Author Note: I'm sorry that it took so long to update. I wanted to make it up for you so I made two chapter into one for you. This chapter is still unedited like the rest, so feel free to point out note so I can fix it in the future. I hope you enjoy this update. Please review, follow and favorite. *(If you want) 3
Official Prologue
Mai's POV
(italics means Mai's thoughts.)
It has been a couple of days now since I have arrived at Izumi's sister home. Luella has been incredibly kind, she has a doctor to stitches my shoulder up and bandaged the wound. Thanks to their efforts, my wounds are now completely healed with my wing neatly tucks back. She reassured that everyone here is her most trusted friends and allies. Everyone seems to be unreasonably calm with my arrival, except Martin. He seems to be a little hesitant but he seems to be warming up to me. Though his constant surveillances are starting to get on my nerve.
"Martin, if you like. You can hold Ollie." I said to the man who staring at me from the nursery door as I sat on one of the couch with Oliver in my arms as I bottle him.
"Don't mind him Mai, He's just jealous that Oliver wouldn't let anyone but you to hold him." Luella said from the cream couch next to me with Genie in her arms who's making loud suckling sounds from his bottle.
"I am not jealous, I am cautious." Martin said with a stoic expression as he stares straight to me.
"Martin, stop your silliness." Luella said in a scolding tone as she glares at him.
"It's ok Luella, it would be odd if someone isn't cautious with my arrival. Martin's protective nature is something I look for Ollie and Genie. Luella, your motherly nature will love and nurtures them. Izumi would be happy with you both caring for her sons." I said earnestly with a smile as look to Ollie who has been intently looking at me.
"I... we will love them and care for them. We promise." Luella said with a smile as she looks at me earnestly.
"I am cautious with you Mai, not because I deem you dangerous. It's because we have seemed many supernatural beings with our careers. I am cautious for future dangers." Martin said honestly as he softens his expression.
"Mr. Davis, I've some news on the stuff you asked me to do." Said a man that I do not recognized walked to stand next to Martin.
"William, what is it?" Martin said as he turns to talk to the man, named William.
"We have finished setting up with everything, Mai's passports are done. One for United State, One for Japan. We managed to get her dual citizenships. Afterward, we created her bank account and added deposits that connects to your bank account like you said." William reported seriously.
"What about the Japanese teacher, Fumiko and her housing?" Martin asks.
"Ms. Hachi has been informed about the situation and the housing is complete. A normal two bedrooms' condo, nothing that would raises alarm" William stated clearly.
"Both girls bank account?" Martin continues to ask.
"Ms. Hachi account was deposits 10 years of comfort living in japan, while Ms. Taniyama account was added infinite." William stated once again.
"Good, good. Advise her that Mai will arrive when Oliver and Eugene enter early schooling. Approximately, 6 years or so." Martin said, as William was on cue. He simply nodded and quickly left. Never saying a word to me or Luella.
"I'm staying here?" I asked after a moment of silence.
"We assumed that you wanted to be here for Oliver and Eugene, for at least their early years." Martin said with a slight smile, matching the large smiling Luella have on.
"Thank you, I would love to. I really appreciate that." I said with a thankful smile.
"As the matter of your identity, what would you like to do?" Luella ask nervously as she look behind me, dark wings would've be there if I didn't hide them.
"I think they both should be spare of that knowledge." I said as I look at the bundle in my arm and Luella.
"Are you sure?" Luella asks in concerns.
"Yes, for their safety. I think it would be best." I answer with a slight smile.
"What about Izumi's ring and your feather? When should I give it to them?" Martin ask as it were a reminder.
"I'll let you guys decides on that." I said with a smile. I trust them with that responsibility.
"I think we should wait until wait until they are adults." Martin said as a matter of fact.
"If we can wait that long, I have a feeling that they are going to be just as mischievous as Izumi." Luella said with a chuckle as she coos the bundle in her arms.
"You are probably right." I agree with a giggle as both bundles start make grunting sounds as they were voicing their thoughts on our conversations.
Happy times passes by fast. Quickly Ollie and Genie grew up. Right before my eyes, from infants' stage to now their current stage. I was supposed to leave earlier but I couldn't bring myself to. I stayed much longer than I should be. It has been 9 years; 9 years since they've been born, 9 years since I arrived here, 9 years since Izumi died. 9 years has passed quickly in this world. It was time for me to leave them. I am already started to age again.
"Maiiiii." Genie calls out for me, snapping me out of my day dreams; bringing me back to the mansion's garden.
