CH3 Memories

By the time we stepped out into the morning light, it was already 9 a.m. The sun was steadily climbing, casting a warm glow over the city streets. Our mission for the day was clear: gather any information that might help Aya jog her memories. Though Aya floated by my side, an air of determination hung between us. She was quiet, focused, and I could tell this meant a lot to her.

We started with the closest park, a small green space nestled between rows of tall buildings. The sounds of children laughing and dogs barking filled the air as we wandered along the winding paths. I carefully observed the surroundings, hoping something would trigger a

memory for Aya. She floated silently beside me, her gaze distant as she scanned the park, but her expression remained unreadable.

After an hour, we moved on to the next location, a slightly larger plaza bustling with activity. Vendors lined the streets, selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. The scent of street food filled the air, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of hunger, but this wasn’t the time for distractions. We wandered through the market, Aya occasionally pausing to peer at

something that caught her eye—a familiar scent, a familiar face, maybe a fragment of a past she couldn’t quite grasp. But each time, she shook her head slightly, and we moved on.

By the time we reached the third park, the sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows over the trees. This park was quieter, more serene, with fewer people around. We walked in silence, the weight of the day’s failures pressing down on us. Aya’s usually playful demeanor had vanished, replaced by a deep, contemplative silence.

As we sat on a bench, the reality of our fruitless search settled in. We had spent the entire day visiting parks and plazas, hoping for even the smallest spark of recognition, but we had found nothing. No sudden flashes of memory, no faint recollections—just an endless void where Aya’s past should have been.

The day felt like a blur, a series of hopes dashed against the rocks of uncertainty. As the sky turned orange and pink with the setting sun, I could sense Aya’s frustration, though she didn’t say a word. We had tried so hard, but it seemed that her memories remained locked away, hidden behind some impenetrable barrier.

As Aya and I walked home through the bustling streets, the noise of the city seemed to fade into the background as my thoughts wandered. The day had been long and fruitless, and I was lost in my own world, mentally replaying everything we had tried that day. But then, suddenly, my steps faltered as I caught sight of a figure in the distance—a figure I recognized all too well.

She was there, laughing with her friends, completely oblivious to my presence. Her laugh, once so familiar, now sent a cold shiver down my spine. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt like the

ground beneath me had vanished. My legs turned to jelly, and a wave of nausea washed over me. I stood frozen in place, unable to tear my eyes away from her.

It was as if time had slowed to a crawl. The world around me fell into slow motion, the bustling crowd moving like shadows in the periphery of my vision. I wanted to run, to flee from the sight of her, but my body refused to cooperate. It was as if all the energy had drained from my limbs, leaving me paralyzed with fear and dread.

And then, she noticed me. Her eyes met mine, and the cheerful expression on her face slowly faded as recognition dawned. My heart pounded in my chest; each beat more painful than the last. I wanted to disappear, to vanish into thin air, but there was no escape.

She began to move, her steps slow and deliberate as she turned back and walked toward me. Every fiber of my being screamed for me to run, to hide, to do anything but stand there like a deer caught in the headlights. My stomach churned, and I felt a cold sweat break out across my skin. The memories I had tried so hard to bury came rushing back with a vengeance—every painful word, every sleepless night, every nightmare that had haunted me.

Please, I thought desperately. Please, just leave me alone.

But there was no escaping the inevitable. The past I had tried to outrun had caught up with me, and all I could do was stand there, powerless to stop it. As she drew closer, the world around

me seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us locked in a moment I had dreaded for so long.

I kept my eyes on the ground, my feet rooted to the spot, unable to move. Each second that passed felt like an eternity, the weight of her approaching presence pressing down on me, as though it was physically pinning me to the earth. My heart pounded in my chest, its rhythm erratic, matching the chaotic swirl of emotions inside me.

I could feel her getting closer, each step she took sending a jolt of dread through me. My body refused to obey the desperate commands of my mind, which screamed at me to run, to hide, to do anything but stand there. But all I could do was stay frozen, the world around me fading into a blur, the sounds of the bustling street dimming until there was nothing but the heavy silence between us.

