Sunset Ghost

The First Way Station

サンセットゴースト
Sunset Ghost
__________________________第11章
第1ウェイステーション
__________________________

By the time they reached Madoka's shop, the rain had only worsened, increasing Kageyama's encroaching feeling of worry. After what Hinata had told him, his brain was spinning in a never-ending loop of confusion, and a single question: How can someone have the aura of a human and a ghost? Nowhere in any of Yachi's books had anything like that ever been mentioned.

He resolved to ask Madoka, but when they got back, the shop was empty, the front door locked and the shop windows dark. Kageyama let out a frustrated sigh at this realization, shifting Hinata's weight on his back to reach for his phone in the back pocket of his jeans. As he walked, he sent a text to Yachi saying he'd found Hinata and would see her the next day.

Hinata watched him as he tucked it back in his pocket, head lulling slightly on his shoulder. "I'm really sorry... I didn't want to worry everyone so much."

Kageyama sighed again. "It's fine, really. It's not your fault you got scared."

They walked in silence for a while until Hinata shifted on his back again, trailing warmth across his shoulders. Kageyama found it much more pleasant than his usual aura of freezing cold. "Where are we going?"

"Home," he replied quietly. "My parents are gone, so it should be fine if you stay there for a while." He paused, feeling the flicker of a smile cross his lips. "Besides, they wouldn't be able to see you, anyway."

Hinata giggled, and the sound was familiar and reassuring. "You're right." His arms tightened around Kageyama's neck as his mood turned sober. "But thank you. I... really feel better if I'm with you." As if that phrase didn't have a kick-like effect to Kageyama, he laughed again. "Haha, you know, this reminds me of when I used to give my little sister piggy-back rides."

For a second, Kageyama stopped walking, surprised. Hinata had never shared anything about his life before, and that he was finally doing it now made him feel... happy? It was like they were actually friends: It meant Hinata trusted him, which gave him a strangely... satisfied feeling. He forced himself to start walking again before Hinata noticed something was up, but had to lower his face to hide the smile there.

I'm an idiot.

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Dusk was settling over the Natori sky-line when they reached Kageyama's house. A chill breeze had settled over the landscape, and Kageyama couldn't feel his fingers by the time he finally managed to unlock the door and escape into the warmth beyond. He stumbled inside, kicking off his shoes and tossing his stuff on the floor, letting out a relieved sigh as the heat hit him.

"Can I set you down now?" he panted to Hinata, feeling like his muscles were about to give out, even though the redhead weighed next to nothing.

"Mmm." The boy tapped his shoulder lazily in consent and Kageyama lowered into a crouch, allowing him to slide off easily. As he straightened, his back popped painfully and Kageyama winced, muttering a curse under his breath as he wandered over to the fridge. He was about to ask Hinata if he wanted anything, but then remembered he was a ghost and couldn't help but laugh at himself.

While Kageyama removed the milk and sipped from the carton, Hinata flounced around the house, making appreciative noises. "Tobio, hey, hey, what is this painting thing?" he inquired, pointing at a mural on the living room wall. Kageyama set down the milk carton, startled (as always) hearing his name come out of the smaller boy's mouth. He walked around the kitchen island and came closer, pausing with his hands on his hips, studying the familiar portrait. "My dad has a thing for antique paintings. He collects them. He got that one at an auction when I was ten."