"Your high notes are out of tune, Kinoshita-san. Please work on them." Mrs. Suzuki ordered. "Yasui-san, you're next."
Aya returned to her desk, allowing Chika to take the stage.
"I'll show you how to do it, Aya-chan. It's easy." Chika patted Aya on the shoulder as the two crossed paths with each other. That was the insult added to injury. It was bad enough that Aya messed up, but making Chika Yasui go next was as bad as someone kicking her while she was down. Chika was the best in the school choir, a transfer student from the city, and quite popular among her classmates. She was born from a wealthy family, her mother a former actress and her father the president of a corporation in Japan. She had the facial features of her father, though her curly blonde hair and emerald eyes came from her mother. She was truly a gorgeous natural beauty with glossy red lips, long eyelashes, pink coated nails, befitting a model. There were times where Aya envied her so much she hated to call her one of her best friends.
Once on stage, Chika cleared her throat. "I hope you all will find my practice suitable. I'll try my best." She smiled gently at her audience. Aya could hear the whispering of two of the male members behind her, but she ignored it, paying attention to Chika.
Their song was one Mrs. Suzuki wrote herself, titled "A Bird Takes Flight." They'd been learning it for their concert at the end of the year, though no one could tell from Chika's expert performance. The song was about a small dove escaping from a cage and flying into the sky for the first time. It was a happy song with underlying sorrow, as Mrs. Suzuki explained it. In the end, the bird returns to its family and is able to live among the others. Aya liked the song, but she was never able to capture the tone like Chika could. "A small bird dreamed of flying one day, spreading its wings into the sky… only to be trapped in bars of confinement. "Who are you? Can you save me? I want to fly." Her words fell on deaf ears. Until one day, hope came and opened the door, letting her fly into the sky. The wind in her wings, her feathers like snow, she was free at last." The part of the song went, Chika's voice making it sound as soft as silk. Her voice earned a round of applause from her peers, praising her skill.
"That was brilliant, Yasui-san. I'm afraid that'll be all for the day. Continue to work on the song and I'll see you Monday." Mrs. Suzuki announced to the class.
They all split into groups or collected their things. Chika approached Aya, flipping a strand of hair behind her back. "Well, Aya-chan, ready to go?"
"Pardon? Oh, yes, I am." Aya had been paying attention to her school bag, trying to cram a notebook in any gap between her other books. "I told Kao-chan to meet us at the entrance." The two girls left together in silence until they met up with Kaori at the school gate. She gave them a small wave. "Guys!" She called.
"Kaori-chan." Chika gave a smile as the three joined up.
"Ah, Chika-chan… I didn't think you'd be here too." Kaori looked at Chika in surprise. "It's fine, though. We can all walk home together."
Though she was too polite to say anything, Kaori always seemed to have an uncomfortable demeanor around Chika. Aya had always guessed she was used to the two of them and saw Chika as an outsider in their group. Aya had befriended Chika when she'd transferred earlier in the school year though Kaori never seemed to grow close to her.
The two walked through the streets of town, a few cars driving past them. A misty smell filled the air and the graying clouds told Aya that rain was approaching yet again. The sight of the clouds reminded her of her sister and Aya remembered she hadn't even heard from Mayumi all day. By the time Aya had waken up, Mayumi was already gone. She's been weird since yesterday… Aya realized with slight disappointment. I hope she's not mad…
"So, did you hear about the new premiere? They're showing a new horror movie in theaters September 4th, next Saturday. Do you guys want to come with me?" Kaori asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"Sure! Aya-chan?" Chika glanced expectedly at Aya. If there was anything Kaori and Chika could agree on, it was their common interest in horror. Aya, however, didn't agree with their interest. "You don't have to go, but it's not like it's real. Besides, I don't think you'd want to be made fun of for being afraid of a little ghost movie."
"No, I'll go! I'm not scared. But… can I bring a friend? I promised her we'd hang out next Saturday." She was partially telling the truth. She wanted to bring Mayumi with her, feeling some comfort at the thought of her sister being there.
"Yeah, that's okay! I'd like to meet your other friend." Kaori was much more sympathetic. Aya had not told either of them about Mayumi or that she even had a sibling. The two agreed it'd be better that way, though most people knew they were related as soon as they saw them.
Thank goodness…. Aya sighed with relief. She has never been fond of horror stuff since she was younger and constantly wanted Mayumi with her when she watched any of the genre.
"Hey, I have an idea…" Chika began, holding one finger up as if a lightbulb had turned on in her head. "Since we're on the subject of horror next week… how about we check out the Sakuragi house?"
"The… Sakuragi house?" Kaori repeated, her amber eyes narrowed.
"You don't know about it? This is your hometown, how could you not?" Chika asked, her eyes filled with bewilderment. "They say it's haunted. The owner went insane in the house and it's been abandoned ever since."
Aya stared at her friend. She'd heard rumors about the house, in a small town there was no way they couldn't, but it was several years ago. "You don't believe in that stuff, do you?" She asked, trying to hide her own fear.
"Of course not! But that doesn't mean it'd be fun. Come on, how about it?" Chika coaxed. Aya noticed a gleam of amusement in her emerald eyes when she noticed Aya's apprehensiveness. Aya was waiting for any berating jokes or comments, but Chika instantly let out a laugh. "It's okay, Aya-chan! It's only a legend. You don't really think the place is haunted, do you?"
Aya hesitated, tightening her grip on her schoolbag's handle. She didn't know what to think of it, truly. She always told herself ghosts weren't real, nor did she want to prove she was wrong if so. "No… I don't." She finally replied after a long moment.
Chika's glossy pink lips curled upwards into a smile. "Good. Then it's settled, correct? After the movie next Saturday, we'll go to this rumored haunted house and spend the night there!" She took a step towards Aya, their faces merely an inch apart as she gazed deeply into the other girl's eyes. "And there will be no backing out…" She ordered in a low voice. "Okay?" She added more cheerfully, stepping away.
