Black Smoke

Bathtub

      The way back to your house was still slightly unknown to you but fortunately the taller boy was patient and seemed to pay no mind to carrying you on his back. After confusingly navigating the area the two of you managed to find a way back onto the main trail. You figured it was probably time to ask for some much needed clarity but the boy seemed preoccupied with thought so you opted to soak in the trip home.

     In the moonlight the man's face was stunningly cold and his dark blue eyes glistened. He seemed to barely notice hoisting you up on his back and he walked with incredible pace. As he strolled down your familiar street you wondered how you had already gotten home, you hadn't given the boy directions for some time now. Deciding to give the man deniability in your own mind you blurt out directions.

"My house is at the end of this street!" You exclaimed.

"Happy to be home?"

"Extremely, Thank you for helping me, you wouldn't mind coming in for a bit, would y-?" Before you finished speaking you were cut off again.

"Y-yes! Yeah, um, you have questions I'm sure?" He said before gently setting you down.

      You shuffled through the front door and invited the boy in. The air held an awkward feeling and as you made your way into the kitchen the silence broke.

"So, you want to know what that was?" Yuta asked.

"The ghost that grabbed me? Can you see them too?"

     Okkotsu took a sheepish step forward and spoke softly. He gathered his breathing and slowly began explaining.

"They're called curses; they're akin to a ghost however, born out of misguided emotions."

     The supernatural was always intriguing to you but to have someone all but confirm the existence of it was a large undertaking to process. Could this "curse" be related to the ghost you'd been seeing over the past year and how did Yuta know all this was real? Could you even trust the young man, and did you have the choice to not believe him? As you tried to form your scattered thoughts and questions into a reply Yuta spoke again. He continued his mysterious explanation with a soft smile.

"My job is to fight off and destroy these cursed spirits and you'll have to forgive me, I know it's confusing." Yuta continued, "I just recently moved here, there's been more and more cursed spirits spotted around the area."

"So how did you know I was in danger, let alone where I was, I mean, I'm grateful but it feels so lucky."

      Yuta looked softly into your eyes seemingly trying to lose himself in your gaze as he parted his lips slightly. Having him here was a welcome distraction from all of the strange and sinister things that had been happening to you lately. It was oddly refreshing to talk to the young man despite the fact that the two of you were almost perfect strangers. Yet, he had already saved you from the unknown.

"I promise it was nothing sinister, cursed spirits let off an energy that people like me can sense."

     This reply left you with only one burning question, why could you see her?

"Yuta, is it too forward if I confide something in you?"

"No not at all, I'm here to help with whatever you need." Okkotsu replied.

"So, there's something I've been seeing lately, I think it may be a cursed spirit like you've mentioned. I see her sometimes, late at night but she's not like the one that you saved me from, she's- she's different I feel as if she's watching over me."

      As you finished speaking a wave of relief washed over you. Just getting this secret off of your chest made you feel so much better. The statement seemed to cause Yuta a bit of anxiety as he pondered a reply.