Kōki's hands shook as they worked the edge of his tie, twisting the fabric tighter around his fingers before loosening it again.
The collar of his white shirt pressed against his throat, creased from a full day of classes, making his swallow visible. His shoulders drew in on themselves as his gaze dropped toward the floor, breath catching before he forced the words out.
"I… I'm not lying." The sound came out thin, uneven, his chest lifting too quickly. He lifted his head partway, eyes darting up and then away.
"I saw Sayoko—and someone else." His fingers stilled for a moment, knuckles whitening. "A man. A ghost. It was in my room. They followed me here. I swear."
Ayaka's brows knit as she tilted her head, a frown settling in. She crossed her arms, fingers resting against the fabric of her blouse, and studied Kōki for a moment.
"Kōki… ghosts?" Her tone came out flat, edged with doubt, lips tightening slightly at the end. She let out a small breath through her nose.
"Aren't you a little too old to be talking like that?" Her gaze narrowed just a touch, searching his face. "Are you messing with me right now?" she continued, tone firm. "Whatever you're trying to pull—it's not going to work."
"I'm serious—I really saw them." The words rushed out as his breath broke unevenly. "They were right there, They followed me...
Ayaka's eyes widened, her breath catching for a split second. "Wait…" She leaned forward slightly, gaze locking onto him. "You've been saying Sayoko this whole time—did you just say Sayoko?" Her voice lifted despite herself. "Sayoko Mizuhara?"
"Yes… Sayoko." His voice faltered as he nodded once. "She's the one who died five years ago. Your friend from high school."
The words came out in a rush, and his eyes moved around the room, never settling in one place, as though he expected something to surface at any moment.
Sayoko, standing quietly near the doorway, felt a flicker in her memory. Faces, voices, laughter—moments she had lost—surfaced in fragments. She blinked rapidly, swallowing hard as her chest tightened.
In her memories, the doorbell rang, sharp and sudden. Ayaka's shoulders jerked before she caught herself. "I'll get it," her voice lifted as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, turning on her feet and moving toward the door with quick steps.
Sayoko's lips curved into a faint smile as Ayaka pulled the door open. Her gaze settled on Ayaka's face, steady and expectant. "Hey, Ayaka. Come on—let's finish the project," the words came evenly, though her jaw tightened briefly before relaxing.
The room glowed with the soft light of sunset filtering through the curtains. Dust drifted through the air, catching gold as it passed the window. Outside, cicadas hummed in uneven waves, the sound slipping into the room and filling the quiet.
Ayaka stepped aside and cleared space at the doorway, one hand resting against the frame as Sayoko passed. Her shoulders slumped as she exhaled.
"Yeah… I can't believe it's due tomorrow. It feels like we just started yesterday." She dragged a hand through her hair, a quiet groan slipping out. "But somehow, we always manage to finish on time, huh."
A small breath left Sayoko as her shoulders lifted once. Her mouth curved as she nodded. "Yeah… somehow we always do."
Kōki pressed himself against the staircase, bare feet shifting softly against the steps. His shoulders curled inward as he leaned closer to the railing, eyes peeking through the gaps.
Ayaka's voice carried up the stairs, firm with a teasing edge. "Kōki. Come out and say hi to Sayoko. Don't hide."
He jolted. His feet slipped forward all at once, and he bolted down the stairs, shoes squealing against the polished floor. By the time he reached the doorway, his steps faltered. His chest pumped unevenly as he stopped, hands clenched at his sides.
Ayaka dragged her palm down her face, eyes closing for a brief moment. "I swear… that boy is really irritating sometimes," the words slipped out under her breath.
Sayoko tipped her head slightly, her mouth easing into a gentle smile as her gaze shifted toward Kōki. "It's okay. Kids get shy with new faces," her tone stayed soft and steady. The tightness in Kōki's chest eased a little as he breathed out.
Ayaka looked back at him, the edge in her expression fading. "Even so… he's been seeing you around for two years now." Her eyes dipped briefly before lifting again. "I'm sorry if he's ever… made you uncomfortable."
Sayoko shook her head once, the hem of her dress brushing lightly against the floor as she settled her stance. "It's fine. He'll warm up eventually." Her eyes returned to Ayaka. "Let's focus on the project."
As Sayoko spoke, memories surfaced: afternoons with Ayaka, laughter in classrooms, whispered secrets while they have a sleepover together.
I've regained some of my memories… about her. She blinked rapidly, tears threatening to fall. So I need to interact with people I knew before I… to understand what happened.
Kōki was still trembling slightly, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve, the collar of his shirt sticking lightly to his neck.
