Japanese ghost stories

Multiplication table : Part 2

    Mr. Sawada fell asleep in his office, only to have seen the bright round moon outside the window when he woke up. "Gosh! I overslept!"                                                                                                 

    Mr. Sawada rushed to the classroom anxiously. As he opened the door, he found Ikiru's cold body lying on the floor.

Being scared out of his wits, Mr. Sawada fled the scene at once. One years later, it was another night brimmed with bright moonlight. Mr. Sawada who had won the Best Teacher Award, walked home alone after a celebration with his fellow teacher.

     He heard footsteps behind, as if stalking him. Looking back, he saw nobody. "Did I heard it right?" thought Mr. Sawada.

     The footsteps were heard again as he resumed walking. He looked back again. It gave Mr. Sawada a great shock to see Ikiru staring at him fiercely. His mind went blank.

     Murmering the multiplication, Ikiru slowly approaching his teacher. "4 x 1 = 4, 4 x 2 =8, 4 x 3 = 12..."

     "Ikiru, don't come any closer!" Mr. Sawada retreated and lost his footing.

     Ikiru continued reading out loud the multiplication. " 4 x 4 = 16, 4 x 5 = 20...4 x 9 = 36. Ikiru's face was now right in front of Mr. Sawada's. " Sir, I've finally got it all right. Am I a good boy?"

     Staring at his teacher, the with part of Ikiru's eyes turned black slowly.

" Sir, I'll come tomorrow and read you the multiplication again"