Chapter 5

"There are indefinite things in this world that remain unexplained. No matter how weird it is, mankind will always observe it. It will always be so with mankind. But it is the imagination. But it is the past. Person. Mankind. People. People are the world`s strangest creatures"

—Yuuko Ichihara

A few months later…..

"It`s so hot," I splashed some cold water on my face to keep me cool from the heat while I grabbed a towel to wipe them off. When I was done, I noticed Himawari as I revealed my face from my towel. "Oh hey, Himawari-chan, I believe you gave me this towel so thanks!"

"You`re welcome, it`s really hot today," she said, wiping sweats from her forehead. And I agreed, this season have gotten warmer and warmer every second which is a pain. "And at gymnastics, you were pretty good at it."

"Well, I couldn't say it like that," I said sheepishly. "Oh yeah, the boys were playing soccer during P.E. and one of the team have scored well."

"I know right, and the goalie for the other team was very good too. I guess that was Domueki," by just saying his name, I utterly felt disgusted. I mean, I hate him to the extreme and he`s a pain in the neck, I tell you. "Oh speaking of him, you haven't thanked him."

"Eh?" I looked at her confusingly. And then she looked at me with that cute angry pouty face, "Don't tell me you have forgotten, he saved you from that car accident and your death. Man, you almost gave me a heart attack, even your land lord."

Oh how can I forget that? I almost died, just by saving that woman`s life. And how can I forget the scolding, and worrying of my landlord after hearing the shocking news. Man, she does know how to scold like a mother to a child. "Sorry about that, but I couldn't let other people from getting killed or hurt just like that. And besides, I don't like to see people died right before my eyes."

"That`s very caring of you, Kiyomi but please don't do that again…I couldn't bear to see you die or get killed like that ever again," Himawari scolded lightly at me. I felt a little native for doing something like that, but I can`t promise that promise when I have a feeling that danger will upon me again, yet I don't want her to worry again. "Alright, I won`t do it again."

"Do what again?" I know that voice anywhere and that voice belongs to…."Domueki!"

"What?" he faced me with his usual narrowed face, which I hated from the first time. I scowled at him, as I yelled at him, "It`s none of your business, and go away—"I felt a push behind my back when Himawari was lightly pushing me towards him, I whispered at her. "What?"

She sighed, sounding irritated as she walked up in front of me, and smiled at him. "Wataunki wants to thank you for saving her from before, and she`s grateful for your rescue."

"Wait, no! I never said that!" but she utterly ignored me. Domueki looked at me, and said, "You`re welcome…idiot."

Just by saying that name, I felt a vein popped out as I shrieked at him, "Who are you calling, Idiot!? And don't you dare walk away from me, you jerk!"

"Class is starting, I can`t hang around here with an idiot right here, so you better hurry up," he said casually as he walks away. And I replied by yelling at him, "I told you to stop calling me an idiot, and I don't need you to tell me!" He walked away until he wasn't seen, and I`m grateful for that, but when I looked at Himawari`s face, she looked rather disappointed. "That was rude, Wataunki. Plus after all he saved you."

"Himawari, you have to understand, I don't like that guy very much and he doesn't like me either so we`re even," I folded my towel into a neat position. And she replied, "All I know that you two seem close."

"No we`re not, and we`ll never will be," I`m surprised that my best friend native about the unfitting relationship between me and the guy. "I heard that he lives in a temple, and my other friends talk about him a lot since he`s popular," she said. She does know loads about him…maybe it`s possible that she likes him, I wonder.

The heat was unbearable in this season, and back at the shop where I was approaching after school was over. Yuu was sitting on a straw chair, complaining about the heat while Maru and Moro were trying to help him survive it by fanning him. I walked up to him after entering his shop with a straight face, "Yuu-san, if you`re so hot, then you would drink some cold water or ice cream…sigh…I`ll just go make some," I turned around to head towards the kitchen, and stopped when Yuu called me, "You seem to be down, what`s the matter? And oh yeah, here." He handed me a bag. I felt a suspicious feeling about this.

