For someone who was so determined to befriend a ghost, Yata had to take a painful minute just to look at Totsuka in the eyes without flinching. Actually, when he thought about it, the fact that Totsuka was dead had been so awfully obvious that it might even be the only clear-cut thing out of all the messes. He didn't know what to do but to gawk awkwardly at the blond man.
"Don't say anything, just come in here naturally." Totsuka put his index finger in front of his lips, signaling Yata to not open his mouth. "You don't want to attract unwanted attention."
Hesitantly, Yata threw a cautious glance behind. Indeed, there were some random people in the hall looking at him all puzzled and distasteful. It looked like his little outburst before did him no good – damn that monkey. Luckily they eventually resumed whatever they were doing without approaching him. Yata stormed in the elevator before anything else could happen.
"Totsuka-san! Okay, an explanation is exactly what I need right now!" The redhead asked right at the moment the door closed.
"Ah, right. But first…" Totsuka didn't answer immediately. Rather, he was looking around with a troubled expression, hands tapping the air as if he was playing an air piano. All of a sudden, something like electricity zapped among Totsuka's fingers, making fuzzy noises and flashing blue lights. The elevator's atmosphere tensed up considerably and Yata felt himself almost being shrunk.
The weird feeling came to an explosive stop when Totsuka smiled and curled both his hands into fists in mid-air. The cram elevator shook slightly like it was hit by a low-leveled earthquake for five seconds while the buzzing noises shot up several volumes. Then, from the space between where Totsuka's hands stayed, a blue glow gradually formed into a round shape.
"Wh-W-What are you doing? It's so cool, but!?" Yata stared, unable to close his mouth.
"Shh!" Totsuka shushed him. "Wait a minute, please. Thank to you, I've just gotten a hold on Fushimi. I'm trying to neutralize his power now."
Yata confirmed that his brain was officially fried. He gave up on trying to figure thing out on his own, instead looking at the glowing azure orb with intense concentration.
Inside the orb, electricity, sharp metal objects and some unidentified things flared and swirled all around like a blizzard. A thin silhouette was flicking beneath all the chaos - Yata squinted his eyes to thin lines – a boy who was curling up.
"Saruhiko…" Yata breathed out.
"You really can see him, neh. Where is he? Point him out to me, Yata." Totsuka said with a hopeful smile.
"Here." Yata pointed a finger at the tiny tremble shadow a little slanted toward the left.
The moment his nail touched the anarchic glow, he felt a strong pressure pulled his whole being in as everything in the chaotic world on the other side froze abruptly. One spilt second was all he had to brace himself when an electric current ran through his hand and shocked him crashing to the wall behind. The noises also stopped all of a sudden, leaving the elevator eerily quiet.
With an irritated growl, Yata jumped back to his feet despite his hazy vision and numb limbs. In the very short time he was out of focus the images inside the blue glow had changed. A part of Fushimi's back could be seen and he seemed to be in an elevator – one that looked exactly the same as where Yata and Totsuka were standing in. The aura surrounding him was tranquil, close to protective.
"Fushimi. Can you hear me?" Totsuka whispered, then continued upon receiving no response. "I don't know why you are here, but you need to go back."
Still no reply. Fushimi didn't even move.
The blond spirit urged on. "Both you and I know fully well that you're not dead. Fushimi. I am honestly surprise to see you here…I don't know what I expected when I heard you're in a long coma, but not this."
Yata shifted uncomfortably by Totsuka's side, unsure how to act in such a situation.
"Did something happen?" Totsuka insistently went on regardless of the stretching silence. "Or… Is this what you want?"
Fushimi didn't look like he caught a word Totsuka had said. However, a subtle zap suddenly flickered around the edge of Totsuka's tight fists, and by the look of it the ghost was in pain. Totsuka let out a small yelp and loosed his fingers just a tiny bit, yet the mysterious glowing aura instantly dissolved into the air, leaving nothing behind.
