Chapter 6 - Aftermath

"Yo Hayato, are you sure you're alright?" Hideki asked me as I caught his attention with my uncontrollable sneeze.

"You look so tired man, what the hell did you do during the summer break, worked as an underpaid salary man?" Hideki jokingly address his concern from his seat beside me, near the window of our classroom.

"Don't worry, It's just a cold." I reassure him as I sniffle.

I didn't get much of a sleep.

Well after all I've been through last night, It's not a surprise to me.

"Amano, Hayato!" A stern feminine voice calls out.

I turn to face her as she walked towards me.

Yamato, Izumi. She's the class representative.

She's always well-organized as seen through her attire, a sleek meticulously ironed white blouse complements her equally preen black skirt, she wears glasses hinting she always strain her eyes out by reading all the time or facing computer screens on a daily basis, her black hair is in a sleek bob cut showing her smooth neck.

"If you don't feel well, don't attend school." she looks down at me.

"You were caught sleeping in class earlier three times in a row, and when you're not sleeping your sneezes just distract the whole class." Izumi continues to scold me.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that." I scratch my head until a sneeze comes out once again.

"Kuro, Hideki." Izumi turns to him.

"Yes, maam!" out of fear or instinct Hideki answered.

"Bring this man to the clinic." Izumi directs.

"I can't stand to watch a top student unable to manage, and take care of his own health." she coldly remarked.

Our small quarrel was being drowned out from the chatting and murmuring of the class, everyone's talking as they eat their lunch together.

I gazed outside the sunny courtyard, the wind blows and makes every skirt and hair flutter as it goes by.

Such a peaceful day.

I wish things could have stayed like this, but with this cat-girl in my life, I can't expect everything to stay the way it is.

Speaking of the cat, she was still sleeping when I woke up, also she's still in her human-form, giving me a grim reminder that what happened last night was not a dream.

Still, I don't have much of an idea why this is all happening, I have to contact Kaguya and convince her to let me out of this mess.

A flick of Izumi's finger caught my attention, unfortunately another damn sneeze from me interrupts her.

Izumi gave me an annoyed look "Don't let me drag you to the clinic, Amano."

Hideki grabbed my shoulders and lift me to my feet. "Come on man, you gotta rest."

"Thanks, Hideki." Another sneeze comes out as we make our way to the clinic.

---

The happenings from tonight still occupied my mind as I walk for the restroom.

I was lost in thought that I almost bump to a girl.

"I'm sorry." I slightly bow to her.

She stopped walking and faced my direction, I was facing the floor the whole time so I couldn't clearly see her, I resumed walking after I applogize to her.

The splash of water from the sink feels refreshing as I wash my face.

The nurse gave me some meds and I took them in here.

I looked at the mirror and saw my fatigued face, my dark brown eyes slightly shine as it reflect the dim light of the room, my short black hair was messy as I didn't have time to prepare when I woke up, the skirt I'm wearing compliments the dark parts of the room, wait skirt?

I realized I'm not looking at myself anymore but a girl behind me, she's wearing the same uniform as every girl in this school, white blouse and black skirt, but there is one thing unsettling about this girl.

I can see through her.

I can completely see the urinal behind her, she also had the same white glow from the boy last night.

She must be a lost soul too.

"You can really see me!" she says in amazement as she points her finger at me.

"No I don't."

"And you can hear me too!" she exclaims in excitement.

"You were the guy who almost bump into me right?! I'm so glad I finally met someone who can see me!" she almost tear up as her face show so much relief.

"So you're a lost soul too?" I let out a heavy sigh.

"Lost soul?" she ask in confusion.

"You know, someone not satisfied with their death." I tried to explain.

"Well I guess you can say that.." she replied.

"Then I hope that you can finally pass." I clasp my hands and headed for the exit, we already reached our monthly quota and I don't want to get involved in this soul-guiding thing more than I need to.

"Please wait! I really need your help!" she pleadingly state.

Her teary emerald eyes looked at me, as if she's a preschooler afraid to be left alone at school.

"Well there is a way I can help."

"That's such a relief, but how?"

"I guide soul-"

"Yo Hayato!" Hideki calls out, cutting my words with his loud voice.

"I got your bag right here, lets go and stop by the arcade." he approached me and hand my bag.

"Classes over already?" I asked.

"Yeah, everyone's gone home."

"I'm sorry man, but I can't go play at the arcade, I got some things to buy at the convenience store."

"Damn, I keep forgetting you live alone, must be tough managing your own expenses." he chuckles

"Well I guess I'll just play alone today, See you tomorrow Hayato!" He waves as he jog to the school exit.

With Hedeki gone I turn to face the ghost girl.

Her feet dangle while she sit on the sink, she quickly gets off it as soon as she realized I'm now looking at her.

"So you're gonna help me right?" The girl asked.

"Yeah, but I got some things to do, I'll come back tonight, and I'll be bringing someone"

"Who're you bringing? some kind of fortune teller?" she tilts her head.

Oh how I wish she was just a normal fortune teller.