"Hello Genie, Hi there, Ollie." I said as I turn around to face them.
"Hello Mai." Ollie said with a slight amused mix in his stoic expression.
"What are you doing on here in the garden Mai?" Genie ask as he look around the large well-groomed garden. Though they are specifically in an area that was grown with only white roses.
"White roses are my favorite flower." I said with a smile as I watch Ollie goes into one of the bush as he carefully picks one and slowly walk towards me.
"You look best with white roses." Ollie said as he stops in front of me and gently tucked the rose in my hair that has grown quiet long, almost reaching the floor. Though it's not the only thing that has changed. So has Ollie, He has gotten taller, almost as tall as me.
"No fair Ollie! Mai is mine!" Genie yelled out as he pulled his brother away and cling onto me.
"Don't call me Ollie." Ollie said with a slight annoyed tone.
"Mai, soon we going to be taller than you. Why is that?" Genie asked as he continue to hug me. Even without looking at his face, I can tell he was serious. I tighten my grips on his shirt, and looked up, meeting Ollie eyes who was also just as serious. Everyone was aging, everyone but me. They were bound to ask.
"I cannot tell you why, but you just going have to trust me." I said as I opened my arms so Ollie can also enter the hug. Who understood and came into my arms.
We continue to hold each other for a while until we noticed the sun had begun to set. We let go of each other, together we go back in the house. Just in time for dinner. In this large table sat with me and Ollie on both my sides. Along with Luella, Martin, William and Ms. Fumiko.
Today was the day that I was going to break the news to Ollie and Genie. If I could tell them my departure anyway.
"Luella, you outdone yourself. Tonight's dinner is delicious." I said with a smile to her.
"Thank you Mai, today's I tried to make stew with the recipe you given me." Luella said as her glitter with excitement. It was Izumi recipe.
Dinner went smoothly with small chatter here and there. Though there was one person who didn't spoke a word, Ollie. Eugene was also quiet as usual. It seems they already knew that tonight was different than other nights.
"Today's dessert is something simple, but also delicious. It's Mai's cute little apple rabbits." Luella said with a bright smile as a maid places individual small plates of apple rabbits in front of everyone. Everyone eyes lighten up, especially Ollie and Genie.
It was their favorite, I wanted them to be unknowingly know their mother. Apple rabbits, stews, white roses. Small things that's very much Izumi.
"You added something to this, it always tasted slightly florally." Martin said as he picks up his fork to eat the apple rabbit.
"I added a little something that a close friend of mine do. It was her signature flavor." I said with smile as I eat the apple rabbits from my plate.
"With you gone, I wouldn't get to eat this for a while. You should tell me the recipe." Martin said then pause after realizing what he just said. The once chattered dinner table got quiet.
"I can't tell you the secret ingredient now." I said jokingly as I try to change the subject.
"Mai, you gotten taller. We should go shopping soon." Luella said with a smile.
She was right, I've look like an 8 years old for a long while now. I was aging again. This was my last aging process, meaning I would age like a human until I would be fully grown. Which was 16 to 19. Though If I age now, Ollie and Genie would be a year old than me physically. *(Mai body was frozen in time, until now; she had the appearances of an 8 years old.)
"I would love to Luella." I said with a smile, Luella always wanted to play dress up. Even attempting to put dresses on Ollie and Genie when they were babies.
"Oliver, Eugene, you are 9 years old now. Do you feel any different?" Martin asked as he were hinting something.
Their powers should fully awaken soon, which mean I can't stay. I will only intensify it.
"If you are asking about our abilities father, you already know." Oliver said with a stoic expression.
"He meant that, our powers are increasing but we are getting better at controlling it." Eugene said with a smile.
"I see, I'll find someone to teach you more controls and whatever you want, just come to me." Martin said with a small smile, making the boys response with a nod.
"Mai, what did you do to this our apple rabbits?" Eugene ask curiously as he continues to eat his apples.
"Don't try to lie, we can sense energy from them." Ollie as finishes his last bite of his apple piece.
"Beside the secret ingredient, I soaked them with holy water and protection prayers." I said with a smile.
Though it was half-truths. The secret ingredient was the white rose petals, but I also added a protection shield for them while I'm away. I wanted to make that they are safe while I am far from them.
"We know there's more to it but ok." Genie said with a slight smile while Ollie just shrug; leaving me to smile as if I were playing dumb.
"Are you leaving?" Ollie asked serious as he stare straight into my eyes.