"Uhm…" Yata looked at the scene with no more small amount of uncertainty. "You failed to contact Saru or something?"
"I think so." Massaging both his wrists, Totsuka tilted his head forward the back wall, a wry smile wormed its way to his pale lips. "That boy really never changes."
"What do you mean?"
"Think of it as the closer you get to him, the further he withdraws away. As you've just seen, I seemed to cross the line. Fushimi doesn't like it when someone gets a glimpse of his life – or his well-being, for that matter." Totsuka sat down the floor, patting the space next to him as to signal Yata to do the same. "He must not want to see us right now, so he makes sure that we can't reach him."
"Gzee. That guy's so troublesome, what even is his problem?" Yata let himself drop down heavily, creating a big "thump" as his back hit the wall.
"It's a long story." Said Totsuka. Yata frowned and pursed his lips, but keeping quiet since Totsuka had started the promised explanations.
"Do you know about the real nature of this place?" The ghost gestured around, implying the elevator.
Yata nodded with a small click of tongue. "Anna told me she this elevator has a strong connection with the spiritual world. Now saying this sounds very embarrassing… But it's one of the reasons I thought Saruhiko was a ghost haunting it before…"
"You're not entirely wrong. This place truly is a "link" between the living and the dead. It has been existing for thousands of years, in many forms and shapes, depends on what takes its space. Form what I heard, sometimes it took appearance as a lake, and sometimes it was a chariot, a hole, or a bridge. It's very interesting that in our time an elevator is accidently built right in middle of "the link", giving the ride to other world such a great modern look, isn't it?"
"Ugh…" Yata blinked. "I understand, mostly, but what does that has to do with anything?"
"Sorry, I get a little carried away." Totsuka gave a sheepish smile. "In term of traveling "the link", there are particular rules. One: the living can't see the dead, or go to the other side. Two: the dead can see the living and go the other side for a certain amount of time, but they can't interfere anything."
"So that's why Saruhiko can't see you, or other ghosts…" breathed out Yata in realization. "But, wait, he isn't actually alive, right? His body is…I don't know, haft-way there. You said he's in a coma, is it the reason? And why can't you see him?"
"Haft-way there is a nice way to put it in words, good job, Yata. To be more specific I'd say Fushimi is stuck in "the link" of the dead when he is supposed to be alive." A sad smile twitched on Totsuka's lips, making him appear older than he was. "I don't know why, though. To be honest, before hearing you called Fushimi's name here I had no idea where his soul was. What I tried to do before was to somehow break down whatever causes his unnatural staying in "the link" and pull him back to the right dimension. He had been unconscious for half a year now, even Munakata is getting weary."
There was something missing, Yata could vaguely feel it. While everything sounded true, it was almost like Totsuka left a single piece out on purpose. Like, didn't Totsuka say he neutralized Fushimi's power? Why said "whatever the cause" now?
However, Yata chose to drop it for now. If Totsuka deemed it not fit to tell, let him be. There were still so many things to ask anyway.
"What's the reason for his coma, Totsuka-san? It had to do with that crazy Colourless guy that you tried to save Fushimi from, right?" Yata twisted Fushimi's knife around, trying to perform some knife tricks but failed miserably. The knife on his hand flashed a sharp reflection of Totsuka's calm brown eyes. "At first I thought he and you were on bad term, but he appears to cherish this knife that you gave him enough. And you obviously care about him."
"How much do you know, Yata?"
"Not very much, admittedly…" Ah. He forgot to tell the deal with his dreams. And everything in between. Well, whatever. "I asked people in Homra, but…"
Totsuka chuckled. "I bet that no one say anything to you because of some rules and such. Homra and Munakata normally don't mind things like that, but you see, they're forced to keep our story a secret in order to keep their lives going normally as well as keep Fushimi alive. "
Yata;s eyes widened comically, his mouth hanging like a fish. "His situation is that serious?"
