ᑎOT ᗩᑎYOᑎE || 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗼

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙵𝚘𝚞𝚛: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝙾𝚗𝚎

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 1449

☾︎☀︎︎☽︎☾︎☀︎︎☽︎☾︎☀︎︎☽︎☾︎☀︎︎☽︎

Chapter Four: The Secretive One

☾︎☀︎︎☽︎☾︎☀︎︎☽︎☾︎☀︎︎☽︎☾︎☀︎︎☽︎

Troubled eyes scanned through papers. It's like a scene where the CEO's too overworked to the point that it stresses him just looking at the documents.

Who knew ghosts also experiences nine to five?

Yashiro kept her eyes glued to the scenery from the rooftop's railing and sighed to herself. November is such a tiring month. It used to be just any other day, but with accompanying ghosts, it suddenly became her least favorite month. "That darned Fushigina.." Hanako cursed under his breath, mouthing eight's name. "What is it this time?" Yashiro asked for the nth time today. She can't even count how much he cursed the poor woman.

"Just her contribution's been lousy. She can't even write properly." The male clicked his tongue, flicking the paper right at Yashiro's face. "..I mean, look at this! Not even doctors can dicipher these writings! Is she born in the 1500s or something? She can't even spell 'trauma' right!"

"Let her be! At least she tried her best, right?"

"Except that 'best' isn't enough." With more of his blabbering... more like, rants about the 8th mystery. Yashiro kept quiet, doing everything just to avoid getting bored. Hanako strictly told her to stay with him. She can't even go out to meet Minamoto Kou.. what a bummer.

"Out of all the mysteries, I find Ms. Fushigina as the most interesting." Yashiro said in the most sincere tone she could. She's been thinking about it a lot but couldn't completely open a conversation with Hanako because, why would she? Talking about a mystery that Hanako has honestly mentioned that he isn't close with is quite pointless.

Speaking of it.. The first time she ever saw the apparition was from the meeting a few days ago. There were points that she found odd. Like the way she smiles and talks in such an emotionless tone. The way she also looks at her surroundings is particularly strange. Was she just overcalculating? "Was Ms. Fushigina always bearing a crack on her face? I don’t think I've heard anyone described her having that on any rumors."

Now the she mentioned.. Hanako halted and slowly raised his head as he recalled the odd addition on Fushigina face. "It's also my first time seeing it."

"Really?" Even though Yashiro expected his answer, she was still surprised by his remark. The blonde middle schooler's hand fidgeted in a curious manner. "She's so mysterious.. I want to know more—"

"Interesting isn't she?" An additional voice entered their space.

The two turned their heads to a familiar tone coming from the end of the railing. The male bore a captivating yet terrifying grin, glistening his amber eyes towards them as if he's looking at his new victims. "Do you want to know more about Fushigina?" Tsukasa said with a smile.

"Who invited you here?" Hanako's expression immediately solemn at the sight of his sibling and went back to focusing on the papers he's holding. "How can you be so cruel to your brother?!" Tsukasa immediately stood to sprint towards his sibling. With such a powerful force, Yashiro instinctively distanced herself as she saw Hanako getting pushed back after his twin tackled him with all might. "Was this because I couldn't visit you for a month?! I'm sorry, Amane!"

"No! Get off me!" There they go with their childish antics once again.

The blonde female chose to sit in silence. The outcome she received the last time she tried to interrupt them was still engraved in her head. Now she knows that no matter what happens.. Do not disturb these two for the first ten minutes of their meet-up.

Whilst trying to get closer to his dear brother, Tsukasa's head flung towards Yashiro. "By the way, did I hear it correctly? You guys are talking about Fushigina, right?" He asked.

"Yes. Does Tsukasa-kun know about her?" Yashiro's eyes blinked. She never expected him to be so surprised at the topic. Tsukasa wrapped his arms around the cranky Hanako. "I know so many things about the 8th mystery! But Amane never cares." He stated with a sulky expression and a ducked lip. Due to the conversation, Hanako managed to escape after Tsukasa let his guard down. He sighed, eyeing his sibling.

"Hey, wanna know a secret?" The mischievous male with pumkin eyes grinned at her, knowing she'll say yes. "What is it?"

"The Fushigina you all are seeing isn't the actual 8th mystery."

---_---_---_---_---_---

"What are you doing?! Let go—!" Your arms throbbed in pain from her nails digging through your skin. It was a new side, and you'd never imagine Ai dragging you back home in such a forced manner. "Ai!" You roughly slipped your hand away from her grasp. "What is wrong with you?"

"You can't be out there." Still in this situation, she was smiling. "Why can't I? You were there too—"

"It's dangerous out there. You'll be safe here with me, and you know that." At her remark, your brows furrowed. You can't understand why she was acting like this. A few days ago, she was always telling you how everything is fine as long as you two are together. Now, it feels suffocating, knowing that there's something more out there that she's hiding. "Then, let me experience what dangers are really in there—"

"You can't."

"Yes, I can." You retaliated. "There was a man who knew me, and he never had ill intentions—"

"That's what you think. The people out there will use you for their satisfaction."  Little by litte, her face began cracking. Not in a way that's exaggerated to show how frustrated Ai was. Her face was actually ceacking. Even you, who had no idea what's going on, began to show concern. "Ai? What's happening?" You took a step closer and reached out to her, but she avoided your touch. She covered her face.. trembling in shock. "Ai?"

"It's happening.." She whispered in a souless smile. Her elegant red locks grew darker as time ticks by. "It failed.."

"What failed? What are you talking about?" Your back bent to touch her shoulders. For the longest time, you wanted to repay her for comforting you. But unlike the opposite, you don't know anything about her. You never understood her completely. She was just always saying nonsensical things.

The redheaded slowly lifted her head to you. She revealed a distorted face, far from her usual porcelain skin and delicate features. Your eyes widened, looking at the mess she suddenly became. "Please, don't go out there, Fushigina.." she muttered, still bearing a soft smile. ".. You shouldn't let them hurt you again."

"What?" Again and again, all you do is ask. She never once responded or explained anything. "Ai, what is happening right now? What happened to you, and what is it that you know that I don’t?!" You kneeled down facing her. "Is it because I wanted to leave? Is that why you became like that?" You tried to come up with your own conclusions, but every single one of them was rejected by her.

"My time is up.."

"Then explain why!" You shook her body, trying to make sure she doesn't fall into deep sleep. "Why aren't you answering my questions?" Is it really not safe out there? Just after a few moments of exposing yourself outside, Ai collapsed and looked like she'll be—... gone soon. "No, you can't leave me here." Your voice cracked, pushing yourself to her and wrapping your arms to feel the warmth that she always gave you. "Ai, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left.. I will listen, so please.."

"Chiyo.." she softly muttered right through your ears. "Find Enzo and hide.."

"Alright, I can do that.." You exhaled, nodding furiously at her request. ".. Just stay with me." It was just one request, yet it felt too farfetched. Ai shook her head with a smile. "I'm sorry, I can't." Her lips trembled, trying her best to mumble the words in her head. "I was only a product of your memories, and it's time to take it back.." Just as she said those words, you felt yourself unwillingly consuming energy.. as if Ai was being eaten by you.

It doesn't feel fair when you were just trying to see a new world for yourself, but that happiness takes something heavier. Ai's body limped, slowly becoming specs of energy that goes straight through you. "Chiyo.." with a smile, she reached out for your warmth one last time. "..Thank you for being a lovely friend."