Starting my day with a gargle of hot water and mouthwash after eating seems redundant to me but it is what it is.
As I sat on the passenger seat waiting for bro to drive me to school, I gather my thoughts.
(Earlier this morning... I got stuck in a loop, saw Jin and died at the park.)
Is what I thought.
But touching my body, feeling it's heat and the "ghost pain" I'm feeling from my head down to my private area tells I really got slashed.
If so... why are there no marks at all?
And more importantly...
(Why am I still alive?)
When I woke up this morning, the first thing I did was asked my brother.
"After we bought the milk, we returned home and I head to sleep."
His reply to my question.
I didn't inquire more about it since bro lies very obvious. Every time he lies, his face contorts as if he is suffering so I know he isn't lying this time.
(Then what happened?)
I can only sigh as I scramble my brain.
(Guess I need to speak to Jin.)
I gulped when his name came to mind.
That scrutinizing eyes.
That katana.
That scattered limbs.
I wonder if it's real.
"You ready?"
Bro entered the car and asked me while turning the car's engine.
"You're late bro."
I replied normally.
But is it really normal?
Now the word normal sounds cliche or unreal to me after what happened.
I notice bro staring at me in the rear view mirror but then he averted his gaze before he start the car running.
(What was that...)
I didn't look at his eyes directly this time thinking he might have noticed the turmoil in my head.
Soon enough, we arrived at the school gates.
"Bye bro. Thanks as always for driving me to school."
Bro simply nods at me then wave before going to his college.
(He doesn't seem weird though... I wonder what happened.)
There I turned back and head inside the school.
While on the way to the building, I felt a pair of eyes staring at me so I shifted right away and look at the...
(Rooftop?)
There I saw nothing.
(Weird...)
(Maybe I'm still on the edge.)
I sighed and head to the class.
However, during the class, I can feel any gazes or any sounds more vividly than normal.
(I'm completely on edge aren't I?)
(Even the old man's eyes felt more uncomfortable today.)
(As if he is looking at 'me' more today.)
(Pretty sure nothing is new to me.)
(Or to my appearance atleast.)
(Pink loose twintails long enough to reach my back, neat uniform...)
(No matter how I look at myself, nothing is changed.)
(So why do I feel this way?)
After the class is finished, I head to the club right away.
I thought for sure Jin won't come in the club but I guessed wrong.
Not only Jin is here reading manga again, Nina busy cleaning the table, the other member are also here.
She is a slender girl with shoulder length black hair, red eyes and sitting on the solo couch with teacup on her hand sipping tea normally.
"Oh. you're here already Sakura. Good afternoon."
Nina stopped cleaning and look at me.
Jin also sat on the couch and close his manga.
While the other girl stares at me with a smile.
"Um..."
I tried to speak but I can't find the right words to begin my questions.
But then someone beat me into it.
"So you are the new lost one?"
(Huh?)
(Lost one?)
I look at the girl smiling at me.
Her eyes glows dimly.
"W...what?"
She placed her teacup at the table before slowly stood and walk towards me.
"Jin told me he found another one. So I attend club today to see this new one. But hmmm... Interesting."
The girl said as she cup my cheeks and stare at my eyes.
"So she got the mirror huh..."
(Mirror? The one we use to see our reflection? What does she mean by me having it?)
"I see. So that's why when I cut her, it's exactly 2."
Jin nods while remembering what he did.
"Cut her? Oh gods... That must be traumatizing..."
Nina sighs as she approach me then hug from behind.
"Eh? What's happening? What do you mean by mirror? And what's the lost one?"
My questions started to flow as I find this crazed situation something I don't know.
Something Unknown.
"Let's talk about that later. But for starters, I am Shiomi Hirakasa. the 'ghost' member of the debate club and the 'ghost' leader of the club's other side."
(Ghost? so she is not an active member of the club?)
I look at her confused but then she smiled and return to her sit.
"For starters, do you believe in the saying, 3 am is the time where devils come out to play?"
I paused for a while to think.
(Pretty sure that is the one where parents force the kids to sleep early or the devil will get them.)
"You mean the thing mothers use to scare their kids?"
"Yes that one."
She claps as if telling me I am right.
"You see, that is not a complete lie. But rather just a piece of the entire system."
"Piece? System?"
I find it confusing since I don't think those saying are actually meant as a warning.
"You seem smart so I guess you already know but every 3 am, this kind of things come out to 'play' and victims such as you are called 'lost one'. Well called by me atleast."
(I see. so the term lost one is about the victims who enter that weird space like the loop.)
"Looks like you understand. Then I will continue. This event always show different scenarios such as what you experienced earlier. Luckily, Jin is there when that happened."
Hearing her explanation made me gulp my own spit.
What would have happened if I am alone there. That scattered limbs must be the enemy right? Can I even fight that?)
"Yes you can."
"Eh?"
I look at Nina who is now pouring tea for me as she calls me to sit on the other couch.
(can she read my mind?)
"No I can't. I just know what you are about to ask."
Nina smiled before placing the teacup infront of me.
I look at the cup and notice the reflection of my eyes through the hot black tea.
"Nina here holds the cursed note. Have you heard about the story regarding the cursed diary that automatically writes a passage every day without fail?"
(Cursed diary... The one where it writes daily occurrence of the owner in one day advance as if predicting what will happen.)
"Yes I read about that one."
"Well, in Nina's case, she is always afraid of facing something she didn't prepare for."
Nina sighs as she sat beside me.
"I always hate it when I present my report in class then the teacher asked something I didn't expect. Which is why I always write everything I know and simulate some questions that might be asked to me."
(So she is similar to me in a way...)
"So? What's the connection to Nina's story and the cursed diary? Don't tell me Nina can see the future of herself?"
Shiomi smiled before continuing.
"As expected. You're smart so I know you will understand. The only correction is Nina can see a day ahead to random targets close to her. And she told us yesterday that you will get lost in the devil's hour in advance which is why Jin able to do something about it."
"So that's why... Thank you Nina."
I look at Nina and lowered my head.
"Don't mind it. I'm just glad my ability helped."
I sip the tea to calm my nerves since the topic right now is quite heavy for someone like me who hates the unknown.
"Regarding to your 'mirror' I can explain it to you but I think it's better to figure it out yourself first. But first, now that you know about this, do you have any questions? I'd be glad if you still continue joining us in this club even after this."
Shiomi smiled at me waiting for my response.
"Ever since I was young. I always hated the word unknown... It feels like I am small. Way too small. Like an ant who only knows what their queen commands. Which is why when I found out about this today, I feel like my entire existence are crushed. I feel betrayed. But... what I hate more is the fact that I can't do anything about it."
I sip more tea to relax as I continue speaking.
"So... it would be best I think if I join you. I mean I can't do anything by myself. What if I got lost again? Knowing that scares me."
Nina hold my hand squeezing it gently.
"Good. Welcome to the other side of our club. Now as the oldest and most experienced member of this club allow me to offer a saying."
I look at Shiomi and asked.
"Saying?"
"Indeed. Remember Sakura. Ignorance is a blessing. The more you know, the more you dig your own grave. So starting now, if you think for a second that something is weird, something is wrong, don't hesitate to call any of us. After all, when you gaze at the abyss, the abyss drags you down to hell."
Shiomi, at that time, I noticed her eyes glowing more vividly.
And when I look at her, I noticed.
(So that's why she said 'ghost' many times.)
Shiomi, her body, is transparent.