Her footsteps finally stopped, and I could feel her standing just a few feet away, her gaze boring into me. The air around us seemed to thicken, making it hard to breathe. I squeezed my eyes shut, as if not seeing her could somehow make this moment disappear.

“Hey, are you okay?” Her voice was gentle, laced with concern, but to me, it felt like a knife slicing through the fog of my thoughts.

With great effort, I slowly raised my head, my eyes reluctantly lifting from the ground to meet hers. The sight of her face—the same face that had haunted my dreams, my nightmares—hit me like a punch to the gut. Every painful memory I had tried so hard to bury came rushing back, overwhelming me in an instant.

I could see the confusion in her eyes, the worry etched into her features. She wasn’t supposed to care. She wasn’t supposed to be here.

My mouth opened, but my voice was lost. My throat tightened, and I felt a lump forming as I struggled to find words that didn’t exist. I wanted to explain, to tell her everything that had been bottled up inside me, but all that came out was a single word, choked and broken.

“Sorry.”

It was a whisper, barely audible, but it hung in the air between us, heavy with the weight of everything I couldn’t say. I wasn’t sure what I was apologizing for—for my inability to face her, for the way things had ended, or perhaps for the mess of a person I had become since.

In that moment, as I stood there drowning in the flood of emotions and memories, I felt a cold breeze brush against my shoulder, cutting through the heavy atmosphere like a lifeline. It was subtle, yet unmistakable—a gentle, familiar touch. Aya. Her presence, though invisible to

others, was like a whisper of calm in the storm of my thoughts, pulling me back from the edge.

The sudden chill distracted me just enough to break the paralyzing hold on my body. I could move again. The tension that had gripped my muscles loosened, and I felt a strange mix of relief and desperation coursing through me. Without another second’s hesitation, I turned on my heel and bolted, my feet pounding against the pavement.

I could barely process the expression on her face as I turned away—surprise, maybe hurt—but I couldn’t bear to look back. Every second that I stayed, it felt like a dull knife was slowly twisting deeper into my chest, a pain too excruciating to endure. I had to get away, put as much distance between us as possible, before I completely shattered.

I ran. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, not caring where I was headed, just needing to escape. The sounds of the bustling street faded into a distant hum, the faces of passersby

blurring into a smear of color. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else, as I pushed my body to its limit.

I was dragging my feet along the pavement, barely aware of my surroundings when I suddenly realized I was standing in front of my apartment building. The adrenaline that had fueled my frantic escape began to ebb away, leaving me feeling weak and drained. My legs felt like they could give out at any moment, and my vision started to blur and double as exhaustion set in.

My stomach churned violently, and before I could do anything to stop it, I doubled over and threw up onto the pavement. The force of it left me gasping for air, my body trembling with the effort.

"Ugh…" I groaned, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. The bitter taste of bile lingered in my throat, and I felt like I could collapse right there on the spot.

Then, I felt it—Aya’s cool, gentle touch on my back, her presence more comforting than anything I could have asked for in that moment. She didn’t say much, but her concern was evident in the way she hovered close, her touch almost soothing as she tried to offer what little comfort she could.

"Uh… are you okay now?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with worry.

I nodded weakly, even though I wasn’t entirely sure I was okay. But feeling her there, knowing she was watching over me, made the unbearable weight on my shoulders just a little bit lighter. Her touch, as faint and ethereal as it was, grounded me in a way I couldn’t quite explain.

Slowly, I straightened up, my movements sluggish as I tried to steady myself. My body felt like it was made of lead, every step an effort, but I forced myself to push through the haze of exhaustion. Aya’s presence at my side was the only thing keeping me from crumbling

completely.

"Let’s get you inside," she said softly, almost like a whisper carried on the breeze.

I nodded again, too tired to speak, and made my way to the entrance of the apartment building. Every step felt like it was dragging me deeper into the earth, but Aya stayed close, her touch a reassuring anchor that kept me moving forward.

