Fuyuki Ghost ~ Chapter 3: "No Way I'm Going Back There!"
Daitan was staring into the darkness of the forest. The sun was rising, yet the forest remained shadowed. The sounds of birds and the rustling of leaves intertwined. Daitan took a deep breath and, standing beside Fuyuki with a smile, said:
"Are you sure you want to do this?! I mean, look at the forest! It's scary enough as it is!"
Fuyuki thought for a moment, then smiled and stepped closer to Daitan:
"Hmm… but remember what Oba-san said? I'm a strong spirit. Didn't you see how Rosario fell apart? If anything happens, I'll protect you myself!"
(12: Four hours earlier, 3:32 AM)
The window was open, and the curtains swayed with the wind. Fuyuki was sitting in front of Daitan, leaning on his hand. Silence filled the room until Fuyuki broke it:
"Hey, Dai-kun! Why aren't you saying anything?!"
Daitan sighed, turning to face Fuyuki:
"I just came to a realization… Could it be that you're some kind of vengeful spirit? Do you hold a grudge against someone in this world?!"
Fuyuki raised her head, her expression shouting disbelief:
"Based on what reason did you come to that conclusion?! I mean, what grudge could I possibly hold?"
Daitan turned away and muttered:
"How should I know… and why did you choose me of all people, huh?!"
Fuyuki frowned, dissatisfied:
"Do you have to ask? Who else would I have besides you? Ugh, never mind, I'm going for a walk…"
After a moment, Daitan turned back and said:
"Hey, Fuyuki, how are we going to get there…? Wait, did you leave? Hey!"
Fuyuki turned back and shouted:
"I'm right here! Don't shout!"
She blocked Daitan's view, and suddenly, his mother was right behind her, looking at Daitan in surprise. Only then did Daitan notice his mother. He gestured to Fuyuki with his eyes to move aside. Fuyuki looked back, saw his mother, and stepped a bit to the side. His mother asked:
"Did you hit your head? Who are you talking to?"
Daitan got up, sounding flustered:
"Ah! Just… talking to myself. You know, my mind's a bit messed up. I'm going for some fresh air!"
He signaled to Fuyuki to follow him and left the room, saying goodbye to his mother. She muttered under her breath:
"There's something she's hiding!"
Daitan put on his shoes, grabbed the door handle, and stepped outside onto the road. As they walked, Fuyuki stared at him. He asked:
"What are you staring at?!"
Fuyuki stepped closer and said:
"Well? Aren't you going to tell me what kind of trouble you're going to get into?"
Daitan answered:
"Idiot… I'm going to see that Oba-san fortune teller."
Fuyuki came up beside him, frowning:
"Huh… and what do you think she can do? Well, if we're getting her help, let me explain a bit. You remember how, a few days ago, I heard a voice calling me from inside the forest? That day, I got curious and went in… and bam! I died."
Daitan frowned even deeper:
"Such a fool! That curiosity of yours killed you… Though I was foolish too for not stopping you—"
Before he could finish, Fuyuki snapped angrily:
"Don't blame yourself! That doesn't fix anything. I saw how guilty you felt after I died… Enough already!"
After that, silence fell over their walk. Daitan got lost in thought. Ten minutes later, they arrived at the fortune teller's tent—but a sign said it was closed. Fuyuki started turning to leave:
"Well, there's no other way. Let's go back—"
Before she could finish, Daitan stepped inside the tent. It was completely silent, and he shouted:
"Oba-san!"
The same cloaked woman stepped out from behind the tent, looking angry:
"Can't you see the sign? It says closed! Huh, you again?! Didn't I tell you not to call me Oba-san?"
Daitan politely replied:
"Ah, sorry… it's just that the Rosario you gave me fell apart!"
The woman froze for a moment:
"What do you mean?! Wait… that spirit beside you was that strong?!"
Daitan looked at Fuyuki, then back at the woman:
"You can… see her?"
The woman sighed and answered:
"No, I can't see her directly, but I can see her aura. My family has used this ability for fortune-telling, so I did too! And stay away from that thing!"
Fuyuki, angry but smiling, whispered to Daitan:
"What is she saying? Should I smash her?"
Daitan quickly replied:
"No!"
He turned back to the cloaked woman and asked:
"What do you mean by 'strong'? And is that wandering spirit one of my friends? It seems like her death was caused by something like her!"
The woman sighed again, adjusting her cloak:
"Well, your friend's spirit isn't ordinary. Because she was so strong, the Rosario I gave you fell apart! Ugh, why am I even explaining this to you?! Pay up!"
Daitan reached into his pocket and handed her some money:
"Okay… so what do I do now?"
The woman smiled after taking the money:
"Go to the place where your friend died and check it yourself. Now go, I was supposed to have a day off today!"
Fuyuki laughed and said:
"Go already, and don't come back! Money-hungry old lady!"
She turned to Daitan:
"Alright, let's go!"
Daitan looked at her in surprise:
"Where?! To your death site?! No way! You know I'm not brave enough to go back to that hell!"
Fuyuki, pouting and smiling, pressed against him:
"Eh, why not? But when I died, you jumped into the forest like a hero in a story~!"
Daitan got up, looked at Fuyuki, and sighed:
"Fine… let's go!