"What do you think? You experience it first-hand that he is half-dead." Totsuka eyed him jokingly. "But I'm a real ghost and they can't see me so it's fine, neh? Kusanagi-san always says I'm the type of people who do whatever they want anyway!"
Now that Yata thought about it…why did Totsuka die? He was temporarily blinded by mystery of Fushimi so he didn't think about it.
"Won't you tell me the whole story?" Yata said with way too confused but excited voice, bonus a bit of a guilty feeling because he really shouldn't enjoy something like this, moral-wise.
Totsuka lowered his voice into a serious tone, accompanied by an unreadable face.
"Fushimi had acted a little bit strange around the time the accident happened. I can't give you the details, but he was…not really himself. Then, he disappeared for two days – later we found out that Fushimi was kidnapped. We struggled to find him even with Anna's ability and Munakata's intelligence, eventually some clues led to a second year student in this school with self-claimed code name Colourless. Fushimi's situation when I found him on the roof was terrible... he was injured, drugged, and practically shell-shocked."
"That's…scary". Yata nodded dumbly along. So the event which his first dream took place was this. It explained the haziness and agony feelings in the memory.
"When I tried to free Fushimi, he kept pushing me back and yelled incoherent things. And then, the last thing I remembered there was that Fushimi and I were caught in the sudden shooting spree by Colourless. I…was shot in the heart and couldn't make it…" Totsuka sighed and scratched the back of his head. "But Fushimi was a bit luckier as the bullet went to his stomach. Mikoto and Munakata went to the crime right on time to save his life, I think. He wouldn't die by that injury, really, however for some reasons Fushimi hasn't woken up from his coma yet."
The blond man continued when Yata made no comment. "I don't know much about what happened after my death, but I can put pieces and bits together. It seemed like Munakata wanted to put Fushimi in a local hospital to treat him, however the school's vice principal didn't wa-"
DING!
Instantly, Totsuka stopped and Yata looked up when the door opened. Stood tall in front of the elevator was a rather tall but feminine-looking man. He has messy purple hair, aside from two sections on both sides that went just past his shoulders which were blue and in weird DNA shape. There was an old sword attached to the black belt of the man, partially covered by a long-tailed black coat. The stranger smirked down at him, looking like the very personalization of shadiness.
"Ah. I finally found you. Misaki-chan~! What an odd place for you to be."
"What do you want with me? Who the hell are you? Cosplay freak?" Yata's eyes narrowed. This guy had appeared for like three seconds and he felt irritated by him already. The timing was ridiculous, too. "And don't call me by my first name! What's with Misaki-chan, it gives me the creep!"
"Touchy, ain't you?" The strange man weighted his palm down the open button so the elevator's door couldn't close. "Usually I ought to punish a student if he doesn't know me, but I shall let you pass this time Mr. Transfer student. You will call me Yukari-sensei."
Yata opened his mouth to retort, however he startled into silence when a chill ran through his arm. Totsuka had just shoved him – or more like tried to grab his arm but inevitably went through it. The blond man looked contentedly serene at the first glance, yet there were sparks of alertness in his eyes.
"Get away from him when you can, Yata." Said Totsuka slowly. "This man is dangerous. He is the secretary of the vice principal."
Yukari leered at the student, obviously had no awareness of Totsuka's existence. "The vice principal wants to have a word with you. Congratulation, your great record has caught his attention!"
"My record what now?" Yata tiled his head briefly at Totsuka's direction, indicating that he understood the advice. He was already in the position to walk out of the elevator and away from the creepy man. "I'm afraid you're mistaking me for another student, Yukari-sensei. My grades certainly can't impress anyone."
Out of the blue, his way was blocked by a sword – Yukari used the long scabbard as a barricade to prevent Yata from advancing any further. Throwing a scornful glare at the man, Yata tried turning to another way, only to be blocked again. Seriously, what the hell?
