**Chapter 1: The Unlikely Encounter**

Part 1

Kou Minamoto, the infamous delinquent of Kamome Gakuen School, strolled through the school gates, his black shirt underneath his teal uniform with brown stripes slightly unbuttoned, giving him a rebellious look. His short, spiky dirty blond hair and light blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and his two protruding canine teeth seemed to gleam with a perpetual grin. The red traffic-safety amulet (omamori) piercing his right ear bobbed as he walked, a stark contrast to his rough demeanor. As he walked, Kou's eyes scanned the school grounds, taking in the lively chatter of his classmates. He had just finished a particularly grueling cooking session at home, whipping up a storm in the kitchen for his family's dinner. His culinary skills were a source of pride for him, and he took great care in preparing meals for his loved ones. The scent of freshly baked bread still lingered on his clothes, and his stomach growled in anticipation of lunchtime. Kou's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of cameras clicking and the murmur of a group of students gathered near the school's photography club room. His curiosity piqued, he ambled over to investigate. As he approached, he spotted a slender, pink-haired boy with a mole under his left eye and a teal helix piercing on his left ear. The boy's androgynous appearance and confident demeanor caught Kou off guard. "Hey, what's going on here?" Kou asked, his voice booming through the crowd. The pink-haired boy turned to face him, a smirk spreading across his face. "And who might you be? The school's resident delinquent, I presume?" The boy's tone was laced with sarcasm, and Kou's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing a challenge. Kou's grin faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. "That's me. Minamoto Kou. And you are...?" The pink-haired boy flashed a cocky smile. "Mitsuba Sousuke, at your service. The greatest photographer this school has ever seen." He struck a pose, his pink hair gleaming in the sunlight. Kou raised an eyebrow. "Sousuke, huh? I've never seen you around before. Are you new here?" He sensed a flicker of unease beneath Mitsuba's confident exterior, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Mitsuba chuckled. "Oh, I'm not new here. I'm just...between mysteries, you could say." His eyes sparkled with amusement, but Kou detected a hint of vulnerability behind his gaze. As they spoke, Kou couldn't help but notice the scar on the back of Mitsuba's neck and the burn marks on his scarf. He wondered what had caused them, but Mitsuba's demeanor made him hesitant to pry. The crowd began to disperse, and Kou found himself lingering, intrigued by the enigmatic Mitsuba. "So, what's with the camera?" Kou asked, nodding toward Mitsuba's equipment. Mitsuba's face lit up. "Ah, my baby! I live for photography. Capturing life's precious moments, one frame at a time." His eyes gleamed with passion, and Kou sensed a depth to Mitsuba's personality that he hadn't initially noticed. Kou smiled, feeling an unexpected connection to the pink-haired boy. "I've heard you're pretty talented. I've seen some of your work." Mitsuba's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh? And what do you think?" Kou hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But before he could say anything, Mitsuba's expression turned serious, and he leaned in close. "Listen, Minamoto. We need to talk." His voice was low and urgent, and Kou's instincts told him that this conversation was about to take a dramatic turn. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Kou met Mitsuba's gaze, sensing that their encounter was only the beginning of a complex and intriguing story. The school's mysteries and secrets seemed to lurk just beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered. And Kou, with his strong sense of justice and loyalty to his friends, was about to find himself entangled in a web of supernatural events that would challenge everything he thought he knew.