Chereads / Hotel Asphodel / Chapter 2 - Part 1 - The Beginning

Chapter 2 - Part 1 - The Beginning

Ever since I was a kid, I could see ghosts. It was new and unusual to me, and for some reason, and at first, I didn't get scared seeing them for the first time. I thought that everyone can see ghosts and that it was normal, but my mom said that it's not normal and that it was not a good thing to see ghosts. That's where I got scared, because it wasn't normal, and that ghosts were humans who were once alive. At that time, I discovered the concept of death. Everywhere I walk, I get scared because I didn't want to see ghosts. I don't want to look at a person who was once alive.

One day, I saw a ghost of a woman in front of me as I was walking home from school. I was about to look away when I saw her eyes, her blue eyes show that she is sad, that she is suffering from something. For the first time, I tried to talk to a ghost.

"Uhmm, excuse me, miss-"

As soon as I started to talk to her, she showed a shocked expression. She was probably surprised that I can see her. At that moment, she turned her back on me and ran away.

"Miss!" I yelled out as I try to reach for her, but she was gone. That was the last time I saw her blue eyes and her straight black hair, wearing a pink and red patterned kimono.

Ever since that day, I was not scared of ghosts anymore, and that I learned to sympathize with them. They were not just ghosts that is evil and vengeful like the once I heard. There are also ghosts who, even in the afterlife, still suffer.

It has been three years now. I just started high school, and for some reason, I lost the ability to see ghosts. Even a presence, I couldn't feel. I should be happy that I couldn't see ghosts, but for some reason, I wasn't. I wasn't at all. It was because I wouldn't see that woman again.

Two years have passed now. I'm already a third-year and it's my last year in high school. I sat down on my desk chair at the student council room, looking at the window that overviews the baseball field.

I was the student council vice president. I was appointed by my best friend and the student council president, Hanzo Nakamura, as the vice president. He was my best friend ever since we were young. We knew everything about each other. He was the first person to know that I used to see ghosts, and he's the only person I told about the woman.

As I look at the window, I felt a hand in my shoulder. I turn around to see that it was Hanzo. "Oy Kazu, are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost. Wait, have you? Is it back?"

I chuckled. "No, Hanzo."

"Then is it still that woman?"

"I guess."

I gazed back at the window. I still can't take my mind off her. She looked scared and in pain. At that point, I wanted to help her, but I know that it would be impossible.

"I don't know, I feel like I could've helped her," I continued. "I saw through her eyes and I felt her pain. She was still not at peace. That's why I think she is still dwelling in this world."

Hanzo sat at my desk. "Yeah, that may be true, but Kazu, I know you wanted to help her. You have that kind of heart when we were young. You could've helped her but couldn't because you know you were unable to. Don't feel too bad about it. Who knows, maybe she found the peace she was looking for." He smiled.

I smiled back. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Someone opened the door of the office. It was our secretary. "Oy, president Kazu! The meeting of the student clubs is about to start. Your presence is needed."

"Okay miss Fukawa, I'll be right there!" He then looked at me. "Well, I have to go. Walk home with me later?"

"Yeah."

"Great." Hanzo stood up from my desk and left the office. I continued to gaze at the view of the baseball field.

I thought of what Hanzo just said. Maybe she did find peace now. I hope she does.