"I am." I replied honestly.
"When?" He asked again.
"Tonight." I answered.
"You were going to leave without a farewell?" Genie ask with a sadden expression.
"Farewells are for those who wouldn't return." Ollie said with angry expression.
"I wouldn't be visiting." I said in a low whisper.
"You aren't coming back?" Genie asked in a surprise tone.
"I will find you. You are mine." Ollie said seriously with a determine expression.
"No fair, Mai is mine." Genie said as he glares at Ollie.
"Alright both of you, that's enough. Let's be civil on Mai last night together." Luella said in amusement seeing her son bickering over the angel in between them.
"Think it as hide and seek, whoever find Mai first; will get her." Martin said with a chuckle.
"I'm going to win!" Said Genie with determination.
"A clue first." Ollie said seriously as he looks at his father.
"She'll be in the land of the rising sun." His father said with a smirk. He was clearly giving them her direct location.
"An idiot like you wouldn't understand." Ollie said, clearly directed to Genie who's grunted.
"I will await both of you with open arms." I said with smile to the both of them.
Dinner quickly came to an end. I was now in the boys' room bidding my goodbyes.
"You are forbidden to say goodbye." Genie said seriously as he looks intently into my eyes.
"I'll find you no matter what." Ollie said as held onto my hand as he was making a promise.
"Then I'll see you later. I promise." I said with tears filled eyes. I grab onto both of their hand, I slowly let go and turn to leave the room.
"Do not forget our promise, Mai." I heard Ollie said as I close the door right behind me.
I was now on Luella and Martin private that's heading to japan. Ms. Hachi was with me, telling me that I was going to start school as an elementary student with her as my guardian.
"Mai, with you going to be a part of the human society. We thought we would change your appearance a little bit." Luella said as she looks at me intently.
"It'll also be hard for people to recognize you. Though it would've been better if we changed your name too." Martin said a matter of fact.
"No, you can cut, color, whatever you want with my hair but I'm keeping my name." I said with determination. I want Izumi to be a part of my journey.
"Martin let it go, the boys don't even know Mai last name. It'll be fine." Luella scolds Martin who was now slightly annoyed.
"This is your eyes contacts; this is a light brown. It'll cover your dark red eyes." Martin said as he had me a bag containing several pairs.
"Do I have to wear them?" I asks as I pull a pack out to look closely.
"It'll help you to hide your identity better, Fumiko will supply you them so you'll never run out." Martin replied as he looks at me intently.
"I'll wear them for now, but when I am bigger and stronger. I can temporary change my appearances myself." I said, making everyone in the plane uncomfortable as the subject of me not being human is rare.
"Your hair is really long and dark, I think we should cut it back to back like it was, when we first met you and dye it to a brown color. We should also perm it straighter." Luella said as look at my long wavy ebony hair.
"Alright that's fine. How will I maintain it until then?" I ask as I play with my long dark locks. It'll at least take me 3-4 years before I could gain more powers. I only maintain a quarter of powers as I am now, a mere child.
"Worry not, until then, Ms. Fumiko here would take you to a salon that allies with us weekly to keep it maintain. No one will notice a thing." Luella replies me with reassurances.
"You can stay with Fumiko until you are physically old enough to get your own place, though you'll still have to finish your schooling." Martin said as he hands me a large brown envelope.
"Inside the bag has everything you'll need. Cellphone, money, citizen card, ID, passports, credit cards, etc." Luella explains as I open the envelope to look at the item within it.
"The credit cards will be pay for, monthly. You can spend on whatever you want." Martin said as I look at the two black cards that I pulled out from the bag.
"I also have something for you. I think you would appreciate this more than anything in that bag." Luella said as she hands me a much smaller white envelope.
I slowly ripped the envelope open and empty the content into my palm. The moment my eyes lay on it, tears started to swell as I hold it tight in my hand.
"Thank you so much." I said with tears flowing down my cheek.
"I've send some of my men to take care of Izumi place. I've the lock changed, but I thought you should've the key that Izumi used." Luella said with a smile as she places her hand on my back to console me.
The key was meaningless and has no value to many people. It was nothing compared to the item that was in the large envelope. Though to me, it was more valuable than any objects. It was the key to her home with Izumi; her family. This key was her treasure.
"Please be seated and buckle up. The plane will be landing shortly. Destination, Tokyo, Japan."
"We will miss you Mai, we will visit you as often as we can." Luella said as she hugs me tightly while Martin simply patted me on the shoulder.
