Kōki leaned back slightly in his chair, eyes flicking toward Sayoko as he tried to read her expression. "So… you first woke up in the old section of the school?" His fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the desk.
"Yes," Sayoko replied softly, hovering a little above the floor, her hands folded in front of her.
Kōki's gaze shifted quickly to Ayaka. His brow knitted, and he leaned forward slightly. "Wait… Ayaka, was Sayoko's body ever found?" His voice rose a little, tense and uncertain.
Ayaka's posture remained straight, shoulders relaxed. She brushed a strand of hair from her face, then let her eyes drift briefly to the side before returning to Kōki. "No… it wasn't." Her voice stayed calm and firm, carrying the certainty she always showed when she knew more than she revealed.
Kōki's throat tightened, and he swallowed hard, fingers curling slightly around the edge of the desk. His eyes flicked toward Sayoko. "So… if her soul is here with us, that means… she's dead?"
Ayaka's eyes narrowed slightly, and she folded her arms across her chest. "What do you think, genius?" Her voice held a sharp edge of irritation. She straightened, gaze steady on Kōki. "She was reported missing years ago. And from the crime scene, forensic scientists concluded that she died. Some of the blood on the floor belonged to her."
Kōki's fingers fidgeted, drumming lightly on the edge of the desk. "I… see. Thanks for telling me."
Ayaka's lips curved into a faint smile, eyes narrowing just slightly as she studied him. "I know what that means. You're up to something, Kō."
"Who? Me… what are you talking about?" His voice stayed flat, but a faint tension ran through it.
Ayaka's gaze dropped to Kōki's hands. His fingers moved restlessly against each other, never staying still for long. Her shoulders loosened, and her voice lowered.
"Whenever you were about to do something troublesome as a kid, your fingers always moved like that. Seems you haven't changed much."
She straightened, brushing her hair back as she looked at him again.
"Try not to get yourself into trouble, okay? And… help Sayoko as much as you can. I have work tomorrow. Goodnight."
A quiet yawn slipped out as she turned away. Her footsteps moved down the hallway, and the door closed with a soft, controlled sound that lingered in the room.
Kōki blinked once, then again.
How can she stay so calm… and just go to sleep like that?
Kōki let out a slow breath and closed his eyes. His head tipped back slightly, lips barely moving.
"She handled that way too well…"
From behind the closed door down the hallway, a sudden scream tore through the silence.
"Am I losing my mind?! I'm not getting any sleep tonight—!"
Ayaka's voice carried through the house, sharp and unrestrained. The sound struck the walls, then fell away, leaving the hallway quiet again.
Kōki blinked, his gaze lingering on the closed door at the end of the hallway. After a brief pause, he dragged a hand down his face, his palm pressing against his cheek.
"…So much for that."
His eyes shifted, landing on Sayoko as she drifted a little to the side, her body tilting gently as she hovered nearby.
"Guess I'm not the only one losing it tonight."
Later, Kōki paced the room, his footsteps uneven against the floor as he rubbed his face with both hands. He stopped near the window, shoulders tightening.
We'll have to check the old section of the school for clues. It's the only real lead we have… if there's anything left. But that's tomorrow's problem.
He turned back toward them, posture firm despite the fatigue settling in his eyes.
"For now, you two need to stay outside."
Sayoko drifted closer to the ceiling, her body rising just enough to clear the light fixture. Her head tilted slightly, eyes focused on him.
"Why?"
Kōki stopped short and turned back toward her, his brow tightening. His jaw set as he held her gaze.
"What do you mean, why?"
He drew in a slow breath, his chest rising before he let it out through his nose.
"I'm still trying to process the fact that I can see ghosts. And now they're talking to me." His hand dragged through his hair, fingers catching slightly. "It's been a long day. I just… need to sleep."
Sayoko stilled midair, her movement slowing. For a brief moment, a quiet heaviness settled in her eyes before she looked away. When she faced him again, her expression softened into a small smile.
"…Okay. If that's what you want."
She turned toward the door, her body already drifting forward.
"Let's go, Takuto. We'll stay in the basement."
