Chapter 6: Companionship

'Join you?'

I frowned. For what? What could she possibly need me for?

Then, as if she could read my mind... 'I need your companionship, as I carry out my duties as the Jigoku Shoujo.'

Companionship? What the hell was she talking about? She was lonely? She had her four companions, as she called it, for God's sake.

But... It's not like I have anything better to do, do I?

I looked into her eyes.

Red. Blood-red. But not empty.

I nodded.

***

That night, I couldn't sleep.

Enzeru Yuri.

Or more known as Jigoku Shoujo.

I couldn't stop wondering... What happened? Why wasn't she in school today?

Sending more souls to Hell?

No! Don't think like that... Don't think about anything like that...

I rolled over to my right side.

I sighed, and closed my eyes, begging for sleep to come and smother me.

And when it did...

***

When I woke up today, I felt changed. And I knew why.

I looked at my bracelet. The cherry pendant had changed into a petal.

And it glowed a deep, dark red.

I stared into its depths for a while, and realized that I had to keep moving.

Sighing, I headed for the shower. When I had finished, I immediately went to my room.

As I was changing my clothes, she appeared yet again.

This time, I was not surprised.

She held a black kimono, and it had red equinox flowers and butterflies printed on it.

It was alive. The butterflies flitted from one flower to the other.

I met her gaze.

'Put this on, when I call for you.'

The kimono, enchanted by her magic, floated to the foot of my bed, folded itself, and settled.

I turned to give her thanks, but she vanished.

I smiled.

***

'I-I hate y-you!'

I was startled by a girl's voice, whipping through the air, quivery, hesitant, but loud and clear.

I looked up from my books, and I saw the girl who had spoken. She was obviously just so badly beaten, and before her stood an older girl.

Stereotypically speaking, you could say that the elder girl was rich, and the latter was poor, from the way they were carrying themselves. The elder girl held herself with pride, and superiority, because of the prestigious life she led. The other held herself in humbleness, but knew when to fight back. Fighting spirit, just like those who pushed hard to keep themselves and their family alive.

'What're you going to do about it, huh? Low and stinky commoner!' She pushed the younger girl down.

I recognized the two as Adelle Visioyn, foreign student from Class 2A, and Minamoto Yue, from Class 2C.

Minamoto Yue narrowed her eyes at Adelle, and stood up, only to push Adelle a little harder than what she had received.

Adelle stumbled backwards, but managed to keep her balance.

'You touched me! How dare you! Bitch!'

Adelle slapped Yue.

Yue, staggered backwards. Too hard. She slapped too hard. Her hands were caressing her cheek, where Adelle had slapped her.

I couldn't take it.

'STOP!'

I was running, and blocked their path.

Adelle was furious.

'Who the fuck do you think you are? Get out of my way! You're just like her, unworthy, dirty, stupid!'

She stomped away, glaring at me and Yue.

I turned and Yue was shaking, crying, and gulping for air. I hugged her.

'Yue-san, you know it's not true.'

'I hate her. She does this to all of us poor people. Especially me. I didn't do anything.' Yue took a deep breath. 'People like her... They deserve to go to Hell!'

***

'There goes another soul with a high chance of being sent to Hell,' I said, watching Adelle Visioyn walking, or stomping was more like it, away from Minamoto Yue and Mikage Yuzuki.

Hone-Onna looked at me, and followed my gaze. 'Oh.'

I raised an eyebrow. 'Oh? Is that all that you can say?'

She fidgeted uncomfortably. 'Yes. No. I don't know. It happens all the time.'

'Are you worried, or just scared to find out what will happen the next time we send a soul to Hell?'

'What, because Enzeru Yuri has joined us? ... I guess.' Hone-Onna twirled a stray strand of her hair.

'That's because we do not know her purpose yet. Or what Ojou wants for her.' I myself was confused. What exactly was Enzeru Yuri going to do?

'It could be that, you know', Wanyuudon said, quiet as ever.

'Could be... What?' Hone-Onna seemed to be just as confused as I was.

My eyes widened.

Hone-Onna's hand flew to her mouth.

'No... No way.' She said, shocked as I was.

'Hey, it's only a possibility...' Wanyuudon said, although we could hear that even he doubted what he just said.

A possibility, no matter how small, that Enzeru Yuri...

Would be the new Jigoku Shoujo.

***