"We've already your schools, and your housing. If you need anything, I placed us on speed dials." Martin said with slight wavered voice as he were trying to put up a brave face.
"I'll be going now." I said with a smile as a deport the plane.
"Please do not worry Mr. and Mrs. Davis, I will take care of Mai." Ms. Fumiko said as she respectfully bows to them before exiting the plane.
"Why did we have to go to the stupid conferences! I want to see Mai off in the house!" Luella screams as the plane door closes to refuel and departures.
After 5 years or so, I now maintain half of my powers; so I can now change my appearances. I no longer needed to wear contacts or dye my hair to maintain it. Though I still have to go weekly to maintain my hair length. Time passed by quickly. I enjoyed going to school. I made friends, at times; I feel almost human. Luella and Martin come to visits me once or twice a year. We would catch up, with Luella and I would go shopping. Every though Luella always vague when she talking about Ollie and Genie. Though she always ends the conversation with "They are very handsome." Whiles Martin always saying. "We must have the game be fair for everyone." It seems that they are taking the game of hide and seek more serious than I thought. Besides that, everything is normal as it can be. Last year, I've asked if I moved out to my own place. Even though Luella and Martin allows me to have access to the cards and money. I didn't feel need the need to get a large place. Instead, now I am residing in my cozy studio condo. Its tiny but its mine. I can't believe it has already been 8 years. I haven't heard from Genie or Ollie beside from Luella and Martin. Besides that, I haven't spoken to Luella and Martin for a couple of months now. Every time I went to call them to check up on Ollie and Genie, I only get William. William words always the same and it always sounded vague and rehearsed. "Luella and Martin is very busy at their university of paranormal with new researches, Mr. Oliver and Mr. Eugene is perfectly fine. Goodbye now, Ms. Mai" I hope everyone is safe.
Chapter 1
April, Thursday Audiovisual Classroom
It was completely dark inside a classroom. A blue penlight's glow was moving around. A light that's too weak to illuminate the entire room. The blue light shone on the floating silhouette of the girl, who's holding the penlight.
"It's raining outside. The voice of the young girl is sweeping somewhere throughout the lonely sounds of the falling rain." Yuri said.
"...This is a story I heard from my uncle." Yuri continues.
"One summer my uncle went to the mountain with a friend. They walked, aiming to see the summit of that mountain." The girl paused for a moment, before continuing again.
"...And you know, the weather was nice, but they lost their way, even though they had been there before. They should have arrived to the top in about three hours, but no matter how much they walked, they couldn't reach as it may seem, they kept on walking, and then a completely unknown mountain ridge appeared above them and they couldn't understand where they were anymore. Anyway, under these circumstances they decided to return and took the way from which they came, but after they walked for a while the same place appeared before them. No matter how many times they walked that way, they always came to the same ridge. Eventually it got dark and they had no choice, but to camp at that place." As she told the story, making the two other girl silhouette quiet with the lips tighten.
"Night came. They sat by the camp-fire, chatting, when they heard a man's voice. A voice asking for help. The two of them looked around for the voice's owner, but couldn't see anyone. Trying to call for him didn't give a result either. And just when they thought that it was just their imagination, they heard the voice again. This time it was closer than before, they searched again, but still there was no one same thing happened many times again, and the voice was steadily closing in to them. At the end the voice got so close to them that it was coming from the campfire. Breathing and footsteps could be heard but still they couldn't see anyone there. As anyone would, they got a very bad feeling about that, so my uncle's friend began chanting a 'namuamidabutsu' prayer. All the sounds started to tone down. The two of them couldn't sleep that night at all and waited for dawn. In the morning they realized that near the camp there was a cairn."
"A cairn?" One of the girl ask in confusion.
"Yeah. When a man died in the mountain, they piled up some stones at that place instead of a grave. That's called a cairn. Well, you see, that cairn was about an average man's height. It was impossible to miss it. Still they didn't notice it the day dead person must have felt lonely and tried to invite them...or something like that. I still wonder what could have happened if my uncle's friend didn't do the 'namuamidabutsu' prayer." Yuri said as she finished her story, leaving the rain's sound to be the only sign of activity around us.
She quietly turned off the penlight. Another two lights remained inside the room.
"Next is Mai." Keiko suggests from the darkness.
As the expert, I started my story.