Her faint glow dimmed as she passed through the doorway, fading into the hallway beyond.
Takuto hovered beside her, arms relaxed at his sides. He tilted his head slightly.
"Alright. That works."
"Wait! I said outside!" Kōki snapped, striding toward the door.
Before he could reach it, Sayoko's head appeared through the wall. He stumbled back, catching himself against the edge of the desk, eyes wide.
Her voice carried softly, calm and even.
"Relax, Kōki-kun. We won't bother you. See you in the morning."
She drifted out of sight.
Kōki collapsed onto his bed, letting his hands slide over his face. His back pressed against the mattress, shoulders tense.
Great… what have I gotten myself into?
The next morning, sunlight seeped through the curtains, soft and pale. Kōki stretched his arms briefly before rubbing his eyes, shoulders rising with a quiet groan.
"Ugh… that nightmare from last night…"
Then he froze. Sayoko hovered beside him, her face calm and peaceful, her glow faint in the morning light.
Kōki's eyes widened, and he scrambled backward, landing hard on the floor. His hands pressed against the cold surface as he tried to steady himself.
"So… last night wasn't a dream," he muttered, his body trembling slightly.
Kōki pushed himself up onto both knees, leaning forward slightly as his eyes stayed fixed on her.
She's… still as beautiful as before.
He stretched a hand toward her. His fingers passed through her cheek, meeting nothing but air.
Kōki's shoulders tensed as he rubbed the back of his neck.
This is… weird.
He exhaled through his nose, voice low.
"I didn't know ghosts could sleep."
Takuto's head appeared through the wall, tilting slightly as he floated into view. A small smirk tugged at his lips.
"They don't."
He hovered in place, arms crossed lightly. "No bodies… no need for shut-eye."
Kōki jerked backward, his hands lifting instinctively. Eyes wide, he let out a sharp shout.
"Ahhh!! Can you stop doing that?!"
Takuto floated in place, tilting his head slightly. "What do you mean? It's what I do. I'm a ghost."
Kōki's fists clenched at his sides. His shoulders tightened as he stared at Takuto. "Just… stop. It's creepy."
Takuto's expression sharpened, his eyes locking on Kōki. "Listen… Kōki."
Kōki leaned back slightly, brows furrowed. "What is it now?"
Takuto's gaze didn't waver, his body still as he spoke. "Do you really think you can save Sayoko… to help her pass on?"
Kōki pushed himself to his feet, shoulders stiff. "To be honest… I do not know. But… I will help as much as I can."
Kōki tugged at his shirt, pulling it over his head. The fabric rubbed against his skin. He stepped toward the bathroom, bare feet pressing against the cool floor.
"I'm going to get ready for school," Kōki murmured, voice rough from sleep. His gaze flicked toward Sayoko. "…Do me a favor." He paused, fingers tightening on the edge of the doorframe. "Wake her up."
"Okay, leave that to me," Takuto replied, voice steady. His eyes narrowed slightly as Kōki disappeared from view, expression hardening.
Kōki sank into the tub, water sliding down his arms and pooling around him.
What have I gotten myself into? If I hadn't followed them yesterday…
He exhaled softly, fingers trailing through the ripples spreading across the water. He exhaled slowly, eyes drifting upward to the ceiling.
Suddenly, Sayoko floated through the wall, the air moving slightly around her. Her eyes scanned the room, calm but curious. "Kōki-kun… was I sleeping beside you just now?" Her head tilted a little, gaze fixed on him.
Kōki jumped, water rippling around him. "W-what?! Um… could you leave the bathroom, please?" His hands pressed against the tub edge, and his cheeks burned red.
"I… I can see everything." Sayoko lifted her transparent hands to cover her eyes, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.
Kōki scrambled back in the tub, water sloshing onto the bathroom floor. "I… I didn't mind… but seriously, leave the bathroom," he stammered, fingers gripping the edge of the tub.
"Okay…" Sayoko's voice was soft as she floated toward the doorway.
Kōki exhaled sharply, fingers raking through his wet hair. "Jeez… what is happening to me?" His eyes stayed fixed on the empty space she had just left.