Chapter 75: Takanashi Rikka
Normally, no sane person would wear an eyepatch like that. It wasn't one of those cool-looking ones from dramas or movies, either—just a plain white medical patch, the kind you'd see on someone recovering from surgery.
Looking at the world with only one eye had to be uncomfortable, even dizzying after a while. The thought alone made Kouya's brow twitch.
So… was her eye injured?
The idea immediately stirred whispers of sympathy among the students. So young, yet already having to deal with such pain. Poor thing.
Dozens of curious, pitying eyes turned toward the eyepatch girl.
"Takanashi-san, please introduce yourself," said the bald homeroom teacher, his tone as flat as his shiny scalp. The quiet chatter in the room faded instantly.
The girl with the eyepatch bowed gently. "Hello everyone, my name is Takanashi Rikka. I'll be studying here from today. Please take care of me."
Her voice was soft and smooth, a little reserved, but pleasant to listen to. It had that careful calm of someone trying to make a good impression.
When she finished, she just stood there, motionless, her ahoge swaying slightly on top of her head like it had a life of its own. The moment stretched awkwardly until the teacher finally said, "Alright, Takanashi-san, please take a seat."
Rikka nodded and moved quietly through the rows, her small frame and deliberate steps somehow drawing even more attention. She sat down just across the aisle from Kouya, close enough that he could see the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her schoolbag.
Once the teacher left, the chemistry instructor shuffled in—a middle-aged man with dull eyes and an even duller tone. He began his lecture, voice completely emotionless, as though reciting from a script he'd read a thousand times. The kind of lecture that drained color from the world.
Kouya tried to focus for about twenty seconds before his mind wandered. He realized he didn't even remember this teacher's name. The man's stiff posture, monotone voice, and unblinking expression made him seem more like a walking corpse than an educator.
At first, everyone had been terrified of him. His demeanor screamed "strict and heartless." He looked exactly like the villainous teacher archetype from a school drama—the one who'd slam a ruler on your desk for breathing too loud.
But as weeks passed, the class discovered a truth that changed everything: this man was a legend.
He never stayed overtime. The moment the bell rang—ding!—he would shut his notebook, pack his bag, and vanish from the room like a ghost. Never a second more, never a second less.
Even better, he didn't care if you slept, doodled, or stared at the ceiling, as long as you didn't disturb anyone. He was like a blessing from the gods of indifference.
By now, the students praised him with heartfelt respect. "A true professional," they'd whisper. "The best kind of teacher."
So when the homeroom teacher was gone and the lecture started, the girls wasted no time gossiping in low voices.
"Another girl transfer? This class is like 90% female now."
"Yeah, and we only have two guys—Kouya-kun, who looks like he stepped out of an anime, and Itsuka-kun, who could probably be an anime girl."
"But seriously, what's with that eyepatch girl? Who even wears that to school?"
"Maybe her eye's injured?"
The speculation went on quietly, mixed with occasional glances toward Rikka. The girl herself didn't react at all. She sat there like an island of calm in a sea of chatter.
By the time the bell rang, Kouya had already forgotten half the class content. The teacher wrapped up exactly on cue. "That's all for today. See you next time."
Sure enough, the bell chimed right as he finished, and he was gone before the echo faded.
A few curious girls immediately approached Rikka's desk.
"Hey, Takanashi-san, why did you transfer here?"
Rikka looked up, her expression serene. "Because the Chief of the Invisible Boundary Line Bureau has sealed me in this place."
"Uh… what?" The girl who asked froze. Her eyes darted to her friends for help.
The others exchanged helpless glances. The silence stretched until one of them forced a smile. "Ahaha… cool!"
Rikka tilted her head, seemingly pleased with that response.
Another girl leaned forward, curiosity winning over caution. "So, uh, what happened to your eye? Did you get hurt or something?"
Rikka's tone softened. "It's to contain the Wicked Eye of Truth."
"Wicked Eye?" another echoed, blinking.
"What's that?"
Rikka smiled faintly. Her hand lifted slowly toward the eyepatch as her voice dropped to a mysterious murmur. "This eye… holds the power to pierce all falsehoods. But through countless battles, it has been tainted by darkness. It is too dangerous now, so I must keep it sealed… unless…" she leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharpening, "you wish to witness it?"
"Ah! No, no, we're good!" the girls squeaked in unison, shaking their heads so fast it was almost comical.
Their smiles were polite. Their eyes screamed help.
Sitting nearby, Kouya heard every word. "Wicked Eye, huh?" he muttered under his breath, glancing her way.
He discreetly probed for any trace of energy—nothing. No dark aura, no strange magic. Just an ordinary girl with an overactive imagination.
Still… the way she spoke—so calm, so certain—almost made it believable.
"Could she really be sealing her energy?" he thought for half a second, then shook his head. "No way."
Meanwhile, the girls whispered to each other from a safe distance.
"She's totally got chuunibyou, right?"
"Has to be! I knew someone like that before—exact same vibe!"
"Wow… that's kinda scary."
Kouya groaned inwardly. 'Great. Another weirdo.'
He leaned back in his chair, trying to ignore it. But curiosity tugged at the back of his mind. When he glanced at Rikka again, she was just sitting there, eyes fixed on her notebook, completely unaffected by the whispers. Her calm aura was oddly magnetic.
Then, out of nowhere, she stood up and walked straight toward him.
"Kouya-kun?"
He looked up, blinking. "Huh? Yeah?"
Her tone was serious—too serious. "You can see it too, can't you? The Invisible Boundary Line."
"The what now?"
She nodded solemnly, as if confirming something. "I knew it. Your presence isn't normal. My Wicked Eye can see through illusions—and yours shines brighter than any I've seen."
Kouya's jaw twitched. "What are you even talking about?"
She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Saturday night… I saw you. On the balcony. Sealing away a dark creature with magic."
He froze. "Wait—what!?"
So she was the one watching from the balcony that night!? The "dark creature" she mentioned wasn't some monster—it was Raphiel!
Rikka's gaze glimmered with intensity. "That girl you fought… she must have been a terrifying being from the abyss. Next time you battle, please call upon me. Together, we shall drive back the darkness."
Kouya buried his face in his hands. "Oh, for god's sake…"
If Raphiel ever heard this nonsense, Rikka would end up on her very special hit list—and knowing that angel, it wouldn't end with just embarrassment.