"...It's a story I heard when I was a grade student. On a street at night there was a woman going back home. That was in the Autumn, so her body got cold midway and she felt she needed to go to the toilet. She was just passing near a park and thought she could use the public toilet there. Public bathroom at night doesn't feel right, does it? Because it's dark and all... Although she didn't want to, she went into the restroom. Then, she heard a voice calling out of thin air." I said as I made my high-pitched voice tremble.
"'Do you want a red coat?' 'No-o!' Someone screamed. That woman was totally frightened and left the restroom. But somehow the door was stuck. The door jolted and again she heard the same voice, 'Do you want a red coat?'. She hit the door with all her might, but it didn't open. And when she heard the voice for the third time she answered,'No, I don't want it'. Right after that the door opened quickly."
No one could speak. Only a weak rough noise of breathing mingled with the sound of the rain is audible. I paused before I continuing the story.
"The woman got out of the restroom in a haste and was so scared that she just couldn't go home by herself, then she saw two patrol policemen passing by. She greeted the policemen and told them about what happened while going home. They told her, 'That was probably a molester who had hidden himself somewhere inside the bathroom. We can't catch him by ourselves.', so she had to go inside again. Before she entered the toilet again the police man told her 'When the voice asks you again, please say yes.' Then the woman entered the toilet and soon after that she heard the creepy voice say 'Do you want a red coat?' She, as instructed, answered with 'Yes'. And at the same instant a terrible scream filled the midnight silence. The door opened quickly, and the woman there was dead."
*Raindrop sounds. Just raindrops...*
"She was covered in red just like she was wearing a red coat. She was dyed in deep red blood. Her body was pierced so that it looked like the pointer of a compass, full of small holes everywhere."
Everyone screamed.
"No!"
"Waah!"
Hearing the screams, I turned off the penlight. Only one light was left. Only one blue light was still shining...
It was Michiru turn to tell her story.
"It's a story about the old school house..." The blue light is shining on Michiru's hair, illuminating her face creepily as she begin her story.
"Mai, have you heard the story of the old school building?" Michiru asks. I turn my face, shaking my head in a negative answer as her reply.
"Strange. At the ex-school building there is a wooden building at the opposite side of the sports ground. The half-collapsed building." She started with a slight pause.
"...So. It wasn't collapsed. That's where the reconstruction stopped." Michiru continued.
"Why...?" I squeaked out.
"Curse..." Michiru smiled like a ghost with one simple reply.
"C-c-curse?" The three of us repeated with a shudder.
"Yes...That building was cursed... a lot of strange incidents happened there. Every year a teacher and a pupil died there... Was it a fire or an incident, only bad things happened there." Michiru continued.
I saw that right after I entered this school. The old building had half-collapsed. It was full of broken glass and walls around. Really, that building is a scary place.
"The new school building was built ten years ago. That time, when they had to demolish the old building to start the construction, strange things happened. A machine stopped and workers got ill. But still they tried to break the west wall, and the roof fell down. All the way from the second floor. All of the workers on the first floor died." Said Michiru.
Diseases, injuries, incidents...maybe it is on cursed land. I should go and see if I can help.
"Thereupon the construction was suspended. It was left like that, with the west side collapsed, for a long that unpleasant things continued to happen. A child from the neighborhood was found dead in the ex-building, three days after that a teacher committed suicide there...The demolition was restarted last year in order to rebuild the gym. But again only the half of it got demolished, before the work got suspended. The same as last time. A machine broke, a worker got..." Michiru paused to build suspense in her story.
...huh.
"Once a truck went out of control and drove through the sports ground during class. Two students died and seven were severely injured. It was on the newspapers too." Keiko added.
...I don't like this.
Michiru continues on in a low voice.
"My senpai's friend saw a man's ghost at the ex-building...A person's white shadow was looking at her from the second floor, she said. The road around the school fence isn't a place to walk at night. When I was walking my dog at night at that street I felt someone looking at me. When I turned around, from the window of a half-collapsed classroom a white silhouette was..." Michiru pauses again.
"It can't be..." Keiko raises her voice.
"It's true. ...and that person was waving his hand like he was inviting me. I got the feeling that I shouldn't go inside the old school so I left staggering on my feet." Yuri said as a matter of fact.
"A-and..?" I ask nervously.
"That's all. When I started walking, my dog burst out barking with great energy, so I got back there. I looked again at the window, but the person wasn't there anymore." Yuri replied.
"Hyaa..." I let out a breath of relief.
"...I'm turning it off." Michiru said quietly. The room got quiet again.
With a weak sound Michiru's penlight disappeared. The vicinity was wrapped up in the darkness and the sound of the rain.
