Kōki's hands trembled as he fiddled with the edge of his tie, twisting it around his fingers. His white shirt had a few wrinkles from the day's classes, and the collar pressed slightly against his neck. "I… I'm not lying," he said, voice unsteady. "I saw Sayoko and… a guy. A male ghost. In my room. They followed me here—I swear!"
Ayaka's brows knitted, and she tilted her head, frowning. "Kōki… ghosts? Aren't you a little too old for stories like that?" She crossed her arms, her fingers brushing the smooth fabric of her blouse. "Are you joking?"
"I'm serious! I saw them! Right there! They followed me!" Kōki's knees wobbled. He shifted on the balls of his shoes, the polished soles scraping slightly against the floor as he gripped the railing for balance.
Ayaka's eyes widened. "Wait… did you just say Sayoko?! As in Sayoko Mizuhara?!" Her voice rose, shock threading through it.
"Yes… Sayoko! She… she's the one who died five years ago. Your friend from high school!" Kōki's words spilled out, and his eyes flicked around the room, as if the ghosts themselves might appear at any moment.
Sayoko, standing quietly near the doorway, felt a flicker in her memory. Faces, voices, laughter—moments she had lost—surfaced in fragments. She blinked rapidly, swallowing hard as her chest tightened.
The doorbell rang, sharp and sudden. Ayaka flinched slightly. "I'll get it!" she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she stepped toward the door.
Sayoko smiled faintly as Ayaka opened it. "Hey, Ayaka. Come on, let's get this project done," she said, her voice calm but carrying a hint of tension around the jaw.
Ayaka stepped aside, letting her in. "Yeah… can't believe it's due tomorrow. Feels like we just started it yesterday." She adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder, the leather creaking softly.
Sayoko's lips pressed together in a small, exasperated smile. "Tell me about it. But somehow, we always manage to finish on time, huh?"
Ayaka chuckled softly. "Yeah… somehow we always do."
Kōki pressed himself against the staircase, sneakers squeaking as he shifted his weight. His shoulders hunched slightly, and he peeked through the railing. Ayaka's voice called out, firm yet teasing. "Kōki! Come out and say hi to Sayoko. Don't hide!"
Startled, Kōki bolted down the stairs, shoes squeaking against the polished floor. His chest rose and fell rapidly, and he came to a shaky stop near the doorway.
Ayaka pressed a hand to her forehead. "I swear… that boy can be so irritating sometimes," she muttered.
Sayoko tilted her head, a gentle smile on her face. "Don't worry. Kids are shy around new faces." Her voice carried a warmth that seemed to fill the space, and Kōki felt his chest unclench slightly.
Ayaka's eyes softened. "Even so… he's been seeing you around for two years now. I'm sorry if he's ever… offended you."
Sayoko shook her head, the hem of her dress brushing the floor. "It's fine. He'll come around. Let's focus on the project."
As Sayoko spoke, memories surfaced: afternoons with Ayaka, laughter in classrooms, whispered secrets in hallways. I've regained some of my memories… about her. She blinked rapidly, tears threatening to fall. So I need to interact with people I knew before I… to understand what happened.
Kōki was still trembling slightly, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve, the collar of his shirt sticking lightly to his neck. Ayaka's patience snapped. She stepped forward and slapped him sharply across the cheek. Kōki staggered back, blinking in shock, hands instinctively going to his reddening cheek.
"Why did you do that?!" he demanded, voice tight.
Ayaka's hand shook slightly as she pressed it against her chest, her voice trembling. "Is this some sick joke to you?"
Her tears spilled freely, running down her cheeks. Her hands balled into fists at her sides. "You… of all people… should know how much it hurt to lose her! She was my whole world! My other half!"
Kōki's eyes widened. "I… I'm not joking! I'm telling the truth! Why don't you believe me?" His voice softened, breaking slightly.
Suddenly, Sayoko's calm, teasing voice cut in. "Hey… tell her that she has a huge mole on her butt cheek."
Kōki flinched, stepping back, his shoes squeaking. "Wha—?!" he stammered.
"Stay calm… it's not like I'm going to hurt you," Sayoko added, her eyes warm.
Kōki took a deep breath, fingers tightening on the railing. "Uh… Sayoko just told me… that you… have a huge mole on your butt. Is… is that true?"
Ayaka froze, mouth slightly open. "Wait… how do you know that? The only person I told… was Sayoko."
Sayoko stepped closer, the soft brush of her dress audible on the carpet. "I also know about the bald spot at the crown of your hair… and how you broke up with Seiya, Akio, and Ryo and that you used to talk to yourself when you were concentrating."
Kōki's eyes widened. "Wait… you actually… talked to that many guys in high school?"
Sayoko waved a hand, dismissive. "Never mind that. Just keep telling her what I'm saying."
Kōki nodded hesitantly and relayed every detail. Ayaka's eyes widened, disbelief written across her face.
"No… no way…" she whispered. "I only told Sayoko all those things… and… she's… right here… beside us, isn't she?"
Kōki gave a small, shy smile. "Yes… she is."
Ayaka pressed her hands to her face, trembling. Sayoko knelt beside her, hand hovering just above Ayaka's shoulder. "It's okay… I'm here now."
Kōki watched, silent. The room was heavy with unspoken words, the faint ticking of a wall clock punctuating the moment. Sweat prickled at his hairline, his sneakers squeaked softly as he shifted his weight, and the warmth of Sayoko's presence mingled with Ayaka's emotion. Somehow, with her here, everything felt possible.