Chapter 20: Light an Incense Stick for Yourself
"This young man is very polite."
Miko's father revealed a kind smile and reached out to shake hands with Yoru.
It wasn't until he saw the slightly astonished look in his daughter's eyes that he froze for a moment. Then, realizing the situation belatedly, he exclaimed in surprise:
"Wait a minute. You can see me?"
"Not just me."
Yoru pointed at Yotsuya Miko standing beside him.
"She can see you too."
"Huh?"
Miko's father looked completely bewildered, appearing just like a normal person.
This further confirmed the conjecture in Yoru's heart.
The soul of Miko's father was a very special existence capable of communication.
The evidence was clear: he already knew that Yoru and Miko could "see" him, yet he showed absolutely no hostility.
"This, that..."
Miko's father scratched his head. After struggling to organize his words for a long time, he looked at Miko and smiled sheepishly.
"Um, is this your boyfriend? That's good, that's good."
Miko sighed helplessly, massaging her forehead. "You're already a ghost, yet you're still so dense. Honestly."
She had always been able to see her father's soul. The reason she hadn't communicated with him was because terrifying evil spirits often appeared in the house.
Now, Miko wasn't worried about that problem anymore.
The house was very "clean."
For some reason, a strange analogy popped into her head.
Evil spirits are like mosquitoes, and I'm like someone with Type AB blood who always attracts them.
And the aura on Yoru is like mosquito repellent coil.
If only I could keep him in the house like a pet.
"Alright, you two father and daughter talk."
Seeing that both Miko and her father looked like they had something to say but were hesitating, Yoru shrugged nonchalantly and headed for the living room, leaving the human and ghost some space to talk alone.
After Yoru left.
Miko's father scratched his head, a slightly awkward smile appearing on his face.
"Um, about eating your pudding... I'm very sorry."
Miko pursed her lips, tears welling up in her eyes. She shook her head and whispered.
"No, that's all in the past. You don't need to apologize. I was being too willful."
The reason Miko's father became a soul trapped by obsession after death was simple.
He had secretly eaten the pudding Miko had put in the fridge, and they had a huge fight because of it.
It sounded like a trivial matter.
But before they could resolve the conflict, Miko's father passed away due to illness.
This small incident became the root of his obsession.
It wasn't just Miko's father.
Miko had also been regretting it constantly, wondering why she had left such a regret.
Now, she finally had the chance to make amends.
This was the first time in her life she felt there was a benefit to having the "Sight."
"Mmhmm."
Miko's father nodded slightly and smiled.
"In that case, it's time for me to move on."
Although there was reluctance in Miko's eyes, she nodded obediently.
Souls shouldn't linger in the world of the living.
Since the obsession her father left behind had been resolved, it was time for him to pass on to the afterlife.
However, contrary to expectations.
More than ten seconds passed, yet Miko's father still hadn't disappeared. His body showed no signs of fading; he was still standing there perfectly fine.
"This...?"
Miko looked confused, unable to understand why.
Logically speaking, once the obsession dissipated, the soul should have moved on.
Why was her father still here?
"Oh right, I forgot."
Miko's father thought for a moment, then suddenly had a realization.
"I still have another obsession."
"Another one?"
"Yes."
Miko's father stopped smiling and put on a serious face, speaking slowly.
"I want to talk to that student, Yoru."
"Talk to him?"
Miko was startled and waved her hands hurriedly to explain.
"Um... you've misunderstood. He isn't my boyfriend."
"Even if he isn't your boyfriend, he's the first boy you've brought home since you were little. I should chat with him regardless."
At this point, Miko's father paused and sighed heavily.
"Besides, both you and he possess abilities that ordinary people do not."
Hearing this, Miko looked hesitant, but finally bit her lower lip and nodded.
Then, watching her father walk towards the living room, she carefully offered a reminder.
"Um, Father, you should be mentally prepared."
"Mentally prepared?"
Miko's father waved his hand and laughed heartily.
"How old am I? Would I get nervous talking to a half-grown kid? Don't worry."
....
Miko's father had been full of confidence.
It's just a high school boy. As a former head of the household who had weathered society for many years and was mature and steady, he would definitely control the conversation.
He had to figure out if this kid named Yoru had any improper thoughts about his daughter.
This persistence of an old father was his final obsession.
He had even prepared an imposing opening line, but the moment he stepped into the living room, he froze.
"You're here? Sit, sit."
Yoru was sitting cross-legged on the floor, right in front of the photo and spirit tablet of Miko's father.
What was even more outrageous was...
He was holding a pudding in his hand.
Miko's father was stunned.
"You... what you're holding... isn't that..."
"That's right."
Yoru replied nonchalantly.
"It's the pudding offered to you."
Seeing him admit it so directly, Miko's father was completely flabbergasted.
Stealing offerings meant for the dead?
That was already outrageous enough.
But what was even more outrageous was stealing and eating it right in front of the person being worshiped!
Now he finally understood what his daughter meant by "be mentally prepared."
This kid...
Is he mentally unstable?
Looking at the dumbstruck father, Yoru remained righteous and confident. His attitude was simply matter-of-fact.
"I figured you couldn't eat it anyway, so leaving it here would be a waste. Might as well let me eat it."
Miko's father's expression was very complicated. He looked at the pudding in Yoru's hand, smacked his lips, and finally could only sigh helplessly.
"Fine, fine. You're a guest after all. If you want to eat it, go ahead."
Miko's father tried hard to compose his emotions, maintaining a serious demeanor as he walked over slowly and sat cross-legged next to Yoru.
Before he could open his mouth to deliver the imposing opening line he had prepared, he was completely broken by Yoru's next action and sentence.
Yoru handed an incense stick to Miko's father and smiled very naturally.
"Since you're not doing anything, why don't you light an incense stick for yourself?"