Kazuki Maeda had a talent. Not for sports, or grades, or anything remotely useful—no, his gift was *avoiding responsibility*.
Today's masterpiece? Dodging math class by hiding in the boys' bathroom until the bell rang. He leaned against the sink, scrolling on his phone, when a notification popped up:
**>> BEST FRIEND (Ryo):** *Dude, the teacher took roll call. You're so dead.*
Kazuki smirked. *Worth it.*
He shoved his phone into his pocket and pushed open the bathroom door—only to slam face-first into someone.
"Ow—what the—?"
Standing before him was the last person he wanted to see: **Aoi Shintani**, class rep, honor student, and his personal nemesis.
She adjusted her glasses, unimpressed. "Maeda. Skipping again?"
Kazuki rubbed his forehead. "Nah, I was just… meditating. In the bathroom. Very hygienic."
Aoi sighed. "The principal wants to see you."
*Crap.*
Twenty minutes later, Kazuki slouched in a chair across from Principal Tanaka, a balding man with the energy of a deflating balloon.
"Kazuki," Tanaka said, massaging his temples. "This is your *eighth* unexcused absence this month."
Kazuki grinned. "Gotta pump those numbers up."
Tanaka's eye twitched. "Your *mother*—"
"—is working double shifts at the hospital, yeah, yeah." Kazuki rolled his eyes. "Look, I'll show up tomorrow. Maybe."
The principal groaned. "Just… go home. And *come to class next time*."
*Mission accomplished.* Kazuki strolled out, already planning his next nap spot.
On his way out of school, Kazuki's stomach growled. *Time for a snack.* He stopped at the old vending machine near the gates—the one that always ate people's coins.
He shoved in a 100-yen coin and pressed the button for melon soda.
The machine whirred.
Then *shook violently*.
Kazuki blinked. "Uh…?"
**THUNK.**
Instead of soda, the machine spat out… **a small, scaly creature**.
It was about the size of a mango, with bat-like wings and a grumpy expression. It glared at Kazuki, then sneezed out a tiny flame.
Kazuki stared. "What the—?"
The creature cleared its throat. **"Congratulations, dumbass! You've been randomly selected as the 'Emergency Backup Hero'!"**
Silence.
Kazuki slowly turned and walked away.
The creature flapped after him. **"Hey! Where are you going?!"**
"Home. To sleep. Forever."
**"YOU CAN'T IGNORE DESTINY!"**
Kazuki broke into a sprint. The creature chased him, screeching about "ancient contracts" and "magical duties."
*This is the worst day of my life.*
After ten blocks of running, Kazuki ducked into a narrow alley—only to trip over a loose cobblestone. He face-planted right outside a dingy ramen shop.
The creature landed on his head. **"Wow. Graceful."**
Kazuki groaned. "Go. Away."
The shop's curtain fluttered open. A deep voice said, **"Tch. Another one?"**
Kazuki looked up. A towering man with a scarred face and a greasy apron loomed over him. He looked like a retired yakuza… who really loved ramen.
The man sighed. "Get inside, kid. Before the *Shinigami* notice you."
Kazuki blinked. "The *what*—?"
The creature whispered, **"Oh, you're *so* screwed."**