm aware that Bon is your brother, and also that you're a year younger, however I'm confused as to why you didn't attend True Cross with him originally."

That faltered me.

Make up a lie.

"Ah, you see," I began, "I went through a rough time during my training. Bon was very disciplined and precise but I found myself pulling back and struggling mentally to cope. It's a little hard to explain, Mr. Okumura, but the main thing is I'm here now and I'm ready to learn."

Mr. Okumura hesitated for a second, then nodded his head, "Okay, thanks, (Y/N). You're free to go."

I couldn't tell if he'd bought my story but I figured it didn't really matter much as he seemed satisfied with what I said. "Could I ask you one thing, Mr. Okumura?" to which he nodded in reply, "Where is 'The Old Male Dormitory'?"

His eyes narrowed in confusion, "Why do you ask?"

"W-well, that's where my dorm is, apparently? Room 504?"

I could see the lenses of Mr. Okumuras glasses reflect the light from the stained-glass windows. He promptly picked up his briefcase and turned on his heel, "Follow me."

And so, I did.