Chapter 26 – Ghosts & Giggles

There are many things in this world that strike fear into the hearts of men.

Taxes, Confessions, Airi’s smile when she’s planning something.

But tonight, it’s something worse.

The Courage Test.

And guess who got dragged into this nonsense?

Me.

Also, Usagi. Who’s currently hiding behind me like I’m a riot shield.

“Alright! Teams of two!” Kenta declared, standing under a flickering flashlight like some kind of dollar store horror host. “You walk from the torii gate through the woods, pick up the charm at the shrine, and bring it back. Easy!”

“Easy, he says,” I said.

“Whooo’s gonna scream first?” Daiki grinned, wiggling his fingers dramatically.

Mika raised her hand. “It’s already me, I’m pre screaming.”

I tried to back away. “Actually, I think I left my soul at the inn—”

Too late.

Mr. Kumagai had written the pairings already. “Tanaka and Fujimoto. You’re up.”

Kenta whistled. “Ohoho! Couple power!”

“I hope the ghosts get you,” I said.

Usagi tugged my sleeve as we stood at the torii gate, Her eyes looking nervously toward the trees.

“…You okay?” I asked.

She nodded quickly. “Y-Yeah, I’m not scared... At all.”

I raised an eyebrow.

She tightened her grip on my sleeve.

“…Okay, maybe just a little.”

We’re walking along the forest trail set up behind the inn, Plastic skeletons hang from branches.
A speaker plays cheap ghost moans, The scariest thing so far is the suspicious sounds in the bushes (which may just be Kenta trying to scare someone).

Usagi made a noise like “hyeeegh!!” and practically glued herself to my back.

“Calm down,” I said. “It’s just a squirrel.”

“Squirrels are evil at night! Their eyes glow!”

“I’m pretty sure that’s cats.”

“…Cats too!!”

She was trembling slightly, her fingers wrapped around the edge of my jacket.
This wasn’t like Airi's usual teasing, This was full Usagi mode sweet, honest, and absolutely terrified.
Wait... Isn't that also Airi these past few days?

We kept walking, the dirt path guiding deeper into the forest.

Then—

“Kyaaaaa!!”

Something white shot out from the trees.

I flinched.

Usagi screamed, bolted behind a tree, and—

SLAP!

—whacked me with the flashlight.

“Ow!”

“S-Sorry! I thought you were the ghost!!”

“Why would the ghost be holding your sleeve!?”

From the distance, we heard Kenta type of noise.

“I’m gonna haunt him when I die,” I muttered.

After the Great Ghost Bush Incident, we finally reached the small shrine, A single charm lay on the steps.

Usagi hesitated.

“I’ll get it,” I said. “Just wait here.”

“No!”

She grabbed my arm.

“Don’t leave me alone, What if I get possessed and start floating?!” she said, dead serious.

“…Then I’ll hold your ankle and float with you.”

Her eyes widened a little.

And then, finally, she smiled.
Just a small one.

As we walked back, Usagi stayed quiet.
Still holding onto me, But not shaking anymore.

“…Thanks,” she said softly. “For staying.”

I looked down at her.

Then, without thinking—

I reached up and gently patted her head.

“You did good, Usagi.”

Her eyes widened. “Was that... a reward?”

“Yup, Brave girls get headpats.”

She didn’t say anything for a moment, Just stared at the ground with pink cheeks.

Then,

“…I might get scared again.”

I chuckled. “Wow, What a coincidence. I might still have more headpats.”

She laughed softly, and full of relief.

Somewhere behind the trees, I swear I saw a flash of light.

Probably just Hina watching us like some ghost of approval.

Or maybe another squirrel. (Still evil.)

By the time we make it back, we’re still holding hands.

And the group? Oh, they notice.

“YUUJI YOU ABSOLUTE CHAD!” Kenta shouts, pointing dramatically.

“Are you two dating now?!” Mika gasps.

Daiki whistles. “Well, well, well. Someone came back with more than just ghost trauma.”

Usagi hides behind me. “Ignore them, ignore them, ignore them—”

I mutter, “We’re not dating.”

No one believes me.

And standing just a bit to the side is Hina.

She doesn’t say anything at first, Just looks at Usagi with her usual emotionless expression.

Then, with the faintest smile, she says to me :

“...You were kind, Yuuji. Thank you.”

Before I can respond, she walks away, like she already knew how it would go.

Airi/Usagi Status: Super scared, super cute, currently hiding behind me like I’m her human shield.
Mental State: I think I just leveled up as a protagonist?? Wait, am I in a shoujo manga now?
Snack Rating: Someone brought ghost shaped marshmallows, I rate them kenta/10.
Romantic Progress: “I might get scared again.” = permission to stay close forever??
Headpat Rating: …Warm, I kinda wanna do it again.