20 An excellent way to torment your mind

Wakana opens the door and finds Sei sitting in front of the shop with her back toward her. He turns around and looks up at her. He pulls out the cigarette out of his mouth and flicks it once. She blinks at him. When did he start smoking? Never mind! She wants a smoke too, though she's not a smoker.

She is exhausted for some reason. Hearing that story has taken a toll on her. Feeling Morita Aiko's strong emotions when she told her everything has taxed her.

"You are done?" He asks her with a deep voice.

"Yes, let's talk on the way back. I think that I need a drink."

The sky is dark. The flower shop is located on a quiet street. It's an odd location for the flower shop.

Minami Sei nods at her quietly and walks ahead of her toward the car. She follows him wordlessly. She needs to clear her head. She's scared, yes. At this point in her life, she knows that being scared and cowardly won't help her. She needs to take care of that Phantom Artist before he gets to her.

She won't wait until the moment is awakened by him to retaliate against him like Morita Aiko.

She wants to avoid being fully awakened the most. Life is already difficult due to the way she is. If she was normal, she wouldn't be in this situation probably.

"Dwelling on what-ifs is an excellent way to torment your mind," She hears someone say. She looks over her head. Morita Aiko is standing at the door, looking at them solemnly.

Can witches read minds?

Did she say it out loud?

Wakana smiles and gives her a nod before she gets into the car. Even if she said it out loud, can Morita Aiko hear it from that much distance when Sei couldn't hear her?

This must be the powers of a witch -- superhearing or mind reading.

Morita Aiko is a cool person.

In the car, Minami Sei peers at her. She's leaning toward the window. That seems to be her habit. He doesn't ask her any questions. He wonders if there's more to her side than she usually shows. She's different from before.

Is she? It's not like he knows her well. They might have gone to the same school, but they have only talked twice. It's odd that their paths are crossing again after so many years. What's stranger is that he's bothered about meeting her again. Until he met her again, he didn't know that he's been missing this person who used to sneak gazes at him.

When did she sneak into his heart? Was it in middle school? Was it the moment when he realized that she was the person who placed snacks in his desk? Was it in high school when she wrote that she wanted to be a police officer? At that moment, he was both shocked and pleased.

Why? He didn't understand it back then.

He was happy that there was a chance for them to be together for a longer time.

He took her for granted.

Why did it take him so long to understand? She already has someone. He's too late.

When one is thinkingly deeply, time passes quickly. Minami Sei reaches the restaurant where he took her last time. He finds it close. He looks at the time on his wristwatch. 12:45 AM. Is there any other place open at this time? He glances at her. Her eyes are closed. She's breathing lightly. He leans closer to her and brushes off the strands of her hair from her face.

He misses her long hair. When did she cut her long hair? If they hadn't parted 7 years ago, would she keep them long?

Her eyes flutter. Startled, he pulls back and pretends as if he has just stopped the car. He curses himself in his mind. What he's been doing? Staring at her when she's asleep... that's what perverts do. He isn't a pervert. Moreover, she's his partner for the time being. He will check and recheck and tri-check his actions when they are in a situation like this again.

Wakana slowly opens her eyes. Her heart takes a wild leap. A face as white as the paper with round black eyes, a brutally deformed nose, and white curly hair is pressed against the window. The ghost's mouth is open and wide.

She doesn't scream. If she reacts, the ghost will know that she can see him. Demons and other powerful creatures can tell when they are seen by mortals. Weak ghosts can't.

Why is she seeing random ghosts again? Is it that time of her month when her abilities are suddenly on the rise? Is it because she's agitated because of her conversation with Morita Aiko? Mental anguish makes it worse.

"You awake?" Sei tries to act calm.

She looks at Sei with a poker face. "Yes."

Her poker expression and emotionless tone make him wince. Did she find out? Damn it! Why did he do it?

"Don't overthink. I was just..." He was just what? That's the usual excuse that a pervert gives to the victim. He's dying of embarrassment. "I am sorry. I wasn't going to do anything. I was only --"

Wakana isn't listening. She swallows her saliva when she sees a second ghost standing in front of the car. More importantly, more ghosts are flying toward the car now. When did this happen last time? Two years ago? Suddenly, her abilities peaked and she took days off from her work to get away from the ghosts.

"Sei..."

Minami Sei is surprised. This is the first time when she called his name.

"Drive." She's nearly begging. The ghosts are ganging up around the car. They are looking at her curiously. Why they haven't entered the car remains a mystery.

Sei blinks. What's wrong with her suddenly? "Where should I take you?"

"Somewhere safe." She covers her face. "Please."