Chapter 9: Special Feelings?

"Let's go!"

Ryuji didn't waste any more words. His stomach was growling, and he couldn't wait to start eating. As they walked back, Miko began explaining her family situation, her voice growing more serious as she mentioned the strange occurrences at home.

Whenever Miko talked about those bizarre entities she could see, her eyes clouded over with fear. But that fear seemed to morph into hesitation, as if she were holding something back.

"Is it someone she knows?" Ryuji wondered. Based on what he remembered from the anime, it was likely that the ghost haunting her was her father, who had died but lingered in this strange form. Even though her father had become a spirit, he was still her father, and it was only natural that she felt conflicted.

"Mm-hmm," Miko responded quietly, as though Ryuji had guessed correctly. After a brief pause, she nodded.

"It's my dad... and my brother."

"Your brother?" Ryuji was momentarily stunned. According to the anime, Miko's brother was supposed to still be alive, with only her father having passed away. Could it be that in this world, the story had been altered?

At this point, Miko was too lost in her emotions to notice the surprise in Ryuji's tone. She lowered her head and continued softly, her voice trembling.

"That day... I saw my dad eat the pudding I had put in the fridge. We got into a huge argument, and because of that, my dad took my brother out to buy more pudding for me. But then..."

Her voice broke, and tears welled up in her eyes as the memories flooded back.

"It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, my dad and brother wouldn't have..." she choked, unable to finish her sentence.

Miko had carried the guilt of that day for so long. She felt that her selfishness had led to her father and brother going out, which ultimately led to their accident. The weight of that guilt had burdened her for years.

Seeing her in this fragile state, Ryuji gently pulled Miko into his arms, patting her back softly.

"This isn't your fault," he said, his voice firm but comforting. "No one can predict when accidents will happen. Even if you hadn't argued, would they have stayed home forever? What if something happened the next time they went out? You can't blame yourself for this."

"But... but..." Miko stammered, her sobs growing louder as she clung to Ryuji, as though finding a safe place to let her emotions spill out.

To passersby, it might have looked like a typical high school couple having a tearful moment. Some glanced at them, but most went about their business, uninterested in the scene.

After a while, Miko's sobbing subsided, and she slowly came to her senses. Realizing what she had been doing, she pulled away from Ryuji and took a couple of steps back, her face flushing with embarrassment.

She noticed the wet stains on Ryuji's shirt from her tears and immediately felt guilty.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..." she stammered, lowering her head, her cheeks burning red. Her mind raced with anxiety. Had she just made a terrible impression on him?

"Don't worry about it," Ryuji said with a gentle smile, waving off her concern. "What's there to apologize for? Honestly, I'm glad I could be here for you. It means you trust me enough to show your vulnerable side. If you ever need to talk again, don't hesitate to come to me, alright?"

Despite his casual tone, Ryuji's words made Miko's heart flutter. It wasn't just what he said, but how he said it like he genuinely cared. For a brief moment, her mind wandered. Did Ryuji... like her?

She quickly shook the thought from her head. Ryuji was so amazing, and she was just Miko. She couldn't let herself get carried away, could she?

"Th-thank you..." Miko whispered, her voice barely audible. She felt touched, but also a little embarrassed by how comforting Ryuji was. Had she misunderstood his kindness?

Ryuji, sensing her hesitation, smiled warmly. "Well, enough of that. Let's head to your place and figure out what's going on."

Miko nodded, still feeling a bit shy, but grateful for Ryuji's understanding. She fell into step beside him, following him like a puppet as they made their way to her home.

---

"I'm home!" Miko called out as they entered her house. It was a cozy, two-story building, similar in size to Ryuji's own place but filled with a warmth that made it feel lived in.

"Miko, you're back!" A woman's voice called from inside. Moments later, a woman who looked about 70% like Miko, but older and more mature, stepped out from the kitchen.

This was Yotsuya Touko, Miko's mother. She was a bit haggard from the grief of losing her husband and son, but there was still an air of strength about her. Ryuji couldn't help but notice how strikingly similar she was to her daughter, except with a more mature grace.

"Mom!" Miko said, her voice brightening a little.

Touko smiled gently at her daughter, but then her eyes shifted to Ryuji, standing just behind Miko.

"And who's this young man?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

"Mom, this is Ryuji," Miko introduced him, glancing over at Ryuji.

"Hello, Auntie. My name is Ryuji Hoshino," Ryuji said with a polite smile. He couldn't help but appreciate Toru's mature beauty, but quickly pulled his gaze away to avoid any misunderstanding. He was here to help Miko, after all.

"So, you're Miko's classmate? Come in, come in!" Touko said warmly, quickly moving to grab a pair of slippers for Ryuji. She smiled knowingly, a little twinkle in her eye. "You know, Miko's never brought a boy home before. You're the first one, Hoshino-kun!"

"Mom!" Miko's face immediately turned crimson. The way her mother said that, with such an obvious hint, made her feel embarrassed beyond belief.

Given what had happened today, coupled with the comfort Ryuji had provided earlier, Miko couldn't help but feel a bit flustered. Now, with her mom teasing her, the situation only got more awkward.

Touko chuckled at her daughter's reaction. "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you."

But inwardly, she was surprised by Miko's reaction. It wasn't every day her daughter brought someone home, and seeing how flustered Miko was now, Touko wondered if there was something more between them.

As a mother, she couldn't help but feel both surprised and a little happy. After all, she had only Miko left in the world now, and she wanted her daughter to be happy.

"Come in and make yourselves comfortable. Don't just stand there!" Touko said, ushering them inside.

Ryuji stepped inside, exchanging a brief glance with Miko, who was still blushing furiously.