self-work, self-profit || c. divus

「6」

a/n

HEAVY references from my previous fic Sunflower Daydream INCOMING

⚗️

"Mum!"

"..."

"Mum~!"

It was finally Halloween week, an annual event when Night Raven College's celebration with ghosts and visitors had begun, yet Pandora found herself in a pickle.

Her right hand occupied by a much smaller hand, Pandora glanced below to see a young girl dressed in white, no older than five, studying the pumpkin-shaped lollipop she had bought for her in return for silencing her sobbing.

This is what I see people usually do in movies. At least it works.

With a stoic personality like hers and lacking exposure to children, it was no understatement to wonder why the child did not fear her presence.

I'm sure not all children are intimidated by adults...and I did see her randomly crying in one spot. How long should I wait here for her to calm down?

"Child, do you not want to go to the lost children's department and find your parents?" She simply queried, glancing down at such a short figure with the lollipop almost the size of the girl's head. 

"No!"

"Even though you were crying just a moment ago?"

"That's because I don't remember who my parents are," the child answered. "I left them. They didn't leave me."

This child...were children always like this?

"Since you were the one who bought this for me, you're my mother now. I want to see the pirates! Oh, and maybe another lollipop can do."

"Don't be silly," Pandora denied, pulling her hand away from the child. In the first place, the food served was for the students and visitors. "There's no point in buying another lollipop when you can't actually eat it. You're already––"

Dead.

Halloween was an event celebrated by the students of the college, the ghosts who roamed the grounds and the visitors who came to enjoy the students' arranged festivities. Of course, this meant that ghosts that were not visible to the human eye before were free and visible during this particular event. The idea of a lost living child on the campus grounds was an absurd thought, and her hands were cold.

Extremely cold.

The ghost girl casually clung onto Pandora's palm again, and she did not shake it off this time. 

"I do not recommend the pirates," Pandora judged as the two walked down the campus grounds closer to the main building. "I heard there is a fun game happening down at the Lost Children's department. If you do not make your way now you might miss it."

The child puffed her lips and raised her voice. "Stop lying! You just don't wanna hang out with me."

"Congratulations, your prediction is correct."

Despite being a ghost, Pandora could feel the weight of her hand pull from her, and if it were not for the lack of warmth she may not have realised she was part of the undead. Taking a deep breath and considering her current choices, her thoughts were interrupted once loud voices of shouts and screams pierced her ears. Promptly shifting her head towards the direction of the commotion, her legs swiftly carried her to the ruckus, hand unconsciously still intertwined with the child.

"Tsk, it's only the first day of Halloween festivities, why can't they stop causing trouble for once?" Pandora hissed. Once she walked close enough for the students to realise she was behind them, they all flashed each other stunned looks. She glared at each and every one of them. "Boys, you do understand that you all represent the academy? What good would it be if I punished you by having you all pick rubbish from the campus grounds?"