Chapter 8: Sleep Deprivation!
The sun beats down on Youko and her gang. All 6 of them sitting by a riverbank in the grass, lazing around and talking to try and kill some time.
One of the girls, with brown hair and a long ponytail, looks over at Youko, who is zoned out completely. Her eyes are baggy, her long, orangish hair is a mess, and she has a thrown together outfit of jeans and a Led Zeppelin shirt. Some metal chains hang off the side of her jeans.
"Hey, you alright Youko?"
Youko's head turns and shoots a death glare at her, and she puts her hands up, freaking out a bit.
"I was just asking!"
Another girl with short black hair pats her back and whispers into her ear.
"Leave her alone. She's been complaining about seeing spirits or whatever all week. She says they've been haunting her dreams and she can't sleep."
"You've got to be shitting me."
All of them look to stare at Youko. Her eyes blankly stare at all of them as her face grows more irritated.
"Stop looking at me like you think I'm some liar."
A girl with short, blonde hair sighs and tries to change the subject.
"We can deal with Youko and her paranoia later. It's time we talk about those Hanegashima guys. They've been getting on our turf too much lately."
The girl with the short black hair chimes in, "Yeah, they've been hanging out like they own the place. We need to kick their shit in for that."
They all look over to Youko.
"Well, you up to it?"
Youko's face screams that she is not up to it. She looks like a zombie. She groans and stands up, waving her hand dismissively.
"All you can go do it. You don't need me for some weak asses like that. I need to go figure out my own stuff."
The blonde girl groans, "You haven't been doing anything this past week! Everyone else is making moves!"
"Yeah, well I haven't exactly been able to think straight lately! What, am I the leader of a bunch of dumbasses who can't take down some lame ass gang no one's even heard of!?"
Youko points at a girl with long brown, wavy hair.
"You're the leader today, Aika! Do whatever!"
Aika perks up and pumps her fist, "Hell yeah! We're gonna go kick their asses!"
The girl with brown hair and a ponytail smacks the back of Aika's head.
"You always get your ass kicked in fights! You look like you need to go to the damn ICU after all of them! Youko, you gotta pick someone else!"
Youko's already walking away from them, and they all begin arguing.
Youko aimlessly walks down the sidewalk, passing by random people. Her arms are in her pockets, and her stature is leaned forward in a tired way. She thinks to herself.
"I've tried reading those books about ghosts and spirits, I've used ofuda, I've gone to every damn Shrine around here and prayed! I even donated some damn money to each of them for offerings! And it hasnt done shit!"
In her mindless walking, she doesn't realize the path she's on. She suddenly perks up as she hears a voice calling for her. It's Kumiko, down the street and waving.
"Heyyy!"
Youko sighs and walks over. The exhaustion visible on her face from a mile away. Kumiko raises an eyebrow.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine. Why are you out? You going to hang out somewhere?"
A small smile forms on Kumiko's face.
"I'm going to Mayumi's. I look after her while her dad's out."
Youko raises an eyebrow. She thinks about how she might as well go check it out since she's got no idea what to do.
"I'm tagging along then."
Kumiko nods and keeps smiling.
"Alright. I thought you were already going considering we're on her street…"
Youko's eyes widen a little and she looks behind her.
"Oh…"
In just a few moments they're standing in front of Mayumi's house. Youko looks all around.
"What, do you sneak in through her window or something?"
Kumiko looks at her like she's stupid. She holds up some keys.
"I have a house key."
Youko's face blanks and Kumiko turns to open the door. She opens it and quickly walks over to Mayumi, crouching down and smiling at her. Youko walks in and closes the door. The familiar carpeted floor and worn down wallpaper haven't changed since she first visited all those years ago. Surprisingly, it doesn't smell like booze like it always did.
"Not much has changed since I was here last. Still a shithole."
Kumiko squints and looks back at Youko.
"I'm the one who cleans here."
Youko throws her hands up lazily and walks over, sitting next to them.
"You can only do so much for a place like this. I'm surprised you got the alcohol smell out."
"Her dad stopped drinking."
Youko's eyes widen in disbelief, her voice sounding just as shocked.
"You're kidding! You serious!?"
Kumiko smiles and nods.
