CHAPTER 31 - Enemy Number 1. Part 2.
(Pov - Saik.)
Hmm… How do I put this? I don't know much about movies—I prefer reading over watching—but… Ah… I don't know… Maybe it's because I'm a guy, or because I'm weird, I don't know. But why are Yuki and Sylphie crying? Is the movie sad? Why? That guy cheated on the protagonist with another girl. Why are they crying over his death? From the moment the cheating was shown on screen, I stopped caring about that character. Why are they crying over his death?
And another thing, do they really like this movie? It's pretty slow, and the secondary characters are useless, only there for comedy. This movie makes no sense. Or am I the weird one who can't find any sense in it?
Well, the important thing is that Yuki and Sylphie enjoyed it… I guess.
I glanced down at Yuki, sitting on my lap, eating my popcorn.
We're eating slowly so Sylphie doesn't notice my food disappearing without me touching it.
Her eyes are glued to the screen. She's crying… Seriously… Ah, I don't understand women.
I guess I'm just an insensitive guy who doesn't get love. But the protagonist forgave the cheating just because her "true love" is dying. If I were her, I'd walk away from him forever… Well, I'd kill him, but that's not the point.
Ah… I'll just keep pretending I like the movie. Huh?
Something touched my hand.
"S-Sorry!"
Why did Sylphie get nervous…? Oh, I see, our hands touched. This is cliché in some novels I've read.
Better change the subject—I'd rather avoid that.
"You're really enjoying the movie, huh?"
"Y-Yes. The story's really touching."
…Touching? Seriously?
I don't get it. That's why I prefer nonsensical comedy—I don't have to strain to understand the plot or find logic in anything.
Now that I think about it, Yuki's hair is really soft… Yeah, I'm definitely bored, thinking about random stuff instead of watching the movie.
I hope it ends soon. I want to eat more and sleep.
Oh, I almost forgot. After this, I need to take Yuki to an amusement park.
Why is it so hard for me to say no to Yuki? Well, it's not hard, but I'd rather see her smile than see her sad.
An amusement park seems like the perfect place to have fun… I guess.
But I won't stay long—maybe an hour or two. I'll eat and eat while Yuki rides the rides. She's a ghost, so she doesn't need to wait in line, but she has to make sure to take an empty seat, not one that's already occupied.
Wow, the protagonist wants to kill herself. I bet someone will show up and stop her just in time.
"Don't do it!"
Yup, I called it—her best friend arrived to save her. I can't stand this.
•
•
The movie finally ended, and we left the theater. It was pretty boring, but Yuki and Sylphie loved it—you can tell.
No need to stay combed anymore. I messed up my hair as soon as we left the theater.
"That was so sweet! Way better than a scary horror movie, Saik! Don't you agree?!"
Yuki wanted to see that movie, and I couldn't say no. I wanted to watch the horror one, but I couldn't refuse Yuki. I'll watch a horror movie at home, hoping it at least stirs some emotion in me.
"Did you like the movie, Sylphie?"
"Y-Yes, I loved it. T-Thanks for watching it with me."
Good… I'm hungry.
"Saik, it's 20 minutes to 7 p.m. I think we should go to the amusement park on Saturday."
Yeah, I agree, Yuki. I didn't realize the movie was so long. Iris might worry about Sylphie. I'm her friend, but I'm still a guy. It's risky for Sylphie to be with me this long—it could be misinterpreted.
"Hey, Sylphie, it's getting late. I was thinking of going to the amusement park, but I think I'll go on Saturday. Wanna come with me?"
I need to make sure she doesn't misunderstand.
"I'll invite the others too."
"Oh… Y-Yes, sure. Thanks for the invite, Saik."
I sense some disappointment in her words. Sorry, Sylphie, I really don't want that kind of relationship with you.
"So… Wanna grab something to eat with me? I'm gonna get a burger."
"S-Sure! Let's go."
Her cute smile returned to her face… No, I don't feel any love… I think.
I'm a weird guy, but I don't know why. I've met people with the natural ability to see ghosts, but they had personalities and felt love. One of them even had a wife… Damn it. I promised myself not to think about that again… Well, doesn't matter.
My ability to see ghosts has nothing to do with my emotionless, weird personality.
No, I do have feelings. I think the special person for me just hasn't shown up, and that's why I don't feel love… I guess that's it.
