Kōki's shoes pounded against the concrete, the sound echoing through the deserted street. His breath tore out of him in harsh bursts, his throat burning from the dry night air. The wind slapped at his damp hair, strands clinging to his forehead, but he didn't dare slow down.
"No way! What the hell is going on?! Why am I seeing the ghost of Sayoko—and some other dead guy?!" he muttered, his voice shaky and broken from running.
His legs screamed in protest, each step heavier than the last, but he forced himself forward. His mind spun in circles, confusion pressing down on him harder than the ache in his calves.
"Am I hallucinating? Have I completely lost it? Sayoko… she's been gone for years. She can't be standing there. There's no way… If she's back, is she here to curse me? But why me?!"
The street ahead blurred. His knees buckled, and he stumbled against a lamppost, gripping the cold metal for support. His palm slipped on the smooth surface, slick with sweat. He bent forward, dragging air into his lungs, chest heaving so hard it felt like it might split open.
"This isn't real… it can't be…" he whispered, his voice breaking.
"Kōki-kun, you really can see me… right?"
The soft, familiar tone cut into him like a blade. His eyes snapped up, and his breath froze in his chest. Sayoko stood just a few steps away, her translucent figure glowing faintly under the pale light. Her head tilted, as though she were genuinely curious about his reaction.
"Ahhh!" Kōki's throat tore open with a scream.
Instinct took over. He spun on his heel and sprinted down the street, his body moving on raw fear.
"Wait! Kōki-kun! Please, don't run!" Sayoko called, her voice carrying down the empty road.
But he didn't stop.
Behind her, Takuto floated with his arms crossed, his expression flat as he watched the boy disappear into the distance. He let out a long sigh. "That kid's something else. He sees a beautiful girl calling out to him and his first reaction is to bolt."
Sayoko folded her arms and huffed, her faint glow shifting slightly with the movement. "Takuto, don't act like this isn't terrifying. Who wouldn't freak out seeing someone they know has been dead?"
Takuto lifted his hands in surrender. "Fair enough. Honestly, I'd probably scream too."
Sayoko's lips pressed into a thin line. Her shoulders stiffened, a trace of irritation running through her otherwise calm face.
Takuto rubbed his chin, his tone more thoughtful. "Still… that boy might be exactly what we need. He can see and hear us. If we can get him to cooperate, he could be our link to the living world."
Sayoko blinked, the thought hitting her hard. "Wait, you're right… but how are we supposed to convince him when he keeps running like that?"
"That's on you," Takuto said plainly.
"Me? Why me?"
"Because you knew him when you were alive. If anyone can reach him, it's you. He'll listen if it comes from you. And if he listens… maybe we can finally track down the one who killed you."
Her expression darkened, her hands clenching into fists. The faint glow around her sharpened like it had grown stronger. "You're right. Then I'll do it. Come on, I know exactly where he's going."
Kōki slammed his front door shut so hard the walls rattled. His back pressed against the wood, his body trembling uncontrollably. His shirt clung to him, drenched in sweat, his lungs still clawing for air.
"I need protection… I need something to keep them out!"
Panic pushed him forward. He stumbled into his bedroom and yanked open his desk drawer, pulling out a container of salt. His fingers shook as he poured a thick line across the threshold of his door. Next, he grabbed the Bible from his nightstand and clutched it to his chest so tightly his knuckles turned white. Then, scrambling through the kitchen cabinet, he stuffed garlic into his back pocket, ignoring how ridiculous it looked.
"If the movies are right, this has to work… it has to," he muttered desperately, though his voice cracked, betraying his doubt.
His knees gave out, and he sank onto his bed. The mattress creaked beneath him as he struggled to calm down, his heart slamming against his ribs like it wanted out.
"Why me? I never did anything to her. I barely even spoke to Sayoko when she was alive. So why… why is she haunting me now?"
A voice answered, clear and calm.
"Kōki-kun, do you really think those things will keep us away?"
Kōki's body locked up. His eyes shot toward the wall just in time to see Sayoko drift through it, her glowing form entering the room as if the solid barrier meant nothing.
"This isn't a movie, Kōki-kun. This is reality."
"Stay back! Stay away from me!" His voice cracked as he swung the Bible wildly in front of him. "Leave me alone, evil spirit! You don't belong here!"
A deep chuckle rolled through the room. Kōki's gaze darted upward and he froze. Takuto's figure descended through the ceiling with casual ease, his expression calm, almost bored.
"Relax, kid. We're not here to hurt you. We just want to talk."
Kōki's vision spun. The Bible slipped from his grip, hitting the floor with a dull thud. His knees buckled, and before he could say another word, darkness swallowed him.
Sayoko groaned and pressed her hand to her forehead. "Great. I didn't even get to explain. Why do you always have to look so menacing?"
Takuto smirked faintly. "Maybe I can't help it. Comes naturally, runs through my blood."
She shot him a flat look. "You don't even have blood anymore. You're just as dead as I am. Remember that."
"Touché," Takuto said, amused. "Guess you're still mad about what I said earlier?"
"Of course," Sayoko replied with a faint grin.
The hours crept by until finally, Kōki stirred. His head pounded, and for a moment, the room spun. He groaned, rubbing his eyes.
"Was that… just a dream?" he muttered groggily.
"Nope. It was all real."
The voice came from directly above. He looked up and nearly screamed again. Sayoko floated just above his bed, gazing down at him.
A strangled cry tore out of his throat, half-scream, half-gasp. He lurched upright, panic flooding his body.. His knee clipped the edge of his desk, sending pain shooting through his leg as he stumbled. A chair toppled to the ground with a crash as he bolted out the door, shouting incoherently.
Across the hall, Ayaka stirred awake, her alarm clock buzzing faintly in the background. She groaned, dragging her hand across her tired face. "What the hell is that idiot yelling about at this hour?"
Throwing her blanket aside, she stomped into the hall. Her younger brother was pressed against the wall, shaking like a leaf, eyes wide and wild.
"Kō," she snapped, her voice sharp. "What is your problem? Some of us have work in the morning! I need my sleep."
He turned to her, pale and trembling. "A-Ayaka! Ghosts! There are ghosts in my room! I'm not making this up!"
She narrowed her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "You woke me up for this?"
Kōki grabbed her shoulders, his grip frantic. "I'm serious! It's Sayoko! She was in my room! She walked through the wall! And some guy came through the ceiling!"
Ayaka scowled and shoved his hands off. "This isn't like you. You're usually the tough one around here. Quit acting like a scared little kid. You probably just had a nightmare. Go drink some water and get back in bed."
"It wasn't a dream! I know what I saw!" Kōki shouted, his voice cracking under the strain.
Ayaka just rubbed her temples, already exhausted. "Unbelievable…"