Chapter 2
It's Trying to Get Me… Part1
Since the day that nameless, cute-faced ghost came to ask to live with me, it's been three days. As for the reason why she came to stay? Who cares! Forget about it. The real issue here is figuring out how to get this ghost out of my house.
The problem is I know nothing about her. In her head, there's no useful information whatsoever. Every time I ask, all I get is, "I don't know," "I can't remember," or "I forgot." Not only does she provide no answers, but she also pesters me all day long.
That said, this ghost is somewhat useful, and I'll admit I've had second thoughts. She's really good at making my life more convenient. Like she bragged before, even the most advanced AI robot couldn't compare to her. She sweeps, mops, does laundry, washes dishes—whatever type of housework it is, she handles it perfectly. Impressive, right?
But it comes at the cost of constantly being bothered by her.
"Hehe, this commercial is so funny, right, Khun Ran?" Her laughter echoed throughout the living room as we sat there, aimlessly watching TV.
See what I mean? She's always around, always finding something to talk to me about.
I can't even tell if our relationship could be called mutualism or symbiosis. But she's not a living being... If, one day, she loses it and decides to attack me, it'll turn into predator-prey real quick.
"Nooo! I don't want to watch a horror movie!!"
"Huh? You're a ghost, and you're scared of horror movies? Is that a joke?" I furrowed my brows slightly, completely baffled. The ghost sitting next to me whined and protested against watching the very thing she was.
"You don't understand! When ghosts pop out like that, it's terrifying! Especially when they're all bloody and disfigured... Ugh, just thinking about it is gross. Ew!" The ghost made a face like she was about to throw up and quickly grabbed a pillow to cover her face.
Seriously? Is she really scared? This ghost acts more human than I do...
"..." I frowned even harder, unable to control the remote in my hand. The TV screen had already switched to a different genre.
"Can you stop controlling my remote?! I wanna watch a movie!"
"You can watch whatever you want, just not a horror movie!"
Oh, come on!! This is my house, you crazy ghost!
*Sigh*
Not that I really wanted to watch a horror movie anyway. It's just that it's been trending lately, so I thought I'd check out the summary. Besides, I see real ghosts every day, so why waste my time on fake ones? Just seeing the real thing is exhausting enough—I've probably sighed a million times already.
Especially with a weirdo ghost haunting me non-stop these days... What is my life even?
Hmm, recommended movie... A romance? Oh, right! I've seen this one all over social media. They say it's so good that people cry their eyes out. I've seen it pop up so often that I'm curious now.
Alright, I haven't watched something like this in ages.
Let's see if it's really all that.
["You are my destiny. I love you," the handsome hero said as he wrapped his arms around the woman in front of him.]
["I love you too..." The soft hands of the heroine rested gently on the hero's muscular chest, and soon after, they kissed passionately.]
"..." I pursed my lips, staring at the screen with utter boredom.
So cliché! Same old, same old!!
This scene didn't make me feel emotional or teary-eyed in the slightest. Unlike the ghost next to me, who squealed in embarrassment, twisting her body—wait, she's really twisting her body. Like, literally twisting it, just like when you wring out a wet towel.
That's way too freaky!!! I seriously don't understand how a ghost's body works!!
["Let her go right now, you bastard!"]
["Who'd be dumb enough to let her go, you idiot?! If you want her, bring me 20 million baht!"]
And why do villains in movies always talk like this? Is this seriously supposed to be a good film? I'm starting to wonder how much those social media pages were paid to promote it...
['I... love you...' The thin, pale-faced hero spoke the important words to the woman beside him. He had been bedridden ever since he was stabbed in a vital organ, and his body had been malfunctioning ever since, making it impossible for him to return to his normal life.]
[Upon hearing that, the blonde woman teared up. She tightly held the man's hand before managing to say in a sorrowful voice, 'I love you too.']
[Happy Ending]
"..."
I sat staring at the credits as they scrolled, listing the director and actors while sentimental music played softly in the background.
...It was terrible! Whoever recommended this film must have been paid off! Let's see what other people are saying in the comments.
There! Two hours of my precious time wasted!
"Hic... sob..."
A sobbing sound caught my attention, making it impossible for me to ignore. I turned sharply towards the source.
While I had hoped it was the sobs of the heroine on the TV, the reality was a brown-haired woman sitting beside me, tears streaming down her face. I could only stare at her as she cried her heart out, clearly moved by the film I deemed the worst of the year.
What...? She's seriously crying over this?
"Huuuuuuuuuuuuh... Snort, sniff, hic, huu..."