"There's no mistake, Misaki-chan. Don't you think your little absurd relationship with Reishi-chan and Izumo-chan is pretty curious for others? I suggest the school's gate is not the best place to exchange mails, neh?" There was danger in the way Yukari handled the sword, making it threatening even when it wasn't drawn yet. The easy words coming out of his glossy lips were chillingly silky. "Come with me now, if you would, please."
Under the heavy pressure of the stranger, Yata had a flashback of Munakata's warning at the back of the hospital card. Careful of eyes and ears.
Yata took a quick peek at the lift to see if Totsuka gave him anymore hint, but seeing nothing but a faint shadow wavering nearby there. He almost screamed in fear out of reflex, yet remembering that his spirit-seeing power was actually so weak that it only worked full-on when he was in the elevator. In short, he couldn't see ghosts if he wasn't in close contact with "the link".
"No." Yata gritted out "I don't want to meet the vice-principal or whoever just because of some stupid reasons like that."
"I think we have a misunderstanding here." Yukari's eyes gleamed like a hawk. "It doesn't matter you want to or not. Objection is not acceptable."
Not good. Turning Fushimi's knife in hand nervously, Yata had half a mind to make sortie toward the exit. He didn't really know how to handle a knife, though – he was more of a punch-and-beat guy. However, facing someone like this purple man definitely required a weapon.
"That's a beautiful knife, but I don't think you will do it justice, Misaki-chan.""
Yukari smiled, and with an agile twist of the sheathed sword, he flicked the knife out of Yata's hand. The dagger dropped down with a sharp clank, rotating a few rounds while sliding across the floor. The sound of metal clashing with tiled hall made Yata's hair on the nape stood up. Yukari took the chance to close the distance between him and Yata, a hand rising as if he was going for Yata's throat.
Shi-
"!"
Abruptly, without warning, a flame burst right in front of Yata's eyes, missing Yukari's fingers by only a few centimeters. The bizarre interruption made Yata shout and jump back, yet Yukari didn't even look surprise. The latter just shrugged and turned half-heartedly to face the new comer.
"Always the charming hero, Mikoto-chan. Though, it'd be better if you don't breathe fire in the school's ground. People should pay money to see such a show in the circus, don't you think?"
"Hm…said an old man who was swinging a sword around." Mikoto sighed nonchalantly, kicking the fallen knife up so it bounced to the air and caught it with a single smooth movement. While his expression showed nothing but utter boredom, there was fire licking at the edges of his body frame, especially heavy at the tips of his red hairs.
Yata immediately ran to Mikoto's side, thoughtlessly showing his excitement and admiration. Yukati's eyes narrowed a tiny bit as a wicked smile bloomed on his lips.
"My, how cute. I see you've got a little puppy. Are you telling your puppy to, perhaps, sniff and dig something under the dirt?"
Yata snarled at Yukari, furious for a good reason even if it made the taunt seemed quite close to the target. On the other hand, Mikoto just snorted like he couldn't care less.
"Heh. Then I'm going to let him have a walk."
Ugh. Mikoto-san…that's quite a low blow. Yata wanted to whine but refrained himself.
The purple-haired man gave a mocking sigh. "I'm afraid you will have to leave it for another time." He drew the sword and pointed it straight to Mikoto, the blade gleaming dangerously. "Our little boy here already had an appointment with Nagare Hisui, the vice principal."
"Hahh…So?" The red-haired man didn't move an inch.
"If something has the potential to harm Ashinaka school, Hisui-chan will take care of it. You know it well, don't you?"
"Ah. I probably know." The corner of Mikoto's mouth raised a bitty fraction, forming a callous smile. Even though his eyes went cold, wild red flame started to spread all over his body. The fire gathered strongly at the palm of his right hand, so powerful that Yata could feel the heat even a meter away. "…And I don't give a damn."
