An Invitation

“I’m telling you Evi, homemade dashi is worth it. It’s incredibly versatile and adds a lot to whatever dish you put it in. Like, I used a decent amount of it in the tamagoyaki and you liked that.”

“And I told you that I’m not a chef.”

“It’s just a soup stock, they’re easier than you’d think.”

“Between the soup and the tea I feel like you might just really enjoy boiling things in water. Should I be worried if you ever ask me to go to a pool?”

“I mean, ‘boiling things in water’ is a fairly large segment of the development process for most stocks and broths, but you don’t generally use boiling water for tea. Even for black teas, I prefer water that’s a bit below the boiling point.” I turned up my nose at her. “And yes. You should be very worried.”

She rolled her eyes.

“The relationship between you and the concept of hot water seems very fulfilling. I might be a little jealous.”

“Ha Ha.”

As we walked back to class, I felt a sense of relief I’d almost never had before. Sure there were other people around. Talking, loitering, and heading back to their own classes. But for once I wasn’t focused on them. I was focused on her. On the two of us. And I was having fun. I was actually having fun. I think we both were.

“Hey Ghost Girl!”

Ouch.

“Ooh, and the Devil’s here too!”

I winced.

Turning around, we saw a girl with wild eyes and a manic smile jog merrily towards us. Her dark brown hair grew lighter at the ends, swaying in the form of two high-held pigtails suspended by lively green elastics. A black ribbon bow hung loose around her neck, clattering against her cream-colored sweater vest as she hurried nearer. She stopped short just a bit too close for me to feel comfortable. Her body hunched forward slightly, but not in a manner that lacked confidence. No. Her aura was like that of a coiled spring. All wound up potential energy, ready to turn kinetic at any moment. Dynamic, if I had to choose a word.

Evi spoke first.

“Leave.” If murder were a sound, this would be it. Whoever this girl was, she had touched a nerve. Standing up straight, Evi loomed over the both of us. Right now, she cast an imposing figure.

“Akira Kusumoto, nice to meet you!” If the girl was bothered, she didn’t show it. At all. Evi did not seem to appreciate this.

“I don’t care what your name is if you aren’t going to use mine,” she practically growled the words at her.

“And how am I supposed to do that when I don’t know your name? Duh. That’s what this introduction is for right now. Hi, I’m Akira! Who are you?” She looked to me for support. “A little unreasonable, right Ghost?”

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. Great. I didn’t even know this person. She wasn’t even in our class and yet somehow she still knew my dumb nickname. And she kept saying it. And she insulted Evi. And today was ruined and right when it was starting to go so well and now Evi is mad and I’m still me and nothing has changed and I don’t know who this is and—

“You okay there?” asked the girl I didn’t know.

I stared at the ground.

“Is she okay?” she asked Evi.

Evi had her fists clenched. Arms straight down at her sides. I heard her take a deep breath. Then relax her hands.

“Rin. We’re leaving.”

She moved to grab my arm. I flinched. Oh no. I could see the hurt on her face. She wiped it off quickly but I saw it all the same. Oh no. No. No. No, no, no. I stood stock-still. Paralyzed. My breathing grew heavier as I felt more and more people focusing in on us. Why couldn’t things just be fine?

“Hey Ghost Girl, are you alright?”

Wait.

Wait a minute. Stop. Calm down. Calm down. Those don’t sound like the all-too-familiar tones of mockery or derision. No. This is concern, still light, but definite, concern. Huh. Whoever this was, it didn’t seem like she was hostile.

Wow. Hostile. What is wrong with me? Why is that the word I use? Why am I like this? Ugh. I steadied my breathing, and answered her.

“…Yeah. I, uh, yeah, I’m sorry. What did you say your name was again?”

“Akira Kusumoto!” she declared excitedly. “And I want both of you to join my club!”

“…What?”

“The Paranormal Research Club!” she said, beaming.

“…What?”

Evi started walking. “I need to get back to class.”

“Uh, Evi?” I called out to her.

She kept walking.

“Evi-chan and Rin-chan! Got it.” Kusumoto-san gave a thumbs up. “Okay, that’s fair. Just consider it all right?”

A club. An invitation! I’d never gotten one before…

My eyes darted between the two of them, Evi continually stepping further out of sight. Slipping out amongst the thin crowd of passersby. Even those few who’d taken notice of our conversation with Kusumoto-san were already moving on. I suppose they also had classes to get back to.

I wanted to follow her.

But.

Well.

Paranormal research? I’d never heard of that club before. And actually, thinking back to last night…

I did have some questions.

“Um. W-where would you want to meet?” I asked the pigtailed girl.

Her eyes sparkled. “I'll see you after school.”

“Oh. Okay, uh, our class is over by—“

“I know where it is,” she said happily. “Glad you’re interested!” Her smile widened before she turned and headed back down the hallway.

I sprinted after Evi. Well, walked briskly after Evi. We’re not allowed to run in the halls. Nevertheless, I found her faster than I thought I would. She was lingering by a window only a few classrooms away. Eyes down. Hands in her skirt pockets.

“You waited for me?”

“You sound surprised.”

“Ehe he,” I tried to smile.

“Come on.”

And we walked back together.