"What`s in it?" I asked.

"You`ll see while you make me some shaved ice," he smiled slyly. I still have a bad feeling about this.

As I approached the kitchen from the hallways, I went to the fridge to collect some ice to grind, and some small fruits to go with it. I grabbed an ice crusher and placed the ice on top of it then pedaled the handle as hard as I can to grind to the ice to make it snow-like. Once ice to snow, I poured it into two bowls: one is the large for Yuu, and the other small for Mokona, since he`ll just whine when he didn`t shaved ice for him. I spread some flavored syrup on both shaved ice to give it some favor, along with the small fruits I bought a few days ago. After the finishing touching, I placed the spoons for each of them.

Just when I about to transfer the shaved ice to Yuu and Mokona, the bag that Yuu brought me, which bothers me. Because of my curiosity, I opened it to see what`s inside and I see….another outfit. I sighed in annoyance, and cursed Yuu for buying another outfit me, also swore that he`ll face many consequences from me when I get back at him, and I promise it`s not a looker, it`s a nightmare. However since Yuu bought me this clothe, which I`m sure he`d pay good for it, I decided to wear it since it would be a waste of money not to wear it yet I`m still going to scold him for his offering.

So I stomped through the kitchen and the hallways angrily with a bowl favored shaved ice on a tray, until I reach him in the front yard with an angry expression. He looked at me like there`s nothing wrong, but there is something wrong, because he freaking bought me another outfit again after looking through the bag he gave me. "Why the hell did you gave me this dress!?" I gestured my outfit; it was a white sleeveless sun dress with a red poppy pattern printed on it, thankfully it didn't show my cleavage, and the skirt reached to my knees. But Yuu looked at me trying to look innocent, "I wanted to see you in a sun dress and my word, you look sexy in that dress."

"You sexual pervert, "I named him harshly before giving him his shaved ice. "So anyway, what`s the matter with you earlier?" Yuu took a scoop of his shaved ice, while I explained everything he has to know from school and my past with Domueki, and etc. "So I see, he`s the type that girls like you like, and what club is he in?"

"The Archery Club…." I answered angrily.

"Oh, that one`s really popular, "Yuu and Mokona snapped their fingers as they were impressed by Domueki`s skills in archery.

"This is completely ridiculous!" I yelled, and then Yuu responded, "Well then how about a group date?"

"Eh?" I looked at him confusingly. He took another scoop of shaved ice into his mouth. "I join too…besides, even if you`re nervous or not to be with someone, then I have to help out."

"And when did I agree to do this whatever that you`re planning to do?" I asked, feeling very suspicious about this and him too. Yet he ignored me while he schemes with Mokona as they whisper to each other. I do not want to be part of this, and besides it`s only going to be troublesome to me. They`d stop whispering or rather I called, scheming and yelled their outburst. "We`ll going to tell ghost stories at Domueki`s temple!"

Great, it`s just my luck. I`m going to his temple, telling stupid ghost stories with these two idiots and him while I sob for help and beg for the Gods to rescue from their stupid subject. I never agreed to go with them, but I have no choice but to. And besides, they`ll probably drag me to his property anyway. But still how did this happen when I never to agree to do this in the first place? "But I hate him, and he hates me too."

"Hmm…? You two don't get along well?" Yuu questioned. Are you kidding me? Does he not notice that I do not want to be with that ignorant man? "We`re aren't classmates, but ever since I first saw him, I have hated him to the extreme! And that superior air of his, looking down on people!"