Putting a thoughtful face on, Yukari lowered his sword very slowly. It seemed like he was considering what would be the best thing to do in this intense situation. Mikoto was sure as hell ready for a fight and wouldn't back down no matter what. Yata certainly wouldn't give in either. However, they were still at the school – in a building, even – fighting with sword and supernatural fire would be real bad.
At last, Yukari clicked his tongue and sheathed the sword. "Interesting. I'll let it slide just this time. Misaki-chan, see you later, neh? Don't run around so much, or a little monkey may suffer more than he already is~" Then he walked away, waving hand contentedly without looking back.
Yata jerked upon hearing the threat, but Yukari had already disappeared around the corner. He glanced at Mikoto in order to clarify what it meant exactly, only to jump back a few steps because the fire surrounding Mikoto was getting rapidly stronger and hotter. The floor began to turn black under his feet.
"M-M-Mikoto-san?"
Mikoto was like a human torch. He closed his eyes and breathed slowly, head in hands, eyebrows furrowing deep with such an unfamiliar exhausted expression. Shutting down, that was what it looked like.
Yata fumbled with his PDA, figuring he should probably call Kusanagi for help. He was about to hit call when something odd happened. First, there were melodic sounds softly rang in the air, muffled and faraway like a siren song played underwater. A few seconds later, Mikoto's flame was slowly extinguished, fading and transforming into small floating flickers of fire. In fact, when Yata got a closer look, their shapes looked similar to butterflies.
"…That guy is here, isn't he?" Mikoto sighed. There was no trace of flame anywhere on him anymore. "Tatara."
"Ah! Yes! Totsuka-san is right next to us, probably! I couldn't see him here, though. My vision worked best when I'm in the elevator."
"Hm." Mikoto strolled to the lift, staring at the red number above the door. Yet he didn't push the button to open it, just stood there quietly. "I can't see anyway."
But Yata saw him. The wane spirit of Totsuka.
With a very, very sad smile, Totsuka embraced the older redhead from behind. His hands went through the latter, making the loose embrace all the more remind them of the different worlds they were being in.
"Idiot." Mikoto whispered.
"Yeah." Totsuka hung his head low. "King."
A single flame butterfly floated out of Mikoto and landed on Totsuka's head. Still, the former didn't seem to acknowledge any of that. It crushed Yata's heart, but he couldn't say anything to Mikoto – scared that he would break such a beautiful moment.
Ironically, Mikoto was the one who broke it. Cruelly so.
"Let's go, Yata." He turned, going right through Totsuka and heading to the exit.
"…Yes, Mikoto-san." Sending a sympathetic brief look to Totsuka, who was now just a faint shadow, Yata followed the gym teacher with hurried steps.
"Tell me about this knife." Mikoto said once they were out of the school and into a car. Apparently he still held Fushimi's knife – Yata had forgotten about it. "And everything Tatara told you. More, if you can."
Puzzled but excited, Yata processed to say the whole story. The dreams, the accident at the pool, the hospital card that Munakata gave him, and the explanations of Totsuka. It took quite a long time, and Mikoto did nothing but nodding every once in a while, eyes on road. As Mikoto had said, they were going to Shouhei's house – whoever he was. He called Kusanagi before, saying they had got a good item that needed the abilities of some other Homra members.
When Yata finished, Mikoto asked only one question.
"Hm…be shot in the heart by Colourless. That's what he said, huh?"
"Yes. I can't believe it, it's so… gzee, terrible!"
"However, despite his appearance," Mikoto sighed, "Tatara always has a bone of a liar."
"Ehh?"
"Sometimes he lies. Sometimes he just doesn't tell the whole truth."
A moment of silence passed, as if the Homra president was being cautious of the rules, but then he shrugged and spoke again.
"There're two injuries on Totsuka which caused his death. One was a shot at the heart. And the other…", he glared at Fushimi's knife, "…was a stab at the stomach."
Yata's eyes widened.
"I saw it…when I was still on the ground trying to look at what was happening on the roof. Fushimi was the one stabbed Totsuka."