Chapter 2 " My first time "

I was walking home after school when I felt it. A soft, warm breeze brushed against my skin. It felt peaceful. Then I saw it.

A monster with a massive hole in its chest was roaming near the street. Its white mask looked cracked, empty. It was probably one of Yew’s ghost “friends.”

This one looked uglier than usual. I tried to ignore it. It didn’t plan to do the same. The ground vibrated. It was walking toward me.

For a moment… I felt it. Fear. Then...Slash. The hollow disappeared in a clean arc of light.

“Heeeyyy Iaji!!! Lookkk!! I just killed a hollow!” Yew stood proudly with her sword, smiling like she’d won an award.

I ignored her.

If I started talking to her in the middle of the street, people would definitely think I was insane. I just kept walking.

“Iaji… Iaji… Iaaajiiiii!! Don’t ignore me!! You’re making me feel like an idiot!!” She floated beside me, shouting.

“I just saved you!!! Instead of being grateful, you’re ignoring me!! How rude!” I changed direction. Manga store.

Going inside a corner shop made it easier to talk to her without looking crazy. I picked up a book from the shelf. “What is it?!” she asked, leaning too close.

“Just a famous manga.” “What’s the name? I want to know!” “Alive Note.” She blinked.

“What does it do?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why is it famous?”

“I don’t know. That’s what I’m trying to find out by buying it.” She crossed her arms, clearly unsatisfied. We left the store.

The wind felt strange now. Warm… but cold at the same time. My stomach growled.

“Haha Iaji… let’s buy something,” Yew said immediately. Of course she heard it. I walked into a bakery nearby.

Behind the counter stood an orange haired woman. She had a warm smile that felt oddly comforting.

I noticed a different kind of bread displayed. “Wow, what’s this?” I asked. “It’s special. Just for today,” she replied.

“Why special?”

“Because I felt like it,” she answered gently. There was another girl working there too, probably around my age.

When I paid and turned to leave...

“Hey… you look familiar. That robe… I’ve seen it somewhere.” She wasn’t looking at me.

She was looking at Yew. Yew froze. “Eh? You can see me?” I stopped.“You can see her?” We both stared.

The orange haired woman smiled calmly.“Thank you for buying. Come back again.” She completely ignored our shock.

Then, softly....

“Be careful at night.”

And just like that, the moment passed. We stepped outside.“I’m surprised she could see you,” I said.“Me too…”

But something was different. Her breathing wasn’t steady. She looked… tense.“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Fine. Look at me.” She tried to smile. The wind suddenly felt heavier.

“Okay… if you say so,” I muttered. “Hey, want to try this special bread? It’s my first time trying it too.”

She looked at it. For the first time since I met her… She didn’t say anything immediately.

"....i remember there is a substitute Shinigami in this town" Yew said while breathing heavily.

To be continued.