"Kiyomi, are you the type that`s rather alright around new people?" Yuu asked, and I shook my head as a no. "I only met him around his ignorant presence, during and at school! We fought when we first saw each other! Ahh…! Just thinking about him makes me mad. If not for the teacher`s interference, I would`ve—"

"That`s too can be called a destined relation!" Yuu said. What`s he talking about and what does he mean by 'destined relation'? "You and he may have some inner predestined relations!" You got to be kidding me! I do not want to have a relationship with that guy. He hates me and I hate him ever since we met. "NO! Why that man and I…" I grinded my teeth together in anger, as I thought this are the end of world for me.

"That type of relation doesn't come easily you know! And besides, did she mention before? "The two of you will become closer"?"

Sometime I hated him very much as Domueki.

At school where I was forcibly asking Domueki…

"What? You want to tell 100 ghost stories at my place in the temple?" I was here with Domueki, and he started too complained about my asking. It was Yuu`s idea to do it, and I never said I wanted to do it, but forced to when logic told me that I will be force to. "Why must I lend my house to you for these kinds of games?" I knew this would happen! That why I`m getting annoyed right now by his stupid questions, but I have to stay in topic.

If not for what Yuu-san said… "Because….I was forced to ask you, and I have no choice but to," I said. I clenched my hands into fists with angry veins from my skin. I`ve the urge to punch him in the face and show him no mercy, but I have to control my anger, even if I can`t, I still have to. "And besides I don't really want to have anything to do you, anyway."

"Fine…"

"Eh?"

"But…?"

"But what…?"

I was at Domueki`s temple, along with Yuu-san. I wore a white Yukata with orange and red Camilla flowers (alongside a gray and black ribbon-like design) imprinted on it with a black, green, and light orange patterned obi wrapped around my waist along with a red fusion knot as well, and I also wore some sandals. My hair stayed the same, but I tied the bottom of my hair with a red fusion knot. Himawari have unfortunately couldn't come due to her curfew, and her studies. I have done my studies pretty quickly before I came here, and I wished she was here with me. But I can`t force her. "Yuu-san, are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, it`s only you, me, and Domueki…" I whispered to him.

"Mokona, too!" the black plush came of Yuu`s sleeve with that usual smile on his face. I signed. "Right, right, I get it, okay."

"But it`s too bad that Himawari isn`t here, it would be fun with her here, "I sighed in disappointment. Yuu said, "But, she`s really is a troublesome child through…" I looked at him confusingly. What`s so suspicious about her? There`s nothing wrong with her….right? "What do you mean by that?"

"You`ll see when the time has come," Yuu said, before looking at Domueki coming from the entrance of the door. He wore his Yukata as well. "Good evening…" Yuu smiled at him, bowing in greet. "Isn`t that so," he spoke with his usual emotionless voice. Yuu turned away from him to eye contact me. "It might be best to get along with him for now."

"…Fine," I sighed in defeat. I hope this ends sooner or later.

We entered his home and into an empty room. There were four candles holders in each corner of the room, a water basin in the middle of the floor, and from outside, the sky has the view that it`s about to rain, and the cold wind sweltered through the door to here. It`s a dark atmosphere at night, but to Yuu, it`s the perfect place to tell 100 ghost stories. "Are you sure you made the right choice? You said before that your temple was being used today," I whispered to Domueki right next to me. But he just stared at me with that usual emotionless face and said, "Ah, I don't mind. But anyway, what`s that black plushy thing?"

He pointed to Mokona sitting on Yuu`s lap while he looks out the doors. I answered, "That`s Mokona, and don't think as him as pet, he`s only a small friend." He nodded as respond to me.

"Now then, the candles, "Yuu interrupted our little conversation. "Everyone take one candle for themselves, and after lighting them, put each of them in the candle holders at the corners of the room."

So we did what he ordered, as we placed our candles on the holders, and then went back to our original position. "Now we`re ready to have our simple ceremony at this night, and the actors are all here. So then let us begin to tell the 100 ghost stories." He blew a candle out and let the smoke float like streamers. 'The actors are all here'? What is it even mean? There`s only me, Domueki, Yuu-san, and Mokona. I have another bad feeling about this.