Keiko says with a hazy voice from inside the darkness.
"One..." Her voice is trembling. After we tell the ghost stories and turn off the lights we have to count upwards from one. The last one should be a ghost.
"Two..." Yuuri's voice.
"Three..." Mine.
"Four..." Michiru's low voice.
There are four of us await anxiously. Are we about to hear a fifth voice? We strained our ears.
*Raindrops*
"Five" Said an unknown voice.
KYAAA!
We all screamed, horrified at once. We fell into panic with agonizing cries.
What was that!?This voice!? I'm an angel but I do NOT like ghost!
"No-o, no-o" We all screamed out as we hold on to each other in a tight embraces.
At that instant, the dark room was lit up. Near the door there is a light switch. Under the small green light there is a group of unsociable looking students among the desks. In the school basement there is a Audio-Video room, that's where we are. We turned around, and saw a tall boy standing near the door, looking at us with interest. He has an impressively beautiful face. His hair as dark as night, and a deep gloomy look in his eyes. With well-matched black clothes. His white face and hands are like the melting moonlight inside the twilight abyss. Without a uniform.
Is he an exchange student? Have I met him? He looks familiar.
"W...was that you?" Keiko asked as nervously as we all let go of each other.
"Yes... did I do something wrong?" The boy replied with a nice peaceful voice.
"Ahh, that surprised me. I thought I was going to die." Michiru said as she sits back down in relieved.
"Excuse me. The lights were off so I thought there was nobody in here, but suddenly I heard voices... so I just.." The tall boy said before behind cut off by Keiko.
"That's... it's alright!" Keiko says joyfully as she runs toward him.
"Are you an exchange student?" Michiru asked cheerfully as she walk up to him.
"...is it like that, I wonder..." Said the tall boy, after a slight pause.
What's with the pause?
"A first-year?" Michiru asked again with the same cheerful tone.
"...I'm seventeen this year." The tall boy replied.
A strange way to answer, most people would just say that they are a senior.
"So, you are a senpai." Keiko says that with a lively voice. She is the kind that is attracted only by the looks. Actually this guy is really handsome. A tall figure. Long legs too. And again, a beautiful face.
...But I kind of feel something weird from him. It's just a feeling, but I can tell that there's something suspicious about him.
"We are sorry to have surprised you too! We were telling ghost stories." Michiru says with a smiling face.
"Would you mind if I joined you?" He said and smiled.
Everyone screamed in delight, beside me.
"Please, please... Sit here." Michiru said as she pulled his arm.
"What's your name?" Keiko asked as she pull onto his other arm.
"Shibuya..." The tall boy replied awkwardly.
"Shibuya-senpai, do you like ghost stories too?" Keiko's eyes formed a heart at that moment.
"Sort of." He replied with a slight smiled.
Everyone screamed happily again, but after all I had this feeling of unrest coming from him. I wonder why, but I still feel there was something odd about him.
"Shibuya-san..." I said, as he turned to my direction.
Mm? As I said his face was expressing a smile. But I felt it. This guy had something hidden under the surface. His eyes aren't smiling.
"What are you doing in a place like this?" I asked curiously.
"I had something to take care of." He replied stoically.
"Then do it faster, because we're going home now." I said with an annoyed expression.
"Eeh!" Keiko and Michiru exclaimed, dissatisfied. Even Yuri who has been quiet until now, pulls on my uniform.
"That's Mai...Don't worry about it senpai. What is it that you have to do here? We will help you!" Keiko and Michiru said as they continue to tug on both sides of his arms.
"...Ah, it's only some tape dubbing..." Shibuya-senpai said as he once again forces his smile.
"The truth is, I'm in a hurry right now. How about, next time you tell ghost stories, you let me join in?" Shibuya-senpai added, still with his strained smile.
"Then, tomorrow after school!" Keiko said as she wags her imaginary tail.
"Alright. Where?" Shibuya-senpai asked.
"Our homeroom! Room 1-F!" Michiru replied with a cheerful smile.
Shibuya-senpai nodded with his strained smiled, then bowing his head in assent.
"Okay, then we are off. Goodbye." Michiru said as she stood in an unusually graceful manner.
"Take care." Shibuya said with his forced smile.
"Yess.( )" Keiko said as she turns to leave.
Everyone was in high spirits, Keiko and the others were pleased with themselves, but for me, I was the only one unsatisfied and thinking about what had just happened in the A/V room. Why was he so familiar?