As I reached my apartment door and fumbled for the keys, I could feel the last of my strength slipping away. I managed to unlock the door and stumble inside, the familiar surroundings

offering a small measure of relief. But I didn’t make it far before my legs finally gave out, and I sank down onto the floor, unable to muster the energy to move any further.

Aya was right there beside me, her cool hand on my shoulder, offering what little comfort she could. I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes as I tried to catch my breath.

"Thanks, Aya…" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

She didn’t respond with words, but I could feel her presence wrap around me like a blanket, her quiet support all I needed in that moment. The day’s events had left me shattered, but with Aya by my side, I felt like I could at least start to pick up the pieces.

I stayed there on the floor for a long time, just trying to gather the strength to stand up again.

Several days passed after that unsettling incident on the street. Aya had insisted on staying

home with me, and I knew it was her way of showing concern. We spent most of our time lazing around, doing little things to pass the time. Occasionally, we would clean the apartment, and I had to admit, cleaning was a lot easier with a strong ghost who could lift heavy objects

effortlessly.

It had become strangely comfortable, having Aya around all the time. Her presence was a constant, even when we weren't directly interacting. Sometimes she'd watch TV, floating just above the couch, mimicking the characters she saw on the screen with exaggerated expressions that made me chuckle. Other times, she'd rearrange the furniture just to mess with me, her

mischievous side never fully at rest.

But even in this newfound routine, there was a question that gnawed at the back of my mind.

From the moment we'd met, Aya had told me that she was bound to me, unable to wander far. I hadn’t questioned it much at first, too caught up in the strange situation and just trying to adjust. But if we were going to continue our journey to recover her memories and figure out what had happened to her, it seemed important to understand the limitations of that bond.

As we sat in the living room, I decided to finally ask her about it. The TV was on, playing some cheesy sitcom that filled the room with the canned laughter of an unseen audience. Aya was half-watching, half-floating above the coffee table, her attention split between the show and whatever ghostly thoughts occupied her mind.

"So, Aya," I began, trying to sound casual, "how far do you think you can go without me?"

Aya turned her head slightly, her expression thoughtful as she considered the question. "Hmmm, I dunno?" she replied, her tone light, as if the matter didn't really concern her. The

laughter from the TV show echoed through the room, adding a strange levity to the moment.

I couldn't help but smile at her response. It was so typically Aya—taking things in stride, even the weirdest or most serious questions. But this was something I needed to know, not just for my own curiosity, but because it could affect how we moved forward from here.

"I mean," I continued, "if we're going to find out what happened to you, we might have to do some more exploring. What if we have to go somewhere that pushes the limits of that bond? Wouldn't it be better to know now, before we get into a situation where it matters?"

Aya floated back down to the couch, settling next to me as she seemed to consider my words more seriously. "I guess you're right," she said, her voice a bit softer now. "But... I've never really tried. I've just always stayed close because... well, I guess I didn't want to risk it."

That made sense. Being bound to someone was a strange and unsettling thing, and it must have been even stranger for her, not fully understanding why. The thought of testing those limits might have been scary, especially if it meant confronting whatever unknown force was keeping her tethered.

"Okay," I said, trying to reassure her. "We don't have to do anything drastic right now. But

maybe we should start with something small, just to see what happens. You know, so we have a better idea of what we're dealing with."

Aya nodded slowly, the idea seeming to take root in her mind. "Yeah... that might be a good idea. But promise me one thing?"

"What's that?" I asked.

"If something feels wrong, we'll stop. No pushing it too far, okay?" "Deal," I agreed, giving her a reassuring smile.

We sat there for a while longer, the TV continuing to blare in the background, but neither of us really paying attention to it anymore. The idea of testing the boundaries of Aya's tether was now hanging between us, an unspoken plan for the near future. It was a strange sort of

challenge, but one that felt necessary if we were ever going to get to the bottom of her situation.

"I have an idea," I said, suddenly struck by a possible solution. "I have an old, unused phone in the closet. I’ll give it to you, and then I'll call it while I walk away. If something weird happens, I'll come back immediately. What do you think?"

