Chapter 4
It Shouldn't Have Asked Part1
"Hmm? You're up early, Khun Ran. How come?" The brown-haired ghost who had been watching TV all night turned and asked me with a curious expression.
"I was thinking of offering alms today. Lately, I feel like my luck's been running low for some reason."
Yeah, ever since I met her.
Not that I blame her... but since that day, I've been attracting more attention from other ghosts. I'm not sure if she's drawing these wandering spirits towards me, but whatever the real cause, I need to find a way to protect myself before I get dragged into their realm.
"Making merit? Who are you making merit for, Khun Ran?" She flipped around, clinging to the back of the chair and tilting her head, with an even more curious expression.
"You"
Her puzzled look shifted into a thoughtful one, and shortly after, she gave me a mischievous grin that I found irritating.
"Wow! So, you love me enough to make merit for me now, huh? Aren't you worried I'll be reborn? If that happens, you'll get lonely!"
Her overly confident tone and annoying expression made me roll my eyes.
"That's exactly what I want. Hurry up and get reborn already. You can come back as a dog, a cat, whatever you want. It's a win-win, isn't it?"
"How heartless!" she pouted, but the playful smile on her face betrayed her mock complaint.
Does she even realize how much trouble she's causing me? But no, there she was, grinning and laughing at the TV. I doubt she's even thinking about it.
I stared at her for a moment, exasperated, before turning my attention to the dry goods I had to prepare before the monk arrived. Rice, instant noodles, canned fish… er, I mean, canned mackerel. Okay, all set!
She floated over from the sofa to the dining table where I was. "Let me help with that."
"Sure, thanks."
It's kind of strange when you think about it, right? A ghost helping to prepare offerings for a merit-making ceremony...
"Hmph..." The brown-haired ghost hummed while diligently tying a rubber band around the plastic bag.
I think she just wants to pretend she's an auntie packing up food to sell, that's all.
But the serious look on her face made her seem kind of cute, and I found myself watching her longer than I should have. Feeling a bit odd, I quickly turned my attention back to the things I needed to prepare.
It didn't take long before everything was ready. She made a big show of wiping sweat from her forehead, even though there hadn't been any sweat-worthy effort involved at all.
"Phew... all done!"
"Thanks." I couldn't help but smile at the overly proud ghost, so I decided to tease her. "Want to join me in making merit?"
"Nope, too hot," she shrugged and floated back to the sofa like before.
...Couldn't she at least humor me a little? Ugh, what am I even expecting? Never mind—it's almost time, anyway.
Come to think of it, she didn't seem to care at all that I was making merit for her. She was far too focused on her TV show, giggling away, completely oblivious to her ghostly state. If it were another wandering spirit, they'd probably be moved to tears by now.
Time's ticking...
Hmm... It's been a while since I made merit too. The last time was probably before last New Year's. But no matter how much merit I made, it never seemed to make a difference. So, I stopped thinking about it altogether.
The reason I suddenly felt like making merit today was because of some other wandering ghost who came up to ask the annoying ghost that's been sticking to me while I was at the convenience store yesterday. It asked her if I had a lot of merit, wondering why she stuck to me like that.
Hmph. Merit, my ass. If I really had any, I wouldn't be seeing any of you in the first place.
But still, I had to thank her for chasing them away. After what happened in the mall the other day, we both decided it was best not to chat while we're out in public.
The monk's here! Time to get ready...
The sound of flip-flops echoed in rhythm with the monk's footsteps, accompanied by two temple boys struggling with a sack. I guess a lot of people are having bad luck these days.
Poor kids...
"Namo Buddhaya, Venerable Monk."
"May you be blessed," came the slow reply, and I quickly gathered the offerings I had prepared and closed my eyes to receive the monk's blessing.
"…Ayu Vanno Sukham Balang…"
I slowly opened my eyes, expecting the monk to walk away. But instead, he stared at me, then at the house behind me.
"You… keep making merit regularly. Whatever is heavy will lighten. Whatever is protecting you will gain strength…"
The slow tone of his voice made me freeze in place. I turned to look at my house but saw nothing but emptiness.
"What do you mea—" I didn't even get to finish my sentence before I turned back, only to find that the monk and the temple boys had already disappeared. Not even a shadow remained.
"…This can't be good."
Muttering to myself, I hurriedly gathered my things and went inside, worried that something—or someone—not human might pass by.
To be honest, I didn't quite get what the monk was trying to say, so I didn't dwell on it much. Maybe he just wanted me to keep making merit.
...What happens to her if she gets merit, I wonder? I guess she'd find peace and move on.