"Yes…" Aya replied less enthusiastically. Kaori put a hand on Aya's shoulder, as if to comfort her, but Aya didn't care. Why did I agree to this? Why couldn't I have said no?
When Aya departed from her friends, she headed up to the apartment building that made her home. It was a small apartment, about 5 stories tall, and held a considerable number of rooms. The first drops of rain were starting to fall by now and Aya only spotted one neighbor, an elderly lady from the third floor, gathering the laundry she had set out to dry. Aya had considered helping her, but she'd left by the time she arrived, causing her to go up to the fourth floor and into their own room instead. She removed her shoes at the door and headed into the living room. Her heart lurched at the familiar sight of her father, sitting on the couch with a newspaper in his hand. "Dad! You're home?" She gasped, rushing over to him like some child.
Her father glanced up, placing his newspaper neatly on his lap. "Aya, how was school today?" He asked as she sat beside him.
"Boring. Chika-chan invited Kaori and I to the movies after school next Saturday though." Aya replied, hoping he wouldn't ask what kind of movie.
To her relief, he said nothing. "Just make sure you do your homework when you get back. You know how your mother is when it comes to school and I heard your grades are slipping." He told her in a cautioned yet firm tone.
Aya's father, Naoyuki Kinoshita, was a generic looking man, another face in the crowd. His daughters held almost no resemblance to him with his hair a mousy brown color and his eyes brown in contrast to their dark blue. He was well known among the town as one of its detectives, though no one in her school had associated either her or Mayumi with him. Aya always thought he was more overprotective than their mother because of his occupational status, but she knew he meant well. He's just like Mayumi…
"Hey, Dad, is Mayumi home yet?" Aya asked, suddenly realizing the absence of her sister.
"No, she said she'd be late. She's studying for a project." Her mother replied for her as she joined the two. "She left early this morning too. Must be quite the project…"
Their mother, Hiroko, was the opposite of her husband. She was a beautiful woman despite being the age of 46, appearing as if she was 10 years younger. She had long black hair she kept up most of the time, eyes the shade of a deep sea blue, and slim facial features. Up until her daughters' births, she'd devoted 13 years of her life to work. She was even more popular than Naoyuki, contributing to several jobs across town. The whole neighborhood knew her, some on a first name basis, and they'd ask Aya about her every time she passed. Aya admired her mother's motivation and recognition by her peers. I wish I could be like her… she thought with slight bitterness. She had Kaori, her friend since elementary school, and now Chika, but she still desired to be known by her peers. She had a small group of friends from volleyball and even some choir members who tried to encourage her to join the class' club. I could try out what Mayumi does. She had considered once. Mayumi was the creative type, doing crafts, sewing, embroidering, beading, making jewelry of her own, all of which she did to sell for loose change. She wished to make a career out of her hobbies and had already gained some customers because of Hiroko. She and Aya would occasionally do crafts together and Aya had started to pick up how to do them herself. Mayumi had taught her how to make origami and they would make cranes for the children next door. The memory of it made Aya wish Mayumi was with her now. We haven't talked much lately… I want to spend time with her…
"Hey, Mom, can I help with dinner?" Aya asked suddenly.
"Huh? Sure, I could definitely use it." She replied with a shrug as she straightened her ponytail.
If there was anything Aya was skilled at, it was cooking. Though Mayumi had taken over the cooking for the past few days, Aya was exceptionally good at it. I'll make it up to her. She'll be late getting home I'm sure…
Her mother was making yakisoba for the family, though Aya decided to make something different for Mayumi. Aya helped her mother finish their dinner before beginning to start on her own dish. She made a dish consisting of crispy fried bread filled with curry and rice on the side. She took careful time fixing it, wanting it to turn out as good as possible. "Can you save mine for later, Mom?"
"Alright, but tomorrow, the four of us are eating together. I don't get to see much of you three as it is." Hiroko replied as she sat at the table.
Aya nodded in reply, taking the two dishes upstairs to her and Mayumi's room. She sat Mayumi's dinner on the table across from hers and sat down onto the tatami mat to eat. I should finish my homework before Mayumi gets home. She'll be proud of all I've done while she was gone…. I hope. She wanted so badly to confide in her twin truthfully. Now alone, the second thoughts of the day's events started to creep into her head. She slowly started to realize what she'd agreed to. Chika-chan doesn't really want to go to that house… does she? The thought made her sick and she had to force herself to swallow the noodles she'd put in her mouth just then. Why did I agree to that? How stupid can I be? She cursed herself. I should've just said no. Chika-chan can get mad if she wants to… She'd never say that to Chika's face, but sometimes she wanted to tell her how she truly felt.
As if her thoughts had summoned her, Aya's phone rang and her mind instantly went to Chika. Her pulse steadied and she sighed with relief as the screen revealed Kaori's name. Aya picked up the phone, clearing her throat beforehand. "Hello? Kao-chan?"
"Aya-chan. How are you doing?" Kaori asked, her voice filled with the same anxiety as Aya. "I've been thinking… I know I wanted to go to the movies, but this haunted house thing? We're going to be trespassing and it's so wrong!"
"Yeah, I agree… I don't like this. Chika-chan is too demanding of us…" Aya agreed. "But… the house is abandoned, right?"
"I think so. Maybe something won't happen. She probably is just saying that stuff to get us to back down." Kaori decided, though uncertainty remained in her voice. She fell silent for a whole moment.
"It is Chika-chan... we should do it." Aya couldn't even believe her own words. "We'll prove to her that we won't be afraid like she thinks. Her plan will backfire for sure." And I can prove to myself that I won't let her control me…