**Chapter 3: The Storm Brewing**

The vice principal's words hung in the air like a challenge, and Hange's grip on me tightened, his body stiffening like a coiled spring. Kanzaki's eyes darted around the room, as if searching for an escape route, before settling on Hange's determined face. The air was thick with tension, and I could sense the unease emanating from her like a palpable force. Hange's voice was low and even, but I detected a hint of wariness beneath the surface. "What kind of reports?" he asked, his eyes locked on Kanzaki's. The question was straightforward, but I sensed a hidden meaning behind it, like a whispered secret that only a select few could hear. Kanzaki hesitated, glancing at me before responding. "There have been... sightings. People have seen strange figures lurking around the school at night. And there have been rumors of... unexplained occurrences." Her voice trailed off, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. What kind of unexplained occurrences could be happening at school? Hange's expression darkened, and he asked, "What do you mean by 'strange figures'?" His voice was firm, but I sensed a hint of curiosity beneath the surface, like a person tiptoeing into a minefield. The vice principal took a deep breath before responding. "People have described seeing tall, imposing figures with... unusual features. Some have said they have glowing eyes, while others have reported seeing them move in ways that seem... inhuman." Her words painted a vivid picture in my mind, and I felt a growing sense of unease. I peeked out from beneath Hange's shirt, my eyes scanning Kanzaki's face. She looked concerned, but there was something else in her expression, something that seemed to be hidden beneath the surface. I sensed that she was holding back, that there was more to the story than she was letting on. Hange's grip on me didn't waver, but his body seemed to tense even further. "What does this have to do with me?" he asked, his voice low and even. Kanzaki's eyes locked on Hange's, and I sensed a spark of understanding between them. "We have reason to believe that you, Hange, might be connected to these... occurrences. And that you might be in danger." Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and I felt a surge of fear. I looked up at Hange, my eyes searching his face. What was going on? What kind of danger was he in? The questions swirled in my mind like a vortex, pulling me down into a sea of uncertainty. Hange's expression was set, his jaw clenched in determination. "I'll take care of it," he said, his voice firm. Kanzaki's eyes lingered on Hange's face, and I sensed a hint of sadness in her expression. "Be careful, Hange. There's more at play here than you realize." Her words were cryptic, but they seemed to carry a weight that I couldn't quite understand. The vice principal turned to leave, but not before casting a glance in my direction. I felt a shiver run down my spine as our eyes met, and I sensed that she was hiding something. What was she not telling us? And what kind of danger was Hange in? As the door closed behind Kanzaki, Hange's grip on me relaxed, and he whispered, "It's going to be okay." But I wasn't so sure. The storm brewing outside seemed to be seeping into our little sanctuary, and I sensed that our lives were about to change in ways we couldn't even imagine.