Chapter Three : Can I Be a Ghost Hunter?
Night, Zala Mansion.
"Do you know Athrun, that in the Japanese urban legend about the ghost that known as "Bancho Sarayashiki". In the legend told that a maid named Okiku who is employed by an evil samurai to take care of ten precious plates. She later is told by that evil samurai no matter what happen never let anything happen to the plates. So one day one of the plates is broken or stolen which there are many variations of the story, that people still can't prove cause they hear the story from one generation to another, so the story may change during the changing verbal but one thing for sure that Okiku is blamed and killed and thrown down a well by the samurai. Okiku's soul can no rest, being killed so unjustly, and her spirit returns to Earth as a ghost , repeatedly counting the plates and coming up with one missing. So on my theory that girl may know something happened in school that is why she been killed by that evil. I just need to investigate about that well, about what the history behind that well." said Cagalli to Athrun in Kitchen while watching Athrun cook the dinner. Athrun will cook the dinner if only Cagalli will spend the night at his house, which is pretty normal since they both spend their childhood together. They slept together, took bath, even sharing the toothbrush.
Athrun who hears Cagalli comment on what they just saw at that well behind school yard, just shaking his head,"you know that evil may be a human. In my opinion, that girl may be have been killed by a strong person or she just trip herself in that well. I don't think that she broke any plate princess."laughing Athrun to Cagalli theory.
Cagalli just make a face to Athrun,"you know what Athrun, I don't really care what your ideas what is happening there, I just want to know what really happened. Even so she trips herself, why she not in peace?"
"Maybe she wants people to know where she is. Since that well very rare people go by. She wants to bury in peace."
"Still, there some missing puzzle in her life, I really need to know who she really is. I need hack police system."
"ARE YOU CRAZY!? Last time you did that we both ALMOST get caught! Which it is lucky that we both didn't cause someone hack the system before you did. Please Cagalli just stop, if you want to investigate using the proper channel, not by hacking, which will because you end up in the prison." said Athrun in very high pitch which cause his maids startled.
"Master Athrun is you okay? Do you need my help to make dinner?" ask his oldest maid Mana.
"No Mana, I just tell this stupid princess that you can't get anything if you use illegal resources to fill the needs that are all. Don't worry, I will make the dinner by myself, since Cagalli is here to eat, I will not allow anyone to assist me. Thanks for your concern Mana." reply Athrun while smiling at his maid. Mana just bows and leaves. She knows her young master is in love with that blonde princess. He will never show his feeling since that princess of his never notice that Athrun do really care about her. She just smiles at the thought the first time that she knew that Athrun is in love.
Morning, Zala Mansion
Athrun who is 10 years old is panicking, he forgot that is Cagalli birthday is TODAY! He didn't buy her anything, he really toast. Last time he forgot her birthday, he got really nice bruises on his body. This is not a really good experience to be felt.
"Mana, I need you, where are you?"screaming Athrun while running like a mad boy in the mansion.
Mana who heard young master calling up her name, dash to the Athrun.
"Yes young master, what can I help you?"
"I need to know what kind present I need give to the princess less than two hours and at the same time I will not receive any punch from that princess?"
"You do mean Cagalli? Have not you brought her that lovely necklace two weeks ago, and you put in your dad safety to not let the princess know that you already bought her present."
Athrun slaps his forehead. "Yes I remember now, thank you Mana."
Mana just smiles at the thought that the young master found his first love way back then he realizes it. Before Mana exit the kitchen, she takes a glance at Cagalli neck which she still wears that half white angel wing while young master wearing the other half black angel wing. Mana once asks him why he wears the black wing angel. He just told her that, the princess is pure innocent like an angel while I just her majestic which will do any dirty or illegal thing just for her sake so that she will be safe by my side.
"So princess why not tomorrow morning we go to the police station and ask them about the girl. Who she is, when she lives and then you can make yours move princess. Now please dig in this specially made Soba Mee with extra spicy. For the dessert I will make that banana parfait that you love so much." said Athrun while put a big bowl of Soba Mee in front of Cagalli.
Cagalli clap her hand of joy, at least she can eat dinner, she really hungry cause the incident in the well and the fighting with the stupid policeman.
Athrun just smiles at her behaviour, to him Cagalli cute in any ways she acts.
Athrun bedroom, currently Athrun takes shower while Cagalli who don't really love taking showers at night just pass it. Cagalli is on Athrun bed gathering any information about the well in her school, since it is not weird about it since both of them slept together since little kids. Athrun who's just finished his night shower see his princess on his bed get a little blush, since he has those feelings toward the girl in front of him.
