Natsuki handed a stuffed animal to Kaguya, who had been pouting moments before.
"Here, take it," he said.
Kaguya looked up, surprised.
Natsuki added earnestly, "Just remember to bring money next time you go out, okay?"
Kaguya fell silent, clutching the panda doll. She seemed to be struggling with what to say.
"What is it?" Natsuki asked, noticing her hesitation.
Kaguya looked away. "...It's nothing."
In truth, she had brought money with her that day. The arcade hadn't been planned – who goes out without any cash? But the panda was so cute... there was no reason not to accept it. She'd just have to find a way to repay him later.
After buying a few souvenirs, they left the panda enclosure and finished touring the rest of the zoo.
"Well, that's that," Umi said, stretching her arms above her head as they walked towards the exit. "It'll be open to the public soon. Like those big promises game companies make – maybe in a year or so..."
Natsuki quickly cut her off. "You know about Murphy's Law, right?"
"Of course I do," Umi replied haughtily, tilting her chin up. "The more you worry about something, the more likely it is to happen."
Natsuki sighed. "Then don't jinx it like Fujiwara would."
Luckily, Umi's words didn't tempt fate, and they made it out of the zoo without incident.
At the entrance, Natsuki turned to Kaguya. "How are you getting home?"
"My driver will be here soon to pick me up," she said softly.
Mrs. Kaguya's voice chimed in gently: "Kaguya dear, remember to message your mother when you get home."
Kaguya knew her mother had been up late on her phone again, leaving her feeling drained and rarely venturing out during the day.
"Make sure you message me first," Mrs. Kaguya added, "or your mother might cry in front of you."
Kaguya barely suppressed an eye-roll. Tears were secretions from tear glands – ghosts didn't even have those!
"...Alright," she agreed reluctantly.
"Goodbye, Kaguya," Natsuki said, waving.
Kaguya nodded. "Goodbye."
The group split up at the zoo entrance. Umi headed to the mall for some shopping, while Natsuki, Miko, her younger brother, and Hana made their way to the tram station. Soon, only Kaguya was left standing at the entrance, waiting for her ride home.
"Miss, it's time to go," Ai said, appearing suddenly at Kaguya's side.
Kaguya hugged the panda doll, her cheeks slightly puffed out. "Why did you leave me alone earlier?"
"To create opportunities for you, of course," Ai replied, crossing her arms and speaking around the lollipop in her mouth. "Isn't it more fun to visit the zoo together than to observe from afar?"
"Together? There were lots of people here."
"Then why don't we ask Natsuki to go shopping, just the two of you, tomorrow?"
"I'm busy tomorrow."
"..."
........
Later that evening, at 8:30 PM, Natsuki was watching TV when his phone rang. It was Umi – the first time she'd called since they'd exchanged numbers at school.
"Help! Help me!" Umi's panicked voice came through the speaker.
Natsuki sat up straight. "Is it your doppelganger?"
"No, it's not that," Umi said nervously. "It's that evil spirit with the sickle from the train. I just saw it outside my apartment building while I was hanging laundry on the balcony."
Natsuki pondered for a moment. "Some spirits look alike. Are you sure it's the same one?"
"I'm positive," Umi insisted. "I saw clearly that its clothes were missing a piece – right where it got burned this morning."
Natsuki frowned. If that was true, it was likely the same spirit.
"Maybe it was just passing by?" he suggested.
"I have a feeling it's coming for me," Umi said, her voice full of certainty.
"How can you be sure?"
"A girl's seventh sense."
Natsuki bit back a sarcastic comment about Saint Seiya and the seventh sense.
"I clearly felt it looking at me," Umi continued, sounding upset. "It must be seeking revenge for what happened on the train. I'm home alone, and I'm scared to stay here. Natsuki, can you come over tonight?"
"No," Natsuki answered firmly.
"So cruel," Umi whimpered.
Natsuki sighed. "But you can come to my place if you need to. I'll help if I can."
"We're barely friends, but I won't just stand by and watch someone die," Natsuki said.
"Huh? Why can't you come over?" Umi asked, confused.
Natsuki sighed. "Because... I'm used to my own bed. I tend to get insomnia in unfamiliar places."
"Oh..." Umi paused, then perked up. "Send me your address. I'll come to your place right away."
.......
Meanwhile, at the Shinomiya villa...
Kaguya had just finished showering, her damp hair falling over her shoulders as she sat on the sofa reading a book. Ai stood behind her, blow-drying her hair.
As the clock struck nine, Kaguya closed her book. "It's bedtime. You can go now, Ai."
She glanced discreetly at her desk, where the panda doll sat in the corner.
Kaguya had always been an early-to-bed, early-to-rise type. As the eldest daughter of a wealthy family, she prided herself on her healthy sleep schedule, never staying up late.
"I'm heading out. See you tomorrow," Ai said, putting away the hair dryer and walking to the door.
As she slowly closed it, she caught a glimpse of Kaguya eagerly grabbing the panda doll and jumping onto her bed with a happy smile.
Once the door was shut, Ai returned to her room. She tied her hair back neatly, changed out of her maid uniform into a black nightgown, and popped a lollipop into her mouth.
Spy mode: activated.
The young miss had vanished for hours today. As her maid, Ai needed to find out what happened. That boy, Natsuki, must know something.
Ai considered her options: Hypnosis? Truth serum? Sleeping powder in tea?
By the end of the night, she'd know everything – right down to the color of Natsuki's underwear if necessary.
Without a word to anyone, Ai quickly made her way to Natsuki's house.
The streets were empty as the clock ticked past nine, with only the cold moonlight and streetlamps for company.
Ai nodded to her driver, dismissing him, then stealthily crept up to Natsuki's house. She peered through the windows, her professional spy training kicking in as she assessed the situation.
"No lights on the first or second floor..." she muttered. Ai quickly concluded that no one was home. Perfect – this would make things easier.
Silently, she made her way to the front door via the back window. She pulled out her tools and easily picked the lock. After all, what kind of spy would she be if she couldn't?
Suddenly, a bark echoed through the house. An Akita dog came bounding towards her.
Ai took a half-step back, her body tensing. But instead of attacking, the dog just wagged its tail enthusiastically, tongue lolling out.
"...Stupid dog," Ai sighed, relaxing slightly. The friendly Akita reminded her of a certain pink-haired girl she knew. Shaking her head, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a sausage laced with a special ingredient.