Kōki leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Sayoko.
"So… you first appeared in the old school building?"
His fingers tapped against the edge of the desk.
"Yeah," Sayoko replied.
"Do you remember why you were there? Like, was there a reason you went to the school?"
"Not that I can remember..."
Sayoko lowered her gaze.
Kōki's fingers stopped tapping.
"Wait a second… Ayaka, did they ever find Sayoko's body?"
Ayaka's eyebrows twitched.
"No… they didn't."
Kōki glanced at Sayoko.
"Her soul's here with us. Doesn't that pretty much confirm she's dead?"
Ayaka folded her arms and leaned against the doorframe.
"What do you think, genius?"
She pushed herself away from the frame and straightened.
"She was reported missing years ago. The forensic investigators examined the crime scene and concluded that she was dead. Some of the blood they found on the floor was hers."
Kōki's fingers drummed against the desk. He glanced down at them before pulling his hand back.
"I… see. Thanks for telling me."
The corners of Ayaka's mouth lifted.
"I know that look. You're planning something, Kō."
Kōki blinked.
"Me? What are you talking about?"
Ayaka's gaze shifted to his hands.
"Whenever you were about to do something troublesome as a kid, your fingers would always start moving like that. Guess you haven't changed much."
A chuckle escaped her.
Ayaka stretched her arms above her head.
"Try not to get yourself into trouble, okay? And… help Sayoko out as much as you can. I've got work tomorrow. Goodnight."
She turned toward the hallway.
"Wait! You're not seriously leaving me here alone, are you?"
Kōki raised a hand after her.
"You're on your own."
A yawn escaped Ayaka. A moment later, the door closed behind her.
Kōki let out a slow breath. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting toward the ceiling.
How can she be so calm about all this… and just go to sleep?
He lowered his head.
"She handled that way too well…"
A sudden scream rang out from behind the closed door.
"AM I LOSING MY MIND?! I'M NOT GETTING ANY SLEEP TONIGHT—!"
Kōki dragged a hand down his face.
"...So much for that."
His gaze shifted to Sayoko, who had drifted a little to the side.
"Guess I'm not the only one losing it tonight."
A while later, Kōki's footsteps echoed across the room. He rubbed his face with both hands before stopping beside the window.
I'll have to check the old section of the school for clues. It's the only lead we have right now… assuming there's anything left to find.
He stared out into the darkness.
But that's tomorrow's problem.
Kōki turned toward the two ghosts, his eyes half-closed.
"For now, you two need to stay outside."
"Why?" Sayoko asked.
Kōki's jaw tightened.
"What do you mean, why?"
He pointed at them.
"I'm still trying to get over the heart attack you two gave me. And I'm supposed to just accept that I can see ghosts now? On top of that, you're actually talking to me!"
His shoulders dropped.
"It's been a long day. I just… need some sleep."
Sayoko's lips parted. She glanced at Takuto before a small smile appeared.
"...Okay. If that's what you want."
She turned toward the door, her feet lifting off the floor.
"Come on, Takuto. We'll stay in the basement."
Her faint glow dimmed as she drifted through the doorway.
Takuto drifted toward the doorway with his hands clasped behind his head.
"Fine by me."
"Wait! I said outside!"
Kōki rushed toward the door.
Before he could reach it, Sayoko's head poked through the wall.
Kōki stumbled backward and landed on his backside.
"Relax, Kōki-kun. We won't bother you. See you in the morning."
Sayoko drifted back through the wall and disappeared from view.
Kōki remained on the floor for a moment before dragging himself to his feet.
He collapsed onto his bed, his back sinking into the mattress.
His eyelids grew heavy.
"Great… what have I gotten myself into?"
His eyes closed.
The next morning, sunlight seeped through the curtains.
Kōki stretched his arms before rubbing his eyes. He pressed a hand against his forehead.
"Ugh… that nightmare from last night…"
He sat up and let out a breath.
"Thank goodness it's over."
Kōki raised his head.
Sayoko floated beside his bed.
"AHH!!"
His eyes widened. He scrambled backward, his feet slipping off the edge of the mattress. He hit the floor with a thud.
"So… last night wasn't a dream."
His hands trembled as he stared at her.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
Kōki pushed himself onto his knees, leaning forward as he stared at Sayoko.
A faint blush spread across his cheeks.
He slowly reached out a hand. His fingers passed straight through her cheek.
"...This is weird."
He pulled his hand back and rubbed his fingertips together.
"I didn't know ghosts could sleep."
Takuto's head emerged through the wall. A small smirk tugging at his lips.
"Ghosts don't sleep. No bodies… no need for shut-eye."
Kōki jerked backward, his hands shooting up.
"AHH!!"
His eyebrows twitched.
"Can you stop doing that?!"
"Pfft!"
Takuto's shoulders shook.
"The look on your face…"
Kōki clenched his fists.
"Just… stop. It's creepy."
Takuto's smirk faded. His gaze settled on Kōki.
"Listen… Kōki."
Kōki leaned back slightly, his brows furrowing.
"What is it now?"
"Do you really think you can save Sayoko?"
Kōki pushed himself to his feet.
"To be honest… I don't know."
Kōki pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. He stepped toward the bathroom, his bare feet pressing against the cool floor.
"I'm gonna get ready for school… Do me a favor."
He stopped at the doorway, his fingers gripping the frame.
"Wake her up."
"Okay. Leave that to me," Takuto said.
Kōki stepped into the bathtub. Warm water ran down his arms as he settled in.
What have I gotten myself into? If I hadn't followed them yesterday… I'd still be living a normal life.
He let out a quiet breath. His fingers moved through the water, sending ripples across the surface.
His gaze drifted toward the ceiling.
Sayoko suddenly drifted through the bathroom wall.
"Kōki-kun… was I really sleeping beside you just now?"
Kōki jolted upright. Water splashed over the edge of the tub.
"W-what?! Why are you in the bathroom?!"
His cheeks flushed red as he quickly turned away.
"I… I can see everything."
Sayoko raised her transparent hands to cover her eyes. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
Kōki scrambled backward in the tub. Water sloshed over the edge and spread across the bathroom floor.
"I… I don't mind, but seriously, get out of the bathroom!"
"Okay…" Sayoko said.
She turned and drifted toward the doorway.
Kōki let out a sharp breath.
"Jeez… why is this happening to me?"