"Athrun, what's taking you so long in the shower? Are you doing anything that bad for your hormone?"joked Cagalli while getting up from the bed and went to Athrun closet.
"I will borrow some of your clothes since I will not sleep in my uniform, I know you don't mind Athrun so thanks yea." with that Cagalli grab a big tee and went to the bathroom to get changed.
Athrun just watches her retreat, and let a very long sigh. He really needs to let some of the burden by telling Cagalli that they can't be a friend but more than that. The only problem is how to let her know and yet didn't ruin the friendship that they cherish all this time. Athrun sits on the corner of his bed, then from nowhere Cagalli just pop in front of him.
"What the hell are you doing Cagalli! You give me a heart attack! Please don't scare me like that!"startled Athrun. Athrun sees what Cagalli wearing, she wears his big tee that length until her calf, and her undergarment. Athrun gets big blush, "Cagalli sure cute in my tee." thought Athrun.
"You the one get daydream during the night, is not my fault at all Athrun. Move over, I will sleep now and my majestic please turn off the key light? Thanks, good night."said Cagalli while giving Athrun Goodnight kiss on his left cheek which to Cagalli is normal since she does it so many times.
"wwwwhhhaatt! The hells are you doing Cagalli?" ask Athrun while holding his left cheek.
"Sleep! You "genius". What's wrong with it? We used to sleep together and I will give you a Goodnight kiss when I sleep here. Have you banged your head that hard when you have that swimming practice?" reply Cagalli with the end sentence she just flops inside the blanket and went to a nice slumber since Athrun mattress so damn soft.
Athrun just stood like an idiot, he can't believe that he freak out like a monkey. He need act normal or telling his feeling to her, which is impossible to do.
Athrun turns off the light and went to sleep beside Cagalli, he can't help himself, he cuddles her.
"She is soft and smell like lemon." thought Athrun, with that he falls asleep.
Next Morning, Archangel Police Station.
"WHY CAN'T I SEE THE REPORT ABOUT THAT WELL? IT IS MY SCHOOL ANY WAY AND YOU AS GOVERNMENT SERVENT NEED TO UP TO DATE ABOUT ANYTHING THAT CONCERN TO THE PUBLIC! I ASK AGAIN, CAN YOU OFFICER GIVE THAT REPORT?" asks Cagalli in furious, currently Cagalli together Athrun are both in the police station and for the past an hour Cagalli battle verbally with one of the officers that in charge of "Well girl", up until now Cagalli can't get what she want, which at any second she will lose her steam.
"Sorry Little girl we can't possibly give you THAT REPORT! I ASK YOU NICELY, GET YOUR ASS OUT FROM HERE!" reply the officer while standing up and pointing the door to Cagalli so that she can get out from his investigation.
"WHAT...!"
"Officer, you look very honest guy, my princess here been here for the past hour, she just wants a look at the report, it not she wants to steal that very important evidence to stop any justice to be served by all the police men that protect the public from any harm. I ask as a brother to one, can you please let her see the report?" ask Athrun in calm before Cagalli blow up.
"Fine, I will let you kids see the report, but I just give 30 minutes to look at it. Not more than that. I hope you have photographic memories."reply the officer while show both of the "kids" to the investigation room.
"30 minutes only!"
Cagalli without any further take out the report and read it right away since she not have much time.
"I sure that you can read it and memorize it since you have that photographic memory, which that officer didn't know about."
Athrun just watches his princess read the report, he looks at her carefully, and she wears his 13 years old clothes, since all his current clothes is too big for her. She wears light printing blue shirt and his 3/4 length pant which at the end has that string to tie it still, while her hair Mana force her to be tied in medium ponytail.
"She really that cute, even in those clothes."thought Athrun while a smile on his face.
"Okay I am done. Let go Athrun."said Cagalli that make Athrun snap out from his daydream.
"Thank you very much and I really am sorry of my princess behaviours officer," said Athrun while bow as a respect to the officer in charged.
Cagalli who really piss with the treatment that she received just walk to the exit.
"Cagalli wait up! Where are we going now, princess?" ask Athrun while running toward Cagalli whose is far in front.
"We are going to Megumi Harada house. We need take train to reach her house. Are you coming with me Athrun?" reply Cagalli whose did not stop walking, she just keeps on walking.
"Yes! I will follow you where ever you going even the end of the world, I have to protect you my princess because I promised your dad that I will take a very good care of you."reply Athrun whose is now on her left.
"GOOD! If I want to jump from the highest building in PLANT, please do follow me you idiot!"
