"This book is more valuable than you imagine," the old woman says, her gaze fixed on me as if she could read my thoughts.
A chill runs down my spine, but I can't look away from the book I'm holding in my hands. "How can that be?" I ask, intrigued by her words. "What makes it so special?"
The woman takes a step closer, and the air seems to thicken with a palpable sense of mystery. "This book is linked to the afterlife. It's said that those who open it can unleash stories of wandering souls and forgotten secrets. It has been here for generations, waiting for the right person to reveal its mysteries."
"That sounds amazing!" I exclaim, almost without meaning to. The thought of owning a book that can connect to other worlds excites me. "I'd love to buy it. How much is it?"
The old woman smiles faintly. "This isn't about money, child. This book chooses its new owner. And it's clear it has sensed your curiosity. You may take it with you, free of charge."
"Really?" I lower my gaze in disbelief. My fingers trace the worn cover, as if its texture could give me the answers I'm looking for.
"Yes. Curiosity is a great trait, but one must also act responsibly," she says, her voice soft yet firm. "This book will bring you adventures and revelations. However, be careful; not all stories are pleasant."
"Responsibility?" I repeat, a bit confused. The idea that a book could choose its owner sounds as fantastic as it is frightening. But deep down, my excitement doesn't fade.
"All right," I finally say after thinking for a second. "I'll take it, then. Thank you!"
The woman smiles, and something in her expression makes me feel like she had been expecting that answer all along. "Take good care of it, Kanzaki Rika. The desire to explore is a spark that can ignite adventure—but it can also drag you into the unknown."
I nod, though I honestly don't understand half of what she's saying. After one last glance at the book, I carefully place it inside my backpack.
"Thanks again!" I call out as I step away from the counter. My feet move quickly toward the door, eager to leave and find out what's hidden within this book.
As I step outside the shop, a chill of excitement runs through me. The idea of holding such a special book in my hands makes me grin from ear to ear. But suddenly, my joy freezes. The shopkeeper—the woman who seemed to know me so well—had called me by name.
"How did she know my name?" I murmur to myself, frowning. I stop for a moment and glance back, almost hoping she'll still be there, smiling with that enigmatic look in her eyes. But all I see is the door closing behind me, the small bell ringing faintly.
I decide to retrace my steps, but when I push the door open, I'm met with an empty threshold. The shop's interior is gone. There's no trace of the old woman or the dusty shelves—everything is empty. It's as if the entire place has vanished.
"What…?" I whisper, feeling confusion wash over me. I look around, searching for a clue, something to prove I'm not dreaming. But the town streets are as calm as ever, and no one seems to have noticed anything strange.
I continue my walk through the streets of the town. I can't stop thinking about the vanished shop and the old woman who seemed to know me so well. What did it all mean? It feels like I was just one step away from something big—something that could change everything.
"This can't be real…" I mutter, staring at the ground, trying to process what just happened. But excitement wells up inside me. Something deep down screams that at last, after so long, I've witnessed something truly paranormal.
I can't wait to tell Saki. The look of disbelief on her face when I tell her the shop vanished into thin air will be absolutely priceless. All this time, I've been searching for a sign—any sign that the supernatural world really exists. And now, this. This is my moment.
When I arrive home, I take a deep breath, trying to calm the excitement inside me. I push open the door, and the first thing that greets me is the warm, delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. My mother is at the stove, stirring a pot with a wooden spoon, her hair tied back and a smile on her face.
"Hello, Rika!" she says, turning to look at me. "How was your day?"
"Hi, Mom!" I reply with enthusiasm, barely holding back the flood of information I want to share. I don't want my excitement to spill out too soon. "It was… interesting."
She raises an eyebrow, as if expecting more details, but I'm not ready to tell her about the disappearing shop. Instead, I take a deep breath and choose something safe. "I had a great math class today. Guess what—I solved a quadratic equation!"
"That's wonderful, Rika!" my mom exclaims, her face lighting up with a warm smile. I can tell she's proud of me, and that makes me feel good. "I'm glad to hear math isn't driving you crazy!"
"Not too much! Though it's thanks to Saki's help that I found a way to survive."
Mom laughs, that cheerful, familiar sound filling the kitchen. She's always had the gift of making every moment feel like home. I love it when she's like this—her laughter echoing as the smell of food fills the cozy air.
"What are you making?" I ask, stepping closer to the stove, where steam rises in soft swirls. The smell is simply irresistible.
"Some udon noodles with chicken broth. I thought it'd be perfect for you after a long day." She gives me a knowing look. "I knew you'd come home hungry."
"That smells amazing!" I exclaim, practically drooling at the thought of tasting it. "I can't wait to try it."
Mom lifts the spoon to her lips, tasting the broth with a satisfied expression. "I think it's going to be a hit. But before that, why don't you take your things upstairs and get ready for dinner?"
I nod, feeling a small jolt of awareness as I remember the book in my backpack. The smell of food had distracted me completely, but I'll find a moment later to tell Saki everything that happened.
"All right!" I say, picking up my backpack and heading toward the stairs. Each step toward my room makes me feel the weight of this new discovery.