Chapter 178: Ghosts
When human society reaches a certain level of development, it begins to divide the places where people live into functional zones. From small closets and bookshelves in homes to large residential areas, commercial districts, and office districts in cities.
Different areas have different styles, and the predominant style of the office district in the city of Misaki is orderly.
The buildings are neatly lined up along the roadside, with glass windows facing the street. In the depths of the night, they quietly reflect the moonlight, creating a world of eerie shadows on the streets below.
In the deepest and tallest shadow, there is a twenty-story building that resembles a ladder. It looks like a slender tower that extends to the moon.
The tower is called Magus Bar.
As an apartment building, Magus Bar is devoid of lights.
This is not surprising, as it is already past 2 a.m., and tomorrow is a workday. Most of the residents who live here are office workers in the district, and if they don't rest early, they won't have enough energy for the next day's work.
At this time, in this place where no one is awake, except for the patrolling police officers, there is only one person who has ulterior motives—Shinji Matou.
For the past few nights, he has been coming here and finding a spot where he can see the rooftop of Magus Bar, sitting or lying down for a few hours. Of course, he's not just idling away his time; he is waiting, waiting for the appearance of a certain special being.
Once again tonight, he has gained nothing. Disappointed, Shinji leaves the bench and goes to a nearby vending machine to buy a can of coffee.
"Still no sign? Did I get the timing wrong, or...?"
Just as Shinji is preparing to leave, a human-shaped silhouette comes into view.
And it's not a metaphor; the girl is literally floating.
She appears to be in her early twenties.
She wears a luxurious white dress, and her long black hair reaches her waist.
The slender hands and feet peeking out from her attire further display this woman's elegance.
The delicate brows and cold eyes can arguably be classified as a type of beauty among beauties.
The wind falls silent.
The coldness of the night air is exceptionally piercing, given the current weather. A needle-like chill pierces the neck.
But Shinji's inner being doesn't cool down because of this chill; instead, it becomes increasingly eager.
"She finally appeared."
He throws a punch as if celebrating.
In the next second, a gray cloak envelops his body, and white feathered shoes appear beneath his feet. Carrying his body, he flies towards the sky, towards the figure of the girl who seems to want to pluck the moon.
Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that this girl's body is abnormal.
Having said that, whether the age of a ghost itself can be judged by measuring the years of life remains a question.
Although the gaunt cheeks and slender body are visible, there is no sense of substance, as if she were a blurry mist.
The night breeze blows, but the girl's loose white gown and black hair do not flutter with the wind. They remain gently pressed against her body. She is like a mirage, like an illusion, visible but out of reach.
However, the girl is neither a mirage nor an illusion; she truly exists. Shinji, who has extensive experience dealing with spiritual entities, can confirm this.
He ascends to the same height as the girl, face to face with her.
"Good evening. The moonlight is lovely tonight. Would you like a cup of coffee?"
Shinji offers a can of coffee to the girl.
The girl doesn't speak. Suddenly, a bewitching magic emanates from her ethereal figure.
Shinji remains unfazed. "Don't try to manipulate me. First, your level of manipulation is ineffective against me. Second, I was already flying."
The girl seems somewhat panicked, floating higher.
"Uh, didn't you want someone to fly with you? Why are you hiding when you see me? Am I scary?"
Shinji sighs in frustration, spreads his winged rain shoes, and chases after the girl.
"Hey, hey, hey, I mean no harm. I just wanted to invite you for a cup of coffee and have a chat."
Upon hearing this, instead of stopping, the girl speeds up, trying to escape.
Thus, an aerial chase unfolds. The ghost-like girl flees while the cloaked boy pursues her. This chase lasts for over ten minutes.
Gradually, Shinji loses his patience to continue the pursuit and shouts loudly.
"Stop now, or don't blame me for being impolite."
The girl naturally doesn't respond.
Shinji grits his teeth and increases the output of his magic, accelerating his flight speed.
The moment he catches up to the girl, an inconspicuous bag appears in Shinji's left hand.
"Sorry... Kibisis!" As soon as he finishes speaking, the fastening of the restraining bag suddenly loosens. Instantly, the girl feels a powerful suction force.
This force is not physical but originates from the spiritual realm. It doesn't affect the surrounding environment but renders the girl unable to move. She struggles desperately, like a drowning creature, but all in vain.
The mouth of the bag opens wide, and the suction force intensifies. The girl can no longer resist it and is swallowed into the bag.
"If you can cooperate a bit, I won't need to use Kibisis anymore."
Shinji sighs and securely fastens the bag.
Using the moonlight to determine the direction, Shinji flies towards the outskirts of the city.
After half an hour, Shinji opens a certain window on the exterior wall of the hospital and lands in a single-patient room.
On the bed in the room, the same girl who was captured by Kibisis struggles to sit up.
"It's you..."
"It's me," Shinji nods gently.
"Are you my enemy?" The girl's expression is different from when she was in the sky. There is no panic, but rather a faint joy.
"That depends on you. If you want me to be your enemy, I will be your enemy. If you want to be my friend, then I will be your friend."
"Friend?" The girl seems unable to bear the night breeze and coughs a few times. "I don't have any friends."
Shinji considerately closes the window. "There can be none to become some."
"Thank you, you're a strange person."
"People often say that. So, what's your answer? Do you want to be friends with me?"
"Hmm." The girl thinks for a dozen seconds and eventually nods. "Let's be friends then. I also want to know what it feels like to have a friend."
"I like that choice. Since we're friends, I should return what belongs to you."
Shinji smiles and materializes Kibisis. With the girl's somewhat frightened gaze, he unfastens the fastening, and the spirit of the girl sealed within the bag breaks free, circling the girl on the hospital bed.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Shinji Matou. And you?"
"Kirie, Kirie Fujou."
On the hospital bed and in the air, the two girls speak simultaneously.