Shimizu gave a slight nod and quickly latched onto Natsuki.
"It really is a vengeful spirit."
The hot blonde Umi Kitagawa's eyes went wide.
While I'm still trying to get my bearings, others have already started dealing with evil spirits. We're not even playing the same game!
"Umi, Shimizu isn't a vengeful spirit," Chika said quickly. "I'll add you to the group later, and we can talk more once we're in."
Though Kaguya's empire isn't established yet, Chika's already formed a player support group... even if it's just a small circle with a handful of newbies for now.
Ten seconds flew by, and before Natsuki could say anything else, everything went dark.
After a moment of dizziness, Natsuki came to his senses and found himself back in the crowded subway.
I checked my phone. Exactly one minute had passed.
That ten-second exit window... probably gives players time to compose themselves, so they don't burst into tears and embarrass themselves in public.
"Hmm..." Chika blinked, looked around, then leaned in close to Natsuki's ear and whispered, "Are we back?"
Natsuki nodded slightly, pressing his fingers between his brows. "Today's really not the day for a long trip."
My body might not be tired, but my mind's exhausted.
"They said we triggered a special scene just now. Could it be this subway?"
Chika suddenly realized.
"Very likely," Natsuki replied quietly. "It might even be this specific car we're in."
"I don't want to think about that right now." Chika shook her head and pulled out her blood-stained notebook. "I'll add Umi to the support group first. She's actually at our school, but her class is far from ours, so we haven't met yet."
"Stare--"
Chika suddenly turned her head, eyes wide, and looked at Natsuki without blinking.
"Why are you staring at me all of a sudden?"
Natsuki leaned back slightly, trying to create some distance.
"Natsuki," Chika said softly, "What was the name of that other player who cleared the game with us?"
Natsuki thought for a moment. "...Tomoya?"
"Not him," Chika shook her head. "The girl who was with us."
Natsuki frowned slightly, shocked to realize he only remembered she had a short bob cut, was average height, and average build. Her face was already a blur in his mind.
"That short-haired girl... what was her name?"
"I can't remember."
"..."
They looked at each other in silence.
Chika nervously hugged Natsuki's arm. "Ghost player!"
A moment later, the subway arrived at the station.
Natsuki and Chika got off and parted ways at the exit.
"See you tomorrow, Natsuki!" Chika called out cheerfully.
"Yeah, see you," Natsuki nodded and turned to leave.
It was past eight when he got home. He'd planned to call Miko over to recharge, but Aunt Yotsuya had already left work, and Miko didn't want to come, so he gave up on the idea.
"Finally home," Shimizu stretched lazily, then looked at Natsuki expectantly. "Hey, can I have the spare phone?"
"No way." Natsuki walked to the fridge, opened it, and expressionlessly killed the human-headed evil spirit inside. He grabbed a Coke and said, "Ms.Kaguya, come recharge. You can't play with phones in your state."
"You're no fun," Shimizu pouted, then her eyes lit up. "I have an idea!"
"What?" Natsuki took a sip of Coke and looked over.
"How about I help you recharge?" Ms.Kaguya crossed her legs, running a finger along her thigh. She smiled sweetly. " I'm fine, so I can help you, right?"
Ms.Kaguya was undeniably beautiful, her every expression charming. Compared to her daughter's usual icy demeanor, Shimizu was elegant and alluring.
"Before I... well, died, I learned massage techniques," Ms.Kaguya said seductively. "I'm way better than Kaguya-chan or Miko-chan. I promise you'll enjoy it, Natsuki."
Natsuki thought to himself, "I don't know about enjoyable, but you generating your own energy to recharge yourself? Are you trying to be a perpetual motion machine?"
After a moment, he shook his head. "Thanks, but no. I just want to rest now. We'll talk tomorrow."
......….
The night passed quietly.
The next morning, the alarm went off at 7:10 as usual.
Natsuki opened his eyes, reached over to silence it, and got up to get dressed.