Athrun grabs Cagalli arm,"YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE ME! BUT I WILL, CAUSE YOU MY VERY IMPORTANT PERSON IN MY LIFE IDIOT!"
Cagalli for the first time feel scared. Athrun never in her life will react as that.
Athrun whose realizes what he has done, release the grip, "I'm sorry. But I am not sorry the words that I am telling you. Let's go." with that Athrun walk in front of her, Cagalli still in shock.
"What the hell was that? It's just a joke, I always say things like that. Why does it piss Athrun so much?" thought Cagalli.
The train trip in one long silence. Neither Cagalli nor Athrun spoke to each other during the trip.
Harada Residence, Afternoon.
"Thank you very much for having us here in your sorrow moment. It is our condolence." said Cagalli to the both of Harada parents.
"That is okay Miss..."
"Cagalli and this guy with me is Athrun."
"Miss Cagalli. Thank you for coming here. The ceremony will be held the day after tomorrow dear, why are you here today?"
"Mr and Mrs Harada I know it's kinda harsh of me to ask you this, but I am here to know why does she can end up in that well, so I a permission to look into her room. Understand her life before that terrible tragedy incurred on her."
"But the police already went through her room yesterday, what possible you can find in there my child?"
"I don't know but I really hope you will allow it. I bet you."
Mr and Mrs Harada looking at each other.
"Very well please follow me, dear." Said Mrs Harada while standing up and went to the second floor.
"Thank you Mrs Harada, we will be fine on our own if anything we need I will call you. Thank you again." said Cagalli while bow to that thirties woman. The woman just smiles and went downstairs to the living room where her husband is.
The room is painted in light blue, like an ocean, so cold to see. On her wall there has a lot of painting,
"I believe that she wants to be a painter."
"What possible we can find here Cagalli? The police had already been here yesterday. What can you find it in here?"
"I am here not to find anything; I just want to understand her life which the police did not take damn care about it. They just want to be she commits suicide or she in any foul play, which in my opinion it is bullshit. Why can't they know here before jumping to any conclusion?"
"As you can see she really loves paint, she not afraid using any colours to begin with. She is in cheerful life, but she loner. How I know that? Because my majestic she have been missing for two weeks, and people in school did not notice of her disappears, and one more thing she loves expressing her loner by her painting and drawing. That is how I know about her. Which it is not about foul play or commit suicide. She is loner does not mean she is sad about her life. So it left one thing, she had been murdered of something she does need to know about someone, in my definition DEMON!"
"Demon?! Is not that harsh princess?"
"NO! Taking someone else life is not your job it is the angel of death, if you taking someone else life just because to cover your mistake. That very person is entitle call as demon."
"Thank you very much of your time Mr and Mrs Harada." with that Athrun and Cagalli went home.
The Next Day, Morning, Archangel High School.
The whole school is talking about the girl in the well.
"I heard the girl suicide, because she is dumped by her "sugar daddy". Such a slut. " Saying one of the female students.
"She died because the "Okiku" push her into the well." said the other male student in a joking tone.
There a lot version how and what cause her death, which Cagalli get enough with. She doesn't like people talk about Megumi Harada. She was a girl who has a passion in drawing and painting. She may not have a wonderful life, but still she happy with that. Cagalli run to the broadcast room.
"Hey you! You can't enter here."yell one of the broadcaster to Cagalli, like in hell Cagalli care. The worst thing that she will get is three hours detention which she don't really care about that crap. She is more concerned about Megumi Harada. She still a human that people need to give a respect.
"TO ALL LOSER STUDENTS. ENOUGH ABOUT ALL THE CRAPS YOU GUYS HAD BEEN SAYING ABOUT HARADA MEGUMI! Do you people know her that well to judge her? Who you all people think you are? God?! Even God never judges his creations. You all just pathetic losers. JUST STOP IT! Give her a little peace and RESPECT. MORON!"
"Hey get out from there." said the head broadcaster Sting.
"GOOD DAY, TO ALL OF YOU MORON PEOPLE!" with that Cagalli turn off the speaker and headed to exist.
"Miss Athha ! Principal office. NOW!" said Mr Vino whose in charge of broadcast.
Cagalli obedient and went to the principal officer, she knocks the door.
"Enter."
"Good morning Sir."
"Early morning Miss Athha, you have already made a big fuss. You do know your punishment right Miss Athha?"
Cagalli nod her head. The rules all same, even during her middle school she received a lot of detection. She really loves to get into trouble, but not all the fuss she creates it. She really loves helping people that is why she in the detection in the first place.
