Just Another Ghostly Story

Bloodstained Memento (1)

"I want more action!"

A frustrated Mizuki complains out loud during her training. They're in an empty room with nothing but heaps of boxes and four desks that are arranged into one big table.

"I want to score on my own, I want to level up too, it's not fair that only you get all the kills!"
Her eyes lights up following her morbid desire.

"Don't be hasty, you still have more training to do before you can form a solid weapon. And besides..."
He breaks the weapon Mizuki's trying to form, proving it's fragility. Then gestures for her to redo it.
"Aside from Kirei's case, we haven't really kill anything yet so far. Not even last night's goblins. I just sell them to the Old Man"

"No way! But wait, what about the first ghost then?"
She questions, demanding explanation.

"Fled the scene"

"The Okubi?"

"Curse bound at school"

"The black thing at school?"

"Also sold to Old Man, you were there too remember?"
He answers, raising his brows questioning back. After stumping Mizuki on her train of thought, he comments further
"Just as much as we want to avoid death for humans, we also want to avoid death for ghosts. You don't go around killing everything just because they're causing some mischief. A life is still a life"

"Ughh I'm getting lectured..."
Mizuki regrets her earlier comment, but raises a dilemma of her own.
"Does that mean this weapon making training is useless then?"

"Not necessarily, a weapon is just a tool for physical confrontation when words failed. Most ghosts have primitive intelligence so negotiation wasn't possible, but you can still subdue them without taking their life. And you can prevent more trouble by just locking them up, that's where the Corps comes in"
He explains.

"I-I see.. I wasn't expecting it to be so complicated..."
She holds her head with both hands, trying to wrap her head around it.

But then her phone pings, receiving a text message. An errand from her mom.

"Ah I think I have to go home early today. I have to pick up a parcel from the Agency station and they're closing soon."

"Agency station?"
Daisuke curious.

"Ah you wouldn't know I guess, it's what people around here calls the TMC centres."
Mizuki explains.

"I see, TMC centres huh..."
He have an uncertain expression on him.

"Seriously? You don't even know what a TMC is? Trans Matter Converter? I thought every country have at least a few centres for them, even the poorer ones"

"No of course I've heard of them, I just don't know what they do! I'm not a nerd like you, Hmph!"
He pouts.

'what's with the tsundere act...'
Is what she's thinking right now, not sure how to respond to that.
"They uhh, helps you deliver stuff faster over countries I guess... but very expensive depending on what you're sending... But they have centres all around the world, I'm surprised you haven't seen one yet, Daisuke kun"

"Oh sounds interesting.. okay I'll come with you"

"Eh? ... I'm fine but.. why..?"

"Hmm can't I? Don't get the wrong idea, I'm just making sure you don't get lost or anything!"

"Seriously, why tsundere..."
Even Mizuki is not sure how to retort.

They arrive at what appears to be a building resembling a post office in some part, and a power plant in others. At least that's how it would seem if it were not for the few guards stationed nearby. The guards and general workers dons the same color scheme of black and red with only the army fashioned vests and normal shirts distinguishing them. Though, it is what's inside that really piqued Daisuke's curiosity.