Back at the other side of the lake, the figure Kayashima saw was slowing down more and more. I better not attract the wrong attention…I have to keep quiet. Why the hell am I doing this anyway? Kayashima knew he shouldn't follow the strange figure, but he wanted to study on it, incase it was the murderer, he might be able to learn a weakness or 2.
The figure parted plants and walked to the edge of the lakeside, there he stood in front of a small building sitting on the line of water and land. It was a lot nicer than the cabins, but still beat up, compared to buildings out of the campground area. The house had white walls splattered with water and muck, dirty cracked windows covered by tattered and torn curtains with black stains; as if an axe went through it multiple times. Kayashima hid behind bushes and trees as he watched the figure. He saw it open the door, and as the door moved, Kayashima could hear strange music. He couldn't see anyone but the figure, but he could hear voices that couldn't possible come from just 1 person. The sound was flowing out in some strange language he'd never heard before. He couldn't understand any of it, yet his heart was overflowing with sentimentally sad feelings. He didn't feel anything bad, just beautiful sadness and comfort. It felt as if he voices were calling his name, absorbing his soul, he lost all thought of smart and stupid, good or bad, and before he knew it he was in front of the doorway. Nothing went through his head but the hypnotizing melody. He felt something watching him, and the door opened to reveal a boy with glowing silver eyes and black hair. "Do you want to come in?" The boy asked with a warm, but dangerous smile. Kayashima now, nearly unconscious, nodded his head. The boy grabbed his hand…and it all went black.
That sound…I can still hear it…Kayashima opened his eyes. The boy had set him in an older period, moss green chair with creaking legs. He could hear all the voices and sound. The harmonic voices…but only 1 boy sitting on the chair across from him. Kayashima sprung up, now coming to his senses. "Who are you?" The boy laughed, putting on a grin. "Excuse my rudeness, im Hajime. What would your name be?" Kayashima's eyes were still blurry, despite his conscious clearing, which made him unable to see anything clear, except the outline of Hajime. "Im Taiki Kayashima. Where's that music coming from?" Hajime smiled, sat up and pulled a curtain rope, opening curtains to reveal 5 birds. "These are my pets; they mimic any music they hear. Even if it is only played once, it is permanently burned into their memory, and they can sing it perfectly." Kayashima was suspicious about the birds, but decided, since he was in a place he knew nothing about, and escape would be nearly impossible, he would stay calm. "Where did you find them?" "I got tem from my grandfather's last trip to a foreign island. No one else was on the island, and the birds are undiscovered, so no one knows what kind of bird they are. But they seem content with their cages and food, so I don't think their in any harm. But they are amazing creatures." Kayashima got out of the chair and walked toward the birdcage to get a closer look at them. As he stood up, his vision cleared, and his spine turned to solid ice with chills. Hajime had no aura or glimpse of life. He was a ghost, and clearly, if a ghost was playing mind games, and the rest of the lake was deserted, this must be the murderer. And by following him, he had just sealed his fate. He tried showing no fear or emotion. That way Hajime might be easier to trick, he might have a better chance of getting out unharmed. Why didn't I bring my charms before I walked after him!? Dammit! "Kayashima," Hajime looked into Kayashima's eyes with a look of serenity. "Please don't be afraid of me, I promise not to hurt you." "Hajime…Your Hajime Takako…right? You killed 20 people who stayed at the campsite, why should I be any different to you?" Hajime smiled and walked closer to Kayashima, making Kayashima backed into the wall, with Hajime's hand behind his head. "Kayashima, I KNOW you're different. I too could see auras; it's the main factor that drove me mad. But you, you read them, but despite the pain, stay calm." He slid a hand down Kayashima's neck making his skin shiver. "But, when that happened to me, I took out the competition...but finally, he did something that put me over the edge. That careless boy just went and despite all the signs, and all the warnings killed himself with my aid over this woman. And of course, when in love you do strange things." Kayashima met his eyes, which reflected a deep pain. "What happened?" Kayashima said regaining his cool. This ghost apparently was too busy going on about the past to kill him anytime soon, and even so, everyone would be waking up soon, they would find his body, leave, and be saved. "Well, Kayashima, I took a little bit of cyanide and coated her toothbrush with it. She of course was so into looking beautiful, so she brushed her teeth 3 or 4 times a day, I thought it would be perfect, an assured death. But what I didn't expect is when I comforted him, he was a little bit better, so I decided to step it up a notch. I went into the bathroom, but, he went and found the cyanide bottle I hid under my bed, and drained the container. Every little drop left went straight to his system. By the time I'd found him, it was too late for him, his corpse was there on my bed." Kayashima nodded. "I could see how that would finally get to you." He said, trying to get on the spirits better side. Hajime looked into Kayashima's eyes again, and his look of sorrow slowly faded. "Kayashima, I noticed something though. You love someone, but he's ignorant to your feelings and loves someone else. I even saw a bit of jealousy and anger in your aura, but you stay calm. You don't do anything drastic, hell, you even comfort the boy!" Kayashima's eyes dilated. How long was he watching me? I know he can't leave the campsite, but how much did he see from me from arriving here? Hajime moved his face inches away from Kayashima's. "How long do you plan to chase after that boy? Why do you think he'll give up that other one anytime soon? I think you'd be much happier with someone else." Kayashima looked at one of the birds in the corner of his eye. I wonder if they could kill me by pecking my eyes out… Hajime rested his hands on Kayashima's chin and tilted his head so they were looking eye to eye again. "Listen Kayashima, ill help you out." Hajime gave a twisted smile. "Come on, what have you got to lose? Im preventing you from being like me." Kayashima didn't fully trust him, but he didn't really feel like dying right now, and if the ghost let him leave now, he might be able to warn the others for a quick escape. "Okay. Anything you'd like in return?" "Come visit me until you have to go home. You're the first boy who's ever come to me that has my same condition and that understands me. I can't let that wonderful heaven set opportunity go away, can I? Ill be awake by midnight, come see me then, but don't bring anyone with you." Kayashima nodded in agreement.
Hajime showed Kayashima to the door. "Everyone's probably waking up by now, you better get back before they notice." Kayashima waved goodbye and ran to the cabins. Its only until the trip is over, that's like 3 days. If I try to run now, we'll be in more trouble, but I won't let anything bad happen. When Kayashima opened the cabin door, he saw Nakatsu still asleep. Nakatsu was curled up in a ball grasping onto his pillow like it was something dear to him. I can go back to bed till everyone else wakes up…I wonder who he's dreaming of…it would be nice if he would hold me like that. Kayashima plopped onto the bed.