Her irritating crying, combined with the sound of her imaginary sniffles, resembled the mournful wail of a ghost.
"Oh, come on! What's there to cry about? And stop wiping your nose on my blanket, you idiot!" I covered my ears while ranting at the brown-haired ghost beside me without holding back.
"It's sad! How can you be so heartless? Didn't you see? The hero is paralyzed for life!" she wailed again, blowing her nose with a loud sniff.
Heartless? ...Maybe I am.
"..."
I fell silent, her words swirling in my head.
Not long after, the ghost beside me returned to her usual self. She beamed at me before speaking a sentence that made me want to roll my eyes.
"That was such a good movie, don't you think? I bet it'll win Movie of the Year."
Yeah, maybe if this was thirty years ago...
She continued praising the movie, rambling on about the plot. Meanwhile, I responded half-heartedly, hoping to change the topic.
The production value was decent, I'll give it that. But the story? Way too cliché for my taste. I didn't get it at all... To me, it was just a bad film.
"I'd love to watch it again. It was so good."
I lightly sneered. "Meh, same old plot. Even a kindergartener could see the ending coming."
"Even if you could guess the ending, the journey was still sad, wasn't it?"
"...Was it?"
"But the love scenes were really well done! That kiss scene, for example—it was so realistic! My heart was pounding the whole time! Sigh, it was perfect."
Wait, do ghosts even have hearts? Shouldn't hers have stopped beating a long time ago?
Then again, with this one, who knows? Maybe her heart is still beating after all...
"Well, yeah, they kissed for real. Most movies these days have actors kiss for real."
She went quiet for a moment before leaning in close to me, making me flinch and frown at the mischievous grin on her face.
"So... have you ever kissed anyone before?" she asked innocently, like a curious little child.
W-What kind of question is that?! I don't even have living, breathing friends, let alone someone to kiss... No...
I avoided her annoying gaze, looking anywhere but at her. "...No! I haven't!"
In a flash, she was right in front of me. "Wanna try?"
"Are you crazy? Who'd want to kiss a ghost? ...!! Don't come any closer! Back off! SHOO!! SHOO!!" I tried to push the ghost away from me.
But I was no match for her strength. She pinned my arms down onto the couch, making me fall flat on my back. Her delicate face hovered inches from mine. I could see her light brown eyes gleaming with mischief, and I started to feel...
Weird…
I had always thought she was cute, but seeing her up close made her look even cuter. Her lips still looked as kissable as they did the first time I saw her. How strange.
And there was that pleasant scent emanating from her. Was it the scent of white flowers? Maybe lilies... Most ghosts don't smell like this. Usually, it's incense or something disgusting...
We're too close... I need to push her away...
But why isn't my body rejecting her? And why is my heart beating so annoyingly fast without any sign of slowing down?
'Smooch.'
"..."
In a heartbeat, the ghost stole a kiss—not on my lips, but on my left cheek.
"Hehe," she giggled, still sitting on top of me with a playful look on her face.
My cheek...? Not my lips... GHOST! WHAT THE HECK?!
"...YOU IDIOT!!! What do you think you're doing?!"
'Whack!!'
My hand slapped her arm with all the strength I had.
"Ow... Don't hurt me... Did you really think I was going to kiss you on the lips?" she asked with that same smug grin, even after being slapped.
"...! Get. Off. NOW!!!" I growled at the clueless ghost who was still playing innocent.
"Hehehe, you made the cutest face just now."
That's it! I've had enough! If I talk to her any longer, I'm going to end up in the hospital from sheer frustration!
"Ow!" she yelped again as I shoved her off me.
Well, it couldn't be helped. She wasn't getting off on her own! That's enough for today. I'm going to bed!
"You're going to bed already...?"
"..." I walked into my room, ignoring the breezy voice from the couch behind me.
'BANG!'
*...Sigh*
She kissed my cheek... The feeling of her soft lips still lingered on my skin. Though it wasn't warm like people say...
Maybe it's because she's a ghost.
I lightly brushed my cheek with my fingertips before realizing what I was doing. "...!!"
What the heck am I doing?! It's all her fault! She made me think about nonsense! Ridiculous!
"Hehe, I bet you're thinking about me," the ghost teased, her head suddenly poking out of the wall beside my bed.
"Gah!! Get out of here!" I jumped, nearly rolling off the bed in shock. "Please! Stop phasing through walls like that!"
Grabbing the nearest pillow, I hurled it at her grinning face. Of course, it didn't work—she dodged it easily.
"I'm satisfied for today. I'll prank you again later. Hehehe."
I frowned at the annoying laughter that echoed from the wall.
"That crazy ghost..."