"Mokona will go first!" Mokona happily yelled, raising his small paw or hand? So we let him go first as he started his story. "But this is a made-up story."

"It`s okay, Mokona, just tell us," Mokona cheered before he started his story. "In the midsummer a family came before becoming a motel, yet that place was said to have once a family residence…it gives of old-day mansions, and it was a favorite among frequent travelers because of this…however no matter how one counts…there is always a one room less on the third floor—from the space occupied…there should`ve seen six rooms. The structure of the rooms on the third floor is no different from second floor but there are clearly six rooms on the second floor…while there`s only five on the third…so, boarders staying together started to ponder—that next to their room could be another room? Their room obviously is the innermost one, but looking from the outside, the wall extends on…then one night from one wall of their room…or to their guesses… the wall which may contain a room on the other side …came a sound…'Creak,' crack'….a sound like things being scratched—at first the one who heard the sound thought he was being paranoid, but when he told his roommates of the sound the next day—he learned…that they all heard it! That sound of scratching…"

I was trembling a little while hearing his story—to tell the truth, I`m not very fond of scary stories, because my life have always been like a scary stories, with all those spirits too. But I let him continued with the rest of the parts. "And so throughout the time they stayed the sound lasted every night—till, they couldn't stand it anymore, and complained to the hotel manager—and the staff behind the counter turned pale white, and muttered… "Always"…if one stays that room they will always hear in the night—a sound that goes 'creak,' 'crack'….next to the room they stayed in…there really seemed to be another room! However when it was bought over from its previous owner, the end corridor was already sealed with space enough for a room on its hidden side! After some time—the complaints by the boarders increased until the business was affected significantly. The motel manager decided to knock down the wall at the end of the corridor, to see what was behind the wall…they soon found workers—and as the boarders wish to see what would appear behind the wall they stayed one more night…"

I want to go home, because I have studies to finish and work on, also house chores too. "I should`ve talk Yuu out of this suggesting before I got here," I whispered, but when that Domueki heard me, he whispered back. "The story wouldn't be scary that way!"

"Shut up, you!" I softly yelled at him. I turned back to Mokona while he still continued his made-up story. "The next day, the workers knocked down the walls by the end corridor—and there was an extension beyond—that is next to the room in which the guests stayed…there was another room! The room structure was similar to the others…however, there was no doorknob on the door to that room…or so to say the door was sealed shut—all the spaces filled, so that it could not be opened. To see what was inside, they broke through the door and in that room…all over the walls were words that stenches of a corpse written in blood, that said, "FATHER, LET ME OUT" on every wall in the room….and that`s all!" he ended his story with his regular voice and smiled like there`s nothing to worry about. What a strange creature he is, but his story kind of reminds me of… (A.N.: That another story to tell for a later time)

"Mokona, you`re really great at telling stories like that," Yuu praised him.

"You bet, I am," Mokona admiring himself as Domueki speaks, "Anyways, to a certain someone…it`s effect is alarmingly more than sufficient."

He was totally talking about me, and I don't appreciate that. However, "What do you mean by that!?"

"You know what I mean," he said. Now I`m officially insulted for being scared, and for what he meant, I`m not scared, and besides I mentioned before that I was attacked or stalked by strange spirits in real life, you know. Putting that side, it was Domueki`s turn to go as he starts, "I heard this from my grandfather…when he was coming back from a funeral service, he met a woman, who stopped at the crossroad. That woman didn't look very lively and her shadow was faint…there was an air of eeriness…when he saw her, he thought that she looks like a spirit—and then she turned to him and asked, ""How did you know?"". Once I heard his story, I quivered in fear as I covered my mouth to prevent me from squeaking or screaming. I never knew he would tell such a story like that, because I never knew.

"Your grandfather, is the abbot of the temple?" Yuu asked him. And he nodded yes, "And he often sees spirits of the dead?"

"Most likely…I`ve heard him say so," Domueki answered again.

