Previously, we were investigating the old records left by the supernatural club more than a decade ago and found something similar to what we were looking for and it was terrifying…
The weight of what we'd just read was still sinking in when an unexpected voice pierced through the silence.
"Hey, what are you two doing here?"
It startled both of us so badly that I let out a scream, "Ahhh!"
Kaito, clutching the old, worn book in his hands, jumped and whipped around. "Mei! What... What are you doing here?"
Mei stood there, looking far too pleased with herself. She crossed her arms and gave us a mischievous grin. "What? Did I scare you two that badly?"
Yumi, standing just behind her, shook her head. "Seriously? You guys are way too jumpy."
I tried to calm my nerves, my heartbeat still thudding in my ears, but Mei's sudden change in expression caught my attention. Her eyes had drifted down to the book Kaito was holding, and the playful air around her shifted into one of curiosity.
"What is that?" she asked, pointing at the book with a slight frown. "Where'd you find it?"
Kaito hesitated for a moment, almost as if he wasn't sure how to begin. "This? It's a record," he explained. "Apparently, it was written by the supernatural club that used to meet here, back in the day."
I cut in, eager to share what we'd uncovered. "Mei, Yumi—you guys aren't gonna believe this! We found something… something just like the Princess of Shadows."
Kaito nodded, picking up the thread of the conversation. "It's exactly as we thought. Years ago, the supernatural club faced a similar mystery. But this one… this one's deeper. They described a monster—a figure that caused a lot of trouble but always managed to avoid getting caught."
His words hung in the air like a thick fog, and Mei's brows furrowed. "What do you mean 'caused trouble'? What kind of trouble?"
"It's all in here," Kaito said, his voice steady. "This monster left behind clues… always leaving a piece of ragged black cloth at every scene. The writer witnessed some of it firsthand."
Mei blinked, taking a step closer to us. "Wait. If they had seen the monster, wouldn't that mean the case was solved, right? Or was it just… abandoned?"
Kaito shook his head slowly, flipping to the final entry. "No. The last entry was on August 25th, but after that, nothing. The case just... stopped."
A silence filled the space as Mei's face darkened. "Something must have happened to them. The writer, I mean."
Yumi's voice broke the stillness, quieter this time, almost a murmur. "It sounds like… whoever wrote this was silenced. Either they were killed or made to disappear."
Mei's expression was grave now, her earlier playful demeanor fully gone. "Yeah. That would make sense. If they got too close… whatever they were after must have found them first."
We stood there for a moment, all of us feeling the weight of the situation. The old library suddenly felt colder, more oppressive, as though the walls themselves were keeping the club's secrets hidden away. The enormity of the mystery pressed down on us, and for the first time, I realized just how dangerous this investigation might really be.
After we explained everything to Takashi, he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "So, you're stuck in another dead-end, huh?" His voice had a tinge of amusement, though his eyes showed concern.
Mei, tapping her finger against the table, sighed. "This is getting more and more complicated. But I feel like we're circling the answer, that the lead we need is hidden somewhere in these records. It's right there, but what are we missing?"
Kaito leaned back, rubbing his temples. "Maybe it's time to call it a night. We've been at this for hours, and honestly, the deeper we dig, the less sense it makes. Let's pick this up tomorrow."
Yumi stretched her arms, her exhaustion evident. "Yeah, it's getting late. A fresh start tomorrow might help."
Mei stood up, gathering her belongings. "Alright, fine. We'll continue tomorrow. You all head out; Izumi and I have something to deal with."
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Something to deal with? What business?"
Mei waved him off with a sly grin. "It's a secret. Call it a 'lovey-dovey meeting' if you must."
Takashi perked up. "Oh? So you're finally going for it, huh?" His smirk was playful, yet his eyes gleamed with curiosity.
I almost choked. "Wait, what? Mei, what are you talking about?"
She chuckled, her expression innocent. "Just kidding. I have an appointment with the student council head. It's nothing serious." She shooed the others toward the door. "Now go on, the two of us will catch up later."
Yumi rolled her eyes as she left. "It seems you two are intent on some 'alone time,' huh? Well, good for you."
"Go already!" Mei called after her, shutting the door behind them. With a sigh of relief, she turned to me. "Phew, they're finally gone."
I blinked, confused. "What was that all about?"
She gave me a long look, her eyes narrowing. "Seriously? Did you actually think I'd plan something like that?" I could tell she was teasing, but I still felt a bit caught off guard.
I scratched my head. "Well, you were the one who said it. What was I supposed to think?"
She smirked. "You really have no sense of humor, do you?" She shook her head, her tone playful yet sharp.
I shrugged, giving in. "Fine, my bad. What now?"
Mei's expression grew thoughtful. "What do you think about all this?" she asked.
I stammered, not expecting the question. "Me? I have no clue. I'm completely lost here."