Aya seemed to ponder the suggestion for a moment, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a more thoughtful expression. "Hmm. I guess it’s okay," she replied, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

I went to my closet and rummaged through the clutter until I found the phone. It was a bit dusty, but otherwise, it was in good shape. After wiping it down, I tested it by calling from my current phone. The ring tone echoed through the room, reassuring me that it was still working.

"Here," I said, placing the phone on the table in front of Aya. "I’m going to go outside and see how far I can get. If something weird happens, let me know right away, okay?"

"Okay," she agreed, her voice a bit more confident now.

With that, I stepped outside, checking on her every few meters to see if anything was amiss. Aya stayed put, watching me through the window as I continued to move further and further away. I kept my phone to my ear, listening closely for any sign of distress.

But as I reached a certain distance, I heard her voice over the phone, slightly strained. "Hey. It feels like I’m being pushed by someone..." she said, her tone uneasy.

I immediately stopped in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat. "Are you hurt?" I asked her, worry creeping into my voice.

"No, I’m not hurt," she replied, "but it feels uncomfortable. Like someone’s pushing me hard."

I stood there for a moment, processing what she had just said. It seemed that there was indeed a limit to how far she could go without me, and whatever force was binding her to me was not to be trifled with.

"Well," I said, turning back towards her, "I think this is as far as we can go."

I quickly made my way back to the apartment, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. On one hand, we had learned something new about Aya's situation. We can go only as far as 10 meters. But on the other, it was clear that we were dealing with forces far beyond our understanding, and the thought of it was unsettling.

When I reached the door, Aya was there, hovering just a bit off the ground, her expression one of mild discomfort but also relief to see me.

"Guess that was a little too much," she said with a small, sheepish smile.

"Yeah," I agreed, "but now we know. We’ll have to figure out another way to gather information—maybe something that doesn’t involve testing invisible boundaries."

I was just about to settle back onto the sofa when the doorbell rang, interrupting my thoughts. I frowned, wondering who could be at the door. Another bill, maybe? But hadn’t the manager mentioned that everything was covered?

"I'm going to see who it is," I said to Aya, glancing over at her.

"Okay," she replied, her voice a bit distant as she floated in the direction of the kitchen.

I stood up, my curiosity piqued, and cautiously peeked through the peephole. To my surprise, I saw Yumi standing there, looking cheerful with a bag in her hands.

I slowly opened the door, trying to shake off the grogginess that still lingered from the morning. "Hey, good morning," she greeted me, her usual bright smile in place.

"Good morning to you too," I replied, a bit surprised by her visit. "What brings you here? Don’t you have exams to prepare for?"

She waved off my concern with a casual shrug. "Uh, I just wanted to check on you! You haven’t reported back to the store, and I was a little worried."

I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a little guilty for not keeping in touch. "About that… I was told by the manager to take some additional time off. Sorry I didn’t let you know."

"Oh, it's okay," she said, her smile unwavering. Then, with a small grunt of effort, she handed me the bag she was holding. "Here, I brought you some snacks and beers. Thought you might need a little pick-me-up."

I took the bag from her, surprised by how heavy it was. "Wow, thanks, Yumi. You didn’t have to do that."

She shrugged again, looking a bit embarrassed. "It’s nothing, really.”

I managed a small smile, touched by her thoughtfulness. "I appreciate it. Really, I do."

As we stood there, an awkward silence settled between us. I was acutely aware of Aya’s

presence, even though she was out of sight, and it made me feel strangely uneasy. It wasn’t like Yumi could see her, but I still felt like I was keeping some kind of secret.

Yumi broke the silence, glancing past me into the apartment. "So, can I come in for a bit, or…?"

My heart skipped a beat. Letting Yumi into the apartment would mean risking her noticing something off, but I couldn’t exactly refuse her without seeming rude.

"Uh, sure," I said after a brief hesitation, stepping aside to let her in. "Just, um… don’t mind the mess. I haven’t really had the energy to clean up lately."

Yumi smiled as she walked in, oblivious to my internal struggle. "Don’t worry about it. I’m not here to judge."

