5 — The Missing Member

"Miyazumi-san, what do you mean?"

My curiosity got the better of me.

"Shiki-san..." Umiha interfered again.

"I will tell her. But not for now."

She pierced a glare at her.

"Also, Haru Senchou."

"Let's continue this when you get much better, okay?"

"I... No. We will tell you right away."

She ended the conversation, then walked towards Shiki.

"Ugh, fine whatever if that's what you want." Shiki rubbed her chest.

"Anyway..."

"Get well soon, Haruka-san."

The door closed just like that.

...

Tomorrow, after school. Utaha, Fuka, and Umiha already left the classroom.

I was left alone for no actual reason.

"Miyazumi—"

"You can just call me Shiki from now on."

That's not the way to do it, you know.

"Sure. I mean, what are you going to show me, Shiki-san?"

She only put a slight smile.

"You will know about that soon."

...

Shiki and I were standing in the middle of a rice field soon after that.

"So? What is it?"

I asked, while staring at the field in the middle of nowhere, with the river across from it.

"I will show you."

She offered her hand. At first, I hesitated — I had so many questions. Why were we wearing uniforms in the middle of this strange field? Why did she bring me here in the first place? I didn't even understand why, but maybe... just maybe, I could trust her.

I finally reached for her hand.

"Close your eyes."

I followed her order and shut them.

She made me walk for many steps, and it almost felt like we were getting close to the river.

"Done. Now, see it by yourself."

I opened my eyes and—

"Haruka Senchou."

I saw a beautiful creature at the river, floating in front of me.

A gigantic mermaid with long claws and thorns.

Her voice was hoarse, and it seemed older.

"Eh, Umihacchi?"

I couldn't believe what I was seeing at all.

This, Umiha?

"Yes, a mermaid. She interfered with your energy."

"Just to protect you."

Shiki explained about it immediately.

"And she thought she could have done it forever without hurting you."

"Heh, this kitten really enjoys talking nonsense, huh?"

"Who was the girl that made her fainted first?"

"You just can't do that to my little Haru Senchou."

Even with that voice, I could tell it was hers.

"Said the fishy creature who should belong to this river."

"I bet you wouldn't even dare saying that once I reverted back."

"Really? Even when it hurts you? Also we got an agreement already."

I couldn't help but giggle seeing their interaction.

Maybe they never expected it, because they both looked at me in confusion.

"Heh... I didn't know you could laugh."

However, I didn't want it to end like this.

"Haruka? That's—"

"Please."

She replied affirmatively.

After Shiki softened her grip, I removed my grip from her hand immediately, walking and leaning to her head. Her teeth were so big. And those claws and thorns — could kill me anytime.

"Haruka-chan..."

"Yes yes, good girl."

She got closer as I patted her head. Something about it felt so familiar.

Oh...

Most of my memories were returned.

"Did you feel a spiritual connection with her, perhaps?"

I nodded. In-fact, I should have thanked this mermaid.

"Shut up. Not funny, you pussy cat."

"Damn you, Nekomata. Always ruined my plan."

Shiki shook her head. Meanwhile, now I finally understood why she called her that — I no longer am surprised about Nekomata. Though, this was the first time I saw a spirit living inside of a vessel.

Which means, she indeed has manipulated other people for a long time.

"Meh. You would be able to transform again anyway."

"But still..."

Eh?

I got dragged and taken away to Shiki's hand immediately.

"She's mine now. You ugly mermaid."

Hearing that, Umiha only snorted around.

This time she showed her human-like face now...

I smiled before attempting a joke.

"My my, you both truly get along together. I knew it."

At first, they both stared at each other, but then looked away quickly.

"Hmph, we don't!" They said it almost at the same time.

"Oh, by the way... what about Fuka and Utaha? Where are they?"

"Also, what are we going to do next?"

I asked both of them in confusion.

And for once more, they looked at each other again.

"Well well. Should we tell her, you fearful kitten?"

"No, you do first."

"No, you."

"No, me."

"Okay, me." 

Shiki ended it.

What are they even fighting for this time...

"Utaha left the school and she became an idol instead."

"She is a Kappa and originally was there because this fishy girl threatened her."

"Hey! That's rude you know." Umiha snapped, yet Shiki ignored her.

"As for Fuka..."

"Looking for me?"

Fuka replied almost immediately, making me want to look at her.

"Haruka-san, no! Don't look!"

Shiki covered my eyes immediately.

"Heh, what's with this treatment? I'm your tour guide for this event, remember?"

Her tone sounded disgruntled. And clearly something was strange about her voice...

"Sure, but not with that appearance!"

However, it still got me curious. 

So, I placed my hand on Shiki's — the one covering both of my eyes.

"It's okay, Shiki-san."

"I can also accept her. No matter what she looks like."

"She is my friend, after all."

I had to respect them, no matter how they were. They still wanted to be with me, even when I always noticed something was unpleasant about three of them — as much as I faked my honest thoughts.

Fuka, especially.

"Are you sure? This is gonna traumatize you forever."

"Shiki, just... don't dramatize the whole thing. She will guide us to there, after all."

"Shut up, you fish."

"Huff, okay. Never mind."

"Here we go."

"Haruka, get ready..."

I saw her for the first time. And what Shiki warned me about was correct.

It definitely looked far more grotesque than I ever expected her to be.

Yet, she was still a human.

"Surprise! I've been dead for a long time!"

"Sorry for lying about this. That bloody mermaid forced me to do this, thinking we could just graduate together... but yeah, never mind. She even offered me a return to my village."

"But Shiki was right..."

"I'm so, so sorry... Harucchi"

Fuka said while almost crying. Though, I didn't even know if you could call those tears.

"Fukacchi, is that why you always keep talking about the Inunaki village?"

I asked out of curiosity, followed with a nod by her.

"I see. Want a hug for one last time?"

She had done this many times before.

But this time, it felt distinct.

Fuka then stepped closer. 

Her dirty hands slowly reached out, despite still hesitated, then wrapped around me in a tight embrace.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Her grip was cold, yet I could feel her warmth.

However, it's time for her... no, three of us to go.

Take her to the Inunaki Village.