"Typical," she teased, smirking again. "Boys are supposed to be smarter than this, aren't they?"
I frowned. "You haven't found any good leads either."
"Fair enough." She sat down, her voice more serious. "We need to analyze these notes more thoroughly. Try to find some solid evidence. Maybe that black cloth left behind in all the incidents is the key."
I interrupted her. "Or... we could just ask the writer."
Mei froze, her eyes wide with realization. Slowly, she turned her head toward me, her face blank. "Heh... I can't believe I didn't think of that."
"Right?" I said, feeling proud. "If we can find the student roster from 2006 and track down the members of the supernatural club, we can figure out who wrote that diary."
Mei's eyes lit up, and she patted my head. "That's a smart boy. I take back what I said earlier."
She then walked over to the window, staring outside as the last rays of sunlight began to fade behind the buildings. The room was painted in a soft golden glow, casting long shadows across the floor. Her voice lowered, almost a whisper. "It's almost time."
I furrowed my brow. "Time for what?"
Mei glanced over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. "The sun's frequency. It's almost to the level where it won't affect me anymore."
I tilted my head, utterly confused. "What are you talking about?"
She looked back outside, her eyes distant. "I had a dream last night. It wasn't just any dream—it was a memory, a part of my past I'd long forgotten. You know how old I am, right?"
"Yeah, around 170-ish, give or take," I replied, still trying to piece things together.
She nodded. "Right. And because of my age, a lot of my early memories are blurry, lost over time. But this dream—it reminded me of something important." She paused, her voice growing softer. "When I was five, they checked my magic affinity. And... it turned out I had none. Not a single spark."
I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, really?"
She nodded, her face shadowed by the fading light. "I was devastated, of course. A child with no magic is unheard of in Celestia. But one day, a figure appeared before me. I don't remember where or how, but I know it wasn't human. It was cloaked in mist and shadows, its form barely visible. And it asked me a question."
I swallowed. "What did it ask?"
Her voice dropped, almost a whisper. "It asked, 'Do you seek power?' And, without thinking, I said yes."
The room felt heavier, as if the air itself was thickening around us. Mei's eyes glistened in the fading light, the weight of the memory clearly affecting her.
"Then," she continued, "it asked me another question: 'If you choose this power, you will carry a burden. Can you handle that?' And again, I said yes."
The wind outside the window picked up slightly, rustling the trees outside, their leaves casting flickering shadows across the room.
"The figure stared at me for what felt like an eternity before speaking again. 'I will place two curses on you. Do you still want this power?' And like a foolish child, I said yes one last time."
Her voice grew quieter, as if she was speaking more to herself than to me. "Then... my vision blurred, and just before everything went dark, it warned me: 'Beware of the sun.'"
I stayed silent, trying to process everything. "So... that's why the sunlight affects you?"
Mei nodded, turning back to face me fully. "Yes. The sunlight here on Earth emits a frequency that weakens me. But around sunset, it refracts, allowing me to regain my strength."
I let out a slow breath. "That's... quite the story."
Mei smiled, though it was a little sad. "It's my story. And now, partner, what do you say? Shall we hunt some demons?"
I grinned, standing up. "Sure thing, milady."
With that, Mei floated into the air, using her powers to hover near the window. She reached out her hand, and I grabbed it. Together, we flew out of the window, scanning the darkening skies for our next target.
As we soared, I glanced over at her. "Hey, Mei, when do you think I'll be able to fly like you?"
She laughed softly. "Well, technically, you can already fly using your lightning form."
I frowned. "Yeah, but that's more like dashing around. It's not very practical."
She smirked. "You'll get the hang of it eventually. For now, leave the flying to me."
And with that, we disappeared into the night, searching for the next challenge that awaited us.
As Takashi, Kaito, and Yumi reached the point where their paths diverged, Kaito turned to them with a smile. "Well, this is where we part ways, guys."
Takashi waved, his expression warm. "Bye."
Yumi followed suit, waving as well. "Bye, Kaito."
Kaito nodded and continued on his way, leaving Takashi and Yumi to continue their walk home. They both lived along the same route, at least for a while.
As they strolled, Takashi broke the comfortable silence. "Hey, Yumi, are you free this weekend?"
Yumi's face lit up with a hint of surprise and pleasure. "Hmm, yes, I am."
Takashi's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Great! How about we go on a date then?"
Yumi's expression softened into a genuine smile. "Sure, I would love to. To be honest, I was about to ask you the same thing."
Takashi beamed with joy. "Awesome, then it's a plan. I'll just tell my mom that I'm going over to a friend's house for a group study session."
Yumi chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "That's a bit sneaky of you, Takashi."
Takashi laughed along with her. "What can I say? I like to keep things interesting."
