Alright! Next chapter! Changing it back to T because I'm a fucking child and realised there isn't anything M about this thing.
Anyway, enjoy! I can't wait for the Maki event in February. I need more Pures!
The Science of Spectral Magnetism
Chapter One
"You know, I've noticed this for a while," I watch her float around me as I nibbled on a melon bread I just bought.
"What?" I managed between chews.
"Why are you always eating store purchased food? What about cooking?"
A month has passed since I encountered this cheeky ghost named Nico, who one day appeared in my room with absolutely no reason why. She does not remember her life when she was still alive, so we agreed to help each other to find it out and let her spirit pass on. It's completely unscientific and unbelievable, but this was something I had to do to get my quiet and peaceful life back.
"You can't be lazy about this you know..."
There were several things we found out in the process-not vital clues to her memories, but more on the technicality of her presence. She initially couldn't leave my apartment, but when in direct contact with me, she can exist outside. Just as long as she holds on to me. Which was really weird since we couldn't really be apart from each other. There was an instance she did let go and instantly disappeared. I was admittedly panicked when it happened, but I found out later that she was back in my apartment instead of disappearing in my life for good. It was probably one of the most heart-stopping events that happened to me in a long time.
Another discovery was her uncharacteristic warmth. There were a lot of times when she annoys me so much and I get utterly frustrated that I want to hit her. And I do, only to remember I can't. But I noticed that for someone transparent and can pass through walls, she wasn't cold. She was actually pretty warm, the comforting warm akin to when you tuck yourself in bed on a winter night. That's something I never told her though.
"Heelloooo! Earth to slanty eyes!" Her voice snapped me out of my inner monologue. I often have to thank that I don't live in my old house anymore. I was the only one who could see her, and if I acted the way I did with her where people can see, they'd probably think I was insane. Maybe I am, and she was just a huge part of my insanity.
"What were you saying?" I tried to say as her fiery stare increasingly bothered me.
"Eating bread and convenience store food is unhealthy. You know this right? You're gonna be a doctor in a few years."
I felt like I was being scolded by a child just then. It was a surreal feeling, especially since it was from a spectre—one with features that can pass as my little sister no less.
"I don't need you to tell me that," I say, taking a few more bites on the bread I momentarily abandoned because of her constant nagging. "I don't know how to cook, and I haven't gotten the time to learn it."
Her face contorted to that of shock, and then defeat a second after. "Is that so."
"Wh-what's with that look?" I had an idea of why, but I found myself asking anyway.
"You have this really nice and spacious apartment, with such a handsome looking kitchen—complete with all the utensils you will ever need—and you don't know how to cook?! I'm offended!" She exclaimed dramatically, her eyes a bit teary eyed.
I rolled my eyes at her predictable reaction. There she goes again with her spontaneous envy of anything I do or own. Why was a ghost so fixated on such worldly matters? I have to remind her that she needs to rest in peace already and stop getting on my case.
"Why the hell would you be offended? Get over yourself. I can get by without cooking."
She looked at me in utter disbelief, as if I had just said the most rudest thing in the world. "No good! That's simply no good!"
"What do you want from me?" I asked exasperated. "Can you please let me eat in peace?"
"No, you're not eating that. We'll be shopping." She commanded.
Oddly enough, I silently complied to it. I never understood what ran through her head and what she could remember, but wasn't she supposed to be forgetting these things? Did she die just recently?
Wait...
I mentally slapped myself for not thinking about it sooner. This could be my biggest lead yet. I have to remember looking through the news about recent deaths. For now though, I'll just humor her. If she really did know how to cook, I can probably learn from it.
"Shopping for what?" I finally asked.
"Well, for starters, what's your favorite food?" She said, her face focused yet curious.
"Well, I like tomatoes..."
"Hmm," She put a hand on her chin in contemplation, her eyes locking somewhere on the floor. I was half expecting she'd make fun of my choice of food, but she seemed to be fixated on what she can make out of it.
"It doesn't have to be tomatoes, it's fine." I supplied, wanting to get this over with.
Her face lit up as if a brilliant idea came to her. "I got it. Let's get going."
