The strangest part about death isn't actually dying, it's what comes after. Though, I guess one could argue that dying isn't really meant to be strange so much as it's supposed to be scary. Which, now, in my current situation, I can't help but feel that fearing death is the strange part of death. Why fear the inevitable?
My death in particular wasn't inevitable, so I guess I'm the wrong person to be thinking so deeply about those instances of death. I'm not even "dead" anyway.
"Amane~ Amane~"
She, on the other hand, is dead.
"Yuuko-san?"
"I'm glad you finally woke up! You've been sleeping for a while."
Cascades of raven-black hair spilled forward, brushing against my cheeks with the texture of liquid silk. Her striking, red-eyes bore into mine, framed by skin as pale and luminous as moonlight against porcelain. Not to mention the imposing curves of an absurdly beautiful body hovering just inches above me.
'Wait... if I remember correctly, the image of Yuuko changes based on belief? Or was it perception?'
Reaching with my hand, I caressed her jade-like cheek. It was a baffling sensation—the surface was smooth and cool, carrying a distinct chill, yet my fingertips tingled with a phantom warmth that my mind insisted was real.
'How bizarre.'
"Hehe~ You wanted to touch me that badly?"
Yuuko grabbed my hand and pressed it to her bountiful chest without a shred of hesitation. The soft resistance against my palm was shockingly solid. There was weight, a elasticity that defied her spectral nature; Everything about her wasn't different from a living person aside from the faint chill.
"Hm~ Hm~, you're so bold today Amane~"
A flush of crimson bloomed across Yuuko's pale cheeks, contrasting sharply against the alabaster white of her skin.
'How is she doing that?'
It wasn't an embarrassed kind of flush, but regardless, blushing only happens when blood rushes to the face too fast.
'Unless I'm wrong?'
Looking to my right, I saw Yuuko's stomach; a bit further, I saw what I was resting on. Shamelessly, I turned my body in its direction, shoving my face into her stomach. I could go further, but that would be a bit bastardly.
Of course, she was in her iconic black sailor uniform so it wasn't like I was doing this with her naked.
"Aw~, you're being more honest today!"
"Haha~, I guess so, Yuuko."
I closed my eyes, enjoying this strange mix of warm and cold. Her slender hand stroking my hair as the sun gleamed through the window. It was so soothing; everything about this was a gift from my death.
[So... can I intervene now?]
'Ah. A system?'
[You know of my kind?]
'Quite fondly, yes.'
[Good! Then I'll just explain what type I am and you'll be able to figure out the rest.]
'Shouldn't be too hard.'
[Sweet! Then after this I'm going to sleep for a bit; I'm an affection-type. Clear?]
'The more meaningful connections I have, I'll get rewards or something?'
[Yep! Opposite sex... well, I guess you can do same-sex as well, but I doubt you'll be doing that.]
'Yeah, not my cup of tea to say the least.'
[Fair enough, basically-]
'Having quality over quantity is better?'
[Yeah, but I was going to say the connection has to go both ways. If anything, just think of your life as an advanced dating sim now... for now rather.]
'What does that mean...'
[You'll figure it out, I'm sure. I'm going to sleep now.]
My eyes were still closed. The golden-grey system screen along with the female voice vanished.
Ding~
[Yuuko's affection has reached Close Friends level]
[Your affection for Yuuko has reached Friends level]
I stared at the screen, finding it fair. I knew of Yuuko from her original series and liked her character already. Her also greeting me as the first person I see in this new life of mine also helped. I actually would consider a special friend or close friend rather, but the system definitely has its own gauge.
'Could it be that subconsciously I don't consider her that close? It would make sense...'
Suddenly seeing a fictional character become real would definitely need some time adjusting the mind to such a concept.
[Rewards: All stats plus 10! (For acquaintance level), Soul-binding contract (Friends level reward).]
'Oh?'
Instantly, my body and mind felt clearer. With the reward in question, it became clear that there was a status panel, but I didn't look at it. Instead, the soul-binding contract was my main focus.
[Soul-binding contract: Must be signed between a human and a spirit. The human becomes the binding factor for the spirit, allowing the spirit to roam within a kilometer of the human.]
'Isn't this perfect for Yuuko?'
Opening my eyes, I glanced up to see Yuuko's red-eyes staring back into mine. The original protagonist wasn't Amane, but it didn't take a genius to realize that this world was different from the original work. There could be and definitely would be many changes that I would come in contact with. However, none of that mattered now; all that mattered was helping out Yuuko. She deserved this much at least.
"Yuuko."
"Yes?"
"Would you like to be able to follow me around everywhere?"
"Pfft~ Of course but-?!"
"Good then."
[Contract signed.]
[Spirit Kanoe Yuuko has been bound to the host.]
I didn't acknowledge whatever reaction she just had. Grabbing her hand, I started walking out of the room, then out of the old school building, all the way until we reached the school's exit, which wasn't the school that she should have been bound in. That school's name I'd forgotten, but this one in front of me was also one that I didn't remember.
Kamiyama High School
The characters were etched deeply into the pillar, sharp and imposing.
'I wonder… is this an original setting, or from another series?'
The thought flickered and died; it didn't matter. Not right now at the very least.
I turned to my right, watching Yuuko. She had stopped dead, lost in the sensory overload of the world she lost. Tears welled in her wide red-eyes, spilling over her lashes to trace glowing paths down her cheeks. It was a jarring, beautiful contrast to the flirty, confident mask she had worn back in that dusty clubroom.
"So," I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze to ground her. "Want to come home with me?"
Her gaze snapped to mine. For a second, she looked fragile, like glass poised to shatter, but then a smile broke through the tears. It was a radiant, unguarded expression that seemed to bloom across her entire face.
"Hm!"