Justice Should be Served || Hetafic

1

BREAKING NEWS
BLONDE CANADIAN WAS MURDERED INSIDE HIS HOME

It was everywhere: on screen, on social media, on newspapers, even broadcasted over radio.The headline was plastered everywhere. The first to receive the news of the death was Alfred, then Arthur, then Francis, and then Jia Long (Leon/Hong Kong). On and on the news passed, until it reached Prussia. Gilbert was the last to find about my murder, and that spun him into a downward spiral of depression, insanity, and self-isolation.

In all honesty, I did not think people would care about my disappearance, except perhaps, Alfred, Arthur, and père. Maybe Leon would care, since we share or I guess shared the same birthday. Gilbert caring would probably also make sense, considering the close relationship we had. However, there are two things I am absolutely perplexed about: 'Who is my murderer?' and Wtf Yao.
I never thought I would be seen or have a conversation after my death, not that I really expected much even before my death, but here I am, talking to the Chinese man. Apparently, Yao has the ability to speak to spirits and energies. We've certainly been talking more than we did when I was alive.
At around 8:40 pm, my spirit would be active. I like to watch over my family to make sure everyone is okay and not in danger. Maybe, my spirit is more active at my time of death? Did I die at 8:40?
Anyway, I would drift to Yao and he would tell me what I missed when my soul was inactive. He gives me grape offerings, that's always nice. However, for some reason, I'm never able to go near Gilbert. Something is prohibiting me from visiting him. The feeling is indescribable.

Time: 8:57pm: 1 Day after Murder

"Have you found out anything relating to my murder?" I asked. Yao sighed, "No, unfortunately. The police still won't let anyone near your house since you've died."

"Makes sense- wait! How is Kumajiro doing?!"
"Ay, Ay... I believe the detective, your counterpart, has him."

I remain quiet for a bit, looking to the side in search of more grapes. Then I changed the subject.. "Why do you always give me grapes."

Yao raised his eyebrows at me and responded, "Because grapes are good? Would you like me to give you a different offering...?"

"I mean I don't actually mind, I'm just wondering," I quickly replied.

"You seem like you mind, come along, you can choose a different food, hm?" Yao stood up from his chair, motioned me to follow, and walked into his kitchen. The kitchen had the lingering scent of an asian market. Yao leaned against the counter of the kitchen and prompted, "Go on, take whatever you want."

I stood in the kitchen awkwardly and glanced at the cupboards. His whole house fell silent.

"Huh? I thought you wanted something different. Are you just going to stand there?" Yao questioned.

"I- yeah, sorry, there's so many options I don't know what I want," I quietly chuckle.

"Would you like me to make you something instead?" Yao tilted his head.

"Um sure, surprise me!" I nodded with a smile.

Yao nodded and pulled out pans to make jiānbǐng guǒzī, which is a Chinese street pancake; they are not sweet like Canadian pancakes. I just sit and watch, considering I have nothing else to do since I am living the ghost life. Yao sets a plate of jiānbǐng guǒzī down and slides it over to me. He then makes another one for himself. I eat mine, they are very different from my own way of making pancakes.

"Ay, laoshi. What food-" Leon had walked into the kitchen and for a moment, I thought he was staring at me like he could see me. I mean, he was looking right at me.
"Jiānbǐng guǒzī? You never make those on a regular night. Is someone coming over?" It turns out he was staring at the pancakes next to me the whole time. Why am I even surprised?

"Ah, I guess you could say that." Yao hums.

"Who?"

"Spirit."

"Ha, Ha, very funny laoshi. Who actually is coming over tonight?"

"Our guest is literally right there and it's very rude of you to say that in front of him."

"And who is he?" WOW. Where have I heard THAT before!?!? A classic line that I can never escape. Gee, Thanks Leon.

Yao was about to reply, but pauses, shakes his head and brushes it off. "Aiyah, you are so nosy all of a sudden Jia Long. Why do you want to know?"

"You claim there's a spirit in the house, who did you call."

"I didn't call, the spirit came to me. Matthew-"

"Laoshi, that's too soon!" Leon suddenly snaps at Yao. I could tell he was hurting deeply.

Yao sighed, "you're the one who asked Jia Long, I only gave you an answer."

"Never say his name in front of me, ever." Leon's expression changed. He takes the plate of the pancakes that was meant for Yao, and leaves the room.

"Duìyú nàgè hěn bàoqiàn- ... I mean sorry, he's angered about all this," Yao apologizes after the other left the room.

"No, I understand. Anger is a stage of grief and we were close before all this happened. It's only natural." I smiled and brushed Leon's outburst aside.
"So what's next?"

Yao rubbed the side of his temples in thought, "I' ve dealt with many ghosts before, but you're the only one who feels alive."

"What does that mean?" I tilt my head

"You're more active and act like you're still human and have all these things to do, one after the other, maybe because you died a day ago. It's just odd to me," Yao smiles.

Our small talk was interrupted by someone knocking on the door. Leon didn't seem to be coming back anytime soon, so Yao went over to get it. It was Lukas at the door.

"Lukas? Is something wrong?" Yao wondered, concern written on his face.

"I had a strange feeling telling me to come here, maybe because Emil might be here... maybe not." Lukas replies. "I kept thinking of your house for some reason."

"I do not believe Emil is here, would you like to come in? Our houses are very far apart, I don't want to have you drive all the way back."

"I would not want to intrude."

I could tell Lukas had caught Yao off guard, there was a long awkward silence. Maybe they can both see me?

Yao breaks the silence between them and asked softly,. "You see him too?"

"I don't know who exactly you mean, but I can definitely tell there's someone over there." Lukas proceeds to point in my direction.

Yao looked where he pointed and looked back at me. "Hao. There is a spirit right there."

"Who's the spirit in your house? Do they have malicious intentions?"

"It's a fresh spirit, and he goes by Matthew Williams. You may also know him as Canada."

Lukas was shocked. "You mean, he's right there?"

"Hao."

Lukas looks at me, without really looking at me. "Hallo, Mr. Williams."

"Hello mister Norway." I immediately reply, forgetting that he might not see me. "Whether you can see me or not."

It seemed he didn't get my response, Yao whipped around to face Lukas, "He says hello to you too."

Lukas nodded. "I remember some studies of ghosts and how to see them. But it is very strange that it does not seem to work on him."

"Then again, he only left his body just yesterday. Perhaps you are more experienced in seeing older ones?"

"Most likely."

The clocks struck midnight, reminding me that I only have until dawn before my spirit is once again inactive. "Excuse me," I clear my throat.

Yao looked at me, so did Lukas, well, kind of, "Thank you Mr. Yao, but I want to go visit Alfie before dawn hits."

"Ah, alright. Yīlù píng'ān," Yao nodded at me.

***
Translations
• "Hao." - mandarin for "good", but is also used for "yes, ok, etc."
• "Yīlù píng'ān." - mandarin for "safe travels".