Ayaka's lips parted, then closed again. Her chest rose and fell unevenly, as if she were fighting something inside her. For a heartbeat, her anger looked more like fear — fear of believing something impossible.
She stepped forward and slapped him sharply across the cheek. Kōki staggered back, blinking in shock, hands instinctively going to his reddening cheek.
"Why did you do that?!" he demanded, voice tight.
Ayaka's hand shook slightly as she pressed it against her chest, her voice trembling. "Is this some sick joke to you?"
Tears ran freely down her cheeks, gathering at her jaw before dripping away. Her hands tightened into fists at her sides, knuckles paling as her shoulders shook.
"You… of all people… should know how much it hurt to lose her." Her breath hitched, words forcing their way out. "She was my whole world. My other half."
Kōki's eyes widened, his breath catching as his shoulders tensed. "I… I'm not joking. I really am telling the truth." His gaze dropped, then lifted again, unsteady. "Why… why won't you believe me?"
Sayoko's voice slipped in, light and teasing, breaking the tension. "Hey… tell her she has a really big mole on her butt cheek."
Kōki jerked back, socks sliding against the floor as his posture stiffened. His mouth opened, sound snagging in his throat. "Eh—?!"
"Calm down," Sayoko continued, her eyes staying on him, gentle and warm. "It's not like I'm going to do anything to you."
Kōki drew in a shaky breath, fingers tightening around the railing as his shoulders stiffened. "Uh… Sayoko just told me… that you…" His eyes flicked up, then away again.
"That you have a huge mole on your butt." He swallowed, voice shrinking. "Is… is that true?"
Ayaka froze. Her mouth parted, the color draining from her face as her gaze locked onto him. "Wait…" Her eyes narrowed slightly, unease creeping in. "How do you know that?" She leaned back a fraction. "The only person I ever told… was Sayoko."
Sayoko drifted closer, the faint brush of her dress against the carpet marking her movement. Her gaze stayed on Ayaka as she spoke evenly.
"I also know about the bald spot at the crown of your hair." She paused just long enough to let it land. "And how you broke up with Seiya, Akio, and Ryo. You used to talk to yourself when you were concentrating."
Kōki's eyes flew open, his head snapping toward Ayaka before he could stop himself. "Wait…" His brows pulled together. "My sister actually… talked to that many guys in high school?"
Sayoko lifted one hand and flicked it aside, her expression flattening. "That part doesn't matter. Just repeat what I'm telling you."
Kōki nodded, throat bobbing as he turned back to Ayaka. The words came out haltingly as he relayed each detail, glancing up between phrases to check her reaction.
Ayaka's eyes widened further with every sentence, disbelief tightening her posture as she stared at him in silence. "No… no way…" Her voice thinned to a whisper as her shoulders drew inward.
"I only told Sayoko all those things…" Her breath caught. She turned her head slightly, eyes unfocused. "…and she's… right here… beside us, isn't she?"
Kōki's lips lifted into a small, hesitant smile. He nodded once, keeping his voice low. "Yes… she is."
Ayaka brought both hands to her face, fingers pressing hard against her cheeks as her body began to shake. Sayoko lowered herself beside her, knees touching the floor.
Her hand hovered just above Ayaka's shoulder, close enough to feel intentional, careful not to rush. "It's okay…" Her tone stayed gentle, steady. "I'm here now."
Kōki stayed where he was, watching without moving. The room fell quiet. A wall clock ticked steadily, each second landing clearly in the still air. Sweat gathered faintly at his hairline. He shifted his weight, socks sliding slightly against the floor.
The warmth lingering around Ayaka contrasted with the coolness that followed Sayoko's presence. The silence continued, unbroken. The refrigerator hummed from the kitchen. The clock kept time. Outside, wind brushed against the window, faint but constant.
Sayoko turned her gaze toward the glass. Her reflection was barely visible, thin and uneven in the dim light. Beyond it, the night lay still, the moon partially obscured by slow-moving clouds.
Her eyes moved back to Kōki. His face looked pale under the hallway light. His breathing hadn't fully settled, and his fingers trembled where they hung at his sides. He looked older than she remembered—or perhaps simply more aware.
And Ayaka… Ayaka still held herself the same way she always had, guarded and tight, though the tears had loosened it.
Sayoko lifted her hand toward the window. Moonlight passed through her palm without resistance. If this is a dream, her thoughts pressed quietly, let me wake up where they are. Let me feel the air again. Let me be human, just for a moment.
Cold lingered where her fingers should have felt warmth. Nothing answered her reach.