As she entered, I caught a glimpse of Aya peeking around the corner, her eyes wide with curiosity. She quickly floated out of sight, probably not wanting to startle Yumi.

I placed the bag on the kitchen counter, trying to act casual. "So, how have things been at the store?"

"Oh, same old, same old," Yumi replied, taking a seat on the sofa. "We’re managing, but it’s not the same without you there. Customers have been asking about you, you know."

I chuckled, trying to ignore the growing tension in the room. "Well, I’ll be back soon enough. Just need to take care of a few things first."

Yumi nodded, her eyes scanning the apartment. "I’m glad to hear that. Just don’t overdo it, okay? Take care of yourself."

As I opened the heavy bag Yumi had brought, I was surprised to find it filled with cans of beer. I couldn't help but wonder if she was stronger than she looked—how did she manage to carry all this here?

"Uh, this is a lot," I muttered to myself, placing the bag on the counter. I couldn’t help but think that maybe she had some problems she needed to drown out with all this alcohol. It was a lot of beer for just a friendly visit. Normally, I wouldn’t be the one to sit and listen to someone’s troubles—I'd always been more on the antisocial side—but it felt wrong to chase her off this time.

I grabbed two glasses from the cupboard and a plate for the snacks. As I moved about, I noticed Aya sitting nervously in the corner of the sofa, her eyes darting between Yumi and me. She was clearly trying to stay out of sight, but she kept glancing over at Yumi, probably as anxious about the situation as I was.

Yumi, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to everything, her attention fully on her phone as she scrolled through it. She didn’t notice the tension in the room—or if she did, she wasn’t showing it.

I placed the glasses and the plate of snacks on the small living room table, feeling the awkwardness settle in. "So, Yumi," I started, trying to sound casual, "you brought all this... What's the occasion?"

Yumi looked up from her phone, smiling softly. "No special occasion. Just thought we could relax a bit. I know you've been through a lot lately, and, well, I didn’t want you to feel like you’re going through it alone."

I nodded, appreciating the gesture but still feeling uneasy about the situation. "Thanks, Yumi. I appreciate it."

As we sat down and poured ourselves a drink, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Aya was watching us closely. She remained silent, almost blending into the shadows of the room, as if she was

trying to make herself invisible to Yumi.

Yumi took a sip of her beer, leaning back into the sofa. "So, how’ve you been holding up? Really, I mean."

I hesitated for a moment, not sure how much to share. "I've been... managing," I replied, carefully choosing my words. "Just trying to take it one day at a time, you know?"

She nodded, understanding in her eyes. "That's all you can do sometimes."

As the conversation continued, I could feel the weight of the situation easing just a bit. The beer helped, loosening the tension in the room. Yumi started talking about her classes, her friends, and random bits of gossip that I normally wouldn’t care about, but today it felt oddly comforting to listen to.

As the time dragged on, I suddenly realized that half of the beers were already gone. Out of the eight cans Yumi brought, four were already emptied—and most of them by Yumi.

In college, I used to be a pretty strong drinker, so I didn’t think much of it at first. But as I absentmindedly glanced at the label, I noticed the alcohol content was much higher than I remembered. No wonder I was feeling a bit buzzed after just two bottles.

I was halfway through my third when I felt a familiar touch on my arm. Aya’s hand. I looked over at her and immediately felt a jolt of concern. This wasn’t good. Her head was wobbling slightly, and she was starting to float just a few inches off the ground, looking completely dazed. If I wasn’t already tipsy, I might’ve laughed—but instead, all I could think of was how much she looked like the girl from *The Exorcist*.

The sight was so bizarre that I couldn’t look away. Aya’s normally composed face now had a dopey grin on it, and her eyes seemed unfocused. She was definitely experiencing some kind of second-hand drunkenness, thanks to our strange connection.

“Hey! You even listening to me?” Yumi’s voice suddenly cut through the room, louder than usual. She was leaning forward, slurring her words slightly, her face flushed and her ears turning red. I must have completely zoned out while staring at Aya.

“Uh, yeah… I’m listening,” I stammered, trying to refocus on Yumi. “What was it again?”

