Kōki's hands trembled as he fumbled with the edge of his tie.
"I... I'm not lying."
He swallowed before continuing.
"I saw Sayoko and someone else."
"A man. He was a ghost, too. They were in my room, and they followed me here. I swear!"
Ayaka's brows drew together. She tilted her head slightly, her fingers resting against the front of her blouse.
She studied him for a moment before releasing a slow breath.
"Kōki... Ghosts?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't you a little too old to be talking like that?"
Her gaze narrowed.
"Are you messing with me right now?"
She closed her eyes and shook her head.
"Whatever you're trying to pull, it's not going to work. So drop the act."
Ayaka's mouth fell slightly open.
"Wait... You've been saying Sayoko this whole time? Do you mean... Sayoko Mizuhara?"
"That's right..."
Kōki nodded.
"Sayoko. She's the one who died five years ago. Your friend from high school."
Sayoko stood quietly near the doorway, watching Ayaka.
Why does she look so familiar...? I can't remember.
Ah...
A faint ringing filled Sayoko's ears.
What is this?
Faces, voices, and bursts of laughter began flooding her mind. Her chest tightened as fragments of forgotten memories surfaced.
In one of them, the doorbell rang.
A girl's face remained blurred.
She got up from her seat.
"I'll get it."
She walked toward the front door.
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she opened the door.
The girl's face gradually came into focus.
"Hey, Ayaka! Come on, let's finish the assignment!"
Sayoko said.
Outside, cicadas hummed in uneven waves, their calls carrying through the open doorway.
Ayaka stepped aside, clearing the entrance. She rested one hand against the doorframe and exhaled.
"Yeah... I can't believe it's due tomorrow. It feels like we just started yesterday."
She dragged a hand through her hair.
"But somehow, we always manage to finish on time, huh?"
Sayoko smiled.
"Yeah... Somehow, we always do."
Kōki pressed himself against the staircase wall and cautiously peeked around the corner.
Ayaka glanced over her shoulder.
"Kōki, stop hiding. Come out and say hi to Sayoko."
He jolted.
His feet slipped forward, and he hurried down the stairs.
Ayaka dragged her palm down her face.
"I swear... That boy is really irritating sometimes."
Sayoko smiled.
"It's okay. Kids can get shy around new faces."
Ayaka placed a hand on her hip.
"Even so... He's been seeing you around for two years now. I'm sorry if he's ever made you uncomfortable."
"Not at all."
Sayoko shook her head.
"I'm sure he'll warm up to me eventually."
Her eyes returned to Ayaka.
"Anyway, let's focus on the project."
As Sayoko spoke, more memories began to surface.
Afternoons spent with Ayaka, laughter shared in the classroom, and late-night conversations during sleepovers, when the two whispered secrets long after everyone else had gone to bed.
Are these my memories...? Memories of her...
Sayoko blinked. Tears gathered in her eyes.
So that's how it works...
I need to reconnect with the people I knew when I was alive... If I do that, maybe I'll remember everything.
Ayaka's lips parted, but no words came out.
She stepped forward and swung her hand.
PAK!
Kōki staggered backward, his head snapping to the side. He immediately raised a hand to his cheek, his fingers brushing against the reddening skin.
"Why did you do that?" he asked.
Ayaka's hand trembled as she pressed it against her chest.
"Is this some sick joke to you?"
"Tell me!"
Her voice cracked as she leaned forward.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, gathering along her jaw before falling to the floor.
"You... of all people... should know how much it hurt to lose her!"
She grabbed a book from the nearby table and hurled it at him.
Kōki barely had time to react before another book came flying toward him.
"She was my whole world! My other half!"
"Aya... Please, believe me. I wasn't trying to hurt you, but..."
Kōki clenched his fist, his fingers curling tightly into his palm.
"Hey..."
Sayoko cupped a hand around her mouth.
"Tell her she has a really big mole on her butt cheek."
Kōki jerked backward, his socks sliding against the floor. His face turned bright red.
"Eh?!"
"Calm down," Sayoko said. "It's not like I'm going to possess you."
"I can't say that out loud!"
"Do you want her to believe you?" Sayoko asked.
Kōki drew in a shaky breath, his fingers tightening around the railing. He looked away, his face still red.
"Uh... Sayoko just told me... that you..."
His eyes flicked up.
"That you have a huge mole on your butt. Is... is that true?"
Ayaka froze. Both hands flew to her backside as she looked down, the color draining from her face.
"Wait... How do you know that?"
"The only person I ever told..." Her eyes widened. "Don't tell me..."
She took a step back.
"Eww! What the hell are you thinking?! How could you peep on your older sister?!"
"Like hell I'd do that!"
Kōki's jaw tightened.
Sayoko smiled.
"I also know about the bald spot at the crown of your head. And how you broke up with Seiya, Akio, and Ryo. You used to talk to yourself whenever you were concentrating."
"My sister actually... dated that many guys in high school?"
Kōki asked, staring at Ayaka.
Sayoko raised one hand.
"That part doesn't matter. Just repeat what I'm telling you."
"What are you rambling about, Kōki?" Ayaka asked. "You're starting to scare me now."
Kōki nodded. The words came out haltingly as he repeated each detail Sayoko had told him.
Ayaka's eyes widened. She stared at him in silence.
"No... No way..."
Her knees gave out, and she sank to the floor.
"I only told Sayoko those things..."
Her voice trembled.
"...And she's... right here beside us, isn't she?"
Kōki's lips curled into a small smile as he nodded.
"Yes... She is."
Ayaka brought both hands to her face, pressing her fingers against her cheeks as her shoulders began to tremble.
Sayoko lowered herself beside her. She reached out and tried to hug Ayaka, but her arms passed straight through her.
She slowly pulled back.
"It's okay... I'm here now."
Kōki watched in silence. Sweat gathered on his forehead as the room fell quiet.
Ayaka shivered.
Ican feel her...
The refrigerator hummed softly in the kitchen.
Sayoko lifted her hand toward the window. Moonlight passed through her palm, leaving her fingers translucent against the glass.
If this is a dream… let me wake up where they are.
Her fingers spread. She stared at the light passing through them.
Let me feel the air again.
Her hand slowly lowered.
Let me be alive, just for a moment.