Next morning.
Mallory went to school like usual. Before classes started, students liked to hang out with each other.
In Class 2-B, Mallory was trapped between Izu and the class rep,Aya.
"It's true! They said they saw something in this picture if you look carefully." Izu shoved his phone toward Aya.
Aya pushed his glasses up and studied the photo. "Are you trying to scam me? There's nothing here. Do you see anything?"
"No. But some people in the forum said they saw something in this picture."
"Maybe they're all liars. You should stop wasting your time on this, Izu."
As they kept bickering, Mallory grew annoyed.
"Why are you two arguing at my desk? Can't you fight somewhere else, please?" Mallory said.
"Mal, look again at this picture. Maybe you'll notice something after the second time," Izu insisted.
"What's the difference between looking once or twice? If there's nothing there, even if you stare at it a thousand times, you still won't see anything." Mallory groaned.
"Please, Mal. You're my best friend." Izu pleaded.
"Tchh! Fine. Show me the picture." Mallory finally surrendered.
He scanned the photo on Izu's phone. It showed the inside of a train, it was dark and gloomy, lit only by what looked like a flash.
"I told you, there's noth-" Suddenly, Mallory froze.
"What?! You see something?" Izu leaned closer to Mallory.
Aya also leaned in from behind.
"There… there's something here." Mallory's voice was low. He pointed at the top-right corner of the picture. A whitish figure seemed to be sitting on one of the train seats.
'What is this? I swear I didn't notice anything like this before when Izu showed me.' Mallory's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Where? Where do you see it?" Izu pressed.
"Here." Mallory pointed again.
Izu and Aya squinted, their faces only inches from the screen. After a few moments, both of them leaned back.
"Are you conspiring with Izu, Mallory?" Aya narrowed his eyes.
"No. It's really there. You can't see it? It's very clear. You see it too, Izu?"
"Sorry, Mal." Izu gave him a pitying look. "I really appreciate it. Maybe you're just saying this to make me happy. But… I can't see anything."
What is happening? Do my eyes have a problem? He rubbed both eyes hard. Then looked back at the photo, the 'thing' was still there. The white figure.
"Izu, send this picture to my phone," Mallory ordered.
"Okay."
Ding ding ding!
"The bell. Talk to you guys later." Aya slipped past him and walked to her seat.
Teacher Ayumi entered the class right on time. In Japan, one thing that always impressed Mallory was their punctuality. If the class started at 7.30 am, then it would definitely start at 7.30 am, sharp.
"Alright, class. As usual, please respond when I call your name." Ayumi's voice was calm, though her hand was still massaging her neck. The pain hadn't subsided since yesterday, though at least it hadn't worsened. She regretted trying to sleep without a pillow last night.
Mallory was still staring at the photo on his phone when his name was suddenly called.
"Mallory!"
"Here!" He quickly raised his hand and looked forward at his teacher.
And then, he froze.
Perched on Ayumi's right shoulder was a huge, black shape. It was covered in thick fur, its body hunched and heavy. Two glowing red eyes gleamed as it stared sharp at his teacher.
'W-what is that?' Mallory froze in place.
"Are you okay, Mallory?" Ayumi asked.
"I-I'm okay, teacher." He quickly lowered his hand.
Slowly, he raised his phone and tried to snap a picture of the creature.
Click!
He took it.
At that very moment, the black creature turned. Its glowing red eyes locked directly onto Mallory. The sharpness of its stare went through him like a blade. Mallory instantly hid his phone under the desk and looked down, avoiding its gaze. Sweat began to appear and run down his forehead.
"Alright class. Turn to page fifty-four. Today we'll learn about the science behind plant transpiration. It is an essential process for plants to grow."
Teacher Ayumi, as always, liked to walk around the room while teaching.
Mallory tried to glance upward. The creature was still watching him. Its head twisted unnaturally, turning a full 180 degrees to keep its eyes on him.
And then, Ayumi walked down his row.
"Okay now, class. Tell me, what is the product of transpiration?"
Gulp.
Mallory swallowed hard. She stopped, right in front of his desk.
"Mallory. Tell me the answer," Ayumi said.
Mallory trembled violently. His palms were slick with sweat as he slowly raised his head.
The black creature was right there, its red eyes leveled with his own. Slowly, it stretched its mouth into a twisted grin, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
"Arrgh!"
Mallory toppled backward with his chair. Scrambling to his feet, he bolted for the door.
"Hey, Mallory! Where are you going?" Ayumi shouted after him.
"I-I am going to the toilet! Emergency!" Mallory shouted.
Even Izu was left stunned. "Did he ate something wrong this morning? Was the poop was at the end of its line?"
Mallory sprinted down the hallwayas his heart pounding until he reached the restroom. His breathing were heavy.
"What's happening to me today? I don't feel right…" He twisted the faucet and splashed cold water on his face. Droplets ran down his brown hair as he stared at his own reflection. His face looked pale and drained.
Then, a movement.
In the mirror, on the ceiling behind him, a black figure crept with four twisted limbs.
Mallory gasped and spun around. Nothing there. The ceiling was empty.
But before relief could settle in, something cold and heavy coiled over his shoulder. A black appendage stretched out from the mirror itself, gripping him.
With his eyes widened, Mallory shoved it away with all his strength, breaking free from it. Without a second thought, he tore out of the restroom, running as fast as his legs could carry him.
"God… please, what is happening here?" he was really confused.
As he ran down the hallway, Mallory rushed past June and her friends. She stopped mid-step, turning her head slowly to watch him. Her red eyes were strangely calm.
"Why you stop suddenly, June-chan?" Rin asked as June was left behind the group.
"Nothing." June said calmly with a smile.
Meanwhile, by the time Mallory stopped, he was on the roof of the school building. While panting hard, he clung to the railing for support before sliding down to sit on the concrete.
He tilted his head back, staring at the endless sky.
"Are all these things I'm seeing… ghosts? Are they really really existed?" he murmured to himself.
"No, no, no… I must be tired from cleaning the store yesterday. Yes… that has to be it. My eyes just need rest… then it'll all go away."
He closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.
---
Five hours later.
"What-!" Mallory awake and jolted up.
The sky burned with an orange hue, the sun nearly swallowed by the horizon.
"Damn. How long have I been asleep?" He scrambled to his feet and sprinted toward his classroom to grab his bag.
On his way through the empty hallway, he nearly collided again with June. She stood by the window as her hands resting loosely on the frame, her eyes gazing out.
"Miss Izanagi… what are you doing here?" Mallory asked while catching his breath.
June turned toward him slowly. Her expression was unreadable.
"You…" Her voice was soft, but steady. "You can see yokai, can't you?"