"Kekekeke."
Okay, if her laugh's that loud from the door...
"Oh! You're back already, Khun Ran?"
"Yeah. Did you get the merit? What does it feel like?"
To be honest, I'm curious about what merit actually feels like. Why do ghosts crave it so much?
"Hmm…" She placed her hand under her chin, looking thoughtful. "I guess I feel a bit better. Like I've got more energy, and I feel lighter… No wonder they all want it."
But the way you're acting doesn't match that at all, you silly ghost...
"It worked, huh? Then I'll keep doing it often so you'll finally get out of my house." I spoke as I placed the things on the table.
She got up from the sofa and stood in front of me.
"What?" I furrowed my brows as I noticed the look in her eyes. It wasn't sad—more like a puppy begging for attention.
"...Do you really hate me that much, Khun Ran?" She lowered her head slightly, as if deep in thought. Then, after a moment, she looked back up at me with an endearing smile. "But I like you, you know. Even though it's sad when someone you like hates you."
Her teasing complaint made me freeze for a second. I couldn't tell if she was joking or not, but it did catch me off guard for a moment.
I averted my gaze from her brown eyes that were full of mischief. "Enough… Go get ready for University."
The clock on the wall showed it was already past seven. I stepped out of the house with my left foot, following the saying: 'left foot for luck, right foot for trouble.' I hope that luck holds—please.
The distance from my house to the university is just two bus rides away. Even if I left later, I'd still make it on time. But getting there early is always better; at least I'll have time for breakfast.
Just as I was locking the door, the ghost girl phased through it, wearing an outfit that made me raise an eyebrow.
"Wait, why did you change? Are you going to University too?"
"Yes! It's lonely being by myself, and I've already done all the housework."
"...Sigh, suit yourself."
I knew I couldn't stop her anyway...
The alley in front of my house was bustling at this time of day, not surprising since we're close to the university, and there are a few dorms scattered around. I wasn't the only student walking out of the alley.
The ghost girl stayed silent, trailing behind me quietly. Maybe she was afraid some wandering spirits would come after me, or maybe she just had nothing to say.
"Oh, Ran! Where have you been all this time?"
As I stopped in front of the Moo-Ping stall, Auntie Miao, the vendor, smiled warmly at me and asked in a friendly tone.
"I've been a bit busy lately, so I haven't been by."
"You must be really busy with University, huh? I'll make it like usual, and I'll throw in an extra skewer for you."
"Thank you, Auntie Miao." I gave her a genuine smile.
"Take care, dear. Study hard."
After nodding in agreement, I continued walking towards the university, immediately taking a bite of the Moo-Ping.
Auntie Miao has been selling Moo-Ping since I was a kid. Even after I spent some time in the provinces, she still remembered me. She's also the only person who isn't scared when I talk to myself. Not only that, but she believes in the supernatural too, which is why there's a 'get rich' talisman hanging on her cart.
Sometimes, she even tries to sneakily ask me for lottery numbers. But who can give those? Ghosts can't even make merit on their own, let alone tell you the winning numbers! If they were that powerful, they'd be predicting the lottery for the whole country.
"Khun Ran!, eating while walking isn't good, you know."
"What? Are you my mom now?" I ignored the ghost girl who appeared and disappeared by my side, continuing to walk and take big bites of pork.
"I'm just a caring ghost, afraid the pork might choke you to death."
"No chance."
Now that I think about it, this strange ghost is really suspicious. She says weird things like how she likes me or is worried about me, even though we've never met before. It's like she knows me somehow. And isn't it odd for a ghost to be this concerned?
And another thing—why does she act like she's more aware than any other ghost I've seen? It's been years, and I've never encountered a ghost with abilities like hers before...
Maybe I should look into it after class. No point asking her directly.
"Next week, the presentations will be in a randomly assigned order," the teacher announced, just as the bell rang, signaling the end of class.
"Ran, don't forget to send me your file," Kan, sitting next to me, reminded me with a light smile. I wasn't sure what it meant—maybe just a friendly gesture.
"Yeah, I'll send it tonight."
"Okay..."
After answering her, she kept looking at me without saying anything. It wasn't until I raised an eyebrow at her that she finally turned back to pack up her things and left the room.
Alright... I need some answers about that ghost!
"…" I headed to the university's large library, the place I thought might hold some clues for me.
But where the heck has she gone off to? Normally, she'd show up after class, but now she's disappeared since before it started. Couldn't she at least tell me where she was going? Now I have to sit here wondering where she's gone.
Silly ghost...
Wait…
What am I thinking? Why do I even care where she is?
This isn't good...