"Three hours detection, Miss Athha. I never understand why you love to create chaos. I know you really good student just that you have unique ways to express yourself. I know how high school life is, it is hard, I once was a teenager boy, so trust me I know the "high school system" to get noticed. You can go now, and stay out from any trouble."
"Thank you sir." with that Cagalli retreat herself from principal Ledonir Kisaka office.
During the lunch break, on the roof top.
Currently Athrun and Cagalli having their lunch break. Is Athrun turn to prepare the Bento this one week. They both have system, one week Cagalli will make Bento for both of them, then the following week Athrun turn, and so on.
"Cagalli you did not touch your food, is everything fine princess? I know you get your three hours detection, but you don't really mind about it so much since you received a lot of detection during junior high. What's wrong princess?" asking Athrun while softly touches her hair. Cagalli look at Athrun, which to Athrun get a surprise. Cagalli looking like she is going to cry. She never cries in her life, except her dad's death, that was the last time he saw his little princess cried.
"Princess pleases don't cry, I sure the detection is not that bad dear,"said Athrun to comfort her while brush her tears.
"Athrun I don't mind about the detection, I just sad that people in school don't really care about Megumi Harada. They just talked trash about her. That makes me sad, I get my emotion get best of mine.'' reply Cagalli in a sad voice of hers.
"Please eat some of your food, princess. You need it to move on. It's okay to let your emotions get over you sometime. That shows you just normal, like any people in this world dear. Now please eat your Bento. Do you want me feed you dear?"
Cagalli open her mouth, to let Athrun feed her, Athrun whose see her reaction gladly feed her. At least his princess eats something.
"AWWWWW! I am bored." currently Cagalli is in her detection, but that's not the only thing that she was bored. Mrs Erika Simmons is her detection teacher in charge.
"Miss Athha, can you be quiet please. I also bored to look after a brat as you little Missy. So why now we both stay quiet then after three hours we can swear that we will never see each other in detection ever again."
Cagalli just rolled her eye, then her attention move to school back yard, from her detection classroom widow she can see the well very well. Cagalli just remember something.
"Mrs Simmons, is not here is the second year classroom, who's in charge to prepare the newcomer of first year students welcome badges? Am I not mistaken Miss Harada is one of the committee cause of her talent create handmade stuff, that is why she in charge to do the badges am I right?
"Yes, you were right about it. What is all about?"
"Nothing."
"What have you seen Megumi that day, that you did not supposed to see." thought Cagalli.
"OOOOHHH! YEAAAAA! Athrun-kun... Look here!" scream a bunch of idiot girls who think that Athrun is the only guy on this planet so that damn "HOT". Please, give the guy break already.
Athrun who's just done his swimming practice, just let his long sigh, he really misses Cagalli present.
"So you're Majestic, done your practice already? That was fast." said Cagalli which has now entered the pool area. Athrun who heard her voice snap out from his own thought and smile at the girl in front of him.
"Ahhh... Are those the pictures that Miriallia took from winter camp, that Couch Neo told us that cold is all in our own thought and we need fight it?" ask second year senior to Auel, whose holding the photos that he received from Photograph club.
"Show us!" exclaimed all the swimming members
Cagalli whose we're at present took a glance of the photos. One photo gets her attention, she went to a person who is holding the pictures, "I need this particular photo. Can you give it to me?"
"What! You not even in this club except that your stupid Ghost club." barked Yuu to Cagalli, Cagalli just want to punch him, but Athrun stops her to do so.
"Yuu, just give her that photo, can you? I will ask Mirillia to redo that photo again."
Yuu don't really like fight Athrun, he really respects the guy too much even him in the second year, but Athrun is really good at swimming. There a lot of things he can learn from Athrun.
'' Here you go!" said Yuu handing that photo to Cagalli.
"Thank you." with that Cagalli dash out from pool area.
"Cagalli! Are we going home together?"
No reply, "princess what are trying to do now?" thought Athrun.
7PM, Back School Yard,
"Where it is?" said a male around his late twenties.
"It must be here somewhere, damn it."
"Are you trying to find the dog tag, that you proud of about your achievement that you been clean of cocaine for the past three years, but after that winter camp you in cocaine again just because your old pal offer the cocaine during that camp practice. You thought you can control you need, but man you dead wrong. So that night you were in cocaine at this very place, then you saw Megumi Harada in that second floor classroom doing welcome badges for first year students. You panic that she will tell principle which will cause you losing your job as an English teacher and head coach of the swimming team. Am I right Mr Neo Roanoke!" said Cagalli from behind the tall tree.
