The Dead One: The Final Grudge

Chapter 51

Kuro: Sachitarou Aishiteru.....

Koga: That was the name of the boy of the Aka Oni...who died in a car accident.

Kuro: Yep. That about summarize it. After the death of his son. Both him and his wife weren't able to pay for his funeral and they were sent into poverty. This led to constant arguments and the couple's future became astray in their marriage.

Koga: Well fuck...I get they both were in a lot of pain. But for the wife to do that to him.

Kuro: Cheat on him with his colleague is considered a ultimate betrayal in his eyes. One of the people he trusted...Who he thought was one of his friends...

Koga's hand begin to be pulled into a fist.

Koga: That's pretty fucked up. The people around him...who he had trusted...all begin to bully and ridicule him. Geeze. The Aishiteru Family sure has it worse than any other family in the history of Japan.

Kuro: Yeah...all he wanted was someone to care about him and tell him "It wasn't your fault your son died..." Instead...it became the opposite. The wife wanted someone to blame and who better than her own sprouse who was with their child that day.

Koga:....

Kuro: It reminded me of Natsuki...

Koga: Is that one of your friends...?

Kuro: Not really...She's actually one of Mei's friend...but in the other worlds...she betrayed her by stop being her friend because of Maki, who threatened to harm her if she continued to be protect Mei from her.

Koga: Well...that's understandable from her side of the story...

Kuro: Yeah...But I'm still wondering where is-?!!

Kuro suddenly went quiet which became unnerving for Hibiki.

Koga: Kuro?

Kuro didn't answer him as he started walking further into the museum. Koga, feeling anxious, followed him close behind until they stopped at a supply closet.

Koga: Why are we here...?

Kuro: Why do I get the feeling that....

Kuro didn't finish his answer as he opened up the closet.

Koga: ?!

Kuro:......It's exactly as I thought...
looks like we found her....

They found Natsuki...I mean...
what's left of her...

Inside the supply closet, Natsuki's head was put into a stool hanged like a trophy case.

The rest of her body was missing...

Koga: Holy Shit....

Kuro: This is the work of the Aka Oni...She must've been here in this area for a little while...but ended up running into him...Natsuki must've reminded him of his late wife...who betrayed him..

If that was the case, then the poor girl didn't stand a chance...

Kuro closed his eyes feeling the guilt trip hitting him like a beating of a drum. Like usual, he failed to save a life once again.

Kuro: Natsuki...I'm sorry...

Koga:.....

Kuro: Let's go...the museum is now closed for permanently issues...

-Later-

Both boys left the museum, no conversations being held as none of them spoke a word...

Kuro:.......

Koga: Oi. Look...What happened to that girl back there wasn't your fault.

Kuro: But...

Hibiki cut him off before Kuro could say anything else.

Koga: Look. You can feel sorry for yourself later. Right now, don't we got like at least two more games to finish. We're close to finding out the truth. We can't carry anymore burdens when that happens...

Kuro:.....You sure have grown up Hibiki.

Koga: Eh?! What's that supposed to mean?!

Kuro: You...Shouta...and Chibi...you guys have grown up so much...Shouta is still a pervert...but he's became an outstanding person...Yukime...He used to be shy but he became stronger...and you...you used to be foul-mouthed and quick-tempered.....I never thought of it that much...

Koga:....

Kuro: Meanwhile I'm always stuck in the past...wondering how the hell am I still alive...when am I ever going to let it go... Especially if I just keep thinking that life is just meaningless...words are meaningless...Everyone moves on...but I can't...all these horrible memories inside my head like a steel trap...looking for lost answers that never be found...What...am I supposed to do with my life...?

Koga:....Kuro...

Koga, for once, actually soften his gaze at his friend...he puts and hand on his the other boy's shoulder.

Black red eyes stared back into yellow metallic ones.

Koga: It'll be alright...We'll make things right when this is all over...for everyone...

Kuro:.....Okay.

That's all he could say. No more words were necessary.

"Hehehehe~!"

Kuro: Oh no....

Koga: Guess that's my cue to hide, huh?

Kuro: Yes...She's here...She wants to see me...

Koga nodded before going to hide in the shadows as Kuro walked out of the museum and into the dark streets of Shibuya.

From the quiet atmosphere and misty streets, it set him on edge before he saw...her.

Yokai-chan.

Yokai: Yokai-chan is impressed. Once again, you have beat the game. Most people wouldn't last this long.

Kuro: Cut the crap....I'm not in the mood. You killed Natsuki.

Yokai: Ouch. So rude. You better be lucky Yokai-chan likes you. Or else...Shouta will disappear...Chibi will disappear...Mei will disappear...

Kuro:.....

Kuro couldn't give an rat ass if this girl was obsessed with him. She had Shouta poisoned along with Konami and Natsuki being killed off...

Only Yamada and Tokime remained...

But he had to do whatever she says or else...his friends will die...

Kuro: (I have to save them...I better be quick this time...) What's the next game...?

Yokai: Yokai-chan loves this game~~~! You want to know what it is?

Kuro: *Annoyed* Isn't that what I asked already?

Yokai: If you don't play this game. Tokime-kun will disappear forever.

Kuro: (So Class Rep is the victim this time...would this mean...the next spirit is a bystander or something else...)

Yokai: Let's Play...

...."The Red Room"....