New hobby

When I woke up the next morning, I immediately remembered what had happened the night before, and it really creeped me out.

What the hell happened last night?! First, I saw someone walk into my room, but then it turned out nobody was there. Plus, there was that creepy chill I felt and the cold air coming from the room. And if that wasn’t enough, I heard strange noises in the middle of the night that woke me up. But when I went to check, there was nothing there! What’s wrong with this damn hospital? There are two possible explanations. First, this hospital is haunted, and second, I was hallucinating or dreaming. Oh man, I’m too tired to think about this. Let’s just get out of here.

So, I got up, brushed my teeth with the toothbrush and toothpaste the hospital provided me, and left right away.

*

“Hey, have you seen David?”

“David? Yeah, he just left the classroom like a minute ago.”

“Okay, thanks.”

There’s still time before class starts, so I’ll just wait for him.

At 7:58, David finally returned and instantly noticed me.

“Good morning, Jinko. I have your books at my desk, give me a second, I’ll go get them.”

After handing me the books, he casually asked.

“How was the night in the hospital? Oh, and here’s your key. Your roommate wasn’t home by the way.”

“Thanks. And yeah, the night was horrible. Either the hospital is haunted or I’m starting to go crazy. With how much sleep I’ve been getting, I’m pretty sure it’s the latter.”

“Haha, haunted? What, did you see a ghost?”

“Hahaha, maybe. It was the weirdest thing.”

I was about to continue, but the teacher walked in, and class started. So, I had to cut the conversation short.

“Let’s talk at lunch.”

“Sure.”

*

At lunch, I met up with David and two classmates, Otto and Kotoba, who I figured were his friends. One of them, Otto, spoke up when he saw me sitting at their table across from David.

“Yo, you’re Jinko, right? I actually saw you faint at the entrance yesterday. You okay now?”

I guess David told them I would be sitting with them.

“Ah, yes, I’m fine now. It was nothing serious to begin with.”

This time, Kotoba joined the conversation.

“Are you certain? When David informed us over a call he would be coming to the hospital with you, from the way he described your situation, it most certainly didn’t sound like it was ‘nothing serious’.”

“Yes, I’m certain...”

Why is she talking like that? It sounds a little like a robot speaking.

“Well, if you say so.”

“He’s fine guys, right? When we talked in the hospital, he seemed to be more alive than he is now. Anyway, tell me about what you saw in the hospital at night. From what little you told me before the first period, it sounded like a horror movie.”

“Alright. It all started a little after you left the hospital, and a new person got assigned to my room.”

While I was telling the whole story, it started to sound more and more ridiculous with every word. By the time I finished, Otto and Kotoba were staring at me like little kids, eyes sparkling as if they were hearing a bedtime story.

“And yeah, that’s basically it. After that, still sleepy, I simply went to bed and fell asleep.”

“Woah.”

Otto and Kotoba’s eyes widened in amazement, while David just laughed as usual.

“You should write a horror story, Jinko. Did you come up with this on the spot?”

“No, I’m telling you, it all really happened.”

“Are you sure you didn’t just hit your head really hard? Oh, wait, you did.”

At Otto’s teasing remark, everyone, including me, laughed.

This is fun. Why didn’t I start talking to my classmates sooner?

After that, we talked about school and the upcoming tests while finishing our meals and then headed back to class.

*

Roughly a month later, I was heading to work on Wednesday after school, when my phone rang in my pocket.

“Hey David, what’s up?”

“Hey Jinko. Do you have time this Friday after school?”

“I should, I don’t have work on Fridays. Why?”

“A lot of people from our badminton group got sick and we’re short on people. Are you interested?”

“I don’t know. I never even played badminton.”

“That’s fine, none of us there are not professionals. We just play for fun. Otto and Kotoba will be there too.”

After that lunch with David, Otto, and Kotoba, I gradually became part of their friend group over the past month. I also got to know them better, along with David.

Otto was of average height, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was like the funny friend every group had, always making jokes and teasing others.

Kotoba on the other hand always tried to look cool and dignified, but in reality, she was really clumsy. She also had brown hair, but hers was long and curly, reaching down below her neck, and her eyes were a mostly green, with a hint of blue.

David was like the group’s glue. Although they seem like close friends now, I can’t imagine Kotoba and Otto ever becoming friends without David’s help, given how different their personalities are.

All three of them are really nice people. I’m glad I joined their group.

“Well, I guess I could try. I’ve been looking for a hobby anyway. But I need someone to lend me a racket.”

“That’s the spirit. I’ll give you the details tomorrow at school. And don’t worry about the racket, I have a spare you can borrow.”

"Okay, thanks. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Hmm, badminton... I stopped playing sports after I quit hockey in primary school. Maybe it’s not a bad idea to try some again. I wonder if my stamina will hold out.

*

When I got home, I looked up badminton rules and videos of people playing.

So, the court size changes depending on the number of players playing. The rules are not that complicated, but playing itself seems a lot more difficult. Let’s hope they go easy on me.

*

Friday afternoon came, and I met up with David, Otto and Kotoba at the school entrance.

“Here’s your racket. I hope you brought some sport clothes and shoes.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not that clueless.”

And so, we set off.

*

The building looked old and rundown from the outside, but the moment we stepped in, my opinion changed completely, I couldn’t help but gasp.

“Woah.”

To my remark, Otto turned to me and explained with a slight smirk on his face.

“Didn’t expect it to be so cool and fancy inside, right? It was renovated last year, and now even some professional matches are held here.”

I just looked around, admiring how new and fancy everything was, when another group of three came in. Two girls and one guy.

“Hey guys.”

“Yoo, what’s up.”

It was Otto who responded first, and soon everyone but me began to greet each other. Soon, the new people noticed me and asked.

“Who’s this? The substitute?”

“Yeah, this is our classmate, Jinko. He says he never played badminton before, so don’t be too hard on him.”

Thanks for the save, David. Now I won’t have to ask everyone to go easy on me.

“Hi, I’m Jinko.”

“I’m Max. These two are Asu and Rita.”

“Nice to meet you, thanks for filling in, so we didn’t have to cancel.”

“No worries.”

After a simple greeting, Kotoba asked.

“Is anyone else coming? Rita, you said in the group chat that you invited someone, right?”

“I did, but I’m not too sure if she’ll come. She’s a girl from my dorm, but she’s not the type to go out much. I tried to offer her candy, and after taking it, she said she’d consider it...”

“Haha, what is she, a dog that needs a treat?” Otto teased.

Just then, the front door opened, and all of turned our heads to look.

“Oh, that’s her. Hey, Rui, over here.”

Everyone went to greet her the same way they did me, but I stood frozen in place, unable to move, just staring.

It’s her. It’s definitely her. She’s not wearing a facemask this time but there’s no way it’s not her.

She had smooth, fair skin, silky, wavy dark brown hair, and a dazzling pair of deep yet light blue eyes, like an ocean shining under the Sun. She was also wearing the same black hoodie and beanie as last time.

It's the girl who was hiding from the thugs in the café.

When she noticed my stare, her eyes narrowed slightly before she turned away and started talking with the others.

Huh? She doesn’t remember me?