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4. Haunted


"Don't be such a baby, Taichi! It's not actually haunted!"

The eleven-year old crosses his arms.

"I'm not a baby! I just… don't think it's smart to wander around here without permission, that's all."

"Who's permission?"

"Well, uh—"

She shushes him noisily in response, causing his lips to tug downwards into a sullen pout.

"Chihaya."

"The coast is clear!"

"Chihaya!"

"Com'on—I'll race ya!"

And as that scruffy, windswept, honey-colored head of hair disappears behind the fence, he knows exactly what he must do.

"H-Hey! Wait up!"

Haunted or not, he is going to beat her to that house!


"Stop laughing, dammit! Do you know much trouble I got in with mother that day? I wasn't allowed to play after sunset for weeks!"

"Oh—I always thought you were just too scared to come outside again! Wow… Who knew it was really Mrs. Pressure all along…"