Yumi pouted a bit, clearly not convinced, but she repeated whatever story she’d been telling. Meanwhile, Aya’s floating became more erratic, and I had to bite my lip to keep from reacting. The last thing I needed was Yumi noticing a ghost reenacting a horror movie scene in my living room.

Aya was now fully embracing her new, drunken persona, her ghostly form drifting around the apartment like a balloon someone had let loose. At first, she was just floating lazily, mimicking swimming motions as if she were doing a backstroke in the air. But then, without warning, she floated up to the ceiling and started hugging it like it was a comfy bed, her hair dangling down as she mumbled incoherently to herself.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath, watching her with a mix of concern and bewilderment. She was now directly above the TV, clinging upside down like some kind of ghostly bat.

Meanwhile, Yumi was barely holding it together herself. She was wobbling dangerously on the edge of the sofa, her head occasionally lolling to one side. Her bangs were falling over her eyes, making her look even more disheveled.

“Hey…” Yumi slurred, lifting her head just enough to look at me through bleary eyes. “So, I... I met this guy, you know? He... He was so hot... We hit it off...”

Her words trailed off into a drunken sob as her head slumped back down onto the table. “And then... and then the next thing I knew... he was already with another woman! Can you believe that? What a jerk...”

Her voice cracked as she started crying, tears mixing with the remnants of the snacks she’d barely touched. It was one of those cries where everything just comes out, messy and raw.

But instead of letting herself wallow, Yumi suddenly lifted her beer can, her hand trembling slightly. “Cheers... to us...” she mumbled, trying to offer a toast despite her head still resting on the table.

I hesitated for a moment, glancing up at Aya, who was now softly humming to herself while staring at the ceiling. She seemed completely out of it, lost in whatever drunken dream a ghost could have.

“Cheers, Yumi,” I said softly, clinking my can against hers. It wasn’t the most celebratory moment, but I could tell she needed the small gesture.

As Yumi downed the last of her beer, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of surrealness about the whole situation. Here I was, trying to console a heartbroken person while

simultaneously keeping an eye on a tipsy ghost doing acrobatics on my ceiling.

Yumi snifled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, and I took the opportunity to quickly check on Aya. She was still on the ceiling, now lazily floating back down to the floor, her mumbling finally turning into a soft giggle.

“Why… are you so cute?” she giggled to herself, clearly still very much in her own world.

Yumi, in her drunken state, tried to straighten up, but she was clearly losing the battle. “I… I…” she began, but then suddenly let out a high-pitched squeal, “Yieeeehhhh!” She started wiggling around as if she were being tickled by invisible hands.

It didn’t take long for me to realize what was going on—Aya was at it again. I could see her

hovering just behind Yumi, blowing gently into her ear with an impish grin on her face. The sight of Yumi squirming and twitching from Aya’s invisible prank almost made me choke on the laugh I was desperately trying to hold back.

“Whyy... Why are you laughing?!” Yumi demanded, her eyes wide with panic. “And... and why is there a cold breeze in here?!” She was trying to make sense of what she was feeling, but her drunken mind wasn’t exactly equipped for this kind of ghostly mischief.

“Nah… it’s just your imagination,” I managed to say, biting my lip hard to prevent myself from bursting into laughter. My voice wavered slightly, and I could feel my composure slipping.

But Yumi was too focused on her weird sensations to notice my struggle. She looked around the room suspiciously, as if expecting to find an open window or a drafty corner that could explain the sudden cold. Meanwhile, Aya continued to playfully torment her, now flicking strands of Yumi’s hair while floating just out of her reach.

I couldn’t help it anymore. The combination of Yumi’s drunken confusion and Aya’s mischievous antics was too much. I let out a giggle, quickly turning it into a cough to try and mask it, but Yumi wasn’t buying it.

“Are you... are you messing with me?” she slurred, narrowing her eyes at me.

“No, no, of course not,” I replied, barely able to keep a straight face. “It’s probably just the beer talking.”