I'm interested in falling in love, but I haven't found that special person.
•
•
We arrived at a burger joint and ordered our food. I got a double-meat burger and three burgers to eat at home with Yuki. Sylphie ordered a simple burger and a diet soda.
Well, she's a girl—she's worried about her figure and all that.
I can eat a ton without gaining weight because my body's as weird as I am.
We sat at a table to eat.
"Tomorrow, the soccer and basketball teams have official games. If they win, our points will go up."
"Though I don't think it matters if they don't. With the points you earned, we'll take first place."
"We can't let our guard down. Never get too confident."
"Yeah, you're right… By the way, Saik, you're an only child, right?"
"Yeah. My parents tried to have another kid, but my mom couldn't have more children. I never knew why."
"And you don't have other family?"
"They're all dead. If I die, my family's bloodline dies with me. I'm the only one left… Wow, that sounded like I come from some important family. What about you, Sylphie?"
"I-I don't have siblings, and my mom's the only family I have left."
"At least you have your mom. Value what you have and don't make the same mistakes I did."
I took a bite of my burger. I miss my mom's cooking, but I'd better not think about that anymore.
"A-And… don't you feel lonely, Saik? Your house is huge. Don't you feel lonely?"
I have Yuki, but I can't tell her I live with a ghost.
I swallowed what was in my mouth.
"I guess, sometimes. But I have video games, novels, books… I have plenty of ways to not think about it and just pass the time doing something. It's sad knowing my family's gone, but I can't stay sad forever. I have to move on and not live in the past."
"I guess so."
"Wanna make use of the time and study?"
"S-Sure!"
•
•
(Pov - Kaeyko.)
I finished paying for my groceries and left the store. Got everything. Drinks, chips, batteries for my controller… Good, didn't forget anything.
I finished my homework and earned some points helping clean an elementary school. 30 points. Not much, but it's progress. I finally get why so many people bet at school. Earning points is too hard.
I got home, and the first annoyance approached me.
"Welcome home, big brother!"
I ignored my little sister and walked away.
"Dinner will be ready soon, son."
"I already bought my food."
"But…"
I ignored my mom and went to my room. I locked the door and sat at my computer.
Tonight, I'm gaming all night… Ah, my phone's buzzing.
I pulled out my phone and checked the notifications.
[Kaeyko, we moved up to third place. Thanks for your help today.]
A message from a girl on my team. "Dulce." A Spanish word, huh? Gotta admit, it's a cute name.
She's not pretty, but not ugly either. An average girl who doesn't stand out.
Small chest, a bit overweight, wears glasses… I think she's cute, but I guess that's just my personal taste.
[You're welcome. Tomorrow, I'll keep picking up trash on the streets.]
I'd rather do that than stay home with my shitty family.
Speaking of shitty, the class president managed to expel a second-year student. She's got an annoying attitude, but I'll admit she knows what she's doing. Thanks to her, we all got 1,000 points. Unlike Saik, she cared about her classmates. I know she only did it so everyone sees her as the leader, but I refuse to accept her as one. Something about her gives me bad vibes—I can't trust her. But I appreciate the 1,000 points; they'll come in handy later.
I've been researching this school with other students. There was a test on an island for the current third-years when they were first-years. A test in the mountains for the current second-years when they were first-years. In those tests, they had to survive three weeks without phones or outside help. They had to use their points to buy things like food, tents, drinking water, a bathroom, and so on. There are different tests every year. Knowing how to use our points will help us pass those tests.
But one caught my attention more than the others.
"The special knowledge exam."
A test where students compete to test their knowledge on various subjects, but something worries me.
"The captain has to choose the expelled student."
The captain of the losing group has to pick the student to be expelled. That test was done by the second- and third-year groups in their first year, so we'll probably have to do it too.
It's not hard to imagine the class president will be the captain. If I don't want to be expelled, I need to prove I'm useful to the class.
On the other hand, our group has some really smart students. As long as we don't face Saik's group, we can win. Saik's a dangerous enemy, but it's not just him—there's Ram and Saoto too. Ram was the first-year representative, and her intelligence is almost on par with Saik's. Saoto's gotten pretty popular lately, especially with the girls. He's sociable and smart. That group has amazing students, but ours isn't far behind. We've got athletes, smart students, sociable people, and talented leaders like our president. I'm not sociable or athletic, but I don't think I'm a burden—I've got what it takes to help my class.