Neo whose hears it all just laughing, "you really good, Miss Freak Ghost! I believe that you did not tell anyone about it, but seriously who will believe you. That means I need vanished you from this world, be prepared you FREAK!"
Cagalli who realize that she in big danger, she needs a plan to escape from this murder. Cagalli ran as fast as she could, but since she did not exercise that she used to, that Neo overpower her strength.
"You FREAK! You can just let it all go, but not you want to play detective, whom you are not one! I need to kill you, you really don't really love your precious life anymore ha, FREAK! So that I can keep my job. That girl, she just needs to walk away, but not she just said at first that she will not tell anyone about it but I know that she will tell that stupid Kisaka about it soon or later. So why not take care of her right there. And now I need to take care of you, FREAK!"
"Ahhhh... Let go of me... You really need to face your punishment..." Cagalli breathless cause of his strong grip on her neck.
"Athrun... Forgive me..."
Athrun who's currently waiting at the school gate, is in anxiety.
"Where are you princess? Should I just go home? Noah... we are always going home together. Don't tell me... Ahhhh... princess what are you thinking..."with that Athrun dash to the school back yard...
"DIE! FREAK!"
...cough... Cough...
"Let her go." Athrun dash to Neo and gives his own couch a strong push on his face, which cause him unconscious.
Cagalli sitting down and get her breath back to normal.
"Princess are you alright! Oh my God, I really worried sick about you dear."said Athrun while hug protectly. Cagalli just buried her head to Athrun chest.
"I really am sorry, Athrun. I really am..."
"Shhhuuu... Cagalli you have done nothing wrong, I am the one who needs to apologize to, cause of my neglect and the promised that I did to your dad, that I will take care of your princess. I have not done all of it. I really sorry princess."said Athrun while clam Cagalli down by kissing on her forehead.
After 15 minutes, the police arrive the scene. Cagalli told everything including show them the photo and give it to them as evidence. Even so Cagalli help the police job, she still get scolded by them.
"May I know how did you know that Neo behind all the murder princess?"
Currently both of them are in Athrun bedroom, on Athrun bed. Since Cagalli still fragile about what happened, Athrun will not let his princess going back home in that state furthermore sleep all alone. She will get nightmare, how strong she is, she still a princess in Athrun heart.
"... You know the photo I want, from that photo I noticed that Neo wears the dog tag, but during past one week we have been here I did not see that he wearing it, then I saw the same dog tag in the report that the polices collected evidence from the scene. As you know that I have a photographic memory that I proud of. I look closely into the photo, which you can see the words written as, "Cocaine Free, Three years" on the first tag, then the second tag you can see the logo of the rehab that he been entered to get clean. I called the institution; they told me everything that Neo used to an addict but get clean. Since he in good behaviours during him in rehab, and he is a role model in that institution, they keep the secret of his past. That is how he gets the job at Archangel. After that winter camp, he gets caught with his old pals, so he in using the drug again. He really can't stop it, he took the drug at that well since no one will pass that way, but he forgot that at the second floor of west wing people still can have a clear view of that well. There is where Megumi Harada saw Neo shot himself with the cocaine, when she ready to get home. Neo heard her scream, run after her and choked her to death, carried her then throw her into the well." explain Cagalli while hugging Athrun, she still scared what just happened a while ago, Athrun whose feels her shivering hug her priestly.
"One thing I still confusion, that day during our dinner in that Usagi cafe, that girl saying that the janitor saw a girl spirit, is that a coincidence or..."
"Not that was Neo, that janitor has been too old already. Since it is during the night and it is too dark to see anything, maybe he probably saw his long hair and assuming that it is the girl as ghostly. Such stereotype. "
"Oh... don't you worry Cagalli I am here for you, nobody can hurt you my dear princess." said Athrun while smooth hair,
Cagalli love the way his calm her down, just like her dad used to do to her when she was small.
"Athrun, can we go to Megumi Harada burial ceremony tomorrow, I really want to give her last respect?"
"Sure princess. Now go to sleep. I will always be here princess."with that Athrun kiss her on the forehead.
The Next Day, Morning Harada Resident.
"Megumi Harada, here is my last respect to you. Even though I don't really know you that well, but I do know something about you, that is you love doing the things you love most just to watch other smile on their faces. That was really nice of you. Please rest in peace, I bet you in a much better place." with that Cagalli bow.
"Athrun, thanks for coming with me today. Skipping the school and your "precious" swimming practice. I bet your fans will be mad that you was not there."
"No... Is okay, I like to hang with you a little bit more in my life."
Cagalli just smile at Athrun.
TBC...