"If so, then you should take after his ability," and then came a sound of creaking wood. It was coming from next door, but whom or what is there?

"Is there someone from next door?" I asked, gesturing the noise. Domueki answered my question, but it`s a very strange one. "No, it`s someone within the realm of the deceased. The only thing there is the deceased…. "

"So you`re saying that someone who`s dead as if a corpse, are just lying there?" I looked at him, awaiting my next answer. He nodded, until then the creaking noise starting to grow a little louder. Yuu smiled, looking at both of us before he spoke. "I`ve just said, the actors are all here…"

"What?" I looked at him confusedly. I don't know what`s here, or whom, but I do know that I just want to go home and sleep. But knowing the 100 Ghost Stories (including the candles), we can`t leave. From those four candles, we set up a kekkai. So if one of us leaves, then something bad will definitely happen.

"I have no idea what you said about these "actor". But even though we have told two stories, do we seriously have to tell a hundred stories in just one night?" I complained, not wanting to stay up all night listening a hundred stories.

"It`s a yes, if we`re doing it formal. But since this is a simplified version, four rounds will do!" Yuu explained. "Of course, the number 'four' is considered to be related with the realm of the dead."

"Oh yeah, I heard of that and seen that before…they say that the number four is used as ward numbers in hospitals," I said raspy. I felt chills crawling in my skin after hearing about the meaning of the number four again. I heard that rumor from my landlord when she explained it.

"Anyway, let us continue our hundred stories…." Yuu smiled in a sly way. I guess it was my turn to tell my ghost story. And I know the perfect one, since I have a life with spirits. "This happened when I was in elementary school. I was having a horrible headache so which is why I have to stay at an infirmary. One day during an afternoon, someone spoke to me from the window. He asked, "Hi, are you alright?" he seemed worried about me. So I told him that it was just a headache, and he said, "That`s good". Then, we chatted for a while. I was rather unfamiliar with him—but since I was still in elementary school…I thought that even if I didn't know him, he should`ve been a student…I didn't give it thought. So after a while, he waved to me after bidding me good-bye, and left. When I thought back on it, I realized that the infirmary was actually on the third floor. There was no balcony, or any other place to stand on. It was impossible for a human to stand where he stood! And that`s all…"

"That`s a good story, Wataunki-kun! Now it my turn to finish the ending of the first round," he chuckled a little, before he smiled even more slyly. "Let me ask you…the thing that shines behind my back on the wall…what`s it?" a large shadow of a woman suddenly appeared behind the outside of the doors. It must be another spirit—and when there`s a spirit, there`s trouble.

Until then the sound of footstep was coming from the ceiling, and it sounds like someone`s walking on it. The sounds are in four pendulum patterns.

"It feels like four limb crawling in all directions," Domueki said calmly as usual. Okay, that`s not helping at all. But there`s no point of arguing, because the ground are starting to shake. Is there an earthquake? Or something like that? "No! There aren't one, because the water isn`t moving!" I gestured the water in the basin.

"As if I thought, something`s wrong with the kekkai…" Yuu smiled faded, but I know he sense something is going to happen. The shake is still continuing, and I felt like it getting stronger.

"Wataunki….behind you…." Domueki pointed to whatever behind me. My shoulders became stiff, as I slowly turn my head to see what`s behind me and to see shadows of a many spirits smiling creepily, with a feeling that they want to eat me. With further notice, a lamp stand suddenly fell down with the candles blew out. "The kekkai has been broken…" I felt something grabbing me from the arms and legs. I tried to escape, but it held me tightly. "Wataunki! Don't worry, we`ll save you!" Mokona yelled.

Well, you better hurry—because if you don't, then it`ll be the end of me. Yuu asked Domueki, "Are you from the archery team?" And then he nodded. "Go get the bow from the wall, and then aim at the wall, and shoot!"

"But there are no arrows!" Domueki yelled, and I started to feel like they`re dragging me.