While I was thinking about that, more messages came in.
[If you want, I can help you. I'm free tomorrow.]
[Get online, help me beat that Dragon—you know I suck with bows!]
A message from Dulce and one from Serick, a friend I met in a video game.
Wow, I'm getting popular… Though Dulce's only helping to earn points, and I haven't met Serick in person. At least he's a good friend.
[Thanks a lot, I'd appreciate your help.]
[I'm logging in, hold on.]
I sent those messages and turned on my computer.
"Hope they don't keep bothering me."
•
•
(Pov - Yuki.)
Fufu. I should call myself "the love ghost."
Saik, you should thank me! Thanks to me, you made huge progress with Sylphie! Maybe in a few months, she'll be your girlfriend. I'll support you, Saik…! Huh? Why do I feel weird saying that… Nah, it's just my imagination.
"Fufu. So, Saik, how're you planning to ask her to be your girlfriend?"
After dropping Sylphie off at her house, Saik went to a park to rest on a bench.
It's pretty empty. Well, it's nighttime—it's dangerous for kids to play here at this hour.
It brings back memories. My mom and I used to visit this park together. She'd play with me a lot because it was hard for me to talk to others. Oh, right, I was kinda shy back then. Being a ghost has changed me.
Well, doesn't matter! What matters now is getting info out of Saik!
"Ah…"
That was a big sigh, Saik. Did I say something wrong?
"Yuki, if you were a guy, would you take advantage of a drunk, drugged, or sleeping woman?"
"Of course not! That's rape! It's a crime! I'd never do that!"
"Then don't expect me to take advantage of Sylphie's situation."
"Huh? I don't get it."
"She has really low self-esteem. She's got self-esteem issues. She's shy. She can't socialize with people because she's afraid they'll take advantage of her. She trusts me because I helped her. She's confusing friendship with love because she doesn't have friends. She doesn't know what she feels. She's like a drunk woman who doesn't know what she's doing. She'll accept love from the first person who shows her a bit of kindness. Let's say I ask her to be my girlfriend, and she says yes. You think that's love? Keep in mind we barely know each other. Sylphie's confusing friendship with love. If she's still in love with me even after she makes friends and her self-esteem improves, then it's love. Yuki, don't push me to date Sylphie—it'd just be taking advantage of the trust she has in me. Got it?"
Saik… He considered Sylphie's feelings deeply and thought about her emotions and struggles.
Wow… Saik… I thought you were a cold guy, but you're kinder than I realized.
"Yeah… I get it. Sorry for being a bother."
Saik started patting my head, and for some strange reason, his hand feels nicer than usual.
My heart raced a little, and I looked into Saik's eyes, barely visible but there, looking at me too.
"You're not a bother, Yuki, but you need to think more about others' feelings. I know you worry about me and don't want me to be alone, but I'm not lonely. I don't need more friends, I don't need a girlfriend—having you by my side is enough. You're the only person I consider a true friend, Yuki, and that's all I need. Thanks for caring about someone like me."
"Saik…"
"Let's go home and enjoy those burgers."
"L-Let's go!"
He got up and started walking.
"Wait!"
I jumped onto his back and hugged him with all my strength.
"All that talking made me hungry. You hungry, Yuki?"
"Yeah… I'm hungry."
Saik… I don't know what to think of you. You're a cold guy, but you're so kind to me. You're definitely the weirdest person I've ever met, but…
"I love you, Saik."
"Wow… Thanks, Yuki. Why all the affection all of a sudden?"
"Just wanted to say it."
"I see… I love you too, Yuki. You're a great friend."
I closed my eyes while still hugging Saik.
Saik gave me a new life. Thanks to him, I can enjoy food, baths, a comfy bed… Thanks to him, I'm alive again.
I'll be eternally grateful to him. Thank you for everything, Saik… Please, never leave my life. I want to be by your side forever… Yeah… Forever.
•
•
(Pov - ?)
Fufu. Well, well. Saik, that little ghost girl has a big smile on her face, and she's hugging you tight. How cute. If someone destroyed that ghost girl, how would you react? Would you get angry? Cry? Not care?
