17. Ghosts of the Past

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The train station buzzed with morning commuters, but Emily was focused entirely on Chifuyu. He stood by the ticket gates, hands in his pockets, looking a bit out of place among the crowd. His outfit was casual but had a touch of charm—a loose white t-shirt featuring a black cat with its tail curling around the hem. Paired with dark jeans slightly frayed at the knees and his well-worn sneakers, he had an effortlessly laid-back look. A silver chain dangled from his pocket, adding a subtle edge to his style. When he noticed Emily, he brightened, giving her a small wave.

Emily's outfit was playful and soft, fitting her whimsical style. She wore an oversized white t-shirt with a quirky anime print, its loose fit adding to the relaxed vibe. She paired it with pastel pink pants with frilly ruffles around the ankles. Her socks, decorated with little bunny illustrations, peeked out from chunky platform sandals, which had adorable bunny-ear details. A soft, ruffled collar with ties around her neck completed her look, giving her a sweet, almost doll-like charm.

Lilia joined them shortly after, adjusting her bag strap and eyeing the two with curious interest. "So, you must be Chifuyu," she said with a grin, extending her hand. "Emily's told me all about you."

Chifuyu chuckled, shaking her hand

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Chifuyu chuckled, shaking her hand. "Nice to finally meet you too," he replied, taking in her striking appearance. Lilia's gothic style made her stand out as always—she wore a black corset top with delicate lace edging, paired with a deep plum layered skirt that reached just above her knees. Black lace tights showed beneath chunky platform boots strapped with silver buckles, adorned with tiny moon and star charms. A choker with a silver cross hung around her neck, and her fingers were decorated with dark rings and her long black hair framed her face, highlighting her sharp eyeliner and dark lipstick, completing her effortlessly edgy look.

As the three of them left the station, Emily felt an odd mixture of nostalgia and nervousness settle over her. She hadn't visited this neighborhood in years, and every familiar street and storefront tugged at memories she thought she'd left behind. She kept her gaze forward, focusing on the rhythm of their footsteps as they walked until a park came into view as they rounded a corner. Its playground equipment looked worn but familiar, the bright colors faded by years of sun and rain. Emily slowed down, her eyes lingering on the swings where she and Mikey used to sit, laughing until their stomachs hurt or falling into quiet conversations under the stars.

Lilia noticed Emily's gaze drifting toward the park. "This place seems important to you," she said, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "Did you and Mikey spend a lot of time here?"

Emily hesitated, feeling Chifuyu and Lilia's eyes on her. "Yeah," she admitted softly. "We used to come here a lot when we were kids. Mikey... he was always dragging me here at night to watch the stars. He'd point out constellations and make up stories for them." She gave a wistful smile, her eyes distant. "He'd say that as long as we had the stars, we were never really alone."

"

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