Unaware that Komachi was secretly tailing him, Hachiman Hikigaya sprinted full speed toward the plaza, not even sparing a glance at the curious looks from passersby.

He was determined to arrive at the bus stop before the bus carrying Miko Yotsuya got there.

Meanwhile, on that very bus, Miko Yotsuya sat frozen, a malevolent spirit clinging tightly to her.

"Ah, really? Super funny, right?!"

The spirit kept repeating the same line near her ear, and while Miko trembled in fear, she couldn't help mentally complaining: Is this all this ghost knows how to say?!

"Boring, isn't it? Don't you think?!"

As if it heard her inner thoughts, the three heads of the ghost suddenly floated right in front of her face and spoke in unison.

Miko (internally): I'm sorry, okay?! Please forgive me! 〒▽〒

Staring at the three heads, Miko swore never to mentally insult ghosts again.

But her apology had no effect.

Seeing that Miko was ignoring them, the three-headed ghost simply latched onto her back, trying to look at her phone screen with her.

"Ah, crap!"

Feeling a chill run up her spine, Miko quickly switched away from her chat with Hachiman.

She wasn't sure if spirits could read, but she wasn't willing to risk it—especially since Hachiman would be there soon. If she could just hold out a little longer…

"You can see us, can't you? So why won't you answer our questions?"

The middle head suddenly spoke, startling Miko.

She's been found out.

"You clearly hesitated just now~"

This time, the left head spoke. It leaned in close and licked her cheek with a tongue dripping saliva.

What do I do now...?

Panic surged within Miko. She lowered her head, her eyes darting around as she tried to think of a way out.

Then, the ghost's neck suddenly constricted around her, binding her body tightly.

"Mmgh…"

She let out a muffled cry, completely trapped.

"We knew it—you really can see us."

The right head's voice dripped with smugness.

"You tricked me?!"

Miko finally understood. She looked up at the ghost's faces in disbelief.

I always trick the spirits—but now they've tricked me?!

"Of course. We never know who can really see us and who's just pretending. So we just test everyone we suspect by acting like they're invisible."

The three heads swayed gleefully, clearly proud of their performance.

"So now that we've found the fourth one who can see us, it's feeding time!"

"Eh?!"

Miko's eyes widened in shock. Feeding time?! No way—ghosts can't harm humans during the daytime!

"Oh? You seem to know that little rule about us not being able to hurt people during the day…"

The spirit, having paused mid-attack, wound its neck around her again, clearly trying to figure out how she knew.

"It's daytime—you can't harm me!"

Recovering from her panic, Miko's voice grew firmer.

"Hahahaha!"

The spirit suddenly burst into shrill laughter.

"Too bad—that only applies to low-level ghosts. I'm strong enough to ignore the consequences of breaking the rules!"

At that moment, the bus pulled over to the curb.

The spirit, ignoring the stop, looked at the restrained Miko with mockery: "Still think you'll be fine?"

"Absolutely!"

Just then, Miko's expression relaxed. She raised her head and looked at the spirit confidently.

"You can't harm me!"

"Oh? Not sure why you're suddenly so cocky, but I'll prove you wrong—right now!"

The three heads opened their gaping maws and lunged at Miko.

"Sorry, but this time, you're the one who's wrong."

A voice came from behind the spirit—Hachiman Hikigaya.

"What?!"

To encounter a second person who could see it in such a short time left the ghost with a very bad feeling.

Especially when it recalled how unusually calm Miko had been when discovered—it all started to make sense now.

Hachiman said nothing more.

While Miko had been distracting it, he had managed to sneak right behind the spirit.

To avoid alarming the normal passengers on the bus, he didn't draw his spirit-slaying blade. Instead, he cloaked his hands in spiritual energy and yanked the ghost off Miko.

"An exorcist?!"

The ghost shrieked as Hachiman grabbed it. It twisted and writhed in a desperate attempt to escape.

Seeing no way out, its six eyes flared with malice, and it lunged at Hachiman with bared fangs.

"Shield!"

A golden magic circle instantly formed between them.

The ghost's teeth bit into the shield, emitting thick black smoke.

With a scream, the ghost released its bite, its eyes wary of the magic as Hachiman dragged it off the bus.

"Seriously thought I was going to die back there…"

Miko stepped off the bus behind him.

Feeling solid ground beneath her feet again, she finally exhaled a breath of relief.

Then she tugged at Hachiman's sleeve, eyes still wide with fear.

If he hadn't arrived in time… she really might've been eaten by that ghost.