"Why don't we find out?"
I'll catch him off guard! I'll attack from behind!
I landed on the ground behind him and lunged, ready to destroy that ghost girl.
"Hey!"
"Huh?"
W-What?!
I stopped and backed off immediately.
A ghost emerged from Saik's body. Legendary ghost number 74, the ghost of protection.
A stupid ghost girl.
"You tried to attack my master, and that's punishable by death!"
"Fufu. Brat, you're just the ghost of protection. You're no match for…"
A shield rose from the ground in front of me.
"Huh?"
Three more shields appeared, and black chains trapped me. I-Impossible. Why are they so strong?! I can't escape! How is this possible?! Where did these chains come from?!
[Fufu. I told you not to attack him, idiot. You're useless. Goodbye.]
"No, wait, great Goddess of Ghosts, don't destroy me! I'm sorry for disobeying!"
M-My body's turning to dust! No!
"Have mercy!!"
•
•
(Pov - Saik.)
Ah. The ghost that tried to attack me from behind was destroyed by someone else—probably that girl, the Goddess of Ghosts.
"Sorry, master, I couldn't capture it alive."
Don't worry, you did a good job.
She vanished.
Yuki can't see legendary ghosts because I don't want her to, so she won't know about this.
I wanted to capture that ghost and interrogate it, but the Goddess of Ghosts destroyed it to keep information from leaking. Her control is just perfect. Damn it, I just hope my school life isn't affected. I don't need more problems. The student council on my tail is enough.
At least I confirmed the ghosts she controls are incompetent—or I hope so. I won't generalize or let my guard down. I'll face all her ghosts like they're legendary.
I won't let them ruin the peaceful life I have. I said goodbye to fighting a long time ago. I want to live quietly, without issues. I mean, I'll die when I graduate—at least let me live peacefully until I take my own life.
•
•
(Pov - Sylphie.)
"Daughter… Daughter… Sylphie!"
"Huh? Oh… W-What's wrong, Mom?"
"Why are you staring at your food? You're so distracted."
"Oh, y-yeah, sorry. I-I'm a bit nervous."
I can't stop thinking about how much fun I had with Saik. He doesn't stare at me creepily, doesn't try to flirt, he treats me like a real friend… I-It's so sweet of him.
I've always felt uncomfortable with men's stares, but with Saik, I don't feel uneasy at all.
And today was so nice. I really had a great time with him. I didn't get bored for a second. I want to do it again someday.
"Oh… Fufu. Is it about a boy, daughter?"
"B-Boy?!"
"You've got the same expression I had when I thought about your father. Who is he?"
"I-It's not what it looks like!"
"Fufu. That denial just confirmed my suspicions, daughter. What's he like?"
"N-No… I-I…"
My mom knows me too well! After all, we're a lot alike. I can't hide it.
"Y-Yes… He's a classmate… B-But I barely know him! I-I don't like him, he's just my friend!"
"Oh. Well, well. Is he kind?"
"Y-Yes… He is… B-But he's just my friend!"
"Sure, sure. If you've got the same taste as me, I'm sure that boy's kind and good. You're pretty, Sylphie, so you don't need me to wish you luck."
"T-Thanks… I don't like him!"
My mom's laughter confirms I messed up. I-Is it really that obvious I like Saik?! I hope not. It's so weird to like a guy you barely know!
•
•
After dinner, I went to the bathroom, took off my clothes, and got in the bathtub.
So warm… The water's hot. I feel relaxed.
"Saik…"
Even though I've only known him for a short time, I can't get him out of my head. He's a reliable friend… I know he only sees me as a friend, and I made the mistake of falling for him.
Why is my heart so easy to sway…? No, it's not my heart. Plenty of guys have tried flirting with me, but I was never interested. Saik was the only one who, without trying, managed to make me fall for him.
…Fall for him… Is that the right word?
No… No… I barely know him. It's not love, I just like him.
"Yeah… I just like him… That's all."
But if this feeling stays in my heart for a while longer, I'll definitely be able to call it love.
He's so kind to me. He helps me study and gives me advice. Being with him is fun, and I have such a good time. I don't know if we're compatible, but I feel so good by his side. I never want to drift away from Saik.
"Saik… Saik… I hope we stay friends."
Please, don't ever leave me.