Chapter 12: The Sister Group Proposal

I woke up not to the gentle morning sun, but to the sound of an argument. It was a loud, passionate, and deeply concerning argument about marketing demographics and spectral resonance. My nap, which I had intended to last for at least twelve hours, had clocked in at a measly four. My head throbbed in rhythm with the shouting.

"The 18-24 female demographic is our core, Joshua, but we're missing the male demographic entirely! A girl group would double our audience share!" That was Yui's voice, sharp and analytical as always.

"Exactly! And think of the crossover potential! Joint concerts! A reality show! 'Keeping Up With the Corporeals'!" That was Joshua, his voice brimming with the kind of insane enthusiasm that could power a small city.

I groaned and rolled over, pulling a pillow over my head. Maybe if I ignored them, they would go away. Maybe this was all a stress-induced nightmare. Maybe Glitch had won and this was my own personal digital hell.

No such luck. My bedroom door creaked open.

"She's awake!" Lily's high-pitched whisper cut through the pillow.

The pillow was gently removed from my face. Joshua, Yui, and the entire Phantom Idols roster were crammed into my doorway, all looking at me with expressions ranging from Joshua's manic glee to Ren's dramatic concern.

"Fair Amy, you have returned from the arms of Morpheus!" Ren declared.

"I was sleeping," I grumbled, sitting up. My hair was a disaster, and I was still in the clothes I'd worn during our digital exorcism. "What part of 'I will turn this house into a parking lot' did you not understand?"

Joshua held up his hands in a placating gesture, but the triumphant gleam in his eyes betrayed him. "We didn't recruit anyone! It's just a proposal. A business plan. Yui made a PowerPoint presentation!"

Yui held up her tablet, which was already displaying a title slide: 'Project Siren: Expanding the Phantom Phandom'. I felt a migraine beginning to form behind my eyes.

"Absolutely not," I said, my voice cracking with sleep and sheer disbelief. "No. N-O. We are barely keeping this group from accidentally revealing the existence of the afterlife to the general public on a weekly basis. We just fought a sentient computer virus. The last thing we need is more ghosts."

"But these are different kinds of ghosts, Amy!" Joshua insisted, stepping forward. "We did some research while you were asleep. There's a major haunting hotspot across town. The old St. Dymphna's Academy for Girls. It's been abandoned for decades. It's a goldmine of untapped talent!"

"It's a goldmine of spiritual instability and unresolved trauma!" I countered, rubbing my temples. "You don't just go to a haunted school and hold auditions! That's the opening scene of a horror movie!"

"It's the opening scene of an idol movie," Joshua corrected. "Think of the backstory! The tragic, beautiful spirits, waiting for a chance to shine!"

Yui swiped to the next slide, which showed a picture of the creepy, gothic-looking abandoned school. It was covered in ivy and looked like it was one strong gust of wind away from collapsing. Another slide showed pie charts. So many pie charts. 'Potential Fandom Growth', 'Merchandise Opportunities (Female Line)', 'Cross-Promotional Synergy'.

"The data is undeniable, Amy," Yui said, her tone serious. "From a business perspective, this is the most logical next step. The Phantom Idols have proven the concept. Now it's time to scale."

They were talking about immortal souls like they were a startup. I felt my sanity slipping.

"I am not a ghost-recruitment agency," I stated, trying to keep my voice even. "I am a talisman maker. My job is to provide magical support to the existing group of chaotic specters you've assembled. My job is not to go ghost hunting with you so you can build a supernatural pop empire."

Kaito, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "Beggin' yer pardon, lass," he began, twisting the end of his spectral bandana. "But... havin' a few more lasses around the place... it might liven things up, aye?"

The other Phantoms murmured in agreement. Even Dullahan gave a slow, thoughtful nod. They were ganging up on me. It was a full-blown spiritual mutiny.

"You're all insane," I said, looking at their hopeful, translucent faces. "This is a terrible idea. It's going to backfire spectacularly. It's going to result in more property damage, more near-exposures, and me having to invent even more ridiculously specific talismans. I'll probably have to create a 'Don't Haunt the Tour Bus' charm."

Joshua's face fell. He knew he was losing. It was time for his ultimate weapon. He didn't even have to say anything. He just glanced over at Lily.

The small ghost shuffled forward, her big, sad eyes fixed on me. "Amy-oneesama," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I've... I've always wanted a sister."

I squeezed my eyes shut. It was a low blow. A dirty, rotten, incredibly effective low blow. He was using the ghost child's desire for a sibling to manipulate me into enabling his harebrained schemes. He was a monster.

A long, painful silence filled the room. Everyone stared at me, waiting. I could feel my resolve, already weakened by lack of sleep and the recent cyber-battle, cracking under the pressure. The image of the creepy school flashed in my mind, followed by visions of spectral schoolgirls causing untold amounts of new, inventive chaos. I imagined myself in the middle of it all, sleep-deprived and drowning in a sea of ink and regret.

I let out a long, slow sigh of utter and complete defeat. "Fine."

The word hung in the air for a moment before the room erupted. Joshua whooped and pulled me into a hug I was too tired to resist. Yui was already making a new slide titled 'Phase 2: Talent Acquisition'. The Phantoms were cheering.

"You won't regret this, Amy!" Joshua beamed, his optimism a physical force of torment.

I leaned my head against his shoulder, too exhausted to even push him away. "Joshua," I said, my voice muffled by his tracksuit. "I have regretted every single decision I have made since the day I agreed to make that first stupid talisman for you. This is just... the president of a very long, very distinguished list of regrets."

He just patted my back. "That's the spirit! Now, get dressed. We're going ghost hunting."

As I watched them all file out of my room, chattering excitedly about audition criteria and potential group names, I laid back down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. The parking lot idea was looking more and more appealing.