"Yeah. He's been getting his act together since everything happened. Once the doctors came and freaked out that Mayumi's heart was beating again, it's like he just… changed."
"Damn… bet Mayumi's happy. She always complained about the smell here."
Kumiko nods and looks down at Mayumi. Mayumi's eyes are still closed, and her breathing is so soft you can barely tell she's breathing. Her hair is combed down and straight, a style she never does herself. Kumiko's eyes are half lidded and she talks quietly.
"You think she's been staying by us still? Sometimes I feel like I can feel her by me. I'll talk to her even though I can't hear what she has to say back."
Youko's eyes look towards Kumiko then back down at Mayumi.
"Yeah, she's still around. Although it's been getting harder to tell with all these goddamn spirits haunting me lately."
Kumiko looks over with a concerned expression.
"Haunted? Have they been doing stuff to you?"
"Just chasing me around in my dreams and stuff. It's been pissing me off, I haven't been able to sleep lately."
Kumiko puts a finger to her forehead for a moment and nods.
"There's this old fortune teller lady who runs this shop near the park."
"The one near the school?"
"Yeah. That one. I never went in myself, but some of my friends go there to get fortunes on guys they like. They say she's scarily accurate. Why not ask her about it? She seems to have a good sixth sense."
"...That doesn't sound that bad. Thanks. I'll check it out when I'm done hanging out here for a while."
Kumiko's lips form into a big smile and she nods. She stands up and begins walking towards the kitchen.
"I'm going to make her some soup. Keep her company for me."
"Alright."
Youko stretches a bit and looks around. She crawls over to the T.V and presses the power button, then turns the knob on the right to find a channel. She groans.
"Of course you don't have color on this piece of shit. What did I expect? Bet you don't pay the NHK either."
She leaves the local news on and crawls back to Mayumi, sighing. She watches for a while.
"...In other news, the weather is going to be extremely dry these next few days, so take the necessary precautions. This is in conjunction with the recent arson cases that have been reported. Leave all windows and doors locked to avoid any potential-"
Kumiko walks back in slowly, holding a bowl in two hands with oven mitts on. She goes on the other side of Mayumi and sits, setting the bowl down.
"Hey, Mayumi. I made you more soup! Hope you like it."
She takes the mitts off and stirs the soup with a spoon, blowing on it to cool it off. She moves one arm under Mayumi's head, and lifts up, cradling it in her arm. She uses her other hand to scoop some soup, blow on it a little, and lightly move it between her lips. She has a soft smile the entire time.
Youko just watches and sighs.
"You treat her like a baby."
"What am I supposed to do!? She's asleep!"
Kumiko's face turns red and she has an angry, defensive look on her face. Youko shakes her head and begins to stand.
"You two are perfect for each other. I'm sure she appreciates you taking care of her."
Kumiko's face turns a little red, and she calms down. She goes back to feeding Mayumi.
"...You think so?"
"Yeah. You've been like a puzzle piece for her for years. She never shuts up about you when she's with us."
Kumiko's face turns more red. She has a little, lovesick smile on her face and just looks at Mayumi. She doesn't say anything in response, but her face shows that she's happy about that. Youko continues.
"Don't forget, you're the first one she visited, and she wanted to come back for you. So live it up. She'd probably stay dead if it wasn't for you."
She turns around and begins to walk out of the house.
"I'm gonna go check that fortune teller out. Thanks again."
Kumiko snaps out of staring at Mayumi and nods, her face still deeply red.
"It's nothing! Stay safe, hope they help!"
Youko waves with one hand as she looks away and opens the door, leaving and closing it behind her. Kumiko looks at the door for a moment and then back down at Mayumi.
"...Thanks, Mayumi..."
Youko walks towards the park that Kumiko mentioned.
"Always making me play cupid. Learn to tell her your feelings yourself, Mayumi, you jackass."
Youko groans loudly and walks down the street. She passes by the park and sees a street full of students and other people walking around. It looks like a normal, busy Sunday. She walks down the sidewalk until a small building catches her eye.
With her hand in her pockets, she looks up at the sign.
Kouki's Fortunes!
Youko sighs and keeps her hands in her pockets. She walks into the store with an untrustworthy feeling in her gut.