As he walked out of his room, he heard the TV downstairs and paused. His parents worked away from home, only visiting a few days a year. He hadn't turned on the TV in ages. The sudden sound left him momentarily confused.
"Morning, Natsuki!" Ms.Kaguya's pleasant voice came from behind the sofa.
"Morning," Natsuki replied, heading to wash up. But as he passed the sofa, he stopped short. "Did you play with the phone again last night?"
"I didn't!" Ms.Kaguya blinked innocently. "Don't accuse me unfairly."
You're denying it, but you're practically see-through! Natsuki thought. Most people who stay up late just get dark circles, but you're destroying yourself!
Evil spirits and ghosts are spiritual beings that can't normally touch real-world objects, or the world would be chaos. But guardian spirits are different. They can briefly materialize to interact with objects, though it drains their energy. The more they use, the more transparent they become.
Clearly, Ms.Kaguya had materialized again last night to play with the phone.
"Okay, I played a little... I couldn't help it," Ms.Kaguya held up two fingers, looking pitiful. "I'm a spirit, I don't even have a body. I can't sleep even if I want to. I was alone all night with nothing to do. That's cruel, right?"
Natsuki, having experienced insomnia, knew how miserable sleepless nights could be.
"You could watch TV all night," he suggested.
"There's nothing on after midnight," Ms.Kaguya looked dejected. "It's too lonely staring at a blank screen."
"I found the manga I loved when I was alive - Detective Conan," Ms.Kaguya played the sympathy card. "When I died, I was so upset about never seeing the ending that I got a bit obsessed. I'm sorry."
"There's still no ending now," Natsuki couldn't help but grumble. "I might not even live to see it finish."
Oda-sensei clearly stated One Piece would end within five years. Two years have passed, but Detective Conan's end is nowhere in sight. It's truly a lifetime commitment of a series.
"Forget it, I'm going to wash up," Natsuki sighed.
Ms.Kaguya raised her hand. "Want me to make breakfast?"
"Absolutely not," Natsuki said without looking back. "Just sit tight."
After washing up and having a quick breakfast, Natsuki got a text from Miko: "Natsuki, time for school."
"On my way," he replied, grabbing his bag and heading out. His childhood friend was waiting at the door.
Long black hair, a figure the uniform couldn't hide, and dark circles under her eyes... Miko looked tired again.
"Morning, Miko," Ms.Kaguya smiled.
"Morning..." Miko's eyes widened in surprise. "Um, are you okay?"
"She's fine," Natsuki said casually. "Just stayed up too late on her phone."
"Looks awful," Miko couldn't help but comment. "She's almost see-through."
"We'll recharge at school."
"...Recharge?" Miko looked confused. "How do you recharge at school?"
Natsuki suddenly felt awkward. He couldn't exactly explain about the Ice Queen stepping on him while he powered up, all to recharge Shimizu.
Luckily, an energetic voice called out.
"Miko! Natsuki!"
They turned to see Hana, a slender girl with short golden hair, jogging towards them and waving.
Something about her drew everyone's attention. Natsuki thought, "The bouncing little rabbit is so cute."
"Morning, Hana," Miko smiled faintly.
"She's so warm," Ms.Kaguya licked her lips seductively. "Natsuki, can you trick her into coming home with us?"
Natsuki internally cringed. That's absolutely not happening! Don't talk about kidnapping in front of me!
But Hana did seem special. Natsuki could see a warm, flame-like light around her, though he wasn't sure what it meant.
Miko glanced over, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn't with Hana right there.
"Don't worry, Miko," Ms.Kaguya explained. "I can't feel your warmth, but I felt it from your friend. I was just curious."
Miko nodded, relieved.
Oblivious to this exchange, Hana said brightly, "We have a test today, then it's Golden Week! I can't wait!"
"Any plans for the holiday?" Natsuki asked.
"None at all," Miko said calmly. "I'm staying home."
Natsuki knew why. For most people, travel was about beautiful scenery. But for Miko, who saw evil spirits everywhere, the joy of travel was lost.