"Using tissues from a girl for... that? That's just creepy!" Natsuki protested.
"Girls don't need them for that," Chika insisted.
"Not necessarily," Natsuki started, but Kaguya cut in, confused.
"What are you talking about?"
As Natsuki opened his mouth, Chika suddenly gripped his shoulders. Her smile was sweet, but her eyes held a warning. "Natsuki, don't corrupt Kaguya, okay?"
Who's corrupting who? Natsuki thought. Her lack of common sense is dangerous!
As more students arrived, they returned to their seats. The day passed quickly.
That afternoon, Natsuki gazed out the window, twirling his pencil. Students played soccer, oblivious to the massive toad-like spirit catching balls by the goal.
These spirits weren't afraid of daylight at all. Three had appeared in class today alone.
As school ended, Natsuki packed up.
"Heading out?" Chika chirped.
"Yeah, going home."
"No club activities?"
"Didn't join any."
Chika leaned in, eyes sparkling. "That's no good! You'll regret not joining a club in high school."
"Sorry, I don't do regrets," Natsuki replied dryly.
Meanwhile, Kaguya calmly left, but froze at the gate. A horrifying female spirit, covered in ghostly infants, blocked her path.
"You... see me?" the spirit rasped. The infant ghosts crawled excitedly towards Kaguya.
Even the "Ice Princess" couldn't stay composed. She clutched her bag, biting her lip as tears welled up.
[So scary, so scary, so scary...]
Seeing Kaguya's distress, Natsuki strode over. His spirit-repelling aura activated, causing the ghosts to shriek and flee like snow in sunlight.
"Kaguya, you okay?" Chika rushed to hug her friend's arm.
"I'm fine," Kaguya murmured, eyes still wet.
"Maybe dry those tears first," Natsuki suggested gently.
"I don't want to leave school," Chika pouted. "If class kept going, we wouldn't have to split up."
Natsuki rolled his eyes. "You'd be the most hated person in school."
Chika sighed. "At least there are people around here. What about when I'm home alone at night?"
"Wear an eye patch," Kaguya suggested.
"You'd still hear things," Chika countered.
"Earplugs," Natsuki offered.
Chika snapped her fingers. "Right! Hide under the covers like an ostrich. In comics, blankets are invincible. Nothing can get you there."
Kaguya opened her mouth, then closed it, hesitating.
"What is it, Kaguya?" Chika prodded.
"Well..." Kaguya frowned. "Last night, I found a ghost under my covers."
Natsuki winced. Talk about bad luck on day one.
"What?" Chika's eyes went wide. "Did you cry?"
"Of course not," Kaguya said quickly, arms crossed.
"But you used to be so scared of horror movies..."
"I've grown up," Kaguya insisted, biting her lip. "Don't treat me like a kid."
"Oh really?"
Chika suddenly ducked behind Natsuki, tugging his sleeve. He played along, stepping back with her.
Kaguya's eyes widened, her neck stiffening as she fought the urge to look behind her.
"Stay calm, Kaguya," Chika said softly. "Don't turn around."
Kaguya's long hair trembled as she inched towards them, holding her breath.
"Gotcha!" Chika crowed, hands on hips. "There's nothing there. You're still such a scaredy-cat!"
Kaguya pressed a hand to her chest, slowly turning to look behind her.
"There's nothing there," Kaguya said, turning back.
Chika grinned, oblivious to the danger. "No wonder you've got dark circles. Didn't sleep, huh?"
Kaguya took a deep breath, a dark aura seeming to rise from her. Her eyes flashed as she smiled sweetly. "Chika, you're so adorable."
Natsuki instinctively stepped back. Kaguya's smile was scarier than her cold face.
"I'm sorry! I was wrong!" Chika yelped, crouching defensively.
"I wish I could stay at Natsuki's," she added pitifully.
"Guess I'm not wanted," Chika pouted when Natsuki didn't respond.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Hey, why don't we run for student council together?"
"What?" Natsuki raised an eyebrow.
"The election's coming up," Chika explained. "If we win, we'll have a big activity room to hang out in after school!"
That's not what student council is for, Natsuki thought.
"I agree," Kaguya said calmly. "I was planning to run anyway."
"I'll think about it," Natsuki replied.
They parted ways. Natsuki walked home, ignoring the ghostly security guards at the gate.
"I'm home," he called, greeted only by his Akita dog.
No anime-style family situations here – just an empty house.
Opening the fridge, Natsuki found a rotting head inside. Unfazed, he grabbed a Coke and slammed it shut.
It was still early, so Natsuki decided to walk the dog. Daytime walks seemed safer now.