As they walked, Yumi turned to Takashi with a thoughtful look. "Oh, by the way, Takashi, can you do me a favor?"
Takashi, slightly puzzled, asked, "Sure, what do you need?"
Yumi's cheeks flushed slightly as she replied, "I was wondering if you could stay at my house tonight."
Takashi stopped in his tracks, bewildered. "Wait, what? Did I hear you right? Can you repeat that?"
Yumi nodded, her face earnest. "Yes, I meant, can you stay over at my house tonight?"
Takashi's face flushed red, both surprised and flattered. "What are you saying? I'm yours anyway, but why tonight?"
Yumi shook her head, her expression growing serious. "No, I mean, I really need you to stay with me. My parents won't be home tonight. They asked if I could stay alone, and I said yes without thinking. Now, I'm feeling really uneasy about it."
She gave him a pleading look, her voice almost a whisper. "It's too scary to be alone."
Takashi's heart softened at her vulnerability. "Well, what can I say? If you need me, I'll be there."
Yumi's face brightened with relief. "Really? You'll come?"
Takashi nodded, his tone warm. "Yeah, anything for you, Yumi."
Yumi's smile widened. "Thank you, Takashi. I really appreciate it."
Takashi paused for a moment. "Wait, I need to run back to my house to grab some clothes and let my mom know where I am. I'll be quick."
Yumi waved him off. "Don't worry about it. You can wear my dad's clothes, and just use the landline or your phone to let your mom know. Please, I don't want to be alone for too long."
Takashi chuckled. "You sure are a scaredy-cat."
Yumi puffed out her cheeks playfully. "Don't call me that."
Takashi smiled, shaking his head. "Okay, okay, I won't."
They soon arrived at Yumi's house, a charming blend of modern and traditional Japanese design. The house was compact yet beautifully arranged, with a small garden surrounding it, adding a touch of nature. The exterior was simple, with clean lines and subtle, elegant details.
As they stepped inside, the warmth of the house enveloped them. Yumi called out, "I'm home!"
Takashi echoed, "I'm home too."
The interior was welcoming, with a cozy ambiance. The hallway led to a bright, open living area decorated with light wood and soft colors. Traditional Japanese sliding doors and tatami mats complemented modern furnishings, creating a harmonious space.
Yumi directed Takashi upstairs. "Go up to my room. It's the one with the door on the left."
Takashi made his way up the stairs, his curiosity piqued. Yumi headed towards the kitchen, which was conveniently located along the hallway.
Upon entering Yumi's room, Takashi was struck by how beautifully it was arranged. The room was serene and meticulously organized. It had a delicate fragrance that filled the air, a subtle blend of fresh linen and floral notes.
The room was adorned with soft pastel colors and included a low, square table with four cushions around it, neatly arranged on the tatami floor. Takashi sat on one of the cushions closest to the bed, his eyes wandering around in awe.
The bed was adorned with a neatly arranged quilt and soft pillows. The room had a sense of calm and order, making it clear that Yumi had put a lot of thought into her space.
As Takashi sat there, he realized this was his first time in a girl's room—his girlfriend's, no less. The experience was new and exciting, and he felt a mix of emotions as he waited for Yumi to return.
Takashi sat on the edge of Yumi's bed, a mix of curiosity and nervousness filling him. "So this is where Yumi sleeps," he murmured. He took a deep breath, noting the gentle scent that lingered on the sheets, reminiscent of Yumi herself. As he ran his fingers over the bed, he marveled at how soft it was. "The bed is really big for just one person," he mused aloud. "I wonder if her mom used to sleep here with her. It's much larger than needed for a single person, especially since Yumi mentioned she doesn't have any siblings."
He noticed a few plush toys scattered across the bed. They were adorable, all pink and fluffy, contributing to the room's soft, pastel theme. As he touched the bed and started to take the feel of it by leaning his head on to the bes , Yumi walked in, startling him.
"Here's your tea," she said, carrying a tray with tea and cookies. She placed it gently on the table. "I thought you might be thirsty."
Takashi, still recovering from his surprise, managed a grateful smile. "Oh, thank you."
Yumi nodded, her expression calm. "No problem."
Takashi sighed inwardly, relieved that Yumi hadn't seen him examining her bed so closely. "Thank goodness she didn't catch me doing that," he thought, letting out a breath.
Yumi, however, broke the silence. "By the way, what were you doing a while ago?"
Takashi's heart skipped a beat. "Wait, she saw me?" he panicked internally.
But Yumi seemed unfazed. "It's fine," she said with a light shrug. "I guess you were looking at the plushie on my bed, right?"
Takashi, caught off guard but eager to shift the conversation, nodded. "Yes, I was."
Yumi's eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and nostalgia. "Really? Everyone says that when they enter my room for the first and last time."
Takashi raised an eyebrow. "Last time?"
To be continued…