As Yumi continued to wriggle and squirm, trying to bat away whatever invisible force was tickling her, I couldn't hold it in any longer. I burst out laughing. It had been so long since I’d laughed like this—it felt almost foreign, but strangely refreshing.

"See! You’re laughing at me!" Yumi pouted, crossing her arms and glaring at me, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward.

"Ah, sorry, sorry," I said, still half-heartedly trying to contain my amusement. My sides hurt from laughing too much.

Yumi sighed dramatically, throwing herself back on the couch. "Hmm, haah... I’m tired. I’m gonna crash right here," she muttered, her voice trailing off. She shifted to get comfortable, not bothering where she was.

I glanced at Aya, who floated near the ceiling, observing everything with a faint, amused smile. I could tell she was enjoying Yumi's playful misery just as much as I was. With Yumi already half- asleep on the couch, I couldn't help but chuckle again.

"Yumi, are you sure you’re okay there?" I asked, knowing full well she wouldn’t budge an inch.

"Yup, this couch is surprisingly comfy. And if you laugh at me one more time, I’m taking the couch for good," she grumbled, her voice mufled by the cushions. I smiled, shaking my head as I threw a blanket over her, making sure she was tucked in.

"Alright, alright, rest up. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when your neck hurts tomorrow." She mumbled something incoherent as her breathing became slower, indicating she’d already started to doze off.

I slumped back on the sofa, letting out a deep sigh, my eyes wandering to the ceiling. The exhaustion from the long day, the beers, and everything else was finally catching up to me. My eyelids felt heavier by the second, and soon I surrendered to the pull of sleep.

A sharp voice rang through the room, jolting me awake. "Oh my gosh!"

It was Yumi, standing near the couch, her hair in a tangled mess and her eyes wide and red from sleep. She looked flustered, rushing around as if she’d just remembered something important.

"Hey, what's the problem?" I asked groggily, sitting up, rubbing my eyes. Even in her disheveled state, there was something cute about the way she panicked, like she was always a little unprepared for life's curveballs.

"It’s already 1 a.m.!" she blurted out, fumbling with her phone. "I gotta go home!" Yumi began gathering her things in a hurry, her movements frantic.

I blinked at her, still half-asleep, trying to process her words. "Why not stay the night here?" I suggested. "It's dangerous to go home at this hour, and the trains aren’t running anymore."

She paused, glancing at the door, then back at me. "But—I'd just be bothering you," she muttered, biting her lip nervously.

"No, seriously. It's fine," I insisted, standing up to stretch. "I might be an introvert, but I’m not heartless enough to kick you out in the middle of the night. Relax, it's no trouble."

"Really?" she asked, looking unsure but softening a bit. She tucked a strand of messy hair behind her ear, clearly weighing her options. "But—kay," she finally agreed, sitting back down and starting to fix her hair. I could see the tension leave her shoulders, and she relaxed a bit.

I gave her a small smile. "I only have one room, but I’ve got an extra bed and a blanket you can use. You’re welcome to crash here."

I felt a bit awkward. I mean, I couldn't just offer her my own bed. I hadn't washed the sheets in a while, and honestly, I wasn’t sure if they’d pass a cleanliness check. But the extra bed was decent enough for her to sleep comfortably.

"That’s more than enough, thanks." Yumi gave me a relieved smile, clearly grateful. She started gathering her things with less urgency, looking much calmer now that she didn’t have to rush out the door.

"Uh, can I use your bathroom? I'm all sweaty and sticky. I just wanted to shower real quick if you don't mind," Yumi asked, her cheeks turning a bit red from embarrassment.

"No worries. Take your time," I replied casually, though my brain was already racing ahead.

*Wait... does she even have spare clothes?* I glanced at her bag. It was small, definitely not big enough to hold a change of clothes.

"But—uh, do you have spare clothing?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light.

She stopped in her tracks, her expression shifting from hopeful to slightly worried. "That’s... um..." She trailed off, clearly realizing the same thing I had just a moment before.

"Ah, don't worry about it," I said quickly, trying to ease the situation. "I can lend you some of my unused clothes. I’ve got a few that are small for me, and I never wore them anyway. If that’s

okay with you, you can use those while we wash your clothes in the washing machine."