"Don't worry…if you are the one…definitely…" so Domueki did what he was instructed to, as he shoots out a glowing arrow appearing as he aimed it towards the thing above my head. It gave out an ear-piercing scream, and then it came out of outside to form a ball of goop. I noticed Mokona hopped onto Yuu`s hands as he opened it wide mouth to suck the thing into his mouth. He ate the entire thing whole, which I found disgusting. But my head felt a light, leading me to black out.

I felt something caught me but I was too faint to see who it was.

I felt myself waking up, which is a good sign. My eyes starting to open slowly, they started to reveal a black blur appearing in front of my face. The blur started to clear up, and it appeared that a black plush with a sapphire- blue gem in its forehead was smiling at me. I know that gem anyway, it belongs to Mokona! I curled my right hand into a fist then swing to punch him out of my face.

"Don't stare at someone when they`re unconscious, you plushy moron!" I stand up with my back straight, to see that I was still in Domueki`s home, laying on a futon. "I see that you`re awake," I noticed Yuu was sitting next to me, along with Mr. Narrowed eyes (whom is Domueki). A faint headache came across my head, and the previous memories washed over my mind, making me remember that Domueki saved me from the spirit that was eaten by Mokona. Now that`s something I`ll never forget. "How long I was out?"

"You were asleep for an hour, but no injury was left on you. Plus you better thank Domueki for saving you, besides he`s protected you from getting eaten," Yuu explained. I sighed in relief, that I was still alive and not eaten. But I still remember that Domueki save me from getting eaten. And I can`t be certain of me saying this that if Domueki didn't save me, then I would be eaten alive. I turned to Domueki who was staring me, causing me to blush before saying, "Thank you for…saving me…"

"No problem, but you could at least lose some weight, you were really heavy to carry," he said that was way out of the conversation, making Mokona and Yuu chuckled. A vein popped out my forehead, with anger rising up my body. "Hey, I thanking you and I was being nice here! And now you`re teasing me for my weight!? I have you know, I am skinny like bones, and that`s no way to treat a lady about her weight!"

"Alright…I`m sorry…idiot," another vein popped out, and then rage replaced anger. I so want to punch him as hard as I can, but I took a deep breath to calm myself down, before turning to Yuu who was still chuckling. My left eye twitch in a little anger, as I asked, "Before I was unconscious, Domueki didn't have any arrows on his bow, but he slayed that spirit without any. All I saw was that flying thing coming out o his bow. What was that, anyway?"

Yuu answered, "It was air. Domueki has the power to stop evil spirits from approaching…moreover he can also exorcise them. The latent ability and own consciousness are irrelevant! Also this ability was from his bloodline, like yours"

"The same as him…wow, I`m so happy right now," I said sarcastically. But he continued to explain, "Even though we were telling Hundred Ghost Stories, there were already spirits from the beginning, but we didn't see them because of his abilities." I hate to admit, but he was right. I never saw them when he`s around. Yet it`s still not cool. "But those who are near you, would also think the same way." I looked at him confusingly. "As I have said, the actors are all here tonight. So together it becomes the end to the evil spirits. Someone who can see them and attracts them, and someone who can exorcise evil spirits from a person`s body…no need to talk about 100 ghost stories anymore, from now on if anything happens which are related to evil spirits you can go find Domueki and he can exorcise them for you! Therefore…as long as Domueki is with you, those evil spirits, which always follow you, will be gone! And therefore those spirits will create conflicts between you and Domueki!"

"No thank you! And besides, together with him will only make me frustrated!" I yelled, hating the idea of being with Mr. Narrowed Eyes. "But even though it`s like that—I still don't want to Domueki to help me exorcise those evil spirits!"

"Me either, I rather not than being with the idiot right here," Domueki said, making a vein popped out again and causing me to get angry. "No one asked you, Moron!"

I don`t care what Yuu said, I will never work with this man—never! Or will I?