As I got myself up to head outside, she automatically positioned herself behind me, holding onto my expectant shoulders. It had become a standard procedure between the both of us to do this whenever I went out. Or whenever she wanted to tag along.
"To the nearby grocery store?" I asked.
"Whichever is convenient for you." She shrugged in reply.
Without another word, I went for the door and out of my apartment building. My neighborhood was a quiet, and admittedly quite luxurious area. It was a part of the city that accommodated the decently well-off families of the Chiyoda ward. As a going away gift for University, my father bought off an entire apartment suite for me, conveniently a 15 minute ride away using the expressway from the institution and only a station away from home and the hospital.
I walked briskly to my destination, my ghost of a companion unusually quiet. I stole a glance at her curious form, a look of cluelessness graced her pale features. It was at times like these that I thought she wasn't so bad. She was a bit foul mouthed and sassy, but she was never hostile or harmful. I learned to deal with her in the month we've spent together. It was still unscientific as all hell that I had to help a dead and aimless spirit, but I decided to go with the flow. Answers will come, and we'll both find our peace.
"Stop looking at me like that." She said, making a childish pout.
Realising my position, I reacted almost instantly. "I-I wasn't looking at you."
"You so were."
"So not."
Thankfully today was a weekday, making the area almost devoid of people. There wasn't a lot of people passing by to witness my odd argument with air.
"You so were!"
"Where's your proof?!"
Just when I thought she wasn't so bad, she takes it all back in one fell swoop. We probably won't ever get along at this rate.
"What kind of adult still thinks Santa is real? What a child!"
"Y-you better take that back, Santa is real! ...and for your information, between the two of us, you're more of a child!"
"Say that again, I dare you."
Without even realising, we reached the grocery store, still at each other's throat as our bickering evolved into sillier topics. I had to wonder again how we even tolerated each other for the past 30 days. I always get into heated squabbles with her without fail. What's funny is that despite all this, we couldn't be too far from one another, as if there was an invisible force pulling us together into a magnetic field. I mentally laughed remembering the iron alloy for that kind of reaction was called alnico.
"What are you smirking about?" She asked, her face unamused.
I tried to play it cool and shrugged the mirthful thought. Realising my thoughts must have somehow leaked out to my face.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
She was silent for a few seconds, her eyes anywhere but on me and her face slightly flushed. I had to wonder how a ghost can look so flustered. Then again, for someone who's supposed to be dead, she showed more life than anyone I'd met.
We entered the establishment without much ado, a slightly awkward silence plaguing our atmosphere.
"A-alright, let's make use of my culinary skills. You should be thankful, slanty eyes!" She huffed proudly, despite faltering a bit when she began.
I replied with a glare, irked by the fact that she never addressed me properly. "Why do you call me that? It's not nice."
"Eye for an eye. You never exactly addressed me properly either." She quietly explained, her eyes narrowing at me.
I thought about it for a moment; I knew her name and everything, but I only ever called her 'hey' or 'ghost'. Realising my error, I reiterated. "Well then call me by my name. I'll call you by yours, better?"
She bobbed her head to the side with a questioning look. "What is your name?"
I looked at her skeptically, trying to make out a reason why she hasn't found out by now, after a month of pestering my once peaceful life. Even I knew what to call her, for crying out loud.
As if reading my mind, she said; "Don't give me that look. We never met on good terms," a slight pause. "You were so grumpy and unapproachable, Nico had to think of a way to get you to notice me!"
"...it's Maki. Nishikino Maki. That's my name." She was about to rant more, so I felt like I had to interrupt her. "I'm sorry, I'll try to pay attention from now on... Nico."
A look of conflict and shock briefly flashed her pale face. Another second passed and the pale shade was replaced by pink.
"I-if you insist! T-then it can't be helped...M-Maki."
I can't tell if it's the stuttering or the way she pronounced my name that hit something with me, but it felt really gratifying. I will never tell her that though.
"Well, shall we go and shop, little chef?" I teased.
"Who're you calling little?"
We might not ever get along, nevertheless, we've more or less gotten used to each other. That might be enough for now.
Aaand, done! Still too short, but well, work takes a lot out of you. And SIF. Oops.
Tell me what you think? The mystery will slowly unfold from here on. See you next time!
