A girl with dark circles under her eyes, floating in mid-air with half of her body missing, wearing torn and ragged clothes…Yes, that image describes me perfectly.
Hello! You're probably confused right now, wondering what's going on and who this "I" person is, right?Let me introduce myself. My name is Kami Sava, and I am a spirit…To be exact, a dead spirit who hasn't been able to pass on because my final wish was never fulfilled.And I am trapped inside my own house.
Many years ago, I was still a child—innocent, playful, dreamy, cheerful.My mother, Mary Kama, passed away when I was too young to understand anything, still lying in my cradle.The sky on the day she died was gloomy and exhausted.And so… I never knew what my mother looked like.Back then, cameras weren't advanced, so I only saw my mother through the stories my grandmother told me.
Life was simple and peaceful.Without my mother, with my father working far away, my grandmother was the only one who raised and cared for me.The roof eaves and the cherry blossom tree were where we often sat together and talked.Whenever I was happy or sad, she was always there.
One time, some kids at school teased me about my hair clip. I got angry and complained to Grandma.She grabbed her coconut-cutting knife and scared them off so badly they ran away without their slippers.
My grandmother was… very strong.
One day, while we were catching crabs and snails by the field, we found a tiny puppy.I fell in love with it instantly and refused to let go, so Grandma had to bring it home.From then on, the little house became much livelier.Every morning, I woke up to a soft bundle of fur beside me.Whenever I felt down, I had a warm little head to pat until my worries faded.I named the puppy Koki.
Those peaceful days… didn't last forever.
As I grew older, the boys in the village began noticing me for my simple yet pretty appearance.One rainy afternoon, I hurried home after school.While rushing, I was suddenly blocked by a group of perverts.They cornered me and assaulted me right beside the alley next to my grandmother's house.
My beloved Koki dashed out to protect me, biting one of them to help me escape.
Koki… you shouldn't have protected me…
One of them grabbed Koki by the head.With his other hand, he stabbed into Koki's eye, gouging it out.Blood streamed down from the corner of Koki's eye—so red, so painful.More of them rushed in and beat Koki, while I lay helpless on the ground, tears pouring like rain.My arms and legs were pinned by the others—I couldn't do anything.
But Koki's whimpers pulled my consciousness back.I used my nails to scratch one of them across the face, struggling with all my strength.Enraged, he picked up a rough stone nearby and smashed it into my head.One blow.Two blows.…
Pain… so painful…
The dust from the stone felt like it was falling straight into my brain.I could feel my veins bursting along with the blood.
Everything went blank.
After a long time, I felt my body floating lightly. No pain at all.What happened? Did they leave already?I tried to sit up. My hand touched something soft.
Huh?This is my bed…
The familiar bedroom was right in front of me.So… everything earlier was just a dream?Just a dream!?I sighed in relief. It had felt terrifyingly real.
The door creaked open.My grandmother walked in, her steps heavy, slowly approaching my bed.I happily called out, "Grandma!"But she didn't respond.
Was she ignoring me today?
I reached out to grab her hand—but my fingers passed right through her.
My pupils widened immediately.My eyes trembled.
What is happening?Grandma… why can't you see me?
So… everything earlier…was NOT a dream…?
[ End of Chapter 1 ]
If you've read this far, thank you so much.
I'm still new here, so I'd be really happy if you could leave a comment.