At the park entrance, he ran into Miko and her friend Hana.
"Hey, Natsuki!" Hana called cheerfully. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the dog. "Aw, how cute! Is it yours?"
"Yeah, he's mine," Natsuki nodded.
"Can I pet him?" Hana asked eagerly.
"Sure."
"Thanks!" Hana beamed, bending slightly to reach the dog.
Natsuki couldn't help but notice her collarbone as she leaned forward. He quickly looked away, thinking of Newton's cradle to distract himself.
"Pervert," Miko muttered, dark circles under her eyes.
How is that perverted? Natsuki thought defensively. It's just physics!
As Hana finished petting the dog, Miko spoke up. "Um... I bought some strawberry daifuku. Want to share?"
"We have a test Friday," she added tiredly. "Mom will nag if I do badly. Hana's coming too."
Natsuki hesitated. "Isn't it weird for me to join your study session?"
"It's fine!" Hana chirped. "Just bring Pipitaro!"
Natsuki blinked. What kind of name is that?
Hana giggled at his confusion. "That's what I named your dog. Like Butt Daifuku!"
Natsuki sighed internally. What's with the weird pet names?
"Alright, I'll come," he agreed.
"Can I hold Pipitaro's leash?" Hana asked, eyes sparkling.
"Go ahead," Natsuki shrugged, handing it over.
"Thanks! You're so nice, Natsuki!"
"Please don't hand out 'nice guy' cards so easily," he deadpanned.
"Don't worry," Hana teased. "You and Miko are childhood friends. You won't be single forever, even with a nice guy card."
"Childhood friends doesn't mean we're dating," Miko protested weakly, blushing.
Natsuki nodded. He and Miko were indeed childhood friends, but nothing more.
Natsuki and Miko had been neighbors since junior high when Natsuki's family moved next door. They'd gone to the same school, and he'd seen her change from an ordinary girl to the reserved person she was now. Teenage girls really did change quickly.
Their families were close. With Natsuki's parents often away for work, Miko's mom would invite him over for dinner. They were childhood friends, but nothing more. Just good friends.
In reality, childhood friends rarely ended up together. They usually just became old playmates.
They arrived at Miko's house.
"I'm home," Miko called, unlocking the door.
"Pardon the intrusion," Hana chirped, leading the dog inside.
As Natsuki entered, removing his shoes, he heard an odd voice:
"Welcome back."
Startled, he looked up to see a man walking into the living room. Or rather, a transparent, faintly glowing ghost of a middle-aged man.
"Uncle?" Natsuki recognized him instantly.
It was Miko's father. He'd been alive when Miko first transferred schools, but later passed away from an incurable disease.
Natsuki had seen many spirits lately, but this was different. There was no malice or chaos about him, just a gentle warmth. It was curious.
Miko watched Natsuki carefully from the corner of her eye.
"He can see Dad... wait!"
Her eyes widened as she remembered something crucial. Natsuki seemed to have some ability that could harm spirits. Weaker ones even vanished entirely.
Miko's heart raced. Even as a ghost, her dad was family. If he got hurt because of her...
No! She had to act fast!
In a panic, Miko threw herself into Natsuki's arms.
"Whoa!" Hana's eyes went wide. "Just friends, huh? Looks pretty cozy to me!"
Red-faced, Miko whispered urgently in Natsuki's ear: "Natsuki, please don't hurt my dad."
The scent of apple shampoo, strawberry cake, and Miko's perfume washed over him.
"I know," Natsuki murmured back. He could control his spirit-repelling aura. It was usually off by default anyway.
Miko sighed in relief, stepping back. "I just lost my balance," she said casually to Hana.
"Yeah, right. There's nothing to slip on!"
"Just... unsteady on my feet."
Natsuki changed into slippers silently.
Miko's father's ghost approached, smiling. "Miko's finally growing up," he said warmly. Then to Natsuki: "Take good care of her. You can marry after high school."
Isn't that a bit rushed? Natsuki thought. You're a ghost, don't worry so much!
Miko's ears turned pink, but she kept her cool. "Come on, let's go to my room."
Upstairs, Hana looked around. "Wow, Miko's room is so... normal."
"Sorry it's not exciting," Miko replied dryly, setting up a folding table.
"I thought you'd have a huge teddy bear or something!"
"Those are expensive and hard to clean," Miko said, unpacking daifuku. "I don't like them."
"No posters of pretty girls? Just a world map?"
"Only boys have those posters," Miko sighed. "Let's study."
As they sat, Hana pet the dog and looked curiously at Natsuki. "So, Natsuki, do you have pretty girl posters in your room?"