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Mikoto doesn't know what to think about Abe no Haruaki.
It's not that the kid is being unruly or misbehaving frequently. No, it's the exact opposite of that. In a class full of mischievous youkai, the sole human is a well-behaved, cowardly and quiet student. He sticks out like a sore thumb in that regard.
Every teacher voiced their doubts about letting a human student join a school full of youkai, when they were first introduced to the idea. Now where Haruaki's been in his class for a whole week, Mikoto cannot help but agree with their initial concerns. Haruaki is simply too scared of integrating. Surprisingly, it isn't necessarily because his peers are youkai. In fact, he doesn't seem to have a strong opinion about all that. Not their appearances, their magic or their oddities.
He is, however, intimidated by their unruly and loud behavior. Their teasing and scheming. The qualities that youkai proudly display.
Granted, from what he can tell, Haruaki is a bit weird himself as well. But… he can't tell much at all, because the kid just won't come out of his shell. He barely speaks with the others without stuttering through his sentences and he spends his breaks at the Mandragoras garden, tending to them and playing with them.
And that's all not even addressing his very strong exorcism powers, all contained by a single bracelet made out of prayer beads.
There's been quite a few protests after the school staff found out about those powers, but everything got shut down by the one who wanted Haruaki at the school—the principal.
No one could convince him that it was a bad idea. In fact, no one had the guts to argue much with him. A few weak-willed protests were easily shut down by him. Mikoto didn't bother protesting. The principal was simply too scary to even try that. Moreover, not many of the teachers probably noticed, but something about the whole situation seemed insanely important to the principal. For some reason or another, Haruaki just had to attend Hyakki academy. When he first explained the situation to them, he sounded dead serious but deeply troubled.
There's also the fact, that he seemed to have taken Haruaki in. The other teaches probably haven't reached that conclusion at all, but Mikoto got to read the kid's file. His living address was the school's address. His guardian's contact information listed the principal himself. The kid isn't from the island, so there's no way he goes home by boat everyday. However, it also didn't seem like the principal connected a portal for him.
Mikoto hasn't talked to the principal about that just yet but he plans to. There is simply no way he can just ignore all that.
There is also something else concerning about Haruaki. Sometimes, when his blazer's sleeves move up just a tiny bit, Mikoto can see bandages wrapped around his wrists. He doesn't know just how far they go. Although it's summer, Haruaki always wears long-sleeved tops or outer layers.
The fact that he's hiding them concerns Mikoto the most.
He doesn't know where they're coming from. Genuine accidents or something far more darker like injuries caused through abuse.
Are those injuries the reason the principal is so insistent on keeping Haruaki at the academy? Why he doesn't seem to be living at home anymore?
Or have the injuries started after Haruaki enrolled? Are there youkai in his vicinity that are so displeased by his presence that they would resort to violence?
Or are there perhaps no injuries at all and Mikoto is overthinking the whole thing? Haruaki moves with ease after all, not at all resembling someone that has injured his arms.
Mikoto doesn't know and he won't find out like this. He plans to bring it up when he eventually talks to the principal.
Suddenly, he hears a crashing sound from further ahead. He immediately sprints there, only to come across the student he's been thinking about.
Haruaki sits on the ground, surrounded by multiple, thick books.
"Abe-kun?"
He flinches upon hearing Mikoto's voice before looking up at him, fear written all over his face. It leaves an unpleasant feeling in him.
He approaches the student and kneels down beside him, trying to see if he's alright.
"Are you alright, Abe-kun? What happened here?"
With a suddenly red face, Haruaki stares at the ground.
"Akisame-sensei asked me to bring these books back to the history club, but… uhm… I got lost."
He whispered the last part, seemingly even less confidence than before. He couldn't help but frown at that but Haruaki seems to have misunderstood him, because he doesn't say anything else.
"… Come on, I'll help you with carrying these books back. Can you get up?"
At that, Haruaki springs into movement immediately, getting up and swaying dangerously on his feet as he tries to reassure him.
"It's fine! I wouldn't want to trouble you, Sensei! I can do it on my own…"
"Hey, no need to panic, Abe-kun. Calm down, please."
He then picks up a few books before getting up as well.
"You said you got lost, right? Then you won't be able to do it on your own."
At that, Haruaki flinches.
Mikoto's expression softens. This is probably the most he has heard from that boy.
"It's alright to need help, Abe-kun. It's not a bother. Plus, this way we'll be faster down. I'm sure you want to go home soon, since it's this late already."
At those words there's an odd silence from Haruaki, before the boy nods and kneels down to pick up the books.
As he picks up the books, Mikoto can tell that he's struggling with holding them for a moment before his movements smoothen. Ah, well that's clear proof that there is something going on.
Both carry the books back to the history club. Mikoto halts in surprise, when he sees the principal stand in front of the room, clearly waiting for someone.
The man looks up and tough the teacher can't see his expression through the mask, he could swear something like relief radiates through it.
"Haruaki-kun, there you are," he greets his charge, stepping closer. Then he turns to him and nods in greeting. "Sano-kun."
"Ah, Do—Uh, P-Principal," Haruaki stutters, walking closer to the man. "I-I-m sorry for making you wait…"
So, the principal waits for Haruaki after classes, huh.
"Tamao-kun told me you'd be here to bring the books back. You were taking quite a bit though, I was considering seeking you out myself. I refrained because I was hoping you got held up talking to other students…"
Ouch. Even hia guardian is worried about his lack of friends.
"Abe-kun got lost on the way here. I found him and decided to show him the way," Mikoto explains.
Instead of responding to him, the principal addresses Haruaki once more.
"Why didn't you call me then, Haruaki-kun?"
"S-Sorry.. I…" He trails off without saying anything else.
The principal seems to have expected as much, because he simply just reaches out and pats the kid's head.
"Please do call me the next time you get lost, Haruaki-kun. As promised, I'll definitely come pick you up."
For the first time since knowing the man, Mikoto couldn't help but think he sounded gentle and affectionate.
"... Alright," the student agrees, seemingly calmer than before. Then he turns to Mikoto and bows slightly in gratitude, mindful of the books he's still carrying.
"Thank you for your help, Sano-sensei."
"That's right. Thank you for helping Haruaki-kun, Mikoto-kun." The prinicpal nods at him before focusing his attention on his charge again. "Let's put the books back into the shelves and go home, Haruaki-kun."
Something... something feels off about Haruaki. Mikoto just can't tell what.