Her eyes lit up with a bit of relief. "Are you sure? Sorry for being so annoying," she said, still embarrassed but clearly more comfortable now.

"No, no, you’re not annoying at all," I reassured her. "If anything, you’ve done so much for me, so this is the least I could do. It’s not enough to repay you, really. Please, make yourself at

home."

She looked genuinely thankful, her tense shoulders relaxing a bit as she smiled. "Thanks. I really appreciate it."

I nodded, standing up and going to the wardrobe, rummaging around for the clothes that I was talking about. "Here, these should fit you," I said, handing her a clean set of sweats and a t-shirt. "Might be a bit oversized, but it’s comfy."

She took them gratefully. "Perfect. Thanks again," she said softly before heading toward the bathroom.

As she disappeared behind the door, I let out a small sigh of relief. *Why does it feel like everything's slightly awkward today?* I chuckled to myself, but at least I knew Yumi was

comfortable now. Aya, still floating around in the background, gave me a knowing glance but thankfully stayed quiet this time.

The sound of the shower turning on filled the apartment, and for a moment, everything felt peaceful again.

I glanced at Aya, noticing the playful smile on her face. She had settled onto the sofa, looking much more composed than earlier. The dazed look from the alcohol had completely vanished, though she was clearly in a teasing mood.

"Hmm, you look excited, don’t you?" she teased, her smile widening as she watched me.

Now that she mentioned it, there *was* a pretty girl taking a shower in my apartment. It kind of felt like a scene straight out of a simulation game. Just thinking about it made my heart race a little. But nope, no room for any inappropriate thoughts. Not now. I had to make sure Yumi felt comfortable.

"No, I’m not," I replied, trying to sound as straight-laced as possible.

Aya gave a little laugh, clearly unconvinced. "Hmm, well if you say so," she said, still smirking. She reached for the remote and turned on the TV, casually flipping through channels while I tried to gather my scattered thoughts.

Shaking my head, I stood up and started cleaning up the place, tidying up the beer cans and straightening out the cushions on the couch. I couldn’t let my mind wander too much. *Focus. Focus on cleaning.*

After a few minutes, I glanced over at Aya again. "So, are you sober now?" I asked.

"Yep," she replied, turning her attention back to me. "Didn’t know I could get drunk just by touching a drunkard." She laughed lightly. "I don’t even remember what happened earlier."

I rolled my eyes, unable to resist poking back at her. "Hey, I’m *not* a drunkard. You were the one who got so plastered earlier, floating around like some kind of old man who had too many. You were hugging the ceiling, swimming through the air like a balloon. Honestly, I didn’t know what to do with you."

Aya’s cheeks turned slightly pink, and she immediately slapped her hands over her ears. "Wah wah wah, I didn’t hear anything!" she exclaimed, shaking her head like a child trying to block out an embarrassing story.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction. So, ghosts could get embarrassed and blush, huh? The thought amused me more than I cared to admit. It made Aya feel strangely... human.

I pulled out the extra bed from the closet and unfolded it, setting it up in the living room. Aya, who had been quietly floating nearby, watched the scene unfold with a silent smirk, as if amused by the entire situation.

"Hey, this looks cozy," Yumi said, testing the bed with a little bounce. She grabbed the blanket

I’d laid out for her and wrapped it around herself, making herself comfortable. "You really didn’t have to do this, you know."

"I didn’t mind," I replied, walking back to the sofa. "Besides, better safe than sorry."

As she settled in, the room grew quiet again, only the distant sounds of the city faintly heard through the walls. Yumi sighed contentedly as she lay back, her head hitting the pillow.

"Good night," she mumbled.

"Good night," I echoed, my own exhaustion pulling me back into the comfort of the sofa. Aya hovered closer as I closed my eyes, whispering in a teasing tone. "She’s cute, isn’t she?"

"Shut up," I whispered back, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips. I turned over, trying to ignore Aya’s smug giggling as I drifted back into sleep.