The New Ajin

Chapter Nine

I finish drying the rest of my body. I wrap the towel around my hair and start to put on my dry clothes. I'm not sure how, but when Mr. Sotou was talking, I felt as if he was speaking to other Ajins, not the humans. I'm sure when it comes to the meeting, the black ghosts will represent the Ajins. What I've noticed is that no human can see the black ghost.

I want no part in this. All I want is to go to America to find my biological mother in Dallas, Texas. My identity is not public, I bet I could easily hop on a plane to leave. No, wait, I can't. There must be more of those American men from earlier. I'm sure they are waiting at the airports, train stations and probably even the bus stations. Where should I go? I can't stay here. I cant even stay in Tokyo. 

I push the bathroom door open and Naoki is leaning against the wall.

"Eri," he starts saying.

"No, Naoki. I might not have a plan, but I do know that I'm not going to that stupid meeting," I say over him.

"Eri, just think about it," he says.

"No. I have," I say, "I'm not going."

"But why not? They could help hid you. They can show you the way of being an Ajin," he walks over to me and places his hands on my shoulders.

I shrug him off, "You need to take a shower."

I walk away from him and to my Foster brothers room. Miki is fifteen years old but maybe he has some baggy clothes that might fit Naoki. I dig through his dresser and find a huge white t-shirt and black basketball shorts. Has Miki grown this much?

"What are you doing?" I hear a deeper voice ask. I turn around and face my Foster brother, Miki. But last time I had seen him, he was a foot shorter.

"Miki?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Duh. Who else would it be?" He sneers back. Good to see that he has the same attitude.

"Who's that man sulking in  the living room?" Miki asks.

"That's Naoki, can he borrow these clothes?" I ask him.

"If I didn't show up, were you just going to take them?" He counters.

"...maybe," I shrug my shoulders.

What Miki does next surprises me. He walks over to me and wraps me in a hug,

"We've all missed you, Eri."

I hesitantly hug him back, "Miki?"

"Mhm?" He still has a hold of me.

"You're really tall now," I say.

"You're shorter than I remember," he says back.

I chuckle and hold him close, "I guess I've missed you, too."

We eventually let go of each other.

"What are you doing here, anyway? Aren't you usually with your girlfriend on Sunday?" I ask him.

He scratches the back of his head, "we broke up five months ago."

"Oh. I'm sorry?" I say.

"Nah. It's cool. I broke up with her. She was so jealous. I couldn't even talk to another girl," Miki shrugs.

I nod my head but don't know how to reply. Miki and I never really talked. He had so much sass and every time he opened his mouth, I wanted to punch him.

But he looks like he's mellowed out a little bit. I awkwardly walk out of his bedroom and see Naoki slouching on the couch. I toss the pile of clothes at him.

"There is a towel waiting for you in the bathroom. Feel free to use Miki's conditioning and stuff," I say to him. He gives me a pouty look before standing up and slumping to the bathroom. I watch him as he closes the door. 

I sigh and plop onto the couch. I sigh again but louder. Nobody shows up. I roll my eyes and sigh once more.

"What do you want?" Miki shouts from his bedroom.

"Come here and talk to me!" I shout back. He groans and stomps out of his bedroom and stands in front of me.

"What?" he crosses his arms.

"I need to talk to a friend," I say.

He looks around the room, "I don't see one."  

I pretend to laugh, "now seriously, sit down." 

He rolls his eyes and sits down," what is it?"

"I need you to cover for me," I say.

"Like how we used to when you would sneak out and get-" he starts saying but I cover his mouth with my hand.

"Shut up. No this is slightly different. I need you to tell Naoki that I'm sorry and that's it," I say.

"Wait. What do you mean?" Miki asks.

I give him my phone and stand up, "I can't stay with Noaki."