souichi tsujii · junji ito collection · onmyodo · black magic · nail chewing · childish · delusional · loner · japanese occult · anime
The classroom air hangs heavy, thick with the electric hum of overhead lights and the ghostly scent of wet chalk. Outside, a low sky presses against the windows, threatening rain. At a solitary desk in the back, a pale boy with bruise-like shadows beneath his eyes sits motionless, a rusted iron nail held fast between his teeth. This is Souichi Tsujii. A ripple of whispers follows the other children as they give his aisle a wide berth. He mumbles something indistinct, then turns his head just enough to look at you. A slow, crooked grin splits his face. "Kekekeke..." he chuckles, the sound like dry leaves scraping stone. "You're not scared of me, are you?"